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Just A Facade	By : shewillnotbenamed Category: DC Verse Cartoons - Teen Titans > General Views: 4625 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans comic nor cartoons, nor do I make any money from this story.

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"Love not what you are, but what you may become." Miguel de Cervantes
Raven took the skies as soon as she was out the Titans Tower door. Her eyes moistened, but Raven refused to cry. 'I feel terrible for treating Robin that way... I provoked him, I ignored him, I lied to him, and I flirted with Beast Boy in front of him... I am terrible, but...he broke my heart...and I...I just want things to back to the way they were...' The feeling of flight was calming and Raven felt a bit better by the time she reached her destination and lowered herself onto the ground across the street from her favorite club, Night Rampage.
Everyone on the line was too focused on trying to get into one of the hottest clubs in Jump City, to notice a teen titan land across the street. 'I am not going to let this get to me, I am still going to have a nice night, and no one-not Richard, not Slade-is going to stop me.' Raven recomposed herself and crossed the street and walked up to the muscular bouncer at the front of the line. "Excuse me sir, I was just in the area and was dying to know: Is this club was any good?" she asked tapping a red-haired man on his shoulder. He turned around, clipboard in tow.
"I'm sorry, but are you on the-" Honey brown eyes grew wide. "Raven?" Brett enveloped her in a bone crushing hug. "Is that really you? I haven't seen you in ages! I was just talking about you to Dave, how much we all miss you-and the all the clubbers you attract..."
"Oh really, Brett," Raven breathed, trying to get her lungs working again after a hug that could rival Starfire's.
"So...your boyfriend finally let you out, huh? If I were him, I wouldn't have let you out that easily," Brett said with a wink. The group of guys waiting in line sighed in disappointment. Of course Raven of the Teen Titans already had a boyfriend.
"Actually, we broke up-" Raven was cut off by the cheering of the guys in line. Brett raised his brow playfully as if to say: "See, I told you so." She rolled her eyes, oblivious to the amount of male attention she seemed to attract.
"Are you alright though?" Brett stared at her clearly concerned.
"Yeah, I'm okay, but we had a fight..." Raven looked down. The bouncer began cracking his knuckles.
"Alright, where is he? Doesn't he know not to lay hands on a woman?"
"No Brett, it wasn't physical...I'm okay now..."
"Raven, I know you, you're not okay, you just came here to drink your problems away and maybe find yourself in bed with another man to make your ex-boyfriend jealous-and I am not going to let you-unless that man happens to be me..." Brett joked.
"Only in your wet dreams Brett the bouncer," she retorted. Raven didn't know if Brett really did like her, but he sure seemed to enjoy flirting with her every time she came to hang out at Night Rampage. She didn't really mind because she didn't have to wait in line.
"Which ones?" Brett asked with a smile.
"I think you know which ones..." Raven smirked.
"I think I should tell Dave, not to serve you..."
"Oh come on, I'll be fine... I promise."
"Okay, Rae, well inside you go. You're holding up the line, which is growing increasingly since you got here, so thank you, your work is done here, you truly are a hero." Raven waited for him to part the velvet rope and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then walked inside.
"Oh, well then..." Brett murmured holding his cheek. "Raven, you still get only two drinks!" he called after her. She merely waved a hand in response.
Night Rampage
Robin may have known almost everything about her, but he still didn't know about her club life-or that she could dance. Raven strode confidently into the room taking in her familiar surroundings. Night Rampage had midnight blue walls with blue-violet slashes. The floor was black of course and the tables and chairs were all a metallic gray except for the bartender's countertop which was a deep mahogany color. The black and silver strobe lights and the dimmed lights overhead were the only lighting in the room except for the hanging lamps at the bar, meaning that it was very easy to really get down on the dance floor, and apparently some people already were in a dark corner of the room.
A dark haired boy was tenderly kissing a dirty blond girl as they gyrated their pelvises against each other in time to the music. He pulled away from her for a second, no doubt whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Raven's heart clenched. Feeling heartbroken once more she looked away from the two quickly as if the sight of them burned her. His hair almost reminded her of Robin's. 'Why am I even here?'
Despite Brett's advisory, Raven strode up to the mahogany countertop and took a seat on one of the black stools. "Raven," Dave murmured while drying one of the wine glasses. "I haven't seen your pretty face around here in ages." Dave had blond hair and hazel eyes and a clipped English accent, he often tried to get her to go out with him-but she never did. Still, she always got her drinks for free.
"Oh well, I've been busy with fighting crime and what not..." Raven attempted to put on an indifferent expression.
"Raven, is something wrong?" he asked, clearly seeing right through her.
"I'll just get straight to the point and say that my boyfriend and I split."
"What? Is that fool blind or something?" Dave exclaimed waving the dishtowel about.
"David, it's alright... I'm fine now."
"Well if you say you're OK, I'll have to take your word for it, but remember that there are other guys out there, alright?"
Flashback
Raven was walking hurriedly from the common room, her cloak billowing behind her. 'Beast Boy is such an insensitive snot-colored jerk', she thought angrily. He had called her an ice queen for refusing to go out for pizza with them. It still really hurt coming from someone who was supposed to be her friend-even if he was annoying. So what if she didn't like the same things a normal teen did? She wasn't a normal teen and she never would be. 'I'm not an ice queen... I just like to be alone.'
The common room doors opened just as quickly as they had shut behind her. A teen clad in a tight red and yellow shirt with green spandex pants followed her, his long legs enabling him to catch up to her without much effort.
"Raven-Raven wait up. ...please don't run away from me," Robin murmured.
"I believe I'm walking, not running. I really do not want to talk to you," Raven said in a voice void of all emotion.
"But I'm your friend, we have a bond, remember?" asked Robin softly. Raven stilled her brisk walk to stand in the corner near the hallway.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm obligated to tell you everything."
"Well...you can try," he said hopefully.
"Why do you even care? It's not your problem," she retorted.
"Raven, if it's something concerning you, it is my problem."
"You would probably say the same thing to Beast Boy if he was having regrets about Terra running away again."
"Raven...that's not what I mean..."
"Robin, it's nothing-really; it's not as important as spending time with your team so go, have fun... I need to be alone anyway," she replied, her voice cracking slightly. Just leave. Just like everyone else. Raven felt a soft grip on her wrist and then she was pulled tightly to his chest, where his arms wrapped around the middle of her back. She gasped. Raven was rarely hugged, let alone touched at all, yet she didn't try to stop him or attempt to get away by using her powers.
She felt so safe in his arms. 'He's so...warm...' she thought to herself. The gothic teen closed her eyes. Four light bulbs blew up consecutively and there was a loud shatter no doubt something else was broken in another room. Robin released her, blushing lightly. She put her hood up to hide her scarlet cheeks.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I'm here for you if you need anything. You're not alone anymore, Raven."
"Um...thank you, Robin," she said looking down to hide her embarrassment.
"Anytime Raven, I just want you to know that I-I mean we care about you," he stuttered out. He was a bit flustered himself.
"Well, I was just going to the roof to meditate, do you...want to come? We could...talk...if you want..."
"Sure, I'd love to," Boy Wonder replied putting his hand on her shoulder, she flinched. The doors to a bathroom and Beast Boy's room fell forward. Robin grinned sheepishly and removed his hand. Raven used her telekinesis to put the bathroom door back on its hinges.
"Raven?"
"What?" she asked feigning innocence.
"Come on Raven, do the right thing," he teased.
"Alright," she agreed. Raven used her powers to encase the door in a black bubble that she levitated about 5 feet off the ground. "There, now let's go before I change my mind." Robin couldn't help but smile.
"I suppose that's as close to compromise as we'll get."
"That's why you don't get on my bad side," Raven told him with a half smile. The two of them walked off to the roof together happily.
End Flashback
"...aven...Raven!"
"...What?" she snapped.
"Raven, you've been staring at that wall for five minutes straight, are you sure you're okay?" Raven was getting a little tired of being asked that question.
"I'm fine, just tired. Sorry for zoning out like that..."
"Don't be, it's alright. Oh and Raven, here," said Dave placing a drink with pink swirls in front of her with a lemon wedge on the side.
"Thanks, for trying to make me feel better," Raven replied with a slight quirk of her lips.
"No problem. But it wasn't from me, it was from that guy over there," Dave remarked pointing to a man about 6 stools down from her. The man smiled at her.
"Would you excuse me a second?"
"Sure Rae, just...let him down easy and tell him all about how I'm your boyfriend that you're passionately in love with," he said a little too quickly. She rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry, I think I can handle this one on my own," she responded.
Raven picked up the drink and walked towards the man.
"Sorry, but I don't take drinks from strangers," Raven stated matter-of-factly, placing it in front of him. Especially not ones that were pink.
Really?
"Can't a man buy a drink for a lady he thinks is attractive?" he asked in his deep voice.
That voice. There was something about it.
Raven looked up, really seeing the older man for the first time. The dark girl almost gasped. Her wide eyes took in clear gray ones that were practically silver. He had messy black hair that was long in the front with bangs that were falling into his eyes. He had a clean shaven face with a perfect nose. The 6 foot 4 inch mystery man was wearing dark wash jeans with a black jacket over a black button down oxford shirt with the first two or so buttons undone offering a glimpse of his well-muscled torso. His skin was tanned to a light butterscotch hue-but being near Raven made anyone look like they had a tan.
"Please, take a seat," said the man in a smooth voice as he stood up and pulled the stool out for her. Feeling a little taken aback, Raven took a seat, despite Knowledge trying to tell her that it was not in her best interest to associate with strange men who randomly offered her drinks at night. The stranger sat back down again, smoothing imaginary wrinkles on his shirt.
"So, you're Raven, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not, purple hair is just so common these days," Raven quipped sarcastically. The man surprised her by chuckling at her dry humor. Raven narrowed her eyes. She knew wasn't that funny. What did he want anyway?
"Look, if you want an autographed picture or some other Titans fan gear, I can have it mailed to your house-free of charge-if you just give me your home address-"
"I don't want any pictures, I just want to get to know you...the strongest and most beautiful Teen Titan in person." he paused, still boring into her eyes. She flushed in spite of herself.
"You claim you aren't fan, then who are you? A stalker, or perhaps a pervert?"
"Just a man. One who admires beautiful, strong women. My name is Ben Wilson. I would have expected a more polite welcome from a Titan," he continued and gave her a dazzling smile.
Raven tried not to notice the rows of pearly white teeth or his perfect dimples. No matter how attractive this stranger was, she couldn't do this. It had gone on long enough. She couldn't allow it to continue.
"Unfortunately, I don't care to know, or want to get to know you," Raven retorted, rising from the stool.
"Wait, Raven... I just want to talk to you," he urged, standing up as well.
"This was a mistake. I shouldn't even be here."
"Really? That wouldn't have anything to do with a guy, would it?" Ben asked cocking a brow. That was annoyingly perspective. Almost suspiciously so.
"Yes, but how did you know?" she questioned, her brow furrowing lightly.
"Raven, a girl like you? I don't see why you would even ask that. The world is a cruel place when you're different. That's why I think you put up a guard, but I think you're a sensitive and sweet person." Raven blushed for the second time that night.
"I want the pleasure of getting to know you, if you'll have me." He took her hand and kissed it lightly without breaking eye contact. Raven felt her legs grew a bit shaky. "You look like you might fall over, and I think you'll feel much better if you sit down." The violet eyed girl smiled lightly.
"Okay," she sighed and plopped down on the stool.
"Wow, I made you smile, now that is a feat only a true hero could accomplish, maybe I should join the Titans."
"Starfire would probably hug you to death, and if not you'd suffer at the hands of her terrible cooking. I wouldn't take pity on you either and save you," said Raven with a smirk.
"That really hurts me inside Raven. But if I may, I would like to know, why did he break up with you?" Ben asked her.
"Well...he was worried about the fact that I would get hurt, because of the group he associates with and I told him I can take care of myself. I don't need to be protected..." Ben smiled at this.
"So, what is he, like a gang leader or something?"
"No, no it's not like that. But there are these people out to get him because of the work he does, he helps people, it's...complicated."
"That sounds a lot like Robin to me. It was him wasn't it?"
"Well, he and Robin were pretty close," she lied. 'Please just let it go...'
"I'm just asking because he obviously has a thing for you. And because I would like to ask you out sometime-without him finding out where I live and hunting me down."
He wants to...date me, she thought in disbelief.
"Robin wouldn't do anything like that... But...that does sound kind of like him," Raven admitted.
"So, Robin was your boyfriend isn't he?" Ben asked raising his eyebrows. The empath bit her lip to contain her smile.
"No, it was just a normal guy-" Raven began.
"Raven..." he said seriously giving her a hard stare.
"Look, I just got out of a relationship with him and I don't think I'm ready to go out on a date with anyone. Let's say I did date you, I wouldn't want to use you as a rebound, it just...wouldn't be fair," the purple-haired girl spilled out.
"But you won't be, I just want to get to know you better," Ben took her delicate hands in his slightly calloused ones. "It doesn't have to be a date per say-unless you want it to be," he replied staring at her with his smoldering silver gaze. Raven wished she was wearing her hood, so she could hide her rouge-tinged cheeks. She looked away. What was the matter with her? She didn't normally get this flustered around guys. She removed her hands from his and regained her composure.
"Maybe it will be, if you ever see me again that is... Look Ben, I've had a nice time, so thank you..." she said with a half smile getting up to leave.
"Wait, Raven," urged Ben rising as well and touching her lightly on the arm. "It doesn't have to end just yet."
"I'm actually going for a walk in the park, I just need to clear my head," she explained.
"What a coincidence so was I," Ben answered. Raven narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious, I have thoughts and troubles, too."
"I somehow don't buy that... Besides, I don't even know you..." she countered. 'What guy who looks like him could possibly be a tortured soul?' That would be the total package.
"But if I come with you, you can get to know me, right?" he asked with a sexy smirk.
It was a fair point. Besides with the way he was looking at her, she wasn't completely opposed.
Jump City Community Park 11 PM
Raven secretly did want some company. But then, maybe it was just the drinks. After dating Robin for almost 3 years she couldn't remember the last time she'd been alone like this. She didn't really know Ben so her guard was still up, but she was only willing to be just friends right now. After having her heart broken earlier that day she wasn't so quick to seek out another tall, dark, and handsome guy to get herself mixed up with again.
The moon was full and it was casting a sparkles over the lake. The crickets chirped and the plants and weeds swayed in the breeze. She and Ben were walking slowly around the perimeter of the lake. It was the perfect romantic setting, but Raven made sure to keep at least a foot of space between them at all times. They were just friends, but barely. They were more along the lines of friendly strangers-even though Ben made it clear several times that he was interested-very interested.
"Why did you need to come with me again?" she groaned. Could an empath get some peace and quiet for once? It was bad enough picking up everyone's sexual tension and tangled emotions. It was a good thing she could choose to ignore the auras she sensed from others. Yes, years of meditation had disciplined her well.
"Sorry, I just love having a beautiful lady by my side to protect her from the dangers after dark," he grinned.
"I'm a half-demon, the supposed dangers out on the streets are probably more afraid me than I am of them."
"I don't mean that you can't defend of yourself, but...I just don't see you as a demon. Half a human or fully human-it doesn't matter. You are so much more than any human I've met, you're more like a saint." Raven's eyes widened. No one had ever said anything that nice to her before, not Robin, not her mother, not any of the Titans and certainly not Trigon.
"Well...thank you... Do you want to...go sit?" Raven asked reluctantly, motioning to the park bench by the lake.
They walked to the bench near the edge of the water and sat down about half a foot away from each other. Raven sighed, it was a chilly night but she ignored it, being who she was she learned to be strong and something. But why did she feel so warm? She looked up at his smiling face and sparkling eyes. He had placed his jacket around her shoulders. She didn't know what to say, for some reason she couldn't remember her last boyfriend doing anything that nice. But still, Ben was just a friend-one that she had met a few hours ago. Even if he did seem oddly familiar.
"Mind, Raven? You looked kind of cold," he explained. Raven felt the shift in emotion, he was concerned. Robin had always been concerned about her. He had always been concerned about her well being, concerned about whether she was comfortable or not and always trying to get her to spend time with the team. He had always cared about her and he was always so good to her. But now... There was no holding it back any longer. The sorceress felt her the sting of the salt water building up near her the corners of her eyes.
"He said I had no feelings," she began in a monotone voice. "And that I didn't matter to him..." By now she let the tears flow freely. She was suddenly enveloped by two strong arms and pulled into a warm hug. One of Ben's arms was around her shoulders and the other was on her upper back. It felt oddly familiar.
"Well, Robin was wrong..."
"Sometimes...sometimes I feel like it's true, that I am still emotionless and that nothing has changed... Maybe I don't deserve to love after all." Ben pulled her out his embrace to look her in the eyes.
"Raven that's not true at all. I believe that you feel more than any of the Titans combined, you just bottle it up and hide it away because you don't want to risk getting hurt again. Robin had no right to betray your trust like that...you deserve love more than anyone else...and you deserve better."
"I don't think he meant to..." she confessed.
"If he really loved you, he wouldn't have broken your heart and made you go through this pain...it's not fair to you..."
"It is hard but I'm trying to ignore it...two and a half years is a lot to forget," she confessed.
"Then, I'll make you forget," Ben murmured.
"What?" Raven asked, her enormous tear filled amethyst eyes were full of questions.
"I'll make you forget all about him and what he said to you," repeated Ben in a serious voice.
"But...I don't even know you." 'Who are you?'
"That doesn't matter." He wiped away her tears with his thumb. "I promise you."
"Thank you for everything," she breathed. "I should probably get home before...a certain someone freaks out any further." He took her hand and kissed it for the second time that night. If he was trying to woo her, he was certainly doing a good job. Raven tried to look like it didn't affect her, but she was still a bit taken aback by this man, he was charming, sweet, and kind without seeming like he was trying too hard.
"Farewell, sweet Raven." She smiled for him, a sad smile.
"Goodbye, Ben," she said sadly and began to walk away. It really had been nice to meet him, too bad she would never see him again.
Titan's Tower
Raven walked into the tower quietly, but swiftly. Luckily, Robin wasn't manning his post at the computer in the common room, but she still didn't want to be caught and especially not by him. She walked down two long hallways to get to her room. Raven was astonished to that see the looming muscular presence that was Robin, standing next to her door. His arms folded looking furious and ready to lecture. He must have heard her come in. Now she wished her room wasn't so close to Robin's.
"Raven, where the hell have you been? It's almost 1 AM! I already told you that you couldn't go and yet you still disobeyed me," he growled. 'Why is she doing this?'
"Maybe I was trying to spend some time alone, and I don't see anything wrong with that," she said stubbornly, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Have you been drinking?" he asked, eyes flashing. 'Raven never drinks...'
"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't," she spat.
His expression grew more hostile as he looked at something on her shoulders. "And if you were spending time alone, then why are you wearing some guy's jacket?" he hissed angrily. 'I will kill him, whoever he is.'
Raven had realized that she forgot to give Ben back his jacket. But she did detect that the reason for his anger was because of his possessive nature. He still cared about her. Maybe he just conflicted. But that was no excuse for acting like a jerk.
"That's none of your business, Dick." She made sure to put extra emphasis on the last word. "My life stopped being your business the minute we broke up, so stop trying to interfere where you're not wanted!" she yelled.
"This is my team, so I will intervene in your life wherever and whenever I feel it's necessary. Whether you have a problem with my methods is your problem," he scoffed in a cold, unfamiliar voice. Robin had never spoken to her like that, and to hear it was just...heartbreaking.
"God...I just wish..." Raven whispered hoarsely. "I just wish you would stop treating me like a liability to the team..."
"Well, I wish you would stop acting like one... You need to come to your senses and realize why you're even in this tower-to protect this town... Good night Raven." Robin began walking to his room a few doors down.
"Wait," Raven cried. Robin paused and turned to face her. 'Please Robin, don't do this.'
"What?" he snarled.
"Is that all I am to you anymore? A liability?" her eyes were pleading with him. 'Please say no, please hold me into your arms. Tell me you love me and that this was all just some crazy misunderstanding.'
"Raven, I have dedicated my life to fighting crime. I will admit I did go a little soft for about two and a half years, however, I'm not going to through away years of hard work. We're supposed to be teammates...and nothing more." Robin walked down the hall, punched in the code to his room and went in. Raven decided to follow suit. Robin had gotten the last word, but she still was hanging on the minuscule hope that he didn't mean what he said.
Raven's Room
Raven busied herself, trying not to tear up. She began changing into a magenta tank top and shorts that Starfire bought for her one Christmas ago. She didn't mean to argue with him again, it just kept happening because Robin was angry at her. Right now it seemed like the tables had turned. She could sense his sorrow, his remorse, his pain, and anger. She wished he would just barge into her room and beg for her forgiveness. Tell her how wrong he had been. What an idiot he was. That he was truly sorry for everything.
Then, she'd pounce on him, and they would have make up sex till the sun came up. Sadly this was not the case, Raven could only hope that she would find someone new or that she'd forget about what they once were. 'I miss him, the real him. But we had is broken now.' Put on Ben's jacket again and crawled under the covers. The jacket smelled just like him-Silver Romance by Ralph Lauren. How fitting. Just wearing the jacket made her feel a modicum of comfort.
She drifted off to sleep after a little while. In her dreams she and Robin were still in love, everything was right in the world. A subconscious tear rolled down her cheek, as if she knew that wanted could never be. Yet she slept peacefully.
A/N: I took so long, I hate spelling errors, and I procrastinate, but I will try not to do that with Chapter 4 which will hopefully be up in two weeks tops :)
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Just A Facade