Chapter Text
No, this couldn’t be happening.
What had she done?
Around her lay the bodies of her friends, their blood pooling onto the ground. In front stood the hulking mass of her father, watching as the final sparks of life drain out of her teammates.
“Raven, you are the daughter of Trigon. No matter how much you try to deny it, try to seal me away, this is your destiny. It is time for you to face the truth, whether you like it or not.” His voice booms.
“You're wrong. I’m nothing like you, I made sure of it! This had to be some sort of trick!” Raven screamed back at him.
“Then whose blood lies that on your hands? If you are nothing like me, then why do they all lie at your feet?”
Looking around, she could see everyone, from Starfire, Dick, to Donna and Beast Boy. And at the base of her feet lay, Damian, his normally sharp features broken by the sight of bruises and bone. Clasping him in her hands, all she could feel was the cool touch of his skin. All of those who she held dear lay around her, bent and broken. Questions rush through her mind. Why had she done it? Why did she continue? She was supposed to protect them, so why did she instead choose to hurt them?
“It’s better that they are dead now, they were only holding you back. You were born to carry on my legacy, to take over the universe. This would have happened sooner or later. This is your fate Raven, and it always will be.”
xxxx
Fresh sheets, summer air, and pleasant heat.
Raven wakes up in a pool of her own sweat, tears running down her cheeks. Anxiously, she checks her hands repeatedly, finding no signs of blood. Slowly, she slowly takes in her surrounding, finding herself in the comfort of her own room, no demon father in sight. She was in her bed, with her favourite blanket, in a safe space. It was the same nightmare again, a common occurrence lately. Taking time to breathe, she lies down on her bed, letting the soft kiss of the summer air warm her cool body, letting the heat envelope her. There is nothing to fear, she still had control over her actions, and she would not hurt her friends.
The normally peaceful silence of the night was often deafening during these moments, filled by the memory of what her father had told her. She knew that logically, there was nothing to worry about, that Trigon had no influence in the way that she chose to live her life, yet the fear remained. Was the life she was given something she honestly deserved? To be living happily as a hero? Her father’s foreboding omen was only amplified by the deafening quiet that she had found herself in. Rising up from her bed, Raven knew that she needed to get out.
xxxx
Another gruelling night of work had kept Damian up late, after all, being a vigilante was never an easy job. Sitting on the roof of the Titan Tower accompanied by Titus, he sat and reviewed the new plans for patrol that would be put into place in the coming weeks. Switching between the summer and winter patrol schedules was always a chore, but it was used to account for the tourism boom during the warmer months.
“Mind if a take a seat?” A nervous voice says, breaking him out of his stupor. Turning around, he is greeted by Raven.
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
As soon as she sat down, Titus quickly moved the snuggle up beside her, abandoning Damian’s lap. Damian turns his head to give the signature Wayne glare to the little traitor, earning a quiet bark from Titus and a small giggle from Raven.
“I guess we know who Titus loves more now. Too bad the Al-Ghuls do not take betrayal lightly.”
“Trust me, if I was my mother, he would not live to leave my side. Giving him the stink eye is considered a great mercy.”
“Too bad even with all your mercy, you still can’t compete with me, isn’t that right Titus?” Scratching his neck, Raven gives the pup a little kiss on his nose, earning a flurry of licks in return.
“You wish, Titus knows where his true loyalties lie.”
“Real convincing. I don’t see him on your lap now do I.”
“That's because you’re distracting him with all that attention.”
Damian turns to see a small smile from Raven, a rare sight to see for the past few days. Although he wouldn’t dare admit it, he could watch her smile forever, to see the bit of sweetness leak through. For someone who could normally be more on the stoic side, it was always a treat to see a crack of genuine joy come through. Although he cared deeply for everyone on the team, there was something special about seeing Raven truly happy. The way she smiled, could melt his heart in an instant.
“Why are you up for late tonight? I thought everyone would definitely be asleep by now.”
“I’m just finishing up some of the work Starfire gave me.” He said, idly playing with his pen “Being in my room made Titus restless so I came up here. How about you?”
“Mmmmm, just a tough night, I couldn’t get myself to sleep at all.”
“Meditation isn’t helping tonight?”
“No, not at all.”
Damian does not need to have powers able to tell that what she had said was a lie. He can tell by her face that something is wrong, dark circles worse than his own lining her eyes. She looks exhausted like she has not slept in days. Opening his mouth, he wanted to ask what was wrong yet nothing came out. Watching as she self-consciously turned away, he knew that even if it was his duty as a member of the team to make sure she was alright, she would only distance herself further if he pried. But looking at the powerful empath, he had to wonder what could be happening to cause her to be in such a state.
“Sometimes when I am unable to sleep, I like to come up here and listen to the waves crash.” Quietly, he says to her. “When I get restless, I find it helpful to focus on specific sounds.” He looks still boyish when he tells her, his features softening in his embarrassment.
Surprised by the sudden statement, Raven is at a loss for words. Sheepishly, she asks “Are you sure it will be ok? I wouldn’t want to distract you from your work.”
“It's fine, I don't particularly mind. It’s nice to have some company out here once in a while. Besides, Titus has already gotten comfortable.”
xxxx
“Hey Raven, I think I am going to head back in now. The sun is starting to rise the last thing and morning patrol will be happening soon. We should probably go now if we don’t want to run into any of them.” The last thing he wanted right now was to be badgered by them, especially after the long night. However, he was not met with a reply, but instead a sleepy bark from his other companion. Turning, he saw that she was asleep, with Titus curled beside her.
“She finally looks at peace”, thought Damian as he watched her chest rise and fall with the sounds of the waves. Whatever had been bothering her at night seemed to be no longer an issue, as she finally got some rest, something he suspected had become rare as of later. Gently, he picked her up, careful to make sure not to stir her as he walks down the stairs of Titan Tower. Entering her room, he placed her on her bed softly, before tucking her in gently.