So, here's the fourth chapter, although, I gotta be frank with you guys, these past four chapters haven't really been up to par with what I've been wanting them to be. In fact, I was going to can this whole story, since its really just some gap-filling, but there are three more chapters left in this story, and they are the ones that I really want to write. So, for what it's worth, I apologize for the first four chapters of this story. Maybe you like them, maybe you don't. But if you feel like it, stick around for the last 3. I promise I'll put a lot of work into them. Here are some more in-depth summaries of the next three chapters. Kinda/sorta spoiler-ish. You've been warned.
Chapter 5 'Breaking Off' will feature Batman, a character I've been wanting to write for quite some time, and it will be about how he reacts to Robin becoming Nightwing.
Chapter 6 'Proposal' is, well, just that and takes place right where Fearless left off. Nightwing and Raven are invited back to the Tower for a small party and reunion of sorts. Richard must now make amends with his friends that he abandoned at the end of Fearless and at the same time, get ready to pop the question to the love of his life. This one's going to be important, because it gives me a chance to work with the new characters (Wonder Girl/Troia, Aqualad/Tempest, Speedy/Arsenal, Geo-Force) and lets me set up a few things before I write 'The Trinity' which shall be the true sequel to 'Fearless.'
Chapter 7 'Wedding Bells and Living Hells' will be the last chapter in 'Of Birds and Bats' and will once and for all close the chapter on the love of Richard Grayson and Raven Roth. They will be appearing in 'The Trinity' but this is the last story that they will be the main characters in, and so the last story (in this series) that focuses on the love they share. Don't let the title fool you, it's a happy ending. (As usual.)
Anyway, on to the actual story. Please read and review! Thanks!
It was a sunny afternoon, and like on most beautiful days like this, Raven of the Teen Titans was enjoying herself indoors. Engulfing herself in one of her Poe collections, Raven sat on the couch of the Titans tv room practically oblivious to the world outside her book.
She did however, notice when Robin entered the room. She always did. She could have been meeting Poe himself, rather than just reading one of his books, and she still would have turned her attention to Robin as he walked in. Raven felt a small smile curling the corners of her lips as her new boyfriend moved closer. She had been smiling a lot lately, and was still a bit uncomfortable about it, but wasn't letting it bother her that much. She knew Robin liked to see her smile, and that alone made it worth it.
Robin returned her smile with one of his own. "Hey Rae."
"Hi." She replied, simply.
"So the rest of the guys are having a movie night again, and I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go out to a movie instead."
Raven looked up at her boyfriend with a happy, but puzzled look. "You don't want to stay for the movie night?"
Robin scratched the back of his head. "Ah...well, normally, yeah! I love movie nights, but see... it was Star's turn to pick the movies again..."
Raven sighed, "Aah. Yeah, I think going out to the movies tonight would be nice, Rob." She gave Star's choice in movies another thought, and then glared. "I don't think I could stand another night of 'Milo and Otis' and 'Elmo in Grouchland'."
Robin laughed. "Heh. Yeah, but you know, after the sixth time she made us watch it, 'Elmo in Grouchland' didn't seem that bad."
Raven gave her boyfriend an unbelieving look, as she raised an eyebrow at him. She then sighed and smiled a bit. "That's because the Muppets have gotten to you, Robin. I only pray the Fraggles aren't close behind."
Robin laughed, he really loved her dry little jokes. He leaned in and kissed his love's lips. "So," he said, "what are you up to today?"
Raven shrugged. "Not much, just the usual. I was going to read to the end of this chapter, and then meditate for the rest of the afternoon."
Robin gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and said, "That's cool, babe. I've got a phone call to make, and then I figure I can put in a few good hours of training before it's time to get ready for the movie."
Raven smiled again. "Sounds good to me. So see you tonight, then?"
"Yep. Have a good afternoon, Rae. See you tonight."
Raven watched Robin leave the room, content, she returned to her book. She was just about finished with the chapter, when she felt another body sit down next to her. Raven peered over the top of her book. "Hello, Cyborg."
"Sup, Rae? How's it going today?"
"Fine, and you?"
"I'm cool. It's been a pretty easy day." Cyborg looked timidly at his friend, which was funny, because Raven was about half his size, if not smaller. "So, uh...how are things going for you and Robin?"
Raven let out a sigh as she rolled her eyes. "How did I know you were going to ask that?"
"Oh c'mon, Rae. It's not like it was that much of a surprise. You two have been together for like, three weeks already, and we've all been thinking it, it's just no one's said it yet."
Raven sighed again. 'At least, it was Cyborg asking.' She thought. 'Being approached by Starfire or Beast Boy about this subject might be a bit too much for me to handle.'
"Things with me and Robin have been going great, Cy. Slow...but still great."
"And...are you happy?" The concern in Cyborg's tone was evident, but Raven merely smiled and shrugged it off. Although she appreciated his concern, he had nothing to worry about.
"Yes, Vic. I am happy. What's more, I am in love. I may not be the most experienced girlfriend, but Robin's making it really easy for me to ease my emotions into this relationship."
Cyborg grinned. "Coo." The more he had gotten to know her, the more Cyborg felt compelled to fill the role of 'big brother' in Raven's life. Although Robin was his best friend, and he trusted him, he had to actually hear it from Raven's mouth before he could let himself be at ease. "Well, like always, Rae, if you need someone to talk to, you know where I am."
Raven hesitated. There was something she wanted to talk about. Or rather, a question she had to ask. It was something she had been thinking about a lot lately, and something only a guy could answer. Of course she couldn't ask Robin, because that would defeat the purpose, which left her only two options Cyborg and Beast Boy. Correction, which left her only one option: Cyborg. 'This,' Raven thought, 'is going to suck.'
"Well..." she started, "there is one thing..."
"Oh yeah?" Cyborg was always interested whenever Raven decided to speak up about something.
"Yeah...the thing is Cy...I don't...I don't think I'm very good at...kissing." As Cyborg stared at her, Raven blushed furiously, pulled her hood over her head and quickly stood up to leave.
"Uh, uh uh! Wait up, girl!" Cyborg grabbed Raven by the arm, and gently whipped her back into her seat on the couch. "Did..." he grinned, "Did you just ask me for kissing advice?"
Raven folded her arms over her chest and sulked. "I don't remember." She spat.
Cyborg laughed. "Oh come on, Rae. It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone. If anything, I'll just make fun of you now and again." He winked, "But seriously, what's the problem? I see you and Wonder Boy kiss all the time. So c'mon, spill it."
Raven rolled her eyes in defeat. "Fine", she growled. "When Robin kisses me, I just kind of...stand there. Or sit there, if such is the case. I don't really know what to do, and every time I try something, I just end up feeling like an idiot. Vic, when you kiss a girl..." Raven was fighting very hard to keep her tone calm and collected. "what do you like her to...do?"
Cyborg rested his chin in his hand as he thought for a moment. Then he smiled. "Y'see Rae, the thing about kissing, is it's got everything to do with your emotions. You've gotta express to your partner how you feel about them, and you've gotta do it without words. Just your lips. I know it ain't easy for you, but you're gonna have to let your guard down a notch, and let your emotions run wild for a bit. Show the boy wonder how you feel about him, Rae. You say you're in love with him? Well show him. The next time he kisses you, let that love out. He'll feel the difference."
Raven sat there thinking about what her friend had said. It was good advice, and she planned on using it, but still it didn't make her feel any less uncomfortable. "...Thanks, Vic." Raven blushed again.
"Don't mention it girl, always happy to float a little romantic advice your way. Just remember to use it responsibly." Cyborg gave his friend a wink as he stood up to leave. "Well, I'll catch you later Rae. I've gotta get my ass down to the Blockbuster so I can pick up some new games. I'm tired of kickin' BB's butt at the old ones."
Raven smiled to herself after he had left. Although it had been one of the more difficult conversations she's ever had, she was glad it happened. Her one month anniversary with Robin was in a few days, and Raven planned on making sure it was a night he would never forget.