Authoress' Notes: This part's a little deeper, getting into some touchy subjects. The translation for the French is at the bottom. I apologize if anything was translated incorrectly, I'm only a second -year French student and I had to do it by hand. Well, enough chatter, on with the show!
Replies:
Mad Mauser: There will be a way to help Raven, but of because of her emotion Love. Lots of writers do that, and while I do think it's cool, I'm going to try something a little different. Thanks though, for the idea and the review!
Windy Days: Thanks! I was kinda worried about that, but if it's acceptable then everything's okay.
Iamhollywood: I've always thought you can't fall in love over night, I should know. There's going to be plenty of time for them to get together. Thanks for the review!
Verya: I'm trying to be faster with updates. I have to get really early to write and sometimes my alarm clock just isn't annoying enough to wake me up . . .Never fear though, I will get better. Glad you loved it and thanks!
notyouraverageblond: Thanks! I'm happy you have a good opinion of my little fic.
Will-the-Titan: 6.8/10! Wow. I'm glad you think so highly of this fic. I'll try to keep the rest of the story up to the same standard. Thanks!
Regrem Erutaerc: I might work them in later, but for now it's all BB and Rae. Maybe they can be comic relief? In any case, thanks!
Addictive Jon: glad you think it's good. Thank you!
mercurysdemon: I'm going as fast as I can manage. Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Pyrefly: Beast Boy will never pressure Raven, it wouldn't be right for him as a character in this fic. Besides, I personally think he cares about her enough to wait it out. It makes more opportunities for fluff too. Thanks for the nice review!
Titanwolf: Fluff is my favorite genre. All hail to fluff! I've always thought Raven would be good at fighting. She doesn't exactly look weak or breakable. It's good to keep Beast Boy on his toes. Thank you for the encouragement!
BrianDarksoul: I don't think Beast Boy plays in healthy levels, but at least he hasn't started hopping around in a plumber's outfit yet. Thanks for the review!
dannyspudge: Glad I reeled you in. Thanks for the review and the praise.
Little Dark Bird: I hope it's going somewhere. Who knows, maybe in one of these chapter Beast Boy and Raven will too. I'll try my best on this story. Thanks!
Darkraven05: The episode format is much easier and makes it more fun to write, which means I update more. Sorry if Rae's OOC, but I think Beast Boy might not be the only one with a mask, if you catch my drift. There's definitely more chapters, I'm not done messing with them yet. Thank you for the review!
Rose Mage: I will doeth as thee desires. Thank thou for thy kind review.
ThisIsTheStoryOfAGirl: I don't like Terra much either, lousy blonde. (No offence to Terra lovers.) Thanks for the encouragement and praise!
Whew, finally done. Anymore and I'll have to do just one big reply. Thank you so much to everyone, your nice reviews really make me feel good. Now for the story. Please read and review!
Behind Closed Doors
Chapter 3: French and Frâises
"Hey Raven." Beast Boy muttered, smacking a fan with a fly swatter vigorously.
"Okay, what are you doing?" he winced. Robin was soooo dead tomorrow. In truth it was his own fault. Robin really should have known better than to ask. So he and Raven could have a conversation without finishing sentences and didn't fight so much, big deal. Bird Boy thought they were plotting or something. Seriously, come on. The Boy Blunder was paranoid . . . paranoid and, from the looks of it, about to be extremely dead.
"I'm trying to get this . . . stupid . . . fan . . . to . . . work." Beast Boy explained, punctuating his sentence with a few sharp smacks against the vile thing.
"Why?" Raven asked, monotone masking her curiosity.
"'Cause I'm making a popcorn-maker for when we watch movies." The fan whirled into life as Beast Boy began to dig in a pile for some sheet metal.
"Right. Can't you make a guillotine instead?" Raven suggested irritably.
"For who?" He was almost afraid to ask.
"Robin." Yep, Robin was a dead man. Beast Boy smirked. Hypocritical sidekick.
Raven flipped the switch on his teapot, knowing full well he had left tea inside. It was just one of those things. Like how he never looked up when she came in or how the door was always slightly ajar so she wouldn't have to fight it. Things that after two months she expected. But then, things always happened as she expected. Well, almost everything. Raven's frown deepened for a moment, but relaxed as she poured her tea.
"Hey Rae, I'm famished, whad'dya say we order takeout?"
"You're hungry again?" One slim eyebrow rose in surprise. He must have a black hole for a stomach.
"Yep. French okay to you?" the changeling inquired, flipping through a pile of papers on his desk.
"Just one problem. Where are you going to find a French place open at this time of night?" Raven's voice was scornful. Good, meant she was getting back to normal. Keep this up and Robin might live to see his next birthday.
"I have my sources . . ." Beast Boy trailed off mysteriously. Rave rolled her eyes.
"Aha!" Snatching up a badly crumpled paper, he grabbed the phone and turned to the mystic behind him, "Want anything?"
She shrugged, "Something . . .sweet." Turning to the phone, he dialed the number quickly, feeling Raven's stare like a laser on his back. How was he going to explain this?
"Allô, c'est la Cêrise Noire. Qu'est-ce que tu veux ce soir?" a thickly accented male voice could be heard even by Raven, who again arched an eyebrow. This should be interesting. What was Beast Boy going to do, speak French back? To Raven's surprise, that was exactly what he did.
"Je voudrais une crêpe vegetarien, une crème caramel, et un gros commande des frites." Goody. Now Raven was curious. He really didn't feel like explaining this. But since when did things go his way?
The order was repeated back to him, followed by a question. Well obviously it was to go. The changeling rolled his eyes and replied, "Qui, on est aller."
"Envois?"
"Qui." as Beast Boy gave the address of Titan's Tower, he noticed a certain dark empath edge closer. This was just great.
"Votre commande est trente-deux dollars Americains, s'il vous plaît."
"Qui."
"Au revoir." came the reply, and the receptionist hung up.
Best Boy sighed and turned around. "I'll explain later." Never, if he could help it.
Raven nodded, satisfied for the moment. Best Boy returned to his popcorn-maker. He didn't want to go into this. No one else knew, why should Raven? That felt wrong though, even as he thought it. Raven wasn't everyone else. She was Raven. Pretty, confusing, understanding, quiet, loud, a whole series of contradictions unlike anyone else. Maybe this time it would be okay. It had to be okay. This was the girl he liked, even more than Terra. This was Raven.
Raven phased them through the floor when the doorbell rang, conveniently at the same time as a loud clap of thunder. They returned to his room in silence, beginning to eat almost immediately.
Abruptly he began to speak, "I used to live in Africa when I was really little. The Congo, to be exact. My parents worked there as biologists, and loved Africa so much they raised me there. So I grew up speaking French. English was my second language, but I knew it well enough to get by after I came to America."
"Your parents died, didn't they?" Raven asked quietly, staring at the rain sliding down his window pane like so many tears.
"Yeah." Raven was surprised he answered. But then, a lot of things about Beast Boy surprised her. Out of politeness she should give her condolences, but somehow she sensed he wouldn't appreciate that very much. So she did the next best thing.
"Beast Boy?"
"Hmm?"
"French food is good and all, but next time we're getting Chinese." It had the desired effect.
"Not used to all that sugar, huh Rae?" he chuckled, grateful. Raven nodded, still staring out the window
"Hey, let's go get some strawberries." Beast Boy snapped his fingers triumphantly. Raven got to her feet and strode to the door, pausing.
"Well?" the pale sorceress questioned impatiently. Standing up, he followed her to the kitchen amid cracks of lightening from above.
Beast Boy stalked to the fridge, rummaging around for the tart red berries. Typical, Cy had stuffed them in the back again. This was getting ridiculous. It wasn't even tofu. Retrieving them, he fetched a knife and with practiced skill washed themand removed the leaves, preceding to cut the strawberries into delicate flowers.
"Hand me the sugar, would'ya Rae?" Perplexed she complied, watching him arranged the berries on a tray and coat them with sugar.
"My mom taught me that when I was really small. Haven't done it for ages."
"They're beautiful Beast Boy." Raven was amazed. Beast Boy, master of pranks, jokes, and annoyances, had created something so beautiful and delicate. Yet another surprise.
"My name's not Beast Boy. It's Gar." he said firmly, staring at the tempest raging outside.
"I know . . .Gar." It sounded odd, coming from her lips. Not bad, just odd. It sent shivers up his spine. Not even Terra called him Gar. In fact, as far as he could remember, the only woman to ever call him Gar was his mother. And now Raven. Why did he insist on her using his real name? Why did it sound so right, like his name was meant to fall from her lips like rain? He was confused. But then, some things are better left alone. Maybe this was one of those things.
"Gar?"
"Hmm?"
"It's getting late." Raven winced as the knife began to float. What perfect timing. Stupid emotions.
"Rae, I've been thinking."
"That must be a new experience." Beast Boy chuckled, glad he mood had lightened some. Talk about heavy.
"Seriously. I think there's a way we can make it so you're not so restricted. I mean, you couldn't feel really strong emotions, but maybe just a little bit."
Raven looked up from her strawberry, "It's impossible."
"We can still try."
Raven blinked, allowing the tiniest of smiles to grace her lips. "Gar, you are a hopeless optimist."
"All part of my charm."
Disclaimer: Don't mind me, I'm just borrowing the characters for a while, messing with their minds, and giving them back. No need to sue.
Translation:
"Allô, c'est la Cêrise Noire. Qu'est-ce que tu veux ce soir?"
Hello, this is The Black Cherry. What would you like this evening?"
"Je voudrais une crêpe vegetarien, une crème caramel, et un gros commande des frites."
"I would like a vegetarian crepe, a caramel custard, and a large order of French fries."
"Qui, on est aller."
Yes, it is to go.
"Envois?"
Delivery?
"Qui."
Yes.
"Votre commande est trente-deux dollars Americains, s'il vous plaît."
Your order will be thirty two American dollars, please.
"Au revoir."
Goodbye.
Authoress' Notes: The plot thickens! Well, okay, it's not that exciting. Anyways, I justify Beast Boy's first language as being French because, well, where else would he have gotten the moped obsession? Besides, he surprised Raven, which is always fun. Incidentally, check my profile page for update rates. Until next time, (and more mishaps for our stars) see ya minna-san!
Sword of Romance