"Richard." A voice echoed through the dark room, but it wasn't what made him look up. It was the bright light that suddenly blinded him.
"Ugh…" The man grunted in displeasure as he tried to focus his vision on the figure standing right in front of him. "...Raven? Wh- What are you doing here?"
"Kori contacted me." She spoke softly, approaching him carefully. Though this movement had seemingly put him on edge and he instantly moved further away from her, sliding across the couch.
"D-don't come closer…! Please. It's not… safe." He pleaded, his vision still a bit blurry. Upon closer inspection, Raven noticed the redness in his eyes and his heavy breathing. Something was definitely off. Which was why she was here in the first place.
"Richard, you're not well. You've come in contact with strong magic. And it has… done something to you. Something dark." She explained slowly, still continuing her careful approach. "I need to understand what's happened. And for that, I need to get closer to you."
"Can't you do it without doing that?" Dick asked, almost desperately, only proving that it really did have something to do with being around other people that affected him so badly. That's why he had locked himself up here. Not contacting anyone. It felt like it was safer that way. Because his mind wasn't working properly. And he'd never forgive himself if he ever did something to hurt Raven.
"I'm afraid not…" She said truthfully and took a seat on the other side of the couch, putting on a reassuring smile. "But don't worry, I'll be quick."
"You don't understand…" His sky blue eyes finally looked directly at her with utmost seriousness. He released a deep breath and a wave of deep, very strong emotions washed over him. And she finally felt it. It made her breath get stuck in her throat, that's how powerful it was. But it was different from a few seconds ago. It wasn't violent like with any other encounter Dick had had in these past few days. It was something much deeper, much better concealed inside of his body, which was now breaking loose.
"I think I do…" Letting out a shaky sigh, she took a moment to compose herself. "But like I said, I'll be quick, I promise." And with another smile, she moved closer to the male in an instant and put her hand on his chest to feel what kind of magic was planted inside of him.
"Mm, yes, it is very strong. It has reached deep down into your core. Definitely explains your unusual behavior and urges." Her eyes closed, she told him while trying to shift the magic bond so that she could get it out of his system. But she was forced to stop when she felt Dick's hand over her own. Opening her eyes, she was met by his longing expression.
"Rich-"
"Raven." He whispered under his breath merely a split second before his lips pressed against hers. In an instant reaction, she pulled away.
"What are you doing?"
"I told you not to come close…" His eyes opened only for a moment before they closed again as he reached for her lips once more. This time his movements were more confident, more firm and with so much passion that Raven got overwhelmed.
He leaned forward, moving his hand up to hold the back of her neck and wrapping the other arm around her waist to move her to a lying position while he stayed looming over her. There was such a desire emitting from him, it washed over Raven as well and she couldn't control it anymore, although she tried. His lips pressed hard against hers, depriving them both of air.
"Richard…" She gasped in between of kisses. "You don't want to do this."
"Yes, I do." He argued. "I want it so bad." His soft lips traced along her jawline as his hand slid down from her waist down to her hip and along her thigh, sending a sweet tingling sensation throughout the entirety of her body. Her hands gripped onto his shirt as if grasping for some sense of reality, to feel that this was actually happening. She couldn't help but to feel excited, yet terrified.
"B-but… It's not me who you want." She still protested even though her body seemed to had given up. A hand ran up his back, entangling her fingers in his black hair as he made a trail of kisses down to her neck, while his hand tracked the fabric of her white dress, pushing it up more and more with each movement.
"It's always been you who I wanted, Raven." He glanced into her deep blue eyes for just a moment before reuniting their lips once more, nibbling on her lower lip as their bodies slowly merged together.
"What about Kori?" Another gasp. Raven tried to think clearly. She had to. And holding onto the existence of her best friend helped her get a grip on what was real.
"Who's Kori?" Now this question angered her. It made her realize that it was the magic doing this, not Dick. These weren't his words, his thoughts or his desires. It was a cruel trick to mess up his entire being and make it all upside down.
"That's enough." Finally, placing her hands on his shoulders, she pushed him off and slipped out of underneath him, standing up to catch her breath.
"Kori is still my best friend. I love her and you love each other! And I'm not going to let this ruin it all." She pointed at him before fixing her dress and her hair, while doing her best to compose herself emotionally. Having all these strong feelings planted inside of her wasn't good.
"Raven…" Dick's hazy look turned into a bit of a sad scowl before he stood up and approached her, his hands reaching for her waist once more. "Why don't you want to believe me?" Their eyes met and he looked into her soul with an expression that could almost be sincere if Raven didn't know there was magic behind it. Still, her heart stopped for a moment. But she had to face the fact that none of it was real.
"Because it was never the truth." Her eyes nearly teared up after these words and she hated it. The words almost got stuck in her throat, she could barely force herself to get them over her lips. Being so emotional wasn't a good sign for her. Or for anybody around her. She had to compose herself and get that magic out of him. Before they did anything they'd both regret later on.
"It is the truth now." His gentle voice whispered in her ear before he kissed her again. And she couldn't resist anymore, it was too much for her to handle. All these emotions, these feelings. They invaded her soul and her heart. He embraced her tight in his arms and her body naturally pressed against his, arms wrapping around his neck, their tongues entangled in a fiery kiss filled with desire that had previously been hidden beneath a dozen of layers.
And she caught herself actually wanting for this to be true. She wanted there to be nothing and no one else besides the two of them. For them to have this moment that they never got to share with each other in the past. But they couldn't right now either… She had to stop this.
I'm sorry, Richard.
Fighting against every instinct she had right now, her hands reached down to his chest and pressed against it, her magic reaching into that in Dick's body. And a moment later, with a swift hand movement she pulled it all out, which made him yelp out in pain.
"Just like a band aid." She commented under her breath, but kept an eye on Dick who had stepped back and was now rubbing his chest, hissing in pain. His gaze was averted and his emotions were going all over the place, so she couldn't quite place the right one. Heck, she couldn't even place the right one of her own emotions, that's how big of a mess she was right now.
"Richard…?" After a moment of silence, she asked cautiously and finally got his attention again.
"Raven…" He almost seemed surprised to see her.
"How are you f-" But she didn't get to finish her question because he suddenly walked right back to her, cupped her head in his hands and placed the sweetest of kisses on her lips.
This wasn't supposed to happen! The magic is gone!
When he pulled back, they both stared at each other in shock. Even he was shocked at himself. But at the same time- he wasn't, not really.
"Raven, I-... It has always been the truth…"
