Three's Company 1 - Oh, My Stars and Garfields

Okay, finally getting around to this. There will be things mentioned in this story that might make you want explanation/exposition but they will be addressed in due course. I'll say they're aged about 20-21 in this.

This was it. Today was the day. Now was the time. So Beast Boy thought as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He and Raven had been dancing around each other for months now, the insults slowly giving way to a more flirtatious, even more satisfying routine of verbal sparring. To be honest, from the outside it probably looked much the same, but there was no hiding the fire in Raven's eyes when they "argued".

At least he hoped that was what he saw. Not for the first time, he was gripped by the fear that all of this was in his own head. No... No. There was something there, he knew it, if only he was brave enough to reach out and seize it. He looked back in the mirror. Today was the day. Now was the time.

This was it.

He exited his room and started walking toward the common room, eyes half-closed as he followed his nose: Raven's scent was getting easier and easier to find the more he thought about her. The door opened and he beheld her, at the window. She wasn't meditating as such, just watching the sea and breathing with its ebb and flow. He took a fortifying breath and marched forward.

Like an ember bursting into new flame, Raven felt Beast Boy awaken from afar. She seemed to sense him more easily as time went on... and as he increasingly filled her thoughts. She had already meditated this morning yet hadn't moved from her spot, watching the water outside as it lapped and splashed the rocks of their island home. The memory came unbidden, the time she had approached him at that very shoreline and told him, much to his amazement, she didn't think him a child after all. Raven smiled at the recollection - good memories were precious to her.

She blinked as she felt Beast Boy's emotions harden and sharpen into a determined resolve, just before he left his room. She closed her eyes and could almost see his brightness come closer. She opened them again and resumed watching the sea, using its rhythm to calm her breathing. Why did she need calm? Why wasn't she calm in the first place? Before she could answer herself, the door opened. He saw her. He marched toward her...

"Good morning, truest of friends!" Starfire cried, zipping into the room behind Beast Boy. They both froze, sighed deeply, and then turned smiles of their own back at Starfire (one wide, the other subtle). Starfire began to make herself breakfast, all while chattering to them both about several topics. Raven and Beast Boy shared a glance, a quick shrug with tolerant smiles. Beast Boy's fear vanished - she was entirely aware of what he had been about to say (as much as he had been, anyway) and regretted the interruption as well. He shook his head and shrugged more expressively. It could wait until after breakfast.

And after lunch. And after training. And after dinner.

Every time - every time! - he tried to find some privacy with Raven, in the corridor, in the elevator, in the training room, on the roof, Starfire was there first, and always with something to occupy the time and attention of Raven or himself. He contemplated giving up and trying again tomorrow as he, once again, stared at his reflection.

"No. Today is the day... and there isn't much today left!" he muttered, eyeing his watch: it read 21:24. He whipped out his communicator and sent Raven a message: GARAGE. FIVE MINUTES. He immediately left and stepped in the elevator, pushing the button with enforced composure. Raven's slightly disappointed expression throughout the day had only cemented his belief that his feelings for her were reciprocated but still... he was nervous.

Ding

He breathed in and out a few times, set his jaw, and exited the elevator, walking into the dark garage. He flipped the light and pulled out his communicator, watching the time tick by. When five minutes were almost up (to the second), he counted down.

"Three... two... one..."

A swirling void opened before him and a girl stepped through, her boots tapping lightly in the bare concrete. The void closed and they were alone in the silence. Raven, trying and failing to stop her hands from trembling, pulled back her hood. Beast Boy smiled at the sight of her. Her expression was carefully neutral but he could see her expectation in her eyes and, for once, in the slight tint of her cheeks. He almost laughed with sheer joy but held it in, anxious to not make her feel like he was playing with her.

"Hi, Rae," he breathed. Raven's expression softened a little, allowing fondness to show through.

"Garfield," she replied. He grinned again.

"Rae... Raven. Raven, I-"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIT!"

Beast Boy could have cried. Starfire! Again! Was she doing this on purpose? No there must be another explanation.

"Please forgive me, my friends. I know you were about to make confessions of the feelings and perhaps alter the scope of your relationship..." Well, so much for there being another explanation. Despite everything, including Starfire apparently deliberately derailing his attempts to ask Raven out, he found himself pouting that Starfire had stolen his thunder a little. Raven was able to muster up a little embarrassment at the casual airing of their almost-dating status.

"Starfire!" she yelped, more shocked than anything. Starfire continued talking, determined to finish.

"I cannot just stand by and watch! I know it was only to exchange the languages but, ever since we kissed, the possibility has existed in the back of my mind. Now it has greatly expanded into a true desire!"

"Since we... Star, that was months ago," Beast Boy protested. Starfire, staring at the floor with her hands clasped in front of her, nodded guiltily.

"Yes. At first I meant to allow you to follow your hearts, I truly did, but I find I cannot do so. I... my feelings have grown very strong indeed," she said, miserably. Beast Boy stared.

"You have strong feelings for me?" he asked, amazed. Starfire nodded, then finally looked up at him. Then she looked at Raven. She took a depp but short breath, shaking now, and spoke again.

"For both of you."

DUN DUN DUNNNNN! Finally! I finally wrote something. I know this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea but I think it'll be fun to write. This will likely take a long time but I'm still happy I managed to pick up the proverbial pen again. Thanks or reading, I hope you enjoyed it and will enjoy what's still to come.

-Jack