God, I swear this damn thing gets more uncomfortable every single time I put it on. Pulling my jacket and shifting my bow tie into place, I grabbed the bouquet of flowers I had bought for Star and headed to the common room.
Beast Boy had been busy snapping selfies of him and Cy. I joined in on a few of them, but opted to lean against the counter as they talked about filters, hashtags and all that other stuff. I'd better not screw this up. "Yo Robbie, you doing ok?" He asked me
"Yeah dude, c'mon its our night!" BB said snapping a photo of me. I scowled a little, but quickly straightened out the lines of my face as Starfire made her entrance.
"Greetings friends. Robin." She said with a smile and made her way over to me. Her pink ruffled ball gown did look nice on her, especially her unique skin tone. She had makeup on as well, her latest Earth obsession. The faint scent of something fruity lingered in the air. Her dress hugged her hips and breasts, slightly larger now, very nicely. Her golden flower earrings were large and matched her necklace. I smiled and handed her the bouquet she'd been eyeing at the mall a few days ago. "Oh Robin!" Starfire squealed. She was busily talking away while fixing a flower to my lapel when a familiar voice cut through the chattering.
"Let's get this over with." Raven said stepping through the doors to the living room. It was a good thing Starfire was preoccupied with putting that flower on my jacket because my mouth popped open at seeing Raven. The dress she chose was shorter in the front showing off her amazing legs and longer in the back. The neckline was plunging, but was covered in mesh up to her neck. Small sequins were woven into the fabric catching the light. True to form, the sleeves were long. She had a few rings covered in black gems that mimicked talons and black jeweled dangly earrings. Her black strapped heels clacked against the metal steps.
"Looking good Rae!" Cy said shooting her a grin.
BB put down his phone. "Yeah girl!"
"Can we please just go?" Raven retorted brushing off their comments.
Making a point to grab Starfire's hand, I followed the rest of the team down to the garage. Starfire was yapping away but I watched Raven's stride as she made her way to the garage. "Yo Cy, how are we going to fit your date in here?" Beast Boy asked.
Cy grinned. "Glad you asked. Allow me to unveil the new T-LIMO!" Cyborg pressed a giant red button and the car grew to limousine size.
"Cool!"
"That'd so wicked bro!"
"It it stunning!"
"Nice work Cy!"
"Looks good."
Cy paused to look at Raven. He grinned widely at hearing Raven's remark. "And that's not the best part!" He pressed another button making the limo doors open automatically. We all piled in. "Booyah! Automatic pilot!" We all looked around as multicolored lights filled the back and music began to boom through the speakers. Starfire laughed with delight and BB began bumping to the music. "I'm not done yet!" Cy declared hitting a button on the roof. A hatch opened where the main panel was and waffles began flying out.
"No way dude! Waffles too!?" BB yelled beginning to wolf them down.
Raven, who was sitting next to Cyborg, turned to him. "You've really outdone yourself." She remarked.
"You think Sarah will like it?"
"I'm sure." Raven said with a small smile to him. About half the neighborhood had come to see Sarah off and stepping in, she excitedly looked around the limo. Raven moved to the other side and stretched out her legs, leaning back slightly. Cyborg and Sarah sat next to each other sharing some waffles. Star was gripping onto me. Beast Boy was still munching in the middle. Without meaning to, my eyes drifted back to Raven. She watched as the world sped by with a contemplative look on her face. She glanced at me, probably sensing my staring, before turning back to the window with a raised brow. She seemed slightly upset about something, but strangely content at the same time. I knew she wasn't a fan of these sorts of things, but still went. For what reason I don't know, but I was strangely…glad she did.
Starfire squeezed my hand tighter and I turned my eyes back to her with a smile. Huh, why am I suddenly overanalyzing Raven? I've got to stop, I'm already on thin ice with Star as it is. Y'know what though? That doesn't disturb me as much as it should…why doesn't it? I feel like I've been walking on eggshells with Starfire for awhile now. Geez, I need to get it together. This is going to be a fun night for me and the team. I quickly slapped a smile onto my face as we pulled up to a red carpet and photographers surrounding both sides.
Beast boy leaped out of the limousine. "The party animal has arrived!" He declared loudly striking poses. The roars and cheering of the crowd was deafening. I stepped out of the limo next and reached in a hand for Starfire. Flashes began going off and fans screamed my name. They looked like a bunch of tween girls. Starfire's grip on my hand tightened and she placed a hand on my bicep, walking closer to me. She waved at people chanting her name. People screamed for us to kiss. We did. I snuck a glance behind me to see Cyborg was signing autographs for some techies. Sarah was on his arm enjoying the festivities. Raven entered with the regality of a queen down the red carpet, giving out glances at her fans and a couple waves at some kids dressed up as her. Star planted another kiss onto my cheek as I caught Raven levitating a camera and taking a group selfie with her fans in the crowd. I turned back to Starfire who's grip on my arm was borderline painful and plastered a smile onto my face.
The walk into the gala seemed endless, but as we made our way to the top floor of the convention center the mayor was posted at the podium in the middle of the stage. "And here are the saviors of Jump City, the Teen Titans!" People began clapping. We all filed onto the stage. The mayor went through some remarks about us and presented us with a key to the city; I felt my eyes drawn to Raven who was standing on the other side of me; it took a lot of mental energy to concentrate on Starfire and the ceremony. Why is that? It must just be my natural concern for her because through our bond I could feel she was uncomfortable. We each took a turn thanking the citizens of Jump. The crowd cheered for us to kiss and we did. After all the pleasantries were over, the mayor spoke again. "And now please enjoy the party as we celebrate our heroes!" People cheered as food was unveiled, the dance floor lit up with lights and music filled the hall. Beast Boy, Cyborg and Sarah made their way to the buffet. Raven was nowhere to be seen. I turned my head looking around for her, but came up empty.
"Robin shall we get some of the punch?" Star asked me, bringing my attention back.
"Sure Star." I said leading her over to the punch bowl. As I got some of the punch into a cup, I saw Raven through the windows. She was standing outside on the balcony.
I'm going to talk to her. I have to. But how can I?
After multiple dances, lots of trips to the buffet and refilling Star's punch, I got my chance as Sarah began chatting her up both of them comparing and contrasting makeup brands. Cy and BB were in the middle of a dance off. Perfect chance…my heart began hammering in my chest and there was a weird twist in my stomach as I made my way outside to where she was.
"Hey Raven." I greeted standing next to her and leaning on the railing.
"What are you doing out here?" She asked never breaking her gaze from the night sky.
I grinned at her. "Someone has to make sure that you have some fun."
"I don't know what I'd do without you." Raven deadpanned.
For some reason I felt my pulse going up at hearing that. "For real though, I know this isn't your thing, but I'm really glad you came."
That got her attention. Raven finally turned to face me and I think my heart sped up again. "Thanks Robin, but I should be asking if you're having fun."
A sigh escaped my lips before I could stop it. "Yes I am." Hopefully that sounded convincing. Strangely, I felt a little more relaxed out here. The fresh air is probably doing me some good. Before my mind could put a stop to it, my mouth continued. "But you know what would make it better?"
"Hmm?"
"If you would dance with me." What?! My mind is surely gone…did I seriously just ask Raven, goth girl extraordinaire, the extremely quiet one, dark menacing sorceress whose appearance on the battlefield alone was enough to frighten many criminals into submission to dance with me?
What is WRONG with me?!
Her voice snapped me back to the present. "You planned this all along huh?" She asked pointedly, but nevertheless began to head to the door.
Wow…is she actually going to dance with me? My cheeks flushed. "Maybe…" I let out playfully. Hopefully that sounded convincing. It felt like my fingers and palms were itchy. A loud beeping noise suddenly went off and I pulled out my communicator from the jacket of my tux. "Bank robbery, couple of small timers."
Before I could head inside, a rather large imposing man with perfectly combed jet black hair and a deep rich voice came onto the balcony, martini in hand. "Mr. uh-Robin is it? There's a rather fetching girl with fiery red hair practically tearing up the party looking for you. Oh and have you heard? There's something breaking about a bank robbery on the north side of the city."
An annoyed groan almost left me before I could contain it. I watched as Raven gave a graceful twirl as she was consumed in black energy before emerging with her trademark uniform on. "You go back to the party. I'll handle those idiots." Raven said quickly, lifting off the ground then stopping to look back at the two of us. "Thank you for the information Mr. Wayne."
And with that she was gone.
I stole a glance at the man next to me, who seemed equally as stunned, silently acknowledging him before going back into the party. "Your date is causing quite the commotion." He reminded me smoothly.
"Yeah I know." I muttered going back into the party.
Before I could blink, a streak of pink went flying towards me. "Robin there you are! Where is it you have been?"
"Raven wasn't feeling well." I lied. With the way things are, I don't think I can tell her anything else…the lie felt more comfortable.
"Oh and is she feeling the okay?" Star queried. There was concern there, but it almost sounded like annoyance lurked in there somewhere or maybe not…
"She was unconsciously projecting to me and I had to tell her to go home, can't have something like that ruining our evening can we?" Dig my own grave why don't I? Raven was right. I REALLY do need to talk to Starfire, but now isn't the time or the place.
The rest of the evening is pretty much a blur. Song after song played and time ticked by without a sign of Raven. Starfire hugged me close for the last dance of the evening and seemed contented at how things had gone. I however was not. There was a gnawing pain in my chest and my tux seemed more uncomfortable than it already was. Why isn't Raven back? I thought about saying I wanted to check on her, but between my issues with Star and the availability of Beast Boy to check on her, I kept my mouth shut.
The evening ended after what seemed like forever. Starfire was smiling brightly at me. We walked out with the crowd still loudly continuing to cheer for us.
"Alright, everybody in!" Cy said as the T-limo pulled up for us.
"Hey where's Raven?" Beast boy piped up.
"She elected to do a final sweep of the city before heading home." Cyborg said shutting the door.
Disappointment rose up in me at hearing that. Why didn't she tell me? I tried to keep one eye on the skyline as we cruised through the city, stopping to drop off Sarah and grab some fast food before heading back to the tower. Starfire had long since rested her head on my shoulder.
I guess I seemed distracted because as we approached the bridge to the tower, Starfire took her head off of my shoulder. "Robin? Are you the pleased with me?"
"Yes." I stated simply. Satisfied with that answer, she again settled against me.
Glancing at the window and seeing Raven's dark figure illuminated by the moon, a tingling grew in my abdomen and suddenly, I wasn't so sure anymore.
