"Hey, gorgeous."

The first thing she does is throw her arms around his neck and squeeze him so hard that he chokes.

"Easy there," he coughs. "I know it's hard to resist me, but please…"

She giggles nervously and presses a soft kiss to his cheek. "I apologize. I find it very difficult to control myself when I see you."

He smirks and pulls her close, hand splayed on her lower back. "Who says you have to?"

"Hmm…"

She cups his jaw in her left hand and strokes the side of his head with the other. "I think you may have just said so, Jason. Be mindful of what you say."

"Or what? You're gonna hold back on me?" He reaches out for a kiss, but she turns her cheek and it lands there.

"Perhaps I will," she says. Her smile's a bit evil and it shoots straight down to his groin.

He lifts her up by the ass over his shoulder and she squeals and laughs and for some reason it sounds way too sexy. He kneads the backs of her thighs, walking over into the bedroom and throwing her down on the bed.

She's blushing, bright pink and stretched out over the sheets, raising her leg and rubbing it over his. He grabs her ankles and practically tears her boots off, climbing over her. He holds himself up with a forearm by either side of her head.

"Keep being a tease, and I'll make sure you don't get a thing."

"I do not think you would be able to resist me."

He dips his head low until his lips are on the lowest part of her belly. Her breath hitches.

"Sure about that, sweetheart?"

He places a kiss just below her belly button. She squirms for a second and he pulls away, watching her watch him lick his lips.

She bites hers. Shimmies her hips. "I am."

"Mmm, princess…" he rumbles when he gets close to her ear, nipping at the lobe.

He takes the back of her thigh in his left palm and rubs it nice and slow, getting dangerously close to the middle. She's looking at him with half-lidded eyes, the green of them beginning to saturate.

"You're underestimating me." He parts his mouth over the curve of her jaw and bites gently.

She threads warm fingers through his hair and gasps when his thumb rubs circles into her inner thigh. "Is that so?" she husks, eyes shutting heavily.

"Mhm," he breathes onto her neck. His nose is pressed against the delicate skin there. He steals a little taste of her. "But since you're so damn cute, I'll let it slide tonight."

He barely runs a knuckle up the center of her, but she's holding him tight against her chest and rolling her hips like he's inside of her already, breaking her apart. He chuckles into the crook her neck and presses the heel of his hand into her pelvis, pinning her down there.

She whines and he wants to swallow it.

She's right. He can't resist her.

But it's not like he'll admit it.

"If you play nice with me, baby," he grinds into her and bites back the moan in his throat, "then I'll make you real good again. You want that, don't you?"

She grabs him by the back of the neck and closes him in until their foreheads connect, raking her nails through his scalp and sending sparks down his spine. She smiles like she knows exactly what she does to him.

"And if you play nice with me," she snakes one arm down underneath his shirt and skims her fingers up his stomach, "then you shall be rewarded."

Before he can respond, she flips him over onto his back and sits right on his cock, rubbing herself on him and throwing her head back, hands on his chest. He takes hold of her hips and lifts his own into her, dragging her skirt up until it's bunched up right under her waist.

"Kori," he pants, "sweetheart…"

"Jason…"

He digs the tips of his fingers into her skin and waits for her to stop. When she does, she blinks her eyes open, looking pretty and dizzy and like everything he'd eat up.

Then his own hand is in her hair and pulling her to him, his open mouth hovering just above the corner of hers.

"Before we get to all of that, why don't we talk a little? Hmm?"

He tickles the line of her spine and grins wickedly when she mewls with the arch of her back. His hand is hot and heavy at the lowest point of her back, his pinky playing with the elastic of her underwear.

"Why don't we go a little slow?"

He runs his tongue along her bottom lip and pecks the side of it. He strokes both of her legs one more time before grabbing her ass and squeezing hard, pushing her up until her lower body is in the air and her ribs press right into his.

"Why don't we kiss?"

Without a beat, he licks into her mouth with an open mouth. He circles his middle finger over her core, feeling the wetness there. He kisses her harder and groans.

He can't help but the swell of pride in his chest when she starts to suck on his tongue (because he taught her that). He pulls her underwear to the side and sinks a single digit into her pussy, and smirks when she breaks away from his lips to gasp, shaking more and more and he goes in further.

"Fuck." He reaches up and slides his tongue against hers, palm fitting perfectly in the dip of her back. "Feel good, sweetheart?"

She only whimpers in response.

"That's right, baby. That's right, sweetheart, I got you…" he pulls his finger nearly all the way out, "right where I want you."

He draws it back in, and then she's got her face buried in his neck and her arms around his head, her hips holding higher. He fucks her slow, just like that, each movement making her tremble and her heart pound so hard he feels it in his bones.

And right when she starts closing in, he slips out of her.

She deflates on top of him, the glow of green showing even through her shut lids. She looks pissed, the crease between her little alien brows so deep that he almost feels bad he finds it so sexy.

Almost.

He waits patiently for her to open her eyes, and when she does, he sucks his finger into his mouth and shoots her a wink. She's already flushed, but now it's deeper, radiating heat all over his body.

He withdraws with a pop and smiles all innocent and sweet, holding up his index and middle. "Wanna try two?" he says, and when she stares with just about nothing to say, he runs his tongue over the both of them. His blood rushes when she shudders.

"That a yes?" He snakes his arm underneath her this time, cupping her fully and squeezing just enough for her make those hot little noises from the back of her throat.

"Unh, Jason," she moans right into his mouth before launching forward and pressing her own so hard against his that it feels like it'll bruise.

She tries her best to get some relief from his hold, but he only squeezes tighter. She sinks her teeth into his bottom lip. God, he could nearly taste the blood. It makes his cock jump, having her get so rough.

She slides her lips over his, the taste of blood filling his tongue. That's when he feels something wet trickle down his chin.

"Jason," she says low as she breaks the kiss. A deep red stains a line down her golden skin and a familiar kind of panic punches him right in the gut.

"Kori, what—" but then she's reaching out to touch him, wiping at his upper lip.

"A nose bleed?" she says with the tilt of her head.

He sighs.

"Yeah, that happens sometimes. Usually after a long day."

He forgets how easily he slips at times like these.

He gently lifts her so that she's next to him. "Gonna go clean up real fast," he utters as he heads to the bathroom, flicking the lights on and leaving the door open.

"A long day? What did you do?"

Fuck.

He grabs a wad of toilet paper and pinches the bridge of his nose. A drop of blood drips down to the counter in front of him, so dark it almost looks black. "The usual," he says, baring his teeth at his reflection and finding red there. He looks kind of fucking insane for a second, and it catches him off guard.

She comes behind him, then, face perfectly clear. She slips her hands underneath his shirt and scratches his back lazily, soothingly. He shoots her a wink through the mirror and she smiles. Still, there's something questioning there. The missing pieces he's not willing to give. At least not to her.

"Are you the okay?" she asks softly, pressing the pads of her fingers into his shoulder blades. There's heat coming off of them, pouring into the soreness there.

He feels more blood gush out and hopes she doesn't notice. "Yeah, Kor, I'm good."

She steps away from him and he's quick to reach behind him and grab her wrist. "Who said you could stop?"

"Oh! My apologies. You looked quite… uncomfortable."

He quirks his brow and stands straighter. "Only 'cause my fuckin' nose interrupted our fun time."

"Language," she huffs before circling around to his front, palms resting on his lower back. "May I?"

"Continue? Sure."

"No, Jason," she laughs. "This…" She reaches up and takes the tissue, inspecting him.

For a second, he almost feels… insecure. It's disgusting, the way it almost makes him crumble, so he shoves it down and looks at her pretty pink lips, swollen from what he's done to her.

When she wipes his upper lip and smiles, he grabs her by the waist and lifts her up to the counter, tucking himself in between her legs. Her giggle is breathless, and it spreads in him warm like summer air.

Her slides her hand down the side of his face, rubbing her thumb over his cheek. He doesn't mean to turn and kiss the middle of her palm, but he does it anyway, and even the adoring look she's got going on doesn't undo the knot deep in his gut.

"I would like it if I could take care of you," she mutters.

"No, sweetheart," he chuckles, "you wouldn't like that."

"And why is that?"

He knows she's embarrassed. He wishes he didn't care.

"I do better on my own. Nothing personal, it's… just what I'm used to."

She looks down at her spread legs around him, hand sliding down his neck and pausing at his collarbone. "Do you not have family? Friends?" She crosses her arms over her chest. "Do you not get lonely here?"

"What do you mean? I've got Eliza," he grins. Then he dips his head low and lifts her chin with a single finger. "And I've got you, don't I?"

"Yeah," she nods, "a friend."

"A friend," he repeats. "The sweetest," he kisses her cheek, "sexiest," he kisses the other, "most caring person I could ask for." He kisses her full on the mouth and when he breaks it, her smile is almost sad.

She blinks and wraps her arms back around his neck. "Mmm…" she hums. "Friends don't keep secrets, Jason."

He grips her waist a bit too harshly, but then he's pulling her in, hooking her legs around his middle and lifting her. "Who said anything about secrets?"

"It is not something you say," she quips before leaning in and kissing him.

"Some things aren't meant to say," he mumbles against her mouth, stumbling before he has her against the wall.

"Those things happen to be the most painful," she breathes, panting into him.

He doesn't dare to look her in the eyes. He moves his lips down to her neck instead.

"I think you're thinking too much, sweetheart," he says, licking up the side of her throat. "I'm a big boy."

"And I am a big girl." She's tugging at his hair again, yanking his head back and forcing his eyes on her. "I like the truth."

Unblinking, he rolls his hips up into her. She lolls her head back and moans. He takes her tit in his hand and squeezes, smiling sickly when she gasps sharply.

"Let's stick to the games we're both playing, baby," he says hot in her ear, "or else I don't think you'll like me much anymore."

"Oh, Jason," she sighs. "Do you not know?"

And just then, an alarm. She rips herself away from him so fast his head spins.

"Apologies! I must go!"

She's out the door in the next second.

His stomach turns. His throat tastes like copper.


"Where are you, Star?"

"Apologies! I will be there so—"

"Wherever you are, meet us in that old warehouse. You know the one. Where the other body was found."

"Okay."

She shuts her communicator and tucks it into her belt, picking up speed in the air. And to think she almost left it behind…

Cyborg didn't seem to be suspicious. Merely… in a hurry. But the way he spoke, almost frantically, unsettled her. She did not need to ask to know there has been another death.

She is there in another minute, entering the building and finding them there, right in the middle. She takes her place next to Raven. She does not acknowledge her presence.

"God, this one looks even worse than the last…" Beast Boy says with a grimace. The lights flicker above them and she cringes.

"Bit of torture before slitting his throat," Raven says, emotionless. "45. Sold drugs practically his whole life. Starting selling laced drugs to teenagers, young adults. He came here to seal a drug deal with another player in the city."

"What about who did it?" Cyborg asks, crouching down and collecting a sample of his blood. Blood.

There's a beat of silence. "I can't pick up anything."

"Sick motherfucker," he mutters. "Somebody call 911. I got what I need."

"On it," Beast Boy says. "You guys ever realize how fucking useless these Jump police are?"

"Well, we're not exactly law enforcement. Let's head back to the Tower."

They head back, Raven flying by her side in silence. She cannot think of anything that she could say. She felt useless.

"Let's do ourselves a favor, guys," Cyborg says when they get home. "Let's not tell Rob about this."

"Doesn't he have his communicator on him?" Beast Boy says. "Like… are we sure he hasnt called like ten million times already?"

"Nah. I disconnected his. He doesn't receive the alert unless he's within or near the city. But obviously… he doesn't know that."

"Smart man, you are."

"But he shall find out eventually. Won't he be… very upset?" she finally speaks, trailing off weakly.

Cyborg seems to take his time to look at her. As though he is observing. But then his face breaks into a friendly smile, and she sighs with just a bit of relief. "Of course. But he's… on vacation."

"We shouldn't tell him." Raven pushes her hood off of her head and turns, back facing her. "Let him have some peace of mind. He needs it."

For a reason she does not know, a pang of hurt, of anger, fills her chest and contorts her face.

What about me? she wants to say. But she bites her tongue.

It is unlike her, to say the least. To think such things. To put herself above others.

In another moment, the feeling leaves her, and it leaves her hollow. How much more selfish could she be? She has been so reckless lately. So…

"Star?" Cyborg shakes her shoulder. "You good?"

"Yes! Yes, I am the… good!"

"So… you agree?"

"Hmm?"

"Rob. We're not gonna tell him about tonight. Until the time is right."

Heat flares in her cheeks and her heart pounds so hard that she gets dizzy. It takes another hand, softer and smaller, to ease her in an instant.

She whips to face Raven, whose eyes betrayed nothing. Her arms are already back under her cloak. Cyborg stares down at her, dumbfounded.

She swallows her apology, shifting her expression so that she looks more exhausted than anything else. Though really, she is.

"I agree. It is best to keep this from him. He does not need to come back sooner than necessary."

She does not mean to say it the way that she does, but she does not regret it.

It is the sudden rush of bitterness that bleeds through her tired smile. She cannot seem to control it. Her body slumps forward, and before she can register the sadness in his eyes, she is walking away.

"Leave her alone," she thinks she hears, faintly from the end of the hallway.

"I wasn't gonna—"

"Enough."

Maybe it has always been better that way. Her being alone. It is everything she craves right now. Solitude. Quiet.

Peace of mind.

Once she reaches her room, there is someone behind her. She whips her body around, nearly hitting Raven on the way, and lands heavily against her door. Her friend stares blankly, but there is a hint of worry there. Something that makes her freeze for a moment, clutching her chest and standing stupidly.

"Raven," she finally manages, hunching forward with the weight of her anxiety, trying to catch her breath.

Without a word, Raven opens the door and walks into her room. She follows her inside.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

"I-I know."

Then Raven's face sinks, and her stomach does, too.

"We need to talk." Her discomfort becomes even more evident.

"About what?" she whispers.

"About what you've been doing. Who you've been seeing."

She has no reason to deny it. She slides down the wall and sits on the floor, bringing her knees to her chest and holding them there. Raven crosses her legs right in front of her.

"Don't worry, I'm the only one who knows. But I thought you knew that by now."

"For how long have you known?" Starfire says, looking down at the floor in shame.

"Since you first met whoever it is. I picked up on it right away."

"Right…" she sighs, spreading a hand on her lap and inspecting her nails. "Right."

"I'm sorry. It's none of my business, I know. That's why I didn't say anything…"

"So what has happened that you are saying something now? Are you alright?" Her voice sounds harsh and shaky. She mutters an apology and hides her face in her arms.

"To tell you the truth, Starfire, no. I'm not alright."

The guilt is immediate and overwhelming. It burns wherever it touches.

"And it is my fault…"

"No. It's not your fault. It's—"

"What did you do downstairs? When you touched me?" She finds the courage to look at her friend, to find her eyes glassy and faded like hers must be.

Raven straightens her back and steadies herself, willing the emotion away. She wishes she could do the same. "I sensed your panic. I stopped it from getting worse. That's why you feel so drowsy right now."

"Your powers… they have become so powerful, haven't they?"

"Yeah. They have. But whenever I think I have it under control, I just…"

"It is so painful for you. Isn't it?"

The calm in her cracks again, and once again, she witnesses it. It breaks her heart.

"I've never been around anything like this," Raven wavers. "And I know — you've been happier. But there's something that just doesn't feel right."

"What?" she says quietly.

"I don't know. Raven shakes her head. "It's what I get from you."

"I am sorry, Raven." Tears build in her eyes. "I cannot bear the thought of ever hurting you. Please forgive me."

"It's not your fault. It's mine. I can't—"

"How can you say that?" Starfire says, almost angrily. "How could this be your doing? It is entirely mine. I should have never told him anything in the first place."

"You needed to say it."

"If I had known it would cause all of this pain, not only for myself but for you…" She shakes her head slowly, as if she was disgusted. Disgusted. "I would have never."

"It would have come out regardless. It was time for you to speak."

Starfire laughs bitterly, and she doesn't stop to realize how far removed from herself she is. Raven is taken aback, and it is enough to ground her.

"I have been nothing but a fool. Not for speaking of my love. But for having it. It was completely misplaced."

"Starfire," Raven surges towards her. "Don't say that."

"Why?" A tear slips down her cheek and once it rolls past her lips, she smiles. "It is the truth."

"The truth is that he—"

"Is not capable of loving. I have learned that the hard way."

"Starfire, no."

More tears come flooding. She feels that she will drown in them. "That is what he has shown me. How can I be upset about that? I forgive him. And the boy I am seeing now…" She beams suddenly, so out of place in the dark. "He is everything that I want."

"That's great, Star, it is. But you've got something wrong."

"You know what is wrong? How is it that everytime we speak, it is about him?" She frowns deeply, chin wobbling. "I miss my friend."

"He's still your friend."

"No," her smile is watery, "I miss you."

Raven wraps her arms around her and rubs her back. Starfire cannot help but sob into her shoulder. It is all she can do.

"You know I'm here for you, Star. Always."

"Kori," she mumbles.

"What?"

She lifts her head and looks at her friend in the bittersweetness. "My name is Koriand'r. But you can call me Kori."

Raven's smile is small, but sure. "Is that what he calls you?" she says quietly, like the whole world is a secret.

"Yes," Starfire sighs. She grabs onto Raven's arms and squeezes gently. "And he says it so… gloriously."

"That's great." Her smile falters.

Starfire furrows her brows and tilts her head to the side. "What is it?"

"The guys are starting to catch on that you're… going out. I'm guessing you don't want anyone to know."

She shakes her head, feeling the blush heating her skin.

"Yeah, well… tonight was pretty close. I cut them off before they could ask questions. But as dumb as they act, you know they'll eventually put two and two together."

For a second, she contemplates two twos coming together, but then Jason pops into her mind, teaching her what it means.

"Yeah, it sounds kinda weird, but all it means is that you've figured something out."

"Oh! They will… discover…" She gasps sharply and claps her hand over her mouth. "They will discover my relationship with Jason!"

"Jason?" Raven smirks.

Her face grows even hotter. She nods, feeling like a young child.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure they don't know unless you want them to."

"Really? How?"

"Don't worry about it."

She smiles in relief. "Thank you, Raven."

"No problem. I'll help when I can."

She pauses for a moment, contemplating. "How can I help you?"

Raven moves to lean back against the wall beside her, crossing her legs and resting her open palms on her knees, like she is ready to meditate. She waits patiently for her response.

"You help me when you help yourself."

"Hm?"

"Do what makes you happy. What makes you feel right. And whatever you do, don't keep anything inside."

"Even the bad things?"

Raven nods. "Even the bad things. Because otherwise, it manifests into something so ugly that you can't even find the courage to glance at it. And that's how it breaks you."

"How do I know that I am doing the right thing?"

"Don't worry, Kori. You'll know."

Kori leans her head on Raven's shoulder.