BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND (I swear everyone loved this story):

MARSHMALLOWS: CHAPTER 2

A few points: 1) still pre-season 1; 2)for the upcoming line about love, I sadly cannot take credit for it. Thank rimfrost (mental illness: deviantart deviation/14456223/ or just go to . com); 3) I took the liberty of poking in bits of fluff 4) Title was changed. This is officially similar to "Reflections" where I just write when I'm bored. 5) This will not be as funny as "Marshmallows". For that, I apologize. 6) on with chapter 2

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Raven enjoyed mediation with more or less enthusiasm. She had never exactly been excited about it, especially since she was a small child and Trigon, her father, had decided to visit her during a meditation session. Of course, with the help of her mentor, Azar, she had managed to ward him off. He had promised to leave her alone until she was older; then she would become his puppet.

The day was drawing closer; she could feel it. Years, months, days, hours; irrelevant. Most demons lived for eternity; Trigon was no exception. He could wait fifteen years because that was barely a second in his lifespan.

Which was why she did not let herself out of her shell. Too dangerous. Which was why she avoided the other Titans.

Unfortunately, the other Titans did not have the same ideas.

Raven continued her mantra as Starfire slowly made her way into the living room; the former decided she really should stick to her own room. She felt the alien pause and with a hesitant breath open her mouth to speak.

"Whatever you have to say, Starfire," the empath droned, "Is it important?"

"I-I do believe so," she answered softly, "Or can you not spare a moment?"

Raven slowly let her hands drop and waved to the spot beside her. The alien nodded appreciatively; she had only known the dark girl for a few months, but she had quickly learned meditation was the most important thing to her.

"What do you wish to discuss?" Raven asked.

"I wonder," Starfire pondered, "If you have ever experienced love."

Raven dropped an inch before righting herself. "The mental disease that restrains your sense, makes you defenseless against incoming heart-slashings, and eats you up from the inside?" she asked flatly. "No."

"But you seem to know so much of it."

Raven paused. How did she explain that her emotions were resting in a parody of her mind, and were represent by 'mini-Ravens'? How did she explain that she had personally met the embodiment of love and the feeling afterwards?

She didn't. She did the smart thing; she changed the subject. "Why are you asking me this?"

"I do believe I am experiencing these feelings, but they are not as horrible as you seem to think."

"I cannot help you there, Starfire."

"Then I am sorry for you disturbing you, friend Raven."

"It's fine, Starfire."

A few hours later, Raven wandered onto the roof. She had often enjoyed nature, and, as a small child, she had used a cloud as the image of calm; lately the image had been getting darker, most definitely an ominous sign of her father's growing power.

She was mostly surprised (though not delightfully so) to find Beast Boy in her usual spot.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with curiosity. She had learned early on that humans did not take well to hostile greetings.

The green changeling looked up, startled. "Hiding and thinking. But mostly hiding."

She chose not to ask. Deciding the changeling would not bother her, Raven levitated and began her chant.

She was interrupted.

"Hey, Raven," Beast Boy said quietly, "Can I ask you a question?"

"I see no reason why not," she said dolefully.

"Do you believe in love?"

This time the empath could not stop herself when she fell. She hit the concrete with a rough oof.

Since when did Beast Boy think this deeply?

A beat or two passed and Raven straightened herself. "Why?" she asked too shocked to be suspicious.

"Dunno. Just thinking." He shrugged.

"Lost in thought? You?"

"Unfamiliar territory," was his sly answer.

"I'm amazed. You think that deeply. Brain get switched? Go messing with Cyborg's tools and drill a hole in your head? Actually learn something! The possibilities keep coming!"

"Alright, alright," he said, holding up a hand, "I get it. Sorry I asked."

She shook he head. "No, I'm sorry. I suppose you can't be a complete idiot."

His parents were genetic scientist; of course he was that stupid. "Do you mind answering the question?"

"It's an awfully vague question," Raven wondered. "Do I believe in the concept of love? Is there truly a force that binds people together? Does fate pair you off? Destiny? Do I know what love is? Is there a point to love? Are there different types of love?"

Beast Boy actually seemed to consider it! A monumental moment in the history of the universe, unfortunately unnoticed with many consequences.

"I guess… Do you believe in the concept of love?"

Raven though for a moment. "I suppose so. People seem to believe they feel it quite a bit. I suppose it is mostly a faith matter."

"I guess."

Silence. Minutes ticked by. They sky turned a phenomenal shade of red and orange and pink.

"Love," Raven finally said, catching Beast Boy's attention. He looked up. "Love," she continued, "is real, I suppose, but is it the sensation that exists or the connection?"

"Temporary madness," Beast Boy offered with a laugh, "Brought on by too much time spent with friends. Once the sensation passes, you go onto screwing around."

"Mass hysteria."

"Hating too much."

"Such as hate is brought on by too much love."

He laughed. She smiled.

A thunderous shout broke their conversation.

"I'm gonna leave now," Beast Boy said sheepishly.

Raven remembered his earlier comment about hiding. "I suppose you pissed off Cyborg."

"More or less."

Clunking up the stairs.

Raven placed her hand on Beast Boy's back.

The door swung open.

Crash.

Shove.

Yelp.

Raven shoved Beast Boy off the roof and watched as he turned into a green hummingbird.

Cyborg was behind her. His normal eye was wide.

"You pushed him off the roof?" he shouted.

"He was bugging me," she answered simply and headed to her room.

The cure to confusion: tea and a good book.

It had been a confusing day.

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I deem this chapter: What is it? Valentine's Day?

A LOT of reviews:

Grey Rain- Doesn't everyone? No, just kidding. This one wasn't that funny, but I still enjoyed writing it.

Papersak- I think the last line ended at an awkward place. Ah well, you enjoyed it.

Lizard Lad- I know, I love that band name. If I ever start one (probability of that happening: two to the power of two hundred and seventy-six thousand, seven hundred and nice to one against (heh got that off of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)) I will definitely name it that. La De Da- Yeah, another fan! I'm sure you liked the line in this one. Blaze83- Really? I've never read one about Robin being sugar high? Then again, he never really interested me. Here's another chapter. They Call Me Sweetsnow- Yes. Yes, she did.

lady-of-tormentdeath- Awww! I'm so loved!

mysti-eyed- I'm glad I made your day.

Hanita-chan- Yeah! Bows!

animeobsessed3191- I was hoping someone's side would split, but I never seem to get that luxury.