Chapter 4
That night, both Beast Boy and Raven snuck into the tower, praying they wouldn't be spotted by anyone. Beast Boy walked Raven up to her room, where they stood, unsure of what to say or do.
"Umm….Good night." Beast Boy said at last, reaching over and kissing Raven's cheek.
Raven smiled and planted a soft kiss on Beast Boy's lips. "Night."
With that, Raven walked into her room and shut the door, leaving Beast Boy in a dazed state. As he walked back to his room, a recap of his date with Raven continued to play through out his mind. His smile grew wider with every moment. "I love you, Raven…"
***
The bright light from Robin's window shone down into Star's eyes as she awoke the next morning. She sat up and yawned, staring up at the ceiling to stretch.
"Morning." Came a voice from beside her.
Her eyes went wide and she instantly turned her head to find Robin sitting up, awake in his bed. He smiled at her brightly.
"ROBIN!! YOU'RE AWAKE!!" Star cried as she flung her arms around him.
"Y-Yea, and a little sore too." Robin laughed painfully, as Star squeezed him.
"Oh!" Star let go and sat back, a worried look on her face. "I did not hurt you, did I?"
"No, I'm fine." Robin replied. "I'm just so happy to see that you're okay."
Star's whole face lit up a brilliant shade of red as she stared at the floor.
Robin pulled the covers off of him and stood up, stretching. "So, I'm guessing we didn't win that battle…"
"No…No we did not." Star replied, sadness in her voice. She knew Robin never liked losing, especially when it came to fighting a replica of himself.
"It's ok. It just means we have to try harder to kick their butts next time." With that statement, Robin walked out of his room, a curious Starfire at his heals.
"Robin, I tried my hardest last time…" Star admitted, feeling gloomy and defeated.
"Try harder." Robin replied, walking into the kitchen.
Beast Boy sat at the table where an assortment of all different breakfast foods had been placed. The little green boy was hopping about the room, tossing things out of the fridge and placing them on the table. He hummed happily to himself, unaware that Star and Robin were standing with wide eyes in the doorway.
Robin cleared his throat to get Beast Boy's attention. "Umm….Beast Boy?"
Beast Boy turned and looked at Robin. "GOOD MORNING! Didn't see ya there!! Come sit down!" With that, he rushed over to Robin and Star and pulled them over to the table, a wide smile on his face.
Star giggled as she sat down in front of a plate of pancakes. "Beast Boy is very cheerful this morning, Robin."
"Of course I am! It's a beautiful day!" Beast Boy chirped, sitting down at the table across from Robin and Star.
Robin raised an eyebrow. "Beast Boy, what's wrong with you?"
"Wrong? How could anything possibly be wron-" Beast Boy stopped and stared at the doorway, his face turning a deep shade of red.
Catching the look, Robin and Starfire quickly turned around to find Raven. A smirk appeared on Robin's face.
"Good morning, Raven!" Starfire called as Raven flew over toward them. "Beast Boy was so kind as to make us a breakfast feast this morning! Come eat!"
In an instant, Beast Boy scooted over, allowing Raven to take a spot next to him, her eyes focused on the table, and a faint blush across her face.
Starfire continued smiling at the two, oblivious to the thoughts Robin was thinking.
"So, where were you two last night?" Robin asked.
Beast Boy dropped his tofu, which sloppily landed back in his soup, and Raven froze.
"W-We….w-we were….uh….."
"We were out looking for the shadow replicas Star told us about." Raven finished before Beast Boy could come up with some ridiculous story to cover up their date.
Robin cocked an eyebrow to that. "Oh….did you find anything then?"
"N-No." Beast Boy replied, beads of sweat falling down his face.
Raven elbowed him in the ribs and gave a fake smile to Robin.
"I'm wonder what took you all night then, if you didn't find anything." Robin brought up, the smirk on his face growing.
"Uh….OH, THE MAIL'S HERE, I'LL GO GET IT!" Beast Boy quickly turned into a green blood hound and went outside to fetch the mail.
Raven continued her fake smile. "Heh….mail."
***
A carrier pigeon landed ontop of the Titan's mailbox and dropped a few bills, letters, and packages onto the ground. Beast Boy picked them up in his mouth and bounced back into the house through the doggie door. His heart pounded against his chest as he passed Raven and dropped the mail into Robin's lap. He then turned back into his normal form and sat down again.
"Thanks." Robin muttered, staring down at the mail.
"No prob. What've we got today?"
Robin picked up all the packages and placed them on the table. "Fan mail…." He then took the letters into his hands. "Bill, bill, bill, fan letter, bill, fan letter, fan letter, and…..this is weird, it's blank."
At that, everyone leaned over to see the blank letter. Strangely, Robin was right. No writing at all was placed on the letter.
"How'd you think it got here with no address written on it?" Beast Boy replied.
"That doesn't matter now, open it." Raven said in her usual monotone.
Slowly, Robin's gloved hand tore the envelope open and pulled out a letter. Once he unfolded it, he read it out loud to the Titans.
"Titans,
Meet us at midnight on the roof of the old warehouse."
The four sat in silence, taking in what was just read to them. "There's no signature…." Robin muttered.
"But it's obvious who it's from." Raven spoke up.
"Those shadow creatures wish to fight us again?…" Star asked.
"Yes, and this time, we're going to win." Robin replied, slamming his hand down on the table and getting up. "I'll be in my room planning, don't disturb me unless it's important."
"But Robin, can't we discuss this together?"
"No, Star, I need to be alone." With that said, Robin left for his room, and the smile disappeared from Starfire's face.
"Star-" Beast Boy started, before he was interrupted.
"I shall go see if he needs anything…." Star told them, leaving the kitchen.
Raven and Beast Boy exchanged glances of sadness. This battle wasn't going to be easy, nor would it be fun. They were both fully aware that they could get hurt, and so, sorrow filled their young hearts.
***
Starfire walked down the hall and stopped at Robin's room. She took a deep breath before knocking lightly.
"What is it?" came Robin's voice angrily.
"Robin, I want to help….really." Star told him, tears forming in her eyes. She hated to see him like this. He knew deep in his heart that he was being selfish. He also knew that Star's team work would be much more efficient than his thinking.
"If you want to do anything helpful, take Cyborg to Fixit. Tell him we need Cy back and at his full power by tonight, no later than midnight."
Star's eyes fell to the ground and she sniffled. "Okay, Robin….If it is what you wish me to do, then I'll do it for you…"
With that said, Star rushed from Robin's door, passing Beast Boy as she did.
"Hey Star, what's the hurry?" the green boy asked.
Starfire only sniffled as she made her way upstairs and into Cyborg's room. Beast Boy followed after her, catching a glimpse of a tear falling down her cheek as she picked up Cyborg and all his displaced parts. Star then faced Beast Boy, completely in tears.
"It is Robin," she sniffled. "He can be so cruel sometimes. He treats us as if we were pawns in his plan to win against the shadows!"
"Aww, Star, he doesn't mean it, Robin's just got a lotta things on his mind." Beast Boy replied, trying to calm Star down.
"He does not understand the concept of teamwork, no the term friendship."
Starfire instantly flew out Cyborg's window with him before Beast Boy could get another word out.
Beast Boy stared after her, until she was nothing but a mere dot in the distance, heading off to Jump city. 'He's gotta tell her, or he'll lose her….'
***
Beast Boy stormed into Robin's room, startling him, and causing him to stop his planning and turn around.
"I said I don't want to be disturbed." Robin repeated.
"How come you have to act like such a jerk sometimes?!" Beast Boy splurred out.
Robin raised an eyebrow to him as BB continued. "You treat us like we're trash whenever you become obsessed with 'The Enemy's Plan' and it's really effecting Starfire!"
"I'm a leader, I'm supposed to figure this out, Beast Boy! I don't need all of you constantly telling me I'm wrong when I'm the only one with a plan!"
"Robin, if you'd give us a chance, we'd tell you our plan: get in there, and work as hard as we can, AS A TEAM! It's not all up to you!"
Outside the room, Raven was listening intently to the conversation the boy's were having. She had her ear carefully pressed against the door, and softened her breathing so that she couldn't be heard.
Robin stood up, knocking over his chair. He took Beast Boy by the shirt and lifted him up.
"You're REALLY starting to piss me off, Beast Boy."
Beast Boy stared into Robin's eyes, glaring and hating him for a moment. He then transformed into a snake and instantly slipped out of his grasp, reforming once he was free.
"Do you realize how violent you just were? Do you even know that? You hurt Star's feeling, Robin, and if I were you, I'd apologize before you lose her."
This time it was Robin's turn to glare. "What'd you mean 'lose her'?"
Beast Boy sighed heavily. "Robin, you're upsetting her so much, and I know she loves you, so why can't you go for it? Tell her you love her, dude! Think about it….stop treating us like dirt, and think about it."
At that, Raven heard footsteps coming toward the door, and quickly ran down the hall, into the living room, and jumped on the couch, taking a book into her hand. She peered down the hall to see Beast Boy come out of Robin's room and shut the door. He leaned against it and sighed heavily.
'I can't believe what he just said….It was….intelligent….he's actually giving good advice….' Raven thought as Beast Boy came walking her way. She quickly pretended to read the book in her hand, without even thinking. 'Maybe I've effected him in more ways than I thought….'
"Hey Raven…." Beast Boy sighed as he plopped down onto the couch beside her. She blushed slightly at the small distance between them.
"Hi." she replied, still pretending to read.
Beast Boy looked over at her. "Er….Raven?"
"Yeah?"
"Why're you reading that book upside down?"
Raven quickly turned the book right side up and sweat dropped. "Heh, thought I'd challenge myself." she lied.
Beast Boy tilted his head.
Raven let a sigh escape her. "Beast Boy, I want to talk to you, please come with me."
At this she stood up and took Beast Boy's hand. Confused and blushing, Beast Boy let Raven lead him through the tower and up onto the roof. The cold night's air blew at them as they stepped outside, the door shutting lightly behind them.
Raven released Beast Boy, and sat down at the edge of the tower, staring at him, as if beckoning him to come sit next to her. Beast Boy sat down, and stared over at Raven, smiling at her.
"What'd you want to talk about?" he asked curiously.
"Beast Boy," Raven started. "I heard you talking to Robin" she blurted out quickly, hoping Beast Boy wouldn't get mad. "I wasn't spying or anything, well, actually, I was….but what you said, and what you did was very noble. You stood up for all of us, especially Starfire. You're truly a great friend, and I want you to know that I like you more and more each day." She ended with a smile, causing Beast Boy to blush.
"Thanks a lot, Raven…" he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "It just gets on my nerves when people lock themselves away from their friends when they need help."
Raven stopped for a moment, realizing something. "Did it….bother you when I was always locked up in my room?…"
Beast Boy turned crimson. "Well…..yeah, I always wanted to make you feel better, I wanted to be with you….Raven, I've loved you since we first met."
Without a pause, Raven spoke her mind. "I love you too, Beast Boy."
With that, the two leaned closer to each other, and their lips met. They shared a short sweet kiss, and Beast Boy took Raven into his arms. She lay against his flat chest, blushing deeply.
"Raven?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to know….that tonight, and from now on….I'll do my best to protect you, always."
***
Starfire landed back on the Titan's island and gently set Cyborg on his feet. She hadn't said a word the whole trip back, and Cyborg was very worried by the time they reached the tower.
"Star, can you at least talk to me about it?" Cy asked as they entered the kitchen.
Starfire shook her head, tears still clinging to her eyes.
"Then talk to me about it."
Starfire turned around and smiled at the sight before her. "Robin." She rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back just as tightly and showed a stern face to her. "Star, I'm so sorry about the way I acted before. You were right, I was selfish and wasn't thinking of the team….and, I have something to tell you…."
At this, Starfire gave a confused look, and Robin signaled for Cyborg to leave the room for a while.
The robotic man took the offer to leave, feeling things would be weird if he stayed, and shut the door behind him. Robin looked into Star's beautiful emerald eyes and found himself lost.
"Robin? Robin? What was it you needed to tell me?"
He snapped out of his trance at the second he heard her angelic voice. His face lit up red and he found it hard to speak. "Star, I…..I-I…..I love you."
Star's smile widened and she leaned over and kissed Robin on the lips, catching him off guard. Robin reluctantly kissed back, moving his lips along hers. Their kiss finally broke off, and Star's reply was a bit obvious.
"I love you too, Robin."
The two smiled at each other, feeling as if the weight of the world had been lifted off their shoulders, and that now everything would be alright, as long as they have each other….
***
"Beast Boy….Beast Boy….wake up…."
Raven gently nudged Beast Boy, who was leaning against the tower, with Raven in his lap. In all their cuddling, he seemed to have gotten tired and fallen asleep.
A tiny bead of drool was dripping out of his mouth and he let out a loud snore, causing Raven to laugh playfully.
"Beast Boy, I'm warning you, if you don't wake up, I'll be forced into dire circumstances."
But the green boy continued his sleep, at which Raven grinned. "You asked for it!" At that, she began tickling his chest, and he sprung awake in a second, cracking up hysterically.
"R-Raven, quit it! C-Can't….b-breathe! HAHAHAHAA!!!"
Raven stopped and smiled at him giggling a little.
"What was that for?" Beast Boy asked, while yawning and stretching.
Raven took her cape and wiped the drool from his face. "It's almost midnight, Robin wants us all in the living room for a meeting before we leave."
Beast Boy leapt to his feet. "Ahh!! We gotta go then, hurry!" He grabbed Raven's hand and rushed down the stairs of the tower.
***
"Beast Boy, Raven, how nice of you to join us." Robin mocked as Beast Boy came running into the room panting, and Raven merely landed on the ground.
"Sorry, Beast Boy fell asleep on the roof." Raven replied as they approached the couches and sat down with everyone else.
"As usual, nice goin, BB." Cyborg laughed.
Starfire leaned against Robin as he tried to quiet everyone down. "Ok, Titans, here's our plan."
Silence filled the room as Robin spoke up. "We're gonna fight these shadows, and try our best. We have to use team work, it's what'll bring them down, don't let one of us get hurt. Just get out there and be strong, and we'll win for sure!"
Everyone smiled and nodded, standing up and putting their hands on Robin's.
"Teen Titans….GO!"
Everyone cheered as they raised their hands and started running out the door. Raven and Beast Boy ran side by side, until at last, Raven meditated into the air. Beast Boy winked at her before changing into an eagle. 'I'll protect you, no matter what….'
~End of Ch.4~
WOO!! I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO sorry for the long time no update! Nearly a month?! That's so bad, BAD COLIE! *slaps self* Oh, heh, getting carried away ^-^' anyway, the story is going in a new direction after this, and I'm afraid the end is drawing near, but don't worry, I have plans for my other stories!! So PLEASE tell me what you think of this chapter, and come back for the next one, when the Titans face off against the shadows! JA MATA!!! *waves and winks*