Coronation day

Early rays of sunlight began to invade the Grand Rulers suite, bathing the couple buried in the sheets in morning warmth. Nightwing peeked his eyes open to gaze down at the woman clinging to his side. He rarely slept past sunrise, the only exception before now being forcibly knocked out or pushing way past his limits, but being with her made him feel almost normal.

—

Nightwing/Richard Grayson

Laying here with you just kinda feels…right. You're laying basically on top of me and I still feel like we aren't close enough. I could stay here literally all day. Your skin is so smooth and your hair is so soft. I don't have any anxiety or need to know every corner of this room. My only need, my only mission, is to keep you safe and next to me as long as I can.

Oh god, she knows what I look like now I can't let her leave. What do I do? I can't move or she will wake up and I definitely don't want that.

Please God or X'Hal, whomever, let us stay together. I want exactly this. I don't think I can handle saying goodbye tomorrow.

—

Nightwing gently turned to his side to face her, careful to keep the sleeping Tameranean in his arms. She sighed unconsciously cuddling closer to him. He removed his mask, tucking it under his pillow for later. Starfire usually slept until late morning and he was content with just laying here with her. Her mouth slightly parted as she slept, probably dreaming. He stared down at her, cherry lips taunting him as he licked his own suddenly feeling very dry. A soft groan snapped him out of his trance. Slowly, lovely green eyes opened and stare up at him with a dreamy haze.

"Good morning Robin." Her voice was low and thick with sleep. He couldn't help but laugh.

"It's Nightwing now, Star." He began to run his hand through her hair to coax her out of her sleepy state. "You can even call me Richard or Dick if you want. Just not in front of the others, okay?" She hummed in agreement, inching closer to him.

"Okay, Richard." She nuzzled his chest wanting to be closer, in his clothes. He laughed squeezing her closer. Hesitantly, he planted a feathery soft kiss at the top of her head, so light she didn't notice.

Oh yeah, I can never go back now. He thought. A short wrap on the door jerked them both out of their little world.

"My lady? It is time to prepare for the coronation." K'lana called from the other side of the door. Instinctively the Princess ducked under the covers, leaving her guest to fend for himself.

"I can draw my own bath, thank you!" She called out to the women on the other side. "Please return later!" She hurriedly got out of bed, frantically pacing around the large room.

"Very well, we will return in a few hours to assist you in dressing." The receding footsteps eased Starfire's anxiety. Richard had gotten out of bed, ready to scale the building back to his room. "I must bathe, do you wish to join me?" Her innocent eyes gave way to no devious intentions, but it did not stop the furious blush that spread across Nightwing's cheeks. He knew the people of Tameran were more liberal with their bodies and held true to their chosen mates, but was not prepared for this.

"Star-I-Starfire," She found his studden fluster cute.

"It is fine Richard, I was just teasing you. But I must prepare for the ceremony and if you do not leave then what you may see will not be my fault." She turned towards the bathroom, swinging her hips as she went. His mouth ran dry as he fully took in her form. He had only ever seen her as a teammate, his best friend, and combat partner. Nightwing had never noticed how, since their meeting at thirteen, Starfire's curves were almost painfully attractive. He did notice the influx of male attention she began to pull in the recent years, but thought nothing of it. He continued to stare as she removed her shirt, the soft curve of her breasts could be seen from behind and he couldn't help but notice the definition of her muscles from years of training. He internally groaned, digging his nails into the palm of his hand.

"I'll see you at the ceremony, Star!" He shouted at her as retrieved his mask from under his pillow and slipped out the door. There was no way he would last if he followed her. Nightwing turned towards his room and rammed into a wall-like creature. The hero immediately shifted into a defensive stance staring at the very tall, very muscular man before him. It didn't really bother the smaller male, he had fought much, much bigger. The man's judgy green eyes scanned him from top to bottom, contemplating his worth in battle.

"What are you doing coming from my woman's room?" His deep voice rumbled in his chest as he tried to keep it down to a whisper. Nightwing felt a challenge rising between them.

His woman? Annoyed at the thought, Nightwing straightened up, meeting his stare without fear.

"Starfire belongs to no one." Richard silently challenged the man before him, glaring up at him. The man let out a deep rich laugh shaking his whole body as if whatever the other said was hilarious.

"Princess Koriand'r does, indeed, belong to me. We are to be wed in the coming months." The large man crossed his arms in a smug victory. Internally, Richard growled while taking note of Starfire's true name. She had been very careful about not sharing it with the team saying it was embarrassing since it didn't match any Earth names. He just realized what she meant to him and who she was, he couldn't let someone like this have her.

I had forgotten about the marriage. Good thing I left her this morning otherwise… He didn't let his thoughts trail too far. He suddenly noticed the man's attire. Medals decorated the military-esque uniform he was wearing. Shit. Of course they chose the most decorated dickwad they could find. His brain was going a million miles a minute trying to think of ways to cancel the wedding by making the groom go missing.

"I am Prince Karras of the Southern States. I must assume you are one of my fiance's wonderful friends from Earth. I welcome you to our planet Mr….?" He held out his hand to shake and the young hero took it reluctantly.

"Nightwing. How long have you known Star-er Princess Koriand'r?" He watched the man think back fondly.

"I have known her since we were babies. Our parents would often meet to discuss politics and naturally we would be left alone to entertain ourselves. I have missed her and her siblings these past years." His explanation seemed legit and if Galfore arranged this then Nightwing would have to assume it was true. He knew the giant of a man would not put his adoptive daughter in danger. "Please excuse me. I must discuss things with Koriand'r." Karras brushed past him and lightly knocked on the Princess's door. Upon hearing her he walked in, disappearing behind the large door. Nightwing huffed and went off to prepare for the day. He decided not to allow himself to wonder if Starfire was still naked within her room.

"Team, emergency meeting. Now. My room." We will see just who this man is.

—

Koriand'r/Starfire

I can't believe I am sitting in the bath wishing he would have followed. There are many things I associate with Richard and self-control is one of the top so I should know better. Still, I wish he would give in to me. The way I can melt in his arms is so relaxing. I have not felt that safe since I was a child within these very walls. How could he not know painful it is to long for him? I wish to feel him against me in the most…intimate way possible. Since we were young teens I have grown to love him. My admiration has only grown for the past 6 years while he is barely allowing himself to feel such emotions. I wonder if all Earth men are like this.

Who could possibly be knocking at my door right now? Oh no that is Karras! I almost forgot about him. Oh, how I wish it were Robin I was to be wed to. Or Nightwing or whomever he wishes to be. I have already pledged myself to this man and I must go forward with my promise. My people depend on me.

—

"Robin, what the hell?" Beat Boy complained as he flung himself on the large bed, receiving a glare from his lead.

"I just met Starfire's fiance." The youngest titan shot up from his place on the bed. Even he could feel the tension between the not-couple and knew they were very very close to finally getting together. He could smell the pheromones coming off Nightwing the day they left the tower, an unmistakable scent of mates, well almost mates.

"Who is he? What do we know?" Cyborg asked, feeling a bit protective of his 'little sister.'

"I only caught his name, Prince Karras of the Southern States. Apparently he and Star have known each other since they were children." The others could see the annoyance through the white of his mask as he crossed his arms.

"So we're doing a classic stake out." Beast Boy said grinning and rubbing his hands together. "I'm so ready! Where do you want me?" Robin smirked as he noted the agreement from the others. They were a family and they looked out for each other.

"Beat Boy, I want you to be a literal fly on the wall. Follow this man the entire day." He mocked a salute, understanding his duty. "Cyborg, Star gave you a project to work on with a lab right?" The man nodded. "I want you to stay there but research everything you can about Karras. Everyone he knows, everywhere he's been, every battle he's been part of."

"Understood."

"Raven, during the ceremonial dinner, do what you can to get inside his head. I want to know all of his secrets. I will be speaking with Galfore, Wildfire, Blackfire, and Star about him trying to gather as much external information as I can. We will meet back here after all the festivities have ended. Any questions?" Beast Boy raised his hand.

"What are you guys wearing to the coronation?"

—

"Lord Karras, thank you for coming to check in with me." Starfire said as she emerged from the bathroom wrapped tightly in her robe.

"It is my pleasure. I wanted to say hello before the festivities started. You will be very busy today." He said striding over to her. Her hair was dripping wet and clinging to the sides of her face. She smelled of fresh floras he could not quite place.

"Yes, I am most excited for the coronation." She tried to back up to create space between them but found he would follow her closely. He slowly took pieces of her hair into his hands and toyed with the ends.

"I am most proud of you Princess. Your parents should be here to welcome you as Grand Ruler." Sadness flashed across her eyes. "Soon we will be wed and be King and Queen of all of Tameran." The sound of the titles hit her ears wrong. They have never used titles before but uniting the North and South would call for such a change. They had yet to work out the specifics of the merge, but it would be handled soon after her coronation. She wanted to ensure it was a smooth transition for all.

"Thank you. I am sure we will both serve our people well." She hugged her robe tighter, feeling very aware of her body and his closeness. Something about him made her feel…off. He was a trusted servant of the people and he had won many battles in the name of Tameran, but there was something deep within her telling her this man was not what he said he was. She had felt it the first night she had returned and she was feeling it now.

"I shall leave you to prepare. I will see you tonight, my love." He kissed the strands of hair he was holding and left. It took her a minute to process everything when she heard a light knock on the door.

"My apologies Princess, I know we were to return later, but Galfore has insisted we prepare you for the festivities. The welcoming shall begin in an hour." Starfire could hear the stress in Xala's voice.

"You may enter." She didn't want to cause stress on her or K'lana just for following orders. "I have already bathed. I will just need assistance in dressing." She sighed remembering how many outfit changes she will be doing today. The coronation ceremonies run late into the night with several traditions squished from dawn to midnight and Kori knew she was already behind on the first one. "What am I to wear for the welcoming?" She saw K'lana smile as she brought forward a relic of the past. "This was my mothers." She said with astonishment.

After changing into her mothers dress, Koriand'r admired herself in the mirror. The thin white dress glittered in the sunlight. The dress was long enough to reach the floor, even on someone as tall as her, with an open front that trailed down her chest across her stomach to end at her left hip held together by a delicate gold chain just above her sternum. The gold sandals they had picked matched perfectly with the wrist bracers. She had only seen her mother wear this once, at the announcement and showing of her baby brother. Kori remembered vividly that her mother looked like a goddess. Kori turned to face K'lana, seeing the tears in her eyes as she clutched something close to her chest.

"This is the last piece of the outfit." How could Starfire forget the sun halo crown her mother wore that day. She bent down to allow the girl to gently place the prongs behind her ears. The gold headpiece was minimal, reminding her of the sun rays that would stream into her room on Earth. She took one last look at herself, seeing her mother in the mirror smiling back at her, and left for the entrance hall.