Thanks for the great reviews, everyone. I'm just sad that Slayergirl1362 wasn't here to review for this chapter. (sniff) Well, I'll get it over with...

Ebony days

7. Ebony Saturday

-If you desire to know the truth, you must also have the courage to accept it-

It was a strange meeting on this Saturday, unlike the millions of other ins-and-outs of meetings and partings. It was the tearing down of two different battle flags while the leaders stepped out to meet. Past to present, magic to man-power, Malchior to Robin. He had been brought out of jail with a full pardon -after Raven had vouched for him- and into Titans Tower. This was the moment Raven had silently pleaded for ever since she had met him.

Malchior stood in the middle of the Titan's living room like a knight. His silver armor was shining and on a silver chain he wore Raven's ring. You could not have known, thanks to the black scarf he wore over his mouth, but Raven saw--he was smiling. Not the cynical, drawling smile for jokes, nor the pleading smile for affection, and it was not the smile he held for Raven. It was relief. He had made it. He had won the girl he loved, been accepted into the family; and he was home.

"What do you think…?" Raven asked; a smile in her voice and white in her garb. Ever since Malchior had returned, she was united, at peace with her emotions. "I know it's not the best, but I'm kind of the odd one out in a decorating sense."

"It's no gothic castle, but it's just right for a home." Malchior answered; his arm around Raven. "Our home…"

"So you've accepted our offer?" Robin asked. "You would be a great asset to the team, Malchior. And you would be a great guy for Raven. In truth, you are more than welcome…we want you to join."

"So will you…?" Raven finished; apprehension filling her voice. This was the moment of truth, for her and for the others.

"Of course. After so many years trapped…to find a love and a home in one is more than I could ask for. I would be glad, Robin, to be on the team."

Raven hugged him, smiling brightly. Her smile, never used before, was bright; beautiful. It lit up the room and brightened the hearts around it. "Oh, Malchior! I don't know what to say! Thank you…for everything."

Expectedly, Starfire chose the perfect time to announce that she had a full dish of llorkk festering in the cabinet. Expectedly, Raven futilely tried to convince Malchior not to eat it, since it looked a lot like beans kept open too long as well as smelled like road-kill, but Malchior chose the wrong time to prove his worth and shoved too much in at once. "C-could…some…one…sh-show me…to…the restroom…?" He asked pitifully, as Raven tried hard not to laugh at his display of what had to be the quickest dash to the toilet on record.

He came out laughing, his scarf pulled down, and someone called for three pizzas: one veggie, one pepperoni, and one with everything. Then a full-blown party was called for the new member, which included Beast Boy's reenactment of a dramatic battle scene from Tales of Nol, as directed by Malchior. Raven played the princess.

It was one of the best nights the Titans had ever had, not marred by anything for anyone. The light and laughter chased away all inner demons, and it was well into the night when the last Titan passed out on whatever furniture was nearest. Raven had never felt gladder to be alive.

- - - - - - - -

When Raven awoke, the sun was just rising, and as she sat up, she saw she was the first to rise. Robin lay propped against the couch, head back and mouth agape. Starfire was curled like a cat on a cushion, and Cyborg had barely made it to an outlet before zoning out. Beast Boy was on the floor, snoring something about mo-peds.

And Malchior lay beside her on a pile of blankets, his eyes closed and his breathing steady. It had probably been one of the few untroubled nights he had had in aeons, so Raven let him lie. She set herself to making breakfast. Fruit platters and hardboiled egg, except for Beast Boy, who got tofu.

When the others awoke, one slowly after another, they gaped at the sight of Raven in the kitchen. She hummed a tune that was probably Eve of the Angels, while she prepared oranges, pears, and pineapples for the six plates that stood waiting. It was joy.

The day was normal; there were no secrets hiding behind closed doors, and Raven was cheerful, kind, and still ignored Beast Boy's jokes. But some things never do change. To help Malchior get used to the modern world, Beast Boy had brought out some RPG console games from who-knows-where, and, as it turned out, he had a natural talent for them. His specialty was Final Fantasy.

The day went on, and well into the afternoon, Malchior took Raven by the arm and led her wordlessly to his room.

It was done in a black and silver motif, black in a wave pattern along the bottom of the wall, and silver up top with black stars. There were endless book-shelves, and a sword hung near its scabbard on the wall. Pictures straight of a fantasy art book hung by the large, silver velvet bed. Raven could not help staring at the wonder of a room.

"Like it?" Malchior asked, smiling. Since he had joined the Titans his scarf had come down to his neck, much to Raven's happiness. He was visibly smiling, although there was something to it that disquieted Raven.

"Yes. It's a lot better than mine. But how did you do all this…and in one day…?" She looked around, still awed, but now beginning to wonder why he had brought her here. It was unlike him to drag her somewhere without saying a word. And why did he look so unsettled…?

"Magic." He answered simply. "I would have thought you would've known."

"Is something wrong…?" She asked as he fidgeted with her ring. "You look like you need to talk."

"It's just that…" He stopped and sighed; looking down at the floor in a distracted manor. "Well Raven…I'm not like the rest of your friends, alright? I know more, have seen more, and have been through more hell than any one of them. I have a dark past, and I fear it may catch up with me. So I have to tell you--and only you, Raven. You understand, don't you…? It's you and only you for me. Forever. It's like I have this…diamond angel crying ice down at me forever. You are my beautiful little doll. I can hold you any time I want…"

He stepped forward and embraced Raven –pitifully- and they sat down on his bed. She hugged him back, and spoke slowly in his ear, like a mother comforting a child. "What is it, Malchior? Whatever it is, I'll fight it with you…" She rested her head on his shoulder, expecting him to break down. It was what any man in the world would have done, but not Malchior. He stood up and began pacing. Anger flashed in his eyes, and he stood tall and stiff, aura radiating hatred and possibly self-loathing.

"But should I…?" He mused, and Raven began to fear being in the room with him. No matter what happened, he had earned her trust. Through all the pains he had taken, the times she had let him down; not once had he become that evil and malignant dragon, and because of that, she would now trust him with her very life, so, even in fear; even in pain; even at the brink of an abyss she could trust him. But not now…

"I don't want to lose you, sweet Raven. No…I could never let you leave me." He looked at her with a look that chilled Raven's blood. "But if I told you…you could never love me…and you would leave me forever. And I can't stand that, sweet Raven. No…I love you too much."

"And I love you, Malchior. Without you…I just don't think I could be myself. So tell me, and get it over with. I trust you…"

Malchior sighed, and turned once more to face Raven. He seemed to have diminished from the dragon she used to think of his as to a man, albeit a tired, haggard, and haunted man. Raven had never seen him look so…human. He had always been above the rest; more mature, insightful, and the looks of a god. He had seemed to be perfection, and for that Raven had loved him. He had been like her--beyond human. But now…and at the end of the day…he was human. This must have been the man he had been back in the days of Nol…failing just enough to be normal.

"Back before I was cursed, when I was still searching for power, I met a foreign girl. It was at an inn on the way to the capital. She was around thirteen, two years younger than I at the time. Her name was Rie, and we fell in love."

Raven did not show any outward sign of shock except for a slight widening of the eyes. It was clear that she was upset though, even if she didn't show any sign of it. It hurt her that Malchior had loved someone before her…had told another girl he would love her forever…

"She had to be the complete opposite of you, Raven. Pale yellow hair, clear palest-blue eyes and a wonderful smile. She loved the bright things, and could always cheer me up. She was with me for about a year and a half, even part-way through my days with the dark mages.

"Until I was cursed. You see, Raven, what I told you of the curse was only half. Any good curse should not only affect the personal facet of the target's life, but must make sure he is isolated from the ones he loves…so he suffers alone. The Moon Sprites were angry at me that I had found happiness with another, while their child had suffered until she died. So they placed not one, –a fitting punishment, to be sure- but two upon me. The first took away my humanity…the second took away my love.

"Once our relationship reached the set target date, or in first case, the date from when the curse was placed, I would go insane. I would do horrible things to her, and I couldn't tell her why. She left me unwillingly…she would have stayed had I not bid her to go."

Raven had tears in her eyes. She was smart, and she knew what was to come…what he would tell her…that she could not bear it if he did.

"Do you know what the target date is…Raven?" Malchior asked with a level gaze that did not betray his broken heart.

She shook her head. The tears had stopped, she was beyond that. If the love that she had promised him could not hold him, than her tears never could.

"One week…from the day they meet…"

- - - - - - - -

Rising now alone in the night

If he wishes it, it shall be done

But even though I have my duty

I truly thought that he was the one.

I thought I might have found

A place of happiness and peace

But now I think that I was wrong

That to me happiness is but a lease.

He and I were a pair

Once upon a time

And as fairy tales go

This fantasy was sublime.

But ever after isn't real

It's not for you and me.

And while death is all too real

Love is just a fantasy.

To be continued…