Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
a/n: I cannot wait for this story to progress into one with more intense Raven/Slade interaction. However, it is in the beginning, and they still dislike each other deeply, so it will be a while before any real action comes into play.
I've been feeling pretty down recently, today in particular - so much so, I had to stay home from school and work. I actually finished this chapter today in bed. So if anyone can review, share, etc. the story, it would be much appreciated. So far, the feedback I've gotten is pretty positive, which is surprising, considering this is a ship most people consider unconventional or disgusting.
Also, if anyone would like a review of their story, I would be more than happy to do it; just message me and I'll give you one. However, if I am unfamiliar with the material/fandom, I won't do it, simply because I don't understand the background information, and want to give your work a review that reflects the quality of your work rather than a 'I'm sorry, I had no idea what this-and-that meant'.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."
- John Steinbeck, East of Eden
Rage/Trigon: Hatred shall rule!
- Nevermore
Chapter Four: The Second
It was Raven who'd lost the fight. Her communicator had blipped with an all-too familiar jingle - the distress signal. She'd thrown Slade one last disparaging look before phasing out of the mansion to answer the call. Bank robbery down town, new students of the reestablished H.I.V.E. academy. Be there in five.
Raven knew her duty and flew to the battle, no questions asked. Yet somehow, she felt a vague annoyance that she had been the one to break eye contact No doubt Slade would consider it a victory. He'd the one that had been left standing; Raven had been the one to leave.
You're over-thinking it, Intelligence observed dryly. Any petty games Slade wants to play with you is pointless.
Although Raven agreed wholeheartedly with the logical part of her brain, she allowed a tiny bit of childish spite to fester. In the past, she would have done everything to snuff such emotions, fearing the influence of her demonic blood.
But this was now; now, Raven had cast out her father to save Earth, imprisoned every criminal her team had ever faced, and was simply a different person then she was only a few years ago.
And this Raven understood the importance of feeling things, feeling anything, lest it burst out in the worst way possible. Her horror-movie recreation had been a perfect example of just that.
So if Raven wanted to feel irked by her hypothetical loss against Slade, she would. God help her if her powers manifested into his shape, running around the tower, taunting her failure.
The fight was brief and not particularly eventful; the H.I.V.E. academy's newest graduates lacked finesse and an understanding of the way the Titans operated. It took only twenty minutes for the band of villains to be defeated, detained, and handed over to officers. Titans, go.
Raven knew she wasn't the only one who felt underwhelmed by the recent series of criminals. Beast Boy seemed antsier than ever, despite his constant complaining that dispensing justice sapped his free time. Hell, even Robin seemed a bit disheartened at the absence of a challenge. Fighting crime, after all, was the Titan's foundation for existing. If they didn't have that, then what was left?
Friendship, Raven reminded herself sternly. Family. Love.
The anxiety wriggled unwelcomely from a pit in her stomach.
What now?
They went out for late-night pizza. Per usual, they argued over who deserved the last slice - which, in this case, Cyborg emerged the victor. Home. Showers for all. Comfort. Familiarity.
In passing, Starfire mentioned that it was a good thing she and Raven had not gone out that night, for their evening would have been ruined. Grateful that the alien had been placated, Raven agreed, until Starfire inquired whether or not her plans had been effected by the robbery. By some stroke of cosmic luck, Robin chose that moment to ask Starfire if Silkie had been yet, because the larva was trying to swallow a pillow whole. It was then Raven elected to retire to her room, thanking the universe for small miracles.
She attempted to read before bed - she was in the middle of a book Arella recommended during one of her infrequent, but otherwise relatively pleasant visits to Azarath - but, for reasons she couldn't fathom, kept picturing the female lead as the brunette in Slade's photograph. In any other instance, Raven wouldn't mind her imagination substituting characters with people she knew in real life (she once read an entire trilogy picturing Terra as every nameless servant and prisoner).
But the woman was different - whether or not she was important to Slade, she had meant something to someone at one point or another. Raven couldn't imagine how a seemingly normal, albeit attractive, woman as the sole piece of life in Slade's dark domain. Perhaps she had been a partner, a relative, or -
She scrunched her nose. Although it was a plausible option, Raven seriously doubted the woman had ever been Slade's lover. The thought of him touching anyone was enough to make Raven gag, much less the idea someone had wanted him to.
I don't know, Passion mused, tapping her chin. The beard kind of did it for me. Plus, I like his shoulders.
Raven's eye twitched. "What the hell do you know about that?"
Passion shrugged. It's my specialty.
"I ought to lock you up with Rage."
Admit it, Raven. It's been forever since you've been on a date. The more you ignore me, the stronger I'll get. Passion sounded far too pleased with herself.
Raven made a noise of frustration, grinding her hands into her temples. It had most certainly not been forever since she'd been on a date. If Passion wanted to get technical about it, Raven supposed her last date had been...
She blinked. Well, her last crush had been on Malchior, who didn't count, since he turned out to be a lying bastard and a dragon to boot (Asshole, she thought venomously, glowering at the chest where his book was locked away). And before that, she'd gone out a couple times with...what was his name? The kid with the skull shirt. And before that...
Well, nothing.
See, Passion crowed, triumphant. Told you so.
Raven only dug her hands in deeper, creating a significant amount of pain against her cranium.
"I'm going to sleep," she informed her room testily. Unsurprisingly, the room didn't reply.
If you don't hop on an eligible bachelor soon, Passion whispered as Raven shut her eyes, all you're going to have to date is that green dog from space with the tongue.
Shut up, Lazy growled. We're trying to go to sleep.
Raven blamed a lack of proper meditation for her emotion's misbehavior tonight. However, if they continued to harass her like this, then a lobotomy would be the healthiest course of action for all involved.
.
"Hey, Raven!"
"What?"
"Dare me to lick the Stank-ball?"
"No."
"Awh, why not?"
"I'm not a sadist, Beast Boy."
"A what?"
Raven ignored the rest of her teammate's invitations to see if he could survive consuming the ball of pungent laundry until he gave up and threw the thing at Cyborg. To be frank, as much as Raven probably would enjoy the sight of Beast Boy writhing in pain from whatever toxic chemicals the Stank-ball contained, she was too preoccupied with thinking about the whole Slade mess to truly enjoy whatever discomfort came to the shape-shifter.
Robin and Starfire, seeing as Raven did not bring food the day before, went out for groceries and supplies. Starfire eagerly reminded Raven that they had plans tonight, describing her desire to have a "vir-gon pino coloda" prior to Robin hauling to her out of the tower.
I could use a piña colada, Happy bubbled, beaming.
Is there a slutty piña colada? Passion asked, still unhappy from the results of last night's discussion.
Yeah, snickered Happy. It's called a regular piña colada. Duh!
Raven frowned. Since when had her emotions become so vocal? Or so downright promiscuous?
Passion shrugged. Just thought you wouldn't want another reminder of your virginity, Raven.
Choosing not to dignify that remark with a response, Raven pulled up her hood, flatly informed Cyborg and Beast Boy (who'd taken to wresting on the living room floor) that she would be out, and made way for Slade's home.
.
As Raven knocked once more on that large wooden door, she began to ponder the realistic longevity of this arrangement. Was she really supposed to babysit Slade until she'd felt like he'd reformed - or worse, if she felt like the Titans lives were going so poorly, mentioning Slade's re-emergence into society would have no impact on them whatsoever? It wasn't often that Raven doubted herself or her opinion but in the more recent months, she was becoming less and less sure of the decisions she made. The feeling sat poorly with her.
What now?
As before, the door swung open only a couple inches, leaving Raven to squiggle her way inside without tearing her cloak. The door creaked shut behind her, ominous as ever.
"You're earlier than yesterday."
Slade's tone was a matter-of-fact.
"Is there a problem?" Raven asked coldly.
Slade unwound himself from the corner behind the door. Again, he was donned in his full battle armor; Raven wondered if it ever got hot in there. The mansion was drafty and nearly-pitch black, even though the sun was at it's peak and the temperature outside was pushing ninety.
Vampire! a disembodied Beast Boy voice popped into Raven's imagination, before Rage thoroughly incinerated and destroyed said voice with as much hatred she could muster.
Slade inclined his head. "Should there be?"
"Not if I can help it."
"Good." His voice dragged out the last syllable, in a way that curving and metallic and so utterly Slade. Raven suppressed a shudder, not wanting to give Slade the wrong impression.
He observed her for a few more moments, then strode away, fists swinging by his side. Once more, Raven followed.
"I'll have you know that I'm working right now," he told her smoothly, glancing back as they walked. The whites of his eyes contrasted sharply with the darkness. "So make an effort to leave as soon as possible."
This perked Raven's interest. "What are you working on?"
"Dear child, I believe we've already discussed the boundaries of our agreement."
"It's my job to know if you're going to hurt someone. Whether it's now or later, Slade, if whatever you're doing is going to put someone in danger, I'm going to be the one to clean it up."
They'd reached the living room. The television was on this time, but it was only the highlights from the early-morning news broadcast. Slade turned heel to look at her; Raven nearly bumped head-first into his chest.
"How are Starfire and Robin doing?" he inquired politely, leaning down to meet her eye-to-eye. She felt like a finger of ice was tracing up her spine.
"Just fine. Now - "
"How long has it been since they've become...official?" Raven could picture a sneer behind the slits of Slade's mask. "Weeks? A month? Time goes by in a blink, you know. And you've all grown up quite a bit."
A week? A month? A millennia? Far too long for my tastes.
Reflexively, Raven crossed her arms over her chest, glad that the dim lighting hid her blush. "Why do you care whether or not Starfire and Robin are dating?"
Slade chuckled, the sound echoing over the reporter's voice from the T.V.
"My dear, I care about very little in this world. Frankly, you and your team don't make the cut."
As irrational and stupid as it was, Raven couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit miffed by Slade's supposed indifference. He'd damn well cared about them for years, in his own twisted, screwed up way. The criminals the Titans faced were all out for themselves until the Titans apprehended them; Slade, on the other hand, and frequently sought after the team itself.
"The woman," Raven remarked, "in the picture. Does she make the cut?"
Slade began replying before she'd finished her sentence. "Kid, don't push your luck."
He was mad - Raven could sense that much. He and Robin, both so quick to anger. She couldn't imagine living in that perpetual mood swing.
Well, she considered sourly, thinking of Rage, getting that angry so often. Losing yourself.
Yeah, Intelligence snorted. Like you don't know anything about that.
Let's just say I have issues with my father.
"Haven't I told you already? I'm not afraid of you anymore," Raven retorted, tone clipped. "So you might as well tell me now."
Slade stood up straighter, regaining his towering height over her. His fingers were clenching and un-clenching themselves, like he was debating whether or not to strike her.
But in the end, he simply remarked, "I never did speak with you after the battle against your father."
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
"You've changed."
Raven wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not. "So have you."
He let out a single, half-amused laugh. "That's why you're here, isn't it?"
And with that he spun away from her, returning to whatever cranny of the living room he would hide in until she left. Although yes, Raven was not afraid of Slade, she received the impression he would avoid discussion about the woman in the photograph at whatever cost. So she did her search, declared to the darkness that he was clean, and left.
.
"Tell me again what the point of this is, Starfire."
Starfire, who'd been enthusiastically slurping away at her icy tropical concoction, lifted her head and smiled brightly.
"Do you not like the 'pino coloda', dear friend Raven? You could try 'Shirley Temple' but I did not know cannibalism was an accepted concept on your planet - "
"It's not," Raven muttered, stirring her melting yellow drink with a straw. "I just thought girl's night would involve more, oh, I don't know..."
She turned and gave a hate-filled glare at a booth of fraternity boys who'd been unabashedly gawking at the redheaded alien girl for the past forty minutes. The restaurant was located on the pier, and these guys had quite literally, followed them from the club they'd visited, into a movie theater, and now here.
"Girls."
Starfire followed Raven's gaze. "Oh, well, I am sure they are merely seeking to ask your hand on 'the date'."
Yeah, Raven, Passion smirked. I bet you could bang it out with one of them. The blond one's pretty hot.
As if on cue, the tall blond of the group noticed Raven's annoyed stare and winked at her.
"Sorry, not my type," Raven said, turning back to her friend. Passion slumped with disappointment.
Starfire glanced back, taking another look at the selection. "Perhaps you are correct," she agreed. "None of them look the least bit knowledgeable on demon lore, or depressing music."
In spite of herself, Raven snickered into her drink. Maybe girl's night out wasn't so bad after all.
The sound of a crashing wave attracted Raven's attention to the sea below her. The water had been peaceful and black, but a sudden rush of it was spouting up the edge of the pier, curdling beside Raven and Starfire's table.
Before either heroine could make a move, the spout of water came to a head, revealing a handsome young man they both knew and adored.
"Aqualad!" Starfire exclaimed, scrambling to reach him over the pier's railing. He laughed and hopped off the spout of water, landing beside the girls. The remaining water fell, splashing into the ocean.
Raven could not help the color from spreading across her cheeks. Passion slapped her forehead.
What the fresh hell is this, Raven? How could you forget to mention Aqualad, the Atlantis-born badass with tights to match?
She didn't answer Passion's griping; instead, she flicked her gaze back to the fraternity boys, smiling at the dumbfounded looks on the boy's faces.
" - just passing through, thought that it looked like you guys up there." Aqualad grinned at Raven. "How was Japan?"
"Um, it was...cool," she stuttered. Damn, Raven forgot just how good-looking the boy was. "We did our job."
Aqualad nodded. "Everything's been going pretty good in Steel City since the Brotherhood of Evil went out of business. We've just been dealings with pests ever since."
Pests. Were the Titans East just as bored as their team had been lately? Raven elected not to ask, skeptical of the answer.
"Oh, how delightful!" Starfire clapped her hands. "Yes, things are better than ever now. Raven and I were having a 'girl's night out', and it's been so much fun!"
Aqualad smoothed back his dark hair, which only served to embarrass Raven further and throw Passion into a tizzy. "Girl's night, huh? Well, I guess I'd better get going. Say hi to everyone for me."
Don't go! Passion wailed. You have no idea how I feel about you!
N-no way, Timid stammered, covering her face. He makes me nervous. I don't like it.
Have you seen him?! Passion screeched, tearing at her purple cloak. Of course he'd make you nervous! He'd make Trigon nervous! Raven, do something!
A strangled cough erupted from Raven's lips just as Aqualad had summoned another water spout. He turned expectantly to the girls.
"Um," Raven fumbled, hating herself. "Bye."
A friendly smile broke across his expression.
"You know," Aqualad said. "We should get together sometime. I really don't hang out with you guys as often as I'd like, and being around Bumblebee too much can get pretty draining."
"Oh yes," Starfire agreed, nearly shoving Raven in front of her. "We would all enjoy your company, friend Aqualad!"
He smiled in agreement. "Bye Starfire, Raven. You know how to reach me."
Raven liked to imagine he said the last part to solely to her, and that his gaze lingered a little longer than it should have.
"He is so pleasant, Raven," the alien girl giggled. "Perhaps you could one day have the date with Aqualad."
It was then that Raven had a horrible vision of herself kissing Aqualad goodnight at Slade's door, only to have Slade himself barge out and demand where have you been young lady I've been waiting for you all day and who's this kid with the hair if only your father were here to see this before dragging her inside the house and making her watch the news for the remainder of the evening.
"I think I've had enough of boys for one day," she groaned, tossing another glare at the frat boys, who'd seemed to realize they were out of their league with the Titan heroines and flirting with their waitress instead.