Young, Dumb and Broke

Beast Boy woke up to the worst headache he'd had in ages. He grunted as he slowly rolled out of bed and realized he felt sore. Also, it was way past breakfast time. He changed into shorts and a T-shirt and headed to the ops room.

"There he is! Morning, sleeping beasty." Cyborg greeted him happily. "How are we on this shameful morning?" He playfully waggled his eyebrows at his best friend.

"Huh? Mm, my head hurts." Beast Boy mumbled.

"I should think so." Bumblebee gave him a look that was both amused and judgmental.

"What?" He rubbed his head. "Why? What did I do?" He had a nagging sensation he did something stupid, but he had hoped it was just his anxiety messing with him.

"You don't remember drooling all over your platonic girlfriend in front of your real girlfriend then nearly embarrassing Raven to death by singing Demon Woman to her?" Jinx said mischievously as she went for more pancakes.

Apparently breakfast had been going on for a while.

He slapped his own forehead and ran his hand down his face. "Nooo, tell me I didn't."

"Afraid you did, bro." Cyborg smiled slightly.

"Where's Terra? And where's Raven?"

"Terra is in the training room. Robin and Speedy are having some kind of ego contest in there and I suppose witnessing it sounded better than talking to you." Jinx smirked. "Raven hasn't come out of her room. You may have actually embarrassed her to death. Someone should go check if she died from cringe."

"Starfire already did." Cyborg answered seriously as if that had been an actual concern.

"Great. I'll go start apologizing. I should start with my girlfriend. Right?" He asked miserably.

"We're not even sure you still have a girlfriend, man." Wally said. "But yeah. Good thinking."

Beast Boy cursed internally. Why did he even drink that much? Oh, right…he remembered. Aqualad said something about asking Raven out. Wait. Did THAT happen?! He walked out lazily and thought about going to Raven first. She could tell him how to talk to Terra. Also now he kinda needed to know if anything happened between her and fish-guy.

"Wait BB, you should eat something! What if one of them tries to kill you? You might need the energy!" The cybernetic Titan teased after him.

"I'm legit nauseated, dude." Beast Boy dismissed it. He did feel nauseous. And he wasn't sure if it was just from the hangover.

Raven was standing by her door before Garfield even mastered the courage to knock. She opened it and he took a step back. She didn't look happy – though she did look cute. She had one hand on her door and the other on her hip.

"Hi…" He started shyly.

"Have you talked to Terra yet?"

"I was kinda hoping you'd help me with that…" Beast Boy tried to give her his best sympathy-gaining smile.

Honestly, the nerve of this guy. "I did more damage control than you even deserved yesterday already. You're on your own now. And don't even think about asking me to cure your hangover."

He could tell she meant that. What did she mean by damage control? Did she talk to Terra?

"Oh. Thankou. And um…sorry." Garfield looked down and dropped his shoulders. "You know. For embarrassing you."

Raven stared at him. She had been upset a minute ago. Now why did her wrath suddenly desert her?

"You tarnished a good moment I was having with her, you know. I don't make friends as easily as you. I'd like to keep this one." She told him sincerely.

Beast Boy looked at her in surprise. He hadn't thought about that. "Shit Rae, I'm sorry…did I make you two fight? I didn't mean to."

"After your last song choice…" She cleared her throat while he looked away embarrassed. "She was rightfully upset. But no, we didn't fight. I don't think she's my biggest fan right now, but we didn't fight."

"Right, okay." He rubbed his arm awkwardly.

"You should have talked to her before you talked to me, you know? She's your girlfriend."

"It's just that…" He looked up at her. "I guess I have more experience apologizing to you. Sorry I got drunk and behaved like an idiot." He gave her a small shy smile.

Raven didn't want to let it show but all her anger had already melted away. She smiled. "Well I forgive you, but I'm really not your biggest problem today."

He sighed. He knew it. "Do you think I still have a girlfriend?"

"I do." She smirked. "Just…prepare to grovel."

"Oh I am very prepared." He nodded emphatically.

"Good. You'll need it. Do it while I'm not here, I think it's best. I'm going shopping with Kory. We decided we should get me some going out clothes because I keep having to borrow hers and they don't really fit."

That brought a terrifying thought back to his mind. "Right. So, um…did Aqualad ask you out?" He practically whispered.

"Yes, he did." She nodded pointedly.

Fuck. "Did you reject him…?"

Silence. He started freaking out.

"Raven?!"

"I said I'd think about it. I don't know yet."

Well that broke his heart in a million pieces. "I thought you said you couldn't do that kind of thing because of your powers." He tried not to sound bitter, he really did. But he failed.

"And I can't. It'd just be a dinner."

I could have taken you to dinner. "So you're going to dinner with him even though you know you'll have to reject him later? How is that fair? Don't you think th-"

"Gar." She looked into his eyes.

His face immediately softened when she used her nickname for him.

"I think you should stop before you hurt my feelings and have one more thing to apologize for." Raven said softly, without breaking eye contact.

Beast Boy bit his lip. She was right. He was going to say something offensive and insensitive about her being mean, when he couldn't possibly understand her reasons.

"Yeah. Okay." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, why is it always me apologizing?" He chuckled slightly when he saw she had a tiny smile on her lips.

"Not always." Raven frowned. "Or have you forgotten?"

"Oh how could I ever forget?" He knew exactly what she was talking about. Garfield smiled dreamily at the ceiling. "It was a one-time beautiful, beautiful thing."

Raven rolled her eyes. It wasn't her favorite memory.

Flashback starts

A little while had passed since Raven had forgiven Beast Boy for using her like crack after being dumped when she found herself in a very uncomfortable position. She had been irritated lately for sure. It wasn't just Trigon pressing on her mind. It was Kory and Dick. They had been fighting all week. It all started with a visit from Barbara Gordon. It was obvious there were feelings – as in meaningful, romantic feelings – between her and Robin. Nothing happened, at least Raven didn't think so, but they acted very flirty and intimate towards each other and it hurt Starfire's feelings.

Koriand'r didn't really need Raven to confirm her fears. But she wanted her to. Raven was conflicted about talking to Starfire about it because she wanted to be loyal to Kory but Dick was like a brother to her and outing his emotions to his girlfriend felt wrong. Dick had pointed out Starfire was often flirtatious with other guys and she said he was crazy. Raven thought Kory was actually just genuinely really nice and guys read that wrong, but she wasn't sure she should get involved. Even after Barbara left, things were tense for a few days. Starfire was hurt, Dick was confused and frustrated and Raven was trying to handle absorbing all of it. And she was upset herself, because two of her favorite people were fighting.

It was also one of Beast Boy's busiest weeks. He simply would not leave Raven alone. Cyborg was spending a few days with the Titans East and he wanted her to entertain him all the time. She needed to meditate. Especially with this lovers quarrel that was going on in their home. Not that any of that was an excuse for what happened, but it was what it was.

"C'mon Raveeeeeeeen, just come play video games with me, it's no fun alooone." Beast Boy was full out whining. Ever since he and Raven became closer and started spending more time together, he tried not to annoy her as much as he used to. But he couldn't help it sometimes. Like this week. This week had been lonely and he was going insane without company.

Raven rubbed her temples. "Leave me alone, Beast Boy. I'm serious."

But he didn't. He kept whining and grumbling while she tried to meditate and he made snarky remarks about her inability to just chill out and he kept talking about how much he needed company while drumming on the table. The truth was he wanted her to change her mind. He figured he'd earned the right to be a little annoying by now because Cyborg wasn't there and Starfire and Robin were fighting and no fun, and he just really needed her because being alone freaked him out. So he called Cyborg on his communicator and started telling him Raven wouldn't pay attention to him and complaining about it. That was when Robin and Starfire walked in. They were silent but their feelings weren't. But if it wasn't for Beast Boy's tantrum she could have handled it. He got louder and she grew more and more irritated until finally she lost all her cool.

Raven came down from her Lotus stance at once. "Enough!" She hissed.

Garfield took a literal step back and everyone else stared at them.

"I'm so sick of you, do you think this is cute!? You're being pathetic. You aggravating, immature, high-maintenance, attention-seeking man-child. Grow. Up." She glared at him through every word.

Every word hit him like a punch and cut him like a knife. He actually physically flinched as she said them. And by the time she was done, his eyes were embarrassingly welled up.

"Wait." Raven immediately backed off when she saw his face and sensed his wounded feelings. "I didn't mean it like that."

Keep it cool. Don't let them see you cry. He cursed internally for calling Cyborg; maybe he could have at least avoided him witnessing this. Now he was as speechless on the communicator as Robin and Starfire were standing there in the ops room holding their breath.

"Y-Yeah I know. O-Obviously, it's all g-good." Garfield faltered. "N-No worries Rae." He made a huge effort waving his hand to dismiss the whole thing and then practically ran out.

Raven closed her eyes and exhaled. Well, fuck. She knew she'd hurt him for real this time. Even if she wasn't an empath, it had been all over his face. But she was an empath. So she knew how unsure of himself he was. And she knew she'd probably done some real damage there. The decision was easy. She hated apologizing. She despised it, actually, as most proud people do. It was one of the reasons why she always tried to be right about stuff. She didn't want to have to apologize for being in the wrong.

But this time she had to. Because Raven wasn't dumb. These friends of hers, this family, they were the most important thing she'd ever accomplish. Losing them wasn't an option or a risk she was ever willing to take. Losing him wasn't an option. And even though she did think he would forgive her if she just left it alone, she knew what an emotional scar could do to a relationship. It could change them for good. It could make him resent or distrust her. Besides, he had quite a few emotional scars already; she didn't want her own voice to add to that. As much as she hated the idea of apologizing, she hated the idea of wounding him or losing him more. Better to ironically swallow her pride and get it over with. So the decision was easy. The execution however would not be.

"Beast Boy? Raven? Are you there?" Cyborg's concerned voice broke the silence.

Raven picked up Beast Boy's communicator to see the half-robot frowning at her. "Hi Cyborg. I know. Don't worry, I'll fix it."

It didn't take too long for her to knock on his door. He frowned. He didn't want to talk to her now. It was embarrassing but she'd actually made him cry. His eyes were still reddish.

"Garfield, I need to talk to you." Raven's blank voice sounded on the other side of the door.

What does she want? Hasn't she humiliated me enough? He did know he wasn't completely innocent. He knew he pushed her. He still wasn't great at reading her boundaries. And he could tell she was sorry from the way she backed down. Or at least she pitied him. But she wasn't outside his door to apologize, because this was Raven. So what did she want from him?

"What do you want?" He asked through the door.

"I just said it. I want to talk to you."

"I said it's fine, Raven. Sorry I annoyed you."

"It's not fine. You can't lie to me. I'm an empath, remember? Open the door."

Riiiiight. He realized she probably knew just how hurt he was and there was no point trying to deny it. "I thought you wanted me to leave you alone and grow up." He said bitterly.

"Garfield, I'm phasing through the door if you don't open it."

"Ugh, fine." He opened his door widely and stared at her. "What is it? Did you forget an insult you wanted to add to that?"

Okay, I deserve that. "No, I…" Raven suddenly felt very self-conscious under his hurt gaze. She swallowed and cleared her throat, and then she inhaled deeply and held her breath trying to build up the courage. "I wanted to…you know." She forced her eyes to look at him, because he deserved that much. He looked confused. She placed her hands on her hips for support. "I came here to tell you that I'm...not happy about what I said to you."

He blinked blankly at her. Wait, is she trying to apologize? He crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Right. Well, you see." She continued her uncomfortable attempt at an apology. How is he so good at this? This is hard. "I did not intent to hurt your feelings. I mean, I guess in the moment I did. But that was because I was angry at you. I don't think that…I mean, I know that I shouldn't have said what I said."

Beast Boy realized in absolute bliss that Raven was indeed trying to apologize. Her blank expression had an underlying despair to it. And he believed she hadn't exhaled once yet. She almost looked nervous. Almost. Garfield tilted his head to fake confusion. He really wanted her to go on.

"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?" Her eyes were almost pleading him.

Beast Boy had to fight back a smile because he really wanted to see how far she would go. Who knew when this would happen again? If it ever did.

Raven sighed. "What I'm trying to say is…" She braced herself for it and just forced the words out of her mouth. "I'm…I'm sorry."

It almost seemed like it caused her physical pain from the way she said it.

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow and frowned, not being able to disguise how utterly amused he was anymore. "Well. That was the lamest apology I've ever heard in my whole entire life."

Raven grunted and threw her head back. "I know. I'm not good at…this isn't my strong suit, okay?"

"Oh I can see that. I mean, that was tragic." He chuckled.

"You seem to be enjoying it." She pointed out feeling a little relieved but not quite satisfied yet.

"Of course I'm enjoying it, are you kidding? This might be a once in a life time opportunity!"

Raven rolled her eyes. "Listen. I mean it. I'm really sorry, okay?" She told him seriously.

He stared at her for a while, still fighting back a smile. "Thanks."

She argued with herself about whether she was done or not. She decided she wasn't. He hadn't smiled at her yet. "I'm overwhelmed because of Kor and Dick's fight…it's been a hard week. Not that that excuses it. I just, I needed space. That's all."

Beast Boy got jitters from the fact she was still doing it. He wasn't in a hurry to end this interaction. He nodded slowly.

"But I could have said it nicer." She concluded.

He burst into laughter. "No way, you?! Never."

She glared slightly at him for a second but then softened up. "Being kind doesn't come naturally for m-"

"No, you're kind." He interrupted her. "You have loads of kindness and heroism and selflessness. You're just…not a well of tenderness." He chuckled.

Raven was speechless for a second. That was actually clever. "…when did you get insightful?"

Beast Boy liked hearing that. He grinned cheekily.

Raven rolled her eyes fondly then shifted her weight between her feet. "Anyway. You know I'm half-demon, right?"

Garfield rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Tenderness isn't really what I was bred for." She went on. "I'm trying really hard here, you know." She was uncomfortable, but not as much. He clearly wasn't angry anymore.

"I see that, I do." He chuckled friendly. "It's just that, you could have said it nicer? You destroyed me! My self-esteem will be feeling the blow ten years from now!"

That bothered her. Even if it was just a joke. She looked away and got serious. "You shouldn't listen to me. I'm a demon hybrid witch, what do I know?"

"Quite a lot, actually." The shapeshifter answered in an equally quiet and serious voice.

Raven looked at him again. "Well, sometimes I'm wrong. Like today. I was wrong. You're not…those things. You can act like them on occasion, it's true, but they are not what you are. Don't let my anger define you. Most of the time your qualities surpass your faults by far." She realized he was getting emotional again but for good reasons now, so she kept talking. She did owe him. "And you can know that for sure, because if it wasn't true, I wouldn't be standing here mortified in self-inflicted torture just to make sure you forgive me."

Now Beast Boy's eyes welled up a bit again. The way this girl could play his feelings was no joke. But she wasn't playing. He could tell she was sincere. She really was sorry for hurting him. Also, did she just say she wants me to forgive her? Did she use that word?

"I…" He rubbed his eyes to keep the tears from falling and smiled at her. "T-Thankou."

"So…do you?" Raven bit her lip.

"Do I what?" Beast Boy sniffled.

"Do you forgive me?" She asked him pointedly.

He stared at her. She really was being cute about this. It made him appreciate her. Raven wanted him to forgive her. Relish in this moment.

"Listen, if you're planning to make me beg, I should warn you I think it might make us both deeply uncomfortable."

Beast Boy shook his head and laughed. "Sorry, I got distracted for a moment."

"You got distracted?" She raised an eyebrow incredulously.

He chuckled sheepishly and a few seconds passed in silence.

"Garfield, can you please just forgive me already so I can breathe again?" She blurted out.

His eyes widened and then his grin followed. Woah that was begging! I mean,technically. He couldn't torture her anymore. "Yeah, Rae. Of course I forgive you." Beast Boy beamed at her. "I would have either way, but thanks for apologizing. It means a lot."

She smiled at him. Not a tiny Monalisa smile either. An actual smile, with teeth. "So, if you let me meditate for the next two hours we can do something after. Maybe a movie. If you're still lonely and if you still think I count as company, that is."

His eyes sparkled and his toothy grin grew even wider. "Of course I do! It's a deal! Go! The sooner you start the sooner you finish!"

He pushed her out of his room while she frowned at him, but she let it slide because of the circumstances.

Flashback ends

Beast Boy was still relishing in the memory when he realized Raven had left. Time to go face Terra. He was hoping to speak to her alone, but it seemed like that would be impossible. He went into the living room where everyone was having lunch and tried to wrap his arms around her waist. She slipped out of his arms.

"Hey babe." Garfield said sheepishly.

"Hmm." Terra acknowledged him.

She was definitely giving him the cold shoulder. Everyone else was feeling a bit awkward about it except for Jinx, who didn't mind watching people feel embarrassed as much.

"I wish I could stay and witness the rest of this." Wally gestured between Beast Boy and Terra, making them feel even more awkward. "But I gotta run. Thanks for the fun, guys! Let's do this more often. Tell Raven and Starfire I said bye." He winked at Jinx and left.

Cyborg rolled his eyes. "Yeah, bye…"

The Titans East and Jinx decided they were overstaying their welcome and had to go too. So soon enough Terra moved to help Robin and Cyborg with the dishes, since the only one who had washed her own plate was Bumblebee.

"Hey, can we talk?" Beast Boy asked her shyly. "Please?"

"Sure. What do you want to talk about?" The blonde asked dryly, without looking up from the dishes.

"Uh…can we maybe talk in private?"

"I don't think so. I want to do my share here." She gestured to the dishes.

"Terra it's totally fine. Cyborg and I got this. You two should talk." Robin said, earning a glare from the blonde in return. She was clearly only using the dishes as an excuse.

"Ugh, fine." She walked past her boyfriend and went to her room, knowing he would follow. Then she turned to him. "Well, go on then."

"I know you're mad at me. I'm so sorry."

"Do you even remember last night?" She placed her hands on her hips in a confident stance that reminded him of Raven.

"I…remember some of it, yes. And the guys told me…"

"So you know why I'm upset?"

"I…" He looked down and shifted his weight between his feet. Is she gonna make me say it?

"Say it."

Ah. She is. "I was inappropriate."

"Inappropriate?! Try disrespectful. You full out flirted with a mutual friend right in front of me! In front of everyone."

She was right, of course. He knew it. "I'm sorry Terra! I don't know what happened, but I swear it didn't mean anything. I love you. I've always loved you. I'm like, crazy about you! Please don't break up with me." He begged her. "I'll make it up to you! I'll get you flowers and chocolate every day for a month. For a year!"

Terra eyed him suspiciously. He seemed desperate for forgiveness. She didn't actually think there was something going on between him and Raven. But still…she smirked. "A month and then we'll talk about it."

Garfield sighed in relief and hugged her. "Thankou, babe. I love you."

Do you? Her conversation with Raven rang in the back of her mind. "Love you too, jerk." Do I?

Meanwhile Raven and Starfire had been shopping for a while. Raven bought some going out clothes because apparently she did that now. Kory also got some stuff for herself. It was light-hearted and fun and easy. Raven did a spell that made their appearance more normal so they wouldn't be recognized. So now Starfire was a tanned – rather than orange – red head and Raven was just a pale girl with dark hair and dark-blue eyes. And at the moment Kory was trying on a pair of skinny jeans and a pink crop top and Raven was trying on a cute structured little black dress.

"So, friend Raven, are you going to go on the dating with Aqualad?"

Raven sighed. "I don't know. Normally I'd just say no but this whole Beast Boy thing is messy. I'm considering going just to keep my mind off of it."

"Aqualad is a good looking distraction." Starfire said cheekily.

Raven smiled slightly. "Yes, I'm aware." She turned to her friend and showed her the dress. "Do you like this?"

"You look amazing!" Kory clapped excitedly and Raven stared fondly at her exaggerated reaction. "You must get it. How about mine? Does it look good?"

"Everything looks good on you, Kor. But yes, you look gorgeous."

They finished their shopping and decided to go to the coffee shop.

"Kory Anders and Rachel Roth." Starfire gave their civilian names to the cashier after they ordered, then she turned to Raven. "Do you think we should have invited friend Terra?"

"No way." Raven shook her head. "It's better if he talks to her without me there. She probably doesn't want me around right now."

"I see. I suppose that makes sense since friend Beast Boy is obviously still doing the craving of you."

Raven felt her face flush and looked away as Kory went to get their order. When the Tamaranean came back she could still see the pink on her friend's cheeks. It gave her the confirmation she needed.

"So he's still crushing on you, yes?"

"How do you think I lost to him at chess?" Raven said pointedly before sipping her tea.

"Oh I knew it! His feelings flustered you, yes?"

"Kory, no one can know." Raven said intently.

Starfire dismissed it with a wave and nodded. "Of course not. My lips are absolutely sealed."

Raven sighed. "Yes, they did. They're still really intense. It makes me feel weird. Especially around Terra."

Starfire frowned at her friends' peculiar situation. She wasn't sure which one of them got the short end of the stick.

"Did I ever tell you it's all your fault?" Raven smirked at her alien best friend.

"What?!"

"Gar blames you. He said it's all your fault. Apparently it all started that night you helped me get ready for that Red Carpet thing." She finished her tea with a tiny smile.

"Oh…oh." Starfire knew exactly what she was referring to. Raven looked absolutely stunning that night. She smiled apologetically and shrugged. "Whoops. My bad."

I know this one was shorter but I promise we're building up to huge things, a LOT will happen in the next ones :)

Young, Dumb and Broke (Khalid)