Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans
The next morning was tense. Besides the sun shining clearly in the clear blue sky, and the nice, moist breeze telling them the earth was wakening from harsh rain; or the birds spreading their wings gloriously and gliding into the horizon with freedom glowing inside of them; and the dirt soft and comforting on the ground; or the leaves breathing in as much oxygen as they could handle….
It was still tense.
As soon as Beastboy walked into the main room, yawning and smiling…he saw Raven. He soon realized that they were the only two awake since it was so early in the morning…or at least, eh thought so. Her back was turned to him, but her hood was down so you could see her short violet hair in the back. She seemed to be reading since he heard an airy noise every time she lifted her hand to turn a page. She was obviously drinking tea since he could smell the mild mint and chamomile wafting towards his noise; the steam rising and dissipating in the air.
He didn't know it, but Raven knew he was in the room although he had been pretty quiet. His presence was enormous but she didn't turn around and acknowledge him. This book was really entrancing at the moment.
Then Beastboy took a deep breath and walked towards her confidently; hoping his teeth were as white like he knew they were a few minutes ago. "Hey Rae," he said, going to the other side of the counter and leaning across it so she could hear him better.
Raven looked up and met his gaze menacingly. "Don't call me Rae," she snapped, one violet eye twitching dangerously.
Beastboy shivered and put an elbow on the counter now, resting his green cheek on his hand while he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes slyly. "Want some breakfast?" he asked. "I'm about to make some tofu…"
"No," she said coldly; not even having the decency too look him in the eye while saying this. "Please respect that I eat mean; not soy curd," she spit out the last part while her eyes narrowed; she slammed the book shut and dust rose in the air getting him the eyes.
Beastboy wiped his eyes and coughed a little while his heart dropped. Slightly. What could he do to get Raven to notice him more? At this rate, that would never happen.
"Whatever," he mumbled, turning away and walking over to the stovetop with a scowl prominent on his features.
Raven's eyes took a sad glint but she ignored the feeling, and opened the book again; she didn't want to see his short, lean figure tensed while she felt those common emotions flowing from his again-anger, frustration and slight confusion. It was too much.
"Glorious morning to behold friends," a sweet voice said, causing Beastboy to turn around as well as Raven. There was Starfire about a foot off the ground with a smile on her face, and her hands clasped in front of her. Her red hair was down her back in its natural state; not even bothered to be straightened this morning. Lose curls framed her face and body alluringly and Beastboy blinked.
"Mornin' Star," he called with a big grin taking over his face.
"Good morning friend!" she said exuberantly, while flying over to them happily and sitting next to Raven. Raven nodded to her then sipped some tea returning to her book. Starfire was basically like the sun; emanating and radiating heat all the time.
"So," Beastboy said his gaze on Starfire although it constantly flickered to the lovely empath. "Want some-"
"Time to go ya'll!" boomed Cyborg as he walked into the room, covered with Grease and showered with dirt. He was holding a small hand towel that was greasy as well. He wiped a smudge of grime from under his real eye and blinked a few times. He saw all his friends except Robin….where was he and what was he doing?
"Where's Robin" he asked, walking towards them and setting the towel on the counter; anticipating an answer.
"Still in his room," Raven said with a shrug. "Why don't you go check if he's OK? It's nearing ten a.m. and he usually gets up before then."
"No!" Robin yelled, sitting up abruptly in his bed. His ebony hair was damp and lying flat against his face which was sticky and warm from sweat. The mask was on but lopsided and his breath was crackly. He couldn't seem to get that lump out of his throat. Then he brought a clammy finger to his temple and he felt it pulse wildly and dangerously. There was something real unordinary about that dream. How gory and scary, yet real it was….It was playing off the last one he had the night before. It started and ended like this…
There was Robin, as a little boy curled in a little ball as fat, big tears rolled down his plump cheeks. His once, slicked back hair, was covering his face as a halo. One black strand of hair falling over his forehead was curling adorably at the end. His long black eyelashes were moist and crusty while his blue eyes were glazed over. Soft, pink lips were trembling and he wiped his nose at some of the mucous escaping his nostrils. He brought his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them as if they were the only comfort he had left.
As a cool breeze washed over him he took his cape and wrapped it around his shoulders. But when he saw a black boot come right next to his silver one he stopped blubbering and looked up; scared to death. He just escaped his parent's murderer after all…But there in front of him was Batman. Outside of the circus tent? But how? Why?
Not after this…
The happy yellow and pink fabric of the tent blew wildly but Batman still looked dark; even when he was outlined by those bright colors. His black cape whipping in the wind torturously; battered up and almost to shreds; the golden belt around his waist glinting, and sparkling as the moon sent its bewitching gaze. His strong chest was rising up and down softly, but still rock hard. And the blades on the side of his triceps were scraped up.
But his gaze?
Robin could barely see the blue eyes softening as Batman looked at the small boy with sympathy and empathy. His mouth was twitching as if trying to pack away a smile; and his chin was high in the air-arrogant, yet strong-willed.
Then Robin looked up, his beautiful eyes no longer tearing or glazed but now…alight and full with hop with this new promised future. Then he took Batman's hand.
...
...
...
"Hey, I'm Barbara," a girl said smiling at him prettily. With her short-bobbed auburn hair, porcelain skin and deep green eyes she was a pure beauty.
"Hi," he said grumpily. 'This is just great,' he thought.
...
...
...
"Now, we're the teen titans," Robin said, grinning widely at all of his newfound friends, and soon to be family. He didn't see them as a half-demon, Cyborg, alien, and a green teenager. He saw them as individuals.
They all looked at their communicators except one of them. When he raised his gaze there was Starfire looking at him. Hands behind her back, her green orbs sparkling and, and her scarlet hair around her body like an endless flame. Their gaze continued on and he smiled warmly at her, cursing himself inwardly. She blushed a little and turned her gaze away, beginning to talk to Cyborg about something.
He thanked himself and the mask for a moment for two things. One, that he wouldn't be caught staring at her because he wore the mask. And two because every time she looked at him; she looked at his soul.
There was a dark aura. Thick, dense and damp; it seemed that it could never go away. He seemed blind; he could see but not comprehend. There were his enemies and past right in front of him. The Joker with his milk-white face, wavy green hair, crazy eyes and a blood-red smile that never seemed to end. Carrying a dagger and laughing crazily, you could see the salty blood lay on his awaiting tongue. There were countless villains but two stood out to him at the moment. There was Slade. Half of his body in the dark while an eye stared critically and amusingly at him.
Taunting Robin to get closer.
But the other enemy….
Was himself.
His mask was off, showing clear, blue eyes and a handsome face with spiky black hair. Him without masking all his ideas and true feelings. But then, all the images disappeared and there were his friends.
Best friends.
Family.
Beastboy was on the ground; his body jerking dangerously while his outfit was ripped and blood was underneath him. His pinky was curled around Raven's. She had no speck of blood or cuts on her pale body. But her eyes were opening in shock and pain as if she were paralyzed in place. Cyborg was standing and his fake eye was dead; no red ray of light showing anymore. The light around his body were growing faint and he dare not take a step if all his energy were to file out immediately. But Starfire….Her outfit was in shreds, barely covering the vital places. An invisible force seemed to be clawing at her because a fresh new cut appeared at her body and she yelled out in pain. Robin tried to get them but he couldn't. All he could do was watch…
"Robin! Man, dude…are you OK?" a male voice called out, making Robin look up and fix his mask quickly but carefully. All Robin could see now was a blur of blue, silver, and brown. Then Robin got up and dodged Cyborg.
"What is it?" Robin asked, sliding his titanium boots on.
"We're ready to go," Cyborg informed, raising an eyebrow as Robin waddled to get his spandex up his muscular, yet slim legs. Then he crossed his arms and asked,
"Robin, is something up? You seem more distracted nowadays?"
"I'm fine," Robin answered dismissively. He grabbed some hair gel, and twisted the cap off cursing as it pinched him. Then he messily made up his bed, some covers spilling on the floor. As he spiked up his hair Cyborg shook his head and walked out the room with a slight chuckle.
-0-0-0-
"OK, everyone," Cyborg said; a small microphone by his mouth so everyone could hear him. "We're almost there. We have about twenty minutes left."
Then he pressed a button and the communication ended. In a few minutes they could see the tower so similar to theirs. It was a little misty though, since they were in the clouds. As they parked and got out of the vehicle Cyborg smiled. They were on the platform leading to the tower and a wide broad ocean; surrounding them.
As they headed towards the door Starfire smiled and said, "It's glorious that we get to see our friends again!"
"Yeah," Raven said dryly.