PREVIOUSLY…

Batman was pulled away from Raven's memory. As he was being brought back to the present his thoughts tumbled and turned, frenzied but the recent discovery. Jason Todd was alive. But more importantly Jason Todd was Red Hood.

Batman fell to his knees. The truth revealed just seconds ago was overwhelming. He felt Nightwing approaching him, but before he could get any closer hi cut him off.

"Don't. Leave. Leave me alone." His voice was guttural, menacing almost.

"Bruce let—"

"I said I wanted to be alone. Go. Both of you."

Raven and Nightwing exchanged a knowing look and left the room silently. She trailed behind him quietly along a lengthy corridor and she jumped suddenly as crashing sounds emanated from their past location. The former boy wonder halted suddenly and turned around taking Raven's hand in his and ushered her along the rest of the hallway, speeding up the pace. They came upon a seemingly endless staircase, a tense silence stretching to its confines as they climbed its stony steps. He opened a door that led to an immense terrace and stepped outside. Raven follow and she shivered as her skin became in contact with the cold air of the night. As soon as she was out, he closed the door shut behind her. He finally faced her and in just a few strides he was inches away, towering over her.

"What did you do to him?" he asked, his voice low but concerned.

"I showed him the face of my captor," she answered looking away.

"How?"

"I just linked my memories to his mind temporarily," her eyes were focused on the forest that surrounded the mansion, scanning the dark lines of trees ahead.

"Where did you learn that? Who taught you?" he pressed on, intrigued.

"I—I was in Azarath for a while." She finally confessed, still avoiding his gaze.

"You went back to Azarath? When?" he proceeded as he placed his hands on her shoulders, but her gaze was still fixed on the woods below.

"A few days after you left, that last time I saw you." She said as she escaped his grasp and walked towards the edge of the terrace, leaning thoughtfully on the stone railing. "The consequences of suppressing our bond altered my mind balance more than I thought it was possible. Suddenly I couldn't control my powers in public; I couldn't go back to college in that state. It wasn't safe. I did everything I could to control it, but it wasn't enough. I had no other option than to leave and go back to Azarath to find some answers."

"Rae, I'm sorry I didn't know, I—" he apologized approaching her slowly.

"I know." She cut him off as she turned around to face him finally, she was unable to hide the hurt in her eyes. "But that doesn't change what I went through Richard. I had to give up my life on earth, and once in Azarath, a few remaining monks were able to help me, but I was alone. I had to be alone. And then when I come back to earth hoping to move on, I'm kidnapped. Alone again, for two months."

"But now you're here. I'm here. Raven I won't let you go again. Nothing will happen to you, I swear. If Batman doesn't allow you to stay, I don't care. We'll go back to Blüdhaven, just the two of us."

She laughed quietly at his words. "I know my place and you should know yours Richard. This isn't going to work out; I think it's best if we stop pretending."

"I couldn't agree more, I think it's best if we stop lying to ourselves Raven."

"Okay, fine, great." And with that she turned and walked towards the door, trying to leave and be gone for good. But before she could make one more step ahead he stopped her by gripping her arm. She turned to face him, tears of frustration glistening in her eyes, and suddenly he was just inches away from her, his arms keeping her close, his forehead resting on hers.

"I thought we were trying to be honest with each other."she mumbled through gritted teeth.

"I am. You should try it too. I am not letting you go, not just yet," he whispered as he stared directly into her eyes and held her face in his hands.

He leaned in and brushed his lips with hers, just a feathery touch, almost like a caress from the wind of the night. Raven hesitated for a moment, fearful of what this meant. Letting go of her reservations she leaned in, kissing him softly for a brief moment and then leaned away slightly. Before she could utter a word, his lips came crashing down fervently over hers. She was a bit stunned by then sudden turmoil of emotions that she had to hook her arms around his neck for support, but still she gave into the kiss. Their lips burned with urgency and longing as they fought for dominance, as if their physical contact just wasn't enough to fill the void that their time apart had left. His arms wrapped around her waist, keeping her close to him, afraid that she would unexpectedly disappear. Behind them, the sun was beginning to rise, the sky tainted with a burgundy hue.

When they finally broke the kiss, they were both left breathing heavily but still they were in each other's arms. They stared at each other for a few seconds before they began kissing again eagerly, without another care for the world.

The sun was rising and the two birds sat on the stone railing, Raven rested her head on his shoulder as they enjoyed the silence of dawn. Their problems distant, at least for now.

"I love sunrise. The promise of a new day. Everything is possible," he murmured against her hair.

"Are you always so cheesy in the morning?" she replied trying to keep her monotone.

"Only when I'm with you." He teased, facing her and rubbing their noses lightly together.

"Oh for Azar's sake boy blunder, I'm going to drown in your sea of corniness." She answered glaring into his masked eyes, but her lips curved upwards and she couldn't suppress her smile any longer.

He kissed her forehead quietly and watched her intently as the rising sun colored her cheeks. She yawned resignedly, and not even seconds later it was his turn to yawn.

"Should we go to sleep?"
"I think that's a yes."

He helped her as she got down from the railing and she followed as he lead her back inside and through more never ending corridors. They arrived at room, an intricate wooden door greeted them.

"Well, this is my room, but don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch that's on the common room at the end of this hallway. Get some sleep, okay? We'll be leaving after midday. No buts." He announced courtly as he leaned against the door.

"I could sleep on the hospital wing, I don't mind really."

"Raven. You're sleeping here. We leave after lunch. Okay?"

"Fine." She agreed, seeing there was no point on arguing with him. "Goodnight."

"Ehem, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Pajamas?"

He pointed at his cheek innocently. She sighed and stepped closer, standing on her toes to reach his face and kiss his cheek. But he was taken by surprise when instead of kissing his cheek her lips pressed softly over his for just a few seconds. With that done, she turned and entered his room, closing the door behind her. He just smiled and stared at the now closed door before heading towards the common room.

Fast update! I really wanted to write this. Please leave a review, pretty please. I really want to know what you think of the chapter, suggestions, corrections, hellos and opinions.

Thanks to Jaytennis, Guest, Secretly Dark & Coldblooded-Assassin for reviewing last chapter!

XOXO

June Grayson