Hello readers, what's up. Fair warning, this chapter might be a little slow, but I promise next chapter will be a lot more interesting. After this the setup is basically complete and we can get into the meat and potatoes of the story. As for having Beast Boy have ADHD, I didn't originally include that in my plan for writing, and full disclosure I've already written up to chapter 7, so I will try and include some of the symptoms of ADHD, but I can't say that he specifically is diagnosed with it. I do have a couple friends who have ADHD and they all say they don't have an internal monologue, which is kinda funny and if you don't know what that means ask someone with ADHD about it, but I am planning on writing another fanfic where Deathstroke rescues Beast Boy from Galtry, and I have not written anything for that yet so I'll keep that in mind.
Chapter Three: A More Average Day
Beast Boy tapped his foot impatiently, letting out a sigh as he sat back against the edge of the roof. It was Thursday, his and Star's flying day. And she was late. Beast Boy checked his communicator. 2:13, and no new messages. Starfire was always on time for everything. Where was she?
Hopefully it wasn't Robin. If that man was involved with Star's holdup, she wouldn't be showing up for another half hour. Not that he wouldn't be happy for the lovely couple, but Robin knew their schedule! He had even sent them off a couple times! He got to see Star all the time, this was their moment.
Beast Boy tapped his communicator, his fingers hovering over the virtual keyboard. But he decided against it, slipping his communicator back into his pocket. If she was late, she would have a good reason for it.
Finally, Star opened the door. "Apologies for my tardiness dear friend, friend Raven was in need of the advice."
"Raven? Need advice? Yeah right, what did someone ask her out?" Beast Boy laughed.
Starfire merely giggled. "No friend Beast Boy. Do not worry, it is nothing of grave importance, and I cannot break the vow of secrecy that binds all of the girl talks."
"I know, no poking. Alright, what bird should I be today? I'm thinking maybe a condor or albatross, what do you think?" Beast Boy wondered.
"Friend Beast Boy, I admire all your avian forms! I am afraid I cannot make the choice between them," Starfire said.
"So you make me make the hard choice? Cmon Star, help a guy out," Beast Boy pleaded.
"They are your forms, you would know which one is best," Star argued.
"Yeah, and I've considered and I gave you options and now I need your advice," Beast Boy said.
Starfire giggled at his tactic and conceded. "Very well, I think a condor would be an admirable choice."
"Good choice!" Beast Boy exclaimed, jumping off the edge and plummeting towards the ground. Halfway through the fall, he turned into a condor and flattened his trajectory, skimming over the water before flapping his wings to gain altitude. A moment later, Starfire appeared next to him, laughing in joy. Beast Boy squawked at her and shot into the sky, Star quickly catching up. Beast Boy knew he could never outpace the Tamaranean princess, but he had his ways of keeping her on her toes. Beast Boy looped around Star and perched on her head. Star giggled and together they soared over the ocean.
The two Titans shared a love of flying. Flying was exhilarating, it made them feel alive, feel free. They were able to rid themselves of any earthly tethers and sail above the troubles of the world. They had made it a weekly ritual to go flying together after Beast Boy had accidentally hit her with a balloon full of motor oil.
Beast Boy unfurled his wings and unclenched his talons from her hair, letting the wind lift him off Starfire's head. He sailed for a moment before diving, gaining speed as he plummeted towards the ocean. He unfolded his wings just over the surface, skimming just above the waterline. He dipped the tip of his wing into the water, sending a spray into the air. Starfire whooped above him, and he looked up to see her twirling up into the sky. With a mighty flap, Beast Boy ascended to join her.
Starfire hovered in the air, absorbing the scene around her. Beast Boy joined her, wings flapping heavily to keep the height. The ocean waved lazily below them, and the city ahead buzzed with life. The few clouds were puffy and light, allowing the warm summer sun to beam down on them. It was a beautiful sight, looking down from above, where nothing could hurt them.
"I would race you around the city?" Starfire smiled.
With a caw, Beast Boy dove, gaining speed. Starfire laughed, rocketing ahead of him with apparent ease. With an annoyed squawk, Beast Boy flapped his wings, gathering even more speed. Yet the Tamaranean princess kept the lead.
Beast Boy was hot on her tail as Starfire weaved through the maze of buildings. Hey look, there was the bank Dr. Light had tried to rob. Ah, so that's where she was heading. If birds could grin, he would be now. Now, he knew not only where she was going, but also a shortcut.
As Starfire barrelled through the air, a straight shot over the Interstate, Beast Boy cut to the right. He bobbed in and out of a few buildings, barely grazing a window on a particularly tight turn. But the goal was in sight. Beast Boy sped towards it, seeing Starfire doing the same out of the corner of his eye. He reached it just ahead of her, shifting into a human and somersaulting onto the concrete as Starfire touched down.
"Haha! Yes! I win! Whoo!" Beast Boy cheered.
"Surely you need your eyes checked, for I touched the ground before you, friend," Starfire replied.
"No way, I got here first," Beast Boy assured her.
Starfire shook her head. "Perhaps your feet landed first, but my finger touched the surface over there."
Turning, Beast Boy saw a thin smoldering line across the edge of the concrete. Beast Boy sighed. "Damn. One day I'm gonna beat you."
Starfire giggled. "One day, friend. Perhaps not soon, but one day."
Beast Boy pouted, then went and sat on the edge of the surface, letting his legs dangle off the side. Starfire joined him, and together they looked over the city. They were on top of the Jaeger Building, headquarters of Jaeger Inc., one of their three spots.
Below them, cars bustled noisily through the streets. People walked and chatted, living out their daily lives. They were peaceful, living in blissful comfort. They didn't have to worry about the next supervillain attack because the Titans were here to watch over them. But who was watching over the Titans?
"Have I ever told you about my brother?" Starfire asked. Her legs were still against the building's edge.
"No," Beast Boy answered.
"I suppose I have been thinking about him much of late. You remarked the other day that you see us as your kin. Friend, you remind me much of my younger brother. He was always a curious and carefree soul. Before the Gordonian attacks, he would often escape into the jungles, and we would spend hours searching for him. He was a warrior too, challenging wild beasts and elite guards alike. But he always acted with honor, treating all his opponents to a small feast after their duels. He liked to laugh, and people liked him. He was well respected in the palace. I have not seen him in a long time. When the Gordonians invaded, my parents thought it best to move him to a secure location so the royal line could be preserved, in case the worst were to happen to me and my sister. I do not know where he resides, nor if he still lives. I believe in my heart that he lives, but fear is heavy on the soul. If he were to die, I believe I would have to return to Tamaran, and I would have to become Queen. Perhaps not, since I crowned Galfore as Grand Ruler. But I fear for my brother. I do not know the peril he may be in. Our planet may have signed a treaty, but my brother is still in danger. I wish he could return home."
Beast Boy nodded. "I miss Africa. I think your brother would like it there too. There's plenty of jungle and it's warm. The beasts probably aren't as ferocious as what you've got, but they can be nasty. Despite everything I've been through, this new place that I found, this new home, this new family, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Wherever your brother is, I'm sure he's happy."
Starfire sniffled, a tear falling down her cheek. "Thank you Friend Beast Boy."
"Anytime sister."
They sat in silence for a while. Starfire leaned back, kicking her legs carelessly in the air. "What a glorious day this is! It reminds me of the summers on Tamaran when my parents would take us Glapnek hunting! They are the elusive creatures but they taste marvelous in a stew! Truly I wish I could make some for you."
"Er, thanks Star," Beast Boy said.
"You are the most welcome. It is considered a delicacy of the highest degree. It is most unfortunate that you do not partake in the consuming of meat, or I would go and slay a mighty beast for you and cook it. Perhaps there is the fauna that poses a similar challenge?" Starfire asked.
Beast Boy laughed. "Not likely. The most fearsome plants we've got are probably whatever's growing under my bed."
"Then perhaps I will cook that into a stew!" Starfire declared gleefully.
"No!" Beast Boy gasped. "That stuff's probably poisonous!"
Starfire gasped. "This cannot be true! How do you live with such a terrible growth in your sleeping quarters?"
"I'm an animal Star, I adapt," Beast Boy told her.
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Starfire said. "Humans are capable of evolving to survive poisonous plants?"
"Well, it depends on the person and the plant," Beast Boy mused. "But I'm no ordinary dude. I'm Beast Boy!"
"And this allows you to overcome the toxins found beneath your bedsheets?" Starfire asked.
"Uh, yeah, pretty much," Beast Boy said.
"Then why would they be unsafe to consume?" Starfire asked.
"Well, it might be for me, but not for anyone else. It probably tastes bad anyway," Beast Boy said.
Starfire nodded. "Perhaps this is true. Anything that grows from the stain's of one's unwashed laundry likely does not satiate one's appetite."
Beast Boy laughed. "What would sweat mold even taste like? Sounds gross. Eww."
Starfire giggled. "I'm not sure even the most pleasing ingredients could rescue such a concoction."
"You said it girl," Beast Boy said.
Just then, Starfire's communicator dinged, so she pulled it out. "Robin has asked me to aid him with planning a team building activity. I will see you soon, Friend Beast Boy."
"Alright, go get him tiger. Hey, why don't you ask him to talk about it over dinner? Eh?" Beast Boy asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Despite them dating, it was hard for her to get him to go out and do stuff. Sure, they'd have date nights a couple times a month, but Beast Boy thought they should do more activities together.
"I do not know, this sounds of grave importance. Why must we build the team unless the team is incomplete?" Starfire wondered, eyes wide.
"It's an expression, Star, he'll explain it. Anyways, there's this great Korean restaurant a couple blocks from here. You should take him there," Beast Boy said.
"Thank you for the idea, Beast Boy. I am not familiar with the cuisine known as Korean. I do hope Robin likes it!" Starfire exclaimed, shooting into the sky before Beast Boy could explain that Korea was a country. Beast Boy sighed. They were cute together, and it was a relief when they finally got together. All that tension and anticipation finally gone! Cyborg had won the bet of when they would get together, but Beast Boy considered it was a loss he was happy to take, even if he had to escape outside every night to sleep, because, you know, the smell. Beast Boy had personally guessed that it would take another year and a half for the Boy Wonder to muster the courage to ask out the Tamaranean Princess, but he was glad that wasn't the case. It was kinda funny, Starfire hadn't been able to stop flying for two weeks after Tokyo, and she actually, literally glowed.
A strong wind blew by, and a familiar scent filled his nose. That's right, Murakami wasn't far from here. Hopping off the building, he morphed into a swallow and swooping down towards the school.
The school day was just ending as he arrived. Students were heading away from the school, heading towards buses or walking home. Some walked alone while others chatted with their friends. Beast Boy landed on a nearby tree, changing his nose to be more like a vulture's. With the extra olfactory receptors, he was quickly able to detect where the scent was coming from. True to his nose, there she was, walking quickly towards the bus headed to Alvo street. There was no mistaking that blonde hair, that skittish stride, the way she kept her head down and held her books close to her chest. And those eyes. He could never forget those blue eyes. Ones that had once looked to him in desperation, in hope, in hurt, in joy, in anger.
Beast Boy blinked, realizing that she was gone now. The bus heaved, huffing a puff of smoke from the exhaust as it started chugging away. Beast Boy watched it go, keeping his eyes on the bus until it disappeared around a corner. Just like her, it was gone, and the only reminder was the faint smell of smoke and ash.
Beast Boy flinched as a small stick whacked into him. He looked down to see Valeria standing under the tree.
"Hey birdbrain," she called. "Stop stalking teenage girls. I thought Raven was supposed to be the creepy one."
Beast Boy chirped indignantly at that and flitted down to rest on her shoulder. Valeria just rolled her eyes. "What're you doing here anyways?"
Beast Boy tried to shrug as best he could with his bird wings. It didn't work very well, but Valeria seemed to get the message.
"Fine, be that way. I'm heading over to Emily's. Gonna join?" Valeria asked.
Beast Boy chirped and nodded his head. He turned into a nano chameleon and scurried into her backpack. Surrounded by complete darkness, Beast Boy decided that it was an excellent time to test out his other senses. It was part of the training he was doing, but now he could apply it practically. Mento would be so proud.
A typical chameleon had very poor hearing, only able to detect 200-600 Hz. To compensate, Beast Boy changed his ears to those of a crested gecko. Listening, Beast Boy was able to hear outside the bag, Valeria's footsteps, the chatting of those three students nearby, the cars rumbling down the road ahead of him. Although his hearing had been upgraded compared to the average chameleon, it wasn't much compared to a normal person's, much less his own normal senses. His sense of smell, on the other hand, was greatly enhanced. As a chameleon, he could smell about twice as well as an average human, far less than what he was accustomed to. Still, there was a lot of information there, if you knew where to look. Using his sense of smell, he was able to get a good idea of how far they were from the street, based on the concentration and direction of exhaust, could smell those three people in their conversation, and another person walking silently further behind them. Valeria smelled like old motor oil, not nearly as bad as Cy though, her hair had an olive scent from her shampoo and two-three hour old sweat, probably from a gym class.
Valeria jumped on the bus and sat across from what smelled like an old lady. The bus driver smelled like cigarettes and stale beer, and the other three people smelled like coffee and a hint of coconut, grease and sweat, and fast food and sweat respectively. Valeria stayed on the bus for a few stops, tapping her foot gently to whatever song she had playing in her headphones. On the fifth stop, a new smell jumped on the bus. He (it was definitely a male scent) made his way slowly towards the back of the bus. Beast Boy heard him sit next to Valeria. Very close. Valeria moved a foot away, but the man followed after a moment. Beast Boy couldn't see what was happening, but he could smell the drugs on the man, likely amphetamines or cocaine. Beast Boy tensed, considering jumping out and revealing himself.
Luckily he didn't have too, as suddenly Valeria's backpack lurched and he heard cursing, and suddenly they were running. Valeria leaped off the bus, jostling Beast Boy and making him feel sick. They ran for a block or so, before slowing to a halt. Valeria entered the apartment building and took the elevator. Taking elevators as an insect was so weird, it always made him feel like he was floating.
The elevator dinged and Valeria got off and trodded down the hall, which smelled like cedar and bleach. Valeria knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. It came a moment later when Emily opened the door.
"Hey girl, what took you so long?" Emily asked.
"Had a pick up a stray animal," Valeria replied, breezing into the apartment.
"Oh the little Beastie's here to play? I'm so excited! Come on, Marco and I were just watching Sherlock. You and the Beast can grab some snacks and join us," Emily said, heading back to the living room.
"Sharlene here?" Valeria called, entering the kitchen.
"No, she left a while ago. Stella's doing homework, have Beast Boy say hi at some point," Emily called back.
Valeria put her backpack on the ground and unzipped it. Beast Boy crawled out and returned to his normal form. "I will!" He shouted.
"Oh shit, is that the Beast?" Marco called. "What up dawg?"
"It's going amigo," Beast Boy shouted back. "Robin decided to up the intensity of our workouts so I'm really feeling it today."
"You think you got it tough muchacho? Necesito correr tres millas todos los días para llegar a escuela," Marco yelled back.
"Estupido? La escuela está a cinco cuadras de su casa," Valeria yelled back.
"Callate!" Marco rebutted.
Valeria grabbed the bag of popcorn out of the microwave and emptied it into a bowl. She picked up the bowl and a mountain dew and gestured for Beast Boy to take the Cheetos. Beast Boy complied, following her into the living room. Emily was tucked into Marco's chest on the couch facing the television, so Beast Boy and Valeria took the couch next to the window. It got awkward when Emily and Marco started making out. Valeria threw a pillow at the two lovebirds, but it did nothing to deter them. Marco just covered their faces, not at all smothering the sounds. He and Val shared a look. At least she couldn't smell the hormones coming off them.
"Why don't we see what Stella's up to," Val suggested.
"I think that's a good idea," Beast Boy agreed. They both stood up and walked down the hall to Stella's room. Beast Boy pushed the door open. Stella was at her desk, scribbling away at something on her desk. Beast Boy walked up behind her and put her hands an inch in front of her eyes. Stella gasped, whirling around in her chair. She jumped up and hugged him. He returned the hug.
"Hello Beast Boy!" Stella signed, flapping her arms for the word animal in reference to Beast Boy.
"Hello Bird" Beast Boy signed back, his thumb and index finger making a beak.
"I'm making a drawing," Stella signed. "Want to see?"
"Of course!" Beast Boy answered.
Stella turned back to her desk and picked up the paper she had been drawing on. She presented it to Beast Boy with a big grin on her face. The paper depicted a girl in a purple cloak floating over the city.
Beast Boy signed; "Wow! This is good! You drew this?"
Stella nodded enthusiastically, her hair bouncing with every shake of her head. "It's R-A-V-E-N."
Beast Boy grinned at the seven year old spelling out the dark Titan's name. "Yes. You did good."
Stella beamed at him before turning around in her chair and picked up a purple crayon. Beast Boy looked at Valeria, who couldn't resist a grin. "You're not that interesting, verde."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Beast Boy growled. "You know she loves Raven."
"Too bad she's not a kid person," Val said.
"I don't know, you should have seen her with Melvin Timmy and Teether," Beast Boy said. "She liked them a lot more than she let on."
Val gave him the stink eye. "Don't let Stella hear that." Valeria immediately cringed after saying that. "Sorry."
"Come on, let's join back with Emily and Marco. They're done with their make out session," Beast Boy said.
"It's still creepy how you can do that," Valeria said.
"Yeah, well it's not as great as you think. I'm just glad they didn't go any further," Beast Boy said.
"Where'd you guys run off to? I swear if I have to clean up any sheets I'm filing a complaint to Robin," Emily threatened. She was laying across Marco's lap.
"Con Verde? Guácala," Valeria sneered, mock vomiting.
Beast Boy rolled his eyes. "Wow, good to know what you really think of me. No, we just went in to say hi to Stella."
"Aw, nice. I bet she was glad to see you," Emily said.
"Yeah, for all of four seconds," Valeria said.
"You know how she is," Emily said. "Once she gets to be doing something it's hard to get her out of it."
"Don't worry, you're still her second favorite Titan," Valeria nudged him. Beast Boy just stuck his tongue out at her, which she quickly copied.
"Oh!" Emily gasped, sitting up suddenly. "You know what we should do? There's this concert coming in July, and do you know who's singing? The Weeknd! Can you believe it! The Weeknd is coming to Jump City! We should all totally go!"
"I'll go if Beastie goes," Valeria said.
"Why though? You know I probably won't be able to go anyway," Beast Boy said.
"I am so not third wheeling by myself," Valeria said. "But if you're there at least I can escape to the snack bar and let you babysit them."
"I'd have to ask Robin before I can commit," Beast Boy said.
"What is he, your mommy?" Emily laughed.
"No, but he is my boss. On the upside, he might think there will be an attack and want someone there," Beast Boy said.
"What? There's gonna be an attack?" Marco asked.
"Probably not, but Robin's paranoid like that," Beast Boy said.
"Babe, I don't know, what if there is an attack? It could be dangerous," Marco said.
"Don't worry, the Titans will be there. Beast Boy would never let anything happen to us," Emily said. "Isn't that right Beast Boy?"
"That's right. I'm a superhero, I'll always be there for you guys," Beast Boy said.
"See babe, there's nothing to worry about," Emily said, kissing him. "We'll be fine."
Marco still looked worried but sighed. "Fine. If it'll make you happy."
Emily squealed. "Yay! Thank you, you're the best!"
"Alright, I've got to head back to the Tower, I'll see you later," Beast Boy said, walking towards the window.
"Aw, but you just got here," Emily pouted. "It won't be a party without you."
"I know, but I told Cyborg I'd help him retrofit the T-Ship," Beast Boy said.
"What do you even know about retrofitting a spaceship submarine?" Valeria asked, crossing her arms.
"Well, not much, but I'm more of the muscle anyway," Beast Boy grinned, flexing his biceps.
Valeria rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever verde."
"Come on Val, don't be like that. You know me, I don't go back on my word," Beast Boy said.
"Yeah, that's kind of the problem," Valeria mumbled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Beast Boy asked.
Valeria blushed bright red. "Fuck, I forgot you had super hearing. Nevermind."
"Val," Beast Boy groaned.
"Just go. You're busy, right?" Val said. "I'm gonna get some water."
Beast Boy sighed as he watched Val walk away. "Talk to her for me?"
Emily nodded. "I gotchu Beastie."
"Thanks. Tell Stella I said bye," Beast Boy said, crawling out the window as a spider. He crawled to the top of the apartment building before shifting into a Black Phoebe bird and taking flight. He decided to stop at the comic store before returning to the Tower. A new chapter of the manhua The King's Avatar and I'm Not Really the Devil's Lackey was out, so he picked that up. Satisfied with his day, he returned to the Tower. Raven was reading in the common room, and Starfire and Robin were in the kitchen. He listened for a moment, and heard Cyborg in his room using a blowtorch or welding tool of some kind.
"Hey Rae," Beast Boy said. "Do you know where Cyborg is? Me and he were gonna retrofit the T-Ship."
"It's Rae-VEN," Raven snapped. "And no, I have not seen him."
"Dang. Whatcha reading?" Beast Boy asked.
"Why would Cyborg ask for your help to upgrade the T-Ship? You're not exactly known for your technological prowess. I think we all remember the time you gave Cyborg a virus," Raven said.
"Yeah, I'm more of the muscle," Beast Boy grinned, flexing his biceps.
"Doubtful," Raven snarked. "What are those?"
"Hm?" Beast Boy looked at the manhua in his hands. "Oh, just some comics I picked up while I was out."
"Of course you would choose to read that." Raven rolled her eyes.
"Hey! They're a lot better than people give them credit for," Beast Boy argued.
"Sure. If you want to read something actually mentally stimulating, let me know," Raven said, returning to her book, signaling she was done talking. Beast Boy fumed silently, but knew there was no point trying to argue with her now. He stomped out of the common room and made his way towards Cyborg's room. He banged on the door until he heard his best friend shout "What!?"
"Hey Cy, it's me! Ready to jack up the T-Ship?" Beast Boy called.
"Yeah, give me a second. Come on in!" Cyborg called. Beast Boy pressed the button to open his door and gaped at what he saw. Cyborg's room was always either spotless, everything organized and polished, or completely trashed. Cyborg would often get super invested in some project and hole himself up for hours and sometimes days on end, neglecting to eat or clean up after himself. Right now was one of those times. Wrenches and hammers were strewn across the ground, covered in oil and WD-40 and some other liquids he couldn't identify. Nuts and bolts and scrap metal were everywhere. Cyborg sat at his desk, a huge hunk of metal and buttons, levers, gears and lights. He was typing away at his computer, but he had grease stains all over his metallic body. Behind him was some kind of turret on a pedestal.
"Hey Cy, what's that?" Beast Boy asked.
"Working on upgrading the guns on my baby," Cyborg replied. "I had an idea on how to better control the plasma output."
Cyborg turned away from his monitor and towards Beast Boy. "Alright, you ready to bang this bad boy out?"
"You know it!" Beast Boy cried.
"Sweet. I was talking with Tramm, Aqualad's little buddy, and he was telling me about this Atlantean steel they harvest from hydrothermal vents," Cyborg said. "It seems like it's ideal for deep sea travel, being able to withstand enormous pressure. I'm still not sure how it'll do in space though."
"Huh. That's cool," Beast Boy said.
"I know. Come on, this T-Ship ain't gonna upgrade itself," Cyborg said, metal boots clanging down the hall. Beast Boy grinned, racing after his best friend. He loved his home.
