It won't survive me

Ayo ayo amigos. After some thought, I’m going to move Raven to a multimuse and archive this account. Please come follow me at @offeatherandbone​ ! I’ll be writing Kate Bishop, Raven, and a few other characters. 

I would risk it all for Eren Yeager 

“Close friends know,” Raven admitted. It wasn’t like she was ashamed or anything, it was more knowing small bits and pieces from here and there. They hadn’t been around each other enough to get into the nitty gritty. She had been his neighbor while she was studying at the lab under Shuri and her assistants. That slowly became a tentative friendship before... well, yeah. Small talk didn’t make a baby. It was best to keep the details to herself, but certain trusted few knew who the father was. As for JJ, “He knows about you. That you were from Brooklyn and served in the military, but nothing that a five year old can’t process.” It was a relief that she was finally able to tell him. Raven never thought she’d see him again, no one ever thought the blip would be reversible. JJ growing up without a father was something she accepted, grateful to have amazing friends who tried to fill the family void. It wouldn’t have replaced having a real father, ever. Having grown up without one herself, she knew how painful it was. “...He’s named after you. James Jacapo Barnes. JJ for short.” Maybe it wouldn’t be the ideal family, but knowing that Bucky was around made a difference. He didn’t strike her as someone who wouldn’t be involved, but she knew he had a lot going on and didn’t expect him anything from him either. Even if it was just a visit now and then, she hoped there’d be some bonding eventually.  “Last chance to postpone.” Raven warned as she changed lanes towards her exit, the Brooklyn bridge visible from the highway. The last thing she wanted to do was force him into this. If JJ hadn’t been injured, she would have gladly told him over coffee and set up a day for them to meet. It was a lot to take in and anyone’d need time to process. Ironically, moving back to New York had sent her to Brooklyn Heights. That was also something she was feeling a little guilty about. It definitely wasn’t planned, but she wasn’t sure if he’d even want to be around here or if it’d be overwhelming for him. The only reason she moved here was because she wanted their son to have some type of connection to his dad, even if it was just growing up in the same neighborhood. Raven’s job as an engineer gave them more than enough for a condo in a nice building. 

“Of course she did.” Raven mumbled to herself. That confirmed she’d never see it again. Back to the days of taking notes on paper, thankfully the school had computers she could use for assignments. The only issue was she’d only have access until the building closed. “So a minute, meaning a few days ago or what?” Trying to create a timeline to work off of. Of all the shady people her mother’s deal with, Fez was the most neutral. He wasn’t a bad guy, but the world he was involved in wasn’t something she liked to associate herself with. Sometimes she didn’t have a choice, since her mom tended to bring people over. As far back as she could remember, her mom was an addict. She’d never met her father and Raven assumed it was because her mother had no idea who the guy was. Addiction was something she was used to dealing with, staying up late to keep an eye on her mom so she wouldn’t choke on her own vomit or calling an ambulance when she ODed. That happened too often, unfortunately. Disappearing for a few days and having to track her down was also part of a fucked up routine.  “I guess.” Feeling less angry knowing that he sent her off. It didn’t particularly bother her, knowing a lot of the drug dealers since she was a kid. Not that it particularly helped anything, a good portion of them being terrible people. “Not like it really matters, I’m sure my laptop is long gone now.” But she was still worried about what her mom got into. As much resentment as she held for the women, that was still her mother. 

 “ you can’t protect any of them. ” - Fez if you want(: “Fuck off.” Raven snapped in annoyance. The last thing she wanted to be reminded of was not being able to protect her boyfriend, who was currently in juvie or her mom who she hasn’t been able to find for the last few days after the women stole her laptop. In all honestly, it was the cheapest, shittiest laptop one could find. It was secondhand, and the space button didn’t work unless you hit it a certain way. Even as shitty as it was, her mom stole it. Raven doubted she’d ever get it back, knowing it was probably pawned off and she didn’t have the money to buy it back or get herself a new one. With all her assignments on the old piece of tech, she was in for a rough week.  “I don’t care.” She lied, grabbing a drink out of the fridge and slamming it on the table, spitefully putting down a dollar in quarters instead of the actual dollar bill she had in her pocket. “I just want to know when the last time my mom paid you a visit.” 

Raven wasn’t sure how he’d react to the carseat. Shoulders slumped slightly in relief when he still got in the car. He could have easily made up an excuse if he was uncomfortable, so she appreciated that he decided to soldier through it, pun not intended. “Yeah,” Raven responded as she immediately started the car, waiting until the first red light to put her seatbelt on. “JJ is a bit of a daredevil. Decided to jump off the jungle gym and might need stitches.” She explained. Her brain was in mom mode, so she hoped he wouldn’t mind her aggressive driving. “I know it’s weird, inviting...” They never had an official title, but he obviously wasn’t just a friend back then. “you to come along, but let me just get on the highway and I’ll explain.” Cursing under her breath as she tried to merge, but an aggressive Taxi driver was being a dick.  After another few minutes of fighting New York Traffic, she managed to get them to the Hugh L. Carey tunnel into Brooklyn. It’d spit her out onto the 478, so even with traffic, it was going to be a straight shot. “Look, I...” She started carefully, trying to think of the most delicate way to deliver the news but delicate wasn’t in her wheelhouse. “JJ is about to be five.” Hoping that maybe the math would give him a clue. “After the whole blip thing, I came back to the states and I found out I was pregnant... and you’re the only person I... yeah.” She chanced a glance at him quickly, hoping he was taking it well before she looked back at the road. “I know this is dropping a huge bomb on you, I just.... last time, I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I just don’t want to chance us splitting and not being able to tell you.” Her heart felt like it was in her throat, waiting for a response. The anxiety made her grip the wheel a little harder. “If you need some time to process before meeting him, that’s fine. I can drop you off if you’re nearby. But, if you wanted to meet him, I’d love that. I’m sure he would too...” 

A silent apology on her face as he placed the money down. She always felt bad about anyone paying for her anything, especially when she was making good money working for SI. As they made their way to the door, she turned to him and offered him a “Thanks,” Relief in her voice as he agreed to come along. Knowing him and who he was involved with, there was no guarantee she would see him anytime soon. It wasn’t fair to Bucky or to JJ to hide this information and, frankly, she didn’t want to. She had no idea what happened to him and no way to contact him. If she did, Raven would have told him years ago.  “We’ll see.” Lips pursed together as they walked down the city street together. The mention of him walking made her smile a little. “No bike yet?” She teased, even if she felt stressed. “It’s cool. You caught me by work, I have my car parked in the garage nearby.” And a half of a block later, she lead the way towards the black jeep. “Okay, before you get in, I just want to warn you that there’s a car seat in the back...” Raven said, frowning to herself as she unlocked the door, peeking over the top at him as she opened the driver’s side door. “I’ll explain everything on the way there, I promise.” Already having gotten in, seatbelt buckled, and key in the ignition. 

"That’s good.” Raven smiled genuinely, though the added explanation of it being mandatory made that smile falter a tiny bit. “Well, I hope it’s not excruciatingly awful.” A small, playful verbal poke at him. She moved her hands out of her pocket and finally took a sip of her coffee. Running into him on her lunch break wasn’t what she expected, but it was probably the second best surprise she received in a while. The first... well, she was still trying to see how the hell she was going to bring that up.  “So, you’re living in New York again?” Raven recalled him mentioned he used to live in Brooklyn. Between the years of being the Winter Solider, Wakanda and the blip, she couldn’t imagine the culture shock. Though, her guess was that he handled it by avoiding most things. Not that she particularly blamed him, she didn’t go through half of what he went through and tended to avoid social situations. The vibration of her phone immediately stole her attention, taking a quick glance down at the screen before she cursed under her breath. “One sec, I’m so sorry. I have to take this.” Raven gave him a sheepish look as she answered. The sheepishness quickly turned to concern. “Yeah, I’ll be over in a few.... okay... okay, bye.” Raven slipped her phone into her pocket, as she got up. “I hate to do this, but I have a little emergency.” There was so much they needed to catch up on, so she hated cutting things short but her son... their son had decided to jump off the jungle gym and needed some stitches. “I know this is a little weird to ask, would you be able to come with me?” Raven knew it would probably be better to gently spring this on him, but after so long, she didn’t want to risk losing him again before he found out. She’d figure out how to explain on the way. 

“A lot,” Voice sounded like sandpaper, rough from the screaming. Dark brows knit together as she got up off the cot. She needed a damn shower to get the blood and sweat off. She vaguely remembered biting Clarke and drawing blood. “That’s the whole downside of being possessed by a crazy AI.” Raven grumbled. Everything in her body hurt, especially the shoulder that popped out of place. The pain in her head has yet to subside after getting A.L.I.E fried out of her brain. Certain things came back quickly, memories hitting her like a freight train.