Title: Hey Jealousy
Author: Blair Lebeau, SocialButterfli
Summary: When a stranger named Derek appears at the door of Titans Tower seeking refuge, it leads to friendship, romance, and not to mention trouble. It seems to follow Derek everywhere he goes, and when he gets the Teen Titans sucked into it, Robin begins to believe that maybe Derek isn't what he seems. Is Robin onto something, or is it just the result of a little thing called jealousy? RobStar BBRae
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, which you already knew, but I can't afford to be sued so I'll just say it anyway.
Chapter 7 – Taken Too Far
Robin opened his eyes, which were heavy from lack of sleep. He knew that he had overslept, but he after all his uneasiness about Derek and Starfire caused him to toss and turn all night, he had only gotten four hours of sleep. He stumbled out of bed and was so practically sedated that he almost forgot to put on his mask.
"Morning," he grumbled to the three Titans in the living room. He paused. Three? Where was Starfire? And Derek?
"Uh, yeah, morning," Beast Boy replied. Robin noticed the trio was looking pretty uncomfortable. And even as his sleepy vision cleared and he became more awake, Starfire and Derek were still not present.
"Where's Star?" he asked, looking around. Perhaps she was in the kitchen?
"Uh...."
"What's going on? Why are you guys acting like you have something to hide?" Robin growled furiously, lack of sleep and fear of the unknown getting to him.
"Robin, you have to calm down," Raven said matter-of-factly.
"Where's Derek?" he snarled. Cyborg held up his hands.
"Easy, man. They're, uh....I'm sure they'll be out any minute, but...."
"Cyborg heard Derek going into Starfire's room last night," Beast Boy blurted out. "And when we came out this morning, he wasn't on the couch." Cyborg whacked him across the back as Robin's hands tightened into fists.
"What....does that....mean?" Robin asked, teeth gritted.
"We don't know," Raven said, quietly and calmly. "They could have just talked. Maybe it was completely platonic."
Or maybe not, they all thought.
"Look, I haven't trusted this guy from the beginning," Robin said. "And I don't think you should either. What reason has he given us to trust him?"
"What reason has he given us not to?" Cyborg asked. "Man, you're just pissed because Derek's making a move on your girl. If you like her so much, why haven't you made a move?" Robin looked around at his three friends. Beast Boy nodded. But Robin knew Raven understood. The two were very similar in the seriousness and putting responsibility before personal pleasure. And sure enough, Raven spoke up.
"Yeah, and let's think what would happen if Robin and Starfire didn't get a happily ever after. The team might just fall apart, now, wouldn't it? Let's face it: Relationships among team members stronger than friendship are too dangerous. Robin knows this. And he's kept that order. That's what makes him the leader that he is. Personal sacrifice." Beast Boy stood up.
"But what about true love? Robin can't help his feelings; is he just supposed to ignore them for the rest of his life? What kind of way is that to live? Robin shouldn't have to sacrifice just because he's a hero. None of us should." Beast Boy shot a meaningful glance at Raven, which she returned with a stony glare. This exchange did not go unnoticed by Robin and Cyborg. Raven stood up as well. Both were getting a little too into the conversation.
"Well, Beast Boy, some people happen to take responsibility seriously. Some people don't run around telling jokes that nobody laughs out. Some people actually help save the world instead of being the comic relief. Some people are actually useful." Beast Boy's face fell and everyone, including Raven, knew she had taken it too far.
"Yeah, well, at least some people can actually show emotion instead of being insecure and hiding behind their words." There was a gigantic pause. No one knew what to say or do next. Robin and Cyborg were standing still, trying hard not to breathe too loudly as they didn't want to get involved in this.
Raven began to glow black and she slowly disappeared into the shape of a black raven and disappeared into the floor.
"Way to go, man," Cyborg said. Beast Boy looked down, feeling pained. He hadn't meant for things to get so out of hand, but why did Raven always have to cut him down like that? Didn't she know how he felt for her? Maybe that was why she did it. Maybe she wanted to discourage him. Or maybe she was just scared. Scared that maybe she loved him too?
Beast Boy knew it was impossible, but didn't want to give up on it.
I know, this one was short, and I'm horrible. I'm sorry! But it seemed like a good place to end it, so I did. Don't worry the next chapter will be longer.
Sneak Peak: The Titans are skeptical about Derek spending the night in Star's room, and finally Raven agrees to read Derek's mind to find out more about him. What she finds is shocking.
Blair