AN: It is my duty to inform you that I in no way, shape, or form own the Teen Titans.
Chapter 10: Slip of the Tongue: Take 2
Starfire dressed Raven and the two went out to buy Raven a new bedroom. This left the three young men alone to clean out Ravens room and try to salvage what they could. It was very quiet between the three of them as they began to clear out the room. Finally, Cyborg was the first to speak up.
"You hurt her feelins, you know that right?" he said sternly to Beast Boy.
"Yeah," sighed Beast Boy.
"What the hell were you thinking?" asked Robin as he picked up a few books and brushed them off.
"I didn't mean to make her feel bad," said Beast Boy throwing some un savable items. "I was just embarrassed that I said she was pretty."
"Well the girl never gets told that," said Cyborg. "As shocked as she was, I thought I saw her face light up when you said that."
"Really?" asked Beast Boy.
"Of course," said Cyborg picking up one of the halves of Ravens broken bed.
"Well, what if she thought that I said it because I liked her or something?" asked Beast Boy. "I mean, what's worse? Me slightly hurting her feelings or her thinking I have a crush on her?" Robin and Cyborg just stared at him. "Yeah, you're right."
"Beast Boy, I'm sure she only would've been flattered," said Robin. "Why do you think she would have jumped to the conclusion that you like her?"
"Uh… I don't know," said Beast Boy grabbing one of the pieces of Ravens broken statue. "We've just been getting closer lately. I mean, if she said that I was good looking, I would think that she liked me."
"Well you and Raven don't have anywhere near similar brain patterns," said Cyborg.
"You're becoming better friends," said Robin. "There's nothing wrong with that."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Beast Boy. "It's just, everything's changing and I'm getting a little, you know, uncomfortable."
"What do ya mean things are changin?" asked Cyborg.
"I don't know," said Beast Boy. "Ever since she and I kissed things have been different. We've become friends, I'm finally taller than her, she's smiling at me and she's actually started laughing at me. Well, not laughing at me, I'm making her laugh. And she's letting me help her and she's talking to me. It's like my whole life is getting turned around. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a parallel universe."
"You were bound to grow taller than her at some point," said Robin.
"At least, that's what we all hoped," said Cyborg mostly to himself.
"And it was just a kiss," said Robin. "And it wasn't like either of you meant for it to happen or even enjoyed it, right?" Beast Boy was quiet for a moment. "Right?"
"Well, I mean, I kinda enjoyed it," said Beast Boy blushing. "You know, cuz it was my first kiss and all."
"I guess there's nothing wrong with that," said Robin.
"How could you like kissin Raven, though?" asked Cyborg. "I mean, bein forced to do it I can see, but actually likin it? That's just creepy."
"Well you're like a big brother," said Beast Boy.
"And you're like an annoying little brother," said Cyborg back.
"Not to Raven I'm not," said Beast Boy. "Especially not now that I'm like five inches taller than her."
"Most little brothers surpass their sisters in height," said Cyborg.
"Dude, I am not like a little brother to her!" said Beast Boy getting aggravated.
"Okay, calm down you two," said Robin picking up on of the shelves that had fallen off of the wall.
"Man, you're like the little brother of the entire team," said Cyborg.
"And you're like the annoying uncle that no one invites to the family events because he's too loud and smells like cabbage!" Beast Boy said back.
Robin and Cyborg stared at him blankly for a moment and then broke out laughing. Beast Boy was confused by this.
"What the hell was that?" asked Cyborg through his laughing.
"That was the funniest thing I've ever heard," said Robin laughing.
"You thought I was funny?" asked Beast Boy.
"Yeah, where'd that come from?" asked Cyborg.
"I was just being myself," said Beast Boy with a grin. "Wow, Raven really was right. God, she's pretty and smart!"
Cyborg and Robin quieted their laughing at hearing Beast Boy say this. Beast Boy had a satisfied smile on his face and continued cleaning the room.
"You just said she was pretty again," said Robin.
"Well, she is," said Beast Boy, deciding to confess to it.
"Might wanna tell her that when she and Star come home," said Cyborg.
"You know what? I think I might," said Beast Boy.
"Really?" asked a shocked Cyborg and Robin.
"Yeah," said Beast Boy confidently. "It's true and it'll make her feel better. And, actually, I don't care if she knows I like her." He stopped and felt his heart stop again. Had he just said what he thought he said? Had he just admitted to Robin, Cyborg, and himself that he liked Raven?
"What did you just say?" asked Robin.
"Uh… uh…" stuttered Beast Boy, trying to think.
"Oh… my… god," said Cyborg, dropping the other half of the bed to the floor.
"Did you just say that you liked Raven?" asked Robin, his eyes growing wide with shock.
"Uh… no," he said, his voice a little higher than it should have been.
"Yeah you did," said Cyborg shocked. "You like Raven."
"No I don't," said Beast Boy blushing and looking away from them.
Cyborg and Robin grew huge grins and looked at each other. "You like Raven!" they said together.
"Shut up!" hollered Beast Boy.
"Man, she must have given you one hell of a kiss," chuckled Cyborg.
Beast Boy blushed even harder. "You guys are jerks!" he yelled.
"Wait until she finds out," said Robin smiling and crossing his arms.
"You're not gonna tell her are you!" asked Beast Boy alarmed.
"Oh, I'm telling," said Cyborg with an evil grin.
"No! You can't!" pleaded Beast Boy. "We're finally friends and I don't want that ruined. Please don't tell her, please!"
"So you do like her!" said Robin.
"No! I mean… damn it!" screamed Beast Boy and he left the room, leaving Robin and Cyborg laughing away. He ran to his room and slammed the door, feeling very upset and very confused as to what he really was feeling.
By the time Raven and Starfire returned the room had been cleaned and everything that could be saved was placed in a box. That was how little there was to be saved. Raven looked exhausted, even though Starfire had carried her everywhere and she used a wheelchair once she was in a store. She saw her once dark room was now open and bright, thanks to the window. It didn't look anything like it used to.
"We need to go pick up Ravens new furniture," said Starfire.
"And I would really like to take a nap," said Raven, who was barely able to keep her head up.
"Star, go put her down in Beast Boy's room and we can go pick up her furniture," said Robin. Starfire nodded and flew off to Beast Boy's room.
She knocked on the door, since it was closed, and said, "Beast Boy? Friend Raven wishes to lie down. Please let us in."
The door opened and there stood Beast Boy. "Uh, hi," he said shyly. He and Raven didn't make eye contact. She was still mad at him and he was feeling something strange towards her.
"We are going to get the items Raven picked out for her room," said Starfire as she flew in.
"Do you need me to come?" he asked.
"No, I believe we shall be fine," she said as she laid Raven down on the bottom bunk. She went to fly out of the room, but paused when she came to Beast Boy. She leaned in close and whispered, "Perhaps you should do the talking." And with that she left.
Beast Boy looked over to Raven and their eyes met. Raven frowned sadly and with the little strength she had left she turned away from him. Beast Boy sighed and went over to her.
"Raven?" he said, but she curled up even more, obviously not wanting to listen to him. "Raven, I know what I said this morning hurt your feelings."
"No it didn't," she said coldly.
"Yes it did," he said sitting down next to her. He just hoped she would find the strength to kick him. "And I want you to know how sorry I am. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"Then why did you say it?" she asked feeling anger welling up inside of her.
Beast Boy felt his stomach twist, but he said it nonetheless. "Because I didn't want you to know that I really do think you're… pretty."
Raven was quiet. Now she was going from angry to slightly confused. "So, instead of making me feel good about myself you decided to make me feel shitty? Good call," she said scooting away the best she could, which was hard since she was lying down.
"I know, I was stupid," he said. "And I'm sorry." She didn't look moved at all by his words. He could feel that wall going back up between them. He couldn't let that happen. "And… and the truth is that I don't think you're pretty."
Raven felt a horrible feeling pass over her as he said this. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and she decided right then and there that she hated him.
"I… I think you're beautiful," he said, feeling light headed he was so nervous.
Raven really hadn't expected that and she felt her breath catch in her throat. Now she had to look at him, to see if he meant it or if it was some sick joke. She slowly and shakily pushed herself up, so that she was sitting, and looked at him. He was looking scared to death and nervous. There was nothing in his face that said 'this is a joke'.
"Do you mean that?" she asked; her heart racing.
Beast Boy nodded and said, "Yeah, I do."
Raven looked deep into his eyes and began to feel a little better. "Oh, well, thank you," she said, blushing slightly.
"You're welcome," said Beast Boy smiling.
