A/N:This story takes place after ALL the seasons of Teen Titans AND the movie, Trouble in Tokyo
It had been exactly one year since that fateful night in Tokyo. The night that the Titans defeated an unexpected villain, Ueahara Daizo, in Japan's capital. What everyone remembered most, however was that it was also the night Robin and Starfire finally shared their first real kiss. No one was more aware of that fact than Starfire herself. The Tamaranian girl was in Raven's room, excitedly jabbering about her and Robin's upcoming anniversary.
"It is earth tradition to celebrate the anniversary of romantic events, yes?" The hyper redhead asked the gloomy girl whose room she was in.
"For the last time, yes. Now please stop talking, I am trying to meditate" Raven replied in an annoyed tone.
"Do you think Robin will give me the flowers and the chocolates? Or perhaps we shall go to eat the dinner at a restaurant of much formality?" Starfire asked, bouncing on Raven's bed.
"Look. I get you're excited, and I'm happy for you Starfire but can you please either stop talking or LEAVE?" Raven glowered at Starfire who slid to the door,
"Then I shall go and prepare for the return of Robin". Starfire gleefully flitted down the hallway in search of someone else to talk to, leaving Raven in peace.
########################
Meanwhile Robin was preoccupied, weaving through traffic on his motorbike. He and Cyborg were testing Cyborg's latest adjustments to the bike, Cyborg running tests long distance from the tower while Robin tried out the newest functions of his bike.
"Alright, now try the new wall climbing feature" Cyborg's voice came over the headset into Robin's helmet. The boy wonder flipped a switch and a mechanical whirring started as he drove straight towards an office building. As he reached the building spikes suddenly emerged from his wheels, digging into the side of the offices.
"It works!" Robing shouted as he drove vertically onto the roof of the building, pumping his fist at the top,
"Cyborg this is awesome!"
"My readings are showing no signs of exterior damage to the bike. This is working at 100%! Booyah!" Cyborg reported back to the spiky haired teen sitting above the cityscape.
"Alright, I'm heading back to the tower now" Robin replied, revving up the engine.
"Aren't you gonna stop and get something for your girlfriend?" Cyborg teased.
"Shut up. You're just jealous" Robin retorted.
Cyborg's deep laugh came in clear over the headset.
"Seriously though, isn't today your guys' big anniversary?"
Robin merged into traffic,
"Don't worry, I've got something good planned".
"Alright man, Cyborg out, see you back here" there was a clicking sound as Cyborg disconnected and Robin was left to his thoughts as he raced back to the tower.
####################################
"Robin! You have returned!" Starfire shouted happily as Robin stepped into the main living room of the Titans' Tower.
"Hey Star! Hows it going?" Robin grinned, Starfire's excitement to see him always made him feel loved. He was still feeling a bit of disbelief that the beautiful girl standing in front of him was really his girlfriend. Starfire fidgeted nervously,
" I am well, and you? I trust Cyborg's changes to your bike were satisfactory?"
Robin nodded,
"Yeah." He paused. Asking out his own girlfriend shouldn't be this awkward but somehow it was.
"So…you busy tonight?" He asked, glancing at her and noticed her grinning.
"I have not made the plans with anyone" Starfire smiled, knowing what was coming.
"Well then, why don't you meet me on the roof tonight for dinner? Say around seven?" Robin asked, running his fingers through his hair. "
That would be most joyous!" Starfire responded, clapping her hands together.
"Well then…see you at seven" Robin flashed a smile at her and left, heading to his room to prepare for the night.
###################
"Azarath, metrion, Zinthos…Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos"
"RAVEN!" Starfire's shrill voice shattered Raven's concentration, forcing her mind back to her dark room where Starfire was now pounding on the door, coming dangerously close to breaking it down.
"What?" Raven growled, opening the door before Starfire destroyed it completely. The alien girl burst into the room in a flurry of words,
"Raven! Robin has asked me to the dinner this evening on the roof of our tower and while I am most excited for our date I am also very worried for I have not an idea of what Robin is going to be planning and I have not received instructions on attire and I was hoping that you might know what is appropriate dress when one is dining with one's boyfriend on the roof of one's home!" Starfire paused for breath and Raven took the opportunity to interrupt,
"Listen Star, I'm not sure I'm the best person to be asking this. . ." Starfire looked at Raven and frowned,
"But are we not the girl friends? Do not the girl friends discuss clothing and make up and the styling of each others hair?" Raven sighed,
"You might not have noticed but I'm not exactly the…makeup and styling hair type" Starfire's lower lip began to quiver and tears started welling up in her eyes,
"Ah! Please don't cry" Raven rapidly tried to stop her friend from crying,
"I guess I can help you…just don't expect too much ok?"
"Oh thank you my dear friend!" Starfire leapt up and grabbed Raven in a bone-crushing hug,
"Air! Starfire I need air!"
#############################
As seven approached Robin stood on the roof of Titans Tower, giving one last look at the surprise he had prepared for Starfire. A nervous excitement filled him as he double-checked his surroundings. The door to the roof creaked open and Robin turned to see Starfire, stunning in a dark red dress, her crimson hair tumbling in waves around her face.
"Robin…"she stared, awestruck at the gift her best friend had prepared. Twinkling lights and paper lanterns lit the entire roof and at the center was a table and chairs, the table set with a variety of dishes and decorated with roses. Music softly played from somewhere in the background.
"Robin, this is…this is wondrous" she gasped, turning towards the dark haired boy who had changed from his normal costume into a navy dress shirt with black slacks and a matching skinny tie. He smiled,
"Thanks. You look great" He walked over to her and quickly kissed her on the cheek,
"Happy anniversary"
Starfire could not have smiled any wider if she tried.
"Happy anniversary Robin" she replied.
The night slowly went on as they ate and talked, happily laughing and reminiscing about the years that had passed since the day they had first met. The sun sank over the horizon, glittering off the water surrounding the tower and the city. Once they had finished eating Robin held out his hand,
"Wanna dance?" Time seemed to slow as they moved across the roof, swaying to the music, occasionally talking. Starfire leaned against Robin, her closest friend, as the moon rose overhead. 'I wish we could stay like this forever' she thought, breathing in the smell of Robin's cologne as she rested her head on his shoulder. Robin pulled her close, as if he was afraid to let go. "
Star…" he interrupted the silence that had fallen,
"I love you Starfire"
"and I you, Robin" she replied, stepping back to look at him. He was smiling, and his cheeks had a hint of a blush. Suddenly Starfire was keenly aware of the fact that Robin's mask was hiding his eyes from her view. She did not like that she could not look him in the eye and she placed a hand on the side of his face,
"Robin…will you not take off your mask?" Robin stiffened at the unexpected request,
"I…Star I can't" he looked away, "that isn't important anyway"
Starfire tilted her head, puzzled,
"What is not important?"
Robin let go of Starfire's waist, dropping his hands to his sides and stepping back,
"Who I am under the mask…I mean…the person under the mask…isn't Robin."
"I do not understand, there is a you who is not you?" Starfire's brow furrowed, trying to figure out what Robin was saying.
Robin sighed,
"Look. I put on this mask to become Robin. To become a…a hero" his back was now turned to Starfire as he looked out over the city.
"I still do not understand, if you are Robin with the mask then who are you when you are not you?"
Robin rubbed his hands over his face,
"Is that really important Star?" he asked, annoyed.
Starfire sensed his tone,
"Robin, have not we been doing the dating for an entire year now? Cannot I know all of who you are?" she asked, frustrated at his secrecy.
"I should've known this would happen" Robin grumbled.
"Known what would happen?" Starfire's anger was starting to build.
"That being together wouldn't be enough! That you have to know every single stupid thing! Why do girls always want more! Why can't we just be happy with what we have now!" Robin's voice was a mixture of anger and sadness. Starfire stared at him in shock,
"I…I merely wished to know more about you" her surprise was quickly turning to anger,
"because unlike the males of this planet it would seem, I have a desire for a relationship to progress"
Robin turned around,
"Well unlike you I have more important things to do than sit around talking about feelings!" he retorted.
"And what is so important to you? What is the most important in your life!" Starfire's voiced trailed off as she asked the last question, afraid of the answer. Robin looked at her, he could see in her eyes what she wanted him to say. What she wanted him to choose. Pausing he turned to look at the cityscape twinkling behind him,
"Star…I became Robin so I could protect this city. It's who I am." Starfire's heart filled with a sinking feeling,
"Then what you are saying is…" she stopped, on the verge of tears.
"I'm sorry Starfire but…the city comes first" Robin couldn't look at her as he declared those words. A silence fell between them as Starfire simultaneously tried to find a response and keep from crying. Robin awkwardly stared at the concrete beneath his feet. Finally Starfire took a deep breath,
"Robin. The city may be important but it cannot love you back. I will aid you when I must but I will not devote my life to fighting." Robin looked up,
"What are you saying Star-"but she was already gone.
#####################
(NEXT CHAPTER! ROBIN'S CRISIS!)