Chapter 9


Slowly, everyone was getting sleepy and the fire's fading light didn't help things. The three men gathered up various vegetation for bedding and got ready for bed. Aya tended to the dying fire, extinguishing it carefully. She did not wish for it to relight during the night.

Kilowog and Hal slept on one side of the fire and Razer slept on the other. Aya was between the two groups. With the fire gone, it was completely dark. Only the moon and stars emitted any light and one could hardly see their hand in front of their face, except for Aya when she activated her night vision.

"Night everybody!" Hal called out. "Don't let the bed bugs bite!"

"I ain't afraid of no bugs, Jordan. Now shut your yap so I can get some shut eye!" Kilowog grumbled at him.

Razer smiled in the dark, glad none could see. He was becoming used to the easy banter and teasing of the green lanterns. His people had never had joking as a common thing and yelling and fighting were more familiar Amon the red lanterns than to tease. It was...nice being with these lanterns.

After a few moments, Razer could hear the heavy breathing of the lanterns along with their snoring. He couldn't here anything from Aya, but that didn't surprise him. Sighing, he put an arm beneath his head and rolled onto his right side. He couldn't sleep. The moments ticked by yet sleep eluded him. Why couldn't he fall asleep? Razer's brow furrowed in frustration. He just wanted to go to sleep yet the minutes dragged on.

Razer suddenly had the sensation of someone approaching from behind him, so he quietly rolled onto his back. The breathing of the lanterns hadn't changed and they hadn't encountered any other beings on this planet. He listened, but couldn't make out any noise or any shape in the night.

A hand came to rest on his arm and he relaxed. He would have known those light, slender fingers anywhere. "Razer? You are awake, correct?" Aya's voice was soft in the dark.

"Yes, Aya." He looked and watched as she illuminated her face and eyes. The rest of her body stayed dark, which he pondered over. "Aya? Why isn't your body glowing? Are you alright?" He reached out to touch her cheek.

"I am capable of working at my highest capabilities. Currently, I am supplying less energy to my body so that the light does not wake green lanterns Hal and Kilowog. I supplied enough energy to my face so that you can see me while we converse."

"You can't see me, though. Would you like me to use my red energy to help you see?" He sat up to gaze at her as she knelt before him.

She shook her head. "That is unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of changing my vision to be suitable for evening sight. I can see you with ease. I had a query with you.

He nodded, gazing up at her. "And what would that be?"

"Query: truth or dare?"

He smiled. Why she was asking him this now he had no idea, but he'd play along. "Truth."

"Razer, do you have the desire to sleep with me?"

Razer's eyes widened and he stared at her, shocked. This was not what he was expecting. Not at all...

"Razer? Are you alright? My scans are showing that your vitals have increased. Your heartrate, breathing, and temperature have all gone up a great deal. I am also sensing increased heat at your face and..."

"Aya." Razer interrupted her. "Why are you asking me that?"

"It is the purpose of the game 'truth or dare' to quiz one's opponent a question of personal meaning if they choose truth. Is this not what I was supposed to do?"

He sighed. "Is your body even...capable of...that?"

She nodded. "While it is true that my body does not 'sleep' in the literal sense that yours and green lanterns Hal's and Kilowog's do, mine does enter a sleep stasis to preserve energy at times as well as to recharge my body if necessary. Due to my body's being powered and run on the energy itself, it can last for some time without charging unless I create constructs. It is still prudent to preserve the energy and recharge often so that I do not risk my body running too low on energy."

Razer was slightly confused by this, but he didn't want to trouble Aya by making her explain again. It was then that he realized what she had meant. "Wait, Aya...you meant sleep as in the literal sense...?"

"Is there another definition of the word 'sleep' that I am unaware of? Processing...processing...processing..." Her eyes became unfocused as she processed.

The red lantern was suddenly terrified she would realize what he had thought she had meant. What would he think? Would she think he was sick? A pervert? "So, Aya should I answer your truth?" He felt so flustered at her realizing where his thoughts had gone to.

She blinked as she finished processing and her eyes refocused on his face. "Processing complete. It is correct that I desire an answer to my first question."

He nodded, glad she had let the other slip slide. "Yes, Aya. I would love to sleep with you." His mind quietly noted he meant in both senses and he cursed his mind.

"I have a further query then. May I sleep with you tonight?" Her blue eyes gazed at him steadily.

Razer was surprised, to say the least. He thought after he answered her question she would be satisfied and go back to where she had been to process his response. He never thought she would ask! Then again it wasn't like he had lied. Razer would love to have Aya nestled in his arms as he slept.

"Aya...I do not believe it would be in our best interest if the green lanterns found us like that in the morning."

"I am still active while in sleep status. Some of my functions are temporarily off-line, but certain processors, such as continually scanning for changes in my surroundings, are always active. I could alert you upon their awakening or whenever you desired." She blinked and studied him curiously, awaiting his response.

Razer considered this. It would be nice to sleep with Aya, but the risk of being spotted by the lanterns. "I am still uncertain about this, Aya..."

She frowned and Razer could see her eyes fill with disappointment. "Understood. I will return to my previous location to enter sleep status in that case." Aya stood up and Razer instantly regretted his decision, grabbing her hand.

"Never mind. Aya. Sleep here." Razer laid back down and Aya laid with him. She rested her head on his chest and laid a hand on his chest as well. Razer was tempted to put his arm back beneath his head because the vegetation did not have nearly enough support to cushion his head, but the draw of holding a sleeping Aya in his arms was too strong.

Gently, he slipped his arms around her. One arm came to wrap around her and hold her shoulder. The other arm's hand came over to hold the hand that she had rested on his chest. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes. Razer smiled and laid back. "Goodnight, Aya. Please awaken me before the other lanterns."

"Understood..." Her voice seemed off, almost sleepy.

"Aya? Is everything alright?" Razer repeated his question from earlier and gazed down at her. Her eyes were closed.

"All functions are operating at optimal levels. What is the reason for your question, Razer?"

"Your voice sounded different."

"That is most likely due to the fact that some of my processors have difficulty functioning around you." She snuggled closer.

He was surprised to hear this. Did he really have such a powerful affect on Aya? Razer was prepared to ask her when he heard her soft voice. "Sleep stasis activated." Her body made a soft whirring noise and then fell silent. Razer gazed at her, knowing she was still aware even as she 'slept.'

Razer shifted to get into a more comfortable position among the vegetation then closed his eyes. he was asleep within moments.


It's been a while for this story guys so I apologize for that as well as the chapter being so short and if there are mistakes. I'm currently trying to upload chapters with my iPod because our computer is having issues. I'm sorry...-hangs head in shame at the inevitable mistakes- Well anyways I tried to make up for the wait with a Razaya chapter. The next dare will be Kilowog or Hal I swear. This idea came to me so yeah. Hope you like! Please review and enjoy!