Back to school seemed to mean back to work as well for the Jump City villains. Shard had kicked off the end-of-summer crime spree last week, managing to still remain at large. Then the first week of September rolled in with Hive 5, Dr. Light, and Cinderblock popping up around town.
Today it was Overload triggered the tower's alarm system. The Titans found him just as he began to drain a generator from a local hospital. The team flew in, surrounding the electric monster.
"We need water!" Robin called. No water towers, fountains, or even hydrants were in sight. Robin turned to Starfire and Beast Boy. "Fly around the area, find something we can use!" Robin instructed. The leader then turned to Cyborg: "Get inside that hospital and do whatever you can to keep the power on."
"T-Car's got a powerful battery. Won't last forever but I'll set her up as a backup power source," Cyborg said.
"Perfect, go!" Robin called. He then turned to Raven. "You and I keep him here till the team gets back."
Raven flew up above Robin. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Her powers spread from her fingertips towards Overload, trying to surround him completely with her magic. She almost had Overload contained when:
"Raven - stop!" Robin yelled, pulling out his staff. Raven withdrew her magic just in time as a flash of yellow blew past them. It looked like a yellow tornado had appeared at Overload's feet, and Overload himself was shrinking away, until just a computer chip fell to the floor. The yellow tornado slowed down, slowly taking the shape of the freckle faced, grinning hero, Kid Flash. His red hair stuck up from the top of his uniform.
"What are you doing here?" Robin asked, stepping forward to shake his friend's hand.
"Heard there was trouble," Kid Flash responded. "Overload stole a ton of electricity from our power plant last week - and we couldn't use water to fight him without damaging the plant. That's been his new move, finding places without water."
"So what did you do?" Raven asked. "How'd you beat him?"
"Static, guys! A circuit can handle electricity, but a small bit of static could trip it, and I just happen to generate quite a lot of static." Kid Flash proudly held up his sock covered foot. "Not as easy to run in but… got the job done."
"That was… really smart," Raven said.
"Yeah, great work," Robin agreed.
"Well - let's get this back to the tower," Kid Flash said. He held up Overload's computer circuit. "I might be able to find out who manufactured this."
Back at the tower, Kid Flash worked on the team computers, typing away into complex tracking systems that were even going over Cyborg's head. The team looked on from over KF's shoulder - everyone except Beast Boy, who seemed to have wandered - not for the first time this week. Outside of missions and stopping crime, Raven hadn't seen Beast Boy around the tower since their steamy hookup a over a week ago. Some part of her new it was because school started and Terra was back in town, but another, louder part of her was saying it was because she didn't want to have sex that night. Raven's train of thought was halted by Kid Flash's announcement:
"I got something. Looks like Overload was manufactured by an organization over in Metropolis." Kid Flash stood up, pointing to the screen for the others to see.
"Nice work," Robin replied.
"It's not tough when they leave serial numbers on their products. Even if I did have to hack into government systems to trace the serial numbers," Kid Flash replied.
"You did what now?" Cyborg asked.
Kid Flash ignored him. "Well, I'll head over to Metropolis. Maybe meet up with Superman or something, that could be cool. I'll keep you updated?"
"Do you have to go right away?" Robin asked, holding up a video game controller.
"Oh yeah," Kid Flash replied, speeding around the couch to grab the spare one. "Let's do this."
"Now we're gonna have to talk about you using our computers to hack government databases," Cyborg said as he sat down to join us. The three of them kept chatting, clicking away at their controllers while their on screen characters battled each other.
Starfire lingered over Robin's shoulder, cheering words of encouragement, and Raven just rolled her eyes, turning to leave the room. Just as she reached for the doors, they opened and Beast Boy strolled in. "Oh cool, what are we playing?" Beast Boy asked, grinning at Raven.
"Where've you been?" Raven asked. "After the fight with Overload, you disappeared."
"I just hung out around the city for a bit," Beast Boy replied. "Is that a problem?"
"No," Raven said. Beast Boy jumped over the couch, grabbing a controller to join the game. Raven turned away, leaving the living room entirely. She took the stairs up towards her bedroom, and then took the long hallway down towards her door.
The yellow blur of Kid Flash zoomed passed her, stopping slightly ahead of where Raven stood. "Hey," KF said, frowning at Raven.
"What?" Raven asked.
"Are you alright? We were all hanging out and you kinda just left."
"I'm fine," Raven replied. "I just prefer to be alone."
"I don't think anyone prefers to be alone," Kid Flash said. "Not really anyway."
"Well, I do," Raven insisted.
From downstairs, Cyborg called: "Yo KF - you coming?"
"Go on, KF," Raven said, mocking Cyborg's nickname for him.
"Please, call me Wally," Kid Flash replied. He grinned over "If you change your mind, you know where to find us."
Raven stepped into her room and shut the door. She spent most of the night reading, enjoying the quiet. Eventually, she could hear the rest of the team shuffling to bed themselves. Once the tower was quiet, Raven slipped out of her room and up to the roof, sitting under the stars. She hung her legs over the edge of the tower, looking out at the waves as they crashed against the island's shore.
"Late night?"
Raven turned to see Kid Flash standing behind her. He gave a small wave before he went on. "Mind if I join you?"
"I suppose not," Raven said, turning back towards the water.
Kid Flash disappeared, his blur of yellow moving down the side of the tower, across the water, and then back in only a second. He now held two glasses, and a bottle of whiskey. He popped the bottle open, pouring them each a bit, then held a glass out to Raven. "You seemed like you could use a night off."
Raven sighed, but she took the cup. She drank it all in one sip, gagging as she swallowed. "That's disgusting."
Kid Flash laughed. "You don't drink much, do you?" He leaned forward, refilling her glass. "So… did you really just want to be alone, or did I do something to make you not like me?"
"I really wanted to be alone," Raven replied.
"Okay. Anytime I've around, I've just gotten the impression that you kinda hate me," Kid Flash admitted.
"I give that impression off a lot," Raven said.
"Good to know." Kid Flash finished his drink, and poured himself and Raven more. "So, you're the one who likes reading, right?"
"I do," Raven said, sipping the whiskey. She made a face after each sip, and Kid Flash laughed.
"You really don't drink much."
"Well, we aren't exactly supposed to," Raven said.
"Not legally, but we're teenagers. It's in the job description."
"We're heroes. The job description is protect and serve." Still, Raven took another sip. "Do you like to read?"
"I'm more of a science person," Kid Flash replied. "Reading is fun though. Just, not much time."
"Not much time?" Raven held out her empty glass, and Kid Flash refilled it. "Too much crime over in..."
"Central City. And nah, crimes been slow. Well, slow for me. Everything's slow for me though," Kid Flash replied. "Plus I'm more of a side-kick, really. I am in school still though. My parents weren't going to let me drop my education to run off and be a superhero, ya know?"
"I didn't realize you had parents," Raven said. As soon as she said the words, she realized how silly she sounded. "I mean, obviously you have parents. Just, most of us - most young heroes - either lost our parents or don't speak to them anymore."
"Oh, my parents and I hardly speak," Kid Flash corrected. "They really aren't supportive of the whole superhero thing, but my uncle is though, so he convinced them to let me be a Titan, as long as I stay in school and get good grades."
"And do you?" Raven asked.
"Top of my class," Kid Flash replied proudly. "My adviser says if I keep it up, I could have a full ride to any university I want."
"And which university do you want?" Raven asked.
"Gotham University could be cool. Maybe Manhattan College," Kid Flash replied. "I'm not sure though. I kinda just wanna get into the Justice League, you know? How about you? What do you want after the Titans?"
"I haven't thought much about an after," Raven admitted.
"You might want to," KF suggested. "Nothing lasts forever, Raven."
Raven looked out over the city. "You're probably right."
Kid Flash refilled their drinks again. "How ya feeling?"
"Honestly a little drunk," Raven replied, sipping her drink again anyway.
"Good," Kid Flash said. "That's good practice for when you eventually go to college."
Raven just shook her head. "You are ridiculous."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I am a little drunk too," Kid Flash said. He held up his glass to 'cheers', and Raven lifted hers as well. "To the night!" Kid Flash proclaimed.
"To the night," Raven repeated. She leaned back, sipping more of the whiskey. At this point, she was numb to the taste, and downed the glass in just a sip. Raven leaned back, laying on the roof, and Kid Flash laid down next to her. They both looked up at the stars. "I used to love stars," Raven said.
"Oh yeah?"
"When I grew up, on Azarath, we have such a full sky. There are so many stars. It's harder on Earth, especially so close to the city," Raven explained. "It also lost some of the wonder. I always thought the universe was endless, beautiful, and peaceful. Just mostly void. But having been there now, flown through it - it's not. It's just as dangerous out there."
Kid Flash looked over at her. "You know, I think that's the most I've ever heard you speak." Raven laughed. "And the first time I heard you laugh!" Kid Flash added. "We should get you drunk more often."
"No," Raven said, her laugh winding own with a sigh. "No, this won't be a frequent thing."
"You need a little more fun in your life, Raven," Kid Flash said. "I should head to bed though. I was supposed to head back to the East tower but - run sober or sleep over. So I'll be on the couch."
"Goodnight, Wally," Raven said. "Thanks for the drink."
"Goodnight, Raven. Thanks for the company." Kid Flash gave a small wave as he went down the stairs. Raven sat for a while longer, watching the stars. It seemed a bit like they were spinning, and Raven found it difficult to get up. Eventually, she built up the energy to move. She sat up slowly, her body feeling heavy with the effects of alcohol, and she made her way down the stairs towards her room. Once in the hallway, Raven leaned on the wall, praying that she wouldn't run into any of her teammates. Unfortunately, her prayers were ignored. Beast Boy was standing just outside her door. As soon as she turned the corner, he looked over at her.
"Raven, I was just looking for you. I wanted to - are you okay?" Beast Boy hurried to her side.
"I'm fine," Raven replied.
"You're not fine," Beast Boy said. He took a step back, looking her over. "You're drunk."
"Is it that obvious?" Raven asked.
"Well, yeah... Come on," Beast Boy said. He picked her up, carrying her bridal style to her room. Once inside, he laid her down onto her bed. "Stay here, I'll get you some water."
"I'm not thirsty," Raven replied.
Beast Boy chuckled. "You should drink water, Rae."
"Okay," Raven said sleepily.
"Don't fall asleep, alright? I'm gonna be right back." Beast Boy flipped Raven onto her stomach and left the room. After just a few minutes, he returned with a bottle of water, and two advil. "Raven? You still awake?"
"Mhmmm," Raven mumbled.
"Okay, sit up. Drink this." Beast Boy held out the water to her.
"I don't wanna drink anymore," Raven said, her words becoming more blended together now.
"It's just water, Rae," Beast Boy replied. He helped her sit up, placing the cup in front of her. Raven took the cup, immediately spilling some onto the bed and then falling back laughing. As she laughed, her magic surrounded the candles on her dresser, and they fell to the floor, broken in half.
"This… is not good," Beast Boy said. "Maybe we should meditate."
"I don't want to mediate," Raven replied.
"Okay… what do you want to do?" Beast Boy asked.
"We should - we should talk." Raven sat up, taking Beast Boy's hand. Beast Boy took a seat at the edge of her bed.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Raven took a deep breath. "Let's talk about why you lied to me."
"I didn't - "
Raven shook her head. "Do you think that I'm -" Raven hiccuped, then restarted. "Do you think that I'm stupid?"
"No, of course not," Beast Boy asked.
"So then why are you still lying to me?" Raven looked up at him. "Just tell me."
Beast Boy looked back at her. She looked exhausted, and still smelled strongly of alcohol. He took a deep breath and nodded. "I never talked to Tara."
He paused, waiting to see if her magic would be destroying him. When it didn't, he took her hand. "I'm sorry."
"You're not," Raven replied. "Or you'd have told me. Or you would have just talked to her. I knew I should have stopped going out with you."
"I didn't want you to stop," Beast Boy said.
"You are so lucky I didn't have sex with you." Raven glared at him.
"Raven -"
"You lied to me," Raven said. "I knew it too. I let you lie to me."
"What do you mean?" Beast Boy asked.
"That whole thing when she posted about you on her social media and you acted like you had no idea why she'd post something about you. You couldn't even look at me," Raven said.
"I don't know what else I can say, Raven. I messed up. I know I did," Beast Boy said.
"Yeah," Raven agreed. "You did. You should go."
"I don't know if I should…" Beast Boy replied. "You are pretty drunk."
"You should go," Raven repeated.
Beast Boy nodded and stood up. "If that's what you want. Goodnight, Rae."
Beast Boy left the room without Raven giving any response. As soon as the door shut, Raven got out of bed. She ran to her trash bin in the corner and threw up.