Between A Rock and A Hard Place

by The Dark Marvels

Disclaimer: We don't own the characters or any of that jazz. This is all not fo real real, just fo play play.

The Dark Zodiac's A/N: Sorry for the long hiatus, but life has been pretty crazy lately. I studied in Europe for almost four months and college has kinda taken priority to fanfictioning. Plus I've been busy working on original works for my creative writing classes since that is, after all, what I'm majoring in. For those of you who've been leaving us feedback and encouraging us, we can't thank you enough. Ya'll are pretty much the only reason we're still working on this fic...that and the fact that I friggin love this pairing. So we'll try and update whenever possible. Reeny and I actually have about two more chapters already written and will post them as soon as they're edited. So please enjoy our fic and R&R! - xoxo

Reeny: Hey everyone! We are very sorry for our long hiatus, but finally we have decided to post the next installment of our awesome Aqualad/Beast Boy fanfic. As always, thanks to all who have reviewed, enjoy the next chapter, R&R! xoxo

- Chapter III: Sugar, We're Going Down -

The sun slid through the blinds the next morning and shone brightly in Aqualad's face, waking him from his slumber. He looked at the sleeping form in his arms and let a smile spread across his face. Beast Boy...you're so adorable when you sleep. I wish you'd be okay. I wish Terra never hurt you like she did. I wish I could protect you from everything, but I can't. Suddenly Beast Boy began shifting in his arms and his eyes slowly opened up.

"Morning, Beast Boy," Aqualad said as he released the green teen from his embrace and sat up in bed.

"Mmm. You...stayed the night with me?"

"Yeah. You asked me to."

"Thanks, Aqualad. I just...needed someone there, ya know?"

"Yeah, I do, Beast Boy."

The two of them just stared at each other for a few moments before Starfire burst into the room in a flurry of questions and excitement.

"Aqualad! Did you sleep well? Are you hungry? Would you like some nourishment? You could take a refreshing shower."

"Some breakfast would be great, Starfire. We'll be in the kitchen in a second."

"Oh goody! I can prepare a traditional Tamaranian honored guest meal."

"Um...waffles would be great."

"Waffles it is then!" Starfire said with smitten excitement.

"Want anything, Beast Boy?" Aqualad asked.

"Just some waffles and tofu eggs."

"I shall prepare your food immediately!"

"Thanks, Starfire. I really appreciate this."

"It's not a problem! And later if you'd like a tour of the tower or if you'd like to see my room, please feel free to ask."

"Uh...thanks."

Aqualad and Beast Boy joined the other Titans in the ktchen for breakfast and Starfire set down two huge plates of food in front of them. Aqualad dug into the huge pile of waffles and pancakes while Beast Boy poked lethargically at his food with a fork. Aqualad took notice and put his fork down. He reached over and rubbed the green teen's back.

"You okay, Beast Boy?"

"Yeah, just not very hungry."

The Titans finished up breakfast and Robin went off to analyze more data. Starfire floated eagerly around Aqualad and Cyborg planted himself in front of the TV, which had a new GameStation 2 hooked up to it.

"Yo, BB, feel like gettin' your butt kicked on GameStation?"

"Nah, not now Cy. I think I'm gonna go relax in my room."

"You don't know what you're missin'!"

Beast Boy left the room and walked back to his room and as Aqualad stood up to follow him, Raven stopped him.

"Aqualad...I know this is going to sound weird, but Beast Boy...needs you right now. We don't know what else to do and you being here...well...he's left his room without Cyborg having to blast it open since you've been here."

"Don't worry, Raven. He'll be fine, I promise."

"Aqualad!" Starfire shouted as she waved to him from the sofa. "Would you like to potato the couch with Cyborg and I? We have plenty of tooth-rotting, sugar-based candies to partake of!"

"Thanks, Starfire, but I'm gonna go check on Beast Boy."

"Mmmmmmm!" Starfire moaned in frustration as her eyes glowed neon green.

Aqualad walked back to Beast Boy's room and found the green teen digging through piles of clothes strewn about the floor. On his bed sat an open suitcase the same color green as Beast Boy.

"Beast Boy? What are you doing?"

"I have to get out of here, Aqualad. I have to leave for a little while."

"You can't leave," he said in protest. "Where are you going to stay?"

"I don't know. Anywhere as long as it's not here."

"Listen, Beast Boy, come stay with me in Atlantis for a little while. You'll be out of the Tower and you can relax somewhere that's not your room...because I think these piles of stuff are growing mold...ew."

"I could really stay with you?"

"Of course!"

"When can we go?"

They found themselves caught in each other's gaze once again. Aqualad's eyes were filled with a passionate concern and longing while Beast Boy's reflected something that appeared to be a flicker of the thirst for life and excitement he once felt. Aqualad let a hand linger on Beast Boy's shoulder as their gaze remained locked.

"We can go now if you want."

"Really?"

"Really, Beast Boy," he said as he grabbed the green teen's hand and started running down the hall.

"Where are you guys going?" Robin yelled after them as they passed him in the hall.

"Atlantis!" Aqualad shouted.

They ran into the open elevator and slammed the button for the bottom floor. Aqualad felt blood rushing to his head as he squeezed Beast Boy's hand in his own. He felt a little dizzy, but Beast Boy's hand in his kept him centered.

"What are you doing?" Beast Boy screamed, finally able to catch his breath.

"Being fun and spontaneous."

"Oh."

Aqualad pulled him through the entrance hall and out the huge doors of Titans Tower. They went down the path through the rocks that lead to the water and Aqualad dove in.

"You coming, Beast Boy?" he asked as he treaded water.

"Gimme a sec! I'm still deciding what animal to be. Any thoughts?"

"Yeah...a turtle."

Beast Boy jumped into the air and splashed into the water, surfacing as a turtle. The two of the dove down, into the depths of the ocean. Suddenly, Beast Boy shot ahead of Aqualad and swam as fast as his turtle body would allow. Aqualad smiled and raced after him, grabbing onto his shell when he got close enough.

Hey! You cheated! Beast Boy said to Aqualad using telepathy.

But I broke Trident's pointy thing, Aqualad retorted.

Did not!

Did too.

I bet I get to Atlantis first.

How can you race me to Atlantis if you don't know where you're going?

I don't like you.

Aqualad laughed and took the lead on the dive to Atlantis. Beast Boy transformed into a squid and wrapped his tentacles around Aqualad's waist.

Look who's cheating now, Aqualad commented as Beast Boy tightened his grip on his ride's waist.

Yeah, well, I still broke Trident's pointy thing. Deal with it.

After making it out of a large kelp bed, the City of Atlantis stood proudly in front of them. Enormous domes housing the people and places of Atlantis covered the sea floor in front of them. Beast Boy stared in amazement for a moment before Aqualad grabbed one of his green tentacles and pulled him along. They came up underneath one of the domes and swam through a small tube of water into Atlantis. They came up in a small chamber with guards positioned at the doors which led to the city.

"Atlantis has kinda taken some defensive measures since the whole Trident-trying-to-destroy-everything incident."

"Oh...yeah."

The two of them walked through the streets of Atlantis, staring at the passing fish outside the dome. They kept walking until they reached Aqualad's dome house.

"Wow...your house is wicked awesome!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he ran over and jumped on Aqualad's bed.

"Thanks, Beast Boy. So, what do you wanna do?"

"I dunno," he said as he threw his hands behind his head and got comfortable on the bed. "What's there to do in Atlantis?"

"There's a huge party at Club Aquias tonight, wanna go?"

"I dunno if I'm in the mood to go to a club right now..."

"Oh, come on, Beast Boy! You're a party animal. Let's go have some fun!"

"...fine. I am a party animal, after all," he said with a smirk.

- End Chapter III: Sugar, We're Going Down -

R&R please!