Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 8:
"A Gift, A Date & An Opinion"
The next day would be less eventful for the Titans and Starfire was seated on her bed in the early hours of the morning. She was still trying to gather the words, and courage, of how to ask Robin out. The rest of the tower was quiet, due to the other titans still sleeping. Suddenly an idea came to mind which caused her to grin widely to herself…she knew what she'd do.
{ }
Hours later…
The other Titans began to emerge from their rooms to the smell of breakfast being made. Starfire took it upon herself to cook the meal since Cyborg had been doing it the last couple of weeks. Raiden was the first to enter, "Morning Starfire."
She quickly turned a bit startled, "O-Oh! Good morning little Raiden."
"Whatever you're making sure smells good" Raiden took a whiff with a smile while teleporting on top one of the kitchen counters.
Starfire became a bit amazed, "I did not know you were capable of doing such a thing."
"That's because of mama." Raiden giggled.
"Right. Yes, I suppose so."
"So, what are we eating this morning Auntie Star?"
Starfire was taken by surprise again with Raiden's nickname for her. It warmed her heart and she couldn't help but smile in glee. "Well, this morning I have decided to finally make some of friend Cyborg's earthling dishes."
"Aw, so nothing from tam-ram?" Raiden pouted.
Too cute! Starfire wanted to just shower her with hugs and kisses but she refrained herself, "Not this time little Raiden." She leaned towards the little girl, "But if you are a good girl, I will make you a frickle-flos later." Raiden ginned with a nod before Star turned to focus on the skillet filled with eggs on the stovetop.
Cyborg strolled in with a yawn, though when he spotted Starfire at the stove he nearly cried. "Oh no Star, I don't think I can eat-!" He soon realized the type of food being prepared.
"Be at ease friend Cyborg, for I am preparing what you would find most agreeable." Star smiled.
The young man's mouth dropped, "Star…you mean to tell me you're cooking a 'normal' breakfast?" His statement drew the remaining team into the kitchen.
"Whoa! We're getting a normal breakfast from Starfire?!" Beastboy begun to examine all the pots on the stove.
Raven teleported herself to sit on the same counter as Raiden, "Looks that way."
"That's awesome." Robin approached Starfire with a satisfying smile that made her blush. "Not that we don't appreciate your home world's delicacies Star."
She smiled, "Yes of course." Star then turned to them, "My friends, I am glad you are here, but would you mind moving into the dining place until I have finished all preparations?" The Titans exchanged looks a bit taken back but soon replied simultaneously with an "okay" before leaving the kitchen to get settled at the dining table. Though before their leader could make his leave, Star reached out to grab ahold of his wrist, "Robin…wait…"
"Yeah Star…need some help?" Robin turned to her but the alien princess fell immediately silent while looking into this mask. He then titled his head to the side a bit confused, but smiled, "I guess you have it under control. I'll be waiting with the others for your delicious breakfast." Rubbing the back of her hand, Robin then left the kitchen and his wrist fell out of her grasp.
~o~
Once she was finished with the last dish, Starfire looked upon her work and only hoped that her friends would approve…especially Robin. She called Raven to the kitchen to help with moving some of the dishes to the dining table. Star was right behind her with the remaining dishes though noticed that the dark-natured girl in front of her seemed to look slightly different. "Wow Star!" Cyborg and Robin were basically drooling over themselves looking at the meal as the girls placed the dish along the table. Starfire blushed again with a smile but noticed that Beastboy looked through all the dishes a bit disappointed.
"Oh!" Star hurried back to the kitchen and soon returned with four additional dishes specially made for their green friend.
"Aw Starfire, you're the best!" Beastboy's eyes lit up in delight as he was almost drawn to tears and the best part…he didn't need to share.
Raven turned to Starfire with a small smile, "Star, you've really out done yourself. Great job." She then took her first bite out of the pancakes she stacked on her plate.
{ }
Later that day…
"Raiden!" Robin called out to the girl from behind the couch trying to hide.
"Yes?!" Raiden popped up from around the corner, but she didn't see anyone. She looked around the room briefly and then shrugged.
"Raiden." Robin whispered the next time, causing her to look around again.
"Yes, I'm here."
"Boo!" Robin jumped from behind the couch but to his surprise the girl was no longer there. He scratched the top of his head confused because he could've sworn—
"BOO!" Raiden fazed through the ceiling in front of him and the boy fell backwards startled. She laughed while continuing to levitate, "You tried to be sneaky daddy, but I got you!"
"Y-Yeah, you got me." Robin felt like his heart was going to jump through his chest.
Raven walked into the room, "I can't believe you let a child get the jump on you."
"I uh…" Where did she come from? How much of that did she see? Robin shook the thoughts out as he quickly got to his feet, "I was just kidding. I knew where she was all along, hehe." Raven raised a brow not convinced.
Raiden lowered herself to the floor, "Did you need something daddy?"
"Yeah. I thought it was time to finally give you that surprise I promised back at Wayne Manor." Robin crouched down in front of her.
"Really?!" Raiden clapped rapidly in excitement.
"Yep, so close your eyes." She obeyed.
Raven set a telepathic connection into his thoughts, "What did you get her?"
"You'll have to wait and see, so go into another room." He passed his responsive thought back to her.
Raven rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine."
Once she was out of the room, Robin pulled a bog out of thin air. From it he retrieved a black box and a piece of clothing. "Hold out your arms." Raiden quickly held her little arms out and he gently laid the clothing across them.
"What is it?" She was becoming giddier.
"Hold on don't open your eyes yet." Robin then opened the little black box and took out a necklace, placing it around her neck. Raiden's excitement grew which caused her to levitate again. Robin chuckled as he grabbed onto her shoulders, helping her back to the floor. "Okay kiddo, you can open your eyes now."
Raiden didn't hesitate and her eyes fell upon the gifts given to her. In her hands was a cloak made just like Raven's, but the color was a midnight blue starting at the top with the hood and fading down into a royal blue towards the bottom. The girl was overjoyed and then raised a hand to have it grab onto the charm that hung from the silver chain that had been placed around her neck. It was a cursive initial of her first name; an "R". "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Raiden's thanks was nonstop as she jumped into the air to fly around.
"Whoa…careful on the flight there." Robin laughed as Raven flew back into the room only to see the little girl fly into Robin's arms, hugging him tightly.
"What happened? What was the surprise?" Raven looked the two over.
"Look mama! Look what daddy got me!" Raiden extended the cloak and charm out towards Raven.
Raven nodded, "Wow. Those are great."
"Aren't they?! I'm gonna go show Uncle Cy!" Raiden hopped out of Robin's arms and ran down the hall towards their teammate's room.
Raven turned to Robin, a bit impressed by his gift choice, "Nice gift DAD."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He raised a brow.
"Oh nothing."
"Really?"
Raven folded her arms beneath her chest, "I'm just surprised is all. You know…since I haven't received such a gift like that from you before."
"Is that so?" Robin lowered his gaze slightly with a sly grin, "Well…you've never asked."
"Didn't think I had to." She dropped a hand to her hip.
Robin lifted his gaze before slowly making his way towards her, "Maybe I just haven't gotten around to it yet."
"Perhaps you should."
"Should I?" He had finally approached her, a foot between them as they locked gazes. Robin's sly grin remained and he could tell that Raven was holding back a grin of her own. Before he almost took a step closer to her, they realized that the other was within bounds of personal space. Moving in opposite directions away from one another, Robin rubbed the back on his head nervously. "M-Maybe I'll surprise you one day."
"Yeah, sure." Raven felt her cheeks flush and she began to fiddle with her hair, which she's never done. She soon heard the boy walking away in the direction of the hall. What was that just now? Raven glanced behind her and saw the back of his head. It was like they were…in a trance or something. Just like the other times. Not aware of the words coming out of their mouths, almost like…it was natural for them? No. Raven shook the thoughts out…what was she thinking. All she needed was a nice long session of meditation.
{ }
The following evening…
Robin had finally begun to get ready for his scheduled date with Karen and he stood in the shower contemplating. Since Raiden showed up at the tower, things have seemed so strange to him lately. That unusual growth feeling he'd experience with Raven had become a bit more frequent, but he was starting to get used to it. He turned the water off and hopped out the shower as he hoped going on this date would not present more confusion. Not to mention Karen…let her not be the obsessive type; he crossed his fingers. As he entered his room, he immediately went for his mask since he's been having surprise visitors spring into his room lately. Once his mask was situated back in its rightful place, on his face, Robin got dressed in the clothes he laid out. A light beige logo tee, light blue faded jeans and a pair of white sneakers. He looked into the mirror to make sure nothing was out of place. "Not to sound vain but to quote Victor Stone…" He grinned, "…damn I look good."
~o~
Starfire quietly left her room so as not to draw anyone's attention. Her destination was Robin's room and as she approached the door, it slid open, startling her. Her first reaction was to duck around the corner until she saw that it was him that stepped out. Who else would it be? Starfire felt a little ridiculous as she chuckled nervously to herself before leaving her hiding spot and flew over to him. "Hello Robin."
"Hey Starfire."
The girl noticed his attire, "Oh, you like very nice. Is there a special occasion this glorious evening?"
"Oh…well uh…not really no." He tried not to chuckle nervously but was doing a poor job. "I was just headed out to hang out with a friend of mine."
"How delightful!" Starfire grinned, "Is it Beastboy?"
She wasn't gonna do this to him was she? Robin could feel himself growing a bit anxious, "No. Not Beastboy."
"Then friend Cyborg?" She tilted her head in thought. Robin shook his head which got her really curious now. "Raven?" Nope. Which she felt kind of relieved to.
Before she could go down the list of their other friends, Robin interrupted, "It's a 'new' friend Star."
"Oh…" What did he mean? "New friends are always nice!" She smiled, "Perhaps I can join and meet them?"
Robin rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Well you see Star…it's just going to be the two of us, tonight."
"Oh." Just him and this new friend? "That is fine yes. I do not want to be a wheel of three."
"Next time, promise." Robin began to head down the hall away from her but remembered that there was something the girl had yet to discuss with him. He turned to her, "Wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
Starfire was a bit surprised, yet happy that he remembered, "Yes! I was going to ask if you…" the butterflies began to rise in the pit of her stomach again. She had his attention now and though it was brief she might as well just come out with it. "…would you mind if we go on an outing together?" Star bashfully lowered her gaze, a small blush across her cheeks, "Just the two of us…like you and your new friend."
Robin's eyes widened slightly at her question. Was she too…asking him out on another date? Examining her demeanor, he noticed that she avoided eye contact with him and even though most wouldn't be able to tell with her sunset complexion…the blush she held was cute. He smiled softly to himself, "Sure Star…that sounds great."
The girl immediately lifted her gaze to see his smiling face which intensified her blush, "R-Really?" He nodded. "O-Okay…thank you!"
"How does Thursday evening sound?"
Starfire nodded, "Yes, yes that would be perfect." Robin gave her one last smile with a thumbs up before going on his way again. He soon made it to the front door when he heard a voice refer to him.
"Heading somewhere?"
The boy slowly turned around with a nervous smile; not again, "Raven…h-hey, I didn't know you were in here."
"I'm sitting on the couch Robin in full view. I doubt you didn't notice." Her words were as sarcastic as ever while she turned the page of the novel she was reading.
He sighed in defeat, "Okay you got me…I was headed out on a friendly outing."
Raven stopped reading, "A friendly outing? With a girl you mean."
Robin could feel his nervousness grow, "Yeah…something like that."
"Robin, I'm not Starfire. You don't have to feel like you're walking on eggshells. If you're going out on a date, just say so." Her gaze was focused on the words of her book but her thoughts were elsewhere.
Robin sighed, "Look Raven…the girl and I are just friends." Silence fell within the room for several moments. She didn't understand why he would think that she cared and Robin didn't know why he was explaining himself to her.
"What is this feeling of…betrayal?" Raven gripped the page of her novel.
"Why do I feel like I'm doing something wrong?" Robin's heart ached.
The sound of the girl slamming her book snapped him out of his thoughts and for sure he thought there was a problem. "Everything alright babe? I-I mean Raven…" Where the hell did that come from?! Robin mentally kicked himself over and over.
"Everything's fine. The plot took an unwanted turn so I'll take a break from it."
He wasn't too convinced, "You sure that's it?"
"Positive." Raven stood, "Enjoy your DATE." She then headed in the direction of her room.
"Okay…" Robin watched as she disappeared out of sight before he exited out the front door.
Raven stepped into her room and leaned her back against the door after it closed. She sighed…what was going on with her? It's just a date. It's not like it means…wait…did he just call her 'babe?"
{ }
[The Mall]
Karen had texted Robin to meet her in the food court and he was just entering in. After skimming over the handful of others present, he finally spotted the table she was seated at. Karen caught his eye and he raised a hand to wave as he approached her. "Hey! Glad you could make it." Karen stood to give him a hug and look him over. "Looking sharp."
Robin noticed she was wearing a white skirt that waved out a bit, stopping an inch below her knees. A green semi-fitted tube top shirt that was accompanied by a small white cardigan, tied in the front right below her chest. Her long blonde hair was fixed into a high ponytail and there were a pair of simple white round studs in her ears. Make-up consisted of soft pinks and natural shades with a nude gloss decorating her lips. "You look great too."
"Thank you." Karen then slipped an arm through his, "So, what would you like to do first? Movies, grab a bite to eat, arcade?"
The boy thought to himself while shoving a hand into one of his jeans' pockets, "I am kind of hungry. Let's grab something really quick then hit up the arcade. I mean if that's fine with you."
Karen smiled, "Definitely fine by me." He grinned at the girl before the two of them headed inside one of the available eateries.
~o~
After having a few slices of pizza, the two teens found themselves in the arcade where Robin acquired ten dollars' worth of tokens for he and Karen to share. "What kind of games are you into?" Karen leaned on a nearby game machine.
Robin shrugged, "Anything competitive I guess, like player versus player fighters. Someone has to prove that they're the best."
"No kidding?" Karen playfully nudged him, "I love a good player versus player too. But I also like role-playing adventure games, which are usually single player."
Robin grinned thinking that the girl was a lot cooler than he thought, "Nice." The two went through all the tokens in a little over thirty minutes on several arcade games. They accumulated some tickets and Robin suggested that they'd spend them on a stuff pink rabbit that Karen thought was adorable. Their next stop was the movie theater and for a night showing.
"How about a scary movie oooo?" Karen teased with a malicious smile, getting him to chuckle.
"Okay, but if you start screaming, I don't know you." Karen playfully hit him as they purchased tickets and entered the theater, arms linked.
The featured film was titled, "Dead Man Rises", which they figured was a classic zombie movie. Throughout the film, the two exchanged confused looks, slightly agape mouths, and jump scares that would cause Karen to bury her face into Robin's shirt. When the ending credits finally begun to roll, the resulting expressions on their faces was slight fear mixed with unwanted confusion. As they exited the theater, Robin shook his head, "What was up with the ending?"
"I have no idea." Karen folded her arms beneath her chest, "You don't know if he rises again another time or what." She suddenly thought of something that she forgot she needed and turned to Robin.
He noticed that she had a rather odd look on her face, "What? Is there some leftover popcorn butter on my face?"
"No, but I do have a question."
"Yeah?"
Karen smiled, "Do you mind if we do a little shopping? There's something I needed to pick up earlier but completely forgot."
"Is that all?" Robin shrugged, "Sure, we can do that."
Karen nearly squealed with joy and took his, "Oh thank you! I promise, it'll only be a few things." Time continued to go on and the mall didn't close until midnight.
~o~
Karen exited the sixth store they had stopped at, adding another bag to the current six she already had. Robin could only chuckle at the thought of the girl being worse than Starfire when it came to shopping. Karen approached him, grinning at the one small shopping bag within his possession, "I should be your shopping guru so you understand the art and buy more."
He chuckled, "You would think I'd be better at it by now, having both Starfire and Cyborg around."
"Yeah, one would think." Her eyes suddenly drifted past him, "OH! That's the store I was looking for!" She focused her attention on him, "Last one I swear and you should come with."
The boy's gaze had drifted past her briefly in the middle of her statement as he spotted a "Callmark" store across the way. "Huh?" He then brought his gaze to meet hers,
"Sorry, I got distracted."
"The store over there." Karen motioned her head behind him and he turned, "The last one on my list. Want to come with?"
Robin turned his head back, "You go on ahead, I'm going to go run into "Callmark" before it closes."
"Okay, I won't be long so I'll meet you there." The girl ran past him towards the store in her sights.
Robin watched her go before he went in the opposite direction until he was walking through Callmark's entrance. The clerk gave him a quick greeting because he was busy counting down the register. Robin headed towards the back when a thought entered his mind about possibly getting something for Raven. He made it his current mission to not leave without finding the girl at least something that she would remotely like.
~o~
Moments later…
The mall, along with the remaining shops that were open, were going to be closing in ten minutes. Robin hadn't had any luck in finding something that he thought Raven could stomach. Sure, the store was known for its greeting cards, thoughtful wallet-friendly girts and homey knickknacks…nothing that would be appealing to Raven at all. He was about to give up until his eyes fell on a small lavender box on a shelf at the back of the store. Robin made his way over to it; it seemed very simple.
He picked it up and examined the box itself briefly before opening it. Inside were a pair of friendship rings, one gold and the other silver. Nah. Robin shook his head and returned the lid to the box and placed it back down. Though before he could walk away, something within him was drawing him back to it. What was he thinking? Raven was not one to visually make known her relationships, even friendships.
After a few moments of contemplating, Robin retrieved the box again and opened it. Examining the rings further he noticed that both rings had a small "R" engraved on them. He raised a brow thinking that it was an odd coincidence and then picked up the gold ring. To his surprise there was also an engraved message along the inside of the band that read: "Forever bonds make forever friendships." Robin froze and could feel a slight chilling air pass over him. There was no way…two coincidences…he could feel the goosebumps forming on his skin. He returned the gold ring back into the box and took out the silver one only to see the exact same engraving upon the inside band. "Beautiful, aren't they?" Robin jumped, startled by Karen's voice as she stood behind him.
The boy held his hand over his heart trying to get it from racing, "K-Karen…don't sneak up on me like that."
"Sorry, you were so focused, I couldn't resist." She laughed.
He sighed, "Yeah, you're not the first."
She walked a few steps to stand beside him, "So tell me, who will be receiving such a gift from you?"
"Just a friend of mine…I guess."
{ }
The mall had finally closed and Robin and Karen stood outside in the parking lot near the girl's car. She was a bit disappointed that the night came to an end but she had fun. "This was really great Robin." Karen cupped her hands behind her back.
"Yeah, I had a nice time." Robin shoved his hands into his jeans' pockets as silence fell over them. After several moments he figured he should tell her goodnight but he suddenly felt the girl wrap her arms around him for a hug.
Before he could react, Karen quickly released him and took a step back, "We should hang out again sometime."
"Y-Yeah." He chuckled nervously, "I wouldn't mind if we did." Robin wasn't sure if he was ready to be in a relationship if this was where things were headed. He found himself growing nervous. "Um…Karen?"
The girl dug around in her purse for her car keys, "Yeah?"
"Well I…" He had to tell her that they should take things slow…stay friends for now. "I think we shou—"
"Oh!" She finally pulled her keys out, "Harry should tagalong next time."
Robin raised a brow confused, "Harry?"
Karen nodded with a grin, "Yeah, my boyfriend."
"Y-You have a…BOYFRIEND?" Robin's eyes widened in confusion.
"Yeah, I could've sworn I brought him up a few times." She thought to herself.
Robin's eye twitched a bit, knowing that this was the first time of him hearing about her boyfriend named Harry…hold on. "Hey, what's Harry's last name?"
Karen raised a brow, "Osborne, why?"
What are the chances. Robin simply shook his head and chuckled. "Nothing." At least he wouldn't have to turn her down in a "I'm not ready for a relationship" talk.
The girl gave him an odd look and smiled, "Don't be weird."
"Oh of course not."
"You could also invite that Starfire girl." Karen opened the driver's side of her car, "We could make it into a double date."
Robin shook his head, "Not my girlfriend remember…reason why you wanted to get together. But I can't help but wonder what your boyfriend would think."
"Harry's harmless, besides he hangs around that pretty redhead MaryJane all the time so who says I can't have a few cute guy friends of my own." She winked.
Robin chuckled, "I don't understand, but so long as I don't get some angry guy busting through the tower's door, it's fine."
"Something tells me if that were the case, you could handle yourself." Karen grinned as she situated herself in the car, "You know…whoever she is Robin, I'm sure she'll appreciate and love you for your efforts, no matter what kind of gift you give her."
Robin rested a hand on her door a bit confused by her statement, "What are you talking about?"
"The promise rings you purchased and the one you're giving one of them to."
He nearly choked, "P-Promise rings? No no, they are friendship rings and one is going to someone who is JUST a friend."
Karen smiled as she reached for her door handle, causing him to remove his hand, "Whatever you say hero." She then closed her door, started up the engine and drove off with a wave. Whatever he says? What was that supposed to mean?
{ }
[Titan's Tower]
Robin arrived back home later than he expected so he was careful in entering in, trying not to make much noise. He heard the sound of the television and wondered if someone was till awake at the late hour. Robin walked into the living room to see the menu screen for a movie that had probably ended some time ago that was placed in the DVD player. As he approached the couch, he made out two figures who were asleep. "Of course it's you two." Robin said beneath his breath with a smile. He rounded the couch to find the remote, turning the television off and then lifted Raiden within his arms. He quickly and quietly took the girl to her room and put her within her bed before returning to the living room. His gaze fell on the second individual who had originally been holding Raiden; Raven.
As he made a move to wake her, his friend twisted and turned in her sleep to the point that she was now positioned on her back. Robin waited until her movements stopped and he couldn't help but smile. He decided to let her sleep, so he moved himself in front of the couch and lifted her within him arms, like he did Raiden before. He held her tight as her head fell gently onto his chest. She wasn't as light as he remembered her to be and he was glad he could keep that thought to himself. Robin carried Raven to her room and put her within her bed. When he brought the bedcovers up over her, he noticed that there was something different about her. Like she didn't look like herself but at the same time…did? He shook the thought out…must be the hour because he was exhausted. As he straightened himself, the girl had turned in her sleep to face him. Nights for her could be restless at times…he smiled softly…he was happy to see that her night of sleep seemed peaceful. Robin brushed back some of the hair upon her and pulled it behind her ear, "Goodnight, Raven." He turned and headed towards her door.
"Goodnight, babe." Raven's voice came out faintly as she turned in the opposite direction still asleep and sinking into the covers.
Robin smiled softly and walked out the room. Moments later he was undressing in his room while that the growth feeling within him emerged, though this time it was a bit hard for him to notice. After putting on a fresh and plain white tee and setting his mask on the bedside table, Robin jumped into bed and pulled up the bedcovers to the middle of his chest as he laid on his back. His eyes instantly felt heavy and closed…wait…he suddenly opened them…did Raven just call him 'babe'?!