LOVE + FEAR | Damirae

PANDORA'S BOX

Lavender-scented steam rose from Raven's mug. She inhaled the soothing fumes reverently, hoping it would coax out calm.

The break room was mostly empty. Scarecrow removed test tubes from his lunchbox. Bane scarfed down a burger while scrolling through his phone. There was a dull throb of emotion. Her quiet company exuded small prickles of contentment and annoyance. Otherwise, it was serene.

Raven sighed and closed her eyes. It was an ideal atmosphere for contemplation.

Raven had a theory. There was ample evidence. The way warmth and electricity sprouted every time they touched. All of the time Raven spent with him, and how much lighter things seemed in his presence. The Sin of Lust adopted his form to seduce her. When he was absent, her mind knew there was something missing. There was an ache — a hole left in his wake.

Raven had feelings for Damian Wayne.

She had never felt anything like this before, which explained why it took her so long to acknowledge it. Raven wasn't naive enough to use the term "love." The word "like" was too weak, but she feared giving the emotion more power. Because she had to consider the following.

Did Damian feel the same?

Raven's hands tightened on her mug. Perhaps he did, at some point. Damian kissed her back, didn't he? That could be considered evidence. But Damian left. He'd been gone for weeks. Possibly to escape her — and to fulfill his duty as Batman's ward.

Batman attended the Justice League meeting last night. Was it safe to assume that Damian had also returned? If so, should Raven dare to pursue him? Should she approach him about the kiss? Or would that permanently alter things between them for the worse?

Raven sighed and took a tentative sip. Her face scrunched up; there was a sterile taste beneath the lavender. Something almost medicine-like. Someone must not have replaced the water filter.

"Ms. Grey, you are brooding very intensely over there," The deep tremor of Bane's voice snapped Raven out of her reverie. He had finished his burger and removed the small napkin laid over his lap to dab at his mouth beneath his mask.

Raven stared at him over the rim of her mug. "Isn't that what we're all about here?"

"To the naked eye, yes. But villainy is about expressing your inner turmoil! Are you processing your emotions in a healthy manner? I could recommend a therapist —"

Scarecrow looked up from his work to roll his eyes at Bane. His gaze fell across Raven in the process. The former psychologist froze. Adrenaline oozed from him. "Stop! Where did you get that drink from?"

"Um..." Raven pointed towards the electric teapot next to the Kerigg. She was one of the few who used it. Most villains preferred coffee.

"D-did you use the water? From the sink?" Scarecrow fidgeted in his seat. His fingers trembled and his nails chattered against the table.

Raven nodded.

Scarecrow rose so quickly from his chair that it clattered to the floor. "You must be hospitalized immediately —! Some of my Fear Toxin leaked into the water supply!"

Raven's eyes widened. Her gaze slowly dipped down to her mug. This was her second cup.

She set the cup down and edged away from the counter. Raven had never been exposed to Scarecrow's Fear Toxin before. She knew what it did: it created vivid, violent hallucinations. Delusions weren't a foreign experience, but...

"Do you have an antidote?" Raven asked. It had been awhile since she had done so, but Raven could expunge some diseases. She never got sick. Could she do the same with Fear Toxin...?