Quality Time

CHAPTER 9: All Work and No Play?

It was bright and early the next morning as BeastBoy stepped into the kitchen, stretching with a yawn. He made his way over to the refrigerator, inspecting its contents, making a selection for his morning meal. Content with a bowl of leftover tofu eggs, he shut the refrigerator door and placed the dish in the microwave. A few minutes went by as BeastBoy patiently tapped his foot, rubbing his eyes, becoming more awake as he waited for his breakfast to cook. A ding sounded as he opened the microwave and reached for his dish.

"Ahh! Hot! Hot!" he yelped, snapping out of his drowsy state as his fingertips were subjected to the heat emitting from the bowl, lightly tossing it back and forth from one hand to the other, almost juggling it to the table.

Dropping the bowl onto the table, he waved his hands frantically, blowing on them in an effort to cool them. Even with his gloves on, they weren't specially insulated for protecting against heat.

"I suppose that's one way to fully awaken yourself in the morning," Raven said from across the room, unnoticed until now, sitting on the couch with her back to him, a cup of herbal tea in hand.

BeastBoy gave a halfhearted smile to the back of Raven's head, picking up a fork, and beginning to eat. A short silence followed, interrupted only by the occasional chewing and swallowing of BeastBoy eating.

Raven put down her cup of tea, turning her head to face him. "This is new," she began, "No attempt to defend your absent mindedness by saying you meant to do that on purpose? No comeback?"

"Oh, I got plenty of comebacks," he boasted, now with a full smile, "I'm just savin' them all for later."

Raven stood, walking over to the kitchen. "I take it you have plans?" she asked.

BeastBoy nodded, chewing with his mouth full.

"May I be so bold as to ask what you have in mind?" she questioned, taking a seat across from him as he downed another bite.

Raven was a tad curious as to what he had in store for the both of them today. It was his day for them to engage in his usual routine, and despite yesterday being far from fulfilling due to their somewhat lack of sleep, she would've at least liked a heads up.

BeastBoy put down his fork, swallowing his food. "Picture this," he started, trying to sound dramatic.

Already Raven could tell she wasn't going to like where this was going.

BeastBoy got out of his seat, unable to contain his excitement sitting down. "Today, you and me are gonna' hit the biggest! Noisiest! Funest!"

"Funest isn't a word," she dismally pointed out.

"Don't knock it. I'm on a roll," he smiled, too excited to be brought down by Raven correcting him.

Raven simply rolled her eyes.

"Now, where was I?" he scratched the side of his head.

"Funest," Raven sighed.

"Oh yeah! The funest! Most loudest…"

"BeastBoy," Robin called, entering the room.

BeastBoy stopped, both he and Raven turning to observe Robin approach them. Immediately the thought of prank retaliation entered BeastBoy's mind. Though, in truth, he was expecting it sooner or later. After all, he certainly wouldn't have let Robin off the hook if it were the other way around.

Robin seemed calm enough. No visible indication of him holding a grudge. Then again, this was Robin. Next to Raven, he could mask his intentions with the best of them. He could only anticipate Robin was probably going to spring some kind of prank, or maybe just serve as a distraction while Cyborg arranged some kind of fiendish booby trap in his room. But if BeastBoy was going to be on the receiving end of whatever Robin had in store for him, why not go out in one last blaze of glory. Let the crime fit the punishment.