Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
Beast Boy wandered around the misty forest, knowing where he was but still unable to find his bearings. It didn't help that he had been here before, as all the paths through the trees looked the same to him as they vanished into the heavy mist. He searched anxiously for a way out of the natural labyrinth but was unsuccessful. It was a moonless night and he had nothing to use a reference point in his search. He knew what he was looking for, and was surprised that it hadn't come out to find him. Seeing a clearing up ahead and approached it cautiously and cursed out loud as he recognized it. He had already been here 20 minutes before.
"I'm walking in circles." He groaned out loud.
"That's because you aren't using your powers, Beast Boy!" A guttural voice growled behind him.
"So did you come here to gloat?" The changeling replied without turning around.
"No Master, I came to congratulate you."
Beast Boy turned around and glared at his alter ego.
"Congratulate me?"
The Beast growled before replying.
"Yes Beast Boy. You have claimed Raven and made her your mate. Well done, and I might add, a perfect choice. Much better than the traitor."
"Claim her?" Beast Boy asked. "More like I begged her."
"She was already yours. But you did the right thing in asking her for her forgiveness, which she gave to you without hesitation."
The changeling nodded. "I'm taking her to the courthouse tomorrow, to make it official."
Garfield thought he heard the Beast chuckle.
"Oh yes, you wish to give her one of those papers that humans value so much. You are fortunate Beast Boy, for she values your word far more than any piece of paper anyone could ever give her."
Garfield nodded again. He recalled how just a few hours before he got on his knees and pledged himself forever to Raven and how she reciprocated to him. It had truly been the happiest moment in his entire life and the kisses they shared after their vows were exchanged were the sweetest ever.
"She made you feel complete, did she not?"
Garfield knew that the Beast was right. During his sham bonding with Terra they had mated many times, but he never felt satisfied or complete with the shapely geomancer. He tried to share the experience of oneness with her, but he never achieved it. After their first week he already knew that something was wrong between them. He just never imagined how deep her deceit actually was until her husband showed up to claim her.
"Yes, she did. You were right about her."
"Good. She is loyal and will bear many offspring for you. You couldn't have found a better woman. But I sense you are still troubled."
Beast Boy was indeed troubled by his disastrous relationship with the Geomancer.
"I committed a terrible crime with Terra…"
"Do not blame yourself. She is to blame entirely for dishonoring you. It was not unexpected though. I did warn you that she was treacherous."
Beast Boy sighed.
"Speaking of treacherous, I have some unfinished business with the Wild Man." He said as his mood immediately changed.
"Yes, you do." The Beast growled. "He is wounded now, and while he is weakened he is also dangerous. I will come with you."
"And I know how to find him." Beast Boy replied as he morphed into a wolf. After finding the scent of his prey he howled before beginning his pursuit, followed closely by the Beast who also howled as he followed his master.
Raven woke up with a start. It was still dark and her alarm clock confirmed that she had awakened too early, as it was not yet 2:00 AM. She was warm and cozy in the bed where she felt happy and at peace as she pressed her body against her mate's sleeping figure, feeling the warmth emanate from his naked body. It had been a night of many firsts for her. She had accepted Beast Boy's offer to be lifelong mates. She had slept naked for the first time. And she had made love for the first time. Tomorrow they would go to the courthouse downtown to have their union officially recognized by the state of California. She had told him that it wasn't necessary, that his word was all she needed from him. He insisted however, saying that it was the right thing to do. She accepted on the condition that it be kept low key. Tomorrow she would officially be Raven Logan, yet another first for her.
She rolled over and gazed at his sleeping figure. She then kissed him gently, being careful not to wake him. She rested her head on his shoulder and began to settle back into her happy and peaceful slumber, still unable to believe that he was finally hers.
That was until she felt a surge of emotions ooze out of him. He was feeling anger and it was intense. At first she thought he was having a dream but it did not pass. She knew what was happening and decided to join him, to stand at his side as he confronted the deceiver.
She got out of her bed and slipped on her cape as the air in the room was chilly. She delicately sat on top of the bed adopting the Lotus position and began to meditate, levitating from the bed's surface. Quietly she began to repeat her mantra and within a few seconds her soul self emerged from her body. Her black doppelganger floated over to him and she quickly entered her common law husband's mind as easily as walking through a door. She appeared in the misty forest and much to her relief she was fully dressed in her white leotard and cape. Running around half-naked in her husband's head would have been another first, but now was not the time for such frivolity.
She recognized the foggy forest and decided to fly above the trees to get a better view of her surroundings, but she couldn't see farther than a few hundred feet away, so thick was the fog. The Wild Man clearly wished to remain hidden; as the fog was much thicker than the last time she was here. She called out telepathically to her mate, who responded immediately. He told her he would howl and that she should follow his lupine voice.
Raven hovered silently over the virtual forest's tree canopy and listened carefully. In the distance she was able to hear a wolf faintly howl and proceeded in that direction. As she quickly covered ground flying over the tree tops the howling became louder and clearer and soon enough she reached the edge of the forest where her mate and the Beast were waiting for her. As Garfield saw her approach he morphed back into his human form and greeted her with a hug and a kiss.
As soon as Garfield released her the Beast approached her. He looked far more ferocious and formidable than she remembered but she did not betray her anxiety as the Beast stopped and stood in front of her. The Beast towered above her and stooped down so that their faces were at the same level.
Raven reached out with her right hand and caressed the creature's face as Garfield watched. This act confirmed yet again to him that she was the one he was meant to be with. To his amazement the Beast began to make what he thought was a purring sound as Raven continued to caress its face. She then surprised them both by kissing the Beast on its cheek. The leviathan dropped down onto a knee and bowed its head to Raven, and to her surprise it spoke.
"Your humble servant welcomes you to his realm, my mistress."
Raven looked shocked at first but recovered quickly, as she remembered that it was her mate's subconscious mind speaking to her.
"Thank you." She replied softly."I have come to help you confront the Wild Man."
"Yet again you prove that you are worthy above all others, my lady. Especially more so than the treacherous one, the deceiver."
Raven caressed the Beast's face again before turning to her mate.
"I'm ready Gar. Let's do it."
Beast Boy nodded and took her hand.
"It's this way." He pointed.
Soon enough they were deep in the moor. The fog was even thicker than in the forest and there was no visibility to speak of. He knew they were getting close.
"I'm going in to find him." Garfield growled."Wait here."
Raven scolded him. "You're crazy if you think I'm letting you go in there alone."
"I knew you'd say that Raven! Fine, let's go then." He said as he took her hand again.
Beast Boy morphed back into a wolf and entered the heart of the moor, following his prey's scent. Raven and the Beast followed right behind him.
"Do not worry mistress. I will not allow the Wild Man to harm him." The Beast reassured Raven.
"Neither will I." She added.
The trio crossed the moor, following Beast Boy's lead. He led them down a valley and soon enough they came upon a small hut which was dimly lit on the inside. Raven and Garfield stood in front of the hut with the Beast standing behind them.
"Wild Man! Come out! We need to talk!" He shouted.
There was a rustling sound inside the hut and after a few moments the door opened, but not before the light in the hut went out. A gray silhouette appeared at the door and stood motionless as the breeze gently blew and cleared the fog from the door, revealing his person. He had his spear in his right hand and looked as fierce as ever.
"You are persistent Garfield, as you have found me." He said as he turned towards Raven. "Why do you bring them here Garfield? Why do you defile my home with their presence?" The Wild Man said disdainfully.
The Beast growled menacingly until Raven soothed it once again with her caresses.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Beast Boy growled as he approached his other alter ego. Raven placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down as well.
"I see that you have chosen to be an animal Garfield, which is disappointing." The Wild Man shook his head as he pointed at Raven. "And you have forsaken Terra, one of your own kind, to take this … thing … as your mate."
Beast Boy began to growl as Raven wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't listen to him Gar. Remember, you're in charge, not him."
Beast Boy regained his composure.
"My kind? In case you haven't noticed dude, we're green, we have fangs and pointed ears. Terra is not one of our own kind!"
"And this demon is?"
The Beast lunged at the Wild Man and the two began to tussle. The Beast pinned him down before being called back by his mistress. It ran back to her side, still growling at the Wild Man who picked himself up as if nothing had happened.
"Raven is not a demon! She's a woman and she's my woman, and you're going to get used to it! Understand?"
The Wild Man stared silently at his master.
"Is that is how you want it to be Garfield?"
"Yes."
"And you identify with that mindless monster." The Wild Man said as he pointed at the Beast.
"He isn't mindless." Raven interjected. "And he isn't a monster."
The Wild Man chuckled. "And I suppose that it doesn't think you are a monster either. Correct?" He taunted the gray sorceress.
"You will not insult my mistress!" The Beast snarled, exposing his huge fangs. "Do it again and she will not be able to stop me."
The Wild Man ignored the Beast's threat and frowned at Beast Boy instead.
"Very well Garfield, or should I call you Beast Boy? ! Go be an animal! Sleep with the monster and let her bear your children. Someday you will come back to me, you will indeed. I will not bother you until then Garfield. But there is a consequence for your poor choice. As punishment for your ingratitude I will take away everything I have given you. You will now be the perfect match for her!"
A bright flash blinded Raven and Gar, jolting them awake. Raven fell from her free floating perch and landed on the bed while Garfield also awoke with a start. The room was dark and they could barely see each other.
"Dude! That was intense!"
"I'll say." Raven replied. "But at least he's going to leave us alone now."
"I hope so." Beast Boy said as he sat up in the bed. He reached out and grabbed Raven's hand. Raven removed her cloak and slipped back into bed with her husband. She snuggled up happily next to him, still savoring their moral victory over the Wild Man. Gar wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close and that's when he noticed that something was amiss.
"Raven?"
"Yes Gar?" She said sleepily.
"Did you grow?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, either you just grew, or I just shrunk!" He said as he bolted out of the bed, turning on the lights as he ran to the full length mirror by the closet. The Wild Man's threat had not been an idle one. Beast Boy was his old self again as the mirror didn't lie. He was shorter and had lost the near god like physique he had when they fell asleep earlier. Raven took a good look at him and smiled as she turned the light back off.
"There's nothing wrong you Gar. Come back to bed."
"What happened to me Rae?" He said as he slipped under the covers. Raven wrapped her arms around him and kissed several times before answering.
"You got your old body back. The Wild Man took away the body he gave you."
"Are you OK with that Rae? I mean, I'm short and scrawny again."
Raven covered his mouth with her fingers.
"You're not scrawny Gar. You're the way you're supposed to be when you're 18. And you're still taller than me."
Raven cupped his face with her right hand.
"Gar!" She shrieked.
"What's the matter Rae? What's wrong?"
Raven sat up and held her hand in front of her face while Gar turned the light back on.
"My hand!"
"What's the matter? Does it hurt?"
"No. I can feel it Gar. It isn't numb anymore!"
Robin was the first to enter the common room the next morning at 7:30 after finishing his workout. At this time he would find Raven and Beast Boy either sitting at the table chatting or in the kitchen cleaning up after themselves. Much to his surprise he found Starfire sipping on a mug of hot chocolate with a big grin in her face.
"Morning Star." He greeted her cheerfully as he headed for the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. "You're up early."
The princess put down her mug and got up to give her boyfriend a proper good morning greeting.
"Something wonderful has happened Robin!"
"Really?" Robin said excitedly. "What happened?"
The alien performed an aerial pirouette before answering.
"Our friends Raven and Beast Boy did not have their usual breakfast at 6:45!"
"OK" Robin replied. "And this is wonderful because?"
"Oh Robin! Are you really the clueless?"
The Boy Wonder's eyes grew visibly behind his mask.
"No way! Are you sure about this Star?"
She gave him a smug smile.
"I. Am. A. Genius!" She gloated.
Robin went slack jawed. "So you're saying that Raven is Beast Boy's girlfriend?"
"No Robin, I'm his mate." Raven corrected him in her monotone. Robin almost jumped out of his skin as he had not seen Raven and Beast Boy enter the common room. "And why are you a genius Starfire? I mean besides the fact that you have an IQ of 200."
"I think I can explain." Beast Boy interrupted. "Star gave me a kick in the butt to go see you last night."
Robin and Starfire were now staring at Beast Boy. Cyborg had also arrived and was equally surprised.
"Beast Boy!" Starfire shrieked. "You are small again!"
"You mean he's short Star." Robin corrected her. "What happened to you Beast Boy? Why have you changed back into your old form?"
Beast Boy told his teammates about his encounter with the Wild Man, who had unwittingly healed Raven's hand.
"So how did that work Raven?" Robin asked. "I mean, the Wild Man didn't do anything to you, right?"
"Correct." Raven replied. "It has to do with the spell I used on Gar's arm. You all thought that I transferred the wound from Gar's body to mine, but what the spell really does is to transfer only the symptoms. Gar's arm was still wounded but I had the symptoms. When the Wild Man took away his "enhancements" from Gar he took the wounds away as well."
"Wow." Robin exhaled. "That's quite a story."
"And we're not done." Beast Boy continued. "We have an appointment at the court house at 2:00 PM and we want the three of you to be there."
"What?" Cyborg shouted. "You're getting married today? I won't have time to prepare a reception for you!"
Raven patted Cyborg on the arm. "You don't need to Cyborg."
"Like hell I don't." He replied as he scanned the holographic rolodex in his arm. "Let's see now, I need a caterer who owes us big time. Oh yeah, he'll do fine" He said as he slowly walked away.
"And I will call the Titans East!" Starfire beamed. "They would be most upset if they missed your wedding."
"Star, it's no big deal." Raven pleaded with her. "We're just making it official, that's all. I mean, for all practical purposes we already are married."
"And I'll contact the Justice League." Robin added as he sat down at the console, firing off messages as fast as he could type.
Raven slapped her forehead. "I give up!"
"C'mon Rae, let them have their fun. Are you hungry?"
"Well, now that you mention it, I am."
The bell rang as the door opened, announcing Raven and Garfield's arrival. It was late in the morning, the natural lull between the breakfast and lunch crowd and there were no other customers in the restaurant. The sun was shining, unlike the last time Beast Boy had been there. Kit Carson state park gleamed in the bright sunlight as people began to trickle in. The canyon lands were visible in the distance as the air was crystal clear.
"Be right with you!" A voice called from the kitchen. Within less than a minute Madge emerged, dressed in a freshly starched diner waitress's outfit. She beamed as she saw who they were.
"Rodney!" She shouted to her husband who was still in the kitchen. "It's Beast Boy and this time he brought Miss Raven with him. And he looks like his old self again."
Rodney peered over the counter. "I like your white outfit Miss Raven; it looks very nice on you. So tell me, did this lug finally come to his senses and ask you to marry him?"
"Rodney!" Madge admonished her husband for his bluntness.
"Hey, I'm from the Bronx, you knew what I was like when you married me!"
Raven giggled softly. "Actually, Garfield did ask me."
"And?" Madge replied, her eyes were as big as saucers.
"Oh, yes, I accepted his offer."
The pancake house proprietors boisterously congratulated the couple.
"Now you two make yourselves comfortable, while I cook the best breakfast you've ever had."
"Do you have tofu eggs and soy milk?" Beast Boy asked hopefully, now that was once again a vegetarian.
"I do." Rodney replied despondently. "Well, maybe it won't be the best breakfast ever. Are you also a vegetarian Miss Raven?"
"I love Garfield more than life itself." She replied. "But I'm not crazy. May I have Eggs Benedict, and some bacon and sausage too?"
"You can have anything your little heart desires!" Rodney beamed back at her.
OK, that was a fluffy chapter. An in between chapter if you will. Still, I wonder what Terra's up to.
I'll try to have the next chapter posted by late Saturday, so you can read it before the Super Bowl. And thanks for all your reviews, even the critical ones.