I finally updated! Thanks everyone for all the reviews.
Disclaimer: Look at Chapter 1
Chapter 5
Robin reached for his mug of coffee and took a sip.
Ice blue eyes glanced over the room, noting the lazy atmosphere. Starfire was sprawled on the floor, watching the television at an ungodly volume. Why was the thing so loud in the first place? Was she deaf?
The Boy Wonder groaned inwardly, his mind returning to the newspaper sprawled on the table. Perhaps he would go and train later; then maybe finish the pile of files that was sitting at his desk. The Boy Wonder honestly didn't understand why he had to file those reports anyway.
The police were always on the scene of crimes and usually his team collaborated with them and didn't hold back information. What was the point of filing those reports when the police already had them? It was a waste of time on both sides. Plus he was two weeks behind. He sighed inwardly.
Hopefully there would be no crime fighting at all. The last few weeks had been hectic…between Red X and the HIVE members it seemed like they would never get rest. Robin was so deep into his musings that he never heard Raven till her arms were wrapped around his neck and her light voice whispered into his ear.
"Buenos Dias! Your going out with me today." That tone. That soft seductive tone.
The Boy Wonder trembled, ice blue eyes closed tightly behind the domino mask. Oh god. Her breasts, those soft breasts pressing against his back. The newspaper crinkled between his clenched fingers. The young man swallowed, trying to quell the growing tightness in his pants.
Robin's ears picked up the sound of padding feet, and to his relief, the weight pressing against him left. He opened his eyes and watched the sorceress tread quietly into the kitchen. The young man bit his lip. Why did Raven's bare feet seem...so intriguing? Hadn't he seen them before? So why now was he struck with this strange sense of nostalgia and endearment?
His observant eyes spotted a small tattoo on each ankle…five black stars lined up in a crescent moon shape; it seemed to wrap around her slender ankles and stand out against her pale skin. Raven had another tattoo?
Well, it wasn't really that much of a surprise, seeing as she did have another one decorating her lower back. A strange and eccentric tattoo of a raven, one with sharply pointed wings and menacing red eyes, seemingly suspended for eternity. Yes, Robin remembered that tattoo well. The day he first glimpsed it, he was reminded of Slade, and the mark of Scath.
Raven was uncharacteristically mum about the inking. Each time he inquired, all he received were dark looks and well crafted evasions. But this one...he'd never noticed before. Why not? What did it mean? And why did it strangely look... like a chain of some sort? The way it curved around her slender ankles...and seemed to connect together?
"Did you not hear what I said? You're coming out with me today."
The irritable voice and the sound of snapping fingers shattered the Boy Wonder's thoughts. Robin looked at her, taking notice of the dark khol that rimmed her eyes. Raven seemed to like the 'smoldering eyes' look...it was something that he always noticed. Khol was like her signature...very few people could pull it off. "Sorry. Where are we going?" He noticed her frown slightly.
"Sector seven. The mayor needs me to…clear up a few things. And you are coming because I need you when we're done." She sounded indifferent and bored, as though her donuts were of far greater importance. And perhaps they were. Why should Raven have to answer to him when there was a plate of fresh glazed sugary goodness...patiently waiting to be consumed?
Robin understood...although it hurt his ego. "Isn't sector seven the part of town that's been having some wild animal attacks lately?" He remembered a report about wild animal attacks on the news. At first he brushed it off...it was probably a bear... since that section of town was older and set close to the forest.
But every time he opened a newspaper or turned on the TV, something about it was mentioned. As usual, some of the more eccentric people of Jump began to equate it to vampires and werewolves. Absurd right? So why was Raven laughing? He stared at her blankly as she choked on her orange juice, violet eyes twinkling with a strange mirth.
But what was so funny about what he said?
Eventually Raven calmed down and her face returned to it's normal blank state. But there was no missing the mischievous twinkle in her eye, and the slight upturn of her ruby red lips. "Yes Robin, that sector seven. It is because of those attacks that the mayor called me there."
Interesting. The mayor never called on Raven personally...unless something 'otherworldly' was going on. Starfire and Beastboy thought it was cool...but I knew better. It was simply the mayor's subtle way of keeping an eye on her. She probably knew it as well...but didn't say anything. Together they sat in silence, Robin pretending to read his paper, Raven chowing down on her donuts and staring intently at the blaring TV in the distance.
Presently she glanced up at him. "I should have never told Star about Disney Chanel."
Robin chuckled and Raven glared at him. She sighed heavily and finished her orange juice. "I have a surprise for you…well I don't think it's a surprise, but you will."
"Oh? What is that?"
Raven chuckled and stood up. "Mi Amor, If I told you, It wouldn't be a suprise now would it?"
Before he opened his mouth to reply, she was gone. Raven was unusually happy…and what's up with the random Spanish?
oOoOo
Driving with Raven.
It was...an interesting experience in Robin's mind. He never usually drove with her, preferring to take his motorcycle. It wasn't like she was a bad driver, although he'd been forced to reprimand the sorceress several times for drag racing down the highway. Starfire assured him Raven is a safe driver… but she cautioned to have the seatbelt on at all times. Raven wasn't one to take challenges lightly, she said.
So here he was, strapped into Raven's sleek black Aston Martin (courtesy of Cyborg) listening to some rap-slash-pop song and actually enjoying himself. Well not so much the music. Robin had always been a rock person, and didn't really keep up with the radio hits anymore. After hearing someone called Miley Cyrus, Robin decided that radio just wasn't what it used to be.
The Boy wonder was surprised however that Raven listened to and enjoyed rap music. The Tameranian told him that Eminem was one of Raven's favorites but that the violet haired titan would listen to almost anything. This was a revelation to Robin. She always seemed the gothic music type…yet there she was driving down the highway, singing along to some Drake song...at least Raven said it was a Drake song. Robin didn't know who 'Drake' was.
A sigh escaped the teenager's lips. That pile of papers needed to be filed, the mayor was requesting another tax return form, and Bruce had sent him yet another standardized test booklet. Apparently, he wasn't supposed to fall behind in studies. "Rae where are you taking me? I've got a ton of work to finish."
"Amor, I'm doing you a favor. You are here for a good reason… I just have to oversee something for the mayor first."
Ah. That explains the outfit. She seemed dressed for and interview with a white tank top and a black button up blouse, pressed black slacks and black pumps. Everything about her (minus the rapping) screamed business today.
"See these animal attacks aren't just plain old attacks. The victims were allowed to live. No wild animal does that."
"So what kind were they?"
"Vampire attacks."
Robin's eyes widened slightly. "Vampires exist?" He knew he sounded pretty dumb...but it couldn't be helped. Vampires were things only seen in fictional worlds and movies. They had extraordinary powers, lived at night and drank blood.
He glanced out the window as they passed over one of the many bridges that dotted the city. Jump City was always sunny... and didn't vampires hate the sun? Wasn't there something about them being allergic to sunlight? Then there was this issue of them glittering...but he found that ridiculous.
What would a monster be doing glittering? Better yet, what would vampires be doing in Jump City? Jump City was famous for it's warm temperatures, and sunny beaches and outlet malls. Although the night-life was pretty awesome...it wasn't what made the small city famous. Without the sun, Jump was meaningless. So what were vampires doing here?
Raven chuckled. "Duh…just cause you don't see them doesn't mean they're myths. I'm a demon and I exist."
"True, but you're only half."
"But that half had to come from somewhere." Robin grimaced at the sing-song voice...as it reminded him too much of those stupid kid shows.
He opened his mouth but could not say anything to retort. "I'm going to stop talking now."
Raven laughed and Robin couldn't help but observe how unusually white and fang-like her teeth looked against her pale skin and crimson colored lips. Perhaps coincidence? Robin shook the thought from his head. His mind was playing trick on him…
Right?
oOoOo
He was brought out of his thoughts when the car stopped in front of a huge Victorian looking house. He took notice of the people in the back yard…there seemed to be a party or a gathering of some sort. How could any of them be vampires? They certainly looked and acted human…
"Richard snap out of it!" He glanced up into Raven's piercing violet eyes. Richard? Raven knew his real name? When?
"You have to stop zoning out. Is this what you do when you're wearing your mask?"
Robin laughed at her exasperated face. "Sorry Rae, I was just thinking."
Raven smirked and flicked his sunglasses. "Whatever. Look this is what's going to happen. We will meet some people and then we'll go to the court house."
"Sure." He observed someone coming down the lawn to meet them. It was a guy and he looked somewhere in his early twenties. The man was tall and well built with mischievous twinkling brown eyes, messy black hair and a cocky grin.
Robin watched in astonishment as the man threw his arms around Raven…and she willingly hugged him back. The man whispered something into Raven's ear and she drew back and smacking him lightly on the arm. Robin glimpsed a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Richard, meet Gabriel Sanchez."
Gabriel held out his hand and Robin shook it, instantly despising the guy. He had no right to despise him…the two had barely met and yet something about Gabriel just grated on his nerves.
Perhaps it was his arrogant grin that seemed to mock him…or his flashing impish eyes that seemed to say 'I know something you don't…or the way he wrapped around his hands around Raven's waist as if to say she was his.
Robin bit his lip. Why was he acting like this? Like a jealous boyfriend? Ice blue eyes flickered with sadness behind darkly shaded glasses as Robin continued watching the two. Raven told him to back off, to let her 'live however she wanted'. And he promised... stupidly he promised. Was this what he signed up for?
To stand aside and see the girl he loved in someone else's arms? He said nothing as they headed up the green, well manicured lawn. In front of them, the medium sized Victorian-esque house loomed before them, shaded by dense trees from the afternoon sun.
Several toys littered the lawn; a set of blue and black pom-poms, a purple pair of small child-like ballet shoes and a jump rope. Robin blinked, wondering where the child was. Turning his head, he caught sight of the driveway and the row of neat shrubs beside the front porch.
Robin squinted in the sunlight, drowning out the sounds of Raven's enchanting laughter, rushing wind and bubbling brook. Yes, brook. There was a small brook surrounding the house, and it flowed between the trees and probably was responsible for the greenness of the lawn. The Boy Wonder's sharp eyes spotted a young girl on the porch, swinging quietly in the shade.
As the three drew closer, Robin watched as the girl abruptly ceased in her aimless swinging and swiftly turned, brown and oddly empty eyes staring in their direction. Was the girl blind? Why else would her face be so blank and unresponsive? Why else would her fingers be tense and her feet poised to escape?
"It's alright mi hija, I only brought some friends."
Gabriel's smooth voice seemed to calm the young girl, and Robin watched as she visibly relaxed, a charming smile decorating her small face. "Papi, which friends? The ones who cannot seem to be quiet in the back? I love the surprise party…I really do, but maybe next time you should pick a better place for them to hide." Her voice was light, vibrant and full of innocence- something that he always associated with Starfire.
Gabriel laughed as he sat down beside her. The man's eyes twinkled with laughter as his hands caressed the top of the girl's messy french braid. "Maybe you should have found a better place to wait, Angelita."
The girl smiled, but it quickly disappeared and was replaced by a frown. "Papi, who are these friends you speak of? I do not recognize them."
Robin found the girl's words rather odd. What did she mean by 'recognize'? He frowned briefly as he followed Raven onto the porch at Gabriel's beckoning. The Boy Wonder bit his lip, watching silently as Raven knelt before the curious girl.
"You don't remember me Angel?" Raven's soft voice seemed sorrowful...and it was quite convincing, until Robin realized that it was forced.
Who knew Raven could fool even him with that tone? How many other times had she sounded like that and he believed her? He shook his head, still watching the scene before him. The girl had been silent for a while, her hands quietly exploring the sorceress features. Once the girl's fingers brushed the ruby chakra embedded on Raven's forehead, a bright and happy smile spread on the young girl's face.
"Raven! You came all this way and took the time out from your crime fighting to see me?" The young child's voice was full of excitement and wonder.
"Of course, sweetheart, I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything. I even brought a friend too."
"Is it Heather? She was always very funny." Robin had to frown at this point. Who was Heather?
"No, his name is Richard."
"Richard." Angel whispered his name softly and frowned in concentration. Finally Angel held out her hands. "Richard, let me see you."
He knelt down and she gently explored his face, her soft fingertips lightly ghosting over his skin. He had a friend once who was blind and was also part of the circus troop. The boy was excellent on the trapeze, to the point of envy. Robin always marveled at the way he flipped and tumbled fearlessly through the air...despite his blindness.
Robin feared heights at the time and his father was always telling him, 'If you think about falling, then you will.' Such things were easier said than done. Perhaps that's what made his friend so daring...he couldn't see the danger.
Robin tensed when, those small soft hands began to tug on his dark shades. He knew...the girl didn't mean any harm, but that did nothing to calm his frazzled nerves. He was taught never to show his face...and that if he did, he would be compromising many people who depended on him.
And he knew, the girl was blind, she wouldn't be able to see anything...but it was too much a favor to ask. The Boy Wonder would have pulled back, were it not for the comforting hand resting on his shoulder.
It often scared him how connected he was to Raven despite the rift between the two. She always seemed to know exactly what to do...something that, unfortunately couldn't save their relationship.
As much as they understood each other, there was a part of Raven that she couldn't share...the part of her that he wanted the most. For him, he couldn't control his temper...couldn't keep his hands to himself. He was to blame for everything.
"Richard has long eyelashes."
Raven chuckled softly. "Yea, I guess he does."
"Richard is a very handsome man." A sly tone entered the youth's voice. Richard bit his lip once more, feeling uncomfortable about what the girl would say next.
Raven smiled. "Yes, I guess he is."
Angel dropped her hands to her lap and turned eagerly toward Raven. "Is he your boyfriend?"
Raven choked, Robin's mouth dropped open in shock, and Gabriel began to laugh as he scooped the girl into his arms and made his way inside, father and daughter now speaking in rapid Spanish.
Robin slipped his glasses back on, feeling strangely flustered that he couldn't understand the two. Although he spoke and read fluent Spanish, it had always been a challenge actually deciphering the language when spoken. A sigh escaped the young man's lips and he turned towards Raven, noting the amused look on her face, and wistful glint of her eyes.
"So, Rae how old is Angel…that is her name right?"
"Um, yea…she turns twelve today."
"Twelve! She looks like she's eight."
Raven nodded, a sorrowful and slightly guilty look etched into her features. "She was born premature…then her mother died about a year or two after she was born."
They entered the house and Robin was surprised at the numerous paintings that adorned the walls. Images of oceans, rivers, waterfalls, grasslands all hung or sat on the wall, telling a unique story; and every single one of them was hand painted.
Robin noticed a group of family portraits; all hand painted as the others. Many of these depicted a family portrait in a garden, with smiling parents and laughing children. Yet sadness seemed to radiate out of the pictures.
As he stared in awe at the antique looking pictures, a familiar tune filled his ears. Oh, this piece! The Chop Waltz! (1) Robin turned with a start, eyes filled with a reminiscent light. Images of his mother filled his mind. The piano...his mother loved the piano, perhaps more than the circus life she lead. Music was her life...and she had been determined to teach Robin everything about the piano.
It was rather frustrating at the time, he was only seven and admittedly preferred playing baseball with his friends. She didn't let him get off that easily...'Piano will teach you patience, little robin, something that you need desperately.'
Yes, Robin had no patience. He has always been impulsive, an 'act first and think later kind of guy.' The military probably would have suited him better than working under Batman...who always seemed to have alternative plans stashed away in his mind.
He remembered the soft touch of her hands as she set his hands into position, the light encouraging voice as they played slowly, the faint smell of lilac as she placed comforting arms around him when he became frustrated.
He never was able to succeed at playing that song in it's normal tempo….they never got that far. He followed the notes in his head as the tempo sped up, surprised that he could still remember. Up until a point that is...suddenly it was too fast, and he could no longer keep up.
Then, as abruptly as the music started it stopped, leaving an uncomfortably silence in it's wake. Robin shook his head, hoping to clear the gloomy memories from his head.
Robin peered out the window, blue eyes taking in Angel and her friends as they danced. The young man blinked, staring intently at Angel's smiling face before whirling back to observe the painting resting on the wall.
The two were so...similar-from the warm brown eyes, to the innocent mirthful smile, the curly black tresses and chestnut colored skin. Perhaps the lady was Angel's mother. How did she die? And why did her brown eyes exude this...stifling sorrow?
"Richard, are you not having fun?" The light and airy voice entered the Boy Wonder's ears and his mind drifted. Somehow, hearing her voice, he was drawn back to the Tower, the ocean view from the massive windows, and Starfire's light and fruity scent as she stood beside him. Those lazy evenings.
"The party's nice…I just don't know why I am here." A wry smile spread on his face as he inwardly cursed Raven and her mysteries.
"Oh. But you have questions…perhaps I can answer them for you?"
Robin stared in disbelief. How could she have known? Did the girl have some form of empathy? Powers similar to Raven? Shaking his head, Robin tentatively asked his question. "Well, uh, I just...wanted to know more about your mother."
Angel flinched slightly and Robin instantly regretted asking. She was quiet for a while and then she spoke in a low voice. "You... saw the paintings."
The Boy Wonder nodded hesitantly. He bit his lip anxiously, feeling rather stupid and evil for asking such a question. He didn't want to make her feel bad or anything. After all, this was her birthday, who would want to feel sad on their birthday?
Robin cursed himself inwardly as he watched the twinkling brown eyes fade. Angel's hands which had been clasped politely behind her back, now began to toy around with a small sheet of paper.
"She died when I was two." The once exuberant voice had faded, leaving a strange melancholy vibe in the air.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to make you sad."
A gentle smile graced the twelve year old's lips. "Don't be. I kind of remember her…though my memories are a bit unclear. I was the one who painted those pictures."
"Really?" Robin was nonplussed. Angel painted those pictures? How coud she have painted those pictures? Wasn't the girl blind? What powers did she possess to allow her paint such elaborate artwork?
"Yes…They came to me in a dream; all my paintings come to me in dreams." The gloom that entered her voice was gone, and now she sounded happy and jubilant.
"Wow. They're really nice. How do you know Raven?"
"I do not fully remember the first time I met her. My father says that I met her when we moved from Gotham City and after my mother died. She's from there you know." Angel paused, eyebrows furrowing in concentration as her hands continued to fold and bend the piece of paper. "Anyway, Raven has been friends with my father for a long time before that…She's like a mother to me."
The excited girl took a breath before continuing, making Robin chuckle slightly. "I would paint a picture, but every dream I have about her…I hear her voice but I cannot see her…like she's covering herself from the world. Is Raven like that? Does she hide from everyone? Is she filled with mystery and intrigue?"
Robin chuckled. "Sometimes…Raven likes to keep to herself." Raven had been in Gotham before arriving at Jump? How could he not have known? No wonder Bruce always inquired after her well being.
He always thought the man did that as a result of the increased surveillance after the Trigon incident. The justice League didn't want another apocalypse occurring because of Raven's high level secrecy. Did Raven actually spend time with him before coming to Jump? Was Bruce the one who sent her here after him?
Angel nodded enthusiastically. "I will remember that." Her face brightened slightly and a mischievous look spread upon her adorable face. "You know…I think my dad loves her. I can feel it."
"Does Raven love him?" He didn't know why he asked that question, perhaps it was sheer curiosity, or maybe the strange jealously that surged up inside him when he saw the two together…he didn't know.
Angel shrugged. "I cannot tell. When I try and read her emotions, I do not feel love. I feel sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, happiness, and a strange feeling I have not experienced before. But I do not feel love."
The young girl pressed the piece of paper into his hands and stood, her hand resting tentatively on his arm. "To be honest, I don't think Raven knows what love is. "
Looking into his hands, Robin found that she had folded a perfect paper heart.
How ironic.
oOoOo
Robin was surprised when he stepped into Jinx's apartment. Sunlight filtered in through the many windows and plants drooped lazily from the ceiling, hung from the walls and stood in strategic spots around the living room space.
The cream walls, chocolate brown borders, and tan carpet created a relaxing effect which was further enhanced by the simple but snug furniture. It was such a nice place, he thought. Who knew Jinx could be so neat and have such a designer's eye for furniture? Robin stared at the carpet, glad he left his shoes beside the door. The softness and the cushioning between his toes was really nice.
Chucking inwardly, the young man followed Raven into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Sitting in the middle of the table were some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Robin watched with curiosity as Raven pulled the plate away from the center piece and into her prying fingers.
He blinked, as the cookies began to disappear one by one, into Raven's mouth. So this was what they called a 'cookie monster'? The Bow Wonder mused, completely unaware of his surroundings untill the loud clomp of Jinx's shoes sounded against the shiny wood flooring. He turned, taking in the bright red skinny jeans and the black baby-doll top the ex-HIVE member was wearing. Where do people buy such bright jeans?
Starfire had a pair...a bright painful-to-look-at-pink pair of jeans. Of course, it was bought with his credit card...and he never received the receipt. Why does he even give it to her? Especially since all she does is buy clothes?
"Why can't you bake your own cookies for once…this store bought shit is horrible." Robin turned at Raven's voice, and raised and eyebrow. Why complain after eating half the plate?
"Then why are you eating it, dumbass." Jinx countered. Robin watched the two laugh, a look of disbelief on his face. These two were...strange.
Then again, Robin had met stranger people. He would probably be considered strange by some. He was obsessed with a villain that had one eye, extremely paranoid, and had an unhealthy fear of clowns. These two were normal compared to him.
Raven shrugged. "I really don't know. Here, Robin try some." She passed the plate over to him, stood up and opened the refrigerator.
"Rae is there something you need to tell me?" The pink haired woman asked, her back turned to something cooking on the stove.
"What makes you think that?"
"Well you just polished half a dozen cookies in less than five minutes, and now you are poking through my fridge...when there's lunch cooking?"
Raven looked confused. "I'll still eat."
Jinx laughed. "You're missing the point Rae. I know when something is bothering you 'cause all you do is eat."
Raven laughed, almost in disbelief. "You noticed?" Her hands nervously raked through streaked black hair, and the sorceress bit her lip. She was obviously worried about something. "Umm. Gosh. What would you do, if you wanted something...something you can't have?"
A strange sneer spread on Jinx face. Robin watched in confusion as the pink haired woman chuckled. "You don't back down do you? How many times have we talked about this? No means no, Raven. It's that simple."
Robin watched in astonishment as Raven tilted her head, a look of abject rebellion glittering in her violet eyes. She raised one eyebrow and grinned chilling the room with her strangely tense emotions. "No? Sweetheart, that word means nothing to me. People don't tell me no...they can't!"
"And why can't they, Raven? Why must you get what you want? That's not how things work! There are people out there who don't fear you, Raven!" Jinx sounded frusterated and annoyed.
Perhaps they've had this argument before? What was it that Raven couldn't have?
Raven laughed darkly. "Like Giselle? And look at how she turned out. Just admit it, Jinx. I can do whatever I want. No one gets in my way."
"Then why ask me such questions? If you want to break the rules go ahead! Why do you keep pestering me...what are you trying to prove! You want me to give you my blessings? Should I sanction your twisted and abominable cravings? You've already defiled yourself with Mal-"
Robin stared in disbelief as Raven swiftly crossed the room and clamped a hand over Jinx mouth. The two stood there, glaring at each other with angry eyes and shaking hands.
"Jinx? What's with all the shouting? I could hear you outside." The nonchalant voice of Kid-Flash broke the heavy tension in the room, and Robin watched Jinx push Raven away softly. For a moment, it seemed as if the ex-villain was blinking away tears.
"Robin, were they fighting?" Kid-Flash questioned, his voice failing to match with the death-like chill over the room.
"I don't know. Um...who's Mal? Jinx mentioned that name." Robin lowered his voice and bit his lip anxiously. Would Flash know? Maybe he should ask Raven on the way home?
"Mal. Dunno." The man shrugged his shoulders dismissively, then snatched the plate of cookies and emptied the plate in his mouth. Robin fought the urge to gag. How could one fit so many cookies into one mouth? The Boy Wonder shivered, his mind returning to the ever elusive 'Mal'.
He'd heard that name before. That night Red X entered the Tower...Starfire said his name. And apparently Raven had been texting this Mal. Why did he feel like he should know this 'Mal'? Who was he?
Mal. Malcolm? Malcolm in the Middle? No.
Maleficent? The dragon from Sleeping Beauty? Wait, dragon? It couldn't be! He was still in the book, right?
"Hey Robin, guess what?" The childish voice of Kid-Flash intruded in his thoughts. Robin glanced over, wondering how someone so...hyper and immature could be considered a protege.
"Hmm?
"I've got some intel on Red X."
Warm breeze.
Bright, summer sunshine.
The sound of the umbrella rustling in the afternoon wind, and the tantalizing scent of garlic and bread-sticks filled the air. Gosh! What she would give for a plate of hot spagetti and a side salad soaked in dressing! Raven shook her head, cursing about her lack of monetary funds. All she had was a twenty...she probably couldn't even buy an appetizer at such a fancy restaurant.
But at least she could buy gas for the ride home. Shouldn't she be happy about that? Shouldn't she be thankful for this nice weather, after two days of rain? Shouldn't she be praising the gods for finally escaping the stifling and suffocating Tower?
It was her day off!
Shouldn't she be happy? Carefree and joyful?
Raven scoffed, her violet eyes glittering with a sarcastic light. Who has time for such nonsense? Especially when doing math homework. Why was she doing this again? Oh, right. Beastboy. She owed him, did she not? After all, he covered for her once when she was at Malchior's. But what was she doing at Malchior's house? Why did she keep going back?
It was stupid of the sorceress to think that her guilty conscience wouldn't become a bother. Stupid of her to think those cursed emotions wouldn't run out of control. Raven was using him...simply to satisfy her unholy cravings.
She didn't want any of this!
She didn't want to make the man suffer! To use him like this and simply cast him aside heartlessly...just wasn't her intention at all! Raven chewed on her lip, a frustrated look growing on her features.
Damn it all!
The sorceress turned back to the homework laying in front of her, angrily tackling another set of problems. She couldn't help the feeling of restlessness that overcame her.
The longing to move, the tense muscles, itchy fingers and impatient breath. Raven's hands impatiently tangled themselves through shoulder length streaked hair, and the half-demon sighed in agitation.
She couldn't stand the length of her hair. She hated the tickling as the strands brushed her face. Raven gripped the pencil in her trembling fingers. She hated this stupid book. Hated these damn trig problems. Why was she doing this? Why can't Beastboy do his own fucking homework!
The pencil slipped from her agitated fingers and clattered to the table dejectedly. Raven glared at it, violet eyes beginning to glow with rage. Raven gripped her hair angrily, biting back the urge to throw the book into the middle of oncoming traffic.
She felt like screaming.
Suddenly a warm comforting hand descended on her cold and tense shoulder. The sorceress stiffened, whirling around to see who dared touch her with such abandon. Raven wasn't expecting to see those golden eyes. She blinked, the angry and restless feelings fading from her visage. "D-Derek?"
He smiled gently. "Answer's seven, princess."
"S-Seven?" Raven turned back to the book glanced at it for a brief moment, then looked back at the man in confusion. The answer was seven...but how did he know which problem she was doing? How could he have guessed the right one...out of twenty others?
Who was this man? And why did she feel like she should know him?
oOoOoOo
Cold wind.
Despite the warm summer sunshine.
Golden eyes stared intently down at the teenager, taking in the slight crease of her brow and unstable flightiness of her violet eyes. The fingers resting on her tensed shoulder chilled rapidly, despite the warm weather. How does one stay this cold...this frozen in eighty degree weather? What was she?
The young man quietly sat down next to her, grasping her icy, shaking fingers into his warm and steady palms. "Why so cold?" He continued watching the teen, noting the nervous glimpse in her eyes.
Eventually she pursed her lips, swiftly pulling her hands away and into her pocket. "Don't just touch me like that." With those words, she picked up her pencil from where it had been thrown, and pointedly resumed the homework.
The man couldn't help but smile. Why was she so cute? From the childish pout of her full lips to the strange way she slurred her J's.(2) Why was she so familiar? Where could he have seen her first?
"How does one get purple eyes?" The question slipped from his lips without his permission. He'd been pondering for a while now... with no definite answer. The young man bit his lip. Would she answer?
He watched the teenager intently as her eyes flickered sadly. She pursed her lips once more, then turned and face him with a somber glare. Was that a 'back off' glare? He bit back the urge to smile at her cute frown once more.
"Birth defect."
Ah. But did that even makes sense? Could one seriously get purple eyes from a defect? What kind of defect? "How's that possible?"
Curiosity consumed him. Now he wanted to know everything. Because he too had strange eyes...eyes that caused him a lot of pain and suffering over the years. Did she suffer as well? Was that the reason behind the perpetual glint of sorrow he witnessed every time her eyes landed on his?
The teen smirked and turned back to her math book. "You know, curiosity killed the cat."
"And satisfaction brought him back." He couldn't help but grin when she laughed. Such a cute laugh. He continued watching the girl's face, eyes noting the dimples on her cheeks. Such cute dimples! Why was she so cute?
"That comeback deserves and answer. My mother overdosed on pain medicine when she found out she was pregnant." The mirthful look on her face slowly faded, replaced by a grave and somber look.
"Why?"
"You know, you ask too many questions." By now a frustrated tone replaced the nonchalant one. The girl's hands clenched the pencil in a vise-like grip. He could tell she was clenching her jaw with irritation.
Perhaps he'd overstepped his boundaries?
Curiosity was a bad thing. He knew this well; his mother warned him of his incessant need to know the truth. She prophesied one day, saying something along the lines of 'curiosity leading him down a dark path.' Was that it? Or maybe it was the part she mumbled about insanity and confinement. At the time he scoffed at her words, thinking she was merely joking. It wasn't until he had stolen the suit that he realized the truth.
Curiosity did lead him down the path of darkness...he wouldn't have been blacklisted if he'd never stepped into that abandoned building with his friends. And if he hadn't had been blacklisted, he wouldn't be a thief now, stealing and delivering information in the name of forgiveness.
Was this part of his punishment? It couldn't be. How could someone as innocent as this girl lead to insanity and confinement? He just couldn't see the correlation.
He bit his lip. "Forgive me."
"It's ok. For some reason, I don't really mind telling you." The pencil slipped from her shaking fingers and clattered onto the table. She drew in a shaky breath, trying to quell the shaking of her fingers.
"Truth is...I am what one would call a rape child. I was never wanted..." Her voice trailed off and a sorrowful, haunted look entered her violet orbs.
So this was the truth? This was the reason behind the sorrow in her eyes? The man bit his lip, the dull ache in his chest growing stronger. He felt the pain within her...it seemed to wrap around him, seemed to stifle and suffocate him.
But was it her pain? Or his own?
He couldn't tell anymore.
Now it was his hands that trembled, his eyes that filled with sadness. Silently, the man pulled the purple eyed girl into his arms. "It's all right, Princess. It's all right."
How was it? Please review!
(1) Chop Waltz is the official name of the Chopsticks song.
(2) Think of the slur as a soft 'j' sound…almost like a shush sound. I know it's weird but since Raven is from another dimension, I thought it proper for her to have an accent…a faint one though.
This chapter was inspired by
1) Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem
~ heartless16