Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans 2003 this is a work of fan fiction please support the official releases.
Authors notes
Part preview for the future, part self reflection, part New Year story. Whatever read you have that's up to you.
Established relationship based on canon I've built up.
Rated M for language and themes. Covert art by myself.
I hope someone enjoys it.
Garfield wasn't sure how he didn't notice. In the couple of years into a fairly stable if oddly surprising relationship with Raven, his room had become 'their' room.
The calling cards of a lazy and somewhat messy young teenager were all but gone. Instead it was a space anyone would describe as comfortable. At least that's how Raven felt about it.
At the start of their relationship Raven was hesitant about the whole sleeping arrangement. Boyfriend or otherwise "No one goes in Raven's room" and truthfully he wasn't the biggest fan either, too intimidating. The first few nights were awkward. Raven didn't like his room much too, it was still too messy back then. Sometimes they even used some of the spare bedrooms around the tower as a compromise.
One thing Raven was sure of was that she loved sleeping with Garfield. In his arms she felt free. The world didn't seem to exist and all the weight she carried was lifted. It was a sensation she hadn't really experienced. I mean how could she? Her existence was to fulfil a single purpose. Now that she had it though she didn't want to give it up for anything.
They would argue and she would need space, her room was always still there. Gradually however they both started to build a comfortable space they could both just be together. Garfield's room was now their room.
As another new year was quickly rolling in, the Titan's usually had a big party in the Tower to celebrate. The last few years however Raven had not enjoyed it. Even after all this time, she wasn't a social person and no one could blame that on her. She tried, bless her. Every time. Usually finding comfort in the form of alcohol and regretting it the following morning. She knew Garfield enjoyed the atmosphere and the vibes amongst the others.
He wasn't oblivious however, even before they dated he could see how much effort she put into a situation that she would rather be Anywhere else from.
This year as an act of kindness, Garfield respectfully asked Nightwing if he and Raven could have a quiet night to take in the new year. Arguing she had tried being friendly and gone outside her comfort zone on more than one occasion.
Nightwing agreed and even made arrangements that the party would take place at Titans West instead. He knew Starfire wouldn't exactly be thrilled being apart from one her closest friend's and future maid of honour but he hoped planning a wedding keeps someone's mind focused on the bigger picture. He made one condition however that both remain in costume in case any emergencies occur.
So apart from Garfield and Raven, Titans Tower was pretty much empty this New Year's Eve. The two of them had taken it easy with the drinks, a few empty bottles laid out on the carpet floor.
They had both spent the last two evenings cleaning up and catching villains to make sure they weren't disturbed during this closing time of the year.
The bed laid against the back wall surrounded by shelves and shelves rotating around the room. Filled with all sorts of things, from books to games and artefacts Garfield was frightened of touching. The large Window that all the Titans shared looked out to the ocean instead of the city like in Raven's room. Truthfully she had always been a little jealous of the view.
The two were laid out on the bed leaning back into the wall. Despite the turbulent nature of their friendship in the beginning it was strange that the one thing they did the most was just talk...
"It has to be said, Gar. This tastes like shit..." Raven examined the bottle that held the drink she just forced down and garnered a big laugh from her partner.
"What's so funny?" She followed up.
"I never get used to you swearing" he chucked. Raven smiled back at him.
"I find it difficult for you to believe that I, daughter of pure evil. Can't use harsh language?" She argued. Garfield turned back over to her with a playful grin.
"Go on then, show me your worst" Raven hated when he called her bluff. She was on the spot.
"Uh... " She drawled out.
"I'm waiting" he teased..
"Fuck you, Gar" Raven blurted out. Garfield chuckled lightly.
"Maybe later, I've got a nice chilled vibe at the moment" He said. Raven crossed her arms and looked almost offended.
"Did you just say 'no' to 'me'?" She asked knowing exactly what she was implying.
"No... I said 'Maybe later, I've got a nice chilled vibe at the moment' I know you're hearings not as strong but dude we are right next to each other" He replied.
"You're a cheeky bastard, you know that right? She responded. Again he returned a big grin.
"I've always been a cheeky bastard and I know that you know that" He smiled back at her. Raven couldn't keep her laughter back anymore and started giggling to herself. She moved up and grabbed Garfield's cheeks pulling him around to meet her lips. They embraced for a good few seconds pulling each other in closer.
Since Trigons defeat the effect on the world around them from her powers was getting less and less destructive. Now she could be highly emotional and cause minimal amounts of damage thanks to proper training and daily meditation, now and again of course there would be slips.
Both Titans jumped at the sound of a light pop of black energy smashing one of the empty bottles on the floor. They both looked over at the mess and turned back at each other and laughed.
"Sorry" She muttered slowly looking slightly embarrassed.
"Hey that's the first thing in weeks, you should be proud"
"Proud isn't the word I'd use, more like grateful" She said.
"Still putting yourself down all these years later, huh?" Raven laid her head down on Garfield's lap and got comfortable. She didn't even need to ask he knew what she wanted. Garfield ran his fingers through the Empath's hair, now the longest it had ever been, rivalling Starfire almost. With every stroke Raven felt a comfortable wave of relief, almost a tingle. She loved it.
"Your hair's so smooth, I think I prefer it long" Garfield said.
"Don't get used to it, you know how much maintenance this thing is?" Raven looked up at him.
"You're dating me?" He countered.
"... Fair point..."
"Thanks for putting up with me by the way" Garfield grinned down at her.
"That's my line" she deadpanned.
"No seriously, Raven. I've done a lot of crappy things to you over the years and now here we are"
"I'm not exactly an innocent in that tale either" Raven looked back down away from him. Garfield saw the regret wash over her face. He didn't need to be an empath to see that.
"You okay?" He asked. Raven looked back up at him and gave a light smile.
"Of course, there's nowhere I'd rather be right now" She replied.
"Ohh, well thank you"
"I know it's not been an easy road for either of us. Neither of us are perfect and we've made mistakes, things could have been done better..." Raven paused briefly as Garfield waited anxiously for her next word.
"... It's been worth it though to get here, with you" She gripped his hand tightly. He returned with a tight squeeze and leaned down to give her a passionate kiss. After a few moments the two were now laid out next to each other staring at the ceiling, listening to the celebrations outside coming from Jump City. It was close to midnight. A star pattern lay out across the top of the room. It was oddly mesmerising.
"You seem deep in thought, Gar? That's odd?" Raven deadpanned.
"I am..."
Raven turned around and lightly mimicked a tapping gesture.
"Well tell me what's going on in that noggin of yours?" She smiled. Garfield chuckled.
"You ever wonder what's out there?" Garfield asked. Raven raised an eyebrow and looked up at the starry sky pattern on his ceiling.
"I imagine there's a lot?" She snarked.
"No babe for real, we've fought aliens, robot aliens and sometimes robot aliens that turn into cars and stuff... what else could be out there?"
"You've been thinking about this a lot?"
"I spoke with Cyborg last week after my yearly physical, he told me something I've not stopped thinking about"
"Oh no you're not pregnant are you Gar, it's not fair I'm not ready to be a father" She snarked.
"Ha, ha ... No he said to me based on my powers and how well they've mutated, there's a high probability I might never die"
Raven's eyes widened as he turned over to face her. "Obviously I could be killed you know but I probably won't age"
"And does that frighten you, Garfield?" Raven asked tenderly stroking his hair.
"Are you kidding? I think it's amazing! I never thought I'd have enough time to explore the world but now I might get a chance to explore the whole universe" He chimed gleefully.
"You'd give up being a Titan?"
"Well I'd have to retire eventually. Even if I still look like this" he pointed to himself.
"And you'd want me to come with you?" She didn't need to be an Empath to ask that question.
"Well if you want to..." He muttered.
"Of course I want to, it's just... " Raven paused.
"What?..." He was waiting on her next word.
"I can't promise I'll look like this forever, I don't know what the nature of my being is or if I'll live forever. Dad was eternal but I might not be. Would you really want to travel around the universe with an old bat?"
Garfield turned to face her and pulled her in close. Their faces were nose to nose.
"Rae, you're my everything I'd love you no matter what you were" Raven could tell he meant it. She nuzzled in close and smiled. A little tear streaked down her cheek. She looked up at him with a slightly cheeky smile.
"Even If I were a bowl of cereal?" She snarked.
Garfield rolled his eyes.
"Even if you were a bowl of cereal..." He replied with a loving smile. He then tapped her on the nose.
"...And do you have to keep bringing that up, it was bad enough trying to reverse the spell but you didn't talk to me for like a week afterwards" He said remembering the rather hectic day she was referring to.
"When you spend a day as a bowl of cereal, then I'll stop bringing it up" She smiled back at him.
"Hey... we missed it!" Garfield yelped. Raven did a double take and looked around.
"Really?"
"Yeah by about a minute or so..." Garfield pointed at the clock beside the bed.
"Oh well, Happy New Year Gar" Raven said.
"Happy New Year to you Rae, I love you so much"
"I love you too, Garfield" Raven nuzzled into him again. The two lay in a gentle embrace for a few moments.
"So what's your New Year's Resolution?" Garfield asked. Raven had to think for a moment she hadn't really thought of it.
"Ummm... Cut my hair I guess... No that sounds lame. Ask again later" Raven deadpanned. Garfield giggled and pecked her forehead.
"You?" Raven asked him back. Garfield looked like he was thinking for a moment. Raven looked intrigued.
"... Well there's something I want to do this year, it's whether I'm brave enough though"
"Care to elaborate?" Raven asked.
"No I don't think so..."
"Ok... That's oddly cryptic... "
"Don't overthink it Rae"
"Fine but I have a question for you" She said.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Are you still in a 'chill vibe' or could I pull you into a shall we say... a 'naughty vibe' Gar?" Raven asked with a playful grin. Garfield smiled and gripped her waist.
"I suppose we should break in the new year"
Garfield and Raven rustled under the covers in a passionate embrace. The bed bumped against the side drawer which held a small lamp on top of it. The top draw was slowly being banged open by the two Titans 'fun'. Inside the draw a small box rattled around. Tiny and soft looking, Not unlike a box one might keep a ring in.
Happy New Year and I'll be back at some point in January. No promises as to when, this is my recharge month. This is my last quick upload for the year.
I hope folks have enjoyed my terrible work this year. Every favourite and follow has meant a great deal.
Thank you again, until next time.