Here's chapter nine. I hope you enjoy.
It didn't bother him.
Nope. Raven lying didn't bother him at all. That's why he was sitting on the common room floor, staring at the big screen while he pounded into his game controller. He didn't have the sudden need to go and find her weasel out why she lied and why her lying was giving him mix feelings. He wasn't going to even think of how his feet were bouncing so hard with the need to chase after her. No, he just needed to keep his attention on the video game. That's it. Just focus on the video game.
"Changeling, we need the screen to call Bee."
Of course his plans would be ruined.
"Yea, uh, sure thing. I'm done with the game anyway."
He tossed the game controller away and strolled pass Aqualad and Nightwing as they changed the screen and began calling the East Tower. He could faintly hear Bee's hyper yet serious greeting while the three Titans went over mission reports as he walked out of the common room. He was really determined to head back to his room from there. Really, he had it all planned out. He would go to his room, chillax, eat some snacks, and maybe read a comic book or two. Yea, that was plan.
So how he ended up in front of Raven's door, he had no idea except maybe the Beast had something to do about it. And once he realized where he was, he had all plans to just turn away and just do as he had originally planned. He was in full control until he caught that damn scent that made the Beast awaken.
Why the fuck was Arsenal standing in front of Raven's door?
"Oh hey Changeling."
'What the fuck is he doing here?'
He almost let that little snippet of the Beast slip out but he wasn't able to hold back a growl.
"You okay there Changeling?"
"Ah," Changeling coughed a bit as he began internally beating the Beast back down. He didn't need any more growls coming out and was trying to keep the Beast from getting out and shredding off one of Arsenal's arms.
"Yea dude. Never better. Just had something in my throat."
"Mmh."
And for some reason, Arsenal's hummed response made him feel uneasy. Sure, he could read the guy when they were all out having fun and quality Titans time. Arsenal was a bundle of cool fun who enjoyed pranking just as much as he and Cyborg. Changeling knew he could get along with a fellow pranker.
There was just something off about Arsenal whenever he got serious. It was like the guy could switch from a partying Cyborg to a Slade obsessive Nightwing in a matter of seconds and somewhere in between the switch, Changeling would feel as though he was facing a completely different person. It wasn't like Changeling didn't know how to handle a serious nature. Living with Nightwing taught him a thing or two with dealing with excessive seriousness. There was just something different with Arsenal's seriousness that was actually unnerving. Then again, he could just fault that on not being use to Arsenal's somber characteristic since most of the time it was the pranking, fun-loving arrow shooter that he dealt with.
Besides, Arsenal had no reason to be solemn with him. Changeling was sure he hadn't pranked him yet.
"So, why are you just leaning outside of Raven's door? I'm not gonna lie, that's actually borderline creepy."
Arsenal gave him a grave look that, for some reason, really made the Beast stand and emit a low and irate growl. But then Arsenal smiled and it was as the dreaded feeling that Changeling felt earlier was gone. The Beast was unfazed but Changeling was so confused.
"I'm waiting for Star so I can flirt with her a little more and ruffle Nightwing's feathers before I leave."
Well, that didn't seem so bad. It had nothing to do with Raven so the Beast really should shut up with all of its growling.
"Also, I figured I should go over a few mission details with Rae before we set out."
"Why?" God, why did he ask that so fast? "Uh, I mean, I thought you already went over enough of the mission in the common room. So, you know, this should be kinda pointless."
"But it's not." Arsenal shrugged his shoulders in a lazy manner as he continued. "Since you guys just need to know the facts and Raven's the one actually going on the mission with me, she should get the intimate detailing of what we are about to head into."
Maybe it was the lazy way that Arsenal answered him as if it really wasn't any of his business, or maybe it was the fact that he wanted to give Raven intimate details, but he could feel his anger tick. He really wanted to put Arsenal in his place, show him that he could easily overpower him. All he had to do was step closer as his claws lengthened and he could easily swipe at the arrow shooter's jugular vein. Arsenal was seriously underestimating him.
"Arsenal, Changeling, is there any reason why you two are loitering outside of my door?"
Raven's unexpected appearance shocked Changeling and he eeped as he turned to face her standing in her door. She raised an unamused brow at him and he chuckled in response.
"Sorry Rae. You scared me there." But he was more concerned with the fact that his mind was still whipping with such violent thoughts.
'Dude, I'm going to need you to stop feeding me these dark thoughts about hurting Arsenal. It's getting ridiculous.'
'But I'm not the one giving you those murderous thoughts. Delightful as they were, you know my attacks would have a little more blood.'
Well, he seriously doubted that because he had no reason to be enraged with Arsenal.
"Neither of you answered my question."
Right. Raven was still standing in her doorway, her arms crossed under her cloak as she was back in her uniform. She was giving him and Arsenal a somewhat impatient look but while she only spared him a slight glance, she had her eyes locked on the arrow shooter who was smirking back at her. He didn't have time to form a thought to that as Starfire appeared from behind Raven.
"Raven, I have finished in the helping of your packing and I will be taking my leave now. Please, do be safe."
She flew out of the room and giggled at Changeling before she was stopped by Arsenal as he began flirting with her.
"I'm going to assume you are in front of my door for a reason Changeling. If you have something to say, I advise you get it out before I close the door in your face."
He turned away from the Arsenal and Starfire scene to the waiting sorceress.
"So, uh, you finish packing?" What a way to start a conversation.
"I'm glad your keen hearing was able to pick that up."
He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't know what he wanted to talk to her about. Actually, he did. Her lie was playing through his head. This was the perfect opportunity to bring it up. All he had to do was figure out how to smoothly bring it up in a conversation.
"So, about earlier with Cyborg when, you know," he realized they still had their two companions in the hall with them so he leaned in closer to Raven and whispered, "you lied to him."
"What a smooth transition you did there." Raven snorted as she pulled back from him but he moved even closer to her because he could've sworn that snort sounded like…
"Did you just laug-"
"No, Changeling. I didn't lie to Cyborg."
He scratched the back of his head at this, clearly confused. "Actually, you kinda did when you told Cyborg we had a good time."
"No, I didn't. I told him nothing but the truth. You showed up late, we got in an argument, and I had a fine evening as I waited for you. I might have left a few detail out like we never spent any time together, but like I said earlier, I had a fine time during my four hour wait." She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear as she added, "I'm not going to allow myself to get bored in the middle of a bookstore."
"But it sounded like a lie."
"I said it the way I did because I knew Cyborg would take it the way you did: like everything went well."
And it didn't seem like she was going to explain either unless he asked, "Why?"
"Because I know Cyborg, and I know you." She paused for a bit and took a deep breath before she continued.
"I know that if I left with Cyborg knowing you stood me up, not only would it make Cyborg hold a grudge on you until I came back and showed that I wasn't angry at you anymore, but it would also plague your mind that your best friend was angry at you. You would spend most of your time focusing on trying to make him stop being disappointed in you. Not only that, but you would also be worried about Nightwing's and Starfire knowing as well and also being disappointed and maybe judging you. Your performance would start lacking and you'd be a liability to the team."
That…was a lot. Then there was the fact that it seemed as if she was reading him like one of her books. It was like she had his character down and it made his heart squeeze.
"You forgot the fact that I would be worried about how you think of me too." He could always count on his quick responses when he was shocked speechless. Raven's face seemed to soften and he felt this was the right time to really say what he was struggling to get out.
"Raven," he reached out and touched her crossed arms. They fell away from their harsh fold and he was lightly gripping her elbows.
"Raven, I am so sorry and I know I said that before, and I meant it before too, but this is different." He allowed his hands to slide down her arm until he was holding onto her fingertips. "I hurt you, Rae and I know you're angry at me and I don't want you to leave angry with me."
"I'm not angry Changeling. I'm just disappointed and I'm tired of getting hurt. If you'll excuse me, I have to make sure Starfire didn't add any surprises in my bag."
She pulled the rest of her hands away from him and he felt his body freeze. A dark feeling crawled up and through his body and he knew he had lost control. His body gave an uncontrolled jerk and the next thing he knew, his arms wrapped around her as his face rested against the side of her neck. He felt himself take a deep breath, memorizing her scent and his grip tightened.
He wanted to panic. Not only was he hugging Raven against her will, but the Beast had full control of his body. He didn't know what to expect. There was so much that the Beast could do and he wasn't sure how long it would hold onto its control this time. He wanted to yell and shout as he struggled for control, but then the Beast spoke and it wasn't to him.
"Please…" the Beast paused in its pleading, trying to come up with the right words with what few minutes it was going to allow itself freedom. "Please, just be safe…while you're gone." Its grip tightened around her more and for a moment, she just stood there with her arms up more in shock than as a response. The Beast snuggled the changeling's face even closer to her neck and it waited for her response. Changeling was sure the Beast would have stayed like that for a while until Raven finally responded to it. It was a good thing it didn't have to wait long.
Raven returned the hug. It was hesitant but for some reason it was still so warm and he felt a rumble of a purr in the back of his throat. He wasn't sure if it was from the Beast or himself but it didn't matter. Her small hug sent a warmth that seemed to push at the Beast's cold as it worked its way through his body. It didn't seem as if the Beast was going to put up a fight as its control was released and soon Changeling found himself really feeling the fullness of the hug. She smelled so good and she felt so nice. He wanted nothing more than to bask in her essence of what made her…her.
But it was as if she felt the gradual shift between him and the Beast and she pulled away from him, leaving his arms up as if he was still awaiting a hug.
"Good night, Changeling."
"Yea, uh…" he let his arms fall and he could feel his ears droop, "good night Rae."
He watched her turn away and he turned himself to head back to his room.
"Hey Raven."
As Arsenal called out to her, Changeling felt his own body stop and stiffen as his ears stood up, alert. He heard Raven's feet stop as Arsenal's heavier steps made their way to her
"Since Starfire left, I can assume you want to speak with me now."
He heard the arrow shooter let out a deep chuckle before he replied to her, "You know me so well. I actually wanted to talk more about the mission before we left in the morning."
"I suppose it would be better that I don't go in completely blind." He heard as her door closed and their footsteps walked away in the opposite direction and for some reason…
He felt so lost.
So, that's chapter nine. I haven't even started on chapter ten or eleven, but chapter twelve/thirteen is already read and I can't wait to post it. I hope you enjoyed this so far.