The Raben Project
By
Agent X
The Insouciant
A/N: GASP! It's like season one all over again! Although, granted Robin and Raven have chatted a few times in my series, it was never really just chatting, and I've been itching to do a Rae/Rob scene of my own for a while now. I know these original pieces aren't exactly popular, but please bear with me. With many thanks to my beta DrewMay.
Note: This event is set directly after Transformation.
Moment: [Original] A night owl and an early bird avoid a worm.
It was early morning when Robin walked into the common room. Very early, and blessedly quiet. He took a moment to revel in the silence when the subtle clink of cutlery caught his attention.
Sitting at the kitchen counter, somehow silhouetted against the overcast sky outside, was a familiar cowl. Raven stirred the hot drink in front of her, but as he made his way further into the room she stopped and raised both hands to pull back the hood covering her hair.
He nodded to her when he passed by, careful to keep the surprise off his face. It wasn't the early (or late) hour of the meeting that caught him off guard, as Raven's long nights and his pre-dawn habits often coincided.
But ever since Beast Boy had caught the chicken pox the Tower had been so noisy both night and day that it was nearly impossible to sleep. He had assumed that Raven, like the other Titans, would be taking this brief respite to catch up.
Logically, Robin knew that it wasn't Beast Boy's fault. Fever always affected his powers badly, and the torment of the itching didn't help. Sympathy wanes pretty quickly, however, when the calls of an Alouatta Caraya start ringing through the Tower at four in the morning.
Luckily, the changeling was still asleep. It was quite dark out, and even though sunrise was still a few hours away, one glimpse through the large windows was enough to suggest that – with the amount of clouds covering the horizon – the day wasn't going to get much brighter.
Robin turned from the window to the fridge and fished around for something to say. Neither he nor Raven had spoken so far, but this was hardly unusual. Their midnight meetings would often alternate between soft conversation and comfortable silence, depending on mood.
He knew better than to ask if she had slept well, aware that she wouldn't have slept at all. So as Robin opened the fridge he said the first thing that came to mind.
"What happened to the left over pizza?" he asked, directing his entreaty into the cool compartment.
"Cyborg took it with him when he went downstairs." She paused as he eyed the date on the milk carton.
"He also took the cereal."
He put it back. "Damn."
Robin closed the door and debated the merits of going down to retrieve his breakfast. It would mean traveling all the way to the bottom of the tower in the morning cold, just for a bowl of cereal. He was feeling tired enough that he started to wonder whether he should just go back to bed, when Raven's voice broke the quiet.
"There's water in the kettle."
Robin was startled. He accepted the invitation for what it was.
"Thanks Raven."
He knew where the teabags were kept at least, if only because they were the one item in the Titans kitchen that never changed places. Reaching into the cupboard he drew out a packet and graciously made himself some tea.
"I'm surprised you're still up." He said as he sat down.
She gave him a look that said I'm always awake at this hour; which was true.
"I meant, I thought you'd want to enjoy the quiet."
"I am." Raven said. She stared at him a bit longer, before explaining; "My room is sound proofed."
"What? When did that happen?"
"The day after Beast Boy fell ill."
"Can we do my room next?" He joked, before drinking from his mug. "Did Cy help?"
She nodded.
It fell quiet, both Titans slipping into their own thoughts, as they sipped their tea and nursed the warm mugs in their hands. A little while later Robin spoke into the hush.
"How long do you think he'll stay down there?"
"Probably until he realises that he left the keys to the T-Car on the coffee table." Raven replied.
Robin glanced over. Sure enough, there they were.
He smiled, "He might hold out until Beast Boy's hysterics finally stop."
Without missing a beat Raven declared, "He's never coming out, then."
Robin smiled and looked out at the bruise coloured sky. The purplish tone of the light was starting to look nice. This time Raven spoke up.
"Is he any better?"
Robin looked at her seriously. He hadn't expected that question.
"Beast Boy's fever has come down. Cy said it won't be too much longer now, maybe another day or so. It should be just the itching that's bothering him."
"Who's watching him today?"
He sighed. "Me."
"That's good." She drawled. "Because he just woke up."
As if in answer the call of an elephant came trumpeting through the tower.
"At this rate he'll wake the neighbours." Robin grumbled.
Raven got up suddenly and washed her cup in the sink. Robin watched her curiously when there came a loud thump from somewhere in the Tower above them. A feeling of dread crept up on him.
Raven eyed the ceiling. "It sounds like he got out of the restraints again."
Thump thump thump.
He grimaced. "He uses the trunk to scratch his back."
"I know." She solemnly replied. "Yesterday he left scabs all over the medlab."
He kept a wary eye on the roof as he prodded, "Well, he's still alive, so I assume it couldn't have gone too badly."
Raven hummed an agreement. "There was one consolation."
"What was that?" he asked.
"His sponge bath wasn't until today."
When he turned around, Robin was surprised to find Raven's soul self staring back at him. She held something extended in her hand. He reached up to take it from her.
Thump!
"Your duty calls, Robin."
With that she sank into the floor and Robin was left standing alone in the kitchen clasping a half-empty bottle of Calamine Lotion.
Alliteration FTW!
FYI, Robin would never soundproof his room. He is way too paranoid for that.
Next time on Raben Project: Titan Rising! Chock full of Rae/Rob goodness (and epic foreshadowing).