Okay, I'll try to explain this as best as I can, but I don't think this'll quite go as planned. Try and bear with me please!
Review Replies!!!
LilLadyG – (soft gasp) You mean it??? I'm so happy! Thank you! (wipes tear away)
Kie – When I said I cleared things up, I meant that I cleared up BB's part of the relationship, hopefully making his motives clear or clearer. And you're right—I probably would've killed someone off, too.
Blueyedgirl – (smiles) thanks:D
Deathgirl997 – glad you like it!
wee-me – Thank you! BB will get what's coming to ihm, just not yet. Keep your eyes peeled, and remember to remind me: I might forget…
26WhiteRaven – I didn't want it to come across like I was making fun of you! It was just so honest, you know? It kinda caught me off-guard… Sorry!
VH,KJUL - :( Maybe later…?
Inkbl0t – (laughs) I like to think Red X is better than BB. Glad to see you do too!
Mizuki Ai – Yes, it would, wouldn't it?...and you got it.
Thanks you, all of you!! You are THE BEST!
This chapter features Red-X's maskless face. You've been warned. It might not be what you expect…Just read it!!!
……………
Raven watched in shock as the young man before peeled off his skull mask. Deep inside her mind a new, foreign side of her awakened. Its robes were a brilliant azure blue, and its eyes were filled with…trust. Trust had been born.
Her heart pounded with anticipation, itching to see what was behind the skull mask that had haunted her previous dreams. Raven felt Trust swell happily within her mind, and heard its soft sigh. Trust had been waiting for this moment, this particular moment—for a certain male to open himself up to Raven. And in doing so, she opened up herself.
Red-X placed the mask in her lap, closing the grey hands over it. "Yours to keep," he said huskily, his green-gray eyes shining with…something.
Red-X sat next to Raven and stretched his cramped legs; Raven watching as he did so. He sighed and propped himself up with his elbows and jangled his leg as Raven stared.
He was too damn perfect.
His eyes were an ethereal grey-green, his hair a dark blonde, lingering between brown and yellow. He looked like one of Starfire's boy idols…who was it?...Oh, yes. Raven recalled a boy named Daniel Radcliffe, the one so many Earth girls had a so-called "crush" on.
It was uncanny how much Red-X looked like that boy. He was probably the same age, perhaps older, but it didn't matter. Raven still couldn't get over the fact that he trusted her. As Raven replayed those words in her mind, Trust became more and more powerful; even more so than Logic or Pissed Off.
Red-X looked at raven and cautiously smiled. "Well?" he asked, and winced a little, as if afraid of her reaction.
Raven was speechless still. Then, by some miracle, her mouth found the will to say, "You're beautiful."
Red-X blinked, then chuckled. He looked away into the imposing sunset and said, "That's not what some people told me." As he spoke, he became steely and his lips were a straight, grim line.
Raven frowned. "What…what do you mean?"
Red-X sighed softly. "When I was little, I was the ugly kid in school. You know: braces, really big glasses, even a few zits and the occasional rash." He shuddered. "So it's kind of branded me, in a way. I've become insecure, especially around the girls. But…I feel safe behind the mask." He looked at it in Raven's lap.
Wordlessly, she shoved it over to him. He smiled and pushed it back. Those braces did him justice, Raven thought. "No, you keep it. I'll let you," he said playfully.
Raven gave him a small smile, and they were both quiet. Then she said, "I don't understand how you were 'ugly', and then you became…" she trailed off.
Red-X laughed out loud. "How I became, and I quote, 'beautiful'?" She nodded. He looked her straight in the eye and said firmly, "With a lot of hope and little love, you can do anything."
Raven's heart skipped a beat, then settled down. He could easily mean a family member or significant other, but why did he looked at her when he said it? She hadn't even known him that long…
Red-X sat up and pulled her close, into an awkward sideways hug thing. He whispered into her purple hair, "Raven, you helped me through a lot. I have to thank you somehow."
Raven shut her eyes, trying to will away the forthcoming tears. This was somehow, horrifyingly, nice. Maybe mushiness was overrated.
Red-X pulled away and looked into her eyes. Raven's heartbeat sped up erratically; she knew what was going to happen. Red-X leaned in, and…
"Hey, Raven, could you come in here for a second?" Beast Boy asked, slamming the door open and yelling.
His eyes grew to the size of dinner plates when he saw the almost-kiss before him.
Then his pupils shrank to dangerous slits and he tried to think of the most painful animal he had in his arsenal.
He couldn't decide—rage and jealousy took over his mind, his instincts, and he charged.
……………
Red-X heard the footsteps, short, forceful, and close together—someone was sprinting. When he looked over, all he saw was a streak of green. Then, nothing.
……………
Raven cracked her eye open. No Red-X. Disappointed and her ego bruised, she opened her eyes. Then she saw the panting, furious Beast Boy and the lack of Red-X. She put two and two together.
She sprang up and chopped Beast Boy on the side of his neck and let him crumple to the floor. Then, she looked over the edge.
There were only ripples.
Terror seizing her mind, she jumped over the edge, letting herself plummet to the water below. With a painful smack, she was underneath the surface.
She tried to look for Red-X, but only saw bubbles everywhere. Any one of them could be his breathing. Desperate and scared, she swam up to the surface.
Summoning her power, she reached inside her mind. With a back hand, she pulled out the different sides of her. Logic, Brave, Pissed Off, Tired, Bored, and Timid were all sent to look for the thief. Then, Raven remembered one last one. (No, not Bloodthirsty)
She went back inside her mind, and she quickly withdrew Trust. Facing her with wide eyes, Raven had to say nothing. Trust merely smiled and went under. Raven ducked her head underwater and saw Trust swimming down, and fast.
Raven swam after her, trying to not let the currents sweep her away. Trust led her to deep water, cold water, and dangerous waters. She wouldn't let Raven have oxygen, and neither would Raven herself. Red-X could be dead, but she didn't want to think of that.
Trust's azure cloak soon blended in with the waters. Raven couldn't feel the tears falling down her face, but she could feel the wave of hopelessness wash over her. Then she remembered his words.
"With a lot of hope, and a little love, you can do anything."
Raven took the needed gulp of oxygen, and dove back under.
……………
Well, how was that? Am I disappointing anyone? Please say no!!!
Remember to Review!
-midnight-
