Chapter 10: Revelations

More fluff, more out of character, more Robin and Raven. Gotta love it, guys.

Oh, and this chapter is hella long.

Raven stood up as Robin walked towards her.

"Apparently we're not the only ones who thought tonight was a good night for a movie," Robin said, smiling as he held two tickets out in front of him. "Most everything else was sold out for this time, but I managed to nab the last couple for Wicked Scary II!"

Raven's face paled at the mention of Wicked Scary and she sat back down on the theatre lobby bench with a grimace. Robin's smile faded a little bit and he sat down next to her.

"Come on, Rae. You'll be fine! It's just a movie, and it's not like you haven't seen something similar before." At that, she smiled a bit.

"I can't wait to turn the whole theatre into a haunted house," she said. Her tone, Robin noticed, was light, though. He put his arm around her shoulders, feeling her tense up for only a second before relaxing again.

"That's the spirit. Plus you've got your own personal superhero to make sure nothing bad happens!"

"You were just as scared as I was the first time around, Bird Boy," she laughed. Robin stood, taking her with him. The warmth radiating off his body and emotions slowly drove out the chill of preemptive fear Raven felt, and she let Robin draw her closer to his side as they walked towards the ticket boy.

"Theatre six, to the right. Enjoy the movie," he deadpanned, movements automatic as he took the tickets of the couple behind them. Raven glanced at Robin's arm around her, surprisingly pleased at the firm, but gentle, grip his hand had on her upper arm. Her emotions were surprisingly quiet in her mind, all of them seeming to enjoy this just as much as she was. With a content, resigned sigh, Raven settled her arm around Robin's waist, smiling as he pressed her even closer to him. Maybe Wicked Scary would be okay the second time around.

…

"Left, left!" Cyborg shouted, waving his hands around as Starfire floated above a tower of pastry. Beast Boy was standing on the counter, stabilizing the leaning cake.

"Here?" Starfire said, floating to the right.

"No, your other left," Cyborg exclaimed, hands on his head as he watched the cake lean even further.

"Dudes I can't hold it much longer!" Beast Boy was struggling to keep the top three tiers from sliding off while Starfire continued to hover just above.

"Hold still, friend Beast Boy," Starfire instructed, tongue poking out of the side of her mouth as she carefully placed the final layer of cake on top. "Now push five glornbats to the left!" Beast Boy carefully scooted the cake to the left, not knowing what on earth a glornbat was.

"Marvelous!" Starfire clapped, zooming back a bit from the cake. Cyborg quickly snapped a picture, seeing the top of the cake begin to lean again.

"Phew, that was hard work." Beast Boy wiped his brow and hopped down from the counter to join Cyborg in admiring their handiwork. The cake was almost five feet tall with both round and square tiers. Rather than fight over chocolate or vanilla cake, Starfire had decided they should do both. The icing was all shades of greens, pinks, blues, reds, and purples, and while one would be hard-pressed to call it "pretty," it certainly was something else. Starfire floated down to join her friends.

"It is a work of art, yes?" she said, looking to Cyborg and Beast Boy.

"Sure is, Star. This was a great idea!" Cyborg beamed. Beast Boy just looked hungry and snuck a taste icing. Starfire was thoughtful for a second.

"Thank you, friends. I feel much better now." She wrapped an arm around each of them and squeezed, her smile bright and cheery. "I am glad our other friends are happy with each other." Cyborg and Beast Boy exchanged glances.

"Good to hear, Star. Now, who wants cake?" The three stepped forward to dig in, not expecting the cake to topple over on top of them, but not at all surprised when the frosting creation came crashing down.

"Delicious!" Starfire exclaimed, taking handful of cake off Cyborg's head.

…

About an hour into the movie, Robin and Raven were clinging to each other like children. The entire theatre was filled with yelps and screams of audience members as the monster popped up on the screen. Somewhere in the front, someone was crying.

"I'm going to kill you when this is done," Raven hissed at Robin. Someone's bucket of popcorn went flying into the air a few rows down. Robin glanced at it then back at Raven. "That wasn't me!"

The girl on screen was walking down a long, dark hallway, candle held out in front of her. She reached a hand out for the door, shaking as the knob turned. Robin's grip on Raven tightened and they both held their breath.

There was nothing behind the door. The audience seemed to all heave a sigh of relief as nothing popped up, but just as the coast seemed clear, the monster rose up and blew out the girl's candle, sending the entire theatre into darkness. Raven yelped and found herself on Robin's lap.

"Oops, sorry," she said, blushing but making no moves to return to her seat. Robin smirked at her and readjusted himself so his arms were wrapped around her waist.

"Actually, I feel safer now," he whispered.

"I think I do, too," Raven whispered back. She felt Robin kiss her shoulder as she settled back into his chest, and found herself wishing his lips would find hers instead. That chain of thought was quickly interrupted by a blood-curdling scream on the screen.

By the time the credits began to roll, the theatre was only half as full as it had been at the beginning of the movie.

"Um, Raven? The movie is over," Robin said, poking her.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to move again. That was the single scariest thing I have ever seen," Raven deadpanned, trying to loosen her grip on the armrest.

"Oh it wasn't that scary," he said. Raven shot him a look.

"Right, and you weren't screaming like a little girl."

"At least I stayed in my own seat."

"Don't even pretend you didn't enjoy that," Raven shot back as she finally managed to untangle herself from Robin and the seat.

"Never said I didn't," Robin smirked, standing up and pressing himself up against her. Raven raised an eyebrow, a half-smile hovering on her lips as she leaned back to keep eye contact.

"I think you planned all of this, Bird Boy," she said, bringing her face closer to his. "I don't think the other movies were sold out. You just wanted me good and scared so you could play the hero." Robin felt her breath dance across his face, her lips centimeters from his.

"Maybe I did," he breathed, his heart fluttering in his chest as his eyes closed and he leaned forward.

"That's what I thought," she whispered with finality. The air was suddenly cold as she brushed past him towards the door, a triumphant smile on her face as she watched Robin stumble forward a step. He had held onto the upper hand for far too long today, she thought. Robin looked after her, eyes wide in surprise, but upon seeing her evil grin, he regained his composure and strolled after her.

"You're playing with fire," he said in a singsong voice as he passed her and opened the door of the theatre. Raven stopped for a moment, thinking about how easily they had settled into this routine of theirs. The flirting, the playfulness, the emotions that were suddenly so easy to let slip. With no consequences. Azar was right, Raven thought as Robin's arm once again slipped around her shoulders, hers around his waist, as they walked into the lobby.

"Oh my g-" Robin started.

"Oh my god it's Robin!" A chorus of screeches rose from the gathered crowd near the door.

"Will you sign my shirt?"

"No sign mine!"

"Look he's with Raven!"

"I love you, Robin!"

"Can I have your autograph?"

"He's so hot without his uniform!"

"Robin, go out with me!"

The screams kept coming from all directions. Robin glanced down at Raven apologetically.

"Sorry. I didn't know this would happen," he said, scratching the back of his head.

"Not your fault," Raven replied, clearly uncomfortable with all of the attention around them. Robin felt her try to pull away a little bit, no doubt in an attempt to flee the lobby.

"Go out with me, Robin!" The shrieks continued and Robin cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, ladies, but I'm on a date right now," he said, smirking down at Raven. She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"I thought you were dating Starfire!" was the response. Robin sighed.

"Idiots," Robin muttered. He looked down at Raven again, who had her lips pressed in a thin line and arms crossed. An idea popped into his head, and before he could think through what he was about to do, Robin slipped one hand around Raven's waist and one into her hair, spinning her towards him. Her lips parted in surprise and Robin ducked his face to hers, kissing her before she had time to realize what he was doing.

Instead of shoving him back, as he thought she might do, Robin felt Raven's lips curl into a smile beneath his. He pulled back a bit, seeing her shining eyes, and knew his face was about to crack in two from the smile he wore. The crowd gasped.

"Onward, fair maiden?" Robin asked, extending an arm to Raven. She took it and dipped her head.

"Indeed, good sir, let us depart." They walked forward and the crowd parted as they passed. Some girls gave Raven wistful looks, others jealous. As they stepped out into the parking lot, Robin turned towards Raven.

"I was scared you were going to blast me back into the ninth century for that one," he admitted.

"Well you did catch me by surprise," Raven said. "But I would never blast you back into the ninth century."

"So this is okay?" Robin asked, once again pulling her close to him, arms wrapped around her small frame. Raven regarded him with soft eyes, smiling as she placed her hands on his arms.

"More than you know," she said as he kissed her again.

"I could get very used to this very fast, you know," he murmured, forehead pressed to hers.

"Looks like you already are, Boy Wonder." Raven leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Robin settled his head on top of hers, breathing in her lilac scent and enjoying the sensation of her body pressed against his. Oh yes, he could get very used to this.

"Ready to head home?" Robin murmured as he felt Raven yawn.

"I am tired," she admitted, not moving. "Do you have any idea what it's like to suddenly be able to feel things so freely? It's exhausting."

"I sure am glad for it, though," was Robin's steady reply. "So why the sudden change?" Raven stepped back, contemplating her answer.

"It's, complicated," she said slowly. Robin noticed her slight discomfort and handed her a helmet.

"You can tell me later, Rae," he said with an understanding smile. Raven gave him a grateful look and slipped the helmet over her head. She wasn't ready to explain Azar's lesson quite yet. She wasn't quite sure how to even begin to accept the idea that she was in love. That she could love. This would require a few hours of meditation and quality time with her emotions, she thought. Robin revved the bike and they started off towards the tower gleaming in the distance.

…

Cyborg tapped his foot impatiently.

Five more minutes, and I'm hitting the sack, he thought sleepily. With another yawn, he gave up and headed towards the door, but paused when he heart a motorcycle engine approach the garage. Cyborg switched courses and set off towards the garage.

Robin pulled up and cut the engine. He and Raven got off and set their helmets aside. Robin gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before they started walking towards the door. Robin tried the handle.

"Hey, looks like someone waited up for us," Robin commented.

"Probably Cyborg," Raven said. Sure enough, as soon as Robin opened the door they were greeted by Cyborg's smiling face.

"How's my favorite couple?" Cyborg said through his grinning mouth. Raven turned towards Robin as if to say 'How'd he know about this before we told him?' Cyborg answered the question before Robin though. "Robbie-poo over here's been planning to ask you out for eons. I guess he finally got the chance."

"Actually Cyborg, I haven't even asked her," Robin said. Cyborg's face was confused. "I guess I should make it official." Winking at Cyborg, Robin turned towards Raven. "Raven, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, looking very sincere and serious.

"We're playing the label game now, are we? Well," she said, smiling, "how could I say no after tonight?"

"You can't." Robin smirked at her. She slapped him on the shoulder, Cyborg laughing behind them.

"I think we all need to get to bed. It's past twelve and date or no date, we still have practice tomorrow," Cyborg said. Raven made a face at him.

"Eh, he's right. Time for bed," Robin said to them. They made their way to the elevator.

"So, what movie did y'all see?" Cyborg asked.

"Wicked Scary II." Raven replied. Cyborg's eyes popped out of his head.

"No haunted houses again, right Rae?" he asked nervously. "I'd like to sleep tonight."

"Of course not. I had my own personal super hero to help me," Raven said smiling up at Robin. He smiled back.

"Do you want to pay via cash, check, or credit?" he joked. They all laughed.

"Raven, you're laughing? And you've been smiling. What's up?" Cyborg asked curiously as the elevator lurched upwards. She just shrugged, sneaking a glance at Robin out of the corner of her eye. This did not go unnoticed by Cyborg, but before he could say anything further, the elevator stopped at his floor.

"Whatever. See y'all in the morning! I'm making waffles!" Cyborg said, stepping into the hall.

"'Night," they said. When the elevator reached their floor, Robin walked Raven to her room.

"I had a really good time tonight Robin. Thank you so much," Raven said.

"I did too, Rae. And it's so nice to see a smile on your face. I'm so glad that you're happy," Robin said, taking her hands in his.

"They're new feelings. Hope and happiness. But, nice feelings," Raven said. Robin leaned towards her, and Raven turned her head up as they met again in another sweet kiss.

"And you will tell me why nothing's going boom anymore, right?" Robin asked hopefully. Raven nodded.

"I'm still working through it myself, Robin. I just need to meditate for a few hours, and hopefully I have an answer for you soon."

"That's all I ask, Rae," Robin grinned. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Boy Wonder," Raven replied, kissing him. Robin left her with a wide smile on his face and a bounce in his step, not noticing the elevator swish open as he rounded the corner to his room. Raven retreated into her own room, ready for a trip to Nevermore.

A knock on her door made her open her eyes. She couldn't decide if she was frustrated at the interruption or not. Placing the mirror back on her dresser, she opened the door, expecting to see a certain spiky-haired teen, but surprised to see a green-eyed Tamaranian instead.

"Um, friend Raven?" Starfire began. Raven noticed the normally peppy alien seemed muted.

"Do you want to come in, Star?" she said kindly. Starfire nodded and floated into Raven's room.

"Are you okay, Star?" Raven asked, sitting next to her on the end of her bed. Starfire took a deep breath and sighed.

"Friend, are you and Robin doing 'the dating'?" Raven was taken aback by Starfire's bluntness.

"Um, well Starfire, I," Raven stumbled over her words a bit, not quite sure where to begin. She didn't want to set a jealous rage off, but Starfire was her friend, arguably one of her best friends, and she did deserve to know.

"Please, Raven, just tell me."

"Yes, we are," Raven said slowly, watching Starfire's eyes. The alien girl sighed again before looking up at Raven with a small smile on her face.

"I am most happy for your happiness, friend," she said. "I am very sorry for my jealousy, and I assure you I will try to be a better friend and not so green. I was most rude earlier, but do understand I had quite the smash on friend Robin before as well and was most unaware of yours."

Crush, Raven mentally corrected. She said nothing, though, and waited for Starfire to continue.

"I see he is happy, and I see you are happy and smiling like not before, and that makes me happy," Starfire continued. "So, conclusion, please forgive me?" Starfire finally looked up to meet Raven's eyes. Raven smiled.

"Of course, Star. I never meant to hurt your feelings. I don't even know how all of this happened, but it did, and I wish you didn't have to get caught up in the middle of it."

"You are my best friend, Raven, and I want you to be happy," Starfire responded, a smile beginning to return to her face. "And now I see you are indeed joyous, and that is wonderful."

"Thank you, Star," Raven said, reaching out to hug Starfire. Starfire squealed and all but tackled the empath in delight.

"Oh friend Raven you are never the one to start the hugs! This is glorious! And maybe tomorrow we can go to the mall of shopping and hang out and you may tell me about your date with friend Robin!"

"We'll see, Star," Raven said, laughing. Starfire pulled back and bounced slightly on the end of the bed. Raven stood and the two walked towards the door.

"Goodnight, friend! Most pleasant schlorvax!" Starfire gave Raven another hug before floating out the door, beaming. Raven blinked a few times, overwhelmed by Starfire's quick change of attitude over the past few days. Tamaranians… Raven cleared her head with a quick shake and retreated back into her room, picking up her mirror as she settled back on her bed. For the first time in a long time, perhaps ever, she entered Nevermore with a smile.

Phew I was NOT planning on that sort of length, but I feel like I have to make it up to Starfire for how mean I was to her the first time I wrote this story. Leave reviews, please? =)