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Literature Text
*Consider Me* (Part 2)
Raven had set her book down a while ago, “What’s wrong with staying indoors?”
The titans collectively sighed together as their arguments obviously weren’t working.
“Rae,” Beast boy whined in her ear. He then morphed into a puppy to sway her mind, it usually worked on Starfire.
Raven gave him a blank stare. “Fine, I’ll go out.”
She stood up and pulled her blanket off and placed it on the couch.
Beast boy morphed back and fist pumped the air. “I knew the face works on you.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Raven followed Ivy up the stairs to change into warmer clothing.
It was initially decided to go on a sleigh ride first to Starfire’s delight. Raven could see her own breath hover in the air in front of her. Despite the heavy coat, earmuffs, and gloves she was still cold with having her neck and face exposed. The horses’ shoes clicked a rhythm on the snow cleared ground. They sat on the middle bench of the sleigh with Robin and Starfire back and the other couple up front.
“This isn’t so bad, right?” Beast boy asked her.
A chill rocked her body. “Because staying out in freezing temperatures is always fun.”
“I’m just going to consider that a yes.”
They were told the sleigh ride would last an estimate of twenty-five minutes. They passed through the village, golf course and were currently back on their way through the village. Raven had to admit that she was enjoying herself, it was actually quite relaxing. Hazel leaned her body against Raven and continued to fidget, sitting still wasn’t one of her qualities.
Raven leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Are you warm enough? And you need to keep your hat and scarf on.” She fumbled with the clothing pieces until she was satisfied that Hazel looked warm.
“I’m not cold.” But Hazel’s nose was slightly pink and running like a leaky faucet. “Is it over yet?”
Robin had suggested snow shoeing which Cyborg wasn’t too fond of. Being half metal, he sunk a great deal into the snow. It was obvious that the titans had planned to keep Raven out of the cabin for most of the day. They had watched skiers and snowboarders, they went sledding, and built several snow men. And Starfire had initiated a snowball fight by hitting Raven in the back with one.
“No powers Raven.” Bumblebee hid behind a narrow tree as Raven sent a ten snowballs hurtling in that direction.
“Tell that to Beast boy.” Raven halted the snowballs in midair and they dropped to the ground. The green man himself had turned into a snow rabbit.
Starfire dropped the gigantic snowball that she was about to hurl at Cyborg. “I have almost forgotten. We must certainly visit the small village.”
“We’ll have to take the gondola to get back down there.” Robin pushed up the arm of his coat to check the time. “We can grab lunch while we’re there too.”
Beast boy wrapped his arms around Raven’s waist. “So?”
“So what?” She raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he was asking.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Raven purposely took a slow time to answer and rested her finger on her chin as if she were thinking. “Yes, I am.”
“I told you, you would.”
Raven took a sharp inhale of breath as his emotions turned into a flood gate. During the rest of their conversation his voice shook. And the arm around her waist was unsteady; he was at loss of words. The conversation between her and Robin several days ago played back into her mind. Perhaps she really was overthinking things with her boyfriend. But it still troubled her nonetheless that their flow of conversation became forced.
Ever since yesterday, Beast boy obviously wasn’t himself. But her friends refused to acknowledge the difference in him. It was at dinner that she had decided to forget about it and put up a shield to block his strong emotions. In due time he would tell her what was bothering him. It was nearly impossible for Beast boy to not affect her in such a way. It became so severe she felt jumpy and just as nervous as he was.
“Why don’t you want to go out?” Beast boy whined and leaned over the back of the sofa. “You’ve been cooped up ever since we got here. The two days we forced you out doesn’t count”
“Are we going to go through this every day?” Raven swiped at the screen on Beast boy’s tablet, entertained by a gem game. “It’s cold and Ivy’s getting sick again.” She motioned to the small child lying on the couch beside her.
“It’s only for a little bit, Rae.” Beast boy complained. His nervous vibes made her sick to the stomach. And it only sent Timid worrying in Raven’s mind.
“Why are you so nervous about skating then?” Raven paused the game and looked up at him.
She watched as he fidgeted underneath her gaze. “What if I fall in?” He exclaimed.
Raven raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean if you fall in? The rink isn’t even on water.”
“Um, what I meant was…” Beast boy’s hand found its way into his green hair as he fumbled to correct his mistake. “Well I…um because I thought you’d reject spending time with me.” His response sounded more like a question rather than a statement.
“You can be so strange sometimes.” Raven turned off the handheld device, “I’ll go ice skating with you.”
Starfire cheered in excitement. “I can do the watching of your little bungorfs.”
“Thanks Star.” Beast boy was already helping Raven into her coat. “I owe you one.”
“Garfield calm down, you’re making my head spin.” Raven said as he thrusted her black snow gloves into her hand. “Here I’ll get your coat.” She reached for his jacket on the back of the chair but he slapped her hands away.
Beast boy’s eyes were wide and his words a little harsh, “Don’t touch my stuff.”
Raven immediately released the clothing item, “Um okay. Didn’t know you cared so much.”
“Mind if Karen and I join you?” Cyborg asked from his stance in the kitchen.
Beast boy shook his head. “S-sure dude.”
Robin and Starfire stayed behind in the cabin but waved them off. Cyborg and Bumblebee walked behind the couple. Raven cautiously regarded her boyfriend. It took a while before they reached the crowded ice rink. Loud speakers blasted ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ before fading into ‘Santa Baby.’ People had recognized the two couples immediately as they had brought some attention to the ski resort. Cameras were out and flashing, people pointed and waved with smiles.
“You do remember how to skate, right?” Beast boy took both of her hands in his to help her to her feet.
“We go ice skating every year.” Raven said as they moved towards the ice, “I’m not likely to forget.”
Raven looked towards Cyborg and Bumblebee who were already on the rink. The half robot had equipped his feet so silver blades held him up. “G-good. That’s great.”
Beast boy yanked on her arm before he fell backwards onto his behind. Raven’s lips curved upwards into a smile as Beast boy got to his feet. The sun was bright; reflecting off the ice and snow. Although it was bright the sun was too far away to warm them up. A group of people hurriedly skated by them while others twirled and some fell. And the scraping of the blades against the ice was easy to pick out.
“How was snowboarding?” Raven skated close to the wall to avoid falling.
Beast boy pulled a face, “I crashed into Bumblebee then we both got in this one girl’s way and crashed into a tree.”
“That doesn’t seem too well.” Raven wrinkled her nose. She had been on the slopes with the team in previous years. But she was slightly better than Beast boy which wasn’t saying much.
Beast boy pulled them away from Raven’s support wall. “Not entirely. And your day?”
Raven glanced up at him; his green eyes focused somewhere throughout the crowd. “Went to the store to buy Ivy some cough medicine. There were too many tantrums to deal with today.”
“Well taking medicine had to be one.”
She nodded her head, “She had a headache and didn’t want to take the cough syrup. And because I wouldn’t pick her up.”
“Yeesh. Anyways, I was wondering if you wanted to look at some art galleries later.” Beast boy avoided her eyes, “At the little village.”
That had caught her attention, “Really?”
Beast boy lost his footing before he could answer her and met the ice, “Yeah, really.”
“I think I’d like that.” Raven said. It was a fact that she loved museums and art. “What’s Ivy doing out here?”
Several teenagers sped past her which caused her to fall to the ground. Even through jeans, she knew that her knees would be bruised. After Raven regained her footing she pointed towards Robin and Ivy standing off the rink. Both of them sipping on what seemed to be hot chocolate.
“Robin knows what he’s doing.” Beast boy said and turned so that he skated backwards. He took her hands in his and guided them through the diminishing crowd.
“I know but Ivy’s already sick.” She reminded him. “I don’t want a repeat of last time or for it to escalate.”
Beast boy slowed down as they passed another black speaker, “You worry too much. Ivy’s bundled up, she’ll be fine.”
Raven looked away from him, people were skating off the ice. Only about thirty or so people were making their way off. “Gar, we need to get off.”
“H-huh?”
“The Zamboni is going to come out.” Raven motioned with her head to the right.
A chubby man in an orange vest was walking towards the blue and white vehicle. Another woman subtly motioned to the couple and the man looked over. The speakers were currently playing Let It Snow while people watched on the outside of the rink. Beast boy continued to skate while Raven attempting to keep up with him.
Beast boy gave her another nervous smile, his hands shook and his face was flushed. “Just one more song, we have the rink to ourselves.”
“Only because we’re in the way. And people are beginning to stare.” Although she was a superhero, she still wasn’t used to the attention. In fact, she still shied away from it at all costs.
“Don’t worry about them.” Beast boy continued to smile, “And he won’t run a pair of titans over.”
Raven only stared at him, “I’m getting off.”
She turned to skate to the exit but Beast boy held onto her hands tighter.
“You know, when we first started coming here for vacation you finally opened up to me.” Beast boy said which caused Raven to avoid his green eyes, “I know we had our fights and enjoyed each other’s company. I love how sometimes we stay up at night and just talk and then watch the sunrise together. I love the way you laugh, your thoughtfulness, and how you put up with me.”
The couple continued to skate on the ice with the crowd growing. Raven blocked them out of her mind and focused on trying to get her boyfriend off the rink. “I also love the way that you protect and defend me. You’re such an amazing person and I love every part of you.” Raven’s eyes widened as her boyfriend continued on. Her heart began to pound against her rib cage as her own nerves crashed down on her. “So can I ask you something?”
“What is it?” Raven’s voice was only a whisper but his pointed ears heard her. Beast boy finally stopped gliding and let go of her hands. Instead, the green man before her moved so that he was only on one knee. “What are you doing?”
Beast boy reached into his coat pocket and brought out a small dark blue box. In shock both of Raven’s hands cupped her mouth and nose. “Raven Roth, will you marry me?”
“Are you serious? You can’t be serious.”
Raven’s voice trembled as she stared down at him in shock. Butterflies had erupted in her stomach and the glass walls that separated the crowd from the couple began to crack. A speaker blew out and several strands of Christmas lights burst on one of the tall evergreen trees.
“Is this a joke?” Her emoticlones were in a frenzy.
Beast boy shook his head, “I wouldn’t joke about this.” His ears drooped and his nervous smile grew even smaller from the lack of her answer.
Raven swallowed and nodded her head continuously, “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She was still shocked with his proposal. And the wide smile returned to his face.
Beast boy stood up and towered over her once more. In the background the crowd’s cheers, screams, whistles and clapping broke out. Beast boy gently held onto her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. He tightly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Raven willingly returned the affection and hugged him just as tightly. It was when she looked back up at him that he placed numerous kisses on her face and lips.
“So is that why you snapped about the jacket earlier?”
He nodded, “I didn’t want you to discover it in case I chickened out today.”
Beast boy held her hand once more and led them off the rink towards the flashing cameras. Raven couldn’t keep the smile off of her face although objects caved under her unbridled emptions. The music continued to play as smiling stranger’s congratulated the newly engaged couple.
“Booyah!” Cyborg’s voice screamed out in the crowd. Bumblebee was beside him, her cell phone in hand to take another picture of the couple. “Knew you could do it, B. Now if those two will hurry up.” He muttered the last part and jerked his thumb to Starfire and Robin beside him.
The two blushed while Robin muttered something incoherent then addressed Raven. “I’m happy for the both of you.”
Starfire squealed in delight, “I wish you both the best.”
Raven felt the heat on her cheeks do to the attention, “Thank you.”
After the congratulations from her friends they made their way back to the cabin. Robin had brought in firewood from outside and began to set up the fireplace. Bumblebee and Starfire held up Raven’s left hand to admire the engagement ring. It was simple and intricate all at the same time and it fit her thin finger perfectly. A large white diamond sat directly in the center and there was a diamond eternity band, set with platinum. The ring shined brightly on her gray finger due to the lighting in the room.
“Now this calls for a toast.” Cyborg had out six glasses on the counter plus two plastic cups. “Sparkling apple cider!”
Raven could only roll her eyes as she shrugged out of her coat but smiled anyway. Beast boy once again captured her lips before he quickly pulled away. Hazel was crouched beside Robin talking about reindeers. And Ivy was stretched out on the floor, with her stomach up. Her fairy wand clutched tightly in her hand.
“To the newly engaged couple.” Cyborg said while everyone else repeated. They quickly clinked their glasses together before taking sips.
“Excuse me,” Raven turned to leave the kitchen area, “I really need to meditate.” Bumblebee had opened her mouth to protest but the breaking of dishes in the sink stopped her.
Raven’s mind was spinning in turmoil; she couldn’t believe this was happening to her. They had only discussed marriage a handful of times and it had been in a causal or joking manner. She closed the door to the room she had been occupying for the trip and moved towards her bed. Love and Happy were both delighted with Beast boy’s loving proposal as well as the rest of her emoticlones.
It was already late as they spent the last day playing out in the snow. It had taken more convincing to even get Raven to step out of the cabin again with Ivy. Ivy’s cold had worsened and Raven was a little sour because of it. No matter how many times she had preferred to keep her child in doors, she was ignored. Beast boy put up with Raven’s glares whenever she had tried to get Ivy to take her medicine. And every time it was pretty much a losing battle for the future parents.
Robin held the driver’s door open for Starfire, “We’ll be following you out, Cyborg.”
Raven sat in the passenger seat and cranked the heat up in the car. “I’ll drive when you get tired, okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” Beast boy tugged on his seatbelt and clicked it in the slot.
“I’m serious.” Raven persisted, “It’s a long drive.”
Beast boy backed out of the parking space and the car crawled slowly after Cyborg. “Yeah I know.”
Raven took a moment to evaluate his feelings, “Did you want to tell me something?”
“I will later. I don’t want it to leak out.” Beast boy glanced in the rearview mirror to prove his point. It wasn’t a secret that children didn’t know how not to say certain things.
They were three hours into the drive when Beast boy offered the wheel to Raven. It was quiet except for their hushed talking. Hazel had fallen asleep with her yellow duck blanket that covered her. And Ivy had her thumb in her mouth; head slumped against her car seat. For the majority of the drive, Raven had talked to Bumblebee over her communicator.
“So what were you going to tell me?”
Beast boy leaned his chair back and rested his hands behind his head. “Sorry we had to keep you in the dark just like Starfire. The reason why we’ve been so secretive is that he’s planning to ask Star to marry him.”
“Really?” She whipped her head around to see if he was joking. She turned back around just as quickly so she wouldn’t swerve into another lane.
“No really. He has this nice thing planned out. Everyone knows about it except for you.” Beast boy then went on to tell her about the plans that Robin had. “He’s taking her out to a fancy restaurant and what not.”
“But why were you both with Herald before we left on our trip?”
He chuckled, “C’mon you’re a smart girl. I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“I’m clueless. If I honestly haven’t figured it out by now, then you both did a good job at hiding it.”
“How else did you think we could get to Azarath and Tamaran with limited time?”
It clicked for her right then, “You went to ask for a blessing in our hand in marriage? You asked my mother?”
“Yep. Arella was pretty thrilled. Hey, we still have to Christmas shop for those two. And secret Santa.”
“Wow,” Raven couldn’t remember picking out names in the hat in November. “Who do you have?”
“We have Tramm. He should be easy enough, just by him a tool set or something.”
Raven shook her head, “Some thought should go into it.”
It was past 9:00pm when the titans had finally made it to the tower. Raven had carried both sleeping girls into the tower and settled them into Beast boy’s bed. Beast boy’s version of unpacking was tossing all of their clothes into the laundry room. And discarding their suitcases and duffel bags into the back of his closet. Raven stretched her body from having sat for so long and bid the others goodnight. Instead of following Beast boy to her room she found herself climbing the stairwell to the roof.
Twelve days had passed with only having to deal with the H.I.V.E Five and night had fallen yet again. Beast boy and Starfire sat at the kitchen table surrounded with gram crackers, gumdrops, candy canes, marshmallows, and icing. From the looks of it, the two were recreating it to be a gingerbread T-tower. It was hard enough for Raven to keep her girls from messing with their design and eating the sweets.
“Hm, I didn’t take you to be one for doing puzzles.” Raven mumbled as she watched Bumblebee hover over a one hundred pieced puzzle. It was only half way completed and was supposed to be of four cartoon ballerinas.
Bumblebee shrugged and fit another piece together, “Yeah me neither. Girl, that’s not how you do it.” The purple eyed child slammed her hand on the table to get the puzzle to fit.
“Are we still going out, Karen?” Cyborg called from the kitchen.
Bumblebee nodded her head, “Yeah, let’s get going.” She placed the loose puzzle pieces back into the cardboard box. “You sure you want to see the ballet?”
“Compromise, remember?”
“Isn’t it considered late to be building gingerbread houses?” Raven asked as Beast boy stuck a gumdrop on the roof of it.
Beast boy pushed his chair out and brushed his hands off, “Eh I guess so.”
As if on cue Robin walked through the sliding doors and to the redhead. “You ready to head out, Kori?”
“Yes, I am the ready.” Starfire stood up before he could finish asking and made sure her red dress was spotless, “Perhaps we can finish the building the house made of candy later?”
“Yeah yeah, go have fun with lover boy.” Beast boy pushed the tall woman closer to Robin. It wasn’t long before Robin and Starfire had left the Ops room and to the garage.
“Looks like it’s just us.” Raven said after Cyborg and Bumblebee left.
Beast boy made his way to the couch, “Well I can’t wait to see Starfire’s reaction.”
It was Christmas Eve when the Doom Patrol had been present at the tower and their company was welcomed warmly. Hazel and Ivy were excited to see their grandparents again and Mento seemed less worried about it. Ivy had even talked Larry and Cliff into building a gingerbread house with them since Raven wouldn’t let them.
“I’m still excited for both of you.” Rita smiled at took a look at the ring that rested on Raven’s left hand. Rita had also congratulated Starfire and Robin with welcoming hugs but now the couple was nowhere in sight.
Raven had turned to face her future mother-in-law, “I actually am too.” It was the truth, every time she thought of a wedding butterflies erupted in her stomach. And her breath would catch in her throat at just the idea.
Mento had taken Beast boy aside and the two men left the Ops room. Beast boy didn’t look in the least concerned and Raven could feel that Mento was content. “Are they going to be okay?”
“You mean Steve? He may not show it on the outside but he’s proud.” The smile was back on Rita’s face again.
It had only been the following day of their ski trip that the word of their engagement was publicized. Photos, magazines, and multiple video footage from fans was released for the celebrity news to release. It wouldn’t be much longer until the engagement hype would switch to Robin and Starfire. Even though Rita hadn’t been present she was fully aware of how Beast boy proposed to her. But Rita’s surety about her husband was enough to reassure her.
Bumblebee sat on the floor, her back to the couch. “There’s going to be a lot of wedding planning.”
“I can only imagine.” Rita said.
The steel doors slid open, Beast boy and Mento walked back into the room. Mento had his arm slung around Beast boy’s shoulders. It was just as Rita had said, Mento was happy for them. Raven clenched her teeth together as Beast boy’s happiness overwhelmed her. He plopped down onto the couch beside her and rested his arm on the back of the couch.
Ivy stood on the bench at the table as Larry fit the piece of gram crackers together to make a house. “Daddy, can we open our presents now?”
Raven internally frowned, both girls had been asking the same question multiple times a day. “What have I told you every day, Ivy?” She shrugged her shoulders and sucked in a large breath to cough. “I said you need to have patience and wait.”
Asking a child to wait during the month of December was almost telling them to sit quietly in time out. It hadn’t been the first time the Logan girls were caught by Starfire peeking underneath the tree. Raven had to constantly remind herself that they were just children and for them waiting was hard thing to do.
She groaned in disappointment, “But waiting takes too long.”
Cyborg smirked. “Well you can open them tomorrow. Santa hasn’t even stopped here yet.”
Hazel turned around to face the living room. “Where is he now?”
An electric blue panel in Cyborg’s arm slid open. “Looks like he just left Brazil.” Hazel had left her spot at the kitchen to find out where that was.
Cyborg showed her the map on his arm and the little red dot that was Santa Claus. He had been quite nice when he had thought of the idea two days ago. Raven was more than thankful; she had enjoyed watching both of her girl’s excitement. Mento had even baked cookies with both his future grandchildren and it was clear that he had enjoyed it. He had even worn an apron due to Hazel’s request and all three of them decorated the cookies with frosting.
The steel doors slid open again and Robin walked down the two steps. “Are we going to look at Christmas lights or what?”
It had been dark for nearly two hours and it was a Christmas tradition that had developed because of Cyborg. The full room happily mumbled their consent to the leader. Raven was already glad that she had went through the bedtime ritual already. It had consisted of giving her girls a bath, having them brush their teeth and put in pajamas. Hazel scooped up her comfort blanket from off the floor.
“I’ve already have the sweets and the hot chocolate.” Starfire gestured toward the counter for emphasis.
Mento appreciated her kindness, it was cold out. “Dress warm, its foggy.”
“That means Santa has to use Rudolph to guide his sleigh, huh?”
Hazel took hold of his hand as Mento went to make hot chocolate before heading to the garage. “He always uses Rudolph when it’s foggy on Christmas eve.”
Beast boy winked at his fiancée before he poured them both hot chocolate. “How are you holding up?”
Raven intertwined their fingers as they walked towards the elevator with Ivy. “Quite well I think.”
Both teams had driven out to the residential area in Jump City. The fog hung thick in the air and it was cold out. They had all parked on a street and had taken to walking to observe the lit houses better. They weren’t the only ones relishing the tradition as many cars cruised on the streets to take the sight in. While other civilians bundled up and walked on the sidewalk like them. Raven had walked alongside Rita and their conversation was light and Ivy had refused to let go of her hand. She was just content that both girls had walked enough that the drive back to the tower put them to sleep. The nights weren’t as hard as they used to be but on a good night Hazel and Ivy slept without waking up in the middle of the night.
The Doom Patrol didn’t stay as long on Christmas day and had to return to Midway City. As much as Mento didn’t like to admit it, his team had been absent for too long.
“I hope to be back soon, Raven.” Raven allowed for Rita to hug her goodbye. “Please, keep in touch. Come here, Garfield.” Rita moved on to her son before she bid Hazel and Ivy goodbye.
It was nearing 10:00am when the titans arrived at Titan’s East Tower on the cliff side. Raven was seated at the table with Argent, Bumblebee and Kole. Hazel and Melvin were in front of the Ops rooms doors with Lightening teaching them how to hula hoop properly. Teether and Ivy were playing with his new dinosaur that transformed into a truck. And Timmy was content with his gray and blue remote control dinosaur. And the plasma screen was stuck on endless reruns of the Christmas Story.
Kid Flash stood over her with his lips puckered out and a piece of mistletoe dangled above their heads. “C’mon Jinx, where’s your Christmas spirit?”
Jinx had her arms crossed over her chest and a frown on her thin lips. “I lost it when you hung up the mistletoe five seconds ago.”
“What happened to making things romantic?” Kid Flash swiftly kissed her on the cheek before she could slip away.
Jinx’s couldn’t fight the smile any longer, “You’re unbelievable you know?” She turned to walk towards the kitchen and slid in the booth next to Raven. “C’mon Raven.” Jinx said. “Show us the ring.” Raven rolled her eyes and held out her left hand.
Argent’s eyes widened after she got a closer look. “It’s gorgeous. And you’ve got quite a keeper.” She was referring to Beast boy.
“Yeah.” Kole grinned and touched the diamond ring. “So when’s the wedding?”
“A date hasn’t been set due to the holidays.” Raven looked at Bumblebee who wore a smug look on her face. “Starfire wants to start planning both weddings tomorrow.”
Bumblebee’s eyebrows shot up her forehead at that news. “The girl just got engaged less than two days ago.”
“That’s not fair.” Timmy shrieked from across the room. He was surrounded by the majority of male titans. “You can’t marry her!” The frequency of his voice struck their ears and the Ops room vibrated. “You can’t do that.”
Timmy threw the trackball that went to his dinosaur at the unsuspecting titan. Beast boy flinched as it connected with his shoulder. The room had gone silent from Timmy’s outburst. The only sound was the hum of the TV and Timmy’s current temper tantrum. His sentences were always short and choppy whenever he got upset about something.
“I hate you.” His face was crestfallen as he stared at Beast boy. And no one had time to react before Timmy raced out the Ops room with his baby blue blanket.
“Okay…apparently I did a bad thing.” Beast boy started after the tyke titan.
Aqualad patted Beast boy’s shoulder and held him back. “Just let him cool off.”
“Hope the little brat doesn’t destroy the tower.” Speedy grumbled with his arms crossed over his chest.
After a few moments, the room returned to buzzing conversations. Raven couldn’t focus now that she was the cause of Timmy being so upset. Beast boy now awkwardly stood with his friends and Kid Flash attempted to console him. Raven gave him a sympathetic look and reached out with her powers to find the eight-year-old. It was a while later that she had noticed Beast boy was no longer in the room with her.
“Excuse me.” Raven slid out of the little booth and away from her friends. She headed up the steps and out of the room.
She wandered throughout Titan’s East Tower in order to find the distraught child. All it took was the feeling of guilt and extreme sorrow to lead her to Timmy and Beast boy. The intense feelings made her heart ache as she approached the laundry room. The door was cracked wide enough for Raven to peek her head in without being discovered. Sure enough Beast boy stood in front of the washer and blocked her view.
“…lease come out Timmy.” Beast boy changed to squatting position.
It gave enough room to discover that the redhead was curled up inside the washer and hiding from everyone else. His baby blue blanket was wrapped around his shoulders tightly and his sobs wracked through his body. Although she couldn’t see his face, she could feel that he was heartbroken. The feeling was worse for Raven when the sniffling and hysteria kicked in for Timmy.
“No,” Timmy tried to close the see through door of the washer. “I d-don’t want to talk to y-you.”
Beast boy was quit for a moment, “How ‘bout if I make it up to you?”
“Uh uh.”
“Then what can I do?”
Timmy’s crying grew louder and the detergent and the ground shook, “You can’t have her.”
“What if I took you and Teether to Splash Dome?” Beast boy insisted. He was desperate to cheer up the tyke titan. Raven felt a pang in her heart as he considered Beast boy’s offer of the indoor water park.
Beast boy changed so he sat on the hard ground and let the boy think through his options. The sniffling was still consistent and he pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders. “With ice cream?”
“Yup.”
Beast boy nodded his head, “But how would you like to be our junior groomsman?”
It was silent for another moment, “Do I get to eat as much cake as I want?”
“Only if you don’t make yourself sick.”
The crying quieted but his voice was raspy as he swallowed his tears, “O-okay. But do we have to take Teether?”
Beast boy stood up and helped the child climb out of the washer machine. His blanket covered the top of his head and his face glistened with tears that dried on his cheeks. Raven could still feel the hurt that radiated from Timmy as he tried to slow his breathing. Raven shrunk back from the place she was spying from and strained her ears instead. She could hear Beast boy’s footsteps draw closer. Raven moved further down the hall in the opposite direction and hid herself.
“Yeah, we’re taking him too. How about we go find him right now?” Beast boy’s hand lightly rested on the top of the child’s shoulder.
The steel door slid back into place as they made their way into the hall. “Okay.”
“You still hate me?”
“I’m sorry, Beast boy.”
It was several moments later that Raven stepped out of her hiding place to see Beast boy’s retreating form. “You didn’t have to do that you know.”
Just as the words had left her mouth, he halted his footsteps and faced her. “I didn’t have to but I wanted to. Besides I was going to ask him anyways.”
All of the titans had spent hours at Titan’s East on Christmas day. Eventually, one of the titans had set up the game system so that Kole, Melvin, Aqualad, and Thunder played against each other. The younger titans had stuck to eating their stockings full of candy and playing with their new toys. Raven and Kilowatt were engaged in conversation as they sat in front of the large floor to ceiling window. It was after dinner when most of the titans began to make their way back to their own sectors.
“Raven, would you care partake in the girl talk with Bumblebee and I?” Starfire was dressed in her pink pajamas and hovered two feet off the ground.
The empath herself hadn’t even changed into her own pajamas. She and Beast boy spent time going through the Logan girl’s nightly routine. Though she didn’t like to disappoint her friend.
“I was actually planning to write a letter to my mother. Maybe later tonight?”
“I quite understand” Starfire didn’t look the least bit let down, “I have done the same to tell my K’norfka the wonderful news. I wish you the sweet dreams.”
Without warning Starfire pulled Raven into a bone crushing hug. Her arms were pinned at her sides and all the air left her lungs. “You’re…hurting me.”
“My apologies.” Starfire released her.
“Goodnight.” Raven said. Starfire wished her another goodnight before she ventured back towards the Ops room.
Raven hadn’t even kicked off her boots and was itching to relax. Beast boy would be with her later as he made it his mission to devour the gingerbread house. Raven slid the metal door open to her room stopped in her tracks.
Her hooded bed was turned over on its side. Books were scattered over the floor. Most of her belongings were lying in ruins. The large picture window was shattered. The temperature was below zero. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness of her room. The first thing that really called to her attention were the scorch marks that damaged the walls and the carpet. The second made her heart stop dead.
The white chest that rested near the door had violently been ripped open. The lid barely hung on its hinges. Inside were broken potion bottles and loose herbs. The white spell book nowhere to be found. Her heart jumped into her throat. A thrilling rush surged throughout her veins.
“Robin!”
