For Raven, flying in the darkness of the night gave her such a rush. Taking on her raven form, she began to soar over the coastline. With her eyesight being a lot keener, she was able to fix in on every shape below. And in no time at all she spotted Beastboy sitting on the edge of the shoreline, staring out at the Golden Gate Bridge. Hearing the flapping noises, he looked up just in time to see her land on a rock next to him. He watched as Raven retransformed back into her attractive human shape.
"Well. . .This is a surprise." He muttered, looking at her out the corner of his eye. "You lost?"
"No. . ." She replied, ignoring his sarcasm. "I came to check on you. Are you alright?" Now she watched as his bitter gaze slowly found hers. "Do I look alright?"
"No. . .you look a little freaked out to me. And honestly. . .I'm not used to seeing you like this."
Looking away from her, Beastboy let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, well. There's a first time for everything!" he snapped, angrily skipping a rock across the water. Beginning to feel more and more awkward, Raven asked, "Well. . .is there anything I can say? Or do?" Slowly his eyes shifted on her, narrowing into a glare of complete disgust.
"Yeah. . .you could sell it someplace else! Because in a couple of days you're just going to be treating me like a jerk again! So spare me, alright?!" Now for the first time a hurt look flashed over Raven's face.
"Hmph. . .And you called me cold?" She muttered, desperately trying to keep her emotions under control. Just as she went to spin away, Beastboy caught her by the arm and gently turned her around.
"Wait. . ." he whispered, watching as she gradually looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry. . .I didn't mean it."
"Forget it. . ." Raven replied, shaking her head. "You're right. I know I'm not the easiest person in the world to get along with." Hesitating, she shyly looked up at him and said, "But this is not an act, Beastboy. You know I wouldn't be here, if I didn't care."
Her unexpected show of compassion stunned him so much, that tears began to well up in his eyes. Not wanting her to see them, he quickly turned from her. From behind Raven watched as he wiped them away. "Do you know what it's like to want somebody to come back, and when they finally do, you wish they never had?" he asked as she silently listened. "I never thought I'd feel that way about Terra. But it hurts more now that she's here, than when she was gone. Because not only won't she have anything to do with me. . .but to say that she hates me?" Fighting with all he had not to break down and cry, Beastboy angrily choked out. "I wish I'd never met her!"
"Oh, come on." Raven replied, now getting on the side of him. "You know you don't mean that. . ."
"Yes I do. " he insisted, turning back to her. "It seems like everyone I care about either insults me, or pushes me away. And I can't take it, anymore! I'm tired of being hurt! So you know what? I'm gonna stop trying because it ain't worth it!"
Knowing deep down that she was in fact a big part of his discouragement, Raven gave him a very troubled glance and replied, "I don't think that's a good idea. . ."
"Why not?" Hesitating, she could barely look him in the eyes.
"Because. . .just when you feel like giving up on certain people, things can change."
For a minute Beastboy was so taken back, that he could only stare at her in a daze. Not used to this steady attention, Raven bashfully looked away from him. "Besides. You don't want to end up like me."
Slowly beginning to forget about his own problems, Beastboy found himself growing more concerned over hers. "Hey. . ." he whispered, as she stared into his eyes. "There's nothing wrong with you."
Giving him a tiny smile, Raven nodded and replied, "And there's nothing wrong with you, either." Thinking it over, she then added, "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but. . . I prefer you the way you are." She said as his head slowly cocked at her with disbelief. Seeing this caused her eyes to roll with embarrassment. Sighing, she replied, "Yes, I know I have a weird way of showing it. . .but I really do."
She blushed, as he warmly smiled at her. Feeling more and more timid, she cleared her throat and whispered, "You have. . .quirks in your personality that I lack. That's why I get so annoyed with you most of the time. But I wouldn't want you to change. You are who you are for a reason. So don't change for her, me, or anybody else." By then she'd found the courage to look into his eyes.
"Just be yourself. Ok?"
Completely swept away by her kind words, Beastboy's head slowly began to shake. "Wow, Raven. . .Do you realize that this is the most you've ever said to me at one time?"
Realizing that he was telling the truth, Raven smiled and said, "True. But as you said, there's a first time for everything. . ."
Although Beastboy returned with Raven to the tower, he still couldn't bear to face anyone. Instead he headed for his room where he stayed throughout most of the night. For Raven, the impact over everything hat had happened had her restless. Unable to sleep, she put on her cloak, grabbed a book, and headed for the Ops room.
She wasn't far into her reading when she heard a light purring noise from below. Lowering her book, Raven was surprised to find herself staring down at a fluffy green house cat. Immediately she knew it was Beastboy, watching as he stared up at her them cute green eyes.
Giving him a tiny smile she whispered, "Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
Now he stood on his hind legs, putting his front paws on the sofa. Knowing what he wanted Raven sighed, then patted the cushion.
"Come on, then." Without any hesitation he sprung forward and timidly approached until he was lying down on the side of her. As she resumed with her reading, Raven found herself beginning to gently scratch the back of his neck. Purring loudly, he snuggled up against her, resting his head in her lap. It wasn't until this moment that Raven realized how desperately Beastboy needed her affection. To be held and cared for, even if he was a cat. And just this once, she wouldn't deny him that.
Within the hour he had fallen fast asleep. And apparently he wasn't the only one. By then Raven was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open. So. . .she would rest. But only for a moment.
But that moment ended up being half the night. And when she woke up, she found herself listening to the sounds of a heart beating against her ear. This caused her head to lift, and her mouth to slowly fall open with surprise. For the cat that she held on to, had transformed back into human form. . .and was now holding on to her!
And by the way she found herself cuddled up against him, she actually wondered if she didn't give in to his embrace while she was asleep!
But now that she was awake. . .it was an entirely different story!
Desperately, she tried to figure a way out. The problem was with her being on the inside of the sofa, and Beastboy being on the outside, how could she possibly climb over him without waking him up?
Oh, what in the world did she get herself into?!
And then, as if he sensed it, Beastboys eyes slowly drifted opened shifting down at her widening ones. For a few timeless seconds. . .no words were said. As he stared down at her, Raven began to realize how close they really were. With their faces being only inches apart, she began to wonder. . .if he would actually have the nerve to. . .
(Oh, boy. . .) she thought to herself. Now she could feel her heart beginning to pound against him. Slowly a devious grin crossed over his face, and one word was said. "Meow?"
Suddenly, it was as though hearing that snapped her back into reality. Eyes artfully narrowing, she replied, "I don't think so. . ."
Now she attempted to move, but with his arms wrapped around her, it was impossible. This caused her eyes to roll with embarrassment.
"Uh. . .Could you get up?" Looking at the way they were, Beastboy mimed,
"Are you sure?" In that instant, he watched as a black aura surrounded Raven's head, followed by that annoyed look he knew so well.
"Not unless you want me to throw you off this sofa!" She sharply replied. Knowing better than to push her, Beastboy quickly released his bear tight grip, and stood up. "Alright. . .You don't have to get physical." he mocked as she quickly got up and turned away from him.
"Goodnight. . ." she replied.
As Raven walked away, she didn't see Beastboy lean back once again. Folding his hands behind the back of his head, he smiled and said, "Hmph. . .I'll say." Now he watched as Raven hesitated, then slowly shook her head. What he didn't see was the flustered look on her face, nor the crafty little grin that followed.