I'm really soory about this. I know I promised some action in this one, but once I got going I couldn't stop. I got too carried a way, and unfortunately I reached far past my ussual page and a half but still didn't quite make it to the action. I hope this will be ok for now. There should be some action in the next chapter. I hope.....
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
Chapter 4: A Place to Stay.
All heads turn in time to see Raphael and Robin walk through the door. Robin's head hung low, but still traces of a forlorn smile graced his lips. A dull whisper revealed that the two where talking, but little else. Raphael had an arm across the titan's shoulders, and seemed to be half guiding half dragging Robin along. The entire team looked on as they made their way to the kitchen table. Robin sat with his back to the team as Raphael went over to the cupboards.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Cy questions as he stood and started toward the kitchen. Star followed closely behind Cy, and eyed the stranger questioningly.
"Yes Robin, what is up and who is this that you brought home with you?" Star stepped from behind Cy in order to get a better view of the stranger. He seemed to her a little unfriendly.
Robin just wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear. The last thing he wanted to do at this point is talk with them. He knew that he would have to play off the whole situation and act as though nothing was wrong. Because if he didn't, they would want to know what had happened. If he didn't tell them they would find a way to pry it out of him. Luckily Raphael, sensing his brother's distress, jumped in and took control.
"Oh, hey guys. I didn't even know you were there." Raphael put on the friendliest smile he could and walked toward the advancing duo. Star shied away back behind Cy.
"Hey, man what's wrong with Robin?" Cy asked worriedly. "He seems a little, depressed."
"Yeah he's kinda down right now, but hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow." Raphael leans to the side to look back at Star, but star quickly maneuvers around to the other side of Cy to avoid him. "What's the matter with this one?"
"I think, you scare her." Cy says. "Come on Star, he's not gonna hurt you." Cy pushes Star out in front of him. "Starfire, This is Raphael. Raphael, Star."
"Ah, so you're the one that has my brother so worked up. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Raphael smiles down at her. Upon hearing Raphael's relation to her Robin, Starfire lets go of all apprehensive feelings she had toward him and smiles back broadly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, 'Raphael'." Star replied jovially. Raphael chuckles at her sudden change of attitude.
"No, please call me Raph. Raphael is far too formal." Robin slowly stands and pushes his chair in. Star flew to Robin and took his hand.
"I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning." Robin slipped his arm around Star's shoulders and they walked slowly to the stairs. Raph smiled at the couple as they stumbled up the stairs toward his room.
"So, where you stay en tonight dog?" Raph turned back to Cy. The look on his face told Cy that the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Raph scratched the back of his head. He figured that he would just stay with Robin, but he had no idea that Robin was part of a team.
"That's a really good question. I guess I never thought of that." Raph smiled at Cy, and giggled worriedly. "I just figured I'd stay with Robin."
"Well, why don't you stay in the guestroom?" Cy suggested.
"Really! Thank you, man. I was kinda scared there for a second." Raph let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he had secured a place to stay for the night. He definitely didn't wont to sleep on the streets again.
"Hey, don't mention it. Any friend of Robin's is a friend of mine. Come on I'll show....." Before Cy could finish, the communicator on his wrist cut him off. "Oh, sorry man. Bank robbery, I gotta go. Hey Rae, can you show Raph to the guestroom?" Rap spins around to see Raven sitting on the couch staring at them intently.
"Why don't I go to the Bank and you stay here." Raven suggested, but Cy just shook his head.
"Nope, I'll take care of it. I want you to stay here and get some rest. Besides, you've had a busy enough night." Raven's eye twitches as she glares at a smirking Cy. He had her between a rock and a hard place, and she didn't like that at all. "I'll see y'all later. Don't wait up for me."
Cy is still chuckling as he runs out the door. Raph looks back and forth between the two, seeming very confused. "Did I miss something?"
"No!" Raven retorted defensively. Raph immediately threw his hands up in defeat. He wasn't about to piss her off now. After all, he did need a place to sleep. "Now come on. The guest rooms this way." Rae moved quickly up the stairs, with Raph following close behind.
She moved exceptionally fast, and Raph was having a bit of trouble keeping up with her. He figured she must still be really pissed about this afternoon, and he was right. She was still very angry, but also great full. She had a newfound respect for the stranger. He had comforted Robin when she couldn't, and this act of kindness earned him, in her opinion at least one night in their home. However where he slept tomorrow has yet to be determined.
They reach the spare room without any conflict. In fact, they hadn't spoken a word since the living room incident. The awkward silence finally got to Raph and he decided to break it. He opened the door, and stepped into the room.
"I suppose I did overreact earlier. But how about a ceasefire for the time being." She stared at the young stranger questioningly. Was he trying to trick her into apologizing? Or was he just trying to apologize himself, and didn't know how?
"Yes, you did overreact, and I accept your apology." Raven's calm tone of voice, and play full smirk seemed to be issuing a challenge. A challenge that Raph readily accepted.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I did not in any way shape or form apologize for my actions." He spoke with such confidence and reassurance. Raven could tell that this stranger was not about to back down. And for this she couldn't help but admire him.
"Well perhaps you should. After all, you were very rude."
"Well, maybe if I had an example to follow." Yep, there it was. He was trying to trick her into apologizing. But she wasn't about to let him win this little game.
"I will not apologize, because I do not believe that I have anything to apologize for."
"Whether you acknowledge it or not, you were, in my opinion, quite rude yourself."
"This may be true, however, I don't give a shit what you think. I really couldn't care less how rude I was to you."
"Well, fuck you very much." As much as Raven would have loved to continue their little chat, She was very tired and needed to meditate before she settled down for the night.
"Goodnight Raphael." Raven turned from the intriguing stranger and headed off to her own room.
"Goodnight Raven." Raphael acknowledged as he turned and retreated to the confines of the room.
As she walked back down the stairs to her room, she couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of satisfaction. She had never before met anyone who would actually stand up to her and blatantly tell her that she was wrong. Surprisingly, she found this far more exciting, than frustrating. Even more surprising, she found herself looking forward to their next encounter.
