It was close to midnight by the time the team had made certain that the stranger was dry, and comfortable. Raven had made him a mug of herbal tea. As he accepted the warm and steaming liquid, his eyes met hers. For the first time in her life, her heart skipped a beat. She felt an inner-warmth which was twenty times as soothing as all the herbal tea in the world, boiling in a single pot. Her hand trembled and she almost spilled the contents onto the stranger, who was absorbing the room's brilliance with such pleasure and disbelief that he barely noticed. She recognized this feeling, which was why she was so shocked. Usually empty of emotion, Raven only experienced this kind of tingling joyous sensation, when around her friends. Raven traced the feeling to be love. Not just the love she felt of her teammates, but a happiness and longing in which she had never experienced. Leaving the tea on the coffee table, by his feet, she blushed and flicked her hood up, a habit to hide all emotion from the outside world. She reclined on the nearest couch and looked at the wall trying to make sense of the situation, and push the emotion deep within her, where not even she could feel it.
The teen was draped in a spare blanket Beast Boy had loaned him. It was moth-bitten and had animal fur all over it. So much fur, that the original color of the sheet was a mystery. It was Beast Boy's best and most well-kept sheet. He too had felt a loyalty to the new friend that he had only ever felt before towards his teammates. It was impossible to explain, but it was as though he was with them always.
The stranger forced a smile after swallowing a piece of Starfire's "Cake of Warmth," a recipe brought back with her from her home planet. She only shared all aspects of her past with the other Titans, including all delicacies, no matter how horrible they tasted.
Robin took all of this in, and wondered if the others had the same feeling he had. The stranger seemed like an old friend who they all knew and loved as they loved each other. However, Raven had a different look on her face then he had ever seen her with. Even with the other Titans, she rarely showed signs of happiness, but something in her face made it seem as if she was glowing. It was as though she was overwhelmed with emotion, but keeping it trapped inside with all her power. Despite, her hooded cloak he could tell she was calm and relaxed. She was happy. He suppressed a smile of his own. The stranger certainly made them all feel happier. He illuminated the room in a brilliant and radiant light, blocking out the storm from outside, as if the sun itself had come to Titan Tower.
Few words had been exchanged since the stranger had arrived, but the team was more joyous then they had been for some time. It was rare for them to find a friend in these times, especially one that made them feel so safe. Even though they hadn't really been acquainted with him yet, it felt as though the stranger had always been there, fighting along side them; sharing laughter and tears, through the good and bad. He was what words can only describe as, a friend. Robin, (who liked to think of himself as very articulate), was even plagued with a loss of words in which to describe the feelings the stranger gave him, and the others.
The stranger had a dumbfounded grin as he stared into their faces. They shine off light as if their skin were neon lighting he mused to himself. They made him feel so happy and comfortable.
Robin had gone to the basement with Cyborg to get the heater. The stranger patiently waited for a chance to explain himself. He needed them all together. It would be hard enough finding words to explain himself once, let alone separately to the different members. He had practiced it millions of times in his head and dreams but it never came out right. Then again, who would think that he would ever get the opportunity to even try.
When the teens returned with the large metal grills, they sat down and resumed their previous positions; a large horseshoe of couches and chairs, with the T.V. in the center. However, none of the Titans were looking at the T.V. All eyes were turned toward the stranger. Only now did they notice the silence that had plagued the house since he entered. No words had been traded. No sly remarks from Beast Boy had been made. Even the wind had died down. This was as good a time as any, the stranger decided.
Slowly, and deliberately he removed the fur covered blanket and strode to the front of the Titan's horseshow formation. He remembered a line from his favorite movie as the Titans waited for him to begin... "I see you shiver with antici... ... ... pation."
All eyes were on him now, making it hard to speak. He shifted from foot to foot; the look of disbelief was still frozen on his face. Usually he was a very good speaker, but this was not an ordinary circumstance. How often do you have a chance to make your dream come true, he wondered. The team was once again overcome with a deep, inexplicable feeling of happiness and loyalty.
The stranger cleared his throat, swallowed twice, and began; "Well, ummm, I just...err...ummm."
He was staring directly at Raven and couldn't concentrate on what he was saying, or anything else for that matter. The time slowed to a crawl. He could actually feel the earth revolve beneath him. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Then opening them, he smiled and continued...
To Be Continued once again... Will get better, don't worry