Chapter 20: A Single Line Says All

She looked out over the horizon, watching as Japan woke for the day. She landed onto the balcony and turned to watch the sun rise. Breathing in the morning air, she let out a sigh of content, and sat down into a balcony chair.

"Loriander?"

Bluefire turned to see her cousin, dressed only in one of Nightwing's shirts and a robe, walk over, and sit down next to her.

"Good morning sweet Koriander. You night was pleasant yes?"

Starfire smiled and nodded. "Oh yes dear cousin absolutely wonderful."

Bluefire smirked. "You had sex?"

A blush rose to the younger girls' face and she giggled.

"Have I ever told you Richard is a wonderful lover?"

The two shared a laugh and sighed in content together.

"Where is he now?" Bluefire asked.

"Richard has gone off to the top of the hotel for morning exercises, just as Raven and I have our morning meditations."

"Where is Raven?" Bluefire asked.

Starfire shrugged her shoulders. "I knocked on her door but Beastboy answered saying Raven wasn't feeling well…"

"Probably from all the emotions last night…" Bluefire smiled. "…then I shall help by participating in this…meditation."

Starfire smiled back. "Thank you Loriander. I shall show you."

Loriander moved to mimic her cousins' posture and soon the two here meditating as one.

~*~

She moved closer against him, light smile lighting up her face. He pulled her against him and purred softly when she nuzzled into his neck. She held back a giggle and felt him lean up to hover over her. Opening her eyes, violet met dark green.

"Morning B."

"Morning Rae…" She felt his hand rest against her neck. "How's your neck?"

Raven turned her head to the side so he could see the light set of teeth marks against her porcelain skin. There would no doubt be a bruise around it later on. Beast sighed and leaned his head against her shoulder.

"Everything alright?" He heard her ask.

"It's going to bruise…I tried to not bit too hard…" She felt him smirk. "Guess I lost control anyways…"

She sighed and went to running her hand through his hair.

"Relax B…I'm fine…a little sore…" She smiled when he looked up at her. "…but I'm fine."

His eyes softened of worry as he rested his fingers against the mark.

"I guess I was a little ruff…"

Raven raised a brow. "…you howled after you bit me…"

An awkward smile came to his face, like he'd been hoping he wouldn't get caught.

"Sorry…"

She leaned up with him to look at the light bruising at the base of her neck.

"It'll heal."
Beastboy wrapped his arms her from behind, lying his chin on her shoulder.

Raven sighed.

"Guess I'd better go…Starfire's probably worried I'm not there for meditation…"

~*~

"…or not…"

Raven and Beastboy stood in the doorway watching the two Tameran girls meditate as one, same body posture and all. Beastboy held back a laugh and turned to Rave with a grin. Raven rolled her eyes and walked over to stand in front of the cousins.

"Thanks for waiting…"

Next thing Raven knew, she was bombarded by Starfire in a tight friendly hug.

"Dear friend Raven! You are well!"

"….Star…too…tight…"

The girl let her friend go with a smile. "Loriander was meditating with me while you slept. Beastboy said you weren't well."

Raven glanced at Beastboy, who grinned and gave her a wink.

"…it was from last night…"

"I told you Koriander." Bluefire stated with a triumphant smirk.

"Good morning yall!" Cyborg said, entering the room and heading into the kitchen.

"Hey! I'm making breakfast!" Beastboy said, running after him.

"I'll break it up." Bluefire said, floating after them.

"Please…have some peace Raven. I shall go get Nightwing." Starfire said with a smile.

"…um…thanks?"

Starfire left the empath to the peace and quiet of the room.

~*~

Richard knew he was worrying too much. Starfire knew what she was doing. All her life, she'd been trained for things like this…problem was THIS she hadn't. He hit the punching bag again with his foot and breathed heavily. The poor wasn't going to last much longer so he sat down on the ground with a huff and laid down closing his eyes, and let the wind roll over him. Thinking back on what had happened, Richard decided it was time to talk with Star about her decision. He sat up and leaned against the wall, looking out over the horizon at the rising sun.

"Richard?"

He turned to see Starfire standing over his with a smile.

"Breakfast is ready…"

He smiled and held out his hand as she took it and sat down in front of him, lying back against his chest. She sighed and held his arms around her, looking up at him.

"Have you finished destroying the punching bag?"

Nightwing smirked leaning against her. "Not really…just watching a beautiful scene."

Starfire snuggled into him, looking out at the view surrounding them.

"I wonder how our Silkie is doing..."

Richard raised a brow. "Our?"

Starfire smiled. "He is my bungorf and you are my boyfriend so he is our Silkie." She grinned. "Plus he loves you as much as I do!"

Richard laughed. "Alright Star…what ever you say."
She grinned. "Then…kiss me."

And he did.

~*~

A pain shot through her core, laughter ringing in her ears. She felt Beastboy holding her to him as he screamed her name. Her vision became hazy and she felt herself being carried over to something as she was laid down.

"Raven…come on Rae…speak to me…" Beastboy begged her.

The pain seemed to suddenly go away when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder.

"Raven?" Starfire's voice softly rang.

The empath felt calm though the laughter still rang in her ears.

"…Malothron…he…he can reach me through you Star…"

Starfire's eyes widened as did the others.

"…how…" Nightwing asked.

"He has…a message…" Her eyes locked on Starfire.

"…release me…or they all die."