CW: Religious Trauma

Pants.

It seemed strange to others, but pants fascinated Kori. Their parents had never allowed them to wear them, but they thought they were a girl. Hell, Kori thought they were a girl, too, and pants were for boys.

Kori wasn't a girl, but Raven was.

"Are they soft?" they asked suddenly, earning a look of confusion from the goth. "The pants."

Raven opened a bag and pulled out another pair of jeans, offering them to Kori. They ran their thumbs over the fabric, a bit coarse in their hands.

"Mm. I do not like that."

"Try these, then," Raven said, pulling out a different pair of pants.

Kori's eyes nearly popped out of their head when they felt the smooth almost silky green cloth. They squealed.

"I like these! What are they?"

"Capris. Technically, they're gaucho pants," Raven explained. "They kind of mimic a skirt, but they're short pants."

"A pant that… looks like a skirt?"

"Yeah, it's-."

"Perfect! It is perfect, Raven!" They rubbed the pants against a cheek. "Such softness… not a girl's or boy's clothes. An anyone clothes!"

"I guess?"

"You must show me where you found these!" Kori ordered. "I wish to own some as well."

Raven chewed her thumbnail and looked at the ceiling. "Uh, yeah, we can go look. Or…"

"Or?"

Raven took her shake from Victor and stirred it with her straw. "Well, I mean… You like my drawings, right?"

"Drawings?" Victor asked as Kori clapped.

"Oh, yes! I love them!" they said excitedly. "Raven draws amazing clothes. You should see them."

"Not happening," Raven said sharply. "But maybe, if I can get my machine, I might be able to make something for you? Would that be okay, Miss Logan?"

The woman, sitting at a neighboring table, smiled and nodded before returning to her phone and typing away. Kori beamed and hugged their friend, much to her surprise.

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" they squealed. "I would love to wear your clothes, Raven."

Robin grinned. "You do have great fashion sense, Rae. You look… nice."

Kori's stomach dropped at the pink hue on Raven's cheeks as she thanked him. Hearing the boys argue about whether or not the two were dating was one thing. Seeing them… flirt? They forced their smile wider instead and dug their nails into a hand.

"Hey," said Garfield, "knock it off. No one's allowed to get a girlfriend before me."

Raven scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I'm not his girlfriend."

"Good, because the freshman isn't getting one before me."

Raven smirked. "Like you're getting a girl ever."

"I'm, uh… I'm good, actually," Robin said quietly.

"Hey, I can get a girl."

"Gar, I'll get a girl before you do. Vic could get a girl before you do," said Raven.

"If a sassy gal-pal counts, maybe," Victor chuckled. "It's not like I'm buying anyone a computer, though."

"I'm paying for it," Raven hissed. "He's just helping me pick parts. Because he offered."

"I still think that's basically a date," Garfield said.

"It's not."

"He was totally asking you out."

"Oh, my God, you're so annoying," Raven growled. "There's no date. We're not dating!"

"Do you want to?" Robin asked suddenly.

The table hushed instantly as everyone stared at the youngest. Then Raven laughed.

"Rob," she said, "I'm not interested. I thought that was clear from our talk yesterday."

"Okay, then," he replied shortly. "Everyone happy now?"

"No," Kori said before they could stop.

"'No?'" Raven repeated, raising a brow.

Kori picked up their drink and took a sip.

"This is exhausting," they said. "I almost wish for an arrangement after watching how you tease each other. Does no one ever fall in love together in America?"

"Of course they do," Victor assured them. "Just… not always. Some people have a crush right away. Some take time. Some crushes will reject you, and some will ask what took so long. It's not something you can control or force, though. It's chemistry."

"Mm. You suggest the properties of a relationship will change as we interact, yes?"

"Well, yeah! Could you imagine if these two were still fighting?" he asked, gesturing to the other boys.

"That is… fair," Kori agreed. "But, it is complicated, too."

"Tell me about it," muttered Robin.

"Is your tooth better, now?"

"What? Oh, yeah," Robin gently rubbed his cheek. "The cold helps a lot, thanks. And it's good."

"Good. You needed the nutrients," Victor said. "The only better ones are the orange one and the Peanut Butter Explosion."

"It has mango, orange, carrots, kale-."

Raven gagged. "You're drinking kale?"

"You can't taste it," said Garfield, offering his cup. "Here, try."

"Gross! No."

"You'll learn to like it."

"Not in a fruit drink!"

"You can't even taste it, Rae. The algae gives it a weird texture, but you seriously-."

"Algae? Seriously?"

"You, uh, you drinking a fish tank, Gar?" Victor chuckled.

"That would kill me, so no."

Kori cleared their throat. "Shall we go to the Syber Space now?"

"Sure, Gar and I can look through the games while you and Rob help Raven out."

As the group stood up and started towards the computer store, Kori leaned over Raven.

"I am sorry," they said. "You would be cute together, though."

"I'm having nightmares, Kori," she hissed back quietly.

"Sorry, I just-."

"I really need to know my friends are here for me right now as friends, not new owners."

Kori nodded and placed a hand on Raven's shoulder. She flinched, but didn't try to brush them off.

"We will stop," they promised. "I do not want to make you think of it."

"Thanks. Look, maybe you should talk to Rob. Not now, but… It can hurt when your crush isn't into you. Talking helps."

"Mm. You have a point. First, a makeover. You look so happy in your clothes. I want that, too."

Raven chuckled. "Having control of how I dress is pretty awesome."

Kori tucked their arm into Raven's and followed the boys into the shop.

AN: I am still looking for beta readers, so please PM me if you're interested in getting the chapters a week early!