Author's Note:

Funny to think that Starfire may have gotten her strength against Val-yor from interacting with a Green Lantern.

Traditions - suggested by DrendeSalkash

Fingers were softly stroking her bangs, brushing against her forehead. Starfire could feel herself pressed up against Robin so hard it was difficult to tell what bits she touched and what parts she didn't. Her head rested on his chest, she allowed the rhythm of his heartbeat to soothe her.

She was tired, so tired, her lashes lay against her cheeks. Cried out, she rested, trying not to think. Her cheeks felt tight from tears, her throat was raw, her voice would undoubtably be hoarse if she spoke. Not that he seemed to need her to speak.

His fingers dipped down from her forehead to wipe away a tear from her cheek, then his hand rested on top of her head, while the thumb of his other arm, currently curled beneath her body, rubbed against her upper arm.

She didn't know the human customs regarding death. Surely they must mourn the same, he seemed to instinctively know what she needed. Hugs and cuddles and just someone to be there. Possibly from his own experience of losing his parents.

Still, this initial outpouring of grief was all she was allowed. All she allowed herself. When she opened her eyes it would be over and she would honour them with warrior's fire.

It hurt, their deaths. More than she imagined it would. Her mother more so, she had loved her mother so much, but her father... she never had a chance to forgive him for creating the treaty to hand her over to the Gordanians and then the Citadel. And now he was gone, she would never have that chance.

Galfore had tried to stay the blow of their deaths. He spoke of their gallant battle, the lives they had saved before they lost their own, as any good Grand Rulers would, they gave their lives for their people.

Her mother had fallen, damaged by a Gordanian weapon, her father had gallantly protected her, sustaining injuries himself until the attack was fought back. He had died from his injuries and, heartbroken, her mother had succumbed to hers. It was not uncommon for a Tamaranian to die of heartbreak if they lost a partner, they loved so fiercely.

Starfire was now second in line for the throne. Her uncle, Lysand'r, aged and ancient but still a fierce and proud warrior would be Grand Ruler until Blackfire was prepared for the throne. Assuming she wanted it. Assuming she returned from her 'tour' of the universe. Succession on Tamaran was an odd thing, but during times of war it was necessary, they did seem to go through so many Grand Rulers. Myand'r had only lasted so long because of the unprecedented period of peace he had secured during the last war, and his treaties with other factions, treaties by blood, treaties by marriage. Treaties he'd created by giving her away...

Which apparently had failed anyway. Galfore had made certain to tell her it was not the same Gordanian faction who lead the attack, that it had been a different one, a rogue one, not the one she had been given to for delivery to the Citadel. He had wanted her to know it was not her fault for escaping. But he also wanted to tell her her mother had instructed her to stay banished. Do not return until called for. That was the only way she would be safe. Even with her last breath, her mother was still trying to protect her children.

Second in line...

Suddenly it didn't matter if Robin wanted to kiss her. She could never be with him. There would come a day she would be called back to Tamaran, to marry to seal a treaty or to become Grand Ruler herself and she would have to leave Earth. She did not wish to hurt him when the time came, so she would have to enjoy being a Titan as his friend alone and nothing else.

She would have to pull away from him, just as he had been pulling away from her. She couldn't afford to love him and break her own heart, or his, when she would be required to leave.

The realisation made her more miserable than before. So many stirring feelings for him, his kindness and niceness and his smile and patience.

A friend. Just a friend. She had a duty to Tamaran.

But for right now, she would cuddle close and listen to his heartbeat and forget the future. Live in the moment. Tamaranians were good at moments.

Bare fingers, not the roughness of gloves. He must have removed them so he could stroke her face, hold her close.

It was hard to think, she felt so sluggish. It was difficult to tell how long they lay on his bed, how long he stroked and soothed her. Sometimes she opened her eyes to stare at the wall for a while before they would close again. She didn't know how long she clung to him, but night slowly fell outside, the room becoming dark. Eventually Robin shifted just enough so he could switch the bedside lamp off and plunge the room into semi darkness, the lights in the living room were still on.

Starfire gave a long, depressed sigh. It was time.

"Hey," he murmured, aware of her stirring. "How are you doing?"

The fires had to burn. Needed to, she couldn't linger any longer. She sat up, turned her back on him as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Robin followed, the bed bouncing as he moved his weight across so he could sit beside her. His leg pressed against her, his hand rested on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

She shook her head and answered honestly. "No."

"What can I do to help?"

Such kindness and compassion. Were she on Tamaran, she would never be allowed to grieve like this. She would have been given little time to compose herself before the fires were burned. She raised her chin, stared straight ahead. "I require your assistance."

"Name it. I'll do anything."

She turned her head toward him, locked her eyes on his blue ones. He had also removed his mask. Little courtesies to make her feel better. "I need space where I can create a fire and it will not be questioned."

He must have sensed something in her expression, for he gave a sharp nod. "That beach I found you on."

"Will you take me there?"

"Of course."

"Would you do me the honour of standing at my side?"

"For?"

"The Tamaranian song of Acceptance. The last honour. It is tradition."

"For your parents?"

She nodded.

"I'll stand at your side."

"You honour me, friend." The word burnt her throat but she needed to say it. For herself. Just a friend.

He gave her a sad smile. He brushed a few stands of hair back over her shoulder and then gave it a squeeze.

Turning her face away from him, she mumbled, "I must prepare."

The beach was lonely, cold and windy. Dark waves crashed against the sandy shore, frothing before the water slunk back back into the darkness. The moon was bright and fully, casting twinkles down upon the breaking waves. The air smelt of salt and seaweed, several large clumps had been tossed up onto the beach.

Starfire and Robin spent a few minutes collecting driftwood, Starfire throwing down a few dead trees she'd found in the woodlands atop the cliffs above the beach. Dragging the wood to a singular pile, she broke them into smaller pieces. When she stepped back, Starfire felt Robin's hand on her back.

"Is that enough?" he asked.

She nodded.

He reached into his belt. "I have-"

Starfire extended a hand and lit the fire with a starbolt. She slowly walked around the pile of wood, making sure it was all alight until she reached Robin's side again.

She watched the flickering flames as the fire took the logs, burning brightly. The heat against her face dried her tears.

"What now?"

Starfire raised her head. "From what I have heard Earthen music... it is... rather quiet and seems mainly limited to some form of drum and stringed instrument, with some melodic lyrics, yes?"

"Um... quiet?" Robin asked.

Starfire nodded. "Then my apologies in advance, Tamaranian singing is... I am told it is an acquired taste," she said and began raised her voice.

TTTTT

Sing was perhaps a loose term. Very loose.

To Robin, it sounded more like she was torturing some sort of herd of wild beasts which were shrieking with discontent, at the same time, scratching her fingers down a blackboard, as well as some sort of deranged moose being sick while doing its mating keen.

It was the worst thing he had ever heard.

Ever.

And he'd heard bones breaking.

He'd heard Catwoman yowling.

He'd heard the Joker laughing as he tortured someone.

And this was worse than all of that.

It jarred him, right down to his very bones. Made him wish he was deaf, just so he didn't have to hear it anymore. He wondered if his ears would bleed.

If this was a goodbye song, he shuddered to think what they might sing to rally their troops. Or what their battle cry might sound like. Enemies fleeing in fear, just from noise.

But, it was Starfire. It was a tradition. An honour. And she'd asked him to stand at her side. So he stood, a silent vigil, to honour her as she honoured her parents.

The tears on her face were drying by the heat of the fire, but it didn't seem to stop them from falling. But her face was lifted, her voice was strong, her shoulders were back and she seemed relaxed.

He thought, anyway. He knew the turmoil which had been raging inside him when outward he had appeared in control. He knew what it had cost him to portray that strength.

Just when he thought his ears were going to call mutiny and leave, Starfire stopped. She spoke a single sentence, her voice low and husky, returning to that tremor he found so appealing. Then she simply stood there and watched the fire.

Robin's heart was breaking for her. He knew what it was like to be in her position. He just hoped he could make it easier on her. It didn't matter that he kept his distance to control this terrible crush he had on her. She needed him and he wouldn't deny it. And he'd be there for her.

TTTTT

Song done, Starfire felt drained.

She didn't know what to do. How was she to go on? There was a dark cloud over her now. A dark and depressing burden. Her world was crumbling, the future which had been so far away was so close and frightening.

Robin slipped his fingers between hers and held her hand. Glancing down at his hand, she curled her fingers so they rested against the back of his hand.

"Parents are supposed to live forever," he said, staring into the flame himself and Starfire sensed he was also speaking to himself. "They're strong and brave and they love you and they're not ever supposed to leave you in this world alone."

Starfire swallowed and bowed her head, blinking back more tears. He knew. He knew exactly what she was feeling. He knew how alone she felt. He felt it too.

Robin shuffled and Starfire suddenly felt his lips pressed against her cheek. A lingering display of affection, she recalled the book had told her kisses to the cheek was a platonic action. Affectional gestures between friends. She blinked and lifted her head and his other hand lifted to briefly touch her other cheek, holding her face against his lips for a moment, before he drew back.

His hand still on her cheek, she turned her face toward him, meeting his bright, blue eyes with her weepy ones. "Just don't forget," he told her, his expression as fierce and determined as his eyes. "You're not ever alone."

Author's Note:

Next chapter: Gramgram - suggested by Katergator