Meeting You

Heartstrings

*Heartstrings*

December 25th: In the future

Jump City, California

*Refer to character index*

Raven had already been awake for the past thirty minutes. It was morning and it was still dark out although it was already nearing 7:00am. Beast boy was beside her, sprawled out on his stomach. His breathing was even and Raven continued to stare up at the blank ceiling. It had been three weeks since she had left Azarath with Rita. It took every effort to forget about the event that had taken place. The voices outside their door interrupted her thought process.

"...I have to wash up?" Raven could hear Ryand'r complaining just outside the hall.

Robin's voice was clear as day. "No one is going into the Ops room until everyone has brushed their teeth and washed their faces."

The three boys gave cries of protest at having to prolong opening their presents. "But what about Aunt Raven and Uncle B? They're never going to wake up." Shawn had said. "And they'll never get to open my present."

"Worry about yourself, Shawn." Cyborg's heavy footsteps passed their door. "Go wash up and I'm making pancakes for breakfast." Smaller footsteps ran down the hall and Raven could only guess that it was Marcus.

"Marcus." Bumblebee called, her voice was far from quiet. "Marcus, get back here now." The woman's voice receded as she walked further down the hall.

The rustling of covers and shifting of the bed captured her attention. Raven snapped her eyes closed and pulled the covers up tighter around her shoulders. If she could fake sleep again, Beast boy probably wouldn't bother her. The rustling and pulling of sheets stopped and Raven lied unmoving in the bed. Her legs were curled up to her chest in fetal position; her face was towards him.

"Merry Christmas, Raven." Beast boy mumbled, his voice was thick with sleep. "I know you're awake; I just saw you close your eyes."

Raven kept her breathing even with no intent to answer her husband. Perhaps he would think that she had fallen back asleep. She felt a slight pressure as Beast boy pressed his lips to her forehead just below her gem stone. The bed squeaked again and the popping of his joints was heard as he stretched. Raven stretched her legs out and rolled over in the large bed; her purple irises watched him move about the room.

The room had a chill to it that met her warm cheeks. Beast boy quickly changed out of his pajamas and moved to his dresser drawer. Raven watched as he hurriedly dressed in gray sweatpants and pulled on long sleeved shirt. He sat on the edge of the bed to pull his socks on before he turned towards Raven.

"You didn't want to stay in here all day, did you?" Beast boy asked.

Raven only shrugged but continued to stare at him. "And what if I did?"

Beast boy hesitated, she knew he was choosing his words carefully. "Well, it is pretty cold in here and you'll be missing out on the fireplace."

"So? I have blankets, I'll warm up."

He was quicker to answer this time. "And you'll be missing out by not seeing the people who love and miss you."

"I saw them on Thanksgiving." Raven's face was stoic as she kept with her monotone voice. But she sat up in the bed, the cool air raised goosebumps on her exposed skin. She threw the red pillow behind her to the floor.