Fall to Pieces
Chapter One: announcements
By: Angel Vanilla
Author's Note(s): I know I really should be working on my other fanfiction, Running, but after I saw the episode Birthmark I just go the inspiration for this fic (it really sparked my Robin/Raven side), and it wouldn't leave me alone. So, here it is! And when you review, please be kind about it. This is only my second fanfiction. Thank you!
Genre(s): Mostly Romance/Drama (with some)/Angst
Pairing(s): Robin/Raven, Cyborg/Bumblebee, Beast Boy/Terra, Starfire/Speedy
Story Summary: The Titans are falling apart, and one by one, they're leaving.
Chapter Summary: One Titan leaves the team.
Other Notes: Thank you to BlackShield for reviewing Running. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it, and I'll continue once this is out of my system, and I'm over my writer's block for that fic. Thank you.
Cyborg looked up and down the table at his friends, wondering how they'd react to his news. Under the table he felt Bumblebee give his hand a gentle squeeze, and he looked over at her. She smiled, and he tried to return the gesture through his nervous feelings. She nodded reassuringly.
"Uh…guys?" Cyborg said, and everyone became silent. Along with the usual Titans, Speedy and Aqualad were also there. They all looked towards the half-mechanical man, waiting for him to continue.
"Look, Bee and I have got something to tell you…" Cyborg said, taking a deep breath. Bumblebee smiled nervously.
"We're engaged."
Immediately there were congratulations, and a "GO CY!" from Beast Boy. Raven smiled slightly, and Starfire asked, "What does engaged mean?"
Robin explained, and Starfire then expressed her happiness in a jumble of English and Tamaranian.
After dinner, everyone went off to bed, and Cyborg was doing his dish duty—maybe the last one he'd ever do in Titans Tower.
"Hey. Want some help?" Cyborg turned and saw Robin standing in the hallway.
"Sure, man," He answered. They stood there in silence for a moment, until it was broken by Robin.
"So, when's the wedding?" He asked.
"Sometime in the spring," Cyborg answered. They were finished washing the dishes now, and began to put them away. "…Robin, I won't be able to be a Titan any more. I'll have a family to look after. The superhero days are over for me, Rob."
Robin smiled sadly. "I know," He answered. "I understand. I thought you'd say that. Just promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't forget about us when you've got kids. I've always liked the name 'Uncle Robbie.'" Robin smiled, and Cyborg laughed.
"I promise."
"And I'll hold you to that."
Cyborg and Bumblebee announced his leaving the Titans the next morning, and everyone seemed okay with it. They weren't happy to lose their friend and comrade, but they understood why he was leaving. Having a family and being a superhero was too risky—it provided far too many people for criminals to threaten to get to you.
"So…when are you leaving?" Beast Boy asked.
"Saturday, three days from now." Cyborg answered.
"Hey, Cy?"
"What, BB?"
"…Play you at TurboBot9000?" Cyborg smiled. Some things would never change.
"Sure, BB. Sure."
Cyborg said goodbye to each of the Titans in his own unique way. For BB, it was letting him win for the last time at video games. For Starfire, it was celebrating Tamorfken, the Tamaranian holiday of weddings, and he'd already settled things with Robin, so that just left Raven.
For the girl he thought of as his little sister, he gave her the one thing they thought he'd never part with: the T-Car.
As Cyborg was leaving, they said goodbye to the newly engaged couple, and then retreated back into the tower to mope for a while.
When the dark girl entered her room, Raven found an envelope lying on her dresser, next to her mirror. She opened it, and found a letter, and a set of keys that looked familiar, but she couldn't place where she knew them from.
Raven looked down at the letter, and recognized Cyborg's handwriting.
Dear Rae,
I wanted to leave you something special, and it's as much yours as it is mine. You did just as much as I did, and Robin would've just used her for racing. Take care of our baby, and good luck with your dad.
See you soon,
Cy
When she'd finished reading, Raven felt tears making their way down her cheeks. She'd realized by now what the keys were—they were to the T-Car.
The one thing they thought he'd keep forever.
She looked down at her friend's letter again, and regretted not being a little more open with him. It was too late now, he would be focused on his soon-to-be-wife, and gradually, he would forget his old friends and his former life as Cyborg.
He would be normal, and her presence in his life would only complicate things for him.
Grabbing the keys, she teleported downstairs next to the T-Car. A little drive might clear her head.
But sitting in the car they'd worked so hard together to build only made things worse for her.
That was sad… it nearly made me cry while I wrote it… : ( I know that this chapter seems kind of Raven/Cyborg angst, but it's more just like the feeling of losing a brother or very close friend. Please review…
-Vanilla-