The back doors to the prison van slam shut and the vehicle speeds off with a wailing siren towards the distant prison building. An assortment of other squad cars and emergency vehicles rev their engines, switch on half of their sirens, and speed off to escort the van full of dangerous criminals away.

The Titans and I stand on the sidewalk of a rubble-strewn street in front of a bank where the latest robbery has been stopped. Cyborg is talking to a few remaining police officers and cleanup crews. Robin—who has been banged up slightly in the battle—sits on the sidelines besides Starfire, who is talking pleasantly with him.

I'm leaning against a lamppost with the hood of my robe down. A gentle, afternoon breeze blows at my blue strands as I fold my arms and gaze into the amber sunset.

"You did good this evening, Rae…."

I glance over. My lips curve slightly. I drone: "Thank you, Beast Boy…"

The green elf has a few scuff marks on his uniform from combat. He nervously scratches the ends of his pointy ears and gestures: "You saved my butt a few times. Eheheh….guess I wasn't turning into fast enough animals to outrun those creeps' bullets…."

I shrug. "I am quite sure you will repay me or have already repaid me." I glance back out at the sunset. "Let's just be glad we made it through this latest combat."

"Yeah……."

Silence.

Beast Boy is lingering. He knows it. He knows that I know it.

I glare through the corner of my violet gaze and say: "Yes?"

"I was just wondering……."

"Wondering what?"

"Why'd you decide to cut it?"

"…………….," I bite my tongue. I've been expecting this. But in Beast Boy's case, I hadn't thought he would take so indirect a route towards opening the conversation with me. I sigh and pretend that I am clueless in a façade that even the elf—I'm sure—can see through. "What do you mean?"

"Your hair…."

"Yeah?"

"It was……long and stuff for just one night, at least."

"I cut it."

"Yeah…."

"I……don't like having really long hair," I murmur. The arms that I have folded are starting to clutch at my upper limbs. Tighter. Tenser….

"Why not?"

I clench my jaw. "Does it matter?"

"S-Sorry….."

I don't want to hurt him. Not at all.

I sigh: "Nothing to be sorry for, Beast Boy. I just….I-I don't see the point, I guess."

He smiles nervously. "It was…..pretty…."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Pretty?"

"Yeah. The whole long hair thing."

"You miss Terra, don't you?"

"Pffft! It's not just a thing I have for blonde hairstyles!" Beast Boy sticks his tongue out. "Starfire's got really pretty hair. And now that I think of it, Supergirl's quite the looker…."

"Maybe now you know why I keep mine short."

"Oh no, Raven! I-I didn't mean that! You're gorgeous in and out of the lengthy fashion!"

"Where is this conversation going and why am I listening to it?"

"Well, I can't answer the last part…," Beast Boy shrugs. "Just….that…erhm…."

"……….," Beast Boy smiles gently. "I kinda feel bad that you decided to cut it."

"It was my choice. I have no intention to reverse it."

"But still……..it was nice looking," Beast Boy said. In a softer voice he added: "Out of everything that happened to you that night, I thought it'd be the one thing you could keep to just…..feel good about."

"………………," I take a deep breath.

"Erhm….R-Raven?"

"Yes, Beast Boy?"

"I meant what I said. W-We all are happy that you were born. We wanted to celebrate your birthday and…..and what Slade did and what Slade tried to do, we hated him so much. We still do. We can't believe he would do the things he did to you on your birthday of all occasions. And…….it hurts us, Raven."

"Beast Boy—"

"It really does."

"I don't need you to tell me this," I drone. I gaze at him softly. Neutrally. "Thank you, but it isn't necessary…."

Beast Boy is biting his lip. Fidgeting. "Isn't it?"

"Sometimes I think that…..that you feel alone, Raven," Beast Boy says. "Sometimes I think that you feel like we don't appreciate you or understand you."

"I don't ask for you and the Titans to understand me," I almost growl.

"Then what is it that you want, Raven? Tell us. Tell us what we can do to make you feel more comfortable around us……."

"…………….," I don't say anything. I merely sigh.

Beast Boy stares down at the floor. Defeated. "Anywho….I-I'm sorry for bothering you, Rae. It's getting close to nighttime. I guess we should all go to the Tower and….rest up or something…."

He turns to walk across the street to Robin and Starfire--

"We could do ice cream."

"……?" Beast Boy turns around. "Hmmm?"

"All of us," I murmur. Half-looking at him. "We can do ice cream….together." I tilt my head up. A half-attempt to smile. "If everyone needs to…..relax……."

"…………..," he smiles. "That's a great idea, Raven. I'll see if the others are up to it. Though….I'm sure they are!"

"Hmmm…," I nod gently with a thin grin. "You go and do that."

"Hehehe…right away!" and he jogs off.

I take a deep breath. The smile fades from my face, but a certain warmth remains. I drape the hood over my blue head. My wrists linger. I rub my arms and upper limbs. Feeling…searching….scanning for red birthmarks on the pale flesh. But none show….

I shudder. I compose myself. I walk across the gentle sunset towards where all my battle-weary friends are once again joining together, proposing an outing, and generally smiling and laughing in some secret camaraderie.

Though….not all things have to be secret.

You want to know how I can feel more comfortable around the Titans, Beast Boy?

I drift towards them.

What I want is something I cannot ultimately have.

I lower my hooded gaze towards the street as I pass on and exhale.

I want none of you to have to fear me someday………