The Fourth Teen Titans Fic: "No Means No"

By Invader Sam & Invader Shaun

Raven sat on the living room floor, one leg crossed over the other, leaning against the couch. Headphones dangled loosely around her neck, the music turned up to the maximum, so that the entire room was filled with the soft melodies of Evanescence. A sketchbook was laid out on her legs and she was scratching at the paper with a stick of charcoal. She'd never been much of an artist, but she enjoyed seeing what would appear on the paper if she let her dammed-up emotions do most of the work. And the music never hurt either.

"What'cha doin'?" came a soft voice in her ear. Beast Boy was smiling down at her attempted drawing, eyes glittering with interest. He had only been passing through the room (Robin fell for the old "I-gotta-use-the-bathroom-so-I-can't-train-right-now" trick again), but curiosity killed the cat. And there were several thousands different sub-species of feline within his capabilities, after all…

"Nothing…" she said, not looking up from her abstract mess of charcoal on paper, "Shouldn't you be in the training room?"

'Yeah, like that'll happen," the changeling smirked. Noticing her unamused expression, he sighed exasperatedly, "I was already down there for an hour today and I told Robin that!" he sat down next to Raven, pulling his controller for Game Station out of the couch, "Besides, Cutting Edge: Evil 4 cravings can't be ignored!"

"I see…" she said, blandly glancing up at the TV screen as the game uploaded, and then turning back to her sketchbook, "Well, don't let me get in the way of your gaming needs…"

Beast Boy nodded appreciatively, and began to furiously tap the buttons on his gaming machine. After a few seconds, both of his eyes widened, then narrowed just as quickly, an idea having presented itself from the back of his mind, "You wanna play?" he asked politely, hitting 'pause' and digging the second controller out of the couch innards.

"No…" she replied.

"You wanna play a different game?"

"No…"

"You wanna go get somethin' ta eat?"

"No…"

"You wanna go see what Starfire's up to?"

"No…"

"Do you not wanna go out on a date with me?"

"No…"

"YES!!!" Beast Boy shouted, breaking the monotony of the previous few seconds of conversation. He leapt up out of his seat, practically dancing with joy, "Woohoo! I did it!"

Raven blinked a few times bemusedly, "Wait…what…?" She put her charcoal down and stared up at the changeling, puzzled, "What just happened…?"

"You said no! You said no!" Beast Boy said gleefully, his voice almost child-like in this sing-song manner, "You said no!"

"Yeah…but to what…?" she asked, "Why are you dancing around like an idiot?"

"Don't you understand what just happened here?" he asked, confusion knocking him back down to Earth.

"No…sorry, I kind of tuned out after the first question…"

Beast Boy thought about that for a moment, then perked up, "That's a good thing, I guess. Anyways, be ready for our date by 7:00, ok? I'm gonna take you to a movie!" the green-skinned teen nearly skipped out of the room, still extremely excited.

Raven blinked a few more times as she watched him go, feeling numb all over. What had she just agreed to?? Had he said 'date'?? The word rung in her ears hauntingly and suddenly she realized…they were no longer an unofficial couple. She shut off her CD player and closed her sketchbook. Sure, they'd had a few really great make-out sessions…but an actual date? That was something she'd sworn never to do – PDA just wasn't her style.

She sighed as she stood, running a hand through her spiky purple hair. 'Not much I can do about it now,' she thought ruefully, 'If I canceled, it would crush him…' And she couldn't do that – not anymore, anyway. Still feeling a bit dazed, she gathered up her things and headed for her room.

* * *

"Hmm…wonder what's playing now?"

"Dude, Raven is so not gonna go for this," Cyborg said, leaning over the morphling's shoulder as the green teen paged through the daily newspaper.

"Cy…" Robin moaned, "You've been at this for a half hour. Face it – he's just going to keep ignoring you."

"I still can't believe he's deluding himself into thinking this is actually gonna happen," the android said.

"Hey," Beast Boy said, speaking to someone other than himself for the first time in a while, "If you could convince the cop chick to spend the night with you, I can certainly handle takin' Rae to the movies."

The android's face turned a light shade of crimson, "We talked, dude. I doubt you and Raven can do much talking from inside each other's mouths. Maybe that's why you still don't know jack-shit about her after five years," he folded his arms, finally retiring to his exercises, "Leigh and I are both fine with takin' the slow road."

Beast Boy blushed angrily and threw the paper down, "Dude – the slow road is all you got. All you'll ever get."

Cyborg's red eye flared brightly and he jumped up from his recently-reclaimed seat, "Now that is just goin' too damn far!" he shouted, crouching slightly and balling his hands into tight fists.

"Maybe if you'd stop acting like you know everything about Raven and me – which you don't – I wouldn't have to go that far!" Beast Boy said, leaping to his feet, fists also clenched.

"Guys! Guys!" Robin pleaded, squeezing between them, "Come on, stop it already!!"

Cyborg grunted angrily, then turned away, "I don't see why anyone would ever like you, BB. Raven must be out of her mind." He stomped away, fuming to himself.

Beast Boy's whole body was shaking with rage. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.

Robin shook his head. He hadn't thought either of their tempers could get any worse from when they were 15, but apparently he was wrong. And he was tired of being the one stuck in the middle of all their disputes. No longer in the mood to train, he strode slowly out of the room, leaving Cyborg alone.

He nearly crashed into Starfire on his way out the door. "Whoa, sorry Star…" he said, backing around her and continuing towards his room.

"I heard shouting," she said, following after him, "What has happened?"

"Dumb and Dumber were at it again," he said curtly, slowing his pace a bit so she could catch up to him.

Star's first impulse was to inquire as to which was 'Dumb' and which was 'Dumber', but she decided against it. "They have been fighting more and more frequently as of late…" she said sadly, "and I am not sure I understand why…Perhaps it could be one of those 'guys things' you have told me about?"

Robin sighed, "Yeah…it's something along those lines."

Star nodded, "I see…is it something they will…out-grow? Or is it never going to stop…?"

"If either of them manages to live another ten or fifteen years, they might out-grow it," the Boy Wonder snorted, feeling quite contemptuous, "But at the rate their going now either they'll kill each other or drive me crazy enough to do it for them!"

Initially, Star was alarmed, but quickly realized that Robin was probably not completely serious. She linked one of her arms with his, "Perhaps this time we could let them solve their problems on their own…they must learn to do it sooner or later, after all."

Robin stopped walking, now thoughtful, "I can't imagine either of them giving in and apologizing. Still, that'd be a sight to see, wouldn't it?"

"It certainly would."

* * *

Beast Boy was on the floor of his room, staring dejectedly into the full-length mirror in front of him. 'What does she see in me anyway?' he thought despondently, tugging on one of his pointed ears. Tall, scraggily, total lack of facial hair…not too much for the casual observer to be impressed with. And she had always seemed to hate his personality, so that couldn't be it. 'But…she said she loved me…why would she say that if she didn't mean it?' He hung his head, 'Maybe I'm just fooling myself…I'm the one who must be out of his mind…'

"You know…" said a familiar voice from behind him, "first date's always a make-or-break for a relationship…" Beast Boy could see Cyborg's hulking figure in the doorway reflected in the mirror and he turned. The android scuffed one foot on the floor, "So don't blow it…"

"Cy," the changeling was on his feet in an instant, "What I said before…was totally outta line…" he hung his head, ashamed, "I'm sorry…"

The android nodded, smiling slightly, "Yeah, I know. I guess I mighta gotten a little outta hand myself…"

Beast Boy shrugged, "I tend to shoot my mouth off without thinking…" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck guiltily, "I'm really sorry, man…I dunno why I always go after yer one sensitive spot…I'm such a jerk…"

"Yeah," Cyborg agreed, his pearly white teeth revealing themselves even more, "But we can have fun insulting you later. Even Klorbags have dates to get ready for sometimes," the large male reminded his friend, staring down at his watch, which was slowly ticking down the minutes.

"Gack! You're right!" Beast Boy cried, spinning around once frantically, starting towards the center of the room, then turning to face his friend once again, "So we're cool now?"

Cyborg thought for a moment, rubbing his chin with one hand, "Yeah, I think so," he gave the teen of slighter frame the thumbs up, then walked out of the room.

"Ok…ok good," Beast Boy said, leaning out into the hallway with a final grin before shutting himself in his room. 'Ok, Gar…time for a miracle…' he thought to himself, standing before the mirror once more, 'Gotta get sexy by seven…boy, am I in trouble…' He sighed, shoulders slumping and ears drooping.

* * *

In the opposite wing, Raven was sitting on her bed, dressed in black flares and a tank-top. She'd touched up her eye-liner and black lipstick, and was tapping her fingers nervously on her knee. 'I can't believe I'm really going to go through with this…' she thought, 'But what else can I do?' She got to her feet reluctantly, spinning slowing before her non-magical mirror. She didn't look half-bad, actually…

She leaned forward, fingering the black-gem earrings that Star had suggested she buy (and when there was shopping, many suggestions always followed suit). They dangled on miniscule chains and sparkled in the dim glow of the lighted candles on her dresser. She'd never been a fan of jewelry but these had drawn her eye even before the Tameran had pointed them out. Raven had never had an excuse to wear them before, and now that she had them on she felt…pretty.

She closed her eyes, blushing before the sure-to-be-embarrassing outing with Beast Boy had even begun. These thoughts were unlike her, and she felt silly admitting them even to herself.

A knock on her door made her jump, nearly knocking over the nearest lit candle. Wanting to kick herself for being nervous, she blew out the candle and hurried to the door, "Coming!" She pulled the door open, face flushed, and slightly breathless, "Hi…"

Cyborg blinked, surprised by Raven's new appearance, "Uhh…hi Rae. You look nice," he commented. The large android jerked a thumb towards the stairs down the hallway behind him, "Anyway, your date's waitin' for you, but I won't let him in my car unless your there. I don't trust him with my baby unless someone with a brain is there."

Raven felt her face burn a brighter crimson, "Um…right. Thanks." She slinked past him towards the elevator, "I'll just…get down there…" she murmured, then stopped, glancing back at him, a trace of her vulnerable side leaking through, "You really think I look alright?"

"Yeah, now catch!" Cyborg tossed her the single key that would open his most precious possession, "You look fine. I can't say the same for Beast Boy, but you look beautiful."

She smiled as she caught the key expertly with one hand. "Thanks…I'll see ya later tonight, Cy!" With a small wave, she boarded the elevator and sunk below the floor.

* * *

With her confidence boosted, Raven stepped out of the elevator into the garage, glancing around for her date. She spotted the changeling pacing besides the T-Car anxiously. He was wearing faded (by design) blue jeans, a tight white T-shirt, and another unbuttoned black silk, short-sleeve shirt with Chinese dragon designs etched into the fabric. His hair was gelled and spiked, and the gold ring he usually wore in his left ear had been replaced with a simple diamond stud.

"Hey…" she said quietly, coming up behind him.

He jumped slightly, "Hi! Stupid Cyborg wouldn't let me in the car…" he grumbled, looking at the locked driver's side door.

"Got it covered," she said with a grin, slipping the key into the door and pulling it open. She made to slide in, and then stopped, "Sorry…you probably wanna drive…" she said, backing up and crossing over to unlock the shotgun side door.

"Seeing as I'm the one who knows where we're going…yeah, that would be about right," he nodded, adjusting the driver's seat to fit him, "You're gonna love the movie; I found the best one!"

"Oh joy…" she said, buckling her seatbelt, "And I guess you're not gonna tell me what it is until we get there?"

"Yup!"

* * *

"Geez, since when did they up the price of movie tickets to $9.25??"

"I can pay for my own, if you don't have enough," Raven offered.

"No, I got it," Beast Boy said, rifling through a worn-leather wallet. 'Sorry Robin, but your money's goin' to a good cause…' He picked out a twenty and handed to the very bored looking cashier, who gave him back his miniscule amount of change ($1.50) and the two tickets.

"The Dragonfly Effect?" Raven read off of her ticket, one eyebrow raised.

"The special effects are supposed to be awesome!" Beast Boy explained, waving around his hands for emphasis, "One critic said it was so scary that he had nightmares about it!" the changeling stopped, thinking, "Then he gave two thumbs up."

"A horror movie…?" Raven asked hesitantly. Surely he hadn't forgotten how she felt about horror movies.

"Well, technically it's labeled "Thriller" movie, not so much horror," Beast Boy said evasively, one hand nervously worming the ticket in-between his fingers. She had never really liked scary movies, but then again, that was the point. When Raven got scared, she tended to let her guard down…and that was what he was hoping for. "Come on, let's go gets snacks," he said, taking her by the arm and leading her towards concessions.

Raven moaned inwardly. He was doing this to her on purpose, she just knew it. 'If I embarrass myself because of him, I swear he'll regret it…'

Another twenty dollar bill and ridiculously low amount of change later, the two headed towards Theater 4, arms laden with popcorn and sugary snacks, "I've been waiting all week to see this," Beast Boy stated, his glee like that of a small child with a shiny new quarter or toy, "I'm glad you're here to see it with me."

Raven let a small smile pass over her lips. She couldn't help it – his enthusiasm was contagious. She was sure she wasn't going to enjoy the film, but getting to spend time with Gar was never such a bad thing.

It took several minutes to get "the perfect seats", as Beast Boy referred to them. The Goth was fine sitting anywhere ("Just sit down, BB. We can see the screen from anywhere in this theater; They're insert number of feet high and wide screen is), but the changeling was a bit pickier ("But now we're looking at the screen from an angle! How'm I supposed to get the full effect of the movie if we're not in the middle!?") Eventually, accordance was achieved ("I'll sit next to you if you sit down and shut up, BB."… "Okay.")

The theater was packed by the time the lights went down (luckily, Raven's anti-charisma kept them from being boxed in) and the trailers began. Raven settled back in her seat, thankful that it was cushioned, a bucket of popcorn in her lap. She glanced over at her date, who was gaping at the previews enthralled, and shook her head. Maybe…just maybe she could try to enjoy this evening – for his sake.

One half-hour into the movie had all but removed that thought from her mind. Her eyes were wide and she was unable to turn them away from the screen. The empty bucket of popcorn (emptied not by her, but by Beast Boy, of course) was on the floor. A particularly bright flash of light filled the theater suddenly, and she grabbed hold of his arm unintentionally.

Beast Boy smiled, though not at the sudden twist in the plot, "Hey," he whispered, leaning in towards her ear so she could hear him better, "You ok?" He liked the attention, but if she was really not having a good time he wouldn't make her stay. She was holding his arm, though…

"J-just…fine…" she stammered, then as a scream echoed through the room, she hid her face against his shoulder.

He grinned again, "Wow! Cool!"

'How can he be enjoying this?!' she thought, moving her hands from his arm to around his chest, 'Gods, I feel like an idiot…'

In one smooth motion, Beast Boy moved his newly-freed arm around her shoulders, pulling the Azarath close.

'He did this on purpose…' she realized suddenly, not trying to pull away from him, 'This was just an excuse to be close to me…that's kinda sweet, I guess…in a twisted sort of way.' She snuggled in close and shut her eyes, concentrating on ignoring the soundtrack all around her.

* * *

"Whoo! That was great, wasn't it?" Beast Boy asked, standing up and stretching. The theater was all but deserted now, with the credits having finally worn down. Many cartons of popped corn lay scattered about the floor, their owners not having the courtesy to discard them in the proper trash receptacle as the management of the studio had requested.

Raven pushed herself up out of her seat, "If you ever humiliate me like that again, I'm going to hurt you," she said dryly, offering him her hand, "Now let's get out of here."

"It wasn't that bad, but…ok," he gave up trying to argue his point and took her hand, "We can go now." They left the theater together, in silence, and Beast Boy didn't open his mouth until they were out in the parking lot. "Didja have fun?"

Silence.

"Oh come on…"

She shook her head, "I did not enjoy the film…but I don't mind being around you…"

Now that was something worth hearing, "Really?" he asked enthusiastically. This would be the first time they were out in public together that she hadn't said she was embarrassed by his presence.

"Yes, dammit, you know that," she said, shoving into him playfully.

"I'm not, what was it last time, 'an-insult-to-the-nature-I-represent'?" he inquired, leaning in front of her door so she couldn't get into Cyborg's waiting car.

"No, you're not," she told him, somewhat exasperatedly, "Not tonight, anyway. Tonight you were…a gentleman…" She leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Now move."

"Only a one-kiss date?" he asked teasingly.

She gave him a quizzical look, "Did you expect a saliva exchange in the middle of the parking lot? If you don't manage to annoy on the drive home, you can expect something once we're back in the safety of the garage."

Beast Boy considered this, but ultimately decided this wasn't an insult, but rather a "later". Good enough, "Let us depart then, madam" he said in mock chivalrous tones, moving away and opening the door for Raven.

"Thanks," she slid in and handed him the key, "And next time, I get to pick where we go out, okay?"

"Well, I don't think it'd be nearly as much fun," the changeling stated, clambering into his own seat and bringing the engine alive with a roar, "But I guess it's only fair."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she said, glaring at him.

"It means we wouldn't be getting to see people going insane on large screens!"

"And that's all you consider fun?"

"Well…no," he admitted, slightly flustered, "What're you trying to get at, Rae? I'm trying ta drive here. I can't do that and figure you out at the same time."

"Nevermind…forget it," she said, turning to stare out her window.

"Oh come on!" he burst out, letting go of the steering wheel for one frustrated moment, causing the car to veer off course and nearly run into a lamp post. Shaken by that turn of event, the morphling put both hands firmly on the wheel, "You can't do that!"

"Do what?" she asked, also a bit shaken.

"You can't just say 'nevermind' after all that!"

"It's just…I was hoping we'd be able to spend time together when it didn't involve insane amounts of money and cheap thrills…"

This was going somewhere. He just knew it, "Isn't that called 'home'?"

She sighed and glanced back out the window, they were speeding along the wooded back-roads leading to the Tower. "Pull over for a minute."

"Oh…kay…" he jerked the steering wheel and the car came to a complete standstill. Shifting into park, he leaned forward against the wheel, "What's up?"

Without a word, she unhooked her seatbelt and pushed her door open, sliding out of her seat and crossing in front of the vehicle, coming to a stop at the edge of the forest.

"Rae! Where're ya going?" Beast Boy called, scrambling to get out of the vehicle.

"I want to show you something," she said, turning and disappearing into the trees, "Come on."

The changeling followed her, scratching the back of his head curiously. He had been in this forest plenty of times in animal form. What was so interesting out this place? It was peaceful, to be sure, but still…

He caught up with her in a moonlit clearing, where she stood waiting for him, eyes turned towards the heavens. "Beautiful, isn't it…?"

"Yeah," he agreed, his head not even on the slightest of an incline towards the sky. Raven looked so beautiful tonight…

"See…?" she said, looking over at him, gesturing above her, "This is more like where I would've taken us…there's actually something I've wanted to do with you here for a while now."

Beast Boy's green skin around his cranium turned a light shade of cherry, blood rushing to his face, "Ah…ya lost me, Rae."

She shook her head, smiling. She hadn't lost him at all; she knew exactly what his thoughts were turning to. "No, it's not like that…" she stretched her hands out towards him, "Let me show you."

He took her hand, bewildered. Her warm touch was welcomed, even in the heat of the early fall evening.

She reached out and took hold of his other hand, leaning in close, "I know you watch the stars…but how close have you actually seen them?"

"I've flown before," he said casually, "But I usually look more like this," his head morphed into that of a bald eagle and back again quickly.

"Well…tell me if you've ever flown like this before," she said, closing her eyes as black energy engulfed them both. Seconds later they were rising off the ground, out of the open canopy, faster and faster until Beast Boy could no longer distinguish their city from all the other lights that spread across the shrinking landscape. There was a shockwave that send sparks flying off of the energy surrounding them, and then they stopped. Raven opened her eyes, panting from the effort, and glanced down at the planet below them. "Wow…I did it…" she breathed. 'I never thought I'd actually clear the atmosphere.'

"Raven…we're in outer space!" Beast Boy gulped nervously, "Not that I'm not happy for you and all, but isn't there a lack of oxygen in outer space?"

"We're safe inside the sphere, I promise," she told him, "Just look at it, Gar…it's incredible…"

"Sure does look different from up here," Beast Boy commented quietly, staring at the blue-green marble below them.

"Puts thing in perspective, doesn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah, makes me feel real small."

She squeezed his hands affectionately, "I've wanted to try this for months now…but I wanted to wait until I had someone to share it with. And I'm glad it's you."

"Me too," he nodded earnestly, "This rocks."

She leaned forward and kissed him, "I'm glad you approve."

There was a short silence, the two merely looking down upon the world they often fought to protect, "So…uhh…how long were you plannin' to stay up here? I mean, I've never been one to be scared of heights or anything, it's not that," he explained quickly, waving his arms around frantically to point out his position, "But you're sweating, that's all."

"You're right," she said, "It'll take more practice before I can hold it for any real length of time." She shut her eyes again and then began their descent. The going was much smoother and slower than the ascent had been, up until they were only a few feet above the grass in the clearing once more. Then she released the spell and Beast Boy had to wrap his arms around her neck to keep from dropping to the dirt. She smiled as she lowered them both to the ground, "You okay?"

"Are you?" the changeling asked, concerned over her sudden loss of strength.

"I'll be fine," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist, "Just a little tired."

"Traversing the different layers of the atmosphere might do that to a person, I guess," Beast Boy said playfully, enjoying her closeness.

"I'll get it right eventually," she said earnestly.

"I don't doubt it. I learned a long time ago not to underestimate you."

"Thanks," she said, then blushed, "You think you'd mind carrying me to the car?"

"Not at all, m'lady," he said, his falsely chivalrous tones returning. With that, he scooped her up into his arms and began the trek back towards their waiting automobile.

* * *

"Wow…the lights are all off. I guess they're not waiting up for us," Raven noted as they pulled up the driveway.

"Geez, it's only 12:30!"

"You're right…they're probably just waiting with the lights off," she nodded, "Idiots…"

"So uh…I'm gonna go fly up to my room now," Beast Boy said, slightly embarrassed at the awkward silence that threatened to make its presence known all too well between them, "Thanks for every, Rae," he added, shutting the car down and slipping out.

"No problem," she said, pushing open her door and stepping out. She shut it and then had to lean against it to keep from losing her balance. The flight through the atmosphere had taken more of a toll on her than she'd realized, and she bit her tongue, not really wanting to ask him for help again but knowing she'd never make it up to her room without him. "Gar, wait…"

One arm already a wing, he paused, slowly morphing himself back to normal, "Yeah?"

"Think you could fly me upstairs too?" she asked embarrassedly, trying to push herself off the car, and then she felt lightheaded and had to grab hold of it again.

"Oh!" he said, realizing now what she meant, "Sure! Hop one!" the changeling told her, sliding over the hood of the car to land in front of her. With a smile he transformed into a slightly-smaller-than-average pterodactyl.

"Thanks…" she said, positioning herself on his back, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck, "I don't like being helpless like this, but for now, it's better than collapsing before getting to my room."

The large predator merely nodded and took flight, swooping out of the garage and aiming for the top of Titans Tower. He whirled around to the girl's wing and stopped in front of her bedroom window, sinking and rising gently in one spot as she pulled the windowpane open and slid into her room. Leaning against the sill, she stroked his scaly head, "Thanks again…tonight was great." She planted a kiss on his bill.

The beast's face went completely red and the lack of concentration caused a sudden reversal back to human form. Beast Boy's reaction time was just quick enough to latch on to her window sill, "Heh heh," came his weak laughter, "No problem."

"You idiot…" she said, grabbing hold of the back of his shirt and using the last of her strength to pull him up and into her room. His momentum caused him to overbalance her and they both toppled onto the floor. Raven moaned, unable to summon the power to remove Beast Boy's nose from between her breasts, "Um…are you okay?" she asked, felling the blood rush to her face.

The teenage male jumped back, skittering as a flea back up the window sill. He changed back to humanoid form, rubbing the back of his head embarrassedly while holding on to the narrow beam with his other hand, "I'm fine. Sorry 'bout that…"

"No, it's fine," she said, sitting up still blushing, "That was just a little…unexpected…"

"Hey, I didn't try to do that!"

"I didn't say it was bad," she said, "Just unexpected…"

Beast Boy blinked in surprise, "Oh…- wait, what?"

"I've never been…touched there before," she admitted, casting her gaze downward, "Even if it was unintentional, I can't say I didn't like it."

"Really?" Beast Boy asked, raising his eyebrows up and down at her.

She frowned, "Don't make me push you back out the window. I'm not giving you permission to grope me; I'm just saying I'm not going to hurt you for something that was half my fault."

"Right…" the changeling said, mulling over her words in his head. It was too late at night to be thinking, "Alright, now I'm gonna go," he told her. Without another word, he let go and let himself free-fall about twenty feet before turning into a raven and flapping back towards his room, a head full of nice thoughts and pleasant memories to keep him company in his slumber…

The End