v e n t (+16)

(3)

In the afternoon, Cyborg received a phone call while preparing lunch for the team. He was stirring spaghetti sauce in a pot while nodding and repeating his little "Mhm", "Aha", "Yeah" as responses for the speaker and proofs that he's actively listening.

- Yeaaaah, I don't know, man. She's not feeling good - the half-robot mentioned.

...

- I get it, I'd be worried myself but ya know-

...

- Only you and you alone? - he asked to make sure.

...

- Mmmmmmmmkay, a meeting won't hurt I guess. She needs to start socializing anyway - he thought about it. - So today at 2 pm?

...

- Alright! Cyborg out - he hung up.

- Please don't tell me you invited Chris over... - Raven looked at him from over her book as she was waiting for water to boil, leaning against the countertop.

- He won't stay here for long! - he defended his decision and sipped a little bit of the sauce.

Then he stirred some more and picked up a spoonful of the steamy liquid which he then reached out towards Raven to try.

- Robin and Myth will be furious when they hear about it - the witch tilted her head away from the wooden spoon.

- Yo, my opinion stands still. I think Myth should at least attempt to live a normal life from before her condition because Robin only keeps her in a bubble instead of helping. We don't even know what her problem truly is! - he complained.

- That doesn't mean she should be pushed out of that comfort zone against her will - Raven emphasized. - Inform him now.

- We both know he will get mad and cancel the meeting. Let him come, nothing bad will happen - he shrugged carelessly.

Raven sighed, knowing it's a terrible idea but she decided to support her friend and carry that secret within until it's over.

[Meanwhile with Robin and Myth]

They were still sitting together by the desk as Robin was working on some documents. Michelle decided to smoke so the leader opened the window slightly so they don't suffocate in all those fumes. The girl's mind seemed to turn off completely as she was putting the cigarette in and out her mouth. Some type of pressure was being released. She felt free. Her head tilted backwards when she exhaled one more time. It seemed that she was resting. Robin was accepting of that at first glance, but deep inside he never truly got used to the sight of his daughter slowly killing herself. Not that he should, of course.

- How are we feeling today? - he licked his thumb slightly just to turn the page swiftly.

- Like shit - she let that slip out her mouth without a care in the world.

- Language - he reminded while reading a report and then turned the page again.

- How do I tell you about my feelings if you keep censoring me? - she frowned.

- There are other words you can use to replace this one, Michelle.

- I feel like crap - she muttered and inhaled the cigarette smoke.

- Okay... We will work on that... - he sighed lightly. - Can you describe this feeling to me? - he asked gently.

- Apathy, sadness and emptiness - she exhaled while looking forward, at the pin board Robin had above his desk.

It was supposed to help him analyze villains and their plans, but over time it got too busy to see all the marked points clearly. It remained this way ever since, unused as Robin never got into disassembling the complicated layout.