the ghost is back kids. wait for me because i'm going to be set free from purgatory soon.

You know the routine. - JM

Carve: He laughs when Raven offers branding a star with his name. Or gouging his initials into the ocean floor. Rearranging rivers to mirror the loops of his signature. Sure, he thinks she's joking. But she will find some way to prove to this tiny universe how much she loves him.

Sheep: He had acted so sweet, another naïve lamb. But the disguise slowly slips. The demon dozing in her blood purrs awake to watch the boy brawl. Snarls compliments for every gleaming fanged smile. Hisses vicious promises at lurking shadows in wide eyes. Thank Azar, here at last is a wolf.

Even: They've well-rehearsed every interaction. Beast Boy saves Raven, teases. Raven sighs. Next scene, she saves him and gives her line. That's the script he thought they were using. Not this last moment adlib where the act ends INT. HALLWAY and debts are balanced with the press of lips to cheek.

Option:
"What about Bruce Wayne?"
"He's probably old enough to be your father."
"If he wasn't though! Like imagine-"
"It would never happen."
"But young billionaire Bruce Wayne! He could literally buy you everything."
"And? I already have what I want."
"Wait, really? So even…"
"Against young Bruce Wayne? Still you."

Soft: Raven knows her reputation. Mild infamy is useful so she doesn't mind. Not when people like turning Beast Boy and his famously obliging nature into a target. Quietly, she makes her expectations (threats) regarding him very clear. Maybe it spawns mumbles about weak spots. But truth can be useful too.

Reliance: He never gives her more than a heartbeat of warning. "You've gotta catch me." Then he's gone, terrifying and already too far to stop. Detonators all pressed and final gambits playing out. Every time, the margin for error gets smaller. But she will catch him. There isn't another acceptable option.

Fountain: The loud little boy is obviously going to be a problem. Raven knows how to recognize potential threats to the calm internal vista she maintains and takes immediate note. How he drowns in whatever mood the tide brings. Drenched in laughter and blame and longing. He's a walking flood warning.

Choose: Raven would ignore it. The impressions of pity, how sad to be stuck with him. They shouldn't need to explain anything. But he wilts so easily, too quick to believe. He is hers and she doesn't bother with worthless things. Her pride is savage enough to enjoy crushing that nonsense.

Flawed: When he looks at her, Beast Boy is somehow blind to all the things she hates. Or he's just ignoring them. He knows her monstrous faults and still isn't horrified. It's sweet but one of his most frustrating qualities. Just once, Raven wishes he would show that kindness to himself.

Effect: Raven wants to die. Of all the cringe inducing quips Beast Boy has ever said, she laughs at the dumb cardboard pun. In the middle of fighting Control Freak and an army of cutout standees. In front of all their friends. Not even his triumphant smile makes it less mortifying.

1. DC, stop bringing new children to derail my fun.
2. Equivalent exchange for my cardboard pun.
3. I just realized what I did and I'm sorry.