Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
Author's Comments: New story. Woo. This is the third book in my Teen Titans series. If you have not read the first two, Love Hurts (ID: 3141366), and Universal Threat (ID: 3500806), I would encourage you to do so. I must caution that the Titans are growing up, so the subject matter will as well. I must implore all of you to trust me. Everything I write is for a reason.
Chapter 1 - Solitude
Raven groaned and sat up. Ever since Nightwing had insisted that Beast Boy stop keeping her company at night, Raven had not been sleeping as well. She had become accustomed to his warm body beside hers. They had tried to explain to the Titan leader that nothing was going on between them. That they just felt more at ease sharing a bed. Nightwing had put his foot down however, and now they both slept alone. Raven hated sleeping alone. She had enjoyed being close to the man she loved, even if they weren't doing anything. Raven banished the thought from her mind and rubbed her eyes. She reached over the chicken that Beast Boy had given to her years ago and picked up her cloak. She threw it on and floated wearily towards her door.
On the way, Raven passed by her Hubble Space Telescope calendar. She noticed that the date was circled and written on the date was 'Garfield's 18th Birthday.' She wondered what she should get for the shape-shifter for his birthday. Raven phased from her room to her favourite shop. She began looking around, trying not to be distracted by things that would look good in her room. She recognized a Gargoyle that Beast Boy had gotten for her for no apparent reason and smiled. She also kept an eye open for things that the other Titans might like for Christmas. Although the holiday was just over a month away, she liked getting the shopping done early.
"Hello Raven," Raven looked up and smiled at the elderly patron of the store. "We've got scented candles on sale today, as well as carved picture frames."
"Thanks Tom," Raven nodded. "How's the family?"
"The granddaughters were very grateful for your autograph," he replied. Tom's granddaughters were both heavily goth, and idolized Raven. "Eva's been asking about you. She happened to be here when your green friend came in. So naturally she's trying to play matchmaker." Raven chuckled. Eva was a tough old lady who always wore black lipstick. Raven had enjoyed tea with her a few times.
"Hello Raven," Raven turned to see Red X behind her.
"Red X," Raven blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"Getting something for Argent," the former crook replied.
"Ah," Raven said. "Need help?"
"No," he shook his head. "I think I'm going to get her this." It was a tiny dragon carved out of ebony. Raven watched as the former thief shuffled over and paid for the carving.
"Really turning around aren't you?" she observed.
"Doing my best," Red X replied. "I don't want to let Argent down."
"Say 'hello' to her for me," Raven requested.
"Will do," he nodded. "See you later Raven." He disappeared.
"It's amazing the things we do for love," Tom shook his head. "I remember seeing him rob a bank just a few months ago, and now." He chuckled. "He's come in here with Argent to have tea with Eva. Although, I think he was twitching by the end of it." Raven chuckled. She left Tom behind the counter and continued to look around. She picked up some scented candles for Starfire. Now that Starfire and Nightwing were together, Raven estimated that it wouldn't be long before they added a sexual component to their relationship. She picked up an antique sword for Sarasim. She figured that Cyborg could alter it for battles. For the boys however, she was stumped. She had given Cyborg a gift certificate for Cook's Electronic Super Store for his birthday. "Stumped?" She turned to see Tom smiling at her. Raven nodded. Tom brought out a large bat carved from ebony. "Nightwing might appreciate this." Raven took the carved mammal and blinked. "Just trust me on this." Tom smiled. Then he walked into the labyrinth of shelves. Raven followed, levitating the presents that she had gathered so far behind her. "Cyborg might get a kick out of this." Tom held out a small Terminator figurine.
"Since when did you start carrying things like this?" Raven asked.
"You never know what you'll find on these shelves," Tom replied mysteriously. "Now this is an original figurine from the first movie." Raven gingerly took it. "You might do well to drop by Star Labs." Tom continued. "As for your green friend. You know him better than I."
"You seem to know a lot about us," Raven replied.
"Comes from living as long as I have," Tom replied with a smile. Raven shrugged, and continued down the aisles. She spotted a few picture frames, and a leather photo album. She was drawn to an emerald carved picture frame with paw prints on it, and also picked up the photo album.
"The picture frames are buy three, get one free," Tom's voice reached her through the shelves. Raven picked up an ebony carved picture frame with a raven sitting on the right hand corner. She also picked up a stainless-steel frame, and a plain wooden frame as well. She turned and did a double-take. Hanging in the corner was a blanket with a tribal design of the beast. She knew she had to get it for him. She placed her presents down on the counter, and dug out her charge card. Because she was a regular customer, she also got an extra ten percent discount. After paying, Raven phased back to her room, hiding the presents in her closet. She found some blue wrapping paper, and wrapped the picture frames, and the photo album. She hid the presents under her cloak and crept into the Titan's main room.
"Raven?" the telekinetic Titan spun around and came face to face with Cyborg. He was wearing an apron.
"Victor," she breathed. "What are you doing?"
"Making my famous eight layered cake with three different types of frosting," Cyborg grinned. "I've gotta tell you though, it's not easy using Gar's non-milk milk, and non-egg eggs."
"And I am making the crown of meat," Raven jumped at the sound of Starfire's whisper. "Although in Garfield's case, it is tofu."
"I'm hanging decorations," Nightwing hissed from somewhere in the dark.
"What about Sarasim?" Raven asked.
"Keeping a look out for Gar," Cyborg replied. The oven dinged, and Cyborg pulled out the cake. "Well how about that." He grinned. "I can make this tofu junk smell pretty darn good."
"I think he's coming," Sarasim hissed from the doorway.
"Quick everyone," Starfire grabbed Raven. "Hide!" Raven now found herself pressed between Cyborg's prosthesis, and Starfire's chest.
"Dude," she heard Beast Boy say. "Why are the lights off?" The lights clicked on, and everyone sprang out of their hiding places.
"Surprise!" they all yelled. Then they blinked. All that remained of Beast Boy was a small turtle with the head and legs pulled into the shell. Raven swooped over to the hiding turtle.
"Garfield?" she asked. The turtle extended it's head.
"Come on Garfield," Nightwing stepped forward. "We all know it's your birthday."
"I made my famous eight layered cake with three different types of frosting!" Cyborg whipped it out. "And, get this, I even made it with your tofu junk." Starfire swooped forward.
"And I have made you the crown of tofu," she gushed. Beast Boy resumed his human form.
"This is really thoughtful of you guys," there was a sadness in his voice that made Raven frown. "But I'm really not in the mood for a party."
"Come on Gar," Cyborg pleaded. "You only turn eighteen once. And if I'm not mistaken, you've grown a few inches."
"Look guys," Beast Boy started to say.
"Garfield," Raven interrupted him. "Unless you're becoming a portal and destroying the world, I can't see why you can't enjoy the work we did putting this together."
"Is there ice-cream?" Beast Boy asked.
"You bet there's ice-cream," Cyborg gloated. "You have no idea how hard it is to find tofu ice-cream." A small smile crept across Beast Boy's face. Starfire placed the crown of tofu on his head, and he sat down with the others to enjoy the cake. "Not bad for tofu." Cyborg said with his mouth full. Another small smile flitted across the shape-shifter's lips. "Hey Gar, Raven, stand up for a sec." Raven looked at the green-skinned Titan. He shrugged at her, and the two stood up. "Stand back to back." Cyborg instructed, standing. Raven turned and felt Beast Boy's back against her. "Just as I thought." Cyborg grinned. "Gar, you're officially no longer the shortest Titan."
"Really?" Beast Boy asked.
"Yep," Cyborg grinned. "You and Raven are the same height now." Raven turned around. Cyborg was right. She no longer was looking down at him.
"Sweet," Beast Boy grinned. Everyone applauded, and Beast Boy took a bow. Now that he was in better spirits, the gift giving proceeded. From Cyborg, he received the new Mega Monkeys game, and from Sarasim his very own controller. It was black and dark magenta, like his costume. From Nightwing he got an autographed photograph of Batman in a bat-frame. From Starfire he got what looked like a tiny purple alligator.
"It is a very popular pet from Tamaran," she gushed holding up the tiny alligator. "If you add water to her, she will grow."
"What does she eat?" Beast Boy asked.
"She seems to like ice-cream," Starfire shrugged.
"I think I'll call her Violet," Beast Boy held up the alligator which made an odd squeaking noise. Raven was nervous when he opened her presents. "Picture frames." He grinned. "I was wondering what I'd put those pictures in that Vic took."
"So you like them?" Raven wanted to make sure.
"Of course," Beast Boy hugged her. Raven was relieved. "Thanks everyone." He smiled at the Titans.
"You're old enough to drink now," Cyborg grinned at him. "Well, in some places in Canada maybe."
"Dude," Beast Boy rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to go to Canada to get drunk."
"Well," Cyborg grinned. "Eighteen is a good age to lose your..."
"Uh, anyways," Beast Boy cut him off. "I think I'm going to find places for my presents."
"Do you want help?" Raven asked.
"No thanks," Beast Boy smiled at her. Then he turned into a large gorilla, and picked up all the presents. Violet squeaked, and crawled up onto his head. Beast Boy loped off.
"Did he seem a little off to anyone else?" Raven asked.
"He did seem like he had something on his mind," Nightwing agreed. Raven frowned and looked out to the door way.
"I hope he's okay," she murmured.
- Scene Break -
Beast Boy lay on the top of his bunk-bed. Violet lay on his desk, making some sort of purring noise. Beast Boy's arms were wrapped around his torso. He was trying to keep himself together. It wasn't the Titan's fault. He had never told them. Granted it wasn't as bad as becoming a portal and destroying the world, but as far as he was concerned it was bad enough. He always felt very alone this time of year. Yet he had never told a soul. He figured that the Titans were used to the happy-go-lucky Beast Boy. They couldn't possibly know that he had a tragic secret. They knew that he had been part of the Doom Patrol, but they didn't know that he had literally been raised by them. They didn't know that he had spent his birthday without a family for years.
"Happy Birthday Garfield," he muttered into the darkness, and as usual there was no answer.