The Teen Titans ain't mine!

Raven knew she wasn't a talkative person- heck, besides her mom and a couple of her neighbors, she barely had anyone to talk to. So with that in mind, she knew she didn't have the greatest knowledge on whether or not somebody talked too much.

But this boy- he definitely talked too much.

She had given up reading a while ago, and in an effort to maybe make a friend, she decided to humor him. He was so animated and lively- the exact opposite of her. She wouldn't say it was refreshing, talking to someone so... whatever he was. No, it was merely... interesting, in the loosest sense of the word.

Garfield was ecstatic- this girl was actually talking to him! Well, kind of; he was really doing most of the talking, and she'd just nod her head occasionally. Their flight had been delayed about half an hour, which he didn't mind one bit, seeing as it gave him an extra half an hour of her company.

"So, do you play any sports?" he asked with a friendly smile.

She stared at him blankly. "No."

"Oh," he laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "Play any instruments?"

Again, that look. "No."

Sighing in exasperation, he gave the girl a pleading look. "Then what is it you like to do, uh..."

The pale girl arched a brow as he trailed off uncertainly. "Raven," she deadpanned, finally giving him her name.

"Raven! What a pretty name," he smiled brightly, but felt it falter as she continued to look unimpressed. "Uh, anyway, what do you like to do, Raven?"

She purposefully lifted the book in her lap. "I like reading," she began, talking very slowly, "and peace, and quiet."

Garfield smiled sheepishly. "Oh, haha... what do you like to read?"

The dark-haired girl arched a brow in mild amusement, somewhat impressed that he found a topic she wouldn't mind discussing. "Well, I really enjoy short stories, preferably by Poe or Lovecraft, but I have found a few books by King that I wouldn't mind reading again."

The blonde boy listened with a smile, making a mental note to google those authors. "Awesome! Sounds like you really know your, uh, stuff!"

Raven nodded tentatively. "Yeah, well, being home-schooled doesn't grant me with the busiest social life, so I make due with what I have- the company of my favorite authors."

Garfield gave her a quizzical look. "Wait, so you're home-schooled, but you're going to Gotham with us? Did you just join the club?"

"Kind of," she replied. "Ms. Mae had read my personal statement and thought that this would be a good trip for me."

"So you're all about saving the world, too?" he grinned.

The pale girl shrugged. "I guess; I'm a pacifist, so I guess I'm all about world peace- you know, stereotypical hippie crap."

The teen quickly eyed the girl head to toe, noting that she was dressed in a casual dark hoodie and jeans. "You don't look like a hippie."

Raven rolled her eyes playfully. "No, I guess not," she smirked.

Suddenly, the pilot announced over the loudspeaker that they would begin taking off. The flight attendants asked all the passengers to put their seats in the upright position, snap their trays back in place, and buckle their seat belts.

Raven struggled with her tray, which she had lowered earlier by accident. "Need a little help?" Garfield smiled.

The pale girl gave him a grateful look. "First time ever flying- can you tell?"

The blonde teen's smile widened. "Psh, not at all."

He reached over to help her, brushing her hand by accident. His face immediately turned red, but he tried to ignore it. Finally, the tray snapped back up.

"Thank you," she replied, letting a small smile grace her lips.

Garfield felt his breath hitch as he stared at her. "N-no problem," he stuttered nervously.

The plane began to take off shortly after, and Raven felt her nerves getting to her. She glanced out the window quickly, watching as the ground sped by as the plane sped up. Realizing that probably wasn't the best place to look, she turned her head and stared forward.

Garfield watched the girl, half of him amused and half of him concerned. "The take off and landing are the worst parts; just find something to distract yourself," he suggested.

She gave him a pleading look. "W-would you mind distracting me?" she asked sheepishly.

The blonde teen smiled brilliantly. "Sure! Uhm, do you have any siblings?"

Raven shook her head no.

"Oh, uhm... any pets?"

Again, she shook her head.

Garfield gasped playfully. "What?! How could you not have a pet!"

The dark-haired girl shrugged. "I've always wanted a cat, b-but my mother is allergic," she admitted, keeping her focus on his green eyes as the plane jolted.

He continued to feign a look of shock. "Well, you definitely need a hamster or something, 'cuz pets are the best!" he exclaimed. "I love animals- that's why I'm in this club. I'm going to open a big cat sanctuary in Africa someday. Not really a 'hero of America,' but whatever."

Raven nodded politely. "That sounds very admirable."

"Yeah, I-" he began, but was at a loss for words when the plane went through some more mild turbulence and the pale girl beside him grabbed his hand. Sure, his hand just happened to be resting on the armrest, and that was probably what she had meant to grab, but still, she was holding his hand!

He felt himself blush as she closed her eyes and squeezed his hand harder. "You, what?"

"Huh?" he replied, confusion evident in his voice.

"Y-you were about to say something."

"O-oh, uh, right," he stuttered, still completely flustered. "I, uh... I just really like animals."

Finally the turbulance was over, and Raven slowly opened her eyes. "That wasn't so bad..." she announced awkwardly.

Garfield continued to stare at their hands, until she released his and reached for her book. Did she even notice? he wondered to himself.

He glanced up at her as she opened her book. "Yeah, you, uh, you get use to it..."

She gave him another small smile in reply, before directing her attention onto her book. "Thank you... uhm..."

"Garfield," he grinned. "I, uh, I told you earlier, but you-"

"Thank you, Garfield."

He smiled sheepishly at her. "You can call me Gar, if you want. All my friends call me Gar."

Raven glanced up quickly, a skeptical look on her face. "We've barely just met," she pointed out dryly.

The blonde teen blushed for what seemed like the hundredth time since meeting her. "Yeah, but... I mean... we're probably gonna get to know each other a lot better during the next two weeks... Might as well get a head start on our friendship now, huh?"

She nodded her head slowly. "Oookay..."

Way to sound like a creeper! he thought bitterly as he observed her look of skepticism. "Hehe, so, uhm... do you want to hear a joke?"

Raven sighed in exasperation as she closed her book. This is going to be a very long flight...

Well, here is chapter two! So I've come to realize AUs are kind of hard to write, even though I guess I have a lot more freedom. It's just strange for me to write these guys in this way, even though I have no problem reading AU fanfics and recognizing the characters! And I really hope they're not totally OOC in this, so let me know if you have any concerns at all!

I also didn't anticipate the fact that writing two stories at once would get a little confusing, especially when I keep typing empath and changeling in this! Lol so forgive me if that does happen! Or just point it out and I'll edit it- and then apologize profusely!

So anywhoo, leave a review! I probably won't update this one as fast, since I'm more focused on my other fanfic, but I will try my hardest not to neglect this one! :)