"What have you found?" Robin asked immediately after he rushed past the door leading into Titans Tower, where Raven and Beast Boy had been patiently waiting on the couch. Starfire then flew in with Cyborg tagging along a few seconds later.
"What took you so long, dudes?" Beast Boy asked his three team members. He had been flicking through channels on the team TV while Raven busied herself examining the object the dynamic duo had won from defeating Sparky the monster made of cable wires. She had been looking up scrolls and books that she had in her own little 'library' that she had summoned from her bedroom for any information about the object she was holding.
"It's a long way," Cyborg defended, resting beside Beast Boy. "So what did you get from the electric tower? Another disk? A microchip? A nanochip?"
"It's not technology at face value, actually," Raven told her cybernetic friend. "Or at least I think it's not. But it may be something related to magic, which I have not spotted anything out of the ordinary from this peculiar artifact."
Raven held out her hand to Cyborg, the object in question hanging around her wrist.
"I know that piece of enchanted instrument!" Starfire squealed excitedly. She snatched it from Raven and examined it intently, marveling in its entirety, fascinated by its structure, curious of its contents.
Everyone in the room knew what it was. The wooden hoop, the spiderweb-shaped net hung tightly around it, the dangling feathers and beads, and the Native American aura it exuded.
"It's a dreamcatcher!" Starfire declared. "I've read about it when I was in the library with Raven before! It's one fascinating object, I see now!"
While Starfire was wide-eyed over the dreamcatcher, Cyborg scanned it in every angle for any technological signs.
"Nothing!" Cyborg announced.
"I do sense some form of magic from it," Raven told the team. "It's just I can't pinpoint the source, or where or who it may have derived from."
The team spent a few more minutes inspecting the dreamcatcher and deliberating over what to do with it.
"So we're left with nothing else?" Robin asked the obvious.
No one was impressed at the lack of clues, and they had yet figured out any relationship the dreamcatcher had with Slade or Terra.
Beast Boy let out a yawn, and that somehow made everyone tired.
"Robin, I know we don't leave missions on hold, but we're tired," Cyborg said. "I know how it feels like when I don't have my break."
"Don't ask me, ask Beast Boy," the leader said.
Everyone turned to Beast Boy, whose eyes looked like they were about to close.
"Call it a day," he said.
"Alright, y'all, I'm out!" Cyborg declared and he was the first one out of the Main Ops room.
"Shall we, Star?" Robin allowed his arm for Starfire to hold. Starfire, without a doubt, agreed and they headed to their rooms.
Raven observed the sight and rolled her eyes at the romantic cheesiness it all was.
Then, a green arm clothed in black appeared in front of her.
"Beast Boy..."
"I'm feeling drowsy, but I can muster enough energy to bring a fine lady to her room," Beast Boy said tiredly with his signature grin.
Raven sighed. They were alone in the tower, it was quiet, it was night, it was comfortable.
She smiled fondly at her boyfriend, in which Beast Boy returned. She then planted a surprising kiss on Beast Boy's lips, causing the latter to slightly wake up a bit and momentarily open his eyes widely.
"What was that for?" he asked, almost in a daze.
"Even though it was only yesterday, we haven't really properly finished our date."
Beast Boy wrapped his arms around Raven and pulled her closer.
"So what do you want to do now?"
Raven smirked at Beast Boy's intimacy, "Hey, I thought you were tired?"
"Never tired of you," Beast Boy winked at Raven, in which Raven reacted with a not-so-serious smack.
Beast Boy then yawned, "Nah, I guess I am tired."
Raven smirked again. "You're exhausted."
And with one final agreement for the day, the couple decided it was time to return to their own rooms and take a much needed sleep.
They stopped in front of Beast Boy's room, Raven holding the dreamcatcher for she would be keeping it secured in her room for the night.
"Sweet dreams, Raven my sunshine," Beast Boy said happily, kissing Raven on her cheek. "Dream a little dream of me."
Raven, for the third time in under half an hour, smirked, "Not that it hadn't happened."
Beast Boy closed the door, leaving Raven to return to her room to earn her share of rest. She peacefully hovered to her room, just across two corners in the hallway, and entered her sanctuary.
It had been a long day, but she knew the mission was far from over.
Her bedroom had remained unchanged, something she'd been grateful for its never-changing homeliness.
She quickly locked the dreamcatcher away in one of her empty chests and rushed to her bed, more than ready to sleep. She didn't even feel the need to meditate, she already felt at peace when she kissed Beast Boy.
Apparently, that was her mistake.
She couldn't see it, but the magical item temporarily locked up in her chest began to glow as it worked its magic finally.
Turn the lights on
Every night I rush to my bed
With hopes that maybe I'll get a chance to see you
When I close my eyes I'm going out of my head
Lost in a fairy tale, can you hold my hands and be my guide?
Raven's vision became hazy, and not long after she dozed into a trance of sleep.
It took awhile for her to completely fall to her subconscious and hence to a dream, but she reached there nonetheless.
Rachel Roth hurried into the cafe before anymore of the torrential downpour could drench her with rainwater. She would much rather smell coffee than take a natural shower and feel the sogginess from her very wet wool sweater and scarf.
"I have got to consider changing into leather," she told herself and made a mental reminder. "And bring an umbrella no matter how much inconvenience it brings to my wrists."
At least, now she was under shelter, and at peace, with the typical coffee shop songs that were her forms of lullabies.
Clouds filled with stars cover your skies
And I hope it rains, you're the perfect lullaby
What kind of dream is this?
You could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
Meanwhile, Robin and Starfire had not slept yet. They had not even gone into any of their rooms. They stopped midway to Starfire's room in the corridor. Robin had decided to take that moment to appreciate Starfire's efforts in everything she put to the team and for the team.
"Your performance today, outstanding," he told her as she listened attentively with a blush. "You blew me away, Star, it's incredible. No, wait, scratch that, you're incredible."
Starfire flushed and giggled, and so proceeded to jokingly punch Robin on the stomach, causing him to bend backwards and having to regain his balance.
"Robin, I insist, it is my duty!" she said in the middle of a mini giggle fit.
"Eh, still," Robin winced without showing. "I-I just think I've been taking you for granted."
Starfire looked around. They were alone in the corridor, and all there were around them were the ceiling, the floor, the walls, and two overhead lamps at the ends or turning corners of the long, dimly lit hallway.
"Shouldn't we be in someplace more... bright?" Starfire suggested. "Or perhaps go to sleep altogether? I have not tended to Silkie for awhile and I ought to. I don't want Silkie to feel lonely for too long."
"I know, I know. But..." Robin extended his arm to Starfire, another gentlemanly gesture. "Would you like to go for a light midnight stroll outside first? It's dark and quiet, so we can have some special quality time."
Starfire smiled, and took his hand willingly. "It would be delightful to spend the time of quality with you, Robin."
The way Starfire said Robin's name with some sort of affection made the leader's heart skip a beat.
Starfire continued, "But why not fly instead?"
She then flew, holding Robin's hand and taking him with her, past the corridors, back in the common room, and out the tower to the city.
Sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Somebody pinch me, your love's too good to be true
My guilty pleasure, I ain't going nowhere
Baby 'long as you're here, I'll be floating on air
'Cause you're my
You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
Starfire flew up to the clouds and hovered above the city, where the skyscrapers dominated with lights through their windows and the places below keep up with neon lights and streetlamps.
"I realize nighttime is when the bright glowing spheres or tubes shine like they are the stars of a show," Starfire pointed out to Robin, who she was still holding.
"Mhm," Robin murmured in agreement. He much appreciated Starfire's unique idea to take an air stroll during midnight, but it would make it harder for him to express what he truly felt and dearly wanted to confess.
Starfire had been occupying his thoughts for quite some time already, even before she was on a roll with Slade's clues. And with that brief eye contact he had with her earlier that day, he was certain she was reciprocating her feelings, or at least wanted to be.
And in her mind, Starfire truly did want to tell Robin she's had a crush on him. It's even been obvious to them, and to the team. But she thought that if the point was not put out there, then it was not true, not yet.
What was pulling her back was the Earthly ways of love. After years, she still had not fully grasped the concept on a planet so foreign to her despite calling it home. She couldn't tell if Robin was her type of boy long-term or short-.
I mention you when I say my prayers
I wrap you around all of my thoughts
Boy you're my temporary high
Somehow, Rachel found herself leaning against the cafe counter, even though the shop seemed empty except for a handful of people reading their literary items or silently sipping their drinks.
"May I be quipped a warm cup of Earl Grey Tea?" she looked back and ordered.
Without a direct response after a few seconds, Rachel turned around to see if anyone was even behind the counter.
Directly in front of her, opposite the counter, she was facing a man her age with blue eyes that glimmered like a tropical island ocean. He was blond, and he had a huge grin across his peach face.
"One cup of Earl Grey Tea already prepared just for you," the teenage guy told her.
"Thank you, Mr. Logan," she said as she cautiously picked up the hot porcelain cup and blew at the tea's surface to cool it down.
"I told you, Rachel, it's Gar. Or your Superman. Both names work well for me."
"And I told you it's Ms. Roth. And don't you know not to mess with a woman when she's miserably soaked?"
Gar chuckled and began fumbling with empty glasses to keep himself busy. "You seem to hang on fine, though. But I'm flattered you chose to seek salvation here. It was me, wasn't it? You rushed here just to see me and my ears? Chicks dig the ears!"
Rachel scanned the room, pretending to find a woman dreamily staring at Gar's lobes even though she knew no one was.
"Unless you mean the chicks in the farm, then good for you," she said sarcastically. "And unless you own this coffee shop, then yes I did."
Rachel didn't know how long to keep up the act. The cafe had always been her favorite spot, but ever since Gar started working there she was coming in more often than how often a child would go to the park to play. She was drawn to his very existence, his downright presence. She just didn't know how to open up, but she kind of knew how to keep it on, as if testing the waters of their currently childlike acquainting relationship.
Deep down in her most determined desires, she wanted Gar in all his entirety.
I wish that when I wake up you're there
To wrap your arms around me for real
And tell me you'll stay by my side
Starfire and Robin had been in the air for almost an hour. Even though it was really late at night, it was the most tranquility they've felt and the calming nature of Jump City at night gave them inner energy to keep going.
"I love this place," Starfire whispered peacefully. "Look at the stars."
Robin looked up at Starfire's face, the most beautiful sight for his masked eyes. He remained silent, letting Starfire continue.
"When I explored Earth the first time, it was the night I crash landed here. I saw the shiny spots on the sky and wondered what they were. I thought they looked like the planets I could observe from Tamaran, only much smaller and shinier. They definitely are more beautiful when viewed from a more beautiful location. It's like a daydream with a night setting."
Robin laughed and said, "Well, on behalf of Jump City, thank you for the compliment!"
Starfire giggled and romantic silence once again took over. They were far high enough for the nightly sounds of the city to be insignificant, but the whoosh of the wind blowing against them with autumn leaves rustling in midair dominated the post-midnight sky.
"Let's stop and return down," Robin suggested, and Starfire agreed. "To some place private, please."
Clouds filled with stars cover the skies
And I hope it rains, you're the perfect lullaby
What kind of dream is this?
You could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
Starfire and Robin arrived at the shore.
"Well, we're here. It's quiet and private," Starfire said cheerily. Robin nodded and then abruptly held Starfire's hands up to between their chests.
A surprised Starfire almost squeaked. She felt shivers running up her spine. But she kind of liked where it was going.
"I like you, Star," Robin began.
"You mean -"
"Yes, Star. I know I never really stated it explicitly. But after what happened today... well, technically, yesterday... I enjoy spending my time with you."
Starfire blushed. "I like you too, Robin."
Silence.
Robin and Starfire slowly leaned towards each other.
"We aren't going too fast?" Starfire asked softly and vulnerably.
"We've been under the same roof for years, Star."
"But a kiss?"
Robin could tell from the unsure tone in Starfire's voice that she was slightly uncomfortable, so he stopped before their lips could meet.
"Okay, I understand where you're coming from, Star," he said, leaning back, Starfire following suit. "Let's take it much slower, I'm truly fine with that."
Starfire smiled at her understanding leader. "Thanks.
"Should we get back to slumber? It's awfully late. I'd also want my nap of beauty."
Robin agreed with Starfire and he led her to her room before he would go back to his.
They stopped in front of Starfire's door to bid their temporary farewells.
"Goodnight, Star," he said.
"You too, Robin," she said, and she entered her room and closed her door. Robin could not see it, but she sprang to her bed in joy and happily slept, hoping to dream of her and Robin.
Sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Somebody pinch me, your love's too good to be true
My guilty pleasure, I ain't going nowhere
Baby 'long as you're here, I'll be floating on air
'Cause you're my
You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
Rachel Roth somehow found herself making out with Garfield Logan, with the counter separating them.
"You - are - so - hot," Rachel said breathlessly whenever her lips were not occupied with kissing Gar's.
Gar chuckled as he continued planting kisses on Rachel's lips.
"You too," he panted. "We ought to be doing this alone, though, and not in front of these customers. Come over here."
Rachel cut the kiss and looked up at him.
"What do you mean 'come over here'?"
Gar smirked at Rachel's perverted thoughts.
"Not the way you think, mademoiselle."
Rachel smiled at Gar's dreaminess and she agreed. She crossed over to the other side of the counter and they made their way inside the 'Staff Only' room.
"Don't ever let me go," Rachel said as Gar closed the door and they continued making out.
Raven shifted arbitrarily in her sleep for a comfort spot and she was tightly hugging her pillow like a young girl.
Aural mist was emitting from the net of the dreamcatcher and the vapor escaped from the chest to the atmosphere of Raven's room.
Tattoo your name across my heart
So it will remain
Not even death can make us part
What kind of dream is this?
"Do you love me?" Gar asked Rachel.
The two had stopped kissing and were faced close to each other, wrapping their arms around each other's waists.
"What kind of question is that?" Rachel asked offhandedly. "Of course I do. More than life itself."
Rachel let go of Gar and wiped the sweat off Gar's forehead.
"Nice choice of venue for a make-out session," Rachel added sarcastically, looking around. They were in a really narrow office, which was dominated with chestnut colored file cabinets and a desk supporting a flat widescreen computer.
You could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
Sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare
Somebody pinch me, your love's too good to be true
"You are... purrr-dy," Gar said seductively, ignoring Rachel's casual comment.
Rachel looked at Gar again and asked, "What happens now?"
"Well," Gar rubbed his chin before giving Rachel a thoughtful answer, "You can move into my apartment, we can start an official relationship, make decisions together, you know, this and that."
Rachel gave the reply a thorough mental evaluation.
My guilty pleasure, I ain't going nowhere
Baby 'long as you're here, I'll be floating on air
'Cause you're my
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
"I agree," Rachel answered, to Gar's delight.
"Splendid!" Gar jumped up in excitement.
"When do we begin our end?"
Gar sent Rachel a playful facial expression.
"How about..."
Either way I don't wanna wake up from you
It was followed by a really sudden and surprising change in expression.
"... never?"
(Author's Note: The song is Sweet Dreams by Beyonce! I hope this is a satisfying enough chapter! What's going to happen in Raven's dream? What does that Dreamcatcher hold? What of RobStar? Stay tuned!)