Hey y'all, it's me again. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth :P Anywho, just a few notes. I know it was never confirmed or denied in the tv series, but for the sake of my story, Red X is Jason Todd. And he's the same age as Nightwing. And his hair is still black. Also, secret identities have been revealed at this point, so everyone knows who everyone is. And when I write of Jason Todd, think of it as the Red Hood Jason rather than the Red X Jason. I just decided to keep the name from the cartoon for the sake of it.
Annnnnnd before I go, just in case anyone here is not familiar with the whole, 'who's who'; Nightwing is Dick Grayson and Red X (or Red Hood) is Jason Todd. They were both adopted by Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, so it technically makes them brothers. Starfire is Kori Anders. Raven is Rachel Roth, Changeling (or Beast Boy) is Garfield Logan and Cyborg is Victor Stone.
Red X still wasn't back. Not that that wasn't like him. Sometimes he'd go off for hours on end, once he even disappeared for a couple days. But even then, Nightwing couldn't seem to resist paging him on his comm.
"Nightwing to Red X," he said, but the message didn't go through. He must've turned off his communicator, having anticipated it. Sighing, he reached across the bed he shared with his girlfriend to grab is cell phone. If X wasn't going to answer Nightwing, perhaps Jason would answer Dick.
"Everything alright Jason?" he typed in deftly and hesitated only a moment before hitting send. As he waited for a reply, he set the phone down on the purple covers Starfire insisted on having and tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling. If he listened carefully, he could almost hear Star's tinkling laughter as the expressed her amusement at something her friend must have said. The two were catching up in what would now be Inferno's room.
Inferno.
Now she was a character.
She seemed so much like Star, and yet...so different at the same time. He was glad that his girlfriend seemed to be so happy in reuniting with her friend, but that didn't put him at ease. Not completely.
The other alien had come to Earth with a purpose, because he seriously doubted the princess had just popped by to meet an old friend. Nightwing didn't know why she was here, Starfire had banished all talk of 'business' until tomorrow morning. So he was left alone in his room to speculate and assume the worst, not because he was a complete pessimist, but simply because he was trained to anticipate what could come.
And no one knew what kind of baggage the new princess would bring with her.
What if she was under attack and she had escaped to Earth, much like Starfire had. Was she going to bring on an alien attack? Or perhaps she wasn't as innocent as Star was and perhaps she had done something that warranted being captured.
The truth was that he just didn't know anything about the newcomer. And Nightwing hated not knowing.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and looked up just as his door swooshed open.
"Raven," he said as she entered the room. She didn't say anything for a moment. Simply looked around, her eyes landing on the phone. She didn't need to delve into his thoughts to know that he had been trying to contact Jason.
"Still no sign of him?" she asked, pushing her hood back as she hovered in front of him.
"Nope," he said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What do you think of her?" he asked finally.
"I think Starfire trusts her completely," she said after a slight pause. "And so, for now, so do I."
Nightwing nodded silently, mulling that over. That was what he felt. That if this woman was a friend of Starfire's then surely she couldn't be all that bad. But at the same time, Star could be very...naive sometimes. Easily taken advantage of or manipulated by the right kind of person.
"Can you read anything off of her?"
"She doesn't want to harm Star, if that's what you're thinking," said Raven. "She genuinely seems to love her and is happy to be in her presence. Of that much I'm sure, and I don't think you need my powers to see that either."
"No," said Nightwing slowly, shaking his head. "But she could care for Star and still bring trouble with her. I just don't want to invite unnecessary trouble, that's all."
"Well that's new," said a third voice from behind them and the other two Titans turned around to see Red X leaning against the door frame. He had shown up a few moments before, just in time for Raven's assessment of the alien princess. The new one, that is.
Exactly how many alien princesses were out there, he wondered idly as he stepped further into the room. "I thought little Robin was a stickler for trouble. Especially the unnecessary kind."
"I see you're back," said Raven monotonously as she began to glide past him.
"Oh, don't leave on my account," he said with a smirk, but Raven was already gone.
"You want to tell me where you ran off to?" said Nightwing after a moment, pulling off his mask as X did the same. The whole 'not having to hide their identity' thing was new to them all, especially to the two former Robins. Sometimes they forgot that they didn't need their masks in the security of the Tower. In truth, they felt much more like themselves when the masks were on than when they were off.
"No," replied Jason curtly and Dick knew better than to press.
"Alright," he said, getting to his feet as he moved to his closet, seeking out a pair of pajamas. It was late. Or rather, it was early, about two in the morning. He doubted that Star was coming back to their bed that night, so he didn't have to stay up. Knowing her, she'd probably want to stay up all night, catching up with her friend.
"Do you actually trust this new alien chick," asked Jason as he looked down at the picture of Dick and Kory sitting on the bedside table.
"I don't know her enough to make a call," said Dick as he disrobed swiftly, slipping into a pair of flannel bottoms and a t-shirt. "But for now, I think that she isn't going to cause anyone any immediate harm. So I think we can give her the benefit of the doubt."
At that, Jason snorted, looking over at Dick.
"Right. Give her the benefit of the doubt. For what? So she can turn around and allow an alien invasion to happen?"
"I honestly don't know why you dislike her so much. I mean, you're not exactly the most...friendly person out there, but this is a bit much. Even for you."
X seemed to bristle at that, and he scowled at his teammate. "This has nothing to do with how I feel towards her. In fact, that's the point. I don't feel any type of way about her. And neither should you or anyone else. She's an alien for god's sake. Who knows what she wants to do to us."
"Hey, Star's an alien too, remember? And last I checked, she wasn't trying to eliminate the human race."
"Just because your little girlfriend doesn't know any better, doesn't mean this new one is safe."
"She has a name you know," Nightwing pointed out, getting tired of the argument. "Two of them in fact. You should probably get into the habit of referring to her by one of them."
"Why? You plan on letting her move in or something," joked Red X, but when he saw that Nightwing didn't immediately correct him, he frowned. "You can't be serious."
"I don't know Jason. I don't know if she plans on staying or if this is just a temporary thing. All I know is, until she gives us a reason not to be, she is welcome here."
"Just fantastic. We're now a shelter for alien chicks that crash land onto Earth. Great."
"Seriously man, I think you should call her Inferno. Or Aden. Whichever. I'd hate for her to get offended and decide to pound your pretty face in. Wouldn't be able to flaunt all your women with a broken face, now would you," teased Dick, smirking.
"Oh please," he scoffed. "As if she could do that."
"I dunno Jason. She's an alien princess from a planet of warriors. I seriously would not test her. Especially now when we don't know what kind of powers she possesses."
"That's exactly my point though," said Jason, returning the topic to his distrust of the new woman. "We don't know what kind of crazy shit she's capable of!"
"Well. I guess we're going to find out in the morning, now aren't we," said Nightwing, crawling under the covers. "You should get some sleep. I've put off training until nine, but we still have to be up by seven thirty."
"Yes mom," grumbled Jason as he turned towards to door.
"I heard that."
"Yea, yea. Just don't be surprised when you wake up to find the planet under attack by aliens or something," he muttered as Nightwing's door closed behind him.
Shuffling through the hallway, Jason ran a hand through his black hair. He could hear the sound of Starfire's laughter as he passed by one of the doors, and he couldn't help but scowl. He had nothing against her of course, the other alien? Not so much. He didn't want her around. He didn't trust her. Then again, he didn't trust most people. It took him a long time to completely trust the Titans, and even then, he still had his moments of distrust.
If it wasn't for Star, he was sure that Dick would have seen things the way he did. But of course, the other Titan was too whipped to see reason. It was disgusting.
Stopping at the door to his room, he keyed in his code and the door swooshed open. Just as he was stepping in, he heard the door to the room next to his open. He just barely caught sight of the two redheads before he let his door close behind him.
He stood there a moment, listened to their voices grow softer as they walked further from the room. Sounded like they were heading to the living room, probably to the kitchen. If the newcomer had an appetite that was anything like Star's, they'd have to double up on the groceries.
How was it, he wondered, that she could eat so much and still remain so...sexy.
She was the girlfriend of the self proclaimed leader of the Titans, but Jason still had eyes, and he was still a man. He could appreciate Starfire and her long, long, legs. No harm done.
But thinking of Starfire's long sexy legs made him think of a certain other alien whose legs could stand to compete.
Inferno.
Aden.
New alien chick.
He didn't have to like her, and he didn't, but he couldn't dispute the fact that she had to be one of the hottest women he'd ever come across. And that would be saying something, considering that Jason Todd was a notorious playboy, much like his 'father' Bruce Wayne and his 'brother' Dick Grayson.
He made it his business to surround himself with only the finest of beauties. And even then he had to admit that he'd never come across one who was so...enticing to the eyes as Aden was.
He thought that over as he disrobed and pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms before climbing into bed shirtless.
He didn't like her, no.
But he didn't have to like her to sleep with her, and he'd be lying if he said that he would mind taking a tumble or two in bed with the redheaded newcomer.
Besides, one night stands were kind of his forte.
Mulling the idea over, he lifted the covers over himself and turned off the bedside lamp.
._._._._._.
He was up at seven, out of habit. Years of training with The Bat did that to you. Not to mention Dick. He was just as bad as the big man himself.
Rolling out of bed, Jason disappeared into the washroom to brush his teeth before leaving his room, not bothering to put his shirt or his mask on. Hell, it wasn't the first time the other members of the Titans had seen him shirtless or without his mask.
Besides, he was hot. Why should he have to hide the body he slaved over with a tshirt when he looked perfect without it? Why should he have to hide his electric blue eyes when the others already knew who he was?
It was pointless. And stupid. And Red X was neither.
Idly scratching his bare abdomen, he made his way to the living room, the doors opening before him. As he entered, he saw that Nightwing was already at the counter, leaning against it as he held a bowl of cereal. Jason noticed that he was looking in the direction of the couch before he looked up to see who walked in.
Dick straightened up as he saw Jason walk into the room, shirtless, as always. The kid was a cocky bastard, but then again, how could you be anything but when you're raised by Batman. As the other man approached the counter, Dick watched as Jason followed his gaze to the couch.
The remote to the TV was on the floor, as were a bunch of wrappers and bowls of half finished snacks. DVD cases also littered the floor in front of the couch. But the real sight was lying on the couch fast asleep. Or rather, the real sights.
Aden and Star, curled up around one another like newborn kittens, fast asleep.
Jason caught a glimpse of two sets of long golden legs twined around one another. He was working his way up to Aden's rather wonderful backside when Dick cleared his throat.
Jason turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What? You were looking too," he stated as he grabbed a box of Lucky Charms.
"I was not," said Dick offhandedly as he put another spoonful of cereal in his mouth, giving the other man a disapproving look when he started eating straight from the box.
"Oh please," scoffed Jason with a roll of his eyes. "I saw you staring at them when I walked in. And honestly, I don't blame you. Two hot aliens, half dressed and wrapped all over each other, what more could a guy ask for?"
Shaking his head, Dick couldn't hold back a smirk as he put his bowl into the sink.
"Let's not forget that I'm dating one of those hot, half dressed aliens, alright? And in my defense, she's usually wrapped around me like that."
The smug bastard, Jason thought ruefully as he turned his eyes back to the pair on the couch.
"Shut the fuck up."
"So you think Aden is hot, huh?" asked Dick after a moment, smirking at Jason.
Shrugging, Jason moved to the fridge to grab a carton of milk. Taking a swing straight from it, he looked back to Dick.
"I never said she wasn't hot," he said. "She is hot. She's really hot. I can think of about fifty different ways I'd like to fuck her. I just don't like her."
"I sincerely hope this is not how you Earth boys proposition to females."
She tilted her head to the side as she watched how two sets of sparkling blue eyes flashed in her direction. Her own golden eyes were slanted, lazy with sleep, much like those of a cat. And like a cat, she watched them with this amused sort of curiosity.
She'd woken a couple moments ago, long enough to hear that the two men were talking about them, or rather, her specifically. Now, she didn't know all earthen customs, but she did know that the phrase 'to fuck' tended to express a desire to copulate.
"No friend," mumbled Star sleepily as she stirred beside her. The Tamaranean was sprawled half on her and half beside her and she seemed to burrow into the curve of Aden's neck as she stretched.
To them, this was normal. But Starfire knew exactly what kind of an effect the visual she and her friend were creating had on men. Perhaps that had something to do with the way she arched into the other woman.
"Not all men are quite as...well versed as our Jason."
Smirking, Aden idly ran her hand down Starfire's back, not missing the way her action seemed to draw the attention of both men.
"It's seems as though you're special Jason."
The way she said his name set a chill up his spine, and he didn't know why. It was only then that he realized that she, a total stranger, knew who he was. Knew his secret identity. Knew his name, knew his face.
Fuck.
He would have disappeared at that instant, but he realized that there was no point. The damage was done.
Warily, he watched she stretched, his gaze slipping down to the curves that were barely covered by her now wrinkled uniform. And she noticed.
He scowled mentally as he watched her lips curl up into a smirk.
"I also hear that you find me visually appealing, yes? I find this to be very flattering."
She was teasing him, he realized with a start, and that made him switch from being on edge back to his usual relaxed cockiness.
Two could play at nonchalance.
"Don't get too flattered now Princess," he said lazily, leaning back against the counter. "I've had better." He hadn't, of course, but she didn't know that.
"I see," she said, raising her eyebrows as Starfire sat up and gave him a disapproving look. Jason gave Star a quick wink, but his eyes were drawn back to Aden as she ambled to her feet. He watched her coolly as she stretched, keeping her eyes on his as she did so. He felt the desire churn in his belly, but he was much too annoyed with her to want to do anything about it. At least for now.
"I'm glad to hear that you've found women who are willing to share your bed," she said and Starfire giggled as she flew to Nightwing's side.
"I will admit that you are also quite visually appealing," Aden said as she flew slowly to the door, her back to him now. "So long as your mouth is shut that is."
And then she was gone, and Star had a hand to her mouth to try and hold back her giggles. Of course that was useless. Even Dick was smirking.
"Nicely done Jason," he said and Jason scowled. Still giggling, Starfire took Dick's hand and led him to the doors.
"Perhaps our friend has finally found a match?" he heard Star say as they disappeared through the doors too and his scowl deepened.
Like hell he did.
Yea, yea, it was kind of a filler chapter, but I promise the next one will be more eventful. Also, i think I'm going to switch into writing in singular POVs. This whole third person thing is confusing the heck out of me :/
Anywho, comment and review my dears :)
