Thanks to everyone who reviewed/favorited/alerted this story :)
Enjoy this next chappie! Oh, and if you're curious, I'll put more detail in the training sessions soon-just not in this chappie. You'll thank me later ;D
"So what are you in the mood for?" Beast Boy asked Raven.
"I don't care," Raven said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Hmm. Since we're going to the movies, do you wanna eat there or...?"
"I guess that's fine."
Beast Boy nodded, making a turn. Raven's palms got sweaty; the movies. Just great. The perfect move for a guy to try 'the moves' on the girl. A part of her mind wouldn't mind to feel his arms wrapped around her and...
Azarath Metrion Zinthos...she chanted to herself, trying to remain calm. Can't think about it too much...
He pulled up in a parking space about seven minutes later. Again, just like before, he beat her to it and opened the door for her. She stepped out and muttered a thanks to him. This was something she could get used to...
"Whaddaya wanna see?" He asked her.
"FRIENDS!"
Raven's eyes widened. "Oh no..."
"What?"
Raven tapped his shoulder a few times and pointed. Beast Boy looked in the desired direction, only to start grinning as Robin and Starfire walk over to them; while Starfire was all happy and giddy, Robin was somewhat reluctant, his hands in his pockets. He had kept his earlier attire, but just added a jacket and sneakers. Starfire was wearing a brown leather jacket, a white dress with brown designs on it, and matching boots; her hair was also curled..
Starfire clasped her hands together. "Oh isn't this a coincidence!" She gasped as she looked closer at Raven's eyes, cupping her cheeks. "And Raven, you're wearing the lining of eyes!"
Raven's eyes narrowed, taking Starfire's hands off her face. "Don't I feel like a windchime," she deadpanned.
"Uh, dude?" Beast Boy said to Robin, his eyes screaming questions.
"Starfire...convinced me to...go out," Robin managed.
Beast Boy grinned again. "Oh. Hehehehe."
"Shut up."
Starfire laced her fingers with his. "Shall we pick a movie then?"
"No chick flicks," Raven said automatically.
Starfire whined. "Why not?"
"Because it was originally me and Beast Boy alone," Raven said back, sliding her arm through Beast Boy's. "So we get to pick."
Beast Boy, impressed, looked smug. "You heard the lady."
"I see…" Starfire mused, exchanging glances with Robin on the slick side. "Okay, friend. You may do the choosing. We shall wait patiently. Originally, this was your…night to do the hanging out."
Raven arched an eyebrow, and Starfire winked at her. The empath rolled her eyes, and the changeling talked her through the movie choices that they had, walking away to give them a little space from the other couple to make a decision.
"…And I think that's it," Beast Boy finished.
"Oh…it is?" Raven honestly didn't think that any of the movie choices sounded boring. "Well…I guess we could see…" Her voice trailed off as she cut her eyes to the nearest movie poster. "Jet Fusion: Die Again?"
"Rodger that," Beast Boy replied before looking over his shoulder. "Hey, guys! We're gonna see that new Jet Fusion movie."
Robin and Starfire walked up to them, arm in arm.
"What's it rated?" Robin asked, looking at the movie poster.
"Dude, does it matter?" Beast Boy snickered, and approached the ticket booth. "Four tickets to the Jet Fusion movie, please."
"Are you even old enough to see this-" The ticket woman started, looking up; she gasped when she saw who was standing there, and gasped again when the leader stepped to the front. "The Teen Titans! My five year-old loves you."
"Send your little bumgorf our regards!" Starfire said with a smile.
The ticket woman looked confused at Starfire's use of Tamaranian language.
"Starfire and I are of age to see this movie," Robin explained, casually leaning across the table a little, arms crossed on it; he had one of his mesmerizing smiles going on. "And since we are, Beast Boy and Raven can see it too, right?"
"O-Of course," the ticket woman stammered as Robin slid forty dollars in her hands. She handed him the tickets. "E-Enjoy the m-movie."
"Thanks."
Beast Boy snickered, and the four of them went inside.
Starfire kept staring at Robin, making him notice.
"What?" Robin asked.
"You don't know what you do to other females on this planet, do you?" She asked him.
"Huh?"
"Well…" Starfire twisted her leg back and forth, looking at the floor. "I think the right term to use is…'dazzle'?"
Robin blinked. "Dazzle?" He echoed.
"Yes, you do the dazzling. When you talk to some girls, they get the nervous feeling and smile and giggle at you." Starfire looked up to meet his curious gaze. "I see you honestly didn't know…Please forgive me I-"
"Don't worry about it, Star," Robin reassured her, and she smiled. "I just have one question though."
"And what's that?"
Robin stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. "Have I ever dazzled you?"
Starfire's cheeks turned pink. "You…still do…" she murmured, avoiding his gaze with difficulty.
Robin smiled.
"Way to go, Rae," Beast Boy joked as they turned around, food and beverages in their hands. "Wonder what its rated R for this time."
"Quit being childish," Raven sniped. "And I can't help choosing a movie with an R-rating. Unlike some people, I can actually be mature like an adult."
"I can be mature too!" Beast Boy countered, and Raven arched an eyebrow.
"Uh huh."
"What, I can! Bet it!"
Raven sighed. "Fine."
Beast Boy grinned. "Okay. I bet that I can be mature throughout the entire movie, and only laugh when it's appropriate. If I win, then you have to play video games with me for a week!" He finished excitedly. Oh, if he won…
"Okay…and if I win, then it's no video games or TV for you for a week," Raven said. "When you have that urge to do those pointless activities, go grab a book."
Beast Boy's grin almost went playfully evil. "You're on."
Robin and Starfire walked up to them, taking what Beast Boy and Raven claimed was theirs. Robin and Starfire were sharing a big bowl of popcorn and soda, Beast Boy had various candies, a big bowl of popcorn, and a large coke, and Raven had a blue slush. The two pairs made small talk as they walked down the emptying hallway, entering theater number 4. The lights were just now dimming down, and they were just in time for the movie to begin.
Raven sat down first, Beast Boy sitting next to her, Robin sitting next to him, and Starfire taking up the other end.
"This…room of theaters that we are in…" Starfire said, now observant as she looked around. "It's almost empty besides us and five other people. Why is that, Robin?"
"I think this movie has been out for a while, Star," Robin answered. "Here, when a movie has been playing for a long time, less people show up."
"Oh, I see!"
"It's always better," Beast Boy told her, and Starfire smiled at him.
The main credits rolled on the screen, and Beast Boy took a deep breath. This was it. The bet has begun. No more silliness. No more witty comments. No more snickering at romantic scenes.
He started off well, smiling and laughing at all of the comedic parts; he and Starfire were laughing the most, with Robin a close second. Of course, Raven stayed still with her poker face; even if something was remotely funny, you could never tell with her.
During some of the action packed scenes, Beast Boy snuck a few glances at Raven; right now she was sipping on her slush quietly, her free arm crossed over her lap. Her eyes flickered over to him, and he looked away quickly with a smirk on his face. Raven rolled her eyes, shaking her head, and she…smiled. Just a little.
Of course.
Their little eye game continued for the majority of the movie, Beast Boy's obvious smugness because he had the confidence of winning the bet easily, and Raven just looking at him because she knows the exact moment when he'd look at her again.
Raven did not want to play video games. It wasn't her thing. That was Terra's thing. There were so many things that Terra was that Raven wasn't. Terra was fun and loud, Raven was more down-to-earth and quiet. Terra played video games. Raven read books.
If Beast Boy did win the bet, then would she start to like playing video games because he was involved?
Hmm…maybe.
Around the falling action was when Beast Boy started to crack. It just happened to have been a very passionate love scene between Jet and his love interest. His eyes widened. His throat dried. His heartbeat raced.
And he had that very strong urge to say something immature.
Out of the corner of his eye, Raven was slightly smirking at him. There was no way he could turn this opportunity down…She was going to win…She was actually gonna win a bet against the prankster himself!
Don't do it, BB, Beast Boy thought. Quick! What's Robin doing?
He looked over at his friend, trying not to be too obvious about it, and prayed that his masked leader wasn't making out with the Tamaranian princess. It turned out they weren't. Robin was calm on the exterior, Starfire cuddled into his side as much as their seats could allow; their fingers were laced together, and they stared at the on-screen couple making love as if it was any other thing.
Beast Boy's mouth almost dropped. How do they do it? How does HE do it?
Oh yeah. Cuz he's Robin the freakin' Boy WONDER that's why. He's always showing off without trying. Hmm. Maybe he gets it from Batman. That dude's gotta be verrry mature…Batman…Duuuude, I want to meet him soooo bad!
Focus, BB…back on subject…Just think of something other than what's going on on-screen…
Raven…
No, thinking of Raven will make you think of-
Yeah…That. Uh…Bad idea.
But she smells reeeallly good and-
La la la, puppy, squirrels, puppy, squirrels! Squeak, woof, squeak, woof! Or is it arff? Arff, arff!
Finally, the scene ended, and Beast Boy exhaled the breath he had been holding.
Raven frowned.
"I win the beeeeet, I win the beeeeet!" Beast Boy sang as they walked out the theater, Raven grumbling, and Robin and Starfire shooting questionable looks at the two. Beast Boy wasn't noticing them though. He was doing his victory dance, pushing and rolling out his arms over and over again, moving his feet every now and then, almost in a half-moonwalk motion. "Go Beast Boy! Go Beast Boy! Isha birthday! Isha birthday! Uh huh! Uh huh! Who's ya daddy? Who's the boss? I'm the boss! I'm the-"
Raven smacked her hand over his mouth, shutting him up.
"Alright. We get it. You won the stupid bet, so shut up about it!" she growled, causing a fearful look to come across Beast Boy's face at her dark expression.
"What's Raven talking about?" Starfire asked, and Raven removed her hand from Beast Boy's mouth.
"Me and Raven made a bet," Beast Boy explained. "If I couldn't be mature throughout the entire movie, then it's no TV or video games for a week on her end of the bargain."
"And since you won…" Robin said.
"She has to play video games with me for a week," Beast Boy said with a wide grin, and Raven groaned dryly.
"Um…" Robin scratched the back of his head. "Alright then…good luck with that."
Don't worry, Rae! Brave said encouragingly from inside Raven's head. We can take him down easily!
Yeah…Raven thought. If I knew how to play…
Wednesday
Since Robin had kept the Titans extremely busy with patrol duties around the city for hours on end the following day, Beast Boy couldn't have his fun with Raven on Tuesday.
Today was Wednesday, and it was 1:00 p.m. Robin had called the Titans down to the training room.
What was waiting for them took everyone by surprise. Starfire…not so much.
The training room was entirely transformed, more modern now. The entrance doors, along with the entire wall was made out of glass. The Titans entered to observe everything else. Above them was a T-shaped skylight with a perfect view of the sky. To the left was a walkway that led to five different stalls, each with their name on it; Robin and Beast Boy's were on the left side of the wall, Starfire and Raven's on the right, and Cyborg's in the center back. The walls varied, the one they stood across was made out of glass, while the ones on the left and right were grey; the left wall had a one-way mirror in the upper center, and it had the same training controls and monitors that they used when they trained outside. The floor was covered by a blue mat (the same ones gymnasts use).
"O-kaaay," said Beast Boy.
"Titans," Robin's voice came from somewhere, possibly the control room. They couldn't see him. "Go to your stalls and put on what I have for you. All will be explained in a minute."
Exchanging curious glances, the Titans did what they were told and stepped into their stalls, closing and locking the doors.
Raven turned around and looked around in hers. It was like a changing room in the mall. She was standing in front of a body-length mirror. There was a hook on each side of her, hanging off the wall. One was empty, while another one contained something leathery and black.
Arching an eyebrow, Raven put it on.
Finishing up, putting her costume on the other hanger, Raven looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a skin-tight black leather bodysuit. It had a collar that covered half her neck, in which she had zipped it up all the way. On the left breast cup it had the Teen Titans T logo on it. Between her waistline and chest nestled a belt with a rectangular silver buckle. On her waist was another belt, but it was a weapon belt-however, it was free of weapons. She had also found fingerless leather gloves that matched, which almost made her smile.
Lucky this suit came with a zipper, Raven thought, turning this way and that. It would've been impossible to get into if it hadn't came with the thing.
She opened the door when she heard Beast Boy and Starfire's voices.
"Why does Robin have us wearing these monkey suits? Are we gonna be going into the Matrix?"
"Suit of monkeys? And what is this Matrix? It sounds like the course of obstacles."
The two turned around as Raven emerged. Their suites matched Raven's for the most part, except for Starfire's, which was sleeveless and had leather arm warmers with thumbholes and leather straps that had metal buckles, eyelets, and a metal o-ring. There was a v-shaped cut around the bust area, giving a nice view but there was enough covered to be safe. Beast Boy's suite was almost identical to Raven's, but instead it hugged him in the most masculine ways.
Cyborg came out slowly, looking at his hands; he too matched Raven and BB, but he wasn't just looking at his hands. He was looking at his human hands.
"Don't look at me like that!" Cyborg said, seeing his friend's astonished looks. "It just…happened."
"I used the technology from your rings to power your suit," Robin explained, now emerging as his team stepped out on the mat, side by side to wait for further instruction. The only difference between Raven's, Beast Boy's, and Cyborg's suits are that his weapon belt was full, but other than that, he matched them.
Cyborg grinned. "Boo yah."
Robin grinned briefly before he examined everyone. "You guys look great. Guess I was pretty accurate about your sizes."
"Dude, that's so weird…" Beast Boy made a face. "You've been paying attention to our bodies?"
"I'm the leader of this team, Beast Boy," Robin said with a roll of his eyes. "I have to know certain things, so when I did this, everything would turn out fine."
"Well, you did a good job," Cyborg complimented.
"Yes, you did," Starfire agreed, beaming at Robin, and his cheeks turned pink.
"Glad you think so," Robin said with a nod, and he snuck a wink in Starfire's direction, making her giggle. "Anyway, this just happened to be Starfire's idea. In case anything did happen to your powers, how would you fight crime? Well, you're going to learn how to from now on. Of course, there's the usual training, but these will occur often as well. I'll let you guys know at breakfast when we'll have power training, and when we'll have hand-to-hand combat training. I'm also aware that each of you know a little bit, but of course that's not gonna get you anywhere."
Gee, that's amazing, Beast Boy thought sarcastically, and Raven almost giggled; she could feel his sarcasm rolling off of him like strong waves. It was very amusing, especially with the look on his face.
"There are several methods and styles of martial arts," Robin continued, "and each of you will develop a style that melds into your crime fighting as you use your powers. I can't teach you everything I know within a couple weeks, but I'll get you to where you need to be.
"Now," he stopped pacing. "Knowing Slade, I have had experience with him and his…combat methods. They are very different from what I am going to teach you-however teaching you what he knows will be a huge benefit for us-because we'll know his every move." His gaze darkened, even behind his mask. "This will be a challenge, so it's best if you get some practice in whenever you can.
He took a deep breath. "As you also know, I am not the only one who formed an alliance with Slade. In fact, she's been with him much longer-and he had trained her during her betrayal. She'll be mostly teaching you girls," he nodded to Starfire and Raven. He caught the slight disappointment in both pairs of eyes, and he knew for different reasons. "While she's here of course. That doesn't mean that I won't be teaching you anything," he reassured.
Starfire smiled and Raven nodded once.
"Terra?" He said.
The blonde emerged from the control room with the slightest of limps, wearing the same suit as Robin (excluding the feminine obviousness).
"Hey, guys," she said, cracking her knuckles.
"Will you be okay with your…?" Beast Boy asked, gesturing towards Terra's ankle.
"Even with an injury like this, he forced me to train and fight," Terra answered, and Beast Boy stayed quiet after that. This time, she spoke to everyone. "I'm just here to be Robin's assistant, and also to show Starfire and Raven Slade's style of fighting…from a female's perspective. As he said, I have been with Slade for the longest, and trust me it was hell." She inhaled a slightly shaky breath. "I seriously thought there was no way out for me back when I sacrificed myself. But…I did came back, and I tried to forget." Her eyes flickered in Beast Boy's direction. "I never wanted to be that girl who betrayed her friends by being persuaded by false kindness and lies. But now that I'm on the right path…" Her eyes hardened. "I won't stop until justice is served. And Robin and I have talked…We've come to a decision."
"What's that?" Raven asked.
"When it comes down to it…" Terra was brave enough to look Raven dead in the eyes. "It'll be me and Robin to defeat Slade in the end."
Raven's head fell forward an inch, closer to the blonde. "What?"
"What?" Starfire echoed.
"You better let me fight with you," Raven almost growled. "You two aren't the only ones who are in deep shit with Slade."
"What?" Beast Boy and Cyborg said next.
"No, Raven," Robin said. "You already have Malchior to deal with. I already have it planned out, and I have a feeling that there are a few more showdowns before the final one. When that time comes, me and Terra will go after Slade, Starfire and Cyborg will take on Kitten, Johnny, and Cheshire," each pair nodded at their acknowledgement, "Beast Boy, you and Raven will take down Malchior. I think it's better if you two work together."
Beast Boy and Raven exchanged glances, silently agreeing with one another. Beast Boy couldn't agree more with Robin's suggestion, and Raven sighed in relief. Like Malchior said, she couldn't fight him alone. She and Beast Boy would have the opportunity to work together.
"Although I'm not very fond of the…couple choices," Starfire said, "I will do what is best for the team."
"Don't worry, Star," Cyborg said, giving her a side hug. "We can take 'em any day."
Starfire smiled half-heartedly.
"If his army gets bigger, and I bet they will," Terra began.
"Then we'll call all Titans," Robin finished, and Terra nodded. "There's no way Slade could get away with anything again. All of us will be there, waiting for him."
The rest of the Titans exchanged glances, nodding simutaneously.
"Alright," Robin said, now raising his voice. "Let's warm up. Get used to wearing these."
7:12 p.m.
Around five o'clock, Robin finally let the Titans go get some rest, and an hour after that was dinner. Terra stayed for that, and then Cyborg offered her a ride home; she accepted it, and they left around seven.
Beast Boy, back in his white and purple suit, was playing video games by himself. He seemed content, finally getting to do this instead of going against Cyborg all the time. Don't get him wrong, he loved going one-on-one with his half-robotic friend, but it was always good to get to play the Story Mode where there's only One-Player-however, the one that he was playing offered a Two-Player mode, which automatically happened if the other controller was turned on.
He felt the couch sink down beside him and paused the game to look. Raven, who was also back in her costume, her hood over her head, had sat down next to him wordlessly. He grinned wide as she reluctantly picked up the other controller.
"Glad you could make it," he grinned at her.
Raven rolled her eyes. "Just...show me how to play the stupid thing." Her thumbs did a little dance hovering over the buttons, pressing a few as she did so. "How come this isn't working?"
"Um...first, you have to turn the controller on," Beast Boy said, reaching over and pressed his thumb down on the big green X; his arm brushed against her hand.
Raven looked down at her lap. "...I knew that."
"It's really a basic game...once you get the hang of it," Beast Boy explained, pointing to each button as he described them. "The A button is the jump button-the longer you hold, the longer you're in the air. The X button punches, and the B button kicks."
"What does Y do?"
"It helps create combos-like XY, BY, XXY, XXB, XXYBA. Kinda one of those buttons that is just there."
Raven blinked.
"The left thumbstick helps you move, and the right thumbstick controls the camera angle-though you won't use it that often," Beast Boy continued. "The LB and RB buttons stand for Left Bumper and Right Bumper. Then the onces behind them-the LT and RT-stand for Left Trigger and Right Trigger. Can't really explain that one-those are the buttons that you press when you jab at everything during gameplay. They also help with power ups for your character."
Beast Boy waited for Raven to say something, but she kept staring at him, almost dumbfoundedly. Raven had played video games a couple times before (once because Beast Boy stuck her hands to the controller, and the other time because it was Robin she was playing with, and Starfire and Beast Boy were urging them on. It was also one of her very rare 'nice days')
"Don't worry, I'll talk you through it," Beast Boy told her with a wink, and Raven blushed under her hood.
The first ten minutes were a disaster. Raven had no idea what she was doing, yet Beast Boy had the patience to pause the game every time, showing her how to get it right; he even placed his fingers on hers, pressing down repeatedly to show her how to do a certain move. Even though she missed his touch when it was gone, she finally got it.
Sort of.
After an hour of that game, Beast Boy changed it to a much simpler one (in her opinion)-which was a skateboard game. She even got the chance to create her own character, which was a fully human version of herself with black hair instead of purple. Beast Boy's character was blonde hair and blue eyed, and she wondered if he had created his character that way on purpose. Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg's characters were saved as well, Robin looking the most like his character, while Starfire's character had regular green irises, and Cyborg's was minus the metal and muscle.
This game she kind of enjoyed, and she got the hang of it quicker than she had with the first game.
Cyborg had came back, oblivious to the two, and grinned at what he saw; he thought about saying something, but then he just waved it off and headed to his room.
The hours passed, but Raven was too captivated to notice.
Of course, she didn't let Beast Boy know that; then the 'I told you so's would begin and never stop.
Beast Boy and Raven were now in slightly slumped positions, their eyes glued to the screen. Their shoulders and arms were up against each other.
The changeling leaned his head against Raven's shoulder lightly, just so not to push anything too far.
"Raven?"
His closeness brought heat to rise in her cheeks.
"What?" she deadpanned.
"Thanks for doing this. I know you'd rather have nothing to do with video games."
"Oh," Raven said. That was...kind of sweet. Now I feel kind of bad..."No problem."
Beast Boy grinned and lifted his head. "How 'bout we make things fair?"
"Fair how?"
"Why don't we...meditate sometime? Together?" Beast Boy suggested.
Beast Boy. Her. Alone. Meditating.
There was only one problem.
Beast Boy. Meditating.
Not likely. The boy can never stay still!
"But meditating bores you..." Raven said slowly.
"Like video games bore you," Beast Boy said, and paused the game. "So whaddaya say?"
"I say that's crazy..." Raven admitted.
"So crazy..." Beast Boy continued for her with an accent, and he looked forward as he said, "It just. Might. Work."
Raven clenched her temples. "You watch too much Master of Disguise."
1:09 a.m.
Three soft knocks sounded on Starfire's door.
"Star?" Robin whispered as her door slid open. He stepped inside quietly, and the door closed behind him. He was slightly shaky as he came around Starfire's bed, approaching the sleeping alienness.
The moonlight shined through her room, and he could get a better view of her. Her back was currently to him as she lay on her side, wearing a lavender purple cami; he couldn't see anything else, because her comforter was pulled up to her waist. Her hair was splayed out over her pillow, and her face was calm and peaceful, clear of any stress or any other emotions.
"Star," Robin whispered again, gently shaking her shoulder. "Starfire."
Starfire started to wake up, moaning sleepily at the sudden movement.
"Mm?" Her voice was an octave higher than usual; her eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to his silhouette. "Robin, what is it? Are we under attack?"
"No," he said, shaking his head.
"Then what...?" Starfire turned so she could see him better, laying on her backside. The moonlight then shined across half his face; his cheeks were wet, and his breath could be heard hitching unevenly in his throat. "Have you been...crying?"
"Kinda..." Robin admitted. "Sorry I woke you up, but..."
"No. Please," Starfire said, patting the spot next to her.
Robin nodded and headed the other way, sliding in bed next to her. He laid down on his back, turning his head to look at her. Starfire turned back on her side, bringing their faces closer.
"What bothers you at this hour?" Starfire asked him gently. She lifted her hand and extended it, resting it on his cheek. "Did you...have another nightmare?"
Robin sighed, closing his eyes, and he rose his hand to lace their fingers together. He nodded.
"Was it about your parents again?"
Robin nodded again. "And...and you were in it. I-I couldn't save you. I was too late. And when I finally got to you, I...you were...you were..." He couldn't finish.
"Shh," Starfire shushed gently, moving over to cuddle into his side, wrapping her arms around him. "You don't have to say any more."
He embraced her back automatically, burying his face in her hair. They stayed still, in each other's arms for a while, listening to the other person's breathing. It calmed him, and his breathing slowed to a more normal pace.
"Mind if I stay for the night?" he murmured in her ear.
"You're always welcome," she murmured back, and he kissed her forehead.
"Thank you."
"Mhmm," Starfire smiled and lifted her head to kiss him softly on the lips. She lifted her leg to get more comfortable, her skin rubbing against his.
"Starfire?"
"Yes?"
"What exactly are you wearing?"
"Oh just a shirt and the usual undergarments. Why?"
Robin smiled in the dark. "...Nothing."