I can't really say what inspired this story. One part demon mythology, one part snippet from a canned fic, one part visit to tvtropes (never go to that site; you will never LEAVE! [by the way, it's a dot org site]), and a couple parts each of: painkillers, caffeine, and energy drinks. A warning: while this fic may have a few sexual jokes, there will be no citrus fruits of any kind. I stand to the maxim that you should write what you know, and at the most I'd be writing half a sex scene. That's like giving someone half a kitten. Is that what you want? Didn't think so. Well, let's get on with it.

One thing of note: this takes place after the events of Mindscape (which I will get back to, don't worry). Raven and Beast Boy are in a quasi-relationship. Nothing much has happened between them; metaphorically speaking, they haven't moved that far past first base. Once again, I start with a prologue. No action scene in this one, though. Just a general overview of the relationship, and maybe a hint at whatever plot it is that I'm cooking up.

Raven opened her eyes. She was covered in a cold sweat, and had this strange feeling that she couldn't exactly place. She remembered that she had had a dream, but wasn't sure what it was about. She had no time to worry about that now anyway, because- as indicated by the blaring siren and the seizure-inducing red flashes- there was trouble in Jump City. She floated groggily down the hallway. It seemed that the villains were working overtime. The other doors in the hallway opened one by one, save Robin's. He was in the Op. Center by now, or likely had never even left it. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, signifying that she was being watched. Beast Boy was next to her, looking enraptured.

"Good night to you, too," Raven deadpanned. Beast Boy straightened up, as if snapping out of a trance.

"Oh, uh... hi?"

"May I ask what you find so interesting about me?"

She hadn't meant for that to come out in such a flirtatious manner. However, Beast Boy seemed oblivious to the undertones.

"You smell different."

"You like? It's called Sweat by Calvin Klein."

"Nah, you've been sweaty before. This is something else entirely."

"Something like what?"

"I dunno, but it smells good."

Raven edged back a bit. She felt her cheeks burn.

"Are - Are you... hitting on me?"

"Maaaybe," Beast Boy half-sung, doing his best to look innocent. He even put on a ridiculous grin, which became a grimace as Cyborg gave him a "gentle tap" on the back of the head.

"You two can be all flirty after the mission, thank you very much. Preferably where I can't see or hear you."

Starfire tried to hide the fact that she was giggling. It did not work.

True to form, Robin was at the large computer in the living room, bringing up a video feed. Raven shook her head when she saw what was in progress.

"Why can the man who calls himself Dr. Light never bring himself to rob jewelry stores in the daytime?"

"Well, that one time," Cyborg said, reminiscing, "he got beat down by every Titan in the world. Really puts a guy off."

"Anyway, you guys can go back to sleep," Raven announced confidently. She looked to see a group of confused faces.

"Come on, this is Dr. Light. I'll just sneak up behind him and tell him to go away. Problem solved."

"I don't think you should go by yourself," Robin said. "We don't know what he's planning or anything."

"I'll go with her," Beast Boy chimed in.

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm sure I can take care of this myse-"

"Humor me."

Beast Boy had a look in his eyes that she could never say "no" to. Granted, he never used it much, and he never forced her to do anything she didn't want. It showed more than concern; it represented his promise to protect her, and everything he had done to fulfill it. How far he'd gone, and would continue to go, to make sure she was safe. And whenever she questioned what she saw in him, or how they had ended up in a relationship, she would remember that face, the dangerous, but soft glint in his eye, and know how much he cared about her, and why she cared about him.

"Alright."