In a World Like This

by Cutie and the Beast

This is a request from mary.okeeffe.16, so thank you! The Teen Titans meet a new team of villains, a boy band calling themselves the Alley Men. When the Titans are invited to one of their concerts, Robin and Starfire agree to check it out. However, Raven is skeptical, and for good reason, but you'll have to read to find out. Also, all chapter titles are Backstreet Boys song titles.

12. Chapter 12: Permanent Stain

The tension in Titans Tower after the battle was strong. Everybody was happy to be reunited, sure, but it wasn't that simple. Nobody really knew how to start the conversation.

Raven finally spoke up. "I know I like quiet, but this isn't a good kind of quiet."

Beast Boy snickered a bit until she shot him a glare. "Sorry," he whispered.

She just nodded back before continuing. "You two really should have listened to me. I knew there was something sketchy."

Starfire looked like she was about to cry. "We are so sorry. Are we not going to be allowed back on the team?"

A quiet fell on the room again. Nobody really knew how to answer the question. Starfire couldn't handle it anymore and started floating off towards her room.

"Star, wait!" Robin called back. "Don't leave. Even if we aren't allowed back, I still want you on my team."

A small, hesitant smile crept along Starfire's lips, but it was clear she was still concerned.

"Hey, Star? We still want you on the team, too. And I promise, no more mean pranks." Beast Boy was trying to lighten up the mood, and it clearly worked. He got a few chuckles, at least.

"You two can come back," Raven confirmed. "On one condition."

Robin tilted his head. "Go on."

"If a majority of us say don't do something, don't do it."

"Got it," Robin and Star said in unison.

"And just know, there may be some tension for a few days. The tension and mistrust may not go away at all. We don't know yet. But you too are cool, and we aren't kicking you out for anything."

"Thanks, Cy."

The group all sat down in the kitchen, eating a meal together for the first time in what seemed like ages. It was kind of nice, but still awkward. Nobody really said anything.

Robin and Star knew that their actions had left a permanent stain on their reputation. Would Jump City ever trust them again? Would they ever be fully reconciled with the rest of the Teen Titans? Nobody could be sure.

But the silent meal wasn't all bad. Nobody was arguing over what to eat, who was picking the next movie, who was in charge of dishes. Nobody wanted to risk creating further tension.

Robin was the first one finished, and he decided he'd get a head start on the dishes that had needed done for a while. It was simple, but maybe it would start with the erasure of that permanent stain.