When I think about how many times I started over and changed things in this chapter my head wants to explode. I had such a hard time unil finally the idea really struck me and everything just flowed.
I really hope it doesn't seem to OOC...But feelings are beginning to develop between the two and that does change a person...so bare with me.
All in all it turned out better then I thought it would. Enjoy
Beastboy sat behind the kitchen counter and stared down into his half empty glass of soymilk. His head rested lazily in the palm of his hand, his elbow propped up on the table, and his other hand gribbed loosely around the glass.
His body felt heavy and tired, but his mind was alert, making it impossible for him to sleep, despite it still being quite early. He had spent a great deal of time in his room, staring up at the cieling before abandoning his futile attempt to loose consciousness and heading down to the main room.
Restless.
It was the perfect word in describing how he felt.
He sighed and took a sip from his glass, tensing slightly when his ears picked up the sound of moving footsteps. It was still very early and it surprised him that anyone else would be up.
He closed his eyes to focus on the sound; they were in the next hallway, still making there way towards the main room. There was the low but distinct sound of a cape, the hems swaying as the person in question walked forward.
Robin.
That was his first thought. It seemed very likely that the boy wonder would be up; no doubt already planning on an early exercise routine for the rest of the team. Beastboy nearly groaned at the thought as he leaned back in his seat, but the sound of still approaching footsteps caused him to pause. His brow furrowed in concentration- the footsteps were soft, too soft to be Robin's.
Raven.
Beastboy's face relaxed and he smiled, the sweet sent of lavender already making its way into the room before the door behind him even opened.
Swoosh
Beastboy's heart jumped slightly and his eyes flew open, though the rest of his body seemed unable to react.
He heard her take a few steps forward before stopping - after all, he was never up before anyone else, and so it must have surprised her.
He turned his head around and flashed her a smile.
"Morning Rae."
Her features softened noticably before becoming nuetral again.
"You're up early," She said, walking over towards him.
Beastboy blinked for a moment, surprised that she hadn't told him to call her 'Raven'.
"You too," he replied, then he paused with uncertainty. "At least, I think you are. Do you always get up at this time?"
"It's almost five in the morning," Raven said, putting a pot of tea on the stove and turning to face him. "I may not be normal, but even I don't get up this early everyday."
Beastboy smiled.
"So. What's up?"
Raven raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, why are you up then?" Beastboy asked, feeling a little uneasy.
"Couldn't get back to sleep," Raven replied with a shrug. "And you?"
"Uh, yeah. I mean, no, I couldn't either," He smiled sheepishly.
Raven nodded and turned her attention back to her tea. Beastboy inwardly sighed as he looked down into his glass.
Ever since he realized his feelings for Raven, he couldn't help but be a little nervous around her.
'She probably thinks I'm a complete dork' Beastboy thought sadly. 'Why can't I just-'
"Mind if I join you?" came Raven's voice from above him.
Beastboy's head snapped up in attention and he straightened his posture as he looked at her. She held a steaming cup of tea in her hands as she gestured to the seat in front of him.
"Yeah, absolutely Rae," Beastboy said excitedly.
Raven gave a small nod as she sat down, sipping her tea, and seeming to find the counter top very fascinating.
However, while Raven seemed unwilling to look up at changeling, Beastboy was unable to look away from her.
Her hair fell down to one side of her face, while the other side was tucked neatly behind her ear. He almost felt the urge to reach over and tuck the rest of her hair back, just to get a better look at her face. He blushed at the thought, and instantly put his hands down on his lap.
'What should I say?' Beastboy asked himself.
He felt uncomfortable in the silence, but couldn't find any words. He knew that this was a rare opportunity, though. When would he get another chance like this with Raven?
"Um...Rae?"
Raven finally looked up, seeming startled, but also relieved.
"I was just wondering."
"Yes?"
'Just say something,' his mind panicked. 'Anything!'
"You do realize that I've called you 'Rae' like three times already, don't you?" he asked, instantly cursing himself for bringing up something so stupid.
Raven raised an eyebrow slightly before nodding, and Beastboy's tense expression became one of curiosity and confusion.
"And you're okay with that?" he asked. "Aren't you angry?"
"Do you want me to be?" Raven asked, not sure why Beastboy was making a big deal out of the situation.
"No, I don't," He replied quickly. "I just thought you didn't like it, 'cause you usually get mad at me when I say it, and so I was just wondering-"
"It's okay," Raven said.
"Really?" he asked, surprised. "I can call you Rae?"
Raven nodded again.
"Cool!" Beastboy replied in a cheerful voice. "Thanks, Rae Rae."
Raven frowned and folded her arms.
"It's either 'Raven' or 'Rae'," she said with a disapproving glance. "Not Rae Rae."
"How 'bout Ravey?" Beastboy asked, realizing he was making things worse, but just couldn't help himself.
"You really don't know when to quit, do you Garfield?" Raven replied, a slight smirk playing across her lips as she used his real name.
Beastboy froze.
He was never called by that name anymore, and even though Raven had claimed upon discovering it that she would use it against him, she had never done so until now.
'Garfield'
Beastboy was torn between what he was feeling at the moment; embarrassment, shame, hurt, and sadness.
'It's just a name.' Beastboy thought.
'It's everything you use to be...' A deeper voice replied.
'That's not true'
'And everything you still are...' it continued.
Beastboy glared at the counter top. 'Shut Up'
'Pathetic'
Beastboy could feel his anger building up inside of him, his hands, now placed on top of the counter, balled into fists.
"Beastboy?" Raven asked, cautiously.
He looked up into her eyes, filled with concern and confusion, and his anger melted away.
He sighed.
"Sorry...I just kinda spaced out," he said with a weak smile.
'Maybe I shouldn't have called him that' She thought.
'I'm sure he's not mad at you Rae' Love told her. 'But maybe there's something you could do to make him feel better'
After a thoughtful pause, Raven sighed.
"Rachel Roth."
Beastboy gave her a confused and questioning stare, as she looked back at him.
"It's my real name." She told him.
Beastboy smiled.
"Really?"
"That's just between us though," Raven stated, sipping her tea and then sending Beastboy a mock-glare. "If you tell the others, I will destroy you."
"Why? I think it's nice" Beastboy replied still smiling. "A whole lot better than Garfield"
Raven smiled slightly; glad he was using his real name so lightly, but also wondering why it had upset him before.
"I still prefer Raven," she said. "So lets just keep it at that."
"Okay, Raven it is then." he replied with a smile, "Or Rae."
"Besides," Raven said, looking to the other side of the room. "Garfield's a nice name"
Beastboy smirked.
"Aw, you're just saying that to make me feel better," he replied with a fake pout.
Raven smiled briefly, but didn't look back up at him.
"So?"
There was a long pause in which Beastboy's facial expression become blank before easing into a soft smile.
"Thanks Rae," he said, his voice low.
Suddenly that moment seemed to mean so much more to him, and he knew that he wouldn't soon forget it. It was like looking at everything from another persons perspective - sitting there talking to Raven, enjoying each others company, it was special.
"Raven?" Beastboy asked in a calm and even voice.
Raven looked up, finally tucking the rest of her hair behind her ear, which only made that moment even better.
"I..,I like this," He told her with a warm smile
The smile on his face was softer than his usual grin, more genuine, and she liked that about it. Raven smiled softly back ,understanding what he meant and admiring the moment.
"Me too." she replied.
Again, Beastboy felt the urge to reach over and put his hand on top of hers. he blushed and looked down, and Raven turned her head away. After a few more minutes of this, Beastboy stood up and walked into the kitchen area, sending Raven a sideways smile as he passed her.
"Hungry?" He asked, one hand already gripping the refrigerators handle.
Though Raven appreciated the offer, she really wasn't all that hungry and was about to decline when 'Love' piped in.
'Don't say no Rae' Love warned. 'It's so nice of him to ask'
Raven paused.
"A little" She replied with slight uncertainty.
Beastboy smiled and opened the fridge. His eyes caught the sight of leftover steak and for some reason his mouth began to water.
'Looks good,' The voice replied. 'I'm starving'
Beastboy swallowed a large about of saliva and shuddered.
"Tofu?" he asked, calling back to Raven.
"How many times must I tell you?" Raven asked in a dull tone.
"Yeah, yeah I know," Beastboy waved his hand at her dismissively. "You respect that I don't eat meat, so I should respect that you don't eat fake meat."
Raven smirked.
'So he does listen' she thought
"Hey, what's this?" Beastboy asked, reaching into the fridge and pulling out what looked to be a very large round jello mold.
Beastboy lifted it with slight difficulty and placed it on the counter. Upon closer inspection the green colored jello seemed to be filled with various kitchen ingredients, none of which looked appetizing.
"Looks like another one of Starfire's creations," Raven commented.
"Dude, what was she thinking?" Beastboy asked, examining the blob from all different angles. "there's a whole potato in there."
"You should put it back," Raven instructed, getting the feeling that Beastboy was about to do something stupid.
"I'm just looking," Beastboy replied.
Raven sighed and shook her head.
"One minute you're looking and the next you're..." She looked up as Beastboy began to poke at it, "...touching it"
"Cool," Beastboy exclaimed. "It's like rubber!"
"Beastboy..."
"Come on Raven, touch it," Beastboy said, sliding the green blob down the counter towards her.
Raven stood u., "Beastboy this isn't a good idea and-"
"Just touch it and I'll put it right back," Beastboy insisted. "Please"
Raven sighed.
"Okay, but you better put it back."
Beastboy nodded.
Raven looked at the disgusting blob and then lifted her finger to poke it, feeling significantly stupid as she did so.
"Wow, how exciting," Raven replied in a dull and sarcastic voice.
Raven stopped as the blob began to emit a low gurgling noise. Both her and Beastboy looked questioningly at the thing as it began to expand.
"Uh...is it suppose to do that?" Beastboy asked.
Raven and Beastboy backed up some as the blob continued to grow in size...
"It's going to BLOW!" Beastboy yelled, grabbing Raven's arm and pulling her away. He turned his body to face Raven's and shield her from the substance, they both closed there eyes and-
BOOM!
Slowly Beastboy and Raven opened their eyes and stared up at each other. Blushing slightly, Beastboy let go of Raven's arms and took a few steps back.
"Heh, my bad," He said, grinning sheepishly. "Guess I should have put it back when you told me to...huh."
"You think?" Raven replied dully.
Beastboy rubbed the back of his neck, then stopped.
"Ugh, gross," he replied, bringing his hand back around to examine the goo that now covered his back.
"Why is it always me?" he asked himself as he shook the goo off.
Raven smirked- tofu, pizza sauce, goo, it was always him.
"In any case, you did manage to keep me clean," Raven said, now trying to give him some encouragement.
Beastboy smiled.
"Yeah, I did, didn't I?" Beastboy said feeling proud of himself. "Which means you owe me."
"Owe you?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, " Beastboy replied looking down with a slight blush. "In movies when the hero saves the girl, she usually gives him a..um..kiss."
Beastboy, still looking down at the ground, failed to see the look of surprise on Raven's face.
'I can't believe I just said that' Beastboy thought. 'She's so going to slap me now.'
Several things went through Ravens mind at once, everything she could say to avoid the situation - 'You watch to many movies' or 'so now you're a hero' maybe 'Do I look like a damsel in distress'
However, none of that came out, and her logic and fear were replaced by the desire to feel his lips pressed against hers.
"...Okay" Raven replied in a soft voice.
Beastboy looked up, eyes wide as he realized that Raven was serious.
'Am I still dreaming' he wondered.
He relaxed suddenly as they leaned towards each other, their eyes closing and their lips connecting. It was clumsy at first, unsure, but slowly the kiss gained confidence.
Raven felt a tingling sensation run down her spine as Beastboy placed his hand tentatively on her waist. Raven then lifted one of her hands to lie on his chest.
There was no way for Beastboy to describe how right it felt to be kissing her, to be touching her. All his senses seemed to be working overtime, everything was better.
Reluctantly they began to pull apart, but Beastboy kept his eyes closed for just a few more seconds, almost afraid that it was all just a dream and he'd wake up
Finally he opened his eyes and looked at Raven, their hands still in place and their breathing heavy.
Beastboy seemed frozen in place, though his body still felt the rush it had received from the kiss. His heart was beating wildly in his chest and he was certain that Raven could hear it.
'More' The voice in Beastboy's head demanded, and although he was tempted, he refused to ruin this moment between them.
"Rae..." Beastboy whispered.
Raven began to look uncertain as she slowly pulled away and stepped back, all the courage she had managed to muster up during the kiss having vanished.
"The others will be up soon," She said looking away. "We should clean this mess up."
Beastboy blinked, surprised and confused as Raven walked pass him. She stood in front of the counter with her back turned towards him, staring down.
"Uh...Raven?" Beastboy replied. "Don't you think we should talk about what just happened"
Raven tensed slightly, turning her head to the side, as if to further alienate herself from him.
The only thing flashing across her mind at the moment was that she was scared. Afraid that she was on the edge of something fragile, that she may accidently break if she wasn't careful.
She wanted to run, to disappear, but something kept her frozen in place. She was always running from her feelings, she was a coward despite how others believed her to be brave, but something refused to let her leave.
"Rae?" Beastboy tried again, starting to feel insecure.
'What if it was a mistake,' he thought.
His heart sank down into his stomach and his face paled slightly.
'Oh man,' his mind panicked. 'Did I just ruin our friendship?'
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and tried to calm himself.
"S-sorry," he said.
Raven looked back, frowning at the tone in his voice.
'Please don't say that,' she thought.
"Beastboy..."
"I shouldn't have kissed you like that." he said, staring down at the floor.
"I kissed you too," Raven reminded him.
"O-kay, so it's both our faults." he tried to smile, but it was obviously forced.
Raven took a few steps forward, looking at him carefully.
"Beastboy, are you sorry that you kissed me?" She asked.
'No.'
'Never.'
"I'm sorry if it messed up things between us," Beastboy replied as he looked down.
Raven thought for a moment and gave a slight nod.
"But I'm not sorry that it happened," Beastboy stated.
'I can't believe I said that' Beastboy thought. 'When will I learn to just shut up.'
Raven stared at him for a moment, knowing that she still had the opportunity to back out. But did she want to? Calming herself, she stepped forward.
"Me neither."
Beastboy's eyes widened as he looked up at her.
"But you said...and then I thought, but," Beastboy stopped and looked confused. "Okay, this doesn't make any sense at all."
'Tell me about it' Raven silently agreed.
"So, what should we do now?" Beastboy asked.
'Yeah. What now, Raven?' she asked herself.
Raven looked around at the goo covering the counter, floor, and ceiling and then turned back towards him.
"I'll get a rag and you get the mop." She replied.
Beastboy raised an eyebrow. "O-Kay"
'Are all girls this weird, or is it just Raven' he wondered as he watched her bend over to retrieve a rag from under the sink.
'Hold on, did she just admit to wanting to kiss me' he asked himself, 'Does that mean she likes me?'
Raven stood back up, a dishtowel in hand.
"I'm going to need a bigger rag," she said, looking at the mess once more before turning towards Beastboy, who was still standing there slightly dazed.
"I know you don't like cleaning," She replied. "But I am not doing this by myself."
Beastboy shook his head and returned from his stupor.
"Oh, right" he smiled running over to the supply closet and getting out a mop. Dashing back he jumped in front of Raven and saluted her.
"Garfield Logan. Reporting for duty ma'am," he replied, expecting her to roll her eyes at him.
Instead she gave a small yet amused smile.
"Well what are you waiting for soldier," Raven replied. Although it felt childish, she couldn't help herself. "This mess isn't going to clean itself."
'I can't believe I just said that' she thought.
Beastboy grinned, thoroughly enjoying the fact that Raven was playing along.
"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am," Beastboy saluted, flopping the mop down on the floor.
Raven rolled her eyes this time.
'You have to draw the line somewhere'
"Okay Garfield," She said. "I think that's enough."
Beastboy's heart jumped at how fondly Raven had mentioned his name. It didn't feel like it had before. This time, it made him feel...special.
Raven noticed Beastboy tense up and frowned.
"Does it bother you?" She asked. "Using your real name?"
Beastboy looked up and gave her a small smile.
"Not the way you say it, Rachel."
Raven felt her face blush slightly and she opened her mouth to correct him.
"It's..."
"...Beautiful" Beastboy finished.
Swoosh
Raven and Beastboy both looked over as Robin entered the room.
The leader glanced around at the mess with wide eyes before focusing on the two.
"Okay, what happened?" He asked, not seeming all that mad, though it was probably because he'd just gotten up.
Beastboy and Raven exchanged embarrassed glances then looked back at Robin.
"Y'see, it's a funny story..."
Okay take a moment to soak it all in...
Yep...there it is...I think I took a pretty big step in this chapter...well...at least fo me...I've been dragging my readers along for quiet some time and I'm sure more than a few people are starting to get bored and wonder 'When are they just going to get togther!'
Anyhow...now that summers over there's not much time to do anything anymore and right now it's a battle between work school and my love for fanfiction.
LOL...on a lighter note...I actually had a dream where I posted this and got some really bad reviews...further supporting the fact that I have no life. Anyone else dream about fanfiction?...lol.
THANK YOU SO MUCH secondrate For fixing this chapter up for me...You helped make the ending a lot better...feel free to add improvements the next time I send ya something...
