Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans. But I'm thinking if I did I'd still write Fanfiction just for the fun of it.
Title: Life As We Think We Know It
Summary: Strange visions have been haunting Dick Grayson's sleep, and they've only gotten worse since he met the new girl Kori. He's friend Vic thinks he's just stressed out but could it be that there's more to these dreams then everyone thinks...
Author: Silverflare07
Dedication: To the little voices in my head who will stay awake with me late at night and listen to me as I write this in my head. Cheers to you guys!
Author's Notes: This is going to seem like an AU fic but at the end you'll realize that it's not.
Stuff you need to know:
"Speech"
Thoughts or Dreams
L7
It was Friday afternoon, one day until Dick's party, and Raven still hadn't been able to talk to Garfield yet. He was too wrapped up in Terra to even realize she was there, let alone be able to talk to her. She really wasn't all that mad at him for it though. She knew how long he'd liked Terra for. In fact she'd be the first one he'd told about his crush. She and Dick may have been going out but she'd been able to talk to Gar the best since they'd become friends. Different has they appeared on the outside they found they were quite similar on the inside.
Speaking of her relationship with Dick...Raven sighed. She could feel it crumbling around her like the walls of an ancient building. Things had been different between them since Kori came. Just a little at first but now it was like they were back to being just friends. He didn't hold her hand or kiss her or any of the other boyfriend-ish things he used to do. The sparks she'd always thought were there quite suddenly weren't anymore.
But then again, she reasoned with herself, had they ever really been there at all. She and Dick had been friends for a long time, and out of the four she would have to say that Dick was her best friend. Everyone had simply assumed that they would get together and live happily ever after. That was always how it went. The clichés. Girl falls for her best friend, he falls for her, they live happily ever after. After all they'd been through together. After almost 5 months (Raven's longest relationship to date) could it really be that the sparks could have simply been imagined.
Raven shook her head. She needed to talk to someone. Actually she needed to talk to Gar. Neither Dick not Kori would be of any help in the situation and she'd never really talked to Vic about something as serious as this but...
"Hey little lady?" Speak of the devil and he will come. Vic sat next to her on the bench. He looked concerned. "What's up? You look like someone stole your dog."
Raven sighed. "Or my Dick."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Oooookay...is there a lil something you're not telling us Rae...?"
Raven glared at him. "You know what I mean."
Vic nodded. "Yeah about him and Kori."
Raven sighed dejectedly. "I don't know what to do...I mean I know I should be mad but...I'm not. Does that mean there was never anything there for me and Dick in the first place?"
Vic shrugged. "That's hard to say. I could never see you two as a couple, you were too alike, but that doesn't mean it could never happen. For a while you guys seemed really happy together but I dunno I guess it just died out. It became more like an act."
Raven looked down at the ground. He was right. It had been an act, for both of them she was sure. She looked up at Vic and gave a weak smile. "Yeah...I think you're right."
Vic shrugged. "Don't me wrong though, Dick loves you just not that way."
Raven sighed. "That would explain why I can't be mad at either one of them. It's really not their fault. It's mine for letting him slip away from me."
Vic shook his head. "It's not really anyone's fault Rae. These things just happen. Even if Kori hadn't come along both you and Dick would have realized that it wasn't what you really wanted, eventually."
"It still hurts though." Vic put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Of course it hurts Rae. It always hurt a little bit. Even if you can't stand the other person. What you guys had was special and just because you don't have it anymore doesn't make it any less special. After all would you rather have never gone out with him or go your separate ways peacefully and keep all the wonderful memories?"
Raven thought for a second. "I guess you're right. It was just really nice to be with someone who cared about me," He gave her a 'we all care about you' look, "that way." She amended when she caught it.
Vic stood up suddenly. "Hey I got to go Bee's over there waiting for me. But if you need to talk more I'll be home later."
Raven smiled. "So that's what you're doing in the park. And thanks but now I think I just need to think things over. Maybe not everything's completely lost between me and Dick."
Vic shrugged again. "Maybe." He turned and began to jog towards his girlfriend. He stopped suddenly and turned around. "Oh and about what you said before...There's a little green grass stain that cares about you very much. He's just...distracted...right now. Hormones will do that to a guy." Then he turned and jogged away.
It took Raven a moment to grasp on to his meaning and when it did hit her she gasped and dropped her book which landed with a thud at her feet.
Gar?
L7
Saturday morning Dick didn't wake up until after 12 and when he went downstairs he found Alfred already setting out food for the party. This confused Dick a great deal. Not only did the party not start until 6 that night but he hadn't told Alfred about it at all. Bruce was still out of town, his presence still required at the Texas branch of the Wayne Corp., and he'd known Alfred wouldn't care. "Uh...Alfred..." Dick yawned and rubbed his eyes as he stepped down the stairs.
Alfred looked up from where he was arranging a table full of sodas and, Dick smirked, a box of herbal tea for Raven. "Good Morning Master Richard. I trust you slept well."
Dick nodded. "I slept fine but um...how did you know about my party."
Alfred smiled sneakily. "An old man has his ways." He winked before striding off into the kitchen to get more food. Behind him Dick just blinked in confusion.
Oh well, whatever. Now he had almost 4 hours to kill before the party and he knew exactly what he was going to do with them. Go to the mall and see the new horror movie that had come out recently.
He walked out into the garage and looked for his mustang before remembering that it was still in the shop. And would be so for another week at least. Sighing he grabbed the helmet sitting on the workbench next to the door and walked over to his motorcycle. He would just have to take that.
He revved up his engine and speed out of the garage and into the road turning towards the direction of the mall. If he made it there fast enough he could get there for the 2:30 showing.
He pulled into the parking lot and checked his watch. 2:00 on the dot. It looked like he'd have to kill some time walking around the mall. He entered through the large glass doors and just stood for a moment enjoying the cool air-conditioned air. It was a warm day out but he liked to wear his long sleeved, black, leather jack when he rode his motorcycle. It made him feel safer.
He debated briefly on where he should go before deciding on FYE (For Your Entertainment) and walking into the large music/movie store. He walked straight over to the CDs and began searching for one that he liked. The new Fall Out Boy CD had just recently come out and he grinned when he saw it. Picking it up he whistled as he made his way to the cash register.
After successfully paying for the CD he began to head to the door. Being the son, adopted or no, of a millionaire meant you always knew to be polite to people you were doing business with so he turned his head to tell the man thank you and to have a nice day when he walked into someone.
Without thinking his hand reached out to steady the person he'd bumped into, who was obviously much lighter then he was (he could tell by the way he'd barely stumbled after their collision). He looked up to apologize and was meet with a pair of sparkling jade eyes.
"Hello Dick!" Kori greeted a smile plastered on her face. "I did not think I would be meeting you here."
Dick shook his head once and smiled. "Hey Kor. I just came to see a movie but I got to the mall early so I thought I'd kill some time and bought a CD?" He held up the plastic bag containing his newly purchased merchandise.
Kori nodded. "I am here to pick up a movie for my sister and I tomorrow night. I'm just not sure how I'm going to find it in all of this." She waved her hand towards the endless rows of movies around them.
Dick grinned. "What are you looking for? I'll help you find it."
Kori beamed and clasped her hands together happily. "Oh thank you so much! It is most appreciated. I am looking for a movie called The Ring."
Dick leaned over her and plucked a movie from the display behind her. "This what you're looking for?"
She studied the cover for a second before nodding and turning an adorable shade of pink. "Yes it is. I cannot believe I did not see that." She took the movie from his hands and quickly scurried over the register to pay for it, Dick's throaty laughter following her.
When she returned to him a moment later he smiled. "So...what are you going to do now?"
Kori shrugged. "Return home I suppose. There's not much else to do right now."
"You wanna catch the movie with me? I'm seeing The Amityville Horror."
Kori smiled. "I would love to but I'm afraid I brought only enough money for the movie I just bought."
Dick grinned again. "No problem I'll pay for you."
"Are you sure?"
"It's no problem, really. After all what's being a rich man's son if you can't treat your friends to a movie every now and then."
She bit her lip hesitantly for a moment before nodding. "Well alright then. If you are sure."
"Completely."
The two walked off towards the theater.
L7
An hour and a half later Dick understood why she'd been so hesitant to except his invitation. It wasn't the money issue at all. Scary movies terrified her. Which is what they're supposed to do technically but Dick was guessing she didn't have anything like that in her home country. Hell even he'd been a bit freaked out.
Kori had spent almost the entire movie clinging to his arm and burying her face in his shoulder. He wrapped an arm securely around her shoulder and made a mental note to watch as many scary movies with Kori as he could.
Not that he wanted to send her into a permanent, fear induced coma, but it was rather nice being able to protect her. Even if it was just from the monsters in the movie. Raven adored scary movies and had never sought such protection from him, or anyone, even after they had started going out. Dick had been born with a particularly protective nature and he never felt more useful then when he was keeping someone safe from whatever it was that haunted them.
And he'd never felt quite as satisfied with himself then when he was protecting Kori. It was a nice feeling, to know that a simple squeeze of her shoulders calmed her down.
Together they walked out into the parking lot and Dick briefly wondered what Kori's car looked like. "Hey uh, Kori...where's your car?"
She blinked and looked at him for a moment. "I do not own a car. Back home people drove me around everywhere but I insisted on learning to drive. Of course then I came to America and you all drive differently here so I will have to learn all over again."
"Then how'd you get here?"
She motioned over to a bench a few feet away where a few random people were sitting. "I rode the bus. I would have walked but it was to far, even for me."
Dick nodded in understanding then jerked a thumb at his bike. "You wanna ride home. I'm pretty sure there's an extra helmet in the side compartment."
She looked at it curiously for a few seconds before cocking her head to the side looking confused. "What type of car is this?"
Dick was floored. "You mean you've never seen a motorcycle before?" Kori shook her head. "Them I'm definitely giving you a ride home! You haven't lived until you've ridden a motorcycle." He patted the bike affectionately. "Hop on."
She sat down and he reached for the side compartment and pulled out the extra helmet. He handed it to her. "Here wear this." He sat down in front of her and revved up the engine. "Hold on to me or you'll go flying." She did as she was instructed and her slender arms encircled his waist.
"Ready?" He felt her nod against his back.
"Here we go!" He pulled out into the main street and began to pick up speed. He could hear Kori's shouts of joy and laughter as he lifted up the front wheel and glided smoothly on only his back one. He was showing off, he knew, but Kori's enthusiasm and joy were very contagious.
When they arrived at her house 10 minutes later Kori hopped off the bike and handed the helmet back to him. "That was most enjoyable you must take me again sometime." She giggled her face flushed from the wind and her jade eyes sparkling happily.
He laughed with her. "Anytime. I'll see you at the party tonight." He glanced at his watch; it was already 5:15. Where had the time gone? "See you in a bit." The engine roared to life once again and he sped off leaving Kori to watch him until he turned the corner.
A large smile spread over her face and she squealed as quietly as possible before running inside to shower and change for the party.
L7
30 minutes later Dick was showered and refreshed and ready for people to arrive. Or more specifically, ready to Kori to arrive. He was looking forward to teaching her how to dance like a normal teenager. He knew Raven wouldn't care...even if maybe she should.
He needed to sit down and think about his relationship with Raven, he really did. What they were, what they had been, and what they would become. Everything had seemed simple until Kori had entered the picture. He really liked Kori maybe even, he gulped, loved her (which confused him because he'd barely known her two weeks). But he loved Raven too, it was just...a different kind of love.
He sighed and rubbed his temples. He was just going to give himself a headache if he continued at this rate. The sound of the doorbell knocked him off his train of thought and he quickly jumped up to answer.
He opened the door to let Gar, Terra, who had Gar's arm around her waist, Vic, his girlfriend, and Raven into the house.
"Hey guys!" Dick greeted and Gar and Terra sparred him a nod before heading out to dance floor. Dick noted with some amusement that Gar was still dancing as goofily has he had been at his house last Saturday. Vic and his girlfriend quickly joined their friends and Dick was proud to see that Vic seemed to have shed his two left feet and gained a right one. Something about being with his 'Bumble Bee' did that to him.
Dick turned to face Raven, already knowing what she wanted. "Alfred put a box of herbal tea of the refreshment table for you." He shot her a lop-sided grin.
She smiled, looking as if she expected something more, but only for a moment, before turning and going to get her tea. Oh yes he was definitely going to have to figure out where he stood with Raven and where he stood with Kori and how they contrasted or fit together or did whatever it was they were going to do.
The doorbell sounded again and he opened it to find a bunch of his soccer buddies, all holding onto a girl. They greeted him with smiles, 'hey's, and pats on the back and Dick realized that figuring out his relationship was going to have to wait. He had a party to host.
He saw Kori walking up the walkway looking absolutely breathtaking.
And a very special guest to greet.
L7
Okay! There's chapter 8! I hope you guys liked it. This one's a bit longer then chapter 7 to make up for the shortness of chapter 7.
Next chapter the big bash goes down and so does Kitten's plan. Can she pull it off without a hitch? Can Terra? Can Speedy?
I know that whole thing with Raven talking to Cyborg was kind of random and out there since I've been pushing how much she wants to talk to Beast Boy but I realized that Cyborg hasn't really had any real major part in the story and while the story mainly focuses of Robin and Star I want to try and include the whole team in. Hope it didn't throw you guys off to bad. Thanks for reading!
Just a quick question... I feel like I'm losing readers/reviewers. Now it might just all be in my head but if it's not could you tell me what I'm doing wrong? It's greatly appreciated.
Don't forget to R&R! I live for feedback.
Thanks to all of you who reviewed:
Titan6, scathac's warrior, xox.Annie Potter.xox, lil' LIK Star, The Samurai Pizza Cat