2 Days Until Coronation
"All hail, Crown Princess Koriand'r!" Galfore's booming voice echoed across the planet. The mass of Tameraneans gathered below the palace balcony cheered as their Princess stepped forward, shyly waving at her people.
"Thank you Galfore." Starfire's voice cut through the noise and commanded silence. "I am happy to be back on my planet and I look forward to leading my people just as my parents did. I invite all of Tameran to celebrate my coronation in the coming days. It brings me great joy to celebrate such a momentous occasion surrounded by you all. May we all work together for a brighter future." The Princess raised her arms up causing applause to erupt from the masses. Galfore led the girl back into the palace, taking her to a small meeting room where a group awaited her.
"Ryand'r! Oh it is so nice to see you little brother! Please tell me about your adventures." Starfire ran to embrace her brother. It had been many years since they had seen each other and she intended to savor the moments. The two looked very similar, unlike their older sister Blackfire. Ryand'r had the same fiery red curls and green eyes as Koriand'r.
"Sister, it has been too long. We shall share stories later." He smiled and motioned towards another in the room. Starfire turned and met eyes with her older sister. "Komand'r has joined us for only a short time." Blackfire smirked at her siblings. Her violet eyes shimmering with annoyance.
"Hello Sister. I'm surprised you came back." Kori smiled sweetly, closing in on her sister so no one else could hear what she was about to say.
"Sister Komand'r, I expect that you plan to be on your best behavior. It would be unfortunate if you were to spend the rest of your life in a hospital bed rather than prison." A flash of malice crossed Kori's eyes. Blackfire stumbled backwards, feeling the power radiating off her sister's body.
"It seems Earth has been good to you sister. Maybe I shall visit soon." Blackfire tested her newly set limit, watching for a reaction from the soon-to-be Ruler. Starfire's face fell, her eyes looked like bottomless green voids that would swallow up everything in its path, her muscles tensed, and for a second Blackfire felt a chill rush through her.
"Komand'r, you are forbidden from leaving your confinement. If I have heard you have escaped or if you are even within a million miles of Earth, I will hunt you down myself and bring you back in chains. You have brought enough shame onto our parents' legacy. I will not tolerate anymore. There is only so much room for forgiveness, even for my sister." The height difference between them felt staggering. Koriand'r had grown to 6', while still on the smaller side for Tameraneans, it was quite the difference to Komand'r's 5'10. Her authoritative presence made her seem larger than life and fit to be Grand Ruler. Galfore had never seen his adoptive daughter carry herself in such a way. He was oozing with pride. Kori turned to the guards in charge of watching over her sister. "I would like security around my sister doubled while she is on my planet. Please ensure her shackles limit her abilities and weigh her down. I will be commissioning a friend from Earth to create a collar that tracks her every move. Princess Komand'r will no longer be a threat to the remaining royal family or the people of Tameran." Blackfire grew more angry with each passing word. "I am happy you were able to come, dear sister, but I must not take mercy on anyone who threatens myself or the ones I care about. Please enjoy your stay." With that Starfire turned and joined Galfore and Ryand'r in their conversation. Blackfire stood, annoyed and shocked, watching her siblings plan the ceremony. Jealousy rising like bile in her throat threatening to overflow. It wasn't until her little brother turned to give her a small smile did she notice the tears streaming down her face.
"Princess, would you like to meet the groom your parents had arranged for you?" Galfore's question took Starfire by surprise. She didn't expect to meet him so soon and was not sure she was ready.
"Don't worry sister, he is a gentleman." Ryand'r chimed in, tossing his arm around her. "He has galiently fought in your stead and has become quite the decorated hero." He wriggled his eyebrows at his sister, choosing to ignore the sad glint in her eyes. When she was ready, she would tell him.
"Of course. Please take me to my future husband." She linked her arms with Wildfire and walked onward. In the grand hall stood a tall man, tall enough to tower Starfire. He had short, light brown curly hair and was dressed in traditional Tameranean attire.
"I have brought my Princess Koriand'r, your highness." Galfore saluted the man as he turned. Starfire was met with dark green eyes similar to a dense forest on Earth. He smiled and bent to greet her. He placed a feathery kiss atop her hands, taking in her entire form.
"Ah, Princess Koriand'r, it is nice to finally meet you again." Starfire stepped back confused. She had never met this man in her life.
"He is Prince Karras of the Southern States. Our parents used to bring us together when they needed to meet." Her brother whispered into her ear. A vague memory creeped into her consciousness as she desperately tried to remember his face.
"Prince Karras, thank you for making the journey to meet me." Kori bowed respectfully. "I am pleased to hear that you have served our people well in my absence." She couldn't help but notice the metals decorating his uniform. The princess had suddenly become very aware of her own attire. She had not had time to change out of her Titan uniform.
"I'm happy to assist, my lady. Let us have dinner together while you tell me all about Earth." He offered her his arm which she took hesitantly. "I must say Princess Koriand'r, you have grown into a fascinating young woman. Your parents would be proud." His compliment eased her slightly. This man knew her parents and personally knows her k'norfka. If Galfore trusted him then so did she.
—
Robin sat on the roof gazing up at the stars. He looked over to the now empty spot next to him that used to be occupied by his best friend almost every night. His eyes were focused on the Lyra constellation that housed Vega. The Boy Wonder strained his eyes in a feeble attempt to see Tameran, hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of her in the stars.
"You know, a telescope would help." Raven appeared behind him, offering her ear. "Cyborg and Beast Boy were looking for you. It's movie night. Are you gonna join?" She was never one to prod or ask unnecessary questions, but concern was growing amongst the team as Robin had barely left the roof in the last 24 hours. When he did leave, he was holed up in his room or the communications control trying to reach Starfire's offworld communicator, which had been programmed to Tameranean frequency.
"No, I don't really feel like a movie tonight. Besides," Robin trailed off, not wanting his hope to be spoken aloud.
"You want to be here if she comes back." Raven finished for him. "Robin, we're going to Tameran tomorrow. Don't you think you should pack? Or shower?" The half-demon noticed how grimey his hair looked and how wrinkled his clothes were.
"She didn't say I was invited. She just said to let you guys know she wants you there." His voice held hurt and annoyance. This was probably the biggest fight Starfire and Robin have ever had and the toll was evident on the boy's face.
"I think she would still want you there. Besides, you still have to introduce yourself." Raven offered a metal box to him. Inside was his new uniform. "Cyborg just finished it." Robin took the black suit out of the box and examined it. The blue emblem on the chest was just as he had pictured, Cy never let him down. "He said he deconstructed Starfire's old uniforms, as well as your own, to weave this one. It just took a lot of dye." He ran the fabric between his fingers and felt the familiarity of the cloth. Starfire had her uniforms made of special fabric from her home planet that allowed for breathability so she could absorb the sunlight using her entire body but also durability to weaken heavy attacks. This combined with his own material made the new suit even stronger. The wrist braces from her original uniform were painted black and modified to incorporate the retractable spike guards. The new utility belt was a combination of their old ones painted and stuffed full of new gadgets.
"Was there anything left from the original designs?" As if anticipating this, Raven held out her hand offering him a large, dark green gem. Robin carefully took the treasure and examined it. It was from her original Teen Titans uniform, the one she came to Earth in. It had been a long time since she had incorporated them into her uniforms, she had stopped using them almost a year ago when she created her own new look to better flatter her developing body. She wanted to be seen as a woman and a hero, not just a kid.
"The gems store energy. Cyborg is currently working on the new weapons you asked for using them as a power base. I was able to snag this one for you." Robin held it to the sky and gasped. Through the green of the crystal he could clearly see the distant planets. He could faintly make out the pink striations of Tameran and its surrounding moons.
"Thanks Raven." He gave her a smile and clutched the gem tightly in his fist. "I think I have another idea for my new costume. Star's gems could heighten the visibility of my mask." The girl rolled her eyes but was thankful for the slightest hint of her friend's old self peeking through.
"Did you decide on a new name yet?" Raven would always be Raven. It was her given name, but Robin was always a hero name that would be passed down to another one of his adoptive brothers that fought at their fathers side. In fact, the new Robin was due to arrive at the tower in a few months.
"I have, but I want all of us together before announcing it." A smirk crept its way across his face. He turned and marched inside, determined to pack for their trip into space. Raven looked on feeling that she had provided some sort of comfort to him from their short conversation. She looked towards the Vega system, willing her thoughts to reach her red-haired friend.
We miss you, Star.
Across the galaxy Koriand'r felt a nudge in her mind. Her heart began to ache as she looked out her bedroom window towards Earth. Night fell upon Tameran as the violets of the sky faded to inky black. The familiar constellations filled the sky, but only one was adored by the princess. Dressed in her pajamas, Starfire took to the sky. It would only take her a couple hours to get to Earth and she needed to ensure her friends were okay. As she zipped past the planets, her focus came to Robin and their last argument. As much as she had tried to push past it, there had been a nagging feeling in the back of her mind since her abrupt departure. She wondered where he was, what he was doing, who he was with, if there were any villains present. Did he even miss her? As soon as she reached Earth's atmosphere she bolted to the tower and snuck in through her window, being sure to close it behind her. She took a look around her old room and noticed it was emptier than before, even the old uniforms she had left were gone. Starfire sat on her bed, thankful the sheets were still there. Being in her old room, surrounded by the other Titans, made her feel at home and safe, so much so that she had fallen asleep on her bed, snuggled under her favorite blanket.
Two doors down, Robin exited his shower feeling slightly relieved. Raven was right, a shower was much needed. He quickly put on shorts before exiting his room. Since she left, Robin had been going into her room. He didn't know why he did this and ensured when he did so none of the others saw him enter or exit, but it brought him a strange sense of comfort being surrounded by her. He quietly ran down the hall, the brisk air hitting his bare chest making him shiver slightly. Keying in the code for the door he double checked all corners before entering the purple room. Once inside he immediately went for the window. Starfire had chosen this room because of the placement of the windows. She could see her home from here. Robin strained his naked eyes once again searching for her in the sky but finding nothing. After a while he gave up, deciding a good night's sleep would be best before they departed for space. As he was walking out he heard a small whimper coming from the bed. He was sure Silkie had been moved to his room, but perhaps the creature ate his way through the walls. Robin sighed, intent on finding him. It was then he noticed the large lump under the lavender blankets. He cursed himself for leaving everything, including his mask, in his room. Robin readied himself for a fight as he forcefully pulled the blankets back only to be met with a familiar scent.
"Starfire?" He again went unheard as the girl lay in a deep sleep exhausted from her travel. Hesitantly, he nudged her shoulders which only resulted in her repositioning herself onto her side. It was then he noticed what she was wearing; black shorts and his favorite shirt. Again, his body took control, but instead of greedy lust he felt something completely different come forward. He carefully laid next to her, covering himself with a different blanket. She unconsciously snuggled into him and suddenly he was very aware he was essentially naked. No top, no mask, no gloves, only shorts. Flustered, he wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head against his chest. A smile spread across her features as she wrapped herself around him. He buried his nose in her hair trying to memorize the intoxicating mix of violets and jasmine. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep with her. Both completely relaxed and at ease.
—
Kori woke in the middle of the night. She felt a weight on her and an inexplicable comforting warmth that made her feel emotions she had yet to ponder. Her eyes fluttered open, looking for the source of her comfort. She was met with the pale skin of a man's bare chest. Her limbs were tangled with his and she was about to panic until she recognized this individual.
Robin. She thought dreamily. She almost went back to sleep when realization struck her. She must return to Tameran before anyone notices she is gone. She looked up at the man holding her. His grip was firm but gentle, as if he was afraid she would disappear. She slowly wriggled herself from him but didn't want to leave their cocoon just yet. She gazed at him for a long time, trying to memorize every feature before she left. Robin never takes off his mask, not even when it's just the two of them, so she had never seen his bare face. A pity she would never see his eyes, they were always a great mystery to her. She lightly peppered kisses across his cheeks before leaving the bed. Just as she came, she went, leaving the window open to ensure he knew she had left the planet. She rushed home dodging any debris in her way, trying to savor the feeling of warmth he had given her.