Disclaimer: I have no ownership of Teen Titans
Chapter 17
Cyborg spent all day attempting to fix the T-ship, but by the end of the day he said that he'd have to spend another day on it before it'd be ready to function. Robin was glad to hear it would only take that long, rather than a week. Beast Boy, on the other hand, wasn't as happy. He wasn't really ready to have his friends leave just yet.
The entire day had flown by and night had fallen once again. Beast Boy was shocked that not once throughout the day, excluding their meeting in the morning, had Aiyana bothered him. He hadn't even seen her. This left him free to hang with his friends all he wanted, especially Raven, without worrying about her getting jealous.
Before long the visiting team headed for bed. Cyborg and Sarah were tired from working hard on the ship all day, Robin was sunburned, and Starfire was naturally tired from all of the excitement throughout the day. The four hit their soft mats and went right to sleep. Again, Beast Boy and Raven were left awake.
"You know, if you swam today you'd be more tired," Beast Boy pointed out. The two were sitting just outside of his hut near a small fire that had been left over from dinner.
"If that were true then why aren't you tired?" asked Raven.
"Cuz I'm used to doing way more than just swimming in a day," said Beast Boy with a laugh. "This has actually been a pretty relaxing day for me."
"Did King Tawaba tell you what your final trial is?" she asked.
"No," he sighed. "And I think something's going on."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I told him that I don't like Aiyana and he got all weird," he said. "Then he said that I wasn't going to like the last trial. I don't know what's going on."
"Well, you've come too far to quit now," said Raven. "Whatever the last trial is you've got to do it."
"I know," he sighed.
The two sat in silence for a while, watching the remaining bits of fire dance on the smoldering sticks it had been built upon. Raven let her eyes travel up from the flames and she subtly studied Beast Boy's glowing face. He was deep in thought, obviously thinking about what the last trial could possibly be. She'd never seen him so serious when thinking.
And he was ever so handsome; she really couldn't believe her own eyes when looking at him. She felt her mind wander and soon images of Beast Boy holding her hand, smiling at her, actually caring for her in the same way that Robin and Cyborg cared for Sarah and Starfire. She quickly turned her gaze back to the fire. There would be none of that. She stood up and began to walk off.
"Going to bed?" Beast Boy asked.
"I'm going to the waterfall," Raven said and continued walking.
Beast Boy quickly jumped up from his seat and went after her. "I'll go, too," he said, catching up to her.
"Why?" she asked.
"Cuz I want to," he shrugged.
Raven felt her heart flutter, but quickly quieted it. She refused to acknowledge the signals her body was giving her. Not for him; not for Beast Boy. So what if he'd grown up? So what if he'd matured? So what if she hadn't felt anything like this in so long that the feelings seemed foreign? None of it mattered. She wouldn't feel this for Beast Boy.
As they walked Beast Boy could suddenly smell a difference in Raven's scent. God, that scent. Herbal tea and lavender; it was absolutely intoxicating. But, back to the change in scent, he smelt a sudden increase of sweat and his instincts alerted him that she was flustered about something, though he wasn't sure what. But he really didn't care; he loved the sweet air around her. And, again, that scared him.
They reached the jungle and began to make their way inside. Again, Beast Boy easily avoided the vines and branches while Raven struggled. After a few feet he paused so that she could catch up. Once she did, he took her hand and helped her just as he did the day before. No words were exchanged and that only intensified the strange air around them. Again, Beast Boy could smell a change in her scent.
After this rather long walk they finally arrived at the waterfall again. Upon arriving the two stopped and gazed upon the sight, still hand in hand. They each knew that this was when they should let go… now is the right time to release their hand… okay, things are starting to get weird… let go now… wait, why aren't they letting go… are they okay with this… how much time has passed… release, you fool, release!
At the same time the two let go of each other's hands in an odd way and then looked at each other. Quickly, they turned away and felt rather stupid. Great, this was going well.
"So, um, you wanna go to the cave?" asked Beast Boy, clearing his throat and trying to act nonchalant about the awkward situation that had just passed.
"Yes," Raven said with a simple nod and took off, leaving Beast Boy to climb his way up.
She quickly flew through the water and arrived in the small cave on the other side. She took a seat and held her knees to her chest. She felt her heart racing and a nervous sickening feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. Why was this happening to her? It was only Beast Boy. She had no reason to feel nervous about being alone with him in here. But, even so, she did.
A minute or two later, Beast Boy climbed into the cave and sat down opposite her. He was far wetter then her and his green hair clung to his face until he pushed them back. He looked across the way and gave her a smile. Raven only met his eyes for a moment and then focused on the floor, unsure of what else to do.
"You okay?" he asked, pretty sure he already knew the answer.
"Yes," she said softly.
"You sure?" he pressed. "I mean, I know you're quiet, but I've never seen you, like, shy."
"I'm not shy," she said evenly. "Why would I be shy?"
"I dunno," he said, leaning up against the wall. "Maybe 'shy' was the wrong word. But, you seem nervous or something. Did I do something?"
"No," she said. "And I'm not nervous."
"Then why are you so uncomfortable?" he asked.
"Why do you keep asking me questions?" she snapped defensively. "I came out here to relax and try to fall asleep, not to be questioned by you. I didn't even ask you to come."
Beast Boy was quite taken back by this and felt hurt. "Oh," he said, looking down. "Well, uh, sorry for inviting myself to come along. If you didn't want me to come you should've said something." He stood up and made his way towards the falling water to leave.
"No!" she said quickly, causing him to pause. "No, you don't have to go. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."
He looked at her over his shoulder and said, "You sure?"
"Yes," she said. "Please, don't leave."
He smiled and turned back around, taking his seat once again. "So, you wanna talk about why you're so on edge?" he asked.
"Not really," she said, shaking her head and avoiding his gaze again.
"Raven, why are you being so secretive with me?" he asked. "I mean, when we were writing letters to each other you began to really open up. Why can't you do that while in person?"
Raven was quiet for a moment then said, "I'm not used to being open with anyone in person. Writing is… different."
It grew quiet between the two again. Beast Boy focused on his toes while Raven watched the falling water. She began to feel herself growing tired and she wondered what she should do. Should she just lie down and spend the night here again or go back to the village to sleep in the hut with the others? She didn't want to leave but things felt very uncomfortable between her and Beast Boy at the moment.
"You know, I really like getting your letters," said Beast Boy, breaking the silence. "They're always the highlight of my week."
"Really?" she asked, turning her gaze towards him.
"Well, yeah," he said, not meeting her gaze in a bashful way. "I mean, as much as I love being here, sometimes I feel homesick. But when I get your letters I feel better. You kinda represent home. I mean, even as we're sitting here, I feel at home… with you."
Raven felt her heart jump and heat spread up into her cheeks. She held her legs tighter and did her best to breathe slowly to calm her heart. Beast Boy couldn't help but feel similar symptoms and he smelt the alteration in Raven's scent again.
"I'm glad my letters made you feel better," she said, doing her best to keep her voice in an even tone. She was so wrapped up in keeping her own emotions in order she didn't realize that Beast Boy was feeling the same as her. "And… I enjoyed getting your letters, too."
"You did?" he said, perking up.
"Yes," she said, moving a stray violet lock behind her ear. "But my reasons for enjoying them were selfish."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well… you'd only send a letter to me," Raven said, looking at the floor. "And it made me feel, as immature as it may sound, special."
"I don't think it's immature to feel special," said Beast Boy, moving over to sit next to her. "Everyone likes to feel special now and then."
"That's not all," said Raven, making sure not to look next to her where he now sat. "I also didn't tell the others that you were sending me letters so often. They thought I'd only get one once a month or even less than that."
"Well… I did only send them to you," said Beast Boy. "So, if you didn't tell the others, then that's your choice. They were letters to you, not to them."
"But why did you send only me letters?" she asked. "Why didn't you send letters to the others as often as you sent them to me?"
Beast Boy scratched the back of his head and said, "I don't know. At first, it was just cuz you actually wrote to me about what was going on, instead of just saying that you missed me and some stupid other little thing like the others. And then as time went on, I dunno, I just… wanted to write to you. You were so different in your letters that, after a while, it felt like I wasn't even writing to you anymore. And, to be honest, when I see you now I don't see the same Raven who dropped me off two years ago. You're different. I mean, heh, to be honest, I don't remember you being this pretty."
Raven was shocked by this and felt her entire body blush. She hadn't remembered him being so bold before. "Well, you're different, too," she said, quickly. "I don't remember you looking… the way you do now."
"I wish I knew what I looked like," Beast Boy sighed. "Kinda sucks not having a mirror, you know? I'm worried about what I'll see the next time I look into one."
"Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about," she said, absentmindedly.
"Why's that?" he asked, curiously.
"Well… like I said, you're different," she said.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" he pressed.
"I-It's a… good thing," she said at last.
"Oh," he said and then smiled. "So, I'm good looking, huh?"
Raven blushed again and said, "You could say that."
Beast Boy let out a sigh of relief and leaned against the rocky wall. "Good, I was scared I was gonna grow up to look all weird," he admitted.
"You don't look weird," said Raven. "I mean, other than the green skin, pointy ears, and fangs."
"Well, that's a given," he laughed. Raven gave him a small smile and then tried to focus her attention on the falling water. "Wow."
"What?" she asked, turning back to him.
Beast Boy smiled softly and said, "You just smiled."
"Oh," she said, averting his gaze.
"Do you know how long it took me to get that?" he said, moving a little closer so she was forced to look at him again.
"I-It was just a smile," she said softly, her heart racing. "That's all."
"But it was your smile," he said. "And you smiled at me. You never would've done that, before."
"Well maybe that's because I never wanted to smile at you… until now," she said, looking into his eyes and never feeling so vulnerable before in her life.
Beast Boy felt his mind becoming clouded by the sweet yet tangy scent Raven was emitting. She was nervous, anxious, and excited; a pungent mix he'd never smelt before. He felt drunk on the scent and this made him feel far braver than he ever would've claimed to be.
He took in one last intoxicating breath and then gently leaned forward, closing the space between him and Raven. He closed his eyes and placed his lips on hers, which, to his shock, were eagerly accepted.