A/N: 'Sup fools? Sorry for the delay of update, but damn, this chapter was not easy to write. I accidentally mistyped, "score," as, "school," while writing this, which reminded me what someone has some reading to finish. Oops. Thanks muchly for the reviews, though, they're what keeps this nonsense going! Hooray! Danielle hopes you like it, she does, she does.

Disclaimer: I'll trade you my Dylan for your Teen Titans, eh??

Just Roommates

Chapter 8 - Overlap

Sometimes life jumps out at you and screams, "Boo!" when you least expect it. Tonight was another sleepless night for Raven and she wished life would go mind its own business for once. It's strange how the best of one's thoughts come at the most inconvenient of times. Strange and annoying, Raven thought, rolling over in her bed and slinging her arm over the side. She could almost be described as happy, in a sort of anger-towards-self way. Almost, she confirmed, hugging her sheets to her chin. She once had been told that true character comes out in the midst of trouble and conflict, and although she never believed or liked it, today she saw its truth. Raven used that notion as a personal excuse when her mind wandered back to a few hours ago...

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Beast Boy stomped through the corridor with numbers by the millions scrolling through his head. He had flipped on Gamestation in an attempt to clear his mind, but soon became increasingly frustrated at being unable to beat Cyborg's solid high score. He was practically muttering curses to himself when he looked up to saw Raven marching from her room with what looked like a vengeance to match his. Alarms went off in Beast Boy's head. CRAP, I haven't had time to think of anything yet!! Raven's gaze was intent on the ground but it was certainly too late for him to spin around and race the other way. After hesitating in his stride, he continued normally, saying, "Crud, crud, crud..." under his breath.

Raven looked up when Beast Boy's feet came into her line of vision. With a dry but polite, "Hi," she thought, almost bitterly, Oh, how delightfully ironic. She decided to leave it up to him. If he wanted to talk, she'd talk to him, but if he didn't stop her, she'd continue like she didn't even see him. Like I didn't even see him...

"Hey," Beast Boy replied with his usual squeak and chipper tone. The several steps it took for Raven to walk by Beast Boy seemed to take much longer than they should have and each regularly quiet footstep was deafening. Raven felt a knot in her chest as she listened to the shapeshifter continue behind her. She began questioning her sanity until Beast Boy stopped short.

"Uhh... Rae?"

"What," Raven faced him and, even though there were numerous paces in between the two, she emphasized her eye roll enough to be sure he'd notice. It wasn't the first time today Beast Boy wished he understood girls. Next came wondering what he had to lose. When the internal reply was, Not much, his frantic mind cleared.

"I've got a question," he dared, rubbing his forearm and retracing his steps to her.

"When don't you?" she groaned. Beast Boy cocked an eyebrow.

"Who are you trying to impress, anyway?" Beast Boy tried his hardest to make his pre-adolescent voice seem firm. Raven's taken aback facial expression made him want to pump his fist in the air and cry, "DARN, I'm good!" For his own sake, he clamped his mouth shut.

A few feet away, Raven's door slid open and Starfire exited. Upon noticing Raven frowning at the wall next to her and Beast Boy with his arms folded, she jumped, surprised, and dashed back into Raven's bedroom. She poked her head out the door and pinched her lips together, not wanting to breathe too loudly. Raven looked back at Beast Boy with rage in her eyes. She just wanted to disappear right then and there, which she could very well do, but Raven stood her ground with reputation in mind.

"What are you trying to say?" she hissed.

"Well... umm... you don't have to be so emotionless all the time, y'know... I know you have to because your emotions control your powers or something, but we all have powers to control, too. I mean, I met your emotions, remember?" Raven remembered. She scowled. Beast Boy felt his confidence crumbling away. "Bravery was pretty cool, why can't we see more of her?"

"You have no idea what you are talking about. Stop wasting my time," Raven spun around on her heel.

"Yeah, so what, maybe I don't know anything! I guess you meant nothing you wrote in that letter, Raven, because you're not trying at all, are you?"

I was not aware that Raven wrote Beast Boy a letter, Starfire pouted.

"It's not as easy as you think," Raven shot him a look of ice over her shoulder.

"Maybe not, but I do know a thing or two about controlling powers. Terra did it, why can't you?" Woah, Beast Boy's own words startled him.

Eek... Starfire winced. She could practically steam coming from Raven's ears.

"You... you do not compare me to her!" Raven snarled, whipping around again and grabbing Beast Boy by the collar. "Ever."

"Alright, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!" Beast Boy flailed his arms. Raven released him and covered her hooded face with her hands. "I'm sorry, really, I shouldn't have said that."

There was an awkward pause, then, "You're right," said Raven quietly. "You're actually right, and this is a first." Deciding this wasn't a time for sarcasm, she dropped her arms to her sides and hung her head. "When we met Terra, she could barely control her own powers, as strong as they were. It's like we were the same. She came back to us with them almost perfected and I was... meditating. I was meditating!" She glanced back at Beast Boy. "Do you know what that means?"

"What?" Beast Boy looked at her sympathetically. He was really regretting saying that. He may as well have punched her in the face.

"It means she has something I don't. Terra does. Terra, of all people," Raven thought aloud. Beast Boy put his hand on her shoulder.

"I know what she had. She had Slade. You're right, she did come back to us with her powers nearly mastered, but that same night she also betrayed us. That's what she had over you," Beast Boy felt the hole Terra left in his heart widening. Raven became aware that he may still not be over Terra when he looked slightly pained. Thinking of her was hard for him, too.

"This means I have some competition to live up to," Raven tried to take Beast Boy's mind off their fallen companion with a small smile. Beast Boy smirked back. There wasn't much point in mourning Terra any longer.

"Yup, I guess so," another awkward second passed and Beast Boy removed his hand from Raven's shoulder with haste. Deciding someone had to say something, he added, "I could try and help you, if you want, that is," said Beast Boy sheepishly, itching the back of his head.

"Yeah? How?" Raven looked disbelieving.

Aww, all or nothing, BB, the Changeling thought to himself. He was at least thankful that he was Raven's height when he stepped forward, his hand back on her shoulder, and leaned into a kiss.

Starfire practically shoved her fist in her mouth to prevent a yipe of shock. Amazing, Beast Boy!! She watched as Raven's eyes shot open with shock. She furrowed her brows. Then her expressions relaxed and she closed her eyes. Starfire flew as fast as she possibly could from Raven's room and into the next hall, her eyes wide and her hands across her mouth. If only I could know what Raven is thinking right now!

Even if Starfire did know what Raven was thinking, she would change her statement to, "If only I knew what Raven's reaction could be." Her mind was blank. Raven thought nothing but felt something and everything, like her emotions just threw a warehouse rave within her skull. Actually, she didn't entirely doubt that. Beast Boy was indeed right, Raven couldn't hide her emotions or feelings any longer. In a nutshell, she felt fantastic.

Not long after it started, Raven broke off the kiss and grabbed Beast Boy's wrist, tugging him into the nearest room-- hers. When the door shut, she pushed him against it and poked a finger to his chest.

"No one... no one finds out about that," she breathed, trying her absolute best to hide the bliss on her face. Apparently it didn't work too well because Beast Boy grinned back at her.

"It's gonna cost ya," He felt his confidence return when he figured out he was still alive.

"Beast Boy."

"Okay, okay."

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Raven curled up and could feel herself being pulled into slumber. She decided she could wait until tomorrow to wonder why her powers didn't go mad at that time, but for now, she was content. As long as none of the others found out about it.

In the main room of Titan's Tower, Starfire giggled.

"And you will never believe what happened next!" she squealed. "He kissed her!" Cyborg's jaw almost fell into his lap.

"No WAY," Robin exclaimed in a fit of laughter, smacking his forehead.

A/N: The deed has been done. WHAT NOW? It was so hard keeping everyone in character, I hope I did well enough. Can I get some collective "awwws" or "ewwws"? Review!