Chapter Five: Sun And Moon

A/N: Many thanks to all who reviewed, and a mention to Raven Blackfire for guessing the identity of the villain and informing me of the series Wicca's American name: Sweep. Personally it is a horrible name for a fantastic series. Anyway, the villain is not appearing for at least a couple of chapters yet, I feel kind of bad about introducing him in before our two birds have had their time of idyll and their fulfillment. Hehe. The previous chapter has been updated with a few previously missing paragraphs. Nothing major, just an extension on Robin's speech at the end, so I hope you like it. Anyway, enough with my long-windedness, and on with the story, the usual disclaimers apply.

'What about Star? Aren't you and her supposed to be together?' that was all Raven could think of to say.

'We broke up like two weeks ago. God, you really should spend less time locked up in your room.' Robin chided with a gentle smile. 'But yes, we are very much over, though I think she took it rather well, considering the amount of explaining it entailed.'

'But why? You seemed the perfect couple.'

'Well, opposites do not necessarily attract, Rae, sometimes, a person needs understanding, someone who can understand and just someone to share, withought needing to explain too much, someone whom can understand. And when I was realising this and finding out that Star probably the one least suited to me; I found out that the one I truly loved, withought reservation was you.'

'So it was you all along, following me around?'

'Yes, it was me. It was because I had to be near you, to prove to myself that you were alright and I was making sure I was watching your back. I know it sounds weird, and I don't blame you for wanting me away from you but I felt as if I was addicted to you, I could not stand to be away form you, and I was drunk in you, drunk in your beauty and very presence.'

'Robin,' she whispered, 'why would you like me? I am not beautiful like Star, I'm too pale and weird. Star is much better for you. And with my powers, with my curse and my father, well, let's say I am not exactly girlfriend material.'

'Hear me out, please Rae, beauty comes in many forms, and each one is equally beautiful in its own way. You and Star are like the sun and the moon.

Star is like the sun, her beauty and personality is like the sun, shining outward. Hers is a flashy outward beauty, one that shines in one's eyes, blinding them to all others, arresting their attention. Yet it is that kind of beauty that is ephemeral, it is the shortest lived. People recover from the effect her beauty has on them, and they truly see what lies within, her naivete, and they move on.

But you, Rae, are like the moon, serene and loyal. Yet the most underestimated, almost forgotten in the light of the sun. The moon that shines every night, even though she knows she cannot compete with the sun. Soothing and healing, it tempers the effects of the sun. It is not a beauty that reaches its peak at first glance; it starts small and grows the more you see her, her strength and capability.

It grows every time I see you, your grace in movement, and your face so serene in meditation. Your strength both outside and in, the way you deal with both villains and your father both. I also have walked in the darkness and I know how hard it can be. And I admire you so for it.

Your beauty lulls one into calm, protecting one's sight from being totally taken by the sun, and one takes it for granted, as a friend, until one fateful night, one sees that the moon has its own beauty too, and it is a beauty that is more precious and more profound than a dozen suns. '

'Robin,' Raven whispered, 'It is not weird at all, you are simply in love. And yes I love you too. I didn't want to say anything as I thought you were with Star. And …. My powers, they are.. very exacting and sensitive. I have to meditate for a set time every day and nay type of emotion, especially strong ones, like love, would release them, making all kinds of bad things happen.'

'I don't care, I was there last year remember? I will take all that, help you all I can, if what I will get is you, with me. Please, let me love you, you can't go on through life like this. You have to open up sometime. Forget what Malchior did to you, that was only one person, there are so many others who would love you. Let me love you. Let me love you like he pretended to do, let me show you the love he tried to show you, let me try to replace the painful memories with something sweet, the only difference is that instead of one broken heart left behind at the end, there will be two fulfilled hearts. Please, tell me that you will give me, us a chance.'

Feeling like she was on the very altar of marriage itself, she made a choice that would change her life, death and ultimately her fate.

She said yes.

'All right, I will. The painful memories of Malchior will never go away, but I will make some new ones. I….I love you too. I have loved you for a long time and I am so glad that you have asked.'

As she raised her eyes to meet his, at the sound of her voice, she saw one hand hovering like a nervous butterfly mere millimetres from her face.

'Thank you, for giving me this chance. I would like to give you my first gift. It is a gift that I have wanted to give you for the longest time.'

The hand that hovered near her face lifted, and was raised to his own. That thin mask, that barrier between him and the rest of the world, fell to the ground.

The gift of his identity. His most guarded secret.