Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning!
Otay, peeps, this has some, er, stuff in it that might be offensive to some people, so, take my warning and just skip it when it comes. (Only if you are offended) So, don't flame me because I have it in here, 'cause, I warned you, and if ya flame me for it, that kinda tells me what kinda person you are. I don't mean to be rude, but it's pointless to flame me for something I warned you about. Anyways, sorry I didn't post this sooner, but I had a research paper due, and now, where still trying to tie up lose ends at school. Wehad a carnival here and I had three friends go with me! Wow, guess I'm losing up a bit and becoming more outgoing! Ya me! Anyway…enjoy! Oh, yeah, Warning! Might be offensive happening in here so skip it if you are offended!
Breath catching her throat, Raven watched in horror as the vehicle barreled down on her. Her feet couldn't move, nor could her mind function. Dear God, she was going to die.
"Raven!" Inside her clouded mind, she heard him scream out her name, felt the bone-jarring pain as a body slammed into her, knocking her down on to the pavement. Skin tore from her shoulder as her and her savior rolled on the ground. They crashed into a nearby tree and laid there as pain burned through them.
Gasping for breath, Raven watched as her knight in shining armor lifted his head.
"Beast Boy." The skin beneath his left eyes had been torn, a steady stream of blood trailing down his cheek.
"Oh God, Raven, are you hurt?" Heat worked its way into her cheeks as he ran his hands over her body in search of wounds. Slowly, she rose, pushing him to the side. Almost being killed in front of hundreds of people was bad enough, but having him run his hands over her was sure to send her emotions into a frenzy, and she really didn't want to have to explain blowing something, or someone, up.
"I'm fine…I think." Rubbing her head, Raven glanced around. People stared at them with wide, frightened eyes from the courtyard. The truck that had tried to run her down disappeared from sight, its wheels squealing in protest as it rounded a corner.
Raven looked down at Beast Boy, her breathing labored. Beast Boy's eyes searched hers, concern and horror evident in his dark green gaze. He stood slowly, his movements stiff thanks to a few pulled muscles he had earned when diving to save her. He reached down to help her up, and, when she was on her feet, pulled her into a large hug, her feet dangling above the ground. Raven held onto his shoulder, her nails digging into his skin incase he dropped her. He was emotionally unstable at the moment.
"You scared the hell out of me, Raven. I thought…Jesus Christ, that son-of-a-bitch tried to kill you." He ran his large hand up and down her spine as fury built within him.
"I'm fine. You're more injured than I am."
He glanced down at her torn shoulder, his mind a whirlwind of panic. "If I hadn't been there…"
"Oh my God! Dru, are you okay?" Harley skidded to a halt beside them, Colt hot on her heels. Colt steadied her as she lost her balance by wrapping an arm under her chest.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Raven glanced at Beast Boy. His eyes were dark with fury as he stared at the street where she had almost been killed.
"Did anyone get the license plate?" Beast Boy asked quietly.
Colt let out a breath. "Not that I know of. I'll ask around though." As Colt hurried across the street, Raven dusted the snow from Beast Boy's shirt. Her heart was still pounding in her chest, and though she hated to admit it, she was scared.
"I think one of the teacher's called the police, so, why don't you sit down until they get here?"
"No, I'm fine."
Harley's eyebrows drew together. "Are you sure?"
"I would have said something if I wasn't," Raven snapped. Blinking at her temper, Raven watched the emotion's skitter across Harley's adorable feature. None of the were what she expected; understanding, worry, and a pinch of amusement.
"Alright."
They watched as Colt hurried back, a flip-phone in his hand. "One of the kids got a quick pic of the back of the truck as it, er, tried to kill Dru. It's kinda blurred, but—"
Beast Boy snatched the camera phone from his grip, leaving Colt staring at the hand that had just been holding the phone. "O-Kay."
Blinking, Colt pulled Harley into the shelter of his arms, resting his hands on her small waist. They sure are close for friends, Raven thought, noticing the way his hands seemed to swallow the girl's waist.
"Damnit!" Beast Boy snarled. "That bastard didn't even have a license plate."
Colt scratched the back of his head. "Well, yeah, seeing as he was probably trying to run her down. Didn't look like an accident to me. Anybody trying to run someone down in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people would think to take their license plate off."
Beast Boy moved so suddenly that Harley had no time to duck. As Beast Boy's fist slammed into Colt, Harley squealed. Thankfully, when Colt hit the ground, he didn't take Harley with him.
Lying on his back, Colt wiped the blood from his busted lip.
"Oh, Colt." Kneeling down to him, Harley started to coo over his wounds, running her long, slim fingers across his bottom lip.
Wide-eyed, Raven stared at Beast Boy. "What in the hell was that for!"
"No, no, it's okay. I would have done this same," Colt grimaced as he ran his tongue over his lip. "I think."
Realizing what he did, Beast Boy's eyes widened. "Oh, dude, I…I…it's just…you were talking like…damn, I am so sorry…"
Colt got to his feet, working the kink from his jaw. "I understand where you're coming from. If I were in your shoes, I'd have done it, too."
"Yeah, glad you're forgiving him, but that's no reason to just sucker punch an innocent man," Raven seethed, her eyes dangerously narrowed and spitting violet fire.
Grimacing, Beast Boy rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just that he was talking like he had run people over before, and I was just so ticked at the bastard who tried to kill you that my anger took over. God, Colt, I'm so sorry."
"No prob. Anyways, the ladies love the war wounds." Harley sent him a seething glare that had Colt fidgeting.
Sirens wailed in the distance, gaining all teens' attention. Followed not far behind was a black SUV.
"Twain," Raven and Beast Boy muttered under their breaths. Of course, he was the first one out of the vehicle, his black dress coat streaming in the harsh wind. Raven did have to admit that Twain was a very attractive man for someone his age. Very handsome. Not that she was attracted to older men but…Beast Boy was still 'hotter'.
"Spill," Was the first thing Twain said as approached them.
Shifting his weight, Beast Boy started on the events. Halfway through telling what the car looked like, Twain said, "He knows."
Exchanging looks, Raven asked cautiously, "Who knows?"
Twain muttered lewd curses under his breath, rubbing his eyes with the tips of his fingers. All Raven caught out of his ramblings was "all this damn work for fucking nothing" and could not figure out what was going on.
Tips of fingers still pressed against his eyes, Twain asked impatiently, "Are you sure it was a red dented truck?"
Colt cautiously stepped forward, a bloodied cloth pressed against his lip. "Yeah, it was. I think it was a '89 Chevy with double doors."
"Who the hell are you?"
Eyebrow's furrowed, he said, "Colt Davis."
Twain glared. "That's it? Just Colt Davis?"
"You want my middle name?"
"What do you think?"
Glancing around to make sure no one heard but them, Colt blushed. "Colt James Davis."
"Alright, Mr. Colt James Davis, you witnessed everything?"
Colt nodded. "Yeah, Harley and I were standing by—"
"Harley Waylin?"
Thrown off, Colt glanced behind him. Harley was leaning down to dust snow from her loafers, and, feeling all eyes one her, glanced up. Straightening, she blinked. "Did someone say my name?"
"You're Waylin's kid, aren't you?"
Toying with the ends of her hair that rested against her chest, Harley nodded. "Yeah, why?"
"Never-mind. Now, you say that this red truck tried to run you over?"
Raven nodded her head like she was talking to a slow child. "Yes. I even looked both ways before I crossed and there was nothing there except a couple of parked cars. Then, I walked across, and I heard the squeal of tires, so, I glanced up, and, well, let's just say I froze and stood there like a deer caught in the headlights, but thankfully, Be—Logan, saved me."
"Alright." Turning his head, Twain started to bark orders and signaled the paramedics. "Check these two out."
Raven had the urge to slap hands away as they poke and prodded her, and almost succumbed to the inclination when a male paramedics ripped the arm off her blouse.
Raven glanced at her skinned arm, to him, then back to her arm. "Hey, that's the only blouse I have!" The man ignored her, placing an alcohol-drenched swab against it. Raven hissed at the pain and she 'reacted' by kicking the paramedic in the knee.
He cursed, glaring up at her as he rubbed his knee, but she just grinned. "It was a reaction."
"Whatever," he muttered, returning to his job. Though most of the excitement had been doused, some students still lingered around incase the media showed up. An hour after the incident, the courtyard was empty. Harley and Colt had left earlier so Harley could get to work and Raven and Beast Boy had been let go after question after question had been answered.
Inside the car, all was silent save for the steady hum of the heater. Hands folded in her lap, Raven glanced at Beast Boy from the corner of her eye. His head rested on his hand, elbows placed on the window-seal. Not knowing whether to say something or not, Raven let out a breath.
"Beast Boy…"
"Look, Rae, I don't really want to talk right now, okay?"
Raven glanced away from him, watching the snowy scenery from the frosty window. It wasn't like he just outright rejected her, but his soft comment still stung. She knew he was thinking of what had happened, but damnit, she had almost been the one who almost got run over. He wasn't the victim here, she was, and she was taking this better than him. Raven rubbed her palm against her skirt as she bit her lip to keep from saying something. She needed to talk about this. She had lived so long holding her emotions inside her, and now, when she wanted to talk about this, he didn't. Maybe she could call Starfire or…listen to her. Less than a week in the real world, and she couldn't handle being alone. She had spent her life alone, separating herself from her friends in the tower, and now, when she was away from them, she couldn't handle the quiet. And, damnit, Beast Boy had always tried to talk to her, but she would push him away. Now, he was throwing it all back in her face. It's true what they say: What goes around, comes around.
The apartment loomed into view. Raven waited patiently for him to park the car, and, once he did, she hopped out, practically running to the elevator to make sure he didn't catch it with her. Of course, with his cat like grace, he did, just as the doors were closing, too.
Taking a deep breath, Raven scooted away from him, staring at a small stain on the red carpet. Come on, come on, how freaking long does it take to get to the fifteenth floor? In the small space, Beast Boy sent drifted toward her. Raven suppressed a groan. Jeez, aren't guys supposed to smell all musty and stuff? Why does Beast Boy have to small so damn good? He's probably one of those men that take a shower every night, no matter what. Bet he takes them in the morning too, and that's why he smell's so fresh. Jesus, I'm talking about how the guy smells. If that's not infatuation, then I don't know what is. Snaking a glance in his direction, Raven slyly studied the small, butterfly bandage beneath is eye. She had to admit, it look adorable on him. His dyed skin was dark against the bright white cloth, but, for some reason, Raven missed his green skin that had darkened over the years. Beast Boy just wasn't Beast Boy without the green skin. Maybe she would get lucky and the dye would wear off…
Lost so deep in her thoughts, the ding of the elevator made her jump. A lopsided grin spread across Beast Boy's gorgeous features as a blush heated her face at being caught off guard by a stupid elevator. As Raven approached her door, already digging for her keys in her backpack, she was highly aware that he was still behind her. If he didn't want to talk, then why was he coming into her apartment?
Unlocking her door, Raven ventured inside, throwing down her books and heading straight for the phone, Beast Boy following her. As she dialed Starfire's number, Raven leaned against the counter, the edge pressing against her back. Beast Boy walked in and stood in front of her, his eyes dark. It took her but a few seconds to realize that he was aroused. Before she could tell him anything, he pressed a finger to her lips and leaned forward to trace kisses along her jaw.
Swallowing hard, Raven answered as Starfire picked up. "Hey, Star."
On the other line, Starfire said, "Hello, Friend Raven. Raven, you sound different. Your voice is much deeper, yes."
Her breath caught as he slowly unbuttoned her blouse, his lips following the path of his fingers. "Uh, I've, ah, got a cold." Raven's eyes drifted closed as he pushed up her undershirt to kiss her bared stomach, teething nipping playfully, his hands trailing up her thighs.
"Oh, I am sorry to here it."
"It's…no problem." Raven's eyes snapped open as he hooked on finger beneath her underwear and slowly worked it down her legs. "What are you—"
"Shh, Raven. Just talk," Beast Boy whispered, glancing up at her seductively. "Just…trust me."
"Did you say something, Raven?" Starfire asked, completely unaware of what was going on.
"No—No. I didn't say anything. I, uh, was just calling too…uh…" When he lifted her leg, slid her underwear off, and placed her foot against his shoulder, she knew exactly what he was doing and her heart seemed to stop beating.
"Starfire, I got to go." Beast Boy grinned as he pulled her to his mouth. The phone slid from Raven's hand, dropping to the floor.
Starfire glanced at the phone, one eyebrow raised. "Alright." Robin popped out of the bathroom, a tight white sleeveless shirt hugging his chest and his loose red swim trunks hitting just above his knees.
"What was that about?"
Starfire shrugged a slim shoulder. "Raven is…strange now."
"Ah, okay." Ruffling his hair, Robin grabbed a towel. "Ready?"
Starfire nodded, glancing down at the simple large white T-shirt covering her swimsuit. "Robin, will we not look…'stupid' like this?"
Robin grinned. "Starfire, it's hard for you to look stupid. Now, me, one the other hand…"
Starfire smiled, slipping into her flip-flops and grabbing a towel. Snatching up her keys, Robin and Starfire walked down the deserted hallway to the elevator. Robin chuckled as Starfire peeked around corners to make sure no one saw her dressed as she was.
"Starfire, why are you so worried about someone seeing you in a shirt and swimsuit?"
She blushed deeply, dragging him back as Jonathan rounded the corner. "I am…unusual looking. I have yet to see anyone who has orange skin as I do, and if we are to stay undercover, then I must hide my skin."
Robin suppressed a groan. "Jeez, Star, you have some serious self-esteem issues going on."
She shrugged a slim shoulder, the oversized white shirt sliding down a fraction, baring a thin, white strap.
"No one is in the hallways, now." Grabbing his hand, they darted to the elevator. As the elevator descended to it's destination, Starfire started to unbraid her hair. He watched her long slim fingers comb through the red mass, and suddenly, he knew what he had to do. It was wrong, but he had to do it. Hell, he had already waited too damn long to do this.
Finally on the pool floor, Robin pushed open the swinging doors that lead to the Olympic-size pool. Thankfully, it was empty. Seemed billowed from the pool, fogging the one-way mirrors. The scent of chlorine hit him, and, strangely, the smell was comforting.
"Oh, joy!" Immediately, Starfire threw off the shirt, tossing it to the side with her towel, and dived in, her body in perfect alignment as she beautifully hit the water. Robin bit back a groan as he got a good look at the trim, muscled body of his best friend. That innocent white bikini she wore with the cute ties at the hips just made her more seductive. He started to have second doubts as he watched her surface, her hair streaming behind her and droplets of bright blue water dripping down her neck, but his conscious got the better of him.
"Come on, Robin. The water is exquisite! I have not been in a pool in…too long." She grinned before floating on her back. Robin stared at the white bandage across her side, his head cocked. Feeling his gaze, Starfire glanced up. He was watching her, yes, but he was seeing beyond her.
"Robin…?" She asked cautiously, slicking her red hair back. "Is something the matter?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Robin glanced at her and smiled. "No. I was just thinking."
Star watched as he took his shirt off, blushing when she found herself staring. To busy herself, she dove beneath the heated water, swimming gracefully to the shallow end. Rising above, she folded her arms across the edge, resting her chin against her forearm. She heard him dive in, heard the ripple of waves, and felt the brush of water against her legs and as he came up behind her.
Sliding both hands around her waist and resting his large hands against her stomach, Robin leaned his chin on her shoulder.
"Starfire?"
"Hmm?"
Gathering up her hair, Robin slid it over the opposite shoulder so he could nip at the tan-orange skin. "We…have to talk…about us." He felt her stiffen, then slowly relax as she forced herself to be calm. He closed his eyes, already hating himself.
You're a selfish bastard, Richard Grayson. You know you should have told her this sooner. Damnit, you shouldn't have even kissed her. She's your best friend, and you might have ruined everything because you can't hold you hormones in check.
"I know," she said quietly, knowing the pain was about to come in large tidal waves. She closed her eyes against the tears she knew were to come.
"Star…you know I can't be with you in the way you want me to."
She clenched her teeth. "Not can't. Won't."
He sighed, resting his forehead against her shoulder. This would probably be the last time he ever held her like this. Damn, why did that thought hurt so much?
"Please, Star. This is hard enough as it is. I hate hurting you like this, but if I go on doing what I have been, I'll end up killing you emotionally. I've already shed you of some of you innocence, and that in itself is wrong. You don't deserve me, baby. You deserve someone who can be with no matter what, someone who can actually love you. And…kissing you and making you believe that there's some other feeling that doesn't exist is wrong. Starfire, I can't…no, I don't love you and you know that. I can never think of you as anything more than my best friend."
She couldn't stop the tears that flowed, but she would be damned if she started to bawl. She was better than that, no matter how much this was killing her. Her heart felt as though he were ripping it to tiny shred with his bare hands, even though she knew, deep down, he was trying desperately not to hurt her.
"I've been leading you on, Starfire. I should have never kissed you in the first place, but I've been attracted to you for a while and it just seemed…right. God, Starfire, you don't know how much this is killing me. I know I'm hurting you, but I can't do this to you any longer. I let things go too far when I should have stopped myself."
He could feel her body shake with suppressed tears, and for the first time, she felt so vulnerable, so frail in his arms. No one would even know how much he truly hated himself for what he was doing to her, for what he had already done. She didn't deserve to be hurt so badly, especially when he was the one hurting her.
"I just…can't do it anymore. I can't use you for my own pleasure. If I did…take you the way I wanted, it would only be for physical pleasure and nothing else. I don't love you Starfire. I never will love you like you want me to."
She took a deep, shaking breath, but it ended up being a sob. Robin closed his eyes tightly. He hadn't cried since the death of his parents but now, Jesus, he could feel the hot burn beneath his eyelids, the pain in his throat of keeping them at bay.
Her body shook as quiet sobs racked though her body, but he had to get everything out. He could leave nothing left unsaid. "I never let myself get close to women because I was so scared I would hurt you. Every time I tried to get close to someone, you would pop into my head and I couldn't do it. I had so many chances to finally get you out of my head, and I couldn't do it. But…now…I have to do this, Star. I can't keep hurting you like this." Robin clenched his teeth when his voice actually broke.
"I'm so sorry, Starfire." He kept his eyes closed as he listened to her heart-rending sobs. Knowing he couldn't make anything better, Robin turned her around, holding her close to him. At first, she fought against him, pounding her fist against his chest in a bruising force, but his arms tightened around her. As if her strength left her, Starfire collapsed against him. She knew it would hurt, but never imagined it would be this bad. She had never felt anything things like this in her entire life. I don't love you Starfire. I never will love you like you want me to. She wept harder, her throat burning. I don't love you and you know that. I can never think of you as anything more than my best friend.
"I know, baby. I know it hurts." Hr rubbed her spine, wishing he could leap from the highest mountain and never hear her sobs again. "But, Starfire, just because I don't love you like a wife or lover doesn't mean I don't need you. I do, Star. I need your friendship more than I need anything in this world. I've never told anyone about how I feel, but, I need you Starfire. You're my best friend and I hate that I have probably ruined it—"
"You…you h-have not ruined it, Robin."
"God, Starfire, I know that you love me. I have for a while, and that's why this kills me so much. You've given yourself to me emotionally, and I'm sitting here throwing it back in your face. You deserve so much more than I can give you. There will be some out there who you'll love even more than me." Her sobs grew harder. "This will hurt for awhile, but you'll get over it, and give your heart to some other…other man." That was so hard to say. He might not love her, but she was the closest person to him since, well, his parents.
"I-I do not t-think that I can love anyone more that I have loved y-you."
"Starfire, there's no reason for you to love me—"
"Yes there is! You were the only one who…who…" She couldn't finish her sentence. Dear Gandlor, this hurt so much. She just wanted to curl into a ball and never see daylight again. Suddenly, the world was not just black and white to her. There was so much color, so much dark color. Hurt, pain, agony, hate. This world was not innocent and happy. There was no room for innocence. All her time on earth had been beautiful, happy, and exciting. The crimes they fought had not even tampered the beauty. But then, she had not known what real pain was. She had never felt the emptiness of being alone. Now she knew the reason Raven hid behind her powers.
"Starfire…why don't we go ahead inside? Then you can take a long, hot bath and…"
"I need to go, Robin." Pushing away from him, Starfire climbed from the pool, her vision blurred as she grabbed her things and ran from the pool, not even bothering to pull the shirt over her white two piece bikini.
Robin watched her go, his heart heavy. Never in his entire life had he hated himself so much. "I'm so sorry, Starfire," Robin whispered to the air, shoving his shaking hands through his wet black tresses. "I'm so sorry."
"Damnit, Colt, I'm freaking freezing out here!" Harley hopped around, trying to keep herself warm. She had just started working at Dillard's not a month ago and now, thanks to the stupid psycho White Rose Killer, the mall closed at eight. And, being that the mall was in a deserted area, not many people showed up her. So, here she was, cursing Colt to a hundreds death on her cell phone, and hoping around in her long white peasant style dress and flip-flops. The only thing keeping her arms warm was a dark blue denim jacket.
"I'm so sorry, Lee. I was, er, kinda busy." Harley let out a primitive growl when she heard a giggle in the background.
"Colt James Davis! You're thirty minutes late picking me up because you're screwing your girlfriend? You bastard! I'm standing out here, in an empty parking lot, freezing my ass off in ten degree weather, with a rapist out on the lose, and you're with your girlfriend. I hate you, Colt. I really do."
She heard him sigh, but she was too pissed and too hurt to care. "Look, Harley, I'll be there in—"
"No. You know what? I'll walk home!"
"Don't you dare! Not with a rapist out on the loose! Harley, stay there! I'll be there in less than five minutes."
"I'm walking. I've been here for thirty damn minutes and not one person has touched me. It's only a few blocks from here anyway."
"You stubborn little—just stay there. I'm already getting in the car."
Harley groaned as her teeth started to chatter. "Jesus, Colt, how is it that you always forget me?"
"What do you mean?" She could here him start the car, hear a loud, obnoxious giggle, and gritted her teeth.
"Am I really not that important to you?"
"Wh—what? Why would you ask something like that? How stupid can you get?"
"You bastard…" Suddenly, she went quiet.
"Harley? Harley? Harley, say something!"
"Co-Colt?"
"What is it, baby? What's wrong?"
He could hear her ragged breathing on the other end and his heart started to pound. "Come on, Harley, what's wrong?"
"He's here."
"Who's here? Tell me who's there!" Colt peeled out of his driveway, jerking his date back, and speeding through stop signs. He had to get there. Harley never got scared, not even around spiders and snakes and stuff. It was one of the reason he was so in love with her.
"That truck. The one—the one who tried to kill Dru. It red and dented and…oh God. He's getting out. He has a mask on and…and, he's heading this way. He's got something in his hand. He's, oh God…"
"Harley, get the fuck out of there. Run, damnit, run!"
"Colt," she whimpered, her voice breaking.
"What, baby? What is it?"
"He has a white rose in his hand."
XxX
I know I've kinda portrayed Robin as a jerk, but now, hopefully, this chapter makes him out to be the tough and sweet leader we all know and love. See, hopefully, how, you know he's not the cold, unfeeling bastard he was in the beginning. And, also, Starfire's not weak. She's never dealt with these typed of emotions before, so she doesn't know how to act. Some people say that Star, in this, is weak, but, truthfully, she's just naive. Oh, yeah, and, uh, don't know how the thing between Beast Boy and Raven turned out, cause, yeah, well, er, just going off stuff I read. I'm, ah, gonna shut up now. Oh, right, sorry if you were offended. Sorry this didn't get published sooner, but I had to deal with, er, people. Until next time!
