Old Dog New Friends
*One year ago*
Jump City was relatively new, only being dubbed a super city a few months ago. Few businesses apart from the already country wide one's and basic necessity stores had began making a profit. Room's like night club's, cafés, restaurant's and bars couldn't seem to get their foot in the door. It's not that the owner's were assholes or that the food and drinks tasted like crap. Everything was just so new no one knew where was a good place for a good time late at night.
One such place was the 'Shrapnel'. A small yet cozy dim litted bar near the outskirts of Jump. Neon lights lit the near by street with a blue glow. Keeping with the same theme the inside was a warm blue with a mix of purple balanced throughout. The bar had a pool corner with two tables with balls ready to brake along with a dart board behind the tables. The opposite corner was lined with purple and black booth's ranging from four seater to one eight seater booth in the middle of the rest. The wall's were decorated with blue lights and art work. The far wall had a small stage with steps leading up to the top from both sides. A dozen or so stalls were set up infront of a long wooden bar table with an equally long bottle wall behind it.
In-between the wall and table was a middle aged man slouched over the table listening to the slow classical music a bottle of Jack Daniel's in hand.
Another dead night for Frank. Hardly any party goers had turned up and the ones that did left after a couple of drinks. Lifting the bottle up to his lips he took another swig of the whiskey. His watch read 3am in the morning. 'Fuck this. I'm calling it a night.' Picking up the cap the bartender screwed up the Jack Daniel's and put it away under the table. Frank unlocked a small safe next to the bottle and retrieved his keys and wallet. He locked the safe back up and was being to leave when the sound of his door opened.
A single man walked into his bar. He was big man. Very big. Not fat big but built big. Frank watched as the man walked towards the table and took a seat infront of him. The man had broad shoulders and large arms. Frank had seen some pretty scary guys in his time but this guy was something else. The size of his was bad enough. It didn't help he was wearing a large jacket with the hood up and wearing sunglasses at 3 a.m in the morning. 'Quit being such a wuss man. He just wants a drink.'
Frank cleared his throat about to take the man's order. "What can I get ya pal?"
"Just a water please."
'Well son of a bitch, I'm not even making a sale here.' "Sure thing." Frank took a clean glass from a shelf and filled the glass with water before topping it off with some ice. Frank slide the drink over to the man who caught it with a gloved hand.
'Is this guy homeless or something?' Frank thought as he pulled out a glass of his own and topped it off with water and ice.
The man took a sip of his water as he looked around the bar. "Is this a quite night for you?"
"Ha. This is a quick as it gets around here."
"I'm sorry to here that. Business isn't as good as you'd want then huh."
"You could say that yea."
"I'd buy a soda off you but I don't have any change on me. I'm kinda new around here."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not doing myself any favours either. I'm probably drinking more of the bottles in here than what the guest's are."
The two men chuckled and took a sip of their drinks.
"So. Why'd you move here? Work? Studying?"
"More personal issues than anything. I'm not sure about work."
"Bad schooling or something?"
"Something like that."
"Well, this is pretty new city. They'll be some jobs for a big guy like you somewhere."
"I wouldn't count on it but thanks."
"Got any friends around here that could give you something to do?"
"No. I'm on my own out here."
"I guess I don't have any friends around here either come to think of it."
Silence fell over the two men not sure what too say. The melody of the music was rudly interrupted by car tyres screeching out the front of the bar. Frank grumbled to himself knowing what was coming next. 'I knew I shoulda closed up shop...'
Three men rushed into the bar all wearing dark clothes and holding weapons. Two of the men wore shades and hoods and carried baseball bats while the third dawned a cap and black bandana with a handgun in his hand.
"ALL RIGHT LADY'S. WE'RE HERE FOR WHATEVER VALUABLES YOU GOT SO IF YOU'VE GOT ANY FAMILY CLOSE TO YOUR HEART I'D NOT RECOMMEND-"
"Hey buddy! There's two people in this place. Quitca yelling would ya?" Frank was no stranger to robberies. This wasn't the first time he had been held up since he moved here either.
"Oh I'm sorry old timer. Didn't mean to blow a hearing aid. Cut the shit and give us the money in the till."
Not taking his eyes away from the man he opened the till and pulled out a small handful of coins and a couple of notes. Dropping them all on table infront of the crooks to count. "This is only twenty three dollars man. Don't be playing games with me."
"That's a whole night's worth right there. Take it or leave it."
Furious the thug aimed his gun at the large man sitting infront of him. "What about you. Give us your money. Now."
The man calmly turned in his stool to face the group. "Don't you think if I had any money I'd be drinking more than water?"
"I can't believe this. Give me your glasses then!" The thug with the gun walked up to the man and reached for his glasses when a large strong hand gripped his wrist.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The hooded man warned. Twisting the wrist he pushed the thug away tumbling to the floor.
The man looked up furious. "Kick his ass!" The two thugs with bats ran at the man. The first swung hard but as easy as catching a tennis ball the man grabbed the bat mid air holding on tight. The thug pulled on the bat unable to move it an inch. The hooded man smirked as he watched the man struggle. That smirk was replaced by a look of annoyance as the second bat came down hard on his head with enough force to snap the bat in two. He turned and found the second thug staring down in shock at the broken handle in his hands.
"He-He's one of those freaks! Like Superman!" Both thugs stepped away from the man looking at their leader for help. The thug with the gun stood from the floor and aimed his pistol at the man. "Don't move, or I'll shoot!"
"I just cracked a baseball bat over my head and can easily snap this one." He said pointing at the bat in his hand. "You really think bullet's are going to do anything to me?"
The thug was shaking now. He could hardly keep the gun straight. "Then I'll kill him!" He says as he aims his gun at Frank.
Frank didn't appear fazed by the threat. If anything he appeared to be laughing to himself. "What are you laughing at!"
"Nothing. I just think it's funny that you think you could kill me is all." Staring the man straight in the eyes Frank slowly walked forward till he was half a meter infront of the gun.
"And why can't I kill you?!"
"Because you left the safety on, dipshit."
In a panic the man pulled the trigger only to find it jammed. "Oh shi-"
Like second nature Frank grabbed the gun twisting it to the side bending the hand into his already bad wrist. He cried out in pain and let go of the gun. With lighting fast reflexes Frank turned off the safety and cocked the pistol with a sharp pulled, his eyes down the sight aimed straight at the three crooks. "I don't wanna see any of your faces around here again, or anywhere for that matter. Now get out of my god damn bar."
The three bolted for the door leaving with less than they came in with. Frank walked back behind the bar and slide the gun into a drawer. He looked up and saw the man was holding the bat out to him. "I don't need it. You can take it."
"I don't really need a bat either but. Thanks." Frank took the bat from the man and stood it against the bottle wall.
"You're just going to let them get away?"
"They're just a group of punks who don't know any better. They'll learn eventually."
"If you say so."
"Hey, when you came in you said you'd order a soda of you had money. What flavor would you have picked?"
"What flavor? Umm... I guess a Cola would be pretty good."
Frank grabbed another glass of the shelf and filled it with a cool flow of Cola. Bubbles rose to the top as Frank poured. Topping the glass Frank handed the man the glass. "Here."
"No it's ok. You don't need too."
"You just saved me the trouble of handing out ass whoppings to two of them and besides. I've already poured it."
The man smiled and accepted the glass from Frank. "So. You have gifts of some kind?"
"Gifts? Pfft. These ain't gift's. They turned me into a monster."
"Monster? Buddy I've met a lot of monsters. You ain't one of them. When you go out to the places I have and seen the things I've seen. You'll know what a monster really looks like."
"You haven't seen one like me then."
"No. I've seen far worse."
The man took a swig of cola and sat in silence again.
"You don't have anywhere to stay the night do ya?"
The man sat in silence not wanting to admit the truth. "I have a bed out the back. You can stay there tonight."
"Now that's too much. I can't sleep in your bar. I'll be fine really."
"Nonsense. You don't even have a spare change of clothes."
"Man, we don't even know each other's name and you're asking me too move in to your pub."
Frank thought about what the man was saying and he was right. They never exchanged their name's. Frank held out a hand to the man. "Frank Woods. Ex Commando of a United State's Black ops unit. But my friends call me Woods."
The man looked at Frank's hand considering the offer. "I thought you didn't have any friends?"
"I'd have one now."
The man smiled as he pulled off the glove of his right hand and firmly shook Wood's hand in return with a literal iron grasp. With his free hand the man pulled off his glasses and pulled back his hood reveling a half metal face with a bright shining red eye with blue circuitry around it. "Victor Stone. Former Quarter Back for Gotham high. But you can call me Vic."
Frank took in man's features noting his entire body wasn't his own, but replaced by an metal one. Lifting his leg up above the table Woods pulled up his pant leg. Underneath the fabric was a prosthetic leg similar to Victor's body. "I had my legs blown off with a shotgun from the knees down. Doctor's said I'd never walk again unless they amputated my legs. I told them I'd rather die than become something I'm not. But a friend managed to convince me to do it. It took a while but I learnt that my disability didn't define me. How I overcome the obstacles in my way did."
Something changed inside Victor. This was the first time in months he felt normal. Like how it use to be. Victor unzipped his hood and pulled down the baggy tracksuit pants throwing them away into a nearby by trash can. With no clothes to hide behind Victor stood infront of Woods with a full mechanical body. "You know something Woods. I think you're on to something there."
"You're damn right I am. But don't expect me to take off my pants aswell."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A smile was plastered of Cyborg's face as he stared up at the front entrance to the 'Shrapnel'. One of his favourite memories was the night he met Woods. One he'll be grateful for for a long time. Pulling up the hood on his jacket Cyborg then punched his fists together connecting the two Holo rings on his fingers. A fake skin hid his circuity leaving a man no one would consider was out of the ordinary. Cyborg pushed open the door and walked inside the bar.
That last time he had exited this bar he wasn't even a Titan. In fact the last night if existing this bar was the night he and the others formed the Titan's. He hadn't spoken to Woods for nearly over a year now.
The bar handed changed much but Cyborg was still surprised at what he saw. It was busy! People were buying drinks and sitting at the booths chatting. Pool was being played and a singer was on the stage. 'He actually got this place running. Woods you genius you.'
Cyborg walked inside an looked around as he walked to the bar. He took a seat near the end of the table next to another person wearing a hood. "Bar keep!" Woods heard the call and call and walked over to the seemingly new customer not realising it was his first real returning party. "What can I get ya pal?"
"A large Cola please." Woods nodded and grabbed a glass and poured Cyborg his drink. Filling the glass with ice Woods handed over the glass. "That'll be five bucks."
Cyborg reached into the front pockets of the jacket and handed Woods a ten dollar note. "Keep the change. I never got to pay you for the first one you gave me."
Woods stated at the man in confusion. That's when he saw it. He'd seen those eyes before. He didn't forget one's like this man had. "Victor?"
Cyborg simply smiled and nodded his head.
"My god Victor!" Woods took Cyborg's hand in his own and shook his hand. "Look at you you beautiful sonofa bitch! You're normal! Where's your tech and armour?!"
"Woods relax a second. I still have them." Cyborg held up his two rings on each finger. "These are Holo rings I invented. They change the base layer of the wearer."
"God. It's been so long. One moment you tell me you're going to check out what all those explosions where outside the next morning you've got a gig in fighting crime!"
"Hey keep your voice down a little. I'm not exactly meant to be here."
"Ah I see. You don't wanna be seen with an old washed up war dog right?"
"Well that's not reason number one but it's on the list." The two chuckled together and sighed.
"So what really brings you here Vic?"
"Honastly. Thing's aren't going so great in the Tower."
"Trouble in paradise huh?"
"It ain't a paradise as of late."
"What's on your mind Vic?"
"Well. Last night we headed out to the museum for a tripped alarm to find Catwoman out to attack us."
"I saw the news report. What happened to her?"
"You know Beast Boy right? The short green one."
"He's kinda hard to miss."
"Yea well. He happens to be my best friend in the tower. Something happened to him last night no one can explain. He turned into some violent killer. If we didn't stop him when we did he would have killed her."
"I'm sorry Vic."
"Yea. He's doing better now but we have no way of helping him right now."
"Your purple friend was hurt aswell right?"
"Yea, Raven. She's better now but the man who shot her. He's got a hit on Robin. He won't stop till he takes him back to his employer without a pulse."
"Assassins. Always a pain in the ass... Any other dilemmas?"
"Now that you mention it. The only way Robin made it through the night was by partnering up with our enemy. Calls himself Slade. He's dangerous. Really dangerous. I didn't like the idea of having our enemy watch our back."
"That's a pretty good way to have a knife put through your back."
"Exactly what I'm afraid of."
"Mmm. Funny thing that. I knew a guy called Slade."
"You did?"
Woods looked under the table and started rummaging through a few old trinkets. "There it is." Woods pulled out an old crease lined photo out from the table and placed it infront of Cyborg. The photo was old and a little faded but it was clear enough. Four figures stood infront of the camera holding rifles. "This was us. Task force 'Black Ops'. On the right there you have Bowman. You remind me of him actually."
"Why, cause we're both black?"
"What? No. Nevermind. Guy next to him's, Mason. Crazy sonofa bitch I'll tell you that."
"Crazy?"
"He's had his mind messed with. Some Russian tried make him kill our own president. But that's a story for another time."
"No kidding crazy."
"On his left you have yours truly, no introductions needed. The guy next to me, Slade Wilson."
Cyborg looked at the man in the picture. He was tall for one but he had both of his eyes in the photo. Without knowing what Slade looked like under his uniform there was no way he could tell if these two men were the same, though he had the same look in his eyes that Slade does when they fight.
"What happened to him?"
"Well... We were out on a mission in Korea. We became compromised. They forced us to play a game of Russian Roulette. Mason and Bowman started but when Bowman refused... You know what they did to him."
"I'm sorry Woods... But you got out. What about the other's?
"Slade, Mason and I managed to escape and bust some heads on the way out. We found a two man attack chopper nearby. Slade made the two of us take it and run. Said he can survive in the jungle. We haven't seen him since."
"No one found him?"
"He was eventually classified M.I.A but we're pretty confident he didn't make it. He was a tough bastard but we've been looking for him for nearly thirty years now and still nothing."
"How was his combat skills?"
"Incredible. He could hold himself against the rest of us no problem."
Could it be? What where the chances this was the same man? What if this whole time Slade was just hiding?
"Arghhhh! Shove it ya up your ass!" Loud drunken rambling came from one of the booths behind Cyborg. A tall man with massive arm's was throwing bottles around the bar in particular another tall muscle bound man. The second man put down his beer and charged at the first. The two of them throwing punches at each others mug connecting with drunken yet powerful blows.
Woods looked up at the pair and smirked. Interlocking his fingers he flexed tight popping his knuckles. "Looks like things have just gotten interesting." Letting go of his fingers, Woods grabbed his ankle and pulled his leg back up behind his back stretching his leg.
"Ahh Woods?"
"Yea?"
"Your legs are fake."
"Yea?"
"You can't feel that."
"I know."
"Crazy old man."
"You'll be one one day."
"I'll be counting the days. Need a hand?"
"Na I got this one. These are girl scouts compared to some of the brutes I've gone up with."
"Have fun."
"Will do."
Woods walked around the bar towards the two men ready to either break up the fight or join it. Cyborg wasn't sure.
Rolling his eye he took a sip of his drink and watched the fight. 'He's still got some moves for an old dude.'
"Hey stranger. Come here often?"
A young feminine voice came from Cyborg's right. He looked at the hooded person sitting next to him. They didn't look directly back at him. But Cyborg could tell who it was. He only knew one person with skin that pale and hair that pink. "Jinx?!"
"Keep your voice down will ya? What do you think we're both wearing hoods for?"
"What are you doing here Jinx?"
"I could ask you the same question. It's not often that a Titan comes into a bar. I'm enjoying my free time. What are you doing?"
"Visiting a friend."
"I saw. So. You and Frankie got some history?"
"Yea. We have history. What about you?"
"We've talked a couple of times. He's pretty cool."
"Were you listening the whole time?"
"Cyborg. What kind of girl do you take me for? Of course I was listening. Not that I couldn't hear much at all. Something about the word Black and old army buddies. Other than that I got nothin."
"Fair enough. Why do you spend your free time in a bar? Why not at your hideout."
"Because I live with Gizmo, Mammoth, Billy Numerous and See-More. That's reason enough to want to get out of that dump. A girl needs time away from all that testosterone."
"Surprisingly I don't blame you."
"Well I'm glad we could agree." Jinx lifted her glass to her lips taking a sip of her lemonade. "So. Sounds like you had a big night last night."
"I don't wanna talk about it Jinx."
"Shame cause I'm curious."
"I'm serious, back off."
"Or you'll what? Arrest me?"
"I don't see why not."
"If you were you'd have done it by now."
"Keep thinking that." Cyborg sighed in his seat. Was he really making small talk with a member of the Hive?
"How's Raven doing?"
"Huh?"
"Raven. She was shot remember?"
"Why do you care about her?"
"I'm curious alright?! No one uses guns in this city. Not ones with actual bullets. Why'd someone shoot her?"
Cyborg took a breath before he replied to the girl. "It wasn't meant for her. Robin was his target."
"Robin? I mean the Titan's have a lot of enemies but... Who was it."
"He's no enemy. Atleast he wasn't before now. Ever heard of a guy called Deadshot?"
"Deadshot huh. I've heard of him. He's good by the sounds of it."
"Robin says he's a hired gun. We might be up against Deadshot but someone else is pulling the strings."
"Scary..."
"No kidding."
The two sighed and took a sip of there drinks. It funny really. The two had always seen each other as the enemy. Yet the two were sharing a drink like old friends.
"Hey Cyborg."
"Yea Jinx?"
"However this whole thing plays out with Deadshot and all. I hope you and the Titan's make it out okay."
"Wouldn't you like it if you had one less Titan to worry about?"
"It wouldn't be the same I guess. What's the fun of being a villain without having a hero to fight."
"You can do better than this Jinx. You don't need to be a villain."
"No. I can't."
"Yes you can. We can help you. You don't need to do this."
"I can't alright! My whole life has been failure and disappointment. Everytime something starts working out I jinx myself. The Hive are all I have left. They cared for me when no one else would." Jinx took the rest of her drink and slammed it down in one gulp. Leaving a five dollar note on the table Jinx stood from her stool and walked away. "Enjoy your drink."
"Jinx wait."
She wasn't sure why she was even listening to him anymore but she stopped at the door and listened.
"You can be something more than this. A hero. A Titan. Let us help you Jinx."
"I could have been a lot of things. I'll see you around. Victor." Jinx left the Titan at the bar and walked away leaving him on his own with his drink. "See you around Jinx." Cyborg replied to no one within earshot.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The halls of the tower were quite. Making the pair of footsteps louder for the changeling's ears. He wasn't sure how Raven was feel right now. She could be grateful to be alive or upset he's becoming a monster. 'No. I can't think like this. Cyborg will find a cure and the others will help me.'
'You sure about that? No one wanted to stay with you earlier. They're afraid of you.'
'Raven's still here isn't she?'
'Maybe she wants some company. Since you're both monsters and all.'
'Take. That. Back!'
"Beast Boy!"
"Huh?" Beast Boy looked up at the voice finding Raven looking concerned.
"I called your name three times and you didn't answer."
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention I guess."
Raven looked down at his hands and snatched one in her own "Your claws are out. Care to explain that?" He hadn't even noticed. His finger nails had shifted from his regular nails to slightly longer but far sharper claws. "I'm a little stressed I guess... A lot's on my mind."
"Then let's talk about it." Beast Boy was so out of it he didn't even notice where the pair where. Infront of the two was Raven's door to her room. Raven pressed her control panel by her door deactivating the lock before walking inside. Was she getting something? She doesn't me to go in there right. Raven forbids anyone but her to go into her room.
"You coming in or not?"
Okay apparently not. "What?"
"Did I stutter?"
"You want me to follow you. Into room... I think I'm not the only one who's a little messed up after last night."
"Don't make me ask you again. Either come in or find someone else to talk to."
Beast Boy cautiously stepped foot beyond the forbidden zone with its protecter watching him. Raven shook her head as he slowly creeped through the doorway. Raven floated up to her bed and sat at the head of her bed. Beast boy looked at Raven as she looked back. Did she expect him to sit on the bed with her? There's no other furniture and the floor seems rude so... He slowly walked up to the bed and sat on the side barley taking up any space on Raven's bed.
Raven looked at his position on the bed and rolled her eyes. Using her powers she lifted him of the side of the bed and moved him to the center of the mattress.
"Eeep!" Beast Boy yelped as he was lifted up from his spot.
"Better?" Raven asked.
He didn't want to take up much space on Raven's bed but she wants him too so there's no harm in accepting. Right? Beast Boy laid down on the bed looking up at the ceiling, his feet dangling over the side. "Yea. Thanks Rae."
"I've heard a lot about what happened last night. None of it good."
His green ears drooped as Raven spoke. 'I guess she really does hate me...'
"Can you tell me a little more?"
"Oh. Umm... What do you wanna know?"
"Any of what you remember. Before or after me being shot. Anything out of the ordinary could be useful in helping you."
"Well... I remember the fight with Catwoman fine. We all chased her down the halls of the museum until we reached the T-Rex skeleton. You and Robin were about to arrest her but... You..."
"I know Beast Boy. What about after that?"
"Well. We were all panicking at first and Catwoman ran away in the confusion of it. Robin eventually got it together and told me to go after her. After that, it's all fuzzy."
"So when you went after her was when you lost your memory."
"Seems that way yea."
"Your 'Hybrid' form. Have any idea how it happened or know any of the science behind it?"
"Honastly. I have no idea. It's like my body isn't my own anymore. Like I'm trying to drive a car in the backseat."
She didn't want to admit it to him but this was beyond anything Raven had tried to understand before. She could devise an algorithm for almost any problem. But how is she meant to solve this problem when know what knows what the problem is in the first place.
"Beast Boy. This whole thing is very confusing. Until we have something to work with the only way we can help you is by accessing your mind and searching for clues there."
"It's okay. It's not your fault."
"It's not yours either."
"Who's is it then?"
"No one's. Bad things happen Beast Boy. That's life."
Raven sighed in mild frustration. She hated seeing him like this. He was meant to be the happy good lucky one of the team. He didn't deserve this. He was genuine. All he ever did was put others before himself. As much as she told herself he annoyed her. She didn't want to admit she was lying to herself but aside from the bad jokes and pestering. He was sweet and innocent. Hell he was even cute in his own little way... 'Okay woah. That's too much. I did not just think that.'
"There are times where I can't help but think. Why me? The fact that I survived the Sakutia is a miracle on it's own."
"Sakutia?"
"It's a fatal disease found in Africa monkeys with no kind of treatment at the time. One bit me nearly killing me. My parents were scientists researching ways to cure it and they just happened to have a cure for the un-curable... I don't get it."
"Beast Boy. A lot of things happen that we'll never know the answer to. Me being alive right now after my father took over earth is one of them. Maybe you've been gifted with these powers for a reason, I don't know. What I do know is you're a amazing person Garfield and an even better friend."
She might look like a moody, depressed gothic teenager but that was one of the most honast and genuine thing's anyone had ever told him. His cheeks blushed a light tinge of red. Something Raven noticed and as a result blushed a similar shade of red across her pale skin.
"Thanks Rae. I needed that."
'We're having a moment. I'm not going to spoil it because he called me Rae...' "You're welcome Beast Boy... So argh. Your hair. You don't know why that grew as much as it did either?"
Grabbing a handful of hair Beast Boy pulled it forward so rested infront of his shoulders. "I just woke up and it was past my shoulders. Also I had a disgusting beard..."
"...what..."
"I know right. I didn't like it either."
"I haven't even seen it and I don't like it."
"It's not pretty, believe me."
"Well you look like you have that under control. I might be able to fix your hair problem."
"Really? How?"
The handle of her bedside drawer became encased in black magic. Raven pulled open the drawer lifting a pair of scissors out with her magic. Hovering the scissors infront of Beast Boy he quickly crawled away.
"Woah, woah woah! Time out! You're not seriously going to cut my hair are you?!"
"I do mine all the time."
"Really?"
"When have you ever heard me say 'I'm just going to the hair salon be back in an hour'."
"Oh right. Good point. But still! This hair takes years of practice and patience too master. Not just anyone can cut the Beast Boy's doo."
"You look like you get in a fight with a lawnmower every morning. I'm sure I can handle it, now quit whining and turn around."
"Wow. That hurt's Rae." Beast Boy did as he was told and turned away from Raven hanging his feet over the end of her bed.
"-Ven. Hold still." Pulling another item out of her drawer Raven hovered over behind Beast Boy. Pulling the strands into one large handful she pressed her brush against his scalp.
"Wait is that a- OWWW!"
Raven pulled the brush through his tangled up mess of knotty hair pulling hard against the knots.
"Quit being such a baby. It's not that bad."
"OWww! Not so ha- ow Ow OW!"
His fingers dug into Raven's sheets while his teeth bite down hard against the opposite pair.
"You've fought aliens, demons and Trigon the terrible. Yet you're calling for mercy over a brush. Sad really."
Wincing in pain Beast Boy sat through this torture. Gradually the knots gave in and his hair started flowing freely. That didn't mean it stopped hurting though. "Ow. Imagine if- Ow. Starfire wanted to- Ow. Have a turn at this- Ow."
"She'd probably rip your hair clean out. Maybe that's why you're going to go bald in the future."
"AWW Man- Ow. Don't- Ow. Remind me. I don't wanna- Ow. Look like Vin Diesel."
"You say that like looking like a famous good looking actor is a bad thing."
"Did you just call someone good looking?!"
"Is he not?"
"Well... Okay I guess he is. Just weird hearing you say it."
"I called you an amazing person earlier. This is a step down if anything." With his hair loose and knot free, Raven held his hair in a ponytail and lifted the scissors under it. With a quick snip the majority of his hair was cut away and thrown in a nearby bin. A weight had litterally been lifted off his shoulders. He felt free. Like all this hair was holding him back.
"Dude that's so much better already..."
"I'm not done yet. Hold still." Raven had never cut anyone elses hair before. This wasn't going to be a perfect haircut but Beast Boy's hair was a mess in the first place. She couldn't do much wrong really.
Bit by bit Beast Boy's hair was trimmed down to its regular size. Small clippings of hair fell op top of the sheets which Raven picked up and threw away with her powers.
"There. Like normal." Putting away her scissors Raven picked up her hand mirror and handed it over to Beast Boy.
"This one won't warp me into your mind right?"
"As funny as that would be. No, this one's safe."
"Good enough for me." Lifting the mirror up to eye level he looked over at his haircut. It was pretty good if he was being honest. "Dude you're a natural!"
"Like I said. You look like you get in a fight with a lawnmower every morning. It wasn't hard."
Taking the mirror back from Beast Boy she put it back in her drawer. "Well. Thanks anyway Rae. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome." She had noticed it earlier but her eyes stared over the small cut on his cheek. The cut had stopped bleeding but it was still going to leave a mark if it wasn't tended too. "Cut yourself shaving?"
"Yea. I've never needed to do before. I didn't have any practice before I tried it."
"Consider it a lesson learned. Now face me please."
Lifting his legs back over the end of the bed Beast Boy turned towards Raven and waited. A soft blue glow emitted from Raven's palms. She gently rubbed her finger over the cut. Her magic was cool yet warm. Like a chilled tube of deep heat her magic worked over his scar. After half a minute Beast Boy's cheek had no sign of previous damage.
His fingertips brushed over where his cut had been examining her work. "Thank you Rae."
Raven didn't reply with anything. Her only sign of recognition was a small smile was present on her lips. The two were close. Closer than Raven had noticed. She was practically kneeling in his lap.
Looking up into her eye's, Beast Boy smiled back. While the silence would normally be awkward. This just felt right.
Sadly the moment wouldn't last. Yelling and banging could be heard from the other side of Raven's door. "RAVEN! OPEN UP!"
Staring at her door she wondered what her leader could be wanting and if it was even worth getting up. Sighing she stepped off her bed and walked toward the door. Opening the door a fraction she addressed her leader in a bitter tone. "What?".
"We need to go. Cyborg's in trouble."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXAlright finished this one quicker than the other's. I really enjoyed the bar scene with Woods and Cyborg. Woods is an awesome character from the first two Call of Duty black ops games. I know this isn't completely accurate to the black ops storyline but this isn't a Call of Duty fan fic so I don't care.
Another 3 reviews on the last chapter. Seeing everyone enjoying the story and coming back too keep reading more is an awesome feeling and can't wait to see what you think of this one.
As usual of you have any requests to add to the story I'd love to read then and see if I can add your request in there somewhere.
See you next chapter.