Raven's Return

Chapter four: Identity crisis.

...

Raven spent the week familiarizing herself with the place she called home and the people she called friends.

The tower's remodel made the building seem larger with more additions and added rooms. But it was really the unfamiliarity of it that made it seem so massive.

Her friends welcomed her with no hesitation and open arms. And it made her want to do the same.

She didn't want to treat them the way the old Raven had. They had changed, and she made it a point to not treat them like their younger selves.

While Kori was still cheerful and passionate, she was much more confident with herself. She didn't act like the naive girl, trying to be like a normal human teenager. Her English was much clearer, and she understands more earthly customs.

The boys had changed a lot as well. And in a way Raven missed the way Victor and Richard used to act. Being the eldest, the two were always more mature.

But now they seemed to have grown out of any of their childlike interests. She has yet to see Victor pick up the gaming console, and Richard hasn't even gone near the television.

She remembered the pair used to play competitively. And everyone else would stand in the sidelines, cheering them on.

But at least she still got to see that child-like wonder in Garfield.

She remembered looking forward to the moment when he would finally grow up. But now watching everyone change in a blink of an eye, she was pleased to see he still maintained some, though it be minuscule, adolescence.

Despite looking forward to him maturing, she remembered thinking it would never come. That he would always be obnoxious and immature.

But two years had done a lot to him.

His clean room surprised her. Along with the lack of arguing with Victor over vegetarian meals. But with all these changes she was glad he hadn't changed too much.

He still attempted to lighten the mood with jokes that weren't funny. He still played video games. And most notably, he still seaked out her attention.

All these things she used to despise, but now she appreciated.

...

Raven exited the elevator and walked into the empty kitchen.

She remembered the common room never being empty. It was the place where they all would come together, either to sit around the kitchen bickering about food, or lounge around the television debating what to watch.

One of the things she missed was her friends all hanging out together. But now, as she glanced around the empty space, she realized she had to accept those days were gone.

She walked through the kitchen and into the living room, spotting Garfield on the couch in front of the television, playing on his gaming console.

A small smile appeared on her face at the familiar scenery. "Some things never change." She commented, getting the changelings' attention.

"Oh, hey Rae." He smiled, turning his head to greet her before facing the screen once more. "You want to play a round?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass." She said walking towards the couch and sitting down next to him. "You are the only one that ever plays these days, huh?"

"If I'm lucky I can get Vic to pick up a controller. And well Dick is Mister too serious for such things. But Kori will sometimes humor me with a match."

"Everyone has changed so much." She stated. "New uniforms. New hairstyles."

"You are referring to Dicks long hair, aren't you?" He said with a laugh.

"You've let your hair grow out too." She noticed, reaching forward, and caressing the strands as she remembered his old hairstyle. Just as shaggy and unkempt, but a lot shorter.

Garfield turned to her, surprised by the gesture. For a brief second, he thought she was flirting with him. It was a flirtatious act after all. But as he looked at her, he noticed her expression wasn't flirtatious, but observant.

He awkwardly laughed as he paused his game, and she pulled her hand away.

"You've changed too, you know." He informed her.

"How exactly?" She asked, curious of his examples.

"Well, ignoring your long hair, appearance wise you look exactly the same. So much in fact that it's almost creepy. But your behavior is like a different person."

Despite knowing she was a different person; Raven was surprised that it was so evident that Garfield was able to notice it.

"Could you elaborate?" She asked.

"Well, I mean look." He said, gesturing to her. "You are sitting next to me, and we are actually having a conversation."

"Right." She said, looking away. "I was a lot more distant before. We didn't exactly get many memorable moments together."

"I mean we had a few." He reminded her.

She turned back to face him. "I wish we had more."

He looked at her, an odd feeling forming in his stomach at the thought of her wanting to have a more meaningful connection with him.

He couldn't help but smile. "We will just have to make up for lost time."

She mimicked the smile with a small version of her own.

"So, what else have you noticed that is different with us, more specifically me?" He asked confidently, leaning back on the couch.

"Like everyone ells, you have definitely changed a lot. But it's nice to see you've kept a lot of your characteristic behaviors. At least the enjoyable aspects of them."

"Okay, you are being very vague." He said in annoyance. "I mean, am I taller? Stronger? More handsome?"

She narrowed her eyes. "I sense your arrogance, another trait that hasn't changed in you. But if you insist on me answering, then yes to all three."

He couldn't help but grin. "Is my voice deeper? More... Huskier?"

"Yes, but not as much as you would think considering your age." She observed.

"Okay that was a dig."

"But everyone's voice is different." She said, looking at him. "Is mine different?"

"Umm... I mean, kind of." He shrugged. "It's less monotone... I mean, I like it." He said, turning to face her. "It's nicer."

"Good. Like you said, I've changed a lot as well and I worry that everyone might react negatively to that."

Garfield quickly shook his head as he sat up. "Raven, it doesn't matter how different you are, we will still treat you the same way as before."

She turned away from him, her face showing concern. "Maybe you shouldn't." She told him and this caused him to look at her confused. "I don't want to be the person she- I was before. I want to be different. And you should treat me differently."

Garfield continued to stare at her, and he was honestly a little confused about what she was saying. But he began to understand the point she was trying to make. She wasn't the same Raven as before; he might even say she was better. And he was going to treat her as such.

...

Later that evening, Raven was pleasantly surprised to see all of her friends come together to share a meal at the table. She didn't realize how much she would miss something they used to do on a daily basis.

She understood their lives had gotten a lot busier, and it was harder for them to take the time to come together and share a meal as a family.

So, as she watched her friends interact, bicker, and converse in conversation, just like the old days, she made sure to take the time to appreciate this moment. It was one of the rare moments where she got to see them all spend time together like the family they were.

But despite not wanting to ruin this wonderful moment, there was something important she needed them to know. And this just might be the only moment she had them all together to tell them.

"There is something I would like to say." She began, and everyone immediately stopped and turned to her as she spoke.

"I want you to know how much it means to me that you have welcomed me with open arms. You are truly wonderful, and I am grateful for your friendship. And despite all that has happened, you treat me the same as before... But you shouldn't." She told them, causing them all to look at her with confused expressions.

"The person I am and the person you lost are not the same. I don't want you thinking of me as her. And knowing that, I don't expect you to treat me like her. But I want you to know I care for you all the way she cared for you."

The table was silent, and she wasn't surprised by the odd expressions her friends made. But they weren't as shocked as she thought they would be.

"Well..." Richard began. "I think I speak for everyone when I say no matter what Raven you are, you are still a Titan, and you are still our friend."

"Agreed." Kori added, reaching over, and placing her hand atop hers. "And we still care about you."

An appreciative smile appeared on Raven's face at their acceptance.

She honestly felt kind of foolish, foolish for thinking her friends would reject her. If the situation with Tigon proved anything, the Titan's love was unconditional.

...