Disclaimer – I do not own, swear.

…

It wasn't that Raven hated Mabel. No, not even close. She was probably the nicest out of the entire team to Beast Boy's girlfriend, much to the general confusion of everyone. Well, maybe nice was a little generous. Raven just stayed out of the way.

Jealous? Her? Absolutely not! Okay, maybe a little bit. Mabel had come into Beast Boy's life at what could have literally been the most inopportune time possible. But Raven didn't hold that against them! Oh, no. Not in the slightest.

Alright, perhaps a little.

Raven had worked up every ounce of courage in her body, and was going to tell Beast Boy how she felt. After years of denying it (subconsciously and consciously), she was finally going to accept her romantic inclination for the green teen, swallow her pride, and tell him. She had even got as far as inviting him to get coffee with her. But, as fate would have it, Beast Boy hit it off with the barista: a beautiful blonde with silvery eyes and a mysterious smile. Mabel.

Raven could barely get a word in. Two weeks later, Beast Boy and Mabel were official.

She wasn't mad. It was out of her control. What could she have done? Bad timing was to blame. Just some bad timing.

Raven did take some time to mourn what could have been and pick up her self-esteem from the floor. She stayed in her room even more than usual. It wasn't like she cried or anything; she just…mourned.

About a month into Beast Boy's new relationship, Raven began to notice little things. Beast Boy was quieter. He didn't try to joke with anyone – he just sort of hung back. Raven's worry grew when she realized that when he laughed, it wasn't the full, happy laugh he could be characterized by. The smile didn't reach his eyes, and she felt no amusement coming off of him. It was…disturbing.

The only new factor in Beast Boy's life was Mabel, so Raven deduced that she was the reason. She vowed to pay more attention to the way they acted together. Something told her that if she outright asked Beast Boy he would avoid the question.

Mabel came over for dinner a few days later. Usually when this occurred Raven would find an excuse not to attend, but tonight she stayed. Had she ever really spoken to Mabel? She wasn't sure. Cyborg and Robin had worked together to make a casserole – vegetarian just for Beast Boy. Raven took her seat across from Mabel and prepared to stake out. She wasn't hungry, but pushed her food around all the same.

Mabel was nice. She sat up extremely straight and ate everything with a fork and knife. She tucked her napkin onto her lap. She never spoke with food in her mouth. Raven was shocked. This girl was the exact opposite of Beast Boy when it came to manners.

That's when she started noticing it. Every once in a while, Mabel would glance over at her boyfriend and say something under her breath. Beast Boy would tighten his jaw and fidget. Only…he wasn't fidgeting. He was fixing his posture, or readjusting his fork, or scooting his chair in. Mabel was…fixing him? Raven suddenly felt even more confused than before.

After dinner, while everyone was talking, Raven began to notice more. Cyborg made a stupid joke that Beast Boy couldn't help but crack up at. Raven found it comforting to see him acting like himself again. And then: "God, your laugh is so annoying," Mabel said. It didn't seem to be intentionally rude, but Beast Boy flushed and immediately shut up. His ears drooped somewhat. Mabel continued to make remarks like this throughout the night; little criticisms of Beast Boy's behavior and appearance. Normally, Raven would find this funny, but Mabel was beginning to cross the line into over-the-top. Beast Boy deflated more and more with each one, sinking into the background. Raven felt somewhat sick.

While Beast Boy walked Mabel to the dock, intending on getting her to the mainland via jet ski, Raven asked her teammates if Mabel was always like that.

"She's really crushed Beast Boy's ego," Robin said. He didn't seem particularly fond of the girl, but Robin was always distrustful of civilians.

"Yeah, normally I'd be all about that, but she is harsh." Cyborg was doing the dishes, so Raven couldn't see his face. Nonetheless, he didn't sound amused. "She's crushin' the kid's spirit. I had no idea that was even possible."

"Mabel is…erm…" Starfire tapped her chin, searching for the term. "Oh! Yes! The unfeeling female dog!"

Robin glanced over at Cyborg, who met his gaze over his shoulder. "I only said it once, Rob. Don't get your panties in a twist."

"You were female undergarments?" Starfire asked her leader, small eyebrows drawing together. Cyborg giggled. Robin opened his mouth in what was sure to be a long lecture.

"No," Raven said quickly. She wanted to get back on track. "But Mabel's always like this?"

Cyborg turned away from the sink, leaning his hips against the counter and crossing his arms. "Pretty much. Sometimes girl'll even do it to me!"

"She's messing with our team dynamic," Robin muttered. "I don't like her."

Starfire nodded solemnly. "Normally, I am fond of everyone, but I must agree with friend Robin. I do not like her, either."

Cyborg ran a hand over his bald head. "I liked it better when you made fun of him, Rave. He seemed to take it less seriously."

Raven rolled her eyes. "Don't I know it."

"Maybe you should talk to him," Robin suggested.

The sorceress raised an eyebrow. "Why would that work, Robin?"

The leader shrugged one shoulder. "He looks up to you. I think you're the only person on this team he actually respects."

Raven blushed, but nodded. When Beast Boy came back inside half an hour later, most of the team had retreated to their rooms. It was, after all, getting late. But Raven remained sitting on the couch, staring at the blank TV and wondering what exactly she was going to say. What was she supposed to say? She was awful at these sort of things. Beast Boy entered the common room. She knew it was him – no one else had a more invasive aura. Although, lately, it had calmed somewhat. Which was disturbing, to say the least.

"Hey, Raven," he said tiredly. Raven pursed her lips. He was probably about to go to his room. She had to say something now.

"Beast Boy," she choked out at last. His footsteps pause.

"…Yes?" There was a hint of his old spirit in that voice. A little bit of 'oh God what did I do to piss her off this time'. It was comforting.

"Can we…talk?" Azar, what an awful start. Raven restrained herself from burying her head in her hands.

"Uh, sure." He walked over. Instead of vaulting the couch as usual, he walked around and sat down a respectful distance away. Raven briefly wondered how Mabel had managed this particular change.

"Are you…okay?" she began, having trouble meeting his gaze.

Beast Boy wasn't looking at her either. He rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. Better than ever!" A painfully fake smile. Raven felt like crying. Thankfully, she did not.

"You've been acting out of character lately," she pointed out softly. "I mean, you kept your feet on the floor at dinner."

Beast Boy's smile immediately fell away. His jaw clenched. "Maybe I'm just makin' some changes."

"Why?" He would come to her. He always did.

"I want to be better, Raven!" he said, frustration making his ears flatten. "Why is it bothering you so much?"

Raven rested her gaze on her hands, clenched tightly in her lap. "I'm worried."

"Don't be," Beast Boy growled.

"Everyone else is worried, too," she pressed. Her hands had turned into fists.

"They shouldn't be either!" Beast Boy stood up and started pacing. "Everyone's suddenly so interested in my life! What the hell changed?"

Raven crossed her arms, irritation itching the back of her skull. "You're acting like a kicked puppy all the time, Beast Boy," she muttered. "Why would we ignore that?"

"I'm not a kicked puppy!" His voice had risen to near shouting. "And you all need to mind your own goddamn business!" He whipped around and stalked to the door, anger coming off of him in waves.

"Beast Boy," Raven snapped, standing up. "Stop."

The green teenager did. His muscles tensed. He didn't look at her. Raven began to approach him, slowly.

"We care about you, Beast Boy," she said, softer. "I care about you. Seeing you like…this…hurts me. Us." He still didn't move, but the anger subsided somewhat. "I know you want to be better…for her. But…" she paused, biting her lip, "I liked you just the way you were. We all did."

He was still. She was close enough to reach out and touch him, but she didn't. She could barely see the rise and fall of his shoulders as he breathed. And then, with a terrifying suddenness, he spun around and hugged her. His arms held her tight against his lanky frame, his nose buried into the crook of her shoulder. His spiked green hair pressed against her face and chin. She couldn't breathe.

He wasn't letting go anytime soon. Tentatively, Raven wrapped her own thin arms over his neck and shoulders. Doing so made him squeeze her even tighter.

"Thank you," he said into her neck. His hot breath on her skin made the hairs on her arm stand up. In one of the cupboards, she heard a glass shatter. Beast Boy took no heed. "Mabel…she…she's a little…uh…"

"Controlling?" Raven asked. Beast Boy readjusted his face so his chin was resting on her shoulder. A slight laugh rumbled through his frame.

"Sure. Like someone else I know."

He was joking – a good sign. "You know I only want the best for you."

"I know," he said. His chest inflated and deflated with a sigh. His arms tightened minutely. "I'm sorry I snapped at you Rae." She smiled slightly, glad he was turned the other way and couldn't see. Beast Boy continued: "What should I do now?"

Raven thought. "Solve the problem."

Now he loosened his grip, pulling away. Raven immediately found that she missed his warmth. His green eyes fixed on hers, a little lost. "I don't have the solution, Raven." It sounded so sad, so pitiful, that Raven nearly found herself saying, I'm right here.

…

A/N – Wow. That turned out much more angsty than I originally intended? Hello, again. So, I am a multitasker. I like to start things. And then I like to stop and do something else because I have the attention span of a three year-old. Anyway, a lot of what I stop and do are BBRae one-shots. So I thought that I could create a bit of a one-shot dump of BBRae goodness! And then I'll be able to focus on my other commitments! Enjoy!