A/N: Hey, look! It's actually here on time! cheers Aren't you proud of me:-P Many thanks to Vinnie for being a faithful beta reader, and Xaphrin, for making sure I got it done on time!

Kudos to all the faithful reviewers who guessed that I'd have them playing 20 questions. Please, review! It's always greatly appreciated!

Honesty

Chapter 4

Robin was slightly surprised, however, when Raven came out of the bathroom in a little less than 10 minutes, and seemed to have no remaining animosity. She was clad in a new leotard, but without her cloak, her hair dripping slightly.

"You're done already?" he asked, astonished.

"Yes," Raven said, smiling slightly at his expression. "Why?"

"I thought all girls took forever in the shower," Robin answered. "It always seems like that whenever Starfire takes one. The water seems to run for an hour."

"I'm not Starfire," Raven said simply. "Also, I heard Jinx come in, and I'm hungry."

Robin laughed. "Help yourself," he said, gesturing to the multiple cartons on his dresser. Raven went over, inspecting their contents.

"The Chow Mein is great," he added, putting another forkful into his own mouth.

Raven settled down on the bed opposite him. She lifted her chopsticks, but paused, before setting her entire plate down.

"Something wrong?" Robin asked, seeing her disturbed expression.

"You could say that," Raven said, thinking.

I hope she's not still mad at me, he thought. I don't think I could stand her being mad at me for a day, let alone an entire week.

Raven straightened, and looked resigned.

"I owe you an apology," Raven said, biting her lip. "I'm sorry for getting upset with you earlier. I shouldn't have."

Robin was slightly stunned. I've never heard her apologize to anyone before, his mind screamed at him. Ever! What's going on?

"I haven't meditated in a while," Raven continued, oblivious to Robin's astonishment, "so I reacted a bit strongly."

When she had finished her little speech, Raven picked up her plate, and began to eat. Robin just sat there, staring at her, shocked.

Raven looked up at him, and shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "What?" she asked, looking away. "Why are you staring at me?"

"I've never heard you apologize to anyone before," Robin heard himself say bluntly. Robin winced as the words tore themselves from his mouth. "It surprised me that you would apologize to me, of all people."

To his surprise, Raven blushed slightly. "I don't apologize often," she admitted. "I probably should, though. It's really hard for me unless I really mean it."

"Why'd you apologize to me, then?" Robin asked, taking a bite of fried rice.

"Because I meant it." Raven looked away, her face flushing.

"Oh," Robin said, blushing. As an afterthought, he added, "Thanks."

Raven turned back, giving him a tentative smile, her eyes hesitantly meeting his. Robin warmly smiled back at her. A thought occurred to Robin.

"You look beautiful when you smile," Robin said, smiling.

Raven flushed deeply. Robin merely smiled wider.

A lamp blew up, distracting both of them and making them lose eye contact. The spell broken, Raven turned to see shards of porcelain scattered on the nightstand. "Sorry," she said, wincing.

"That's okay," Robin said, watching as she levitated the mess into a nearby garbage can.

I made Raven lose control of her emotions…Robin thought, the statement echoing in his mind. Despite the fact that this was not a good thing, Robin couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness at this.

Raven cleared her throat, flushing. "So, what'd you and Jinx talk about?" she asked, taking a bite of shrimp tempura, changing the subject.

"You and her, and my ignorance," Robin responded, flushing slightly from the forced response. Suddenly remembering the pink sorceress's earlier words, he asked, "Do you like arguing with Jinx?"

Raven paused, considering. "Arguing, yes," she said. "Jinx, no."

"Why?" Robin asked, curious.

"I suppose because it's a chance for me to really cut loose and vent all my frustration in a cutting way," Raven admitted. "I like to insult her. I probably shouldn't, but I don't really care."

"Vent your frustration?" Robin echoed. "What gets you so frustrated?"

"Starfire's incessant questioning and naïveté, Beast Boy's ridiculous antics," Raven listed, ticking things off on her fingers. "Cyborg's obsession with all things technological, your ignorance, not being able to fully express my emotions, pent-up sexual tension, villains getting on my nerves…"

"Pent-up sexual tension?" Robin interrupted incredulously.

Raven flushed deeply, but determinedly met Robin's gaze.

"Yes," she said shortly. "I am a teenager, you know."

"I know that," Robin teased.

"You shouldn't ask a question you don't want to know the answer to," Raven said, cautioning. "I can't help answering."

"What if I want to ask?" Robin asked, a crafty grin on his face.

"I can't stop you," Raven said, her words falling from her mouth without her meaning to speak, before she grinned evilly. "But remember, you're in the same boat I am. If you ask me personal questions, I might just be inclined to do the same thing."

This proposition didn't set quite so well with Robin. Raven smirked.

"Not quite so appealing now, is it?" Raven asked, smirking as he shifted uncomfortably.

"No," he muttered.

Sighing deeply, Robin shoved his empty dinner things to the floor, and collapsed against the bed. "We're trapped in here for a week," Robin scowled, kicking the bed. "There's nothing to do."

"You can talk to me," Raven shot back, slightly annoyed at his hopeless tone. "I'm not nothing."

"No, you're not," Robin said, backtracking, "but I can't talk all the time."

"Fair point," Raven conceded.

"I wish I could train," Robin said frustratedly. "I need the physical activity. I'm going to get out of shape if I don't train."

"Chill," Raven said. "You don't have to worry about getting out of shape."

"Why not?" Robin shot at her, irritated.

"Because your body's amazing, and nothing you do or don't do will change that," Raven responded. Horrified, Raven clasped her hands over her mouth instantly. Robin sat bolt upright, stunned.

"You think my body's amazing?" he asked Raven, slight insecurity creeping into his voice.

Blushing furiously, Raven nodded. Her paper plate suddenly blew into the air and ripped itself to shreds, scattering pieces all over the bed. Neither Titan seemed to notice, though.

Robin smiled slightly. She thinks my body's amazing. The thought echoed through Robin's mind, unable to leave due to his male pride. A thought occurred to him. Has she even seen her own body? he wondered. Talk about amazing…

Robin looked at Raven, allowing his eyes to drift up and down her lithe figure. Raven flushed. "What?" she asked, still a bit sulky from having just admitted her thoughts about Robin's body.

"Your body's amazing," Robin heard himself say automatically. Hurriedly, he tried to cover his mouth, but the words kept coming. "You're stunning. My body can't even begin to compare to the idealism of yours. You're beautiful."

Raven blushed brilliantly, and a shy sort of smile crept onto her face. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"Yes," Robin said. He tried to stop from saying anything more, but his thoughts tore themselves from his lips. "You're beyond beautiful. The stars and the moon can't even begin to compare to your perfection."

Raven smiled, trying to contain a laugh, her face tinged pink. "A closet romantic, are we?" she teased.

"Yes," Robin muttered. "So?"

"So, that's sweet," Raven said, still smiling. "There aren't many romantics left in the world."

Robin shot her a look. "Why do you care?" he asked, still embarrassed about his earlier words.

"I'm one too," she said simply, flushing slightly.

Robin turned to Raven, considering her words. Raven's a romantic at heart? he wondered. I can see that. She keeps so much emotion pent up inside, and with her vocabulary, it's bound to come out in flowery speech sometime or another.

Raven looked at Robin curiously as he sat still, pensive. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"Just about what you said," Robin said, carefully phrasing his response. He smiled when no further words escaped. "Now," Robin said, grinning. "I get to ask you questions, seeing as I just revealed something very embarrassing about myself. That's fair, isn't it?"

"I suppose so," Raven admitted. "But I get to ask you questions as well, to make sure we're even."

"Fine," Robin conceded. Raven smirked.

"You must really want to ask me something," she teased, "to put your self-respect and dignity on the line."

"I trust you," Robin responded simply.

"Maybe you shouldn't," Raven pointed out, grinning evilly. Robin paused, her words scaring him slightly. She laughed. "Go ahead, you first," Raven prompted. "Maybe a game of twenty questions will help pass the time."

Robin thought hard. What do I want to ask her the most that's not too invasive of her privacy? he wondered. I don't want her to get mad at me.

Deciding to start simple, he asked, "What's your favorite color?"

"Black," Raven responded instantly. Robin rolled his eyes.

"Why?" he asked. "What's so special about black?"

"It's dark and mysterious," Raven said. "It's kind of like me, in a way." Robin nodded, seeing her point. "What about you?"

"I like red," Robin said. "It sticks out, and it's the first color the human eye can recognize." Raven smirked.

"I get to go again, because I just asked you yours back," Raven said. Robin nodded. Raven bit her lip, thinking. "What's your favorite thing about yourself?" she asked.

Robin considered. "That I made it," he said honestly. Raven raised an eyebrow, inviting him to continue. "When I was little, my parents died, and I was left all alone," he said, recalling the memory. "You would've thought it was hopeless for me, yet, here I am, alive and successful."

Raven nodded slowly. "Good reasons," she said.

"Thanks," Robin said, smiling. "What about you?"

Raven paused, thinking. "Probably that I'm myself," she said slowly. "I never pretend to be anything I'm not, and I always do what I believe in, whether it's the easy thing to do or not. It's not easy, but it gives me self-respect and dignity."

"Deep," Robin commented, making Raven smile slightly. "My turn. Hmm… what do you do when you lock yourself up in your room all the time?"

Raven smiled. "Read, mostly. I meditate, daydream, write, and just hang out. I don't spend that much time in my room, though."

"Sure," Robin teased. Raven laughed.

"My turn," she said, thinking. "What's your favorite saying or quote?"

"You won't see the rainbow if you don't live through the rain," Robin responded. Raven paused.

"Why?" she asked.

"It reminds me that even when things seem to be at their darkest, there's always hope," Robin said. Casting a glance at Raven, he grinned and added, "I'm a closet romantic, remember?"

Raven laughed slightly and nodded. Robin grinned. "What about you?" he asked. "What's your favorite saying?"

"Actions speak louder than words," she replied instantly. Robin raised an eyebrow. Raven sighed.

"With my powers, it's often hard for me to directly express my emotions, through words or something," Raven explained. "So I'm left to convey my feelings through subtle means and signals, through my actions, instead of my words."

"Oh," Robin said, understanding, as he leaned over to turn on a lamp on the nightstand. The light sunlight was nearly gone. "I get it. You show how you feel, instead of just saying it, right?"

"Right," Raven confirmed, smiling at him, and Robin felt his heart flutter slightly. He hurriedly shoved the feeling down and cleared his throat.

"What was your most embarrassing moment?" he asked, smirking.

Raven flushed. "When I lost control of my fear and wreaked havoc upon the Tower," she said honestly. "What about you?"

"About five minutes ago," he answered truthfully.

"When you told me what you thought about my body?" Raven asked, blushing.

"Err- yeah," Robin admitted, blushing as well.

"My turn," Raven said, tactfully changing the subject. "What do you think is the worst feeling in the world?"

"Rejection," Robin said, coloring, "or maybe loneliness…"

"No, you said 'rejection', so that's your honest response," Raven interjected. "Why rejection?"

"It hurts to be rejected," Robin said, his tone growing softer. "It stings, and it really hurts your self-esteem. It's not something anyone likes to experience, but we all do."

"You've been rejected?" Raven inquired.

"Yeah, I got turned down for a job when I was younger," Robin admitted. "I really took it hard. I'm still scared of rejection."

"What do you mean?" Raven asked, biting her lip. Was it just Robin, or did her tone seem a little hopeful?

Maybe this is one of those signals Jinx was talking about, he wondered. Aloud, he said, "I don't understand your question."

"What are you scared of being rejected of?" Raven rephrased. "Surely you're not trying to get a job now…"

"Well," Robin began, biting back words, careful not to let anything slip out before he could phrase it right. "I want to tell someone something, but I'm scared of being rejected by their reaction."

"What do you want to tell-"

"Stop," Robin interrupted. "Don't ask me that question. I don't want to answer."

"Sorry," Raven apologized hastily. "I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," Robin said, smiling. "I know you didn't mean to intrude. You didn't know."

Raven smiled gratefully at his understanding. Robin felt a slight twinge in his chest, but promptly ignored it.

"Your turn," Raven added, after a moment.

Robin paused. I know what I want to ask her, he thought, but I'm not sure I want to know the answer. Glancing at Raven, who was looking at him curiously, he decided to go for it.

"Do you like anyone?" he asked bluntly. Raven looked slightly hurt.

"Of course," she said, insulted. "Just because I can't outright express my emotions doesn't mean I hate everyone. I certainly like you, the Titans-"

"Oh, that's not what I meant!" Robin said hurriedly. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that! I never meant to insult you!"

"Oh," Raven said. "What did you mean, then?"

"Do- do you have a crush on anybody?" Robin asked, hating himself for stumbling over his words. Raven flushed.

"Yes," she said, blushing. "Don't ask who," she warned, as Robin opened his mouth to ask just that. "I don't want to tell you that yet."

Drat, Robin thought frustratedly. "Will you ever tell me?" he asked, pouting, putting on a puppy-dog face.

"I might. That face looks horrendously silly on you with your mask on," Raven said automatically. She flushed as soon as she realized what she had said. "Sorry," she muttered. "I didn't mean to say that."

"I gathered," Robin said amusedly, watching Raven's reaction. "So, will you ever tell me?"

"I might," Raven said, sighing. "I probably will, one time or another. Just not now."

"Okay," Robin said. "I can accept that."

"Okay," Raven said, smiling slightly. "Thanks," she added as an afterthought.

"For what?" Robin asked, startled.

"For being understanding," Raven said, "and for helping to pass the time. Look." She gestured to the open curtains. "It's night time now, and you helped me pass the time in a fun way. Thanks."

Robin smiled. "My pleasure," he said cordially. On an impulse, he grabbed her hand and lightly pressed his lips to the back of it. "Anything to please the lady," he murmured, a half-smile on his face as he dropped her hand.

Raven blushed. Getting up and moving to the other bed, Raven yawned and stretched. "I'm tired," she said. "I haven't been awake long, but my body needs to fully heal itself."

"I can see that," Robin agreed, nodding. "I'm rather tired myself. I don't heal too quickly. Going to bed's a good idea."

"Good night then, Robin," Raven bid, smiling, as she slipped under the covers.

"Good night, Raven," Robin returned, leaning over to switch off the lamp, plunging them into darkness.

"Sweet dreams," Raven said. She shifted slightly, before lying still.

Of course they'll be sweet, Robin thought to himself, smiling over at the peaceful girl. You'll be in them.

Raven exhaled softly, and Robin realized from her even breathing that she was already asleep.

"Sleep well, Raven," he bid her softly. "See you in my dreams."

With that Robin turned over to his side, where he drifted off and joined Raven in dreamworld, a soft smile on his face.

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So, what'd you think? smiles Please, review. Let me know whether you like such fluff or not. There's going to be a bit of a twist next...

Please, review:)