Chapter 39

Adriatisin. That’s what the Justice League had came up with for the name of the medicine I had created. It had been announced and distributed to the public a short while ago. It was a bit of a…controversial introduction in the United States.

Well, I say controversial but the truth was that most people saw this as a very good thing. The people who didn’t were in the minority. But that minority was vocal.

While people were happy about the medicine that would end ‘hearing problems forever’, there were a few who were unhappy with the process. The Justice League had created and distributed this medicine across the nation without FDA approval or any real government oversight. The Justice League’s official stance was that they were using some sort of legal loophole with the government being lax on FDA standards for medicine during an epidemic. The epidemic in this case being people with hearing problems.

Of course, this excuse was absolutely paper thin and hollow, not to mention full of holes. It also didn’t help matters that the US Government’s official stance on this matter had long been silent. They only spoke up after the fact, and stated that what the Justice League did was unconstitutional.

Even so, they would not be interfering with the distribution process. The Justice League was only punished with a slap on the wrist. Being fined for a certain amount, as well as having to pay some sort of increased tax for just about everything to do with Adriatisin.

Most people didn’t care, but the ones who did were absolutely infuriated at this decision. Ridiculing the Government’s stance and calling them cowards. While not as disrespectful with his words, Lex Luthor was in fact one of these detractors.

Personally, I thought they were idiots. What exactly did they expect some limp dick politician who’s never fought a day in their life to do? To go and tell the police to arrest Superman? Wonder Woman? Batman?

And then when they obviously fail, they’d just look even worse. Honestly it was a lose-lose situation for them no matter what they did. Every decision just makes them look weak, and that’s not even from a place of malice or judgement.

This was the Justice League we’re talking about. EVERYONE looks weak in comparison. The same guys who’ve gone to other nations in times of crisis and singlehandedly stopped an armed conflict from breaking out.

If they really wanted to, they could easily control the United States. Hell, I’m pretty sure the vast majority of people would even vote for them. I’d vote for them, and I didn’t even particularly like them.

During this controversy, the Justice League had made numerous upon numerous of interviews and press conferences addressing the issues. Press conferences that I didn’t go to.

Why? Because I was counting my new found fat stacks of cash, that’s why. With just the initial payment from the Justice League I was swimming in an absolutely obscene amount of cash. I could fill a swimming pool with nothing but hundreds and I’d still have a good chunk left over.

At first when I had received the money I…had no idea what to do with it. It was just exciting. Holding that much power and cash in my hands. Cradling the credit card that had all my funds on it in awe.

My first thought had been to go to a strip club, but then I had quickly wiped away that idea. It was amusing, but not exactly worth my while. Maybe a sports car? A house that I could have just on the off chance I needed it? Another sports car?

Having a lot of money was…a very new concept to me. Which meant I needed help in knowing just what to do with it. And who knows better how to handle money, than the rich themselves?

So, I made a phone call to the richest guy I knew. Or at least he knew a thing or two about that life style. It took a few minutes to explain the situation, and it took even longer to get Ethan to actually believe me. But afterwards he gave me what sounded like decent advice.

Casinos were a pretty safe bet in his eyes. Along with a few other businesses. He also gave me tips on what to look for in a house and that buying property and flipping houses was very profitable right now.

He was extremely amused at the situation throughout. Apparently, he had thought that the next time I called him it would be because the Justice League or the Titans had thrown me out on my ass. Which…was also what I had been expecting, truthfully.

I offered to reimburse or at least indirectly help him out for his advice, but Ethan rejected it. Saying it was better to make sure there was as little connecting the two of us as possible.

…He had a point, of course. Especially now of all times. It was true that my identity as the creator of Adriatisin wasn’t publicly known, but the ones who did would have their eye on me.

Even still…

Well, it didn’t matter. If he didn’t want the money then there was nothing, I could do to force it on him. Not unless I was ready to risk everything I had built here.

The moment I actually have all of this money, I couldn’t even use it in the way I wanted most. Due to the nature of who exactly was providing me that money…

How annoying.

Robin was the only one who knew about my new found 1% status. The other Titans had no clue, and I didn’t plan on telling them either. Not unless I really needed or wanted to.

Even when I had the entire Lab revamped, they just assumed it was something the Justice League had been funding, not myself. I had also bought a few private…security measures for the Lab as well.

Nothing crazy considering the only one’s that can really get to the Lab are Titan members. And the security measures the Tower already had were far above what I could easily purchase with just cash. But I did at least want to be notified when someone was entering the Lab. As well as knowing exactly who was there, and what they were trying to do.

Perhaps I was overly paranoid, but it wasn’t something I wanted to take chances with.

Afterwards I finally tackled a problem I had been avoiding. My…er, I wasn’t really the type of person to really dwell on what I was feeling in a given moment. I thought through my actions, yes, but these actions are on what benefits me. It was rare that my thoughts turned to anything else.

Especially regarding…relationships.

Star gave me a smile as I walked into her room. Almost immediately she started to slip off her pants only for me to stop her. There was something else I needed to have confirmed with her.

“Star…I…wanted to talk about…us.”

It was extremely difficult to look towards Star’s eyes, but I persevered. It was an extremely embarrassing moment for me, but it was also one that needed to be taken. Especially if this was to go…anywhere else.

“What about us?”

Starfire tilted her head in confusion, but obviously having shifted her mood. Likely due to sensing the atmosphere. I cleared my throat a bit before speaking.

“Our…relationship. I need to know what you consider us.”

Kori blinked at that a bit before smiling and answering.

“We’re lovers, are we not?”

She said it as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. Causing me to breath easy. The tension in my shoulders fading as I chided myself on how awkward this situation had turned into.

“Is…something wrong?”

Kori asked with a measure of concern but I waved her off. A smile on my face as she got closer in order to inspect me, causing me to pull her closer. Something she was pleased about.

Good. This was good.

“No. Thank you…Kori.”

But even then, there were still some more minor questions that I needed answered. Such as…

“Oh, before I forget, do you remember what you said to Galatea back when we were in the gym?”

Starfire frowned a bit and looked at me for a bit.

“…which time?”

I found it extremely amusing that her first thought wasn’t immediately when we had sex but was instead including all of them together.

“When you asked Galatea if she wanted to join.”

She blinked before nodding.

“Yes. I remember.”

“Do you…find women attractive as well?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Interesting. Now that I think about it, it should have been obvious that there probably wouldn’t be the same human stigmas amongst aliens and their different cultures. Unfortunately, being biased and looking at things the way a human would was just something ingrained into my very being.

In other words, it wasn’t something I was capable of thinking without.

“If she had accepted…what would you have done?”

“…I think you know.”

Starfire answered, giving me a rather lurid look. One that showed a certain amount of pride of her previous actions. Ones that were very well received.

“And if she fooled around with me, how would that make you feel?”

I continued to probe her, making sure that we were indeed on the same page. A threesome sounded great to me, but I wanted to establish proper boundaries first. I didn’t care if she fooled around with someone like Galatea, but if it was someone else…

I’m not sure how I’d feel.

“That would be a good thing, wouldn’t it?”

Starfire asked in confusion. Not at the question but more of what spurred this question on. I was starting to get the feeling that Tamaran was a great place to visit.

“And if it was someone else?”

“As long as they aren’t our enemies, it would be fine.”

She stated, taking a stab at what I was trying to get at. I considered her words, before replaying it a few times in my head and asking her another question.

“What if a girl wanted to fool around with me, and I didn’t tell you?”

Starfire blinked at that.

“Is it…normal to tell each other about the ‘fooling around’?”

Yes. And that answer was more than a bit worrying.

“It is. Star…would you fool around with someone without my knowledge?”

Kori seemed genuinely worried and concerned about this. Likely wondering about how different human relationships were.

“Uh…if you…didn’t want me to…I guess…I wouldn’t?”

My eyes hardened at the answer.

“Kori. From now on, I would ask you to not get sexual with anyone else unless we’ve talked about it beforehand. Can you…do that for me?”

Starfire seemed a bit shocked at my words. Pausing and deeply contemplating something…I wasn’t sure what it was. And that…worried me.

“Is…this what relationships are like on Earth?”

…Kind of? More or less, I guess.

“Yes.”

She paused for a few more seconds before coming to a decision. Nodding her head in my direction.

“…Alright. Things are…done differently on Tamaran. I am sorry if I made you…upset-“

“You haven’t done that Starfire. I know. I…”

My voice trailed off. The words I was going to say becoming fragmented before scattering in the wind like dust. Causing me to grimace.

There were things that were difficult for me to say.

“…Thank you, friend Law. I…really love spending time with you.”

…That meant a lot to me. More than I could express.

“I like spending time with you too.”

I cursed myself inwardly for not having the backbone to say what I wanted to. Thankfully it seemed I didn’t need to, as Starfire still smiled and was obviously happy about my response.

Before I ended this conversation, there was one thing I still needed to make clear.

“Star. I don’t mind if you show interest towards women, but I do not want you to ask about other men.”

She blinked at that. That wasn’t something I was willing to budge on. Starfire nodded, but frowned a bit while doing so. Obviously showing that she wasn’t satisfied with something.

“Alright...”

She said in a tone of voice that said that wasn’t the end of this. Causing me to narrow my eyes as she continued.

“But, if I do that, then you must also not ask about other men…It’s only fair.”

I blinked a few times as I ran her words in my mind a few times as I had trouble understanding her the first time. No, she did indeed just say what I thought she did.

…She could certainly drive a hard bargain.

“Alright. It’s a deal then.”

Starfire then got rid of her frown and smiled once again at me.

Before pulling down her pants.

…Well, I was already here…

*~o~*

Raven PoV

In this moment, there was harmony. There was peace. There was tranquility. There was focus. The world around me wasn’t separated, it was all connected.

The universe was one.

Clarity came in the moment of realization. No matter how often it is recognized, the clarity that came with the truth would never disappear or lessen. This was the lesson I was taught as a child, and I would never forget it.

What emotions, what insignificant troubles could I experience when I was one with the universe?

None.

Because there was nothing that could threaten the universe itself. It was everything, and everything was it. Allowing me to delve-

“Ahhh!”

…The…universe wasn’t so easily shaken by mortal-

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

A flash of annoyance crept over me as I tried to continue to meditate, only to quickly be brought out of it. The loud thumping sounds that echoed in the room next to me as well as Starfire’s moans made it next to impossible to focus.

My hand went towards my head as a migraine started to make itself known. My head pulsing, not unlike the wall they were currently bashing down. Damn it, it was the sixth time this week.

It was like they were animals unable to resist even a moment where they aren’t constantly experiencing pleasure. Starfire I could understand. She experienced such powerful emotions that a normal human couldn’t compare. But Law?

He was human. He had no such excuse.

It was aggravating. Didn’t they realize everyone could hear them? They should at least show some consideration and be more discreet. Otherwise, I couldn’t focus and…mediate to help…to…

They’ve disrespected you. Kill them.

I grunted as his words echoed in my head. I needed to focus in order to dispel him. It wasn’t exactly helping that Starfire was screaming her head off in this moment…nor was the massive surge of her emotions. Negative emotions were much easier for me to deal with. I had experience with those. Positive emotions at least didn’t strengthen him, but they still caused me to falter. To not be able to truly focus on what mattered.

After several minutes, I was finally able to make sure his presence was truly gone. Even despite the best efforts of Starfire and Law.

A hand drifted up to my forehead and came back soaked in sweat. I…needed some rest. It was a tiring experience.

Rest sounded…nice.

Yet even as I laid in my bed, I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. Starfire’s emotions still raged on. Pushing against the walls of my mind as if to echo the actions of my father.

Why.

Why did they feel the need to do this? Was it not enough to just do it once? What was the point in indulging in such base desires constantly?

No, I couldn’t think about it. I shouldn’t. It made it that much easier for him. It wasn’t something that should ever be allowed.

I wouldn’t think about my friends in that way. I wouldn’t think about what Starfire was doing right this second. About how much she must be enjoying it. I wouldn’t think about Law become slick with his own sweat. I wouldn’t think about Cyborg walking out of the showers with nothing but a towel on. I wouldn’t think about those times I’ve walked by Beast Boy’s room and knew what he was secretly doing.

I…I wouldn’t…

I couldn’t…