#timrae fanfiction

[darthvashtique93]

Only Fools Rush In

The Past Is Dead

The three sidekicks and Raven cowered behind a makeshift barrier as the laser fire intensified. "Good idea," Kate said to Dick, her tone tense but impressed, "using the mirrors to deflect the lasers."

"Hopefully, I'll have hacked B's system before our fortress falls apart," Dick muttered, his fingers flying over the device in front of him.

Stephanie exhaled loudly, clearly frustrated. "We don't have time for this. Every second we're stuck here is another second Tim doesn't have. We don't even know where he is."

"Tracker?" Kate asked, eyes flicking to Dick.

Dick shook his head. "As long as the Batcave is in defense mode, we won't be able to access the tracking system."

Raven closed her eyes for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I may have a way to locate Tim," she said quietly, uncertain. "But I haven't done it before, so…" The young, mute girl—Raven had yet to learn her name—reached out and gently grasped Raven's hand. Raven glanced at her, and though the girl couldn't speak, Raven understood her unspoken plea. She nodded. "Okay," Raven replied softly. She crossed her legs, sat in a meditative position, and placed her hands on the floor. "Just… don't freak out," she warned the others, "and protect my body." Raven took a long breath, steadying herself, and then exhaled. She repeated the action, centering her focus, before softly chanting. "Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos." Her voice trailed off as her astral form slipped free. She opened all four of her eyes and searched.

Raven's powers expanded over Gotham, stretching across the city's landscape as she fought to keep control over her demonic side. She felt the chaotic swirl of countless minds as she briefly connected to each one. She pushed herself further and harder. Come on, Tim. Where are you? Then she spotted him—a figure slamming his fists against the walls of a building. It was a familiar place, just across from the library she had visited a few weeks ago. Tim, she relaxed just a little. She steered her powers toward him. "Tim," she whispered in his mind, startling the vigilante. She did a quicky, cursory glance of his body. He looked awful. His Red Robin uniform was incomplete, with only a cape, mask, red spandex, and utility belt in place, but missing gloves, boots, and various other accessories. His hair was a mess, his face pale and sweaty, his breathing labored, and his right hand hung limp at his side, clearly broken. "Tim," she repeated gently, her voice reaching into his mind. "I don't know what's going on, but you're hurt. You need to come back to the cave."

"I can't," Tim replied aloud, his stance rigid. "It's the Joker. I have to stop him."

"The Joker is dead," Raven insisted, echoing what Richard told her.

"But I see him everywhere," Tim's voice cracked, his words trembling with exhaustion. "No one else sees him, but I do. He's here. He's alive."

Raven hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Then let me see him… through your eyes."

"What?"

"Let me in, Tim. Let me see what you're seeing."

Tim lowered his head, sinking to his knees, too tired to resist anymore. "Okay," he muttered, "I'll let you in." As soon as his mental defenses dropped, Raven slipped into his mind. Her breath caught in her throat. Holy crap! Tim wasn't just in awful shape—he was dying. She experienced it as if her own body was deteriorating. The pain was sharp and immediate, threatening to overwhelm her.

Focusing herself, Raven pushed past the agony and connected with his psyche. "Look," she said, guiding his gaze as she turned his head from side to side. "There's no one here, Tim. You're alone. There's no—JOKER!" Raven screamed as a dark figure punched her in the jaw, knocking her soul back into her own body. Her eyes snapped open as she found herself back in the Batcave.

"Raven?" Stephanie was at her side in an instant. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"The Joker… he's real," Raven panted. "At least, real to Tim. He's hallucinating, but… Tim's in bad shape. He's dying."

"Victor was supposed to bring medicine," Kate said, her frustration clear. "But the Zeta tube isn't working with the cave in lockdown mode."

"I'm doing my best," Dick called out from where he was working on the system.

Raven sat up, shaking off the disorientation. "I know where Tim is," she said firmly. "I can get to him."

"Then go!" Stephanie urged her.

"We've got this covered," Kate added, glancing at the others. Raven nodded, took a steadying breath, and then disappeared into a portal.

Red Robin's breath came in ragged gasps as he stood, swaying, on the rooftop. His body ached—his shattered hand throbbed with every beat of his heart, and his head was a chaotic storm of fear and fatigue. He'd been fighting for hours, or maybe days. He'd lost track. The Joker's voice echoed in his skull, relentless, mocking him. "You're cracking, kid," the Joker's voice whispered from the shadows. "No one's coming to save you. You're all alone."

I know, Red Robin thought, despair settling into his bones. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep fighting. His vision blurred, and for a brief, desperate moment, he thought he felt Raven's presence. "Raven," he gasped, hope flickering weakly within. "Raven?" He spun around, searching for her, but the rooftop was empty.

"She's not here," came the sickeningly gleeful voice. The Joker materialized out of the darkness, smiling malevolently. "It's just you," he said, swinging the crowbar, "and me." The crowbar cracked against Red Robin's ribs with brutal force, and he staggered, choking on the pain. Before he could catch his breath, the Joker swung again, hitting him squarely in the back. Red Robin collapsed, bracing himself on his hands and knees, his body trembling in pain. "Ha ha ha!" The Joker laughed maniacally as he danced around Red Robin's crumpling form.

It's over, Red Robin thought. I can't do this anymore. The Joker's boot slammed down on his back, forcing him to the ground. Red Robin groaned as his chest hit the cold concrete, every breath a struggle. "Joker…" he moaned, the fight draining out of him. "Stop."

The Joker's grin widened, and Red Robin felt his breath against his ear, a vile, twisted imitation of intimacy. "Ha. Ha. Ha," the Joker whispered, his weight pressing down on Tim's back, suffocating him.

And then… nothing. The weight was gone. The Joker vanished, leaving only the echo of his laughter.

Tim's body went limp, defeated. He felt cold and hopelessly alone. This is it, he thought. Maybe I should just… let go.

"Tim? Tim?"

The voice was soft, familiar—impossibly gentle amidst the chaos. He felt hands touch the back of his neck, grounding him. Warm hands. Real.

"Tim," the calm voice said again, cutting through the fog of his mind. "I'm so sorry about this."

Raven.

He blinked, struggling to focus as her presence enveloped him. Sudden relief flooded his chest. He wasn't alone anymore. "Raven…" he gasped. She was real, and she was here.

Raven couldn't believe she was about to form a bond, but…desperate times and all that. The bond would remain intact only until Tim was fully healed. Placing her hands softly on his head and back, she let her essence flow into him, linking her mind and soul to his. Suddenly, she wasn't just Raven—she was Raven and Tim.

As her healing powers worked, memories from his life flooded her consciousness. His sixth birthday, the excitement of his first computer, the raw grief of losing his parents, his journey with Bruce Wayne, training, becoming Red Robin—getting captured and tortured by the Joker. Raven absorbed it all, her heart aching as she relived his deepest pain, pushing herself to heal both his body and his mind. Feeling his mental and physical wounds close, Raven felt herself separating from him, until finally, she was just Raven again.

She gasped, drawing her powers back into herself. Her eyes had been closed the entire time, and it wasn't until she heard a soft, "Raven? Raven?" that she realized they had opened. In front of her sat a healthy, thoroughly confused, half-dressed Red Robin. He looked around before his gaze settled on her. Without hesitation, he reached for her, pulling her into a tight hug. "He's gone," he gasped into her neck, his voice trembling with a mix of relief and disbelief. "He's gone." Raven, caught off guard, awkwardly patted his back, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "You… you… what did you do?" he asked, pulling back just enough to look at her.

"It's... hard to explain," Raven answered. She reached out, her hands resting on his face as she smoothed his messy hair. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"Better," Red Robin smiled, the weight of the past days lifting from his shoulders. He glanced around before, with a quick motion, pulled his mask off. His eyes met hers, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you," he breathed, resting his forehead gently against hers. "Thank you," he repeated, tears edging his words. "He's gone," he tried to hold back a sob. "He's gone."

Raven's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in his voice. Reciprocating the hug, she whispered, "You never have to thank me for saving your life," she whispered.

Raven didn't know how long they stayed in each other's embrace, but she was exhausted—her body still healing itself from the strain of the bond—and freezing. She wasn't even in uniform. She was wearing a sweatshirt and leggings, and her hair was in a messy ponytail. This is embarrassing.

Tim held her a moment longer, reluctant to let go, and Raven could feel his gratitude in the way he held her. But she was freezing. She glanced at the snow falling around them, pulling her sweatshirt closer. "Are you cold?" she asked, trying to make light of the situation. "Because I'm cold."

"Hm?" Tim blinked before pulling back slightly. "Oh—oh my gosh! You must be freezing!" His gaze darted around, noticing his own missing gear. "Where are my gloves? Wait. Where are my boots?" He crawled to the edge of the roof, peering down. "Well, there's my bike," he said with a small chuckle before turning back to her. "You don't look so good. Did you… absorb my injuries?"

"Yeah," Raven replied, her smile weak but genuine, though she couldn't stop the small shiver that passed through her. Without missing a beat, Tim shrugged off his cape and wrapped it securely around her shoulders. "This should help keep you warm," he breathed, the gesture filled with a tenderness that made Raven's chest tighten. "Looks like we're stuck here for a bit."

Raven let out a small laugh. "Give me a minute. I'll have enough energy to teleport us—and your bike—back to the Batcave."

Tim sighed, a mixture of exhaustion and relief crossing his face. But then his eyes widened in realization. "Oh no—the Batcave! They're trapped, aren't they?"

"They are," Raven nodded, glancing at him with a knowing look. "Bruce's defense systems are a little… excessive."

"Yeah," Tim chuckled, "he likes to be prepared."

He held Raven's gaze, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a flutter through her stomach. Raven turned away before standing on shaky legs, feeling her strength gradually returning. "Okay, I'm good."

"Are you sure?" Tim asked, concern clear in his voice as he followed her, sliding his mask back on.

"The sooner you get back, the sooner you can rest," she replied with a small, tired smile. "You need it."

"For once, I agree," he said with a soft chuckle, relief and gratitude shining through his fatigue.

(1/1 – 12:01 a.m.)

Raven looked out the enormous window as fireworks lit up the sky. She had finally purged all the drugs from her system and found herself staying at Wayne Manor, ushering in the New Year.

Alfred had shown up the day before, frantic and worried after receiving both Lucius and Stephanie's messages. He came immediately, even contacting Bruce, who was on his way back from wherever, though it would still take three weeks for him to reach Earth's orbit. And Tim had slept for over 40 hours straight, waking just minutes before the countdown to New Year's Day.

Now Raven sat contentedly on a window seat, watching the firework show. "Hey," she heard Tim say. She turned to see him standing there, sheepish, holding two giant mugs. Her heart skipped a beat. He looks so adorable. Barefoot, a gray T-shirt, and pajama bottoms that were a little too long but hung low on his hips in a way that made her stomach flutter. Raven felt her face warm and schooled her expression. "That's not coffee, is it?" she asked.

"Uh…no," Tim smiled, handing her a mug. "I've decided to go several days without coffee. This is decaf tea."

"Going without coffee? Are you sure you'll survive?"

"Funny, but, no, I'm not sure." He joined her on the seat, and together they watched the opulent firework display.

Raven glanced at him, captivated by the colors reflecting off his face. "Tim," she spoke hesitantly, drawing his attention. He turned his blue eyes to her, and instantly Raven felt breathless. Has he always been this handsome? "I need to tell you about how I found and healed you. I entered your mind and saw some things."

"Raven," Tim placed his hand gently over hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "It doesn't matter right now. I'm just happy to be here—alive and in my right mind. We'll talk about it later. Okay?"

"Okay," she nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Tim gave her hand a light squeeze. "Happy New Year, Raven."

She looked at him, feeling a rare warmth in her chest. "Happy New Year, Tim." They sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky light up with vibrant colors.

[bourniebna]

Blog Navigation

I am currently in the mood to gush about Raven (DC), thus decide to have an organised Raven-related tag system so that my fellow Raven enthusiasts who happen to come across my humble blog could easily search for my Raven content.

Every Raven post will be tagged "#Raven DC" as well as "#in this house we do not call her", "#Rachel Roth", "#or", and "#Raven Roth". The last four tags are mainly for expanding the reach of the posts, but I am serious about my distaste for the name Rachel Roth or even Raven Roth.

Then, depending on the material discussed, the post can either be tagged "DC comics" or "DCAMU", etc., along with the name of the material (if it is in my knowledge and if it is the focus of the discussion).

For the shipping tags, I will only use 5 shipdom tags, namely "#WallyRae", "#KFRae", "#DamiRae", "#JeriRae", and "#RobRae". I will kind of use the BBRae tag, but it will mostly be "#antiBBRae". For other Raven's relationships, the tag formula will be "#Raven x [character name]" for nonromantic relationships and "#Raven/[character name]" for (any potentially) romantic relationships, with the name being the full first name and surname of the character (for example, Richard Grayson, Joseph Wilson, and Wallace West). The character's name will also be tagged individually if their characterisation is discussed with importance. There is one thing to note about the "#RobRae" tag, though: It is actually an umbrella tag for all ships with any characters that have been Robin EXCEPT Damian, so posts about "#DickRae", "#JayRae", or "#TimRae". for example, will all be tagged with "#RobRae" in addition to "#Raven/[character name]". But the other 4 shipdom tags will not be tagged along with "#Raven/[character name]".

For my own types of Raven's content, at the moment, there will be 5 categories with the corresponding tags:

"#Commentary": Where I briefly and casually analyse and comment on a specific detail/plot/moment from DC comics or movies. If the detail/plot/moment alone is comprehensive or so major to the understanding of Raven as a character, the post will be a discussion in a more serious manner and tagged with "#Character Study" instead. Otherwise, if the detail/plot/moment is only a small fraction of a certain aspect of Raven's characteristion, the post will just be a "#Commentary" and only the compilation of details/plots/moments of that nature will be tagged as a "#Character Study" post.

"#Character Study": Where I delve into the canon characterisation of Raven, specifically, or Raven's relationships.

"#Fanfiction": Where I attempt to write fanfics, apparently; also the place for me to dump my fanfic ideas and prompts in general.

"#Character Concept": Where I suggest ideas or headcanons on how Raven or Raven's relationship(s) could be developed canonically, mostly using non-DC inspiration sources.

"#Meme": Simply where I make Raven-related memes, or jokes.

And that is all! This post will be updated as soon as my content plan has any changes. Also, to sum up the kind of Raven fan I am:

I am one of those 80s Raven enthusiasts. But I am fond of DCAMU Raven as well.

I am a multishipper, with my true pairings being the 80s WallyRae/KFRae, DamiRae, and JeriRae. The other ships are only for funsies, although I might be a bit too passionate about the potential of the 80s DickRae and New 52 TimRae.

Despite being a multishipper, canon BBRae really is not my cup of tea. But I do have my own interpretation on how BBRae should be, if for some reasons the pairing has to occur.

There is no fathoming the depth of hatred I feel for the name Rachel Roth or even Raven Roth.

Hope that you all enjoy my content!

[flyingkiki]

Ours (1/?)

Leila. "Daughter of the night."

It was a surprise Tim wasn't ready for.

Or

How one night close to five years ago would change everything for Tim and Raven.

~~~~

Chapter 1

“Hey, I’m in Gotham,”

The message seemed strangely out of the blue to be sent at 4:23 in the morning, but when he saw the ID on his phone Tim sat up in bed and stared at the screen. Whatever dregs of sleep he felt disappeared instantly.

Rachel R.

Not wasting time, he called her. Raven picked up on the second ring.

“Hey,” her voice drifted through the phone, her voice soft and familiar. 

“Hey yourself,” Tim greeted, smiling into the phone and slowly rolling out of bed. It was nice to hear from Raven again after all those years. After she quit the team, they barely heard from her. Raven said she wanted a normal life, away from their superhero work. While with the Titan’s she had gone to a community college in San Francisco and it didn’t come much of a surprise she got into grad school right away on an academic scholarship. “It’s been ages,”

Raven hummed, her voice just a little distant. “Yeah, it has. Sorry for the early morning text,” she said. He could hear her moving around, plates rattling in the background. Probably preparing her morning tea, he thought. He could picture her making her favorite blend of herbal tea, the memory of her in the Tower still familiar to him. 

Tim entered his own kitchen and placed her on speaker as he started preparing his coffee. He set his phone on the large granite counter. “Don’t worry about it,” he assured and started puttering around in his kitchen. “What brings you to Gotham? Do the others know?”

There was a brief pause from the other line and Tim stopped dumping heaping portions of coffee into his old coffee maker. Multi-millionaire and he still had yet to buy a decent espresso machine. His brows furrowed at the silence.

“Just some personal stuff,” Raven finally replied. There was some distant noise and a door closing in the background. He heard the line rustle with her movements. 

“I see,” he breathed with piqued interest. In the last five years or so, Raven barely stayed in touch. She kept the team updated on her travels across the globe, but barely delved deep on her personal life beyond her life as a research assistant and her latest whereabouts. This was new. He knew that Raven’s mother was originally from Gotham and with the ex-Titan wandering around the globe, he assumed she had some business to take care of. 

“Do you need help with anything? Are you alright?” he asked, suddenly standing still and waiting for her reaction. Worry laced his tone and he tried to pick up anything that felt out of the ordinary. “Just say the code,”

Raven released a soft huff of laughter, the sound familiar to his ears and he visibly relaxed around his coffee. She did not sound in distress. “I’m fine,” she said. 

Tim stared at his phone waiting for her to continue as a pregnant pause filled the air. He heard her line rustle again. “Raven?” he prodded gently.

“Sorry,” Raven breathed. “Got a little distracted,” she said over the clatter of plates. He wondered where she was. That sounded way too much china for just morning tea, breakfast perhaps?

“How long will you be in Gotham?” he asked. Tim checked the time on his phone, making sure he still had enough time to get ready for work and make it on time. He had a meeting with R&D in the morning and he had hoped not to come in late today. 

Raven hummed. “I’m not sure, for a while, I think,” she said. 

Tim frowned at how distracted she sounded.  He wondered if she truly was alright, her voice seemed distant. “That’s great. You think we could catch up?” he asked while picking up his phone and coffee and heading back into his bedroom to get ready. 

“Actually, yeah, that’s why I’m calling,” replied Raven, there was a waver in her voice that Tim could not quite place. “Do you think we could meet up?”

Tim blinked, mildly surprised at the offer. “That’d be great,” he said, hiding the surprise in his tone. How strange for Raven to initiate a meet-up. His curiosity picked up and he blinked at his reflection in his bedroom mirror, mildly wondering why she wanted to meet up. Raven barely did social calls. “When?”

“Are you free later, after work?” 

—

While Monday’s were always terrible, Wednesdays were the worst for Tim. Mid-week meant meetings with the Audit department, review of project proposals, a stack of finance documents to review and sign, and project update meetings, and business planning for the new joint venture. Lunch was something he hardly tasted, barely touched it and had it whisked away from him as fast as it arrived. The rest of his Wednesday was spent neck deep in reports, Tim had barely some time to breathe.

His stomach churned from either hunger or his nth cup of coffee today. Or, he chalked it up to the curiosity that came with seeing his teammate after so long. While a million questions ran through his mind, Tim genuinely hoped that Raven was alright and in no way in any trouble. Social calls were hardly her thing.

Tim had just gotten back from work, surprisingly still daytime (a first in his entire career) and busied himself in the kitchen. Raven would drop by any minute, she had insisted on just coming over instead of meeting at a cafe. After throwing his suit jacket over one of the kitchen stools (a terrible habit he still had to outgrow, despite his age), he rolled up the sleeves of his white business shirt and prepared a plate of crackers. Alfred would have his head if he didn’t prepare at least something to nibble on for his guest.

It didn’t take long until his alarm system notified him that someone was outside the building, waiting to be let in. Briefly checking through his phone that it was indeed Raven, he buzzed her in. “Come on in,” he spoke through his phone, tapping a button and letting her through security. 

When he made it to his front door, he heard Raven softly knock against the reinforced door. Swinging open the door, Tim smiled. “Hey,”

Raven looked the same from how he remembered her five years ago. Her hair came longer now, black hair cascading past her shoulders. Her ruby jewel on her forehead was gone and turned into a pendant. Dressed simply in a pair of jeans and stylish black sweater and oversized jean jacket, Raven smiled at Tim. 

“Hey,” she mumbled, familiar blue eyes bright as they stared up at him. Raven sounded the same, and much to Tim’s relief he noted no signs of distress. Perhaps he was just overthinking everything.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside to allow her to pass through and moving to close the door after her. He stood awkwardly by his now closed door and watched her briefly glance at the tastefully decorated hallway. For a brief moment he panicked, unsure what to do — could they hug? Was she okay with hugs now? Was a handshake okay? Or should he just wave?

Raven seemed to sense the mild awkwardness and she stepped into his space and took him by surprise and hugged him. “It’s good to see you,” she mumbled into his shoulder, she barely came up to his chin as she stood on her tippy toes.

“Raven, it’s been years,” he chuckled and squeezed her small form. Tim wondered if she had gotten smaller, if that were even possible. 

Raven hummed in agreement and stepped out of the hug. She sent him a smile that didn’t quite reach the eyes, but then again, Raven barely smiled. He ushered her into the apartment, directed her where to hang up her jacket, and told her to take a seat in the living room while he went to get them something to drink.

“You really didn’t need to prepare anything,” Raven called after him. Tim laughed and shot her an amused grin over his shoulder. “What kind of host would I be if I didn’t offer my guest something to eat and drink?”

Raven made a face, her calm expression crumpling as she wrinkled her nose. “Host?” she teased. 

Tim left her to her own devices, likely perusing his book collection along the large wall that led to his home office. When he returned moments later, sure enough he found her reading the backcover of a book. Little Women, First Edition.

“You know you can borrow anything you’d like,” he announced while setting the large tray with crackers and tea on the living room coffee table. 

“It’s a first edition,” Raven noted in mild surprise, gently cradling the book to her chest. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before here,”

Over the course of their time together with the Titans, Raven had visited his apartment a handful of times. Each visit had her inspecting his book collection, commenting on his lack of classics, and how he could have impossibly not read every management book that lined shelves. (“Some of these look like they never were opened,” she told him dryly, eyeing a Peter Drucker book in amusement.)

“I took that from the Manor a while back,” Tim told her. “You could borrow it if you’d like,” he motioned her to join him on his ridiculously large leather couch. He set a steaming mug of tea, prepared to her liking (as far as he could remember), in front of the empty space next to him. “Now come here, have some tea, and you can pick books you can borrow later,”

Over the course of years he had known her, Tim easily spotted the brief moment of hesitancy that crossed Raven’s face. She hugged the book tighter to her chest and shuffled towards the couch and slowly sat down next to him, just a fraction of a distance away from him. He could smell the familiar scent of her lavender perfume. Setting the book on the table, Raven carefully reached for the steaming mug of tea and took a tentative sip. 

“Well?” Tim asked, smiling and casually angling his body to face her, hoping to break the seemingly awkward silence that stretched through the air. 

Raven smiled over the mug. “This is good, you remembered,”

Tim grinned teasingly. “Hard to forget when you chugged tea every hour of every day,” His smile grew when the tension left Raven’s shoulders and she released a small huff of laughter. 

“As if you’re any different with your coffee,” Raven shot back.

They fell into an easy conversation, quickly catching up on the years apart. Tim learned Raven had traveled quite a bit over time, spending most of her time in Asia and Europe consulting on ancient literature research with local universities. She enjoyed her time in Europe and the slow travel to different countries by train. Tim thought it seemed very much like Raven to enjoy traveling at such a leisurely pace. This was the first time she was back in America after close to five years.

“So what brings you to Gotham?” Tim asked, after they shared a laugh over old memories of the Titans. 

Raven blinked, and that distracted energy he noted from her came back. He watched her blink, the corners of her lips lifting tentatively as she shot him a brief glance before turning back to the now cold tea. 

“It’s complicated,” Raven began and absently tapped the side of her mug. She stared at the plate of crackers, seemingly briefly lost in thought. Tim patiently gave her time to collect her thoughts, worry slowly brewing in the pit of his stomach. 

“Raven?” he gently prodded.

“I have a daughter,” she announced without much preamble.

Tim blinked, genuinely surprised at the announcement. Well, that wasn’t what he was expecting. 

“Oh, wow,” he breathed. He watched her worriedly stare at him, as if studying his reaction. “Congratulations, Rae. That’s awesome,” Raven offered him a small smile, she looked sheepish and inhaled deeply, as if collecting her thoughts. “This is great news,”

The corner of Raven’s lips curled into a wry smile. “Her name is Leila,” Raven carried on and suddenly broke eye contact. Tim watched her in mild worry as she absently stared at the orange teapot Alfred gifted him as a housewarming gift many years ago. “She’ll turn four this year. She’s a very smart little girl. She likes books, going to the park, going to the beach, playing with dolls and Lego, dancing, and drawing,” A fond smile plays on Raven’s lips as she thinks of her daughter. “She’s talks a lot and asks a lot of questions,”

Tim smiles as he pictures a little girl that looked exactly like Raven. The image couldn’t be cuter. His smile grows at the thought. “She sounds wonderful, Raven,” 

Raven looked at him and caught his gaze, she smiled at him like any mother proud of her child. “She is,” 

“You should have brought her with you,” Tim told her. Tilting his head curiously, he watched her body stiffen. “Who is looking after her while you’re here?” He paused, wondering if it was the right time to ask. “The father?”

“She’s at daycare,” Raven answered, not really answering his question. Inhaling deeply, Raven set her cold tea on the coffee table in front of them. She stared at it for a moment, as if seemingly studying the intricate patterns that danced on its surface. 

“Raven?” Tim looked at her in confusion, worry again starting to creep up slowly in his stomach. Was Raven alright? Was her daughter safe? What was going on?

Raven blinked, breaking out of her stupor, and she looked up at Tim, an unreadable expression crossed her face. “When I said I wanted to leave the Titans for a more normal life, I guess I truly got that,” she said wryly. As if catching Tim’s concern, she caught his confused gaze and she swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. Tim had never seen Raven look so hesitant. 

“When I left the Titans, I did not know I was six weeks pregnant, Tim,” she said. There was a brokenness in her voice in her confession that made his heart jump into his throat. His stomach churned uneasily as his mind began to process the information. 

Raven’s eyes widened in alarm, as if sensing Tim’s jump of emotions. She watched him go rigid, staring at her in alarm. “I didn’t know, until a few weeks later. I guess half-demons show pregnancy symptoms late in the cycle,” she explained, her smile wry.

“Raven,” Tim’s voice sounded strained, as waves of emotions suddenly seemed to swell in his stomach. Thought after thought ran through his mind, how could he have missed a pregnant teammate?  His stomach heaved.

“Leila has been asking a lot about her father,” Raven whispered. There’s a hesitancy and brokenness in her voice that made Tim worry even more. “She wonders where her father is and she’s such a curious child. And I can’t –” Raven paused, her voice wavering and her breathing hitched as she sensed Tim’s spike of emotions. Her blue eyes locked with Tim’s alarmed dark blue ones. 

“She deserves to know her father. And her father deserves to know she exists,”

Tim’s ears started to ring as he finally processed the information. Six months pregnant once she left the Titans. Six months — “Raven,” Tim hissed, his breathing hitching and his chest tightening. He felt breathless, his ears continued to ring loudly, and it felt like the world was spinning out of control. A distant memory, clear yet faint crossed his mind, that had his heart stutter and suddenly his world titled to the side. 

Fuck.

“Tim,” He heard her despite the mad ringing in his ears. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She pressed on, her voice a mad mix of apologetic and panic. Her face crumpled into deep regret, her eyes trying to catch his panicked stare. “I tried to tell you —” she whispered and Tim felt his world explode. 

Oh shit.

“But I couldn’t, I was scared, I didn’t know what you’d do, what the Justice League would do, I as afraid they’d take her away from me, I did not know how you’d react, you were with Stephanie again soon after, and I was embarrassed and just scared,” her words were a jumbled mess, her voice uncharacteristically rose with a mix of emotions. Her blue eyes shone with unshed tears. “I am so sorry, Tim,”

Tim felt like the wind was knocked out of his chest and he inhaled shakily, desperately trying to find air to breathe. “So she’s —”

“She’s yours,”

~~

Notes:

Well, so here's that. Just another wild idea I could not let go of. I had to write. I always wanted to explore the idea of Tim as a father, I knew he was good with kids and the idea kind of grew on me over time. I know I have a couple of other stories in the works, but this one I'll keep short, just so I can let go of this plot bunny that's been bothering me for a while.

I wonder how I two birbs will navigate parenthood together?

[darthvashtique93]

In my mind, Raven and his team are watching and trying not to laugh.

Someone was supposed to leave that window open

[id: Tim Drake in his Red Robin suit flying face first into a skyscraper. He has red wings with gold tips and dark, almost black backs. His face is all squished up against the glass he flew into.]

[shewhowillnotbenamed1]

More than half of my ships are basically bundles of twigs tied together by twine.

I’ve got my two hands to type paddle, so these ships will still get out to sea. (Just barely.😁)

Ahoy!😏

[jasonrae117]

This is my first post on Tumblr. I have an ongoing story on fanfiction but I felt like trying something new. I was heavily inspired by @flyingkiki because timrae is too good of a pairing and there needs to be more stories. This is my contribution. I will be using songs throughout since its a band au but only this first chapter will have the whole song typed out. Furthermore all songs in this story exist in our world but for sake of my storytelling some will be "written" as originals by the character while others still belong to their respective artist which I will note.

For part one:

1.Dear Society- Madison Beer (As is)

2. Ribs - Lorde (As is)

3. Like That - Bea Miller and Aurora (Intended as band original)

4. COPYCAT - Billie Eilish (intended as band original)

Bad Idea, Good Intentions 

Part 1

Tim wondered why he found himself at a club on this Saturday night. Him and his friends had just graduated with their bachelor's degree in their respective fields and they convinced him to celebrate with them at this club.

By 'friends' he meant primarily his best friend Connor. The other two guys were more of Connor's friends than his but Tim knew them well enough to consider them his too. However, Connor had called him the day before and practically begged Tim to come. Apparently there was this new band that he knew the drummer and this was their highest profile gig yet and Connor wanted to support his friend by bringing whoever he could. Tim reluctantly agreed, feeling like he should get out more and spend time with his friends outside of college.

Tim already felt like this was a bad idea when he walked into a packed club with flashing lights, a fully stocked bar, and a large stage. 

"Tim! You made it!" Connor walked over to him and gave him a one armed hug as the other was occupied holding a half empty pint of beer. 

Tim smiled at his long time best friend. "Of course buddy, I keep my promises."

Connor dragged him over to the bar where their other friends Garfield and Garth were sitting. Both greeted him with cheers and hugs.

"Dude, this place is fucking great! So many hot girls!"

"Good God Gar, can you keep it in your pants for one freaking night?" Garth shoved the blond playfully and took a sip of his drink.

"What can I say, the ladies love me. I just wish your stupid band played something easier to dance to." Gar crossed his arms and glared at the stage where the four person band was performing.

"This is your friend's band?" Tim directed at Connor.

"Yeah, this is Nevermore! Wally West is the drummer. Jinx is on bass, Argent is keyboard, and Raven is the lead singer and guitarist." He pointed to each of the members.

"What the hell kind of names are those. That Raven girl already has a creepy vibe and she chooses a name like that? What's with the Edgar Allan Poe obsession?" Garfield looked bewildered and shook his head.

"I'm shocked you even know who that is. But dude, it's just their stage names."

Tim looked back to Connor wanting to know more about the band that made him come here. "What are their real names?"

"I don't know." Connor shrugged.

"Are they single?" Garth had asked grinning.

"I don't know about the other two, but don't even try with Jinx, that's Wally's girl." 

The guys entered a discussion about Connor's and Wally's friendship and what his stage name was. Tim heard it was something like Kid Flash but he wasn't paying too much attention. He was focused on the band onstage. 

The song sounded familiar but Tim wasn't big on music. Each member seemed to have their unique style and color but they all worked well together. Wally was wearing yellows, Jinx wore black and hot pink striped knee high socks with a short leather skirt and black mesh top. Her hair was dyed entirely bubble gum pink and wrapped up in two space buns. Argent had black hair with red highlights running through it and an all black outfit with a studded leather jacket. The lead singer, Raven, really caught his eye. She has a short purple bob that fell to just below her chin. 

Her outfit is what really had his mind stopping. She had on a black long sleeved ribbed shirt with a large keyhole neckline, showing off the tops of her full breasts, which was tucked into royal blue shorts that seemed to be barely long enough to even be classified as shorts with frayed edges. Her legs were encased in black fishnet stocking ending in a chunky heeled combat boot. Tim liked to think of himself as a gentleman that Alfred would be proud of but...the woman was hot. She had an hourglass figure but probably the best set of legs and ass he's ever seen. She was almost unreal how incredible she looked. 

The banter of his friends regained his attention as the band switched to another song. 

"Hey fellas, let's go hit the floor, this song is much better!" Garth and Connor finished their drinks and placed them on the bar agreeing to Garfield's request. They looked to Tim when he didn't move. 

"You guys go ahead, I'll be there in a second. I haven't even gotten a single drink in."

Connor threw an arm around him. "That's what happens when you arrive late." He ruffled his hair a bit. "Alright man, we'll try to find a spot close to the stage. See you there." 

With that his friends mingled within the crowd. Tim turned to the bar and ordered a bourbon on the rocks, he wasn't great in heavily social settings like this so he needed to calm his mind a bit. As he waited, his focus returned to the band.

They were actually really good. While he was slightly confused since their music was slower than he expected, the songs themselves were great. The lead singer had a lower voice of an alto but in the next song they started, it was clear she had a wider range. It was smooth when it needed to be but raspy and gritty, adding to the unique sound. The other girls added to the dynamic with their higher notes and he found he really liked it. 

The slow beat of their next song reverberated around the bar, drawing everyone in, particularly Tim. He moved from his spot at the countertop to one of the metal standing tables that was currently unoccupied. It stood to the mid-right of the stage with a small gathering of dancing patrons between him and the stage. He gently placed his hand that held the almost empty glass of bourbon on the surface of the table as he leaned into it. 

The lead singer Raven, he recalled from Gar's description earlier, slowly grasped the microphone. One delicate hand curled around the mic while the other laid gently in the supporting pole. Her almost raspy voice fluttered through the speakers.

 

Don't be cautious, don't be kind

You committed, I'm your crime

The low octave sounded almost sensual and her hand slid down the pole in time with the held note.

Push my button anytime

You got your finger on the trigger, but your trigger finger's mine

Her left hand formed into the shape of a gun and as she 'pulled the trigger' she collapsed her hand save for her single index finger that she spun slowly in a circle. Tim grinned at the small gesture representing being wrapped around one's finger and he couldn't pull his eyes away from how delicate and smooth her hands were. Even from the distance he sat she looked flawless.

Silver dollar, golden flame

Dirty water, poison rain

Perfect murder, take your aim

I don't belong to anyone, but everybody knows my name

Raven removed the microphone from the stand with her left hand and held onto the pole with the other as she slid down to a squat. On the beat she pulsed up and down to the next lyrics.

By the way, you've been uninvited

'Cause all you say are all the same things I did

Tim swallowed, eyes having never left her body he watched as the muscles in her legs contract and saw how her amazing ass peeked out slightly more from her bottoms. The routine had certainly taken a turn to a sexual nature and he couldn't help being turned on by the attractive lead singer. Her voice seemed to just purr in his ear. She rose to her feet again as she began the chorus.

Copycat trying to cop my manner

Watch your back when you can't watch mine

Copycat trying to cop my glamour

Why so sad, bunny, you can't have mine?

Did she just make eye contact with him? Holy shit, she definitely did. And was that a smirk? Was he drooling? Tim wiped at his mouth to confirm that he did not embarrass himself. He shook his head a bit to rid himself of the ridiculous idea that she could pick him out in the growing crowd. Many more patrons, especially the male ones, drew in closer and he found that he only had a small space around his table left. No way she looked directly at him. 

Call me calloused, call me cold

You're italic, I'm in bold

She sauntered to the right side of the stage before flipping around and doing a body roll on "italic" followed by a deeper and more exaggerated one on "bold" where she popped her ass out more. There was a cheer from almost all the guys in the building and a flurry of whistles. 

Call me cocky, watch your tone

You better love me, 'cause you're just a clone

Was Time seeing right? He could have sworn she winked at him as she strutted to his side of the stage. He knew he wasn't imagining things when she deliberately pointed at him accusingly while swaying her hips. Damn it was hot in here. He knocked the rest of his drink back hoping to steady his thrumming heart.

The chorus repeated with her returning to center stage and moving the stand off to the side. She dropped to the floor and threw her legs over the side where some of the guys tried to touch her before a bouncer pushed them back. As she finished the chorus she swung her legs back onstage but pivoted so she was parallel to the edge. One leg straightened while the upstage leg was bent.

I would hate to see you go

Hate to be the one that told you so

You just crossed the line

You've run out of time

Raven brought her upper body down flat with such ease and no doubt incredible core control. She gracefully placed an arm above her head as it turned to look out at the audience all keeping in time with the now soft melody of the song.

 so sorry, now you know

Sorry I'm the one that told you so

On the extended note she curled back up and hugged her knees briefly before sitting up and resting her ass on her heels. Tim was not only impressed with her fluidity and the hot choreography, but the range she held in her vocals. He was starting to think this wasn't such a bad idea after all. 

Sorry, sorry, I'm sorry, sorry

Raven bowed her head and sang softly into the mic looking like she was praying for their forgiveness. The music silenced for a beat before she snapped her head up with a devious glint in her eyes, a small curl to the side of her lips, and a quirked brow.

Sike

She got up to her knees and swayed back nearly to the former sitting position before thrusting forward again on each beat.

By the way, you've been uninvited

'Cause all you say are all the same things I did...

...you can't have mine?

She had risen to her feet again through a combination of swaying hips and body rolls. She retrieved the mic stand again and returned the mic to its post before the last lyric and ended the song in the same pose she started with.

At the song's last note the crowd erupted in applause, whistling, and to Tim's displeasure, sexual comments from some of the more rowdy and drunk guys. The band bowed and waved before thanking the owner and the audience and retreated off stage. 

His earlier worry about the band playing songs inappropriate to the occasion was thrown out the window because all parts of him thoroughly enjoyed their last song. He wouldn't dare say that to anyone but damn him if it wasn't true. That lead singer was just so gorgeous and had such a unique and fantastic voice, this must be every guy's fantasy. It was his now but who was he kidding, she must have a boyfriend. Wait...but didn't she wink at him? No, it was all an act. God he needed another drink. 

Tim made his way back to the bar and ordered another bourbon on the rocks. He paid his tab and leaned on the bar, replaying the movements of Raven's body. He felt a little shameful for not watching the other bandmates as the whole song was performed well, but she was too captivating. Probably why she was the lead singer.

 A pat on the shoulder interrupted him from his non-stop overthinking and he turned to see the smiling faces of the friends he came here with. The friends he had completely forgotten about until now. 

"Dude where the hell did you go? We had a great spot just left of center stage! There were a ton of hot girls dancing with us!" Gar waved his arms around almost smacking Garth and Connor. The two just shaking their heads and laughing.

"Not to mention a great view of the performance." Connor nudged Tim and an almost wistful look came across his eyes. Tim swallowed hard again.

"And what a performance that was. Shit that lead singer has a great body." Garth swung his arm around Gar's shoulder.

"And voice." Tim coughed and immediately took another sip of his drink realizing that it didn't help.

Garfield chuckled. "Who was listening to the music when she worked that ass like that. She probably got ninety percent of the guys in here hard by the first chorus."

"And you said she was creepy." Connor poked Gar in his chest. 

He held his hands up defensively. "Hey, that was before I knew she could get down like that! I mean her name is the bird of death, a bad omen. The other girls' names are kinda hot."

"Raven is just her stage name." Tim interjected. He didn't know why he felt like defending her, he quite literally didn't know her at all and this was typical Garfield behavior.

"Woah chill Tim. Got the hots for the lead singer? Wouldn't be the only one. Do you think she's single?" Garth lightly pushed his shoulder and took a seat next to him at the bar, flagging the bartender down. The other two looked at Connor who seemed to have the most information on the girl.

He head flicked back and forth between the two men staring at him before he understood their eager silence. "Look, I don't actually know that much about her. I just know about the fake names and mostly about Jinx. Wally doesn't really talk about the other two and I don't ask." 

Garfield groaned. "Why the hell not? Your friend is the drummer for a hot girl band and you don't ask about their relationship status, or what their real names are?"

"No I don't because that's weird and I'm sure he's told me their names, I just don't remember right now. Not like you'd have a shot with them."  The three men laughed at Garfield's expense and he crossed his arms and pouted.

"I don't see a line of girls wanting to dance with you Kent." 

"It doesn't bother me all that much Logan. Plus, I came here to support my friend not hook up with some random chick."

"Ugh you guys are all lame. I'm heading back out there. This band is playing music more my speed." Gar grounded out and spun on his heel, disappearing into the sea of bodies. 

"Good job Con, you made him all grumpy. Now I gotta calm him down." Garth grabbed his beer and followed his friend.

Tim was now reminded of why he was hesitant to come tonight. He wasn't the best of friends with Garth and Garfield and he came solely because of the desperate plea of Connor. He looked over to the stage and saw the main band playing their hearts out, music blaring over the speakers in an uptempo beat. Although it was more along the lines of typical club music, he found he preferred the darker melodies of Nevermore. 

"Yo buddy! Where'd that big brain of yours disappear to?" Connor waved his hand in front of his face dizzying him for a second. Tim reached and snatched Connor's arm to stop him and dropped it once his motion stilled.

"Sorry, I was just trying to remember something. How are you doing? Enjoying yourself?" 

"Yeah it's great. Awesome way to celebrate getting our degrees. I wish I had someone a little more special with me though, better company than those two numbskulls. How'd they graduate anyhow?" Connor took the seat the Garth vacated and spun facing the bar.

"Well, shockingly, Garth is actually pretty smart and Gar just copies off him when he can. He certainly didn't graduate magna cum laude." The two shared a laugh, lightening the mood once more. "You'll get that someone soon. Why don't you go back out there and see if she's there?"

"I feel like my soulmate isn't dancing in a club right now. I wouldn't be if my good friend wasn't playing for a big audience tonight."

"Fair enough. His band was really good. Do they play often?"

"At smaller venues yeah. I'm sure they'll be playing more here though, if any of the guys have anything to say about it." Connor smiled as if replaying a fond memory. "What do you think about Raven and Argent?"

"They're cool, great voices and Argent is amazing on the keyboard. How she keeps track of all the sounds is beyond me."

Connor let out a lighthearted chuckle. "I meant as attractive women, not their talents. Dork."

"Oh, yeah they're attractive."

"Wow, you're just not into this dude talk are you?" Connor swiveled to face him.

"I'm sorry, what am I supposed to say? I'm not going to sit here and objectify them." Tim looked seriously into his glass. It wasn't his intention to ruin the fun but he wasn't a fan of talking about his romantic interests, it felt too personal even though Connor was his best friend. 

"Sorry Tim. I didn't mean to offend you, just dumb guy stuff. I guess I've been hanging out with Gar squared too much." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Damn Tim really had a way with being a downer.

"Nah, it's all good. I think I'm just constantly in my head too much. Gotta be professional all the time and all that jazz." 

"Yeah man, well I'm gonna check on those idiots. Try to relax and have fun." Connor stood up and began to move before Tim stopped him.

"For what it's worth, I think Raven is the hottest. Her voice is positively sinful." Tim smirked at him and Connor's eyes widened as if Tim had spilt some highly classified secret. 

"There you go man! Hey maybe I can see if Wally can hook us up with a meet and greet." He winked and came back toward Tim to clap him on the shoulder. He started walking backwards toward the mass of people dancing to the music while pointing at Tim and sending him a knowing wink again. Tim just shook his head and laughed. 

[ravenfan1242]

I love love love all of you giving us fics right now. For those of you having block's, I love you too and you just take care of you!

I would just like to take a second to thank every single fanfiction writer who’s ever published a fic. In the last 3 weeks, I’ve read over 890,000 words of fanfiction while in quarantine. I know legally, fanfiction writers are not considered “essential” but let me tell you: they are essential to me. Essential to my sanity, my wellbeing, my happiness. Fic gives me so much joy and such a love for the world and the people in it, and fic writers don’t ask for anything in return, except occasional engagement. So from the bottom of my heart: thank you fic writers. Thank you for keeping me company during this time of isolation. Thank you for writing stories that give me hope and take my mind off of my anxiety. Thank you for making me laugh even when I don’t think it’s possible. Thank you for giving me something to be excited about when it feels like the world is falling apart around me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

[bluboothalassophile]

Hello Blu! I LOVE your Calm in the storm and Hopes for a Bastard stories! Thank you, you are doing an awesome job with these characters. Are Jayrea your favorite couple to write? Can you recommend any other great Robrea writers? (Any Robin). Love me som Robin/Raven!

Hello,

I’m so happy to hear you enjoy the stories! Hopes for a Bastard and Calm in the Storm are my two favorite fanfics to write!

JayRae are my favorite FanFiction couple to write.

Okay, I will admit that I, for the most part, stick to my ship for reading, or to platonic ties for the Batfamily. But I do have a few recommendations.

RobRae:

@xaphrin, @bwbeedubs, @megwritesfanfiction; these are the three big writers I recommend for ANY RobRae Ship they write, because these three are phenomenal. Obviously.

There’s also @elliniest, who wrote one of my favorite stories Leading the Blind, and currently is writing Turn A Blind Eye, so those are two good reads for RaeX and RobRae.

Also BEST Young Justice/Teen Titans Cross Over Ever: Xed, by Home By Another Way.

I don’t know any TimRae writers, at least, I’ve never gone looking for them. 

Now, I asked my DamiRae friend; @chromium7sky, for DamiRae recommendations:

@squiddybeifong, @kasieli, @damiraes, @alphayue, @queenfayonce, @airilymusing

[darthvashtique93]

Mind Escape

Part 5

"Ugh!" Tim grunted as he hit the ground and rolled multiple times, landing on his back. Bart screamed as he too landed next to Tim. "Is this really necessary?" Bart asked. He turned to Knowledge, Anguish, Joy, and Confidence.

"You can do it!" Joy cheered.

"Kick her ass!" Confidence shouted.

"Yes," Knowledge answered Bart's question. "This is necessary."

"Can't you help?" Bart asked desperately.

"Something feels…off," he said to Bart. "Crap!" he exclaimed as he dodged a black blast.

"What do you mean?" Bart said as he dodged the black energy Passion seemed to release in rapid fire.

"The other emotions–the way they're watching us," Tim said as he flipped out of the way.

"Stay still!" Passion shouted.

"This almost seems…planned," Tim said right before he took a blast to the stomach. "Ugh!" he grunted. That hurt, he thought, but…I'm not puking. It's almost like someone has told her not to hurt us. Tim looked at Knowledge. He saw her give Passion a slight nod. Yeah, they're definitely up to something.

"Passion," Knowledge called out, "Raven hasn't shown. You may need to hit harder."

"With glee," Passion smiled.

Raven stumbled into Constantine's mansion. "What was up with you today?" Constantine asked her. "Your head wasn't in it. You weren't concentrating. I know you're better than that."

"I don't know," Raven replied as she rubbed her head. "I've been having sporadic headaches throughout the day. It started when we entered Circe's domain, but now I'm not so sure." Raven plopped into an armchair.

"Hmm," Constantine said, "maybe you need a drink."

"I doubt that's the solution to my problem."

"Rum solves every problem."

Passion threw wave after wave of dark energy at the two heroes. Okay, Tim thought as he ducked and dodged while Bart zipped out of the way, she may be trying to kill us. Passion uttered a bunch of words in an alien language as she lifted her arms. Black spikes shot up, turning the ground into a minefield. Tim had to remain light on his feet to avoid being pierced. Raven doesn't like close combat. I need to get close to her. "Bart!" Tim shouted. "Whirlwind!"

"Got it!" Bart replied. Bart ran to Passion and circled her at lightning speed, creating a whirlwind. He threw a punch now and then as he ran. Passion levitated in the air and sent tendrils of magic spiraling in every direction. "Woah!" Bart exclaimed as one caught his leg and made him trip, slide, and roll.

Not giving Passion a second to breathe, Tim came charging at her with a superman punch. Passion's eyes widened in surprise as she found herself forced to defend herself against Tim's charging superman punch. "You are so annoying!" she glared as she blocked Tim's punches and kicks. Countering one of her blocks, Tim jabbed, striking her in the face. Passion stumbled back and stared at Tim with a mixture of rage and lust. "You hit hard," she smirked. "I like that. My turn." Immobilizing Tim with her powers, Passion launched her own attack, punching and slapping Tim in the face. "You seem like a guy who likes it rough," she laughed as she raked her nails across Tim's face. Bart attacked Passion from behind. She released Tim from her powers and took a beating from Bart as he was too fast for her. "Enough!" she screamed, releasing another surge of magic, throwing Bart, Tim, and the emotions back. "I'm done with your stupid plan, Miss Know-It-All," she growled. Her hands crackled with magic. "I'm gonna kill everyone!"

Raven tapped her foot restlessly as she and Constantine reviewed their mission. They'd been at it for over an hour. "Do you have a guess as to who Circe was talking about?" Constantine asked. "It's like trying to decipher a riddle wrapped in an enigma? If I had to hazard a guess, she's probably referring to some ancient bloody menace or a power-hungry sorcerer. She did mention Enchantress. Any thoughts?"

"For the last time," Raven nearly growled, "I have no idea what or who she's talking about! I don't know how Enchantress or the Lords of Chaos fit into this! We're getting nowhere! Just help me find them, and I'll kill them all!" Raven released a wave of energy, shattering every glass in the room, including the one Constantine was holding. Raven froze in shock. What just…oh no.

"Damn, girl," Constantine said. "Eh…you broke it," he whined, holding up a jagged piece of what used to be a glass bottle of rum."

"I am so sorry," Raven apologized sincerely. "But I've got to go. I know what's wrong. I'll tell you later," Raven said before teleporting away.

Constantine mournfully stared at the shattered rum bottle in his hand. He threw it over his shoulder with a shrug and said, "Pub it is, then."

Raven appeared in her room and ran to a dresser. "What!" she gasped. "It was right here." Looking around, her eyes found it on the floor. Raven lifted it with her powers and grasped it in her hands. She stared in horror at the giant crack cutting across the glass. "Trigon-dammit."

Tim had no idea where Bart was. All he knew was – his face was numb, bruised, and bloodied; and Passion had his neck in an iron grip. "Passion!" Confidence lifted herself off the ground and popped her shoulder back into place. "Let go of that handsome man!"

"I find his handsomeness irksome," Passion replied, "he irks me. I want to throttle him every time I see his handsome face!" she tightened her hold on Tim's neck. She glared at him with her four eyes. "Do you know how much your handsome face pisses me off?" she asked, giving him a shake.

"If you find him handsome, why are you so upset?" Joy asked. She sported several bruises of her own.

"Shut up!" Passion screamed, sending a weak blast of energy her way. Fortunately for Tim, Passion was growing weak and tired; unfortunately for Tim, he was already tired. He'd taken so many headshots. Passion liked and disliked his face, and it showed in her attacks. While she went all out on Joy, Confidence, Knowledge, and Bart (Anguish had vanished ages ago), she only aimed for his head. There wasn't much he could do while concussed. All he could do was slip his fingers under the ones around his neck that were crushing his airway. "I want to both kiss and hit this guy!" she screamed. "And it's pissing me off! So, I'm going to kill him!"

"You can't kill him while he's in here," Knowledge coughed. Blood trickled from her mouth while one side of her face bore heavy bruising.

Passion shrugged. "I won't know unless I try." She squeezed even tighter. Black dots appeared at the edge of Tim's vision. I'm going to pass out, was his final thought before he heard a "Stop!" Oxygen flooded his lungs as his body crumbled. Rolling onto his back, he was grateful to see a pair of violet eyes. Huh, he wondered, have her eyes always been that pretty?

"Tim," he heard. Her voice swam in his head. "Tim. Tim!" Suddenly, Tim could feel his face, and his head was no longer pounding.

"Raven," he said. Raven helped him sit up. "When did you–"

"Raven!" Bart cried out. Less than a second later, he was hugging the empath from behind, sobbing into her back. "I am so sorry. I am so, so, sorry. I will never, ever enter your room again. Please, just take us back!"

"Well, that sort of answers one of my questions," Raven said. "What is going on? What happened to Tim's face? And why isn't she locked away?" Raven pointed to Passion, who was now wrapped in chains from head-to-toe.

Passion glared at Raven. "Confidence released me," she sneered.

"Why?" Raven asked Confidence.

"It was Knowledge's idea," Confidence said.

"It was your plan," Knowledge replied.

"Yeah, but you're the smart one. You're supposed to stop me from doing stupid things."

"What plan?" Raven asked as she tried to push Bart away.

"Please let me hold you," he whispered. "It lets me know that you're the real you."

"Bart and Tim fell into the mirror," Joy bounced on her feet. She looked good for someone who just had their butts beaten.

"We didn't fall in," Tim corrected her as he stood, releasing a loud groan. "We got pulled in because Bart broke into Raven's room."

"It's a decision I regret and a mistake I will never make again," Bart said, refusing to release Raven.

"Bart," Raven said, "let me go, or I will leave you here." Bart immediately released her. "Now," Raven sighed, "what is going on?"

"Bart and Tim entered the mirror," Joy smiled.

"Yes, I know," Raven said. "Why didn't any of you alert me?"

The heads of Bart and Tim snapped towards Raven. "What do you mean?" Bart asked. "You mean to tell me your emotions could have alerted you at any time?"

"Yeah," Raven answered. "I wouldn't have been able to release you immediately, but I would have been able to keep you safe." Raven turned to her emotions, ignoring the appearance of Anguish. "Why didn't any of you alert me?"

"Confidence wanted to teach Tim a lesson because he was so mean when you first arrived," Anguish cried.

"You were part of this, too?" Raven asked in surprise. "You're usually too scared to do anything."

"I just wanted to make Joy happy," Anguish sobbed into her cloak.

"Hold on," Tim pinched his nose. "You kept us here as a prank?"

"Amusement isn't even here," Raven said. "It's just you four…and Passion."

"I don't need Amusement to pull a prank," Knowledge replied with an eye roll, "we have Joy." Joy nodded enthusiastically at the sound of her name.

"What about me?" Bart asked. "I was nice to Raven."

"You entered her room without permission and touched her things," Confident replied. "You're lucky I didn't slap you as soon as you appeared."

"We didn't pull you into the mirror," Joy explained. "That's a defense triggered when someone who isn't Raven tries to steal it."

"I wasn't trying to steal it," Bart said. "It was for Truth or Dare."

"You didn't have her permission, and that's basically the same thing," Joy grinned.

"Okay," Tim said. "So, in the beginning, when we walked through those memory apparitions…?"

"Stalling to set everything up," Knowledge said. "Joy met you first to get you to let your guard down. Making you go through Anguish's domain was our way of mildly torturing you."

"Mildly?" Bart scoffed. "I'm not going to be able to sleep for over a week."

"You let them see my fears?" Raven asked angrily. Passion immediately perked up at the surge of power she felt, and Raven had to calm herself down. "You gave them access to…me?"

"Don't worry," Knowledge sighed, "we only showed them the Nightmare Mirrors and Path of Terror. We kept them away from the Darkest Thoughts and the Forest of Lost Dreams."

"What the heck!" Bart exclaimed.

"We created a faux version of Trigon-Raven. She was 100 times weaker than the real thing."

"The giant thing? That's your version of weak?" Bart asked, his eyes wide with terror.

"And Passion?" Tim pointed to the red-clad Raven, who was desperately trying to free herself. "You just wanted to see me get pummeled?"

"Trust me," Knowledge said, "deep down, Raven enjoyed seeing a version of herself beat the crap out of you."

"That's not true!" Raven argued. "Why would you show them all of this? You may have given Bart PTSD, and Tim…why?"

"First," Knowledge fixed her glasses, "Bart's PTSD probably comes from the fact his great-grandad can't keep his hands off the timeline. And I chose to show Tim because…I wanted to get things rolling."

"What do you mean?"

"The sarcophagus has begun to crack," Confidence said.

Raven's face grew serious. "What?" she asked. "Why?"

"Well…" Knowledge gestured to Tim with her head.

"No," Raven folded her arms.

"Sorry," Knowledge shrugged.

"No."

"We can't help it," Anguish sobbed.

"I'll put an end to it," Raven said.

"What are they talking about?" Bart asked Tim.

"I honestly have no idea," Tim answered truthfully.

"Okay," Raven rubbed her temples. "I'm too tired to deal with this. Bart, Tim, I'm sorry you've been stuck in here. Though, it is clearly Bart's fault. Emotions," Raven's eyes glowed black as she turned to them, "go to sleep." She snapped her fingers, and everything disappeared.

Tim, Raven, and Bart appeared in Raven's room. Raven picked her mirror up off the floor. The crack was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't understand what happened," Bart spoke.

Raven turned and pinned him with a sharp glare. Bart took a step back. "A nsdka," she mumbled incoherently. Before Bart could move, Raven was in front of him with her hand on his head. "Forget what you saw," she commanded. Bart's eyes flashed black. He then stumbled backwards. "What did you do?" he demanded. "What did you do?" Bart paused. "Wait," he smiled, "I can't remember anything I saw. I mean, I remember going into your mirror–"

"Invading my privacy," Raven interrupted him.

"Yeah, that; but I remember nothing from Anguish's territory. This is great! Thanks, Raven! Woo-hoo! I'm gonna go tell Batman what I did and buy you an apology card with flowers. Bye." Bart zipped away. Raven turned to Tim. "Raven," Tim began, taking a step back with his hands up.

"Relax," Raven said. "I'm not going to tinker with your mind." Tim visibly relaxed. "I can trust that you'll keep your mouth shut about what you saw, right?" Raven asked, her eyes flashing red.

"Of course," Tim answered. "Raven, some of the fears I saw–"

"And I never want to talk about it."

"I need to ask this. One of the fears, on that path—I could have sworn one panel had my face on it." Raven didn't speak or blink. "Are you…are you afraid of me?"

"When I said I never want to talk about it, I meant I don't want to talk about it with you," Raven tried to hide the shakiness in her voice, but Tim heard it.

"I know I was mean, mistrustful, and unhelpful when you first arrived. I am sorry. I should have been nicer."

"Tim, I'm tired. I still have things from the mission I need to tell John. I don't have time to do…whatever it is you want to do."

"I just," Tim said, taking a small step towards her. "I need you to know—you don't have to be afraid of me. I will not hurt you."

Raven stared at him. "Please, go," she whispered.

"Okay. Thank you for getting us out of there. Once again, I am sorry for…everything."

Raven watched as Tim turned on his heel and left her room. She relaxed once the door shut behind him. Her lower lip trembled, and she closed her eyes to keep tears from forming. This is for the best, she thought. It's just a crush. It will go away. Besides, I won't be here long. A buzz from her phone got her attention. Earlier that day, she had exchanged numbers with the rest of Justice League Dark. The text she received was from Kent Nelson, or Dr. Fate. Raven's heart raced as she read and reread the text. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but the text read, I found Azarath. Raven covered a sob with her hand. Finally, she thought as a tear rolled down her cheek, I can go home.

[flyingkiki]

We Played Dangerously (6/?)

Chapter 6: Once an accident, twice a coincidence, thrice a habit

It takes habit to make this a regular game.

You guys wanted more history, I give you you more smutty history. It's messy, it's complicated, and it's all very smutty.

Enjoy!

Previously: Chapter 5

~~~

The first time was an accident – or perhaps she liked to think so. 

Tim was a flurry of emotions weeks after another argument with his ex(?)-girlfriend Stephanie (something that seemed to happen more often than they’d like), another case that seemed to have taken over his life, and another fallout with the Batfamily. On the outside, he seemed typical Tim – collected, charismatic, exhausted, and every bit of a leader to safely (relatively speaking) drag them through that week’s shitshow. 

On the inside however, Tim was a storm of emotions. It was grating on Raven’s last nerves.

Raven paused and realized she had unconsciously stopped in front of Red Robin’s door. The cup of tea was slowly scalding her hands, but she barely paid attention to the heat. Instead, she felt the onslaught of emotions seeping out of Tim’s door and gnawing at her skin. Tim had come from Gotham earlier that evening, and he was no ray of sunshine.

And she thought Jason’s emotions were a hurricane.

She knocked, her knuckles rapping just a little too hard against his door. Frustration bubbled under her skin. Not soon after, Tim’s door opened, the noise slicing through the still of the night (morning? What time was it?). Blue eyes warily stared down at her.

“Raven?” Tim stared at her, blinking away the confusion in his eyes.

“You need to stop,” Raven hissed, fingers tightening around her mug, and she frowned up at him. He was still in uniform, of course, working on whatever ridiculous case he got his hands on. 

Tim titled his head, looking even more confused. “What?”

“This,” she hissed, voice low with everyone sleeping down the hall. She absently waved her hand at him in general, her hand gesture vague and admittedly terribly confusing. She knew she could do better at explaining things – but holy fuck, she was tired. His confusion mixed with everything else made her bristle. “All of this,”

Tim crossed his arms and Raven watched his eyebrows draw together as he stared at her. Confusion and frustration dangerously bubbling over. “I’m still not following,”

Raven released an irritated huff and unceremoniously pushed Tim into his room, the young man stumbling backwards in surprise and confusion at Raven’s force. His door room hissed shut behind them and Raven barely registered his room, the papers, technology, and evidence that seemed to litter every corner, and she stared up at him in exasperation. With a flick of her wrist, she cast a silencing spell in his room, in case a shouting match ensued. She had no time to deal with Superboy and his nosy super hearing. 

“Your storm of emotions is grating on my nerves,” she snapped at him as they stood in the middle of his room. 

Tim blinked, a look of understanding crossing his face and his tight shoulders seemed to loosen just a fraction. Raven knew he understood how her abilities worked and she immediately felt him consciously drawing away, a mental practice she knew Batman taught him. 

“Oh,” he breathed, arms dropping to his side, and he offered her a sheepish look. “I’m sorry,”

Raven frowned. “Don’t be,” she said. “Look, I’m not asking you to bottle up your emotions on my account. I can handle that,” she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, this can’t be healthy, Tim,”

In hindsight, once Future Raven would look back, everything moving forward with them was not healthy. A complete and utter shitshow, yes. 

She felt him close off further, protective walls immediately going up. They were by no means close, like to the standards of Superboy and Bart. She was at most, and felt like, an outsider to the team. But she liked Tim, he was nice and tried to understand her and get to know her while others were wary of her and her history. He respected her and she appreciated that. Beyond her annoyance over how he seemed to consistently grate on her nerves and concentration, she was concerned. Tim was a friend. 

She watched him release a soft chuckle. “It’s nothing," he said and brushed her off. He turned on his heels and made his way back to the mess on his desk, signaling an end to their conversation. She felt his tense emotions, his focus turning back to whatever he was thinking and working on. 

Raven frowned at his back. "It is something when you brood like Batman,"

Tim released a bark of laughter, he looked over his shoulder and a look of pure amusement crossed his face as he stared at her. “I do not brood like Batman,”

Raven rolled her eyes and sat down uninvited at the foot of his bed. She shot him an unimpressed look. “If you’re not trying to kill us at training, you’re locked up in your room working on whatever cold case you can get your hands on. And you’re consumed with this case you are working on. You’ve been snippy at Bart and Kon, they’re like little puppies you kicked into the rain,”

She watched him shuffle a few papers around, shoulders tense, and she could practically feel his closed off emotions bubbling underneath his skin. She wondered if that’s what she was like back when her emotions caused her too much trouble. She saw him frown at his table. “That’s not true,”

Raven tilted her head, borderline amused and frustrated at Tim. “Empath, remember?”

Tim sighed loudly, throwing the papers he was seemingly studying on the table and turned to Raven with a frown. “Okay, fine,” he breathed. Crossing his room, he sat down next to her, and Raven looked at him, studying his frown and the bubbling emotions. His warmth and his storm of emotions sent shivers down her spine. 

It often caught her off guard how out of all Bruce’s children, Bruce and Tim held the most similarities – even if Tim did not admit this.

“Tim?” she asked they fell into silence and her tea started to lose its warmth. 

She watched his jaw tighten briefly, the scars along his neck that peeked out of his uniform danced with the movement. “Right, sorry, Raven,”

“Here,” she said, passing him her now warm tea. “Tea helps calm me down,”

Tim hummed and took the offered mug. He took a tentative sip before exhaling slowly. “Thanks,” he offered her a small smile. The first she’d seen from him in days.

“It’s probably nothing like Alfred’s,” she commented. She watched him shrug and take another sip. 

“Remind me to bring you some the next time I go back to Gotham,” 

Raven glanced at him. “I’m guessing that’s not anytime soon,”

Tim hummed, took a long drink from her tea. “Yeah,”

"I can help, if you'd let me," Raven offered, raising her right hand towards his face and a gentle violet glow bathed the side of Tim's face.

Tim caught her hand and gently pushed her back. She expected that from him, all the Bats seemed wary of any kind of magic that would mess with their brains. "Thanks, Raven," he smiled gently at her. "It's alright"

Raven nodded and watched him drink some tea before blankly staring at his door, absently fiddling with her chipped Picasso mug, a gift from Rose. She could feel the thoughts running through his mind and Raven wondered if Tim ever paused to breathe. It always felt like he was running a marathon. She was always curious about Tim and the secret he seemingly kept. It oftentimes felt like he kept more secrets, darker than hers. Perhaps he did, she thought. It was unnerving – her curiosity piqued.

Gloved fingers tapped the rim of her mug, blue eyes stared at her curiously. "What do you do when your emotions," he blinked and paused "and thoughts get too much?"

Raven shrugged. "Meditate," she replied. She absently toyed with a loose string on her pajama bottoms. "Workout, go for a run, do yoga, get a hot bath." She sent him a wry smile, "Talk," 

Tim returned her wry smile. “So, what should I do?"

Raven hummed and eyed him in bemusement. "Talk to your friends? Get out of your room? Go for a run? Drink?" She made a face and she shot him an amused smile. "I don't know. Actually stop working? Sleep? Rub one out?"

Tim released a bark of laughter. "Rub one out?"

Raven shrugged, fighting off the amused smile that threatened to appear on her lips. She watched Tim laugh, the tension in his shoulders finally breaking, blue eyes dancing in amusement - the most life she's seen in them in weeks. "I don't know. Whatever it takes to get off the edge. Jesus, you’ve been obsessing over this case for days. Maybe jerking off helps? All this frustrated energy needs to go somewhere,"

Tim's shoulders visibly relaxed and she watched him snort ungracefully. "Okay, I'll add that to my to do list later then,"

Raven looked mildly horrified. "Please stop. Do not give me a mental image,"

Tim smirked and stood up. He shot her an amused grin over his shoulder. "Too late," He crossed his room and rummaged through one of his cabinets. Raven watched him riffle through one of the smaller cabinets before straightening and pulling out a bottle filled with dark amber liquid. He returned to the bed and sat next to her, a small, amused smile played on his lips as she watched him open the bottle of a very expensive whiskey (that likely cost more than what she made in a month). The familiar smell of alcohol filled the air.

Tim poured some whiskey into her now empty Picasso mug. "Since you're still here and I can't 'rub one out' now as per your suggestion," Raven rolled her eyes at his playfulness, "Let’s drink instead,"

Raven eyed the whiskey bottle warily. “Who would have thought Red Robin allows underage drinking?” she asked and carefully took the offered mug. 

Tim shrugged and watched her take a tentative swig. Raven grimaced at the burn of alcohol. “Well, Red Robin doesn’t but Tim Wayne does,” Tim said while tugging off his gloves and staring at her with amused blue eyes. 

They talked. 

She and Tim rarely talked in the past beyond the occasional banter and their regular meetings. Tim held deeper friendships with Cassie, Kon, and Bart and some of the younger Titans. Raven respected Tim a lot, he was a remarkable Robin and even more so as Red Robin. He was different from Dick in many ways. When she returned to the Titans, from her death after her father’s defeat, Tim was the only one who seemed to welcome her into the group. Where many feared her and kept her at arm’s length, Tim tried to be nice to her – but at the same time kept a close analytical eye on her.

He told her about the case he was working on, something be brought back with him from Gotham, a bloody human trafficking operation. He told her about his recent fallout with the Bats, the fights with Damian, Dick’s behavior, and Bruce’s distance. He told her about Stephanie, their recent argument, her transition to Batgirl, and all the messy details in between him and her. He missed Cass, one of the few family members who seemed to understand and connect with him. He told her about his work at WE, the struggles of being such a young CEO and all the assholes board members he dealt with daily.

They passed around the chipped Picasso mug between them, Raven sharing her own stories of her father, her brothers, relationships lost, and her time in the underworld.

“Hell sure is not fun,” mused Tim.

Raven snorted. “Far from it,” she breathed. She faintly recalled Tim and the team helping her come back, drawing her body back into this world. She watched the young man pour them another round of whiskey and it struck her that she sometimes forgot that Tim was the most human of them all – in every sense of the word.

“What messed up lives we live,” Tim commented, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his thighs. He threw Raven a rueful smile.

Raven hummed in agreement, warm from all the alcohol they had consumed, and she plucked the Picasso mug from his hands. She unconsciously leaned into his side, a little buzzed and sleepy from all the alcohol but her powers were processing through it and her mind was just barely hazy. “Hear, hear,” she mumbled into her mug, taking a small sip of whiskey. 

She felt the warm liquid slide down her throat. “Definitely not Hallmark movie material,” Raven mused dryly.  She felt Tim chuckle next to her, his shoulders jostling her head as he snorted ungracefully. Her chest tightened, as Tim’s familiar stormy emotions brushed against her, his thoughts now making so much more sense to her. Her stomach churned uneasily at the thought of everything Tim had to endure, it seemed unfair. 

“Do you,” Tim paused, seemingly trying to mull over his thoughts as he gently took the mug from her hands. He glanced at her head briefly. Raven felt his curiosity and unease. “I know you’ve been asked this many times before, but – do you still feel your father’s presence?”

Raven blinked and sat up, mildly surprised at the question. She had been asked a few times in the past. It was an old question, mostly because people were more wary of her than concerned. She felt Tim’s curiosity and concern. Raven shook her head as she stared up at him. “No, not anymore. Not for a long time,” she said. She watched him nod and drink from the mug. “He’s been gone for a long time,” 

Raven paused, catching his curiosity and his looming emotions that brushed against her side. Her gaze glanced at her mug; Tim's long fingers wrapped around it. 

"But I guess sometimes his presence still lingers, just memories," Raven added as an afterthought. 

Tim hummed in understanding before drinking the last dregs of the whiskey. She watched Picasso's face peek through Tim's fingers. "I guess our fathers really like to linger and haunt us," he said, shooting her a wry smile.

Raven paused and watched Tim pour them another glass, fingers still steady despite nearly getting through the entire bottle. She wasn't sure who he meant, if it was Bruce or Jack, but both parents weren't best father figures in Tim's life. It was a bit surreal, she'll admit, to see this Tim – all intimate and without the secrets and walls he meticulously kept drawn around himself. It strangely reminded her of her own walls and secrets she kept. 

"Fuck them," she breathed suddenly, leaning away from Tim, and stretching her legs out in front of her as she suddenly felt an odd comfort wash over her. Perhaps it was the alcohol or perhaps she just was tired. But this, this moment of rawness between them seemed safe – it was okay. 

Tim released a bark of laughter and shot her an amused glance, cheeks mildly flushed and eyes just a tad bit less tired. He looked less like he carried the whole world on his shoulders. It was a good look on him, she mused. "Right," Tim breathed, agreeing to her sentiments. 

"How are you not drunk?" She asked curiously, watching him take another sip from her mug before handing it to her. Her mind gently buzzed from the alcohol and sleep sounded perfect right about now.

Tim shrugged. "When I work at WE, a lot of my meetings have alcohol. Some of the countries I visit have lower drinking age restrictions. Overtime, I've built a tolerance or else all these old board members think they can prove their power because they can drink," 

Raven hummed. What a cutthroat world to live in. "Sounds like a good pathway to alcoholism to me," she mumbled, absently wiggling her toes to remind herself not to fall asleep.

Tim chuckled. "It does. We make sure we don't overdo it. My parents and Bruce taught me that," he paused and blinked. "Except for Jason, I think," Tim returned the cork on the whiskey bottle, signaling an end to their drinking. "This was nice. Thanks, Raven,”

“Anything to get you to sleep,” Raven breathed, relieved that finally Tim’s mind was not a cacophony of noise and there was less tension around him. She hoped she didn’t have to drink with him again to achieve this again though. Standing up, she briefly felt the warmth of alcohol tingle her skin and her mind clouded momentarily, the floor shifted, and she willed herself to burn through the alcohol faster. 

“You good?” Tim asked her, looking mildly amused as she made a face and swayed for a second in the middle of his room. Raven hated how unaffected Tim looked. 

“Yeah,” said Raven. She shrugged dismissively. “Just takes a moment to burn through all the alcohol,” She explained and started to walk towards his door. Tim followed her to the door, his aura much less tense. Raven was relieved, with harmony restored to a certain level, sleep and her bed sounded lovely right now. 

“Sounds like a good power to have,” mused Tim, chuckling softly. Raven was silently relieved to see him slightly sway on his feet – at the very least he did seem to get a good buzz out of all their drinking.

Raven paused at his door and turned around, watching Tim’s amused smile spread just a little bit further that evening. The sight made her skin tingle. “I can do that for you now, you won’t have a hangover tomorrow,” she offered, not really waiting for his reply and already reaching out with her glowing hand towards his temple. 

“Alright, I could also do without the hangover,” Tim agreed. Raven allowed her powers to reach out and heal Tim, taking the heavy effects of alcohol out of his system and clearing his mind. It seemed strangely personal – intimate – to heal him outside of their usual missions, but Raven ignored the thought and tried to focus on the task at hand.

She felt the alcohol and haziness that came with it bubble underneath her skin as she took the last of the effects of alcohol away from Tim. Dropping her hand, she watched him smile, skin just a little flushed still. 

"Thanks," breathed Tim. He blinked, rolling his right shoulder just a bit and he frowned at the movement. "Did you heal my shoulder too?" 

Raven shrugged, feeling the shadow of tight muscles that were once Tim's chief complaint with her movement. "I guess I did,"

Ignoring Tim's soft noise of protest, she plucked her Picasso mug out of his hand and started to turn to his door. She really wanted to sleep. "Well, good night, Tim," her hand hovered over his keypad, just about to open his door. She shot him a warning look over her shoulder. "Sleep," she made a face as he released a soft chuckle. "Or rub one out, and sleep,"

"Maybe I will," teased Tim, a playfulness Raven rarely saw.

Her face pinched. "Ugh, stop putting images in my head," There was a playfulness that tickled at her skin. Ignoring her better judgment, she entertained the playfulness.

Tim laughed, thoroughly amused at their exchange. Raven smiled, a surprisingly light moment. "Your fault, your suggestion," Tim tilted his head, studying her amused face. Raven watched the smile grow just a little wider. Scars along his neck bobbed as he swallowed. For a moment, Raven thought she saw Tim studying her. 

"You did offer to help,"

There was a beat as she caught Tim's bright blue eyes and Raven knew that the world seemed to suddenly shift. And it was not because of the alcohol. Looking back, Raven knew she was damned that night. 

It happened in slow motion, her mug gently being pulled out of her hands and blindly pushed onto the shelf next to her. 

The kiss just happened; Raven told herself as she would later look back at this particular moment. She wasn’t sure who leaned in first and when, but when somehow Tim’s warmth just seemed to just press into her skin and blue eyes grew just a tiny bit darker, studying her in a mixture of want and curiosity, she took the invitation. 

Lips pressed into hers, gentle and probing, and her fingers curled into the front of Tim’s uniform as she tried to steady herself with every kiss. A breathy sigh escaped her lips, and she took more – because as a half-demon, she still liked to take. She liked to be greedy sometimes. Her emotions purred in delight at the attention. 

Fingers were gentle against her hips, guiding her up against Tim’s door, pushing them flush against each other. Their kisses were gentle, probing, and tentative, gently taking stock of each other. She felt him inhale deeply, emotions warm and needy pressing into her skin, and Raven’s stomach jumped in delight at the curious want that pressed into her. Tim pulled away, fingers still pressing into her hips and his blue eyes a mixture of surprise and searching. His breath stuttered as he seemed to come to his senses but to Raven’s mild curiosity, he did not fully step away. His breath fanned over her cheeks, warm and inviting. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered and released a shuddering breath. His fingers twitched her hips. His shifted gently but did not step away, Raven’s fingers still curled into his uniform, as if keeping him in place. “I shouldn't,”

“Tim,” she whispered, cutting off his apology and her fingers tightened around the folds of his uniform. She was already wrapped up in whatever this was. His keyed-up emotions pressed into her, needy and wanting — she felt her body warm at the attention. “It’s okay,”

She watched him swallow, studying her with wide blue eyes and a storm of emotions. She could feel how his emotions seemed to expand and sizzle under his skin. Raven found herself eagerly taking in every bit of his warm emotions. “Is this okay?” Tim asked, his voice barely above a whisper, repeating her words into a questions they seemingly both already knew the answer to. His fingers pressed into her hips just a tiny bit tighter in anticipation. Want. 

Raven knew this was going to crash and burn so badly. She knew she was going to burn in hell. But she's been to hell once or twice, and there was a want she was curious to full. The attention was tantalizing, so —

"Yes."

He stole her breath. He drew gasps from her lips expertly, greedily drinking them in and taking them as his own. Tim’s kisses were long and deep, eagerly drinking every breath she had to offer and taking it as his own. Raven felt her knees weaken at the want and attention.

There was a hunger, a need, a blaze of sudden emotions that seemed to erupt from Tim that caught Raven off guard. But as Tim pressed into her, fingers slipping under her night shirt, she eagerly responded to every lick of Tim's inferno. She was all but happy to respond to his attentive ministrations, eager to give back what has been given.

Lips and teeth scraped against her neck, and her toes curled into his carpet the delicious sensation. She released a breathy sigh as calloused hands under her shirt slid across her skin just above the beginnings of her shorts and slid to the small of her back. She arched into his touch just teeth scraped the underside of her chin. 

"Tim," she breathed, gasping as his hand slid over her ass. He cupped her ass and whimpered into his lips as he pushed her into his hips and they rocked into each other. Her demon purred in delight at the hard friction.

Fucking hell.

Whatever reservations Raven had gone out the window. There was no going back. Ever. Not in this lifetime. She groaned as teeth sunk into her lips and thirst just practically bathed her. She basked in the attention, and she felt Tim’s emotion hum, eagerly taking in her own ministrations. As fingers slipped and dipped over scars and muscles, and they slowly unwound each other, perhaps they were just two starved souls eager for touch and attention.

To Raven, it was addicting.

Her whole body seemed to slowly burn as they continued to rock into each other, pressed up against Tim’s door. It’s been so long since she’s been consumed like this, and every bit of her was eager to consume and be consumed. 

One of Tim's belts pressed painfully into her stomach, and she blindly fumbled to try to remove it. Releasing an unsteady breath, Tim stopped his exploration around her neck and helped her remove the offending belt. When it fell to their feet, they stared at each other momentarily, seemingly coming to the realization of how real the moment was. 

The belt was not enough.

Raven knew she was fucked anyway as she lurched forward, eagerly responding to Tim's hungry emotions. Her fingers began finding clasps and zippers, clumsily removing the top of his suit.

They somehow managed to stumble back to his bed, clumsily crashing onto its edge. Before either could catch their breath, Raven climbed onto his lap, pleased at the surprise on his face. 

Taking charge, Raven kissed Tim, leaning over him and allowing her hands to drag over muscle and scars. She drank his groan and rolled her hips into his teasingly. Large hands steadied her hips, guiding their movement as they continued to kiss and slowly stoke a fire that all but started to consume them.

Raven leaned back when breathing became difficult and she stared at Tim, taking in his dark blue eyes and his wild hair and the sheen of sweat that started to build over his shoulders and chest. There was an electrifying need that burned her skin. 

She watched Tim blink, determination and hunger washing over his face, and with grunt he reached for her face and cupped her chin. Calloused fingers tilted her chin and with a determined glint in his eyes, he leaned closed and kissed her, wrapping his other arm around her waist, and simply consumed her.

Her body burned and Raven could feel her emotions purr at Tim’s kisses. She could feel heat pool low in her abdomen and she rolled her hips into his lap, earning a sharp nip to her lips and a low growl. Her fingers slipped in-between them, and she again blindly fumbled with the rest of his uniform, trying to unclasp his pants.

Large hands wrapped around her wrists, stopping them as she found the complicated zipper and clasp to Tim's tactical pants. Raven blinked and stared at Tim, his erratic breathing fanning her cheeks and his gaze suddenly studied her again over the haze.

"Raven," he whispered, as if in warning. 

There was a fine line, Raven realized. If they'd cross it, Raven knew there was no turning back. But then again, they seemed to have crossed it already that evening.

Fuck it.

She was damned anyway. 

Raven’s lips curled into a smile, her inner demon purring in delight as she felt Tim's anticipation grow. She returned Tim stare, tilting her head, and waiting for his own move. "I said I'd help," she repeated her words that evening.

Raven watched Tim swallow, processing her words, and just studying her for a moment. He eventually grunted, lurched forward, and caught her lips in a searing kiss. Raven’s hands busied themselves in between them, finding the intricate clasps to his pants and fumbled with his pants.

"Raven," Tim sounded like a wounded animal, his groan guttural as he released her lips with a wet pop just as her finger dove into his tight pants and wrapped around his throbbing member. 

They struggled for a moment, shimming his tight pants down his hips, and fully releasing his erection. Raven squeezed him, fingers gliding over the thick length and absolutely enjoying the groan that filled the air. His silky member throbbed in her hands, and she watched in satisfaction as Tim’s eyes rolled back and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed another gasp. Heat began to pool low in her abdomen as her gaze slid from the pure ecstasy on Tim’s face to the growing length in her hands, and she continued with her gentle ministrations of pumping his length. 

“Raven,” Tim groaned and capturing her lips in a clumsy kiss. He released a shuddering breath into her lips as Raven squeezed and he retaliated by firmly squeezing her hips, tips of his fingers dipping into her sleep shorts. “Didn’t I say you needed to rub one out?” she whispered into his ear, her hand gliding over him. 

“An excellent suggestion,” Tim whispered into her neck, voice tight as Raven continued to pump his cock. 

Calloused fingertips eventually dipped into her shorts, sliding over the swell of her ass, and firmly squeezed her, drawing a whimper out of Raven’s lips. They bucket into each other, and Raven felt that the heat of the room was stifling. 

“Tim,” Raven whimpered, acutely aware of fingers slipping under her shirt and hands dragging up her body. Releasing a soft gasp against Tim’s lips and she practically reveled in the heady emotions that consumed them. 

A calloused thumb just swiped the underside of her breast, teasing and Raven’s breath stuttered. Her body buzzed with emotions, and she tumbled into Tim’s chest, cheeks pressing into his as her emotions simmered. His erection throbbed in between them, she felt a warm wet patch against her stomach from his pre-cum. She shuddered in anticipation.

“Are we—,” Tim breathed, fingers pressing into her ribcage and thumb stroking the swell of her breast. She heard him groan against her ear and squirm under her, trying to hold on the last bits of composure. Their want was all too consuming, but he held on to his last bits of control, evert the gentleman he was. “Raven, is this –”

“Yes,” she whispered, hating the way it sounded like a desperate whine. She scrambled off his lap and Raven practically purred in satisfaction as she saw Tim watch her undress, his blue eyes dark and hooded. She stood in between his legs, dropping her shirt and underwear and she could feel her emotions preen in delight as Tim grabbed his cock and gave himself a few strokes. The air was thick, smelling of sweat and desire and sex. 

This was wrong, so terribly wrong, Raven knew. But this would be something she’d take care of later – now she’d just wanted to be thoroughly consumed. His need and desperation were fueling her own desires that had her scrambling back into his lap and eagerly pressing into Tim, stealing a searing kiss that left her lungs burning and begging for more.

It was frantic and desperate, an visible need consuming them and burning every inch of their being. Raven hated how eager she was, happy to take in the gentle and greedy attention Tim offered her. Kissing every scar and hands fanning over her heated skin and holding in place as they continued to take from each other. 

“Please,” she whispered into heated skin, her face pressing into Tim’s shoulder and she felt teeth sink into the crook of her neck. She rolled her hips into his lap, aware of his hot erection pressing into her abdomen. Teeth scraped against her neck, a low growl rumbled across Tim’s chest and Raven bucked into him. 

It felt wrong, oh so wrong, when she grabbed his shoulder to steady herself and Tim helped her sink herself onto his throbbing cock. It felt wrong yet so right to lock eyes with him and watch his mouth drop open in pure ecstasy. It felt intimate and wrong, it was a moment Raven knew she had no place to take, but the heat and need were distracting and at this point, she knew they both just wanted to take and be sated.

The world seemed to melt away as she rode Tim, their movements rushed and frantic against each other. She felt Tim’s fingers press hard into her hips, keeping her steady and directing her hips in just the right angle to hit the perfect spot. 

“Fuck,” Raven whined, she felt a searing heat pool low within her as Tim eagerly met every thrust and practically impaled her. Greedy fingers slid over her bouncing breasts, tweaking her nipples and hungry blue eyes eagerly watched her come undone. Raven greedily took Tim’s heady emotions, drinking them in and eagerly offering her own attention for him to take.

Their movements became more frantic as Raven inched towards the edge of oblivion, and she listened to Tim’s grunts as he pressed her hips into her, his own release closer with every heavy thrust. Her name came tumbling from his lips like a frantic prayer, which fueled the heat in her abdomen. “Please, Tim,” she whimpered, her legs shaking as her orgasm bloomed and the wet sounds of felsh hitting flesh driving her over the edge.

With a growl, Tim sat up and warped his arms around her hips, slamming her down onto his cock and Raven mewled. Fingers slipped in between their bodies and skilled fingers found her clit, easily throwing her over the edge.

Raven groaned, her hips blinding thrusting into Tim as she felt herself freefalling through an explosion. The world seemed to just disappear, and Raven felt herself wrapped in an inferno. She drank Tim’s whirlwind of emotions, readily catching his own orgasm and greedily drinking every last dredge of his heated feelings. 

They sagged against each other, Tim tumbling backwards into bed and wrapping his arms around her and taking her with him. They gasped, breathing heavily against each other, slowly coming down from their delirious high. Raven felt her senses come back, her face pressed into Tim’s neck and slowly growing aware of her surroundings. She felt his erratic heartbeat against her cheek, drawing her back to reality.

Well fuck.

Tim’s cock throbbed in her, mockingly.

“Oh, wow,” Tim’s voice cracked, horse and just above a whisper in Raven’s ear. She felt the unsteady rise and fall of his chest as he tried to catch his breath. Raven lay sprawled over him, her legs wrapped around his hips, and he was still buried deep within her. Tim’s heartbeat and unsteady breathing were oddly secure and comforting. 

As they lay there catching their breath, the world slowly came back to them. Their senses, too. The reality of what just happened slowly sinking in. Raven listened to Tim’s breathing as he tried to find the right words and his emotions finally caught up with him. Fingers twitched along her ass.

Raven hummed, acknowledging Tim’s loss of words. Very gently she pushed herself off him, shuddering as his cock slid out of her and she rolled to the side, suddenly incredibly aware of their nakedness and what just happened.

 Raven lay on her back, still breathing unsteadily, and she watched Tim swipe a hand over his face. There was an unreadable expression on his face, matched by emotions she wasn’t quite sure to place. Tim lolled his head over to her, an unsure smile crossing his face. “Definitely not how I’d imagine the night to end,” he finally said, releasing a soft uneasy chuckle. 

Raven curled her lips into a small smile, as they tried to find a way to navigate through the moment. “Well,” Raven drawled, bracing herself on her elbows and looking at Tim and his bundle of confused emotions. “I did say you should rub one out,”

Tim made a face and Raven watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed thickly while mulling over his words. “Still not how I’d imagine that to turn out,”

Raven blinked and watched him curiously, her head tilting to the side. “It took the edge off,”

Tim looked confused and torn with his eyebrows drawn together, she was sure she looked equally as confused. “Raven,” Tim breathed, staring at her with a searching gaze. “I — we shouldn’t have,” he breathed. “I’m sorry,”

Part of her knew he wasn’t, she could feel it by the way his emotions still bubbled under her skin. His blue eyes were dark and there was a desire that seemed to shine in his eyes. Raven swallowed, relishing the desire and attention. She wasn’t sorry either. Her emotions purred, basking in the afterglow. “It’s alright,” she replied. 

Tim’s face pressed into his gray comforter as he stared at her, his eyes searching. For a moment, he looked like any other young adult male, sprawled across their bed after a long night of sex. The image struck a chord in Raven, and she drank in the sight. “It is?”

Raven hummed, vaguely aware how her body still buzzed in delight at the surprised – and piqued interest. She allowed Tim to study her, unashamed at her nakedness. “It is,” she said and shrugged in afterthought. “We’re old enough,”

There was a line that was crossed that night, Raven knew. There really was no coming back from that line.

~

The second time was a coincidence. 

It happened again close to a month after Raven’s night in Tim’s room. They surprisingly went on with their lives, brushing off the incident as a one-night occurrence. Raven refused to call it a one-night stand. Neither talked about it either. It just happened. She entered the Tower’s kitchen the next day, acutely aware of how sore she was and had breakfast with the entire team. Tim had called them in for training later in the morning, following their usual schedule like clockwork. Nothing remis.

Raven refused to think much of it anymore. There were far more important things for her to focus on - like Deathstroke, the Hive, and the occasional imminent doom of the world. 

Their second, what was it – meeting? – happened at random, purely out of coincidence. If having consensual sex even was considered a coincidence. Though, honestly, it was perhaps just as much her fault as it was his.

She knew it was Tim even before spotting him in the dingy dive bar in the outskirts of Seattle. Vaguely wondering what he was doing here, in this particular bar in god knows where Seattle, she returned to her greasy fries and soda. Perhaps he won’t even notice her.

She absently went through her phone, scrolling through social media and the local news. Perhaps she could still catch one of the free concerts at the park. She absently noted that Tim, obviously not dressed as Tim Drake-Wayne in all his worn leather jacket, ripped jeans, baseball cap, and sunglasses glory, settled somewhere in the back.

Her solitude didn’t seem to last very long, when a very familiar energy approached her. She looked up from her phone after checking the latest concert schedules of the local art fair and watched Tim slide into the high stool next to her. He settled his cup of coffee on the bar table. Raven tilted her head curiously, watching a small smile play on Tim’s lips.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked.

Raven’s brows furrowed, watching Tim slide into the rickety seat. “It is now,”

Tim hummed in acknowledgment and Raven watched him take a drink from his coffee, briefly glancing over her shoulder before beaming at her. Of course, work. “I’m Alvin,”

Raven hated that disguise. Alvin Draper. What a strange name. Raven fiddled with her half-empty soda, mindlessly tapping at the glass. “Rachel,”

Tim smiled; she could barely see the way his eyes crinkled in mild amusement. “Nice to meet you,” Tilting his head curiously, he looked genuinely confused. “What brings you here?”

Raven shrugged. “I’m on vacation,” she said with a point. “Got a week off from work for the culture festival here in Seattle.” The corners of her lips lifted teasingly, and she caught his stare as Tim obviously now remembered the vacation time she filed for. “I was hoping to get some time away from work and enjoy my time at the festival,” she watched Tim smile. Propping her chin on her hand, she thoughtfully popped a fry into her mouth. “My boss can be a pain in the ass sometimes, this break is really nice,”

Tim released a bark of laughter. “Right, I’m sorry,”

Raven rolled her eyes and took a swig of her soda. Leaning in just a little closer, she hissed. “You better not blow this place up,”

Tim laughed, more for show than anything else. “I won’t,” he mumbled. “I’m here for the festival too,” he said normally.

Raven looked unimpressed and pressed her lips into a thin line. “What a coincidence,”

In between staged laughs and casual conversations, Tim explained that he was tailing a lead. An international smuggling syndicate had set-up shop in Gotham and nano-tech trade seemed to happen at random points across the US. One of the syndicate's liaisons was scheduled to meet a few associates in this bar. He explained he’d been tailing them for a while now. Strange how their paths crossed – out of all the places and out of all days. Raven just hoped she’d not be asked to help. There was a bibliotheca she wanted to visit in the morning.

“What are your plans tomorrow?” Tim asked, while glancing over her shoulder and watching the group of men in the back. She watched him tap on his watch, obviously recording whatever the conversation was back there.

“There’s a library I want to see tomorrow. Some old scripts and books,” she explained.

Tim hummed, only half listening. He glanced back at the group. “Fascinating,”

Raven snorted, mildly amused to have caught him at work. “You barely even listened,”

“Old books and scripts,” Tim said, throwing her an amused glance. He was about to continue when he paused and stared at the group again. Out of the corner of Raven’s eyes she could see movement and a discrete exchange happen. Tim took a thoughtful swig of his coffee.

“What are you looking at, punk?”

So much for tailing his targets. Tim turned to Raven, schooling his face and throwing her a charming smile. They ignored the movement of Tim’s targets behind them. “I’d like to kiss you,”

Raven rolled her eyes and nodded. Tim owed her for messing with her vacation. Ignoring the familiar tingle that ran down her spine, she watched Tim hop off his chair and confidently walked up to her. Maneuvering herself away from the table, she allowed Tim to step up to where she sat and stand in between her legs. With purpose and confidence that took her by surprise, Tim drew her in for a kiss.

It was for show, to get his targets off his tail. Public display of affection always made people uncomfortable, even criminals. Raven wrapped her arms around Tim’s shoulders and returned his kisses, sitting in the bar stool gave her a height advantage and she slightly leaned over Tim’s form. Her fingers curled into the hair at the base of his neck, and she ignored how familiar every touch and kiss increasingly became.

She felt his hands fan over the swell of her hips, fingers teasingly running along her hips and occasionally stroking exposed skin around her hips. Her stomach flipped at the familiar sensations, and she unconsciously leaned in further.

She tried to ignore how teeth sunk into her bottom lips, drawing out a soft gasp from her. Her fingers curled around Tim’s neck, and she leaned in just a tiny bit further, allowing him to tilt her head just the right way and swiping his tongue against hers. 

There was movement behind them, and a group of men passed them. “Get a fucking room,” she heard one of them say. After a few more moments, they heard the distant sound of doors opening and closing. The bar was filled once again with dated country music. 

Theoretically, they should have stopped at this point. The targets were out, the danger was over, and they had successfully averted blowing Tim’s cover. They should have stopped.

But they didn’t.

Tim continued to kiss her, his ministrations languid and thorough and eagerly drinking her every sigh. He had stepped closer, hands fanning over the curve of her neck and angling her face just the right way. Raven felt her skin tingle at the familiarity, and she tried to not lean into him too much – to no avail. 

When breathing finally became an issue and her lungs began to burn, Raven gently pulled away. She silently wondered what the fuck just happened. They still kept close with foreheads pressed together and noses barely touching. For show Raven assumed in case some of the targets were still around. Feeling Tim’s fingers press into her neck had her shiver in a level of anticipation she shouldn’t even possess. 

“Sorry,” Tim breathed, a jumble of emotions, and looked a bit sheepish. He pulled away, gauging her reaction. She felt the pads of his fingers press into her pulse point on her neck and Raven wondered why her pulse quickened. Blue eyes blinked, trying to clear the darkness in their eyes. Tim cast a brief glance at the door before swallowing, looking thoughtful. “We should go,”

We.

She watched Tim pull away, emotions a curious jumble. He stepped away from her, watching her response before taking his mug and drinking the last dregs of his coffee. He waited patiently, as she mulled over his words. We. An invitation. 

It could well mean her helping him with whatever case he was working, her helping him keep up the front of a random girl he picked up at a bar. Perhaps this was true, whatever image he was trying to project, he needed to keep his cover. But she was also all too distinctly aware of the need that started to warm their skins.

Raven knew she should know better, she thought as she slid out of her chair and stuffed her phone into her pocket. She knew she should have better judgment but the tingle of excitement, a rush of something she shouldn’t be enjoying, had her following Tim out of the door and into the warm night of Seattle. 

She was staying at the Grand Hyatt, a treat she booked for herself. She could have gotten off right at the corner of her hotel when Tim made the turn. But instead, she watched the hotel disappear out of view from her window and allowed him to drive them to his safe house. 

His safe house was an apartment just close to the residential district of Seattle. It looked like a modern apartment, filled with tasteful furniture and the latest technology. It looked barely used, Raven figured Tim stayed at a different place if he’d come to Seattle for business trips. 

She watched him go straight to an open laptop, insert a thumb drive and run a program. They barely spoke, beyond him giving some details of the case. There was a determined look on his face and a heat that simmered low underneath the surface. She watched from the doorway of the living room, the screen of the laptop illuminating his face in the otherwise dark room. There was an air of seriousness that lay heavily in the silence. 

Raven leaned against doorframe, arms crossed and her nerves silently bubbling under her skin. She watched Tim type in his final command into the software, before straightening and looking over his shoulder and catching her stare. She could feel the edge in his nerves as he walked over, his stare intent as he studied her barely visible outline. 

Raven shifted when he finally stood in front of her, her back pressed into the doorframe. She stared up at his face, trying to study his intense gaze in the darkness of his safe house. There was a nervous, on the edge, curious energy that hung thickly in the air and Tim’s emotions probed at her, making her head tilt curiously to the side. 

Tim swallowed thickly and his fingers twitched on his sides. “Are we — are we doing this?” he asked, his voice a low rumble. Raven’s heart jumped at the invitation. 

He stared at her, the sensation of his emotions both familiar and foreign all at the same time. They shouldn’t, Raven knew. She watched Tim inhale deeply, his chest rising and blue eyes dark with an intensity she can’t quite place. Her curiosity and anticipation got the best of her. 

Curiosity killed the cat, she’d say. 

 Tilting her head, a small smile played on her lips in silent response, and she watched the relief and confidence just flood into Tim. Raven hummed, feeling herself loose to the anticipation and nervousness that filled her senses. “Alvin Draper did pick up a girl at a bar,” she said.

Tim immediately crowded her space, taking her confirmation and Raven felt her senses tip into overdrive. For a moment, they just stood there, pressed into each other, and feeding off each other’s energy. Raven felt herself warm as Tim studied her, his body on the edge and a curious energy just eagerly pressing into her. 

His hands fanned over her hips, holding her in place, just as he tipped his face down to capture her lips in a kiss. She inhaled sharply as familiar lips pressed into her, the taste of bitter coffee invading her senses as his tongue slipped against hers in a needy kiss. 

Pressing further into her, Tim’s kisses were practiced and surprisingly familiar, drawing out whimpers and sighs from her with practiced ease. He knew how to angle her head, press greedy fingers into her chin to angle her in such a way that had breathless and arching into him. 

It was disorienting to feel this way. But Raven chased every needy kiss with one of her own, her curiosity and want fueled by Tim’s own confusing emotions. Teeth scraped against her lips and fingers dug into her hips that had her gasping for breath and whimpering into his mouth. Her hands wrapped around his shoulders like an anchor as Tim’s heady emotions had her tittering into a dangerous oblivion, she was not all too sure she’d wanted to leave. 

They gasped for breath when their lungs finally burned, and Raven felt Tim’s ragged breath against her cheek and neck when he pressed his nose into her flushed cheek. Her skin tingled when their hips angled just the right wait and his hands had sneakily slipped under her shirt and pressed into her waist. 

With a shuddering deep breath, Tim pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Your kisses taste so good,” he whispered into her ear.

Raven felt whatever fortress she built crumble. With a whimper she kissed Tim, fingers tangling into his hair and practically melting into him. She’d worry over her bad choices tomorrow. 

They left a trail of clothes as Tim led them to his bedroom, hands exploring and each kiss more demanding than the last. They tumbled into his bed naked and breathless, emotions heady and delirious to Raven and she eagerly took every last dreg of pure want Tim had to offer. 

“Tim,” Raven purred, she felt his cock slide over her warm core, and she involuntarily bucked into him, chasing for release. Heat bubbled low under her skin. She’d worry over their poor decision-making skills later.

“Shh,” Tim whispered into her lips. He nipped her bottom lip and pressed a hand into her hip, pushing her away. He suddenly rolled off her and pressed into her side, he hovered over her, and Raven suddenly felt extremely exposed as he dark blue eyes watched her. 

His hand rested on her abdomen, fingers pressed into her hip bone and Raven watched him stare down at her, a dark twinkle in his eyes. “I didn’t get a chance to memorize you last time,” he said, his voice low. Raven felt herself burn under his gaze; his face illuminated by muted lights. Heat rushed through her, and she felt her core pulse. Holy fuck. 

Tim studied her like an assigned case, he was meticulous and thorough. Fingers slid over every scar and dip, memorizing every reaction he could draw from her. Lips followed his curious trail over her body, leaving nips and marks in places that drew embarrassingly soft whines from her. 

When his face disappeared between her legs and her world exploded around her, Raven realized that sinning was not so bad after all. 

~

Three times, that’s a pattern.

It was, there really was no place for Raven to deny it. It was a pattern she unwittingly found herself entangled in. It was dangerous, she knew, but she knew neither of them seemed to think too much of it. 

The third time wasn’t an accident, they did not randomly bump into each other at a bar, it wasn’t anywhere near a coincidence. 

Tim just appeared at her door one night. 

He stood in front of her door, his energy different – bright, on the edge, nerves, and a wanting Raven could easily identify. Raven swallowed at the press of emotions. It was past two in the morning, he looked freshly showered and different in his sweatpants and old Green Day band shirt. His lips lifted into a small tentative smile, and he seemed to study her for a moment, gauging her reaction. 

“Oh,” Raven breathed, and her pulse jumped at Tim’s emotions. It had been weeks since their encounter in Seattle, she had not expected to see him given everything that was going on in his life. She blinked, trying to understand what was happening. “Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he replied, and she watched him stand firm in front of her. His blue eyes studied her, waiting for her next move. 

She shouldn’t have stepped aside, but she did. He shouldn’t have stepped into her room, but he did. 

His shoulder brushed against her as he stepped in, she could smell the familiar scent of sandalwood from him.

The door closed behind them, and Raven vaguely listened to the door’s lock mechanism snap into place. She was all too aware of Tim’s energy pressing into her, a familiar buzz that settled under her skin. 

“I couldn’t sleep,” he explained, his voice low. She knew she shouldn’t allow her skin to tingle and her heart jump at the confession. But the energy immediately changed in the room and Raven readily welcomed the change. 

Raven hummed, the corner of her lips quirking just a little bit in teasing amusement. “Didn’t Alfred tell you that warm milk and honey are supposed to help you sleep?” she asked. 

Tim released a soft huff of laughter and shook his head. “Not much of a milk fan,” he confessed lightly. His damp hair fell into his face and Raven thought how soft it looked – though honestly she shouldn’t even be thinking of this. 

Tilting her head, she studied his playful smile. “So, you thought it’d be good to visit, at two in the morning?” 

There was a pregnant pause between them, as they took the moment to stare at each other in the dimly lit room. She watched Tim tilt his head, as he spoke to her, studying her reaction. “I’m sorry, I could leave,” he told her, it sounded more like a challenge than an apology. Did he really want to leave? No. 

The air seemed warmer. “Stay,” she said. Her nerves tingle at the sight of Tim’s smile. “You can do what you like, you can pick a book, browse the net on my laptop, play some games — there are couple of games on my shelf, or use my bathroom to have another shower, or,” she drew the word out teasingly and paused, her eyes twinkled in amusement. Tim laughed as if catching her thought. “Rub one out. I am going to bed though and look at some animal memes, my legs still hurt from today’s patrol,” she announced in mild amusement. She turned on her bare feet and walked back to her bed and climbed into bed. She was aware of Tim’s watchful stare, burning into her back. She suppressed a shudder, refusing to be the first to budge in whatever game they were playing tonight. Raven crawled into her bed and sat leaning against her padded headboard, her skin warm with anticipation.

Her dim bedside lamp cast a warm glow around Tim, shadows dancing across his face as he sent her an amused smile at Raven. “Thanks for the hospitality,” he teased. Raven snorted and grabbed her phone, barely even paying attention to the animal memes. Instead, she watched him with a mixture of intrigue and subdued excitement as Tim slowly walked across her room and towards her large bookcase. Tim studied her bookcase, amusement and interest emanating from him as his lips continued to curl into a smile. He knew she was starting.

“Really?” her voice carried over her still room, watching Tim pull out a book – Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire.

Tim held the book close to him and turned at his hips to look at her over his shoulder, feigned innocence on his face. Raven fought off her own small smile that threatened to blossom on her lips. Tim was insufferable. “I like Wicked,”

“There are two other books that come after Wicked,” she told him. Raven watched him hum and briefly glance at the copy.

“I know,” Tim said. “Son of a Witch and A Lion Among Men,” he told her. Raven tilted her head and the corner of her lips lifted as she caught his deep gaze. Her insides jumped at the announcement; she wasn’t all too sure what to make of this new knowledge of his reading choices.

“You can borrow it if you like,” she told Tim. She watched his smile grow at the offer. 

“Thanks,” he told her and tucked it under his arm. He turned to starting at her bookshelf, studying the books and knickknacks that filled its shelves. Raven paused the video of the sunbathing dog and watched Tim pull out her old scrabble board. Her brows furrowed as she watched him turn and approach her bed, the scrabble tiles rattling noisily in the box. 

“Scrabble?” she asked and watched him sit down on the other side of her bed. Tim placed the old scrabble box on his lap along with the book he took from the shelf.

“Did you want to play?”

Tim’s blue eyes danced in amusement and a smile played on his lips. Long fingers rested on the edges of the scrabble box, fingers tapping the box absently. Raven glanced at the box, then back at Tim’s amused face. “You came here to play Scrabble?”

The mood shifted and the air that settled around them turned warm as Tim released a soft chuckle, his gaze steady and his smile unwavering. There was a teasing confidence around him that sent chills down Raven’s spine.  “What did you think I came over for?” Tim asked, blue eyes dancing in her muted lights.

From the moment she first met Tim many years ago, she quickly learned how noticeably different he was from all the other Robins. Where most of them were cocky and loud, sure of their moves and their presence, Tim held a quiet confidence that easily captured an audience and took control of any situation to his advantage. In recent months, Raven learned Tim’s quiet confidence was enrapturing, he unwittingly could crawl under her skin, and she was quite possibly drawn to his presence every time.

His gaze was steady, as if waiting for her to make the next move. A challenge, like a board game of Scrabble, tiles laid out strategically. He knew the outcome though.

Raven released a soft laugh, realizing he knew what she was thinking. Placing her phone on her bedside table, she raised an eyebrow at him amusedly. Game on.

“Paint our toenails and gossip?” she offered. She slid under her sheets further, her covers reaching her shoulders and she stared up at Tim with a teasing smile. 

Tim snorted ungracefully as he placed the scrabble board, book, and his phone on the bedside table on his side. Raven watched him hesitate for a moment, thoughts visibly running through his mind as his gaze switched between her and the empty space beside her. 

Warm anticipation brewed as Raven caught Tim’s stare, a silent question in his eyes to which she responded with a small smile and rolling to her side, facing him fully. Tucking her right under her face, she waited for Tim to make his next move. Carefully, Tim slipped under her covers, blanket tucked over his shoulder and settled on his side to face her. He rested his hand in the little space between them, as they lay on their sides and studied each other with bated breath.

For a moment they stared at each other, Raven’s skin tingled as the air seemed thicker at their close proximity. She watched how Tim’s long hair fell into his eyes, a familiar image she’d seen intimately already. He looked awfully comfortable, albeit curious and hesitant, as he lay in front of her, taking his time to study her, as if memorizing. 

“Is this —,” Tim paused, she felt him shift and inhale. His breath fanned over her face and their closeness sent a shiver down her spine. She felt the warmth of Tim’s right hand where it settled in the space between them, long fingers twitched under the covers. “Is this alright?”

“You coming over to play scrabble?” she whispered. They both knew that this was wrong. But — 

Tim’s foot shifted, accidentally brushing against her own bare feet. She playfully nudged his foot away and she settled her own foot on top of his ankle. She watched him smile widen, a familiar glint in his eyes, and his intoxicating confidence she knew all too well seemed to seep into her skin. “Is that what we’re calling this?”

This. 

Calloused fingers wrapped around her wrist, his hand shifting under the covers and grasping her wrist in a gentle hold. His touch sent sparks down her spine that had her inhale softly and desperately try to keep his steady gaze, she refused to be the first to budge and tumble headfirst into this. Whatever this was. 

All Raven knew this was a damned game – and she was willing to play. 

Raven shifted, her foot pressing into Tim’s and their knees brushing against each other. Her nerves seemed to vibrate. “Sure,” she relented, allowing herself to tumble headfirst into this. 

“Good,” Tim said, his voice just a little bit thicker and he swallowed, waiting for either of them to make their next move. Calloused fingers slid up her arm and wrapped around her elbow, fingers pressing into her arm with an apparent want. He tugged gently and Raven felt his warmth and thick desires travel from the pads of his fingertips into her nerves. 

Everything around them seemed to shift as the air became stifling and Tim’s emotions pressed into her, a slow burning hunger licking at her skin. His fingers twitched around her elbow and Raven felt her last resolve break. Fuck it. 

She pushed Tim onto his back and unceremoniously straddled him, heat rushing through her body as hips slanted against each other and Tim’s hands immediately flew to her waist, holding her in place. Bracing herself against his shoulders, she eagerly consumed his heat and loomed over Tim with a playful smirk. “You should know I’m an excellent Scrabble player,”

There was a hungry glint in Tim’s eyes, and he returned her playfulness by gripping her waist more firmly and teasingly slipping fingers under her camisole. “Oh, I know,” he whispered. 

Raven fully surrendered to the moment, to this. She knew when Tim tugged her down to kiss her, a hunger roared to life, and she wanted nothing more to be consumed by this. Future Raven could deal with the consequences of this.

For now, she wanted to feed this wanting and consume nothing but the fire that seemed to teasingly lick her skin. Teeth bit into her bottom lip and hands ghosted over her camisole, brushing over her breasts, and tweaking her nipples into tight peaks. Raven whimpered as their hips rolled against each other, their need more apparent and without any hesitations, unlike before. 

Removing clothes and pressing needy hands into scars, tight muscles, and dangerous dips has since become muscle memory, practiced, and done with little hesitation. There was no hesitation when Tim rolled them over, pressing Raven into her bed and stealing her breath with another long kiss that left her breathless and arching into him. She relished the tight press of his naked body into hers.

True to his promise of memorizing her, Tim knew where he could draw the longest gasp or how to make her breath stutter. His kisses and touch were confident and practiced, pressing into her neck, and scraping over her pulse point. She dug her fingers into his shoulder, pressing into him and whimpering for more. Their movements were confident, drawing out gasps and moans from muscles and folds that they had since memorized.

A heat pooled low in her abdomen, fueled by Tim’s heady wants and desires. Raven whimpered and wrapped her right leg over Tim’s hip, seeking for release as his emotions slowly all but consumed her. 

Practiced fingers slid down her side and Raven listened to Tim inhale sharply just when his fingers brushed her folds and her own fingers curled into hair in response. “Tim!” Raven gasped and her legs spread open further, her core aching and throbbing as Tim continued to tease her, pressing fingers into her in a way he seemed to have memorized well. 

“Fuck!” Raven groaned, unable to control herself as her emotions bubbled over and an inferno all but consumed her. Tim’s fingers slipped into her, curving just the right way, and filling her out and stretching her. She bucked into him, desperately seeking for release. 

Tim released a shuddering breath into the curve of her neck and pressed his fingers in her slick heat. “That’s 13-point word, Rae,” he hummed into her neck and gently bit into her skin. Raven released a soft chuckle which quickly dissolved into a groan when Tim picked up the pace and thrust his fingers into her. 

Raven felt herself tittering close to the edge, her hips eagerly keeping pace with Tim’s fingers. She felt the fire in belly burn her nerves and she eagerly drank Tim’s own emotions, spurring her on for more. 

“Please,” she whimpered, when she felt the hot pressure build up inside of her and slowly melt the world away. Her body groaned for release.

Tim growled and pulled his fingers out of her. He grabbed her hips and pulled them closer. Whispering her name like a mantra, Tim grabbed his cock and slid into her. They groaned as Tim bottomed out, his familiar girth and length stretching her out and filling her.

Raven felt the world just disappear as she welcomed the feeling of being consumed in a mad inferno. Tim thrusted into her at a strong pace, determined to sate their hunger and take them over the edge. His thrusts were unrelenting, long determined strokes that were confident and practiced – Raven moaned as he hiked her leg up higher and angled her hip to furiously hit the perfect spot he knew well. 

Kisses and hands became greedier and needier as fingers twisted nipples and kisses muffled moans. Raven groaned, drinking in Tim’s hunger, and eagerly welcomed this onslaught of emotions. Her inner demon purred in delight, greedy for more. 

Tim hiked her leg over his shoulder and groaned loudly when she squeezed around his cock in response. “Oh god, Raven,” he whispered into the skin of her shoulder, shuddering as hips snapped against each other in a frantic rhythm. 

Gripping Tim’s shoulder, Raven felt her leg jostle and bounce over Tim’s shoulder, their thrusts growing more frantic as they chased after their orgasm. “Harder!” she gasped, and fingers dug into Tim’s hips, pulling him closer - if possible.

The wet sounds of flesh hitting flesh filled seemed to fuel their frantic pace and spur on their need for release. Tim picked up the pace and all but plowed into her – drawing long whimpers and groans from Raven. Raven felt her world slowly burn as Tim brought her closer and closer to the edge, his strokes long and hard, filling her to the core and just driving her senses mad. 

With a soft growl, Tim slammed into her, his thrusts deep, constantly bottoming out and filling her. Raven felt the world burst into hot stars and she felt herself being swept away by a sea of hot emotions and just thrown into oblivion. Everything around her muted and she eagerly consumed Tim’s own orgasm as he frantically thrust into her, their combined emotions throwing her over the edge. Raven mewled in delight, legs wrapping around Tim’s waist and greedily gripping Tim’s throbbing cock, drinking every last dreg of his heat.

“Raven,” Tim breathed, collapsing on top of her. Raven wrapped her arms around Tim’s sweaty form, relishing their closeness and allowing them both to collect themselves from the high. 

Raven felt Tim’s frantic heartbeat against her chest, and she listened to his unsteady breathing, silently delighted to have caused this pure exhaustion. Her fingers pressed into the scars of his back, and she enjoyed the heavy press of his body into hers. 

When sounds of the world slowly returned to them and their breathing leveled out, Tim gently rolled off her. Raven shivered at the loss. “Fuck,” Tim breathed, still out of breath and relishing the after-sex high. Not bothering to think over the consequences of the lines they officially crossed that night, he gently tugged her closer and wrapped his arms around her.

“That’s a double word score now,” Raven mumbled into his chest, teasing him gently. She felt Tim chuckle, his laughter a low rumble in his chest. They basked in the moment, Raven eagerly taking every little emotion Tim had to offer. 

Fingers squeezed her hips and legs tangled into each other. “I’m starting to like Scrabble,” Tim mumbled into her shoulder. He pressed a gentle kiss into her collarbone. 

It was a terribly dangerous declaration, Raven realized. But it was one that was dangerously tempting – something that made her inner demon purr in satisfaction – and one that she’d eagerly play. Consequences be damned. 

“Me too,”

[ravenfan1242]

I feel like this is happening to a lot of amazing writers right now. I feel for all of you and your reader's should know to be patient and understanding! Hopefully we will all start feeling better as the world opens more. Until then, hang in there and know that we love you!

What happens when anxiety and depression takes over and you just can't write anything? I wanted to use lockdown to my advantage but I'm not well and I'm sad. Any advice?

Just know you aren't alone in this. I've written a fraction of what I should have written, over the last 4 months. The anxiety is real, there are many things to be anxious and depressed about.

So be kind to yourself. Set yourself small targets and goals. Be happy when you succeed, and forgive yourself when you fail.

[pinkrae]

SO. I’ve decided to make my life even harder than it is already and actually try my hand at writing fanfiction. 

I had tried to write some RobRae stuff in the past, but neither did it get finished, nor published anywhere because I thought I was trash (still kinda do, but eh, now I care less I guess?). But recently I’ve read small one-shots and it got me inspired again. I saw this “One hundred ways to say “I love you”” post and I instantly knew I want to do something based on that. And so the idea of creating one-shots using several pairings of Raven that I love was born. xD

The first chapter is already up on Fanfiction.net if you want to check it out, the link is here. (it’s super short! lol And probably not even all that great) I might post the separate chapters here on Tumblr as well, we’ll see.

But yeah, THE LIST IS LONG. And I’ll probably not even get halfway through this before I lose inspiration/motivation, but hey, at least I’m trying something new! ;D

And since there’s a lot to write and a lot of pairings to choose from, I’ll accept ideas for what pairings you’d like to see in each of the scenarios! So if you have a specific pairing for a specific prompt from the list I linked above, shoot it at me and I’ll consider it! <3

I accept most pairings for Raven, so don’t be afraid to come up to me with an unpopular one~! I’ll say it beforehand, though, that I’m not a big fan of BBRae, BUT I might consider it if it does get requested. It’s more likely to have a sibling-like relationship, though, so just be warned. My absolute NOTP is Raven x Slade, so don’t even come to me with that shit, thank you. Some of my fav pairings include: RobRae (OTP), JeriRae, DamiRae, WallyRae, TimRae, KonRae and others.

[darthvashtique93]

A Willing Sacrifice

"Ahh!"

Red Robin and one of Tannarak's clones, who had his hands around Red Robin's neck, froze at the sound of the scream. The grip loosened as Tannarak summoned his multiples back to himself as he and Red Robin turned to see the source of the scream. Raven was hovering mid-air, black energy erupting around her. Miss Martian scrambled away, clutching her head. "Raven?" Red Robin whispered, voice filled with alarm.

"You think you're so tough," Klarion sneered as Raven rose higher, her power intensifying. "But it's time for round two!" Klarion screamed as he charged the agitated empath.

"Klarion, wait!" Red Robin lifted a hand, a warning in his voice.

Klarion unleashed a bolt of energy at Raven, but she deflected it with a mere wave of her hand before retaliating with a blast of her own. "You witch!" Klarion screamed, thrown backward by the impact. Red Robin staggered to his feet but felt a firm grip on his shoulder. Batman, who was crouched low, gripped Red Robin's shoulder and shook his head at Red Robin.

Red Robin looked around, spotting the three other Chaos Lords advancing on Raven. "This isn't good," Robin said, worry edging into his tone. "Should we stop them?"

"No," Batman replied, his gaze unwavering.

Raven watched as the Chaos Lords approached, the air thickening with a dark, foreboding energy. These are the ones who hurt you, a voice in her mind whispered. She descended to the ground, fists clenched, her aura crackling with lethal intent. These are the ones who will pay.

Klarion rejoined his companions, with Teekl cradled in his arms and a smirk on his face. "You really think you can take on all four of us?" His voice oozed mockery.

"You hurt me," Raven replied, her tone low, melodic, and chilling. "Now I'm going to hurt you."

"Fine. Have it your way." Xanadoth and Mordru moved as one, weaving a dark net of energy meant to ensnare her mind. But Raven's magic surged, shadows spiraling around her in a violent tempest. With a scream that tore through the air, she unleashed a wave of darkness, shattering the ground beneath her and sending debris hurtling toward her enemies.

Tannarak shot his hands up, summoning a barrier of shimmering green light. But Raven's attack crashed into it, rippling the shield violently until cracks began to spread under the weight of her rage.

"So much rage!" Klarion laughed, dodging a shadow tendril that lashed out, barely missing him. "I like it!"

Mordru countered, summoning black tendrils that snaked through the air, aiming to bind her. Raven's eyes blazed as she retaliated, hurling shadowy projectiles that detonated with bone-crushing force, each explosion sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

"Hey! Watch it!" Klarion yelped, his taunts laced with nervous energy as he narrowly dodged another blast. "You're ruining my fun!"

"Shut up, Klarion!" Xanadoth snapped, cutting her eyes at him.

Raven could feel her power swelling, intensifying with each attack they launched. It was intoxicating, primal. A second pair of eyes appeared as she let out a raw, feral roar, channeling her magic into a massive, raven-shaped wave of darkness that surged forward like a tsunami. Behind her, her teammates and other heroes scrambled for cover, their eyes wide with shock as they frantically tried to form a plan to stop her.

The Chaos Lords raised shields of their own, but one by one, they shattered under the crushing weight of Raven's darkness, erupting in showers of energy and sparks. Xanadoth's eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "That… that is dark magic," she sneered, thinking for the first time that she may have underestimated Trigon's daughter. Glancing at the others furiously, Xanadoth hurtled herself toward Raven, dark energy blazing at her fingertips and confronted Trigon's spawn, hand-to-hand. Raven parried every kick and punch while sidestepping the magic attacks of the other three Chaos Lords.

"Meow."

"Shut up, Teekl!" Klarion yelled. "We're doing fine!"

Finally gaining the upper hand, they surrounded her-their combined beams of energy slamming into Raven's shield from every direction. Cracks began to spiderweb across its surface, and Raven felt herself weakening. Before her shield could disintegrate, she heard her voice whisper again; They wanted to use you. They wanted you to open a portal.

"See, Teekl," Klarion laughed, but his voice trembled as he watched Raven. "She's not that impres—ah!"

Without warning, a force threw the Chaos Lords backward, sending them crashing to the ground like broken marionettes. Their bodies slammed into the earth with a sickening crunch that echoed across the battlefield.

"Meow," Teekl purred, unbothered by the chaos.

"Shut up," Klarion hissed, scrambling to his feet. Blood trickled down his forehead, and he wiped it away with a wild grin. "Lucky shot. That's all."

But Raven was past hearing them. Her power bubbled to the surface, an unstoppable storm ready to consume everything. She took a step forward, shadows thrashing violently around her. "You want access to my mind?" she roared, the energy swirling around her like a vortex. "You want me to make a portal?" A cold smile crossed her lips, and as a pair of red eyes flared above her own, Raven chanted, her voice a haunting, ancient murmur that sent shivers through the air. Red symbols flashed on her skin, and the Chaos Lords could only watch, dread filling their eyes, as the ground trembled beneath her, a portal of unimaginable darkness beginning to form. "You want a portal? I'll give you a portal."

"What is she doing?" Zatanna shouted as a massive portal swirled open beneath Raven, dark and foreboding.

Doctor Fate cast a spell, instantly anchoring the heroes where they stood as a fierce wind whipped around them, pulling everything toward the portal. "It's a gateway to Trigon's dimension," he answered, his voice strained.

"Oh, hell!" Constantine cursed, eyes wide.

"It still exists‽" Zatanna gasped, glancing frantically at Fate. "But how—?"

"Not the time!" he snapped, his focus unbroken.

"She's lost in her mind," Miss Martian reported, her voice tinged with fear as she tried yet again to reach Raven telepathically. "Whatever they did to her—she's disoriented. They put her in a dreamscape, and now she's trying to distinguish reality from fiction."

"And this is the only way she knows how‽" Kid Flash yelled, clutching his injured leg as Beast Boy helped him brace against the pull of the wind.

"Then maybe Red Robin can talk her down!" Beast Boy shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the roaring winds.

"What do you mean?" Red Robin looked at Beast Boy, startled.

"Dude," Beast Boy gave him a bland look.

"Seriously?" Robin added, shooting him a hard look, and a clear 'Duh' stare.

"Right," Red Robin said, his gaze sharpening. "Doctor Fate—can you get me behind her? Or above her?"

Doctor Fate gave a firm nod, already preparing the spell. Red Robin turned to Batman, who met his gaze with a brief but solid nod of approval.

"Have a calm or intimate memory ready," Miss Martian said. "Something…deep…a conversation…or something."

Red Robin nodded.

"All right," Doctor Fate said, "are you ready?"

Teekl's terrified cries echoed as the Chaos Lords struggled to keep their footing against the force pulling them toward the portal. "The Enchantress has vanished," Mordru announced, his tone edged with frustration.

"This is no longer our concern," Xanadoth replied coldly. "Let Trigon's spawns tear this world apart. We're done here." Without another word, Xanadoth, Mordru, and Tannarak each vanished in turn, their figures dissolving into the air.

"Oh, come on!" Klarion sputtered, "You're joking! We can take her!"

"Meow!" Teekl yowled.

"What do you mean, I lost again?" Klarion snapped, glaring at his companion. "Stupid cat."

"Meow."

"You shut up!" he muttered, eyes flashing with irritation before he, too, disappeared.

What am I doing? Protecting yourself. They're gone. Are they? No, they're still in my mind. They're not in your mind. You're fine. You're alone. No. I am not. I am.

Raven's chest heaved with each ragged breath she took. They ran! How dare they run from the daughter of—"Ugh!" She exclaimed, a weight crashing down on her. She screamed as her body flipped mid-air, landing hard against something—or someone—as her portal flickered out of existence. Dazed, she rolled to her feet, magic at the ready.

"Wait!" the person beneath her—clad in dark red and black—called out, holding up a hand. "Just wait."

Raven paused with her four eyes narrowed at the creature before her, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"You're safe," the figure said gently as he slowly stood. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Her rage smoldered, dark and unyielding. Safe? The word echoed bitterly in her mind. The agony they inflicted, the false sense of peace they'd made her feel—it all roared back. Shadows gathered around her, writhing and pulsing, as her fury swelled.

"I don't know what happened to you. I can't even imagine," he continued, his voice calm, his gaze unwavering. "But you're safe now."

Raven's glare hardened, her rage fueling her powers as she raised her hand, darkness coiling around her fingertips, ready to unleash her wrath.

Red Robin stared into Raven's red, angry eyes, now narrowed and trained on him. The four eyes should have freaked him out—but oddly, they didn't. "Raven…" he breathed her name, voice low and careful. She looked exhausted. Her uniform was torn and singed in some places, and her body was trembling with barely contained energy. He'd heard her scream earlier—a sound that still echoed painfully in his mind, one he never wanted to hear again.

"Raven, you know me," he said, taking a cautious step forward. Her hands still glowed with dark energy, sparking dangerously. With slow, deliberate movements, Red Robin pulled off one of his gloves with his teeth, revealing his bare hand. "We're friends," he murmured, offering her a faint smile. "Maybe…more than friends? We've kissed a couple of times." Behind him, he heard gasps of surprise and exclamations from his teammates. He groaned at their responses. So dramatic. He ignored them. With measured slowness, he reached for her hand, but she flinched, her magic sparking in warning. "I know they hurt you, but I'm not going to hurt you," he promised softly, pulling his mask off in one fluid motion, revealing his face. He held her gaze, willing her to see him, to recognize him—but her expression remained hard, and more shadows curled around her.

Realizing words weren't enough, Tim gingerly took Raven's hand, grounding himself with a calming breath. He focused on a memory, a simple one, but filled with warmth—a memory just for her.

It was their fifth study session. Raven was finally more relaxed around him, letting her sarcasm and dry humor emerge, and for once, she wasn't hiding under her hood. For Tim, seeing her face fully—though often impassive—was mesmerizing. Earlier, she had even laughed quietly at one of his jokes, nearly flooring him. He watched her brows knit as she concentrated on a problem, her lips twisting in thought. Cute, he thought, then caught himself staring and averted his eyes, embarrassed. His eyes fell on one of her notebooks, peeking out from under a textbook. "List of… what?" he read aloud, grabbing it impulsively, breaking her concentration. "List of Earth's Differences," he continued, ignoring her horrified expression.

"Hey!" Raven exclaimed, reaching for it, but Tim held it just out of her reach.

"Difference #1: The water. Difference #2: Pizza. Difference—" he laughed as he saw her cheeks flush slightly. "You made a list of ways this Earth differs from yours?"

"It… started off as an exercise with Dinah," she mumbled, her blush deepening. "Then I just… kept going."

Tim flipped to the last entry, eyes widening. "Almost 600 differences? That's impressive."

She reached for it again, but he playfully blocked her hands. "Metahumans?" he asked.

"We didn't have those on my Earth," she said, relaxing.

"What did you call humans with abilities?" he asked.

"We just called them 'humans with abilities.'"

Tim chuckled as he read another entry. "Boom tubes?"

"Teleportation pads," she replied. "And they only existed in Justice League headquarters."

"Difference #50: The stars," he read, looking up at her curiously. "The stars?"

"They're backward here," she said. "The Big Dipper faces the other way."

"Really?" he said, captivated. "You wrote sunset and sunrise? Don't tell me they set north and south?"

"On my Earth, the sun sets in the east and rises in the west."

He shook his head in amazement. "Things must have been so confusing when you arrived."

"You have no idea," she sighed.

"My treating you like a pariah didn't help, I'm sure."

"It's fine, Tim." She waved it off, but he frowned.

"I don't think it is," he insisted, guilt flashing in his eyes.

She met his gaze, her lips curving into a small smile. "I forgive you. You were scared… I understand. What we do…it's good to be wary," she relented with a slightly melancholy expression.

"It doesn't make my treatment of you okay," he said. Raven looked up at him, her eyes shining with an emotion he couldn't name. They held each other's gaze, a warmth building between them. "Ahem." Tim cleared his throat, trying to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. He raised a brow at a particular entry. "Waffles? How could waffles be different?"

"They just are," Raven said, starting to argue.

Tim grinned as he finished the memory aloud. "You said our Earth makes the outsides crispier and the insides fluffier. You said our Earth has the perfect waffle." He intertwined their fingers. When he felt her fingers twitch, his eyes widened. "Raven…" he whispered, feeling her finally register his presence. Her eyes returned to their usual violet color as the second pair faded. "Raven," he whispered, his relief palpable. Her hand went slack as she slumped forward, and he caught her as they sank to the ground together. "I have you," he repeated, stroking her face gently.

She blinked, staring at him. "Tim," she whispered, then threw her arms around his neck. "You're safe," she breathed.

"I'm safe? You were worried about me?"

"You kept coming back and-and-and he kept taking your memories. I was worried you'd-you'd-" Tim held her even tighter. "Thank you for saving me," her voice cracked.

"You never have to thank me for saving you," he assured her, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes.

"How long was I…?" she asked softly.

"About twenty-one hours." He stroked her cheek as they locked eyes, and Raven leaned into his hand, chuckling in exhaustion. "What's so funny?" he asked, his thumb brushing along her cheek.

"In my head, there was this version of you but… your skin was ice cold," she muttered.

"Ice cold?" He smirked. "Were you… feeling me up in there?"

Raven's cheeks blazed red as her eyes widened in embarrassment. "That's not it…"

With a soft laugh, he leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm just glad you're back."

"Not to interrupt this riveting reunion," Kid Flash interrupted the two with a grin, "but can we go home now? I'm pretty sure my fibula is poking out, I'm in so much pain, and I need some sleep."

"Yeah," Tim looked at Raven once more, tenderly brushing hair out of her face. "Let's go home."

Enchantress clawed at her temples, desperate to quench the fire blazing in her skull. "You failed!" The voice thundered, reverberating through her skull.

A strangled whimper escaped her lips as she lay curled in her bed, each nerve ending seared in agony. "I'm… sorry," she gasped, barely able to speak as tears, snot, and drool poured down her face. "She's… too powerful."

"You have one more chance!" the voice hissed, each word a spike of fresh pain.

"How am I supposed to make her open a portal?" she cried, her voice edged with fury—furious at herself, at her own weakness, and at the power he held over her.

"No! I'll find my own way out!" he barked, a sinister calm that cut through her agony. The pressure in her head intensified to the point of excruciation. "I want you to kill her!"

"How?" She could barely form the word, choking on a mix of terror and exhaustion.

"My servants have reported that the heroes are occupied with the cleanup efforts following the Chaos Lords' disaster," he sneered loudly in her head. "Raven should be easily accessible, and this last encounter should have left her severely weakened." I'll provide you with a tool that will bring her down." The pressure in her head lessened, the pain ebbing just enough for her to draw a ragged breath. But his final words chilled her to her core as they echoed in her head. "Fail me, and I will erase you from existence. That's a promise."

[ravenfan1242]

Oh my God I feel called out this is so accurate!!!

“It could be drugs,” I whisper as I open another E-rated, 240k word fic at two in the morning. “At least it’s not drugs.”

[darthvashtique93]

Breaking In

Part 5

Raven created a shield, blocking Zatanna and herself from a fiery blast. Red Robin, Artemis, and Robin were on the other side of the platform, struggling in their own fight against Flaw. Twice, Raven had to protect both groups at the same time mid-fight. "She is very powerful," Raven said to Zatanna, holding her shield as the little girl rained fire on them.

"You have no idea," Zatanna replied.

"Are you sure she's not human or alien?"

"Trust me," Zatanna answered, "this is just a corporeal form she, or it, took."

"Okay. I trust you. Asafsda ofoiep," Raven's eyes and hand glowed black. She swung her arm. Five black spikes sprung from the ground, piercing Child's corporeal form from 5 different reactions.

"Ahhh!" Child released a blood-curdling scream that shook Raven to her very core.

"Don't buy it," Zatanna said as she summoned chains, wrapping them around Child's wrist and yanking her to the ground. "She pulled the same stunt with Klarion, and then with me a week later." Raven approached the child, who lay in a pool of her own blood. She had her mouth open in a silent scream, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Raven frowned. Child appeared dead, but Raven still sensed a strange aura still emanating from the child. "Dang it." The voice came from Child's open mouth. Child's head snapped forward, her eyes returned to normal, and a sinister smile lit her face. "You ruined the surprise, Zatanna."

"That trick was getting old," Zatanna tightened the small chains around Child's wrists. "Nommus eht temleh!"

Child's eyes flashed yellow as her body vibrated furiously. "I think I won't," she said after her body returned to normal. "You're currently running low on power, Zatanna. But me? I've got plenty to spare." Child snapped her fingers. Next thing Zatanna and Raven knew, Zatanna's chains were wrapped around both Raven and Zatanna. "Ugh!" Zatanna exclaimed as Raven and her bodies slammed into each other. "Sniahc esaeler! Ezeerf!" she commanded. A block of ice surrounded Child as Raven took to the air. Child snapped the ice with ease.

"Didn't you try that the last time we fought? Still relying on the same old spells, I see. Growth is key to success, you know. It seems you haven't grown at all." Child waved her hand, and the ground beneath Zatanna cracked. Zatanna dodged out of the way as Raven shot tendrils at Child. Child effortlessly redirected the tendrils with a wave of her hand. ""I can sense you're holding back. Why won't you unleash your full power? Afraid I'll still beat you at your best?"," Child said to Raven, releasing tendrils of her own. Raven blocked Child's attack, but a scream from Red Robin distracted. She turned to check on her teammate when something wrapped around her and electrocuted her. "Aaah!" Raven screamed in pain.

"So easily distracted," Child smiled gleefully. "You must be new to fighting. Always concentrate on the – eek!" Child exclaimed as rubble from the crumbling ground fell onto Child's head. Raven released herself from the bonds as Child stopped the rocks from crushing her. "I was in the middle of a conversation!" Child released a barrage of rocks into the atmosphere with a scream. Both Zatanna and Raven created shields of their own.

"Look out!" Raven yelled as she threw another shield around Zatanna as Child sent tall flames their way. "This isn't working!" Raven said as her shield strengthened in power.

Zatanna turned to their other three teammates, who were somehow still on their feet. "I know you're holding yourself back, but you may have to give it everything you've got. Can you keep her occupied?" Raven nodded. "I'm going to go after her anchor. Keep her distracted. Teleport me over there."

Their initial attack on Flaw had been sort of successful. Robin had used his acrobatics to keep the magical monster occupied. He got in close, dodging every swipe while placing smoke bombs and exploding Batarangs at the monster's feet. Red Robin used his electric brass knuckles and released well-placed hits between Flaws joints. When that didn't have the desire effect, he resorted to using Batarangs, batclaws, grappling hooks, and tasers. Artemis fired specialized arrow after specialized arrow, disorienting Flaw, entangling him in nets.

Flaw, unfortunately, was a magically created being who could at times release borrowed energy from his maker. Red Robin barely made it out of the line of fire. His entire upper right side was singed. He had released a loud scream he knew Robin was going to mock him for after they survived this magical nightmare. At one point, debris from somewhere flew into them, injuring them and slowing Flaw's attacks. Now, Red Robin, Artemis, and Robin crouched behind a giant rock as Flaw resumed his fiery assault. Every breath Red Robin took was more painful than the previous. He had to inject himself with epinephrine to keep from passing out. Artemis was running out of arrows, and Robin was bleeding from his head. "Robin, please tell me you can still remember your date of birth," Red Robin gasped between breaths.

"I definitely have a mild concussion," Robin said, "but I can still see straight, and I can remember my name. We're good."

"This isn't working," Artemis said, wiping sweat from her brow. "We can't keep this up."

"I'm trying. I'm trying." Red Robin closed his eyes as he tried to think past the pain. How are we non-magic humans supposed to fight against a magical moving rock giant? "Let's just stay put." Suddenly, Zatanna appeared in front of them.

"Zatanna!" the three exclaimed. Red Robin was so happy to see her.

"I have a plan," Zatanna said, "but we need to move fast. I don't know how long Raven can hold Child back."

Raven's eyes glowed white as she summoned power to her hands and sent her shield hurling towards Child. Once again, Child deflected with ease; however, this time Raven quickly followed with a direct attack and landed a series of punches on Child's face. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Child exclaimed and used her power to throw Raven to the ground. Child brought a hand to her face and felt a sticky substance. "Stupid mortal shell," she growled before turning her red eyes to Raven, "punching now? Is that what we've resorted to? Uncivilized grappling?" She outlined Raven's body in red, lifted Raven in the air, and slammed her to the ground. "You have all this power flowing inside of you. I can sense it," Child said as she brought her arms together above her head. A giant fiery dragon formed behind her. "And you do nothing with it. Do you know what I would do if I had your power?" she asked as her eyes flashed. On Child's silent command, the dragon released a deluge of fire. Raven quickly created a shield, but Child's fire magic was unexpectedly powerful, and Raven saw cracks in her shield quickly form. Child laughed hysterically. "You can't kill me. You can't kill me. You can't kill me," she sang. Raven recognized the phrase from her dream. "But I can kill you."

"Crap," Raven breathed as she realized what was soon going to happen if things continued this way. "Come on, Zatanna," Raven muttered. She was trying to remain some semblance of control, but she wasn't sure how much more her body or mind could take. "Please hurry."

"Aparecium!" Zatanna yelled. "There!" she pointed at the glowing spots that briefly appeared on Flaw's body. "Concentrate on that area. Get him on his hands and knees."

Using a grappling hook, Robin landed a powerful kick to Flaw's jaw, causing the behemoth to stumble. Artemis unleashed the rest of her arrows in rapid succession. She aimed everything at the scar on his chest. One of her arrows exploded in his chest. Flaw roared in pain and went down on one knee. He struggled to his feet, but Red Robin fired a precise shot from his collapsible staff. The crack on Flaw's chest lengthened, and Flaw fell to his hands and knees. "Mroftalp nepo pu!" she exclaimed. The platform beneath Flaw opened. "Sniach morf dnoura mih!" Chains wrapped around Flaw's body. "Mroftalp esolc!" The platform closed, trapping Flaw's hands and lower legs while the chains held him in place. "Now, to end this."

"If I had your power," Child continued. She didn't finish her thought. She saw Flaw stumble. "How?" She then realized Zatanna wasn't fighting her. I've been tricked! Her eyes flashed red. Chains wrapped around Flaw. Child could feel herself weakening. "No! No! NO!" she screamed. Red tendrils shot from her body and wrapped the heroes in a vice like grip. "No! No! No!" she stomped her feet. "This is not how it's supposed to end! No!" she screamed once more. She felt her powers flicker. She quickly released the heroes, who all fell to the ground unconscious. "Flaw!" she cried out, appearing by his side. He no longer had the chains around him, and his hands and legs were now free, but he was wounded. "It's okay, Flaw," Child hiccupped. "I can fix you." Child placed a hand over his crack and healed him. Once she finished with him, she smiled. "I almost lost you. I – " A black spike whizzed past Child's head and embedded itself in Flaw's newly healed chest. "Flaw!" Child screamed. "Who dares - !" She froze. She noticed four glowing white eyes fixated on her. They belonged to - the cloaked girl. The girl was in mid-air and a giant black raven flew behind her. She uttered a word Child did not know, and the raven flew past Child into Flaw and destroyed him from the inside. "No!" Child screamed. Her body flickered, and she felt her form slipping. "No! I can fix this! I can fix this! Dang it." She prepared to disappear, but nothing happened. She was still on this earthly plane. "What is happening?" She could feel her mortal form trying to slip away, but something was keeping her in a corporeal form. She looked down. She was several hundred feet above the platform, and her body was outlined in black. "Dang it," Child repeated. She slowly lifted her eyes and saw four glowing white eyes looking directly at her. "W-w-w-what…are…you? W-w-w-who are you?" Child asked in genuine fear. She tried to escape the giant claw she was in.

"I'm Raven?" the cloaked girl answered. A slow smile formed on her face. "Where are you going?" Raven asked as she squeezed Child's body. Child cried out in pain as she felt the bones in her mortal body crack. "Don't you want to stay and play? You like games, don't you, little Lord of Chaos?" Child opened her mouth to speak, but the being – Raven – began choking her. "I may not be able to destroy your natural form," Raven said, "but I can destroy this form, and I can make it hurt." Child's eyes widened in horror. "Don't worry," Raven smiled sadistically, "I won't hold back this time." Child then screamed as she felt her entire body slam into the earth.

Raven's eyes flew open. Someone was screaming, then it stopped. Was that…me? She slowly sat up. Her head was pounding, but she could feel her powers very slowly returning in full. What was shocking most of all was the gold helmet on her lap. What happened? Last thing I remembered, Child was trying to drain our life force. Looking around, she saw the scattered bodies of her unconscious teammates. "Oh, no," Raven stood up. She took a step and stumbled. Her legs felt like Jell-O, and her arms ached. Her entire body was on fire. It felt like she'd gone toe-to-toe with her father again. "Robin," she limped to the 13-year-old. "Robin," she fell to her knees beside him. She placed a finger under his nose and sighed in relief. He was breathing, but she could feel the injuries in his body. "Okay, okay," she breathed. "Not a lot of energy. Guess I'm transferring everyone's injuries to myself." Closing her eyes, Raven placed a hand on Robin's forehead and one on his chest. "Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos."

A minute later, Robin shot up and asked, "Did we win?"

"Yeah," Raven chuckled, "we won. Are you okay? No, my arm is…" he rotated his arm. "My arm is totally fine. You healed me." he smiled at her. "Thank you."

Raven gave him a smile and limped over to Artemis. He must have had a twisted ankle, too. She kneeled beside Artemis and placed her hands on the archer. Robin, who had followed her, watched in awe as the bruises on Artemis' face disappeared. "That is so cool," he gushed. He turned to Raven, and the smile faded from his face.

"What?" Raven glanced at him.

"The bruises on your face – they just appeared out of nowhere." He looked back at Artemis. "Raven," he said, "when you heal people…?"

"Don't worry about it," she patted him gently on the shoulder as a groan left Artemis.

She quickly limped to Zatanna and healed her. She moved to Red Robin before Zatanna could open her eyes. Red Robin groaned as he sat up. "Are you okay?" Raven asked him.

"Yeah," Red Robin rotated his shoulders, looked at his hands, and felt his ribs. "You healed me. Thank you." He looked at her and stared. "You look rough."

"It's been a long day," Raven sighed heavily. I'm going to sleep for a week. Red Robin stood first and then held a hand out to her. Raven looked up at him in surprise, but his face gave nothing away. Raven placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet. "Thank you," she breathed. He gave a nod before releasing her hand and running to check on Robin.

Meanwhile, Zatanna walked over to Raven. "My powers are back in full, thanks to you," Zatanna said. "And I see you got the helmet," she motioned to where the helmet sat on the ground.

"Yeah," Raven said and levitated the helmet over to where they stood.

Zatanna grabbed it and studied it. "It doesn't seem to be damaged," Zatanna said. "I wonder if they're still trapped in there."

Raven blinked. Something was tickling at the back of her mind. "This may sound weird," she said unsurely, "but I think I can sense them in there."

"Really?" Zatanna asked in surprise. "That's a good thing. They're still alive., but how do we get them out?"

"I think one of them is trying to talk to me," she said as the prodding continued. Raven gently took the helmet from Zatanna. She covered the helmet with her black energy. Suddenly, her eyes turned gold, and she muttered a phrase she didn't understand. The helmet shot straight into the air. Gold streams of energy shot out from it, encircling it. There was a blinding flash of light, and then Dr. Fate was there, floating to the ground.

"Dr. Fate," Zatanna breathed in relief. Red Robin, Artemis, and Robin hurried over to them and greeted Dr. Fate.

"Please," Dr. Fate said as he pulled the helmet off, "call me Kent Nelson." He turned to Raven. "Nabu apologizes for briefly possessing you."

"It's fine," Raven replied. "I don't really know what happened, but I think I let him into my mind."

Kent Nelson studied her. "You're not from here," he stated. "Yes, I agree," he muttered under his breath. "I'll make sure to tell her." He turned his attention back to Raven. "You are very powerful, Raven. No doubt you will do great things. Also, welcome to our universe."

Raven was taken aback. How does he know my name? Scratch that. How does he know I'm from another universe?

"Now," Kent said. "I'm sure you all have many questions, but," he placed his helmet on his head, "there are visitors in the tower. I think they're here for you."

The young heroes appeared in a study, shocked to see who was standing there. "Dad?" Zatanna said and ran to him. "Dad," she paused to look at the other two men behind her father, "what are you guys doing here?"

"What are we doing here?" Mr. Zatara motioned to himself, Batman, and Constantine.

"You've been gone for like a week, luv," Constantine said.

"A week!" What the fuck?

[darthvashtique93]

Aftermath

After the Chaos Lords' attack, cleanup became a monumental chore. While alien lizards had wreaked havoc in Gotham, other monsters spewing green vomit terrorized California. Dragons manifested in space, and other creatures—snakes, demons, possessed unicorns, murderous water beings, and etc.—popped out of portals across the globe. Heroes and villains alike fought side by side, but once the chaos subsided, the villains left the cleanup to the heroes, slipping back into their villainous routines.

Midway through the cleanup, Superman and other heroes finally returned from space, providing much-needed help that greatly sped up the process. Heroes with powers to swiftly repair buildings and bridges were dispatched, working round the clock. It took a little less than two weeks to restore order worldwide. Fortunately, the Chaos Lords had only visited Earth and no other nearby worlds.

Things had returned to a semblance of normalcy. Garfield had somehow received personal phone number of the Princess of Vlatava, who was a devoted fan of Tork and a powerful advocate for meta-humans. It definitely didn't hurt that, at one point, Garfield had leaped in front of her to block a blow that never came. Bart joked the princess would soon get over her infatuation with him as soon as her head trauma healed. Raven wasn't so sure. Garfield had eagerly showed her his texts with the queen-to-be. It seemed serious. At t the end of the day, Raven felt relieved that he was slowly moving on from his crush on her.

Presently… Raven drummed her fingers on the table in the school library. In their last therapy session, Dinah had alluded to college—a topic they had breached months earlier. She had, without Dinah's knowledge, submitted applications to Ivy League schools: Metropolis University, Ivy Town University, Empire State University, and Harvard. Sure, her grades were decent, but they weren't Ivy League material.

So why am I looking at a late acceptance email from Hudson University? My grades aren't that good, and Constantine wrote my letter of recommendation. What on Earth could he have written?

After school, Raven instantly teleported into Constantine's mansion. "Raven," Black Orchid greeted her.

"Hello," Raven replied, scanning the room. "Is Constantine here?"

"I believe Ms. Zatanna Zatara has recruited him to help with her magic school. May I be of assistance?"

Raven hesitated. "Well… six months ago, I asked Constantine to write a letter of recommendation for my college applications. I hoped he would screw it up. But I just received a late acceptance email from Hudson University. My grades couldn't have gotten me into any Ivy League college, so I want to see the letter he wrote—see if he added anything magical to it."

"Ah," Black Orchid said, a knowing look crossing her face. "I remember this day well. He had just exorcised a level 5 demon from a little girl, reminding him of one he couldn't save. He wrote it while he was deep in his whiskey. Allow me to locate it." The house shuddered, and a laptop appeared above Orchid's hand. "Allow me," she said, placing her hand on the closed PC. Seconds later, the laptop vanished, replaced by a piece of white paper in her hand. "Here," Black Orchid said, handing the letter to Raven. "Techno-magic," she added.

"Thank you," Raven said, taking the document.

"I watched as Constantine typed in his alcohol-induced state," Orchid continued. "He drunkenly telephoned someone named Tim Drake using techno-magic."

"What?!" Raven exclaimed, her surprise evident.

"Yes, it's a magic that allows technology—"

"I know what techno-magic is," Raven interrupted, staring at the essay in her hand. "I mean—he called Tim?" She read a few sentences, her disbelief deepening. No way he wrote this himself. "Trigondammit," she swore in her native tongue. "Why—I—thank you, Black Orchid," she said gratefully. "I have to go."

"I sense anger and embarrassment. Are you going to kill Constantine?"

"I may have to."

Raven had teleported to the mountain in a huff. She had set her things on her bed and prepared to teleport to Tim's apartment when a sensation hit her. She knew, she just knew, he was in the mountain—specifically, in their gym. So, not in complete control of her emotion, Raven marched through the surprisingly empty mountain. Sensing he was alone in the weight-room, she paused in front of the door and centered herself.

Once she felt her emotions settle, she entered the gym. Honestly, I should have known better, Raven thought in annoyance. She wasn't annoyed that Tim was hanging from a pull-up bar doing inverted sit-ups while holding a crossword puzzle in front of his face. It wasn't even the fact that he was shirtless. No, what annoyed her was that she should have known he was shirtless and mentally prepared herself accordingly. "Trigondamn," she muttered.

"Hey, Raven," Tim greeted without looking at her and without pause. "Our bond must still be in place because I felt you walking down the hall. I can also feel your displeasure at something." He paused and lowered, or lifted, his crossword book from his face. Raven looked away with a flush when he stared at her with his electric blue eyes. Honestly, was it a rule that you had to be considered good-looking for Bruce Wayne to adopt you? The Richard in this universe was still young, but Raven knew what he would look like when he turned 18. Even Jason Todd was shockingly gorgeous, if not obnoxious with an anger problem. Anyway, Raven returned to the present and said, "I received an acceptance email from Hudson University."

"That's amazing," Tim said, still hanging upside down…shirtless…glistening with sweat.

A small part of her wanted to purr at the sight. She swallowed thickly instead. "No," Raven shifted on her feet, "it's not." Tim gave her a curious look. "My grades aren't good enough for an Ivy League university. So, I figured Constantine—who wrote my acceptance letter—must have cast a spell or something." Raven watched as Tim's eyes widened with understanding. "Turns out, you wrote most of it."

"Yeah, he called me," Tim replied. "I don't know how he got my personal number."

"Techno-magic," Raven said.

Tim gave her another questioning look. "Techno-magic? The ability to talk to technology?"

"Something like that," Raven said. That was the one genre of magic she was unsure of.

"That's too simple. Is it technology that runs on magic?"

"Yeah…I guess."

"That is extraordinary. So, Constantine has—"

"No," Raven interrupted him, holding up a finger. "No, you will not go on a tangent or rant until after we have this conversation."

"I'm sorry," Tim apologized, blushing. "Yes, to answer your question. Constantine called me and asked to write your letter of recommendation, but I doubt that's why you got accepted."

"Well, it wasn't my grades."

"I think it was the other letter of recommendation I wrote and handed to the dean at a charity event," Tim admitted nonchalantly, resuming his sit-ups.

Raven's whole body shook with multiple emotions. "Why would you do that?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"Why would you apply to multiple Ivy Leagues and then ask Constantine to write you a letter of recommendation knowing there's an 18.7% chance he'd be blackout drunk while doing so?" Tim paused midway, turned his torso, and looked Raven directly in the eye with a smirk. "It's almost like you were purposefully trying to sabotage your chances of getting into college." Raven opened her mouth to respond to the accusation, but no words came out. "That's what I thought," Tim said, resuming his sit-up.

"Why does it matter to you?" Raven asked. "And can we please talk face-to-face, right side up?" Raven was having a hard time concentrating on their conversation.

"You don't enjoy watching me move?" Tim asked in a manner that could only be described as flirtatious. Raven gave him her best blank stare. "Give me a second," he smiled. Lifting his torso, he held onto the pull-up bar with one hand and undid the straps on his ankles with the other.

Placing his bare feet on the mat, he grabbed his water bottle that was nearby, and Raven looked away as he gulped down mouthfuls of water. "So…why are you upset with me he asked when he was finished drinking.

"I'm not upset with you," Raven turned to him. Now, he was standing in front of her, sweaty, blue eyes looking at her through damp bangs. This is way worse, Raven thought as she struggled to keep her eyes on his. I should have waited until he was done working out to have this conversation. "I'm not upset with you," Raven repeated. "I'm just wondering why?"

"Why were you trying to sabotage your chance at receiving a higher education?"

"Tim," Raven gasped as he took a step closer to her. Suddenly, she didn't know what to do with her hands. She couldn't pull her hood over her head, she was still wearing her school uniform. "I'm interrupting your workout," she muttered. Is my voice shaking? "I-I-I should go," Raven said, taking a small step back.

"Raven," Tim caught her soft hand in his rough one. Raven looked at their joined hands. "You're shaking," Tim said, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb.

Raven's breath caught in her throat as her heart raced and heat coiled low in her belly. She was weakening under the intensity of his gaze, and her mouth was suddenly dry. "Yeah…it's cold in here," she said, suddenly dizzy. "I should go get a sweatshirt."

"I don't think so," Tim said breathlessly, before pulling her into his body. His free hand went to the back of her neck as he pulled her into a kiss. Instead of freezing like she had the first time, Raven responded instantly. Tim's mouth was hot and insistent against hers, though his lips remained soft. The world around her dissolved as she opened herself up to him. The warmth in her stomach exploded and Raven became hot all over when he yanked the ponytail holder from her hair, tossing it somewhere. T

he kiss deepened, growing more fervent as Tim tilted his head, tangling his tongue with hers. Raven wasn't sure which one of them moaned, but the vibration against her mouth sent shivers down her spine. Tim released her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, crushing her to him, and Raven could feel his heart racing in his chest. His hand then inched up her spine, sending jolts of electricity through her body. Raven wanted to get even closer to him as this unfamiliar need arose in her. Sucking on his lower lip, Raven could taste the salt of his sweat.

Barely pulling away, Tim, their lips still tenderly brushing each other, Tim maneuvered them over to one bench in the gymnasium. Sitting down, Tim tenderly pulled Raven onto his lap so she was straddling him. Settling onto his lap, Raven gasped, and before she could register what she was feeling, Tim pulled her into a deeper kiss. While his fingers carded through her hair, his other hand worked its way beneath her sweater, still on her shirt. Raven could sense his desire to go further, as well as his hesitation to go too far. He was so sweet, but even half-demons like her needed air. Raven eased the intensity of her kisses, and Tim followed her lead. Eventually, they were both resting their foreheads against each other, panting. What did I just do? Raven pulled away to look into his eyes, but something happened. She was no longer looking into intense blue eyes; she was staring into angry green ones. "How could you do that to me? I trusted you!" Wally screamed.

"Wally," Richard said warningly, placing himself protectively in front of Raven. "Wally, let her explain."

"Was any of it real?" Wally cried, ignoring his best friend. "Any of it?" Raven sucked in a breath as her tears continued to fall. She wrapped her arms around herself. "Do you even love me?"

"Yes," Raven looked at him desperately, "I do. That's why I told you the truth."

"And how am I supposed to trust anything you say?"

"I'm sorry," Raven apologized. "I was desperate. The Justice League had just sent me away. I didn't know anyone else. I knew I wouldn't be able to get to Richard."

"So, you manipulated my emotions?"

"I was afraid you'd turn me away, too."

"I wouldn't have."

"Really? Can you honestly say if I came begging for help–if I came to you saying an interdimensional demon war lord was on his way here, and I was his daughter–you would have dropped everything and helped me?"

"Well, I guess we'll never know. You took away any choice I had in the matter."

"Raven?"

Raven blinked once.

"I think…you're not used to having full control of your emotions," Nightwing said to her. "I think you've been manipulating mine." Raven stiffened. "Not on purpose," Nightwing quickly added. "Not on purpose, but I think the feelings you're feeling…the feelings I'm feeling…are somehow coming from you. Think about it."

Raven frowned and thought. Is this what Kori was trying to tell her? Nightwing was right. Was that all this was? An overzealous crush holding so much emotion it spilled over and was affecting Nightwing negatively? Her frown deepened the longer she thought about it. It did and didn't make sense to her. Turning to Nightwing, she prepared a question but paused. She was 21, but likely had the emotional maturity of a 4-year-old being that a couple of months ago she wasn't able to fully embrace emotion without Trigon taking over. And…what she did to Wally years before was always present in her mind. Biting her lip, she realized Nightwing was right. It was just a crush with overflowing emotion affecting those around him. And it was only affecting Nightwing because they'd been hanging out nearly every day. He was right. This isn't love.

Raven blinked again. "Raven?" Tim called her name, this time placing a hand on her face. "I'm right here, Raven." Raven blinked, her body and mind returning to the present. She was staring at a very confused Tim…sitting on his lap. Oh my gosh, I'm on his lap, her body tensed as she began to panic.

"Raven?" he said her name again. Raven blinked as her body and mind fully returned to the present. "Are you okay?" he asked, genuine worry on his face.

"Omigosh," she gasped before quickly scrambling off his lap. "It's happening again."

"What's happening again?" Tim asked, remaining seated.

"I think I may be influencing you by accident."

Tim furrowed his brow as he stared at her inquisitively. "What do you mean?"

"I think…I wanted you to kiss me so bad that…I accidentally affected your emotions."

"Excuse me?" he asked with a cocked brow.

"I may have accidentally manipulated you into kissing me."

"Wait," Tim's face remained serious, but Raven could sense the amusement radiating from him, "you're saying I wanted to kiss you because you wanted me to kiss you? That you accidentally forced me to kiss you?"

"Yes," Raven sighed.

"You're serious?"

Raven nodded. She then watched as Tim tried and failed to hold back a laugh. Now I'm confused. Tim laughed like Raven had just cracked a joke. And the sound did something to Raven's stomach. I love his laugh. Crap. Raven blinked and frowned at Tim. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Tim gasped between laughs. "I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at…Raven, no one forced me to kiss you. I kissed you because I wanted to."

"Tim…"

"No," he smiled as he stood to his feet, "I know my mind. Trust me, I know what it feels like to be manipulated. You did not manipulate me."

"But you kissed me," Raven stressed.

"Yeah," Tim said, humor dancing in his eyes. "Because I wanted to." He held her gaze, watching as confusion crossed her face and she took a small step back. It was almost like—his eyes widened. "Raven…did something or someone…?" Tim paused. He didn't know how to word the question. "Raven," he said, reaching for her hands, linking their fingers. "I like you. And it's not because of your powers." He saw disbelief and confusion cross her face. "I've felt your touch in my head," he continued softly, "I'd recognize if you were doing something in there. Raven…?" Tim was trying to make sense of what Raven just said. "Did something like that happen to you?" Tim knew he hit the nail on the head when Raven's face tightened. She looked down and away, and her arms wrapped around her torso in a show of vulnerability. His heart cracked. "Raven, is it so hard—what happened?"

"Nothing," Raven closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Nothing. It was a mistake…I was mistaken. I'm sorry," Raven tried to brush past him, but Tim's hand shot out. He wrapped his hand around her wrist. "Wait," he said softly. "Raven, is it so hard to believe that someone may like you…for you?"

Raven gradually turned her head to look at him. Her heart raced in her chest as she stood captivated by Tim's beautiful eyes. "Raven," Tim closed the distance between them. He cupped her face in his hands and stared deep into her eyes and asked her pointblank. "Raven, are you using your powers to manipulate me in any way, shape, or form?"

Tim's face became blurry as tears formed in Raven's eyes. Tears trickled down her cheeks. Why am I crying? She felt Tim's thumbs move as he wiped the tears away. "I…" Raven began in a broken voice. Her shoulders slumped. Admitting this would only bring back painful memories. But, she could sense Tim's emotions—his sincerity, his kindness, his lo—I can't lie to him. "No," she whispered, "I'm not using my powers on you."

"Were you using them on me that night I kissed you?" he asked kindly.

"No," Raven admitted tearfully.

"And were you using them on me just now?" he asked softly.

"No," Raven said.

"Well, if you weren't using your powers on me, that means my feelings for you are genuine. That means, that night, I wanted to kiss you. And, if the TV hadn't broken," he chuckled, "I would have kissed you longer, harder, and deeper…the way I just kissed you now."

"Tim," Raven gasped.

"I don't know what happened on your world all those years ago…but, Raven, my feelings for you are genuine. They're mine. No one is manipulating me, least of all you." He looked at Raven with a gentle gaze. Raven's heart raced. She didn't know what to say about that. Because if Tim liked her just for her, that would be mean…that would mean…Raven looked up at Tim with wonder. He likes me! "I…" she backed away. "I have to go. I'm sorry. I have to check…something," she said.

"Are you okay?" Tim asked, instantly worried.

"I'm fine…or…um…I will be. I just…I don't know what I'm feeling. I…need to go…."

"It's okay, I get it," Tim nodded. "I understand. I'll see you later…okay?"

"Okay."

Raven marched into the House of Mystery and Black Orchid greeted her. "Hello again, Raven," she greeted. "Something is wrong. You are…frazzled."

"I am, but…I need to see an old friend, and I'm not sure how long it will take. Can you let John know? I will have my communicator on me if there's an emergency. I just need…" tears gathered in her eyes again. I'm falling apart.

Black Orchid placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It is okay, Raven," she smiled comfortingly. "Do what you need to do."

Dick smiled at his phone, cooing at the screen as he listened to his wife. "And remember…formula. The blue canister with the bunny on it, not the red one." He curved his lips into a grin, but the moment was interrupted as he sensed something off—he was being followed. "What's wrong?"

"I am being followed."

"Old habits die hard," his wife replied, her voice light with humor.

"Apparently," he chuckled. "Alright. I'm gonna go have a chat with my stalker."

"Be careful, Dick."

"I will, Babs. I'll see you in a bit. Bye, John," he cooed at the baby before ending the call. Taking a deep breath, he approached the alley, feeling a mix of dread and determination. "Bad idea, Dick, bad idea. You promised you would stop. You're a family man now."

"Talking to yourself? That's a nasty habit," a voice emerged from the darkness. "Stupidly entering a dark alley alone? Tsk. Tsk."

The familiarity of the voice made Dick freeze. No way, he thought. As a figure stepped out of the shadows, his heart raced. She looked different—her face youthful yet hauntingly familiar. There was no doubt in Dick's mind; it was Raven—the teammate he had sort of buried ten years ago. "What would Batman think?" she smiled, a teasing glint in her eye.

"Raven?" He breathed her name in disbelief, emotions welling in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him.

"Hello, Richard," she replied with a small, almost nervous, smile. "It's been a while. Have you missed me?"