A/N: Feeling so compelled to avoid homework and write tonight! Just really thought this section needed to be its own chapter. This was also the most fun I've had writing a chapter for this story... so far :)
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Disclaimer:
I own none of the things!
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Raven woke up from one of the best sleeps she's had in a while. Her whole body felt warm, and her dreams were soft and muted instead of grating and saturated. It was like the storm of emotions she was generally reigning in decided to take the night off, gifting her a rare crumb of peace so she could come back into the world sufficiently rested. Still coming into consciousness, she began to snuggle further into her pillow.
Except… why did her pillow smell like pine and musk...? And why was it so warm.
It was then she realized what she really was snuggling more into was…
BEAST BOY.
Her head shot up in alarm and she glanced down to find that while the green changeling was draped against the left arm of the couch, head lolled over in deep slumber, she had nestled her way into the crook of his arm and slept the whole night…
ON HIS CHEST.
She could have died right then and there.
Now sporting a furiously red blush she looked around to make sure no one was around to witness this transgression. She knew all three of them were awake when that fantastic movie had ended and remember Cyborg heading off to bed so why were they…?
Oh, that's right. The two of them decided to try and rewatch it again since there was a bonus disc that featured commentary from Martin Scorsese.
She blames Powell and Pressburger.
Trying her best not to wake him, Raven steadied her breathing and glanced over to her sleeping teammate. She felt her breath hitch, that blush having faded to a soft pink. She felt her eyes glaze over, with what she would later try to convince herself was residue sleepiness, and took in the sight of him. For someone with VIP direct access to under her skin, she questioned how he could look so handsome in the morning. Still bathing in that warmth that seemed to permeate his entire being, before she could stop herself her hand moved to brush some of the hair from his forehead, slowly tracing its way down the side of his cheek. She wanted to drown in embarrassment but also the heavy, slightly charged air around them. It wouldn't hurt to just close her eyes again and pretend to be asleep for another 20 minutes? Sure, someone could come in but it's not like they could blame either Titan on the random sleeping arrangement. No one would know she decided to close her eyes for another 35 minutes, and instead would chart it away with the other handful of times two, three or five of them have fallen asleep on the couch together. Chances are even if she slept here for another 60 minutes no one would even be up yet…
"Uh… Raven? What are you doing".
Her whole heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest, and she suddenly glanced over at a smirking Cyborg, holding a cup of coffee and starting directly at her.
Oh Azar.
"He had popcorn on his face".
In a flurry she was out of the door and halfway to her room.
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Before the doors had fully whooshed shut Raven had her mirror in her hands and launched herself in Nevermore.
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Raven ravaged her way through the various landscapes until she came to something that looked like an average, suburban house. There was a black picket fence outlining a lawn made not from grass but moss. The house was nondescript minus the rich, hunter green door Raven was suddenly flinging open. Once inside, she spent no time examining the lilac-coloured walls and dark stained hardwood floors, instead heading up a mahogany staircase toward a second floor. Finding the room with the black door, with a menacing red "Keep Out" sign hanging hap hazardously by a single nail, she flung it open with reckless abandon.
"What the hell was that?"
A lavender cloaked Raven looked over her shoulder as our favourite witch glared daggers into her back. Not readjusting her comfortable position on the bed, laying on her stomach with her ankles crossed in the air, she continued to flick through her magazine.
"What are you talking about".
Had anyone else joined Raven on this excursion they would have been floored at the sight of this room. For this room looked like a teenage girl's room. There was a plush bed with black sheets and a deep violet comforter strewn about, exhibiting a pile of magazines and snacks. There was a slightly Victorian, slightly haunted looking vanity in the corner and a black dresser with various clothes sticking out and a boombox on the top. You could just make out the image of a blue eyed blonde from under the many darts stuck into a little board on the back of the door. And as with most teenage girl's room this room was also adorned with posters of what would be said teenager girl's "dream guy". And all those posters were of…
Beast Boy.
"I thought we had a deal. I acknowledge the stupid little crush that you are, but you were never never allowed to interfere with my reality!"
"Ohhhh… you mean when you gently caressed his cheek and stared lovingly at his face?" There was no soft dazed look on this Raven's face, no dreamy starry eyes. Only pure unbridled mischievousness and amusement and…an eyeroll.
"Yes that…"
Raven arrived livid, and her anger was only increasing due to the unfazed and apathetic demeanor of her counterpart.
"Wasn't me."
"Who else would it be?! If it wasn't you?"
She smiled, evilly.
"Someone you thought you hid away, but she's back now. Only she would have had the power to cause a little stunt like that. So, if you don't mind…"
What could be classified as a mix between Eros and Ludus continued to flip through her magazine, a lewd collection of photos of Beast Boy when he's training.
Raven's heart sank.
Oh Azar.
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Raven's journey in Nevermore was taking much longer, much longer that she wanted it to and much longer than it should have. There was no way ludus was right, this thing was in no ways alive and well. There was no way, she prayed to Azar there was no way. She kept edging her way deep into a rich, lush rainforest. Even though this was, in all aspects, a completely made-up reality, the air was humid and warm. There were brightly coloured exotic flowers, various imaginings of tropical animals. The canopy was all encompassing, shielding Raven from everything but sunbeams and a gentle mist, both being distilled through gaps in the overlapping leaves, leaves the size of a king mattress. Despite the full-blown panic raging in her chest, now spreading and knotting her stomach, she felt oddly comforted by this atmosphere. All around her she heard buzzing, animal noises and running water. It was the general opposite of the environment she liked, but noticed the sounds weren't too loud, the sun not too bright, and the heat was just enough to ease the chill in her bones. Up ahead, much earlier than expected, a beautiful house in the trees made its appearance.
Built around the thick trunk of large Kapok tree, the hut had a nicely thatched roof and sturdy walls of wood. Emerald coloured vines dotted with violet flowers draped themselves over the house, creeping up the sides and hugging the windows. A little plume of grey smoke danced its way out of the modest chimney and Raven could see the flickering of an oil lamp through the large window on the left side of the house. Indigo blue curtains kept the inside of the shack hidden, but Raven could see the shadow of someone seated inside. All above the house various wind chimes hung from branches, singing and shimmering in the forest. She could have sworn one looked like various DVDs had been strung together, catching the light like how a fish scale might. She continued closer to the house, noticing how the path was suddenly well worn and easy to tread upon.
Tentatively she knocked at the door, it creaked open and seated at a bamboo table was a maroon cloaked Raven. All content and smug, she delicately sipped out of a blue ceramic mug. A matching one was waiting across the table, with some cheese and fruit in the middle. All around the shack she saw little silver frames of photos, and shelves lined with what looked like pirate treasure and potions. She could hear music playing softly out of…another boombox? (How did that get there?) The floor was littered with books, one that inexplicably featured a hunter green cover with gold accents.
"Nice to see you again" She offered with a warm smile.
Raven was speechless. Last time she saw this emotion she was thin, haggard and living in a tent deep in the wilderness.
"What…is all this?"
"I grew stronger". She chuckled, lighting up the room like an old Hollywood leading lady. She gestured to the seat across from her. Raven felt her legs start to shake and quickly sat down. This emotion had indeed grown…stronger. She was muscular, filled in and glowing. Her hair was shiny and lush, her cheeks rosy and her eyes filled with stars. She started pecking at some of the food on the table. (Those look like Junior Mints?)
"But I don't understand… how? What?"
"You can't ignore me anymore sweetheart, and I really am sorry about it. But turns out I've been getting little gifts from the outside world, and I find myself in much more comfortable circumstances."
Raven just continued to stare.
"I think he likes us back."
Silence.
"You can't get rid of me now"
"So that means…"
"Yes". Answered Pragma, and with a self-satisfied grin took another sip of her drink before saying
"You're in love".
Oh Azar.
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A/N: And boom goes the dynamite! Stay tuned ^-^. Also did the boombox date me? Whoops.
XO ES 2.0
