If you could find the time to leave a review, I would really appreciate it. It truly helps motivate me to write more. This one is a bit longer than the others. Enjoy!

Chapter Four - Dinner Time

Robin pulled his hand away from Raven and back to his side, she frowned slightly but it melted off her face as the door opened with a hiss and they walked into the common room. Starfire was talking with Beast Boy, Cyborg was leaning against the counter with his large metal arms crossed.

"Hey." Cyborg nodded.

Raven nodded, and Robin mumbled a greeting. She looked over at him, his normal scowl had returned and was aimed at Cyborg in particular.

"Locked me in the maintenance room? Was that really necessary?" He asked with an unamused mature older brother tone that he so often used.

Raven smiled faintly before it dropped off her face completely.

"You wouldn't leave us alone." Robin shrugged, "What's for dinner?" He asked, changing the subject.

Cyborg sighed, "I figured I would order a pizza or two."

Robin frowned, "Pizza? Again? You guys don't ever get tired of pizza?"

Beast Boy fell out of his chair with a gasp at their leader's comment. Cyborg frowned a bit, "Well, seeing as I just spent the last twenty minutes stuck in a closet - I don't really feel like cooking." He said sassily, Bee would've been proud.

"Fine. I'll cook, you just go over there and play BB in that game you guys like."

"Robin? Cook? Never thought I'd hear those two words in the same sentence." Cyborg snorted.

"Just go sit your metal ass down and let me cook."

Cyborg chuckled and shrugged, "You're the boss."

Robin slithered his was over to the stove. There was a certain elegance and grace in the way we moved - he never made a sound when he walked, that was the Batman's training. But there was also his graceful and agile way in which he moved, that was Alfred's training.

Raven seemed to be torn between sulking over to the couch and continuing where she last left off in her novel or walking over to Robin and watching him work. She wasn't quite ready to leave his side, but she didn't want to seem clingy.

Robin noticed her, "Hey Rae C'mere." He requested "I need your help with dinner."

She nodded and silently floated over to his side. He pulled out a pot and set it on the stove. "I won't be much help. I'm not a very good cook." No one had ever taught her.

Robin smirked, "I didn't really need your help, I just wanted to keep you to myself for a bit longer." He confessed "I never was very good at sharing."

Raven blushed. She didn't mind his selfishness in the slightest.

"You don't really have to stay if you don't want to." He shrugged.

"I want to though."

"I ain't gonna stop you." He smiled as he pulled out some raw meats and a small bit of Tofu, for Beast Boy.

Raven rose a brow, "Is that an accent?"

Robin glanced over his shoulder at her for a moment, "Yeah - It's my southern draw, I let it slip sometimes."

"Didn't know you were from down south."

"I'm not, not really anyway. You remember how I was in Circus?"

"Yeah." She flushed. She wasn't entirely sure why - he never talked about his past with anyone.

The meat sizzled as he turned the heat on. It looked to be some kind of sausages "It was a traveling Circus. We went from place to place, never really sticking in one spot, but there was always one constant. Louisiana."

"Louisiana?"

"Louisiana." He repeated fondly, "New Orleans, actually. It was amazing. Good music, good people, great food, and copious amounts of alcohol." He snickered. "We went there two times a year - Mardi Gras and during the winter."

"Sounds like fun." She tried to hide her sarcasm.

He shrugged, "It probably wouldn't have been your thing, but my parents loved it. Also, I learned a few things while I was there."

"Like what?" How to wrestle an alligator?

"Well - How to cook a mean sausage," he smiled as he flipped the links over, "How to boil some crawfish, and how to dance."

Raven widened her eyes at him, "You can dance?" She had a hard time imagining him dancing anywhere except for in a fight.

He looked into her violet orbs, "You've got really pretty eyes." He noted.

Smooth, "Don't change the subject." She complained playfully "You can dance?"

Robin shrugged, "I dunno. I guess you'll have to find out one day."

Raven smirked, "I plan on it."

"Sounds like fun," he chuckled.

Robin continued to cook the sausage, gently pressing it against the heat of the stove. Raven watched him in silence. She'd always been attracted to him. She tried to subdue emotions, but that didn't mean she was ignorant of them.

But now she was just sitting there, watching him. It was getting a lot harder to subdue these emotions, Lust in particular. She never really had to deal with Lust, she was attracted to him, but it never really went past a quiet appreciation of his body.

Now it seemed like every little thing about him stirred Lust a little bit more – the smile that he reserved just for her, his hair, his smell, his touch, the way he looked whenever they trained. She pulled her hood over her head, her entire face was a deep red – she hoped he couldn't tell.

Expressing her emotions was something new to her. She'd gotten better at controlling her powers – she could afford to show some of her emotion. She couldn't gush or go too excessive without destroying the tower. That's something she was always envious of Starfire for.

Starfire. Shit. How could she forget? She was head over heel for Robin. She couldn't do that to her. She wouldn't.

The lightbulb above them popped and the glass fell to the ground. Beast Boy shrieked, and Cyborg chuckled heavily.

Robin rose a brow at her.

Raven flushed, "Sorry." She murmured. She floated over to a rag and picked up the pieces of glass.

"Is something wrong?" he asked seriously, "You haven't done that in a while."

"I just need to think." She began to float toward the couch where the rest of their friends were.

Robin frowned, "Oh okay…" he said a little disappointed, "You know you can talk to me if you need, right?"

She smiled sadly and nodded. She knew.

She gently rested back into the couch. Her eyes were on the tv, but she couldn't tell anything that was happening. She was deep in thought, she had no idea what to do.

"Since when can Robin cook?" Beast Boy directed his question at her.

She deadpanned at the green changeling, "Ask him." She said in a monotone voice "Why would I know?"

"Because you and Robin are two birds in the same nest." Cyborg remarked.

"Barking up the same tree." Beast Boy remarked.

"I believe the saying is 'bumping the uglies'," Starfire giggled. Cyborg chuckled, and Beast Boy snickered.

Raven blushed and gaped at them. She narrowed her eyes at Cyborg, "What have you been telling them?"

Cyborg shrugged, "Nothing, little bird."

"You aren't exactly very secretive." Beast Boy added.

"It was not very hard to figure out, Friend Raven." She smiled kindly at her.

Raven let her mouth hang open a little bit, "Star… Robin and I-"

"Dinner's ready." Robin's voice sternly called from the kitchen.

Cyborg and Beast Boy jumped from their seats and made their way to the food. Starfire smiled at Raven, "Perhaps we could speak after we eat?" she proposed.

Raven nodded, her face went pale. The two of the walked together. Starfire sat next to Cyborg while Raven found her seat next to Robin, she hadn't even meant to do so – she just did it subconsciously.

They didn't talk much, aside from a few of Beast Boy's snide remarks as he dug into his Tofu. Robin was his usual self, silent and reserved. He would sometimes cast a glance at her, but other than that he was stoic.

Raven was still lost in thought, Starfire brought her out of her thoughts."Next week marks the beginning of December, correct?"

Robin nodded as he continued to eat, "Yeah. December first is this Sunday." He informed.

"I shall be leaving then."

They all looked up at her, "Leaving? Is something wrong?" Robin questioned.

"Anything we can help with?" Cyborg added.

"No." She shook her head, "I have not seen Galfore in quite some time and would like to spend some time with him, if that is alright." She seemed to be asking Robin permission. He was their leader, almost like their boss. He would never look at it that way, though.

"That's fine. I figured we all need a little break." Robin agreed "I'm going up to Gotham for a few weeks too." He noted "I'm dragging Raven along with me too." He sent a small smile her way before it faded completely.

"That's cool, you guys go and have fun for Christmas. Me and BB will hang out here while you're gone." Cyborg said dismissively. "Wait... you're taking Raven to Gotham?"

Robin nodded, "If she wants to then yeah."

Raven nodded silently, still eating. Robin was a surprisingly good cook.

"So you're taking her to meet..." Beast Boy paused mid sentence, looking hesitant.

"Batman." Robin finished for them.

Both Cyborg and Beast Boy gaped at him in disbelief, "You... you're going to spend the holidays with the Bat-Family."

"Rae, you gotta take a picture with Batman! Send it to me!"

Raven narrowed her eyes at the changeling "He's not a muesem exhibit." She scoffed.

"But he is like the coolest superhero ever!" Beast Boy retorted.

Raven didn't refute this. She'd always been fascinated by the Batman. He had a reputation that exceeded just Gotham, or Earth for that matter.

"We're leaving in a few days. Probably around the same time as Star." Robin commented sternly, the talk of his former mentor seemed to make him uncomfortable.

Robin noticed the pair of violet eyes on him, he could feel the concern in them. "I'm fine." He dismissed.

Raven frowned, "Are you sure? I could change the subject."

He smirked at her for what seemed like a nanosecond, "I'll be fine, Beautiful. I'm a big boy, I can handle myself."

Raven huffed and nodded.

Cyborg looked between the two of them, "Could you two not make eyes at each other while we're in the room?"

Starfire giggled.

The two birds flushed, neither could seem to find a viable excuse.

Robin stood from his head, he took his and Raven's empty plate over to the sink. He set them down gently, it was Beast Boy's turn to clean the dishes.

Cyborg smirked, "How come you never take my plate?" he moaned playfully.

Raven thought about 'accidentally' losing control of her powers and bursting his circuits. Robin's knowing look kept her from doing so.

"I'm going to train. G'night." he told no one in particular.

"You ever stop training?" Raven sent him mentally.

Robin smiled as he continued toward the door, "Nope." he quipped, "I'm not a half-demon princess, Beautiful. Unlike you, I have to work for this burning hunk'a love you see before you."

She bit down on her lower lip, "Maybe I'll come see how that's coming along in a bit."

She could feel his grin widen, "I think I'd like that."

"Good."

"Good." The door hissed open and Robin disappeared down the dimly lit corridor.

"Are you even listening to me?" Cyborg's irritated voice broke through.

"No." she said in a monotone voice.

Cyborg crossed his arms, grumbling something, "I'm happy for you guys - I really am, but you two constantly making eyes at each other is making me lose my appetite."

Raven opened her mouth to deny the accusation, but something else came out entirely "I don't really see how what me and Robin do is really any of your business." her voice was calm, cool, and collected but still there was certain venom with the way she spoke.

Cyborg's jaw nearly hit the floor. He expected her to blush or just narrow her eyes at his teasing. He would've never expected... this.

Beast Boy had an amused grin on his face, "Are you for really real, Rae?" he asked through his chuckle.

"Are you and friend Robin truly doing the dating?" Starfire questioned. She didn't seem angry or upset, as Raven would've expected, just curious.

Raven thought about her question for a moment. Was she dating Robin? Not really, no. They had mutual feelings for each other and that would usually lead to a relationship, but nothing about the Boy Wonder was usual. Neither was she for that matter.

"No." saying that hurt more than it probably should've, "We just enjoy each other's company."

Starfire didn't respond, the alien seemed to be deep in thought.

"That's pretty much what a relationship is, Rae." Beast Boy pointed out, "Especially when it comes to you - you hate everyone."

"We're not in a relationship, I just hate him the least."

Cyborg's one human eye dilated, "Raven basically just declared her love for him." he deadpanned.

Beast Boy snickered.

Raven narrowed her eyes at the two boys. She didn't love Robin, not - that's not what this was. A crush, at absolute most. She just appreciated him.

He knew her the best, he knew when to leave her alone and when to stick his pointy head into her business. He made her laugh, how to make her smile, even blush. He didn't give up on her. He made her feel good, with his touch and just his presence. It helped that he was also drop-dead gorgeous.

And then there was that little smile that he reserved just for her and the way that her heart seemed to flutter every time he was even in her general vivacity-

Oh shit. She was in love with Robin.

"Raven? Are you the okay?" Starfire questioned. All color, even though it wasn't that much, drained from Raven's face.

Raven rose from her chair and walked out of the room. Cyborg called after her with an apology, but decided it was best to leave her alone.

Starfire didn't have the same revelation.

She couldn't be in love with Robin, right? No - it was ridiculous, wasn't it? Her head was spinning. Raven stopped as she realized the orange alien was following behind her, Raven slowly looked at Starfire.

"Please don't let what they said do the getting to you. They were being the idiots." she reasoned.

Raven frowned at her, "You're being very calm. I thought you would be furious at me."

"Why would I ever be the angry with you?"

"Because Robin was... yours." She mumbled. Raven had stolen him.

Starfire giggled, "Raven - Robin was never mine. Robin is no one's but his own, except maybe that has changed. Maybe he is yours now."

"But you and him-"

"He is my best friend." Starfire cut her off, "Robin was the first person to show me kindness because he wanted to - not because he had to or because he was forced to." she smiled fondly, "I will always be grateful to him for that. He is my brother. I want my brother to be happy and you make him happy."

"Oh." she couldn't think of much else to say.

Starfire giggled, "Do not think you are invading my 'territory'. You need not ask my permission - do what your heart tells you."

Raven thought for a moment. What did her heart want?

"Perhaps we could exchange notes later - he has quite soft lips." she giggled as she continued to float down to her room.

Raven blushed, she needed to think for a moment. Her emotions were running wild. She needed to meditate.

Robin struck the dummy quick and hard, just like Bruce had taught him. Robin was going back to his roots, he was changing his style back. He had changed his fighting style when he came to Jump City. It wasn't Gotham, he afford to be a little sloppy, make some mistakes. He needed to change his style - he moved slower, less acrobatics, more force behind his attacks. He needed to get his aggression out.

Two years was a long time to vent, but he'd managed to do it somehow... and a small part of him still had that anger. That fury.

Bruce had always told him to channel his anger, use it against the scum of Gotham. He didn't do that in Jump. He unleashed his anger, let it run his life.

Raven was changing that. She made him smile more, he was a little less angry every time she was near him. If he lost it, she could calm him down - only her. That's why he needed her to come to Gotham. Robin wasn't quite sure what would happen when he saw Bruce again. Would all that anger come back, but worse?

He needed Raven. She was his anchor.

The door behind him opened. The quiet squeaking had brought him away from his thoughts. He stopped, attacking the dummy. He panted slightly as he turned around to see Raven staring at him. Her weight was all shifted on her right side, her hands were together, and she was chewing on her bottom lip. Something was wrong. She didn't need to say anything - he knew Raven, knew her body language. Something was off.

She looked like she was having a battle internally.

"Something's wrong?"

"No. I wouldn't say it was wrong, just... I need to tell you something." She explained vaguely.

"I love it when you get flustered. It's cute." He reached over and took her hand into his. He traced over her fingers with the base of his thumb.

Raven frowned, "This is serious." She grumbled.

Robin smiled and nodded, "I know." He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her palm, "Just tell me."

"You're being... distracting."

His lips grinned as they were pressed against her hand, "I'm distracting you, am I?"

"Yes." She deadpanned.

Robin sighed and stopped her hand, she wasn't responding like she usually did. It must be serious.

"Thank you." She grumbled, "I should tell you... I... well, I think at least..." She stumbled around the words.

The door swung open. Robin snapped his eyes shut and groaned. Raven let out some sort of hiss. Cyborg glared at the two of them, "Hey Raven - I should've figured you'd be in here."

Raven gave the half robot a dangerous look. "Easy, Beautiful. Cy doesn't know any better." Robin tried through their private link.

"We should show him the error of his ways."

"We will, but not now. Take a deep breath. We'll get him back. I promise."

"Pinky?" her frown changed to a smirk.

His expression mirrored hers, "Cross my heart, hope to die." he drew a little X over the center of his chest as he smirked at her.

Raven nodded, she would accept this - for now.

"Could you two stop doing that." Cyborg grumbled. The two birds looked away from each other and over at him, "It makes me really uncomfortable. I feel like you're talking about me with those looks you give each other..." his voice trailed off.

Raven's lips twitched up into a smirk, "We are." she affirmed.

Cyborg rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Can I steal Robin away for a few minutes?" she asked Raven.

She frowned, "We were kind of in the middle of something..." she mumbled.

Cyborg groaned, "You two are always in the middle of something. You can have your Robin back in the morning. It's important."

Raven had meant to frown but something he'd said made it that much harder for her to be angry. Her Robin. She didn't comment and neither did Robin. "Fine." she grumbled, she twisted around to face the Boy Wonder, "Night." she grumbled as she slithered over to the exit.

Robin nodded at her, "Talk to you in the morning." he promised, "Goodnight Beautiful."