Instincts: A Roven Story

Chapter 3: Nightmares

"Hello there Raven." I felt something grab my shoulder. The voice was cold, cruel, demonic. "Happy birthday." A horrid evil laugh rang out.

I woke up in tears, my room a mess from my emotions being so out of whack. I laid there paralyzed in fear whimpering. Slowly my door opened.

"Rave?" Robin whispered. "I thought I heard-" he looked around my trashed bedroom before his eyes landed on my shaking form.

"Oh Raven.. It's okay.. It was only a bad dream." He walked closer his voice quiet and sweet like when you comfort a child. I couldn't look at him. My body would not respond.

"Raven.." He whispered quietly once again before crawling in my bed. I felt my muscles tense up as he pulled me close to him.

"It's okay. I'm here now. I'll protect you. No one will ever hurt you again." His arms wrapped themselves around me tightly. Without my ever giving a response he talked me back to sleep. I finally felt safe once again.

*still in Ravens bed*

I could hear crashing, whimpers, small screams. I knew immediately they were coming from Ravens room. I slunk my way there and stood next to her door till all went silent. I knew she must have woken up. Like a mouse I opened her door. Seeing her lying there trembling broke my heart. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I got in bed with her but I don't regret it. She needed me, and I slept for the first time since Slade first began torturing her. It's morning now. When I awoke Raven had removed herself from my grip and I felt empty. Without any hesitation I pulled her back against my chest. I heard a small moan escape her lips. It worried me that she might be having another nightmare.

"Raven." I whispered in her ear. No response. "Raven, it's morning. Wake up please. I want pancakes." This time she stirred. "Raveeeee Wake upppppp." Her eyes finally fluttered open. She took one glance at me and bolted upright.

"I-I am so so-sorry." She stuttered pulling the blanket to her neck despite being completely modest in her night clothes choices.

"No. It's my fault." I read a hand out. She pulled back slightly then allowed me to touch her. "I couldn't bear to see you so upset. Do you wanna talk about it?" I prompted her. She shook her head.

"Raven please." I tried to get her to open up but once again she would not give me a verbal answer.

"Raven. Tell me what you were dreaming about." I resorted to team leader mode. She gave an exasperated sigh.

"Nothing big. Just Slade and my birthday and all that. It's not like it's a big deal. Now if you'll excuse me I have some weird craving for pancakes."

She got out of bed and grabbed her clothes before wallowing info the adjoining bathroom. As horrible as I felt knowing she was reliving those moments with Deathstroke, I couldn't help but smile knowing my words made her want pancakes.

*making pancakes*

"Raven you're making breakfast?" I heard BeastBoy gasp behind me.

I didn't respond just continued humming the sweet tune in my head, Sarah Smiles by Panic! At the Disco. People just don't realize how good their music is. I heard other footsteps enter the room.

"Oh Raven you are making the breakfast? I thought I was going to make-" Starfire started but Cyborg covered her mouth.

"Do not be rude. Raven is being very generous with her time and skills." He chided her playfully.

"No you can go ahead Star. I didn't make enough for everyone. Just me." I sat down with my short stack and began pouring the syrup. I heard Robin's disapproving grunt.

"Oh did you want some?" I said cheekily. He gave me a shocked look of realization before frowning.

"I did." He walked over and shoved me to the side before sitting partially on top of me and taking my fork.

"Thank you." He began to devour my breakfast.

Normally I would've stopped him but his very close presence caused me to freeze up.

"Wawin?" Robin turned to me his mouth full. I gave him a questioning glance unsure of what a wawin is. He held up a finger.

Gulping the food down he repeated, "Raven?"

Oh. That's what he said. "Yes?"

"You okay? You're really quiet." He looked concerned.

"Looks like you'll have to take back my loudest person ever award." I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Be like that." He scowled and got up from the table, taking my pancakes with him as he stalked to his room.

"What's his problem?" BeastBoy looked at me.

"How should I know?" I snapped.

"I think you both suffer from DID's." Cyborg banged his head against a wall.

"Whatever." I took off down the hallway.

"I knew they were both way too happy this morning." I could hear BeastBoy mumble.

*Late that night*

"Rave?" I slunk into her bedroom to see her pale and fragile figure sitting up in bed. Once again the room was trashed, a result of her having another nightmare no doubt.

"It's okay. It's okay now." I crawled into her bed and pulled her up against my chest.

"Nothing can hurt you anymore Raven." I whispered into her hair. "I won't let it."

I could feel her tense up. She stayed like a statue her breathing rigid.

"Raven. It's okay." I tried once again to calm her.

"No." Her head snapped back and she glared into my eyes. "It is not okay."