The Raben Project
By
Agent X
The Callous
A/N: A clarification: when I watched Fear itself, it never made sense to me that Raven, who was half demon, would be scared of all those generic monsters. It always seemed there should be more, and although the show doesn't explicitly state it, this is what I saw. Sorry for the long delay between these chapters. I have been on Holiday (diving in the Great Barrier Reef). So without further adieu, and with much thanks to the endlessly patient DrewMay; I present Chapter 16!
Moment: Episode 18 (Fear Itself) – Raven stands framed by Beat Boy and Robin, watching as the sun rises.
The warmth lay lightly across his fur, and the light tingled wherever it touched him. Beast Boy felt the urge slink up, and then all he could think about was stretching himself out and laying down on the carpet. He wanted to try and absorb as much of the sun as he possibly could.
The tongue-curling yawn that slowly built up had only made it to the in-breath, before a cool quiver brushed across his back and he paused with the need clamped right behind his teeth.
He could never tell where Robin was looking because of the mask. Yet at that moment, though all the Titans faced the rising sun, Beast Boy knew Robin's attention was focused on him. Suddenly awake, his eyes darted across to the Titan Leader. Beast Boy stared. Robin moved. Beast Boy blinked.
Oh.
Cyborg unknowingly assisted them as he yawned widely, and dismissed the team.
"Sunrise. Time for bed."
The rest of the Titans turned and left. Beast Boy felt his eyes slide over to the only one who remained behind, and also the figure that Robin had so subtly gestured towards.
Raven.
She'd gone the entire night without sleep, while the rest of them had managed some kind of break when they'd been captured (which had been odd: a feeling like drifting, in a deep, deep void). Maybe (as he'd been caught the longest), maybe that was why he'd been chosen.
Whatever the reason, Beast Boy was determined to see this through properly, and took it as his solemn duty to watch over Raven until she headed off to bed.
But Raven didn't seem inclined to move yet, and Beast Boy's plan to fulfil his orders in absolute quiet waned in a matter of seconds. It was when he felt the yawn creeping up on him again, that he decided that Raven had been by herself all night, and probably wouldn't mind the company anyway.
"You know," He began, "Your haunted house was way creepier than that stupid movie. Any chance you'd want to do all this again for Halloween?"
He prepared his best pleading smile, was warming up his most obnoxious whine, when Raven turned and the ideas fled. Instead, he stared.
There was a warmth in her eyes that he thought must have come from the sun outside, and humour in her voice as she replied, "I'm afraid not."
He'd never seen something so close to a smile on the dour girl's face, and as Beast Boy floundered she watched him seriously. Then she lifted an eyebrow and continued in droll, dry tones, "Don't let the bed bugs bite."
With that parting comment Raven turned and left.
A moment afterwards Beast Boy started as he remembered his assignment. He moved forward only to jump again when a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"Robin!"
The Titan leader didn't say anything, but released the smaller teen, allowing him to take a step back.
"I was just about to go after Raven." Beast Boy stammered. Robin looked perplexed. Feeling the need to explain himself, Beast Boy continued, "In case something happens. Since she's tired. Like you asked."
"Raven's strong. I'm sure she'll get to her room just fine." Robin told him.
"Oh." was all Beast Boy could think to say. "Then why did you ask me to stay?"
Robin studied him for a moment, before saying, "You've always been the best at bringing Raven out of her shell."
"Oh."
There was a short pause as Beast Boy though this over, then stated bluntly, "I don't get it. Why is that important?"
Robin fixed him with a serious look, and explained, "I thought she could use the company." Beast Boy figured his lack of enlightenment must have been obvious, because after a moment Robin went on, "Raven admitted she was afraid, but she may not have known what she was afraid of."
"What? It was the movie, wasn't it? She was afraid of the monsters."
"No." Robin said patiently, "Think about it. All those effects – the monsters, the dark, everything – they were an embodiment of her fear, but they never attacked her. Instead, they went –"
"– Straight for us." He broke in, as the realisation dawned on him.
Robin nodded.
"That's right. Raven wasn't afraid of the monsters. She was afraid of being alone to face them."
… That is meant to be my subtle attempt at an allusion as to why Raven had joined forces with them in the first place. Or something like that.
Beast Boy is the character I have the least confidence with. I feel that he's so under-utilised in the series, but I'm not familiar enough with his background to go any deeper than what they give us.
That's why (if you've read any of my other stories) you'll probably note that I tend to leave him out a lot. Beast Boy fans, please don't lynch me. But if anything needs lynching, let me know.
BTW, If you are a Beast Boy fan, I recommend any of the many works by Jack Mirembe.
[OMFG! It actually happened. Raben Project (although 14 chapters in excess) finally got more reviews than Riddle Me This. I've been wondering if this day would come. In celebration (well, not really, as I was going to do this anyway) I shall be rehashing my older stories, properly editing them and fixing them up.