Published: April 25, 2020

Track 9: Launch Party

A figure in a blood-red cape stepped out of the taxi and onto the sidewalk. She was careful not to shut the door on the billowing fabric by clutching it tight to her body. As she walked towards the entrance of the nightclub, she felt pedestrians stare at her as they passed by. She pulled the hood over her head to hide her face from their prying eyes.

"Why did I let Cassie talk me into this?" Raven asked herself regretfully.

Mercifully, she didn't stick out too much in comparison to the scantily clad women who stood in line. She spotted a sexy nurse, a sexy police woman, a sexy cat... The list of "sexy" costumes went on. Though the popular club was only scheduled to open in twenty minutes, Raven didn't have to wait out in the cold with the rest of the patrons. Disregarding their dirty looks, she moved to the front of the line and showed her VIP pass to the bouncer who let her in immediately, no questions asked.

As Raven stepped through the threshold, she felt a significant shift in temperature. The outdoor air was frigid, unusually cold for this time of year. It was pleasantly warm inside, but she had a feeling it would get even hotter as the club filled with people. Despite the absence of customers, Raven had to be careful in navigating her way through the building. Employees whizzed around frantically, trying to get the room up to snuff before the boss passed through for his final rounds.

"Señora Roth," a Spanish-accented voice called out to her.

Raven turned around to see a man in a bright purple ninja outfit stride in her direction. "Mr. Barragan. Nice costume."

The tall, lean-muscled man took her hand and kissed it. "And look at you, que linda. Why are you hiding your beauty behind your hood?"

"You're too kind," Raven politely acknowledged the compliment, lowering her hood so that she could look at the club owner face-to-face.

Miguel Jose Barragan was something like a hero in Raven's eyes. He was a Mexican immigrant who had started from the bottom, eventually moving his way up into becoming a successful businessman through sheer effort and will. She admired his work ethic and was honoured that he had offered the use of his club.

"Thank you for hosting our party tonight," Raven said, "the Titans are extremely grateful."

"It is but a small thing! I remember their shows back in college. I am happy to be a part of their grand debut."

The two of them continued their chat by going over the details of the evening. The nightclub would open at 10 pm as usual, giving the customers a couple of hours to loosen up before the festivities officially started. The band members had been gifted two VIP passes each to hand out to friends. There would be a free round of champagne for their guests, but after that, they were expected to pay like everybody else. The Titans' drinks would remain on the house all night. The only person Raven had invited was Cassie, whom she had given the extra ticket so the stylist could bring a plus one.

"Your party will have access to the restricted section," Barragan said, pointing to a raised platform in the back of the building that was tethered off with a velvet rope. "It only seats eight, but I am sure you won't need it once you are busy celebrating on the dance floor.

Raven held back a wry laugh, "I don't dance."

"Nunca digas de esta agua no beberé," he said with a smile. "Just be sure to gather up the band members a few minutes before midnight. The DJ will make an announcement and play the lead single to mark the release of the album. After that, the party will truly begin." Barragan waved goodbye before walking to the bar to complete his meticulous inspection of the club. It had only been open for a few months and he had a spotless reputation to uphold. He clapped his hands loudly to get his workers' attention. "¡Vamos! Doors open in five minutes. Everyone to your places."

As the staff clambered off to their stations, Raven steeled herself for the crowd of people that was about to enter. "Just breathe," she whispered, clutching at her necklace. "Leniret animam meam..."

Victor's car pulled into the reserved parking space that waited for them outside the club. They had arrived fashionably late, not realising that the traffic downtown would be so bad on Halloween night. A low whistle escaped his lips. "I never thought we'd be able to get in here," Victor remarked to the two passengers in his car.

Gar peered out the window to look up at the neon fuschia sign that read "Bunker". Like it's namesake, the nightclub was notoriously difficult to get into. It was extremely trendy and demanded a hefty entrance fee. Most customers were the Jump City elite since the common folk simply couldn't afford it. But tonight, the Titans were considered as Very Important People. The guitarist's face broke out into a wide smile, unable to contain his excitement. By the time they entered the club, it was already teeming with costumed people. In the coatroom, they recognized a few of their guests who cheered them on as they passed by. After saying quick hellos to Virgil and a couple other friends, the trio were ushered towards the rest of the team.

As Gar wove through the crowd, he took note of his surroundings and admired the opulent interior. The nightclub was dark, but atmospheric lighting gave it a cool, upscale vibe. The lobby led out to a spacious room with high ceilings and a dance floor in the center. On the left side were the washrooms and a U-shaped bar with marble countertops. The DJ booth and an array of cocktail tables were located on the right. Both sides were lined with illuminated tables flanked by plush sofas, and towards the back was the restricted area. Upstairs, there were more private booths and a smaller secondary bar.

EDM pounded in their ears, heightening their already exhilarated senses. The three of them were escorted behind the velvet rope to join those who had already arrived. Kory sat on Dick's lap, already equipped with a drink in hand. Long, red hair cascaded down her back in waves, one side pinned up with a fake starfish. She wore a bra with cups that were molded into purple seashells and her legs were encased in a sequined, emerald skirt. Beneath her was Dick, dressed in a white Henley shirt and dark blue pants that were held up by a red sash around his waist. On the bridge of his nose perched his signature shades.

"You look ridiculous, oh Prince," Gar laughed, pointing at the sunglasses. "Can you even see in here?" Dick scowled but didn't make any moves to take off his favourite accessory. Gar continued, "You, on the other hand, are looking smokin' Kory!"

The two-legged mermaid stood up to give her friends a little twirl. "As do you, Garfield! And I adore your costume, Sarah."

Sarah blushed as she tugged on the hem of her blue and white gingham dress. Two more people walked in behind them, which turned out to be Cassie and her boyfriend. Cassie had styled her blonde hair into soft, crimped waves and wore a vermillion coloured gown with a gold belt. The man next to her was totally clad in black, from the mask that covered his face to the buckles of his leather boots.

"Princess Buttercup!" Gar shouted dramatically, bending himself in a deep bow. "This must be your Westley?" He shook hands with the tall, masked man whose beefy muscles rivalled Victor's.

"Yeah, you could say that," the stylist replied. "Where's Raven?"

From behind, Gar heard a raspy female voice clear her throat. He turned around and his eyes went wide, finally catching a glimpse of his favourite manager. Cassie's intel certainly didn't disappoint. Raven stood with her hands on her hips in an aggravated pose, her elbows raising the sides of her red cape just enough so that Gar could see what she wore underneath. His eyes travelled upward, starting at the high-heeled patent leather boots that reached just above her kneecaps. The few inches of exposed leg below the hem of her skirt were covered in dark tights. The skirt was A-line and the black fabric flowed over her hips in a feminine manner. What stopped Gar in his tracks was what Raven wore on top.

He gaped at the sight of the lacy, black corset that was cinched tightly to her body, pinching in her waist. The bust came together in a sweetheart neckline, perfectly displaying the curves of her assets. Her chest and arms were somewhat modestly covered by a white blouse that was layered under the corset, although a couple of buttons were undone, giving Gar a glimpse of her cleavage. His eyes were attracted to the ruby necklace that she always wore. It was slightly obscured by the ties of the cape that were knotted in a neat bow against her neck. Her hood was down, so he had a clear view of her lovely, irritated face. She was by far the most alluring Little Red Riding Hood he had ever laid eyes on.

"You're late," Raven declared with a tone of annoyance that was barely detectable over the sound of booming music.

"Oopsie," Gar replied with a wolfish grin, "I must have gotten lost in the woods."

She looked him up and down with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't take you for a closet furry, Garfield."

Immediately, Gar felt himself get hot underneath the weight of his outfit. True to form, he was dressed as the Big Bad Wolf. He wore a pair of fitted brown slacks and a white collarless polo very similar to Dick's. The difference was that he sported a pair of wolf ears atop his head, which matched the fuzzy fingerless gloves that covered his hands. The pièce de resistance was a grey wolf tail that hung from his tailbone. It was clipped to one of the belt loops at the back of his pants and would sway in the air whenever he moved.

Victor cackled at Raven's comment. "Ooooh, she got you good there, buddy! This is a costume party, not some freaky orgy!"

"There are plenty of other people dressed up as animals too, you know," Gar retorted, trying not to let his embarrassment show.

The rest of the group just laughed it off and he eventually joined them, unable to resist their infectious reaction.

Now that the team was complete, Raven relayed the message she had received earlier from the owner of the club. "You have about an hour left to mingle," she instructed, "but make sure to meet back here by 11:50. Your big moment is scheduled for midnight, sharp. After that, you are free to roam as you please."

Raven took her leave with the excuse of going to the bar. More so than the alcohol, she needed some time away from the excitable group. The crowded building overwhelmed her and she was relieved to find an empty bar stool in the far corner. She didn't drink often and considered herself to be a lightweight. Her alcoholic preferences leaned towards aromatic red wine or a simple gin and tonic. Instead of requesting one of her regular orders, she asked for an alcohol-free seltzer to avoid getting buzzed too early.

After the bartender served her, she kept her hood up as a signal to the other club-goers that she wasn't in the mood to be bothered. Unfortunately for her, somebody didn't take the hint. A stranger's hand brushed away the hood to expose her face, making Raven flinch at the sudden invasion of personal space. "Hey, sexy," said a man's voice, "you should keep that down so I can get a better look at you."

Raven didn't bother answering before pulling up her hood wordlessly. Seconds later, it was tugged backwards by the same offending hand.

"What exactly is your problem?" she snarled, spinning her body in his direction.

The man returned her question with a greasy smile. He wore a garment reminiscent of Ancient Rome, giving Raven flashbacks to fraternity toga parties from her college days. The white fabric was loosely draped over his muscular body and was tied together in a lazily knotted rope. With his dumb expression and sleazy air of confidence, he certainly fit the bill of a stereotypical frat boy.

"Ooh, feisty. I like that in a woman."

Raven rolled her eyes and turned away. This man was so dimwitted that he interpreted her obvious disinterest as "playing hard to get". She decided to change tactics and ignore him altogether, but he just kept talking to her.

"I'm Adonis, you know, the Greek god of wine?" He flexed in her direction, trying to show off his bulging biceps. Raven was unimpressed. The know-it-all inside of her couldn't help but correct his error.

"That would be Dionysus. Adonis was a mortal, get your facts straight, bonehead."

"I'd prefer to bone, but I'm always down for head." The man laughed wildly at his own joke, leaving Raven even more disgusted than she was before. She felt his arm slide against the small of her back. His fingers moved underneath her cape, trying to grab at something lower. Raven tensed and prepared to slap him in the face.

"Get your filthy hands off of her," a familiar voice growled threateningly behind them. The trespassing limb left her body abruptly as the man stood up. Although "Adonis" was bigger and broader, the dangerous look in Garfield's eyes seemed to be enough to drive him away. The stranger ogled Raven creepily one last time before melting away into the crowd, most probably searching for another poor woman to molest.

"I was perfectly capable of handling that by myself, you know," she said.

"I know, I know, Raven Roth is a badass," Garfield replied angrily but without sarcasm. He took a seat in the stool next to hers, his smaller frame replacing the bulking figure of her harasser. "But if you think I can just stand by and do nothing when a random jerk comes after someone I care about, you don't know me at all."

Raven would have reiterated that she wasn't a princess in need of saving, but she was taken aback by Garfield's fierce protectiveness. In the three months that she had gotten to know him, this was the first time that Garfield acted so aggressively. Unsure of how to reply, she opted to get the bartender's attention and ordered him a beer. It was her small way of saying thank you, even though she didn't think his intervention was necessary. Garfield seemed surprised that she remembered his preference for an amber IPA. Raven just shrugged and kept sipping at her drink. She was nothing if not observant. After taking a few swigs, he visibly relaxed and Raven could sense his aura become calm again.

"Next time, though there better not be a next time... You can repay me with Girl Scout cookies."

Raven's eye twitched. "Cassie just can't keep her mouth shut, can she?"

Garfield chuckled loudly. His agitated demeanour was completely gone and he was back to being his jolly, obnoxious self. "My favourites are Thin Mints, but I'll take a box of Samoas too."

"Hardy, har har."

"What, were you saving them for grandma's house?"

She scowled at his little quip, having almost forgotten about the ridiculous clothing they wore. "I suppose Cassie spilled the beans on my outfit too?"

"Well, we couldn't be the only ones left out of the couple's costume brigade."

Raven gave him an exasperated sideways glance. She expected to see his trademark toothy grin in return, but instead, she was met with a tender look of concern.

"Really though, you should be careful. There are wolves roaming around, just waiting for a chance to force themselves on women like you. Especially ones who are so... beautiful." Garfield rested his hand gently on her arm, but Raven bristled at the contact. Though his flattery hadn't gone unnoticed, she was still shaken from the earlier altercation.

"Who's to say you're not a wolf yourself?"

Garfield returned her suspicious gaze head on and removed his hand. His wistful expression reminded Raven of the way he had looked at her during the movie night. "I would never take advantage of you like that. Or hurt you, for that matter."

In that moment, Raven wished that her hood was still up. Hopefully, the lights were dim enough to obscure the redness that spread over her face. She hadn't noticed it earlier, but their shoulders were pressed together, having inadvertently leaned towards one another in an attempt to hear each other's voices over the loud background music. The club lights reflected off of Garfield's crystal blue eyes and up close, she noticed that there were tiny flecks of green within his irises. When she caught a whiff of his distinct, woodsy scent, it sent a warm tingle through her body.

"Pull yourself together, woman," Raven chastised herself in her mind. "Time to re-establish the boundaries." She tried to think of something snarky to say, but her thoughts were interrupted by Garfield's voice.

"You are my friend, after all."

Raven felt like she had been splashed with a bucket of ice water. Did she just feel... A pang of disappointment?

He pulled out his phone to check the time and said, "It's 5 minutes to midnight. Don't we need to be somewhere?"

Raven set a few dollar bills on the marble surface as a tip for the bartender and swiftly got up from her seat. Garfield was right behind her as they snaked through the crowd towards the restricted area where the rest of the gang were waiting.

"Hurry!" Kory screamed. The others whooped in delight, waving their arms frantically. They made it up the steps just in time for the rest of the club to go almost completely black. The only source of illumination was a spotlight shining on the Titans and their entourage. Everyone held a flute of champagne and someone passed one to Raven after she regained her balance from walking up the stairs.

"Jump City, make some noise for the Titans!" the DJ yelled into his microphone, pointing his arm in their direction. The club erupted into excited claps and cheers. "Their debut album is about to drop. Are you ready?" The crowd answered in wild "yeahs" and more applause. The DJ started the countdown, "Say it with me, people! 10!"

"9!"

"8!"

"7!"

"6!"

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

The floor of the dancing area lit up as the first notes of "How Long is Forever?" blasted from the speakers. Although the upbeat rock song wasn't the nightclub's usual genre of music, it was a very danceable track. The energy of the room was electric as the Titan's music buzzed through people's ears and bodies. At the sight of the crowd's positive response, Richard held up his glass of champagne for a toast. "Titans together!"

The night devolved into a wild fever dream. Once the Titans' song ended, the DJ went back to playing lively techno beats. The tempo practically called Gar to the dance floor, but he was held back by the promise of more celebratory drinks. At the moment, only the four band members, their manager and Sarah sat at the private table. The rest of their friends had already transitioned to dancing. Once the champagne flutes were cleared, a waiter presented them with a tray full of tequila shots, enough for two per person.

Raven scrutinized the row of tiny glasses, but eventually took one after some light encouragement. She refused the second one, letting Victor take it for her instead. The entire group helped themselves to the complimentary booze and Gar was beginning to feel tipsy. Warm from the alcohol, he took off his gloves to let his sweaty palms dry out. One of Gar's favourite things about partying with his friends was that he got to see their drunk personas come to life.

Victor's inebriation revealed his "sappy drunk" side. Gar watched in amusement as the towering man clutched his fiancée's face with his hands. "You're just so beautiful, baby," the drummer sobbed. "How could you ever go for a man like me? I love you, my cinnamon toast crunch, my honey bunch of oats, my lucky charm, my..."

Sarah tried to hold in her laughter as he continued his torrent of cereal-based terms of endearment, but ultimately burst into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. Regardless of what anyone said to her, Sarah's "happy drunk" personality shined through.

On the other end of the table sat the "honest drunk" and the "hungry drunk" side by side. "Did you know, Raven, that Richard's penis is-" the Titan's bassist began to say, before a panicked Dick clamped his palm over her mouth.

"-Kory! You can't say shit like that in public!"

"I call it," she whispered loudly, "Dickle the Pickle."

Sarah howled with laughter at Kory's confession while Dick nervously got out of his seat. "Anybody else have the munchies?" he practically shouted, "I'm gonna go get us some food! And don't let Kory get too carried away!"

As Dick walked down the platform, Gar turned his attention to Raven. She was the only one who seemed unaffected by the alcohol. She remained quiet and composed as she scrolled through her phone.

"RAVEN! WANNA DANCE?!" Predictably, Gar was known for being the "loud drunk" of the group.

"I don't dance."

"COME ON, RAE RAE! IT'S TIME TO PARTY!"

When Raven somehow ignored his deafening invitation, he looked over her shoulder to peek at her screen. He could see that she was studying the live analytics of their album's performance on various streaming services.

"BOOOOOOOO! NO WORK! NO WORK! NO WORK!" chanted Gar.

The rest of the group noticed what Raven was up to and Kory snatched away the phone to stuff it in her own purse. "Garfield is right, Raven," she said, her tone turning conspiratory. "Now, I've told you about Richard's length, but the girth is quite-"

"WOAH! Too much information, Kory!" exclaimed the manager as she shuffled out of her seat. "I'm, uh, I'm going to go get us another round. Be right back."

Raven looked flushed. Gar couldn't tell if it was because she was embarrassed by the conversation or if the heat of the club was finally getting to her. His internal question was answered when she flung off her cape, bunched it into a ball, and dropped it on her seat. Although he was drunk as hell, Gar managed to use his last reserves of willpower not to gawk at her exposed body as she exited the restricted area. All night, he had restrained himself out of respect for Raven, especially after that creep made moves on her earlier. As she walked away, he found himself enthralled by the tight, black cords that laced up the back of her corset.

"Get it together, Logan," he scolded himself while taking a long drink of water to cool down. After a few minutes of internal frustration, Gar decided to clear his head further by jumping onto the dance floor. It was just past 2 am, but the energy of the club was still going strong. The DJ progressed to playing Latin fusion music, which Gar gladly took in stride. Several ladies noticed that one of the VIPs was nearby and he suddenly found himself surrounded by very willing dance partners.

The guitarist lost himself to the music. He closed his eyes as it flowed through his body, feeling it from the tips of his fingers to the ends of his toes. When he reopened his eyes, he could see Raven across the floor near the washrooms. An imposing figure huddled over her, resting his large arms against the wall that she was pinned against. Gar saw red. His senses heightened dramatically, almost as though his vision and hearing were getting sharper with each step. He made his way over in powerful strides, not missing a beat before swinging a sucker punch into the man's face.

"Garfield! Are you crazy?"

Gar tried to get a closer glimpse at the man he had just struck in the head, but his face was obscured by a black mask. "Oh shit..."

Cassie's boyfriend clutched at one eye with his hands, the other one burning lasers in Gar's direction.

"Dude, I am so, so sorry. I thought you were trying to-"

"-Well you thought wrong, idiot!" Raven shouted at Gar before turning to the injured man, "Conner, are you okay?"

The man ripped off his mask to reveal a red welt forming between his upper cheekbone and right eye. He blinked rapidly, trying to assess the damage. Behind them, Cassie emerged from the washrooms. "What the hell happened?" she asked, reacting to the panic in Gar's eyes and the rage on Raven's face.

"I-uh, I-"

"Mr. White Knight over here decided to play the hero when one clearly wasn't needed!" Raven spat as she shot daggers in Gar's direction. The musician continued to apologize profusely. Thankfully, Cassie didn't take the mix up as hard as his manager did. The couple made their way to the exit, leaving Gar and Raven in a hostile face-off.

"Look, I made a mistake. I thought you were in trouble again, and I-"

"Garfield Logan, listen to me very carefully," seethed Raven. "You are not my boyfriend or my bodyguard. I am not a maiden in need of defending, and even if I was, I certainly wouldn't want any help from the likes of you. Know your place and leave me alone."

Raven was absolutely livid. Garfield's actions had put her into a sour mood, which in turn, made her thirsty. After telling him off, she headed straight for the bar and ordered a large glass of wine. She downed it in a few gulps and asked for a refill soon after. She drank the second glass much slower, taking the time to bask in her frustration. "What an imbecile. Jackass. Blockhead. IDIOT." The list of insults continued in her mind, not one of them truly encapsulating how she felt about Garfield.

Taking deep, calming breaths, Raven stared into the dark red liquid in her glass. Why was she reacting like this? If she was being honest with herself, she knew that he had genuinely thought she was being attacked. He was only looking out for her, right? What was wrong with someone trying to protect their friend? Friend. The word repeated itself over and over in a mocking tone. Was she upset about being friend-zoned? That didn't make any sense. Raven was the one who so adamantly wanted to keep their relationship professional and platonic, but her attraction to him was undeniable. She thought about the way he looked in his Halloween costume. The rolled up sleeves up against those perfectly toned arms, the surprisingly endearing ears and tail... Not to mention the way the tight fabric of his pants showed off his backside...

Raven took another swig of wine and buried her fingers in her hair. Ever since her girl talk with Cassie, she found herself increasingly aroused for no good reason. Truthfully, she hadn't been intimate with anyone in a long time. She didn't think it held any correlation to her high stress levels like Cassie did, but she was definitely sexually frustrated. Raven stood firm in her iron will and common sense. As much as she would like to abandon her resolve and give in to temptation, she kept her desire on a tight leash. Leashes reminded her of dogs, and dogs reminded her of wolves... Raven groaned to herself. She really needed to get it together.

"Are you alright, friend?" Raven turned to see Kory standing behind her. The taller woman laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave her a few comforting pats on the back. She sat next to Raven and ordered a glass of water. "You look most distressed."

"I'm okay. Taking a break?" asked Raven, motioning towards the clear, non-alcoholic drink in her hand.

"No, I cut myself off. I am the driver that is designated to bring Richard home."

The girls continued to chat amicably for several minutes, commenting on the club-goers' costumes and the quality of the party. As they talked, Raven felt the alcohol course through her veins. She was on her third glass of wine and was starting to experience its negative effects on her inhibitions. Before it took her over completely, their conversation was interrupted by an unwelcome voice. The frat boy was back for Round 2.

"Don't worry ladies, there's enough of me to go around for the both of you."

The two women shared a look of repulsion. Raven was the first to respond. "Listen up, asshole," she slurred loudly, "You have more dick in your personality than you do in your pants. Get away from me and my friend, and piss off!"

A small group of witnesses around the bar applauded and laughed at her dressing down of the desperate man. Raven stood, picked up her drink, and pulled Kory by the arm to walk away, leaving "Adonis" flushed with humiliation and anger.

Gar watched the entire scene play out from the other side of the bar. He had intentionally kept his distance from Raven since it was clear that she was still very upset with him. His hackles raised when he first saw the toga-clad man approach them, but Gar held himself back. If he interfered again, there was no telling how Raven would react. However, he had no doubt that it would involve a heated, verbal thrashing. He was relieved to see the girls walk away unscathed, until he noticed something suspicious. Did that guy just put something in Raven's drink? Gar squinted his eyes, focusing all of his attention on the man. No, he was sure of it; the creep had slipped something in her glass and she had no idea.

The musician jumped from his seat and dashed over to Kory and Raven who were walking towards the band's private booth. With no explanation, he snatched the glass from Raven's hand. She blearily looked up at him, confused. Gar scanned the crowd, hunting for the perpetrator. He spotted him near the washrooms where he had punched Cassie's boyfriend earlier. He stalked over with fire in his eyes and a hot anger bubbled up to his chest. Gar grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him down the hallway before slamming him into the far wall. The larger man was heavy, but Gar's rage fueled him with inhuman strength.

"Hey, asshole! What the hell did you put in this?!" He raised the glass to the man's shocked face. When the stranger grinned back with no remorse, Gar snapped and lost control. He splashed the contents onto the man, staining the white toga with red wine. The musician threw it to the ground with a smash before beginning his assault. Punches flew between the two men, but Gar overpowered him and wrestled him to the floor. The adrenaline gave him a spike of energy as he struck the man's nose and spent the next few moments beating his face to a bloody pulp. Gar would have continued his merciless attack if not for the two security guards' intervention.

"H-he tried... He tried to roofie my friend!" Gar choked out between heaving breaths.

Normally, the security guards would have gone through the procedure of an official report, but Mr. Barragan had told them that the Titans were to be left to their own devices for the evening. Once they recognized Gar as one of the band members, they simply nodded and picked up the unconscious man, presumably to throw him out. Gar wearily made his way back to his friends to tell them what happened, only to find them in various states of drunkenness.

Kory and Sarah were both in the process of sobering up while their respective partners were splayed out on the couch. Dick rested his head on Victor's lap and both of them looked like they were about to pass out with exhaustion. Raven, however, was wide awake. There was a sultry glint in her eyes, indicating that her drunk mode had been activated.

"Dance with me."

She clutched his hand and pulled him towards the mass of bodies in the middle of the room. Gar might have felt the pain in his bloodied knuckles if not for being in total shock. His body had calmed down from the fight, but now, he could feel his heart rate pick up again. As they worked their way to the dance floor, Raven's hand never left his. Once they settled into a spot near the center, she turned to face him. Her arms snaked around his neck and drew him close.

Their figures were flush against each other and Gar could smell her lavender perfume mixed with sweat. The heady aroma was like a drug. He breathed in her scent and his body became aflame with lust. He never could have predicted that Raven would turn out to be a "horny drunk". She whispered naughty things in his ear, making him slowly lose his mind. He had to remind himself that it was only the alcohol talking. As much as he was enjoying himself, he was distinctly aware that she was only acting this way because she was sloshed.

At one particularly suggestive comment, Gar stumbled and stepped on her foot. He thought he had ruined the moment, but Raven looked unaffected. Instead, she gazed up at him through her eyelashes with a coy smile. "My, what big feet you have. And you know what they say about shoe size..."

Raven pressed her thigh between his legs and grinded against him to the beat of the music. The sensation made Gar's brain temporarily short-circuit. Though every cell in his body told him not to stop, Gar knew that Raven would do something that she would later regret if he didn't intervene. As the more sober person between the two of them, the responsibility lay with him to end things. Reluctantly, he peeled himself away and took her by the hand, leading her out of the crowd. He could hear her muttering complaints from behind, but he pressed forward anyway.

On the way back to their friends, Raven slumped against him. Her eyes were barely open and Gar could tell that she was fighting to stay awake. When she finally succumbed to sleep, he picked her up in a princess carry before setting her down on the couch. He gazed at her peaceful face, seemingly oblivious to the world. What just happened between the two of them? Gar fought the urge to kiss her and muttered under his breath, "Shit."

A/N: In my outline, all I had written for this chapter was "Adult version of 'The Beast Within' - Everyone gets wasted. Shenanigans ensue." Please drink responsibly, people. Know your limits and never let people pressure you into going overboard.

I hope you liked all the cameos. Conner will show up again, but we're done with Adonis and Miguel. Bunker was the only addition I liked in the New 52 comics. "Nunca digas de esta agua no beberé" means "Never say of this water, 'I will not drink'" (Never say never).

Till next time, Lily Timbers