In what would be national news on any other day, Beast Boy was actually right for once, Raven did not regret going.
Raven's experience with kids were limited basically to her moments with Melvin, Timmy and Teether. Could you blame her? Not many kids were enthusiastic about the gloom and doom that was Raven, nor were parents exactly stoked on having their kids look up to a half-demon.
Despite all that, everyone was friendly and treated Raven with the utmost respect. Sure, there were some stares and some points from both children and parents while at the hospital, but Raven was literally able to feel no ill intent on their part.
Raven knew Beast Boy was volunteering for another day, but was not informed about Danny until she got there. Visiting Danny was not what Raven was expecting…at all.
When she got to his room, she was able to feel the pain he was in. This boy could not be older than Melvin, but was so skinny due to all of the medication he had to take. She started to approach the boy but was interrupted by the squeal of a little girl that was on the other side of the room.
"Raven! Are you really Raven?".
Raven took a step back not being used to such overwhelmingly levels of emotions children often gave off.
"Sure is! I told you I knew her remember?"
Brooke rolled her eyes. "Duh I know you know Raven, you guys are on the same team". Raven could not help but give a slight smirk. The little girl sure had an attitude that caught Beast Boy off guard considering how formal and cute she was acting yesterday. "I just didn't think you would convince her to come here. I am sure she has more better things to do like saving the world".
Beast Boy replied, "If there is an emergency then we both will have to go, but thankfully nothing is going on…and hey! Are you implying that I don't have anything better to do?".
Brook gave a small giggle, "Only joking, but really I did not think you would be able to convince like the coolest superhero of all time to come here!".
Raven could not help but feel flattered. Sure, they all had their fanbases, however Raven's were filled with people who would have gotten a credit card line from Hot Topic if possible and some who were avid "fans" of her father. Raven crouched to meet the girl at eye level.
"I admit, I did not wake up thinking I was going to be here, but Beast Boy convinced me since he had such a great time yesterday. Now, usually I am the one that picks on Beast Boy, what is my competitions name?".
Brooke gave the widest smile and introduced herself. "My name is Brooke, the number #1 Raven fan. I love how serious you are and don't spend so much time on makeup, dresses and yuck kissing like Starfire".
Raven gave a slight chuckle and replied, "Starfire is the strongest woman I know. Just because she is the walking image if a Claire's threw up, she and I have the same job at the end of the day, to risk our lives for everyone, including you".
Brooke seemed to be a bit taken aback by her words, but Raven continued, "We seem to be very different, but Starfire is my best friend believe it or not. We cannot judge others by their interests, rather by their actions".
Brooke and Beast Boy looked at Raven with awe and a pause filled the room.
"…see things like that is why you are my favorite!".
Beast Boy did not drop his gaze on Raven, "Yeah, that's Rae…I mean Raven for you. Spreading joy wherever she goes. So, Brooke, how has Danny been doing?".
To their left they say the boy asleep with is monitors giving constant beeps.
"He has been okay, he's just tired lots".
Danny was really skinny and appeared a bit paler than Brooke. He wore a blue cap to cover his lack of hair.
"…May I?", Raven asked their mother who has been quiet the entire time gripping her son's hand.
"Of course, go ahead", and she stepped aside for Raven to approach the sick boy. Raven was able to feel the pain radiating off of the poor boy. She gave a quick scan with her powers to see what was going on with Danny. He had cancer, leukemia to be exact. She was relieved to sense that he was in recovery, but it took a lot out of him to get to this point. She couldn't help it and extended both arms and summoned her healing powers.
His mother took a few steps towards Raven to question what she was doing but Beast Boy gave her a reassuring shoulder touch. He whispered, "Just trust her". The mother began watching Raven with curious eyes.
By the time Raven was done Danny woke up.
"…Mom are you there?".
The mother raced over to embrace Danny and could not hold back her tears. Danny appeared to be less pale and apparently, he has been sleeping for most of the past week due to the lack of energy. Raven took the immediate pain away, but Danny would still have to recover for a bit.
"Mom…is that?..."
Through tears the mom managed to say, "That beautiful woman is Raven, she did something to wake you up, and that is her boyfriend Beast Boy."
Raven could not help but blush and was about to correct Danny but was interrupted by Beast Boy, "We actually are not a couple, but we are both here to see you Danny. Do you feel any better?".
Danny began to look around his surroundings and take it all in before he responded, but with a flashy smile he responded with
"Yeah, I do. I was just so tired. Then out of nowhere I feel so much better".
His mother grabbed his hand and told him
"Thank this kind woman Danny, I don't know what she did or how she did it, but she made you feel better".
Danny then looked at Raven and his eyes grew twice its size in excitement realizing who just healed him.
"Oh my God, Raven?! You healed me?".
Raven gave a curt nod and approached him. "I just took away the pain, I wish it could be permanent, but you are still healing, it should not hurt as bad as it did before from here, but you still have to be cautious".
Danny could not help himself but lunge himself from his bed and give Raven a hug. Raven was taken off guard and did not know how to respond. Beast Boy was about to approach and explain how Raven does not do well with contact but Raven responded with a light hug as well. Both Titans did not expect that to happen, but Raven felt only gratefulness, warmth and purity from this boy that was enduring so much pain for so long. Even though she did help take some of the pain away, she could also spare a hug.
When they separated the boy could not stop talking to Beast Boy, he was his preferred Titan after all.
"…You are just so cool! Wow, my friends will never believe that you came and visited me, and let alone Raven was here! Raven did you know that you are my sister's favorite?".
Brooke with a hint of sass replied, "Duh, of course Raven is my favorite Titan. Even Beast Boy told me yesterday that she was his favorite".
The greenness is Beast Boy's face appeared to have drained. "Uhhh Brooke remember what I said about that?".
"Did you not say that?".
The little girl was going to be the end of Beast Boy.
Raven kept her gaze to the floor but did not want to drag this conversation any longer, "I am sure Beast Boy meant that I was his favorite to bother. Anyways, do you kids want to see a green dog?".
Dogs were always a safe bet. Kids never said no to dogs.
"Actually, I like cats more".
Of course, Brooke was a cat person.
"Pshhh, no problem name any animal and I can do it", with a crack of his knuckles Beast Boy began shifting to a variety of animals that were able to fit within Danny's hospital room.
They stayed with Danny for an hour until he had to rest again. Raven's energy took a toll when she healed Danny, but she was able to visit a few more kids before she left. She visited the ones that where in the most pain that she was able to help. Thankfully none of the ones that were present there were in life-or-death situations. Raven technically would be able to heal them, but the monks in Azarath advised Raven to be cautious with her healing abilities. They taught her that some death was a common denominator for all, and some are not supposed to be saved, no matter the scenario. Raven would not be able to see a child in this scenario and not be able to help them, so she was glad she did not have to choose. She healed her teammates all the time, some cases it was on the brink of death. Raven vowed to herself that her team will always be the exception to the rule. She would sacrifice her life for any one of them. She understood and respected death, but despite her past destiny, she did not want to be the one to play God.
Raven felt drained after a few hours and both Titans decided to go back to the tower. Even though Raven was tired from volunteering, she could not help but feel dread heading back home, especially since she was able to feel the nerves radiating off Beast Boy when he got close to her in order to teleport back.