A/N: If I didn't have the rights to the Teen Titans before, I don't have it now. (Do I really have to say that every chapter?)
I know I should say this more often, but I owe a HUGE thanks to everyone who reads, follows/favorites, and ESPECIALLY reviews. Those reviews make me glad I'm doing this because it lets me know there are people who are interested enough to leave their thoughts, opinions, and ideas, and I might have ended this a while ago without all of you, so again: Thank you.
Mr. Ursine: If you have anymore to ask or want to discuss, just PM me. (That goes for everyone too).
Fourteen: We'll have to see how that goes between Robin, Beast Boy, and Starfire.
Eris: So far, he has not messed with anything else, but you will know when he does. The "teacher" was Mento. I'm not sure how (or if) I'll have anyone deal with BB's issues, but I might use one or some of your suggestions. As for the alien abilities, I'm still thinking about how I want that to work. It might be a combination of reasons and restrictions/limitations. I likely will NOT follow the common/agreed canon to give some leeway and preventative measures in later chapters.
I know that doesn't cover EVERYTHING, but as I've said before, I don't have a rock solid plan as to where this story is going. I have a few ideas though.
Anyways, Enjoy!
Chapter 16:
The ride back to the tower would take some time, and was the perfect opportunity to ask questions. Which is exactly what Starfire did. "Friend Beast Boy, is it true that you can turn into animals not native here?". The changeling thought his answer over. He knew the answer, but this was uncharted territory for the team, and he would have to proceed cautiously. "Yes and no. Evidently, you know about how I transformed into that dog-like creature on Tamaran. But I tried a few times when we got back, and I couldn't." the green one answered. "You got any idea why?" the cybernetic friend asked. "I have a few ideas, but my strongest theory is I temporarily tapped into the Red of Tamaran.". "What's the Red?" Raven asked. "So, you guys know Swamp Thing and how he's always talking about the Green, which he explains to be the force that connects all plant life on Earth? Well, the Red is basically the animal version of that. It exists everywhere that has life, and only contains those forms that are native to it." Beast Boy explained. "So, If we went back to Tamaran, you could turn into a Tamaranean?" Robin questioned. "Probably. Or just bring a male here and give me a DNA sample to absorb." Beast Boy replied. "But, why can't you use Starfire's DNA?" Cyborg questioned. "She's female, I'm not. It's stupid, but in the end different genders are incompatible." the teen replied. He knew gender didn't actually matter, but he didn't want to take Starfire's position on the team as the heavy hitter or feel like he was mocking her. "Now can we at least change the subject? I'm running out of answers." the changeling requested.
The rest of the ride was silent, much to the changeling's pleasure. Once the team arrived, they immediately made their way to the kitchen. Cyborg started making large sandwiches with optional meat. Dinner was unusually silent, the only sounds being chewing and scraping silverware. When he finished, Beast Boy made a beeline to his room. After shutting his door, he flopped onto the bottom bunk and contemplated the future. He had always expected aliens to come up in reference to his abilities, but had hoped they had forgotten. Sure, there were some extremely powerful aliens out in the universe. Even Earth had Superman and Martian Manhunter, but if he gained their abilities everyone would expect so much more from him, and he just wasn't up to that. He liked being a Teen Titan. He sighed at the predicament that had unraveled on the ride home and heard a knock on the door.
"Beast Boy, can I come in?". It was Raven. "Sure." he replied without sitting up on the bed. She entered his room and sat next to him on the bed, a slightly anxious expression on her face. "Beast Boy, about what happened with those two guys-" the empath started before the changeling cut her off. "Look Rae, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act like you couldn't defend yourself. I just lost control." Beast Boy stated. "That's just it." she replied before taking in a deep breath. "I know this might be hard to talk about, but those two people in your nightmare. Were they your parents?" Raven cautiously asked, hoping not to cross any lines. She could feel something stir inside of him. There was sadness and anger, guilt and self-doubt. He remained quiet for minutes, which unnerved Raven. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-" "Yes." he cut her off. "I heard what they said in your dream. They were said that you let them die, that you couldn't save them. Why is that?" she questioned warily, keeping her tone anything but accusing or monotone. Once again, Beast Boy didn't know what to do. Raven was easily one of, if not the best friend he had. But talking about what had happened just wasn't easy. "If I can get it out, do you promise not to tell anyone?" he requested. Raven nodded, and Beast Boy sat up. He scooted over to his teammate and pulled her closest arm around him before wrapping his own arms around her midriff. The two stayed like that for a few minutes until Beast Boy broke the silence. "It was shortly after I got my powers. We were on a boat and came upon a waterfall. They told me to fly away. I didn't want to, but I did. They...they...". He was struggling to finish, but Raven already understood what happened. "I-I didn't even try to save them. I just...let them fall." the green teen choked out. She could feel wetness collecting on her thighs, and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out he had started crying.
Raven tenderly wrapped her other arm around him and pulled him close. She didn't say anything; just rubbed his back until his breathing calmed down. "I know there was nothing I could have done. The largest animal I could use at the time was a wolf. But still, I should have at least tried." the green teen remorsefully said. Raven wasn't sure what to do. For the most part, it seemed he had come to terms with what happened, but there was obviously still trauma beneath the acceptance. "If you tried, you likely would have ended up dead like them. And don't say something like 'I would have deserved it' because you wouldn't have.". "But, I-" the green teen started before Raven cut him off. "Listen to me. If you died with them, think about what today would be like. You pulled that boy from the rubble. You led the remaining Titans on an attack that brought down the Brotherhood of Evil. You saved us and the Doom Patrol when the Brain first captured us. You've saved so many lives Beast Boy. Lives that no one else would have been able to. All because you left your parents when they told you too.". Part of him wanted to argue with her statement, but he couldn't. What she said was correct, and nothing could change that. "Thanks Rae." he quietly offered. Today had been a long day, and before he could get off of his teammate sleep overtook him.
The development didn't go unnoticed by the empath. There were a few other things she wanted to talk about, but he needed his rest. He had gotten up extra early today after all. Raven gently wriggled out of his arms and took a good look at her teammate. There was so much he had hidden from all of them for so long. So much pain had been buried so deep that it had taken years for it too resurface. Deciding to dwell on it later, she used her magic to slowly lift the sleeping teen into the air so she could pull down the covers on his bed. Once they were ready, she gently set his down and pulled up the covers, which he curled into almost immediately. Raven could hear Affection and Happy talking about how cute he was, and for once she was willing to agree with them. She carefully dragged her nails through his hair and was rewarded by a low pitched purr. Wary not to make any noise, she opened a portal and quickly stepped though it, walking into her own room. She took a quick shower before climbing into her own bed, joining at least one of her friends in sleep.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened the next morning, except Beast Boy wasn't awake by his normal time. But the four others let it slide due to the fact that he woke up much earlier than normal the previous morning. The green teen made his appearance shortly after eleven in the morning, and decided to have a late breakfast and an early lunch together. It wasn't until Beast Boy was almost finished his double meal when Robin spoke. "Beast Boy and Raven, if you don't mind I would like the two of you to meet me in the training area at noon.". He was responded to by nod from Raven and a muffled affirmative from Beast Boy, who was still chewing a decent mouthful of tofu. When the time came, the two colorful teens headed to meet their leader. "What do you think this is about?" Raven asked. "He's probably going to have you display what you've learned and try to create some new fight patterns with our new abilities." the changeling responded.
As he predicted, the boy wonder was eager to discuss what Raven could do with her new skill set and had Beast Boy give a description of what his new capabilities were when it came to incorporating animal and insect DNA into his form. After over an hour, the leader dismissed Raven, but requested the changeling stay. "What's up now Rob?" the green teen questioned. Robin simply removed various objects from his utility belt and sat on the floor before spreading out and organizing the objects. Following his lead, Beast Boy watched and waited. "Ok, so I have freezing and exploding disks, smoke pellets, a grappling hook and birdarangs. Do you have any ideas how I could improve my arsenal?" the leader asked. Rather shocked that Robin was coming to him for advice, he carefully inspected the various gadgets and formulated a few ideas. "What if you combine the exploding and freezing disks into a single weapon that causes an explosion then freezes the debris?" Beast Boy offered. Robin thought it over, considering the reconfiguring he would have to do, along with the possibilities of such a weapon. "I'll definitely consider it. Any other ideas?". "Well, you could do the same thing with smoke pellets and the exploding disk. You could disorient or injure then blind an enemy, or block their vision and cause them to stumble into a trap. Or, you could build a smoke dispenser into the handle of the grappling hook, so anyone following you won't be able to tell exactly where you are." the green teen offered.
"That's not too bad. Thanks for your help." Robin replied before dismantling some of the exploding disks. "No problem." Beast Boy replied before heading to leave. "Wait, one quick question." his leader called out from behind him. He turned around to face Robin. "If Starfire actually got a male Tamaranean to visit quickly, would you be willing to try to absorb its DNA?". Annnnnnd they were back to talking about aliens. "I'm not sure. I don't want to feel like I'm mimicking Starfire's race, and I don't want her to feel like I could easily replace her on the team." Beast Boy explained. "I understand, but what if you only used it if nothing else worked?" the leader further questioned. "No offense to her, but if Starfire can't succeed in a certain situation, why would you expect me to be able to?" Beast Boy sarcastically asked. Robin could understand Beast Boy's arguments, but had a few more ideas. "What if they bring a few life forms like the dog?". "If you and Starfire can arrange for someone from Tamaran to visit Earth with some of their native species, I'll give it a try." the changeling offered before leaving.
By the time Beast Boy returned to the commons room, Raven was already there, along with the other two team members. Especially the one he wanted to talk to. "Hey Star, come with me for a second." he requested before heading towards his room. Starfire followed him, and he stopped just outside his door. "Are you aware that Robin just tried to get me to agree to utilizing Tamaranean DNA?" he asked his teammate. "Actually, yes I am friend Beast Boy. It was partially my idea." the alien girl responded. "But, why? Aren't you afraid that I'll end up taking your place, especially if I like the Tamaranean form?" Beast Boy questioned. "I am not afraid that you will, because that is not who you are. You are too good a friend to attempt to replace any of us. I simply wished for you to learn more forms that may prove useful in combat." Starfire explained. Beast Boy sighed, and spoke again. "Sorry Star, I didn't mean to sound like a jerk. If you're really ok with it, could you tell Robin that I'll be willing to try to learn to use a Tamaranean form?" the green teen requested. "Most certainly, friend Beast Boy." she replied before zooming off.
When the changeling once again returned to the commons room, he was greeted by the sight of Raven holding a large seat cushion in her black magic before letting it drop. She was using the lessons he had taught her on much larger shapes, and was doing pretty well. "Not bad." he praised as he came up behind her. She had been so focused that she didn't notice him approach, and jumped with a startled "eep!". He found the reaction rather cute, and couldn't help but chuckle softly as Raven blushed. "That wasn't funny." she stated as she pulled up her hood. "Sure it was. Now put that cushion back and I'll meet you in the training room." he said before heading back to his room. "He's a really good influence on you, isn't he?" Cyborg asked from the kitchen counter. It was rhetorical; he had seen the whole thing transpire. "I never thought I would being saying this, but he is." Raven admitted. She teleported herself to the training room, and was soon met by Beast Boy, who was carrying one of Robin's staffs.
"Does he know you have that?" the half demon asked. "Yep." was all he said before holding it outwards. He had walked her through the routine enough for her to know to encase it and learn its shape within her magic before awaiting further instructions. Once again, he walked her through his process of having her learn to form a staff construct, slowly but surely reducing her need to have a physical starting point.
The lessons continued for a over a week. Every day, the goth and green Titans would head down to the training room for sometimes hours at a time. As they spent more time training together, their relationship continued to bloom. The two were closer than any of the others could have predicted. Raven rarely got agitated at Beast Boy anymore, and in turn he seemed to grow more mature while staying as the jokester he had always been. Robin and Cyborg were taken aback by the changes the two displayed, but Starfire acted as if she had always known it would happen. But not even she could predict everything.
It was the twelfth day in a row of their training sessions, which had slowly begun to turn into tough yet friendly spars between the two. Beast Boy used the spars to get Raven accustomed to thinking on her feet and thinking outside the box. It was slow progress, which he had expected given her years of training to prevent her mind from wandering off combined with her own preference to routine and predictability. Typically, Beast Boy won the spars and would help Raven up. Today was no exception, and Beast Boy had just won the warm-up spar. Only this time he held her hand a bit longer than necessary once she stood, and Raven made no move to remove her hand from his. He gave her one of his warm smiles, and she found herself blushing and actually returning the gesture. Slowly and subtly, the distance between the two closed, and before either of them realized what was about to happen their lips had connected. It was an awkward kiss, given neither of them had any true experience with displays of affection, but they both understood what it meant. They didn't speak about it afterwards. Not because it was a spur of the moment thing or because they didn't want to; but because they didn't need to. They understood that they shared strong feelings for each other, and were more than willing to leave what didn't need to be said unsaid.
Unfortunately for the two blissful teammates, the blare of the alarm cut the affectionate moment short. "Figures." Beast Boy dejectedly muttered as Raven teleported the two to the commons room. "What is it?" Raven asked in the best monotone she could pull off at the moment. "It's Doctor Light. He's downtown by a large storage complex." the leader explained. Raven once again opened a portal, but this time it led to Cyborg's garage. "Let's just hope many hands do make Light work." Beast Boy joked as Cyborg started driving. Robin chuckled, and Raven let out an amused snort that caught everyone's attention. "What? I don't like Light." Raven retorted defensively as the T-car roared towards the villain.
A/N: So, who saw that coming? I've been planning something like this for a while now, but was nervous to use it. I myself have had no experience with affectionate displays other than other fanfics I have read that describe scenes like this. I hope the chapter was enjoyable, and have a good day!