LOVE + FEAR | Damirae

FACES

— H A L L   O F    D O O M —

Raven's gaze abandoned the screen as the office door creaked open. Zatanna's head popped inside. "Working hard?"

Raven yawned, pushing away from her desk. The end credits of Howl's Moving Castle drifted across her computer. "It's a real struggle."

If she were fully human, being Lex Luthor's assistant would be a nightmare. But it was surprisingly simple. She felt whatever mood Luthor was in before encountering him, and could portal to whatever coffee or lunch items Luthor craved (despite her recent neglect in magic, Raven wouldn't give up the convenience of portals). Conner gladly helped her get the egomaniac's coffee and sort files together.

Raven hated to admit it, but she enjoyed working for Lex. Being an assistant was so...underwhelming. Half of Raven's days were spent hiding in her office, watching movies on the computer.

Zatanna perched on the edge of Raven's desk with a brown paper bag in hand. "I heard about you taking down the Sins. Good job."

"Thanks..." Raven averted her eyes, feeling the familiar, stiff awkwardness that accompanied praise.

Zatanna's mouth opened, but the groan of Raven's door cut her off. Conner leaned on the doorframe, "Hey Ray, Luthor's calling a meeting for all villains in a half hour, main conference room."

"Thanks, Kon."

"Your hair looks nice today," He said. "Kinda got some curls going on there. It's cute."

Raven subconsciously tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Conner's compliments always caught her off guard. It was something she wasn't used to — what was she supposed to say back? The same awkwardness from Zatanna's praise seemed to overcome her, locking up her tongue.

Conner winked at her before closing the door. When Raven's gaze returned to Zatanna, her eyebrows were wiggling at her.

"What?" Raven asked, exasperated.

"You know." Zee pressed a finger to her lips. "I think that boy likes you."

Raven rolled her eyes. "He's just screwing around. It's just an act, like a personality defect or something."

"Oh? He seems pretty sincere to me. That must be the one John mentioned," Zatanna murmured the last part.

Raven's hand froze on her mouse. "You talk about me?"

Zee patted her hand. "It's just because we care, honey. And if you bring another Tommy Torres home, we will kill him...is that a hickey?"

Raven's hand flew up to her neck. Heat flashed across her face from the memory of the Sins.

"I met with Harley and Ivy for drinks," Raven lied, "they were red, and Harley got so drunk she thought she was a vampire and bit everyone."

Zee hummed. "I didn't think you liked alcohol."

"I don't like John's alcohol." Raven defended, which was true. When she'd gone out drinking with John, he always ordered for her. She never understood why; they were all foul-tasting.

Zatanna's eyes narrowed as if she knew something Raven didn't. "He does have exotic tastes."

"That's a way to put it..." Raven hiked up the collar of her jacket, trying to hide the purple bruise. It was like a question mark engraved on her skin. Why would Lust take the form of Damian? Why do memories of an apocalypse make me happy? Why can't anything make sense?

Raven absentmindedly played with her fingers. "Zee?"

"Yes?"

"When you were with John," Raven paused. She'd never asked about their relationship before. It wasn't her business — and if Zee refused to speak of it, she'd respect it. "Do you ever...think about your time together? The memories?"