"Cyborg, please, I'm not an invalid. I can walk on my own."

"You can't see, Raven!"

"Of course I can see!…….J-Just…..a little painfully."

"Mmmmrfff…..I wish you could see my eyes, girl."

"Lemme guess. They're rolling."

"My right one is. My red one is just sticking a digital tongue out at you."

"Seriously, Cyborg. I'm fine. You can let go of my hand out."

"Just bear with me a little bit more, Rae. We're almost to the Main Room."

"This is utterly ridiculous. Let. Me. GO!"

"Want I should carry you?"

"…………lead the way, cowboy."

"Well alright!"

I groan.

This is demeaning.

My eyes are clenched shut, and still I can see white pinprick butterflies swimming their sharp way across my blackened retinae. If I open my eyes, the butterflies burn like stars going supernova. It hurts….but not in an agonizing way. It's all merely….annoying. Frustrating.

"Ugh….."

"Feeling dizzy again?" Cyborg asks. He's holding my hand. He's been holding my hand all this time. And 'all this time' translates to the last twenty minutes from the crime scene back to the Tower. Leading my blind way through streets, T-Car, and Tower. Now we're in the elevator, rising up to the floor where the Titans' Main Room is. And still he won't let go of my hand.

"No. Not dizzy. Just…."

"Pissed?"

"Sure. Why not."

"Hehehe. I can't blame you for not being a happy camper. The way Dr. Light zapped your eyes back there with that optic blast ray of his, I'm surprised your head didn't burn off!"

"The effect's only temporary. You know that. I know that."

"True. But ya gotta admit, Rae. That villain doesn't particularly like you too much."

"He can take it out with his 'Mommy' once he's back in his jail cell. Erm….how was the fight going anyways?"

"Last time I saw, Robin's steel boot was smashing the dude's helmet crest in two."

"Owch."

"Real hardcore vengeance right there."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Why's that, Rae?"

"When Robin gets vengeful about anything, it isn't pretty."

"You mean it ain't pretty for the punk who's deserving it! HA!"

"It isn't pretty period. Ugh….I don't want Robin going overboard while on duty….least of all over me."

"Raven, you're our friend. I can't blame him for wanting to clean that towel-head's clock. I would be out there busting ass myself….but, to be honest, I'd rather be here…helping you out. Besides….it's the gentlemanly thing to do!"

Ding!

Schwissh!

A wave of air conditioning.

The elevator has opened to the Main Room.

Cyborg's metal hand gently leads me into the chamber.

"Heh…..'gentlemanly'. I didn't think you were that old-fashioned, Cyborg."

"Heheheheh."

"Me….old fashioned. That's a new one."

"Well it's true."

"I've been called 'state-of-the-art', but not old-fashioned."

"What, are you insulted?"

"No, girl! Not at all! I'm pleased to lend you a hand!"

"………..pleased?"

"Ahem. Uh…..H-Here we are! The Main Room! Now what do you know?"

"……………'pleased'……"

"You just sit right here. Nice and easy."

"Cyborg….you're making this too—"

"What?"

"…………never mind. Chivalrize away."

"Heheheheheh."

"Nnnngh…," I groan as he 'helps me' sit down on the couch of the Main Room.

"Just stay right there. I'll be back."

I sit with my eyes tightly shut on the couch and fold my arms indignantly. "What in Azar's name are you doing now?"

"Making you feel comfortable…," his voice grows distant as he wanders over to where I judge the kitchen area to be. "Can I get you anything in the meantime?"

"Yeah. How about a sniper rifle so I can find Dr. Light's head from up here in the Tower and send his brains on an expense-paid vacation to gravel land?"

"Pfft….heh, as if, Raven!" Cyborg's voice emanated from a ring of cabinet door squeaks and clapping china. "You can't see for beans, much less commit heinous murder from long range."

"I don't think I need to bother. Robin's most likely doing enough legal murder for the two of us."

"Here here."

More creaking.

More clattering.

Then….the pouring of water.

"…………," my forehead creases over a pair of shut eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Making you tea."

"What?"

"Herbal, right? Where do you keep the bags—AH! There!"

"Cyborg, that isn't really necess-"

"So what? It helps you meditate, right?"

"Silence and INDEPENDENCE makes me meditate."

"Well, how about relaxation?"

"How fast can you unscrew your head?"

"No can do, little lady. This evening is all about you feeling better. And that means sitting back and taking it easy."

"Oh wow….I am being 'assaulted' by the Casanova…."

"Hehehe….and don't you know it."

"………………..do you even know HOW to make tea?"

"Why not? I've watched you many a time."

"You're going to burn yourself…."

"Uh…..Rae? You're talking to the guy who can withstand molten steel at point blanc range. Not to mention Beast Boy's tofu barbecue sauce."

"Okay. I'd stand corrected if I could only keep my balance."

"You'll be fine. Besides, if I do a bad job of it—and I won't—you can kill me for it later."

"Disassemble?"

"Heheh…..yeah….disassemble."

"Hmmm…..I fathom the idea, and it tickles me."

"If you say so."

"And I do.'

"…………"

"……….do they hurt?"

"Hmmm?"

"Your eyes."

"Good."

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh….just…."

"Just what?"

"It'd be a shame if your eyes were hurting."

I turn my head in his direction.

"So?"

"Er…."

"I can handle it."

"Why should you?"

"I wouldn't have a choice."

"But…..wouldn't the universe be a better place if you weren't suffering, Rae?"

"Whatever."

"………..I think so….."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Cyborg?"

"Oh! It's done!"

"Hmm?"

"The tea."

"Oh."

Heavy, titanium footsteps.

"It's kinda warm. Handle it from the saucer and not the—"

"YES, Cyborg. I know. You speak to me like I've never had tea before."

"You've never had my tea before."

"That a threat?"

"Only if you want it to be."

"Ooh boy. This will be thrilling."

"Put your pretty little hands out."

"Please?"

"More pampering and less patronizing."

"Yes'm."

I stretch my hands out.

"Well? Give it to me."

"Here we go…."

A tiny saucer. Like the one of the ones I typically pick out. It feels surprisingly cool.

"Did you heat it at all?"

"Yup! Gonna give it a sip?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I was beginning to enjoy living."

"Hehehehe….Rae!"

"Pfft…fine…."

I blindly lift the hot teacup to my lips. I pace myself. I slowly sip. I swallow.

"………"

"……….well?"

"…………..hrm……"

I tilt my blind face up towards him.

"I'd say I was seeing rainbows, but…"

"But what?"

"……..I'm blind."

"Awwww….pfft! That's just a cop out, girl!"

"Mmmm….."

I sip again.

Lips slightly curved…..