AN: I had some trouble with this one at first. The next one should be easier, so expect a prompt update (for once).
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans.
Evanescence
He was vanishing right before her eyes, swamped by his father's presence and influence.
.
.
.
They knew?
This whole entire time they've known I'm Slade's kid?
"Slade told us who you were to him a few years ago..." Kole says gently, as if to cushion the blow. "He must've thought that we would turn on you if we knew, but we didn't. If anything, it made us trust you more."
No way. "That makes no sense," I sign, unable to look her in the eye.
"Yes, it does!" Kole takes a step toward me with her arms outstretched, but now is not the time for hugs or kisses. I back away, and she falters. "Joey, if you let me explain-"
I clap a hand over her mouth, something terrible occurring to me. At first the thought depresses me so much that my hand falls limply to my side, but anger soon prompts me to ask, "Are you lying to me?"
"About what?"
"This entire relationship." It sounds to me like a line straight out of a romantic drama, but I mean every word I sign.
Her shoulders square and her face scrunches up. "You mean whether or not this relationship is real or fake?" After I nod, she responds, "Stop it. It's real, okay? So come over here so I can hug you and tell you aaaalllll the reasons I love you, 'kay?"
But everything isn't okay, Kole! Dad might've been right when he said: Never trust a pretty woman; she'll tear your heart apart. I know that you wouldn't ever do that intentionally, but that's what this feels like!
... I can't believe Dad was right. I can't believe I just thought that.
"Joey...? Honey, you're white as a sheet."
And if he was right about this, then how much more is he right about? The military? Grant's overdose? The Titans? They could just be keeping me around for information!
Never let an asset go to waste. Another proverb from my father rings in my ears.
Cold hands grip the sides of my face, and I snap back to the real world. Blue eyes greet me upon my return, but I set my jaw. She's still not in the free and clear.
I wrench away, but Kole never lets her hands leave my cheeks. Wha- is she leaning forward?
"Joseph William..." she purrs at me, making me turn red from the collar up. "I trust you, but if you keep acting like this I might think that... I might think that you're having second thoughts about me. Like how I betrayed you or something. Like how you could leave and go back to Slade, and how it would be so much easier if you just left and forgot about us..."
My breath hitches, because that's too close to what I'm thinking. Needy, I throw my arms around her and squeeze.
"But you would never leave us, would you?" Her arms slide past my neck to find rest at my shoulders, her fingers curling into loose fists on my tunic.
I have to pull back so she can see my hands, but I don't want to push her away when she's so vulnerable.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Kole asks, a sniffle accompanying her question.
Now I can pull away. "I promise to stay if I'm welcome."
Kole smiles. "You've always been welcome here, so don't say that. Don't even think it!" She puts her hands on her hips. 'You are a very essential part of this team, Joey!"
A smile reaches my lips. "Really?"
"Yep! You're the cute blond one! Every team needs one of those." She blushes, breaking eye contact. "Who else can keep me happy?"
AN: I can't do sad endings... ugh. I tried but this came out instead.
I'm sorry to those who were expecting some big, dramatic goodbye between Jericho and Kole. I do not have it in me to do that sort of thing.
