A/N - I was thinking about doing some sort of author commentaries on a few of these in my LJ account. Anybody interested in that idea? Put responses and suggestions for which drabbles(if any) you'd like to see deconstructed in a review, and we'll see if there's enough interest.
FRACTURE THREE
Little White Lies
Continuity – Between 'Aftershock: Part I' and 'Aftershock: Part II'
The only testament to Starfire's wakefulness was the irregular rhythm of her breathing. Robin listened. When it didn't abate he rose onto his elbows.
"What's wrong?"
She looked startled, hands tightening on her shoulders. "I … was unable to sleep. My head is filled with snorkflumph."
He nodded. The day had started with a trip to the mall, and ended with each of them nearly dying at Terra's hands. Terra, whom they had trusted as a friend and teammate. Terra, now Slade's apprentice. And apparently relishing the job.
He grit his teeth. Then, getting up, he tiptoed across the cave to sit next to Starfire. She leaned against him.
"You are warm."
He didn't reply.
"We will triumph tomorrow?"
"Yes," he lied, not at all sure they would.
Escaping the Mud
Continuity – During 'Aftershock: Part I'
A flash of light, a loud noise, the momentary chaos of the universe all happening at once
No, no, no, no
Sinking. Can't breathe. Panic. Where's the air?
Stop that. Think clearly. You already lost control once today, and look where that got you. Now, concentrate. Focus on the other Titans' minds. Can you feel them?
Still alive.
Go towards them. Portal open, and –
Tumble, tumble, tumble. Big gobs of dirt and mud and filth in her gullet. Cough, get them out – get them out! Can't breathe with them in there.
Then faces. Someone rubbing her back.
Friends.
Safety.
Peace.
Fender Bender
Continuity – Post-'Fractured'
"You're an idiot," Cyborg said bluntly.
Robin just grunted.
"It ain't bad enough you gotta run around like you're not part of a team, you gotta get your butt busted doin' it?"
"When will Raven be here?"
"Now." She floated through a portal, hood down. Taking one look at Robi she let out sharp, irritated breath. "What did he do this time?"
"He only went and challenged Rancid again."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is his leg the only thing he wrecked?"
Robin gritted his teeth. "The bike's fine. Just a caromed fender."
"Actually, I meant on you."
"… Oh."
Gallantry is Dead
Continuity – Between 'Titan Rising' and 'Betrayal'
"You," Terra jabbed a finger in his chest, "nearly gave me a heart attack back there." She ignored the irony of the remark.
"Um, I'm sorry?" Beast Boy rubbed his head and wondered where all the pretty stars came from. It had been light out when they went to recapture Kardiac, some escapee experiment from a lab on the Southside.
Huh, weren't they always?
"What were you thinking?" Terra demanded.
"Um, I was thinking you were about to get squished?"
"So you decided to take my place?"
"You know," he pouted, "it's traditional to get a thank-you for something like that."
She thought about it for a second. Then she pounced on him and wrapped her arms tight around his neck. "Thank you for saving my life. Don't ever do it again."
Raven Ruminations
Continuity – Post-'Betrayal'
You were not supposed to prove me right.
I was prepared to acknowledge I was wrong about you. Almost looking forward to it, in fact. It's not in my nature to admit defeat on anything, but I would have been quite … satisfied on this occasion.
But you had to go and spoil it all.
I had to go and be right. Again.
I don't like distrusting people, but how can I do anything else with people like you around? People who aren't bubbly aliens who make friends with shoe polish if you tell her it's sentient.
You were supposed to be different, Terra. You were supposed to be my friend.
But you lied.
And I was right again.
Future Memories
Continuity – Post-'Birthmark'
Minutes. Hours. Days. Weeks. Months.
Years.
Such arbitrary measurements of time had long since ceased their meaning, dissolving into one never-ending cycle of blood and death and fire. Another life taken, another family smashed, another statue made, another heart destroyed – and where there should have been remorse, or at least sorrow, there was nothing.
She was mistress, lady, peer of the realm. She ruled was she saw and saw what she ruled, answerable only to one.
The One.
The hard, spindly limbs and wide but flinty eyes seemed a little familiar. Were they the first?
No first. No last. Just blood and death and fire.
END FRACTURE THREE
