Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans. I also may have got the marriageable age in America wrong - blame Wikipedia!

Will You Marry Me?

"Raven, will you marry me?"

The bowl of popcorn before them, previously resting innocently on the common room table, burst in an explosion of black energy. Beast Boy held his gloved hands in front of his face, shielding his green skin from the stray fragments of porcelain and kernels of popcorn that scattered over the vicinity. He bit his lip in fear; maybe that wasn't a good question to ask her.

Speaking of which... The green boy could feel the empath tensing behind him. Clearly, his question had caught her thoroughly off-guard. The pale arms that had previously been wrapped loosely around his torso had tightened considerably, restricting his lungs, and he could detect the slightest tremor running through her as she tried to suppress her sudden burst of emotion. Despite priding himself on his ability to get a rise out of her, Beast Boy felt somewhat guilty.

Finally, she managed to speak. "W-what... did you just ask... me?"

He blushed, afraid to turn and meet her gaze. "I asked if you'd marry me."

Thankfully, there was no rush of magic this time, though he knew he'd crossed a line somewhere. Ironically, he hadn't even meant to voice the question in the first place. It had originally just been a thought brewing in the back of his mind, which eventually came to the forefront, and managed to pop out of his mouth without him fully knowing about it.

And now he'd completely ruined what had been a pleasant evening cuddling with his girlfriend on the common room's couch. Way to go, Beast Boy, he thought bitterly.

Deep, calming breaths tickled the back of his neck, where Raven's mouth was. "You... Huh?"

Grinning nervously, he rolled over in her arms, touching his nose to hers. To his surprise (and relief), she didn't look angry, she just looked... confused. As if she couldn't wrap her mind around what was happening. Admittedly, he found the expression adorable, and kind of wished he could say something that genuinely puzzled her a little more often. Although, preferably not something like this again.

"Beast Boy, did you honestly just ask me to... marry you?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand sheepishly. "Uh... yeah?"

Her brows furrowed even further in bemusement, if it was even possible. "But... Beast Boy, you're fifteen, and I'm seventeen. The legal marriageable age in America is eighteen. There's no... We couldn't get married yet."

Feeling a hot blush flood his cheeks, Beast Boy tried to ignore the spark of hope in his chest after hearing the "yet" tagged onto the end of her sentence. He chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, I-I know... Sorry."

"No... problem?"

The duo settled into a semi-comfortable silence, snuggling into the crescent-shaped sofa and trying to relax, though both were plagued with images of possibly sharing such a connection with each-other. Raven shamefully found herself imagining a beautiful white dress with a matching veil and glassy heels, though knowing her she would probably levitate down the aisle anyway. Jinx and Bumblebee would most likely be her bridesmaids, with Starfire as the maid of honour. Obviously Beast Boy's best man would be Cyborg, which would leave Robin giving her away. Maybe-

She bit her lip to cut off her thoughts. She couldn't think like that. For all she knew, she may not even be able to marry her love; Raven had gained a lot of control over her powers after her father's defeat, but she didn't know if her control would hold up in such an emotional situation.

Beast Boy was having similar thoughts, but he was picturing where he would take the empath for their honeymoon. Being superheroes, they obviously wouldn't have a great deal of time to spare for the trip, but they could still do something special. One of the traditional locations would be some sort of beach-side getaway, but that wasn't Raven's style. Maybe a cosy little cabin in the rainforest somewhere? It would be tranquil enough for her tastes, but would also remind him of his home and stir up some loving feelings.

Suddenly, his face flushed even more scarlet as he remembered what couples usually did on honeymoons. He hoped the empath wouldn't notice, and if she did, she refrained from commenting.

Though, despite the embarrassment he had caused them both, he couldn't help himself.

"So... will you?"

She sighed. "Beast Boy, we're too-"

"No, no, no!" he interrupted, waving his arms frantically and successfully smacking her on the back of the head while he was at it. "Sorry! But I didn't mean now, I meant when we're old enough!"

"Then why ask now?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.

To her surprise, Beast Boy glanced down self-consciously, a fake smile tugging at his lips. "It's, uhm, nothing..."

"Evidently not," she replied. One slim, grey finger tilted the changeling's head up. "What's the matter, Beast Boy?"

He felt his resolve waver under her unusually caring gaze, but found he couldn't speak past the lump in his throat. The boy swallowed uneasily, but visibly relaxed as Raven's fingers traced his throat. She moved her hand into his hair, eliciting a soft, adorable purr. Beast Boy instinctively leaned into her touch, closing his eyes at the appealing sensation.

Tea-scented breath ghosted over his nose and lips. "You can trust me, Gar. What's wrong?"

He gasped at the use of his real name, and his eyes shot open, only to find that the empath was literally inches from his face. Gorgeous amethyst eyes were practically overflowing with concern, and she was nibbling into her lower lip ever so slightly. Acting on impulse, Beast Boy closed the gap between them, gently capturing her lips in a kiss. She didn't resist, as he half expected, but instead pulled him towards her, keeping one hand in his hair and stroking his back with the other. Yet again he found himself melting into her, a warm, homely feeling swelling in his chest.

"I love you," he breathed against her parted lips.

"I love you too."

Sometimes Beast Boy wondered how they could connect so well. How someone like him could get someone like her - and also, how he could keep her. Maybe you can't, came that nagging voice at the back of his head. You can't protect her. You can't satisfy her. You're not good enough. She'll leave, just like everyone else. Feeling a surge of passion, Beast Boy pressed his mouth against hers harder, forcibly parting their mouths and inserting his tongue. She still wasn't protesting, but she didn't seem as into the kiss as he was.

That's because she's getting tired of you. His hands firmly grabbed her shoulders, preventing any escape she could have attempted. Her tongue hesitantly pushed against his, trying to slide it out of her mouth, to no avail.

See? She doesn't want you any more. Beast Boy crushed his body to hers, wrapping his arms around her completely. Raven adjusted her own hands, but became wary. Her tongue no longer danced with his, and had retreated into her mouth, awaiting the moment when his would stop challenging it.

You're not good enough for her.

It was only a soft, fearful squeak from Raven that halted the young changeling in his lustful abuse.

He carefully de-tangled himself from her, blushing. "S-sorry, Rae. I'll just, uhm... Yeah..."

Feeling thoroughly shamed, the green boy rolled his legs off the side of the couch, getting to his feet. "Where are you going?" asked Raven, grabbing his hand kindly.

"I don't know," he admitted, unconsciously squeezing her hand. "Just... giving you some space, I guess."

"Why would you think I need space?" whispered Raven quietly, bringing his hand to her lips.

"Because I just assaulted you, Rae!" Beast Boy exclaimed, ripping his hand from hers. "I-I'm sorry! It was the Beast's instincts; I couldn't help it!"

The heartbroken look in her boyfriend's eyes struck Raven with a cold chill. He obviously regretted taking things a little too far, but she had suspected at the time that it wasn't a choice he was actually making, and was rather an impulse he couldn't avoid acting on. Sometimes that happened with his animal side; like when he'd growl at a villain, or purr when she stroked him.

"Beast Boy, it's fine," she assured him. "I could tell that wasn't you."

He glanced up at her. "You could?"

She nodded, sitting up as well and brushing her hair behind her ear. "Of course I could, Gar." Her face coloured. "It's... part of loving you."

The slight glisten of moisture in his eyes was so faint that she almost thought she'd imagined it. Until a flood of tears drowned his cheeks, and he launched himself into her arms. She embraced him lovingly, cradling the sobbing boy on her lap. Sweet nothings were murmured into his pointed green ears, as he gradually calmed down, allowing himself to mutter responses into her neck. A rare giggle slipped past Raven's defences, bringing the smallest smile to the changeling's lips.

"You're the best, Rae," he told her.

Her gravelly laugh vibrated in her throat, where his ear was currently stationed. "I'm really not."

"You are." Beast Boy lifted his face, a stern expression upon it. "You're amazing, Rae. Don't put yourself down. You have incredible powers, a great sense of humour, and you're beautiful."

"I-I was just trying to lighten the mood, Beast Boy..."

But he didn't seem to hear her. "You. Are. The. Best. Raven. That's why I love you. That's why I want to spend my life with you." It was only then that he seemed to register what true emotion had poured from his mouth, as he lowered his head with a luminescent blush.

Astoundingly, Raven's powers hadn't imploded anything yet. She knew she shouldn't chance her luck, but she had to know. "Beast Boy... Why did you propose? Why are you so determined to confirm that we'll always be together?"

The green boy sighed, snuggling into her. "Okay, so... I love you."

"I noticed," she commented with a wry smile.

"And... I wanna stay with you," he continued. "But... there have been a lot of people that... I've loved, and wanted to stay with, that... haven't stayed with me."

Raven nodded, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Like the Doom Patrol?"

"Well... yeah." Green fingers tentatively played with strands of violet hair. "But also my parents. I assumed they'd be in my life forever, but then, when I found out they wouldn't be... I thought the Doom Patrol would fill that hole. But Mento was too strict, and the whole Doom Patrol was reckless, and..." Beast Boy faltered, a few more tears breaking free. "I just wanna know that you're mine, and that you'll stay..."

The empath cuddled him, kissing his cheek. "Gar?"

"Mm?"

"Yes."

Beast Boy opened his eyes slightly. "Wha...?"

A smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yes, I'll marry you." Catching sight of his eager expression, she hurriedly added, "When we're old enough."

"Got it!" He beamed, pecking her on the lips. "I'll get you a ring soon Rae, I promise, I just wasn't planning on asking you yet, and it's like midnight so no shops will be open now, but-" Another gentle kiss to his mouth cut him off.

"Why don't we head down to the jewellery store tomorrow, if there's no alerts?" she suggested in a whisper.

He grinned, nodding excitedly. She was his.

So, I understand that this was kind of weird, but in my head-canon, Beast Boy has some degree of separation anxiety from losing people he cares about at such a young age, meaning he would be paranoid about losing Raven. And, as he is kind of known for speaking without thinking, I thought it would be his style to just randomly blurt that out... I don't know.

Anyway, this is going to be the first in a series of connected-but-not-in-chronological-order one-shots that I plan to do. I do have a few ideas, but if you want to send in any suggestions, just leave them in a review :) They don't have to be couple-y things either, since some will be before they get together.

Okay, thank you for reading, and please review because... well, why not, right? ;)