A week had passed from when Terra first betrayed the Titans, but it seemed like it was just yesterday for Beast Boy when he saw her ally with Slade, and it sent a spiral of emotion through him each time it popped into his mind. Some days it would be rage-inducing, and others it would be enough to make him sob.
The tower had been cleaned up by now, but there was still some work to patch up all the walls, doors and windows, but with Cyborg's strength and experience with all sorts of technology, Beast Boy knew the tower would be as good as new in no time.
Except for Terra's room. All of the Titans' rooms had been cleaned up and patched up so they could sleep in privacy, but Terra's was barred up, with Robin telling him it was to renovate it, but he knew all too well why planks were nailed to the door.
So there Beast Boy sat, at the top of the tower, overlooking the city he couldn't even safely be in anymore since he was a wanted man after his… incident at one of the local parks. The others weren't happy with him about it, but at least a stern talking down to by Robin or by Cyborg was some sort of attention that he was use to.
"Um… Beast Boy.." Starfire's voice surprised Beast Boy some, but he was just so in his mind that he didn't even flinch like he use to. "The pizza is here, do you wish to come down and eat some with the rest of us…? You've been up here all day…" Her innocent, concerned tone just made Beast Boy feel guilty. Up here, he didn't have the best track of time, but with the sky turning orange and the moon becoming more and more visible, it was probably dinner time.
"In a bit." Beast Boy coldly replied, idly fiddling with his gloves as he didn't even look back to face his friend. "But.. that's what you said yesterday and you never came.. why not come now?" Starfire pried, which was now ticking him off, but he tried his best to contain it. He knew Starfire only had the best intentions, and she was too wholesome for him to get upset at.
But how was he going to get her out of his hair? "Because… I'll just be there in a bit, ok? I'm sorry for yesterday.." Beast Boy said in the friendliest voice he could force out of his mouth, giving Starfire a brief thumbs up before placing his hands back on his lap.
"If.. this is about Terra, then.. you're just going to have to move on." Starfire countered, floating closer until she was by Beast Boy's side. "You can't keep thinking about her and hang out with us. How will you get better if you do nothing but be alone and sad?" Ok, now she was starting to push it. Again, Beast Boy forced himself to keep his mouth shut, as to try and not hurt Starfire, but she was making it difficult.
"I don't think Slade is going to remain quiet for long and when he strikes, we're going to need you to help." Starfire insisted, placing a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder.
Something about what Starfire was saying felt off to Beast Boy, it's like… she was reading a script. And it didn't take long for him to connect the dots. "Did Robin tell you to come up here and tell me this?" Beast Boy sighed, pushing Starfire's soft hand off of him. "Can he not even talk to me himself?"
It seemed those questions caught Starfire off-guard, and she remained quiet for a bit before slowly speaking once more. "He… just misses you, Beast Boy. We all do… even Raven seems concerned." She replied as calmly as she could, shaky voice and all, trying to make eye contact with the mutant, who just looked away.
"Yeah, so much so that you're the only one to actually come up here?" Beast Boy growled in return, his hands bunching up into fists. "Look, Star, I appreciate that you're concerned with me, but I'm just fine up here, I'll come down eventually." Hopefully that's that..
But of course, it wasn't, as Starfire spoke once more. "We've tried to value your privacy, but it's getting to the point where we're really getting concerned for you." She soon stood up, looking down at the hunched over mutant. "And eventually isn't now. We want your company now… but if you insist, I'll leave you alone.."
"Please do.." Beast Boy coldly stated, going back to look over the city and to watch the sunset while Starfire solemnly nodded her head and floated off. Finally.. He internally sighed, closing his eyes and just entering his mind, reliving memories that were so precious to him before…
"Beast Boy!" Was followed by the loud sound of a door slamming open, and turning around, Beast Boy saw the figure of Robin walking forward. Great.. Robin looked irritated and his walk over to him just screamed angry.
Now Robin was someone Beast Boy felt more comfortable being rude with in his current state, plus it wasn't like Robin was a bundle of joy to be around a lot of the time in the first place. "Thought you guys were valuing my privacy.." He said in greeting, dusting himself off as he stood up to meet the former sidekick.
"What's the matter with you? All we've done is to try and be supportive of you, and yet you're just being a jerk!" Robin growled, standing over the much shorter Titan, who however wasn't intimidated by the aggressive stance.
"How am I being a jerk? I'm staying away from you guys to avoid being a jerk to you guys!" Beast Boy responded, his eyes narrowing as he faced Robin. "There's a difference between getting some space and self-isolating yourself-" "And you've never self-isolated? You were camped in your little study room for days on without rest to try and find Slade." Beast Boy hastily interrupted his leader, remembering the times where Robin would just stay in that dark room, looking over the smallest of hints that always lead him nowhere in the search for the villain.
"That was completely different! I was in there to try and help us by finding Slade, while you're out here doing nothing of value!" Robin retorted, rubbing his temples in annoyance. And Beast Boy was turning from annoyed to angry, he was use to be talked down to, that came with being the youngest of the Titans, but in his more agitated state, it really got to him.
"Yeah, and you did such a good job in that. How many weeks was it until you had to resort to stealing and tricking us to actually get anywhere in your investigating?" Beast Boy just sighed, beginning to turn around to look back at the sunset.
"No!" Robin shouted, grabbing Beast Boy by the neckline of his shirt, turning him back around to face the leader. "Just like how I was stealing, both to find Slade and to serve Slade, Terra will be doing the same, and you being-" Beast Boy had heard enough, and with Robin's hands already on him, the smaller male decided to return the favor by bringing up his right hand and slapping Robin in the face, getting him away for a few moments.
And it was just then that Beast Boy realized what he had just did. He hit his leader. Hard too, he could feel his palm stinging after the slap, and looking at Robin, he was down at one knee, rubbing his cheek and shaking his head some.
"Uh, don't mean to interrupt guys, but we got troub- Everything alright?" It was Cyborg's time to come up to the roof, and Beast Boy could hear the sirens ringing out throughout the Tower. Robin soon stood up, giving a final shake of his head before nodding. "Yeah, everything's fine. What kind of trouble?" He asked.
"The Hiveling kind. Looks like those three are at the police station. Who knows what they want there.." Cyborg hastily answered, still looking curious of the two's situation before heading back downstairs.
Hivelings were the three troublemakers that briefly took over the Tower. Mammoth, Gizmo and Jinx. Annoying bunch that were the one of the more common criminals around that the Teen Titans had to deal with.
"Uh, so Robin.." Beast Boy began to mutter, slowly walking up to his leader. "No time, you coming or not?" Robin interrupted, staring at him with a determined look, as if he had forgotten what had just happened. And while Beast Boy was still 'mourning', it wasn't in him to ignore a call to protect the city. "Of course.." He could barely get out before Robin rushed downstairs, and Beast Boy quickly followed.
It wasn't a long trip from the tower to the police station, with Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire all able to fly while the T-Car was as fast as anything. And it was when they got there, they saw what the Hivelings were doing. There were several police officers already trapped in large orange bubbles, and upon further inspection, one could reach into the bubbles, but one couldn't reach out of them.
And with the bad guys nowhere in sight, the Titans tried to help the officers out of the odd bubbles until a pink beam struck the ground, causing an explosion and a cloud of smoke to obstruct Beast Boy's vision. "Were wondering when you'd snotfaces get here, it was getting boring trapping all these losers!" Gizmo's voice was the first one to be heard, and as the smoke cleared, there were the three. Gizmo was already on those mechanical spider legs of his, tongue stuck out at the Titans, while Jinx and Mammoth stood beside him, Jinx's hands glowing pink while Mammoth was cracking his knuckles.
"Heh, trust me, it'll be much more boring when you're trapped behind bars!" Robin retorted, brushing the dust of his shirt as the Titans assembled once more. Always with the one liner.. Beast Boy shook his head as he thought, a chuckle escaping his mouth. This was just what he needed to get back to normal!
"Titans, go!" And like that, the fight began. Jinx started by firing several pink beams against the group that were matched by Starfire's starbolts. Cyborg and Robin decided to team up against Mammoth, who remained mostly unhurt by Robin's bonemerangs and Cyborg's strikes, matching them blow to blow. Which just left Gizmo who was blasting at Raven, "Eat lasers, slobhead!" He yelled out as his blasters were shooting yellow, bullet-like lasers at the soaring Raven, who was responding with a few black bolts of her own.
Transforming into a bear, Beast Boy charged forward, aiming himself at those long metal legs of Gizmo's as he was busy firing at Raven. "Not so fast, boogerbrain!" He shouted out, just as Beast Boy looked to slash out those spider legs, they were sucked back into Gizmo's harness and popping out the back was some helicopter blades, flying just high enough to avoid any ground animal.
However, the small distraction was enough for Raven to turn around and retaliate, hitting the tiny genius right in the face with one of those black beams, sending him flying in the air before he recovered. "Ow! Now you're going to get it!" Gizmo shouted out, two rocket launchers now appearing out the side of his jetpack, and soon fired off rockets directed right at Raven.
"Look out!" Beast Boy warned Raven, who despite her forcefield, was sent flying in the air as the rockets collided against it. However, Gizmo was soon met with another flying combatant in Starfire who began firing starbolts at him now. " 'Ey watch it, just upgraded this thing!" Gizmo screeched, rapidly dodging around as Starfire went in pursuit.
"Wait, so if Star was fighting Jinx, then where is-" Beast Boy's question was soon answered as a pink slice just barely missed him, instead exploding the ground in front of him, causing a shout to come out of his mouth. He responded by quickly turning into a hawk, flying up into the air and weaving around to avoid more of those glowing waves of… whatever it was, Beast Boy just assumed it was like Starfire's bolts.
Once close enough, Beast Boy went from a hawk to an elephant, looking to land right atop of Jinx, but somehow she saw it coming and was able to roll out the way just in time. "Ow.." Beast Boy grunted, shifting back to his human form to rub his gut, only to get met with a pink beam striking him right in the chest. "Bet that hurts even more, chump." Jinx laughed as Beast Boy was sent flying, crashing into a lamp post. "Ugh.."
"Now let me put the puppy out of its misery." Jinx chuckled, aiming both of her palms at the defenseless Beast Boy, his vision dizzy, but a glowing bright pink began to flash in front of him before the light went away after a large thud was heard.
"No one hurts my friends." Raven said, walking over to Jinx's unconscious body, a street sign laying beside her, before looking over at Beast Boy. "You alright?" She then asked, and Beast Boy noticing his shirt was torn, a burn mark crossing his pecs. "Oh, uh.. I'm fine, let's just beat these other two."
"Looks like that's going to be a bit of a problem." Raven grunted, pointing over to Starfire who looked to be trapped in one of those orange bubbles, which were apparently soundproof as well, as it looked like she was giving, or attempting to give, Gizmo an earful.
Beast Boy then ran over to Gizmo, who was back on his spider legs. "You again, twerp?" Gizmo said, as if flabbergasted, before trying to stomp on Beast Boy with those steel limbs. Quickly shifting into a mouse, he made sure to jump out the way of all the stomps, soon catching one of them and climbing up them.
"What?! Get off me, you butt for brains!" Gizmo squealed, rapidly shaking his spider legs in an attempt to get him off, but it was to little use as Beast Boy finally reached the back of her harness, then transforming into a monkey and ripping into all the cords of the multi-purpose device.
"No no no no!" Gizmo yelled out in horror as soon his spider legs gave out and both he and Beast Boy fell to the ground, his harness nothing more than torn up metal and wires. "Starfire, mind some company?" Beast Boy huffed, tossing the baddy into the bubble along with Starfire, who only looked pissed with the little man.
Suddenly, Starfire went wide-eyed and pointing forward, causing Beast Boy to turn around and see both Robin and Cyborg trapped in the orange bubbles as well, while Raven went head to head with Mammoth. She tried to hurl everything she could at the giant, from street signs to cars to fire hydrants, most of them barely affecting the behemoth. Mammoth then clapped his hands, sending an eye-bleeding screeching sound throughout the area, forcing both Beast Boy and Raven to cover her ears. And before Beast Boy knew it, Mammoth leaped up into the air, smashing down onto Raven, pinning her down. "Bye bye, tiny girl." He taunted, lifting up those goliath hands of his into the air while she was still dazed, looking to smash.
"No!" Beast Boy had to move fast, and thus he first transformed into a cheetah, rushing over as fast as he could, getting into leaping range before jumping up into the air, turning into a billy goat, slamming his horns into the gut of Mammoth and sending him falling back, just enough to get him away from the defenseless Raven.
"Huh?" Mammoth grunted, shaking his head some and looking forward at the skinny green man in front of him. "Oh, I know you! I just wanted to apologize…" He began to say in an almost sympathetic voice, which confused Beast Boy some. "I'm sorry that Terra girl caught sight of a true man-" Mammoth flexed those massive muscles of his, a smirk across his face. "-and left her skin-and-bones boyfriend behind. Don't worry, I'll be sure to make her happy, something you never could."
It took Beast Boy a few seconds to process what Mammoth just said, and how on earth he'd know about Terra, but then he remembered that they worked for Slade… He probably told them. And that just pissed off Beast Boy. "Take that back.." He growled, snarling and baring those spiky teeth of his.
"Oh, kinda like how she took back her allegiance to the Titans?" Mammoth taunted even more, before slamming his fists down onto the ground, causing a miniature earthquake to shake and rattle Beast Boy while he charged forward. However, his anger just kept him focused on the massive meathead, and Beast Boy was going to make him pay for his remarks.
Jumping up into the air, Beast Boy transformed into a gorilla, trying to smash his fists down onto Mammoth who managed to block with his forearms. "Heh, trying to be a big boy now?" He continued to taunt and prod, before Beast Boy felt a hard punch right against his gut, sending him flying overhead and landing on the road.
"Guess I'll have to smash you first.." Mammoth laughed, standing over the fallen Beast Boy as he coughed and shook his head. "Then I think I'll go and 'smash' Terra, think she handle me?" Mammoth's last comment really got to Beast Boy now, and he made sure to make the goliath pay with a gorilla fist right to his crotch.
"OW OW OW!" Mammoth whimpered, holding onto his crotch while Beast Boy was able to capitalize, getting back up onto his feet and use a double-fist to smash Mammoth overhead back down to the ground. He could practically see the stars flying around his head, however Beast Boy wasn't done with him yet.
Walking over to the defeated giant and sitting down on his chest, Beast Boy wrapped his hands around Mammoth's throat, squeezing as hard as he could to choke out the giant while all he could do was writhe and gag. "Br-Bro.. We.. aren't ac-actually.. dating.." Mammoth tried to heave out, but Beast Boy couldn't care at this point, so angry that he wouldn't mind one bit if he died right then and there. And it seemed he was getting close, with his struggles slowly losing strength.
"Beast Boy, stop!" Raven's voice however snapped him out of it, and looking forward, he could see Raven reaching out towards him, still laid on the ground, along with the other Titans slamming against their bubbles, screaming as well. Even Jinx and Gimzo looked concerned, trapped in their bubbles as well, clawing at them in an attempt to break free.
Blinking several times, Beast Boy released Mammoth's throat from his grasp, getting off of his chest, just watching him writhe around on the ground in pain, gasping for breath while also holding onto his crotch. What was that.. He wondered in horror, reverting back to his human form and looking down at his hands. They were shaking rapidly, there was a certain kind of adrenaline throughout through his blood. And it was… exciting. Exhilarating. That was a rush that he had never felt before. And that's what scared Beast Boy the most. Why was he hyped up over that?
I need to get my mind off of this. He thought, wanting to just run away, get out of there, but seeing his friends still trapped in those bubbles, along with Raven laying on the ground, he knew he couldn't.
Beast Boy jogged over to where Raven was, he slowly picked her up, making sure she could stand properly before letting her go. "Are you ok?" Beast Boy asked, panting like he had just ran around the globe, staring desperately into Raven's eyes. Sweat was running all down his body, soaking his clothes while making his wounds sting all that much more.
"Let's just get you home." Raven sighed, looking worried for Beast Boy, which just scared him even more. What's wrong with me?
"All tests say you're perfectly fine, Beast Boy." Cyborg concluded, which just led to Beast Boy, covered in numerous machines with more wires coming out of them, to be even more nervous. Cyborg had rushed both Beast Boy and Raven back to the tower, while Robin and Starfire hung back to free all the officers and make sure the Hivelings went behind bars.
While Raven was in the sick bay, Cyborg did his best to tend to Beast Boy's burn wound on his chest and wrap it up in medical tape, but he wasn't quite the doctor Raven was.
"You probably just got carried away because of Mammoth's comments. You weren't in a good state of mind going into that mission and Mammoth commenting on Terra just made it worse." Robin said with a frown, looking over at Starfire as she entered the room.
"How's Raven?" He asked as Beast Boy began to tug off all of the technological stuff off of him. Starfire grinned some in response, "Why don't you ask her yourself?" She said gleefully, and soon Raven walked into the main room, Beast Boy letting out a sigh of relief.
"Was just shaken up by that clap move, I'm fine." Raven said with a slight smile, however Cyborg stepped forward, a sly smirk on his face. "Isn't there someone you should thank?" And he made it all too obvious who he was referring to, practically pointing a bright red arrow right on Beast Boy who had finished unhooking himself from everything.
Goddamn it, Cy. Beast Boy sighed internally, a slight blush crossing his cheeks. "I was getting to that." Raven grunted some, some embarrassment on her face as well. "Thanks for saving me back there, Beast Boy. And… glad to see you back around here." She slowly thanked Beast Boy, her smile growing somewhat larger.
"Oh, uh, no need for that, we're a team after all.." He just chuckled some, scratching the back of his head and trying to look everywhere but at Raven. "Oh, Beast Boy. Spoke with the sheriff of the police station. Thanks to your actions back there to save the officers, they're going to drop all charges towards you for that park incident." Robin was the one to break the awkwardness, however it was just more congratulatory stuff for Beast Boy to blush about.
"Oh, what a joyous occasion!" Starfire yelled gleefully, wrapping her arms around Beast Boy and giving him a death hug. "I say we celebrate all the good news with the movie night, where we watch all the best films and animation until our eyes cannot bare it!"
"And we still have that pizza we ordered!" Cyborg added, pointing towards the box of pizza still laying on the main counter. "Sounds like a plan to me, you two up for it?" Robin then asked, looking over towards the two, hints of red still across their cheeks.
A movie night? With pizza? After just kicking some bad guy butt? Beast could definitely think of worse ways to spend a night. "Totally!" He hollered, then looking at Raven who just shrugged. "Sure…"
It seemed like things were going back to normal for the Titans, however a lingering thought sat in the back of Beast Boy's head. How did I lose control like that...