Cognitive Dissonance

Chapter 19: Raven

Total darkness welcomed Rachel when she opened her eyes. Just how long did she sleep? She was expecting to wake up in the afternoon at the very least.

Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, she shifted on the bed and later, slowly sat up. Blinking a couple of times, she adjusted to what little light is available in the room. As soon as she's able to see through the dark, she looked for Jason.

She found him by the window nook, still sleeping. Very quietly, she got up from the bed and took the blanket with her. She made her way to him without any challenges and was able to kneel on the floor next to him without waking him up. After she's seen him grapple and struggle with the masked men, she half expected him to wake up with the slightest of movements and throw her on the floor yet he didn't. He is sound asleep.

Carefully, she put the blanket on him. It's funny how he didn't even shift in his position on the cushion. The room is so quiet that she's glad she can hear his even breathing. He deserved the rest that he's currently having.

Putting her elbows on what little space there is left on the window nook cushion, she rested her chin on the heel of her palms and stared at him. She knows she hasn't really expressed her gratitude to Jason but she's thankful of him in everyway imaginable. The truth is that she was keeping herself from crying while she wrapped him in bandages earlier.

She can't really tell what it is, but since she stayed at the manor, it's like she's unlocked a lot of feelings and emotions she hasn't had before. Rachel knows she can feel strongly now than when she wasn't with Dick Grayson and his family. And somehow, those strong feelings were elicited by Jason.

Sitting on her legs, Rachel put her hands on her lap and continued watching Jason sleep. It's ironic how he looks most peaceful right now even with a few cuts and bruises on his face. In fact, she also finds him most handsome at this very moment too.

Jason had a chiseled face that the sharp lines of his jaw could probably cut. He has a straight nose, heavy lower lip, and long eyelashes. Rachel almost lamented not seeing his green eyes. Almost.

To her surprise and embarrassment, he finally woke up. He blinked a few times, probably adjusting to what little light there is in the room as she did earlier, and then he turned to her. "Did I wake you up?" he asked. To Rachel, it was the most unusual question.

He slowly sat up. His face wrinkled as he moved. "I was going to say that's a weird question considering you were sleeping and I was awake, but no. You didn't," Rachel answered. "Are you alright?"

"I'll live," Jason responded with a grin. The truth is that even if he already told Rachel most of his past, he still didn't want her to hear him talk in his sleep. So while his question seemed weird to her, to him, it's reasonable. And it is important for him to know if his fears made themselves known in his vulnerability.

"Alright. That's great news," Rachel beamed even in the dark. "Lord knows I'd die if you die," she added without much thought. "What?" Jason couldn't help but ask. He wasn't sure he heard right.

Normally he'd answer with a quip but he just woke up and still has to condition himself to do or say anything. It just dawned on him that she's become more used of him than he previously gathered. She filters her words less and less in front of him and if he'd be more honest, at least to himself, he's afraid to get used to it in case things between them changes for the worse.