Waking up in a tangle of limbs was nothing new. Waking up feeling like I'd spent the night getting ambushed by two relentless forces of nature? Also not new, but still worth mentioning.
Someone's arm was draped across my chest. Another was tangled in my hair. And at least one leg had claimed my own in a vice grip that suggested I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
I cracked one eye open. Yep. Tia and Deedee were still alive. Good. I was half-expecting at least one of them to have ascended to a higher plane of existence after last night.
"Ughhh…" Tia groaned dramatically, her face buried against my shoulder. "Tell me again why we do this to ourselves?"
"Because we're masochists?" Deedee suggested lazily, her voice thick with sleep and, I like to think, admiration. "Or because Harry here was bioengineered in a lab to ruin women for all other men?"
"Hey, that's slander," I muttered, yawning. "I wasn't engineered in a lab."
Tia lifted her head just enough to glare at me. "Luthorcorp literally altered your DNA."
"Okay, fine," I admitted, "but I'm more of a happy accident. Like penicillin. Or Pop Rocks."
Tia groaned and flopped back down, her face smushed against my side. "That is the worst analogy I've ever heard, and I am working towards two degrees in science."
Deedee snorted. "You should know by now that Harry's analogies operate on their own plane of reality."
I smirked, stretching just to watch them both groan in protest. "What can I say? Basilisk and Phoenix DNA, Amazonian resilience, and sheer force of will."
Tia swatted my chest. "More like sheer force of stubborn jackassery. Do you ever get tired? Because I feel like we ran a marathon last night, and you're over here looking like you just came back from a relaxing spa day."
"Don't forget the protein shake," Deedee muttered. "He always looks like he's just had a protein shake."
I gave her a lazy smirk. "What can I say? I'm built different."
Deedee rolled onto my chest, propping herself up on her elbows to peer down at me. "You know, there was a time when I thought I had limitless stamina. Then I met you. Now? Now I understand what mere mortals must feel like when they realize the gods don't play fair."
"Oh, please," Tia snorted. "You love it."
"I do, but that's beside the point." Deedee poked my nose. "You're unnatural. It's like you were created by some higher power specifically to outlast every woman on the planet."
"Technically, that higher power was Luthorcorp," I said smugly. "So, if you have any complaints, take it up with them."
Tia groaned, rubbing her sore muscles. "I swear, we need a recovery day. Like, an actual day of rest. Not one of your fake 'we'll take it easy' days where you somehow convince us to train, spar, or—" she gestured vaguely at the bed "—do this again."
Deedee, ever the chaos gremlin, grinned wickedly. "Or, hear me out, we put his durability to the test. Again. For science."
Tia glared at her. "You are the literal embodiment of Death. Shouldn't you be less enthusiastic about this?"
Deedee waggled her eyebrows. "On the contrary, I live for this."
I chuckled, stretching again just to hear them whimper. "Y'know, if you two are actually that sore, I could offer a massage."
Tia narrowed her eyes. "Oh no. That is a trap. A big, sexy, deceptively soothing trap. I know how your massages end."
Deedee sighed wistfully. "Yeah, but what a way to go."
I smirked. "Well, if massages are out, there's always the shower."
Tia lifted her head again, clearly skeptical. "Are you suggesting a relaxing shower, or one of your showers? Because those are two very different things."
"Who's to say we can't have both?" I asked innocently.
Deedee sat up, stretching in a way that was absolutely intentional. "Well, Daddy, if you insist—"
"Nope." I clapped a hand over her mouth. "Not before coffee."
Tia snorted, grabbing my wrist and pulling it away from Deedee's mouth. "Fine. Shower first. Coffee second. And then we decide if we're insane enough to go for round… what are we at now? Seven? Eight?"
"I lost count after five," Deedee admitted, then grinned wickedly. "Which means we should start over."
I sighed, shaking my head in mock defeat. "You two are impossible."
Tia smirked. "And yet, you love it."
I didn't argue. Because, well… they weren't wrong.
—
The bathroom was already a steam-filled jungle, humidity swirling like a tropical storm. Water pounded against the tiles, but the real danger wasn't the scalding heat—it was the two blondes who had me backed into a corner with identical smirks and absolutely no regard for my personal space.
Tia and Deedee had me trapped, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say they planned it that way.
Deedee, ever the agent of chaos (seriously, if I ever needed to rob a bank, she'd probably do it for fun), trailed a finger down my chest like she was debating whether or not to steal my soul. "You know, there's something about you being completely at our mercy that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
I arched a brow. "At your mercy? That's cute. No, really, tell me another one. Maybe about how the Joker is actually a well-adjusted member of society."
Tia laughed, her nails tracing lazy patterns over my shoulders. "Mmm, confident, isn't he?"
"He does have the skills to back it up," Deedee admitted, running her finger down my abs in a way that was definitely illegal in at least twelve states. "Still, I think we should test our hypothesis again. You know, for science."
"You're really trying to turn this into a research project?" I snorted. "Should I start calling you Professor Deedee?"
She nodded solemnly. "The pursuit of knowledge is very important to me."
Tia rolled her eyes. "So is being a brat."
"Excuse you, I am a well-respected academic," Deedee sniffed. "My field of study just happens to be Harry."
"Flattering," I said dryly. "But if you're so committed to research, I should warn you—there are consequences for pushing too far."
Deedee pouted. "Oh no, Tia. I think we've poked the bear."
Tia bit her lip, feigning innocence in a way that did absolutely nothing to convince me. "Oops. Whatever shall we do?"
I sighed dramatically, because if I didn't, my reputation as a man constantly suffering from the antics of beautiful, dangerous women would be at risk. "You two really don't know when to quit, do you?"
"Not when it comes to you," Tia murmured, brushing her lips against my jaw, her breath warm against my skin.
Deedee purred, nipping at my earlobe. "We're very dedicated."
Dedicated? Oh, sure. And I was just an innocent bystander who happened to be caught in their wicked web of seduction.
I let out a low chuckle, tilting my head slightly so I could meet Deedee's playful bite with one of my own. I dragged my teeth down her neck, just enough to make her shiver. "You know what happens to naughty girls who push their luck, right?"
Tia grinned, looping her arms around my neck like she was daring me to do something about it. "I don't know, Daddy. Maybe you should show us."
Deedee gasped theatrically. "Oh no, punishment? Whatever will we do?"
I smirked. "That mouth of yours is gonna get you in trouble."
Deedee batted her lashes. "Promises, promises."
With a low growl of amusement, I tightened my grip, effortlessly spinning the two of them so that they were the ones pressed against the cool tile. Water streamed down their bodies, tracing along golden skin, but the heat had nothing to do with the shower. It had everything to do with the way their eyes darkened with anticipation.
"Now," I murmured, brushing wet strands of hair away from Tia's flushed face, "let's see just how much trouble you can handle."
Their giggles quickly turned into something else entirely.
—
Raven lay in bed, staring at the ceiling like it had personally wronged her. Maybe it had. Maybe she'd committed some heinous crime in a past life, and this was karmic justice. Because there was no other explanation for why she was currently being subjected to the most obnoxious, never-ending, aggressively loud sex marathon in the history of existence.
On the other side of the paper-thin wall, Harry, Tia, and Deedee were at it. Again.
The sounds were bad enough. The moans, the laughter, the occasional exaggerated praise for Harry's alleged god-tier abilities. But the talking? The talking was worse.
"Daddy, please." That was Tia, all breathy and dramatic. "You wouldn't punish little old us, would you?"
Raven stuffed a pillow over her face. No. No, no, no.
Deedee's voice came next, and, of course, it had to be her—the human embodiment of chaos, probably grinning like the cat who not only ate the canary but convinced it to season itself first. "I mean, technically, we were very, very bad. But, you know, if you think about it, that's kind of your fault. You bring out the worst in us."
Harry's answering laugh was low, rough, and way too confident for Raven's peace of mind. "Oh, is that right? My fault?"
"Absolutely," Deedee confirmed. "A hundred percent. No notes."
"Fascinating," Harry mused. "I'll be sure to write that down in my diary, right under 'How to make my life significantly harder.'"
Tia giggled. "Harder, huh?"
Raven didn't need to see them to know Harry was rolling his eyes. "Wow. A low-hanging fruit joke. Proud of yourself?"
Deedee sighed, the sound dripping with fake disappointment. "Listen, we have many talents, but maturity isn't one of them."
"That's an understatement."
Water splashed, punctuated by a sharp gasp and a wicked little laugh from Deedee. "Oh, look at that, Tia. Daddy's getting all feisty."
"Oh no," Tia murmured, not sounding at all concerned. "Whatever shall we do?"
There was a brief, heavy pause—then a downright scandalous moan that sent heat racing up Raven's neck.
Nope. Nope. This was not happening. She was Raven. Daughter of Trigon. Mistress of self-control. She was above this.
"Gods, Harry," Deedee practically purred. "I swear, you get better every time."
Raven clenched her fists, exhaling sharply through her nose. This was ridiculous. She had faced down interdimensional horrors. She had seen the very fabric of reality bend to unspeakable nightmares. And yet here she was, losing an internal war to the absolute menace that was Harry Potter.
More laughter. More sounds. More water hitting tile like some taunting metronome to her suffering.
"Not that I'm complaining," Tia continued, breathless, "but how are you this good?"
"Oh, please," Harry snorted. "Like I'd ever reveal my secrets to you two."
"You wound me," Deedee gasped. "I thought we had something special."
Tia hummed, obviously smirking. "Maybe we just need to push him harder."
"Careful," Harry warned, and there was something in his voice—low, edged with amusement, but undeniably dominant. "You push too hard, you might not like what you get."
Deedee let out an exaggerated gasp. "Tia, did you hear that? Was that a threat?"
"Oh, I think it was."
Raven squeezed her eyes shut.
This was fine. Everything was fine. She was totally not thinking about what was happening in that shower. Not thinking about Harry pressed between them, water glistening on his skin, his muscles taut, his smirk lazy and knowing. Not thinking about stepping into that steam-filled room, the heat wrapping around her, their hands reaching for her—
She yanked the blanket over her head, her breathing unsteady.
No.
Absolutely not.
But the fantasy had already taken root, curling through her mind like a temptation she couldn't shake. And worse? She didn't want to.
Another moan cut through the air, followed by Deedee's smug, "Oh, poor Raven. You think she's still trying to sleep?"
"I'd say she gave up hours ago," Tia mused.
Harry chuckled. "Well, if she's awake, she could always join us."
Raven's soul left her body.
Silence. Then, all-too-innocently, Deedee added, "Rae, babe, if you change your mind, the water's real nice."
Raven did the only rational thing. She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it.
She was never getting any sleep, was she?
—
The door swung open, and before we could even take a step into the hallway, we were hit with the full force of Raven's "I hate everything" energy. She stood there, arms crossed, looking like she'd spent the night contemplating homicide. Which, knowing Raven, was entirely possible. Her expression? A perfect cocktail of exhaustion, barely contained fury, and the kind of bone-deep regret usually reserved for people who accidentally sell their soul for a free trial and forget to cancel before the billing cycle starts.
Then she inhaled.
Her eyes widened. Her nostrils flared. And for a brief, glorious moment, I watched Raven—the unflappable, ever-composed mistress of doom and sarcasm—completely short-circuit.
Because the second-hand scent of last night's escapades (and this morning's encore performance) had just hit her like a sentient brick wall made of sin.
Tia, still warm and freshly showered, beamed. "Good morning, Rae! Did you sleep well?"
Raven's eye twitched.
Deedee, being Deedee, took a deep, exaggerated sniff of the air like she was a sommelier about to judge a very expensive wine. Then, because she had no regard for her own safety, she grinned. "Oh wow, Raven. You're looking a little flustered. What's wrong? Too much… atmosphere?"
Raven exhaled like a woman regretting every choice that had led her to this moment. "I hate you."
I smirked, casually draping an arm around my girls' waists. "Hate's a strong word, Raven. We prefer 'mildly annoyed but deeply intrigued.'"
Raven's gaze flickered between the three of us. "I was not intrigued."
Deedee gasped dramatically. "Wait. You mean to tell me you weren't lying in bed, listening to us, biting your pillow in frustration?"
Raven made a strangled noise, somewhere between a groan and an unholy incantation. "I was trying to sleep."
Tia gave an innocent shrug. "We were too. Eventually."
I leaned in, dropping my voice into that slow, knowing drawl that I knew drove people crazy. "Come on, Raven. If you were really that mad, you could've just knocked on the door. Maybe even joined us."
Raven's soul visibly left her body for a second time.
Tia giggled. "Ooooh, I like that idea."
Deedee rested her chin on my shoulder, staring Raven down like a cat playing with a cornered mouse. "So? Which one of us kept you up the most?"
Raven blinked, then scowled. "Excuse me?"
Tia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "It's an important question. Was it me? I do tend to get a little… vocal."
Deedee smirked. "Could've been me. I do have a talent for dragging things out."
Tia gave a dreamy sigh. "Or maybe it was all three of us, together. Really painting a picture for you."
Raven looked like she was debating whether it was possible to astral project into another dimension and never return. Instead, she settled for a deep breath, which was a mistake because, well. The scent of last night's activities was still hanging thick in the air.
Her fingers twitched. "You three are insufferable."
I grinned. "And yet, you're still standing here."
Deedee snapped her fingers. "Oh my gods. She totally is. Why is she still here?"
Tia's smirk was downright sinful. "It's almost like she likes us."
"Absolutely not," Raven said immediately.
I tilted my head. "Not even a little?"
"No."
Deedee made a low, knowing hum. "Liar."
Tia pouted. "Awww. That hurts, Rae. We put on such a good performance last night, too."
"Uh-huh," I mused. "And she didn't even say thank you."
Raven clenched her jaw so hard I was worried she'd crack a tooth. Without another word, she spun on her heel, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like a Latin prayer for deliverance.
Tia waved. "See you at breakfast!"
Deedee watched her storm off, then turned to me with the kind of smug satisfaction that could power a small city. "Give it a week."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She nodded. "Yeah. She's doomed."
I chuckled, pulling them both in as we headed for the kitchen. "Yeah. She really is."
—
The walk to the cafeteria was mostly uneventful.
Well, if you ignored Deedee and Tia doing their absolute best to permanently traumatize Raven through sheer force of innuendo. Which, honestly, was their version of a full-time job—except they didn't even want a paycheck. They just thrived on chaos.
"I still don't understand why she's mad," Deedee mused, plucking a strip of bacon off my plate before I could even blink. "She should be thanking us. We expanded her horizons, gave her a little… inspiration."
Tia snorted. "More than a little. Did you see her face? I think we broke her."
"She's not broken," I said, stirring my coffee. "Just… malfunctioning."
"She's got the 'horny but in denial' bug," Deedee said sagely. "Classic case."
Before I could respond to that absolutely cursed assessment, the Zeta Tubes flared to life with a familiar chime.
[ZETA BEAM TELEPORTATION SEQUENCE: ACTIVE.]
A moment later, my other girlfriends—Kara, Kori, Megan, Zatanna, and Mareena—stepped into the cafeteria, looking like a superhero edition of a high-fashion wind tunnel test. Kara rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck like she'd just spent the morning physically carrying Hawaii out of the ocean. Knowing her, that probably wasn't an exaggeration.
Kori beamed, her warmth practically radiating across the room. "Friends! It is most wonderful to see you!" she declared, floating slightly as she made her way over. "We have returned from a mission most eventful!"
I leaned back in my chair, raising an eyebrow. "Good. Because I want a debrief. How'd it go?"
Kara plopped down next to me, casually stealing the rest of my coffee with zero shame. "Volcano exploded. Evac went well, Superman handled most of the heavy lifting. Mareena and her dad played ocean cleanup while we made sure no one got burned to a crisp."
Mareena slid into a seat with the kind of effortless grace that made you question if Atlanteans were biologically incapable of being awkward. "The marine life was affected by the lava flow, but we managed to redirect most of them before it became catastrophic. My father is staying behind to monitor the ecosystem."
I nodded approvingly. "Good work. And Zatanna?"
Zatanna smirked, conjuring a cup of tea out of thin air like an absolute menace. "Vegas was… well, Vegas. Dad and I dealt with a demonic casino trying to siphon souls through bad poker hands. The usual."
Deedee gasped dramatically. "You mean to tell me gambling is rigged? I am shocked."
Megan giggled. "It sounds like you've had quite the morning yourselves."
"Oh, you have no idea," Deedee said gleefully, sharing a glance with Tia that immediately set off every internal alarm I had.
I sighed. "Deeds…"
She ignored me completely, turning to the others with a grin that practically screamed "I live to cause problems."
"So, you guys remember how we said Raven's totally crushing on our fearless leader?"
Kara perked up immediately. "Yeah?"
Tia leaned in like she was about to drop the most scandalous gossip of the century. "Well, last night? She heard things."
Zatanna arched an eyebrow. "Oh, this is going to be good."
"She didn't just hear things," Deedee corrected. "She got the full, surround-sound, IMAX 3D, Dolby Atmos experience."
Megan gasped. "No!"
"Oh, yes," Tia purred. "And when we saw her this morning? She was reeling."
Kori clapped her hands together, eyes shimmering with excitement. "Oh, this is most wonderful news!"
Mareena chuckled into her tea. "Raven's stubborn, but if she's reacting this strongly…"
"She's doomed," Kara finished smugly.
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You're all terrible."
Zatanna patted my arm, completely unsympathetic. "Harry, sweetie, you've got an entire team of women who adore you and want our goth queen to finally admit she does too. We live for this."
Megan nodded eagerly. "We should help her! Make her feel comfortable enough to embrace it."
Kori's eyes practically sparkled. "We could create the most romantic of atmospheres! The lighting, the music—"
Deedee cackled. "Or we just keep driving her insane until she snaps and jumps him."
Tia wiggled her eyebrows. "I volunteer as tribute to reenact last night's highlights if she needs further motivation."
I sighed again, staring into the abyss of my coffee cup as though it could give me the strength to survive this conversation.
Tia patted my shoulder, looking far too pleased with herself. "Just accept it, Daddy. She's going to be yours eventually. Might as well enjoy the show."
Kara smirked. "And hey, if she doesn't want to make a move… well, we can always give her a little push."
I groaned. This was going to be a long day.
—
The moment I managed to reclaim my coffee—what little remained of it, thanks to Kara—I sighed and prepared to crush their hopes and dreams.
"Alright, as much as I love watching you all emotionally torment Raven—"
"It's a passion project," Deedee cut in helpfully, sipping her tea with the innocent expression of a cat who just knocked an entire wedding cake off the counter.
"—I'm going to be busy today."
Kara tilted her head, brows furrowing. "Busy how? We had plans, Harry."
"Yeah," Megan added. "And by 'plans,' I mean you letting us use you as a pillow while we binge-watch bad rom-coms."
"I know, I know," I said, stretching, "but I've got to check in with Dr. Fate today. Nabu's been teaching me magic for months now, and apparently, I'm due for a progress report at the Tower of Fate."
That got their attention.
Zatanna whistled. "Oof. Fate pop quiz? That's rough, dude."
Tia smirked. "I dunno. Harry in the Mystic Arts? Kinda hot."
Deedee nodded sagely. "Oh, definitely. There's just something about a guy who can bend reality over a table and make it beg."
Mareena sighed dramatically. "Do you ever say anything that isn't wildly inappropriate?"
"No," Deedee said proudly.
Kori, ever the optimist, clapped her hands together. "I am most pleased that you are continuing your magical training, beloved! Such power will surely be invaluable."
"It's already invaluable," I said with a smirk. "Last week, I magicked my way out of paperwork. Total game-changer."
"Fate lets you do that?" Megan asked.
"Absolutely not. Which is why I have to show up today and pretend I didn't."
Kara rolled her eyes. "So you're telling me you'd rather go get lectured by a helmet-wearing eldritch grandpa instead of spending the day with us?"
"It's not my fault magic runs on a 'show up or get your soul forcibly yeeted' policy," I said. "Believe me, if I could ditch, I would."
Zatanna grinned. "You're lucky Fate actually likes you. He'd never let me get away with half the stuff you pull."
"Yeah, well, it helps that I've got a face even eldritch horrors love."
Tia smirked. "They're not the only ones, Daddy."
I groaned. "Tia—"
"What?" She stretched lazily, her tank top riding up just enough to be a distraction. "You weren't complaining last night."
Kori tilted her head. "Oh! You are referring to when Harry—"
"Moving on!" I said loudly before Kori could share details that would make even Deadpool blush. "I need you guys to behave while I'm gone."
Deedee leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, if you're going to be gone all day… maybe we should keep Raven company."
"Oh no," I said immediately. "No, no, no, absolutely not."
"Why not?" Megan asked innocently. "She seemed really flustered earlier. Maybe she could use some support."
Kori nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed! It is important that we nurture our bonds with our dear Raven!"
"Yes, nurture," Tia said, grinning. "With love and subtle psychological warfare."
"Subtle?" Mareena asked dryly. "Since when?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Look, just… don't scare her off before I get back, okay?"
Deedee gasped, placing a hand over her heart. "Harry! I am offended. Would we do that?"
"Yes."
She grinned. "Fair."
Zatanna twirled her fingers. "You know, I think it's cute how flustered she gets around you. Like, 'oh no, the hot wizard who smells like lightning and danger is looking at me, what do I do?'"
"I smell like lightning and danger?" I asked, intrigued.
"Oh, definitely," Tia purred. "Also? You were kind of a menace last night."
Megan's face was red. "I'm never looking at the couch the same way again."
Kara snorted. "Raven won't either, once we tell her."
I sighed. "I hate all of you."
Kori kissed my cheek. "No, you do not."
Damn it. She was right.
Mareena stretched. "Well, at least it won't be a boring day."
"No," I muttered. "It definitely won't."
—
Okay, let's get something straight: I love my girls. I really do. But leaving them for any length of time is like trying to escape from a pack of affectionate, ridiculously attractive, and occasionally terrifying lionesses who refuse to acknowledge concepts like "personal space" or "restraint."
Case in point: I was currently trying to make it to the Zeta Tube, and they were making it very difficult.
"Alright, ladies," I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "Much as I'd love to stay and be lovingly tormented into submission, I have a date with a spooky helmet and an eldritch pop quiz. And, considering last time said spooky helmet made me temporarily fluent in the screams of the damned, I'd really like to be mentally prepared for—"
Tia smirked. "Yeah, yeah, magic horrors. More importantly, do we have time to relive last night's activities in glorious, scandalous detail for Raven's benefit?"
A beat of silence. Then, from the hallway, a single, deadpan word:
"No."
I turned to see Raven standing there, looking at all of us like we were the reason she had chronic headaches. Which, to be fair, was accurate.
Deedee pouted. "Aww, come on! We're just getting to the good part. Should we yell it down the hall?"
"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not."
"I'll take that as a 'maybe,'" Deedee said, grinning like a demon in lip gloss.
Kara rolled her eyes. "Can we not traumatize Raven? She's had a rough morning."
"Oh?" Mareena tilted her head, her voice laced with mischief. "You mean because we all saw the way she was looking at Harry? The intense yearning?"
From deep within the hallway, Raven's voice echoed. "I will burn this entire building down."
"Love you too, Rae!" Megan called sweetly.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "This is why people think I have a villain arc incoming."
Tia grinned. "Please. If you go dark side, it'll be because I ask you to."
Kara shoved her. "Get in line."
"Right, well," I said, attempting an escape. "As much as I enjoy being fought over—"
"Oh, we're not fighting," Zatanna drawled. "This is more of a structured, organized coup."
"Not helping, Z."
Kori floated closer, eyes glowing softly. "Not without proper farewells, my love."
That set off a chain reaction.
Megan clasped her hands. "Oh! Me too!"
Deedee waggled her eyebrows. "Well, since we're doing this…"
Zatanna sighed dramatically. "Alright, line up, people. Harry's got a schedule to keep."
I made the rounds, pressing a kiss to each of them—some soft, some lingering enough to get a catcall from Tia, and one from Deedee that left me wondering if I'd just accidentally promised her my soul.
By the time I made it to the door, my jacket was stuffed with a very detailed shopping list.
"Beignets," Megan reminded me.
"Pralines," Mareena added.
"King cake," Kara called.
"Something sexy," Tia purred.
Kori clapped her hands. "I would like a mystery gift! Surprise me, my love!"
I sighed, already making a mental checklist. One eldritch pop quiz, a sugar rush delivery, and absolutely no villain arcs.
…Maybe.
—
Raven was a creature of the shadows. Not in the brooding, eyeliner-heavy, 'writes poetry about pain' kind of way (though, let's be real, she had her moments). No, she was literally in the shadows, her magic cloaking her as she watched Harry disappear through the Zeta Tube in a flash of light.
She should leave. She should absolutely not be standing here, watching as the girls sprawled across the Mount Justice common room like a pack of lionesses who had just finished a particularly satisfying hunt.
But she didn't move. Because the conversation was about her. And it was—predictably—infuriating.
"You know," Deedee said, stretching out across the couch like a cat that had claimed an entire kingdom. "For someone who insists she doesn't want to jump our boy's bones, Rae sure watches him leave like she's in a black-and-white wartime romance."
"I do not—" Raven started to hiss, before realizing that (A) she was supposed to be hidden, and (B) she was arguing with air.
"Maybe she just likes suffering," Megan offered, floating upside down with an easy smile, her red hair a halo around her. "I mean, she does dress like someone who listens to sad music in the rain."
Kori gasped. "Friend Raven, does she secretly have a love for the dramatics?"
"She does wear a lot of black," Zatanna pointed out, twirling her fingers to make a floating deck of playing cards shuffle themselves. "And, I mean, the cloak? That's some high-level brooding."
Raven closed her eyes. They were impossible.
"Okay, but seriously," Kara said, kicking her feet up on the table. "We need a plan."
Tia arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "For getting Rae to admit she wants to climb Harry like a tree?"
Megan snorted. "That would imply she doesn't already know."
"No," Kara corrected, "for getting her to stop pretending like she doesn't already belong with us."
Raven's stomach did a weird flip. She ignored it.
"Beloved Raven would be much happier if she accepted what we all see," Kori said, her voice warm and sincere. "She is drawn to us, just as we are to her."
"She's scared," Mareena pointed out, tapping a spoon against her mug of tea. "And, honestly, I get it. She didn't grow up like us."
"Yeah," Zatanna sighed. "Azarath wasn't exactly big on emotional expression. It was all 'suppress your feelings or else' over there."
"That's so sad," Megan murmured, looking genuinely heartbroken.
"Right?" Deedee shook her head. "I mean, I get it. If I were raised in an emotionless cult, I'd probably need years of therapy. But good news, Rae! You have us, and we're way more fun than therapy."
"Debatable," Tia muttered.
Deedee smirked. "Oh, I don't know, I think last night was pretty therapeutic."
"Stop," Kara groaned.
"No, please continue," Zatanna grinned.
"Oh, I'd be happy to," Deedee purred. "Let's talk about how—"
"If you finish that sentence, I will make your mouth disappear," Zatanna warned.
Tia grinned. "Z, you are no fun."
"The point is," Mareena said, cutting through the chaos, "we can't push her. She has to come to us on her own."
Kori frowned. "But what if she never does?"
There was a brief silence.
"We make it impossible for her to say no," Kara said simply. "We show her that love isn't something to fear. That she doesn't have to hold back with us. That she's already one of us."
A pause.
Then Deedee grinned. "Oh, I like this plan."
Tia smirked. "Me too. And you know what that means?"
"Oh no," Megan groaned. "What?"
Tia's grin was all mischief. "It means we need to be strategic in our seduction."
Raven's breath hitched.
This was going to be a problem.
---
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