"Well, this is cozy," Beast Boy said.
The three heroes stood in the doorway of a rundown log cabin. It belonged to Cyborg, at least legally. The property was owned by the Stone family, formerly belonging to Victoria Stone, Cyborg's grandmother and the woman he was named after when he was born. Victoria had passed away a few years ago, and the property hasn't been used since several years before that. Across from the front door was a fireplace, full of dirt and dust. To the right, a double bed rested against the wall. The bed was covered in cold sheets, which wore a thin layer of dust over them. Lining the wall, to the right of the door, was a lumpy, moldy brown couch. On the left side was a small kitchen, with a counter, sink, stove, and mini fridge. There was a door to a bathroom, and then a dining table in the right back corner. The bathroom had a dirty toilet and small shower, with a small window that was broken, making the room exceptionally cold.
"Well." Slade dropped his overnight bag onto the lumpy sofa, and turned back around to face Raven and Beast Boy. "I'll get fire wood. One of you do something about that draft."
Before long, they had a small fire rumbling, and they had nailed one of the pillowcases over the bathroom window. Slade had an apple, which he was cutting into slices with a hunting knife. Raven sat on the floor, staring at the fire, her head resting against the foot of the bed. Beast Boy had been watching her for a while before digging through his own bag. "We could play cards," Beast Boy suggested.
"Are either of you any good at poker?" Slade asked, popping one of the apple slices into his mouth.
"Uh… I'm not," Beast Boy said. "I'm good at go fish." Beast Boy changed into a fish and frailed around on the bed before landing in Raven's lap, and Raven pushed him off to the floor. Beast Boy shifted back to human. "I know waiting sucks, but that's gonna be a big part of this, Rae."
"I can wait," Raven replied. "I just don't need you jumping around while I do."
Beast Boy frowned. "I was just trying to -"
"I know," Raven replied. "Thank you."
They sat watching the fire for hours before Slade suggested they rotated sleeping. "I'll stay awake first, keep watch incase any of Raven's delightful family members decide to pay us a visit."
"I can stay awake," Beast Boy suggested.
"You'll have to trust me to keep watch eventually," Slade replied.
"No, we actually don't." Beast Boy stood up and stretched. "I can stay awake for a very long time."
Beast Boy stood by the window, glancing out at the trees of the forest. It wasn't long before Slade was asleep; he must have been tired. Raven, on the other hand, was staring at the ceiling of the cabin, unblinking. Beast Boy let her lay there without interrupting her thoughts. If she wanted comfort, she'd ask, Beast Boy told himself, forcing him to keep his eyes on the dark trees that sat just a few yards away from the cabin window. Eventually, his trained ears could pick up the change in her breathing, and he knew she was asleep.
The moon began to become visible over the trees. Beast Boy's eyes felt heavy, but he refused to turn away from the window yet.
"You need to sleep too," Slade said, sitting up on the couch. "I can take watch."
"I doubt Raven would like that," Beast Boy replied, his voice kept low so he wouldn't wake her.
"She won't even know." Slade took a place at the window. There was a few moments of stubborn silence, and then Slade asked. "Do you think Jade's alright?"
"I don't think Starfire or Bee would let anything happen to her. I trust them." Beast Boy glanced at Raven and added, "Rae does too, or she wouldn't be here."
Slade shifted forward, narrowing his eyes, and Beast Boy turned away from Raven to follow his gaze. "What is it?"
Slade shook his head. "Just a feeling," Slade replied. "We're being watched."
"Do you see anything?" Beast Boy asked.
"No. You?"
Beast Boy shook his head. "I'll check though."
Beast Boy reached for the door but Slade pulled his arm back. "I'll go."
"I have a good nose. I'll just stick my head out, give a sniff, and pop back in. If anyone's out there, I'll smell them."
Slade's eyes scanned the trees outside again, and he nodded. "Fine. Be quick."
Beast Boy cracked open the door and stuck his head out, inhaling deeply. "I don't-" Using his elbow, Slade hit the back of Beast Boy's head, knocking him unconscious to the floor. Slade stepped out, lifting Beast Boy off the ground and carrying him towards the trees.
"Sorry, kid," Slade mumbled. He tied Beast Boy to a tree that was just out of sight from the cabin, and left him, heading back inside. Raven was still asleep, her hands tucked under the pillow and her body covered by stale wool blanket. Slade just watched her for a moment before acting. Her hair was grown out to her shoulders, spread across the pillow. She wore a blue sweater and jeans, and combat boots. She had changed so much, and grown into such a woman, despite all Slade's efforts to prevent that.
He grabbed her face first, covering her mouth firmly so she wouldn't be able to speak. It was easy to use his body weight to hold her down. Raven shook her whole body, trying to throw him off of her. She tried to open her mouth but he held her jaw. "Calm down," Slade said, and to his surprise, she listened. Her purple eyes stared up at him, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't, she scanned the room, and the absence of Beast Boy could not have gone unnoticed. Her eyes came back to him, terrified.
So many years ago, that was the look her longed for. Those large purple eyes, wide and watery. Her skin growing paler and the uncontrollable shaking that reached her knees and hands. Slade unbuttoned her jeans, trying to push them down past her hips. Raven was already fighting him again, pushing him and trying to shake him off. Slade lifted her a little bit, slamming her back into the bed. "I have to. We ran out of time. We have no other choice."
Slade pressed down on the hand over her mouth, and used his other hand to undo his pants, pushing them down. Raven's thrashing beneath him was not enough to turn him on anymore. He tried, holding himself and imaging any other situation than the one they were in. Eventually Slade collapsed on top of her, his face pressing into the pillow next to her. His hand was still over her mouth, and his weight was crushing her. Raven continued to try to push him off. Minutes passed, and Slade propped himself up over her, pressing his face into her hair and inhaling.
"The last time you and I were… intimate… It was different, for me at least. I'd been with many women, but I never wanted to please them the way it was with you. I wanted you to enjoy it. The last time, we were interrupted but when I came back into the room you were asleep and you looked so peaceful, and a little cold. I was actually starting to care about you, and I was mad when you escaped, and I thought I'd have my revenge if I caught you again but, I regret that." Slade took a deep breath, focusing on that moment, so many years ago. Raven was still struggling, but now it was just trying to push him off. She wasn't expecting it when he pushed himself inside her. He didn't move, he just stayed inside of her for a moment, and then got off. Raven turned on her side, pulling her pants back on and staring at the wall. Slade buttoned his pants as well, and took a seat on the sofa.
"Where's Beast Boy?" Raven whispered.
"He's fine. I knocked him out, he should wake up soon." Slade replied. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to you, Raven. I hoped you'd change your mind but it had to be done. I never want to hurt you again. I love you, and -"
Raven raised her hand and mini fridge was ripped away from the wall, surrounded by black magic, and hit Slade, knocking him into the floor, unconscious.