So this is something odd I cobbled together yesterday. (@ravenfan1242 I know you also love KFRae, so I hope you like this ❤️)I am in the process of pushing out some old stuff, asks, chapters, backdated/old works, and possibly headcanons, but I have been exploring the occasional new piece, like this one that nobody asked for. Thank you to everyone in the amazing community I call home. While I know not everything is where I left it, I'm happy to write my way through (life) changes again..
The tiny cabin creaked, battered by the elements. The onslaught of wailing wind and leaden rain seemed determined to shift it on the spot. The dense, forest covered mountains rumbled with every ricochet of thunder. The dimly lit cabin windows flickered in and out with every lightning strike.
It was nothing compared to being berated by an internal war. Somehow the sounds and sensations soothed her. Shivering, she stood toweling off her rainwater drenched locks by the fire she’d managed to get going. It was lucky she thought to bring enough logs inside to last a while, she could already tell it was going to be a long night.
“Found you, Raven.”
Raven’s heart almost stopped when she turned around. She could have leapt a foot in the air, but she didn’t. A slick, crimson suit coated the rippling muscled legs leaning on the log cabin wall. Like he owned the place. But his expression said he wanted to own her.
Wally West.
It was like the God of Lightning himself had struck down from above to summon him here. So far, he was the only person who could manage to sneak up on her successfully. And that was just on his default speed setting.
“You’re not, Wallace…are you?”
“What gave it away?”
Even if she wasn’t supernaturally perceptive, it was obvious.
The invisible wind that followed everywhere. The almost audible chill. The sharpened kinetic energy in the air around his body. This was another being entirely. She’d always believed the SpeedForce was a noumenon. Unknowable in itself. Occasionally the SpeedForce surpassed the bounds of its symbiosis with him. To speak through him. To guide his thoughts. To take over his movement. It could see the full spectrum of all that was, all came before and all that was to come—particularly advantageous in difficult battles, there was no doubt. But lately, it was springing free of its host’s control for...recreational purposes.
“How did you even get in here?” Raven asked hesitantly, knowing it was redundant.
“You always hide, Raven. And even if Wallace doesn’t, I always got the sense you wanted us to seek.”
The truth was the SpeedForce could have appeared to her at any moment, he was simply choosing to toy with her for his own amusement. Still, why a being like him even bothered to give chase, she’d never know. Was it a fixation on her or a fetish?
“Well…” Her mouth had started going dry. She did her best to shove down that twisted thought. “Olly olly oxen free?” Raven croaked.
“Indeed.”
He peeled off his mask to let the icicles in his eyes fully pierce her. “You sought me once in the wilderness long ago. I’m merely returning the favor.” She dropped the towel in her disbelief, but he continued. “I’m only here because of you.” The teasing lilt lifted from his tone because now, his words were matter of fact. “You sought me out when Wallace wanted to quit. You found me.”
“Yes, I did and I… Maybe, I shouldn’t have,” Raven admittedly shakily.
“No,” he cut in quickly. “You were right to want Wallace’s power—to want me… So here I am, Raven.” At this a loud crack thunder exploded as if on cue. Raven regarded him through slits, wondering if he’d somehow done that on purpose. After all, he could do almost anything.
He stalked around the cabin and inspected it. To see him move this way, not in nanoseconds, but in meters—it was almost scarier than the usual rush. This was intentional. Listless. Languid. Lifeless.
Painstakingly, preternaturally…slow.
“This hovel is where you disappear to…” The ice blue crackle of his eyes was unfathomable. “Whenever you want to get away from it all?” The SpeedForce sounded disappointed with her.
“Yes, it is,” she said defiantly. “So what?” Raven folded her arms. She hoped she looked braver than she felt. Of all the wilds and various creatures beyond these walls, yet none so dangerous as the presence before her.
“You could go anywhere. Any country. Any dimension. And yet, this is what you choose?” The Speedforce clicked its tongue.
Again?
Were they really doing this again?
Just because he was an all powerful entity beyond comprehension, it didn’t mean he understood her. Raven rolled her eyes. It was like he wanted her to indulge. To succumb to the basest part of herself. To let out her demons, metaphorical or literal. But she never would. He had access to infinite time, infinite knowledge, and yet it somehow didn’t occur to him that she wanted other things.
“It doesn’t matter if it isn’t much, it’s mine,” she said, a grace note of pride swelling inside. “That’s more than you can say.”
He stopped circling her and zipped backward, his steps splintering with static. Briefly Raven wondered if she’d upset him. But then, a raucous mechanical laugh reverberated in his chest like a sonic boom. It made the thunder outside the walls of the cabin sound like child’s play.
“Why would you want this?” The distaste dripped off his tongue. It was so different from Wally’s usual voice and tone that it was jarring to see the words come from his mouth. Even if they were slightly distorted by the odd warbling.
“I didn’t ask you here for decorating tips or to help me renovate, you went looking for me,” Raven murmured, a steely glint in her violet stare. “If you don’t like it, you can leave the way you came.”
“Now Raven, let’s leave the hastiness to me,” he shook the windswept flames of his hair back and forth, grinning widely. Almost threateningly. “There’s nothing wrong with rustic. But, I can give you more. Since, I know you won’t go after what you deserve.”
“Your favorite argument. It’s getting as old as time itself.” She glared at him. “But please feel free to enlighten me.”
He opened his mouth and closed it, perhaps thinking better of it. “You’re going to catch a cold.” He nodded at her dripping hair.
“Yes, I’m well aware. I was remedying that before you rudely—”
But before she could finish her thought or even blink, his fingers were everywhere at once, reaching for zippers and straps and spandex to strip it all away. Off, off, off. There went her layers, her suit, her cloak, her sanity. In an instant, Raven had been left in her bra and panties. The remnants of speed left her stumbling out of an inelegant pirouette. Dizzingly, she stretched out for purchase on the stony wall above the fireplace.
When she finally glanced up, she found her clothes hanging in front of the fire to dry as it crackled in the hearth. He could have dried them in an instant, but she knew he wanted it this way. Relief shot through her as she spotted the earlier abandoned towel and scrabbled for it on the wood floor. Raven wrapped herself in it, as if to shield herself from his penetrating gaze. For once, there was no need. He was staring into the flickering heat, his body sprawled comfortably on the faded couch. It almost looked like he was relaxing.
He cocked his head to the side, a little smile playing on his full lips in the light. The sweet, cinnamon freckles covering his cheeks and the coy expression were familiar, but somehow not quite right. Not quite her Wallace. By the dull ache of her body, she knew this, yet a piece of her was intrigued.
“Come sit with me.”
Raven didn’t move. She was silently appraising him. The tables had turned it seemed. The drumming pattern of his fingers grew more and more riotous, the more impatient he became.
“Come on, I won’t bite… yet.” Cockiness was another thing the SpeedForce and Wally had in common. “Fine, foreplay it is…” He muttered under his breath. “We can play one of those inane human games to take the edge off.” A stack of board games appeared on the carved wooden table. One of the boxes of cards had burst open and were littering the air. “I’ll even humor you at chess.”
“Humor me?” Raven’s nostrils flared. “The cabin is beneath you, chess is beneath you, my life choices are beneath you…” She listed them off on her fingers. “Aren’t I beneath you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Raven,” he scoffed. “You’re not all.”
Faster than thought, faster than the realization that he was going to make her regret her words—the lumpy couch cushions were underneath her thighs.
“Now you are…”
Before Raven could let out the breath she’d been holding, he was leaning over her, expeditiously, icy bright orbs nearer than ever. They were mesmerizing, twin chasms like portals into time. The call of the void drew her in, it was so intense she barely registered that he was reaching out to touch her.
“What do you want with me?” Raven murmured.
His fingertip froze a centimeter from her cupid’s bow, then stopped.
“Well, it’s not entirely fair, is it?”
“Fair?” Raven repeated bemusedly. “What is fair?” She, of all people, could spend an eternity pondering the concept of fairness. But only one of them had an eternity to spend. Time made fools of them all, but he wanted to talk about fairness.
“You sought us both, but neglected my presence.”
“I was unaware of your presence,” Raven said sharply. “Until recently.”
It was more like she’d been unaware of his sentience.
“That does not change the circumstances of the arrangement. Wallace has held you. Wallace has kissed you. Well, Wallace will even—”
“I don’t want to know.” Raven’s heart just skipped a beat.
Was that a slip of the tongue? Or did he do that just because he could?
“Fine. You will find out soon enough. The point remains, I have not gotten the honor. Not even once.” His head dipped lower, the warm crackle of breath ever closer. “I know the mechanics. But I wonder…” When his tongue darted out to taste her, there was an intense, tingling sensation, like grazing the tip of an exposed copper wire. Raven’s eyes sprang open.
Was it her power or his…or both?
“This is a bad idea.”
“An incredibly bad idea.” The Speedforce smiled in agreement. “Or a brilliant one.” His oscillating fingers latched onto her waist and he pressed his mouth harder and harder into her own, while the cacophony of his kiss made her moan and cling to his staticky skin.
Once again, Raven found herself standing before Earth's mightiest heroes. She scoffed inwardly. What a bunch of jokes.
The Hall of Justice was lit too brightly for the time of night. Through the tall windows, distant fireworks burst over the city—muted flashes of color reflected in the glass. Midnight was close. Somewhere, the world was counting down.
It was New Year's Eve, and she could feel everyone's irritation at having to be here instead of celebrating. Confessing everything to Kid Flash tonight probably hadn't been my smartest move.
Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Giovanni Zatara, the Flash, Martian Manhunter—they were expected. They'd been here the last time the League decided she wasn't worth saving.
What surprised her were the others.
Black Canary. Green Arrow. Hawkgirl. Artemis. Robin. Aqualad. Members of the Team lining the edges of the room like witnesses to a verdict already decided.
And then there was him. Kid Flash. The one she had influenced. Wally stood stiffly near Barry, arms crossed too tightly, leg bouncing in a way that betrayed how badly he wanted to move. Anger rolled off him in sharp, uncontrolled bursts—nothing like the easy joy he usually carried. Raven felt it like static under her skin. She didn't look at him. She couldn't afford to.
"Violet," Wonder Woman's voice rang out. "Or...is that not your real name?"
Raven said nothing. Stalling...buying time.
"Are you going to answer my question," Wonder Woman continued, "or do I need to use the lasso?"
"No," Raven sighed. "My name is not Violet."
"And is that your real face?"
"No."
She could feel Kid Flash shift behind her. A sharp inhale followed by a flash of betrayal.
"Reveal yourself," Wonder Woman commanded.
Raven closed her eyes and murmured the spell, lifting her hand as if peeling away a mask. Gasps rippled through the room as her skin faded light brown back to its pale gray tone, her hair darkening to violet. The gem on her forehead shimmered into view.
Wally took an involuntary step forward.
"A glamour spell," Giovanni Zatara breathed, shock bleeding through his arrogance.
"You look familiar," Superman said slowly. "Where have I seen you?"
"Nine years ago," Raven said, her accent slipping through now, the effort to sound American no longer worth it. "A young mother and her daughter stood in this very room and begged for your protection." She let her gaze sweep the League. "You turned them away."
Blank faces and confusion were the only thing she received in response.
Her jaw tightened. Seriously?
"Arella," Martian Manhunter said softly.
Raven turned toward him. "Yes. That is—was my mother's name." She faced Wonder Woman and Superman again. "I was the six-year-old girl."
A sharp, disbelieving laugh broke the silence from behind. "You're Raven?" Constantine stepped forward, eyes wide. "You're Raven?"
"Constantine," Zatara snapped, "what are you doing here?"
"I heard the Justice League was putting a kid on trial," Constantine replied dryly.
Behind Raven, Kid Flash's fists clenched.
"You didn't come for us," Raven said quietly as Constantine approached.
Constantine's expression darkened.
"Hold on," Superman said. "John, you know her?"
"Yes," Constantine said. "But it's her story to tell."
Wonder Woman nodded. "Explain why you hid your identity."
"Because of you," Raven answered. "Because nine years ago, when we had nothing, you turned us away."
"That's not true," Robin protested. "They wouldn't do that!"
Raven turned slowly. "Is anyone refuting it?"
Silence.
Kid Flash's leg stopped bouncing.
"Why Kid Flash?" Barry asked, his voice tight. "Why him?" Kid Flash stiffened.
"He was kind," Raven said. "Calm. His mind wasn't loud...he wasn't naïve or as guarded as the others. I only made him believe we were old friends."
"You made me fall in love with you!" Kid Flash snapped.
Raven spun, shock clear on her face. "I did not." She took a breath. "I stopped after three months. I didn't want to hurt you."
Kid Flash laughed harshly. "Likely story."
Fireworks flashed outside the windows—another reminder that midnight was closing in.
"Kid Flash," Hawkgirl said, "how do you feel?"
Kid Flash swallowed, jaw tight. "I have nothing to say," he said flatly. "Do whatever you think is right."
Raven looked down.
"Raven is correct," Batman said finally. "We did turn her and her mother away."
The words hit like a gavel.
"That's it then," Constantine said, "The truth is out. Do with it what you will."
"So… what now?" Green Arrow asked. "Guilty? Not guilty? Is this even a trial?"
"She is guilty," Wonder Woman said, eyes narrowing. "No matter how desperate she was."
"So what—lock her up? Send her to Waller?" Barry asked, agitation creeping into his voice. "What are we actually doing here?"
Constantine broke the silence. "I'll take responsibility for her," he said, voice steady, edged with something unreadable. "She'll stay at the House. I don't spend much time on the Earth plane anyway."
Raven's breath hitched.
Batman's gaze moved between them, calculating. "If Constantine is willing to be accountable," he said at last, "then I see no reason to interfere."
Outside, fireworks bloomed against the night sky. The sound reached them a second late—cheers, explosions of color, the unmistakable marker of midnight.
A new year had begun.
Raven released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as Constantine's hand settled briefly at her shoulder—grounding, firm. "We'll leave before morning," he narrowed his eyes at the League. "No more questions. No more trials."
Raven nodded once. When she turned away, she didn't look back—not at the League, not at the room where everything had gone wrong the first time.
Not at him.
The fireworks continued without her.
(New Year's Eve – Present)
The Watchtower infirmary was quiet. Not the peaceful kind. More like the kind of quiet being held together by humming machines and careful breathing. It was like the room itself was afraid to make noise in case it broke something fragile. Outside the wide observation window, Earth turned slowly beneath them, city lights blinking in clusters that reminded Raven of fireworks she would once again not be part of this year. Somewhere deeper in the station, faint music drifted through the corridors along with muted laughter and distant celebration.
It was New Year's Eve.
Raven reclined propped up against a stack of pillows, dark hair draped across one shoulder, hands folded too neatly over a blanket. She was alone this holiday. Not that she minded. She was never one to partake in New Year's celebrations. It had only ever reminded her of—
She shook her head before the thought could finish forming.
The monitors beside her glowed steadily, tracking vitals that were finally—finally—stable. That alone should have brought relief. Instead, it only left her with the familiar, restless awareness of her own body: sore in places she couldn't remember injuring, heavy with exhaustion that went deeper than muscle or bone.
She didn't mind this. She wasn't usually the one lying in the infirmary bed—but then again, that wasn't entirely true.
She had been here before.
Not always this room or this station. But the pattern was familiar enough that she recognized it—the white light, the concerned looks that tried not to linger too long, the careful voices that reassured her she'd pulled through again. She told herself each time that it had been unavoidable. Necessary. That there had been no other option. And maybe that was true. But if she was truly honest, what she was putting her body through was totally unecessary.
All of those bombs she'd shielded people from, followed by endless hours of healing others, plus that one explosion she'd taken the brunt of at the last possible second—it had exhausted her beyond reason. Beyond caution. Beyond what anyone else would have attempted twice, let alone repeatedly.
She remembered pain. That part was clear.
What she didn't remember was how she'd ended up on the Watchtower.
When she'd first tried to move, Batman had made a low, warning hmph—a sound that meant don't even think about it. That had alerted Hawkgirl, who had paged Wonder Woman, who had flown into the room moments later, all righteous fury and gratitude.
Diana had thanked Raven for saving her life and the life of her sisters. She had welcomed her to Themyscira anytime. Which was… strange. Because while the Princess of the Amazons didn't hate Raven, she didn't particularly like her either. And yet there she was, embracing her, pledging sisterhood with the solemn intensity of someone who had just stared death in the face and come away changed.
Hawkgirl had looked openly amused by the entire exchange. Batman had pretended like nothing was happening at all.
Later—much later—Zatanna had quietly told Raven the truth: the bomb that detonated at the last second, the one Raven had intercepted without hesitation, had been meant to destroy Themyscira. Which explained a lot.
After reassuring Zatanna and Constantine and every other original member from her Young Justice days that she was fine—an argument that seemed to repeat itself every few months now—she was finally left alone. Left alone with the window and Earth rotating below.
This isn't all bad, she decided, staring out at the curve of the planet. Usually, she would have holed herself up in the House with Orchid, wrapped in silence and shadow until the guilt dulled into something manageable. This—space, distance, quiet that didn't press down on her chest—was much nicer. It was almost peaceful. So, when the infirmary doors slid open again, Raven didn't bother to mask her annoyance. "I said no more visitors," she said flatly, not even bothering to look over.
"Aww, Rae, don't be like that," a voice Raven had not been expecting said.
Raven looked up in mild horror to see Wally approaching with a grin on his face, several pizza boxes stacked in his arms and bags of soda dangling from his fingers like this was the most natural thing in the world. He looked relaxed…like this was exactly where he'd planned to be.
Her heart stuttered, traitorous and loud. "What are you doing here?" Raven asked, schooling her expression even as her pulse refused to cooperate.
"Visiting you," he answered lightly, pulling a chair closer to her bed and sitting as if he had every right to be there.
"Why?"
He tilted his head, emerald eyes never leaving hers. "Why not?"
She frowned. "You love celebrating New Year's." He was close enough now that she could see the faint freckles across his nose, close enough that she could feel warmth radiating from him. "The parties, the people, the—and—" Raven closed her eyes and rubbed at her temples. She could picture it perfectly: Wally laughing too loud somewhere in Central City, vibrating with excess energy, surrounded by friends, kissing Artemis or Iris or Linda at midnight like he always did. "You once said your favorite part was the change in atmosphere," she continued quietly, "when the world collectively decided that whatever mistakes it had made could be reset at midnight."
She opened her eyes—and stopped.
Wally was watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch. Not impatient. Not amused. Just… focused. Like he was listening to something beneath her words.
"You remember that?" he asked.
"You were such a jokester," Raven said, trying to deflect the way her chest felt suddenly too tight. "I was shocked to hear you say something so profound."
A small smile curved his mouth. It twisted something low in her stomach, and she hated that it did. She looked away quickly. "We both know that's not what made that New Year's Eve memorable."
Instead of reacting the way she expected, Wally leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, closing the already small distance between them. "Is that why you celebrate New Year's Eve alone?" he asked quietly. "Because of what happened that evening?"
Raven bristled. "What makes you think I celebrate alone?"
"Zatanna told me," Wally said, a triumphant edge creeping into his grin.
"What?"
"She said you hang out with a flower in Constantine's house or something like that."
"You two have been real chatty lately," Raven muttered. This wasn't the first time Zatanna had shared personal information about her with Wally. It was starting to feel suspicious.
"Well," he shrugged, "I wouldn't have to bother your best friend if someone was just honest with me and didn't try to avoid me every chance she got."
"I don't try to avoid you."
"Raven," he said gently, "you're trying to get rid of me right now."
She folded her arms. "Because I know how much you love parties, Wally. I'm not planning on partying any time soon."
"That's fine," he said easily. "I don't mind chilling with you."
"But I'm boring."
He leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs out casually, entirely too comfortable at her bedside. "I'm having fun."
The way he said it—completely unbothered and certain—made her heart trip again. "You're incorrigible," Raven sighed.
"C'mon." Wally stood and walked over to the small table, opening one of the pizza boxes. "We've got a little over two hours and fifty-five minutes until midnight hits Central City. I brought pizza and soda. We can have our own little party."
He glanced back at her, waiting for her to say…something.
Raven watched him for a long second, something warm and confusing curling low in her chest. She really didn't understand why he was here; why he'd chosen being with her over everything else he loved about tonight. "I'm not hungry," Raven muttered with a frown, folding her arms tightly across her chest.
Wally tilted his head, one brow lifting. "Are you pouting because you can't get rid of me?"
"No," her frown deepened instinctively. Then her stomach betrayed her with a low, unmistakable growl. She froze. "…Fine. I'm hungry."
A corner of his mouth twitched. "I'll bring you one."
Raven lifted her hand, already reaching for the familiar pull of her powers. "I can get it my—" A sudden burst of wind cut her off, gentle but fast, and a paper plate appeared in her lap bearing a slice of pizza that was still surprisingly warm. "…self," she finished quietly.
Wally gave her a self-satisfactory grin before turning back to the table and piling his own plate high. He sat again—close enough that his knee brushed the side of the bed—and started eating, clearly stalling because silence had never been his strong suit when he was nervous. "So," he began around a bite, "when you're sitting with your flower in Constantine's house… do you make any resolutions?"
"First of all," Raven said dryly, "she's not a literal flower. Her name is Orchid. She's the spirit of the House."
Wally blinked, then lifted his other brow. "So… a ghost?"
"S-Sure," Raven said, after a beat.
"Okay," he nodded solemnly. "Well, do you and the ghost make any resolutions?"
Raven huffed softly and set her pizza aside, appetite suddenly less important than the view beyond the window. She leaned forward just enough to peer down at the planet below, squinting as she focused. "Looks like Brazil has welcomed the New Year."
Wally followed her gaze, shifting closer without comment. He could just make out splatters of color blooming along the coastline, distant and brief. He smiled as he watched them fade. "How can you not bask in the mirth of a new year?" he asked.
"Mirth?" Raven frowned, glancing back at him. "Did you just say mirth?"
"I'm serious," he said, turning fully toward her. His voice softened. "It's exciting—being around family and friends. Reminiscing about the past, looking forward to the future." He hesitated, studying her face. "I thought you, of all people, would understand that."
"Me of all people?" Raven's shoulders tensed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Isn't that why you reappeared on New Year's Eve six years ago?" he asked carefully. "To start over?"
"I reappeared because I had a premonition that you were going to die," Raven said immediately.
Wally nodded once. "But Dick said you'd been working undercover for him off and on for a year before that. He said you were instrumental in helping find metahumans kidnapped by the Reach."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Raven asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
"I mean—you didn't let our past dictate the future," he said slowly. "Despite my… negative feelings toward you at the time, you saved me."
"Of course I did," Raven sat up sharply, the movement jostling the blanket. "Wally, I wouldn't…" She reached for him, fingers curling around his hand before she even realized she'd moved. "I would never leave you to die. Why would you think that?"
Tears welled in her eyes, sudden and uninvited. "Wally, I owe you so much. I don't think I could ever repay you for what I did."
"Raven," Wally said, shifting onto the edge of the bed so he was closer—too close. "I didn't mean to upset you."
But she wasn't really hearing him anymore.
"It eats me alive every day knowing how much I hurt you," Raven continued, voice breaking despite her effort to keep it steady. "I wanted to remain hidden from everyone when I came back because I didn't want to cause you any distress. I didn't want to make things worse." She stared at their joined hands like she'd just noticed them for the first time, then pulled back slightly, as if afraid of what even that much contact might imply.
"I get that, Raven," Wally said, reaching for her hands.
The moment his fingers closed around hers, he stilled. His grip softened immediately. He drew a slow breath through his nose before continuing, as if he were deliberately measuring every word, every touch. "I may be partly to blame for your reaction."
Raven shook her head sharply, the movement almost reflexive. She would never blame Wally for anything.
"Raven," he continued, voice steady but low, "this is the seventeenth time since you've been back that you've ended up in the infirmary." He didn't squeeze her hands, didn't pull her closer. He just held on. "It's like… it's like you're pushing yourself to prove to everyone that you—that you aren't evil. It's…" He swallowed, jaw tightening. "You're hurting yourself."
"I'm not—"
"You are," Wally said firmly. But even then, he didn't raise his voice. He exhaled slowly, visibly forcing himself to stay calm. "Raven, you keep treating your life like it's payment, and it's scaring us." His thumb brushed once, unconsciously, over her knuckles. "It's scaring me."
The emphasis landed harder than anything else he'd said.
Raven's gaze dropped to their joined hands. It felt too familiar. Her chest tightened—not with desire, she told herself quickly, but with guilt. With the sharp awareness that she shouldn't want comfort from him.
She pulled her gaze away instead, focusing on the clock. "Midnight in Central City is an hour away," she muttered. "You should leave. Linda will be there."
Wally slowly released her hands and folded his arms. "How do you know Linda will be there?" he asked.
"Linda is always there," Raven answered without thinking. The second the words left her mouth, she froze.
"And how do you know that, Raven?" Wally asked quietly.
She flinched. She could feel his eyes on her. They weren't accusing or angry. Just intent. Searching.
"Raven."
Her pulse thudded in her ears.
"I watch," she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. If I'm going to crash and burn, she thought distantly, I might as well go down spectacularly. "Okay? I watch. I have always watched." She drew her knees closer, instinctively making herself smaller. "The year after I… was removed from the Team, I checked in on you. The first New Year's Eve, you locked yourself in your room. The next year you celebrated at the Mountain with Artemis. You guys weren't together, but…" Her voice wavered despite herself. "You were friendly."
Wally didn't interrupt. He didn't move. He just listened in shock.
"The years after that," Raven continued, "you were happy. Partying. Genuinely happy and back to normal." She swallowed. "The year I returned—"
"The day you saved my life," Wally said quietly.
"Sure."
"I never thanked you."
"You don't need to," Raven said quickly. Too quickly. "Just… everyone was at the Mountain, but I couldn't stay."
Wally leaned forward a fraction, elbows resting on his knees, closing the distance again, but he didn't reach for her. "Why didn't you?" he asked.
"Why didn't I what?"
"Why didn't you stay?" His voice was calm, but there was something controlled beneath it, like he was holding himself back from saying more. "You had literally saved my life hours earlier. You'd just been reinstated as a team member. Dick, Kaldur, and even Batman vouched for you." He paused. "You could have stayed and rung in the New Year with us. Why didn't you?"
Raven's fingers curled into the blanket. "It would have made you uncomfortable," she admitted quietly. "And I didn't want to hurt you anymore than—"
"Raven," Wally cut in gently, shaking his head. "I was nineteen. You had just saved my life." He let out a slow breath, forcing the tension from his shoulders. "I should have thanked you the moment you entered the cave. Actually, Artemis went off on me that evening for not doing just that."
"I don't deserve your gratitude," Raven said. She didn't look at him when she said it. She couldn't. The warmth pooling in her chest at his words had nothing to do with want, she told herself. Nothing at all. Just relief. Just misplaced emotion. Something she needed to shut down before it became dangerous.
"You keep saying that," Wally huffed softly, crossing his arms again—not in frustration, but restraint. "But you're wrong."
"Wally."
"I think we need to go back to New Year's Eve ten years ago," Wally said quietly, not moving closer, not moving away. "The day you confessed to everything. We need to talk about it."
He noticed. Of course he did. His hands—resting on his knees—curled slightly, then stilled again. "What did you really do to me?" he asked. "Let's look back."
"Wally."
"No," he said, firm but not raised. "We've talked around this enough. We need to do this." He took a measured breath, the kind someone takes when they're deliberately keeping themselves in check. "After you went with Constantine, I went through extensive mental checks with Martian Manhunter, Doctor Fate, Giovanni Zatara, and several other psychic–magical hybrid beings whose names I honestly don't remember."
As he spoke, he leaned forward a fraction, enough to close the distance, not enough to trap her.
"They all reiterated what you said that day," Wally continued. "You were in my head for the first three months we were a team. Meaning the last fourteen months, I was completely free of you. According to them, you created mental shields." He hesitated, then added quietly, "Thank you for that."
Raven swallowed.
"What did you do while you were in my head, Raven?" he asked.
"I—"
"What did you do?" he repeated, gently, insistently.
Her fingers twisted into the blanket. "I… made you fall in love with me?"
Wally frowned—not sharply, not angrily. Just… honestly. "No," he said. "You didn't. And we both know you didn't." He shifted, his knee brushing the edge of the bed before he stopped himself from moving closer. "You made me become your friend. That's it. You used me as a shield. You made sure I was always on your side during arguments." His hand lifted slightly, as if he might reach for her, then he dropped back to his knee.
"Other than that," he continued, "you did nothing. We never kissed. We never had sex. My preferences for anything never changed." He met her eyes. "You changed nothing about me. If Conner can forgive Miss M for what she did to him, there's no reason I can't forgive you. And Miss M did a lot to Conner."
Raven furrowed her brow, thrown just enough to derail her spiral. "What did M'Gann do to Conner?"
"Never mind." He waved it off. "My point is, I think you've inflated what you did to me in your mind. Everyone out here treated it like it was a big deal—so you treated it like it was the worst thing ever done to anyone."
"But it was, Wally," Raven gasped. "I entered your mind without your permission. That's—that's not right."
"I know," he said immediately. "But why did you enter my mind, Raven?"
"I…"
"Did you do it to hurt me?"
She shook her head, hard. "No. I didn't want to hurt you."
"I know." His voice softened. "You did it because you were desperate. And terrified of your father. You did it because you thought you had no other options. You did it because you thought it was the only way you could get the Justice League to help you save Earth."
Raven pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them like armor. Her voice dropped. "It sounds silly when you say it out loud, right?"
"No," Wally said. "It sounds like someone who thought she had to do it on her own."
She looked up sharply.
"I understand why you thought that," he continued. "But Raven, you've been punishing yourself for something I've already forgiven you for."
Tears slid down her cheeks. She wiped at them quickly, frustrated and angry at herself for letting them fall now, of all times.
"You don't owe me your health," Wally said quietly. "You definitely don't owe me your suffering. And spilling as much of your blood as possible isn't going to undo my forgiveness." He paused, inhaling slowly. "You need to let go of the past and move toward the future."
Raven laughed weakly, breathless. "I don't know how."
For a moment, Wally looked like he might reach for her again. He didn't. Instead, he smiled softly and stood. "Come on. Get dressed."
"Why?" Raven recoiled instantly. "I don't want to go anywhere crowded."
"Good thing we aren't going anywhere crowded. My apartment is empty," he said quickly. "I swear."
"Is it clean?" she asked, grasping for something practical—something safe.
"Yes," he rolled his eyes. "Despite what all of you think, I am a clean person."
"But why are we going to your apartment?"
"Because it has a balcony," Wally said. "And a clear view of the fireworks."
Raven stiffened. Her heart did something painful and hopeful at the same time. "Wally."
He met her gaze, something unguarded flickering across his face before he reined it back in.
"Raven," he said quietly, "I don't want a party. I don't want crowds." He hesitated, breath controlled. "I just want to be with you."
Her chest tightened. The words I want to be with you too rose to her lips, but she swallowed them.
"If you want to stay in the infirmary, that's fine," he added quickly, giving her an out. "But I think this will be good for us."
Raven nodded before she could overthink it. "Okay," she said softly. "I'll get dressed."
(FOLLOW THE LINK FOR MORE BECAUSE THIS IS LONGER)
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14535993/1/and-a-Happy-New-Year
@ravenfan1242 I had been meaning to write your WallyRae - this is finally done! I never wrote an AU like this or for Kid Flash/Raven. I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much for the lovely Valentine’s Day WallyRae fanart!!!
Prompt List
@ravenfan1242 WallyRae Fanart
———————-
A disembodied arm sprang open an office, and stole the living wits straight out of the occupant, who until that moment, was lunching alone. A plastic spoon hovering within range of an agape mouth. “I thought I smelled something delicious.” Her shocked cobalt blue examined the intruder who then asked, “what’s on the gourmet today?”
“Um…soup.” Raven said to the bowl tightly. “Just soup.”
“I like soup.” The redhead remarked, holding the door frame above and angling his body towards the desk. “Did you make it?”
Sprinkles slid off the spoonful steadily. “Microwaved it.”
“Close enough, right?” He grinned. The kindness of his blue-green eyes shone even in the sparsely lit room, its single window covered in slats.
“Right…” She mumbled. A limp noodle nose-dived off the cutlery and plopped back into the lukewarm pool. “Cooking adjacent.” Which was as close to the act as Raven was willing to stand.
A wide breadth was generally best.
“Exactly what I always say.” He agreed. “Although… it certainly smells homemade, Raven.” Why was she blushing? Why was his mention of her viscous broth - located somewhere on the borderline between piss and dishwater - making her forget how to think straight? The lull was disturbed when freckled fingers rapped on her door in a rapid staccato. “I’ll see you later?”
She nodded weakly. “Later.” With that, he went whistling on his way.
With bright smiles and even brighter hair, Wally was unreal. Whether he stopped by her office unexpectedly, saw her in the kitchen, or spotted her in passing, he had this tendency or - compulsion - to talk to her. Even if it meant he had to race over to her and abandon someone mid-sentence, he would find his way to her side. Though he only started weeks ago, he had a presence that elicited eagerness, instead of her general indifference.
The day they met, something strange happened - she forgot to bring in her thermos of tea to work. She stopped in the kitchen on each floor, before she went up a total of five flights - to the sole coffee machine in operation. The machine beeped scarlet - angry accusations; it demanded to be cleaned before servicing anyone else. A not-so-office-friendly phrase threatened to slide from her lips at the sight of a hand swiping the final steaming cup of liquid - the proverbial straw.
“Just my luck.” She sighed to herself. An office building without a working coffee machine was one with cruel working conditions.
The new owner of the wax paper cup turned to her. “I’m sorry, did you need coffee?” Perhaps he was sympathetic, but likely he heard the desperation in her voice, the sheer panic of taking on Tuesday without a cuppa.
“No…tea.” Raven corrected the redhead. “Coffee doesn’t do it for me.”
“What a coincidence!”
She believed it.
Apparently, he already had a superabundance of energy. A voice that was less jarring, explained. “Coffee makes a bit hyperactive - or more so.” His lips turned up cheekily. “Would you like mine? It’s herbal. Mint.”
“Really, I couldn’t.” But the man didn’t hear of it, he grabbed another paper cup and unloaded an even amount.
“We’ll share - you can make it up to me by telling me your name and department…” He could see she was befuddled. “I’m Wally West - I’m new.” His skin radiated charges through the handshake, it lingered on the cup he passed to her.
“Raven Roth… Human Resources.” On a typical day, she had few direct interactions with others, but she wanted to interact with him.
That week, they spoke every day. She tried to put her finger to the pulse of it, but couldn’t surmise.
It was easy to attribute her attraction to the dashes of freckles, flaming tresses, and feistiness, but it was more than that. There was a gravitational pull drawing her to the western hemisphere. It was saturated with sun. It was offbeat and unique, and…fun. With that chance encounter, work life changed for the better. So even though Raven hardly ever did herself, the days of routine nine to five took their own, well-deserved time-off.
———————-
Office parties and happy hours. These were social situations that had persisted through time, even though cocktails and coworkers were not meant to commingle.
And it was why, Raven didn’t know why she was attending this one. Frankly, she would much rather be in her own company than that of her tipsy boss and drunk coworkers, and other wasted strangers in the lowly lit bar. It was the most awkward thing in the world to witness their behavior while they bummed booze off the company dime.
The true reason she was here - it was mandatory. A mandatory, holiday party, the intention of which was to spend time socializing with coworkers in a low-stress environment. The aim was to avoid getting sloppy. Working in HR, she was aware. Though, others seemed to forget, they tended to get rowdy. Especially before their vacations.
Speaking of which.
“Man, you’re usually faster.” Pre-party rum was affecting speech patterns of the recent arrivals. “Happy hour awaits!”
“I know, we’re already so late.” That was definitely pre-party rum from someone’s cubicle closet.
There were other divisions here. Teams that were not as straight-laced as her own.
“Wally, you need to relax and get a drink - or two.”
He tipped his head, as spotted her by the bar. His steps were clumsy, eyes watery from the alcohol. At last, freckled cheeks, with their rosy halo freckled, wiggled out a hazy smile. The orange and blue bulbs above had gone paces past ambient lighting, to delve deep into clubbing territory. They were outside of work and outside the standard, watts of fluorescence she had grown accustomed to seeing him under. The palpitating in her chest appeared to agree. Raven didn’t know whether it was the drink she had been nursing, the thumping bass of played-out pop, or him in his gray button-down, with its rolled up cuffs showing forearms, tanned and strong.
“I hoped - you… to - night -” The shock of red bobbed, invitingly. Raven squinted and motioned to her ear. Oh - right! Wally mouthed. He pointed to a stool, Raven shrugged. She sipped quickly to hide her smile as he plunked down at her right.
And now…
At least five songs had gone, but Wally hadn’t left her side. Their bodies were tilted towards one another in the backless seats. He had given up shouting over the music to whisper directly into her ear canal. Each syllable was slow and slightly slurred - deep and deliberate.
“You look very nice.” Wally was referring to her black sheath dress. Though work-appropriate, it was tight and clingy. An unintended positive of the unseasonably warm weather, Raven had foregone tights. And Wally West clearly noticed.
“You know I’m in HR - that could be misconstrued as flirting,” She jabbed him with her straw. “But, you’re alright with me, Wallace.” When they were alone here with alcohol in the air she felt emboldened. To call him Wallace and scoot closer in her seat - to flirt about whether or not they were allowed to flirt.
“Misconstrued…?” His grinned went lopsided with nausea for a moment. “Oh - boy that booze.”
For a second, she placed a hand on his shoulder in a gesture that hopefully was innocent to any onlookers. “Wally, are you alright?”
“Yeah.” He swallowed, shakily. “I just… don’t drink - like ever.”
“Really - not ever?” The ink eyebrows shot up. “Why not?” Her upturned nose twitched.
“Ever run hungover?” Run? A pale hand’s push slid their glasses out of sight. “I run - marathons… One’s coming up next weekend, so I’m in the middle of training for it.” Wally chuckled pathetically or painfully.
She fingered her ebony tresses thoughtfully. Then she whispered, while leaning forward so her mouth brushed the pink, freckly orifice. “So then why…did you drink?”
Wally spoke near her cheek, the sharp, spiced-sugar whisked Raven’s nose. “Because I wanted a little liquid courage.” His queasiness had dissipated. “I… want to dance - will you dance with me?” He asked, as though it had only occurred to him moments ago.
Suddenly, she glanced at her surroundings. “Um, I…” They were alone, but not truly. And even if they were, this was still a work party. She sneaked a peek behind them. The darkened room was thinned out, over half the people had left. Those that remained were drunker and louder than the last. Could it be that it was safe after all?
“Raven?” Wally was following her line of sight. “Are you…looking for an out?”
“No,” She promised and placed her palm in his. “Let’s do it.”
“Don’t you dare…” Her voice had suddenly gone dry.
“I thought you were in HR.” Wally continued. “Can I report someone in HR - to HR?”
She sighed into her smile. “Your jokes are still decent when you’re wasted.”
Right or wrong, it was best to be cautious. Raven felt more at ease when he took her to a secluded corner in the back. Her and Wally danced restlessly, waiting, with their bodies a ways apart. Unspoken, until they were the last ones left.
At last.
Turning in aimless circles, with her arms draped on his neck and his hands tight to her waist, they drew closer. With the party over, it was harmless. She and Wally had morphed into two individuals out on a Friday at the bar.
The bar where booze laden blood overheated their bodies. Raven’s cardigan was torn off and the first three buttons on Wally’s shirt had come undone.
One song melded into another and another and another. Until one that played for their ears alone - it was one where rules of Human Resources, policies, and holiday parties could fall away like layers fallen between them.
———————-
Raven clicked open another email. One day was unending lull only for the one that succeeded to be filled with a billion urgent emails that all required her attention.
Today was one of those days.
Open Skype.
That was it. No subject. No greeting. No signature. And it was from one Wally West.
An involuntary smile began to slide across her skin as she clicked, wondering what this could possibly be about.
WW: 30 minutes. Me and you.
RR: I’m busy. What is this about?
WW: You’ll see. I’m signing off - so you can’t say no.
Wally appeared in her doorway no less than five minutes later. “Raven - up!” He commanded.
She shook her head violently. “I have a ton of work to do today. I can’t -”
Wally persisted. “Up. Up. Up!” He went around to pull her out of the chair. It made her remember their dances. She had to breathe carefully to calm herself. “You can squeeze in an hour for lunch.” Raven opened her mouth. “Microwaved leftovers or calcified bags of nuts from your desk drawer are not lunch.”
“Wally, please…” Raven she begged. She had to at least attempt a last ditch effort. “I should get this done.”
His red hair flopped over his face. When he straightened back up, he gave her a soft smile. “Trust me, it’s only an hour, and you’ll love it.”
“Okay.” She couldn’t say no to that - or to him.
He chatted with her animatedly for all five blocks until they arrived at a little bistro Raven had never been to, despite it being so close.
“Two tomato soups and two grilled cheeses, please.”
Simple, but classic, it was her favorite comfort food. When the waiter disappeared, Raven playfully shoved him. Wally grinned, appreciating how well he knew her.
True to his word, it was the best lunch at work she had ever had.
And after, they ran, with full-stomachs sprinted, arm and arm in their pea-coats. The uncooperative weather wafted their condensed breath out into the ether. The chill snapped their cheeks and noses, outlining them in pink as they raced on. He had vowed to get Raven to her office before an hour elapsed. But before they rounded the corner to the building, he stopped.
“Wally, come on.” Raven panted. “We have to get back - before -”
The experienced runner was hardly winded. His voice didn’t waver when he told her, “Raven, I don’t… Have to get back.”
“No. We all have an hour.” She exhaled, glancing at her watch for the time. “That’s the rule.” Her tone dropped a decibel, she conspired, pinching her forefinger and thumb. “I mean I’m supposed to say that, but you can push it a little…”
“Raven, I’m an independent contractor.”
Faintly, she wondered why he needed to mention that. “Meaning? You have a stricter deadline than I do -” He brushed a raven lock, tenderly gazing at her as he did so. “Wally…! What if someone sees you…”
“Today’s my last day, Raven.”
“What?” The pale girl ripped away, violently. “No." She bit out. Raven tried to slow and soften the harshness. "I… don’t understand.”
“My contract ended.” Wally explained. “And they decided not to extend it.”
“But,” She argued, knowing it was futile. “Surely there’s something we can do, or I can do.”
After all, what was the point of working in her department all these years? What was the point if she couldn’t help a friend?
“Raven, don’t worry about me.” He slid closer. “It’s alright, I’m needed elsewhere.”
“So that’s it.” Raven lifted her head.
“I’ll be packing up tonight…” Wally continued in a normal register. She wished he wouldn’t. “If you wanted to help…”
The wind picked up, night colored tendrils blew back in frigidity. The ice in the air surrounding her body was as cold as the ice overcoming her heart. It was painful enough that he was going. Leaving her. Helping to carry out the process would be cruel. “I don’t think I can do that, Wally.”
“I understand… But now, I can do this...” He eyed her closely. His bluish-green eyes memorized her face, at last, her lips. With enough films and sappy television in her repertoire, she knew what was next.
Two parted pillowy lips advanced, angling downward. Raven stood on her tiptoes, stretching her body to sun. His warmth drew her nearer to his atmosphere. This was it. The moment she had only dreamed of… She shut her heavy lids, just as his mouth, stung by the chill, veered…into her forehead.
“Let’s go back… to the office.”
The cool wind whistled and Raven was stung.
All over again.
“I’ll - meet you up there.” She stepped back. “I need a moment.”
As soon as he had disappeared out of sight, Raven started to walk. The other way. To the train. To go home. She felt sick after all.
Bruh, I'm always up for some dirty kfrae. Just saying. That is if you are still doing requests
I aim to please. NSFW.- - -
Their moments were always stolen between battles and moments with the team. There was never anything romantic about them during the moment, it was always hot and heavy against the wall - quick, fast, sinful, needy - there might have not have been love behind it at first, because they were so desperate for release. Raven needed someone who wouldn’t ask her questions, and Wally needed someone who wouldn’t whisper his secrets to their friends.
And so, their first encounter had her pinned against the bathroom counter, bent over the sink as the both watched their reflection in the mirror. Raven’s breath was coming out in short pants, fogging up the mirror, and Wally was practically fascinated with her eyes, the way they darkened and called out to him from behind her lashes. He loved watching the unrully passion sink into her veins and take over her soul - it was different and new.
Their sixth encounter was a little less needy, and a bit more slow. They lay under the stars, watching fireworks explode in the darkness of the sky above them, and Wally hitched her legs over his shoulders as he drove deep into her waiting body. She tightened around him, gasping and murmuring as he gave her everything she needed from this stolen moment, and it wasn’t until days after that he realized she called out his name for the first time.
Their tenth encounter was completely different. It was more about his pleasure, and in the middle of a crowded restaurant, Raven crawled under the floor-length table cloth and sucked him clean and dry. And when he was done, she swallowed him whole, her eyes watched him from a sliver of space under the table cloth. She grinned easily and went back to her dinner as if nothing had happened, leaving him confused, his heart beating wildly in his chest, even long after their dinner.
It wasn’t until their thirteenth encounter that they took things slow. Wally made love to her, slowly, softly, his eyes never leaving as he watched her come again and again and again. It was not something he had ever seen before, and there was something about it that called out to him. He wanted to keep it close, wanted to keep that soft whisper, his name, those dark eyes… he wanted to keep them all to himself. And so, for the first time, he allowed himself to mumble it against her skin as they both came together.
