A/N: This took a while to write. It's hard to write something light and fluffy when you're having drastic mood swings. But I'm back to normal now.

Many thanks to everyone who sent in plant names! Kudos to Yulani who gave me this one.

Mistletoe

Chapter 5

"Watch you step," Robin said, as he helped Raven out of the limo. As he shut the door, he heard a sharp intake of breath come from Raven. He turned.

Raven stared around her, clearly amazed. There was a long, curved cobblestone path that wound up to the mansion, which was colossal, and made out of stone. It looked like a castle from medieval times. Surrounding the manor were gigantic gardens, looking glorious with a thin sheet of ice lining the blossoms, which were somehow blooming in the winter. It looked as if it were frozen in time.

Robin smiled, as Raven looked at the garden wordlessly, in awe. He subtly cleared his throat, rousing her from her trance. She turned to scowl at him, upset at him ruining her observation. He grinned, and extended his arm for her to take. She took it, and he led her up the path.

"Cool garden, isn't it?" Robin remarked casually, smirking at Raven's obvious discomfort at being caught gaping at it.

"Yeah," she said, turning her head away from Robin, and changed the subject. "How'd you get invited to this anyway? And what're we going to do there?"

Robin, glad that she was interested, immediately launched into explanation. "Dance, eat the little snacks, discuss current events, that sort of thing. It's pretty high class, and they're might be some of the press there."

Raven rolled her eyes. "Great. More journalists. As if we didn't get enough publicity from just being the Teen Titans. Remind me again why we're going to this?"

"Well, it's an honor to be invited," Robin said, uncomfortable that Raven didn't seem to want to be here. "It could be fun."

"How'd you get invited anyway?" Raven said, eyeing Robin with suspicion.

"I used to work with Bruce Wayne. I suppose that's why I got invited, he said, looking back at Raven.

"You used to work with a multimillionaire?" Raven gaped, clearly astonished.

"Yeah," Robin said, grinning.

"No way! What'd you do?" Raven said, giving Robin her complete attention.

"Superhero stuff," Robin said causally, enjoying the attention. "He's the one who trained me."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. I was his sidekick since I was a kid."

"How come I never heard about this?" Raven demanded.

"You never asked," he said simply. "Plus, he wasn't too well heard of over here. We worked in , which is across the country." A chill wind swept by, causing Raven to shiver. Robin raised an eyebrow at the goose bumps forming rapidly on her arms.

"Here," he said, shrugging the jacket to his tux off and draping it around Raven's shoulders. Raven looked up at him, and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks," she said, clutching the coat tightly around her. Robin blushed.

"No problem," Robin said, attempting to divert her attention from his blush. "I can't have my date getting hypothermia, now, can I?" he teased.

Raven's face seemed to fall, but it was quickly masked by her usual blank expression. She looked down at her feet, apparently deep in thought.

Robin cleared his throat awkwardly, and announced, "We're here."

They had arrived at a set of ornate wooden double-doors, decorated with carvings of vines, and adorned with giant brass knockers in the center. Raven watched skeptically, as Robin grasped the nearest knocker, and banged on the door with it. The sound could be heard echoing in the surrounding outside.

The right door slowly opened, as a sharply dressed old man came into view. Every inch of him seemed to scream order, from his highly polished shoes to his neatly combed graying hair. He sniffed disapprovingly at Robin's jacket being draped around Raven, which Robin hurriedly snatched and yanked on.

"Master Dick, Miss Rave," he said curtly, eyeing them with blatant disapproval. "Master Bruce is in the parlor. Follow me."

He stepped aside, allowing them to step through into the hall. As Alfred shut the door, they looked around the hall.

It was done in deep maroons and burgundy, and seemed reminiscent of the Victorian era. It had thick plush rugs atop the carpet, with tassels hanging off the sides. Alfred cast a chastising look on them, and stalked off down the hall. The two hurried after him, remaining a few paces behind.

"Who's the pompous old guy? And why did he call you Dick?" Raven hissed at Robin, trying not to be overheard.

"That's Alfred, the stuck-up butler," Robin whispered back as they walked down the hall. "I swear, he gets snootier and snootier every year."

"But why'd he call you Dick?" Raven persisted. "I know I heard him call you that!"

"I called him Master Dick because that is his name," Alfred said loudly, addressing Raven's question as he stopped in front of a set of double doors. He turned to face Robin.

"Master Bruce requests you remove your eye mask for the ball. He assures you that it your identity is safe."

Robin groaned, and reluctantly tugged off his mask, slipping it into his pocket. He blinked several times, his eyes adjusting to the unfiltered light.

Raven stared. Robin's left eye was a dark brown, but his right was a vivid blue. It was obvious why it was so crucial he hid them to conceal his identity, as they were blatantly distinct. Robin sighed.

"My real name's Richard Grayson, but those who know me well call me Dick," Robin explained. "I think you can figure out why I wear the mask."

"No kidding," Raven snickered. "It's not exactly inconspicuous."

"I know," Robin said, rolling his multicolored eyes. "Oh, make sure you call me some form of Richard in front of the guests."

"Ok," Raven said. She opened her mouth to continue, when Alfred cleared his throat loudly, and interrupted.

"If you are quite ready, shall we enter the ball?" Alfred asked demandingly, annoyed with their dilly-dallying.

"Someone's got PMS," Raven hissed to Robin, who snickered.

"Yes, we're ready," Robin responded, hiding his amusement.

Alfred gave a huff of exasperation, and pushed open the doors to the ball.

Raven gaped at the room decorated in splendor.

Robin grinned, and extended his arm. Raven took it, and together they entered the ball.

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They finally made it to the ball! Are you all glad I didn't make Cinderblock or Plasmus attack? :-P

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