14341/Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine
Date of Scene:	25 April 2022
Location:	Roof, Titans Tower
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Superboy, Raven

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Superboy has posed:
Rachel's phone will buzz with a text message closer to the golden hour of the day, around 4:00pm.

'Hey Rachel,

Meet me on top of Titan's Tower at 7pm. I want to take you out on a date. Let me know if you're interested. No dress code.

- C'

Conner always signs off on his text messages because he's the /worst/. But he's standing on top of Titan's Tower. Fatigue pants, t-shirt with the Red 'S' on his chest, combat boots and a brown leather jacket to stave off any of the cold that comes up later in the day. Kryptonians don't really get cold, but Raven might need it later.

He waits patiently. He even as a nice setup, but that will only be revealed if Raven decides to join him.

Raven has posed:
Rachel is the worst. She responded back to his text with a 'Maybe' and seemed to be secluded in her room the entire day. It's hard to say what she was getting up to in there. Then again, it always is hard to say what she might get up to. However, 7 PM rolls around and on the dot, Rachel has phased up through the tower to the roof and walks the few steps needed to find herself beside Conner.

"I decided to see what your idea of a date was." She commented quietly, not quite looking towards him and inside casting a glance around at the roof and what he might have put together. She is wearing a pair of nice black jeans and a long-sleeved navy blue shirt that has the sleeves and collar area made of fishnet. Her hoodie is draped over her arm for the moment.

Superboy has posed:
Rachel ascends through the roof and finds Conner standing a little to the left of a candlelit area. Wine is at the edge of a picnic blanket as the sun is starting to dip lower into the horizon. He saved this for sunset, something that Conner has long since considered to be the most beautiful sight in the world, second only to one.

Raven herself.

Conner smiles at her as he turnsto face her. "Thank you for coming." He reaches to brush his hand against hers, trying to respect her neutral demeanor but still tell her how he feels. Candles rest at the edge of the blanket and he moves to sit down. There's a basket filled with cheese sticks, bread, and pasta.

Raven has posed:
Conner can sense her heartbeat quickening a little as their hands brush and she sees what he has set up for them. She lowers herself on to the blanket beside him, looking out towards the horizon. "It is a beautiful sight." She commented, voice still on the quiet side. "Thank you for inviting me." She finally looks up to him, allowing a touch of a smile to form before looking to the wine and basket. "The food looks good as well." Her hand moved a little to rest next to his, just barely touching.

Superboy has posed:
Barely touching was enough.

Conner was not the demanding sort. He sat down next to her, looking at the horizon as he reached over to the picnic basket, opening it and offering her various food items on plates, including cheese sticks, salads, and breads, each on it's own platter that they can freely take from. "How are you? I'm sorry I haven't seen you much today. I wanted to prepare this in advance and I'm not good at lying."

His pinkie finger curls itself around hers. A daring motion. "I don't know if you like wine. I have red and white chardonnay."

Raven has posed:
Rachel accepted a plate, putting a little of everything on it. "There is nothing to apologize for. I spent a majority of the day in my room. I have been studying some artifacts, like the one we retrieved off of Solomon Grundy." She explained with a little shrug. "This is a nice surprise though, really. I am glad you put it together." She looks towards the wine as his finger curled against her pinkie. A hint of red touched her cheeks as their pinkies were intertwined. "I think red would go well with this."

Superboy has posed:
"I'll trust your opinion. I'ven ever drank wine before. I'm told it's not for everyone, but I'll have to try it for myself to make my own opinion on it." Conner sees her cheeks redden, even as the light shines off of her eyes and his. Blue reflections off of his eyes. He smiles at her as he looked to the wine, putting a little of everything on his plate as he pours them some red wines.

"Red it is." Two glasses poured, he raises a glass to her. "To new beginnings."

Raven has posed:
"I have only had it a time or two myself. It's okay." Rachel decides on the wine. "But it sounds like it will be good with the pasta and such." In theory at least. She studies him a moment and then looks to the poured wine glasses. She accepts one of them, lifting it in kind and giving a bit more of a smile. "To new beginnings." She agreed before taking a small sip.

"What do you think of it?" She would ask after Conner tries his, a touch of curiosity in her expression as she uses her free hand to reach for her form so she can begin to eat.

Superboy has posed:
"Just okay? I should expect not to like it. We have similar palettes." Conner chuckles, but he brings the glass to his lips after the toast to sip the liquid. "Delicious." Conner sighs in satisfaction. "I feel more connected with rich bad guys in movies now." Conner jokes happily as his eyes look to Raven with a smile. "Better than the last time you tried it?"

Conner squeezes her hand, though he looks at her as she tries the food. "I made it myself."

Raven has posed:
Connect can sense a vibration in Rachel's movement. It's subtle to the human eyes and ears, but easily detected by him. A chuckle. It was quickly suppressed, but a chuckle nonetheless, at his rich bad guy comment. "It is good." She agreed about the wine. "And it does taste a little better than the first time. Perhaps my palette has evolved." She mused.

When Conner said he made the food himself, Rachel's eyes widen briefly, glancing towards him. "You did? Really?" Surprised. "It is very good." She assured him as she took another bite. "It is shaping up to be a very nice night."

Superboy has posed:
Progress! Conner has made her lightly smile, but he's never made her laugh before. A quick sound suppressed by her will until it was but nothing, but it's a sound Conner will never permit himself to forget for as long as they are together. "Maybe. Human taste buds change and recycle over time." Conner's programming starts to shine through his usually gruff personality. He did make the food! he failed 97 times to make the sauce for the pasta and half that for the cheese sticks. he's elated at her approval, filled with delight.

"I have many talents." Conner looks at Raven, really looks at her. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Raven has posed:
"Do they, that's interesting. I suppose it makes sense." But Biology is not an area of expertise for her...or even moderate knowledge really. She can feel his eyes on her, he can hear her heartbeat quicken again and see the vague bit of pink to her cheeks as he compliments her. She slowly lets that mental barrier down some to allow herself to sense his emotions.

"I find that doubtful." She spoke softly but with that faint smile. "But accept it nonetheless. I...like that you like me." She lowered her gaze from his, back to her plate. "And...I find you attractive as well."

Superboy has posed:
"It's how you maybe didn't like foods when you were younger, but you like them now. I don't have that opportunity to learn because I didn't have a childhood." Technically this, right here, is his childhood. He was accelerated growth, his entire 'childhood' was the span of perhaps two months. Though he sees her cheeks pinken when he compliments her. She can feel his emotions.

Lust. Desire. Love. Attraction. Care. Sincerity. Adjectives intermixed with feelings already so strong for Rachel. He owuldl ike nothing more than to kiss her. He's holding himself back to respect her.

"I like that you like me too." His cheeks turn red as he starts to scooch a little bit closer to her.

Raven has posed:
It was difficult not to put that mental wall back up as Conner's emotions flooded her psyche. It was overwhelming, in a way, but Rachel was trying to work through it. The wall went back up a little bit, to manage it easier. "You feel so strongly." She murmured, setting her plate aside as he moved closer to her.

Her head turned to face him and her heart skipped a beat as he was so close. Even though she had felt him moving closer, actually seeing him in such a close proximity had more of an affect. She could feel that desire to kiss her...and she wanted to kiss him too. A soft breath is inhaled and she tilted her head slightly. It was quiet for a longer moment before she says, "...You can kiss me...if you want..."

Superboy has posed:
"I...feel like I'm still learning how to feel. How to touch." Conner's eyes lift into her eyes. His heart had skipped a beat. When he looked into her eyes, he saw the entirety of the stars. He saw his future. She tilts her head at him, like he was being studied.

'you can kiss me if you want'.

Conner felt himself grow still. His heart threatened to beat itself out of his chest when she gives him that permission. When she opens herself enough to him. He comes closer, his hand rising to cup and touch her cheek. He starts to lean, his eyes closing, his breaths becoming faster.

If he's not stopped, he'll meet her lips with his own. A soft kiss, but one filled with passion.

Raven has posed:
While it couldn't be seen by them, any onlookers driving on the bridge past the Titan Tower might have seen several lights flicker for a few seconds at the precise moment Conner and Rachel shared that kiss. The kiss was returned, brief but gentle, pulling back some when their lips parted. Her face was flushed and she was struggling to keep herself contained. It was all so overwhelming, but not exactly in a bad way.

Her free hand curled against the blanket, studying him with wide eyes as she tried to calm herself down. "We...should go somewhere else." She whispered finally. "Somewhere away from people." No words about if she liked the kiss or not, but she isn't running away and she's suggesting they get away from the immediate vicinity so maybe it wasn't so bad?

Superboy has posed:
That gentle kiss, that soft touch. Conner practically melts in her embrace. Rachel returns his soft touches. Conner could hear some lights flicker for a few seconds, the energy that transferred between them life giving. Overwhelming indeed, but Conner would never find himself in a position to pull away from her. When their lips parted from one another, Rachel pulls back just a little as Conner looks at her.

"Wherever you want to go." Conner whispers back against her lips. She didn't run from him, which hopefully means she enjoyed the kiss and wants to kiss more (or even regularly!) but He starts to get up, his hand lowers to help her up to her feet. "I can fly us wherever you want to go."

Raven has posed:
Rachel accepted his hand to get to her feet, managing to pull it together for the moment. The blush had faded from her cheeks now and she's breathing easier. She stays close to him as he says to tell her where to go. There's a moment of thought before she says, "State park please." She said softly. It was quiet, relatively open. Less risk of anyone or anything getting hurt. Maybe just a tree branch or two. She manages to give him a smile though, and his hand gets a little squeeze, Ready for him to bring them to their destination.

Superboy has posed:
"State park it is." Conner smiles at Rachel as he holds onto her hand. He squeezes it tightly, not tight enoug hto hurt her with his strength, but he pulls her in a little closer to her so he can curl an arm around her if she accepts the contact. "Let's go." his feet start to lift off of the ground with Rachel in tow. He smiles at her and together, they fly off towards the sunset.

Kryptonians are fast, but some humans can't withstand the kinetics and physics. Conner flies a little slower than his normal speeds, smiling the entire time. He still has a bit of Rachel's lipstick on his lips.

He occasionally looks at Rachel's eyes. The flight isn't long.

Raven has posed:
As Conner puts his arm around her, Rachel's arms go around his neck for support as he takes off. She looks towards the horizon, head leaning against his shoulder. It was somewhat thrilling to be flying in this manner. Rachel could do some flying herself but it was limited - this was *real* flying. When they got closer she would identify a more specific area of the park. A clearing with a few large boulders and some logs. An area that she had discovered a while back and used for meditation when she really needed to be alone.

Once they were back on the ground, Rachel smiled up at him. "It's quieter out here too, isn't it? Only the sounds of nature." He would be able to hear all manner of small forest creatures. She waited a beat or two before she would draw him in for another kiss, being a little daring, letting some of that passion of his echo back to him.

Superboy has posed:
Rachel's arms move around his neck and Conner sails off into the sky! This was real flying. No energy expended, no magical influence helping her that requires her focus and security. Freedom. He looks to the point of the clearing she points out and he brings her in for a landing. After that, he looks around for a moment to check his surroundings. But he can't get much of a look in before Rachel pulls him into another kiss.

He melts into her embrace. His lips lightly parting to invite her for more. It was quiet uptown. Right here in this moment, his arms curling themselves around her waist.

She was an amazing kisser.

Raven has posed:
There was a rustling through the trees as they locked in that kiss, Rachel pressing the kiss a little deeper. A branch snapped, then another. She was less concerned about reining herself in out in the open like this, in the middle of nowhere. Her father was always a concern of course, letting her emotions get the best of her, but these...these were good emotions. She liked the way Conner's lips felt on her own and she liked the way it felt to have his arms around her.

After several long moments she drew from this kiss, taking a somewhat ragged breath as she looked up at him. "You...I like your kisses." She managed to get out, voice still on the softer side as she tilted her head to rest it against his shoulder for a moment.

Superboy has posed:
Rachel presses that kiss a little bit deeper. Conner is fully open to this. He ignores the crunching branches and light bulbs that might short out. He kisses Rachel, holding her tightly against him. Letting her open up to him, opening himself up to her. He holds her, his lips speaking a language only the two of them know right now. He moans into the kiss when she pulls away from him. his eyes looking at her.

"I like yours too....That was my first." He smiles at her, resting his head on hers. "Can I kiss you more often?"

Raven has posed:
Rachel mulls it over a moment. It was dangerous territory she was treading, unless she could figure out some kind of more consistent emotional balance around Conner. Finally, she lifts her head and gives a little nod. "I would like that...if you kissed me more often." She said softly. "But...I don't think more than that is a good idea right now. I need to be able to contain my powers better...be able to control myself while we're together."

Superboy has posed:
"Thank you. I...I really appreciate being allowed. I know it's not something you do often. Ever." Conner smiles at Rachel as she lifts her head to him and gives him a little nod. "I agree. I saw our kiss caused things around us to go haywire. Light bulbs, electrical outlets..." Conner smiles ever so slightly to Rachel, his hand lifting to caress her cheek.

"You're my first."

Conner's cheeks start to flush. "Do you think we should tell the others?" About their apparently newfound relationship.

Raven has posed:
Rachel nods, looking just a touch sheepish before she manages to get her expression back to neutral. "Yes...that's why I wanted to come out here. I knew I wouldn't be able to really keep my emotions in check, but I wanted to kiss you." A touch of a wry expression before it vanishes. "It will be a work in progress that I look forward to working on." She relaxed into him, considering his question.

"I don't see a reason why we need to say anything at the moment." She decides with a little shrug. "On some level it is their business, but I don't think it needs to be right now. What do you think?"

Superboy has posed:
"I like bragging about you." Conner smiles at Rachel with a kindness in his eyes. "It's a good place to be. Not many people. Quiet. You come here often?" Conner questions her. But she relaxes into him at his question.

"Hm...well, maybe they deserve to know because we're part of the team. At the same time, it /is/ our personal business. I'm indifferent. I don't care what other people think of us."

He frowns. "What do you think? I'm happy just knowing that I'm with you. I think Superman would tell us 'I knew it'."

Raven has posed:
"If something important comes up where it's vital or will help them to know we are together, then we tell them." Rachel decided. "Until then...I don't think we need to broadcast it to everyone unless it comes up naturally in conversation." She gives a little shake of her head, maybe a bit amused at his Superman comment. "He probably would, yes."

She straightens up just a little, considering his previous question. "I don't come out here too often. Usually only when I'm having more trouble than usual controlling my emotions." She explained, starting to take a step back. "But since we're here, let's enjoy it for a bit." Giving him another small smile as she moved to lead him over to one of the larger boulders so they could sit. "You get a good peek at the stars from this clearing too."

Superboy has posed:
"Agreed." Conner says accompanied by a warm smile. "Superman apparently got a girlfriend too. He wants me to go home to Smallville to meet her." He frowns a little bit. "It still feels...weird being part of a family." Conner isn't sure how he feels about it, though she tells him she doesn't come out here too often.

"Makes sense." He looks up towards the glittering stars in the heavens. "I love the stars. They're like shining entities of our hope. Manifestations. Everytime I look up, I do it with hope for tomorrow. When in doubt, always look up." Conner smiles.

He looks down at the ground then as he follows her over to the boulder, sitting down on it. "Are you cold?"

Raven has posed:
"Oh really? Let me know how it goes. I have heard of Smallville, it will probably be vastly different from the city. Maybe you'll like it." Rachel pondered, giving his hand a little squeeze. "Family can feel weird. Knowing there are people you can rely on but also who rely on you. It took me a long time to accept it and really consider the Titans my family." Since she didn't have anyone else.

As they sit, she smiles at his commentary about the stars. "You are so optimistic. It's refreshing really." She decided and when he asked if she was cold, she nods. "A little. I left my hoodie on the roof."

Superboy has posed:
She's cold. Conner smiles at her. "I try my best. I think I caught it from Superman." He keeps his eyes on her as he shrugs himself out of his dark jacket, and he offers it to her by moving to around her shoulders but he doesn't let it go just yet in case she says no. "Here. Try it on." He smiles at her, though she didn't have to accept the coat.

"Tim and Bart helped me realize that the Titans were my family. They rescued me from the guys who made me. And now I have you." Conner looks at her. "Since knowing you, you've shown me new perspectives."

Raven has posed:
Rachel could feel the warmth immediately radiating off the interior of the leather jacket when Conner started to put it around her. She allowed herself another smile as she started to slip her arms through the coat. It was a bit big on her, but warm and so she was perfectly okay with this. "Much better. Thank you Conner." She leaned her head against his shoulder once the jacket was on. "I have?" She looks up a bit when he says he shown her new perspectives. "Like what?"

Superboy has posed:
One of Superboys powers included being a literal humanoid heater. Long as his cells were solar charged, he was always warm to the touch. Rachel wouldn't be necessarily stepping into a sauna when she wears the jacket, but it'd be interesting to see how long the jacket retains its heat. Conner smiles at her playfully. "My plaeasure, Rachel." She rests her head on his shoulder and Conner looks up towards the stars.

"That not everything is cut and dry. Day and night. Some things are gray. Those are things that can't be ignored."

Raven has posed:
Rachel studied him for a beat longer as he looked towards the stars and then she shifted her gaze to look towards them as well. "I'm glad I could help you then. You have helped me as well." She added. "You are showing me that maybe allowing myself to feel good things once in a while is not so bad." She shifted slightly to lay her hand on his thigh and give a gentle squeeze. "I am glad to be here with you, and to have you as a part of my life."