Chapter 10- Furnish the Dress, and Tighten the Tux
Robin felt around the corner of his door for the light switch and entered his dark room with a sigh. The lights came on and he immediately kicked his boots off across the room and into his closet. It was late, almost midnight; they had just got back from stopping Killer Moth try to take out the Jump City Bridge again with an army of mutant caterpillars and almost succeeded in doing so. Robin dimmed the lights a bit, then went over by his desk and took his belt off and placed it on the chair next to it. He sat on his bed and reached into his drawer and pulled out a clean undershirt that he'd wear to bed tonight and a fresh pair of boxers. He turned the lights off as he left his room and headed for the lavatory to take a shower before going to bed. Robin came to the bathroom door and found that it was locked because someone was currently occupying it. He let out an aggravated sigh then leaned against the wall next to the door and waited. Ten minutes later, he heard a flush followed by a long sigh of relief and some whistling prior to Cyborg coming out with a hotrod magazine in his hand.
Cyborg looked down at his impatient friend leaning against the wall. "S'up Rob," Cyborg said as he came out.
"Nothing much Cyborg," said Robin as he began heading into the bathroom but was stopped by Cyborg.
"Ah, Robin…"said Cyborg. "What are you doing?"
Robin looked up at him some-what aggravated, "I'm going to take a shower," he said.
"Robin, have you ever seen the movie 'Friday,'" Cyborg asked.
Robin looked at him puzzled. "No, why?"
A surprised look came across Cyborg's face as he said, "Well as someone once said in the movie." He took his hand off of the doorframe, and finished the quote. "Don't, nobody wanna use the bathroom, for at least thirty-five—forty-five minutes."
Robin only gazed upon him with a disgusted looked. "Please move so I can take a shower Cyborg," he said growing more impatient.
"Alright man, don't say I didn't warn you though," Cyborg said. "Remember we had Tacos tonight." He left Robin and made his way down the dark hallway whistling.
Robin watched him leave then shook his head in disbelief as he entered the bathroom. The door closed behind him and less than a millisecond after entering, he immediately ran out coughing and gasping for air then leaned over with his hands on his knees trying to get the foul stench out of his mouth. He gagged a few times, but thankfully nothing came out. Robin stood upright again and decided to take Cyborg's advice and wait "thirty-five to forty-five minutes," so he went back to his room. At around one in the morning, thirty-five minutes later, he came to the doorway of the lavatory with much more caution this time around, wafting the air as he entered. There was still a ripe scent lingering in the atmosphere, but it was bearable, so he locked the door behind him and turned the shower on. He took off his shirt, cape, and tights then used his hand to test and adjust the water to his liking, then stripped down to nothing and got in. Fifteen minutes later, he finished washing himself then turned off the water and reached out from behind the curtain for a towel. To his surprise…there wasn't one. He poked his head out and saw that the last towel had been taken, obviously by Beast Boy who was notorious for running off to his room with them wrapped around his waist after showering. Robin moaned, then got out of the shower and looked in the cabinet underneath the sink for one but only found a single washcloth. He moaned again, then stood up and looked himself over in the mirror.
"Ya know…the closet where we keep all of the towels is just across the hall," he thought to himself. "Maybe I could just…quickly hop out and get one." He looked up at the clock which now read 1:24. "Everyone should be asleep so…no one would see me…probably."
Robin decided to take his chances and put his mask back on and used the small washcloth to cover himself up as much as possible. He stuck his head out the door and looked both ways down the hall searching for anyone that might be there. The coast was clear, and he quickly dashed the short distance to the closet and looked for a towel.
"Robin," a curious voice said behind the closet door which he used as cover.
He froze then peeked around the door at the person calling his name. "Starfire," he said in amazement.
She stood before him with a slight grin on her face, and to Robin's surprise, she wore nothing but her purple bathrobe. He checked her out from head to toe then finally spoke.
"Why are you still up," he asked nervously, his face beginning to turn red.
"I wish to shower in the room of the bath. It seems you are no longer occupying it," she said. "You are, perhaps finished?"
"Uh, yeah, I mean no," he said, quickly correcting himself.
"I see," said Starfire. "I shall wait then."
She took a few steps away from where Robin was and leaned against the wall, draping her nightgown over her forearm. Robin glanced at her briefly then went back to searching for a towel and pulled one out of the pile on the shelf. The towel was a little short and it just barely wrapped around his waist, but it was all that was left. He grabbed one more for Starfire then closed the door behind him and walked back to the bathroom. Starfire's eyes widened and she gasped under her breath as Robin was about reenter the bathroom.
Robin turned to face her. "What," he asked.
"Nothing, please proceed." She looked away, and her face turned bright red. She put her hand over her mouth trying to conceal her laughter and started giggling.
Robin paused, then turned around and went back into the bathroom completely oblivious to the fact that Starfire could see his butt.
-
Robin had finished in the bathroom, said goodnight to the giddy Starfire, and now lay in his bed looking up at the ceiling. He sat up for a second and fluffed his pillow then laid back down and put his hands behind his head feeling his clean hair. He sighed and continued looking up at the ceiling, pondering the day's events. Robin was quite tired from the battle that took place a few hours ago, but his mind was racing with so many thoughts about so many things he couldn't seem to sleep. Deathstroke hadn't contacted them in over four days and it made Robin extremely uncomfortable considering how he always abruptly popped up in the middle of something every so often. Equally important were the waves of crime that seemed to be hitting the city on only Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at exactly the same times on those days the previous week. It seemed too coincidental for them to strike on the same days, and at the same times and Robin wondered if someone were hiring these criminals to carry out crimes throughout the city. None of them seemed to have a convincing motive behind their attacks, and they never put up a persuasive fight. The only one that got away was Red X, but the rest were either caught or taken down and thrown in jail. The most important thing on his mind, however, was that it was Wednesday, or really, now Thursday, and in two days he and Starfire would be going out on their date. They hadn't said much about it to each other and he was wondering whether or not she had remembered; but then again…she had been paying A LOT more attention to him during the week so maybe she hadn't forgotten. Either way, Robin didn't feel prepared for it and wasn't sure what he'd need to do if they were going to go out on Saturday. He shifted in his bed and now lay on his side, contemplating his plans for the big date. Twenty minutes of thinking later, his thoughts slowly drifted and he fell asleep.
-
The next morning after eating breakfast, Robin strolled down the stairs to one of the lower levels of the tower and found himself standing in front of a door marked "Beast Boy." He couldn't believe he was about to do this, but he figured of anyone in the tower, he'd probably know the most about women since he was "a lady's man." He took a deep breath, swallowed his pride, and knocked on the door. He heard music playing inside, along with what sounded like Beast Boy's voice singing along to the tune.
Robin knocked once more, this time calling his name. "Beast Boy," he said pounding on the door. "Beast Boy, can I come—"to his surprise the door was unlocked and it slid open.
Robin stood inside the doorway and looked around the room ignoring the blaring music, searching for his friend. Beast Boy, not noticing Robin, jumped off the top bunk of his bed and landed on the ground in front of him with his back turned. Beast Boy held what looked like a long wooden stick in his hands which he moved his fingers up and down as if he were playing a guitar. He also wore a mop on his head that Robin guessed made him feel more "80's" as he "played" the guitar solo to the Bon Jovi song "It's my Life." Robin called his name once more, but he still did not answer. He shook his head slightly, then went over to Beast Boy's stereo and pushed the power button and the room suddenly became silent. Beast Boy turned sharply and faced Robin with a guilty look on his face as a few mop strands fell over his eyes.
"Beast Boy is that our mop on your head," Robin asked.
"Uh…no…" said Beast Boy as a sweat drop went down the side of his face. "Uh, what do you want?"
"Well if I'm not interrupting anything," said Robin crossing his arms and looking down at a pile of clothes on the floor. "I was wondering if—"he sighed then asked him his question, "If you could help me with something."
Beast Boy looked at him curiously and said, "What do you need my help with?"
Robin scratched the back of his head, still looking down at the pile of clothes and said, "Well I…kinda asked Star—"Beast interrupted him.
"YOU MEAN YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR DATE," shouted Beast Boy inches away from Robin's face.
"Uh…yeah," Robin paused and looked around the room. "How did you—"
"WELL COME ON IN, CAUSE YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE," Beast Boy interrupted again.
He grabbed Robin by the wrist and flung him into a seat in front of a dry erase board, while Beast Boy stood next to it ready to take notes.
"So, what do you have planned for the date so far," Beast Boy asked now wearing a lab coat and a pair of thick black glasses.
Robin looked around the room again, deeply regretting having asked Beast Boy for his help. "Um, well…I kinda have most of it figured out, but—"Beast Boy interrupted him again.
"But you want to make the evening more eventful," he interjected.
"Um…" Robin paused and thought about his friend's words, "Yeah."
Beast Boy put his hands on his hips and tapped his foot, thinking of something he could do. "I know," he said as a light bulb went on above his head. "We need to know what she likes! I want you to list off all the things she enjoys!"
Robin leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and thought about the many conversations he and Starfire had had in the past. "Well…she likes—"Robin listed off brand-names, colors, music, foods, clothing, plants, animals, and things Beast Boy had never even heard. Ten minutes later, the board was covered in words and small pictures.
"Okay, I got it," Beast Boy exclaimed. "After reviewing all my notes, and calculating everything into the universal dating equation, I've come up with the perfect idea."
Beast Boy went to the other side of the dry-erase board and began quickly scribbling something. "I've got only one word for you Robin," said Beast Boy now inches away from his face. "One word…"
"What," Robin asked.
"Ask me what it is Robin."
"I just did…"
"Then ask me it again!"
"…what is it Beast Boy?"
"…hippopotamus."
"…hippopotamus?"
"…hippopotamus." Beast Boy turned the board over and revealed a childish drawing of…a hippopotamus. "Bring Starfire…a hippopotamus."
"Beast Boy, I don't think I'm going to exactly be able to give Starfire a hippopotamus." Robin said with a confused look on his face. "And besides, how am I—"Robin was cut short by Cyborg bursting into the room.
"Hey BB have you seen my—"Cyborg stopped, then looked at his friends and then glanced over at the picture of the hippopotamus on the board. "What cha all doin' in here," he asked.
"Nothing; just helping Robin with his big date on Saturday," Beast Boy said in a proud voice.
"Oh really, and what have y'all come up with," Cyborg asked intuitively.
"He's gonna give Starfire a hippopotamus," Beast Boy said in another prideful voice.
"A what," Cyborg asked with a stupid look on his face. "Dude, he can't give her a hippopotamus!"
"Yeah he can," Beast Boy yelled back.
"Dude, Robin. Just keep it simple man," said Cyborg looking down at him. "You're takin' her to the dance thing right?"
Robin looked up at him with a confused look. "Yeah…how did you—"Cyborg cut him off.
"Then just be old fashioned about it, and take her out to dinner before that or something."
"Still think he should get her a hippopotamus," Beast Boy mumbled.
Cyborg gazed at him but did not answer, then fixed his eyes back on Robin. "So…what are you gonna wear," he asked with a razed eyebrow.
Robin was stunned by this question since he had no idea what indeed he would wear on their date. "Uh…I don't know," he said lazily.
"Dude, you're date's in two days and you don't know what you're going to wear!"
"Dude, you're date's in two days and you don't know what you're going to wear!"
Beast Boy and Cyborg said at the same time, getting in Robin's face. They looked at each other, and then back at Robin.
"Dude, right now," Cyborg yelled standing over Robin and pointing towards the door. "You. Me. Car. Now!"
Robin didn't say anything at first instead he looked at Cyborg as though he were crazy. "Look guys," he said. "I appreciate your help but I think I can take it from here."
The room fell silent then suddenly Cyborg grabbed Robin by the cape and dragged him across the room and out the door with him.
"Hey what are you—"Robin yelled.
"You and I are going out on a little shopping spree," said Cyborg. "I think it's time you got acquainted with Mr. Neats." (That's a local Tuxedo shop where I live)
The door slid closed behind them and Beast Boy was the only one left in his room again. He looked inconspicuously around the room then put the mop back on his head and picked up the wooden stick he had earlier. Just before he pushed the play button on his stereo, another knock came at the door.
He moaned then hollered at the person bothering him. "Who is it!"
"Um, it is I," the voice said. "Starfire."
Beast Boy took the mop off his head and put the stick down. "Come in," he called to her.
Starfire now stood in the doorway with a confused look on her face. "Beast Boy, why does Cyborg carry Robin by his cape through the hall of ways," she asked innocently.
"They're just, going…for a ride," said Beast Boy with a sweat drop going down the side of his face.
"I see." Starfire had her hands behind her back and looked down at her feet as she stood there in the middle of Beast Boy's room.
"Um…do you need something Starfire," he asked.
"Huh, oh, uh…no, I mean…perhaps," she said with a shy look on her face.
Beast Boy looked at his sides then back up at her. "Well…what is it?"
Starfire turned away from him and her face was now a bright red. She slouched forward slightly and twiddled her fingers as she said, "Well…Robin and I are to perhaps…go out on a date…Saturday, and—"
Beast Boy quickly saw were this was going and interrupted her. "And you need help with knowing what to do on the date?"
Starfire looked back at him. "Yes," she said. "Raven was…most uncooperative in assisting me."
"Oh, well...don't worry about it Star, Robin's taking care of everything," he assured her.
"I see," said Starfire not quite convinced. "Well, I shall leave you to the privacy of your room." She turned around and headed towards the door.
"Hey Star," Beast Boy called back to her.
She turned to face him and answered. "Yes," she said curiously.
"What ah…"he paused and thought about whether or not to ask the question. "What are you going to wear when you go out?"
Starfire looked at him timidly twiddling her thumbs again. "I…have yet to consider that. Why?"
Beast Boy's eyes widened and he looked at her as though she were insane. "WHAT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA WEAR! THE MOST IMPORTANT DATE OF YOUR LIFE IS IN TWO DAYS AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR!" Beast Boy took her by the hand and began making his way out the room and down the hallway with her.
"Um, I wish to know where we are relocating to," Starfire asked nervously.
"Everything must be perfect Saturday," Beast Boy mumbled
"Um…Beast Boy," she said nervously again.
"You and I are going shopping," he finally answered to her.
"Do you mean, to the mall of shopping," said Starfire, her eyes now lighting up.
Beast Boy hesitated for a moment. "Yes."
"GLORIOUS," she shouted. "PLEASE WE MUST HURRY!"
Starfire picked him up and flew with him in her arms down the hallway. They came to a door that led to the living room and she halted suddenly and waited for it to briefly open then close. She flew into the living-room and past Raven sitting on the couch reading "The Book of Azerath."
"GOING TO THE MALL BE BACK IN A LITTLE WHILE—"Beast Boy's shouted, his voice dissipating as they shot into the room, through the adjacent door, down the hallway, and up the stairwell that led to the roof.
"Whatever," said Raven turning the page in her book.
She looked up and gazed about her surroundings. Robin and Cyborg went out, and now Beast Boy and Starfire were gone. She was now alone and had the whole tower to herself. She thought for a moment on what she could do with this rare opportunity and closed her book. She paused in her seat for another moment, then placed her literature on the coffee table, stood up and said,
"Hmm…well this calls for a bubble bath," then walked out of the room and headed for the bathroom.
-
A/N: OMG, I am SOOOOO SORRY GUYS, things have been really hecktic for me lately and I've been boggled down with homework and tests since the very beginning of this week. I know I took 5 days to post this and I'm really sorry, but I've been incredibly busy. Well anyway, I know this chapter might have been a little disappointing for some of you, but this was one of those…bridge kinda chapters where things slow down then build up to the climax. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, that's right, the pace is gonna REALLY start picking up within these next two chapters. From my reviews so far I think I seem to be hitting home with some of the females in my audience with all the romance stuff between Robin and Starfire. I hope that's the case cause I LOVE PLEASING THE LADIES (puts on a pair of sunglasses and starts posing) OH YEAH! LOL, but anyway I need to know something from the girls though and in the individual review I'm gonna ask this question again, but I was wondering about something. What are the kind of…I guess High-Heals called that like the straps are REALLY THIN, and they come across the top of your foot and then make their way up part of your leg? The straps like go half-way up your calf, the only way I can think of them are like a high-heal/thin strapped sandal where the straps tie half-way up your leg. I want to put that in my next chapter when describing Starfire's outfit cause my Homecoming date this year wore them to our dance, and I'm not very knowledgeable with female shoe terminology so…PLEASE HELP ME! Anyway, so yeah, for the guys though; irregardless of the lovey-duvy in these next chapters, I'm still gonna blow you away with what I've got in store for everyone, MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Next chapter: "Reflecting my Antagonist."
-You'd better tape your mouth's shut before reading my next chapter…hehehehehehehehe
Infamous One- Stick to whatever theory you'd like to on Deathstroke, whatever floats your boat is fine by me. You're hypothesis/conclusions are interesting, but I wonder who will have the most crap in their pants at the end of this story after Deathstroke is finally revealed. But about the cartoon though, I didn't know he was gonna show up more during this season. I actually thought he wouldn't show up much until the end, where I guess the end of the world will come. The way he showed up though, I don't know. I mean, Cartoonnetwork or whatever channel you watch it on TOTALLY screwed it up by giving it away that Slade was returning. I think if they would've kept him on the down-low in the commercials and revealed him in the actual show itself, it would've been MUCH COOLER. Also, the way he kinda just…came out of the ground, wasn't really feeling that, but yeah, when he was leaning against the…whatever with his foot propped up like he owned the place…I got chills. Thanks for the comment, and get ready for the next chapter.
Aries-Raven- So a chappy is a chapter huh? I see…yeah I guess it is a little more fun to say, but coming from a 6' 4" 17 year old football player…it would kinda sounds gay coming from me…no offense. I'm glad you really liked the flyer thing and Beast Boy's note. I came up with the note just prior to writing the chapter and it was quite a challenge to come up with proper MISSPELLINGS of some of those words, but the flyer thing I've had planned since the beginning. Your question about the voices though…well…I'll be honest…I haven't even figured out yet if it was Deathstroke or he was just hearing things. No, Deathstroke won't tell him who he is since he doesn't want Robin calling him that, but we'll find out his true identity towards the end of the story, so just sit tight, I know it's exciting. Well thanks for the review, and I hope you'll like my next chapter; Robin and Starfire are going out finally!
KaliAnn- So why can't you believe Beast Boy and Cyborg want to help Robin and Starfire hook up? Raven just kinda…has been dragged into it…it's like she's rooting for them but not being…as supportive of the two. Yes onto the dance now, but first…dinner. Think of this almost as Prom or Homecoming depending on what you call it where you live. I think you'll really enjoy the next chapter, thanks for the review.
Van Gordan- Yeah it does make me feel special when people write long reviews, and I think you're the only one who usually writes the longest ones. The mystery of Deathstroke will remain a mystery until probably…hhmmm…maybe even the very end of the story come to think of it but you're guesses are welcomed and very much so valued. It's actually killing me to not be able to tell especially you who Deathstroke really is, but I'm sure by now you've already figured it out…or have you? (gives evil grin). But anyway, I'm pretty sure this chapter really didn't meet your fancy but….HEHEHEHHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHHEHE Oh how you are going to LOVE these next two chapters! I'm really looking forward to your comments after I post the next chapter…especially after the actual dance itself, hehehehehehehehe. OH, the new episode. I actually got to watch it again, sorry if that angers you, and there's a part I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT! If you wanna know how creepy this new Slade is, here's a part that happens in the episode. Raven starts running away from Slade and Robin jumps in his way and starts kicking him in the face. Slade's head just kinda goes in every which direction as Robin lands each kick until finally Robin BROKE HIS NECK and Slade kinda just slid back from the force. You think he's like…dead or something cause he's slouched over and not moving and his eye is closed, but then he leans up and without even using his hands…like…puts his head and neck back into place and starts going after them again! IT WAS SOOO AWESOME! I'll have to mail you that website I was talking about cause for some reason it didn't show up on my last review. But anyway, I'm glad you like my talent for mystery and I'm sorry this chapter kinda sucked. I promise the next ones will be better. Thanks for the reviews, and sorry it took so long to update.
