TT Story - Raven: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Questions

Raven stretched languorously, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. She had slept surprisingly well – Slade had a nice bed. Suddenly she became aware of the arm slung over her waist. Twisting her head to look over her shoulder, she saw Slade stretched out, the blankets in a tangle around him. Obviously he was not a peaceful sleeper. She looked down at the arm almost possessively draped over her. And had no respect for personal boundaries. So that was why she’d been so warm; Slade was a cuddler.
  Despite herself, Raven began to giggle. Then laugh. A cuddler! Slade! It’s not something she would’ve imagined him as. As she laughed, her body jiggled, waking the object of her amusement. His head jerked up with a sleepy sound of confusion – this made Raven giggle more. “What on earth are you laughing about, woman?” he mumbled. He suddenly noticed where his arm was and almost sheepishly removed it. “Sorry ‘bout that.” Raven slumped over on the bed, laughing hard now. She wasn’t quite sure what she was laughing at anymore, but it felt good. Like she was letting all the tension of the past couple of weeks out.
  Slade began to climb out of bed, shaking his head. “Women.” He mumbled with exasperation.
“Ah, Slade.” Raven gasped. “I didn’t know you could be so funny!”
“Me?” he sounded genuinely surprised. “What did I do?”
“I really don’t know.” Raven gasped for breath. “But thank you. That felt good.”
Slade still seemed a bit bewildered, but clearing his throat he said, “Well, you’re welcome, I guess. I’m going to get some breakfast now. Anything you specifically feel like?”
“I wouldn’t mind something edible.” She teased.
“Well, that’s not guaranteed. I never learnt how to cook.”
“Why don’t you let me come down and cook some scrambled eggs? It’s the only thing I know how to cook, but it’s bound to be better than yours.”
Slade studied her for a moment, trying to see if there was an underlying intent. “Fine.” He eventually said. “But don’t try anything, okay? I’ve got my eye on you.”
“Sure, sure.” Raven climbed out of bed and pulled her boots on. “Is it okay if I go down in my pj’s?” she laughed.
Slade, smiling under his mask, shrugged and said, “Sure. Not like there’s anyone to see.”
Raven chuckled as she walked towards him. When he made no move towards the door, she gestured to it saying, “Shall we?” He was such fun to tease.
He took her arm and led her out into the chilly corridor. Raven shivered. “You should consider putting under-floor-heating in this place.”
Slade chortled. “Not going to happen.”
They walked down a few flights of stairs and went through a big swinging door which led to the kitchen. Raven stopped in the entrance, staring at the huge room in awe. It had a high, cavernous ceiling and big windows, filling it with bright morning light. The kitchen was neat but still packed with every high-tech appliance she could think of. Through a door to the right was a large pantry full of food. The white marble countertops sparkled like they’d been freshly polished and the ebony cupboards complimented the room nicely. It was the most beautiful kitchen she’d ever seen.
  Slade was watching her, she realised, so she turned to him, eyes still wide and said, “Holy crap.” He laughed, like she knew he would, and said, “Well, it’s all yours. Go ahead and dazzle me with your cooking skills.”
“Hey, I’m probably not much better than you. The only thing I ever learnt to do was scramble an egg.” She replied.
“Well, I have high hopes that it will be very good scrambled egg.” Raven sighed and went further into the kitchen. While she scratched around for a pan, Slade seated himself behind the counter in the middle of the room so that he could watch her work easily. Resting his chin in his hand, he settled his eyes on her. She disappeared into the pantry and returned a moment later with two eggs in her hands. Once she’d located a bowl and a whisk, she cracked the eggs into the bowl and began to beat them.
“So,” she said as she worked. “What was it like living in this beautiful house as a child?”
Slade felt his guard go up before she even finished the question. He wished he didn’t have to be so guarded with her. Well, he could tell her some things… just not everything.
“I always loved the house. There are so many adventures for a child with no one to play with.” Shit. That was a bit much.
“No one to play with?” she asked, sounding almost concerned.
“I was an only child.”
“I see.” She said. “And your parents? What were they like?”
“They were… I don’t know, I guess they weren’t the greatest parents.”
“Why?” Slade seemed to be opening up a little, and Raven pushed her advantage, curious as she was about his life.
“They were pretty wrapped up in their own social-lives. I don’t think I was part of their plan, if you know what I mean.” Oh screw it, Slade thought. Why couldn’t he tell her about his childhood? “To be honest, they were the only ones that were a part of their plan. They were pretty self-centred and didn’t care about anyone else. I was only ever in their way. A thorn in their side, you might say.”
Raven clucked her tongue sympathetically. “I can understand the feeling of being unwanted. My father… well, you know who my father is.” Slade nodded, understanding.
“I guess your childhood was a lot worse than mine ever was. I was only ever lonely. I’m sure Trigon being your father would create bigger problems.” Raven gave a humourless chuckle.
“You could say that.” Raven turned her back on him as she poured the beaten egg into the hot pan. “Anyway, what happened to your parents? Do you own this house now?”
“Yes. My parents died in a car crash. They were rushing to their latest party; I was at home as usual. My father was a little… tipsy. Anyway, they crashed head on into another car. They were killed instantly.”
“I’m sorry.” Raven said honestly. Slade waved his hand to allay her concern.
“It was a bit of a shock. I was fifteen at the time and I already owned this house. They had left no will, so I was the only heir.”
“That’s quite a responsibility at that age. How long ago was it?” she asked as she turned to put the egg onto the plate she’d set out. “If you want to know my age, Raven, just ask.” Raven flushed red. She looked up at him sheepishly. “Well… how old are you then?”
“Twenty–five. How old are you?”
Raven hesitated before saying “Eighteen.”
Slade was surprised. “You seem older.” He said softly.
“Yeah, well, I’m not sure I ever was young.” She replied then gasped softly. Had she said that out loud? Then Slade did something really unexpected. He reached across the counter and took her hand, squeezing it softly. Raven looked up at him, and saw an emotion in the one eye she could see that scared her. His hand felt nice around hers; warm and comforting. But she pulled hers out of his and said, “I… I think I’m going to go upstairs and read a bit. The eggs are yours.” And she quickly turned and hurried towards the door. Before she reached it though, he called, “Raven…” She stopped and turned to look at him. “I just want you to know that I am giving you freedom of the house. No door will be locked to you except the ones leading outside.”
Raven stared at him for a moment before nodding her thanks and hurrying from the room.
  Left alone now, Slade dropped his head into his hands. What was he doing? And what was he going to do? She soothed him so; he felt so good around her – like a different person. How could he ever let her go?






*End of Chapter 8.