I do not own the Teen Titans. Nor do I own the rights to the song "Too Young" (just in case).
Too Young – Starfire's memories
They say that love's a word, a word we've only heard.
Koriand'r, Empress of the Tamarean Empire, Leader of the Warriors of Tamaran, had received the call routed through the Justice League's communication system. Garfield Logan, her comrade and friend, was dying. Honor and love demanded her return. She did not want to go back to Earth where she would see Him. But Garfield was one of her oldest and dearest friends. So, she put aside her reticence and returned to Earth. She could do no less, not after all he had done for her. She would have been dishonored to ignore her friend. She could not have lived with herself nor faced her family and her people.
So, Koriand'r returned to Earth, risking seeing her ex-husband, so that she might help her friend on his final journey.
"My Empress, do you wish to see your 'Braken dre Comyr' alone? I will clear the room for you if necessary." Inquired Kondar, her consort and husband. A 'Braken dre Comyr' was an "ultimate" friend, so to speak. The nearest translation was "dearest of friends to whom I owe all, my status, my honor, my life". It was rare that a person had such another in their life. Garfield had proved it again and again, between saving her life numerous times during their time as Titans, up to the time when he convinced the Titans to fight for her in gaining the throne of Tamaran against her sister. Oh, it was Raven who did the talking to Robin and swung the decision for her. But she knew it was Garfield who convinced Raven. He had known only Raven could talk Robin into helping his ex-wife.
"No, companion, I will be with my friends. All of us were together too long to be denied this time."
"But, the 'Kann Burre Jacm'mor' is present." (Just think of betraying lover and add as many curse words as you can think of. You might come close to the depth of hatred that phrase invoked.)
"I know. But I would not dishonor my friend by making a scene. If Richard wishes to make one, that is his affair. I will not dishonor Garfield Logan."
"As you wish, my Empress"
"My sons, you will attend me. You should see Garfield Logan before he journeys on."
"Yes, my Empress mother," the young men answered in unison.
"Kondar, you shall remain here."
"Yes, my Empress."
The three walked into the dying man's chamber. Starfire first, then precisely three steps behind her was Garfield'r, the first heir, then two steps behind him, Victo'r, as protocol demanded.
"Aunt Kory," said Mark, in hushed tones. "I'm so glad you were able to come." He walked over to Starfire and gave her a hug. Both men stiffened.
"You will accept the impropriety of this action my sons. This is Garfield Logan's son and heir." Starfire said in Tamarean. "Mark, I am so sorry, I wish there was something that done could still be." Even after all these years, Starfire still had trouble with English syntax.
"Thank you Aunt Kory," said Mark. "Just you making the trip from Tamaran is enough for us. I'm sure Mom appreciates it."
Starfire moved over to the bedside, next to Raven. "Raven, it is I, Starfire, I am here for you."
Raven made no motion that she even noticed Starfire, she continued to watch Garfield's chest move slowly up and down.
Starfire sighed. Raven had not really changed much. Spoke little, showed less. Her face could have been set in stone. When they were younger, she at least had shown some emotions. Over the years, the rare, youthful exuberances became rarer and then finally ceased entirely. What a contrast to Garfield, a whirlwind of emotion, no matter what the age.
Yet, it seemed to work. When her own marriage to Richard had collapsed after only a few years (months, if she was honest with herself), due to the weight of their differing priorities and needs, Garfield's and Raven's continued. Here they were, almost…30 earth years?...later? Where did the time go? When did they all get so old? What had happened to the fun and excitement? The joy and laughter?
And Starfire remembered that first day, when Garfield and Raven walked into the common room together…..
30 years earlier.
"Come on Raven," whispered Beast Boy, as they both entered the common room. Starfire found this odd. Why was Raven so hesitant to come and join them, and why was Beast Boy practically dragging her? Both had entered the room many times a day for several years. Sometimes together, most often separately. What was going on?
"Is there some problem friends?" she asked. "Do you need assistance?" Starfire couldn't imagine what would be the problem. Raven had defeated her father a year earlier and they had just returned a couple of months ago from their triumph over the Brotherhood of Evil. Since then, there had been a few minor skirmishes, but in truth, things were pretty quiet.
"There's no problem, Star. Actually, it's the opposite. Raven and I have something we need to tell you guys."
"Gar!" Raven whispered. This was even more odd; why did Raven call Beast Boy 'Gar', instead of Beast Boy? Starfire remembered that the Doom Patrol had called him Garfield. She mused, Gar is probably a short version of Garfield, but why would Raven call him that?
"Raven, I want them to know. I'm tired of hiding. Dudes and dudette, I'm making it official, Raven and I have been going together now for one month and we're going to be exclusive. No dating anyone else." As he said it, Starfire could see his heart in his eyes. He was practically bubbling with love.
Before either Robin or Cyborg could respond, if they could after that announcement, Starfire squealed, "How wonderful! Raven, you and Beast Boy are partners, like Robin and I?" Off to the side, Robin gave a start at that. "Why have you kept this from us? When did you start the dating?"
"Yeah, BB, when did this start? And how did you manage to keep it a secret this long?" said Cyborg.
"We just began to hang out on the 18th of last month, when I met her at that depressing café she likes. We started talking, you know, just talking, not fighting or arguing."
"Much," muttered Raven.
Beast Boy gave a laugh, "Much. Anyway, we enjoyed hanging out and started doing it every few days. Finally, I told her I always thought she was the prettiest girl around, sorry Star, and I only wished that she would be interested in me as more than a friend."
"There were a lot more, umms, aaahhs and silences when he said it. Took him about ten minutes to get it out." Raven rolled her eyes.
"Rae, I was just trying to find the right words to convince you of my love."
"Right."
"Anyway, I'm tired of sneaking around and I want you guys to know how I feel about her."
Robin and Cyborg both looked at each other. "Well, congratulations then" said Robin. "This won't affect your training or our teamwork will it?" Starfire was incredulous at Robin. Here were two of their dearest friends, admitting their affection (love?) for each other, and all Robin was interested in was teamwork? There were times she simply didn't understand him.
"Yeah guys, congrats," said Cyborg.
Starfire could contain herself no longer. She flew over to the couple and embraced them both. "How wonderful! I am so happy for you two. Perhaps now we can go on the date of double?"
"We'll see," Raven murmured in a low voice. "Meanwhile, Gar and I are going out for a short while. We'll be back soon." With that, the two left, presumably to grab lunch somewhere.
"I give it two weeks," said Robin.
"If that long," replied Cyborg.
"What are you talking about?" asked Starfire.
"Star," answered Cyborg, "those two are like oil and vinegar. Actually more like fire and gasoline. No way those two would ever make a couple. They'll kill each other. More likely Raven will kill BB." With that the two boys started laughing.
Starfire looked puzzled at the two. Could they not see? She had seen very clearly in Beast Boy's eyes that he adored Raven. Numerous patterns of behavior over the years clicked into place. He had always felt this way about her, even during that incident with Terra.
However, she could not get a feeling about Raven. Raven was her closest girl friend. They shared girl talk and yet, she never fully opened up. She never said anything about Beast Boy. Did she feel the same way about him? Hopefully she felt the same love that Starfire felt for Robin and that, she was sure, Robin felt for her.
Present Time
Well, it turned out that Robin did not feel the same way. Oh, he faked it well enough, well enough that they eventually married. Still, if she had paid attention, she would have realized even then that the clues were there that their eternal love was not eternal. Then, perhaps, a lot of heartache would have been avoided.
Starfire mused, she never did figure Raven out. Raven never gave any of her feelings away. It stayed obvious that Garfield worshipped his wife, but Starfire could never figure out if the feelings were reciprocated. Still, she knew, Garfield Logan loved Raven. But did Raven love Garfield Logan?
They say that love's a word, a word we've only heard.
Next – Cyborg's memories.
