Chapter Four: Wiser Than She Seems

Responses:

dragoon-bane: thanks for clearing that up about the katana! I think I meant a bo stick thing…and thanks for reviewing!

Violet Aura: thanks for reviewing and you're welcome!

Now onto the story!

Starfire collapsed on her bed and sighed deeply. Things had been confusing as of late, and, of course, she had no idea what was going on. She had heard Cyborg and Robin talking about how Beast Boy was trying to get closer to Raven, but she kept pushing him away for some strange reason. She remembered a conversation she had with Robin on the roof about the whole thing.

FLASHBACK

"Robin, what is wrong with Raven?"

"What do you mean?"

"She has been more…hostile to Beast Boy than she usually is, except for when she lifted him off the robber's head."

"That comes as no surprise to me. I think she's afraid of people getting too close to her."

"And…Beast Boy is getting close to her?"

"Well, yeah. You know how Malchior got close to her, and then betrayed her?"

"Yes…"

"Raven might be afraid that if she lets anybody else get too close, then she'll be hurt again."

"But Beast Boy would not hurt her!"

"We know that, and Beast Boy knows that, but Raven doesn't."

"Does Beast Boy realize that Raven is afraid of this?"

"I think so."

"Then why is he trying to get close to her?"

"Because he likes her."

"…I thought he and Raven were friends, so he must like her?"

"No, not that sort of "like". I mean…the way Beast Boy likes Raven is similar to love…"

"Love…of a friend?"

"No…more than friends. Like the way I feel about-" Robin caught himself, but started to turn red.

"Like the way you feel about who?"

"Um…I-I really can't say."

"What does it feel like?"

"What does what feel like?"

"Love."

"Um…you can't stop thinking about them, you feel more nervous when they're around, but you're happy at the same time, there are butterflies in your stomach, that kind of thing."

"When people love someone…they eat butterflies?"

"No, they just feel like there are butterflies in their stomach."

"Oh…I think I understand…thank you, Robin."

"You're welcome, Star."

Starfire smiled and walked back inside. Robin sighed.

"I understand, too."

END FLASHBACK (A/N: Sighs so fluffy...)

Starfire knew what Robin was talking about. For she felt all of the things around a certain someone for a long time now.

"But how am I to handle it?" she wondered out loud. Starfire smiled as an idea popped into her head.

"I must speak with friend Raven!"

Raven was reading in her room silently, when someone knocked on the door. "BEAST BOY, GO AWAY!" she shouted.

"Friend Raven, it is Starfire!"

Raven eased. "Come in."

Starfire slowly opened the door, looking around the room. "I wish to speak with you about…love."

"It's Robin, isn't it?" (A/N: Notice how sarcastically so much time passed before Raven brought that up)

Starfire turned a deep shade of crimson. "How did you know?"

"Call it a gift. Do you think you love Robin?"

"Well, I asked him what that felt like, and according to what he said…yes."

"Not surprised at all." (A/N: Neither are the rest of us.)

"What shall I do?"

"Ask him out."

"…Ask…him…out?"

"On a date."

"What is this "date"?"

Raven sighed. "It's where you ask the person you like-in your case, love- to go somewhere with you."

Starfire's eyes lit up. "Oh, that is what Cyborg and Beast Boy were speaking of to Robin!"

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?"

"Why will you not let Beast Boy become close to you?"

Raven felt her face burn. "Uh…why do you ask?"

"Because he has said things about wanting to get to know you more. Why will you not let him?"

Raven sighed. Telling will ease this burden. "I'll tell you, but you can't say a word to ANYONE, okay?"

Starfire nodded. "I promise I will not tell."

"Well…I don't want him to get close because I care about him too much." Did I just say that?

"You love friend Beast Boy then?"

"Er, uh, no!" Raven blushed deeply. "I just don't want him to get close, because he'll hate me…"

"Has he not been in your mind?"

"Yes…"

"Then would it not make sense that he still loves you after seeing the true you?"

Raven was stunned. "What are you getting at, Starfire?"

"I believe that you and Beast Boy are…as you say…meant to be more than friends?"

"Star…what's THAT supposed to mean?" Don't kid yourself, you know exactly what that means.

"Is it not obvious? You and Beast Boy love each other, yes?"

"Uhhhhh…Star, are you sure you're getting this right?"

"I read somewhere the definition of love…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I have seen you and Beast Boy behave this way towards one another at times."

Silence.

"You're wiser than you let on."

"Thank you! Come, let us go to the room of dining! It is time for dinner!" Starfire floated from the room, leaving Raven sitting on her bed quietly.

"So I love him."