Author's note: I actually forgot all about this story. Then I got an email that people were still reading it even three years later, and I decided it needed an ending! So, I'm so, so sorry for forgetting, and honestly, a huge thank you to the people who motivated me to update and reminded me of these two! Happy 2022 friends! Year of the tiger! Let's go!

"Rae," Cyborg calls softly. The robot taps against the metal door. "Come on, Rae.

I know you're in there. You haven't been anywhere else for two weeks." He sighs at the silence. "Raven," he softly whispers as he presses his forehead against the metal door. "You're worrying us all sick. You've ignored two weeks of dinners, all of our attempts to talk to you, and even the last two crime alerts." His taps become harder. "I'd threaten to break the door down if I thought I'd live to see that threat through."

Silence.

Cyborg lets out another deep sigh then walks off from the door.

"Anything?" Robin asks as the metal man enters the living room.

"No response. Again."

"Oh biiiiiiiigggggg shocker," Beast Boy grumbles out. "She's been locked in there for weeks! Just in there being creepy like always!"

"Oh, leave Raven be!" Starfire exclaims, flying up from the couch. "I will go check on her and bring her the lunch! And I would appreciate it if you would quit calling her creepy, friend Beast Boy!"

"Well, what else do you call someone who just locks themselves in their room for two weeks with no warning or explanation! I'm telling you she's in there summoning her great uncle." Beast Boy laughs at his joke then jumps up off the couch to grab his controller.

"Oh, stop it." Robin remarks to the shapeshifter. "I'm sure she'll appreciate the lunch, Starfire. Also, you can tell Raven, if, and only if, she's up for it, she's welcome to join us at the fair later tonight."

"Tell her we'll win her another chicken! That'll convince her!" Cyborg cheers in excitement. "She loved Cluckington last year!"

"My throwing arm is READY!" Beast Boy whoops, throwing a hand over his bicep and flexing his non-existent muscle. "Them cans don't stand a chance yo!"

"I am sure that is what will bring her out," Starfire replies plainly.

"Your girlfriend's sarcasm is rubbing off on you," Beast Boy remarks, earning him a death glare from Robin.

"Oh, she's just worried. Leave her to her lunch," Cyborg replies. "Besides! You've got bigger problems to worry about Beastie! Cause I'm coming for you this round!"

"In your dreams!"

Starfire starts to drown out the boys in the back with her thoughts. "I wonder if she's gotten worse than last time I saw her? Or what if I did upset her that day more than I thought?" She grabs a mug from the cabinet and adds it to her tray. "Or what if she's in her room suffering and none of us have known about it!?" She furrows her eyebrows as she adds some water and a teabag. "Or maybe… she simply is okay without seeing us…" Starfire shakes the thought out of her head as she looks at the sandwich and tea on the tray. "We will see," she whispers to herself.

"You're so stupid" a red-cloaked raven snaps out.

"She probably thinks we're a freak."

"Oh, what will she think of us? I really hope she forgives us," a graphite-cloaked raven whines.

"Oh, she definitely will! She's so forgiving and sweet and loving…" the purple cloaked raven starts to draw on.

Raven lets out a deep groan of frustration and buries her face in her knees. "Of course, happiness is dead silent." The battle in her head starts to worsen as she feels warm tears sting her cheeks for at least the fourth time that day.

Tap. Tap. Tap

Raven lets the noise drown out as she tightens her grip on her legs.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

"He'll go away eventually, like always. Just wait."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She grits her teeth tightly, a tinge of red growing in her. "Can't anyone in this stupid tower take a hint!"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She lifts her head then opens her mouth to shout at Cyborg until a soft voice stops her. "Gal pal, Raven?"

Her scream gets caught in her throat.

"It's not Cyborg!?" A yellow raven yells into her ears.

"I… I know I have deeply upset you." A soft thud can be heard outside the door, followed by a soft clink. "And I am unsure of how to make the amends…" Starfire lets out a soft sigh as she leans her head back against the door. "But I am trying very hard. Friend Cyborg said that we should just let you be, and I have been very much trying to just "leave you the be" because I know you enjoy being alone, and that we all annoy you very much sometimes."

Raven feels her heart ache at Starfire's words. "She's hurting, and it's all my fault."

"But, I also know that there is more than that sometimes. I know that you try to hide the sadness, but it still is the prominent."

Raven swallows hard as she fights to her feet to stand up. She clenches her fists tightly as she slinks towards the metal door.

"And I know you probably don't wish to be the bothered anyway like our friends said, but I am so worried, Raven. I saw that day that I upset you. Yes, that morning the boys had you frustrated, is that not why we left to do the going out in the first place? But when you were alone with me, it was more than the frustrated. You were so sad and upset, and I'm not sure what I could've done, but I am begging you to at least answer me. You are in there, and you are alone, and I am unsure if you are safe or well, or if you even wish to keep seeing all of us at all and-" her frantic words come to a halt as the metal door slides open.

Raven swallows hard as Starfire immediately flies up to turn around. Her throat feels tighter as she stares face to face with the girl who has been causing her so much distress. Against every voice in her body yelling otherwise, she quietly croaks out a hoarse, "come in."

The alien quickly dives down to pick up the tray then goes into the room with no hesitation. She almost comes to a halt as she sees the disarrayed state it's in. Raven's books are thrown from the shelves all over the floor, her closet door is off the hinges, and there is broken glass and shards of stars knows what near the corner. The only not trashed spot on the floor is a small circle shape, which Starfire could only assume is where the other girl had been sitting these past couple of weeks.

Raven notices her eyes scanning the room then scratches the back of her neck nervously, "uh… sorry. I didn't expect company." "Smooth."

Starfire only smiles in response as she sets the lunch tray on the end of the bed. Raven can't help but awkwardly wrap her arms around her midsection as silence blankets the room.

"It is only the peanut butter and some jelly. It is not a very good sandwich."

Raven can't help it. She instantly breaks out laughing. "The first conversation I have with anyone for literal weeks… and you say that?"

Starfire joins in with giggles of her own. "I was being honest! I have not gone to the store of groceries for several moons!"

"Her laughter is so cheery." a purple Raven remarks into her ears.

"We'll go this week," Raven replies softly. Starfire's head perks up as her eyes move to Raven happily. Raven can't help but offer a small, tired smile. After a few seconds, her smile starts to fade as she realizes Starfire is still staring at her. "...What?"

"You've been crying," comes her simple reply. There it was. No sunshine, no laughter, and no escaping it. Raven tightens her jaw then darts her eyes towards the ground in a hmph.

"Just haven't slept is all." Raven feels the soft stare of the other girl like daggers in her flesh as the corner of her eyes start to sting with tears again. "Why did we let her in again?!" a grey raven cries out.

"It is because there is the stuff on your bed, gal pal Raven." Without any hint of judgment, Starfire starts to reach out and grab a few of the face down and thrown around books on the bed. She makes them a neat pile on the end table right beside the bed.

"Y-you don't have to clean my room, Starfire!" Raven remarks out, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I am simply giving us the places to sit." She takes her place on the bed then gently pats beside her.

Raven can't help but still feel a little sheepish as she walks across the trashed floor. She slowly sits down beside Starfire then sighs. "Sorry for the mess."

Starfire just offers a big smile in response. "I am just glad to be here with you." She gently rests her hand on top of Raven's and gently squeezes. "I am sorry you haven't been well."

"HER HAND IS AS SOFT AS I REMEMBER!" A purple raven's yells echo through her head.

"You've made her feel terrible," a graphite raven cries out.

Raven shuts her eyes tight as she lets out a slow, deep sigh.

Starfire intertwines their fingers then gently rubs her thumb across Raven's knuckles. "Beast boy destroyed the toaster last week," she randomly remarks, trying to fill the silence. "And friend Cyborg tried to fix it instead of listening to friend Robin and purchasing the new one. He ended up turning all of the power off in the kitchen. For several hours. Then friend Robin-" she stops her sentence short when she feels Raven's head gently thud against her shoulder. She turns her head to see that the smaller girl is finally resting. Starfire breaks out in a large smile. "I suppose I can always tell you later, Gal pal."

She extends her left arm to scoot aside the tray of food, then lovingly wraps her right arm around Raven's shoulders tightly.

After a few moments, Starfire feels a yawn form in her throat. "Maybe I shall join you in the slumber."

She gently moves to a lying down position so she doesn't wake Raven, then wraps both arms around her snuggly. She can't help but let out a happy hum of appreciation as Raven cuddles into her chest, softly snoring.

She soon lets her eyelids get heavy as well as she falls victim to the silence in the room.

"Hey! Raven!" A voice calls out.

Raven grumbles lightly in response, not ready to wake up yet.

"Come on! Get up!" Another voice calls loudly. "It's important!"

Raven lets out another deep grumble of annoyance then sighs. "Hrm," she remarks, not opening her eyes yet.

"I'm just going to shake her," another voice shoots back.

"Who is even talking to me…" Raven starts trying to come to as multiple voices start to bicker in her ears.

"No! She's getting up a little bit…"

"She's most definitely ignoring us."

"By the looks of her, maybe we should just let her sleep."

"Those voices… they're…" Her eyes shoot open as she jumps up to the sitting position, "Mine." Her eyes quickly glance around to see seven cloaked Raven's all standing over her at once.

"Ding, ding, ding, you win the prize," a yellow-cloaked Raven remarks, adjusting her glasses.

"About time you got up!" the orange-cloaked one chimes in.

Raven quickly shakes the rest of the sleep off of her as she climbs to her feet. She extends her arms above her in a long stretch as she looks around at the emoticlones. "You're… missing one." She stares intensely at all of the other Raven's for a minute. "Knowledge, Timidness, Rudeness, Sloth, Bravery, Rage, Passion…" "Hey, where's Happiness?"

The group of Ravens all look at her in silence. After a few minutes of silence, she starts to shuffle in place slightly, starting to feel a little awkward. "Yes, Raven," Bravery remarks, "where is Happiness?"

Raven feels a pang of pain as she processes the sentence. "She's… missing, huh?"

The emoticlones all look at each other in confirmation as Raven deeply sighs. "For weeks," Timidness says softly.

Another silence falls over the group. Raven can't help but look across all the faces of the other Ravens. Timidness is staring a hole into her feet, Rudeness has her arms crossed in a huff, and Rage is gritting her teeth so hard you could almost hear it.

"I'm just going to say it," Rudeness finally spits out.

"YOU'VE GOT THIS PLACE IN A MESS!" Rage finishes.

"It's not my fault!" Raven quickly defends. She draws her hands into fists instinctively.

"It is, actually," Knowledge states calmly. "We are all aware of the situation involving Starfire and how it has affected our living space." She motions to the world around them to add emphasis to her statements. "It is fixable."

"But it's a lot of work," Sloth replies.

"A lot of emotional work…" Timidness corrects.

"Well, somebody's gotta do it!" Bravery exclaims. She leaps over and pats Raven's back roughly. "And if anyone can do it, it's us!"

Raven lets out another distressed breath then drops back down to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. "None of this is helping, you know."

Rudeness opens her mouth to say something but quickly shuts it as she is gently pushed aside by Passion, who is making her way through the crowd of emoticlones. Another deep silence hits the world around them as Passion takes a place on the ground beside Raven.

"I can't imagine your pain," Passion states, a comforting tone to her voice. "Of course, we're all hurting, and we're all upset. But just like with your emotions, we can only experience a piece of the pain." The other six Raven's faces soften as she says this, a ping of guilt hitting them. "You have to feel it all… all of the time. I don't blame you for this." Passion sets a gentle hand on Raven's shoulder.

Timidness quickly comes forward and drops to the ground in front of the pair, joining them. "I know you're scared," she quickly blurts out. "And, and I-I'm sorry," she stutters out. Timidness stares at Raven with big, sad eyes, "It's just… we're scared too."

Raven looks up from her knees at Timidness, her large eyes daring tears to fall. Then, Raven slowly looks around at the other emoticlones. "You're… you're all hurting… because of me. You're all in a mess because of me." She clenches her fists tightly as she snaps out, "Because I couldn't pull my weight!"

The emoticlones all look at Raven with sorrow, with even Rage's and Rudeness's face's softening.

"Look, okay, just, ugh," Rudeness walks over and plops down on the ground with a thud. "Just what's the, ya know, deal with you?" She offers a shrug, a large change from Passion's comforting demeanor.

Raven huffs out a sigh as she unclenches her fists. "This is just hard, alright? I'm making things hard for literally everyone. Even the myselves inside myself. Literally, who else can say that!" Raven throws her hands up defeatedly then moves her legs down to a crossed-legged position.

"Father always told you that feelings would be your downfall," Knowledge remarks matter of factly as she takes a seat, joining the semi-circle.

"That's another thing that makes it even scarier," Raven replies.

"I still don't get what you're scared of!" Bravery remarks as she jumps over, falling to the ground in a squat.

"Everything! Every single detail of this is terrifying!" Raven looks Bravery right in the eyes, "I don't even get how you're still here!" She buries her face in her hands then lets out a giant groan. "Talking about emotions is hard."

Passion gives Raven's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Well… why don't we do it instead then? That's our job, right? We're emotions." She motions for Rage to complete the circle and join them on the ground.

"Not the joint therapy circle," Rage grumbles out, though she sits beside a napping Sloth anyway. She narrows her eyes at all the others, daring them to speak first. Silence. "Azar, you're all useless! FINE!" Rage slams her hands into her legs in a huff, "We're mad that the tin man gave her that stupid computer!"

Passion can't help but let out a giggle at the almost childish outburst. "For some reason, I feel like you have more than that to share."

Raven also cracks a small smile as Rage kicks her feet out in a grumble. "FINE! We're… we're mad at ourselves for keeping the secret from her. We know we're the jerk for taking advantage, and we still are! We're a real monster!" Rage crosses her arms intently as the venom seeps from her words.

"We also know she's just trying to learn as much as she can about Earth," Knowledge adds on, "and we're providing her with false information and lying for personal gain."

"She's also been, like, super nice and thoughtful, and we've literally got a section called Rudeness so…. Are we really a match here?" Rudeness scoffs out. She glances at Passion's side-eyed stare. "What? Just saying!"

"Okay, maybe you three shouldn't have started the sharing," Timidness replies softly.

"Or maybe this was stupid," Rage interrupts.

"Or maybe it's my turn to talk," Raven chokes out, digging her nails into the palms of her hands. "Okay, yes," she looks directly at Rage. " I'm absolutely furious with myself." Her eyes stiffen as her brow knits. "I'm lying to Starfire, and I have been for literally weeks. For selfish reasons! Cause it's just nice to be wanted!" She jerks her head to face Rudeness. "Cause she's sweet! And kind to me! She doesn't have a single mean bone in her body, and it's remarkable." Her eyes move to Knowledge as she continues out, " I'm also mad that I let myself even get like this. I know I should've shut her down the second I found out, and I didn't. I know my emotions are dangerous, I mean, just look at us all right now. I made a mistake, okay? I know that…" Bravery shifts a little uneasily as Raven moves her gaze to meet theirs. "But that's what makes this even scarier. Don't you get that? I'm terrified. Of all of this. I made this mistake. I lied. I was selfish. I was wrong. And it's too late now to fix it, to take any of it back. Because guess what? Even if I tell Starfire she was wrong, and if we go back to how things were before… that doesn't fix this," she says as she motions to all the emoticlones. "That doesn't fix that I singlehandedly wrecked my emotional state and by relation my powers. That I've made myself a useless superhero and member of my team. I have to face the fact that I ruined that if I leave this room. That's terrifying. And… and…" her voice starts to hollow out as she gets to Timidness. "And… this is so new to me. I've never even thought about ever going on a date, getting a kiss, or holding hands with literally anyone. I always knew that was too dangerous for someone like me, so I pushed it to the back of my mind with all the might I had. Then, all of a sudden, I had it. And you know what? It was just… really nice. She actually wanted to see me. To be with me. I didn't want to give that up. I didn't want to go back to feeling unwanted. I know that's wrong but…" She lets out a defeated sigh as she turns to Passion, whose face is soft with understanding. "But, I have to tell her she's wrong too."

Passion offers a large, comforting smile then gently wraps Raven up in a hug. "You know, you're pretty good at this emotions thing. Weird," Raven remarks.

"Only love can be everything at once," Passion replies with a playful wink.

"Don't get crazy now," Raven grumbles with a small smile, "You're Passion."

"Guess that makes you in Love then," Passion playfully teases as she sticks out her tongue. Raven feels her face heat up, her ears turning as red as Rage's cloak.

"Listen, I, uh,-"

"Actually, I think our time is up!" Passion exclaims with a clap of her hands. Raven shoots her a look of confusion. She opens her mouth to respond until the whole world around them starts to fade to black.

"Hey, wait!" Raven yells out, jumping up to the sitting position in her bed.

Starfire jumps more into the air as the books she is holding go shooting across the room. Raven quickly jolts her head to the crash. She slowly blinks a few times, her, now spotless, room coming into focus.

"You scared me to the death of halves, Gal Pal Raven," Starfire replies as she flies down to retrieve the fallen books. "I know you told me not to partake in the cleaning of your chamber, but I had not known you would be upset so."

"I… I was asleep." Raven says, almost not as a question.

Starfire places the books into the empty spot of the shelf as she gives a hum of approval. "For several of the hours now."

Raven turns her head to glance out the window, the, now open, curtains display a flood of city lights. "It's so bright out. I almost didn't notice it wasn't daylight," she replies out, a little awkwardly.

"It is the lights from the carnival," Starfire remarks happily. She flies over to the bed to join Raven, who stiffens as Starfire lands beside her.

The recent interactions with her inner selves start to playback in her mind. "Okay, Raven. It's now or never." Raven clenches her jaw tightly as she takes a deep breath in. She opens her mouth to speak, but no noise escapes.

"COME ON! YOU GOT THIS!" Bravery cheers loudly.

Raven swallows hard. She wipes her hands nervously against her cloak, then takes a deep inhale, mustering up every bit of courage she could. "Hey, Starfire?"

Starfire turns her head to meet her eyes, then offers a large, warm smile.

Raven can't help but stare for a second. Starfire's eyes are large and longing. The flood of the lights of the window dance in her emerald eyes, adding an extra layer of sparkle. "She's so stunning." Raven takes another deep breath, trying to gain her composure back. Despite all of the confidence she felt moments before, she hastily chokes out, "a carnival?" She bites her tongue harshly, feeling the words she wanted to say die in her throat.

Starfire claps her hands together in excitement. "Oh! Yes, Gal Pal Raven! The boys have already invited us to join them earlier today! They departed about an hour or so ago for it!"

Raven's face furrows in response. "You… you missed going with them… to stay with me?" She feels some guilt start to swell again.

"I didn't want to wake you yet, Raven. You seemed to be having an unrestful sleep. And Tamaran says you should not wake someone when they are being chased by garmoonian canines lest the chance they are eaten and skinned." Starfire states this with the most matter-of-fact voice, which in turn makes Raven break out in a giggle.

"Well, uh, thanks for that. I'd hate to have been eaten." Raven can't help but smile as she says this.

Starfire shoots back a large grin in response. "We woke my dear sister from an unrestful sleep, and she never received the victory of escaping the garmoonian canines. She had the night shivers for two moons."

"If only she would've actually gotten eaten and skinned," Raven remarks.

Starfire meets her eyes for a second, then the two erupt into a fit of laughter, coating the room in warmth. "You never fail to make me laugh," Starfire chimes out. She reaches out and gives Raven's hand a loving squeeze.

Raven looks back at her with a soft, but sad smile. "This is so hard," a gray-cloaked Raven sighs.

Starfire gently traces the outline of Raven's knuckles with her thumb as she continues, "It's been so empty around the tower without you in these last weeks. I have spent many of the fort of nights in the room of living, waiting to see if you would need anything. You made me very worried, Gal Pal, Raven."

Raven bites her tongue lightly in remorse as she listens. "Has she really stayed locked away in the tower too? Just waiting?"

After a few beats of silence, Raven remarks out, "then, I think you've spent enough time inside. Why don't I take you to the carnival? As, uh, you know, a thank you."

Starfire's eyes instantly burst to life and she flies off the bed into the air in an act of glee. "Oh! Raven! Do you mean it!" She clasps her hands together happily.

"How cute," a purple-cloaked Raven coos out.

"Uh, yeah, I, well, figure I could show you at least one more good night," she awkwardly murmurs out. "Before this is ruined."

Starfire let's put a chime of glee as she does a quick circle in the air. "Just let me go get dressed!"

Raven can't help but offer a small smile. "Oh, uh, same." She gets reminded of her tattered state and feels embarrassment rise in her cheeks.

Starfire quickly flies out of the metal doors and down the hall with a happy squeal. Raven slightly shakes her head at the cheerfulness with a soft laugh.

"Look how happy you made her," Timidness remarks as Raven stands up from the bed. She offers a soft hum of approval in response as she walks across the carpet towards the bathroom door.

"I bet she'll be so pretty," Passion lovingly draws out the sentence.

Raven flicks on the light switch then lets out a scoff of laughter. "If only I could say the same thing about us."

Raven's eyes meet her reflection in a look of almost horror. With her sunken eyes deep in her face, the bags somehow making her skin look even grayer, and her already petite body now looking frail from the weeks she neglected to eat, she could barely look at herself for too long.

"Where to even start," she mumbles to herself as she reaches for the brush on the counter. She starts to comb through the knots in her hair with small winces of pain, gritting her teeth tightly.

"Are we sure we can't just stay home? This is a lot of effort," Sloth groans out.

"Yeah, especially if you're just going to chicken out again!" Bravery playfully mocks.

"Oh, just let her enjoy her date!" Passion argues.

Raven shakes her head as if she could somehow shake the other Raven's voices out of it.

"If I don't get them under control today, I might never," she thinks to herself as she splashes some cold water on her face.

She gives a little hum of approval as she stares at herself. "As good as it's gonna get."

A low grumble from Rage echoes in her ears as she heads to the closet.

"I'm working on it," Raven mumbles to herself, eyeing the clothes on the hangers.

She eventually settles on a blank tank top and black jeans. "Might as well be comfortable as I break my own heart."

A series of taps against the door draw her out of her thoughts. "Come in."

The doors slide open as Starfire flies in with glee. "You look very nice, Gal Pal, Raven!" She shoots a giant grin to the smaller girl, then extends her arm happily.

Raven can't help but giggle at the silly, romantic gesture then wraps her arms around Starfire's arm, letting the alien lead her out of the room.

"The boys are already here, right?" Raven asks as they head out of the tower doors.

The brisk night air hits her face as she stares ahead towards the lights of the carnival. "Yes! Friend Beast Boy said he was going to go ahead and do the winning of the chicken for you."

"I think I'm rolling my eyes so hard I only have the whites showing," Raven grumbles out. Starfire's cheerful laugh fills the air. "Didn't he name it?"

Starfire ponders for a second. "Wasn't it Cluckington?" Raven tilts her head in confusion for a second. Starfire clears her throat then says a little louder over the incoming carnival music, "Was it's name not Cluckington?"

Realization hits Raven, and then she laughs a little. "You're right."

"Do you want to go and find your chicken for this year?" Starfire playfully asks. Raven just groans in response.

"Or…" Her eyes peruse down the carnival alley way. "How about some of the food? Or non-pillow cotton? You have not eaten today."

As if on cue, Raven's stomach lets out a grumble. "Well, uh," she ponders for a second, trying to figure out if filling her stomach with junk food would be better than nothing. "…Maybe I should just wait for a real meal at the tower after this. I mean, I waited this long, right?" She offers a small smile to lighten the mood, but it just earns a sad look from Starfire.

Raven feels a wave of guilt then offers Starfire's arm a small squeeze of a hug. "I'm okay, really. Just don't want to ruin my appetite." Raven lays her head on the other girl's shoulder for a few seconds to add to the hug.

Starfire can't fight her grin at this. "Well, alright, gal pal, Raven. Then, do you wish to ride the wheel that is fairest with me? I found it most enjoyable until I was kidnapped last time it came to town."

This makes Raven break out in a real laugh. "I, where do I even start with that sentence."

Starfire just giggles back as she starts to lead them towards the giant, lit-up wheel.

"Hey, superheroes!" The pinstriped boy in front of the gate greets. "Care for a spin?" He opens up the gate to the cart and makes a mock gesture of motioning them inside of it.

Starfire climbs inside of it then lifts her arm up, letting Raven climb in beside her. She wraps her arm tightly around the smaller girl with a happy hum.

The carnival guy smiles wide then offers a friendly wave. "Safe trip, ladies!"

Raven swallows hard as the Ferris wheel starts to take them up into the air. She quickly darts her eyes between all the fair goers, trying to find anything to focus on that wasn't Starfire drawing small circles on her shoulder.

"She can probably feel your heartbeat hammering in your chest," Passion playfully teases.

"You're alone! Maybe now is the time!" Bravery shouts.

"Maybe later… or never…" Timidness adds.

"Come on, Raven!"

"You got this, Raven!"

"Yeah, Raven!"

"Raven!"

"Raven!" Starfire remarks out, a little louder.

Raven snaps her head towards Starfire with wide eyes, almost looking like an animal in headlights. "Oh, uh, sorry, what did you say?" She sheepishly bites at the inside of her cheek.

"I simply asked how long does one usually stay stopped at the top of these wheels of fairest?" Starfire tries to offer a gentle smile. "I didn't mean to cause you alarm."

Raven blinks a few times then looks towards the view. "How… long?" She tilts her head over the side of the cart to glance at all the fair goers again, now a lot smaller than earlier. Some are grabbing cotton candy, some are fighting for their lives at the ring toss booth, and one, specifically one, pinstriped boy is on the phone, next to a smoking machine top.

"I think… we're going to be here for a minute," she softly chuckles. Raven then shuts her eyes and leans her head against the back of the cart.

"Are you still tired?" Starfire asks, concern knitting into her words.

"Something like that," Raven mumbles.

Raven clenches her jaw tightly, her head starting to pound from the voices in it.

The awkward silence of the car gets broken by a soft, "then, I am sorry you are stuck up here with me."

Raven's eyes open, and she turns to look at Starfire. "Wait, what?"

Starfire lets out an exasperated sigh then leans her head forward and places it on the bar of the cart. "I have been doing the racking of the brain trying to figure out what I have done to make you upset with me. I thought we were doing very well. Then, it just… halted! We went on the date and then you didn't speak to me again afterward. I even followed the list! I thought I was correct!" Starfire brings her face up to look at Raven, tears now down her cheeks. "Except for today. Then, I thought you might be upset because we did the sleeping together before the kissing and-"

A very red Raven quickly throws up her hands then blurts out, "Starfire, stop!"

Starfire halts her words as Raven's hand comes to her face and wipes the tears away. "I can't stand to see you like this. Look! You didn't do anything." Raven starts to choke on a breath then sighs. "Okay, just… just listen, okay?" She swallows hard. She brings her hand down then grabs Starfire's hand in hers. "I have been a very bad friend to you."

Starfire opens her mouth to respond then quickly shuts it. "So, you know… how when we were at the mall, you asked me why the shopkeeper mistook us for lovers?" Raven tightens her grip on Starfire's hand. Her heart starts to hammer in her ears as Starfire nods. "Well, there was a reason for that." Raven starts to look everywhere but Starfire's face.

"Where was I going with this.. Well… okay, next, uh, that list you found? I," She starts to stumble over her words, tears brimming in her eyes.

Starfire leans her forehead forward and gently rests it against Raven's, steadying her body. "Breathe, Raven," she softly whispers.

Raven's eyes meet hers, comfort starting to wash over her body. She takes a deep inhale. "The list was for lovers… okay? It was how to get a girlfriend. I should've told you earlier, but I didn't. I know you were just trying to get me to be better best friends, and I took full advantage of that." She blinks a few tears away as she chokes out, "I should've told you the very first day, but I just couldn't." Starfire brings her other hand up to cup Raven's cheek, catching the tears that start to fall from her eyes. "It was very wrong of me, and it's been eating me up inside these last few weeks, Starfire. I just." She swallows hard, shutting her eyes tightly. "I really hope you can forgive me." She whispers out the last line in a raspy plea.

Raven tries to steady her breathing as Starfire holds her close. Several beats of silence fill the cart.

"She's not even going to respond…"

"On my planet, I would have to bring someone the head of a Xynomorphian Sun Spot Gleebian if I wished to court them." The words come out in a curious, confused tone, and Raven can't help it. She pulls her head back and breaks out laughing. This makes Starfire's face furrow in confusion. "It is an act of the warrior! To prove you are a strong enough mate to protect your beloved!"

Raven stops giggling and smiles at Starfire. "Sorry, that's just the second time you've broken serious silence today with something I didn't expect."

"Nobody expects the Xynomorphian Sun Spot Gleebian," Starfire replies seriously.

Raven's face sombers back up as the reality comes back to her. She squeezes Starfire's hand. "Sorry to interrupt you."

Starfire offers a cheerful grin. "Your laughter is always a welcome intrusion." She pulls Raven's hand up and gently lays a kiss on her knuckles. "It wasn't very serious, anyway. I was just going to ask if you also required the head of a Xynomorphian Sun Spot Gleebian."

Raven's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates.

"WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!" The emoticlones all shriek out in unison.

"Do I… what?" Raven whispers, her breath catching in her throat. Starfire hums in response, waiting for the answer. "You… do realize what you just said, right?"

Starfire looks directly in Raven's eyes, a rare seriousness coating her facial features. " If all that you say is true. And what we have been doing is Earth courting, then I wish to court you."

"But, I-"

"Gal pal, Raven. The going out is very fun with you. It was very different from when we go out with the boys." Starfire offers a large smile. "I actually realized this on my flight to obtain your gift. I realized I was doing the missing of you. Not just the tower and our friends, but of you." Starfire moves her hand to intertwine their fingers tightly. "And ever since our last time out, I have been looking towards home wondering what pictures you could find in the stars if I took you home. To my my family. Isn't that the nice thought?"

Raven slowly blinks, trying to remember how to breathe as the alien continues.

"I have also been looking at the plants you have brought me. They are beside my bed table bringing me much joy. They remind me of what length you would go for me. To see me happy. I have been very happy these last few weeks with you. Remembering your favourite books, surprising you with a warm cup of tea when you come down the stairs, and just being with you. I am very sorry that it is what has been worrying you so these last moons. I do promise you had nothing to hold worry of…I may not have originally known that Gal Pals were lovers, but, Lover Raven, Gal Pal, Raven, if all of those wonderful, spectacular, joy bringing things is the earth courting, then I would like to continue it. With you."

Raven stares intently in her eyes. They are dead set on her own, emerald orbs full of such passion and honesty. Something she's always wanted from someone. "She… she really means this… doesn't she."

Starfire goes to speak again but is instantly silenced as Raven throws her arms around her neck. Raven practically melts into Starfire's arms as she kisses her intensely.

Both the girls ignore the loud explosion of a popcorn machine enveloped in black down below as Starfire wraps her arms around Raven's waist tightly.

After a few beats, Starfire slowly pulls away and rests her forehead against Raven's. "So, is that a no to the Gleebian head?"

Raven can't help but smile at her, playfully brushing their noses together. "Definitely a no to the Gleebian head."

"Watch her bring us one anyway," a pink-cloaked Raven giggles out.

Raven smiles to herself as the Ferris wheel starts to move again.

"Oh, happiness. There you are."