Summary: Jump City had been peaceful for the past two years. Slade was out of commission after a grueling fight, super-villains were far and few, and the crime rate was low. So the Titans had pursed their hobbies. Beast Boy volunteered at a wildlife museum for children and enjoyed the work. The 19-year-old had nothing to fear…until Slade reappeared. (One-sided Slade x Beast Boy)
Trapped Chapter 11
He woke with ears twitching. It was quiet. Too quiet. Usually the girls purposefully woke him up but they hadn't this time. So where were they? Scrambling free of the covers and clambering up the ladder, all he spotted were rumpled blankets.
Where were his girls?
Staving off panic because he knew that he would've heard an intruder come in and take them, he rushed out of the room and checked the first place that came to mind. The doors to the common room slid open and shrieking assaulted his ears.
He zeroed on the source. Angie's voice. Near the couch where–he calmed. He couldn't see Angie but he could see Cyborg and the dude was playing a two-player game. But if the seven-year-old was with Cyborg, then where was–
"Daddy, look!" Becca's voice came from…the kitchen?
Worried for her safety, (the blue mold was probably still there) he bypassed the reading Raven who sat on the couch facing the kitchen and hustled to where Starfire was handing Becca a bowl. His heart stopped.
Starfire was cooking.
He zoomed, nearly tripping over his own feet. Starfire was as sweet as could be but he was not risking his daughters' taste buds for the alien. Becca tilted the bowl, showing off slop that was mushy and pink and he was very, very concerned.
"See, I'm helping!" Becca chirped.
Starfire floated over with a grin. "Oh, friend Garfield! You do not mind if your daughter Becca assists me with the art of cooking?"
He whimpered.
"Friend Garfield?" She furrowed her brows. "What might be wrong?"
He worked his jaw. "Uh…uhhhhh…."
One glance at Becca poking at the slop and giggling when it moved away made determination form. Poor, innocent Becca would never trust him again if he let her eat Star's horrible food.
"Well…oh!" He forced a sheepish, and most definitely not panicked smile. "Well I'm just not sure if that's a good idea? Not the helping part," he added fast. "But the eating part."
"Oh?" The Titan tilted her head, confused.
"Yeah, see, I dunno if Angie and Becca can…stomach your food."
She smiled. "Then this is a wondrous opportunity to learn if they can!"
"No!" He yelped then blushed. "I–I mean, trying food from another planet might be unsafe for them."
She frowned. "Oh, I am sorry. I did not realize…"
Beast Boy swallowed. Damnit. Now Star was upset.
Rigidly, he offered. "B–but…" his face froze on a smile. "I could try some." The ice melted into a mischievous grin. "And I'm sure your teammates would love to try some too."
If he was goin' down then he was draggin' everyone with him. Heh heh. Starfire brightened.
"Wondrous! Friend Becca, could you please fetch some of the milk from the fridge?"
He paled as his daughter complied. The blue mold growled and she screamed, dropping the bowl and slamming the fridge shut. The bowl smashed against the tiles and sent gross pink slop splattering across the kitchen. And he could've sworn the mush groaned in pain.
Becca retreated behind her Daddy's legs and he glared at the fridge with Star staring at them with puzzlement. "Oh-kay."
His focus slid to the mountain of dirty dishes creeping across the cooking area. That could not be sanitary. Grant may have drilled the art of cleanliness into him, but on his own he didn't want the girls to get sick from unclean stuff.
"Friend, Becca…?" Star prompted. "Are you–"
"New deal!" He jabbed a finger at the fridge. "You cook after I clean this place. I can't have my girls getting attacked by growling mold again."
Starfire blinked and looked to the other Titans. Cyborg paused the game to offer a grin and a thumbs up, Angie looked morbidly curious, and Raven just looked relieved.
The half-demon placed a thumb into her book. "If he wants to clean then let him."
Beast Boy took the opportunity and ran with it as he tacked on. "I know how to cook too. It's the least I could do after you've helped my girls."
Cyborg squinted. "You eat tofu."
Angie gargled spit in empathetic disgust. Beast Boy rolled his eyes. "And they don't. I know how to cook steak, hamburgers, spaghetti with–"
"Sold!" Cyborg cheered and stood. "I'll go and get stuff right now and we'll see what you can do for breakfast."
With that, he left. Beast Boy shrugged. "He must be hungry."
Or avoiding Star's cooking. He mentally mused.
"So," he braced hands atop his hips. "Where's the cleaning supplies?"
~oOo~
Beast Boy patted his gloves together and straightened. The kitchen was as clean as could be: no more mold, dishes washed and dried, floor mopped, and counters wiped. Any and all pointy utensils were moved out of a child's reach and far from the edge. He resisted the urge to wash his own sweaty, make-up caked face and instead put away the cleaning tools.
"There." He grinned. "That's better."
Cloth rustled and pages whispered as Raven closed her book to approach. She surveyed his work and smiled, just the corners of her lips uplifted.
"Thanks." She said. "Not bad at all."
He blushed. "It's the least I could do."
Doors swished open and Cyborg announced his presence. Starfire followed behind him, having decided to go shopping herself while the disguised man worked. Their jaws dropped when they spotted the sparkling kitchen.
"Whoa." Cy strode to inspect. He placed the bags atop a counter and swiped a finger along the surface. "It's so clean it cleaned my finger!"
"Excellent work, friend Garfield!" Starfire praised.
Beast boy beamed then flushed. "I kinda had to throw out everything in the fridge, though, since that's what the blue mold ate, so…"
The half-robot checked the fridge. "Wow when you said everything, you meant everything."
"It was all expired…"
"No, it's great!" Cyborg closed the fridge. "Now there's room for the stuff I got."
Beast Boy relaxed. "Cool. Can I see?"
"Go ahead."
Starfire, still holding her own bags, waited till he finished unpacking a bag of groceries. Having been exposed to Grant's meat preference, he habitually suppressed the need to scrunch his face in distaste. So much meat. But at least there were some fruits and veggies and…tofu? His features softened. Good guy Cy.
"Friend Garfield?"
"Yeah?" He rifled through another bag.
Cyborg put away the perishables. Starfire walked closer to Beast Boy, side-stepping the half-human and cleared her throat.
"I have brought gifts for you, friend Angie, and friend Becca from the mall of shopping."
Beast Boy faced her. The girls popped their heads over the back of the couch.
"Yeah?" They all chimed.
Starfire grinned. "Yes, come see!"
She walked to the couch. Beast Boy glanced at Cyborg but the dude just gave a thumbs up. He shrugged and followed Star. Sitting down, he waited beside the kids.
Starfire placed the bags atop the coffee table. "You will be most pleased!" She pulled out child-sized clothing. "Angie, this is for you!"
Angie tilted her head, confused. "Kitten pajamas?"
Star nodded. "I hope they fit."
The alien handed the shirt and pants to the girl. Angie rubbed her fingers against the fabric. She looked to the Titan.
"These are for me?" She double-checked, unsure.
"Do you not like them?" Star set her feet to the ground, disappointed.
Beast Boy pitched in. "Angie, if Ms. Star said it was for you then it is for you."
Angie clutched the clothes to her chest. "Really?" She bounced to her feet and hugged the alien. "Thank you, Ms. Starfire!"
Starfire grinned, spirits renewed. "There is more!"
Beast Boy patted the couch and Angie returned to his side. He smoothed her hair. Starfire brandished another set of pajamas with puppy prints.
"For Becca!"
The five-year-old bounced and accepted the clothing. "It's so soft." She bubbled.
Beast Boy reminded. "What do you say?"
"Thank you!" She chirped.
He smiled. "The girls love it, Star–I mean Ms. Starfire. Thank–"
"Friend Garfield, there is even more!"
Beast Boy blinked and in a whirlwind of activity, Starfire presented children's and men's clothes and soon he found his lap piled high with new stuff. He peered above the heap. Angie and Becca danced, delighted with the vibrant colored and animal printed clothes. There were also toys and games and make-up (probably for dress-up but he was gonna swipe that when they weren't looking) and nail polish and so. Many. Things. He fumbled for words, struck by disbelief.
"Starfire–Ms. Starfire." He started, speaking past the lump in his throat. "This is–so much–incredible–thank you. Thank you."
Starfire beamed, all sunshine and sugar. "Oh it was simply delightful shopping for someone! Perhaps we could all shop together sometime soon?"
He grinned. Shopping wasn't his forte but tagging along was something he could do to return the favor, no matter how small.
"Sure thing, Star. We'd love to." He shifted. "And how much do I owe you?"
The Titan tilted her head. "I thought friends did not 'owe' friends for gifts."
Beast Boy worked his jaw and lowered his voice. "But this is–I…how else can I repay you?"
She clasped her hands together. "There is no need. You are my friend and the girls like their gifts. Do you like yours?"
He glanced at the pile on his lap. "Yes, of course I do! Thank–"
She twirled. "Wondrous!"
He smiled. Oddly enough, Starfire had gained an eye for casual style. Probably because Raven had often gone to the mall with her over the years. He hadn't really paid attention to what they wore or bought, but now he was glad that she developed a fashion sense. Mostly because he now had to wear the clothes Starfire of all people had chosen.
Shifting the fabric from his lap and into the bags, he gathered the girls' new possessions except for the stuffed animals.
"I'll be right back to start breakfast!"
He left and went to his room. He plopped the bags onto the bed then returned to the common room. Cyborg had resumed the video game, racing Angie. Starfire chatted with Becca who looked confused but content. Raven had moved onto the couch facing the screen, gaze on her book. Nightwing was probably in his room or the gym.
All in all, there was nothing to worry about…yet.
~oOo~
That night after the girls were sent to bed. Beast Boy wandered into the common room. It wasn't that late but it was their bedtime and now he had nothing to do. The doors whooshed open and he scanned the empty room. Deciding to watch some cartoons, he walked to the couch and rifled through the seat cushions to find the remote.
Once it was found, he clicked on the screen and scrolled through the channels. Nothing good was on so his gaze fell to the game station. Mega Monkeys... He hadn't played that in a while. So he set up the game and started a new file. Soon he was absorbed in exploring the familiar world and beating the old bosses.
He almost didn't notice a swooshing noise and metallic footsteps approach. Cy sat beside him, watching him play for a bit before asking to join.
He grinned. "Sure thing! Just try to keep up."
And so they played casually, steadily increasing in competitiveness. They beat baddies and leveled up. Somewhere along the line, the other Titans had entered the room and watched as Cyborg creamed a boss before he could.
"Oh c'mon!" He groaned. "You totally cheated, dude."
"Don't hate the player, hate the game!" Cy laughed.
Beast Boy scowled, good-natured. "Shut up, chrome dome."
Raven added, monotone light. "Or you just suck."
He scoffed. "I'd like to see you do better, Rae."
"Good luck getting her to play." Nightwing snorted. "What would you do? Glue her hands to the controller?"
Beast Boy readied a reply but Starfire squealed with delight. "Oh yes, I see! You would earn victory because she would not partake in the playing!"
He gargled spit in the back of his throat in a mimicry of growling. "Dudes! What's a guy gotta do to get some love around here?"
They laughed and he grinned, the sound like music to his ears. Raven settled on the couch beside him with a book in her hands while Starfire sat next to Cy. Nightwing sat near the edge by Star and propped his feet up on the coffee table.
Beast Boy took a moment to look around and revel in the atmosphere. It was like he'd never left.
"Garfield, ready for the next area?"
But he had left. He had been gone for a year. And life had moved on… They had moved on. His eyes lowered to the controller in his hands. His life as a Titan had been uprooted and he couldn't go back to the way things were. Reality was different now. He was different now. And the Titans were faring just fine without him.
"Gar?" Cy prompted and he shook himself.
"Uh, I think I'm gonna call it a night, dudes. Thanks for everything. Night."
They frowned at him but he turned away from their puzzled stares. He bit his lip and held back tears as he turned and left the room. No one had stopped him. Of course they wouldn't stop him.
He was just some white guy with a funny hat staying in their tower. He was Garfield, married to Grant Wilson, and hiding from his husband with their two kids.
He wasn't Beast Boy anymore.
The young man paused just outside the door to the guest room, gaze blank on his sneakers. He inhaled, holding it for a second, and exhaled. He repeated the process until bottled emotions overwhelmed the deep breathing and tears spilled down his cheeks. He leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, curling into a tight ball.
The fact that he wanted Grant to comfort him of all people was not helping.
He sobbed into his hands. And he couldn't go back to the man or else the girls would be killed. His breath hitched. He was so–so–stupid. His friends were right there and he wanted to crawl back to the man who kidnapped him? The man who ripped him from his home, raped him, and demanded loyalty? The man who threatened to murder the children if he dared escape and now he was out of hell and he wanted to go back?
His features crumbled. What was wrong with him? Why did he miss the jerk? Why did he miss being held close to someone's side? Why did he miss being called love with such strong affection and being looked at like he was a precious treasure the man would always protect?
He shook and shrank more, muttering. "You're fine. Everything's fine."
But it wasn't fine. Nothing was fine. He was balled against the wall and crying his eyes out while his old friends carried on with their lives, unaware he was sitting right there and all alone. The girls were sound asleep and he'd have to walk in there with a smile and pretend he was okay. He'd sleep alone tonight just as he had yesterday. And it was lonely not sharing a bed with someone.
His breath hitched. "Stop it." His voice cracked. "Just stop it."
"Figured you weren't alright." A masculine voice and black shoes neared. "How can I help?"
The young man forced his focus up to meet his former leader's mask. His jaw worked for a second before clamping shut and he studied the black clad shins. Oddly enough, Nightwing leaned against the wall and slid to the floor beside him.
The silence stretched and he found his weight slipping to be supported by a black sleeved shoulder. He sniffled and he wasn't quite sure how it happened but he found himself in warm and gentle arms, face buried in the crook of a neck and tears staining the top of the jumpsuit.
He started and stammered and amidst his ramblings he formed a coherent sentence or two. "I–I don't know who I am anymore." He hiccupped. "I don't belong a–anywhere."
Soothing nonsense filled his ears as a warm palm rubbed his back.
"And the girls!" He whimpered. "W–what can I do for them? I don't have anywhere to go but we can't stay here but we can't stay on the streets either! T–they need food and shelter and s–school."
His breathing quickened. "I'm n–nothing without him. I actually want to–want to…" he screwed his eyes tighter. "I want to go back but he'll be so mad he'll hurt them, I just k –know it."
Nightwing gathered him close and he latched onto the older man, snot and tears smearing his old friend's clothing. "You'll be safe here. We'll protect you and the girls."
He whined, long and heart-wrenching. "You can't. He knows to look here and–and he's invaded the Tower so many times before! When you guys are out to fight we'll be sitting d–ducks."
Nightwing fell silent, just holding him as he continued to cry. It was only when his sniffles started to ease did he speak. "You might not know who you are now, but who you used to be is still inside. Just find your core and you'll be whole again."
The young man buried closer, clinging to the words. It was okay. Everything was okay. He was still Beast Boy. He still had his powers and he was still himself. Just shaky and scared but he was himself all the same.
He sucked in air. "Th–thank you, Nightwing…"
The Titan continued. "Slade might think to check here, but there's somewhere he would never think of."
The young man craned his neck up, eyes puffy and red but curious all the same. Nightwing only answered with what looked like a wink. He couldn't really tell with the mask but he was pretty sure the mask scrunching like that on one side of the face was a wink.
The Titan gathered him into strong arms and carried him inside the guest room. Beast Boy cuddled in the hold until Nightwing placed him beneath the covers and turned away. The young man panicked.
"Wait…" he trailed, one arm outstretched. "Please don't go…"
Nightwing paused, pivoting. "You want me to stay?"
He swallowed. "At…at least until I fall asleep. Please? Just for tonight?"
"Okay." Nightwing clambered onto the bed and he snuggled close. An arm rested across his torso and his muscles uncoiled, familiarity washing over him. His eyes slipped closed.
~oOo~
With the girls' birthdays coming up in the middle of July, days passed with fun and preparations. The three of them took turns playing video games with Cy, all would go to the mall with Star, all read quietly with Raven, and Beast Boy would look for a place to live with Nightwing.
Attacks on the city were far and few, leaving the Titans with free time to hang out with him and the girls. Thankfully, the group liked his girls and though he had told the Titans of the lil dudes birthdays, he didn't expect them to throw a huge party.
Like, really huge.
He was sitting in the common room, guitar on his lap as he strummed and sung to his daughters with the sunlight brightening the common room, when doors swooshed open and familiar voices cheered. He froze, ears twitching wildly as he tried to pick out the speakers. The girls poked their heads over the couch and he twisted, eyes blowing wide.
Bumblebee, Speedy, Aqualad, Más y Menos and…his heart stopped.
Jericho.
Curly blond hair framed an achingly familiar soft face. Stunning emerald eyes peered from under long bangs and the Honorary Titan brushed a strand of hair behind a tanned ear. The young man was decked in a long purple shirt with white sleeves, a yellow belt, and black jeans.
"Jericho…" Beast Boy murmured, pupils dilating.
The young man shifted at the call, meeting his eyes. Jericho blinked, features tightening with confusion, before clearing with wide eyes. While Beast Boy was mesmerized, he didn't notice Jericho's hands moving fast. Words were signed and he blinked as they took a moment to register.
Beast Boy?
He gasped, eyes roving across the Titans East and Titans West and praying no one had seen. The Titans West looked to Titans East for a translation.
Bumblebee stepped forwards. "Jericho…Beast Boy went missing a year ago, he's not here."
Beast Boy swallowed as Jericho signed with a determined expression. Beast Boy! Then pointed at him.
Bumblebee shook her head, the two buns atop her head shifting with the movement. "Has the heat been getting to you? That's Garfield."
Jericho frowned, signing one more time. Speedy shrugged. "Sorry, pal, we don't know what you mean."
Más y Menos spoke fast in Spanish. Aqualad glanced at them before zeroing on Beast Boy. A pulse resonated within the disguised man's head and he groaned, hands pressing the fabric of the hat harder over his ears.
"Dude!" He complained, head aching. "Don't do that when I'm not a fish!" he froze, eyes snapping into saucers.
Jericho crossed his arms, staring pointedly at Bumblebee. Noise erupted as all the Titans clambered to be heard. All of them asked frantic questions ranging from "impossible, to "too good to be true," to even "he would have told us!" and too soon Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Bumblebee, Más y Menos, Speedy, and Aqualad fought to be heard.
He yelped as they neared and stumbled to his feet. Slinging his guitar behind his back and gathering the girls into his arms, he backpedaled until his back hit the gigantic window.
Nightwing and Jericho shoved through the crowd and twisted to block the confused Titans' path. "Everyone, calm down."
Beast Boy's heart hammered as silence didn't fall. Nightwing tried to reign in the commotion, but it wasn't until the entire group snapped their jaws shut and looked up did a tense calm reign.
"Why hello there, Titans." A monotone came from the speakers. "I must say I'm surprised Titans East are there but they'd do well to listen."
Beast Boy stiffened and whirled on his heel. There, projected onto the window was Grant in his Slade uniform. He whimpered as the man's visible eye flicked to him and the girls.
Bumblebee shouted before Nightwing could. "What do you want, Slade?"
"Merely something that is rightfully mine." The masked man replied. "You can hide him all you want but Garfield will return to me."
Beast Boy swallowed, shrinking and resisting the need to say something to please the man and soothe the noticeable anger. The girls shook in his hold and Jericho sidled to his side. He ducked behind the taller blond and trembled himself.
Nightwing took the lead. "You won't get him."
"Oh but I will. I know of all the Titans, honorary or not. You can send him anywhere and I will find him. You'll see he will willingly return to me."
Beast Boy hunched his shoulders and stared at the floor. The transmission ended just as red lights flashed and the alarm blared. The Titans straightened and rushed to the mainframe. He took the chance to rush towards the doors but a hand snagged his shoulder. He flinched and turned.
"Jericho…" He trailed, girls clinging to his shirt. "I can't stay."
Green eyes pleaded with him but he shrugged off the hand and retreated. The Titans clambered to find the cause of the alarm in the background. Apparently multiple attacks by unidentified criminals with unknown powers had occurred.
"They need you." Beast Boy added. "But they don't need me."
He pivoted and sprinted to the doors. His ears flicked as familiar voices called his name but the door swished shut as he fled. He released the girls as they entered the guestroom, guitar bumping against his back.
He opened the window, slung off the guitar, and morphed into a pteranodon. Strength thrummed in his veins. The girls gasped but he grabbed them by their shoulders in one talon, taking care to not claw them by accident, and grasped the neck of the guitar in his other talon. He flew out the window.
The Titans had a city to save.
He just had two lives to protect.
~oOo~
Notes: Hear that? That's the sound of your heart SHATTERING!
whateves00: I updated, yay! You flatter me! Whether it's the best or not, I'm delighted you enjoyed what I have so far! It's always lovely to know people like my stuff – especially to re-read it! As of now, I have the next 2 chappies written, but need to be edited. As for after that...well, I dunno! I've got the gist of a plan, but I gotta brainstorm the details. Thank you for the review!
If you'd like, leave a review and tell me whatcha think!