Disclaimer: I have no ownership of Teen Titans
Chapter 16
The next morning Beast Boy awoke at sunrise, the same time he woke up every morning. He saw that he was still in the small cave behind the waterfall and that Raven lay a few feet away from him, still deep in sleep. He stretched and splashed a little of the rushing water on his face to help wake him. He then went to Raven and gently shook her.
"Hey, Raven, wake up," he said softly.
She let out a small groan and soon her eyes fluttered open. She looked around in a confused manner and said, "Where am I?"
"You're behind the waterfall, remember?" he said.
"Oh yeah," she said and rubbed her eyes. She sat up and pushed her long hair out of her face. "Why did you let me sleep here?"
"Because you wanted to," he said, simply. "And I didn't want to wake you up once you fell asleep. Now we gotta head back before the others wake up."
"Alright," she yawned and slowly got to her feet.
She flew out of the cave, getting a little wet from the waterfall, and landed beyond the little pool below. Beast Boy had to climb out and down. Raven offered to help him down, but he declined, saying that the climb down would wake him up a little more. Once he was down the two began the trek back.
"So, what're we going to do today?" she asked, curiously.
"Dunno," he replied, shrugging. "Whatever you guys wanna do. Probably spend the day at the pool again, since it's gonna be just as hot today."
"If Cyborg's smart he'll get to work on fixing the T-ship," said Raven.
"You wanna leave already?" he asked, trying not to sound upset.
"I don't want to leave," said Raven. "But Robin didn't plan on us staying for more than two days."
"You don't want to leave?" he asked.
"Not yet," said Raven. "Not after you showed me that lovely secret spot. Besides, when we leave we might not see you again for another two years. That's a long time to be away."
"So… you really missed me, huh?" he asked.
She was quiet for a moment before saying, "You could say that," in a soft tone.
He smiled and took a hold of her hand. "Come on, we gotta get back," he said and began to lead her through the jungle at a quicker pace.
Feeling him take her hand again, Raven felt her heart race and an odd bubbling sensation in her stomach. She grasped his hand a little tighter and allowed him to lead her wherever he wanted. He felt her hand's grasp of his own strengthen and that made him feel very happy. And, again, that scared him.
The two soon made it out of the jungle and in a few minutes made it back to the village. They got back to Beast Boy's hut and Raven climbed onto her soft bed. Once he was sure she was all set he went off to get breakfast ready for them. Breakfast always took a long time to put together, and he knew they'd be hungry when they woke up.
Raven lay on her bed and felt her self grow tired again. She could still feel the remains of a blush that had crept up on her as Beast Boy had led her through the jungle. She hadn't felt this way in such a long time. The fact that she felt this way about Beast Boy confused her, but at the same time she kept reminding herself that this wasn't the Beast Boy she'd known for years. And this only confused her all the more.
Soon the team began to awake one by one and none knew that Raven and Beast Boy hadn't spent the night in the hut. Said changeling had breakfast ready by the time they awoke and all stomachs were soon filled.
"So, what do you guys wanna do today?" Beast Boy asked his friends.
"What is there to do?" asked Starfire.
"Not much," Beast Boy laughed. "You can hang out around here, go to the pool, go fix the T-ship, and… uh… can't really think of anything else."
"Pool," they all said together.
"Not you, Cyborg," said Robin. "You've got to get to work fixing the ship."
"What?!" said Cyborg. "Man, it's too damn hot to fix anything!"
"You've got to fix it sooner or later," said Robin. "And I'd prefer sooner."
"And I'd prefer later," said Cyborg, wiping his already sweating brow.
"I'll go with you," said Sarah. "That way you won't be alone."
Cyborg smiled and said, "Well, I guess I can go."
"So, how long do you think it'll take for you to fix it?" asked Beast Boy.
"I've no idea," said Cyborg. "Could be a few hours could be a week."
"It better not be a week," Robin warned.
Suddenly an unpleasant Aiyana ran up to the group and began to speak to Beast Boy. He said something back to her and then she left, still rather upset.
"What was that about?" asked Sarah.
"I've gotta go see King Tawaba," said Beast Boy.
"Why's she in a bad mood?" asked Robin.
"She's just jealous that you're all here taking up my attention," said Beast Boy, rolling his eyes.
"Ah, so we've got a little romance going on," Cyborg smirked.
"No, there's no romance," Beast Boy said, firmly. "She likes me but I totally don't like her like that."
"Yeah, sure," Cyborg laughed.
"It's the truth!" said Beast Boy.
"Oh, Beast Boy, it is wonderful you have a girlfriend," said Starfire with a large smile.
"No!" he shouted. "I don't like her like that! I'd admit it if I did because then I'd finally have a girlfriend, but that's not the case. Trust me, I've got no romance in my life."
"Wow, then it's gotta be true," said Cyborg. "I've never heard Beast Boy say anything other than that he's got millions of fan girls wanting him."
"Oh, then I am very sad for you, my friend," said Starfire. "But surely you will have romance someday."
"I sure hope so," said Beast Boy. "Well, I've gotta go see the king. I'll see you guys in a bit." And with that he headed off to see King Tawaba.
"So, you think any of that was true?" asked Cyborg.
"What? That he doesn't like Aiyana?" asked Robin.
"Yeah," said Cyborg.
"Nope," said Robin. "He was way too defensive about it."
"He doesn't like her," Raven finally spoke up.
"Huh?" all four said, turning to her.
"He doesn't like her," she repeated. "He's told me numerous times that he has no feelings for her."
"He told you numerous times?" asked Cyborg. "How's that possible? He only wrote us, like, two letters a year."
Raven was quiet for a moment then said, "I'm going for a walk." She turned and began to walk off, planning on going to the secret spot to meditate.
"What was that about?" asked Robin.
"I do not know," said Starfire.
"I have a funny feeling something's going on," said Sarah.
Beast Boy made it to King Tawaba's hut and entered. The king was eating his own breakfast and looked up as the he entered.
"You wanted to see me?" he said.
"Yes, please sit," said King Tawaba.
Beast Boy took a seat and said, "I'm guessing this is because Aiyana tattled on me."
"More or less," said King Tawaba. "She told me she saw you and your friend Raven leaving the village late last night. Care to explain?"
"Sure," said Beast Boy. "I found this really nice, quiet place out in the jungle and I wanted to show her."
"Why so late?" asked King Tawaba.
"She couldn't sleep and I thought making the trip out there would help make her tired," said Beast Boy. "I don't see what the big deal is."
"Aiyana said she told you that, because you're not officially a man, it's not appropriate for you to be alone with a young woman," said King Tawaba.
"Is that true?" asked Beast Boy. "Because I thought she might've been saying that just because she's jealous of seeing me with Raven."
"Yes, it's true," said King Tawaba. "And Aiyana does care for you, Garfield."
"I know," he groaned. "But I don't like her."
King Tawaba was a bit taken back by this. "You don't?" he asked.
"No, I don't," said Beast Boy. "I've liked her as a friend but I don't like her in any romantic way."
"Oh," said King Tawaba, sitting back in his seat and grabbing his chin in thought. "I must admit, this surprises me."
"How could it surprise you?" asked Beast Boy. "I told you before that she was smothering me."
"I thought you were being overwhelmed, that's all," said King Tawaba. "Why haven't you said anything sooner?"
"I thought telling you that she wouldn't leave me alone and I couldn't stand it anymore was telling you," said Beast Boy.
"Well, I have a lot to think about now," said King Tawaba. "Why don't you go spend some time with your friends?"
"Okay," said Beast Boy, standing up. "Any chance I get to know what the last trial is today?"
"No, not today," said King Tawaba. "And I'm not sure you're going to want to know what it is."
Beast Boy looked at him oddly and asked, "Why not?"
"Just go be with your friends, Garfield," King Tawaba sighed.
Beast Boy gave him one last odd look and then exited the hut. King Tawaba rubbed his eyes and felt a headache coming on. Just then, to his dismay, Aiyana entered.
"Did you tell him?" she asked.
"No," he said. "Not yet."
"Sir, you've got to tell him," said Aiyana. "I don't want him spending anymore time with… her."
"I'll tell him when I think it's the best time," said King Tawaba. "What he's just revealed to me only complicates the situation."
"Why? What did he tell you?" asked Aiyana.
"You don't need to know," said King Tawaba. "Now leave me, I have much to think about."
"No, I want to know what he said," said Aiyana, planting her feet. "Father, tell me."
King Tawaba sighed. "He doesn't love you," he said. "He only cares for you as a friend."
"If he cares for me as a friend then he'll learn to love me like I love him," said Aiyana. She got close to the king and got down beside him. "Father, I love him with all of my heart. You've got to make this work. He doesn't even know that you're my father."
"I know," said King Tawaba. "And, I promise, I'll tell him soon. But not today. Let him be with his friends."
"That means he'll be with her," said Aiyana, nearly growling.
"I'll take care of it," said King Tawaba firmly with a sigh.
Aiyana, sure that she'd gotten her point across, stood up and exited the hut. King Tawaba really had a headache now. He had a horrible feeling that, in the end, Garfield wasn't going to be a happy man.