Not my picture, credit goes to the real artist.
The titans were led to the bohemian humble home. There was a whole hidden village in the desert, probably protected by magic Jamie thought. The place was filled with springs and fountains Donna looked in wonder as water flowed at ever corner but the nurturing forest filled the earth. It was kinda like themiscara . Donna immediately felt homesick.
And to think there was an island under our noses seemed to be Night Wang's response to the site.
Damian being Damian had no effect at all, he seemed very nonchalant and unnerved about the place and at the same time very familiar, but he had to say the AL ghouls headquarters was much more better than this, there was more life more fruits and purer fountains but yet he didn't find any disgust in the place. He was as always calm and collected, truly this place hadn't changed from his last visit.
Damian knew that by coming here he would naturally attract unwanted attention but being the secretive person he is, he choose to keep this information to himself not bothering to include any of the Titans in his private matters.
Raven looked at Damian so many things she wanted to say so many questions she wanted to ask but she choose to keep silent, believing that Damian would reveal in his own time, and thus she patiently waited.
Garfield who was glad to get our of the scorching sun was more than happy to be surrounded with so much liquid, he didn't hesitate to jump into a nearby river and coming out soaking wet, not only humiliating himself but the team as well.
Damian who actually cared about his image was so mad he wanted to strangle Logan but had to restrain himself . Zack seeing his expression wanted to roar out in laughter but at the same time didn't want to loose his serious composure in front of his acquaintances.
"and here we are "
The teen titans stood face to face with a large villa as big as the Wayne mansion it was coated brown with light red not a totally bad colour for an assassin but terrible as a camouflage district among the grass land easily spotted, Damian noted.
"follow me Titans ", Zack led the way into the building. The titans took note of their surroundings the intelligent once were memorizing analysing and scanning the rooms for anything suspicious while the eejits (not so capable ones) where just looking around at the big hall in wonder at the space and expensive rare equipment.
Zack finally stopped pointing to the four doors "this would be your rooms ,I thought you might like being close to each other "
Kori stepped forward "thank you for your hospitality "
"although I do have to apologize for the inconvenience,, there are only four rooms though they're eight of you "
"you've done quite enough ", kori gave a slight smile "plus we can always share"
"glad to hear that, I'll be taking my leave first ", then he walked away.
Damian secretly scowled he knew there was more than four rooms available after all the house was empty. There was no need for sharing, he just played us and Kori didn't notice but Raven and NightWing did.
Garfield opened the first door it was aquatic themed, it even had a real life water bed with living breathing fishing "I call dibs on this room ", he declared his ownership with an ancient child game. Donna opened the second door and almost squealed the roof of, not only was it pink but it was loaded with cute stuffed animals, Kori took a look two and squealed, I think whoever gets that room is pretty obvious "dibs!! ", they yelled at the same time. For a moment they glared at each other, using their eyes to decide who's going to take ownership what humans call a staring contest. Damian rolled his eyes followed by Raven they could not believe their childishness, Donna yes, but Koris a grown woman. Raven coughed to get their attention "uh why don't you both share the room ", "great idea friend Raven ", commented Kori "we'll do that ", agreed Donna.
Connor looked at the third door and was hesitant for a moment, he was silently hoping that he'd find something as cool as the others, but when he opened the door boy was he dissapointed, it was coated gray and white loaded with shelves labeled with so many books it was hard to keep count, it looked boring and blan. Damian and Raven immediately called out "mine!! ", they looked at each other, determined and scary gazes moved around but didn't say anything. Connor opened the last door practically begging the gods for help. His jaw dropped Awesome, the room was coated red and blue, on the desk were comics on the walls were a few posters of motorcycles ,circuses and acrobats, he immediately fell in love (with the comics of course), Dick seeing the room remind him of his original home , he decided he'll stay there.
Kori clapped her fingers in great joy "great it's all settled, me and Donna; Jamie and Garfield; Dick and Connor ; Raven and Damian would all be pairing up any objections "
Raven and Damian wanted to reject but knew it was pointless to do so since Kori has already giving her final statement. The two glanced at each other and it wasn't hard to tell what their thinking. Not Again!
............
The Teen Titans settled into their respective rooms, Connor had already started digesting the comics ,Donna and star were snuggling the cute teddies to death while taking pictures and sending them to Diana. Garfield had already turned into a fish and entered the water bed saying hello to his knew aquatic friends, Jamie had no idea how he got there or how he's getting out, this is gar after all so he'll eventually find a way . Damian and Raven were silently in the room ,one meditating and another reading. None of them wanted to break the quiet and Raven was still mad at Damian. Although she didn't want to Say anything to him she couldn't help but ask "do none of you find it strange that this Zack guy knows what we like and dislike, I mean you saw it too I don't think an assassin would stay in a room filled with cuddle buddies as friends right ",
Damian couldn't help but chuckle only Raven had the ability to make him laugh, it was strange yes but you didn't see both of them complaining.
"don't worry about it Raven they long know our identities and preferences, assassins tend to do a little research on whoever they come by to get the upper hand in future "
"wow that's reassuring "
"on the bright side they don't know mine "
"why you "
"because part of being an ex assassins makes you a target so I made myself untraceable "
Raven raised an eyebrow "gee and how did you do that "
"you'd be surprised "
She rolled her eyes "sure I will "
Both of them burst into sniffles of laughter not exactly loud nor quite. As the laughter died down, they looked at each other not exactly sure what to say next then Damian quickly wanted ask her something "hey Raven --", but before he could finish Gar barged in uninvited.
Seeing their flustered looks he asked "did I interrupt something "
Damian sighed "no Logan, can't you learn how to knock "
"nope "
Damian didn't have time to joke with him "state your business "
"everyone's downstairs training with Zack and he's asking for you ", then he closed the door and left.
Raven sighed "should I open a portal "
"if you must ", Damian was in no rush at all.
Raven waved a big pool of purple energy to form the portal. The two teens stepped in. Just as they went through the portal to the garden, a sweet angelic voice called out "Dami", Damian froze not wanting to turn around, he knew who that voice belonged to, it was the very same voice that mesmerized him and filled his heart with warmth when there was nothing but pain the very voice that betrayed him, used him.
Forgetting Ravens existence he turned around and faced one of his past nightmares with a cold snort he said "why hello Alice, long time no see ".
