Demonic Anger Management

It was a night like many others in Jump city. The star were almost completely overshadowed by the city lights, and you could hear the sound of engines and sirens in the streets. Once again, a villain had tried to cause havoc, and once again the Titans prompty showed up to take him down.

The unlucky one, this time, had been Control Freak, who had caught rumor of a incredibly rare and pricey collection of... comic books... and simply "could not resist the impulse".

Needless to say, not even a minute from the wanna-be heist and the young heroes showed up. Now, to be fair, the month preceding Control Freak's attempt had been immensely dull. It had happen before; after all the truly dangerous criminals were only so much, and given their win-to-lose ratio with the protectors of Jump, dull moments were not so rare.

Still, a whole month with nothing but three calls (two of car robbery and the other already taken care from the police) was a record, and it came with its consequences.

Sure, the Titans were able to take some time for themself and "relax" (let's not forget what relaxing means to Robin, after all...) but to those who looked for ways to release pent up stress... well, let's say meditation is useful, but with limitations.

And so here was Raven, sitting on the roof of Titan Tower, gaze lost in the city landscape. She had been sitting there for almost an hour now, contemplating what happened not so long ago. Every single moment was impressed in her mind, impossible to remove. And that was good. She didn't want to forget. Everything she felt, she fully deserved it. After all, that was all her fault. The very least she could do was bear the guilt for her own actions.

A soft breeze blew on her, but she paid it no mind, still too far absorbed in her thoughts.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?"

She hadn't heard the changeling approach, but still she was not surprised to find him sitting right next to her, behaving like nothing bad had happened. Deep down she knew this is what Beast Boy does when one of his teammates (the fact that 70% of the time teammates stands for Raven is completely random) feels down, and to be fair she was glad he was here, trying to comfort her... but she couldn't accept it. She didn't deserve it.

A full minute of silence followed Beast Boy words. Raven slowly raised her head, but she never glanced at his direction, eyes still lost on the sight before her.

"Leave me alone, Beast Boy."

Her words were slow and heavy. She was not in the mood for one of their usual spitefully friendly banter.

The green boy obviously paid her no attention at all. As a matter of fact, he actually moved closer, now standing mere inches from her.

"No, seriously. This is like, one the most coolest night ever! Look, you can even see the Moon! Well, at least I think that's the Moon... I mean, it's kinda roundy, so..."

He stopped when he saw the look on her face. Usually, whenever he started rambling she would silently glare at him, and on good days she would even drop a casual and friendly insult. Now, however, she simply kept staring into the nothing, completely ignoring him. Huh, I guess she really feels bad about earlier...

He dropped his gaze, and looked at the urban view himself. They stood there in silence for another full minute, before he decided to drop the bomb.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Her reaction had been minimal, but still noticeable to his enhanced senses. She stiffed, and took a longer breath, before answering him.

"No, I don't. Please, leave me alone."

"Raven, talking about it helps, believe me."

"Beast Boy. Leave. Me. Alone." Annoyance. Good. She was about to crack.

"Raven..."

"What do you want from me Beast Boy!" she angrily hissed in his ear. Well, cracked her open he did...

"You want me to admit it?! To say it aloud for everyone to ear?! Very well then! I'm a MONSTER! A DEMON!"

She was basically shouting, but at least she was looking at him now. And now he could see it, the anguish and self-loathing in her eyes. He didn't flinch from her verbal abuse. He know he had to help her.

"I'm a monster. A demon..." Her tone considerably lowered, her eyes moved away from him, but he could still see tears starting to form. He quickly embraced her, trying to soothe her as best as he could.

Despite what she wanted, however, she didn't return the hug. She couldn't. Not after what she'd done.

Earlier, the same night.

It's hardly a surprise anymore. If it involves "nerdy" collections of any kind, then it's surely Control Freak. At least, during their early years, there was still the thrill of the unknown...

Still, same story or no, they had a mission, and that mission was to stop that overgrowth crybaby.

Robin quickly scanned the area, searching for advantages and possible escape routes. They were in an underground vault, with only the main access as an entrance. Well, that and the huge hole right next to it. Apparently Control Freak wanted to also make a scene, but right next to the door? Oh well..

The villain himself was literally drooling over the comic's collection, but had been there for almost a minute now. Either he was really that dumb, or he was waiting for someone.

Not wanting to disappoint the wanna-be criminal, Robin jumped over a nearby shelf, previously knocked down by the explosion, while the remaining Titans positioned themself around their leader, not unlike a wolf pack ready to devour a more than willing prey.

"Aren't you a little too old for petty thieving, Freak?" The villain quickly turned around, but was far from surprised or afraid. He had been expecting them, after all.

"Ah, if it isn't the Titans, my greatest and most dangerous rivals! If only yo..."

Robin was sure he had at least a couple more hours of monologue ready, but that was cut short when a huge, black energy hand seized the poor criminal, and sent him flying against the wall behind him.

That in itself was unexpected. How often did Raven lose control like that? Never actually. And for what? Control Freak had always been know to have an huge and completely unfounded ego, but it had never affected the sorceress before.

That's not how it ended however. The black hand, still holding a now screaming and agonizing Control Freak, lifted itself only to throw the criminal against a nearby bookshelf, a showcase and another wall. The Titans were dumbstruck. Before they could stop their teammate, however, they noticed something really unsettling. During the whole time, Raven had been smirking, and had even laughed a bit. But worst of all were her eyes... eye white with power... and not red.

Raven was not overcome by rage, she was in full control.

Beast Boy was still embracing Raven as the events of the night flashed back in his mind. In truth, he could relate to her feelings. The beast inside him was always there, waiting for an opportunity to strike, so he understood the necessity of action. For them, fighting crime was not only an act of justice; it was also a mean to safely let out their inner demons.

Tonight, however, had been the first time the half demon lost it so badly. Even their first encounter with Dr. Light had not been so bad, as at the time she was being influenced by her father.

Letting go of her, he tried to look at her eyes, but she kept her gaze down.

"Please, just leave me alone..."

"You know I won't do that." He cupped her chin with his hand, raising her face to his. He could see she was on the verge of tears.

"Raven, it's ok. Believe me, I get it. It's ok."

"Ok? Ah, how's that ok?" She moved her eyes away from him. "I.. I almost..."

"Almost what, Rae? Tell me."

The sorceress closed her eyes shut, not wanting to admit it. But they both knew she had to, she because of her powers and he because he knew denial solved nothing. They both learned that on their very own skins.

"I... I..." The half demon started, but she couldn't avoid the stutter. She was terrified. Terrified of what she had done. Of what she was. And especially of what he would think of her if she continued.

"I... grabbed Control Freak... a-and I... I throw him around. I h-hurted him... and I... and I enjoyed it..."

Tears were now sliding on her cheeks, but they paid them no mind.

"I loved it... Azar... I'm a monster..."

Beast Boy firmly grabbed her shoulders, gaining her attention.

"Raven, look at me." She did, but she didn't know why. Why was he trying to help her?

"Believe me, I know how you're feeling. You're not a monster. Do you think I am a monster?" she slowly gestured 'no' with her head. "And yet I like hurting my enemies. Damn, I love it! It makes me feel good. I love seeing them bleeding, because I know they're now easy prey. I love seeing them fleeting, because I know they're scared of me. And I love seeing them curling and trembling in fear, because that makes me feel proud and strong and better than them." Raven was now looking at him with wide eyes. She knew he experienced stronger instincts due to his powers, but she never knew they were this strong. She never knew he had her same problems.

"Does all this makes me a monster? I know I thought so for a very long time."

No, he was wrong. He was not a monster. He was sweet and loving and funny. He was the most caring person she knew. She was the half demon. She was the sassy, short tempered one. She was the one who loved violence. She was the monster here. Not him.

"No. No, you're not."

"I know it now. You told me so, long ago."

She raised her eyebrows, wondering what he meant, when it struck her. The beast...

"Raven, it's not about who we are, what we are, who our parents are or whatever. It's about what we do, and what we've done and what we'll do. You're a hero, Rae. You saved thousands of lives, you saved this entire world... damnit, the entire universe when you stopped you're father. How can someone as good as that be a monster?"

Her eyes were starting to get watery again, but he wasn't finished.

"And I know, tonight you lost it. But you have to consider that this past month has been a pain in the butt to bear, even to me. And let's not forget that as soon as we called to you, you dropped that loser and went back in control. And surely you're thinking that someday you could lash out at us, but believe me, we know you probably better than yourself. We know that won't happen. So, you know... it's all right. No harm done."

He was smiling by the end of his speech, and Azar forbid she was too, but she couldn't care. Besides, if she really wanted to regain her composure she should stop crying first.

"Ok, you are right." She nodded her head to empathize. "Thank you, Beast Boy."

His grin only grew larger at that. "Don't mention it. That's what you've done for me too."

She nodded again, and sat herself to look at the city once again, but this time the thoughts plaguing her mind were of a completely different nature. After a couple more minutes, they left the roof for their respective bedrooms. The following day she would have to explain herself to Robin and the others, but know she was not afraid of the encounter anymore. She knew the Titans would always have her back, and now, thanks to Beast Boy, she felt confident to watch their backs too.