"Typical, the one person they will have cured, will now risk being executed as a mass murderer." Richard says as he turns off the TV, the two of them having watched the televised announcement that Terra had been deemed mentally sane enough to stand trial, now two days after Alfred had left them and several days after Bruce returned to Gotham with Tim.
"Good old Jeremiah." Raven sighs, hidden under the cloth mask. "Well, back into the gym with you." She says as she gets up, the two had just begun a light training exercise Bruce had put together for Richard, taking his injuries into account. On the first day Raven had gone out of her way and expended a significant amount of energy to help mend Richard's bones, but she wasn't up for much afterwards. They had just broken off from the training to watch the announcement, her wearing a loose pair of training pants and a tank top and him in a white T-shirt and equally loose black pants.
"Yes, ma'am!" Richard replies, since she was not kidding when she said she was going to work him to the bone, even if it was supposed to be light, he felt like she was taking him on as another Amazon. Which he admits is not easy to keep up with, but it helps that she is doing it alongside him.
"Well, I think you've had enough warm-up, catch." Raven says as the two enter the gym barefooted, taking a wooden bo-staff from its slot on the wall and tosses it to him before picking another for herself.
"Getting tired of me already?" Richard asks. "Since you now want to beat me up?"
"Not at all, but I always wondered how well I understood those techniques you left behind." She replies as she gets onto the large central mat. "Don't tell me you aren't interested in finding out as well?"
"Well, you have already kicked the crap out of me without a weapon." He says, but gets on the mat anyways. "Do you still use a staff at all?"
"Sure I do, when the situation calls for it, like if I am facing someone skilled with a bladed weapon." She replies as she makes a few practice swings. "I hope you haven't grown rusty with it?"
He takes a few rapid swings and makes a few moves with his staff as a response. "Nope." Raven nods and bows slightly to him before she readies, holding the staff before herself to watch him do the same.
They don't talk, only the stomping of feet against the mattress and the rapid clapping of the sticks as they smack against each other. But Raven can see he is reluctant to actually attack her for some reason, instead he is on the defensive, countering her attacks with seemingly little difficulty.
"What are you waiting for?" She asks after pulling back, breaking off the match.
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"You're holding back."
"I am not." He sighs. "Your attacks are fast and I have to defend against them."
"You made three half-hearted attacks against me, that's not how you used to fight, I thought I was going to have to be the one on the defensive on this one."
"Guess I am more careful now." He shrugs, she just stares at him.
"Please don't tell me it is because it is me." She asks after a few seconds, getting a flare of emotions from him as he looks away. "Fine. I will be right back." She growls before leaving the gym.
"I don't want to hurt you Raven." Richard mutters after she is gone. "Focus!" He growls to himself as the image he had been getting ever since they began training, the one of Raven strolling out in the bikini at the mansion, he had been reminded of that all morning. "She's my friend and all I get is my hormones going wild... some friend…" He sighs to himself. "Wonder if I could persuade her to cover up?"
"Robin, all grown up I see." Richard freezes instantly before turning at the sound of the calm, calculating voice he grew to despise years ago, to see the owner walk calmly into the gym with a wooden staff in his right hand, wearing the old black and metal armor he always wore and with the black and copper mask, his one eye fixed on Richard.
"Slade!" Richard hisses, his voice filled with venom. "How did you get out? What have you done to the Titans?!"
"Hmm." Richard can just picture him smirking behind the metal mask.
"Whatever you have done to them, you are going to pay for it!" Richard says before charging Slade with the weapon in his hands.
"Really." Slade replies calmly as he parries the overhead blow with his own staff. The two engage in a wordless battle, with Richard attacking viciously and Slade, parrying with the same determination to not take a hit, while launching a few attacks when the moments present themselves. The two finally pull apart when Slade manages to pin Richard's staff under his foot, before breaking it in half with a punch before getting pushed back, the contact has Richard realize something.
"You're not Slade." He says, the feeling he had when he pushed Slade away wasn't like pushing an armored man back.
"I am, Robin, the thing that keeps you up at night, the shadow of doubt you can never banish, the test you can never pass alone. But fear not, become my apprentice and you might one day, or find out what I have in mind for Raven." He says, sounding as if he had just arrived.
"Raven?" Richard's eyes widen when he takes a look at the clock over the entrance, he and Slade had been fighting non-stop for over twenty minutes now and Raven hasn't returned yet. "What have you done to her?"
"We all have a mutual acquaintance that would lover her company, forever." Slade purrs as Richard's eyes widen knowing who that would be. "All I have to do, is make the drop off."
"NOOO!" Richard screams as he picks up the other half of his broken weapon and charges, almost catching Slade off guard in his fury as he lays into him, uncaring of the injuries he would get as long as Slade is beaten.
The battle is short, Slade has been caught off guard and is one weapon shorter than Richard who mercilessly lays into him, always distracting him with one stick while hitting him with the other or kicking him. Slowly he is beaten back, before Richard manages to land a decisive left hook, following it up with vicious hit from his right stick across Slades mask with crack, getting the man to fall over.
"It's over Slade." Richard says as he looks down at the fallen figure, who looks up at him with two eyes.
"It is, well done." Richard just stares as Slade fades away, revealing it to be Raven talking with a slightly distorted voice. "Thought for a moment you had lost the fire." She says as she sits up, while a small red spot appears on the center of the mask.
"Rae?!" Richard asks in confusion. "What…?"
"Don't apologize." She cuts him off with a raised finger. "I guessed I couldn't get you to really fight me like you meant it, so I did this to make you." She says as she lightly touches the spot where her nose is under the mask. "Well fought."
"I… Did I hurt you?" He asks as she gets up.
"It's nothing." Raven shrugs. "And I asked for it."
"But Slade…"
"Still has a broken leg and arm and is still in a coma in Titans Tower." Raven replies. "I checked before coming back."
"But…" Richard continues as he drops the sticks pointing at her head.
"I am fine, and before you ask, yes Slade would have fallen as well. Take the rest of the day off Richard, I have to go tend to this." She says before heading out, holding onto her nose, leaving him staring after her for a few seconds before storming after her. Only for him to see her close the bathroom door after her.
"Rae? Rae?! I'm sorry!" He yells as he bangs his fist on the door.
"I told you not to be." Raven replies from the other side of the door as he can hear the water beginning to run. "I asked for it." She says before groaning and apparently sneezing. "Now stop apologizing, I've had a lot worse, remember?" She asks sounding more muffled than before. "Coming out." She warns before opening the door after turning off the water, emerging wearing a soaked towel like a veil that covers all but her eyes.
"How bad is it?" Richard asks.
"It's not." Raven shrugs. "It will be healed in a matter of minutes."
"Rae! How bad?" Richard demands.
"Ok, you broke my nose." Raven sighs. "Don't worry about it, you did good. Now if you won't mind, I need to meditate and think." She says before leaving for her room.
Later that day:
"You didn't have to make tea and lunch, but thanks." Raven says as she enters the open kitchen, fresh mask over her head, finding a steaming cup of tea in the making and lunch prepared for her.
"Broke your nose." He says from his seat at the table. "Tea needs a few minutes by the way."
"Told you not to hold back, and you seem to forget who the people are who I regularly train with." Raven says as she sits down across from him.
"Still doesn't make it right, I could have incapacitated you." He says.
"I would have stopped you if you tried to. Hope Slade was believable?" She asks, diverting the conversation.
"Ok. Yeah, I thought it really was him, even after the fight began, you even moved and talked like him." Richard admits to the fact that he hadn't considered the option that Slade was really Raven before she had noted her own absence, then the Bruce of his mind starts berating him for not noticing anything other than something that could have been nothing but a destraction.
"Part of the idea, how did you know it wasn't him?" She asks remembering him realizing the truth at one point.
"Metal armor doesn't feel as soft as you do." Richard smirks, while she takes a bite of her sandwich after pulling the mask up to uncover her mouth.
"Sadly I can't control my molecular density like J'onn. These are good by the way." She notes at the sandwich.
"Thanks. So when are we going to work on that?" He asks, pointing at the mask.
"When I figure out how to handle it, without you having a seizure. But I have an idea." She says before they eat in silence for a few moments. "Can I ask why you acted so strangely when I got back from Themyscira? I know you were having a nightmare, but you practically raced out of the room."
"After effects, the dream ended with you suddenly turning into her." Richard sighs, meaning Terra, Raven just nods.
"Recurring?"
"Yeah. But it varies somewhat." Raven nods again, secretly, she had a glimpse of the last part of Richard nightmare. "Think it's getting worse." Raven sighs at this and puts down the remains of her second sandwich.
"While I am not a psychiatrist, I think you are border lining on a psychosis." Raven says with a flat voice, telling Richard she is worried. "Richard, besides the mask I am wearing, is there anything else you are experiencing that you really shouldn't?"
"I… there is. I have had moments where I think I see her standing behind me when I am looking at reflective surfaces, or out of the corner of my eye." He admits, knowing he wasn't border lining.
"You've been exposed to a massive trauma, it's not unnatural you'd suffer from after effects. But I have to warn you Richard, if what I have in mind doesn't work, I am going to take you to a psychiatrist, it will only get worse if you try and ignore it."
"I know." Richard sighs. "If my irrational fear of you wasn't proof enough of that... I need help."
"I know." Raven says quietly.
Richard awakens with a gasp in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, he had prayed the extensive workout Raven had treated him to would have had it stay away, but again Terra had lurked under the mask of Batgirl. And if that was not enough, a shady blue cloaked individual had chased him into her arms.
He sighs heavily after turning on his night light and sits rubbing his temples. "Another night ruined." He mumbles before deciding he needs a glass of water and gets out of bed, hoping his emotions weren't stirring Raven from her own slumber.
Having downed his glass, he heads back getting near his room before he notices he can't see the light he left on inside. Instantly making him back away, something is wrong and he knows it before he hears the slight mumbling of voices, whose words he can't make out. Turning around he suddenly finds himself in an empty big top, standing on the floor looking up he spots three figures.
"Don't be afraid Richard." Mary Grayson says to the young boy next to her as her husband John patiently swings back and forth on the trapeze, holding onto it with his legs while holding his arms out when he faces them.
"It's a long drop mom." Young Richard Grayson notes as he looks down from the small platform.
"You won't fall son." John says. "First time is always the hardest."
"You'll catch me?" Richard asks nervously, before realizing he was speaking in unison with his younger self.
"We can't catch you any more Richard." Mary says, looking down at Richard on the floor. "But you have so many others who will."
"Remember Richard, you must respect what is dangerous, but never be afraid of it." John says. "We all knew it was dangerous to kick Zucco out, but we did it anyways. And we were not afraid that night either."
"You… you, aren't real… you can't be!" Richard forces himself to turn away while his eyes water.
"We are real Richard, just not with you anymore." Mary says. "We were told by a pale man in a green cloak that you would need our help, like your friend needed help."
"You have to face her son, you have to get over the fear that girl put into you. The pale man said that if you don't, you will continue to spiral. It will break your mother's heart if you do." John says.
"We can't help you beyond this Richard." Mary continues. "You have to do the rest. But you can still do one thing."
"What?" Richard asks.
"Fly with us son, one last time." John says as he folds his body to swing around to catch the trapeze with his hands before landing next to Mary. "What do you say son?"
"I'd… love that." He admits, instantly finding himself wearing the uniform of the Flying Graysons, a tight red spandex shirt and green pants, standing between his parents on the platform.
"Hold on son." John says as the three grab hold of the trapeze. "And here we go." He says before the three swing into the empty air, before abandoning it to their individual trapeze's. Richard feels like he is seven years old again, when he felt that life was full of promises and happiness, it brings tears to his eyes.
"That's it Richard, don't be afraid anymore. Remember we are always looking at you." Mary says.
"And remember, don't be afraid!" John shouts before it all fades and Richard falls into darkness, but he doesn't care, he isn't scared anymore.
"I am not afraid anymore." Richard says in the darkness racing past him.
"Sure you are Robin, and you always will be." The voice has Richard grind his teeth as his direction changes and he heads towards a blond girl that seems to be the size of a skyscraper, wearing the garb of another girl Richard knows. "I will always be here."
"I am not afraid!" Richard shouts as he keeps moving forwards towards the monster, crashing into it, making it splinter like a window with a scream. The jolt makes Richard snap awake, finding him standing in the hallway, facing the darkness where his room is hidden. "Remember son, don't be afraid." John Grayson's voice echoes in his head. "I am not." Richard whispers as he moves into the darkness.
Finding his door closed in the darkness of the hall, he takes a calming breath before turning the handle and opens the door, getting blinded by the light from the inside for a few seconds. Regaining sight, his fear returns like a flood breaking a dam and he nearly falls backwards out the door, but holds himself up by the doorframe. On the center of his bed, sits Bargirl on her knees, with her hands in her lap facing him. Richard wouldn't admit it at first, but the masks Raven had begun to wear were beginning to wear off and he was beginning to fear her even then. She doesn't say anything or move at his reaction, only waiting and watching. "Don't be afraid son." John says again in his head.
"I am not afraid." Richard mumbles as he tries to calm himself, fighting down the panic attack to only breathe heavily and gets back on his feet. "I can do this." He says as he slowly and nervously enters the room again, inching closer to the unmoving figure on the bed.
As he reaches the bed, he reaches forwards with shaking hands to grab the mask on both sides of the neck before slowly pulling it off, while his fear increases rapidly as more and more pale skin becomes visible. He feels like he is about to wet himself or go completely mad when he halts just before the mask will disappear entirely. "N-no, fear." He stammers before pulling it off entirely, getting met with the calm stare of purple eyes, instantly his fear is banished leaving him as fast as it appeared. "Raven." He says, drawing a sigh of relief.
"Richard." She replies. "Well done."
Richard gasps loudly in relief before he embraces her, holding her so tightly as if she was a steady post in a wild river, before sobbing into her shoulder. "God, I was so scared."
"I know, but you made it." Raven says as she returns the hug as she can with her arms pinned to her sides. "You know what hides under the mask now, you're safe."
Richard just sighs in relief several times before he breaks down in tears on her shoulder, while she only comforts him and tells him to let it all out. Eventually, he falls asleep, still holding onto her.
"Hey." Raven whispers in a soft voice as Richard opens his eyes, finding himself still holding onto her, while she is fully dressed as Batgirl, missing the mask.
"Hi." He whispers back, feeling safe. "Is it over?"
"It is." She nods. "I'm very proud of you." She says as she moves her right arm, making him realize it had been lying on his back.
"Did you sleep?" She smiles a little at the question.
"I was making sure you got your rest, you needed it." She says as he studies her.
"How did you do it?" He asks, remembering the night before.
"Do what? It was all you." Raven asks.
"The thing with my parents? How did you do it? It was incredible, like they were really there, talking to me." Richard replies, getting her eyes to widen in confusion.
"I only sat here and waited after you went for a drink. What happened? I remember you feeling happy, confused and angry for a few short seconds, but that was it?" She replies as he sits up.
"It wasn't you?" Richard asks, slightly shocked. "You didn't have me see my parents training me when I was seven? Telling me not to be scared?"
"Not to be scared?" Raven mumbles as she looks away, trying to place the memory. "Yes, I remember it, you told your mom it was a long drop. But I didn't touch your mind last night." She says as she looks up.
"Then… something happened, someone must have… him!" Richard realizes. "It was the Spectre; my parents told me a pale man in a green cloak had sent them to help me. Like you said he sent your Kids to help you." Raven just relaxes and draws a smile.
"Then… I was not hallucinating… thank Azar." She sighs before realizing something. "Guess he does move in mysterious ways."
"He does." Richard sighs in relief as well. "But I thought he never did stuff like that."
"I think he has his own reasons, perhaps for the help we provided him in Jump? But I am now certain that he is coming for Terra." She says.
"Then, it is her own fault." Richard says. "Breakfast?" He asks after a few seconds, changing the subject.
"Love to." Raven replies.
With his inner demon conquered and Raven free to show her face again, she calls it a day off, he had earned it. The day however is not normal as he keeps following her like a shadow, claiming he owed her a lot. She said he didn't have to treat her like royalty, but he counters that she actually is royalty and that he is an unworthy worm trying to pay his debt. But she bears over with him, she is just happy he is back to being himself again. Strangely he retreats to his room in the late afternoon, locking the door, leaving her alone without an explanation.
"Richard, why are the lights out?" She asks as she enters the dark living room in the early evening, with the curtains covering the windows, it leaves the room in complete darkness. The 'social lights', as Bruce calls them, are turned on, showering the room in a golden light while soft jazz music begins playing, making her look for the man in the tuxedo standing at the home cinema system, smiling nervously at her. "Richard?"
"Raven, may I ask you for a dance?" He asks, speaking in Greek, with some difficulty.
"I… So that was what that book was about!" She realizes, it had been a beginners Greek. "You're learning Greek?" She asks with a raised eyebrow, getting a nod as he walks over to her. "For me?" She asks as he offers his hand to her.
"For you." He confirms. "Will you dance with me?" He asks again.
"I… aren't I underdressed?" She asks looking down herself, asking because she had changed into a pair of leather pants with heeled boots and a spaghetti strap top, adding one spiked wristband on one arm and a plain leather one on the other.
"Never." He replies as he takes her hand, she lets him lead her into the slow dance, thankfully in his absence and for the sake of cover; she had to learn how to dance, learning it from Alfred. They dance in silence for several minutes, Richard's eyes never leaving hers, while she feels confused.
"Not that I don't mind this… but why?" She asks.
"I was hoping to ask you something." He replies. "But I never figured out how to say it properly." He continues while blushing as they continue to dance. "We have known each other for almost ten years now, we've fought, won, lost, bled and healed alongside each other and we've argued and comforted each other. I know that during our time in Jump City, I may not have expressed it, but you have a very special place in my heart Raven. I always enjoyed the times when we could just talk as normal people and I always thought they day had to be special when you allowed yourself to show happiness or joy, however fleeting it was back then. The years passed and our days as Titans passed with them, separating us all. I can't tell you how happy I was when you returned that night on Charlton Street and seemingly having become an even more incredible person than you already were. I was left to watch you accomplish incredible things, joining the League, becoming an Amazon, enduring hell and come out whole on the other side. And now, the national hero of two nations. But somehow, I still feel like you are the same person that once stopped me from charging headlong into an angry tamaranian. And now, when I can look into your eyes, I still see you in there, but more than a friend or a teammate. Raven if you will, I would be honored if you would be my girlfriend?" He asks, feeling much too warm, the two having slowed to a stop during his speech, while Raven just stares at him with a slightly open mouth, while tears slowly form in her eyes, making Richard fear for a second that he had wounded her.
"N-no one has ever talked to me that way, Richard. I…I would love to be your girlfriend." She says as she hugs him tightly, she doesn't resist as he lead her into a gentle kiss that makes her melt in his arms, they stand there for several minutes, enjoying each other before they part lips. "But what about Bruce?"
"He will accept it, or he can take it somewhere else." Richard smirks. "I have prepared a little dinner if you care for some?" He asks, before leading her into the kitchen
Gotham City, Subway-Cave:
"You seem oddly pleased Master Bruce?" Alfred asks as he arrives at the rather primitive computer he is using, the old man having spotted the smirk on his face.
"Only the bird's seem to have found each other." Bruce says as he gets out of the seat and turns off the monitor. "And as Raven respects mine and Diana's time, I will respect theirs."
"Thank heaven; I thought you would follow them forever." Alfred says as he follows Bruce away.
Authors Notes:
Guest Malana asked about the cover for these books: It is from issue 3 of the Secret Seven mini-series and the person in the back is Zatanna.
In terms of inspiration, yes I do have a list of stories that I have read and thought could be weaved into this one, like the levelling of Gotham by earthquake is picked from the No Man's Land story, Barbara Gordon is where she is because of the Killing Joke and so on.
If anyone else have any questions, feel free to ask.
Next Chapter: Nightwing will have to meet Raven's friends.