Growing up (Falling Down) Chapter 1 by 6-String Samurai

T-minus: 10 days

It was dingy, old and when you simply glanced at the carpet it was entirely too apparent that this motel room had seen better days; for only dollars a day, what kind of room could a patron expect? It wasn't as if this motel were known for having high paying clientele. The people that did frequent it were usually low on cash, college kids who only used the hotel as a place to vomit and sleep in, and for people who were simply passing through and could have cared less that the carpet was blotched and discolored from what must have been poor attempts at cleaning up vomit.

As many travelers and low-lives that had passed through the very doors of the motel lobby, the caretaker, an aging apathetic old man had never encountered somebody like this very room's current occupant.

He was large, even more so due to the size of the room. He perched himself on the edge of the bed and the springs and legs of the bed creaked and moaned in response to the tremendous weight. Taking a swig of a now lukewarm beer, the man brought his attention back to the news playing on the television as a robbery was foiled by a group of young superheroes. His mind couldn't help but think back to simpler days when he himself was a superhero. His expression darkened slightly and he finished the rest of the warm beverage in one gulp and crushed the aluminum can into a small walnut sized chunk of metal.

As the news quickly switched gears and began discussing the weather forecast the man's mind began to wander. It had only been one month ago that he was working at an oil refinery located several miles off the coast of Alaska. He'd been working there for over a year, and was paid well. His skills were unique…and none of the other workers located on the refinery could boast his ability to work the more dangerous and inhabitable jobs that he did on a day to day basis. After a two week shift of being on the job on the refinery, he'd be flown back home to his simple apartment in New York.

Money was always tight; as much money as he made, living in the city was expensive. When asked why he stayed in such an expensive city, he'd always reply, What can I say? I'm a New Yorker at heart. Then, after almost a year of working at the refinery and settling into a nice and simple routine, he received a letter. He really should have expected it sooner or later. Heroes don't just disappear, especially ones with his special abilities. The letter was on business letterhead, and asking if he'd be willing to help lead a group of young upstart heroes who needed his advice and experience. He was told that they'd even be using the name of his old team.

He crumpled the letter and threw it in a waste bucket.

A week later he received a call, on the job site, which he promptly hung up on. If they only needed a babysitter, they could have asked another hero who was actually interested in getting back into "The game."

On his next trip home to his apartment, as he opened his door, he discovered that he had company. Before his temper got the best of him, he finally let his visitor, who looked entirely too much like a lawyer for his tastes, talk to him for 5 minutes.

After he accepted their offer and the lawyer walked out, he really wished he had just tossed him out the window with his suitcase.

A few days later, he called the company asking that he be given a few weeks to sort out his personal life. He told them that he needed some time to adjust, and to train. He didn't like how easily and cordially they had accepted his request.

What he really wanted was to have a chat with the only other living member of his now disbanded team. He personally wanted the consent of his old friend before using their name for a new team.

He packed a few bags, hopped on his motorcycle, which was modified for his large mass, and took a nice long relaxing road trip to the west coast. Sure he could have flown but he needed the time to think about his decision. He also needed to make a few stops on the way; Pick up some of his old things. Looking at a calendar before he set out on his journey he noticed that a special day was only about a month and a half away; it's his friend's birthday.

His train of thought was suddenly broken and he is brought out of his thoughts and back to the dingy motel room in the dingy motel located several days outside of San Francisco.

There is another knock at the motel room door. With a grunt, the sound of servos and hydraulics are heard as he brings himself to his feet, his head only inches from the ceiling.

"Who is it?" he voices towards the door. He doesn't sound angry, quite calm even, but to the housekeeper on the other side of the door, his voice sounds unusual tone of his voice.

Still wondering what it is that sounds so peculiar about his voice, the old housekeeper, most likely in her 50's, jumps slightly when the door is suddenly opened.

Her eyes widen slightly as the door finally opens and she is able to take in his full size. Her eyes sweep from his feet to the top of the door frame where she notices that he is even taller than the door frame. She's obviously not used to seeing his type. Sure, she's seen many heroes on television and on the news, but never one in person.

The large man, getting quite irritated with the housekeeper's continued gawking and silence asks in a slightly irritated tone, "Can I help you?"

The old woman continues to stare. He closes the door in her face, but not before putting a 'do not disturb' sign on the door. After gathering her wits she goes onto the next room and looks forward to telling her husband the odd motel patron she saw today.

The man lumbers away from the door back towards his previous spot on the bed. The floor creaks as he walks, as does the bed when he sits down. Bored with the television, he switches it off and looks at the simple cardboard box sitting in the corner of his room next to his bags.

On the way from New York, he'd made a stop at the old headquarters of his former team. It was a converted airplane hangar located in an unused airfield. After waking up from their last mission and being delivered the devastating news of his teammates, he want to the hangar, and found it had been mostly emptied except for the personal items of his teammates.

He had gathered all the things he needed, and after going through some paperwork that his former teammates had accumulated, all that he was left with were the contents of the cardboard box. It was full of files that he knew…his old friend would want.

Speaking of his old friend, the man looked towards the window towards the shining sun and sighed; a very human sigh that seemed out of place on its owner. What would he say to his friend? As far as his friend knew, he'd died with the rest of the team. His friend had moved on…as he so plainly saw on the news and in the newspapers. Did he have the right to jump back into his life? Tell him what really happened to him? Possibly break up the tranquility that his friend now found?

His thoughts were abruptly halted by the small photograph he subconsciously grabbed from his wallet while he was thinking of his old team and meeting his old friend again. In the picture he saw himself and his friend, as well as their 3 other teammates. They were at an amusement park. The man's friend, being the youngest, had the largest smile on his face.

The man took the picture and put it back into his wallet, stood up and walked over to the window. He deserves to know what happened to them…he deserves to know…and they deserve the modicum of respect.

Yes, the large man would meet his friend in several days time. He didn't know what he'd say, or how his friend would react, but it wasn't like the large man was ever known for thinking things through himself. All he did know was that he had a lot of catching up to do.

As he walked back towards the bed, a newspaper that he had picked up earlier today caught his eye. He'd read the front page article several times. Above the article was the picture of 5 youths posing for the picture. Well…one youth was posing and hamming it up for the camera, his teammates were giving him a disapproving glare as they were busy with handing over whatever villain they had caught to the police. The camera hogging teen had green eyes and green skin. The teen would have been considered peculiar and freakish if he weren't standing next to four other equally odd looking teenagers.

With a small grin, the large man packed his bags and belongings and proceeded to step out to his oversized motorbike.

He had more traveling to do, and a friend to meet.

T-minus: 3 days

It was fall; Days were getting shorter, and the weather just a bit more brisk.

On a very normal island, in a somewhat normal hilly city, in a slightly abnormal building, in a very disgusting room, on a very out of place bunk-bed slept a very odd boy. He was green, lived in a T-shaped tower, lived with 4 other superheroes and could change into animals.

His alarm sounded and after a few incoherent moments of mumbling and talking to his beside clock, he shut it off. Now that the nuisance had been silenced he rolled back into his sleeping position at the center of the bed.

At least he would have had he not already been on the edge of the top bunk-bed. He "eeked" as his sleep addled mind processed what was happening and then landed with a large thud, face first on the floor.

In Titan tower common room the commotion was loud enough to be heard by the other tenants of the tower who just shook their head and resumed their daily activities.

Robin read the paper at the kitchen island and sipping a cup of coffee (one cream two sugars).

To his left, Starfire eating what looked like raven's recipe for waffles coated in mustard

On Robin's right, Cyborg had a mouthful of bacon in his mouth, which was quite open and for all to see as he gawked at Starfire's affinity for disgusting food.

Raven sat to Starfire's left, sipping herbal tea and pecking at a piece of toast covered in blueberry jam. Her other hand was holding a pen and working on a logic puzzle from the newspaper.

"Think we should go make sure he hasn't landed face first into a pile of dirty clothes and asphyxiated himself?"

"Nah, he'll be fine"

Back in Beast Boy's room its one green occupant pulled his head out from what smelled like something that smelled very disgusting and very inhuman.

Looking down the bridge of his nose, he realized he had a tube sock shoved up his nose. With a shudder he yanked the sock out. I…really need to do some laundry. He surveyed his room and saw piles and piles of clothes strewn about his room, looking like small islands against a sea of navy blue office carpet.

Shaking more cobwebs from his mind Beast Boy padded over to the window of his room avoiding several pizza boxes and video game cartridges and opened the blinds. His room was suddenly illuminated by the late morning sun.

The view was beautiful. The sun caught the water just right to make it glow behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Reaching up to open the large window, he sucked in a large breath and "GOOD MORNING SAN FRANCISCO!" was heard by his tower mates as well as a few birds and animals on the island.

In the common room:

"Does he have to do that every morning?"

"well has it not only been for the past few days?

"Sure as hell feels like it's been every morning…"

"Aw, chill out Raven, you know he's just amped up about the BIG day."

A grunt of agreement, a sip of coffee and a crinkle of newspaper was heard from Robin.

A "hrmph" was heard from Raven which brought a smile to her teammates as they continued breakfast. Slightly miffed that nobody else found it at all annoying she turned her attention back to her sudoku puzzle with a slight pout.

Beast Boy dressed and completed his daily bathroom routine but as he made his way towards the door he turned to three small 3" x 5" picture frames on a dresser. Glancing at the first two he gave a small smile and wink, "Off to another beautiful day!" His smile turned a bit wistful but it was quickly replaced as he made his way over to a calendar hanging on his wall. A Sharpe pen hung from a piece of string which Beast Boy used to cross a large green X through yesterday's date on the calendar. Just a few more days till the big One SIX!

On his way to his door to go meet his friends, Beast Boy made one last stop at a spot of wall that was usually ignored except for when it was near his birthday. It was marked up several horizontal lines in pencil and next to it was a hand drawn vertical ruler that indicated feet and inches. Nobody else really ventured into his room and Beast Boy was glad. If Cyborg knew that he checked his height every year, he'd never heard the end of the short jokes.

It was habit really. He did it every year. It was always a big deal to him and it was made special by the fact that his Mother was always the one that helped him do the marking. After marking his height, she'd always congratulate him with a big hug and a kiss. Smiling at the thought he turned back to see if there was any difference in his height. Comparing the mark he made on the wall to his home made ruler, WOO HOO FIVE SIX AND A HALF! This day couldn't get any better! An inch or two down on his ruler were small letters that resembled a Ra on it. Several inches above at varying heights were Ro, S and C.

Giving an excited prance around the room he was ecstatic that he was no longer the shortest member of the team. Sure it wasn't like he hadn't noticed it lately that he was a BIT taller than Raven, but it was nice to finally see it in…"writing" on the wall.

Several quiet minutes passed that were only disturbed by a belch from Starfire or Cyborg (who both found it wildly amusing), a loud sip of coffee from Robin or a scribble of a pen on the puzzle Raven was working on.

All these noises were eclipsed as soon as Beast Boy bounded through the door more energetically than normal and with a loud and animated shout "GOOD MORNING GUYS AND GALS!"

"Morning B." mumbled Cyborg between mouthfuls of eggs who resembled a chipmunk stuffing food in his cheeks.

"Morning Beast boy." Said Robin who gave him a small smirk at his friends' flamboyant entrance. Normally he would have been a tad annoyed at this morning greeting from day to day, but seeing as how Beast Boy would be turning 16 in few more days and seemed happier than Robin had ever seen him; well he decided he'd just let it slide. Beast boy's infectious energy also happened to rub off on the other normally emotionally charged occupant of the tower.

"FRIEND BEAST BOY!" shouted Starfire who ran over and enveloped him in one of her chest cavity crushing hugs, which surprisingly he returned. Beast Boy's mood in recent days as it got closer to his birthday was certainly welcomed by the Tamranian. She found it nice to have somebody else to share the same emotional high she experienced on a day to day basis. The fact that Beast Boy had been like this for the past few days were always fun for Starfire to share in.

After releasing him from her hug Starfire flew back to her spot next to Robin, who turned to smile at her hyperactive antics and gave her a small peck on the cheek. The alien girl blushed and began finishing off what was left of her "pancakes."

Still on a heap on the floor, Beast boy picked himself up and sat down with a bit of gusto in his chair next to Raven.

"Must you always be this energetic when it's near your birthday?" Raven said in her normal monotone voice, not bothering to turn away from her puzzle.

Beast boy would have been put off by her behavior, and was about to go on to say how he liked his birthday…but seeing as how only about half a year ago they nearly stopped the apocalypse on her own 16th birthday, he could at least understand why she'd never really be the birthday type. So instead he just changed the subject and annoyed her anyway.

"What? No 'hello' no 'good morning'? You wound me!" The last bit was spoken with a bit of dramatic flare as Beast boy leaned away and placed the back of his hand against his forehead pretending to be genuinely hurt.

The other breakfast island occupants smiled at the exchange, which was typical for the moody sorceress and the hyperactive green boy. Cyborg was hoping for some entertainment, Star thought it was adorable and Robin just gave his trademark smirk at the pair and silently prayed that nothing broke.

Raven looked up from her puzzle and growled out a "Good Morning" which had the unexpected effect of making Beast boy produce a smile that threatened to split his face in two. Grumbling to herself and bringing back her hood up, she turned back to her puzzle. Robin gave a sigh of relief, Starfire chuckled silently with mirth in her eyes and Cyborg looked disappointed that his green friend didn't end up getting thrown across the room.

Realizing that the little exchange would be all the trio would get from Raven and Beast Boy, they made their way towards the couch and the large screen plasma television to play video games. Cyborg and Robin threw several jibes and "talked of trash" as Starfire liked to call it as they started up the Gamestation leaving Beast boy and Raven alone in the kitchen.

Beast boy made his way to the refrigerator and stood there contemplating what he'd have for breakfast. Raven stared at him as he stood there with the door open and let all the cool air out of the refrigerator.

Why does he even bother looking in there every morning for something to eat when he knows he'll just pick some meat substitute? Thought Raven and was about to tell to stop being inconsiderate when he finally closed the door and was tossing up some dark green object around in his hand. He walked by the breadbox that was set on the countertop and picked up two pieces of bread that he took out and placed on a plate he grabbed seconds later.

In the years that they had known each other, Raven rarely ever saw Beast Boy deviate from his usual Tofu breakfast. Sure he'd had a piece of toast from time to time, but what was with the avocado? Glad that she had her hood up, her curiosity got the best of her as she wondered what exactly the green boy was doing.

He then took out a small knife and sliced the fruit in half. After removing the large seed he began slicing the avocado flesh into long strips and placing them on the two pieces of toast. He threw them into the mini-oven and was rewarded with an odd looking breakfast. Scrunching up her nose at the weird combination, she couldn't help but keep staring to see if he'd eat it.

Avocados on toast? She thought.

He then shook on some salt and pepper and was about to take a bite when he noticed a pair of amethyst eyes peering at him from under a dark purple hood.

Seeing that he noticed her, she quickly brought her eyes back down to her crossword puzzle and let out a quiet "ahem," As she pushed away a slight blush from forming on her pale skin.

Smiling to himself and taking advantage of the opportunity to talk/annoy his teammate, he spoke up, "What? Something on my face?"

She had REALLY hoped that he'd ignore her and get back to breakfast seeing as how she seemed to be busy. But she should have known that in typical Garfield 'Beast boy' Logan fashion, he never would do what she wanted him to do.

The pair had an odd relationship that bordered on being a close friendship. Sure they argued and fought like a "married couple" as Cyborg had once said (which earned him a trip out into the ocean), but she had to admit he was…amusing from time to time. She liked him more when he wasn't being annoying, when she could actually talk with him. She always would remember the way he had come to talk with her after the ordeal with "the book" and how they talked after his "incident." Raven's hand reached towards her chest where a familiar penny, that only she knew, hung from her neck from a simple string. The piece of copper would always remind her of one of the saddest and happiest days she could remember when she finally broke away from her father.

Yes…they were friends. Maybe not in the conventional sense, but friends…who got on each others' nerves most of the time.

She was brought out of her thoughts on the green boy when said green boy's hand was waving in front of her face. Damn it, I zoned out...

"Huh? Oh…I was just a bit…curious as to what you were eating." Raven irked out with feigned indifference, "you're always eating some nasty meat substitute, so I was just curious…that's all."

Beast Boy smiled and Raven scowled, because she knew, that he knew she was more curious than she let on. She prepared herself for a few jibes at her expense, when he surprised her again, by just sitting down next to her and took a bite of his avocado toast. He then took his other piece and made a move to place it on her plate. He did this all without a word; he knew how much she hated it when he talked to her with his mouth full.

"Beast boy it's ok I don't want to…MPHGH" Raven's attempt at telling him to not give up half of his breakfast was interrupted when he just gently shoved the piece of bread up to her mouth for her to take a bite.

It was…actually really good. It was refreshing and the pepper and salt really brought out the flavor of the avocado. Taking note of the fact that she was still chewing and hadn't spit it out, BB placed the piece of now partially eaten toast onto her plate and resumed eating his piece. He gave her a small smile which she unexpectedly returned.

The breakfast island was brought back into silence as the two teens began eating quietly with only the crunching of toast, the chewing of food and the occasional WHOOP of victory from Robin or Cyborg to break up the silence.

That was until there was a ring from the Titans mainframe indicating that somebody was ringing at the front door.

All 5 teens though to themselves, Who'd come knocking at this hour? It was mid morning and they never had guests.

Robin shouted over his shoulder and he and Cyborg continued their game, "Could one of you get it?"

Beast boy and Raven looked at each other, both not wanting to get up when she spoke first "I don't know about you, but I'm still eating," as she took a bite of the toast she gave her. She looked down to his plate and his gaze followed to realize he was done and had nothing to distract him.

Beast boy would have had some sassy reply, but it was silenced by the challenging smirk on her fact that he couldn't help but find attractive on the rare occasions he saw it.

"Fine, fine I'll get it your highness" he said with a smile as he got up, and made his way out of the common room to the entrance to Titans tower but not before grabbing a cup of juice on his way out.

Raven turned back to her breakfast and smiled to herself Good boy.

Beast boy made his walk through the tower and was already thinking of what excuse he'd have to tell whatever salesman that had come to their door. As he placed his hand on the palm reader by the door, he already began his speech, "Listen I'm sorry but we don't take solicit…."

Beast Boy's mind literally froze at the sight that was before him. His gaze went from the head to the feet of the towering form standing in front of him in disbelief. His glass of juice dropped from his hand and made a crash on the metal floor that echoed.

No…it can't be…he can't still be…what happened…is this some sick joke!

The large man looked down at the green teen and gauged his reaction. It was about what he expected, the kid gaping like a fish at him. So he broke the silence with "Er…hey kid how's it been going? That anyway way to greet your old buddy Cliff?" Well…that couldn't have sounded more awkward.

Sure he expected silence and disbelief and even a little bit of the fish mouth syndrome he had saw earlier…he didn't quite see the large fist coming at him and plowing him back away from the door and into the grass.

Raven's eyes suddenly shot up as heard the breaking of a glass. It was common knowledge that Garfield was a real klutz…he was probably embarrassing himself in front of some high school cheerleader that was asking for a donation.

That line of thinking was quickly squelched as she felt the heated energy that only her empathic powers could interpret as pure rage.

"Robin, Starfire, Cyborg! We got a situation!" She called to her friends in the living room. The trio looked away from their game with a questioning look in their eyes, until they saw the panicked seriousness in Raven's eyes.

The four teens made their way to the front entrance of the tower, with dozens of scenarios involving their friend getting suddenly ambushed by some unknown attacker.

It wasn't quite what they expected.

AN:

Well…first chapter from my first fic EVER. Hope you liked it, please be brutal in the reviews, I'd appreciate some honesty on what I need to improve.

As for the idea of this fic, the idea is borrowed heavily from information from Titans Tower on Beast Boy's time with the Doom Patrol. If you're interested, go on over and check it out, he's got a pretty messed up past. I'm sure it'll end up taking some bits and pieces from season 5 since it starts tonight.

I really wanted to write this story because BB is just always the joker. We saw a bit of his humanity in the whole deal with Terra, but I want to really explore his personality a bit more. Hopefully I can do that. If I can do it with a little of R/BB too, then more power to me.

Before it was announced the Doom Patrol would make their appearance in season 5, I had actually thought of it when browsing around Titans tower. I said to myself, boy, wouldn't it be cool if they brought the DP into the picture. I guess somebody heard my wish, because there it was. Again, that's about the only similarities it'll have with the cartoon. It sounded like BB didn't join the TT until his mates were KIA. So…this is different, lemme warn you.

If any of this information is wrong…feel free to tell me, but I think I'll stick with my storyline as is. I already have too many ideas swimming around in my head as to what I want to happen.

If you're curious, the title comes from a song from an Aussie rockabilly band by the name of "The Living End" Check it out.

This hasn't been edited, seeing as how I rushed this on Friday night before the premiere of season 5. I hope it turns out ok, and who knows, I might go back and fix any glaring grammatical errors.

Cheers and God bless…and yes be BRUTAL folks.