Conner quickly reacted, teleporting beneath her mid-air to catch her and teleporting into his living room. Once they rematerialized in the room, he fell on the couch and gasped, breathing deeply for a couple seconds.
Raven took short breaths, stabilising herself against the wall. Her heart raced and her palms were clammy.
Even in his… pain, was the most connectable word for it, Conner stood up and hurried over to her, wrapping her gently in his arms. "Shhh, shhh, you're safe. You're okay. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?"
Raven leaned into Connor's chest, breath slowing but but still shaky. She grabbed Connor's hand and held it tightly.
He squeezed her hand. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you," he repeated, kissing her hair gently.
A single tear fell down Raven's cheek. "I'm sorry," She whispered.
"For what?" he asked, leaning back to look at her. He wiped her tear away.
"For everything," Raven replied. "I've brought so much on you."
"Hey," he said softly, taking her chin in his fingers. "Listen to me right now. We've been over this. I would give anything for you, Raven, you're my girl. Okay?" He winked and smiled, hoping to pass it on to her.
Raven couldn't smile. Her chin quivered as tears rolled down her cheeks.
He wiped all of her tears aside. "Raven, I love you. I'd do anything for you."
Raven looked into Connor's eyes and managed a small smile.
"Please smile. Cause if you don't smile, I'll have to make you." A glitter of something passed through his eyes.
Raven's smile didn't get any bigger, but it didn't die either. She broke eye contact and looked down.
"Raven…?" Conner asked worriedly. He'd only been trying to get her to smile. "What's wrong?"
She looked back at Connor. "No one's really ever cared for me since by mother died."
"Well guess what?" he replied genuinely, cupping her face with his hand. "You've got someone now. Spill. Tell me anything you want."
Raven had no choice but to look at him. She was silent for a few moments. "I… I want to marry you."
In all honesty, he hadn't been expecting that at all. But he wasted no time replying with "Name the date" and kissing her softly.
"Anytime. At the court house," Raven replied, leaning into her now fiance.
He kissed her happily. "I love you so much, Raven… I promise I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."
"I love you too," Raven replied. "It's been so long since someone said that and meant it."
"Well write it down for the history books," he joked. "I mean it more than anything in my life."
"As do I," Raven replied. "It's a good feeling. To have someone to love you."
"I concur," he replied, giving her a sly smile.
"Especially when the person supposed to give you love after your mother never gave it."
He pressed his lips together and looked at her. "Raven…"
"What else do you want me to say? That I had a loving father my whole childhood and wish he hadn't died? Because that's a lie."
"No. I'm asking you to, for one minute, forget everything. Please."
"I can't do that, Connor," Raven replied. "I just can't."
