Raven
Raven stands in front of the stove watching her soup slowly come to a simmer. Watching the bite-sized pieces of potato and celery bobbing in the creamy confection relaxed her. She watched as each vegetable surfaced just to be yanked below again. The soup boiled rapidly, threatening to burn a careless finger yet it couldn't expand further than the sides of the sauce pan. It reminded her of herself; contained chaos.
She couldn't deny the desires simmering inside her either. Lately she has noticed glitches in her powers. It was always when she was alone. When she relaxes her mind and body and forgets to monitor her thoughts she'll notice a picture frame jump off the wall or her door will slam shut.
Usually any normal person would immediately hire a priest to bless their home but she knew better. Her mind was losing its grip on the control she's spent years perfecting.
Raven slammed her fist on the counter. All those years studying, meditating, and faithfully practicing with the monks who raised her has begun to slip away all because of an idiotic green man; a green man who strived on corny jokes and tofu. If they were average humans with average lives they probably would have never met. She wouldn't intentionally seek out an obnoxious character such as Beast Boy. On the other hand, Beast Boy wouldn't have wasted his time trying to entertain a woman who purposely shut people out and prefers solitude over friendship. They wouldn't be friends if they weren't superheroes… wouldn't they?
The metallic doors slid open yet there weren't any footsteps. Was this another glitch of her powers? She cursed herself under her breath for once again losing a moment of control.
But suddenly the dynamics of the room changed. She felt an arousing energy pouring into the room. It hit her like a gust of wind; that all too familiar surge of energy that threatened to undo her. She felt goosebumps travel down her back and across her arms. Thank God I'm wearing a suit with sleeves she thought.
He's here.
"Wow mama that sure smells delicious! Please tell me it's vegetarian cause I wanna try some of that." Beast Boy heartily comments as he steps down from the platform.
Raven noticed he wasn't wearing his usual grey form-fitting suit. He decided to wear a plain white t-shirt with black baggy shorts. His outfit looked disheveled as if he's just finished something physically strenuous.
Raven had to admit to herself, he did look rather appealing with his casual outfit. It was rare to see a Titan in civilian clothing. Trouble was always sparking in Jump City which left little room for the Titans to change clothes before running to the rescue. Wearing their uniforms in the tower acted more as a convenience rather than a display of pride. Seeing Beast Boy in his choice of clothing felt like a treat.
Raven felt tempted by his unintended display of vulnerability before realizing Beast Boy stepped in front of her. The counter acted as a barrier between them but it felt like flimsy police tape compared to the strong emotions threatening to expose her. He bent towards the pot and made a loud display of sniffing the aroma.
As Beast Boy glanced over into her pot his shampoo scent filled her nose. Instantly thoughts of spreading her fingers through his hair rushed to the forefront of her mind. Is this what I'd smell if I woke up next to him? She felt a vein twitch above her eyes as she pushed these dangerous thoughts away, trying to keep her composure relaxed and indifferent.
"Mmm, that smells amazing. Is that almond milk in the broth?" Beast Boy asked. His lips curved into a smirk, knowing very well it wasn't almond milk.
"No. Leave me alone." Raven barked. Please, leave me alone. I don't know much longer I can control my powers with you standing there like an idiot she thought.
She forced her eyes to warningly squint. Her demonic glares of anger always won her her solitude from the others. It was the only strategy she could rely on, especially now since her reckless emotions have been tampering with her powers.
Beast Boy glanced up to meet her gaze but was met with flaming eyes.
He squealed as he jumped backwards and nervously grinned while rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry Raven, I didn't mean to disturb you, my bad." He quickly jumped over to the couch, slouched into a comfortable – or from Raven's angle an uncomfortable – position, grabbed the remote, and began channel surfing.
Raven rolled her eyes, grabbed a bowl from the cabinet behind her, and served herself the soup. After rummaging in the cluttered cutlery drawer she pulled out a spoon dyed pink. Starfire, you really need to stop dying our stuff she thought. She rolled her eyes once more, picked up her warm cup of soup, and disappeared to her bedroom.
Beast Boy
No matter which shows were playing at this hour nothing could distract him from the person standing in the same room. Raven's energetic presence teased his body. It made him writhe in a confusing mixture of discomfort and pleasure.
His baggy shorts began to bunch underneath his butt forcing him to adjust himself. Cautiously he lifted his hips from the couch and released the fabric. He's grown so accustomed to the skin tight uniform that wearing baggy shorts feels the same as wrestling with an open parachute. He had to be honest with himself; although they are uncomfortable to relax in they do serve a purpose on the basketball court.
Robin wanted to practice his lay-ups this morning and asked Beast Boy to mirror him. Beast Boy smirked as he remembers how quickly their idle shoots turned into a fierce game – one on one.
It also doesn't hurt that somehow his shorts caught Raven's attention.
Beast Boy sat on the couch staring at a TV but lost in his own thoughts. Raven checked me out. I saw her eyes move up and down my body. A devious grin spread across his lips as he wondered what she could have been thinking about. He knew it was rare for a Titan to wear civilian clothing but none of his outfit choices stole a glance from Raven before.
He played with a remote button as he continued to think about the mysterious girl making noise in the kitchen – no doubt trying to escape now that he was here.
His chest rose as he heaved a long sigh. Ever since he met the young enchantress he slowly accepted the fact their energies would always reject each other. When he comes she goes. She rejects his humor, scoffs at his attempts to make her smile, and happily mocks him when given the chance. The only time they stood side by side – one minded – is when they're fighting together in the city. This is how it will always be, I come and she goes he regretfully thought to himself.
He cursed himself for always repelling the fascinating woman. He scares her away before he can steal a glimpse of her beauty. He spent many nights dreaming about catching her as she tries to run past him. He holds her in his arms and steadies her so he can face her properly. Her violet eyes morph into two slender windows to the cosmos. He would see galaxies floating within the purple vastness. He imagined her blushing within his strong embrace, her delicate eyes searching his, searching for filthy motives. Her plump lips parting once she realizes why his grip is so intense.
He longed to see her give him her permission to surrender to his desires. His many desires.
He could feel heat rising inside him as blood pumped faster. His body was finally catching up to his daydreaming.
"Hey Beast Boy why are you watching Chopped?" Robin called from the platform.
Beast Boy shook himself from his moment of weakness and realized his channel surfing stopped on the Food Network. He watched as the chefs tried to create a dish from cornmeal, lobster, scallions, and kool aid. He gagged at the strange combination.
Robin plopped himself down beside Beast Boy and grabbed the remote from his hand.
"I didn't know you were interested in cooking shows." Robin commented teasingly – his eyes baiting him for an embarrassing response.
"Maybe I just wanted to see why Starfire likes watching this all the time." Beast Boy remarked.
Starfire thoroughly enjoyed watching Chopped. The first time she discovered the show the chefs were given baskets filled with chopped veal, dragonfruit, squid ink noodles, and a bottle of red wine. She gathered everyone in front of the screen squealing over the ingredients claiming they reminded her of a dish she loved on her home planet, Tamaran. Now she watches it almost every day. Robin tried many times to help her understand the meals they created on the show were not how humans regularly dined. Beast Boy couldn't imagine eating any of the plates served at the judge's table; mostly because it was never vegetarian.
Robin looked back at the TV screened and chuckled, "Yeah, I guess it's kind of interesting if you don't take it too seriously."
Beast Boy's body relaxed to its normal function. He could feel his blood, once accumulated in his manhood, now scattering to aid his other organs – most preferably his brain. With a silent sigh of relief he leaned back into the couch cushion.
"Hey Robin, can I ask you something personal?"
Robin looked over at Beast Boy, "Yeah, I guess you can. What's on your mind?"
"Well… You know it's no secret that you and… Well you and Starfire have these… These feelings for each other…" Beast Boy apprehensively began, tapping his two index fingers together.
"Uh-huh…" Robin muttered skeptically.
Indeed it was no secret that Robin and Starfire shared the same romantic feelings for one another. That became evident when they held each other in a kiss live on Japan's news channel.
Beast Boy gulped, "And well… I was just wondering… when did you know you had these feelings for her? I mean… How did you know you liked her more as a friend?"
Robin listened to Beast Boy very closely as he spoke, watching the bead of sweat roll down his left temple.
Robin remained silent for a few moments – a few silent moments too long for Beast Boy.
He broke from his tense expression of thought and quickly turned to look at Beast Boy with a mocking smile. "Why do you ask Beast Boy?" He asked, his words soaked in satire.
Beast Boy couldn't control the blush that overtook his cheeks. His eyes darted around the room as the impulse to run controlled his fight or flight instinct. He should have known this question would have landed him trouble.
Beast Boy jumped to his feet, "Uhh, not for any reason! I was just wondering, you know, trying to get to know you better!"
Robin felt confused as he watched Beast Boy race towards the metallic doors… To his bedroom.