Reason

~

Raven preferred the shadows. Yes, she had found a reason to enjoy the light in spending time with her friends. That still did not change the fact that she did not enjoy lingering stares from perfect strangers while also being mentally assaulted by their thoughts.

People were even so bold as to snap pictures. Some asked first and some didn't.

The cacophony of thoughts of surprise and excitement and jealousy swarmed her as the Titans spent a day at the fair. Gar insisted on holding her hand as the group made their way into the event, much to the dismay and annoyance of many people who were either avid Beast Boy fans or drawn to him by his pheromones.

Gar brought her fingers to his lips and gave them a featherlight kiss. His eyes intently held hers. The heat in them unmistakable.

Raven took a breath and returned her attention to the festivities around them. They had already determined that with her guard completely down, Gar's mating season would pull her in. Today, she was staying focused.

"These humans worship you," Daemon commented with the most casual of tones.

"We've protected them. They're grateful," Raven corrected him.

So far, Daemon had been annoyed by staying at Titan Tower and was unimpressed by stores, landscapes and museums. He had callused, obnoxious things to say about everything. Why would I earn money to buy things when they are freely provided at home? Why are we staring at a mountain? I have better things to do with my time. If I wanted to see a naked person I can have several with a snap of my fingers. Why would I enjoy seeing one made from stone?

Raven had considered letting her demon take over and just finishing their fight. But she reminded herself that she could once have been just like him. He didn't know friendship or love.

So when Kori came dancing into the common area of the Titan Tower inviting all of them to the fair, Raven felt it was her best shot at getting him to see that real friendship is the most valuable thing in this or any universe.

Daemon raised an eyebrow at her, but said nothing. Clearly being grateful for anything was a concept he was unfamiliar with. While her own father had pressured and demanded things of her, Daemon's mother had spoiled him with the limitless perks of being an evil dictator. Raven wasn't even sure he would be able to pretend that he found a reason to give up his pampered lifestyle that would send his angry mother their way.

"Why don't we try a ride?" Raven grumbled, turning her attention back to Gar.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I don't think he's going to find something he likes here."

"I can hear you," Daemon announced from behind them. "I do not enjoy this world, but I do have one thing here that I want."

Gar's fingers tightened around Raven's in a possessive grip.

Raven turned to give Daemon a look. "Look, if your mom doesn't show up then we can't defeat her. You don't get your kingdom to yourself and we have wasted time and a lot of my patience. So figure it out!"

Daemon narrowed his eyes at her.

Raven gritted her teeth. "I'm going to the bathroom," she grumbled as she dropped Gar's hand and headed away from them. Somehow Cyborg had broken from the group, as had Nightwing and Starfire. She would need to get herself under control and return to Daemon and Gar before anything else happened.

~

Gar avoided looking at Daemon. Maybe if he ignored him along enough, he would disappear.

"You will stop touching my betrothed in my presence. Your services are required in private moments only," Daemon callously stated, causing Gar to eye him in annoyance. He wasn't even looking at Gar, but examining his nails as if they had the secret of life written on them.

Gar thought about telling him off, but instead he rolled his eyes and began playing on his phone. He fully intended to be extra affectionate to Raven for the remainder of the day. His drive not only being to irritate his demon rival, but to assuage some of the intense need to touch her. She was his girlfriend now and he wanted his hands on her at all times. The need only increasing with his mating season in full swing.

"Beast Boy!" a girl with pigtails squealed as she rushed into his personal bubble, a marker in her clasped hands in front of her. "Can I get your autograph?"

Gar pocketed his phone and carefully grabbed the marker from her fingers.

At least she's tame for mating season.

The girl squealed again and pulled her shirt down to expose her cleavage.

Or not.

"I'm your biggest fan!" she continued to gush as Gar quickly scribbled his superhero name.

"Thanks for that," he told her, hoping it sounded grateful but also conveyed no further interest.

"You could add your number too," the girl drawled, looking at him from beneath her eyelashes.

Damn Mating Season.

Gar capped the marker and held it out to her. "You're really cute, but I have a girlfriend."

The girl put on a pout. "Whaaaat?! Since when?"

"Just recently, he confirmed, wiggling the marker to remind her it was there. "I finally got a chance with a girl I've been in love with for years now."

The girl's pout deepened for a moment before she took the pen and grabbed his hand. Her lips curved into a coy smile. "Then you can have my number... in case you change your mind," she nearly purred as she scribbled her number hastily on his hand.

Gar sighed in exasperation.

Why can't they take no for an answer?

The girl blew him and kiss and flounced away.

"Are many women drawn by your..." Daemon began, waving a hand in gesture to all of Gar, "Appeal?"

Gar attempted to casually wipe the number off on his jeans. "Not everyone thinks I'm a lowly sex slave," he grumbled, noting a pack of girls drawing closer.

"If your status with Raven bothers you, why not pursue some of your other..." Daemon glanced at the hungry pack of girls, "Options?"

Gar narrowed his eyes at Daemon. "You don't know anything about my status with Raven, dude."

"She is a cambion. You are mortal. Anything between you would be temporary and pointless," Daemon told him in a bored tone.

Gar whipped his gaze back to the annoying creature. "I'm done with you, man! I'm not her sex toy, I'm her boyfriend! I've been in love with her for years, I'm going to make her happy with my every breath, I'm going to marry her and hopefully she'll have my adorable mutant babies someday!" He took a few deep breaths as he took in the bewildered expression on Daemon's face. "And you know she wants that too. Or you wouldn't be up in my face right now about it." He liked pacifism, but there was definitely a deliciously satisfying feeling that coursed through him as Daemon's eyes flared at the last words he spoke.

Oh, yeah. That struck a nerve.

Raven returned just in time to transform the pack's hungry stares into jealousy. "The line was long," she stated stoically.

Gar grinned and cupped her jaw in his hands before placing a soft kiss on her lips. They were soft and full and he could kiss her for hours if he wasn't restraining himself because she hated PDA. He had to suppress a shiver of pleasure as he brought his hands from her face.

Raven caught his wrist and eyed the black smudge on his hand.

"Marker," Gar told her immediately. She hadn't asked for an explanation, but he felt she deserved one. "Mating season strikes again."

Raven rubbed her temple with her fingers. "I can feel it."

Gar placed a finger beneath her chin to tilt her head up toward his. He loved to look at her eyes.

"Does he often mark other women's chests with his name?" Daemon asked, breaking their beautiful moment.

Thanks, asshole.

Raven looked to Gar with a blank expression, tilting her head slightly. "Cleavage or clavicle?"

Gar felt heat in his cheeks and rubbed the back of his neck. "Cleavage," he answered honestly.

After a brief moment that felt like an eternity, Raven let out a small laugh. That laugh went straight through his chest to his groin and he hoped it didn't show through his jeans.

"We should get Daemon on some rides before you get attacked," she suggested, her humor gracefully fading into her bland indifference.

He took her hand as they headed toward some rides. He would not let Daemon distract him from his goal. He was building a foundation to forever. He couldn't start it off rocky.