04.
Red X came home to see that someone was waiting for him.
There was always a sign, like how it smelled like lavenders and hot tea in the empty cold space, but he was never actually mentally prepared to see her. Honestly, the dark witch was actually turning into his nightmares, and so he couldn't help but tense up as the familiar scent filled his tiny flat.
"Seriously Sunshine, if it's about that tiny bank robbery, I have nothing to do-"
He stepped back as her glare met his eyes. It came to him that he never saw Raven angry before. Even during all those years of brilliantly keeping out of their hands, making fun of them, she never once showed much emotions. But today it seemed that it was nothing but emotions and it rather gave him chills down at the back of his neck. The angry eyes seemed to shine red under her cloak.
"Where is Cinderblock?"
Even her voice sounded different today. It was more menacing, almost scratchy in a way. Red X frowned. She never came to ask him about B-rated supervillains.
"The boulder guy? Haven't seen him in a while. The last I've heard of him was that he cracked Bird boy's…."
Red X was a smart guy. He knew when to shut his mouth, especially if his life depended on it. He saw her eyes gleaming, and he stopped. Instead, he went to the kitchen.
Who would have known? The infamous Red X, brilliant genius mastermind of crime, bought tea and was now boiling hot water to fix a cup of tea for a mad Titan. Fucking tea. He muttered under his breath that she was a witch (who he secretly thought would be better off as a villain). He could bet his neighbor's cat on it: She would conquer the world in mere days. He added a little sugar in it although that's not the way she normally takes her tea, but she looked like she needed it. Then he held it out to her.
She received it and held it for a while. It looked like she was trying to do some quick first-aid meditation. He remained quiet. He was ready to click the teleport button just in case anything happens.
The first time Raven intruded into his place, he thought his days were over. He had to admit that he underestimated the mage, just how he underestimated her whole team. It was more than a shock to come home to see her waiting for him, as if she knew where he lived all along. That was the day when he jokingly haunted Bird brain a little too far - He enjoyed every single part of crushing his pride, his heart almost swelled. But it didn't last long when he was greeted by her in the kitchen; In fact, she was looking for tea in his house.
'..Not even a single tea bag. Might as well stack some in your empty shelves, X.'
He was at least proud to say he played cool, acting as if he were only merely surprised at her comment.
'Sounds like you'll be coming here to see me again, sweetheart.'
'That depends on your tongue.'
She smiled and melted into the shadows. It took him a little longer than what it usually would take to realize that she was here to warn him, but it took a couple of more visits to figure that it was because of Captain birdie.
He heard a murmur from the witch, whose head was now drooping down. Red X's sharp instinct told him that he should run. His brain, however, didn't see a logical reason to. His voice came out as a whisper.
"Sunshine?"
"I'm going to kill Cinderblock," she growled.
Red X froze.
She was crying.