* When I was revising this chapter it began to take on a dark twist. Many people commented that they wanted to see more of Gabe...as well as some explanations about his relationship with Raven. So most of that is here. How is it?
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: Look at Chapter 1
Rain poured down the windows like silk sheets and the lightening seemed to electrify the air like static from the drying machine. Why was everything alluding to the act of laundry? Robin thought with annoyance.
Perhaps it was the smelly pile of laundry sitting outside Beastboy's room. Or maybe it was the unsightly pile of laundry hidden away in his own closet.
Probably both. But when you're a hero...laundry is the last thing you want to be doing. If it's not the villains attacking, the mayor is reviewing safety rules. If it's not any of those, you're just too damn tired to care.
Sighing heavily, Robin set out to wash his clothes, wondering why it was so quiet in the Tower. He knew Cyborg had taken the others somewhere and left him to care for Raven but still…she was not blaring Soulja Boy or whatever his name was.
"I should be rejoicing." Robin muttered. It was rather impressive how much the sorceress had recovered. She was even picking up speed in hand-to-hand combat… although it was uncanny how fast she learned. Still even with her excellent fighting skills, Raven preferred to spend her time dancing.
Unfortunately, for him this meant hours of throbbing headaches and ringing ears. The sound of roaring wind (which sounded mysteriously like the sound of the running dryer) drew him from his thoughts.
Perhaps he should look for her. She was around during the morning, and after a particularly rough training session, had promptly disappeared. Maybe it was because of what happened the other day.
The boy wonder sighed. What ever possessed him to kiss her in the first place? Her memory hadn't returned yet, that much was obvious. If it had, she wouldn't be spending as much time with him as she currently did.
So, when she remembered, he was screwed. Robin cursed his impulsive nature and the fact that everything today reminded him of laundry. Seriously, why were the gods against him today?
And where the fuck could Raven have gone?
After an hour had passed (filled with numerous thoughts and allusions to the act of laundry), Robin found the elusive girl sprawled on the floor of the roof, half-conscious and soaked to the skin.
A tired sigh escaped the Boy Wonder's lips. "Damn it Rae. You're not making this babysitting thing easy."
"Shh if you talk loudly the voice will come back." Her eyes were closed and she would have looked asleep, were it not for a strange upturn of her ruby red lips. One that undoubtedly sent shivers up his spine.
Robin stared in fascination, noting the graceful curve of her neck and the way the cold water pooled at the base of her throat. Slowly he sank to his knees, gloved hand reaching out to graze her pale skin.
As his hands drew closer, Robin could feel the burning pain intensify in his chest. His mouth dried as his shaking fingers traced the curves of Raven's red lips.
Even in the cold rain, her lips were red. Blood red...and oh so tempting. The Boy Wonder leaned forward, mind now filled with thoughts of Raven's beautiful lips. Lips that screamed to be kissed.
Lips he couldn't resist.
The gap between them closed, each inch fueling the burning pain of his chest, the clammy sensation in his hands and the strange obsession of his mind. Robin's ice blue eyes glittered with an insane light. He had to kiss her. It was the only way...the only way to get rid of these thoughts.
The only way to gain back his sanity.
Violet eyes stared blankly into Robin's ice blue orbs. Quickly, Robin scrambled back, a look of horror now plastered on his face. What was wrong with him?
"Can't you hear him?" Raven whispered as she swiftly sat up, her sudden movement making Robin jump back in fright. Her once serene face contorted into one of anger and frustration.
"He's screaming, he's angry!" Raven lunged forward, ice cold hands closed around Robin's neck. The sorceress' violet eyes glittered with a chilling insanity. "Why, Robin? Why won't he leave me alone! Tell Erik to leave me alone!"
Robin choked, her freezing hands cutting off his air supply. What was wrong with her? And who the fuck was Erik? All these questions swirled in Robin's mind but he pushed them back, now was not the time...he needed to get Raven back under control.
Desperately, the Boy Wonder clawed at the cold icy fingers fastened at his neck. She wanted to kill him...Raven was going to kill him if he didn't do something. Spots danced before his eyes and the world began to spin.
Was this really going to be the end? Was Robin to die by the hands of his mentally unstable friend?
Such an end would be none other than a disgrace. For him to leave the world like this...without the glamor of fighting, without an honorable cause, it would be nothing more than a slap in the face of all those who had trained him.
Numbness crept up as his vision began to darken...
oOoOo
Black.
There was no light. Why was there no light? The bills were paid on time, the electrician had already done her routine rounds. So why was there no light? Why was this bed so...soft and warm? Whose room was this?
Hands fluttered in front of his eyes and Robin shot up, mind kicking into hero mode. Raven tried to kill him...so who was this?
"Richard, right? Are you ok?" That voice was so familiar...especially since he knew his name.
"Gabe. Why are you here? Where's Raven?" Robin was officially confused. The last thing he remembered was dying...at least it seemed like dying. So how did he get here, why couldn't he see and how the fuck did Gabe find out anything?
A soft chuckle echoed in the darkened room. "See father, he doesn't even care about his well being. Raven is lucky yes?" Angel?
"You needn't worry Richard. We came because Raven was in trouble. Once she is herself again, we will leave." Why did Angel sound...so robotic? Why did Robin get the feeling that whatever Raven and Gabe did a while back was to blame for this ESP type intervention? As if they had a bond...
Light flooded the room, giving Robin the chance to see Raven lying unconscious on the bed beside him, Angel's small delicate hands resting on her pale flushed face. Glancing around, he finally realized they were in Raven's room, and what was Gabe doing, rummaging throughout her night stand?
Robin sat up slowly, being careful not to jostle Angel, who was now trailing her hands through the sorceress's dark locks, a content smile on her innocent face. "Gabe, I need some answers. Why and how you got here for one."
A tired smile appeared on Gabe's face as he sat down on the bed and suddenly Robin was reminded of his father.
It was something of a tradition in the Grayson household, reading stories before bed time. Robin would remember being so excited and eager to climb in bed, so his father would read to him. No matter how busy his father was...no matter how exhausted he'd look.
Somehow, Gabe looked that way now...as if he was doting on a child. It angered Robin, he was no child. He did not deserve such a look.
"Raven was in trouble, I could sense it. So we came. That is all there is."
"Why could you sense it?" Robin didn't want to pry...he really didn't. But if Raven was going to behave like a potential nut case from now on...he'd like to know all the details. Still...he didn't ask for this awkward silence.
Gabe sighed. "We have a bond, Raven and I."
So his hunch was correct after all. Somehow, this revelation didn't really make Robin happy. Praying he didn't sound sulky, Robin asked, "How did you get the bond?"
Again with the awkward silence. Finally Angel spoke, her sweet, innocent voice suddenly sounding cool and calculating. "We are vampires, Richard and Raven is a demon. When vampires associate with demons, there are consequences."
Robin bit his lip silently. "Consequences. What kind of consequences?" He really didn't mean to pry, nor did he mean to sound ignorant. But he had to know. Raven was his teammate, and his best friend. He simply couldn't settle for cryptic and vague answers. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like Gabe was willing to elaborate.
The man's eyes narrowed and his lips turned down in a threatening snarl. The dim light in the room seemed to flicker with life and the shadows on the wall moved with an eerie grace. Robin couldn't have been more put out by the movie-esque look of the room.
Still he wasn't going to back down. The Boy Wonder kept a level gaze, trying not to be intimidated by the man't fierce glare. Perhaps he came off as stubborn, or maybe it was defiant. Whatever the reason, it was obvious that Gabe was not going to tolerate shit tonight.
Suddenly the man's dark brown eyes glowed red, and his hand rose swiftly. The shadows danced menacingly as they mimicked the vampire's movements. Robin was no fool, he could sense it...the sweltering anger, the uncontrollable rage. The glowing crimson eyes, the fierce snarl, the deadly pearly white fangs.
Raven had warned him once about vampires. She had said that 'not all of them were honorable.' She told him that Gabe could be trusted...that he needn't worry about him. Then why could Robin see crimson eyes dripping with a murderous intent. Why did he get the feeling that if Raven was awake, Gabe wouldn't be making an attempt on his life?
The shadows danced across the walls again and Robin was face to face with a pair of violet eyes.
"Robin, didn't your mother ever tell you? T'was curiosity that killed the cat." The sorceress cold indifferent voice shattered Robin's heart.
Why was she defending him? Why-
"Robin. I defend him because it was my fault...and mine alone."
Hidden blue eyes settled on the wall ahead, taking in the still shadows. Raven's fault. Why was it her fault? Were the two not 'boyfriend and girlfriend' as he thought? Somehow, the were...and yet not allowed. And this was the consequence?
This strange bond between them...was a punishment? Weren't bonds good things? Or were vampires and demons not allowed to share such bonds? Robin said nothing as Angel shifted and tumbled into his lap. This whole time she had been so quiet...it was hard to remember she was there. Sighing, the masked titan pulled her up against his chest. "You OK?"
In the dim light, her smile seemed the only sane thing in the room. "Richard, you shouldn't anger my father with ignorant questions. He already hates you."
Figures. "Then you answer my questions."
Another smile spread on her angelic face. "Well, at the time Raven couldn't control lust. It's all your fault really. Because of you, Raven lost control of lust in the first place."
Robin opened his mouth to protest, till she cut him off with a laugh. "It's ironic, right?" Well anyway, Raven couldn't control her lust...and since Raven's a 'high rank' demon, she marked him. It's an instinct, really...and she couldn't control it. So now, we belong to Raven forever and ever."
"So that's why he has the glowing tattoo on his neck?" It was faint...but he'd noticed it just as Gabe was about to tear him to shreds. He'd only kept quiet because he wasn't sure.
At her nod, Robin sighed again. What a mess...why was Raven always in the middle of something troublesome?
Forgive me, I see you might be confused. I suppose you may be wondering, where is Malchior? After all, he was present at the beginning of my story.
What you must understand is how my emotions changed when my father was defeated. They were...so much more intense and I will admit that it took me quite some time to get used to the overwhelming happiness, the stifling feel of embarrassing and shame as well as the drowsy and lackadaisical sense of peace.
Everything I felt from then on was heightened...intense and often addicting. I will admit that this is where my unusual craving for donuts originated...and my embarrassing lust for sex intensified.
Dating Robin, without taking the time to understand my emotions...is another big regret of mine.
It was different that in the movies...our relationship. It wasn't open or full of flowers, cheezy pick up lines and innocent outings. We could only be described as 'friends with benefits.' True, Robin was my best friend...but he was also my lover.
I was confused as to why I couldn't have both.
I never asked for the 'boyfriend-girlfriend' relationship...neither did Robin. We didn't want the romance, the candle-lit dinners, the quiet walks on the beach. All we wanted was sex.
Yes, it does sound horrible...and I'm feeling ashamed as I tell you this.
I suppose that being in a 'heat cycle' at the time didn't really help matters. All it did was to intensify my lustful emotions. This is where Malchior comes in. I, against all intentions, began to use Malchior simply to satiate my lustful cravings...which at the time, I had no control over.
However, Malchior couldn't stay...I couldn't continue treating him like he was...an addicting drug. He may have not minded...but it was wrong and unfair. And this why I had to let him go. I called it off... we 'broke up'.
I thought I had solved a big problem and that everything would be fine after that. But I had forgotten about the young girl I saved...and her possible connection to someone I had met once in Gotham.
When we established the Teen Titans, it was for the purpose of defeating meta-humans...who used their powers for evil. That and the impending threat of Trigon. After a while we realized that simply locking up meta-humans doesn't really solve the problem of crime. Jump City at the time, was a place riddled with gangs and dealers.
In some of the more violent parts of the city, gang violence was an everyday occurrence. I hated that, for it reminded me of Gotham City...before the police stations turned their attention from the Joker to the mafia overlords. We began cleaning up the streets...busting drug heists and putting an end to gang violence.
It was around this time that we noticed an increase in human trafficking...something that often goes unnoticed when street violence goes ignored. That girl was a victim...I do not know how she arrived, but I had to save her...she reminded me of so many people I met on the streets of Gotham.
She reminded me of Erik, a man I thought I had escaped from when I ran from Gotham City. It seemed like a sign that he was looking for me once again.
At the time, I was so intent on hiding from the man. I couldn't let him find me...and I was prepared to do anything to keep him from discovering my whereabouts.
The sunlight brushed gently across the titan's face long before her round innocent eyes opened. Eagerly she bounced out of bed and inhaled the lovely scent of cooking pancakes. As the curtains pulled back, a smile spread across her tanned face as the light danced off the pink walls, creating a soft glow that reminded her of home and grebnax pudding.
Silkie yawned, crawling away from the light and into her closet where he burrowed into a pile of fur coats. The Tameran giggled as she watched this spectacle. Today seemed like the perfect day. The sun was shining; birds flew lazily through the sky, their chirping sounds filling the air with a sense of happiness.
It was a lovely day...the perfect sun-dress day! Perhaps Raven would wear her light blue one. They could go shopping for costume material...Raven's old leotards didn't seem to fit anymore. It was rather unfair when you think about it. Raven's chest had grown yet again. Now she was probably wearing a 'D' cup...and size seven or eight in clothing. The poor alien was still in the three's.
Raven had curves and breasts...something that Earth boys seemed to like. Starfire was what you would describe as being athletically built. She was slender and lean, with an even proportion of chest and hips. Her body type was what you would call 'boyish' or rectangular.
To the alien, having a full hourglass figure was way better than being slim and boyish.
Still, shopping with Raven was fun...and perhaps they could even stop at the ice cream shop on the way back, Starfire mused as she stepped into the shower. It was such a good day...Raven would have to come out of her room. She has locked herself up for several days and answered no one.
The warm, gentle spray caressed Starfire's skin as she sighed softly. Almost a week had passed since she had seen her friend. Then again, she hadn't really made any effort to find out what was wrong. Starfire had been too busy feeling guilty.
Never had she felt such feelings of malice and jealously towards a friend than those few weeks Raven was injured. Robin was never around...at least it seemed that way to her. He was always with Raven, doting and pining after her.
It must have been hard, seeing his best friend injured like that... he probably felt guilty for not being there in the first place, for not watching out for her...and for not being fast enough. She knew that Robin was probably beating himself up about her injury, while she was telling him not to worry.
Did Raven feel guilty as well? Or did she feel grateful that Robin was being...so kind and affectionate. Starfire wondered all these things. After all, the two had broken up...and their friendship undoubtedly changed.
Maybe Raven was sad, for the fact that it took a near death experience to fix their stagnant friendship. Or maybe Raven was secretly happy, because now Robin had forgotten all about Starfire. It was not forgotten, what Raven had said all those months ago. The despise and hatred her friend felt at Robin's absence...perhaps it was all coming back.
Perhaps the memory Cyborg said Raven had forgotten, came rushing back...leaving Raven emotionally confused. Starfire could only wonder how it would be like to deal with resurfacing past feelings and emotions.
Still, it did not help the young teenager that she was being ignored. Being ignored was something she simply could not endure. The feeling of non-importance and loneliness that comes from being disregarded haunted her usually pleasant dreams.
Starfire sighed as she slipped on some sandals and grabbed a jacket from my closet. Perhaps today will be different. She could shop with Raven and have a good time. Maybe she'd succeed in making Robin forget about the purple haired titan for once.
oOoOo
The earth bender looked across the brightly lit room, a small smile on her small face. It was still hard to take in...being alive. Being able to experience all these things...riding the roller coaster, going to the club with Jinx and Raven. Feeling the thrill of crime fighting and the happiness that flooded her heart when being thanked for a good deed. She owed everything to Raven.
But now that Raven needed help...Terra bad been unable to provide. She'd been unable to help her friend...the thought weighed heavily on her heart. There must be something she could do...someway she could repay her debt.
There had been one other person that Terra looked up to...someone she adored and wanted to thank. Slade had done a lot of things for her...he helped her control her powers, gave her somewhere to live, food to eat...he gave her his love.
There was no way to repay him, Terra thought at the time. She tried to compensate...did whatever he asked her too, willingly. So when the time came for her to betray the Titans, she did so...sorrowfully but willingly.
After all, what were a few friends in comparison to stability and love?
Raven understood...that much she was certain. And despite the anger that Raven felt...Terra knew that she was the only one who could truly understand. What it meant to be given everything, and to have nothing to give in return.
Terra wanted to thank him...she wanted to do something, anything to show just how thankful she was. So, she offered herself to him...Terra gave Slade everything, she returned his love.
Raven had given her another chance as well...but Terra didn't know what to do or how to repay her. It pained the earth bender to see her friend dejectedly sitting on the couch, bingeing on donuts...and hiding her feelings from everyone.
Someday, Terra decided, I will repay Raven.
oOoOo
Anger.
Yes, the cybernetic was burning with anger. He had his reasons.
After all the warnings, all the admonishing...all the promising. The spiky haired bastard still had to go and mess with Raven.
Pots and pans clattered loudly through the kitchen, as Cyborg angrily prepared waffles. The salt shaker, slid roughly into their resting place, the eggs were given an untimely and swift death. Some say that food cooked angrily shouldn't be eaten. Right now, it didn't matter.
It was either Beastboy's fucking tofu or real food. He'd pick real food any day...
Another angry growl, and the waffle batter was poured swiftly into the griddle. He slammed the waffle maker closed and sighed angrily, turning to glare and Robin as he entered in. He had the audacity to look refreshed...to look happy...to say good morning.
That stupid mask of his stared indifferently at me...it's just begging to be ripped off and trashed. "What exactly is good about this morning, Robin? Look around you!"
Turning, the furious young man emptied the griddle and added more batter, waiting for a sarcastic response. The sooner he gave it...the sooner he could be tossed out the window.
"Raven's bingeing again..." His calm raspy voice only added to Cyborg's fury.
"Yes, genius. And this time it's all you damn fault!" The spatula was slammed down on the counter, and the silverware clattered in fear. If there was a time to wish you weren't breakable...now would have been it. The poor glass cups were teetering at the edge, scared away by Cyborg's rage.
Robin's mouth turned down, the stupid pleasant smile finally gone from his annoying masked face. "She...remembered."
Again with the calm indifference. "Yea, she remembered. And being the bastard that you are, YOU had to go messing around with her! Don't give me that face, I'm pissed off now as it is? I don't have time for your 'innocent surprise'!"
Biting his lip, Robin stared down at the glass in his hand. He almost looked...ashamed. It wasn't enough. He wanted the spiky haired bastard on his knees."
"I...didn't want to confuse her. I...wanted her to remember on her own." Against the sizzling of the waffle iron, Robin's words seemed whispered.
It was quite touching actually. Robin admitting a fault without hesitation or thought for himself. Too bad he still wanted him on his knees...groveling. That's what he deserves for messing around like a jackass. "I get that Robin, I really do…but you didn't leave her alone did you…DID YOU!"
Heavy hands slammed down on the counter again, and finally, the glass cups had enough. They cascaded off the counter and clattered to the floor, shards scattering everywhere. Funny how simple glass could drive the Boy Wonder to his knees.
But it did and as Robin sank to the floor, Cyborg wondered if he'd been too harsh. Seeing him on the floor, shaking fingers fumbling for glass shards...really doused some of his anger. "Look at me, Robin." He slowly lifted his head, his hands now clenched tightly while gnawing his lip anxiously.
Seems he was too harsh...must have touched a nerve. Might as well finish up the act.
"Now you listen and listen carefully. I do not want to see you ANYWHERE near Raven… unless you are on your knees BEGGING for forgiveness. Whether she decides to accept it or not isn't my problem. Do not go messing around with her AGAIN! Otherwise…."
Robin visibly winced at the unvoiced threat. Yea. He'd been way too harsh. Still. If it had been his Cyborg's mother...Robin'll be sore the rest of the week.
Turning, Cyborg carried out the plate of waffles, telling Robin to clean up the glass. Perhaps the guilt trip was a bit much?
Still, he'd done his mother proud.
oOoOo
Donuts.
Round circles of sugary goodness. Soft, chewy and when warm...melt-in-your-mouth heaven. Another sigh, another circle gone. A stomach filled with self hatred, hidden feelings and regrets.
Why did she believe? Why does she always trust him? Why is it that one look into his icy blue eyes...one whiff of his intoxicating scent can dissolve the barriers in her mind? Break the promises she made to herself?
All she wanted was a friend, someone to understand. Starfire couldn't understand...neither could Terra, to an extent. Robin was the least qualified. So why did she go to him? Why was her mind telling her that he was there, that he understood...that he qualified.
It all made sense and yet...she was confused. Because no one else seemed to believe it. No one else seemed to acknowledge 'them'.
The couch was comfortable...it was calming. The cushions seemed to draw her in, like her mother's hugs. Arella's warm soft chocolate smelling hugs. The teenager sighed dejectedly. No chocolate around...donuts will have to do.
She felt foolish...sitting here pouring out her sorrows to a couch and a box of Krispy Kremes. She didn't want to do this...didn't want this sickening taste of sugar in her mouth, nor the suffocating feel of the couch's embrace.
Yet, who else could understand...who else could bear her sorrows? Raven was being hunted...since the beginning she was hunted, she gave up her friend to control her stupid emotions...emotions which are to blame for Gabe and Angel's enslavement.
Who would understand? What can drown these stifling regrets?
Vodka. Just one glass...no, two. Just enough to make her forget. It was all she asked for.
She promised to give up drinking...promised to stay 'clean'. That was obviously long before her actions piled up like this.
Wait? Who says I have to honor my promise? Robin didn't honor his promise that we'd be 'together forever'.
Arella certainly didn't keep her vow to 'love me no matter what'. If Arella loved me she wouldn't have let the priests lock me in the temple...she wouldn't have let me get betrothed...or married. Erik wouldn't have turned against me...Bruce wouldn't have let me go.
No one honors a promise...no one. Promises are lies…empty and as worthless as shit. I will never believe in a promise...it's the only way to stop the bleeding...to stop the pain.
The only way to keep my heart from breaking.
This chapter was inspired by
1) Ego by Beyonce
2) Tattoo by Jordin Sparks
3) Feels like Tonight by Daughtry
4) Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
Derek will be in the next chapter toward the end and perhaps somewhere in the beginning in costume.
I want Raven to throw a tantrum and almost destroy the Tower. (not with her powers)
Robin…I am unsure what to do with him. Suggestions please? :)
What did you think of the other story that I posted?
I did it a while ago but never published it cause I wasn't sure.
Please Review!
~ heartless16