BBRae Week 2021 @bbraeweek21 - Tumblr Blog

bbraeweek21

Jul 31, 2021

oceanspray5

Fool's Gold (Ladies And Gentlemen, Will You Please Stand)

BBRae Week 2021, Day 7 - Wedding Bells @bbraeweek21

Ao3 - FFN

Word Count: 9.9k words

It was the happiest day in Gar Logan's life.

The sun was as the wedding bells rang shining. The air was pleasant and the sky was clear with the promise of a new start ahead. The breeze was filled with the scent of the flowers used to decorate the beautiful altar and the wedding guests had all accumulated and were seated already.

The bride was a vision as she glided down the aisle and Gar felt tears well up in his eyes to match his face splitting smile. She was beautiful. Her exuberant joy was matched by the guests as they gazed in awe of her in her beautiful white dress that would have looked obnoxious on anyone else but looked elegant on her. Her red hair was pinned up with jewels and her green eyes shone with glee as she clutched the bouquet, her eyes firmly on her target at the end of her pathway as the wedding bells rang.

This had been a long time coming and now the day was finally here.

Kori Anders and Richard Grayson were getting married.

Garfield, Dick and Victor had been best friends and roommates since college; and since college, Gar and Vic had seen the huge crush Dick had on Kori blossom into an awkward but sweet relationship. Now a year after they had all graduated the two lovebirds were tying the knot. Dick would be moving out, and as happy as Gar was for his friends and their celebration of love, he was even happier knowing that the room his best friend rarely used anymore would be fully vacated and could now be delegated to a gaming room for him and Victor. A gaming room that would serve many purposes: one being that it would be extremely useful for distracting himself from all thoughts of romance and love and, consequently, heartbreak.

Truly, it was the happiest day in the young man's life.

Now most people would assume Gar had all the wrong intentions. His best friend was moving out after five years of living together. Shouldn't that warrant a few tears? The occasion of the first wedding in their trio of friends was a joyous one. Shouldn't his happiness be focused on that instead of just the gaming room he was getting out of it? And it was. But Dick had already practically moved out half a year ago opting to split his time between the boys’ apartment and Kori's place and Gar was used to his absence already. No matter what anyone believed he was thrilled for his friends, but he was also over all of this wedding nonsense.

Gar knew he was being bitter. His own recent breakup with Terra, where she had cheated and dumped him as if he was the one who had done something wrong no less, still stung. Having been thrown into helping Dick and Kori with their wedding planning had done nothing to help his feelings when he now had to get rid of all of his hopes of one day marrying the girl he thought was of his dreams. But today was the day. It was the day of the wedding. No more rehearsal dinners and wedding rehearsals. After today, Gar wouldn't have to worry about any of those again until Vic got married which didn't seem like it would happen anytime soon since Karen and him had only started dating six months ago.

As for himself? Gar Logan had sworn off of love and relationships. He was now fully invested in following his dreams as a game designer by day and a gamer by night. Video games didn't break your foolish hopeless romantic heart and Gar wasn't going to give his any opportunity to hurt him further.

The ceremony was over and when the couple led the way to the reception in the next hall, Gar found himself looking forward to dinner. Dick's adoptive family came from money and they had spared no expense at making the after party lavish and fun. While usually the relationship between Dick and his family was strained, for once Boy Wonder, as he had affectionately been dubbed by his friends, had silently accepted the help they were offering to pay for the wedding.

"Garfield!" Kori cheered as he and Vic walked over to the newlyweds to offer their congrats. As Victor ribbed on Dick for being a sap and crying during the ceremony, Kori turned to Gar.

"Did you enjoy the ceremony, Friend?"

"It was beautiful. And you looked great, Star," Gar promised with the fond grin and nickname he reserved for Kori.

She was such a genuine person. It was hard not to love her. She and Dick would be so happy together and Gar felt himself having to beat down the familiar pang of envy that came with wanting a love as beautiful as theirs. Get yourself together Garfield! We've sworn off love, remember?

"I hope you shall enjoy dinner too," Kori declared. Then she leaned forward and stage whispered, "I insisted on multiple vegetarian options just for you."

"Thanks Kori."

"You are most welcome," she beamed. "Although I do have a favor to ask of you."

Gar perked up at that. Kori hadn't mentioned any favors before the wedding but he supposed she must have forgotten. She had been extremely frazzled the last few weeks before the wedding. He hadn’t seen much of her himself but Dick had been quite worried about her so Gar had taken his word for it.

Taking his interest as an invitation to continue, Kori explained, "My friend Raven is here at the wedding. She came from far away just to attend but I am afraid she does not know anyone here. I know it is a lot to ask, but would you accompany her for a while tonight?"

She looked nervous as if afraid Gar would say no.

And Gar wasn't sure if he should say no or not. He wanted to help Kori and he certainly didn't mind meeting strangers but this girl was someone he didn't even know! He definitely hadn’t planned on conversing with any of the female species, still too afraid of his ability to get attached too easily. There were to be no girls for him tonight, no sir. He had sworn to stay single and would be keeping to it which included no hookups either until he was certain his heart was under control.

"It will only be for a little while," Kori begged. "She is very antisocial so it is likely she will not want company for long as it is. But she traveled a long way just for me and I would feel terrible if I knew she was alone the entire night."

Kori was giving him the pleading eyes. None of them could resist those, not even Vic, so he found himself caving.

"Alright, who is she?" Gar half-whined.

Kori clapped her hands happily then pointed out a vaguely familiar young woman from the crowd that Gar had recalled seeing earlier. She had pale skin and dark hair highlighted purple. She was in a bridesmaid’s dress which gave clue to where he had seen her and she stood in the corner nursing a simple coke and observing the festivities without so much as a smile on her face; a literal wallflower. Gar shrugged before deciding to walk over immediately. The sooner he got this over with, the better.

"And Gar," Kori did look nervous this time. "Please do not tell her I sent you. She hates me fussing over her."

He raised an eyebrow at that but then sighed. He was familiar with Kori’s immense concern for others even when they didn’t need it. It was one of the things that just made her more endearing to everyone around her.

"Alright Kori," he promised.

Dick came back to get his wife then and lead her across the room where they would have their first dance. Gar watched them with a smile, knowing how hard Dick had practiced how to dance with him in preparation for the wedding. Then he looked across the room with the wallflower he'd been tasked with talking to and made his way over.

"And then I had to drive Dick to the venue in the middle of the night because he was panicking thinking Kori was panicking but she didn't even know the mix-up had occurred!" He exclaimed. Raven didn't laugh, but she did smile and her shoulders shook with mirth. Gar couldn't help his own grin and the triumph filling his chest at seeing this reaction from her.

Raven was brilliant company. While they had gotten off to a rocky start with her being a little cold in the beginning under the impression that he was just another groomsman trying to get lucky with her, once he had cleared up that confusion, she actually proved to be really nice. Gar found himself enjoying his time with her as they traded stories about the pre-wedding shenanigans. Raven hadn't been in Jump City to help Kori prepare for long but she had spent many a night awake with the frazzled girl on the phone and Gar had his own plethora of stories of shenanigans Dick had gotten up to.

"It all seems to have worked out in the end," Raven replied, looking around them at the venue. Her voice was soft and Gar found it soothing to listen to even if it was barely audible among the cacophony of guests.

"I guess it did," he agreed. "But I don't think this sort of thing is for me."

He didn't know why it slipped out. He hadn't been planning on exposing his residual resentment towards love tonight. He had promised himself he wouldn't, in fact. Not on Dick and Kori's perfect night. But seeing Vic dance with Karen across the room alongside the newlyweds and all the various other happy couples around them, Gar hadn't been able to help the envy and had retaliated the only way he had taught himself how.

"Not one for weddings?" Raven asked. Her voice was casual, trying not to betray emotion, but he picked up on her curiosity all the same.

"They're pointless," he scoffed in return. "Not everyone can find the picture-perfect love. I'm happy for Dick and Kori but weddings are overrated."

"Yes, I suppose so." Her tone was almost sad and Gar wondered if she had gone through something similar to a broken heart too.

The conversation which had been full of laughter minutes before turned pensive and Gar turned to look at the woman beside him. She was gazing out at the dance floor like he had been, something wistful in the shine of her eyes before it disappeared, hidden away behind her indigo irises. With a sudden heat to his cheeks, Gar realized she actually was really pretty. He had spent the first half hour conversing with her trying to insist that he wasn't making a move on her that he had hardly realized then but three hours and a nice conversation later he couldn't help the way his eyes drifted across the sweep of her cheekbones which had the slightest flush from the heat of the room, her full pouty lips and the flutter of her eyelashes as they whispered across her cheeks whenever she blinked.

Gar swallowed hard as he looked away trying to pretend he wasn't checking her out. He wasn’t supposedto be checking her out. He’d sworn off girls, remember? Then without meaning to, he cleared his throat suddenly. "Wanna dance?" he asked, without looking at her directly.

Well, there went his plan of not getting attached. But this was a friendly dance, he insisted to himself. Clearly Raven had the same reservations as him because he felt her curious gaze and raised eyebrow trained on him.

"Still not making a move," he insisted. He looked at her and then teasingly rolled his eyes at the crowd. "Come on, I just told you weddings are overrated."

"I suppose you did," Raven agreed. She smiled this time and Gar tried not to notice how the triumph in his chest felt strangely like a flutter this time. She had a beautiful smile.

"Just because we're two single people doesn't mean we can't dance too. It is a party," Gar shrugged, looking back to the crowd casually as if this meant nothing to him.

"Alright," Raven replied. The amusement was clear in her voice this time. As Gar turned to look back to her, he thought he saw the wistfulness in her gaze again but this time it was replaced rather than hidden. With what, he didn't know. He jumped to his feet instead.

"May I have this dance, m'lady?" He asked with a sweeping bow.

Raven frowned. "Not if you're going to pull dramatics like that."

She folded her arms across her chest, refusing to get up but at Gar's pleading face she softened.

"No dramatics," he promised as he pulled her to her feet.

He led her to a less crowded part of the dance floor, one hopefully hidden enough behind a pillar from the rest of the guests too. He had a feeling Raven would appreciate being as secluded as possible. As she placed her hands on his shoulders, Gar wrapped his arms around her waist maintaining a friendly distance between them. Looking down into Raven's dark blue, near indigo eyes which suddenly held shyness in them that they hadn't before, he felt his traitorous heart flutter again as the same shyness that overtook her, overtook him too. He ignored it once more and instead opted to tell her another bad joke. When she rolled her eyes, the shyness was gone but the flutter in his heart still remained.

It was after the newlyweds had left for their honeymoon that Gar offered to drive Raven back to her hotel.

"Are you sure?" She asked. "I can book a cab."

"I'm sure," He insisted.

Victor had already taken Karen home and Gar had brought his own car tonight in anticipation of that. It made no sense to let Raven go home alone in the middle of the night when he could drive her back himself. He told himself that he was only looking out for Raven's safety. A beautiful girl dressed up and alone in the middle of the night was dangerous. Kori would never forgive him if she found out something had happened to her best friend. He ignored the nagging voice in his mind that reminded him Kori had only asked him to keep Raven company for an hour at most. All the hours after that had been of his own free will.

Raven didn't argue and he found himself enjoying the comfortable silence as he drove her back to where she was staying. For once, he didn’t feel the urge to fill it which was a strange feeling but one he liked despite how new it was.

"I'm glad that's over," Raven sighed eventually as she leaned back against the passenger seat.

"I'm wounded," Gar pouted. "One would think I kept you terrible company."

"Who said you weren't?"

At his wounded expression, Raven huffed out an almost laugh.

"I'm sorry. I enjoyed your company tonight, I promise. I'm just not good with crowds. And I miss my own home and bed after being here for a week." She paused. "I wasn't really planning on staying at the reception as long as I did."

Gar beamed. "Well who could resist my charming company," he agreed. Then he sighed, "How is home? Isn't New York one of the most crowded cities ever?"

There was genuine curiosity in his voice and Raven hummed a moment before answering. "It is. But no one notices you. It's easy to blend in."

"And you want that?" Gar asked. Raven did seem like the type of person who would be easy to miss in a crowd, but a part of him also wondered why she would want that for herself. Seems she had the same idea too.

"Not always my choice," she said in response. It was muttered, almost as if she was saying it to herself and so he decided to change the topic.

"I've never been to New York. I've always wanted to visit though. Is it as fun as they say?"

Raven gave him a once over.

"You'd fit right in at Central Park Zoo," she replied plainly, referencing earlier in the evening when he'd regaled her with his plethora of animal puns and impersonations. She had rolled her eyes so hard he was surprised they were still in her head but he had caught her hiding a smile behind her facepalm and it had been worth it.

Gar snorted. "Well now I'll have to come visit. I need to come up with more animal puns."

"I hardly doubt that is what you need." she scoffed.

"Well I'll at least need a tour guide so I can see places other than the zoo," Gar thought out loud.

"I suppose you can stay with me and I'll make sure to take you places that are actually worth seeing," Raven mused. She paused suddenly, as if she had said something she hadn't meant to but before Gar could ask if her offer was serious, he was pulling up at the hotel.

"This is my stop."

Gar watched as Raven quickly gathered her shawl and checked to see if she had everything in her clutch before she opened the door and slid out. If he didn't know any better he'd say she was flustered although he couldn't understand why.

"Thank you, Gar," Raven said softly once she was safely out. Her eyes held a vulnerability they hadn't before and he felt his heart speed up just a little. "I-I had fun tonight."

"Me too," He replied sincerely. And it was the truth. Gar had been expecting to be mostly on his own tonight since Vic and the rest of his friends had all come with dates. Raven had been an unexpected but not unwelcome companion despite his earlier apprehension. He'd have to thank Kori for suggesting he keep her company.

Raven looked surprised, as if she didn't know what to say to that. As if she hadn't expected him to enjoy her company as much as she did his. So she offered one last tentative smile as she closed the door instead. She stood there, waiting for him to drive off but when he didn't she looked back through the window to see him nodding his head to the entrance of the hotel. He wanted to make sure she got in safely.

Once again caught off guard, Raven made her way across the pavement and to the hotel entrance. She finally turned and watched from behind the door as Gar only left once he was certain she was inside.

Raven was frustrated and a little heartbroken

Her recent ex-boyfriend was the reason for her tears. She had been in an off and on relationship with Malchior for the better part of a year and had recently found out he had been using her, leeching off of her and that he didn't actually care for her as a person. Raven had always suspected… heck she was sure she purposely had kept herself snowblind to the truth because of her own issues with self-esteem but it still hurt to find out the truth. Malchior had used her. And Raven was devastated because despite being twenty-three years old, he had been her first real relationship.

Boys had never flocked to Raven like they did other girls. She had always had a difficult time finding friends let alone maintaining relationships, but Malchior had been different. He had met her in a coffee shop adjacent to a bookstore. He was buying the same book of fairy tales Raven was and that had gotten them talking over a cup of tea. Despite her initial shyness, he hadn't thought she was creepy or weird. He had called her beautiful and showered her with compliments on their first meeting when she wasn't even dressed up. In hindsight, Raven thought she should have known that excessive flattery in itself was a red flag. But in the moment she had longed for a companion. Kori had just gotten engaged and Raven longed for love too as much as she wanted to deny it.

Malchior had been so sweet to her in the beginning. Always giving her compliments, always bringing her flowers. But then slowly he changed… or Raven started to notice all the things she had ignored before. He got angry and emotionally distant every time she refused to give him money. He didn't pick up the phone when she called if she missed picking up his first. For a while Raven took it silently. Who else could love a girl like me? She used to worry. Malchior only reinforced this belief verbally every chance he could. He made it seem like his love for her was a privilege. One that no one else would bestow on her. But even she had her limits and in a recent blowout right after her return from Kori's wedding, Malchior had finally admitted it.

He was using her. He didn't love her. No one could ever love her. All she was good for was being a gullible pawn to leech off of.

Raven had thrown him out of her apartment and had refused to speak to anyone since then. Not that she had many people she usually spoke with to begin with and with Kori just back from her honeymoon and sorting out her new household with Dick no one had really checked up on Raven either leaving her to wallow alone in her self-loathing.

The only person Raven had been unable to ignore was Garfield.

Ever since Kori's wedding, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about the cute young man that had kept her company throughout the reception. She had gone to the wedding amidst her own relationship issues only because of her intense love for Kori. They had been best friends at one point and Raven missed her dearly when she moved to New York. She had met Dick a few times over his relationship with her best friend but it was mostly through phone calls that her and Kori had had girl talk and Raven had heard the relationship blossom over the years feeling happy for her dearest friend. The minute Kori had told her that Dick had proposed, Raven knew she would have to go to the wedding.

She wanted to be there to support her best friend but Raven just didn't do well with people, especially people she didn't know. Kori had been Raven's only friend back in Jump City so everyone at the wedding was a stranger to her. She had been expecting to spend the night alone at a table in the corner until it was appropriate to leave. Raven knew Kori would want her to stay but Kori was also busy with her new husband and she understood Raven's need for space from large crowds especially after partaking in the ceremony as a bridesmaid as well. All had been going to plan. Raven was planning on leaving after the first few dances. Until he had come into the picture.

Garfield Logan. A groomsman and one of Dick Grayson's best friends.

Raven had seen him briefly before the ceremony and had promptly forgotten him until he had come up to her at the reception. She had been annoyed and had snapped at him. She didn't want the groomsmen at this wedding flirting with her just because she was one of Kori's bridesmaids. She was already in a relationship with Malchior and if he refused to be loyal to her when they took breaks in their relationship, didn't mean she had to be as low as him too. She wanted to have her dinner, see the bride and groom through their first dance and then leave in peace.

To Raven's surprise, the young man seemed almost offended at her insinuating he had come just to flirt with her.

"You don't get a lot of polite conversation, do you," he'd snarked at her. "Not everyone is into finding love and relationships at a wedding."

He proceeded to take a seat next to her on purpose as if to annoy her and Raven was almost considering leaving in the middle of Kori and Dick's dance after all, politeness be damned. After it ended and before she could make her escape, the man had started a conversation with her. Despite Raven's attempts to shut it down, he refused to stop and she finally gave in and retorted to his comments and answered his questions.

She hadn't expected the brilliant smile on his face at her first sarcastic jab. It bewildered her that he found her scathing sarcasm amusing but had gotten upset earlier when she had tried to politely shut him down from asking her out… which apparently he wasn't going to do anyway.

Against her best judgement, she found herself enjoying his presence and she didn't realize until Kori and Dick were leaving that she had stayed at the reception well past the time she had intended to. She had a flight the next day and Raven knew she couldn't stay at the reception hall all night. She certainly had no reason to after the married couple including her only friend had already left which was why she got ready to leave to. She ignored the pang in her heart that had weirdly enough wanted to stay and talk to Gar some more at the afterparty post-reception that the Wayne family had splurged for and she ignored the flutter in her chest when he offered to drive her home too.

What was worse, she had offered for him to stay with her if he was ever in New York during the drive back. Raven didn't do that! Everything about her was careful, calm and collected. She prided herself on not letting her emotions rule her or get out of control. Somehow, Raven had found herself acting impulsively and inviting an almost stranger to come stay with her in the city. It was a hypothetical conversation because as far as she knew, Gar didn’t intend on coming to New York anytime soon but still! It was the principle of the matter. Raven didn’t behave thos way with strange men.

She was thankful that before he could reply the hotel had arrived and she tried not to think about how sweet she found the fact that he waited for her to get in safely. No one had ever done that for her before. Malchior usually told her to walk back from their dates even if he had the means to drop her off.

Fastforward to the present: Garfield had kept in contact with her ever since the wedding. She had been surprised when two weeks after the wedding an unknown number had sent her a text letting her know it was him. For that one text, Kori had sent her fifty, thrilled that Raven had made a friend among her new husband's.

Garfield had gotten her number from Kori. He wanted to keep talking to her. She almost ignored it. She almost pretended she didn't know who he was. Something in her refused though and she texted back. Ever since, every single day had been filled with a barrage of lame jokes, memes and stupid videos that she always had a sarcastic retort for even though they made her laugh. His jokes were the only things that were keeping her going since Malchior's harsh breakup with her a day ago.

Her and Gar were still virtually strangers. They never really talked about themselves often and usually redirected the conversation if it was getting too close to personal territory but Raven found herself smiling a lot more while texting him anyway. It was something she hadn't done properly since Malchior had entered her life.

Which led her to her current frustration: she couldn't stop thinking about him. After the wedding Raven had felt guilty feeling so interested in another man while she was still with Malchior even though they were on a break. The months following the wedding they had gotten back together and yet still she couldn't shake the thoughts of Gar out of her head. And now, while she was heartbroken and upset and feeling at her lowest, she still couldn't stop thinking about the nuisance that was the brunette man with the green dyed hair that she had befriended at her best friend's wedding.

A ringing brought Raven out of her thoughts as she scrambled to reach her phone.

"Hey!"

Speak of the devil.

"Hello, Gar," Raven replied. Her voice even and cool as it always was despite the way her heart leapt to her throat. He had never called her before today.

"So… funny story but I'm in New York for the week and was wondering if that offer to be my tour guide was still open?"

Raven felt her heart leap higher. Why him? Why now? Why when she was already so confused. She swallowed the lump in her throat before replying.

"You didn't say you were coming."

"I know. I know. I should have told you but it was kind of a last minute thing?" He sounded sheepish and Raven could imagine him running his hands through his hair in awkwardness. She had never seen him do it before but it sounded like the kind of thing he would do. "Anyway, I'm at the airport and on my way to the hotel but if you're free anytime this week I'd love to meet again."

"Why don't you come stay with me?"

Raven wanted to cut her tongue out. The words had spilled from her without her permission. The first time in his car it had been a joke but even back then they were meant to be serious and the offer had ripped from her unbidden. This time again, her mouth spoke without her brain allowing it and she couldn't take it back.

"Are you sure?" Gar asked after a small pause. From his tone of voice it was clear he hadn't expected her to be serious either and if she was he was offering her an out for the second time.

"Yeah."

Another pause.

"Alright then. Tell me your address and I'll be there."

It was a waiting game til Gar got to her flat. Raven puttered around trying to clean up before realizing her apartment was in spic and span condition as it usually was. She didn't know why she felt so anxious. It was just Gar. She had a great time with him. Best of all he had seemed to hate love and relationships almost as much as she did at the moment courtesy of his own breakup that he had only given her vague details about. But maybe that was the problem… Raven wasn't used to letting people in easily but with Gar it was like her walls collapsed on their own. By the time he reached, Raven was in a frenzy, trying to meditate to calm herself down. Strangely, one look into his green eyes and Raven felt the fear in her spike and subside in a strange paradox.

"Hey!" Gar smiled as she let him in. "Thanks for letting me stay here on such short notice. You didn't have to."

"It's nothing," Raven repeated. "You can get set up in the guest room. It's small and I mostly use it for work but it'll be more comfortable than a hotel I hope. This really was last minute so I didn't have a chance to get it organized."

Gar laughed upon seeing the cozy room. "Raven if this is disorganized I never wanna see what organized is."

She let him set up and when he finally emerged, she offered him a cup of tea. He looked surprised at her hospitality and Raven didn't tell him she had made it for herself to calm her nerves.

"So… why the sudden trip?" Raven asked trying to avoid the awkwardness forming between them. Suddenly together after two months sending memes over text made it glaringly obvious how little they had actually talked despite the underhanded flirting they both participated in.

"Oh, well... I just needed a break and figured a trip to the city would be nice." At Raven's raised eyebrow Gar chuckled and amended, "Another city. Jump is nice but it doesn't have many sights to see."

"New York isn't usually where people come to relax."

"I'm usually a more outdoorsy nature kinda guy," Gar admitted.

"And you decided to visit a concrete jungle?"

"There's a beach and I'm told I'd like the zoo nearby," Gar shrugged with a teasing grin.

"Whoever told you that?"

"Someone who’s judgement I've come to trust very much."

Raven looked surprised at that. Gar's expression turned bashful but he didn't look away, his easy grin firmly in place.

"I hope they don't make you regret your visit then."

The week passed by in a blur. True to promise, Raven took Gar out about the city wherever she thought he might enjoy himself. She found herself venturing out of her comfort zone a little but surprisingly didn't mind it as much. Gar also seemed to suggest the least crowded timings and places for wherever they went. She didn't know how he knew, maybe he looked it up, but in a city as big and touristy as New York she was always surprised when they ended up sightseeing at the least rushed times.

He was always trying to make her laugh too, Raven found. Bad puns, stupid jokes, sarcastic jibes. Everything to annoy her but also amuse her. She had thought that was just the way he was but his self-satisfaction when she finally let her smile slip through was always bizarre to see. It proved he did made a fool of himself intentionally just for her. He took an interest in her in a way no one ever had. Raven didn’t know what to do about that.

"Let's stay in tonight," Gar suggested one evening. She had asked him if there was anywhere else he wanted to see, turning up blank herself. Despite living in New York, most of the sights were new to her too. She hadn't had anyone to go with and while Raven never needed company, it always seemed weird going sightseeing by herself and she usually told herself she didn’t have time anyway. She ignored the part of her that told her the entire last week had been like an extended first date with Gar. It was one of the best ones she had ever been on too if she admitted it as that.

“I'm kinda tired and I think relaxing here would be nice." Gar explained, bringing her out of her reverie.

His eyes looked through her as if to say 'and I know you're tired and would rather stay home too.' She was once again taken aback by his thoughtfulness but turned away before he could see the blush rising to her cheeks.

"Okay. How about a movie and I'll order takeout?"

"Only if you let me pay."

"Gar-" Raven protested.

"Come on, Rae! Please. You've done a lot for me this week. Just let me pay for dinner today." He insisted.

"You paid for dinner yesterday too," Raven complained. Then she added, "And I told you not to call me Rae."

Gar stuck his tongue out at her. "You paid for our tickets to the museum Rae-Rae. It was only fair that I pay for McDonalds."

Raven huffed but didn't say anything further which Gar took as a win.

"You're a guest," she complained one last time as he paid for the Pakistani food they ordered and ate it at the bar at her kitchen.

"You know something? I thought you were joking at first. I never actually expected you to be serious about letting me stay at your place," Gar spoke halfway through their meal. It seemed like something that had been on his mind a while now.

Raven swallowed the bite of chicken karahi in her mouth before admitting, "I wasn't expecting it to be a serious offer either."

Gar looked almost guilty and said, "That's why I booked the hotel. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or like I took a joke too far."

"You didn't," Raven insisted firmly. "I wanted you to stay. Even though it's...something very new to me."

Gar looked at her closely before Raven shrugged and looked back down at her food. "I don't usually make friends in a day… or have them stay over at my place so easily. But it's nice. Somehow I don't mind it with you."

Gar didn't say anything for a few moments. "I don't usually have trouble making friends, but being friends with you feels different too. Special." A blush bloomed across his cheeks and he pretended to ignore it as he continued, "Thank you for trusting me so much, Raven."

"Well there was only a slight chance you'd end up being a serial killer," Raven shrugged hoping to bring back the light and atmosphere from before. It worked since Gar laughed, surprised she was the one starting the joke this time.

"Hey now, I can still impale you with a kitchen knife." He snickered.

After dinner they moved to the couch to watch a movie. They didn't notice over time how they ended up right next to each other growing sleepier and sleeper. The realization only hit Raven right before she nodded off, her head on his shoulder, curled up in his side. She realized, for the first time, that she felt completely safe next to Garfield Logan.

The early morning light streamed in through the windows. Raven had forgotten to close the blinds all the way the night before and the gentle kiss of the sun woke her up as the white light grew unbearable behind her eyelids.

She opened her eyes, confused for a second as to why she was on the couch but then she felt something shift beneath her and looked up to see she was still leaning against Gar. A furious blush rose to her cheeks as she realized the position they were in. Overnight they had ended up so that he was leaning between the back and corner of the sofa with Raven on top of him, her head resting on his shoulder, one hand on his chest. Gar's arm was wrapped around her, holding her close to him and Raven's other hand rested on top of it. With a start she realized they had been holding hands while they were asleep.

For a few moments Raven panicked, trying to figure out a way to get out of Gar's grasp before he woke up and it became awkward. But slowly the serenity seeped back in and she realized she didn't want to move out of his arms. It was a terrifying feeling, wanting to be wanted. Raven had squashed all thoughts of it ever since Malchior. But what was more terrifying was knowing that she wanted to be wanted by someone in particular. She wanted Gar to want her. She didn't know if she could take the heartbreak if he didn't. She also didn't know if she could take the pressure if she did. What they had was so nice and Raven hadn't felt this way with anyone before.

She got so lost in her thoughts that she forgot she was trying to work out a way to slip out of Gar's arms before he woke up. She looked back up at him, seeing the small smile on his face. God, he was so handsome. As he shifted in his sleep and held her closer, Raven felt her cheeks burn red again. She saw him squint in his sleep as the sunlight hit him too and making a split-second decision, Raven closed her eyes and tried to even out her breathing to pretend to be asleep. As much as she felt safe with Gar, confronting the position they were in and the obvious feelings brewing was not something she was ready for at this point and especially not so early in the morning.

She continued her act as she felt more than heard Gar let out a sigh as he woke up, his chest rising and falling heavier beneath her. Then it was silent and Raven had to fight the urge to squirm as she felt his eyes on her. He didn't move for so long that Raven wondered if she was just imagining his eyes on her but then she felt his fingertips gently graze her cheekbones as he swept a strand of her hair and tuck it behind her ear. If she hadn't been so alert, she would have jumped in surprise and would have given herself away but instead she could only worry about how fast her heart was beating, worried Gar could hear it loud and clear.

She felt him slowly move her to rest against the back of the couch so she wouldn't wake and for a moment Raven felt her heart fall at the realization that maybe Gar didn't feel the same way she did about waking up like this. Maybe he didn't want her near, didn’t like it as much as she had. But then he brushed the same strand of hair from before that had fallen back in her face when he moved her and the tenderness of the gesture almost made Raven's eyes tear up beneath her eyelids. She felt as he wrapped the blanket from the edge of the couch around her, tucking it safely under her chin and patting her shoulder gently before finally leaving. When she knew he was safely in the kitchen she let out a breath filled to the brim with all the emotions she was feeling.

No one had treated her so gently before. No one had cared for her that tenderly before. With a sharper clarity, Raven recounted all the incidents with Malchior and the way she couldn't even remember a single time he had bestowed her with such meaningful tenderness. Gar had done this when he thought she was asleep. And he had been doing this the entire week too. Offering to pay for her tickets, observing when she got tired of the crowds and declaring he wanted to go home, making himself scarce after dinner so she could have the rest of the apartment to herself and last night. Last night she knew he wouldn't have minded going out again, but he had chosen to stay inside because he could see she was overwhelmed. She had been jittery and anxious all day even though they had only gone out for breakfast at a waffle house but he had made her tea and had once again told her he didn't want to go anywhere for the day, preferring to stay in on one of his last days of vacation.

In the past week Gar had driven her up the wall. He had also made her question everything she ever knew about love. She knew she wanted to be with him. But she also didn't know how. Despite her very recent breakup, Raven now knew she wasn’t heartbroken about losing Malchior as she was about losing the idea of love. But now Gar had presented her with a better picture of it in five days than Malchior had in five months.

It was another fifteen minutes before Raven finally gave up the ruse and pretended to wake up. Gar was already in the kitchen, making breakfast for her.

"Hey! I hope I didn't wake you with all the clatter," he asked. "I decided to start on breakfast. You've been so nice. I figured I'd let you sleep in and make something instead."

"What are you making?" Raven asked, a soft smile turning her lips upwards as she slipped into the small stool at the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room.

"You didn't have many vegetarian options so vegan pancakes?" Gar looked down at the mess he'd made and the half-done batter and sheepishly tried to clear it up.

"It's fine, Gar," Raven said softly. "I'll clean up."

"But-"

"You're cooking. I'll clean," she cut him off firmly. That was that.

Gar grinned as he went back to work, humming a song to himself as he did. Raven sat and sipped a cup of tea that had been ready for her when she got there. Another one of Gar’s thoughtful gestures. The spring sun coming in from the windows fell against her back and as she looked up to see Gar awashed in the light doing some weird dance move as he moved around her kitchen, a part of her felt like this is how it always was meant to be.

They ended up going out to a fancier restaurant for dinner that night. Raven insisted on going out and Gar had the perfect idea but he didn't tell her where. It was a lovely restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and the beach. The wind was chilly because of the lingering winter in the weather. Much to Gar's disappointment he hadn't been able to go swimming this time around. Raven didn't know how he found the location but the fairly lights and small lamps on the terrace bathed the wooden area in a soft golden light as the sun set over the sea. The smell of sea salt was heavy in the air but so was the light perfumed scent of the floral arrangement on their table. They ordered relatively quickly and then Gar leaned back in his chair to look at her.

"It's beautiful," Raven sighed looking back out at the ablaze sea.

"It is."

Raven blushed at the realization Gar wasn't looking anywhere near the ocean. She hoped the sunset would mask the redness on her cheeks.

"Let's play a game," Gar suggested.

Raven groaned. Gar's games to pass the time over the weeks had been downright ridiculous and embarrassing.

"It won't be a bad one! Promise!"

"I don't think I trust your judgement, Gar."

"Please Rae?"

Raven scowled and folded her arms across her chest but inclined her head forward the slightest.

"Two Truths and a Lie."

Raven's scowl didn't disappear but her expression softened the slightest.

"I'll even go first!" Gar promised. "Look: I love mopeds. I think killing animals is murder and I drink mustard out of the bottle."

Raven snorted. "Come on Gar, how stupid do you think I am? The first two are the truths and the last is a lie."

"See! You're catching on already!"

"Yes. I suppose that has nothing to do with the fact I've seen Kori drink mustard straight of the bottle more times than I can count and that you've made your love of animals and desire to own a moped perfectly clear over the last week."

"Of course not! Your turn!"

He looked so eager. Raven sighed but she couldn't help the twitch of her lips at his antics. "Um… I love Edgar Allen Poe. I love strawberries and I hate horror movies."

"You hate strawberries?" Gar guessed.

"No…" Raven blushed. "I hate horror movies."

"No way!" Gar gasped. He leaned back in his chair looking at her as if she'd told him the most shocking yet entertaining thing in his life.

Raven scowled. "Yes. It's not a big deal!"

"Aww Rae-Rae. We gotta go see one next time. I have to see your reaction now!"

"No."

"No need to be afraid. I'll protect you!"

"Gar!" Raven complained.

"Alright, alright. Sorry." He raised his hand in surrender. "My turn. I hate apples. My parents are M&M and Final Fantasy is my favorite video game."

Raven looked confused at the name of the video game but took a guess anyway. They played two more rounds before their dinner came and they put the game on pause to eat.

After they were done and Gar had swiped the bill and paid before she got a chance to see the bill they had racked up much to her annoyance, they got up to leave but Gar dragged her further along the beach for a walk instead of leading her back to the bus station.

"I've always wanted to go for a moonlit walk along the beach," Raven found herself saying. She turned her head slightly in embarrassment for revealing one of her deepest guarded secrets. Raven Roth was a hopeless romantic. All the novels she had read and the romances she had aspired to led her to longing one of her own but she had never gotten it. Not until now… and it wasn't even a romance to begin with. Right?

"Glad to make your dreams come true then," Gar teased with a grin poking her in the side. "I've always wanted to take a pretty lady for a moonlit walk so it seems we're helping each other."

Raven huffed but smiled anyway grateful for the way he always put her at ease. He got under her skin, but he always knew what to say to soothe her at the same time. It was certainly a strange talent he possessed since Raven sometimes got under her own skin and didn't know what to do with herself in those moments.

"I love dogs, I hate rubies and I think the crescent moon is prettier than the full moon," Raven said suddenly.

Gar looked surprised at her starting the game again but took it in a stride. He thought for a moment then guessed, "You hate dogs?"

"Dislike is more the term," she admitted.

"I always took you for a cat person anyway," Gar grinned. Then he thought for a moment. "And the rubies?"

"What about them?"

"Why do you hate them?"

Raven bit her lip as she considered how to answer. "My mother loved them. My father was a rich collector obsessed with rare gemstones even if they were too polluted to hold any value. My mom had a family heirloom she refused to sell… so he destroyed her life just to get to it."

Gar thought the heavy words over. Raven seemed resigned and bitter in a way he hadn’t seen before. He wanted to ask more about her obviously difficult past but then thought better of it and continued the game. He would let her open up more when she was ready.

"My mom and dad were scientists; I love math and you couldn't pay me to go boating near a waterfall."

"You hate math?" Raven guessed.

"I hate going near waterfalls," Gar admitted.

That took Raven by surprise. Gar was such a spontaneous person. Sports like boating, jet skiing and playing near waterfalls were all things she would have thought were directly up his alley.

"My parents died in a boating incident near one while conducting research. I wasn't with them that day. I can't go near the mouth of a waterfall without seeing them fall." He paused. "I-I've-"

Raven caught his hand then. "Gar you don't have to. I don't want to pry."

Gar looked like he wanted to continue but the look in Raven's eyes told him to stop. There would be other moments for conversations like these. Right now they were here to enjoy a nice stroll and pleasant evening.

"You're right," Gar sighed. He intertwined their hands together with purpose and then walked forward as if nothing was amiss. They continued playing the game to one end of the beach and then turned around and walked back to the other end.

"Okay one more!" Gar begged. Raven was laughing by now but she'd had enough of this game.

"We've been playing for over an hour!"

"I promise just one," he begged. "I'll even show you the kitten eyes."

He pouted at her sadly, making his eyes look as beseeching as possible and Raven burst into laughter.

"Kitten eyes?"

"You said you didn't like dogs so I figured kitten eyes would work better!" Gar grinned. "They always work on Kori."

Raven sighed. "Alright. One more."

Gar looked thrilled but he went quiet then, a shy expression overtaking the light in his eyes as if now that she had agreed he didn't know what to say. He stopped in place and Raven stopped with him, hands still intertwined.

"Okay. Here goes." He exhaled sharply, taking Raven's other hand in his own too. "My middle name is David. I have a pet snake at home and the real reason I came to New York this week was to see you..." Raven felt her breath catch in her throat. "Because I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since the wedding."

She stared at him, standing in the moonlight, with the soft moonlight throwing shadows over his tanned skin and green dyed hair. He was looking at her like he could love her someday. Raven found herself unable to speak. She knew his middle name was Mark. He’d told her on their first meeting.

"Tell me I wasn't the only one," he whispered. "Tell me you've been thinking of me too. Tell me I'm not the only fool."

Raven's breath hitched in her throat and suddenly she felt all her self-defense instincts that she'd been suppressing all flare up at once.

"You're not…" she replied hoarsely. "I may be a fool, Gar. But I'm not stupid enough to think anyone could be one over me."

She was about to take a step back but he squeezed her hand, rooting her in place.

"I'm not lying, Rae," he insisted. "I am a fool for you."

Raven felt overwhelmed. She could only see honesty shining in his eyes. Eyes that were begging her to feel the same way he did.

"W-we can't." She replied feebly. "We live miles apart, Gar. It would never work."

"Just answer my question, Rae."

Raven thought back, remembering the rest of the conversation. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton.

"You weren't the only one." She admitted, finally. "I'm a fool too."

Gar sighed in relief then, his brilliant smile overtaking his face.

"But-"

"We'll work it out, Rae. I promise." He insisted, squeezing her hand tightly again. "But right now, can I kiss you?"

Raven had barely nodded before his lips were on hers. Soft, sweet and full of affection with the promise of becoming something much much deeper.

It was the best kiss Raven had ever experienced in her life.

In the end, they decided to give long distance a try. Raven was apprehensive at first but Gar convinced her they could make it work. He only had a day left with her before his flight back to Jump City and he refused to let her overthink it. Raven had smiled upon being greeted with her favorite tea again the first thing in the morning.

"You're distracting me aren't you?" she accused.

Gar only grinned. "If it's working then yes."

He took her out again that evening, on a real date this time. Technically their entire previous week together had been one long extended date but this time they both admitted it was one.

"I'm thinking of getting myself transferred here," Gar told her over dinner.

"Gar no!" Raven huffed. A swell of ugly feelings bubbled in her chest and she wanted to do something embarrassing like cry. "This is why I didn't want us to do this. You're making a rash decision."

"Not right away," Gar promised, reaching over to take her hand. "But my company has an opening for NYC in the next few months and anyone can volunteer and appear in the interview for the transfer. I wanted to see the city before I moved here, Raven. I promise I'm not just doing this for you"

Gar looked at the woman in front of him, gentle but stubborn. He couldn't stop the swell of feelings in his chest that came from her consideration of him and his comfort. Terra had never given him that, always ready to do the next exciting thing whether or not he was ready to follow.

"You are," Raven sulked at him but she looked a little less upset and readier to listen.

"I am," Gar amended. Lying would get him nowhere. "But when I came to visit I did it with the intention of not only seeing if we could work out, but if I could live here if we did."

Raven looked stunned. Gar had been planning on moving here for her on the condition that they worked out even before they had started dating? It was a difficult concept for her to wrap her head around. The idea that someone could be so captivated by her they were already ready to take such huge steps to be with her? But Gar didn't do things in halves, that much she knew by now. He jumped into every scenario feet-first unlike her and Raven wasn't sure if he should do that for her.

"Are you sure?"

"We'll be dating long distance for a while, Rae," Gar promised. His eyes were tender as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand comfortingly. "The transfer won't be for another six months at least. But if we're still together by then, I'll take a shot at it." He looked imploringly at her to make her understand, to alleviate her guilt. She was worth it to him, and he wanted her to know that. He could see her resolve wavering before she finally gave in.

"Fine but you're making this choice on your own, mister," she huffed before settling back in her seat and taking another bite of her steak.

Gar grinned as he turned back to his mushroom pasta.

For once, he had a good feeling about this relationship. He was no longer scared to put his heart out again.

It was the happiest day in Gar Logan's life.

The sun was shining. The air was pleasant and the sky was clear with the promise of a new start ahead. The breeze was filled with the scent of the flowers used to decorate the beautiful altar and the wedding guests had all accumulated and were seated already.

His bride was a vision as she glided down the aisle and Gar felt tears well up in his eyes to match his face splitting smile. She was beautiful. Her shyness at being the center of attention couldn't mask her joy and was matched by the guests as they gazed in awe of her in her beautiful white dress that would have looked nice on anyone else but looked absolutely gorgeous on her. Her dark hair was pinned up with a single flower and her indigo eyes shone with delight as she clutched a bouquet of lavender flowers. Her eyes were trained firmly on her target at the end of her pathway as the wedding bells rang.

This had been a long time coming and now the day was finally here.

Raven Roth and Garfield Logan were getting married.

So here we are. At the end of BBRae Week 2021. I had such a great time participating and am thankful I ended up joining the fandom right on time despite being a casual BBRae fan for years now. Everyone is so talented and I loved seeing everyone's contributions and contributing myself. Thanks especially to my bestie @lavender-scent for being the one come up with the idea for this fic and always encouraging me. The banter between BBRae in her fics for Day 2 - Poolside and Day 5 - Sunny Days is to die for.

If you liked this fic, please be sure to comment and let me know because nothing makes me happier than reviews and constructive criticism!

Check out my BBRae Week Day 3 - Into The Woods/Day 6 - Fantasy fic here in case you missed it. It's a combination of fairytales, mainly Sleeping Beauty and starring BBRae with found family trope with the rest of the Titans of course.

#bbraeweek21 #bbrae #day 7 #fic

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