I miiiiight polish & republish this. Maybe.

(as always reads & positive reviews are much appreciated!)

"There's no way out, Rae."

The same, frenzied sentence infiltrated her mind for the sixth time. The sorceress bit her tongue in an attempt to hold back a sarcastic remark. Of course he's panicking, he's scared, Raven thought miserably. The putrid dark smoke that had been filtering into their area of confinement had clouded her respiratory system, thus fogging her mind. Despite their best efforts to block the smoky opening with her cloak, poisonous gas still seeped through. Visibility, breathing, and thinking were all nearing impossible, as time and air raced to the finish line.

"Calm down, you'll run out of oxygen," she advised, a sharp tone to her voice. Untwisting one of the gem encrusted compartments that hung around her waist, she handed him a paper-thin surgeon's mask. "Here; It'll filter the air, and help you breathe." He refused it, pushing her hand towards her mouth. Raven rolled her eyes. "I don't take as much oxygen as you… Half demon perks." She offered a dry tease and the mask, finding herself smiling at him through the smoke.

Reluctantly, he pulled the elastic around his head, covering his mouth and nose. Already she could hear his breathing stabilize.

"R-raven", he took a breath, squinting his eyes so he could see her in the dim light. "There's something I need to tell you, if we don't make it through this…"

"Garfield, you know I despise the sentiment." She cut him off quickly. These were dying words, and no one was going down on her watch.

She could feel his gaze. Curious and kind, even in the midst of disaster. Those full emerald eyes were observing her, as she'd found for the past few years. Beast Boy scooted closer, and Raven knew he'd continue to stare until she listened. She let out a signature sigh.

"Fine."

"Okay, come closer."

She inched.

"Closer."

"We're already close enou-"

"C'mon Rae."

Rolling her eyes, she closed the space between them. Shoulder to shoulder the sat, huddled against the contaminated air. Pleased with their proximity, Garfield removed his thin surgeon's mask.

"Raven, I love you." He whisper-blurted, noting her averted eyes. He was cut off by a coughing fit, black air infiltrating his respiratory system. Subconsciously, Raven moved one hand to his chest, trying to calm his lungs, and the other over his mouth, fingers acting as a filter. "I… Every time I see you, I fall in love with you again." She could feel his raspy words against her palm. "I should've told you sooner but… I thought I had time."

Amethyst eyes flittered downcast. "Why, Garfield? Why me?"

He chuckled. "Do I have enough air for that?" Raven gazed at his chest, focusing on his heartbeat gently pulsing through her fingers. She moved to retract her hands, but he caught her.

"You know when you really cherish something? And.. and you just want to protect it," His hands cradled hers. "And, it's just so magnificent, and-and you're so breathtaking, Raven." Beast Boy kissed her knuckles lightly.

"Garfield…. I-"

"I love you so much it consumes me, Rae. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Shy violet eyes met his, her irises clouded with emotion. Raven felt her hands trembling in his, as her mind tried to formulate an intelligent response. But all she could do was think about how the changeling was consuming her, as she'd overwhelmed his mind for years. How much she wanted him to kiss her. Here, in her last moments. In their last moments.

Timid passion crept up on the sorceress, as she subconsciously leaned forward. It seemed like the space between them was infinite, as her forehead tenderly met his.

Breaking the trance, Garfield pressed his lips to hers. Eyes closed, he placed his hands over her sharp cheekbones, tilting her head in gently. Brows furrowed as he focused on her lips, leaning into her heavenly touch, mind void of everything but his titanic passion for Raven. His energy seemed to spread, as it reached Raven's hands and drove them up his neck. Her newfound desire for Beast Boy took hold of the empath's petite body, as her slender fingers snaked into the roots of his ashy green hair, pulling him closer still.

Kissing her felt like an old habit, as the adrenaline in his heart charged their embrace. But like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Garfield grinned, forehead pressed to hers. He removed his oxygen mask, which still dangled around his neck. After sneaking another kiss from the girl who loved him, he placed it gently over her mouth. Satisfied, he settled back next to her, pressing the side of his head to her shoulder, closing his eyes.

"Promised myself I'd kiss you before I died."