Chapter Three: Raven's Goodbye.

...

One year ago.

...

It was late at night in Titans Tower. Most of the windows were dark, implying that the majority of the occupants of the tower had gone to bed. But there was one room still lit up, indicating someone was awake at this late hour.

In the kitchen, Raven sat on a stool at the island table, her expression pensive as she stared into the distance. Richard crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, giving her space while silently showing his support. The room grew quiet, and a sense of comfort settled between them despite the weight of the conversation that lingered in the air.

He had known this moment was coming for some time now. Richard's keen attentiveness had spotted Raven's longing for a way out, she craved what she never got to experience, a normal life. In her youth, being her natural abnormal self had been easier, but as the years went by and the Titans world settled down, the opportunity to be normal started to become a more reasonable objective.

But even though he had anticipated this conversation, it didn't make it any less painful to hear. The thought of Raven leaving the team, tugged at his heartstrings. They had been through so much together, forming a bond that went beyond friendship.

He let out a soft sigh, trying to compose his thoughts before speaking. "This place won't be the same without you." His voice was gentle and filled with admiration, his feelings evident in his words.

Raven responded with a knowing look. "You have a whole new team recruiting in a couple of months. I'm sure one of them will fill in as the sarcastic voice of reason."

Richard shook his head, unable to let her playful remark lighten the weight in his heart. "You know no one can replace you." He smiled, but his eyes betrayed the sadness he was feeling. "We are going to miss you."

Raven sighed, the heaviness of her goodbye weighing on her like an invisible burden. "I'm going to miss all of you too." She admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"When do you plan on leaving?" Richard asked, trying to come to terms with the reality of her departure.

"Tomorrow is my last day. I don't want to prolong the goodbyes." She replied, her tone a mixture of resolution and sorrow.

Richard nodded in acknowledgement, his heart aching at the thought of losing his friend and teammate. "When do you plan on telling the others?"

She wasn't looking forward to it. If telling Richard had already left her feeling disheartened, breaking the news to her other friends was going to be even more difficult. Raven glanced down, letting out a long sigh as she braced herself for the emotional task ahead. "I plan to tell each of them privately tomorrow." She answered softly.

Richard continued to look at her, his expression filled with sorrow. "You know this is going to be hard for them." He said, his voice reflecting the concern he had for the rest of the Titans.

"I know." Raven said, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the impact her departure would have on her friends and the team. Despite the bittersweet nature of her decision, she knew that sometimes, the path to finding her own sense of normalcy had to be walked alone.

...

The next morning, Raven began her morning routine, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy before she broke the news to the others. She silently made her way into the kitchen, a place that had become a familiar sanctuary for the Titans.

Ignoring the obnoxious banter from the TV area, where Victor and Garfield were once again arguing over a video game, she focused on her teapot. The two had grown up significantly over the years, yet their playful bickering seemed like an ever-present constant. Despite how their arguing often annoyed her, she knew she would miss their child-like behavior once she was gone.

"Raven, would you weigh in on this?" Victor called out, standing up and distracting her from her task.

"Oh, don't bring her into this." Garfield retorted.

"You know I don't involve myself in such trivial things." Raven replied calmly, placing her teapot on the stove. As she prepared her tea, her heart wavered with a mix of emotions. She knew that soon she would have to tell them about her decision to leave, and the thought of parting with her friends weighed heavily on her mind. Despite aggravating her, she knew she would miss these moments, the banter and camaraderie that made the Titans a family, and the idea of leaving it all behind was both daunting and heart-wrenching. But she also knew that she needed to find her own path and embrace the normalcy she craved.

"You know what, fine!" Garfield yelled, dramatically throwing his hands in the air as he stood up. "You win."

Victor chuckled triumphantly, placing his hand on his hips. "See, now was that so hard?"

Garfield scuffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "It is when it's an unfair victory." He muttered as he made his way into the kitchen.

Raven watched as the changeling leaned his upper body over the island across from her, clearly in a sulk. Despite his dramatic display of resentment, she couldn't help but give him credit for taking the defeat in stride.

"That was surprisingly mature of you." Raven commented, taking a sip of her tea as she leaned her back against the counter.

Garfield lifted his head to look at her, a smirk appearing on his face at the comment. "Like I've been telling you all along, Rae. I'm all about maturity."

Raven rolled her eyes, almost forgetting that he couldn't receive a compliment without it boosting his ego.

"Unlike some of us, I can put childish arguments aside and be the bigger person." Garfield continued, clearly pleased with himself.

"Yeah, I heard that!" Victor hollered from the couch.

Ignoring the comment, Garfield ran his hand through his hair, flashing another smile at her. "Like I was saying, I'm all about maturity."

Raven sighed, turning back to the counter, setting her mug down before adding some honey to her tea. "My answer still stands." She told him firmly. But as she turned back around, she found him standing right behind her, much closer than she expected.

Taken aback by the sudden proximity, Raven was forced to take a deep breath and composed herself. She gently pushed on his chest, forcing him to take a step back and create some distance. "Garfield, I said no." She reminded him sternly, trying not to get agitated with his persistence.

"I know you think I'm not mature enough, but..." He began to argue.

"I told you that wasn't the reason." She cut him off, her patience waning.

"Then why won't you give me a chance?" Garfield asked, his tone more earnest than before.

It wasn't the right time to tell him about her departure, even if it would be a great justification for her to not have to go out with him. Making sure she didn't blurt it out just to stop his pestering, Raven turned towards the counter, placing her hands on the surface as she sighed again. ""It's complicated, Gar." She finally said, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "When you mix friendships with dating, things get... awkward."

He moved next to her, leaning towards her as he spoke. "Dick and Kori have been together for years, and that's not awkward."

"On the contrary, it was very awkward when they got together." She said, grabbing her tea mug. "If the date nights and flirting weren't uncomfortable enough, the public affection and them sleeping in the same room made it even more so." She told him as she walked around him and headed towards the door.

Garfield quickly grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. Raven let out a heavy breath in irritation as she turned around to face him. But her bitter temper softened as he gave her a caring expression.

"I'm just asking you to give this a chance." He spoke honestly.

She glanced down briefly, struggling with her rejection before facing him again. "And I'm telling you, my answer remains the same." She told him before walking away and leaving the room.

Garfield let out a heavy sigh as he watched her walk away, his heart sinking with her once again rejecting him. The room seemed to echo with the weight of the silence as she left. Slowly, he made his way back to the kitchen, feeling defeated as he took a seat and slumped over the table, his emotions swirling in turmoil.

"You gotta let it go, Gar." Victor advised from the couch, sensing his friend's frustration and heartache.

Garfield immediately turned and glared at his friend. "Yeah, what do you know." He huffed, feeling defensive.

"I know that if you keep pestering her, she's never going to give you a chance." Victor informed him.

Garfield got up from the table and walked over to the couch. "And what do you presume I do?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Victor paused his game before turning slightly to face his friend. "Give her space." He said simply. "We all know you two have had your moments. But she's not going to let that develop into anything if you keep pestering her. Leave her alone and let her come to you." He finished, offering his sincere advice.

"Fine." Garfield agreed, though reluctantly. "What do I have to lose?" He muttered, acknowledging that his current approach was not getting him anywhere. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to try anything to get her attention. Giving Raven space seemed like a reasonable course of action, even though his heart longed to be close to her.

Victor smiled, patting the seat next to him. "Good. Now come sit, and we can play another round." He offered, trying to lighten the mood.

Garfield abruptly scowled at him. "Why, so you can cheat again?!"

Victor slammed his hands on the couch cushions as he got up in an outburst. "It wasn't cheating!"

...

Raven sipped her tea as she leisurely walked down the hallway back to her room, her mind still preoccupied with the encounter in the kitchen. She didn't like being so harsh with Garfield, but he left her no choice. The gentler she was, the harder it was for him to take her refusal seriously. She regretted not shooting him down completely the first time he had asked her out. Now she understood that being considerate of his feelings only gave him hope that he would someday convince her.

The conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind, making her almost oblivious to her surroundings. As she turned the corner in the hall, she nearly bumped into Kori, who looked slightly startled before her face lit up with a warm smile.

"Oh, Raven!" Kori exclaimed, her cheerful demeanor instantly brightening up the corridor.

"Morning, Kori." Raven greeted, trying to push away her worries for the moment.

Kori quickly matched her pace, walking beside her as they continued down the hall. "Raven, I was just informed that one of my favorite stores is having a big sale today, and I was hoping you would accompany me?"

Normally, Raven wouldn't hesitate to politely decline such an offer. However, the idea of spending time with Kori gave her the perfect opportunity to tell her friend about her departure. What better way to break the news than after sharing a fun day of shopping?

"Sure." Raven replied, mustering a smile for Kori's sake.

Kori's face lit up even more, her enthusiasm contagious. "Wonderful!" She cheered, clasping her hands together. "We can leave in thirty minutes."

"Great." Raven said, trying to maintain her composure.

Telling Kori about her plans to leave was a daunting task. Raven was well aware of the alien's sensitivity and how deeply the news would affect her. Guilt gnawed at her, knowing that delivering such news would cause Kori pain. However, as much as she felt guilty, she also understood that avoiding the conversation was not an option. The truth needed to be shared, no matter how difficult it might be.

...

Raven stood in front of her open closet, her hand reaching for the jacket as she took a deep breath. It was more than just grabbing her garment, it was a moment to collect herself before embarking on what she knew would be a mentally exhausting adventure at the mall. Shopping wasn't her favorite activity, but she was determined to make it enjoyable for Kori, even if it meant stepping out of her comfort zone.

As she put on her jacket, Garfield's voice interrupted her thoughts. "So, you're really going to the mall with Kori?" He asked, a hint of intrigue in his voice as he leaned himself on open doorframe.

"She asked me to join her, and I agreed." Raven replied simply, not revealing the deeper purpose of the outing.

Garfield's eyes narrowed slightly." So, when she asks you out..." Raven abruptly turned and glared at him, appalled that he could even compare the two. He quickly backpedaled, sensing her irritation. "Never mind." He said, lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I hope you have fun."

Her expression softened slightly, but her sarcasm remained intact. "Unlikely." She replied dryly, slipping past him in the doorway.

...

Raven tried to maintain a composed facade as she sat on the chair in the dressing room. She forced a smile on her face as she watched Kori twirl around in front of the mirror, trying on different dresses with genuine excitement.

Hiding her distaste for shopping plaza was difficult as Raven tried to toon out the flickering florescent lights, the cash register's endless beeping, and the occasional child crying.

"So, what do you think it is going to be like having new members joining the team?" Kori's voice broke through Raven's thoughts.

Raven let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. "I won't be here to find out." She murmured to herself, her words barely escaping her lips. "They're teenagers, so I'm sure it's going to be a hormonal mess."

Kori turned to her with a questionable gaze. "Were we a hormonal mess as teenagers?"

"I know you were." Raven replied, feeling a slight smile tug at her lips despite her mood.

Kori rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm sure it will be fine. Between all of us, I'm sure we can manage a couple of teenagers."

Her hint of a smile faltered. Raven knew she couldn't keep up this facade much longer. She had to tell Kori the truth, but finding the right moment was proving to be challenging.

As Kori looked at Raven through the dressing room mirror, she could sense that something was bothering her friend. She knew Raven didn't exactly enjoy going to the mall with her and she could clearly see that in her expression.

"Raven, I really appreciate you joining me today." Kori began as she turned to face her friend. "I know it's not your idea of a fun outing, so it means the world to me that you decided to come anyway." She said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Raven mustered a small smile. "This might not be my ideal outing, but some might consider it important for us to spend quality time together, where we can talk about changes that are happening." She explained, hoping to divert Kori's attention away from her own troubles.

Kori turned back to the mirror, her eyes lingering on her reflection as she tried on another dress. "There have been a lot of changes happening at the tower." She mused, her tone contemplative. "Especially with you."

Raven let out a small, exasperated breath, her frustration evident in her furrowed brows. "You've caught on to that, huh?" She replied, trying not to sound too defeated.

Kori nodded her head enthusiastically. "And I think you should give him a chance."

Raven's eyes widened in surprise. "Excuse me?" She blurted out, taken aback by Kori's unexpected suggestion.

"He's changed a lot over the years." Kori continued, undeterred by Raven's reaction. "And you two have gotten a lot closer..."

Confused and still in disbelief, Raven shook her head, trying to make sense of Kori's assumptions. "Wait, wait. Are you talking about Garfield?" She asked, needing some clarification.

"Of course." Kori said, looking slightly puzzled. "Isn't that what you were talking about?"

Raven sighed, feeling like she was caught in a whirlwind of misunderstandings. "Um, no. Not really." She replied vaguely.

"Oh." Kori spoke, slightly surprised. "I just thought that's why you wanted to come with me today. Because you wanted to talk about the changes between you two, and the discussion you had yesterday."

"What discussion?" Raven asked as she turned back to Kori.

"Well..." Kori hesitated, sensing that she might have crossed some boundaries by mentioning the conversation. "Victor kind of filled me in on the talk you and Garfield had in the kitchen."

Raven rolled her eyes, feeling irritated that her private matters were being discussed behind her back. "What about it?" she asked, her tone slightly short at the subject matter.

"Why don't you give him a chance?" Kori began, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You two would make such a cute-"

"Kori." Raven quickly cut her off, not wanting to entertain the idea any further. "Not everyone is as fortunate when getting romantically involved with their friends."

"But your friendship has really blossomed over the years." She insisted, trying to find reasons to support her point of view.

Raven crossed her legs, turning away from Kori's hopeful gaze. "Just because we don't argue as much doesn't mean we should start dating." She stated firmly, not wanting to entertain the idea any further. The truth was, she had considered it at some point, but the complexities of mixing friendship and romance were too daunting for her to explore.

"Do you not find him attractive?" Kori asked innocently.

Surprised by the questioned, Raven abruptly turned to face her before awkwardly averting her gaze. "We are not talking about what I find attractive." She said sternly, hoping to end the conversation before it delved further into uncomfortable territory.

Kori couldn't help but sigh adoringly, clearly lost in her thoughts. "Don't you ever wonder what it would be like?" She asked dreamily, her eyes sparkling with imagination. She gently tightened the flowy dress to her chest, swaying as if lost in the bliss of her fantasy. "Holding hands, caressing one another, locking arms in an embrace..."

"I get it, Kori." Raven drawled.

"Oh, and that wonderful feeling of connecting lips for the first time." Kori continued, her romantic musings pouring out without a filter.

"Kori..." Raven grimaced, wishing her friend would stop painting such vivid images in her mind. Raven had always been more guarded with her emotions, and this discussion was pushing her boundaries.

"And then when you get so caught up in the moment of passion, that you can't help but to rip each other's clothes off-"

Raven's face flushed at the thought. "Kori!"

Raven's face couldn't help but flush at the thought. "Kori!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration. "Look, it doesn't matter whether I find him attractive or have feelings for him because we are friends, and that's all we are going to be!" She asserted firmly as she sat back down in her chair, hoping to put an end to the topic.

Kori's face turned intrigued at the telling information as she clutched the dress in her hands. "So, you do have feelings for him..." She said softly, her intuition sensing the truth behind Raven's words.

Raven sighed heavily, feeling defeated in trying to hide her emotions from her perceptive friend. "It doesn't matter how I feel about him, Kori." She confessed with a touch of vulnerability. "Because I'm leaving."

...

Meanwhile, back at the tower, the three male members of the team sat on the crescent-shaped couch, fully immersed in an intense game on the gaming console.

"Yes! See!" Victor shouted triumphantly. "That proves I didn't cheat." He said proudly, flashing a grin at his friends.

"Good game, guys." Richard acknowledged, setting down his controller and leaning back in his seat.

"I still think you cheated yesterday." Garfield said bitterly, glaring at his friend.

"You're just a sore loser." Victor retorted, causing Garfield to childishly stick his tongue out at him. "Real mature, Grass Stain." He remarked, turning back to the game menu.

Garfield huffed as he slumped back in his seat before reaching into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Don't do it, Gar." Victor said, starting another game on the console.

"Do what?" Garfield shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"Remember what I said earlier. Let her come to you." Victor advised, raising a knowing eyebrow at his friend.

"I wasn't going to- fine." Garfield grumbled in defeat, shoving his phone back into his pocket.

"Are you still trying to get Raven to go on a date with you?" Richard asked, and considering the information he knew, he really hoped he wasn't.

"Poor guy is still swooning for her." Victor teased, earning a playful glare from Garfield.

"I know she likes me back." Garfield insisted. "She's just being stubborn."

Richard's face furrowed slightly with concern. "Gar... Maybe you should let the idea go." He suggested, his voice tinged with hesitation.

"Come on, Dick. Don't be such a love pooper. You got your girl. Why don't you think these guys have a chance?" Victor interjected.

Richard sighed, considering his words carefully before speaking again. "I just don't want you to get hurt if she ends up turning you down for good." He said, getting up from the couch. "Just try not to get your hopes up." He finished, leaving the room.

Garfield shrugged off Richard's comment, determined to remain optimistic. "She can't reject me forever." He mumbled, trying to reassure himself.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Victor chimed in. "But if you continue to give her space and time, who knows? Maybe she'll start missing that obnoxious behavior of yours."

Garfield couldn't help but smile at the thought. "Then I'll be waiting." He declared confidently.

...

"Kori? Are you okay?" Raven asked, watching her friend's sadden expression in the dressing room mirror. She wanted to console her friend, to make her understand that it wasn't about leaving them behind, but rather about seeking new experiences.

Kori's compassionate nature immediately kicked in despite the sadness she was feeling. "You want to experience new things. I can understand that." She said sympathetically, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"I will still be in touch." Raven reassured her, trying to convey her determination despite the sadness in her heart. "And if anything serious comes up, then I will be on the next flight."

Kori's arms drooped to her sides, the dress she held dragging on the floor. "Is this why you came with me today?" She asked, her eyes searching Raven's face for the truth.

Raven wanted to deny the assumption, to tell her that she genuinely wanted to go shopping with her, but she knew Kori was smarter than that.

"Kori, I care about you." She began. "I'm not going to lie and say that I enjoy shopping at the mall, but I enjoy hanging out with you, and I wanted to have one last outing just the two of us."

"I appreciate your compassion." Kori said, forcing a smile as she turned back to the mirror, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. "When are you departing?"

"I leave tomorrow morning." Raven answered, the weight of her decision heavy on her shoulders.

Raven felt a mixture of emotions as she looked into Kori's caring eyes. She hated seeing her friend upset, but she also knew that staying at the tower would only leave her feeling unfulfilled.

The two friends shared a somber moment in the dressing room, the weight of Raven's impending departure hanging heavily in the air. Raven wanted to say more, to find the right words to ease Kori's pain, but she knew that sometimes words weren't enough. She knew that saying goodbye to the Titans and her friends would be difficult, but having Kori's understanding and support certainly made the process a little easier.

...

After returning home from the mall, Raven felt emotionally drained as she entered her room and prepared to meditate. Her mind was overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts as she debated her decision. Two teammates down, two more to go. She knew Victor wouldn't be as difficult, he was the most understanding among them. She just needed to find the right moment to have a private conversation with him.

However, Garfield was a different story. He had been persistently trying to win her over, making her question if this was even the right time to leave. But she quickly shook her head at the thought, knowing deep down that if she didn't leave now, she never would. As her departure time drew closer, she started to regret not giving him a chance. While she was certain a romantic relationship with him wouldn't work out, the curiosity of what could have happened left her pondering.

Would letting him take her out on a date really be that bad? Would he have made a move? Would he have tried to hold her hand or put his arm around her? Would he have gotten carried away and kiss her? And most importantly, would she have let him? Raven quickly dismissed these daydreams, knowing that she was letting Kori's fantasies get into her head. Even if she wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with Garfield, it was too late now.

Realizing that her mind was too active to meditate, Raven decided it was time to talk to Victor. Leaving her room and heading to the garage, she saw that the door was open and leaned herself on the doorframe. She stood there for a while, watching Victor work on his car, and quietly appreciating the content moments she had shared with him in silence.

"It's been a while since you joined me in the garage." Victor finally said, breaking the silence.

"I know. I miss it." Raven replied, leaving her spot by the door and walking up to him.

"But I feel like you aren't just here to bask in the sentiment." Victor noted, turning away from the car to face her. "What's on your mind?" He asked, swinging his grease rag over his shoulder as he leaned against the car's hood.

"A lot of things." she answered vaguely, unconsciously staring at her feet.

"Do any of them have to do with Gar?" He inquired.

"Yes." She answered honestly, seeing no point in hiding her thoughts from him. "But I'm not here to talk about him."

"Then what do you want to talk about?" Victor asked.

Raven looked down at her hands, the weight of her impending departure settling heavily on her shoulders. "Victor, I've decided to leave the Titans." She said, lifting her head up to look at him directly. "I need to go on my own journey, figure out who I am without the team."

Victor's eyes widened slightly, showing his surprise. Once the information sunk in, he turned his head, letting out a held-in breath as he rubbed his bald head.

"Who all knows?" He asked.

"I think you know who doesn't." She answered.

Victor's brow furrowed with disappointment, upset by the thought. He had been convincing his friend to give Raven space, hoping it would lead to something more. But now he knew he would have to pick Garfield up from the ground when she leaves.

"I'm assuming that Kori and Richard know." He speculated, and watched her nod in confirmation. "Then let me guess, you're saving the best for last?"

"I guess you could say that." She said with a slight shrug.

Victor sighed again, dragging his hand over his bald head in frustration. "He's not going to take it well," he said, worry evident in his voice.

Raven nodded solemnly, understanding very well how difficult it was going to be to break the news to Garfield. "I know." She said softly, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the pain she was about to cause.

Feeling uncomfortable with the emotions he was experiencing, Victor grabbed a tool from his table and started tweaking the car, trying to keep himself occupied as he processed the news. The sound of the metal against metal filled the garage, momentarily breaking the tense silence between them.

"When are you heading out?" He finally asked, his head buried in the car hood, unable to meet her gaze.

"My flight leaves tomorrow morning." She replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil she was feeling.

"I see you've waited until the last possible moment to tell him." Victor remarked, his disapproval evident.

Raven looked down, her regret clear in her expression. "That wasn't my intention." She explained, wishing she had found the right moment to talk to Garfield earlier.

"Well, have fun breaking his heart." Victor said bitterly, his frustration and disappointment apparent in his tone.

Feeling hurt by the harsh comment, Raven tried to hide her emotions. "Trust me, Victor, I will get no enjoyment out of it." She said before leaving the room, the weight of her decision weighed heavily on her heart.

...

It was getting late, and the time was running out for Raven. There was one person left to talk to, and she knew he would be the hardest. She wished she could just leave, and pretend that telling three out of four friends would be enough. But she knew that wasn't right, Garfield deserved the same respect as the others, he deserved a proper goodbye.

She had started to wonder if he already knew, as he had been acting kind of distant towards her today. Although she wasn't sure how he could have possibly found out. The others were so keen on her telling him, so she knew they wouldn't have said anything. But as the day went on and she observed his happy persona from afar, it became clear that he was completely in the dark about her leaving.

Raven sat down next to her packed suitcase on her bed. She pulled out her plane ticket and stared at the timestamp before glancing at her nightstand clock. The day was almost over, and her time to tell Garfield was running out. She wished she hadn't avoided him, wished she had taken him up on his offer and gone on that stupid date. But more than anything, she wished she had more time.

A light tap on her door startled her, and she quickly shoved her ticket back into her bag. She took a deep breath and composed herself before walking over to answer the door.

"Hey, Rae." Garfield greeted her with a smile. "I was just wondering if you wanted to go see a movie tonight?"

She stared at him in surprise. Was she really getting a second chance? Was this her sign to finally take him up on his offer and spend some quality time with him before saying goodbye?

"Don't worry, it's not a date." He reassured her. "Vic's coming too."

"Oh." She said, surprised that she was actually disappointed that Victor would be accompanying them.

She thought about saying yes and going along with them. With Victor there, she could use him as a buffer before breaking the news to Garfield. He could still have a great time out with just the three of them before she would tell him about her departure. But while that all seemed nice in theory, she knew it was better to tell him privately, just like she had done with the others. Besides, she wanted to be alone with him.

"Actually, could you raincheck Victor?" She asked, and he looked puzzled at her request. "I need to talk to you alone."

"Oh... Okay." He said, sounding a bit taken aback. She slowly ushered him into the hallway and shut her door behind them. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked.

She remained silent for a moment as they continued walking down the hallway, passing the bedrooms of the other Titans. But the longer she waited to answer, the more concerned he became about what she wanted to talk about.

"Raven?" He asked, worry etched on his face.

She finally came to a stop, knowing that if she kept walking, it would only encourage her to delay what she needed to say. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you." She said, turning to face him.

But as soon as she met his gaze, she found herself unable to say it. While telling the others about her departure had been difficult, telling Garfield was unbearably worse.

As their eyes locked, Raven noticed something in Garfield's expression that she hadn't fully prepared for. Beyond the genuine friendship and love she was accustomed to seeing, there was an affectionate longing that she tried to overlook. But the longer she stared at him, the more intense the feeling became, until it was no longer tolerable.

Living in such close quarters, she had convinced herself to suppress any thoughts of reciprocating his feelings. It seemed more practical to avoid potential complications and maintain their strong friendship. However, now that she was leaving, the temptation to see how things could unfold if she allowed herself to explore those feelings became irresistible.

With the pressing reality of her impending departure, the urge to seize the opportunity and see what might happen between them became more enticing than dwelling on her goodbye. So, despite her better judgment, she let go of all her objections, and reservations, all her reasonings to why she refused to pursue.

Driven by her overwhelming emotions, she made an impulsive decision. She reached out and firmly grabbed the collar of Garfield's shirt, pulling him closer to her. Before she could second-guess herself, she closed the distance between them, crushing her lips onto his. It was a bold move, and she knew she had to take this chance now or regret it forever.

Garfield's initial surprise quickly gave way to a sense of delight and excitement as he realized what was happening. He didn't hesitate to respond, his arms wrapping around her waist with a mixture of surprise and eagerness. His body leaned into the kiss, his heart racing with excitement and desire. He had dreamt of this moment, but reality surpassed his expectations. Now he got to bask in the fact that she was in his arms at last, her lips pressing against his, relieving all the desire and longing that had built between them.

The kiss was unexpected and electrifying, fueled by the emotional intensity of the moment. She kissed him deeply, releasing all the built-up tension between them in one simple act. Because he was right, there had been something between them, something she was reluctant to acknowledge, despite it clearly being there.

Raven pulled away with a heated breath, taking the moment to gain her train of thought, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and her logical side was telling her that she needed to tell him about her departure, to say goodbye properly. But in that moment, as she looked up into Garfield's ecstatic eyes, and the delighted smirk that curved his lips, she couldn't help but be drawn to the overwhelming desire to kiss him again.

She yanked him forward once again, kissing him as hungerly as before. His surprise at her second kiss quickly melted into eager reciprocation. He leaned into her, his hands holding her close, the desire too apparent to ignore. The passionate side of her had taken over, and all her reservations and reasons to say goodbye seemed to fade away in the warmth of his embrace.

Their second kiss was just as electrifying as the first, if not more so. It was fueled by the shared longing and unspoken emotions between them. Their lips moved in perfect harmony, and they both lost themselves in the moment, forgetting about the world around them.

He was slightly taken aback when she shoved him against his bedroom door, pressing herself against him as she kissed him with more passion than he had expected from her. And she never broke away from him as she opened the door and shoved him inside.

He unsteadily stepped backwards, surprised at how assertive she was being. Despite loving every minute of her kissing and feeling the passion she had for him, he couldn't help but feel the need to clarify where her intentions lay. But as she pushed him back towards his bed, forcing him to sit down as she climbed on his lap, he realized what her objective was. And after wanting this for so long, he wasn't going to protest it.

...

The next morning, the Titan's Tower was enveloped in an unusual air of silence. The typical buzz of activity and camaraderie among the team members was noticeably absent, replaced by an atmosphere of somber sorrow.

Kori sat at the kitchen table, trying to be strong and hide the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. But the empty silence became something she could no longer bear, and she was forced to get up and leave the room.

Richard observed Kori from where he stood, leaning against the kitchen counter. Concern etched across his face, he debated whether to approach her or give her space. But when tears started to fall down her cheeks and she quickly got up to leave, he knew he couldn't leave her alone in her time of need.

Richard left the room, but before he could go after Kori, his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He glanced down at the caller ID, feeling conflicted between attending to the call and finding Kori. Forcing himself to put Kori aside for the moment, Richard walked to his room to take the call, hoping it wouldn't be something urgent.

As the others left, Victor remained slumped over the couch, lost in the sorrow of his own thoughts. But his silent solitude didn't last long as the common room door swished open.

Garfield sauntered into the room, a joyful skip in his step, his mood so elated that he failed to notice the saddened expression on his friend's face. Using his hand to support himself, he effortlessly leaped over the couch, landing with a soft thud next to Victor. Relishing in his happiness, he leaned back on the sofa, a noticeable smile adorning his face.

Victor, on the other hand, couldn't muster the same level of enthusiasm. His shoulders slumped as he leaned forward, his arms resting on his legs. "You seem happy?" He observed, his tone tinged with suspicion as he peered at Garfield.

Garfield chuckled, clearly amused by the question. "Oh, is it that obvious?" He replied, his arms relaxing on the back of the couch.

Victor's concern grew. "Raven didn't talk to you, did she?" He asked, hoping he was wrong in his assumption.

Garfield's smile shifted into a knowing smirk, hinting at something more beneath the surface. "She didn't need to."

A deep, heavy sigh escaped Victor's lips, and his head drooped with sorrow. He couldn't believe Raven would leave without saying anything to Garfield. Slowly, he lifted his head to meet his friend's gaze. "She didn't say anything?" He asked, despite already anticipating the answer.

Garfield shrugged casually, his smirk still present. "We didn't exactly do a lot of talking, if you know what I mean." The vagueness of his response only added to Victor's confusion as he responded with a questioning look. "Dude, you were right about giving her space." Garfield continued, his expression turning more serious. "I backed off, and in less than a day, she came running to me."

The weight of the realization hit Victor hard, and he didn't need Garfield to explain any further. The sorrow in his heart deepened, adding to the sadness he was already feeling. He let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head in disbelief, before turning back to his friend with a pained expression. "But she didn't say goodbye." He murmured, his voice tinged with sadness.

Garfield's smile softened into a look of genuine confusion and concern as he looked back at his friend. "What do you mean, goodbye?".

"Flight 101 to New York, is now boarding."

Raven let out a heavy sigh as she stood up and grabbed her carryon bag. The feeling of regret weighed heavily on her, and shame for her actions caused a somber aura to envelop her. She knew what she did was wrong, that she was taking the easy way out. But she just couldn't handle saying goodbye to him. Because unlike the others, who could accept her departure, she knew Garfield would have argued against it.

So, she left him. She left him without a word, without the decency of a proper goodbye. And she knew he would hate her for it. But it was easier for him to hate her than to be sad about her leaving.

Raven approached the boarding lineup but suddenly stopped before getting in line. She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow, sensing an all too familiar presence.

"That was cruel, Raven, even for you." He said coldly, his voice was laced with hurt and disappointment. She turned around to face Garfield's intense glare, her heart sinking even further. "Like, what even was that?" He asked, hurt and frustration evident in his voice.

Her face saddened as she struggled to find the right words. "It was my cowardly attempt at a goodbye." She admitted, her voice filled with regret.

"It seemed like pity hookup to me." He said scowling at her.

"Kissing is not hooking up." She defended, but she knew her defense was lacking.

"Fine, pity fondling." He harshly corrected, flaring his hands in the air with frustration.

She tensed at his harshness, hurt by his words. "You know that's not what it was."

The words erupted from him, a mixture of pain and confusion evident in his voice. "No, I don't! I don't know what it was!" His emotions poured out as he continued. "I've tried for months to get you to give me the time of day. To give me a chance to prove to you that we can be good together. That we can be more than just friends. And you shot me down every time!" He took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself, but the hurt was still palpable. "So, I tried to give you space, to show you I can be patient. And I actually thought it worked." A defeated sigh escaped him, and his voice wavered with emotion. "Boy, what a fool I was."

His outburst took her by surprise, and she felt her heart breaking for him. "I didn't do it out of pity." She told him earnestly, hoping he could hear the honesty in her voice.

"Then why did you do it?" He asked, his anger subsiding as he turned back to face her.

"I guess I was genuinely curious about it... about us." She admitted sheepishly, grabbing her arm as she looked away from him. "I wanted to see what it was like without any commitment."

He glared at her, hurt and frustration still evident in his expression. "Was it really that bad?"

"No!" She quickly cut him off. "I enjoyed it very much. But it doesn't change anything. I'm still leaving."

"Yeah, care to tell me why?" He asked harshly. "Because everyone else seems to know but me."

"I'm sorry." She apologized, the weight of her decision hitting her hard.

"Why are you leaving, Raven?" He asked, his voice pleading now.

"Being a Titan was fun, but it's time for me to start a new chapter in my life." She explained. "One that doesn't involve fighting criminals and saving the day."

"Or me, apparently." He finished bitterly.

"I want to try living alone for the first time in my life. I want to go to school. I want something to show for, besides being a Titan." She continued, trying to make him understand her reasons.

He understood where she was coming from. He could relate to wanting a normal life. But what he couldn't comprehend was why she had to leave to obtain it. His heart ached as he looked at her and reached forward, gently taking her hands in his. "Raven." He said softly.

She opened her mouth to respond, but her words were cut short as the final boarding call for her flight echoed through the airport. She had hoped for more time, a chance to explain herself further, but now it seemed that opportunity had slipped away.

"I'm sorry." She managed to say, her voice tinged with regret, her eyes locked with his. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly withdrew her hands from his gentle grasp, the weight of her decision pressing down on her soul.

...