AN: Nope, still don't own Teen Titans. Try again later!
Chapter 5: Take a Hike
Raven was sitting on the couch, reading one of her most beloved books. She had quit her job as a librarian, after a little more persuasion from Beast Boy, and was taking a break. She didn't like calling it a vacation, because that sounded like she taking time off from something. She was just resting for a little while before looking for another job to get her on her feet.
The truth was that ever since she had left her job, two weeks before, she had felt much better. She got to do whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. She was feeling calmer and more at peace with herself. She had even agreed to go for a hike with Beast Boy that afternoon. After she agreed she realized that she really wasn't acting like herself anymore. And that was starting to scare her.
Beast Boy came down the stairs and went over to her. He was dressed up for their hike at the wildlife preserve he was taking her to. "Hey, you ready to head out?"
"I guess," she said and finished up the paragraph she was reading.
"Great, I got you something," he said and ran over to the broom closet.
"What did you buy me now?" she groaned, getting upset at how much he tried to buy for her.
He took a shoe box out and gave it to her. "Just some hiking boots," he said. "I'm pretty sure I got your shoe size right."
Raven opened the box and saw a pair of very nice, very expensive looking, hiking boots. She checked the size on the tongue of the shoe and said, "Yup, looks like it. Thank you."
"So you're not gonna return them?" he asked very hopeful, knowing the she always went behind his back and returned the things he got her and slipped the money back in his wallet.
"We'll see how they work out," she said smirking and slipped them on. She stood up and took a few laps around the couch.
"So, how do they feel?" he asked nervously.
"Good," she said rocking back and forth on her heals. "Really good."
Beast Boy smiled from ear to ear. "Okay, go change and we'll go."
"Change?" she asked. "Why do I have to change?" She was currently in a pair of jeans and a tight tee-shirt.
"Rae, have you ever been hiking before?" he asked.
"No," she said.
He sighed and grabbed her hand, "Come on, I'll pick something out for you to wear."
Raven felt slightly uncomfortable with Beast Boy in her room, looking through all of her clothes. He wasn't spying or anything, but she still didn't like him in there. She was afraid he would judge her on her things, as everyone else always did. Beast Boy paid no mind to any of Ravens things and just went through her clothes. He grabbed her a sweatshirt to wear over her tee-shirt and a pair of shorts.
"Shorts?" she asked skeptically. "Won't I get bit by bugs?"
"No, I'll cover you in bug spray," he said with a smile. "You can move a little freer with shorts and I won't take you up any rocks or anything, so you won't get scratched."
"Okay," she sighed. "Get out so I can change."
"You got it," he said with a grin and left.
She was soon dressed and they got in the car to head for the wildlife preserve. For once, Raven actually felt… normal. She wasn't pretending to be, she actually was normal. She was going to do an everyday, fun thing that average people do. She was starting to get a little more comfortable with it.
"So, what made you decided to come for a hike with me anyway?" asked Beast Boy, turning the radio down a little.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I guess I figured that I had nothing better to do and it wouldn't kill me to spend the afternoon hiking. Besides, it's quiet, it's exercise, and it's something we can actually do together."
"So, if you have a good time we can do this again?" he asked with a hopeful grin.
"I guess," she said and stuck her arm out of the window. It was warm and she enjoyed the feel of the warm air on her arm.
"Awesome," he said very happy. "You're gonna have a great time, Rae. This place is really nice. I go like twice a week to walk around. I'll take you down my favorite path. You'll really like it."
"I hope so," she said with a small smile from just being comfortable.
"You know, you've been really content lately," he said.
"Content? How the hell did you learn a word like that?" she asked with a smirk.
"I heard it on a show," said Beast Boy smugly. "So… are you happier now?"
Raven thought for a second. "Yes, I am happier now," she said nodding. "I guess I have you to thank for that. So go on, get that cocky "I knew I was right" look you get."
"Alright, I will, now that I have your permission," he said and got a proud look on his face with a smug smile. Raven just shook her head and tried to suppress a smile.
They arrived at the wildlife preserve and Beast Boy parked. Raven got out and looked around. It was oddly quiet and calm. She really liked it. Beast Boy went to the trunk and got out two backpacks. He handed her one and put his own on.
"What's in this?" she asked.
"Just stuff you'll need," he said. "Water, bug spray, first aid kit, food, blanket; you know the essentials."
"Jesus, you really are prepared," said Raven. "When the hell did you mature? I really missed that."
"Just put your backpack on," he said chuckling. He took his bug spray out of his backpack and began to spray himself down. He covered every part of him, his clothes, his hair, every part. "Alright hold your breath and close your eyes."
"I'm sure I can do it myself," said Raven.
"Yeah, but I can cover you all over," said Beast Boy. "You may miss the back of your leg or something."
"Why are you even using bug spray?" she asked. "I thought you didn't want to kill animals, bugs included."
"This stuff doesn't kill 'em," said Beast Boy. "It repels them."
"Anyway, just give me the spray and I'll do it myself," said Raven holding her hand out.
"Would you just let me do this?" he asked. "Now hold your breath and close your eyes."
Raven sighed, closed her eyes, and took a big breath in. She held it and Beast Boy sprayed her all over. She wanted to gasp when the cold of it hit the back of her legs, but restrained herself. Once he was done he put it in his backpack.
"Are we ready to go, now?" she asked, already feeling nasty from all of the bug spray.
"Yup, let's head out," he said with a smile. "Follow me." He began to walk and Raven was a little behind him. He slowed down so that they were side by side.
He led her to a trail and the two began to walk through the woods. It was slightly colder and Raven was glad Beast Boy had made her take that sweatshirt. Her legs, oddly, weren't that cold. Probably because of all of the walking, she concluded. Around them there were birds singing and chirping in the trees. Once in a while a squirrel would scurry across the ground and run up a tree. It really was serene and calm.
"See? Didn't I tell you it was nice?" he asked.
"Wow, you were right again," said Raven. "I'm starting to get scared."
Beast Boy chuckled. "Yeah, my mind is finally catching up to yours."
"Now there's a scary thought," she smirked.
They continued to walk and Beast Boy pointed out all of the things he noticed every time he came. He showed her a bird's nest he had become familiar with. He took her to see a really nice tree that had fallen down that was now covered in a green moss and little purple flowers. Then he showed her the area he had seen a deer in.
"Can we take a rest?" she asked after they had been walking for nearly an hour. She wasn't one to get tired quickly, but she wasn't used to walking up and down hills and jumping over rocks and logs.
"Sure," he said. "I know a great place to rest right up ahead."
After another minute there was a large boulder set right in the sun. He climbed up and sat down. He helped her up and she sat down as well. She took a water out of her backpack and took a long drink. Beast Boy did the same.
"So, having fun?" he asked.
"This is nice," she said truthfully. "It's so… quiet out here. I can see why you're so in love with nature."
"I basically am nature, Rae," he laughed. "I can't help it."
"It's not a bad thing," she said quickly. "I hope you didn't think I meant it in a bad way."
"No, I didn't," he said. "And since when do you care if you say something bad to me or not?"
"Well, after you've been so nice to me, I don't want to be really mean to you anymore," she said, tucking her knees up to her chest.
"You've never been really mean to me," he said. "Like I said, you can't help being you. You say self-esteem crushing phrases and I spew corny, mediocre jokes. You can't hide who you are, so don't try."
"I don't even feel like myself anymore," said Raven. "I feel… different."
"Well, you're changing, whether you like it or not," said Beast Boy. "And that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. You look like your getting more comfortable with yourself. It's really nice to see."
Raven thought for a minute. "You're getting mature and I'm getting comfortable," she said at last. "I believe this is when Hell freezes over."
Beast Boy laughed. "You rested up?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think so," she said with a smile and the two started standing up.
The continued down the trail and soon came out to an open field. The grass was considerably long and all of a sudden a flock of small birds flew out and scared the bejesus out of Raven. A branch on a tree nearby snapped and fell to the ground, from her powers. Beast Boy suppressed his giggling and reassured her that it was alright. As they walked they suddenly saw a fox tail brushing through the grass and then disappear. Beast Boy had the urge to morph into a fox as well and ran around. But there was another couple near them walking as well and he didn't want to get caught. The passed an area of white flowers and Beast Boy picked her one. She put it behind her ear and they walked on.
"Hey, guess what," he said.
"What?" she asked.
"I've got a date Friday," said Beast Boy proudly.
"Really?" she asked both shocked and amused. "With who?"
"A girl I met at the organic food store," said Beast Boy.
"Wow, and you actually got up the nerve to ask her out?" she asked with a smile. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks," he said, smiling back.
"So… what's she look like?" she asked curiously.
He sighed, "How did I know you were going to ask that? She's blond, are you happy? Yes, I'm the stereotypical guy who likes blonds, so sue me."
"Hey, I'm not here to judge," she said with a soft laugh. "I was just curious."
"Oh," said Beast Boy, feeling embarrassed at how he had reacted. "Well, she's really nice."
"Well, I hope you have a good time," said Raven.
"Thanks Rae," he said smiling.
They walked a little further before deciding to head back. Raven was getting tired and she asked if they could start back and go home. She had been outside long enough. As they walked back they looked at all of the sights they had spotted before and noted where they had seen birds or odd plants. They waved to the couple they had seen earlier who were continuing on.
Raven couldn't wait to get home and take a shower. She felt pretty grungy and wanted to get the dirt and bug spray off of her. Beast Boy was quite proud of her. She hadn't complained once and had actually enjoyed herself.
"How'd the shoes work out?" he asked.
"Really well," she said. "I think I'll keep them."
"Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Yeah, I'll wear them the next time we do this," she said leaning back into her chair.
Beast Boy was grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't believe he had found something for both of them to do together. "I'm really happy you had a good time," said Beast Boy. "It's nice to know we can do something together. You know, I really like this new you."
"You barely liked the old me," said Raven. "Of course you like this new me. I'm watered down, what with all of this normal living we're doing."
"I liked the old you!" he said. "I'm just saying that I like you even more now that you're allowing yourself to change a little."
"Thanks," she said, not really caring. "God, I can't wait to get home and shower. I feel so nasty."
"Yeah, being outside will do that to you," he smirked. "But you'll get used to it."
She groaned and closed her eyes. Beast Boy had to laugh to himself. He knew she hated to get dirty, and, in a way, he had taken her for the hike just to see her reaction when she got dirty.
Once they got home Raven practically ran into the house to use her shower. Beast Boy was so relieved she was okay with him going on a date. He didn't know why he cared what she thought, but he did. He also thought that he might hurt her feelings. He didn't know why. But she was fine with it and was actually being pretty supportive. He was feeling really lucky to have a friend like her.