Last update for a bit, thing getting piled up
Ch. 4-Bad Choice of Words
Robin lay awake in his bed, just like before, now that Slade was back sleep was a far away dream.
"Got to do something" he said to the empty room "This is going to drive me crazy, again".
He got out of bed and made his way to the Titans super computer only to find out he wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep.
Crimson sat in front of the huge monitor, page after page of images flashed on the screen, to fast for Robin to make out, the sound of music floated in the air, Crimson's head bobbing lightly.
Robin tapped him on the shoulder, Crimson hand wrapped around Robin's wrist, twisting his arm painfully behind him.
Robin tried to slip out but the grip was too tight and he didn't want to attack.
Crimson released him, he staggered back "What was that for" he asked rubbing his wrist.
Crimson shrugged "Sorry" he said as he removed the headphones "You startled me".
Robin could just make out the some of the words from the song 'in my shell I wait and bleed', he moved closer to hear better "Who's that" he asked, it was a bit to heavy for him but not bad.
"Slipknot, I think" he answered as he closed down the multiple web pages.
The screen went blank and the music stopped.
A few minutes past before Robin spoke "So, what happened with you and Raven".
Crimson let out a chipped laugh "Truth, nothing absolutely nothing", he sounded confused.
Robin shook his head to much have happened in a short span of time, he really didn't want to think about it anymore so he fell back to the one thing that always calmed him down "Hey Crimson do you want to hit the training room for a while".
"Sure" he answered "Just let me change first, these clothes look cool, but they don't move real easy", he walked out behind Robin "Go ahead Robin I will join you shortly".
Crimson changed his clothes and stood in the hall in front of Ravens door, he placed a hand on the cold metal.
He could feel her on the other side, not quite sleeping but close, he rested his head on the door "I don't understand all this Raven" he said to the empty hall "I don't understand why I'm here or what your hiding from, but I will".
Crimson walked into the training room "Robin, who is Trigon".
The question caught the Boywonder off guard "Who?"
"Trigon" Crimson said again "who is he".
Robin frowned "I think you should ask Raven".
"I'm not asking Raven, I'm asking you".
Robin collapsed his staff down and placed it in his belt "He is Ravens father".
Crimson nodded "Now, what is he".
"Well, he's a demon", he said becoming uncomfortable with these questions.
"And Slade works with him" Crimson asked.
Robin nodded "Yeah".
"Ok, not what are the prophecies?"
Robin's eyes narrowed "How do you know about that".
Crimson grabbed Robin "I need to know Robin".
Robin fell backward, shoving his foot into Crimson gut and using the momentum to throw him across the room.
Crimson flipped in the air and landed lightly on his feet, the trip through the air didn't even cause him to catch his breath "Robin please, I need to know".
Robin extended his staff "Who are you working for Crimson, Trigon and Slade,
Brother Blood".
Crimson walked slowly toward Robin "Robin I will swear on whatever vow you want that I serve no man".
Robin looked down at his feet, it was true Crimson had ample chances to cause them harm but really he'd been a great help, when he wasn't causing tidal waves "Tell me something Crimson" he said leaning on his staff "Why is it that when Raven stabbed you, you got up and were healed".
"Tell you what Robin, if I answer your question you answer mine" he reached out one pale hand "Deal".
Robin eyed his hand for a moment "Deal", he grabbed Crimsons hand "But I want to know how you feel about Raven to".
Crimson smiled, his eyes began to glow softly "May I see one of you Birdarang's" he asked.
Robin collapsed his staff and put it in the belt, he then flipped open a Birdarang and handed it to Crimson.
"First don't freak" he said as he rammed the Birdarang into his forearm his breath issuing forth in a hiss, blood ran down his arm and dripped in thick heavy drops to the floor.
Robin made no move to stop him, he had seen him heal from what Raven had done to him, and this was nothing.
Crimson jerked the Birdarang out and tossed it to the floor "See this" he said raise his damaged arm "This is how normal people take injury, and this is how I do".
Robin watched in wide eyed wonder as the wound stopped bleeding, not only did it stop but the blood still on the skin vanished, sinking back in, then the wound began to slowly close until there was no trace it had happened except a few drops on the floor and a bloody Birdarang.
"And as for Raven" he said rubbing his arm "Would you believe I love her".
Robin stared at him, his face an unreadable mask.
Then a small grin broke the effect, the grin grew into a smile, the smile to laughter until Robin lay on the floor holding his sides.
Crimson watched with no idea what had happened "Robin, are you ok".
This only caused him to laugh harder and slowly Crimson joined in, laughter is contagious you know.
Robin lay on the floor with tears in his eyes, trying to regain his breath "I'm sorry" he said "But that was really dumb".
Crimson ran his hand through his hair "What was" he asked feeling slightly embarrassed.
Robin had to hold his breath to keep from laughing again "Crimson anyone with eyes can tell how you feel about Raven, you watch her all the time".
Crimson blushed "Then what did you mean".
Robin stood up brushing the dust off his clothes "I meant about her being part demon, I mean does it change anything".
"Raven is only half demon, right" he asked, Robin nodded "Its nothing to worry about, I'm sure it bothers her more then me….we all have parts of us we don't like".
Robin frowned at this critic remark "Crimson on another day I would have made you explain that" he said snapping his staff open "But I really did want to train and the others will be up soon".
Crimson took the hint, the conversation was ended "Robin, do not hold back or you will get hurt".
Robin smiled, here was someone to test him, the other Titans were great but none had the combat training to truly test him "Don't worry Crimson, I wont".
They stood facing each other, Crimson looked relaxed almost board but Robin could see through the charade.
Robin hurled a smoke pellet to the ground using the cover to launch his attack, he leaped into the air and brought his staff down hard, the floor cracked under the blow, but Crimson wasn't there.
Movement from behind, Robin quickly rolled out of the way coming to his feet in time to see Crimson's fist smash through the floor.
Crimson looked up slowly "You'll have to do better Robin", he vanished.
Robin looked around now cursing the smoke, a slight noise to his right, he swung his staff in a wide arc it struck hard, there was a grunt of pain before the staff was yanked from his hand, he could hear it hit a wall across the room.
Crimson seemed to form from the smoke, to fast to dodge his fist caught Robin squarely on the jaw and the world swam in a rainbow of color.
Robin lay on the ground with Crimson standing over him "I told you not to hold back Robin" he leaned closer "We can try again later".
There was something in his voice that causes anger to cut through the Boywonder, something almost Slade like in the tone.
Robin catapulted to his feet, he spun, his heel catching Crimson on the side of his face, Crimson spun in the air and landed hard on his side.
Robin sneered as Crimson rose slowly to his feet a dark purple bruise blooming on his cheek "Not going to heal that" he said.
Crimson popped his neck "No it would be unfair and besides" he pointed at the large bruise on Robin chin "Now we have a matching set".
Robin smiled, finally someone to test him.
Raven woke with sunlight streaming through her window; she irritably pulled her dark heavy blanket over her head in hope of blocking the blinding light.
But the sun had other plans as it pierced the fabric.
Raven grumbled and tossed the blanket off, she checked her arms for marks, there were none, a least none that she hadn't done herself.
"Well" she said to the empty room "Might as well go to breakfast".
She phased through the floor and was assaulted by the daily arguing between Cyborg and Beastboy.
"Friend Raven", Raven turned in midair to see Starfire sitting forlornly on the new couch.
Raven lowered herself to the ground "What wrong" she asked.
Starfire had tears in her eyes "Robin had been missing since early this morning and he does not answer his communicator".
Raven hated trying to comfort people; she just wasn't good at it "Look Star he's probably just restless with Slade being back and all".
Starfire gasped "Do you believe he went to search for Slade".
Raven frowned, it wouldn't be beyond Robin's obsession to run off on his own, thankfully she was saved an answer by Cyborg yelling for Crimson and Robin.
"Wait" she said a small pit of fear in her gut "Crimsons missing to".
Starfire blushed "I do not know".
Raven felt that old anger come rushing in "Of course it figures" she said coming to her feet "If Robins missing it a national emergency" the over head light blew out "But if its someone else well" the TV melted "Then is just doesn't matter" she leaned over putting there faces inches apart "If its Robin missing then anyone else just doesn't matter" she hissed.
Starfire just stared at her tears slowly running down her face.
Raven stepped back, embarrassed but in control again "Star, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it".
The young Tamaranian flung her arms around Raven "No friend Raven, I should apologize I did not think of your feelings".
Raven was about to say more when a dull thud echoed through the Tower.
Starfire released her and looked around.
"You heard it to" asked Raven.
The alien nodded slightly, he eyes red and puffy from crying.
The sound echoed again, Cyborg voiced crackled over the com "Raven, Starfire get to the training room now!"
They turned to look at each other and quickly ran from the room.
Starfire entered the large training room and gasp, her hand closing over her mouth.
Raven could hear the sound of fighting and thought her worst fear had happened and Slade had come for her.
She pushed her way past Starfire and Cyborg her fear growing with every step.
She couldn't believe what she saw, Crimson and Robin stood in the middle of the room completely oblivious to the rest of the team, there clothes were torn and tattered and bruises cover most of there body's.
Crimson lunged at Robin, but the Boy Wonder was ready.
He swung his staff and caught Crimson in the ribs with a sickening crack.
The bigger man fell to the ground with a loud grunt of pain.
Any other time this would have been the end of the fight but to everyone's disbelief Robin pressed his attack, his staff became a sliver blur streaking for its target Starfire turned her head waiting for the sound of the blow...it never came.
Slowly she looked back, Crimson held the staff in one hand; he yanked it bringing Robin closer before driving his fist hard into Robin's gut.
The masked teen doubled over, he tried to get up but his body was just to hurt, too fatigued.
Crimson stood, Robins staff in hand.
Starfire shot across the room, tackling Crimson to the ground and pinning his arms down.
Crimson felt the attack but was too tired to react quickly, but instinct took over and before he hit the ground he know how to kill this attacker, his power began to build slowly drained as he was from the long battle with Robin.
Something wet hit his face, just a drop, then another, he swallowed his anger, his need to survive and saw a grief stricken Starfire, he began to tremble in the horror of what he almost did, he reined in his power and started to rise but Starfire refused to let him up.
Robin limped over the Starfire and placed a hand on her shoulder "Star its ok" he said in a soothing voice.
The alien girl shook her head "No, he was trying to harm you and I will not let him".
Robin dropped to his knees with a groan and began to remove Starfire hands taking them into his own "Starfire its ok, we were just training" he let goof one hand and stroked her hair softly "Come on let him up".
She stood and walked away from Robin, her shoulders shaking "I do not want to lose another friend Robin" she hugged her self trying to chase away the cold that had built in her gut "I never want to lose another friend ever again".
Robin stood and limped over to her again taking her in his arms "You wont lose me Star I swear".
She wrapped her arm around his abdomen squeezing hard enough to make breathing an issue "I came in and saw you both so wounded and thought that".
He placed a finger on her mouth "Its fine, I'm sorry I scared you" he had to take that pain look from her eyes "Can you make us something to eat?" he asked knowing that cooking would end her pain, however eating it would only begin his own.
Her eyes instantly brightened "Oh yes, I will fix you a delectable feast" she flew from the room naming off ingredient to her self that even sounded uneatable.
Robin shuffled after her, dreading the predicament he had gotten him self into.
A large metallic hand patted him on that back as he left, "You brave, brave man, we'll miss you" Cyborg said in a mocking tone.
Beastboy tired his best to look down but the huge grin ruined the effect "Bye Robin" he said pretending to wipe a tear from his eye "You didn't deserve to go like this".
Robin turned to look at them both, frowning deeply "I hate you both".
He left the room to the mocking laughter of his friends.
The only one who knew how close Starfire had come to injury besides Crimson was Raven, she had watched his aura flare to life then bleed away, he had come so close to losing control, it made him seem more human.
She crossed the room, stepping over the smaller holes and around the larger ones left in the floor.
Crimson was sitting up now, rubbing his wrist where Star had held him down.
Raven crouched next to him "Are you ok" she asked.
Crimson spit blood onto the floor "He knocked a tooth out" he said.
Raven laughed softly, causing her to lose balance and end up sitting on the floor.
Crimson glared at her "It not funny, it takes a lot of power to re-grow bone".
This caused her to laugh harder; he was just having a great day in the humor department.
Cyborg and Beastboy watched the exchange between Crimson and Raven, Cyborg felt bad for his green friend but he felt good for Raven, the only other person she had open up to had turned out to be an evil dragon of all thing's.
"Hey B" Cyborg said.
Beastboy turned to him "Yeah".
Cyborg scratched his head, he didn't know how to ask this nicely so he just spit it out "Doesn't it bother you to see them like that" he waved toward Raven.
Beastboy frowned "Really, no it doesn't".
Now Cyborg frowned "But you love her, how can you just sit and watch".
The shifters gaze went back to Raven "I don't think I'll ever not love her, but she seems happy when he's around and believe it or not that makes me happy".
Cyborg looked thoughtful "You're a good man B, come on I challenge you to a round of Ultra Space Fighter 9".
Beastboy smiled "You are so dead dude".
"What, no way you can take me" retorted Cyborg.
They walked from the room retelling tales of there gaming prowess.
Raven watched them go with a mixture of relief and dread, relief that they were gone; dread that she was alone, again, with Crimson.
What was he, she wondered, in the few moments when there combined there power she felt the depth of his.
It was bottomless, an endless ocean of power, he could have stopped the wave on his own had he only wanted to, the bruises that were slowly vanishing could have been healed in an instant if he chose, then why didn't he.
"Because" he said not looking at the ground, using his long hair to cover his face "Just like you there comes a price for my power".
"What" she asked coming to her feet.
He sat staring at the ground, she could feel waves of fear rising off him "Crimson, what's wrong" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck "Tell me".
He slammed his fist into the ground "Your power is linked to your emotions, right".
He leaned back into her body, a flash of satisfaction as he felt her stiffen, felt her confusion, but to his surprise she sat on the ground allowing him to rest on her.
"If you lose control then your powers escape uncontrolled" he continued "Well the more power I use in a short span of time the more control I lose".
"What do you mean" she asked.
"We all have a dark side, mine is just worse" he said "If I lose control it's not just a burst of power it's vary bad".
Raven buried her face in his hair breathing in the scent "Tell me about it" she said, for some reason feeling completely comfortable.
Crimson smiled to himself "As you command".
Beastboy rapidly hit the buttons on the controller, causing Cyborg's digital player the fall under a barrage of kicks, the screen flashed 'Player One Wins'.
"Well" Beastboy said gloating "That's 7 for me to your...none".
Cyborg threw the controller down "The game is cheating for you, it knows you need help".
"No way dude, its pure skill" he said picking up Cyborg's discarded controller "Come on one more".
Cyborg snatched the controller "Fine, but I get to pick the game".
Beastboy shrugged "Fine by me, you've pick the last four anyway".
A soft knock came from the front door.
Cyborg turned in his seat "Get the door B".
"No way dude your closer" he answered scooting farther down the couch.
Cyborg stared "That is so childish".
"Too bad dude get the door".
Cyborg shook his head and rose to answer the door "Don't know why someone be knocking at the door anyway".
Raven sat back to back to Crimson, trying to make sense of what he had told her.
"So, if you use too much power you lose you mind" she asked.
"Pretty much" he answered.
"So is that way your people banished you".
Crimson gave a short unhappy laugh "No, they banished me for fear of my power alone, not that I may lose control".
Raven rested her chin on her knees "Crimson" she made his name a question.
He leaned back enough to whisper in her ear "Yes".
Raven shivered, how could she put this?
"I don't like beating around the bush Raven just tell me" irritation flooded his voice.
She stood up drawing her hood over her head "I think I made a mistake last night".
She turned to look at his face, it was carefully void of emotion, "Do you mean that bit about feeling nothing for me" he said, his voice empty.
Last night he had told her he loved her and she had turned away saying that she felt nothing for anyone, now apparently this had changed.
She nodded "When we thought, well when I thought you might be missing I nearly took off Starfire's head".
He smiled and laid on the floor "You were worried about me"?
Another nod, Crimson got quickly to his feet "You know that being worried means that you care" he said.
She took a step toward him "I know, but I don't know why I care".
Crimson reached out one hand and ran the finger tips down the side of her face "Does it really matter Raven".
She looked into his red eyes, like pools of blood "I scared" she said "I don't want to be hurt again".
"Raven" he said cupping her face in his hand "All I want is a chance nothing more".
"I think I can give you that".
"Your who?" Cyborg asked the girl sitting one the couch.
The girl looked irritated "As I said before I am Queen Rasera, daughter of Lord Byron and Lady Eliza third child of the Moon".
Cyborg cut her off "I got that, the other part".
Her eyes bean to glow a pale blue color "All I want is to find my husband".
Beastboy sunk into the chair, anger growing every second "And what's his name, we just want to be clear".
Rasera jumped from the couch, coming face to face with Cyborg "I know he is here, I saw him on the enchanted glass".
Beastboy lunged from his seat and roughly grabbed her arm "What is his name" his shouted.
She looked down at his hand, lighting shooting through her eye "Take you hand off of me now".
Beastboy lowered his hand, something about this girl made it clear she was not to be fucked with.
"Now I am looking for Jerlock, eldest son of Lady Danu" she said "Lord of the Hollow Plains, Emperor of the Camezal, the Crimson Storm, the Crimson Pain".
Beastboy felt his heart speed up "Would he go just by Crimson" he asked.
Rasera nodded "Yes, he has been know to do so".
Beastboy stormed from the room.
"Why has he left" she asked.
Cyborg ran after his friend "He gonna try and kill your husband if I had to guess".
The young queen laughed "Not vary likely".
Crimson was completely unprepared for the attack, Beastboy entered the room and lunged shifting into tiger form and tearing flesh under massive razor sharp claws.
Raven screamed and trapped the angered changeling in her aura "What the hell are you doing Beastboy".
The tiger vanished, leaving a boy in its place, tears running down his face "He lied to you Raven, he's married".
The aura vanished, Raven turned to a bleeding Crimson, her eyes filled with fear and despair "What's he talking about Crimson" she said, ignoring the fact he was bleeding quite badly.
Crimson forced his power to heal him the blood stopped and the wound slowly closed "I do not have a wife Raven" he said.
Beastboy stalked over and drove his fist into Crimson jaw, the crimson haired man fell to the ground "You fucking lie" Beastboy spat at him "She's in the living room right now".
Crimson wiped the blood from his chin "Rasera is here" he asked.
Raven fell to the ground "So it true then, you do have a wife".
Crimson turned to her "Raven please hear me out, I had to, it was the only way to save her".
Deep violet eyes went hollow "You don't love me".
Crimson dropped the ground, smashing his fist into the floor "Dammit, Dammit, Dammit".
He turned to Beastboy with a snarl "This is your fault you son of a bitch", he jump at Beastboy and went into a dead stop in the middle of the air.
A young platinum hair girl walked into the room 'That will be enough Jerlock" Rasera said unhooking her silvery cloak.
Raven looked at the girl and felt instant jealousy, she was beautiful, lithe and athletic, her skin was a light flawless tan, and her golden white hair hung down to her ankles framing deep, dark blue eyes.
Her face held regal features, high sculpted cheekbones and full pouting lips dyed a dark red.
She was dressed in a cat suit made of a silvery fabric.
Crimson sneered "Who are you to command me wench" he shouted.
She stepped farther into the room "Fight it brother" she said, tiny arc's of electricity dancing around her eyes.
Cyborg stood behind her, watching every thing unfold with confusion
"Brother?" he whispered to himself.