Chapter Fifteen: Love's Labours Won

"Hey, Raven."

"Beast Boy," Raven replied, looking up from where she had been sitting, her hands slowly channelling energy into Beast Boy's leg, healing it. "Good to see you're awake."

"Yeah, me too," Beast Boy replied. He looked around. "We're off the submarine already?" he asked, seeing the familiar environment of the Tower infirmary around him as he lay in its bed. Moonlight poured in, the only light in the otherwise dark room.

Raven nodded. "You were asleep and Aquaman didn't really want to bother you, so…"

"Really? I thought Aquaman didn't really like- what'd he call us, 'surface dwellers'?"

"Normally, no," Raven replied, sending another soothing wave into Beast Boy's leg. "But he made an exception for you."

"Me?" Beast Boy asked, surprised. "What'd I do?"

"Save Atlantis," Raven replied nonchalantly. "Or at least, helped a lot."

"Save… Atlantis?" Beast Boy asked, his eyes goggling. "Raven, what did you guys tell him? That I defeated some kinda sea monster, or something?"

"Or something," Raven agreed, smiling. "Don't argue, Beast Boy- in a way, it's true, don't you think?"

"Oh yeah right, like that Ker-too guy was-"

"I'm not talking about Cthulhu," Raven said softly, "I was talking about me."

"Come on, Raven, you weren't that bad."

Raven smiled. "Thanks, Beast Boy."

"No problem," Beast Boy replied. Then, after a few moments, "Raven?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Raven looked up. "Beast Boy-"

"No, Raven, please, just let me say it. I know everybody's been telling me it wasn't my fault- heck, even Legion said so- but if it weren't for me being such a jerk about you and Blackfire, none of this would've happened." He fixed Raven with a piercing, yet sorrowful gaze. "So please, Raven – I'm sorry."

Raven smiled, and lightly stroked Beast Boy's head. "Apology accepted. And Beast Boy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

" 'Thank you'? For what?" Beast Boy asked.

Raven leaned over and kissed his forehead lightly. "For showing me that sometimes, you have to make sacrifices for the people you love."

"Yeah, um, well," Beast Boy replied, blushing furiously, "you didn't really need me to tell you that."

"Actually, Beast Boy," Raven said slowly, "I think I did." She took his hand in her own. "Thank you."

"Like I said, Raven, no problem."

After that exchange, Beast Boy and Raven fell silent for a few minutes, the only sound being the gentle hum of the infirmary's equipment, and the soothing 'whisper' of Raven's magic as it flowed into Beast Boy's leg. "There," she said finally, pulling her arms away from Beast Boy's leg.

"All good?"

Raven shook her head, albeit with a smile on her face. "I'm sorry, Beast Boy, I managed to heal most of the nerve damage, and helped seal one of your fractures, but

"Thanks, Raven."

Raven moved to walk out the door, when Beast Boy's voice stopped her in the doorway. "Raven?"

"Yes?"

"You… you stay happy, 'kay?"

Raven turned, and gave Beast Boy a small smile. "I will. And Beast Boy?"

"Yeah, Raven?"

"When I said all that about sacrificing for the people I love…"

"Yeah?"

"I wasn't just talking about Blackfire. Just wanted you to know."

(scene change)

Sitting on the roof's edge, the light of the moon shining directly down upon her, Blackfire took in another deep breath, enjoying every moment the cool night air filled her lungs. That was the thing about freedom; it was one of those things that you never really appreciated until you lost it, and when you have it, you never really think about it- then sooner or later you'd have to relearn its value all over again.

She heard footsteps behind her, and turned. Well, here was one aspect of freedom she'd never take for granted again.

"So," she asked Raven, who sat down beside her, "how is he?"

"He's fine," Raven replied. "I did what I can, and his leg would need to heal naturally- but he'll be fine. He just needs some rest. Like you do," she said pointedly.

"Just wanted to see the sky, Raven." She turned to Raven, as if about to ask a question.

"And before you ask," Raven said, anticipating Blackfire's next question, "he doesn't know we're meeting up here- but I don't think he'd mind if he did."

"You sure about that?" Blackfire asked. "Have you been reading his mind?"

"No," Raven replied. "And no remarks about it being a short book, or anything like that."

"Okay," Blackfire laughed, "now I know you're reading my mind." She placed an arm around Raven. "I thought you gave up that kind of power," she joked, tweaking Raven's nose.

Raven didn't answer, instead choosing to place her arms around Blackfire. Drawing Blackfire, close, she let her lips brush against the Tamaranean's lips for a moment, before bringing them together for one soft, long kiss.

"Well," Blackfire said, when their lips finally parted, "we're not flying again. I must be losing my touch."

"Trust me, it's not that," Raven replied, as she lay her head on Blackfire's shoulder.

"Then what?" Blackfire asked, pouting in mock frustration. "I demand an explanation, Raven!"

"Well, my emotions have been really easy to control lately."

"Really?" Blackfire asked. "One bright flash of light did all that?"

Raven shook her head. "No," she replied, "you did."

"Me?"

"You, Beast Boy- everybody," Raven said. "Blackfire, for a long time I was afraid- not just of losing my emotions, but of what else I'd lose if I did. I thought if I lost control of myself- if I let myself become what I became in that pit- I wouldn't just end up losing myself, I'd also lose all the people who I cared about."

"Oh please, Raven," Blackfire chided gently. "Like I'd give up someone who kisses as good as you do."

"I'm serious, Blackfire," Raven said. "The last thing I wanted was the only family I had ever known thinking of me as a monster."

"Not going to happen," Blackfire said, tightening her embrace. "No matter who- or what- you are, Raven, we're never giving up on you. Just don't tell anybody I said that, okay? Last thing I want is everybody I know thinking I've gone soft."

"Blackfire, I think it's too late for that," Raven said, running her fingertips across Blackfire's lips.

"Yeah, well…"

(scene change)

Robin quietly poked his head into the infirmary- "Hey, Robin," Beast Boy said.

"Hey, Beast Boy," Robin said. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you up."

"Nah, don't sweat it- I'll catch some Z's later. I mean, it's not like I'll be getting out of bed anytime soon."

"Oh," Robin said, looking crestfallen. "Guess it'd be kind of stupid to ask if you were okay, then."

"Actually, Robin…"

"Yes, Beast Boy?"

"I don't think I've ever felt so okay in my entire life."

Robin looked surprised for a moment, but as Beast Boy's words sank in, he smiled.

I don't think I've ever felt so okay in my entire life, Beast Boy had said.

Well, I don't think you're the only one, Robin thought, and walked off to his quarters.

The new day was coming, and whatever troubles it would bring, the Titans would face it.

Together.