AN: I do not own the Teen Titans, for if I did I would never let it go off the air!
Chapter 5: Damn the Paparazzi!
Raven sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea in her hands. It was early morning and she didn't expect her friends to be up for at least a few more minutes. She had gone straight to her room when they had gotten home last night so that she could escape the beating poor Beast Boy was taking from Cyborg. Beast Boy was usually forbidden to drive the T-car because Cyborg was so protective of it. But the real reason was that the first time Beast Boy took it out on his own he hit two parking meters and went over one too many curbs. That sealed his fate and Cyborg had only let him take the car out once more since then, and he was in the car like a parent telling him to slow down or to watch out.
Raven placed her cup down and stretched. She had had dreams about the movie she had seen with Beast Boy all night and felt quite tired. As she stretched her arms her gray shirt rode up her stomach. She felt the cool air hit it and she quickly pulled her shirt down. She heard the door to the common room open and turned to see Robin entering. His dark hair was still askew, which was a funny sight to see. He yawned and gave her a tired wave as he went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Even thought Raven didn't drink coffee, she always turned the pot on for her friends.
Robin sat down across from Raven and sipped his hot caffeine. He was in sweatpants and a white tee-shirt that was wrinkled from his sleeping position. "Morning," he said after swallowing.
"Good morning," said Raven pleasantly. "You and Starfire have fun last night?"
"Yeah, the show was great," said Robin. "I think Starfire really like it."
"How were the paparazzi?" asked Raven, who was curious.
"Not that bad," said Robin. "When we went in we saw a lot of them, but after the show most had disappeared. Guess they found something better." Robin laughed.
Raven gave a small smile. 'Yeah, they found us,' she thought. "I hope Starfire wasn't all that disappointed," said Raven. "You know much she loves getting her picture taken with you."
"She was a little upset, but I told her not to be," said Robin standing up to fetch the paper. "I mean, we've been together for a while now so I think the paparazzi are getting bored with us. They've been waiting for a better story to come along and I think it might have come last night. And thank God for that."
Raven tried not to look upset as he said this. She really didn't want to be the new target for the paparazzi. She was quickly brought out of her thoughts when she heard the door open again. She turned and saw Cyborg entering. He looked quite refreshed, since he had charged up the day before, and was ready to cook up some breakfast.
"Good mornin y'all," said Cyborg with a big smile. He headed into the kitchen and began to get out all of the pots and pans and breakfast foods that he would be making. "So Raven, what was with you lettin Beast Boy take my car last night?"
"I didn't know he didn't have your permission," lied Raven. "So don't blame me."
Cyborg accepted the answer, to Raven's relief, and continued to cook. Starfire soon entered in her cute little pajama outfit and wished everyone a morning of goodness. She sat down next to the seat Robin would be taking.
"Sorry I borrowed your pants last night," said Raven.
"Oh do not worry," said Starfire with a smile. "I am happy to hear that you went out for a nice evening with Beast Boy. If you ever want to borrow another piece of clothing please do not hesitate to borrow."
"Thanks," said Raven.
Beast Boy entered and looked still half asleep. He had been woken up by the smell of breakfast cooking and that meant he had to quickly get up and see what exactly Cyborg was making. Luckily he was making pancakes this morning and Beast Boy felt relieved. Of course he was cooking other meat products to go with the pancakes, but Beast Boy was just happy that he wasn't placing any meat in the actual pancakes.
"Morning of goodness be to you Beast Boy," said Starfire happily.
Beast Boy gave a weak smile and took his seat at the table. His hair was worse that Robins and he laid his tired head down on the table. "I want to go back to bed," he said through the table.
"Well why don't you?" asked Raven.
"Hungry," was all Beast Boy managed to say.
Robin reentered with the paper in his hand, a queer look on his face. Starfire quickly jumped up and flew over to him. "Robin! Is our picture upon the paper of news?" she asked excitedly.
"Not exactly," said Robin quite surprised. He turned it around and showed the others the picture. It was of Beast Boy and Raven laughing, Ravens arm wrapped around Beast Boy's. Under the picture read the headline, "The New Teen Titan Couple?" Raven felt her stomach drop and she wanted to scream. Beast Boy's jaw dropped and he quickly jumped up and grabbed the paper away from Robin.
"What the hell?" he screamed.
"Uh, is there something you're not telling us about?" asked Robin.
"No!" shouted Raven. "Those goddamn vultures! That picture was taken completely out of context."
"Please, why are Raven and Beast Boy on the paper?" asked Starfire quite confused.
"They caught us as we were leaving the movie last night," said Raven furiously.
"This picture was taken as Raven and Beast Boy of the Teen Titans were exiting Death of the Last Castle of Larnakia," read Beast Boy. "Could it be a budding relationship? After seeing Robin and Starfire together, perhaps love is in full bloom within the Titans Tower. Oh this is fucking unbelievable!" Beast Boy threw the paper on the table and stormed about the room furiously.
"When I get through with them they'll wish they had never been born," growled Raven standing up.
"Whoa, take it easy," said Cyborg.
"No one has to get hurt over this," said Robin. "We'll just have you go to the press and explain what you guys were doing last night was completely innocent."
"I would rather send them into another dimension," said Raven sitting back down.
"Yeah, no kidding," said Beast Boy taking his seat as well.
"So much for us going to see that movie again today," sighed Raven.
"Yeah, I would stay outta the public eye if I were you," said Cyborg.
"Not a good idea," said Robin. "If you stay away from the public then they'll think you are trying to hide something. The best thing to do is to tell everyone the truth and go on with your normal life. In fact, you should tell the press that you're going to the movies, that way they know they won't catch you off guard."
"That is a good idea," said Beast Boy. "And we'll get to see the movie."
"Everybody wins," said Raven in a monotonous voice.
A little later that day Beast Boy and Raven took Robins advice and went straight to the press to tell them the truth. They said that it was a complete misunderstanding and that they were just friends and teammates, nothing more. Then they said that they would be going to the movies again that evening and welcomed anyone who wanted to shoot a couple pictures of two friends hanging out.
As they left the press went from energized and excited at the Titans arrival to quite disappointed. Raven and Beast Boy getting together would be the story of the year, something that only came around once in a blue moon. Yeah, it would be that juicy. But it turned out to be nothing and this was discouraging. But there were other stories to exploit, so they got back to work.
Beast Boy and Raven left feeling quite pleased with the reaction they had gotten. They even laughed at how upset they had made everyone. They were also happy that now they could go see that amazing movie again in peace.
"Dude! I didn't think it was possible, but I think that movie was better the second time!" said Beast Boy as they exited the movie.
"I definitely noticed more things this time," said Raven.
They were very happy to see only one, very uninterested, man with a camera were there. They smiled and waved as he went to take a picture, but he decided not to. They laughed and he left with a frown upon his face. They would really have to thank Robin for his good advice.
"I'm starving," said Beast Boy as they got in the car, which Beast Boy had secretly taken once more.
"You had two large popcorns," said Raven. "How can you be hungry?"
"I finished them about an hour and a half in," said Beast Boy. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, actually," said Raven.
"You wanna go get something to eat?" asked Beast Boy.
"That's kind of pushing the friendship limit, don't you think?" asked Raven.
"Two friends can't eat together?" asked Beast Boy.
"Not when they're of the opposite sex and just after they've seen a movie," said Raven.
"Where is this written?" asked Beast Boy laughing in disbelief.
"In here," said Raven pointing to her head.
"Ah, so they're you're rules," said Beast Boy smiling.
"Yes, and I would appreciate it if you would respect that," said Raven.
"Fine," said Beast Boy. "But I'm getting some drive-thru." He pulled into a fast food place and waited behind three other cars. "If you want anything, you better decide now."
Raven thought about it. Technically, they weren't going into a building to eat, which was her definition of 'getting something to eat' with a guy friend. And she was really hungry.
"Yeah, I'll have two veggie burgers, a large orange soda, a large fry, and…" he looked over at Raven.
"A number three," said Raven.
"… and a number three."
"What do you want to drink with that?"
"A lemonade," said Raven.
"A lemonade," said Beast Boy.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, two apple pies."
"$10.74 at the first window."
"Thank you," said Beast Boy and began to drive around to the next window. "A number three? I didn't think you were the double cheeseburger type."
"I only like them from this place and I only get them every once in a while," said Raven defensively.
"Hey, I'm not here to judge," giggled Beast Boy. He pulled up to the first window, paid, and then drove to the next and picked up two bags of food and two drinks. He pulled out and as he drove Raven looked through the bags to make sure they got everything. "So you just wanna go back to the tower and eat?"
"Where else would we eat?" asked Raven.
"Well I know a nice place we can go," said Beast Boy.
"Beast Boy, I said I didn't want to eat out with you," said Raven growing frustrated.
"It's not a place where there are other people," said Beast Boy as he stopped at a red light. "I found it a year ago and trust me, no one will be there. Barely anyone knows about it."
"Where exactly are you talking about?" asked Raven.
"I can't tell you, I would have to show it to you for you to understand," said Beast Boy. "And I know what you're thinking, but I swear I'm not trying to cross your "friendship" rule. I just want to show it to somebody who I can trust that won't tell anyone about it."
"You trust me that much?" she asked surprised.
"Of course I do," said Beast Boy taking a left. "That and you're pretty quiet and wouldn't go around telling everyone about it."
"Ah, I see," said Raven. "Well I guess we can go, but on one condition."
"Name it."
"If it isn't all that you say it is you have to leave me alone for two weeks."
"Oh, so it's back to that again. Fine, but I'm only agreeing because I know that even you will like it." Beast Boy smiled to himself and headed up to his secret spot. Raven hoped that she wasn't making a mistake, but she trusted Beast Boy. It was a win win situation for her.