Author's note: Ok...continuing. This is really starting to become difficult
for me... Love stories are not my strong point. TT I will try my best...
enzyveys, on with the fic. As for the gift... I kinda liked Robin's symbol in
the movies so I'm going to use that. For Raven of course... I was listening
to a lot of A Perfect Circle writing this so expect some angst or
something...

Chapter 7: The Side Effects of You

"Happy Birthday, Raven"

Out of the pouch fell a necklace... it was a small, simple, silver chain with
a silver pendant. She brought it closer to her face to get a better look at
it. It was a raven, she knew. The way its wings arched to make it appear
brooding... It was the first gift anyone ever gave her... in a long time.

"...how did you know...?"

"...you always were more distant every Halloween... and I sort of found it hard
not to find out why... but I will not reveal my sources."

"You must've been that bored." Cynical aren't we?

"On the contrary, I was that determined." He stated "matter-of-factly"

"To what?"

"You know it'd be a lot easier for the both of us if you could just read my
mind. Which you are capable of."

"I don't invade privacy unless I feel the absolute need to." She was trying
to keep her guard up. She wanted this but something inside was telling her
to run.

"Good sport huh?"

"I'd like to think so."

"That's the most I've gotten out of you, sober." He mused.

Robin began to take a step closer. This made her take a step back. He
reached for her shoulders, which made her stop in her steps...and he pulled
her close to him, slowly.

"I'm thankful I didn't have to jump off another building drunk to get this
moment again."

Raven was at a loss for words... How could something like this actually be
happening to her? She felt a surge of warmth emanate from her... emanate from
him... She couldn't say anything...She rested her forehead on his chest and
sighed...

"Is that why you jumped?"

"Technically...yes."

"You are a jerk."

"I know but I couldn't help myself."

She nuzzled into his shirt. They broke their embrace after a minute. He
took the necklace and put it around her neck.

"...thanks." She finally managed.

"You are welcome... in more ways than you think..."

"...what took you so long to get the balls to do something like this?"

"You, Raven, are not exactly someone who I would call easy to approach... and
I wasn't sure how to start. I'm hardly ever 'not sure'."

"Gee... I'm that uncute huh."

"For once try not to think it's because there's something wrong with you."

"That's asking for a lot Boy Won..."

Like I said before, interruptions are rude. But I think she deserved it
this time. Yes he finally did. About friggin time too...

He cupped her face in his hands and softly brushed is lips against hers.
Her eyes widened in utter shock at his action... He did it again this time
she leaned in... and closed her eyes. He lifted his head away from hers when
she leaned in deeper...

"I ought to..." She was frustrated.

"If it's that bad for you we can stop right now..."

He asked for that.

Raven grabbed him by the collar and rushed towards him...

He deepened it but kept it slow...She relished in this moment... until a sharp
pain suddenly grew in her. She pushed him away. Her face was locked in
panic.

"Raven?"

She doubled over. Her back was searing... It felt like something molten
inside was trying to rip through her... She let out a painful cry... but no
tears fell. Blood was dripping from her eyes. Robin made a move to reach
out to her. She involuntarily lifted her hands and sent him flying and
crashing into a tree. Her cloak suddenly pulled off of her... her uniform
ripped... her vision blurred and she cried blood... she lost consciousness and
lay in a pool of her own blood... her back bled... bled out fresh pair of black
wings...