1A/N. Those of you who have reviewed (Im not capable of typing what I should right now) I thank for everything. Everyone had a good night or whatever.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Teen Titans so don't even try suing me for the minuscule property I have.
Ch. 5: The Voice of Reason
Raven P.O.V:
I'm not sure how long we stood there but for the first time in so very long, I felt safe. I didn't want this feeling to ever leave but of course it did. Robin's communicator just had to start buzzing. I felt anger building inside of me as Robin's arms left me. Why does God hate me? Oh right, the whole spawn of Satan thing. I gritted my teeth as I spoke my mantra in my head trying to calm down.
"This had better be important Cyborg?" I could hear the annoyance in Robin's voice. It kind of shocked me. If Cyborg was contacting him it was almost definitely important and Robin was not one to shy away from his duty. I could hear Cyborg's frantic voice but could not see his face on the communicator.
"I need you down in the infirmary right now Robin. We have ourselves an unexpected visitor."
"Alright Cy. I'm on my way." Robin turned to look at me. I could tell by his look that he was wondering if I would be there when he got back. With as little emotion as possible I responded.
"I'm coming with you. I have to make sure you don't mention what just happened in here." Robin gave a slight smile but it quickly faded when I gave him a death glare. "I'm serious Robin. Not a word." He nodded and we were on our way to the infirmary.
When we arrived, I was greeted once again by Starfire. She didn't run over and hug me but she was positively glowing when she saw me.
"Friend Raven! It is so good to see you. How do you feel?"
"Calm down Star. Its only been a few hours." I responded. Her smile immediately fell and I felt the slightest bit of guilt. "I'm fine Star. Thanks for asking. Her smile quickly returned and she giggled with glee. I looked over at where Cyborg was and saw who our new visitor was. I was shocked but didn't show it. There was the young man who had attacked us with Brother Blood laying unconscious on one of our beds. Various machines were hooked up to him and I could hear the steady sound of his heartbeat. Robin was the first to say something.
"Where did he come from."
"Would you believe out of thin air," was Cyborg's response. Robin continued to glare at him. "Yeah okay well we were all sitting on the couch minding our own business and he just appeared crashing through our living room table. I don't know who the hell he is other than the fact that he has a lot of drugs in his bloodstream that are keeping him knocked out.
"That is the guy who attacked us with Brother Blood," Robin quickly reponded. As if the young man was on fire, Cyborg shot away from the bed activating his sonic cannon. Robin tried to calm him down.
"Calm down Cyborg. He's unconscious, and I don't think he is a threat anyways. Remember, Blood said he was under his control so if he's here, that means Blood isn't in control anymore. Cyborg nodded his head and took a few steps back but did not return his arm to its normal state.
"This guy could have some answers to exactly what's going on and even with Raven's recent confessions, we still don't know completely what to expect from Slade. Cyborg, I want you to keep a watch on him. The second he wakes up I want to know about it. Everyone else, take some time to relax or sleep or whatever because I having a feeling we are all going to need it, especially you Rae."
Robin flashed his cocky grin at me. I immediately pulled my hood up and walked out of the room. How I wanted to slap him right then and there. He was right though. I was tired. In my mind, I went over the last few hours of my life. Robin had convinced me not to run away from them all, and I think unintentionally had given me a small piece of his hope. As I walked into my room, I couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of having hope for the first time in my cursed existence.
Robin P.O.V:
After dispensing my orders, I had quickly gone to my room. My body felt fine but my mind felt like it had been up for days, yet I still didn't sleep. I felt like I had walked around in a giant circle and now once again, I was spending hours I should have been resting brooding in my room. A lot had happened in the last few hours and I don't think I had managed to wrap my mind around it entirely, especially with what happened in Raven's room. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't enjoyed her touch, her embrace but in the end, I was more confused than ever. I was not able to tell her my true feelings even though I almost did. I was content to simply hold my beloved and take away her loneliness for a little while.
I sat there pondering what she felt about me. Did she share even a fraction of my feelings toward her or did I just happen to be there at her moment of weakness? These thoughts were going to drive me crazy. All I knew is that my feelings could hold off. There was too much at stake right now to selfishly disrupt the team's unity by confessing anything to Raven. Starfire would…" I was interrupted by a knocking at my door.
I jumped in surprise but quickly regained my composure. I got up and opened the door only to be completely surprised by the warm face of Starfire. She was dressed in her pajamas which of course were pink and grasped some type of alien stuffed animal tightly in her arms. She seemed really nervous as she gripped the stuffed animal tighter to her chest. I was truly an adorable sight. Starfire broke the silence by asking to come in. I simply nodded in approval and walked into my darkened room. I sat down in my desk chair and motioned for her to sit on my bed. She sat down tucking her legs underneath her never once loosening her grip on her toy. Even though I showed a completely calm demeanor, my mind was racing a mile a minute. Please o Please do not do what I think your going to do Star. Please keep your feelings to yourself just like everyone else. If there is a God you will grant me this one favor. Starfire gave me a warm smile and proceeded to speak.
"I'm sorry to disturb you Robin, but there are a few things I'd like to ask you…about Raven." I looked at her dumbfounded but managed to ask her to continue.
"I am very worried about friend Raven. It took much from her to tell us what she did and I am afraid she is still going to leave us, preventing us from providing aid to her in her time of need." Typical Star. So very selfless, always worrying about other. I couldn't help but smile.
"I don't think she is going to leave us Star. I talked with her and told her how much the team cares about her and needs her. She is going to let us help her I think." I expected Star to jump up for joy and go on a rant about the Pudding of Happiness but she remained in her position only smiling slightly.
"That is good to hear Robin. It makes me very happy, but there is one other thing I wanted to ask." Her smile faded away slowly and I'm sure a look of confusion was on my face. "Have you told friend Raven that you love her yet?" I'm sure if it was possible my eyes would have bugged out of my head in some comical manner. How did she know?
"Whatever gave you the idea that I love Raven?" I managed to blurt out still reeling from shock.
"It is quite obvious friend Robin, or at least obvious to me. Ever since the day of Raven's birth and Slade's return, it has become even more obvious. When I first joined this team, you spent so much time with me. You helped me to learn Earth customs, you protected me, you even danced with me at the celebration of the Prom. I would catch you staring at me longingly when you thought I didn't notice." I tried to hide a blush but fortunately my room was dark enough so that she couldn't see any color change.
"I have noticed as of late that you desire to spend less time with me, instead prefer to simply sit quietly in the room of living while Raven is reading. I see you stare at her with the same looks you used to give me. It has been that way even before she entered your mind. I can feel it Robin. I can feel just how deeply you care about Raven, far deeper than I ever felt from you toward me" Starfire let out a little depressed sigh as she finished speaking. I tried to take it all in. Starfire had busted me. Of all people, it was Starfire who had figured it all out. I went to open my mouth to speak but Starfire raised her hand to silence me.
"It was hard for me to accept Robin. I am sure everyone is aware of the strong emotions I feel toward you as I do not go to great lengths to hide them. When I finally realized that your heart lied with Raven I was devastated but as a true Tamaranian I kept my pain on the inside and continued to act as if nothing was wrong. I contemplated going back home, but I knew I could never leave you all. I love you all far too much. It wasn't until recent events that I finally figured out my place in all of this. It is my duty to help my best friend who is a boy and my best friend who is a girl." I stared at Starfire. Her eyes had become brighter yet her mouth remained in a slight frown.
"What are you trying to tell me Star?" I asked, wondering what she meant by "her duty."
"I was too afraid to tell you how I truly felt and in the end it became too late. I lost my chance to be with you. It is a deep regret in my heart, but I will eventually, with time, come to terms with it." She had placed her toy down and had now stood up from her seat. As I looked at her face at that moment, I did not see a naïve alien girl but a strong young woman with a purpose.
"I will not allow you to make the same mistake I have made Robin. I will not allow you to repress your feelings until it is too late and I believe it is almost becoming too late. Tell her Robin. Tell her how you feel. She needs someone to hold on to more than ever and I don't think her friends will be enough when the end comes." Starfire had kneeled on one knee in front of me and take my hands into her. She looked up at me with so much raw emotion in her eyes. "Tell her you love her Robin. For her sake as well as yours, tell her." Once again I had found myself speechless. Looking into her eyes, I felt like I could do anything.
"You are right Star. You are so right. I've been such a coward. Thank you. Thank you so much." I pulled Star up and gave her hug. She immediately embraced me as well. It felt good. Different from when I had hugged Raven, but it still felt good. Starfire pulled away from me and the face of a naïve, shy little girl had returned.
"There is one more thing I wish to ask from you Robin. You do not have to do it if you do not wish but I have to ask. I wish you to kiss me. Just once I would like to feel what is like to kiss you, before you are lost to me completely." I couldn't help but smile at the young alien's request. I tilted her head up and gave her a soft gentle kiss on her lips. I pulled away and saw that her eyes were closed and she had a goofy grin on her face. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and her smile got bigger.
"Now go Robin. Go and find true love." I quickly hugged her again and just as I was about to open my door I felt my communicator go off. I opened it quickly to see Cyborg's face.
"Hey Rob. This guy is awake down in the infirmary. Hurry up at get here," and with that he was gone.
…Somewhere in Gotham City, Batman stood perched on top of one of the many buildings of his city. As if out of nowhere, the loudest and angriest swear he had ever heard echoed through out. The first thought that popped into the dark knights head was," That sure as hell sounded a lot like Dick"
