Imprinted.
No one really thought too much into Beast Boy when he became the Beast. They saw it as just another animal he changes into, but it was much more than that. No one really noticed how it only came out when Raven was in danger. She didn't even notice until it started coming out more frequently. The older they got the more and more it made an appearance, and it only came out when she needed help. As soon as Raven realized this she was determined to figure out the reason. So she confronted him.
…
"Beast Boy we need to talk." She said getting right to the point when they were alone.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
She was quiet for a second before confronting him. "Why does the Beast only come out to defend me?"
The question caught him off guard as he fumbled with his words, looking for a good response. "Well… he doesn't defend… more protects." He said sheepishly.
"Okay, then why does he protect me?" She asked.
"Well…" He said trying to find the right way to say it. "The thing is…" She clearly was losing patients with every hesitation. "It's an animal thing…" She cocked an eye brow at this. "And… well…"
"Beast Boy."
"It's really quite romantic." He tried to explain.
"Just tell me!"
"He imprinted." He spat out.
"Excuse me?"
"Well we imprinted." He corrected.
"You imprinted… on me!?" She asked and he hesitantly nodded. "Is this some sort of sick animal mating thing?" She almost yelled.
"No, no of course not." He defended shaking his hands in front of him.
"So it has nothing to do with sex?" She asked with a hand on her hip.
"Well…"
"You're perverted!"
"Rae, it's not like that."
"Than what's it like?"
"Well… it's when an animal, or person, comes to recognize another animal, or person, as a partner or other object of habitual trust."
"Meaning?"
"He, we, I have chosen you as our mate."
"So I'm like some sort of prize? I'm so honored." She said rolling her eyes.
"Don't you get it Rae, we only see you, we only want to protect you." He grinned reaching forward to grasp her hands. "We only want to be with you."
She wanted to be flattered but she was still new to the whole idea of him practically proposing to her right there and now.
"How long have you felt this way?" She asked.
"Awhile, but I only recently figured out what it meant."
"I guess we could see how this goes." She said hesitantly as she let him fully grip her hands with his.
"And we don't even have to worry about the whole mating thing." He said casually.
"Ugg." She huffed, yanking her hands away as she stormed out of the room. But he wasn't too worried as he watched her cold exit, because the thing is… she imprinted first.
…