Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans.
"Beautiful," muttered Robin. It was clear that thirty-six hours alone in his room had done nothing to help his mood. He stooped to pick up the notebook where it had lain untouched and deposited it on a low table. "I see no one bothered to pick up Raven's final words," he said loudly.
Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy sat silently in the kitchen, intent on their now-customary cups of tea. Finally, Beast Boy lifted his head:
"We were waiting for you."
"Here I am," said Robin. He peered into the kitchen. "Tea. Cute."
Starfire's eyes glowed a dangerous green.
"We happen to like tea, Robin," she said forcefully.
"Sure," said Robin, unconvinced. "Bunch of leaves and sticks in a cup, right, Beast Boy? You're really doing her memory justice."
"Hey, man," – Cyborg slammed his cup to the table – "you've got no right."
"Oh no? Come over here, you three; let's read. We'll see who's got the right to say what."
"I thought you'd never ask." Cyborg's voice took on a competitive tone usually reserved for video games.
When they were all situated on the couch, Robin picked up the book once more. He opened it almost carelessly, bending the cover back.
"Second entry," he said. "This one's a week later." He cleared his throat.
"My life is empty," he read. "I don't expect you to take offense to that, but if you do, let me clarify: it has nothing to do with you. My life has not been boring; it has been empty. I have had any number of activities to fill my day-to-day existence.
"What I refer to is a more philosophical emptiness. I doubt very much you can understand it, but I'll try to explain: you all have something to look forward to. I do not. That's the underlying problem.
"There's not one bright spot in my wretched existence. Sure, defeating villains has its moments, but day after day I have defeated villains. All the traditional milestones – birthdays, weddings, births, anniversaries, even simple good days – are closed to me, for they are emotional milestones.
"I cannot feel. I suspect you have been aware of that for some time. I do not expect you to realize the depth of hopelessness it causes. My life has no purpose. I cannot make myself happy, and aside from simple physical involvement, I cannot make others happy. My sole purpose in life is to avoid causing destruction.
"Would not a final solution be far simpler?"
The Titans took a moment to absorb the words.
"That's it?" asked Beast Boy.
"For this entry," Robin confirmed.
"I'd say that ties it up rather neatly," said Cyborg. "What's in the rest of the book? What happens during the other four weeks?"
"I don't know," admitted Robin.
"She might possibly wish to convey the feeling of no feeling," offered Starfire.
"Yeah," added Beast Boy, "that could take some time. It confuses me."
"It would," muttered Robin.
Beast Boy was on his feet:
"What's your problem?"
"Oh, come on, Beast Boy" – Robin stood to face him. "You've never kept your emotions separate from anything."
"Oh yeah?"
"Well," smirked the Boy Wonder, "I'm working from memory here, but I seem to recall a certain blonde girl who felt isolated and betrayed when you were around."
"That was not my fault!" Beast Boy shouted at the top of his lungs.
"No one's saying it is," tried Cyborg.
"Oh, yes he is." Beast Boy and Robin stood nose-to-nose. "That's just what Red X here is saying."
"You would bring that up," snorted Robin.
"Someone mentioned betrayal. I thought it was relevant."
"That had a higher purpose, and you know it."
"Of course it did. Everything has a higher purpose with you – gotta catch Slade, right?"
"Right! I'm the only thing that stands between Jump City and destruction."
"Do you not mean 'we,' friend Robin?" interjected Starfire.
Robin stepped backward, relaxed for a moment. His face reddened slightly.
"Yeah," he mumbled. "The Teen Titans."
"I swear to you," declared Beast Boy, "I do not need this right now." With that, he swept from the room.
"Where are you going?" shouted Cyborg.
"Out," came the response, followed by a dull clang as the door closed.
Robin sat again.
"Unprofessional, that's what that is."
"Cut him some slack, man." Cyborg wiped his forehead. "His friend committed suicide."
"And what was she to us?" demanded Robin.
"She was our friend, too. That's what I'm saying. We're all frustrated. We're in this together."
Robin covered his face.
"I just wish we didn't have to deal with it."
"That makes four of us."
"I might brew a fresh pot of tea," announced Starfire.
Cyborg proffered his empty cup.
"No, thanks, Star," said Robin. "Let me grab a soda."