The Ring: Cyborg
He loved his team, he really did. They were fun, energetic, their distinct personalities meshing more than they clashed. He adored spending time with them all, whether one on one or as a group. He loved spending time with Robin, holed up in the training room, and making up new moves. Each one was more outrageous than the other, full of complex tricks that no one but they could perform. They always left feeling light, feeling like that they could take on the world and come out unscathed. He always learned so much with the Bird Boy and saw him as a brother. He also enjoyed his time with his other brother, a decidedly more annoying one. It didn't matter whether they were mashing buttons on the game controller together, arguing over the best pizza topping, or pulling pranks. He adored those moments and always looked forward to making more memories with the green terror. Even he and Raven spent time together, her hovering over ancient texts in his garage while he tinkered with his baby. They never spoke much, but they didn't need to, their company enough, not needing any fabricated pleasantries to enjoy their time.
Each memory was nice, each was treasured. However, if he had to be honest, it was his memories with one specific Titan that he always looked back at, the memories never failing to bring a smile to his face.
Starfire was one of a kind, her energy infectious. The way she and Robin tiptoed their way around their feelings filled him with amusement and annoyance in equal measure. He had to admit though, the protective part of him was glad they never acted on it, as he didn't want the Boy Wonder to hurt his precious sister. He claimed he wouldn't, and he knew he loved her despite the boy being in denial. But he knew what the boy was like, his hard-on for work surpassing even the one had for Star. If he was going to date his sister, he had to prioritize his sister, and until Cy saw evidence of that he would not seriously try to get them together. His desire to protect his sister's heart from the idiocy that was their leader taking precedence.
He still remembered when he found out what that stupid word Troq meant. Seeing her breakdown, her usually sunny personality clouded by despair made Cy see red. He can't believe he didn't notice it earlier, and even worse, he called her that without knowing what the stupid word meant! What kind of older brother was he that he let his sister get hurt right under his nose? Since that day he scoured books on Tamaranian words, wanting to ensure he never called her anything like that again. She didn't even know he did this, sneaking into her room to get one of her many dictionaries. No one would get away with insulting her because of his ignorance, he would make sure of that. The brightest stars are the most noticeable when they go out, and he wanted to make sure that his star, his sister, never went out again. He didn't think his heart could take it.
She was always a perceptive one, being able to see behind false smiles. He didn't like to dwell on that and didn't want to know why she had that ability. He hid his pain from the others, hiding away on the pretense of working when his mood soured. Everyone else bought it. Actually Raven probably didn't, but she respected privacy too much to comment. Starfire however never let him hide for long, at least not alone.
The first time she found him, he was staring at the drawer. They both knew what was in it, but neither commented. She just walked into his room and sat on the floor beside him, not saying a word. He appreciated that, grateful that she wasn't trying to make him smile, and god knows she could have easily. He wanted to wallow and grieve for what he could've had, and had for a fraction of a second because of the holographic ring. No one gave him side-eyes when he wore it. Hell, girls even checked him out, something that was foreign to him when he was in his normal form.
They continued this way for a while. She could come in and silently join him in his staring. They wouldn't say a word until he would get up and she would trot after him. He'd always make a beeline for his garage, wanting to get stuck into his baby and better her. Star would join him when she sensed it was okay, but if she sensed he needed to be alone, she would just hug him and hold him for a moment, whisper she was here for him, before disappearing like mist.
He wore her words like armour, the words "I did not know you before, so to me, you are normal," making warmth bloom in his chest. Whenever he hated himself because the self-loathing was getting too bad or the what if's got too tempting, he would drag the words out of his memories and replay them. He'd wear the warmth they created like a shield, ensuring that no harm would come to him. The stares stopped affecting him so much. They felt more like sticks being thrown against a steel wall than the acidic intensity he felt before. Her words empowered him, strengthened him. He slowly starred less at the ring until one day he made a decision.
It was late at night when he knocked on her door. He should've done this earlier, but he didn't want any prying eyes. She answered the door, clad in her pajamas, sleep glazing her eyes.
"Cyborg?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"Hey little lady, I'm sorry it's late, but I need your help with something," he said, pulling out the ring.
He didn't have to say anything else. She closed the door behind her and followed him dutifully up to the roof. She stood by his side, holding his much larger hand in her smaller one. She said nothing, just giving him silent strength. He sighed, pulling the ring out.
"In my hand, I hold a ring. It is the key to being human, to not being stared at. I thought it was the key to my salvation, but really it is the key to my prison. I have spent so much time thinking of what could have been while staring at this ring, that I have been blind to the truth. I have everything I could have ever wanted here in my life right now. I have the best team and the best little sister that these powers help me protect. I am heroic, I am brave, and these cybernetic parts do not define me. This is my normal, and I won't let judgemental people or prejudice take it away or make me feel ashamed. This is me, and I'm proud of who I am. And I will never, ever, forget that ever again," he said, his voice getting louder.
Starfire squeezed his hand, making him look at her. She gave him a blinding smile, tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm proud of you, my brother," she whispered, making him smile back.
Without another word, he hurtled the ring as far as he could into the bay, letting the wright of what-ifs, sink it to the bottom of the water, finally giving him peace.
The two stayed there until the sun shone, basking in the light. Cyborg kept an arm around Starfire, holding her close. He could never do this without her. Her light guided him to this choice, illuminating him to the truth. He was so lucky to have her in his life, and he would make sure that he returned the favour by helping her whenever she needed it.
No one would ever be allowed to make her think less of herself. No one would ever make her insecure. She was as beautiful in heart, mind, and body as the sun, and he would help her burn away any negativity that plagued her, lending her his strength when she lacked her own.
After all, that's what big brothers are for.
Their Light: Robin
From the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one. She was stunning, impossibly long legs cloaked in stunning skin, the colour of sunset. Her long hair danced playfully in the wind, matching the sparkle in her eyes. And the rest of her god, she lived up to her name, sending fire through his body as she set his mind alight. God knows how many times she starred in his fantasies, both romantic and sexual. She was everything he could ever want in a woman, the fact she wasn't from Earth not phasing him. He counted his lucky stars whenever she smiled at him, feeling like the most blessed man in all of time.
Whenever he saw her fight, he was enraptured. She was no damsel in distress; she was a lethal warrior. Her movements executed with finesse, her mind sharp as she analysed her opponents for any weakness. Her strength unrivaled and her Starbolts guiding their way to victory. She was a work of art, like the mixture of Aphrodite and Athena, leaving him gaping at her like a lost puppy.
She was always understanding. She never pushed him, didn't complain when he ignored her to do a report or train. She just smiled and nodded, giving him space. She helped him often, staying up late to file the paperwork, her military and princess training making the work easy and even fun. She brought him food, and although it wasn't always the most edible, it was appreciated. She trained with him, teaching him techniques that helped him hone his skills to an even higher degree. He taught her all about the world she now lived in, teaching him some of the secret techniques that Batman taught him, that he wasn't meant to teach anyone else. The ones that Beast Boy begged him to teach him. She was a natural, which didn't surprise him. She excelled at most things, talking to them like a fish in water. Except cooking, though on her own planet she may be skilled at that as well. It wouldn't surprise him as she excelled at everything else.
He couldn't help but be jealous when other men looked at her. Whether it was Speedy, Aqualad or god forbid, Red X, he couldn't stop the growl that slid from his throat. Cyborg always gave him an amused glare, Raven raised an eyes brow or rolled her eyes, and Beast boy would make Kissy faces. He didn't care, he just wanted these assholes away from His Star. They can go find their own stars though he knows they would pale in comparison. She never judged him for those moments, just smiled and thanked him, politely turning down the men. She was loyal and kind, always choosing others over her own happiness.
He hated when people took advantage of this. Whether it be Blackfire, Val-Yor, or someone else entirely, it made him fume. She was so pure, so kind and strong that she didn't deserve it. She only deserved the best. He would always try his hardest to protect her from these awful people, wanting to keep her kindness intact. She had a way of seeing the world that was so pure, and he didn't want her jaded. Sure, he knew about her past experiences, the torture that she had experienced making him torn between crying and screaming. But she still smiled, and as long as he could, he would ensure that smile remained, no matter what it meant for him.
That was the major reason he never pursued her. She was too good for him, and he would just damage her. He was afraid she would give him the power to snuff out her light, making her as serious and gloomy as himself. She was his safety net, always being there to catch him, and he provided the same for her. It didn't matter if it was metaphorically or physically; she was there, and he would rather eat his own arm than risk her happiness. They were a team among the team, and he cherished it, holding it to his chest like it was a precious stone.
He knew Cyborg knew how he felt, hell most of them did. He also knew that if he hurt her, he would have three furious Titans to deal with, something that he wanted to avoid. Not just because they were powerful, and he wanted to avoid the pain- which he'd take without hesitation- but because it would mean he snuffed out his star's light, something he knew he would inevitably do. He was terrible in relationships, his ex Bat Girl able to attest to that. And if he was honest with himself, he would rather pine after her, and maybe even hurt her a little by keeping his distance than take her light away.
After all, she was not just his light, but the teams. And to remove that would be the greatest sin he could ever make. She had been through so much already and had finally found a home. What kind of asshole would he be to risk that? The worst kind, that's for sure. Yea, he hid behind the excuse that Batman forbade him from dating, but considering the man was in love with Cat Woman, that excuse was not solid, and everyone knew it.
So for the sake of his friend, of his star, he ignored her looks. He ignored the way his heartbeat rapidly increased just from seeing her. He ignored it all because he would rather keep his star shining brightly than to ever be selfish with her. No matter how much he longed to be selfish and be hers.
Hey guys! Last chapter. I hope you enjoyed this little two-shot. To me, Starfire is the sun of the group, so I wanted to reflect that. I haven't written for this fandom before, so I hope I did okay. Stay safe and have a good day\night wherever you are!