Fight or Flight XIV

Beast Boy was unable to sleep yet again. He had tossed and turned for hours while his brain went through the events of today. He and Raven almost kissed, which carried its own problems. What confused him more was the fact that he was unable to talk to her, she was always caught up with someone else. It was like she wanted to pretend that it never happened, and he didn't blame her one bit. Maybe it was for the best anyways, maybe talking about what almost was would be too complicated. Life would be easier if it was swept under the rug and forgotten

After he realized that he was going to get no sleep tonight, Beast Boy decided to watch TV in the common room. Figuring that no one would be up he didn't bother to put on pants and strutted to the common room in his boxers and wife beater. Once he had made sure he had enough popcorn to suffice his hunger, he plopped down on the couch and began flipping thorough the channels.

Beast Boy deciding on reruns of Loony Tunes he sighed and settled in for the long haul. A few hours of mind killing tunes had passed and he was surprised that the was able to calm down his racing mind. Then with out warning the doors to the common room opened, his heart skipped at the thought of Robin catching him eating all of the popcorn in the tower. Not only that but he dreaded the lecture that was sure to come once he realized that he had yet to go to sleep. After turning around he realized that his guest was Raven rather than Robin.

She had on a pajama shorts and a tank top that stopped above her navel. Beast Boy cold not help the devious smile that threatened his face, he would have been more courteous at her attire but couldn't help his eyes from wondering. "Hey Rae, what are you doing up?"

He could see her cheeks turn a light pink at his wondering eyes. Although blushing, Raven was still quick with her response. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Couldn't sleep." He responded in a friendly tone. She merely nodded as she walked to the kitchen without answering. His heart began to beat faster as he watched her walk away. Now normally he would be a gentlemen and allow her to walk away without staring where most men stare, but in his sleep deprived state he couldn't help himself, sometimes he was just an animal. His smile grew as she rounded the corner to the cabinet and pulled out a kettle for tea.

Beast Boy decided that he could no longer stay away, he proceeded to jump the back of the couch and sit one of the bar stools while she turned on the burner. She jumped slightly as she tuned around and faced him. Raven then proceeded to give him the death glare that he had been deprived of for so many months. He chuckled "You know if you make that face too long than it will get stuck like that."

He could see the smirk on her face that she so desperately tried to cover up with a scowl. "Haha very funny Beast Boy." She mocked "I would ask if you had any better jokes, but knowing your IQ level the answer would be a no."

He proceeded to laugh at her joke, a warmth began to grow in his belly. It felt good to hear her insults, yet again he was surprised at what he missed about his friend, it really was the little things that made up a good relationship. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the coffin." This time she was the one who let out a slight giggle, he drank in the sound of her beautiful laugh.

"I was asleep but I had-"  She stopped and turned to the stove to avoid his eyes. At first he was confused, he was unaware what would cause her to become shy. It was so unlike her, she was usually strong and straight forward. She had been like this since...

It hit like a ton of bricks. She had a nightmare. He was instantly brought back to the last time they were in the kitchen together, that time he had attempted to get information out of her but to no avail. He couldn't help but wonder if it was the same nightmare, he debated internally weather to ask or not. He opened his mouth to form a question however was cut off by the whistle of the kettle.

She then proceeded to pour herself a cup, after a few moments of silence she turned to him and offered him a sincere smile. "Well I think I'm gonna head back to bed."

His heart sank as she began to walk past him. Without thinking he blurted out "Rae wait." She stopped just short of the door and turned to him. He stood up and took a few steps towards her. She looked so beautiful to him, even in the little light that was emitted by the TV he could still make out her soft facial features. He smiled and said the first thing that came to his head, "You know when I have bad dreams I watch TV to help me calm down."

*****

"You know when I have bad dreams I watch TV to help me calm down."

Raven shot Beast Boy a confused look, she wasn't sure if he was offering up a piece of information about himself or if he was offering to watch TV with her. As if to answer her question he proceeded to jump back over on arm of the couch and pat the space beside him.

She began to question if accepting his offer was a good idea. They had yet to discuss what almost was, and she did not want to push their already rock relationship over the metaphorical ledge. Raven was having an internal debate and was unaware of the changing what was staring her down.

"Come one Rae, I don't bite." She jumped slightly at his voice. At the sight of his smile she instantly decided to give caution to wind and went to sit with the grass stain. She made sure that there was a full cushion between them as she picked her spot.  She may have given caution to the wind, but there was no need to do be down right out of her mind.

"Are we really going to watch cartoons?" Raven asked bluntly.

He preceded to chuckle and answered "Yes, it's just what the doctor ordered." He placed his hand across the back of the couch and allowed a small smirk cross his face.

He looked so hansom in that moment, she noticed how confident he was with her, how bold he had become. He seemed to mature a lot, and she was unsure how to process this piece of crucial information. She rolled her eyes and began to watch the cartoons. After a while she had to admit she was enjoying herself. Time seemed to fly.

Horus later...

"Raven." She heard the gentle voice touch her ears. It was calming but she brushed it off. "Raven you need to wake up." There was a gentle sake on her shoulders and she opened her eyes. There above her she could make out the slim figure of Beast Boy.

She groaned and rolled over. "Get out of my room Beast Boy." She managed to mutter. After awhile she began to feel pillow move.

She heard him chuckle "You aren't in your room Rae. And I can't get out because you are laying on me." Her eyes instantly shot opened and she sat up. She looked around and noticed that somehow she had ended up sleeping in Beast Boy's lap. She felt her face become hot at her embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" She began but was unable to finish compose a full sentence.

"It's fine Rae. I fell asleep too." He offered her a scape goat to their situation. "Unless you want Cyborg to come in and make fun of us, I suggest we go to our rooms to sleep."

"Uh ya that is a good idea." she muttered as she stood up to leave. The TV was tuned off and she could feel the changeling following her through the door. The sounds of their footsteps echoed against the walls of the hallway. There was apparently a silent agreement of no discussion while they headed to bed. Raven could feel her eyelids become heavy with every step she took.

After a moment they arrived at her door. She tuned to face him, he was admitting a steady flow of nervousness. She had to admit that feeling this from him made her fell better, not in the sense that she got a high off of it, but because he was matching her emotions to a tee.

"Well thanks for the distraction Beast Boy." She finally said in order to break the silence.

"Yea any time. Hopefully we can do this again." She tilted her head in confusion "I mean I don't hope that you have another bad dream, but it would be nice- No. I mean if it happens let me know so I can ease your pain- No-wait-what?" He spoke quickly and ended up only confusing himself. She could not help but chuckle at his predicament.

"Yeah I'm just gonna stop talking." He muttered as he rubbed his face in frustration.

"Okay. Good luck with that. Good Night." She said quickly. Without thinking she proceeded to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek. She noticed that his face turned a different shade of green once she pulled away. She simply smiled and opened the door to her room. She allowed the doors to close behind her not taking another look at him.

She could vaguely hear him whisper through the metal door "Good night Raven."