Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
The Arrival
Ellwood knew the moment the social worker drove away with his sister. He could sense the increasing distance between them. But it did not bother him as it usually did. As the teen standing before him, in tights, spandex, a cape, and a mask, was proving to be a good distraction. Ellwood's fist tightened around the strap of the grey backpack daggling over his left shoulder, and shoves his right hand into the pocket of his jeans. "This is fucked up" Ellwood spoke bluntly honest. Because in what world does child services give guardianship of a teenage foster kid to another teenager? Even if that other teen is a superhero personally trained by Batman.
Robin frowns at the choice in language, but decides not to address it. All of the books said it was important to pick your battles. "Welcome to Titans tower" he intoned, sounding anything but welcoming. It wasn't like Ellwood was here on good terms. Robin eyed the other boy. They were roughly the same height, and had the same pitch-black hair. But while Robin's hair was spikey, Ellwood's hair hangs in his face, reaching his jaw line in an unkept fashion. Ellwood's cold black eyes were blank, but Robin suspected they were actually very expressive. It was just a question pushing the boy until his guard was broken. Ellwood's clothes were old; ripped jeans, duct taped shoes, and a faded t-shirt. He looked the part of street urchin, that was for sure. Robin's eyes landed on his new charge's backpack. "is that all you brought?" He asked. Ellwood clearly didn't think he would be here that long. Robin would enjoy proving him wrong. This would be one home that the wayward teen would not be able to escape from.
Ellwood hoisted his bag up higher on his shoulder. If only what Robin was thinking was actually the truth. "I have what I need" Ellwood said, blatantly lying. But it was easier to lie, than to say that what was in his bag was only half of everything he owned. The other half was with his sister, and they just had to figure out how to make do.
Robin continued to study Ellwood for a solid minute; like a detective searching for a clue. He crossed his arms over his chest, as the other boy stood in front of him, shifting his weight from foot to foot. An ocean breeze picked up, and ruffled both boys' hair. Robin was warm with his long sleeves and cape, But Ellwood shivers when the wind touched his bare skin. He would have plenty of time to learn all the details of this potential problem in the days that followed, Robin told himself. Ellwood was now the team's responsibility in more ways that one, and Robin never failed. Stepping aside in the doorframe of the entrance to Titan's tower, Robin jerked his head in the direction of the bottom floor. "Let's go meet the rest of the team".
Ellwood sighs and looks over his shoulder, where the car carrying his sister was already long gone. Living with superheroes was going to make their pending liberation more difficult than normal. But seeing that it couldn't be avoid, Ellwood faced forward once more, with hunched shoulders, and stepped into the tower. He could only hope that Will had gotten a better placement than he had.
Five minutes. It had only been five minutes since the social worker left her with the Jenkins. And in that time, the couple that smelt of dead cats and looked like they were seasonally employed by haunted houses, had already gone through her blue backpack. Her few changes of clothes were thrown across the shabby living room. The bag was turned inside out, and every pouch was searched. Willow stood by passively. It was a common enough practice in some of the group homes she had stayed at; searching possessions for contraband. But her new guardians weren't searching for weapons, drugs, or booze. As become apparent when they dropped her bag to the grimy floor with snorts of disappointment. They spun around to face the girl, ordering her to turn out her pockets. They were searching for things of value.
Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, Willow obeyed listlessly. It didn't matter. She didn't have anything. Nothing they would want at any rate. Willow pulled out a crumpled receipt from a deli and a stubby pencil she had nicked from the social services' office. Willow had used both of them to scribble down street names and land marks as she had been driven away from Ell to help her find her way back to her twin. Not that she thought it would be hard to find a giant T-shaped building. But, she had been surprised when the social worker dropped her off in the same city as her brother. Usually they were placed as far away from each other as possible. It didn't matter, she kept telling herself. None of this would matter in the long run, no matter how bad it made her feel. From her jean pockets she pulls out a stick of gum, and five dollars. It was all the money she had to her name, and she had earned it by slipping it out of someone's pocket who had carelessly stuffed in in there. Miss Selina had taught her well. Go after the ones who look like they are in a hurry; they see less.
The five dollars are snatched out of her hand by the skeleton like man, who has a greying beard that resembles a dust bunny. "Pathetic" the man grumbled. However, the way he stares at the currency clutched in his hand gives away his pleasure in just a measly five dollars.
The woman, sporting ratted hair that was popular in the eighties, and dressed like an aerobatics instructor, places her hands on her hips, and sneers at the fifteen-year-old girl standing before her, revealing yellowing teeth with a gross overbite. "First night is free" she said, her voice coming out like a frog that caught a cold. "After that it's twenty dollars a night, and if you want to eat it's another twenty dollars". Willow raises an eyebrow. A foster family that was more like a boarding house? That was a new one. "Everyone earns their keep here". Everyone? Does that mean there are other kids here? "Dan and I don't care how you get the money; get a job, steal it, find a sugar daddy. But don't get caught. If we get a call from the police or your school we won't help you". Willow was missing the streets of Gotham more and more with every word that came out of this woman's mouth.
Dan, with the five dollars pocketed, walked over to the moth-eaten sofa and plopped down on it, making it squeak. He turns on an ancient TV set that fills the living room with the sound of jumbled speech and static. "You'll call us Ma, and Pa" the woman said, drawing Willow's attention back to her. "The girls stay in that room" she said, pointing to a door over her left shoulder. "And the boys are in that room". She points over her right shoulder. Definitely other kids in this home. "Bathroom is door the hall. Diner is at six. Other than that, there is no reason to leave your room until morning". And the woman, now introduced as Ma, joins her husband on the sofa, reaching for an odd-looking glass tube with a white residue stuck on the inside. Willow frowned as she kneeled down on the long ago soiled carpet to collect her belongings. So, it was one of those homes.
With her clothes and bag bundled up in her arms, Willow turned to the door dubbed the girls' room. She needed to get settled, go to sleep, get in contact with Ell, and come up with a plan.
Ellwood could feel his left eye twitching. Robin had lead him to an elevator, and it was an awkward ride in silence up to the top of the tower. The elevator doors slide open to reveal a huge room. It contained a full kitchen, and a living room with the largest sofa Ellwood had ever seen. The sofa faced a wall with floor to ceiling window, with the middle one doubling as a TV screen one would expect to find in a movie theater. It was more luxury than Ellwood had ever seen. But that was not what was causing his eye to twitch. Sitting on the center of the sofa was a big ass half robot and a green kid, playing a video game with more energy than was strictly necessary. In a corner, a girl in a cape was reading with a marker of irritation on her face. And in the kitchen, a red head floated around banging pots and pans together and humming nonsensical sounds. These were the people who were supposedly now in charge of him? Ellwood suspected that his time here was going to be worse than the two weeks he spent in juvie. Robin cleared his throat and attracted the attention of his friends. Cyborg paused the game, as he and Beast boy lean over the back rest of the sofa to look at the new arrival. Raven glanced up from her book, and took to studying the new teen with great scrutiny. She had a bad past with strays. Starfire gasped happily as she dropped her pan filled with green goo, and flew over to get a closer look.
"Team this is Ellwood. Ellwood, this is Cyborg, Beast boy, Raven, and Starfire", Robin introduced, gesturing to each titan in turn.
Starfire buzzing with anticipation lasted just long enough for Robin to finish speaking, before flying into Ellwood's personal bubble. "Greeting new roommate!" the alien squealed as she placed her face right in front of the boys. Who flinched back at her closeness, but otherwise kept his visage expressionless. "We are most joyed to having you stay with us. And I know we will all become the best of friends. But please tell me". She pauses, before saying in one go. "Where did you come from? How did you get here? What is your favorite color? And do you wish to be my friend?"
Ellwood blinked. He had heard every word the redhead had said, but couldn't comprehend why she would ask him those questions. "What?" he asked, as a reflex.
Robin tensed. He expected stand offish, and uncouth behavior, as was the norm of people coming from Gotham, but he didn't like such behavior directed at Starfire. It was crazy to think that they were now responsible for someone in more ways than making sure he didn't hurt anyone as they escorted him to jail. They had, or rather he and Cyborg had, accepted the task of teaching a kid in their same age group the difference between right and wrong. But it was an abnormal situation. Robin had read the reports. Ellwood, taken in under Catwoman's wing like he was taken in by Batman, had been exposed villain life, but had as of yet been found guilty of any crimes other than running away, truancy, and petty shoplifting. So, he couldn't be treated like a supervillain. And then there was the strange occurrences Robin had read about in Ellwood's files after social services reached out to them. Ellwood and his twin always seemed to be at the location of Catwoman's heist the day before the crime occurred. But there was never any evidence to prove their involvement. The justice league suspected they had powers. Which was supported by social services reports of turning in identical homework assignments despite being in different classes, sometimes even different schools. Social services had separated the siblings after complaints from foster families complaining about how unnaturally close the twins appeared to be. But no matter how far away the twins were, and no matter how much they were limited access to technology, they always managed to find each other. The foster families they stayed with were another thing. A couple of months after the twins had stayed with them, something unfortunate always seemed to happen to them; car accidents, muggings, or the occasional house fire. No one had been killed yet, but all the victims spoke of remembering a pair of coal black eyes staring into their souls, and then nothing. Coal black eyes, like the ones Ellwood and his twin possessed. But the twins couldn't be pinned down to these crimes either, as the forensic reports always came back that it was the victims that drove their cars off the road, purposely angered the wrong person late at night, or set their own house on fire. Social services had the twins marked as endangered youth, and Robin had to agree. The twins had the promise of becoming supervillains. But right now, they were still innocent of major crime. Or at least until it could be proven otherwise. There might still be a chance to turn them around. And perhaps, if they did have powers, they could be taught to use them for good. That was Robin's goal at any rate.
Starfire smiles, unaware of the concern growing in her teammates. This time she would speak more slowly. "Where did you-"
Ellwood held up a hand to stop her. "Don't repeat yourself. I heard you the first time". He said, using his raised hand to run it through his hair. Christ, why couldn't Will be here. She was better with people. Miss Selina had always said that the twins were her best scouts, because Ellwood noticed doors, window, alarms, and other such security measures. While Willow could figure out the people working with them by observing. "I come from an unplanned pregnancy created during a one-night stand." Cyborg started choking on air. "Shouldn't you know how I got here?" Now, Robin's left eye is twitching. "I don't have a favorite color". Ellwood pauses and looks down. Three of the titans were on edge. The answer to this question was what they were afraid of; for Starfire's sake. When Ellwood looked back up her eyes were hard. "You don't want to be friends. My friends get hurt".
A look passes between Robin, Cyborg, and Raven. What did that mean? Beast boy observed Starfire. Her lower lip wasn't quivering like he expected it to be after being rejected. Nor did she seem confused by Ellwood's strangely worded answers. If anything, she seemed more concerned as she dropped out of the air and landed on her feet. "And now I have a question" Ellwood said forcefully. But it wasn't directed at Starfire. Instead he turned to Robin. "Why am I here?"
Willow softly opened the door to the girls' room, and poked her head in. It bugged her that her back was exposed to Dan and the woman who wanted to be known as "Ma". But she also didn't want to go into a room without knowing what was on the other side of the door. Life had taught her not to be so careless. There were four beds; a set of bunk beds pushed up against the left wall, a twin bed under the window, and another twin against the right wall. There was no other furniture.
"New girl" a soft voice spoke from the top of the bunk beds. Willow stepped all the way into the room and closed the door quietly behind her, as she studies one of her new roommates. The girl on the top bunk seemed to be around middle school age. She was laying on her stomach and kicking her legs behind her head as she stares at Willow with big blue eyes. Her blonde hair hangs limply in front of her ears in twin braids.
The other occupant in the room is a little girl; about eight years old. She didn't look up when Willow entered the room. Instead she remained sitting on the lower bunk with her knees drawn up to her chest; shaking. So, this was that type of home as well.
"Don't mind her" the blonde girl said, noticing what Willow was looking at. "Daisy's just upset because Lola paid her admission and diner fees for the night, and now Lola might not have enough time to earn enough money before Ma and Pa lock the doors for the night".
The little girl, presumably called Daisy, buries her head in her knees, sobbing softly. Willow nods solemnly. Daisy was young, but it seemed that she had already learned. You can't cry in these types of homes. Crying attracts attention, and attention causes problems. Willow settled for looking back up at the lofted blonde girl. She wished her arms weren't full of her clothes so that she could readjust her glasses. "Which bed is mine?" Willow asked?
"That one" the blonde said, pointing to the bed pushed against the right wall. Willow walked over to it, and set down her clothes. There was no dresser or closet to put them in. She would have to fold them and keep them in her bag. "I'm Marie, by the way" continued the blonde. "I've been here for a whole year, so I can tell you anything you want to know about Ma and Pa."
Willow hummed to herself, as she registered the girl's words. She understood this type of kid too. The starved one; who would do anything for positive recognition of their existence. In many ways, Marie was the most dangerous type of kid. "How do you earn money?" Willow asked, sitting down on the rock-hard bed, and turning her attention to her clothes.
"Daisy and I collect recyclables and turn them in for cash. I also walk some of the neighbors' dogs. We're too young to do much else."
Willow finished folding her pajamas, and old shirt and a pair of sweatpants, and moves on to her spare set of street clothes. Besides the clothes she had on her back, this was all she had. Willow would have to see how she could procure a toothbrush. She briefly glances up at the blonde to show that she is listening. "What does the other girl do?"
"Lola? She works at a coffee shop. But she doesn't always get enough hours, so her paycheck doesn't always cover a whole month, and she doesn't make a lot in tips. But she says she has friends in the city that help her when she's low on money."
"Does she pay your guys' fees often?" Willow needed to know. She needed to figure out what her role would be in this home; it was crucial for her survival.
Marie's otherwise cheerful face turns into a scowling one. "Just Daisy and Jacob in the boys' room. She says that they're too young to spend the night outside". Marie's face twists into an expression of betrayal. "She used to help me too, but then she got mad at me because of something stupid, and said I was on my own".
Willow zipped up her clothes back into her backpack. And fell backwards onto the squeaky bed. She hadn't slept very well the night before; having spent it sleeping upright in social services office chairs, and knowing that her and Ellwood were going to be separated again. "And what's it like, sleeping outside?" Of course, Willow knew the answer. It involved falling asleep to the sounds of traffic and nefarious late-night acts, and waking up whenever the cold breezes got to be too much. But one never knew what freely given information can reveal.
Marie shrugs, as her glare slips off her face, but she's paler now. "It's not that bad if you know were to go". Her voice quivers. "I like the playground. No one goes there once it's dark out"?
Willow hummed again, and turned on her side to signify the end of the conversation. This was a weird, overcrowded foster home. But still not the worst she's ever been placed with before.
"I'll be honest with you". Robin's words echoed in Ell's mind as he laid on his stomach on his bed for the duration of his stay at titan's tower. "You're here because we know you had dealings with Catwoman". Robin had said. Ellwood didn't find that surprising. He had suspected that was why social services had sent them both out of Gotham. "We also know you and your sister have a history of running away. And we suspect that both of you have powers. Though we have no proof." Those words caused Ell's spine to stiffen. This was bad. Only four people knew about their abilities; Will and himself, Miss Selina, and Him. It was too dangerous for anyone else to know. Ellwood glanced around the big ass room that was his for as long as he was stuck here. With high ceilings, and a grand window with a view of the bay, he felt out of place. "You're here so we can keep an eye on you and make sure you and your sister aren't threats". Robin had said.
The room he had been given contained a queen-sized bed, closet, a dresser, a desk, and a bookshelf. Starfire had gleefully told him that she would help him decorate it any way he liked. It made Ellwood uncomfortable. "Then why aren't we stuck in juvie" Ellwood had asked. If these superheroes were so sure of his guilt why keep him in this gilded cage? He didn't want to do anything with the room. He was determined to not be here that long. For his sake, and Will's.
"Why?" Robin had countered. "Do you think you've done something wrong to warrant juvenile hall?" Robin had cornered him. Ellwood couldn't have said anything without either giving in, or incriminating himself. "This isn't a prison, Ellwood" Robin went on to say in a slightly kinder tone of voice. "You can leave to tower as long as we know where you are and when you're coming back. And you'll start school on Monday". Ellwood growled to himself. Great, just fucking great.
They were taking him to the mall tomorrow to buy school supplies, show him Jump city, and to buy him some more clothes. Because, apparently one change of clothes wasn't acceptable. Unease settled in Ell's gut as he stared at the blank walls of his new room. Why? Why were they wasting time and resources on him? The titans had nothing to gain from this arrangement. Even Miss Selina wouldn't help them unless she got something out of it.
Ellwood had one last question for Robin before he was willing to let this subject drop. "If you think that we are so dangerous, then why isn't my sister here too?" Ellwood had asked the question guardedly. His weakness was his twin. Ellwood knew it, but he didn't need to advertise it.
Robin had smirked at him. "You two always run, but you runaway faster when you're separated. And you're the one that runs first, right?" Ellwood was disgusted that Robin knew that much. But then Robin had turned his smug attitude into a gesture of kindness. "we tried to take in both of you, but social services insisted that it was better for you guys to live separately". He was referring to the twins' strong bond's tendency to be viewed as incestuous. If only they could tell everyone the truth. "But we're watching her too, and you'll see her at school".
Ellwood rolled over on his back and sighed. That announcement had shocked him. He thought for sure Will would have been sent to the other side of the state. "Will's still in Jump city?" He had asked before he had the mind to control himself.
For the first time since Ellwood met Robin, the superhero smiled. "That was one of our conditions. We'd take you in, and make sure you stay put, but only if you'd have access to your sister".
Back in the present, in his new bed, Ellwood closed his eyes. Just who the hell were these people he was staying with?