A/N: Here I am again… after a long hiatus (or not so long…) and with a new story… but before you all start to protest and say that I should finish my other stories first, before writing anything else, I should tell you that it is Val-Creative's birthday today. Her golden Birthday!

And this story is dedicated to her… and not only that, because the story was inspired by her awesome and fantastic story 'Don't Sing Little Birdy'. Believe me, it's a wonderful story with many surprises and you should definitely read it.

So, to make it short: This is dedicated to you, Val and I really hope that you will enjoy it and like it… and I promise you that the second (and last) part will follow soon.

I wish you a Happy, happy, happy Birthday with many presents and a delicious cake. I hope you have a wonderful 18th birthday. Enjoy your day… and hope fully this story…

A big thank you and much kudos to my two awesome beta-readers ChaiChi and Cherry Jade!

Disclaimer: Not mine!


Circus Boy

¸,ø ¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ ø,¸¸,ø ¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ ø,¸¸,ø ¤º°°º¤¸,ø¤

'And please remember me, seldomly
in the car behind the carnival
my hand between your knees, you turn from me
and said the trapeze act was wonderful
but never meant to last, the clowns that passed
saw me just come up with anger
when it filled the circus dogs, the parking lot
had an element of danger.'

Iron & Wine – 'The Trapeze Swinger'

¸,ø ¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ ø,¸¸,ø ¤º°°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ ø,¸¸,ø ¤º°°º¤¸,ø¤

"Dudes, dudes… DUDES!" Beast Boy screamed as he and Starfire tumbled into the common-room.

The green shape shifter frowned as none of his friends reacted. Cyborg was still furiously attacking the game-controller in an attempt to beat Robin's high score and Raven and Robin were still engaged in a game of chess – although neither of those two moved a muscle right now.

"Hello!" Beast Boy screamed again, "Is anybody listening…?"

"No," Cyborg grunted.

"Nope," was Robin's reply.

"Have I ever…?" Raven deadpanned and Beast Boy deflated.

"But it's important," he whined and Starfire agreed.

"Indeed, we have to tell you some wonderful news."

Cyborg sighed and paused his game while Raven and Robin looked at each other before simultaneously looking up.

Now that he had the attention of his friends, Beast Boy pulled out five tickets from his pocket showing them proudly to his three friends.

"Dudes, we have five tickets for the circus. Some guy gave them to us, because he wanted to thank us for saving him…"

Before BB could say anything else Starfire interrupted him, "Yes friends, is it not glorious…? We will be able to see the funny men in the huge shoes, the many different animals and the swinger of the trapeze." The red-head smiled clasping her hands together and looking at her friends expectantly.

"No," Robin said firmly

"No…?" Starfire asked confused.

"No, we definitely won't go to the circus!" It was obvious that Robin didn't want to hear anything else on that matter.

"But Robin, we–" Beast Boy began, but was immediately cut short by Robin.

"I said no. We have to train and work to do. The villains don't take a day off. We can't just go to the circus."

"Robin," Cyborg finally decided to say something and help Beast Boy, "I really don't think that a day off will do any harm. We have our communicators and if something happens, we will know it."

Robin's jaw was set and he glared that the half-robot giving him a look that indicated that the conversation was over. And without another word or looking back, Robin left three confused Titans behind.

"I do not understand what troubles our dear friend," Starfire spoke sadly.

"Nothing troubles him, Star. He is just being an ass," Beast Boy hissed annoyed that Robin didn't let them go to the circus.

Cyborg rolled his eyes at his green friend, "Star is right… something troubles him." Cyborg mused before speaking again. "Rae, do you know what–" He stopped as he realized that the empath wasn't there anymore.

"Hey!" BB shrieked, "Where did she go…?"

Cyborg just shrugged, although he was sure that Raven had followed Robin to talk to him. He smiled knowingly. If anybody could manage to knock some sense into their leader's thick skull then it was Raven.

"I dunno, but I think we should let Robin cool off and talk to him later."

Starfire nodded and Beast Boy gave a half-hearted "Yes.".

"So, what do you guys think about a triple-meat-lasagne for dinner?"

"Dude, no meat!" came the Changelings firm protest.

"Oh glorious! I shall make a pudding for our dinner." Starfire exclaimed joyfully zooming to the kitchen.

While Cyborg and Beast Boy unsuccessfully tried to stop Starfire from making her pudding, Raven indeed went to talk to Robin.

It wasn't that she really wanted to go to the circus, but she knew why Robin vehemently refused to go… just how she knew that he needed to talk about it.

That's why she was now standing next to her leader and best friend on the rooftop letting the mild breeze play with her purple hair.

They didn't speak, but Raven could feel the different emotions radiating off Robin and their bond fuelled those emotions. It didn't really help that her emotions were feeding off his loud angry emotions.

So, Raven was left with a feeling of loneliness, anger and guilt.

The empath silently spoke her mantra before she decided to break the silence, "You have your father's eyes and your mother's smile."

Raven didn't know why she had said these things. They had never spoken about 'it'… they had never spoken about the fact that Raven had seen his memories… had seen 'them'… had seen them fall – over and over again.

It was an unspoken agreement between them. She never asked anything about his parents and he wouldn't ask about her mother.

It was easier that way.

She had been curious, of course, but Raven would have never broken that agreement… at least, that's what she had thought until now.

All she could do now was hoping that she hadn't made a mistake.

Robin's eyes widened behind his mask at her words and he whipped his face towards hers. His jaw was clenched and Raven was sure that she had ruined everything they had together (whatever that was…), but she lost all thoughts as she saw his sad smile.

"Yeah," His voice was croaked as if he hadn't spoken for days. "She… my mother had a beautiful smile and I loved my father's eyes. My mother once said that it was his eyes why she had fallen in love with my father…" The last part came out as a whisper and Raven had to strain her ears to understand him.

She just nodded not saying anything. It wasn't her place to say something.

"I can't go to the circus, Rae… I just can't. All the memories… their faces… their screams… I can't…" The ebony haired young man finished and looked at his companion.

"Don't you want to say something?" He finally inquired as Raven didn't make any indications to speak.

"What do you want me to say…?" Raven calmly asked.

"I don't know… that I should go and face my demons… that it would be better for me and that I shouldn't oust everything…"

"There's no need for me to tell you that. You know it already." The sorceress replied.

Robin sighed tiredly, "You think I should go, don't you?"

"It doesn't matter what I think or what I want you to do. What you want is important, "Raven looked up at him and her amethyst eyes fixed onto his masked ones.

"Look Robin, you were there for me when I needed you the most and I want to help you as well." She paused for a moment and gave him a small smile. "No matter what you decide to do, I'm here and I… I will help you."

Raven knew that she had never been really good with words and expressing her feelings, but she was sure that Robin had understood what she wanted to tell him… he always did.

"I miss them… so very much," was all Robin said and Raven was dimly aware of the fact that he wasn't acting like his usual confident and cocky self… and she realized that she somehow liked this new side of Robin – as morbid and cruel as it might have sounded.

"I know… believe me, I know…" she said and thought about her own mother she had lost a long time ago.

"I think it would be good if I apologize to the others and tell them that we will go to the circus tomorrow…" Robin finally said with a smile.

"Yes, " Raven nodded, "That would be good." She hesitated for a moment before awkwardly putting her arms around his shoulders giving them some short pats and then releasing him again.

His eyebrows raised and with a small grin on his lips, he asked, "Uh… what was that…?"

"A hug…" she answered daring him to say something. She could actually feel his laughter, but Raven knew that he could control himself. Besides, he wouldn't dare to laugh at her.

"How about we try that again…?" Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her close and slid his arms around her waist. His hands pressed lightly against the small of her back and he smiled as he felt her putting her arms around his waist. His chin rested on her shoulder.

His breath whispered sweetly past her ear as he spoke, "Thanks…"

"You're welcome," She whispered back.

They let go of each other and awkwardly looked at each other. They stood there as the sun set down neither of them looked away. Finally, Robin spoke, "C'mon, I think, dinner is ready and the others are probably waiting."

"Yeah," Raven said as they walked towards the door together.

A/N: That was the first chapter… I'm not really sure about it, but I still like it… somehow…

Anyway, tell me what you guys think… and how you like it. Reviews are always welcome!

Take care!

Love, Alena