Sorry it was so late...a lot has been going on..
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: Look at chapter 1
Chilly, blustery and windy. It was strange weather...at least in this part of California. Then again, everything seemed off these days, one of them being his job. Not his undercover thief job...that one was pretty much secured.
His boss, Mr. Kent, made it clear that as long as these underground, trafficking businesses thrived, he would still be employed. Derek didn't know whether to be happy about that...working on the good side can be pretty demanding.
It was his other job. The normal eight to five desk job at his father's insurance company. The same father that had abandoned him shortly after he buried his wife. The same father that gave him a job and a house to live in simply because his older brother begged. Derek never asked for help, he didn't want his older brother looking out for him...especially since he had a family to take care of.
Plus, he kinda liked his old job...it was interesting (to him) and it gave him access to all this cool tech gear. His suit did need upgrades from time to time and Bird Boy wasn't exactly manufacturing a 4.0 version. Working at a government security firm certainly had it's perks. Call him nerdy, but Derek was obsessed with technology.
Often he was fascinated by how many new stuff he could re-create from recycled i-pods, smartphones, computers and strangely enough desk lamps. Of course most of them were borderline dangerous, and therefore illegal.
At his high school in Gotham, Derek had somehow created a laser beam from a stolen diamond and was expelled shortly afterwards for stealing and 'illegal posession of a weapon, as well as arson'. Arson being the awesome graffiti he burnt into the walls of the gymnasium. With such a criminal record...Derek would have been screwed.
Were it not for his uncanny computer and tech knowledge, he'd probably be somewhere in jail. The police dropped his charges on account that he work for a small FBI branch in Gotham City, as well as collaborate with Mr. Wayne, an influential business man in the city.
He was a good man...and when he offered to give him a scholarship, Derek readily accepted. He left and began taking classes and a small private university close to Jump City.
He was still in school around the time he stole the Red X suit. Derek could never explain what possessed him to steal it. Yes, he did have some experience in the art of theft but only as a juvenile delinquent...and not someone with the expertise to sneak past the tons of security the Titans must have placed on their tower.
The gods must have been with him that day...he was able to pull it off, without even leaving a trace. Perhaps that's when the feelings of invincibility crept up. When he put on that suit...it was like he could accomplish anything. He felt invincible, untouchable. Derek suddenly understood how it must have felt for them, those heroes with awesome powers...and the villains who were simply misunderstood.
Funny how, in such a small time, those arrogant feelings melted into a puddle of despair. Here he was, wandering through the park in the middle of the day, simply because he couldn't bear being subjected under his father's thumb.
And today was the worst day to come to the park...it was so windy and so chilly. So unlike California.
Sighing tiredly, the young man dropped onto a bench and stared at his hands. He really needed to play his guitar some more. The poor thing was just gathering dust in that empty room.
A gust of wind blew across the empty lawn, rustling the trees and, wait, was that someone crying? He glanced up, taking in the vast emptiness of the park before his eyes fell on a couple sitting several feet away from the swing set. He watched for a few seconds, marveling at how cheesy life can be.
Seeing the two there, the young woman's face covered by her shaking fingers and the man's unsuccessful attempts to calm her down, reminded him of those sappy movies his cousin loved to watch. Those ones with the handsome, dark-haired male lead and the frail, troubled teen. He hated such things...they were so unrealistic.
Must have been quite an argument, Derek mused as he slumped further on the dark, wooden bench and buried his hands deep in the pockets of his leather jacket; deciding instead to watch the little kid on the playground as she twirled and danced, her silver streamers dancing to the beat of a secret tune.
She looked very similar to his thirteen year old cousin, minus the thick dark hair and tanned skin. Jessica, his cousin was a pale, freckled teenager with blond colored tresses and bright blue eyes. Everyone on his father's side was like that...even his brother had blond hair and blue eyes.
Derek, on the other hand, looked more like his mother. He was the one with the smooth, copper skin and thick, black hair; a stark contrast to his brother's looks despite their Native American background. Everything about Derek was his mother's, from the narrowed, slanting eyes, to the sharp angles of his face and the soft slope of his eyebrows.
Everything except his eyes. Derek's eyes were either a molten gold, or warm honey... depending on who you asked. His eyes were bright, nothing like his mother's dark brown eyes. And no one knew where they came from.
His mother called them a blessing from the heavens. She said the gods gave him these strange eyes for a reason. His classmates labeled him a freak...his father called him a bastard and disowned him.
Whatever reason the gods had...simply didn't seem worth it anymore. He had stopped believing them long ago. Sighing heavily, Derek looked up at the sky, astonished to see the sun finally peeking out from the clouds. Shaking his head in annoyance, he looked back across the park only to watch the young girl crumple to the floor...and not get up.
Standing quickly, he strode over to the swing set, all the while wondering where her parents were. Surely they couldn't have let her come here alone...it wasn't really safe to be alone these days.
Derek picked up the abandoned streamer, knelt down beside her and placed it into her hands. He was only slightly suprised when she raised her head, finally revealing her clouded, dark-brown eyes.
"Thank you, kind sir." The young girl spoke up, still tightly gripping onto his hand. She smiled brightly, her exuberant mood only depressing Derek even more. Seriously, why would anyone want to grow up?
Who wouldn't want to be a kid again, to have no responsibilities, to live a life where most of your troubles revolved around stolen crayons and what cartoon to watch. Growing up was seriously overrated.
Staring back down at the girl, he was surprised to see that she had crossed the park and was making a beeline for the crying couple on the bench. How she knew they were there was beyond him...especially since he knew she was blind.
Derek began to follow when she turned and beckoned insistently. Imagine his surprise when the crying woman turned out to he Raven herself...wasn't this like the third random meeting? The last time, Derek found out she was a Titan...and now this?
It took him a minute to realize that the young girl was speaking to him. "Mister...sir, um. Mister? What should I call you? How can I thank you when I do not know your name?"
He ran his hands through her dark tousled hair. "Tell you what, I'll tell you my name provided you don't call me Mister." At her enthused nod, he proceeded to tell her his name, noting with interest, the amused look on Raven's face.
He said nothing as the girl went on to introduce him to her father Gabriel, a man with dark black hair and the same colored eyes as Angel (she finally remembered to introduce herself), as well as Raven.
Funny how much she had changed in less than thirty minutes. Before she'd been weeping profusely...now her face was calm and expressionless and not a trace of sadness was in her eyes.
"You never did take me up on your offer, Raven." Derek commented, as he observed the faces of those in front of him. People were so predictable...he wasn't surprised when Raven quirked an eyebrow and Gabriel frowned softly.
"I was busy...saving people." Her voice trailed off and he watched her gently brush the faint scar above her right eyebrow. Derek couldn't help the guilt that flooded his mind.
He'd wished countless times that he'd been able to save her...that if he'd just been a little bit faster, she wouldn't have gotten hurt. The Titans weren't even supposed to be on the scene that night. Meeting them was not part of the mission briefing Mr. Wayne had given him...he was told simply to make the transaction and leave.
Everything was planned out so meticulously. But he'd abandoned his mission to stop them...to save Raven. He didn't regret his decision but Derek will admit that he hesitated...and those few seconds could have cost Raven her life. Sighing heavily, Derek looked into her blank purple eyes. "I'm glad you're ok."
She grinned. "That means a lot to me...coming from you. Thank you, Derek."
The clatter of forks and knives was supposed to be a pleasant sound. It meant that they were all together...that the team was one. Today was different. This time, the sound was overbearing, it was annoying and rather creepy.
No one was talking... until, "So friends, I was at the mall the other day and someone gave me the most wonderful gift!" Starfire finally saw fit to break the awful silence.
Beastboy looked up from his salad. "Really? What?" He truthfully didn't care. But anything was better than listening to the sound of scraping forks and Cyborg's disgusting crunching sounds. Starfire's meaningless rambling was a welcome change.
"I have in my possession several tickets to the theater! And they are valid to watch anything you like!" Perhaps not as meaningless as the shape-shifter thought. It was a good idea to get a free night out and do something...anything than be forced to do Robin's cardio training and combat simulations.
The simulations hadn't been updated in almost a year. That may or may not be a good thing...depending on who you asked. Starfire loved to be 'challenged'. Beastboy was just happy to have memorized the whole thing.
"Awesome!" Terra smiled at the enthusiastic alien. "When are we going? And what will we see?"
"Ooh, lets watch Get Him to the Greek!" The energetic voice of the shape-shifter rang out over the now warm atmosphere. The preview looked a little dumb and he would have rather wanted to see another comedy. But sometimes it takes a dumb movie to really loosen up.
Cyborg groaned slightly. "BB that was such a dumb preview…we're not gonna watch that."
"We don't all have to agree on one specific movie you know." Starfire informed the group. "Does anyone know where Raven is?"
"I'm right here." Raven entered the dining room and sat down, placing a set of silver streamers on the edge of the table.
Beastboy knew that Raven liked to dance...but he wasn't under the impression that it was streamer related...Streamers meant cheer-leading, which was gymnastic and choreography. Raven's type of dancing didn't fit that description at all.
The sorceress did more of free style dancing...which was less of gymnastics and more of step-dancing. It was something you would see in more street dancing competitions, rather than on the stage.
"Where were you?" Robin asked, unable to contain the suspicion in his voice.
Raven narrowed her kohl-rimmed eyes. "Out. Walking. Contemplating how fucked up life is", came her sarcastic reply.
"Do you always go walking out with a full made up face?" Starfire asked curiously.
"Yea, you never know who you can meet when you're out and about." Raven winked at Terra who laughed in agreement.
"So Rae, Starfire got several tickets and now we want to decide what movie to go see." Cyborg filled her in on the conversation. "Personally I would have preferred the A-Team."
Raven nodded absently and shoveled a spoonful of potatoes in her mouth.
"Terra wants to watch Sex and the City two." Beastboy told Raven and chuckled when she grimaced. He didn't blame her...those kinds of movies annoyed him too. To the green Titan, such movies had no point and couldn't even be considered comedy. Perhaps he just didn't get it.
"Splice…that's what were gonna see."
Starfire shivered. "But Raven it was so creepy and so wrong and-"
"And that's exactly why we need to see it." The edge in her tone was less subtle now and Beastboy prayed she wouldn't take her anger out on the poor alien. He'd known about her anger issues for a while now and frankly it was starting to piss him off. Why couldn't she just get over it? Why'd she have to hold everything in and make life a living hell for everyone?
Why was Raven so selfish?
Terra looked between the two, sensing the tension between them. "Maybe Star can go see something else, cause I really wanted to see Splice as well."
Beastboy sighed in exasperation. He was tired of all the tension, all the skirting around the issue and the drama. "Raven whatever you are angry about, why can't you just let it go? I'm sick of this!"
Her fist shot out toward his face and he yelped even though he was not hit. "Watch your mouth Garfield…"
"Raven! That was uncalled for!" Robin finally spoke up, his voice tinged with frustration.
Raven's eyes flashed. "Fuck off."
Starfire placed a hand on Robin's arm, clinging to him as if her life depended on it, doing nothing to hide the fear in her eyes. "Robin, it might be best to leave her alone."
"Rae, you're gonna have to calm down." Cyborg spoke reassuringly and for a while, it seemed to work. She turned away, pursing her lips, as she scraped her fork against the empty plate in front of her.
The awkward sound of scraping forks and clattering glass ware filled the air again. Somehow it seemed even more tensed and uncomfortable than before. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Beastboy's teeth were almost goners. Or it could have been the eerie tone of Raven's fork scraping heavily on her plate.
His jade green eyes watched apprehensively as her fork slid across the plate ever so slowly... his sensitive ears twitched at the frightening noise. Shivers ran up his spine as she ran her tongue slowly across the fork...her teeth looked strangely white and fanged, while her lips seemed stained with blood.
Raven always seemed so calm...so composed and serene. What if she was boiling mad inside? What if right now she was plotting our demise? Would he ever understand the mind of this young woman he called a friend?
How could you be 'best friends' with someone and not know their feelings? How could that one person know everything about you...meanwhile you know nothing? Could he really call her a friend? Raven was the queen of deception, no one could read her poker face.
No one could understand her.
"Raven, I do not know what I did to make you so angry but I-"
SLAM!
Raven's fist slammed against the table, silencing the room. The shape-shifter stared in horror at broken plate beneath Raven's fist. He continued to stare in disbelief as the half-demon cocked her head, raised an eyebrow and began to laugh hysterically.
"You amuse me, Starfire." Raven spoke in a chilling voice, her hands fingering the blunt end of the butter knife. "You don't know what you did wrong? Everything! I can't stand you! You and that self-righteous, pompous attitude! Ugh, I fucking hate you! You-you think you're so innocent, so cute and so perfect! Everyone should just do what you say, right? Cause you're such an angel?"
Starfire was sobbing now. "Forgive me please-"
"Don't! Don't apologize. Why bother? It's not like you mean it. Ugh, you're so pitiful! You cry and you weep and you wail, is someone supposed to save you? Am I supposed to feel sorry, guilty?"
Raven chuckled, now staring at her blood red polish decorating her fingernails. "Shall I tell you something, Starfire? Something you should know? Something that Robin-"
Abruptly, Robin stood, fists gripping the table edge. "Raven! Don't you dare say another word!" The Boy Wonder was livid, that much was certain.
What was Raven going to say? Why was Robin so angry? Was Raven trying to blackmail him? Or was she simply trying to provoke the alien? The shape-shifter stared at Raven's face, shocked to see a look of glee. Her violet eyes glinted with a malicious light, while slender white fingers continued stroking the knife.
What was wrong with Raven?
The sorceress laughed mirthfully. "Robin, I taste it...that fear of yours. But, isn't it right that she should know? After all, you wouldn't want her to hear it accidentally?"
"I swear to god, if you say anything...I'll...I'll kill you myself!" Robin snarled, lips set in determination.
"Oh. Kill me, he says." With lightening speed, Raven crossed the room and pinned the Boy Wonder against the wall. "Is that how it is. You'll carry this guilt to the grave?"
The sorceress voice lowered to a menacing whisper. "Robin. I don't take kindly to threats. Maybe you'll die, but I won't. It is not my fate to die by your hands...what about you? Will you die, tonight?" Raven laughed, the butter knife flashing in her hands.
Beastboy watched the scene before him as the cybernetic jumped up and pulled the sorceress away from Robin, desperately trying to pry the utensil from her cold iron grip. He could hear Starfire's hysterical weeping, see Terra's eyes rounded in fright, the trembling in Robin's knees and the glitter of the knife as it reflected off the lights.
The shape-shifter gasped as Raven released the knife and could only stare in horror as the launched forward, aimed at Robin's head. A sickening thud echoed through out the room. Starfire screamed in terror.
The doors blew shut, Raven's hysterical laughter no longer audible. Robin slumped to the floor, breathless and visibly shaking. Beastboy stared at the knife, now jutting out from the wall.
Robin was lucky...very lucky.
Beastboy gulped, trying to calm his racing heart. Raven normally wouldn't have missed that shot. Seeing her practice with real daggers was quite the horror to behold. It was as if she were Deadshot, the assassin who 'never misses'. Every target hit it's mark...even when blindfolded.
At times be believed she was relying on her powers but...dummies aren't alive. They don't have minds to read or heartbeats to listen to. They didn't even have any recognizable scent. He couldn't understand how her skills worked.
Robin must have known this as well...he was playing with his life. Had Cyborg not intervened...Raven would have killed him.
Without regret.
oOoOo
The sky was empty, except for a scant tracing of clouds that raced through the light sky...as if they were racing a marathon. One cloud rushed by...another followed. Robin watched them with envy.
What would it be like to be a cloud? To flow with the wind...to move without any hesitations, limitations or obstacles barring your way?
To be free? The Titan leader understood, he was the last one to be speaking about freedom. After all, he was the one deemed 'most human' by the team. A simple change of clothes could release him from any duties and obligations to the team...permanently.
But he wouldn't really be free...not when he'd be riddled with the guilt of abandoning his friends. And Robin couldn't deal with guilt. No, it was best he remain and carry out the duty that fate had assigned. Being like the clouds would have to wait...at least until he made peace with his friend.
The Boy Wonder sat against the wall several feet away from Raven…he felt her anger through their bond and it pained him greatly. As strange as this sounded, feeling her anger was like sitting outside in the snow...slowly freezing over.
Her anger was not boiling rage or heated wrath. It was an icy disappointment, and a chilling displeasure. Her anger had always felt this way...except for the fact that he was nearly killed.
Robin was beside himself with guilt...he hated what he had done, he despised himself for his uncalled for , he did not believe that they warranted death.
The Boy Wonder was beginning to think that the sorceress was losing control...it made him wary and uneasy. But Cyborg promised that he would be by the door if anything went wrong so here he was watching the clouds pass by over head…waiting for Raven to talk.
It seemed like an hour had passed before her whispered voice shattered his depressing thoughts. "You know Robin, you broke my heart in Tokyo."
"I-I did?" He didn't like the emptiness in her voice.
"Yes…you told everyone you loved Starfire…but night after night it was ME you came to. ME who you told your deepest secrets…ME who chased away your nightmares…ME who you betrayed in the end."
"Raven I-"
"Do not speak when I am talking. Sometimes I wonder why you chose Starfire. She doesn't know you like I did. She doesn't understand you like I did. But I think I understand now. You thought I would get over it…after all I'm Raven. I am not supposed to have emotions… I am supposed to be detached.
She paused, her voice lowering even more. "I do not feel."
"Ra-" What was she saying? Robin never thought of her that way, never. Raven was someone who, despite all appearances, was able to sense and understand exactly what people felt. She was the only one who understood exactly how he felt, when Slade had blackmailed him...she understood what prompted him to create the Red X suit.
Raven understood a lot more than people gave her credit. At times, Robin often wondered if Raven truly suppressed her emotions because of her powers...or because of her uncanny sense to read people's feelings. Perhaps her emotions acted out of hand because of those around her...
"I said don't talk. Why do you think that I have no feelings, Robin? Is it because I can control them? Because my powers couldn't allow me to experience emotions like you? But Richard, am I not human as you are?"
Raven laughed dryly. "Am I not more of a human that Starfire will ever be? Or is it because I am not fully a human like you. Do you think that because I am a half breed, I can never fit in? That I can never truly understand?"
"Raven, that's not why…please, look at me Rae, you know I would never think of you that way." He had always thought of her as his equal...Robin harbored no prejudices or biases toward anyone. Never in his mind did he think of her as the 'half-demon' or 'half-breed' in his mind. She was simply Raven.
She turned and faced him and from beneath her hood he spotted four glowing eyes. Eyes filled with malice, anger and blood lust. Robin staggered back, wondering if he should call Cyborg.
As he opened his mouth, her dark sinister voice intoned, "I'm not going to hurt you. Violence won't solve anything. Besides, if I kill you now, I'll have no witness. You don't think Starfire will simply...believe everything that comes out of my mouth, do you? Better to keep you alive and make you suffer."
Such ironic words...and just the day before he nearly met his untimely end. "I'm really sorry I put you through all this." As if sorry could fix his actions. Sorry was not enough...if it was why were there laws, and why were there police?
"I know you are…but it was partly my fault too. I couldn't get over you…I was addicted." Robin bit his lip. Yes, she did say something about that…
"I could tell by your footsteps…and your scent." Breathy, embarrassed and anticipating. Raven's cheeks tinged red, her hands nervously clasped in her lap, blank purple eyes downcast.
"So what does Starfire smell like?"
"She has a very strong nauseating fruity scent. I cannot endure it for long." It did make sense that Starfire would smell this way...he couldn't count how many trips the alien had made to Bath and Body Works, simply to stock up on their sale items. Raven wrinkled her petite nose as she spoke, an innocent look on her beautiful flushed face.
"And Beastboy?"
Her rosebud lips curved gently. "I like the way he smells…almost like a clean puppy smell." Raven began to smile, her hands running over a worn quilt. "He never really likes it when I tell him. BB thinks I smell like peaches."
"Peaches?"
She wrinkled her nose once more. "Yea…I don't even like peaches."
"What about Cy and Terra?"
"Terra has an earthy smell…I guess that's expected. Cy, to me smells like new car leather."
"New car leather?"
"Yea…it's such an awesome scent!"
"What about me?"
Raven blushed and bit her lip. "Do you truly want to know?"
Funny how Raven's face could portray so many emotions. Just a few minutes ago, she was all smiles and grins. Now, her cheeks flushed a light pink, and the nervous finger resting against her bottom lip was... distractingly seductive.
"Sure."
She crawled slowly towards him and rested her hand lightly on Robin's face. He shivered as she whispered in his ear. "You, have a musky scent almost like cologne and-" Her hands trailed down his smooth face and neck. "sex.
"Sometimes I can…taste it…and it's so intoxicating…and addicting."
Shivers crawled slowly up his spine as her soft hands ghosted down his face. It caught him off guard and Robin couldn't help himself as he pulled her forward and planted his lips against hers. Raven's breath hitched and the quilt that nestled comfortably on her lap was curled between her fists.
Robin deepened the kiss, letting her taste fill his mouth...
"…because of that I didn't really listen to reason. I knew it was wrong. And so, I ask for forgiveness." Her speech was strangely cold and formal, like a student talking to a teacher.
"Rae, you're already forgiven. We can still be friends right?"
Raven turned to look at him, her violet eyes filled with skepticism. "Friends. Let me ask you, Robin. Have we ever been friends? Or was I simply a toy, something you could play with at your own convenience?"
"Raven you know I never thought of you like that."
"But it's true isn't it? Because Starfire never slept with you…you came to me. And I was stupid enough to allow it."
Robin bit his lip. Everything she said was essentially true… Raven was his best friend… with benefits. At the time it seemed like no big deal…but it was wrong and the fact that he kept it from Star made it even worse.
He bit his lip, eyes roaming the rooftop. He never wanted a real relationship with Raven...he wasn't asking for flowers, candle-lit dinners, or romantic walks on the beach. All he wanted was...sex. Something Starfire wouldn't give.
But it was wrong, what he did with Raven that night...he took advantage of her. Took advantage of her emotions...he caused her to loose control. and he kept going back. Like a depraved fool, he kept on repeating his mistakes, thinking everything was under control. That Raven wouldn't say anything. That Starfire would never find out.
Why was he so selfish?
To even think of controlling Raven like that? As if she would just follow his lead? Robin laughed inwardly. No one told Raven what to do...he should have known that. He should have anticipated that Raven would eventually grow tired of their escapades...that she'll rebel.
He should have known that nothing would stop her from spilling that secret when she wanted. If he wanted her to remain silent...he'd simply have to do what she wants. "We'll just be friends…nothing more. I swear."
"Swear on you're parents grave, Robin."
Well, everything but that. Robin stared into his lap. "Rae you know I can't do that…I won't do that."
She looked at him for a long moment. "I believe you and yes I will be your friend...you were there for me when no one else was. But you must promise to only be my friend...nothing more.
Robin nodded and gave her a hug. "Cy bought some donuts…lets go before they disappear."
"Actually, I should go apologize to Starfire first...but save me one."
The cold dark liquid raised goose bumps on Raven's skin and she fought back a shiver. It was important to keep still…even if the brush tickled like hell. The radio resting against the wall blared loudly, drowning any noise she might have heard elsewhere on the rooftop.
Methodically she dipped the brush in the small flat plate and continued painting the intricate swirling pattern on her legs. It would be over soon…then perhaps she could color it in?
Red would be a nice color…red seemed to complement her strange colored skin even better now. Perhaps she could look for a dark hue of red…like crimson or scarlet. Maybe the deepest blood red. It didn't matter what she did…as long as it made her happy.
"So what if it hurts me, so what if I break down, so what if this world just throws me off the edge, my feet run off the ground.
I've gotta find my pace, I wanna hear my sound…
Don't care bout all the pain in front of me cause I'm just trying to be happy."
"You know if the hero gig doesn't work out…you could make a hell of a lot of money singing."
Raven jumped, the brush flew from her hands, and the pan nearly toppled over."Fuck." Well at least the pan is safe. The sorceress reached out, moving the pan to the side. Purple eyes roamed the rooftop, searching for the elusive brush. Where did it go?
"Here."
Raven glanced back at the thief, widening her eyes at the paintbrush resting in his fingertips. She felt strange...somehow safe. It was absurd. How could one feel safe in the presence of their enemy?
Then again, hadn't he saved her...risked everything to make sure she was safe? Who wouldn't feel safe in the proximity of someone like that? Raven smiled. "Thank you. But, why are you here?"
"Is that any way to treat your savior?" His voice sounded mirthful and light. Raven wondered if he was smiling behind his mask.
What did it look like? The smile of Red X. Was it mischievous? Wide and carefree? A handsome smirk? Raven shook her head. It wouldn't do to start dwelling on the subject. He was a thief, and she was a titan. Such a friendship was...not allowed. She walked slowly to him and held out her hand, hoping she came off as professional and cool. "I am in your debt."
He shook the half-demon's hand cautiously. "So, what's with the paint?"
"It's called henna. Where I come from it symbolizes maturity and grace. You're not supposed to decorate your whole body but I was bored… seriously why are you here?" Raven questioned, more irritated with herself than the man. Why was she so...talkative? Why did she feel so comfortable and normal?
"I haven't seen you since you were unconscious…then you were all over TV, giving interviews blind. I was...curious." Red X leaned against the wall, arms crossed nonchalantly.
Raven stared at him for a long time. She was grateful to him for saving her but…shouldn't that have been the end of his interest? Why was he still hanging around? Of what benefit would it be to satisfy his curiosity?
The thief tilted his head. "Did you really cover your whole body with that paint?" The mask did nothing to hide the obvious curiosity in his voice...nor did it cover up the slightly over eager tone.
"Yea...and no you may not see it." Raven smiled curtly, hoping he got the message.
"Wasn't asking sweetheart, but if you're offering...it would be rude of me to refuse." Red X laughed softly.
She glared at him, trying to ignore the way his abs were outlined on his suit. Robin never looked that muscled when he wore the suit. How old was Red X?
It was obvious that he couldn't be a teenager...but if he was an adult...how old of an adult? Early twenties, late twenties...hell, he could be as old as Slade or even Bruce Wayne! Raven's rambling thoughts continued to confuse her and presently she glanced up at with an annoyed expression.
Much to her surprise, the thief casually sat down beside her and crossed his hands behind his head, as if admiring the view of the cloudy skies. Raven stared at him with shock as he lowered him self against the wall. What was he doing?
Did he not know that all she had to do was pick up the communicator and he would be trapped? Raven's purple eyes darted anxiously to the place she had discarded it. Perhaps he knew...maybe he knew that even if the communicator was in her hands she couldn't and wouldn't rat him out.
"So what's with the camp site?"
Raven scowled at the casual voice. He was the enemy...shouldn't he at least be on his guard? Why was she the one who was nervous and apprehensive? Why was she the one darting her eyes to the door way- as if waiting for an angry parent to enter at any minute? The sorceress shrugged. "Just wanted some time to think."
"Ah. And you're thinking was successful?"
A smirk briefly formed on her lips. Somehow, with those "Ah's" he sounded so much like Robin. Maybe it was simply her imagination. Raven looked down, dipping her brush into the dark liquid. "Somewhat."
"He dumped you didn't he…Robin."
Raven bit her lip…was she really that readable? Perhaps more meditation should have been added to the schedule. But could it really be considered 'being dumped'? It wasn't like the two were even in any kind of relationship. Perhaps a better term would be ' calling things off'."Something like that."
"Do you ever wonder why?"
A pale, steady hand faltered and Raven cursed inwardly. What was he getting at? Why all these personal questions? "Not really. I already know why."
"Robin never appreciated you, did he? He took you for granted… he made you feel...worthless?"
Why was Red X talking like he knew everything? Why was he right? How could one stranger pinpoint all of her frustrations like this...after all the work she had done to seal them away?
"You felt like you didn't matter…like there was no place left for you. You felt like ending everything?"
Silent tears streamed down the young woman's face and she realized, much to her horror, that her hands were shaking. She couldn't continue like this. The paint brush clattered to the floor, the dull echo making her wince in pain. What was wrong with me?
"I-I guess so.."
"So why didn't you end everything Raven…why haven't you given up?"
"I-I don't know…please leave." Why didn't she give up? End everything? How could she? Ending everything would be like a surrender. She would lose her place on the team, Erik would find her again...and her life would descend once more into a living hell. And who's to say he'll be as merciful as before? Didn't he kill her closest friend the last time she ran away?
What would he do this time as a punishment? Raven shivered, trapped in her memories of the past. Gloved hands covered her own and slowly Raven was pulled up from the floor. The sorceress looked away, not wanting her enemy to see her tears.
It was so embarrassing how she could just sit here and cry like a child...
"Raven, look at me." The leather glove felt unusually warm as he cupped her chin. Raven closed her eyes and inhaled swiftly as those warm, leather-clad hands softly brushed the tears from her face.
Raven's mind whirled. "Why are you doing this?" She questioned, not really expecting an answer.
"Princess, you are worth more than all the jewels money can buy. Don't ever forget that."
Raven watched transfixed as he stepped off the roof, gave a salute and faded into the background. A smile spread on her face as his deep, familiar voice echoed in her ears.
She had heard that voice somewhere before. The voice behind his mask...his real voice. Everything about him was strangely familiar...the funny accent, the chiseled frame, the musky scent, the way he called her 'princess'.
Why couldn't she remember?
Suddenly she looked down, noticing the cold chain that dangled from her fingertips. Raven lifted up the chain, a grin spreading on her pale face. It was a necklace...a small, simple looking necklace. At first thought one might think it to be a good luck charm...but to her it was more.
Not everyone knew the language of flowers...not everyone knew the symbol of the Azalea. So how did Red X know?* Raven picked up the fallen brush, and finally resumed her painting...a soft smile on her lips, and a new necklace dangling from her neck.
* All flowers have a meaning. The Azalea flower means 'take care of yourself for me'. In China it is the symbol of womanhood.
Seriously people…I NEED Reviews.
I feel like I'm losing the touch.
Please tell me what you think. Say everything on your mind. Ask questions…I like answering them. It helps me plan my thoughts.
Tell me what I need more of and less of…..criticize my writing or give me props… I don't want to have to do the whole 6 reviews thing but soon I will.
This chapter was inspired by
1) Unbeautiful by Leslie Roy
2) Happy by Leona Lewis