Thanks to Nkcandygirl, VinBlack , Misticcat & 'Guest' for reviewing I forgot to do this on the other chapters but anyways..

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans its characters and etc., just this harmless story.

The car hobbled on a pothole and dashed off ahead on the empty road. They had spent a good three days at Bruce's beach house and they were all secretly dreading to head back to the city. A The Cure lullaby blasted through the radio which oddly fit the mood. They had resumed their positions from the drive to the beach house and Robin was driving. He took a quick glance on the rearview mirror and saw Bee and Cyborg asleep, holding each other's hands. He smiled then glanced at Raven. She was nodding off to sleep and looked very cozy in her jean shorts and oversized shirt that he lent her. They had decided to stay one more night and she didn't pack an extra shirt.

He noticed how cute she looked with her hair mussed and how small she appeared curled up into a ball with his huge shirt. They hit another pothole and noticed the subtle change in Raven's expression from peaceful to slightly bothered. The tips of her eyebrows tipped up the slightest bit and her lips turned down into a frown. It was early afternoon and it was staring to get uncomfortably hot again. He gave up one of his aircons for Raven and saw her snuggle up to the car seat. He smiled.

A few miles later, he noticed a gas station with a diner and he decided to pull up for gas and some lunch. The motor died and he turned around to wake up the couple. Bee stirred then shook Cyborg gently and he woke up as well. He was about to wake up Raven when he saw she was already getting out the car.

"How much?"

A middle-aged man in a white wife beater and red cap asked, bored.

"Full tank, please. Do you take cards?"

The man nodded and loaded the gas onto Robin's mini-van then snatched his card and went inside the convenience store behind the diner. He inhaled some smoke and snorted in disgust then turned around.

"Sorry to invade your personal air, I wasn't aware I was smoking near your border."

Raven said dryly, a hint of amusement in her voice. He glared a little and turned to go inside the diner. The diner barely had any people but Cyborg called out anyway.

"Yo Robin! Right here man."

He was feeling slightly annoyed at Raven for smoking again and the annoyed meter in his head went up a notch. He had a headache from not eating breakfast and from drinking too much and any noise only made it worse. He walked over to the table and yawned. He barely had any sleep from last night. The past few days were spent in a hazy pattern of eating, swimming, drinking and the passing out. They were all served some coffee and he grinned and blushed vaguely as he sipped, remembering what had happened last night.

"S-shut up, Boy Blunder."

Raven icily stated. She was walking on the sand and fell a couple of times already and Robin insisted he carry her to the room or at least just hold his hand, but she refused. It had rained a few hours ago and there was a high tide, leaving the sand incredibly soft and fragile. It was already around 2am and they were all drunk except for Robin who chose not to drink as much as the other three. Raven who was tired claimed she wanted to go lie down in bed and sleep off the dizziness while Cyborg and Bee claimed they wanted to sit by the campfire and talk some more.

"Ow! Fuck."

Robin quickly ran towards Raven although he struggled because of the sand. He quickly helped her up and noticed she had cut her knee due to an out of place rock buried in the sand.

"Raven! Are you ok?"

Raven got on her feet and slapped Robin's hand away.

"I'm fine, Robin. It's only a small cut. You act like I've died and gone to hell. Stupid fucking rock!"

Raven with wobbly feet, snatched the rock and threw it as hard as she could. The quick movement made her more light-headed and she almost fell back but Robin quickly put his arms on her shoulder to steady her. Blood stains were visible on the sand where she had landed earlier.

"Well sorry for overacting, Rae! But you're obviously tipsy, just let me carry you and you can be in bed quicker!"

Raven grunted but let Robin carry her on his back all the way back to the house and up the stairs to their room. He settled her on the bed, but she sat up instead of lying down. Not only was her head throbbing, now her knee was too. Raven got her cigarette pack from her pocket and casually lit one. Robin picked the perfect time to go inside with the first aid kit.

"Raven."

Robin said in a deadly tone with glaring eyes.

"What?"

Raven exhaled and looked up at the boy blunder. Her shoulder strap was falling off revealing her bikini strap then one bikini clad breast and Robin blushed a little bit. She didn't seem to care though and went on smoking. Robin glared softly at the ground then got on one knee in front of the pale girl and started dabbing some alcohol on her wound. Raven cringed but didn't protest and let Robin apply betadine and a small patch of clean bandage. She glared down at Robin's head. She had a high tolerance for pain and it annoyed her a lot at times whenever Robin was too overprotective over her but she knew if he didn't care, who else would?

At this thought, she sighed and put off her cigarette on a nearby windowsill then threw it out. Robin was done and looked up at her. Blue and violet eyes connected, the blues looked away first. Robin got up and walked to the connected bathroom and put away the first aid kit. He stared at his reflection then washed his face and brushed his teeth. When he walked back in the room Raven was under the sheets, her back to him. He yawned then took off his shirt and lay down facing the ceiling. He felt the body on the other side of the bed shift and soon found a mess of black hair on the white sheets and on his bare chest. She snuggled up to him. Robin was warm, and she was awfully cold. As hot as the mornings and afternoons were at the beach house, it was just as cold at night. Robin blushed again but wrapped an arm around her and felt her relax to him. He felt her cold skin and her warm breath. He felt her loose grip on the blanket, her damp silky hair scattered on his chest and neck and her even breathing and he too fell asleep after a few minutes.

When he woke up, she was already gone. He frowned when he saw her bags already properly packed. He looked out and saw a figure in black jogging near the shore. He yawned and fell back asleep, still tired from last night. By the time he woke up again, it was time to go.

Robin put down his mug just as the bell atop the door rang and Raven walked in. She had her sunglasses on and her bandage had a red spot. She sat down beside Robin and the waitress walked towards them and gave them each a menu.

"What are you teens having?"

The waitress had thick eyebrows and bright red lipstick that almost looked comical with her bright red curly hair. She wore an apron around her body that had a nameplate that said, "Hello, my name is Ruth"

"I'll have the bacon and egg combo with some toast coated with butter and orange juice.. Oh and I'll have one order of some pancakes, with extra syrup and a muffin."

Cyborg handed the menu back to her and finished his coffee. The other three looked at him and he shrugged.

"Hey, a man's gotta eat."

The waitress scoffed and Raven smirked.

"I'll have the bacon and egg combo too, with some orange juice. Thanks"

"And I'll have pancakes with syrup and some milk, a banana and a muffin."

The waitress took the other two menus and Raven handed hers to her.

"I'll have some more coffee, and two blueberry muffins."

"O.K. dears

Ruth wrote down their orders on a small post-it pad and smiled, bored.

You orders will be ready in 10 minutes."

"Thanks."

Robin answered back. The gang made chitchat in the ten minutes it took for their food to come and Robin was quiet and looked deep in thought. Cyborg noticed this but decided not to bug his friend on it and Raven had her nose buried in a book which left the conversation between him and Bee with Raven making occasional comments. When the food finally arrived, Cyborg practically gobbled at it and Raven casually sipped her coffee and took small bites of her muffins. If she couldn't get some tea then coffee would be the second best alternative.

Robin was done with his pancakes and was now peeling his banana. Raven's hand had brushed his hand when she was reaching out to grab some tissues and his thoughts drifted back on her. He thought about last night again as he took a bite of the banana. Raven rarely showed her emotions and voiced out her thoughts, so he knew there was bound to be another way she could express them without seeming un-raven-like. When she wasn't painting on a canvas or writing about it, she did it with the help of alcohol and he didn't blame her. He was used to this, and knew Raven's behavior ranged from pissed off at every little thing to uncharacteristically happy and laughing at every little thing to the occasional teary, sad look in her eyes whenever she got drunk. Most of the times though Raven seemed to be in control when she was drunk but there were some times she let her guard down, especially with him and let herself express what she felt.

Last night, her mood shifted from angry to calm and this worried him a bit. He admits he was a big worrywart when it came to her but he knew this only meant she was bothered by something. That she was anxious or nervous and was trying not be. He frowned at this. He respected her privacy and knew Raven would tell him if she wanted to.

After they each paid for their respective meals and Robin's credit card was handed back to him they all went back to the van. The ride back was smooth and quiet with only the radio making a sound. Robin dropped off the couple first then pulled up at Raven's driveway and got her bag from the back. Raven stretched and they both started towards the front door. It was around 6pm and they were tired.

"I'm home, mom."

Raven said without much enthusiasm. She had slept all the way back to the city and didn't really feel like setting down at home all night. Robin dropped her bags by the stairs and yawned. There was a note on the fridge that said "Honey, I'm going out for a drink with my girl friends.. I left you some pasta in the refrigerator in case you haven't eaten. Don't wait up" in Arella's neat, cursive handwriting.

"Well, I'm beat."

Raven raised a brow and looked up at Robin who was near her neck looking down at the note too.

"I'm gonna head home."

"Alright. Thanks for the trip and driving me home."

Raven grinned which made him smile and they hugged in a friendly manner for a few seconds.

"See ya, Robin."

"Bye, Rae!"

Robin shouted as he sped away from the front of her house. She stared at the empty road for a while before going in. The night was cool and she was in one of her artsy moods. Raven quickly made some tea and went upstairs to the patio outside her bedroom and began to paint on an empty new canvas. After an hour or so, she was satisfied. She smiled and left it out to dry. She heard her tummy grumble and realized it was already 9pm and she hadn't eaten yet. Deciding she wasn't up to heated pasta and TV for company, she quickly took a shower and dressed in a black sweater and a short skirt. She pulled on her stockings and laced up her boots and finished up her outfit with a silver locket necklace Robin had given her back when they were only 10. Robin knew her taste even then and she couldn't help but smile at this. She walked downstairs and locked the door walked down the street. She walked a few blocks and went inside a dimly lit restaurant-bar she usually hung out at. They often had good bands play there and had poetry nights that she often times listened to but never bothered to participate in. The walls were red bricks and the tables and chairs were made of dark mahogany with red velvet cushions. The place was covered with paintings depicting obscure art.

She ordered some food and wine and looked up when she noticed the hostess setting up the stage. Looks there was going to be a show tonight. She thought and took out her book and was reading for a good 5 minutes when she felt someone's eyes on her. She looked up and scanned the people dining or drinking and her eyes met with a stranger's. The place was dimly lit so she couldn't quite make out his features. She raised a brow at him and saw noticed his eyes light up with a smile. She frowned at this and he laughed, his movement making him change his angle and casting some light on him. He had black wavy hair and dark blue eyes that looked sinister in the dark but matched his laugh, which exposed perfectly lined, white teeth and dimples. Raven rolled her eyes and chose to ignore him when the waiter arrived and was serving Raven her order and gave her an ashtray. As if on cue, the hostess spoke on the microphone.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we are having our weekly poetry night. As usual this is open mic.. So if any of you feel inspired to share your poetry or thoughts, feel free."

The hostess, whose name was Terra had long blonde hair and big blue eyes. She had become casual friends with her along with her boyfriend Garfield who had dyed green hair since she often went there and usually alone. She had found Terra annoying at first and didn't like her but eventually found no reason to harbor those feelings and returned her friendliness.

Terra had recognized Raven sitting alone at a table and waved then walked towards her.

"Hey Raven!"

Terra smiled and Raven grinned.

"Hi Terra. How's the place doing?"

She took this as an unspoken invite and she sat down.

"Well, it's doing great! Thanks for asking. My mom tells me I can manage the place once I turn 21. So I'm thinking of taking up business for college."

"That's great."

Raven commented in monotone. The two were not close and so their conversations revolved mostly on casual things and friendly chit chat. They responded with civil words and the normal pleasantries acquaintances usually spoke with. It was getting slightly awkward and Raven sipped her wine, when someone got up on the stage and both girls with the rest of the people looked over at the person.

"Hi, this one's about a little black bird I've taken noticed upon when she walked in here. This one's for her."

A dark, musky voice spoke on the stage, the lights forming a spotlight on him. He was tall and lanky and wore dark jeans and a white shirt with a brown leather jacket. His shoes were brown Doc Martens and he wore a sinister, yet charming smile. Raven noticed him as the stranger who was staring at her and raised her brows in sheer curiosity. The guy mistook her attention for interest stared directly at her as he spoke.

"Dark black hair, swaying

Silver charms back and forth

You lift a slender arm and disarm me as you spoke.

Silent words that everyone notices

Yet no one hears.

Tell me, darling all your biggest fears."

Raven scoffed at the bad rhyme and sipped more of the wine.

"Your face as subtle as the evening sky

And your touch as cold as the night air

I met those violet orbs and close my eyes.

Good night, silent sweet lullaby

I bid you good bye."

The crowd politely clapped for him and he smiled charmingly at Raven. She ignored him and he gripped the microphone once again, the silver rings on his hand catching the light and reflecting them back.

"Thanks."

He simply said and smiled half-heartedly and walked down the stage, and disappeared down the hall to the back door which opened to the parking lot. Raven hadn't taken her eyes off him since the sappy poem and his weird behavior intrigued her. He had stared at her openly, laughed at her annoyance, recited a poem which was implied to be inspired by her, not once breaking eye contact and then casually walked off as if nothing had happened. Terra's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Raven?"

Raven snapped back to reality and looked up at Terra who had stood up. She hadn't even noticed.

"I'm sorry, my mind wandered off. What were you saying?"

"Oh.. Well, I was just saying I'm going to the kitchen to make sure the crew does their job properly. We hired some new staff recently and they're still under probation."

"Okay, good luck on that."

Terra smiled at the dark-haired young lady. Raven was older than her by 2 years and she had deep respect for her and admired her in a lot of ways.

"See ya around Raven."

"Mhmm.."

A couple more people got on the stage following through the first person's performance and a few more shots of wine and dessert later, Raven paid her check and left some tip and stepped out into the cold air. She took out her cigarette pack and drew out the last cigarette she had. The time on her phone said it was 11:17 PM. She smoked and walked back home slowly, taking her time to think and enjoy the scenery Jump City had to offer.

She fumbled with the red gem on her forehead, deep in thought and frowned when her trail of thoughts led to the mysterious stranger at the bar.

"Who is he.."

She blurted out to no one in particular and felt a strange feeling regarding the stranger she didn't even know the name of and felt more connection with him than the people she met in the entire 18 years of her life she had lived in Jump City. They hadn't even shared words directly to each other and yet somehow she felt he would listen to her silent thoughts. And he would understand.

Thanks for reading chapter 3~

Opinions and/or criticisms on my writing/ story is widely appreciated ^_^ Tell me if my chapters are too long, I'll try and make them shorter.