(BeastBoy's POV)
It had been about a week since Danny had come to the Tower and he still wasn't doing any better. Oh sure, he could move without as much pain and he was more alert, but he was still scared. Especially of the others. He would tremble and jerk back whenever someone else was is the room. He never said more than a few stammered words at a time, and he rarely ever looked people in the eyes. I made an extra effort to spend as much time with him as humanly possible. I brought him all of his meals and stayed with him when the others had to go out. I would even check on him at night. As far as I could tell he wasn't having any more nightmares.
Rain had been falling all day and the other Titans had left to defend the city so Danny and I were alone yet again. I was in the kitchen making us lunch when a thought struck me. Since Danny was feeling better and we had the place to ourselves… maybe it was time for a little change. Excited and nervous, I abandoned the kitchen and headed towards Danny and the infirmary.
Gently, I knocked on the door before strolling in. To my surprise Danny was standing unsteadily beside the window. He turned to me and looked at me with a guilty expression. Like he had been caught red handed. It bothered me how just doing simple things put him on edge. Like simply spilling his water or getting out of bed and he would act as though he had just insulted your mom or was caught shoplifting.
"Oh hey! You're up! That's great!" I threw him an easy smile and he relaxed slightly. "How would you like to see more of Titans Tower? We could have lunch in the kitchen."
He took a moment before quietly answering, "O-okay."
"Here, hold on just a sec." I moved over to the closet and pulled out a dusty wheel chair.
" Your ride." I presented it to him. "Raven would kill me if I over exhausted you."
He eyed the wheels before looking at me nervously.
"It's okay I won't bite and I'll go slowly, I promise."
It took him a moment before he carefully and stiffly took a seat. I had discovered that if you were patient and gentle with Danny and gave him however much time he needed that he would do almost whatever you had asked of him. It seemed as though he just needed to analyze and overthink everything before he decided to do anything.
I waited for him to settle in before gently steering him out the door. When we were about halfway down the hall the sky let out a blinding flash of lightning and a deafening roar of thunder. Startled, Danny jumped and tightly gripped the arms of the wheelchair. I held my breath, unsure of how he would react to what I was about to do, and gently put my hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay."
He flinched but then relaxed slightly, releasing his death grip on the chair. Unsteadily, he took a breath and nodded and we continued down the hallway.
(Danny's POV)
I don't know why, but Beastboy didn't frighten me so much anymore. He had been kind and careful around me. It was confusing. He also didn't seem so human to me. Maybe it was just because he was green.
"Here it is!" Beastboy announced, " This is where the action happens."
I took in the room uneasily, it was very big and open, and wow. Look at those windows. You could see so much of the sky. Even with the dark rain clouds it just looked so inviting. I wanted to go flying so badly. To escape for a while and feel the wind again.
"Nice view isn't it? Beastboy said pushing me over to the window.
"I nodded in agreement. Amazing. Hey! the sky, that was something I liked.
"I'll have to take you out to the roof sometime.
"Ye-yeah." If I couldn't go flying I would at least like to be close to the open sky again.
A streak of lightning tore through the sky and thunder boomed causing both of us to jump, and my heart started racing.
Okay, except maybe not when there's lightning in it.
"Heheh. Why don't we have some lunch?"
Beastboy turned me away from the window and pushed me over to the kitchen. He parked me next to a table and then turned to the counter. With great flourish he presented me with a sandwich and a glass of milk.
"Not just anybody gets a special BB supreme sandwich handmade by the master himself!" He informed me as he sat down across from me with his own lunch. "I hope you like it!"
Trying to ignore his eager stare, I took my first bite. Okay, those huge eyes he was giving me was starting to unsettle me. I chewed slowly then took a sip of milk.
Blegh!
I forced myself to swallow and keeping my eyes on the glass I asked, "Umm, Beastboy?"
He looked at me excitedly, "Yeah?"
"I… I think your milk is b-bad."
"What?" He took my glass and sniffed it. "Oh, sorry dude. That's my soy milk." He switched our glasses. "This is yours."
I took a sip, it tasted just fine.
"Th-thanks."
"No problem."
We continued our meal in silence. The entire time I ate Beastboy looked insanely proud of himself."
(Beastboy's POV)
About half an hour later I had Danny seated on the couch and was trying to get him to accept a controller.
"Come on Danny, just ten minutes! Then we can quit if you don't like it." I pleaded giving him the friendliest grin I could muster.
I waited while he thought it over. After a long moment I asked, "How about seven minutes?"
"... five minutes." He agreed softly.
Oh my gosh! I got Danny to agree to something! Go me! Oh yeah! I switched on Devil's Race 9 and started it up.
For the first few minutes Danny struggled to stay on the track, but soon he was kicking my butt. At first I would let him get ahead (just a little bit), but soon after I was seriously struggling to hold my own. Had I created a monster?
I was very careful not to yell or raise my voice at the screen like I normally do. Wouldn't want to startle Danny into backing into the shell he's been slowly coming out of.
"You're really good at this."
"Thanks." He murmured back distracted.
I thought about asking him if he's played before but I remembered that he didn't respond well to questions.
Danny had just crossed the finish line and smashed Cyborg's highscore, when the rest of my friends came is. All of them sopping wet. Danny tensed back up and lowered his eyes, withdrawing back into his shell yet again.
"Oh! Friend Danny! You are out of the room of healing and medicine! Are you feeling better?" She asked as she wrung out her hair.
He set the controller down and was trembling again, but he did give Star a short nod.
"Oh wonderful!" Star cheered.
"Did he eat anything?" Cyborg asked me.
"Why don't you ask him?"
Cyborg paused, and turned to Danny.
"Sorry, did you eat something today?"
Danny nodded, continuing to stare down at his lap.
"What did you eat?"
"S-some of a sandwich."Danny mumbled after a drawn out pause.
"That's great, we'll- WOAH! Beastboy did you beat my high score!?" Cyborg exclaimed, causing Danny to jump.
"It wasn't me, Danny did it." I couldn't help but brag, just a little bit. I had gotten Danny to do something and he was awesome at it.
Everyone froze and Danny looked as though he wanted to disappear into the couch.
"Dude! You have to play me!" Cyborg said excitedly, but then he must have noticed Danny trembling and staring down at the floor with wide eyes.
"...sometime." Cy added softly.
Deciding that Danny had enough excitement I stood up and brought the wheelchair over.
"Danny's probably getting tired, I'll take him back." I cringed, I was trying to avoid talking about him like he wasn't there or didn't have a say. "Unless you would rather hang out here a little longer Danny."
He gave a small shake of his head and carefully moved into the wheelchair while keeping his eyes on the floor.
"I'll uh, talk to you guys in a bit." I said to the room full of my confused and awkward friends.
It was quiet as I pushed Danny through the halls. I purposely went slower to give me more of a chance to talk to him.
"Danny?"
"... y-yes?"
"Are you afraid of my friends?" I asked softly.
He stiffened and I came to a stop. He was silent for a long moment before he replied.
"I-I-I'm not u-use to s-so many…"
Oh? I began walking again. He didn't like a crowd? I think it was probably more than that. Wait! I had just asked him a question! And he answered! Awesome! Let's try this again! Okay, careful Beastboy, don't push your luck. Be cool.
"But when it's just me and Cyborg or Raven you get nervous too. But when it's just me you seem more chill. Do they do something to make you nervous?"
"I-I don't know. "He whispered, "I'm not use to people really."
"You seem alright when it's just the two of us. Why are you okay with me but not them?"
Okay, I was pushing it, but I had to find something I could use to help Danny out.
He shrugged and didn't say much else until after he was back in bed and I was turning to leave the room.
"Hey."
I paused and faced him to find him looking at me seriously.
"Th-thanks, and sorry."
I tilted my head confused, "For what?"
He lowered his eyes and shrugged.
"What should I say? Give my friends a chance? They aren't scary? He was really trying with all of us I could tell. Maybe I could somehow ease him into it. Yeah, there we go, a battle plan! Slowly introduce my friends to him and ease him into it. A bit vague, but I could work with that.
(Danny's POV)
There was a… thing, in the room. I had no idea what it was or where it came from. Oh man! It was moving again! I watched confused, as the thing schooched itself from one end of the counter to another and began gnawing on a container.
It was squishy looking and pink, with big eyes. Overall it looked like a giant bug. Maybe the titans had a pest problem? Should I do something? Giant bugs probably shouldn't be eating anti-itch cream.
The door opened, startling me, and Beastboy strolled in with yet another tray.
"Breakfast is here! Great food! Great service! and with a killer smile! I hope you're hungry!" Dramatically, he placed the tray onto my lap.
"Umm, wh-what i-is that?" I pointed to the thing behind him.
"Wha-No! Silkie no! We don't eat medical supplies!" He picked the thing up, stuck his hand in its mouth and pulled out the slim covered container. The bug thing wiggled and whimpered in response.
"Oh man! Didn't someone feed you? Poor Silkie! Don't worry! BB will make it up to you!"
Beastboy then began baby talking to the worm thing, which seemed to be thoroughly enjoying itself. Beastboy then paused and looked at me, his face turning bright red.
"Heh-heh-heh, have you met Silkie? He's our pet!"
Pet?
"Silkie, this is Danny! Say hello!" Beastboy held the thing- Silkie, out in my direction and it wiggled happily.
That is so weird, but hey, I've seen weirder.
"Silkie? Oh Silkie! Where are you? Are you playing the seek and hide?" Starfire's voice called from the other side of the door. She poked her head in.
"Excuse me, but have you seen- Oh! There you are!" She flew over and took Silkie from Beastboy and spun it around.
"Are you hungry little one?"
Silkie wiggled happily in response and Starfire turned to us.
"Good morning friends! Oh Danny, what a funny breakfast you have!"
I tore my eyes from...Silkie, and looked down at my tray. On my plate were two sunny side up eggs and a few slices of bacon. All carefully arranged into a smiley face.
"Hey Star," Beastboy said as he plucked Silkie from her hands, "I'm gonna go feed Silkie, you stay here with Danny, okay?"
"Alright."
The words hadn't even left Starfire's mouth and Beastboy was already gone.
Smooth Beastboy, real smooth.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself. Then cowardly shoveled a bite of food into my mouth so I wouldn't have to say anything.
"So, friend Danny, you are from earth, no?"
Puzzled I nodded at her. Where else would I be from?
"Do you like earth?" She asked fidgeting.
I again nodded my head and took another bite.
"Good. Earth is nice it's so green and blue. And so are the people of Earth. Nice that is, not green or blue. Except for Beastboy, he is green. But most people are not. Not to say that people cannot be blue or green. I've met all sorts of different people. All different colors."
Starfire continued to babble and fiddle with her hair nervously as she did.
"But Earth is very green and blue, especially from space, even if its people are not."
Now that caught my attention.
"Y-you've been t-to space?" I interrupted. There was a brief moment of silence, my little outburst had surprised us both.
"Oh yes! Several times! It is very beautiful."
It took me a few moments to summon my courage and my voice.
"W-where are you from Starfire?"
She gave me a huge smile.
"Well-"
(Beastboy's POV)
It had been at least an hour since I had left Star with Danny, I glanced at the clock, or only twenty minutes, and I still hadn't seen her. I was taking that as a good sign, but I still wasn't sure.
"Beastboy, stop pacing! You're gonna wear a hole in the floor!" Cyborg yelled from the couch, where he and Robin were playing video games.
"What's wrong Beastoby?" Raven asked, looking up from her book.
"Nothing's wrong! Everything's great! "
"How's Danny?" Robin asked.
"He's fine, great even! I've gotten him to talk a bit." I said, still pacing. I spun around to make another lap around the kitchen but found Raven, Cyborg and Robin, staring at me, video game forgotten.
"What did he say?" Raven asked.
I shrugged, "nothing much, He just said he isn't use to people."
"That's it?" Robin asked.
"Pretty much."
"Don't worry BB, he'll come around eventually. Now stop worrying and watch me kick Robin's butt!" Cyborg said enthusiastically, reaching on hand over and pulling me over the back of the couch.
In a long drawn out battle of epic proportions, Cyborg's rouge had finally managed to crush Robin's ninja.
"Oh yeah man! In your face"
"Two out of three!" Robin demanded.
"You're so on!"
"Hmmmm, mmh, hmm!"
"Gee Star, you're in a good mood! Robin called out over his shoulder.
Surprised, I spun around, when had she walked in?
"Oh yes!" She giggled as she floated in the air happily and hummed.
"How was Danny?" I asked eagerly leaning over the couch.
"Wonderful! Well, considering that he is sick."
"What did the two of you do?" It was what I had wanted to ask but Robin beat me to it.
"He was quiet at the start, but then he wanted to know what space was like."
"He talked to you?" Cyborg and Raven asked at the same time. They had both been taking care of Danny. Watching his wound and do medical stuffs, but Danny had barely said even two words to them, not matter how hard they tried.
Oh yeah! Victory! Mission accomplished! One down! Three to go!
"What did you guys talk about?" Robin asked. I could see the hungry look in his eye and the wheels turning in his head. I had seen that look a hundred times. He was trying to gather information and piece things together.
"My home planet, nebulae, and stars. He was very interested!"
"That's it?" Robin asked, seeming slightly disappointed.
"Yes, although he did not say many words and his voice was very quiet."
"Well," Robin said, "it's not much but it's something."
"Yeah! An awesome something!" I shouted punching my arms up. "Do you know what this means!?"
"That he's starting to relax." Cyborg said with a grin
"He starting to open up?" Raven guessed.
I pointed at them excitedly. "Exactly!"
Hello everyone! It took a bit but here it is! I have mixed feelings about this chapter. Some of it I absolutely love, and some of it was forced. So please tell me what you though!
Guys thank you for all the favorites and follows! Big thanks to everyone who reviewed. I seriously have a little, I guess you could say, fan girl moment every time I get one. Thank you to fglla2211, YewTree, anonymous chick, Christella Shinobu, Assasin8, Dphan754, and everyone who made suggestions. It's giving me the tools to fight the Writer's Block Monster! So If you have any ideas for me please share.
So I'm warning you right now, updates will be sporadic. But don't worry I'm not abandoning you! I'm dealing with a big issue right now and I am honestly very scared. So please pray for me or wish me luck!