"Why'd you do that?" Raven's measured voice broke the silence in the common room, startling Beast Boy out of his mental fog.
"Huh?" He articulately replied, returning his attention to the board in front of him.
He frowned. He'd finally been able to weasel Raven into playing a game, but he'd made the tactical error of letting her choose. Now he was facing the sorceress to a game of chess; a game in which he unfortunately held no boast-able titles.
"Why did you move out your bishop? I can kill it with my knight. You should have sacrificed your pawn," she explained, pointing out the pieces on the board. She was already visibly winning, her black pieces dominating the checkered tiles.
Beast boy fumbled for an excuse, not willing to admit poor skills in any game.
"Uhh… I didn't think that was right." Seeing her quizzical look, he elaborated. "See, I don't think it's right to just sacrifice a piece just 'cause it's weak. That's what the stronger pieces are for. To protect the weak." Having successfully pieced together an excuse, Beast Boy beamed at Raven. She shook her head, but couldn't dispel his goofy grin.
"That one piece isn't worth it. Because of that I can move here…" She moved her knight, "… and put you into checkmate. That one pawn killed your king, why shouldn't you sacrifice it?" At this, the changeling's grin faded into steeled seriousness.
"I'd rather lose than have to kill a friend." The look he gave her betrayed his secondary meaning. Covering up the sentimental moment, he bolted upright and stretched grinning wildly.
Despite what the pieces might say, he'd won.