After lying in bed for another few minutes, Raven sat up. She had felt Robin's desire mount to immeasurable heights when he had stopped kissing her. She shared the same passion, but knew she wasn't ready to give herself in to him, at least not yet. He doesn't want to rush me, and he knows what he wants. So he's giving me the time I need to make sure I'm ready. With a smile she stood up, changed into pajamas, and headed to the small bookshelf. Robin had apparently found some old books and stocked the shelf. She looked them over with a smile. He's even paid attention to the books I read… They were all the tragic romance fairy tales she enjoyed. She picked one and lay back in bed to read. A couple hours later, she fell asleep.
"I cannot believe that he would choose that witch over me!" Starfire was pacing around her room furiously.
"I thought that by hurting her he would understand how much I care for him! I was hoping she would understand to stay away from him! How dare she! She's the daughter of the devil! She almost got us all killed! I loved her dearly as a friend, she knew how I felt about Robin! I thought she would help me get him, yet she stole him from me!" She sat down forcefully on the bed and screamed into a pillow. After taking a deep breath, she continued to argue.
"She is a witch! A demon! I am a princess! I do not believe all the things she told me about her life and family! She is not royalty! I am much more beautiful and come from a better family! It is not fair!" Her eyes narrowed and a strange smile broke across her face. "If anything, that fight for her and Robin's lives showed me the truth… I do not always have to be nice…"
Raven woke up with a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She slowly sat up and gazed sleepily around the room. A strange glow caught her attention.
"Starfire? Is that you?" Raven was suddenly awake as Starfire walked into view and she was able to register the emotions radiating from her. Anger, hatred, and envy came off from her in shocking waves that made Raven gasp.
"Hello, friend Raven. How are you feeling since our last encounter?" She made her way to the foot of the bed, where Raven clutched a hand to her chest.
"Starfire, why are you so angry with me? What did I do? What are you doing in my room?" Starfire smiled.
"Do you truly not know what you have done? Then I will tell you… you knew how I felt about Robin, how much I love him! Yet you went ahead and seduced him!" Raven's eyes widened.
"Starfire! You know that's not true! What you had was a simple crush! I didn't do anything to take Robin away from you! He was the one who chose to be with me!" Starfire growled at her.
"You snatched him away from me! After everything we had gone through, you still took him away! You enchanted him! You witch!" With that, she launched herself at Raven. She screamed as Starfire slammed her against the bed's headboard. The loud bang that rang through the wall shook Robin out of his recently achieved deep sleep.
"I HATE YOU! HOW COULD YOU!? WITCH! DEMON! SLUT!" Raven gasped at Starfire's words and put up a shield to block her attack. Starfire was so angry she didn't bother using her powers. Raven only put up shield after shield attempting to block out the alien's hits and talk some sense into her.
"How can you even say that to me! I did so much for you also, Star! You cannot get in the way of Robin and I! I won't allow it! You must see how wrong you are!" Robin ran into the room as he heard the shouting and growling next door. When he walked in, he saw that Starfire was cornering Raven.
"RAVEN! GET OVER HERE!" Raven automatically teleported to Robin. He pulled her behind him and kept one arm wrapped protectively against her. Starfire growled and turned to face them, eyes glowing green.
"STARFIRE! STOP RIGHT NOW! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" He saw Starfire hesitate for a minute before the glow faded and her tearful eyes were visible.
"Robin, I do not know what got into friend Raven! I merely came in here to apologize and she began attacking me! She accused me of trying to steal you away from her! But I told her, that her words were not true! You are mine! You belong to me! The one trying to snatch you away is she!" Raven gasped and Robin held her tighter against himself.
"What are you talking about!? Starfire, there is something you need to understand… while I care for you dearly and encouraged your crush on me in the past, that has all changed now. I'm sorry, but I don't have feelings for you. You are my teammate, my friend, and a member of my family, but that's it. You have to understand that Raven is the one I love!" Starfire screamed.
"NO! YOU DO NOT MEAN THAT! Robin, can you not see what she has done to you!? She has enchanted you! She is a witch!" The hatred that was at that point radiating off of Starfire, made Raven clutch her chest tightly and her knees buckled slightly. Robin held on to her more tightly.
"DO NOT CALL HER THAT! You're right, she has enchanted me, but not by some spell or ritual, but by her beauty. I care for her, Starfire, not because she has forced me to, but because my heart chose her! I'm sorry, but please understand!" Starfire screamed again as she fell to her knees sobbing. Beast Boy and Cyborg chose that exact moment to burst into the room. As they took in the crying girls and angry mediator, Cyborg automatically took his place between young alien and new couple.
"What's going on now!?" he demanded from them.
"We need to talk… to sort this out right now once and for all. Starfire came in here tonight intent on hurting Raven. I will NOT have anymore of this! Starfire! Listen to me please!" Starfire looked up at him with a tear streaked face and nodded. Robin helped Raven sit down, made sure she was okay, then went to kneel down in front of Starfire. The only source of light was the moon's shine which threw all their faces into shadows.
"Starfire, I'm sorry. I know you have feelings for me. I wish I could return them, but I just can't. Raven doesn't have me under a spell… we've just been through so much. She saved me from myself… then I saved her from her biggest nightmare… at least that's what she says. Our feelings for each other have developed carefully but deeply, and there is no changing that now. Do you understand?" A new wave of tears broke free from her as she nodded. She did understand, she always had, but had decided to stay in denial. She felt Robin put his hand on her head, and she understood. He had taken care of her all these years not because he was in love with her, but because he saw her as a little sister. She nodded once more before standing up.
"I understand friend Robin… it is just hard for me to accept. Friend Raven… I am most sorry for what I have done to you. I know I have no real reason to be so angry towards you… I hope you will one day forgive, though I will understand if you don't…" Without waiting for a response, she flew out the room and to her own, where she cried herself to sleep. Beast Boy was only able to look on in confusion as Robin walked over to Raven, helped her to her feet, then let her walk towards him.
"Hi Beast Boy, I'm sorry you had to walk into this…. You too Cyborg…"
"Don't sweat it Shorty." Cyborg beamed at her and she smiled.
"Not at all, I'm always here for you, Rae…" answered Beast Boy truthfully, while still bracing himself for the worst. Raven looked up at him with watery eyes.
"Beast Boy, I know you have feelings for me… I have been told about them, have witnessed them, and now read them in your thoughts." Beast Boy nodded, but didn't say anything.
"While I am really flattered that you care about me like you do, you have to understand that I cannot return those feelings to you…" Tears started flowing from her and Beast Boy automatically lifted a hand to wipe them away. She froze under his touch and turned her face away. He let his hand fall away painfully.
"I get it… I'm sorry I have made this so hard for you. I never wanted to hurt you, I hope you know that. I just want you to be happy, if you think this is it, then I won't get in the way." He smiled caringly down at her and she couldn't help returning his smile. Beast Boy hesitated, then touched her face carefully once more. As Raven smiled at him, he walked out of her room. She turned around to face Robin, and the pain she felt was obvious to him, who quickly opened his arms to her. She ran to him and buried her face into his chest, sobbing quietly. Cyborg sighed and put a hand on the top of her head.
"Don't worry, that was the worst of it. Things will get better now." Raven nodded and she felt his hand fall away.
"Thank you Cyborg, you've been extremely helpful through all this. I wish there was some way to repay you…" Cyborg smiled at Robin and shook his head.
"Nah, all I want is for you to take care of Raven. She's like the little sister I never had, and if anything ever happened to her, it'd be way too much to bear… so watch out, you hurt her and I don't care how much the leader or my brother you are, I will hurt you…" the seriousness in his voice was evident, yet Robin was able to smile up at him.
"I'll count on that, then. I will take good care of her." Cyborg nodded and bid them goodnight, then also headed out. Robin pulled Raven towards her bed and lay down with her in his arms. This is all my fault… I am a witch… how could I have done this to them! Starfire and Beast Boy! They're in so much pain! Robin winced at the pain in her mental voice and hugged her tighter. It's not your fault! It never was! Everything just got out of hand. Their feelings clouded their judgment enough that they forgot to think about how we would also feel. Don't blame yourself, everything will be all right. Raven let his statement sink in and felt the pain in her heart subside. With her mind still in a jumble, she fell asleep in Robin's arms.
As the sun began to rise, Beast Boy made his way up the steps and into the apartment. His mind had been in chaos and he had gone outside to get some fresh air. The pain he felt had made it easy for him to decide to give in to the Beast within and he transformed, then ran off into the night. Now he returned, shirtless and pants tattered, to put on the mask he'd decided on. Raven had been there for him when he'd been at his worst after Terra's incident, and the gratitude he felt for her soon developed into love. However, if she was sure she would find true happiness with Robin, then he wanted nothing else than for her to have that. He had decided that much and felt good about his choice. He would always be there for her, whenever she needed him, no matter what, he would be available to provide her with anything. And if Robin ever hurt her, he would not hesitate in killing him. It was as simple as that. He passed the kitchen and found Starfire walking out of her room after hearing him come in, eyes puffy from crying. She looked at him questioningly and he shrugged.
"You have your way of dealing with this, I have mine." Starfire smiled at him and nodded. They showered and changed into clean clothes, and saw each other again at the kitchen, where Cyborg was already setting up the breakfast the hotel provided. He grinned at them both and nodded towards the chairs.
"Dude, you better be cooking some Beast Boy approved food there if you plan to give me any of that." Cyborg laughed as Beast Boy eyed the plates he was setting in front of them.
"Your plate is full of creepy tofu stuff, don't worry." Beast Boy beamed up at him as he started stuffing himself. He managed to mumble a "Thank you" between bites, causing Starfire and Cyborg to laugh loudly.
Raven shifted comfortably in bed and smiled when she felt an arm tighten itself around her waist. She put one hand on top of Robin's and turned over to face him. The surprise at having hazel eyes staring back at her made her eyes widen and the greeting she had planned on slipped from her mind.
"Hey angel, how'd you sleep?" Raven opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again when no words came out. Robin chuckled and kissed her forehead. Raven cleared her throat and tried again.
"Great… Prefect… and, um, you?" Robin smiled at her as she shook her head slightly.
"Amazing, I think I've finally caught up on all the sleep I've missed."
"Oh… good…" Raven carefully reached up to his face to caress his eyebrows and the bridge of his nose. What are you thinking? Raven bit her lower lip in thought. That I wish I would see you like this more often… you're… beautiful… Robin blushed slightly as he chuckled, making Raven smile. Thanks… She sat up and looked down at her arm tentatively and slowly began undoing the bandages. Robin quickly took over and she watched on.
"Hey! It's doing so much better!" exclaimed Robin when he finished unwrapping it. It was no longer a gaping hole in her arm, just an angry long cut. She nodded and Robin watched as her other hand began to glow.
"There, all better!" stated Raven as she stretched her arm out. Robin couldn't help being astonished.
"You have got some seriously cool powers! No scarring of any sort!" Raven smiled at his praise as he ran his hands over her once again perfect skin.
"OK, I'd say it's time to get up and get our day started! Bioluminescent bay today, right!?" Robin laughed at her excitement.
"Yeah! But first, breakfast." Raven nodded and ran to the bathroom to get ready as Robin headed to his own room with a smile. By the time Raven was ready, she found Robin on his cell phone talking to a tour guide about their trip for the afternoon. I'll go tell the others! Robin smiled at her and nodded, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek, which made him smile wider. Strangely enough, there was no one in the kitchen. Raven quickly scanned around the villa for the titans and found that they were actually each in their own rooms. She first knocked on Cyborg's who opened the door right away.
"Hey, Rae! Feeling better?" there was concern in his human eye and Raven smiled at him reassuringly.
"Yeah, lots better actually. I was able to heal myself just now. I was actually coming to tell you that Robin's making arrangements for us to go hiking this afternoon and kayaking tonight!"
"Sweet! But wait, kayaking at night? What's there to see at night?" Raven couldn't help grinning at his question.
"You'll see! So get ready! Oh, and Cyborg… thanks. You've been such great help through all of this, and I'm not sure you really understand how grateful I really am for all your help. Robin, too." She hugged him, which took Cyborg by surprise, but he quickly returned it.
"Hey, we're all family, you really are a little sister to me. I'll always have your back, shorty!" With that he ruffled her hair and laughed when she groaned in annoyance. Raven gave him one last smile and turned for Beast Boy's room next. As she was about to knock though, she hesitated. She couldn't help wondering that after all, he might not want to be around her anymore. The thought shot through her heart and filled her with pain.
"I can smell you, you know. Come on in!" Beast Boy's voice startled her, but she went in.
"Hey… how are you?" He was sitting on his bed and she noticed the magazine he'd just been reading next to him. He patted the spot to his other side and she went to sit next to him.
"I've honestly been better, but at the same time, I'm feeling good." He smiled at her and she looked down. That was when she noticed the ripped clothes on the corner of his floor. She quickly looked up at him.
"Beast Boy, what happened?" he merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Look, I told you I understand, and all I want is for you to be happy. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I have to like it… last night was just too much… and the beast was easier to deal with…" Raven's eyes widened and she covered his hands with hers.
"Beast Boy! I never meant to hurt you! You know that! I am so sorry about all of this! I did have feelings for you early on… but so quickly you became my best friend, and that was more important to me… this thing with Robin, it's just so much bigger than anything I ever thought possible… I know it's not what you want to hear…" she began crying and Beast Boy held her chin in his hand.
"Rae, you don't have to apologize. I know how you feel about, Robin. I can see it in your eyes every time you look at him. Sure, I wish it was me you could look at in that way, but I'm happy knowing that you are happy." He wiped away a few tears that had escaped her eyes and Raven smiled.
"Please, Beast Boy… you are my best friend… I can't lose you… I don't know what I'd do without you…" Beast Boy let go of her chin and grimaced at her words.
"I know. I won't ever leave you. I'll always be here for you. I made that promise to you long ago, and I won't ever break it, no matter what." Even though he knew it would hurt him. Even though he knew that every day he had to bear witness to the relationship between her and Robin, his heart would break all over again. As long as she was happy, he would go through it all. Because that's what true love does to a person, and he truly did love Raven. Raven knew it, too. She could sense it. Apart from Robin, she was next closest to Beast Boy, and their friendship formed an emotional link between them. She could feel his pain, and she knew she was the cause of it, but she couldn't let go. She loved him too dearly, as her best friend and first true crush, to ever be able to let go. She was selfish and she knew it, which is how she also knew how real his love for her was. She understood that no matter how much it hurt him, he would do anything to keep her happy.
"Oh, Beast Boy! I am so sorry! I never wanted to hurt you! I love you, you know that! Just not in the same way, and it breaks my heart to know that I am hurting you!" she began crying and Beast Boy quickly wrapped his arms around her. The same way they had so many times before, whenever either one needed comfort.
"I know, Raven. It will get easier for both of us, and I care about you too much to just let go. I won't leave because I want to always be sure that you are safe and happy. I know Robin will make sure of that also, but I need to see it with my own eyes. Don't worry. Friends forever, no matter what, through good and bad, and funny and sad?" Raven looked up at him with a smile. It was the promise they had made to each other so many times before.
"Forever and ever, through thick and thin, no one thing will get in the way!" They both laughed as Raven finished the second part of their silly little saying. Raven wrapped her arms around him more tightly this time, truly believing things would work out. Just then, though, there was a quick knock and the door opened.
"Friend Beast Boy, Cyborg has just-" Starfire's words stopped midway. Raven and Beast Boy both turned to face her just as she processed what she was seeing.
"You! How could you! You take Robin away from me, only to maintain a relationship with Beast Boy behind his back!" Starfire yelled in frustration as her eyes began glowing green. Raven's intense fear made the block on her mind fall away. As Robin suddenly felt it through their link, he cursed under his breath and ran out of his room towards her.
"Starfire, it's not what you think. You need to calm down." Beast Boy had stood up and was making sure to keep Raven behind him as he moved forward.
"No! I shall tell Robin of your deceit myself!"
"Starfire! It's not what it looks like!" Raven quickly flew after her and Beast Boy darted after her. Out in the hallway, Starfire spun around so quickly they almost crashed altogether. Once again her anger left Raven speechless, and she merely stood there as Starfire made to hit her. Beast Boy, however, did manage to react. He pulled Raven back and caught Starfire's hands before she could touch either of them.
"Starfire, you know what you are doing is wrong! Stop it!" too enraged to listen, she kicked out at him, making him stumble and release her hands. As she again tried to push Beast Boy out of the way, and hit Raven, Robin rounded the corner.
"What is going on!?" Cyborg ran out of his room at Robin's question, a shocked expression on his face.
"Robin! She lies! She is only using you! I walked into Beast Boy's room and found them together!" Starfire's words made Robin's mouth drop open, but he knew better.
"Starfire, it's not what you think! It isn't like that! There is nothing going on between Beast Boy and I! We're just friends! We were just working things out!" Raven had made it past Beast Boy and was next to Starfire, who rounded on her at once.
"Liar!" Beast Boy once again hugged Raven against himself and out of Starfire's way. Robin took advantage of the small distraction and managed to pin Starfire's arms behind her.
"This can't go on!" Raven managed to put up a shield around Starfire and herself, pushing the guys outside of it. As soon as they all realized, panic flew through all of them and they fought to get in. Starfire merely looked at Raven in surprise.
"Listen, I am tired of this! I can't take it anymore! You ask for forgiveness and act nice one second, then you turn around and try to hurt me again! I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me!" by this point, tears were freely streaming down Raven's face.
"You want me? Here I am…" Raven just stood there in front of Starfire, looking her straight in the eye. Starfire gathered enough anger to start glowing again, and Raven braced herself, while the guys continued to pound on the walls of her shield.
"I hate you!" yelled Starfire, and as Raven thought she would unleash all her anger on her, Starfire just dropped to her knees and began to cry. Oh, thank God. Everyone froze, and Raven let the shield fall away. She knelt down next to Starfire and held her.
"I hate that I can't hate you! When Robin went looking for you during the battle with your father, I could see it in his eyes… he was not hesitant about going after you… he was not hesitant about leaving me… all along all he cared about was getting you back. But I can't blame him! I've loved you so much for so long, Raven! In my anger, I forget everything that you have done for me… I am so sorry!" she kept crying as Raven held her.
"I know, Star. I love you too, and I forgive you." They stayed that way until Starfire finally stood up, and head bowed, went into her room. It was then Raven's turn to cry. Beast Boy was closest to her and when he noticed it, he automatically hugged her. As he tried to wipe her tears away though, she moved away. He looked at her in confusion, and as Robin wrapped his arms around her, that she returned his hug so quickly, Beast Boy couldn't help his anger.
"Why can't you let me also be there for you?" he asked in a pained voice, making Raven look at him in confusion. Robin was the one to answer.
"Look, she's with me. You need to understand, that whether you like it or not, she finds more comfort with me that with you." He kept his tone neutral, but it made his words no less harsh.
"Robin! It's not-"
"That's just fine! I get it, OK!? You don't have to rub it in!" as Beast Boy stormed off towards the kitchen, Raven pulled away from Robin.
"What was that for?! You had no right!" Robin looked at her in shock. What do you mean?
"Just because of the relationship we have now, it doesn't mean you can treat him that way!" she turned to go after Beast Boy, and Robin caught her arm.
"Wait, where are you going?" Raven pulled her arm free and kept walking.
"I'm going after him!" she yelled over her shoulder. Robin was left standing there, confused and angry. Cyborg could just watch on and sigh as Robin then headed to his own room.