"Rae...? Are you ok?" Beast Boy asked in a worried tone.

"Yeah I'm fine" Raven replied trying to wipe her tears away.

Her eyes were puffy and she looked tramatized as she trembled getting up off the bed. Her legs were barely supporting her weight and she tried not to look at the window. Beast Boy could tell something was really wrong.

Raven was usually so calm and collected. Now she seemed anxious and scared. It was unbelievable! And to Beast Boy's astonishment, she was in distress because of something.

"But you're crying and you never ever cry..." Beast Boy retorted.

"Well I-I..." Raven trailed off, "It's nothing you-".

"Raven. It's not nothing if you're crying. It's clearly a big deal" Beast Boy interupted as he sat up from the chair he was sitting in.

He then walked over to the dark haired girl and looked deep into her eyes. He tried to clear her tears but there was pain hiding behind them... Raven wasn't that good at hiding her emotions anymore.

"Rae you can tell me when you're ready ok? I just don't want you keeping this bottled up inside... It's not healthy" Beast Boy said.

Raven nodded signaling that she understood and the two got closer, sharing a tender hug. It felt as if they were on cloud nine!

Beast Boy layed his face on the side of Raven's head while she layed near his neck. Beast Boy started nuzzling her likes cat which made her relax more.

It was comforting...

So comforting that they lost track of time and couldn't help but hold each other tight as the minutes passed by.

*He's so warm!* Raven thought excitedly as she hugged the green boy, *Like a big teddy bear. I wish we could stay like this forever...*

When they thought that the hug had lasted long enough, they both let go slowly, not really wanting to let go. Like being forced to pull away from luxury at one's fingertips.

And as they did, a smell of filth filled both their noses. They realized that it was them that the filthy smell was coming from. They both desperately needed a shower.

"Jeez you reek!" both of them said in unison plugging their noses in a jokey way.

Both of them then started laughing as it was the second time they had copied each other without meaning to. Laughing now felt normal to Raven and it was a really nice feeling to experience.

*Her laugh is so breathtaking...* Beast Boy thought as they continued laughing, *I would listen to it all day if I could... She's just too pefect! What did I do to deserve this goddess?*

He blushed at the thought of her being his for a moment.

But then his face turned serious as he remembered what Raven told him last night. He had to find Aqualad

and make sure that he left Raven alone. She was too precious to him.

He felt that he needed to protect her even though she could clearly protect herself. He respected her for that and admired her strength and independence. Her also mature personality kept him on his toes.

He stared at her and realized that:

*I... I think I'm actually in love with Raven... Like for real!*

He then felt Raven come closer. She cupped his cheeks with her hands and pulled her body closer to his. This made Beast Boy blush and she gave him an intentful look. She then looked off to the side, too shy to pop the question.

She finally asked though as she could see that Beast Boy enjoyed her act of affection, but was confused at the same time. His eyes were so intimidating to look into all of a sudden.

"B-beasty?".

Beast Boy only replied with "hm?" as he realized that Raven finally spoke.

"C-can... Can we shower together...?"