Chapter 95

November 5th 8:15 am.

Ravager PoV

I idly picked at my nails, looking around the abandoned rooftop. Beast Boy was still using his binoculars to stare directly into the nearby bar, where Law’s ‘dad’ was getting a drink. Starfire was sitting on the ledge of the building, kicking her legs out without a care in the world. Though occasionally glancing towards the bar.

Raven on the other hand, didn’t seem particularly interested in the stakeout at all. Seemingly content with closing her eyes and meditating until something happens. You’d think for someone who meditates all the time that she’d actually be pretty patient when it comes to these things.

Guess not.  

“Looks like…he’s ordering a drink.”

Beast Boy commented, letting us all know the obvious. Causing me to snort. Raven looked up momentarily with a frown, as if annoyed with the sudden noise. I rolled my eyes at her reaction before pushing off the wall I was leaning against.

“Yeah, that’s what people do in bars, Beast Boy.”

Beast Boy hummed before rubbing his chin. As if he needed to actively think about something before turning to the rest of us.

“But…is that more like Law, or less like him?”

…That was the stupidest question I’ve ever heard.

“…He does like to drink…”

Raven said, giving the bare minimum to be included in the conversation…yet at the same betraying that she wanted to be a part of it. Starfire on the other hand shook her head, causing my eyebrow to raise.

“He only really enjoys punching the bottle when he’s with friends.”

Starfire revealed causing me to frown momentarily, before remembering the last time I had talked to Law. It wasn’t drinking but…yeah, I guess technically she was right in that regard.

Sheesh. I wasn’t sure what she saw in a guy like that.

Sure, he had some interesting qualities, but he was just so…so...

Aggravating.

“What do you think, Ravager?”

“Huh?”

I blinked in response to Beast Boy’s question, causing him to raise an eyebrow up at me. Question just where I had been while they were talking. Oh right, the mission.

“…Honestly? I’m starting to think this is a waste of time. This idiot hasn’t done anything to lure us out. All he done is go bar hopping, visit a strip club, and stay in his fucking motel room. This guy is way too green.”

I stated before shaking my head. It’d be one thing to do this to lower our guard, but there was a window of opportunity for something like that. Besides, there was only so much they could achieve with our guard lowered. They were capable of splitting us all up, so the moment one of us even gets attacked, the others will be notified.

Then there was the Titan Phones that Cyborg gave everyone. They were pretty damn advanced, so trying to block their signal was going to be really difficult. Meaning it would be childsplay to easily just call the other Titans and get backup if needed. Especially when we were in Jump City, our home turf.

Catching us all by surprise was just not going to happen.

Beast Boy looked a bit put out by that. A mixture of being a bit sad with some frustration.

“Come on Ravager. Are you really saying there’s not a chance that he could really be Law’s dad?”

Beast Boy asked, as if that wasn’t so incredibly obvious. To which I actually paused and considered before answering.

“No. It could be.”

His eyes widened at that. Obviously not expecting my answer. So, I continued.

“Could be a bum father trying to reconnect with Law in order to leech off of him now that he’s got some money.”

I answered. Spilling the ugly truth in front of the most naïve Titan, no, superhero ever. Beast Boy frowned at that, and opened his mouth to retort, only for someone else to beat him to it.

“…She’s got a point.”

Raven commented. Opening her eyes and taking my side. Which was…surprising. To say the least. Not that she sided with me, but the fact that she chose to have a strong opinion on something instead of just giving a neutral stance.

“If he hadn’t abandoned his child that would be one thing, but the truth of the matter is that he did only show up after Law had become popular. The most likely and logical conclusion would be to profit off of it.”

This time Beast Boy seemed almost hurt by the fact that Raven had said that. I wasn’t sure why, this was about Law’s dad, not his own. Why the hell would he be offended?

Then Starfire broke the silence by standing up and floating towards us.

“But we can’t make that call until we know for certain what his reasons for leaving was. Perhaps he was held captive, and only recently was able to escape. Or maybe he had to leave in order to protect Law.”

Starfire paused, before closing her eyes. One of her hands drifting towards her heart.

“The love of the dads and moms is something that is stronger than anything in this world. Even a Gorthax.”

My eyes narrowed whereas Raven looked away. She used her hood in order to hide her face, obscuring her expression. I meanwhile simply crossed my arms and shook my head.

“That’s only sometimes, Starfire. Some parents are good, and some are just deadbeat losers who only look at you as a meal ticke-“

“How could you possibly know!?”

Beast Boy yelled out. Obviously getting angry by the conversation at hand. Causing my eye to twitch as all eyes now rested on him. Annoyance bit down on me as the runt stepped forward. As if he was really getting close to coming to blows over this stupid stuff.

“Maybe it’s cause I’m speaking from experience, shit for brains.”

I shot out, before really thinking about it. As it left my lips, it was only then I realized I shouldn’t have revealed something so personal. Not that I cared so strongly about keeping my past secret, it was just a good habit to get into.

So, they wouldn’t get the wrong idea and get too…buddy buddy with me.

Ugh. Whatever.

Beast Boy’s eyes widened as he took a step back. His eyes running all over the place as he quickly shifted emotions. Raven said nothing, and Starfire seemed to almost want to reach out with her arm.

“I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Beast Boy apologized, causing me to roll my eyes. Ugh, his and Starfire’s pity were starting to make feel awkward. Like my bra was starting to make me itch fiercely.

“Oh please. There’s nothing to be ‘sorry’ for. I didn’t tell you because it didn’t ever matter. Still doesn’t.”

“Friend Ravager…”

Starfire stated, as if a few seconds from breaking down into tears. Ugh. Spare me the waterworks. Raven as least seemed wholly unaffected by everything that was happening.

“I…the reason I care so much is because…I didn’t really grow up with a father.”

Beast Boy admitted, causing me to raise my eyebrow. What the hell was this? Some sort of share-your-feelings seminar? Were we all about to hold hands and sing Kumbaya?

“My mom was the only one to raise me, and she was amazing. But Law…he didn’t even get that. I just…I just want him to get something close to that.”

…Hah.

I sighed.

“…I’m not being an ass for the fun of it. Just…lower your expectations. Prepare to be disappointed. If you’re not, then all is good. But if your expectations are high…then it’s going to really hurt when they’re betrayed.”

The words that left my mouth left me feeling slightly nauseated. Talking about all this mushy shit wasn’t good for me. Starfire and Beast Boy looked a bit surprised by my input, but pleasantly so. Causing my eyes to narrow a bit.

I think I was going to hurl.

Raven’s movement attracted my eye to her. Tracking her as she floated forward and simply said-

“…Sometimes it’s better to not seek out and discover a bad parent. There could be a good reason you haven’t met them before. And when you do, they can bring with them a whole host of problems. Problems that will live you for the rest of your life.”

That sounded both vague, and oddly personal. Though looking further into something like that was beyond me. Maybe if I had Law’s understanding of people, or Raven’s empath ability I’d be able to understand that further. As it was though, I just didn’t really care to.

There was a brief moment of silence between us three. None of us seemed willing to hold the others gaze for very long. Eventually looking away in the most awkward showing of a group of heroes.

Jesus, it was like watching a bunch of horny but socially awkward nerds actively work themselves up in order to make a move. Only to pussy out in the last second.

“Alright. I think I know how to settle this then.”

Beast Boy said, before turning around…and jumping off the building. Raven didn’t react, Starfire seemed slightly worried, and I was just annoyed. He wasn’t that dumb…right?

Did he ignore literally everything we had been talking about previously?

Well, there was nothing else to do but follow after him I guess.

Raven and Starfire had it easy due to being able to fly. Beast Boy of course turned into a bird before he hit the ground. Me? I had to do things the old fashioned way and use a grappling hook like a normal person.

Which made me the last to hit the ground before walking forward on the ground. The bar was situated on a corner and Beast Boy had already shifted back and opened the front doors. Getting everyone’s attention. Including the man of the hour.

“Hey you!”

He called out. Causing the red headed man to blink before standing up awkwardly. He pointed at himself to confirm that Beast Boy had directed his attention towards him, before finally walking towards him. In an overly anxious manner.

Eventually the two of them left the bar and headed to the side. Not quite in an alley, and not quite out of it either. There were a few people around, and several were already staring. Whispering among each other and taking pictures before continuing to move.

Some of them stayed in place, and either continued to watch or film. Those were the ones I especially watched as I stood on guard.

…I had a bad feeling about this.

“Can I…help you?”

The tall lanky man asked, looking around at all the heroes before turning his attention back to Beast Boy. Who decided to take charge of the situation and nod. Starfire was also paying attention to the conversation that was unfolding, while Raven was also standing guard. Though likely less due to actually fearing a trap, and more along the lines of not wanting to be the one to talk to him.

“You sure can. You’re the one that sent that letter to Law, aren’t you? The one where you said you were his dad?”

“U-uh, yeah. I think.”

Beast Boy nodded as the awkward man rubbed the back of his neck.

“Good. I-wait, you think? What do you mean you think!?”

He took a step back at Beast Boys outburst. Seemingly slightly in fear.

“W-well, I did have a kid in Gotham that I…well, Law could be him. And there’s a good chance that’s the case! I mean, just look at me. Right?”

He stated with a certain amount of energy. His pupils seemed to be dilated, and he seemed to rush his words a bit. No, I needed to focus on the people that were watching us. Scan the crowd, make sure nothing was wrong.

A blonde woman in her thirties, slightly overweight. Some twelve-year-old Korean…no, Vietnamese? Whatever. It was an east Asian kid that was watching with idle curiosity. Then there was a tall guy who…seemed to just be goggling Starfire’s boobs.

Real classy.

…So why was the feeling getting worse?

“But Law doesn’t have the natural red of hair.”

I blinked. Raven blinked. Beast Boy blinked. The redhaired gangly man’s mouth opened for a moment before closing. Seemingly digesting what had just been said.

…Shit, Law did say something like that, didn’t he?

“Wait, seriously?”

Beast Boy asked, seemingly surprised at the fact. Starfire tilted her head to the side as if she was confused as well.

“Did he not tell you that, friend Beast Boy?”

“D-did he?”

He asked back, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

Oh my fucking god. This could not be dumber. At the very least the gangly red headed man seemed to look like he got hit by a truck, as he stepped back.

“B-but, they told that he was-“

Raven and I caught it before the others. Our eyes narrowing at the same time as Raven spoke up.

“Who told you?”

The man suddenly went silent. I didn’t need Raven’s ability to sense just how anxious he seemed in the moment. Causing me to frown and look around-

“Aah!”

Raven cried out, as two projectiles slammed into her side. A third and fourth tried to as well, but she was able to repel those with a force of black energy. The movement drawing everyone’s attention as Raven stumbled back. Clutching at the strange objects that were embedded in her side.

Darts? Well, at least they were bullets. It also meant that the villain wasn’t planning on killing us. Meaning I’d have to-

“How surprising. I thought I’d need to take more extreme measures in order to lure the four of you out.”

I froze as he simply walked forward out of the shadows. Tossing aside some sort of dart gun as he did so. His presence was almost overwhelming every possible sense I had.

The only reason I didn’t immediately attack him was because I was still processing his sudden entrance. Well, he saved me the fucking trouble of hunting him down, huh?

Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, looked at the four of us with a certain level of ambivalence. An expression that I was sure as shit going to wipe away before the day was over.

“It’s been a while…Titans.”