A Tameranean's Raven

League

Attending dinner at Wayne manner was never something Raven expected to happen, let alone being invited in the first place. She was nervous to say the least while everyone else was excited. Gar had dreams of moving into the giant mansion while Cyborg made guesses about the technology inside. Star was elated to meet more of Dick's family but all Raven could think about was what Damian had told her two nights ago.
He'd snuck into her room and eased the door shut as not to draw attention. At first, Raven had been alarmed. Worried that he'd suffered some sort of nightmare before she realized that wasn't the case. Damian clambered up into bed beside her and sat idly for a moment. It was then that Raven noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping.
"Before tomorrow, there's something you should know," Damian started, pausing to collect his thoughts. "I wasn't sure if I should say anything. I want you to have a good time without ruining it but..."
"What is it?" Raven asked, sitting up a little straighter and setting her book aside.
"The League is watching you," Damian blurted out, head bowed in shame. "My father let it slip. He says they're keeping an eye on you."
"Me? Why?" Raven stammered, heart beginning to hammer. "The Justice League? I mean, don't they have better things to do?"
"They're scared of you. The way I see it, you're more powerful than they are. They don't like that," Damian explained, picking at the hem of the comforter. "So tomorrow try your best to be on my dad's good side. The league trusts him more than anyone else. If you can get him to like you then everything will be okay."
"Damian," Raven sighed, running a hand through her hair, "that's a lot to ask of someone."
"I know," Damian nodded, "but you got me to like you so that should be good for something."
"Raven?" Gar asked, buttoning the collar of his shirt. "Did you hear me? Dick is here to pick us up."
"Oh, right," Raven nodded, offering up an empty smile. Gar was quick to notice.
"Hey, don't be nervous. You'll be just fine! If anything you're just as stoic as Batman," Gar smiled, lightly punching Raven's arm. "Besides, you have that winning smile."
It was a stupid teasing sentence but it still managed to turn Raven's empty smile into something more. She hated to admit it but Gar had a unique way of making her laugh. Following the green colored boy to the elevator, the group of young adults ventured to the waiting car outside. It was shiny and black with new tires and dark windows.
A balding man with grey hair sat at the wheel wearing a well pressed suit. He seemed disinterested for the time being until Dick rolled down the front window and invited everyone into the large vehicle. Once inside, the man introduced himself as Alfred, the Wayne family butler. Raven had heard good things about him and couldn't help but smile at him.
Adjusting the rear view mirror to reflect the back seat where Raven sat, Alfred peeled away from the tower and set off towards Wayne Manor. Every few seconds he checked the mirror as if he expected the half demon to suddenly vanish but she never did.
The drive was shorter than expected and as the car entered a circular driveway, Gar pressed his face against the window to get a better look at the tall bricked building. It was old, vintage if you will, with carefully kept hedges out front, an expansive porch, looming front door, and wide windows. It was something Raven could appreciate. She always enjoyed old architecture.
"This is much bigger than I expected," Starfire remarked, stepping outside with Raven close behind. Grinning from ear to ear, Dick waved for his friends to follow him to the front door. Stepping inside was an experience in and of itself. The ceilings were incredibly tall with large chandeliers for lighting. The walls were intimately decorated with family pictures and strange looking artifacts. The place looked like a cross between a home and a museum.
"You made it!" Damian exclaimed, rounding the corner. He was dressed in a button up shirt, bow tie, suit pants, and shiny shoes. His hair was even slicked back mirroring Dick's aside from a small Cowlick that the older boy had.
"Woah, look at you!" Cyborg exclaimed, regarding Damian like a proud father. "You clean up nicely little man."
"Why thank you," Damian nodded, assessing everyone else's attire. Satisfied with how his friends looked he gave a tentative smile.
"Come on Damian, introduce them," Barbara called from some other room. Remembering himself, Damian turned curtly on his heel leading the group into an adjoining room. It too was large with an expansive table decorated with crystal glasses, china plates, and lace placemats. The entire set up was far nicer than anything Raven had ever seen before.
Sitting on one side of the table was Barbara who happily pulled out a chair for Dick. Beside her were two other boys both of whom Raven didn't recognize. One was wide shouldered with a white streak of hair, a set of scars decorating the side of his head, and a square jaw. Beside him was a smaller boy with a lithe build, fine black hair parted down the middle, and soft blue eyes.
"These are my older brothers Jason and Tim," Damian explained, gesturing to each of them in turn.
"Pleasure," Jason remarked, voice deep and hoarse.
"Heard a lot about you guys. Dick's second family if you will," Tim smiled cheekily.
"Haven't heard much about you in turn. Ya'll are very secretive," Gar remarked, already taking a seat and making himself at home. Cy was eager to join his friend in senseless conversation while Starfire naturally gravitated towards Barbara. For the first time Raven felt like she shouldn't be there. Not with the way Jason watched her. It was like he was trying to read her mind. If he was this intense Raven could only imagine what Bruce was like. Unfortunately, she didn't have to wait long for the man of the house to appear. Emerging from the shadows a tall, muscular, broad shouldered man with close cropped hair took a seat at the head of the table.
"Glad you all could make it," he smiled though it didn't reach his eyes. "Please take a seat and we can get started."
"Right," Raven nodded, taking the open space beside Starfire. Despite this, she didn't feel particularly comfortable.
"Alfred, if you don't mind we'd love to get started," Bruce called, waving politely at the balding man.
"Right away sir," Alfred replied, making his way into a side door only to re-emerge later with a plethora of food. Raven had to admit, it looked good and it was more food than she'd ever seen in one place before.
It didn't take long for Gar and Cy to dig in. The boys were ravenous in nature tearing into their food with zeal. Tim took a liking to Gar almost immediately, the two making digs at each other that led to a plethora of laughter. Cyborg soon joined the joking and his laughter alone was enough to drown out Raven's worries albeit temporarily.
"Are you okay?" Starfire asked, drawing Raven's attention as she took the half demon's hand.
"Just nervous," Raven replied, earning a kiss to her temple from the alien girl. Keeping ahold of Raven's hand, Starfire engaged Barbara in conversation again.
Still acutely aware of Jason's piercing gaze, Raven avoided eye contact as long as possible until Damian rearranged his seat to sit beside the half demon. She didn't expect him to be so open about their friendship. Especially knowing what his father was up to. Then again, Damian had a knack for ignoring authority.
"I finally found something you might be interested in," Damian noted, setting a heavy leather bound book on the table. It was large enough to draw the attention of everyone else. Bowing her head in embarrassment, Raven heard the snickers from others as Damian rifled through a series of pages unbothered. "You know about the Mongolians right?"
"Yes," Raven nodded, watching as Damian pointed to a picture inked with great care.
"It's suspected that they were the first ones to use biological warfare," Damian explained, "but there may have been a previous instance. It says here that..."
Damian expertly flipped through the book rambling on about his findings. Leaning forward, Raven listened intently and asked questions when necessary until Damian came to a distinct conclusion. It was just a theory of his, but he was proud of it. Closing the book he shoved it aside and continued the conversation in a hushed tone as if it were secret.
Absorbed in the boy's childlike wonder, it took Raven a moment to realize that Jason's gaze had softened. She wasn't sure what had drawn the change out in him but it seemed he'd come to some sort of understanding. Looking away, the older boy busied himself with conversation. Swallowing tightly, Raven drew out a small package from the inside of her jacket seizing the opportunity while everyone else was distracted.
"I know you couldn't find much on self mummification so I did some digging," she explained, passing over the package as Damian ripped it open. Inside was a small book no bigger than fifty pages. It looked ancient and worn with a yellow tiny. The language itself was Egyptian and some of the markings were difficult to read.
"Is this an original copy?" Damian gasped, eyes wide as he turned it over in his hands.
"Unfortunately, no," Raven admitted, "it's a distant relative. Printed a few years later than the original guidebook. I tried to get the first edition but it would've cost me both of my kidneys."
"That's okay, thank you!" Damian laughed, enveloping the half demon in a bone crushing hug. Almost immediately he abandoned his meal, raced off down a hallway, and stomped up a flight of stairs all while clutching the book tightly to his chest.
"What's he going to do with that? He can't read Egyptian," Gar giggled, staring at the place Damian had been.
"He'll figure it out. He's smart," Raven assured, vaguely aware of Alfred removing empty plates. It wasn't until silence had befallen the group that Raven realized everyone was looking expectantly at Bruce Wayne.
"You're dismissed," he instructed. "Try not to be too loud with whatever else you decide to occupy your time with."
"We're never loud," Tim protested, clambering out of his chair alongside Jason. "Right, Jason?"
"Yeah, never loud," Jason nodded, retreating to an unseen room with his brother. One by one the others followed the Wayne brothers leaving Raven alone with her meal and Bruce. Taking small bites she tried to still the anxiety crawling its way into her heart.
"I know Damian told you about my colleagues," Bruce remarked, standing stiffly and moving to sit across from the half demon.
"He did," Raven nodded, unsure of what to do. She hadn't expected him to be so direct.
"I assure you, that they're simply being cautious." Despite the calmness in Bruce's voice, Raven wasn't sure she could trust him.
"Why should I believe you?" She asked, torn between lowering her guard and reinforcing it.
"Because you're important to Damian which means you're important to me. The more time he spends with the lot of you, the more he has a normal childhood. He looks up to all of you. I may be cautious and weary but if I didn't have some level of trust in you I would have kept him far away from you all," Bruce explained, drumming his fingers lightly on the table. "Dick can handle himself but Damian is fragile in certain aspects. Particularly the emotional side of things. The side of things you're known to handle. So you can understand my caution when a half demon befriends my son given his weaknesses."
"I can," Raven admitted, though she was acutely aware of the judgment in Bruce's voice.
"I get the impression that being the focal point of judgment is nothing new to you?" Bruce asked, arching a brow as he noticed Raven's slight frown.
"No," Raven admitted, shaking her head. "No one trusts a demon. I get it. I wouldn't trust me either."
"Why do you say that?" Bruce frowned, head tilted to the side.
"Think about it," Raven sighed, setting her fork aside and finally meeting the man's gaze. "I could destroy this planet with a snap of the fingers. You'd go mad in less than a second if I really wanted you to. Every bad feeling you've ever had could bubble up in your chest until you suffocate. There's a lot of things I can do without much effort, so why not be afraid? All it takes is one bad day, right?"
"Hm," Bruce grunted, folding his hands together. Raven expected him to say more but he didn't. Instead, he excused himself and pushed away from the table. Alone in an empty dining room, Raven looked at the vacant chairs in turn wondering what it would be like to actually fit in. Sure, she fit in with the titans. That was always the case, but in any other setting she stuck out like a sore thumb. When guests were over she wasn't around. When the titans were guests she was just a person taking up space.
As a deep melancholy began to settle in her chest something deep within her mind began to grow. It took up space and pressed against her consciousness with subtlety that alarmed her. What was this feeling? Was it anxiety? Sadness? She couldn't name it. All she knew was that there was something clouding her mind. Something stifling her sense of self.
"Not only am I a stranger in someone else's house, I'm losing my mind," Raven sighed, setting her head in her hands. Trying to steady herself she attempted to clear her mind, to shake off whatever effect was washing over her, but it was to no avail.
"Raven?" The voice was timid but unmistakably, Starfire's. "Do you not feel well?"
"My head's just stuffy," Raven informed, trying not to alarm the Tamaranean.
"I was wondering if you wanted to join us for a set of games, but if you are not up to it that is alright. Would you like to go home?" Starfire worried, hesitantly settling the back of her hand against Raven's forehead to check for a fever. "Hmmm, you are not warm. Is it possible to have a reverse fever?"
"You mean hypothermia?" Raven asked, a small smile playing across her lips. "I'll be okay. It's nothing to worry about, I promise."
"Are you cert-?" As Starfire began to press her partner for details a loud high pitched sound rang through the mansion. It was the singular arching note of a siren. Frowning, Raven sat up straighter. She wasn't sure where the noise had come from but it certainly drew a response as all of the Wayne brothers came running through the dining room. Even Damian ventured down the stairs.
"What is it?" Starfire asked as Dick passed by. "Bat symbol's been activated. I guess now is a good time to show you guys the cave," Dick remarked, Gar and Cyborg hot on his heels. Together, the group of heroes ventured down a long winding staircase tucked behind a secret door in the Wayne manor library. The further they descended the colder it became. As darkness began to swallow light and the air grew musty, the group was spit out into a large stony chamber.
Stalactites hung from the corking in unique formations in stark contrast to the massive computers taking up space in the center of the room. Dozens of gadgets littered work benches along with weapons and even vehicle remotes. Then there was the set of super suits encased in a tube of glass. One by one each of the Manor's residents stepped inside a glass tube. The glass went dark and moments later they emerged dressed in whatever suit belonged to them.
"Man we should get those at the tower," Cyborg noted, examining the set of computers as Batman emerged in his dark colored armor. Taking a seat, Bruce typed quickly at a hologram keyboard until grainy security footage blossomed across the screen.
"Slade, Deathstroke, and Black Mask?" Barbara asked, confusion clear in her voice.
"Since when did those guys work together?" Tim frowned, eyes scanning the screen as all three men directed a dozen thugs with guns.
"They're breaking into the storage units on 7th street," Bruce noted. "You'll need to be quick."
"Raven can get us there," Dick insisted, looking expectantly at his friend. Taken aback, Raven took a hesitant step away from everyone.
"Go for it," Jason encouraged, offering a tentative smile. Steeling her nerves, Raven concentrated on the desired destination as a portal took shape. One by one, the heroes stepped through only to emerge on the computer screen's depiction of security footage. Within an instant gunfire erupted, a stray bullet making its way through the open portal.
"Titans, you're in on this one too," Dick instructed, the last to step through after Barbara. Quick to follow, Gar, Cy, and Starfire joined their new companions. Lingering for a moment, Raven ventured through the portal closing it behind her leaving Bruce alone at the computer.
It didn't take long for all hell to break loose. At the scene Black Mask was armed to the teeth firing at random. Deathstroke had already engaged the Wayne brothers in combat, a series of weapons slamming together with sparks. Then there was Slade, an age old enemy eagerly attacking Gar and Cy.
Ready to intervene, Raven took a few steps forward when the same presence as before slammed around in her mind. It pressed against her nerves and sent a sharp pain from her head to the tip of her toes. Staggering forward she tried to collect herself. Shaking her head she attempted to stand again but that overbearing presence was still there. Gritting her teeth she pushed through the pain in time to avoid a spread of bullets from Black Mask.
Setting her jaw, Raven held out her hands creating a barrier between the armed enemies and her friends. Bullets bounced aimlessly off of the shield,  in some cases ricocheting back at those who'd fired them. Keeping her friends behind cover, Raven watched as Barbara and Starfire worked to disarm a plethora of Black Mask's thugs.
Meanwhile, Damian bounced around between thugs and Deathstroke, his dual swords slicing apart any weapon that fired in an attempt to protect his brothers. In truth, Damian looked like a tiny demon, teeth bared, eyes glaring, and mouth twisted in a snarl. Dick, Jason, and Tim danced in and out of Deathstroke's path working in tandem like a well oiled machine.
As for Cyborg and Gar, they had Slade backed into a corner. The man, now older in age, appeared to be struggling. He'd been able to keep up with them in their youth but now he was past his prime. A fact that wasn't lost on Gar as he lunged towards the masked man, tiger maw open and ready to bite. Before his teeth could make contact, Slade reached into his belt, pulled out a revolver, and fired.
The bullet plunged through Gar's stomach and tore through his back sending him slamming into the ground. Wide eyed, Cyborg tried to fire a shot of his own when a bullet bounced off of his arm canon. Ducking behind a nearby car, Cyborg struggled to catch his breathe. Concentration shattered, Raven's protector shield dissipated as she watched Slade pull Gar off of the ground. Holding the green boy by the front of his suit, Slade cocked the gun yet again.
"Drop him!" Raven yelled, a set of portals appearing around Slade's arms, legs, and head. If she closed them he'd be decapitated and dismembered in less than a second.
"Or what?" Slade asked, head tilted to the side. Again, a stabbing pain raced down Raven's spine threatening to bring her to her knees as her mind became even more claustrophobic. "You'll kill me?"
Part of Raven really did want to kill the other man, but she couldn't. No matter how much she wanted to she couldn't. Gritting her teeth she hesitated. She could just dismember him. Leave him a torso bleeding out in the streets but that wouldn't be right either.
"Raven!" Starfire's voice caught her attention snapping the half demon from her thoughts. The Tamaranean was a good ways behind Slade, eyes locked on Gar as he bled in Slade's arms. Taking a steady breath, Raven melded her set of portals together. In a moment's notice, they collected at Slade's feet sending him through the street below and hurtling down from the sky above. As he fell, Gar followed suit, but unlike Slade he didn't hit the ground. Instead, Starfire shot forward like a bullet catching Gar mid fall and landing safely with him tucked against her chest.
As Slade slammed into the asphalt whatever mind altering presence had consumed Raven vanished in an instant. It was then that she noticed something strange. A plethora of unfamiliar auras surrounded the group, one being rife with nervousness and anxiety. Closing her eyes, Raven tried to reach out towards the individual when Slade stirred and her mind became crowded once more. Unfortunately, she'd already located the mystery person.
As another portal opened, a girl in a comically artistic magician's outfit hit the ground. Groaning, she rolled into a ball to protect herself. Only that wasn't what Raven cared about. Instead, she became acutely aware of the enemies dissipating in puffs of smoke and glitter. Where there was Deathstroke there was now empty air. Not a single thug was in sight and even Slade himself had become someone else.
Looking around in confusion, Dick tried to grasp what was happening when his eyes settled on the fallen magician and the green alien man in the street. His heart nearly stopped and his stomach sank as Raven grabbed the magician girl and pulled her to her feet.
"Who are you?" Raven demanded, but she wasn't given an answer. Instead, the green alien stood, eyes narrowed, and once again, Raven was crippled by pain as her brain was smothered. Letting go of the magician, the half demon fell to her knees struggling to breathe.
"Hey!" Dick yelled, making his way towards the green man. "Hey! Knock it off! She's with me."
"I'm aware, Dick Grayson," came the clipped reply. "Your father was supposed to be here."
"What?" Dick asked, stomach twisting into a ball of knots as Damian raced towards Raven. The young boy tried to help her stand when his eyes narrowed on the green man.
"You have five seconds to stop what you're doing or I'll kill you!" Damian snarled, swords poised to strike.
"Dick!" Starfire worried, looking between an unconscious Gar and a struggling Raven. Dick had yet to know what'd happened to his friend but the moment he saw blood he knew.
"You hurt my friend?" Dick asked, voice dangerously low as he drew his batons. "I don't care who you are you don't fuck with my family."
"Uhm, guys?" Tim worried, stepping closer to Jason as two new figures descended from the sky.   Much to everyone's surprise, both Wonder Woman and Superman had joined the party. Seconds later, the screech of tires was followed up by the Batmobile. The vehicle had barely stopped when Bruce emerged looking more pissed than Dick had ever seen.
"J'onn, that's enough. Leave the girl alone," Bruce ordered, joining his sons. Calmly, Bruce lowered Damian's swords and eased Dick out of his fighting stance. Swallowing tightly, J'onn relaxed, taking a few steps back.
Able to breathe again, Raven struggled to her feet, a new kind of anger bubbling in her veins. "Gar needs help. Your friend here shot him."
"What?" Bruce rasped, voice dangerously low. Turning curtly on his heel, he regarded the injured boy. Starfire was doing her best to stop the bleeding but she was very much worried. "You shot him?"
"What? You're surprised? Aren't you supposed to be in on this?" Dick asked, brow furrowed.
"No, I'm not. I'm as surprised as you are. I knew it was too unlikely for Slade, Deathstroke, and Black Mask to be working together. What I didn't expect were my colleagues to be involved," Bruce insisted.
"You know why we're here," Wonder Woman interjected.
"Violating a girl's mind for no reason? Shooting an innocent boy?" Bruce asked, eyes narrowing. "You've crossed a line. Accident or not we don't attack people on suspicion alone."
"He won't die," J'onn assured, "I shot him cleanly and intentionally. The recovery will be easy. We simply needed to incite the girl."
"You shot him because of me?" Raven asked, voice impossibly small as she glanced at Gar who was still unmoving. "What is wrong with you? Why would you hurt him? He's never done anything wrong in his life!"
"To see what you would do," Superman remarked. "How you would react."
That's when it all clicked. Raven was reminded once more of Damian's warning about the League. As realization dawned on the half-demon she struggled not to vomit.
"You set me up," Raven concluded, looking between the members of the Justice League. "Why? Because you're scared of me?"
"Because you're a threat to the security of this planet. Your scope of power endangers everyone," Wonder Woman informed.
"And you're not? You just shot my friend! Is that not a threat to the security of this planet?" Raven demanded, feeling her heart hammer in her chest. "You're supposed to protect people, not hurt them."
"We did what we felt was necessary. There's no contingency plan for you, young lady," Superman sighed. "Frankly, you don't belong here. Your home is hell. You have to understand our concerns given your familial relations. All it takes is one bad day."
"And yet you tried to give me a bad day," Raven laughed, shaking her head. "But I get it. We allow martians, aliens, gods, and speedsters but draw the line at a half blooded demon. You know, I wasn't actually born in hell. That's not my home. It never has been. I hate that place as much as the next person, but I wouldn't expect you to understand that. The way I see it, you're a bunch of cowards ruled by your emotions."
"Careful, little girl," Wonder Woman warned.
"No, I won't be careful," Raven argued, taking a step towards the older woman. "Do you have any idea how stupid you all look? If I wanted to ruin the planet I would've don't it ages ago! I never would've faced my father and I never would've let you live. I would've killed each and every one of you in a matter of seconds. I could hang you by your own lasso if I wanted to and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. But I get it, all it takes is one bad day, so what do you want me to do? Go back to Azar? Guess what, they don't want me. Do you want me to go to Hell? To be right next to my father? To have a reason to kill all of you? Or would you rather I just kill myself?"
By now, Raven was talking far faster than she meant to. Tears stung at her eyes and her pulse hammered against her ears like a bellowing drum. With each word it got harder to breathe.
"News flash, it doesn't work. I've tried every possible method but demons can't kill themselves, okay? If they could Hell wouldn't exist. There is nothing you could do to me that I haven't done to myself. I have nowhere to go but here," Raven insisted.
Silence settled over the scene as everyone looked wide eyed at the half demon staring down the founding members of the Justice League. An expression of shame slowly made its way across Superman's face as he stepped aside, taking Wonder Woman by the elbow. While it wasn't an admission of wrongdoing it was enough for Raven. Turning her attention back to Gar, she collected the boy with ease and vanished from sight.
"You know, she does have a contingency plan," Bruce noted, breaking the silence. "Her friends. Who do you think keeps her from having bad days and making poor choices? Maybe you could learn something from her."
Setting a hand on Damian's shoulder as the young boy struggled not to cry, Bruce ran a hand through Damian's hair in a soothing manner.
"You're right," J'onn nodded, having collected an unconscious Zatanna some time ago. "We failed today and we let our fear guide us. Whatever punishment you deem worthy will be met with acceptance on behalf of myself and the others. I presume a meeting will be held regarding this."
"You presume correctly," Bruce nodded. With that, J'onn with Zatanna, Wonder Woman, and Superman took to the skies leaving the remnants of the titans and bat family behind.
"What a fuckin prick they are," Jason grumbled, watching the team of supers vanish out of sight.
"Go, check on your friend," Bruce encouraged, giving Dicks's shoulder a squeeze. "I trust the rest of you can find your way home?"
"You mean there's not enough room in the car?" Jason asked, attempting to break the awkward atmosphere with a joke. It didn't work.
Slowly, the crowd of heroes dispersed, and all that was left in the street was a stain of Gar's blood.
— — —
When Gar woke up, he was painfully aware of an ache in his stomach. It felt like a million little bees had stung him all in the same spot. The second thing he became aware of was Raven tending to him. Her eyes were red as if she'd been crying and frankly, she looked like shit, but Gar was happy to see her.
"Did I get shot?" He asked, blinking rapidly to adjust his eyes to the dim lighting.
"Yeah," Raven noted, seeming distant.
"Hey," Gar frowned, "are you okay?"
"You just got shot and you're asking if I'm okay?" Raven asked, somewhat appalled, but by the earnest expression on Gar's face she knew it was obvious that she wasn't. "No, I'm not. But that's not what matters right now. I'm just glad you're alive."
"You think I'd leave my best girl behind? Nah man, the deal is we go out together," Gar smiled, relaxing against the pillows of his bed, and closing his eyes. "Don't tell Star I said that. She'll get sad that she's my second best girl."
"I won't," Raven promised, voice tight. Despite everything Gar was always so gentle, so sweet and kind. It's what'd drawn her to him in the first place. What had made her love him once upon a time. He cared about everyone else far more than himself. "Hey, um, I'm gonna go rest. Take some time for myself okay, but if you need anything just call."
"Sounds like a plan," Gar agreed. "Take care of yourself, Rae."
Closing his eyes, Gar let sleep take him as Raven abandoned the tower. She felt bad for lying to him, but she couldn't tell him the truth. Instead, she let him believe what would ease his worries. Before anyone else made it home, Raven was gone. A figment of the night sat perched on the edge of a building wondering what it would be like to fall away.
For some time she was alone in her thoughts, turning over the T-Communicator in her hands. She meant what she'd said. She'd be there if Gar needed her, but for now, she needed to be alone. Or, as alone as you could get with a man dressed as a bat looming nearby.
"You can come out. I know you're there," Raven remarked, not bothering to look at the man as he moved to sit beside her. "Did you come here to arrest me? Take me back to your friends?"
"No," Bruce replied, shaking his head. "I came to apologize. For what they did. They didn't have any right to treat you the way that they did. I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but I really am sorry."
"Thanks," Raven sighed, unsure of what else to do. "You know, I don't blame them. Like I said, I get it."
"Maybe, but that doesn't make it right. My friends...colleagues, don't think the way I do. They judge more than they understand. There's a reason Flash wasn't there tonight. He's like me, he cares about the people who are his enemies. I do too, to a certain extent. I don't excuse their behavior but I understand them. It makes it easier to keep from killing them. Sometimes I have bad days too. Then I remember who they used to be. Who they still are."
"Really?" Raven asked, looking at the bat suited man with a new semblance of respect.
"Yes," Bruce nodded. "Take Poison Ivy for example. She was groomed by a professor, poisoned in an attempted murder, and forced to come to terms with her newfound gifts. Gifts that meant she could hear and feel the planet dying around her. Every organism suddenly had a voice crying out for help. It'd drive anyone mad. I don't blame her for mistrusting and hating men. I don't blame her for wanting to save the planet. I do blame her for her methods of action. Then there's Harley Quinn. A smart up and coming psychiatrist who only ever wanted to fix people. She was irreparably manipulated by Joker who tricked her into thinking he'd be another success story. Abused to no end by him she finally turned away from the clown prince of crime for good. Do I support her crimes? No, but I don't blame her for her how she's ended up. It's difficult to cope when someone like him ruins your life."
"Why tell me all of this?" Raven frowned, trying to make sense of it all.
"Because my colleagues don't understand that you aren't like Ivy, or Harley, or Freeze, or Penguin, or other people they've helped me stop. Unlike them, you didn't have to endure your traumas alone. You didn't go through your one bad day without help. You have your friends. Your friends keep you human. They keep you sane and safe," Bruce continued, his tone surprisingly soft. "I like to think that if I had friends when I lost my parents I might have turned out to be a better man."
"I don't think you're so bad," Raven assured, relaxing ever so slightly. "The fact that you're even here says a lot."
"I would hope so. Damian was very shaken up over what happened. He can't bare the thought of the people he loves being hurt. He was ready to kill for you and your friend," Bruce remarked. "Whatever you showed him the day you brought him back to the tower...it impacted him a great deal. I was hoping that you might be willing to show me. So that I can understand you more and maybe understand him too."
"You won't use it against me, will you?" Raven worried, very much aware of Bruce's colleagues and their ideals.
"No," Bruce insisted.
Nodding, Raven tried to steady her nerves, and just like she had with Damian, she did her best to show the life she'd lived on Azar.
— — —
The Day of Raven's birth was a dark one. She wailed loud enough to turn the skies black and the waters of Azarath a murky brown. Her mother succumbed to the consequences of her birth and it was on that day that Raven's existence became shrouded by death. A dark cloud would cling to her signaling the tragedy of her very existence.
As Azarath, a beautiful place full of color and life began to dull, with poisonous clouds roiling across the sky, Raven was quickly gathered in a bundle of clothes. Still crying and in search of a mother that no longer existed, the small half demon was jostled about in a set of unfamiliar arms. A man, pale in complexion, with dark hair and green eyes raced through the streets of Azar towards a hillside.
Climbing up the mountain as rain with a hint of acid came tumbling down, he paused before a large door. The hulking frame remained unmoved despite winds beating against it. With trembling hands he wrestled the door open revealing a tumultuous sight of deep red matter. It pulsed and throbbed as the dimension hungered for the demon spawn in his arms. Seeking to destroy the baby that had brought forth so much trouble, the man took one look at the wailing child and tossed her into the void.
As the baby was embraced by the evil grasp of a strange dimension, the power of Trigon emerged, smiting the man in seconds. Skin peeling away from the Azarian's body, a flesh riddled skeleton collapsed beside the crying baby as the door slammed shut. Saved by Trigon and his ill intentions, Raven lay in a growing puddle, screaming and crying still in search of a mother that would not come for her.
With the threat of drowning, as water continued to flood the streets of Azarath, a woman dressed in white collected the bundle of soaked blankets to coddle the distraught child. Soft purple eyes stared deep into the upset face of the baby half demon. Despite the darkness surrounding Raven's birth, the woman took her home and treated her as she would any other orphaned child.
As Raven aged, her powers became apparent and each day Azarath grew darker than it ever had before. Because of this, Raven grew up alone, tucked away in the outskirts of Azarath never to interact with the population down below. The people knew her only as the bringer of death and misfortune. So long as Raven was a danger to others she was isolated.
It wasn't until her tenth birthday that she emerged from the great Adar's residence to step food in the villages below. She was received with hats and vitriol by the people she saw as her own. There were no friends for her to make and only the monks took a liking to her. Teaching her the ways of spiritual elevation, Raven was able to control her emotions. Diving into their teachings she learned to ignore the others and lived a good portion of the following year in their monastery.
Then, a boy around her age suddenly made an appearance. Raven wasn't used to people liking her, wasn't used to being in anyone's good graces, yet he sought her out time and time again. Slowly, she took a liking to him, enjoying his company and finding comfort in his companionship.
It wasn't until the rumors began to spread that she realized his intentions. That was the first time she'd ever had her heart broken. It was all a joke. A game to the boy and his friends.
"You don't have to keep showing up. I get it. It's a game," she sighed, standing on the mountain top that had stolen the life of a man long before. "Get your bet money. I won't say anything."
"You know?" The boy asked, wringing his hands nervously.
"Yeah," Raven nodded, bowing her head and drawing up a hood that would later be a staple of her appearance. "No one would be dumb enough to really like me. Just way we kissed or something. You're smart enough to figure it out."
"Thanks," the boy sighed, his fear of being murdered dissipating in an instant. "For the record, you are really pretty. It's just-"
"The demon thing. I know," Raven sighed, hearing the boy's footsteps recede. "It's always the demon thing."
Later that evening as Raven ate dinner with the Azar she informed the older woman of the boy. She spoke in great lengths about her troubles. What Raven expected was comfort. What she got was something entirely different.
"Child," Azar sighed, a pitying expression painting her features, "what you must come to understand is that no matter where you go or who you meet, their patience will run out. At some point, they will grow tired of you and they will fear you. So long as your father's blood runs in your veins your presence will only be temporarily welcomed. It is in every species' nature go cast out that which they believe cursed."
"But I'm human too," Raven protested. "What about my human blood? Doesn't that matter?"
"Not to them, child," Azar worried. "So long as there is a bit of bad, they will never welcome you. Not with open arms the way they would another. It will always be a cautious welcoming. A stipulation or a deal at best. Conditions will be set upon you. You must always behave a certain way, do a certain thing, and speak a certain way."
"Even on earth?" Raven asked, feeling a lead ball settle in her stomach.
"Even on earth, though I suppose that's your best chance of being accepted. There are others like you there," Azar assured, "but that is for another time."
Try as she might, Raven couldn't look forward to a time on earth. That was not her home. Her home was in a place where people hated her. Crucifixes we're placed upon doors, runes we're worn around necks, and she was berated simply for breathing. There was never a moment of peace so long as she lived. As children abused her and adults laughed, Raven decided that the problem was not them but herself. The only way to make anyone else happy was to fix the problem. And she tried. She tried really hard to get rid of herself but it never worked. There was always a flash of light and her injuries were gone. A flash of light and it's like the blade never touched her or the rope never grew taught.
Eventually she gave up. Eventually she realized that Azar was right. No one would like her. Not even her own father. She would always be a little too human or a little too demonic.
— — —
"You know, I really should have died a long time ago," Raven muttered, watching wearily as Bruce blinked away the visions. "I'm glad I didn't. I never would have met Dick, or Gar, or Cy, or Star. I never would've met Damian. At the time, being a demon felt like a curse but it managed to be a blessing in some ways."
"You worked hard to make yourself a life here, didn't you?" Bruce asked. For a moment, Raven could've sworn she'd seen tears in his eyes.
"Yeah," Raven nodded. "I used to hate having to cooperate with everyone. I was so used to being alone and hated it was difficult to adjust. But they never doubted me. Dick always respected my personal space. He made sure the others didn't abuse my boundaries. Cy was always curious but in a respectful way. I think he knew more than anything what it was like to be half of one work and half of another. Gar tried really hard to make me laugh. I hated him at first. He was so annoying."
Despite himself, Bruce let out a small hum that could have been mistaken for a chuckle, "that's what Dick used to say."
"But then I realized he wanted to make me laugh because he knew I never had. I honestly don't remember a time where I smiled before I met him. He never asked about my last or what I'd been through. Truthfully, I don't think he really cared, he just knew I'd been through a lot. He took it upon himself to try and make life a little bit happier," Raven smiled, thinking back to her first few weeks at the tower and how desperately she wanted to kill Gar for his stupid jokes. "And then there's Star. At first we didn't really know what to make of eachother. I was incredibly educated and she was...well, Star. She annoyed me almost as much as Gar did, but after a while we worked it out. I don't think she had a mean bone in her body. She's everything I'm not. She's kind when I can't be, honest when I'm not, gentle with her words where I bite with my own. By all accounts she should have hated me. I never treated her very nicely when we met. I think it's because I wasn't used to kindness. At least, honest kindness. Kindness that wasn't meant to embarrass me or belittle me or backstab me. I think she reminded me of Ciel."
"The boy?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah," Raven nodded. "I hated him too. He really was nice. I cared about him a lot and I think he really cared about me too, but he was so scared of what everyone else would think that he just followed along with them. There were times Star would do or say things that he had and I ran away from it, from her. It wasn't fair, but she never held it against me. She doesn't hold anything against me, actually."
"You really love her," Bruce noted, regarding the half demon with care. In her, he saw a version of what Damian could be. Whole Damian was a cold hearted, emotionally distant kid, ostracized from society, and destined for a fate he had no choice in so was Raven. And yet here she was, surrounded by people who cared about her, vulnerable when it counted, as loving as she was loved, nurturing, patient, and most of all, good.
"I love her more than anything. There's so many things I want to do with her but I can't. My future has always had rules thanks to my father. Try as I might, I'll never really escape him," Raven frowned.
"Maybe you don't need to have a future determined by others?" Bruce shrugged. "Damian told me he suggested an unofficial wedding. I could host."
"You don't have to do that," Raven laughed, shaking her head.
"It wasn't an offer so much as it was an invitation. I will be hosting," Bruce decided, slowly getting to his feet. "My only stipulation is that Dick is the flower boy."
"Really?" Raven asked.
"His idea, not mine," Bruce insisted, a hint of humor to his eyes. "Now, why don't you head on home. I have a feeling some very important people miss you."
Before Raven could say anything else, Gotham's mighty knight leapt from the building and vanished from sight.
"Oh, so that's what that feels like," Raven mused. Getting to her feet, she crafted a portal and stepped through. Spit out into the living room, she was immediately swarmed by bone crushing hugs. "Hey guys."
"Welcome home," Dick smiled, ruffling Raven's hair with a knowing look in his eyes. Raven got the impression he knew that his father had paid her a visit.
"Glad to be back," Raven sighed, letting herself melt into the group hug. "I love you guys."
"We love you too," Cyborg insisted. "The Justice League can kiss my ass. They don't know you the way we do. We've always got your back. Doesn't matter who, what, where, when, or why. You're our girl."
— — —
As Bruce wandered up the stairs to Damian's room, the light still on, he was met by the young boy half asleep at his desk. He was deeply invested in the self mummification guide, trying desperately to translate what he could from it. As soon as Bruce eased the door all the way open, Damian looked at him expectantly.
"I understand," Bruce admitted, his expression soft.
"Yeah?" Damian muttered, eyes welling with tears as he abandoned his studies.
"Yeah," Bruce nodded, pulling Damian into his arms. For once, the boy cried unashamed of his emotions. He'd never been able to tell his father all that had plagued him. Had never been able to come to terms with the emotions in and of itself. Now Bruce understood why Damian was the way he was. Why he was so different from his brothers. "I love you, son."
"I love you too, dad," Damian insisted, holding his father tightly. "She showed you didn't she?"
"Yes," Bruce nodded, pulling back to regard his son. Settling a hand on Damian's cheek and wiping away a stray tear he knew that Damian would be okay. If Raven had been able to make a future for herself despite her troubles, despite the blood that ran through her veins, and despite the judgment of others, then so could Damian. "Did you...did you ever try to...?"
"No," Damian assured, leaning into his father's touch. "I couldn't do that to mother. She needed me. She'd have been alone otherwise."
"But you thought about it?" Bruce asked.
"Yes," Damian admitted, "a time or too but I'm glad it was only a thought."
"Me too," Bruce smiled, running a hand through Damian's hair. "Why don't you get some sleep? It's been a tough day. I'm sure you can crack the code to your book tomorrow morning."
"You think so?" Damian asked.
"I know so."
— — —
As Gar continued to sleep, Raven stayed by his side anxious for when he woke. She couldn't lose him. Sure, the Martian had assured that Gar wouldn't die from the gunshot wound, but Raven wasn't so sure. Just because you missed any vital arteries and bodily structures didn't mean infection couldn't set in.
"He's not going anywhere," Starfire assured, finding the half demon watching over Gar like some sort of dark angel.
"I know," Raven admitted, "but...I worry anyways. I can't lose him."
"He'll be mad at you if you stay awake," Starfire warned, pulling up a chair to sit beside her partner. "You know how he is."
"Yeah, well, he'll have to deal with it," Raven mused, leaning into Starfire's side. A comfortable silence settled between the two as they watched Gar sleep, keeping an eye on the steady rise and fall of his chest.
"Raven," Starfire began, "I knew your childhood was unjust. I did not know that you went through such troubles-"
"It's in the past, Star. You don't have to worry," Raven insisted, afraid that she'd managed to scare the Tamaranean with such admissions.
"I know, but I just want you to know that I'm glad you're here," Starfire whispered, her voice soft. "For someone who did not experience love as a child, you have a lot of it to give, and I think that's very brave of you. You could have been very different from who you are today. I think- given the circumstances-this is the best version of you, and I'm lucky enough to love you."
"Are you trying to make me cry?" Raven asked, fighting a lump that began to form in her throat.
"No," Starfire laughed.
"Well it's working," Raven laughed, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. With a faint smile, Starfire kissed away a stray tear, drawing the half demon into her arms as she cried. It wasn't a sad cry or a happy one. If anything, it was nothing more than a bunch of tears that should have been shed years ago. Only now, Raven was safe enough to do so. "Thank you, Kori."
"For what?" Starfire asked, hearing Raven take a shuddering breathe.
"For everything."