Balance

Morning is perhaps the most interesting time at the tower. Being in the presence of five superheroes is enough. Now think about these superheroes are barely awake and sometimes a little grumpy. Many morning battles have broken out among varying titan members. However, these wars are quickly quenched after breakfast and forgotten by noon. So is the life of a teenager.

Inside one of the Titan's room, we see life portrayed in a dark green. One is left to wonder the color of the floor design that lies beneath the impenetrable mess that seems to have taken control of the room. Only one thing moves in this apparent disaster area. Upon what appears to be a bed, large books and pizza boxes seem to be moving in an unending rise and fall pattern. Perhaps the mess has found a means to evolve respiratory abilities. This could be a breakthrough in the study of evolution and the beginning of life. Imagine if a mess could somehow become alive. A loud repetitive beeping of an alarm clock quickly interrupts this biologist's dream. The lump once thought to be breathing groans at the interruption hoping it will go away. However, the beeping continues almost in defiance of the lumps protest. One can see the lump shift. Through the clutter, a large gorilla arm comes smashing down viciously declaring victory over the mechanical alarm. The green gorilla arm slowly forms into that of a human. The titan known as BeastBoy rises from the garbage in a sight that could be compared to a phoenix rising from the ashes, only much dirtier.

The young man awakes to move to his mirror. A lot has happened in his span of service to the Teen Titans. BeastBoy's growth and maturity were stunted by the procedure that gave him his shape shifting powers. However, his incident with Adonis had jumpstarted his puberty. For the beginning years of the titans, Garfield Logan had remained a small wiry child who had green complexion. Only his animal states had any power. After the chemical treatment, BB started to change. He grew to a height that nearly rivaled Cyborg. Once the smallest member of the team, he now looked eye to eye with the powerhouse Cyborg and the rest of the team looked up to him. He has also grown in muscular strength. BB's shoulders have broadened a large deal and his green back now sported three faint black stripes. BB's face has also changed a great deal. He now sported longer hair and wild facial hair that only added to his animal like appearance. These new looks have been noticed by many of the females around BeastBoy. However, he has yet to see any appreciation from the one he cares for most.

'No time to get depressed, I need to get ready' he looks over to his once functional alarm clock, 'And by ANOTHER alarm clock.'

BeastBoy left his room in time to find Raven leaving her own. His heart skipped a beat as he approached the dark women.

"Morning sunshine," BeastBoy said sarcastically.

"Hi BB," Raven deadpanned.

Very few people had anything on the gothic young women. However, BB knew here like no other could. Ever since their beginning in the Teen Titans, BB has made it his personal mission in life to bring joy to the girl with such a sad life. It has been a losing battle so far. Yet every small victory that BeastBoy attained only made him try harder. Overtime he had come to actually be able to hold conversations with the dark lady that would last for long periods of time. BeastBoy remembered that his current record was 47 minutes and 21 seconds. He tactfully knew that the best time to get to Raven was when she first woke up. No matter how stoic Raven could become, she was still terrible uncoordinated when she first woke up. BeastBoy took advantage of this by continuing to escort her to breakfast every morning. It was early in the morning, before her defenses were fully awaken, when he could get a quick smile or grin to come across the Goth's lips. He knew somewhere inside that Raven enjoyed BeastBoy's company. At least he surely hoped so.

"So what are you up to today," BeastBoy questioned.

"I think I am going to read and relax for most of the day," Raven stated in a tone that was almost dry but was still a little groggy from sleep.

BeastBoy inwardly smiled at being able to witness another side of Raven's personality.

Raven risked a chance to glance over at the green titan walking with her. She mentally noted how different BeastBoy looked when he was not in his uniform. Right now he was wearing baggy pants and a black tank top. For a brief moment, her eyes started to study the muscle structure of BeastBoy's arms and chest. He had grown into a very impressive young man. He still carried that quick wit and happy go lucky attitude. However, he had developed a beast like countenance that gave him a more dangerous look. She knew he would never hurt his teammates though so the look never scared her. Somewhere one of her emotions mentioned that she liked it before Raven mentally hushed the emotion. She also had come to like the horizontal stripes appearing on BeastBoy's back. She thought it gave him an exotic and wild appearance. Again, she was starring at the changeling and mentally scolded herself again. She always had trouble first thing in the morning at controlling her emotions. It always seemed that she would find BB at this time as well. She had considered that this might not be a coincidence. However, she did not push the issue.

'Because you wouldn't change it if it was,' one of her emotions responded.

'It is too early for this discussion,' Raven mentally responded.

'Your loss,' the emotion said before disappearing. Raven mentally noted that her emotions had been acting funny. She decided to call a meeting later tonight to see what was wrong.

Her mind returned to her current company. It almost seemed right that he would wear such comfortable clothing due to his relaxed nature. She enjoyed the conversations that she had with the energetic changeling. He never expected her to change like Starfire and Robin had constantly tried to do. She understood that the two were worried about her. This worry only doubled when the two finally became a couple and took on a role of counselors to everyone else. Raven inwardly chuckled at the time Robin had tried to take on a fatherly role and tell Raven that her attitude would keep pushing people away and she risked ending up alone. Raven of course wrote this off. She could not allow herself to get to close to anyone; her powers could endanger her and the ones she cared for. However, there was a moment of worry.

Raven wondered if BeastBoy would ever tire of his quest to make her laugh. Internally she sighed. He never tried to change her. He only tried to include her and comfort her. He never asked for anything in return. Never cared how much she verbally pushed him away. She felt bad that her dry comments were often used to fend off BB's caring humor. She had begun to genuinely care about the large beast that stood next to her. She cared for all of her teammates. They had given her the one thing she had longed for since her conception. She had found a place where she belonged and was cared about. However, she knew she could only get so close. She could never allow herself to open fully for fear of her powers taking over. This stood double for the one titan that tried so hard to bring her happiness. She just wished that someday she could thank him for all he has done for her.

They had approached the door separating the kitchen from the common room that also contained the kitchen. BeastBoy quickly devised a plan to lighten the dark titan's mood. He ran ahead of Raven to grasp the door and open it. He stood beside it in a formal bow.

"After you my lady," BB said in a terrible faked British accent.

Raven stood there for a second looking at the goofy titan. She could see him recoil waiting for her to say something hurtful to push him further away.

'Do you truly fear me' Raven thought sorrowfully. 'I am so sorry BeastBoy, but I could never open up to you. But I can grant you a brief victory.'

"Thank you Sir," Raven replied with just the smallest of grins.

BeastBoy was stunned. Had she just played along with the joke? DID SHE JUST SMILE……..at me? BeastBoy was happy beyond belief.

'Maybe today is my lucky day,' BeastBoy wondered.

"Are you going to stand there all day or do you plan to eat?" Robin asked snapping BB out of his trance.

"Yeah, I am coming." BB answered.