He loved her. He did. And he was willing to accept it.
She loved him. Even though she couldn't. Shouldn't.
"Raven…"
"No"
She was reading.
"But…I"
"NO"
Her words cut into him like a knife and he could almost feel his heart breaking.
"Raven…"
"Please, no"
"One question Raven. One. Then I'll leave you alone"
He was begging her. Pleading for her to consider his proposition.
"Fine. One."
"Why don't you trust me?"
"Because…" Raven was lost for words.
He was looking at her, but it hurt to look at him properly. To see the pain she had caused etched all over his face. The suffering.
"Because I can't see your eyes."
She had finally said what had been on her mind for weeks.
"None of us can. You use your mask like a child uses its blanket. You hide when you have no reason to. When you look into someone's eyes, you can see their feelings. You can see their inner beauty, but you won't let anyone close to doing that. So tell me Robin. Why don't you trust me?"
"I do!"
"Then get rid of your blanket and grow up." She was tired. So tired. Of him. Of everyone. Of her love. "Tell you what Robin. The Titans Ball at the end of the year. Turn up without your mask. And leave it off for the whole evening. No finding loopholes."
"Fine." He said defiantly. "Fine. Then, as a challenge for you, dance with me. At the ball, dance with me in front of everybody. And wear something WHITE."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Fine." She added for good measure.
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Days passed. Then weeks. Then months. The small time left until the Titans ball was spent discussing decorations or colours of dresses or where to buy suits. Cyborg was getting excited about cooking for all the titans and he was doubly excited about seeing Bee again. He smiled to himself.
"Dude!" yelled Beastboy over the hubbub of Titans talking and calling to each other. "Don't forget my Tofu!"
"Friend Bee…What colour of dress shall you wear?" Starfire asked.
"Oh! It's the most gorgeous…"
"You haven't forgotten our little challenges, Robin?"
"I was going to ask the same thing, Raven."
"Good"
"Good"
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Raven looked at her dress in incredulity.
"I can't believe I agreed to touch this dress."
Sighing, she pulled on the petticoats that went underneath it.
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"You're kidding me!" Cried Raven in amazement. She actually looked good. REALLY good.
She nervously slipped on her shoes and made her way out the back door, trying not to mess up her hair. She'd curled it, then piled it up on top of her head.
The titans had booked the town hall for the annual ball. It would make it unusual. But maybe that was a good thing.
When she arrived, her first thought was that he'd chickened out. But…
"Psst! Raven!"
She spun round to see Robin. No mask. Beautiful oceans as eyes. Deep, Calm.
"I wanted to make sure you didn't show me up." He whispered.
"Same here" She replied.
"Raven..." He said mischievously
"Yes, Robin?"
"Would you like me to walk you in?"
"Let's blow their socks off!"
He grinned. She smiled.
"I love you." The said simultaneously.
They both gave shy smiles before scrambling up.
He offered her his arm, which she took and they walked into the town hall which had been made to look like a ballroom.
As they walked in, the music stopped and everyone turned to look at them.
As one, everyone started to clap. Photographers snapped perfect pictures as Raven turned to Robin, he twirled her round and as she came back to him, he leaned down and kissed her. Passionately.
He loved her. He did. And he was willing to accept it.
She loved him back. She did. And she wanted him to accept it.