Guten tag! Ugh, summer work has been hell. Already hate school and it hasn't even started yet. Anyways, I know some of you are waiting for Raven and Robin to finally get together. But remember everything is a process, I want Robin to fall in love with her on his own terms. So bear with me for the next couple of chapters and I promise you an epic romance. Remember never read and run, read and review! Over and out.
-Shay
Chapter 9: Bonds
Raven's P.O.V
The large, glowing sphere slowly ascended into the dull morning sky. A breathtaking display of radiant colors occurred: vibrant streaks of red, orange and pink gradually overcame the purple haze of the twilight sky.
Raven stood alone on the roof of the tower, watching as the golden light pierced the darkness carrying with it the promise of a new day. She marveled at the glistening reflection of the sun on the ocean. The oceanic breeze softly tugged at her. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. Precious mornings like these made her the hopeful person Robin described her as. Raven slowly rose off the ground and began to fly towards the city. Like Starfire, Raven treasured her gift of flight, although she never told anyone. When she was in the air, a certain calm took place inside of her. All of her freed emotions were at bay. Discrepancies of the heart and mind vanished and Raven was suddenly unburdened. The difference between meditation and flying was quite simple. Meditation was for control and flying was for release.
Once reaching the edge of the city, Raven decided to take a chance. She started to fly over the bustling city, hoping no one would notice her. Gazing down at the city she protected, Raven frowned at the scene. Hundreds of people barged past each other, hustling to get to work. Amongst the morning rush hour, the overwhelming traffic erupted with blaring horns and earsplitting screeches. However, the chaotic spectacle is not what brought a frown to her face. All of those people below her were so intent on getting where they needed to be, they took no notice of the rising sun.
'Beautiful moments like these come so little. We shouldn't waste them, we never know what day will be our last,' Raven recalled her father's close victory. She shook her head slightly and continued on her way.
Several moments passed before her destination came into view. A ghost of a smile appeared on Raven's face when she saw TEAN. TEAN was the local teashop in Jump City. The low-key shop served an assortment of teas and various dishes, and once in a while, an undiscovered band would play there.
Raven cautiously lowered herself down in an abandoned alley. Once she was positive no one saw her, Raven began to make her way to her own personal safe haven. Rounding the corner, she slightly shivered from the cool breeze. Autumn was fast approaching and Raven was beginning to feel the effects.
"Really should've brought a sweater," she muttered. She only wore a form fitting gray t-shirt and a pair of dark skinny jeans.
"Crap!" a voice boomed. Raven reared her head to see a young man looking over the opened hood of a Toyota Camry. His white polo t-shirt was covered in grease stains acquired from his smoking engine. His face betrayed the frustration he was feeling at the moment. But it was his familiar brown eyes that caught Raven's full attention.
'Hale?' Raven thought. Seeing no cars coming at the moment, she jogged across the street.
"Having car trouble?" she smirked.
"Uh yeah, actually I am," Hale looked up. "Oh, hey."
"Hey," Raven greeted.
"As you can see I'm in a bit of a situation here," Hale explained.
"Need any help?" Raven offered.
"Umm...no...I...totally need help," Hale finally said.
"Lucky for you I know a little something about cars," Raven said, thinking of all the work she and Cyborg did on the T-car. Hale moved out of the way as she carefully inspected the damage.
"So what brings you out this morning?" she asked.
"I had a meeting about playing this gig, which I'm probably going to be late for anyway," Hale told her, giving a wry smile.
"Oh," Raven lifted her eyes from the car. "You never answered my question at Carrie-oke."
"And what question would that be?" Hale leaned on the side of his car.
"Why did you become a DJ?" Raven asked. He paused for a second as if thinking about his next choice of words.
"My father use to love music, so I guessed he passed it on to me," Hale spoke softly. The way he said it made Raven almost regret asking what she believed to be a simple question.
"I'm sorry if that was a sensitive subject," Raven apologized.
"No it's fine, it feels nice to talk about him once in a while. I haven't really done so ever since he went to prison," he said.
"Oh, I thought he was..." Raven trailed off.
"Dead? Yeah everyone thinks so at first but no, he isn't. He's serving a life sentence but I guess that's not exactly living either," Hale looked away. An uncomfortable silence rolled in for a few moments.
"So how's my car?" Hale broke in.
"Well, you need a new car battery. I'm going to assume you don't have another one handy, so a tow truck it is," Raven replied.
"Kind of saw that one coming," Hale began to dial the number for a tow truck.
"How long until they get here?" Raven asked once he had hung up.
"20 minutes," Hale answered.
"Oh what are we to do?" Raven put her hand to her forehead, feigning distress.
"I have an idea. How about a game of 'Would You Rather'?" he suggested.
"Would You Rather? Are you serious?" Raven asked.
"As a heart attack," Hale joked.
"You're so weird," she laughed.
"I try," Hale smiled.
"Whatever, I'll go first," Raven paused for a moment. "Would you rather face Michael Myers or Hannibal Lector?"
"Either way I'm screwed, so I guess Michael Myers. Hannibal would make me feel less of myself and eat me at the same time," Hale laughed.
"Point taken," Raven agreed.
"Would you rather drink pee or vomit?" Hale challenged.
"Ugh, what are you, twelve? I'll go with the pee," Raven relented.
Ten minutes later, Raven's sides were aching with laughter. Each question became more and more ridiculous to the point of insanity. She began to see a different side of Hale, the side Aria saw in him. He wasn't just an impossible flirt but a funny, warm human being. Raven was glad to have seen him earlier.
"Would you rather go to the guillotine or have your skin peeled off?" she asked.
"The skin, definitely," he decided.
"You realize that's a lot worse than losing your head," Raven reminded him.
"Yes but then I have more time to charm my way out of it," Hale smirked.
"Only you," Raven shook her head. She looked back up at Hale, only to see him inching closer and closer to her. His eyes seemed to be trained on her. Oh, Azar, was he going to kiss her?
"Whoa, what are you doing?" Raven backed up.
"Oh...I thought...I-I didn't think..." Hale stammered.
"No, you clearly didn't," Raven responded and began to walk away.
"Wait, Rae," Hale caught her hand. "It's not you, it's me.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but those words usually are for when you're ending a relationship with someone. A relationship we obviously are not in," Raven emphasized.
"Let me explain, please," Hale pleaded. Raven gave him a hard stare and nodded for him to continue.
"For the past year I've had these feelings for this girl. She, however, most likely only sees me as a friend. So when I got the impression you liked me today I thought..." he was interrupted by a very steamed substitute.
"You could use me to get over her," Raven finished for him.
"Well, yeah," Hale gave her a very sheepish look.
"That's just great, Hale. Real nice," Raven seethed. Raven really didn't appreciate being someone's rebound. She crossed her arms and leaned against the car, refusing to look at him. Although Raven did not have any romantic feelings for him, she would've been flattered if he had them for her. No matter how much Raven hated to admit it, they were kind of on the same boat. Falling for someone you're not supposed to seemed to be universal.
"Who is she?" Raven gruffly asked.
"Huh?" Hale responded.
"The girl you like. Who is she?" Raven clarified.
"Jillian. You met her at Carrie-oke," Hale said.
"Oh, her," Raven said remembering the tall, friendly blonde.
"Yeah her," Hale repeated. Raven thought for a moment about his current situation.
"You should tell her," Raven spoke up.
"What?" Hale was taken aback.
"You should tell her," Raven repeated.
"What if she doesn't feel the same?" Hale inquired.
"What if she does? Some things in life are worth discovering," Raven assured him.
"What if this ruins our friendship?" Hale was still doubtful.
"Then she wasn't a true friend to begin with," Raven answered. A thundering sound interrupted whatever Hale was going to say. The tow truck had finally arrived to pick up the car.
"I guess should be leaving now," Raven began to walk away.
"Hey Rae," Hale called. "Thanks for the advice." Raven turned her head to give him a simple nod.
'Maybe one day I could follow my own advice," she thought. As much as she wanted to, Raven knew in her heart she wouldn't. Her heart wasn't the only one at stake. She had Robin and Starfire to think of. Raven didn't want to burden Robin with her feeling. She did not want to betray Starfire more than she already had. Starfire had been too much of a friend towards her for her to confess her feelings. With that in mind Raven brushed off her idea of telling Robin. Besides only some things were worth discovering, not all things.