“Well, I learned that not all green rooms are actually green, so that’s something.” Beast Boy walked quickly from one side of the beige themed waiting room to the other, one hand pushing through his mop of green hair while the other held his phone white-knuckle tight to his head. “...YES I’m fine, you’re always so worried, I’m fine... I mean they asked ME here, so it’s not like I can really go wrong, right? It’s fine, Everything is fine!” Everything wasn’t fine. “Hey, Cy, I need to go, they’re uh... calling me. Uh, make-up or something.” ... ... Beast Boy’s ears lowered slightly and his cheeks lost some of their color. “Well, I don’t KNOW if they keep green make-up handy! Just... It’s fine!” The hero quickly brought his phone down in both hands and mashed the hang-up button before shutting the device fully down and tossing it onto the practically new synthetic leather sofa. He took a deep breath, rubbed both of his hands over his face, and walked to the mirror. He stood looking at himself. His white WWF Panda teeshirt was stained a bit under the arms and was wrinkled where it had tucked just in the front, his hair was falling every which direction, one ear was pointing the wrong way, and his eyes had this weird twitch thing going on. And he was going to be live in front of a crowd of hundreds being broadcast to a crowd of millions in just over an hour. “Garfield Logan. You are screwed.” He leaned forward until the cold glass pressed to his sweaty forehead, which felt both gross and amazing. A lite tapping on the door made Beast Boy turn his head, but he didn’t make a move for the door either. He bit his lip and just hoped that it wasn’t a stage-hand coming in to pester again about the stage directions. After a few moments, the door opened and a dark haired boy came in wearing a simple but expensive looking black suit with a deep red button front shirt underneath, the top buttons undone enough to show off the lean muscle down his neck. He closed the door behind him carefully and took a step inside. Beast Boy’s eyes narrowed slightly. “... How did you get in without a costume?” He avoided saying a name just in case this was a little under cover thing Tim had concocted to slip backstage. Tim grinned and flashed a VIP Backstage pass halfway from his breast pocket before returning it. “I pulled some strings, might have hacked the guest list... doesn’t matter, because I’m here.” Tim put his hands in his pockets and watched as Beast Boy straightened himself up. The Boy Wonder frowned slightly when he noticed his friend’s fidgeting fingers, the small chew marks on his lip, and a stiffness in his almost always present grin. “Are you okay?” “M-me?” Beast Boy put his hands to his hips and grinned wider, shutting his eyes as he chuckled. “Of course! I’m fine!” He walked over to the snack table where the studio had set up large vegetable and fruit platters for him. He took the large dip bowl of ranch and set it far aside before grabbing at some snap peas and bring them to his teeth to nibble. “I mean, I’ve always been a hit on social media, the crowds love me when I’m out with you guys saving the world, this is going to be a cinch. A breeze. It’s all fine! Haha!” Tim placed his hand on Beast Boy’s shoulder, making the green boy jump slightly and drop his snack. Tim’s voice was even and soft. “You don’t have to pretend. It’s me. Just me and you right now.” Beast Boy turned, his eyes watery and his jaw tight. “... I’m so nervous...” Tim nodded and with his hand still on his friend’s shoulder, he lead Beast Boy to a chair in front of the make up mirror. “Sit.” It was an order, which was so normal from all of the time on the field, but it wasn’t harsh but soft and direct. Beast Boy sat in front of the mirror and looked at himself, finding his sharp snaggletooth pressing into his lip again. Tim’s words cut through the haze in his doubting mind. “Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths for me, Gar. Remember, in through the nose.” Tim mimicked his own commands, breathing in slowly. “And out through your mouth. Loosen your jaw, let it open just a little bit. In again... let your ribs expand, fill up from the base of your diaphragm... and then out. Lower your shoulders a bit.” Tim continued to walk Beast Boy through these simple exercises, the diverted focus letting him forget the stress for a moment so that he could think clearly. Garfield closed his eyes as he breathed slowly and deeply, and soon became acutely aware of Tim’s hand on his shoulder. It was very gently squeezing and relaxing, and his second hand had joined at some point. Tim had very strong hands. How he was able to keep them so soft no one will ever know, but as the finger tips dragged down the back of his arms and then back up the front, Beast Boy couldn’t help but relax and lean into the touch. “Mmmm... what are you doing?” Tim grinned and leaned in towards his friend’s pointy green ear. “I’m reminding you that you are wonderful and deserve this awesome experience, and that I believe in you and support you every step of the way.” Beast Boy could feel the blush spreading across his nose. “Dude... come on...” “We’re alone.” Tim leaned just a bit more, his lips pressing to Beast Boy’s cheek, his nose tickled by the dark sideburns that crept around the changeling’s ears. “Stop worrying.” Beast Boy sighed, unable to help the smile pulling genuinely at his lips. “Still... sounds so gay.” Tim’s kisses on his cheek trailed down towards Beast Boy’s exposed neck, each one nice and lite but lingering. His hand moved from Gar’s shoulder to his head, running his fingers through the mess of dark green hair, rubbing at the scalp. Beast Boy shifted and began to lean away. “H-hey... I need to look good for the cameras.” “Pft, I’ll fix your hair, Garfield.” Quite purposefully, Tim ruffled his friend’s hair all around, making the hero squirm in his seat and try to grab at the assaulting hands. “Ha! Now come on. I bet dollars to pennies you haven’t eaten all of your prep meals today, have you?” Tim stood straight and moved over to the snacks table, grabbing a plate and beginning to pick the best looking veggies. Beast Boy didn’t even look in the mirror, knowing his hair would be a disaster now, but span around in his chair. “Sure I did! I-“ He stopped and grinned awkwardly when Tim had turned and raised an eyebrow. “I... uh... well, I may have forgotten to have the ONE meal.” ... ... Tim was still looking at him with that look. Like he knew he was lying. “... Okay! I skipped my afternoon snack, my workout shake, AND my dinner salad! B-but I needed to look slimmed up for this! I don’t want to go on stage all full and bloated or something...” He began to stand once again. “Gar. Sit.” Once again, Tim’s orders had the changeling back on his seat without question, his ears perked up. Tim finished prepping a plate of roasted cauliflower and chickpeas drizzled in a tahini sauce with a small side of arugula tossed in a light vinaigrette with tomatoes and edamame, and walked back to the make-up mirror and set it down, spinning Gar to face it. “You eat. I made you that meal prep list for a reason. You need the energy, especially with all of the training you do.” “But-“ “No. Buts.” Tim walked over to the hanging rack and looked through the outfits the studio had hung up, looking through them one by one. “We agreed. You stick to my plan, we train together, you follow the food schedule I’ve set up for you, and then...” Tim couldn’t help the smirk. “Then we get to play. You look amazing, you stay nice and healthy, and we both get to have a bit of fun. It’s win-win.” Beast Boy munched at the meal in front of him, but sighed. “Well... I’m getting personal training and basically a private chef... I don’t really do much for you, do I?” Tim picked out his favorite outfit, based on Gar’s original red and whites he wore when he was with the Doom Patrol, and he pulled the costume down and hung it up again on the mirror in front of Gar. “I get to see you happy, and I get to show you off to the world tonight.” “W-well... It’s not like anyone really knows you’ve been the one training me...” “I’ll know.” Tim walked by and pet Beast Boy’s head gently one more. Over the PA system came the static voice -Zchk - 45 minutes to show time... 45 mintues. -Zchk- Beast Boy groaned, but Tim shushed him, pressing a finger to his lips. “Shh... don’t pay attention to that.” He walked over to the PA controls for the green room and switched it off. “I’ll watch the time. You finish eating, and then change.” Before Gar could make a come-back, Tim snapped his finger, which ended the discussion. Beast Boy ate his meal in no time, and then grabbed for the hanging uniform. He had changed so many times in front of the rest of the guys at Teen Tower, but it felt more awkward to be changing in front of Tim by himself. He pulled his teeshirt up from behind and slightly struggled to pull it over his head. Gar’s upper body had been more defined and taught after training over the last few months, the tufts of dark green patches of body hair adding a bit of sexual manliness to his boyish face and smaller figure. As the strategically ripped black jeans fell to the floor, Tim’s eyes had fun following the little happy trail that fell from just below Gar’s belly button down to his purple and black boxer shorts. Of course, he didn’t need to use his imagination to picture the boy naked, he’d seen it many times in the locker rooms, and also many times elsewhere. Gar stepped out of his boxer shorts next, feeling Tim’s eyes on his backside. It tempted him to go a bit slower, but Tim cleared his throat, teasingly tapping his wrist. With a blushing grin, Gar carried on. He stepped into the red and white body suit, carefully pulling the tight flexible material over his fuzzy legs, pulling them up almost to the point of giving himself a wedgie before carefully tucking himself away. “Need any help with that?” Tim joked from behind. “... ... Well~” “Haha! Come on, buddy, flip it and zip it, we can play later.” Tim walked over to the mirror once again while Gar tucked his junk down before working his arms through the suit’s arm holes, letting the sleeveless costume rest over his shoulder and hug under his arms firmly. “Pft... you get any more flirty about it and you’ll HAVE to take care of it or it won’t FIT.” Gar worked up the front zipper, the suit hugging him at every angle, his defined frame easily seen through the material. Even with the soft built in cup to protect his delicates, his groin still had a natural bulge from the teasing. “I think I might have gained some weight since you started training me, Ro- I mean Tim. It’s definitely very tight.” “Mhmm...” Tim grinned. “I approve. Shoes, gloves, then get your adorable butt ready for some exercise.” “Whaaaa?” Beast Boy lowered his arms and ears, his shoulders slumping in defeat knowing he wasn’t going to get out of it. “Whyyyy? I have to be on stage in... blah, I don’t KNOW how long...” “Shhh... No arguments.” Tim removed his suit jacket and hung it over the chair back and began rolling up his sleeves. “We’re just gonna have you do some stretches to take out some tension, and then we’ll do your hair and get you all ready for the stage, okay?” Beast Boy nodded and accepted his defeat. He stepped into his shoes, checking the bottoms to make sure there were no stones stuck in the paw-print shaped grooves before tying them on good and tight.He then pulled on the fingerless gloves, pulling them halfway up his forearmed and flexing his fingers to make sure they were firmly in place. He unzipped his vest a bit and flicked up his collar before walking over to the center of the room. Tim took Gar through some basic stretches, following along and making sure there was no half-assing. Once they were into their routine, Beast Boy found it easy to just focus on his movements, leaning into the stretches, feeling his muscles physically relax. Every now and then Tim would walk over and very gently touch Gar’s body to push him very lightly into a deeper stretch, each touch making Gar’s skin feel slightly hot. He loved when Tim took that firm but caring control, and at the end of it, he always did feel better about himself at the end too. Tim kept his eye on the time as well, checking his watch during the stretches. After about ten minutes, he he had Gar touch his toes and very slowly roll his back up, leaving his neck for last, and as Gar lifted his head, Tim stepped forward and let his hand rest on Gar’s hip as he pressed their lips together. Beast Boy let Tim kiss him, feeling his face relax and his head tilt, their noses rubbing slightly. They have always had a deep friendship, always a lot of trust, this was just absolute icing. Gar slightly parted his lips and slipped his tongue towards Tim, who slowly backed away. “Shhhh...” Tim smiled as he heard Gar’s whimper as he was denied once again. “Later... let’s get you ready.” The pair went to the mirror, and Beast Boy took a seat. Tim took out a lint roller and did a quick clean up of the uniform, making sure Gar kept his hands to himself while he worked. Having finished with the uniform, Tim moved on with a fine brush, rubbing it over Gar’s arms, his other hand scratching up and down the back of his neck. “You feeling better?” Beast Boy moaned softly, his eyes closed as he let Tim slowly pamper him. “Mhmm... Sorry for freaking out.” “Dont be sorry.” Tim smiled and leaned his friend back in his chair a bit before grabbing for a small jar of hair clay, rubbing it vigorously between his hands before slowly running his fingers through Gar’s hair, carefully styling it. Messy but controlled. He loved Beast Boy’s natural wildness, and he knew the audience would too. “It’s my job to make sure you’re ready for anything. Super villains, natural disasters, and even talk shows.” Gar chuckled. “I guess.” “Think of it like... a dog show.” Gar’s head tilted, but Tim straightened it and grinned at him through the mirror. “Uh... a dog show?” “Sure. And you’re my pup.” Tim carefully finished with his hair and grabbed a small towel from the dresser, wiping his hands down. “You don’t need to worry about anything. You just do as I train you to do, you eat healthy, you learn my commands, you keep fit... and I pamper you, I play with you, and I show you off.” Tim lifted Gar’s chin with his finger, looking down into those emerald eyes. “There. You’re ready.” He glanced down at his watch. “With time to spare.” Beast Boy was fighting the blush he knew was forming in his cheeks. “H-hey-“ Tim snapped his fingers, calling Gar up to attention, his ears perked again. This made Tim smile. “That’s a good boy.” A knock on the door made both boys turn, and by the time the door opened, Tim had slipped a few feet away and was adjusting the lapels of his jacket. A tall woman in a short black dress wearing a headset stuck her head inside. “Mr Logan, you’re on in 5 minutes, I’m here to escort you to the staging area.” Beast Boy took a breath and stood up, his famous smile spreading across his face. “All right! Let’s do this.” He strode out to the woman in the hallway, who handed him a water bottle. Gar took it and glanced back into the greenroom. Tim was already gone. Slipped out, hopefully to find a seat somewhere in the audience. Gar knew he’d be watching, and he was determined to make him proud of his show.