Chapter One: Romance Novels
Robin and Starfire's lips seemed to be glued as they kissed on the rooftop of the tower. It had finally happened. . . They were going out. It took Robin a while to work up enough courage to actually ask her, but he was so far rewarded with two weeks worth of happiness. But not exactly complete happiness as he was soon to find out.
The sun was starting to set when they finally broke their make out session. They sat in silence for a while, just watching the sky being painted tropical citrus hues. Starfire hugged her legs and sighed.
"Robin," she said softly, "I am very happy that you asked me to be your girlfriend."
Robin nodded in agreement. "So am I."
Silence intruded once more before Starfire got up. "I would like to have some dinner with our friends. Would you like to come?"
"Sure," Robin said, getting up and holding her hand as they walked downstairs into the main room.
Luckily, Cyborg had just come back home with a large cheese pizza. He was taking out the paper plates and setting them out on the counter when the couple walked in.
"Well, if it isn't our two favorite lovers," he said in a babying tone.
"Shut up and give me a slice," Robin said, sitting down next to Starfire.
"Sweet!"
Beast Boy jumped into his seat right on cue and waited for his share of pizza. Raven scooted into the booth at the table instead, book still in hands. Robin looked over his shoulder and observed as she isolated herself from the others.
"Uh, Raven? Aren't you going to join us?" he asked, cocking his head.
She shook her head. "I'm perfectly fine over here."
"Okay, but you're getting your own food," Cyborg said. "I'm not playing waiter tonight."
She nodded, yet still enticed by the pages in front of her. Curiosity took over the Boy Wonder's better half. He picked up his plate and sat next to Raven to get a look at her book. But she noticed quickly and covered the title with her hand. He rolled his eyes beneath his mask.
"Come on, Raven, it can't be THAT bad," he insisted. But she shook her head immediately.
"I'd rather read without an interrogation, thank you very much," she said, her eyes moving left and right as she read.
He frowned and tried to focus on getting his food into his mouth. . . Just to throw her off of course. After a few minutes of silence, he made his move and launched his hand towards to the book. He easily plucked it out of her hands and read the cover.
"What's In His Heart by Tara Vern?" he said with a raised eyebrow. Raven snatched it back, but he didn't take much notice. "Since when are you into romance novels?"
She looked at him with an agitated flicker in her eyes; the kind of flicker Beast Boy was usually given.
"Well, maybe if you weren't making out with your girlfriend all the time," Raven started to yell, "you would've noticed it sooner!"
She walked out of the main room, leaving the other Titans in the dust. Robin sat there with widened eyes, still staring at the door, as if waiting for her to come back. After a few minutes he looked at the others with a confused glance.
"That was . . . sudden," he said, motionless.
Cyborg shrugged. "She might be having mood swings again. The best you can do right now is apologize."
Robin was a bit taken back at the suggestion. "Why do I have to apologize? I didn't do anything."
"But, Robin, you seem to be the one who offended her," the teen Tamaranean pointed out. "If you do not apologize to Raven, she will only become more upset."
Robin sighed in defeat and walked out of the main room. In the hall, he found Raven's bedroom and stepped up to the door, about to knock. But before he had the chance, Raven opened it first.
"What?" she said. The annoyed tone in her voice made him wince.
"I'm sorry I got you mad like that," he said. "I guess I couldn't control my nosiness." He scratched the back of his head nervously.
"I'll agree on that," she said with a bit more attitude. "I forgive you, but mind your own business next time."
He forced a nod. "You want me to get you some pizza?"
She shook her head. "I'm fine. Bye."
But even as the door closed in his face, Robin still stood there. Something was wrong with her. He felt his side of the bond burning with worry. It wasn't like her to get mad at him that easily. And it surely wasn't like him to just let her get away without questioning her. She might not like it, but it was for her own sake. With a shaking fist, he knocked. It didn't take a while for her to answer it, but to him, it felt like years of anxiety.
"Can I help you?" she said, only opening the door a few inches wide.
"Is there anything you need to talk to me about?" he asked.
"What gave you that idea?"
He looked down, not wanting to see her if she was getting tired of him invading her business. "Our bond," he replied quietly.
She rolled her eyes. "Robin, if there were anything you really needed to know, I would tell you."
He looked back up. "Promise?"
She nodded half-heartedly and closed the door without another word. Robin sighed and walked back down the hall, fumbling with his gloves. He knew something was a bit off about her. He just knew.
Raven stood next to the door and waited until his footsteps faded out till she sat on her bed to gather up her thoughts for a moment.
With him on my back like that, she thought, he'll find out soon enough. She groaned and threw herself down on her bed. She best not think on it too much, or else it'll be harder to keep her secret. She reached for her book and continued reading.
