8

"Look Raven," Robin began with a soft face, "I like you…"

"I know silly, that's why I want to kiss you…" Raven smiled playfully as she leaned in towards him.

"No, I mean…"

"You don't like me?" Raven pulled back and looked at him with morose eyes; they began to water.

"No, I do Rae," Robin pushed her hair back behind her ear as he stared into her eyes, "I like you, I really do but…"

I can't believe I'm going to say this and ruin the moment… I mean— she kissed me! I read Teen Magazine for her… yet… she is my friend, and I owe her that much. Robin smiled a bit at her.

"But what?" Raven's eyes fixated themselves on him.

"But— why did you change?" Robin asked.

"What do you mean?" Raven asked, "Don't you like how I look?"

"Yes, I do, I mean you're gorgeous…" he smiled, "But— you're not 'you'…"

"Yes I am… I am Raven. You're not going to believe B.B.'s 'replaced-monkey-brain' stories, are you?" Raven smiled a bit.

"No, it's not that… it's, you're not the same Raven you were before." Robin stared at her, waiting for her answer.

"What, black, to-herself, Raven? That Raven's gone." Raven crossed her arms.

"Why?" Robin asked, "Why would you want to change yourself?"

"Because," Raven began with her lower lip pushed out, "No one liked that Raven." Robin stared at her with disbelief.

"What do you mean no one liked that Raven?" Robin asked.

"What? Like you don't know… I know that you think I'm weird… just like everyone else…" Raven stated.

"Weird? Raven is that what this is all about?" Robin smiled.

"No one likes me Robin…" The first tear slipped from Raven's left eye as she stared intently at Robin, "You don't understand what it's like to walk down the road and have people staring at you and talking among themselves! You don't understand what it's like to be judged, or misunderstood, just because of the way I present myself… You don't know Robin… you don't…" Raven wiped away the tear that had glided across her cheek.

"Raven," Robin smiled at her, "You don't need to change for people to like you… I mean you at you…"

Raven blinked at Robin.

"You're perfect in my eyes Raven… and why do you think you're with the Teen Titans? It's because you're talented. We don't just pick up random people off of the street Raven… and we love you, as a team, and the Teen Titans— and Jump City, couldn't do without you…" Robin explained.

Raven looked down at her hot pink pants.

"I heard Beast Boy and Starfire… they both think I'm weird…" Raven looked up at Robin.

"In your own unique way," Robin smiled as he stroked the side of her cheek, "Just for the record Raven… I loved you as the real Raven too…"

"You did?" Raven asked. Robin looked down at himself, and then stared back up at her.

"Yeah… and even as more, than just a teammate…" Robin stared into her dark, wondrous eyes.

"Why hadn't you said anything?" Raven asked.

"Because… I guess I was just… waiting for the right time, and I just finally got my opportunity…" Robin smiled. Raven said nothing as she looked up and smiled at Robin.

"Good because, I hate pink…" Raven stated in a gloomy undertone like she always used to. Then, she smiled big at Robin, "and this smile, isn't fake, just for the record…"

Robin smiled back at her as he leaned his face in towards her until his lips were just a moment away from hers. Raven finished the distance and they kissed. Just then, Raven's life felt complete, and she felt a sense of belonging… and at that moment, she knew— she'd never have to change herself for anyone…

The End