Day 5 of BBRae Week Fall 2015.


"Rae, do you like the sunset?"

The empath cast the changeling a sidelong glance in response. The answer to his question was obvious. She tucked a short lavender strand behind her ear and returned her gaze to the rosy glowing sky. Beast Boy and she had regularly watched the sunset on rocks surrounding the tower; they both loved how the orange light glistened over the surrounding lake. Now that the months had turned chilly, the two counted the leaves that floated like mini sailboats in the lapping waves and compare numbers at the end of their silent sundown watch. Recently, their number comparisons had become closer.

"Do you like sunset or sunrise better?"

"Both are lovely."

"Yeah…. but which one do you like better?"

Raven shrugged,tilting her chin to the glittering water. The waves sparkled in her eyes as she compared the two daily performances by the biggest star in their sky. Sunrise was always beautiful. Raven admired Robin's philosophy on how the rising sun represented a new day, new possibilities, new hope. But she loved sunsets equally, not for what they represented, but for whom she associated the setting sun. However, neither sunrise nor sunset fell under her favorite part of the day. In fact, neither were even close to the time she most valued. Finally, she spoke.

"They're so different."

Beast Boy nodded. He and Robin were a perfect example of stark contrast. He couldn't possibly ask Raven to chose one teammate over the other. Robin was disciplined and had a beautiful determination, one that could only be admired. The team leader and Raven had always shared a simple understanding of each other, and that was something that bound the two by both mind and body. Beast Boy, on the other hand was more free spirited and his determination was only devoted to the people closest to his heart. Yes, he and Robin were different; but Beast Boy tried to remember that differences don't make any person better than another.

"Differences are good."

"I suppose."

For a couple minutes they didn't speak. Raven mindlessly counted leaves and Beast Boy counted seconds. He figured that every second they didn't speak was another tallied leaf. The sun fell beneath the water, but the two still sat. Eventually, Raven turned her whole body to face the changeling. She wrapped her knees to her chest and traced his face with her gaze.

"I got 309."

Beast Boy grinned. "315."

"That's the closest we've ever gotten," Raven whispered, scooting closer to the changeling to rest her head on his left collar. Cautiously, he lifted his arm over her head and wrapped it around her shoulder. Autumn nighttime could be chilly and her shaking shoulders were a prime indication. But she'd grown accustom to stealing his hoodie when the sun drowned beneath the horizon and her tiny body snuggled into his kept Beast Boy's body and heart toastier than needed.

"We aren't so different." Beast Boy spoke to the stars.

"I never thought we were." Raven chuckled quietly.

A little while more passed, and the their joined silhouettes drew more intimate with every appearance of new twinkling stars.

Beast Boy could feel her begin to tremble against her body's will. She nestled into him and her hands folded tightly beneath his borrowed grey hoodie. Gathering her hair from her face, Beast Boy moved the lavender locks to cascade over her left shoulder, then delicately placed his emerald scarf around her shoulders.

"Do you want to go inside?"

"No," she smiled, pressing the scarf over her face and taking in his familiar scent of pine and security. Being with Beast Boy always made her feel safe and over the years she'd found his presence to be something she actually enjoyed and even sought out sometimes. She'd often find herself subconsciously drawing out simple tasks, like night patrol, just to be with him for a couple moments more.

Rounding to face the changeling, Raven delivered a gentle kiss to his cheeks, painting them rubescent at her touch. Nestling back under the comfort of his arm, the sorceress spoke to the stars, which seemed to shine only for them.

"Nightfall is my favorite time of day."