After cleaning, everything was business per usual, except that Raven tried her hardest to keep her part of the bargain of being more present with her friends.
When it was time to eat, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy gathered around the kitchen table.
At first Raven was just eating while rolling her eyes at whatever idiotic thing Cyborg and Beast Boy were arguing about.
"….I am telling you tin can, that Gamestation is much better than the Z-Box!".
Of course, it was over video games.
"Okay B, just because you grew half an inch, does not mean that you can go around here disrespecting the X-Box like that. I like both, you know that, but if I had to choose one to keep, a water gun against my circuits, then I gotta choose my X-Box".
Garfield slouched back on his seat, "I've never felt so betrayed by a friend".
Probably a wrong choice of words.
"I don't even know why it matters, I can beat you on any system any time of the weak, even on my lowest power setting", Cyborg replied back to Beast Boy with a hint of a challenge in his voice.
It went on like that for a bit. Even though Raven had no particular interest on their childish banter, it was nice to be around Cyborg. Sure, she also helped him with the T-Car whenever she had the time, but still this was nice.
Lunch was nice.
She knew her friends would always be there for her, literally and figuratively, and she would do the same without a doubt, but why did she not do this earlier? Getting older, people were less persistent. Robin and Starfire were official, so most times than not, they would be off doing their own thing. Cyborg and Beast Boy were best friends, they never did much without the other.
Even though, she swears she has felt Cyborg come back to the tower late nights sometimes. She was still able to hear Beast Boy's snores, so he obviously wasn't with him. Should she ask? She shouldn't, it is none of her business.
"…So how are you doing Raven? Chili okay?".
"Yes Cyborg, it is great thank you. You know me though, I can't finish this whole thing. Don't worry though, I will save it for later".
Cyborg eyed her down, giving her his brotherly concerned glare. "And that is the problem girl, you gotta eat more! Short-stack here is now your height! You still eat the same as when we were younger, you gotta start eating more than your tea and granola bars".
Raven gave a tinge of an annoyed look, but she was still humored. She knew he only meant it out of concern, no bad intent in the reminder that she will soon be the shortest of the team.
"Hey! I am the youngest one here remember! It's no surprise that it took me awhile to catch up, but just watch, I will be taller than Robin one day. Just wait for it", Garfield said confidently folding his arms across his back.
Cyborg and Raven just looked at one another with a small grin.
"Yeah right, keep dreaming little green man. The day you get even near the height of Robin, I will eat the ball we use for stankball".
"Ew", Raven could not suppress her disgust and felt her nose twitch a little.
Beast Boy extended across the table, one arm out. "Let's shake on it, if I ever become like two inches within as tall as Robin, you have to eat the stankball. If I do become short and bald like Starfire said that one time she went to the future, then I will eat it".
Cyborg gave a low chuckle, "Okay B you're on. But you gotta eat it while in your human form, no trash eating animals, you hear? We don't gotta wait for the bald part, but I know you ain't going to be as tall as Robin. I check everyone's charts remember? He still is growing, and he has a good 6 inches on you now!".
Yeah well, I am growing too. You don't need to rely on cow milk to get big and strong", as Beast Boy flexed his muscles. "My soymilk's strength will get me there, just wait on it".
Beast Boy gained his composure again, "Oh by the way Cy, wanna come with me to that store we went to like a few weeks back? I need to buy new shoes, on the account of how much I am growing".
Cyborg appeared to get slightly nervous and rubbed his neck. No one would be able to tell something was off, but Raven wasn't no ordinary someone. She had a feeling that it had to do with wherever he was going the 3 past Friday nights. She remembers one of them he said he was going to an automotive convention that conveniently had no more tickets after Starfire showed interest on learning more about the "auto-mobiles from around the world".
The last one was after a mission and they were all too tired to notice, except Raven of course. She wondered if he was going to tell them where he was actually going or make up something on the spot.
"Dang, sorry B. We can go Sunday night if you want? I can't because I gotta… check on the cake that we ordered for tomorrow".
She knew he was telling the truth, but how long does it take to bring in a cake?
Beast Boy paid no mind though, "Alright, but you gotta let me drive the T-Car to the mall then, I got a permit now remember!".
"Keep dreaming, maybe we can pick you a hoverboard or something at the mall you can use around to cruise chicks on", Cyborg replied with a small chuckle.
A boy could dream.
Soon after, Starfire came back with Robin from the mall. He was carrying so many bags that they only were able to tell it was Robin by looking at his toe clad shoes.
"We are back friends! How did the cleaning go?", said a cheerful Starfire.
"All good Star, Rae was a big help", Gar looked at Raven and gave her a small smile.
Raven was not sure why, but she felt her face heated a tinge, and just focused towards Starfire.
"Yeah it was no big deal. I am guessing that you just liquidated at least 3 stores according to all of the bags Robin is carrying".
Robin put the bags down as gently as he could. He took his 2 small bags carrying his purchases. Poor guy must have been walking around the mall like this the whole day. She knew he didn't mind, he would do anything to make Starfire happy.
"Friend Raven come at once! I must show you what I bought! I know you will just love them!".
Raven got up and quickly saved her leftovers in the fridge and followed Starfire behind and levitated the rest of the bags back to Starfire's room.
Might as well get it over with now.
Raven was mentally preparing herself already, this was going to hurt in some way or another.
Starfire laid out all that she bought for Raven to try. There were at least 10 items of each clothing type. Dresses, skirts, jeans, shoes, you name it. Raven also noted two bras.
Why would she buy me bras? No one is going to see me in them. She was not sure if she should feel offended, but once again this was Starfire. She would never intentionally disrespect anyone.
"Whew", Raven huffed. "Let's see. Okay I will make a definitely no pile and we can go from there".
That eliminated about half the choices, Starfire had to step in before Raven just tossed all the clothes aside. "Raven, please just try something on. I knew you would not take kind to some, but take a look at these, they are your style, are they not?"
Raven did not have much style, per say.
She generally walked around in her uniform due to the convenience. She had her formal clothes when needed, but her civilian clothes, nonetheless party clothes, were definitely limited. Opposed to what many would believe, Raven did like feminine clothing, she just did not like the bright colors as much. She did not like pants because she felt they were too restricting. She actually preferred dresses, not that she would ever say that part out loud, but she felt that she had the most flexibility with them. Besides, dresses were a whole outfit in itself, two birds one stone.
She looked at the small pile Starfire set aside, and to Raven's surprise, she did like them. There was a pair of dark washed ripped jeans which she was hesitant at first about, but when she felt the material, they were not as stiff as most jeans she experienced. She also saw a tight long sleeve mauve shirt that had the sleeves loose to make it appear they were flowing. It was not something Raven would have picked for herself, but she did think the color was nice and the flowy sleeves gave her a familiarity of her cloak. She was not so sure about the plunging neckline though. Raven's uniform might be considered as revealing without the cloak, but she was able to move and fly in it comfortable, damnit.
Starfire's eyes were a bright green seeing Raven showing some interests in the clothes she bought her.
"Oh! But Raven, there is a dress that you would look radiant in! It is in one of the bags with some of the clothes I bought. I was about to leave the store and saw it and could not resist buying it for you! Just please give it a try please!". She was frantically looking through the bags.
"Starfire, I have to see the dress first you know, my powers can't summon a random dress I have never seen before".
Starfire began rummaging around until with a squeal of glee, she was holding up the dress.
Raven had to give it to her, Starfire could sure shop.
Again, Raven never would have picked it for herself, but she could not help but admire how gorgeous this dress was.
It was a midnight blue satin dress with scattered small, embroidered white jasmine blossoms and spaghetti straps to hold the dress up.
Raven kept her composure still serious but did do as what her friend asked of her.
When Raven dressed and walked towards her body length mirror, even the quick-witted Raven was lost for words.
It was a revealing dress, but was able to cover everything that was needed. It rode a little above her knees but had a slit on the left leg that reached to right above where her arm hanged and was form fitting across her hourglass body.
This dress was beautiful, and Raven was doing it justice.
She kept her composure the best she could, but even Starfire was able to tell Raven liked the dress, especially since she did not say a single sarcastic or mean comment about it.
"You look the most beautiful Raven, please tell me you approve of this dress, or else I will give away my rights to the throne of Tamaran".
Raven managed a smile at her friend's attempt at humor, but there was no denying it. She loved it.
The thing that was concerning Raven was if it was too much?
This wasn't like her, nor did she own a single outfit that came close to looking anything like this dress, would everyone think that there was something up?
Starfire noticed Raven's composure shift a bit while looking at the mirror, so she turned her friend to face her.
"You will look marvelous in this dress tomorrow Raven. I will be wearing a dress and every other girl tomorrow will too. People will only admire your beauty, but will pay more attention to the party", Starfire told her reassuringly. "Also – this is Wally's party, you know the spotlight will be to him".
When she was right, she was right.
"I can't believe there is someone worse than Beast Boy when it comes to the need for attention. Thank you, Starfire, for everything really". Raven then gave Starfire a light and quick embrace, she felt so fortunate to have such thoughtful friends. "This is a really nice dress, and those other clothes are nice too, I will save them for the future. I appreciate it".
Even though they were no longer hugging, Starfire threw herself to give Raven another cheerful hug. "It is my pleasure my sister! I bought those bras so you can wear it for this dress and the long purple shirt! They are of the strapless".
Starfire always did mean well, except when it came to these hugs.
"Star…please…I need" and with that Starfire quickly dropped Raven.
"You are so the right, your shoes! I bought matching shoes for the dress!".
"Starfire that is not necessary, besides I cannot walk in those type of heels that you wear". Raven began to feel uncomfortable, they were doing so good. When Starfire wore other shoes other than her thigh high Tamaran ones, she wore wedges, sky high heels, or strappy sandals. Shoes were Starfire's passion item.
"I know you would say that, so that is why these were so perfect!".
The shoes where a peep-toe 2-inch block heel. It was the same dark blue color of her dress, but it was a velvet material with the accent color being a shiny rose gold. The cover for the peep-toe had an embroidered white floral pattern.
These shoes were made for that dress.
Raven was not so familiar with heels, but these were still half the height of Star's regular heels, and the block heel looked like it gave some support.
"Before you say you cannot do of the walking in the shoes, I will just remind you, they are just an accessory. You can float whenever you desire".
Starfire really knew what she was doing here.
Raven was impressed, since when did her friend become so quick to counteract Raven's excuses? And how did she manage to pull all of this off so successfully? Raven got an evening outfit, heels, and two civvies from Starfire's shopping haul. Three more outfits than she expected. She guessed she also got some bras out of it too.
Raven shrugged her shoulders in agreement, and Starfire pulled Raven to the other corner of her room to begin the ceremony of the mani and pedicures.
"You do not expect to show your feet without them having painted do you Raven?!".
Starfire was just too good now.
Here is the update! Hopefully you enjoy it, the next two chapters will be interesting! I think that my first part of this story might conclude after these next two upcoming chapters. I hope to have one up by the end of this weekend.
Also, I MAY have started my second fanfic...I will not post any of it until I have at least 25% of it done beforehand, but I actually have a more fleshed out plot for that one than this one. I still have to figure out the in between chapters for this one! It is also an AU and will be much more NSFW than this story (nothing spicy has happened yet, but I also may have prewritten those chapters already :o hence why I stared with "M" in the first place lol). I stray most of the time from AUs, but I have been reading some good ones that may have convinced me otherwise.
Long update, and thanks for reading!
R&R if you can, really makes the writing that much more worth it :)