Raven looked so darn proud of the mountain of grilled cheese sandwiches she'd served for dinner that night.
"Alright, dig in ladies. If you don't like the first one you grab, just take another. There has to be at least one you're bound to like."
Anya was the first one to grab a sandwich from the tower and nodded for Clarke to hurry the hell up.
"So, Clarke," Raven started a little too enthusiastically. "Tell me about you. How do you and Anya know each other?"
Clarke's eyes widened in panic. "We met through a friend," she said quickly.
"Cool. What do you do for work? You must know Anya's an amazing published author?"
"Let's not interrogate the poor girl, Raven." Anya was getting nervous. She hated Raven and Clarke being in such close proximity.
"Haven't found a job yet," Clarke answered. "I just got out of rehab actually. Had a drug problem to kick."
Anya stared coldly across the table. Her grilled cheese forgotten and fist clenching around the now mangled sandwich.
"You alright, babe?" Raven asked, staring at Anya's tightly clasped fingers.
"Yeah. Sorry, I'm just not hungry tonight."
"Oh, okay. Well if you change your mind later I'll make you something."
Anya watched the rest of the evening transpire in slow motion. Raven kept the conversation going and even elicited a small smile from Clarke which only enraged Anya that much more.
Raven was like that, full of charm and able to draw a smile out of even the most darkest of souls.
When dinner finally finished, and Raven moved to clear the plates, Anya jumped up. "I'll walk Clarke out."
"No no no," Raven said quickly. "Stay, Clarke. Anya, can you show her to the living room then meet me in the kitchen please?"
Anya shook her head in disbelief. Would she ever get this murderer out of her house?
"Follow me," she grumbled toward Clarke.
The living room was surprisingly clean since the last time Anya had seen it which was before Raven's return.
Gone were the beer bottles and empty pizza boxes scattered across the floor. The carpet had been vacuumed and coffee table cleaned off. Even Raven's red sweater had been hung on a coat rack in the far corner.
"Stay here," Anya ordered. "And if an opportunity to leave presents itself, please do us both a favor and go."
"I need to talk to you," Clarke insisted, earnest in her eyes.
Anya left the room without another word. She wanted to speak to Clarke, but it wasn't the right time.
She entered the kitchen to find Raven having just finished washing their plates. The rest of the kitchen, however, was another story. How did one girl make such a mess when it came to basic cooking?
"There you are," Raven greeted.
"Hey."
"So, she's cute, yeah?"
Anya furrowed her brows. "Who?"
"Clarke, dummy. Who else?"
Anya held up her hands. "I don't know where you're going with this but the answer is no!"
"Oh, come on! Are you honestly telling me you don't think she's cute and don't want to have a threesome tonight?"
Fury rose in Anya's chest all over again just at the suggestion. Raven had no idea what she was proposing.
"No," Anya said with finality and turned away.
Raven's hands came to rest on tense shoulders before Anya could make her escape. Those wonderful soft fingertips slowly started to knead in the best way.
"Look, I know you want me, Anya," Raven started, lowering her tone. "But I won't always be here. One day, you will want someone else. And I want to help you find that lucky person."
Anya shook her head. This night had gone from bad to worse fast.
"Alright, look. I'll make you a deal…"
Anya glanced over her shoulder to indicate she was listening.
"Let's do it my way tonight. And if you aren't in love with Clarke by your deadline, I'll stay with you indefinitely. Muse duties be damned."
Anya swallowed hard as she thought about the insane deal on the table. Sleep with her former girlfriend's killer in order to keep Raven forever?
"You'll stay no matter what?" Anya asked, turning in Raven's arms, her voice shaking. "Even say, if one day I told you something horrible and it changed your life?"
Raven furrowed her brows. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
Anya shook her head, "It's just a 'what if' situation. I'm a writer, I'm bound to say weird things. I just want to make sure you won't go back on this agreement."
Raven smiled, "I don't care if you chain me to the stove and treat me like a 1950's housewife for the rest of your days, baby. I'll keep my word. Promise. The truth is you're gonna die long before I will anyway."
Anya quirked a brow at that last note as Raven giggled and kissed her cheek before leaving the kitchen.