Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, or any of the other franchises mentioned in the work.
a/n: It's been a while since I've updated! Thank you all for the get-better wishes. And I'm glad you guys are liking the story.
To be honest, this was a strange chapter for me to write. Let me know how you feel about it all.
Also, for one reason or another, I keep seeing pictures of Deathstroke/Slade cosplays on tumblr. It's my dream to force a boyfriend to dress up like him, and I'll dress up as Raven. We'll run around Comic-Con making out and generally confusing people who know it isn't canon.
Please, sweet baby Jesus/Satan/aliens, make my dream come true. If it ever does, you can bet I will post my adventures all over the internet and link you guys to it. Seriously, though, if you guys know any voodoo or something to make that happen, I would become your groupie. For life.
Reviews, sharing, etc. are appreciated/encouraged. Por favor.
"A man can smile and smile and be a villain."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
Slade: Take my word for it, Robin. You shouldn't play with fire.
- Birthmark
Chapter Six: The New
If anyone had asked, Raven would have said her day was going fine.
'Raven?'
'Yes?'
'How was your day?'
'Fine.'
It wasn't a lie.
But it wasn't the truth, either.
If she had lied, Raven would have said her day was going great.
If she had told the truth, Raven would have said her day was going oddly.
Raven wasn't a liar. Yet she didn't want to tell the truth.
So she prepared her answer beforehand.
Her day was fine. She'd helped Cyborg out with the T-car. She'd witnessed her fearless, semi-celebrity team leader's signature hairstyle resemble a piece of cotton candy. So no, that part of her day had been fine.
Unfortunately, Raven had also been thrashed around by a man who, apparently, she owed not only her life, but her goddamn respect as well.
So 'fine' it was.
God, her room was dark.
Raven swiveled her head, taking in the spell books, artifacts, and every other material thing that belonged to her. In the shadows, their shapes seemed to merge and bloat, taking the shape of creatures she didn't even have a name for.
Maybe I should consider redecorating.
Propped against her headboard, Raven hugged her knees. She never did revisit that idea.
Maybe it's not the room, a tiny voice, one that didn't belong to an emotion, mumbled from a crevice of her brain. Maybe it just needs a some more light.
Thinking of Slade's dank, lifeless house by the bay, Raven scowled. She focused her energy on a curtain, tugging it open and allowing the afternoon sunshine to spill through.
However, the change only lasted a few minutes; Raven was constantly distracted by the sliver of yellow light, painted in a skinny stripe across the floor. With a grimace, she drew the curtains shut, once again muting the colors of the room.
Though she would have loved to believe differently, Raven was no houseplant. She didn't need regular exposure to the sun.
Nevertheless, she resolved to try again the next day - which, hopefully, would garner any adjective other than fine.
.
Gray blanketed the streets beside the bay, chilling the exposed flesh of Raven's thighs. Street lamps burned through the fog, but did little to provide illumination at this early hour.
Raven had left for Slade's a little earlier than she normally would have - there was a new public library opening up, and the mayor wanted the Titans to be there to cut the ribbon. Raven supposed this was compensation for the last public library being the place of Trigon worship. Subtlety at it's finest, in her opinion. Kudos to you, karma.
When she got there, Raven was hesitant to knock. Had her demands been met?
Gingerly, she twisted the doorknob, and the darkness within the house crept out as the door admitted entrance. Raven didn't know if she should be surprised.
"Slade?"
Raven flicked her gaze to the driveway; sure enough, there was the hulking black car, glowering blackly at her intrusion.
You're an idiot, Rage huffed. Hurry up and go inside. If Slade's asleep, who gives a damn? You didn't come all the way here to worry if you're going to catch Slade in his pajamas.
Slade in pajamas! The very thought brought tears to Timid's eyes.
Lucky bastard, Lazy grumbled, rubbing her eyes.
Slade in his underpants, Passion sighed woefully. Raven, I think I'm in love.
Ignoring the emotions, Raven entered, making sure to close the door behind her. Somehow, the gesture felt familiar, normal; noting the sensation, she made a face.
The living room was empty, as was the gym. There were no sounds, no indications Slade was home. Slightly apprehensive, Raven made her way up the stairwell, doing her best not to worry about a trap of some sorts. Not after he'd insisted they treated one another as equals.
What now?
I have a bad feeling about this, Timid simpered, echoing Raven's worries.
Shh! Raven hushed. There! A quiet rustling was coming from -
Slade's bedroom.
Blush spread like wildfire across Raven's cheekbones. She wasn't sure if the darkness of her hood was enough to conceal the coloring.
Oh, no, Intelligence groaned.
Oh, yes, Passion breathed, not the least bit ashamed.
Decency was on Raven's side - the door was closed, only allotting the faintest slice of a roving shadow, stretching out from the space below it. Scenarios see-sawed in Raven's brain, most involving her fleeing for the hills - or, in this case, Titan's tower (which, if you wanted to get technical about it, was on a little lump of an island Raven supposed could be called a hill).
Just as she was about to make her decision (flee slowly with dignity to the hills) the door swung open. Raven didn't have time to register the utter mortification she should have felt. One could only imagine what an idiot she looked like from the outside, what with her ogling blankly at her nemesis' bedroom entryway. Slade would never let this go, if he ever let her go after this. This lapse in judgement was going to cost Raven her freedom, maybe even her life.
The worst part? She wouldn't blame him one single bit. Hadn't Raven herself threatened death upon those who entered her room? To not expect a similar reaction from someone like Slade would be, well, hypocritical.
A woman stumbled out. Raven blinked, honestly considering the possibility she was hallucinating.
The woman - willowy and supporting tresses a shade of red that was in no way, shape or form a natural hue - blinked at Raven.
"Aren't you a Teen Titan?"
Raven was still speechless. Her hallucination was attempting to make conversation.
The woman squinted, frowned, then gave a small shake of her head. "Nevermind," she muttered, flustered. "I'm sorry. It's been a long night, and Joseph got up so early - "
"Joseph?" Raven barely recognized her own voice.
The woman, who'd been rifling through a clutch purse, threw Raven a distracted glance. "Yeah, um, I, uh, we..."
She fished out her car keys. Relief broke out across her face.
"Anyway, I have to run. Oh, and I used all the soap in the bathroom. Joseph probably needs more, and I couldn't find any to replace it."
Wait. Indignation sparked through the shock. Raven's lip curled.
The visitor had already scurried out, hastily slamming the door behind her. Raven stood frozen, joints locked, for God knew how long.
WHAT THE FU -
Passion was, perhaps, the most upset. Brave slapped a hand over her purple-cloaked sister's filthy mouth in the nick of time.
Every basic survival instinct informed Raven to turn heel and leave. Get a doughnut. Her blood sugar depended on it.
But another tiny, stupid part of Raven urged her to keep looking for the masked madman.
Raven wasn't the one to do stupid things. That was Beast Boy, Cyborg, Robin at his worst and Starfire because she didn't know any better.
But Raven? No. She was the smart one. The logical one. The one who didn't make bonehead maneuvers.
That was why, just this once, Raven decided to make the stupid choice, and barged into Slade's bedroom.
There was the scene of the crime. The black bedspreads were rumpled, with a couple pillows tossed haphazardly beside the nightstand. A towel was hanging up to dry on a hook beside the bathroom door. Raven swore she could smell cheap perfume, lingering like poison gas above her.
"Hello, Raven."
Her heart nearly burst at the sound of his voice. Raven spun around, only to see Slade shutting the door with a definite click.
"Slade - "
"I trust you enjoyed, ah, my adherence to your wishes? You should know, I'm opening myself up to petty thieves while the front door remains unlocked. I suggest you express gratitude at my generosity."
Raven ground her teeth. "If you drugged or hurt that woman - "
Slade cocked his head, eye pensive. Had he placed the mask on after the woman had left? Raven doubted Slade would reveal his criminal counterpart with a woman who used all the soap in his bathroom.
"Tut, tut, Raven. That doesn't sound like gratitude at all."
ASK HIM! Passion shrieked, breaking free of Brave's control. Ask him who that skank was -
Raven folded her arms. "If you're going to have overnight guests," she hissed, "then I would throughly appreciate it if you warned me beforehand."
What do you want?
Slade's broad shoulders moved slightly with his low, timbre laughter.
Only what any messenger wants.
"Are you truly that...innocent, my dear? As an equal, I would expect only respect when my personal life conflicted with our arrangement."
For his message to be delivered.
Blood was roaring in Raven's ears. If someone had told Raven she would be having this conversation with a man she spent loathing for a good portion of her young life, Raven might have suggested psychiatric aid.
But this was now. And now, here she was, discussing the treatment of Slade's paramour.
Oh, how cruel life could be.
"Unless," the masked man drawled, inching closer. "You are unable to handle such things in a mature fashion."
It was a test.
Raven felt as if she'd been punched in the stomach. Slade had gone out, found a woman to come home with him, just to see if Raven would treat him as an equal.
What now?
"How did you know I was going to come at this time?" Raven whispered.
Slade's pupil dilated. "Jump City delegates far too much time in honoring it's heroes. My sources informed me that this afternoon, the H.I.V.E. will attack a power plant near the docks. Early morning seemed to be the only opening in your schedule, my dear."
Lies, Lazy grunted. The next time Slade wants to make a point, he should do it after the sun rises.
Raven stared long and hard at her adversary. He stood just as still, patiently waiting for her reaction, hands clasped behind his back.
So far, this day wasn't going fine, oddly, or great. Her day was going to shit.
"Fine," Raven's tone was strained. "Good morning, Slade."
Slade made a noise of approval. "Good girl."
And he left Raven behind, with only the company of tussled sheets and pure, utter frustration.
What now?
Her sweep of the mansion was halfhearted and brief. Most of the time, Raven paid little attention to what she was doing, even tripping over a robotic limb in the workshop.
Frankly, she considered Slade's power to play to be juvenile. He'd learned all there was to know about her during his service to Trigon. He knew her. He knew what she would discuss.
And he knew what she wouldn't discuss.
Raven was an intelligent young adult. And she wasn't ignorant of the more primal matters of humankind. She'd learned all there was to learn on the matter during her adolescence on Azarath, much to Arella's dismay. The monks taught her that it was simply the way life continued, nothing more. Much later, Arella insisted that Raven wait until she could trust her significant other, preferably after marriage. Obviously, Trigon rarely spoke of the matter, unless it was to point out how Raven was conceived and emphasize her evil origins.
Personally, Raven decided long ago that abstaining from the sins of the flesh was the safest course of action for everyone involved. The monks had urged her to detach emotion from the activity should she participate, simply to keep her powers from doing something unspeakable. And God forbid she procreate - Raven herself couldn't imagine what kind of monster she'd spawn. Best to leave the baby-making to those without demon blood in their veins.
So, unsurprisingly, that was a topic Raven avoided like the plague. Whether it come up in her books, on television, or even in a particularly racy conversation amongst the boys, Raven would skip ahead, tune out, or change the subject. It wasn't for her, and that was that.
We'll be in touch. Oh, and happy birthday.
Slade really did know how to push their buttons.
Abstinence, Passion bemoaned. I hate you, Raven.
It's best for everyone, Intelligence said sternly.
Well, if Slade's gonna pull a stunt like that, we should retaliate! Brave sprang up, full of gusto.
Raven perked up. Brave had a point. She and Slade were equals, after all. It was her turn to push buttons.
There you are! Happy squealed. Time to get feisty, girlfriend.
"Thanks for the advice," Raven answered dryly. Nevertheless, she went to the living room with promises of retribution.
Slade was punching something into a thin silver laptop, cross-legged on his chair. His gaze slid to her then back to the computer screen. "Well?"
"Clean."
"Good."
Raven paused. Then, with all the boldness she could muster, levitated a stool from the kitchen area and placed it in front of Slade before sitting on it. The metal was cold, bleeding through her leotard.
Slade lifted his head. The glare of the computer screen highlighted the rusty orange half of his mask.
"Is there something you need?"
"Who was the woman in the photograph?"
The eye narrowed. "Your persistence is admirable, Raven. But it is growing tiresome."
"I don't think so," Raven retorted flatly. "You gave me a test. I passed. As my equal, you're going to have to answer some of my questions."
He gave (what Raven imagined was) a dirty look. But the eye roved back to the computer screen.
"She is no longer of any importance," he replied cooly, continuing to type. However, Raven was not placated.
"Explain."
"She will continue to be insignificant."
God, it was like talking to a wall.
"Who was she? How did you know her? What did she mean to you?" Raven probed.
Slade glared at her and shut his laptop, reinstating the shadows.
"She was someone who you will never meet. I know everything about her. And she means less than nothing to me."
Intuition told Raven that he was lying. For now, that was enough.
She nodded curtly at the masked man. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"I never expected otherwise."
Turned away, Raven rolled her eyes. Then, in an afterthought, "Goodbye, Slade."
What now?
Slade didn't so much as miss a beat.
"Until later, Raven."
.
I'm surprised you're not still upset over the, ahem, incident of the morning, remarked Intelligence as Raven soared back to the Tower.
"Slade's tricks are usually more predictable. It was a change in pace," Raven replied mildly.
I'm still upset! Passion cried. I can't believe Slade's getting some and you aren't, Raven! Hell, he only has one eye and he's doing better than you!
The communicator blipped against her hip. Blatantly ignoring Passion's insults, Raven flipped open the screen.
Aqualad's handsome face smiled back at her.
Sweet baby Jesus, he's back, Passion gasped, her previous tantrum extinguished.
"Hey, Raven," he waved through the transmission. Raven could feel traces of blush reappearing against her cheeks as she waved back.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm coming down tonight to help plug a few geysers," Aqualad tossed his mane of hair over a shoulder. "And I was wondering if you, or any of the other Titans, wanted to hang out after I finish."
Tell him you want to hang out in his pants, Passion suggested helpfully.
"Um, yeah, sure," Raven fiddled with a jewel in her belt. "We'll probably go out for pizza."
Remembering Slade's warning that the H.I.V.E. would attack later today, she nodded in affirmation. "Yeah, we'll definitely be going out for pizza."
"Sounds great," he flashed a toothy grin, revealing teeth the color of deep-sea pearls. "I'll catch you later."
Is it really so hard to say 'let's make out to the soundtrack of Titanic'? Passion demanded.
"Yeah," Raven flushed. "Bye."
The screen went blank.
What now?
Well, if an asshole like Slade could snag a date, then Raven should have no problem in getting one with Aqualad.
Raven made her way back to the Tower desperately praying that, for once in her life, things were going her way.