Dude, I am so freaking excited! Today we're (as in me and my dad and grandmother) are going car shopping for me! And I already got the car I want in my head. A Bug! They're like, nonexistent now, so I just gotta have one. But, uh, er…don't have anything else to say…so…enjoy!
He could already read the headlines now: Teen Titan Arrested for Trespassing. Titan Questioned for trespassing in Mayor's Domain. Robin bit back a groan. Immediately after Waylin had parked the car, Twain and Robin had been jerked out, and treated like criminals. Twain had been taken to a different room, while Robin had been stuck with the snooty bastard who had slammed him against the tree.
Robin knew that he would be treated roughly, but it surprised him when they actually locked him inside a tiny room before the handcuffs had been removed. A large police officer had stood guard, watching him like a hawk incase he flipped or something. Robin had been too confused to even think about escaping.
Were they scared of him? Robin sat down slowly in the rusty foldout chair, blinking rapidly at the guard. His left hand was resting against the gun at his right hip, obviously ready to use it if the time came.
Robin lifted a hand to his scraped forehead. Immediately, the guard jerked his firearm from the holster and aimed it straight at Robin. "Don't move." He said calmly, his hand unwavering as he pointed the gun at Robin's chest. Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you think your taking this a bit too far? I was just going to feel my forehead."
The guard didn't blink. "I have strict orders to keep you at bay."
Robin blinked. "At bay? What do you mean?"
"You are a criminal. I have orders to take you down when the need arises." Robin's eyebrows drew together. "I…"
He couldn't think of anything to say. Yes, he had known that he would be treated differently, but never thought he would be treated like this. It was taking things too far.
"Can I…lower my hand now?" He asked hesitantly. If someone had ordered this man to take him out when he wanted, Robin wasn't about to push any buttons. He needed to be in one piece until Starfire was safe.
"Do it slowly."
Robin licked his bottom lip as he dropped his hand back into his lap. Could someone actually hold a gun to him inside the police department? Obviously they could. But even after he dropped his hand, the man didn't lower his gun.
He didn't know what to do now. He couldn't move without the possibility that he would be riddled with bullets. And talking might be out of the question, unless he wanted to risk pissing the man off.
"So…" Robin said cautiously, "Would you kill me if I asked your name?" Robin had meant it as a joke, but it came out all too serious. Hell, he didn't know what this man was capable of. He seemed like the type to shoot first, ask questions later.
"Douglas. John Douglas."
"Oh." Robin glanced around the tiny room, trying to think about anything but the gun pointed at his heart. The old walls were tinted a dull gray, the paint chipped. Shards of gray lay on the white tiled floor, and the table that he sat at was rusty and scarred. Behind him was a long, wide window, and he knew that he was being watched. Robin bit his lip as he focused on a certain stain on the wall. It looked like…dry blood.
Robin grimaced. Just what kind of room was this? Above the door a metal plate had hung, reading 'Interrogation Room'. If that was truly what this room was, Robin wondered briefly at what kind of police force Jump City had.
Behind Douglas, the door opened and Waylin walked in. He blanched at the sight of Robin being held at gunpoint, but made no move to tell the man to put the gun down.
"Hey, Robin." Waylin said quietly. In his hand was a first aid kit. He slid it to Robin, who merely started at the white box.
"Can I move without getting shot?" He asked sarcastically, lifting his eyes to Waylin's. The older man flinched and laid his hand atop Douglas's gun.
"At ease, John. The boy won't hurt anyone."
But John didn't move. "I was informed that this kid was a threat. Dangerous. I cannot allow you to be alone in here with this loose screw."
Loose screw? Dangerous? Threat? Robin was beyond confused. How could he be a threat? All he did was trespass. It wasn't like he murdered someone.
Waylin sighed. "He's not dangerous. He's just…never mind. Just put the gun down and leave. Stand outside the door if you must, but I need to ask this boy some questions."
Douglas looked like he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. "But I have orders—"
Waylin glared. "Listen to me. I outrank you; therefore, you listen to me. When I tell you to leave, you do it. Got it?"
His dark brown eyes narrowed, but he holstered his gun. "I'll be outside."
Robin watched as the man strode from the room and slammed the door. Waylin sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. "Fix yourself up."
Robin glanced down at the box, hesitantly reaching for it. This was too confusing. Why would anyone see him as dangerous?
Waylin reached in his pocket and pulled out a mirror. "You'll need this." He tossed it to Robin, who caught it easily with one hand. After assessing the damage to his forehead, Robin applied disinfectant and slammed a white bandage over his wound. He shoved the box back at Waylin.
"Why am I seen as a threat?" He asked, taking note of the way Waylin stiffened and refused to make eye contact.
"I'm supposed to be the one to interrogate, kid, not you."
Robin ground his teeth together as Waylin sat down, chunking his yellow pad in front of him and unearthing a pen from his pocket.
"Alright, then, lets get started." Waylin placed a tape recorder on the desk, and pressed the record button. He glanced up at Robin, folding his hands in front of him. "Now, if you can, lets make this as easy as we can so you can get out sooner."
Robin scowled. "So I don't go to jail?"
"It all depends on your answer."
"Fine, then. Ask away."
Waylin blinked before he glanced down at the questions on the paper. "Uh, what where you doing there?"
"Trying to find Starfire." Waylin scribbled the answer down, keeping his eyes glued to the paper.
"Why there?"
"Because it was where Hannah Carson was found running from. I don't know about you, but that seems too obvious to me. I have a feeling the mayor is hiding something, and I'll be damned if that bastard has me running scared because he has the power to do whatever he wants. I know he's hiding something and I will find out what it is. I am a Teen Titan. I take guys like him down, no matter his social standard. If he has something to hide, I'll find it. And if he has my girl, I'll take him down. Arrest me if you like, but I will find away out. You can't keep me from saving Starfire."
Waylin blinked, his eyes straying up to the window behind Robin. He smirked at Waylin. "Got anymore questions you'd like me to answer?"
Waylin said nothing, just watched the window. "Fine then. If you're through, then it's time for me to ask some questions." Robin leaned forward in his chair.
"Why am I a threat?"
Waylin glanced back down at Robin. "I don't know."
Robin searched Waylin's eyes and found that he was telling the truth. He didn't know why Robin was suddenly pegged as dangerous. A frown tugged at Robin's mouth.
"Do you know who gave you the orders to keep a watch on me?"
Waylin kept quiet, his eyes once again lifting to the window. Robin sighed, plowing his fingers through his hair.
"It's the mayor, isn't it?"
Waylin jerked in his chair, causing Robin to shake his head. "He sees me as a threat because I came to close to his secret. He is hiding something. And I think I know what it is."
Suddenly, the door opened and the mayor walked in, his fat cheeks flaming red. "Out, now. I want to talk to this here kid, and I don't want anyone interfering, got it? If I find that one of you are listenin' to what I'm saying, I'll make sure you never find work again." Waylin scrambled from the chair, and Robin instantly lost all respect for the man.
Voided of any emotion, Robin watched the mayor order about the officers like slaves. Each and everyone scrambled to do his bidding. No wonder the police force never helped us, Robin mused, watching as people tripped over each other to do what the mayor ordered. They're on a leash. The mayor could tell them to jump off a building, and they would ask which one.
But Robin noticed the tape recorder was still one. Robin quickly glanced up to see the mayor with his back turned and snatched the machine up silently, dropping it into his lap. He glanced down to make sure it was still running, before he leaned down to drop it on the floor, acting like he was tying his shoes. Robin blinked when he found his shoe was untied, and quickly fixed the problem.
When he sat up again, he found the mayor sitting in front of him, chubby arms folded across his massive chest. His beady eyes were narrowed on Robin.
Robin merely smirked and leaned back in his chair. "Must feel good, having the entire police force at your beck and call. You could get them to do anything for you. Steal, murder, and kidnap young girls for your pleasure."
The mayor smiled at Robin's goad. "It does feel good. But I'm not here to talk about my little puppets. I'm here to…make an offer."
If it were possible, Robin's jaw would be scraping the floor. Offer? What the hell offer could the mayor make to him?
"Offer? You mean bribe me. Why?"
The mayor grinned, showing perfect white teeth. He reached into his coat pocket, plucking out a thick white envelope. He laid it on the table, then slid of toward Robin, that grin never leaving his face.
Out of curiosity, Robin picked up the envelope and opened it.
There, in his hands, was about ten thousand dollars, in all hundreds.
Robin felt the air whoosh out of his lungs. That was a lot of money…but why was he offering it?
Pleased with the boy's reaction, the mayor leaned forward. "That's just the beginning of my money, kid. If you take my offer, I'll be sending you double that each month for an entire year."
Robin swallowed and plopped the money down on the table. "What's your offer?"
Suddenly, the grin vanished, replaced by smoldering anger. "I want you to forget you ever got involved in the case."
He could only stare. "What?"
"I want you to forget you ever got involved. I want you to pretend that you never ventured into my woods, that you never saw what you did. I want you to start over, somewhere in Texas, maybe. You can even stay here, but you will never talk about my woods to anyone. Got it?"
Shock was replaced by fury. "Go to hell." Robin picked up the money and chucked it at the mayor, smacking him square in the forehead.
"My woman is gone. The White Rose Killer has her in his grasp, and you want me to forget? I'll be damned if I forget this all for money. I know you're hiding something, and this proves it." Suddenly, Robin's heart stopped. "You know where she is, don't you?"
The mayor made no move to answer but merely watched Robin's reaction calmly. "You're the White Rose Killer, aren't you?"
The mayor smiled. "No, I'm not. I don't need to kidnap and rape girls. All I have to do is crook my finger and they come running. Tempt them with money, they give you're their bodies. It's a win-win situation."
Robin bit back the urge to gag. "Then what are you hiding?"
The mayor stood up and walked around to stand behind Robin. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Robin's fist clenched. "Tell me. What are you hiding? Why am I a threat to you?"
His entire body stiffened when the mayor rested his meaty hand against Robin's shoulder. "You wanna know why you're a threat?"
The mayor leaned down, his mouth inches from Robin's ear. "You're too close to the truth, Robin." And the he was walking toward the door, throwing the envelope back at Robin. "Keep it. But if I find that you've gone back into my woods, I'll make sure you're little lover doesn't see the light of day again."
Robin's breath caught in his throat, but before he could leap from his chair and force answers from the man, he was gone, the door shutting softly behind him. Robin collapsed against the chair, pressing his fist against his mouth.
He knows. He knows where she is. Oh God, he is involved. And he just threatened me with Starfire's life. Robin glanced down at the money, a plan formulating in his mind. Let the bastard think that he was taking the bribe. But he was going to track down everyone who had been involved with the Titans to help him. Now he knew that Starfire was in those woods.
And he was going to find her.
With a grin, Robin stood up, reaching down and grabbing the tape from the recorder and tucking it into the envelope, which his slid into his pocket. Robin walked out of the room, noting that all eyes were on him. The mayor sat in a chair not far from him, and managed to glance up.
Robin grinned at him, gently patting his pocket. The mayor beamed, taking Robin's bait. You bastard. I swear to God I will take you're ass down. No one, and I mean no one, bargains Starfire's life.
Robin was jerked from his thought when Twain burst from a room, and marched straight up to the mayor.
"You disgust me. I refuse to be part of a team that you have on strings like damn puppets. These people can't do what they need because they're shoved so far up your ass they don't know what time of day it is." Twain jerked his badge from his pocket and walked to a large desk where a massive man sat. His skin was a dark chocolate, brown eyes narrowed as he watched his lead detective toss his badge and gun onto the desk.
"I'll have my resignation on your desk by tomorrow." Twain said softly, eyes sad, yet disgusted. These people, friends, were being lead like slaves, always at the mayor's beck and call. They were afraid to do anything. Twain had never known this, not until he had gone against the mayor. They were willing to turn on him to save their own asses from the mayor. Even Waylin refused to help him. Ortega merely sat in the background, not bothering to lift a finger.
These were not the people he had known. These were puppets, shallow, heartless puppets that were allowing the mayor to lead on the strings.
Twain closed his eyes briefly. Had he ever been like this? Allowing someone to control him? No. He had never allowed anyone to rule him. He hadn't even been under the power of the mayor, and if he had, he never knew it. He had never been afraid of the man, didn't know everyone else was.
But now, this involved adolescent children who were being raped and murdered. He would be damned if he just sat around while small, tiny bodies appeared in fragments and defiled by sick hands. And if he stayed with the Jump City Police Force, sitting around would be exactly what he would do. Now, he was going to take things into his own hands, laws be damned. As of today, Alexander Twain stopped being a detective ands started becoming a vigilante.
Black eyes now voided of emotion, Twain turned on his heel, and walked from the building, refusing to look at Waylin and Ortega. From the corner of his eye, he was aware that both men lowered their heads. But he no longer cared. Let them be controlled. Let them live knowing that they helped aid in the murder and rape of innocent girls.
Robin's eyes widened as the door slowly shut behind Twain. He had just watched Twain quit his job. So…what did this mean?
"You're Robin, right?"
Robin glanced up to see the dark-skinned man stand before him. He was lean, thick muscles evident beneath his simple white button down shirt. His head was shaved, as was his face, but those dark eyes of his were unfeeling.
"Yes."
"From here on out, your are forbidden to have any ties to this case. If I find that you try to involve yourself in this case, there will be consequences, got it?"
Robin nodded. "Fine."
The man crossed his arms over his massive chest. "Go home. I don't want to see you any where near here again, got it?"
"Yeah, I got it." Robin breezed past the man, gnashing his teeth. Like he was going to stay away from this case. He was too involved as it was. And now that Twain was gone, it seemed like Robin would be the only one who could find Starfire.
Robin stormed out of the building, walking straight into a heavy snowfall. He sighed, shoving a hand through his hair to dislodge melting snow. But he stopped in mid-action, finding Twain leaning against the car, hands shoved into his pockets. If possible, he looked relaxed.
Thrown off, Robin walked toward him, dropping his hands to his side. Once Twain was in earshot, Robin said, "I heard what happened."
Lex only shrugged. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. Now was just the right time."
Robin bit his lip as he stood in front of him. "So…what does this mean?"
He sighed, glancing down at the white ground. He was silent, his entire body relaxed. Robin had never seen him so calm.
Then suddenly, with a grin, he said, "We take things into our own hands."
They hadn't used protection. Each time he had made love to her, there had been nothing to keep her from getting pregnant. Raven's finger dug into the soft sheet as she stared at the ceiling, wide-eyed.
What if she was pregnant? What would happen to her? The team? Beast Boy? If she really were with child, how would he take it? Would he run? Rejoice? Tell her that he never wanted a child with her? Her emotions…could they handle the stress of being pregnant? What if they couldn't? What if she couldn't control them and ended up killing herself and everyone around her?
Raven felt anxiety rise. She had never been panicked before, didn't know what to do when panicked. She closed her eyes and turned on her side, her back facing Beast Boy.
But there was a chance that she wasn't. Maybe she was just overreacting. Wasn't there a certain time when someone could get pregnant? And just because they had been together three—no four—times without protection did not necessarily mean that she was pregnant.
Raven took a deep breath. If she didn't stop worrying now, she would end up bring the building to its knees. Raven sat up slowly, glancing around the dark room. Beyond the window a storm raged, bringing sharp sleet and roaring thunder down upon the city. The hearth was bare, no fire burning, leaving the room freezing. Raven shivered, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her forehead against them.
She was afraid. She was afraid that if she were truly pregnant, Beast Boy would want nothing to do with her—their—child. And if that happened to be the truth, she couldn't raise a child by herself, not with her dark past and equally dark future. She would end up hurting the child where she to raise it. It would end up…like her: Afraid to show feelings, afraid to get close to anyone…afraid to love, for fear of being rejected. It would be a living hell for her child.
Beside her, Beast Boy stirred, shifting positions. He sighed softly, but made no other move.
"Rae?" He asked softly, his voice heavy with sleep.
"What?" She snapped, not meaning it to come out as harsh as it did.
He was silent for so long she figured that he had gone back to sleep. But then he moved again, probably to sit up.
"Are you…okay?"
"I'm fine." She bit out, not in the mood to talk to him of all people. Should she tell him about the possibility of her being pregnant? No, that might not be the best idea. Maybe hinting? Hell, if she hinted, he would never figure it out. Well then…maybe that as how she could go about it…
Beast Boy reached out and gently laid a large, warm hand on her shoulder. Raven jerked and leapt from the bed, taking the sheet with her. She knew that if she allowed him to touch her, she would end up crying. And Raven did not cry. So staying away from him until she regained her usually tranquil façade was her best bet.
Had she looked up, she would have noticed Beast Boy's stricken look, but she was too busy wrapping herself in a cocoon of sheets.
"I'm going to take a shower," she muttered, keeping her eyes on the floor and a tight grip on the sheets as she walked to the bathroom. Once she was safely inside, she shut the door and collapsed against it, closing her eyes tightly as tears threatened to fall.
She hadn't meant to be so cruel to him, but she didn't know what else to do. If she had let him comfort her, she knew she would have broken then. She would have ended up blurting out her feelings, like how scared she was of having a child on her own, how frightened she was that he didn't want her, how terrified she was that she was desperately in love with him and didn't know what to do about it.
Raven swallowed hard, pushing herself from the door and walking to the bathtub, letting the sheet fall from her body. She was vaguely aware that she turned on the water and stepped beneath it. The heat was almost unbearable, but she didn't care.
Letting the water soak her, she stared straight ahead, her nerves calming somewhat.
She knew Beast Boy loved her, so why was she acting like this? Beast Boy was not the type of man to leave her if she was pregnant. He would be there for her, no matter what. It had always been like that. When she needed him, he was there, offering a shoulder to cry on even when she pushed him away.
When it came to things like this, he would be scared, yes, but he would do whatever he could to help her. He would give up everything to make her happy.
Raven felt guilt rise as she leaned her head against the cold wall. Beast Boy had told her he would wait for her. He would wait forever, if the need be. How could she think so lowly of him? How could she think that he would ever abandon her in such tough times? It was so like her, to think that worst of others. Beast Boy had shown her that she wasn't alone, and the first chance she got, she doubted him. His love.
Quickly, she cleaned herself, and then stepped out of the shower. She needed to apologize to him for snapping the way she did. She would also explain everything. She wrapped herself in a towel, checking the mirror briefly.
She wondered what it would be like to be pregnant, knowing that another life was growing within her. Raven glanced down, pressing a hand to her flat stomach.
Would carrying Beast Boy's child be so bad?
She regretted it. She regretted being with him. Beast Boy leaned against the headboard, closing his eyes as pain ripped through him. He had told her there was no going back, and she agreed with him, yet she regretted it. Everything he had done, everything he had given her, was for nothing.
Dammit, he loved her. And now, she was turning around and betraying him like this. She could have said no. She could have told him that she wasn't ready, but she let him love her.
And now she was throwing everything back in his face. Why had he ever trusted her? Why had he let her drag him around? Dig herself so deep into his heart that he knew he would never stop loving her?
It…hurt. More than Terra's betrayal ever had, or could have. It was as if his heart were being ripped in two. But he would never let her see that. Never. Beast Boy pressed the heel of his hands against his eyes.
Dammit, he would not cry. Crying was for weaklings. She didn't deserve to be cried over.
Beast Boy dragged himself from the bed to find clothes to change into. He needed to go walk or something. Maybe find him a girl who he could bury his pain in.
He snatched boxers and jeans from the bag and worked them on, anger slowly replacing his pain.
How dare she hurt him like this? What right did she think she had to lead him around like a damn dog? He didn't need her. He would be fine without her. She would regret the day she ever hurt him.
Beast Boy grabbed a shirt and jerked it one so hard his ripped it. Grounding his teeth so hard they ached, he ripped the nescience from his chest and started to rip the cloth into tiny shreds.
That was how Raven found him minutes later, plopped down on the floor and shredding a shirt into thin strips. He seemed to be taking pleasure in the way it ripped, like maybe he was picturing he was ruining something…or someone else.
Raven flinched when he glanced up at her, his eyes darkening in hate.
"I…think we need to talk." She said hesitantly, eyebrows drawing together when he scowled at her.
"Yes, we do." He got to his feet slowly, his entire body stiff with anger. "And I'm going to be the one to talk."
Raven clutched the towel closer to her, her knuckles white. "But I need—"
"I don't give a damn about what you need. It's always been about you, hasn't it Raven? About what you want, what you need. How you can't show emotion because of you powers, yadda, yadda, yadda. Poor pitiful Raven, the heartless half-demon."
He shoved his hands into his pockets and started to pace. "And the sad thing is, I wanted to be the one who got you to open up, to laugh, maybe even smile. But you were too goddamn selfish to even do that. For years, that was all I wanted. To make you laugh. And you actually scorned me for it. I realize now that maybe I went about it the wrong way, but I tried. That should count for something, but it doesn't.
"And you know what really sucks? I actually fell in love with you. Don't ask me how, but I did. And I'm paying for it. I'm coming to find that you don't want anyone to love you. Obviously, you want to be alone the rest of your life. So, that's what I'm going to let you do. Just think. No more stupid jokes, no more offering a shoulder to cry one—since you obviously don't need one—and no more attempts to try and get you to love me."
Beast Boy stopped pacing and rubbed his pounding temples. "I give up, Raven," he said softly, letting his hands drop to the side. "I just can't do it anymore. I can't give up my life for something that will never happen. I…don't know why you let me touch you the way I did. But you've finally got what you wanted. You're on your own." Letting his eyes drop to the floor, Beast Boy slowly put on a shirt and shoes.
Raven's breath caught in her throat. Giving up? He was giving up on her?
"Beast Boy, please, you don't understand—"
"Raven…" Beast Boy stood up slowly, rubbing his palms against his jeans. "Don't. I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Just…shut up."
Beast Boy walked out of the room, slowly shutting the door behind him. Raven didn't know how long she stood there, staring at the door. It seemed like hours.
You're on your own.
No, I don't want to be alone. Don't leave me alone like this.
No more stupid jokes, no more offering a shoulder to cry one—since you obviously don't need one—and no more attempts to try and get you to love me.
Please, please don't say that. I need you. I need you to love me. I need you there for me, please. Don't leave me, Beast Boy. I love you.
I give up.
Don't give up on me, please, don't lose faith in me. I…I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to live without you there with me. I don't want to hurt like this anymore. Don't give up on me.
You've finally got what you wanted.
I don't want this. This isn't what I wanted. I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE!
Raven hit her knees as anguish took hold. It was over. Beast Boy had given up. Curling her legs under her, Raven bowed her head. She was truly alone now. All because she had been selfish and pushed him away from her.
Would anyone ever love her like Beast Boy? Would they try to make her laugh, get her to feel? No. Beast Boy was the only one who wanted to be with her, to see her laugh, to see her happy.
Her salvation was gone now. Given up. Raven held her breath in hope of ridding herself of tears. Selfish. What was the point? She had never let herself cry before, so why not start now? She was alone, she what did it matter?
She could take down this entire building if she cried.
But have I ever seen if it would happen? What if I cried, and nothing happened? Maybe then I could rid of some of this pain.
Selfish. She could kill everyone within here if she attempted it. She would end hundreds of lives just to help with her pain. It wouldn't be worth it then.
But no matter what she did, tears spilled from her closed eyes. And nothing happened. Her powers didn't overreact, nothing shattered, or collapsed. Nothing.
Wrapping her arms around her waist, Raven took a deep breath.
And wept.
Maybe he had taken things a little too far. Beast Boy sighed and leaned against the side of the building. She had tried to explain something; maybe even why she was so mad, but he had told her he was giving up.
Then again, maybe that was what she wanted to hear. She probably wanted nothing to do with him now. So, this was it, huh? Him and Raven were over. Hell, did they even start?
Yeah, he had been with her, but that didn't count. She never felt anything for him. Nothing. She probably only agreed to be with him to see what it felt like. And obviously, she hadn't liked it.
Maybe Raven wasn't what he thought. Maybe she really was heartless. Maybe all those times he had seen beyond her mask had been for his sake. Maybe his mind had made her to be something she wasn't. Something she could never be. Now, he didn't even know what kind of woman he had fallen in love with.
Beast Boy banged his head against the brick. And damn him to hell…he was still in love with her. Probably always would be.
Beast Boy groaned and shoved himself away from the wall. Just as he was about to step from the shadowy alley, Raven walked out of the building and headed in his direction. He blinked, and then rubbed his eyes to see if he was seeing what he thought he was.
Raven? Crying? Yeah, and hell would freeze over. But he leaned closer, his eyes searching her face. She was crying. No sobbing, but crystal tears fell from her lavender eyes and slid down her pale cheeks.
He heard her sniff softly and bow her head as she shoved her hands into her black trench coat. Her shoulders were slumped, yet her body was stiff. Beast Boy had never seen her so…slouched. Her spine was usually ramrod straight and the only reason she ever slouched was when she was hurt, and even that was unusual. Had his words done that?
He felt no pleasure at this. He actually felt guilty. But she was the one who hurt him. Beast Boy moved back into the shadows as she passed him. He sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. She reeked of pain and loneliness.
You're on your own.
Beast Boy cursed and kicked the wall, only to yelp and cradle his injured toe in his hand. Damn, damn, damn, damn. He better not have been the one to make her feel lonely. But why would his words hurt her? Could she actually…nah. Maybe he had said something to hurt her ego. God knows her ego could use some deflating, though.
Dropping his throbbing foot, Beast Boy stepped out of the alley and watched her walk away. He wondered briefly if he should follow her, but decided that he would wait until she got back into the room, so he could ask her why she was so mad.
Sighing, Beast Boy walked back into the building, heading for his room. Maybe he had seen things the wrong way. Maybe she had been sore and cranky. Maybe she had been worried about something else, like Starfire, and had let her temper get the better of her. Raven was known to snap at anyone when she was mad.
Once inside the elevator, Beast Boy leaned against the wall and banged his head against it. Dude, if that were the reason, he said all that crap for nothing. The doors slid open and he stormed out, muttering curses along the way.
That would mean that he hurt her for no reason…if what he said had really hurt her in the first place. Beast Boy groaned, slamming open the door. And froze.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
