AN: Thanks for the reviews, hope you enjoy Chapter 16/

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

From the deepest pits of darkness, from the farthest reaches of the void came the smallest spark of flame. Not the cold, nor the dark, nor the wetness of the void could douse the flames that lay within darkness' confines. And with little warning burning, ravaging fire burst forth from gaping abysses and that which was once dark and cold was now a burning, fiery home where brilliant light penetrated throughout. The emptiness had been kindled.

Chapter 16 – Kindled Hearts

Water flew out of Raven's throat. She gulped in air. There was sunlight. Everything was rushing past her, a flying blur. She saw something green. Muffled sounds surrounded Raven, she couldn't hear what they were. She felt herself being lifted up, and saw the ground fly past her. A blur of colours swam by her, and she felt herself falling on a soft surface. Raven closed her eyes, trying to shut out the bleary, dynamic images which were rushing to her head.

Beast Boy looked at Raven, lying on the couch. His heart had jumped when he had seen her flying off the edge of the roof. He was lucky to have defeated the telepath so quickly, he always had been dangerous when motivated. Beast Boy sighed, he had known how close he had been to losing Raven. She had been on the edge of life, nearly consumed by the waters that had engulfed her. His heart was still beating rapidly against his ribs, having not recovered after his bout of fear upon pulling Raven out of the water. Beast Boy had no idea whether she would be okay or not, she hadn't said a word nor responded to any thing he had said. Raven stirred.

"Raven?" whispered Beast Boy, hoping she would respond.

Raven felt as if the whole world had suddenly reappeared. She saw Beast Boy, bending over her, she was still disoriented.

"Beast Boy…" Raven breathed softly.

Beast Boy let out a sigh of relief, she was okay. Raven sat up slowly, blinking slowly.

"What happened? I was fighting and then I fell… into the water" murmured Raven quietly, her mind flashing through what had occurred.

"You nearly drowned Raven. I had to pull you out and resuscitate you. I…I thought I'd lost you" replied Beast Boy, his voice almost silent.

Raven tried to stand up, but stumbled, and fell back onto the couch. Her legs felt non-existent. Her mind was in disarray, and she was shivering from cold. Beast Boy picked her up, and took her to the bathroom, hoping to rinse off the salty water that clung to her. He was unsure if she'd agree, but he had to at least get rid of the dirt and water that added to her discomfort. He sat her down, running over her body with the shower head, wetting her black leotard and dirty face.

Raven didn't say a word, she felt sick and wretched. She felt as if she could barely move, and the indignity of being washed by another was perhaps the worst feeling of all. She had nearly drowned and Beast Boy had saved her. She had thought her life was over, but it had been rescued. Did she deserve it, or did she deserve to have sunk deeper into the sea, until death came rolling over her. She had been so close to death, but did it really matter to her? She was still shivering from cold, when Beast Boy turned up the heat of the water. It was scalding hot, she felt as if her skin was on fire. She let out a groan of pain.

"It's only lukewarm, trust me you'll feel better afterwards" muttered Beast Boy.

He was right, Raven felt revitalised when the cold fervour that had gripped her, left. She stood up, barely able to walk with aching limbs. Beast Boy helped her along the corridor, taking her to her room.

"You'll need to change into something dry" murmured Beast Boy, as he opened the door for her. Raven stepped into her room, closing the door behind her. She hated being trouble for other people, and right now she was wasting Beast Boy's time. He had carried her and washed her, and her pride had taken a colossal fall. She didn't understand why he always helped her so much. After everything she had done to him, everything that had happened, he still… cared for her so much. She slipped into a dry leotard, feeling much better. A tapping sounded at her door. Raven opened it fully, facing Beast Boy.

"Are you okay?" murmured Beast Boy softly, studying her features. He couldn't believe how composed she appeared to be after nearly dying. He looked into her violet eyes, seeing them glow with gentle brilliance. They seemed to swirl, as if showing the trappings of her mind. His heart ached. He had been too close to losing her forever. Seeing Raven lying on the rocks, with her eyes closed after he had pulled her out of the water, had tore at his heart. His stomach dropped every time he saw her hurt, and seeing her, as if she were dead, had been horrifying.

Raven looked into Beast Boy's emerald-green eyes, they penetrated into her own, as always, blazing with pure intensity and force. She remembered her thoughts as she fell into the water, her thoughts of Beast Boy. She had been close to dying. She had been close to never seeing Beast Boy ever again. Her heart burst with sudden emotion. Seeing him was an incredible relief. She had nearly lost him, and now she had gained back what she had thought was lost, it felt all the sweeter. Raven felt her heart ache. Too close, it had been too close. She had never felt the want to live so strongly before. She wanted to never look away from his face ever again. She just wanted to stare into his eyes for all eternity. She had nearly lost him forever. She had been so close to not seeing him again, so close to never touching him again, so close to never hearing his voice again. A tear sprouted from her eye, for all the sorrow that she felt for what she had almost been stripped of.

Without warning Raven leapt into Beast Boy's arms, hugging him with all her might, as if trying to discern whether he was real or not. And he held her firm, as her shuddering breaths past over his shoulder. Raven just wanted to hold him forever, she wanted to stay in his arms where she felt safe, where she knew she could not lose him. Raven closed her eyes and forced herself to pull away.

"Thank you" Raven whispered so softly that only Beast Boy's enhanced hearing could pick up the words. She looked him in the eye, a sorrowful yet tender look that made his heart quicken. Raven stepped backwards into her room, closing the door behind her.

Beast Boy walked back into his room, the memory of him holding her still fresh in his mind. She had felt so delicate in his arms, as if she would have shattered into pieces if he had let her go. Beast Boy sighed, lying down on his bottom bunk. He had seen the tenderness in her eyes, and he revelled in it. He had wanted to hold her forever, to feel her warm, soft touch on his skin. Beast Boy still couldn't believe how close Raven had been to dying. How close he had been to losing her. He had never felt the level of fear he had felt when he flew down into the water, searching for Raven. If she had died… Beast Boy shook his head, pushing the thought out of his head. There was no point deliberating about what had happened anymore. He lay on his bed, thoughts of Raven running through his head, a pleasant feeling rushing through the length of his body.

Beast Boy walked wearily out of his room. After spending a while thinking about Raven he was dead-hungry. He stepped into the common room, heading for the fridge, hoping to make himself a heavy tofu dinner. He heard the door to the Tower open up, and he whipped around seeing Robin, Starfire and Cyborg walk in. He still hadn't gotten an explanation about what had happened after the shape-shifter had beaten him up, and he really didn't want to pester the three new entrants about it.

"Hey guys" said Beast Boy happily, looking at each of the Titans.

"Yo B" answered Cyborg.

"Dude, where'd you head off to? I was wondering where everyone had gone" asked Beast Boy.

Cyborg glanced over to Robin, asking him a silent question, but Robin shook his head.

"We were out having pizza" replied Robin, slumping onto the couch.

"Oh… right" muttered Beast Boy, already tired of the conversation. Robin turned on the television, watching an Italian cooking show. The doors to the common room slid open, as Raven floated in. Beast Boy swung around, his heart quickening in pace as he caught sight of the empath. Raven glanced at the changeling before, walking to the kitchen looking for food.

"Yo Rae" cried out Cyborg, having just noticed the blue-cloaked female at the fridge.

"Hello" muttered Raven back, with a gravelly voice. She turned back to the fridge, picking out the previous nights leftovers, and setting it out on the kitchen table. Beast Boy sat next to her, glancing at her eyes. She glanced back at him, a soft tender look penetrating his green eyes. He gave her a small smile, which caused her stomach to do a back-flip.

"Hi" she whispered softly to him.

"Hey" replied Beast Boy, breathlessly.

Robin saw the small exchange between the pair. It was, odd and disturbing to see the two look at each other in soft tones, though hardly noticeable unless one was searching for it. With a hefty sigh, he turned back around to watch the Italian chef talk about rosemary.

Raven stood up, with a final glance at Beast Boy before walking out of the common room. She stepped into her room, the image of Beast Boy's smile imprinted onto her mind. He was breathtaking, she didn't know why, but every time she saw him, it felt as if her stomach was being prodded by invisible people. She felt intoxicated around him, as if she couldn't think, or breathe. She had no doubt now that she had feelings for Beast Boy, but she didn't know what to do about it. It wasn't like he wanted her… she was just a friend to him. She let out a quiet sigh, before walking towards her door, hoping to see Beast Boy again.

Beast Boy sat at the kitchen table, not knowing why she had left. Was it because she didn't have feelings for him? He didn't even know whether she did, but he hoped so much. He would never be good enough for her though, she was just so perfect. The way she talked, the way she moved, the way she smiled, the way wondrous fire danced humbly behind her violet eyes. He stood up, walking out of the common room, hoping to talk to Raven, even seeing her was like being in heaven.

Raven walked down the hall, her mind filled with Beast Boy. She turned the corner quickly, running straight into the object of her thoughts. Beast Boy stumbled on top of her, the two falling onto the ground. Raven had never been so close to him. She could feel the warmth of his body flowing through her, and it comforted her. She could feel his skin against her own. It was soft and smooth, yet there was a roughness about it, as if it had been worn away by labour. She felt his warm breath enveloping her, and his eyes right next to her own. Her heart beat uncontrollably, and she felt as if only Beast Boy existed.

Beast Boy stared into Raven's violet eyes. They were so close. He could feel her skin, and it was so soft, as if it threatened to fall into pieces with so much as a prod. He felt her chest rise and fall under his own, and could hear her rapid heart beat. She was so pretty, he thought to himself. The world dissolved around him, the only thing he saw, the only thing he wanted to see was Raven. Beast Boy stared at her with blazing eyes, feeling his own heart pound quickly against his chest.

"Beast Boy… you can get off me now" murmured Raven abruptly, blushing slightly.

"Oh… right…" whispered Beast Boy, lifting himself slowly off the delicate girl, looking awkwardly into her eyes. Raven stood up next to him, paying him a soft glance of the eyes, and she turned away, leaving Beast Boy on his own. Beast Boy watched her walk away, cloak trailing behind her. He sighed, his mind overwhelmed with his feelings for Raven.

AN: :O, have a good day.