Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 9:
"It's alright."
*ring*ring*ring
Speedy's alarm went off at 10am and the young archer rolled onto his opposite side ignoring it. The sound of someone barging into his room soon followed and he awaited the scolding. "Alright you, up and at 'im!" Bumblebee stormed over to his bed. The boy pulled his bedcovers over his head which only annoyed his teammate. She grabbed the covers and attempted to yank them off of him, but his grip on them was pretty tight. "Get…UP!" Bee gritted through her teeth while pulling with all her might until tumbling backward. She ended up seated on the floor with a thud. "Fine." The girl mumbled under her breath before releasing her hold on the bedcovers and standing to walk back out of the room.
Speedy sighed with a smile of victory on his face and his loosened his grip on the covers. Suddenly she heard two pairs of footsteps enter his room along with a sound that came from his bathroom sink. His eyes widened as he quickly sat up, only to be met with a rush of water that soaked him and his bed. Bee grinned while folding her arms beneath her chest, standing next to a smiling Aqualad, "You should've gotten up when I asked you nicely."
"Damn it." Speedy shivered while trying to shake off some of the water, "Did you have to take it that far? I was just about to get up sheesh."
"Sure you were." Aqualad chuckled.
Speedy sniffed before getting out the bed, "Now I'm gonna get a cold."
"Oh please." Bee rolled her eyes.
"Bet the twins would take my side." He shook out his hair.
Aqualad turned to exit the room, "Mas o Menos went on vacation, so suck it up."
~o~
The Titans East sat around the living room in silence bored. Speedy propped his feet upon the coffee table and yawned, "Anyone have any ideas of what we can do today? City's pretty quiet."
Bee knocked his feet from off the table, "We could make a trip to Titans' Tower."
"They went to Gotham." Aqualad shook his head.
"When was this?"
He thought to himself, "A few days ago I think. Saw them at the mall on Speedy's birthday."
"Then they should be back." Bee nodded as Speedy stood to head to the kitchen. "Robin never likes to stay in Gotham more than he needs to."
Aqualad agreed, "Yeah, that's true."
"Why the trip to Gotham anyway?"
"Some fancy ball thing that Mr. Wayne was throwing."
Aqualad's words caused Speedy's ears to perk up as he reentered the living room, "A ball? Like wearing gowns and tuxedos and stuff?" The archer's teammate nodded as a yes which got a grin out of him, "Oh I can only imagine how goth-Raven pulled that one off."
"Hey, give her a break. Besides…I think she didn't have any trouble at all."
"Pfft." Speedy plopped down back on the couch, "You only say that because you have a crush on her."
Aqualad's face flushed, "Wh-Wha…no I don—"
"You like Raven? Why didn't you tell me?" Bee finished sending a text to Robin.
Aqualad turned to her, "I-I don't! I just think she's—"
"Stop denying it man, I see the way you look at her when we're all hanging out. Blushing every time she catches you staring at her like a creeper." Speedy chuckled.
Aqualad's brow twitched, "I do not stare and definitely not like a creeper."
"Alright." Bee placed her phone on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch next to Speedy. "Just made plans with the Titans, so we'll be meeting them in the park shortly to hang." Aqualad felt a small lump form in his throat as he blushed.
Speedy noticed with a grin, "Still gonna deny it?"
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
Cyborg was waiting near the door for the others, ready to head off to the park. He could've sworn they would've been headed his way by now. His communicator suddenly went off and he retrieved it only to see Bumblebee's picture flash across its screen. He immediately grew nervous. The young man simply took a mental deep breath and mentally exhaled while telling himself to "be cool". He answered, "Hey Bee."
"Hey Sparky, you guys still coming?"
He sighed, "Yeah we are, just waiting on the others."
"Always waiting on them huh?" Bee chuckled.
"Tell me about it. Robin with the hair gel, Beastboy with his toys, Starfire with her…" He was stumped, "…you know what, I'm not sure what Star does actually." Cyborg got a laugh from the girl on the other end of the communicator which made him smile.
"Well, I guess we'll see you guys when you get here."
He nodded, "Yeah. See you soon." Their connection ended as Cyborg looked upon the dark screen.
"Yo Cy!" Beastboy appeared out of nowhere startling his cybernetic friend.
"Don't creep up on me like that!"
The green boy laughed, "Were you talking to someone just now?"
"That was Bee. She and the East are wondering what's TAKING US SO LONG." He raised his voice towards the hallway in a sarcastic tone.
Beastboy rolled his eyes, "Chill out dude. Starfire is on her way with Raiden, but I'm not sure where Raven and Robin are."
"Why am I not surprised." Cyborg walked over to the couch and sat down.
His friend could sense something was up with him, "Hey Cy?" Beastboy sat beside him, "You okay dude?"
"Yeah man, it's just…"
"Bee?"
Cyborg grinned weakly, "Is it that obvious?"
"You got the hots for her right?"
"Something like that."
"So why not just ask her out?" Beastboy gave him a pat on the shoulder.
Cyborg shook his head, "It's not that easy man."
"Friends, we are ready." They heard Starfire's voice as she entered the room holding one of Raiden's hands.
As the boys turned, Cyborg's face nearly fell as Beastboy waved. "Um Star…" Sweat ran down the side of Cyborg's face, "…did you let Raiden dress herself?" The little girl had on a bright green t-shirt, candy-red cotton shorts and a pair of white & red striped sandals upon her feet. Her hair was fixed to a pair of, very short sloppy pigtails that were held with blue bows while a yellow headband was slipped a little pass her hairline.
Starfire gave Cyborg a confused look, "No, I dressed little Raiden myself." She then turned to the little girl with a huge smile, "Is she not as precious looking as a rosalandorg?"
"She looks fine to me." Beastboy gave her a thumbs up.
Robin and Raven soon came out of the hall, discussing something unimportant. Though they stopped in the middle of their conversation as they spotted Raiden. Robin's eyes widened a bit in shock as he blinked them a few times. Raven could feel her eye twitch, wondering who dressed the child. "Raiden?" Raven approached the girl and Starfire, "Did you get carried away with your clothes?"
Raiden shook her head, smile still on her face, "Not this time. Auntie Star helped." Raven sighed in pity, trying to understand the mind of her bubbly alien friend.
Robin made his way over to them and crouched down, "Hey kiddo, how about you let momm…erm…Raven change you into something more fitting for the park?"
The little girl cocked her head slightly to the side confused but then smiled, "Okay daddy." Raven took her hand and let her back to the girl's room.
"Whew…" Cyborg sighed in relief, "…that was a close one."
Starfire didn't understand, "Was little Raiden not appropriately dressed?"
"Nah, she was fine." Beastboy reassured her, "They're just being overly dramatic."
"Say that when you have kids." Robin shook his head.
Beastboy raised a brow, "Dude…like you got kids."
"I…" Robin stopped himself, "…y-yeah, you're right." He blushed a bit embarrassed.
Cyborg playfully punched him, "Hey, at least he gets to play daddy for a while right." He then turned to Beastboy with a grin, "But did you hear what he almost called Raven?"
"What?" Robin raised a brow confused.
"Yeah dude, it was almost a slip-of-the-tongue."
Robin crossed his arms across his chest, "What was?"
"Yes friends, I am curious as well." Starfire believed she must've missed something their leader said.
"He's getting WAY to comfortable with the kid being here." Cyborg playfully nudged Beastboy.
Robin sighed, "Would you two spill it already?"
"You almost called Raven 'mommy' just now." Cyborg grinned.
Their leader blushed, "W-Well hearing Raiden say it all the time, I guess I-I just uh…"
"Mhm." Cyborg and Beastboy exchanges unconvincing looks.
Raven soon returned with Raiden who had been changed. The little girl was now dressed in a black t-shirt that held an image of a white kitten on it dead smack in the middle. A pair of matching shorts, though base color being white and the image of a black kitten in the bottom right him. Her hair was let down while a white headband replaced the yellow one and solid black sandals were worn upon her feet. Raven had also placed the necklace Robin had gifted the girl, around her neck. Robin approached them, "Nice job Raven, had us worried there for a moment." He smiled.
"Don't worry, you have next turn." The dark-natured girl held back a grin as she walked towards the front door, Raiden still holding her hand.
{ }
[Park]
The East team trio had found a nice opening on the available field and laid out a picnic blanket. Speedy was stretched out on it, his baseball cap over his face and arms resting behind his head. Bumblebee sat with her legs crossed beneath her, checking the time on her phone periodically. "I thought they'd be here by now."
Aqualad leaned back and looked at the blue sky above, "Don't worry, I'm sure they're on their—"
"Finally!" Bee spotted the Titans across the way and stood to wave in their direction.
Cyborg jogged over to them, "What's happenin' East?!"
Speedy lifted his cap slightly before deciding to sit up and fist bump the Titans' member. "Sup Cyborg."
"Took you guys long enough." Bee playfully punched him and his grin grew as he held back a blush.
Aqualad greeted him next with a high five, "Hey there man, nice seeing you again so soon."
"Hello friends!" Starfire had flown their way and gently landed in front of their blanket, a frisbee in hand. The girl got a greeting from the trio that had been waiting with Speedy finally getting to his feet to stretch.
Beastboy and Robin was soon to follow, one after the other to exchange greetings as well. The East team looked pass the rest and took notice of Raven who was slowly approaching with some kid. "Who's that with Raven?" Speedy asked.
"That would be Raiden." Robin answered.
Bee smiled, "Don't tell me guys actually decided on participating in one of those outreach programs."
"Ah, if only it were that simple." Beastboy chuckled.
Cyborg gave him a look that was meant for him to keep his mouth shut, "Nah, she's just a little friend of ours."
Raven finally reached the group, "Hey."
"Hey Raven." Aqualad grinned.
Bee bent forward to shake Raiden's hand, "Well hey there, I heard your name is Raiden."
"Yep, it is. Who are you?" The little girl smiled.
"I'm Bumblebee." Bee placed a hand on her chest as she introduced herself.
Raiden's eyes lit up, "Do you like flowers?!"
Bee smiled thinking her reaction to her name was so cute, "On occasion yes." She then turned to introduce the other two, "That there is Aqualad, he likes the water. The guy in the cap is Speedy, who's not quite as quick on his feet that you would think."
"Hey!" The boy frowned a bit as the others let out laughs. As their laughter died down, he began to notice that Raiden resembled Raven, "Hey Raven, is she a relative of yours or something? You two seem to look a lot alike."
Bee took a step back, taking a better look herself, "Yeah, now that you mention it. Plus, that gem thing on the forehead is a dead giveaway."
"Sister?" Beastboy burst into laughter gaining an annoyed look from Robin.
Aqualad nudged Cyborg, "What's his problem?"
"What isn't his problem." Cyborg shook his head. Not too far away, a kid accidentally lost the grip on his balloon and it had begun to float away towards their group. Raiden let of Raven's hand and flew straight up to grab it and return it to him before returning to the group, levitating in front of Speedy.
"And she flies too!" He grinned.
Raiden nodded, "Yep, just like mama." She giggled.
"Like mama?" Bee raised a brow, "Who's mama, yours?" The little girl nodded again, "And who might that be?" Robin released an uncontrolled cough while Cyborg begun to whistle to himself.
Raiden smiled as she moved over to Raven, situating herself over the girl's shoulders and resting her little arms on the top of her head, "Mama."
Speedy burst into laughter while Bee simply chuckled, "Raven? But she can't be—"
"Who's your dad?" Aqualad raised a brow at the kid and his question only got Robin to join Cyborg in his whistling bit. Speedy turned to them letting his laughter die down.
Raiden cocked her head to the side confused and a bit saddened "Yes she is…she is my mama." Her voice softened and Raven knew what that meant.
Raven connected with her telepathically, "Don't cry, they mean nothing by their statements."
The little girl nodded as she composed herself before putting on a smile. She then pointed a finger at Robin, "Daddy's right there acting funny with Uncle Cy."
Silence instantly fell over the group, sweat running down the back of each their heads. Bee approached, a bit shocked but rustled the girl's hair, "Okay. Sorry if what I said got you a bit sad there. It's just that—"
"No freakin' way!" Speedy burst into laughter once again, "It's no wonder she looks like you and those blue eyes of hers is Robin all the way!"
Starfire turned to Robin, "Your eyes are blue?"
"This has to be a joke, right?" Aqualad chuckled nervously, not sure what to make of the situation.
Robin shook his head, "Let's not discuss this right now okay." He grabbed Speed by his back shirt collar, "Help me grab the cooler from the car, ROY." The others watched the two leave, some slight bickering between them in the process.
{ }
That evening…
Time flew by as everyone enjoyed each other's company, never bringing up the subject of Raiden again to Robin's relief. The sun had gone down some moments ago and they were packing up their things to head back home. Beastboy wasn't quite ready to call it quits, "Hey, who wants to keep this party goin'?"
"Raiden will tire herself out soon and will most likely pass out in the car." Raven watched the little girl run across the field playfully from Aqualad and Cyborg. "So, I'll pass."
Bumblebee grinned, "You sure sound like a mother. I don't mind if we hit up a club from here, I'm game." Raven and Robin exchanged a look and the two begun to communicate telepathically. Bee leaned over to Beastboy, "Is something going on between those two?"
"Beats me." He shrugged as he joined her in watching the other two have their mental private conversation.
"And what's the honest deal with Raiden?"
Beastboy shook his head, "Can't answer that one for you either. She just showed up at the tower last week spilling this story that they were her parents."
"Just like that?" Bee raised a brow.
"Just like that." He nodded, "Now I had my theories…"
"Oh? Like what?"
He turned to with a wide grin, "Top secret alien assassin from a different dimension."
Bee grinned raising a brow, "Really?"
"Ah you're right!" He snapped his fingers, "The kid's too cute, but it could be a cover."
"Yeah, I doubt that." She chuckled.
"I guess so. But if you guys start missing your brains and other organs, I will rub it in all of your faces before rescuing you."
Bee laughed this time, "Okay, deal." Raven and Robin seemed to finish their conversation and Bee addressed them, "So, what's the verdict?"
"Raven's gonna stay at the Tower with Raiden and I'll head to the club with you guys, if that's something y'all still want to do."
"Hell yeah!" Beastboy fist pumped, "Thanks for taking one for the team Raven." He grinned.
The girl rolled her eyes, "Please, you know I'm not one for flashing lights and loud music." She then spotted Raiden across the way still enjoying herself with her two friends…the corner of her mouth curled a little.
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
All the Titans, excluding Raven, were prepping themselves for a night out. The dark-natured girl had given Raiden a bath and changed her into a pair of pink pajamas that Starfire had purchased for her the other day. Once she was done, Raven told the girl to go bother the others so she could clean up herself. Raiden complied with a grin and flew out the room while deciding to stop by Robin's room first.
Raven sighed, a bit exhausted, but then let a faint and yet soft smile form on her lips. Moments later she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water run through her hair. She tried to clear her thoughts of the day's activities until…there was a flash of something that emerged from her mind:
Two figures stood within a shower…a man and a woman. The woman was faced in the opposite direction of the man, embarrassed by her nakedness and feeling insecure compared to the man with her. He simply smiled softly, knowing that she was always this way with him…when they were together like this. The man approached her, blocking the water from falling upon her back and it fell on his instead. He gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her delicately as he pulled her close to him. "It's alright." His words were always so sweet and reassuring…the woman relaxed the tension she had been holding and melted into his arms. They stood there for several moments in comfortable silence until she made the move to finally turn around and face him. Her gaze was slightly lowered as his hands rested on her lower back. He moved one to cup her chin and lift her gaze to lock with his, "It's alright." Another reassurance. The woman slowly moved her hands up and over his muscular ones that the water seemed to just roll over nonstop. Moments later, her arms were wrapped around his neck. The man was mesmerized by her gaze as always. He lowered his head a bit, his lips stopping a mere half inch from hers. She could feel his cool breath brush across her own lips and her heart raced as she anticipated what would happen next. The man's lips finally fell gently upon hers and the sensation it brought on her made her knees grow weak as her eyes fluttered to a close.
Raven suddenly snapped out of the trance a little breathless. What…what in the world was that? She brought a hand up to her chest to feel her heart racing. There was sudden knock on her door that startled her. The girl turned the shower off and stepped out, wrapping a towel around her. She shook her head as she headed to her room door and let it slide open; it was Robin.
"Sorry for bothering you Raven, but we're about to head out and Raiden's waiting for you."
"Don't worry about it. I was done showering anyway." She was still trying to compose herself.
He nodded, "You okay?"
"Fine." Raven sighed, "I'll be out in a moment." Robin gave her a curious look but wasn't going to ask her again. He let her know that he'd tell Raiden and she nodded before she turned, letting the door close behind her. As she heard his footsteps fade away down the hall, Raven rested her back against the door and closed her eyes…her heart rate was starting to slow down. She then opened them to look towards the ceiling above…what was that thought…or…memory? No…that can't be it. Once again she tried shaking the images out of her head before deciding to get dressed.
~o~
Raven entered the living room to find the rest of her friends and Raiden in wait. The little girl flew her way, "Are you leaving too mama?" She ended up in Raven's arms.
Raven smiled faintly, "No, I'm not. Who knows what kind of chaos you'd cause if left alone."
"Not that much." Raiden smiled.
"Well, we'll see you guys in the AM!" Beastboy danced out the front door along with Cyborg. Starfire giggled as she was about to follow suit until she noticed that Robin didn't make a move.
"You sure you're okay with this Raven? We can go at another time." There was a sad expression on his face.
"Trust me, I'm sure."
He approached her, gazing into her eyes, "Should I stay with you two?"
Starfire opened her mouth to object, but couldn't bring herself to do so. However, "Dudes!" Beastboy barged back in, "Let's get a move on!"
Raven glared at their green friend before focusing back on Robin, "No, we'll be fine. Go and have fun Robin."
"Come on!" Beastboy grabbed their leader's arms and Starfire's wrist, pulling them both towards the front door. Robin turned slight to look back at the two.
"It's alright?" He asked in his thoughts, knowing Raven would be able to hear it.
She replied back, "It is."
The three soon was out the door and Raven stared upon it for a few moments until she saw Raiden's little hand waving in front of her face. "Earth to mama."
"Why, did you say something?" Raven raised a brow.
Raiden pouted, "Don't tease me."
Raven grinned, "Teasing happens to be some form of showing affection…or so I'm told." She placed the girl down and the two walked over to the couch. "So, what do you want to do?"
"Cartoons!" The little girl ran over to a stack of DVDs and pulled out a boxset that belonged to Beastboy, holding it up with a huge smile.
Raven's eye twitched, "Uh…" There was a monster movie marathon that had been running since yesterday but…Raiden's face was lit up with excitement…Raven let out a sigh and smiled faintly, "Sure." The little girl quickly turned around and begun fiddling with the one of the boxes.
After some moments, they finally got the video up on the television and Raiden wiggled herself to sit in Raven's lap. As the first episode begun to play, something suddenly came to Raven's mind. That weird thing in the shower…the internal growth within her happened…there was something that she overlooked:
The man lifted the woman's chin so that her gaze locked with his, "It's alright." She could feel the slight touch of his other hand upon her lower back, "Thank you…Richard."