He ran a gloved thumb over her cold, deathly pale face, absent of the trademark orange-gold glow. The coffin was open and the princess lay inside, her eyes closed in eternal slumber. Robin would never see those bright green eyes again, full of happiness and cheer. The whole team was silent and somber, even the rambunctious Beast Boy. Today was Starfire's funeral.

Flashback

Starfire flew back, the result of a laser gun. After fighting the Brotherhood of Evil, the Titans were finally home in Jump City, fighting another villain like old times- Slade.

But there was something else, a little something Robin detected in the air. That something was not right, it was wrong.

Another shower of laser blasts were aimed at Starfire, who collapsed. "Starfire!" he yelled, rushing over to the Tamaranean's aid. Her head fell limply onto his lap, as Slade escaped again.

Her blood splattered the asphalt of the road, leaving patterns of red against the uneven black. He gathered her weak body in his arms and growled at Cyborg. "Take her to the infirmary." The cybernetic teen nodded and the T-Car whisked away, off towards the island.

He set her on a bed in the hospital wing. "Please don't leave us, Starfire…"

A loud beeping sounded from a machine. Cyborg rushed over to check it. Glancing at the sheet of paper, his face was grave. "She's not going to make it," he choked out. The rise and fall of her chest was getting smaller, with more time in between...

It jogged Robin's memory. 'Enjoy your time on the stage while it lasts, my friends. Your curtain will fall soon enough...' Slade. He'd predicted Starfire's death from the beginning. Without her, there would be no hope left. She was the curtain, shielding the Teen Titans from the harsh truth of reality. And she had fallen...

Robin walked over and clasped her small, cold hand in his own. "Starfire..." he breathed. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Robin..." He pressed his lips to Starfire's. Her eyelids shut and all life left her.

He walked away, collapsing in a chair 'I made a mistake Starfire. It won't happen again. And he won't get away. I promise.' He hadn't kept his promise. Slade had gotten away again, and he'd killed her. It was his fault, all of it.

End of Flashback

A flurry of snow fell from the gray skies above. It seemed even the weather was mourning, on the frigid February afternoon. A single snowflake fell on Starfire's once-vibrant red hair, and Robin brushed it off. It occurred to him how much she was like a snowflake. Delicate, and different from the others. For no other girl could make him love her like she did.

Raven put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it hurts, Robin. It pains all of us." He nodded and started to walk away. The coffin was closed, and was set in the grave. The ground was piled back on, and that was it.

She was gone.

But they say true love never really dies. And it never did, for the day after Starfire's funeral, Slade attacked once again. One Titan died in the attack- Robin.

He was buried right next to Starfire. And every year, Beast Boy and Raven, now married, visited with their children.

"Who were they, Mommy?" the little girl asked one time.

"They were heroes, Rachel," Raven replied solemnly, as she picked up the child and headed off towards the car.

And from Heaven, Robin and Starfire watched.

FIN