Teen Titans FanFiction : Perfect Duality

The Second Two Years Later Chapter


Author's Note : I wrote this a year or two ago. The story is still in my head, and other pieces have been written, but I don't have the actual beginning written. So I am finally publishing this bit, just to test the waters. (I've never published anything, so I want to see if I should pursue this more.) Thanks!


It was nearly Christmas-time in Gotham, the winter holiday fast approaching within the next two weeks. Richard Grayson was taking a mid-afternoon break from work, walking casually along the sidewalk. He wore a thick, double-breasted black coat, his hands in his pockets for warmth, a navy scarf wrapped around his strong neck.

He was headed towards a bakery, just two blocks away. So many of his coworkers could not stop raving about how delicious the baked goods there were, that he had finally decided to investigate the treats for himself.

He had also been told that one of the young women that worked the afternoons there was absolutely gorgeous. Not that this was his only reason for visiting. True, he hadn't been with a girl for quite some time now, and as he felt any person would be, he was a bit lonely, and eager to feel the touch of a woman again.

Richard had reached the place and opened the red wood and glass door. The inside of the little shop was bright and cheery, and warm and comforting. There were a few small tables scattered around, and a couple small bookcases holding a few wrapped goodies as well as what appeared to be the ingredients to make more treats at home.

The place was relatively empty; an older gentleman sitting at a table eating a muffin while reading the paper, and a man and woman separately in line in front of him. Richard turned his attention to the counter, where a full display of baked goods sat behind panes of glass. He tried not to look too obvious as he studied the workers.

It appeared there were two young women working behind the counter, each wearing a red, Santa-themed apron over their chests and tied at their waists. The girl taking the orders was pretty enough; short, blond hair and blue eyes. She smiled a lot and seemed very friendly, but something told Richard this was not the girl he had been hearing about. No, the girl he had been hearing about had to be the one with her back to him now.

She had long, chocolate colored hair, filled with loose curls, with almost reddish-purplish streaks peeking thru as her head moved and caught the light. She was petite, with a perfect figure; a small waist and round ass. She appeared to be busy making some kind of coffee drink, and once she turned to hand the drink to the man two in front of him, Richard felt like he nearly lost his breath.

She hadn't made eye contact with him, but Richard could fully see her face now. She had the cutest full bangs across the length of her forehead that he had ever seen on a woman, and her full lips had a lovely tinge of red to them. She had adorable pink-tinted cheeks, her face holding perfect, soft features; but what really struck him were her eyes. They were absolutely beautiful; a deep chocolate to match her hair, with small flecks of purple scattered throughout.

Richard had known it immediately, and further staring had only confirmed it; this was Raven. He had found her; not that he had been searching or anything, but he had found her nonetheless. And here in Gotham, of all places!

It was Richard's turn now, and he was grateful that no one else had joined the line behind him. He quietly ordered a muffin and small coffee from the lovely blonde, before moving to the other end of the counter to wait for his items. Raven hadn't noticed him yet, and he was nervous as hell for when she finally would.

He watched her carefully as she made his coffee, hardly noticing when the blonde handed him his muffin. He gave her a quick smile, reminding himself not to be so obvious with his interest in her coworker. He could see Raven was almost done with his drink. This was it; the moment of truth.

Raven fully turned to him, locking her eyes with his. If she recognized him, she gave no indication except for the tiniest of dilation in her unique orbs, but Richard noticed.

She gave him a polite smile as she placed his drink on the counter between them. "Here you go, sir."

"Raven?"

She knit her brows together in mock perplexity, tilting her head slightly as she looked up at him, "I'm sorry; you must have me confused with someone else."

Ooh, she was good. Even her voice was altered now, a little bit higher, a little bit girlier. Richard almost believed her; but there was no way he was going to let her get away that easily.

Richard carefully placed his hand on top of hers upon the counter, her composed face faltering slightly, as an almost spark passed between them at the contact. He tried to calm his thoughts as he summoned as much mental strength as he could.

Raven.

She heard him in her mind; the naive expression falling from her face as her eyes continued to stare into his. Her mouth opened slightly, as Richard absentmindedly noticed her ample chest rising and falling with each quickening breathe.

A few seconds of silence passed between them, in which Richard never removed his hand from hers.

Finally Raven spoke, a breathy whisper upon her lips. "Hello Richard."

"Oh Raven; it's been so long," he nearly whispered himself. "You look beautiful." Richard offered a warm smile as he gently gave her small hand a squeeze.

"Thank you." A shy smile graced Raven's lips as she tentatively removed her hand from his, her gaze falling to the counter between them.

Apprehension began to rise in Richard's chest the second she pulled her hand away; she was retreating, her calculating eyes trying to think of a way to escape this. Richard had to do something, to say something; he couldn't let her run away again.

"Raven, I would really love to catch up with you. Maybe grab drinks or something; that is, if you drink, of course." Richard felt like his words maybe sounded desperate, but he didn't care, he couldn't lose her again.

Raven was nervously wringing her fingers, "I don't know if that's such a good idea, Richard." She gently bit her lower lip as her mesmerizing eyes were brought back to his, Richard nearly losing composure at the enticing sight.

She had become the most intoxicating combination of beautiful, adorable, and sexy over the past four years; and Richard could already feel the draw to her spreading thru his chest. He would do anything to never be without her again.

"Please, Raven," now he knew he sounded desperate, "just let me take you out once. Please."

Richard's eyes were intently searching hers, and Raven could already feel her longing return as she continued to stare at him. But her fear was still ever present. "I don't know, Richard."

"Raven, please." Richard wanted to grab her hand again, to see if some physical contact could help him convey to her just how much he needed this, but she had taken a step back from him. "What time are you done here today?"

"She gets off at six today," came the cheery voice of Raven's coworker, nearly startling both Raven and Richard from their intense staring.

She hadn't really been listening to the conversation, but the second she had heard Richard's last question, she decided to jump in.

"Alice!" Raven hissed sideways to her coworker.

"Thank you, Alice." Richard gave her a charming smile, to which she beamed. He felt all his usual confidence returning to his body as he turned his attention back to Raven. "Well I will be here at six to pick you up then."

Richard gave Raven a charming smile as well, before taking his leave from the little shop. And Raven did nothing to stop him, too shocked by what Alice had just allowed to happen to even think straight.

It was the jingle of the little bell over the shop's door that finally snapped Raven back, in which time Richard was already gone. Raven slowly turned to fully face Alice, an unamused glare very plainly darkening her features.

"What?" Alice asked almost sheepishly, her eyebrows raising as if surprised.

"You know what," Raven replied cooly, turning to busy herself with cleaning up from the drinks she had just made.

"Oh come on, Rachel," Alice practically groaned, joining Raven in cleaning up. "You get asked out almost weekly, always saying no, and that guy has definitely been the best looking one yet." She stopped her working hands to fully give Raven her attention. "I'm helping you."

"Oh, thanks," Raven replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" Alice grabbed both of Raven's hands within her own to get Raven to stop working and really look at her. "You'll thank me for this one day; trust me." She gave Raven a very sincere and knowing smile, squeezing her hands just a bit for emphasis, before having to leave to help another customer.

Raven let a small smile grace her face at Alice's words. She knew Alice was right, just not for the same reasons that Alice thought.

Seeing Richard again was wonderful, a familiar warmth spreading thru her chest as she thought of him; and spending time with him would be amazing. But Raven couldn't fight the pressing fear creeping into her mind. She was still uncertain as to whether this was a good idea or not.


It was nearly six o'clock on the dot that Richard arrived back at the little bakery. He had gotten off an hour prior, giving him time to go home and change out of his suit into something more casual, dark wash jeans and a deep navy button down. He wore the same coat as earlier, but a light blue scarf for the evening instead. He took a deep breath before opening the bright red door once more.

The shop was a bit more crowded than earlier, but Raven's coworker, Alice, was it; she looked up immediately as he entered, giving Richard a knowing smile. She motioned for him to come to the front of the line, along the side of the counter.

"Hey!" she said as he approached.

Richard gave her his trademark smile, "Hello Alice," and she practically swooned at his remembrance of her name. "Is Raven still here?"

Alice gave a little giggle, "You mean Rachel?"

"Heh heh, yeah," Richard tried to play off his mistake as nerves, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "I guess I'm more nervous than I thought."

Richard couldn't believe he had almost just blown Raven's cover. He gave Alice a small sheepish smile, and she returned it with a happy grin of her own.

"Oh it's fine, Rachel's just in the back clocking out." Alice leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice just slightly. "And don't you worry about a thing; Rachel can be a bit standoffish at first, but trust me when I say, she's the sweetest person I've ever met."

Alice gave Richard another genuine smile as she straightened back up, and Richard couldn't help but smile in return. Being standoffish, now Richard understood that; but Raven, being called sweet, that was something he had never heard before. He was even more excited now to meet this new person Raven had become.

And he didn't have to wait long. Raven soon emerged from the back, coming around the counter to meet him. The santa apron was gone, replaced now with a pair of dark wash jeans herself, and a light pink button down. She was slipping into her own coat as she walked, a deep blue almost pea coat style with a hood. She looked up at Richard with a pleasant smile upon her face once she reached him.

"Hello Richard." Her voice was light and feminine, and Richard felt as though his heart had skipped a beat.

"Hello Rachel." There was the slightest of undertone to way he said her new name, and Raven bit her lower lip again. She realized she must have put him in a bit of an awkward position with Alice over her name, but it served him right, bombarding her like this. This new realization caused a slight smirk to grace her face instead.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked politely.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Richard offered her his arm, which Raven nervously took, a small blush further tinting her pink cheeks.

"Have fun you two!" Alice called as the pair headed for the door. They both smiled at her as Richard opened the door, Raven giving Alice a small wave as she stepped out into the evening air.

The two walked down the sidewalk very close to one another. Richard wanting to put his arm around her, but uncertain as to whether this new Raven was as cautious with touch as the old Raven was.

"So… Rachel, huh?" Richard settled for his hands in his pockets for now.

"Yeah. I didn't have a Richard to fall back on, so I had to make one up." She smiled sideways up at him.

"I like it," he smiled back at her. "So tell me then, Rachel, do you drink?"

Raven stopped and turned to him, causing Richard to stop just as suddenly and face her.

"Please," she said softly, placing her hand gently against his chest, "call me Raven."

Richard placed his own hand over her much smaller one, wrapping his fingers around to give a small squeeze. "Alright, Raven it is."

A warm smile brightened Raven's face, and Richard couldn't help but smile back. They just stood there staring at one another, each getting lost in the other's gaze. The comforting contact of their hands felt like the fulfillment of a wish neither one knew they had.

A cold gust of wind soon blew against them, urging them to continue their walk down the block, and causing them both to stumble a bit at getting caught off guard by its force. They both regained their composure to continue walking, Richard having not lost his grasp upon her, and readjusting just slightly to now walk hand in hand with her. Raven didn't pull away, and instead wrapped her fingers around his hand in return, a casual hold between them keeping them close.

"So, a drink then?"