Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 17:
"Serenity"
Part I
Robin laid within Raiden's bed early that morning holding the sleeping girl. He looked up at the ceiling of the room as he stroked her hair. The only thing going through his mind was to be there for her no matter what. "What are you doing Robin?" He looked down at Raiden; she didn't move an inch. "You're not a father Robin, you're a titan…a crime fighter." Robin gently moved himself from the girl and sat up in the bed. He looked into the darkness of the room and then turned his attention back to her.
"Richard…please, care for her."
He massaged his temples as his thoughts battled with one another.
"You are her father, Richard."
"She has no connection to you Robin."
"What do you want Richard?"
"What do you want Robin?"
The thoughts wouldn't let up until his mind just…fell dead silent. Robin got out of the bed and walked over to the room door, exiting into the hall. After the door closed behind him, he rested his back against it and leaned his head back. Who does these thoughts belong to…the confusion of it all. Robin…or Richard?
{ }
A silent atmosphere lingered over all present at the dining table for breakfast. It made things awkward as the only sounds to be heard were the clanking of metal utensils hitting plates. Raiden could feel the tension in the air and she couldn't take it anymore. "Could someone just say something already? Good morning or how the eggs are way too runny?" All eyes fell on the twelve year old a bit shocked until Beastboy began to laugh.
Cyborg turned to him, "What's up with you?"
"Nothing, just glad SOMEONE said something."
"I agree." Starfire smiled, "I did not enjoy the silence between friends." Robin smiled softly at his friends' words while Raven remained silent, lost in her thoughts.
~o~
1 hour later…
The guys left the girls at the tower while they took a trip to Gotham to watch a football game at Wayne Manor. Raiden sat on the living room floor playing the GameStation while Starfire and Raven sat on the couch. One was reading a novel while the other was polishing her nails pink. "Ugh seriously!" Raiden's game ended.
"Raiden calm down, simply start over and try again." Raven didn't lift her attention from her book.
"Yes Raven is right, you can do it!" Star cheered her on and Raiden selected the restart button.
"Starfire, you seem more cheerful that usual." Raven turned a page.
"Do I?" She turned to her confused.
"Yes."
Starfire softly smiled as she lowered her head, "If it seems that way, then I am afraid that I am being slightly deceptive."
"Really." Raven stopped reading though didn't lift her gaze, "Why is that?"
"Robin seemed to be so hurt last night." She sighed, "I cannot help but feel like it was my fault he was not by Raiden's side."
"Starfire." Raven closed her novel and sighed, "You are not to blame."
"But if he was not with me then, last night's situation would have been a better one would it not."
Raven finally looked up to see her friend who was sullen in the face, "Everything's fine Star. Perhaps my words last night were a bit harsher than normal. Don't read too much into it."
Starfire shifted her gaze to lock with the dark natured girl's one, "Are you certain?"
"As certain as I'll ever be." Raven gave her a soft and reassuring smile.
"Okay." Starfire returned her smile with one of her own before giving Raven a hug that she wasn't expecting. "I trust you friend Raven, thank you."
Raven cautiously returned the hug, however her soft smile slowly faded leaving behind a sullen expression of its own. "Of course, Starfire."
{ }
[Wayne Manor]
"Aw come on man!" Cyborg couldn't help his outburst as one of his favorite star players missed a thrown pass.
"Looks like your guy is off his game." Bruce Wayne grinned as he sipped on a beer.
"You're telling me." Cyborg shook his head before standing, "I'm gonna go refill the chip bowl."
"I'll be more than happy to do so Master Victor." Alfred entered the entertainment room, "I believe it was the nacho cheese Tortitos."
Cyborg grinned, "Yeah, but don't bother alright. I said I can do it." He walked passed the older man and patted him on the shoulder. "You should join us and take a break."
Bruce nodded, "That sounds like a good idea. Join us Alfred."
The butler chuckled, "I appreciate the inclusion Master Bruce, but unfortunately I have plans for the evening so I will be stepping out."
"Plans?" Beastboy and Robin exchanged confused looks as Cyborg returned with a full bowl of chips. The game had gone to commercial.
Bruce lifted his beer bottle to the older man, "So long as you enjoy yourself Alfred. Have fun."
"Thank you Sir. You all as well." Alfred smiled before leaving the room.
Bruce's eyes followed him until he was out of sight and then shifted to his protégé. Robin had kept silent to himself since they've arrived and Bruce could sense that something was wrong. Aside from the fact that the boy now had the appearance of a man than a teen. "Robin."
The young man yawned, "Yeah Bruce?"
"Bat cave, five minutes." Cyborg and Beastboy looked at the two in silence.
Robin sighed, "Do we really have to do this?"
"Four minutes."
"Looks like Bruce has picked up on Robin's awkward vibe." Cyborg whispered to Beastboy who nodded his head in agreement. Robin stood and headed out the room with Bruce doing the same several moments later. The commercials had finally ended and the game was back on. Cyborg and Beastboy focused their attention there figuring that whatever the other two had to discuss, it was none of their business.
~o~
[Batcave]
Bruce entered the area through one of the available secret entrances only to lay eyes on the back of Robin's head. He was seated in one of the chairs that rested some feet away from a projection screen that displayed the city of Gotham. "Alright, let's get this over with."
Bruce took a seat in the other available chair, "Save the attitude Dick. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing." He shrugged.
Bruce sighed, "You know I don't like to play this game with you. So, let's not beat around the bush and have you just come straight out and tell me what's been occupying that head of yours to the point where you can't acknowledge the things around you."
"Look, I don't feel like talking about it."
"Then go home." Bruce leaned back.
Robin raised a brow, "What?"
"You can sulk there, but not here."
"Seriously Bruce?" Robin sighed, "I'm not sulking."
"Please Dick, you forget that I know you better than you know yourself."
"Pfft…" Robin scoffed, "…more like you THINK you know me better than I know myself."
"Really." Bruce folded his arms across his chest, "Why don't you enlighten me then."
Robin shook his head, "You know what…forget it. It's not worth my time."
"Oh, so now I'm not worth your time?"
"Don't twist my words Bruce, that's not what I—"
"Listen to me Dick…I know I'm not the best at being a role model or father figure—"
"Then stop." Robin lowered his head, "You're not my father and you never will be." Bruce could feel a small amount of hurt come over him…something was going on with him. The adolescent tend to say things they don't mean, even though those things have some truth behind them. It finally dawned on Robin the words that came out of his mouth and his heart sank. Where did that come from? He lifted his gaze to lock with Bruce's that seemed stern. "B-Bruce…I didn't mean…"
"Richard…" Bruce leaned forward, "…I'm aware that I'm not your father and I'm certain he was a good man. But annoying as it may be, I take the time to pull you aside when I know something is wrong because I'm concerned about your wellbeing."
Robin lowered his head again, feeling worse than he did moments ago, "I know."
"And whether you believe it or not, I do care about you as if you were my own son."
"Bruce…" Robin could feel the lump wanting to form in his throat, "…those facts I never doubted. I'm sorry about what I said…that wasn't me."
Bruce leaned back again, "Then who was it? Tell me what's going on?"
"I wish I knew." Robin sighed with a shrug, "I've been really confused lately."
"About?"
"Who I am. What I want."
His words sounded all too familiar, "I see. I recall having the same issue at some point in time."
"Really?" Robin raised a brow, "You?"
"None of us are exempt from needing to find oneself Dick." Bruce lifted his head, "There was a time where I was torn between that of being Bruce Wayne or Batman."
"How did you deal with it?"
Bruce lowered his gaze with a grin, "With time and patience…it had its difficulties but I was able to reach my decision and overcome the obstacle that was myself."
"That's great, but that doesn't tell me what I should do." How did you do it?"
"Well now, that would be the easy way out now wouldn't it. But don't think it's impossible. Have patience and you'll get there on your own…like you always do."
Robin gave a nod, "You think so?"
"No doubt about it." Bruce leaned his way again with a smirk, "But, I might have an idea that can lead you in the right direction if you're interested."
~o~
[Entertainment Room]
The game was in the last quarter as Beastboy and Cyborg watched on the edge of their seats. "Dude this game is so close." There was one minute left on the clock.
"Come on team!" Cyborg cheered.
Robin and Bruce entered back into the room, "Hey guys, I got some news."
"Yeah yeah can't it wait Robin, the game is close." Cyborg waved him off. 45 seconds left on the clock.
"Guys, this won't take long. Bruce has—"
"Go Anderson! You got this dude!"
Robin sighed, "Seriously guys?" 30 seconds left. Robin turned to Bruce who simply hunched his shoulders. Their team leader then took it upon himself to walk in front of the television screen with 10 seconds left on the clock.
"Dude!" Beastboy threw his hands in the air.
"Robin move!" Cyborg became hysterical. 5 seconds left.
"Not until you decide to pay attention."
"Okay fine just get out of the way!" They spoke simultaneously. 3 seconds. 2 seconds.
The TV's screen soon went black as it was turned off at the final second. Cyborg and Beastboy's mouths dropped in shocked as they slowly turned to see Bruce standing with the remote. "You should respect your leader more."
Tears begun to well up in Beastboy's eyes, "Dude…*sniff*…the game was so close."
Bruce raised a brow unfazed, "Did you not hear what I just said? Listen to what Robin has to say and if you have a problem with that I would be more than happy to settle it in the cave."
Beastboy gulped, "Nope…no problem."
Bruce grinned, "Thought so."
Robin nodded as he crossed her arms over his chest, "Alright, I know I've been in funk for some time, though even more so recently. So, Bruce has suggested something that could get me back in the right frame of mind."
"Of course." Cyborg sat still agitated that he missed the end of the game while Beastboy seemed to have gotten over it rather quickly asking Robin about this idea of Bruce's.
Robin exchanged a look with his mentor and focused back on his friends, "How about we guys take a little vacation."
{ }
[Titans Tower]
Raven sat in the comfort chair near the couch which Starfire was asleep on while Raiden napped on the floor. The dark natured girl was nearing the end of her novel until the vibration of her cell interrupted her. The device was situated on the island and she sighed as she wondered who it could be. Raven closed her book, marking her spot with a bookmark before standing so she could retrieve the phone. Aqualad's contact picture flashed across the screen. "Hello?"
"Hey, Raven?"
"Was that a question?"
"Hehe, yeah sorry."
She raised a brow, "Why?"
"Just a recent experience that's all."
"Okay."
"How are you?"
"I'm…fine."
"That didn't sound too convincing heh."
The corner of her mouth curled slightly, "When have I ever sounded unconvincing."
She could hear him chuckle on the other end of the phone, "Hey, we learn something new about ourselves every day."
"That's true."
"So, how's Raiden? Bee mentioned what happened."
"She's doing okay. Back to her lively self. Doctor said the faint could've been caused by exhaustion or excessive stress."
"Really? Isn't she a bit young for that?"
"Yeah, tell me about it." Raven sighed.
"Well, I'm glad to hear she's okay despite that."
"Thanks, Aqualad."
"Don't mention it." The young man fell silent for several moments, "Hey, if you'd like to hang out tonight to kind of take your mind off things…I'm free." Now Raven had fallen silent, not sure of what to make of his offer. "Raven?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"Anything that would help you relax. Movies, game…solve a murder mystery."
Raven couldn't help the small smile her mouth made, "Funny."
"Hey, laughter is sometimes all we need to unwind."
"What makes you think I need to unwind?"
Aqualad chuckled, "That reply makes you sound defensive."
"I'm not-" She blushed a little.
"Hey, no pressure alright. We can always do a raincheck."
"No."
"No?"
"What time should I come over?"
"Thatta girl." Raven rolled her eyes and she could swear she could sense him grinning on the other end of the line. "How does seven-thirty sound?"
"Alright. I'll see you then."
"See you then."
{ }
The guys walked into the tower around 8pm and took notice of the darkened living room. "It's too early for all the lights to be out." Beastboy flipped one of the switches to illuminate the room.
Cyborg raised a brow, "Maybe the girls went out?"
"Nope." Robin approached the couch, "Starfire's right here."
Beastboy approached and pointed with a finger, "And Raiden's there." The girl had a blanket over her.
"What about Raven?" Cyborg finally joined them.
Robin shook his head, "Not here. She's probably in her room."
Cyborg nodded before turning to Beastboy, "Hey BB, why don't you take Raiden to her room and put her to bed before she catches a cold on that floor."
"Me? Dude, seriously? I'm not the one with the muscles here, the kid's almost my size now."
"Come on man, you got this." Cyborg gave him a thumbs up and subtly shifted his eyes towards Robin. To sort of give the green boy a hint that he wanted to speak with him alone.
Beastboy sighed, "Fiiiiiiine, I'll just turn into a gorilla and get the job done." In a manner of moments, he had transformed into a silverback and easily picked the girl up and situated her on his back before heading towards the hall.
Cyborg turned to Robin who was about to take a seat in the comfort chair, "Hey."
"Yeah?" He sat down.
"About Raven…you should go talk to her."
"What?" He lifted his head to him, "No." Robin shook his head, "I can't…not right now."
"And why not?"
"I just can't…*sigh*…it's complicated."
Cyborg folded his arms across his chest, "Oh you don't have to tell me about how complicated it is. What I can't seem to understand is how it got this way."
"What do you mean?"
"Look man, I'm not blind alright. Ever since Raiden came into the picture, things between you and Raven have been changing. Not necessarily in a bad way if I'm honest, but recently you two have been cold as ice to each other. What's up with that?"
Robin shook his head and sighed as he passed the palm of his hand down the center of his face. "I don't…*sigh*…I can't take this anymore."
"Take what?"
"The way I've been feeling…the situation I've put myself in because of the crap decisions I've made."
"What situation are you talking about?"
"You're right Cyborg…Raven and I we…something had started to change and there was…ARE these feelings that I just can't shake." Robin leaned forward to rest his arms upon his knees. "Last week…I kissed her."
Cyborg's eyes widened, "Whoa you…she let you do that?"
"She kissed me back man."
"No kidding?" It would take him another moment or two to process that bit of information.
"It felt right…you know."
"If it felt right then what's the problem?"
Robin sighed, "She broke things off with me before we could even leave the ground."
"Oh." That sounded like Raven alright. "Hey, maybe she just got cold feet about getting that close to someone, especially her best friend."
"That's what I was thinking, until she brought up Starfire."
"Star-?" Oh, now he was catching on. Cyborg dropped his gaze to the sleeping girl and then focused back on Robin remembering that he went on a date with the girl.
"What brings me to my current situation." Robin chuckled nervously while shaking his head, "I did the stupidest thing possible and went on a date with someone else close to her."
"Well…" Cyborg let out a cough, "…going on one little date isn't THAT bad. Stupid, but not horrible."
"Cyborg…" Robin lifted his gaze to meet his, "…we made out at the end of the date."
He could see the look of shock within his friend's eyes before he dropped his gaze, shaking his head. "Damn."
"Looks like we're on the same page now." Robin leaned back into the chair and lifted his head towards the ceiling. "They both deserve better."
"At least you admit to that fact." Cyborg rubbed the back of his neck, "Most guys wouldn't look at it that way and continue to lead both girls on."
"That's not what I'm trying to do."
"I know…because I've known you for a long time, but you can't keep running from what you need to do Robin." Cyborg sighed, "Set things right before you end up causing more damage than what's already been done." He turned and headed towards the hall."
Robin dropped his gaze slightly to watch him leave until he was out of sight. His gaze then shifted to the sleeping Starfire on the couch. "Easier said than done."
{ }
[East Tower]
"Oh wow." Raven shook her head with a grin.
Aqualad chuckled, "What?"
"That was the worst joke I've ever heard."
"No way! I know Beastboy has some bad ones."
"It was worse than any of those."
Aqualad grabbed his chest over his heart in a dramatic manner, "Ouch, the blade is so cold."
"What can I say, I don't sugarcoat the truth." Her grin remained as she turned around to spot their bookcase of DVDs. "Up for another movie?"
"Sure, what are you in the mood for?"
"Suspense thriller."
"I have just the one." Aqualad stood from the couch and headed straight for the collection of movies. "It's one about this serial killer and a in-training FBI agent that consults a convicted killer to help find the other killer."
"I know exactly the movie you're referring to. It's one of my favorites."
He came back with a movie in hand and a smile, "I figured as much." It was placed into the DVD player.
Raven watched him sit back on the couch next to her, "Thanks Aqualad."
"Don't mention it, this one belongs to Bumblebee if you can believe it hehe."
She shook her head, "I'm not talking about the movie."
He turned to her confused, "Then for what?"
"For getting me to unwind."
Aqualad smiled, "Hey, that's what friends are for."
"And you were right by the way."
"About what?"
"Earlier you asked how I was doing and I told you I was fine. You said it was unconvincing and…you were right. I wasn't in the best mindset."
He nodded, "And now?"
"Now?" Raven lowered her gaze slightly as the corner of her mouth curled a bit. "Right now, I feel pretty good."
"And that's all that matters."
She raised a brow, "What, not going to see if I'm convincing enough?"
Aqualad couldn't help but laugh, "Nah, not this time." He then left her with a smile, "I can tell that you're more than telling the truth."
"Really?" She grinned, "How?"
"Because of that smile…however slight it is, it's yours and it's beautiful." Aqualad kept his gaze on hers and his words ached her heart. Raven could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks for a blush as she broke their gaze and switched her focus to the movie that was beginning to start.
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
Robin paced back and forth in his room and the time was almost close to midnight. He was contemplating whether or not to go talk to Raven. He had been at it for hours and wasn't near to making a decisi—
*knock*knock*
He stopped in his tracks and looked towards his room door; who could be bothering him this late? Robin went over to it to answer, "Yeah?"
"Hello Robin, I am sorry if I'm disturbing you in any way." Starfire.
Robin shook his head, "No Starfire uh…I was actually still awake."
"Are you having trouble sleeping?"
"Something like that. What about you? Can't sleep?"
She shook her head, "No it's not that. I did not get the chance to speak with you when you and the others got back. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay…from last night."
Last night…he could still hear Raven's words coldly cutting through his soul. He shook the thought out, "Y-Yeah, I'm fine Star, nothing for you to worry about."
"That is a relief to hear." She smiled sheepishly as she cupped her hands behind her back. "Then I wish you the happiest of dreams whilst you sleep."
"Thanks Starfire, sweet dreams to you as well."
As the last word left his lips, he immediately felt her soft ones upon his that took him by surprise. After a few moments, the alien princess pulled away with a blush decorating her cheeks, her sheepish smile still intact. "Goodnight."
"G-Goodnight." Robin watched as she disappeared down the hall and he stepped back into the room, letting the door shut right in front of his face. He leaned over, resting his forehead upon it…the girl was getting bolder and bolder by the day and he hated to admit but…he was kind of attracted to it.
{ }
[East Tower]
Bumblebee yawned as she strolled through the halls that morning making her way to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. She passed through the living room and entered through the kitchen doors, though several moments later she poked her head out and looked towards the couch. No way. A huge grin formed across her lips as she rushed quietly through again, heading to Speedy's room. She tried to wake the boy up but he was giving her trouble. "Come on Bee, just give me another hour or two."
"Would you just come and check this out please." Bumblebee grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his sheets.
"Ow ow ow! Take it easy!"
"Shh, follow me."
"What, no good morning kiss to the archer?"
The girl rolled her eyes, "Stop being a baby." She lead them back to the living room and pointed towards the couch, "Do you see what I see?"
"What are you-?" His eyes then fell on what she was referring to; he grinned. "Well well well, someone had a little too much fun last night." Aqualad and Raven were asleep, a blanket covering them as the girl's head rested on the boy's shoulder.
"They must've fallen asleep watching their what? Fourth movie?" Bee smiled.
Speedy wrapped an arm over her shoulders, "Seems like it."
"Should we wake them?"
"Nah, let the two turtle doves sleep."
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
Robin was up bright and early, quickly going through his morning ritual. He barely got any sleep and he couldn't wait until they left on a much needed vacation. But before then, he finally made up his mind…he was going to talk to Raven…he needed to.
"Richard."
A voice echoed in his head before something that hadn't occurred in a while happened…that vision like memory.
Everything seemed so dark, almost like black and white. The back of someone's head in view though nothing but darkness surrounded them. "Richard…" A voice came as another figure appeared with its back against the other's.
"Yes, I am here?" the new figure replied.
"Why…why did you hurt me?" It was a woman's voice that belonged to the other figure. Her eyes masked by the darkness, unseen as her hair begun to move with the wind to the west of them.
"Why have you brought this anxiety upon me?" The male figure remained silent…not answering as its legs begun to fade away. As this happened, the bottom half of the woman's face was revealed. "I'm scared, Richard…did I do something wrong?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she was almost completely alone for the man's entire being had just about faded away. However, before he vanished out of existence, "Don't be scared…for no matter what happens, I will always be with you…I will always love you…Rachel."
Robin's eyes widened as he tried to catch his breath. It happened again…whatever it was it…it felt so real and he couldn't stand it. This only added more confusion to him but it also gave him further determination to go and speak to Raven as quickly as possible. He exited his room and headed down the hall, making sure not to disturb any of the others. In a manner of moments, he came to the girl's door and stood outside it nervously. He could do this…he just had to wing it. Robin took a deep breath and exhaled before knocking gently. Several seconds passed and there was no answer. He wasn't going to give up; he knocked again. "Raven…we need to talk?"
"She's not there man."
Robin turned around startled, "C-Cyborg?"
His teammate leaned against the wall, "She's not there."
"Where is she?"
"Got a call from Bee a few minutes ago and it seems like she spent the night over there."
Robin raised a brow a bit surprised, "She, slept out? Why?"
"Don't freak out but uh…she was hanging out with Aqualad all night."
Robin could feel a lump immediately form both in the pit of his stomach and in his throat. "She um…with Aqualad?"
"I told you man." Cyborg shook his head as he turned to walk away, "Can't keep running, so handle your business before someone else does. Not to mention…" He placed a hand on one of his shoulders, "…don't you have a trip to finish plan?"
"Yeah." Robin watched as his teammate walked towards the living room.
Cyborg almost made it to the kitchen until the tower's front door opened with Raven entering in with a yawn. He smiled, "Glad to see you made it back home in one piece."
"Good morning to you too."
He motioned his head towards the kitchen, "I'm about to make breakfast, want to join?"
"Yeah sure. Give me fifteen minutes to take a shower and I'll offer my assistance."
"Sounds like a plan." Cyborg gave her a thumbs up as he continued on to the kitchen.
Raven made her way down the hall and just as she got closer to her room, she spotted Robin resting his back against the wall right across from her door. Her heart ached and she didn't know why he would be there, though it seemed like he didn't even notice her presence. She continued on and just as she approached the door and it slid open…
"How was your night?" Robin's voice was soft…its tone masked with a little hurt.
What was she supposed to say? Raven had one foot through the door and the other remained in the hall, her back facing him; he never moved. "It was fine."
"And how are you?"
"Fine."
Robin shook his head, "Tell me the truth Raven."
"The truth…and who are you to demand the truth from me?" She suddenly could feel his presence right behind her, catching her off guard which made her nervous.
"Raven…" his head hung low. She remained still and silent as he clench his right fist, "I…I just wanted to say that I…" What was he doing? "The way I've been acting since that night…I know I…if you could ever find it in your heart to…" Why weren't the words coming out like he needed them to? There was a lump in his throat that he swallowed, but it also caused him to fall silent.
"Is there a problem Robin? Or is that all you had to say?" Raven waited, but there wasn't another word out of him and it pained her heart, "I guess I'll see you around." She stepped inside her room.
"Rachel…" Her heart nearly stopped and she felt him gently grab hold of her left wrist, turning her around to face him. Robin's head was still lowered as he struggled to hold back tears. "Rachel it's…it's so hard."
"Robin?" He removed his mask and lifted his gaze to meet hers, his crystal blues screaming out to her amethyst ones…looking deep into her being that almost took her breath away. "Richard."
"The way I've been acting…the things I've said…Rachel, no matter what your decision was, you didn't—"
"Robin?" Starfire stood several feet down the hall. What bad timing. Robin swiftly returned his mask to his face, never letting go of Raven's wrist as he turned to the girl down the hall, "Star can you give us a—"
Raven slipped her wrist out of his grasp, "I'll see you two at breakfast." She took a step back and let her room door close shut between her and Robin.
Starfire approached with a curious look on her face, "Is friend Raven okay? I did not mean to interrupt if you were reconciling."
It took Robin all he had in refraining from punching a hole in the wall behind him. He knew Starfire meant well but she had the worst timing when it came to him trying to straighten things out in his life. Inhale…exhale. "It's okay Starfire, just be mindful next time."
"Yes. I understand." She watched him run his hand through his hair before walking pass her and down the hall. They both told her things were fine yesterday, but they didn't seem fine at the moment. They wouldn't lie to her, would they? Starfire shook the doubt out before heading down the hall herself,
Raven stood in the middle of her room holding herself feeling confused and frustrated, why couldn't she get pass it, get pass HIM! She's the one that turned her back on him so…! She softly gritted her teeth as she held back tears.
{ }
[East Tower]
Speedy sat on the couch with Bumblebee watching some sitcom on the television when Aqualad entered in with the day's mail. "Hey Lover Boy, anything for me?" Speedy teased.
Aqualad rolled his eyes, "Would you cool it. Nothing like that happened between Raven and I."
"Can't kiss and tell, gotcha." Bee winked.
"You two are two peas in a pod." He plopped down next to them on the couch.
"So, anything good in the mail?" Speedy asked.
Aqualad raised a brow, "What's with you and the mail all of a sudden." He then begun to shuffle through the envelopes, "Bill, bill, junk, magazine…"
"Oh that's mine!" Bee grabbed the publication and ran off to her room.
They watched her almost leave in a flash and sweat ran down the back of their necks. Aqualad shook his head and continued, "That's YOUR girl."
"Hey, what's that?"
"This?" Aqualad picked up a little blue envelope.
"Says it's from Titans' Tower."
Aqualad raised a brow, "They sent a letter? Why not just call or send a text?" He opened it and pulled out the cardstock inside:
Congrats! (Speedy & Aqualad)
You are invited to go on an all guy vacation starting tomorrow. You are to meet us, Robin, Beastboy, and Cyborg on the top of the Titans Tower roof. We will be leaving at 7:00 in the morning so don't be late. Don't worry about the expenses, everything has been paid for.
Hope you guys can make it.
P.S. You'll be knowing our destination when you meet up with us at 7:00.
Sincerely,
Robin, Cyborg, and Beastboy.
It took everything that Speedy had not to burst into laughter, "Are they serious?"
"Seems like it." Aqualad examined the invitation.
Speedy hunched his shoulders, "Hey, free vacation if it's legit."
"So, you're game?" Aqualad turned to him.
"Uh, yeah. I think we deserve a vacation. The girls took one, why not us?"
"I guess you're right, it's just that-"
"You don't want to stir the pot with ole Robin."
Aqualad sighed, "No. Besides…there's no pot to stir."
"Soooo…should I take that as we're going?"
Aqualad looked down at the invitation one more time, "Yeah…we're going."