Wisps of lavender billowed in the cool night breeze. Sitting atop the T-Tower, legs crossed and dangling over the edge, Raven watched her friends shoot off fireworks. Robin would through the explosives into the air, while Starfire would blast them with small starbolts, making an even bigger, more beautiful light display. Cyborg grilling, and Beast Boy making root beer floats. In all honestly, Raven enjoyed the Fourth of July, complete with the festivities. She loved the feeling of her friends being brought together, complete contentment, even if she could only feel so much. As much as she may desire to join her friends in celebration, the intense emotion would give her a lasting migraine.
So she sat on the roof, emotions at bay, so her friends wouldn't have to restrain their happiness for her sake.
The metal creak of a the rooftop door sounded, but Raven didn't bother turning her head. Each of her teammate's possessed a unique collection of sounds and auras; and this was surely Beast Boy. Being empathetic wasn't necessary to detect his exuberant, kind spirit.
The changeling approached her, though she hadn't acknowledged his presence. When he took a seat to her right, he politely kissed her cheek, and placed a root beer float in her hands. Then she spoke.
"Why aren't you down there with everyone?" Amethyst eyes stared forward, illuminated by the red firework that Starfire had just lit.
Beast Boy chuckled. "Well, Rae, not everyone's down there." He frowned, but she wouldn't meet his eyes. "You're not down there."
His voice held an underlying edge of affection, and Raven put up a mental shield. Feelings were dangerous, and it wasn't right to intrude on those of her teammates. Continuing to watch the sky, painted by wondrous light, she remained silent. Only sipping her float, and enjoying his presence, Raven felt at ease. But she knew her tame peace couldn't be shared by the changeling; he was always bursting with something to say.
"Garfield," she spoke suddenly, still not looking at him. "Why are you up here?"
"To find out why you're not down there."
His plaintive, honest answer threw her. "I.. You know I can't handle all that unbridled joy.. And I don't want to limit anyone's feelings. Of course, I would love to celebrate…" She trailed off, placing her drink to the left, and leaning back on her right arm. "But I don't want to feel too much from others."
"And what do you feel from me?"
Beast Boy's pinky curled around her right one, and he turned to observe her. She didn't react outwardly to the minor, gentle touch, but internally was another story. It was as if a firework had gone off in her mind, showering warm, beautiful sparks onto her distant emotions. Meeting emerald eyes, Raven saw confirmation to read his emotions.
Hesitantly dissolving the mental wall was breaking dam. Like a river, she could feel her teammate's emotion flooding her mind. Happiness, passion, love, and complete contentment. All which were radiating from the core of his thoughts. Which, was her.
Keeping his pinky locked tight around hers, Beast Boy placed a careful hand along her cheek. Nervous, violet eyes averted from his, instead focusing downwards and back towards their gradually intertwining fingers.
"You'd really rather be up here with me, than down there with everyone?"
"They might be everyone, but Raven?" He titled her chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. "You're my everything."
