Raven had been acting differently and Beast Boy knew it, he didn't like to speculate but he had a feeling he knew what it was, they had been growing closer as of late and everyone had noticed, he didn't mean to sound egotistical but he was sure she'd at least thought about them as a couple, he certainly had, against his better judgment, he should have been happy, he knew that, but his stomach was in knots. As much as he wanted to pretend they were just friends, he couldn't hide how he felt, especially not from himself.

For one, she didn't seem all that focused on the book she was reading. Like there was something on her mind, whatever it was would have to be important, and he had some idea what it might be. Which meant he couldn't put this off any longer.

"Hey Beast Boy?" Raven began in an uncharacteristically nervous tone, "Could I ask you to meet me on top of the tower later? Around 5 pm?"

When Raven had asked him to meet her on top of the tower, he really wasn't sure it was the best idea, nobody was around and it was a quiet spot so he had a feeling he knew why she asked him to meet her but even he wasn't sure how he would respond.

He'd considered talking to Cyborg, Or perhaps Robin or Star, but eventually he thought it best he didn't let anyone influence his decision.

–

He was mulling it over on the couch with nobody else around, Well nobody but Silkie. "I mean, if she is gonna ask what I think she is, I can't say yes, really." He was mostly speaking to himself

Silkie looked at him hesitantly approaching. "Even if she likes me, there's no way it'd work out, and then things would be awkward, though… I guess it'll also be awkward if I reject her. What do you think I should do?"

He turned to look at Starfires pet, who simply blinked at him. "And i'm talking to a Larva" Garfield sighed.

–

It wasn't so long ago that the only thing that came into her mind when she spoke with Beast Boy was annoyance, they were still friends but they didn't really get along as well as she did with Robin or Star and she knew he was no different. Then he'd taken an interest in something she enjoyed and she chose to play along but she found herself enjoying his company.

"But when did those feelings turn into affection?" She asked herself even if she wasn't sure of the answer. But it didn't really matter now. She was going to tell him, and no matter his response, she was sure she'd feel better after she did.

"Garfield, this isn't easy for me to say, I've never been the best at expressing my emotions… but" Everything she had planned to say fell to the side as she decided it would be best to be up front about it. "I like you, please be my boyfriend." As those decisive words left her lips, she understood there was no going back now. She'd said it flat out.

For a moment, neither one of them spoke. The silence was only broken by the sound of the wind, but all at once, Garfield exhaled, fixed his posture, and looked back at her with an unusual expression.

"Rachel, I'm sorry, but I can't." He finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity. She didn't show it on her face, but he could tell she was upset.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the idea" "So why reject her!" He internally scolded himself. "I really do enjoy hanging out with you, reading with you, and just talking to you but…"

"But your answer's… Still no?"

"Yeah, it is" He felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he spoke like he'd just bitten into the pith of an orange. "it's not you honestly… It's my problem. Even if someone I got along with better than you asked me out, I'd probably still say no. I can't date anyone, I'm not trying to say we aren't a good match. I'm pretty sure I'm incapable of being in a relationship."

"Relationships are way beyond me. They're more than I can handle, even if we did go out. I'd never be the kind of boyfriend you want." "It'd just wind up like last time" or at least that's what he told himself. "That's why I can't date anyone, especially you, I don't want to end up hurting you, so I figured it'd be best if I say no."

'Especially you' Raven hadn't missed that detail, and if that was what he was worried about, then he really didn't get it.

"Garfield, and I mean this as nicely as possible, how in the hell did you manage to misunderstand me so badly? You won't be the kind of boyfriend that I want? That's what you said, right? You really don't get this." Raven's powers swirled around her, but she has them restrained enough that they wouldn't cause any damage.

"I don't want you to become my boyfriend, I want my boyfriend to be you" She explained it as if it was obvious, but he still didn't get it.

"Is there a difference?"

"Yes!" Raven threw her hands up in exasperation before pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look Garfield, even if we start dating, I don't want our relationship to change. I like who you are normally, I enjoy how we bicker sometimes, I like how casually we can talk with each other. I don't want to change that. I just enjoy being with you."

"How can you say stuff like that without getting embarrassed?" Garfield mumbled mostly to himself.

"I've gone this far. There's no point in acting bashful now. Do you get it yet? I seriously like you, and I want you to be my boyfriend. Not anyone else, not you trying to act like the ideal boyfriend, just you as you are, flaws and all. If you're rejecting me, I can accept that, but only if you have a real reason!"

Garfield couldn't lie hearing her say that made him pretty happy, but he quickly snapped out of it when he saw her looking at him.

"Garfield be honest, instead of what you think you should do, what do you want?

An unexpectedly tough question: What did he want?

He may tell himself he wanted to remain friends, but was that even true? Or had he just convinced himself that it was for the best?

So was it that he wanted to be with her in a romantic sense, the very idea of a relationship still brought up bad memories, but if it were with her then it may not be so bad. Eventually, his eyes settled on her, and all he could think was.

You're amazing, Seriously, you've always been able to see right through me. No wonder she'd been able to tell rejecting her wasn't what he'd really wanted to do, if the roles were reversed he'd probably have just given up when she said no, without searching for any further meaning.

"I guess what I want is to stop acting so pathetic." Beast Boy chuckled softly to himself, "Rachel, thank you."

He knew what he wanted, he placed his arms on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. "Listen close, alright?" Garfield whispered into her ear. "The wind might drown it out up here, I like you Rachel"

When he pulled away, Rachel had an unreadable expression. "Shouldn't you be happy? You snatched victory from the jaws of defeat"

Raven sighed to herself, resting her head on his shoulders. "I'm not used to gambling like that. If I was wrong about you liking me, I don't think I could have faced you again after saying all that. It'd be too embarrassing."

Beast Boy failed to stop himself from laughing at that, earning a glare from Raven, before she herself burst out laughing as they headed back inside together.

--

So, it's finally over, I really do appreciate the patience of everyone who took the time to read this, I know I took pretty long breaks between chapters, and I'm sorry about that. But anyway I hope you enjoyed this story,

Reviews are appreciated as always let me know what you think and what I need to improve on.

Have a good one, Bye