Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving. Sorry this took so long. And thanks for the reviews. Especially you Chichi, you hard ass slave driver. 8D
(Linebreaker)(Angel)
Chapter 9 Thanks and Sharing
Mt Justice, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day)
Beep, beep, beep. I slammed the snooze button for the alarm and groaned as I got up at the ass crack of dawn. I know I had the week off from school and could, should, sleep in but I promised Megan I'd help her with her cooking.
I did my exercise regimen but only did a relatively light work-out. After showering and dressing, I went to the kitchen where Megan already had a variety of vegetables and ingredients out. She bit her lip, not knowing where to start.
"Hey Angel, just deciding where to start," she said, putting her nails in her mouth. I put a hand on her shoulder and patted.
"Let's start with the turkey. That always takes the longest." So we took a defrosted turkey and placed it in an aluminum basin. I spread butter on it, she peppered it. Next we went to work on the stuffing. Megan got this recipe off the internet: It called for cubed bread, but where the hell do you get that. Instead we cut potatoes in to cubes and toasted the in the oven. While we did that, I cut up onions while Megan chopped celery. She laughed when I cried like a baby. We added ground turkey sausage and the onions to a skillet until it browned before adding the celery along with sage, rosemary, and thyme for two minutes. While I watched the skillet, Megan cut up a golden delicious apple and parsley. When the skillet was done, we put the contents into a bowl where the toasted potatoes were and mixed in the apples, dried cranberries and parsley. We drizzled the contents with turkey stock and melted butter before mixing that lightly. Then we stuffed that into the turkey and put the turkey in the oven.
While we waited for that we set to work on the other items. I started on a wild rice with lentils recipe that Selina and I do each Thanksgiving while Megan got to work on mashed potatoes. Next we started on a ham. We doused it in chicken stock and studded it with cloves and pineapple slices. That was when Connor walked in.
"Um, something smells good," he said. Then Megan had the most freaked out look.
"No, no, no, no! Get out! It's not done yet! Get out, get out, get out!" You should have seen Connor run; you'd think Megan had grown another head. Megan suddenly realized what she just did and bit her fingers.
"Oh my God, what have I done?" Then I started to laugh, as in grabbing my ribs and shaking like a leaf laughing. She looked at me worried and confused.
"What's so funny Angel, I just traumatized Connor!" I got a hold of myself but still giggled.
"You remind me so much of my mother on Thanksgiving that it's absolutely hilarious. Don't worry about Con, he'll get over it. You're scared, aren't you?" Megan looked at me nervously.
"It's that obvious?" Gee Mega, you scare you boyfriend, the clone of Superman who fights villains, thugs, and evil robots on a daily basis, and you ask me if it's obvious?
"C'mon, tell me, it'll be a while before the others come." Megan leaned against the counter.
"This is my first Thanksgiving, my first holiday with you guys, I mean, Halloween was kind of a bummer with everyone depressed and all from the simulation. I want everything to be perfect." I went to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Don't worry Megan, everything's gonna be alright. I'm pretty sure that everything will come out all right. What matters though is that everyone is here together." At around this time, Artemis walks in with a grocery bag looking cautious.
"Hey Artemis, you're here early."
"It's two o'clock, anyways what's going on? Connor's in the hangar fixing that motorcycle for the billionth time, warning me about getting my head bitten off."
"Megan's just scared that everything won't go perfectly, but everything's gonna be alright. Right Artemis?"
"Oh, right. Everything's gonna be perfect, just dandy Megan." Megan looked reassured and inquired about the bag.
"I thought I'd cook my own dish for Thanksgiving. How do you guys feel about fish?" I perked up.
"I love fish!"
"Fish is alright," Megan said. Artemis smiled.
"My mom makes this dish called Ca Kho To. It's fish cooked in caramel sauce. What would you think if I made this."
"Go for it," Megan piped.
"Mind if I help," I said. Artemis nodded her approval and we went to work. Artemis took out some catfish fillets, fish sauce, four shallots, chili peppers, and ginger. Megan got out some white sugar and ground black pepper. First I sliced the fillets to four inch pieces, Artemis sliced the shallots, and Megan got to work on the ginger and chili peppers. After I was done, I put 1/3 of a cup of the white sugar in a saucepan and stirred as directed by Artemis until it was brown and caramelized. Next we remove the pan from the heat and with Artemis' direction we added the fish sauce. Me and Megan freaked when it started to smoke but apparently that's normal. We returned the pan to low heat and gently boiled it for a few minutes while stirring until the sugar dissolved. Next we stirred in the shallots, chili, and ginger, added the fish, and sprinkled with black pepper. We brought this to a boil, reduced the heat to low, then covered the pan. We let this simmer for about 30 minutes, turning the fish over every little while carefully. That was when Wally walked in.
"Oh, something smells good," he said with a hungry grin. Now cue the murderous look on Megan's face.
"Don't you fucking think about it Wally!" Wally looked like he was gonna piss his pants. He got out as faster than I thought possible. Megan then looked remorseful.
"I did it again, didn't I?" Me and Artemis stared at Megan, jaws agape, then burst into laughter.
"Dude, she's like…"
"I know!"
"Just like my mother!"
"You mean my mother!" We burst into a fresh round of laughter. Megan didn't look happy.
"Will someone explain to me what the heck is going on?" Artemis and I sobered up and Artemis spoke.
"It's understandable that you want everything to be perfect, I mean, it is your first Thanksgiving and all. You're just worried that nothing will go according to plan, that's all."
"It's okay to get a little testy Meg," I added. "Just remember that this is all about friends, and family, and… being together, even when everything seems like it's going to shit, you still have everyone you love with you." There was a sudden change in atmosphere and suddenly I felt distant, like I was miles away from where my body was. It was a familiar emotion for me and not one that I especially liked. Artemis looked at me worried.
"You okay Angel?"
"Yeah, just gotta go somewhere. I'll be back." I left the kitchen and went into the residential hall. I went to my room, where Terry slept on my bed. She got up and yawned. I sat next to her and knowing her duties, Terry got up and proceeded to rub herself on her, purring loudly. I proceeded to rub her spine, a ritual that usually brings me peace of mind, but simply wasn't doing that right now. A few minutes later I came to the realization that someone was behind me at the door. Before he even knocked I knew who it was.
"Come in Robin." Robin walked in and sat next to me. He wore his usual hoodie, a return to the red that I really liked on him, with those shades that never leave his face. He looked concerned.
"You okay Angel?" There's one thing I really like about Robin and it's his voice. Even if I was blind, I'd know he was a beautiful person, just from his angelic voice reminiscent of a 90's pop star.
"Yeah, just need to clear my head." It was a lie and a shallow one at that. I hoped he wouldn't press forward yet I also wanted to tell him what made me so sad on such a happy occasion.
"I know that's a lie, Angel. Don't you trust me?" Robin then did something he never did since we made our arrangement nearly a month ago. He took off his shades and for the first time in a non-hostile situation I saw his eyes. They were such a deep blue, bluer than I thought possible. And they were filled sympathy and something I've always seen in Selina's eyes but could never name. It was both that compelled me to open up.
"It's my first Thanksgiving away from my mother, the only mother I've ever known. It feels so wrong not being with her, being away from home. Where my friends and family is." Robin embraced me, a gesture he rarely does even with Wally.
"You're with us Angel, as long as you're with the Team; we are your family and friends." He kissed me chastely on the cheek.
"If it makes you feel better, I'll take you to Gotham, before Christmas." I brightened up immediately.
"Batman probably won't like me risking my neck in the one place my killers want me." Robin kissed me on the lips. It felt electric, like every other kiss I've had before, but admittedly none of the other boys ever used it as a comforting gesture like this before.
"Batman doesn't have to know. Besides, you got the amazing Boy Wonder to save your ass if all hell breaks loose." I smirked.
"Nice to see my vulgar language is rubbing off on you," I said. Robin put his shades back one, which I briefly regretted; it was a shame he had to hide those pretty eyes of his.
"C'mon, everyone's come already here. Plus we got a new guest." I perked up. I wonder who it is?
(Linebreaker)(Robin)
We went to kitchen/living room combination where everybody was. Megan and Artemis were leaning against the kitchen counter, waiting for an apple pie to finish baking. Wally, Kaldur, and Connor were on the sofas, watching TV. There was also a young man with short red hair and shades with a tight red shirt and black jeans. I was about to introduce Angel to our guest when Angel did something that can only be described as fan-girlish.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! It's Speedy!" Angel then proceeded to jump up and down in place, arms close to his chest, and let out a rather feminine shriek. Quickly everyone stared at Angel like this was a whole 'nother person, which it was.
"It's Red Arrow now," Roy said just a little annoyed.
"So sorry about that shriek, this is totally not like me. It's just not every day I get to meet one of my favorite sidekicks, sorry, I heard you actually went solo, but anyways I think you're the best ever, eeeeeek!"
"I take it you're a fan," Roy said. Angel looked shocked then it was his turn to get annoyed.
"A fan? You think I'm just a fan? No, there has to be a cooler word for what I am because I am not just a fan! I've followed you since I've heard about you when I was ten. I swear there is no better archer than you."
"Ahem," I heard Artemis cough, just a little ticked. Angel suddenly looked embarrassed.
"Sorry Arty; that was just diarrhea of the mouth. Look anyways, so glad you split up with Green Arrow, the guy doesn't appreciate someone of your skill." Roy softened a little.
"Well somebody appreciates my move to go solo."
"I know right, the League totally underestimates your potential. I swear I got you listed as three on my list of top ten sexiest superheroes." Everybody just stared at Angel.
"He makes three on top ten," Artemis said skeptically.
"You have a list of top ten sexiest superheroes," I said.
"So who did I beat," Roy said with a small smile.
"Superman only makes ten, and Green Arrow isn't even on the list," Angel said with a flirtatious smirk. I groaned and Superboy looked a little ticked that his dad made ten, being a clone and all.
"Hey, what's burning," Angel remarked. Sure enough I did smell smoke. Megan and Artemis looked scared as heck.
"Oh my God, the pie!" Megan flew into the kitchen and took the hot pie out of the oven barehanded. She winced in pain but that was nothing compared to the concern for her pie.
"It's not that bad, is it," she asked. Connor grabbed the pie and set it on the counter. It was black around the edges but not worse for wear.
"It's perfect Megan," Connor reassured her and she smiled.
"C'mon, let me treat that burn and we'll set the table," Angel said, leaving with Megan and Artemis in tow. So it was just us guys for a while with the game on when Angel came in and announced that dinner was served. We took our seats, while Megan, Artemis, and Angel set the table. Connor had gone off to get Wolf, insisting that everybody be here for the occasion. At that moment Angel's cat Terry had decided to come from wherever she had been and was currently seated on Angel's lap, purring into Angel's hands.
"Table's almost set," Megan said. "Connor, hurry up, Wally looks like he's gonna die." Wally did indeed look distressed, being surrounded by food he wasn't able to eat yet.
"Coming Megan! Wolf's just very excited. Down boy! Heel, heel!" We heard a crash and Wolf came running in. He put his forepaws on the table, tongue out and panting with a happy look in his yellow eyes.
"Down Wolf, bad dog," Megan said as she tried futilely to get the oversized wolf down.
"Terry, what's wrong," Angel said as Terry started to claw into his shirt and meow in distress. Then Wolf and the cat and wolf met eye to eye. Everybody had one thought before all hell broke loose.
Oh shit!
"Wolf no," Megan shouted but the damage was done. Wolf growled and jumped on the table. Terry hissed and jumped at Wolf. In five seconds flat, everything on the table, the food, the plates, the drinks, all ended up on the floor at odd angles.
"My turkey," cried Megan.
"My fish," shouted Artemis.
"My food," cried Wally.
"My baby," yelled Angel.
My God, I thought out loud. The next thing looked like something out of a bad comedy; all it needed was chase music. Terry zoomed out the dining room, followed by a rabid Wolf. Angel chased after Wolf, shouting, "Stay away from my cat you son of a bitch." Connor just got in and followed, saying, "Stay away from my wolf you cat freak." Megan chased Connor, shouting not to hurt Angel. Wally ran after them saying he was gonna help. Artemis looked pissed and said the hell Wally was gonna help and ran after him. I met Roy's and Kaldur's eyes for a moment and figured, what the hell, so we chased after them. I don't know where everybody get's the energy but the chase lasted a full thirty minutes, ending with Terry jumping in Angel's arms, who got tackled by Wolf, Connor, Megan, Wally, and Artemis. After everything got sorted out, we all went back to the dining room to access the damage. Food was everywhere but on the table, plates and cups were broken, and I swear the table broke in half from the weight of Wolf's charge. Megan looked at the mess and just broke down crying.
"It's all ruined. I knew this wasn't gonna turn out right. Nothing ever turns out right when I cook." Connor tried to comfort her, but to no avail.
"It's over, man," I said sadly. "It's freaking over."
"No." That simple word brought everyone's attention to the speaker. Angel.
"It's not fucking over." Angel had a hard-set determination in his eyes.
"Don't you get Angel," Artemis said. "It's nice that you're trying to cheer everyone up but Thanksgiving is freakin' ruined." Angel gave a chuckle.
"Artemis, you're wrong. It's not about a fucking turkey. As long as we have each other, Thanksgiving is not over, not by a long shot." Angel suddenly took control like never before.
"Anybody got cash on them?" Nobody had really foreseen an occasion to need money and suffice to say there was little cash between us. Until Angel took out his wallet and forked out about eighty bucks from God knows where.
"Okay this looks like enough. Wally, there's a pie shop on Oak Glen and 5th called the Kopper Kettle. I need you to go there and get two pies; an apple pie and a buttermilk pie. Connor, take the Super Cycle and go to Pizza Hut. Buy three pizzas. Robin, take the motorcycle and go to El Pollo Loco. Get two family packs, complete with the sides and tortillas. Megan, go on the Bio Ship to the 99 and get paper plates and plastic cups. Me, Artemis, Kaldur, and Red Arrow will clean up here. Meet us here in one hour, can you all do that?" Everybody looked shocked. We had really expected Kaldur to put us together, and Angel's never shown any leadership potential, so we never expected this from him. Angel split the money and we all went to get our stuff. Sure enough, in one hour everybody was sitting in the living room with take-out and disposable dishes. The dining room table wouldn't support the weight but we were able to bring in a few collapsible tables in and we were all better off, watching Miracle on 34th Street and talking animatedly on ourselves. About ten minutes into this, Kaldur decided to make a speech.
"I think we should do a toast. This is for all the work we've put into this Team together. We've had a few rough patches but in the end we have each other. This is to us," Kaldur said raising a paper cup of cranberry soda.
"To us," we echoed, with the exception of Superboy and Roy who just raised their cups.
"Dude, where the hell did that come from," Wally said to Angel.
"Where did what come from," Angel said with a half-smile as he sipped some red soda.
"Don't play coy, Angel," Artemis interjected, "He means that little commander routine you pulled off like an hour ago. An entire Thanksgiving dinner ruined and you didn't even as much as blink."
"Eh, just the holiday spirit," Angel said noncommittally.
Seriously Angel, I thought to myself. You panicked in a simulated alien invasion and you suddenly so calm now in a hectic situation? I blinked. Okay maybe different scenario entirely.
"That still doesn't explain where the heck you learned to take control of a situation like that," I said. Angel turned and made eye contact with me.
"I just got inspired by a natural leader," he said with a sincere smile. I hoped to God I wasn't visibly blushing.
"Besides, in my profession you have to learn to take care of bad situations immediately before it gets out of hand." I was about to ask how when I thought just what could go wrong in a robbery.
"There isn't much we really know about you, is there," I said, realizing we knew next to nothing about each other personally.
"Same could be said for all of us," Angel said. "In fact, do we really know each other personally?" This got everyone to look around the room. Truth be told, I knew much of Wally's personal history and his day to day activities (and vice versa), but I really didn't know much about the others. And they didn't know me. I knew Batman can only allow me to say so much but I just briefly wished to trust my friends enough to tell them everything I desired.
"Maybe we can make a game about this," Megan suggested. We all turned to her.
"We should get to know each other. Play a little game." Angel smiled.
"Yeah I get you, play a game so we can get to know each other more." Megan smiled.
"Exactly!"
"I got just the game," Angel said. Megan's eyed grew wide with excitement.
"Really?"
"Oh course. Who's up for strip poker?" The room went silent.
"Okay maybe not what I'm looking for. What I mean is we can have a sharing circle. We start with one person who asks someone a question and we all go clockwise from that person in a complete circle."
"Can we ask whatever we want," Angel said while looking at me. I gulped because he had the most heinous smile on his face.
"Uh, I think we should be respectful of secret identities," Wally said, coming to my rescue.
"And let's not get too personal," Kaldur warned, looking at Angel as if to make a point. Angel shrugged.
"Okay, whatever. Let's get it on," Angel said with a fist pump. Megan smiled.
"Okay I'll go first," she said. She pondered a bit.
"Oh, so Artemis, who are your best friends outside the Team?" Artemis looked around.
"Well that's just it; I don't have many friends outside the Team." Wally snickered.
"Fuck you Wally! I'd like to see how many friends you have outside the Team."
"Keep it civil," Kaldur warned direly. Artemis calmed down.
"Well I guess Zatanna isn't on the Team. And there might be Bette from school. Yeah, there aren't many people on that list." Megan nodded.
"Okay Connor, now it's your turn," she said with her usual enthusiastic way. Connor was seated to her left and all he could do was frown as he thought of a good enough question to ask.
"So what's your family like on Mars," Connor asked Megan. She looked like a kid who just got asked what they wanted for their birthday.
"Okay so my family's what you would call liberal. We really push for change for the better. We don't believe in all that traditional nonsense about separating the races. So racist."
"Martians are racist," Wally asked. This got everyone's attention. Racism is an ugly and outdated thing we thought only existed on Earth.
"Well yeah there's Green and Red Martians but White Martians are treated the worst. My family won't stand for any of that nonsense. A person's a person regardless of what they look on the outside." Megan seemed really passionate about this crusade against discrimination, almost like she took it personally.
"Well besides that, I have like twelve sisters, seventeen brothers, and about three hundred cousins. I've always been closer to Uncle J'onn of course." We all nodded to that.
"Now it's your turn Angel," she said. Angel had a wicked smile like he was waiting for this all night. I gulped, worrying about what question he'll ask to probe my personal life.
"So Red Arrow…"
"Call me Roy," said youth answered. Angel continued his eager smile.
"So Roy, how long have you been with Kaldur." We all looked at Roy now.
"Could you specify?"
"I mean how long have you been going out with Kaldur." This question dropped on us like a bombshell. Wally was the first to recover.
"Are you kidding me? Roy's as straight as the arrows he shoots. He ain't a flit like…." Roy cut him off with a raised hand.
"What makes you say that," Roy asked with a stern and suspicious look. I blinked. Surely Roy's just humoring Angel. But Angel looked absolutely thrilled to be given the chance to explain his question.
"Where to start, where to start? You see Roy; there are two things I'm good at: stealing without anybody noticing and sniffing out gays. My gaydar's never wrong and quite a few things tipped me off. For starters, you and Kaldur have been giving each other wayward glances all night. And you two are surprisingly close, given that Roy is so distant, which I might say adds to your bad-ass-ness. Then when me and Artemis left to get trash bags, I noticed you and Kaldur looked a little tussled and flushed, which is kind of suspicious. Now I sit here across from you and notice you're wearing Chap Stick." Everybody blinked like this was the most random thing.
"So my lips are chapped. Is that so suspicious," Roy remarked sternly. Without missing a beat, Angel said….
"It is when your chap stick is on Kaldur's neck." We all turned towards Kaldur. He quickly covered a part of his neck, but not before we all saw a glistening mark where Roy's lips met Kaldur's skin.
"Son of a bitch," Wally exclaimed. Artemis said something in Vietnamese that sounded like "by the Buddha". I just sat there with my mouth open and we all turned to Angel and Roy who were in a stare down.
"So my question still stands. How long have you been going out with Kaldur," he asked with a cocky, obnoxious smile. Roy just looked sternly at him. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. Then Roy's lips twitched a little. I blinked. Did that, for just the briefest moment, look like a smile?
"How long ago was Taipei, Kaldur," he asked without breaking eye contact with Angel. Kaldur looked more than a little distraught.
"A little more than a month."
"There you go Angel," Roy said.
"Thanks," Angel said without breaking eye contact. They just kept on staring into each other's eyes, neither one wanting to back down.
"You know I came very close to kicking your ass right now, right? The fact that we're all friends here is stopping me," Roy said.
"I could have taken you," Angel said nonchalantly. I was freaking out inside. What the hell is Angel doing?
"Cute kid, you really think you can take me?"
"Of course."
"You're overconfident, boy."
"And you underestimate me, man." The room went still when Roy made a crooked smile. This is the first time I've seen him smile and it didn't look good.
"You got a lot of balls kid."
"I've got balls to spare. Do mind if I lend you a pair."
"I like your guts kid. You're either the stupidest or the bravest kid I know."
"I'm probably both."
"You might get yourself killed one of these days."
"Then get ready for the day all hell breaks loose cuz I'm gunna do run that bitch into town. Until then… Robin I believe your next," Angel said as if the stare down to end all stare downs didn't just go down.
"Dude, how did you know?"
"Know what," Angel said coyly.
"How did you know Kaldur and Roy were gay?"
"I think I just told you a while ago."
"No I mean how did you know what signs to look for?" Angel took a sip of his soda.
"Let's just say I've been around and I know who to spot those who want only the right people to notice." That was that and it was Kaldur's turn.
"So how experienced are you" he asked to whom else but Angel.
"Experienced enough to see through you and Roy," Angel said snappily. It was Roy's turn now.
"So you said I made it into your list of Top Ten Sexiest Superheroes. Were you bullshitting me or were you for real. And if so, who's on it?" Angel smiled.
"I was for real and I would be glad to tell you who's on it. Starting from the bottom is Superman." Connor's eyes bulged.
"Superman? Really?"
"Gotta love the tights and the chiseled face. Number nine is Captain Marvel."
"Really," Artemis remarked. "Captain Marvel, isn't he too… too…"
"Too immature. Yeah, but he's still hot. Number eight is Black Canary, especially if in some alternate dimension I liked girls. Number seven is Cyborg. Number six is Blue Beetle, followed by Black Condor."
"A lot of people of color on the list, I see," Artemis noted.
"Brown is beautiful," Angel said. "Number four is Flash…." Wally choked on his tenth pizza slice.
"Excuse me, what," he said in disbelief. Angel looked at him cockily.
"You heard me. What isn't sexy about a man who's a human vibrator?" Wally looked he was gonna get sick but Angel continued.
"Number three is Red Arrow…" I saw Roy smile at this. "And number two is Green Lantern, the one of African descent*." We waited for number one but Angel just picked up a chicken drumstick and started eating. After a few moments the silence was too much.
"And," I pushed.
"And what," Angel said between bites.
"Who's number one," Artemis asked. Angel swallowed.
"Batman." I didn't believe what I heard.
"Batman," I repeated. "As in my Batman. Batman of Gotham City. Batman, who made this Team and brought you here? That Batman?"
"Are you deaf? Yeah, that Batman. Is there any other? I think Batman is the sexiest superhero out there." Everyone sat silent.
"Why," I asked.
"What isn't there to love: he's a bad ass; he's not a metahuman, which is so hard to find among superheroes. He's an obvious leader and he's got the coolest gadgets. Plus His jaw's so chiseled and manly. I just want to run my tongue along his jawline." Everybody stared at him.
"Plus you know he has to play hard to get, which I find as a personal challenge and appealing. And the stern hard ass act he has. He's the kind of guy you would find absolutely infuriating to work out until he's inside you." This caused just more staring.
"You can't like him," I said.
"Why not? I can like anybody I want," Angel said.
"No, you seriously can't be with him," I said.
"What's the matter Robin, jealous?"
"I mean you can do better than him." I knew the man beneath the cowl and I knew Angel shouldn't like such a broken man. He just can't.
"Who do you suggest then?"
I was about to say "me", but I stopped myself. I don't like Angel, do I. I knew we were more than what we seemed, he did happen to share the occasion make-out session and he did go down on me from time to that but it was agreed we would keep it open. Right?
"Hello, Earth to Bird Boy?" I snapped out of my thoughts.
"I'm just saying that Batman is a real piece of work. If you knew half of what I knew, you'd agree." I just barely saved myself from an embarrassing moment and it was Artemis' turn.
"Okay so Angel…." Angel raised his hands in mock dramatics.
"Really, is there no one else we can talk about? Sorry Arty, go on."
"Yeah, so when you said you've been around, you mean sexually right. But aren't you like thirteen years old, I mean, you've gotta be bullshitting us, right?"
"Oh on, Artemis, I'm quite serious, serious as a heart attack in fact. You be surprised by how young kids are getting sexually active. But it's not like I've slept with half of Gotham, no I have standards. I always go for guys in my age group. The oldest I've been with was sixteen and the youngest thirteen. But it's safe to say I've seen more action than all of you combined." Angel sipped his soda and took a bit of chicken. It was Wally's turn.
"So Angel…."
"Again! Just kidding, go on Wally."
"Angel what was your first time like." For a moment it seemed like Angel froze. He turned to us and his demeanor changed. He wasn't bold, or joking, or defiant. He was emotionally distant, like he didn't trust his own emotions.
"I'm not telling you that Wally."
"C'mon Angel, you were so open before, what's a little thing like losing your virginity?"
"Seriously Wally, I'm not gonna tell you," Angel said with a cold warning. This came as a shock to everyone. Angel was anything but shy about his sexuality. And it seemed he wasn't shy about his sexual experiences. Except his first, apparently.
"I'm not gonna tell anybody about it and that's final." He sipped his soda only half-heartedly.
"Can you at least tell us your age when you lost it," I said. He looked at me and suddenly I wished I hadn't opened my mouth.
"Eight," was Angel's simple response. The whole room went still. I couldn't have heard right, could I?
"Did I hear right? You were eight," Artemis said is disbelief.
"Was it even consensual," Wally asked.
"What do you think, dipshit," said Angel. He was rarely this cruel and I was just unnerved by Angel's lack of emotions. It was just like in the simulation when he thought Artemis was dead. Before he was giving up all hope and broke down.
"I'm leaving," was Angel's simple remark and he left the table. We all just stood there in shock. Did this just happen?
"Is somebody gonna do something," Artemis said belligerently. I wasn't at all surprised when I rose after him.
I saw him where I expected. In his room, petting his cat like it was the only thing that kept him together.
"You okay Angel," I asked, even if I knew he wasn't. He stopped and for just a moment I wondered if he'll tell me to fuck off.
"Come in," he said, and I knew he was giving more than just permission to come into his room. I sat next to him and he just kept on stroking his cat. The cat purred audibly but the look in the cat's eyes almost made it seem like Terry knew what her master needed. I didn't know what to say, is anybody prepared to hear that their friend was raped as a child.
"Is there anything I can do," I asked as I wrapped my arm around Angel, hoping the contact would soothe him. From what I've seen, Angel is usually affectionate and I knew he always liked physical contact with his friends. So it hurt all the more when he pushed me away.
"You can't do anything. What's done is done. I'm sullied, violated, desecrated, filthy. And now everybody knows."
"You're not," I pleaded. "Nobody thinks any less of you because what some jerk did to you when you were eight. The man deserves to rot in hell."
"He does. That doesn't make what he did to me go away. You have no idea what it's like to feel so empty because some asshole took something from you can't get back."
"Well yeah, I lost my parents, but I learned…." Angel laughed; it was a cold and cruel laugh.
"You honestly think you losing your parents can compare to me losing my innocence. My sense of boundaries were lost, my sense of security, all that seemed good in the world, as much as that was for a kid on the street, was lost, drained of color and life. The fact that you can compare losing your parents to my rape is laughable." I was shocked, just plain shell shocked. I could not believe that Angel just said that.
"Fuck you Angel, just fuck you! Just because you can't remember your parents doesn't mean that you have to shit on mine. You think I didn't feel loss, that I didn't lose my sense of security, my sense of safety, my own vision of what was good in the world. But you know what I didn't wallow in it. I confronted my nightmare and you should too. Cause life doesn't just stop because everyone knows you got raped. You don't realize your friends still care about you regardless of the fact that you were raped, and you can't see that cause you're just too busy wallowing in your own self-pity like the bitchy fag you are." The air changed in that moment. Terry ran out of the room like she knew shit was about to fly. Angel tensed up with anger, though his expression remained stoic. I should be scared but I was standing my ground.
"What the fuck did you say," he seethed.
"Which part, the part where I call you bitchy or a fag," I said defiantly. In an instant Angel was on me, punching at my face and shouting out Spanish curses.
"Puto! Maricon! Culo! Hijo de puta! Hijo de coño!"**
I wasn't just gonna let him do that; I punched right back. He slammed me against the wall. I threw him on the desk. He kicked me in the stomach. I uppercutted him. Then it ended when I suckerpuched him and he kicked me in the groin. We collapsed on the floor, spent and emotionally exhausted. Then Angel started laughing. I raised my head, as painful as that was. Was I hearing right? Sure enough, Angel was cackling like a maniac. I stiffly rose up and glared at him.
"Thanks, Robin." What? I started to laugh.
"What are you thanking me for?"
"For coming in here after me, for staying when I wasn't welcoming to you, for not letting me wallow in self pity and for kicking my ass when I really deserved it."
"Really? I have a hard time buying the whole sincerity performance."
"It's no performance, this is sincere. Thanks for not letting me slip." Angel rose and helped me up. I was still shocked that he got over this so easy. Well, not so easy seeing as we had to kick the shit out of each other to get over this. I sighed. This may not be such a healthy relationship.
"Well, we should be getting back to the others," Angel said. I blinked.
"You serious? You look like shit, you can't go out looking like that." Angel scoffed.
"Give me some credit, next to you I look like a real angel." I smirked.
"Fuck you Angel. Seriously, you ready to go back out there?"
"Of course, it is Thanksgiving after all, we should be with friends and family. And you guys means as much to me." I sighed inwardly. So sweet of him.
"Of course I'm only going in there on one condition."
(Line breaker)(Angel)
So here's how it went down. We returned to the table, the first question was about our appearance.
"Were you two fighting again," said a worried Megan. Wally just laughed.
"Dude, you both look like shit." I had only this to say:
"Oh no Wally, me and Robin here just had some mind-blowing rough sex. It really releases the tension. You should do it with Artemis, maybe then you two wouldn't be tearing at each other's throats all the time." I didn't know whose face was funnier, Robin's, Wally's, or Artemis'. Either way, they were priceless. And in the end the others took my vulgar joking as a sign that I was okay. Then I popped my condition for coming back to the room. Needless to say, it wasn't everybody's cup of tea.
"Excuse me," said an offended Artemis.
"No way! Not with her," opposed Wally.
"It's kinda risky. What if Batman knows about it," said a worrisome Megan. Connor just flat out refused.
"C'mon, what's a little strip poker between friends? We all trust each other, right?"
"I told you this would happen. Can you give up, please," Robin pleaded. This went back and forth until finally I got Megan, Connor, Robin, Wally and Artemis to play. Roy and Kaldur decided they want nothing to do with this and left, though to be honest I think they just wanted some alone time. Bow chicka wow wow, chick wow wow.
So here's how it went: We split into two teams, I was with Artemis and Megan, my two compadres. Robin, Connor, and Wally were on the other team. Rules were winning player's team kept their clothes on for the turn, losing team removes a piece. One article of clothing per loss, and a pair of socks counted on one, which Wally complained about but nonetheless complied. We were winning, until Robin noticed I kept slipping my card hand behind my back to scratch and caught me with a set of winning cards underneath my wife beater and pants. So we had to start all over. Now this game the boys and I were down to just a pair of boxers and the girls were down to panties and bras. Any time now and privates were gonna show and then all hell's gonna break loose. It's so funny how people change over a simple strip poker game. I expected Megan to be shy but once she got the shirt off she kept making suggestive gestures towards Connor, which really helped in making his focus. Artemis just rolled her eyes and huffed; I guess she was still sore about Halloween. Wally kept flirting to a reluctant Megan making good use of his admittedly cut body, which I saw was just plain stupid, considering that Connor kept giving him the death glare. Robin was the hardest to read. Maybe it was his shades, or his admirable poker face; whatever it was, he was giving me a mind fuck fest of thoughts about what he was feeling. We all took some cards and threw others in the card pile. Wally smiled.
"Read 'em and weep bitches. A San Francisco wedding. Two Queens," he announced revealing a queen of hearts, a queen of clubs, followed by a Jack and two 2s.
"Strip it Megan," Wally said cockily. Artemis raised a hand to interrupt.
"Three of a kind. Eat it Wally," she said haughtily, showing her hand of three sevens, a two and an ace. Connor laid down his hand.
"Straight," Connor said stoically. His hand was a ten through six, a combination of hearts, diamonds, and clubs. I smirked.
"Take this, bitches! Flush!" My hand was a queen, a jack, a six, a four, and a three.
"Boxers off boys." Robin coughed to get our attention. I couldn't read his expression but even then I knew I was screwed.
"King full of aces. Nice try Angel but you and the girls lose." He smirked behind his shades and I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face. I looked to Megan, who hadn't dealt her hand yet.
"You got something right?" She frowned.
"An ace means one, right?" I bite my lip.
"Sometimes, why?" She looked heartbroken now.
"I'm sorry, I think I lost." My world shattered.
"What," exclaimed an upset Artemis. Wally whooped.
"Hell yell, take the bra off." I groaned.
"Megan!" She looked so sad at failing us I felt bad for complaining.
"It's okay Megan. Just show the cards and we might as well get over it." I had started this game in hopes of getting to see the meat market so to speak and it ended up biting me on the ass. Megan lowered her hand.
"I'm sorry guys I…." I raised a hand to interrupt her. It couldn't be. I smiled.
"Yeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa," I jumped to my feet and started whooping and dancing like an idiot. Artemis saw the hand and joined me. Connor, Wally and Robin saw and groaned. Megan just looked confused.
"Did I win?"
"Did you win? Of course you won! You got the highest hand in the game. Read 'em bitches. Royal flush of diamonds. Strip 'em boys." Wally looked outraged.
"Hold it! There's no way in hell I'm gonna show my dick to anyone," Robin complained. Wally and Connor shared their disagreement.
"Uh uh, you lost fair and square…." I said but was interrupted by Wally.
"Fair? You're the one who got caught cheating…."
"And we started over and now we won fairly this time, now cough up the boxers." Wally looked uneasy. I knew for a fact he wanted to see tits but now the tables are turned. He did something that moment I didn't think I ever saw: He went on his knees and begged.
"Please," he said; green eyes all wide and big, "I'll do anything but that." I frowned. Sorry bitch, puppy eyes don't work on me. Still, I wasn't about to toss up an opportunity to really humiliate them. I smirked and I knew the guys hated my cocky smirk.
""Cuse me a moment, I have to talk to my associates." I grabbed Artemis and Megan by the hands and separated them from the boys. When I walked a whiles away I said.
"Private telelink. Now." Soon all three of us were linked telepathically, independent of the one we used as a Team. I told them my plan and my head echoed with mental laughter.
You really think it's gonna work, said Artemis.
I intend it to.
Aren't they going to get suspicious, Megan responded.
As long as we keep quiet, they won't know what hit them, I said. We broke our link and came back to the boys.
"Follow us," I said briskly, "And don't take your clothes." They followed me timidly with Artemis and Megan closing behind them. We walked through the hallway, not bothering to turn on the light. I hope they get scared and I hope to God I don't trip. We get to a door and open up to the hangar. We walk across it, the icy floor biting to the bone and the cold windy air nipping at bare skin. The guys really looked uncomfortable but I had them right where I wanted. We came to the edge of the dock where the water slapped the high edge of the dock. The boys looked down at the edge. Even from here we can feel the icy cruelty that was the winter seawater.
"So here's how it's gonna go: you boys won't have to strip naked if you jump in. And stay there for ten seconds."
"What," came the indignant response from the boys.
"Fuck you," said Wally.
Connor just shook his head.
"No way in hell," said Robin. I smirked.
"It's either this or the underwear. What will it be?" The boys pondered this for a while.
"How are we gonna get out," asked Robin.
"There's a ladder on the other side," I said pointing to the wall opposite of me.
"On the count of three you guys jump in, stay for ten seconds them swim for the ladder. Or is a little cold water too much for you boys?" This got on their nerves.
"I'm not chicken," huffed Wally.
"Count me in," agreed Robin. Superboy nodded.
"Okay turn around," I ordered. The boys did so, unaware that me and the girls were right behind them.
"On the count of three, jump. One….." The night air echoed first with ripping sounds followed by three splashes. Silence, then a stream of laughter, crying, and cursing.
"Run for it girls," I shouted and we hauled ass to the door. I slammed it behind us and locked it down. It sealed with a blast door and we started to laugh like a bunch of sadistic hyenas.
"My….God…..I wish….I …could see…..their faces," cried out Artemis.
"You know they can break down the door eventually right," added Megan.
"Well get your clothes girls and barricade in my room. Besides, they have bigger things to worry about."
"Why's that," they asked. I smiled mischievously.
"Let's just say they'll be getting a case of the blue balls," I said showing three pieces of torn cloth. Silence took the girls before they cracked up.
"No way," Artemis said.
"You didn't," cried Megan. Somebody was pounding on the door, Connor presumably.
"Give us back our fucking boxers you pickpocket," shouted the boys.
(Line breaker)(End)
Sorry this took so long. If your getting the impression that Angel doesn't deserve Robin, he probably doesn't. But he needs him. Oh Angel, what is he to you, friend, rival, fuck buddy? Read and review.
Also some pointers
*That Green Lantern would be John Stewart
** Puto translates as Fag or Pussy. Maricon is pretty much the same. Culo translate as ass or pussy. Hijo de puta means son of a pussy (or more vulgar equivalents). Hijo de coño translates as son of a cunt. Yup, real colorful language.
