Author's Note: Wow. I'm sooooo thankful for all the reviews, especially those in response to my massively self deprecating remarks in the author's note last chapter. ^^ You guys are great! I seem to keep catching all these grammar errors in my writing that are quite embarrassing indeed. Indeed. Also, I think I really had trouble writing the Robin/Starfire relationship, so I'm glad it was well-received. I have to say, though, I'm really surprised at the interest people seem to have over Cyborg/Raven. Previously I wouldn't have though there was that much interest in this couple, but maybe Car Trouble changed some people's opinions? So I was inspired to really give this couple the well though out and sensitive treatment it deserves. (or..not?) There was a lot of pressure to perform in coming up with Cy's present for Raven. It was rough goings, lemme tell you. I think I set it up too much ^^.
Other Note: It has come to my attention that in the writing of the last chapter, I have completely deviated from my original planning for each chapter. Haha, the Ro/S fluff was supposed to come in the NEXT chapter. Oh well. That would have just been dragging things out more. But I do have to rethink things a bit. Hmmm. This chapter needs to DIE. For the first time since I wrote the first chapter, it actually IS snowing while I'm writing this. Go snow.
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"But I've Got Some Corn For Popping…"
Shrouded in darkness, except for the sole spotlight which beamed down like a street lamp on his head, he toiled away. How many hours he had passed in this way, Cyborg would never know. He supposed he was making too big a deal out of this, but he was almost done now anyway, so what was a few more minutes, or hours, or…
The day they had picked the name of their Secret Santa gift recipient, Cyborg had felt himself filled with a strange panic. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. His mind began working away at the problem immediately, calculating endless amounts of solutions, none of them quite working out as he had planned. He began, was unsatisfied with his progress, scrapped it, and tried again. An inner perfectionist side of him that he never knew he had had emerged. He had to think of it, perfect present for Raven – the girl who had everything. Or rather, the girl who wanted nothing, it seemed.
Cyborg's conversation with Robin had not been very helpful, and in fact only convinced him of the fact that his buddy was very severely deranged and out of touch with reality, especially on the subject of giving presents to difficult females.
Raven was a challenge, and Cy couldn't resist a challenge in any form. Although outwardly it seemed they had nothing in common, had different priorities, and sometimes bit each other's heads off, Cyborg knew that some of the best relationships started with heated arguments. He wasn't sure really when he started to like Raven in a "more than strictly friends" sort of way, but once he realized it, his feelings seemed to make more and more sense to him. He also felt that lately she had been opening up to him more, in a way that he hadn't seen her do with any of the other Titans. Very promising.
So, just as Cyborg had decided to play things by ear, and let them progress slowly, this whole Christmas deal had to come along and rear its ugly head. Suddenly he felt the immense pressure to perform; sure she'd like whatever he got her, or pretend to, anyway, as Robin had halfheartedly assured, but that wouldn't help his case with her any. As he slaved away, he had to chuckle to himself about how cliché it all seemed – the guy, searching desperately for the "perfect" gift to woo his lady fair. And then he had to chuckle to himself, because he had just used the words "woo" and "lady fair" in a sentence describing Raven. Damn she was pretty. Maybe, she had picked his name too, and right now she was thinking the same thing – what present to get for him to best display her appreciation. The butterflies in his stomach stirred once again at his thoughts, and he fought to suppress them. "Can't go getting' all mushy now – 'sides I doubt Rae'd go for me falling over her feet, reciting sonnets. Although…" Cyborg added "write a sonnet" onto his list of possible gifts, before wrinkling his nose and scratching it off, embarrassed at himself for even giving it a second thought.
This process of brainstorming had been going on for quite sometime, and Cyborg was starting to crack. And he was running out of time. He hadn't left his room in almost 2 days – Starfire had been bringing him food, but he figured it was best not to be interrupted. Her cooking had gotten better though, he noted, or perhaps it was just that he was extremely hungry.
Getting a present for Star would've been so much easier, he thought. Just get her something shiny that moved on its own and she'd be amused for hours. He chuckled to himself. Star.
Suddenly the answer to his problem was obvious. Cyborg began preparing the materials he would need right away. It might take a while, but this was the best idea ever.
*********
Raven had been standing over Beast Boy's shoulder, watching him install, and then play Last Illusion 32 for approximately the last 36 minutes and 43 seconds. She didn't know why she bothered to stand there, he'd hardly been saying much, except a few "Oh, check this out!" and other semi-explanatory comments about his enjoyment of the game. She finally decided it was time for her to get back to the others, and heaving a slight sigh, exited the room.
As she walked, she traced her fingers lightly over the cold grey steel walls, feeling, as she usually did, without any particular emotion. It was a very 'blah' way to live and feel, especially at Christmastime, she reflected. Not looking where she was walking, she crashed directly into Cyborg, apparently on his way to the same place, paying as little attention to where he was going as she had been
"The beast has emerged from his cave at last?" Raven smirked, before taking into account the very flustered expression of her teammate. "What's up? I'm just heading back to the main room so we can finish… the merryness." She waved her hand in the direction of the living room where unbeknownst to them; Robin and Starfire were quite…occupied.
"Oh, well, uh. Actually, Raven, let's take a minute before we go with everyone else, so I can give you your present." The cybernetic teen pulled a small wrapped package from behind his back, clearing his throat. He looked really… uncomfortable, Raven thought, the thought making her uncomfortable in turn. As she slowly unwrapped the gift, she started to get that weird tingly feeling on the back of her neck that told her instantly he was expectantly watching her.
In her lap was a very odd grey box, about the size of a shoebox, with various buttons and knobs, and holes punched in the top of it. It seemed to be some sort of machine, but other than that, Raven was at a loss, and looked to Cyborg for further assistance. "Check it out," he said, picking the box up from her hands and turning a few dials. It instantly began to make mechanical rotating noises, and somewhere inside the machine, a bright light went on. Cyborg placed it on the floor of the hallway, and the lights began to move. Raven looked at the ceiling, where now there seemed to be a field of bright stars growing, causing the gray interior of the Tower hall to look like an open field on the darkest, clearest night.
"You made this? It's like a mini-planetarium," she was mesmerized as she searched the tiny model and found every constellation she could think of accurately represented.
"Yeah, I mean, it wasn't too tough once I had the idea. So you like it then?"
"Of course I do! This is amazing."
"Raven, there's something I need – WE need to talk about." Cyborg was practically wringing his hands now, and Raven had no doubt in her mind that he was going to broach THAT subject with her. You always just knew when that sort of thing was about to happen. This was… really out of nowhere, Raven thought.
"Uh… ok. Shoot."
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there seems to be this … chemistry between us. I know it may not seem like we have a whole lot in common, but you know, opposites attract and that sort of thing. And I know you don't seem to be big on the whole fluffy love and romance deal, but you know, neither am I, and I figured well, I mean I guess I didn't figure anything. But I just wanted to let you know how I feel. And maybe wonder how you were feeling."
"Woah… breathe…" Raven put her hand up defensively. "This is kind of, sudden, don't you think? I mean, I guess we've been becoming better friends lately, yeah, and I really am glad too. But…" It really was quite a lot to think about, and Raven floundered around for a good answer as Cyborg's blushing face rapidly fell. "I don't… I mean… well… I wouldn't… we shouldn't ruin our friendship. Don't you think that's best?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course you're right. Ha ha, I'm sorry Raven, to dump all this on you right now. I'm gonna go find Robin and Star. I'm glad you liked the present. Merry Christmas!" Before she could stop him, Cyborg was already sprinting down the hallway, and Raven simply stared after him, mouth wide open.
Raven, now standing alone in the hallway, surrounded by the cold and the gray once more, was dumbfounded. She had no idea what to think, except that she never wanted to have to ever give anybody the "let's not ruin our special friendship" line again. It sounded so bad, especially when she re-played it in her mind for the next 10 minutes. She was just about ready to force herself into the kitchen for some tea, when Beast Boy happened along, apparently having finally resurfaced from the multi-player world of Real Illusion 32.
"Hey Raven, what's wrong?"
"Eh, nothing really, I was just about to go make some tea. Are you finally done drooling over that game?"
Beast Boy grinned, "For now. It's like you knew exactly what to get me! Thanks! Did you get your present yet? I still gotta give mine," he waved the wrapped box he was holding in his hand. His grin changed to a look of concern very suddenly. "Are you sure nothing's bugging you? You look kinda depressed. I mean, more so than usual. I mean…heh. Open mouth insert foot."
"It's just been kind of a weird half hour I guess. People saying really strange things out of nowhere. Or maybe I've just been blind to it until now." Raven held up the Star-Globe from Cyborg as though it could explain things better than she could.
"Ah. Aaaah…" In a rare moment of clarity, Beast Boy thought he might be able to figure out what had happened just before his entrance. His brain started to launch into a confusing pattern of thoughts, and he gestured and pointed frantically to himself in an attempt to clarify things.
"C'mon, let's go. There's a bag of red and green holiday shaped marshmallows with my name on it." Raven started to walk away, but Beast Boy grabbed her hand, causing her to jerk and turn to him as he looked at her bewilderedly, but continued to grasp her wrist.
"Raven, um…before we go…"
But Beast Boy didn't get to finish whatever he was about to say, because at that moment, there was a loud blast outside, close by, and the power went out, plunging the pair into darkness.
Other Note: It has come to my attention that in the writing of the last chapter, I have completely deviated from my original planning for each chapter. Haha, the Ro/S fluff was supposed to come in the NEXT chapter. Oh well. That would have just been dragging things out more. But I do have to rethink things a bit. Hmmm. This chapter needs to DIE. For the first time since I wrote the first chapter, it actually IS snowing while I'm writing this. Go snow.
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"But I've Got Some Corn For Popping…"
Shrouded in darkness, except for the sole spotlight which beamed down like a street lamp on his head, he toiled away. How many hours he had passed in this way, Cyborg would never know. He supposed he was making too big a deal out of this, but he was almost done now anyway, so what was a few more minutes, or hours, or…
The day they had picked the name of their Secret Santa gift recipient, Cyborg had felt himself filled with a strange panic. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. His mind began working away at the problem immediately, calculating endless amounts of solutions, none of them quite working out as he had planned. He began, was unsatisfied with his progress, scrapped it, and tried again. An inner perfectionist side of him that he never knew he had had emerged. He had to think of it, perfect present for Raven – the girl who had everything. Or rather, the girl who wanted nothing, it seemed.
Cyborg's conversation with Robin had not been very helpful, and in fact only convinced him of the fact that his buddy was very severely deranged and out of touch with reality, especially on the subject of giving presents to difficult females.
Raven was a challenge, and Cy couldn't resist a challenge in any form. Although outwardly it seemed they had nothing in common, had different priorities, and sometimes bit each other's heads off, Cyborg knew that some of the best relationships started with heated arguments. He wasn't sure really when he started to like Raven in a "more than strictly friends" sort of way, but once he realized it, his feelings seemed to make more and more sense to him. He also felt that lately she had been opening up to him more, in a way that he hadn't seen her do with any of the other Titans. Very promising.
So, just as Cyborg had decided to play things by ear, and let them progress slowly, this whole Christmas deal had to come along and rear its ugly head. Suddenly he felt the immense pressure to perform; sure she'd like whatever he got her, or pretend to, anyway, as Robin had halfheartedly assured, but that wouldn't help his case with her any. As he slaved away, he had to chuckle to himself about how cliché it all seemed – the guy, searching desperately for the "perfect" gift to woo his lady fair. And then he had to chuckle to himself, because he had just used the words "woo" and "lady fair" in a sentence describing Raven. Damn she was pretty. Maybe, she had picked his name too, and right now she was thinking the same thing – what present to get for him to best display her appreciation. The butterflies in his stomach stirred once again at his thoughts, and he fought to suppress them. "Can't go getting' all mushy now – 'sides I doubt Rae'd go for me falling over her feet, reciting sonnets. Although…" Cyborg added "write a sonnet" onto his list of possible gifts, before wrinkling his nose and scratching it off, embarrassed at himself for even giving it a second thought.
This process of brainstorming had been going on for quite sometime, and Cyborg was starting to crack. And he was running out of time. He hadn't left his room in almost 2 days – Starfire had been bringing him food, but he figured it was best not to be interrupted. Her cooking had gotten better though, he noted, or perhaps it was just that he was extremely hungry.
Getting a present for Star would've been so much easier, he thought. Just get her something shiny that moved on its own and she'd be amused for hours. He chuckled to himself. Star.
Suddenly the answer to his problem was obvious. Cyborg began preparing the materials he would need right away. It might take a while, but this was the best idea ever.
*********
Raven had been standing over Beast Boy's shoulder, watching him install, and then play Last Illusion 32 for approximately the last 36 minutes and 43 seconds. She didn't know why she bothered to stand there, he'd hardly been saying much, except a few "Oh, check this out!" and other semi-explanatory comments about his enjoyment of the game. She finally decided it was time for her to get back to the others, and heaving a slight sigh, exited the room.
As she walked, she traced her fingers lightly over the cold grey steel walls, feeling, as she usually did, without any particular emotion. It was a very 'blah' way to live and feel, especially at Christmastime, she reflected. Not looking where she was walking, she crashed directly into Cyborg, apparently on his way to the same place, paying as little attention to where he was going as she had been
"The beast has emerged from his cave at last?" Raven smirked, before taking into account the very flustered expression of her teammate. "What's up? I'm just heading back to the main room so we can finish… the merryness." She waved her hand in the direction of the living room where unbeknownst to them; Robin and Starfire were quite…occupied.
"Oh, well, uh. Actually, Raven, let's take a minute before we go with everyone else, so I can give you your present." The cybernetic teen pulled a small wrapped package from behind his back, clearing his throat. He looked really… uncomfortable, Raven thought, the thought making her uncomfortable in turn. As she slowly unwrapped the gift, she started to get that weird tingly feeling on the back of her neck that told her instantly he was expectantly watching her.
In her lap was a very odd grey box, about the size of a shoebox, with various buttons and knobs, and holes punched in the top of it. It seemed to be some sort of machine, but other than that, Raven was at a loss, and looked to Cyborg for further assistance. "Check it out," he said, picking the box up from her hands and turning a few dials. It instantly began to make mechanical rotating noises, and somewhere inside the machine, a bright light went on. Cyborg placed it on the floor of the hallway, and the lights began to move. Raven looked at the ceiling, where now there seemed to be a field of bright stars growing, causing the gray interior of the Tower hall to look like an open field on the darkest, clearest night.
"You made this? It's like a mini-planetarium," she was mesmerized as she searched the tiny model and found every constellation she could think of accurately represented.
"Yeah, I mean, it wasn't too tough once I had the idea. So you like it then?"
"Of course I do! This is amazing."
"Raven, there's something I need – WE need to talk about." Cyborg was practically wringing his hands now, and Raven had no doubt in her mind that he was going to broach THAT subject with her. You always just knew when that sort of thing was about to happen. This was… really out of nowhere, Raven thought.
"Uh… ok. Shoot."
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there seems to be this … chemistry between us. I know it may not seem like we have a whole lot in common, but you know, opposites attract and that sort of thing. And I know you don't seem to be big on the whole fluffy love and romance deal, but you know, neither am I, and I figured well, I mean I guess I didn't figure anything. But I just wanted to let you know how I feel. And maybe wonder how you were feeling."
"Woah… breathe…" Raven put her hand up defensively. "This is kind of, sudden, don't you think? I mean, I guess we've been becoming better friends lately, yeah, and I really am glad too. But…" It really was quite a lot to think about, and Raven floundered around for a good answer as Cyborg's blushing face rapidly fell. "I don't… I mean… well… I wouldn't… we shouldn't ruin our friendship. Don't you think that's best?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course you're right. Ha ha, I'm sorry Raven, to dump all this on you right now. I'm gonna go find Robin and Star. I'm glad you liked the present. Merry Christmas!" Before she could stop him, Cyborg was already sprinting down the hallway, and Raven simply stared after him, mouth wide open.
Raven, now standing alone in the hallway, surrounded by the cold and the gray once more, was dumbfounded. She had no idea what to think, except that she never wanted to have to ever give anybody the "let's not ruin our special friendship" line again. It sounded so bad, especially when she re-played it in her mind for the next 10 minutes. She was just about ready to force herself into the kitchen for some tea, when Beast Boy happened along, apparently having finally resurfaced from the multi-player world of Real Illusion 32.
"Hey Raven, what's wrong?"
"Eh, nothing really, I was just about to go make some tea. Are you finally done drooling over that game?"
Beast Boy grinned, "For now. It's like you knew exactly what to get me! Thanks! Did you get your present yet? I still gotta give mine," he waved the wrapped box he was holding in his hand. His grin changed to a look of concern very suddenly. "Are you sure nothing's bugging you? You look kinda depressed. I mean, more so than usual. I mean…heh. Open mouth insert foot."
"It's just been kind of a weird half hour I guess. People saying really strange things out of nowhere. Or maybe I've just been blind to it until now." Raven held up the Star-Globe from Cyborg as though it could explain things better than she could.
"Ah. Aaaah…" In a rare moment of clarity, Beast Boy thought he might be able to figure out what had happened just before his entrance. His brain started to launch into a confusing pattern of thoughts, and he gestured and pointed frantically to himself in an attempt to clarify things.
"C'mon, let's go. There's a bag of red and green holiday shaped marshmallows with my name on it." Raven started to walk away, but Beast Boy grabbed her hand, causing her to jerk and turn to him as he looked at her bewilderedly, but continued to grasp her wrist.
"Raven, um…before we go…"
But Beast Boy didn't get to finish whatever he was about to say, because at that moment, there was a loud blast outside, close by, and the power went out, plunging the pair into darkness.