Raven sat on the roof of the Titan Tower, legs folded in lotus position, overlooking the city as it gracefully descended into the winter twilight. She gazed out across the still water that surrounded their island, toward the bright lights of the soaring buildings that lit the skyline like twinkling Christmas bulbs. Despite the air being sharp and bitterly cold, Raven did not mind, relishing the feeling of crispness as her breath exhaled in a steaming cloud.

She positioned her hands on her knees and closed her eyes, readying herself to enter a meditative trance; however, a nagging memory from earlier that day kept distracting her, buzzing around her mind like an insistent fly.

The encounter she had experienced with the annoying civilian had been harmless enough, certainly. Raven acknowledged and accepted the fact that as the least popular Titan, she was more likely to be harassed and jeered at by the public, rather than adored and admired the way her peers were. No, it wasn't his teasing that bothered her so much—rather, it was his demeanor, the way he spoke, the manner in which he carried himself. It was all eerily… familiar. So much so that Raven could not shake the feeling that she knew the boy from somewhere else, despite having only met him that afternoon.

Focus, Raven, she chided herself. Don't get wrapped up in a useless pursuit.

The half-demon took a deep breath and collected her thoughts, bringing her center of focus into balance. She began to rhythmically chant her mantra.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos… Azarath Metrion Zinthos…"

Raven suddenly stopped, sensing footsteps behind her. Without turning around, she knew it was Robin; After he had saved her from Trigon, their bond had become stronger than ever. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Raven worked increasingly harder to maintain their mental barriers and protect her mind from his. No matter how well her leader might have known her, she wanted her mind free from intrusion, free to be private.

"What?" she deadpanned, eyes still closed and body stilled folded into her meditative position.

"I… I wanted to talk," Robin said tentatively, a gloved hand rubbing the back of his neck.

Raven opened an eye and looked at him irritably. "Now? Can't it wait?"

"I'd really rather it didn't," Robin sighed.

Raven nodded, and he moved to sit down next to her on the edge of the roof.

"So what's going on?" she asked, glancing at him from the side of her hood.

Robin stared out toward the city for a moment before responding.

"I guess I wanted to ask you for advice. About Starfire."

Raven sighed.

"Look, Robin, I'm not going to explain the birds and the bees to you, they've got books for that now—"

"God, no! It's not that at all. It's… well… I don't know what to do."

Raven waited silently for him to go on.

"Starfire and I get along really well, you know, and she's sweet, and kind, and beautiful… but God, Raven, as much as I love her, being with her feels like I'm with a child. Almost like I'm babysitting!" Robin finally burst out. He took a breath before continuing.

"And, I'm just not really sure whether this is something that will pass, a phase we'll overcome… or if it's not the right fit. If we should end it."

The darker titan stayed quiet for a moment, mulling it over in her head. Privately, she preferred not to be involved in her teammates' tangled love lives, but as a loyal friend she wouldn't deny one of them the support they sought.

Raven finally spoke, surveying the masked boy next to her with steady, unreadable eyes.

"I think you should ask yourself three things, Robin. First, are you completely happy when you're with her? Do you ever wish you were someplace else when you're together? And finally, if her… childlike manner… didn't dissipate, would you still see yourself with her, years from now?"

Robin ran his hands through his spiked hair in an agitated manner, soaking in what she was saying.

"You're right…" he trailed off. "I guess I'm going to turn in for tonight and think this one through. Thanks for listening Raven. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome," she murmured, before turning back toward the bay and resuming her meditation.

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Our favorite villain to make an appearance in the next chapter! :O Let the wooing begin!