Jump City wasn't always this hot. Thankfully. If it were, even the Teen Titans would not be able to salvage it.
It was an absurdly hot morning. Boiling to the point that even Raven had given up on warm tea, opting for a chilly glass of ice tea instead.
"Robin," Raven lifted his arm off the spot where she normally sat, her fingers trapping heat on the skin of his arm.
He shuffled away. "Sorry,"
She was back after what seemed like her fifth shower of the day. The other titans were off enjoying their indoor swimming pool. But Raven was in their living room with a book. And Robin was there too, doing nothing in particular.
"You're brooding." She glanced at him through wet strands of her hair, dripping onto his leg.
"I am not."
She rolled her eyes and turned the TV on.
"Experts are saying the supposed wildfire that demolished almost a quarter of Gotham City, could not have been natural."
"Oh." Raven put aside her book. "Have you heard from him?"
"No. I'm sure he's fine."
"Yes, that's why you've got that look on your face."
Robin grimaced. "I don't have a look."
"You could check on them if you want. We could be back before they even realise we were gone."
"Yeah right."
Raven's eyes turned black as she brought her hands up in front of her. "So?" She touched his arm where it was bare. It sent a shiver down his spine.
"Okay."
…
"They're going to notice we've been gone, soon."
They'd checked on the Batman, taken down the fiery supervillian who had been terrorizing Gotham with her flames and began touring the city.
"I don't think they are coming back until sundown, Raven."
"It's almost seven."
Robin was taking Raven through the woods at the edge of town, something about finding his old belongings.
"We're almost there. Just a few more…" Robin stopped at an old oak tree, knocking on it.
It must have triggered something because the ground began shaking beneath them.
"Please tell me this is supposed to happen." Raven took his shoulder and levitated up.
"It's okay, this is it."
The ground settled and a cave was revealed. Robin zipped in and started an engine.
"Lo and behold, my most prized possession. The original R-cycle." The motorbike came roaring out of the cave, sending at least a dozen birds off into the sky.
Raven raised an eyebrow. It was less sleek that his current R-cycle, chunkier parts and a less efficient design overall. But Raven could see a twinkle in Robin's eyes, and it was enough not to comment.
Instead she let a small smile play on her lips.
Robin caught it. "Hey, let's go home on this."
"Are you sure it's safe?"
Robin grinned. "It's perfect."
Tentatively, Raven sat down behind him, and took a breath. "Okay, go."
Some-when along the ride, Raven had laced her arms around Robin, resting her head on his back. It wasn't unwelcome. Wasn't even unenjoyable. But it made something click in Robin's head.
Quick glances when no one else was looking, lingering touches on his skin, slow, purposeful movements directed towards him.
She was Raven. Raven, who was strong and independent and proud and quiet. Raven, who, when it came to social engagement, had a purpose and a meaning behind even the smallest gestures.
"Robin! Look out!"
A child, with a ball in the street.
He swerved, but not in time.
Before he knew it he was in the Titan's garage. His original R-cycle, mostly, unharmed.
He whipped around and found Raven holding her head in her hands.
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry,"
"I'm fine, I… just need to meditate. I'll be on the roof." And she whisked herself away.
Robin trudged up the stairs, cursing himself with each step. She must have caught some of what he was feeling.
His eyes widened. Of course.
He raced up the stairs to the elevator, feeling sweat roll down his neck.
The elevator was at the tenth floor.
He waited, impatiently.
When it finally got to the garage, Cyborg, Beastboy and Starfire presented themselves behind the doors.
"Hey Robin! Haven't see you or Raven all day. We're going out for ice cream. Wanna join?"
"No thanks, I've got to hurry, bye!"
Robin ushered them out and pressed for the eleventh floor.
He slumped against the walls; it was so obvious to him now.
After his previous, unbearably embarrassing crush on Starfire, he had never even thought about dating again. It seemed mundane. Silly; too frivolous for the kind of work he did. He didn't have the time.
But Raven was hardly ever frivolous when it came to her feelings. She felt their power and chaos, never treated them lightly.
If she felt something between them…
He had felt it too. It was almost tangible. A bond. Comfortable, but deep. Deeper than he'd ever shared with anybody. She knew him.
Robin praised himself on being a great deductionist. He was first and foremost a detective. He should have known when she started it.
He jumped out of the elevator and bounced up the stairs to the roof.
And there she was.
A stunning silhouette against the sunset.
He slipped up to her soundlessly.
Threading his fingers through her hair, he pressed a soft kiss on her head.
He felt the shock radiate through her body.
He felt her settle and calm, felt her relax into his embrace.
"Took you long enough, Boy Wonder."
"You should've just told me. I can be…"
"Dense? Says the greatest detective in Jump City." She paused. "I had to know you felt the same."
"I do."
"Was that a confession?"
"Was it good?"
"Better than mine."
…
Cyborg walked into the living room with Beastboy, Starfire and three tubs full of ice cream.
He was not expecting to see the two remaining titans making out, very, very passionately, on the couch.
He dropped the tubs of ice cream and tackled Beastboy and Starfire out the door.
"Whoa." Beastboy said.
"The ways of this planet are still strange to me, but that was just plain excessive, correct?"
"Hey! Let's get… uh… pizza! For dinner!"
…
"Was that…" Robin turned his head slightly.
"Whatever." Raven tugged on his hair and brought his mouth to her lips.