Teen Titans © DC Comics

49. Umbrella

Curses emitted from the back of his throat like a sailor, ripping through the harsh winds. The Herald held his azure cloak tightly against himself, grumbling about how much Jesus hated him. Rain pelted down on his hood, and his vision was getting obscured in the misty droplets. Herald sighed, glancing around the smog-ridden skies of Steel City. Visiting Titans East during a rainstorm probably wasn't his finest moment.

Also, it only worsened when a speeding car splashed him with oily water.

His eyes bulged, stomping around furiously, and his fingers twitched with bones snapping. Swearing at the top of his lungs, Herald really wished his Gabriel's Horn wasn't broken. During a fight with Killer Moth, the insect abomination crushed it in his palms, resulting in Herald whooping his butt until Superman personally dragged him away.

Why does everything stink on Monday nights? Why couldn't Bumblebee ask me to come over yesterday? Herald thought as he muttered obscenities, allowing his suppressed, crimson rage to leak out. "Why couldn't I come over tomorrow?"

"Excuse me, the bad guy said he'd strike today, which he did. You're pretty late."

Herald flinched at the commanding, harshly feminine voice. Pivoting on his heels, he found Bumblebee glaring at him with greenish-brown orbs dominating him.

"Hey, Bee," he reluctantly greeted.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" she barked, holding a cobalt umbrella over her head in order to defend her double cotton ball style of hair.

Herald observed her dark cherry overcoat clutched tightly against her busty frame. Staring at her curves until he shook his head rapidly, he stated, "Sorry! I had to walk. Ya know, my horn's busted."

"It is? That's unfortunate."

"Wow, you're sympathetic."

Bumblebee smirked, apologizing and held the umbrella over their heads. "You missed out on the action. We beat the bad guys before they broke into the bank vault."

"And you couldn't tell me this earlier because…?"

Her ruby lips curved upwards another inch. "We tried to get your communicator, but when we finally reached you, your little buddy signed that you already left, shouting, 'Alright, I get to muss up Speedy's hair and steal his gel'."

"Jericho! I gonna chop his hands off," Herald snarled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "So, how'd you guys do with the bad guys?"

"We kicked their butts. Mas and Menos made some good fun out of it, taunting them and all. You know, picking their noses."

Herald laughed quietly, taking the umbrella from her when her arm started aching. "I wouldn't doubt it for those two. They make fun of everyone that don't understand them."

"Well, it's also that they like to taunt Speedy by dressing up like him and running around with one of his thousand mirrors. It encourages them to go on and have a nice time while taking down the bad guys." Bumblebee nudged him playfully, sneering up to him. "Aqualad placed pink hair dye in his conditioner. His hair's like bubblegum."

Herald snickered, stunned into amused jeers at her revelation. "No, you're serious? Aqualad, man, I didn't know he had it in him! He's usually so quiet! Who would've thought?"

A roaring thunder overheard cut off their mirth instantly. Streaks of jagged lightning ripped across the pitch-black sky as the rain pelted down onto their umbrella. Water bounced off the umbrella like balls on the ground. Herald leaned the umbrella forward, blocking the rapid wind and took her hand, ushering her along back to Titans East's headquarters.

Bumblebee incredulously stared at him as he nearly dragged her along. Frowning perversely, she huffily stated she could walk and pulled her hand away. At his blankly confused look, she rolled her eyes and elbowed him. "Come on, I can walk just fine. I'm not some girl who needs constant protection."

"Yeah, I know, but it was pretty funny watching you lost to Angel and Punk Rocket."

Gasping indignantly, she punched him on the arm, snapping, "Don't bring that up!"

"You lost," he sang slowly.

Bumblebee shoved him into a puddle. Herald yelped, hurrying to his feet as Bumblebee expertly snatched the umbrella in the air. Smirking, she turned and started back to her tower as Herald's consistent whines hovered in the air. Turning around, she placed her hand, profusively laughing at his predicament.

Herald was sopping wet; water and toxic oil dripping off him like the rain above. He raised his arms, staring frantically to his cape that turned a darker shade of blue from the wetness. Cursing, Herald attempted to squeeze the disgusting liquids out, but the pelting rain plagued him.

Feeling rare pity, she sauntered back and placed the umbrella over both of them. "That was pretty mean of me. I shouldn't have shoved you. Sorry, Herald."

He sighed, continuing feebly to disperse the water. "Don't worry. I got more costumes like this back at mine and Jericho's pad back in Europe. I mean, uh, ya know…" He trailed off, but suddenly blurted, "I was born right here in Steel City."

"You were? You were born here?" she reiterated in shocked disbelief.

"I was, Steel City, New York," Herald chuckled nervously, making hand gestures that only emphasized his timidity. "Sorry, I dunno why I just said that."

"No, I'm-I'm glad you told me. Strangely enough, I was born here, too."

They looked at each other, shadow drawn over them by the umbrella. Quickly, they glanced away from each other the moment their eyes connected, but Herald saw an acute sadness that matched the rain's gloom.

"It's nice to know that I have a friend from the same city as me be in the Titans," Herald murmured after a moment.

"Yeah, it really is. Though, why'd you wait such a long time to tell me?"

"Thought you wouldn't care since you and the rest of Titans East have the city under control."

"Of course I'd care! Herald, you're a nope."

He smirked, crossing his arms as Titans East's Tower came into view. "And you're a bossy bug. Is that place on Third Street still around? The one that sells-?"

"-burgers? Sure is! I took the twins there, and it's now their favorite dinner spot."

"Awesome! Is Old Man Wichoski still alive?"

"He's never gonna die!"

Both laughed as the crotchety elder crossed their minds with his lips twisted in a fervent frown, wrinkles and face sagging. Wichoski would berate the young people for "comin' 'round wit' dere music and low pants and da blasted bling!', and Herald and Bumblebee were no exception in his coarse nagging.

"So, you mind if I take you there tomorrow? Catch up on the city's digs?" Herald wondered, still smiling.

"Sure! Sounds like a…" A slow smile split across her fair face, eyes narrowing as she leaned up to him. "…date."

Herald felt his cheeks rage red like fire. Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he nodded, realizing what he had gotten himself into.