Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.

"It seems like these two are in love," assumed Raven, her pupils soaking in every word.

During the time she spent with her friends, Ruth fought uncountable battles with them, but the most profound combat involved her father, Tucker.

Hopeless struggle persisted in this clash until Ruth rose as the victor. She finally earned freedom from her father's clutches. The feeling overwhelmed her, and she yipped. With the help of her companions, especially Roy, Ruth developed an unceasing trust in them.

Settling on a rock, Ruth observed the waves as they crashed onto the shore. For the first time in a while, she felt content.

"Hey," a chestnut-haired figure called. "I never knew that you woke up so early!"

Ruth giggled and greeted him. "What have you been up to?

"Nothing. You?" Roy sat opposite Ruth.

"Same thing."

Compared to her other three teammates, Roy was the easiest one to talk to. Wishing to hear his voice forever, Ruth shifted closer to him. Hoping to spark an interesting conversation, she put in, "It's a beautiful sunrise."

Roy concurred, his lips curling up.

Witnessing one of Roy's smiles always proved to be a treat; she felt like melting into one.

"You know who this reminds me of?" Roy resumed.

Perplexed, Ruth asked, "Who?"

"You, Ruth."

"Me?" Her cheeks turned crimson.

"Yep, 'cause a sunrise begins a new, pure day, right? And above all, it's beautiful." Hesitantly, Roy added, "Like you."

This only deepened Ruth's flush as she locked her eyes with Roy's shaded ones. For a moment, the two gazed at each other before Roy tore off his sunglasses. Ruth drank in his hazel eyes. Speechless, she refused to move from her spot. The sunlight gained altitude, and its light caught their faces.

He's so handsome, Ruth thought while Roy's mind screamed, "God, she sure is beautiful!"

The light ricocheted off their bodies. Roy glanced hungrily at Ruth's full lips as Ruth replicated the action. Tilting her head, she moved her head closer to Roy's until she could feel his warm breath massage her lips. The hazel-eyed hero dove for her open lips.

A bereft voice interrupted the scene.

"Roy! Please join us for breakfast. We are having pancakes!"

Roy spied Sally waving at him from a window.

Glowering, Ruth stepped away from Roy, who said, "Let's get back." They advanced toward the tower with sorrow-filled eyes.

The willow's teasing branches tickled Raven's nose as she closed her novel, so she sneezed. Reclining against the willow's trunk, Raven reflected on Ruth's recent encounter.

I wish that happened to me, she longed.

Since her first arrival at Mount Wyrmormr, Raven spent her time with the willow, so she grew accustomed to its woody sensations. On the other hand, Raven was a stranger to the other unexplored areas.

When a broken twig yelped, disrupting the willow's melody, Raven alertly scrutinized the area for the perpetrator. As Robin staggered from the shrubs, Raven relaxed.

"Hi, Raven. What are you doing here?" Robin's teasing voice inquired.

Huffing, Raven said, "I could ask you the same question."

Robin chuckled and surrendered. "Okay. I'll start: I just came out for a little hike. And you?"

"Reading."

"Of course," acknowledged Robin, "but it doesn't look like you're doing anything now, so why not go hike with me?" He stretched out his hand.

Deliberating, Raven held back, but a nagging voice in her head ordered her to accept. Victim to the voice, Raven held her book and declared, "Okay," and captured Robin's hand as a sprig of warmth bolted through her arm.

Mounting Raven on her feet, Robin smiled and led her through a trail of gnarled trees that clawed at Raven's cloak but soon dissipated. Raven scowled in disapproval. What was I thinking?

She wondered, "Robin, where are we going?"

"You'll see," he reassured, smirking.

Bewildered and anxious, Raven continued to tail him until she heard the sound of raging water.

Robin shouted, "We're almost there!" Pushing his way through the overhanging branches, he finally halted.

Raven stopped behind him while she flicked a beetle off her shoulder, and peered over his shoulder. Gasping, Raven savored the sight of the waterfall. The water plunged to the bottom as it cut into the rock walls on either side of it, and it appeared foamy with a mist hovering above it. With the sun banishing the clouds away, a rainbow peeked at them. Remaining a clear blue, the water shimmered as it met the river.

Robin scrambled to the water, peeling off his cape, shoes, and gloves, diving into it. Meanwhile, Raven lounged at the edge, watching him. Robin's spiky hair drooped down on his head, and Raven surprised herself when her eyes felt glued to him.

I don't see him with his hair down often, but he looks rather handsome, she found herself thinking.

When Robin rose to the surface again, Raven gawked at the beads of water chasing each other down his chest.

"I can't believe this is happening," she whispered as Robin waded toward her. When a large twig dropped on her head, Raven ignored it, focusing on Robin.

"Raven, do you wanna come in?" the wet boy queried.

She would have loved to, but she found herself resisting and shook her head.

Hurt, Robin slouched, swimming back into the water. Luckily, he cheered up when a devious notion popped into his head. When Raven's back faced him, Robin splashed a handful of water at her. He tried to act innocent when Raven glared at him, but she easily identified his guilt.

Raven warned, "Okay, Robin. You asked for it!"

Utilizing her powers, she tried to wash Robin away in a wave, but he swiftly moved to the side, giving Raven an enormous splatter that coated her entire face. Narrowing her eyes and smirking at him, Raven pulled off her cloak and joined Robin in the water.

"So you decided to have a real battle, huh?" goaded Robin, nudging Raven and feeling overjoyed when she created a watery barrier between them.

Wiping the water from his eyes, Robin attacked Raven again when she swam toward him. In her defense, Raven prepared to use her powers again, but Robin gripped both her wrists with a triumphant smile. Raven pushed him down under the water though, as he pulled her down with him.

They smiled at each other under the water until Robin broke through the surface and hollered, "I give up!"

Although she enjoyed basking in her victory, Raven protested, "But Robin, you never give up anything…"

Shaking the water from his dark hair, Robin shrugged. "I just did, didn't I?" He emitted an accentuated sigh. "That was fun."

Raven moved next to him, drying herself with cloak, and concurred. As soon as she felt Robin slide closer to her, Raven sprang up, her heart fluttering. "Do you want to continue with the hike?" she blurted, breathless.

"Sure," answered Robin, snatching his clothing in an odd fashion. He walked ahead of Raven, who stayed behind to place her pocket-sized book in a compartment on her leotard. The branch near her foot remained overlooked.

"AHH!" Raven screamed as she stumbled, but Robin caught her in time.

Sprawled on the ground, Raven found herself on top of Robin with his arms around her waist. With their faces two inches apart, Raven felt like bustling away, but she could not.

Instead, she commented with sarcasm, "Nice catch."

Robin did not hint at hearing Raven's statement; he looked confused as he traced her cheek with his bare hand. The tenderness of his touch awed her as she peered at his masked eyes.

I wish I could see his true eyes, yearned Raven.

She felt like their faces were moving closer.

The weight of Raven's body on top of his fueled Robin's hunger.

Their noses touched.

Raven blinked. I can't believe this.

Their lips were a breath apart.

Grinning, Robin moved in closer.

Without warning, a flash of blue light blinded them, and darkness attacked.

A/N: Please be patient with the next couple of chapters (despite the cliff-hanger) because they'll come slower than the others. I'll probably finish this story by mid-August though. And everyone, thanks for the wonderful reviews!

Neetfreek, could you elaborate on your "lol"?