Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. I'm just playing around in their world for a while.
Warning: There is not warning!!! Yay!
Author's Note: Hey! Super glad to get another chapter up. It's nearing the end. I think I'll be able to make it to 25 chapters though! How lovely would that be? I could have a party or sumthin'. Anyways, enjoy!
---Just to Sleep at Night---JtSaN---Just to Sleep at Night---
"How old are you, really?"
He stared up at her with something akin to confusion; eyebrows raised in question over one blue eye and another covered one. His heart hammered in his chest a bit as she stared back, her eyes glittering with curiosity. The way her hands stroked through his short, blonde hair was almost enough to make him spill his guts. But the fact that she wouldn't let him kiss her was what really got to him. Groaning, he buried his face against her stomach, smelling not her scent, but the similar smell of her clothing. He wanted her scent. Her taste. He gulped, wetting his sand paper mouth before he look up. Violet clashed with azure, and his mouth went dry all over again as she worried her lower lip between her teeth.
"I already told you that." He answered, his voice low as he stood from his kneeling position so that he could try and press his lips to hers.
"Ah, yes," She nodded, turning her head so that his mouth simply brushed her cheek. "But you told Terra you were twenty-nine as well."
There was a pregnant pause as she turned to face him again, eyes glistening with amusement. Her lips curved with a small smirk as she leaned up to ghost her mouth against his. He tried to return the chaste kiss, but she pulled back before he could fulfill the small need aching in his gut. She settled back again, relaxing easily on the control panel beneath her as she tilted her head, violet orbs twinkling with mirth.
"That was two years ago."
He would have growled in an angered frustration if it weren't for the playful look on her face. It seemed she didn't care, or she already knew the answer. Slade was sure it was the latter. She at least knew something of why he'd been the same age for a number of years. "I was, and still am twenty-nine."
His reply only confirmed what little suspicions she had of him. "You're immortal?"
"No," He shook his head, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly as her face fell into that of a serious expression. "Not quite. I just age slowly. Very slowly."
"How old are you supposed to be?"
"I'm not sure," He grimaced at the blank look that crossed her face. "Late thirties. Early forties. You must think I'm some old pervert now…"
He tried to chuckle. Tried to make the suddenly darkening mood, lighter. Raven's lips quirked up in amusement once more as she tugged him closer. He made himself at home between her legs, his large, warm hands resting at her hips as she leaned back to look at him. She laughed softly, both at his attempts to settle the situation, and his unneeded panic.
"You do remember Malchior, right?" A fine brow twitched up over her dark gaze. "He was way older than you. And he was my boyfriend for way longer than we've had this… thing."
His eye narrowed dangerously as he leaned down, his lips barely touching hers as their breathes mingled together. "Was that supposed to make me feel better? Because being compared to a thousand year old half-wit, really isn't all that flattering, little bird."
"Why—" Her voice shattered for a second, wavering in the balance of calm and confusion. "Why do you think he's a half-wit?"
"He's an idiot." Slade mumbled, his mouth twisting into a cocky smirk as he felt Raven tremble against him. "He's a complete imbecile for hurting you the way he did. I'm glad he's stuck in a book, because if he wasn't, I'd have to kill him."
She gasped softly as his mouth pressed more firmly to hers; one of the screens behind her shattering with the force of her powers. Her fingers tangled themselves deeper within the softness of his hair, and she arched her back to press herself tightly against him. He chuckled into the sweetness of her kiss, his tongue dancing with hers in a passionate frenzy. His hands glided softly up and down along her waist, making her shiver with delight. A low mewl hummed past her lips, and Slade ate it up hungrily with a returning growl. Tugging lightly, she pulled him even closer; her ankles linking behind him to keep him snug against her.
He moaned as she nipped on his lower lip, and a sense of accomplished pleasure shot through her. Her abdomen flexed as his hands ran across the taunt muscle of her stomach. She rolled against him, a different part of her body pressing more firmly to his as her body moved like a wave against him. Slade's hands found her hips, then flitted down to grip her thighs firmly yet softly. His fingers massaged the pale skin methodically, working hard and deep before slowing to an easy caress.
Wrenching herself from the kiss, she panted against his searching mouth, trying to catch her breath. "Slade."
He groaned under his breath, kissing, licking, and biting a small trail across her jaw and then down her neck. "What?"
When she didn't respond, he pulled back just enough to see her staring at him through hooded, lust filled eyes. He smirked triumphantly, pressing a searing kiss to her lips before breaking it to rest his forehead against hers. Suddenly, the alarm went off, and both of their eyes darted over to the monitors for the inside of the warehouse. Robin stood in the center of it, his masked eyes glaring up at one of the hidden cameras. Sighing softly, Raven unwound her legs from Slade's waist and he stepped away with an irritated but understanding look.
"He has impeccable timing." Slade growled to himself, but Raven heard it loud a clear in the emptiness of the back room.
"That he does," Her eyes were no longer clouded with desire, but had a mirthful glimmer once more.
She fluttered past him, grabbing her cloak from the back of the leather chair where she'd set it earlier. Swinging it around her shoulders, she did the clasp and giggled softly as she saw the disappointed look pass across Slade's face. He glowered down at her as he placed his two toned mask over his handsome face. Scanning him, she dragged her fingers through her hair to make sure she didn't look like she'd just rolled out of bed. A smirk fell onto Slade's lips as he caught her wrists and gave her a knowing look.
"Just go." He chuckled as she glared half-heartedly up at him.
The door swung open with her powers, and she stepped past the threshold easily. Yet, Slade was left with an empty feeling as her hand slid from his.
---Just to Sleep at Night---JtSaN---Just to Sleep at Night---
Robin glowered at the GPS screen as he kicked the R-Cycle into neutral before killing the engine. A blinking red mark showed Raven's position as being somewhere inside the warehouse next to him. He really hadn't wanted it to be true. Some part of him still had hope that maybe it was all just some big misunderstanding. That maybe Raven kissing Slade was some crazy, one-time thing. But he knew there wasn't a chance in hell that it was the first or the last time. So, he glared at the flashing red dot, wishing it would explode, and with it, Slade would be wiped from existence.
He was always doing this! Ruining his life because of some little game he wanted to play. Toying with his friends and his feelings just to have his way. Just to win the little battles they had. In underhanded, cheating ways too. Masked blue eyes narrowed dangerously as a hand landed on his shoulder. Whipping around, his heart almost jumped out of his chest as Batman stood there, a solemn expression on his face. They had a silent understanding. Robin swung his leg from around his motorcycle to stand next to the taller man.
"You should go in alone, for now." Batman spoke with his gruff voice, gesturing to the door with a jerk of his head.
"Right," Robin nodded, making his way over to the tin-can of a hideout as slowly as he possibly could.
Unfortunately, he couldn't move at a snail's pace his whole life. Batman knew he was stalling, and cleared his throat loudly. Robin cringed as the noise broke through the silence around them, echoing off of the metal buildings and the rolling waters of the Bay. Glaring over his shoulder, the ex-sidekick gave the Bat an annoyed look, only getting a low chuckle in reply. Heaving a deep sigh, the colorful hero increased his pace as needed to a breezy stride; walking through a metal door to the center of a metal room. Glancing around, he caught sight of what was supposed to be a hidden camera. It wasn't too well hidden.
"Hello?" He called out, almost uncertainly, but kept his eyes trained on the camera. "Raven?"
There was a soft flutter of movement that scent Robin twisted around at neck breaking speeds. Raven stood, hair framing her soft features; her head tilted in a silent question. Grinning impishly, he waved at her before scratching behind his head nervously. He mumbled a soft 'hey', but his light attitude faded when he saw Slade step up behind his best friend.
"Raven," He sounded panicked as he took a cautious step forward, his gloved hands half-raised in a strange surrendering plea. "Come over here."
Her hair shifted as she tilted her head the other way. Purple locks cascading like a waterfall down her shoulders, drifting across blue cotton. She was just as surprised as Robin was when Slade stepped closer, twirling a soft tendril between his fingers. He gazed tenderly at the girl next to him, before snapping an earth shaking glare Robin's way.
"What makes you think she wants to, Robin?" His voice came out in a low rumble; sending a visible shiver up Raven's back.
"Because I'm her friend, Slade." Robin hissed, his hidden eyes telling the other bird a multitude of feelings, understandings, and confusion. "Right, Rae?"
A small smile spread across her impossibly pink lips as her eyes glistened with unshed tears of thankful glee. "Yes."
He grinned back, giving her a small nod. But he could feel the older man's heated gaze, and soon looked up to return it. His hands curled into tight fists as he resisted the urge to rip Slade limb from limb. Raven's lips shifted into a firm line as she sensed all of the tension, and took a step closer to her first friend. She called out his name lowly in a strange accusatory warning. His eyes darted back to her, and he shrugged lamely.
"Sorry," He muttered, relaxing only slightly to stare at his feet sheepishly. "It's just… You know…"
A light hearted laugh flitted through the large room, washing over both of the men as a delightful shock. "I know."
Slade growled low in his throat at the possible threat before him, his own hands curling into tight balls. "Raven."
"Yes?" She snapped over her shoulder, giving him a 'one second' look.
Gulping, he stood a bit straighter and put his hands behind his back. She couldn't blame him for reacting the way he was. Not many people saw a connection in action, and even though he had one with her, she could understand his not wanting to share. "Never mind. It can wait."
Suddenly, he had two teenager birds embracing before him. Anger spiked through him, but Raven's lingering calm soothed it to a mild irritation. There was a feminine giggle and a male chuckle, and just as quickly as it began, the hug was over. A bitter smile worked it's way onto the Titan leader's face as he gazed down at his favorite teammate. A gasp later had Raven stumbling back a step.
"He's here?" She asked, violet eyes widening in surprise.
There was another bout of furious frustration that shot through Slade's blood stream. This time, at the fact that they had a connection. One much like his and Raven's. Another low growl passed through his lips, causing both teens to look at him with matching raised brows.
That's when amusement replaced the rage. A grin unfurled his snarl, and his blue-grey gaze twinkled happily as he saw the difference. The difference between Boy Wonder and himself. It was obvious, really. The difference was the eyes she saw them through. Both of them lov—cared for, but in two completely different ways. Both seen through clouded eyes, but each seen more clearly for their faults and imperfections. She loved their imperfections. Just in different ways.
"By all means," Slade chortled, waving as if was nothing at all. "continue."
"Rae," Robin took his cue, gripping her pale hand in his. "Come home."
"I- I can't. Not now. It's too dangerous for you guys if I'm there." She looked down, almost ashamed.
"We're superheroes, Raven!" He replied with a wry smile. "Danger is our middle name."
Slade scoffed, crossing his arms, sick of the mushy, feel-good moment. "What did you ever see in him?"
Both teens glared at him so hard he almost felt intimidated.
"I could ask you the same thing." Raven hissed, pissed that he continued to interrupt something she was trying to make sure wasn't completely shattered. Her friendship with one, Richard Grayson.
"Do you really believe you can protect her, boy?" Slade ignored her, taking a threatening step forward.
"Yes," Robin replied firmly, letting Raven's hand drop from his.
"Really?" He sounded unconvinced, not backing down with his glare, even as Raven stepped back to him. "Need I remind you of today's events? You can't even defend yourselves, let alone protect someone."
"We weren't prepared—"
"And you won't be next time," Slade hissed between gritting teeth.
Anger and frustration was etched on the younger boy's face, but he restrained himself once more, keeping his rage at bay. "What do you suppose we do then?"
"She stays with me," He settled his hands behind his back once again, a smugness seeping through every part of him.
"Absolutely not!" His self-control snapped so hard that he was shaking with the force of his emotions.
"It wasn't a suggestion, Robin." Slade peered down at him, one of his hands coming to rest of Raven's lower back. "I've already decided."
Whether it be the commanding tone, or the gesture of familiarity, Robin's front shattered. The black haired man went to pounce as a first attack, trusting that Raven would get out of the way in time. But two strong hands gripped his shoulders from the shadows, holding him in place on the cement floor. Raven's heart jumped into her throat as she stared into the foggy eyes of the one-and-only Batman. A light bulb shattered over head, and Slade tensed behind her. Silence fell between them all, thick and uncomfortable.
"Nice to see you again, Deathstroke." Batman rasped out conversationally. "Forgive Robin's rash choices. He cares for his friend's deeply."
"Understandable," Slade nodded once in a small greeting.
"Batman," Robin whispered lowly at the older man, glaring over his shoulder while trying to hide a faint blush.
"She stays" Slade repeated the order.
"No!" Robin shouted back, his body shaking.
Batman went to say something, but Raven stepped forward, her gaze soft and pleading.
"Richard," Raven's voice cracked a bit, and she couldn't believe she just called him by his first name in front of Slade. "Please… Do it for me."
He softened at that. Like melted butter on a hot plate. He stared into her begging violet orbs and relaxed his tense stance. When he nodded sadly, her arms were around his neck in a flash. Pulling him so close he could smell her. His arms wrapped around her waist as she fit almost perfectly against him. Sucks that he didn't think of her that way anymore. He sighed, inhaling the sweet vanilla scent of her hair, taking in as much of her as possible. As if it were the last time he would see her.
"Consider it a birthday gift," He said stiffly, pulling out of the embrace as he commanded his body to move from her warmth. "Happy 17th birthday, Raven."
---Just to Sleep at Night---JtSaN---Just to Sleep at Night---
To Be Continued…
Oh…. Another cliffy. What are you guys going to do with me? Hope you liked it. REVIEW
Much love,
~TaRa