Okay, okay. Due to the response I got from my reviewers, I felt obligated to write another chapter. So this is for all of you who begged me to do this. But now I have no idea how this is going to end. And you will probably tell me it shouldn't. So saying, here we go.
Chapter 16
Trigon was gone. Raven wore white. It was something she had never dared to think about, much less hope for. But the day was here, and she had four of the best people she had ever known to thank for it. It was early, as usual, and she stood placidly on the rooftop, gazing at the rising sun. The colors played pink, red, orange, and yellow across her cloak, like a six o'clock rainbow. Across the tops of the trees, a light wind blew, tossing the leaves that didn't hang on dancing down over the beach. The bay shimmered like liquid silver, opalescent in the sparkling light. No sound was there to shatter the tranquility, at least until the metal door swooshed open behind her. This time, Raven didn't mind. However, she hadn't expected this visitor.
"Hey, Raven." Cyborg's big, half robot form cast a long shadow behind him, like a darkly skewed reflection. She cast him a sideways glance, surprised.
"What are you up here for?" He looked embarassed.
"To, uh, say that I'm...glad the prophecy didn't come true." She raised an eyebrow.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Yeah, you should." Cyborg grinned. "Wouldn't be the same without you." Placing a big hand carefully on her shoulder, he turned around and left. She shook her head, wondering what had gotten into him.
"Friend Raven!" Starfire's cheerful voice cut into her train of thought. "I am most joyous for our victory! Perhaps you would like to engage in activity with me later?"
"Sure," the empath replied. "That might be fun." She could practically feel the happiness radiating from her alien friend. For once, she didn't have the heart or will to refuse. After a crushing hug from behind, she was again in peace and thinking idly about what could be wrong with them. They never got up this early. At least Beast Boy was still-
"Raven?" Her eyes widened.
"I cannot believe you're awake," she deadpanned. He grinned.
"I know, right? I just wanted to, uh...kind of apologize. For being such an annoying little brat, you know?" She started to laugh, almost involuntarily. He took this as a good sign. "'Cause I mean...I know I get on your nerves, and I feel bad because...well...I really don't hate you."
"You did once?" she asked.
"No, no, but I used to think maybe you thought I did. I don't," he added, like he was reinforcing the point.
"I know. You don't have to apologize."
"Well, I figured I ought to. I owe it to you." His eyes gained a familiar mischievous glint. "But now that your emotions won't go ape on me-"
"Beast Boy."
"I'm just kidding." On impulse, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. That's right, leaned up.
"Hey, you're growing. That's not fair." He blushed.
"I'll put a brick on my head or something." Flashing her another grin, he turned and departed. She put down her hood. There was something about the morning that was getting to everyone. It was infectious.
"You." This time, she turned around.
"That all I get?" Robin shrugged.
"Maybe." His hair was out of its usual gel-induced hold, falling freely into the masked eyes. Raven reached up and ran her fingers through it.
"It's soft," she observed, surprised that the gel hadn't made it coarse and hard.
"I do wash it, you know." He was grinning now. "Not like I leave it like that all the time."
"I can't tell with you." He moved over and kissed her chakra.
"'S why you love me." A pause, then a laugh. "Because I'm so unpredictable." She scoffed at him.
"Right." The wind tossed her still-long hair around her face in an untamed frame. He caught a lock and tugged it gently. "Hey." The smile was back.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "you were really cute as a kid." Her death glare was enough to burn through the mask.
There we go. It's not really much, but still. Please review and tell me how I'm going to end this story. Otherwise it might be like forty chapters long before I find a way to tie up the loose ends. Thanks.
Padfoot
