So sorry for the long wait guys, but here's chapter 17! I hope you enjoy it
Tap tap tap
That was the only sound that bounced around the silence of the common room: Bumblebee typing away at the main computer and some little sounds she made as she read off a piece of paper. That and the sound of Nightwing grinding his teeth together. Each grind made Changeling pull his ears back more and more. These last few days haven't been good for Nightwing. It seemed like he was running off pure anger, guilt and disappointment. The guy was a ticking time bomb.
It didn't help that Bumblebee ignored his last question.
"Bee, I asked a question."
"I heard you. I also received very strict instructions from Raven, and to be honest, I'm more afraid of her glare then yours."
Changeling could see and practically hear that one vein of Nightwing's that throbs whenever he was frustrated and on the edge. It was actually pulsating. Changeling pulled his ears back, waiting for the imploding, when he felt Starfire rise from her seat and float to her boyfriend.
He watched as she placed her hands on Nightwing's shoulders, first the left and then the right. It took a minute, but Nightwing turned his attention away from the East leader and focused it on the girl in front of him.
And they just stared.
It was so intense and yet it looked so comforting. She placed her hands on the back of his neck, and finally it seemed as if some tension left Nightwing as he placed his forehead on hers and, for the first time in days, he finally smiled. There was whispering, he could tell that, but God! The look in their eyes had him feeling uncomfortable; like he was invading in on something private.
He quickly turned away and looked back to Bee.
The main screen lit up with a picture of their orange T-ship, before a square blinked around Raven's pod and its picture was enhanced as the rest of the ship disappeared.
"Dude! How were you able to get pass my security?"
Bumblebee barked a laugh as she replied, "It wasn't that hard. I might not be a tech wiz like you, but I know my way around a computer or two. Plus, you used the same password for both Towers, so that only made it easier." There were a few more clicks and taps as she typed in a set of coordinates before she clicked 'ENTER' and grinned at the computer.
"And done."
They all watched as a screen pulled up showing a live viewing of Raven's pod lifting out of the water and heading off to some unknown location.
Well, all except Cyborg who seemed to be sulking in a corner.
"First Starfire destroys the game system, then Bee comes, probably typed the word hack and bypassed my whole security. What is this, pick on Cyborg day?"
Bumblebee chuckled and Changeling watched as she fluttered over to his mopey best friend.
Now seemed like a good time to use his senses. He focused on his hearing and his ears perked up, both picking up and blocking the sounds of everybody else except for Bee and Cyborg. For the most part, their conversation seemed innocent.
"Come on Big Guy. Where's that smile I love?"
Then Bumblebee laughed and Changeling heard her add, in a lower voice, "You're cute when you pout."
"Better not let Jinx hear you flirting with me like that."
"You know she loves it when I flirt with you. Just as much as I love it when she punishes me."
"You know, Imma have to tell her what you said."
"Make sure you're there this time. I love her, but we miss you, and you've been absent to the last few."
"I'll be there."
"Good. Cause it's your turn to be tied up."
Changeling immediately turned his ears off and tried to look anywhere but that corner. He could practically feel the heat coming off his cheeks. What did he just hear? How long has that been going on?
'A few months.'
'How do you even know that!'
'He's been covered in their combine smells for a while now. You not noticing is just another sign of your slacking.'
And now he couldn't get the thought of those three out of his head. He really needed a distraction because the mental images were starting to get explicit.
Something.
ANYTHING!
"Bee, where exactly did you send Raven's pod?"
Thank you Nightwing for being overbearingly snoopy.
The sound of Bee's wings fluttering passed Changeling's ears as she made her way beside Nightwing.
"I'm not sure. I just punched in the coordinates that Raven told me. Why?"
"Because they are about five hundred miles away from where they were last."
Bumblebee visibly paused at that before her and Nightwing shared a look and she lowered her voice.
"You don't think-"
Before he could hear anymore, his arm was grabbed and he was pulled away by the very strong princess.
"Friend Changeling, you simply must join me in the kitchen! We have much to discuss."
She pulled him to one side of the counter as she took up the other with a giant smile on her face. She leaned forward and practically wiggled her eyebrows as she asked, "So, how was your trip for the perfect gift?"
He turned and looked back at the two leaders before sighing and placing a small bag on the counter. Starfire eagerly dug into the bag and pulled out the bag of tea.
"Friend Changeling, what is this tea?"
"I, uh, I actually don't know."
Starfire gave him a look and he felt himself rubbing the back of his neck.
"The smell attracted me. It reminded me of her. I don't know if she drinks this, but I really hope she likes it."
Then there was a pause.
An uncomfortable pause.
Her stare had him shifting in his seat.
Could she not see he was already apprehensive?
"Dear Changeling, is that the all? While I do agree this is a great gift, it is not what I had intended, unless you are wanting to do the slow courtship."
Oh.
"Well," he was slower and more cautious as he lifted the second, bigger bag that he kept closed to his person. He sat the bag on the on the counter in-between them, right beside the second bag. It happened so fast, he didn't catch himself. Starfire's hands shot out for the bag and he caught her wrists, the slightest of growls barely contained.
Starfire gave him an inquisitive look and he could feel his blush growing.
"Uh…" he cleared his throat and gave her a sheepish smile before starting again. He hadn't let go of her yet.
"Sorry Star. It's just that, um, it's really important and like super fragile, and I don't want you breaking it. Not that I think you'll break it! I mean, at least not on purpose." He paused, his eyes widen as he looked her in the eyes, then he groaned, "Why did I say that last part?"
Starfire giggled.
"You did not do the offending, Friend. I understand. I promise to be the most careful, that is, if you would do the releasing of my wrists."
His hands shot back, letting her go.
"I am so sorry, Star," but she waved him off, her attention being more toward what was in the bag she was reaching.
He watched as she pulled out the four teacups, one at a time, before carefully pulling out the teapot. For the first time, he couldn't read her facial expression.
"Changeling."
"…Yeah?"
"This is perfect!"
His ears perked up at that. "Yeah?"
"Oh yes! Friend Raven broke her last teapot during one of our girl sessions." She giggled and leaned closer to him. "We were talking about something that makes her blush, which brings me most delight."
He leaned in a little closer as he asked, "What's that?"
"You."
He was sure that if he was Raven, he would have leveled the whole building.
"Your blush is just as endearing as Friend Ravens. I'm sure that when you give her your gift, you shall get to see hers too."
He opened his mouth to respond, and then stopped. He sniffed the air. Pizza. Pizza and the scent of the twins and Aqualad filled his senses. He wasn't sure when they had left, but it must have been a while ago for this pizza smelled fresh.
Just how much time has pass?
As he sniffed one way, his body tensed up before he released it with a shiver.
What was that?
The doors opened and in zoomed Mas y Menos. They circled around the living room a few times before coming back to the counter and sitting down three boxes of pizza. They began speaking rapidly in Spanish, to which the also arriving Aqualad responded, Starfire inquired, and the rest of the titans came over to join them and the newly acquired food.
All which seem to go right past Changeling as a shiver ran through him again.
Where was that coming from? He turned his attention to the door leading to the hallway and he felt that shiver again.
"…And we even made sure to get an all cheese pizza for our vegan friend."
"Vegetarian," he absentmindedly corrected Aqualad.
He heard a 'What' from somebody, he wasn't sure, but it was probably Bumblebee since the only other woman in the room was Starfire and of their many years together, he knew it wasn't her. He turned to look at his friends, not really giving his full attention but enough to see that they were looking at him funny.
Like they could tell something was up.
"Um, vegans don't eat anything from animals, not even cheese or milk. I just don't eat meat, but I don't know if I could live without pizza."
Aqualad nodded his head. "I understand. I don't eat sea creatures. I know half of them personally. How would I explain it to their parents?"
Everybody laughed, and Changeling started to chuckle when that damn shiver ripped through him again and he felt all his animal senses heighten. He stood and made a beeline for the hallway door, barely hearing the calls of his friends. He ran down the hall and up the stairs until he made it to the last step and he threw open the door to the roof. He wasn't sure what he was looking for or why he was called to the roof, but when he tried to turn back around, every instinct in him kept yelling the same thing that he didn't understand what was being said until the Beast's clear voice rang out:
'Wait.'
So he stood there.
And he didn't move.
Then he watched as a black portal opened in front of his eyes and his excitement built.
The tip of Raven's pod slowly began making its way through the portal, surrounded by Raven's magic. Next a long leg walked through, followed by the other.
And his body tensed up with anticipation.
The rest of her ship came out but it wasn't until all of her came through and the portal closed behind her that his body reacted. He took off and headed straight for her. Maybe it was because she was too focused on controlling her pod, or maybe she just didn't hear him, but he had made it relatively close to her before her instincts kicked in and she had her other hand up and facing him.
But it was too late.
He made it to her and took her in his arms. He pulled her closer to him and he felt himself take a deep breath, as if to confirm it was actually her.
He wasn't in full control of his body.
She faltered and the pod swayed a bit, but she quickly gained control.
As his body pulled back and took a good look at her, he could feel the Beast taking over more and more. Raven's body relaxed as she looked him in the eyes. So many emotions swam through hers. His heart began to beat faster. This was new, and yet so familiar as if it happened every time he looked into her eyes and he was just now realizing this.
'Welcome back.'
He felt as his body leaned forward and kissed her and for once, he was glad the Beast took full control of him.
And that is Chapter 17! I really hope you enjoyed this. Please review. I would love to know your thoughts