Thank you Miskwi once again for your kind review! I'm so glad you liked it! :)

Okay so, make way for Damian Wayne. He's younger than the rest of them because…well, because that's how it is in my head lol. And no, there's no romantic DamiRae in this before anyone freaks out about that.

Also, I'm having fun with this, but I appreciate the support and motivation greatly, because it's a lot of work, especially since – and I don't know why I haven't told you guys this yet – I'm actually not a native English speaker. I mean, I'm fluent and I've even worked as a translator for a while, but I'm actually…Brazilian! Hehe. So please forgive any eventual spelling mistakes. I'm trying to go back and correct most of them a lot but you know…I ain't perfect :D

Anywaaay happy reading! :)

Accidentally in Love

So, apparently Batman had a son. A biological son, that is.

"…and he's supposed to come here." Richard said slowly.

"Batman's son is coming here!?" Cyborg was the first to speak.

"That is literally why I just said, yes." Dick frowned.

"Not to undermine your importance as an adoptive sibling but shouldn't he be getting acquainted with Bruce?" Raven raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, well, apparently he's been doing that but proving to be a bit… difficult, so Bruce wants him to come here and be around positive influences closer to his age."

Raven didn't seem convinced. "Is that what we are?"

"Well…I hope so." Dick shrugged.

"Oh we are certainly the most positive of influences." Starfire cheered.

Raven frowned. "Are we though?"

"Yeah obviously, anyone would love an internship at Titan Tower!" Cyborg leaned back.

"Yeah, we're the coolest." Garfield said before high-fiving Cyborg.

Everyone stared at the empath expectantly.

Raven sighed. "You don't want my opinion."

"Of course we do!" Starfire beamed at her.

"Then…I think you're all delusional. We are weird and problematic."

"What!? What are you talking about?" Garfield squeaked indignantly.

Raven started pointing at her teammates while she spoke in her monotone. "Sakutia, DNA mutation, kidnapping, dead parents. Raised by Batman, dead parents. Traded as a slave by her own sister, dead parents. Body parts replaced after accident, doesn't talk to his father, dead mother. Not to mention..." She pointed at herself at the end. "Do I even need to say mine?"

By the time she finished talking their faces were gloomy and all she sensed from her friends was sadness. Good one, Raven. Go on, suck all the life out of the room.

"I mean, I like us." The empath continued talking. "I don't think I could be in any other group to be honest. I'm just saying. Are we the best group to help this kid?"

Richard smiled a little. "I guess we are a little weird. But maybe that's why it will work!"

"Yeah!" Garfield got a little of his enthusiasm back. "I mean, obviously we'll take anyone."

Raven chuckled openly at that. Beast Boy beamed, his enthusiasm fully restored.

"I suppose we are more of the unlikely gathering of lovable misfits." Starfire smiled adorably.

"That's right! This kid will fit right in!" Cyborg agreed. "I told you that once, Rae. And look how that turned out!"

"So…" Garfield looked at Raven.

The empath exhaled. "I guess Batman's son will stay with us."

Richard grinned.

He got there two days later. They were back from stopping a bank robbery and Beast Boy was making vegan food while singing Best Day of My Life and shooting Raven flirty looks. Now that everyone knew what happened between them, the lyrics seemed more personal. Raven blushed deeply every time and then she hissed at him to stop and averted her gaze. He loved it. He thought slightly-embarrassed Raven was the cutest thing in the world. Right now Cyborg was chuckling at that exact scene while putting an arm around Jinx on the couch and Starfire was smiling fondly from where she was feeding Silkie. And that was when Damian Wayne arrived and everyone stopped what they were doing. The elevator door opened to reveal Robin and another spiky-haired kid. He was younger than all of them.

"Hey, you must be Damian!" Cyborg greeted him.

"I must be." Damian said grumpily before putting his hands on his hoodie's pockets and looking around. "So where's my room?"

Kory happily flew over to him. "Greetings! I am Starf-"

"I know who you are, princess." Damian said sarcastically as he walked past her.

"Don't talk to her like that." Raven warned the younger boy before Dick could even say anything.

Starfire shot her a grateful look.

Damian turned his attention to the empath and smirked. "Ah, yes. Demon Chick."

Beast Boy opened his mouth to tell Batman's son to not talk to her like that – even though he thought he would probably get destroyed by this grumpy cool kid – but fortunately she beat him to it.

"The name's Raven. Apologize to Starfire."

Damian huffed. "It's not like you'll actually do anything to me."

It was Raven's turn to smirk. "You lack creativity."

Damian frowned curiously.

Raven went to the kitchen and started casually making her tea. "Tell me, Damian. Was your childhood smooth? Any emotional trauma or bad experiences so far?"

The younger boy just scowled, but she could detect a hint of uneasiness.

"Like I'd tell you." He rolled his eyes.

The empath turned around and smiled calmly. "You won't have to. I'll see it; I'll see all of it. So unless you want to vividly relive it all in your nightmares every night for as long as you're here, I suggest apologizing to Starfire. Your choice, though."

Damian narrowed his eyes at her and studied her while everyone else held their breath. "You can do that?"

"Easily." Raven shrugged and sipped her tea.

Damian thought about it. He did want to get some sleep while he was here. He turned to Starfire and shrugged. "Sorry. You were saying?"

Dick silently mouthed thanks to Raven and Starfire went on introducing herself merrily. Cyborg, Jinx and Beast Boy joined her and started asking Damian a million questions. He waved his hands in front of him to stop them.

"I was raised and trained by my mother and grandfather in the League of Assassins. My father didn't know I existed until three years ago. And I still have no idea what I'm doing here." Damian tried to cover as many bases as he could with the least words.

"Hey bro, let me show you to your temporary room." Richard put a hand on Damian's shoulder.

Damian shrugged it off and grunted. "Don't call me that."

"I…" Dick sighed. "Just follow me."

"Well…I like him." Jinx said with her usual provocative smile as soon as they were gone.

Garfield frowned. "I thought he was kind of a jerk."

Cyborg and Starfire nodded in agreement.

"I don't think so." Raven said blankly.

They looked at her quizzically.

"I think he's like us. Weird and problematic." The empath finished her tea.

She was right, of course. And the others didn't take long to see it. Whenever there was trouble Damian was ready to go and helpful, though he often got carried away and needed to be stopped before he killed someone. Beast Boy told Raven he was uncomfortable around him but she reminded him he was raised by a group called the League of Assassins. Richard kept trying to bond with Damian in vain, so Raven told him to slow down because it was only natural for Damian to resent him a little for being raised as Bruce's son. So he started asking Damian to train with him instead. They sparred to exhaustion. The others got tired just watching, but the two of them could train for hours before they even broke a sweat. They were very equally matched, even though Richard usually won in the end. The younger boy wouldn't admit it, but he did enjoy the worthy competition.

Damian did get a little closer to Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg. Sometimes he played video games with the boys. When it came to Starfire, he'd initially decided to be polite because of Raven's warning, but after a while he warmed up to her. It was hard not to. He and Raven hadn't talked much yet, but he definitely respected her and appreciated her sarcasm. He didn't really participate much in their casual activities though. Sometimes they went for pizza and he relaxed for a while and chuckled at something someone said, but Raven could sense he was scared to enjoy things. The one night that really did it was when they all told him their backstories at dinner. He found it harder to be cold to them after learning about their trauma. But still, he remained distant and guarded. So Starfire and Beast Boy organized a few bonding teenage activities. The first one was laser tag.

"Do I have to?" Raven asked with a bored expression on her face.

"Yeah, I'm with Doomsday. This is lame." Damian grunted.

He still wouldn't call any of them by their actual names, but Raven liked Doomsday better than Demon Chick.

"Yes!" Starfire said while she helped – or rather forced – Raven into the equipment. "You both must do the playing of the game! It will be joyous!"

Both Raven and Damian resigned to rolling their eyes.

"Hey, babe, come here!" Robin called Kory.

After she left eagerly, Damian muttered under his breath. "I still don't know why she dates my stupid brother."

Raven smiled slightly at hearing him use the word brother. "Richard's not that bad, you know."

"I know." Damian exhaled. "But that makes him more annoying."

Raven smirked. "I get that."

Damian actually had fun at laser tag. They all agreed on not using powers. He rolled his eyes when he realized they'd teamed him up with Dick, but he got into it anyway. If there was one thing they shared, it was how borderline-psycho competitive they were. Beast Boy ended up on their team and hated it. One smug guy telling him what to do was enough, now there were two of them, and he didn't do as well as they'd hoped. He was fast to dodge but his aim wasn't the best. Raven took the most hits by far, mostly because she just sat there at plain sight with her legs crossed trying to meditate.

"Hey Doomsday, you're supposed to hide."

"I'm fine here."

"I've shot you like fifty times."

"Congratulations."

Beast Boy actually shot her a lot too. At one point she raised an eyebrow at him.

"This is a little alarming, you know?"

"Sorry, it's just that you're the only one I can hit."

Starfire and Cyborg were actually trying and put up a fight, not to mention Robin kept stopping to apologetically smile at Starfire every time he shot her, which usually gave Cyborg enough time to shoot him, but in the end Robin's team secured their victory. They cheered and high-fived and Damian nearly forgot he was supposed to dislike this guy. Garfield forgot all about how terrible his teammates were because he liked being on the winning side.

"So…didn't losing bother you? You know, because of the Pride thing." Garfield was side by side with Raven while they walked to the pizza place for dinner.

She huffed. "Please. I don't even need good aim."

"Still, I mean, when we play video ga-"

"I pick my battles." Raven's bored voice gained a hint of amusement. "Don't you get that yet?"

Something about her gaze was…suggestive. Garfield blushed deeply and she smirked and walked away. She did this a lot now. These ambiguous mysterious one-liners that would leave him wondering what she meant.

"What's up, Green Guy? Why are you all hot and bothered?" Damian chuckled.

"I'm not…" Beast Boy sighed. "Can you stop calling me that? I don't love it."

"Why? You're green."

"I'm aware. But you say it with a very aggressive undertone." Woah all that reading IS improving my vocabulary.

"Don't be sensitive, Green Guy."

After dinner, the Titans decided to go dancing. Raven was leaning against the wall outside the club – because it was just too crowded in there – when Damian came out.

"Oh. Hey, Doomsday."

"Damian."

He leaned against the wall next to her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why do you hang out with them?"

She just turned her head to stare at him silently.

"I mean, no offense, they're good people. And alien." Damian elaborated. "But…in case you haven't noticed, they're kind of silly."

"I've noticed." Raven nodded. "Dick isn't that silly, to be fair."

"Yeah but he's annoying with the righteousness and the heroism."

"He's not perfect. He's tormented too. You're not giving him a chance."

Damian scoffed. "He's not awful, I guess. But…"

"He was privileged when compared to you."

He looked at her. "Yeah…"

"Because I love them, by the way."

"Huh?"

"I hang out with them because I love them. They're my family." Raven stared at him intently. "I know you want to live in the shadows, Damian, and that's fine. I live in the shadows too. But the thing about darkness is…if you're there by choice it can be freeing, but if you're there because you have nowhere else to go, it will consume you. Don't mistake loneliness for solitude."

The young boy put his hands in his pockets and looked away. "Whatever."

"You can't do that to me, I'm an empath. I know you've never had any of this and I know you enjoy it. I also know you're scared. I'm not sure why. Maybe you think it will make you weak, or maybe you're afraid to lose it. But I assure you they would only make you stronger. And they never leave."

Damian grumbled. "Did anyone ever tell you this is a really invasive power you have?"

Raven smirked. "At least I don't use all of it."

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I could manipulate emotions too. But I draw the line at removing someone's free will."

"Cool. I mean, the power, not the righteous crap."

She chuckled along with him.

"…you're okay, Doomsday."

"Because I'm dark and gloomy?" Raven stared at him sternly. "I'm telling you a secret none of them should ever know."

Damian looked interested. "What?"

"We need them way more than they need us."

He thought about it that night. What was he scared of? He did kind of like it here. These people spent their days kicking ass, playing video games and eating pizza with no supervision. What's not to like? Maybe Raven was right. He was a little scared to get attached and then lose another home. But she said that wouldn't happen. He was also scared it would make him weak. He was trained to have no weaknesses and he still wasn't sure what she meant when she said this would make him stronger. Attachments definitely make you weaker, right? Maybe it made sense for her since they told him that was how she accessed white magic, but he didn't do any magic. Still, there was a part of him that wanted to stay. In any case, the second group activity they organized was a beach day and they invited everyone for this. It was the first time Damian met the Titans East.

"I can't believe we never do this. We live at the beach!" Cyborg exclaimed.

"That's what I've been saying for the last seven years!" Beast Boy flailed his arms around.

Aqualad shrugged. "I mean, I'm at the beach all the time."

"I'm still not sure about this. It seems irresponsible to go out without my weapons…" Robin frowned. He had a general, vague bad feeling lately. And he was obsessing over the fact that he kept seeing an omega symbol whenever they went to handle trouble these days.

"I thought your body was the weapon, Boy Wonder." Damian teased.

Dick rolled his eyes. The only other person who called him that sometimes was Raven, but when she did it, it was friendly. Damian made it sound like mockery.

"Chill, Robin. You get to see Starfire in a bathing suit." Beast Boy waggled his eyebrows.

"Very mature, Beast Boy." Robin said seriously. But if he was being completely honest, he was excited for that part.

It did not disappoint.

"Hello friends! I am ready for much fun!" Kory came in looking amazing in her pink bikini and gave her boyfriend a quick kiss on the lips.

Actually, it wasn't just Dick. Terra elbowed Speedy when he whistled. Mas and Menos were nearly drooling. Aqualad didn't have anyone to stop him, so he did whistle.

Kory smiled at Damian. "Friend Damian, have you met our other friends?"

"Looking good, Your Highness. I've met them. Aquaboy, Blondie, Bug Girl, Kid Arrow, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Unlucky Charm and…is your actual name Kid Flash?"

Wally scratched the back of his neck. "Well, it's…The Flash is sorta taken."

"It's just that…well, you're not a kid, dude."

"I'm aware…"

"What do you have against using people's actual names, man?" Cyborg asked him.

"I just haven't memorized them yet, Rusty." Damian chuckled.

"I thought nicknames were a friendly gesture on Earth." Kory looked at Cyborg questioningly.

"Not the way he does it." Raven came in putting several sunscreen tubes inside her blue bag. "He does it as a micro-aggression." She raised an eyebrow at Damian. "But I kind of like mine."

"What's up, Doomsday?"

"I like mine too." Kory smiled. "Your Highness has a nice ring to it."

Robin rolled his eyes. Raven and Starfire were ridiculously fond of Damian at this point. He was never going to leave. Not that he wanted him to; he just wished Damian would warm up to him already.

"Are we going or what?" Jinx said. "C'mon, Rusty." She put her arm around Cyborg's and he chuckled dreamily.

When they got to the beach, most of the guys were pretending to admire the view – or rather they were admiring a view, just not the sea – to watch Starfire, Bumblebee, Terra and Jinx sunbathing. Damian wasn't as interested. He glanced at them every now and then, but he was enjoying the sun and the salty air. He still looked serious in his black shorts and tank top, but he was starting to feel more like a kid. And Beast Boy was busy admiring Raven. As soon as they got there, she quickly got under a beach umbrella, rolled her eyes at the emotions emanating from the boys, took off her cape and started smearing herself with sunscreen. Garfield watched intently while she rubbed the cream on her thighs, chest and arms. He had been so distracted he didn't notice her talking to him.

"Gar. Hey, Gar? Hello?"

He suddenly snapped out of it and shook his head. "Hi! Hi. Hey."

Raven held back a smile. "Yes, hello. Can you get Starfire to help me? I need her to do my back."

"I'll do it!" He offered eagerly and rushed to her beach yoke, reaching out for the sunscreen excitedly.

She pulled it away from his reach and bit her lip. "Maybe you shouldn't…"

Garfield's heart sank. He kept forgetting that even though they got flirty here and there, they weren't a thing. "Oh…right. Yeah, duh. Sorry."

Raven's chest felt tight. She hated hurting him. "I mean, it's just that…don't you think it's a little risky?"

Yes. He shrugged as nonchalantly as he could. "Nope, it's just skin care."

The empath reluctantly passed him the sunscreen and he tried to contain his excitement so she didn't change her mind. He kneeled down behind her and put some cream on his hand then started rubbing it on her bare back slowly, because he wasn't trying to finish this fast. I missed touching her so much.

Raven had missed it too. He closed her eyes and enjoyed every second. "Thanks."

"You look really sexy." He whispered in her ear.

She shivered slightly then cursed herself for it, because she knew he'd felt it. "I'm sure I don't. This is the most boring swimsuit I could find."

She was wearing a basic black low back one-piece swimsuit.

"I know. I know you tried really hard not to look sexy." The shapeshifter whispered in her ear again as he rubbed her lower back. "But you totally failed."

Raven inhaled and focused on staying centered.

"A boring swimsuit doesn't help much when you're the one filling it, you know." He smirked.

Beast Boy sat down next to her because he was finished with the sunscreen after dragging it out as much as he could.

"Stop that."

"I already did." Garfield showed her his hands.

"No, I mean the inappropriate compliments."

"Oh. That's difficult." He chuckled. "Stop looking like that and I'll stop."

Raven tried to glare at him but he grinned lovingly at her and her glare turned into a playful smirk, so she just pushed him gently and he fell on the sand laughing.

"Where are you going?" Garfield smiled up at her as she stood up.

"I'm going to swim."

The shapeshifter was on his feet in a heartbeat. "You are!?"

"Yes." She shrugged. "I like the sea."

She walked elegantly towards the ocean and it might have momentarily averted quite a few of the boys' gazes.

Beast Boy followed after her. "I didn't know you like the sea!"

Raven walked in the water and then she started swimming to go even deeper. Garfield turned into a fish to catch up with her, and then turned human again. Raven looked peaceful. Happy, even. She stared at the horizon and leaned her head back to get her hair wet.

"I'm sorry I said you look sexy. It doesn't do you justice." The shapeshifter told her truthfully.

Raven narrowed her eyes at him. "Flatterer."

"I mean it. I said it before. You're hauntingly beautiful."

Raven didn't completely trust herself to handle his surprisingly effective flirting so she just splashed water on his face.

He gasped, looking equally outraged and amused. "Who's immature now!?"

She giggled freely and his heart fluttered. Her face was full of tiny drops of water making her practically glow. He watched in awe while she floated peacefully in the water for a while.

"I didn't know you like the sea but it makes sense."

"It does?"

"Mmhmm. The sea is all soothing and healing but also dangerous and untamed. Like you."

Well, fuck. When did he get THIS good at this!? Raven stopped floating to look at him. "Am I?"

"Mmhm. It's also dark in the deep and a lot of people are afraid of it but if you're brave enough to explore it you get to see a whole new world of color and beauty you can't find anywhere in the surface." Beast Boy said with a peaceful, sincere expression on his face.

A few surfers were dropped from their surfboards because a dark energy peak suddenly moved through the waves. Raven swallowed and tried to control her wide-eyed face. Who IS this boy!? "When did you get this insightful again?"

Garfield smiled proudly. She liked that. "So do you want to go deeper?"

Raven gave him a small curious smile.

"Here, take my fin." Beast Boy said before turning into a dolphin.

Raven gasped and held onto him. Then he swam away with her to the middle of the ocean somewhere. She smiled whole-heartedly at the sensation of wind on her face as he swam, but also at the bit of freedom once they got there. There was no one around from whom to pick up emotions. Beast Boy turned human again. The sun was reflecting on the water and on his green skin, making it sparkle. She hadn't stopped to think about his appearance yet. She knew she didn't care that much about appearances and she was attracted to him because of…well, something. But she figured it came from an emotional connection. She never thought there was anything wrong with his looks, she just didn't really spend time thinking about them because…well, what would be the point?

But now she did look at him. She really looked at him. His shade of green was so pleasant to look at. She took in his carefree smile, his jawline and his pointy ears. It all gave him a slightly elvish look. She decided she found that very attractive. She noticed his fangs. They weren't too big, just enough to remind you he's not all human and make him look a little dangerous. She found that attractive too. She noticed his messy wet hair and she felt like touching it. And she noticed his eyes. Those childish, wide, comforting eyes that gave away all his emotions. Right now they were staring at her lovingly. She tilted her head to the side. Okay, fine. I'm attracted to him.

"What…? Is there something on my face!?" Beast Boy hastily wiped his face with his hands.

Raven rolled her eyes and smiled slightly. "No, relax."

"Then why were you staring at me?"

She shrugged. "Oh, leave me alone. You stare at me all the time."

Beast Boy's heart jumped. Don't get your hopes up, you probably got that wrong. "Well that's because I'm crazy about you."

Raven huffed. "Well I'm not crazy about you, Garfield. I was just looking at you." She started floating in the water again.

He bit his lip, suddenly feeling insecure about this. Was she wondering how she ever got with me when I look like this?

"Not in a bad way." Raven read his emotions.

That lit a spark of hope in him. "Then…in a…good way…?"

Raven didn't really want to tell him. She started swimming again to face him. "It's not a big deal, Gar."

He gathered up all his courage. "I just need to know you're not just now realizing you find me repulsive."

The empath sighed. "That's not what I realized."

Beast Boy's eyes watched her apprehensively. "Then…what was it?"

Raven dove and swam as deep as she could before coming back up again, so she had time to think about how to put this. When she emerged, he was nearly bursting with anxiety.

She sighed again. "I can't tell you anything, you'll just freak out."

"I promise I won't."

"It's just that…" Just give him something. Raven shrugged nonchalantly. "You're kind of cute."

The entire ocean couldn't have contained his blissful relief. He smiled enormously, his eyes glistened and his cheeks flushed as he fought against the urge to pull her close. "I'll take it."

Meanwhile, back at the beach Damian had stared quizzically at Raven swimming away to the middle of the ocean with a green dolphin.

"So…is everyone on your team in a relationship, Boy Wonder?" He asked his older brother.

Richard sighed. He wasn't thrilled about this Raven and Beast Boy situation. The now second youngest Titan wasn't exactly chill and there were way too many likely scenarios that could trigger Raven involved.

"Not really." Dick told his adoptive brother. "Those two are…something else."

"Yeah, they had an alternate Universe thing." Cyborg chuckled.

Damian frowned. "What's an alternate Universe thing?"

"It's not a thing." Robin said plainly. "More like an excuse for lack of self-control. They had a thing while we were in that parallel reality we told you about."

Damian's eyebrows shot up. "Huh. I would have never guessed they were each other's types."

"No one would." Aqualad said casually.

"Anyway, hence the constant sexual tension, but they're not together. I think. Right?" Kid Flash turned to Robin.

"Right."

"What are you guys talking about?" Bumblebee asked when the girls came over to join them.

"The surprising sexual tension between Green Guy and Doomsday." Damian chuckled.

Starfire giggled. "Did you see them swimming away? It was cute, right?"

"And dangerous." Dick pointed out.

"How do you feel about this?" Speedy asked Terra.

The blonde shrugged. "I'm less surprised than all of you. I mean, I already knew they felt for each other. I thought Raven's feelings were platonic, but still. It's why I broke up with him."

"You dated him too?" Damian asked incredulously.

Terra chuckled sheepishly. "The short answer is yes. I'll tell you the whole story sometime. Unless…" She looked at Robin. "Have you told him…?"

"We told him nothing about you. Kory and Rae thought you would want to tell your own version."

Terra smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

Damian raised a curious eyebrow but left it alone. She clearly didn't want to talk about it now, and that was something he could respect. "So you and Doomsday, huh? I have to say, kind of impressive. Maybe I underestimated him."

"Most people do." Cyborg said casually before kissing Jinx.

"Well I'm going for a swim." Aqualad suddenly stood up and walked towards the ocean.

Bumblebee sighed. "He's going after them, isn't he?"

"Definitely. He likes BB but he doesn't like losing to him." Speedy said worriedly.

"So Aquaboy and Doomsday…?"

"Not really." Starfire quickly clarified. "That was just one date, and Raven only went to distract from…" She trailed off, realizing she was about to give away Raven's secret.

It was too late, though. Terra's eyes widened at the alien princess. Then Starfire's eyes widened as well and she covered her mouth with her hand.

"What?" Cyborg was confused. "Why are they shocked?" He asked the other guys, who looked just as confused.

"Your team is messy." Damian whispered to Dick, who just rolled his eyes because he couldn't really argue with that.

"Are you saying she went out with Aqualad because of me and BB?" Terra asked quietly.

Kory bit her lip. "I…maybe? A little bit. Please don't tell her I said anything."

"Oh. Woah, wait up! Are you saying Raven likes BB since then?" Cyborg asked, thoroughly shocked.

"I'm not saying that. It was just…a teeny tiny hint of…jealousy?" The Tamaranean said unsurely, before wincing at all the gasping that followed.

Robin and Cyborg were about to make some comment on how shocking this new information was, but Terra was faster.

"But…but she helped. I mean, I asked her to help me plan dates and stuff, and she did."

"She said she wanted you two to be happy." Starfire nodded.

Terra frowned. "But…that must have sucked for her."

Kory's face confirmed to Terra that it did indeed suck.

"Well, this is interesting information…" Jinx said mischievously. As fun as embarrassing Beast Boy or any other Titan was, it was never as fun as embarrassing Raven. She didn't get to do it often, so she definitely appreciated the opportunity.

"Which you will not use because we don't want Rae to stop confiding in Kor. Right?" Cyborg raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend.

Jinx looked at everyone's judgmental faces. Bumblebee's was especially harsh. The enchantress rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Fine."

Cyborg kissed her. Kid Flash looked away slightly.

"You know what the saddest part is?" Terra said quietly. "I actually think they're cute together. But Raven can't feel intensely about anything without exploding something, so I don't know how they could ever do this."

"They couldn't." Dick pointed out coldly, and then he softened up a little under his girlfriend's angry gaze. "What? Someone needs to stay realistic in this conversation."

When Aqualad spotted a giant green whale, he knew he'd found them. The aquatic Titan emerged from the water to see a peaceful Raven sunbathing on the whale's back.

"Hey, Aqualad." Raven said without opening her eyes.

Beast Boy turned human again and Raven floated back into the water when the whale disappeared.

"Am I interrupting something?" Aqualad asked boldly.

"Kinda." Beast Boy answered, slightly annoyed.

"Not really." Raven answered calmly at the same time.

That was enough to ignite the bitter spark of jealousy in Garfield. The butterflies in his stomach were replaced by uncomfortable twirling and his heart hurt instead of soaring. Raven's powers picked up on it and she stared at him quizzically for a moment before clearing her throat uncomfortably.

"Actually, we were just heading back." The empath stated calmly, frustrating them both.

"I'll take you back. We're a long way from the shore." Aqualad said dashingly.

"Dude, it's fine. I'll take her back." Beast Boy's voice was more obviously bothered.

Raven frowned. "That's completely unnecessary."

The empath involved herself in a cozy dark energy force-field and started taking it back without waiting for either of them.

"Wait, Rae! There's no need to use your powers, I can-" Beast Boy shouted after her. Then he glared at Aqualad once she was gone. "Why are you here?"

The aquatic Titan huffed. "What? You don't own her, you know?"

Garfield frowned. What's he talking about? He's the one showing up uninvited.

"I didn't- I don't- She's not- Ugh. Whatever!" Beast Boy secretly cursed his lack of eloquence and turned into a dolphin to swim back to shore.

Raven was enjoying the sea a bit longer, but when the two boys arrived, she decided it was time to get out of the water.

"Check that out." Jinx said to the other Titans, pointing at the ridiculous scene in front of them.

Raven had decided to walk out of the water so they didn't draw attention - as if that was possible given one of them was green - but the sea was a bit more agitated now. The waves kept hitting her back and almost making her lose balance. Aqualad was on one side of her and Beast Boy was on the other, and they both had their hand stretched out for her to take for support. The Titans chuckled whole-heartedly at the sight.

"At times like this I wonder what Trigon's thinking on her forehead." Cyborg wiped a happy tear from his human eye.

And then Raven gripped Beast Boy's hand for balance.

"Holy shit!" Speedy chuckled even louder.

Bumblebee, Starfire and Terra made an aww chorus. Cyborg openly cheered. Dick rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway. Damian smirked.

Once a blissful Garfield, a stoic Raven and a grumpy Aqualad were all back, Damian looked up at the shapeshifter. "Hey Beast Boy, how's the water?"

Garfield froze in his place and stared at Damian with narrowed eyes. "Did you just call me Beast Boy?"

"Yeah, so? That's your hero name or whatever, right?"

Garfield grinned widely. "Yes! Yes it is! The water is awesome!"

Damian chuckled. He still thought he was goofy as fuck. Most of the time it seemed like he was younger than Damian. Nevertheless, he did gain a new level of respect for him. "Cool."

They all got in the water and paired up to play shoulder wars after that. Robin and Starfire won repeatedly. Cyborg paired up with Jinx, Speedy and Damian alternated pairing up with Terra, and Aqualad and Beast Boy with Bumblebee. Kid Flash and Mas and Menos were racing on the sand, because Wally didn't really want to watch Cyborg and Jinx together and Mas and Menos weren't tall enough for this particular game. Raven stayed on the sand – in spite of Garfield's insistent protests – and eventually used her powers to keep her friends from getting hurt while they played this barbaric game.

Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows)