Better together (BBRAE)

55) the visit.

Raven and Beastboy arrived in Azarath.

"Raven! Garfield! You are here!" Arella said joyfully.

She ran over and pulled the couple into a hug.

"I've missed you both! How are you?"

"We are doing well. You seem to be in a very good mood. Is everything ok?" Raven asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Today Sarai and I have been working on wedding preparations. I was hoping that today you and Garfield would accompany me as I shopped for wedding dresses. Of course I want my daughter to be with me and I could use a male opinion on the dresses if that's ok with you Garfield."

Beastboy nodded.

"Of course! I'd love to. When are we going?"

"Whenever you both are ready," Arella responded.

Raven looked at Beastboy, silently asking him if he was ready to go. He slightly nodded.

"We can go now," Raven said.

Arella clasped her hands together.

"Great! Let's get going!"

Raven barely recognized the Arella that she was. She was so different than the Arella that raised her as a child and all the way up till Raven went to earth. It was very weird to Raven. The first time Raven visited Azarath after finding out that Azarath was still alive and well, Raven could barely believe that it was truly Arella. When Arella reunited with her, she was so excited that she yelled Raven's name and ran up to hug her. She told Raven how much she loved and missed her. Arella invited Raven to go out to lunch and the quiet, composed, and reserved Arella that Raven remembered was gone. Apparently it was because of Luke. At first, Raven wasn't sure what to think of that. But now, Raven was used to the new Arella and loved her new open and loving personality. It reminded her that she was loved and cared about by Arella and Luke. She truly loved the feeling of happiness, love, comfort, and joy.

Arella and Sarai led the way and Beastboy and Raven walked side by side following behind them. After a while of walking, they passed by a boy that was staring at Raven. Raven jerked her head back forward, grabbed Beastboy's hand and moved closer to him.

Beastboy watched as the boy's face turned to anger when he saw Raven do those things. Beastboy glared back, asserting his dominance. The boy became even more angry and looked away from Beastboy before storming off.

As they walked, Beastboy lowered his head to Raven's ear.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"No," she whispered fearfully.

"Is that... him?" He asked in a whisper tone.

Raven hung her head down and looked away anxiously.

"Yah..." she whispered with fear covering her voice. Her body began shaking slightly.

Beastboy squeezed her hand tighter.

"It's ok. I'm right here and I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

Raven took a shaky breath and nodded, starting to feel a little better.

Arella looked back to check on the two and saw that they were holding hands. Raven immediately jerked her hand away from Beastboy's.

"It's ok. You're allowed to hold hands now. Things have changed Raven. Luke and I do it all the time. Lots of couples do."

Raven reluctantly moved her hand back over to Beastboy's and he took her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. She wouldn't have normally done that, but in that moment she needed him. They looked at each other. He smiled at her comfortingly and she smiled back.