Titans Together - 2 days later.
"So..." She sat on the shore, filling her palms with sand. The grains slid in between the crevices of her fingers and landed in a pyramidal pile. He stood a few feet in front of her, faced toward the water. "Are we finished?"
He shut his eyes, enjoying the sounds of waves gently lapping over the rocks, the scent of saltwater wafting in the air, sand squished between his toes. For once, Robin was at peace. Her question hung in the air, and he couldn't help but feel his lips tug into a warm smile. "Yeah. We're done."
Despite the exhaustion, Starfire felt rejuvenated. Alive. This was what she had hoped for. She returned the favor, displaying a large smile of her own. "I am glad."
The skyline was still dark, but had a painted streak of pink and lavender hues. The start of a new day was among them. He hadn't known how long they were outside, staring at the tranquil bay before them, cool breeze wrapping around them like a scarf, stars graciously lighting the grim night sky.
It had been a long night—lives were lost, trust was broken, and yet, they still managed to come together as a team. Odds were against them, he inwardly smirked. That's what everyone wanted—the odds to be against them. Prove they weren't anything but a mediocre band of sidekicks. They only helped with the "minor stuff". Prove they were a team, they worked together, they moved together. They weren't five heroes, they were a team and fought as one.
He encouraged them to fight anyway. Use any sense of physical strength in your core to fight back. Fight for your loss, fight for your victories, fight for your proof that you belong to stay, fight because dark can never prosper. And they did. Rising to the challenge, the five Titans gathered what was left of them. Whether it lead to victory—or death.
It hadn't ended in death.
Robin sighed, taking a step toward the water's edge. At the next wave, water crawled against the shore, climbing upon his feet, and promptly slid back into the bay. He felt cleansed of his scars, almost like he was being washed of all events. Surely, his mind still fumbled at his biggest enemy's impromptu escape. But he needn't worry. When the time was right, he'd be back, and they'd be ready. He was sure.
"I'm thinking of starting over." His voice cut through the peaceful sounds of rushing waves and her tiny patters of fallen sand.
"Oh?" Robin couldn't help but widen his grin. No matter, how tough situations were, her voice was always delicate and gentle. Starfire tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear. "How so?"
"Well," he heaved a sigh. "We're all getting—older."
She knitted her brows together. Three creases forming upon her forehead. "I do not understand. Friend Beast Boy has not attained the age of nineteen yet. Are we nearing death because of our seemingly youthful age?"
"No, no," he corrected, small chuckle in his throat. He moved his forefinger in a circular motion. "All of us. We're just—growing up. Well, Beast Boy's got a few more years, maybe centuries." She covered her mouth and giggled. "After everything we went through these past few years..I think we all should—start over. You know?"
"I see." Starfire stretched her body, stifled a yawn, and laid back in the sand. "How do you plan to start over, Robin?" Her eyes looked upward and the thousands of stars shining above her. She missed home. But, she loved this home even better.
He trudged up the shore and took a seat next to her in the sand. Hugging his knees, he thought. "I don't know, really," he began, swaying back and forth. "I think Robin's getting kinda old..don't you?"
She shifted to her side to look at him. He didn't look old to her. Maybe it was too dark. He certainly didn't have wrinkles or gray hair. "If you feel that Robin is..old, then what will the new Robin be?" He cocked his head to the side, smile growing so large that he felt his face would almost crack. He hadn't smiled in a long time. With a shrug, he looked back at her curious expression.
"I was thinking..maybe Nightwing."
"Dude, where are we gonna live?" Beast Boy placed his hands on his head, he paced the crumbled hallway in circles. "Oh my god, we're homeless!"
Raven and Cyborg looked at one another during the changeling's panic attack, and shook their heads. "Man, knock it off, we're not homeless!" Cyborg mumbled. "So dramatic."
"Now I'm gonna have to find a job..I'm not working at Mega Meaty Meat again..Dude, and my comic books, and no more Gamestation. Dude, I cannot be a green hobo on the street. Do you know what they do to green hobos on the street?!" Beast Boy shuddered. "I'm gonna join the circus and become Beast Man. Dude! This is the worst day ever!" he whined. They rolled their eyes. "And what about my..."
"Beast Boy," Raven snapped, folding her arms in annoyance. "We're not homeless. Cyborg's got everything under control."
The green shapeshifter dried his fake tears, and got off his knees. "What do you mean?" he stammered.
"I mean, you green bean," he pulled out a rolled paper, playfully whacking a temperamental Beast Boy on the head, and unrolled it. "Before you had your little diva meltdown.. I was thinking.. So what if the Tower's a little.." They looked down the hallway as broken wires hung from the ceiling. A keypad once installed into the wall fell from its post and sparked. "A little.."
"Messed up? Ugly? Hideous? Dude, this place looks like crap!" Beast Boy shrieked.
"With good reason," Raven retorted. "We're not the only ones suffering from property damage. The whole city is undergoing repair."
"Which brings up my point," Cyborg smirked, nudging the empath. "I worked on a little blueprint." Beast Boy crept closer, admiring the layout. "With my handy dandy toolbox, we're gonna remodel the Tower."
"In case Beast Boy's brain didn't comprehend that, we're not homeless," Raven sarcastically remarked. He stuck his tongue out at the sorceress mockingly, in which she glared. "Very mature."
"So..when do you think this is gonna be done?!"
Cyborg scratched his chin, looking over the measurements and designs. "Well, a few months. It's not gonna be all bad. Once everything's calmer around here, it'll be a quick fix."
"Do I get my own bathroom?" Beast Boy pleaded, clasping his hands together.
Cyborg smirked. "No. But..I don't see why we can't add a second bathroom. No offense to the ladies, but I hate waiting in the morning."
Raven turned on her flashlight, tilting her head toward the exit. "Let's finish up looking through the tower. See if we can find any remaining items." Beast Boy and Cyborg nodded, following behind.
"Huh." A few steps behind, Cyborg stopped when his arm began to beep. The two Titans stopped to wait for him. He waved them off. "Y'all continue without me, let me fix this glitch. I'll meet up in a bit." With a hesitant shrug, they left him alone.
Cyborg lifted the small screen installed in his arm compartment and quirked an eyebrow. "Distress call from unknown communicator? Huh.." He shook his head, closed the screen, and jogged down the hallway. "Stupid prank callers..Hey guys, wait up!"
"So how does everything look?" Robin questioned as the approaching group took a seat in the sand.
"Eh, so-so," Beast Boy admitted, waving his hand.
"Please tell me that you have found Silkie?" Starfire inquired. The changeling's eyes bulged, remembering the alien pet. He gave a weak chuckle and scooted away.
"Heh," he began, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll uh...be right back!" He bolted for the door, followed by the laughs of his teammates.
They all sighed, soaking up the enjoyment and brief relaxation from their hardships. Raven pointed at the horizon, a small flash of yellow, breaking through the night's inky color. "Sun's coming up."
"It sure is beautiful," Cyborg admitted in a low tone. They watched in peace the start of a new day, the start of a new team, the start of the beginning. Their time of self-relaxation abruptly ended and the loud rumbles filling the silence. All eyes turned to Cyborg, who, apologetically held his stomach.
"Anyone else kinda hungry?" he joked. Raven allowed a small smirk onto her lips and Starfire giggled.
"I can prepare a traditional Tamaranean breakfast. It will be glorious!" she sang, clapping her hands together. Robin swallowed, face turning a slight shade of green at the thought of an alien feast.
"Or..we could go for pizza," he suggested. Starfire huffed.
"Pizza sounds nice," Raven added, drawing circles with her fingers in the sand.
"Let's do it!" Cyborg grunted, lifting up from his place in the sand. "Yo, B!" he called, staggering for the Tower's entrance. "You up for pizza?!"
There is good and there is evil. There are those who commit crimes and those who stop them. The two sides are opposite, as different as day and night. And the line between them is clear. Or at least it's supposed to be.
- Hope you all enjoyed that alternate ending. Sending all love and light to you amazing readers. Thank you.
*if you didn't catch that distress call thing..i don't know what to tell you.. :)