The day had been a whirlwind of exploration. After the market, Raven guided Tim to the Temple of Reflection, a serene sanctuary surrounded by floating lotus gardens and crystal-clear pools. She paused by the edge of the water, her voice low and almost reverent. "Be careful when you look into the pools. The water here is a magical mirror—it reflects not just your physical appearance, but your emotions and memories. Azarathians meditate here to confront their inner selves."

Tim crouched by the edge, gazing into the still surface. "Like…the mirror into your mind," he whispered, glancing back at her.

Raven nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Exactly."

As they continued, Raven led him past the towering facade of the Archives of Azarath. "Not the most mystical name, I know," she said with a shrug. "I'm planning to come here tomorrow."

"To learn more about your brother?" Tim asked, studying her expression.

"I can come with you."

"Thank you," Raven smiled gratefully, "but we will discuss everything in Azarathian."

Tim's brow furrowed, but he understood. "If you need me, I'm there." The two shared a smile.

Their next stop was the Whispering Gardens, a marvel of otherworldly flora. The flowers were unlike anything Tim had ever seen, their shapes and colors defying earthly logic. "Poison Ivy would be green with envy," he quipped.

Raven placed a finger to her lips, silencing him with a mysterious glint in her eyes. Tim tilted his head, but obeyed, listening. At first, he thought it was the breeze—a faint, melodic hum. As he crept closer to the flowers, his eyes widened. Some of them were humming softly, their petals vibrating with sound.

"At night, they glow," Raven murmured.

"That's incredible," Tim said, awe evident in his tone. He turned to her, grinning. "This place is full of surprises."

Raven's lips quirked into a faint smile. "It's always been a place to... breathe."

Now, as the day gave way to dusk, the soft glow of lanterns illuminated their path to the temple, casting flickering shadows against ancient stone. The air was cooler now, scented with blooming Azarathian nightflowers. Raven and Tim walked side by side, their steps quiet, as if the city itself demanded reverence while their hands periodically brushed against each other.

"I wish we had more time," Raven said softly as they ascended the temple steps. "There's so much more I want to show you."

Tim offered her a warm smile. "What you've shown me today has been incredible, Raven. Thank you for sharing it with me."

Raven hesitated, her gaze tracing the intricate carvings along the temple walls. "My life here was… complicated. Some places meant everything to me growing up. Others… I avoided."

Tim's expression softened, his voice steady. "I'd like to see them all. The good and the complicated."

Her eyes flickered to his, and for a moment, vulnerability danced across her face before she nodded. "By the time we finish eating, it should be dark. Then we can walk to the observatory."

Tim's brow arched. "Observatory? Sounds like you're saving the best for last."

Raven smirked, her expression lightening. "Maybe I am."

Inside the temple, the cool stone halls swallowed their footsteps, the ceilings soaring high above them. "Do you miss it? Azarath?" Tim asked quietly as they passed temple goers.

"Sometimes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But some memories are better left untouched."

He didn't press further, sensing the weight of her words. Instead, he stayed close, offering her the quiet reassurance of his presence.

During dinner, Arella glanced between Raven and Tim with a small smile. "So, how was the market?"

"It was amazing," Tim replied honestly. "Busy, but not chaotic. Everyone was polite—it was strange in a good way. No pushing, no shoving… just calm. Like, Black Friday without the crazy and everyone saying 'please' and 'thank you'."

Arella chuckled softly. "Yes, I was born in Gotham. It took me a while to get used to Azarath's quiet civility."

Tim's expression brightened as he added, "I saw baby nightcrawlers." There was a note of genuine wonder in his voice.

"Are they not the most adorable creatures?" Arella said with a smile. "You should see them when they're fully grown."

"I'm showing him tonight," Raven interjected. "We also visited the Temple of Reflection and the Whispering Gardens earlier."

"Oh, those were Raven's favorite hiding spots growing up," Arella gushed, her tone light.

Tim considered that for a moment, then nodded. "I can see why. The atmosphere in both places is incredibly peaceful."

Raven leaned forward slightly, her voice casual but tinged with anticipation. "After dinner, we're going to the observatory."

Arella's eyes lit up. "Ah, another one of Raven's favorite places."

"Not the private one, Mom," Raven clarified, sensing the shift in Arella's expression. "The Astral Observatory."

For a moment, Arella hesitated, a flicker of tension crossing her features. "Are you sure?"

Raven arched a brow, her voice steady but firm. "I've been there plenty of times. The stares don't bother me. The telescopes are more powerful—I think it'll amaze him," she finished with a quiet blush.

Arella held her gaze for a beat longer before nodding. "Okay."

After dinner, Tim and Raven strolled toward the Astral Observatory, the cool night air alive with the quiet hum of Azarath. Overhead, the two moons, Metrion and Zinthos, shone with a brilliance that seemed to illuminate the entire realm. Their soft glow bathed the streets in silvery light, casting surreal, elongated shadows. Tim couldn't help but glance up at them every few steps, mesmerized by the sheer beauty of it. No wonder Azarath doesn't need streetlights, he thought.

Raven walked beside him until she gently rested a hand on his arm. "Look," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tim followed her gaze, his breath catching in his throat. Several Azarathians moved gracefully through the cobblestone streets, but it was their companions beside them that caught his attention. The creatures were unlike anything Tim had ever seen—panther-like, with sleek, shimmering purple fur that caught the moonlight like polished silk. Their metal claws clicked against the stones in a rhythmic pattern, their eyes glowing like cut gemstones.

"Nightcrawlers," Tim breathed, unable to tear his eyes away.

One creature turned its head toward him, its jewel-like eyes locking onto his for a brief, unnerving moment. Tim's stomach clenched at the sheer intelligence in its gaze. Then, as if sensing no threat, the creature blinked lazily and continued its steady stride.

"Wow," Tim murmured, taking in their spiked tails and the rippling muscles beneath their gleaming coats. "Did you ever own one?"

Raven shook her head, her expression unreadable. "No. I wanted to, but the only animals allowed in the temple are birds."

They continued walking in companionable silence, passing other Azarathians who grudgingly glanced at them. But Tim noticed the way their eyes lingered on Raven—furtive, cautious, and sometimes outright judgmental. Some whispered behind their hands; others glanced away, as if afraid to meet her gaze. The weight of their silent scrutiny was palpable, and it made his chest ache.

Tim glanced at Raven. Once again, her calm exterior remained unshaken, but Tim couldn't shake the anger simmering beneath his skin.

Eventually, they came to a towering spire that seemed to pierce the sky itself. Tim craned his neck, his mouth falling open as he took in its massive structure. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen. The architecture seemed to defy logic—impossibly thin bridges connected parts of the spire, and its walls shimmered faintly, as if woven from light and air.

"Wow," Tim said, his voice full of awe. "This has to be magic."

Raven smirked. "It is." She tugged his arm gently. "Come on."

Inside, the observatory was even more stunning. The entrance hall was vast and circular, with a mosaic of the cosmos spread across the floor. Above them, swirling lights danced like living constellations. Tim surveyed his surroundings, noting the absence of staircases. "Okay, I've got to ask—how do we get to the top?"

"Watch," Raven said, leading him to a set of three steps that seemed arbitrary. "Stand here with me."

Tim stepped onto the small platform beside her, eyeing her with suspicion. "And now?"

"Step forward," Raven said with a reassuring smile.

"Onto what?" Tim asked, eyeing the apparent void ahead.

"Just trust me."

Tim hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Alright, but if I fall to my death, you're explaining this to Bruce."

"First of all, it's a 10-foot drop," Raven chuckled. "Just take a step," she encouraged softly. Tim took the step, fully expecting to fall onto his face. The glowing platform of light materialized beneath their feet, lifting them into the air.

"Whoa!" Tim exclaimed, his eyes widening as the ground fell away. He gripped the railing of the platform instinctively. "This is insane."

The platform ascended smoothly, carrying them higher and higher. As they rose, the walls around them fell away, revealing breathtaking views of the Azarathian sky. The journey seemed endless, the moons and stars drawing closer with each passing moment.

Finally, after a brisk two hours, they reached the summit. The platform stopped, and Tim stepped onto a massive circular balcony. The space was open to the sky, with intricate railings that glimmered in the starlight. But it wasn't the architecture that stole Tim's breath—it was the view.

Above them, the universe seemed to unfold in all its infinite glory. Nebulas painted the sky in vibrant hues of purple, gold, and blue. Galaxies spiraled in the distance, their stars winking like scattered diamonds. And closer—so close Tim felt he could reach out and touch it—was a swirling mass of energy unlike anything he'd ever seen.

"Raven," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "This is—this is beyond incredible. I could die happy right now."

Raven smiled tenderly, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "Come here," she said, guiding him to the opposite side of the balcony. She pointed toward the horizon. "Do you see that?"

Tim squinted, his eyes following the direction of her finger. In the distance, he saw a pulsing, swirling sphere of light, its colors shifting and blending like liquid crystal. It radiated energy in waves, forming intricate patterns that danced across the sky.

"What is that?" Tim asked, his voice filled with wonder. "It sort of has a shape. But its movement is…different."

"That's your Earth's dimension," Raven said quietly.

Tim froze, his gaze locked on the shimmering sphere. He then glanced around the decorative blackness. Around them, similar shapes dotted the horizon—each one unique, each one alive.

"Those are dimensions?" he whispered.

Raven nodded.

Tim turned slowly, his mind struggling to comprehend the vastness of what he was seeing. "I can't… I can't even process this," he said, his voice trembling.

Raven's brow furrowed slightly. "You're not going to faint, are you?"

"I might," Tim admitted, still staring in awe. "You've completely shattered my understanding of existence."

"I'm sorry," Raven said, though her tone was more amused than apologetic.

"Don't be," Tim replied, a wide grin spreading across his face. "This is the best day of my life."

Raven beamed as Tim turned his attention back to the cosmos. His childlike enthusiasm, so rare and unguarded, made her chest tighten in a way she hadn't expected. It was a simple thing, really—the way his eyes lit up with wonder—but it struck something deep inside her. She had felt a lot towards Tim in the last months, but this... this was different.

"Hold on," she said, dragging him to one of the many telescopes. She stepped away, encouraging him to look. He did and gasped audibly, the sound doing something pleasant to Raven's stomach.

"I've never seen galaxies like this before," he gushed.

Raven smiled as she stood next to him silently, her presence barely noticeable as she watched him trace the stars, her attention fully on him. There was a quiet intensity in the way he studied the sky, his body language open, vulnerable in a way that made Raven's usual walls feel like they were crumbling without her even realizing it.

Tim's usually guarded expression had melted away entirely. He wasn't the stoic detective or the Batman's prodigy in this moment. He was just... Tim. A man in awe of the vastness above him, completely unafraid to show his fascination. Raven couldn't help but feel a pull, a quiet magnetism drawing her closer to him, though she kept her distance physically.

She wanted to reach out, maybe rest her hand on his arm or lean closer to him, but she didn't. Instead, she simply stood beside him, letting herself take him in, absorbing the sight of him lost in the stars. Witnessing him like this had an oddly calming effect, but it also stirred an unsettling, unidentifiable feeling within her. Maybe it was the tenderness in his voice when he spoke, the way his eyes softened as he watched the stars, or that she felt an almost inexplicable desire to keep him in this moment forever.

The longer she watched, the more she realized—she cared for him a lot more than she originally thought, more than she was prepared to admit. Every glance he threw her way, every small smile, it all added up, making it harder to keep the distance between them she had so carefully built over the years.

Tim turned toward her then, his eyes meeting hers for the briefest moment before his lips parted with a quiet exhale. "I can't believe this," he said, his voice filled with amazement. "Dimensions, Raven... I am looking at actual dimensions."

Raven's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice, her mind dwelling on the way he looked at the sky—the way he looked at the unknown with such wonder. For a moment, Raven felt her walls come crashing down further.

The way he said her name—he had no idea the effect it had on her. It made her want to laugh at herself for trying so hard to keep her distance. What am I afraid of? I've faced darkness, I've faced Trigon, but Tim... Tim had a way of making her feel things that scared her more than anything else.

She nodded slowly, as if in a daze; her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than she intended. "It's... incredible," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. There was something in the way she said it that hinted at more than just the stars. The way she gazed at him now, with soft eyes, exposed a hidden longing that she was finally willing to acknowledge.

Tim didn't notice, too absorbed in his observations, returning to the telescope, muttering science-y terms to himself. Raven had never been the type to let her emotions guide her, but now, as she watched him, her heart whispered things she wasn't ready to admit.

Tim caught her gaze again, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of mischief and curiosity. "Okay," he stepped away from the telescope, his smile big, "we should leave before I start…naming stars and galaxies."

"Are you sure?" Raven asked. "I don't mind staying longer."

"Raven, if we don't leave now, we won't leave at all."

"Okay, let's go."

After leaving the observatory, Raven led them to a path away from the temple. The path curved until they reached the top of a hill. "This is another favorite place of mine," Raven explained. Tim glanced around, taking in the peaceful expanse of nature—Azarath stretched out before them, dotted with trees and rocks. The distant glow of the observatory flickered in the far horizon.

Raven lowered herself to the ground, sitting cross-legged on the grass. She looked at Tim, her expression unreadable but inviting, as though silently urging him to join her. Tim hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do, but Raven's presence was soothing. The tension of the evening, the endless barrage of new experiences, seemed to dissolve in the night's quiet.

He sat beside her; the silence enveloping them, the gentle rustling of the leaves filling the space between them. Tim found himself drawn to the way the moons cast their light on Raven, highlighting the delicate features of her face in a soft, ethereal glow. She seemed otherworldly in that moment—not just in her beauty, but in her stillness, her serenity. He couldn't tear his gaze away, almost as if afraid to blink and miss something important.

The hours seemed to stretch on, neither of them moving, just existing together in the stillness. Finally, Tim spoke, his voice breaking the silence. "Thank you," he said, his words quiet but sincere. "This... it's amazing. I just…I wish…thank you."

Raven blushed slightly, an unexpected warmth spreading across her cheeks. "I know I said it before," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability, "but I really wish this wasn't just a fact-finding trip. There's so much I want to show you."

Tim smiled, nudging her lightly. "Guess you'll have to invite me back, then."

Raven's lips curled into a small smile. "I guess so."

Not wanting the night to end, Tim lay back in the grass, his arms stretched out wide. He glanced over at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can we stay out here a bit longer?"

"Sure," Raven agreed, her gaze lingering on the stars. "Let me know when you're ready to head back."

As they lay there together, the coolness of the grass beneath them became more noticeable. The tranquil sounds of Azarath's night surrounded them, and Tim felt the weight of exhaustion creep over him. He shifted slightly, trying to fight it, but the serenity of the moment—the peaceful night air, the quiet presence of Raven beside him—made it difficult to stay awake.

Before he knew it, Tim drifted off to sleep.

Hours passed, and the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon when Tim stirred awake. The stars above had faded as the darkness of the night gave way to the warm hues of morning. The cool, crisp air now felt different—welcoming, like the beginning of something new.

Tim turned his head to look at Raven. She was still beside him, her breathing steady. Her face was peaceful in the soft light of the sunrise, her purple hair slightly tousled, and her body still as she remained nestled in the grass. He found himself staring at her, entranced by the delicate lines of her face, the quiet strength in her posture. For a long moment, he forgot everything—her past, her family, all the reasons that had brought them here. It was as though, in that instant, all that mattered was the serenity between them, the warmth that lingered in the air, unspoken and comforting.

Tim rose, feeling the sun's rays bathe his face. He watched Raven, her calmness grounding him in a way he hadn't anticipated. She had always been an enigma to him—the one who hid her true self behind a wall of secrets and power. But in this quiet moment, in the soft light of the morning, Tim realized something else. That wall that had kept them apart had crumbled, and in its place, he found something more. Something real. Something he didn't fully understand yet, but he knew he didn't want to lose.