(Sorry the chapter wasn't up last week, I've been pretty busy. I am working on the story, I have everything outlined, it will just take longer to ultimately write it due to class work. That said, I wrote a relatively lengthy chapter to tide you over for a while. I know it won't, but I can hope it will, right? ~RavensMind~)
Chapter 15: Moving On
Struggling, trying to break free of the restraints, Terra looked around the interrogation room for anything she could use to get out. Looking at her from across the table was Cyborg, a frown on his face, and blood across his chest. Beast Boy's, she assumed.
"So when's the funeral?" Terra asked.
"Funeral? Beast Boy isn't dead," Cyborg said.
"Yes he is, Raven killed him," Terra said.
"No he's not, he was in here with you an hour ago," Cyborg said.
"So, you're covering for Raven?" Terra asked.
"Wh-No, he is alive, damn it," Cyborg said.
"Stop lying. He was your friend, why are you lying for Raven?" Terra asked.
"You saw him. Beast Boy is alive," Cyborg said adamantly.
"I don't believe you. Raven needs to answer for what she did to him. I won't let her get away with this," Terra said.
"What is wrong with you?" Cyborg asked.
"I'm angry, Raven is getting away with killing Beast Boy, so what's wrong with you, Cyborg?" Terra asked.
"Cyborg? Can't you see? I'm Robin," he said.
Confused as he questioned Terra, Robin saw that Terra was acting differently than Beast Boy had been when he went insane. Apparently she couldn't see what was really right in front of her, envisioning something else.
"Terra, I need you to listen, I'm telling you the truth," Robin said.
"Why should I believe you?" Terra asked.
"Because if you don't, you will never leave this room," he said.
"Raven put you up to this, didn't she?" she asked.
"No. Why are you focusing on Raven?" he asked.
"Because she killed Beast Boy," she said.
"Damn it, he isn't dead! He tried to kill her, she defended me and herself, so you need to accept that," he said.
"That's not true, he was protecting himself from her," she said.
"Terra...I've said just about all I can. We have had this conversation five different ways over the past hour or so, I even brought Beast Boy in from the infirmary to show you he was still alive and you didn't believe it...Until you see the truth, you aren't leaving this room. Beast Boy will be in shortly to keep you company...maybe then you'll see." Robin said.
"I already see, Cyborg," Terra said.
Robin shook his head and got up, leaving Terra in the room, securing the door behind him. Outside, Cyborg and Starfire stood against the far wall, waiting for him. Robin and Raven had packed everything for their trip the next day, they were leaving. All that was left to do was to officially tell the others. He was still worried about leaving his team in the state it was, but he wasn't helping them here.
"How's she doing?" Cyborg asked.
"Still insane," Robin said sadly.
"That is terrible," Starfire said.
"I know... So, how is Beast Boy?" Robin asked.
"He is recovering, he lost a lot of blood, but luckily Raven missed the vital organs," Starfire said.
"That's good to hear. I have something I have to tell both of you... Raven and I are leaving the Titans," Robin said.
"What? Why?" Starfire asked.
"Yeah, we need you both here now. And why are you leaving with her?" Cyborg asked.
"I love her...Raven and I have been talking a lot and we realized how much we mean to each other. We're also tired of leading this team, especially since there has been almost no real crime in this city for the past year," Robin said.
"You and Raven? How long has this been going on?" Cyborg asked.
"A week or so," Robin said.
"Why didn't you tell us about it?" Starfire asked.
"We just wanted some time to explore it before we told the rest of you," Robin said.
"So, you thought it was better to deceive us?" Starfire asked.
"It isn't like that. Since we were in charge, we didn't want the knowledge that we were together undermining our command," Robin said, "it was Raven's suggestion, and I thought she was right."
"Well, I think it's good that you two are together, you could help keep each other out of your own heads. Raven especially," Cyborg said.
"She has actually helped me more than I've helped her as far as that goes," Robin said.
"This has been going on longer than you've said, hasn't it?" Starfire asked, getting angry.
"No," Robin said.
"Did she tell you to leave me two years ago?" Starfire asked.
"What? No, I explained why I didn't want to be with you a long time ago. Raven had nothing to do with it," Robin said.
"And I am supposed to believe you after you lie to us for a week?" Starfire asked.
"Star, calm down, they did what they did, it's not a big deal. We all keep our own secrets from each other," Cyborg said.
"Perhaps you are correct. But I am still not pleased," Starfire said.
"Can you at least put it aside for a while? Raven and I are leaving tomorrow, and I know she'd like to go without thinking someone else was mad at her. She just doesn't need it after what Terra and Beast Boy have said and done. Neither do I," Robin said.
"Yes...I will. I still would like to discuss this though," Starfire said.
"Alright, I'll call you both when we get to Gotham," Robin said.
"That's where you're going?" Cyborg asked.
"Yeah, we're staying with an old friend of mine up there. I'm not sure how long we'll be there, but that city needs us more than this one now. Cyborg, you'll need to talk to other Titans and see who would be willing to join the team," Robin said.
"Don't worry, I know a couple of guys who would be perfect. In the meantime, we'll see if Titans East can be on call for us here," Cyborg said.
"Good thinking. See? You're already acting like me," Robin said.
"Damn," Cyborg said, faking a horrified expression.
"Very funny. I'm going to go and help Raven finish packing, then I'll go to sleep, it has been a long day," Robin said.
"Will Raven be joining you to sleep as well?" Starfire asked.
"She might... but only to sleep," Robin said.
"Sure..." Cyborg said, grinning.
"I'm telling the truth," Robin said.
"Right..." Cyborg said, still grinning.
"Why aren't you believing him Cyborg?" Starfire asked, "Sleeping is a strange thing to lie about."
Turning, Cyborg frowned at Starfire. All this time on Earth and she could still be clueless about the most obvious thing.
"We haven't done that yet," Robin said.
"You're not lying... I bet you want to, though," Cyborg said, grinning once more.
"Maybe... I'm going to go and help her get her things now," Robin said.
"We will see you in the morning," Starfire said.
"Yeah, Starfire and I are taking turns on who monitors Beast Boy and Terra. I'm going to get Beast Boy into the interrogation room with Terra in a few minutes," Cyborg said.
"Sounds good. See you both tomorrow," Robin said, turning and heading down the hall for Raven's room.
Robin felt what he only could describe as a spark in his mind and the pace of his thoughts seemed to quicken. He assumed it was because he was nearing Raven. It wouldn't have bothered him if there was less on his mind. At that moment, he had been worrying about the team, and figuring out how to follow the only lead he had. The increased pace made him feel overwhelmed and he felt like lying down. Anything, he thought, to get his mind away from his current thoughts. Was this how Raven felt all the time? How does she even function? Maybe you get used to it…
Hearing someone behind him, Robin turned around. It was Starfire. She didn't look happy. Great.
"Robin, could I talk to you for a minute?" Starfire asked.
"Can it wait until tomorrow, Star? I'm pretty tired," Robin said.
"I want to know why you are choosing to go with Raven. You said you would never leave us," Starfire said.
"That was a long time ago, the city was in chaos, and we were needed. Now, the city is under control. I don't need to stay. Besides, we're all getting older, maybe it's time for a change," Robin said.
"But I don't want you to leave…" Starfire said.
"I'm sorry, Starfire, Raven and I need to do what's best for us," Robin said.
"How is she better than me?" Starfire blurted out.
"Stop. Ok? Just stop. You won't change my mind and you won't change hers, so why do you want to talk about this?" Robin said, getting angry.
"I don't want you to leave," Starfire said, stepping closer to him.
"You haven't told me why," he said.
"I want to…try and be a better girlfriend for you," she said.
"That's not…it isn't even…" he started, sighing before he continued, "there are so many things wrong with that, that I wouldn't know where to start explaining."
"Why?" she asked.
"I explained why when we stopped seeing each other before. I don't want to tell you again, it was difficult for me to say," he said.
"Maybe I could try and…" Starfire started.
"No. You just don't get it…. That was always part of the problem and it hasn't changed. I'm sorry, but I'm tired of explaining everything to you…" Robin said.
"Why are you-?" Starfire started again.
"No… I'm done," he said, heading down the hall once more. Behind him, he heard Starfire begin to cry. He stopped walking, wishing he could just force himself to keep going. She was still his friend, he was the leader of-. No. She has upset me more than I've upset her, he thought, do not turn around, I don't need to tell her anything. Regretting his next choice, he turned around and walked back to Starfire.
"I'm sorry, but you wanted to know. Quit crying, Star. Cyborg, Terra, and Beast Boy all need you more than I do. We tried to be together, but it didn't work out. It isn't my fault or yours," Robin said.
"Well, I just thought that one day it would. Since you are leaving, I…" Starfire said, wiping away tears.
As Robin comforted Starfire, he heard Raven's voice echo across his mind: "What's taking you so long?" Robin responded to her in his mind: "Starfire is having a tough time accepting that you and I are leaving together." Raven continued: "Should I…talk to her?" Robin replied: "I don't think that would be a good idea. She'll calm down soon; I'll meet you in a couple minutes." Raven finished: "Don't take too long." Robin turned his full attention to Starfire, who had stopped crying.
"Are you feeling better now?" Robin asked, showing a small smile.
"I think so…" Starfire said.
"Good. I'll see you tomorrow. I need to get some rest, Raven is probably waiting f-," Robin said, cut off as Starfire forced a kiss. Caught by surprise, it took Robin a moment to tear away from Starfire.
"What are you doing?!" Robin asked angrily.
"I just wanted to see if we could work again…I guess I was wrong," Starfire said.
"Yeah, you were," he said.
"Could I talk to Raven?" Starfire asked.
"So you can ask her why she's better to her face? No," he replied.
"That is not why. I want to know how she feels about leaving with you," she said.
"Good night, Starfire," Robin said, heading down the hall. Starfire just stared after him, still upset.
Robin walked quickly until he was just in front of Raven's door. Standing there, he gave himself a few moments to relax. All he had wanted to do was to enjoy the night with Raven. That seemed like a wish, now. The sheer volume of problems seemed to just build upon each other, one after the other, as if in rhythm for his team. It felt as if something was trying to keep him from leaving. Enough, he thought, shaking those thoughts out of his head.
Calming his mind, he opened Raven's door. Her room was empty except for her bed and a small lamp on the floor beside it. He had packed up his own things before he questioned Terra. Everything was already on its way to Gotham, thanks to his old partner, who had called in a cargo plane to airlift everything from the roof of the tower. But he didn't see Raven. Then he noticed light shining through the cracks of her bathroom door. Turning around, he closed the door to her room. From there, he crossed to the bed and sat down. Robin took off his boots, his gloves, his cape, his utility belt, and his mask. Laying them out carefully on a small section of the bed, he was trying not to anticipate, or expect anything. He ran a hand though his hair and sighed, trying to stay as relaxed as he could. The door to the bathroom opened, the light went out, and Raven emerged, without her cloak, still wearing her swim-suit, and using a towel to dry her hair. She looked more alluring in the low light of the lamp as light and shadow conformed to her curves. Raven looked directly in his eyes, her own seeming to glow, but drew in to his.
"Sorry I took longer than I said," Robin said, following her eyes.
"I was starting to think you wanted me to wait…pretty cruel, considering…" Raven said, tossing the towel back into the bathroom.
"Considering?" he asked tauntingly.
"Considering…what I'm wearing, how much I want to show you I'm grateful for what you did for me, and how much I've missed seeing those eyes follow me," she said, taking a couple steps forward, leaving a leg extended.
"Anything else you've missed?" he asked, grinning.
"Maybe," she said, crossing her arms below her chest, "what about you?"
"Raven?" he asked.
"What?"
"I know what we're trying to start…You don't have to push yourself into this."
"…Maybe I want to."
"What if I don't, tonight?"
"Is it something I said, or-?" she started.
"No, you're incredible, I want to… but I'm so focused on what's been going on, I won't enjoy it. I'm not feeling my best… that spell just took it out of me today. I hope you're not mad."
"Mad? No. I'm disappointed, maybe. But I'm worn out too… And now I feel like an idiot," she said.
"Why would you feel like an idiot?"
"Just…What I said and how I tried to get your interest…"
"You're not an idiot, it was working…I'm just exhausted."
"Okay…"
"Sleep, then?"
"Yes. Please," Raven said, heading for her closet.
"What are you doing?" Robin asked.
"I can't sleep in this," she said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Are you tired or not?" she asked, stopping and looking back at him.
"I'm tired, but I'm not dead," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"Just come here."
Raven walked back over to Robin, who stood up as she got within reach. He took her hand and walked around her, so her back was to the bed and they were still facing each other. She searched his eyes, curious as to what he was doing. Letting go of her hand, he motioned for her to place her hands on his sides. He reached up and tugged at his collar. She took the hint and helped pull his shirt off. As he dropped it on the floor, she put her arms around him, sliding her fingers down his spine, and admiring his figure. He put his arms around her waist and moved upwards, finding the tie of her swim suit top.
"I thought you were tired," Raven said, meeting his gaze.
"I am. I figured we could at least touch," Robin said.
"So, we'll sleep like this for tonight?" she asked.
"You can go sleep in the pool room if you have a problem with that," he teased.
"Is that right?" she asked, swiftly running her hand to his neck and pulling him into a kiss. He returned it and felt her starting to lean back, making him bend to follow her. As he followed, she then spun him around so he was where she had been and gently tore out of this kiss, pushing him back on to the bed and climbing on top of him.
"You think you're in control here?" she asked, looking down into his eyes with a small playful grin.
"No. I know I am," he said, grabbing her leg and pulling her off to lie beside him. He twisted around so he was over her, pinning her down.
"All the years of sparring together, you have never gotten out of this position. You can't, no matter how hard you try," he said, almost bragging.
"I never tried to, I liked the view too much…" she said, a small grin on her face.
"Really? You should have told me," he said.
"I didn't think you were interested," she said.
Robin let his eyes leave hers, scanning down from her face to her chest, then to her stomach and then to his legs, just over her waist, finally focusing on her face again. He ran his hand through her hair, which was splayed out on the covers and she turned into his palm, looking back up at him with a small smile.
"I'm almost too interested, now," he said, "I can't imagine all the sleep I'm going to lose."
"You were always a night owl," she said.
"Not like this," he said, smiling down at her.
"Ow, ouch! Could you move your legs? I think you tore one of my stitches," she said.
"Damn, sorry," he said, climbing off of her. He looked at her bandaged side and didn't see any blood or anything.
"No, it's alright," he said.
"It's still sore, I guess your leg irritated it," she said, feeling her side.
"I don't see how we'll be able to do much of anything intimate if just touching your side hurts you like that," he said.
"Well, our positions won't be like that, I doubt it will be a problem," she said.
"What will they be like, then?" he asked.
"No, you're not getting me to have that conversation," she said.
"And why not?" he asked.
"Because it will lead to something more and neither of us has the energy for that tonight," she said.
"I really wish I did," he said, trying not to look at her. Raven turned onto her side facing Robin, propping her head up with her arm, resting it in her palm. With her other hand, she reached across and glided her fingertips across his chest.
"Me too… I'm still surprised you managed to stop yourself," she said.
"You didn't think I could?" he asked.
"Based on how you acted earlier, no," she said.
"Even now, I'm still fighting myself…You're not making it easy," he said, resting one of his hands on her thigh, just above her knee.
"Want me to change?" she asked.
"No. Do you want me to put my shirt back on?" he asked.
"No. Maybe we should just get to sleep," she said.
"Wait…we need to talk about some things first."
"Alright. What is it?"
"Starfire was upset that we lied to them about what we were doing and she's still upset with me for leaving her a couple years ago. She wanted to change my mind so I would stay, I got angry, she started crying, and then she kissed me," he said.
"That's just…Why did…Is everyone insane now but us?" Raven asked, trying to believe what he said.
"No, she was still Star, just upset. I left after she forced me into that kiss," Robin said.
"Is she still mad?" she asked.
"That's what you're asking me? Not: did you kiss her back?" he asked.
"You didn't, I can tell. Even if you did, I could forgive you for it," she said.
"Really? Why?" he asked.
"Since we're going to be with each other for all time, I wouldn't really have a choice, but it wouldn't be quick either," she said.
"Oh, I see. And I don't think Starfire is mad anymore, even if she is, I think she'll get over it," he said.
"I'm not sure she will, but we'll see… So, is there anything else you want to talk about?"
"Yeah. Terra hasn't gotten any better. I spent an hour saying the same thing as many different ways as I could, I even showed her what I said was true, but she still insisted that Beast Boy was dead and you killed him. Cyborg said he would move Beast Boy in with Terra and he would watch them, switching with Starfire every few hours. And he said he found some potential members to replace us. I think he'll be fine," Robin said.
"They'll all be fine, Robin. Even Terra and Beast Boy, whatever messed with their minds can't stay hidden for long," Raven said, "Is there anything else?"
"Just one more thing. About tomorrow…what are you going to wear? My friend can't afford anything jeopardizing his true identity," he said.
"I'm going to wear a long, dark blue dress with…and I can't believe I'm actually going to wear them…heels," she said, frowning.
"Why did you buy them if you didn't want to wear them?" he asked.
"Terra annoyed me into it…" she said.
"You won't have to wear them any further than the door to my friend's place," he said.
"It's still not me, I don't do heels," she said.
"I know. You think I want to wear a suit and tie? It's only temporary," he said.
"Okay…Is that all?" she asked.
"I think so. Is there something you wanted to bring up?" he asked.
"Well, I'm curious about your friend and the place we'll be moving to. Maybe you could actually tell me something about either of those things, since we'll be there in less than a day," she said.
"He wouldn't like it if I did," he said.
"…Unbelievable," she said.
"What?" he asked.
"You still don't trust me."
"No, I trust you, I just don't know if he will."
"If he doesn't trust me and he's letting me move into his place with you to help him watch over Gotham, then he isn't very intelligent," she said, frowning.
"Hmm. Good point. Ok, I'll tell you. We are going to be helping my mentor, Batman, keep Gotham safe. He is actually Bruce Wayne, and we will be staying in Wayne Manor," he said.
"So, you worked with him before you met us?"
"Yes."
"Now I see why you're obsessing over our appearances. I don't know why you insisted on keeping all of this from me, I would never tell anyone, you should know that. "
"I'm sorry, I lived under his rules of secrecy for a long time and I still am, really, so I'm not always sure what I can tell who."
"Moving back isn't going to help change that is it?"
"Probably not. I thought about that too, but we need to move on from this, and that is at least a step in the right direction."
"That's true enough. So, how much privacy will we have?"
"As much as we want, really. It will only be you, me, Bruce, and his butler. We'll have our own rooms, too. Oh, and they're soundproofed," he said, grinning at her.
"Very…good to know," she said, grinning back.
"Did you have any more questions?" he asked.
"Just one: Are you ready to sleep, yet?" she asked.
"Yes and no," he said, gliding his hand along her thigh.
"Knock it off, that isn't helping me want to sleep either," she said.
"Can't help it. I don't really want to help it, either," he said, shifting to lie on his side facing her.
"I guess I have to help you," she said, grunting as she rose and walked over to the head of the bed. Raven lifted the covers and slid into bed, resting her head on her pillow and motioned for Robin to join her. He crawled over and slid into the spot beside her, sharing her pillow.
"Now, get some sleep," Raven said.
"As tired as I am, I'm still not sure I can," Robin said.
"Just…control it, will you? I know it isn't easy," she said.
"I don't mean that. I'm worried about Terra and Beast Boy. They didn't go insane at the same time, they aren't acting insane in a similar way…at least not that I can see. Do you think it's possible that nothing is responsible for this?" he asked.
"Hmm. Of course it's possible, it just doesn't seem likely. It would mean that this is the first time that something happened to us that we caused ourselves. As on edge, or as paranoid as we may or may not be without any criminals to fight, I seriously doubt we would be crazy enough to turn on each other," she said.
"That's what I thought, but… We would have heard from the criminal behind it by now. In the past, no matter who attacked us, they would: gloat or threaten us with worse attacks. This time: nothing," he said.
"I know what you mean…And if they could make us go insane, why not make us just kill ourselves instead of pitting us against each other? It would only make sense if they wanted to…show us something, we need to follow that symbol," she said.
"What would they need to show us this for? Maybe it doesn't end with Terra and Beast Boy?"
"When they went insane is interesting, too… Damn it, why can't you just let this wait until morning? I need to sleep," Raven said, frustrated.
"Usually, I don't sleep when there's a criminal still at large," Robin said.
"Oh, you get an hour or two here and there, passing out while you're looking over the records…" she said.
"…How do you know that?" he asked.
"Coffee cups you leave on your desk generally don't refill themselves… and files don't fly back to where you grabbed them from, either. Oh, and blankets can't walk over to you…" she said.
"You stayed up and watched me?"
"No, but I checked in on you at least once during each of those nights."
"And you did all of that for me? How come you never said anything?"
"I thought you figured it out after I did it for a week, because afterwards you started meeting me on the roof in the mornings. You brought me tea too; I assumed you were doing that to thank me…"
"Oh…I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to how much coffee I had been drinking and…everything, I guess I was too focused on the case."
"Yeah, you were…I'm a little worried that at some point you'll get so absorbed in finding a criminal, you'll forget I'm here. It has happened before…" she said, frowning.
"That was a hard case and lives were at risk, I just needed to-," he started.
"Do everything yourself and abandon me?" she asked, still frowning.
"It wasn't like that, Raven, I didn't think you were in as much danger as the city was," he said.
"My mind was practically taken from me, if I hadn't managed to fight off the corruption, the world would have been ended by my father's rebirth. I was in constant agonizing pain and you ran off to help the others deal with a…hole…in the ground," she said.
"How was I supposed to know it was a trick to distract us from your problem? A gaping pit swallowed part of the city…" he said.
"How were-? I told you before you left!" she said angrily.
"We've been over this, I'm sorry I didn't trust you then. You were unpredictable… I should have handled it better, you're right…" he said.
Turning to lay on her back, Raven looked up towards the ceiling, avoiding Robin's gaze. She should be asleep, or she should be exploring him, not fighting with him. The longer she stayed awake, the more she became aware of her over-taxed mind. If she didn't get to sleep soon, her powers would suffer the following day, maybe more. The effects of Shadow's spell demanded that they both get sufficient rest that night.
"Raven," Robin said, reaching across and touching her cheek, "I couldn't have chosen a better second-in-command than you… to help lead, challenge me, and support me. No one else has cared about me like this, or made me feel the way you do, or helped me like you have…I've led this team through so much, and I couldn't have done it without you. Even though I saved you today, I'm the one who owes you."
"…Do you mean that?" Raven asked, looking back at him.
"Yes, I do," he said, smiling at her.
"Um…I know it's late and we're tired, I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I have something to show you," she said, returning a small smile.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Since our link is stronger, we can feel what the other feels on top of what we already feel. So, focus your mind on mine, I will focus on yours," she said, turning her body to face his once more.
Doing as Raven said, Robin focused on her mind, and connected to her emotions. When she connected to his, they both felt a rush of heightened awareness and sensitivity.
"Wow…This is amazing," he said.
"Just wait…I haven't shown you what I wanted to yet," she said.
"So, what is it?" he asked.
As Robin finished speaking, Raven met his lips with her own. He felt sweeping waves of euphoria pound into his mind from two different sources: Raven and his own mind. She reached her arm around his neck, almost clinging to him, and he put his arm around her back, digging his fingers into her skin. It was almost too intense to keep control and he was enjoying every second. She took his lower lip in both of hers and lightly bit. This added to the intensity and he dug his fingers deeper into the skin of her back, sliding down ward. He broke from her bite and bit her back on her upper lip. She entwined her legs with his and almost tore into his neck with her fingernails as the euphoria intensified. Raven kissed him once more before breaking away, a small devious smile playing on her face.
"That… was incredible. Can that technique work with other things?" he asked.
"Yes it can," she said.
"Like what?" he asked, a small grin on his face.
"Hmm…Well, yes, it can work for what you're thinking about... It can also work during combat, giving us an edge over opponents. We can use it in high-energy situations, mainly. Unfortunately, it drains my power faster," she said.
"Think of all the potential attack patterns we could come up with using this," he said, excitedly.
"New attack patterns? You're more excited about that?" she asked.
"No, I'm just trying to ignore thinking about what I don't have the energy for," he said.
"It isn't working."
"You're one to talk."
"…Shut up."
"Hmmm. Now I know what you want…"
"Don't even. I will hurt you…"
"You wouldn't, you need me at my best, so you can't injure me. So, what should I do?"
"Stop. It."
"That picture of us back in your mind yet?" he asked, inching closer to her.
"Yes, and it looks like someone edited your head out of it," she threatened.
"What will you do if I do this?" he asked, gliding his hand to the tie of her swim suit top and pretended to start undoing it.
"Disembowel you with your own head... Robin, I mean it, if we don't rest, we could have some additional side effects from the spell to deal with. If you're alright with waking nightmares, keep untying…" Raven said.
"Waking nightmares?" he asked.
"You will dream while you are awake…and you won't be able to tell what you're dreaming and what you're actually seeing. Or you will, and it will be very…unsettling," she said.
"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" he asked.
"I didn't think we would be up long enough for it to become an issue," she said.
"Alright, we'll sleep," he said.
"Good."
"No matter what happens to us after we leave tomorrow, I want you to know I wouldn't have left with anyone else. Before, I thought that as a team, the Titans would either all go our separate ways, or leave one at a time as new members joined to fill our spots. I'm glad you'll be with me," he said, smiling.
"Robin, that's…sweet… I love you so much," she said, smiling back. She moved her head from the pillow to lie on his chest as she had the night before.
"I love you too, Raven," he said, putting his arm around her.
It wasn't long before Robin fell asleep, as tired as he sounded, Raven wasn't surprised. She was nervous about the following day, as she hadn't a clue what to expect from Robin's mentor. It sounded like they had been close; maybe Robin developed some of his mentor's personality as well. Gotham was notorious for its crime, that she knew, and it would only mean more dire situations than they were used to dealing with in Jump City. It made her more anxious about leaving, she wasn't sure if she would be able to handle everything. 'Things change,' she thought, gliding her hand softly across Robin's chest, while adjusting her position under his arm. All it took was a small push, and they had chosen to leave. How easy it had been to just decide to leave bothered her, it seemed like it should have taken more convincing from her to get Robin to agree with her. Maybe he had been as miserable as she was with no criminal activity to monitor, but just hid it better. Stopping herself, Raven focused instead on sleep. They were leaving, that was all there was to it.
(It makes me sad that I have to say this, but, the next chapter won't be up for 2-3 weeks this time. I want to write this story, I really do, but I also want a degree. The next chapter is called 'Outros and Intros' and it will be up either 2 or 3 weeks from now, I promise it won't be later than that. Maybe you could write something for me, in the meantime? Another review, maybe? I like reading about how you like or don't like this story as much as you like or don't like reading it...hopefully. :) ~RavensMind~)