Honeythief
Epilogue
)O(
"I did something bad, Ester." There was a long pause on the other end of the conversation. Robin could hear her breath catch in her chest, and his heart fell into his stomach. This wasn't a "mistake" anymore, it was something more. Something a lot bigger than Robin could admit.
"You turned her?"
"Yes."
There was another pause, this one more painful than the last. Finally, Ester spoke. "She is half-demon. What his will do to her… I have no idea. Her bloodline is already volatile because of what she is, what she had become I can't tell you. Your bloodline was corrupt, and now turning someone of the opposite sex… this is every bad scenario wrapped into one situation."
Robin didn't want to hear that. He wanted answers, suggestions, more than anything he wanted confirmation that what he did was okay, that this was justifiable because of the circumstances. He didn't want to have the blade of condemnation to hang over his head until he died. He needed anything, anyone, to tell him that everything was going to be okay. That Raven was going to be okay. "She was dying. I had no other options, it was let her die or let her live."
"You may have created a full-blooded vampire or something worse, you do realize this?"
Robin winced. "I know."
Ester sighed and Robin could hear the sound of her nails clicking on a table. The noise made him uncomfortable, as if he was being chastised. "I do not know what circumstances prompted this, I can only tell you the decision was a bad one. It was not the worst, but it was bad."
"What should I do now?"
There was a shred of humorless laughter. "You cannot undo what has been done. Believe me, I have tried."
Robin ran his hands through his hair and tried not to throw the phone at the wall. His guilt felt poisonous, like some one had shoved a fang into his chest and was watching him die slowly. He took a deep breath, trying to still his shaking limbs. "But that doesn't help me. What should I do? I've turned my best friend into this… this abomination and there's nothing I can do about it, but watch her suffer."
"You must learn to do what the rest of us did. We learned to cope, and most of us are successful and proud of what we are." There was another long pause, and Robin had almost thought Ester had hung up. She cleared her throat. "Claim her. That is the only thing you can do at this point. It will keep her safe, and you both will have someone to learn and experience with. It's the best option. However, if you find some impossible 'cure' let me know. I'll be very interested to see what it is."
"I can't claim her… I…" Robin frowned and stopped short, trying to wipe his mind clear of the image of Raven writhing beneath him in pleasure. Calling out his name. Bound to him. That's not what he should be thinking about now, he should be focused on saving her soul. On keeping Raven as she had always been. But the image took root, and Robin couldn't shake his mind of it. "I just can't."
Ester laughed. "You bound her to you long before she was a vampire." There was a soft, thoughtful pause. "When we saw you two in the hotel, you shouldn't have been unable to resist us. We were in heat, waiting for a male. The fact that you stayed put and chased after us only for answers is proof of the relationship you held before. She's your mate, whether you believe it or not."
"I…" Robin didn't need to say anything, and so he kept quiet. "Thank you, Ester. I appreciate all the help you've given us."
"Anytime."
)O(
Robin woke up just before dawn peeked over the mountain tops. There was a muffled but peaceful stillness that filled the air, like a million invisible cotton-balls. The soft body next to him shifted slightly, and he pulled Raven closer. She frowned and wrinkled her nose, unused to the sensation of just being held. His mate. He looked down at her head, buried against his neck and traced the cool, misshapen scar. Ice-cold guilt entered his veins. That was his fault. He should have stopped the fight before it got out of hand. He should have done something. Pray. Sell his soul. Anything else, than to turn her into this.
She groaned slightly and her fingers dug into his bicep. Robin kissed the top of her head and her grip relaxed. At least now she was safe. He was safe. He knew that there would never be another woman in his life, ever. No more pining over unclaimed females. Robin thought back to a few days earlier when Raven had been chasing Jinx through Bruce's foyer. Jinx smelled… gross. It was no longer the sweet scent of honey and mint, but the scent of decaying flesh. The only scent that called to him was lavender and plums. Raven.
Robin breathed in deep, taking in the remaining scent of their lovemaking, found he enjoyed the spicy and sweet fragrance. He looked down at Raven again and remembered their night. The way they moved together was like a symphony for just the two of them. He could have sworn there was more than just a few measly fireworks, there was a whole damn pyrotechnics team. It was more than just physical, it was beautiful. They were joined through the body and through their heart.
Ugh. That sounded sappy, even in his own mind.
If someone had told him a year ago that he would be bound to Raven for life, he would have laughed. Raven had always been his best friend, but she was dark, cold, stoic, and whole slew of other things that Robin never equated with himself. But these past few weeks… Raven was more than just the creepy girl on the team, she was his conscience, his companion, she was his mate. She had so many emotions in her, it just took a little effort to find them all. And Robin was never one to give up on a challenge.
"Is it morning already?" Raven pulled the covers over her head and moved closer to Robin's warmth. He was unable to squash his grin as her breasts pressed against his chest. Heaven.
"Almost." He pressed his face against her neck and kissed her. She grumbled a curse and tried to push him away, but he'd already got what he wanted. He slid his hands up and down her back, listening to her soft breathing. Robin could tell she was happy with him touching her, but didn't want to admit it. That was Raven, stubborn as a mule. "Do you want breakfast?"
Raven peeked one eye out from under the covers, and Robin could tell she was trying to decide if there was an intentional euphemism. She frowned a little and pulled the comforter down to her chin. "Maybe… what's for breakfast? If you say 'sausage' I will punch that frat-boy in you."
"Eggs?" Robin winced as she kicked him. "What was that for?"
"It was prepayment for something dirty I'm sure you're thinking about."
She flashed her teeth, and Robin almost swore he saw her fangs start to peek out. She was itching for a fight again. He rolled his eyes and got out of bed. "You know me too well." He peeled the covers off her and left them hanging over the end of the bed, exposing her nude body to the cool morning air. "There, cool down, vampire-girl."
"Shut up." Raven fumbled for the edge of the blankets as Robin headed into the kitchen.
The fridge had been stocked the day before hand with everything a hungry vampire could want. Eggs, juice, bread, meat… some pints of blood. He stared at the fridge before closing it and heading to the coffee pot. He needed something to wake him up if he was going to have to deal with Raven all day. Robin listened to the pot sputter as it brewed and watched the sun peak over the mountains. It was going to be beautiful today. Maybe they would go hiking, or swimming… scratch that, maybe they would go skinning dipping. Robin smirked at the thought of a soaking wet, naked Raven. That was a much more interesting prospect that walking up a hill.
Moan.
Robin was startled from his daydream by the sound of Raven's voice, moaning in pain. He blinked a few times at the bedroom door. Maybe she was just waking up? She moaned again, and there was the sound of her body moving restlessly against the sheets. Robin's heart sunk into his stomach. Something was really wrong. He ran into the bedroom to find Raven writhing on the sheets, her skin bright red and beginning to blister. She tried to speak to him, but the sound came out as a pained hiss. It took a few seconds for Robin's mind to register what was happening, but it hit him like a brick.
The sun was burning her. It was poisonous.
His stomach knotted and he felt bile rise into his throat. What had he done? How could this have happened? He ran to the covers and pulled them over her body, tucking the edged underneath her, before running to the windows and closing the light-blocking shades. He stared at her now still body, watching her chest pulse up and down in a strange, disjointed pattern. Raven's breath was coming in short, raspy inhales as she fumbled for the edge of the covers and let an angry, red arm fall to the floor. "Rae?"
"He…lp…" Raven's breath echoed like broken bells in the room. "I'm… hot."
Robin didn't wait another second, he wrapped the covers around her tightly and picked her up into the windowless bathroom. Sure enough, her skin was hot, to the point of burning, and it almost hurt to hold her. He turned the bath faucet and filled it with cool water and set Raven in. There was a moment that she didn't appear living, and Robin felt his head start to whither. Finally, she turned stared up at him with empty eyes, as if someone had just knocked the wind out of her.
"Rae… oh my god, Raven… what did I do?" He felt the tears start to prick his eyes. Why wasn't she like him? Why was the sun deadly to her and not to him? How had such a terrible mistake happened? Could he fix it? "I'm sorry…"
"Well…" Raven sunk lower into the cool water and sighed. "We learned something new today." Her limbs were still shaking, but her skin was starting to turn back to its normal alabaster color, and her face wasn't so empty. She pressed her hands to her face and took a long, deep breath. "I apparently can't do sun any more." There was a hint of remorse in her voice, and it just tugged at Robin even more.
"I… I'm sorry, Raven." Robin grabbed her hand and frowned. "I… I never meant for any of this to happen."
"Will you just shut up?" Raven snatched her hand back and managed a glare through her shock. Robin tried not to snort in response. Only Raven would be angry at him for being upset about the fact that he just ruined her life. "This isn't your fault, and I don't blame you. It's just something new we're going to have to adjust to."
"But…" Robin tried to think of something to say to her, but she threw a washcloth at him.
"Really? You just can't shut up?" Raven sunk lower into the bath and glared. "This isn't the end of the world. We are both new at this, and we'll just have to learn about this together." Her words hit close to his heart, and Robin was reminded of the conversation he had with Ester a few days ago, which had all but left his mind. This was more than just a coupling between friends, this was forever. They would live together, learn together, experience together. And even if they stayed a vampire forever, they were still together. She was his mate, whether he liked it or not.
But, he found he liked it. A lot.
"What are you smiling at?"
)O(
Yes. That's the end. I know, awkward right? I tried to write a real chapter, tried to keep this story going… but it didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to show you what their life would be like as vampires, but I realized I had already did that, so I tried other things. I brought them back to Bruce's, to Jump, to Ester, and I even tried to bring Jinx in, but the story just stared at me and said, "No. I'm done, but thank you for trying." It was done. And while I am sad to see it ending, it feels better this way. Much better.
I cannot express how lovely it's been having everyone with me on this rollercoaster ride of a story, for putting up with the fact that I am not always the most magnificent proof-reader, and that sometimes my plot lines go in curves. I love you, except Rated T for Terrible. I don't love you. Dorkasauras-Rex over there has made it his personal vendetta to follow me around and bitch about my non-canon pairings, seeing as he hunted down Wide Awake and bitched there too. Look, if I wanted Robin and Starfire together, I'd just watch the dang show from start to finish.
And I'm off my soapbox.
If you're hankering for some more delicious Richard Grayson and Raven action with a touch a vampires, please check out The Darkness that Beckons, by Sarah Cabbage Patch. She's got the second chapter up and I was bouncing on my seat with anticipation. Glorious!
And in conclusion, I would like to leave you with this, a sneak-peek at my next project of ridiculous proportions: Little Blue Riding Hood. It is a Raven/Speedy story that follows my one-shot Curiosity, and was heavily influenced by 999's "Li'l Red Riding Hood" (which is a kick-ass song) and titangirl797's Speedy/Raven story Robin Hood and was prompted (to write a chaptered Rae/Roy story) by TeenTitansGirl. But even if you are impartial to the pairing, I promise it will be amusing and filled with all kinds of… whatever it is that I write.
)O(
When Mumbo attacks Raven and Speedy (again) they find themselves in the middle of the most ridiculous fairytale ever. With companions like the redheaded Rapunzle, the super-fast gingerbread man, and the little… er… merman, how could this adventure get any weirder?
Oh yeah, arrow-toting "Robin Hood" has the hots for Little Blue.
So, here it is: Little Blue Riding Hood (unedited, not final draft)
Raven threw open the door with a bang and tumbled into the dark alley behind the club. The noise and stench of liquor, cheap perfume, and cigarettes followed her into the darkness outside, but at least the emotions didn't swarm her anymore. And she could grasp onto a few snippets common sense and her own thoughts. She ran a shaky hand through her hair and tried to calm her furiously beating heart. Whose idea was it to go out to a club? And why, in all of the nine hells, did she agree?
And why, oh WHY, did the Titans East have to be here? Raven thought she was done with him. That whatever had happened between them three months ago had been a fluke. A bubble of strange emotions that had been popped, never to resurface again. But he stood there, in the corner of the club, eyes boring into her until she felt hot. Like her skin was on fire and she was naked to only him. Why had she let him kiss her those three months ago?
Raven pressed her forehead against the cool, brick wall, grateful for the distraction. The emotions were running rampant in that stupid club, and the feel of it all running down her spine made her want to throw up. Roy being here didn't help, either. She looked deeper into the alley and saw two figures doing something against the wall. Great. Because, that helped too.
She took a few, deep lung-fuls of air and tried to ignore the way her body trembled under all the feelings. The stupid couple in the alley, the dregs of the drunken passion from inside the club, and the fact the every time she closed her eyes all she saw was Roy's honey-colored gaze staring back at her. Damnit. She was so stupid.
"You okay?"
Raven's heart fell into her stomach and she turned around to face the bane of her existence. The one who had haunted her thoughts nearly every night. She swallowed some air and took a step away from him, but ended up pinned against the wall. Just like last time. She forced a frown and tried to grab onto the last few shreds of sanity that were left in her. "Fine. Are you enjoying the party?" Damnit. Why did she say that? Now she was going to have to carry on a conversation with him. In the tower it had been easy to avoid him, pretending that there were other things going on that needed her attention. But here in this alley… she had no defenses against him.
Roy shrugged. "It's alright." He gave her a curious look. "Are you sure you're okay? I saw you get out of there real quick. I wanted to make sure everything was okay."
"Fine." Raven repeated.
"Mm." Roy leaned against the wall next to her, blocking the opening into the street. "You know what they say about being fine?" Raven shook her head, hoping this would be the end of their conversation. She could at least hope. "Fucked-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional. F.I.N.E."
Raven rolled her eyes. "How very mature, Roy."
"You looked like you were ten seconds from killing someone." Roy pushed himself to his feet and watched her, trying to decide if she was really okay. He needed to stop looking at her. "Well, at least I was being nice by trying to save someone's life."
"Now you're being an ass." Roy frowned in response to her words, and Raven almost swore she saw a glimmer of hurt in his eyes before being covered up. She cringed and looked away. She didn't need to be rude to him, she just needed to avoid him. At all possible costs.
"So…" He looked her up and down, and Raven felt her heart skip a beat. She glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. He didn't need to leer. "What are you supposed to be?"
"Raven, a member of the Titans." She rolled her eyes. "I haven't ever dressed up for Halloween, and I never will. I like being me, thank you very much, Robin Hood."
"Jeez." Roy rolled his eyes and took a step back, putting well-needed space between them. Raven managed a few fresh breaths before he continued. "You're touchy this evening, Raven. I haven't seen you in months and you bite my head off. What's wrong?"
"I just… I just don't do well around a lot of people, and this is driving me close to insane." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked away, hoping he didn't see the lie in her eyes. "And I'm getting a headache from all of this emotion."
"Oh, that's an easy fix. Come here." Roy, without being asked or invited, stepped right into her personal space, pushing her against the wall. Raven's breath hitched and her heart sped up as flashbacks of their last encounter started to resurface. He pushed down her hood, and slipped his fingers behind her neck, burying in her hair. His fingertips ran slow, deep circles into her neck, easing the tense muscles. Raven closed her eyes, tried to pretend this wasn't happening.
But it was.
And she loved it
…
(later)
…
Raven tried not to scream, she tried to hold onto her sanity, but she was slipping. "Again? We're here again?"
Roy closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please… don't remind me what 'here' is, Raven." He popped open one eye, and then the other, and then his mouth fell to the floor. "What in the name of all that is holy, are you wearing?"
Raven looked down at herself, and felt her stomach rise into her throat. She was dressed in a short little, poufy red dress with a fluffy white blouse, with red and white lace edging. White knee-high stockings covered her legs while she stared down at a pair of black, patent leather Mary-Jane heels. Oh no. Raven closed her eyes and tried to imagine this all away. She tried not to think about the fact that she was in a dress, that was poufy and covered with lace, standing in front of Roy, while in the middle of Mumbo's hat.
She tried not to think about a lot of things.
But her luck was running out.
