There for you ...
Raven heard the others returning to the tower. They were in the common room. She could hear their conversation clearly even from her room. She'd have to consider getting Cyborg to improve the soundproofing.
"Well, nothing seems to be damaged. Raven must be handling it okay."
That was Robin. As understanding as he usually was, she was suprised at this show of insensitivity.
"I don't know, Rob. Maybe she's just got better control. She seemed really broken up when she warped back...if she's even here. She mighta gone somewhere else to deal."
That was Cyborg. Trying to be understanding and smooth things over. Sweetly typical of him.
"Perhaps Friend Raven is need need of some consoling?"
Starfire. Of course. She would try to come and console her. The one thing she didn't need right now was Star telling her how everything would be okay. If they let her come in here...
"I know! I shall make a Pudding of Tragic Transformations to aid her in dealing with this, and go to comfort her-"
"No."
Beast Boy?
"If anyone goes to help her through this right now, it's going to be me."
"Beast Boy, she can barely stand you, and with what she's going through-"
"How can you even claim to understand what she's going through, Robin? You haven't got a clue. None of you do!"
"And you do, BB?"
"Have any of you ever woken up each morning to look in the mirror, only to see something not you...not even human...looking back at you? To see an animal inside you that won't stay inside? To know that everyone will look at you and see an animal, a monster, a freak? To wonder if you even are human anymore?"
Everyone is silent by now, and the feelings of guilt and shame were almost overpowering. But the feelings from Beast Boy...anguish, concern, and a shockingly deep affection and regard.
"To go through every day, feeling the animal inside, wondering if today is the day that you lose control? To draw the line in your mind every night, where you end and the animal begins, only to find its vanished with the morning dew?"
The fears and worries that pusehd her to flee...that haunted her as she cried...how could he...
"I've lived with that every day of my life since I turned green, and every moment since the Beast awoke. I didn't have anyone to help me through it who could understand what I was going through. Now Raven's dealing with the same thing, or something similar enough. After all she's done for me...with all she means to me...the least I can do is be there for her, to help her through this."
'All she means to me...'? What did he mean by that?
She heard him leave the common room. She got up and walked to her door, leaving it closed. As he got to the outside of the door, she spoke up.
"Beast Boy?"
She could almost feel his hesitant smile.
"Raven, I-"
"I heard."
He gulped. "You what?"
"I heard everything you and the others were saying." Her voice wasn't her usual monotone, and was somewhat tinged with irony. "It seems these big ears are good for more than making me look ridiculous."
"I..." he paused. He seems to want to say something, but doesn't know how to say it. "Raven, I meant everything I said in there. Whatever you need, I'm here for you. Questions you need answered, explanations of what's happening...or just an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. Anything you need from me...just ask."
Touched beyond words by what he said, and what she felt behind the words, she responded the only way she could. Throwing her door open, she threw herself into his arms and buried her face in his shoulder.
Unlike the last time this happened, he knew what to do now. Wrapping his arms around her, he cradeled her gently, and just held her.
When the others approached and saw them, Raven had almost drifted off. Beast Boy simply glared at the others, daring them to say anything.
Robin gave Beast Boy an approving smile before heading to his room.
Starfire seemed overjoyed at the sight of them. At least, that's what Beast Boy assumed was the cause of her head putting so many holes in the ceiling from her jerking flight. She got control of her self, silently giggling with suppressed glee, and flew to her room.
Cyborg gave Beast Boy a huge grin and a thumbs up before quietly going through his own door.
Feeling Raven begin to doze, Beast Boy carefully lifted her up, 'She's so light!' and carried her into her room. Gently he laid her on her bed, but when he went to move away, she spoke.
"Please...stay with me?" Her eyes were locked to his, pleading.
He smiled gently at her. "As you wish."
Curling up next to her, he held her close as she slept.