"Sloppy," Robin scolded as he caught her fist and twisted it. Raven inhaled sharply in pain as he let go of her arm, swinging it back towards her. "If you're going to try something like that, at least make it so your body language doesn't give it away." After she had gotten the basics down quickly, moving on to more advanced techniques had been quite a challenge. They'd been practicing for days now after the first session, and he'd always been more than accommodating, training with her whenever she felt she needed more practice. Morning training today hadn't been particularly strenuous, so she thought she'd give it another go.

"Enlighten me on how you're supposed to go for a punch without the rest of your body moving," she muttered.

"Like this," Robin answered, and his fist lashed out at her. She quickly threw up a barrier and his knuckles collided with the black shield, producing a dull thudding sound. This time Robin grimaced and pulled his arm back. "Every movement you make has to be one fluid motion. You can't think, I have to lunge forward first, then throw my arm towards him."

"Fluidity. How poetic." She went for a sweeping kick and caught his foot, causing the Boy Wonder to stumble before regaining his balance with his other foot. Determined not to let him recover, she followed up with another punch, this time connecting with the side of his abdomen. He fell on his back and she stood over him, smirking. "Does that count as one motion, Boy Blunder?"

"Don't let your guard down," he admonished, and jumped up quickly, flipping over her. She spun around just in time for his foot to connect with her face, sending her flying across the gym. Dazed, she sat up and saw him approaching. "Relax," he reassured her. "I won't do anything more to you for now."

"I brought this on myself, didn't I?" she mumbled.

"You asked me not to go easy on you. I figured you wouldn't like it if I only pretended to," he said, offering a hand. She took it and got up, dusting herself off. Her cheek was still smarting from the kick, but the numbness would cease soon.

"Ready for more?" she asked.

"You know I'd do this all day," he said with a smile. "Let's go for a few more rounds, then I wanna grab some lunch after."

"Works for me," she agreed. Even though she wasn't that hungry (she never really felt hungry, in all honesty), she understood Robin's needs. They launched into another dance, neither able to gain a definitive advantage over the other. When Raven wasn't sure of what to do, she would just construct more barriers, making it difficult for Robin to strike. On the other hand, Robin was by far the more experienced and superior fighter, and was able to defend her attacks just as well. Robin concentrated, keeping her at bay while scanning for an opening. He felt her emotions through the bond, and tried to tune them out, believing them to be a distraction. He flipped backwards, dodging more punches and kicks from her, but he could still hear them, although faint, in his head. In a moment of revelation, he focused on them, trying to sense what she was thinking. In a split second, she lashed out again and he caught her arm this time, lifting her and throwing her down on the floor. She groaned and he helped her up again.

"I thought that was one motion," she groused. "What else aren't you telling me?"

"No, it was perfectly executed," he replied. "But I was able to feel…something else," he added, tapping his temple. She nodded in immediate understanding.

"I felt a little bit of you too. Couldn't concentrate on it since I was too busy blocking."

"Once you get more practice defending will be instinctive, not reactionary," he told her. "Then you'll be able to think ahead and strategize. Or focus on the bond, in this case."

"It's really not all that different from how they portray it in books," she commented.

"Books?"

"I read more than just fantasy novels, you know," she said. "Sometimes it's nice to have something unfamiliar for a change."

"I see," he mused. They went for a few more rounds, Raven holding her own but still ultimately tiring first and taking an elbow or a foot that knocked the wind out of her. She breathed heavily, taking a swig of water and wiping the sweat from her brow with a towel. Robin did the same, drinking from a big canteen and stretching his limbs to ease the soreness.

"We shower and I'll meet you in a few minutes for lunch?" he asked. She nodded and they headed for their respective rooms. Raven tossed her leotard and cloak in the hamper and turned on the water, setting it to a cold temperature to cool her off. Short showers were just one more reason why she kept her short hair, and varying water temperatures didn't bother her that much given that her demonic side would always adjust to compensate. The empath usually let her mind wander about her insecurities or her own curiosities, but today she was content to be free, to allow her thoughts to be a blank slate and just let the water run over her. Something she hadn't gotten to experience in a long time, but was enjoying more often lately.

"What do you mean, there's no food left?" Robin threw his hands up in sarcastic amazement.

"I'm telling you, man, we already ate," Cyborg shot back. "It's way past noon already. We didn't have many leftovers to begin with. BB ate all the vegetarian stuff and Star and I finished the rest."

"Seems like it wouldn't be a problem if you just ate less," Robin muttered under his breath.

"Chill out, dudes!" Beast Boy called from the couch, where he and Starfire were watching a sitcom. "Just go out and get something or order delivery. Easy!"

"What's going on?" Raven asked as she strode down the stairs.

"Apparently, we have no food left," Robin told her. "No leftovers in the fridge. And everything else got cooked."

"No big deal. Let's just head out," she decided. Robin was mildly surprised by her quick decision, since she wasn't usually one to advocate for eating expensive and unhealthy food in the city, but he didn't see any other alternative.

"Going on another date?" Beast Boy taunted.

"I do not understand," Starfire interjected. "Our friends are merely going for some food and—"

"Lovebirds," Beast Boy sang. Cyborg and Starfire looked awkwardly at the two birds, and Robin and Raven exchanged glances. Robin was unsure of what to do, given that he still probably couldn't define what they were, but Raven had long grown used to the meaningless verbal barbs from the immature green shapeshifter. A wisp of black energy sprouted from her hand and found its way into Beast Boy's pants, giving him a wedgie so brutal he tumbled over his head and off the couch. The sorceress' expression stayed stoic the entire time.

"Shall we?" she said, turning to Robin. He grinned and followed her out the door.

"Man, you were asking for that one," Cyborg teased Beast Boy.

"My suspicions are confirmed," he muttered, pulling his briefs back into place with an accompanying snap and yelp. "Didn't I tell both of you?"

"Calm down, BB," Cyborg cautioned. "You know those are the two people in this tower you don't wanna mess with. Let them mind their own business, and you mind yours."

"Whatever. It's not like I'd ever believe they were a thing anyway," he said, shrugging.

"What does this mean?" Starfire asked.

"It means BB can't see them as an 'item'," Cyborg told her. "He's been striking out so much on his own love life, he feels the need to critique others' now."

"Oh, you're one to talk," Beast Boy shot back.

"Chill out, dude," Cyborg chuckled. "Go enter another tofu-eating contest or something."

"You know what? I will," he answered, and left for his room.

"I believe Beast Boy is exhibiting what you call 'the grumps'," Starfire commented.

"He just doesn't like being told what to do," Cyborg said. "It makes him feel like a little kid."

"Is he not little?"

"He is. Some people just like to pretend they're bigger than they are."

Robin and Raven had settled on a cozy, local sandwich shop for lunch. It was past the lunch rush but there were still a few people sitting in the shop, reading newspapers or working on their laptops.

"How'd you find this place?" she asked as they scanned the menu.

"Yelp," he replied, shrugging. She let out a small laugh as they kept looking. After a few moments, they placed their order and found a table for two by the window. The kitchen made their order with surprising speed and within a few more minutes, their food was set in front of them. Robin licked his lips at his roast beef sandwich while Raven had gone with a simple soup and baguette combo.

"You sure that's gonna be enough?" the Boy Wonder asked, concerned. "I mean, we went for a while today. You need protein after a workout to help your muscles recover."

"I'll be fine. There's some beef in this soup," she reassured him. Robin dug in, ravenously eating his sandwich, while Raven took small sips of her soup, seemingly lost in thought.

"Good work today, by the way," Robin complimented. "You really are a fast learner. Ice skating and now this."

"It's nothing," she dismissed, shrugging. "When you read a lot, you store a lot of random knowledge away until you find a use for it."

"Still, part of it is innate," he insisted.

"Whatever you say, birdbrain."

"Next time we'll work the bag. I'll show you some combos."

"Combos? What is this, one of your videogames?" she remarked sarcastically.

"Actually, pretty similar," he laughed. "When you go on the offensive sometimes it's best to plan ahead to keep your opponent down." They ate some more and Raven thought about his words. It was interesting getting to pick his brain, listening to him talk about combat and strategy. It was much like the same way she had explained to him about tea, dark poetry, and open mic.

"Beast Boy seems to be a little…jumpy lately," he brought up. She set her baguette down and raised an eyebrow.

"I noticed. What do you think he thinks of us?"

"Who knows. He's always fancied himself as the second-greatest detective in the city."

"Right, if theories about zombies and killer robots count as quality detective work," she muttered.

"Do you think the others know? Or suspect anything?"

"Well, in all honesty, it doesn't really matter. I can't really define what we are either," she said bluntly. Her answer caught him off-guard, and his words caught in his throat.

"Well, uh…" he stammered. Damn it, he was sounding stupid now. "What do you think we are?" he offered quickly. This time, it was she who had to stop and think for a moment.

"I think we're two very good friends," she said after a while. "Who have both experienced a lot of pain, and would like to avoid more of it."

"Two very good friends," he repeated. "Who want to take another step…but are bogged down by the past."

"Yes, you're right," she acknowledged with a small smile. "Two very good friends…who have a bond. And a full book of special moments." She felt a sense of relief from him, but more than that, an increasingly strong glimmer of hope.

"Raven," he murmured. "You remember…that morning. What we said."

"I do."

"I don't know…I feel like we stuck to it, yet not somehow," he thought aloud. "What we agreed to…it's kind of like we're toeing the gray because of it."

"Robin, I've been walking in the gray my whole life," she said bittersweetly. "But I feel you…maybe it's time to step into something more…definitive."

"This might not be the best place to talk about it," he realized. She nodded in agreement.

"Rooftop. Tonight," she mandated.

"Sounds like a plan," he agreed. They spent the rest of the meal in silence, finishing their lunch before heading back to the tower.

Raven sat in her room for most of the afternoon, meditating and reading. She reflected on the conversation with the Boy Wonder, trying to plan what she was going to say to him. Why had she just suddenly…brought it up? It wasn't as if Robin had been hinting at their relationship. He had just been commenting on Beast Boy's stupidity. At least she was telling the truth. Even though she had grown closer to Robin than she ever felt with anyone else in the past couple of months, she still wasn't sure where their mutual understanding was. It was like a nagging annoyance that had manifested itself at an inopportune moment.

Go forth and conquer! Brave Raven yelled in her head. The time is now! Strike while the iron is hot!

No way, Timid Raven shot down. We should wait a little longer. He likes to take it slow just like we do.

Guys, I'm dying over here, Happy Raven whined. Please, can we just be official already?

Not. Helping. Raven thought, gritting her teeth.

If I may interject, another voice rang out as she saw a yellow cloak fly across her eyes, Perhaps the best course of action would be to assume that moving forward is the correct way to handle this situation. This will allow you to focus on how you go about achieving this official status, rather than asking if it is the right move.

What she said, Happy Raven tacked on.

Everyone, please. A new voice sounded in her head and the other voices quieted to murmurs. Raven closed her eyes and saw streaks of majestic purple. Forgive me for not advising you sooner.

You don't need to apologize, believe me, Raven thought.

In these types of situations, I am tossed around rather easily by the others, the voice explained. But, as you clear your own confusions and doubts, it makes it easier for me to appear. I believe that the time is right, Raven.

For… Raven began, trailing off the thought.

For you to begin a new chapter. You can feel me, Raven. I am the thing that gives you warmth, and feelings of affection and companionship. I am…the manifestation of your positive energy. Of your passion.

So…you accept what the others are saying.

I accept not because of what they feel. But rather, because of what I feel from you. You haven't felt this way in a long time, nor has it been this strong. You know what I'm talking about, and you know what is right. And with that, all of the voices faded. Raven opened her eyes, which were directed straight at the window. She stared outside, still reeling from the multitude of voices. Recomposing herself, she took a deep breath. She did know what to do.

While the empath was occupying herself with her spiritual side, the Boy Wonder was attempting to cover everything in his contemplation about the situation. Haunted by the past…it was true. If he took the next step, he was placing another level of love in someone he couldn't imagine life without. The thought of Slade still lurked in the back of his mind, and he gritted his teeth. Fury bubbled in him as he thought of how the mercenary had tormented both him and Raven. He was still out there somewhere, and he couldn't let his guard down.

Robin had also had experience with Starfire. That was something fleeting, something that seemed like a good idea at the time before getting struck with reality. He thought back to all his interactions with Raven since…since the day they unofficially secured Jump City. The numerous times they watched the sunrise, the long talks about him and Starfire, the small details they discovered about each other, ice skating, tea, open mic, and martial arts. He hadn't realized it at the time, but they were a perfect fit for each other. Learning meditation from her had allowed him to both focus his thoughts and understand her on a deeper level that he doubted anyone else ever could. Unlike him and Starfire, after the promise, they seemed to embrace their relationship. While he and Starfire danced around their feelings by avoiding both talking about it and doing something, he realized he already had the comfort around Raven to act like they were something special. Now all that was left was to…acknowledge it. He was still a little wary it wouldn't end well. That was just his personality. But take away that bit, and he couldn't come up with any more reasons.

The empath was already facing the bay when Robin made his way up to the roof. Hearing his footsteps, she turned and began to walk towards him.

"You have something to tell me?" he asked lightheartedly, as they embraced.

"I might," she replied. "Do you have something to tell me?"

"Raven," he began. "There's been a lot on my mind lately."

"Join the club," she breathed, as a light breeze kicked up and blew their capes up a bit.

"You once told me I knew you better than anyone else. But what I didn't tell you was…you also know me just as well."

"Even more than…" her voice trailed off.

"Yes," he said firmly. "I believe it when I say it, Rae."

"Robin," she started. "I've always trusted you. Right from the beginning."

"Beginning?"

"That day when the Gordanians invaded. You remember, don't you?"

"It's still clear as day in my mind."

"When you told me you knew enough. I felt everything about you at that moment. And I figured, even though I didn't know you very well, that you were someone who I could count on, no matter what."

"Do you realize how much you've helped me?" he asked.

"There's probably more than I can remember," she laughed lightly.

"When you went into my mind, at no point did I feel uneasy about it," he told her. "All my memories, all my deepest thoughts…I didn't think twice about you seeing those things. The entire time, I just wanted to keep you safe. I always have."

"It's even now, though," she said with a small smile. "And there's a reason for that."

"It's more than just trust, Raven."

"It is," she confirmed, looking into his eyes. Even behind the mask, she could feel the normally piercing blue soften for her. "It's an affection. For someone you care about as more than a good friend. More than family, even." They gripped each other tighter and Raven could feel butterflies in her stomach now.

"It's always been you," Robin breathed. "This whole time. You were the one."

"As were you," she said softly. "I've…accepted it. No. Embraced it."

"I love you," Robin whispered, and gently pressed his lips to hers. This time, it felt so right. His body felt electric, and all the hairs on him stood on end. They kept their lips there for what seemed like an eternity, both of them taking in the genuine happiness from the moment. Finally, they broke free, still hugging each other tightly as the night grew fuller.

"I love you too, Dick," she said softly, and reached up to remove his mask. She looked into his deep azure eyes and not only saw, but felt the passion within him.

"Dick," he repeated. "Nobody's called me that…in a long time."

"You didn't really think I didn't know your real name, did you?" she teased quietly.

"I hope I don't get used to hearing it from you."

"Don't worry. I planned on only using it for…special occasions," she whispered, and kissed him again. Happy Raven went wild inside her while Brave Raven congratulated her on returning the favor. She didn't care. She just wanted to have this moment for herself, and for the both of them. Another half-minute passed before she let go. Retrieving the mask, she softly pressed it back onto his eyes, giving him the look that everyone else knew him by.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"Thank you," he repeated back to her. They turned to face the shining crescent moon in the night sky, before Robin noticed that both the hoops on the basketball court were bent to impossible angles. "Uh, Raven…" he started, pointing in the other direction.

"Oops," she giggled softly. "My bad. I'll try to be under control."

"Don't worry about it," he told her. "What matters is that we're both happy." He followed her as they sat down at the edge of the tower, letting their legs swing freely over the bay.

"You have a few more minutes to spare, Boy Blunder?" she asked.

"Depends on what you have in mind," he answered coyly. She shook her head and took his hand, gripping it tightly with her own.

"Just a little…stargazing," she said, beaming.

"Of course." He wrapped his arm around her and the two birds sat contentedly, enjoying the quietness of the night and their finally-acknowledged love.

A little bit of advanced planning: if I'm lucky I'll be able to get 4-5 more chapters up before school starts and I don't have time to write anymore. I wanted to expand on their "official" relationship a little more but it looks like I'll have to cram/cut stuff to make it. Either way this is probably wrapping up soon, so I hope everyone along for the ride has enjoyed it thus far and continues to do so!