Ch 21

Vacation was over, and the Titans were back in Titans Tower. Raven was left in her room, sitting on her bed to think about the two roads lied out before her. She knew she didn't want to die yet. She had survived her father's attack on Jump City. She had been given the gift of life again and many people didn't even get that chance in their lifetime.

Sex was something Raven never gave much thought to because of who she was but now it seemed like the only thing that would save her life. She knew she could never willingly give herself to a stranger. She knew how well that turned out for her mother. She needed someone familiar, someone she liked, and someone who made her feel comfortable.

'BEAST BOY!'

"Ah!" yelled a startled Raven by one of her emotion. 'All right, who said that?' Raven growled.

'It was all of your emotions believe it or not,' said Knowledge.

'So, let me get this straight? Everyone agrees that I should ask Beast boy to mate with me.'

'YES!' they all exclaimed

'I haven't even decided if I want to mate or not,' said Raven as she lied down on her bed.

'I know Raven. You're presenting both sides before you come to a conclusion,' said Knowledge.

'Are you willing to put us through the process of a slow, agonizing death?' asked Rage. 'You're a selfish bit—'

'Language!' exclaimed Knowledge to Rage.

'The last thing I want to do is go insane from this heat and die,' said Raven. 'I would be a burden on the team, especially without my powers. I'll never be able to fight crime.'

'You're hesitant,' said Knowledge.

'I know this should be a simple decision. I want to live, but—

'You never allowed yourself to open up that intimately with a person before. This is a big deal Raven, but we all believe Beast boy will treat us with the proper respect.'

'I don't even know if he's interested,' said Raven.

'I'm sure he'll be interested once we proposition him,' said Lust.

'I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that,' said Raven.

'You want to be ready and in love before you mate, but you don't have the time Raven,' said Love. 'You must make a choice soon.'

A knock came to her door, interrupting her thoughts. Honestly she was thankful for the distraction. "Come in," she said, hearing her code to open the door, remembering she had given her friends the code so they could help her.

"Hey Raven," Cyborg smiled as he brought in a tray of food in for her including her tea pot and cup. "Breakfast is served."

"Thanks Cyborg," she said as she begun to eat and drink her tea, tasted just how she liked it.

"So, how are you feeling today?"

Raven sighed. "Honestly I'm lucky to be sitting up right now. I feel so weak."

"Any closer to finding out what you want to do?" asked Cyborg.

"Yes. I want to live," said Raven.

"Maybe I should get the rest of the team. They'll want to know."

"Hey Cyborg?"

"Yeah Raven," he said as he hung by her door.

"Who made my tea?"

"Beast boy," said Cyborg before he disappeared down the hall.

Setting her food tray aside, she now realized she would have to do one of the hardest things she ever had to do, ask BB to mate with her. If he accepted, it would be for life. He would be stuck with her and couldn't pursue anyone else. They would be together for life.

"Raven, Cyborg said you wanted to see us?" asked Robin.

She had made up her mind, and there was no going back. If Beast boy didn't accept, she didn't know what she would do. "I've decided I want to live, so—

"OH! This is good news friend Raven. I am the happy that you have chosen life. I would have missed you greatly," said Starfire.

"I know it couldn't have been an easy decision," said Robin.

"I know this is personal and everything but do you know who you want to mate with?" asked Cyborg.

"Mating is for life or so I've read. I'll be forming a connection with someone forever. I didn't take the decision lightly, but I also realize I'm condemning this person. They'll never be able to find out if there is someone better out there for them to love," she said, realizing she was rambling. "Yes, I have chosen who I want to mate with."

"Is it friend Beast boy?" asked Starfire.

"BEAST BOY!" exclaimed Robin and Cyborg in surprise.

Beast boy blushed in embarrassment, but he ignored it as he looked at Raven. "Is this true Raven? You want to mate with me."

"I—she blushed as one of her pillows blew up. "Yes," she said as she looked away from him. She was hoping to talk to him in private, but Starfire ruined any chance of that happening.

"You—you are serious," said Robin as he looked at Raven's flustered state.

"Have I ever not been serious about something so important?" asked Raven.

"Girl's got a point," said Cyborg. "So, why BB? If you don't mind me asking."

"I do mind," said Raven. "I need to talk to Beast boy alone."

The door was shut, and the room was quiet once again. The silence was uncomfortable for Raven but before she could speak, BB did."

"So?" asked BB as he pulled up the chair at her desk beside her bed. "Why me?"

"You seem to be in tune with my needs. You're attentive, caring, and you've also been there for me when I needed you. You've been a great friend to me as well. I know we haven't always gotten along, but that's changed over the years. We're in a good place, and I know I could be ruining that by asking you this life changing question."

"I don't have to think about Raven," he's smiled. "I'll mate with you."

"Are—are you sure? What if the person you really care about is out there? I would be ruining any chance you have to be with her."

"I don't know about out there, but I'm sure there's someone in here I care about more than anything."

"Beast boy," Raven blushed. "What are you—?"

"Um" he scratched the back of his head nervously and blushed. "I—I've been in love with you for years Rae. I—I just didn't know how to tell you."

"Me to."

"What!" BB exclaimed in surprise. "Really?" he said.

"Ye—yes," said Raven as she blew up another pillow.

Beast boy smiled. "Well there's no problem then. I'll let you rest. I'll come by later," he said as Raven smiled and nodded.

Raven awoke to a strange feeling within her, but she didn't know what it was. Looking around the room, nothing felt out of place so she tried to mediate while she was lying down. Sitting up wasn't an option, she knew she would end up back in her current position. She knew soon her and Beast boy would have to mate. She could feel herself growing weaker by the day.

Opening her eyes, she was suddenly curious about her powers. "Azrath Metrion Zinthos!" she said as nothing happened. "Figures," she sighed. "My body must be preparing itself for the mating ritual," she said as a knock came to her door. "Come in."

"You get some rest Rae?" asked BB as he walked to her bed.

"As much as I can get," she said as she noticed his close proximity.

"It's getting worse, isn't it?"

"My powers aren't working."

"Your body's preparing you to mate," said BB.

"Yes."

"Raven, I think we have to mate soon. It's your decision but—

"Tomorrow night in my room if it will ease your mind."

"I'll be there," BB leaned down and kissed Raven's warm forehead. "Now is there anything you need from me?"

"Um," Raven blushed, "I'm gross and sweaty. I need to shower and change, so I was wondering if you could get Starfire to help me."

"Sure thing Rae," he said as he carried Raven from her bed to her bathroom, sitting Raven down on the toilet. "I'll be right back."

After Raven was showered and dressed, Raven wanted to join her friends in the living room so Starfire carried her from her room to the couch, placing her beside BB, which didn't go unnoticed by Robin and Cyborg.

"Friend Raven wishes to spend time with us," said Starfire.

"Cool," said Cyborg. "Glad to see you Raven."

"Glad to be seen," said Raven as BB chuckled.

"Feeling better?" asked Robin. "Beast boy caught us up on everything."

"Um," Raven blushed. "Beast boy and I haven't done anything yet."

"Well I think I'll make everyone some lunch," said Cyborg.