''SOLDIER: THE BATTLE OF LOVE''

Chapter One: The Desire To Be Free

He woke up early in the morning, and yawned freely, then kicked off his covers and left for his bathroom. He washed his face and had put on his never forgotten mask then exited out of his room, diligent not to make any noises that could awaken his sleeping teammates. He walked up the quiet hall curious if anyone else was up, and while he was walked along, he passed her door, and then he felt it.

That powerful jolt on his heart, the familiar jolt that always had found him whenever he felt he was in her presence. Feeling this, he took a deep breath and exhaled quietly, he always felt his spirits arise when he felt her touch or could smell her invigorating aroma. He felt an urge to knock on her door just to hear her voice, but thought better of it, and passed away from it. He found his way to the living room, and saw no one there, so with nothing else to do, and no desire to return to sleep; the boy wonder walked up the stairs of his dormitory and left to view his beautiful city, Gotham.

He stood up with his hands on his hips looking out into the distance, he felt a light ray of the sun dawning upon him, he knew it wouldn't be long until the face of the sun would be fully exposed and the morning coolness would be gone. So he cherished the simple moment by inhaling loudly through his nose and smelling the morning dew that always was mysteriously hidden throughout the city, he felt the morning breeze sooth his dark hair. He had always known it: it was indeed a gorgeous sight to see. And he had always enjoyed cherishing it every morning, but the only thing that faltered was someone to treasure the moment with.

''It is beautiful, isn't it?''

He did not turn immediately, he tried to show no sign of startling, but was shocked to hear her voice flowing along with the breeze. He smiled from out of her sight, he recognized that voice and also cherished it as well.

''Hey Star, and yeah, it is very pretty'' answered Robin homely.

''May I please sit down?'' asked the innocent Tamaranean.

He felt that jolt again, but more powerful, he always felt such a strong unfamiliar urge when she was close to him.

''Sure'' he responded.

She sat down, not so far away from him, but there was a decent distance between them. The boy wonder quietly bit his lower lip, he had hoped she would sit closer.

''So... uhh...what are you doing up so early?'' Robin questioned.

''I normally enjoy seeing the city when the droplets are about'' Starfire replied.

''Yeah...me too''

Robin didn't know why, but he blushed, but thanked goodness she didn't see him. And he didn't know why either, but he felt like spending time with her, to get to know her better.

''I always like to feel the coolness of the morning, it just makes me feel... like I can breathe'' he began.

Starfire turned her head at a dangerous angle, the kind of angle that made Robin feel heat in his body and sweat perspire on his neck.

''I do not understand, can you inhale properly?''

Robin made a faint chuckle.

''No, Star it's not that, I mean I can breathe fine, I just..." He sighed "…. I've always been stuck here at the tower, and feel like I can't be anywhere else. I'm always shut between doors, and all I just want to do, is to go somewhere I haven't been before; just to breathe real air, stretch my legs to run freely not trying to chase down a criminal. Just to have an hour... to breathe'' he explained slowly.

Starfire watched him closely. Hearing the unusual tone of his voice trail as she saw him yearn for the distance, she felt his desire. He really wanted just to be away as she set her warm and soft hand gently on his shoulder, she felt the hotness of his skin through his clothes as she also felt a shiver run through her spine.

''I now understand, you yearn to be away from the usual and desire something new... I occasionally feel the same. I have always been interested in some of the great features your world has to offer, sometimes, I awaken from my sleep and just fly across this large water substance below us. And I feel wonderful as I actually feel the wetness gently coat my skin''.

Robin stared at her in amazement

''Wow, I sure wish I could do that.'' he answered

He felt her hand slip from his shoulder and dreaded it. He wanted it to stay on, but restrained himself from capturing her hand; then he saw a small butterfly perch on her finger as he smiled humbly to Starfire.

''W-What is this colorful winged creature that has settled on my finger?'' she questioned innocently again.

''That's called a butterfly. They won't hurt you, they're just gentle creatures just probably tired from a little flying'' he explained.

''They are very beautiful'' Starfire said quietly.

Robin managed to hide a smile, he knew it was beautiful, but it couldn't even come near to compare with the person before him for beauty

''Do you wish to have it perch upon you, Robin?'' Starfire offered

Robin hesitated for a moment.

''S-Sure, ok'' he agreed

Robin singled his index finger and neared it to Starfire's, she slowly closed the gap between their hands trying not to frighten the gentle butterfly. Then their fingertips made contact, Robin felt himself churn, and her electricity had always fired something deep within his system. The butterfly barley touched Robin's glove before flying away.

''Farewell little butterfly'' Starfire called after it

She turned to Robin with a smile expecting to see him saying goodbye to their small friend. But he wasn't, he didn't even look at the butterfly; his sights were set directly at their touching finger tips. When she noticed, she also stared at their contact.

Robin felt his heat take over as he slowly allowed his hand to touch the palm of Starfire's. Now their hands were palm-to-palm, Starfire's were of course smaller and delicate compared to Robin's larger and firmer hand. Robin and Starfire then took their view away from their hands to look at each other; exchanging very detailed words through their eyes. Like a game of tennis, they both were reflecting back and forth, and it seemed that not one or the other was interested in breaking it up.

Starfire knew she had to stop it, so she slowly left Robin's hand and floated up to set her feet on the ground.

''Well, ummm... I shall be downstairs'' she stated ''Do you wish to come along?''

Robin thought for a moment.

''Nah, I'll just stay a few minutes more, you go on ahead'' he answered

''Very well'' she finished

Robin watched out of the corner of his eye. Starfire gracefully walking out of his sight, he admired every shine upon her hair and every sound her shoes would make. He found not one flaw about her, he couldn't believe he had touched her hand and even stayed eye contacted with her and knew very well what he was feeling.

''I-I think...I'm falling'' he declared to himself ''...for her''

To Be Continued...