Red X Returns

The End

Terra hung out with the Titans for the next few days. She helped around the house, cleaned training equipment, vaccumed the main room, just usual things. She trained with them occasionally, always struggling still to keep her powers in check. That was one thing she could never control fully. But she was improving. 

The Titans were definitely happy to see her, except Raven. Though, Terra had proven her worth last time she was near to help Starfire out of Slade's evil clutches, something about her never seemed right to Raven. She was just too pretty, too nice, too willing to help right when they needed it most. Secretly, the Titans began to harvest the thought that she was jealous of their dear friend. She wasn't jealous... not of her looks at least. But the way that she got along with everyone so easily made her sad. It had taken a few weeks for them to really understand her, really notice what she's like. For everyone to like her more, pay attention to her more, think of her more just kind of ticked Raven off. Another thing she definitely did not enjoy was Terra's former relationship with Dustin. They had a relationship. Now, that, Raven was jealous of. 

Terra walked into her room. It felt good again to be here. It was all familiar to her; the orange canyon walls, the painted purple-ish pink sunset, the beautiful myriad of lights that hung overhead acting as the fascinating stars she'd grown to know and love so dearly. She plopped down on her bed, facing the huge window that harbored the actual sunset. She sighed at its magnificence. The colors all blended together. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door. She didn't look to see who it was. She didn't really care right now. All she wanted to do was admire the setting sun before her eyes. 

The person sat on her bed. Then her smile faded just a little when she realized who it was: Dustin. She had nothing wrong with him, but it was a little uncomfortable. He gestured to the window out the corner of her eye. "The sunset's beautiful," he said lightly.

"Yeah," she agreed. "Its as if the colors and intensity of the light is just enough to calm you. The sun is like a big romantic, inspirational fire in the sky. It's as if a majestic symphony is quieting down, becoming more emotional and suspenseful as it dies. Then suddenly, it ends completely and the crowd is left awestruck and hypnotized by the beauty it shows."

He nodded. "Yeah, what you said."

She laughed and looked over at him. He was just the same as he was a few weeks ago, though his hair was longer. His skin was still tan as ever, his bright blue eyes could pierce through anybody making their mind go all fuzzy in an instant. It was one of the things she liked about him. They could be talking, and all of a sudden she'd look into his eyes and she was a goner, her own thoughts scattered. Then she looked down, noticing the patch on his side which she hadn't taken into account before. She raised her hand to touch it. Dustin didn't stop her. She ran her fingers across it, feeling the rough texture of the gauze. He hissed slightly when she had pressed just a little too hard. She quickly retreated and looked him in the eyes. 

"What happened?"

He shrugged and laughed, scratching his head nonchalantly as he answered. "Nothing really," he said calmly. "Just another Red X thing."

She nodded like she understood. Even she knew she'd never understand. Then she turned to him. "Dustin," she said calmly, quietly, "why are you here?"

"I ran away from Hugo...." 

Terra's eyes widened for a moment then went back to normal. She laid on her back, her feet dangling over the edge of the bed, swinging childlishly. "I knew you were thinking about it... but I never thought you'd do it. Why?"

He looked down in what seemed like anger mixed with sadness and longing. "He was using me. He never really cared about me."

"Dustin, when he took you in he really cared-"