It Started With a Kiss

...

It started with a kiss.

That's how it always starts.

A kiss.

A kiss that leads to another.

And another.

It started at a New Year's Eve party.

A lot of things have changed over the years for the Titans. Some changes were subtle. Like hair styles or uniform alterations. All normal changes as teenagers inevitably turned into adults.

Some of the more drastic changes were caped crusaders not being needed as much, leaving the young heroes with more time on their hands. Other changes included friendships progressing into more intimate relationships.

The prime example being the attractive couple currently on the dance floor.

Richard's suggestive hands held Kori close to him as she moved provocatively to the music. The pair were both very skilled dancers and tended to capture the spotlight. Though some would argue that their dancing was on the brink of being indecent.

A lot of eyes were on them as they showed off their talents. One of those onlookers being Raven, who stood alone next to the bar. She wasn't as impressed with the display.

While she was indeed happy for her friends and the love they had for one another, she found their public display a bit repulsive.

She tried to look away many times, but the couple was indeed captivating. Kori wore a short dress that showed a lot of skin, and the bright white color of the dress glowed in the spotlight, causing eyes to unwillingly wander back to her and their suggestive movements.

Raven let out an irritable sigh as she sipped her champagne. She wasn't that fond of drinking, or more specifically, the feeling of intoxication. It tended to taint her judgement, which was something she never appreciated. But she needed something to do while she waited for the night to be over.

As usual, during situations like this, she questioned why she was even here. She didn't enjoy clubs, loud music, dancing, or drinking.

The simple answer being to make her friends happy of course. They loved clubs, loud music, and dancing, and she wasn't going to rain on their New Year's Eve parade, just because she would rather stay home.

So here she stood, trying to block out the loud music as she watched her friends dance provocatively. And while she was disgusted by the display, a part of her felt envy for the connection. There was a longing for affection she would never admit to having.

She finished her drink before letting the bartender refill her glass. And as she felt the bubbles tickle her nose, she reminded herself to keep her mind straight. She didn't need to do anything rash or out of character tonight.

"How you doing, Rae?"

Raven slightly jumped at the question, completely unaware of the person that had leaned next to her. She abruptly turned to Garfield as he snickered at her startled expression.

"I'm fine." She answered simply.

"I see you're really hitting back the champagne." He observed, eyeing her half empty glass.

"Got to celebrate somehow." She drawled, taking another sip.

"Are you at least enjoying the party?" He asked and she didn't give him a verbal answer, but simply turned and gave him a knowing look.

"Right, how could I forget you aren't a party girl." He sneered.

"You know me so well." She commented, her voice still lacking any emotion.