Chapter 19

Okay, so a lot has happened in the last 3 hours.

First, Raven returned. Out of everything on his list, he would say that that was the only promising thing.

Second, he had lost control of his body. It wasn't just a headache from the Beast's constant rambling about him not using his full potential. It was a full body control. That scared him shitless. He probably should've looked into it more when the Beast took over his arm back at the cafe. He'd placed that concern on the back burner because he didn't think it was important. Also, he was trying to get on Raven's good grace. Now, it was extremely important. The word 'yet' kept whispering in his ear and every time it made his heart race. The only thing that placated that was the fact that the Beast was oddly quiet.

Too quiet.

That unnerved him even more then he wished. No grumbling, growling or even soft breathing like it was sleeping.

Nothing.

Noda.

Just emptiness.

He didn't like that.

Worst of all, he didn't know who to talk to about that. Who he'd liked to talk to was Raven. He wasn't sure why, but he thought she would be best. Maybe it was because her emotions were separate beings in her mind. There was also a brief time that she hosted her father in her chakra before she found a more permanent place for him. Either way, she would better understand how he was feeling.

If only she would leave the infirmary.

Since her exit from the roof, he'd only seen her twice. Once was to get Cyborg to help her with the medical equipment. The other was to get Bumblebee, telling her that she and Arsenal were ready to give their statement. Then she looked Nightwing in the eye and stressed that they only wanted Bee. The anger radiating off Nightwing was enough to keep Changeling out of his path as he left the tower.

Was she being petty?

Maybe.

Looking at it from Nightwing's view, the guy was just worried about them. He was their leader, but he was also family. He was Raven's older brother from another mother. They had a bond like no other. Seconded only to Cyborg. She and Arsenal only contacted them once during the mission. When they finally got a hold of them, Arsenal got injured. Changeling understood where Nightwing was coming from.

But, he also understood where Raven was coming from.

He couldn't count how many times he's been angry at Nightwing and would just do the pettiest of shit just because. Even with Nightwing being an amazing leader and a great friend, he still had his flaws. He'd forgotten his and Starfire's anniversary once.

Talk about petty.

It took Nightwing a week to remember it and it took Starfire three weeks to forgive him. All the while, she made little comments about how she wished she had someone to be affectionate with. She just couldn't remember if Nightwing was her boyfriend or not.

That was a fun month.

He probably would've felt bad for the guy if Starfire hadn't dropped hints about their special day for five months.

Even he wasn't that oblivious.

Or maybe he was since he missed every hint Raven laid out for him.

He was getting off track.

So with Nightwing gone, Raven busy, and Cyborg helping her, that left Starfire. She was in the kitchen with Aqualad and the twins.

None of Titan East were a good choice.

He couldn't talk to them about this.

While he would trust his life with them, this was something personal. Something that he could only share with his team.

His family.

Besides, Aqualad, Mas, and Menos looked preoccupied in the kitchen.

The twins had shot up in height and were probably as tall as he was when they'd first formed the Titans. They still did everything together. Currently, they were fighting Aqualad over the last slice of pizza.

"Estamos creciendo chicos!"

"Necesitamos comida para vivir!"

"You guys don't get to use that 'growing boys' excuse anymore. You're 16 now! I need food to live too!"

"No!"

"Nuestro nutrición!"

"Nutrition! You guys need to stop hanging with Arsenal."

"Estás solamente celoso."

"Arsenal es mucho más fresco."

"What! How is he cooler? I'm cool too!"

"Even I know," Starfire interrupted with a giggle, "that saying you are the cool means you are not."

Changeling barely held back his laugh as Aqualad's face dropped and the twins high fived Star.

"If you guys are done teasing Aqualad" he interjected, "I need to borrow the lovely Star if she doesn't mind."

"Not at all, Friend Changeling."

Then she flew up, grabbed the last pizza slice, and chomped on it as she flew to him.

"And now no one shall do the fighting. Come, Changeling. We may talk in my room."

This time, he let his laughter free.

The look on their faces.

Priceless!

It wasn't until Starfire's door closed behind him that he was finally able to stop his laughter.

Starfire flew and landed on the end of her bed, legs crossed and hands fixated on top.

"Now, what would you like to talk about?"

"Well," he shifted from foot to foot. "I wanna talk to you about...about the Beast."

He noticed her eyes widen as she uncrossed her legs and leaned forward.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah! Totally. No?"

"Changeling…"

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I don't know Star. I'm really not sure. The Beast...he's gone."

"Is that not a good thing?"

"Maybe? I don't know. At least I don't think so." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. " You would think this is a good thing. Heck," he pointed to himself, "I think it's a good thing! But…"

He could feel his anxiety rising. He felt an overwhelming amount of emotions but at the same time, he felt hollow. Like something was missing.

"But in the back of my mind...I don't know Star. He's been such a part of me for so long. My mind just feels so empty."

She didn't respond. She just watched him, allowing him to breathe.

With years of being with Robin before he mellowed out and became Nightwing, she knew to wait.

It wasn't until his breathing returned to normal that she stood and walked to him.

"I do not think I am the one you should be talking to. I think Cyborg or Raven might be able to help you better."

He sighed and pushed a hand through his hair.

"Me too. Raven to be specific. But she's busy and she's already angry with Nightwing."

"I do not think she is the angry. Stubborn, yes, but not angry. I believe she is the worried more. Arsenal must have been badly injured if Friend Raven was not able to heal him completely."

He didn't want to talk about him.

He tried to hide his grimace but he did a poor job. Starfire placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft smile.

"You have nothing to fear friend. I am sure everything will work out."

Before he could respond, there was a knock on the door.

It opened and there stood Raven.

"Starfire, have you seen...am I interrupting something?"

"Friend Raven, you are never the interrupting!" Star flew over to Raven with a beaming smile on her face. "How may I help you?"

"Um..." she looked at Changeling before turning back to Star. "I'm looking for Nightwing. Is he not in the tower?"

"He left out some time ago. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. We're just ready to give him our briefing."

"Glorious! Let us call him. This shall make his day."

Starfire flew passed Raven.

He turned his attention to Raven and they made eye contact.

For a brief moment, he thought he had a chance to say something.

He might have.

But he took too long and Raven walked away.

There you have it! Chapter 19. Please read and review