That same night...
"You want green or mint?" Jason hollered from his small galley kitchen, pots banging around as he set about making tea.
Raven had settled down into the plush leather couch, sitting cross-legged with her feet tucked beneath her. Her back relaxed against the cushion and she sunk into it, savoring the warmth that enveloped everything in this modest apartment. She could hear the villain swear loudly as a pan clattered to the floor with a deafening din, and a muffled laugh rose in her throat.
"Mint," she called back, stretching her arms up above her head and yawning contentedly. She had never felt so relaxed as she did here. The boy that now toiled in the kitchen permeated whatever space he was in with a comfort and peace so tangible, Raven felt she could wrap herself in it.
Of course, he'd have to drag that out of her dying mouth before she'd ever willingly admit it to him.
The thief strode out with two scorching mugs filled with sloshing liquid and Raven quickly flushed the smile from her face, replacing it with a grimace. Jason had witnessed the quick transformation however, and he snorted as he set the mugs down on the mahogany coffee table.
"It's okay kid," he scoffed. "I know you don't bite as hard as you pretend." He reached over and mussed up her hair, rubbing her head like she was a docile puppy.
"Quit it," Raven cried exasperatedly, dropping the artificial scowl and ducking away from his patronizing strokes.
The rogue sat down next to her and propped his legs up on the coffee table, leaning to pick up the drink. He blew on the boiling water to cool it down, then took a swig. Raven was nursing her own tea, embracing the warm cup against her chest.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, the titan glanced up, fixing on Jason with close scrutiny.
"Can I ask something?"
"You just did," the thief drawled. He took another swallow, grimaced as it burned his mouth, then added, "But go ahead and ask again."
Raven's gaze latched onto his right forearm, the bicep where the crimson snake twined itself around the pitch-colored X.
"What does your tattoo mean?"
There was a pregnant pause, and his discomfort was palpable.
"I got it as a dare after a rowdy night of drinking with Johnny Rancid. I had to either get this or else a flying cherub on my butt."
Raven gave him an irate look, her lips pursed together. "That's about as true as me saying I'm a cute fairy princess."
X leaned over, pinching her cheek between his index finger and thumb. "My cute fairy princess," he declared with a snicker.
"Cut it out," Raven grumbled, pinching his own arm to make him let go. "I'm being serious. Why do you have that tattoo?"
Jason sighed. He leaned back, casting his eyes up as if looking for a wind that would blow the question away.
"It's the mark of the Exigent Serpent," he finally confessed.
Raven looked at him blankly. "What's that?" she asked tentatively.
"An international crime syndicate. A network of the world's best, ahem, purveyors of rare and valuable goods.
"Thieves, you mean," the sorceress interjected with a steady glare.
"Yeah, I do."
"So what was the deal with Adonis? Why'd he nearly wet himself when he saw the logo of a bunch of cat burglars?" Raven inquired as she tipped back the last tea dregs, unsatisfied with his explanation.
"Well, what makes the Exigent Serpent so influential is that we have backing. Namely, ahem, very skilled practitioners of an ancient art form that utilizes numerous tools and often involves swift deat— Oh, fuck it. What I'm saying is assassins."
Raven eyes widened and she sat up ramrod straight, thunderstruck. Assassins? A crime group supported by lethal killers? Surely Jason would never—
"Calm down, Princess," X cut into her thoughts, laughing at her horrified expression. "It's not like I actually call on them. It's just handy for throwing some weight around, asserting a little power. For getting rid of jackasses like that Adonis."
Raven shook her head, frowning. "Even still," she reproached in a less than thrilled tone. "Being in a group with direct ties to assassins—"
Jason rolled his eyes up, letting his head fall back against the couch. "Shit, Sunshine," he groaned vexedly. "Cut me some slack here."
Then, in an attempt to distract her, the rogue planted a knee on either side of the sorceress's waist and straddled her lap. Tucking a long strand behind her ear, he leaned over and whispered in heavy and seductive breaths, "Have I ever told you… that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen?"
Raven pushed the sable-haired boy away lightly, and he fell back against the cushions looking surprised.
"Cut it out, Jason," she laughed. "Your cheap flirting might work on half-drunk bimbos, but do you seriously expect I'd fall for that line?"
Jason reached out and twirled a piece of her dark hair between his fingers. 'I suppose not," he mused to himself, looking up and smiling when the empath caught his stormy eyes with her own.
Raven pushed herself up off the couch and wandered over to the far wall, stopping when she faced the two framed photographs, so similar and yet so unalike. One rough, faded, hard-looking—an unforgiving life. The other bright, new, hopeful—the chance of something better.
Jason followed her movement across the room, watching quietly as she intently studied the pictures.
She looked round at him, an inquisitiveness in her eyes, but did not say anything.
"That one's me," he said softly from behind her. He pointed at the older photo, the one with the boy who had a lean and tough look about him. Angry and sad at the same time.
"I was about ten at the time," the rogue told her, his voice unemotional but his face an expression of melancholy. "Still living with my step-mom. Still trying to make up for the poverty and neglect that came with her drug habit."
Raven fingers stretched out, seeking until they found his and interweaving them together gently.
"Who's that boy, then?" she asked in a low voice, gesturing with her head at the second, newer photo.
The mention of the second boy brought a ghost of a smile to Jason's lips.
"That's my cousin. Aiden." He reached out to brush the glass casing over the picture. "He'll be eleven this year."
"You two look a lot alike," Raven mused thoughtfully. "But he looks much happier than you did at that age."
Jason nodded, a rueful smile twisting on his mouth.
"Aiden grew up in pretty much the same conditions I did. Shitty neighborhood, shitty parents, shitty home. I took the same steps that the strange man took with me years ago. I support him financially. Right now he's attending a swanky boarding school."
Jason grinned sardonically at this. "Luckily, he's much more well-adjusted there than I ever was. He'll get to be somebody someday. Maybe become president of Wayne Enterprise. Hell, I don't know."
Raven stared at him in wonder, disbelief written across her fair face. She felt as if she were truly seeing him for the first time. He was not the lowlife and scum that she had convinced herself of. He had more to look out for than just Number One.
Jason shook his head, chuckling to himself.
"It's like what I told Robin. Just because I don't like playing the hero, doesn't mean I don't know how."
Xxx
The living room was dark, illuminated only by the bluish glow of the TV. The ending credits of Chainsaw Massacre were rolling, and a certain titan was curled up on the black leather couch, fast asleep. Her hair splayed out around her head like a charcoal halo, hands tucked beneath as a pillow. Her face was smooth and unperturbed, void of its usual fierce expressions, and her breaths were deep and even, chest exhaling in a tranquil rhythm.
Jason observed her carefully, almost reverently, admiring the soft, pale cheeks and proud brow. She was exquisite. She was a warrior, an intellectual, a beauty.
She was his.
He shut off the TV and stood inaudibly, cautious not to disturb her. Sliding his hands beneath her slender frame, he scooped the girl up and cradled her against his chest, walking slowly to the bedroom.
He laid her down gently on the cotton sheets, pulling a blanket over her as she shifted wordlessly in her sleep. He smoothed down a flyaway strand of hair, then pressed a light kiss against her forehead.
"Goodnight, Raven," he murmured softly. Turning, he left the bedroom and went to crash on the couch.
X
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Some surprising honesty and fluff between the hero and thief. Red X has turned out to be quite the softy! Tell me what you all think is adorable/sexy/funny/annoying/jerky/awful about their relationship. Or just share whatever you want. Basically, please review! Thanks a bunch guys. :)