Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans
Slight Language Warning
A/N: Feel free to pm me or review with prompt ideas, I can't promise that I'll write them but I'd love to hear everyone's ideas and head cannons!
* The book mentioned and quoted is Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach which I do not own the rights to.
Chapter 3: Go the F*ck to Sleep
Beast Boy couldn't sleep and it was driving him insane. Normally, Beast Boy had no trouble falling asleep. He liked to think that sleeping was his tertiary super power (his secondary super power, of course, being his charm). Any time, any place, any surface; sit him down for long enough and he could slip into slumber at will. Unfortunately, Beast Boy's self-proclaimed third super power had been failing him as of late.
Maybe it was his recent growth spurt. Maybe it was the leftover adrenaline from the recent jump in criminal activity. Maybe it was because he kind of missed his bunk beds. Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that for the past three nights, Beast Boy was restless. He often couldn't nod off until four in the morning.
Each night was the same. Lay in bed for an hour. Get up. Get a drink. Go to the bathroom. Play some video games. Make some of Raven's chamomile tea. Spit out some of Raven's chamomile tea. Get reminded of Raven. Avoid thinking about Raven. Fail at avoiding thinking about Raven. Think of Raven. Distract self with nature documentary. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Currently, Beast Boy sat in the common room, sprawled across the couch and watching a documentary about Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybees.
.
.
Beast Boy couldn't sleep and it was driving Raven insane. Normally, Beast Boy had no trouble falling asleep. Raven was grateful for that ability of his, as she often couldn't sleep when other teammates were mulling about in the tower. That was one of the primary reasons that she and Beast Boy shared a wing. Raven's ability to uphold her emotional shields weakened when she tried to sleep, and Beast Boy's emotions dulled as soon as his head hit the pillow.
It was on the fourth night without sleep that Raven decided she had enough. Maybe something was wrong with him. Maybe he was doing it on purpose. Maybe he was planning some elaborate prank and it was only a matter of time before the common room was booby-trapped with tofu tripwires. Regardless of the reason, Raven was going to put a stop to their mutual insomnia.
.
.
Raven entered the common room just as the credits began to roll on Beast Boy's latest documentary. His ears twitched, letting her know he was aware of her presence. She sighed. She was equal parts annoyed and concerned about his inability to sleep. He turned to face her.
"Why are you awake?" She internally face-palmed at her irritated tone. She meant to sound concerned but her voice had a habit of sounding perpetually angry.
Beast Boy was about to respond when she cut him off, "What I meant was are you alright?" That was a little better.
Beast Boy smiled, "Yeah, don't worry, insomnia isn't anything to lose sleep over!"
Raven rolled her eyes but it didn't distract Beast Boy from the small smile that graced her lips. He smiled back proudly.
"So why are you awake?"
"Your insomnia is contagious."
Beast Boy's face fell, "Sorry, Rae."
"Don't worry about it."
Raven approached the couch and Beast Boy scooted over to make room for her, patting the space next to him enthusiastically. Raven sat, turning her body towards her friend. Beast Boy's voice froze in his throat when Raven closed her eyes and grasped his face between her small hands. It took all his power not to lean into her touch.
Stunned into silence, Beast Boy examined her. Her hair had grown longer recently, now falling to her collarbone. Her face was currently an emotionless mask, but her eyes fluttered underneath her lids and her lips were slightly parted. He noticed that her eyelashes weren't black like he had assumed, but a deep violet hue a few shades darker than her eyes.
Before he could examine her further, she opened her eyes and leaned back, her head cocking to the side and her hands dropping to her lap.
"Well, it's not being caused by anything physical," Raven deduced as she rose from the couch. She made her way to the kitchen, taking out her teakettle.
"Maybe some tea will help."
Beast Boy's stomach lurched, "No thanks!" he all but shouted.
Raven sighed. This wasn't going to be an easy task.
.
.
For the next hour, Raven tried just about everything. She tried guiding Beast Boy in meditation, she tried walking him through some calming stretches, she made him a mug of warm soymilk and honey, she wrapped him in her coziest blanket, she tried to put him in a sleeper hold. Nothing worked and the sight of Beast Boy bundled on the couch, sipping from her favorite mug, and watching her efforts with mirth and appreciation in his eyes only made her more alert and slightly sweaty.
It was then that she remembered a book she purchased accidently during a bin sale at the bookstore a few weeks prior. Figuring she didn't have anything to lose, she strolled determinedly to her room, leaving an equally confused and amused Beast Boy in her wake.
.
.
A few moments later, Raven returned with a book in hand and ordered Beast Boy to lie down. Once she was convinced that Beast Boy was comfortable, she sat on the ground with her back against the couch, close enough to Beast Boy that he could hear her whisper but not close enough to feel his breath on her skin.
Beast Boy closed his eyes, and Raven began to whisper in her signature monotone.
*"The cats nestle close to their kittens, the lambs have laid down with the sheep. You are cozy and warm in your bed, my dear. Please go the fuck to sleep."
Beast Boy guffawed, earning a small laugh from Raven who turned to scold him.
"Be quiet, I'm trying to read you a bedtime story here," she hissed mock angrily.
Beast Boy made the motion of zipping his lips and closed his eyes again as Raven continued.
The book was the perfect remedy for Beast Boy. It involved animals, it was funny, and Raven of all people was reading it to him. Halfway through the pages, Beast Boys silent laughter tapered off and he fell into one of the most peaceful slumbers he had ever experienced. Raven followed not long after, the book falling into her lap and her head falling back against Beast Boy's chest.
.
.
Beast Boy woke well rested the next morning. He was alone in the common room, and he couldn't help but wonder if the feeling of Raven's head nestled against his chest was just a dream.
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