"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss
I wish you were never born!
Startled green eyes opened with tears pooling from each corner as Jericho bolted up from his sweat soaked sheets, clenching at his chest he inhaled deeply trying to contain the gasping breaths sputtering out of him. And as he got up his heart was still pounding fiercely. He pulled the now soiled blankets off the mattress. Stumbling to his hamper he dropped the bed coverings inside and hurried off to the bathroom, leaning on the wall every now and then to prevent himself from falling down. Once inside he looked at his face and sighed. His usual bright orbs were clouded with bloodshot veins, his once shining gold curls were damp to his forehead and dull, even his skin appeared drained of energy. He was definitely going to be noticed by his team now.
He groaned out of frustration knowing that he was going to be pestered by them all day with worried questions. And it wasn't that he didn't appreciate their concern, but his personal issues were just too private to explain. Taking a quick shower the boy did his best to hide the exhaust he felt as he dressed in his uniform and made his way down to the kitchen, checking in every reflective surface to make sure that his fake cheery smile was passable.
The Herald knew something was wrong the instant his little musician walked into the room. Jericho looked beyond worn out with dark circles under his emerald eyes, and his smile was so forced that it was making even his cheeks hurt. But the leader knew it was best not to confront the smaller boy until he was ready, he was aware that too much pressure on the youngest member would cause another emotional collapse.
Greeting the blond titan softly the teleporter asked, "Do you want any muffins? We got blueberry."
"Woah blueberry?" The resident speedster said zipping right in front of them with an amazed look on his freckled face, "We have those again? I thought you said they were banned after the 'accident'?"
The eccentric boy muttered the last phrase quickly under his breath as his blue eyes darted suspiciously back and forth.
"They ain't for you, Wally." Mal snorted, shaking his head, watching Kid Flash pout childishly. That teen was always eating something, which is why the Herald constantly kept candy bars around the tower. He never knew when they were needed, but he could always tell when they were eaten by the wrappers that littered the hallways.
Switching his gaze gently to the sweetest member of their team Mal continued.
"These are only for JoJo ."
"Aww no fair! Mahhhl." Whined the redhead, folding his hands in prayer towards the taller teen, even tearing up in desperation.
"No."
Bending down to a surprised Jericho, the teleporter ruffled his curls and dropped a muffin into his palms while whispering, "If you want to talk I'm here for you."
He stood back up smiling at the confused boy, before grabbing the ginger by the back of his shirt and pulling him further into the kitchen.
"I'll make you some waffles." The Herald said, pushing the speedster into a chair.
As he began pulling out ingredients he saw Joey slowly leave; at least he took the muffin with him though.
"Wooo! You're the best!" Wally shouted as he surrounded himself with napkins and bottles of syrup.
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
Jinx was on her way to the kitchen as she passed her favorite boy in the halls who looked miserable with a blueberry muffin in his hands-
Wait, a blueberry muffin , weren't those banned- Focus!
Shaking her head slightly, ruffling her pink horns a bit she turned to where Jericho had disappeared to and made way to follow him. Besides her breakfast could wait, being a good big sister was important.
As she turned the last corner the girl saw her lost lamb being pulled tightly into a lung crushing hug by Hot Spot. The taller teen stilled dressed in his pajamas, had completely absorbed the younger boy into his warm body. Jenna watched as Joey melted into the other, only one arm stuck out saving the muffin.
It was no secret that everyone on the team had a soft spot for Jericho. He was the kindest human being, and was the first person to place everyone needs before his own, and because of all his unconditional compassion he was deeply treasured among all the titans, even the ones from other towers.
Peeking up from his embrace the pyrokinetic noticed the cat-like eyes watching them fondly.
He mouthed over the blond curls, 'Why is he sad today?'
Jinx shrugged her shoulders and replied without a sound, 'I don't know.'
Her chest always felt heavy whenever Joey was upset, she thought of him like a little brother, and whenever he was hurting she would be there to cuddle with him and dry his tears. Today, however, was one of those days where he radiated depression like a rain cloud hanging over sunny skies.
Hot Spot released Jericho and flipped him towards Jenna where she reached out for her daily dose of Joey love. Soon her body was enveloped in a pleasant hug with the aroma of wildflowers filling her nose.
"Something on your mind hun?" She asked, caressing his round cheeks.
The tiny boy didn't answer, but instead pressed the muffin into her hands before trying to leave only to be stopped by a heated palm laying on his shoulder.
"You sure you're okay?" Isaiah said, sharing the same worried look as the pale girl next to him.
But Joey brushed them both off with a shaky smile before darting around the corner.
Argent woke up late again, and was now finally adding the finishing touches to her winged eyeliner when someone knocked harshly on her door causing her makeup to smear.
Huffing angrily she grabbed a tissue and dabbed away the unwanted markings before stomping over to the entrance ready to vent out her frustrations for the rude interruption. But instead of lashing out she was surprised to see her boyfriend Hot Spot standing there awkwardly with an uncomfortable expression on his face, and before she could utter a single word he mumbled out.
"Joey's upset today, and we have blueberry muffins…"
The New Zealander was surprised mostly by the muffins and why Isaiah had come to her instead of chasing their precious brother down.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go find him!"
Yanking the fiery teen's arm she dragged him down the halls in pursuit of their golden child. Together they flew partially throughout the tower narrowly dodging furniture. Her boyfriend begging for her to stop and slow down was ignored as she flung them around the building.
"Wait! Toni I don't think- Toni?! WALL!"
Banging into the side of the entrance way, Hot Spot moaned in pain, his face now reddened from pain. His girlfriend hovering above him covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry!"
Kid Flash was no fool to Jericho's morning gloom as he powered through six servings of waffles, but he knew better than to talk to the fluff ball until he was sure it was the right time. Unfortunately for him, the right time was hard to come by as he searched for the quiet boy only to be body slammed by Jinx, the love of his life.
"Ow," Jenna cried out, as she rubbed her collar bone, a bruise was already starting to form.
"Aw Jinxie, you okay?" Wally said, crawling over to her as both were now sprawled on the floor. The muffin was now crumbled between them.
"I'm fine," She muttered, raising an eyebrow, "Looking for Joey too?"
"Yeah I am, he's a little storm cloud today."
The girl hummed solemnly as she stood up and dusted herself off. She gave a hand to the boy below her pulling him up too. Now both standing, Wally gestured for her to get on his back to continue their pursuit of Jericho, and soon they were off super speeding in the halls, fine to do so as long as Mal didn't find out about it. But they knew he would eventually. He always found out everything anyway.
Putting away the rest of the dirty dishes into the dishwasher the Herald made his way to find their baby in the tower, and knowing his teammates they've probably already destroyed a good portion of it searching for Joey. But it was all for a good cause. Jericho was special, and ever since his traumatic past was revealed everyone's adoration for him intensified. Now more than ever were they a close knit group- no they were a family. And families help each other out no matter what. The building could always be repaired.
Mal sighed, he was well aware of the blond's hiding places, but he also knew that if Jericho didn't want to be found the little boy could disappear for hours. Luckily for the teleporter catching the youngest was his specialty.
As he made his way around the halls he picked up a bruising faced Hot Spot, a flustered Argent still with makeup smeared under her eyes, a illegally speeding Kid Flash with Jinx riding on his back, and soon he marched all of them back into the kitchen from whence he came.
Blowing into the Horn of Gabriel he reached in only to pull out a box of blueberry muffins much to the amazement of the rest of the teens; yes they were still banned, but today was an exception.
Turning to the opened doorway he called out to the missing body jumper.
"Joey, we have more muffins! It's your favorite!"
"Uh Mal, what are you doing-" Kid Flash was cut off by a small hand seemingly appearing out of thin air, traveling to the baked goods and picking up a muffin out from the container.
Jericho peered out from behind the Herald's cape still with his somber expression distorting his usually jovial face. His fellow teammates looked shocked that he was right in front of them.
"We're going to have a nice breakfast together, come on everyone sit down." Mal instructed, plucking up the blond and placing him on his lap at the table. The other teens hurriedly made their way to their seats, and the box of muffins was now distributed between all of them.
"Cool, second breakfast!" Wally said stuffing his piehole and getting crumbs everywhere.
"Dude close your mouth." Isaiah sighed, watching Kid Flash eat was like sharing a meal with an entire pig farm all scrounging through troughs.
Jericho now settling back to a relaxed mood shuffled comfortably in the oldest teens lap now enjoying his favorite breakfast food contently, a natural smile taking place on his once tensed mouth. His nightmares soon became more and more forgotten. And for the half hour everything was back to normal with Titans Central; just a group of teens enjoying spending time with each other.
That was until Isaiah asked the question that brought hail storm into Joey's soul.
"So why were you so upset earlier JoJo?"
The atmosphere became thicker than cement as the calm smile on the blond's face morphed back into a shaky grin. His green eyes began shifting focus to each of his friend's now anxious expressions; his heart rate began to rise.
Mal wrapped his arms around the boy, pulling him deeper into his body as he glared at Hot Spot. A muffled whimper from the fiery teen was also heard, meaning one of the girls or both had kicked him in the shins under the table.
Jericho let himself snuggle further into the Herald as his eyes began to glow, forming a secret telepathic link between all six of them. The small titan never really used this power of his because of how noisy it often got between all the minds, and how unwanted memories tended to come forth unexpectedly, but today he just wanted the uneasy glances to end. Taking a heavy breath he transferred a thought.
'I had a bad dream about my mom.'
The curly haired boy felt Mal squeeze tighter, as the others spoke around him.
"Aw Joey."
"It's gonna be okay."
"You wanna another hug?"
'Thanks but I just kinda want to forget about it.'
The rest of the team nodded and smiled sadly as they dropped the subject, moving back to whatever they were originally talking about. Suddenly a ghost of a voice whispered back into their minds causing the room to go silent.
'Wait, why are we eating blueberry muffins? Aren't they banned because of the accident?'
The Herald broke out into a nervous sweat as all eyes turned to him.
"Yeah about that…"