"Yo Sparky! How's the plumbing going?"
Cyborg started, smacking the back of his head against the table above him. With a pained groan, the teenager crawled out from under the desk where he was configuring with several wires hanging below the broken computer, and turned around, laying eyes on the leader of the Titans East. Bumblebee smiled at him, tilting her head to the side in question. It had been about three days since the robotic teenager had arrived in the Titans East Tower, and thus far he had made pretty good progress in fixing the mess that the smaller team had caused.
Cyborg rubbed his head, the ache fading from his skull. "Well, first of all it's not plumbin'. Plumbin ' to do with drainage and water systems, and what I'm dealin' with is electronics. Secondly," he said, lowering his hand to massage his shoulder, "it's goin' pretty well."
"Great!" Bumblebee crossed her arms. "Not getting too tired sleeping in our spare bedroom, right? I know it can't be the best thing being right next to Speedy's place; I'm pretty sure he snores," she added in a whisper. Cyborg smirked all-too-knowingly, and leaned back against the table.
"So what's up, Bee?" he inquired, knowing the girl was sure to have another reason for her interruption.
As suspected, Bumblebee gave him a wide smile. "Well, it seems like you deserve a bit of a break from helping us out so much, at least in my opinion." She unfolded her arms curiously. "So… I decided to throw a bit of a party tomorrow. We're inviting anyone who feels like showing up. But its girls invite boys unless you can't find a date." Lifting an eyebrow, the tall girl smirked at him. "Feel like being escorted?"
The robotic teenager feigned surprise, pointing a finger at his chest. "Me? I thought you would want to go with Speedy!" Bumblebee shot him a glare; they both knew how Speedy could get on her nerves at times. Most times, if she was to be honest. Tapping his chin, Cyborg actually considered the offer. "Hm… As long as I don't have to wear a tux. And get to lead in the dancin'," he decided with a smirk. Bumblebee returned the grin.
"You can try, Sparks, but I might end up doing it anyway." Her wings vibrated, and she lifted into the air with a buzz. "Oh, and don't worry about dressing up. We're having a party, not a ball." Cyborg chuckled and then knelt down beside the computer to continue in his work.
Bumblebee, hardly able to believe her plan had been successful, flew over to the phone. Snatching up the phonebook, she flipped through their list of contacts until landing on the first name. Normally the leader of the Titans East would call through her communicator, but who knew what eavesdropping Titan might pick up on her conversation if that thing was used, so Bumblebee settled with a good old-fashioned phone. She was just about to punch in the number when a gust of wind signaled Más and Menos's arrival.
"Hola Bumblebee!" they greeted together. Más climbed on his brother's shoulders to peer at the book in front of their leader while Menos asked, "Did I hear something about a fiesta?!"
"You'd better believe it!" Bumblebee tapped the needed numbers into the phone. "And it's girls ask guys, but if you maybe drop a hint to that certain someone, then maybe…" She trailed off, leaving the rest of the sentence to the kids' imaginations. Más and Menos exchanged glances, both of their eyes lighting up as they simultaneously thought of their preferred date. As they sped off, Bumblebee called to them, "And tell Aqualad and Speedy about it when you get the chance!" She held the phone up to her ear, grinning as it started to ring. Both of her and Robin's teams knew about the twins' crushes on Starfire, especially since they weren't very good at hiding it, and it was only a matter of time before the duo arrived at the Titan's doorstep to ask the alien princess to accompany them to the party. It was a good thing then that Bumblebee was calling their tower first.
Robin was the one to pick up the phone, and his tone was slightly confused as he asked, "Hello?" It was clear that no one used their landline much anymore.
"Hey, hot shot," Bumblebee greeted, leaning on the counter and tapping the surface with her finger. "Your team busy tomorrow?"
Robin still sounded puzzled, but he answered easily enough. "Not as far as I am aware. Why are you calling, Bumblebee? And on the landline? Is something wrong? Did something happen to Cyborg?"
"Just felt like mixing things up," Bumblebee replied unhelpfully, smirking at the perplexed silence on the other end. "And Sparky's just fine. Say, you wanna get Raven on the phone for me? That'd be great."
"Uh, sure." Bumblebee waited, hearing Robin request for Raven to come to the phone. "Alright, she's coming." In the background, a doorbell was heard.
Bumblebee spoke up quickly before Robin could give the telephone to his teammate. "Oh, Rob? Is Starfire over there?"
"Yeah, she's going to answer the door right now."
"Well, I think she might have two suitors come to ask her to a party," the leader of the Titans East said vaguely. "I'd go claim her before they do." Bumblebee laughed at the hurried fumbling of Robin shoving the phone into Raven's hands, and his footsteps were audible through the speakers. Silence followed, and then Raven's impassive voice filled Bumblebee's ear.
"What did you do this time, Bumblebee? Robin just took off sprinting toward our front door."
Bumblebee gave a sad groan. "Aw, wish I had been there to see that." Raven's patient silence made the taller girl give in. "But alright, alright. I was just saving him his date for tomorrow's party. He'll thank me later."
In the Titans Tower, Raven peered in the direction of the door where Spanish could be heard echoing up from the entrance. By the couch, Beast Boy paused his video game and started to laugh his head off. Seeing as he was one of the only Titans who knew the basis of Spanish, Raven assumed that Más and Menos must have said something big. The dots connected, and Raven rolled her eyes, accusing the speaker on the other end of the phone. "Did you really do what I think you did?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Bumblebee lied, effortlessly jumping up so she was sitting on her counter. "But hey, I'm glad I caught you. You'll get first dibs this way."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well," Bumblebee cast a glance over her shoulder to watch for any snooping eavesdroppers. When none were seen, she lowered her voice anyway and spoke into the phone. "It's all part of my plan that I'm making to complete our little deal. Sparky has been focusing completely on fixing our tower, so to distract him a bit I'm throwin' a party. And it's girls ask boys. I figure this way I'll help you and Star with your men too. Normal clothes though; no formal wear."
Raven sighed, rubbing one of her eyes tiredly. "This sounds more like meddling than help to me." The memory of Starfire talking about Cyborg's confession to liking Bumblebee flashed through her mind, but Raven ignored it. Bumblebee had come up with the idea of the deal, and now she could find a way to handle it by herself, which it seemed like she was doing anyway by the looks of it.
"Whatever, girl. My point is, ask Beast Boy to the party now before anyone else does. If you don't I might have to send over someone else for incentive."
The empath grimaced, glancing at the green shape-shifter on the couch. "Those things don't really hold much interest for me. If you had suggested a book club or something…"
"Oh goodness, Raven! You have got to be kidding!" Bumblebee cried. "Do it now or put him on the phone with me! I'll do it for you!"
That was not about to happen. "What about you?" Raven questioned, resting her hand on her arm holding the phone. "You asked Cyborg yet? Please tell me you didn't force this on him."
Unknowing to Raven, Bumblebee shook her head. "Naw, he was all for it."
"But you said earlier that not much had happened," the empath prompted.
"Yet," Bumblebee finished for her. She swung her feet back and forth on the counter. "But it will. All part of the plan." In truth, Bumblebee was making her plan up as she went. It appeared to be heading in the right direction though, so that was good. "Enough 'bout me though. How's your side going, girl?" she asked.
Again Raven looked at Beast Boy for a moment. In the background, the voices by the door had quieted and lessened, signaling Robin, Starfire, and their visitors were preparing to wrap up. "Further than you it seems," the dark girl guessed.
Bumblebee snorted. "But heck, that could be anywhere, girl. Give me a hint or something!"
As if Raven was going to tell anyone about what had happened. She wasn't even sure herself what had occurred. "My guess is as good as yours."
"Pfft, as if."
The main doors slid apart, and Robin and Starfire entered together, hands entwined. The only good thing that Raven had seen from this little agreement she and the others had made was Robin and Starfire seemed to have grown closer together, though that could be just coincidence. Bumblebee's voice filled her ear again. "Any word on Jinx's progress?"
"Haven't spoken to her."
"Hm." Bumblebee paused. "Well, I'll make sure to ask for an update when I call. Now, you get on asking Beast Boy to the party, or I'll come over there!" she threatened unconvincingly.
"Right." Raven hung up the phone.
"What was that all about?" Robin asked, escorting Starfire into the room as Raven turned away from the small machine. He glanced at his girlfriend, hand still in hers almost protectively. Beast Boy halted in his video game playing again, focusing in confusion on the red and white streak that flashed over the ocean below. Shrugging, the shape-shifter joined the group in the kitchen.
Raven sighed, clearing her throat. "Bumblebee has decided to throw a party for no apparent reason." At this, Starfire exchanged a swift glance with her darker teammate. "It's everyday dress," Raven continued, "and she insists we all come. She also mentioned something about girls ask guys," the girl finished emotionlessly.
"So that's what that was about," Robin realized, placing a hand on his head as he thought back to the unexpected visit from the two Spanish brothers minutes ago. Starfire took a moment longer than her boyfriend to figure it out, but when she did, the alien princess was unable to hide the soft giggle that slipped out.
"Dude, a party?!" Beast Boy exclaimed, grinning from ear to pointy ear. He pumped a fist in the air. "I haven't been to a party in forever!" Raven rolled her eyes as Robin chuckled. The leader of the Titans faced Starfire, murmuring a few words in her ear. The alien princess smiled, nodding. Raven drifted over to the couch with Beast Boy to give the couple privacy.
Starfire grasped Robin's hands softly. "Robin, while I suppose that it might be 'assumed' we will be doing the accompanying of one another to the party, I would like to ask you to be certain." The girl blushed. "Would you be my 'date' to the party, Robin?"
"Of course, Star." Robin touched her cheek. "I wouldn't dream of going with anyone else." Starfire laughed lightly, giving her boyfriend a warm hug that was returned in full.
Over by the couch, Beast Boy watched the conversation out of the corner of his eye with a bright smile as he popped a new game into his system. Catching Raven's gaze, he waved the cover of his game at her. Raven groaned quietly. Beast Boy was playing Just Dance 7. How perfect. The game choice was enough to make her sick.
"Gotta get in my practice for the party," the green boy chuckled, dropping onto the sofa next to Raven while he waited for the screen to load. One of his arms managed to sneak its way around her shoulders, and Raven shuddered at the physical contact, mentally repeating her mantra. Beast Boy was a touchy person, she had to remind herself. "So Rae," he asked, looking at her with a grin, "it's girls ask guys, right? Got any lucky dude in mind?"
Raven's head screamed the answer, but the empath's expression remained impassive if not a little uncomfortable. It was hard not to pry into Beast Boy's mind and sense the emotions that were locked inside. To probe just barely below the surface would be so easy, but luckily Raven excelled at self-restraint. To do so was an invasion of privacy above all; it wasn't fair to look inside someone else for selfish purposes. Besides, if Raven didn't find what she was searching for, it would hurt. A lot.
So it was that all she said was, "I don't know if lucky would be the right word. You on the other hand…"
Beast Boy's interest was piqued, and he faced Raven straight on. "What about me?"
Raven shook her head. "What girl wouldn't want to go to a party with you? That green hair, pointy ears, and especially those dance moves?" She rolled her eyes sarcastically. "You're a dream boat."
"I am, aren't I?" Beast Boy leaned back against the couch, his arm yet around the empath. He hardly seemed to know it was there. A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth. "So you gonna go with me?"
Out of fear that the shape-shifter's ears would pick up the sound, Raven took in a deep breath, and the pounding in her chest calmed. "I never said that."
"But you did say that any girl would be lucky to go with me," Beast Boy reminded, his canine tooth catching the light. He leaned toward her. "Why not me?"
Was he asking her to go with him? Raven lowered her head so she was looking at her knees. "I've never been very lucky when it comes to certain things," she murmured. Beast Boy's bright smile faded, and his arm retreated back to his side.
"But… Come on, Raven," he insisted in a soft tone, touching her hand briefly. Once more the girl's heart picked up speed, and this time Beast Boy's eyes flickered to her chest, ears twitching. The shape-shifter looked up at her again, a smile reappearing on his face. "Sometimes you just gotta make your own luck."
Raven stared at him, realizing how close Beast Boy had gotten to her. How he managed to constantly invade her personal space without her notice was a mystery to the dark girl.
Tilting her head, Raven asked curiously, "Beast Boy, do you want to go to Bumblebee's party with me?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" Beast Boy jumped to his feet, grinning wildly. Before Raven could comment -or wonder what had just happened- the green teenager faced the television, hitting a button on his controller. Just Dance 7 flashed onto the screen with an earsplitting blast of music. Raven fought the urge to cover her ears.
"It is extremely unlikely that I will be dancing at this party," she declared firmly over the music.
Beast Boy's eyebrow quirked at her as he turned down the volume a little and chose his preferred song. "That's what you say now-."
"And will continue to say," Raven interrupted, crossing her arms.
Beast Boy continued without acknowledging her statement, "-but once you see my wicked skills on the dance floor, you'll change your mind."
"That seems dreadfully unlikely as well," Raven retorted, folding her legs over one another, but before she knew what was happening, two hands grabbed hers, pulling the dark girl from her seated position up to Beast Boy.
The boy snickered good-humoredly at her expression. "Come on, Rae! It's not that hard!" He smirked knowingly. "Or are you scared?" Beast Boy challenged.
"I am not scared," Raven blurted out, the words spilling from her mouth before she could think them through. Certainly she was not a party-goer and especially not a dancer, but above all she was not scared.
"Then you won't have a problem dancing to this song!" Beast Boy concluded, gesturing toward the game station. The READY? sign was blinking on the screen. Paling, Raven pushed him back and stepped away, shaking her head. Beast Boy pouted for a moment until his sights zoomed in on the couple behind the couch, both Titans pretending not to watch the exchange. "Star!" he summoned, pointing at the girl and pulling her in his direction with his finger. The alien princess curiously rose from the kitchen table, obeying, and joined Beast Boy. Robin followed her, coming to a stand-still beside Raven. The two serious teenagers were in identical positions, both with crossed arms and unsure expressions.
Beast Boy nodded at the television. "You know how to do it, right?" he asked, pressing enter on his controller. Tapping her lips, Starfire nodded. "Great! Then go for it!" He pulled Starfire up next to him in front of the screen as the music started. Raven vaguely noted that he had set the rules for multiplayer; the mischievous green imp must have been preparing for this, she realized. Beast Boy, having played the game before, immediately jumped in, stomping and clapping where necessary in time to the music. It wasn't too long before Starfire caught on, and soon enough the two were in synch with their motions. Next to the sofa, Raven and Robin fought similar feelings of isolation together, both happy that their friends were enjoying themselves but at the same time wishing it was they in the other's place. These emotions lasted only a brief time though, dispelled when Beast Boy, glancing over his shoulder, lifted his eyebrows at Robin.
"What do you think you're doing, dude?" he called in between tiring breaths. "Get on over here before we do the couple part!" Robin blinked, absorbing the words into his head before a smirk took the place of the confused expression on his face. Drawing alongside the green teenager, Beast Boy nodded to Robin, said something to Starfire, and then he and his leader switched places with a bound. It was just in time, for within the next five seconds the two dancers turned toward each other and joined hands. As Robin and Starfire danced together to the quick beat, Beast Boy leaned forward on his knees, catching his breath. Raven lifted an eyebrow.
"You planned this, didn't you?" she accused.
Beast Boy's eyes widened innocently. "What? Me? Little old me?" Frowning, Raven shot him one of her famous glares, and the green teenager grinned. "Yeah, I did." A change in the music reached their ears, and Beast Boy's head perked up, the partner part having finished. He jumped over to Starfire, and, with a twirl, they switched places. Starfire was breathing heavily as well, if not as much as Beast Boy had been.
Setting a long scarlet strand of hair behind her ear, the alien princess turned her sights to Raven. "Oh, friend Raven, it is most exhilarating! You must give it a try!"
"Pass," Raven muttered, watching with amusement as Robin tried to follow Beast Boy's practiced movements. It wasn't often one saw Beast Boy besting Robin at something. Sure the leader spent countless hours on the training course and was a professional at detective work and catching vicious criminals, but this was Beast Boy's area of expertise. In Raven's observation, she happened to catch Beast Boy's eye, and, grinning, he winked at her. As if the action was a signal –which it was- Starfire "nudged" Raven from behind, sending the empath stumbling into the middle of the game. Robin hopped out of the way, exchanging a drained but ecstatic glance with his girlfriend.
Left stranded in unfamiliar territory, Raven froze, staring at the screen like a deer in the headlights. The red words MISS flashed at her several times, and the empath's heart sped up uncertainly. She had stood petrified for barely a few seconds, however, when Beast Boy grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. A green light blinked at Raven from the television. The empath looked at Beast Boy, drenched and covered in sweat but grinning from ear to pointy ear. "Give it a try, Rae!" he urged. "You're already here!"
With Beast Boy's direction, Raven slowly started to match her actions with those in the game. Before long, her clumsy movements were good enough to get her a few higher scores instead of complete misses. The empath had soon used up such a good amount of energy that she didn't even mind when Beast Boy snatched her hands once more in his, proceeding to spin her in a circle again and finish with a dip. The theoretical graceful ending was almost destroyed when the exhausted shape-shifter just about lost his grip on Raven and nearly dropped her. The two drew apart quickly, flushed.
Robin and Starfire were still inhaling labored breaths, though it was much less than Raven and Beast Boy's. The spikey-haired leader massaged his neck and then stretched out his arms to the side. "Who needs training courses, dude?" Beast Boy gasped at Robin with a smirk. "We've got video games!"
Robin shook his head, still smiling, and lowered his arms from above his head. "I do have to admit that was really fun, Beast Boy; I had no idea you possessed such talent." He glanced at the faucet nearby, and, with an obvious objective in mind, walked toward the sink with Starfire at his heels. The alien princess only paused to give her darker friend a bright smile before following Robin to get a drink of cool water. Raven and Beast Boy trailed them at a slower pace, still catching their breath.
Beast Boy couldn't help it. "You know, Rae, I can't believe I got you to play a video game with me. And it was a dancing video game of all things."
"It's not as if I had much of a choice in the matter seeing how you set me up," Raven countered, wiping the traces of sweat from her face. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she'd used up so much energy. Not even fighting villains like The Hive or Cinderblock was that draining. Raven had to admit that Beast Boy was quite impressive, not with his dance moves but his ability to have such endurance.
"So," Beast Boy said, shifting his eyes back to the dark girl, "does this mean you'll dance at the party?"
Raven returned the look with an impassive expression of her own. "It's still very highly unlikely."
Just so you know, I have never in my life played a Just Dance game. I had no idea for how it's supposed to go, so I set it up as Just Dance 7 because that hasn't come out yet. By the time it comes out, maybe the game has changed a bit. Why not?
