Published: January 17, 2021
A/N: I foolishly thought that I'd be able to complete this story by the end of 2020. Ha! Oh well, an update is better late than never, right? Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy the penultimate chapter, it's another 10k-word doozy.
Special thanks to ElsaTheCow for beta-reading this chapter. Elsa, you're an absolute gem!
Track 29: Just Business
Saying goodbye is an inevitable part of life, for nothing lasts forever. It can be a mundane affair, spoken by family members before parting ways in the morning or between colleagues at the end of a workday. On more solemn occasions it's unforgettably heavy, like the final words as a loved one passes away. Without a doubt, the best kinds of goodbyes are merely "see-you-laters" or "until-next-times". Though bittersweet, those instances are filled with the hope of reuniting in the future.
The Titans and Bees stood in the Chicago International Airport in a huddle, exchanging hugs and kisses as they bid each other farewell. Hanging back on the fringes, Raven let her attention wander amongst the small crowd. Kory received a pair of kisses on either cheek from the Peréz twins, while Richard and Roy bumped fists amicably. The four roadies traded contact information with Garth, promising to update each other as soon as they arrived at their respective destinations. Next to them, Karen reminded Victor to send her a wedding invite. Raven felt a tap on her shoulder, making her jump with a start. She turned to see Wally beckon at her with outstretched arms.
"For old time's sake?"
The Titans' manager nodded in response and let herself be cajoled into his friendly embrace. When the pair of old classmates broke apart, she said, "Take care of yourself, Wally. We'll be in touch."
"If ever you find yourself in Steel City, don't be a stranger."
"Sure, although I'll probably have to book an appointment with your secretary first. It's always been a pain to get a hold of you, you know. Like trying to catch a cloud and pin it down."
"I wasn't talking about business," he answered with a grin, "in fact, I was hoping to see you on a more social level. We could go out for coffee, or maybe even-"
Raven knew exactly where the conversation was heading. Before he could say anything else, she blurted out, "-Sorry, but I'm not really... available for that kind of thing at the moment. It's nothing personal."
"Ah, I had a feeling you'd say that. At least you let me down easy..."
Raven saw Wally's face flush with embarrassment before shifting away her gaze. Her eyes unconsciously flicked to Garfield, who had positioned himself to occupy center stage within the group. The man spoke animatedly with Richard and Roy, barging into their conversation by slinging an arm around each of their shoulders. Raven secretly marvelled at his boundless stamina and cheerful disposition. At their concert the night prior, the Titans performed an extended encore followed by nearly two hours of signing autographs and talking to fans. How did Garfield still have so much energy? Perhaps the guitarist was lucky enough to get a good night's sleep, unlike her, whose mind had been far too occupied to shut off.
She had been thoroughly and utterly shocked when he confronted her just before the show. After three days of tiptoeing around each other, she never expected him to keep fighting for a shot at being together. His mind seemed to be made up, but her own thoughts and feelings were a tangled mess. Twelve hours into the present, she still hadn't given him an answer. How could she? He was asking her to put Nevermore Records on the line, the one thing in life that she could actually claim as hers. Raven would be damned if she were to compromise herself for a man.
"Being independent is not the same thing as being alone." Garfield's statement burrowed itself into her brain, causing her to toss and turn in bed all night. Though Raven didn't want to be alone forever, she liked being single. She enjoyed the freedom of standing on her own two feet and making her own decisions. That was the real dilemma: true independence could never exist in a relationship. Her actions and choices wouldn't just affect her, but Garfield as well. Being his partner meant that she was accountable to him, that she was one half of a whole. On the flipside, it was also an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than herself. She would no longer be just a manager or a boss, but a teammate. An ally. A partner-in-crime. She could belong to someone and have them belong to her. Somehow, that was the most terrifying prospect of all.
The first time Raven seriously dated someone, she foolishly let herself disappear into the relationship. She gave and gave, only to receive gaslighting and manipulation in return. Her self-worth and value were putty in his hands, everything was about his wants, his "needs". She was an accessory to wear, a plaything with which to be toyed. There was no way in hell that she would put herself in that kind of situation again. Experience is often said to be the best teacher, so what had she learned? Keep others at an arm's length. Trust no one but yourself. Don't let your emotions control you. If she followed those simple rules, she wouldn't get hurt. So why didn't the rules apply when it came to Garfield? The stranger-turned-client had broken down her barriers to become her closest companion, her best friend. He earned her trust through hard work and consistent effort. He made her feel a multitude of emotions: awe at his talent, pride at his success, second-hand embarrassment at his humour. Joy with his presence and longing with his absence. If she gave up Nevermore Records in order to be with him, what would she be left with if they broke up? Would the experience be worth the cost? He was willing to sacrifice his career for her, so why couldn't she do the same?
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
I hate to go / And leave this pretty sight
The sound of music brought Raven back to the present. She could see Garfield's face light up with glee as he and the rest of the gang broke out into song. Richard and Kory joined in with harmonized voices while Victor played a drumbeat on their suitcases. The travellers walking past turned their heads with smiles, while those waiting on benches pulled out cellphones to record the impromptu performance. Seemingly grateful for a change of topic, Wally followed Raven's line of sight and remarked with a chuckle, "Always the attention-seekers, aren't they? Why do showpeople have to flaunt it all the time?"
"So people like you and I can make a profit," she answered dryly.
"It really has been a pleasure working with you guys these past couple of weeks. The Graysons are lovely, Vic is steady as a rock. And that Gar of yours! Pure, raw talent. If only I had discovered them first," he sighed.
"Trying to poach my band?" asked Raven, her brow now raised in amusement. "Careful, Wally. If the music industry is a dog-eat-dog world, you don't want to mess with this bitch."
He gasped, "Did the ice queen just make a joke?! Who are you, and what have you done with Raven Roth?" The redhead's incredulous expression was met with an unimpressed scowl. "Really though, you've changed," Wally continued in a much more serious tone, "you're a lot more laid-back compared to our college days."
"I suppose it's a part of growing up. Besides, business school wasn't exactly the warmest environment."
"It was super competitive, wasn't it? People still made friends, but not you. I guess none of us were good enough, hmm?"
His tone was light, but the comment still rubbed her the wrong way. Raven contradicted, "That's not true, I just didn't like all of those networking events. They seemed so opportunistic and fake. Being a lone wolf suited me just fine."
"Well, you've certainly got yourself a pack now." The man raised his hand to gesture at the Titans, who were in the midst of dancing a little jig as they sang the classic tune. They had such joyous looks on their faces that their manager couldn't help but smile while watching them from afar. Raven stole another glance at Garfield as he erupted into the final refrain. His voice rose in a crescendo above the others as he hit high note after high note. The group's collective rowdiness started creating a scene as passersby began to recognize them as celebrities. Painfully aware that she was raining on their parade, Raven hushed them all with a disapproving shake of her head. The Bees' gate was in a different terminal and their flight back to Steel City was boarding soon.
"Safe travels, friends!" Kory hollered after them for the last time.
"Let's get going," Raven said to the rest of the team, "Our flight isn't for a couple of hours, but that's no reason to dilly dally."
With carry-on suitcases rolling behind them, the Titans and their entourage made their way to the business lounge. Once their luggage was deposited, the roadies went off to explore the rest of the airport, leaving the four band members and Raven behind. She claimed a table in the corner of the room while the others went to order drinks at the coffee bar. The manager noticed that besides herself and Kory, only one other female was present in the half-empty lounge. A woman with icy blonde hair sat in the opposite section of the room, reading a National Geographic. At the same time, an older man approached her and attempted to make small talk. It seemed like he was asking for her phone number. Based on his embarrassed frown, his efforts were unsuccessful. Raven was intrigued and would have continued her observations if not for the fragrant wisp of steam that hit her nose.
"For you."
Somewhat surprised, she took hold of the cup that Garfield offered to her. They hadn't spoken at all since he put the ball in her court. She didn't think it was fair to start a conversation with him, considering the fact that their previous one was still unresolved. Tapping the side of the cup with his forefinger, Garfield gave her an apologetic look and said, "They ran out of green tea, so I got you oolong instead. Is that okay?"
"I could have ordered this myself."
"I was already there, it's no biggie."
"I'm very particular about my tea, though. Is there-"
"-Honey? Half a teaspoon, stirred three times. Just the way you like it."
Impressed, Raven nodded in response and blew gently on the hot liquid as he claimed the seat next to her. Kory and Victor were still in line at the bar while Dick perused a stack of newspapers near the front door. Garfield subtly pointed a thumb in the other woman's direction and whispered, "That guy is being a creep. Do you think I should go over and step in?"
"I don't think she needs any rescuing. Look."
With her eyes still fixed on the magazine, the blonde raised a middle finger in the man's face, causing him to back away sheepishly. Raven smirked, then remarked with a low voice dripping with sarcasm, "Crisis averted."
"Sorry. I know you hate it when I try to play the White Knight," muttered Garfield.
"You're just trying to be a nice guy," she answered in a more sincere tone. "The real issue is when you act before you think."
"I always run my mouth too soon, don't I? And now that you mention it, I should apologize."
"For what?"
"After the concert, I realized that it wasn't cool for me to put you on the spot like that. I'm sorry for pressuring you, that wasn't my intention."
Well that was unexpected. Why was Garfield apologizing to her when she was the one who left him hanging? If anything, he had every right to give her the cold shoulder. Then again, it was typical of him to take the high road. He wasn't just a "nice guy", he was kind and good. Unsure of how to respond, Raven looked down at the drink that was nestled between her palms. The golden liquid stared back at her, urging her to say something. Coming up empty, she looked back at Garfield and was met with his warm gaze. He gave her an almost imperceptible wink, as if he was trying to say that it was alright for her to take her time. Breaking the silence, he tapped her cup once more and asked, "Are you going to drink that, or what?"
"Nag, much?"
"If you wait any longer, it'll get cold."
After giving him a sideways glance, Raven took a sip and found that it was the perfect temperature. It was amazing what a well-brewed cup of tea could do for the soul. A sense of calm covered her like a blanket, making her feel safe. Secure. Loved. A burst of clarity took over her senses, making her realize just how short-sighted she had been. The man beside her wasn't Mal. Garfield never belittled or tried to control her. He admitted his mistakes when he was wrong. He paid attention to the small details and went all out with grand gestures. He gave her space when she needed it, but also called her out on her bullshit. He respected her strength and cared for her when she was weak. And despite his joking, he never treated her like a sidekick, but as an equal. How could she possibly lose herself in a person who accepted her for who she was and challenged her to be better?
If experience was supposed to be the best teacher, Raven should have known by now that there was nothing wrong with relying on others, as long as there was reciprocity. Give and take, push and pull. All of the "exchanges" she made over the past year came to the forefront of her consciousness. On top of managing their music careers, Raven had evolved into a listening ear and a shoulder on which to cry for the Titans. In return, Kory showered her with gifts and sisterly camaraderie. Victor shared delicious meals and deep conversations. Richard learned to trust her judgement calls and support her without question. As for Garfield, the amount of evidence for his love was too much to quantify. None of it was transactional or out of obligation; it wasn't "just business" anymore. They depended on her just as much as she depended on them. And if Raven couldn't depend on her family, what was the point of having one in the first place?
The manager set down her cup onto the coffee table, then turned to face Garfield head on. Taking a deep, settling breath, she said, "I've made my decision."
"Are you sure? Because you don't have to push yourself to answer if you're not rea-"
"-You were right all along," she interrupted. "I was scared, but I'm not anymore. I have no idea how we'll get through this, but I am 100 percent positive that I want to be with you. So let's tell them everything. If we can't figure out a way out of this mess as a team, we'll find another solution together as a couple."
Like sunbeams breaking through a cloudy sky, Garfield's entire face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Good. This is exactly what I was hoping for," he whispered, his mouth still stretched in a wide grin. "I'm so happy I could kiss you right now."
Past Garfield's shoulder, Raven could see that Dick, Kory and Victor were making their way across the lounge with drinks and reading materials in hand. "Hold that thought. The others are coming back," she whispered.
"Right. I guess we gotta tell them first before we go ham on the PDA, right?" joked Garfield.
Raven gave him a harmless glare, saying, "We're not 'going ham' on anything. But you're right, let's tell them now."
"Now?!" he exclaimed, his eyes bugging out of their sockets.
"No time like the present," she murmured, then added more loudly as the trio took their places at the table, "Titans, we need to talk."
Next to her, Garfield squirmed in his seat like a toddler in need of a potty break. Richard gave them both a quizzical look while Kory and Victor leaned forward in interest.
"Is everything alright?" the band leader asked.
"I have good news and bad news. In fact, we have good news."
Raven paused to grasp Garfield's fidgety hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Returning the gesture with a squeeze of his own, he announced, "We're dating."
Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, for nothing is guaranteed. When reality doesn't reflect one's expectations, it can be a hard pill to swallow. It could be triggered by something as simple as a bad grade on a test or a loss in a sports match. On a more intimate level, a person could let you down, like a close friend not showing up when you need them most. Gar didn't know what kind of reaction he was expecting from his inner circle, but it certainly wasn't this. He figured that Victor wouldn't say much, since the guy already had the basic gist of their situation. Gar's expectations were slightly higher for Dick, from whom he hoped to receive a jaw drop or at the very least, a dramatic gasp of surprise. The most disappointing response of all was Kory's. Instead of jumping up for joy and picking them up in a celebratory hug, the woman only nodded calmly in her seat. Thinking that they hadn't heard what he said, the green-haired man repeated himself. "We're dating. As in 'Raven and Gar, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G?'"
Raven untangled her fingers from his to give him a light smack on the arm. "I think they get it, doofus."
Kory responded first, "I am confused. I thought you had news, not olds."
"Y-you mean you already knew?" sputtered Gar.
His longtime bestie and roommate answered next, "If you looked up the word 'obvious' in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of you two right next to it."
"Real mature, Vic," the guitarist replied, sticking out his tongue while crossing his arms.
"Says the one talking about kissing in a tree, asshat."
Before Gar and Victor started a full-blown bickering match, their lead vocalist interrupted, "Time to pay up, suckers." While the drummer and bassist took out twenties from their wallets, the newly announced couple gaped in disbelief. "We had an ongoing bet to see how long it would take for you guys to finally get together," Dick explained. "Vic thought you would only make things official after the tour was over, whereas Kory was convinced you were going to hook up at Christmas."
"How long have you known?" Raven asked.
"I witnessed the two of you kissing at the hotel in Las Vegas. I must say, I felt like such a voyeur," Kory giggled, then continued in a flawless Parisian accent, "De plus, vous n'êtes pas les seuls qui ont maîtrisé la langue française."
/On top of that, you're not the only ones who are fluent in French./
The redhead gave Raven a triumphant grin, which was returned with a blank stare of shock.
"When exactly were you planning on telling us?" interjected Gar.
"We could ask you the same question," Dick countered immediately.
Raven shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "There were extenuating circumstances. We only really made the decision just now."
"Well I for one, am relieved that the cat is finally out of the bag," declared Victor. "Now we can all stop pretending like you two haven't been bumping uglies right under our very noses."
"Dude!" Gar exclaimed, shooting daggers in his friend's direction while Raven smacked her forehead in a facepalm.
"Chill, I'm just messing around. Seriously though, why did you guys feel like you needed to hide it from us?" Victor paused to give Raven a teasing look. "You thought we wouldn't approve or something?"
Gar opened his mouth to respond, but then, he realized that he didn't know the answer. Why did they keep it a secret in the first place? He thought back to when it all began, and their establishment of ground rules shortly thereafter. He knew that Raven had her reservations about the rest of the world finding out, but why did she doubt the Titans' support? Before he could continue his train of thought, she spoke out hesitantly, "I didn't want to be a distraction. I was worried that I would get in the way."
This time, Gar reacted immediately, crying out with indignation, "How could you possibly get in the way?!"
"The four of you have been friends for such a long time! I didn't want to overstep my bounds as an outsider. What if I ruin the band's dynamic and cause problems, like Yoko and the Beatles?"
"You're not an outsider anymore," said Dick, "and if we're the Beatles, then you're our Brian Epstein."
"He's right, we owe all of our success to you. You're one of the best things that's ever happened to us!" declared Victor.
Kory chimed in last, "And the two of you being together is the most wondrous thing of all."
"Not everyone thinks so. There's bad news too, remember?" the manager answered with a small frown.
The band members sat in rapt attention as Raven explained everything that happened with Slade. Gar let her do the talking; it was already exhausting enough to have to sit through it all a second time. She started with her history of working at Wilson Entertainment, followed by their recent encounter in Dallas. When she got to the part about his threats to destroy the Titans' public image if she didn't sell her company, Gar took her hand again and held it tightly. He had promised her in the past that he'd control his violent tendencies, but if he ever came across Slade Wilson in person again, he would happily break that promise to punch the bastard in the face. A few seconds after Raven finished her re-cap of the situation, Victor sighed heavily and murmured, "Shit."
"'Shit' is right," replied Gar, "we're in it deep. We thought up a million solutions, but all of them suck."
"What about reporting him to the authorities, for starters?" asked Dick.
It was no surprise that the former paralegal would think of turning to the justice system. As soon as Dick said it, Gar realized how obvious his suggestion was. The guitarist blinked twice, then breathed an eloquent, "Uhhh..."
"I know Gar only has one brain cell, but really, Raven?" the band leader exclaimed. " I would think that between the two of you, at least you would have the sense of going to the police!"
Raven answered defensively, "What good would that do? Wilson has half the North American market in his pocket! He's-"
"-Not above the law. No one is."
"Tell that to every rich, powerful, white man in history," she argued back.
"Preach it, sis," added Victor.
"What Wilson is doing is straight up extortion," Dick said in a tone reserved for his "lawyer" mode. "Depending on how far he went, he could get a life sentence. Don't you see? If you stay silent, you're letting the bad guys win!"
"So what are we supposed to do? Call 911 and hope for the best?" questioned Raven hotly.
"Obviously, you need evidence first. Blackmail cases can be tricky, so a confession would be ideal."
"What if Raven set up another meeting and we recorded him?" Victor proposed. "I could easily re-jig a lapel mic and hide the receiver under her clothes."
"That is entrapment. Illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible to the court," Kory recited, to everyone but her husband's surprise.
"She's right, that kind of plan won't work," confirmed Dick, giving her a proud smile before turning to Raven. "When you met with him at the hotel, did threaten you with physical violence?"
"No, but he did grab my arm pretty forcefully..."
Gar's ears perked up at this new development. Raven hadn't mentioned that Slade had laid a hand on her. Once more, he felt a fierce protectiveness rise in his chest. That asshole would get what was coming to him, one way or another. He wanted to scold Raven for not telling him sooner, but he was overruled by Dick's questioning.
"Enough to leave a bruise?"
With obvious trepidation, Raven rolled up her sleeve to reveal a deeply bruised wrist. At the sight of her blue-green skin, Gar was officially ready to lose it. He moved to stand up so that he could let out some of his frustration, but was held back in his chair by Victor's firm grip. In the meantime, Kory snapped pictures of Raven's wrist on her phone while Dick moved on with his inquisition.
"In that case, the hotel security footage would be useful. We'd need an official warrant, which might take a while since it would be considered an interstate case," he muttered, his eyes darting back and forth with laser focus. "What about the photos of you, Gar and Tara?"
Raven answered with a shake of her head, "Wilson kept them. If I had better foresight, I would have demanded copies."
"That's too bad, they would have been prime evidence. We still need something more solid... Do you have the contracts?"
"Yes, but there's nothing in there that's inherently incriminating."
The five of them sighed in unison as a defeated air took over the group. Gar was particularly discouraged, as it was becoming more and more clear that he would have to follow through with his pledge from the night before. Quitting the Titans was the absolute last resort, one that he had yet to announce to the rest of the team. He had meant it wholeheartedly, but that didn't make the idea any easier to accept. Gar looked to his team leader and asked, "How likely is it that Wilson would be found guilty?"
"It all depends on the evidence, since there were no witnesses," replied Dick. "Realistically, even the photos may not be enough. If we somehow built a case against him, there's a good chance he'll pay his way out of it. And getting into a legal battle will cost money, a lot of it."
At the mention of money, Gar silently wished that he wasn't so broke. If his relationship with his foster father was a little bit better, maybe Steve would be willing to lend him some cash... What if he sold his guitar? His vintage Stratocaster was his most prized possession, but if he found the right buyer, he could get several thousand dollars for it. Gar's plans were interrupted when the woman next to him spoke out in an even, adamant tone.
"I'm willing to pay the price. Even if it takes everything I have, it's worth it," Raven declared, causing Gar to sit up in surprise. "Wilson needs to be taken down a notch or two, and I refuse to let him use your careers as collateral. My company will lose financial stability, so as your manager, I advise you to leave Nevermore Records and sign to another label."
When the four band members began to protest, she ignored them with a dismissive wave and bent down to rummage through her purse. After withdrawing her tablet and scrolling through her documents, she turned it around to show them the electronic copy of their recording contract. At the bottom of the screen, Gar could see his messy signature with the date written on the line below. It was hard to wrap his mind around the fact that this whole adventure had begun less than a year ago. He remembered that day vividly; he had felt it in his bones that his life was about to change forever. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that the future would unfold like this. Raven flicked to the beginning of the contract and pointed out a line in the second paragraph.
"You only signed on for one album, remember? As soon as the tour is over, you owe me nothing. You can go freely in good conscience."
"But where would we go?" Kory asked in a small voice.
"Wally is doing great things with Flash Music Group and he's already expressed interest in you as a band. If you don't want to relocate to Steel City, I'm sure we can find another independent label on the West Coast."
The drummer spoke next, "But what do you want, Raven?"
A sad smile took over her face at Victor's question. All Gar could do was watch the conversation unfold from the sidelines. He felt helpless, dispirited, and for some reason, happy? Why was he so happy? Was it because Raven just proved that she was willing to do whatever it took to protect the band? Was it because she stayed true to her word and continued fighting for their relationship? A surge of love and gratitude rose up within him, overcoming all of the anxiety and negative energy that had built up to this moment. Forgetting that there was anyone but them in the room, Gar brought Raven's hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. Her smile turned into one of genuine contentment as they came to a silent understanding. Whatever happened next, come what may, they would face it together.
"I want what's best for you," answered Raven after turning back to their three friends. "Selfishly? I want you to stay with Nevermore. I've always been on my own, I never relied on anyone other than myself. But ever since we met, I've been the happiest I've ever been in my entire life."
"Then it's decided," Dick replied, his jaw set in determination. "We're not going anywhere."
A voice on the P.A. system sounded out, prompting everyone in the room to tilt their heads upward to hear the announcement.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen: Flight 217 to Seattle will begin boarding very shortly. Please proceed to Gate A54 immediately. Thank you."
A young woman took her time in rising from her seat, letting the other travellers exit the lounge first. As she bent down to stretch her limbs, she made sure to keep her face concealed with her long platinum hair. After all, the whole point of tailing the Titans was to remain discreet. She waited a full minute to grab her camera bag off of the floor, then tucked the National Geographic under her arm before striding out of the room. Though she had lost sight of her targets, she wasn't worried. There was no rush to catch up since they were getting on the same flight anyway. It took her ten minutes to walk to the gate, another five to board the plane. As the cabin staff began to prepare for takeoff, she pondered upon how much she disliked travelling. She didn't mind being away from home, if one could even call her bare bones apartment a "home". She wasn't scared of flying either. Really, it was all of the waiting around that really irked her. There was so much wasted time just standing in lines and sitting on her ass, not doing anything useful. Then again, Rose Wilson could hardly claim that anything about her current career was "useful".
Travelling was supposed to be one of the perks of the job, but she wouldn't allow herself to enjoy it. She didn't deserve it. In her mind, "paparazza" was synonymous to "parasite". She was a leech of celebrity culture and that simple truth disgusted her. What bothered her the most was that her livelihood was entirely dependent on other people. She quite literally lurked around tip-off sites, waiting for a famous person to do something stupid so she could monetize their mistakes. Additionally, being on-call for her father meant that she had to follow his directions at the drop of a hat. It didn't matter if she hadn't eaten in hours or slept in days. If he said "Jump", she said "How high? How many times? Do you want fries with that?"
Presently, the photographer-for-hire was about a week into following the Titans along their tour route. It wasn't her longest job by any means, but it was turning out to be one of the most tedious. When Slade first ordered her to track the manager and guitarist, she didn't bother asking any questions. Several rolls of film later, she found that there was nothing particularly scandalous about them. They didn't do hard drugs or go for drunken joy rides. For a pair that was supposed to have a romantic relationship, all of the interactions she had captured were relatively tame. It took one day for her to grow bored, two more for the ennui to morph into frustration. After three days of following their banal lives, Rose began to ask herself, "What's the fucking point?" It was only natural that the more she watched them, the more her curiosity built. What was so special about them? Why did her father want to take them down so badly? She knew they were becoming increasingly popular, but why was that such a threat? Upon further digging, she discovered that the woman used to work for Wilson Entertainment. Rose felt a twinge of jealousy. Was this all just a roundabout way for dear old dad to reclaim his precious ingenue? If that were the case, why was the musician involved?
The pair was definitely an odd couple. He was hyper and outgoing, she was subdued and reserved. Bright versus dark, warm versus cold. Did opposites really attract? Rose could respect the woman for being a self-made entrepreneur, but the guy was basically a manchild with a guitar. How the hell did they connect on an intellectual level? They were both attractive, but that didn't mean much in the world of entertainment. If they were in it for the superficial, it wouldn't take long before the musician found a younger, hotter replacement. However, Rose had witnessed him back away from the advances of Terra, arguably the most desirable pop star on the market. It didn't take a telephoto lens to see that he was smitten with his boss. They seemed to really like each other, maybe even love each other.
And what did Rose know about love? She didn't have the time for sappy shit like that, but that didn't mean she wasn't intrigued. After a childhood of being virtually ignored by her father, it was no surprise that her daddy issues had developed into a distrust of men. It wasn't just men; it was mankind in general. She learned from an early age that people were always out to get something. It was either use or be used, take or be taken from. Slade himself certainly had no problem taking from her, but it was never enough. Their relationship was closer to that of a junkie and dealer rather than a daughter and father. The doses were few and far between, yet she found herself addicted to his approval. Regardless of their toxic dynamic and her own dreams of a more fulfilling lifestyle, Rose had no other options.
Shaking herself from her moody thoughts, she regained focus and kept a watchful eye on her prey. They sat in the row in front of hers, across the aisle. The diagonal angle gave her a minimally obstructed view of their backs. While she wouldn't be able to take any photos during the flight, the photographer continued observing them out of habit. The man held an e-reader in one hand, his other arm draped around the woman beside him. As for his seatmate, she played on a handheld video game console. An hour into the trip, their heads rested against one another as they cuddled. Interesting; the couple had become bolder in their displays of affection. Rose had to begrudgingly admit that it was a sweet image. The plane hit turbulence a few times, but their sleeping forms were unaffected. She was relieved, for if they had woken up, they might have caught her staring with envy in her eyes.
All of a sudden, it occurred to Rose that she was a part of ruining their picture perfect relationship. The manager wasn't a greedy tyrant, the guitarist wasn't a scumbag celebrity. They were decent people trying to live their lives in peace. The only "wrong" they had committed was going against her father, and even then, Rose knew that was Slade's fault more than anyone else's. When had she become so jaded? When did she become numb to the pain she was causing other people? It was easy to brush it off as a simple job or task, but it wasn't "just business", not anymore. Her conscience ate at her for the remainder of the flight, poking and prodding with questions:
"Why do you let him boss you around?"
"When will it end?"
"What's the fucking point?"
The feelings of disquiet and restlessness lingered until the plane landed in Seattle. While waiting for her belongings at the luggage carousel, Rose tapped her feet impatiently and bit at her fingernails. She could hardly wait until this stupid gig was over. Once the Titans were back in their hometown, the chase would come to an end. Then, she wouldn't have to deal with the constant attacks from the still, small voice in her mind. Completely lost in her thoughts, she didn't even notice that she picked up the wrong suitcase until she felt a gentle touch on her elbow.
"I think that belongs to me."
Rose whipped around to find herself face to face with the woman she had been tailing for the past week. The dark-haired woman was much shorter than her, though their resting bitch-faces were very much alike. She held a black bag that was virtually identical to Rose's, save for the luggage tags. Totally flustered, the photographer stammered out, "O-oh, I didn't realize..."
"That's alright, it was an honest mistake." As they traded bags, Rose could see a flicker of recognition pass over the other woman's face. "You're a photographer, aren't you?" she asked, pointing at the camera bag that hung around Rose's shoulder. "Do you have experience working with celebrities?"
"A little."
"Let me introduce myself; Raven Roth."
"Rose."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rose." Raven extended her arm in order to shake hands. Her grip was firm and her gaze was piercing. There was something quiet yet intimidating about her demeanour that made Rose uneasy. It was as if those deep blue eyes could see into the depths of her soul, uncovering every secret and insecurity that she tried to hide from the outside world. "I'll cut straight to the chase," said Raven. "I own an indie label called Nevermore Records and currently, I represent the Titans. They're a rock band based in Jump Ci-"
"-I know who the Titans are," cut in Rose, somewhat aggressively.
Unfazed, the manager continued, "In that case, you probably know where this is going. I'm interested in seeing your portfolio. Perhaps you could do a shoot for us in the future?" She didn't even wait for Rose to respond before handing her a sleek, black business card. "I prefer to communicate by email, but my number is listed there, too."
Not used to being treated like an actual professional, Rose was momentarily dumbstruck. When she finally managed to reply, the words stumbled out of her mouth like a foreign language. "I, uh, don't have any of those thingies, er, c-cards on me..."
"That's fine. Just contact me and we can set up a meeting," answered Raven before giving her a polite nod. "I look forward to doing business with you."
The woman turned on her heels and walked in the opposite direction in order to leave the building. For a split-second, Rose was rendered immobilized. This was the first time she had a direct conversation with one of her marks and the experience was unsettling. Did Raven know that Rose was responsible for the incriminating photos? Was the job offer a ploy to lull her into a false sense of security? Who would put their trust in a stranger that quickly? There had to be an ulterior motive. Now that her cover was blown, Rose decided to confront the woman head on. She of all people would know by now that a Wilson never backed down from a fight. Moving at a brisk pace, the photographer caught up to Raven just as she joined the rest of her team. Rose called out, "Have we met before?"
The group of travellers turned around at the sound of her voice with confused looks on their faces. The guitarist stepped forward in order to place a protective hand on Raven's shoulder. "Who's she?" he asked, regarding Rose with a wary stare.
"A potential collaborator," Raven replied, walking away from his touch in order to get closer to Rose. When the two women came face-to-face, she continued, "No, we haven't met before. Is that a problem?"
"No, it's just... It's hard for me to believe that you would offer a job to a total stranger."
"To be honest, it's not my usual style. However, I recognized you from the business lounge back in Chicago. I guess that makes you more familiar than a random passerby."
"So you really don't know who I am?" questioned Rose, her eyes narrowing with scepticism.
"No."
"Then why? Why do you want to work with me?"
It was the manager's turn to narrow her eyes, but she looked more fascinated than distrustful. Her expression turned pensive as she replied, "When I saw you hold your own against that man, I thought to myself, 'There's the kind of unapologetic, no-nonsense attitude I really admire'. It may be silly, but that's why I felt comfortable reaching out to you. Besides, us working women need to look out for each other."
Raven's lips broke into a tiny, barely there smile. She spoke with such sincerity that Rose had no choice but to accept her words at face value. The photographer backed away in retreat as a mixture of shame and gratitude rose up in her throat like bile. She felt the former for assuming the worst, the latter for receiving the best. The interaction confirmed her earlier suspicions; Raven didn't deserve her father's wrath, and really, who did? Rose couldn't decide what disturbed her more, the fact that Slade was trying to destroy a good person, or her personal complicity in his plans. Overwhelming guilt stole her breath, the sensation rendering her emotionally winded. She felt the need to confess her sins, but her absolution had already looked away to point at the airport exit.
"I need to get going since there's a taxi on stand-by," Raven said in a matter-of-fact tone. "We're on tour right now, but if you email me your portfolio, I'll make sure to give you a call when we're home. Take care, Rose."
"It's now or never," the blonde woman told herself, before saying out loud, "Wait! I didn't give you my last name."
Raven turned around one last time to stare at her expectantly.
"It's Wilson. My name is Rose Wilson."
Raven was not a trusting person by nature. She wasn't an optimist like Garfield, who fervently believed in the greater good of humanity, but she didn't see herself as a pessimist either. In general situations, she preferred to stay completely neutral until something tipped her in either direction. When it came to group debates, she usually played the part of devil's advocate. Her role was to argue the unpopular opinion to make sure that bias didn't colour the final decision. Normally, the Titans squabbled over silly things like who got to sit in the front seat, or what kind of toppings to order on a pizza. But now, the issue on the table raised much higher stakes. The question remained: Trust Rose Wilson, or not? In order to avoid causing a ruckus at the airport, Raven quietly invited the woman to come to their concert the next evening. The roadie team wasn't aware of what was happening with Slade, and she wanted to keep it that way. The less people involved, the better, so she opted to introduce the photographer as an old acquaintance instead.
After getting settled at their new hotel and going out for dinner, Raven convened with the band members so that they could come up with a game plan. She summoned them to her room late at night once the roadies were fast asleep. The five of them were clad in their pyjamas as though they were dressed for a slumber party. She and Kory perched on her bed, while Garfield and Richard sat in a couple of chairs. Victor remained standing to lean his large frame against the wall. He shook his head vehemently, saying, "I don't like it. I don't like it one bit."
"Meeting up with Rose is a bad idea," Richard agreed. "I think you should call her back and cancel."
"What do you think?" asked Kory, turning to Raven.
"She said she wanted to help us and I believe her," she replied. "Why else would she reveal herself as Wilson's daughter? It makes no sense otherwise."
Garfield spoke next, "I dunno, Rae... I get weird vibes from her. What if she's part of his plan to get more information out of us?"
"I doubt that's the case, but even if it is, I think we should hear her out at the very least. Who's with me?" Raven asked, raising her hand in a vote.
She looked at her team with bated breath, but none of them met her eyes. Four versus one, so that's how it was going to be. They weren't against her, per se. They simply didn't agree, and honestly, she couldn't blame them. Raven had been just as shocked as the rest of them when the photographer revealed her true identity. Was it a coincidence that they had accidentally switched bags, or was it fate? She wasn't a believer in destiny, but she took the encounter with Rose as a sign from the universe regardless. They needed a way to stop Slade, and if the woman was willing to help, who was Raven to turn her away? However, if the rest of the Titans were uncomfortable, she wouldn't push them any further. Being a part of a team meant that she needed to respect their feelings. Just as she was about to concede, Garfield suddenly got up from his chair to sit next to her on the bed.
"I'm with you," he announced, taking one of her hands in his. "Even though I don't trust that lady, I trust you."
"Who's calling who 'whipped' now?" Victor muttered under his breath, then looked at Raven. "I guess I see Gar's point. I still don't like it, but if you think it's a good idea, then I say we go for it."
While Kory nodded in assent, her husband wasn't yet convinced. "Let's assume she's being sincere and really does want to help us," Richard hypothesized. "What if she changes her mind halfway and turns on us?"
"That's what we have you for. If you drew up a non-disclosure agreement and she signed it, would that put you at ease?" asked Raven.
"Well, I do know enough about contract law to ensure that an NDA is valid and that there are no loopholes. Depending on what she tells us, it could really help our case against Wilson."
"Thank you, Richard. Your expertise is priceless."
His formerly professional tone turned humble as he said, "I wouldn't really call myself an 'expert'. I never finished my full degree, remember? Speaking of which, do you have a lawyer in mind to represent you?"
"Not really," she answered, "I was hoping that you might be able to point me in the right direction."
"I'm sure we can find someone suitable," Richard asserted confidently. "But you know it's going to cost a fortune, right?"
"I know, but I said I would do whatever it takes. I'm resourceful."
"Well, if all else fails... I know a guy."
Raven cocked her head to the side in interest. "Oh really? An old colleague?"
"Yeah, something like that. I'll give him a call and see if he can help us out." Richard's tone sounded strained, but resolute. Garfield, Victor and Kory all gave him knowing looks, but they didn't offer any more information aloud. Raven decided not to pressure the band leader to elaborate, even though she could tell she was missing key information. She was certain that Richard would let her know when the time was right.
Victor stretched his limbs outward and released a great yawn. "That settles it then. I'm ready to catch some Zs, y'all."
"Same here. I'll draft the NDA first thing in the morning. We have the whole day off until the concert, right?" Richard asked.
"That's right," the manager replied, "I told Rose to join us at the venue between sound check and the start of the show. If the meeting goes later than expected, we can always continue afterwards."
Everyone got to their feet and made their way towards the exit of Raven's room. At the door, Kory caught her in a snug embrace, which was quickly joined by three more pairs of arms. Despite the lack of air and the fact that somebody's armpit was dangerously close to her face, it was perfect. Once everyone untangled themselves from the group hug, they took turns in bidding their manager good night. Last in line was Garfield. He moved at a snail's pace, crossing the threshold of her door and into the hallway as slowly as possible. Raven caught his drift and reached out to tug on his shirt.
"Do you want to stay a bit longer and talk?"
Before Garfield could reply, Victor backtracked and butt into the conversation. "Will you two be discussing business?" the drummer asked with a sly grin, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively.
"Actually, I just want to spend some time with my boyfriend," Raven retorted. "Is that a crime?"
"Not at all," Victor answered, shooting her another smug smile before turning to Garfield. "You got your key, boyfriend? I don't want you waking me up to let you back in our room, that is, if you come back at all."
Rolling her eyes, Raven answered in a deadpan tone, "Go to bed, Victor. We'll see you in the morning."
"We?! Did you just say we'll see you in the mor-"
Not waiting for Victor to finish his teasing, Raven pulled Garfield back into her room and closed the door in the other man's face.
"Wow, if I had known you were this eager to get in my pants, I would've worn nicer ones," joked Garfield, pointing down at his worn plaid pyjama bottoms.
"Cool it, hot shot. I really do want to talk."
"Ah. So this is just business then."
"In a way, I suppose," answered Raven, "I wanted to talk about us." She took his hand and guided him to her bed where they reclaimed their seating positions from earlier. Tucking in her feet so that she sat comfortably cross-legged, Raven turned to him and asked, "What are we to each other? What are we doing?"
"We're dating, aren't we?"
"See, I disagree. I would say that we're past that phase now. It's been a while since we had a 'DTR', as you put it. And with everything going on, I wanted to make sure that we're still on the same page."
"Okay, that makes sense," Garfield agreed with a nod. "In that case, what does dating mean to you?"
"Like I've said in the past, it's a probationary period; two individuals testing the waters. It's when you ask questions like: 'Do I want to go deeper?', 'Is this person right for me?' At this point, I'm sure about my feelings for you. We're more than just two people trying to figure things out, we're a team. When you backed me up earlier, it meant a lot to me. We were a united front and I liked that." Raven paused to place her hand on his face. His jaw was rough with a light dusting of stubble, but the tops of his cheeks were smooth and soft. She gently brushed his skin with her thumb and murmured in a quiet voice, "I just want you to know that what's going on between us is important to me. I'm ready to depend on you if you'll do the same. I'm not saying that I want to marry you or anything ridiculous like that, but I want this to be real and I want it to last."
Garfield crinkled his nose and snorted, "Would it be so bad?"
"What?"
"To marry me?"
"Gar..."
She lowered her hand from his face, but he quickly grabbed it and intertwined their fingers. In a purely sympathetic tone, he said, "Listen, I totally get what you mean and I feel the exact same way. I'm done searching too, because I've found what I've been looking for." Pulling away slightly, Garfield lowered his eyes and chewed on his lip. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but his expression was rife with hesitation.
"What's wrong?" Raven asked in a concerned tone.
"Well, if we're being up front with each other, you should know that my endgame is to get married. I've always imagined myself as somebody's husband, legal bindings and all. It doesn't have to happen anytime soon, but I do want it eventually. And if that kind of commitment scares you, I understand."
"I'm not scared of commitment, I just don't see the point. However, I'm willing to explore it as a possibility," she answered truthfully.
"So there's a chance you'd want to get married in the future?" asked Garfield in a hopeful tone. "Not necessarily to me, you know, just in general."
"Yes, I suppose I'd consider it, depending on who's asking and how badly they wanted it," Raven replied with a small smirk, then made her expression more neutral. "Speaking of getting married, if you plan on saving yourself until then, you need to tell me now."
He laughed aloud, then admitted, "That ship has sailed a long time ago. I assume the same for you?"
Raven nodded slowly, still chewing on her follow-up question. It was an awkward topic, but it needed to be brought up sooner or later. "When's the last time you got tested?"
"E-excuse me?" Garfield choked out.
"When's the last time you got screened for STDs? Don't gawk at me like that, it's a legitimate question."
"Fair enough. Let me think..." he muttered, scratching the back of his neck in thought. "Around this time last year? Right after I broke up with Tara, I had some, uh, unhealthy coping mechanisms. Everything came back negative though."
"Have you been with anyone else since then?"
"Once or twice, but I used protection every time."
"Good. I'm clean too, by the way."
The conversation died down for a moment, both parties realizing the implications of their newly shared information. Past the awkwardness was excitement; they had the "all clear". Raven tried not to let her sudden arousal distract her, repeating for the second time, "So what are we to each other? 'The person I'm seeing' is a bit too vague for my taste."
"Well, you did call me your 'boyfriend' earlier. Don't think I've forgotten," Garfield replied, grinning like a cat.
"I didn't expect you to. But 'boyfriend' sounds so juvenile. What are we, in high school?"
"Hey, it works perfectly fine for me! But if you're gonna be that picky... I guess I'm your emergency contact. The first person you call when there's a crisis. The one who has your back no matter what."
She smiled back, then murmured, "I think we can make that work. Although 'emergency contact' is quite the mouthful."
"How about 'partner' then?" he offered.
"Very professional," answered Raven in a dry tone. "I like it."
The pair gazed at each other giddily like lovesick teenagers, free of responsibility and without a care in the world. Garfield unleashed his grip on her hand so that he could hold her by the waist, using his fingers to brush at the skin peeking out from the hem of her nightshirt. He leaned in close, close enough so that she could count the freckles that dusted his nose. His lips were like magnets, drawing her closer with every passing second. But before Raven could fully bridge the gap, he pulled their bodies downward so that they plopped on the mattress. After rolling onto their sides to face one another, Garfield asked mischievously, "So, what are your terms for this relationship, partner?"
"Seriously, Gar? You want to talk about this now?"
"You're the one who called this business meeting in the first place," he replied, his tone as facetious as ever. "I'll start: I'll do the cooking if you do the dishes."
"I can agree to that. How about this: when we go out on dates, we split the costs 50/50."
"What if we took turns instead?" he suggested.
"That works too. When we argue or fight, I don't want you telling other people all the gory details. That stuff should stay between us."
"Roger that. And no more silent treatment, I mean it this time."
"Anything else you'd like to add?" questioned Raven. She shifted her body so that their middles touched and their legs overlapped. In response, Garfield raised his hand to twirl a lock of her hair around his finger.
"Well, there is one more thing..." he answered coyly.
"What?"
"How high are the chances I get to see you in that black corset again? Clothing underneath is optional, but I wouldn't say no to those boots."
"Gar!" Thoroughly embarrassed at the thought of her Halloween outfit, Raven retaliated by poking him in the side. Much to her delight, the gesture made him shriek, so she doubled down and tickled him mercilessly. He wriggled away and wrestled her to the mattress, trapping her arms so that they were pinned to the sides of her head. Laying flush against the bed, she craned her neck to look at the man who straddled her from above and gave him a defiant side eye. "It depends. Do you still have the wolf costume?"
"Damn, Raven. You're kinkier than I thought."
Garfield's sea glass eyes danced with unreleased laughter. But instead of reflecting the ocean, they flickered with blue flames of desire. The intensity of his gaze made Raven blush and she rolled her eyes exaggeratedly to detract from the tension. "Shut up, we can make more amendments later," she grumbled. "Do we have ourselves a deal?"
"We do."
"I'll have to get that in writing."
"Where do you want me to sign?"
Raven pulled her arms out of his grip, using one hand to tap herself on the cheek. "Here," she said, then touched her other cheek, "and here."
Garfield's trail of kisses followed wherever her fingers went; from her cheekbones, to her nose, to her forehead. When Raven pointed to her lips, he kissed them wholeheartedly. She revelled in the taste of his spearmint breath and the smell of his woodsy cologne, but the best feeling of all was the warmth of his strong arms around her. He held her tenderly as though she was the most precious thing in the world, a treasure worth cherishing and protecting. Leaning forward so that their chests pressed together, he brought his mouth to the crook of her neck. He planted a love bite on her pulse point, taking care as he nipped and sucked at the skin. The sensation made her toes curl and she released a satisfied moan. Garfield paused from his ministrations to whisper in her ear, "Have I ever told you how much I love the sound of your voice?"
"It's not nearly as nice as yours," Raven answered breathlessly.
"I respectfully disagree. Why do I get the feeling that you secretly have the voice of an angel?"
"As if. I'm totally tone deaf; there's a reason only one of us is a professional musician."
"By the end of the night," he replied with a wicked grin, "I'm going to make you sing."
A/N : Phew, is it hot in here? Practice safe sex, y'all! It's important to discuss stuff like your sexual health before jumping into bed with someone.
References: "The Sound of Music" is iconic and Julie Andrews is my queen. I've loved that musical ever since I was a little kid. There was also a brief reference to "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge.
To the Rose fans out there, I hope my interpretation of her character was acceptable. To be honest, I never intended on bringing her into the story, but she sort of showed up organically. I always saw Raven and Rose as foils for each other: they both have terrible fathers and very valid reasons not to trust other people.
The next chapter will be the finale (though I do have an epilogue in the works). Thank you again to all of you lovely readers and reviewers, your support means the world!
Till next time, Lily Timbers
Replies to Guest Reviews:
frog31791: Here's a retroactive apology for the cliffhanger, sorry about that! Gar is first in line for whooping Slade's ass, haha.
Bea: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! So sorry for making you wait so long.
Anonymoose: Yeah, I get what you mean about purgatory, haha. I wanted to make it clear that things were going to work out between them, and they did!
Anue jiah: Thank you! :)
Guest: I was struggling to write this chapter's draft when I received your review for the last review and it gave me such a boost! Thank you again for your awesome feedback and lovely words. I also hope you and yours are staying healthy :)