A/N: Wassup, I know I said I was going to do the other story first but this story is already finished. So I thought, hey, why don't I finish this off first? So, yeah, that's what I plan to do.
Eh, I'm not feeling a depressing paragraph in this one. The end of this chapter is sad enough. Oh and I have a spoiler, Dick won't always be dick. Hopefully.
Please Review, Favorite and Follow for more. I'm aiming for ten to continue! Until next time loves!
Dick kissed her shoulder softly and caressed her cheek. They had chose to spend their entire lazy Sunday at her apartment. He was more than okay with watching her sleep in his shirt or with taking a relaxing shower. Her showing him how to wash her hair.
"I can't believe you actually flirted with him. Now, you're going to get it."
Starfire blinked innocently at him and smiled,"I am sure I do not know what you mean. Oh, you mean Mr. Harper? Please, you deserve it! After all, you were doing the flirting with Barbra."
His playful smirk faded for a moment,"Baby, there's nothing to be worried about. I'm yours and you're mine forever and always. I promise. I love you."
"To the moon and back?"
"To the moon and back," He planted a lingering kiss on her lips.
He seemed to enjoy brushing and combing her thick red locks. Sometimes doing it with his own fingers until they curled up. Sapphire blues seemed to always bore into emerald ones with passion and love. Starfire believed everything he said as did he.
She would call his name in a soft purring manner. "..Richard.." As he massaged her scalp. He would reply with a plead,"Say it again, please."
7:14 am
Mount Justice
I longed for that again. I yearned for something like that again. Anything like that again. The memories of what I once was. Of what we once were. It was somehow depressing and lifeless that I awake by myself and alone. Forever must not truly be that long.
It hurt so much.
Emotions have been built up and locked away for six long years.
I almost let out a laugh as Black Canary though I was going to blurt out everything at once. All of my sensitive memories and private information was the last bit of my sanity and I wasn't willing to share that. Not yet. Besides, I was happy for once. Almost anyway.
The room was lit dimly by a lamp. I was instructed to answer a few questions and I would be released to fly back to Jump. It wasn't like I was going to stay with this team. I was only here to complete the session and I suppose they wanted to assess my skills during the battle. To see if I was emotionally stable to continue being a heroine.
"Are you happy?" She asked. Her eyes were boring into mine sharply.
"I am more content than I have been, honestly. When I was in prison, I had Donna and Jinx. They were amazing friends but I was tired of doing the same things. True, I experienced the fun while being punished but, it was never the same. I lost everything and to be back is better. It allowed me the chance to breathe and shop and fight. But the pain is still there somewhere. Somehow."
"What pain? Please explain," Canary pressed.
I stumbled over some of my words,"What I mean is..I know what I did and didn't do. Only I am responsible for my actions and I was misjudged...By everyone I..cared for. And that hurts to not be trusted and to be blamed for. Especially by my friends and my love-"
"That's what you're here for. So we can wipe your slate clean. And by love do you mean NightWing?"
I nodded,"Yes. He was the one I thought I could trust the most. He was the one who understood me and my past. Everyone seemed to accept the fact that I was the murderer. That I was guilty," I felt my face heat up from anger. "Even you! Because they were my fingerprints on his dead face. I couldn't even attend my dear friend's funeral!"
"But what you and your police forgot was that it was my apartment! Of course my fingerprint was going to end up somewhere. But the pain really cuts deep when he promised that I was the one and that it would be forever. And now he's making those promises to Babs! Do you know how that makes me feel? That I won't get my fairy-tail ending because of you guys and your stupid law enforcement!"
Black Canary stared at me intently,"So you're not happy?"
I giggled a bit sarcastically,"I'm fucking peachy."
8:32 am
Titans' Tower
Donna was my best friend and I forgot to call her. I had told her that I was going to call her at three in the afternoon and It wasn't until three in the morning when I remembered. I spoke of this to Black Canary who smiled and said,"Well you successfully completed your session. So whenever you're ready to leave I suppose you should go down there and speak with her face to face."
I nodded excitedly and waited some more. I wouldn't call her as I wanted to surprise Donna of my appearance. She would be so happy and she'd hug me, so would Jinx, as they'd stop their cards for me.
I yearned for that affection that Richard had once given me. I wanted so badly for him to glue back the broken promise so he could hold my hand again or brush his fingers through my hair. Sure, he pulled me over and kissed me. Richard was known for doing that and he has a girlfriend. Two for all I know and he left me.
The person I couldn't get off of my mind was Red X. His kiss was on my cheek and it wasn't as nearly romantic and classy as Richard's but it meant something. It was sweet yet hasty. It was quick yet meaningful. It was like if someone were to mutter 'I love you' at the end of a phone call every time you spoke it wouldn't mean anything but Red X; his meant the world to me.
I wanted to see him so badly. So I volunteered to stay an extra two days to fight along side of the Young Justice team. I offered to check certain areas by myself. I centered myself in plain sight. Seeing which criminals were where and who. And after each mission I departed into my room disappointed and bored.
As soon as details on the villain was communicated through the link I almost immediately lost interest. So much adrenaline gone and wasted to find it was a rape crime or another burglary. Nothing on this Nuke guy or Red X. Which is probably why Richard wasn't there to greet me when I walked into the Tower.
It was only Raven and Barbra who said hello. They both hugged me and dragged me into Raven's room to commence in the girl talk. They hadn't even asked me if I wanted to join. Raven quickly typed in her code and we sat on her bed.
Not much has changed in her room.
Her covered were wrinkled but made and her blinds were closed. On top of that, the curtains were drawn shut so not even a peak of sunlight could sneak in. The only light was artificial made from a lamp, like Black Canary's office.
I felt a twinge of jealousy as I knew Raven doesn't allow everyone into her room so, her and Babs must have bonded during my absence. However, I threw on a smile. Babs smiled back as Raven got the nail polish.
"So," Batgirl began wiggling her eyebrows,"How's you and Beastboy?"
I understood the question was directed at Raven so I waited for her to answer.
She shrugged her shoulders,"Frankly, I think he needs to grow up. I get that he's," Her eyes meet mine,"Excited but, it's so annoying sometimes. Everyone else became a man and he's still trying to bicker with Cyborg about tofu. Unlike Dick, how is he?"
She sighed a happy sigh,"Well, our anniversary is coming up and we were going to go to that new restaurant. You know that one by the movie theatre?"
Raven nodded as she shook up the polish.
"Yeah but I can't go. I have to go with my dad to his public speaking about Starfire getting out of jail. He has to explain to the public that she was falsely accused and that everything's alright now. You know, the apologies stuff to clear confusion. So, he said I always do this and I told him that he hasn't said anything or taken me out anywhere since the incident and-"
I cut her off,"By incident, do you me being released from jail?"
She and Raven stared at me until Babs replied sheepishly,"Uh, yeah. Listen, Starfire, I know I've been kind of a jerk to you but I want to let you know I'm so sorry for being a bit bitchy earlier. I don't know what came over me."
I smiled at her apology and lied while looking her dead in the eye,"Your apology means a lot to me."
She smiled again,"No problem. It's just, I blew up at him. You know, I heard him and Blackfire in my closet. When I was doing my laundry, I heard a bang. Turns out they were making out or something and she slipped on a banana peel. She totally twisted her ankle."
Babs laughed it off and Raven smiled.
"Yeah, and I know what you and he did on the roof. I was literally just around rthe corner so no surprise there. But it's cool. I knew your history and it wasn't the first time he did something like that."
"So, you're not mad at what Blackfire and Richard did?"
"Well, I mean it still hurts. But I'll get over it. He'll apologize and I'll-"
"Forgive him?" Raven asked astounded "You're letting him walk all over you. That's not how a relationship is supposed to be like."
Babs retorted,"Like you know. Yes, please, Raven, tell us all about relationship because the doofus you have snoring his ass off, with Cheetos hanging out of his mouth, on the couch is so romantic and loving and-"
"He's not walking all over me! He respects me!"
"Because he's scared of you! He's like you slave! Clearly, he's going to get over his playboy ways and come to his senses! So I don't know why everyone is so worked up over my relationship with him! You-"
"It's because you tell everybody you business!" Raven hissed at her. "At least Gar knows not to go drooling over every girl he sees!"
Barbra got up hastily,"Whatever, see you later Kor."
The door opened and closed. The air was heavily filled with tension and only slightly awkward. Raven continued to file my left hand. She spoke but I wasn't really listening. I turned back towards her. "What'd you say?"
"I said what color for your nails."
"Oh, uh, purple."
Purple's not a color in this game.
"I should have known," She offered me the tiniest of smiles. "Don't worry about her. She's a gold digger, anyway, after his wallet. I mean, she basically stole his credit card the first day you got here. Dick will finally come to his senses and marry you. So, don't worry, okay?"
I shrugged. The fumes from the polish were strong yet strangely smelled pleasing. It was a bit cold when it hit my nails but warmed up again. I didn't particularly enjoy being alone with her because it felt forced and awkward. Whatever she said to me I ignored and I think she's somehow reading my thoughts, violating my mind.
"Starfire, I just want you to know that I'm so sorry. I should have believed you. I should have scanned his body or something. Anything. I failed you and I feel like absolute crap. These years have been terrible without you and it's been a royal pain in my ass to live with the guys and an occasional loud-mouthed Bee, a snobby Babs and a bitchy Blackfire. I missed having you here because you're my best friend."
I stared up at her,"How sweet! I was wondering if you would like to come visit my best friend, Donna Troy, at the jail with me?"
She soaked in what I said with a slight frown. Friendship was something we would have to build up again and we were never going to go back to the way things were. She was probably jealous that I claimed Donna as my bestie and ignored her speech. I can't help it. I hold grudges. But I didn't lie to her. Her apology sparked something in me and a playful glint glittered in my eyes,"It'll be a surprise!"
10:47 am
Jump City Jail
Raven had opened up a portal that dropped us directly in front of the jail. We signed in and the lady was more than surprised to see us there. The air was air conditioned and felt nice compared to the hot weather outdoors.
We had to wait on the other side of glass. There was a telephone to allow us to communicate her with. She sat down in one of the chairs quietly and squinted at Raven. Raven waved and we waited patiently for the lady to cut the line on.
"..Hello."
"Hey, Donna! I thought I'd surprise you by visiting you!" I attempted to sound excited. I think it worked because I was excited. Raven nodded in agreement.
Donna nodded too,"I see. It's very nice to see you, darling. Even if it's only on the other side of glass."
Her black hair was in frizzy knots. Her voice sounded groggy and raspy. Her nose was slightly running so she wiped it with the back of her sleeve. Maybe she always looked that way or maybe she just just woke up. But she looked very unkept and tired. Perhaps that's how I looked over the years. Her orange sleeves were rolled up and you could see a pit stain forming. But her beauty was still there even if she was sweating more that a pig. Her long eyelashes supported her clear blue eyes.
The way Donna was talking compared to earlier was more formal. I didn't know if it was because Raven was next to me or if life just started to suck for her. I just really wanted to give her a hug. A full warm embrace.
"Donna, what's wrong?"
She sighed,"I'm just really tired and there's too much drama floating around right now."
"What drama?"
"Jenny..she attempted suicide. Everyday she would ask me...She'd be like, 'Donna should I overdose?' I would tell her that I would kill her myself if she tried. She asked me to, but I refused I swear! But she did it anyway..But the thing is, I knew she was going to do it. Does that make me bad, Koriand'r? You want to hear what she told me?"
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyways."
"Damn right I am. She told me that she was full of a hell load of sins. That she didn't want to be stuck in here any longer. That she wanted a taste of the freedom even if that meant going to hell."
I gasped,"She's..dead? How-"
"Hospital."
"That is horrible. But how?"
"She suffocated herself. Her entire face was purple."
Purple's not a color in this game.
A single tear slid down her pale Amazon face,"Kory, get me out of here. Please I-I don't want to be alone my whole life. I didn't do anything to him that night. And I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what, my sister?" I asked her.
She shook her head refusing to answer. The begging look was still in her eyes as she denied every word she just said. Then, she stared up at the ceiling. It was odd. Very odd. I could sense the squirminess in Raven as we stared silently and uncomfortably. It was like Donna was having a conformation with X'hal and we were intruding on her privacy.
Hell, I looked up there too. Maybe X'hal was addressing both us. But when I looked up all I saw were panels. Some were white and some were tan. When I looked back at Donna she was still looking up. Then she started chewing.
Raven leaned into me and whispered,"She's having a flashback."
Seeing that one glistening tear fall was like seeing a dam begging to break. It was the first of many more to come. And I hated it. She was the one who kept me company all those years. Now, she needed me. My sister, best friend, needed me and I was stuck on the other side of the glass. I didn't care if I was going to cut my finger breaking this into shards but I was busting her out. Even if it was going to put me back in.
I wasn't going to be stuck on only one side of the fucking glass.
Not again.
Not ever.
