! Longest Chapter yet! My apologies if you're a shorter chapter person but I got caught up in my ridiculous head cannon.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

DISCLAIMER: I own none of the things.

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Cyborg stared down at his friend, his sadness sliding in next to hers as he sat down. He took a sharp breath before letting out a long sigh, resigning to the feeling of hopelessness that latched itself to the both of them. He didn't really know what to say. The "I did" rocketed around his head, trying to find a place to land where it would make sense. Somewhere where Leave, stay…I don't care either way translates to Please don't leave I'll miss you. He stared out at the sky, organizing all his observations, all his evidence, all his data. It all dictated they should be in an entirely different place than where they are now, the two of them moping on the roof. Raven has never concealed her love for her friends. She's let everyone know how much she cares about Beast Boy, about all of them. So, what was different? Why was she trying to hide now? He was racking his brain trying to find the erroneous piece of code. He looked over at her current state: eyes cast downward; head buried in her arms. Had she just said that she would be upset if he left, or if Beast Boy had just refused to go, then tonight they'd all be watching some dumb movie on the couch together while Robin and Star went out. But the living room was filled with only forgotten DVDs gathering late fees. Resentment towards them both started to build in his chest, because this was hurting the team as much as they were hurting each other. But his compassion met the bitterness head on. If he was confused the two of them must feel like they're in a different dimension.

Just then a couple memories, ersatz evidence files, popped into his head. He prepared to cross reference them just as Helios dragged the last bit of sun into his Golden Palace.

Exhibit A:

They were all, believe it or not, at Jump City's first attempt at a "Tea Festival". It wasn't often that Beast Boy could find an event that had Raven written all over it, but when he did, he was adamant that the entire team be a part of the outing. And even though he only found tea palatable with a disturbing amount of sugar or honey, he was bouncing around the place like this was a comic book convention. Cyborg smiled as he watched him drag her around to the different booths, trying to steal as much swag as he could considering they were both Titans. Luckily it wasn't too crowded, so Raven was at ease. They all meandered about trying different samples and checking out the various mugs, pots, and other paraphernalia for sale. It was one of their better outings, not interrupted by any criminals or swarming fans. Everyone was in a great mood, there were plans for pizza afterwards. By now Robin and Starfire were finally starting to come out of their relationship bubble so it almost felt like it did back when they were all teens. So much teasing, so much joking, so much laugher. He noted a slight blush on Raven's cheeks, chalked it up to the fact that Beast Boy would not leave her side. This was one of the first times he started to really get suspicious about their dynamic.

Eventually they all made their way over to an impressive booth, decked out in ornate, brocade cloth. While it was surrounded by what could only be classified as a wisp of a swarm, it had the greatest concentration of people at the festival. A smug looking hipster and an elderly woman were handing out samples, all being poured from well-worn earthenware jugs. Various pitchers, cups and small plates were on full display, and the quality of the craftmanship was visible even as far back as they were. They lined up patiently for a taste.

Anyone else would have missed it, anyone else except Beast Boy. It was a millisecond, but he caught the joy in her eyes when she took the first sip.

"This one is pretty good." Monotone. Poker face. But he knew better.

"You like this one Rae? We should get some."

Overhearing the exchange, the elderly women leaned over.

"This here is my family's secret blend, handed down for centuries. We do sell it… however only to those who have completed our 8-hour training."

Raven was not amused, to her core this time.

"I'm sorry, an 8-hour training?"

"Yes dear, this tea requires a special method of brewing for it to be enjoyed the way it was intended. So honoured is this blend that we created this special training to make sure that it will always be respected."

The hipster chimed in. "We would offer a heavy discount of course to any member of the Titans."

Beast Boy's eyes lit up.

"Oh! Guys it's like when you're using a leveled up Pokemon. You need to make sure you have the right gym badge. Damn this must be some really impressive tea." He stared at the little tins in awe. "Like a level 100 Espeon tea."

"Beast Boy, I've brewed actual, ceremonially, magical tea from other dimensions. There's no way I'm sitting through an 8-hour course for this." She hissed in his ears.

"I'll do it!". His one arm draped over her shoulder, the other pumped his fist in the air. "Oh! And can we get two of those blue mugs?"

Exhibit B:

Raven often had the kitchen to herself in the early mornings, and one of her favourite things to do was spend a few extra minutes making a ritual out of her tea making. Cyborg had fallen asleep on the couch the night before, but that day she didn't register his presence. Her head was still fuzzy from sleep, foggy from dreams. Her and Beast Boy had spent all last night trying to figure out a new boardgame, and her stomach was sore from trying to hold in her laughter while she watched him get more and more frazzled as they dived into its complexity. Her heart felt warm, probably because of the weather. It was 100 percent, most definitely due to the weather. She opened the cupboard, a regal looking tin peeking out from behind some of her more practical blends. Her eyes darted down to the two indigo mugs, glazed to shine like the ocean. She grabbed them both, set them down and turned on the kettle. She grabbed the hot chocolate mix from the bottom cabinet. Just then Cyborg rose, his head peeking over the couch, attempting to greet the new day. He caught a glimpse of Raven delicately grabbing that opulent, vibrant green tin. Still groggy, it seemed almost a dream to him the way she held it, staring at it with such fondness. Her affection working to a rolling boil in tandem with the water being heated on the stove. If he had blinked, he would have missed her closing her eyes and hugging it to her chest. One second, one soft smile, but zero doubt that it was cherished. He blinked a few times before falling back asleep. He woke up later to find the two of them at the dining table, hot chocolate residue on Beast Boy's face and Raven's eyes mid roll. The changeling was lit up as usual, trying to convince her that this new fantasy RPG was way cooler than her book. It was typical Raven and Beast Boy banter, which must have been why Cyborg missed how close she was leaning into him. Their matching mugs, the little gestures from her and the grand gestures from him. He should have caught the spark in her eyes, seemingly dull and small next to the stars in his. But it was there.

The code made sense now, he found the error he overlooked. He glanced towards her in the present moment. She must be in love him…more than Cyborg had realized. This wasn't just a cute crush that was one day going to pull them both into the depth of it. They were already there, and in their own unique ways they've been telling each other this for what must have been months now. But it was as if they were speaking different languages.

Maybe it was about time they had a translator.

"I shouldn't have said that to him." Cyborg just nodded as her words sliced open the silence. There was nothing he could say to alleviate the discomfort of that sentence. It just needed to exist in the space for a minute.

"You know Rae, if you were the one to tell him to stay, even now, I think…nah… I know he would change his mind."

"Why do you think that?"

"He's always cared the most about what you think."

Their dialogue was flowing into the despondent atmosphere Cyborg and Raven were nestled in, slowly invading the dense toxicity of it. The words dangled and chimed, bringing with them fresh air and fresh perspective. She felt something start to flutter in her chest. Cyborg suddenly let out a small laugh.

"Just was thinking about that time we went to that Tea Festival and Beast Boy spent the whole next day at that weird training, so he'd be able to buy you whatever the hell tea that you liked." He continued to chuckle. "Beast Boy's got a huge heart but I ain't never seen him do anything like that for anyone. You know how hard it is for that kid to sit still. To this day I can't believe he actually passed and didn't just pay them off."

Raven could not stop the chortle that automatically escaped every time she remembered that whole debacle. "It was such a ridiculous thing to ask people to do for tea, I wasn't about to swallow my pride and give in to that. I still don't understand why he did."

Raven lifted her head. The ache in her heart had bloomed into numbness, so it was only a blank expression that greeted Cyborg. However, the gears were turning in her mind with each passing sentence.

"By the way, where was it he took you three weeks ago? After we all got Italian food and I went home early to catch the game."

"The planetarium?"

"Oh, that's right. I remember him describing the little bar they had outside in the back. How'd you like it?"

"It was beautiful." She smiled as this new memory faded in. "They had all these space themed drinks, weird glasses. They even used string lights that were little stars and lanterns that looked like planets to decorate the trees."

"Did you guys stay long?"

"Yeah, I guess we did…he made me bring a book of the constellations in Azar and wanted to compare them to the ones we saw inside. It was interesting so…yes, we did end up losing track of time"

"Yeah I remember ya'll coming home late that night now that you mention it. But I'm surprised you were able to keep the string bean busy that long with a book!" Cyborg nudged her, happy to still see her mood lifting.

"Well, the week before he dragged me to the premiere of this ridiculous movie, and of course there were so many people. "She rolled her eyes in typical Raven fashion, the familiarity of it setting Cyborg at ease. "He owed me."

"So…you had a good time?"

"Yes."

"Good to know. I have a date I'm trying to plan for this weekend so maybe I'll take her there."

Raven nodded. She was still present, but her mind was starting to drift back to that night. She remembered when he gestured too wildly and knocked her drink over in the grass. The image now vibrant in her mind: Her poised, arms crossed, smirking. Him blushing, flustered, an awkward grin on his face. She remembered laughing to herself as he rushed over to buy her another one, scratching the back of his neck while he waited for the bartender to finish.

"Well… I'm gonna head back in Rae, it's nice to see you smiling again." He gave her shoulder a squeeze before getting up and making his way back.

Her gaze followed him until he disappeared behind the grey door. The gears in her head had been turning slowly this whole time, but something suddenly clicked, and everything was in full working order within seconds. One eyebrow began to rise, followed by the other, as a look of shock and confusion shattered her normal emotionless mask. I have a date I'm trying to plan for this weekend. Why would Cyborg ask her about places Beast Boy has dragged her to for date ideas?

Unless…

Oh Azar.

Had anyone else been on the roof that night they would have been perplexed by the shrill edge to Raven's normal gravely tone. They would have been perplexed even more upon hearing the words that launched their way out of her mouth.

"HAVE WE BEEN DATING THIS WHOLE TIME?!"

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Cyborg meandered into ops, betting on the fact that Beast Boy would be exactly where he wanted him to be. He smirked to himself once he caught a glimpse of his best friend's green mop peeking over the top of the couch, a familiar game playing out on the screen. As much as he loved Robin and Star, he was glad they weren't here for this. All the planets needed to align, and it was if some benevolent fanfiction writer was helping everything fall into place.

The approach he took with Raven needed to be sneaky, because she could only trust the reality of the situation if she came to the conclusion herself. Saying "Beast Boy likes you too" would have only scared her, activated the self-doubt and anxiety. She would have analyzed it to death. But hopefully dropping a few subtle hints, her logic and reason would be in the captain's seat before anxiety got hold of the wheel. He prayed they steered her right where he wanted her to go: DAMMIT RAVEN HE LIKES YOU TOO.

But with Beast Boy…

"You know she likes you right?"

The little man on the screen was unable to dodge the green shell skirting towards him. And just like that the "womp..womp…womp" alerted the shapeshifter playing the game that he had indeed died.

"Whaa….What?" Eyes bulging out of his head, he turned towards the sudden intruder.

"Raven… she likes you. She wants you to stay." Cyborg stared him down as he walked around the side of the couch. Plunking down next to him he lifted his legs to rest on the table. Beast Boy felt his heart start to race but was having trouble reacting in any other way to what he was hearing. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating?

"What are you talking about?"

"Look man, I'll be real with you. No one wants you to go…especially her and I know you don't so why are you even considering this?"

Beast boy's shoulders drooped, and he lowered his eyes to the floor.

"Mento is worried about something, and I think he might be right."

"Which is?"

He brought his eyes back up, willing them to stay there. And with as much courage as he could muster, he said

"I'm in love with her Cy." Beast Boy acted as if he'd suddenly told him that his real form is a giant purple dragon. It took all his will to hold in a boisterous NO DUH GREEN BEAN. Instead, he offered up a face of mild shock, letting him have this.

"Really? With Raven? I didn't realize that man."

"And Mento said that if I can't get a hold of what I'm feeling I could ruin the whole team. He's worried about the Beast or something. And I know she doesn't feel the same about me...so... it makes sense right now to go away and get it handled."

Beast Boy sounded so grown up in that moment. But also, so completely stupid.

"But you know she does feel the same way, right?"

"Dude, there's no way. You're crazy."

"Look man, you of all people should know that Raven has her own way of doing pretty much everything. You think that won't apply to something like how she deals with her feelings for you?"

"Yeah, but you remember that whole Malchior thing…that's how she acts when she likes someone."

Beast Boy picked up the controller again, furrowing his brow as he tried to turn his attention back to the game. But a swift metal hand knocked it from his grasp.

"Hey!"

"Man, you're being stupid. Think about it." Beast Boy crossed his arms in response, defiantly turning towards the mecha with what was supposed to be an intimidating glare.

"Why would Raven go with you to all those places you know she hates? Movie premieres, carnivals, firework shows. Didn't she even go with you to a concert once?"

"Yeah, but I paid for a table, so she didn't have to deal with being on the ground floor."

"Why does she always sit next to you? Why does she read in the common room on Saturday morning when you're watching cartoons?"

"I don't…"

"Why does she always request something vegetarian on her nights to pick take out? Why does she pick up the next issue of the comics or graphic novels you're reading? The fact that she even knows which issue you need?!"

Beast Boy felt backed into a corner. His eyes widening and his heart beating faster as Cyborg's rant picked up momentum.

"Why does she always make you hot chocolate in the mornings on days we have training?"

"Well I…"

"Why is she always there to protect you first in battle? Why does she hover around you when you're hurt? Why does she stare at you when she thinks no one can see her?"

"She…what?"

"Man…she reacted so weird when she heard you might be leaving and yeah it was a messed-up thing to say but don't you think it might have meant something else? And don't even bring up that Malchior thing because you sound like a damn idiot. That was a crush, on something that wasn't real. You've known each other for years…you know whatever she's feeling for you is going to be way more difficult for her than whatever that was."

Beast Boy's mouth hung open, the gears in his head frozen.

"Just think about it man. You know her, probably better than anyone." Cyborg switched the TV over to the game. Minutes ticked away at the clock while he waited for his favourite team to score. Suddenly there was an eruption of sound.

"CANCEL THE PARTY!" Beast Boy jumped up and leaped over the couch.

"I gotta talk to Mento I'll be back later!".

Cyborg let out a content sigh and he settled himself further into the couch, the whoosh of the door letting him know this story was about to have a happy ending.

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XD!

Thanks to relentlessyoptimistic for forcing me to tackle my writer's block! Next chapter should be up sooner!

XO ES.