This chapter is completely rushed

This chapter is completely rushed. I'm sorry for the multiple errors, but I'm in such a rush. I have no time at all. I apologize, also, for not publicly thanking my reviewers. You are all so wonderful!

XX

He didn't so much as bat an eyelash at her entrance. He remained standing where he was, arms crossed, staring at something that was completely invisible to the rest of the world. As she moved nearer, she could hear his breathing increase. Inwardly, she smiled, feeling reassured that she could affect him in a way, if only just a little.

She didn't dare speak, now. It was the silence that kept everything from slipping out of bounds, from finding the small crack that bled into insanity. It was separation, indeed, and no one could bear to break the fine barrier. It was not so much that the barrier itself was fragile, but more so that they were all fragile. The ones who had to deal with the truth were much too breakable to be handled. And the ones who did not know the truth were burdened with too much to tolerate much else.

The barrier of the sane and insane, the lies and the truths, was boarded up tight. They were all bounded by an unconscious fear, an instinct, to stay clear of it, unaware of what exactly could happen if it broke. But she knew.

Everything for them (but not so much for her) would be destroyed.

XX

"Raven?" Starfire knocked lightly at her friend's door once more, hoping that she was there. She had not been social towards anyone since the fight with Slade, and she desperately needed someone to talk to. Raven was someone.

"Come in, Starfire." Relief swelled inside her at the sound of her friend's voice. She opened the door without hesitation, slipping through the small opening and quickly closing it behind her.

"Raven," Starfire said, a sigh of relief embedded in her words, "you have no idea how glad I am to see you."

"Do I?" Raven replied.

"I need to talk to you."

"I assumed."

"It's...," she began. She could not find the words.

"About him?" Raven offered.

"No," Starfire said. "I suppose I just needed someone to talk to…about life."

She understood. Immediately, no more questions were needed on the topic of the discussion. "But," Raven continued. "How are you and Robin?"

"Unwell," Starfire said. "It is a relationship with only one emotion shared between us, revolving around a million more."

Raven nodded, urging her to continue. She stayed quiet.

XX

There were no words needed. And, in this case, silence was welcome. One word could smash the entire moment, the little moment of fantasy that was so far from reality. That one dreaded word could make them realize exactly what they were doing. One word…it was all that was needed to send it all spiraling downward.

Lust. That was that single emotion. The one with the sins tied into each end of its beautiful body. Desire, seduction, apprehension, fear, longing…. The ones that revolved around it.

That annoying itch that was buried deep under your skin, the one thing that told you otherwise. Everything done, everything happening, was all floating in ecstasy. But there, somewhere in the center of it all was a nagging that begged with every remaining part of you not to go on. It was too small, too insignificant, to matter to her in that moment. But with each corner turned, with each step that took her further into the alluring darkness, it grew on her skin.

It was growing, and although it was not large enough to matter much, it was something that she couldn't overlook.

XX

Rushed. Stupid. Pointless. I can see flames coming my way. Please, try to get past the bad part. Look at…um…well, since all of it is the bad part, look at…looks around…this wonderful lint ball! It's certainly much better than this chapter.

Please, review, and maybe the next chapter will be upgraded from lint to platinum!

-Alien