The Grass Is Greener
Chapter 1
"Again? Again for the twentieth time, he wants to host another gala?"
The Mayor of Jump City really had a way of getting under my skin, and I swore to Azar that he was completely well aware of what he was doing. He just knew I hated events like this.
"This isn't the first nor the last time we'll save Jump from some doom peril, Robin. Would it really that bad if one of us doesn't attend?"
Robin snuffed at me. "It's just one night, Raven. It won't be that bad. It's a pretty big honor for all of us to be there."
I crossed my arms. "Easy for you to say, leader. Why couldn't he just keep it casual like usual?"
Robin lowered his eyes. I did not care if he was getting fed up with my stubbornness. I was going to get out of this some way or another. "Because, Raven, many important political figures and esteemed guests will be there." Surely the son of the wealthy Bruce Wayne would know how to recite explanations of fancy balls by now.
"Oh, come on, Rae. I'm sure there's gonna be drinks there," Cyborg chimed in. "If we didn't have permission to get wasted at these events before, we definitely do now!" Beast Boy grinned and lay back on the couch.
"Yeah, we totally deserve to after kicking the Doom Patrol's butt!"
I rolled my eyes, preparing to walk off. "Ohh, goodie, I'm sure glad I'll have something there to distract me from reality. Now if you can excuse me, I'm going to find a terrible dress to wear." I raised my hand up, expecting a particularly high pitched voice to scream with excitement. "Don't even think about it, Starfire."
It had been years since I'd worn something flashy and regal for an event as upscale as a gala. If it weren't for the regular workout training with Robin in the gym, I would have definitely had to leave my humble abode in search of something new.
After sifting through my clothes, I pulled out a blue silk dress from the depths of my closet and held it up to my figure. Ehh, age has certainly given me a shape to work with. The last time I had worn it was Starfire's 18th birthday, which had to be at least three or four years ago.
I lay back on my bed, rubbing my face. I wasn't repulsed by the gala as much as I was by the thought of going with the team. I had a feeling this evening was already ruined before it had started. A knock at my door had shaken me out my thoughts and I answered, already knowing who to expect.
"What do you want, Robin?"
He stood there, rubbing his neck like some drug fiend that hadn't had a fix in two weeks. I knew exactly what he was here for.
"May I come in?" I sighed. "You might as well." His eyes quickly surveyed the halls before he entered my room.
When the door shut, he grabbed my wrists and held them over my head as he slammed my back against the wall. He licked his lips and kissed mine hard before trailing down my jawline.
"You're really trying to do this right before we go to this thing tonight?" I whispered, my voice airy from the overstimulation. Robin raised his head to meet my eyes.
"Yes, we are. And there's nothing you're going to do about it."
Out of habit, he searched for my suit's zipper down my spine and peeled it off my arms and tugged downwards in one swift movement. He looked closely at my undergarments before snatching them off and lifting me up to wrap my legs around his back. He was always quick to the point.
Robin adjusted himself out of his pants while maintaining eye contact, effectively making my guard melt like ice cream in the sun. "You always know to keep it sexy."
I smirked, "Only for you." He gripped my hips tightly as he swiftly shoved himself inside me.
"That gown looks absolutely glorious on you, Friend Raven!" Starfire's slightly irritating wind chime voice sang into my ears.
She danced, floating in her short and full pink dress that shimmered when light reflected on the fabric. The alien beauty looked ravishing with her candy apple locks pinned up in a bun and her fair makeup. I stood in her mirror, analyzing the thigh-high slit in my gown and I realized my legs were a slightly tanner shade than my arms. "Are you sure? I just don't know if it's the right-"
"It is perfect. It makes you appear very…womanly!" I smiled. I didn't give a damn enough to change anyway. "Alright. Let's go.
Beast Boy, Robin and Cyborg donned clean tuxedos as we left the tower for the Mayor's Mansion. I did not expect as many people to attend as they evidently did, however. The entire property was covered from top to bottom with cars. I felt even more awkward than ever before.
Robin escorted Starfire into the gala, trying to keep up with their stupid appearance. I was still pissed at him. I was pretty sick of his façade—smiling in his perfect girlfriend's face after doing unspeakable acts to me.
The team was ushered to a section of tables set specifically for the honorees, where the Mayor's podium stood. As he approached it, he caused an immediate hush among the crowd when he began to speak.
"Welcome, everyone, and let's give a big round of applause to welcome the Teen Titans!"
We all plastered a smile on our faces as we stood up to accept our medals of distinction. I tried to pay attention to the majority of the speech, but my mind was elsewhere... Cyborg was right; I was going to need a drink to get through this night.
As soon as the ballroom dancing commenced, I hurried to the bar to get a glass of something heavy.
"I didn't think you'd get here that fast, Rae. That must be a new record."
Speaking of the devil.
Cyborg grinned at me, tugging on his neat ivory bowtie as he requested a Long Island Iced Tea. "Is it really that bad to be here tonight?" He looked down at my seemingly bothered facial expression.
I smoothed my dress and crossed my legs, sipping a very dirty martini. "Yes. It's absolute torture. As if you're no better with your drink." Cyborg boomed with laughter.
"Aww, Rae. Don't worry, you look beautiful. Just enjoy yourself. You know you've got a lot of eyes on you." I pursed my lips.
"That's exactly what I'm not enjoying." Cyborg cackled again before walking off with his glass to find Beast Boy, who was attempting to smother himself with expensive looking women at his table. I sighed as I shifted my vision elsewhere until they unfortunately landed on a painful sight to see.
Robin was slow-dancing with Starfire in the center of the floor, clearly whispering sweet nothings to her that kept her cheeks bushing and her smile wide. What a fucking douchebag.
I grew sick of the view of the two and promptly left the mansion to walk alone in the garden. Robin had been trying to keep me and Starfire happy for far too long and I was fed up with his rouses. If he wanted a perfect princess girlfriend to prance around town with, then that was something he should have done on his own time and not at the cost of my feelings. I was a fool for allowing my heart to get in this anyway.
If it was only a relationship of sex, I would have been fine.
But Robin did things to me that made me feel like a queen…much more, a goddess. Somehow, he had tapped into my icy core; we had been inside each other's minds and hearts and bonded on a spiritual and emotional level. We shared each other in ways that he and Starfire could not.
Every time I tried to end the relationship, he found ways to drag me back in. I could not shut him out if I tried.
And I hated myself for that.
I lost myself in my thoughts as I strolled around the enchanting garden, secretly hoping for an answer to my dilemma.
"Is there a reason why you're out here alone, sweetie?"
I looked up and noticed a dark-haired woman in a deep green body-con dress approaching me. She was softly smiling as she reached in her clutch for her compact and lipstick. She sat down at a nearby bench and ran the dark shade of violet across her lips.
"You need someone to talk to?"
"Not really," I shrugged. "But I do need to sit down. These heels are killing me."
She quietly snickered. "Story of my life. Say, aren't you Raven of the Teen Titans? Why aren't you in there having…fun, and whatnot?" How observant of her.
I scowled. "That shit's not fun. It's just a waste of my time. And if you so happen to run your mouth to a reporter, you can quote me. That shit is not fun."
She burst with laughter. "Ohh, don't worry, sweetie. I'm no snitch. I'm Sheila." Her emerald eyes gleamed at the sound of her own name.
I nodded. "Charmed. So, what are you here for? The drinks? The rich men? An autograph from Robin?"
She smirked. "Mostly the drinks, and I thought about getting an autograph or two, but that girl Starfire wouldn't let a lady come within a hundred yards of that guy." She leaned forward and stroked her calf softly, as if she was reminding herself of her self-assured incandescent beauty.
I snorted.
"Tell me about it. Try living with them and having to see their PDA. Talk about a 24/7 irritation." Sheila groaned. "I know how that goes, trust me. I've lived with an idiot I'm forced to work with before. Believe me, it's a living experience no one should have to endure."
I grinned. This girl could definitely hold an interesting conversation.
We spoke for at least twenty more minutes before I was messaged to meet back up with the team in the ballroom. I hadn't realized that I could ever meet another woman who had so much in common with me.
"Well, it's getting late. I think I'd better go," She stood up and adjusted her dress and I rose to my feet as well.
"I guess I'll…see you around, then? If you ever need to talk," She whispered, giving me a facial expression that appeared slightly flirtatious, and walked away.
I shook my head as I entered the mansion once again and headed towards my table. It was a rather random conversation, but something told me that meeting Sheila wasn't in the least bit by chance.
Late at night, the rooftop had become my sanctuary. No longer was my bedroom a safe place; Robin had literally taken it over with his incessant midnight urges. I stood facing the ocean and watched the night sky come alive. Living on a private island offered a view of the stars that could not be seen in the city because of the light pollution.
It was…calming.
Until I sensed Robin's presence coming behind me.
"I should have known you'd be up here," He stepped up to my back and shoved his face in my neck. "You always smell so good…like, vanilla and peppermint…no one would expect you to smell like that. Especially since your bed smells like lilacs."
I rolled my eyes. "It's my shampoo, Robin. What do you want from me right now? Shouldn't you be cuddling up under a certain alien princess tonight?"
He lifted his head. "Raven.."
"Don't Raven me," I spun around to face him and snatched off his mask. My pent up rage had begun to fuel a growing fire inside me. How dare he even attempt to justify what he had been doing to me and Starfire? His dilated eyes stared longingly at me. "I cannot continue to do this to myself, Richard."
His eyes widened. "What do you mean?" I shook my head, pulling at the ends of my hair in frustration. "I can't continue to be this…this secret lover you have. I am a woman. I'm almost twenty-four years old. I deserve much more than this. You want to be with Star, and you want to be with me. I just don't get you! You need to figure out want you want because we're getting too old for this." I stepped away from him and turned to the waters.
"I understand that you consider yourself a bachelor and all that. I'm not trying to be your wife or tie you down right now. But God, Richard, why can't you be conscious of your actions and my feelings!" My eyes watered and I wiped them before the tears could fall.
He turned my body to face him and held my arms to stare at my hurt expression. "Raven, I love you. I share my heart with you in a way that I cannot with Star-"
"Then WHY are you still with her?!" I snatched my arms from his grip. I was fuming and sick and tired.
"Because…she still loves me. I don't want to hurt her-"
"Right, at the risk hurting me! You've been doing this for six months, Robin. You still don't know what you want. Well you know what, I'm done. I'm done compromising my dignity for you. I know I deserve better-" He grabbed my arm again, this time much more firm.
"You are my soulmate, Raven. We deserve each other. Please…I'll…I'll fix this. I will, before your birthday next week."
I stared at him. This was nothing new.
"Please," He pulled me back to his chest. "Please, Raven. Give me another chance to make it up to you." I sighed. He leaned down kiss my lips deeply. I received it with grinding teeth. He was doing it again.
He kissed my jaw.
"Please, Raven."
He kissed behind my ear.
"Please."
So this is my first fiction posted in many years. I'm somewhat glad it has been so long, because I definitely needed time to improve my writings. Hopefully, you guys will enjoy it. The juicy drama continues! I'll be sure to update soon.