#arcanefcrce

ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧  

Beast Boy had been doing a nightly patrol when his heightened sense of hearing picked up on a tiny sound. It almost sounded like a squeak. Though he doubted such a sound was crime related, the changeling still found himself following it. The sound led him to an alleyway and a worn cardboard box.

Peering inside the box, he spotted a cat with a litter of kittens. Such a sight would usually make his heart melt, but here, his heart dropped. The mama cat wasn't moving. Or breathing. Neither were the kittens. Only one kitten showed signs of life. The poor little creature was crying and trying to nurse from its dead mother.

The green teen knelt down and pulled the kitten away from its mother.

“You poor thing...” He said softly, holding the kitten close to him to keep it warm. “There aren't any shelters open right now, but I'll take care of you until there are.”

While the animal shelters weren't open at this hour, there was a certain grocery store chain that was. Hastily making his way there, he picked up the bare essentials he would need.

After quietly making his way into the Tower and down the corridor, he lightly tapped on Raven's door with his foot. He'd have knocked, but his hands were cradling the little kitten and a grocery bag was hanging from his arm.

         ||   - (actionsarcanefcrce): "dad when did you get so hip with the human slang yo" ||

{{ Yep, juuuust right. *slaughtered* }}

–

The stream of scathing, honest disappointment struck Dove’s ears like thunder.

The tumult of panicked anxiety was already building in her mind-- the one thing, the one thing she’d always been terrified of more than anything was being rejected, leaving others disappointed, judging her Wrong, being caught helpless between her own inadequacies and being deemed Unworthy.

Just... like... this.

She was left staring. Shocked. Paralyzed. Wounded. She didn’t know HOW. How to earn trust, how to be brave. How to fulfill these demands.

How to stop being a COWARD.

She didn’t even know how to handle criticism with anything but mute terror and acceptance, ever afraid she would only make it worse.

It left her rendered helpless, frozen in utterly stupefied lostness; she’s never known anything else but dependence, and the fear that she’d never be accepted by the people around her.

But she didn’t feel the tears burning in her eyes or the heat in her strangled throat until Raven brought up the word “home”.

– “and left it for dead.”

What could she have done?

– “Stop being a coward.”

But how?

– “Grow up.”

How?

How could she possibly prove herself, when she was so deeply convinced that there was nothing in her to prove?

The only thing she had right now was helplessness. And the only response she had was raw, mewling, terrified shameful unhelpful honesty.

Today was going to be a great day! What made this day so great? Well, aside from the beautiful weather, a good night’s sleep, and a brand new outfit, he was going on a date with Raven! He had no need to worry, Beast Boy told himself. They’d already established they like each other. Plus, he was at his best today; freshly showered with new clothes and thoroughly brushed teeth. If he was going to make a good impression on Raven any day, it would be this one. With confidence and optimism, he burst into the main room of the Tower. “Preeeeesenting, the one and only Beast Boy!” The changeling exclaimed as he made himself the center of attention. “Sporting a fashion all his own! Top of the line, morph-friendly material custom made to show the beast within!” Cyborg, Robin, and Starfire all watched in confusion and a bit of interest as the changeling went about his presentation. “You heard me right; morph friendly!” He somersaulted into an armadillo before jumping into kangaroo form. Landing on his hind legs, he proceeded to dance around a bit before jumping in the air and landing in human form. “So, whaddaya think? Are these not the coolest threads you’ve ever seen?!”