Chapter 66

The conference room was a much nicer looking place after the renovations. Instead of normal office chairs, they each were specialized for the ones who’d sit in them. Not only did they each have different colors, but also their names. Though there was a small price to pay for the increase comfort and personalization of these chairs.

They were no longer movable. Indeed, they were bolted to the floor, meaning specific positions at the table were a must. And with eleven current members, you can probably guess how much of a nightmare it was to space those evenly.

In the end though it paid off. The main difference in the seating arrangement from before was there was no longer a seat across from me, due to the uneven number of Titans. And of course, people were in different positions, but no one really seemed to care much about that.

Probably because I took their preferences in mind when laying out the arrangement.

Beast Boy’s new infatuation with Miss Martian would likely lead him to wanting a spot near her. So, I did so. I didn’t want to make any of the new Titans uncomfortable, so I made sure to put a familiar face by each of them. A fellow new member of the Titans, as well as putting them across from each other.

To my immediate left of the table was Starfire. Who seemed to be enjoying her new chair’s ability to spin in its seat. Though it still did not have wheels in order to actual move.

To my immediate right was Galatea, who despite having her arms crossed, seemed somewhat comfortable in her chair. Likely due to hers being the only one with a back massage mode. One that had to be VERY powerful in order to work on a Kryptonian.

To the right of Galatea was Ravager. Who didn’t express much interest in her chair. Though she was utilizing the various weapon holsters surrounding it.

Across from Ravager and to the left of Starfire was Zatanna. Who just seemed to be looking around at the conference table in idle curiosity. Though there was an unmistakable nervousness in her demeanor.

To the left of Zatanna was Miss Martian. Who was currently locked in conversation with Beast Boy to her left. Across from Miss Martian and to the right of Ravager was Artemis.

I…didn’t really know too much about her, besides her affiliation with Star City and her identity as Green Arrow’s sidekick. And she didn’t seem that interested in styling her own chair. So I went with a safe green coloring with some Star City representation.

Though it didn’t seem like Artemis really cared about it.

To Artemis’s right, was Raven. Her chair could hold several books in case she stopped caring about what was being said or discussed. Similar to Beast Boy’s, who’s chair could charge his phone.

And at the end of the table on the right side was Kid Flash. Whose chair was mostly decorated in Flash colors.

To the left of Beast Boy and at the end of the table on the left side was Cyborg. His chair could connect him directly into the Tower but…it wasn’t really necessary. He could do that anyway wirelessly.

Even still, it’d serve in an emergency, I guess.

“I’ve spoken to the Justice League.”

After getting the pleasantries out of the way, I decided to cut straight into the matter at hand. To which Beast Boy immediately spoke up.

“Oh, do they have a mission for us?”

I narrowed my eyes slightly at the exact wording Beast Boy used before correcting.

“They have a favor to ask of us.”

Though it hadn’t been expressed in that way. It had been expressed by Batman personally and it sounded like an order. Even still, I told him that the Titans would consider it. Something he didn’t seem to really enjoy, but didn’t argue.

It was much easier to talk to him indirectly, rather than in person.

From the round table I projected an image of the Middle East. Which is where they had asked us to go and investigate.

“Apparently there’s some strange energy signatures in the country of Bialya. Really powerful energy signatures that the Justice League are interested in. However, they cannot personally investigate as they don’t have any jurisdiction in the country. So, if they were found there, it would be problematic for them politically.”

What went unsaid was that it didn’t seem like this mission was particularly high up on the Justice League’s list of priorities. Which is why I didn’t care much about doing it in the first place.

I wanted to separate the Titans firmly away from the Justice League, but I didn’t want to genuinely cut any ties or burn bridges. Nothing that could leave any sort of bad blood between organizations. As there were several members of the Titans who had close ties to the Justice League.

Besides, the Justice League were useful allies to have. But if being allied meant also being subservient, then that would be taken off the table.

As I continued to explain the situation to the other Titans, I couldn’t help but notice the look and posture in Beast Boy’s form. Something about the mission disturbed him something greatly. Also causing him to throw several worried looks towards Miss Martian.

“Uh…you said it was a favor, right? Does that mean we can like…refuse?”

Beast Boy asked with clear nervousness in his voice. He wasn’t the one I had intended to ask that question, but I was glad he did.

I nodded at him.

“Yes. We will take a vote as a whole on whether or not the Titans wants to even accept this mission. It’s supposed to be stealthy, and if for some reason we get caught we will likely face some politically pushback. Not as much as the Justice League would get, but we still don’t know what the outcome would be.”

“Then uh…I’m in favor against.”

Beast Boy stated. Showcasing where he sat on this issue.

Interesting. I wonder what caused his sudden reservation? Was it perhaps the country itself?

“Alright. Anyone who refuses will not be forced to go on the mission either. Accepting will be the same as volunteering.”

I confirmed before sitting back down. To be quite honest, I was hoping for the Titans to be against that way I could just ignore this and pretend like my hands were tied. Instead of wasting time for this glorified scout mission.

“I’d like to go, but I’m going to have to visit my parents back home next week.”

Kid Flash commented, showcasing another negative vote. This was going well so far.

“Not interested.”

Galatea confirmed. Her eyes still closed as she vibrated in place with her chair. I couldn’t help but notice how the chair shook hard enough for her breasts to bounce idly.

“…I’m up for it.”

Ravager unexpectedly spoke up. Leaving me to blink rapidly at her answer. What? She didn’t even like the Justice League…what was she up to?

“Same.”

Artemis stated. Showcasing her willingness as well. Which put it to two to three.

“If the Justice League wants our help, I don’t see a reason for me to not go.”

Cyborg stated.

“…Neither the people nor the government of Bialya seem to be in danger. Maybe we shouldn’t stick our noses in something that doesn’t concern us.”

Raven said with a pretty well thought statement. Not that I particularly cared about the country itself. But I could appreciate the perspective for what it was.

“I’m up for it!”

Miss Martian stated with obvious excitement. Causing Beast Boy’s face to fall as his eyes quickly darted around the room before standing up.

“I change my vote. I’ll go.”

…Unfortunate. That made the score…five to three. With being for in the lead.

That left only three Titans left to cast their vote. Starfire, Zatanna, and of course myself. I had planned to not vote in order to have some level of deniability when I eventually tell the Justice League we weren’t following their orders. With how this is playing out, it would take all three of us voting against in order to dismiss the mission.

“Let’s do it!”

Starfire excitedly exclaimed. Causing me to sigh internally. Well, that decided things, didn’t it? It no longer mattered whatever Zatanna was going to vote, as the majority were already in favor.

…It was fine.

If this is what the Titans wanted, then it wasn’t my job to stand in their way.

It was to minimize the threats against them.

*~o~*

Artemis PoV

I cracked my neck as I stood up. Everyone was starting to filter out of the room due to the meeting being over. Stretching out my arms, I looked around in boredom. Not many people were still in the room.

Ravager and Miss Martian were nearby. Both of them locked in some sort of conversation. One that seemed pretty casual. Starfire was going over towards the door. Law was talking to Beast Boy near the door.

Law. It’s funny, at first, I had been pretty happy about him already having a girlfriend. Because that would mean he wouldn’t do stupid shit like ogle or hit on me.

Now though...It sucked.

He was hot. There was no other way around it. I had a thing for redheads, even if they weren’t natural. It definitely helped that he was easily the hottest guy in the Titans.

Cyborg? He’d probably take second place. He had decently built muscles, but half of his body was cold metal.

Beast Boy? He was cute, but was like a kid. A little brother figure at best.

Kid Flash? Pft. Not in a million years.

Which left Law as the prime choice on the team. He was athletic. A leader. Had tight muscles under his shirt. He wasn’t weird, and seemed pretty interested in our training as well as helping all of us fit in. It didn’t take a genius to see why he put Ravager next to me, or Zatanna next to Miss Martian.

I remember mom once said one of the most attractive things about guys to women is being taken. I didn’t think much of her words back then, but maybe there was something to her words there.

It wasn’t like I just didn’t care that he had a girlfriend. Obviously doing stuff with a guy already in a relationship was pretty messed up. Yet for some reason, I just didn’t seem to care.

No, that wasn’t quite right. It was more like…that made him more exciting.

…Not that I was a homewrecker or anything. Obviously, I was smarter than that. Especially when said girlfriend was a super strong alien that could fire lasers from her eyes.

Still, didn’t mean I couldn’t admire the goods.

“Law is very attractive, isn’t he?”

My body jerked slightly as I turned. Only to see said girlfriend floating right next to me with a big smile on her face. As if everything was fine and dandy in the world.

She had caught me red-handed. Even worse, she was trying to goad me into confessing what I was doing. Trying to guilt trip and mess with me like how Jade would.

I didn’t care how strong she was. No one was going to punk me.

“Yeah, he is actually.”

I stated, crossing my arms while staring up at her without breaking my gaze. I’d make sure she understood I wasn’t someone who could easily be walked on.

Instead of getting angry, she just smiled. Politely even. Obviously, she was putting it on for appearances, or to just try and unnerve me. But it wasn’t going to work.

“You have the good taste. He is very proficient in bed.”

…What the fuck? Who just says that-

No, I see what she’s doing. She’s trying to brag about getting dicked down by him? That’s probably one of the sluttiest things I’ve ever heard. I’m impressed that she isn’t even slightly embarrassed about it.

“Is that right?”

I was playing it cool, but honestly, I had no rebuttal against that. The hell was I going to say? ‘Nuh-uh’? Starfire continued to smile and nod her head. It was hard to tell because of her skin color, but her cheeks seemed to be getting a light red dusting on them…

Was…was she getting turned on?

“If you’re curious about it, you can try to sleep with him.”

…She was challenging me. Emphasis on try. She was trying to say that she was more woman than me in every way. She had longer legs, bigger breasts, stronger, faster. So why would he even glance in my direction?

What a bitch.

“Maybe I will. Who knows, maybe he’ll like me more than you.”

Almost immediately Starfire’s demeanor changed. Her lightheadedness and jovial nature turned for something more…aggressive. She still wore a smile, but there as a hard set in it. Her eyes looked down at me due to her height advantage.

Starfire was a normally confident person. Easily one of the most confident individuals I’ve ever met. Yet her normal easy-going confidence was exchanged for something more like Galatea’s. The kind of confidence that seemed based on fact.

“I doubt it.”

Tch, if she thinks that she-

“Hey guys! What are you talking about?”

Miss Martian asked, quickly walking over. It only took a glance to see her true intentions. She was a bit nervous and looking between me and Starfire quickly. Obviously, she was trying to defuse the situation.

And…it seemed to work. Because Starfire immediately went back to her normal self in the span of a second. Guess she was going to pretend nothing happened.

“We were talking about having sex with Law!”

She helpfully answered. Making Miss Martian’s eyebrows reach the top of her head. Ravager, who had been talking to Miss Martian previously, was now tuned into the conversation. Showing what she thought of Starfire’s words with a roll of her eyes-Er, her eye.

“Oh! Uh…t-that’s…nice?”

Miss Martian offered tentatively, giving glances between Starfire and me, before looking over to the guy in question…who’s already left the room.

“Do you want to have sex with him, Friend Miss Martian?”

Starfire asked in such an easy way, as if asking for the time. In response Miss Martian took a step back before waving her hands all over the place in panic.

“U-uh, I’ve never t-though about it p-personally!”

Starfire hummed at that with a frown. What, did she think Miss Martian was lying? She seemed pretty honest. Sure, her cheeks were on fire, but that was likely because the subject was embarrassing for her. Hell, I was even starting to catch second hand embarrassment over here.

“Do you not find him attractive?”

Starfire asked again, causing Miss Martian to freak out even more. Instead of vocalizing anything, she just stuttered and stammered bits and pieces of words out. At some point, I don’t even think she was speaking English.

Then she buried her face in her hands.

Starfire turned to Ravager, who didn’t seem to give much of a shit about the conversation.

At first, I thought Ravager was just like Jade. Thinking she was better than everyone else, and not willing to rely on anyone for help. Just someone who uses others without a second thought.

But after talking with her for a few weeks, it wasn’t like that at all. If anything she was just…awkward. It was less that she didn’t want to rely on anyone, but that she felt the need to prove herself. Like she had to do things herself or she had no value.

It was…kind of sad, in a way.

Honestly, I think she would have been a better sister than Jade. Though that’s not exactly a high bar…

“Do you find him attractive, friend Ravager?”

“Hell no.”

Ravager stated bluntly. Leaving no room for any doubt or argument. Her face was completely relaxed and she was looking straight at Starfire. If she was lying, she was doing a damn good job at it.

Surprising. Maybe some other dude in the tower caught her eye?

“I see…”

Starfire said with a…sad look? What? She was throwing some weird ass signals…

I decided to sate my curiosity by asking Ravager a question.

“Do you find any of the other guys attractive then?”

“Nope.”

Ravager stated succinctly.

Hmm…

“Cyborg?”

“What, is he going to fuck me with a strap on?”

Yikes. That was a bit…uh…anyway, let’s move on.

“Kid Flash?”

Ravager wore a disgusted look on her face.

“I’m not into chicks.”

Ha.

“Friend Beast Boy?”

This time Starfire asked the question. Obviously having gotten curious towards this line of questioning as well. At that Ravager’s eyebrows knit together as she frowned. Obviously thinking about something.

No way, seriously? Guess she liked them young.

“…Isn’t Miss Martian dating Beast Boy?”

The girl in question had already mostly recovered from her embarrassment in order give Ravager a grossed outlook.

“Ew! No! He’s like…a little brother to me!”

“Huh.”

Ravager commented, obviously not really caring one way or the other. I continued the inquiry.

“So now that you know he’s single, does that change anything?”

“What? No. Green boy is more annoying than the ginger.”

No. No he was not. As someone who’s spent weeks working under the shitstain that was Kid Flash, I could say for certain that Beast Boy was a noticeable improvement.

Huh, wait, so she didn’t like any of the guys in the tower? Was she a lesbian? No, she just said she wasn’t…

Maybe she had a different type?

This time it was Ravager who asked the question. Directing it towards Starfire with a nod of her chin.

“What do you even like about Law anyway?”

Starfire tapped her lips a few times before answering.

“There’s a lot about him that’s great, but if I had to choose one…his mouth!”

“His…mouth?”

Miss Martian asked in confusion. Wait, she wasn’t trying to say-

“He is very good with his tongue!”

Oh wow.

“Yep, and I’m out of here.”

Ravager seemed to lose all interest and started to make her way out of the room ahead of all of us. Leaving the three of us to slowly start to follow. Miss Martian’s face flushed as she obviously thought about Starfire’s words, before finally speaking up.

“W-what does he…do with it?”

…Was she serious!?

Oh yeah, alien. Right. I don’t know how I forgot about that.

Still, I was surprised that Starfire was so open with her relationship. Even the sexual aspects of it. Maybe she…

Maybe she really was just that confident?

Jeez…