Disclaimer: I don't own anything…
Summary: I miss one big thing about him… he is dancing with her… he is in love with her. Raven finds it very difficult to handle her feelings for her long-time friend Richard. Who would help her? Raven x Flash, some RobStar and eventually RobRaeFlash .
Chapter 8: Victor's Knows :In Victor's P.O.V.:
I am worried about Raven.
If Kori gets to know the real reason why Raven's out of the gang, she might overreact. Kori's all smiles and I've seen her mad before, sure… but who knows what she might do to Raven once she is…well… Kori loves Raven. I don't think she'll practically do something appalling.
I hope she doesn't do anything appalling…
I, sometimes, think it's unfair of Richard to blame Raven for all the things that have been happening to him lately. He doesn't actually do it, but I see it in each one of his accusing glares. I can't help but feel mad. Raven definitely doesn't deserve all this. All she did was care for Richard, have feelings for Richard. She doesn't deserve the discomfort she's causing herself.
On second thought… I think I'd like it better if Raven keeps ostracizing herself from Richard and Kori…
One, it lessens her pain and tension.
Two, it makes her more open and free.
I have her, and I guess, also my and Gar's newfound friends to thank for that.
Back then, Raven was so afraid to hurt someone, to do something wrong, to do something that others didn't want her to do. She didn't let anything out as she forced herself to do what she thought other people wanted her to do. She grew up blaming herself for everything that went wrong and feeling that it's her responsibility to make it right again. She was lonely, but she wasn't angry. Raven was selfless… too selfless that it was almost stupid… I did not like that.
Good thing she's starting to change.
I don't know how Wally's friends do it, but I like it! Whatever it is, I'm sure it's making Raven happier. You can actually see the changes… her smiles, her laughter, her enthusiasm… For more than a decade of being her friend these sides that she is showing now are still shocking me. They're so alien! Yes… she crumbles down every time Richard is near, but I'm sure she can adjust, with our help and all.
With Wally's help and all…
You know… Back when we were eighth-graders; I was really rooting for Raven to end up with Richard, I even wrote it on paper! Raven loves Richard! I clearly remember that piece of thing!
But with all the added elements and complications, the chances are, let's say, it is impossible for them to be together. Plus, I also love Kori. I don't want that girl to be hurt…
I don't want any of my girls to be hurt…
So now, the easy solution to my matchmaking problems is to root for Raven to end up with Wally.
Yes… shipping for the bored.
But I'm not stupid. Any person (except for Gar, he's overly oblivious) who sees those two together can see that Wally has feelings for Raven. Please, I don't need any deeper reasons… just one single look is already enough. I think that's the Wally is. His feelings are in their simplest form. But you know as they say…
"Love in its simplest form is the most beautiful".
I hope they can handle each other.
Flashback
"Alright, alright. First, you stay away from us, then the next day, you're hanging out with Wally's friends…" Gar put his hands around his waist and growled, "Who are you and what did you do to the real Raven!"
Raven frowned, "You annoy me."
It was a statement.
Silence.
"Okay. So you're the real Raven," Gar didn't stop pestering the quiet girl, "So are you sick or something? You know Richard hates that group!" he shamelessly acknowledged the other people in the room.
"So? I'm not Richard, Gar." Raven sneered.
"Still… shouldn't you respect his feelings and thoughts? I know you always have."
Raven opened her mouth to speak but Victor beat her to it, "Gar, we're not here to force Raven to do things she doesn't want to do, nor judge my girlfriend's group of friends. We are here to ask Raven what's wrong," he said the words slowly, making sure that his friend understood.
"And nothing is wrong." Was the girl's reply.
All teenagers rolled their eyes, "Please… Just tell them, Raven. It would also be nice for us to actually know the exact reasons why you suddenly have all these conflicts in Victor's group…"
"Victor's group… Richard's group… why name it as one's group? They're friends! They all should be equal!" Wally couldn't help but say something… it annoyed him.
Karen snorted, "Woah! Calm down, man! It's just a way in their group…" Victor nodded, agreeing with her.
"And why call it a group? Why limit yourself in groups?" Wally didn't stop.
Silence. The boy had a point.
"Well… Richard kinda started it…" Gar murmured, his mind being provoked to think.
"Richard is an asshole." Wally replied, rolling his eyes.
"HEY!" Gar shouted and looked at Raven, "Are you just gonna allow him to say that?"
"I…I…" Raven sighed, "I can't tell them what to think of someone… If they or he, at least, thinks he's an asshole, then let him."
"AHA!"
"What?"
"Oh c'mon Raven… it's obvious just by tone of your voice. The problem is between you and Richard!" Victor grinned knowingly.
Raven was annoyed, "What makes you think that?" she snapped.
"You can't lie to us, Raven…" was all that was heard from the boy,.
Pause.
"Raven, sorry for bringing this out in the open… not that it's such a big secret nowadays anyway… but… is this problem somehow connected to your feelings?"
Silence.
"ALRIGHT!" Wally shouted and grinned, "EVERYTHING'S CLEAR NOW… LET'S GRAB A BITE, I'M STARVING!"
Glares.
"What? I am hungry…" Wally was ignored.
"Wait… what feelings?" Gar suddenly asked, clueless.
Raven groaned, "Nothing… forget about it-"
"Oh c'mon Raven," Victor was sick of all of the denying; "Raven has feelings for Richard." It came out as such a surprise for them, not because of the information but because of Victor's boldness in dismaying Raven.
The other people shrugged, 'Victor probably knew what he was doing'.
…
"WHAT!" Gar, the only one with a violent reaction, looked at Victor, "WHAT!"
…
"It's quite obvious once you think about it, you're the only one in this group who doesn't know about this." Garth pointed out quite condescendingly when Victor refused to answer.
Gar ignored the other boy, "Raven… is that true?" he asked as he turned to the girl.
No answer.
"Raven, stop glaring at Victor and answer me!" Gar whined.
Raven sighed. She decided to give in. No matter how much she found Victor's action stupid and no matter how much she wanted to run away and deny it… and no matter how much she wanted to lie it would be no use. Almost everybody knew it already anyway, "Yes, somehow… I don't know…" she slumped to her chair. God, how exhausting it was to explain long-hidden secrets.
… Silence.
…
"And yes… my feelings are the main cause of all this falling-out," feeling forced to continue, Raven sighed; a sudden pang of guilt hit her as her usual emotions came over her again. That was the main reason why she didn't want to talk about it, it made her feel bad, "I'm so sorry for making you feel uncomfortable… God, I don't even know how it got this bad…"
…
"How did it get this bad?" Victor asked sympathetically as he sat beside the suddenly depressed girl.
Raven shifted her eyes from corner to corner. Somehow she blamed herself for her sudden discomfort, but she didn't actually know why. Maybe that was the reason why she blamed herself and why she felt uneasy. She didn't know how it got so bad and she didn't know why all of its weight was put on her shoulders. All she did was have feelings for Richard. Was that enough to put her to blame? Was that enough excuse for Victor and Gar's discomfort? Did she cause the discomfort? She didn't know.
"I-I guess, it just made me… I guess it just got a little too hard to bear… with Richard's constant rejection of me… and probably his conflict with Wally," she looked at Wally and smiled uneasily. Wally returned the smile.
"And… I said some cruel things to Richard the other day," Raven continued explaining; purposely leaving out the details of Richard's cruelty to her, "I guess that triggered it all." She sighed sadly.
No matter how angry she was at Richard, she couldn't help but feel concerned for him if Victor and Gar knew his previous interactions with her, "I guess it was entirely my fault… I was being selfish, I-"
"Can I butt in?" Wally suddenly fumed out of the blue, "Before she finishes that sentence, I'd like to tell you all that Raven is not selfish! Richard is an ass and Raven is just being aggravated by his asshole-ness!"
Silence PLUS glares.
Wally came back to sulking, "What? Am I not allowed to insert my two-cents in?" He pouted and went back to staring at the window.
Silence…
"Well… Wally does have a point… I know you're not telling us everything, Raven… I know you," Victor said sternly. Raven kept stubbornly quiet.
Victor sighed, "Aren't you gonna tell us what's really happening?"
"Maybe… Maybe later, not- not now," Raven still feared for Richard's sake… as much as she hated admitting the fact… she still cared.
Victor growled in frustration, but his face immediately softened, "Fine. But whatever that conflict is between you and Rich, we ain't in it! So don't expect that we won't bother you anymore… because we'll still be in your face for the rest of your life!" Victor let go of the issue at the moment and grinned at Gar, who was standing at the exact same position for the last ten minutes, "You wanna say something?"
"Dude… the 'feelings' fact is still sinking into me… shut up," Gar mumbled, still awestruck.
Victor rolled his eyes along with Raven, who felt a lot better, "You are the most useful person in the world, we should always have you in open forums," he told Gar sarcastically as he looked down at a semi-smiling Raven.
He opened his arms, "My favorite girl should give me a hug!"
Raven smiled warmly as she welcomed the hug.
It was seconds later when Gar finally came to his senses, "Yeah! And I just want you to know that I'm willing to befriend Garth just for you!" he ran to her and joined the embrace.
Silence…
…
"Errr…" Roy cleared his throat, "This may sound awkward… but after standing here, feeling mindlessly out of place... can we join that hug? Because one, Gar just somehow verbally attacked Garth and he needs a hug now. Two, if we don't join that, our egos will be crushed to know that our presence were totally useless. And Three, you just lied to me Victor… I thought I was your favorite girl," he pretended to tremble, "I- I really need a hug…"
Snorts.
"Hey, come and join," Victor grinned. He knew it was meant as a joke. But he wouldn't mind a hug at all. Nope. Not at all…
"Wow… this is not at all cheesy and awkward," Raven said sarcastically as she saw Roy playfully hug Victor. Despite the sarcasm, she was smiling widely. It was the first time she felt truly accepted.
End Flashback
"Hey Vic!" Wally literally skips past me and I smile thoughtfully.
"Sup man? You sure look cheerful today," I grin as I grab his jacket and pull it so he can face me.
Wally stumbles back, "Woah," he laughs lightly as he grabs my shoulder for balance, "Yeah… I'm quite happy," he says after he stands up straight.
I look at him, as I sense that he wants to ask something.
His questions catch me off-guard, "Say… Victor… Do I look good in a pink shirt? Or should I wear a normal one? Because I don't want to look glum on a date… Pink is bright, most men wear it now, and they say that it's the new black, but wouldn't it turn someone-perhaps Raven- off? And what about my hair? Does it look better gelled or not?" He suddenly bombards me, moving relentlessly at the process.
…
My confused eyes stare at his joyful ones, "What?"
He sighs, almost exasperatedly, "My clothes, what style looks good one me?"
I stare at him again, "What!" I ask, almost sounding appalled, "Man, don't ask me for clothing advice… it gives me the creeps," I cringe.
Wally frowns for a split second, "Fine. I was just asking… maybe I should ask Karen…" he turns to leave but I stop him again.
"Though it's nothing new, you're awfully cheerful today… and with the clothing questions… 'sup?"
"Oh," Wally blushes… if I were a girl, I would find it adorable, "I just talked to Raven,"
I feel a smile creep on my face, it automatically turns into a grin, "And?" I urge, almost mockingly.
"Well… you know…" he scratched the back of his head and chuckles, his blush deepening.
My grin grows wider, "And you asked her out," I answer my own question; satisfaction rises in me as Wally fails to hide a grin, "Wait till I tell people that you're a big boy now," I tease.
Wally blushes.
I am happy for you, Wally.
I enjoy his discomfort," Look at you, liking Raven and all," I tease him again as I picture him as a kindergartener with a schoolboy crush. He acts like one, anyway. And it's quite fun to watch.
"Well… it's just hanging-out… I didn't actually tell her that it's a date…" he says as he switches his weight from foot to foot, all the while scratching his arm in pleasant discomfort.
Oh… of course… Raven wouldn't just say 'yes' to a date.
I still smile, anyway.
It's a start.
"So where are your friends?" Wally asks me as an attempt to change the subject. He probably thinks that I would mock him for not asking Raven out completely. Heh. I won't.
"Gar's with Terra, and Rich… is on his way here," I decide not to pester him anymore… it may ruin his mood, and I don't want that to happen.
"Oh," Wally's eyes widen in distaste, "Well, I'll go now… I don't wanna cause some tension," he says as he catches a glimpse of Richard walking towards me.
He walks off, but turns back at me, "Say, how'd you know about my crush on Raven?" In contrast of all of his shifting, he addresses the issue in such an innocent carefree manner that I can't help but snort and laugh heartily.
"It's obvious," very obvious, "Now go and ask Karen what pink shirt would go on you, you gay bastard!"
With a smile, Wally runs off.
It only took a second for Richard to appear behind me.
"He sure looks happy…" he speaks; his voice and tone sound awfully stressed, "What did you guys talk about?"
"Nothing important," I unconsciously lie, "So… Kori isn't talking to you yet?" I ask, but my concern in lying on a different topic.
I hope Raven sees how devoted Wally is on helping her.
Flashback
"Wally… you didn't really need to introduce me to your friends," Raven protested politely, but her eyes showed deep gratitude for the boy.
"What's the matter? They all liked you," Wally shrugged in an optimistic manner, "That way, you won't have to be alone."
Raven pursed her lips, "What's wrong with being alone?"
"If you become a loner, you'll think of Richard more," Wally answered her directly, "Why do you like him so much anyway?" He felt his heart clench as he said the words.
'Not that question again,' Raven inwardly groaned at the thought. She decided not to answer the question.
Maybe it would also be better for him if he didn't know… There would be no unpleasant feelings that God-knows-why rises every time he hears her talk of Richard.
…
But then, Raven changed her mind and answered.
"You know Wally, they once said that if you want to be happy for many years; you should love someone," she sighed, "Maybe it's the reason why I'm so devoted to Richard… because I want to be happy."
Yes. Raven not saying a thing would've been better for Wally, for his heart clenched tighter with her words. He ignored it.
Silence.
"You know Raven, if you want to be happy for a lifetime… You should help people, that's what the nuns say," Wally smiled.
'Like how I'm trying to help you with your frustrations and loneliness… it makes me happy. Maybe you can help me stop this stupid heart of mine to stop clenching for no apparent reason,' he thought, denying the real reason for his pain.
"So yeah, don't be a loner and eat lunch with us tomorrow," he averted the subject back to the previous topic.
Deep inside, he knew he wasn't getting the happiness he deserved by helping people.
End Flashback
Author's Note: Weird little chapter this is… the actual main purpose of this was to establish the characters so I can develop them… I hope you noticed the slight changes in their personalities, if not, I totally screwed this chapter up… I think I'm losing my touch… if I had a touch, LOL! Oh yeah… girly Wally rocks! Let him wear pink! (I don't know where that came from, I'm so sorry…).
THANK YOU EVILWHITERAVEN FOR BEING WONDERFUL!
Anyway, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE REVIEWERS! I HOPE ALL OF YOU HAD A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!
raven x bb: I have four words though, I love you too…
You'reJustJealousCozISoundLikeARockstar: RaeFlash too? WOOHOO! (That rhymes! LOL!) Yeah… I'm thinking of a way to make Richard appear less of a jerk here, LOL… help me…
Tritium: Hey! You reviewed again! Starfire will NOT be bashed! Oh the last part was already in the afternoon. If I'm correct, Speedy said that they should meet at 5 that afternoon…so it's 5 in that scene.
Tecna: Thank you for reviewing again! Yay! I hope you still liked this chapter in spite of its suckiness… LOL :)
IxLovexWallyxWest: Love the sn! And yes, Wally rocks! I don't know if he's better than Richard, because it's been quite a long time when I wrote a chapter in his P.O.V., so you don't really know what's on his mind, I do though… MOOHAHAHAHA!
ELM-Tree10: Thank you! No prob on the info, hehe! The problem with Richard is that it's the other's point-of-view when I wrote the chapter, so of course their opinions of Richard will be biased. Victor still respects Richard, that says something, right:smiles:
Neilie: I love Roy too! But I'm afraid that I made Roy look like a loser with no life in that chapter… RobRaeFlash with a dose of Kori-ness will be soon explored in this story.
lunafan: Hello lunafan! I apologize for this chapter, I don't like it that much, LOL! Oh! The friends in bold? I don't know what I meant by that… I was kinda hinting that their friendship can be developed into something more… I don't know, LOL! Please forgive my stupidity.
Daybreak25: :hugs: YAY! I have a cheer too! It goes like this… "Hey Daybreak, you're so fine! You're so fine, you blow my mind! Hey Daybreak! Hey Daybreak!"… Yeah… good cheer.
FiliaofMortis: Awww… THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm glad you loved the previous chapter, because I have a strong feeling that you won't like this chapter very much… :sighs:
DITZY: As one of my faithful readers… I really want to talk to you! Do you have AIM? YM? MSN? LOL! Awww… yes, I think this will be RaeWally, MOOHAHAHA! But you might forgive Richard… soon.
Chica De Los Ojos Café: Happy Birthday! Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing again! RaeWally is what you want? Then RaeWally it is… and I hope you liked my present :winkwink:
Platina: Hi! Thank you so much for reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter! I didn't see enough hints that Kid Flash fell for Jinx (well it's either that or I'm in total denial), he was just flirting with her… he is a very flirty teen anyway. In the comics though, he fell for Raven! (through manipulation! Just like marriage! LOL! I remember saying that to someone…).
Violetx3 : :gives you a holy cookie of Dondi:insert holy music: Thank you for reviewing:hugs: So yes, this will be a RaeWally as I have ruined Richard's chance to be with Raven :sighs:… it doesn't mean that I won't do Richard justice though!
lma: I hope you liked this chappie :) Thank you for reviewing again!
The Black Crow: Hello! Roy was apologizing to Raven because it was him in the first place to strongly suggest to Kori that she can be with them despite Raven's warnings. He was also apologizing because he didn't make a good excuse, hehe. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Lost In Nevermore: Wow, I worship your fics! Thanks so effing much for reviewing! You effing rock too!
EvilWhiteRaven: I'm so glad you also liked Roy! I know, I also believe that there should be a P.O.V. who is a pro-Richard… I want to develop his character. There are more pro-Wally's here that pro-Richard's I believe… And Wally does deserve Raven, in this fic at least… because there's no single interaction between them in the show… :grumbles away:
pinkprincess: Wow! I'm so flattered! Thank you so much! Roy was saying sorry because he felt that Raven would get in trouble (with Richard, at least) because of him. It was he who so badly wanted Kori to be with them and who invited Kori to be with them despite knowing what could happen if Richard saw Kori with them… Errr… yeah. Hehe!
Yukata Mizu Yosei: Awww… Thank you so much! And thank you also for liking my version of Wally… because I did this before he was in "Teen Titans"; I didn't get to match his character with his in the show, hehehe. Oh, about Richard… Yeah, he's been a jerk so far, but he's still a good person! I promise you that deep down his selfish little heart, there is still light. What the-
HimeItsukaKitto: Hello! It's so nice to see you again! I hope you liked this chapter… there isn't really drama here… so I guess you won't need any tissue, but here:hands cookie: Enjoy! Wait… Richard is that mean:reads chapters: Really?
Miyuki-chan: I can call you that, right? Thank you for reviewing again! Yeah! I also like Kori and Gar… I should put more of their interactions here… Hey, don't worry; Kori will never be bashed! And I feel bad for Raven too… but it's part of her character… she just avoids the problems she can't avoid, so they pile up in front of her.
Moon Alchemist: Yay! Hugs! The last sentence? LOL! Roy was saying sorry because he felt that Raven would get in trouble (with Richard, at least) because of him. It was him who so badly wanted Kori to be with them and who invited Kori to be with them despite knowing what could happen if Richard saw Kori with them… Errr… yeah. Hehe!
alena-chan: Oh wow! I feel so honored receiving a review from you! I felt great when I knew that you read this story… and I feel so grateful for your review. It seems like we're the only ones who like Richard… I like him because not a lot can read his character, and since that they don't know why he's acting like that, he will really appear as a jerk to them… Oh man… I think I just unconsciously bashed Robin in this fic…
KFJinx+KFRaven: … Thank you for reviewing! KFJinx? Sure, I'll give it a chance… but I'm not sure if I could make a fanfic, I have a lot to do. But I'll try to, I have to be friendly with the pairing anyway…
Elven Dragon Rider: Cant… resist… rainbowy goodness…. RAAAHHH! Here's your update! Now where are my skittles?
Teen Titans Obsessor: Thank you so much! I will try to update faster! Again, thank you and please review again.
The Grim reaper and her little voices: Thanks a lot for reviewing! Yes, this will be a RaeFlash, hehe. By the way, I will love you forever if you post Highschool.
DJ mini mix: Here's your update! But this is unbeta-d, so forgive me for the suckiness (is there such a word?) of it. Roy was saying sorry because he felt that Raven would get in trouble (with Richard, at least) because of him. It was he who so badly wanted Kori to be with them and who invited Kori to be with them despite knowing what could happen if Richard saw Kori with them… Errr… yeah. Hehe!
Crazy for Raistlin: Thanks for the review! The pairings you mentioned are also awesome! Hey, does that mean that you also like RaeFlash now:smiles:
Thank you to those who reviewed! Please review again if you have time because they keep me away from writer's block… which I can feel coming… :runs away from writer's block!
Unbeta-d preview of Chapter 9
Chapter 9: She knows. Doesn't she?
"Raven is not some normal person whom you express normal acts of friendship with… I've been her friend since we were toddlers, I have observed all of her behaviors," he continued with such confidence that it had offended Wally to disgust.
"After all of those years you brag about being with her, all you have is some twisted version of what you think is her," Wally gawked exasperatedly, "THAT IS NOTHING LIKE RAVEN!"
Richard, at that time, stood up, "Who are you to say that? Do you actually think that you know her better than I do?" He challenged.
"Maybe…" Wally accepted the challenge, also standing up, "And even if I don't, at least I don't make her feel bad!"