I don't own the Teen Titans.

It had started on an ordinary day: the usual routine of morning training after breakfast, followed by the mundane task of apprehending a lower-level villain, and then hitting up the local pizza parlor for lunch. Then there was the afternoon training, and another alert. An early dinner came next, until the titans were finally gifted with a few hours of free time.

Beast Boy use to love his free time. He most often spent it playing video games with the robotic titan, or watching a nature documentary with the alien princess. Sometimes he'd even venture to the training room and spar with his leader a bit. If he wanted alone time, he'd head down to the arcade, or maybe even the local comic book store. Hell, sometimes he'd just fly around the city in the form of whatever bird he saw first, and let out some steam.

And sure, there was always the chance that an alert would eat up the few spare hours before bed, but it was rare. Despite villains being oh so villainous, most of Jump City's baddies did their damage during the day, leaving the evening to scheme and whatnot. And Beast Boy wasn't complaining - it was nice to have some time to relax after a hard day. And he loved spending time with his friends, without the immediate-danger thingy hanging over their heads.

But there was one teammate he rarely spent his free time with: Raven. She'd sometimes join Starfire and him for a movie, or make her tea during an intense gaming session with Cyborg. There were also the occasional times he'd bump into her leaving the training room, a light layer of sweat glistening on her pale skin after Robin had worked her half to death. But he never got to spend any time with just her, and that really bothered him.

But he knew the reason; it wouldn't benefit her. She saw movie-night with him and Starfire as a chance to learn something; she made her tea during his video game tournament to show Cyborg that she did, in fact, leave her room. And she only trained with Robin because their leader didn't want her to rely solely on her powers. Otherwise, her time was spent meditating, or reading, or doing whatever the heck she did when she wasn't doing what she usually would do.

And Beast Boy hated it. He hated the fact that he didn't have a thing with her; he hated that she would never seek out his company. He hated that she hated him.

Sure, she claimed to value his friendship; she'd say that she cared for his well-being. But did she ever laugh at his jokes? Or invite him to watch a movie with her and Starfire? Or ask him to join her and Cyborg when they worked on the T-car? Or even suggest training together with Robin? Nope.

Raven wanted nothing to do with him. At least, that's what he had thought.

It all started with a collision in the hall. Beast Boy had been making his way to the common room, intent on playing a few rounds of Mega-Monkeys with Cyborg, and Raven had been heading towards her room, probably to meditate. As usual, it had been Beast Boy's fault.

He hadn't been watching where he was going, so rounding the corner and colliding with the half-demon wasn't all that surprising. What was surprising, though, was her reaction.

They had both landed on their butts with a dull thud, Raven rubbing her forehead gingerly as Beast Boy tipped his head back and held his nose. If it hadn't been for the blood, he would have probably earned a verbal-lashing, but at the sight of the red liquid spilling down his face, the empath had let out a weary sigh.

"Let's get you cleaned up."

Beast Boy followed her towards the bathroom, using his free hand to catch the blood that dripped down his chin. If he hadn't been so preoccupied with saving the carpet from being stained, he probably would have noticed the labored breathing of his teammate, or the dull ache in her eyes.

Stepping into their shared bathroom, he watched as the empath lazily flipped on the lights, before turning on the faucet. He hopped onto the counter as she headed towards the cupboard, before returning with a dark blue washcloth. She then dampened it slightly and turned off the sink, before instructing the changeling to hold it to his throbbing nose.

Beast Boy complied, watching curiously as his teammate leaned against the closed door, crossing her arms and giving him a blank look.

"Tell me when it stops bleeding," she ordered dryly, her raspy voice filling the room.

"'Kay," Beast Boy replied, cringing slightly at the nasally sound of his voice.

Raven continued to regard him absently, and he couldn't explain the uncomfortable atmosphere that began to settle in the room. It was awkward as hell, and he hated it. The lack of substance in their paper-thin friendship drove him crazy, and it was times like this when he realized they barely even knew each other, despite living together for three years.

They had gone through so much in those first couple of months, but as they grew up, they started to grow apart. Raven became more distant, and Beast Boy became less inclined to close the gap between them. He wanted to be close to her, but he couldn't take all the ups and downs, coupled with the snarky remarks and hostility. And sure, the times when they did get along made up for all the hardships, but those moments were rare.

Beast Boy tried to keep his mind from venturing further down that path, since it only ever brought him down. Instead, he directed his attention to his nose, pulling the cloth away hesitantly.

"I tink it's done bweeding," he announced quietly, again cringing at his voice.

Raven pushed herself off of the wall, giving his nose an inquisitive look. Seemingly satisfied with his observation, she took the bloody washcloth from his hands and turned the sink back on.

Beast Boy watched in silence as she rung out the cloth, his blood turning into a pinkish color as it mixed with the water and circled the drain.

Raven turned the sink off once more, before bringing the soaked washcloth to his face and wiping off the leftover blood. He could feel heat rising to his cheeks at her innocent, yet somewhat intimate act, and he waited awkwardly for her to finish.

Once she was satisfied that all the blood had been removed, she tossed the cloth into the sink, before bringing her hand to his nose. The changeling twitched slightly as her fingertips brushed the bridge, but whether it was from pain or embarrassment, he couldn't tell.

"Well, it's not broken," Raven deadpanned, applying a little more pressure.

Beast Boy squeezed his eyes shut as a burst of pain shot through him as she continued prodding his nose.

"Can you make it stop huwting?" he asked through clenched teeth.

A snort of amusement sounded from the half-demon, before the cooling-sensation of her healing powers began soothing the throbbing on his face. Opening his eyes cautiously, he observed the small smirk present on his teammate's face as she continued healing him.

He forgot how much he had missed her barely-there smile, and a wave of regret washed over him. How could he just let her drift away like that? She wasn't just his teammate; she was his friend. And yet, he had allowed her to pull away from him.

Raven slowly removed her hand from his face, her smirk disappearing as the dullness returned to her eyes. Beast Boy felt his heart clench as he took in her tired appearance, and began wondering what the cause of it was.

"The swelling should go down in a while," she informed him in her monotone while taking a step back.

"Thanks, Rae," Beast Boy replied tentatively, giving her a small smile.

Raven cocked her head to the side quizzically, another smirk surfacing on her face.

"Huh. You haven't called me that in a while," she mused.

Another pang of regret shot through Beast Boy as he realized the reason he hadn't used her hated nickname was because he barely even spoke to her anymore. His expression must have darkened at the thought, because the empath suddenly gave him a concerned look.

"What's wrong?"

Beast Boy observed his teammate's foreign expression with a heavy heart. How could he have let it go on this long? He had to fix it, somehow.

"What happened to us, Rae?"

Raven seemed to be taken aback by his question, for her brows almost joined her hairline. She shifted her weight from foot to foot as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "What do you mean?" she asked hesitantly.

Beast Boy tried to push away the embarrassment and get to the bottom of their problem, rather than continue on like not having a relationship with her didn't bother him.

"I mean, like, I know we were never best friends or anything, but we were at least friends. But now, it's like, I don't know, you can't even be in the same room as me," he explained quickly, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks. "I... I want to be your friend, Rae. I need to be. But... but it's like, you don't want me to, or something..."

He had successfully avoided her gaze during his rant, but as his words trailed off, he made the mistake of glancing up to see her reaction.

Her face was contorted into a mixture of confusion and hurt, and he was pretty sure he had never seen her willfully show that much emotion. And it hurt him even more.

"I..." she began shakily, her eyes darting between his uncertainly, "I hadn't realized I was... making you feel that way." She took a shuddering breath, breaking eye contact briefly. "I hadn't realized you... cared."

Beast Boy tried to shove down the anger her statement triggered in him as he directed his sights to his lap. Of course he cared! How could she think he didn't? She was an empath, wasn't she? Shouldn't she feel or sense his longing to be close to her again?

He wanted to get the answers to those questions, but knew that it would only lead to a fight. And that would only push her further away, so he couldn't risk that.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, he tried to carefully word his response. "O-of course I care, Rae," he began timidly, resuming eye contact. "I care about you, and though it probably doesn't seem like it, I try my hardest not to be a total pain. But... but for some reason, it's like you decided you wanted nothing to do with me. Like, your relationships with everyone else have gotten stronger, but ours has... vanished."

Raven slumped up against the door as he finished his rant, and he suddenly felt even worse. He wasn't trying to make her pity him, but he couldn't lie and say the distance didn't hurt.

The half-demon remained silent for several minutes, obviously weighing his words. Beast Boy was tempted to break the silence, but decided to give her the time to figure out how to word her response.

"I'm... sorry."

He was surprised by that; Raven never apologized. And if she did, she never meant it. But the wispy way her words slipped through her lips let him know she really was sorry.

"I just want to know why, Raven," he replied quietly. "What happened?"

He was scared that he may have pushed her too far; that he was asking too much of her. But to his bitter delight, the empath released a weary sigh, before meeting his gaze once more.

"I haven't... needed you," she whispered.

Beast Boy swore his heart stopped beating; that his lungs had collapsed. He must have passed out from blood loss or something, and this was just a horrible nightmare. Because there was no way Raven had said that to him - even she wasn't that cruel.

"W-what?"

A look or horror passed over Raven's face, and within seconds she was standing before him, a pleading look in her eyes.

"No, no, Beast Boy - not like that! I didn't mean it like that," she insisted, disregarding the dried blood on his hands as she clasped them in her own.

He wasn't sure what other way she could have meant it, but decided to remain silent and allow her to explain herself.

"That came out wrong," she continued, somewhat panicky. "I don't know how to explain it, but it isn't your fault."

Beast Boy allowed her to hold his hands, though he left them limp. He felt like his heart was breaking as he stared into the dullness of her eyes.

"I don't understand," he replied dryly.

Raven's grip tightened slightly, and he could see the doubt etched across her face as she attempted to explain to him what she had meant.

"It's complicated..." she began, her eyes glazing over slightly. "I've been experiencing more... emotional freedom, if you will. And... and I've needed safe ways to outlet it."

Beast Boy nodded his head absently, unsure of where she was going.

"And there's different ways to deal with each emotion. Like, if I'm feeling down, I'll seek out Starfire. She's the best at uplifting spirits - even mine. So I'll watch a movie with her, or let her braid my hair. Whatever helps to release the feelings safely.

"And if I'm feeling restless, or angry, training with Robin is the easiest solution. I can hit and kick and rage all I want, and not only am I improving physically; I'm mentally channeling my anger into something productive."

Beast Boy was beginning to understand, but still couldn't shake the feeling of uselessness as his teammate continued.

"And if I want to exercise my mind; you know, quiet my curiosity or the need to learn, I'll seek out Cyborg. He always has little projects that keep me busy, and allow me to vent out my more intellectual feelings."

He waited for her to continue, and was somewhat disappointed when she began to withdraw her hands. He wanted to grab them and keep her close, but couldn't find the willpower.

"And when I just want to feel... good, I try to hang out with all of you. Whether it's training or eating - whatever brings us all together. Which I need you for, obviously," she mused, giving him a small smile. "I just... I didn't want to burden you. I hadn't realized it was affecting you so much."

Beast Boy nodded slowly, feeling a little better after hearing her explanation, but not returning her smile. He'd be lying if he said it still didn't hurt; the fact that she didn't need him for anything.

There had to be at least something she wasn't able to express properly - something that she'd need him for.

"Is there really... nothing you'd need me for?" he asked hesitantly. "There's nothing that I could help with?"

He had expected another apology, or some lame excuse of how he had helped so much already. But what he hadn't expected was the silence that enveloped between them as his teammate's face turned bright red.

"There's - I mean, I wouldn't expect you to... It's not like..." Raven was never one to trip over her words that badly, and it captured Beast Boy's attention immediately. There was obviously something that she needed him for - she was just too scared to ask.

"If there's anything I can do, tell me," he pleaded, feeling a spark of hope ignite in his chest at the prospect of regaining their friendship.

Raven regarded him with a skeptical look, before relenting. "I'm a girl, Beast Boy. A teenaged girl."

The changeling cocked his head to the side in confusion as he clasped his hands together in his lap. "Uh, I know?" he replied quizzically.

Raven's blush only deepened, and she again tucked a few stray pieces of hair behind her ear as she avoided his gaze. "And teenaged girls - well, teenagers in general - have certain... feelings that need to be expressed."

"Uh huh?" Beast Boy responded awkwardly, still not following along.

Raven huffed in frustration, crossing her arms over her chest. "And these... feelings don't just go away. These... needs - they can fester, and build, and then eventually explode. And if I bottle up all of it, then I might literally explode. The city."

The changeling unclasped his hands as he ruffled his green hair timidly. He honestly had no idea what Raven was talking about - he wasn't even sure if she was still speaking English.

Obviously sensing his confusion, Raven let out an irritated shriek, before doing something that Beast Boy would classify under completely and utterly insane.

In one fluid motion, she stepped closer to him, cupped his face, and crashed her lips against his. Beast Boy felt as if time had stopped as his eyes widened comically. He could feel his face turning bright red as the seconds ticked by, and he didn't dare to breathe.

Raven was kissing him. On the lips. Willingly.

It had to have been the weirdest, most confusing thing that had ever happened to him.

It must have lasted no longer than ten seconds, but Beast Boy felt as if it had been hours. As the empath pulled away, he could see the realization of what she had done dawn upon her face.

It took her a few moments longer to compose herself, but she eventually took a step back, before pulling up her hood to conceal her burning blush.

"Obviously I had a lapse of judgement, and would never actually expect you to help me with releasing... those kind of feelings," she deadpanned, her eyes avoiding his.

Beast Boy continued to stare at her, completely dumbstruck. He wasn't stupid; he knew Raven didn't... like him like that. She was just looking for a way to outlet those emotions safely. And for some strange reason, she had chosen to do so, with him.

"Uh," he started blankly, but Raven quickly cut him off.

"I'd prefer if we kept this little incident between us - I don't want to subject the others to my embarrassment. And I know you want to help, but this obviously makes you uncomfortable, so don't feel bad that - "

"I want to help." He was surprised he had had the nerve to cut her off, as well as what he had said when doing so.

Raven seemed just as shocked, though her hood was obscuring most of her face in the shadows. But still, he could tell she was surprised as well.

"What?"

Swallowing nervously, Beast Boy gave his teammate a sheepish smile. "W-what I mean, is, uh... this is obviously something that's affecting you, and if you need someone you can trust to, uh, sort it all out with you... I'm willing to help. I want to help."

Raven regarded him skeptically, obviously suspicious of his sudden willingness. "What do you mean, you want to help?"

Feeling himself blush harder - if that was even possible - Beast Boy quickly tried to amend his statement. "I-I mean, like, I miss being your friend, and I want to help you out - 'cuz that's what friends do. Friends. I don't want to just do this, to, you know, do it - I want to do it 'cuz it'll help you. I mean, I don't see you in that way, and you obviously don't see me like that, either, so it shouldn't be such a big deal," he explained with an awkward shrug, before a cheeky smile sprouted on his lips. "And if helping you means we gotta makeout occasionally, I'm down for the cause."

Raven shot him a fierce glare at that last statement, but made no comment on it. "You're willing to be, ugh, what did Starfire call it... friends with benefits... with me?"

Beast Boy sighed in relief that his little joke hadn't pissed her off, before giving her a small smile. "If it means we're friends, then, yeah. I'm totally willing."

He watched as Raven debated his offer in her mind, obviously weighing the pros and cons. He honestly wasn't so sure of the idea, but Raven had excellent judgement, and if she couldn't find any consequences with the plan, then there probably wasn't any.

"Alright," Raven breathed, after a few moments of silence. "But I think it goes without saying that this little... arrangement of ours is kept strictly between us. Deal?"

She held her hand towards him cautiously, and he could sense she was still a little hesitant with the whole idea. Feeling a devious grin spread across his lips, he grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her closer.

"Shouldn't we kiss on it?" he teased, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Raven gave him an unamused look, before pulling her hand from his and smacking him on the back of the head.

"Don't make me actually break your nose, Beast Boy."

So I typed this up a while ago, and was adamant on not posting it until at least one of my other stories was finished, but I really want to branch out of my comfort zone, and I feel like this topic could get really serious and gritty if I let it, so I was like what the hell, I'll see how I do! Hopefully I can keep it from getting too light-hearted (though my writing is on the lighter side in general). Hey, maybe I can make this all angst-y or whatever!

Anywhoo, if you like where this could potentially end up, let me know! Reviews are really appreciated - especially since I'm still a little hesitant on expanding outside of humor and fluff (though there will be plenty mixed in!)