When Raven emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her, she was surprised to see her leotard and cloak sitting cleaned and folded on Slade's bed. Behind her, Slade stepped out in his own towel, his white hair clinging to his forehead. She glanced back at him as she went to grab her clothes, shaking her head.
"I still can't believe you shower with that," she said, probably for the fifth time, while gesturing to his eyepatch.
"Some things aren't meant to be seen," Slade responded, again. Normally, of course, he would have removed it, but since Raven had been with him, he'd kept that demonic eye hidden. He still didn't understand what it was or why Trigon had seemingly given it to him, but he couldn't imagine Raven would find comfort in seeing it, and he wanted her relaxed. The more relaxed she was, the more he could have his way with her. And that was exactly what he'd done. How many times had he fucked her just since waking this morning? Besides their afternoon breakfast, they had spent the majority of their time together having sex. Thinking of their encounters, a sly grin grew on his face as he watched her walk to the bed. She hid it well, but he could see the slight bowing in her legs, the clear discomfort that was probably shooting from her core. Despite having just finished together in the shower, Slade found himself wanting to take her again. Something about her made Slade feel like he could never be satiated, so when he saw her going to put on her uniform and, presumably, make ready to leave, he felt a pang in his gut that urged him to act.
Slade came up next to her, dropping his towel so he was naked beside her. Despite being increasingly familiar with that particular part of him, Raven still blushed and tried averting her eyes. Slade grinned broadly, pulling away Raven's own towel and bringing her back against his front.
"Slade," Raven groaned as his arms wrapped around her. As much as she was enjoying their time together, she had to acknowledge that her body was close to its limit. Not that Passion minded, at all, but every time Raven moved, it was like she could still feel everything they had done shoot up from between her legs.
In Nevermore, Passion was lying on the ground, splayed out and staring straight up. This man is insatiable, the purple clone said, both in admiration and in exhaustion. But if this is the way we die, she said dramatically, then so be it!
Slade's hands were moving over her again, hitting all the sensitive areas he had spent the day and night learning and exploring. Raven's groan turned into a moan as he pinched and rubbed.
"Raven," he whispered sensually into her ear. At her back, she could feel his growing erection.
Too long, Intelligence murmured to her. You've been gone too long. Those were the first words the yellow-cloaked twin had said to Raven since yesterday, and Raven had the distinct feeling that the emoticlone wasn't particularly pleased to be doing so.
Sighing, Raven forced herself to pry Slade's hands from her body. Not surprisingly, he didn't make doing so easy, but when she didn't give in to his insistence, he relented with a frown. Turning so she faced him, she looked up at his blue eye.
"I have to go," she told him. "Starfire can only keep my absence secret for so long, and if you're really set on going into Nevermore, then my friends need to see me. Not coming out of my room for twenty-four hours is extreme, even for me."
Slade's hand drifted to her neck, his usual smug grin on his face. "And how do you plan on keeping these secret, little bird? Do you really think your little friends won't see them?" His hand moved to the marks on her legs. "That they won't notice these? Don't you think Nightwing will notice the way your legs are bowing when you walk? I'd bet," his deep voice was sending shivers through Raven as his hands once again roamed and his blue eye bored into hers, "that the green one will smell me on you…," Slade leaned in closer, his breath fanning her cheek, "in you the moment you walk into that room."
Jesus fucking Christ, Passion whispered in Raven's mind, the purple clone fanning herself. Why did we waste so much time fighting him again?
Raven was fighting against the heat rising in her body, wishing she had her own fan to cool herself. Because he's a villain, Raven thought numbly. Normally, Intelligence would likely agree with her, but the yellow clone was suspiciously absent again. Without her, Raven knew there wasn't much conviction behind her internal thought.
Obviously, Passion replied, heroes don't fuck like Slade. Could you imagine Dick saying something like that?
With that gem of a thought rolling around her consciousness, Raven refocused on the present, trying to snap herself out of the stupor Slade's words and hands were putting her in.
"I know what you're trying to do," Raven said to him, her normal monotone only slightly inflected.
Slade chuckled in her ear, "I would hope so. Your virginity is long gone at this point. I'd be concerned if you didn't know my plans for you."
"That's," Raven breathed out as Slade began planting heavy kisses on her neck, sucking the already darkened marks, "not… what… I… meant." Whether he was listening to her or not, Raven couldn't tell, but she was hardly listening to her own words as the lust-induced haze filled her mind.
We have time for one more, Passion said confidently as Lust emerged, taking charge and steering Raven to respond to Slade's advances.
"One more," Raven agreed aloud, falling back onto the bed as Slade took the affirmation in stride and pinned her beneath him.
Forty minutes later, Raven materialized in her room. Her legs were jelly, and even though she had spent most of the past eighteen hours in a bed, she was tempted to collapse onto her familiar blue sheets. Glancing around, everything seemed in order. She took that as a sign that the other Titans didn't realize she was gone. If they were concerned for her, she didn't doubt they would search her room. Even if it would mean she'd tear them apart when she found out.
Raven was about to leave her room when Slade's words echoed in her head. Frowning, she went to her full length mirror, checking herself. To her dismay, the hickeys he'd left all over her neck, chest, and legs were clearly visible. She thought of when her friends had interrogated her about a potential lover when the flowers had arrived. What would they say when their guesses were so easily confirmed?
Scowling, she instead grabbed the communicator sitting by her bed. With a few presses, she had dialed the one person she wasn't terrified to see.
"FRIEND RAVEN!" Starfire screeched into the communicator. From the background, Raven could tell her alien friend was in the main ops room.
"Hey, Star," Raven replied quietly. "I—"
"I AM COMING!" Starfire shouted, having clearly noticed Raven's familiar background as well.
The video feed cut abruptly. Raven barely had time to process before her door was thrown open, and Starfire zoomed inside. The two girls stared at each other for one long second. Starfire's green eyes scanned Raven, spotting all of the love bites Raven was hoping to hide. The marks were the most obvious sign, but the keen alien noticed the upwards turn of the dark Titan's lips and the happy glow that brightened her skin. With a high-pitched squeal that could have shattered glass, Starfire picked Raven up in a bone-crushing embrace.
"Oh, my friend! You must tell me everything! Was it everything you had dreamed? How was your mystery man?" Starfire said as she continued to smother Raven.
"Can't," Raven choked out. "Breathe."
"Oh!" Starfire said, releasing the smaller woman and beaming at her. "I apologize for my eagerness, friend, but I am most excited to hear how your night—and day," Starfire winked at Raven suggestively, "went. Please, friend, will you sit and talk with me?"
Seeing her friend so happy for her, Raven decided that Slade had seen enough of her for now. He could wait a little while longer for her to return. Besides, the plan was to get the mirror and go into Nevermore together. Even though Raven knew it was necessary to help regain control of her powers, she wasn't entirely looking forward to the experience.
"I'd like that," Raven admitted. Even if Raven knew Starfire wouldn't approve of who the man was, the alien princess would always wish for Raven's happiness.
"How wonderful!" Starfire said excitedly, jumping onto Raven's bed as youthful as the day they'd met.
Raven settled beside her, crossing her legs as if she was about to meditate.
Practically vibrating with anticipation, Starfire jumped right into her questions. "So, how was it? Did you enjoy yourself?"
How was it? Raven repeated to herself, wondering how to even answer that.
Amazing. Incredible. World-shattering, Passion provided, ticking off fingers as the adjectives came to her. Knee-buckling. Mind-blowing. Scream-inducing.
Blushing, Raven smiled slightly. "It was… good."
Starfire's face fell. "Good?" she repeated dumbly. "That's all?"
How dare you, Passion said aghast. Our man did not give us that much pleasure to just be called good.
Not our man, Raven reminded the clone. She really was getting out of hand.
Still, Raven found herself amending her description. "No, it was… well, it was kind of amazing, actually."
I liked world-shattering, but whatever, Passion added.
Raven hid her grimace. Maybe she needed to be in Nevermore sooner rather than later.
As if she'd given a child their favorite toy, the alien's face shined with glee. "I am so happy for you, friend Raven! I am pleased that your experience was so enjoyable, and I notice you have returned with some… reminders of it."
Her hand instinctively went to her neck where she knew the marks were showing. "Yeah, we got a little carried away."
Starfire laughed, taking Raven's hand and grinning. "Do not be ashamed, friend! Being carried away is part of the fun, is it not?"
"I guess you're right," Raven replied lightly. "I still don't want the others to see just yet though."
Starfire nodded, "I understand. It is not easy for you to be open, but I appreciate that you have chosen to share with me. Do you think I will be ever able to meet your mystery man?"
The stutter in her heartbeat almost sent Raven to the grave. "I don't know," Raven replied. "He can be pretty secretive."
Disappointment crossed Starfire's face, but she quickly rid herself of it, staring at Raven with a million questions in her eyes. "What else can you tell me of him? If I cannot meet him, I should like to know what he is like, and how he has come to attract your attention."
Briefly, Raven considered lying. She could tell Starfire that the man was just a normal guy. That he was attractive and kind. She could say he was smart and funny. But even as the words tried to build in her mouth, they tasted bitter and wrong, and Raven couldn't bring herself to lie.
"He's confident," Raven started, "borderline arrogant, if not completely cocky all the time. He's intelligent and clever, almost frighteningly so. Strong, very strong." The vision of Slade throwing her around with ease reignited the heat in her stomach. "He's considerate, too, though. Maybe not in the typical way, but he listens and plans ahead. He can be intimidating, but…" Raven trailed off. She thought of the gentle touches and calming words she'd experienced from Slade today. The soft, tender side of him that she had previewed. "He cares about me," Raven said, her voice sounding far away. When the words came from her lips, it was the first time Raven allowed herself to believe such a thing. Could Slade, the nefarious supervillain who had tormented, chased, and taunted her for years really care for her like she thought he did? Was it possible?
"Of course, he does," Starfire smiled, pulling Raven into a deep hug answering the unspoken question without meaning to. "You are a most wonderful woman, Raven. It is easy to care for you. And I am quite glad you have found someone who recognizes you as such."
When the two young Titans broke their friendly hug, Raven was smiling, and the tears in her eyes were not ones of sadness.
"When you will be seeing him again?" Starfire asked, now satisfied with Raven's description of the man.
Raven shifted awkwardly on the bed. "Actually, I was going to head back tonight. I only came back to grab a few things."
A sly smile spread across Starfire's face. "You are missing him already?"
"I'm sure he would think that," Raven said in her monotone. If she told her friend that she was returning for his help meditating, Starfire might be hurt Raven didn't ask her, so Raven elected to keep that part to herself. "But I do need your help, again."
Starfire nodded. "You wish me to continue to keep your absence unknown?"
"I know it's a lot—"
"I will do it," Starfire said simply.
"Are you sure? I know you don't like to lie."
"I have not lied. I have informed our friends that you have a case of the bogaluwars and cannot be disturbed."
Raven blinked. "A case of the what?"
Starfire grinned, her usual friendly eyes slightly mischievous. "In your tongue, it means the sex haze."
Raven was silent for a long moment before she burst out laughing with Starfire. Leave it to Starfire to keep her word to Raven while still being honest with her friends. After so many years, the Titans had learned not to ask Starfire for too much clarification when she used her native language, so it didn't surprise Raven that the alien princess had gotten away without incident.
"Thanks, Star," Raven said after they'd stopped laughing. "I just don't want anyone to worry."
"I am happy to assist you, friend, and I shall keep our other friends from worrying while you are away."
Guilt started to seep into Raven's mind as her friend once again agreed to cover for her. "Are you sure? What if there's an attack or trouble in the city? Maybe I should stay."
"Raven," Starfire said softly, "you deserve to have happiness. If there is trouble, we will handle it. You wish for our friends not to worry while you are away, but you must not worry for us either. Please do not sacrifice your time with this man who has made you smile so on our behalf."
A deep sigh left Raven's lips, but she nodded. While most outside of Titans Tower would consider Raven the wise one of the young heroes, when it came to matters of life and happiness, Raven often found herself seeking the bright alien for sage advice. Like many of those times, Raven came away feeling lighter and set on her path. Thanking Starfire again, Raven gave her friend one last hug before gathering what she came for.
Before she had left Slade, he'd pointed out that if their journey into Nevermore was lengthy, as she suspected it might be, then she may as well stay with him again. It was slightly ridiculous considering she could quite literally take a step and be back in her room, but nonetheless, she began throwing a clean leotard, a tank top, panties, and pajama bottoms into a bag along with a few other necessities. Whether any of those things would be used was probably unlikely, but if she had her own clean clothes, at least she wouldn't have to walk around in only his shirt.
The last item was the most important. Raven picked up the mirror from where she had left it on her bedside table, staring at her reflection and clutching it tightly. Just as she was readying to put it in the bag, the tower emergency alarm blared. Red lights flashed ominously overhead as the screeching scrambled her thoughts.
"Titans," Nightwing's urgent voice echoed over the intercom, "to ops, now!"
Raven's heart pounded in her chest. Was there an intruder? What if her friends were in danger? She thought about what Starfire had said. As much as Passion was begging her to take the bag and return to Slade, Raven couldn't bring herself to leave. Could she just abandon her friends, leave them alone to deal with whatever was triggering the alarm? If she did, how many more times would she have to forgo her family for him?
Her violet eyes stared down at the bag in front of her. She remembered the loneliness, the tragedy she'd felt from Slade. She savored in the recollection of the warmth and contentment he gave her, and the calmness that washed over him when she was there. As her thoughts drifted to him, she felt the connection opening between their spirits. The bond between them was now stronger than any she'd ever had with Dick. It was sturdy and broad, and when she pictured it, she saw a bridge made of rose and vines, a living and flexible path that grew and swayed. She sensed his acceptance of her seeking and responded, and she reveled in that warmth again. She knew when he felt the sadness and regret in her, and she fought back tears as she turned away from the bag and headed out of her room.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, closing the connection. She couldn't bear to feel the grief on the other side.
With a deep breath, she lifted from the ground and flew through the tower. When she reached ops, the door opened to her family gathered around the center console as a news broadcast played on the screen.
When she came in, Starfire's eyes widened briefly before a sad smile darkened her face. The others glanced in her direction, but to her shock, no one said anything about the marks. Raven's eyes darted to her exposed thighs and had to hide her expression when she saw nothing marring her skin.
I liked them, Passion said sadly, but they had to go.
You did this? Raven asked her clone.
None of her Nevermore counterparts answered her question.
"Raven," Nightwing said, his expression grim.
"What's with the creepy mirror?" Changeling asked, pointing to her hand.
Raven glanced down. She hadn't even realized she was still carrying it.
Cyborg elbowed the green Titan in the ribs. "Shut it, grass stain. Glad you're feeling better, Rae."
Nodding, Raven approached the other Titans, trying to figure out what the emergency was. There didn't seem to be anyone else here, so why the alarm?
As she got closer, she noticed how Cyborg and Changeling were avoiding her eyes. Starfire was staring at her with such a sad expression that Raven stopped in her tracks. The emotions in the room were fighting for dominance with her own. The sorrow and frustration of the other Titans was overwhelming. Fear crept into Raven's heart. She imagined the worst. Slade had told her there was no trouble for any Titans last night, but what if he'd been wrong? What if a Titan had been hurt or killed? What if his interference had rubbed another villain the wrong way?
When Raven finally met Dick's eyes, though, she felt only his disappointment and anger. A greater terror that he knew about Slade made her blood run cold, but it passed quickly when she realized that his anger was not directed at her.
"Raven," Dick said again, his voice soft. He stared down at his feet. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't stop it."
"Stop what?" she asked him. Her voice was neutral, but she knew he could sense her trepidation.
Everyone was silent. The only noise in the room was the sound of the broadcast playing on the screen.
"Fatalities in Georgia have been confirmed, and Jump News can also confirm that two of the deaths have been attributed to the biological weapon stolen by the infamous criminal Slade from BioJump's secure facility in Jump City. Our panel discusses the fallout of this news and the ramifications of it for the Titans. Bill, what can you tell us?"
"Well, Sarah, it doesn't look good for the Titans, certainly. If you remember, we were given assurance that no weapon was taken from the lab on the night of the break-in. Clearly, that was false. But, right now, as I understand, the focus is on the half-demon member of the team, Raven. Local police indicated that she was the first Titan on the scene that night, and rather than going after Slade and preventing him from taking the weapon, we've been told she did nothing to stop the madman. It wasn't until the other Titans arrived that any preventive action took place. Which begs the question, can we really trust the daughter of a devil to protect us? Had she acted instead of disappearing from the scene, I daresay those innocent people in Georgia would still be with us today."
Raven's chest was still as her breath held in her lungs. The broadcast continued, and more panelists continued to blame her for Slade's escape. For the deaths in Georgia. Her hand tightened around the mirror's handle until her knuckles were white. Her mind whirled, thoughts crashing into one another as her breathing returned in rapid, panicked gasps.
He lied. He told me he didn't take it.
He used it. He killed people with it. Innocent people.
I took him from the lab. Nightwing was there. I took him. I took him because I wanted him.
He escaped because I let him escape. He would've been caught.
We could have stopped him.
I let him escape.
I did this.
It's my fault.
My fault.
Liar. Liar. LIAR!
The other Titans were trying to reach their friend whose head was downcast, hood covering her in shadows. The lights around them were flickering rapidly, bulbs shattering as Raven shook, the hand holding her mirror beginning to bleed as her skin cut into the elegantly shaped metal. When Raven's head lifted, she saw nothing but red, and the other Titans took a step away, fearing the four red eyes and dark shadow growing around their quiet comrade. Before any of them could calm her, Raven's demonic voice echoed over the room once before darkness engulfed her, and she vanished.
"Liar."