Giving Yourself

A Teen Titans Fan Fiction by Jacob McDonald

Standard Disclaimers Apply. I don't own Teen Titans.

Chapter Seven

Raven smiled across the counter top of the bookstore she worked in at a young woman buying a copy of a short fiction anthology. As she ran the girls credit card, she commented, "This is a good book."

The girl smiled back weakly, "I have to get it for class. I haven't even heard of most of the writers in it."

"You'll love it." Raven handed her a bag with the book with one hand, and the girls credit card with the other. The young woman thanked her and walked off.

Raven sighed and leaned on the counter, glancing around herself at the shop. The walls on either side were packed with books, and the numerous shelves were full as well. It was one of those little hidden gems of a shop that you only find once or twice in a lifetime, full of rare or out of print books… and not the silly sci-fi crap from the 70's and 80's either. These were good, classic pieces of literature, and the store's owner went to great pains to bring in only the best he could find.

They did keep a stock of the more modern books as well, and they had a best sellers section, but Raven truly enjoyed the eclectic clientele they catered to mostly. People out looking for that one particular book that always seemed to elude them elsewhere. Collectors looking for a rare copy of an out-of-print. Batty old men who had nothing better to do than look through the stacks for something they hadn't seen in years.

As she mused about her workplace, Raven glanced at the clock on the wall, and started. It was almost 7:00, and her shift was over. Turning and poking her head into the small room behind the counter space, she spoke to the elderly black man sitting at a desk with a lamp focused on the book in front of him, "Mr. Henry? It's time to close up."

"Okay…" he was squinting at a book as he repaired it's binding, "Grab the keys and lock up for me, would you? Oh, and stop back here before you leave. I have something for you."

Raven nodded and took the keys from the peg they were on next to the opening that led out into the shop. She walked up front and flipped the sign on the door from 'Open' to 'Closed' and quickly locked the three locks on the door. Pulling the gates down over the windows and across the door, she locked those as well, then went back to the back room. Putting the keys back, she picked up her jacket and purse, and walked over to Mr. Henry.

He looked up at her as she came over and reached under his desk. A moment later, he pulled out a book and handed it to her. Raven read the title on the front and her breath caught in her throat. It was a copy of Non-Violent Resistance – Satyagraha by Mohandas K. Gandhi. Quickly flipping it open, she read the copyright date.

"It's an original…" she breathed, "Mr. Henry… where did you get this?"

"An old friend of mine was willing to part with it in exchange for my second publication run of Treasure Island." Mr. Henry shrugged, "It wasn't that big a deal."

"But…" Raven held it back out to him, "Sir, I can't except this! It's-"

"Raven…" he gently pushed the book back towards her, "You're the hardest working employee I've ever had. You can do more than smack your gum when I'm talking about books, and in the past two weeks, you've gotten very close to this old man's heart." Raven blinked at him, "Keep the book, girl."

"Sir, I-"

"Call me Bill, Raven."

She blushed lightly, then on impulse leaned forward and kissed the top of his head. He chuckled and patted her back, "Thank you very much, Bill."

He shooed her along towards the back door, "You head on home now to that young stud you're always talking about. Roy, right?"

"He's just my roommate." Raven blushed deeper than ever, and smiled lightly, "Thank you for the book."

"You mentioned you wanted one, and I happened to know where to find it. It's the least I can do for someone who's brought so much joy into an old man's life… ever since my wife died… well, you've heard the story."

"Keep your chin up, Bill." Raven smiled at him, "I'll be back tomorrow at 9:00."

"I'll see you then." Bill waved at her as she ducked out of the door, and shut it.

Standing in the ally behind the store, Raven looked down at the book clutched in her hands, and smiled broadly. Without a sound, she vanished into a blanket of shadows.

Roy looked over at the living room of the apartment he shared with Raven as she appeared in the form of a dark bird of prey, then lowered her arms to her sides. She had an older looking book in one hand and a wide smile on her face.

For his part, Roy was in the kitchen. A pot on the stove bubbled pleasantly, and a divine smell wafted throughout the apartment. Raven walked over, tossing her jacket on the back of the couch as she did, "What is that heavenly scent?" she asked.

"Gumbo." Roy replied with a grin, "New book?"

"It's a copy of one of Gandhi's works that I've been wanting an original of. Mr. Henry found one for me… and gave it to me as a present." She blushed.

"He really likes you." Roy smiled at her and checked on dinner again, "This'll be ready in just a few minutes."

"Excellent." Raven beamed and sat down at the table, "Did you have any trouble today?"

"A headache and some muscle cramping. Nothing too bad." Roy rolled his neck, "I think most of the toxins are finally getting out of my system now."

"You've recovered remarkably quickly." Raven noted, "I don't think it's all due to my helping with the empathic feedback either."

"Huh." Roy sipped from his gumbo pot, "Wow. That's good."

"Then let's eat." Raven grinned, "I'm starved."

Later that night, Raven was sitting on the couch, reading some of her favorite passages from the new book (she had a more modern copy of it back in Jump City) while Roy worked out. He was currently doing sit-ups, and counting quietly as he did.

"Two-hundred-twenty-nine, two-hundred-thirty, two-hundred-thirty-one, two-hundred-thirty-three…"

"Two." Raven said without looking up from her book.

Roy paused, "What?"

"You skipped two-hundred-thirty-two."

Roy looked at her for a moment, then flopped back down, "Crap. Wonder how many other numbers I missed…"

"You mostly skip the fours." Raven's mouth curled into a grin.

"And you felt like pointing this one out, why?"

"You were only supposed to do two-hundred anyway."

Roy sighed, "You're a brat."

"And you're all sweaty and stinky. Go shower before bed."

"Sheesh. Yes mother."

"Don't make me force you, Roy."

"Hey, I'm getting back into pretty good shape. I doubt you could if you didn't use your powers."

"Why would I not use my powers?" Raven put her book aside and let her eyes glow white at him.

"Well, if you wanted to play fair…"

Without warning, Raven pounced on him. The two of them laughed as they struggled on the floor for a moment, and it looked like Raven was about to get the upper hand and pin him. Suddenly though, Roy gave a huge burst of strength and literally lifted her off the ground. She screamed a little and giggled as he stood up, her squirming body slung over his shoulder.

"Roy! Put me down!"

"So you think I need a shower, huh?" he started walking to the bathroom.

"Oh no you don't! Don't even think about it!"
"You aren't using your powers, remember?"

"I'll turn you inside out if you… Roy!" With her still slung over his shoulder, he kicked on the facet, then flipped the switch to the shower setting with the same foot. Since she was squirming so much, he figured it wouldn't be safe for him to toss her, so he simply stepped under the spray himself, electing a small scream from her as they both got soaked. He set her down and grinned.

For the second time in a month, Raven glared up at Roy with angry violet eyes, and a soaked through white shirt. He looked down at her and smiled wider, "Nice…"

Raven was suddenly very aware of how close they stood together, under the hot spray. She was also aware that he was wearing just a pair of shorts and his boxers, and her soaked white shirt and lack of bra was leaving nothing to his already vivid imagination.

Two weeks earlier came rushing back to her, and she reached up and pulled his face down to hers, kissing him. Roy kissed back eagerly, and his hands tugged at her shirt.

Raven helped him pull it off of her.

Twenty minutes later, she was pressed back against the side of the shower, moaning and gasping as he moved against her. One of her bare legs was wrapped up around his waist, and he held her hips tightly as his mouth rained kisses down on her almost as rapidly as the shower spray.

Steam clouded the air around them, and he gasped loudly as she pushed her hips out against him. "Rae…" he muttered, "We have to stop… I'm not wearing a condom…"

"There's some in the bedroom… top drawer of the dresser…" she replied.

Roy slowed and pulled away from her after a moment. He kissed her and smiled, "Why?"

"Just in case." She smiled back.

Roy shut the water off and grabbed towels for them. After they had dried off a little, they moved to the bedroom, found the condoms, and put them to good use.

Roy woke a little past 10:00 the next morning, and found himself naked and alone in bed. Sitting up, he saw a note on the pillow Raven had used the night before. Flipping it open, he read it quickly and grinned. It told him she would be home from work by 6:00, and it was signed 'Missing you already, Raven.'

Getting up out of bed, Roy went about his morning routine. He conditioned for a little while, doing push-ups and sit-ups again, then he showered and made himself a light breakfast. After he cleaned up, he checked the refrigerator and cupboards to see what kind of food they had.

"Hmm." He frowned, "I'll have to go shopping."

The open-air market down the street from their apartment was Roy's favorite to find fresh vegetables at. As he was planning a broccoli casserole, he needed plenty of fresh vegetables.

As he was inspecting a clump of mushrooms, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning and looking, he blinked at the face of a man he'd never planned on seeing again. "Hey Barry. What brings you to the market today?"

Barry grinned his yellow toothed, slightly manic grin. Roy knew him to be a small time dealer on the west end of town, who he'd gone to once or twice when he was in the area. The man had a reputation as using more of his stock then he sold, and his emaciated frame spoke loudly of that.

"I'm just out looking for some food. What about you? Bad ass Roy Harper making a special meal tonight?"

"Actually, yes. My girlfriend and I are celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" Barry plucked a few grapes off of bunch nearby and popped them into his mouth.

Roy frowned at him, "Celebrating me kicking my heroin habit."

Barry spluttered out his grapes and gawked at Roy, "No way! You quit? Man, quitters are like… like…"

"Smart?" Roy supplied.

"Naw, man! Come on, dude, you can do better than to go all straight and squeaky clean on me!"

"Barry…"

"Dude, seriously! Look, come with me right on over there. I've got some on me, and we can shoot up together. You look like you could use it."

Roy looked down at himself. His muscle tone was starting to fill out again, and his skin looked brighter and healthier than it had in months. Maybe Barry was just so far gone that he though people were all supposed to look like he did.

"I don't think so, Barry…"

"Aw, come on!" Barry winked at him, "On the house, kid!"

Roy grew suddenly angry. He put down the clump of mushrooms he was looking at and nodded in a grim manner, "Fine. Let's go."

"Sweet!" Barry trotted on ahead of him, and Roy followed. The two of them disappeared into the ally across the street for several minutes before there was the sound of something hard and metallic slamming into something soft and made of bone.

Roy walked out of the ally and to the nearest pay phone. Picking up the receiver, he dialed three numbers and listened for a moment. After the operator came on, he grinned, "There's a heroin dealer knocked out in the ally next to the Banes Street Market. He's been tied up with some twine and he's waiting for pick up." He listened for a moment, then grinned wider, "Sure thing. My name is Speedy. I'm a Teen Titan." And he hung up the phone.

Whistling a merry tune, he walked back to the market.

Raven arrived home promptly at 6:04, and was greeted once again by a wonderful smell coming from the kitchen. "Where did you learn to cook like this?" she asked as she walked in.

Roy stepped away from where he was preparing a salad and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. Raven was stiff at first, then remembered that she was in love with Roy, and kissed him back. When he let her go, she smiled at him, "I could get used to that."

"Good. I want you to."

Raven's smile faltered, "You know… we'll have to go back soon…"

"I'll move out to Jump if that's what you want."

"That's not it… Roy… we wont be able to live like this…"

"Why don't we quit then? We could live normal lives… I have a job working for Queen Industries whenever I want it, and I'm sure Dick would be willing to get you a good one too, if you wanted…"

"That's not what we're meant for, Roy." Raven shook her head.

Roy smiled in a sad kind of way and nodded, "I know. We're heroes, after all."

Raven got a strange feeling from him and touched his face, "Is everything okay? Did something happen today?"

Roy paused, then shook his head with a smile, "No… nothing happened. I'm fine, Raven."

The next afternoon found Raven on her back in bed, gasping and staring up at her own pointed toes with wide eyes. Roy moved on top of her with wild abandon, pounding her as hard as he could while holding her tightly against his body.

Since Raven had the day off, they had spent it like some young couples spend their days together.

Having lots and lots of sex.

As they finished and Roy rolled off of her, Raven steadied her breathing. Turning her sweat soaked head towards him, she smiled, "I never would have thought… that'd I'd be so horny all the time."

"Heh." was all Roy could manage.

"And I'm a freak…" Raven laughed a little, "I never thought I'd be into the kinky shit either."

As Roy gained his own breath back, he rolled up on one elbow and grinned down at her, "You do seem to like it when I'm fucking you as hard as I can."

"I like everything you do to me."
"Ditto. Where'd you learn to give such great blow jobs?"

"Beast Boy's porn collection. You'd be surprised how educational it proved to be for Starfire."

"You taught Star about sex using porn?"

"Hey, she asked for visual examples."

"If she and Dick ever start going at it, he's going to be in for one hell of a surprise."

"I took that into consideration too. It'll make up for all the birthdays I haven't gotten him any presents."

Roy just laughed at that and settled back on the bed.

Later, the two of them were dressed in lay-about clothes and watching TV together. They were cuddled up on the couch, each with their own pint of ice cream. Occasionally, Raven would steal some of Roy's and he would pinch her bottom for it.

As they watched, the movie that was one cut out and a special news report came up. Both of them sat up suddenly as they saw what was happening.

The report was blathering about something or another as the camera pointed over his shoulder and focused on Aqualad as he was tossed away from a huge man in tattered clothes. The monstrous man had gray skin and white hair and raged as Bumble Bee swooped down and shot him with her stingers.

"Solomon Grundy born on a Monday!" the man shouted over the TV.

The reporter sounded frantic, "We were just down here to cover a story about gas prices, folks, but then this… and the Titans are getting beaten back by Solomon Grundy! They do seem to be short a member or two, but… look out!"

Grundy tossed a car wildly and bellowed at the sky. The flying vehicle flew right at the camera and everything cut to static for a moment before the newsroom came up and a pale looking female anchor stuttered out nervously, "The police are encouraging everyone in the vicinity of the attack to keep clear of the fight and let the Titans handle the situation…"

Roy and Raven were already on their feet. Raven started for the bedroom where she had one of her uniforms in the closet, just in case, and Roy was quickly on her heals.

"Where do you think you're going?" Raven demanded.

"I'm doing fine, Rae. My team needs me."

"You're not a hundred percent yet, Roy, and you'll get hurt if you try to-"

"This isn't open for discussion." Roy cut her off in a heated tone. He grabbed Raven about the waist and pulled her to him. She let out a little noise of shock as he kissed her hard, then let her go, "I love you, Raven, but I'm not going to sit back and watch my friends get hurt because you think I'm not ready."

Raven looked up at him with wide eyes, "You… love me?"

"Of course I do!" Roy almost laughed, "How could I not love someone so caring and kind and beautiful! Raven…"

"I love you too." She said and winced. After a moment, she opened one eye, then the other and sighed, "Good. Nothing blew up."

"Uh…" he took a step back, "Is that normally a problem?"

"Not so much any more, but it used to be." Raven walked to the closet, stripping off her shirt as she did, "Give me a second to change, then I'll take you to the Tower to gear up."

Roy smiled in a relived sort of way, "Thanks, Raven."

"Anything for the man I love." Raven told him, and winked as she stripped off her shorts and grabbed the leotard out of the closet.