I have found the rights to the Teen Titans! I am currently reading through all the terms and conditions, though. Like, are these things always this long?
Beast Boy was confused. Yeah, that really wasn't all that shocking - a lot of things confused him. Like, he didn't understand how helicopters worked - nor did he grasp the concept of anything above algebra. Big words often threw him for a loop, and sometimes he considered carrying around a small dictionary, just so he'd know what Raven was saying.
But there was no book or manual when it came to the empath's moods. Just when he had thought that their friendship was getting somewhere, she'd do a 180 and he'd be left in the dust, wondering what he had said wrong.
Today was one of those days. It had been about a week since the bathroom incident, and Beast Boy was finally wrapping his head around their new relationship. Raven came to him at least once every one or two days, and often times it was just to cuddle, or maybe receive a quick peck. Nothing really over the top since the couch-kiss incident, but he kind of expected that after his strange behavior that day.
But what he hadn't expected was Raven's cold attitude towards him. Just the other day, he had almost gotten her to laugh, and now she couldn't keep herself from glaring at him.
They were sitting side by side in the T-car, waiting for Robin to finish his report. Starfire was still sick, which raised a lot of concerns, and Cyborg was monitoring her back at the tower. It didn't seem to be anything too serious, but the fact that she was still under the weather fueled Robin's decision to keep her home. At first, the alien was completely outraged - she thought it was her boyfriend's way of saying she was unfit for duty. But after a few private words with their leader, Starfire had agreed that it was best.
Robin then called in Kid Flash to fill in temporarily, since the team was now out two members, due to Cyborg's doctor duties. The speedster was happy to help, though his newly reformed girlfriend, Jinx, had insisted on staying back. She was still getting used to the idea of being a hero, and didn't want to revisit Jump City until she was ready.
Beast Boy didn't mind, though. Jinx scared him a bit, and he didn't think he could handle living in the same tower as both the former-villain and the half-demon beside him. The same half-demon who happened to be glaring at him again.
He silently cursed under his breath at Kid Flash once more, who was sitting in the passenger seat after calling shotgun and racing to the car. Normally, he wouldn't have minded sitting next to Raven, but he was obviously in trouble for something, and didn't want to push his luck. He could feel her glare drilling holes in the side of his head, but he promised himself he wouldn't look. It would only antagonize her, and he couldn't risk getting chewed out in front of their temporary teammate, who would undoubtedly infer that they were just having a "lover's quarrel."
The speedster had immediately assumed that Beast Boy was secretly dating Raven, since he had caught the pair hugging in the hall. Raven had almost destroyed the tower when the teasing began, but luckily Beast Boy had convinced Kid Flash that Raven was just concerned for Starfire, and she didn't know how to express her feelings.
Kid Flash had bought the explanation, though he had still bombarded the changeling with questions. Apparently, Raven seeking any kind of comfort from Beast Boy seemed a little too far-fetched. But the idea of them dating was beyond that realm, which the speedster had explained with a laugh. But it was obvious he was still a bit suspicious.
But other than their temp's conspiracy-theories, the hallway-hug incident was no longer a problem, which made Beast Boy conclude that it wasn't the empath's reason for being upset with him.
If she even had a reason.
Sighing in exasperation, Beast Boy stared blankly out the window as he waited for Robin to return. The boy wonder had a habit of detailing the report to the fullest extent, which was often the reason their missions took so long. But lately, he skipped out on the more minor details in favor of returning home to Starfire sooner, so Beast Boy was a bit surprised at how long it was taking.
About a minute later, though, their leader returned, hopping into the driver's seat and starting the ignition.
"I'm gonna stop by the grocery store before we head home, so come in with me if you want anything. I don't have the list," the boy wonder announced, starting towards the local super market.
Beast Boy crossed his arms over his chest as he went through a mental checklist of what he needed. Tofu was always on the top of that list, since there was never too much of it, so he knew he'd definitely have to get that. Then came the less-important things, like soda and shampoo. He was running low on both.
"I have a few things I need to pick up," he replied, earning a nod of acknowledgement from his leader.
"I should probably get some stuff as well," Kid Flash interjected casually. "Don't want to completely be a freeloader."
"That's what Beast Boy's for," Raven muttered under her breath.
The changeling wanted to ignore it, but the snort of amusement from his leader and the stifled chuckle from the speedster alerted him to the fact that he hadn't been the only one to hear it. Finally acknowledging the empath, he turned himself towards her.
"What the hell is your problem, dude?!"
Raven simply gave him a bored look as she adjusted her hood. "I don't have a problem, Beast Boy."
The changeling was about to refute, but Robin quickly cleared his throat.
"Come on, guys. There's enough craziness in the tower as it is. I don't need you two bickering incessantly added to the list."
Beast Boy reluctantly backed down, giving the empath one last fleeting glare before he redirected his sights back out the window. Raven had merely rolled her eyes, before doing the same.
He wasn't sure why she insisted on riling him up all of a sudden, and it really made him rethink their arrangement. If she couldn't have the decency to act friendly towards him, then why should he go out of his way to help her? She was fully capable of finding some fan-boy to fulfill her needs - she didn't necessarily need him. She didn't deserve his help.
But the thought of her finding someone else didn't sit well with him, so he knew that he would never suggest it. But he wanted to - just to prove to her that she couldn't get away with treating him like that.
Sighing to himself, he kept his eyes directed out the window as they neared the grocery store. Robin quickly found a spot suitable for the T-car, and the four titans climbed out. Beast Boy was a bit surprised that Raven was joining them, but he made sure to keep his distance as they neared the entrance. Instead, he joined in on Robin and Kid Flash's discussion of masks, even though he personally hadn't worn one in years. Thanks to Raven.
He spared a glance at her, only to see her immediately veer off from the group as they entered the super market. She was most likely heading for the tea and coffee aisle, which also happened to house all of the organic products as well, so Beast Boy made a mental note to get his tofu last.
"Alright, well, I'm gonna pick up some mustard for Star, so we'll meet back here in twenty, alright?" their leader announced.
Beast Boy and Kid Flash nodded their agreement, and Robin quickly took off for the condiment aisle.
Heaving his shoulders in exasperation, the changeling gave the speedster a sideways glance. "I'm gonna get a cart."
Kid Flash nodded his head absently as he gazed around the store. "Okay. Want me to race around and get everything? I'm a notoriously fast shopper!" he grinned, before disappearing for a split second, and then reappearing in a gust of wind with a bottle of mustard in his hand. "See?"
Beast Boy let out a small chuckle, before explaining to his fellow titan that one little bottle of mustard was definitely not enough.
"She drinks it?!"
The green titan nodded his head in amusement as he pushed the cart towards the hygiene aisle. Raven had dryly noted the day before that his shampoo was awful-smelling, so with that in mind, he quickly chucked two bottles into the basket. If she insisted on acting so strangely, then she'd just have to deal with the scent.
"Do the girls need anything?" Kid Flash suggested absently. Beast Boy could feel his face flush as he imagined purchasing any feminine products, and quickly shook his head.
"Nope. I mean, I don't know - they buy that stuff themselves," he replied sheepishly.
His temporary teammate let out a snort of amusement as he observed the flustered changeling. "Heh, I know that feeling, buddy. But you'll get over it soon enough."
Beast Boy tried to keep from cringing as he purposefully ignored that section and headed straight for the next aisle. He knew the girls had certain... hygiene needs, but the team had unanimously agreed that they'd do their own shopping when it came to... that.
"How about some soda?" he suggested loudly, making his way across the store. Kid Flash followed beside him, tossing random items into the cart. After grabbing a few cases of soda, Beast Boy knew that he could no longer avoid the organic foods aisle any longer. Inhaling a shaky breath, he pushed the cart forward.
The processed scent of tofu, mixed with the earthy scent of the teas and vegetables, caused him to wrinkle his nose. His eyes traveled down the aisle quickly, just in time to see the blue of Raven's cloak slip around the corner. Breathing a sigh of relief, Beast Boy quickly grabbed what he needed and made his way back to the front of the store.
Kid Flash had been talking his ear off the entire time, but he hadn't really been paying attention. The dude was a pretty fast talker, and sped through topics without even waiting for a reply, so Beast Boy figured the one-sided conversation was welcomed. And the fact that the guy was dating Jinx probably meant he rarely ever got a word in, so the uninterrupted rambling was most likely needed.
Beast Boy had no idea how the speedster put up with the pink-haired heroine. She was unbelievably stubborn, and her hobbies seemed to include making the dude look dumb and switching between being good and being bad. She was terribly sarcastic, brutally honest at the worst times, and incredibly deceiving. Basically, a migraine disguised as a girl.
Raven was similar, though. But Beast Boy knew why she was that way, so he didn't hold it against her. Plus, when they weren't directed at him, her sarcastic quips were hilarious. And her honesty was refreshing - sometimes. But it wasn't like he was dating the empath - he was only her friend. So he just could not understand how Kid Flash was able to handle Jinx.
Of course, he didn't voice any of this out loud. He had never seen the speedster angry, but he had a feeling that calling his girlfriend horrible would probably make the guy a little mad.
"Actually, I hate Steel City - it's so... I don't know," Kid Flash admitted with a shrug.
Beast Boy wasn't sure what they were talking about, but he nodded his head in understanding.
"I keep trying to convince Jinx to move out here with me, but she's just not ready, I guess," the speedster continued, running a hand through his red hair. The pink-haired heroine's reasons were understandable enough, so it wasn't surprising for Kid Flash to confirm the changeling's suspicions.
Beast Boy was about to respond, but he caught sight of the half-demon walking towards them from the corner of his eye. He immediately whipped his head around to face her, and earned a look of contempt.
"What?"
Not wanting to get into another fight with her, he motioned for her to set her stuff in the cart. She continued to glare at him, but complied. He noticed she was planning to get several new flavors of tea, as well as some frozen waffles. Suppressing a smile, he turned his attention back to their temporary teammate.
"I'm sure she'll come around eventually, dude," he smiled, giving the speedster a pat on the back. "After all, this was her home - I bet she misses it!"
Kid Flash began to reply, but Beast Boy was more focused on the empath beside him. She was glancing around the store impatiently, her arms crossed and her mouth set in a frown. The group of heroes was gaining a bit of attention from the other shoppers, and Beast Boy was grateful that nobody had approached them, though he could tell Raven was uncomfortable, nonetheless.
He was a little impatient himself - he knew Robin was most likely searching the store for anything and everything that would make Starfire feel better, so it wasn't surprising how long it was taking. It was just frustrating.
"I'll be in the car."
Both the boys gave Raven a surprised look as she made her way towards the exit. Kid Flash looked slightly taken aback by her harsh tone, though Beast Boy was sure he was used to being talked to like that.
"Ain't she a ray of sunshine," the speedster muttered sarcastically.
Beast Boy snorted in amusement, though he couldn't stop himself from continuously glancing at the door. Despite the fact that she was being incredibly annoying, he found that he was still worried about her well-being.
"I'm gonna go check on her," he announced quickly, making the decision on a whim. Kid Flash merely shrugged, obviously not interested in dealing with their bickering that was bound to come from the changeling's concern.
Nodding to himself, Beast Boy exited the grocery store, before lightly jogging to the T-car. Raven was already sitting in the back, her eyes closed and her lips repeating a silent chant. She never meditated in public, so Beast Boy was certain that something was seriously bothering her. Taking a deep breath, he cautiously opened the door and slipped in beside her.
"Rae?"
Her lips ceased moving, and she raised her eyebrow in the slightest, though her eyes remained closed. Beast Boy took her silence as permission to go on.
"You've been acting kinda weird lately, and I was wondering... is anything wrong?"
He waited awkwardly as she inhaled sharply, before letting out a deep sigh. Opening her eyes, she gave the changeling a bored look.
"Everything is fine, Beast Boy."
He figured she'd elaborate a bit, but after a few moments of awkward silence, Beast Boy realized that she had finished speaking. And her short answers weren't very satisfying.
"Are you sure?" He scooted closer out of habit, and was somewhat surprised to see that she didn't scoot away. Though after the past couple of days, personal space was no longer something demanded - at least, with him.
"Why would anything be wrong?" she replied in her monotone, setting her hands in her lap. Beast Boy absently noticed that her knee was digging into his thigh, but he was too busy trying to decipher the emotions behind her eyes. Despite her blank expression, he could always tell when she was lying. Especially since the dullness had returned to her usually bright irises.
"You tell me."
Raven blinked in response, before letting out another sigh. He could tell she was reluctant to explain what was bothering her, but his persistence was unwavering, and she knew that.
"It's nothing really... Just, my emotions, I guess. They're not being released properly," she confessed.
Beast Boy felt a small blush rise to his cheeks as he could only imagine what she was referring to. He watched in horror as she opened her mouth to continue, and he quickly did the only thing he could think of to keep her from speaking.
Despite having kissed her multiple times, he had never initiated it. So it didn't come as much of a surprise when he missed her mouth slightly. But his lips soon found hers, and he closed his eyes tighter as he waited for her to feel better.
But, what did come as a surprise was her sudden gasp, before she pushed him away in disgust. Her face was contorted into a look of outrage, and she raised her hand as if she were about to slap him.
"What the hell?!"
Beast Boy gave her a sheepish smile as he shrunk away from her hand. Thankfully, she lowered it back onto her lap, though her expression was still one of complete anger.
"Uhm," the changeling started nervously, unsure of what he had done wrong, "s-sorry?"
He watched as she closed her eyes in frustration, before letting out a low growl. Opening her eyes again, he was elated to see that the dullness was replaced by raging fury. That was an improvement, wasn't it?
"I didn't mean those emotions, you idiot," she deadpanned, shooting him a glare. "I meant the emotions I release with Starfire."
Beast Boy slowly nodded his head in understanding as he felt his blush deepen. He had noticed that Raven's irritability had started to get worse as the alien remained sick, though he didn't think it was related. But with Starfire in the med-bay so often, they didn't have much time to hang out. Which meant those emotions were being bottled up.
"Oh," he muttered sheepishly, avoiding her gaze. "Uh, anything I can do to help?"
Raven let out a snort of amusement as she uncrossed her legs. "Not by kissing me. Despite what twisted little teenage boys think, girls' sleepovers don't consist of pillow-fights in our lingerie. We mainly indulge ourselves with sugary snacks and complain about boys."
Beast Boy let out a shy chuckle at her response, before chancing a glance at her. He hadn't seen her give a genuine smile all day, so when he caught sight of her signature smirk, he couldn't keep himself from grinning back.
Raven merely rolled her eyes fondly, before slipping back into her usual demeanor. Sighing wistfully, she shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure I'll think of something, so there's no need to worry about me. Just be patient with me - that's all I ask."
Smiling softly, Beast Boy nodded in understanding. He didn't like the fact that she was, again, bottling up her emotions, but she obviously had an idea of what was best for her, and he didn't think it was his place to question it.
At least, not yet, anyway.
Psh, nosy nosy little Beast Boy - always trying to "help" and whatnot! Can't he see that Rae-Rae's an independent girl? She don't need no man!
So I guess I lied about when this would be up - I'm sorry! I thought I would have time to type it up and post it Friday, but the day just got away from me! Forgive me?