Cat: Chapter 4 is finally done! Sorry it took so long, but with SAT's,
Hosa competition, and English projects, I just haven't had time. I promise
to try and make the updates quicker. But I do have to say that I am very
proud of this chapter. I think I captured Robin's emotions very well,
especially at the end. As always, this is in Robin's POV. No Nightwing in
this chapter. Maybe the next one. Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to
review!
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own 'em. But I got the toys! ^___^ '''
So Many Secrets Chp. 4 So Beautiful
I let out a yawn as I walked down the street, still not completely woken from this morning. A hand casually readjusted my baseball cap, then drifted down to my sunglasses. It felt good to get out of the 'boy wonder' costume every once and a while, and slip into something more... comfortable. Everyone got a good laugh when I tried to explain my reasoning for updating my wardrobe. I just ignored them. I was getting pretty good at that.
I stopped, and turned towards the park. It wasn't that hard to spot Starfire, her red hair contrasting greatly with the park scenery behind her. She stood out no matter where she was. Or maybe that was just another one of my illusions. I watched fascinated, as she pushed a small boy in a swing, her eyes sparkling. I made my way over to a bench, pushing my hat down over my eyes, hoping she didn't recognize me. I'm not sure why I didn't want her to see me. On any other day I would have called out to her, then after talking with the boy a short while the two of us would go out for ice cream or something to that nature. I hate change.
It was a beautiful day. A cliché statement, but true. The sky was a pale blue, the sun peeking out behind a few wisps of cloud. A soft breeze pushed through every now and then, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of spring. I smiled inwardly; spring was always my favorite season. One of my 'secrets', as Starfire referred to them. I swallowed the bitter taste from my mouth. So I had a few secrets. Who didn't?
A line of children had appeared behind Starfire, looking pleadingly up at her for a ride on the swing. She was happy to oblige.
I was still upset at myself for letting that dream get to me once again. I closed my eyes, letting the sequence run through my mind once again. I could hardly remember the pain, I could no longer hear the screams of the people around me, or even my own cries for that matter. I all I could see was the only true home I had ever known burning to the ground. In one night my family, my home, and my life were taken from me. No one knew. Bruce did, but he didn't count. He never did.
"Robin?"
I looked up. Damn she was good at sneaking up on me.
"Hey Starfire." She sat down beside of me, grinning from ear to ear as usual. She had also chosen to venture out in street clothes, going from her purple mini skirt to a pair of jeans and a tank top. One could look at us and see a pair of normal teenagers out on a date. God, how I wish that was the truth.
"Did you have fun with the kids?" The silence was getting to me.
"Yes, Robin! I had much fun pushing the small humans on the swings!" She aimed her smile at me, her emerald eyes shining. I nodded in return.
"And how are you this afternoon Robin?"
"I'm fine."
"Robin?" When I looked back down at her I was caught completely off guard. Something in her eyes had changed, she looked sad... no... worried.
"I'm fine Starfire." I tried smiling to prove my point. She didn't buy it.
"I know that it is rude to eavesdrop. You taught me that Robin. I did not mean to hear you last night, but I did. Please tell me what is wrong." It wasn't a question, nor a demand, it was a request.
"It was just a dream, Star. I wasn't hurt."
"You have taught me enough about earth for me to know that all pain is not physical."
Damn! When did she get so smart? I handled the situation as I would any other...I avoided it.
"What do you say we head back to the tower, Starfire?" And for the first time in our friendship Star refused to listen to me. She stood and glared at me rebelliously.
"Star...?"
"No," was her heated answer.
"But Star-"
"No." Again, I was cut off. And without a hint of an explanation, she turned towards the tower, pushing through the crowd. I watched helplessly for only a moment before pulling my hat further over my face and heading towards the tower myself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Once back at the tower, I grabbed another slice of pizza and headed for the training room. I needed to blow off some steam, and it was apparent we weren't getting any calls tonight. I slipped into a pair of sweat pants, not bothering with a shirt, but did take the time to pull my mask back over my eyes. I sat on a bench wrapping my hands when the last person I expected to see that night walked in.
"Hello, Robin." I blinked a few times before responding.
"Hey, Star."
"Robin, before you say anything please let me apologize for before." Again, I had to blink the shock away. SHE wants to apologize?
"It is not my business to pry into your past and I am truly sorry." She bowed her head humbly, her red hair creating a curtain between us.
For a moment all I could do was sit there. The whole scenario was too difficult to comprehend. After continually pushing and pushing her away, Starfire felt that she was the one who had to apologize. I examined the girl in front of me, as if seeing her for the first time. It was at this moment I was certain...I loved Starfire.
I stood and crossed the room. Her head still bowed, I gently pushed it up with my thumb, until our eyes met. A few tears had escaped their emerald cage, and I softly brushed them aside. It took me a moment to find my voice.
"You are so beautiful." Her eyes widened, and a pink hue took over her cheeks.
"R-Robin..."
It felt as if time had stopped. I could have stood there all night looking into her eyes. Maybe, if I could have worked up the courage, even kiss her. I didn't even have to ask her. I knew she would have stayed there until the end of time if I would too. But we didn't live in a perfect world, and at that moment the alarm decided to go off, signaling the need of the titans somewhere in city. I blew out a sigh and looked at Star helplessly. She smiled feebly and led me towards the door.
"Star, I-" She placed one delicate finger over my lips, silencing me instantly.
"When we get back." I nodded in agreement. We smiled at one another before heading off to join the others. And I wondered if Starfire had the same feeling of regret welling up in her gut that I did.
Cat: Over 1,200 words for you guys this time! Are you satisfied? ^^ I'll try to have the next chapter up by May. But prom and exams are sneaking up on me, not to mention I have to get my animazement costume together.
FOOGLESNARF!!!!!! Get your attention? Good. Now go review pweese! ^^
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own 'em. But I got the toys! ^___^ '''
So Many Secrets Chp. 4 So Beautiful
I let out a yawn as I walked down the street, still not completely woken from this morning. A hand casually readjusted my baseball cap, then drifted down to my sunglasses. It felt good to get out of the 'boy wonder' costume every once and a while, and slip into something more... comfortable. Everyone got a good laugh when I tried to explain my reasoning for updating my wardrobe. I just ignored them. I was getting pretty good at that.
I stopped, and turned towards the park. It wasn't that hard to spot Starfire, her red hair contrasting greatly with the park scenery behind her. She stood out no matter where she was. Or maybe that was just another one of my illusions. I watched fascinated, as she pushed a small boy in a swing, her eyes sparkling. I made my way over to a bench, pushing my hat down over my eyes, hoping she didn't recognize me. I'm not sure why I didn't want her to see me. On any other day I would have called out to her, then after talking with the boy a short while the two of us would go out for ice cream or something to that nature. I hate change.
It was a beautiful day. A cliché statement, but true. The sky was a pale blue, the sun peeking out behind a few wisps of cloud. A soft breeze pushed through every now and then, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of spring. I smiled inwardly; spring was always my favorite season. One of my 'secrets', as Starfire referred to them. I swallowed the bitter taste from my mouth. So I had a few secrets. Who didn't?
A line of children had appeared behind Starfire, looking pleadingly up at her for a ride on the swing. She was happy to oblige.
I was still upset at myself for letting that dream get to me once again. I closed my eyes, letting the sequence run through my mind once again. I could hardly remember the pain, I could no longer hear the screams of the people around me, or even my own cries for that matter. I all I could see was the only true home I had ever known burning to the ground. In one night my family, my home, and my life were taken from me. No one knew. Bruce did, but he didn't count. He never did.
"Robin?"
I looked up. Damn she was good at sneaking up on me.
"Hey Starfire." She sat down beside of me, grinning from ear to ear as usual. She had also chosen to venture out in street clothes, going from her purple mini skirt to a pair of jeans and a tank top. One could look at us and see a pair of normal teenagers out on a date. God, how I wish that was the truth.
"Did you have fun with the kids?" The silence was getting to me.
"Yes, Robin! I had much fun pushing the small humans on the swings!" She aimed her smile at me, her emerald eyes shining. I nodded in return.
"And how are you this afternoon Robin?"
"I'm fine."
"Robin?" When I looked back down at her I was caught completely off guard. Something in her eyes had changed, she looked sad... no... worried.
"I'm fine Starfire." I tried smiling to prove my point. She didn't buy it.
"I know that it is rude to eavesdrop. You taught me that Robin. I did not mean to hear you last night, but I did. Please tell me what is wrong." It wasn't a question, nor a demand, it was a request.
"It was just a dream, Star. I wasn't hurt."
"You have taught me enough about earth for me to know that all pain is not physical."
Damn! When did she get so smart? I handled the situation as I would any other...I avoided it.
"What do you say we head back to the tower, Starfire?" And for the first time in our friendship Star refused to listen to me. She stood and glared at me rebelliously.
"Star...?"
"No," was her heated answer.
"But Star-"
"No." Again, I was cut off. And without a hint of an explanation, she turned towards the tower, pushing through the crowd. I watched helplessly for only a moment before pulling my hat further over my face and heading towards the tower myself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Once back at the tower, I grabbed another slice of pizza and headed for the training room. I needed to blow off some steam, and it was apparent we weren't getting any calls tonight. I slipped into a pair of sweat pants, not bothering with a shirt, but did take the time to pull my mask back over my eyes. I sat on a bench wrapping my hands when the last person I expected to see that night walked in.
"Hello, Robin." I blinked a few times before responding.
"Hey, Star."
"Robin, before you say anything please let me apologize for before." Again, I had to blink the shock away. SHE wants to apologize?
"It is not my business to pry into your past and I am truly sorry." She bowed her head humbly, her red hair creating a curtain between us.
For a moment all I could do was sit there. The whole scenario was too difficult to comprehend. After continually pushing and pushing her away, Starfire felt that she was the one who had to apologize. I examined the girl in front of me, as if seeing her for the first time. It was at this moment I was certain...I loved Starfire.
I stood and crossed the room. Her head still bowed, I gently pushed it up with my thumb, until our eyes met. A few tears had escaped their emerald cage, and I softly brushed them aside. It took me a moment to find my voice.
"You are so beautiful." Her eyes widened, and a pink hue took over her cheeks.
"R-Robin..."
It felt as if time had stopped. I could have stood there all night looking into her eyes. Maybe, if I could have worked up the courage, even kiss her. I didn't even have to ask her. I knew she would have stayed there until the end of time if I would too. But we didn't live in a perfect world, and at that moment the alarm decided to go off, signaling the need of the titans somewhere in city. I blew out a sigh and looked at Star helplessly. She smiled feebly and led me towards the door.
"Star, I-" She placed one delicate finger over my lips, silencing me instantly.
"When we get back." I nodded in agreement. We smiled at one another before heading off to join the others. And I wondered if Starfire had the same feeling of regret welling up in her gut that I did.
Cat: Over 1,200 words for you guys this time! Are you satisfied? ^^ I'll try to have the next chapter up by May. But prom and exams are sneaking up on me, not to mention I have to get my animazement costume together.
FOOGLESNARF!!!!!! Get your attention? Good. Now go review pweese! ^^