Heyyy! I'm taking it that you guys took the last chappie very well, haha ;DD
Special shoutout to Starfire for reviewing just about every chapter! Thanks, hun! :)
Now, I believe it is time for another anticipating chapter! Hazar!
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
Robin and Starfire looked up, Starfire reluctantly leaving the warmth of Robin's arms to see her friend walking up to them.
"Friend!" Starfire flew to him, cupping his cheeks. "Why do you talk to oneself? Where is Raven? What causes you stress?"
Beast Boy took Starfire's hands off his face, placing them gently back at her sides. "I don't know. We were talking, and she told me her worst fear, so I helped her conquer it. Things were going fine until I kissed her. She freaked out and...she disappeared. Teleported."
Starfire gasped. "You performed the lip contact? That is so wonderful! It is too...upsettting that she rejected you. My apologies."
"She didn't exactly reject me..." Beast Boy's ears turned pink. "She may have kinda sorta kissed me back before her powers made a light bulb explode."
"I think I know what's going on," Robin spoke up, putting his hand on Beast Boy's shoulder. "Raven's powers might've been acting up. Just give her some space. She'll come around."
Beast Boy turned his hurt gaze on his leader. "How long, Richard?"
Robin gave him a reassuring, yet hopeless look. "I don't know, Garfield. I don't know..."
"Perhaps I may be of assistance," said Starfire, and the boys looked at her questionably.
"I feel that she might be more comfortable talking to me," she continued, walking between her male companions as they made their way towards Raven's room. Crashes were heard before they even reached the empath's door. "Raven?" Starfire called, knocking on the door. "May I come in?"
Thump.
"A-Are you alone?" Even Raven knew that answer, her voice shaky.
"Um..." Starfire turned around, waving her hands wildly at the changeling and teen wonder, whom began running away as fast as they could. "Now I am!"
A moment of silence passed before Raven's door slid open, and a grey hand reached out, yanking the alieness inside the empath's dark domain.
Starfire gasped, observing her surroundings. Raven's usual neat room was a mess, bed flipped over, bookshelves broken and split in two, papers flying everywhere. She ducked and yelped as a spell book barely missed her head.
And then she caught sight of her best friend. Paler than usual. Visibly shaken. Moist cheeks. Eyes wide and wild with so many emotions trying to take over at once.
"Beast Boy told us what happened..." Starfire said, tapping her index fingers together; a habit of hers when she got nervous or curious.
"Did he tell you what my worst fear was?" Raven was shaking. Starfire straightened up Raven's bed, then guided her to it so they could both sit down; Starfire wrapped his arms around her to try to stop the grey teen's shaking, and Raven sighed, relaxing into her and resting her head on Starfire's shoulder.
"He has not mentioned the details." Starfire rubbed Raven's shoulders. "But he looked so crestfallen when he told Robin and I what happened...after you two did the kissing..."
Raven stiffened. "Dragons."
"Dragons?"
"Malchior..." Raven bit her lip. "I fear...I-I can't..."
Starfire leaned her head against Raven's. "Say no more, my dear friend...I completely understand your fear. You are...afraid because you feel vulnerable and not being able to protect yourself, correct?"
Raven nodded. "That too..."
"If you must know, my worst fear are the Gordanians."
"Really?"
"Yes. I fear that they will capture me and take me away from Richard...and do...unmentionables..."
Raven nodded.
"I must've hurt him..." the empath whispered after a while. "Oh Azar, I did...he must hate me now."
"He does not hate you. He is...confused and troubled. Our friend is very worried about you. Robin has assured him that it has to do with your powers."
"He's right...You see what happened in here. I can't meditate without blowing something up. Imagine what would've happened if...if h-he was here instead of you." Raven clutched Starfire's hand.
"You would loose control?"
"Whatever control I had left. Have left."
"Mmm..." They stayed like that for a few more minutes, Starfire gently rocking Raven until things stopped flying around the room. She broke the silence, "Raven?"
"Yes?"
"What are you going to do?"
Raven pondered that for a moment. "I...I'm gonna have to leave."
"Leave?" Starfire's eyes began to water. "L-Leave? B-But-"
"No, no, no." Raven sat up to look Starfire in the eyes. "I'm not leaving the Titans...um...remember that time when you had to go to your home planet? For foreign duties?"
"Yes...?"
"I think I have some...personal duties on my own."
"May I ask when and for how long will be your departure?" Starfire knew Raven, and that's why she didn't ask where.
Raven thought some more, then finally decided. "Tomorrow. A week, two at the most. At least until my powers are under control. And I wouldn't hurt anyone..."
And by anyone, she meant Beast Boy.
"Oh, very well then. You do what is the best for you." Starfire took Raven's hand and squeezed it. "I will miss you, friend."
Raven almost smiled, gently squeezing back.
"What shall I tell Robin and Beast Boy?"
"As...little as possible. I know them. Robin will do a lot of thinking before he figures out where I am, and Beast Boy..." She sighed.
"Well, on lighter subjects..." Starfire smiled. "How was it?"
Raven blushed. "If I hadn't enjoyed it, then would you think I'd be in here?"
Starfire giggled.
12:30 a.m.
Raven took deep breaths as she walked onto the roof, bag over her shoulder. She wore a navy hoodie, black jeans, and combat boots. The air was cool with a gentle breeze.
She looked over her shoulder and sighed.
"I'll be back soon, Gar," she whispered. "I hope you don't hate me..."
And with that, she disappeared in dark energy.
Beast Boy woke up with the feeling that something was off. Not just because Raven didn't want to talk to him or see him. Rolling over on his back, he stretched his arms across the pillows, hand landing on...paper?
One sniff and Beast Boy was up and out of bed with a folded note in his hand; Raven's scent proved that it was from her, along with the fact that her handwriting was easily recognizable, his name written in her perfect cursive penmanship.
With shaky fingers, he opened the note and began to read it. What was this? A letter of rejection?
Beast Boy,
I cannot express how much I am sorry for what happened last night. You're downing yourself; blaming yourself for what happened. I know you. I'd say it's a bad habit of yours.
The fault is mine. I was emotionally unstable, and I didn't want to hurt you...physically, emotionally, and mentally...Unfortunately, I couldn't keep my powers down, so I got to my room as quickly as I could.
I am still...not...well enough. I can't meditate without blowing something up. And I'd hate to leave you, Robin, and Starfire on such short notice but...it's for the best. I won't be gone long, one maybe two weeks. I promise. Don't worry about me. Just trust me and know that I'm somewhere safe.
-Raven
P.S. And in case you're wondering...the kiss was...nice...
The last line made Beast Boy smile a little. At least she liked it. But what did that mean? Did Raven feel the same way he did? She must've felt something if she kissed him back and made lights explode...
After freshening up, he reread her letter over and over as he made his way into the Ops. To his surprise, Robin and Starfire were at the kitchen table, and when they heard him they looked up and held up their notes.
"Guess you guys got ones too, huh?" Beast Boy said as he approached the kitchen table, sitting down across from the duo. "What do yours say?"
"She's gone somewhere to help her control her powers," said Robin.
"And won't return for a week or so," Starfire added innocently. "Friend, what has she told you?"
"Same thing...and not to worry...and, um..." He blushes faintly. "At least she liked the kiss."
"Feel better now?" Robin asked him with a smirk.
Beast Boy shrugged. "Looks like it's just gonna be the three of us for a while."
"Raven will be here before you know it. Come on. Let's make some breakfast."
TT
"I've never seen him so down before," Robin whispered to Starfire as they did the dishes together; Robin washed and Starfire rinsed. The two looked over and saw Beast Boy sitting by the window, looking out towards the city with Raven's note still in his hand. "At least not since Terra."
"It saddens me to see him in such a state." Starfire dried the plates and put them in the dish rack.
Robin eyed her carefully. "Do you know something, Star?"
Starfire hesitated, halting her movements briefly before continuing.
Robin inched closer to her. "Starfire?"
"Yes?"
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
Starfire turned her gaze on him. "Of course," she told him softly. Drying her hand she rested the back of her hand on his cheek. "But I only know as much as you do. And even if I did know about Raven's exact whereabouts, I'm afraid I could not tell you because my loyalty remains with her."
"I understand. Raven's lucky to have you as a best friend."
Starfire smiled and kissed his cheek.
Beast Boy left the room, wandering aimlessly around the Tower. Cyborg wasn't there; he was lucky enough to even be with his girl without complications. Robin and Starfire were wrapped up in each other's company. The only one left was...
Raven...
At the mention of her name, he just happened to have stopped at her bedroom door. Did he dare?
Of course he did. He typed the passcode and her door slid open; stepping inside, he took a whiff and looked around. Her room looked...decent. But not as clean as it normally would be. At least her bed was made and...
There, laying in the very center as if taunting him, was a mirror. The mirror.
Beast Boy was conflicted now. He shouldn't even be in here without her permission. Going back into her mind without her knowing would make things even worse-invading her privacy...he just couldn't...
Eh, what's new? He needed company, and answers, and just wanted to see her emoticlones again for old times sake.
"I am so getting my underwear up my ass when she gets back," he told himself as he picked up the mirror and looked into it. He braced himself.
And just like he expected, a black hand swooped out, grabbed him causing the changeling to scream like a girl, and pulled him inside.
With a thump, Beast Boy landed hard on his stomach.
"Ouch..." he groaned.
"Beast Boy?" said a familiar voice, and he rose his head. A pink clad emoticlone approached him with growing excitement. He got to his feet. "Is that you?"
"Heh, it's been a while-oomf!" Beast Boy gasped as Happy embraced him tight.
"I'm so happy to see you!" Happy squealed, and Beast Boy chuckled. Slowly, Happy pulled back to meet his gaze, hers more serious. "I'm...glad you're here."
"What's going on?" Beast Boy asked her curiously.
Happy held up her hand and cloak, and that's when he noticed the various spots on her cloak; yellow, green, grey, brown, orange...that's when Beast Boy got it. Those colors represented each emoticlone.
"Let's just say that things have changed...I can't explain it, but Wisdom can!"
"What do you know?"
"Well... since you and I...when you kissed us, um, Raven," she stammered, and the hood of her cloak began to slowly turn grey, "I-I've been feeling...emotions as strong as happiness, and next thing you know, my cloak starts to change color," the greying stopped, turning a little yellowish. She sighed. "But thanks to you, my aura has never been pinker!" And her hood began to turn pink again. "Well, I'm still working on it."
Beast Boy smiled at her. "Do you know where the others are? Can you take me to them?"
"Sure!" Happy held out her hand and he took it. The part of her cloak that sheathed her arms began to turn into a lavender purple, and she blushed.
"What?" Beast Boy then noticed. "Oh...this is...?"
"Love," Happy confessed. "This happens whenever I think about you. And lately, I've been having a lot of purple mixed with my pink!"
"So Love is purple? We'll find her domain soon?"
"Mhmm! But first, we run into Timid, then Brave, then Love, then Wisdom, and so on with the other emoticlones."
Holding Happy's hand and talking to her made the pink emoticlone turn back to normal; he found it quite cute at the moments where she'd 'purple out' and blush. By the time they reached the arch that led to Timid, he said, "Sooo, wanna tell me where you-er, Raven-is?"
"Hehe! You're so cute!" Happy tapped his nose. "But it's a secret! Shh! Hehehe! Let's go!"
As soon as they walked through the arch (Happy imitating an airplane and Beast Boy following in amusement), the yellow and pink sky changed to something more grey and gloomy. Beast Boy already began to feel down; maybe it was because of the emoticlones.
"Timiiiiid! Yooohoo!" Happy called. "Beast Boy is here to see us!"
Timid peeped her head out from behind the wall of the maze. When she saw Beast Boy, she gasped and shied away; he saw the edge of her cloak turn purple with a hint of pink.
"Timid!" Happy went to go get her, pulling the shy girl from around the corner. "C'mon, say hello!"
"H-Hello," Timid stammered.
Beast Boy gave her a soft smile. "Hey, Timid. How are you?"
"I..." She blushed, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. More purple.
"Go on, give him a hug. Just like we practiced!" Happy patted Timid on the back.
Tears forming in her eyes, Timid held out her shaky arms and closed her eyes tight. Beast Boy slowly approached the shy emoticlone with a lopsided grin plastered on his face; Timid was almost sobbing as his arms wrapped gently around her. The hug didn't last long because he didn't want to freak her out further
"I'm...sorry..." she said.
"What for?" Beast Boy asked.
"F-For leaving without saying goodbye. You don't have to lie...I know you hate me..."
"I could never hate you." He touched her arm, and that place turned purple as she shied away some. "And I forgive you. It's okay."
Timid eyed him for a moment before she nodded, then turned to face Happy. "S-So..."
"Hehe, c'mon, Rainy Poo!" Happy grasped her hand. "Let's go find Wisdom!"
Brave wasn't hard to find. In fact, the adventurous emoticlone found THEM; practically requesting a spar until she met Beast Boy's eyes, then her cloak turned grey, purple, and pink.
"Oh," Brave had said, trying to act cool. "Sup, BB? Here for a little one-on-one?"
"Maybe another time. But trust me. It is so. On," Beast Boy said with a wink, and she smiled.
The four ventured on, stepping through the next arch. This one had dark and light blue skies, with a field of blue and purple flowers.
Love approached them, pulling her hood down, with a bouquet of flowers in her hands. She smiled at her fellow emoticlones. "Hey." Her voice had a dazed tone in it.
"Hey hey hey!"
"H-Hi..."
"Sup."
Love gasped. "Garfield!" Her hood turned pink as she flung her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. Bewildered, Beast Boy hugged her back. "I'm so glad we've finally met in person!"
"Um, yeah. Nice to meet ya!" Beast Boy said, and Love pulled back to look at him, cupping his face.
"Came here to visit me?" she asked him with a giggle, seeing his pink ears.
"As much as I'd love to, we're on our way to see Wisdom."
Love dropped her hands. "Poo. Ah well. I love Wisdom! She's so smart..." She sighed, then kissed his cheek. "Let's go!"
Wisdom's domain consisted of a sunset, and a library. Wisdom herself was leaning up against a bookshelf, reading. As they approached she looked up, sending a soft smile in Beast Boy's direction; a spot of her cloak turned purple and pink.
"May I help you?" she said, straightening her glasses.
"Yeeeeah, well I got bored so I went in Raven's room..." Beast Boy began, feeling Love cuddle into his side as he spoke, "Found the mirror and-"
"That wasn't very wise..." Wisdom arched an eyebrow.
"I ended up here, and everyone's telling me that their cloaks are changing color. What's going on?"
Wisdom closed her book. "If you must, what's basically happening is that Raven is having emotional imbalance."
"...Go on..."
"It means that her outer self is having complications with her inner self. Her state of being is...off."
"...Go on..."
"Which means that she needs to clear her mind and have some time away from those who endanger her well being."
"..."
"..."
"...Go on..."
Wisdom rolled her eyes, resembling the Raven he knew and loved. And it scared him that her voice dropped to a monotone, "Raven needs to be alone before you make her blow stuff up, or Tower go bye-bye."
Beast Boy facepalmed himself. "OOOOOOOHH!"
Brave sighed, patting Beast Boy's back before acknowledging the yellow emoticlone. "Dude, you gotta stop talking in third person. It's kinda creepy!"
And that's the end of this chappie! Don't worry, Raven won't be gone for long. In fact, depending on how the next chapter flows, she might appear IN the next chapter!
Slight spoiler! We get some more RobStar cuteness as they play cupid, some BBRae (maybe a confession or two? ;D) And who doesn't like a defensive Beast Boy? xP
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