I've forgotten about this the past 3 chapters, but I remembered this time.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the Teen Titans, Slade, Jump City, or any other property of DC Comics. The original characters are mine, and that's all.
The next day, Raven woke up in her room and began to get dressed for school. She quickly adopted her favorite school outfit; black t-shirt, black skirt, and black Dockers. The idea of seeing Tylan today made her heart beat fast. She nearly skipped down the hall; quite uncharacteristic of her. Robin was still reviewing the battle film from the previous night, his eyelids drooping dangerously low.
Beast Boy was sleeping on the couch, drool hanging out the corner of his mouth, while Starfire was nowhere to be seen. Cyborg was already up, cooking a large breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, and orange juice. Fatigue was evident in his features as well; his human eye had a dark ring around it, and his movements were slower than usual.
"What's the matter?" Raven asked of everyone and no one.
At Raven's voice, Robin looked up and Beast Boy awoke with a snort. "We got our asses handed to us last night. By a high-tech burglar. He broke into Syntech last night and stole something we haven't yet been able to identify," Robin said wearily.
Beast Boy nodded vigorously. "Yeah, he really kicked our butts!" He quailed under Cyborg's furious glare. "What? It's true!"
Cyborg sighed. "Yeah, unfortunately, he did. Rae, he had all our strengths and none of our weaknesses! He was faster than Robin, stronger than Beast Boy or me, and could leap as high as Star could fly! I don't know who he is, but whoever he is, he really did his research on us."
Raven nodded thoughtfully. "Tell you what. I'll review that film after school. Then I can point out his weaknesses, and you can exploit them."
Robin shook his head. "No, Raven. We don't need your analysis. We need you. We need you to help us fight this guy. If he shows up again, which I'm sure he will, we've got to have an answer to him. You're the only one whom he hasn't seen yet. If we can keep the element of surprise, then we have a chance of beating him. Plus, five is always better than four." He looked hopeful.
Raven pondered, then shook her head in reply. "I told you already, Robin, I'm done fighting. I'm too dangerous to be put in a combat situation. I'll help you in any way I can but that one. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to be at school." She turned to go.
The other Titans watched with extreme disappointment as their friend turned her back and entered a life they never could.
Raven arrived at Jump City High two minutes before the first bell rang. She sat next to Tylan in Chemistry, who flashed her frequent grins. Pale Face sat in the back, eyeing Raven with an expression somewhere between desire and hatred. He remained that way throughout the day, every time Raven saw him—hovering on the edge of murderous.
Raven wanted to say something to Tylan, to warn him about Pale Face's behavior, but every time she thought she was going to say it, she forgot as soon as she saw his smile. He was in too good of a mood to spoil with that revelation, anyway, so she let it go.
After school, she returned to Tylan's mansion, where they studied together for about an hour, then resumed their deep conversations from the night before. Raven never ceased to be amazed at how smart he was, yet how well he could speak regular English. He could be equally at home in a classroom or at a party. He can do anything, she thought, as she stared at him, not truly paying attention to the words he was saying. That is, until he jolted her out of her musing.
"I'm sorry. I'm boring you again. Would you rather talk about something else?" He looked into her eyes, and his deep azure gaze met her dark violet stare.
If she were to tell the truth, she'd rather not talk at all, but just sit and look at him for endless hours. But, she was pretty sure that wouldn't happen, so instead, she said, "No, you're fine. Please, keep talking…"
He sensed her reluctance, and instead of continuing, he continued looking deep into her eyes. She turned away, unable to bear his penetrating stare. He put his arm around her, and pulled her close to him. She looked up into his face, then closed her eyes and waited.
Their lips met, cautiously at first, then with increasing passion. Her arms snaked up around his neck, and only the need for oxygen separated them at last. She met his steady gaze, and quietly asked "Have you ever kissed a girl before?"
His eyes glazed over for a second, then cleared as he responded, "Not until now." He embraced her from behind, and whispered into her ear, "have you ever kissed a boy before?"
At this, dark memories came rushing back, memories of Malchior, his manipulation of her, his fake love, and his betrayal. Tears rolled down her face as the emotions she thought she had carefully locked away burst her mental barriers like river bursts a flawed dam. She pulled away, and he saw the tears in her eyes and immediately began to apologize, "I'm so sorry, I didn't…"
"No." She wiped her eyes and tried to compose herself. "It's not your fault. It's his. I thought he loved me, and I loved him, but he ended up betraying me. He almost killed my friends. I hate him, but I can't entirely let go of what I used to feel."
"I… understand." He seemed unsure, as if he didn't know whether he could relate or not. But the words helped to banish the rising emotions back into their mental prison. She moved back toward him, and let his arms surround her once again.
"So… if you don't mind my asking… do you have any similar stories you wouldn't mind telling?" She wanted to change the subject so badly, but desperately had to know.
He paused, once again, uncertainty filling his words. "I… I don't… no, I don't." Here, his confidence returned as he spoke. "I definitely wouldn't call it love. Just your typical high school romance and drama. Nothing huge or… life-shattering."
She sighed to herself. He is the perfect guy. Then another thought struck her. Maybe I should take him to meet the Titans. Almost immediately, an opposing thought forced itself into her conscious awareness. If he finds out what I am, he'll abandon me for sure. Nobody could love a girl who was destined to bring the most feared demon into the world to destroy it. Nobody would stay with someone who was so high-profile and high-risk. Besides, I couldn't risk his life. If my enemies knew what he was to me… he'd be a marked man. The thought filled her with dread, and at the same time, a sense of determination. No matter how much I want to, I cannot tell him. For both of our good.
"You all right down there?" He was peering at her over the top of her head, and she nodded in response. "Good." He kissed her neck, then got up from the couch.
"Where are you going?" Unintentionally, worry filled her voice, as if when he departed the room, this wonderful dream would disappear into the harshness of reality.
"Relax. I'm going to make us some food. I'm in the mood for pizza… how about you?" He entered the kitchen, from which she heard loud rummaging noises.
"I'm alright. Really." She didn't like pizza that much, and she didn't want to inconvenience him, or, for that matter, keep him out of the room any longer than absolutely necessary.
The rest of the night passed quickly, and when it was nine o'clock, Tylan drove Raven back to her "apartment." They kissed goodnight. As he drove away, she watched him, until he turned a corner and was out of sight. She then slid deeper into the shadows and made her way back to the tower.
A shadowy figure watched her go from the top of a nearby building. His shock couldn't register on his face because of the helmet he wore, but the thought was almost audible in his mind. So… that's the way things are… things just got much more complicated… but so much more interesting…
Author's Note: I'm sorry this is all coming out so fast. I'm sure that means there will be a long period of time in which I will have nothing to post. In the meantime, however, just keep hoping my creativity faucet stays on.
The two reviews I have received so far have been encouraging. If you have something to say, even if it's critical, please say it. I'm trying to improve my writing skills as much as anyone.
R&R, reviews are awesome.