I Want You to Want Me
Chapter 8: Irresistible
Our favorite teens were last dealing with their emotions. Each one suffering in some way, shape or form. That is except for Summer. But then again, Summer isn't really anyone's favorite teen.
It was eight o'clock. Time for movie night. And each titan was having difficulty making it to the living room. Raven didn't want to see Beastboy and Beastboy didn't want to have to see Raven. Starfire and Robin, they were avoiding each other and Cyborg hated being caught in the middle.
Only an hour ago, after Robin left Starfire's room, the titan alarm went off. There was a bank robbery down town and no one wanted to have to fight. The titans however, went off and sucked big time. They were completely off. When someone was hit, no one tried to help them. Everyone was moping around. The criminals would have escaped had they not accidentally driven over a nail in the road, causing their tire to blow out, and their truck to overturn. The titans, far behind stood in relief and watched the police approach the scene. They stood there for a moment, then they turned around and headed for the tower, each their own way.
Oh, thus far, it had been a pretty sucky day. The only question that remained in anyone's mind was, "Can it get any suckier?" The answer is a definite YES.
Raven decided that she might as well get this thing over with. She couldn't mope around in her room forever; besides, she had to be strong for Starfire. Not to mention the fact that she didn't want to look like Beastboy's emotions meant anything to her. So, she threw on a fresh robe (One that she wore to bed only), stepped into her fluffy black happy bunny slippers that read, "You suck and that's sad," took a deep breath, and headed towards the living room. There was no one in the hallway. She assumed that everyone must have been having problems and contemplating whether or not they would attend movie night. There was complete and utter silence. Every step she took echoed through the dark and lonely hallway. Normally, Raven wouldn't be affected by this semi-scary scene, but for some unknown reason she was and put a little pep in her step.
She had made it to the steel doors of the living room. She took yet another deep breathe and entered only to find that no one was there.
"Well, I guess I'm the first one here," she said as she plopped down onto the couch.
"Not exactly." She turned quickly to see who was there and it was none other than Beastboy. He stood there with four DVDs and a stuffed monkey in his arms, pajamas with feet in them, and a sleeping cap. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked directly at her. They were there staring in each other's eyes with awkward silence consuming the air. Abruptly, in strolled the answer to their prayers, Cyborg.
"Man, somebody's gotta fix that bathroom. I turn on the sink and shower water comes rushing out at me. Nearly short circuited." He stopped in his path as soon as he saw the scene before him. But realized that he better continue making conversation so that his teammates wouldn't remain uncomfortable.
"Hey, guys! Ready for a movie or what?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?"
"Why, Yes it is, little miss smarty pants. So, BB, smarty pants, care for some sodas?"
"Sure. Thanks," Beastboy said as he sat before the DVD player and began to set up.
"And you, Rae?"
"Herbal tea."
"Now, is that how you ask for things?"
"Yes."
"Now, Rae, you forgot to say the magic word."
"Now?"
"Nope."
"Oh, yes, how silly of me. Azarath Metrion Zenthos." And with that Cyborg was hit in the face with a stool from the kitchen, knocking the sleeping cap right off his head, and causing both Beastboy and Raven to laugh.
"Very funny, smarty pants. One herbal tea and two sodas coming right up," Cyborg said as he massaged his nose. Things were beginning to feel normal again. The tension was starting to dissipate and everyone felt better because of that.
Starfire stood in front of her big purple mirror, the silver stars on the border sparkled in the moonlight that peeked through the blinds. She examined her appearance for a sixth time, hoping that she looked amazing. She had decided that she was going to avoid Robin as much as possible, just as Raven had suggested. However, she still couldn't help but be concerned about how she looked. She still wanted to look nice in front of him. She knew that how she looked in front of him shouldn't matter anymore. But it did.
After deciding that she would wear boxer shorts instead of pajama pants, she grabbed a blanket, slipped on her slippers that read, "Princess," put her hair in a pony tail, and walked out of her room, confidently, with her teddy bear in hand.
As soon as she stepped into the hall she saw Robin walking down the hall also. What perfect timing. Anyway, he walked down the hall dreading the fact that he had managed to bump into her. She looked so beautiful. So cute. He knew that she probably wasn't even trying to look cute, but some how she had managed to do so. She was adorable. He wanted to just stare at her and her stunning green eyes perpetually. The moonlight from a window in the hallway was shining on her and it only enhanced her splendor. It was as if the moonlight was coming from the heavens and illuminating this dazzling girl before him purposely. This was only further proof that she was an angel. She was heaven sent. But he had to ignore all of these things. He had to forget about her beauty and ignore her radiance, no matter how much the heavens allowed her to shine. He couldn't just ignore her completely, but he couldn't be his normal self with her either. He had promised Summer.
Starfire was also battling her desire to run up and hug him as she might normally do. Especially since he looked so cute. Of course he was in his sleeping attire as well, which consisted of a tee shirt and shorts, but he still had his mask on. It wasn't anything spectacular or out of the ordinary, but something about it made her just want to touch him. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't wearing his normal uniform. Maybe it was because he still had managed to look uncomfortable while in comfortable clothes. Whatever the reason, she liked how he looked. And now he was approaching her. He was almost there. So close. The distance was closing. He was moving closer and closer still. What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do? Was she just supposed to ignore him? Or should she turn around and go back into her room? And why was she just standing in the hallway, motionless, staring at him?
"Uh, hey Star." Oh, he was here. And he spoke. Not too much, not a complete blow off either. Now what was she to say in response? What could she say that would seem just as innocent? How did he come up with something so clever? Oh, that Robin and his mind games. Sometimes she hated Batman for teaching him so well. But nonetheless, she had to speak, NOW.
"Oh. Hi Robin. I didn't see you there." What? She didn't see him there? How could she not see him there? She was staring at him for like twenty minutes. Okay it was really five seconds. But that's still a long period of time, or so thought Robin. He was confused. Was she purposely trying to make it seem like she didn't notice him? Like she didn't care about him because she was in love with someone else? 'Damn that Tamaranean wit,' he thought.
"So, going to movie night?"
"Yes."
Again this uncomfortable silence.
"You?"
"Yeah, I'm going too." They walked down the hallway, uncomfortable, tense. Suddenly, the long, dark, lonely hallway seemed to get longer. The hallway seemed to elongate itself. The walk was becoming tiring. It was getting longer and longer. And just when it didn't seem like it could last any longer, it did.
Finally they reached the door to the living room. They both expected the tension to only increase when they entered the living room, but as soon as the doors opened, it was as if the events of the day had never occurred. Raven, Beastboy, and Cyborg were all drinking sodas and tea, sitting on the couch, joking around, and talking about movie nights past. It was strange. Erie. They stepped inside in any case, not wanting to be alone with each other in the hallway any longer, afraid of what they might do.
"Hey you two, you guys are late," Cyborg said. He was the first to notice Robin and Starfire's presence.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I had some work to finish up."
"Yeah, man, whatever. Take a seat and shut up." Robin and Starfire both did so and each grabbed some popcorn. Everyone noticed that Beastboy was back to behaving like his old self again and they were all a little confused. They didn't understand how you could be depressed one minute and joyful the next. But that was Beastboy for you. They assumed that there was no rhyme or reason for his behavior. But they were wrong.
"Alright titans, let's get started! Welcome to this week's movie night, hosted by none other than me! Beastboy!"
Silence and blank stares.
"Don't all cheer at once. Anyway, tonight we have several classic flicks to choose from. You could see The Return of the Returning Spirit from Nowhere, Giant Silkworms from Space part 5, Ninja Showdown 9, The Attack of the Giant Bloodsucking Robots from Planet Narnack, or Zombie vs. Zombie: The Hunt for the Cause of Death."
"Man, I don't know. They're all so good. Wanna watch them all?!"
"NO!," Raven, Robin, and Starfire shouted in unison.
"Then pick one."
"Personally, I would enjoy the viewing of The Zombie vs. The Zombie or the Returning Spirit," stated Starfire.
"Yeah, those two were ones I thought everyone would like."
"Fine by me, now pass the pizza!"
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with."
"I don't know. Maybe we should watch The Attack of the Giant Bloodsucking Robots from Planet Narnack." Everyone turned and looked at Robin confused. Since when did he disagree with Starfire? Whenever this began, it was going to end now.
"Robin, I voted for those movies and everyone agreed, so we will watch them now."
"Well, Star, I didn't agree. That means everyone didn't agree. So I get to vote."
"Well, Robin, friend, no one else wants to see the movie you suggested."
"Well, maybe someone does, my dear friend. Maybe we should ask the team."
"Or maybe-"
"Well, I think we should just watch all three! Let's start one of them, before someone gets injured," Beastboy said cutting into the well-mannered argument.
"Fine," Robin and Starfire said as they reclined in their seats next to each other and Cyborg hit the lights.
The movie began. The movie was Zombie vs. Zombie: The Hunt for the Cause of Death.
'Did you think I wouldn't return from the grave to take revenge on you for causing me to die on my prom night?'
'Ha,ha,hahahahahahaha.'
'Why do you laugh evil spirit?'
'Because you bag of bones. I didn't cause your death. You caused mine.'
'What?'
'That's right. And by the way, I am your Father!'
'Nooooooooooooooooooooo! That's not possible! your lying!'
'Mwhahahahahahahahaha!'
Cyborg was completely into the movie, as was Beastboy. The two sat on the right end of the couch and shared a bowl of popcorn. Between the two of them, they had eaten 36 slices of pizza in the past hour and forty-five minutes. I know, ewwww.
Then there was Raven on the other end of the couch, reading a book about what lies inside the minds of the mindless. She occasionally glanced at the screen and ate no pizza. Instead she sipped her tea and enjoyed some cookies. Then in the middle was Robin and Starfire. They were not reading a book or watching the movie. They were pretending to watch the movie; they were really watching each other. Every move the other person made was fascinating. They both knew it was wrong to enjoy the other's company and hang out with them like they used to before Summer came into the picture, but it was so much fun. Robin was trying to ignore the fact that Starfire was holding her knees to her chest, revealing the underwear she wore under her boxer shorts. And Starfire was trying to ignore the touch of his hand on hers when they both reached for popcorn at the same time. Both Very difficult tasks.
Movie after movie was spent watching the other. Taking in everything about them. And with each passing movie the two began conversation and friendly exchanges. Robin even got Starfire to giggle like she normally did. And with each passing movie, another titan left the room. First it was Raven.
"Guys, I'm tired and I doubt that I'll be able to watch another display of mindless zombies and bathroom humor. Night."
"NIGHT RAVEN," everyone said in unison and then Robin and Starfire became embroiled in a tickle fight.
After the Attack of the Giant Bloodsucking Robots from Planet Narnack, Beastboy was suddenly seeming upset again, and so he headed for bed.
"Good Night you guys. I'm gonna get some sleep. It's getting late."
"GOOD NIGHT BB," everyone said in unison. Then Robin and Starfire were throwing popcorn in midair into the other's mouth.
After another hour, lots of sodas, and too much flirting, Cyborg gave into the nausea he felt and left.
"Um, I'm gonna turn in guys. I need to recharge. Don't stay up too late you two."
"Bye Cyborg."
"Night."
Beastboy made his way down the hall to the bathroom to brush his teeth. After he was done he started towards his bedroom, tired, eyes heavy, depressed, defeated. He was trying to pretend like Raven's "dumping" him, meant nothing to him. He thought he was doing a great job and she would ask him how he was able to get over her so quickly, but the exchange never happened. She went to bed.
When she left the room he could feel the hurt boiling inside him. The pain was surfacing again and so he himself decided to turn in, admitting defeat. He decided it was time to come to terms with the fact that Raven would never love him.
Then Raven entered the hallway. She expected him to still be pretty torn up about earlier. Especially since it seemed like she didn't care about his emotions.
"Oh, hey Rae. Night"
What? Beastboy is supposed to be begging her to love him. He is supposed to stare at her and wish he could have her. He is supposed to love her. What was going on here? Reverse psychology? No, Beastboy didn't even know the meaning of reverse psychology. Perhaps he was just tired? Beastboy, tired, on a Friday night? Yeah right. Maybe he didn't care about her anymore. Maybe he didn't care about what happened earlier that day. Maybe he never cared.
"That's it?"
"What are you talking about Rae?" He really didn't care or know, did he?
"Nothing. I'm just tired. Night."
"Yeah, it's pretty late. See you in the am." And with that he strolled down the stair well towards his bedroom and Raven stood alone in the hallway confused and feeling vulnerable.
And then there were two.
Starfire and Robin were the only ones left in the living room. They had just finished watching a The Return of the Returning Spirit from Nowhere and Robin was putting in Giant Silkworms from Space part 5.
They had spent much of the night trying to pretend to not care about the other. To stop hanging out with each other. To pay the other no mind. So much for that plan.
Thus far, they had spent the entire evening being their normal flirty, friendship selves. They were having a blast. They tried not to talk to each other, but that didn't work out. Then they tried not to look at the other, but once Starfire was scared from a scene in a movie and grabbed Robin's arm that was over. So they attempted to not touch each other again, but as Star whimpered during a scary scene Robin couldn't help but put his arm around her to comfort her. Basically, all plans to avoid each other were nonsense. Utter nonsense. They were inseparable. They were magnetic. To each one the other was too tempting to resist.
"Alright, it's starting."
"I hope I comprehend this movie a bit better than the last. I still do not no from where the returning spirit was returning." Star was wearing a confused expression on her face and Robin loved it. He loved her. She looked so appealing with the lights of the TV reflecting off of her face. That's when he unconsciously reached out and touched her face with his hand. He had been wanting to do that for so long and he had.
His touch was so soft and gentle. Her confusion was instantaneously gone. She knew that she should remove his hand, but it felt so good, so right. She just couldn't. Besides, they weren't doing anything wrong. Friends hold each other's faces in the dark. Right? Everything would be fine if he wasn't looking in her eyes when she looked up. She looked up praying that he wasn't staring at her. He was. Or at least she thought so. She couldn't really tell, after all he was wearing that mask. She suddenly wanted to know what his eyes looked like. What color they were. She needed to see them so she could see what he was feeling. It would be good for him and her. He had after all removed his gloves and now she could feel his hands and he her face. That was good. So, it could only get better.
She reached up a hand and did what no one had done before. She touched his face and let her hand make its way to the edge of his mask. At first, when she started to pull it off of his face, he took his other hand and grabbed her arm to stop her, looking somewhat nervous and distraught, but after a smile and look of understanding that said, "it's okay," he released her arm and she gained his complete trust. She pulled it off.
He squinted a little, he hadn't removed his mask in a long time, and the lights from the TV were too much to bear at first. But then he saw her smile again and the lights weren't bad anymore.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just, well, you have the most beautiful eyes that I have ever seen. They surpass all beauty that I have seen on this earth."
"Wow. I thought the guy was the one who was supposed to talk about how gorgeous the girl's eyes are."
"Sorry, I'm not used to earth's customs," she said, his hand still on her face, massaging her cheek and chin.
"It's great, really. And thanks. That was beautiful Star."
"No. I was merely stating the truth. You have two beautiful blue eyes."
"Star, if anything here is beautiful," he said as he scooted closer to her, "it's you."
Then time began to stand still. Here they were, alone, face-to-face, looking in each other's eyes. It was dark, there was no on else around, actually, everyone was asleep. They both wanted to. Deep down, they both needed to. They were frustrated; they were hungry for the other. Their lips were calling out to each other.
Both knew what was about to happen was wrong, that it was forbidden, Robin had a girlfriend. They were both thinking about Summer, deep down, way in the back of their minds. But right now they weren't thinking with their heads. They needed this. Besides, what Summer didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
Their lips touched. The kiss was innocent. They moved apart for a second and looked at each other. Then their lips touched again. It too started innocent, and then it slowly became more passionate as Robin parted Star's lips with his tongue. He didn't want to make her do anything she didn't want to. But Starfire wanted him to keep doing what he was doing; it was like heaven. It was bliss. It was paradise. It was ecstasy. It was rapture.
And so the clock struck twelve and the night turned into the early hours of the morning. Cyborg rested, plugged into his charger; Raven tossed and turned, confused by Beastboy's behavior, wondering if he cared about her or if anyone would care again; Beastboy slept soundly, feeling a bit of relief now that he knew Raven would never love him; and Robin and Starfire passionately kissed each other, lying on the living room couch, Starfire's hands in Robin's hair and on his back, Robin's hands all over Starfire, both unable to satisfy their need for the other. Both thinking harmoniously, 'If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right.' After all, it was wrong, but for both, the other was so tempting. So enticing. So alluring. In a word. Irresistible.
Hey Everybody! Finally, another chapter! I had written a while ago, but hated it and re-wrote it. So here it is. Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for Reviewing! Everyone who reviews let me just say, YOU ROCK! Anyway, I'm working on the next one. Should be up in a week or so and let me just Say, the plot will Start to thicken more and more with each coming chapter! PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks Again!
LOVIN' IT,
LILY