Spider-Menace76: Thankooou so much for your AMAZING feedback :) Also, don't worry about speed, I'm actually a really slow reader so I totally get it LOL. Aw and that's amazing! It's totally what I'm naming my black cat when I get one, boy or girl, haha.

Krumelmonster: Yeah me too! hahah Don't worry, he'll get there xD

If the World Was Ending

The Changeling watched her from afar while she strategized with Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, Starfire, Cyborg, Superboy, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. She wasn't saying much and it looked like she was mostly mediating, until at one point she excused herself and walked away to go sit alone on a trunk. The sorcerer looked around the bunker as her allies and the Titans – including the rest of the Titans East, who had joined Terra and Kid Flash – settled in. Krypto had gone to be by Clark's side for a while.

Garfield frowned. She looked stunning and dangerous as usual, but for some subtle reason now that he watched her more carefully, he also thought she looked tired. He gathered the courage to get up and go sit next to her. Her words from back when she compared him to Klarion were still ringing in his head and wounding him.

"So do we have a plan yet?" The shapeshifter did his best to sound casual.

"Not even close. Dick, Babs and Damian can't stop arguing with Se…with Catwoman and Ivy. It will go on for a while." Raven frowned, rubbing her temples.

She's definitely tired. "I'm sure they'll work it out. And then they'll think of something."

"I hope so. Braniac has no emotions to manipulate, there's no point trying to possess him...maybe I could absorb him, but then he would try to corrupt me, it's too risky. My eyes are scarlet enough as it is. I can't access white magic. I don't know what to do other than summon the dead. They'll help, but…I don't think it's enough."

"Raven, are you…okay?" He whispered.

She turned her head to stare at him incredulously. "Of course I'm not okay, Garfield."

The Changeling bit his lip. "Right, stupid question. I just meant…I thought maybe you looked a little tired."

The empath sighed. I'm exhausted. "I'm fine. It's just…I haven't slept well since the Joker."

"Oh?"

"It makes everything harder. But I'll manage."

"Right…" Garfield nodded slowly. "So…where's Klarion?" He tried not to sound repulsed when he said his name, but he failed miserably.

Raven fought back a smile. "Trying to get information to send our way. He doesn't think he's on Braniac's radar for now."

"Oh, so…you two are, like….a thing?"

She sensed he was nervous and dreading her response, but she had her mind set on keeping things civil between them while their teams worked together. "We're something."

"…oh." What does that mean?! "So…you're like, dating."

Raven looked at him and frowned. "We're not…I mean, we're not fifth-graders. We just…I don't know, we cast spells and make out sometimes."

The Changeling chuckled slightly to cover up his heartache. He knew she could sense it, but it felt less embarrassing to try to disguise it anyway. That's probably exactly what she's always wanted. Someone who is more like her and doesn't constantly demand reassurance. She probably thinks I was a huge waste of energy. "Do you, uh…love him?" Garfield braced himself for her answer as he realized Salem was tenderly rubbing against his legs and swiftly picked him up. "Hey, little guy! I missed you."

"Of course I don't love him, idiot. I told you, I don't work like that." She turned to shoot him a quizzical stare just as he took the kitten in his arms. Then she couldn't help but smile discreetly. She knew Salem missed him too.

His heart was so soothed by her answer it almost felt whole again. And then he realized she was watching him play with her cat. "Sorry, is this okay?"

Raven did her best to ignore how extremely relieved he felt about her not being in love with someone else and shrugged. "Salem can play with whoever he wants, I don't own him."

That stung a bit, because it felt like an allusion to his possessive ways. He shot her a regretful look, but decided not to address it. "I'm sorry I judged before. Obviously you should kiss whoever you want…I just, I didn't like seeing it." That's an understatement. It tore me apart.

I get that. I remember what it feels like. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't need to do that. Although…" Raven raised an eyebrow. "You did point a gun at me."

"No, don't apologize. Don't ever apologize to me again. About anything." The shapeshifter said seriously. "And you have no idea how much I regret that."

The sorcerer could feel her heart warming up to him, so she decided to change the subject. "Anyway, you've been dating a lot." She smirked. "Or is that a different green superhero I see partying with shallow celebrities all over the internet?"

Garfield grimaced. She sounded playful, but he felt absolutely busted. "You've seen that?" Of course she's seen it. You've been in every social event and scandal in town for weeks.

The empath rolled her eyes. "Hard to miss." And then she looked away from him and rolled her shoulders back. "Our breakup did wonders for your love life, huh?"

He bit his lip. He knew this was coming. She seemed amused, but he figured he was probably reading her wrong. The thing was, to everyone else it seemed like he was the victim, because she'd gone rogue and dumped him for a life of crime. He hadn't corrected them, but only because talking about the truth hurt so much. "I'll tell everyone. I'll tell them what I did."

"You'll do no such thing." Raven said pointedly. "I don't want anyone's pity. Just enjoy the sympathy points, it's fine." When he stayed silent for a few seconds, she decided to ask the question she'd been dreading. It's better to know. "Anyone you like?"

The Changeling watched her up-close. Her voice was calm and easy, her posture was perfect, but relaxed, and her face was unbothered. She's so…cool. I wish I was that cool. But I…wait, she asked me something. Is there anyone I like? Well, there's her. He shrugged sadly. "They're just distractions. I've…" Wait, don't say it! "I've been using a lot of distractions lately."

Raven just nodded slowly, doing a wonderful job at hiding her feelings. What does that mean? Should I ask? "Such as…?"

"Ah…" Garfield sheepishly scratched the back of his head. DON'T tell her you've done drugs. "Not important. Listen…I know you hate me, but…can we maybe stop hurting each other?"

The empath was surprised. She could sense he was being sincere and feeling considerably nervous and unsure about this suggestion. He didn't need to. She was so sick and tired of the heartache. "Sure. I'm okay with that."

The Changeling smiled at her and Raven's chest ached when she detected hope and loyalty emanating from him against all odds.

She cleared her throat and stood up. "Well, we should go help them strategize. I'm sure they've stopped arguing by now."

Garfield followed her and sure enough, the others had managed to reach a reasonable consensus and form a unified attack plan that played to their strengths. Raven was grateful it didn't demand too much of her for once, though she knew it was because they were all scared her fragile villainous state would shatter to release something much worse if they pushed her too far. She knew they were right. She was scared of it too. The Changeling didn't say much because he was a little worried about Nightwing shutting him down. In any case, it was a good plan already. Richard and Ivy did a rather confrontational presentation of it before telling everyone to rest. It was late and they would need the energy. Besides, Superboy and Starfire would be stronger in daylight. So, Raven found a quiet corner to sit.

"Hey, you." Koriand'r said to her best friend and former teammate.

The sorcerer looked up with a soft expression on her face. "Kory. Hi." She waited until the Tamaranean sat down next to her. "You don't need to worry. You got this."

Starfire sighed heavily and allowed distress to distort her face and voice. "Do I!? They'll need me to use Blackfire's powers for this. I haven't done that yet."

"Of course you do. You're the strongest person I know. Braniac won't know what hit him." The empath elbowed her lightly.

Kory smiled and whispered. "I miss you so much."

Raven frowned. "I miss you too. Were any of the Sirens rude to you?"

Starfire chuckled. "Ivy, but then Damian told her you'd be pissed and she acted like she didn't care, but…she didn't do it again."

The sorcerer smirked. "Good. How's the tower?"

The Tamaranean bit her lip. "Sadder…"

"Sorry."

"You're doing the best you can."

"I really am, you know?" Raven said truthfully, looking Kory in the eyes.

Starfire sadly returned her stare and nodded. "I know."

As everyone fell asleep, Garfield kept watching her – she was leaning her back on the wall and pulling her knees to her chest. The Changeling got up and went to sit by her side again.

"Aren't you going to rest?" He asked softly.

She sighed. I'd love to. "I can't sleep. Not without my crystal. Not since the Joker."

Garfield frowned. "Why not?"

She looked at him and narrowed her eyes, deciding how much she should tell him, and then her expression softened slightly. "His mind did a number on me. I've been having the same stupid nightmare every night since I healed it."

"Oh. Is it…bad?" The Changeling quickly looked away. "Sorry, stupid question."

The empath just inhaled and nodded. "It's…the worst."

"What is it?" He whispered, genuinely curious.

Raven rolled her eyes. "I'm not telling you."

The shapeshifter gasped quietly. "Why not?"

She hugged her legs a little tighter and whispered. "It's kind of humiliating."

Garfield's heart tightened. "Oh. Am I, uh…am I in it?"

"No." Raven lied.

A wave of relief washed over him. "You know, I…I miss you."

I miss you too. Terribly. The sorcerer took an intake of breath. "I know."

The Changeling watched her intently and unapologetically while she gazed at the sleeping heroes and villains scattered around the bunker. He thought he wouldn't get a better chance to talk to her about them. So he gathered the courage to ask the question that had been disturbing his sleep for a while now. "So…will you really never forgive me?"

Raven felt her bruised heart ache and looked at him. He looked and felt absolutely miserable. She looked away again and frowned. "I'd like to…but I don't even think you fully understand what you did to me."

She wants to forgive me. "I do, Rae…I hurt you. To be fair, you hurt me too…I mean, you were just so excited to go. I faltered and despaired and I didn't respect your decision. And that was shitty, I know. And I'm so sorry, I really am. I never meant to make you miserable or make you…I…" At this point, he couldn't help weeping quietly. "I mean, all I've ever wanted was to make you happy. I had a moment of weakness and fucked up. But I…I did it out of love. Don't you think maybe you could eventually for-"

"Garfield." Raven whispered sternly.

The shapeshifter stopped rambling and noticed there were tears in her eyes being rigorously kept from falling. It made his sore heart break a little more. "Yeah?"

Raven shook her head and smiled slightly – in the saddest possible way. "That wasn't…see? You have no idea." When he stayed silent, she felt the urge to continue being honest with him. She could sense his affection and it made it difficult to stay cold and distant. "You don't know what it's like for me, having to stay here. And now I have to stay with this…pain." She grabbed her chest. "I trusted you so much and you…you cursed me, Gar. It makes me feel so stupid."

"You're not stupid." Was all he managed to whisper. If seeing her well up had broken his heart a little, listening to all of that crushed it entirely. He had to fight the urge to hold her, because she looked so damn vulnerable – even with that goth-looking crown on her head.

"I am." Raven stated bitterly. "I just…I just recklessly gave you everything."

The Changeling couldn't hold it in anymore. The more open she was and the more hurt she looked, the more desperate to fix everything he felt. He moved closer to her and sat on his heels, taking her hands in his. "I love you, Raven. Please look at me." He waited until her watery eyes met his. "What do I need to do to make you love me again? Tell me, I'll do it."

Shit. Why does he keep doing this to me? The empath held her breath and struggled not to break at his sweetness. Everything they said was a whisper, but when she spoke again, her voice was even quieter – it was the only way to keep it from cracking. "It's not about that, I never stopped loving you." When she saw his eyes widen and sensed his hope peak, she quickly added to that. "But I can't forgive you. And I can't trust you."

"Yes, you can. I swear I won't let you down again, Rae. Please..." Garfield said miserably, feeling his heavy heart sink. "I can't have ruined everything…"

She frowned. "You destroyed me. I mean, I let you…the things I…I was completely unguarded with you. And then you…do you have any idea how that makes me feel?"

The Changeling's chest was so painful his thoughts got blurry. "Please don't say that."

Raven smiled sadly and leaned her head against the wall, avoiding his eyes. "Whether I say it out loud or not, it's true. I can't ever be that unguarded again. Luthor was right."

Garfield frowned. "Luthor? What do you mean?"

"It's just amazing how easily love subdues pride." She said through a sad, broken chuckle.

And then she was hit by a horrifying wave of guilt, shock, hopelessness, sorrow and heartache. It added to her own and it made her flinch and squeeze her eyes shut.

"Am I hurting you with my feelings?" He asked quietly.

Raven inhaled sharply, keeping her eyes closed. "A little…"

"I'm sorry, I'll leave." The Changeling fought back the urge to pull her into his arms and got up instead, heading to an entirely different section of the bunker for a while.

The empath stayed there and took a few deep breaths to calm down until he came back after several minutes, with his eyes swollen and red. He was still hurting, but it was smoother.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you. I just…you asked." Raven said softly when he sat next to her again.

Garfield nodded. "I know. But you should hurt me. I should feel like shit."

The sorcerer frowned. "Guilt and self-loathing don't help me, you know…?"

He bit his lip. "But I…what else can I do?"

"I don't know." She pondered for a moment. "I mean, it won't make a difference for us, but…I guess you should try to figure out why you did what you did."

I know why. Because I couldn't lose you. Except I lost you anyway. Garfield looked at her to try and convince her to give him another chance one more time, but then he noticed just how tired she looked. "I…I can do more than that. Go to sleep. I'll stay up and I'll wake you as soon as your bad dream starts, I promise."

Raven narrowed her eyes. "How would you know when-"

"I'll know." The shapeshifter shrugged. "I...I remember. Your eyelids flutter and you frown a little. Don't worry, I'll know."

The empath was a little surprised. She ignored the warm and fuzzy feeling she got from that and considered his offer. It was a nice offer. She really was tired. "What about you?"

"Oh I've been sleeping like a baby lately." He said. "I'll be alright."

Raven raised an eyebrow, because she knew that was a shameless lie.

Garfield sighed. "Please let me do this. I need to do something right."

"It wouldn't change anything…"

"I know that, I do. Let me help you get some rest, please." Please just let me take care of you.

Raven bit her lip. "…okay." She removed her headpiece and lay on her side. "Thanks."

The Changeling watched her sleep intently. He couldn't see her scarlet eyes or the hurt in her face. He couldn't hear resentment in her voice. It was almost as if nothing had changed. She looked peaceful. Garfield realized he was smiling and reached out to gently stroke her hair. Raven sighed contently and his heart filled with tenderness. And then he pretended, just for a few hours, that they were home and together and he'd never broken her heart.

At some point during the night, she frowned in her sleep and Garfield noticed a few things levitating a bit around her. He immediately shook her gently to wake her up before her bad dream caused more damage than Braniac would, but then something absolutely agonizing happened. He lost consciousness and had her recurring nightmare. He wasn't in her place or even in his place and he couldn't change anything – he just watched it all like a silent audience. Garfield woke up sobbing and quickly realized she was still peacefully asleep and no longer frowning or fidgeting. He, on the other hand, felt absolutely sick. The Changeling walked as far away from her as he could because he knew his pain would wake her up soon.

He stumbled towards a trashcan and puked in it as silently as he could. That dream was so disgustingly realistic. He cried quietly and tried to chase the images away. The whole thing was grotesque and Raven looked so absolutely scared through it all. He couldn't get his words out of his mind. I love seeing you scared, you know? He thought he would throw up again, it got difficult to breathe and he grabbed onto his chest. As if anyone could ever really love YOU. You're a monster. You're not worthy of love. His vision got a little blurry and he realized he was having a panic attack, so he leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, trying to breathe as slowly as he could and counting to ten in his head while he reminded himself the feeling wouldn't last forever.

The Changeling felt something soft rub on his leg and after blinking a few times, he realized it was Raven's kitten, so he reached out and pulled him to his chest. That definitely helped. His breathing slowed down and his thoughts gradually became clearer again. Is she dreaming THAT every night!? What the fuck IS that!? Garfield hated not being there. He hated that she was hurting alone and he couldn't comfort her because he'd made her leave. He wanted to go back and hold her in her sleep, but he'd lost all rights to that, so he thought about drowning in self-hatred instead. But she still needed him to watch her sleep. That dream could come again. Guilt and self-loathing won't help her.

Raven woke up early in the morning and frowned in confusion. I slept all night?! He didn't wake me up. Did he fall asleep? Shit. Did I kill everyone!? She hastily looked around, but things seemed normal and most people were still asleep.

"Morning." Garfield said quietly.

The sorcerer turned to him at once. "I...what happened?"

"When I went to wake you up, I…well, as soon as I touched you…I think you kind of transferred your nightmare to me." When he saw her eyes widen, he quickly spoke again. "I swear I didn't mean to pry, it just…it just happened."

Raven felt absolutely mortified. "You…you saw that?"

The Changeling nodded, sensing tears coming back again. "I…I'm so sorry."

She rolled her eyes. "Garfield, my nightmare isn't your fault. If anything, it's mine. I pushed it with the Joker."

The shapeshifter frowned. "Why, though? Why would you do that?"

"I wanted to do something big to make them trust me. Anyway, it's done now. No harm done."

"No harm done!?" He squeaked as quietly as he could. "What do you call that dream!? Did he do that to you on purpose?"

Raven sighed. "No. My own mind did…after healing his, I absorbed a lot of the chaos. I think it's a manifestation of my greatest fears or something."

"…oh." Garfield stared at a random spot on the floor. "For, uh…for how much longer will you have it?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry I passed it to you last night, I didn't mean to."

The Changeling's eyes widened slightly. "No, I…I'm glad I could do something. I wish that…you know. And Rae…none of that is going to happen."

She had to fight back a smile. "Raven. And…I know. And there is something else you can do."

"Anything."

"Keep the content of that nightmare to yourself? It would kind of ruin my reputation."

He chuckled quietly. "Well, we can't have that, right? I got you."

"Thanks." Raven realized she was almost smiling again, so she cleared her throat and quickly regained control. "Well, let's go kick some android ass so we can go back to me committing crimes and you failing to stop me."

Garfield chuckled a little louder. He wasn't sure what to do about them, but after talking to her again he was certain of one thing. He didn't want to give up on her. He couldn't give up on her. He wanted forgiveness and maybe even her trust back. And he would find a way to get there.

"Klarion is reaching out to me." The empath suddenly crossed her legs and closed her eyes.

Ouch. Wait, does he hold her to sleep when she has nightmares!? The shapeshifter quickly pushed that thought aside before she could detect the painful jealousy. Probably not. I doubt she trusts him enough to be powerless with him. "Anything useful?"

Raven opened her eyes. "Definitely."

It was relatively easy once they all worked together, though Braniac had a lot of powerful allies too. Raven summoned a whole army of angry spirits and shielded everyone's minds from the psychic villain – though her shields cracked every now and then because she really wasn't her best version at the moment. Garfield turned into every otherworldly beast he could think of – and at one point, when she was in danger, into the Werebeast.

Robin and Ravager were fighting side by side now instead of against each other – they found out they liked that too. The Sirens – except for Raven – didn't really protect the heroes, but they did help them obliterate their common enemies. Starfire shot fierce green and purple energy blasts. Braniac was impossible to outsmart, so they would just have to overpower him. Ultimately, the Tamaranean took the android down with Superboy and the Changeling – as Krypto – backing her up. Raven and the Titans relished in being on the same side again, even if it was only temporary.

"RAVEN!"

Ravager's scream startled the empath, because it happened as the heroes began celebrating and she was getting ready to flee with her new magic book. But the younger girl sounded desperate, so she reached out to sense her and teleported to her side.

Raven's eyes widened as soon as she found the source of Rose's despair. "Oh, shit."

Ravager struggled not to cry as she stared down at a severely wounded Robin. "I…he came out of nowhere…and then Damian just…he got in front of me…"

Cyborg looked up at Raven after scanning his body and frowned to let her know it was bad.

The sorcerer kneeled down next to the young Robin. "Damian, can you hear me?"

He didn't open his eyes or stop grunting in pain, but he nodded to let her know he did. Most people had gathered around them at this point. Except for the other Sirens and their allies – they'd left as soon as the battle ended.

"You're going to be okay. I promise." Raven said confidently.

"His spine is fractured." Cyborg said quietly. "It's…bad."

"Will he walk again?" Batgirl whispered. When the half-robot just looked up at her with hopelessness in his eyes, she turned her head and sobbed into Richard's shoulder.

"Yes, he will." Raven said surely.

"Maybe you should use the white-hair thing for this." Wally suggested.

The empath faltered for a second. "I...I can't do that anymore."

Nightwing glanced at the Changeling, who shrank a little.

"It doesn't matter." Raven said, placing her hands over his body. "I can do it."

Her eyes glowed bright red and warm healing magic emerged from her hands. She nearly passed out several times and it was extremely difficult damage to repair. It was a good thing she'd gotten a good night's sleep, because healing him definitely drained her. It hurt too. Absorbing that kind of damage was very painful. But then the glow finally diminished and Damian wasn't in pain anymore. He immediately tried to move.

"Wait, idiot." Raven said, panting. "You…you still need to rest. But…you'll be fine."

The young Robin smiled gratefully through watery eyes. "Thanks, Doomsday."

The sorcerer smirked and continued trying to catch her breath.

"Do it now, get her!"

She wasn't sure who said it, but Raven turned around and frowned, realizing they were hesitating to attack her, but very much considering it. Jinx had her hands up and glowing. One hit from her would definitely do it at this point. These fucking people. "Seriously?"

Starfire pushed Jinx's arms down and glared at everyone who was taking an offensive stance. "Let her go. She stayed to help Damian. Have we no honor?"

Garfield wasn't sure what to do at first. His instinct was to defend her against anyone, but at the same time, no one there wanted to hurt her, and capturing her would mean pulling her away from her bad choices and maybe even changing her mind and turning her back. It would also mean having her around again, and he missed her so much. It would mean taking her home. But after everything, he knew taking her freedom away was something he simply couldn't do. So he waited and watched, ready to jump in if she needed him to.

Raven was relieved to sense the Changeling had no intention to attack her in her current weakened state. She knew Dick's hesitation was mostly out of concern, and Kory was openly defending her. It helped her tame her wrath.

"Yeah, assholes." Damian grunted. "That way she'll never heal any of us again."

"Besides, they'll rescue me. They need me." The former Titan said menacingly. "Do you want the Sirens, the HIVE and our little army to invade your tower?"

Nightwing sighed. Capturing her like this did feel like a low blow. Besides, Raven had a point. And he still had no idea how to contain her when she got her strength back, and then she would be pissed. He gestured for everyone to back down and then addressed her, pointing at the ancient magic book. "Go. But I'll take that."

The empath rolled her eyes and reluctantly tossed him the artefact, then quickly floated into the air and left. She didn't have the energy to teleport.

"You really didn't have to do that. I mean, it was brave, but it was also really stupid." Rose told Damian. "You remember I can heal myself, right?"

Robin chuckled a little. "You're welcome, jerk."

Ravager wasn't sure why it had hurt so bad to see him like that or why she was this relieved to see him healed. She'd figure that out later. So she just rolled her eyes and smiled a small, but genuine smile at him. "Thanks."

Damian felt a delicious squeezing sensation in his chest and cursed internally. What the fuck was that? All she did was smile. Chill.

"You were right about her." Batgirl whispered to Richard.

"Mm?" Dick turned to her. He had been distracted watching his brother blush.

"Raven." Barbara rolled her eyes. "You were right. We shouldn't give up on her."

Nightwing smiled playfully. "Ah, I see. I think I might need to hear that part about me being right again…do you mind?"

Batgirl lightly punched his arm and they laughed. Starfire frowned uncomfortably.

Meanwhile in Siren Mansion, Raven strutted inside angrily.

"Oh good, you made it. We thought they'd catch you when you stayed." Catwoman said.

The empath walked to the bar and poured herself a drink. "Close. But no."

"You saved someone, didn't you?" Ivy folded her arms. "And you lost the book."

"Yes, I did." The former Titan sighed. Here we go.

"Who did you save?"

"Robin." Raven rolled her eyes when they all gasped loudly in outrage.

"That guy!? That's Batman's son! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to take him down? Braniac did us a favor and you go and put him back on his feet!?" Pamela glared at her. "You are still one of them!"

"How could you do that!? We hate the bats!" Harley whined.

Raven smirked. "Selina doesn't hate all the bats."

Catwoman rolled her eyes, though she was secretly relieved Raven did what she did. "Don't drag me into your mess, please."

"It was stupid. We would have to go rescue you." Ivy said sternly.

"Not out of kindness. You need me." Raven stated, having another drink.

Selina frowned. "Hey, we got along fine before you."

"But now you're spoiled." The empath shrugged smugly. She could sense their anger and annoyance rising considerably. "You don't want to go back to hiding in the shadows."

"That's not the point!" Harley shouted. "The point is you like them more than you like us!"

The former Titan rolled her eyes. "Don't be needy, Quinnie."

Pamela broke through the floor with deep roots, wrapping them tightly around Raven's legs.

The sorcerer glanced at it and looked back up at her tiredly. "Seriously?"

Poison Ivy glared at her again. "Raven, this is unacceptable. You can't just-"

"ENOUGH!" The empath's eyes glowed red and she used every bit of power she had left to phase through the roots and float menacingly to the redhead's side. "I don't like being told what to do. I didn't join you to get more of that. So let me make myself clear. I'm with you. I'm here. I'm on your side. You will know when I'm not. But I will do whatever the fuck I want. Trust me or leave. And stop annoying me."

Ivy's anger had turned into amusement. She smiled approvingly. "Well, I like this version of you a lot better. But if you're gonna fuck the shapeshifter, at least bring him here for questioning, yes? We are a team."

Harley grinned widely.

Raven's eyes immediately stopped glowing. "I'm not going to fu-" She stopped herself midsentence when she saw the mischievous glint in their eyes, making it perfectly clear they wouldn't believe whatever she was about to say. "Ugh. Fine."

"Sleeping with the enemy is a rush, you'll love it!" Catwoman shouted as the empath headed upstairs to her room.

That night, there was celebration in Titan Tower.

Nightwing held his phone to his ear. "Bruce? How's Clark?"

"Better. Diana too. Krypto is flying back to you. So, did you really team up with them?"

"I really did. I figured crushing mankind gets priority over stealing jewelry and selling drugs. And we did get the book in the end. I'll send it to Zatanna. So ultimately our alliance worked."

"No doubt. I just thought maybe they'd double-cross you in the end."

"Yeah, it was almost the other way around, actually…" Dick rubbed his temples.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. By the way, Raven saved Damian. He fractured his spine. Badly. Cyborg said he wouldn't walk again if she hadn't acted immediately. And it hurt her to do it, too."

"…oh."

"Yeah, oh. So maybe tell your friends to back off and let us handle it?"

Batman sighed after a few seconds of silence. "So he's okay?"

"Yes. He'll be annoying me at training again in no time."

"Okay, good. That's good. And yes, I think I can do that."

"Thanks."

Terra rested her chin on her hands in a perky manner and narrowed her eyes at the Changeling. "You're not gonna play?" She asked, referring to the pinball championship currently going on in his bedroom.

Garfield shook his head. He hadn't played with it since she left. "Are you and Wally leaving with the others?"

"Yes. I don't think the Raven situation is going to aggravate much, so..." Terra watched him for a while and thought he looked really sad – as in, even more than usual. "What is it? Is it Rae? I noticed you woke up next to each other."

The shapeshifter frowned pitifully. "Sometimes I think about how much easier my life would have been if I'd just stayed in love with you."

She bit her lip uncomfortably. "You don't mean that."

"Sorry, I'm a little drunk. It's just...I fell so hard. And it made me a terrible person. It made me break her heart when all I wanted to do was make her happy. Now I don't know what to do. It almost makes me wish I'd never fallen that hard."

Terra rolled her eyes and smiled sadly. "Almost being a key word here. And we were never right, you know that. You knew it back then too, but you were scared. You're still scared. That's the whole problem." She nudged him friendly. "Don't be a coward."

Garfield chuckled slightly. "Again, I'm really sorry about dragging it out. In my defense, you made it really difficult for me to break up with you."

She folded her arms, looking absolutely offended. "Excuse me?"

"Okay, no, but seriously. Like, remember our one month anniversary? You recreated our first date and you set up a whole scavenger hunt for my present. I kept going back to that when I thought about ending things and I was like, how!?"

Her face instantly distorted into an awkward frown. "Oh, shit."

The Changeling's eyebrows shot up apologetically. "I made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to."

The blonde shook her head. "No, BB, it's just…"

"What? What is it?"

"Well, I…I don't know why I never told you, but…you see, BB…that date…the whole thing…it was Raven's idea."

Garfield's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what!?"

Terra smiled sheepishly. "I asked her for help. I wanted to make it special but I wasn't sure how. I figured she knew you better than me, so…"

His mouth hung open as he slowly absorbed this new information. "So…she..."

"I set it up but…it was all her idea. She already liked you, but I didn't know that. I wouldn't have asked if I knew." Terra bit her lip. "Sorry I never told you, I just…it never came up."

The shapeshifter's heart ached again. That had been one of his main reasons to stay with the blonde back then. It was her idea. She wanted me to be happy. She liked me, but she helped Terra because she wanted me to be happy. She was selfless. Why couldn't I be selfless for her? "No, it's okay…thanks for telling me."

"I've upset you." She frowned. "I'm sorry; I thought you'd like to know…"

He scoffed. "Please, my heartache is not your fault. It's my own. You're right, I am a coward. I had everything and I got scared and lost it."

"Well, dwelling on it won't help. Everyone screws up. I certainly did. I mean, look who you're talking to." Terra raised an eyebrow. "What's important is…what will you do about it?"

Garfield sighed and smiled a little. She's right. "I think I need to figure some stuff out. So I'm thinking some soul-searching would help. I took a shortcut with Raven when you left. She went in my head and…well, the point is it really helped. And Rae always said I needed to stop hating myself to love her properly, which I didn't get at all, but…now I think it makes sense."

Terra smiled. "I think that's a great idea. A brave idea."

He shot her a grateful smile. It's what Raven said she needed. It's the right thing to do. Maybe when she sees I've changed she will finally forgive me. And then I'll make her happy and find another way to save her soul and she'll never have to hurt alone again.

Garfield turned his head to shout at Nightwing. "Hey, Dick! Are there any psychologists specialized in superheroes?"

Richard frowned and stared at him quizzically.

"Sure thing, Changeling." Barbara Gordon answered. "Honestly, not enough of us look for it."

Dick relaxed and chuckled slightly. "Well, I suppose that's true."

"You suppose? Trauma is like, the one thing we all have in common." Batgirl laughed.

"Well, sign me up, Babs!" Garfield shouted, feeling a little lighter. "Send me their number!"

"Me too!" Terra yelled and raised a hand. She did need it as much as him. She didn't even have the guts to break up with Speedy.

Ravager came closer and leaned in to whisper menacingly to the pair on the couch. "If you tell anyone about this, I'll murder you both, but I want that number too."

She turned around to see Conner smirking from across the room and immediately walked towards him to let him know she'd find a way to murder him too while Garfield and Terra stared at each other in shock and fought back a chuckle.

Beast Boy cleared his throat. "Anyway, I think that's all I can do for her for now."

Kid Flash approached them behind the couch. "What are we talking about here?"

Terra smiled up at him. "What do you think?"

Wally chuckled. "Yeah, makes sense. I saw you two talking, Changeling. Is the bitterness finally making way for the flirting?"

Garfield frowned. "There was no flirting…"

"Ah, just wait for it. You'll get there." Kid Flash grinned.

Terra giggled and the shapeshifter shot the speedster a skeptical look.

"What? You will. I'm an expert, remember? My relationship started by flirting with the enemy. Don't worry, you'll like it. It's fun."

The Changeling laughed a little. "If you say so." God I hope he's right.

Raven tiredly lay on her bed. She thought about Garfield. She thought about the way he'd watched her sleep so she could rest, the kindness in his eyes and the sorrow pouring out of him. It wasn't enough to heal her heart. If anything, it made her hurt a little more when she remembered that moment when her hopes disappeared before her eyes. That moment kept haunting her. She was sure she would never get over it. But then again, I'm not fucking perfect. I manipulated his feelings. I messed with everyone's free will. He never even mentioned that. Her mind went back to kissing Klarion in front of him. That was cruel. Just because he hurt me, that doesn't mean I get to punish him freely.

And then, ultimately, the truth was she preferred his kindness to his anger. Okay. Just don't think about the Sixth Dimension tonight. It's okay, you don't need to be bitter ALL the time. You can think about him. She closed her eyes and imagined his face. His sweet, cute face. I miss him so much. He still loves me. They still love me. And I love them. I'll be fine. She drifted off to sleep, dreaming of purple skies, tender kisses and carefree laughter. But most importantly, she didn't dream about killing everyone she loves, being burned at the stake by them or being tortured in Hell. Her heart burned a little when she woke up and realized she no longer had what she dreamed about, but it was pain she could bear. It was infinitely better than waking up screaming in fear in the middle of the night.

She sighed and stared at the ceiling. Thank Azar THAT'S over.

If the World Was Ending (JP Saxe & Julia Michaels)