Differences
By Robert Teague
This story was written for the entertainment of Teen Titans fans, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story may be reproduced, provided no changes are made and you let me know.
Author's Note: This story has sat on my hard drive half-finished for more than two years. With the events of "Trouble in Tokyo", it is somewhat outdated now, but I've finally figured out how to finish it. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Evening in Titans Tower found the group in the living room. Raven sat alone on one end of the couch, reading a thick hardback book. Beast Boy, Cyborg and Robin were playing a role-playing video game, while Starfire watched and gave encouragement.
They had finally managed to breach an important outpost of the Overlord's castle, which had taken them some days and several lives each to do. They paused the game, and stood up to celebrate, cheering. Starfire went around, hugging each of them for a job well done.
Starfire went into the kitchen, offering to bring each of them a soda, and the boys were looking in her direction. Nobody saw Raven close the book, put it down, and quietly leave the room. Nobody except Starfire.
Starfire glanced at the clock, and waited about ten minutes. At that point the boys were hard at work trying to clear the outpost of enemy soldiers. Starfire excused herself, saying she would be back, and left. The boys mumbled an acknowledgement.
Alone, Starfire rode the elevator up to the living quarters, and drifted down the hall a foot above the floor to Raven's room.
She knocked. "Friend Raven?" she called, "It is Starfire. May I enter?"
There was no answer.
She reached for the 'open' button, paused a second, then pushed it. The door slid open.
"Raven?" she called. The room was mostly dark, and obviously unoccupied.
She pushed the 'close' button, then turned back to the elevator. If Raven wasn't here, then she would try the second-most-likely place to find her.
The elevator door opened on the roof of the Tower, and Starfire stepped out. It was fairly dark up here, except for the winking lights on the radio towers, and a row of dim lights outlining the edge of the roof. The night was warm, with a slight breeze bringing the sounds and smells of the alien (to Starfire) ocean to her senses.
She walked toward Raven's favorite place on the roof, from which she could watch the water and the city and the stars. There she was, still as a statue, looking out over the ocean toward the city, barely to be seen in her dark cloak.
Starfire approached, and stopped about five feet behind Raven.
"Friend Raven? May I speak with you?" said Starfire, clasping her hands together.
Raven said nothing, and did not turn around, but pulled back the hood of her cloak from her head. Starfire waited several seconds, then decided that was all the answer she was going to get.
"You are troubled, and I know why," said Starfire.
Raven turned her head slightly, and Starfire caught the gleam of an eye looking at her. Then she turned away again.
"You... have... strong feelings for me, do you not?" said Starfire, cocking her head slightly to one side.
Raven's eyes opened wide, and her jaw dropped open. She knew! A hundred ways of denying it ran through her head, but in the end she used none of them.
She dropped her head slightly, still turned away from Starfire, and said in a low voice, "Yes." There was no response from Starfire, so she added, "How did you know?"
"I speak your language imperfectly, and much of your culture and many of your customs are strange to me," Starfire answered, "But I am not blind, and I am not stupid."
A long pause ensued, neither girl moving.
Raven lowered her head a bit more, tears springing unbidden to her eyes. "And now you hate me," she said. This was a guess, because she did not want to sense such an emotion from Starfire.
But Raven was surprised to suddenly find the other girl's arms wrapped around her. She stiffened, and wondered if she should defend herself. The embrace was gentle, but she could sense Starfire's enormous strength held in check. Starfire could crush her to a bloody pulp, or tear her in half without breaking a sweat.
She felt Starfire's chin resting on her shoulder, and her warm breath against her cheek. She was very aware of Starfire's body pressed against her back.
"I do not hate you, friend Raven," was the response, "Nor am I offended by your desire. On my world, pairings of the same gender are normal."
Despite enormous efforts to control them the tears ran down Raven's cheeks and dripped onto Starfire's arm. Starfire released her, and looked at her arm, a puzzled look on her face.
"You are leaking salty fluids," said Starfire, "And I know this is an emotional response."
She reached out and grasped Raven's shoulder, and gently but irresistibly turned her around. Raven continued to look down, the tears still flowing.
"Friend Raven, you know I love you as a teammate, a friend, and a sister," said Starfire.
Raven swallowed. "But..." she said.
"Yes, but," responded Starfire, taking Raven's hands in her own. "You know that my heart is given to another."
"I know," said Raven, lowering her head even more, the tears flowing. "You should go to him."
"I will." Starfire's grip on Raven's hands tightened just a bit. "Friend Raven..." she said.
"I--I understand," said Raven, sniffing.
Starfire shook her head. "I do not believe that you do," she said. "I have done everything I know to do to attract him, to no avail. I will now go and talk to him directly." She released Raven's hands.
Despite the warm night, Raven shivered, and wiped at her eyes and cheeks, trying to get her emotions back under control.
Starfire put her hand under Raven's chin, and raised her head. Dark violet eyes met lime green eyes. "And if he does not want me, I am yours."
Raven's eyes flew open, and she gasped.
Starfire smiled. "I will let you know," she said, and turned back toward the elevator.
Raven reached out and grabbed Starfire by the arm. "Wait," she said.
Starfire turned back to Raven. "Yes?"
"Before you go, will you... will you..." said Raven, afraid, and at the same time hopeful.
"Friend Raven, I will do anything for you," said Starfire.
"....kiss me?" said Raven, looking down. Her cheeks were red, and the tears began to flow again. "Just in case..."
Starfire smiled. "I understand," she said, "Of course I will kiss you. But I have never kissed another girl before."
Raven reached out and pulled Starfire to her, hugging her as tightly as she could. Starfire returned the hug, being careful not to squeeze too hard.
Raven enjoyed the feeling of the alien girl next to her. The orange skin was soft and warm, and beneath it she felt rock-hard muscle. Starfire's odd, but not unpleasant, scent assailed her nostrils. Strong arms encircled her, making her feel...safe.
She moved slightly away, and looked up at the taller girl. Starfire ducked her head, and met Raven's lips with her own. The kiss lasted all of ten seconds. It was chaste, no tongues or games. It gave each of them a "taste" of the other.
They broke the embrace, Raven wiping her eyes again, while Starfire looked contemplative.
"That was...pleasant," said Starfire, "Perhaps we will be able to do it again." She turned and flew back to the elevator.
Raven watched her go, then turned back to the ocean and city. To calm herself down, she began chanting her mantra. She felt as if her whole life was balanced on the edge of a knife.
She was very glad she had found a solution to her emotional energy blowing up random objects now. She directed it to an empty 'pocket universe' she had created. Otherwise, the way she felt now, she would have blown up the Tower, and half of Jump City.
TT TT TT
Starfire took the elevator back down to the living room level. The boys had found a good stopping place, and had shut off the game for the evening. As she walked in, Cyborg and Beast Boy were leaving. They said good night to her, and headed for the elevator.
She found Robin in the kitchen, pouring a glass of milk.
"Hi," he said, holding up the glass, "Want some?"
"No, thank you," she answered. She clasped her hands together again. "May I speak with you, friend Robin?"
"Sure," he said, walking past her, and settling back on the couch. "What's up?"
She glanced at the ceiling, then realized his question was not meant literally. She sat beside him, and gathered her thoughts.
"We have been teammates and friends for a long time," she began. "And I have been interested in you as more than that for almost as long. I have tried to show you, but you have done nothing to indicate you felt anything for me. So now I am asking you directly. Are you interested in me as more than a friend and teammate?"
Robin sighed. "Well, this is kind of awkward," he said.
"So you are not interested," said Starfire. Oddly, to Robin, she sounded almost relieved.
"It's not that," he said quickly, "It's just that I am the team leader. It's not a good idea for a team leader to be involved with a subordinate. It can lead to all kinds of problems on the battlefield."
"I see," said Starfire, nodding. "Do you have an objection if I am involved with another team member?"
"No..." he said slowly, "As long as it doesn't create problems."
"It will not," she assured him. She smiled. "Thank you." And flew up, and out the door.
"You're welcome," he said to the empty room. He sat and thought. Starfire with either Cyborg or Beast Boy? He had difficulty picturing it.
TT TT TT
Raven had returned to her room, removed her cloak and shoes, and was sitting on the bed in a lotus position. It was difficult, but so far she had been able to control the emotions that had threatened to overwhelm her. Fear, hope, anxiety, anticipation, despair, and longing all battled within her.
Twenty minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. She opened her eyes, and looked in that direction. "Come in," she said.
The door opened, and Starfire stepped in. The door closed behind her, and the dark of the room hid the Tamaranian girl's expression.
"I am sorry, friend Raven..." said Starfire.
Despair suddenly overwhelmed the other emotions, and once again tears welled in her eyes.
"...I would have been here earlier, but I went to the room of cleanliness for a shower," finished Starfire.
All emotions were put on hold. She noticed that Starfire was barefoot, and wearing the dark blue bathrobe Raven had given her for Christmas.
"What..." croaked Raven, who cleared her throat and tried again, "What did he say?"
"He said he cannot be involved with me, because he is team leader. But he did not object to me being with someone else," she answered.
"Did you tell him who?" Raven asked.
Starfire smiled. "No, but he will know soon enough," she answered.
Raven stood up, and Starfire approached her. Raven held out her arms in anticipation of another hug, but just as the other stepped within the circle of her arms, Starfire suddenly sank to her knees. She opened her legs, put her hands together as though she was praying, and looked up into Raven's face. She began chanting in her native tongue.
Raven dropped her arms with a puzzled expression. "Kori, what are you doing?" she asked.
Starfire stopped chanting, and dropped her hands to her thighs. "I am performing the Ritual of Submission," she said, puzzled why Raven had stopped her.
"I think we're having a cross-cultural moment," said Raven. "You'd better explain what that is, before you continue."
"As I said earlier, if Robin did not want me, I would be yours," said Starfire, "He did not, so now I am formalizing our new relationship."
"Which means what, exactly?" asked Raven, blushing a bit.
"By the Ritual, I will submit myself to you for your sexual satisfaction. In return, you will protect me from any predators while I am helpless," was the answer.
"Just how old IS that ritual? Predators?" she thought. But deep in her belly, Raven felt a sexual tickle. She found the idea of having the powerful and beautiful Koriand'r as a willing sex slave appealing. She also realized that was her father's side, the side that craved power, coming out.
"No," said Raven, "I don't want you like that. We are equals. I want you to be my partner, not my slave." She turned away, embarrassed.
"Are you sure?" asked Starfire, "Tamaranian slave girls are very rare, and highly prized. And the fact I am a princess means I would be worth a lot to you on the market."
A stronger tickle swept through Raven, but she suppressed it and turned to Starfire to protest.
She saw the other girl was grinning.
She allowed herself a smile. "You got me," she said.
Starfire stood up, still grinning. "If you want me as an equal, you should have said so. That is an entirely different ritual."
Raven looked slightly confused. "Rituals are not necessary," she said.
Starfire cocked her head. "Is it not?"
"No. We are together because we want to be. Nothing else is needed," explained Raven.
"That seems very unstable to me, but I will accept your words," answered Starfire.
"Good," said Raven, holding out her arms. This time, Starfire stepped into them, and returned the hug.
They stood like that for several minutes, Starfire standing still, or stroking Raven's hair, while Raven explored the back of her new partner. She could tell that Starfire was naked beneath the robe.
The urge to pull off the robe, throw Starfire to the bed and ravish her was strong, but while one side of her mind said "YES! YES! YES!", the other side moaned, "Too soon, too soon...", and she managed to restrain herself.
"I am now glad I performed the shower-ritual before coming here," said Starfire at last, "I did not know we would be spending much time hugging."
Raven looked up at her. "You didn't smell bad before," she said.
Starfire smiled. "I thank you for that, but I know you are teasing. Sometimes after battle, I can hardly bear to be me. It must be torture for the rest of you."
Raven shook her head. "You have never smelled bad, even after battle," she said, "You might smell stronger, but never bad."
"Truly? I wonder why," said Starfire.
"I guess because we aren't from the same planet," said Raven, "Our brains don't know how to interpret the other's scent. How do humans smell to you?"
Starfire shook her head. "I have trained myself to recognize the scents each of my friends wears, but they smell neither good nor bad to me."
Raven put her nose near Starfire's shoulder, and inhaled deeply. "You smell...clean, and your scent is there. What kind of soap do you use?"
"Without the chemicals that make me smell like a baby glafnorg," said Starfire.
"Unscented, you mean?" asked Raven, brow wrinkling in confusion.
"Yes, that is the word," answered Starfire. "On Tamaran, we do not wear the scents of plants and animals."
Raven stepped back from her. "Does the fact humans do offend you?"
Starfire looked embarrassed. "To be honest, yes," she said, "But I understand it is a cultural difference, and I have gotten used to it."
"When you and I are alone, would you prefer I didn't?" asked Raven.
Starfire looked surprised. "Would you do that?" she asked.
Raven nodded. She stretched out her arms. "Azarath, Metrion, ZINTHOS!" Black energy covered her briefly, then dissipated.
"Better?" asked Raven, smiling slightly.
Starfire took a step closer to her, and inhaled. She smelled nothing but Raven. She found it enticing, because it was purely her friend. It was as if Raven had taken off a heavy garment that concealed her charms.
"I have never smelled just you before, friend Raven," said Starfire, "Unlike our human friends' scents, I find it very exciting. Shall we perform sex, now?" She opened her robe, and stepped out of it, letting it fall to the floor.
As expected, Starfire was naked. Her body was well-shaped, with firm breasts that were just a bit more than a handful. Her nipples were a very dark orange. She had no body hair at all. Her orange skin was evenly toned over her entire body.
Raven could do nothing but stare.
Starfire smiled, and turned around for her, the muscles rippling beneath her skin. "Do you approve, friend Raven?" she asked.
Raven gulped, trying to find her voice. "Y-yes, I do," she said, "You're very beautiful."
"Please share with me," said Starfire.
It took Raven a few seconds to realize what she meant. She unzipped the leotard, and slipped out of it. Then her bra and panties. Starfire gasped when Raven's pubic hair was revealed. She stepped over to her, then knelt and looked closely at it. "How strange," she murmured, touching it lightly. She looked up at Raven.
"Are all humans like this?" she asked.
"Yes. If it offends you, I can remove it," answered Raven.
"NO!" replied Starfire, "It is very... exotic. I shall have fun exploring. And..." she inhaled, "I am enjoying your woman-scent."
Without warning, Starfire scooped the smaller girl into her arms, and Raven gave an involuntary 'meep' at the action. As she was carried toward the bed, she used her power to pull the bedclothes back.
Starfire laid her gently on the bed, and lay down beside her. They gazed into each other's eyes for a long moment.
"Friend Raven, you do realize that until we learn about each other, we will have to be very slow and careful about what we do," said Starfire.
"What do you mean?" asked Raven propping her head on her hand.
"I would not wish to injure you, doing something that a Tamaranian would find pleasurable, but is dangerous to your health," said Starfire.
"You're right, I hadn't thought of that," replied Raven, thoughtfully.
"Tell me what excites you," said Starfire, rubbing Raven's arm.
Raven blushed, the pink standing out on her gray skin. "I like to be kissed on the neck and ears, and have my nipples sucked," she replied, "And I like to be hugged."
Starfire looked confused. "Hugged? But you have always hated the hugging, even though I forget in my excitement."
"No, actually, hugging makes me feel safe, and comfortable, and relaxed. But that is more personal than I want most of my friendships to be. So I protest and pretend to hate it." explained the dark mage.
"I understand," said Starfire, "And I am glad to know you did not take offense when I have hugged you."
"Your turn, Kori," said Raven, "Tell me what excites you."
It was Starfire's turn to look embarrassed. "There are two spots on my body; one on my spine where the neck and shoulders meet, and the other at the base of my spine above my buttocks. When they are rubbed and scratched at the same time, it is very pleasurable."
"Then we are compatible, to that point," said Raven, "I can rub and scratch you, and you can hug and kiss me at the same time."
"Then let us try," said Starfire, and the two girls' bodies melded together. Starfire found Raven's body to be somewhat warmer than she expected, and Raven discovered the more she pressed herself against Starfire's smooth, soft skin covering hard muscle, the more she liked it.
Raven found and rubbed Starfire's 'special' places, and Starfire kissed the other softly and gently. She could not reach Raven's breasts, but Raven seemed content with what Starfire was doing. After a few minutes, Raven started drumming her fingers on Starfire's erogenous zones.
Starfire jumped a bit, stopped kissing Raven, and looked at her with eyes wide.
Raven stopped her movement. "Something wrong?" she asked.
"No... what you are doing is very... interesting. I like it. Please continue," answered Starfire.
Raven resumed the movement, then went back to rubbing and scratching.
Suddenly Starfire giggled.
Raven drew back a bit. "What is it? Am I doing something wrong?"
"No, it feels wonderful," replied Starfire, "Your lower hair tickles."
They pressed together again, and continued their ministrations. Raven decided to take a chance, and moved her hand lower, exploring Starfire's orange, rounded bottom and the crack in the middle. She encountered a sphincter, as expected, then moved lower and found... another?
Again she drew back. "Kori, you have TWO anuses?"
"Yes. The upper one, closest to my spine, is for liquids. The lower for solids," she replied, "Is this a difference?"
"Yes. Despite being half-demon, my physiology is human, and we have only one, for solids," said Raven.
"No liquid?" asked Starfire, surprised.
"Yes, we have an opening above the uterus for that," Raven replied.
Starfire shuddered. "That seems very unsanitary. A Tamaranian's vagina is only for sex and reproduction."
"Humans can't help the way they evolved," said Raven, a bit defensively.
"I know. I shall have to get used to the idea," said Starfire.
They moved together again and kissed, long and breathlessly. Starfire suddenly realized she had learned the language of Azarath without intending to. She decided not to mention it right now.
Raven opened her mouth and touched Starfire's lips with her tongue, asking entry. The other girl granted it readily, and Raven was not surprised it was greeted with Starfire's own. She knew the Tamaranian girl's tongue was much longer than her own, and almost prehensile, so wasn't surprised when Starfire wrapped it around hers and squeezed gently. It felt very strange, however.
Raven pulled her tongue back, bringing Starfire's with it. Her partner explored Raven's entire mouth without having to reach. Then the welcome intruder moved down her throat. Raven choked and pulled back.
"What has happened? Did I hurt you?" asked Starfire, concerned.
"No, it's okay, you just triggered my gag reflex. Don't go so deep," replied Raven.
"Very well," agreed Starfire.
The two girls kissed, fondled, and explored each other for some time. Then Starfire whispered into Raven's ear, "I am very aroused, now."
Raven gave a small smile. "Me too." Then she stopped and sniffed. "What's that new scent I smell?"
Starfire's cheeks pinked. "That is my woman-scent."
"Smells familiar... like... roasted peanuts," said Raven, sniffing with her brow wrinkled.
"What are 'peanuts'?" asked Starfire.
"A type of vegetable. I think there's a jar in the kitchen. Remind me to show you later," answered Raven.
She tightened her grip on Starfire's body, and they both enjoyed the sensation, scent, and warmth of their partner.
"Wait a minute," said Raven, moving away, "Something is moving, like an insect is on me..." She felt her pubic hair with a hand, but found nothing. She looked down, and saw something she didn't expect.
From Starfire's vagina had emerged six small tentacles, four inches long, and about half the thickness of a pencil, with a bulb on the end. They were the same orange as her skin, except the bulb, which was red. They were waving around slowly.
"What are those?" she asked.
"My tendrils," answered Starfire, "They increase pleasure for both partners. Each is a bundle of nerve endings that is sensitive to touch. Is this another difference?"
Raven nodded. She lay back, opened her legs, and parted her nether lips. "See that bump? It's my clitoris. It's a bundle of nerve endings too, and very sensitive to touch."
Starfire nodded. "I understand. Let us try an experiment." She rolled onto her back, and had little trouble pulling Raven on top of her.
"Open your legs over mine," said Starfire, and Raven did so. Starfire raised her head and proceeded to kiss Raven on the neck, then took her right nipple in her mouth and sucked gently.
Raven closed her eyes and hissed in pleasure. She could feel the tendrils moving around through her pubic patch, a sensation on the verge of tickling. Then she felt one of them slip between her vaginal lips and explore inside. Then it seemed to vibrate, making her jump a bit.
"Are you doing that?" she asked.
Starfire let go of the nipple and nodded. "I have some control over them, but usually the tendrils act by instinct. I understand the vibration is supposed to be stimulating to a male."
Raven nodded, then lowered her head to kiss her partner. The tendril inside felt odd, but not unpleasant. She felt it move upwards and touch her clitoris.
Suddenly Raven ceased to be able to think. Her memory dropped away. She was self-aware, but had no name, no past, and no future. Her only sense was touch, and the universe was nothing except the white-hot orgasm she was experiencing.
It began to fade, and she came to herself again. It was a relief, after such an unexpected event. She slid off of Starfire, surprised to find herself wet with sweat. She lay on her back, sucking in great lungfuls of air. Apparently she had forgotten how to breathe. It seemed Kory had too, judging by her labored breath. Looking at Starfire, she saw the Tamaranian girl was slick as well. Her normal scent was stronger, as was her woman-scent.
"Great...Azar..." said Raven, when she had recovered enough to speak.
"X'hal be praised," said Starfire.
"That was the most... I mean... it was... it was beyond words," said Raven.
Starfire nodded. "I did not expect that level of intensity either."
"How long did it last?" asked Raven.
Starfire turned her head and looked at the clock. "About... thirty seconds."
"It felt like an eternity. What happened?" asked Raven.
The tendril connected our systems of the nervous together, and stimulated our centers of pleasure directly," was the answer. "Perhaps it was stronger because of the bond we already share."
"How many tendrils did you use?" asked Raven after a few moments to reflect.
"Just the one. Would you like to try two?" asked Starfire.
"NO! At least, not now. I'm exhausted," said Raven. "Besides, you would probably burn out my brain with two."
Starfire smiled weakly. "Yes, we shall try that only when we are fully rested and ready. I am very tired too. Let us sleep now, and recover from our discovery."
"Sounds good to me," replied Raven, and with a bit of magic pulled the sheets over them both. "And now we know we're compatible sexually."
"Yes, I am glad to learn that. I had been worried. Good night, sweet love Raven," said Starfire, and closed her eyes. Within moments she was asleep.
"'Night, Kori." Raven reached over and took Starfire's hand in her own. She smiled more fully than usual, and fell asleep herself.