Staring - They say the best way to see the soul is through eye contact..unless you blink.
Beast Boy was bored. How bored exactly, was unclear. The young green male tugged at the collar of his uniform, pacing the floor. His incessant habit of circling the common room got to Robin. A throbbing vein in the fearless leader's forehead became visible, causing him to turn an unearthly shade of red. "Beast Boy, quit it!" Robin ordered, slamming his fists against the table. "I can't concentrate on these documents with you being a distraction!" Beast Boy peeked over his shoulder, halting further movement.
"But I'm bored!" he complained, holding out his hands in frustration. "There's nothing to do around the Tower besides play video games."
Robin scratched his chin and gently placed the papers in a manila folder, grabbing another set of documents. "Well, you could help me sort out the criminal reports," he suggested. Beast Boy defiantly folded his arms and shook his head. "Or, you could have gone with Cyborg to do a temporary fill-in with the Titans East while Mas y Menos are at a convention.."
Beast Boy's eyebrows shot up. "And totally be around Aqualad!? Dude, not in a million years." Robin let out a breathy laugh, scanning over old briefcases.
"What is it with you and Aqualad? I swear you guys have this love/hate thing going on."
"Have you SEEN him?" the changeling whined. "Chicks dig the ears but they also dig mermen. Oh, and not to mention the fact that he still owes me twelve dollars and fifty cents." Robin stopped shuffling papers to quizzically peer at his friend. Beast Boy lowered his head, scuffing his feet across the floor. "It's a long story.."
"Well I haven't got time to hear that one. Why don't you hang with Star? I'm sure she's got something for you to do." Beast Boy stroked the pad of his thumb across his chin and nodded in agreement. He promptly left the room. "Finally, peace and quiet," Robin muttered, shoving earbuds in his ear and allowed his music to play.
The changeling sped down the hallway, slamming right into the person he sought out. The two smacked heads and tumbled back. Beast Boy scrambled to get up, pulling Starfire's arm as she dusted herself off. "Star, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you like that. You okay?" he apologized, checking the girl over for marks or bruises. She politely brushed him off and ran her fingers through her hair.
"X'hal, that has hurt more than the gilbshrank squeezing a flubgrip through a plognum.."
Beast Boy's eyes went blank, he forcefully closed his mouth that found its way open. "A what..did a what...through a WHAT?!" Starfire giggled, playfully punching his arm.
"Oh, friend Beast Boy, you are the most hilarious and adorable bumgorf when flustered!" He tenderly rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly swinging his legs back and forth. "What is the up with you? Have you come looking for me or is this an earthly game where we proceed the painful bumping into one another?" He chuckled, shaking his head.
"No, not at all! I actually wanted to know if we could hang out. You know, it's kind of boring around here and I wanted to-" Starfire slapped an index finger on his lips, silencing him. Beast Boy instantly became confused as Starfire smiled with a hopeful glint in her eye.
"Say no more, friend Beast Boy! I would be more than happy to have you do the accompanying of me as I run the errands! Glorious!" she squealed in glee. Beast Boy grinned as the girl happily skipped down the hallway.
"Cool, cool. So, uh, what type of errands are we running today?" he asked, catching up to her.
"Not very many. I was going to do the pedicure and manicure.." Beast Boy grimaced at the thought of going to a nail salon with Star, but shrugged it off. There was no doubt she'd force him to get his nails painted as well. He could live with a clear coat before washing it off at home. The rest of the team didn't necessarily have to know. A light bulb went off in Starfire's head. "Oh! And I must go to the supermarket to buy a few of the products-"
Beast Boy's eyes widened in remembrance of his previous 'shopping trip' with Cyborg and he slowly backed away from the alien princess. Starfire snatched Beast Boy's wrists and tugged him closer toward the door. "Uh...ACTUALLY...it's okay, Star. Really.. I don't have to go anymore," he begged.
Starfire released his hands. She pouted and impatiently stomped her foot. "You are just as friend Raven! You never like to do the running of errands with me." Raven? Beast Boy hadn't thought about her. She snapped her fingers, getting the boy's attention and snatched his hands again, dragging him out of the hall. "Now, you have offered to do the errands with me and by X'hal, friend Beast Boy, you shall!" He firmly planted his feet on the ground as she pulled him away. His feet skid across the ground and he picked at her fingers releasing his arm that was now held captive.
"Star! Wait! Let go," he pleaded. "I can't go because I have to...wash my llama! Yeah!" Starfire loosened her grasp as Beast Boy quickly crawled away.
She tapped her chin in thought. "Since when did we have a llama that required the washing, friend Bea-" Starfire glanced around the empty hallway, the changeling no where to be found. "Friend Beast Boy?" She sighed and exited the hall. "Perhaps boyfriend Robin will go.."
He made a beeline for the roof, leaning over the side and catching his breath. Beast Boy panted heavily. One quick glance to the right, and he was immediately entranced at the sight. He fought the happiness overwhelming him. Raven levitated peacefully, eyes delicately closed shut. Her hair lay perfectly flat, a few strands loosely flying in the breeze. Much to his excitement, her hood was down, exposing each elegant feature. Every curve that encircled her lips, eye lids, tiny bridge of her nose, every little thing mattered.
Picking up on another presence with her, she quickly opened one eye scanning the area, then groaned when she seen the green man across from her. He never said a word, simply sitting cross-legged, waiting. One look at Beast Boy made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, washing goosebumps over him. Just the sight of Raven left him mesmerized. A simple touch, and he'd erupt with contentment. "What do you need, Gar?"
Her voice broke him from his indiscreet trance, and he nervously gulped. "I um...see.. I was..then Star, and Robin was all..Dude..then.." Damn it, B, he thought. The empath always caused the him to become tongue-tied. What was it? Voodoo? Some spell she put on him to where he could never properly speak? He had no idea.
"Have fun with that," she dryly remarked. Beast Boy clutched his green locks in frustration.
"No, wait. Let's try that again...I'm bored."
Raven wanted to strangle Beast Boy. He went through all of this trouble..because he was bored? "And this is my problem because..?" Gar scratched his head, he hadn't thought that far ahead..
"Um.. I don't know," he murmured. "Wanna play a game or go for another walk?"
"No," she stoically stated. Beast Boy smirked.
"No to the walk or no to the game?"
Raven rolled her eyes. She just wanted privacy, alone time. Something Beast Boy knew nothing of. Especially when it came to her. "No to everything. Go away now." The empath waved her hands in a shooing motion.
"Game it is!" he encouraged. "Come on. Please? Please? Oh please, Rae? I won't stop talking until you agree and you know I could go for hours. Please? Ple-"
Raven slapped a dark aura across his mouth. He looked down, cross eyed, at the magical "tape" that kept him shut. "One game, and you'll leave me alone for the whole day. After this, you take your little boredom and find something productive to do. Understood?" Beast Boy nodded ripping the black strip from his lips.
"Yes, MOM." Raven glared at the nickname. "Let's see...what game," he thought aloud, snapping his fingers for help.
"How about the game where you leave me alone? What was it called again? Oh..yes. The silent game. I like that one." Beast Boy narrowed his eyes.
"No. And that's not even a fun game," he complained. Raven shrugged her shoulders. Maybe if she phased through the roof, he wouldn't notice... "That's it! A staring contest!"
"Too easy. We all know you can't keep your eyes open for more than 5 seconds. Need I remind you of your trial with Starfire?" The changeling disregarded her comment.
"Says you, Rae. She cheated anyways. Come on. You agreed to ONE game!" he mentioned. Beast Boy arranged himself so he was directly in front of Raven. She sighed and focused on his face. Amethyst eyes bore into emerald ones. "They say you can see a person's soul through their eyes."
Raven never broke her intense glare. "Yeah, and they also say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we all know that is a lie." He chuckled swaying his head from side to side, eyes never leaving Raven's. "Just blink already, Gar, so we can get this over with."
"Nope. We're playing this fair and square."
"Or I could blink and end it myself," she warned. He furrowed his brows then grinned, showing his fangs.
"You wouldn't dare do it. I just know," he joked. They continued this staring contest for a few minutes, neither flinching or even close to blinking. Beast Boy decided it was time to take necessary action. He flicked his hands in front of Raven to get her to blink. She kept a stoic face, never breaking her serious peer into emerald eyes. "What's gonna get you to break, huh? Let's see..what if I told you I tossed out all your tea? Seriously, I did."
"Your tofu reminds me of why I will never eat fake meat. I prefer tea, thank you very much," she simply stated. Beast Boy almost flinched before catching on. She mentally cursed him for not breaking his stance, and ending this silly game. This was pointless. Yet, why was she so intrigued to continue playing? He gave a toothy smile and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Dude. Not even close, nice try." Another minute passed before Beast Boy got an idea. He inched toward Raven, never feeling so complete, just looking into her eyes. Simple fun. Or maybe not, as he started to see her differently. Beast Boy couldn't find the right words to say before breaking silence, "Blink, Rae."
"This is stupid," she scolded. He moved closer leaning his head against her own, now nose-to-nose with Raven. Why was he getting so close? She uncomfortably shifted, pushing him back with a firm hand on his chest. "Personal space, Gar."
Beast Boy knew she was starting to break. His plan was working. He'd win this game. She'd blink. The changeling continued forward. He tilted his head slightly to the right, advancing onward. Raven's heart beat increased, adrenaline coursing through her veins, sending shivers throughout her body. Her lips quivered, mind racing, body firmly planted. The boy suddenly paused, mouth barely pressed onto her own. His exhilarating scent of cologne filling the space between them. Warm, yet it had an edge to it. Or maybe the way he wore it. It drove her emotions into insanity, but the lightheaded empath remained strong. She dropped her gaze with Beast Boy instantly cupping her chin and lifting it to his eye level.
"Beast Boy, you can't-" She shoved him back, but he remained in place.
"Then tell me to stop."
All he needed to do was push forward a bit more. The girl prepared herself, tossing her head to the left. Beast Boy moved in, breath tickling the bottom of her soft lips. Raven hated this. Hated longing for him to get closer..to want him.. for him to kiss her. She slid her eye lids shut waiting for the embrace..
"GOTCHA!" he shouted. The boy began to giggle, crawling backwards. Her eyes snapped open and she narrowed them confusingly, cheeks tinted a light pink.
"What is so funny?" she hissed.
He gripped his stomach, croaking in between laughs, "Oh dude...you should have seen your face! Rae, it was hilarious. You totally blinked! I win!" he cheered. Raven bit her bottom lip, fighting the urge to attack him for teasing her like that. For giving false hope. She shouldn't have even played that stupid game. They were just friends and nothing more. In the back of her mind, all emotions raging, pleading as to why he didn't do it. Raven rose from her sitting position, ready to leave. He reached for her hand pulling her back down. "Wait, wait! Why such the pouty face, you didn't really expect me to do anything, right?"
Her mouth formed a scowl and she swiftly removed her hand from the laughing boy. "No. This game was very moronic, just like you. I played, you win, now leave me alone." He wiped a tear from his eye after calming down and lifted an eyebrow, catching her unusually harsh tone.
"Oh, Rae," he joked, wagging a finger and shaking his head. "Rae, Rae, Rae...you know kissing before the first date isn't my style." She rolled her eyes, facing away from him. He walked away, still chuckling, grazing his hand through his hair.
"Hey y'all! I'm back!" Cyborg called, entering the roof area. "Sup, Rae? Oh, there you are, BB. Guess what? I just got back, and..." The mechanical man pulled two cartridges from behind him. "I brought along two new games! Come on, B! Let's get started on these!"
Beast Boy fist-pumped and followed his friend out the door. He briefly stopped to glance at the sorceress that faced the horizon, not bothering to look back. "Hey Rae," he called. She did not acknowledge him and he continued speaking, "If there ever was a day I actually do kiss you..That's as if you don't kill me first, trust me, you'd know it."
Raven found herself alone on the roof, quietly watching the city from the view of the tower, patiently awaiting that day... Not that she'd let him know.
Mail Time! (As promised!) :
MelonLord28: Working with submarines sounds so cool! I could imagine how height would affect working on them, haha. Glad you found the story awesome! Thanks.
Densharr: Haha! That could be a possibility of what might have happened. I see where you're coming from with the truce thing though. Personally, I've always felt Cyborg secretly was a little self-conscious about the way he looked. The fic was meant for Beast Boy to playfully call him the nickname, but a little bit with Cyborg's miniscule dislike for it.
Camlop: Well I hope she wasn't too ooc for you. I absolutely love Raven! Thank you though! Haha and aww. Hopefully the song isn't stuck in your head anymore? :)
mischevious5100: It really is catchy! And thank you for being a "big fan"! Whoa. I didn't think my story was cool enough, but reviewers like you are totally worth it! I'll update frequently. Thank you so much!
Monkeysuncle1: A jealous Raven is always a fun Raven.. haha same here! I ship BBRae HARD. Glad they're your otp because they're so cute! :)
anonymous: Thank you!
Guest: I will do more ASAP. Working hard typing everything out!
I' . : hahaha oh man. Your reviews had me laughing. So awesome, especially the story about your dad. What a trooper! Haha. My dad hates going there too. Thank you! Same here. I figured Raven was pretty good with other things.
Curse you Perry the Platypus: okay first off..your username is just AMAZING. Haha. I love Phineas and Ferb! Perry is actually one of my favorite characters. So you are really cool for that! Thanks for finding the story funny! :)
-Thanks guys for the reviews!