After checking in at the tower, Raven phased through the wall of her room and flew back towards the city. She needed to find a quiet place to think away from everyone. Decieving her teammates was not her intention, but it'd be better for them to think she had gone to sleep than worry about her being out by herself. And it's not like I'll be gone long.
Raven flew to a place she frequented occasionally--Jump City Park. There were usually too many people there during the day, but night was another story. Landing on the path, Raven started walking slowly, admiring the foliage and the night sky. It was an exceptionally clear night, but a chill breeze whipped past her, sending shivers up her spine. I should have put on something warmer, she thought. I'm gonna freeze my ass off out here.
Rounding a bend, Raven spotted a figure crouching by a row of hedges. Faint muttering drifted towards her, although Raven couldn't make out any of the words. She quietly moved closer.
Jinx muttered to herself as she fiddled with her lighter. This stupid thing. How am I gonna burn down these hedges if I can't--
"Ahem."
Jinx whirled aroung to find Raven standing over her, arms crossed. "Um...hi."
"What are you up to?"
Jinx shifted nervously. "Nothing, I was just out for a walk."
"Right." Raven swallowed hard. Okay, Raven. Just say something. Don't stare at her, talk.
Jinx eyed her cautiously as she realized the hooded girl wasn't going to attack her. "You look kinda cold. You really ought to start wearing pants," she said mischeviously.
Raven glowered. "You're one to talk in that skirt." Which shows off your legs very nicely...Stop that! Jinx stuck out her tounge impishly. "So...what was up with...y'know, earlier?"
Jinx chewed on her lip. "Well, what did you want to be up with it?"
"Come on, Jinx." Raven turned sideways. "Why did you do that?"
Jinx stepped out in front of her, pushing Raven's hood back. "You mean, this?" With Jinx's hands on the back of her neck, Raven melted into the kiss. It went on much longer this time. When Jinx finally pulled back, Raven stared at her wishing she hadn't, breathing rather heavily. "I just wanted to see if you liked it." Jinx's fingers brushed Raven's cheek. "You shouldn't wear the hood so much, it hides your pretty face."
"Jinx, this is really weird. I mean, aren't we supposed to be enemies?"
Jinx drew back a little. "Do we have to be?"
"You make a living by stealing things, and I fight people who steal things. Isn't that a conflict of interest?"
The pink-haired girl turned abruptly and looked back over her shoulder. "Yeah, you're probably right," she said wistfully. "It's a bad idea. But I like you, despite our history." And honestly, I could really use a friend right now. But she'd never consider me worth her time. Bad luck strikes again.."I should go."
"Wait." Raven put her hand on Jinx's shoulder. "You like me?"
"What, is that a crime now?" Jinx faced the psion, pink eyes meeting violet. "I felt something earlier, there on that roof." She looked away. "And I don't mean the kiss."
Raven placed her free hand on Jinx's other shoulder. "I..felt something, too." I'm just not sure what.
The rumble of thunder interrupted the moment. Raven dropped her hands sheepishly, while Jinx studied the clouds gathering in the sky. "Hmm, that's weird." She stepped back and started prancing and skipping around, singing, "Tut tut, it looks like rain."
"Having fun?" Raven arched an eyebrow.
Jinx grinned in her trademark mischevious way. God, she looks cute with that look on her face, she mused, now circling the amused empath. "Yep!" She halted right in front of Raven. "Hey, I've got an idea."
"Really? You sure it's not a hallucination?" Raven replied in monotone.
Is she joking or not? "Disregarding that...let's see if we can outrun the rain...readysetGO!" The pink-haired sorceress bolted down the path, glancing back to see if Raven would follow.
Raven sighed, flipped up her hood, and flew after Jinx. Does she like having me chase her? "Where are we running to?" She called.
"You're flying!" Jinx shot back.
The chase was notably different from the one they had been in earlier. More lighthearted and fun, like a game of tag, Jinx throwing taunts over her shoulder and Raven answering back in spite of herself. Raven was actually enjoying herself, laughing at Jinx's quips and trying to think of something funny to answer with--she'd never been much for witty banter. When it started raining, the two picked up speed, Jinx trying to get to wherever she was heading and Raven trying not to lose her. Jinx halted abruptly in front of a small brick apartment building, flinging open the door and and dashing up the stairs inside. Raven swerved sharply to follow her, skimming above the stairs.
The sorceress stopped again in front of her apartment door, fumbling for her keys. She managed to get the door open just as the psion caught up with her, and Raven darted inside, plowing headfirst into Jinx. Raven landed on top of a squirming Jinx on the floor.
"Oh no! You followed me to my secret lair!" Jinx giggled as Raven embarassedly jumped up. "Whatever will I do? The heroine has me at her mercy!"
Raven studied her surroundings. The apartment was small and sparsely furnished, with just a couch and a TV on a table in the living room. The walls and ceiling were in poor repair, with cracks and water stains. A single window stood opposite the door, shrouded with black curtains. "Why did you lead me to your apartment?"
Jinx hugged her knees to her chest. Her hair was flopping backwards on her head from the rain and wind. "I don't know. I didn't think you'd follow me this far."
"I'm not about to let you run off in the middle of the first civil conversation we've ever had." Raven pushed her hood down and stared down at Jinx.
"Aww, would Rae-Rae feel lonely if I ran away?"
A dangerous gleam appeared in Raven's eyes. "We may be talking like normal people, but I will kick your ass if you call me that again."
Jinx stood up and grinned at her. "Then how about cupcake? Or sunshine?"
Raven suddenly shoved Jinx backwards, landing her on the couch. "No pet names," she growled.
Jinx flipped over so her head was upside down and her feet were in the air, and began pulling the black bands out of her hair. "Are you always so rough?" She smiled invitingly and patted the couch next to her. "Come on, I don't bite." Hard, she added under her breath. God, I'm nervous. She's not even aware of how she's tying my stomach in knots.
Raven sat down next to her watching her undo her hair. "Are you ever serious?" She wondered.
Jinx sat upright, her pink locks falling around her shoulders in a disorganized and very attractive way. "Usually I have to be drunk. I'm a very sad drunk. How about you?"
Raven shook her head slightly. "I've never been drunk."
Jinx smirked. "Well, you're not missing much. Unless you like throwing up, that is."
"Um..." Raven flushed. "I think...your hair looks nice that way." She finished in a rush.
Jinx's eyes widened. "Did you just give me a complement? And with a blush, no less." Staring at the unfamiliar red color rising in Raven's cheekes, she added, "You're so cute when you're flustered."
Raven tried not to tremble as Jinx reached for her. "Sh...shut up..."
"Stammering, too?" Jinx pulled the purple-haired girl into an embrace. "Someone's nervous." Yeah, me.
Raven felt herself responding to the other girl's touch. She rested her head against Jinx's shoulder and inhaled deeply, trying to suppress a sigh. "Why are you hugging me?"
"You ask why too much." Jinx held her out at arms length. "Can't I give my new buddy a hug?"
"New buddy, huh? You like me that much?"
"Yeah." Jinx's face sobered. "I do. Would you maybe want to...I mean, it's cool if no, but...would you want to hang out for a while?" Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease...
Raven pondered for a moment. Well, no one knows I'm gone, so it should be alright...and Jinx is intriguing me. This may be my only chance to figure out how I feel about her. "Alright."
"Really! Cool!" Jinx bounced excitedly. "I know just the thing. Wait here." She jumped up and went into her bedroom. She returned shortly with a DVD in her hands. "Movie time!"
Raven looked at her cooly. "What movie, psycho?"
"Actually, it's The Exorcist." She shrugged. "What can I say? I like scary movies." Jinx started the movie and flopped down next to Raven. "If I get really scared, can I hide in your cloak?"
Raven smiled. "I don't know, my cloak can be pretty scary at times."
"I'll just grab your hand, then." Jinx said with a wink.
---
Hours had passed. Raven and Jinx had talked about anything and everything, finding similarities between them and just getting to know each other. When the movie ended, Jinx put in a CD, and the two just listened. One thing they had found out was they were both Evanescence fans. Jinx started to doze off halfway throught the CD, about one in the morning, although neither of them had kept track of the time. Jinx leaned back on Raven, who draped an arm over her companion's shoulders. The purple-haired girl couldn't resist humming to some of her favorite songs, and by the last song she was singing softly, figuring Jinx was too asleep to notice.
"Even though I'm the sacrifice,
you won't try for me, not now.
Though I'd die to know you love me,
I'm all alone.
Isn't something missing?
Isn't someone missing me?"
"Your singing voice is beautiful." Jinx murmured.
Raven gasped. "I didn't know you were awake."
"You woke me up with your humming." Jinx twisted to look at Raven. "I really liked your singing."
"Umm...thanks." Raven glanced at the clock. It was close to two now. "I better get home." She stood up, leaving Jinx to fall flat on the couch.
Before Raven could take two steps, Jinx had seized her hand. "Don't." The empath turned to look at her. "Please. It's late, and..." An enormous crack of thunder reverberated through the room. "...it sounds really bad out there." And I'd miss you really badly.
Raven went to the window and peered out. The rain was coming down in buckets, sheets of water. Raven considered. There's so much rain I might not be able to stay airborne. But won't the others worry if I'm not there in the morning? Maybe if I get up early enogh, I can get back before anyone notices.
Jinx watched Raven as she stared out the window. If she says yes, where's she gonna sleep? That couch is pretty lumpy. I should be a good host and take the couch. Do I have a spare pillow and blanket? Jinx shook her head. Man, these spur-of-the-moment things don't always go so well. Especially the way my luck runs.
Raven turned from the window. "Well, I guess it is too wet out there to go home. Um, you wouldn't have any spare pjs, would you?"
A slow smile spread across Jinx's features. She disappeared into the bedroom again, bringing out a set of pajamas. "So do you want to shower first?"
Raven stepped forward to take the pajamas from the other girl, and found Jinx kissing her before she knew it. Jinx's arms were around her neck, and she slid her hands forward onto Jinx's hips. The kiss was deeper this time, Raven felt Jinx's tounge slide into her mouth, gently teasing hers. A soft moan rose in the back of her throat as Jinx's fingers tangled in her hair. Jinx pulled away reluctantly. "Go take a shower," she whispered. Raven smiled and picked up the discarded pjs on the floor.
This is crazy! Raven thought as she stepped into the shower. Am I falling for her? A girl? A thief? I'm not even the relationship type! But...I'm enjoying this time I'm spending with her. She pursed her lips. Guess I never thought of her as a person, just someone to stop from committing crimes. She is a human being, though, and I like her. A lot, actually. Maybe this could work out.
She stepped out of the bathroom, wearing Jinx's pajamas. The flannel top and pants were several sizes too big, and upon seeing Jinx sprawled on the couch in hers, it was apparent she bought them that way on purpose. "Did you shower already?"
"Yeah, my neighbor let me borrow his shower for a bit. You go ahead and take the bed, it's really comfy. I've got the couch."
Raven folded her arms. "I'm not about to kick you out of your own comfy bed. You take it."
Jinx frowned. "No, I'm being a good host. I'm not moving from this couch, so you might as well--" She cut off as she was flung into the bedroom, bouncing on her bed once. She spluttered her protests as Raven poked her head in.
"Goodnight, stubborn girl," she said before closing the door.
Jinx was not about to be put off that easily. She walked over to Raven, who had just laid down on the couch. "Look, since we can't agree who gets the bed, how about a deal?"
Raven opened one eye. "What are you talking about?"
Blushing furiously, Jinx replied, "We could...y'know, share?"
"You mean, sleep in the same bed?" Raven sat up and stared at her.
"Well, it's not very big, but it's really cozy..." Jinx shifted her feet nervously. When Raven just looked at her, she said, "Never mind, I'll take the bed."
Raven grabbed her hand as she turned away. "Okay." The pink-haired girl smiled, and she smiled back. Holding hands, the two quietly entered the bedroom. Jinx got under the blanket first, holding it open for her new friend. Raven laid on her back and Jinx snuggled close, running her fingers across Raven's smooth stomach. Raven shuddered and looked over at her, their eyes meeting.
"Hi there," murmured Jinx.
"Hi."
"Raven, what's up with us?"
"Not sure. But I like being around you."
"Yeah." Jinx moved her head close to Raven's neck, kissing it softly. "I'm really happy being with you, too."
Raven just smiled as they lay entwined under the blanket, easily drifting off to sleep.
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