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Six months into her relationship with Beast Boy, Raven had discovered something surprising.
Dating him was far less exhausting than she had expected.
That wasn't to say he had become any less energetic. Beast Boy was still Beast Boy. He still filled rooms with noise, still got distracted by ridiculous ideas, still found ways to turn ordinary conversations into comedy routines, and still possessed an almost supernatural ability to make everyone around him smile whether they wanted to or not. What had surprised Raven was how naturally he fit into her life. Somewhere between shared breakfasts, quiet evenings on the Tower roof, movie nights, patrols, and countless conversations that stretched long after everyone else had gone to sleep, being together had become effortless.
Which was why she found herself smiling as she sat cross legged on her bed during a rare girls' night with Starfire.
Her bedroom was illuminated by soft purple light from a collection of enchanted candles resting on nearby shelves. A gentle rain tapped against the Tower windows outside. The atmosphere felt peaceful and cozy. Several blankets had been gathered onto the bed along with snacks, tea, and a collection of movies Starfire had enthusiastically insisted they watch later.
Starfire sat beside her, looking completely delighted to be there.
Girls' nights had become something of a tradition over the past few months.
Sometimes they talked about missions.
Sometimes they watched movies.
Sometimes Starfire shared stories about Tamaran.
Sometimes Raven introduced her to books, music, or strange pieces of Earth culture.
Tonight had already included all four.
Raven was genuinely enjoying herself.
A younger version of herself might never have believed that sentence was possible.
Starfire suddenly gasped.
Not a small gasp.
A dramatic Starfire gasp.
The kind that usually meant she had discovered something extremely exciting.
Or extremely confusing.
Occasionally both.
Raven looked up from her tea.
"What is it?"
Starfire's eyes widened.
"Oh, this is magnificent."
That immediately concerned Raven.
"What is?"
Starfire scooted closer while holding her phone.
"I have found a discussion."
"A discussion?"
"About you."
Raven sighed.
That concern increased dramatically.
"Should I be worried?"
"No."
Starfire smiled brightly.
"I think you should be amused."
That was slightly better.
Slightly.
Starfire turned the screen toward her.
Raven leaned forward.
At first she simply blinked.
Then she blinked again.
Then she started laughing.
Actually laughing.
Because the discussion in question was an enormous online debate dedicated entirely to one topic.
Whether Raven and Beast Boy were dating.
For several seconds she couldn't stop reading.
The comments became increasingly ridiculous.
One person had compiled a list of evidence stretching back months.
Another person insisted the evidence was circumstantial.
A third claimed they were definitely dating.
A fourth claimed they definitely weren't.
Several others appeared to be conducting full investigations.
Raven laughed again.
Starfire looked delighted by her reaction.
"I knew you would enjoy this."
"This is ridiculous."
"Continue reading."
Raven did.
The situation somehow became funnier.
One person had apparently collected photographs from various public appearances.
Another had highlighted moments during battles where Beast Boy had protected Raven.
Someone else had written an extremely long explanation about why they believed the relationship was obvious.
Directly beneath it was an equally long explanation arguing the exact opposite.
Raven shook her head.
"They're debating this?"
"Very passionately."
"This one literally created a timeline."
"I know."
Raven laughed harder.
The timeline was surprisingly accurate.
Not perfect.
But surprisingly close.
Some people had clearly been paying attention.
Starfire smiled.
"I thought the discussion was entertaining."
"It is."
Raven pointed at the screen.
"Look at this."
Starfire leaned closer.
The comment in question declared that Beast Boy and Raven could not possibly be dating because neither had officially announced it.
Directly beneath it was a reply listing approximately twenty examples suggesting otherwise.
Starfire giggled.
"I enjoy the confidence."
"They're standing in front of a mountain of evidence."
"Perhaps they cannot see the mountain."
"The mountain is sitting on them."
Both girls laughed.
The conversation continued for nearly twenty minutes.
The deeper they explored, the more absurd it became.
Some people appeared convinced the relationship was obvious.
Others seemed committed to ignoring every possible sign.
One particularly determined commenter had written thousands of words attempting to explain why several affectionate photographs were merely examples of friendship.
Raven nearly spilled her tea.
"This person deserves an award."
Starfire nodded.
"The dedication is impressive."
"They've written an essay."
"A very long essay."
Raven continued reading.
Eventually she reached a photograph taken during a charity event several months earlier.
She immediately recognized it.
Beast Boy had been standing beside her with his arm around her shoulders.
Neither of them had noticed the camera.
Both of them had been smiling.
The memory made her smile again.
Starfire noticed immediately.
"You like that picture."
"It's a nice picture."
"You are smiling."
"So are you."
Starfire laughed.
The sound filled the room warmly.
Raven found herself relaxing further into the evening.
She enjoyed spending time with Starfire.
The alien princess possessed an infectious enthusiasm that somehow made almost everything more enjoyable.
Even internet arguments.
Especially internet arguments, apparently.
A sudden knock interrupted them.
Both girls looked toward the bedroom door.
A familiar voice followed.
"Can I come in?"
Raven smiled automatically.
Starfire immediately noticed.
"Oh."
Raven rolled her eyes.
"What?"
"Nothing."
The smile on Starfire's face suggested otherwise.
The door opened.
Beast Boy stepped inside.
The second he entered, his attention immediately found Raven.
That still happened every time.
Even after six months.
The simple sight of her seemed capable of improving his entire day.
His expression brightened instantly.
"Hey."
"Hi."
The exchange was simple.
Yet somehow affectionate enough to make Starfire grin.
Beast Boy walked over and sat beside Raven on the bed.
Close enough that their shoulders touched naturally.
Comfortably.
As though neither even thought about it anymore.
Which was mostly true.
Six months together had made physical affection feel effortless.
Comfortable.
Normal.
"What are you two doing?" he asked.
Starfire looked delighted.
"Oh, you must see this."
Beast Boy immediately looked concerned.
"That sentence usually ends badly."
"It does not."
"It absolutely does."
Raven laughed.
Starfire held up her phone.
"We found a discussion."
"About what?"
"About whether you and Raven are dating."
Silence.
Beast Boy stared.
Then he burst out laughing.
"No way."
"Yes way."
Starfire handed him the phone.
Beast Boy started reading.
Within seconds he was laughing as hard as Raven had earlier.
"Oh, this is incredible."
"I know."
"Look at this one."
Raven leaned closer.
Beast Boy pointed at a comment.
"This person says we're probably cousins."
The room immediately dissolved into laughter.
Starfire nearly dropped her phone.
Raven buried her face in her hands.
Beast Boy looked personally offended.
"Cousins?"
"Apparently."
"That's the evidence they landed on?"
"Apparently."
Beast Boy shook his head dramatically.
"I'm devastated."
"You'll survive."
"I don't know."
"You absolutely will."
He smiled at her.
That familiar smile.
The one that always seemed reserved specifically for her.
Then, completely naturally, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
A quick affectionate kiss.
Nothing dramatic.
Just instinctive.
Comfortable.
Raven smiled.
Starfire pointed excitedly at them.
"That seems like useful evidence."
Beast Boy immediately nodded.
"I agree."
Raven rolled her eyes.
The conversation continued.
They spent nearly another half hour scrolling through increasingly ridiculous theories.
One person believed Beast Boy and Raven secretly communicated through coded messages during missions.
Another thought they were engaged.
A third appeared convinced they actively disliked each other.
That theory lasted approximately three comments before being dismantled by dozens of people.
Beast Boy looked delighted.
"This is amazing."
"It really is."
"I kind of want to make an account."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I know you."
"Fair."
Starfire laughed again.
The atmosphere remained warm and comfortable.
The rain continued outside.
The room felt peaceful.
At one point Beast Boy stretched out across the blankets and rested his head in Raven's lap.
Neither seemed to think anything of it.
It had become one of his favorite places.
Raven automatically ran her fingers through his hair while continuing to read.
The gesture was so absentminded and natural that she didn't even realize she was doing it at first.
Starfire definitely noticed.
Her smile softened.
Moments like these made her happy.
Her friends had spent years growing closer.
Learning to trust one another.
Supporting each other.
Seeing Raven genuinely content still felt special.
Especially because Starfire remembered how carefully guarded Raven had once been.
Now she looked relaxed.
Happy.
Comfortable.
Beast Boy closed his eyes contentedly.
"Best girls' night ever."
"This isn't your girls' night."
"It is now."
"It really isn't."
"I've been accepted."
"No."
"Too late."
Raven laughed.
Beast Boy opened one eye.
"There it is."
"What?"
"That laugh."
"You hear me laugh all the time."
"Still like it."
Raven felt warmth touch her cheeks.
Starfire looked delighted by the entire exchange.
Several minutes later Beast Boy sat up again.
The discussion had reached particularly ridiculous territory.
Someone had apparently written an elaborate explanation suggesting Beast Boy and Raven only spent time together because of a shared interest in gardening.
Neither of them gardened.
At all.
"Okay," Beast Boy said. "This one wins."
Raven read the comment.
Immediately laughed.
Then laughed harder.
Then leaned against his shoulder while trying to recover.
Beast Boy wrapped an arm around her automatically.
The movement was completely effortless.
Natural.
Comfortable.
Starfire smiled warmly.
"You two are adorable."
Raven groaned.
Beast Boy looked pleased.
"I know."
Raven elbowed him lightly.
He laughed.
Then turned toward her.
For a moment the room grew quieter.
Not awkward.
Just softer.
The kind of comfortable silence that happened between people who genuinely enjoyed being together.
Beast Boy smiled.
Raven smiled back.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her.
A gentle kiss.
Warm and affectionate.
The kind that felt less like a dramatic moment and more like a simple expression of happiness.
When they pulled apart, Starfire clapped.
Neither seemed surprised.
At this point they were both used to Starfire's reactions.
"Excellent evidence," she declared.
Beast Boy pointed toward her.
"See? She gets it."
Raven laughed again.
Outside, the rain continued falling softly against the windows.
Inside, the evening carried on with laughter, stories, ridiculous online theories, and the comfortable warmth of friendship.
For Raven, it turned out to be one of the nicest girls' nights she had ever had.
Even if Beast Boy had somehow managed to crash it anyway.