BBRae Week 2015 4 - Protection

It had all stated without anyone really taking notice. Beast Boy had once again thanked Raven for shielding him from harm and, caught up in the battle, Raven had distractedly acknowledged him. Only a few weeks later, in another fight, did Beast Boy notice her magic seeming to follow him around. She wasn't even looking at him! Everywhere he went, little screens of black energy popped up to protect him. It was impressive but, when he thanked her, she furrowed her brow and nodded uncertainly. The next week, even Beast Boy had realised something else was going on.

"I'm tellin' you, dude! Raven's, like, stalking me or something!" Beast Boy wailed. The unfortunate recipient of his rant was his best friend, Cyborg, who did not seem convinced.

"I just don't see it, man. She ain't even here, how is that stalking you?" he asked. Beast Boy set his jaw and walked out the door. A minute later he returned, carrying what appeared to be a pillow from his room. He offered it to Cyborg.

"What am I supposed to do with this, take a nap?" he joked. Beast Boy grumbled under his breath.

"Hit me. Hit me with the pillow," he challenged. Cyborg's eyes lit up (one of them literally) at being offered a free shot like this. His eyes narrowed at the changeling: this reeked of prank.

"You sure you aren't setting me up, B?" he accused. Beast Boy groaned and thrust the pillow into Cyborg's hands.

"Just take a swing!" he commanded. Cyborg shrugged and stood to do just that. He took a swipe. To his amazement, a sheet of black power flashed into life to defend Beast Boy, fizzling away a moment later. Cyborg, not quite believing his eyes, raised the pillow for another attempt. The pillow popped in his hand, startling the hero, knocking him on his butt and showering him with stuffing.

"What the heck was that?!" he cried.

"That was Raven, dude! And it's getting worse. Before, she just stopped me getting hurt but just yesterday, I got a papercut on the new GameFame magazine and all of a sudden it gets shredded into a million pieces. I didn't even get to read it!" Beast Boy complained.

"What does Raven have to say about it?" Cyborg asked, getting to his feet and brushing the remains of the pillow from his shoulders.

"I... I haven't really talked to her about it," Beast Boy admitted.

"Well. I think you're gonna have to, green man," Cyborg said. Beast Boy's shoulders sagged and his ears drooped.

"I know... I am not looking forward to this," he grumbled, trudging toward the door.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Raven cracked one eye open at the sound of someone knocking. Her senses told her it was Beast Boy... and also that he was a little green ball of frustration at the moment. She ended her meditation, floated down to the floor and moved to answer. She opened the door.

"Ye-"

"Raven, I really appreciate all the protection but I need you to stop it," he blurted. Raven took a moment to follow what he said.

"You want me to stop shielding you in battle?" she asked warily.

"Yes! No. Look, battle is fine, but the stuff outside of mission, around the tower... I can't take it any more!" he whined. Raven stared back, utterly confused.

"Beast Boy... what on Earth are you talking about?"

Beast Boy took a few minuted and recited a list of occasions where Raven's magic had interfered with his daily life, including his magazine and the exploding pillow. Raven looked a little perturbed. She wordlessly turned to her chest of drawers.

"What are you looking for, Rae?" Beast Boy asked.

"Answers," Raven replied, holding up her mirror. She stared at for a minute and the, with wide eyes, she stared at Beast Boy.

"What?" he asked defensively.

"They... they won't let me in," she said.

"Can they do that?" Beast Boy asked.

"Apparently... but they say I can get in if..."

"If what, Raven?"

"If I bring you with me."

Minutes later, the pair of heroes stood in a lilac field, accompanied by a giggling copy of Raven wearing a pink cloak. In due time, other emotions and aspects arrived. Just as Raven opend her mouth to ask what was going on, one of them strode forward. She wore a light purple cloak.

"Finally," she said. "I'm so glad you're here." She took Beast Boy's hand and clasped them in her own, staring at him with shimmering eyes. Raven was struck dumb. Beast Boy stammered for a few moments before he could speak.

"Um... Uh... you're the one who's been looking out for me?" he asked. The clone nodded.

"I am. I'm sorry if I went overboard, though," she muttered.

"Uh... sure. But why? Why do it at all?" he asked. She smiled at him.

"I am Affection. It's in my nature to protect those I love."

All were silent. Raven practically frothed at the mouth. Beast Boy spoke up.

"You mean all of us, right? Your friends?" he said. Affection placed her hands on his cheeks, drew him close and kissed him. Raven felt faint. Affection released the catatonic changeling.

"No," she said. "I don't."

"Oh," Beast Boy squeaked, unsure what else he could say.

"I tried telling her how I felt. How she felt," she said, indicating Raven. "She ignored me. So now I'm telling you."

"How... how dare you?!" Raven hissed, shaking with rage.

"I had to, Raven. You can suppress your feelings all you like but you must never deny them. You remember what happened when you denied a little fear over a movie. Can you imagine what would happen to the Tower if you denied something so powerful as love?" Raven looked away, admitting her point but refusing to acknowledge it. "As I thought. And speaking of the Tower..."

As Affection spoke, the two Titans found themselves back in Raven's room. Raven herself stared at the floor, afraid of what she might see in Beast Boy's eyes.

"I think... I think I'd better go," he mumbled. Raven nodded without looking up. She squeezed her eyes shut when she heard her door open. "If it's okay... could I come back later? Maybe we could hang out or something," he suggested. Raven slowly raised her gaze to meet his. He wasn't sure of what he was doing, that was evident.

"That sounds nice," she whispered. He smiled, like the Sun rising, and Raven was filled with relief.

"See you later, Rae!" he cried, running down the corridor. Raven felt her knees shiver and sat down on her bed. Quiet laughter bubbled up form deep within her.

Raven smiled.

I wasn't quite sure how to end this one. Could you tell?

-Jack