Summary: Inspired, of course, by Emania's It Only Takes a Moment series. A series of short Moments from yours truly inspired by this most awesome vignette chain.
AN: Oh my god, two in a row! THE WORLD IS ENDING! Absentia is doing MULTIPLE POSTINGS! And there wasn't even a three month long wait! ARMAGGEDON IS AT HAND!
Disclaimer: Shoo, go sue somebody who isn't destitute.
Dedication: For Em, for all she's given, and because I want to give a little back.
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Snapshot 2: Hold On Hope
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"Everybody's got a hold on hope/ It's the last thing that's holding me." Guided by Voices – Hold on Hope
It was like an itch in his chest.
He wasn't sure when it had started, which thing had set it off, but it was always there now, just sometimes more intense than others.
The itch, the urge, the desire was there when she was curled in a chair with a book, when she stood in front of the stove, preparing her tea. It was there when the Titans all stood in a group, submitting to the flashbulbs and microphones of the media, and Raven stood apart and to one side, alone.
It was there when the tabloids dubbed her "Ice Queen", and she pretended almost convincingly not to mind. It was there when the children at the charity orphanage were frightened by her powers.
It was there now, as she sat with her eyes closed in meditation, her hands resting on her knees as she floated an inch or two above the couch cushions. She worked so hard at being strong and in control, despite all the sacrifices she had to make. And though she gave her all to save the world day in and out, the world was never really sure what to do with her.
Robin's hand twitched on his thigh as he swatted away the itch to reach over and gather the fragile-looking young woman into his arms and keep her there, to comfort and protect her.
She didn't need the protection, and she'd never ask for the comfort. But knowing that did nothing to curb this strange desire to just hold her.
But why?
Feeling his gaze on her, Raven slit her eyes open a fraction and turned her head to look at her leader. She smiled ever so slightly, just a faint upward curl to the corner of her mouth, when she saw the faint crease of his brow, the downward turn of his lips.
"Something I can help you with, Boy Wonder?"
Robin jolted slightly, startled from his thoughts by her voice, and he colored slightly. Grinning, a little abashed, he shook his head. "No, thanks. I think this is one I'll need to figure out on my own."
Raven's brows quirked towards her hairline. "Well, don't hurt yourself."
His slow, warm smile was a little confusing and his gaze never moved from her as she resettled herself in the lotus position. "I don't think that'll be a problem."
She whispered her mantra and closed her eyes, and did not see his hands twitch, or his smile turn wistful.
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AN: Umm… yeah. I think I like this one a little better than the last one, though the ending is a bit… fudgy. If it were to occur alongside Moments, this would have to be a bit further along in them, about when Robin starts realizing things, I suppose.
And damn, I don't know how Em does it. I'm trying to follow her tradition and put little quotes at the beginnings of each little snippet, but it can be really difficult to find ones that fit properly. I got lucky on the first one; this one is… meh, so-so.
Well anyways, let me know what you think. It's really entirely up to Emania whether or not I keep going with this, but your opinions will certainly have some sway as well. So start talkin' at me, folks. )