Raven was beginning to stir about an hour after she had fallen asleep. She slowly opened up her eyes and sat up. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and noticed something different about hr sheets, as if someone had tucked her in. Her hand bumped into something sitting on her bed. It was a small navy blue box. She looked around her room, thinking that this was one of Beast boy's ridiculous pranks. She opened the box cautiously and looked inside. She instantly recognized the necklace and observed it curiously.
"Oh my….but who?" She looked around her room again as if hoping to find the one who gave it to her. She had heard the legend but she feared that that's what it was…a legend. She was afraid to get her hopes up and then be disappointed. She took in a deep breath and let it our slowly. Whoever gave this to her must have been one of the titans. Starfire? No, she never would have gone into such a dark place like Jerry's. Robin? No he was probably clothes shopping with Starfire. Cyborg? He wouldn't waste time looking for presents. Beast boy? Definitely not but plausible. Not likely…especially not after she yelled at him this afternoon, but who else could it have been? She smiled to herself, even blushed at the thought. She kind of felt something towards the little changeling. Ever since they met she knew she liked him as a friend. He was the first one to accept her as a friend. She thought that this attraction was either a mere infatuation like Malchior was or her stupid teenage hormones. Either way she knew it would go away, but at times this new emotion would run wild when she thought about him. It scared her at times and she didn't know why her emotions behaved the way they did around him. She looked upon the necklace with interest and held it tightly in her hands.
"I hope those legends are true." she whispered to no one in particular. She closed her eyes tight, not sure what to expect. She fastened the gold chain around her neck and waited. Nothing. She didn't feel any different, any liberty, any freedom from emotional bounds…nothing. She sighed in disappointment and lay down on her bed.
"I should have known it wouldn't work." she sighed. She closed her eyes but then opened then again to see a whit blinding light emanating from her collar bone. The necklace was glowing and she didn't know if it was working or if it as just her powers. Suddenly a wave of pain swept over her mind and body. She felt every emotion possible in only three minutes. Tears flowed from her eyes as the pain swept over her body again and again, from each unbridled emotion that was washing over her. She wasn't used to this freedom and she clutched her head and let out a blood curdling scream that echoed through the entire tower.
"Raven!" Robin shouted from outside her door. Starfire didn't waste time talking however. She burst through the door , ripping it off it's hinges. He gasped at the sight of Raven holding her head on her hands and knees, crying. She saw the light emitting from the necklace and reached out to grab it but Raven stopped her.
"No" she gasped "leave it."
"Raven it is causing you pain! I must dispose if it!"
"Trust me Star, leave it and I'll be fine." She passed out and the light disappeared. Robin was kneeling next to Starfire and Raven.
"What Happened!" Cyborg shouted as he and Beast boy raced to Raven's unconscious form. Robin noted the necklace and reached to remove it but Starfire stopped his hand.
"Raven has told me not to remove it. I don't know why but she did." Starfire insisted.
"So this necklace caused whatever happened to her?" he asked. Starfire nodded.
Beast boy looked upon his friend feeling ashamed. He was the one that gave her the necklace.
"C'mon ya'll. We gotta get her to the med lab. I know she hates it there but we have to make sure she's okay." Cyborg said.
--
Cyborg placed her fragile body on one of the medical beds and watched her as she began to hover into one of her healing trances. (A/N: even though she isn't technically hurt).
"She will be alright?" Starfire asked.
"Yeah she should be fine. I'm not picking up any damage but just in case, we should keep an eye on her." Cyborg replied.
"Good. Can you let us know when she's awake?" Robin asked very leader like.
"Sure, you two can go. BB can you help me with the IV monitor and equipment?"
"Yeah." He said. Reluctantly, Starfire and Robin walked out of the med bay and into the common room. Robin was going to have to do some serious talking to calm Starfire down.
Cyborg handed Beast boy some small suction cups with wires attached to them. Beast boy looked at Raven in worry and guilt. He knew that it was his fault Raven was like this.
"Don't worry B, she's just exhausted. The necklace didn't do anything to hurt her physically." Cyborg reassured with a smile. Beast boy looked up slightly relieved.
"Okay so, where do these go?" he asked, motioning to the suction cups.
"Those go on her temples…you do know what those are right?" he smirked
Beast boy rolled his eyes. He wasn't a genius like Cyborg or as clever as Robin but he wasn't stupid. He didn't answer as he placed the wired suction cups on her forehead. Then he looked at his metallic friend rather smugly.
"Alright smarty, you take care of these and I'll take care of the needles." he said, handing Beast boy numerous suction cups and wires while he rolled the sleeves of Raven's leotard up and stuck in one needle. Beast boy almost gagged at the blood Cyborg was taking from her.
"Okay B those large ones go on her limbs." he instructed. Beast boy did as he was told and stuck the largest suction cups on her arms and legs. When he finished, Cyborg grabbed the remaining two from Beast boy.
"Maybe I should take care of these." he said nervously. Beast boy shook his head and took them back.
"Why? Cause you don't think I'm smart enough to know where they go? I'll have you know that I can do this easy peasy. Just tell me where they go."
Cyborg smirked and gave his green friend and gave him a devilish grin. Beast boy didn't like the looks of that grin and he hoped that the cups didn't go…
"On her chest." Cyborg smirked.
Beast boy suddenly felt his face get very hot which showed tremendously. Beast boy's face was even browner than when he appeared in the common room. He swallowed his spit hard.
"Uhhh…maybe…you should…"
"Oh no, no I insist. Just put them anywhere below her collar bone."
"…erm…okay…" Beast boy said nervously. He placed his hands over her chest, trying to find a place to put the monitor cups
"Well, I'm waiting." Cyborg chuckled.
Beast boy flushed even harder when he saw her chest moving up and down with her breathing. He closed his eyes out of nervousness though Cyborg thought it was for an entirely different reason.
"What's the matter BB? Getting a little distracted are we?"
"Dude. Shut it!" Beast boy shouted and he tossed Cyborg the wires. He attached them without hesitation and with ease. He raised his eyebrow to a fuming Beast boy.
"Alright we should probably alternate shifts and keep an eye on her. I'll take the first shift and let you guys know if she wakes up." Beast boy shook his head.
"No, I'll stay here, you go tell Star she's okay."
"Well…okay. Let us know if anything happens."
"Duh."
When Cyborg left Beast boy hung his head in shame. He felt extremely guilty about what happened and even more guilty that he couldn't do anything to help her. He sat down in the chair next to her and held his head in his hands with his elbows propped up on his knees.
"What have I done?" he said to himself. He sat next to Raven, gazing at her peaceful state. She wasn't in anymore pain but Beast boy still felt like he hurt her.
"What is she gonna say? She probably knows that I gave it to her and thinks that it was some sick prank or something…I'm sorry Raven." he mumbled.
Beast boy couldn't bear to look at her anymore. He was so grieved that he didn't notice Raven lowering herself down on the bed and he certainly didn't notice the smile on her unconscious lips and the raven necklace…had it's wings spread.
--
Raven began to moan slightly and her smile disappeared. Her headache had returned but it wasn't as bad as it was before. She slowly opened her eyes to find the familiar room of the med bay. She clutched her head in agony as she heard Cyborg's booming voice over the intercom.
"Yo! Get down here she's awake!" he called.
"On our way" Robin replied.
Cyborg walked over to Raven and put a hand on her shoulder. He and Beast boy had switched shifts about an hour ago.
"Hey girl don't scare us like that." he chuckled
"Ugh…sorry" was all she managed to say before the other three came rushing in.
"Raven are you okay?" Robin asked.
Raven took some time to adjust before answering. She realized that she was on one of the medical beds in the med bay. She looked around to see her four friends standing around her bed.
"I'm fine" she said in an almost upbeat fashion. This not only surprised her friends but her as well.
"Ummm…friend? Are you certain that you are well." Starfire asked, concerned.
Raven smiled slightly, knowing that the necklace had worked. "Yes Starfire. I feel the best that I've ever had in my life."
At this Beast boy's ears perked up and he stood next to Starfire who was near the head of the bed.
"So do you feel…anything?" he asked shyly. He didn't want to give out that he was the one who got her the necklace but this did not fool Raven.
"Beast boy…did you…" he merely turned away guiltily. There was no getting past her. Raven felt herself well up and before she knew it she had gotten up and thrown herself at him in a loving embrace. Beast boy was shocked at this and debated on what he should do next. He went with his instincts and hugged her back. She dug her face into the crook of his neck and cried happy tears. As soon as Beast boy felt her tears on his skin he immediately flushed and looked around the room. Nothing had exploded, nothing was in a black aura, everything was…normal. Well, except for the crying girl in his arms. He pulled away from her and looked her in the eyes, ignoring the awkward stares form the other titans.
"Does…does it work?" he asked.
Raven looked up at him with slightly red eyes. They were a little puffy but there they were, the beautiful violet eyes that he had come to adore so much. His heart went a flutter as he saw her smile and nod. He couldn't help the smile on his lips. Hers was beautiful. It was a rare occasion and that's what made it special. It was genuine, not forced. It was the same one she wore when they first met. That smile would be engraved in his memory forever.
As soon as she nodded Beast boy felt his heart warm. This time it was his turn to hug her. He was so excited that he had done something right for once. He lifted her up and spun her around. She held him tightly and laughed, completely forgetting about their friends.
"Thank you Beast boy. You have no idea how much this means to me." she sighed when he put her down.
"I think I do. You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you laugh." he replied. Raven blushed as well as Beast boy. They were still smiling at each other but they stepped apart, finally realizing that they were not alone in the room.
The other three were trying to register what had just happened. Was Raven laughing and hugging Beast boy?Finally Robin snapped out of it and approached the two.
"What's going on here?" he demanded
"Uhhh…well…I…" Raven started
"Yes please, do explain, I am most confused." Starfire said.
"Well, you see…" Beast boy began.
"C'mon man what the heck is going on?" Cyborg asked, just as peeved as Robin.
"Will you just shut up and listen!" They both shouted together. Beast boy was startled by this but Raven just rubbed her temples. When everyone was quiet she began.
"This necklace is made of Dragon Bone…and yes it is bone from an actual dragon."
"…wait, I though it wasn't." Beast boy interrupted.
"Jerry doesn't believe in dragons so that's why he told you that. Anyway…this necklace helps me control my powers. I can feel emotions now." she said.
It only took a moment of silence for the titans to take in this new information. Starfire squealed with delight and gave Raven her signature, rib cracking hug.
"OH RAVEN I AM THRILLED OT HEAR THAT YOU MAY DO THE FEELING OF THE EMOTIONS. THIS IS WONDERFUL IS IT NOT?"
Raven took the hug gratefully and took a deep breath, knowing that it may be a while before Star lets go.
"Well, I suppose that's why you hugged BB after you got up. You sure must have been happy." Cyborg said. Raven and Beast boy both blushed a little. This did not go unnoticed by Robin.
"Is there something that we don't know about?" he asked suspiciously.
"No…it's just…I kinda was the one who gave her the necklace." Beast boy replied shyly.
Starfire released Raven and turned to Beast boy.
"Friend that was a most sugary gesture!" she squealed. Beast boy only looked at her confused.
"I think she means sweet…and she's right, it was…thanks." Raven said, still blushing a bit.
"Anytime." Beast boy replied a little softer. Another silence followed. Cyborg coughed loudly to break the awkward tension.
"So it sounds like we got a celebration on our hands! How about we all go out for pizza?" he asked. The others nodded in agreement.
"Yes! Yes! We must do the celebrating of Raven's new freedom!" Starfire shouted. She took Raven's arm and flew out the door. Beast boy chuckled and Robin and Cyborg turned to him.
"So…you got her a necklace…why?" Robin asked smirking. Beast boy was taken aback by this question. "Why did you get her the necklace?" he asked again. Beast boy broke out in a cold sweat and looked away.
"Honestly…I just found this dark little store and found it there. Jerry the clerk guy told me the story and I thought it would be good for her." Robin and Cyborg both raised their eyebrows.
"BB you do remember our little talk before right?" Cyborg smirked.
"Yeah and will you shut up about it and…you told him!" Beast boy shouted, looking from Cyborg to Robin.
"Well, duh I told Rob. Besides, everyone knows you like her already."
"Well, I don't…not like that at least." he said this last part under his breath.
"Beast boy, in all seriousness, do you like Raven?" Robin asked, his smirk disappearing as well as Cyborg's
Beast boy took a minute to think about this question. He really didn't know himself. Part of him was saying of course not! Raven's just his friend! Besides, she's a dark, creepy, quiet empath who hates his guts, why would he ever like her? But then another part of him was saying that the other side was dead wrong. That he knew she wasn't creepy. Dark yes, quiet yes but he also knew that she didn't hate him and he didn't hate her. He could never hate her. He could try but he would never succeed. Something about her. This part of him told him that he did think she was attractive…no…beautiful, and her sarcasm gave her a certain spunk, and she wasn't really dark as much as…mysterious. He found her mystery very appealing. He always tried to get to know her better, to get her out of her shell, to get her to laugh, to get her to show that gorgeous smile…her smile…oh god her smile! He could stare at her smile for hours, maybe even days on end. Maybe he did feel something more than friendship towards her. Now that he thought about it, accepting his crush was a lot less stressful than living in denial. Oh man this is going to be complicated! He began to smile weakly and blush. Before he even knew what he was saying he blurted out.
"Yeah." Silence followed. Robin's and Cyborg's eyes grew wide and their mouths gaped unattractively. Beast boy was still a little lost in his thought before he realized that he had just admitted his feelings for Raven in front of Cyborg and Robin. His smile faded away and he looked up at their shocked faces. He was prepared for any ridicule that may come but it never did. He waited another second before he was pulled into a brotherly headlock by Cyborg.
"What did I tell ya man? What did I tell you?" He laughed.
"Hey get off! Beast boy shouted as Cyborg began to crush his windpipes with out really knowing it. He released his green friend and smiled nervously.
"Sorry man, just excited for ya that's all."
"Thanks" Beast boy replied shyly.
"Well whatever you decide to do from here is none of our business. We better go catch up with the girls. Good Luck." Robin said patting Beast boy on the back as he left toward Starfire.
"Yeah come on B. Wouldn't want that nasty tofu pizza getting cold now do we?" Cyborg chuckled.
"Awe. Shut up!" Beast boy laughed, happy that his friends were taking this crush he had on Raven seriously and weren't threatening to tell anyone. The two ran down to the garage and Cyborg took his rightful place in the driver's seat while Beast boy took a seat next to Raven.
--
Once they had found a table, Cyborg began to name all the toppings that he wanted on the pizza. He looked around for everyone's approval. Starfire agreed (she drowned all her slices in mustard anyway). Robin always agreed with Starfire and Raven didn't really care. They all awaited Beast boy to object but he didn't, the others began to stare a hole in him and he was feeling a little awkward now.
"What?" he asked
"Beast boy, are you not going to object Cyborg's many choices of meats on the pizza?" Starfire asked.
"Actually no. We all know that I'm never going to eat meat, and that he's never eating anything without it so I'll just get an individual veggie pizza. Are you guys okay with that?"
"Uh…yeah…that's fine…" Robin said.
"Cool! I'll go order." Beast boy replied with a smile. He got in line by the register while the other titans discussed what just happened.
"Something seems…wrong with Beast boy." Starfire said.
"Yeah, he's acting…mature!" Raven said, slightly surprised and mildly impressed.
"Don't think that would have anything to do with his little C-R-U-S-H?" Cyborg whispered to Robin.
"I dunno. He might be trying to impress Raven or grow up or something but he seems fine to me." Robin whispered back.
"Yes he does seem to be acting that way. Perhaps he is going through male puberty." Starfire said in response to Raven's comment, and obviously not hearing the boy's whispering. Raven suddenly blushed but didn't feel like she needed or wanted to put her hood up. Now that her emotions were free she felt a little more brave. She had gotten an image of Beast boy with longer hair, a little more muscle definition and thanks to a recent growth spurt, he had actually surpassed her in height. She shook the blush off and rolled her eyes.
"I don't really think that's the reason and if it is, then can we talk about something else other than Beast boy's maturing body?"
"Is that what you guys talk about when I'm not around?" Beast boy asked from behind, sounding mildly surprised and a little embarrassed. Raven blushed a deep red and tried to hide her tinged face from Beast boy who was also blushing a strange shade of brown. Cyborg, Starfire and Robin all chuckled at this scene. Beast boy extended his arm past Raven's head and practically threw the pizza across the table.
"Here's your pizza topped with the animal entrails." Beast boy joked, taking his seat next to Raven and opening up his own veggie pizza. Cyborg opened up the larger box and ate several slices ravenously. Beast boy was about to bite down on his slice but decided against it. He decided to chit chat for now.
"So, what were you guys taking about before?" he asked cocking his eyebrows at Raven. She merely rolled her eyes in response.
"I overheard part of it. My maturing body? You checking me out Raven?" he joked. The other titans were now fearing that Raven would send him into the ocean for saying that but she smiled and rolled her eyes again.
"You? Hardly. If anyone it's Cyborg who's got the hotts for you." She replied. She couldn't believe she was saying this. It just seemed too out of character for her but not even her reputation was going to bring her down. She was just having too much fun. Fun…she never got to feel before because of her powers. Cyborg frowned at her and Beast boy cracked up laughing. Starfire giggled and Robin nearly threw up his entire pizza slice he was laughing so hard. Raven even cracked a grin.
"Rae I think that necklace is the best thing's that's ever happened! I never knew you had a sense of humor!"
"Neither did I." she chuckled.
"Sooo…Raven…What do you feel like doing now that you can let your emotions out?" Cyborg asked. Raven looked up at him for a moment.
"Well I did have one idea but I don't want to bother you guys with it." she said casually.
"Great, Now we really want to hear it! C'mon I'm sure it's fine." Beast boy reassured.
"No…it sounds really selfish." She said somewhat shyly.
"Why do you wish to sell fish?" Starfire asked.
"No Star. Raven's saying that whatever she's thinking, she'll get all the benefit." Robin explained.
"And why shouldn't she? Dude you have a right to be selfish Rae!" Beast boy exclaimed. Raven looked at him quite surprised.
"It's Raven…and what do you mean?"
"What do I mean? You deserve to be selfish! One; you've had to live your whole life with your emotions bottled up, Two; you saved the whole damn UNIVERSE! And Three; you're one of the most selfless people I know. Trust me, whatever it is, consider it done." Beast boy said.
Raven was ultimately astounded that he had come up with that. He could not be that boy that was bothering her early that afternoon. In a course of only a few hours, the annoying green teenager she has come to know over the years has just matured about 5, and with her as the witness. She smiled at him.
"I didn't know you were a philosopher."
"A who?"
Raven rolled her eyes still smiling. "Anyway, I was thinking since you four have different personalities and show different emotions, maybe I could spend one whole day with each of you, only if you want to though. I just think that this way would be a good way to exercise my emotions."
Starfire couldn't contain her glee. She sprung up from her seat and hugged Raven as tightly as possible with out crushing her.
"Oh Raven this is most wondrous! We may go to the mall of shopping and paint one another's nails, and perform the braiding upon one another's hair, travel to 'the Spa', have a party of the slumbers…"
"Gasp Sure Starfire…whatever you want…but you have to let me go!" She gasped. Starfire released her and clapped giddily. Robin and Cyborg were mildly shocked that Raven…loner, unsociable…Raven wanted to spend time with them! Cyborg looked over at Beast boy and realized that Beast boy wasn't looking at Raven. In fact he was trying to hide his face from her. Cyborg noticed a slight tint on his cheeks.
"Yo B, here's your chance…" he whispered so no one else would hear "…you and Raven…together…alone…all day…"
"Dude Shut up!" he whispered back. He would happily spend one whole day with Raven alone but he was a little nervous about it.
"Well that sounds good to me." Robin said happily, not hearing Cyborg and Beast boy's conversation.
"So…how do you want to do it?" Cyborg asked.
"I was thinking I could spend the day with Robin tomorrow, Starfire the next day, then you, then Beast boy on Friday." she replied.
Beast boy gulped 'She's saving me for last?' he thought.
"Is that okay with you?" she asked, turning to Beast boy. Beast boy looked up at her with a cocky grin on his face.
"Totally!" he said a bit too quickly and loudly. Robin and Cyborg cocked their eyebrows at him but Raven simply smiled. They all continued to talk and eat their pizza and…er…mustard…while discussing what they were going to do the following week.