Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but thanks for asking.
Chapter Seven: Denial
Four days after the funeral, things were starting to return to normal. Although, Gar had been quieter than usual lately, but everyone gave him his space.
Raven knew that Gar didn't need space, what he really needed was normality. Well, nothing about their friendship could be considered normal, but that wasn't the point. Generally, their routine stayed the same.
"Raven, are you sure you're okay?" Concern flowed from his voice. "You look terrible."
"I'm fine," Raven replied drowsily. She ran her hand down her face slowly.
"Seriously, when was the last time you slept? You look beyond the point of exhaustion." Gar was right, Raven's eyes were sunken in and dark circles resided under her eyes. Also, her skin was a porcelain white almost what he would imagine a ghost to look like, instead of her natural greyish skin tone.
"I'm fine," she repeated with more force this time. "Can we please not talk about this right now?" Irritability, wasn't that a sign of sleep depravation?
"Fine, fine." Gar held his hands up in front of him defensively. "I'm just worried about you, that's all. Insomnia is a serious disease, you know."
"I'm not an insomniac, okay!" Grumbling something to herself, Gar couldn't quiet hear her.
"Whatever... Oh, hey have you heard about that new movie coming out soon. The one with that actor, Jo– " A soft thump interrupted Gar. Looking beside him, he found Raven collapsed on the bed. With a sigh, Gar stood up and moved Raven so that she was lying on the bed properly. This actually wasn't the first time she passed out from fatigue.
"You know, I'm really worried about you." Gar knew Raven wasn't listening, so he was talking to himself more than her. "Why won't you tell me why you refuse to sleep like this? I just want to help you." Pulling the thin sheet over her, Gar watched her side slowly move up and down as she slept. Raven always looked so peaceful when she slept, her face always looked so serene. Turning around, Gar left her to sleep, he knew how much she needed it.
At least Kori was working today, so Gar had someone to talk to. When he was walking down the hall towards the office, he saw Kori and Richard standing at the end. Trying not to laugh at the two, Gar watched Richard give the redheaded girl a flower. Richard looked like a little boy with his first crush.
Handing Kori a perfect little daisy, Richard gave a small smile. "Here, Kori. I picked this for you. I saw how beautiful it was, and I immediately thought of you."
Blushing lightly, Kori took it from him and cleared her throat. "Th-thank you." She looked uncomfortable, yet flattered.
Covering his mouth with a hand, Gar tried to stifle his giggles as he walked by the two. Gar slipped inside the office and leaned back in one of the chairs, not really thinking about anything.
After a few minutes, Kori joined him in the small room. A small smile graced Kori's lips as she stared at the flower lightly clutched in her fist.
"Nice flower."
"Yes," Kori replied absentmindedly as she took a seat beside Gar.
"So, what do you think about Richard?" Gar wore a sly smile.
"Huh?" Her tan cheeks were suddenly covered with a deep blush.
"I asked what you think about Richard?" She had heard him the first time, and Gar knew it.
"He is...sweet and thoughtful..."
"And..." Her blush deepened, if that was even possible.
"And he is... cute in a boyish way."
"Do you like him?" Gar's sly smile turned more mischievous.
Truthfully, she wasn't sure what she thought of him. "I suppose I do, he is very kind to me. Although, I'm not always sure how to act around him... What do think of Raven?" Now it was Gar's turn to blush.
"Um... she's cool, I guess."
"Do you like her?" He should have seen this coming, once again he forgot how cunning Kori could be.
"It's nothing like that, we're just friends." Rubbing the back of his neck, Gar tried to hide his blush.
"Oh? You sure seem to spend a lot of time in her room, or am I mistaken?" That innocent smile was sickeningly sweet.
"We just talk, okay?" His answers were too quick to be convincing.
"Then why do you seem so insecure?"
"Me and Raven would never happen. We have nothing in common. We're like light and dark."
"You seem to get along very well. You know, light would not exist without darkness." Kori felt that she had accomplished her mission. With a smug smile, Kori looked down at the flower she had been twirling between her fingers mindlessly.
After a few minutes of silent thought, Gar spoke up. "Kori? Is it wrong to like someone like them?" Gar nodded his head towards the kids walking around outside the office.
Kori thought for a moment. "I do not think right and wrong matter as long as you are truly happy. Anyway, who is to decide what is considered wrong and right?"
"Yeah..." Gar considered this idea. "You're very wise Kori. Thanks." Grinning at the odd girl, she smiled back proudly.
Later, Gar was walking lazily down the hall. Pausing outside of Raven's room, he peered in the small window. She was still asleep, but her eyebrows were furrowed with what looked like concern. Rolling onto her side, silky violet strands of hair fell over her pale face.
Gar smiled at the sight. Then, he remembered what Kori had said earlier. 'Raven... and me? A couple?' he thought to himself. 'Yeah right. Kori must be crazy. We would never work... Would we?' Gar chuckled. 'What am I thinking? We'll never be anything more than good friends." After that reassuring thought, Gar continued on walking. He cast all thoughts of he out of his mind for now.
That nightmare plagued her sleep again. An eternity of pain, horror, and suffering. Every time she had that dream it only seemed to get worse. She wasn't really even sure why she had it every night or what it meant.
Fearing an illusion like this was stupid and irrational, she knew that, but it always seemed so real. It was almost as if she living the dream. Maybe, she really was crazy like they all told her. No normal person was so frightened of a dream that they avoided sleep altogether. Yet, normal people probably didn't have dreams like this.
Why had Raven been cursed like this? Damned to live a life of suffering? She could never be "normal," not with her past.
Once her father had told her that her being born was a mistake. She hadn't believed him, it wouldn't have been the first time he had lied to her just to hurt her. Looking for further reassurance, she asked her mother if what he had said was true. Angela stared at her daughter somberly for a moment before changing the subject. Raven knew the answer to her question, even if it hadn't actually been said, it was obvious. She had accepted the fact oddly well on the outside, although really it tore her up inside.
It had been a long time since her father had said that, but she thought about it a lot, that wasn't something you could just forget. She knew that it didn't really change anything now, but it was weird thinking that she wasn't even supposed to be alive.
There was no particular reason for why she was remembering this now. Maybe, it was that reoccurring nightmare that had uprooted these old memories.
Rubbing her eyes as she sat up, Raven realized that she must have passed out again. With a sigh she tried to push those bad memories. Then, she realized that she was covered by her sheets. Gar must have moved her there, a small smile graced her lips at the thought of the boy. Raven kinda wished he was here to lighten her mood. He had a real way of brightening a bad situation. Although she would never admit, she really enjoyed his company.
Garfield was very likely the best friend she had ever had. Actually, Gar was probably the first friend she had ever had. Mr. Roth was wealthy enough to afford a full-time tutor for Raven, so she had never stepped foot in a public school. Although, she attended a boarding school for a short time when she was much younger, but she hadn't stayed there for long. After she got in a fight with an especially wretched little girl and broke the girl's nose, Raven had been expelled for "failing to adapt to such a social environment."
Contrary to what most might think, Raven's father had praised her for such behavior. Sure, the school had been expensive, but it was worth the price for her father. He couldn't be much prouder of his child than at that moment, and later he told Raven that she had "true Roth blood in her." She had just stared at her father silently with a blank expression.
Those words revolted her now.
Raven sighed loudly, and began to think about Gar again. As if to answer her thoughts, her door swung open. Peeking his head around the edge of the door, Gar smiled goofily. "Yo."
"Hey."
"I was worried that you might never wake up," he chuckled. "When did you get up?"
"Like an hour ago," Raven guessed with a shrug. She covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned. "How long was I asleep?"
"Almost a full day. I thought you might have died or something." He shut the door lightly and walked into the room. "I guess you really needed to sleep."
He was acting odd today, although he hid it well, he seemed to be nervous. Every time they made eye contact, a small blush would creep across his cheeks and his eyes would dart away from hers. Shrugging it off, Raven decided to forget about it, it was probably nothing.
Taking a seat beside Raven like he always did, Gar tried to act normal. He was much more obvious than he thought. When he sat down he looked tense and uncomfortable. Then, whenever he thought Raven wasn't looking he would sneak glances at her. She saw all of it.
"Is everything all right?" Raven eyed him suspiciously.
"What do you mean? Everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?" His reply was much to quick to be natural.
"I don't know. You just seem to be acting... odd. Well more so than usual."
"No not at all. You must be seeing things." Subtlety was something Gar lacked, in the worst possible way.
"Whatever."
"You won't believe what Kori said to me yesterday."
"Huh?" Raven was far from enthusiastic.
Gar chuckled awkwardly. "She said that we would make a good couple."
There was no way Raven had seen that coming. Her eyes widened as her cheeks became crimson. Quickly looking away from the laughing boy beside her, Raven tried to hide her embarrassment. "Oh."
"Funny, isn't it?" His laugh had become even more awkward. The same crimson covered his cheeks. Why did he have to bring that up? He felt like such an idiot.
"Yeah." Raven's voice was meek. Sure, she had imagined Gar being more than just a friend, but she never took it seriously. She admitted that he was cute, and kind of handsome sometimes. Someone like Gar would never be attracted to a person like herself, though. The fact that she was currently in a mental institution didn't help her much either.
"So... have any interesting dreams?" Raven shoved him playfully. "Hey, what was that for?" He rubbed his arm in faux pain, and laughed.
"You really are stupid."
A/N: Well, there's another one. Hope you enjoyed that. Tell me what you think if you want. I'm going on vacation again, so my next update will be slower than usual, but I'll try to make it more exciting to make up for the time. Later!
Rachel Astraea Doshiimi: Thanks! That's what I was going for. If I made you cry, then I have accomplished my goal!
Kinz: Thanks. I think I have a few things planned out, so it shouldn't take me very long to update. Yeah, I tried to make her sweet, but still in character.
addicted2danny: Yup, that was you. I wanted to make you have a bigger part, but I just couldn't work it in. Sorry. Maybe I'll put you in it again, Captain.
Luna Forest: Yeah, I just forgot to check my emails earlier. What about Kawaii?
.Just A Kiss On The Lips.: Thanks. I still have a few ideas left for this story.
Django X: Thanks. Yeah, I've been trying to come up with another idea for a story, but I haven't came up with anything. If I do get some ideas, I'll probably start writing that one down. I know what you mean though. And maybe I'll write a few quick oneshots. I think I finally have enough ideas to bring me to the end, but I just have get my ideas together and organized. I'll take your advice, you're a wise writer. :)
chittychittybangbang16: Thanks. I'm glad you like it so far.
Maci May: Thanks, you're too kind! I tried to make that as cute, but realistic, as possible. :)
falyn anjel: Thanks. Basically that's the whole story. I tried really hard to make all of them realistic. Yeah, Adam is meant to be Adonis. I have some plans for a small Kori and Richard scene, which may even be in this chapter. Richard is meant to be cute, he's kinda like a little boy with a crush. I'm glad you like it so far.
FantasyDreamLand13: I don't know how you feel both, but whatever. Haha, I'm glad you liked it. :)
Rainbow-Jess: Thank you. I'm trying really hard not to rush it, although it is extremely tempting. I'm so glad that you like it so far:D
Overactive Mind: Thanks! I tried really hard to show that. The last thing I want to do is rush any part of this story, especially Gar and Raven's relationship. Mark is Gar's biological father. The climax should be coming up soon. Hopefully it will be as exciting as I plan for it to be. :)
Crazy Sugar Girl: Thanks! I'll write as fast as I can! lol :D
AureliusXsoul: Thanks! I'm so glad that you liked it! Yeah, I like him better green. I can't really imagine him any other color, he just wouldn't be the same.
Kaos Kraze: Irony sucks, but it does make a good story. lol As far as I know all of my friends died. The bad part about vacation is when someone else goes and leaves you behind. But my friends probably deserve a long break after spending over nine months around me. lol :D
DarkBeastBoy: Thank you. I'll do my best:)
cailinXaiden: That's all right. Thanks! You're too kind. :)
Shay Bo Bay: lol I love you too. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks! You're too kind. :D
Hide-because-it's-me: Thanks, I'm glad you didn't think it was over the top. I'm trying so hard not to rush it, although it would be so much easier if I did. There's no such thing as "to cruel." In fact I don't think that's cruel enough. Personally, I think you should eat one of their children, probably the first born. I hate cyclist, with their spandex shorts, weird sunglasses, and how they think their better than everyone else. All that human flesh I've been eating has made me kinda weird, I don't know if I'm turning into a zombie or what, but I seem to be growing fangs and odd scales. Thanks, I needed that. I feel more motivated than ever! That's alright, have fun on your vacation. Oh, this thigh is good! And these ears are extra crispy, just how I like 'em.
roxy cheerleader: Thanks. You're dreams are kinda violent, lol. I love it! In fact I had planned on doing something pretty close to that. I hope you don't mind if I change it around a little. I'll probably change the gun fight scene around a little and make the guys stealthier. Hopefully you'll like my rendition. I'm honored that you dreamt about my story. :D
Lilliesofthevalley: Matt is Beast Boy's cousin who appeared in the Beast Boy miniseries comics, but he's not really anyone special. :)
BlackoutHart: How cute and adorable! Look at them enslaving the human race, their just so precious. Yeah, bunny Raven! That was one awesome bunny cookie!
ravenmasteroftele: No allowance! That's preposterous! You should strike! Thanks, but I learned a lot from great stories like all of yours. A good student must come from an even greater teacher:D
The Mad shoe1: I guess it's not that original, but at least it hasn't been done a million times. Thanks!
