Chapter Nine: Past And Future Appointments
It was eight in the morning, more or less, and Blackfire had a problem.
On the bright side, at least this was a problem Blackfire could live with; heck, she wished she could face this more often.
She surveyed her situation one more time, making sure she missed nothing. She was lying in bed
-with my clothes still on, unfortunately-
with Raven's arms around her, and vice versa. Slowly, so as to not wake Raven up, she (reluctantly) attempted to free herself. Halfway through the attempt, though, she realized that all her careful movements weren't necessary; Raven was just too exhausted from the previous night to notice.
Suddenly, Blackfire was struck by an eerie (and unwelcome) sense of déjà vu, as her mind flashed back and filled with images of Raven in a hospital bed, of Raven waking up in her own bed, sweating and terrified…
"And I thought my life sucked," Blackfire whispered, before kissing Raven's forehead lightly. "I just wish there was something I could do."
"Waffles," Raven said, her eyes still closed.
"Raven?" Blackfire asked, both pleasantly surprised and mildly annoyed at the same time. "How long have you been awake?"
"Does it matter?" Raven asked, smiling slightly.
"No, guess not," Blackfire sighed, as what little annoyance she felt dissipated. "So you want waffles for breakfast," she said evenly.
"Yes. Lots and lots of waffles."
(scene change)
Most people would not consider it normal to have breakfast made by an alien wearing a chef's hat, and would definitely react if something like that happened.
The fact that Blackfire only experienced mild curiosity upon entering the main room shows us how much we know of 'normal'.
"Pleasant morning greetings, Blackfire!" Starfire said cheerily as Blackfire entered the living room. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"You could say that," Blackfire replied. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to the tray Starfire was taking out of the oven.
"I have decided to prepare a breakfast of mustard cookies for you and all my friends! Would you like to lick the spoon?"
Blackfire raised an eyebrow. "Mustard cookies?"
Her sister nodded happily. "With small bits of hot dog meat within them," she said, breaking open a cookie and revealing the small bits of (hopefully) beef, "and ketchup dip!" she added, holding up a huge bowl, in which several bottles of Heinz gave their lives. "I had seen how much my teammates enjoyed both the eating of such meaty treats with mustard and ketchup, and the eating of cookies, and so I have decided to combine them all in this wonderful breakfast!"
"Oookay, right, I'm sure everybody'll just love it," Blackfire said sweetly, deciding not to press the issue. Besides, considering all that had happened, she figured she was entitled to some entertainment anyway. "So, Starfire, where are the waffles?" she asked, rummaging inside the cupboard.
"Waffles, sister? I did not know that you liked waffles."
"I don't," Blackfire said, taking out a bottle of Tabasco sauce. "But Raven does."
"Raven?" Starfire asked as her sister drained half the bottle in a single gulp.
Perhaps it was a lack of sleep, perhaps it was just that Blackfire had other things on her mind, maybe it was that Blackfire wasn't as versed in human customs as she thought she was (or thought her sister wasn't), perhaps she just wanted to get a rise out of her sister. Any of those reasons could have explained why she replied, "Yeah, Raven. She slept with me last night. So, where are the waffles, Starfire? Starfire?"
Starfire was absolutlely still; it seemed as if she was an absurd statue chiselled out of rock. Her eyes were wide open, the pupils narrowed down to little dots, and her mouth was a gaping chasm, from which no sound issued.
"What?" Blackfire asked, bewildered. Then she realized what she had said.
Oops.
Looks like Starfire knew more about Earth than Blackfire suspected.
"Starfire, what I meant to say was-"
"Please do not continue for although I am sure that your relationship is a wonderful one born of love and mutual desire I do not wish to know the details of how you wake each other up or the sharing of each others' beds or mmph!" Starfire said as Blackfire stuffed a cookie into her mouth.
"Nothing happened, okay?" Blackfire said, as slowly and as calmly as she could manage. "What happened was that Raven came in last night. She was tired. She- she needed someone to talk to, okay? That's all we did: talk. And then we went to sleep. Nothing else. Okay?"
"Mmph mmp awf mm dmf?" Starfire asked through a mouthful of cookie.
"What?"
Starfire ate the cookie. "Is that all you did? I am sorry for asking that question, sister. I simply do not wish to see- that is, I mean-"
"We talked, Starfire," Blackfire said through gritted teeth. "You know, talked? It's where I open my mouth, and words come out, then she opens her mouth, and- well you get the idea."
"What did you talk about?"
"What kind of question is that? What we talked about last night's none of your business!" Blackfire said hotly as she turned to another row of cupboards-
-only to find Starfire blocking her way. "Raven is my friend, and while I do not love her in the same way that you do, I do love her all the same!" she said hotly. "And also, you are my sister," she said, in a softer tone, "and I can see that whatever has happened to raven has distressed you. I simply wish to be allowed to help."
Blackfire turned away from her sister a moment, and before she knew it, she was telling Starfire what she knew about what happened to Raven the night before; the argument with Beast Boy, the hostile presence Raven had felt as she looked for him, the hellish release of the Azerath's powers as she came into contact with it, the fear she felt, everything.
"And that's all," Blackfire said through gritted teeth, "I'm not going to hurt Raven, and I'll kill anyone who tries," she added, her eyes narrowing into slits.
"Then maybe that is the problem," Starfire said softly.
"What are you talking about?"
"I must admit, I do not know you as well as I should, and that is something I truly regret-"
"Get to the point, Starfire, I've got breakfast to cook."
Starfire sighed. "You seem to be having more difficulty controlling your emotions than you did before."
"So what?" Blackfire snorted. "It's not like I ever needed to."
"But Raven does," Starfire said. "Have you not considered the possibility that her love towards you may also be having the same effect on her?"
"'Course not, she's got too much practice controlling her emotions for that to happen," Blackfire said, before adding uncertainly, "right?"
"If she did," Starfire said softly, "she would not have fallen in love with you at all."
To that, Blackfire only answered softly, "Where are the waffles, Starfire?"
"Sister-"
"The waffles, Starfire. Just tell me where they are."
(scene change)
Blackfire came into her room holding in one hand a plateful of waffles, and in the other a bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry sauce. "I'd say I was sorry for being late, but I'd be lying," she said.
"Thanks for the honesty," Raven said dryly as she picked up one of the two pairs of forks and spoons on the plate and started digging in.
"You're welcome," Blackfire replied cheerfully as she spooned another waffle slice with ice cream on top into her mouth. "Say, Raven, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"I've been thinking- yeah I know, me, thinking?" Blackfire quipped, before continuing, "I've been thinking that, well, maybe, after this, we could… go on a date?"
Raven almost choked on her waffle. "What?"
"You know, a date," Blackfire said. In a very good Starfire impression, she continued, "It is where you and I do something romantic together and share a most wonderful and joyous experience!"
"…Okay, what's the problem?"
"Problem? What problem?" Blackfire asked, giving Raven a look of perfect innocence.
"I've never been the romantic type, and I don't think you are either," Raven said. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Uhm, yes," she said, before giving Raven a sly look, "but only during our date."
"…I'm sorry, Blackfire, but I can't," Raven replied, giving Blackfire a hurt look. "Don't you remember what I told you last night? Something's happening to me, Blackfire! I need to get my powers under control before it's too late."
"I know, Raven, and I want to help," Blackfire said with quiet determination.
"How? By going on a date?"
"Yes," Blackfire replied. "Look, Raven, I know it sounds like it's the last thing you want to do, but…" she trailed off, before she placed her hand softly on Raven's cheek, continuing, "I need you to trust me on this one, Raven."
Raven sighed. Sleepy as she was, she could feel her powers groggily trying to break into Blackfire's mind, trying to see what the Tameranian was hiding.
Well, she wasn't going to let them find out. Yes, she was suspicious, but no matter what Blackfire was planning, Raven didn't need her powers to sense that there wasn't any malicious intent behind Blackfire's request.
Besides, what difference does it make if I'm betrayed again?
Pushing that sudden thought out of her mind, and wondering what brought it on, Raven gave Blackfire a wan smile. "Okay," she said, "but I choose the place."
"Oh good, another coffeeshop," Blackfire remarked dryly.
"Actually, I was thinking-"
Suddenly, their communicators flared into life. "Special announcement from your friendly neighbourhood Cyborg- will all the Titans present in the Tower please pro-ceed to the garage? Thank you, and have a ROCKIN' DAY!"
"What was that all about?" Raven asked.
"Guess I forgot to tell you about my night," Blackfire replied.
(scene change)
Come now, Beast Boy, what is she to you?
It must be very galling indeed, when you find out that your lady love loves ladies!
Considering how Raven has betrayed you, I don't think she's got the right to be your friend anymore…
You may not trust me, Beast Boy, but I trust you…
But I trust you…
I trust you…
And Beast Boy woke up screaming as they hit him; his memories of the previous night, flooding into his mind, threatening to overwhelm him.
But the strongest of the memories, was the offer-
I promise you that if you give Raven to me, I will not only return her to you unharmed, but I will also ensure Blackfire ceases to trouble you, and the Titans anymore…
"…No," Beast Boy whispered. "No way I'm doing that," he said into the empty air.
He got out of bed, feeling better as a plan came into his mind. He was going to that bus stop later, only he'd bring the Titans with him, and when Legion showed up, he was going to show him, yeah, that's it.
But he'd apologize to Blackfire first, of course.
And after all that, they'd all live happy ever after.
"Not me," Beast Boy said sadly, as he went to the living room, and dreading the journey.
Dreading it because he knew that in order to get there, he would have to pass by Blackfire's room, since the passageways Beast Boy normally took were still under repair from the last time Legion attacked- more reason not to trust him.
Nearing Blackfire's room, Beast Boy saw a shadow around the corner to the living room, and a second later, Blackfire came into view, carrying a plate of waffles and a bowl of ice cream. She did not notice him, however, because by that time Beast Boy was a small green gecko clinging to the wall, and hating himself for it.
Dude, what's the big deal? he cajoled himself mentally. All you gotta do, is-
Wait, Blackfire likes waffles?
"I'd say I was sorry for being late, but I'd be lying," he heard Blackfire say.
"Thanks for the honesty," Raven replied.
Raven? What was Raven doing in Blackfire's room? And why was Blackfire bringing her breakfast… in bed...?
No, he thought with a sinking heart.
No, no, no…
"Okay, dude, relax," Beast Boy rambled to himself a minute later in the bathroom. "It's probably nothing, it's probably… it's… it's…"
He slumped down on the closed toilet seat. "Who am I kidding?" he whispered, burying his head in his hands. "Dude, you're such a chump!" he suddenly exclaimed angrily, hot tears running down his cheeks.
He looked upwards, seeing himself in the mirror. Had he been a more literary person, he would have remarked on how pitiful he had become. As it was, he contented himself with a "Dude, you suck."
First Terra, and now Raven. Why him? Or actually, why not him? At least Terra, he could understand; she didn't know Slade or the Titans well enough to see who the real bad guy was.
But Raven?
She'd known him a lot longer than she knew Blackfire; she liked guys, Beast Boy knew, he saw how she was around Aqualad. And she was smart enough to figure out who was good and who wasn't.
So why Blackfire, and not him? What made her so-
"Special announcement from your friendly neighbourhood Cyborg- will all the Titans present in the Tower please pro-ceed to the garage? Thank you, and have a ROCKIN' DAY!"
Once he had recovered from the sudden shock of hearing that from his communicator, Beast Boy, after a moment's hesitation, decided to go down to the garage, even if it did mean having to face Blackfire- and Raven.
At least Cyborg never did anything behind my back, Beast Boy thought bitterly as he set off.
Then he stopped, and thought about it a little.
Nothing bad, anyway.