Author's Note: Hello lovely Internet folk. I have finally completed the next chapter for you. I apologize that this took a bit longer than the previous ones, I just went back to school and have to deal with the oh so wonderful stressors of mid- terms. Unfortunately this also means my chapters will be a little slow for a while, but I will try to stick to a weekly routine. So here it is, chapter four, its not great, it's not awful. But a meh chapter is better than a non-existent chapter right? Also, just as a forewarning, this story will inevitably become M rated, later on, and this chapter has some heated language in it, although not enough that I thought the rating needed to be changed yet, but if at anytime anything comes off as to offensive just let me know.
Disclaimer
Me: Garfield! You came back!
BB: Don't call me that!
Me: Considering I have the keyboard I'll call you what ever I want sweet cheeks. Now you know the drill. Hop to it.
BB: *sigh* The stupid dumb author doesn't own Teen Titans because she's a lamo.
Me: Watch your mouth! Or I'll force feed you fried chicken.
BB: hehe I mean the lovely and talented author unfortunately doesn't acquire the rights Teen Titans and isn't going to make me eat meat because she's so wonderful and amazing.
Me: That's better! Now on with the show!
Chapter four: Breaking Eggshells.
Three weeks ago, Raven awoke to a new life as a member of the esteemed Teen Titans. All the Titans knew that life as the once knew it would never be the same. But gradually they had all begun to settle into a comfortable routine, one that was in no way perfect, but it was one they could all live with.
The first week had undoubtedly been the hardest on all of them. Raven was, with great reason, having a difficult time adjusting to titan life. Her new role as a crime fighter was one she quickly grew fond of, however her role as a friend was not so easily adapted to. She was constantly apologizing for any burden or imposition she had felt she had made on the other Titans, becoming prone to doing as much of the work around the Tower, as if not to dishonor their kindness. She found herself desperately adjusting her self to be more of a convenience to the team; she never turned down an offer and always catered to a request. While the other Titans were amazed at her competence, eager to see such an unused side of Raven, each of them grew concerned in her behavior. While the navy hooded sorceress's new addituted was indeed refreshing, it felt wrong, and in Beast Boys words, "just wasn't Raven".
Koriand'r, whose observations were more acute than she was given credit for was quick to notice Raven's changes, while in ordinary circumstances she would be elated by her team member's involvement, she knew it best for her friend to be her true self. And so she devoted her self into finding the true Raven and triggering her memories. The exotic E.T. jumped at ever opportunity to tell stories to Raven. The way she retold stories made them was fantastical, she would overwhelm herself with the dearly kept memories and charming moments. But while Raven had to be impressed by Kori's impetuous memory, and knack for story telling, as hard as she tried, she just didn't care what they did at the mall on October 4th of 2008..
Of the five, Robin undoubtedly, was the least affected by the recent tragedy. Of course he felt for his friends, understanding better than no one else, the emotional determents that came with every terrible change, but he knew he owed it to his team to keep calm and carry on. Perhaps the old Richard Grayson would have reacted differently, but those days had passed for him. He was a leader now, he had responsibilities, and he owed it to his team to be strong when they couldn't.
Cyborg, had adjusted the best to the new Raven, apparently all his circuits made react a lot more logically than the others. He was friendly and helpful, but not so much that it made her uncomfortable, as with Kori, rather he would talk to her as a casual acquaintance, rather than a struggling lover, as with Gar. He knew what it was like to be in a new threatening place, and he strived to be the type of person he would have liked to be there. He wasn't intrusive, but he wasn't skittish either. He reminded Raven of Azar, for he presented an understanding and acceptance that she had long sense forgotten.
Garfield, on the other hand had gone far beyond mental. He was no longer the funny, light hearted, goofy character they all knew. No one needed to look twice to know what was wrong with him, none of them expected him to take the situation wrong, but the situation had them all worried, even more than they worried about Raven. He had spent the first four days in his room, sulking, and when he finally did come out he simply walked around, sulking. Every so often he would go to Raven and ask her if she needed anything, to which she would always reply that she didn't, but she would ask if she did, but other than that the changeling just lurked around, sulking.
All the Titans had put in a considerable amount of time into searching for a cure for Raven's amnesia, Kori, trying to recover her memories through her stories, Robin, contacted the most esteemed doctors in the country, Victor would spend his time in the infirmary with Raven, analyzing her neurological systems, and Garfield was to distraught to do more than try to will her to remember.
Eventually life for Raven fell into a routine. Upon waking up she would spend an hours worth of time meditating a ritual she was thankfully comfortable with. Her mornings were spent in the company of the Titans, as she would force her self to submit to socialization. He afternoons were spent in the infirmary with Victor and her nights with Kori, in the vivacious aliens room as she told tales of the Titans and their "wondrous" adventures. She didn't see much of the other two Titans. Every so often she would have a meeting with Richard where he would explain battle tactics to her and make sure she was adjusting properly. Even though she slowly warmed up to the four Titans, the green changeling still shied away from her and remained an undiscovered mystery.
Garfield walked into the empty kitchen, sitting down on one of the island's stools. He was tired. Not physically, but mentally he was drained. He couldn't take it, not talking to her, but frankly he just couldn't take not talking in general. Over the past week alone he had said a whole of a hundred words to anyone.
Beast boy wasn't fit for grieving, he had been through similar situations before, first with his parents. Then with Terra, and every day he didn't get better, he got worse. If it hadn't been for Raven he didn't know if he would have ever bounced back from that.
So he simply couldn't stand it. The mischievous, poor humored, chipper, aspects of his personality were his distractions. And with so much to be distracted from; his immature nature is what had kept him sane all these years.
He looked around the vacant kitchen, remembering the argument they had nearly two years ago.
"God, what the hell is wrong with you?" Raven yelled at him from across the table.
"What's wrong with me? I'm not the one yelling over something so stupid." He said defensively.
"It's not stupid. I swear you are the most insensitive asshole on the planet." She shrieked, trying to keep from throwing something at him just to relinquish her anger.
"Really, if I'm so bad then why the hell are you with me. This relationship isn't one sided, you've made it pretty damn obvious that you don't want me, so if you want to leave, then leave." He said, raising his voice to match hers.
"It sounds a whole lot like you want me to leave Garfield." She accused.
"Maybe if you didn't run away every time we're alone together I wouldn't." He shouted.
"Maybe if you weren't such a pig headed pervert you would accept the fact that I can't do what you're asking for." She countered.
"Or maybe you just don't want to." He said, lowering the volume of his voice.
"Seriously Gar do you even think? Did you even consider what I feel about this; do you think I want to be the girl who can't even have sex with her boyfriend? Don't you think I feel bad enough about it without you giving me all this guilt?"
"You honestly want me to believe that you can't sleep with me?" He inquired.
"Yes!"
And then the microwave blew up. Distracting them both enough for their tempers to fizzle down.
"Great." Raven said. Placing her head in her hands and leaning against the table.
"We have to stop this." Garfield sighed as he stared at the demolished microwave. That was the second one this week. He was starting to think Raven was targeting it specifically.
"I know, it's just sometimes I just can't take it, you're just so… frustrating." She told him, picking her words carefully, as to keep from angering him.
"I know, I'm sorry I shouldn't push you so much." He apologized.
"No you shouldn't… But I'm glad you do." She confessed. "Don't get me wrong, it drives me insane, but you're the only one whose ever taken a risk with me, tried to pull me out of my safe bubble, and even though I'm stubborn you don't give up on me, I don't know what I'd do with out you B."
"Yeah, well, who else do you know who's stupid enough to rattle the demons cage." He joked.
"Only you"
That had been one of the far and few times he had ever heard Raven scream. Things had been so different back then. They had both been on edge for months and that day had been the snapping point. Looking back, he realized how right she was. He was acting like a complete pig, but it wasn't the sole fact that she wouldn't sleep with him that bothered him; he wasn't the type to be upset about that. Rather it was her reasons that set him off. She would be totally fine. Until she thought she was losing control, and then she would close herself off again. He hated the way she let her powers control her, it wasn't fair to her, so eventually he snapped. It had seemed out of the blue, the Titans had just put in a movie and right before the movie started she had said something to him. Some snide comment that normal he wouldn't think twice about, but this time he snapped.
Remembering it now the entire argument all seemed too irrelevant; they had long since gotten over their bedroom problems. Not that any of it mattered now, but he knew then, and he knew now that he shouldn't have been so cold towards her. He only was because he knew she could take it. And maybe, just maybe, she still could.
Later that day…
Raven took another hit at the large punching bag. Driving all her force into it. She had been at it for hours but still felt like she was somehow doing it wrong. Again. She hit it again and again, until sweat drenched and exhausted.
As Raven adjusted to her new life she spent a considerable amount of time amazed at the transformation and inevitable problems she had overcome. Raven, optimistic as she was (as in was NOT) soon determined that if she had to choose a reality for her self, her life as a Titan would certainly suffice, but, she realized the only aspect she was truly dissatisfied with was her current physique. She was in no way out of shape, or anything close, but when it came to powerless hand-to-hand combat she knew she would never stand a chance. Raven would find herself in the Titan's gym for hours at a time, training her body, until she had worked herself ragged. The process as well became routine for her, it's mind numbing and calming effects almost substituting for her mediation completely.
"Well, looks like someone's found a new obsession." The voice boomed into the gym, dragging her back into reality. She turned to the green boy who stood leaning against the side of the door.
"I'm not obsessed." She refuted, hitting the bag.
"Let's see, disappearing for hours at a time, ignoring vital life necessities, not even stopping when someone's talking to you, yep definitely obsessed." He mocked as she ignored him.
"I don't have time for this, what do you want Garfield?" She asked him, on the verge of annoyance and masking a sudden confusion. Since the day she had met him he had kept his distance, hardly ever interacting with her, let alone in such a rude manner.
"I was bored, thought I'd come bother the worlds moodiest amnesiac. Besides considering the fact that you've been hitting that thing wrong for the past twenty minuets I figured you could use some help." He replied smugly.
"Here, like this." Garfield said, walking up to strike the bag with extreme precision and force. He had gotten much better with hand-on-hand combat over the years, it was a shame Raven would never be able to see the awkward shrimp he used to be.
"You've got to hit with your core not with your arm, like this." He said punching it twice more. Raven, negligent to take his advice, ignored him and continued to hit in the same fashion as she had before.
"You never did listen to me." He said, chuckling at her determination he walked behind her and grabbed her waist quickly twisting her so she was angled towards the punching bag. She quickly reacted to his touch, jerking him off her.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to touch people without permission?" She responded in a full-fledged bad mood, while hitting her target much more effectively from her new adjusted stance.
"I hate to break it to you, but I've gotten your permission before.
Besides, you've got to admit, I was right." He smirked.
"That still doesn't give you the right to touch me. Regardless of what I've supposedly let you do in the past." She breathed, trying to diminish any curiosity she had on the subject.
"I'm just trying to help, if want to get any good at this you should listen to me." He said, watching as she fought with the inanimate object.
"I didn't ask for help."
"You never ask for help, but that doesn't mean you don't need it." He told her, stepping in front of her, blocking her next hit.
"Actually that's exactly what it means Garfield. Now if you don't mind I'm trying to concentrate." She said, gesturing for him to move.
"You're never going to get any good hitting that old thing. You need an opponent who can fight back. Now I can see why you'd be intimidated to fight me, with my brawny physique and all, I can come off as a bit menacing, but I assure you, I'll go easy on you." He said over dramatically.
"Actually I have no issue fighting you and your scrawny physique. I'm starting to understand why Victor finds you so aggravating." She told him while backing away from the heavy bag.
"He's just jealous of my boyish charm and dashing good looks." He joked, shaking off her insult.
"I'm sure. If you're such a pro at combat I suggest you stop standing and start fighting." She said, and he moved to face her. Honestly, he wasn't completely sure about hitting her, he knew she could heal, but the thought of causing her pain was one he liked to avoid.
"I'm ready when you are." He said coolly, walking to face her.
She shrugged slightly while jumping into the air, kicking him in the chest and catching him off guard. He grimaced from what he would consider a surprise attack, but soon recovered; she was strong, but not strong enough to knock him to the ground. The second time, he was ready, and quickly caught hold of one of her arms, pulling her to the ground.
"That was way to easy." He said with a lingering smirk as she pushed him off her.
"You have to be quicker, create distractions, like this." He advised, demonstrating her an array of moves into the air.
They continued to duel, every new move he would show her she would flawlessly mimic moments later, it was impressive, but held no match to Garfield's years of experience. However, the intervals between his triumphs grew longer and longer, but he went undefeated nonetheless. With a finalizing strike, he swiped her to the ground, tumbling down on top of her.
"I'm starting to think you like me on top of you Raven." He smirked.
"In your dreams Garfield." She replied, she had grown less inept to his rude comments, the first four times he had said something to her she had met him with a quick slam against the ceiling rather than a casual, less painful, retort.
"No. In my dreams, you're on top." He smirked. Raven eyes grew wide and she violently pushed him off her, popping up to her feet in a swift motion. He quickly followed and Raven made no hesitation begging their fighting. After many strikes and ducks Garfield captured Raven by her arms, which were crossed across her chest. For another of the many times that day she found her self in a compromising position to him, much to close for comfort.
"Face it, I got ya beat. Again." He said, making her smirk. In one swift maneuver she twisted her arms around and flipped him to the ground, for the first time that day, landing on top of him.
"You were saying?" She beseeched.
"Impressive, This is usually the part of my dream where you take off your clothes." He said, wagering his eyebrows.
"Right after you get beat up by a girl?" She seethed, jumping off him.
"Oh please, I totally let you win." He said, dusting himself off as he stood up.
"Sure you did Beast Boy. Lets go again." She encouraged.
"Actually I think I'm gunna hit the showers." He chuckled nervously, not wanting to par take in another fight, now that she had won against him.
"How convenient." She said sarcastically.
"I'll beat you tomorrow, besides, don't you think you've worked yourself hard enough, I mean you're completely drenched in sweat." He pointed out. "And while it's totally hot I suggest you shower yourself before you consider going around any one with a sense of smell." He added as he disappeared out of the gym.
Exhausted, Raven slid down the side of the wall until she hit the matt below her. Well that was interesting. She thought to herself. She couldn't believe the nerve of him. For as long as she remembered him, he had been nothing but polite and distant from her, of course she had picked up that he was a little dense, but this had gone beyond belief. He had tapped into each and every one of her pet peeves and crossed all of her strictly brought up boundaries in little less than two hours. Raven could deal with someone who didn't know better, but Garfield had made it very clear how much he knew about her. She was unnerved, someone who knew her that well should know better than to try to set her on edge.
Yes his provoking behavior had left her confused and completely goaded. But at the same time, she was almost refreshed at his actions. Ever since she had found herself with the Titans they had all been overly cautious in their actions, carefully skirting around her emotions and trying aimlessly to maintain her happiness, as if she was a sleeping monster they didn't dare to wake. They had all been walking on eggshells around her, but Garfield, Garfield stomped right through them.
Author's note: Ok so I know the combat lesson was completely bogas, it may be the sole reason for the delay. I eventually ended up watching a bunch of karate videos, which didn't help, but I was out of time so I went with improvising. Anyways, I hope this is satisfactory as a chapter. Please review. I'll give you bacon if you do.
BB: You mean Tofu Bacon... Right?
Me: No Gar. Just bacon. Plain, piggy bacon.
BB: :(
