Alright, before I get on with the chapter, i would just like to say I am absolutely overwhelmed with the review responses. Thank you! The sheer number made me get up and write this really really fast (well, fast for me). I hope that this is also to your liking. Also, the rating has been upped because of some cursing. As always, constructive criticism is appreciated.
Raven stared at him.
"You'll what?" He didn't answer, but leaned closer, still wiping away errant tears on her face.
"So, are you going to tell me or what? Because, believe me, that wasn't a empty threat." Secretly, he rather hoped that she didn't tell him. Though it would end up getting him very frustrated and without answers, the reward would be worth that and more. Yet, it hurt him to know that it was a threat to Raven, when it would be a pleasure for him.
"Just…just leave me alone!" Tears were coming faster. She needed to get away from all of this. Away from the room with the remnants of disaster, away from the reality of death, away from her heritage that caused her to be hated, and, most of all, away from the feelings that were emanating from the green teenager in front of her. She had no illusions as to what would happen if he carried through with his threat. Total destruction was pretty much the best she could hope for.
"Raven, that's not an answer." He leaned in closer towards her. She was about to turn her head to avoid his lips, when her mind caught a hold of the fact that she wanted this. She wanted him to kiss her. So, instead of catching her cheek, as she intended, Beast Boy caught full on her mouth which was partially open in surprise. Deep within her mind, she recognized what was happening, but, she was still trying to get over the shock that she liked Beast Boy. More then a friend should.
Beast Boy, for his part, was also in shock that he had carried the 'threat' through. Though, he wasn't about to complain. He decided that his actions were for the better when he felt Raven slowly respond to him. Softly, her hands entangled in his hair. Anything in the room that wasn't already completely destroyed exploded, but he didn't cared. All frustrations he had felt previously melted away.
Suddenly, she pulled back. This couldn't be allowed to happen. Even if it meant sharing unpleasant things with Beast Boy, she had to stop this.
"I'll tell you…" Gently, he ran a hand over her lips.
"Damn, you should have said that sooner..." As much as he wanted to hear her explanation, he wasn't able to make himself stop their tryst there.
Raven was having trouble bringing her thoughts together enough to start. Her organs felt as though they had turned to warm fluids, including her brain. What could she tell him? Where should she start? The kiss wasn't helping either. She deeply regretted responding so eagerly…well, maybe not so deeply. In fact, truthfully, she had wanted it, and still did on some level. She was attracted to him. And, because she was submerged in these thoughts, the logical part of her mind did not register Best Boy advancing once again. So, once again, she did not move, but eagerly leaned towards him. The instant after their lips meet, the door opened. It took both of them a moment to realize that there was another person in the room who was currently yelling , at which point the two Titans jumped nervously part.
"…shocked and appalled at such blatantly disregard for property and of mourning ceremony. You of all people should be aware of what is appropriate behavior!" the older woman continued ranting, seeing that she now had the attention of both. "Raven, I'm not only extremely disappointed by your lack of propriety, but I despair to think of what your poor mother, Azar bless her soul, would think if she were to witness that…that display, during the period of her mourning!" Beast Boy, staring at her, noticed something odd. He heard English, but the woman's lips were moving out of synch with her words. Another thing, was that Raven was slowly wilting under the tirade. Her head was bowed, and her shoulders shaking. As the woman paused for a breath, he heard say, very softly.
"I apologize. I was not thinking correctly. It should never have happened."
"You are absolutely right! You know what your birthright entitles you to, and affection is not it. You have endangered us all simply by being here. I would thank you to remember why our skies are in turmoil, why are pacifistic ways are now only an ideal, or why you mother is dead." She hissed, slowly walking towards the hunched figure that was Raven. "Your birth caused it. You are His portal. You are the reason of our downfall." Beast Boy had had quite enough. He ran between the two.
"Whoa, whoa, time out here! It's my fault really, I apologize for the room, but you shouldn't blame everything on Raven, she's not responsible for ever bad thing that happens!" The woman glared at him.
"You know little, and understand even less." She spat at their feet, and stalked out the door, slamming it behind her. He stuck his tongue out in the direction she departed.
"Yeah, and good riddance!" He turned back to were Raven was lumped against the wall. "Hey...Rae?" She didn't move "Raven? You did say you were gonna tell me what this was about…didn't you?" He thought she had, but, his memory of that moment was more caught up in the kiss rather then her words. Suddenly, her head snapped up towards him. He found himself looking into her eyes. There were beautiful, and looking down slightly, there were her lips…she broke the spell by talking harshly.
"You shouldn't have done that. Any of that. They are correct to blame me, because it's my fault. My birth caused the ills of this dimension. My actions will cause it's demise. It's all foretold. I was stupid to even tempt fate. It was inappropriate to act as we did during a mourning ceremony. It should never have happened and should be forgotten." With that, she to left the room, leaving Beast Boy by himself.
"Oh, well that explains everything!" He yelled at the closed door. Growling, he turned to the room, looking for something to take out his anger on. Now, not only did he have more questions the answers, he had tasted paradise, only to have it ripped away. Finding the room already destroyed, he screamed and cursed. "How the hell can she expect me to just forget that? Did it mean that little to her?" He sat in the middle of the destruction. "Apparently, I was a fool to think that she would have any feelings at all." He punched the floor. "Well, if that's how she wants it, then fine! That's just fine with me! I can be emotionless too!" He turned to the door and screamed again. "You hear that Raven? I don't care about you! I don't care what you do anymore! I just. Don't. Care!"
Raven had not wandered far. Stopping out side the door, she listened to Beast Boy rant with a expressionless face.
"Good. It's for the best if he doesn't care. No one's supposed to care. Not him, not the other Titans, no one." Being with the Titans had softened her, opened her up slowly. Peeling away the layers of training. News of her mother's death had weakened and cracked all her barriers, and Beast Boy had succeeded in breaking them completely. However, the lecture from Jurisa had made her remember her training, and what she was. She was half demon and a danger to those around her. She mustn't allow such a breach to happen again. Straightening her shoulders, she proceeded towards the main courtyards were he ceremony was to take place. Pausing briefly, she took out a slip of parchment from her cloak. It was ragged and seemed to have been ripped from something. She failed to recognize it, or see the writing on the opposite side. She jotted a quick note on it, and used her powers to slip it through the door and rest were she knew Beast Boy to be. That done, she continued on.