Chapter 24

The Bioship touched down smoothly in the dimly lit hangar of Mount Justice, the soft hum of its engines fading as the hatch opened. The Team descended the ramp, their post-mission weariness evident in their slower movements and tired expressions. Despite the successful operation, the strain of the day had clearly taken its toll.

As they stepped into the familiar base, Impulse stretched dramatically, his arms high above his head. "Man, nothing beats the feeling of landing back at base. Like, don't get me wrong, I love being crash and all, but there's nothing like solid ground under your feet."

Miss Martian chuckled softly, shaking her head as she hovered toward the central living area. "We did well today. Everyone deserves to relax."

Tom rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles still stiff from the mission. "Speaking of relaxing, I'm going to grab a shower. Feels like I've been running on adrenaline for hours."

"Good idea," Superboy said, his tone flat but agreeing. "You could probably use it after everything."

Impulse didn't miss a beat. "You? What about me? I've been zipping through enemy lines and planting EMPs. If anyone needs a shower, it's me."

Blue Beetle smirked, patting Impulse on the shoulder. "That's not up for debate, hermano. You're definitely overdue."

"Alright, alright," Impulse replied with mock indignation.

Raven, walking quietly past, added in her usual soft, monotone voice, "It's a good idea. Everyone could use a reset."

Tom rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. "Glad I could inspire the team to focus on hygiene."

Kaelith, who had remained unusually quiet during the trip back, smirked as she leaned casually against a wall. "If only they were this eager during the mission."

Tom gave her a look, shaking his head as he headed toward the dormitory wing. "I'll catch up with you all later."

Inside his room, Tom grabbed a fresh change of clothes and a towel, tossing them onto his bed as he unzipped his duffel bag for his shower kit. The room was modest but comfortable, its simplicity offering a sense of calm after the chaos of the day. Kaelith's shadowy presence lingered nearby, her glowing eyes watching him with faint amusement.

"Don't slip in there," she teased, her voice carrying a dry edge. "The last thing this team needs is another injury to patch up."

"I'll be fine," Tom replied, rolling his eyes as he grabbed his things. "Try not to scare anyone while I'm gone."

Kaelith's smirk widened. "No promises."

The communal showers in Mount Justice were clean and practical, with a modern design. The area was divided into separate sections for men and women, each featuring rows of lockers on one side and multiple shower stalls on the other. The frosted glass of the shower doors provided privacy, but the open layout made it easy to hear the faint echoes of running water and the occasional hum of the base's systems.

Tom stepped into the men's section, the cool tile underfoot contrasting with the warmth of the building. He set his towel and clothes on a bench, glancing around to see if anyone else had arrived yet. The showers were empty for now, the quiet space giving him a moment of solitude.

Peeling off his clothes, he paused briefly in front of a mirror mounted above the sinks. His scarred body reflected back at him, illuminated by the bright, overhead lights. The faint sting of his healing wounds mingled with the ache in his shoulder, a visceral reminder of the battle they'd just finished.

He ran a hand lightly over the fresh bandages on his shoulder, the ones Raven had carefully applied earlier. "Still here," he murmured under his breath, his voice carrying a note of determination.

Shaking off the thought, Tom grabbed his shower kit and stepped into one of the stalls. Turning the knob, he let the hot water flow freely, cascading over him in steady streams. The rising steam filled the space, wrapping around him like a protective cocoon.

The steam had begun to fill the communal shower area, creating a misty haze as Tom let the hot water pour over him. The tension in his muscles eased with each passing second, the aches of the mission slowly fading into the background. For a moment, it felt like he had the entire space to himself—until the door to the men's side creaked open.

"Yo, Tom!" Impulse's unmistakable voice called out, followed by the sound of quick footsteps and a locker door slamming. "Guess you weren't kidding about the shower thing. Mind if I crash the party?"

Tom sighed, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smile. "It's a communal shower, Bart. Kind of the point."

Impulse zipped past the rows of lockers, already half out of his suit. "Yeah, but you looked like you were having a whole lone-wolf, brooding-in-the-steam moment. Very dramatic. Should've seen it coming."

"Bart," Superboy's voice cut in, firm and deadpan as he stepped into the room behind him. "Not everything needs to be an event."

"See, this is why you and I balance each other out, big guy," Impulse replied, tossing his suit onto a bench as he grabbed his towel. "I bring the energy; you bring the brooding."

Tom chuckled lightly, shaking his head as he adjusted the water's temperature. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"That's what makes me crash," Impulse replied smugly as he turned on his own shower, the sound of water joining the steady rhythm already filling the room.

A moment later, Blue Beetle entered, carrying his folded armor under one arm and a towel in the other. "You know, I'm starting to think I should've grabbed my noise-canceling headphones," he quipped, nodding at Impulse as he placed his armor neatly on the bench. "Because I can already tell this is going to be one of those showers."

Impulse peeked around the edge of his stall, shampoo foam already in his hair. "Come on, hermano, you love it."

Blue Beetle raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly. "Yeah, sure. Love's definitely the word I'd use."

Superboy sighed as he found a stall on the opposite end of the row. "Can we at least keep it down? It's been a long day."

Impulse gave a mock salute, his tone dripping with faux seriousness. "Aye-aye, Captain Quiet."

Tom couldn't help but laugh softly, the lively banter lifting some of the residual weight from the mission. "You guys are something else."

"We aim to please," Impulse called back, now humming an off-key tune that echoed through the room.

The door opened again, and Nightwing stepped in, his presence immediately commanding attention even in the casual setting. He gave a quick glance around the room, smirking at the mix of steam and chatter. "Didn't realize we were having a Team meeting in here."

Impulse popped his head out of his stall again, pointing dramatically. "It's not a meeting; it's a vibe."

Nightwing chuckled, grabbing a towel and setting his gear on a nearby bench. "Right. Just don't flood the place."

The sound of running water and overlapping chatter filled the shower area, the Team settling into a rhythm that felt almost normal after the chaos of the mission. Tom remained in his stall, leaning his head back as the water poured down, letting their banter wash over him.

"So," Impulse began, his voice echoing slightly, "when are we gonna talk about how Tom went full action hero out there today? I mean, taking a bullet, holding it together, and still pulling through? That's some crash stuff."

"Pretty sure it's called doing his job," Superboy said from his stall, though there was a faint hint of respect in his tone.

"No, no," Blue Beetle chimed in, rinsing off, "Impulse actually has a point. Tom handled himself like a pro. Considering it's your first mission? That's impressive."

Tom smiled faintly, grateful for the running water hiding his face. "Appreciate the hype, but it's not like I did it alone. You guys made it a lot easier to stay alive out there."

Impulse groaned. "Oh, come on, don't go all humble on us. You totally deserve the credit. Especially with all the—uh—battle damage you're carrying."

The room went quiet for a beat, and Tom felt the weight of their thoughts pressing against the silence.

"Bart," Nightwing's voice carried a warning edge, though it wasn't harsh.

"What?" Impulse protested, though he quickly backtracked. "I mean, it's not like it's a bad thing. It's just… you know, a lot. I guess I can't really imagine dealing with all that and still showing up the way you do."

Tom exhaled, shutting off the water and grabbing his towel. "It's not like I had much of a choice," he said quietly, his voice steady but with an edge of vulnerability. "But I won't lie it was a close thing, and I'm only here thanks to Kaelith"

Nightwing stepped out of his stall, water still dripping from his hair as he wrapped a towel around his waist. "And that's what makes you one of us, Tom," he said, his tone calm but resolute. "You've been through hell, but you're still here, still fighting."

Tom dried off in silence for a moment, letting Nightwing's words sink in. The room was quiet again, but it wasn't uncomfortable—more like an unspoken agreement that they all understood the weight of what had been said.

"Anyway," Blue Beetle said, breaking the silence with a lighter tone, "I think we've all earned a night of not thinking about scars, missions, or bad guys. Who's up for movie night after this?"

Impulse perked up immediately, already halfway into drying his hair. "Oh! Me! Dibs on picking the movie!"

Superboy groaned. "No horror this time."

"You're no fun," Impulse shot back, grinning.

Tom chuckled softly, wrapping the towel around his waist and stepping out of the stall. "Movie night sounds good. Just let me know what I'm walking into."

Nightwing smirked as he grabbed his clothes from the bench. "You're walking into whatever chaos Bart picks, but it'll be worth it."

The women's shower area was warm and misty, the soft sound of running water filling the space. Miss Martian stood by a row of lockers, folding her uniform with practiced care before draping a towel over her shoulder. Nearby, Raven sat on a bench, her dark hair damp as she quietly toweled it dry, her shadowy aura barely visible in the warm haze.

Miss Martian glanced over at Raven with a faint smile. "I think that mission went well, all things considered. How are you feeling?"

Raven looked up briefly, her expression calm but tired. "I'm fine. Healing magic always takes its toll, but nothing a little rest won't fix. You?"

Miss Martian nodded as she stepped toward one of the showers. "A bit drained, but I'll be fine. It's nice to finally unwind."

The gentle hum of water created a soothing rhythm, but the peace was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Both women glanced toward the entrance, their brows raising slightly as Kaelith entered, this time in her human form. Her long, dark hair framed her face, and her sharp, confident features were softened slightly by the more casual setting. She carried a towel in one hand and a small bag slung over her shoulder.

"Kaelith?" Miss Martian asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Kaelith shrugged with an easy smirk, the kind that carried both amusement and a hint of sarcasm. "Tom's been lecturing me about doing more than lurking in the shadows. Something about 'exploring my humanity,' whatever that means. So here I am. Girl time, right?"

Raven tilted her head, her gaze mildly intrigued. "Girl time… in the showers?"

"Don't act so surprised," Kaelith replied smoothly, setting her bag down on the bench near Raven. "I've been watching you all for a week. This seems to be the place where the chatting and bonding happens. Might as well try it out." Her tone carried a hint of playfulness, though her sharp wit was unmistakable.

Miss Martian laughed softly as she turned on the water in her stall. "Well, you're welcome to join, though it's not exactly a social club."

Kaelith smirked, leaning casually against the lockers as she began to unwrap her towel. "Relax, I'm not here to ruin the sacred rituals of hygiene or whatever. I just thought I'd see what the fuss was about."

"You mean you wanted an excuse to get out of Tom's lectures," Raven said, her tone flat but her lips twitching into the faintest of smiles.

Kaelith chuckled softly as she stepped into one of the empty stalls, her movements unhurried but deliberate. "You caught me. That boy could win an award for persistence. 'You should try being more social, Kaelith.' 'It wouldn't kill you to talk to someone else, Kaelith.'" Her voice dropped into a mocking imitation of Tom's tone, earning a soft laugh from Miss Martian.

"Well," Miss Martian said, rinsing shampoo from her hair, "you're here now. That's a start."

Kaelith's voice carried through the mist as she turned on her shower. "Let's not make a habit of it. This is a one-time experiment. Unless it turns out to be less boring than I'm expecting."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "And how's it going so far?"

Kaelith's laughter was soft but genuine. "Surprisingly tolerable."

The soft rhythm of the running water filled the shower area as the conversation between the three women ebbed and flowed. Kaelith leaned slightly against the frosted divider of her stall, her hair damp as she worked shampoo into it. Despite her usual sharp edge, there was a relaxed quality to her posture.

"So," Miss Martian began, her voice light as she rinsed the soap from her arms. "Kaelith, I've been meaning to ask. You're... pretty close to Tom, right? Like, you're always around him."

Kaelith smirked faintly, the playful glint in her eyes unmistakable. "Well, we do spend a lot of time together. That tends to happen when someone keeps dragging you into chaos."

Miss Martian chuckled, shaking her head. "He does seem like the 'let's talk it out' type. But he means well."

Raven, who had been listening quietly as she toweled off her hair, tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes narrowing with curiosity. "You two spend a lot of time together," she said, her voice calm but probing. "Are you... together?"

Kaelith paused mid-motion, her fingers momentarily still in her hair before she let out a short, sharp laugh. "Together? As in, romantically? Not a chance."

Miss Martian blinked, her surprise evident. "Oh. I mean, you two seem so close—"

Kaelith stepped out of the stall, wrapping herself in a towel and casually brushing her hair back from her face. Her tone was firm, but there was no hostility. "Let's set the record straight. Tom and I? Strictly platonic. He's free real estate, as far as I'm concerned."

Raven raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?"

Kaelith shrugged, leaning casually against the lockers as she grabbed another towel to dry her hair. "I do care about him. Deeply. I've seen Tom at his worst and I know how much strength it takes for him to keep going. He's... important to me, but not in that way. Trust me, if he ever decided to pursue someone, I'd be the first one to step aside and hand him a map."

Miss Martian smiled, her curiosity softening into amusement. "Well, that's... refreshingly direct."

Kaelith smirked. "That's me. Direct and to the point. Besides, if I had any interest in him, don't you think I would've made a move by now?"

Raven's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Fair enough. It's good to have clarity."

Kaelith chuckled softly as she leaned back against the lockers, her tone playful. "Look, Tom's a good guy—great, even. But romantically? Not my style. If any of you are interested, though, I can vouch for his character."

Miss Martian laughed lightly. "Good to know."

The three of them settled into a more relaxed rhythm, the sound of water and their occasional laughter filling the space. For all her sarcasm and sharp edges, Kaelith found herself oddly at ease in their company. It wasn't something she'd have sought out, but for now, it was a moment she didn't mind sharing

Tom finished toweling off and slipped into a fresh shirt, the clean fabric feeling like a second skin after the grime of the mission. His hair was still damp, and he rubbed it lightly with his towel as he sat on the bench, watching as Superboy and Blue Beetle finished up.

"Not gonna lie," Tom said, adjusting his shirt, "I thought showers would be the quiet part of the day."

Impulse zipped out of his stall, fully dressed and grinning as he wrung water from his hair. "Quiet? Showers are where the best ideas happen. Speaking of—" He stopped abruptly, leaning toward Tom with an exaggeratedly serious expression. "Movies."

Tom blinked. "Movies?"

"Yep!" Impulse declared, bouncing on his feet as he combed his fingers through his hair. "I've got the perfect pick, too."

Superboy groaned from his locker. "If it's another horror movie, I'm out."

Impulse threw up his hands in mock offense. "What? Come on, I was thinking something classic—something that'll blow your minds."

"Classic in Bart terms," Blue Beetle muttered, slipping his armor back on piece by piece, "usually translates to 'chaotic.'"

Tom smirked, standing up and slinging his towel over his shoulder. "Alright, I'm curious. What masterpiece are you thinking?"

Impulse grinned wider, his eyes practically sparkling. "Attack of the Cyborg Sharks!"

Superboy and Blue Beetle froze mid-motion, staring at him in disbelief.

"Bart," Tom began, his tone carefully measured, "is that an actual movie, or did you just make it up on the spot?"

"It's real!" Impulse insisted, his enthusiasm undeterred. "I mean, I'm pretty sure it's real. If it's not, we should make it."

Blue Beetle rolled his eyes, grabbing his gear. "Let's just meet up with the others. Maybe someone will talk some sense into you."

The group made their way to the common area, where the girls were already gathered. Miss Martian was chatting with Kaelith, who had dried her hair and now looked surprisingly casual in loose, comfortable clothes. Raven sat nearby, her ever-present calm demeanor intact.

Impulse bounded into the room first, his energy as boundless as ever. "Ladies! You're just in time. We're planning the ultimate movie night."

Miss Martian raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "Oh? And what's the plan?"

"Attack of the Cyborg Sharks!" Impulse declared triumphantly, striking a pose.

Kaelith blinked, tilting her head as if trying to process the words. "That's either the most ridiculous title I've ever heard or an absolute work of genius."

"Genius," Bart said firmly, pointing at her. "See? Someone gets it."

Raven's voice was flat as she folded her arms. "Sounds ridiculous."

Superboy crossed his arms, his tone deadpan. "Exactly."

Tom stepped forward, trying to suppress a grin. "You know, Bart, maybe let's put it to a vote? Or at least consider other options?"

Impulse dramatically clutched his chest. "A vote? Betrayed by my own team. Fine, but mark my words, this movie will change your lives."

Miss Martian laughed softly, glancing around. "Alright, let's settle this quickly. Who's in for Bart's suggestion, and who wants to pick something... safer?"

Impulse threw his hands in the air, groaning dramatically as the final votes came in. "I can't believe this. Outvoted in my own team. Betrayal of the highest order!"

Miss Martian giggled, shaking her head as she hovered near the couch. "It's called democracy, Bart. Maybe next time pitch a movie that doesn't have 'cyborg sharks' in the title."

Impulse crossed his arms and sighed, though his expression quickly shifted to one of mischief. "Fine. But I'll contribute to this so-called team bonding experience in my own way. I'll run out and grab pizza. I'll be back before you can even hit play."

Nightwing raised an eyebrow from where he leaned against the wall. "You sure about that, Bart? Pizza places aren't exactly known for their speedy service."

Impulse smirked, already stretching his legs. "Are they the fastest kid alive? Didn't think so. Trust me, I've got this."

Superboy sighed, crossing his arms. "Fine, but no pineapple."

"You've got it, big guy," Bart said with a wink, already halfway to the Zeta-Tube. "I'll be back faster than you can say 'extra cheese!'"

The team collectively rolled their eyes as he zipped out of sight, the faint hum of the Zeta-Tube marking his departure.

With Impulse gone, the rest of the group turned their attention to the task at hand: picking a movie. After a few minutes of playful bickering and suggestions, Miss Martian hovered in front of the screen, holding up a digital library of films.

"How about this one?" she asked, pointing to a lighthearted action-comedy. "It's fun, doesn't take itself too seriously, and no cyborg sharks."

Blue Beetle leaned over, nodding. "I'm in. We could all use a laugh after today."

Kaelith shrugged, lounging lazily on one of the armchairs. "Sure, why not? As long as it doesn't involve explosions every five seconds, I'll survive."

Raven, sitting quietly on the arm of a nearby couch, gave a small nod. "That works."

Tom settled onto the couch, his legs stretched out in front of him. "Sounds good to me. At least it won't give Bart any weird new ideas."

The team arranged themselves comfortably around the large TV in the living area. Miss Martian and Superboy sat together on the long couch, while Blue Beetle claimed the floor, leaning back against the sofa. Tom sat next to Raven, who perched neatly beside him, her usual calm demeanor intact as she pulled her knees up slightly. Kaelith, ever the wildcard, stretched out across an armchair, her legs casually dangling over the side.

The screen lit up as Miss Martian started the movie. The room was dimly lit, the glow of the screen casting a warm light over the group as they settled in. Despite the banter and teasing earlier, a sense of ease filled the room—a rare moment where they could simply enjoy each other's company.

Not long after, the Zeta-Tube hummed again, and Impulse reappeared, balancing three pizza boxes in one hand and two bags of snacks in the other.

"Alright, pizza's here!" he announced, grinning as he zipped into the room. "Told you I'd make it before the opening credits."

"Impressive," Nightwing said, grabbing one of the boxes. "Alright, Bart, you redeemed yourself."

"Duh," Bart replied, setting the rest of the food on the coffee table. "Now let's eat and enjoy this very inferior movie you all picked."

Raven glanced over at Tom, her voice quiet but tinged with dry humor. "Inferior or not, it's better than Cyborg Sharks."

Tom smirked, leaning slightly closer to her. "That's a low bar."

"Hey, I heard that!" Impulse shot back, grabbing a slice of pizza as he plopped onto the floor next to Blue Beetle. "You'll all regret your choices when you miss out on cinematic gold."

"Sit down and stop complaining," Blue Beetle said, chuckling as he reached for his own slice.

Tom handed a plate to Raven, their hands briefly brushing as she took it with a small nod of thanks. The opening scene of the movie played as the team dug into the pizza, the sounds of laughter and conversation mixing with the soundtrack on the screen. For a little while, the weight of their responsibilities faded, replaced by the warmth of shared moments.

Raven, usually quiet and reserved, seemed more at ease beside Tom, her faint smile barely visible in the glow of the TV.

As the movie played, the team settled into a relaxed rhythm, their occasional commentary and laughter blending with the film's dialogue. Miss Martian and Superboy sat at opposite ends of the long couch, an awkward space between them despite their proximity. Miss Martian occasionally glanced at Superboy, her expression warm but tinged with hesitation, while Superboy kept his focus mostly on the screen, his jaw tight with an air of quiet restraint.

Though they weren't speaking directly to each other, there was an unspoken tension in the way they moved—a familiarity that hadn't quite disappeared, even if their relationship had officially ended. Miss Martian reached for the bowl of popcorn between them, her hand brushing the edge of the bowl at the same moment Superboy's did. They both froze for a moment, their eyes meeting briefly before she pulled her hand back with a small, polite smile.

"You can go first," she offered softly, her tone polite but distant.

Superboy shook his head, his voice equally subdued. "No, it's fine. You take it."

The exchange went unnoticed by most of the group, save for Raven, who observed quietly from her seat on the armrest. Her violet eyes flicked between the two, her expression impassive but thoughtful.

"Not bad for a random pick," Tom remarked, his voice low enough not to interrupt the others. "I was half expecting Bart to storm out by now."

Raven turned slightly toward him, one eyebrow raising faintly. "He seems too distracted by pizza to care. It's probably the only thing keeping him quiet."

Tom chuckled softly, taking another bite. "Fair point. It's a rare thing."

A loud laugh from Impulse broke their conversation momentarily as he gestured wildly at the screen. "See! That's what I was talking about! This guy knows what's up!" He shoved another slice of pizza into his mouth, talking through his chewing. "Total hero move."

Blue Beetle shook his head, nudging him with an elbow. "Yeah, if by hero move you mean ridiculous and impractical. You're impossible, hermano."

Impulse grinned, crumbs falling onto his lap. "I'm crash, and you know it."

Kaelith, sprawled across her armchair, rolled her eyes but smirked nonetheless. "If you don't choke on that pizza first."

It was rare to feel this comfortable, this… normal. The warmth of shared laughter, the soft glow of the TV, and the low hum of quiet conversation surrounded him, wrapping him in a cocoon of camaraderie. For a moment, he allowed himself to let go of the constant tension that usually gripped him.

But then, there was Raven.

She sat next to him, her casual clothes a stark contrast to her usual dark cloak and mystical presence. Her legs were tucked neatly under her, and her damp hair framed her pale face. She wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary—just sitting there, quietly watching the movie like everyone else—but her proximity was enough to make Tom acutely aware of every flicker of emotion within himself.

He tried to focus on the movie, on Impulse's over-the-top commentary, on Blue Beetle's exasperated responses—anything to ground himself. Yet, his thoughts kept drifting back to the fact that Raven could sense emotions. His emotions. The calm he'd been enjoying was suddenly overshadowed by an internal struggle: Was he too relaxed? Too aware of her presence? Too much of… whatever it was he was feeling?

A crush isn't exactly an emotion, right? Tom thought, clinging to the logic like a lifeline. It's more like… a state of mind. A passing thought. So, technically, I should be fine.

Kaelith said she usually keeps things muted, Tom reminded himself, gripping the edge of his slice of pizza a little tighter than necessary. She said Raven wouldn't pick up on anything unless it was strong. This doesn't count as strong. Right?

He stole a glance at her out of the corner of his eye. Raven was as composed as ever, her violet eyes fixed on the screen. If she noticed anything, she gave no indication. But Tom couldn't shake the nagging doubt. What if Kaelith had decided to take a break from filtering his emotions? What if, right now, Raven was silently dissecting every flicker of unease, every flicker of... whatever this was?

Relax, he told himself. She's probably just enjoying the movie like everyone else. You're overthinking it. But that little voice in the back of his mind refused to be silenced.

Kaelith, lounging in the armchair with her usual smirk, didn't appear to be paying him any attention—thankfully. Her legs were dangling over the edge as she lazily munched on a slice of pizza, her gaze flicking between the screen and the others with a look of detached amusement. If she was monitoring him, she wasn't making it obvious.

Tom exhaled quietly, his grip on his pizza relaxing. This is fine. This is normal. He leaned back into the couch, hoping to settle back into the easy comfort of the moment. Even if Raven could sense something, she didn't seem to be acting on it. That was good, right? That was fine. Everything was fine.

The movie finally came to an end, the credits rolling as the screen dimmed. The team began to stir, stretching and yawning after sitting in the same positions for so long. Impulse was the first to speak, leaping to his feet with boundless energy that seemed unaffected by the late hour.

"Well, that was crash!" he announced, grinning as he stretched dramatically. "Not as good as Cyborg Sharks would've been, but I'll give it a solid seven out of ten."

Blue Beetle shook his head, smirking as he stood and picked up his empty plate. "You've got the weirdest taste in movies, hermano. But yeah, it wasn't bad."

Superboy pushed himself up from the couch, glancing briefly at Miss Martian before turning toward the coffee table. "Let's clean this up before we call it a night. Last thing we need is Batman saying we can't handle basic chores."

Miss Martian nodded, standing and gathering a few stray napkins. "Good idea. It won't take long if we all pitch in."

Kaelith rolled her eyes but stood from her armchair, grabbing an empty soda can and a couple of plates. "I don't know if I signed up for a cleaning crew, but sure, why not? Tom's clearly a bad influence on me."

Tom smirked, already stacking the empty pizza boxes. "Don't pin this on me. I didn't make the mess."

Impulse zipped around the room, scooping up discarded popcorn and wrappers at lightning speed. "Relax, guys! I've got this! Fastest cleanup ever."

Blue Beetle snorted, balancing a stack of cups in one hand. "Yeah, Bart, just don't turn it into the fastest spill ever."

"Pfft," Impulse replied, spinning dramatically to drop his collected trash into the bin. "Have a little faith in me, Beetle. I'm a pro."

Raven silently picked up a soda can and a few plates from the coffee table, her movements as efficient as they were quiet. She glanced briefly at Tom, who caught her eye and gave a small, appreciative nod.

Raven raised an eyebrow as she handed the plates to Miss Martian.

The team worked together, the room quickly returning to its clean and orderly state. Kaelith stacked napkins and wiped down the coffee table with exaggerated precision, muttering sarcastic comments as she worked. "See? This is why I don't do movie nights often. Too much cleanup for so little reward."

"You liked the movie," Miss Martian teased, floating some stray crumbs into a nearby trash bin. "Admit it."

Kaelith smirked, her eyes glinting. "Maybe."

"Hey, I heard that!" Impulse called from across the room, tossing a stray piece of popcorn into the trash like it was a basketball. "And you loved it. You're welcome."

Blue Beetle groaned, nudging him as he carried the last of the empty plates to the kitchen. "Keep telling yourself that, man."

With the room spotless, the team began to disperse. Superboy gave a small nod to everyone before heading toward the dorms. "Goodnight. See you at the debrief tomorrow."

"Goodnight," Miss Martian said softly, her voice warm but a little distant.

Kaelith stretched dramatically, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, I'm officially done playing maid. Cleaning is not on my list of talents." She straightened, rolling her shoulders before turning toward Tom. Her smirk softened slightly as her glowing eyes flicked toward him. "Night."

Before Tom could respond, Kaelith's form shimmered, her figure dissolving into shadowy tendrils that slithered silently across the floor and disappeared into his shadow. He felt the familiar, faint weight of her presence settle in his mind, a comforting constant now that he'd grown used to it.

"Night," Tom murmured under his breath, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and warmth.

Impulse zipped toward the door, pausing only long enough to give a playful salute. "Crash night, everyone! I'll dream of better movies for you all."

"Goodnight, Bart," Miss Martian said with a laugh, shaking her head.

As the rest of the team filed out, Tom lingered in the now-clean room. He moved quietly, turning off the TV and the lights, the faint glow of the base's systems casting soft shadows across the walls. The hum of the base filled the silence, a comforting backdrop as he headed toward his own room.

When he finally crawled into bed, the weight of the day caught up to him, but a small smile lingered on his face. Kaelith's presence was faint but steady. Moments like tonight—simple, shared, and honest—were what made it all so amazing.

Raven walked quietly down the dimly lit hallway toward her room, her footsteps soft against the smooth floors of Mount Justice. The low hum of the base's systems filled the silence, a constant background noise that she'd grown accustomed to over the years. Her thoughts, however, were far from quiet.

The movie night had been... unexpected. Not in the sense that it had happened—group bonding was common enough within the Team—but in how she had felt during it. There had been laughter, casual banter, and even moments of genuine connection. She had expected to sit quietly on the fringes, observing as usual, but tonight had felt different. She had felt different.

The easy camaraderie of the group lingered in her mind, particularly the subtle moments that seemed to say so much. Miss Martian and Superboy's carefully distant politeness, masking the unresolved tension between them. Impulse's boundless energy, masking a keen awareness of how much the Team needed moments like these. Even Kaelith, enigmatic and sharp-edged, had managed to blend into the relaxed atmosphere—something Raven hadn't thought possible.

And then there was Tom.

Raven pushed the thought aside as she entered her room, closing the door behind her. She had noticed him, of course—his quiet smiles, the way he occasionally glanced her way as if checking to see if she was enjoying herself. She hadn't sensed anything unusual from him; his emotions had been steady, muted, likely thanks to Kaelith's influence. Yet there had been a moment, brief but unmistakable, where she thought she'd felt something slip through—a flicker of something warm, something he had quickly tried to suppress.

She sat down on the edge of her bed, her gaze unfocused as she let her thoughts drift. Tom was still a puzzle to her, and not just because of his scars—both the visible ones and the ones he carried inside. There was a resilience to him, a quiet determination that she couldn't help but respect. But there was also a fragility, one he tried to hide but couldn't entirely conceal.

Raven leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The movie night had been ordinary in so many ways, yet it had felt like a moment of peace in a life that rarely allowed for such things. She had felt… included. Not as the Team's resident mystic, not as someone they turned to only when things went dark, but as part of the group.

She thought back to the quiet exchanges during the movie—Tom's occasional glances, the faint humor in his voice when he whispered a comment about the film. It had been easy, natural, in a way she wasn't used to. Raven sighed softly, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles.

AN: Here be the next chapter.