AN: Sorry, I don't own or write for Teen Titans.
Chapter 5: Bittersweet Answers
Raven and Beast Boy decided to go to the mall. Raven wasn't all that sure, but Beast Boy told her that there was an arcade and she decided to go. While they were out the other three Titans decided to share information and try to figure out what was going on with them.
"You won't believe this, but Beast Boy has a crush on Raven," said Robin.
Starfire gasped and said, "Raven has told me that she has the crush on Beast Boy."
"Okay, something is very wrong here," said Cyborg. "One day they hate each other and the next they're in love? What the hell happened between them?"
"They have been different since we foiled the thief at the warehouse," said Starfire.
"Did anything happen to them while we were there?" asked Robin.
"I don't think so," said Cyborg.
"They did say that they were almost crushed by a falling box," said Starfire.
Robin thought for a moment. "Maybe we should retrace our steps there and see if we can find anything."
"It's worth a shot," said Cyborg.
The three made their way down to the warehouse. Once there they found the head of the warehouse and decided to ask him some questions.
"Thanks again for catching that man and not doing much damage," said the manager.
"No problem," said Cyborg. "We do our best."
"But a box did fall while we were here," said Robin. "Can I ask what was in it?"
"I'm not exactly sure," said the manager. "But I'll see." He picked up the phone, dialed a few numbers and waited. "Hey Bill, remember two nights ago we had the Teen Titans in here?... yeah, well they're wondering what the damage was… uh huh… okay… nope, that's it. Thanks." He hung the phone up and took out a large book and began to flip through it. "L-84, let me see. Here it is."
"So what was in the box?" asked Starfire.
"Looks like four bottles of some sort of attraction concoction," said the manager.
"Attraction concoction?" asked Robin.
"Yeah, it's for people who have trouble… well… attracting others," said the manager. "It's very strong and can only be given through prescription."
"Well, that would explain Raven and Beast Boy," said Cyborg.
"But I do not know if they were in contact with it," said Starfire. "They did not seem to have been wet and I am sure they would have told us if they had ingested it."
"Well, it's actual taken by an inhaler," said the manager.
"So they must have breathed it in when the bottles broke," said Robin piecing everything together in his head. "Is there an antidote or anything?"
"No, but it does wear off," said the manager.
"How long will it take?" asked Cyborg.
"It depends on how much of it they inhaled," said the manager. "The correct dosage only lasts about twenty-four hours."
"Well, we better find them and tell them what's going on," sighed Robin. "Thanks for your help."
"No problem," said the manager shaking their hands.
Beast Boy was standing halfway into the photo booth and he was trying to pull Raven in with him. "Come on, it'll be fun," he said with a smile.
"Oh, I don't know," said Raven. "I hate getting my picture taken."
"Why?" asked Beast Boy.
"Because I hate the way I look," said Raven trying to pull him away from the booth. "Can't we please go do something else?"
"Well I happen to love the way you look," said Beast Boy. "Now get in here!" He gave one more big tug and Raven flew at him and the two toppled into the booth together.
Beast Boy was pushed up against the wall of the booth with Raven pressed up against his chest. They stayed like that for about two seconds, before blushing and nervously laughing. They moved away from each other and sat down on the small seat.
Beast Boy fed the money in and the count down began. Raven quickly tried to smooth her hair out and sit up straight, but her stray strand of violet hair kept falling into her face. Beast Boy reached over and said, "Let me get that." As he tucked it behind her eat their eyes met and the first flash went off. They both blushed and turned away from each other, then another flash went off. Beast Boy quickly put his arm around her, brought her close, and smiled; another flash. Raven smiled back and finally looked into the little camera. The last flash.
"See, that wasn't that bad," said Beast Boy.
"Yeah, just wait until the picture come out," said Raven stepping out of the booth. Just then their communicators went off. They flipped them open and saw that it was Robin.
"Raven, Beast Boy, we need you back at the tower," said Robin.
"Why?" asked Beast Boy.
"We have some information you need to know," said Robin. "So please hurry back here."
"Fine," they both said and closed their communicators. They sighed and just then the pictures popped out. Beast Boy picked them up and they looked at them.
"See? You look fine," said Beast Boy.
Raven gave a look of disgust and said, "No I don't."
"What are you talking about?" asked Beast Boy. "Look at that, you look gorgeous."
"No I don't," said Raven humbly. "You look great. You're so lucky to be so photogenic." Then she thought for a second and said, "Did you just say that I'm… gorgeous?"
Beast Boy blushed and looked down for a second. "Well, yeah, cuz you are." He looked up and saw Ravens eyes, glistening with happiness. "Uh, we better get going."
"Okay," she said and slipped her hand into his. Beast Boy got a shiver up his spine and a large smile spread across his face.
They walked through the common room doors and saw the other three Titans waiting for them.
"Hey guys, what's up?" asked Beast Boy.
"We have wonderful news," said Starfire. "We know why you have the crushes with each other."
Beast Boy and Raven looked at each other and blushed. They hadn't known that the other liked them. Beast Boy was extremely relieved that she felt the same towards him.
"You were both exposed to a chemical that induces attractions," said Robin. "That's why you've been so… nice with each other."
"What are you talking about?" asked Raven.
"You're both not really sweet on each other," said Cyborg. "It's just that chemical stuff you breathed in."
"So… you don't really like me?" asked Beast Boy to Raven.
"No, I do," said Raven. "But you don't really like me?"
"I'm pretty sure I do," said Beast Boy, still confused.
"But you do not," said Starfire. "And soon you shall be fighting and arguing again." She said this with a smile and clapped.
Raven and Beast Boy were less than pleased. A million things raced through their minds. Was this all not real? The feelings they had been having for each other, were they fake? They sure didn't feel fake. But it did kind of make sense. Why else would they be head over heels for each other? Why else would they have stopped fighting?
"I need to think," said Raven and she headed for her room.
"Yeah, me too," said Beast Boy turning around.
They walked down the hall silently. It was like walking the green mile. All of that happiness they had been feeling the last two days had been washed away in about five minutes. Their hearts ached and they actually felt sick. They both went into Ravens room to think.
"I can't believe this isn't real," said Beast Boy. They were both sitting on her bed, sitting across from each other. "I mean, I like feeling this way about you."
"Of course you do," said Raven sadly. "That's what happens when you're attracted to someone. It's a shame it's going to end."
"Does it have to?" asked Beast Boy. He leaned over to her and took her hands. "I mean, we can make it work, right?"
"I don't think so," said Raven looking down. "As much as we like each other right now, it's all going to go away soon. And then we'll hate each other again."
"Raven, I could never hate you," he said squeezing her hands and scooting closer to her. "As much as we fight and disagree, I could never hate you. Do… do you hate me?"
"No, of course not," said Raven looking up with tears in her eyes. "You're such a great person, Beast Boy."
"I'm not as great as you," he said with a smile.
Raven felt the tears stream down her cheeks and she pulled him close to him. They sat there for a while in each others arms. This was the closest they had been, yet, in their little attraction world. It felt so comfortable and right, but at the same time sad and doomed.
"Please don't forget me," said Raven.
"I'm not gonna forget you," said Beast Boy.
"No, please don't forget how I am right now," said Raven, pulling away from him so they could look at each other. "Because I'll probably never be like this again and I want you to remember that I can be happy. When I'm all dark and creepy and you wonder if I even have a heart, just remember this."
Beast Boy looked at her for a moment and his heart went out to her. "I promise, Raven," he said pulling her back into the hug. "I promise."
"Thank you," said Raven, trying to keep more tears from escaping her burning eyes. He rubbed her back and they rocked back and forth. "And just for the record," she said softly, "I do think you're funny."
Beast Boy tried to laugh, but he also felt tears. He had waited for so long for her to admit it to him. Now that she was, he was devastated that it was under these circumstances. "I knew it," was all he was able to mutter out in a bittersweet smile.
Raven gave a small giggle and sighed. They released each other and went back to holding hands. Then they both looked up and their eyes met. Both sets held the same feelings. A look of sadness, with just a hint of hope and a dash of denial.
"Raven?" asked Beast Boy.
"Yes?" she answered.
"I really want to do something," said Beast Boy feeling his heart beginning to race. "And I know that this is probably the only time I'm ever going to be able to do it."
"Whatever it is," said Raven, sensing what he was talking about, "just do it."
"Okay," he said softly. He slowly leaned in and pressed his lips on hers. A spark sent through them unlike all the others. The feel of their lips entwining made everything else around them melt away. They didn't care if this was fake, they didn't care that it was all going to end soon. They just lived in this moment for as long as they could.