Love Conquered

Two Steps Back

It was a day for training Robin had decided. 

A week after Raven's first climatic experience he decided to have sparring matches with the team. Raven and Cyborg went first, and then Cyborg and Beast Boy which surprisingly, Beast Boy won. Cyborg was impressed since Beast Boy had never beaten him before but was a good sport about it. 

When it was Cyborg and Starfire, they tied but then she fought Beast Boy. Who won.

 Which baffled the alien since she had always been and felt stronger than the green changeling. Beast Boy watched Raven and Starfire spar before watching Robin and Cyborg go at it. 

When he was up against Boy Wonder he stayed perfectly relaxed and watched Robin stalk around him like an animal he wasn't. Robin lunged first coming at Beast Boy with a powerful kick, but Beast Boy blocked the hit, sending Robin across the room. Robin flipped and landed on his feet surprised, coming back at Beast Boy, they began to throw and evade each other's punches. 

Until it was only one person evading punches. 

Beast Boy dodged the slow hits, his breathing regulating his movements so he was able to use the instincts of every animal. He could hear how Robin's sharp intact of breath came before every hit. He could hear the racing of his heart. He could see every punch or kick before it came and he felt like he had ages to dodge it.

When boy wonder was panting and looking at Beast Boy shocked the green changeling looked down at Robin, "Just tap out Robin. You won't win anymore." Robin glared at Beast Boy before running at him in determination. Sighing Beast Boy slid under the high kick Robin was trying to throw at him and turned and hit him in the small of the back.

Robin went down groaning and panting. Beast Boy stood looking at his leader looking furious and held out his hand to help him. Robin, of course, slapped it away before harshly barking, "What the f**k was that?" Beast boy shrugged, "I kicked your ass big deal, you kicked my ass in the past and I didn't b***h to you."

Robin scoffed, "I've had more training. How the f**k did you do THAT?!" Beast Boy actually laughed mockingly, "I'm part animal, it's not just when I change but it's ingrained in my DNA. Every animal, their instincts, their power, I can still channel them in my human form. It just took work." 

Cyborg whistled impressed as Starfire frowned at Beast Boy before rushing to Robin, "You hurt him!" she simpered looking at the bruises showing on Robin. Robin tried to wave his girlfriend off but when the green jade eyes of anger met his he stopped. "That's an unfair advantage Beast Boy!" Robin sneered, "It's no better than cheating!"

Beast Boy jumped on that train to end this pointless argument, "Okay so let's evaluate this, you who have JUST admitted to more training can kick my ass every other day and it's cool but the day I kick your ass due to the advantage of my genetics it's a problem? Why is that? Cause you think you're better than me?" Robin stiffened hearing the low growl building in Beast Boy's chest, "I...I don't think I'm better than you."

Beast Boy scoffed, "Yeah okay. How about you spare with Raven or Starfire since you need the wins that badly to comfort your ego." Robin started to get in Beast Boy's face until the snarl on the changeling's mouth warned him not to.

Robin bounced back wide-eyed as Beast Boy stopped growling long enough to snap, "I'm going out."

In the days to follow the training workout, things got worse. Way worse. 

Cyborg had tried to speak to Beast Boy about him showing up Robin. Even though they had all gotten beaten up by each other in one way or another, they were still a team. And Robin was their leader, and he was supposed to be respected more than what Beast Boy had shown him.

But Beast Boy wasn't going to apologize for getting stronger, wiser in his own power. Hell everyone had gotten stronger, better, hell even more ruthless in their time at titans tower.

And now that he had finally joined the adults-only club it seemed he'd overstepped.

Sitting on the roof enjoying the sunset, Beast let out a deep breath as the wind blew past him gently. Sensing a smell, Beast Boy sighed, "If you've come to tell me off for hurting your friends ego don't bother. I'm not in the mood." Raven looked at Beast Boy's back shocked. Her hood was up as usual but since he wasn't even looking at her, she didn't even need to hide her expression.

She was slightly hurt by Beast Boy's venomous tone to her. She had of course said and sounded way more bitchy to him, but he had NEVER once talked to her with this...cool aloofness before. It hurt.

Approaching him Raven stated, "He's right Beast Boy, you didn't tell any of us you could do that and now suddenly you're beating him and Star in training? It was just a surprise, especially since you didn't need to change to do it. You just kicked their ass, and while impressive you still offended our leader. You should apologize, or at least talk to him."

Beast Boy laughed bitterly, "Talk to him about what? How I learned how to harness and be more than just an animal bit all of them in my human form? How can he be mad at my growth? Did you tell him or us immediately you were demon born, end of the world causing, apocalypse baby? No. Did Starfire tell us she was a princess ten times stronger than the normal alien immediately? No. Do we really know that much about Cyborg's past unless we pried it out of him? No. So why am I obligated to tell him everything going on with me?"

Raven couldn't say a word making Beast Boy nod and say seriously, "Face it he's just pissed that the one team mate he thought he could always take in a fight is now capable of kicking his ass."

Raven frowned, "Robin thinks you're doing this on purpose because-." Beast Boy finally looked at her, "Because of what?" Raven flinched back at the steel like tone in Beast Boy's tone. The once joyful, sweet, and loving green eyes now harsh and cold. Carefully she whispered, "Because of him getting on to you about...being nice to me. Before..." 

Beast Boy rolled his eyes warily, "Look he told me to grow up, and you know what I needed to hear it. He was right I had been stuck trying to be a kid for the wrong reasons. But now that I've grown, so all I'm getting is more grief." Facing away from Raven, Beast Boy harshly ended the conversation with, "And you don't have to worry about me being nice to you ever again."