Raven's Return

Chapter Six: Complete Again.

...

That morning, the Tower awoke to the sweet smell of a homemade breakfast.

At least once a week, Victor tried to spoil his friends by making them a fancy homecooked breakfast. On those special days, he went all out, cooking bacon, eggs, sausage, toast, and of course, fluffy pancakes.

Raven was the first to venture down into the kitchen, the numerous smells causing her stomach to rumble.

"Hey, Rae!" Victor happily greeted, flipping a pancake in the air. "You hungry?"

"I am now." She said, watching him cook enthusiastically.

"Wow, Vic. It smells amazing." Richard commented as he and Kori exited the elevator.

"I am overwhelmed with such amazing smells." Kori said happily.

"Take a seat because it's almost done." Victor said, flipping another pancake. "Though someone should go wake up Gar-"

"Do I smell pancakes!?" Garfield asked excitedly, making his presence known.

With everyone present, they each grabbed a plate and took a seat at the table.

There were smiles and laughter as everyone enjoyed the homecooked meal and each other's company. Raven got to bask in her friends coming together once again to share a meal. Despite the events from the day before, everything seemed to be okay, and the Titans started to feel complete again.

"So, Vic, I take it your date went well." Richard suspected as he put his and Kori's empty plates in the sink.

"Oh, you think just because I cooked a fancy breakfast, I must have had a good time?" Victor asked suspectedly.

"Did you not?" Kori asked.

"Okay, so I did." He admitted with a small chuckle, but then his expression turned more serious. "Sarah told me she wants to take things to the next level."

"Like physically?" Garfield asked, giving him an intrigued look and Victor quickly glared at him in response.

"Is she moving in?" Kori asked excitedly.

"Geez, guys, calm down." Victor said, shocked by their suggestions. "She just wants me to meet her parents."

"Oh, that is wonderful, Victor." Kori said, clasping her hands together. "Sarah must really adore you."

"Congratulations." Raven told him, putting her hand on his shoulder before taking an empty plate to the kitchen.

"Yes, truly congrats." Kori added before she and Richard followed Raven's leave.

Garfield grabbed his plate before gradually walking towards him. "Honestly, it's about time you and Sarah took things to the next level. I mean, you've been dating her for over a year."

"I like to take things slow. Not everyone wants to rush into a serious relationship." Victor informed him.

Garfield put his plate in the sink before shrugging his shoulders. "Whatever, man." He said as he headed towards the door.

"Speaking of relationships..." Victor began, causing Garfield to stop and turn to him. "Care to tell me what is going on with you and Raven."

Garfield's eyes immediately widened. "W-what are you talking about?"

"I just couldn't help but notice you two have gotten very... close." Victor said, giving him a knowing look.

Garfield couldn't help but huff as he rolled his eyes. "It is not what you think."

"I think it is exactly what I think." Victor said with a knowing smirk. "You're smitten with her."

"Don't be ridiculous." Garfield shot back defensively.

"You two are spending a lot of time together..."

"So, what?"

"How about the way you light up when she enters the room. Or the way you watched over her when we were on the mission yesterday?" Victor said, before pointing his finger at him. "You are smitten with her."

Garfield pushed his hand away. "I'm just glad she's back, that's all. We all missed her."

"Yeah, we did. And we are all happy she's back. But you're acting different. You're treating her different."

"Yeah, well... she's treating me different. This new Raven is so much nicer, friendlier, and affectionate."

"Affectionate?" Victor repeated, lifting his brow in amusement. "Tell me more."

"She hugs me! Like a lot. And shows an interest in me. The old Raven was my friend, and I cared about her, but this new Raven is..." He couldn't help but sigh as a smile lifted his cheeks. "Amazing..."

Victor nodded as his lips curved into a smirk. "Smitten."

...

Raven nonchalantly walked into her room, going to her bookshelf, and looking for something to read. Despite appearing well, she was still troubled about what happened yesterday, and she hoped getting into a good book would help keep her mind off of he who shall not be named.

She pulled a book off the shelf when she heard a small knock on her door. She turned to Richard, standing in the open frame.

"Richard." She acknowledged.

"I called the asylum today." He informed her as he walked into her room.

Raven quickly put her book down, giving Richard her full attention. "And?" She asked eagerly.

"Brother Blood is still in his cell, frail and decrepit."

Raven let out a heavy sigh of relief.

But while she was relieved, she couldn't help but continue to question what she sensed.

"Raven, I'm not saying I don't believe you. But I want you to consider that it might just be in your head." He said cautiously. "It was your first time back out in the field. Maybe you were a little..."

"Paranoid?" She finished.

"Scared." He corrected.

She paused, knowing she couldn't hide anything from him.

"Maybe I was." She admitted quietly.

"I arranged a visit at the asylum for next week. I think you should see him. See that he is there, and contained."

Raven nodded her head. "Thank you."

Richard gave her a nod of acknowledgment before turning and leaving the room.

Raven sat on the edge of her bed, focusing her thoughts on her perception and senses.

It was not impossible for them to mislead her. And she is not going to deny that she was afraid. So it was fully possible that her emotions caused her to see and sense things that weren't there.

But despite accepting that, she was still anxious. And she hoped that going to the asylum, and seeing him there, would help relieve her concern.

...