A/N: Thanks for the support and love everyone. It really means a lot to me. :) Here's the next chapter! Sorry it took so long!

For those of you who are wondering, yes, the Titans know each other's real names ( the core five, as well as a couple of others, but not everyone ). I may write a flashback that explains how they know and goes further into it, but until then I hope no one's confused!

( Gar = Beast Boy. Garth = Aqualad. I know somebody's gonna get their names mixed up. It's okay. I do it all the time. )


Dick fastens his tie in place, inhaling deeply as he appraises himself in the mirror. He's pushing the envelope by not wearing his suit tonight. He will be bringing it though. A hero always comes prepared.

He...supposes he looks alright? He's not a fan of formal occasions ( memories of a younger him with Bruce makes him frown slightly; being the adoptive son of a billionaire doesn't exactly keep you out of the public eye. You were shown around like some trophy and you had to fake a smile through it all. ), but for tonight, he'll play it off. His hair is neater, he made sure he was cleanly shaven - every now and then he'd grow a stubble when he forgets to shave, but other than that he keeps the facial hair to a minimum - smelled nice, and looked presentable.

Besides, it's not like he'll be alone. This will be new for the others too.

Since he doesn't trust Gar with these things, Dick took him and Victor out to buy tuxes earlier this week and he paid for all of them himself, as much as Victor opposed to it; but he let it slide just this once. Not a lot of stores have clothes in Victor's size, but since they've been in Jump City for years now, there are plenty of shops that he can go to. Not that he needed to go, anyway, unless deemed necessary.

Gar, on the other hand, would have embarrassed Dick if he let him pick out the bright blue suit with the frilly dress shirt and clown shoes - yes, they were clown shoes - so Dick mostly took the reigns from there. The changeling has gotten taller, leaving Raven as the shortest in the house, but he was still an inch or so shorter than Dick. Since they had roughly the same physique, it wasn't that tough to pick out something for Gar that they both liked.

He has no idea what Raven and Kori picked. He's kind of anxious.

No, no...curious is the better term.

When Raven asked him what color dress she should wear, he told her either blue or black was fine. Knowing her, she'd probably try to sneak a pair of sneakers so she won't be in heels all night.

He grins at the thought. He'd be offended if she didn't.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Yeah?" he calls out.

"It's me," she says on the other side.

"Just a minute!" He runs a careful hand through his hair one more time and makes a brisk walk out of his bathroom and towards his door, eager to see his date. Raven. His Raven. Er, that didn't come out right. Uhh. Escort. Yeah. Wait no. He's the escort. She's the escortee. Forget it.

Dick types in the passcode, his door sliding open automatically with a soft hiss.

And he forgets how to breathe.

Raven looks...stunning. And he doesn't even use that word. Her dress is midnight. Dark and enticing, keeps him awake and alert. He can see every curve she has, all the way down to her legs, which are conservatively hidden but he knows they're there. Her long hair is straight at the top, but rolls off in long, elegant waves down her back and shoulders, bangs pinned behind her ears, and simple black studs for earrings. He can tell she's wearing makeup too. It's light, but it suites her.

She's holding a small bag. And, he assumes, that's where she's hiding her extra pair of shoes.

The empath appraises him too, a brief once-over from head to toe, and by the time their eyes met again he has to tell himself to stop staring.

"Wow," he says.

"You can say that again." Her lips quirk up.

He does. "Wow…"

Raven rolls her eyes. "I guess that means I don't look too ridiculous."

"Nah." His hands dip in his pockets since he doesn't know what to do with them. "You look great." He smiles.

Her entire expression softens. "Thank you."

But he knows something's bothering her. "What's up?" Eyebrows furrow under his mask. "Are you nervous?"

"Now, why would I be nervous of large crowds and flashing lights with looming dread over my head because I know something bad is gonna happen?" Completely sarcastic. So Raven.

He could say he feels the same. They can't exactly have a good night without something happening to ruin it. But they're always prepared for the worst. They're the Titans. Heroes. 'S what they do.

"We'll be okay."

"Alright, say we will. But the citizens won't be."

"Then we protect them from whatever harm that comes in their way. As long as we stick together, nothing will tear us apart."

He also has a feeling that there's more to what she's saying. He can't put his finger on it, but he doesn't push it. He'll find out sooner or later.

Her voice is quiet. "Since when are you so hopeful?"

"Since I met you." And his is just as so.

She smiles again, and he takes the opportunity to offer her his arm. She accepts, and together they walk down the hallway to find the others.


The lights are blinding.

Inhaling deeply, Raven clings to Dick's arm and mirrors what he does. Angling her head, jutting out her hip just a little bit for pose after pose. She doesn't really smile. She puts on a mask that she thinks is a decent smolder, and it seems to work because the paparazzi showers her with compliments.

They arrived maybe ten minutes ago, Dick stepping out first and helping her out of the T-Car, taking the end of her dress on one side and holding it up so she doesn't trip over the hem. The rest felt like a blur. One minute they're signing autographs for the fans that came to the event, the next they're taking pictures. Dick and Raven. Raven and Gar. Gar, Victor, and Raven. Dick and Kori. Kori and Raven.

Now she's back with Dick again, slightly winded from the high of emotions all around her. He had outstretched a hand for her and, when she slips her hand into his, he squeezes her gently in reassurance and pulls her to his side. Her hand cups around his arm and she's home.

She envies Kori. Her best friend looks so beautiful tonight ( it's not fair, really ). The alieness wears a long, backless dress with a long slit up her right leg. She knows just what to do in the spotlight. The cameras love her. The fans love her. Everyone loves her.

Even Gar and Victor look good tonight. Despite the goofy looks and poses they send at the cameras, they still look sharp. Gar had beamed at Raven when she complimented him earlier.

The Titans East arrive, and everyone goes nuts. Raven doesn't have time to greet, but she does look over her shoulder to see Kori and Garth embrace and kiss each other's cheeks in greeting.

She smiles to herself.

"What?" Dick asks, raising an eyebrow under his mask as they - finally - walk inside. She can relax. She can breathe.

"Nothing," Raven tells him. He doesn't press, although he is still suspicious - she doesn't need her powers to know that - as he leads her into the ballroom. Since they're one of the first ones there, the room looks wider than what it actually is. Round, spick, and span, it is decorated with lights and tables that are covered with black covering, and a stage that is located at the very front of the room. Soft music blares from the speakers, fitting for an occasion like this.

His lips purse but he doesn't press any further. "Thirsty?"

She could use a drink. "Yeah."

He doesn't let go of her until they arrive at the table they are assigned to and she's properly situated. Their fingers are the last to part. "I'll get us some drinks, okay? Be right back."

Raven nods and watches him leave, hoping that she won't be alone for long.

"Girl," the word is dragged dramatically as Karen walks up to her. "I didn't know you were goin' with Dick! Must be nice."

"Hey, Kare." Careful what you wish for. "I thought Victor was with you?"

"He's too busy gawkin' at BB's date in disbelief." Karen rolls her eyes. The color gold looks really good on her.

"Gar's date is here?"

"Yep."

"Who is it?"

Smirk. "Why don't ya look for yourself, girlfriend?" The Titans East leader points behind herself, and Raven leans around in her seat to see the changeling enter the room with Victor at his side.

And a pink-haired beauty on his arm.

"Kole?"

The ice princess in question actually has one of the warmest, purest hearts, and her high ponytail rivals Kori's. Raven's eyes continue to travel from the sweetheart bust of Kole's white dress, to the flare out at the hips, all the way down to those high heels that Raven knows she'll never step foot in to save her life.

"Hi, Raven! It's so good to see you!" she says as they arrive at the table, bending down to embrace the empath.

"Yeah, good to see you too." Raven pats her back.

A warm chuckle comes from behind her, sending a chill down her spine.

"I leave you for two seconds."

"My drink?" Raven raises a hand expectantly without turning around in her seat.

The glass is placed in her hand and she takes a look at it. Hmm. Seems to be fruit punch.

"Thank you."

It's not tea, but it'll do.

"Hey, Rob." The way Karen is smirking at him makes Raven's cheeks warm up and she busies herself with her drink a beat longer than necessary.

"Hey, Bee." Dick nods back.

"Hi, Robin!"

"Hey, Kole. Beast Boy hasn't been misbehaving, has he?"

Gar's mouth dropped. "H-ey!"

Kole giggles. "No, he's fine. The perfect gentleman."

"Good. I don't want to hear of anything less." Dick squints at the changeling. "Or more."

"Aw, dude!" Gar covers his ears. "La, la, la!"

"He's got a point." Karen shrugs. "You look hot tonight," she tells Kole matter-of-factly, and the shorter girl blushes. "Wouldn't blame 'em if he can't keep his hands to himself -"

"Bee!" The blush deepens.

"He better keep his hands to himself." Dick folds his arms across his chest.

"Hey man, relax." Victor laughs. "We're here to have a good time, right? Bee was just playin'!"

"Or was I."

"Bee."

"A'ight, a'ight, my bad!"

"You know you ain't sorry."

"I'm really not."

"I'm done with you guys." Gar turns on his heel.

Dick uses his leader voice. "Too bad. Sit down."

"Yuh kay." And Gar obeys immediately.

"Hello, friends!" Kori finally arrives at the table with Garth, hand in hand. Either Raven's eyes are deceiving her, or Garth's eyes are...actually...purple? "Is it the okay if Aqualad sits with us?"

"Sure, why not?" Dick says, nodding at Garth, who returns the gesture with a smile.

"Thanks for inviting me," Garth says to the alieness lowly, sitting next to her.

"Were you not invited otherwise?" Kori's eyebrows crinkles in confusion.

The Atlantean smiles softly. "Yeah, of course. I just didn't know you were going to ask me." He nods at the masked hero across the table. "How are things? With - you know - you and him?"

Kori smiles back. She remembers how nervous she was when she approached Richard about the subject. But he was calm and supportive and told her if Garth tried anything, she was to report back to him. ( Oh Richard. ) "We could not be happier."

Garth sighs in relief. "Good."

"Indeed." Kori muses. "I cannot live in a world where we must fight, him and I. I'd rather have him as my best friend for the rest of my life than to have him gone from it completely. I don't know what I would do with myself."

"Having a life without love is a tough way to live."

Her head tilts to the side, studying his grave features. "Did I say something that has upset you?"

Garth shakes his head, smiling at her gently. But it doesn't meet his eyes. "No. You're fine."

"My deepest apologies. I should have not spoken so much about my past -"

"Starfire."

"Yes?"

"You can talk to me about anything. I'm always here to listen."

She feels him touch her hand under the table; a light brush of the fingertips against her knuckles and it sends sparks through her, makes her come alive, and she catches him before he pulls away.

"That makes me happy," she says, holding his hand with both of hers.

His cheeks turn pink. "Good."

"Good," Kori echoes him with a giggle.

"ROBIN!" an excited male voice yells. "ROBIN, HEEEY! OVER HERE!"

"Jesus." Dick closes his eyes in embarrassment. Mental note to self: do not, ever, bring Wally out in public if you can avoid it.

But the way Raven is suddenly gripping his sleeve makes him look up at her, eyes narrowing at how tense she looks. Turning his gaze to the source of stress, recognition not only dawns on him but Kori and Victor as well.

And especially Gar.

It isn't the not-so-surprising fact that Wally didn't come alone.

But that his date is -

"Tara?" Gar breathes.

As if she can hear him from all the way across the room, the blonde looks over in the changeling's direction and her eyes widen before she looks over at the speedster with a pleading look. Wally smiles at her knowingly and nods, slipping his arm out of her grip.

Gar fidgets in his seat.

I can't believe...she actually...showed, Raven thinks, frozen in shock.

"Rob?"

"Yeah?"

"Permission to get up?"

"Permission granted."

Garfield shoots out of his seat, nearly knocking it over ( and Kole in the process ), weaving through the now small crowd of people to get to the former Titan. Tara leaves Wally's side, giving him a thankful look, before she and Gar crash into each other, gripping each other tight.

"You're here! I can't believe you're here!" Gar swings her around a little.

"I can't believe it either, honestly." Tara sighs into his shoulder, rubbing his back. "It's good to see you, Gar."

"It's good to see you too, T. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too."

"You said you didn't -"

"- I know. I know."

"But -"

"Can we save this conversation for another time?" Her eyes drift over to the Titans' table. "'Sides, it looks like that girl with the pink hair over there is givin' me the stink eye." Tara pulls away to flash the changeling a teasing smirk. "She your girlfriend?"

"W-What? No way! She's my date!" Garfield's ears are the first to turn a bright red.

"IIII don't know, man. She's staring me down like she's your girlfriend, she looks like she could be your girlfriend, and when I walked in here I saw her giggling at something you said."

"...S-So?"

"One: Gar, you're not that funny -"

"Hey!"

"Two: you just called her your date."

"B-But -!"

"And three: she's cute." Tara pats his arm. "You gonna introduce me?"

"Why, so you can steal her for yourself?"

She gives a sheepish shrug and a smile to go with it. "I can hang."

"Not happenin'." Gar laughs. "'Sides, don't you have a date?"

"Yes, she does!" Wally wiggles his tie as he walks up to them.

"Since when were you two a thing?"

"Since, like, now."

"Pretty much."

"He asked me."

"She couldn't resist when I brought pizza into the equation."

"I do love pizza…"

"Dude, same."

"Right?" Gar blinks. "Wait a minute! How did you two meet?"

"Through Tinder."

Tara punches Wally's arm.

"Ouch! I'm kidding, babe! For a lil' lady, you sure do pack a punch…" Wally rubs his arm. "We actually met over pizza."

"Don't underestimate me." Tara smiles at him before it's wiped clean off her face. "And don't call me that."

"Can do, my little sugar honey iced tea."

It takes her a second.

"HEY!"

"Catch me if you caaaan!"

"Don't let me get my hands around your throat!"

"Aww, baby, I love you too!"

"Stop that!"

Gar cackles and follows them back to the table. The lightened atmosphere starts to get tense again just as Tara reaches the table, because Dick and Raven do that thing where they stare at you but you've got no idea what they're thinking and it makes you feel uneasy and you almost pee yourself but -

"Hey." Tara waves awkwardly.

Dick and Raven exchange glances. "Hey." They both greet her in unison, expressions still unchanging.

Does she feel anything? Raven hears Dick think.

Through their bond, she answers back, No. I don't.

Startled to hear her voice in his head, Dick jolts, but it's so subtle that if you blinked you missed it.

Calm down, she continues. We have a bond, remember?

Oh. Right. What else can you do?

I can manipulate the emotions around me to any emotion I wish to thrust upon them.

Wait...I thought you can only do that with one person at a time?

I've been practicing. It takes a lot of concentration. I have to be focused.

Good to know. What are you feeling from everyone right now?

Mostly anxiety.

Can you get everyone to calm down?

Yes.

Do it.

Raven focuses on every person around her, reaching out for their anxiety and hesitancy, and begins to pull. Mold it into a warm blanket of peace and tranquility. She sees how everyone's gazes become unfocused for a moment or two, before the sigh of relief comes and smiles return to their faces.

"Good to have ya back, Rock Star."

"We missed you immensely, friend! Are you truly coming back to us?"

Tara shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the next at Kori's enthusiasm. "Don't get your hopes up, alright? I'm just here because Kid Flash invited me."

"Oh." Kori frowns, shoulders sagging. "I see..."

Tara gives. "Awh, hell. I missed you, Starfire."

And just like that, the alieness perks right back up. "I missed you too!" Flies - actually flies - across the table and nearly tackles the blonde to the ground, embracing her fiercely. Tara laughs, managing to weave her arms through Kori's tight hold and hugs her back just as warmly.

"But you missed me the most, right?" Gar cuts in, pointing to himself.

"Quiet, sweetheart. The adults are talking."

"Ugh?!"

"Starfire, are you stealing my date?" Wally raises an eyebrow with a teasing smile.

Kori turns to Wally without letting go of Tara, blinking once. "Do you have a problem with it?"

"Not at all, sweetheart! She's all yours."

"Glorious!"

"Aw, no fair!"

"Beast Boy! You have a date!"

"So?!"

"Ouch..."

"I-I mean -"

"You don' fucked up, BB."

"Kole, I'm sorry -"

"No, it's okay. We're all just playing around right? All in good fun. Being together..."

"Yeah, but -"

"Save it." Raven is the one who interjects and stops the chatter altogether. "It's getting crowded in here. Let's all calm down and play a game called, 'Don't make Raven's vein burst'." When no one objects, she reaches for the bubblegum pink girl next to her and takes her hand, sending a wave of calm through her.

Kole looks up and gives her a thankful smile, squeezing the empath's hand.

"He didn't mean to hurt you." Raven decides to vouch for the changeling this time.

"He didn't hurt my feelings," Kole says.

Raven raises a skeptical eyebrow. "Hm?"

"It's just..." Kole chews down on her bottom lip. "I don't know..."

She has a feeling that this girl is about to open her heart to her and, as much as she would like to have listened any other time ( really, any other time ), now isn't appropriate. Especially with the others around.

"We'll talk about it later." Raven nods towards the stage. "The mayor is about to come up."