Richard paused his descent down the rocky slope of the coast for a moment, still trying to figure out how to handle the problem. It was something that was never covered by Bruce's otherwise extensive training.

He took a deep breath of the evening breeze and smiled. Sometimes you had to allow yourself to be guided by your heart, not your mind.

"Hey, Gar," he said as he lowered himself beside the changeling who was sitting on the rocky shore, morosely tossing pebbles into the water.

"Hey." Another small, mechanical flick of the green wrist and another small splash followed the word.

"You okay?" Richard studied his friend with concern.

"I'm fine."

In any other situation it would've been funny to hear how Gar had taken on some of his girlfriend's mannerisms. But there was little to laugh about this whole topic.

"She didn't mean it," Richard tried.

The wrist flicked. "I know." Water splashed. "It still hurts."

"Gar…"

"I'm cool, dude," Garfield shrugged and turned to face him with a blank expression. "I really am."

"I think it hurts her more than you," Richard said as gently as he could, but Gar's posture stiffened abruptly and his eyes filled with worry.

"I'll go see her," the younger Titan readied himself to get up. Richard's hand went for his shoulder, stopping him.

"Wait."

Gar frowned, fighting the urge. Richard smiled. "She can stand it a few minutes more. I just wanted to talk to you."

The green morpher relaxed and eased down, but there was still tenseness in his shoulders and in the corners of his eyes. His hand grasped a handful of pebbles and tossed one in the ocean. "Then talk."

"She's still not used to it," the leader of the Titans spoke quietly. "After she banished Trigon she doesn't need to restrain her emotions like before, but that doesn't mean she's learned how to deal with them."

Flick. "Yeah, I know." Splash.

"She used to channel it all into anger," Robin went on, his gaze turning to the horizon. "I think it was easier for her to handle it that way. She still hasn't figured out how to show affection, or… love."

Garfield chuckled. "Straight from the mouth of the expert." Another pebble flew into the grumbling surf. "I know, dude. I told ya."

"You also know she loves you. As much as you love her," Richard's hand squeezed Gar's shoulder and he pushed himself up. "Never forget it."

"As if I ever could," Gar's eyes followed the arcing trajectory of the last pebble, then sought his friend's eyes. His infectious grin finally reappeared. "No worries, man!"

Richard smiled back, turned and climbed towards the Tower's entrance. He nodded slightly at the blue-cloaked figure standing beside it. Her impassive mask broke for a second to allow a small, grateful smile to light up her face. She watched him go inside, gathered her courage and stepped towards the shore.

She sat beside Garfield, folding her legs. Her mouth opened but her throat closed.

"Gar, I… I'm sorry," she whispered. Her fingers plucked at the hem of her cloak.

"It's okay, Rae." His eyes searched the dark waters. "I'm not angry."

Her hand crept closer and touched his own with shy hesitancy. "I – I'm just –"

"Hush," he murmured and entwined his fingers through hers. "I love you."

Her head dipped and her shoulders slumped in relief. He grinned at her, the fang gleaming playfully. "Wanna hug?"

She arched an eyebrow at him, recovering her composure, then smiled. "Sure"

His arm went around her and he pulled her closer. She relaxed into his embrace.

"Don't you dare tell anyone about this," she grumbled as she shifted to snuggle better. "A girl has a reputation to maintain, after all."

"Your secret is safe with me," he laughed and bent to kiss her.