I4.6
Chapter 5: Sailing Ships
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Adult themes. DO NOT read if you are underage or dislike controversial things.
Author's Note: I respect all ships in this community...even if I don't understand them.
Alfred Pennyworth's face has become increasingly more wrinkled since the last time Richard has laid eyes on him. The lighting on his computer's screen definitely did not age him well. It can't be helped. He was old when Bruce Wayne was young and with the newest addition to the Wayne family being a young child, it is not surprising that Alfred looks so weathered down. The introduction of Damien Wayne, the biological fruit of Bruce's loins, came as an initial shock. However, after careful thought, it was not that surprising that a beautiful vixen was able to drug him, have her way with him and eventually produce a child with him. No matter how careful the CEO of Wayne Enterprises always is when it comes to his dealings with the fairer sex, this just goes to show that where there is a will, there is a way. Richard mentally scoffs at all of the traumatizing conversations about the birds and the bees that he has had to endure throughout the years. Being related to a powerful man has plenty of advantages and its fair share of disadvantages.
"I'll be there, Alfred. I plan on leaving this evening, so I should arrive at the manor by 10ish," Richard says to the exhausted man on the screen.
"Very well, Master Richard. Your room has already been prepared and the tailor has finished your suit," the ultimate butler replies. Poor Alfred is running ragged because of the other bat boys and putting together this expensive charity gala. The proceeds will go towards funding Gotham City's schools and reinforcing the city's reading initiative. Bruce is a firm believer that video games, youtube and other social media platforms are eating away at children's brains like maggots. These are the reasons why children's attention spans are so short and why their interpersonal social skills are on the decline. The thought of him meeting Beastboy in person is enough the make Richard chuckle to himself. Bruce Wayne and Garfield Logan exist on two very different wave lengths. Besides, that boy consumes so much media that he burns through as much data as Cyborg! Who is a half man, half machine hero that is connected to the tower's wifi.
The screen flickers off as Alfred ends the video call and Richard checks the time. He has a "date" with Rachel at 3pm. Well, if he was being honest with himself, it's not really a date. More like a scheduling habit that the two have formed over the months. Ever since she "babysat" Melvin, Timmy and Teether on one of her missions, she has developed a soft spot for those three children. She is particularly attached to Melvin and he knew that the young girl takes extra-curricular classes on Friday afternoons at the local library. That is where Rachel usually spends her Friday afternoons if her work as a Titian does not demand that she be elsewhere. Her love of books and knowledge isn't just for quirky show. She is the personification of a bookworm and if left to her own devices, she would spend all day and most of the night in a dark corner with a good book. Soaking in all that information like a sponge. That is why Richard believes that he must escort her back to the Titian Tower. Either he comes to get her or the library staff will, not so gently, shoo her out because they want to go home.
Richard assesses his wardrobe as he tries to figure out what to wear for his walk through the city to retrieve the only living woman he cares deeply for. He had caught a glimpse of her before she left their home in the morning. If he remembers correctly, she was wearing blue. Should he wear something blue, too? Or maybe something that compliments that color? She did once tell him that he looks the most handsome in darker colors. After all of that internal debating he ended up in a fitted olive green t-shirt, dark washed jeans and modified combat boots. He may be traversing the city as a civilian, but that doesn't mean that he should be caught slacking. Most people do not realize that good crime fighting starts from the feet up. If his feet aren't comfortable and the shoes do not have proper grip then hand to hand combat becomes that much more difficult. Don't even get him started about chasing criminals in sneakers with no arch support.
Richard glances in the mirror and gives himself a once over. He is presentable and attractive. He did not shave this morning so there is stubble growing through in the formation of a rugged beard. The corded muscles of his tanned neck and arms are highlighted by the fitted shirt that also conforms to his abs while stretching enticingly across his chest. His straight legged jeans sit perfectly on his hips and accentuates the length of his strong legs. Richard digs through the weapon's section of his closet and settles on a spring loaded rod and taser which he stashes on strategic parts of his body. He runs his hands through his thick, dark hair as he double checks his pockets for wallet, keys and Kindle reader. He has everything he needs.
He's off to save his melancholic princess from hyperactive children at the local library.
As he walks through the city, he enjoys the warm weather. The sound of laughter. The look of concentration on the faces of old men as they play chess or dominoes. Young girls jumping rope on the side walk. Teens and adults shamelessly flirting in broad daylight. Loud music playing from the city park. Was that sala? The air was filled with the smell of good cooking from small apartments. Women, men and children were living the best way they knew how on this summer day. This right here is the reason why he does what he does. Fighting crime is his way of protecting this community. His way of ensuring that days like this happen often and that the people feel safe and secure enough to freely live their lives. Richard had originally started on this path because he was following his mentor. Channeling his rage and fear outward. Directing it towards people who deserve to be beaten, mauled, defeated because of their nefarious intentions. Like Slade. But, eventually, the reasons shifted. He no longer fights crime so that he can fight villains, but so that he can protect the every day innocence of his city. These people might not realize that this young man, casually walking down the street, is the leader of the Titians or that he works he ass off to be what they need him to be. But it is because of his efforts that everyone can have days like this.
His short walk has Richard in a good mood as he reaches the library. He is gently smiling to himself as he mentally pats himself on the back for jobs well done when he catches sight of Rachel by the check out counter. She looks beautiful in her sky blue summer dress and he can feel his smile growing wider. Her slender neck has never looked so inviting on a hot summer's day as her head bends forward to quietly say something to Melvin. Richard is suddenly bombarded with an irrational urge to kiss that elegant neck. If he were to do it right here and right now, in public, would she let him? Or would she make a scene? She would probably blast him through a wall using her demonic powers.
Melvin is the first to spot him and his ears are greeted with her happy cry of "Robin!" She turns her head and looks the older woman in the eyes as she says, "Raven, your boyfriend is here to pick you up again!"
"...for the last time Melvin, he's not my boyfriend," was Raven's monotone reply. This is a conversation that he has heard often. Something similar happens almost every time he comes to pick Rachel up from the library. Melvin and her peers seem to have convinced themselves that Robin and Raven are in a secret relationship and the only safe place for them to meet is at the public library. There was a mischievous part of him that wants to let Melvin, and by extension her friends, know that they already live together. He can practically see their little brains exploding if they knew that and he could practically feel Rachel's wrath if he were to let the cat out of the bag. There would be no way to kill the rumor then. But, as of right now, they are the Romeo and Juliet of Melvin's study group and Richard is completely satisfied with that.
"Raven, I think you left your book in the study room. You should go get it before you leave," came Melvin's girlish voice as she inclines her blonde head toward the library's study rooms in the back. Rachel nods and quickly makes her way to Study Room 4 to retrieve the rest of her things. As soon as she is out of sight, Melvin whips her head around and starts giving Richard a critical once over. She is assessing him from the top of his head to the shoes on his feet. He is partly amused and partly uncomfortable with the look in her eyes. At least he made an effort to look presentable before arriving.
"I'm rooting for you, Robin," she says with a gleam in her eye. "I will go down with this ship!"
Richard is utterly confused by this statement and the amount of conviction he sees in her eyes and balled up fist. What ship? Whose ship? Where is this ship that Melvin is so proudly proclaiming? "Aahhh...I'm kinda confused. What are you talking about?"
"The robrae ship, of course!" She's looking at him as though he should already know this. Richard is so utterly perplexed that he feels the need to crouch down to the younger girl's level. Maybe being her height might help him understand better. His expression is enough to make Melvin sigh, "You gotta be careful Robin. You don't want an OC snatching your girl away from you."
"OC…?"
Melvin grabs Richard's shoulders and powers over the question he doesn't even know how to form. "Raven doesn't realize it but she catches a lot of eyes. She's pretty." She shakes his shoulders a little. "I know you see it, don't you?"
"Raven is very beautiful…" was his reply as he tries to understand where she's going with this.
"Exactly. You know she's beautiful, I know she's beautiful, the other members in the robrae ship knows she's beautiful, so you gotta make your move before an OC takes her away from you. Or worse… Beastboy," is Melvin's response as she shivers in disgust. Richard doesn't quite understand what she is talking about, but he does agree that matching Beastboy and Raven is not a good idea.
"Who is the OC?" from what he understood, he thought that this was a logical question.
"His name is Bryce. He started working here not too long ago as another tutor. Been makin googly eyes at Raven since he got here. They've been trading books…"
Why am I just now hearing about this? Trading books is a major step towards friendship in Rachel's world. It took months of conversation and a thorough inspection of the state of his own books before she was willing to lend him one. She had spent a solid ten minutes ranting about the importance of a book's binding and swore that if he broke this tome's spine, she would break his. And now, Melvin is telling him that some no face stranger is sharing books and, presumably, detailed conversations about them with his Rachel? What has she been up to while he wasn't paying attention? He had thought that she would know and keep her boundaries. He can feel the anger rising inside of him.
Melvin's high pitch voice and pointing finger interrupts his thoughts with "He's still in Study Room 4."
Wasn't that where Rachel went to pick up her things? Come to think of it, she has been gone for a while. Longer than it should take to pick up a bag and book. "Thanks for letting me know Melvin. If something like this happens again, let me know a little sooner. Yea?"
She nods as Richard rises to his feet and affectionately pats her on the head. As he walks away, he hears "We're rooting for you!" but doesn't have the time or patience to analyze that now. He wants to meet this Bryce. His heart is beating harder than it should and he takes 3 deep breathes to calm his nerves before he gets to the door of Study Room 4...which is closed. Who are you hiding in here, Rachel? Richard's jaws ache from how tight he is clenching them and his grip on the door knob is almost painful as he opens the door without knocking or announcing his presence.
What greets him is the face of two smiling bookworms. They are standing by the windows, holding a copy of one book in their hands, looking at each other and smiling. The sight is a little too friendly for his liking. He doesn't know who this Bryce character is, where he came from, what his motives are or why he feels entitle enough to gaze at Rachel in that way. She has never mentioned this "friendship" and Richard definitely did not approve it either. You have been a busy girl, beloved.
Rachel is startled by his sudden intrusion, but does not appear guilty in the least. She even boldly waves him over as though she hasn't been committing sins with another man. Richard is peeved, but he schools his face into a pleasant enough smile as he walks up beside her and analyzes Bryce. He was taller than Rachel, but wouldn't be able to look Richard in the eye. He looks at though he just walked off a beach with his dark tan and baby smooth face. Maybe a surfer based on his complexion and physique. There are a handful of beaches near the city, so this would make sense. Bryce's dark curly hair falls into his equally dark eyes. All together, he is an attractive package. Maybe a little too attractive. What really makes Richard pause is his voice.
"Hello, my name is Bryce. Nice to finally meet you, Dick. I've heard a lot of good things about you," was a distinctly feminine sound. He found himself doing a double take and inspecting this man a little closer when he realizes that Bryce is a transgender man. Taking a closer look, Richard spies the outline of a chest binder under his thin summer shirt. He's not sure how he feels about this, but he knows that a clear message must be sent.
"Heh...this is the first time I'm hearing about you," Richard says as he sticks out his hand for a handshake. Bryce maintains a firm grip as he wraps his smaller hand around Richard's.
"Well...maybe I'm not as important to Rachel as you are...yet," was the response. You are not and never will be as important as I am to her. But that is not something Richard can say out loud even though it is a fact. Instead, he says "we'll see…"
Richard suddenly crouches to the floor and grabs Rachel's left ankle. The sudden movement causes her to lose her balance and she clutches on to his muscular shoulder for support. He pays no attention to her cry of "Dick!" as he readjusts the straps on her scandal.
"Sorry Rachel. It wasn't fitted right and it was annoying me," is Richard's smooth reply as one hand holds her ankle while the other is beneath her dress, wrapped around her inner thigh in an effort to stabilize her. When he is sure that she's okay he puts her foot down and fixes the charms on the anklet he gave her. He makes eye contact with Bryce as he gently runs his thumb over the delicate bone in her ankle. Appreciating the softness of her skin and the way his gift adorns her body. You need permission to touch her. I touch her as I please. We are not the same.
"Warn me next time," she grinds out between clenched teeth as Richard stands to his full height behind her. Close enough for her to feel his body heat but not enough to touch her. Bryce's eyes are bouncing between the two. Trying to get a better read on the relationship that they share. The kids think that they are lovers, but she was adamant that they are not. When Rachel described their friendship, it didn't sound like it was romantic or sexual. Did she even realize the possessive tension in this man's body or the hidden messages in his actions? For such a smart woman, she is utterly clueless.
"It's like a scene from a fanfic…" came an amazed whisper from the doorway. All three adults turn their heads in unison to see a little blonde girl with bright blue eyes staring at them. Well, at Richard and Rachel, specifically. Rachel scrunches her eyebrows and turns to him in a whirl.
"Way to go, Dick! I've been trying to squish those rumors and now you've just added even more fuel to the fire! Do you realize that Melvin has single handedly converted every member of her study group into robrae shippers?" was Rachel's exasperated response. Richard didn't know enough about this topic to respond so he puts both of his hands up in the universal sign of surrender.
"Yep! And I'll do it again!" came from the door which had Rachel turning her anger towards the mischievous child. There was a yelp, followed by a disappearing young-in who knew better than to test Rachel's temper.
"What does robrae have to do with you two?" came Bryce's curious voice. Both members of the Titian's froze. They had become too careless in their conversations. Richard noticed it before when Melvin called him Robin, but he was too busy trying to figure out what she was saying to correct her.
"...nothing really. Sometimes that little kid is like a dog with a bone. She just won't let go of a rumor that she wants to be true," is Rachel's quick reply. It seems to satisfy Bryce.
"We should get going Rachel. We have to get home kinda early so I can pack," Richard says as he makes his way to the door. He has shared her enough with too many people today. Now, it's time for them to spend some quality time together. Rachel nods her head, says her good-bye to Bryce and follows him out the library. The summer sun is lower than when he was making his way here, but not quite setting yet. They begin walking together, but it is not long before he asks a question that has been plaguing him since he entered the library.
"What's robrae?" The question has Rachel jerking a little bit.
"It's..a...um...it a pair in the fanfiction community," is her stinted response.
"A pair of what?"
"...it means Robin x Raven. You know what fanfiction is, right?" Richard nods his head in affirmation. He vaguely remembers having to break up multiple fights some years ago while he was still working with Batman in Gotham City.
"Kinda. I remember something about team Edward and team Jacob. There were a whole bunch of scuffles in Gotham City between fans...mostly girls...who were fighting over these two fictional guys. Something about who wrote the best fanfiction and who what's her face should have ended up with. Those girls were aggressively strong," Richard supplies while scratching at the hair on his face.
"Yea, that's a fanfiction community based on a book series, but there are similar communities for superheroes and celebrities. It's where the fans can create stories about things that they would like to happen. Or just enjoy the creations of others. Relationship pairings are intense," replies Raven with a shake of her head.
"Soo...does that mean that there are romantic stories out there that feature you and I?" That's an interesting thought. Richard knew of fanfiction, but never really paid attention to it. Didn't see much value in it since it would not provide him with necessary, real world information. It never occured to him that the people he serves and protects would envision romantic relations between Robin and Raven. Some people have good taste.
"...there are…" was Rachel's slow reply, followed by a rush of words, "but it is much smaller than the robstar community. Or the bbrae community. Those are the two most popular 'ships.'"
"How do you know so much about this?" Richard asks as he glances over to her.
"I first learned of this from Starfire, she likes to read the robstar stories, but Melvin was the one who introduced me to the world of robrae," Rachel replies with a blush on her face. "Some of the stories are cute, but others are...too explicit for someone of her age. I told her to stop reading the ones in the mature section, but I'm sure she doesn't listen."
"Starfire reads these, too? Does Beastboy?" Rachel nods her head as they continue to walk. If both Titians are immersing themselves in the world of fanfiction, where relationships just seem to work out and stories wrap up with a nice tidy bow, then that somewhat explains their persistent pursuit of Richard and Rachel, respectively. How much of their effort is fueled by a genuine desire and how much is fueled by the fantasy of what could be that's inspired by a fanfic? Besides, the thought of there being explicit stories written about all of them is uncomfortable. The thought of there being intimate stories written about Rachel is downright indecent and stirs up a protective urge to shield her from these perverts.
"What's your favorite ship?" asks Richard as they wait for the light to change so they can cross the street. She looks at him with a mischievous glint in her violet eyes. He raises an eyebrow in response.
"Cyborg x Robin," there's a small cackle as she supplies, "Did you know that in one fanfic you were the little spoon?"
"Oohhhh? Hmm…" Richard holds his chin as he playfully ponders, "falling asleep in his strong arms doesn't sound so bad, now that I think about it." Rachel throws her head back and releases a genuine laugh. One that starts in the stomach, bubbles up through the chest and just unleashes itself from her sweet lips. He smiles. The self deprecating joke is worth the joy on her face.
You don't know the things I would do for you...
I, too, will go down with this ship, Melvin! You better get yourself out of the mature section, gurl. You too young to be corrupted by this depravity.