Disclaimer: Teen Titans belongs to Cartoon Network, not me.
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"Good news, Rae," Cyborg said. "They're going to let you out of the hospital today."
"Hallelujah," she said. "I'm so tired of hospital food."
"Don't worry. We'll make something big for you when you come home," Beast Boy said.
"I have a question," Raven said. "Where's Robin? I haven't seen him at all." Beast Boy glanced away. "Is something wrong?"
Starfire looked at her friend, her eyes honest. "He is ashamed," she said. "He feels terrible over the way he treated you."
Raven half-smiled. "Send him in here," she said. "Just him." Beast Boy nodded and scampered out to find him.
"I am glad that you will be all right, Raven," Starfire smiled. She bent over and kissed Raven's forehead like a big sister would. "Now you must hurry and get well soon."
Raven nodded, smiling slightly. Cyborg touched her cheek. "We'll be back in a little while," he said.
The other Titans left. Raven gazed out the window, her slim fingers idly plucking at the sheet.
The door creaked slightly. "Robin, go in!" she heard Starfire's voice hiss, and then there was a squeak as Robin's shoes slid on the floor.
"Um…hi," he said.
"Hello, Robin," Raven said.
The black-haired boy stared at the floor. "Um…" he stammered. "Um…"
"Robin, if you would like to say something, just go ahead and say it," she said.
Robin looked up, his face twisted. "I didn't mean what I said before," he said.
"Yes, you did," Raven countered. "You meant it at the time."
"But it was still wrong, and I…I…" He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Raven." Robin winced, half-expecting an attack of some sort.
"I forgive you," Raven said.
His head snapped up. "You do?" he gasped.
"I know what it's like to say something you don't mean," she said ruefully, sliding the sheet between her fingers. "Believe me. I know how you feel."
Robin's shoulders relaxed in relief. "Thank you," he said.
"Don't mention it," Raven said.
Starfire poked her head in. "Glorious! Reconciliation!" she said. "And now, Robin, you will have to go away. Raven has to get dressed."
Raven winced. Putting on a leotard with a sore back, twisted knee, and a broken left arm did not promise to be pleasant.
Starfire shooed Robin out, then closed the door. "These are for you," she said, laying a bag on the bed.
Raven pulled out the clothes. "What is this?" she said.
"We did not think you would like your usual clothes while you are recuperating, so we bought you these yesterday," Starfire beamed. "Trust me, you will be much more comfortable."
"Thank you," Raven said. "It was- it was very nice of you." She gingerly moved her legs to let them swing off the side of the bed. Starfire handed her a pair of shorts, and Raven started to pull them on under her nightshirt. But her legs were too weak to let her stand. "Um…Starfire?" she said. "Could you…I can't stand up."
Starfire nodded and helped the injured girl stand. She kept her hands on Raven's elbows as Raven tied the shorts around her waist awkwardly. Then the lavender-haired girl pulled off the nightshirt, clumsy with only her left hand, and Starfire saw for the first time the extent of Raven's injuries. Scabbed-over scrapes and blue bruises splotched over the girl's ivory skin. "Raven, I am so sorry," Starfire said.
"It's not your fault," she said, holding up a tank top and trying to figure out how the heck she was supposed to put it on with one hand. "It's my own."
"Raven, what are those scars from?" Starfire inquired in all innocence.
Raven froze. "Nothing," she said. "They're from…something else." She pulled the top over her head and sank back down on the bed, her body throbbing from pain.
"Do you like your new clothes?" Starfire asked.
"They're much more comfortable than my leotard," Raven said, "but I have a feeling my bra straps are showing. Do the guys have to see me like this?"
"You ready to go, Rae?" Cyborg asked.
Raven clapped her good hand on her forehead. "This is so degrading," she mumbled. "I feel so bare."
"Then I won't look at you," Cyborg said. He held out his arms. "Now let's get you home, Ravie."
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Author's
Notes:
When I was a cheerleader back in the day I had to wear
a bodysuit/leotard thing that looked like Raven's. Those things are
freaking uncomfortable.
