Disclaimer: I have no ownership of Teen Titans
Chapter 22
Evening fell and the team, minus Starfire, sat down around the fire where dinner was cooking. Poor Robin looked quite awkward without his better half with him. Again, Beast Boy and Raven kept their distance from each other as to not raise suspicions. Cyborg felt quite proud since he was the only one there with a significant other at his side while Sarah felt a bit weird. She didn't mind being close to her boyfriend and holding his hand when Starfire and Robin were around, but when they were the only couple she felt a little embarrassed.
"Well, the good thing that'll come out of all this is that I'll get to build a brand new T-ship," said Cyborg.
"And hopefully this time you'll build it for extended extreme weather," said Robin.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," said Cyborg, brushing him off. "I've learned my lesson. Don't worry, this time I'm doing my research."
"And I'll keep an eye on him to make sure that he does," said Sarah.
"I guess that means you'll have to move into the tower," said Beast Boy with a smirk.
"Oh, well, um, I already have," said Sarah.
"You did?" said Beast Boy, who looked over to Raven. "You didn't tell me that."
"It just happened before we left," said Raven. "And Cyborg told me not to tell you so you couldn't make fun of him."
"Yeah, so don't say anything," Cyborg warned.
"I'm not gonna make fun of you," said Beast Boy. "Actually, I'm happy for you. Congrats, dude."
"Oh," said Cyborg. "Well… thanks."
"I just hope Sarah doesn't mind sleeping on your cold, charging table," Beast Boy added with a smirk.
"Why you little…" said Cyborg who jumped to his feet and went after Beast Boy, who laughed and easily escaped him.
"Ooh, you're gonna have to move faster than that, trash can," Beast Boy taunted.
"When I get my hands on you I'm gonna make you look like a green pretzel!" Cyborg shouted and lunged at him.
"But you're gonna have to catch me first, metal butt!" Beast Boy laughed.
"Shut up and stay still!" Cyborg shouted. He chased Beast Boy for a good five minutes before catching him and holding him in a headlock that was so tight Beast Boy nearly lost consciousness.
"Dude! Let go of me!" said Beast Boy, worried he was going to pass out.
"Say it!" said Cyborg.
"No!" said Beast Boy, trying to pull free.
"Say it!" Cyborg ordered.
"Never!" said Beast Boy, biting his friend's metal arm.
"Fine, brain damage it is," said Cyborg, squeezing a little tighter.
"Okay!" Beast Boy peeped. "I'll say it! I'll say it! Just loosen your grip you bastard!"
Cyborg relaxed slightly and said, "Alright, let me hear it."
Beast Boy growled then grumbled, "Cyborg's the lord of the ladies, king of videogames, the emperor of anything cool."
"And?" pushed Cyborg.
"And I'm a snot colored shrimp," Beast Boy said through his teeth.
Cyborg laughed and let go of his changeling friend. "Wow, B, I can't believe you still remember the whole thing!" he laughed.
"Are you kidding?" said Beast Boy, massaging his bruised neck. "I have nightmares about it. But, I should point out, I'm not a shrimp anymore."
"But you're still snot colored," Cyborg smirked.
"Are you two about done?" asked Raven.
"Yeah, we're done," said Cyborg with a smile and he sat back down. "Man, B, you were easier to catch than in the old days. I think you're going soft."
"Uh, just to let you know, I let you catch me," said Beast Boy.
"Yeah, right," Cyborg laughed. "Why would you let me catch you?"
"Cuz I didn't want you to look like a loser in front of your girlfriend," said Beast Boy.
Cyborg growled and said, "Alright then! Try to get away this time!" And with that the chase was on again.
To everyone's amazement, Beast Boy was right. Cyborg couldn't catch him! The chase went on for nearly an hour and Cyborg never got close to catching him once. Eventually Robin got sick of it, intervened, and stopped them.
"When will you two grow up?" he scolded them.
"How'd you get so damn fast?" asked Cyborg.
"You'd be surprised how strong and quick you get when you give up TV and videogames," said Beast Boy.
"But don't you mess them?" asked Cyborg.
"Are you kidding?!" said Beast Boy. "Every damn day!"
They all got a good laugh out of that. After they ate they all decided to go for a night swim in the cool pool. Beast Boy led the way while Raven followed, carrying the other three. When they arrived they set up a few torches around the area so they could somewhat see and jumped in. But, once again, Raven stayed on the sidelines.
"I'll bet you a million bucks you don't have a bathing suit," said Beast Boy, pushing his long wet hair out of his face.
"You'd lose that bet," Raven said plainly, a hint of playfulness in her eyes that was only meant for him to see.
"Well, let me see it," he said, putting his hands on his hips.
"Can't you just take my word for it?" she asked. "Have I ever lied to you before?"
"I'd rather not answer that question," said Beast Boy, smartly. "Now get in the water already!"
"I enjoy watching the rest of you swim," said Raven.
"You enjoy watching me swim," he smirked, flexing his muscles.
"Don't be so conceded," she said, that playfulness returning to her eyes. "What would be so great about watching you swim?"
"Oh, come on," he said, winking at her. "You know you want a piece of this."
"In your dreams," she said, rolling her eyes, and crossing her legs.
"B, I think your wife's gonna be upset if she catches you flirting with other women," laughed Cyborg.
"Hey, I'm not married yet!" said Beast Boy. "I can flirt with whoever I want. And, besides, I wasn't flirting."
"Oh? And just what would you call that little conversation you two just had?" asked Sarah, smirking.
"Playful banter," said Beast Boy.
"Yeah right," Cyborg laughed.
"It was!" said Beast Boy. "Raven, tell them."
"It was just playful banter," said Raven, rolling her eyes.
"Playful banter doesn't include winking," said Robin, joining in.
"I had something in my eye," said Beast Boy. That made the other three laugh.
"Man, that's the oldest line in the book!" Cyborg howled.
"Well, his jokes are corny, you can't expect his explanations to be much better," Robin laughed.
Beast Boy growled and said, "That's it!" He lunged at the two and soon there was an all out brawl. Sarah, who had learned from the last time this had happened, quickly got out of the water and took a seat next to Raven.
"Men are so immature," said Raven.
"Yeah, but what're you going to do?" Sarah smiled. "So, what was going on between you and Beast Boy?"
"Nothing," said Raven evenly. "Like he said, playful banter."
"Yeah, I so believe that," said Sarah, rolling her eyes. "Come on, you can tell me. You've both been kind of weird with each other since we got here."
"We've always been weird with each other," said Raven. "I mean, we're complete opposites, what do you expect?"
"Well, you know what they say," Sarah grinned. "Opposites attract."
"Not polar opposites," said Raven.
"Well, anyway, I just want you to know that if something is going on between you two I'd take advantage of it," said Sarah. "It'd be nice for you to be with someone for once, instead of watching us and being the odd man out."
"Sarah, even if something was going on between myself and Beast Boy we could never be," said Raven with a small sigh. "He needs to marry Aiyana to stay in the tribe."
"I can't believe that's his final trial," said Sarah. "I mean, how can they force someone to marry a person they don't like and threaten them with expulsion if they don't do it? If that's how they are then I wouldn't want to be in such a tribe, no matter how good they were to me. I mean, love has to count for something, right?"
Raven was quiet for a moment then said, "Right."
Sarah sighed and said, "I just hope he makes the right decision."
"Me too," Raven said under her breath.
"Hey!" Sarah yelled at the three men. "Do you guys want to wrap it up so I can get back in the water?" The three evidently didn't hear her because the brawl continued. Sarah groaned and crossed her arms. "This is ridiculous."
"I'll get them to stop," said Raven, standing up. She grabbed the bottom of her shirt and lifted it up and over her head. She then unbuttoned her shorts and slipped them off as well. She now stood in a black, low cut, one piece bathing suit. She put her fingers to her mouth and gave a sharp whistle.
The three men paused for a second, especially Beast Boy who grabbed his sensitive ears. They looked towards where the whistle had come from and all were quite stunned to see Raven standing there in her bathing suit, her hands on her hips.
"Are you all about done?" she asked. They nodded. "Good. You can get back in now, Sarah." And with that she sat down once again.
"Thanks Raven," Sarah chuckled and got back into the water.
"Wow! You do have a bathing suit," said Beast Boy.
"I told you I did," said Raven. "Happy?"
He looked around and then leaned in close. "Well… to be honest I was kinda hoping it'd be a two piece," he whispered to her.
She pushed him back and said, "I don't like showing my stomach."
"Well, anyway, you might as well get in now," he said.
"I'd still rather not," said Raven.
"Then I'm sorry," he sighed.
"Sorry for what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For this," he smiled then grabbed her, pulling her into the cool water.
Before Raven could let out a scream she felt chilled water envelope her warm skin, sending a shock through her system. In an instant she pulled herself up from under the water and took in a panicked breath. She found her footing and quickly stood up, holding her freezing arms.
"You asshole!" she screamed.
Cyborg and Robin fell over laughing. Raven never ever swore unless she had been pushed to the edge. A patch of water near her exploded and showered them all. Oh yeah, she was upset.
"Come on, it's not that bad," said Beast Boy. "You've been in worse things than cold water."
"You-are-dead," she said through her teeth.
"Gonna have to catch me then," he said with a smirk and dove under the water, attempting to swim away.
Raven's eyes glowed black and she reached her hand out. She grabbed the swimming changeling with her dark energy and lifted him out of the water. She raised him very very high up in the air and kept him there. The poor guy didn't realize he was out of the water until it was too late.
"Hey! Let me go!" he shouted.
"Okay," she said, and let go of him so that he dropped ten feet with a scream. She then grabbed him again and held him in place.
"O-On second thought, don't let go," he said, obviously shaken.
"I wasn't planning to," said Raven, crawling out of the water and sitting back in her usual spot.