This I Ship Meme originally belongs to adamhatson and is dedicated to all of the wonderful Robin x Raven or RobRae shippers, partisans, and loyalists of the world. Sit back, relax, and revel in how two birds of the same feather really do flock together, especially if you are Robin and Raven from the Teen Titans.
Ever since my tenure of tuning in to Teen Titans 2003 as an 11-year-old fifth grader, I was not only intrigued with the brilliant blend of action, comedy, drama, and overall coolness that defined what the show was all about, despite certain flaws that tended to mar the overall quality of the show, but I knew from the back of my mind that Robin and Raven was the first couple I ever shipped from this show. Robin's and Starfire's moments together might have seemed sweet, but it could not compete with RobRae's overall genuineness. Furthermore, the less said about a certain NOTP of mine that I have such vehemence towards, the better because it has no place in my undying dedication to RobRae. In fact, when Season 4 rolled around, I found myself further invested in the many occasions where Robin did his very best to protect Raven from the curse she was predestined to cause as a means to end the world. He also inspired hope within Raven which gave her the courage to finally stand up to her own father, Trigon. Even before the events of Season 4, "Haunted" saw Raven get into Robin's mind to see what was occurring with his hallucinations of fighting against Slade, although he was destroyed by Terra in "Aftershock Part 2", only to realise that those hallucinations were real. Therefore, Robin and Raven have seen the best, the worst, and the ugliest sides of each other without ever flinching, acknowledged each other as equals, treated each other with great respect and allegiance, and encouraged each other to be greater than who they think they are.
I argue that Robin and Raven always had the potential for a genuinely romantic relationship because of how much they endured throughout the series not just as superheroes saving the world but also as individual people who truly understand every single facet of each other and realising that they are a lot more similar to each other than they think. Being the Teen Titans' bold yet high-strung leader that he is, Robin may be impulsive in his tendencies, but he would never take his friends for granted and is fiercely loyal to them until the death while also bearing a surprising code of chivalry that, although is demonstrated towards Starfire, seems to be more genuinely directed to Raven without the need for too much showiness. "Nevermore" saw Robin being understanding of Raven by respecting her privacy because he knows that it is important for her to receive time for herself. Even in "Spellbound", he was not quick to jump to any conclusions about Raven's hobbies. Rather, he accepted that she needed time alone with delving in to her reading material. Raven might come off as reclusive, withdrawn, and darkly sardonic at first glance, but she has great moral ethics that define how she uses her powers, for they are used to protect and heal those who need it the most, not for selfish gain. In "Haunted", Raven was sufficiently intrepid to transport herself into Robin's mind to see what he was seeing. She learned who he was when he was young, when his parents were taken away from him, how he was under Batman's wing as his surrogate son/sidekick, and how Slade's spectre dished out every blow towards Robin, thus making her realise that Slade was psychologically destroying Robin. The greatest test to Robin's and Raven's relationship, at least how I interpret it, is in Season 4 ranging from "Birthmark" all the way up to "The End Part 3". Throughout these episodes, Robin is seen risking his life to protect Raven. Considering that she has seen every dark, disturbing, and ugly aspect about Robin and how he came out alive and well in the end as a strong person, it is Robin's turn to give Raven that chance to not let her horrible past define her. In all the trials Robin and Raven endured, they have come out as stronger people, and there is nobody else in this world that they would put their trust on than each other.
Acknowledging each other as individuals, undying trust, and unconditional love are the first steps into solidifying Robin's and Raven's romantic relationship. However, readers might ask themselves, how well can their relationship last into dating and then marriage? I argue that it could last really well because, as I stated before, they have seen the best and the worst in each other and can compliment each other in healthy ways. Furthermore, they have sufficient insightfulness to realise that there are consequences to their actions, thus taking full responsibility of them. Robin and Raven would start off with dating to test the waters. If it goes well, then they can proceed to the next level. Luckily for the both of them, it does proceed well to the next level in terms of being engaged and eventually married. They may have been respectively 16 and 14 when the show commenced, but they have insight, understanding, and compassion which have helped them make truly mature decisions in their lives. They would even end up engaged then married at 18 and 16 respectively, thus starting a family of their own. Now with Robin approaching 35 and Raven approaching 33, they are the proud and loving parents of 16 going on 17-year-old triplet sons Russell, Rockwell, and Rowan; 15 going on 16-year-old triplet sons Reginald, Ryan, and Robert; 14 going on 15-year-old twin daughters Regina and Regan, 13 going on 14-year-old twin daughters Rosamund and Roxanne, and 12 going on 13-year-old twin daughters Rebecca and Ruth who have inherited their father's intrepidness, leadership skills, and combat prowess as well as their mother's skills in casting spells, medicine, and dissecting various texts. The hallmarks for this family of leaders and mages are respect, allegiance, integrity, trust, perseverance, determination, and never giving up on hope.
If there is anybody who deserves to be in a romantic relationship when it comes to Teen Titans 2003, it has to be Robin and Raven who can seal the deal as a couple who will always be there for each other in good times and in bad times. Nothing is ever going to get them down, and they would definitely go from strength to strength flying like the free birds that they are.
I hope you all enjoyed this, and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, stay safe, and let your love for RobRae keep on soaring, everybody.
Robin and Raven from Teen Titans belong to Glen Murakami, David Slack, DC Comics, Warner Brothers Animation, and Cartoon Network.
