Beast Boy was eating his breakfast in a very sulky way, 'eating' by shoving cereal and milk into his forehead and letting both fall onto the table. Ever since two weeks ago Terra left with their yard practically flipped upside down almost getting away with their deepest secrets, everything lost its color and fun. Sure, Raven's words helped at first, but the loneliness soon kicked in. All he did was sleep or stayed as a clam under the sea where nothing happened. While this means any stink he could build up is rather replaced by the smell of saltwater, his hair was stringy and oily, his skin has been losing color, and he's been thinning out do to lack of appetite for so long. Cyborg entered into the kitchen with a concerned look.
"Uh, hey BB. How are you doing right now?"
"Meh." The depressed titan barely spoke, having said nothing but meh for two weeks.
"Beastie, look; we're growing really concerned for you. You've hardly been eating right, no exercise, and all you do is either sleep or clam up in a literal sense. You've got to move on not just for our sake but for your health."
"What you talking about, dude? You never had girlfriend before." Beast Boy protested in broken sentences. "Just leave me in misery." Cyborg sighed in disappointment.
"Alright, I was hoping I wouldn't use this, but..." Pressing the center of his chest, his entire upper torso turned into three windows with question marks and his arm straightened out. "Let me be honest, our soulmate is rarely ever the first one. So here's what I did; I made myself into a love slot machine where I took all our best traits and matches them with the ideal soulmate." Taking a few seconds to summarize what he said, Beast Boy did like the idea where all his positives were appreciated without having to find the girl by chance. Wiping away snot first, he got up and was about to pull the lever when Raven entered the room. Seeing the contraption that partially was Cyborg's body, she was slightly curious.
"What's happening here?" She asked as she was making a drink of water.
"I made BB a love slot machine to emotionally help him."
"You can't just solve a love problem by shoving another girl in it. You need to let the grieving process do its thing."
"Raven, he was starting to adapt your skin color and was becoming as thin as a piece of asparagus. He needs our help." He defended somewhat annoyed.
"I'm not saying he doesn't need help, it's just the way you're doing it is wrong." She corrected. Beast Boy groaned.
"Whatevs. At the very least I could try to make a few new friends or whatnot." Pulling the lever, both sides started spinning, though the left slide showed Beast Boy instantly. Waiting a few seconds, he pulled the lever again for it to fall on Raven, causing the half-demon to spit out her water.
"Me?!" She inquired incredulously. "No way in any dimension could I be with..." The female took a second to shudder. "...Beast Boy."
"I don't know, Rae." Cyborg objected, a smile slowly appearing. "My I spy with my left robotic eye that I'm detecting a bit of blush on your cheeks and just a hint of excitement."
"No. I see what's happening here." She stared at Cyborg dangerously as she and her cloak grew taller becoming increasingly intimidating. Cyborg was starting to sweat and look destressed despite the smile. "You're trying to shoehorn me into a relationship with Beast Boy just so he feels better. That. Is. Wrong." Forming a black hand, she proceeded to rip out the slot machine in his chest and hit the cybernetic titan with it against the machine half. Dropping the broken piece of tech, Raven returned to her normal height and teleported into her room. Making sure nobody was just outside her room, the female titan sighed while at least letting the blush come forth fully.
"How could something like a stupid slot machine do that? Even if I somehow liked Beast Boy like that, which would imply I'm insane, the danger is too great." Walking to the vanity, the girl pulled back her hood to look at her face. "Love is one of the strongest emotions. One I'm not sure even my strongest meditation and suppression practices can keep it down for long." Putting her hood back up, she went over to float over her bed to meditate.
Starfire and Robin entered the kitchen just after Raven teleported to her room and saw the missing chest plate that Cyborg sported.
"Uh, what happened?" Robin asked with a raised eyebrow. Replacing the hole with his normal chest, Cyborg answered,
"I made a love slot machine to help Beastie here so that he got out of the slumps."
"Oh, how nice of you to seek a new friendly mate for Beast Boy." She said, making all the boys blush from her choice of a particular word. "Who did you get?"
"Based from said slot machine on the floor, I'm guessing Raven." The Boy Wonder deduced while looking at the tech. "Even if we weren't superheroes, having a relationship in the work place is already considered tricky and ill-advised with a few exceptions every so often. But with Raven? I have no idea how that would work given the two are polar opposites and Raven needing to suppress her emotions."
"You know what?" Beast Boy spoke aloud as his face became something other than depressed the last two weeks; determined. "I know its a long shot, but I'm going for it! I'm going to take a shower, and then I'm going to ask Raven out for a date! I'm tired of wallowing in pity!" As he walked off, Cyborg and Starfire respectively cheered for him.
"Booyah! That's the spirit BB! Grow those wings and fly like an eagle!"
"Yes! Capture her love so that you two can become perfect for each other!" Robin didn't say anything. He was glad his teammate was now trying to get out of this funk, but wished it was on something more practical. Not wanting to be the party pooper though, he shrugged and looked over to Starfire. After a few seconds of thinking, he asked Cyborg,
"Hey uh, Cy? While we're on the subject of love, perhaps you could do something with Star and I? I mean, I'm not looking for a relationship or anything but, I am at least curious about who my soulmate is. Just for the heck of it."
"So do I. I also wish to know what my mate for the soul is."
"I'm interested about myself as well. Alright, let's see what's in store for us!"
Raven heard a knocking on her door. Sighing in annoyance, she levitated to the door and opened it to find Beast Boy on the other side. Only difference was that one, he didn't smell like saltwater for once, and his hair looked like it was shampooed and conditioned, looking healthier than it did in weeks. His color was still a little unhealthy, but the smile, as nervous as it was, was actually a welcome change compared to the frown he constantly had. It sort of uplifted her feelings that he looked considerably better. And then it was ruined when he spoke.
"Hey Raven, uh... want to um... go out?"
"Are you kidding me? She asked, growing agitated already. "You really believe what that tin can fabricated?"
"I know its a long shot, Rae. I know you think I'm annoying and lazy and stupid and stink bad, but I just want to get to know you better Rae." Tears started forming in his eyes as his frowning returned with a whimper. "P-please, even if love is out of the question, I just want to see if we could work. I want to stop..." The changeling collapsed on his knees covered his face to hide his crying. Raven was in a real tight spot. Three of those things he described himself were accurate, but stupid? He may do stupid things on a day-to-day basis and calls him out on it, but she never considered him stupid. Maybe a little uneducated or uncultured perhaps, but not stupid. There were times he saved the day based on his limited yet insightful thought process, and being able to shapeshift into an animal as well as he does meant he's adaptable on the fly. A stupid person wouldn't be capable of that. Also, if she pushed him away now, who knows how much longer he'd be a depressed wreck. Two weeks without his antics were a blessing, but not forever if it came at the permanent expense of his happiness and mental health. Finally betraying a look of sympathy, she sighed as she stooped down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"One date." That one sentence stopped half the crying as he looked up, looking all tear eyed and snot running down his nose, grossing the sorceress out.
"Wh-wha?"
"One. Date. Of my choice. The only reason I'm doing this is so that you're not broken beyond repair. And..." Her blush returned even though she kept her poker face. "...On the very off chance I do have an... okay time with you... maybe we can come to a compromise."
"Th-thank you Raven." Beast Boy sobbed his gratefulness.
"9 o'clock sharp. Also, clean your face. You're a mess." She concluded before standing up and closing the door. Going over to the mirror again to look at her face, the titan softly slapped her palm into her face. "What in the hell did I agree to?" Needing some serious meditation for this to work, she went to her bed to start chanting, though not before noticing she felt a tiny bit better after the fact. Shaking that off, her meditation began.
In Cyborg's room, the three other titans were hooked up to machine that had a screen on top.
"Thank you for waiting. I made a machine that takes the answers you say to my questions, and filters out those that are incompatible for you based on the answers. Think of it as seeing if puzzle pieces fit together, and enough of the pieces make a picture."
"Oh, so it is like a game!"
"It usually is if it's not taken seriously. Anyway, let's get this show on the road! Booyah!" The lights dimmed down except for two overhead spotlights and music played dramatically like it was a game show. "20 questions, and this is the first. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? Robin, since you suggested this, you get to go first."
"Starfire."
"Really? Oh thank you, friend Robin!" The alien princess cheered.
"Alright Star, since Robin asked you, how about you say someone aside from Robin as to not be too obvious." Cyborg recommended.
"Oh, um... if I had to pick, it would be Red Arrow. He is the most like Robin."
"Ha, I see what you mean." Cyborg remarked gleefully. "Question 2: Say that we weren't the titans, would you want to be famous, and how so?"
"Well, I am already a princess so I am already famous on Tamaran, but on Earth... I would want to be famous by spreading peace and love all over the world, showing that all conflicts can be solved with a big hug."
"World Peace. Tough, but super optimistic. Robin?"
"I'd want to be the world's greatest detective. So good I'd put Sherlock Holmes and Batman to shame."
"How ambitious. Question 3: What would be the perfect day for you?"
"No crimes all day, and just spending it hanging with all you guys. Heck, that happens once or twice a week on average if you ask me." The titan leader replied while crossing his arms with a smile.
"Oh, me too! Especially with the hugs, the kitties, the sunshine and rainbows. That would be so wonderful." Starfire sighed happily.
"Very nice. Question 4: Who in your life are you most grateful towards, and why?"
"I am most grateful for Robin. He has given me a life here so full of joy and wonder it is... oh, I just love my life here on Earth."
"I'm most grateful to Batman." The Boy Wonder looked thoughtful reminiscing the old days. "Took me in, trained me, and when I decided to leave, I was almost like a literal Robin leaving the nest to find my own destiny, which he approved of. And sometime later, that's when I found all you guys and we'd become the Teen Titans."
"Wow. Those were some very heartfelt answers there." Cyborg slightly whimpered while wiping a tear from his eye with a smile. "Onto the next question."
Beast Boy was going with something stylish. He went out and bought a dark purple button up shirt and a black clip on bow tie and black dress pants. His shoes were the same, but his hair was combed back to really look slick. Classy, yet simple. As he exited his room, the green teen looked at his watch to see it was 8:59. Readjusting his bow tie, he knocked on the door, only to see Raven wearing the same superhero outfit. They stood their for ten seconds before he asked,
"I'm definitely overdressed, aren't I?
"Compared to me, yes. But not for where we're going if this is just going to be a single date." Opening a portal, they went to one of those few late night joints where it was only open at night. Upon entering, it was playing Alice Cooper music, had low key neon lighting and many people enjoying the melodramatic atmosphere. Taking a seat at a table, Raven ordered a mocha while Beast Boy simply asked for water.
"So, Beast Boy..." Raven spoke first, looking into his eyes. "...why would you want to date me? Or even want to hang out with me in particular? I know it was Cyborg's stupid machine and you wanted to stop feeling sad, but you could've tried looking for someone not so dark. I'm sure you have a fanbase you'd love fishing from for dates."
"Well, for one thing, you're beautiful." Despite blushing to that answer, it was thankfully too dark for it to be visible, and she narrowed her eyes to look annoyed.
"Thank you, but that's also strike one."
"Oh, uh..." The shapeshifter didn't realize he had a limited number of replies, so he went for the next best thing. "I find you to be mysterious."
"Oh really?" The half-demon sarcastically asked, knowing he was referring to her habit of staying in her room for long periods of time and rarely participating. "How so?"
"Well... you're like a mystery I want to solve. That way we can have more fun together, is all."
"Define fun." She challenged. He thought for a minute before responding.
"The kind of fun where you're not annoyed and won't send me into the sea." Even with an answer as self-preserving as that, it wasn't as selfish as she was expecting.
"Go on..."
"Umm... I guess what I'm getting that is... we need a fun that we have common ground with. Sure, we're about opposite as we get, but I can appreciate some goth rock. Alice Cooper is tight. And perhaps we can also read some watch movies at home that can appeal to both our tastes."
"Hmm." The sorceress thought about it. Compromise is what she offered if they wanted to continue whatever... this was. And yet, all this compromise seemed to solely please her tastes, even if he claimed Cooper was 'tight'. It was in the right step, but this wasn't truly equal in exchange. "Actually, how about this; on alternating days, we partially try each other's hobbies. I do some of your things with you, and you do some stuff with me. And we're obligated to say no to things that are beyond our tolerance, and take breaks for a day if we particularly don't feel like it. We're not dating, but at least this way we're compromising to understand each other better. Does that sound fair?"
"Uh, yeah-yeah! That sounds fair." Beast Boy nodded his head excitedly as he extended his hand. With a small smile, she accepted and shook the hand. When their coffee and water came around, the two titans picked them up, and clinked the cups before sipping.
Returning home an hour later, the first thing they saw was Robin and Starfire watching a movie together in the living room, his arm over her shoulders. When he heard the portal, the titan leader stopped the movie and looked back at them, along with Starfire.
"Hey guys. How was your time together?"
"It was okay. He didn't annoy me and I didn't give him a single death glare or threat. That's something." Raven responded like it was no big deal.
"Glorious! Then your hang out was a success!" Starfire cheered. "Also, friend Raven..." The Tamaranean girl hugged the cheery looking Robin. "We are now the couple!"
"Wha? How?!" Beast Boy asked, shocked by this revelation.
"Thanks to yours truly of course!" Cyborg said, exiting the kitchen holding a steak dinner on a plate to take to his room. "Robin asked me to see who his soulmate was, for the 'heck of it'." He did air quotes around that last part and then chuckled. "Starfire also wanted to know, I asked them questions while sorting through heroes, and turns out, they're each other's soulmates! Booyah!" The cybernetic teen pumped his fist. "So, how are things with you?"
"We're not dating." Raven stated, then looked at Beast Boy, then proceeded to make a tiny grin on her left side. "But... I've come to see some possible potential for the future. We'll see."
"Hey, so long as you acknowledged something, that's good enough for me." Cyborg shrugged before walking to his room.
"Well, I'm going off to bed." Raven said while lightly yawning.
"Goodnight then Rae." Beast Boy told her as she floated away.
"Night." She returned, feeling that blush coming back.
A/N: Okay, I have no idea how good this chapter was or not. I followed some of your ideas, but I was coming up with some of my own I just couldn't ignore. As for the B plot... I'm just a sucker for RobStar. I admit it's not only my favorite Teen Titan ship, it's my second favorite of my top 30 ships in cartoons. BBRae is number 3 in the 30.
As for why I wrote the A plot like this, I wanted to give BB and Raven more time to naturally grow. Give them more than just one date and some compromises as the foundation of love, if you get what I mean.