(Christmas Eve – Present)
"Let me get this straight," Roy said, lounging on the floor next to Richard, game controller in hand. They were in Richard's bedroom, battling it out on-screen. "Raven has been moonlighting as your secret admirer, sending you gifts?"
"Yep," Richard replied, eyes never leaving the screen. "I'm 100% sure Alfred and Bruce are in on it."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, Alfred keeps making snide comments about my love life, and Bruce is way too chill for someone receiving anonymous packages at his house. Especially when the sender knows our secret identities."
"Fair point," Roy shrugged. "So…Raven pursued you?"
"Yeah," Richard said. "It's strange. That's so unlike her." The words YOU LOSE flashed across the screen. Roy swore under his breath as Richard grinned smugly. "Anyway," Richard continued, "I've been enjoying it. I brought her to Gotham to woo her, and she's been wooing me this whole time. It's bold."
"You said she bought you a star."
"She bought me a binary star," Richard corrected.
Roy gawked. "Do you know how expensive that is?"
"I looked it up this morning," Richard said. "People can actually pay to have stars named and documented internationally. The records are reprinted annually in multiple languages. It's…not cheap."
"Dude," Roy said, his jaw dropping.
"I think it's safe to say she's probably spent close to $50,000 on me."
"What did you get her?"
"A necklace," Richard groaned.
"You're a moron," Roy said immediately.
"That was before I realized she was doing all of this!" Richard shoved him lightly. "I'm working on another gift, but it won't be complete until New Year's."
"This is so surreal," Roy muttered, shaking his head. "Raven actively pursued you."
"Yes."
"Raven. Dark, creepy—"
"She isn't creepy," Richard interrupted sharply. "She's smart, beautiful, and amazing. She loves ballet and Tchaikovsky. She cares so deeply. Outwardly, she's prickly, but once you really know her…" He trailed off, staring into the distance. "I've never met someone so selfless."
"Huh," Roy said, leaning back. "Starfire said the same thing. I told her Raven terrifies me, and she told me I should get to know her."
"Starfire's right."
"Yeah, well, I can't get past her death glare. It rivals Batman's."
Richard smirked but didn't argue.
"So," Roy asked, "what are you gonna do?"
"I'm trying to follow her lead," Richard said, smiling. "But, man, I've been so happy these past few days."
"Well, you look less broody," Roy noted. "Not saying much, but it's something."
"Thanks," he said dryly. "Rematch?"
Raven stood in front of the mirror, giving herself one last look. Her gown was a light, shimmering blue with long sleeves and a dangerously low back, partially concealed by cascading jewel-like necklaces. The front featured a flowing keyhole cutout, and the silk fabric moved like water with every step. A slit up one side revealed her thigh, adding a touch of daring elegance. Her black hair was curled, pulled to one side, and her violet eyes were temporarily turned blue with magic. She wore open-toed silver heels and carried a matching clutch.
"Okay," she whispered, steadying her breath. "I can do this. I can do this."
"Starfire said they're on their way," Roy said, leaning beside Richard at the makeshift bar. His eyes darted nervously toward a group of women openly flirting with them from across the room. "Hopefully, they get here soon," Roy added. "If Star sees some girl flirting with me, it's over. For her, not me. Star already put one chick in the hospital."
Richard laughed. "Jealous much?"
"No, seriously. She won't attack me—it's the other girl who needs to worry."
Rolling his eyes, Richard said, "Let's wait by the entrance."
No sooner had they moved when a stunning woman entered. Her black hair framed her face perfectly, and her light-blue gown sparkled like the night sky. She looked hesitant, biting her lower lip. "Dude," Roy nudged Richard. "Get over there before guys swarm her."
Sure enough, a group of men began closing in. Richard strode toward her without hesitation, his focus sharp as Raven awkwardly declined a dance. "Excuse me, gentlemen," Richard said, barely hiding his annoyance as he slipped an arm around Raven's waist. "This is my date."
The defeated expressions of the other men were priceless, but Richard kept his composure, offering Raven his arm. "Shall we?"
Raven nodded, her fingers slipping into the crook of his elbow. As they walked, Richard felt her tension ease with each step. "Thank you," Raven murmured softly.
"You look beautiful," Richard said, gazing at her intently. "I mean, you were beautiful when you tried it on at the shop, but now…you're stunning."
Raven's heart thudded in her chest under the warmth of his gaze. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice almost trembling. "I just… I hope I don't embarrass you."
"Raven," Richard said, his tone steady and reassuring, "you couldn't embarrass me if you tried."
Her grip on his arm instinctively tightened, and she looked away, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "I don't know," she murmured, "I've never really tried to embarrass you. But I'm pretty sure I could manage it."
Richard tilted his head, a teasing glint sparking in his blue eyes. "Do you want to try right now?"
She blinked, startled by the question, and then laughed softly. "No," she blurted, her cheeks warming. "You paid for this nice dress. I'd rather not ruin it."
His smile widened, a mix of mischief and admiration. "Fair enough," he said, his voice light. "All right—let's check in with Bruce, prove I'm mingling." He leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "And then, we'll dance."
Raven froze mid-step, her eyes going wide. "We'll what?"
After greeting Bruce, Richard guided Raven onto the dance floor. "Just follow my lead," he whispered in her ear as his hand settled gently at her waist. She hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded, her trust in him outweighing her nerves. He began with slow, deliberate steps, moving almost imperceptibly to the music. But as Raven found her confidence and started to relax, his movements grew more fluid, seamlessly matching the rhythm of the melody. With every step, he drew her closer, their connection deepening as they glided across the floor. They began to waltz, and as Raven grew more comfortable, Richard pulled her closer. "See?" he said with a smile. "You're a natural. You're just as graceful on the dance floor as you are on the ice."
"Did you just call me a terrible dancer?"
"What?" Richard's eyes grew wide in shock and horror. "No!" he explained. "It was a compliment.
"Richard, I was terrible at ice skating."
Richard chuckled. "You weren't that bad."
"Five-year-olds laughed at me," she retorted.
He laughed harder, resting his forehead briefly against hers.
"So," Raven cleared her throat, "who taught you how to dance?"
"I'm a natural," he teased. Raven gave a dramatic eye roll. "My parents were always dancing," he smiled. "I learned from them. You?"
"Well…when I was little, I used to stand on my mom's feet, and she would dance around the temple."
"I really want to see a picture of you when you were little."
Raven's expression turned somber. "I don't have pictures from my childhood," she admitted. "Trigon destroyed everything."
Richard stopped dancing, his hand steadying her as he studied her. "Raven, do you know how incredible you are?" he asked softly, his gaze unwavering.
Raven blinked, startled. "What do you mean?"
"I'm amazed by you," he said. "Every day. Your strength, your heart—you keep moving forward, no matter how hard it gets. That's something extraordinary."
Raven's lips parted, her eyes wide. "Richard…" she whispered, emotion thick in her voice.
Brushing a strand of hair from her face, Richard said, "I miss the violet."
The tender gesture sent a shiver through her, and Raven suddenly pulled back. "I…I need to use the restroom," she stammered before quickly retreating.
"Okay," Richard said, startled by the abrupt change. "I'll be by the desserts."
"Okay," Raven gave him a tentative smile before rushing out of the ballroom.