beast boy's perspecitve
It was a brisk and serene evening in Jump City. Raven and I decided to take some time out to a pier not too far from home. No one was in the vicinity besides us, which would help mollify Raven's great anxiety.
The sun sank into the other side of the Earth. It dyed the sky with a spectrum of colors. A brilliant red laid on top of an animated orange, which was followed by a fresh yellow. Under the yellow was a mixture of pastel greens, blues, purples... even pinks. The clouds seemed to gather a soft orange-cream tint. Water creased in the most aesthetic way possible.
I stepped onto the wooden platform with my sneakers.
"Wow. So this is what the sky looks like." my girlfriend said.
"What, you've never seen the sky before?" I wisecracked.
"Of course silly. What I mean is... this is what it looks like at sundown. When I watch the sky I usually watch it in the mornings. Sunsets look waaaaay different than sunrises. It carries a whole different vibe."
A corner of my mouth lifted as I watched my awestruck, jaunty partner.
Raven freely leaned her arms and head back. She thrust out her chest a little, allowing the wind to caress her. Her pristine skin sparkled under the sun. I was mesmerized of how fluently her dark hair whirled in the breeze. I could feel the shine right through her. My girlfriend's euphoria reflected an array of colors as if she were a crystal.
"This is amazing, I love it. I can hear you staring at me." Raven put her hands down.
"What!? You can't hear me staring— I mean... sure... I am staring at you but... I can't help it, you're as pretty as a picture," I blushed heavily, "How are you feelin', Rae of Sunshine?"
"Calm. Recollected. In control. I feel like I'm in control. Sometimes I lose it, but I feel like I'm getting somewhere. Months ago I wouldn't be able to look at sunlight without hating it."
"I'm so glad to hear that, baby." I tenderly kissed her cheek.
I peered out into the horizon, absorbing the moment myself. I was holding the most delicate and valuable thing to me in the face of eventide. The warmth of the sun and the music of the waves brought my soul to an ease.
I felt a tear jerk at my eye.
I sniffed but blinked the water away.
"Babe? Are you crying?" Raven turned to me.
"Oh, no of course not, Rae, it must be the wind. You know, wind to eye sensitivity." I joked.
She held my cheeks in her palms, her eyes bearing concern.
"Don't lie to me, Beastboy." she calmly whispered.
"Okay. Maybe I am crying. Sorry it's that stigma that 'men shouldn't cry', that I'm trying to fight. I'm fine though, I swear. I'm having a moment that's all." I confessed speedily.
Raven's soft thumbs rubbed on my cheekbones, "Cry all you want. Feel all you can. We only have one life, we have to allow ourselves to experience a scope of emotions."
"Listen to you," my eyes met hers, "telling me all of this. You were standing out there just now. So happy and light. It reminded me of the night we went stargazing and you stood out there by yourself for a while. You were doing something you were always afraid of doing. Being happy and fearless."
Raven pursed her lips.
"It hit me. You're being so brave and strong and don't even realize it. You're healing, Raven, and I can feel it. You healing helps me heal, too." I sweetly kissed her.
"I love you beyond thought, Gar."
"I love you more, Rae. Can you at least warn me to bring Kleenex before you get all mushy on me?"
We laughed and sat down on the wooden floor.
Our feet dangled loosely above the water.
The sun continued to fade away and temperature dropped a bit. There was still a prismatic view to observe.
Raven shuddered and I removed my sweater.
"Aw, my baby's cold. Here, warm yourself up." I covered the girl in my sweater.
"Thanks Beastie-Boo."
I wrapped my arm around Raven and she cuddled into my chest.
"I told Starfire, Robin, and Cyborg about what has been going on." Raven informed.
"Really? What was your motive?"
"Nothing really... I thought it was only fair. The only reason why I haven't said anything to them was because I wasn't ready to. I think it's still heavy and hard right now, but I'm making a comeback. I am slowly accepting my fear and not giving into it so easily."
"I see. I think you're doing amazing. I'm so, so proud of you."
"Thanks, love. I also regained some of my power."
"Woo-hoo! Atta girl! How'd you manage to do that?"
"Starfire helped me. I don't know how, but she got through to me. All I could think about was the gun. The last time I tried to force my powers, was when my life was on the line. Everything goes right back to that attack. Everything's connected." she snuggled closer to me.
"It's okay. I'm here." I comforted her.
"I felt so useless and inadequate without my powers. I felt like there was nothing else in this world for me. If I couldn't do something as simple as existing... what was the point?"
A tiny hex ignited in my girlfriend's hand, danced in the wind, then blew out quickly.
"Your PTSD is your superpower."
"What?"
"Your PTSD is your superpower," I repeated, "Your mental illness is your superpower. It may knock you down and tear you to bits. Even so, that is where you find these... unknown strengths. The illness puts you in a place where you have to climb higher, work harder, and feel bigger. My depression... it's not fun. It's harsh and bitter. If it weren't for my depression, I wouldn't be more caring towards others. I wouldn't be more aware of the world around me. I wouldn't be... me."
"My PTSD is my superpower..." Raven continued playing around with her magic.
"It just frustrates me, how mental health is so invisible. People don't pay enough mind to it. Just because people don't see it with the naked eye, they assume it's not there."
"I agree."
"I told Starfire about it and she was like 'P...STD'." Raven giggled.
"Dude, seriously? Ohhh, boy." I beamed.
"Yeah, I'll never forget that. This was the brighter day you were talking about," Raven turned my chin to hers, "Sitting with you in front of the sun and feeling our troubles blow away with the wind."
"Yeah, hehe. Also not having to worry about you obliterating me with your powers."
"What do you mean? I'm recovering them, so if your point is that my powers don't work, you better reconsider that." her eyes lit up immediately.
"Easy does iiiit, babygirl... I was jus' sayin' you love me now, so you can't really do that. You're so cute when you're upset. Say 'bubbles'." I tapped her nose.
"Bubbles." Raven pouted adorably.
"Noooo, say it with anger. Like someone's about to go into your room. BUUUBBLEES!" I shouted.
"BUUUBBLES!" Raven imitated with a widespread grin.
"Ha! You can't say 'bubbles' angrily. No one can. Sorry, I just wanted to see if you could do it. We sound ridiculous."
"Tee-hee. Anyway, you're like... really handsome." Raven's forehead touched mine as her crisp breath washed my face.
I tucked her hair behind her ears and ran my tongue between my lips.
"To be fair, you've gotta have a good-looking kid for an even better-looking girl." I whispered softly.
"Stop being so cheesy and kiss me already."
"Your wish is my command." I chuckled and pressed our lips together.
I raised my eyebrow, shocked at Raven's gesture. The way she moved was much more spirited. Her tongue moved lightly and liberally, not dragging like many times before. It was as if she was a flame that was igniting back to life.
Raven's hand switched between my hair, ears, and jaw. Her tongue thumped against the roof and walls of my mouth.
My hands found themselves on lower back. I felt amazing, knowing I could handle such a gentle figure in my hands. I had the privilege to shield someone so precious from the snarls of the world. I was more than happy to be Raven's safe haven in a time of crisis.
A few of the day's last sun rays shone right through our lips.
I could taste Raven's healing on the tip of my tongue. I felt a small smile inch against my mouth.
The kiss ended and we smiled at each other.
"I feel like we're a cute couple cut out of a movie scene." Raven commented.
"I feel like that, too, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
