Chapter 4-Violets and Emeralds
Slade and his new apprentices kept quiet for a few weeks. In the mean time, two things happened. Even though Robin had thought he'd realized there were more important things in his life (like Starfire, for example) he quickly became obsessed again. It fell on Starfire's shoulders to try and convince him to relax. One night she found him in the evidence room, hunched over every scrap of information they had on Slade. Gently, she placed her hands on his shoulders and rubbed her thumbs in small circles.
"You're so tense," Starfire whispered, her breath warm on his ear. Robin spun around in his chair, causing Star to fall in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Why do you stay with me? I don't deserve you," he said quietly.
Starfire sighed, running her fingers through his ebony hair. "My Robin, do you want to do the 'breaking up'?" she asked sadly.
"Never," he said sincerely.
"Then why do you ask such questions?"
"Every good thing that happens to me goes away sooner or later. It's always my fault that they go away, too. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"You won't hurt me," Star replied confidently.
"How do you know?" Robin countered defiantly.
"I trust you, my Robin." It was the way she said it that made him melt. After everything he'd done (intentionally or not) she still chose to have faith in him. Robin kissed her as if to say, "Thank you for being, well, you."
A little green fly laughed and buzzed out of the room.
A minute later, back in human form, Beast Boy walked smack into Raven.
"Raven?"
"Beast Boy?"
"Sorry," he squeaked, slightly afraid of what she might do.
"We shouldn't try to walk in the dark," Raven said, letting out a small chuckle.
"Are you…laughing? Only cuz if you are, you have a beautiful laugh," Beast Boy said sheepishly.
Raven blushed, even though he couldn't see it.
A clock chimed midnight.
"It's late," Raven remarked.
He walked her back to her room and Raven did something unlike herself-she kissed him on the cheek.
"Goodnight."
The next day, Beast Boy blushed every time he saw Raven.
"What's with you two?" Cyborg asked, tearing himself from Bumblebee, hard as it was for him.
"I dunno. Last night she came outta no where and kissed me."
"Weird."
"Um, Raven? About last night…" Beast Boy's voice trailed off uncertainly.
"What about it?" Raven countered coyly, not sounding like herself one little bit.
"What was it for?"
"I'm not sure. When Trigon was defeated, I discovered I could use my emotions without things blowing up. I'm just trying to figure them out. I feel care-free and like bursting into song and I don't know what that means-"
Beast Boy restrained his laughter. "Raven, you're happy."
"You have got to be kidding me. Happy wears a pink cloak and thinks she is a cheerleader. I don't do happy, Beast Boy. You of all people should know this."
"Maybe you didn't before but you can now. If you can feel things without dangerous consequences, why not go for it? There's no point in having friends to share your life with if you won't let yourself feel, Raven. It's your natural instinct to hide your emotions, but now you don't have to."
Raven considered this. "I've never been…happy… before."
Beast Boy smiled. "Now you can be free."
And with that, he reached for her hand, pulled her to him, and laid a very gentle kiss on her lips.
"Robbie…" Starfire sang, bursting into his room.
"I'm in trouble now," he mumbled to himself.
"Let's go."
"Go where?" Robin asked innocently.
"Out," Starfire replied vaguely.
"Specifically, Star."
"Dancing," she said quickly, hoping he'd agree before he realized what she'd said.
"Star," he groaned. "I don't dance."
"You did once."
"Ah, but that was different, sweetheart."
Starfire pouted for a minute. "Shall we go to the theater of movies?"
Robin gave in on that one; the next idea she offered could be so much worse. "OK, I can do that. But what should we see?"
Starfire started to say she wanted to see Fantastic 4, but was interrupted by the alarm.
"Titans, trouble!" Robin yelled, rushing into the living room.
The others tumbled out of their rooms, Raven and Beast Boy looking slightly embarrassed and standing much closer together than usual.
"Yo, guys, are you seein' this? It's Slade's nutcase apprentice."
"Well let's go now before she gets away!" Beast Boy cried impatiently.
'Where's the other new apprentice?' Starfire wondered as they arrived on the scene. She didn't have time to ponder this as Cinderblock came out of nowhere.
The Titans split up to fight the villains.
At one point, Starfire was hit by Jupiter's firebolts, leaving a nasty burn and causing her to fall, but Robin caught her bridal-style and set her down.
Just as the Titans were gaining the upper hand, Jupiter and Cinderblock vanished.
"Cowards," Raven grumbled.
"We'll never win if they don't finish a fight," Robin said, also grumbly.
"Fear not, friends, victory will be ours," Star said cheerfully, eternally the optimist.
The next second, she was gone.
"STARFIRE!"
Hmmm…what will happen next? Guess you'll have to wait and see…I type faster if I have more reviews…
-iluvrobbie
