Birds of a Feather

29

I slumped against the door and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes, but I didn't want to cry over him, not again. My thoughts went to Jason, surely if I called him over, he would distract me, but then he would just lead Richard to my apartment.

How could I have been so foolish. I had been blind sighted by simple thugs to the point I hadn't even recognized the false Batman behind me. I had always prided myself on my ability to sense and understand people, but I guess when I blocked the bond in my mind, I had forgotten what it felt like to sense him. I could still feel his grief and anger washing over me in waves as I sat on the floor of my apartment wallowing in my own self-pity.

I don't know how long I sat there, it could have been minutes for all I knew, but then there was a knock at my door. I panicked as I felt his distress enter my own mind, how did he know where I lived?

"Raven open the door." He said in a hushed tone, presumably because he didn't want to alarm the neighbors. Heaven forbid any of them see Batman at my door, my small hidden life would be the topic of everyone's discussions.

"Go. Away" I said in a raspy voice, not being able to utter any threats better than that.

"Don't make me make a scene, you know I will." He said sternly. Despite his serious tone I could vividly picture the smug grin playing across his face. However, I knew he was right. While I was known for being the most stubborn team member, Richard often rivaled me for that title. I knew if I didn't give in, he'd do something drastic in order to get what he wanted.

I backed away from the door and crossed the room to the kitchen. As soon as I placed myself as far as I possibly could I used my powers to unlock the door with a small click. He instantly opened the door and closed it behind him. It was odd to see the same boy I'd known for twelve years standing in front of me dressed as Batman.

We stared at each other for a moment, neither one of us knowing really what to say to the other. I was awkwardly shifting my weight from leg to leg as I stood by the kitchen window. Finally, he dared to speak first.

"I know what it feels like now." He said slowly. He reached for the mask and took it off, his dark hair had gotten longer over the past two years. However his eyes were still the same, a shining blue that made my heart skip a beat. He held so much emotion behind his eyes, and all I could sense was his broken heart and mind. "I know what if feels like to lose the person you care most about." He spoke more confidently this time, his rising anger towards me was evident.

I sighed, ashamed of myself. He was right after all; my heart broke for him in realization that I had done to him what I found so painful all those years ago. In an attempt to not look at him directly I began fiddling with the ring on my finger, hoping that if I stayed quiet long enough, he would leave.

"Take it off. I need to know it's really you." He said as he began walking closer. I looked at him hesitantly as I slid the ring off my finger and placed it on the kitchen counter. I could see my appearance change in the reflection of the TV that was across the room. My dark hair lightening to its original purple hue, now reaching a bit past my shoulders in an attempt to further hide my identity. He took in a shaky breath as the hologram faded away. He continued to move further towards me, until I raised a hand and pressed my back into the window, begging for an escape.

"That's close enough." I finally spoke. I didn't want to be this harsh and cruel, in fact I wanted nothing more than to collapse in his arms and run away with him. But I had to live out my life undercover now and hanging around with Richard was anything but undercover.