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It was a nice idea in hindsight, taking the kids out to eat and have a nice dinner, all eight of them. It would be the perfect evening, spending it together. But it was far from that.
Melvin, Timmy, and Teether wanted to spend a few days with their favorite Titan, Raven. It took a bit of planning but the monks and the Titans agreed to let the three spend some time at the tower. A week was agreed upon on both sides and everyone was looking forward to it. But by the time the kids got there, they were tired, cranky, and in desperate need of a nap. Timmy and Teether at least. Melvin was doing her very best to be on her “big girl” behavior, but she was still a six year old and a slip of behavior wasn’t unexpected.
The Titans asked the kids multiple times if they were still sure they wanted to go out, that it would be ok if they wanted to chill in the tower and go out another time. But the oldest two were determined to go have dinner with Raven and her friends.
It was going as well as it could until their drinks and appetizers arrived.
Melvin refused to drink her apple juice because it was too cold but wouldn’t let the server take it back because she liked the pattern on the kids cup and instead sat miserably coloring the kids menu as she waited for it to warm up, taking a sip every now and then to check but continuing to disappoint herself.
Timmy was visibly upset when Beast Boy took the last mozzarella stick but managed to keep his sonic scream in while remembering his inside voice lessons.
Teether wanted to put anything and everything into his mouth. Crayons, straws, utensils, Timmy’s blanket, all were wrestled out of the six month olds mouth, admittedly with some struggle, and he was not happy about losing his treasures.
It all went downhill though when Teether reached for a napkin that just so happened to be a similar color to Timmy’s blanket and put it in his mouth, drawing out cries from Timmy thinking his blanket got snatched as he reached over Raven to pull out his supposed blanket but fell back and bumped into Melvin as he yanked the napkin free, making her mess up her coloring and start pushing Timmy away from her.
It was complete and utter chaos. There was a baby crying, a screaming three year old upset and confused who was fighting with the six year old who just wanted to color in peace.
There was yelling, crying, screaming, wailing, hitting, and Raven had had enough.
She abruptly stood up, gaining the attention of the four Titans sitting in the booth across from her in anticipation of how she was going to handle the situation.
She pulled the diaper bag off the back of her chair and threw it on, turned and scooped up Teether from his highchair, bent down and picked up Timmy with her other arm while also somehow managing to get his blanket, and told Melvin to go color with Starfire, and marched her way outside, a screaming baby and toddler in tow.
They all looked at each other nervously as if asking who was going to be the brave one and go check on her before Cyborg told them to wait a bit, that she’s got it.
Outside Raven deposited the wailing Timmy on one of the porch swings in front of the restaurant and handed him his beloved blue blanket. His unnaturally loud crying slowed slightly when he realized that his blanket was safe.
She wiggled the diaper bag off of her, dropped it beside Timmy, and worked to calm Teether down. He was heavier than the last time they were together causing her arms to sore quickly, but he was tired and needed some comfort and would only accept it from the empath.
To her surprise and relief, the baby enjoyed the sway of the swing and slowly but surely calmed. He was placed atop her chest and gradually she could feel him become heavier and heavier until he was out. Raven took a moment to lay her head back and close her eyes at the momentary peace. The sun was setting and she could feel the evening rays touch across her face.
Timmy had hopped down from the swing to play with a pile of rocks when Melvin and Robin came out.
She lifted her head and opened her eyes to see Melvin join her brother on the ground, Robin standing there trying not to look awkward.
“She wanted to be out here with you.” He said with a gesture.
Raven nodded and leaned her head back with a sigh, just now realizing she had been patting Teether’s back and resumed it.
“This is going to be a stupid question,” Robin started, sitting next to her, the diaper bag between them. Melvin gasped at the word, piping up to say it was a bad word. “Sorry,” he addressed. “You might roll your eyes, but are you ok?
Melvin nodded in acceptance at the changed statement.
Raven sighed again. “I don’t know. I’m exhausted.”
“They really have been glued to your hip all day. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I don’t know.” She repeated.
“I can hold Teether for a bit if you want.”
“I’m good.”
It didn't go unnoticed the way she pressed the baby closer to her chest, but he was a smart man and didn't say anything.
Down by their feet, Melvin showed Timmy that if he scraped a rock on the sidewalk, it acted like chalk. The two were happily coexisting together, making pictures and images that only made sense to them.
“If you would like I’ll be more than happy to sit with one of them back inside.”
“I don’t know if going back in would be a good idea.”
“Why not?” He questioned.
She lifted her head and looked at the two marking up the sidewalk. “They’re finally calm. All three of them. And the last thing I want is to go back in and have the noise and people wind them back up.”
Robin nodded in understanding. It was a lot for him sometimes being in loud and crowded places like that, he could imagine how overwhelming it would be for a little one who had very little emotional regulation. “Would you like to eat out here then? I can go back in and get the food.”
“That might not be a bad idea.” She thought over. “Will they let us do that?”
“After everything we do, I don't see why they wouldn't. Besides,” he smiled, “I’m sure it would make less of a mess eating out here then it would be in there.”
Raven gave an amused exhale, Teether making a groggy noise at the sudden movement. She kept up the light pat and he nuzzled back into her chest.
Robin watched the interaction with a warm smile.
Raven looked over and caught the look. “What?”
“I’m just thinking.”
“About?”
“Stuff.” He shrugged.
Timmy crawled over and gave a tug on the diaper bag, a specific zipper. Carefully removing a hand from Teether, Raven opened the bag, rooted through it, and pulled out his favorite water bottle. Timmy took it with a happy squeal and went back to his sister.
“You would be a good mom.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s what I was thinking.” Robin admitted, the second interaction proving his point.
“No,” she gave a short chuckle, “I wouldn't.”
Robin shrugged. “Then I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.”
“Raven.” Melvin came up right in front of her, hands touching the empath’s knees. They made tiny dances and pats as she played with them. “Is dinner almost done?”
“I’m not sure.”
Robin leaned forward, getting the blond haired girl's attention. “Do you want to come in with me and see?”
Her face lit up in excitement, then looked at Raven as if silently asking for permission.
“If you want to, you can go.”
“Yes!” She bounced in a circle a few times as Robin got up. Melvin immediately took his hand and continued to bounce and bobble as they went back in the restaurant.
“If you let her out of your sight for one second, I swear to god.” Raven reprimanded through the bond.
“Yes mom.” He replied back.