Disclaimer: I don't own anything. :)


As Raven and Beast Boy strolled down the streets, half a foot between them, Beast Boy continuously looked over at the girl beside him. He sighed as he noticed how, even when her clothes were casual, she looked amazing. Her black jeans, boots, white tanktop and blazer made her look like a million dollars next to his mediocre look. Raven tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked over at the green changeling.

"So," she began, "Where are we going?"

Beast Boy smirked. "You'll see. It's a surprise."

"You really planned something?" Raven asked, pleasantly surprised.

Beast Boy chuckled and nudged her playfully. "What? Did you think I was going to bring you to Chuck E. Cheese's or something?" Raven flushed and Beast Boy noticed her eyes look towards the floor. He quickly added, "Not that this is a date. Because, we're friends, right? Right. So, yeah. Uh.." Raven looked back up at him and smirked.

"Yeah, friends." Raven nodded and they continued to walk down the darkened street full of people. "It's a beautiful night," Raven commented after a moment. The two of them looked up at the uncharacteristically starry sky.

Beast Boy chuckled, "Yeah. We don't get a lot of starry nights like this one." Raven nodded and smiled at the green bean. Suddenly, Beast Boy stopped walking and Raven looked over at where he was looking. Reading the sign, she queried, "Trattoria Trecolori?" Raising an eyebrow and looking over at Beast Boy, she asked, "How did you know I loved this place?"

"Lucky guess," Beast Boy smiled, "I love their food. Best Italian food in Jump City!" Raven nodded and the two walked inside, being greeted by the waiter. Once seated, Beast Boy added, "They've got a lot of vegetarian choices. It's perfect."

Raven smiled and asked, "How expensive is this place?"

"Not too bad," Beast Boy shrugged. He smiled up at Raven and continued, "Why are you worried? I'm paying. Pick anything off the menu."

Raven started and looked up at Beast Boy from over her menu. "Pardon? I thought I owed you dinner?"

"Rae," Beast Boy smirked, "Don't be silly. I said you had to go to dinner with me. Not pay for it."

Thinking for a moment, Raven murmured, "Oh." She felt her cheeks flush and she raised her menu higher, only showing her eyes and up.

"Do you want to share a mushroom appetizer?" Beast Boy asked, pointing to something on the menu.

Raven nodded, "Sure." Noticing her curt answers, Beast Boy raised an eyebrow.

"Everything okay?" He queried.

Clearing her throat, Raven replied, "Fine. Just having a tough time deciding."

"Well, if you need suggestions," Beast Boy smiled, "I've been here a few times." Raven smiled gently and Beast Boy went back to his menu, his strong hands skimming the words with a pointed finger. Sighing, Raven said to herself, If only he knew how I really felt right now. But, he'd never feel this way. After all, he goes for girls who are far more like... Terra. Why regret what could not be?

As the two ordered, Raven felt Beast Boy's pulse quicken. Once the waiter left, she looked over at him curiously. "What's wrong?" She queried.

"Nothing," Beast Boy said with a shrug. "It's just..." Do it Garfield! "I think that you look really great tonight."

Raven felt her cheeks heat and she breathed in a sigh of relief. Did she think he would say something else? There was nothing to decline yet. She hadn't let him in on her little secret. She was safe... for now. "Thank you," Raven nodded.

The rest of the night, however, Raven struggled. While they walked through the starlit park, Raven felt butterflies in her stomach flutter around in the most unforgiving fashion. Little did Raven know, her mental instability covered the wild emotions radiating from Beast Boy. If Raven thought her butterflies were an issue, Beast Boy's mental tornado was something far worse.

Am I doing this right? Will she see that I'm freaking out? She can read minds can't she? Why hasn't she done that yet? I'm freaking out. We've been walking silently for a long time, dude. Do I say something? Do I do anything? I gotta pee. But, I can't tell her that! I wish I was better at this! Just say something! Speak! Use your mouth!

Clearing his throat, Beast Boy gained Raven's attention and the world seemed to halt. The two looked into each other's eyes. Now Beast Boy had butterflies and Raven had a mental meltdown. Digging up his energy, Beast Boy smiled and asked, "So... Enjoying the night?"

"Yes," Raven nodded, "I am. Thank you." Beast Boy watched as she stopped walking and turned to him. He paused and stared at her moonlit face. Raven queried in her raspy voice, "Beast Boy, we're friends... right?"

Beast Boy smiled genuinely, "Of course we are. Why?" Does she know? She knows...FANTASMIC!

"If I told you something," Raven continued, "You wouldn't judge me, right?"

Shaking his head, Beast Boy replied, "I could never judge you, Rae." He paused, waiting for the name correction that never came. He added hesitantly, "What do you need to tell me?"

"It's just that..." Raven trailed off. She looked away and kept walking, "Never mind. It's idiotic of me to think like that."

Beast Boy scampered, catching up to the Empath and gently grasping her arm. "What?" He asked. Raven stared into the green eyes and sighed. Beast Boy watched her fidget as he let go of her arm. Something must be really bothering her.

"H-How do you... feel about..." Raven asked, "Me?"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! "I think you're great, Rae. We're close friends and I'm glad that I know you as well as I do."

Raven nodded. She said, "You're lying." Beast Boy's eyes widened and he froze. "There's something else."

"What?" He asked. "No! No, Rae! H-How is that even p-possible? We're friends!"

Shrugging, Raven remarked, "I know that you think I'm creepy, Beast Boy."

"Wait, what?" Beast Boy asked.

Raven said, "It's okay, Beast Boy. We're still friends, though, right?"

"Raven," Beast Boy raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?" Raven furrowed her eyebrows. Beast Boy said, "Raven, that's not true."

Crossing her arms, Raven asked, "Then, what are you hiding from me?"

"Why don't you just read my mind?" Beast Boy asked.

Raven shook her head, "I wouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because. I want you to tell me by yourself."

"I won't."

Raven frowned, "I knew it. You just think I'm creepy."

"Rae!" Beast Boy exclaimed, grabbing Raven's shoulders. Raven's eyes widened and she watched as Beast Boy smashed his lips against hers. Suddenly realizing what he had done, Beast Boy reared back and stared at Raven with wide eyes. They just stared, wide eyed and surprised. "I'm sorry..." Beast Boy whispered.

Raven's eyes suddenly began to water. She smiled and walked over, bringing Beast Boy into a warm hug. Beast Boy smiled and wrapped his arms around the small waist. They stood there, warm and happy, the weight on their shoulders finally lifted off.

What neither noticed, however, was the masked teen staring them down angrily. He only muttered one word, "Poison." Once it's in, it's in.


Review! I'm sorry that took so long! Spring break ended and school began- well, you know.