A single sound can invoke a plethora of emotions in a person. Depending upon the situation, it can bring forth fear, dread, anger, sadness. Even the tiniest of noises can tap into the animilistic instincs of fight or flight, kill or be killed. It can be a warning or a promise, but in the end, it is only what it is percieved to be, what the individual hearing makes of it.
Click.
That small, almost inaudible sound was the only thing that Raven heard amongst the cedar grove in Jump Central Park. Despite the surrounding city and it's inevitable noise, the calls of night fowl amongst the trees, and the occasional wailing of a police car, that small 'click' was almost deafining. With that seemingly insignificant sound, came a physical rush that she had not anticipated. Her whole body tightened and a heated shock rippled down her torso and gathered in her loins.
Raven smirked at the skull mask just inches away from her face, her lips turning up as her eyes narrowed, the expression one of michief and challenge. A heavy hand that rested on her hip tightened its hold, making her spine tremble. Red-X raised one of his brows at her, his free hand having unfastened the device at his throat, loosening his cloak and removing the barrier between his fingers and the hem of his mask. The thief chuckled at her, his face leaning closer to hers as the hand on her hip drew her closer into him. The heat of their bodies melded together, making the tension between the two expand as their physical disntance closed.
Red-X barely brushed the material of his mask against her lips, the infentisimal contact making the Titan shudder against him. The white lenses of his eyes narrowed and Ravens' empathy caught the confidence and excitement coming off of him. He slowly moved the hand that rested on her hip upwards, his palm trailing the dip of her waist, ascending the side of her ribs before detouring back and following the path of her spine to the base of her neck. Her skin felt ignited where he touched her, but her features only stayed challenging. This was a game of reactions, and she would not fall so soon.
Leather pants creaked with the movement of her leg as she shifted her right knee forward, barely grazing the outside of his own leg. Her hand, that rested on the bark of the tree behind him, slowly left its place. Her fingers lightly brushing the material that covered the tensed muscles of his shoulders. His fingers tightened against the back of her neck as her palm barely skimmed down the broad expanse of his chest before stopping on the path of his abdomin, her fingers splayed so she could feel his breathing and the definition of his muscled stomach. The air around them seemed to crackle with energy and Raven felt a thrill sieze her chest when his other hand barely raised the bottom of his mask, exposing the smallest line of skin.
Red-X smirked as the hand at the back of her neck went into her hair, his fingers tightening into a fist and holding tight. The hand that had been toying with his mask disappeared between their bodies, and before Raven could react, she felt like she was being pulled through a vacuum. Blurs of gray and black swept across her eyes and suddenly her back made contact with the rough bark of a tree. Her instinct was to struggle at the unfamiliar teleportation and she lifted her left arm, black energy crackling at her fingers.
"Not this time, Toots." Red-X said.
There was a shadowed movement in front of her and the fist in her hair tightened before she felt the familiar press of bare lips crushing against her own. Raven's whole body went tense and she felt the smallest brush of suspicion from the thief. His free hand captured her left wrist and pinned it to the side of the tree as he closed the gap between them. Raven felt her back arch as the heat of his body pressed completely to hers, crushing her against the bark. His mouth parted slightly and she felt the trace of his tongue against her lip. A sharp, almost painful pull in her loins made her open to him and the taste of dark mocha filled her mouth.
A victorious rush enveloped her empathy and Ravens' competitive side fueled her own actions. Her hand that had become pinned between their abdomons, slowly shifted downward, her nails lightly scratching at the material of his suit. She flicked her own tongue into his mouth, delving into the hot entrance, enticng him before retreating back, her lips closing but not leaving his. As her fingers gently clawed lower, Red-X moved his hips back, allowing her hand more room to continue its movement as he forced her mouth back open with his tongue, demanding more. As her finger tips barely skimmed the edge of his belt, Red-X growled into her mouth, and Raven felt her own victory.
The thief tightened his hold in her hair, tilting her face further up as he nipped her bottom lip, making her groan. Red-X smirked against her mouth and Raven felt the need to retaliate. The heel of her palm pressed momentarily against his belt as her fingers dug into his hip. He tensed against her, thinking she would continue further, but her hand instead traveled up his side until she reached the top of his ribs. Her nails pressed in slightly and she seductively scratched down his side, making him shudder against her.
Momentary annoyance came from the thief before he smirked as well. Bending one of his knees, he barely pushed against her left leg, and before she could react, Red-X thrust his hip forward and pressed flush against her. Raven's eyes shot open at the feel of the hard bulge pressed against her pelvis, and a gasp escaped her mouth as she felt his deep growl against her lips.
"Playing with fire, remember?" he said, his voice low, but just as arrogent as the synthesized one she had grown used to.
The sharp, teasing pleasure that had pinpointed in her core had taken Raven by suprise, and there had been the distant snap as her powers broke a random limb somewhere in the grove. Despite the powerful sensations she felt, she chuckled before baring her teeth.
"Speak for yourself." She replied.
Raven arched her back against him, her hips pushing into and down against his pelvis. Red-X's breath caught and his whole body stilled. Desire built inside of her and she could feel his own lust pouring from him but she caught something else. Something that made her stiffen under his hold. The thief noticed the sudden change in her, suspicion and irritation dousing the heated emotions that had been building, but he kept his grip on her. Closing her eyes, Raven focused on that small trace, her senses growing and expanding until she caught it. There was a glimpse of the color orange in her mind, coupled with joy and strength.
"I have to go." Raven said, openeing her eyes.
The darkness of the cedar grove kept him shadowed to her gaze, but she could faintly see the mask had only been raised enough to free his mouth and nose, though the details of those features were obscured by the lack of light. Raven did not need to see his face to know how annoyed he was by the interruption, her empathy was overtaken by it, but she could feel her own irritation as well. She had been enjoying herself, relishing the rush that had spawned from giving into what 'she' wanted. Now she was being called back to reality and the tower, and if she did not act soon, she would be brought back
Frowning, Raven pushed against him with her hand, trying to release herself from his dominating hold, and found that she was not entirely eager to do so. The hand that been fisted in her hair released its hold and shot down to hers, grabbing her wrist and pinning it above her head against the tree. His other hand, that had been holding her left arm against the tree the entire time, pulled it up and manuvered both her wrists in one grasp. Raven's lower body clenched achingly as he set his, now free, hand against her ribs, his thumb barely brushing the swell of her breast.
"Come on, Sweets. Things were just getting good." He said.
Raven could feel his arrogence once more, but beneath it, just prowling the surface was his desire. He was still in the game, assessing her next reaction, wondering if she would give into him completely. Narrowing her eyes, she reached out with her powers. Red-X tightened his hold on her wrists as cold energy touched his face and pulled his mask down, covering his mouth before the device at his neck clicked back into place.
"Not this time, X." She said, smirking into the narrowed eyed glare of his mask.
Not allowing him any time react, Ravens powers pushed him off of her and into a waiting portal. Her mind kept a lock on him, feeling the emotions that went through him as she teleported him to the opposite side of the park. Irritation, anger, disappointment, and oddly enough, amusement. Raven phased herself to the R-Cycle, yanking the black helmet over head as her eyes noted the blinking yellow light on the security pad before switching the bike on and kicking it into gear.
*.*.*
Raven slowly guided the R-Cycle into the massive garage of Titans Tower. The rumble of the motarcycles engine was intensified by the hollow echo of the room, making her return seem far more dramatic than it truly was. Once she parked the bike at its designated place, she switched the machine off and welcomed the silence that followed. Leaning back, Raven rested her arms at her sides, the blades of her fingers barely touching the stiff leather covering her thighs. She tilted her head back, her eyes looking out of the dark visor of her helmet at the grey ceiling. Her breathing was steady and quiet, and she felt a deep calm despite what she knew lay ahead.
Once she had left Red-X behind, she raced through the city and back towards the tower. It did not take her long to feel the signiture of Starfire close by. Raven had frowned at that, but pushed it from her mind, knowing it was a far better than the alternative. The blinking yellow dot on the security pad of the bike never ceased until she reached the garage, making her wonder how long the tracking device had been on.
"Friend Raven?"
Raven took in a deep breath, easily catching her center, and slowly lifted the helmet from her head. The warm air of the garage was not as soothing to her heated skin as the breeze from outside had been, and she frowned again. Glancing over her shoulder, Raven took note of the Tameranians expression, trying to guage on how much the girl had seen or suspected. Starfire's face was one of innocent concern, her head tilted to the side while she laced her fingers together in front of her. Raven did not need to use her empathy to know that the other Titan had no knowledge of her most recent encounter with the thief.
Swinging her leg over the seat of the R-Cycle, Raven dismounted. Her right hand lazily held her heavy helmet, while the other hung at her side.
"Robin sent you." Raven stated.
Starfire took a step forward, her brows furrowing slightly as her lips tugged into a small frown.
"Yes, but I am uncertain as to why." She answered.
Confusion and concern gently trickled over Raven's empathy, and she had to take a deep breath to brace herself against the aliens emotions. Starfire had never been one to hide how she felt, she was the most expressive of the Titans, and she had never held them back a single iota. It had been a very difficult adjustment for Raven when she first met the girl, her empathy often becoming overpowered by the unbridled feelings, but after enough meditation and forced control, it was no longer an issue.
Raven closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts. Despite the annoyance that she felt at having a fellow team member sent out to retrieve her like a nanny, she was not overly concerned. She felt relaxed and content, all of the anxiety and grief that had been plaguing her for the past few weeks were suddenly subdued. At the moment, they were trivial, and she felt a freedom that she had rarely felt in her life. She had given into her darker impulses and the world still stood intact. She was suddenly aware of the bittersweet taste on her tongue and a shiver went up her spine.
Opening her eyes, Raven looked at her friend, her face stoic as she began walking toward the doors leading out of the garage. As the metal doors slid open, a gentle hand fell on her shoulder and she looked up at Starfire.
"Please, do not be angry with Robin. He is merely concerned for you." She said.
Raven offered the Tameranian a small smile, but her voice remained calm and level, not revealing anything beyond her words.
"It is none of his concern."
Authors Note: I would just like to take a moment to thank my awesome fiance' for doing the cover art of this story. He has done other pieces for this story on deviantart and I am very gratefull. Also, please read and review, I love feedback.