LOVE + FEAR | Damirae

HAPPY

JOHN CONSTANTINE'S VINYL RECORDS — "Stay with Me" by Miki Matsubara

Conner grabbed Damian's arm as they fell. Damian didn't fight him off. It wasn't like Kon expected him to, but he still felt relief.

Conner resisted the unrelenting pull of gravity as they plummeted downwards.

The ground creaked beneath them. Conner's knees burned from the impact. He bit back a hiss.

They stood together for a moment in the darkness, uninterrupted by silence. Damian pulled his arm from Conner's grasp.

Pit-pat.

Kon's eyes narrowed.

Pit-pat pit-pat pit-pat —

"What is that sound?" He focused on the layers of black that surrounded them.

"I can't hear anything." Damian said.

The darkness receded from the dim room. Walls lined with bookshelves rose to meet a domed ceiling charted with astral constellations. The sound Conner heard before was rain tapping on the long-paned windows. It harmonized with a serenading song that whispered from a vinyl record.

It was like an ambiance video of a fancy gothic library. Very Raven-esque. Kon bit back a smile.

"It's the House of Mystery," said Damian as he looked around. "Constantine's residence."

"So what's it mean? What's this place supposed to be...?" Conner wondered. Certain details drew him in. The rain, the books, a teapot softly steaming in the corner. Conner could smell the lavender mint from where he stood.

Conner and Damian shared a look. The answer was obvious. "Raven's happy place."

They explored the spacious, never-ending library. Tapestries and fairy lights weaved themselves above their heads, intertwining the shelves. It was definitely a chill vibe. Maybe they could lure an emoticlone to them with a cup of tea and Tallyhall?

"—TT—" Damian hissed under his breath.

Conner followed his gaze. Damian inspected the spines of the books. His gloved hand traced the gold letters.

"Dude, what is it?"

"It's her memories," he said quietly.

Conner's jaw dropped. He turned to the nearest shelf. Sure enough, the titles were not at all book-like. First Birthday at Titans Tower, Fish and Chips with John, In the Kitchen with Conner—

The world stopped when Conner read his name. He pulled out the book by instinct. A gasp escaped his mouth.

The words he expected to be sprawled across the page were gone. A drawing sketched itself across the parchment in its place, color blossoming between the lines. Conner remembered this moment. He had walked in on Raven scaling the cabinets for Nutella. She made snacks for both of them and they watched his soon-to-be favorite movie, Career Opportunities. Kon bit down as he visualized the smile made out of pretzel sticks staring up at him. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone had ever done for him.

The book snapped shut. Damian's face now occupied the empty space. "It's rude to snoop through her memories."

Conner bit back a snarky remark. Damian was still using that tone. Conner knew he deserved it. It's my fault we're all here in the first place. I didn't protect her from the Fear Toxin...I should have done more. I —

A memory from months ago flashed across his mind. The day of Damian's departure. The promise he held Conner to.

'Keep Raven safe if it costs you your life. Support her. Be her friend. She needs one.'