Chapter Text
Damian had been putting a little bit more effort into bonding with his teammates. To his peers' surprise, they would be met with slightly less resistance from the latest Boy Wonder when offering an invitation to their “street-scapades” (as Garfield had so lamely dubbed their out-of-costume activities). In recent weeks, they would not immediately be met with a blatant, silver tongued refusal, instead catching him in a moment of consideration–then he’d lash out his refusal.
Sometimes though, shockingly, he’d agree.
“We’re gonna go get some smoothies! Wanna come with?” Jaime piped up from behind.
Damian lifted his head from the article he was studying. The fohawk’d teen strode up to him, a more familiar companion following close behind. His interest peaked.
First of all, Raven had great fashion taste. Don’t get him wrong, Damian privately adored her hero uniform, especially the way her leotard hugged her figure in all the right places. But, seeing her express herself in casual wear was also a treat.
Today, she sported faded, black skinny jeans that ended above her ankle; simple ballerina flats snug to her feet. A loose-fitting, silky spaghetti strap top was tucked in the front of her pants. To top it off, a hat crowned her head, the shadow strategically hiding her gemstone. He noticed a thin, gold chain, lined with stars dangling from her wrist.
He fondly remembered gifting the piece to her to celebrate their secret one year anniversary.
He found his eyes following the subtle curve of her collar bone, almost making him lick his lips– Damian blinked.
“You’re what?” he blurted, interrupting his own thoughts.
“Going to get smoothies, man! It’s hot as hell outside, so Rae and I are gonna go get smoothies!”
Jaime was met by an arched brow. Damian’s look switched to Raven, who shrugged, “I like blueberry smoothies.”
He mulled over his options; which were only two, yet there were pros and cons so of course it was an internal debate. Nothing can be that simple with Damian.
If he did go, he’d be stuck in public, awkwardly tagging along as a trio throughout the town. He’d feel uncomfortable at ground level, trying to blend into the crowd instead of observing it from the rooftops. Jaime wasn’t his least favorite Titan. They got along okay, but it’s not like they had a whole lot to talk about. They shared a liking for some of the same movies-that was about it.
On the upside, he’d be spending his afternoon with Raven.
“Sure, whatever.”
He shoved his phone in his pocket and stood from the couch. Jaime lightly snorted in disbelief, glad Damian could get out of the house for once. Blue Beetle turned on his heel to lead them out of the grand lounging area, unaware of the hand that settled onto Raven’s back as they exited.
A coy look flickered from lavender eyes.
You don’t even like smoothies, they said.
Damian held back a smirk.
Holy shit it was fucking hot. The heat was beating down on them with searing persistence. Damian was kicking himself for not wearing sunglasses. His fitted black t-shirt was also betraying him, sweat embarrassingly soaking through on his lower back.
Damian took a desperate gulp from his strawberry banana smoothie, now more than halfway finished. Fine! It tasted fine. He looked onward at the pair in front of him.
The sidewalk had been too crowded and narrow for three people to comfortably stand in a row. At some point, Damian had been forced a few steps behind them.
He watched silently, listening closely to their conversation.
“I think your sister would love that gift,” Raven mused, thoughtfully.
“Really? I’m so glad you think so! I’m a terrible gift giver,” Jaime huffed, “She’s particularly hard to shop for, too…”
Raven let out a melodic chuckle.
Damian instantly scrunched brows together, his neutral expression somewhat souring. He felt his hands clench in his pockets.
“Girls that age are always hard to shop for, it isn’t a ‘you’ problem,” she advised, “Plus, I think it’s better to get experiences rather than things, sometimes. Concert tickets sound lovely.”
She looked up at the tallest of the three.
“You’re a good big brother, Jaime.”
The tallest teen’s ears turned red. He graced a smile, as well. Did he just step closer to her? Damian huffed as a prickle of heat traveled up his neck, no thanks to the sun.
No, he wasn’t seeing things right.
Raven and Jaime were only being friendly with each other. Realistically speaking, they actually got along quite well. The alien-tech hero wasn’t nearly as obnoxious or as rowdy as Wally and Garfield, so it made sense that Raven would gravitate towards his friendship more.
Jade eyes watched like a hawk as suddenly Jaime placed a hand on Raven’s practically bare shoulder.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to go to a concert sometime?” Jaime asked, excitement rising.
“Depending on the concert.”
Jaime’s grip tightened slightly…almost affectionately. The alien scarab softly chirped and purred to the gesture.
Damian’s heart twisted. His shoulders became stiff and his pace suddenly quickened. In an attempt to contain the spike of red and green that seeped into his peripheral vision, he swallowed.
Back the fuck up, bug boy.
If that boy’s hand did not take itself off her shoulder within three seconds Damian was gonna—
“Oh hey! This store is sick!”
The three looked up to see a comic book and game vendor. The treacherous hand fell from Raven carelessly.
Jump Into It, read in a bold, red font.
That was a stupid name. The Boy Wonder narrowed his eyes before snapping his attention back to Jaime.
“I’m gonna go in, you guys can join me if you wanna,” without waiting for an answer, the teen swiftly moved to the doors.
He seemed to have no inkling about the lethal glare drilling into the back of his head as he disappeared inside.
“You’re overreacting,” said her velvety voice.
Her words were chastising him, but her tone was not.
Her arms were crossed, her hip jutting out as she shifted her weight to her side. She had to look upwards at him now, thanks to that growth spurt last year (finally). The shadow from her hat lifted, revealing her gorgeous face.
She had a knowing look, subtle features morphed in a way that hinted she was somewhat enjoying his internal mini-tantrum.
The teen in question let out a harsh breath. Raven spared no moment for him to respond as she swooped in to plant a sweet, reassuring kiss on his lips. Her hands glided up the sides of his face, slender fingers combing up his neck and into his thick hair.
He melted into her, his own hand reaching to pull her close by the waist. He dropped his smoothie, leaving it spattered on the sidewalk. A shiver zinging down his spine replaced the tension in his body as Raven let out a hum.
They pulled away, only a bit, leaving themselves only inches apart.
“See? Overreacting,” Raven smirked.
Damian wanted to roll his eyes. Instead, he admitted his defeat by planting a quick series of fluttering kisses up her jaw.