Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Eat Your Hero ❯ Cleanup ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Since I obviously don't own the copyright to Teen Titans, I'm taking advantage of the Fair Use Clause of the Copyright laws to write a story with them in it. Who knew the government would protect the little guys? Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

 

Chapter 3: Cleanup

 

“Absolutely not.” Raven hadn't budged on the issue since Beast Boy brought it up half an hour ago Robin thought to himself, seeing the changeling on his hands and knees pleading with Raven. So far he had offered to do anything she wanted for a week, then a month, then a month and a week, bring her morning tea in bed, and a myriad of other bribes to get her to go to a press conference. So far, she had turned down every single one of them with little more than a glare.

Robin looked at the lone holdout smiling, Raven would never go to a national press conference; it just wasn't her style. He had bargained with Beast Boy to do dishes for the month, and Cyborg had gotten controller 1 for life out of the deal. Unfortunately Starfire agreed to go eagerly, before she even knew that she could weasel something out of Beast Boy. “Come on Raven, PLEASE!”

“No.” Her deadpan, monotone voice replied, she hadn't bothered to look up from her book.

“I'll never ask you for anything again!”

“Brilliant choice, never asking for help in the middle of a dangerous battle.” She flipped the page of her book as Beast Boy groaned defeated. “There is nothing you can offer me that I want.”

“Please, Raven, this means a lot to me.” Beast Boy sulked for a moment, frustrated and beaten.

There was a brief pause and then Raven looked up, “How much does it mean to you?”

“Raven it's a national press conference with Kirk Newgrid, head of PeTA! It means more to me than anything else.” He replied, looking at her with pleading eyes.

She placed the book aside, looking at Beast Boy intently, “Prove it.”

“Prove it? How?” He stammered, trying to think of something to say.

Raven shook her head and leaned over, whispering into his ear so only he could hear. Beast Boy paled and looked at Raven cringing, “… you're serious, aren't you?” She nodded, leaning back on the couch. Beast Boy watched her for a moment and swallowed the lump in his throat, “If I do it, will you come?”

The smallest tinge of a smile played upon Raven's lips, and her normally monotone voice had taken on a slightly melodic tone, “If you do it, I will go.” She quickly reopened to the page she had been on and started reading, the smile still on her lips. Beast Boy pumped his arms back in triumph and ran from the room before anyone could ask him any questions about how he got Raven to join them.

 

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Beast Boy quickly called PeTA headquarters, misdialing the number three times in his manic state. Finally calming down enough to dial the number correctly he smiled, the secretary who had referred to him as sir answered, “Mr. Newgrid please, its really important news. The Teen Titans have agreed to do the press conference!”

Her eyes widened slightly, “Let me put you through.”

The screen went black for a moment and then the secretary re-appeared, “I'm sorry, Mr. Newgrid isn't in at the moment… perhaps you should try back in an hour?” She smiled awkwardly, trying not to look embarrassed.

Beast Boy's heart fell, “Oh… yeah… sure.”

“Oh, don't worry sir, I know he'll want to hear this, he's just not in the office at the moment, should I call you back when he returns?” The secretary stumbled trying to explain.

Beast Boy nodded, still a bit disheartened, “Thank you.”

There was a quick nod from the other end, a short silence and then another came up on her side, “I'm sorry sir, I have to go, thank you for calling the headquarters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.” She smiled and the line went dead, Beast Boy slowly hanging up as well.

“Well… I better get to work then.” He murmured, frowning as he looked about his room.

 

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“So… Raven… what'd Beast Boy give you.” Robin asked tentatively.

She didn't look up from her book, completely ignoring the three titans standing, in Starfire's case hovering, in front of her.

“Is he to bring you breakfast in bed?” Starfire asked cheerfully. Raven flipped the page and continued on without looking up.

“It's something embarrassing, isn't it?” Cyborg chimed in, smiling, “You're making him do something embarrassing!”

Raven sighed, closed the book and set it down, “You're not going to leave me alone until I tell you, are you?” There was a brief pause, and then the other Titans nodded. Raven smiled, “Very well then.” She said calmly, and then went back to reading her book while the other Titans stared at her with their jaws open.

“Raven and her stupid demand…” Beast Boy growled kicking a piece of what might have been food… several years ago… before returning to his duty. He knew he shouldn't have offered to do this, but it was the very last thing he had been able to think of. More stuff fell out of the closet, and Beast Boy moaned pitifully, “Not again…” He shoved some of it back in and shut the bulging door. He looked about his room, still a complete mess, but it was a start, most of the stuff that had been on the floor was now on the bottom bunk of his bed to be sorted. He had actually offered to clean his room and keep it clean until after the press conference. “Why couldn't I have just been her slave?” Beast Boy murmured, tossing some more items onto the bed and some other… things into the trash.

The knock on his door surprised him and he dropped a gooey item he had grabbed accidentally, “Who's there?”

“Open up, let's see your progress.” Raven's usual monotone voice had returned, although he knew she was suppressing a smile when he opened the door. She walked in easily, and immediately raised an eyebrow, “I think this actually looks worse than before.” She turned and looked at him directly, “What have you been doing in here?”

“Very funny Raven…” Beast Boy frowned and walked past her, and sat down on the very edge of his bunk bed. He winced, stood back up, and moved a bent up fork, it hadn't pierced his skin or his suit, but he certainly hadn't enjoyed the feeling. Raven shook her head and sighed.

“That is why you have to clean your room more often…” She looked to the floor where the gooey item had fallen, “… as well as that.” She side stepped it, used her powers to shift objects away from the edge and sat down beside him. He sighed and leaned up against the railing. Raven looked forward, apparently staring into space, “You really want me to go to the press conference. It means a great deal to you.”

“Yeah.” He mumbled, looking over to the videophone. It had been three hours and no one had called back.

“Beast Boy, you do realize I don't eat meat at all.” Raven looked to him and Beast Boy returned it.

“Yes, I know.”
“Why do you want me at the press conference so badly?”

“Because, it should be all the Titans, not just me, Starfire, Robin, and Cyborg.”

“I see.” Raven nodded, resting a hand on his leg, “Well then, I suggest you get back to work.” She stood and exited his room as Beast Boy's frown dampened, but before she exited the room, she turned and looked at him, “I suggest some sort of air freshener as well.”

“Gee… thanks Raven…” He turned, shaking his head, annoyed at her, but somewhat relieved she intended on holding up her end of the bargain… until he saw the state his room was in.

 

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Dinnertime came surprisingly quick, and the Titans stood idly in the Operations room waiting for Beast Boy to lead them to their… supper. Cyborg tapped his foot on the floor anxiously, “Man… I cannot believe I'm doing this.”

“You made a promise, keep it.” Raven commented, opening an eye and stopping her meditation.

“We promised Beast Boy.” Robin commented, slightly annoyed, “We have to keep it.”

“Yes, we should not let friend Beast Boy down.” Starfire said cheerfully.

“Where is he? He said he'd be here half an hour ago…” Cyborg grumbled, a low rumbling coming from his stomach, reverberating in the metal casing.

“He's cleaning his room.”

There was a long pause and everyone turned to look at Raven who had gone back to her meditation. “What did you say? I must have misheard you…” Robin said, trying to reign in his confusion.

Raven stopped meditating, sitting on the couch, “He's cleaning his room, he's been doing it all afternoon.” There was an audible gasp from Cyborg and Robin while Starfire looked a bit confused.

“Is that what he's doing to get you to come?” Cyborg asked, face a mask of complete shock.

“Yes, it is.” She said in her normal monotone voice.

“He hasn't cleaned his room since…” Robin paused, shaking his head, “…he's never cleaned his room before.”

“I know.” She said, watching the door disinterestedly.

“This must really mean a lot to Beast Boy…” Robin muttered, still a bit shocked.

At that moment the door opened and Beast Boy entered, disheveled and with a small tear on the side of his uniform. He trudged down to the couch, fell into it and relaxed for a moment, head resting back, looking up at the ceiling. “Raven… I'm done.” He said, completely exhausted.

The other Titans watched him, unsure of what to say. They looked between him and Raven, who had put her cowl up, their eyes finally returning to Beast Boy. Starfire pointed to the rip, “Beast Boy, are you damaged?” Starfire asked, floating closer.

Beast Boy shook his head, “Nah… just got caught on something. I'm fine…”

An uncomfortable silence set in, nobody knowing what to say until Cyborg's stomach rumbled again and he was compelled to speak, “Yo… BB, are we going out to dinner or what?”

Beast Boy looked at him, face filled with weariness, “Where are we going?”

“Well, you said you were taking us to a vegetarian… grill was it?” Robin said, more than a bit disturbed at the thought of grilled broccoli.

Beast Boy shook of his weariness, “Oh, yeah, Vegan Grill, it's not far from here, just follow me.” His energy had returned, partially at least. He quickly made his way to the door, the others following, Robin and Cyborg reluctantly so.

“Yay… Vegan Grill.” Robin muttered underneath his breath, Cyborg nodded, and then they were out the door.

Beast Boy hovered at the doorway a moment longer, looking at the phone, shaking his head, and then led the way.