The Beast Within Us
Chapter 2: The Argument
As Beast Boy poured the tofu waffle batter into the iron, the door to the living room opened with a hiss. "Good morning." Robin said as he ruffled and smoothed back his hair much to Beast Boy's amusment. It was quite obvious that he was applying the finishing touches to his hair gel in order to obtain his trademark spikey doo. The changeling suppressed a small chuckle as the other Titan walked over to the table, grabbing yesterday's unfinished paper. "Morning." Beast Boy responded, glancing over his shoulder. At least not everything about Robin was boring. Just most things. He thought as Robin instantly became engrossed in the paper and left no hint that Beast Boy's response had been heard.
He studied the other boy as he scooped the cooked eggs onto a plate. There was rarely a moment when the two of them were alone and now they would be this way for a whole week. With the others around it was easy for Beast Boy to spout off whatever was on his mind. One way or another he knew he would get a response from someone, be it positive or not.
With breakfast finished, Beast Boy carried the plates over to the table. "So," Beast Boy started, the silence was already aching. Robin barely glanced up from the paper but acknowledged that he was listening. "What do you want to do today? We could play Gamestation or head over to the organic store. I really need to pick up some more tofu."
"Sorry, Beast Boy. I have work to do." Robin said without hesitation.
"What work?" Beast Boy responded with annoyance thick in his voice. He should have figured this would happen. "Aside from the occasional robbery, things have been pretty slow."
"And now there's only two of us." Folding up the paper and setting it down, Robin accepted the plate of tofu waffles and eggs Beast Boy had slid his way. He took a bite of the substitute chicken product and continued. "We're going to have our work cut out for us. We need to be prepared."
Beast Boy rolled his eyes and took a bite out of his own food. "How are we going to be prepared if you tire yourself out 'working' all the time?" He did manage to get the Teen Wonder to cock an eyebrow at that statement but he did respond right away. Beast Boy held his glance as he took a sip of soy milk. Robin held his as well while cutting up a piece of tofu waffle. Was Robin actually contemplating what Beast Boy had said or merely waiting to see if there was anything else he had to say? Assuming the latter, as it was most likely true, Beast Boy continued. "Why can't you just take a break from working? There's no huge crimes that need to be solved and you could stand to lighten up a bit."
"I can't afford that luxury. We can't allow ourselves to drop our guard."
Beast Boy sighed. This was going to be a very boring week indeed. After breakfast the day just got worse. Beast Boy was able to entertain himself through Gamestation and comic books, but after a short hour it was getting boring as well. He attempted to play with Silkie but the worm seemed more interested in sleeping. Letting out an exasperated groan, Beast Boy paced around the room getting more and more restless by the minute. The changeling was starting to recall why he disliked zoos as he felt much like an animal caged up. The energy coursing through his body cried for some sort of release and with no one to hang out with it was, for the most part, impossible. Maybe I should hand myself over to the zoo. Beast Boy thought. At least there would be other people there!
Robin had locked himself in his room right after breakfast and was writing furiously in his crime files. Beast Boy's enhanced hearing could pick up on the almost constant sound of scratching on paper and pounding on a keyboard whenever he passed by his room. It was driving him nuts. His muscle began to tense as bordem and loneliness swelled in his chest. Unconsciously his feet began stomping the floor as his pace around the room quickened. He honestly could not begin to understand how Robin work all day.
Driven by madness, Beast Boy boldly marched out of his room and towards that of the other Titan. However, his courage began to deplete with each step. Soon he found himself standing outside Robin's door and much more hesitant than he was when he began his short walk. His fist hovered in the air for several minutes and ached to be brought down on the door before it. He denied its request and chewed on his lip as second thoughts began filling the more rational part of his brain. Robin would definitely NOT want to be disturbed. He would probably just yell at him and slam the door in his face.
Robin could be rather intimidating at times. With a small sense of dread, Beast Boy began to draw back from the door. He then remembered what he would be going back to if he just turned tail. Another hour of boredom would turn into another, then another, until he eventually chewed his arm off in an attempt to stay sane. Besides, even if he was yelled at it would be at least some human interaction.
Feeling bold once again, Beast Boy quickly pounded his fist on the door before his mind could change. The sound of firm footsteps drawing closer in response almost made him loose his nerve again but he managed to stay put. He struggled to hold together slightly as the door open and revealed the workaholic teen on the other side. "Something the matter?" Robin said before Beast Boy could take a breath. His words were cut and clean as they passed through stiff and rapid lips. Serious as usual, it was apparent Robin wanted to be rid of his guest and get back to work. Beast Boy was not about to back down. "I think you need to take a break." Beast Boy said and stiffened once again as if to brace himself. "You've been in your room all day."
"I can't Beast Boy. I have a lot of work to do." Robin said. The changeling felt the beast within stir in response to the authority that dripped from his voice. Already his hand was resting upon the console to the door and his index finger tapped the side of the wall, as if itching to caress the 'close' button. "Do not bother me unless it is important."
"No!"
Beast Boy was slightly surprised by his own outburst as was Robin whose hand had froze and eyes grew slightly. Even in a moment of uncharactaristic courageousness by another teammate Robin kept a concrete grip on himself. With only the slight raise of eyebrows, hidden behind his ever present mask, Beast Boy felt the beast squirm once more at the other boy's reaction. Perhaps it was not so much shock as it was anger that he would defy him and such a thought only compelled the changeling to continue not allowing Robin to get a word. "I mean, you talk with Starfire and play video games with Cy. Why is this any different?"
"All of us were here and available. Now that its just us we need to be ready." Robin's reply was calm, though still commanding, as his eyes had already returned to their natural size.
"There's nothing to be ready for! Why are you being so paranoid! You're almost as creepy as Raven and that's saying something! Why can't you just have some fun for once?"
"Why can't you ever take anything seriously?" Robin retorted, allowing his voice to match Beast Boy's volume. With the change in voice came another change in his eyes, though this time they were narrowed into menacing slits. "Our job takes priority and all you want to do is goof off!"
"All I want is for you to come out of your room and stop acting like a hermit! If you have to work, why not use the main computer in the living room? Why are you locking yourself away?"
"To stay away from you!"
Beast Boy may as well have been punched. He stumbled back a few steps as his green eyes grew to the size of saucers. The horrific sense of rejection and betrayel passed through him first before he sensed rage begin to boil in his stomach. The small hint of 'should have known better' whispering in the back of his mind did not help either and soon Beast Boy found it a bit more difficult to breath than normal. An icy blast of shame and affirmation washed over Robin as he watched Beast Boy's breath become shallow and fast. Bitter self hatred sliced through him as it became all to apparent he had gone too far. Just as stunned with himself, he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Beast Boy could feel the beast within him stir once more as if expressing discomfort for the rising temperature in his chest. Clenching his fists, he glared at Robin with one of the fiercest looks he could muster. "You are the biggest jerk I have ever known!"
Turning on heel Beast Boy stormed down the hallway in stiff movements. At the sight of the green retreating form, Robin scarcely managed to push his emotions aside. His brain too incoherent to form anything more, he attempted to call his fellow Titan back. "Beast Boy! Beast Boy, wait!" Beast Boy broke into a sprint in response. While part of him wanted to go after him he decided it would be best to give the changeling some time to cool off. As his friend disappeared from sight Robin let out a frustrated growl and punched the wall. "Nice one Boy Wonder!" he grumbled. "Real nice . . ."
The wind swirled around the lone figure nestled securely on the hilltop just adjacent to a large body of water. Placing his binoculars against his eyes he watched the T-shaped tower that stood proudly on the only piece of land between the two parallel shores of the city. The evening before he had witnessed three figures leave the tower. One orange-purplish figure shot out into the sky, seemingly into space, and had yet to return. Another had left in a peculiar looking car that seemed to have hovering abilities as it skidded gracefully over the water. The third appeared to be a large black bird and soared out into the horizon. Now he watched as one more figure emerged. It was a green eagle.
The bird appeared to be in quite a rush as he dove from the tower's roof top. Steering himself towards down town Jump the man could not help but notice the bird's movements were swift and curt. The way he flapped his wings seemed as if he were trying to strike down the air beneath him in an attempt to relieve brewing aggression. He was angry. Very angry. The man smiled. "Sometimes these kids just make it too easy."