Number 7
They were laughing again. Robin had been trying to focus on the files in front of him for a long time. There hadn't been any calls in a while, and since they had nothing else to do, Robin had decided that now was a good time to start chipping away at the ever growing paper stack. It seemed like a good goal, until he walked into the common room. Cyborg and Beast Boy had been laughing about something, it was anyone's guess as to what it was this time. The topics were endless with those two. Setting up the coffee maker to make a fresh pot, Robin listened and tried to ignore the knot in his stomach.
It had been weeks since the werebeast episode, and while things were once again running smoothly in the tower, Robin had no clue how to fix the bridge he ruined with his youngest teammate. There was nothing wrong with Beast Boy's contribution to the team, he was still helpful on missions, and put in his effort during training, but other than that the changeling tended to keep his interaction limited with the boy wonder. Robin knew he wasn't the best at talking things out on a personal level, but this was something that needed to be fixed before it began to fester.
And it looked like it was already too late. Beast Boy had been distancing himself lately from the older boy. It was subtle at first, like turning down an offer to train alone, which they had always done. Thursday were the day where everyone was out of the tower and he and Beast Boy tended to spar against each other. But those little meetings had stopped. Robin knew it was to be expected, but he didn't like it, and had no one to blame but himself.
The second tip off was more obvious. Sitting on the opposite side of the couch during movie night. Walking next to Cyborg instead of in the middle like he used to. Robin hated himself for making it seem like his friend couldn't relax around him, but the few weeks since the confrontation in the sewer had brought to light a few things that Robin knew needed to change before he could start mending the bridge between him and his teammate. The first, and probably hardest thing he had to do, was apologize. Robin knew that this would require him to step out of his comfort zone.
Robin was very composed and reserved. Beast Boy was open and eager. There were times that Robin resented him for how easily Beast Boy could express how he was feeling. But he knew the only way to covey how sorry he was feeling was to lay his emotions on the table. A risky move, but one he understood needed to happen if they were to move forward.
The second was to reach out a bit more. Cyborg was Beast Boy's best friend. There was no denying that. There were countless stories, jokes, and secrets between the two. But after Cyborg, it was probably Raven who knew Beast Boy best. Hell, even Starfire had a better understanding of how their resident changeling worked. So Robin was going to make an effort to get to know his friend better.
A laugh and a thud brought Robin out of his thoughts. Cyborg was on his knees, shoulders shaking from laughing so hard. Beast Boy was laughing, one hand bracing the arm of the couch and the other arm wrapped around his stomach.
A small smile formed on his face. Turning around the pour his coffee, Robin wondered if he and Beast Boy would ever be like that. The tight knot in his stomach relaxed a bit at the thought, but the more realistic part of his brain said that getting there was going to be a long, hard road. Taking one more glance at the two titan boys, still laughing at god knows what, Robin decided that it was time for him to change.
And, hopefully, a certain green changeling would be open to changing with him.
Author's Note: I'm alive and free! My fall semester is over and now I can finally start posting again. This one is just something to get my mind going. So, read and review people. Also...11 days till Christmas!
