I was very happy with all the reviews I recieved within twenty four hours of my last post. They encouraged me to write this chapter relatively quickly. Before I begin, I would like to address the people who have given me such nice reviews.
eveeee90: don't worry, I am and will continue to
Kikiusa: Thanks
noname: lol! you won't have to wait for long.
writerofthefuture: Thank you very much. You won't have to wait for long.
byebyebb18: Thank you
Dark Weezing: Thanks, I'll try not to, and I'm sorry. I can't sit still long enough to write those long, long chapters. I'm glad you like it.
pianist2208: Thanks, and I'm glad. It makes people review when they want to find out what happens next.
Arisu Arisugawa: I doubt it, but thanks, I will, that's okay, and I'm glad. We need more of you!
Bana: Thank you, me too, I'm glad, and I will.
artemisgirl: Thank you, that's exactly what I want, and I will.
Lotus Cat: lol, thanks, and good.
leahgrave: Yes, they are which is why it causes such turmoil withing Robin and Raven. They feel guilty. I will update soon.
very sweet: thanks, and I will
Yami-MeKayla: Me too. Sorry, but I can't do that. I don't think Raven would do that, at least in my story she won't. I really like Starfire, she has a very sweet character. So I'm sorry, but I won't do what you asked.
Samantha- 1434: Thank you, I will.
Smiley: Yes she is. That's okay, I didn't directly say it.
shorty: Thanks
Blackheart Syaoran: Thank you, I hope I can, and good! ;)
Noriaki Kakyoin: Thanks, I think, cool, and I'm sorry I just can't sit still long enough to write those long, long, long chapters. I've been trying, but my train of thought usually ends when my chapters do.
antisocialmint: thanks. Lol. I wouldn't say that, but I do think Raven is a better match. Me too, that was my favorite part to write.
Okay, now that I have taken the time to properly respond to my reviewers, here's the chapter.
Chapter 4
After that night, things got... surprisingly easier. The guilt did not lift, nor would it until they figured out a way to tell Starfire without causing irrepairable damage. But they no longer avoided each other like the plague. The enire opposite in fact. They took any excuse they could to be together. It was a miracle that no one noticed.
Of course, they were very, very careful. No one ever saw the covert glances and secret smiles. No one ever noticed the passing brushes of skin and the quick grip of their hands when they sat down at the table. If they forgot that it was Starfire they were betraying, the secretiveness was kind of fun. It was a bit aggravating that they couldn't be together openly, but any frustration they felt during the day was more than made up for during their nights. They were both skilled in the art of silence. Robin would sneak to her room, or Raven would creep to his. Or they would rendezvous on the roof.
This was the most treasured time they spent together. They could talk or whatever as loud as they wanted without fear of imposition. They found out something new about one another every day, and every new discovery was something precious. Eventually, they would go back to their separate rooms, and sleep separately. That was the worst part. Then they would have to wake up the next day and pretend the previous night and all the nights before had never happened.
They both suffered. Raven hated watching Robin and Starfire sitting on the sofa during a movie. Starfire would lay her head on his shoulder and play with his hand. Raven would have to watch like an outsider, wishing it was her there beside him. Then their eyes would meet over Star's red hair, and she would know that he felt the same way. Somehow that made it worse. She would remember why she never cared before. It hurt too much.
Something like a month after that first night, Raven finally broached the subject of Starfire. "Richard, we need to talk,"
"About what?" They were in his room, side by side on the bed. Previously they had been going over the budget and spend quotient. Mundane stuff that wasn't so mundane when it was done with someone else.
"We have to find a way to tell Starfire." she said bluntly.
"I know. Give me some time so I can find a way to break it to her gently,"
Raven became angry when he said that. "In what way could you possibly break it to her gently? 'Excuse me Star, I'm really sorry, but I have been sleeping with your best friend for a month. We really didn't mean to hurt you, but sometimes things happen,' How do you say something like that 'gently'?"
Robin turned over on his side and looked at her intensely. "I know how you feel, Raven. I do, but I can't just drop it on her like that. We were friends before we started dating. I care about her. I even thought I was in love with her once." he smiled slightly, "I want to spare her as much hurt as I can, and I know you do too."
"You're right, I do. But even more than that, I want you. I want to be the one that cuddles with you during a movie. I want to be the one who gives you a good morning kiss. I want to be free to tell everyone how I feel about you."
"How do you feel about me? Tell me."
"I think I love you. I THINK!" She clarified for his benefit. She knew for a fact that she did.
Robin laughed. "That's good, 'cause I think I love you too." he gave her a peck on the cheek and reached over to grab his mail off of the night stand. He flipped through it, tossing the junk into the trash can. "Hey, what's this? It's from the Jump City Society of Charitable Organizations. Wonder what they want?" He opened the envelope and an elegant looking card slipped out into his hand.
"'Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven, Robin, and Starfire, you are cordially invited to the prestigious charity benifit which our company holds every year. Please consider joining us. The benefit will be Friday, June 18th at seven o'clock. Dress appropriately in an evening attire. RSVP as soon as possible so your name may be added to the guest list. Sincerely, Hope Sinclair, director.' What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like a stuffy social party for the rich and famous of jump city. They invited us for publicity."
"Sounds lame. I'm going."
"I know. We all are. The more press coverage the more those stuffy rich people will donate and the more money the charities will make."
"See, we're perfect for each other. Think alike and everything."
Ironically, this comment made all the reasons they should not be doing what they were seem bold and prominent. "It's time for me to go."
Recognizing the change in her mood, Robin frowned worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Fine,"
"Raven, we'll tell them soon. I swear,"
"I know. They'll find out soon enough anyway. I have this feeling that we won't be able to hide it for much longer."
As she left, Robin wondered just what that meant.
The next morning, Robin shared the invitation with the others. Everyone agreed that they should go, even if they would be bored out of their minds. Since the benefit was going to be the next Friday, they had a lot of preparations to make. None of the men had a tux (Robin had thrown the one from the disasterous prom into the garbage) so they had to go to a rental shop. Starfire decided that she had nothing suitable, so she was off to the mall as well. She suggested that Raven wear the dress she had given her on her birthday. Despite any misgivivings she had concerning this idea, she agreed because it was the only suitable article of clothing she owned.
She accompanied the group to the mall anyway. For a very personal reason. As soon as they arrived at the mall, she made excuses and took her leave of the group. Making sure no one got curious and followed her, she began an intricate pattern of walking that nobody could have kept up with. Finally arriving at her destination, she went into the small drug store and made her purchase. As soon as she left the shop, she concealed the small box within her cloak and found her team mates. They were just about through at the tuxedo shop.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Cyborg inquired.
"Yes. Yes I did," she responded cryptically, without volunteering anything about what it was she had found.
"Guys, check me out!" Beast boy exclaimed. The group looked at him and blinked. Three times very slowly in unison, while discontinuing any movement they had been previously engaged in. The green boy was pimped out in a bright red tux with a black tie and dress shirt. Somehow he had got ahold of a pair of mirrored sunglasses and was doing some sort of disco-slash-break-slash-jitterbug dance.
Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg burst out in raucious laughter. Raven turned and chuckled discreetly. "Um, BB, I don't know if that's proper dress for a charity benefit."
"Well, duh. I was just picking out something to wear out with a foxy lady. You gotta admit I look good."
"In a wierd sort of Twilight Zone way, you kinda do. Still, I think we should go with traditional black,"
"Boooo-ring. Alright, if you insist." They each rented a traditional black tuxedo that miraculously fit, then they followed Starfire to a bridal shop. They had a great selection of evening dresses. It was where she had gotten Raven's present, Star divulged. She knew exacly what she wanted, but she poked around a little while, admiring the wedding gowns. Her gaze lingered on a particularly beautiful and ornate one.
"I have been reading about the Christian religion's earth custom of 'marriage.' This is the attire I would wish to wear during such an occasion." She was all smiles. Loving smiles directed at the one and only Boy Wonder. Robin looked like a deer trapped in the headlights as he searched his mind for a tactful yet blocking response.
"It would look very beautiful on you." he finally said.
"Truly? It is an enchanting dress,"
Raven, for her part, thought it looked a little gaudy. She was eyeing a simpler white dress. 'Now that, that is a dress I could wear proudly for a wed- Stop it. You're losing it, Rae. Thoughts like that will only get you hurt.'
Starfire finally found the evening dress she had been looking for. It was a contemporary dress that sparkled in purples and blues. It rose almost to her neck, but left nearly her whole back bared. "I choose this one,"
"Okay, does everyone have everything they need?" Robin asked of the team in general. Affirmatives chorused from all around.
"I believe I have enough paraphernalia for the ritual of making -the-up."
"Okay, then let's go."
Raven was quiet the whole way, and once they were home she excused herself to her room. Safely ensconsed in her own territory, she removed the small box concealed within her cloak. "Ultra Accuracy Pregnancy test. What the hell are you doing Raven?" she asked her reflection. The girl in the mirror could not answer. She only looked back at her with sad eyes.
There you have it. I hope you liked it. Don't be afraid to review. I will accept criticism as long as there is a reason for it.
eveeee90: don't worry, I am and will continue to
Kikiusa: Thanks
noname: lol! you won't have to wait for long.
writerofthefuture: Thank you very much. You won't have to wait for long.
byebyebb18: Thank you
Dark Weezing: Thanks, I'll try not to, and I'm sorry. I can't sit still long enough to write those long, long chapters. I'm glad you like it.
pianist2208: Thanks, and I'm glad. It makes people review when they want to find out what happens next.
Arisu Arisugawa: I doubt it, but thanks, I will, that's okay, and I'm glad. We need more of you!
Bana: Thank you, me too, I'm glad, and I will.
artemisgirl: Thank you, that's exactly what I want, and I will.
Lotus Cat: lol, thanks, and good.
leahgrave: Yes, they are which is why it causes such turmoil withing Robin and Raven. They feel guilty. I will update soon.
very sweet: thanks, and I will
Yami-MeKayla: Me too. Sorry, but I can't do that. I don't think Raven would do that, at least in my story she won't. I really like Starfire, she has a very sweet character. So I'm sorry, but I won't do what you asked.
Samantha- 1434: Thank you, I will.
Smiley: Yes she is. That's okay, I didn't directly say it.
shorty: Thanks
Blackheart Syaoran: Thank you, I hope I can, and good! ;)
Noriaki Kakyoin: Thanks, I think, cool, and I'm sorry I just can't sit still long enough to write those long, long, long chapters. I've been trying, but my train of thought usually ends when my chapters do.
antisocialmint: thanks. Lol. I wouldn't say that, but I do think Raven is a better match. Me too, that was my favorite part to write.
Okay, now that I have taken the time to properly respond to my reviewers, here's the chapter.
Chapter 4
After that night, things got... surprisingly easier. The guilt did not lift, nor would it until they figured out a way to tell Starfire without causing irrepairable damage. But they no longer avoided each other like the plague. The enire opposite in fact. They took any excuse they could to be together. It was a miracle that no one noticed.
Of course, they were very, very careful. No one ever saw the covert glances and secret smiles. No one ever noticed the passing brushes of skin and the quick grip of their hands when they sat down at the table. If they forgot that it was Starfire they were betraying, the secretiveness was kind of fun. It was a bit aggravating that they couldn't be together openly, but any frustration they felt during the day was more than made up for during their nights. They were both skilled in the art of silence. Robin would sneak to her room, or Raven would creep to his. Or they would rendezvous on the roof.
This was the most treasured time they spent together. They could talk or whatever as loud as they wanted without fear of imposition. They found out something new about one another every day, and every new discovery was something precious. Eventually, they would go back to their separate rooms, and sleep separately. That was the worst part. Then they would have to wake up the next day and pretend the previous night and all the nights before had never happened.
They both suffered. Raven hated watching Robin and Starfire sitting on the sofa during a movie. Starfire would lay her head on his shoulder and play with his hand. Raven would have to watch like an outsider, wishing it was her there beside him. Then their eyes would meet over Star's red hair, and she would know that he felt the same way. Somehow that made it worse. She would remember why she never cared before. It hurt too much.
Something like a month after that first night, Raven finally broached the subject of Starfire. "Richard, we need to talk,"
"About what?" They were in his room, side by side on the bed. Previously they had been going over the budget and spend quotient. Mundane stuff that wasn't so mundane when it was done with someone else.
"We have to find a way to tell Starfire." she said bluntly.
"I know. Give me some time so I can find a way to break it to her gently,"
Raven became angry when he said that. "In what way could you possibly break it to her gently? 'Excuse me Star, I'm really sorry, but I have been sleeping with your best friend for a month. We really didn't mean to hurt you, but sometimes things happen,' How do you say something like that 'gently'?"
Robin turned over on his side and looked at her intensely. "I know how you feel, Raven. I do, but I can't just drop it on her like that. We were friends before we started dating. I care about her. I even thought I was in love with her once." he smiled slightly, "I want to spare her as much hurt as I can, and I know you do too."
"You're right, I do. But even more than that, I want you. I want to be the one that cuddles with you during a movie. I want to be the one who gives you a good morning kiss. I want to be free to tell everyone how I feel about you."
"How do you feel about me? Tell me."
"I think I love you. I THINK!" She clarified for his benefit. She knew for a fact that she did.
Robin laughed. "That's good, 'cause I think I love you too." he gave her a peck on the cheek and reached over to grab his mail off of the night stand. He flipped through it, tossing the junk into the trash can. "Hey, what's this? It's from the Jump City Society of Charitable Organizations. Wonder what they want?" He opened the envelope and an elegant looking card slipped out into his hand.
"'Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven, Robin, and Starfire, you are cordially invited to the prestigious charity benifit which our company holds every year. Please consider joining us. The benefit will be Friday, June 18th at seven o'clock. Dress appropriately in an evening attire. RSVP as soon as possible so your name may be added to the guest list. Sincerely, Hope Sinclair, director.' What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like a stuffy social party for the rich and famous of jump city. They invited us for publicity."
"Sounds lame. I'm going."
"I know. We all are. The more press coverage the more those stuffy rich people will donate and the more money the charities will make."
"See, we're perfect for each other. Think alike and everything."
Ironically, this comment made all the reasons they should not be doing what they were seem bold and prominent. "It's time for me to go."
Recognizing the change in her mood, Robin frowned worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Fine,"
"Raven, we'll tell them soon. I swear,"
"I know. They'll find out soon enough anyway. I have this feeling that we won't be able to hide it for much longer."
As she left, Robin wondered just what that meant.
The next morning, Robin shared the invitation with the others. Everyone agreed that they should go, even if they would be bored out of their minds. Since the benefit was going to be the next Friday, they had a lot of preparations to make. None of the men had a tux (Robin had thrown the one from the disasterous prom into the garbage) so they had to go to a rental shop. Starfire decided that she had nothing suitable, so she was off to the mall as well. She suggested that Raven wear the dress she had given her on her birthday. Despite any misgivivings she had concerning this idea, she agreed because it was the only suitable article of clothing she owned.
She accompanied the group to the mall anyway. For a very personal reason. As soon as they arrived at the mall, she made excuses and took her leave of the group. Making sure no one got curious and followed her, she began an intricate pattern of walking that nobody could have kept up with. Finally arriving at her destination, she went into the small drug store and made her purchase. As soon as she left the shop, she concealed the small box within her cloak and found her team mates. They were just about through at the tuxedo shop.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Cyborg inquired.
"Yes. Yes I did," she responded cryptically, without volunteering anything about what it was she had found.
"Guys, check me out!" Beast boy exclaimed. The group looked at him and blinked. Three times very slowly in unison, while discontinuing any movement they had been previously engaged in. The green boy was pimped out in a bright red tux with a black tie and dress shirt. Somehow he had got ahold of a pair of mirrored sunglasses and was doing some sort of disco-slash-break-slash-jitterbug dance.
Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg burst out in raucious laughter. Raven turned and chuckled discreetly. "Um, BB, I don't know if that's proper dress for a charity benefit."
"Well, duh. I was just picking out something to wear out with a foxy lady. You gotta admit I look good."
"In a wierd sort of Twilight Zone way, you kinda do. Still, I think we should go with traditional black,"
"Boooo-ring. Alright, if you insist." They each rented a traditional black tuxedo that miraculously fit, then they followed Starfire to a bridal shop. They had a great selection of evening dresses. It was where she had gotten Raven's present, Star divulged. She knew exacly what she wanted, but she poked around a little while, admiring the wedding gowns. Her gaze lingered on a particularly beautiful and ornate one.
"I have been reading about the Christian religion's earth custom of 'marriage.' This is the attire I would wish to wear during such an occasion." She was all smiles. Loving smiles directed at the one and only Boy Wonder. Robin looked like a deer trapped in the headlights as he searched his mind for a tactful yet blocking response.
"It would look very beautiful on you." he finally said.
"Truly? It is an enchanting dress,"
Raven, for her part, thought it looked a little gaudy. She was eyeing a simpler white dress. 'Now that, that is a dress I could wear proudly for a wed- Stop it. You're losing it, Rae. Thoughts like that will only get you hurt.'
Starfire finally found the evening dress she had been looking for. It was a contemporary dress that sparkled in purples and blues. It rose almost to her neck, but left nearly her whole back bared. "I choose this one,"
"Okay, does everyone have everything they need?" Robin asked of the team in general. Affirmatives chorused from all around.
"I believe I have enough paraphernalia for the ritual of making -the-up."
"Okay, then let's go."
Raven was quiet the whole way, and once they were home she excused herself to her room. Safely ensconsed in her own territory, she removed the small box concealed within her cloak. "Ultra Accuracy Pregnancy test. What the hell are you doing Raven?" she asked her reflection. The girl in the mirror could not answer. She only looked back at her with sad eyes.
There you have it. I hope you liked it. Don't be afraid to review. I will accept criticism as long as there is a reason for it.