Because I'm in Love

Part 2

As the T-Car slowed to a stop Cyborg pulled the parking brake and briskly turned the car off. The pair stepped out into the warm summer air.

"Where to first?" Cyborgs infectious energy was hard to not catch as he quickly looked up and down the street at all the store fronts while she payed for the parking meter, something they argued about on the way there. 

"I say we wander and see what piques our interest."

"As you wish." As he bowed in mock servantry.

"Oh, please." She said as she let out a little giggle.

"A laugh? Now I couldn't tell you the last time I've made you do that." The grin that grew on his face was one of pride.

"Hmm, maybe you should just try being funnier."

"Ow, Rae. Straight through the heart with that one."

"You know what they say, don't shoot the messenger."

"Yeah yeah, whatever, but when the ac unit in your room mysteriously stops working, don't come crawling to me to fix it."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" Before she could reply with a witty comeback a pair of giddy teenagers walked up to the pair. After taking a couple of pictures and a little bit of convincing to get Cyborg to sign one of their foreheads the two continued on their way. They spent the rest of the remaining day walking around town. Going into big and small shops alike. Raven got some new clothes and a couple of books while Cyborg got more parts for whatever he could be building and a couple candles from the occult store they went to. The drive back to the tower was silent but content as the day's fun was ending. Pulling into the garage the two got out and started making their way to the elevator to retire for the night. When the elevator door dinged, signaling their stop, they began walking opposite ways to their rooms.

"Hey Cyborg." With a sharp turn, he looked toward his teammate.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for today."

"Anytime, Girlie." With a smile, he turned back around. Turning on her heel she also turned and continued on her way to her room.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raven settled back into her usual mundane routine. Wake up. Make tea. Hide in the sanctum that was her room. And fight the occasional villain if the need arose. She was content with how her day-to-day played out. She didn't need anything else is what she realized. Nothing more and nothing less than what she already had. She also decided that she would give no other Titan the special attention that she craved. They were her family and she couldn't forgive herself if her selfish actions cost her that connection with any of them. "If she's happy, then I'm happy." That is what she repeated to herself when a pensive night might leave her feeling melancholy. It was all she could do to keep herself sane in this thorny prison of unrequited love.

A knock woke her up on this day—the familiar sound of metal hitting metal. Moving the covers from her body she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror before answering-a practice she adopted that became more muscle memory than anything. She didn't want Cyborg to see the tears that stained her face from the night before. Another thing that became semi-routine for her. The night seemed to carry with it the thoughts she so desperately tried to ignore. Another set of knocks rang through the dark room as Raven finished washing off her face. Briskly she walked to the door and slid it open about an inch.

"Good morning, Raven!"

"Yeah."

"You don't seem too cheery today. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed again?" He asked jokingly.