Life continued and the weeks and months passed by. As always villains, natural disasters and world ending catastrophes came and went. The Titans survived through them all and even manged to help put a stop to a few. Jump City was, by and large, peaceful. Somethings change, somethings remained very much the same.

[Game Over!] flashed the screen, making BB drop his controller with a huff. Beside him Cyborg crowed about his victory. BB was only half paying attention, mind not really on the game. Instead, his thoughts had drifted elsewhere, as they often did as late.

Cyborg started a new game and waited impatiently for his friend to come out of his daydream. Eventually he let out a long-suffering groan and elbowed the shorter boy in the ribs, eliciting a surprised yelp from the animal shifter. The controller fell out of Beast Boys lax grip and went tumbling to the ground.

"Alright. Spit it out. What is it this time? Her eyes? Her hair? The way she makes tea?"

"Wha-I don't know what you're talking about" spluttered Beast Boy. Using the excuse of scrabbling for the controller below the sofa to break eye contact. He could already feel a blush coming on.

"BB, dude, you only suck this badly at video games when you're thinking about Raven."

"I wasn't!"

Cyborg snorted, sprawling back and propping his ginormous metal feet up on Beast Boys still hunched back. The animal shifter gave him the stink eye and shoved them off as he stood, controller in hand.

Pouting Beast Boy aggressively selected his character and started the game again. For a moment both Titans focused exclusively on smashing each other's avatar into the ground. The sound of shouting and over the top explosions filled the air.

"So, Raven," said Cyborg. Beast Boys fumbled, his avatar failing to block a well-executed combo move and going flying across the screen. Cyborg snickered, "dude, I literally just said her name."

Beast Boy glared at him, chucking the controller across the room, and falling back onto his mound of cushions with a huff. Cyborg finished the game, leaving the menu screen flashing in the background.

"Cheater" muttered Beast Boy.

"Yeah, yeah. Not my fault you got it so bad your pathetic. Seriously, dude, you need to do something about this. It's no fun beating your ass at video games if you're not at least a little bit of a challenge."

"I'm just waiting for the right moment" said Beast Boy.

"Keep telling yourself that man. We both know your just too chicken."

"I'm not chicken!" cried Beast Boy, sitting up right glare at Cyborg. The older man smirked at him.

"So, you're gonna tell her then?"

"Yes!"

'Right now?'

'Ye-Wait! I mean, no! Not-not right, right now. But soon" mumbled Beast Boy, blushing. Avoiding his friends gaze he started fiddling with his gloves, picking at a stray thread.

Cyborg snorted once more, "chicken."

Having no defence left Beast Boy resorted to sticking his tongue out at him. Cyborg swatted at him and there was a brief interlude as they descended into a friendly wrestling match that ended with Cyborg pinning BB down with his huge heavy feet once more while the other bemoaned his fate from the floor.

Not even slightly out of breath Cyborg picked up his controller, switching games to a first-person shooter and started a solo round. The sound of tinny gunfire filled the room.

"I just" said Beast Boy quietly after some time. "I just want it to be perfect, you know. Or like, at least good. 'Cause Ravens, well she's, like sophisticated and things, right. Classy. She drinks fancy teas and does all that reading and stuff, and well…I know I'm not like that. But I really really like her. And I don't-I don't want her thinking it's a joke or something. Or a whim, or whatever."

Cyborg grunted, lining up a particularly difficult head shot. "It's Rae Rae dude. She's not going to laugh at you or shit."

"I know. I'm just being stupid."

"Kinda, yeah. I mean, she probably knows anyway, right? Being an empath and all that."

"Don't say that!" said Beast Boy. If he had a normal human skin tone, he would have flamed red in embarrassment but as it was his faced turned avocado. Groaning, he buried his face in his hands. "That just makes it worse" he whined.

"Which is why I'm surprised you're brining up confessing again."

Beats Boy frowned, "what do you mean 'again'?"

"What do you mean 'what do you mean again'? I mean like the last time you were all, 'I'm gonna ask her out man!', to me."

"Whe-When did I say that?" muttered Beast Boy, casting his mind back.

"Dude, like months ago or something. You were all pumped for it and everything. Wouldn't shut about it. But then you just stopped one day. Honestly, I thought you figured out that Raven probably already knew how you felt and hadn't said anything so you decided to cut your losses. But, well, here we are again."

"I don't-" but he did remember. Nights spent ranting to Cyborg about how Raven smelled of chamomile and how soft her hair was while he worked on the T-car. Blushing and making a fool of himself in missions as he sought to impress her. Having to flee in embarrassment that one time when a surprise attack took her out and she fell on top of him.

The long-suffering sighs of his best friend as he recounted the incident to him continuously for the next month. Much like the long-suffering sighs he had been getting all over again since he started wondering aloud whether Ravens eyes were more violet or lavender.

When had he stopped noticing her?

When had he started again?

Beast Boy pushed Cyborg's feet off him, rolling to his feet with cat like grace. Still confused but shaking it from his mind he stretched himself out. Cyborg glanced at him from the corner of his eye, expertly shooting down a few more zombies as he did so.

"I'm gonna tell her," said Beast Boy firmly. No embarrassment or levity in his gaze. "Until she tells me she doesn't feel the same herself there's still hope."

Cyborg gave him a long look, nodding. "Alright dude, whatever you say. Maybe make sure it's somewhere privet though. Rae Rae ain't one to be put on the stop like that."

Beast Boy nodded, a thoughtful frown crinkling his brow as he wondered out of the common room. Muttering all the while.

Cyborg let him go, completing his level. Then he reached over to his communicator, thumbing at the well-worn button.

The thing beeped as it connected. "Yo, Robin. Is that bet still on? The BBRae one I mean. Wanna go double or nothing?"

—

Dusk began to settle on Jump city, brought about early by the changing of the seasons. Beast Boy watched Ravens figure against the blazing skyline from the doorway to the Titan Tower rooftop. Her silhouette cast in rosy pink and deep magenta against the setting sun. The clouds were lit up red and purple with the fading light, Ravens deep cloak fluttered in the slow chilly breeze. Her hair, which she had let grow out lately, hung in soft waves.

Beats Boy could feel his breath hitch, his heart thumping. Raven titled her head slightly at the sound of his approaching footsteps but didn't say anything. It wasn't unusual for them to find each other on the roof like this. Both liking to take in the sunset across the bay, the splay of light on the water. It was one of the few times and places Raven felt like talking and Beast Boy felt peaceful in his skin. A lot of their relationship was built upon this roof.

Beast Boy joined her in leaning against the ledge, trying to work up the courage and gulp down the lump in his throat. If he couldn't confess to her here, he couldn't confess to her anywhere. Licking his dry lips, he cast about for words.

"Nice night" he stuttered. Raven didn't answer. Beast Boy sucks in a breath, gathers his courage. Tells himself to be a man. "Raven, I-"

"Don't" says Raven, cutting him off. "Just don't BB. I-I can't hear it." She doesn't turn to looked at him, gripping the ledge with white fingers.

BBs stomach drops, his heart lurches, disappointment flooding through him. Following quickly in its wake is a flash of hot irritation. She hadn't even let him say anything!

"But I haven't even said anything!"

"I don't want you too!"

Beast Boy felt conflicted, emotions tearing him every which way. He thought his heart might be breaking, rejection hollowing him out only for anger to fill the void. A useless and fleeting substitute but one that kept him in the moment, feet planted, heart strong and pounding. Determined, more than ever, to voice his feelings.

Beast Boy took a step forward, forcing Raven to finally turn to look at him. She took a small stumbling step back, head down and eyes cast to the side. Her arms were wrapped around herself in a hug, and she was biting her lip.

"Why not? Because you know it already?" She didn't reply and BB faltered, biting his own lip with overly sharp fangs. The anger could only cover up so much. "Then let me say it once, turn me down properly and I'll never bring it up again. I need-I need to tell you, to say it. And you can't stop me doing that" Raven shook her head, eyes clenched shut, "you can't! Why won't you let me say it, if you know it already? What's the difference?"

"I don't know it" she whispered, hair falling forward to veil her expression. "There-there's nothing to know."

"Nothing to know! Nothing! Raven! So, what does that make me? Am I nothing? Does what I feel mean nothing!" Beast Boy shouted, the hot sting of tears coming to his eyes. His voice was wet with heartache.

"That's not what I meant" cried Raven, finally looking up to meet his eyes. Her own were glassy as well.

"Then what did you mean? 'Cause it sure sounded like that's what you meant. Like my feelings mean nothing."

"It's because I know alright! I know! That you can't-that you can't really…that whatever your feeling, whatever you think you're feeling…it's a fluke, an infatuation. It's not real."

Beast boy faltered, struck momentarily speechless with hurt. His body felt cold, his heart numb in his chest.

"Do you really," he wet his lips, chocking through sadness. Stubbornly he stopped the tears from falling. "Do you really think that little of me? That I can't even figure out my own feelings? That I would do this just on a whim?"

Raven shook her head, muttering a 'no' but Beast Boy didn't hear her. He could feel the pinch of his claws through his gloves where he was clenching his fists. The night continued to grow darker with the setting sun. The rosy hues turning a deep bruised purple and sorrowful blue. It matched his plummeting mood perfectly.

"Is it 'cause it's me? Just jokey BB, silly BB, never takes anything seriously so no one ever takes him seriously BB." He choked, the first tears fell. "Is that it?"

"It's not that" she whispered, voice barely audible above the wind.

"Then what Raven? Why cant I say it. I just-I just want to say it."

Why was she doing this to him? Of all the situations BB had imagined Raven not even letting him confess properly wasn't one of them. To disregard him so callously, even if she didn't feel the same, was cruel.

Raven watches the pain flash across his face. Remembers the pain that crossed that very same face, dipped rosy pink, as he lay dying in her arms. The solid steady bright presence, a wonderful, awe inspiring, fragile yet resilient colour fade and grow cold under her hands. Remembers the glassy look in those milky green eyes. The guilt and the grief grip her anew.

"Because I saw it die! It died! It's gone! So, you can't…You can't," she breaks down into sobs, tears spilling and chocking out her words. She hugs herself tighter, curling forward as salty sadness drips from her cheeks. "I saw you-it-love, die. It's gone. And it doesn't matter if I-what I-cause it's too late. I was too late. So whatever this is, whatever you're feeling, it can't be-it's not real. It can't be real. It died."

Beast Boy watches the girl he loves break down, vague forgotten sensations slotting in to place, long brushed over memories stirring once more. He wants to go to her, to comfort her, but this is important. He needs to know what he's missing. To understand.

"What happened Rae Rae? What happened while I was split? Who died?"

Raven sucks in a huge gulping breath, choking out the story she had kept hidden all this time. "Cruelty, he-he didn't want to merge back. Or, he wanted to hurt you, me, anyone. I don't know. He attacked me, but Love…Love got in the way. I-by the time I merged the Aspects it was too late. He was gone." She shivers, wrapping her cloak around herself and trying to wipe her tears. They spill forth without end. "So, you can't…you can't…" she trails off into hiccuping sobs.

Beast Boy feels his chest expand, his head clear. His heart starts thumping faster again, sorrow fading in the face of growing hope. He steps closer, drawing the girl he loves closer to him and wrapping her shaking frame in a hug even as she weakly struggles.

With a huge heaving breath Raven gives in, letting herself fall into his embrace and burying her face in his solid shoulder. Beast Boy wraps a large hand around hers, pressing it to his chest. To his pounding heart.

"I love you" he finally says. "I love you Raven. I really, really love you."

Raven makes a broken hurting noise, trying to push him away. Beast Boy holds her to him gently.

"I love you. It's not a whim, or a crush, or some impulse. It's real. And if you don't believe me, you can feel it. Right here" he presses her hand further to his chest. "I know you can."

Raven feels it. The strong thumping of his heart. Rapid and excited. She lets her mental shields down, opening herself to his feelings.

The warmth takes her first. The glowing brightness lighting her from the inside out. Its shine a steady beacon, beckoning her closer to bask in his affection. It's a warm hug after a bad day, an invitation home out of the cold, a reprieve from the darkness and the fear that so often haunts her.

She can feel the touch of comfort in it, the buzz of joy and flutter of kindness. The hot spark of courage to lay himself open to her. The steadfast will of his devotion and loyalty. The gold, encompassing press of faith-in his love, in her, in what they could be together.

It was everything she never thought she would feel from him again. Everything she's been denying has been growing for months.

"I, I can't believe…but how?"

Beast Boy hums, hooking his chin over her shoulder. Swaying them both slightly as he searches for the words. When he finally speaks, he presses his mouth to her temple, soft lilac hair tickling his lips.

"Love isn't something static. It's not something you're born with, nothing really is. All these feelings, these emotions, what makes a person, they don't come at once but grow with time. With shared experiences and connection."

Beast Boy pulls back, cupping her face, palming away the rest of her tears and tucking her hair behind her ear. He gazes deeply into those beautiful lilac eyes. "I grew to love you once Raven and it was taken from me. And then-then I grew to love you again."

She trembles. He smiles, slow and gentle. "I can't say if this feeling is the same as the one I lost. But I can tell you it's real. Real to me. And the only word I can think to call it is love."

She sniffles, letting her senses fall into the feeling once more. Now she was searching there were indeed some small differences. This love a lighter, more joyful feeling than the one who had died in her arms. A love born from friendship and closeness. A love let to grow slowly and gently in the warm lights of companionship rather than forged through the blood and battle of the Titans first crazy year together. Of near-death experiences, revelations and apocalypses.

They were both different people from that time. Raven a little more courageous, a little more open, a little more ready to embrace her own emotions. More confident in her control over her often times frightening powers. Beast Boy was a little more patient, a little more considerate. No longer childishly revelling in his newfound freedom from the Doom Patrols iron fist, inconsiderate and insensitive.

As true black took to the night sky and the first of the stars was reflected across the bay Raven felt the flames of hope ignite in her chest. Fanned by the thumping of the heart under her hand. Her lips wobbled into a smile, eyes crinkling. Beast Boys own grin grew fanged in response. Boyishly joyful and bashful.

She cupped the hand holding her face with her own, leaning into the touch. She gave a small, shy laugh. "We don't even have the same taste in movies."

Beast Boy whooped in joy, scooping her up to her surprised laughter. "Food then!" he shouted, spinning her once, cloak fluttering behind them.

"Okay, okay put me down" she gasped, being placed gently on her feet. She let him keep his hands on her waist. She was done shying from his touch. Shying from her feelings. She wouldn't make the same mistakes twice. "Food could work. But no tofu."

Beast Boy frowned theatrically but couldn't stop his smile. "Man, this romance thing is going to be harder than I thought. But I might just be willing to make that sacrifice. For a price, that is."

"And what price would that be?"

He hesitated, bright emerald eyes trailing down to her lips. A high blush stained his cheeks. "How about a kiss?" he said it like a joke, but the longing was clear.

Raven turned pink, dipping her head in bashfulness. Slowly she curled a hand around his shoulder. "Take me out first. And maybe, if you good-" she whispered.

Beast Boy nodded his head frantically, "so good. I'll be so, so good. Damn, Raven, I really-I really do…"

Raven silenced him with a finger to his lips. "I know Beast Boy. I know. I - I do too. But maybe, maybe we could take it slow."

He shuddered, letting his lips brush her fingers in a quick peck. "Yeah, slow. Slow sounds good."

And it was good. Good for them. Love was an emotion, once grown, that needed care. Maybe they will mistreat it. Maybe they will let it wither. Turn sour with bitterness and misunderstandings and missed expectations. Or maybe they will treat it right, let it air bright and joyful. Learn what each other needs, become each other's home. Bring each other peace and let their love flourish in the sanctuary they built of it.

Raven didn't know what kind of love this would become. But she was done hiding. Done running. She wouldn't miss her chance a second time. She knew her answer.

Later, after a surprisingly peaceful first date at a hole in the wall vegan place where there was not a speck of tofu in sight, she made sure Beast Boy knew it too. Pressed it to his surprised lips in their first kiss.

She said it again a month later in front of their surprised teammates. Their little unconventional superhero family cheering for their happiness. Declared it to the world the next time they saved the city. And once more the next time they saved the world.

And a hundred, thousand times more in between and after.

Fin