Chapter 7: Welcoming and Confessions

(Author's Note) I'm sorry for the long wait! Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai! But, this is the first time I've ever tried a real 'love confession' scene. I hope you like it, I've worked really hard!

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'It was obvious that Robin was going to make that move at some point, but… seriously… his timing just couldn't have been worse… at least for me.' This dilemma flew through Raven's mind an infinite number of times while she walked with Starfire toward Terra's room to greet the fallen heroine.

'I mean, if anything, I just hope I won't end up hurting them… breaking them up just for me…' She thought as she opened the door to Terra's room, Starfire still holding her hand. The moment with her secret crush and the scene inside was broken as they entered, as Starfire gasped while viewing Beast Boy kissing his new girlfriend on her forehead. He looked up toward the door the instant it opened, freezing in position, his lips a feather light upon Terra's head. Both Beast Boy and Terra blushed deep red. "Aw, come ON!" Beast Boy yelled. Raven laughed as she walked into the room.

"We can't leave you for two seconds, can we?" she asked mockingly.

The fact that Raven asked that question extinguished some of the embarrassment in the room. Beast Boy was the first to react. "Huh? Raven? Hey, you're up… and you're wearing white…?" he trailed off, still taking in the fact that he now had a relationship to get back to. "But hey! Terra's back! Isn't that awesome!" Raven decided to let go of Starfire at this point, as obviously it was Terra that now deserved attention. "Yeah, it is…" She stood beside the bed, smiling down at the recovering Titan. "Hey there," she said, trying to maintain her original personality. She had control of her emotions now, yes, but showing Terra the 'new Raven' would be a bit of a shock.

"Hey, witch," she responded mockingly in reference to their fight when she was under Slade's control. "Thanks for saving me and everything." Raven chuckled, her normal 'You're welcome' response. "Although, it's not really me you should thank…" she explained, in reference to Malchior. "You mean the man that came out of your body? Beast Boy told me about that. He said it looked like someone called Malchior…"

Raven then remembered that Beast Boy would be the only one who would know what Malchior looked like; he was a fly on her wall many times while she trained with the Malchior look-alike. "Yeah, it was…" Raven said. Beast Boy started to walk for the door, interrupting Raven's retelling of her story. "Uh…maybe it's just me, but it looks like you guys need some bonding too, and I'm tired anyway. Good night, Terra!" he exclaimed waving to Terra from the door. Terra's response was that of a peace sign. Starfire walked to the door as well. "I shall retire as well. I am elated to see that you have both recovered; tomorrow we simply must celebrate! Pleasant shlorvaks!" she declared, closing the door behind her.

"So, Terra… you and BB hooked up now or something?" Terra laughed, blushing again. "I guess… he is just a great guy, fun to be around, you know? But…" Terra trailed off, triggering a quirked eyebrow from Raven. "Enough about me, what about you? What happened in the cave?" Raven sighed as she went through her explanation once again.

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Titans Tower – Living Room: The next morning

Cyborg walked toward the main command center of the tower, fixating upon a note that was on the door. He tore it off, smiling at the contents, both of what they meant and the horrible handwriting, which meant it was from Starfire. "Make breakfast for six today, huh? Well everybody, you've got yourselves a feast!" Soon the room was filled with the aroma of your average diner at 8:00 in the morning, melding scents of bacon, ham, French Toast, waffles and hash browns. As the Titans trickled into the room, they gladly partook of the spoils. However, when Beast Boy walked in, Terra in tow, he scowled at the chef for his decisions for his menu. "Dude, where's the tofu at? You know I'm not eating this stuff!" Cyborg just smiled at him. "Don't worry, yours in on the table behind you… huh?" he stopped, just noticing Terra next to Beast Boy as well as Raven just walking in behind the couple.

"Well all right! Now this is a Cyborg Breakfast to remember! The Teen Titans are back together and life is good!" The Tower soon regained its formal laughter and antics, Raven and Terra eagerly joining in. With no alerts during the day or training sessions to celebrate the reforming of the team, a party soon began in the command center.

"Terra, you seem to be looking up to speed, you sure you just don't want to go out for a party?" Robin asked the blonde.

"No, it's fine, it just feels better… to be home." She said, triggering a smile from the Boy Wonder. The music was amped up, and the Titans started to dance on the empty floor. Beast Boy immediately brought Terra out with him, and they seemed to be getting into the music, pulling Robin soon walked over to Starfire, who decided to try playing a video game with Cyborg, who was taking a break from dancing. The game of the night was Perfect Dark, and to prevent unnecessary slaughter, they played on a cooperative mode. Starfire was having a difficult time and was soon eliminated from the game. "Please, explain why the 'drone guns' can heat-seek?" she asked innocently just as Robin tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around to see him holding out his hand to her. "Want to dance?" Starfire gasped and placed her hand in his. "I would greatly enjoy that!"

Raven sat on the other end of the room, watching with envy as the couples danced on, drumming her fingers on the counter, showing little signs of her jealousy. She may have gained control of emotions, but that didn't mean she was going to use them quite yet. 'I need to get her out of there… at some point.' She told herself time and again. Soon, Robin turned off the stereo, a signal that the Titans were thoroughly tired. Starfire suddenly hugged him from behind. "Thank you, Robin… that was… very amusing." She admitted, stealing a peck on his cheek and forcing a blush from him. "Uh, no. No! Thank you, for actually dancing." Starfire broke their embrace and began to walk towards the door, following Raven, who just now decided to leave. "Well, I thank you again, and good night!" she said, walking quickly after Raven.

"Raven! What is wrong? You seem… depressed…" she deduced quickly. Raven stopped, sighing deeply. "Starfire… can I talk with you… in my room?" she asked hesitantly. Starfire nodded, following Raven to her room, as dark and dismal-seeming as it was before. In almost a carbon copy of what happened in the aftermath of Rorek's invasion, Raven sat on her bed and waited for Starfire to join her.

"Starfire… there was… something I didn't tell you when I woke up. Something that I was afraid to admit, especially since you said that…" Raven dared not reiterate that Robin liked her, it would only add more fuel to her fire. "Raven… you mustn't be afraid, you are my friend. No matter what it is you have to tell me, my opinion of you will not be changed." Raven sighed again, gripping her sheets, preparing herself for what might be the most painful thing she might ever say. "Do you promise that? And you won't… tell anyone?" Starfire then gripped her friend's hand, nodding. "There was… something about myself… something that my other sides made me realize… about how much you meant to me." Raven fought a losing battle to keep her tears from spilling, but ultimately lost as she embraced her secret crush once again.

"I…I love you, Star…" Starfire's response was almost nonexistent, except for a simple return hug, she was speechless. "Raven… is this… what made you… come to this decision?" was all she could utter as she was trying to piece Raven's confession together. 'Raven… do you mean that… in the same sense as Robin's? But… why? If this is true, am I not a girl? Should you not have affections for a boy instead?'

Raven's soft sobs subsided quickly, the bulk of her work done already. "I just… found out that I… really admired you. Your kindness… innocence… strength… but it never really hit me until… I found out I was jealous… of you… and Robin." Starfire's whirlwind of emotion only increased its intensity at that last remark. "I wanted you to be happy… no matter who you liked… but I guess jealousy comes with the program, doesn't it?" Raven joked, half-heartedly trying to bring some light back into the conversation.

"Raven… I… understand."

Raven looked up, not daring to believe what she heard. "On my planet, relationships between the same gender are uncommon, but not shunned by society. It is true that I have feelings for Robin, but… I also have some feelings for you. I… do not like seeing you sad, or angry… or hurt." She finished, in reference to when she stayed with Raven while she was in the infirmary. "As with Robin, I feel very blessed to have someone in my life who has feelings such as yours for me. I simply… do not know what to do yet… I know it is morally wrong to have two people to court at once, but…"

"Don't worry, Star. You don't… have to decide yet." Raven finished for her, stealing her own kiss on Starfire's cheek. She froze again, for only a second. Her mind seemed to scream 'Is this happening?' and 'What is wrong with me?' at the same time. Feeling Raven's lips on the sensitive skin of her face did not seem wrong, but almost… pleasing? Such a feeling she wanted to memorize, keep it close in her mind.

"Raven… thank you."

"No… you deserve more thanks than I can ever give you… for still accepting me."

A final hug was shared before Starfire left the room. Not a word was spoken, but a new promise was made, one that would last a lifetime. 'That went well, I think…' Raven thought to herself.