BBRae Week 2022

Tell me superheroes wouldn't totally nail it at the Met Gala 😏

Raven watched intimately as Beastboy ran on the treadmill in front of her; the dumbbells she had in her hands resting on the floor. Her eyes jumping from limb to limb as she watched his body sway and bounce as his muscles bulged with strength as he moved. It was like masterful performed poetry to her; she was watching perfect masculine athleticism in motion. She was so thankful that the other Titans were out of the tower so they couldn’t watch her ogle the resident shapeshifter so shamelessly.

It was only when a sharp beep came from the treadmill did Raven jolt out of her reverie and started to grab the dumbbells and started to do more split lunges. Her face flushed red from a mix of her arousing love of Beastboy’s body and embarrassment of almost getting caught. Love spoke to her inside her mind. “You know you will lose control when we see him growl as he starts lifting weights.” Raven tried to focus on the dumbbells in her hands. “Not the time or the place Love!” She chastised her own desire and passionate romantic emoticlone.

Beastboy took a few deep breaths as he was trying to focus his mind on his exercises and not on the sculpted and beautiful goth in the gym with him. All of his animal instincts were screaming and running wild within him. “Why are you ignoring her? She is eying us like a prize beast, go and claim her.” Beastboy clenched his fists as he tried to calm himself down as he began to heft several bicep curls. He began to growl as he internally argued with his animal drives as he threw himself into his exercises.

Beastboy closed his eyes tightly as he tried to think of anything, anything in the world other that Raven. But he would soon find himself a victim of the don’t think of an elephant principle. His mind was just filled with images as the sounds of her gasping breaths and grunts of determination reached his ears. Her skin hot to the touch and a sheen of sweat coating her body as her face was flush as she sultrily looked at him. The mental sights alongside the very, very real sounds felt like fire and lightning coursing through his entire body. It left him feeling hotter than he had ever felt before at any point in his life.

Raven and Beastboy were left growling and shivering as they were trying their best to control their deep and oh so very hungry desires for each other. The tension continued to grew as their more impulsive and feral inner selves continued to press the issue for both of them.

“Come on! Just take him! Stop being such a coward!” Rage roared as she thrashed around within Raven’s mind. “He is a decadent Hercules and I will not be denied!” Raven felt the phantom touches as her control started to slip, as her inner selves began to actively rebel against her. With a cry as she threw down the dumbbells and turned to Beastboy; her chakra shimmered with power as she opened her four eyes. “Gar! I want to wrestle.” Rage shouted to him.

She watched as Beastboy shot putted the weights he had onto the other side of the gym. His body growing in sheer size as he turned around to face Rage as she possessed Raven; his eyes turned a clear white as he snarled at her. “All you had to do was ask.” Before he launched at her and slammed her into the floor. The fight was on; Raven and Garfield truly gave away to their feral and wild natures.

Blows were exchanged in savage speeds as they shifted and moved throughout the entirety of the gym; from boxing to breaking arm bars and leg locks to lashing out with clawed nails against each other. The energy was heightening as they eyed each other like they were predators stalking prey in the wilds. With one savage push they launched at each other and grappled and pulled each other down onto the matt of the boxing ring of the gym.

There; fury gave way to lust and hunger of a far more intimate variety.

Clawed fingers cut through the remaining pieces of laundry as they sought to get their skin to touch. Moans and growls passed between each other as they kissed deeply and held so tightly on their taut and sculpted bodies. Raven loved how he clawed up and down her back, leaving her shuddering and mewling as she kissed and bit into his neck. Garfield shivered with anticipation as the growing want for things to spill further and go wilder. With all of this, the battle for who was leading and who was being led continued; with then rolling over and constantly pinning the other beneath him.

“This is all I have wanted since I saw you.” Raven whispered to Beastboy. “All that muscle, packed so tightly in those shorts.” She finished as she nibbled and bit down on his lips. Her actions and words were punctuated as she rolled her hips to tease her jade beau on purpose.

She then felt herself fall backwards as Beastboy pinned her down. “I think we can finally stop playing. We’re both ready and piping red hot.” He purred as he took in the sight of the woman he utterly loved with a smirk of satisfaction. He was only momentarily surprised as a portal opened up beneath Raven; they found themselves no longer in the ruined gym, but in her bedroom.

Summary:

“You want the truth? I was just trying to make it last until prom.”

“What?” And here he’d thought Raven was perfectly happy with her super-tall boyfriend.

“I knew it was doomed. I just wanted a proper prom night with a boyfriend. But he couldn’t even do that for me.”

If she was any other girl he’d be touching her shoulder right now. “You wouldn’t have enjoyed prom with a crappy guy anyway,” he said sensibly.

“Maybe,” she replied immediately. “Maybe memory would have smoothed everything over and looking back I would think I enjoyed the night.”

───

[Saturday, 11:32 am. 6 hours and 28 minutes to Prom.]

They were at Raven Roch’s house, and that pissed Gar off beyond words. She was his sworn enemy, and he’d almost made it through all of high school having no idea where she lived—and now he was in her territory.

title: dancing in the dark rating: M/Mature word count: 5,410 ao3 | ffn

SUMMARY:  Of all the things not to do at your friends’ engagement party, Raven figured hooking up with your other friend in a broom closet was probably near the top of the list.

**IMPORTANT NOTE** - Today’s submission features mature content. Please do not click the read more if you are uncomfortable with sexual content. If you are okay with it being referenced but would prefer a lack of detail, you can stop reading where Gar says “I’m game” and resume reading where he says “So…how about that?” for a sort of fade-to-black effect. 

The characters are, of course, aged-up.

It was becoming exceedingly difficult to catch him alone. Not that that had been Raven’s plan for the night – her strategy, for the past six months at least, had been strictly avoidance. They were still friends, she thought. They were definitely still teammates. They got the job done and done well enough that – despite all his skeptical glances in their direction – Dick had never pulled them aside for mediation. She didn’t hate Gar. And she knew from the pangs of embarrassment that rolled off him whenever she was near that he didn’t hate her either.

But what did that count for? It was easy not to hate someone. Everything else was much cloudier.

Right now, she was watching him from a dark corner of the hotel ballroom Dick and Kori (or, rather, one Mr. Wayne) had rented for their engagement shower. In the years that followed what the Titans had reverently termed “the Terra situation,” Gar had thrown himself headlong into philanthropy. It was the only thing that gave his life meaning, by his own admission. The rest of the team had to make a pretty concerted effort to pretend that this pronouncement hadn’t stung – wasn’t the power of friendship good enough anymore? – but Raven saw through it. It was challenging to hide these sorts of things from an empath. He loved them all very much. He loved her–

But she couldn’t think about that now.        

At the present moment his reputation for community service found him surrounded by a gaggle of beautiful women who were competing with one another for his attention. Azar, who were these people? If they’d scored an invite to a private soiree in honor of the Boy Wonder, they had to be personalities of some sort. Journalists? Artists? Models, probably. Raven suppressed a snort. Go figure; Gar attracted bombshells everywhere he turned.

She cringed at herself, her grip on her champagne flute tightening. Just because these women were confident and outgoing enough to flirt openly with the man she’d fumbled didn’t mean they were worthy of her disdain.

      It also didn’t mean she had to like watching it.

      The cocktail waitress swung by as if on cue, prompting Raven to pluck a new flute from the tray. She felt absurd doing it. She’d seen this sort of thing in films, but it felt comically out-of-place here in Jump City. This whole ordeal was ridiculously lavish.

      "Cheers,“ she slurred to herself, "to glass number whatever.”

      It was probably a good time to admit to herself that she was getting drunk.

title: crash rating: T/Teen and Up word count: 2,729 ao3 | ffn

SUMMARY:  “‘You ruined my date,’ Raven barks at him, defeat gradually overtaking her anger. 'A date,’ Gar murmurs thoughtfully, then shrugs. 'I didn’t know it was a date.’" 

           “Maybe this was a mistake,” Raven’s date says to her, looking down at his burger with disdain. She lifts her gaze at this, perhaps a bit too hopefully. Dating is not her scene. She’s tried it a few times, even getting as far as the fifth date with one contender, but in the end they all left her disinterested. Noah, the charmingly nerdy literature student she bumped into at the bookstore, is – unfortunately – no exception. While the date started off well enough, with the two of them perusing a local art gallery and discussing their latest reads, Raven hasn’t felt any notable chemistry. Any chance of him echoing her sentiments and cutting the date short is a win in her book. But then he prods at the burger bun and glances over at her with amusement, and she realizes that he’s only talking about the food. She hides her deflation with a well-placed polite smile.

           “No, you know what they say about nondescript diner beef,” Raven says, examining her own order: a coffee and a simple side of french fries. “It’s the best. World-renowned.”

           “Whose world?” her date quips, and she can’t help a genuine smile at that one. It’s not that Noah is a bad guy. He’s perfectly adequate. And nice. Too nice, even. Too human. Too normal.

           He’d absolutely cave the first time he saw her soul-self or a stray demon, and, taking chances as she is – learning to love and baring her soul and all that crap – Raven doesn’t have time for the weak. If she’s doing this, she needs someone who can handle her. All of her. Someone who is more intimately acquainted with dark magic, or at least with superheroes. Someone who can take her outbursts in stride and read her body language to know when she needs time alone. Someone more like–

           “Shit.” Raven’s eyes widen slightly as she takes in the green face smiling back at her from the diner’s front window.

Within the centre of Hell stood a magnificent palace; fashioned from gold and silver with all manner of precious stones of gargantuan sizes embedded upon its walls. Deep within the ornate chambers and over-the-top material decadence of the structure sat a lone room fashioned from stone and wood. There within that dark chamber sat the ruler of all of the Hells; the demon queen Raven. Her body having long since changed from when she was a hero upon Earth; four horns adorned her head, two spiralled upwards, two curled downwards and hung either side of her head. Her skin was no longer pale but a shocking blood-red colour and tone, she had four eyes that glowed like embers and a large swaying tail with jagged barbs that ran down it.

In one hand she held a bowl filled with water, she ran a fingertip across the rim of the vessel and focused her mind as strongly as she could. “Garfield; show me the man I love.” Raven commanded as the water started to violently ripple, almost to the point of spilling from the bowl; before calming and showing Raven the image that she desired.

Garfield looked so much older than she last remembered; hair thinning and greying, wrinkles long set into his face as he weakly moved, it almost brought Raven to tears. She had been dragged into Hell shortly after their children turned eighteen; now she was seeing that she had lost the better part of a life with the man of her dreams. A dream she may never experience ever again.

The bowl was cast aside without a care as Raven shot to her feet, she needed to see him even just one last time oh how she had longed to hear his voice. Holding both of her hands up and clenched them tightly as she pulled them down; a portal slowly was forced into existence before her. Not wanting to waste any more time, she walked into it.

Raven strode gently onto a well-manicured lawn of a simple looking home with a white-picket fence in the middle of suburban America. The wind and temperature once familiar now felt weird and alien over her skin; her heart jumped from in her chest into her throat and back again as she looked at the Logan family home.

“It’s as if nothing has changed… It looks just how I remember it.” She whispered as she mentally forced her feet to move towards the front door. She couldn’t risk wasting time, she could only be away from her current position for only a few moments. Hell took a world of strength and stamina to keep in check and maintain and to keep her underlings and the former Dukes of Hell in line and their work above board.

“But I just have to see him… I missed so much; I can’t miss this… I just can’t.” She thought as she wrapped her knuckles against the wood of the red front door. Raven tried to ignore the blood-red colour of her body and the fully-formed horns that arched and spiralled off of her forehead or how her barbed tail swayed with anxiety. After what felt like an eternity passed the lock clicked free and the door was swung open; Raven peered down into the face of her sombre and quiet son; Adam. The thin young man and artist she remembered was long gone; in his place stood a heavily-tattooed long-haired and bearded bulky man who was well into the middle of his life.

“Should you be away from the office?” Adam asked softly, sternly looking his mother in the eye, judgement and stoicism set firmly in his face.

“I should have an hour or so before the Dukes realise that I am not there… I just want to see him; just one last time.” Raven pleaded with her son.

“I’ve been hearing Banshees all day, the hours at hand.” Adam spoke bluntly before standing aside. “Eden’s a wreck, when she sees you, she’ll lose it.”

“I had too, I never wanted too; but without someone at the centre of it all.” Raven said, a statement she had said to others and to herself over and over for the many years of the many decades. Pressure and emotions welling up inside her as the enormity of time was being made apparent to her.

“I know, Lucifer skipped town; the dukes of Hell go into an all-out war.” Adam spoke quietly. “The universe was at stake and the Children of Trigon got pulled into it; you came out victorious. But being the ruler of Hell is tiring and a constant you can’t really leave.” Adam spoke with understanding as he led his mother through the house; Raven could see items and photos of events and memories she was never there to help create. It only twisted the knife in her heart all the more. Until the pair came to an all-too-familiar door; the door to the master bedroom.

“Dad never remarried after you left. Said he couldn’t betray you like that.” Adam said softly before he opened the door.

Raven saw her daughter Eden who had her makeup running as she fought back sobs as silent tears fell down her cheeks. Like Adam, she had grown and changed from when she last saw her; crows’ feet around her eyes, studded piercings in her ears and nose and the fading image of athleticism of her physique. But, still as beautiful and as strong as Raven always remembered her being.

“I-is that Raven?” A croaky and sickly voice struggled to ask. The momentary silence that followed that question was deafening to Raven. She never knew Garfield to be ill or sickly; her last memory of him was a loud, energetic and loving man. The current queen of Hell shyly shuffled to Garfield Logan’s deathbed. That was when Eden turned to see her mother and lost control.

“WHY ARE YOU HERE!? WHY!? YOU ABANDONED US!” Eden screamed out before she was held back by her brother. The broken-hearted anguish and pain filled her voice as Eden tried to break free and hit her mother.

“I didn’t want to… I, I wanted to be here.” Raven weakly offered as tears started to spill from her own eyes. Knowing that she had no choice and seeing the utter rage and agony on her daughter’s face broke her heart all over again.

“Why’d you… why? I needed you…” Eden’s anger gave way as she saw her own mother’s shame and grief.

“Hell was spilling over; all reality was at risk… I got pulled in because of my father and siblings. Eden… Sweety I had no choice… It was either me or you and Adam.” Raven broke into flowing tears. “I-I-I couldn’t do that to either of you!” Raven wailed as she fell to her knees. She saved her children from a violent war, to being stuck and alone within Hell; and yet she still managed to do them harm.

“Don’t cry… I never liked seeing you cry momma.” Garfield croaked out as he struggled to pull himself up in his bed. “I’m just happy to see you.” Garfield’s words were interrupted by hacking coughs before he continued. “Even if it is for the last time.”

“The cosmos stole my life with you, I’ll be damned if it takes our final moment as well.” Raven stated with an uneven voice. “Even now, everything feels alien; like just yesterday we were almost forty and the kids were getting ready for college. I lost so much time with you and with them.” Raven took and unsteady breath as she knelt by her husband’s side. “I want to keep you in my heart forever… but I know I can’t.”

“Stop sounding like I am dying…” Garfield tried to inject some gallows humour to his last hurrah. “Once I go to the next world wouldn’t we…” He trailed off a little. Raven didn’t have the words and simply shook her head. “But why?” Garfield pressed.

“You’re not going to Hell… and where you are going; I can’t follow. I had you for a blessed twenty years and now… Now I get robbed of you for an eternity.”

“Sell me something.” Garfield said simply.

“W-what? Sell you something. Gar… I don’t understand.” Raven was confused and distraught and had no clue what Garfield was playing at.

“If you offer me something, I could… I could sell my soul. Then we’d get to spend eternity together.” Garfield elaborated.

“You sweet, sweet fool.” Raven said as she held onto his hand. “That’s not how that works… it’s never worked like that.” She paused. “I could never condemn you into suffering or deny you the paradise you rightly deserve. I’ll just have to hold onto memories tighter.”

“B-but what about our happy ending?” He asked dumbly.

“Not everyone gets a happy ending; sometimes we just get endings.” Raven plainly answered. “But, enough talks about cheating the cosmos… tell me about your life, about all your lives.” Raven turned to her children as well. “This very well be the last time I see any of you; the last time the Logan family has a get together.” She broke down into tears as that sentiment felt so, so much more real than she ever expected it would.

The time Raven had left with her family was spent regaling about old memories, achievements, tragedies, beauty and loss. She learned she was a grandmother to four beautiful girls and two handsome boys; learned how difficult it was for Eden to build a mock volcano for her daughter’s science fair, how Adam loved his wife until cancer claimed her life. How Garfield helped and aided his children again and again in their times of need; never asking for anything in return. It truly was a rollercoaster of emotions; tears flowed freely and with abundance until finally.

None of them had noticed at first until they turned to ask him a question about some blink and you’ll miss it memory. Garfield Logan had passed away; surrounded by his loving wife Raven and his two children Adam and Eden. He died with a smile on his face while looking back on a lifetime well lived. The room was filled with a stillness as Adam closed his father’s eyes; all the emotion was drained from the room.

“I cannot stay any longer; I have to keep Hell under control… I apologise if I can’t visit you both again.” Raven said weakly.

“We understand; got to keep the cosmos balanced.” Adam said.

“Show em why you’re the best.” Eden warbled as painful new tears found their way onto her face.

There had always been something that felt wrong about keeping or maintaining a secret; but Beastboy couldn’t deny that the secret he and Raven had felt so wickedly good. They were in a relationship; a romance that fell together not from great forethought or potent revelations, but of an awkward admission by a rock near the sea after a long, long night.

They didn’t feel comfortable admitting their connection and love for one another for many reasons; one being the emotional pressure as it could have been possibly too much for Raven to handle. Another was neither feeling ready to be subjected to the often-excessive lectures and warnings from their leader, Nightwing. Or stat having Starfire and Cyborg inviting themselves to activities that they wanted to do by themselves.

So, they came up with the secret; each would come up with reasons to get out of the Tower and once out of sight, out of mind they would meet up for the romantic ventures. Sometimes they would just get coffee and watch the sunset over the bay; other times they would go to the Jump City Memorial Theatre for plays and concerts. Whenever they got an idea for a small get away or adventure; they would discuss it and start to plan on how they were going to put distance from their friends and team mates.

Beastboy just smiled at all the thoughts and memories of their deeply passionate and personal romance as he held Raven’s hand; watching the sunrise on a mountain-side. “This truly is something special.” He spoke softly to Raven.

“Like watching the heavens split open as the world and all that is above join once more.” Raven whispered as clouds and morning fog parted allowing the rays of blues, pinks and yellows to streak across the sky. Her smile paused as a thought flittered into her mind and she turned to look up to Beastboy. “How come you haven’t pushed for this to be a public relationship?”

“You said you wanted this on the down-low; quiet because emotional noise can overwhelm you.” Beastboy answered simply. “I love you deeply and know how overwhelming emotional noise can be, especially after Queen Marionette swapped our bodies.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I won’t pressure or push you until you’re good and ready. When it comes to becoming a public couple like Starfire and Nightwing you lead, I’ll follow.”

The thoughtful and well-intentioned response soothed any potential anxieties the sorceress could have developed. “Thank you for that.” She kissed his cheek and snuggled into his arms as they watched the birds fly overhead and the clouds clear. Just enjoying each other’s silent company and the panoramic beauty of nature unfolding before them. Before silently flying back towards their home; Titans Tower.

~Meanwhile at the Tower~

“I’m telling you it doesn’t add up. The last few months I had a program running GPS triangulation after the last invasion of the Tower. Exactly how it was discussed at the team emergency meeting.” Cyborg exclaimed looking at the coordinate data spreads for the resident shapeshifter and sorceress with Starfire and Nightwing behind him. “They end up in the same location for hours on end; despite massively different reasons for being out of the Tower.”

“Are you suspecting that there is a problem occurring between our friends?” Starfire quietly inquired.

“Whatever is happening it could become a detriment to the team; I think we need to go to their location immediately.” Nightwing stated.

“But there could be a perfectly normal explanation for their prolonged and isolated bonding. We often bond in isolation, despite my requests to incorporate the far more liberating Tamaranian approach to romance.” Starfire responded, smirking at her lover as he turned a deep shade of red.

“They’re a complicated pair, her emotional sensitivities and his animalistic primeval impulses. Maybe this is a release valve practise; he stays constantly shapeshifting, not thinking and exerting energy and she gets nothing but the emotional white noise.” Cyborg quickly countered, trying to avoid learning more about his leader’s and teammate’s love life.

“That doesn’t explain the constant visits to the Jump Memorial Theatre and Desert Candy: Games and Hobbies. One is massively popular art performance venue and the other is from reports a tabletop roleplaying game enthusiast shop.” Nightwing critiqued Cyborg’s answer.

“Way to make theatre of the mind sound so dweeby.” Cyborg joked before returning to the spreadsheet of data. “I mean what if Star is right? What if they are just in a super-secret romance?” Cyborg posited.

“I wasn’t exactly positing that; I was positing that they were friends with benefits; but a romance could also easily explain their time together.” Starfire said bluntly.

“Having sex … in a game shop!?” Nightwing questioned with incredulity.

“Both are quiet, neat and upstanding citizens with deeply complicated emotional needs. What is that Earth saying? It’s always the shy, quiet ones that are the freakiest.” Starfire smirked with satisfaction at how she had proved her own point.

Cyborg coughed before saying very quickly. “Well; that speculation aside… I think I am just going to video call BB. Because he should be at the arcade, like he said he would be so shouldn’t have an issue answering.”

“If he does?” Nightwing prodded.

“We wait; any of the proposed theories work, symbiotic cognitive/empathic release valve, friends with benefits indulging and enjoying each other or a beautiful fashioned and growing romance. We have no information that posits that they are at risk or in any danger or threat.” Starfire stated. “Maybe call again in ten minutes.”

“We simply confront them when they return to the Tower; gently.” Cyborg answered Nightwing. “Unaccounted for time could pose a safety risk to the Tower or the Titans Network. If any of the aforementioned reasons is why they’re doing this. They can tell us and be a little more honest about where they are and who they’re with.” The cybernetic hero finished before releasing a big breath.

“If it was a romance, how would we have all missed the signs?” He asked looking to Starfire and Nightwing.

“A combined effort; they both know what we view as normal and were able to duplicate that easily as to avoid us noticing their private enounters.” Starfire stated.

“We only know that it was happening after Quicksave, Corruptorix and their leader Red Ring invaded the Tower and tried to destroy the Titans Network and steal Cyborg three months ago.” Nightwing pointed out. “Had that not happened; we wouldn’t have had the data that proved they were even together.”

“Maybe that was by design. They are private people who struggle with how people respond to them.” Cyborg nodded along.

“It was.” A soft voice rang out into the comms room, causing the three heroes to jump into the air. Seeing Beastboy and Raven

title: bewitched rating: T/Teen and Up word count: 2,563 ao3 | ffn

SUMMARY:  “But one day, it was like a flip had switched, and suddenly Raven was all too aware of the heat of Gar’s body next to hers, the rise and fall of his chest during lulls in the plot, his increasing involuntary movement during climactic scenes, and…something else, every time there was an onscreen kiss.”

It was, Raven insisted, a mutual decision reached by her and Kori. She would never – not on her life – have suggested a romance film for team movie night if she was staking her own aloof-girl-persona on it, so it was undoubtedly nice to have her bubbly, hopeless-romantic best friend to fall back on. Plus, Raven defended herself adeptly to the boys, it was a film based on one of the finest pieces of literature ever written, and if they paid attention throughout the whole thing, they might even learn a thing or two.

           “Are there any fight scenes?” Beast Boy wanted to know, sinking down into the couch as though he were being subjected to the cruelest form of torture known to man.

           “Define fight scenes,” Raven said drily, checking to see if her tea was fully steeped.

           “Blood and guts?” the changeling said hopefully, waggling his brows at the empath seated next to him.

           Raven shot him a dark look. “No,” she replied simply. Beast Boy groaned.

           “Ra-ven,” he complained, “how do you expect me to get through this entire chick flick without any violence?”

           “I didn’t say there wouldn’t be violence,” Raven said, rising from her seat to deposit her teabag in the nearest trash can. She felt more than saw his interest pique at this, and couldn’t resist smirking as she delivered the fatal blow. “I mean, on-screen violence, no. Actual violence if you don’t shut up and sit still during the film…probably.”

title: the very first night rating: T/Teen and Up word count: 2,644 ao3 | ffn

SUMMARY:  “She was pretty all the time, of course, but something about Raven – dark, broody Raven – in a sleeveless black dress on a waterfront patio, her hair fluttering in the ocean breeze, her nose a tiny bit red from a day in the sun…” BBRae fluff. My contribution for BBRae Week 2022 Day 1: Vacation.

Everything in this restaurant was sticky: the laminated menus, the tabletops, the unattended children running laps around the perimeter. Gar was used to sticky – but only like, his own brand. It wasn’t rare, for instance, for him to discover that he’d fallen asleep mid-movie and spilled soda all over his belongings, but at least he could identify soda as the culprit. He was by no means a germaphobe, but shit, didn’t people have standards?

           Or maybe he was being unfair. Maybe all of his favorite local joints in Jump City were equally as crowded and unsanitary as this place, the difference being that those places smelled like his favorite foods, and this place smelled undeniably, unequivocally, and very pungently of fried fish.

           “We’re at the beach,” Dick said with a blank stare when Beast Boy complained. “Seafood is kind of the bread and butter around here.”

           “No,” Gar replied, “bread and butter is bread and butter. This–” He paused to compose himself as a server drifted by with a heaping tray of raw oysters, then continued, “This is an assault on my senses.”

           “Your everyday odor is an assault on most people’s senses,” came Raven’s voice from Gar’s right. The quip was flat and half-hearted, like most of Raven’s quips these days; she more or less delivered them out of a sense of obligation rather than any real desire to torment him. They had become better friends in recent years, but why mess with tradition? Gar ignored her and began grinding the heels of his hands into his eyes, struggling against the urge to vomit. “But you’re right,” Raven surprised him by continuing. He looked up to see her eyeing the menu with distaste. “Everything here looks like it would end in me being confined to the bathroom all night.”

           “TMI,” Gar said simply, his own contribution to tradition.

BBRae Week 2022

Day 3

Ballroom/Formal

TL/DR: Starfire and Nightwing find Gar and Raven dancing on the roof.

(Spoiler: The song bbrae dances too is linked)

https://youtu.be/MlThQTo6D8A

 Starfire hummed, looking around at what was left of the elegant evening. The darkened room was made light only by the dainty mirror ball hanging above, casting a shimmery glow over the sleepy party goers. The remaining guests sat around chatting, no longer dancing as they did earlier in the night. Their hushed talking was muffled by a soft melody floating from the speakers. 

Gabrielle was excited, as tonight was the night she would planning for; a cosy little movie night with Revan. He was a little difficult to convince at first, seeing as he was one of those ‘original source material’ purists. How she got him to agree to the quirky home movie marathon had been a bet as to how many ‘Karen’s Gabrielle would have to deal with in a week. “Bless his heart, Revan WAY under-guessed.” Gabrielle thought to herself as she remembered the many agonising debates with fake-coupon toting, arrogant, demanding the impossible customers she often found in her little boutique.

“Okay I got a good line-up, we got a horror romance, a classic 50s schlockbuster, a deep period drama and an adaptation.” Gabrielle pointed as she placed Love for a monster, The Leechmen from Neptune, Wonder and Loss and finally Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on her living room coffee table.

“I think he’ll be impressed with these films; they have things we both like in them.” Gabrielle smirked to herself. “Especially since he bought me the book version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for my birthday.” Gabrielle said as she started to finish cleaning and setting up her living room as a mini theatre. “He better not knock on Leechmen; it was a practical effects pioneer and helped jetset the iconic vision of John Carpenter.” Gabrielle said with strong resolve.

“Man needs some culture in his life and boy! Do I plan on giving it to him.”

Gabrielle set about making snacks, like popcorn and chilling their preferred adult beverages of choice; giddy to share in one of her own passions with her lover. “I hope he can see why I love films at the end of the night. Or at least why I appreciate them as my preferred medium of choice.” Gabrielle said softly to herself.

That’s when she heard her doorbell go off; the sound causing her to jump a little before she shouted out. “Imma coming!” and practically skipped to her front door; already feeling like she was on cloud nine.

Revan was unsure as to what he was about to expect, he truly hadn’t expected his girlfriend to bust her ass so much so often for ingrates to make her job harder. He had always felt movies were loud and often took the wrong messages from the original text or would carve some of the deeper and more ephemeral pieces out for a streamlined performance. But, he had agreed to the bet and her demand was a movie night with her selecting the films they would be watching. He waited as the bell rang and soon the door swung open and revealed Gabrielle; in a faded Mega Monkeys tee, plaited purple skirt and ripped denim. Revan couldn’t help but notice the light in her eyes right before Gabrielle launched herself into his arms.

“Revie! You made it.” She gushed as she kissed him.

“Why wouldn’t I? I did promise I’d come; I’m not late, am I? Finding parking was a pain.” Revan apologised to Gabrielle, hoping he hadn’t upset her.

“No, you’re on time and there’s no need to apologise, street-side parking goes wicked fast on these lanes.” Gabrielle waved him inside. “I am just feeling super hype about tonight. One couple enters, four films watched, endless entertainment.” She boomed in a faux wrestler commentator-like voice.

Revan couldn’t help but smile at her raw energy and emotional investment as he entered into Gabrielle’s apartment; loving the soft floral scent that hovered in the air. “What are we watching tonight, Gabi?” Revan asked, internally wincing at the idea of being subjected to the Serpent Gem A film franchise. Gabrielle smirked as she gestured to the setup of food and movies.

“We got a dark romance, a b-movie, a Drama piece and an adaptation.” Gabrielle answered as she pulled a red satin blanket and patted the cushion beside her. “I’ll let you choose which film we watch first. It’ll be fun!”

“B-movie? Like one of those rubber-suit monster and cardboard city films?” Revan asked, feeling a little dismissive about watching an old B-movie.

“Leechmen from Neptune is a tentpole and cornerstone of monster movies, schlock and science fiction horror due to its massively innovative and visionary practical effects for the time.” Gabrielle fiercely refuted. “John Carpenter sited that was a massive film that inspired him in his own practical effects cult classics.”

“I’ll trust you on that one; I guess… Love for a monster, we’ll watch that one first.” Revan awkwardly said. He hadn’t expected such a furore and passion from Gabrielle over such an old film.

“Interesting choice. I did nail you for a lover of dark and mysterious romances.” Gabrielle knowingly commented on her gothic lover’s choice. She watched Revan put on the DVD and admired his lithe build, boots, fish-net gloves and black button-up and imagined him in the role of Lord Casqawhail; the dark aristocrat of Love for a monster. “Hmmm… A perfect fit.” Gabrielle thought as Revan sat back down beside her.

Revan felt his initial confusion and concerns wash away as the sombre and very operatic dark romance played out before him. While he was not a ‘film bro’ he could see why Gabrielle loved the film they were watching. “Why did you select this film?” He asked after an impassioned monologue from Lord Casqawhail about the nature of beauty, life, time and misery.

“Well, it’s a unique take on Vampire Movies, dark romances and a collage of old century vampire lore.” Gabrielle answered. “Lord Casqawhail is a compelling and morally grey character who gave his humanity to protect his lands and peoples only to be condemned and entombed for many centuries. He is a master of academia and prose and once free from his confines; he doesn’t know what he wants.” Gabrielle paused as Lorielle encountered the Lord nearing the third act. “Despite his power, beauty, knowledge and ability and outside the rat race of time; he still seeks purpose and comfort. Even if it’s temporary.” She finished.

Revan was taken by her answer and the depth that it had as she nestled against him and kissed him on the neck. “I never considered it like that.” He said softly

“Guillermo Del Toro is a master monster writer.” Gabrielle responded “Many people look to him as a guide post for modern dark fantasy scriptwriting.” Gabrielle smiled as she could see the beginnings of comfort and interest on Revan’s face and smiled as she felt him hold and squeeze her hand.

BBRae Week 2022

Day 2 BAD IDEA

Raven knew this was a bad idea.

It was an awful idea, indeed – something he would come up with, no doubt.

But he hadn’t come up with it. She had.

Even more reason to turn back now. But she couldn’t… or wouldn’t…

“She’s perfect,” said Raven, looking down at baby Mar'i asleep in the bed between her and Koro. “I know it’s a cliché but… it’s true.”

“I don’t get tired of looking at her,” responded Kori, also staring at Mar'i with a sleepy smile. “Thanks for making her sleep.”

Raven shook her head with her eyes still stuck to the baby. “I’m glad to take one thing off your shoulders.”

It was hard to believe that when Raven and Victor had arrived, Mar'i was crying her head off as the new parents took turns walking her through the apartment in a frenzy.

Raven and Vic had looked at the chaos, then at each other, and taken charge of it. Now Mar'i lay asleep and Vic was in the kitchen making a much needed late breakfast for Dick and Kori. The only thing still chaotic was Dick, who was still zooming by completing random household tasks in a disorganized fashion.

:readmore:

“Honey,” Kori called out when he happened to steer close enough to them. “Come sit down. You have to slow down when she lets us, remember?”

“Right.” Dick slowed down with effort and joined them, laying at the foot of the bed. Kori laced her fingers through his, and it was like a switch that let him breathe full breaths again.

“To think I’ve always wanted to be a mother,” she mused. “It’s odd to think it finally happened.”

“You’ve always known that?” Raven asked, and Kori nodded. “I never saw myself having children. Still don’t.” She said it because she’d realized it at that moment, and then wondered if that was insulting, seeing as she was looking down on her friend’s baby as she said that.

But Kori was Kori. She didn’t take offense. "You've never had baby fever?" she wanted to know.

“No," chuckled Raven, and left it at that.

Part of her still doubted the so-called baby fever was even real. Seeing a baby awoke a primal urge to take care of it. Humans were designed that way. It was so parents wouldn’t abandon their babies for being so needy--so the human species wouldn’t die out. Maybe it was because she held such tight control on her emotions, things like that didn’t make it through her primary filters. Or maybe the fever was a myth.

Raven smiled down at Mar'i. “I’m just fine being an auntie.”

Dick cleared his throat. “Raven, is Gar coming now?”

“Yeah, just after the table read,” Raven confirmed.

“Um, when he comes, can you keep him from trying to pick Mar'i up?”

Raven did rip her eyes from Mar'i for that, turning to look at her friend in surprise. Dick at least had the decency look ashamed, though tiredness had made him callous, and Kori shook her head smiling, in a way Raven could tell they had talked about this beforehand and hadn’t agreed. “Excuse me? Why?”

“It’s not personal, alright? I’m just trying to keep my new baby from being dropped.”

“What?” Raven couldn’t help feel immediately defensive of her boyfriend of two years, and made no effort to hide it. “Why do you think he’s gonna drop her? I was just more likely to drop her.”

“Nope, you took care of kids before,” Victor’s voice joined the discussion from the kitchen. “They’re fine to this day. No evidence of a long-buried head trauma you conveniently forgot to tell us about.”

“I’m trying to protect my child here, Raven,” Dick pleaded, more frenzied seeing Raven’s frown didn’t ease.

“Gar seemed so eager to visit, too,” Vic’s voice commented. “He looked particularly excited today. Flippant. Butter-fingered.”

Raven called out, “Thanks, Vic. Don’t help.”

Kori calmly said, “If Mar'i was dropped she would simply fly.”

“That’s right, can’t Tamaraneans fly from birth?” asked Raven.

“She’s half Tamaranean,” Dick pointed out, at the same time Kori laughed, “He hasn’t allowed me to see if she can fly or not.”

“Of course not!” Dick cried at his wife, who smiled so warmly at him in return his face slackened, and he gave her a kiss as if to apologize for being a raw nerve.

He looked so pitiful, Raven couldn’t help but want to be diplomatic. “Well… with any luck Mar'i will stay asleep through Gar’s visit.”

However, there was no such luck. In the next hour, Mar'i began to fuss, then move her little feet, and open her eyes at turns, and she was well awake by the time G let himself through the door, bellowing, “Uncle Gar is here!”

“Sh!” Dick admonished, having materialized at the door next to him.

Gar’s ears dropped. “Is she asleep?” he asked, now in a whisper.

“No, but she just was,” Dick said, his tone plainly regretting that she wasn’t still asleep.

Gar lifted the admonishment on himself and scanned the apartment for his niece. His eyes brightened when he located Raven –it was a thing she always noticed happened when he saw her again after a while, and it was one of her favorite things in the whole cruel world-, and he made a beeline for the bed, laying a kiss on his girlfriend’s temple before he turned his attention to the baby, wherein his eyes widened and he gasped.

“Whoa, Kori… she’s so beautiful. And so tiny.”

And then the thing Dick feared so dearly happened in a split second. Dick was leaning against the opposite wall, half asleep on his feet, when Gar asked, “Can I pick her up?” and Kori nodded.

One green hand went under her head, another scooped the rest of her body, and Gar delicately lifted Mar'i on a safe journey to his chest, where she laid her head, perfectly comforted.

Dick had been halfway across the room. Gar turned just in time to see him stop cold, and cocked his head at the spatial disorientation of his friend being four feet closer than where he thought he was.

Dick had stopped cold because Gar had turned, and the sight of him holding Mar’i was so undeniably peaceful that his sleep-deprived mind could scarcely remember what he was scared about. He let out a mystified, “Oh.” And straightened.

Victor came out of the kitchen with the last batch of pancakes, most of which would be for Gar. “See, told you he wasn’t gonna drop her.”

“You thought I was gonna drop her?” Gar demanded.

Kori laughed at the scene and looked at Raven, but her smile fell when she saw her friend’s face.

Raven was staring at wide-eyed at nothing, face flushed red. Kori called, “Raven?”, and when the room’s attention inevitably turned on her, she went redder, covered her mouth, and coughed into it to cover it up. Koro patted her back, and Raven could feel her boyfriend’s concerned gaze on her.

Raven had never wanted children. It had never entered her mind before in any shape or form. But all it had taken was Gar holding Mar'i like that for her to be hit upside the head with a deep, irrational longing.

Maybe she wanted kids. Maybe she wanted one right now. The certainty split her brain in two: on the one hand, she knew her new feeling was as unreasonable as it was sudden; on the other, she was sure she needed to have a baby right this moment, with that exact guy. Goddamn it. The stupid fever was real.

“I’m fine,” she said as Dick brought her a glass of water. She was still avoiding Gar’s eyes.

If you concentrated hard enough, you might hear a clock ticking.

───

Notes:

It's fucking 0:14 where I am I was so close to making it 😥 whatever it's still Day 1 because I haven't gone to bed

I'm risking my life finishing editing this on mobile. If there's any mistakes I'll edit them tomorrow 😅

I stretched this prompt thin, mainly because I was sure the prompt 'future' was gonna win in the poll and I didn't realize it hadn't until after I was attached to this 😶 but hey, at least it keeps with the family theme

This is legitimately all based off a tiktok

I’m not gonna say how many drafts I have for how many of the week prompts in case I don't finish but I'm posting it all on ao3 and fanfiction.net at the end of the week.

The Tower was quiet as many of the Titans were out on missions or aiding their fellow international members on their own cases. That was why Raven was bemused to see the full team of the Doom Patrol standing idle within the central comms room of the Titans Tower. Raven merely quirked an eyebrow at the four older heroes, before floating to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of herbal tea. “Can I help you with anything? We rarely ever get surprise guests; except of course; when we’re being invaded.” Raven calmly stated as she picked up her cup and sat down facing the Beastboy’s adopted family.

There was no answer to her question or to her jabbing quip, Mento just continued to stare at her with a stoic and stone-faced expression before talking. “I think you know why we’re here.” Mento spoke sternly as he pulled out a chair spun it around and sat on it. “Garfield is a good man and has a great many talents, and pretending he isn’t lying to a psychic isn’t one of them.”

The air between the Doom Patrol and the lone Titan grew heavy as an unseen tension started to rise.

“I certainly have no idea as to what you’re implying. I speak in absolutes not weasel words, try that again and this time; say the quiet part loud.” Raven retorted without showing a single emotion on her face.

That was when Robotman blurted out, interrupting the back and forth. “Disco-hat here wants to be sure there isn’t some ulterior motive or something… Like you havin’ daddy issues or somethin’.” The older cyborg finished weakly as Raven turned to look at him.

“First off; I don’t have daddy issues. Second, my father is an inter-dimensional demon lord who swallows all life from world to world; so, we do not get along in the slightest.” Raven answered not blinking as she took a sip of her tea. “If that was everything, feel free to leave or is there more to this impromptu house call while Garfield isn’t here?” She inquired.

“Perceptive, aren’t you?” Mento quipped.

“No. I am simply not stupid and you overplayed your hand. As much as Gar talks about me to you; he talks about you to me. Out with it; we haven’t all day Steven.” Raven bit back with her iconic half-smile as she took a deep sip from her drink before she planted her cup on the table.

There was a pregnant pause as Mento’s face slipped into a grimace before he let out a hissing sigh and tried to regain composure.

“What do you plan to do with Garfield?” The question perplexed Raven as she quirked an eyebrow at the older hero.

“I fail to understand the question? Garfield is a person; I don’t plan to do anything with him without his acknowledgment or active and enthusiastic consent. I refuse to play this game of word semantics.” Raven boldly rebuffed. She turned moved her gaze past Mento and towards Elastigirl. “Rita; I must give you a warm thank you. The tea you told Gar to get me has been absolutely delightful.”

“The thanks for that goes to Larry; he has a more refined palette than me.” Elastigirl said, smiling warmly as she stepped beside her husband and placed a hand on Mento’s shoulder. “What Steve has been trying to do is inquire about the nature of your relationship. Is it a temporary scenario for you; or do you wish to pursue a more permanent dynamic with Garfield?”

“Are you seriously asking if I am as the kids say ‘hitting and quitting’, Garfield?” Raven asked with incredulity. A small laugh escaped her as she even began to ponder how Mento conjured up that idea.

“More or less. The kid’s got a big heart, don’t wanna see ‘em get hurt.” Negative Man spoke up with an emotionless tone. “Especially after how his first romance went.”

Negative Man’s comments gave Raven pause as she recollected what could have been Beastboy’s first romance until it hit her: Terra.

“Terra was distraught and had many deep emotional and mental issues. They went unchecked and untended to; in the end she died a hero. I think that’s how Garfield chooses to remember her.” Raven looked at Mento to gauge his reaction; this time the man was controlling his expression expertly well.

“I assume because of my connection to my father; the world-eating nightmare, you think I might one day lose control and do something terrible to him?” Raven asked.

“If the blonde could, who says you can’t?” Mento responded.

“You are comparing apples to oranges in this case. I was raised from birth understanding my powers, my heritage and the dangers that both of those things can cause.” Raven argued, feeling her anger boil at the implied remark that she was an unstable timebomb. “What I would give for five minutes in the Octagon with that bastard!” Rage roared within Raven’s mind. “Terra was manipulated by an expert on the subject and had what little control over her powers stolen from her and her emotions pushed to extremes and turned loose on us. Don’t simplify her story.”

“You really care for the green goofball don’t ya?” Robotman bluntly asked.

“With every fibre of my being; he makes my days brighter just by being here. I would never hurt him.” Raven said every word with strong and unrepentant resolve. Mento didn’t say anything for a moment; before getting up and started to walk to the Doom Jet.

“I have heard everything I need to hear. Welcome to the family; I expect both you and Garfield over for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“That’s it? The entire Doom Patrol broke into my home just to give me the third degree and the classic ‘If you break my kid’s heart’ speech.” Raven called out, still processing the incredulity of everything that had just taken place over several stressfully tense minutes.

“Bout the size of it. They care for the goof… Wanted to know if you’ll treat him right.” Negative Man bluntly responded before leaving.

“An Steve heard all he needed to hear. He’s not kidding by the way; he will be expecting you two for the holidays.” Robotman stated as he left as well.

“Steve is complicated and what we do isn’t easier to explain. We’ve seen possible futures and… it has left him anxious. He just wanted to know his son was happy.” Elastigirl spoke as she hugged Raven before turning towards the Doom Jet.

The purple and chrome coloured sky-craft rocketed up into the sky and disappeared beyond the horizon; leaving behind Jump City’s local sorceress as she contended with a swirl of emotions.

“They like us!” Happy cheered

“They accept and endorse our love. That is beyond amazing.” Love was beside herself with happiness

“That was an excellent and eye-opening encounter, I feel we have learnt so much about his family from this conversation.” Knowledge noted.

“As well as a clear and concise construct of their emotional needs and moral centres. They are complicated characters indeed.” Wisdom observed.

“T-t-that was terrifying.” Timid squeaked out.

“Did they think they could have forced us to break up!?” Rage hissed out.

“We should go find Gar! Give him a kiss and tell em the good news.” Brave said “that we meet the family and that they approve.”

“A think a phonecall would be more appropriate; seeing as he is on a stake out right now.” Raven thought to herself. “That, and I need a sounding board for everything that we’re feeling; its too much.” Raven winced as the beginnings of a headache was making itself known.

She dialled her jade lover and waited for him to pick up.

“What’s cooking Rae Rae?” His excitable voice was like music to her ears.

“Doom Patrol visited just now. We’re invited to all the usual holiday events.” Raven summarised awkwardly.

“Aww man… Mento gave you the third degree why? Why would he do that?” Garfield questioned.

“He was under the impression I was going to sleep with you and dump you, or mistakenly believed our love may have been a long con by Trigon to enter our reality.”

“That… sounds on point for Steve. What did you say?”

“I loved you with every fibre of my being and nothing happens between us without complete trust and consent. I may have also taken childish jabs at him.” Raven answered.

“That’s my girl! He needs to laugh more. Wait, did you say we both got invited to the big events?” Gar questioned.

“Oh yes, I did say those words roughly in that order.” Raven sarcastically quipped. “But in all seriousness, before he left, he welcomed me into the family.”

“That means he really liked you and approves of you. When I get back, we are going to celebrate; how about that new up-scale waffle place you’ve been talking about?” Beastboy inquired as he had already begun planning the celebrations.