I4.6

Chapter 3: Pissing Contest

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Adult themes. DO NOT read if you are underage or dislike controversial things.

Author's Note: Any constructive criticism revolving around dialogue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

"What do you think he does in there?" Beastboy quietly asks himself as he looks up at the ceiling.

"In where?" came Starfire's curious reply.

"In that fancy pants bathroom of his..." Everyone knew who he was talking about. It was no secret that Robin's happy place was in his specialized and personalized bathroom. Call him boujee because he is. The team knows that he is connected to Batman and that he is being privately funded by the vigilante or whatever organization that backs him. Either way, Robin has connections in high places and access to everything from the latest crime fighting technology to the most effective and intricate armor. That is not to say that the rest of the team was left out. Their costumes, armor, living expenses, medical treatment, the Titian Tower that they lived in and even spending money is paid for by the same entity that supports Robin. However, the rest of the team were offered the starter plan while Robin enjoys the premium package.

There are moments when some members of the team resent this connection and the obnoxious way that Robin flaunts it. Their leader can be very possessive about a shiny new toy that he has or important information that he has acquired from this entity with the bottomless pockets. He tends to exert his power and authority overtly which rubs Cyborg and, particularly, Beastboy the wrong way. Robin likes to think that he knows what is best for the team because he is the man with the info and title of "leader." Sometimes, he fails to take into account the human side of leadership. The side that thinks about what is best for the individual member and not just the effectiveness of the group. This is something that Beastboy can't stand. There is definitely a double standard and gender divide in this group. Robin expects the men of the team to be decisive, logical, steadfast with minimal to no mistakes. Very militant. The women, however, get a pass. He doesn't train them as hard or demand the same level of perfection. When they do fumble, fall or express any wavering emotions he somehow finds the patience within himself to cater to their needs and provide some sort of emotional support.

Beastboy thinks it's obviously because their sexist leader wants to fuck one and cradle the other.

Cyborg thinks it's because their neurotic leader has developed a form of toxic chivalry.

Raven thinks that their capable leader hasn't fully healed from his childhood traumas and it sometimes effects his judgement.

Starfire thinks that this is just three men caught up in a heated, long range, pissing contest.

Robin thinks he's doing a splendid job as he slathers expensive body oils on himself in his fancy bathroom.

Cyborg is the first to break the silence. "Self care, probably. He doesn't have innate powers like Star, Raven or you. He can't switch out busted parts like me. He's got cool armor or whatever, but if he doesn't take care of himself then he won't last long in this industry."

"That's true. His body must get pretty banged up from fighting," Raven supplies as she brings over the pre-shredded cheese from the refrigerator. Tonight they are going to have tacos followed by a movie night with the team.

"You think he'll retire early if he's injured?" asked Beastboy as he mixes the ingredients for the guacamole in a large bowl.

"Don't think he would have a choice if the injury is bad enough," came Cyborg's response.

"Hmm...if that were to happen, who would our new leader be?" muses the green man as he samples the guac for a taste test.

"Beastboy that isn't a nice thing to say about Robin!" snaps Starfire. She can't seem to imagine having someone else lead her. She doesn't want anyone else; she just wants to follow her Robin's commands.

"I won't let that happen to him," Raven quietly whispers to herself. Robin was her leader, but Dick was her friend. They knew each other on a more intimate level than the rest of the group realize. She would never forget the way she felt when he took her inner child by the hand and told her that she would be safe with him. That he had her. That was her friend speaking to her. Protecting her from the big bad world. From herself. Guiding her into the light. She would never allow him to remain seriously injured or worse, dead. It was the least she could do for him after everything he has done and keeps doing for her.

Raven was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't realize the presence creeping up behind her until she felt his heat on her back, large hands on her shoulders and a very low "Thank you, Rachel" delicately whispered into her left ear. She jumps and tenses slightly at the new sensation but relaxes when she realizes that it's just Dick behind her. Not a scary monster.

Beastboy's sharp eyes pick up on the way Raven's body seems to melt into Robin's touch. Silent giggle at the rush of warm air on her ear. She is completely unguarded. Relaxed. Joyful, even, that he was beside her. The beast in him was jealous at the amount of trust she had in this man who clearly has a god complex. No matter how much he tries or what method he uses to befriend Raven, she just shies away from him like he is an animal. Does she really think of him in that way? That's rich coming from a half demoness who was fathered by a mass murdering psychopath. At least he wasn't trying to bring about the end of the world.

As soon as Beastboy thought that thought he felt guilty. That wasn't her fault. She had no control over that. Raven is a good person. She has a heart of gold. A heart that is very well guarded by thick walls and an annoying dragon named Robin. Even if her way of showing care and affection is stunted, she still cares for every member of this team in her own quiet, reserved way. The sharing of a book. Offering tips on proper meditation. Soothing tea. Helping a friend in need. Random quotes of wisdom that she learned from the monks of Azarath. He didn't know much about these monks, but he knew enough from what she has shared that they were not very big huggers. They seemed to have spent most of their time coaching a baby Raven on ways to contain her powers and hide her emotions. It was clear as day that she is not used to expressing them, whereas Beastboy may be prone to oversharing. Was that why she shied away from him? The more he thinks about it, the more he realizes that she tends to run the other way when he is being over the top and dramatic. Otherwise, she seems to be neutral in his presence. He needs to test this theory.

Before that, however, he needs to separate her from Robin. There is something about the relationship between their leader and resident demoness that is off. He can't quite put his finger on it but something is definitely not right. Beastboy's stare levels with the man who is still standing behind the pretty, petite woman. Robin's hands are gently squeezing her shoulders as she struggles to break the seal of a brand new pack of shredded cheese. Beastboy's eyes narrow as a pair of larger, tanned hands cover her smaller, paler ones and helps her tear through the thick plastic as he lightly teases her about being helpless. Robin lifts his gaze and they connect with Beastboy's as he overdramatizes a deep sigh followed by a playful, "What would you do without me, Raven?"

Beastboy feels his pupils dilating. He did not like the challenge that he saw in the smugness of Robin's expression or the upward turn of his lips. Raven does not belong to Robin. She doesn't belong to anyone.

The usually lighthearted young man's fingers twitch around the bowl of guacamole he is holding as he resists the urge to fly over this dining room table and break both of Robin's arms. He could do it. He could beat Robin in a one on one fight. Even without shapeshifting, he was physically stronger than their leader because of his abilities. He is almost as tall as Robin and just as athletic. He might not have as much tactical or combat training but he can make do. He could challenge Robin for leadership of the pack...except this isn't a pack. They aren't wolves. Raven isn't a bitch in heat. The other teammates wouldn't allow for this method of transfer of power. Besides, the next logical person to inherit this position is clearly Cyborg. Now, there was a man he would willingly follow.

"Let's eat friend Beastboy," Starfire's voice calls to him uncertainly. She is also closely watching the interaction between Robin and Raven. He is inspecting her right hand. Lightly running his thumb over the writing callouses on her middle and ring fingers. He is frowning at her hand as though it has personally assaulted him. He shakes his head as she jerks her hand out of his grasp before plopping himself down in his favorite seat. The one that has it's back against a solid wall and a clear view of the rest of the room. Even during team dinners, Robin feels the need to be strategically placed in case something were to happen. The bullet proof windows that line the dinning room are to his right. The open doorway leading to the kitchen where Cyborg is putting the finishing touches on their meal is to his left. The entrance to the dinning room from the main hallway of the Titan Tower is directly in front of him. In all of Robin's brainstorming and tactical role playing scenarios, this is the safest spot for him.

At this round table, Robin almost always maneuvers Raven into sitting at his right side because Starfire likes to sit on his left. She is as much of a dramatic handful as Beastboy. There are evenings when he is willing to entertain her exuberant energy. Provide her with the attention she seems to crave from him. Allow her to touch him as she pleases. She is bolder on the evenings where there are not so many eyes at the table. During the quick dinners with just the two of them, she would lay her hand on his thighs and gently squeeze during light conversations. Uncertain as to how he would react if she were to take it one step further. Unsure as to why Robin is still so hesitant about her. There is a sadistic part of her leader that likes seeing her in this state of uncertainty. Likes observing the normally confident and self-assured princess crack at the thought of not being good enough. She is used to walking with her head held high. Carrying the posture of royalty. He likes knowing that the minor disapproval of a powerless young man from Earth would keep her up at night and make her think about ways to change herself to better suit his desires. She is unaccustomed to what men find attractive on planet Earth and turns to her leader to help her understand better. However, Robin's default response is that it is not a good idea to mix business with pleasure. That any relation they start would negatively influence the dynamic of the team and if that relationship were to end badly then there would be irreparable damage.

There is some honesty in that answer, but it is not the complete truth. The truth is that Starfire is a drain on Robin's energy and patience. Her unrestrained childlike demeanor was cute and endearing when they first met. He enjoyed watching her experience this planet with the wonderment of a tourist in her eyes, but that quickly became burdensome. Like an owner who realizes their pet is more work than they were willing to put in, but doesn't want to abandon them in the streets either. She is so very different from Raven. His Rachel is a calming presence on his right side. Always quiet and observant. To the untrained eye she appears to be stoic, emotionless, maybe even boring. However, Dick has learned that his delicate friend is incredibly expressive when he figured out how to read her body. Her pleasures and displeasures clearly displayed for all to see, if they cared to look close enough. Sadly, most people aren't willing or aren't able to invest the time and attention that it would take to study her. To understand her. He was privately grateful for that. The real Rachel will stay his private treasure for a while longer.

At this present moment, said woman is thoroughly displeased with his teasing her. Even though she is beside him, her knees are angled away from him and her attention is placed on the green beast to her right. Dick battles with his urge to haul her chair closer to him and away from this pesky teammate. He did not trust Garfield Logan with his most treasured friend. His fingers are too dirty and his intentions are clearly impure. The level of curiosity behind those deep green eyes is unsettling to Dick. What was even more troublesome was how persistent the young man was in wanting to build a closer bond with Raven. That is an issue that he would need to address as team leader later, right now they're sharing a communal meal of self assembled tacos. The peace must be kept among the quiet requests to pass this or to pass that throughout the whole table as the crew put together their dinner.

Two separate conversations are happening simultaneously. On one side of the table, Cyborg, Starfire and Robin were chatting about today's training. Starfire's voice becomes higher pitched as she praises Robin's performance, "You did amazingly well today, Robin!"

"It was 'ight. Robin caught me off guard. You're freakily flexible man!" came Cyborg's playful reply.

Robin smiles to himself in self satisfaction, "I saw an opening and took it. That's all. It's what any fighter worth their salt would do."

"Yes Robin! That's why you're our noble leader who is very capable," gushes Starfire as she places her hand on Robin's arm and stares at him in adoration. He tenses under her light touch. That open stare of expectation feels burdensome. It's just another heavy thing that he has to carry. In an effort to escape, he glances sideways to the woman sitting next to him and clenches his jaws tightly. Raven is causally sipping on a glass of juice as she listens to Beastboy rant about a new video game that it is based on the Greek gods. Richard is caught off guard when she picks up her hardshell taco and thinks about how she wants to eat it. He automatically flashes back to his earlier fantasy in the bathroom. That intoxicating release that he doesn't want to acknowledge or ponder while in the presence of others. Especially with the pretty culprit perched on a chair, inches away from him committing the same sinful act that started this whole mess.

Rachel decides on her angle. Tilts her head to the left, towards Richard. She realizes that some guacamole has leaked out from the tip. A soft tongue licks her lips before stretching out to clean the mess. She realigns her head and opens her mouth in a delicate "O." Blue-grey eyes are watching like a hawk as her eyes flutter close and she wraps her lips around her food. He looks away before she takes a bite, but he can hear the breaking of the taco shell and a soft moan of appreciation. He decides to focus on Cyborg's shiny bald head as he tries to calm himself. The metal man was also greedily enjoying his tacos, but Richard felt nothing as he watched him eat. He looked at Starfire, but also felt no sexual stirrings as he watch her enjoy her food. Didn't even have to look at Beastboy to know he felt nothing there. Who taught Rachel to eat so indecently? Was it the monks? It must have been the monks. He is being too sensitive. He just has to get a good night's sleep and everything will be back to normal by morning.

"Raven, did you know that Zeus can shape shift? Like me!" came Beastboy's jubilant voice. He thinks he will be able to impress the girl he likes by sharing this piece of information. He murmurs to himself with a hand on his chin, "Wonder if that makes me a god?"

"Those gods were perverts, Beastboy. Zeus kidnaps Io, forces her into the form of a cow when he is not having his way with her. Then! he shape shifts into a swan and completely defiles Leda...as a swan. Then! he also impregnates Danae as 'golden rain.' That is clearly abuse of power," came Raven's deep feminine voice. Poor Beastboy has no idea how to respond to that. "You wouldn't do that...would you, Beastboy?"

"Wha...of course not! I'm not a creep! I didn't know that though. I wonder if that's why my character fights Zeus in a field full of cows?" muses Beastboy as he thinks about this new information.

"Probably. I'm sure the game changed some things. To make it more audience friendly. The oldest versions of Greek mythology is a bit too...disturbing for the public. It's mostly about men with extraordinary power, doing what they want, when they want, to who they want regardless of who gets hurt," Raven supplied. "Please pass the guac?"

Beastboy absentmindedly hands her the bowl as he thinks about everything he thought he knew about this game. Their hands briefly touch, but he was too lost in thought to react and Raven didn't think much of it. Richard notices, though. Richard notices that she does not look uncomfortable or pull away like she normally would. He notices everything as he swipes a piece of shredded cheese off of her chin.

Maneuvering this many characters in one setting took the wind out of me! I really hate writing dialogue.

Nah-Bruh2020