Day 5

Confessions

Author's Notes: This story is based in the continuity and characterizations created by the Justice League vs Teen Titans movie, so technically AU. I, of course, own none of the characters within.

"Are you busy?" The question seemed to come from nowhere at all, like a ghost had descended upon Raven's small clearing. She recognized the voice instantly however and didn't worry too much about it's seemingly disembodied status.

"Do I look busy?" she asked in rebuttal, waving a hand over the incense that burned before her.

"Ummm," this seemed a little like a trick question. The answer was, no she didn't look busy at all. She looked like she was just sitting . . . er . . . floating quietly, doing nothing. "Can I talk to you?" It seemed like a safer question in the end and the tiny gerbil that edged slowly forward in the grass felt rather pleased with himself.

"I've had my fill of talking, thank you anyway."

"Raven," he whine in irritation.

"Garfield," she mimicked his tone, deep blue eyes rolling. "It isn't my fault you waited until the middle of the night to come give me your condolences or pep talk or whatever. You should have gotten in on the pity party earlier. It went on all day, if you didn't notice."

"I noticed." Oh, had he noticed. The empath had been bombarded with support from the other Titans. He hadn't been able to get a private word alone with her all day. Which was why he was disturbing her meditation. There was something he needed to say and he needed to say it now. "Raven, are . . ."

"I told you I don't want to do this, Gar. Everyone asked if I'm okay and I said yes. And it's true. I'm fine."

"I wasn't going to ask if you were okay," he informed softly. He was a tom cat now, his golden eyes catching the light of the moon as he looked up at Raven.

"It's not like we were engaged or anything. It isn't a big deal."

"Maybe I can . . ." he began only to be interrupted again.

"What, go beat him up like Jaime offered? Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this?"

"Well, you dated Damian for a while. I guess everyone thought it was a big deal. The dating and the whole . . . breaking up." As a green fox he settled into a sitting position, bushy tail wrapped around his paws. "That isn't what I was wanting to talk about though."

"I always knew he would leave." the empath informed her team mate as she sank until she was actually sitting in the grass as well.

"Really?"

"No," she admitted softly, shaking her head. She and Garfield had always been close and there was something liberating about talking to an animal. Sure, it was really just the changeling, but somehow, there was something magical about the experience. "I thought that at first. I was sure of it, but time passed. He was here for so long that I . . . I stopped expecting it. "

"Did he talk to you about it any or was he just gone?" He was some long, graceful looking dog now, a breed Raven couldn't identify.

"There was no formal discussion. I knew he wasn't content on the team anymore. I half expected him to ask me to go with him."

"O-oh . . . I see. Are you . . . do you . . . wish he had?"

"I'm glad he didn't. I would have told him no."

"You're a good Titan, a good team mate." It was strange to see a wolf nodding in understanding and had Raven been prone to such things she would have laughed loudly.

"No I'm not. Three fourths of the decision would be entirely selfish. Can I tell you something, Gar?"

"Anything."

"I'm relieved that he's gone. I'm glad it's over."

"Why?"

"Damian and I could talk for hours about lots of things. Lots of serious things. He's smart and confident. He always knows exactly what he wants."

"Those . . . don't sound like reasons to break up with someone." Garfield slunk a little closer, settling to lay on his stomach. He felt comfortable in the wolf form and felt no compulsion to change, for the moment anyway.

"We talked for hours on end about serious things, but he couldn't relax and just have fun. He's smart and he makes sure everyone in the room knows just how much so. He's a braggart and cocky. He knows what he wants and what he wanted always mattered most." She sighed loudly and to her own surprise stretched out in the cool grass beside the large green wolf.

"My dad used to tell me everything happens for a reason."

"Maybe it does." She rolled onto her back, looking up at the stars.

"Can I tell you something, Raven?"

"Anything." She glanced back at him, to find him in his natural form for the first time that night. His eyes seemed to glow like twin suns, nearly too brilliant to look upon directly.

"I love you."

"Of . . . of course you do. Just like Kori and Victor and Jaime love me. We're family."

"No . . . I mean, yes . . . of course they love you and we're totally a family. But I didn't come out here tonight to ask if you were okay. I came to ask you if you'd consider going out with me sometime. Because . . . I really love you, Raven. Like . . . in love with you, love you."

"You . . . you . . . no, that's crazy. When did you even . . ." The whole world was spinning and she found herself reaching out for something firm to grasp on to. Her fingers ended up tangled in his red and white uniform, clutching desperately.

"Fall in love with you?" he provided and she nodded weakly. "I don't know. A long time ago. Before Pretty Boy Wayne showed up and stole you away from me."

"Garfield, I . . . I . . ."

"I know this is sudden. I wasn't planning on telling you now. I just wanted to ask you out. I just couldn't help myself. I don't want to miss my chance. You're so wonderful and it won't be long 'til the next smart, suave, not green guy comes along. And then I'll have to wait all over again."

"Yes."

"Yes, what?" The befuddled look upon his face made her chuckle softly and she found herself blushing.

"I'll go on a date with you."

"You will?"

"Yes," she chuckled again at the loud, animal whooping sound he made.

"You won't regret it! I promise! And no pressure. Just forget I told you . . . what I told you. We'll start from square one and . . ."

"I don't want to forget. It's the first time anyone . . . anyone has ever said those words to me, Garfield."

"E-ever? In your whole life?" She nodded, looking away bashfully. "I should have done it better then," he mumble critiquing himself.

"It was perfect," she told him, her eyes still upon the stars. "And we don't have to start from square one, either. I'm already three fourths to where you are."