(A/N): Back again!
Jason hated these events. So many rich people, so many fake people, but he wasn't here for them. No, he was here for her. He was perched on the high wall on the west side of the Wayne Manor and watched as cars rolled in and well-dressed people stepped out. Bruce was having some kind of event tonight to unveil his latest project and the biggest names of Gotham were here tonight—and the Titans. Jason dropped down on the lawn before running towards the large mansion. He made it to the wall on the west wing and jumped up to grab onto a window ledge.
He pulled himself up onto the ledge before scaling the wall. He made it to roof soon enough and looked around for a specific pattern of tile. He walked through the roof before finding it and he slid a tile to reveal a control panel. He typed in a code and more tiles moved to reveal an entrance into the manor. Jason dropped down into the library, but remained down in a crouch as he scanned the area. Seeing it was empty, he stood up and dusted off his tux before walking out of the library and blending in with a crowd of guests.
Jason entered the main ballroom and ran a hand through his hair. His eyes scanned the room seeing some people he has seen before, but most of the faces were unfamiliar. He leaned against a pillar and grabbed a flute of champagne off a passing waiter's tray. Jason remained inconspicuous as his eyes searched the various guests, looking for one particular bird. He saw Dick talking to the new Robin, Tim Drake and Barbara Gordon otherwise known as Batgirl. He scowled before shifting his eyes elsewhere.
He found her soon enough. His eyes raked down her back that was exposed thanks to the midnight blue gown she was wearing. It was just low enough that he could see the dimples on her lower back before the satin material covered her and flowed down to the ground. Her hair, which was a lot longer than it was two years go, but still that brilliant shade of violet was pulled over her shoulder and he saw her delicate fingers wrapped around the fragile stem of her glass. She turned slightly and the air from Jason's lungs flew out as he saw her face. Her violet eyes were soft and relaxed as she looked around the room. Her pouty lips were pulled into a small smirk and the way the shorter strands of her hair moved against her face—Jason never thought he'd envy hair.
Jason downed the glass of champagne in his hand before depositing it on a nearby table. He glanced around her one more time to make sure that nobody who'd recognize him would be around. He wasn't here to deal with Bruce or Dick. He walked over to her slowly and let his fingers trail down her spine as he leaned his mouth against her ear.
"Never would have guessed this was your scene, Little Bird." He whispered and he could feel her shiver at the sound of his voice. He smirked and was quickly met with Raven's steely glare.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed before placing her hand on his chest and pushing him away from the crowd. "Are you trying to cause a scene?" She asked. He could only chuckle at how upset she was.
"Are you forgetting who I am, Little Bird? I am Red-X and I've known Bruce and Dick for a greater portion of my life and I know how they operate. They won't notice me." Jason said and Raven frowned. He knew that Bruce was focused on finding out who exactly Lincoln March was. Bruce had reason to believe that he wasn't as pristine as he made himself out to be and half of the reason of this event was because of him. Dick was too preoccupied with guests and wouldn't be paying too much mind to his friends. Yeah, Jason knew how they were. "But if you want me alone that badly, I have an idea where we can go." He wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear. He smirked as he noticed her cheeks turn pink and her look very flustered about it.
"Somewhere people won't recognize you?" She inquired and he smiled against her ear. He was tempted to kiss her temple, but decided to keep the PDA to a minimum in front of these sheep. He pulled away from her and offered his arm to her.
'Being a gentleman is far more important and effective than a charming persona, Master Jason.' Alfred's words echoed through Jason's mind as Raven wrapped her arm through his. He led her out of the ballroom and up the main staircase. He found an elevator on the second floor and entered Bruce's code. Five years and he still hasn't changed it. They rode the elevator in silence, but her arm was still twined with his. They finally reached the fourth floor and Jason led her to an empty guest room with a balcony that faced the garden. The doors of the ballroom were open so they could still hear the music pouring out from the room.
"So confident that Bruce won't catch you on one of the security cameras?" Raven asked as she leaned against the stone railing and stared back at Jason.
"Nah, he has his sights on this other man tonight. A man running for mayor, I believe. He's not going to pay attention much to his other guests especially ones who are in the company of a Titan." Jason smirked as he put his hands into the pockets of his pants. A sweet melody filled the air and Jason offered his hand to Raven. "Dance with me, Little Bird?" He asked softly.
Jason watched as she looked at his hands skeptically before back at his face. He just smiled softly at her and smiled wider when she placed her hand in his. He placed her hand on his shoulder and held the other one before placing his other hand on her waist. He began spinning them around on the small balcony slowly and Raven had to admit, it did feel nice. Because of her heels, her head stopped at right about his nose and he was feeling extra tempted to plant a kiss on her forehead…or reach down lower for her lips. But he didn't want to push her, he already had a feeling he was walking on thin ice.
"What's your favorite book?" He asked as she stared up at him in confusion. "What?" He grinned.
"Why are you asking me about my favorite book?" Raven asked slowly.
"It may seem like I know a lot about you, Little Bird, but I don't. I know about the hero part of you, but I want to know the person." He told her and she blushed lightly at his intentions.
"The Count of Monte Cristo." She told him and he raised his eyebrow with a look of surprise.
"A classic tale of revenge. I wouldn't have guessed it." Jason murmured and Raven shrugged her shoulders. He leaned the side of his head against hers while simultaneously pulling her closer to him.
"I like the storytelling aspect of it and how well it's written. To be honest, I have a lot of favorite books and that one was the one that popped up into mind first." She told him and he hummed against her hair.
"Do me a favor. Every time you remember a book you like, tell me." He asked of her and she moved the hand that was on his shoulder under his arm and wound her arm around his back and rested it back on his shoulder.
"I like a lot of books." She told him softly.
"I want to know them all." He spoke firmly and Raven squeezed his shoulder and buried her face into his chest. "What do you like about your friends?" He asked as he continued to spin them around.
"Why do you want to know about my friends?" She asked.
"Are all my questions about you going to be met with another question?" Jason grinned. "Look, I'm just trying to get to know you. The Titans seem important to you and while I don't know them or see them in a positive light, I want to know why they mean so much to you." He told her and her shoulders relaxed. "Who knows? Maybe I'll go easier on them because of you." He chuckled and Raven rolled her eyes.
"Beast Boy is a moron, but he's a loyal moron. He's always trying to make me laugh and while he doesn't succeed often, I appreciate his effort to make me happy. There's an understanding between us that I don't really have with the others. He gets how I am and I get how he is and while certain traits about us annoy others, we've accepted each other wholly. For a while, I thought maybe that I loved him—but I soon realized that I just liked being accepted. Not that the others don't accept me, but he's green and weird and I'm dark and weird so we get what it's like." Jason couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the mention of her being interested in Beast Boy, but he quickly squashed it when she told him that it was a misguided feeling.
"So many people think that I'm jealous of Starfire and all the attention she gets, but I much rather it be that way. I don't think I could handle all the attention she gets. She's so naïvely trusting of others and while it may seem like a bad thing, I believe it's something that makes her worthwhile. So many of us are jaded and cynical, it's nice to be around someone who sees the positives in the world and loves with all her heart. I've never met a more compassionate and kind individual with her and while she can't handle negative emotions well, she doesn't let that stop her from being a fantastic hero."
"Dick is very much the leader. He sacrifices a lot for us and I appreciate him doing that, but I just wish he could turn down the role a little bit. He's gotten better over the years and I think that's because he dated Starfire for a little bit, but he always put us and the city before him."
"He and Starfire broke up?" Jason asked surprised.
"Yeah, a couple of months ago. It was awkward first, but they're both professional when it comes down to it. It still upsets her a little though." Raven explained.
"Huh." He murmured. "I never thought they'd be good together anyways." He told Raven.
"Who'd you have in mind?" She asked.
"Just finish talking, Little Bird." He grinned as she looked at him suspiciously. Dick's love life wasn't exactly a spot in his life he could extort so Raven didn't think Jason would use the info against him.
"He has a goofy side though, I've seen it despite what people may think. You know, he's a born performer and that's always in him. We're the early birds of the team so sometimes I would hear him practicing his acrobatic skills rather than his fighting skills. I think he'd be happy if he didn't put so much pressure on himself."
"Cyborg is easy to talk to. While he goofs off with Beast Boy all the time, he knows when to be serious and he's a good listener. I really enjoy our afternoons where I would assist him with the T-Car. Sometimes, it's never ending conversation about the others, the world, abstract concepts, and philosophy and other times we sit in silence and appreciate each other's presence. He's protective too, he's always looking out for me. A lot of the focus is always on Starfire, but he always makes sure that I'm okay and that he's my friend if he needs me. If had I to choose someone, Cyborg would be my best friend." Raven said and Jason smiled softly.
"Cyborg sounds like a cool guy, they all sound like good friends." He told her and she could feel a pang of longing and anger in him, but it was soft and not overwhelming. He felt mostly happiness and she could decipher that as he was happy that she had good friends.
"Are you going to tell me about you?" She asked looking up at him.
"All in due time, Little Bird." Jason chuckled before kissing her forehead tenderly. "You just got to go on a date with me." He whispered.
"Isn't this your idea of a date?" She muttered and Jason laughed.
"I sneak into a gala that I wasn't invited to and you weren't expecting me to be at. We're on a balcony avoiding said gala and you're too scared to be with me in that room in case my old mentor and fellow Robin see me. I don't know what your previous dates were like, but this is not a date." Jason told her. Yeah, she wasn't going to get out of that date so easily.
"You're really persistent." Raven said slightly annoyed and he just chuckled lightly before placing his cheek against her head.
"Don't act like you don't like it." He told her. Raven had to admit, it was nice dancing with someone like this. She had never really done it before and even though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't help but smile against his shoulder.
