Dinner was chaos in the best possible way.
The team crowded around the kitchen table, plates piled high with Cyborg's cooking—which was, Hikaru had to admit, legitimately incredible. The man hadn't been exaggerating about his skills.
"Pass the rice," Kid Flash said, already chewing.
"Dude, swallow first. That's disgusting." Beast Boy made a face.
"Says the guy who was literally a pig five minutes ago."
"That's different."
Donna laughed, reaching for more vegetables. "Is it, though?"
Cyborg pointed his fork at Kid Flash. "And slow down. You're eating at super-speed again."
"Can't help it. Metabolism."
"That's not an excuse to inhale your food like a vacuum cleaner."
Hikaru ate at a normal pace, letting the conversation wash over him. Robin was actually relaxed for once, leaning back in his chair without the usual tension in his shoulders. Raven sat quietly at the end of the table, but she was present enjoying the atmosphere.
It felt...normal. Like a family dinner, if families happened to include cyborgs and demons and Amazonian warriors.
"So, Seraph," Cyborg said, turning to him. "You game?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Just call me Hikaru. And depends. What're we playing?"
"In that case call me Vic. Meet up in game room after dinner?"
Oh, it's on." Kid Flash sat up straighter, competitive spark reigniting..
"You're gonna regret asking that," Donna said, grinning.
The post-dinner gaming session was brief but brutal. Hikaru held his own, but Cyborg and Kid Flash had the advantage of knowing every exploit, every shortcut, every cheap trick the game had to offer.
"That's cheating," Hikaru said flatly, watching his character get demolished.
"It's called strategy."
"It's called button-mashing."
Beast Boy dissolved into laughter, rolling off the couch in hysterics.
Eventually, the team began dispersing—Donna to the training room, Cyborg to tinker with something in his workshop, Beast Boy to wherever Beast Boy went. Kid Flash zipped off in a blur of yellow and red.
Robin paused on his way out. "Good first day. Get some rest."
Hikaru nodded. "Will do, Cap."
Robin sighed. "Robin."
Hikaru grinned.
The door shut. Silence again.
Hikaru was organising his desk—sorting through notebooks, plugging in his laptop—when shadow pooled across the floor.
He didn't flinch. Didn't even turn around.
"Ever heard of knocking, Roth?"
The shadow expanded, and Raven rose from it like she was surfacing from water. Her expression was as neutral as ever. "Doors are slower."
"Fair point." Hikaru turned, leaning against the desk. "What's up?"
Raven studied him for a long moment, violet eyes unreadable. "Your divine energy. It's...angelic."
Hikaru tensed. "Yeah?"
"It's stronger than it should be for someone who's half-angel. I want to know why."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "You ask a lot of questions for someone who's keeping a lot of secrets."
Raven paused. Then, she nodded. "Fair point. Actually, I'm a—"
"Half-demon. I know." Hikaru's voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "I've got some sensing capabilities of my own."
Raven blinked. If she was surprised, she hid it well. "Makes sense. You're right—I'm half-demon. It's not something I'd proudly advertise."
"Fair enough." Hikaru crossed his arms, smirking faintly. "So what do I owe the honor of the late-night visit? Don't suppose you're here to tuck me in?"
Raven didn't laugh.
Hikaru chuckled at her lack of response. "Ah, right. Forgot. No sense of humour."
"Maybe you're not that funny."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that provocation?" The corner of his lips curving up in challenge. "Alright, Roth. One of these days, mark my words, I'll get you to crack a smile."
Raven rolled her eyes. "We're getting off topic."
"Ah, right. No fun. Well… I'm guessing you're worried about me being part angel? Something like I'm on a secret divine mission to smite you and all your kind?"
Raven flinched—minute, but he caught it. "Not exactly...but most angels do tend not to like demons."
Hikaru's voice softened, the playful edge fading. "Listen, Roth. I judge based on actions, not parentage. I've only ever met one angel—my father—and you were right, he's definitely powerful, but he's not exactly Heaven's favourite. And most importantly, I'm my own person. I don't define myself by my heritage. I assume you're the same way?"
Raven's expression shifted. Something guarded eased, just a bit. "You're right."
Hikaru smiled. "Right. I've developed a philosophy over the years that's kinda stuck with me—it's pretty simple, if your own family's shit, make a new one."
Raven blinked taking a moment to process my words. "That's...actually good advice."
"You seem surprised. I might not have a genius IQ, but I've got a decent head on my shoulders."
"I see." Raven nodded . "Well, I won't take up any more of your time. Apologies for barging in."
Hikaru waved her away. "Don't mention it, Roth. I've always got time for my favourite deskmate."
Raven sank into the portal on the ground, but not before visibly rolling her eyes.
Hikaru watched the portal close, grinning.
Well, that was definitely progress.
Alone again, Hikaru returned to the window.
The city sprawled below, alive and glowing.
Robin's cautious. Smart. Probably inherited from the Bat and his trust issues.
Raven's...even more guarded than Robin. But she's not hostile. That's good.
Donna understands the divine parent thing. She's strong but warm. We're gonna get along fine.
Kid Flash and Beast Boy are definitely trouble. The fun kind.
He looked around his room—his room—and exhaled .
Maybe Mom was right. This is different. Not in a bad way, though. I guess time will tell if I made the right choice.
A yawn crept up on him, sudden and overwhelming.
Still weird to have people watching my back. Feels like I just moved into a college dorm. Or at least a close approximation from what I've heard—my other life never made it that far.
He stretched out his arm, then clenched his fist.
Don't worry. I'll make the most out of this chance. Live enough for the both of us.
His arm fell back onto the bed, arms spread wide. He closed his eyes, a small smile on his lips.
And drifted off to sleep.