The days following the ritual were busy. Koriand'r was in and out of meetings all day and, as her personal guard, Nightwing was forced into them as well. Once he regained consciousness, Karras relinquished his title as Prince and forwarded the control of the Southern States to Koriand'r. She granted him a small stipend and offered to provide a home for them on the outskirts of the city, but they refused. It was the first time either one was free to do as they pleased, so they packed up a small ship and departed on an adventure. The remaining procedures needing revision were looked at by both councils and reworked in a way that allowed little change within the people. It seemed the absorption of the Southern States to form one unified country was going seamlessly. The additional two weeks the Titans had packed on to their stay had passed by before they knew it.
"You're leaving tomorrow?" Starfire's disappointment was evident in her voice. It was almost a surprise, but she was always aware of the incoming departure.
"Yeah.." Nightwing stood a ways away from her, leaning on the doorframe of the door that joined their rooms together. "All of the meetings have concluded today and we can't have other Titans cover for us much longer. We're needed back home, Star." He was silently asking for her to come along, even though he already knew the answer.
"I see." She plopped down on her bed, unable to face him at the moment. She was silent for a long time, struggling to hold back tears. Richard made his way to the bed, removing his mask along the way and leaving it on the nightstand. He took her arms from covering her face and pulled her into a sitting position at the edge of the bed. He held her hands and kneeled in front of her, resting his forehead on top of their joined hands placed neatly on her knees.
"Starfire." He hesitated, fear bubbling up inside of him. "We have to return to Earth and protect the city, but I don't want to leave you here." He clenched his jaw and gripped her hands tightly. "But, I know you'll be okay here and you'll be a great leader for your people. As much as it pains me to be separated, I know you'll do great things. You are a Titan. You'll always be one of us." He knew saying goodbyes apart from the others would be best in the event his new found emotions would surface. He didn't anticipate the struggle he would face in swallowing fear and doubts.
"Oh, Richard." She pulled one of her hands from beneath him and ran it through his hair. In the past weeks she spent several nights next to him in bed, hearing his nightmares take over and calming him by simply placing a hand on him. She spent many hours running her hands through his silky black hair to ease the anxieties he refused to admit. He peeked up at her with those icy eyes she loved so much, glassy and sad. She fell to her knees next to him on the floor. She placed herself in his arms and her head on his chest. There were many times he held her on those nights too, comforting her fears and quieting her cries. "We will see each other again, we must." She took in his spicy scent for what may be one of the last times. Tears welled in her eyes as she forced herself up to face him. She placed her hands on either side of his face, admiring the softness of his skin and familiarity of the constellations his freckles made. She traced the lines around his eyes, slight indentations left by his mask. She traced his lashes as they fluttered beneath her touch. She traced the curve of his lips, curiosity taking hold of her. She leaned forward slowly until she felt his breath fan out across her. She stopped, hesitating.
"Starfire?" She was so close, so very very close. He could see the slight sheen on her lips, the faint blush of her cheeks, the glaze over her eyes as she stared at him. "I'm sorry…" He gently pushed himself forward, finally feeling his lips upon hers again. There were no fireworks or butterflies. Deep in the pit of his stomach and the deepest corners of his mind he felt a sense of calm wash over him. Like floating down a cool, peaceful river on a warm day. She whined into his lips before separating from him. She rested her forehead against his with a soft smile.
"That was much better than last time." They both laughed, full and hearty, until a knock came at the door.
"My Lady, you are needed in the meeting room. Your signature is required for the final proceedings." K'lana called from the other side of the door. Starfire sighed, tickling Nightwings skin. She traced her thumb over his cheek once more before getting up and leaving. Richard sat on the floor for a moment, contemplating all options, then followed her at a distance.
—
Koriand'r tossed the pen on the table, exhausted from the continuous meetings.
"We shall run you a bath milady." Xala and K'lana rushed ahead of her to prepare, sensing the tiredness from their leader.
"I thank you both. I shall be along soon." She waved them off before staring down at the papers she had scribbled her name on. She heaved a heavy sigh, noting the darkness of the sky from the windows. My friends shall be leaving in less than 24 hours. Sadness overtook her as she made unheard wishes to the stars. She felt another presence make itself known, walking into the dim light of the hallway.
"We should get you back to your room." Nightwing said. He was hanging around the doorway waiting for her to follow. She reluctantly turned and began towards her room with him in tow.
This will be the last night we will be together too. She bit her lip, nervous to say goodbye. Of course they had already said their goodbyes earlier, but actually letting go, seeing them leave, was something that would break her heart. She had wished many times that she was born on Earth or that he was born on Tameran so that galaxies didn't stand between them. As she reached her door her footsteps slowed. She could hear the quiet chatters of the handmaidens coming from the room. "Richard?" Her voice came out as a whisper, barely audible even to him.
"Hm?" He turned his eyes to her, lazy and tired.
"Could you stay with me again?" She tugged at his hand, trying lamely to pull him towards her room. He took her hand, gently caressing her knuckles, and allowed himself to be pulled in by her. She guided him into her room, thanking the women for drawing the bath and allowing them to retire for the night. After they left, it was just her and him. Alone again. For the last time. Richard felt a heavy weight on his heart as he watched her fidget. "I supposed I will take my bath now." She awkwardly moved towards the bathroom before blurting out. "Would you like to join?" They both stood frozen, shock racking their systems. "I mean with clothes! It seems you are tired and in need of relaxation and what better than a hot bath?" She was babbling now, trying to fill the awkward space with anything but silence. Richard laughed, full and deep, stopping her words in their tracks.
"Sure, with clothes." He took off his mask and rubbed the bridge of his nose with a smile on his face. Her face brightened as she went to her closet.
"I must change then!" Richard watched her almost skip to her closet. He sighed and abandoned his mask on the table near his side of the bed. He opted to just go along with her request and shed his uniform leaving him in plain black boxer briefs. He folded his uniform neatly and placed it on the couch in front of her bed. He walked towards the bathroom and waited for her while leaning on the doorframe. As the closet door creaked open she closed his eyes, mentally preparing himself for this unknown territory. Of course they had seen each other in scare clothing, the pool party and accidental instances, but this was entirely different and intimate. After a few deep breaths he opened his eyes and took her in. She was almost bare with a thin piece of dark cloth wrapped around her chest and bikini bottoms. He swallowed the lump in his throat and squared his shoulders. She breezed past him into the bath and sunk into the hot water that awaited. Richards slowly followed, lowering himself into the inviting pool and watched as she happily played with the bubbles. He looked up at the ceiling and silently asked whatever god may be listening to give him mercy from what felt like it would be a long night.
After their long bath, Richard returned to his room to change into a new set of clothes. Upon his return he found her seated on the balcony, looking towards his Solar System. She smiled at him as she noticed him come into the room. She left her position on the balcony and met him at the partition door.
"Are you ready for bed?" He could tell she was nervous as their time together was ticking away, but she intended to make the most of it. She nodded her head to his question and took his hand. He smiled at her and tucked her in as he did every night before joining her. She watched as he situated himself beside her. After their bath, the lines from his mask were gone and his face was smooth. Their legs automatically intertwined as she snuggled her back into his front. His arm came around her to hold her firmly against him. Neither said a word as they drifted to sleep, relishing the feeling of skin against skin and the melody of their joined breaths.
Morning came much too soon, but the couple in bed remained still even as they both awoke. As the minutes ticked by and the sun rose further, the two hidden within the covers grew more anxious. Not a word was said between the two. Starfire looked up into Richard's icy blue eyes silently begging him to stay. He placed a hand on her head, brushing through her silky tresses hoping to calm her uneasiness. Finally, as 10:00 am came close, Nightwing spoke in quiet, calming whispers.
"I have to get ready, Star." He felt her flinch in his arms and clutch the fabric of his sleeping shirt until her knuckles turned white.
"I know." Her reply was quiet, barely heard by the man right at her side. She slowly removed herself from his hold and retreated into a ball pulling her knees to her chest.
"You have to get ready too. I know you have people to see today." He placed his mask in its place on his face and held out his hand to help her out of bed. She obliged, feeling the warmth of his hands overtake her. He pulled her into a tight hug.
"It's okay. You will be a great leader and represent the Titans proudly. We will see each other again soon." He placed a feather light kiss on the top of her head before letting her go. He did not know if his words were a lie or not, but he so truly believed in them. Then, without a word, he returned to his room to collect his things. Starfire wept, muffled by her delicate hands. She shook and trembled at the thought of saying goodbye. After a moment of composing herself, she turned to change and prepare for her life alone.
The Titans gathered at the ship left on the outskirts of the palace grounds. Cyborg packed the luggage into the storage compartment quite slowly, also afraid to leave his friend here. Starfire, Ryand'r, and Galfore were saying their goodbyes to the Earthlings, wishing them a safe journey. Galfore and Ryand'r laughed with Beast Boy as he told a ridiculous joke about Tameranean animals. Raven silently nodded her goodbyes to the aliens and took her place in her seat within the ship. Beast Boy hugged Starfire tight before following the quiet companion. Cyborg gave final directions to Galfore regarding his updates on the Tamaranean defense system and a vial of his blood in the event Blackfire was to be released. He fistbumped Ryand'r and stopped just in front of Starfire. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at her long time friend. The large man sighed and placed an oversized hand on her head. She jumped up to wrap her arms around his neck, enveloping him in a back breaking hug.
"Come home soon. I don't know how he will do without you." Cyborg's faint whisper was almost lost in the wind, but made it to the woman's ear. He smiled sadly before letting her go and boarding the ship. Koriand'r watched as Nightwing shook hands with Ryand'r and Galfore, discussing the change in personal guard would be switched to another highly ranked Tameranean in his absence. Both men reassured him their Grand Ruler would be protected above all else. Satisfied, he turned his full attention to the woman standing alone. She had her arms folded across her chest, seemingly wanting to disappear within herself. Galfore and Ryand'r disappeared into the shadow cast by the palace towers a ways away wanting to give them at least a little privacy. He gently took her arms and placed them around his waist as he wrapped his own around her head. He could already feel the tears flowing into his shirt. She trembled slightly, making his heart clench within his chest. Again there were no words. He smoothed her hair down as she quietly sobbed into his chest, her body racked with her cries. He removed himself slightly from her grasp, just enough to pull her face from his chest. He lifted her chin to stare directly into her bleary eyes. Her lips slightly trembled, her cheeks were stained with tears and flushed, and her eyes bore into him.
"Starfire." He ignored the way his own voice trembled and how it made fresh tears fall. "I've told you how I believe in you and I know you'll do just fine on your own. Please, continue to live the best possible life you can." He smiled down at her, a true and honest smile that made her heart jump. "We will be here in case you need us." He began to retreat to the ship, unable to stand much longer. She stood firm and watched him go. Before their fingertips parted, he hesitated slightly, swearing that he heard her whisper something in the wind, but decided it was best to assume it was his imagination. He made himself go onto the ship, never looking back at her as they departed. Koriand'r watched the ship leave her atmosphere silently whispering wishes into the stars.
Months Later
Starfire sat at her desk, scribbling her name across documents needing her attention. A light knock could be heard from the other side of the door as she reached the peak of her annoyance.
"Sister, we should be leaving for the meeting with the people of planet Oa." Ryand'r called for her. She hadn't left the office much as of late as the seasons changed to bring about the harsh chill of winter. Starfire sighed and got up from her desk, leaving to her room to prepare for the long journey ahead. She packed a bag with necessities and tossed it into the hallway for the guards to take to the ship for her. She sat quietly in her room near the balcony. The cool winter glow of Vega warmed her exposed skin as she gazed upon the Solar System galaxies away. Though her eyes could not see Earth, she felt him there.
Nightwing sighed as the new Titans struggled with their training. Cyborg went to be with the Justice League some time ago and they had accepted three new Titans into the tower. He was currently fighting all of them in a three-on-one training battle and winning by far. The only struggle he had was making his successor work with the other two rather than attack alone.
"Alright everyone, let's break for now. We will pick up tomorrow morning. Raven is ready for your mind training." The new members left with the exception of Robin. He watched carefully as his adoptive older brother cleaned the rooftop of stray weapons. After tossing everything to the side, Nightwing took a seat at the edge of the tower facing towards the violet star he knew was there by memory.
"Richard." Damian's voice called to him. He didn't turn towards his younger brother but acknowledged his presence with a quiet hum."I often find you here on the roof in this exact same spot. What is it that you are looking for?" Even through their masks Damian could see the change in emotion stifled by their father's training. The older man chuckled sadly and patted the seat next to him on the opposite side of where she would sit. The younger boy obliged and took a seat a polite distance away.
"Give me your mask." The younger boy looked up at him in confusion and slight disgust. Damian was very much one to stick hard to the rules set by their father. Although they no longer wore their uniforms within the tower and were given the choice of having leisure time within the city out of uniform, it was still a strange thing to do to the Wayne boys.
"What for?" Surprise took over as he saw Nightwing take off his own mask and offer it to him. He hesitantly removed his own revealing bright emerald green eyes before replacing it with his older brothers. Behind the mask his eyes widened at the vast spectrum the unique mask offered.
"Look there, at the Lyra constellation. Right ascension 8h 36m 56s and declination +38° 47′ 01.2802." Damian searched, using the measurement tools provided within the mask to find the target. There he saw the pink splatter of Tameran's striations across the white of the globe. "She's there on Tameran."
END