I felt emptiness in my heart when I watched Raven step into the room. A black dress with silver sequins hugged her figure. She’d carefully chosen makeup that gave her face a natural glow. Starfire looked as though she was going to burst from excitement.

“You are showing much of the “awesome”!” she exclaimed. I glanced at Robin and Cyborg. They were stunned too.

“Well, I’m off. John’s taking me to see a movie tonight.” Raven announced.

As she walked away, a voice echoed in my head. Are you just gonna let her walk away? Without telling her how you feel about her? it demanded.

“Beast Boy, what’s up?” Robin asked.

“Nothing...” I replied.

“Come on, BB. You can tell us.” Cyborg encouraged. What’s wrong with me? I’m in love with Raven, that’s what! I wanted to scream. “I’m fine, really.” I lied. I felt sick. “I need some air...” I gasped. Running out of the room, I dashed to the roof, changing into a raven. Outside, I saw Raven and John at the Tower’s entrance. Tears stung my eyes. “It should be me...” I whispered.

But, if she’s happy, than I’m OK with it...

Two hours later, I heard the front doors close. Raven was back. The living room doors slid open. She was standing in the doorway, but something was different. The left strap of her dress was torn, and her hair was a mess. She looked exhausted and her skin was covered in bruises.

“Raven! What happened?” Robin asked, dashing to her side. She started to cry. I’m not sure if it was because of my feelings for her, but I knew that John had tried to do something to her that she didn’t like.

I looked at Starfire. She nodded, and dashed to make some herbal tea to calm Raven down. Sometime later, we sat down on the couch. I held Raven’s hand as she told us about the date.

“We went to the cinema and watched the film. John told me how pretty I looked. Then, we were on the way out, when John grabbed me by the wrist and took me to the back alley. I thought we were going to make-out, but then he-“ she began, before starting to cry.

“Then he what? Raven, what did he do to you?” Robin asked.

“H-He...tried to rape me...!” she wept.

Starfire clapped her hands to her mouth in horror.

“No!” Cyborg exclaimed.

“That asshole...” I growled.

“I fought back as hard as I could. He almost o-overpowered me.” she continued.

“And did he...?” Robin asked, unable to finish his sentence. She shook her head. We all sighed with relief. Thank God!

“Don’t worry Raven. He’ll pay for what he put you through.” Robin promised.

I hugged her. She cried uncontrollably. “Ssh...It’s alright. Let it all out.” I whispered.

Later, Raven and I were in her room. She’d put away the dress. I sensed that if she ever wore it again, it’d bring back those horrible memories. Raven was still shaken from the rape attempt. I held her in my arms.

“If he tries to hurt you again, I’ll kill him.” I vowed.

“Thank you.” she smiled.

“Huh? For what?” I asked.

“You’ve always seemed like an immature teenager, but if anyone close to you gets hurt as much as I did, you seem to become a man willing to risk everything to make it alright again.” she explained.

I brushed her face. “Raven, I care about you. I’d risk my life to keep you safe.” I replied. “If only I’d been there when John...” I began, turning away.

She put her hand on my shoulder. “I know. It’s my fault really. If I’d known what he’d been planning to do, I would’ve turned him down.” she admitted. I turned to her and we embraced.

“I love you.” I whispered.

She pulled away. “What did you say?” she blinked.

Crap! Did I just say that out loud? I felt my face burning as I quickly looked away. “Idiot!” I groaned, slapping my head.

Raven laughed, and turned me to her. “I love you, too.” she smiled. Then her lips met mine in a kiss.

I held her tight. This was my chance for happiness with Raven, and I had to take it. We continued kissing and fell onto the bed. In a blurry of kisses and embraces, we discovered the lovers locked away in our hearts. Raven lay on top of me, her body outlined by the faint light of the moon.

“Garfield, don’t let go.” she begged.

I smiled. “I won’t, Rachel.” I promised.

And I never will...I added quietly as we slipped into a night of passion that was the beginning of something incredible.

THE END