Over the years, Raven had discovered the wonder that was napping. It had started with the discovery that sleeping in her room tended to sprinkle her rest with nightmares. She supposed it had to do with the memories that she drowned in when she stepped foot in her room. Her father, Azarath, her mother, Malchior. The décor had changed little over time, it was dark, smelt of old books and herbs, sometimes brimstone, and of course the artefacts she had managed to salvage from the ruins of her first home. She definitely loved her room, her privacy, her space, but she knew none of these contributed to her having a good rest. It was contradictory, but dammit she had no other explanation for it.

The first time it happened was after a tiresome battle with the stupid British magician who had managed to capture her in his hat. The sheer willpower she had expended to stop from killing him in payment for the god-awful bunny suit she'd been forced into for the duration of the battle had left her mentally drained. The car ride home had found her in her new spot in the middle, trying to lean away from the fury her alien friend was broadcasting for the blue hair she now sported. Raven groaned softly at the building headache and rested her head on the seat behind her and before she knew it, she was being gently shaken awake back in the garage of their tower. She had somehow managed to sleep the best sleep she'd ever had.

This had started a post battle tradition of hers. They would be called out to do battle, then they'd win, send the baddie on their way to prison and troop into the T-Car, and Raven would promptly lean her head back against the seat and check in to NapWorld. Over time, her teammates had noticed and would discreetly help by turning on the radio and turning down the chatting.

The second entrance to NapWorld was discovered during movie night. This was a couple of months after her car tradition had started so she wasn't as surprised when she was again gently woken up by the changeling during the credits of some movie they'd apparently watched and she'd napped through. He had given her a curious look and then shaking off the thought, informed her of morning training. Raven knew he was expecting her to go to her room for an actual night of rest, so she begrudgingly made her way to bed already missing the bliss of NapWorld.

The discovery that napping around her friends and family gave her better rest than the soft plushness of her bed or the quiet of her room had given her pause. This hadn't stopped her from going on a journey for new entrances to NapWorld.

Overtime the Titans would find her napping in various places and being the wonderful people they were had decided to make napping in such places easier. The roof had gained a sofa and a tent, the beach now had a couple of hammocks in just the right place for the perfect amount of breeze, shade and warmth. The indoor pool area had been upgraded with large beach chairs. And of course, the common room now had a dedicated nap spot near the window with a fluffy blanket and pillows. She silently thanked her teammates for their thoughtful gestures and took full advantage of them whenever she needed.

The third entrance to NapWorld had by far been the most shocking for her entire team, especially the walking zoo. She had discovered quite by accident during one of their journeys back to the tower that Beastboy was the perfect car pillow. They'd had a much longer drive back, what with their recent baddie taking them on a journey to the next city. Robin had his turn at the wheel and Cyborg was fiddling with the radio, Starfire had her eyes trained on her communicator and Beastboy was staring out his window, grumbling about how he was a good driver; Raven felt the call of her tradition and shifted to get comfortable, silently noting they were all too grown up to be squeezing into such tiny cars, and then rested her head against the seat as usual. Only this time with all her moving around, the seat ended up being her green friend's wiry arm.

Garfield looked down at the head resting against his shoulder and let out a small squeak. He knew of her napping, they all did. This was new though.

"Better not move, Green Bean." Cyborg was looking at him. At them. Garfield nodded slowly. He also sent out a silent plea to his fearless leader to drive as smoothly as possible. He sneaked another glance at her.

Her hair was gently framing her face, though he couldn't make out her features. He felt more than saw her cheek and the side of her lips touching his shoulder and desperately wished he'd gotten a uniform without sleeves. What he would give to feel that- He stopped himself short. He'd danced this dance before and knew it wouldn't lead anywhere. Especially not with Raven. Turning his head to face out the window was the only sure-fire way to stop himself sneaking glances. The scenery raced past and Garfield let his thoughts turn back to his game, determined not to think of the slight frame moulded to his side.

The coast helped distract him for a while; until of course she decided to shift once more. This, he swore, was torture. Her hand had curled around his bicep for some godforsaken reason and her entire body was pressed to his side. She was definitely dead to the world, there was no way Raven of Azarath would willingly be so physically close to someone- nay, to him. He looked towards Starfire, hoping she'd be of some help; she wasn't of course. She had her comm camera pointed at the pair a sly smile pasted across her face. He frowned at her, hoping a frown-y Beastboy would ruin her picture taking time. It didn't She simply laughed a tinkling laugh and continued taking pictures. He hoped she hadn't been recording them. That was more than enough blackmail material to last her eight lifetimes.

The tower slowly came into view and Garfield waited with bated breath for when this hell-ride would be done. He had of course failed to consider one thing. His fearless leader on the other hand had not.

"Wake her up, B"

Garfield let out another tiny squeak, he'd forgotten the waking up part. Well, if his team was going to be of no help – cowards – he thought viciously and set about making a plan not to die tonight.

Raven felt a tapping on her knee and frowned. She breathed in deeply, one last moment in NapWorld before reality. She opened her eyes and immediately noticed a gloved finger tapping her knee.

"Rae? We're home…" she heard him whisper. It sounded too close. Nobody ever got that close to her, especially not him.

She lifted her head and realised she'd drooled a tiny bit. She also realised where her head had been resting.

He mumbled something. Starfire, she noticed, wasn't in the car anymore. Nobody else was. They were next to the window peering in.

"… Right." She said, and promptly teleported herself back to her room.

Garfield thanked all the stars as he scrambled his way out of the car. He glared at his team. They didn't look the tiniest bit ashamed for what they'd done to him.

"I'll make sure the funeral has vegetarian food, Little Dude"

"Would you like an open casket?"

"Probably not, Star" Garfield mumbled for lack of comebacks. What was he going to say? He knew he was a dead man walking.

He walked past them, already preparing his speech. There was no point wasting time. He might as well get it over with.

"You both looked adorable" Robin threw out as the garage door slammed shut behind him.

Garfield had half a mind to turn back and confront his team but knew it would only prolong his demise. He walked up the stairs to the west wing. He might have been prepared to die that night; he wasn't prepared to not see his home one last time before though.

It wasn't long before he reached her door. Hell, it couldn't even have been ten minutes – why'd he have to walk up the stairs so quickly? Why was he so eager to die?

He knocked.

Raven sensed him right outside her door. He was nervous, irritated and something else she wasn't able to point out. He was mirroring her emotions. She'd been leaning against the door ever since she got to her room and now, he was one thin metal sheet away. NapWorld had betrayed her.

She heard him knock and call out to her. Would it be wise to ignore him? She knew he'd work himself into a storm of anxiety if she didn't. A part of her whispered to let him suffer. Another part, a stronger, more vocal part clamoured for her to answer him. So, she did.

He was standing there, eyes downcast, irritation seeping off him in spades. Raven stifled a smile. He'd never learned to control his emotions, no matter what method Mento had tried. He'd once confessed to her that he'd figured out a way to supress one emotion by increasing another. Of course, that wasn't going to help him with Mento. Or her.

"Do I have to apologize or something?" He asked, leaning against her doorframe. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Rae… come on."

"Why? What did you do Beastboy?" she asked, fully aware he had nothing to apologize for.

He signed and pulled himself away from the doorframe. Raven waited. He would eventually start talking, and she wasn't sure she could talk about it.

"You napped on me! I didn't do anything. It's not my fault. Blame Dick for driving like a maniac or someone else. I am a victim here" He eventually said, loudly. She continued staring at him, happy to let him drive the conversation as usual. The sadistic part of her also enjoyed seeing him squirm.

He continued talking and she paid no mind to what he was saying. He usually lost track of his apology speech when he didn't feel the need to really apologize.

"I had a good nap." She cut in, surprised at herself for the confession.

He balked at first, then tilted his head a grin stretching across his face. She did marvel at his ability to switch emotions as rapidly as blinking. They stared at each other for a heartbeat before he let out a low laugh. "You enjoy making me squirm, Rae?"

"Obviously." She knew she could have been more articulate, but honestly her sojourn into NapWorld had left her too relaxed to start a verbal to and fro with him.

"You drooled on me." He informed her, touching the still wet spot on his right arm where his uniform clung snugly. She let her eyes roam a little before settling back on forest green. He was waiting for her reply.

She hummed her response back at him, hoping her face didn't betray her growing embarrassment.

"You can't drool on a person and not have anything to say, Raven." He snapped, irritation waxing. His emotions really were like the waxing and waning of the moon.

"Can I use you as a pillow again?"

"Wha- Excuse me?!" he sputtered, left hand still clasped on the drool spot.

"I had a nice nap. I napped on your arm. Can I nap on it again?" She said slowly, immensely enjoying herself. She really wasn't sure where this was coming from, but she was enjoying it.

He was staring at the ceiling, and it gave her a good excuse to look at what was her car pillow. She could make out the fast-drying spot where she'd drooled on him.

"Why'd you do this to me Rae?" he finally grumbled. He was looking at her now. Piercing forest green eyes staring a hole through her.

"Call me when dinner is ready, Beastboy." And with that she stepped back into the confines of her room and left him gaping. NapWorld had definitely become a lot more interesting. She looked forward to the next villain that dragged them out the tower.

END