32 Productions Presents…
A HIVE Team Humor/Drama StoryThe HIVE Team In…
"Matters of the Heart"
Chapter Two
HIVE Tower: Gizmo's Room
Gizmo raised his goggles. He was finally done. His Valentine's Day gift for Krystal was complete. It was a beautiful pink music box in the shape of a heart, complete with a hologram dancer inside. Screw the little spinning figurine, he was a genius. He was sure she was going to love it. All he had to do now was go find her. She was in the main room…balancing herself by one finger on a ball of light. It was impressive to say the least. She noticed him enter the room and he quickly shoved the present behind his back. She smiled broadly and waved with her free hand.
Krystal: Hey, Gizzy. How's it going?
Gizmo gulped. It was now or never…or maybe a few minutes from now…no, now was probably best.
Gizmo: (squeaking) I made something for you.
Krystal's eyes lit up and she dropped to the ground…literally. She quickly stood back up.
Krystal: I meant to do that. You made me something? That's sweet, Gizmato…and I didn't get you anything. Sorry.
Gizmo handed her the music box. She opened it and smiled.
Krystal: Never heard the song before, but the dancer is great. Thanks a lot.
Gizmo: Uh…happy Valentines Day.
Krystal froze.
Krystal: …this is for Valentines Day?
Gizmo: Uh…yeah…
Krystal looked a little worried about something. Gizmo was starting to get nervous…well more then he already was.
Krystal: Is it common for people who are just friends to get each other something?
Gizmo: (dreading where this was going) Well…kind of, but…
Krystal sighed heavily.
Krystal: …I can't accept this, Gizmo. I'm truly sorry.
Gizmo felt his heart break…then anger.
Gizmo: Why? It's because of the way I look isn't it?
Krystal's eyes widened and she shook her head.
Krystal: No, no, nothing like that. It's not your fault, it's me.
Gizmo rolled his eyes.
Gizmo: Maybe where you're from that's original but around here you're going to have to come up with a better excuse then that.
Krystal: Uh…okay. I'm gay.
Gizmo's jaw dropped.
Gizmo: A-wha?
Krystal: I'm a lesbian. I've never been attracted to a guy in my life. It's not your fault, like I said.
She handed the music box back to him.
Krystal: Here. Save this for a truly special girl. I know you'll find one, Gizmo.
That was the first time she had ever called him by his real (code) name. He reached up numbly and took the music box back.
Gizmo: …a lesbian?
Krystal: Is that uncommon on this planet?
Gizmo: Not exactly…it's kind of frowned upon…
Krystal crossed her arms and frowned herself.
Krystal: Frowned upon? It's not a choice! This is who I am. I simply don't see guys as attractive.
Blackfire: You what!
Krystal froze, her eyes wide with horror. Oh no. Not that. Not her. Please don't let her have heard that.
Blackfire: You want to run that by me again?
Krystal: Nothing. I didn't say anything, did I Gizmino?
Gizmo looked confused but nodded anyway.
Gizmo: Right.
Blackfire: Whoa, hey, I'm not offended or anything. I'm just surprised. The way you treated Gizmo, I thought for sure that…
Krystal: …no. I told you…he's cute…just not THAT sort of cute…to me anyway. I'm sure somebody will think different.
Gizmo: Don't hold your breath.
Krystal reached down to rub his head. He smacked her hand away. The shock of finding out she was gay was gone and only a feeling of hurt remained. Rejection was painful, after all.
Gizmo: Just…leave me alone.
Gizmo tossed the music box into the trash and left. Krystal sniffled.
Krystal: …I didn't mean to hurt his feelings…but he had to know the truth.
Blackfire: He'll get over it. He just needs time.
Blackfire sighed.
Blackfire: Is this why you always hang on to me?
Krystal: No, I hang on to you AND Mammoth because you have the strength to support me.
Blackfire: …how considerate of you.
Krystal put her arm around Blackfire, beaming in her usual fashion.
Krystal: That's me! Ms. Considerate.
Blackfire: …please let go.
Krystal's face fell and she let go.
Krystal: You're freaked out, aren't you?
Blackfire: No, I…
Krystal: (not listening) Well fine! See if I care! I don't need your fing approval!
Krystal disappeared in a blinding flash of light. Blackfire hissed and covered her eyes.
Blackfire: X'hal, I hate it when she does that.
She stumbled blindly and tripped over the couch.
Blackfire: Son of a…!
Titan H.Q.: Main Room
Shade placed the pencil down and tilted his head. Yes, that was nice. The details were perfect. It had taken him hours, but he was finally done. He hoped she liked it. The girl in question was sitting on the couch, reading. He folded the paper and wrote "Happy Valteine's Day". He was still learning to write. He leapt onto the couch, startling Raven. She growled and shoved him off. He hit his head on the sharp end table with a crack and a yelp. He whimpered as he held his bleeding head. A normal person would probably be dead, but his head was harder then most.
Raven: Serves you right for startling me in the middle of a horror novel.
He held up the paper. She raised an eyebrow (and I guess one of her eyes) and took it from him.
Raven: "Happy 'Valteine's" Day"? What the hell is this? I don't have time for such disgusting holiday sentiments.
Without opening it, Raven tore the paper in half. Shade whimpered and hobbled away. Raven turned back to her book, but her gaze kept being drawn back to the paper on the floor. Finally her curiosity couldn't be contained any longer. She picked up the paper and knelt at the table. She put the pieces together and sighed. Now she felt bad. It was a beautiful picture of herself sitting on a throne made entirely from human bones. She had a triumphant sneer on her face. Behind her was a wall lined with the slightly decayed heads of the HIVE. Curled at her feet was Shade. Raven held a bowl of what appeared to be blood in her hand, some of it running down the side. The bowl was clearly the top of a human skull. Around her neck was a necklace of human fingers. Her mouth was rimmed with blood, no doubt from drinking from the bowl. Shade's face was splattered with gore. There was a small caption at the top.
Raven: "To the future queen". ...
Raven found some tape in a drawer in the kitchen. She fixed the drawing the best she could. Robin and Starfire entered. Starfire had her arms around his neck and floated behind him like a balloon on a string. She nibbled on his ear gently. Raven gagged loudly, making Starfire glare at her. After a moment she smiled haughtily.
Starfire: Jealous?
Raven: I could have any man I please. I don't need to be jealous.
Starfire snorted. Robin held up his hand to stop the fight before it got serious.
Robin: Could you do it without messing with his emotions?
Raven went silent.
Robin: What happened to Shade? He looked upset…and his head was bleeding.
Raven: He hit his head on the table when I shoved him off the couch. As for the rest, it's none of your concern.
Raven hid the picture and left the room. Robin shrugged and shuddered as Starfire licked his neck.
Robin: Star, what if someone comes in?
Starfire: Then perhaps we should retire to your room?
Robin groaned.
Robin: Starfire, I'm not a machine! There's only so much I can take. Isn't five times enough for you?
Starfire: Oh, poo.
Starfire released him and gently landed on the ground.
Starfire: I suppose you are right. After all...you CAN have too much of a good thing.
The "good thing" she was referring to was herself, but she thought that was obvious. She sighed and leaned against the counter.
Starfire: Robin, do you ever consider what it shall be like when we are victorious in the end?
Robin took a bottle of water out of the fridge and took a sip before answering. The poor boy was dehydrated.
Robin: You mean when we kill the HIVE, take over the world, or mold humanity to our liking?
Starfire: The last one.
Robin took another sip and thought about his answer.
Robin: Honestly…no, not really. I mean, I think of a few things, like where I'd be living and what I'd do for a routine day, but none of the big things.
Starfire frowned. That wasn't the answer she was looking for.
Starfire: (Tamaranian) Stupid jerk. (English) Do you not think of us?
Robin raised an eyebrow.
Robin: The Titans? Well, I'd imagine Raven would be off doing her own thing. Maybe going off to wipe out other worlds or something. She'd probably take Shade with her. Cy…
Starfire: Not them, US!
Robin's eyes widened with realization. This was one of THOSE questions. His brain must be working slow from the lack of blood there recently. He really should have figured it out sooner.
Robin: Whatever you want to do. I'm sure ruling Earth would get boring after a while.
Starfire's smile returned. That was more like it.
Starfire: Perhaps…I have always wished to return home and claim my throne.
Robin: So why don't you? With all of Tamaran at your command, taking over the Earth would be a breeze.
Starfire: It is not that simple. So long as my sister lives, she may challenge me for the throne at any time. If I am defeated in such a challenge, I lose it all. Then she may do with me as she wishes. It is a risk I cannot take. Furthermore, if she is found alive and with her illness that once weakened her no more, she will be declared the successor in my stead. I cannot take such chances.
Robin: (shrugging) Makes sense.
Surface
Raven followed the feelings of sadness and disappointment to the outside world. She gritted her teeth in rage. If that idiot wasn't careful he'd get himself caught…or maybe even expose their base to the world. She found him in a tree.
Raven: Get down from there, you fool. Are you trying endanger our home?
Shade was startled and fell out of the tree. Raven sighed and shook her head. She reached down and helped him back up.
Raven: Look...uh…
She held up the patched up drawing.
Raven: Thank you. It's very nice. I had no idea you were such a talented artist.
Realizing Raven was no longer upset at him, he rubbed his head against her leg. Raven's face twitched as she felt something wet and warm smear on her leg.
Raven: …did you just get blood all over my leg?
Shade didn't like the tone in her voice so he tried to clean it up. The problem was he used his tongue. Raven shuddered and brought her fist down on his skull. Her eyes widened and she clutched her hand in pain.
Raven: Oh you damned fool! What is your head made of!
Shade winced and lowered his head. Raven noted the dejected look and remembered why she sought him out in the first place. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Raven: Don't pout. I'll let it slide this time…only because I liked your gift so much.
Shade beamed. She liked it! He tackled her and licked her face. She laughed, trying to push him off.
Raven: Stop it! Ha ha ha ha ha! It tickles!
Raven grabbed the back of his head and kissed him. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had done. She flung him off violently and grabbed him by his face.
Raven: You are to NEVER even THINK about what I just did. As far as you and I are concerned, that never happened. I came up here, I apologized, you came down, we went home. That's it. Understand?
Before Shade could do anything in response she smacked him across his face. She grabbed him again.
Raven: UNDERSTAND!
Shade nodded, confused. Raven gritted her teeth and dug her nails into his face.
Raven: You're thinking about it.
He shook his head. She stared into his eyes for a few more seconds before letting go.
Raven: …good. Let's go home. …draw me something else. Something to do with us killing the HIVE. I liked that part.
Shade sighed in relief. Whatever anger had claimed her was gone. He could still taste her lips. Could she really…? No. He had to forget it ever happened. Shade was surprisingly good at mind over matter. He WOULD forget. Raven on the other hand would not.
Raven: (thinking) What in Trigon's name was I doing? He's a dog. His breath smells like rotten meat. He's disgusting. Just an animal…still, it's not uncommon for someone to display affection for their pet, is it? …maybe I went a little too far, but that's because I've never had a pet before, that's all. No many people have pets with human-like faces after all.
Shade walked (in his own weird way) beside her. She looked down and was conflicted between the urge to pet his head or kick him in the ribs.
END PART TWO