Author's Notes: You've probably noticed by now I'm posting each story seperately. I have one more chapter to upload, and I'm contemplating a cute Starfire/BeastBoy chapter (to try out all the nonslash pairings) but it might be a "sharing pain" chapter. The next chapter, by the by, IS Rav/Rob, and a change from the previous two. Though it is still a tragic love story as is the theme, it is a different sort of tragic love that befalls these to characters.

I like this chapter the best because I really feel for Starfire... Enjoy, and as always, review.

The Eponine Effect: Robin and Starfire

"And I know it's only in my mind, that I'm talking to myself and not to him. And although I know that he is blind, still I say there's a way for us… I love him, but every day I'm learning. All my life, I've only been pretending. Without me, his world would go on turning. A world that's full of happiness that I have never known… I love him, but only on my own."- Eponine, Les Miserables (Musical Version)

I must have read this story twenty times. It's interesting, all though not much of it makes sense to me. French politics sound so confusing, and this storyteller writes strangely, digressing every few paragraphs to speak more of these politics.

Robin says the content is a little mature for me right now. But does he think I am a child? No, he tells me, only that politics are confusing to anyone, and that, as one who is not from Earth and unfamiliar with their governments, I would be overly perplexed. Perhaps he was correct when he advised me against reading it. But something inside me wanted to prove to him that I was not stupid.

I have seen the films as well, and those are more understandable than the written version. Many of them focus more on the characters, not the politics.

I find myself strangely sympathetic to the poor street urchin in love with the student rebel. Her love is tragic and seemingly illogical, and yet she clings to it for it is all she has. Every time I watch her on the television, I bite my lip, hoping that the rebel called Marius will notice and love her and take care of her. And yet, each time I am disappointed, for Marius takes no notice at all of her affections.

There is one version of the story, the musical version, in which it emphasizes the girl's love specifically. And there is one point in which, I am sure, the man weeps for his lost chance as she dies in his arms.

I hope I do not have to die in Robin's arms to have him admit his affections.

I see him everyday and I try to win his affections. I am sure he feels for me, he must, for when I am upset, he is the only one who understands, and who can make me smile again.

I would hate to think that perhaps he is like the student, ignorant to my deep love for him and infatuated with another silly little girl. Robin is not one to love such an odd creature. He must know. He must feel the same or I shall die.

Although, each day, I find myself relating more and more to that poor street urchin in that strange story.

I had just watched the film one more time before I went up to the roof to contemplate my dilemma. To my pleasurable surprise, I found the friend who has been most on my mind, dear Robin, staring up at the stars.

"Robin!" I said, elated to see his stoic stance.

"Good evening, Starfire," he said, more formally than I'd have liked, his eyes still entranced by the sparkling wonder of the universe. I positioned myself next to him and feigned interest in the sky above as well. Slowly but surely, I could see dark clouds on the horizon, ready to block out our view.

"They are beautiful," I said, my mind full of awe not at the splendor of the stars, but of his own majesty.

"I guess," said Robin, his mind obviously elsewhere.

"What is troubling you, my friend?" I asked him, my eyes wide with concern. He gave me what seemed to me a condescending smile.

"I don't know," he said. "It's complicated."

"I am good at solving puzzles," I said with an eager grin. But again, he just laughed at me as if I was being ridiculous and my smile faded. His eyes were on the stars once more and I found myself wishing so much that he would just look at me and for once, see me for who I am and not the naïve alien girl he underestimates so much. Or perhaps, I am that girl he sees. For I am no more or less than how he sees me. Nothing else matters but him.

"It's not a riddle you can figure out and share with your friends, Star," Robin said and I smiled to hear the abbreviation of my name tumble from his lips like Gorga Berries from the Dazeron fields. They were my favorite fruit as a child.

"Please," I begged. "I must know what is the problem. Perhaps…" I hesitated and looked down, gathering my words. "Perhaps you underestimate my indicative skills."

Robin sighed and placed his head in his hands, his elbows resting casually on the wall surrounding the roof.

"Maybe you're right," he said. "But I wish I could tell you what's missing."

"You feel something is absent in your life?" I asked, ecstatic he was confiding in me.

"Well, yeah," he replied, as if it were obvious. He turned to me and smiled at the irony. "I mean, I have all I could want, don't I? I have friends, a purpose, a home. I have a good life."

And a good smile, I thought silently to myself.

"You do," I agreed aloud. "But perhaps your heart longs for something more."

"Don't tell me what I already know." He sighed again, turning to gaze at the sea below. Again, he made me feel foolish.

"What I am trying to tell you…" I continued slowly. "Is perchance you long to love someone."

He turned to me in frustration and I cowered before him, furious with myself for upsetting him. But he was not upset at my asinine comments.

"But Starfire, I do love someone!" My heart leapt into my throat as he looked at me with earnest eyes. "I love a lot of someones!" My heart sank into my stomach. "I love you," I smiled and my heart stopped. "…and I love Raven." I caught my breath and my heart continued in its slow rhythm. "… and Beast Boy and Cyborg." I sighed in disappointment. "You are my family."

"This is not what I mean," I explained, blinking my green eyes at him. I have been told they are quite alluring. I hope Robin sees them as beautiful. "I mean your heart wishes for a yula."

"A what?" Robin stared at me as if I'd gone insane.

"A yula," I said. "You wish to find the one soul who completes you. The one person who you do not see as just another friend, but as the reflection of all your own best qualities and then some, their entire splendor magnified in your eyes. You see them as beautiful and flawless."

"A soul mate…" Robin whispered, staring out across the sea to the city.

"Yes," I said with a discreet sigh.

We were silent a moment. Finally, he spoke to me.

"You think I need a soul mate?" The question seemed half-mocking, and I wondered if he thought my belief in the yula was silly and childish.

"Well…" I said, trying to make up for my imprudence. "I think everyone needs their yula to be happy. Without them, we are only half a person."

Robin turned to me and I eagerly awaited him to speak those words I had longed to hear. But he said nothing and to my extreme surprise, I spoke them first!

"Sometimes, I think I have found my yula…" I was startled at the words that had slipped out of my mouth so easily. It must have been the hypnotic quality of Robin's gaze, mysterious behind that dark mask.

He merely blinked, unaltered.

"Really?" he said, intrigued. "That's great for you. It must be why you're so happy all the time."

I grinned, believing as he did that the reason I was happy was him.

"Who is it?" he asked with genuine curiosity. I was stunned. I had thought it had been apparent.

"W-w-well…" I stuttered, losing my footing and suddenly becoming very warm. I looked up at him, flushing and sheepish. "Y-you, Robin." I said.

He tried to remain impassive, but I distinctly heard the small, sharp intake of breath he took at my words.

"Oh," he said simply. This was a bad idea. I had caught him completely unaware. Bad, bad, bad, bad—

"I'm sorry…" he said, looking away from me and closing his eyes. I wanted to cry. I knew that this was the climactic moment dear Eponine never had the courage to face with Marius. Where she confesses her love and he turns her away.

He looked at me again and bit his lip, as if considering something.

It started to rain, quite hard, but I barely noticed. My attention was focused on him. I was caught between inhale and exhale, waiting patiently for his next words, whatever they may be. I felt like I would be holding my breath for eternity.

"Star…" he said, his eyes confused and indecisive. "I don't know how to tell you this…"

No more. I could stand no more.

"I'm sorry for inconveniencing you, Robin," I said, my voice shaking. I must have been a sight. My hair dripping with water and my eyes glistening. In vain, I blamed my trembling on the cold rain.

"Starfire…" Robin said again, but now when he spoke my name, the word was like poison.

"Say no more," I said. "It is late, and I must retire to bed." I turned my back to him then. I could not stand the sight of his glorious visage any longer. I quickly made my way inside and slumped against the door.

"Don't you fret, Robin," I muttered to myself, tears streaking down my cheeks. "I don't feel any pain. A little fall of rain can hardly hurt me now…"

I was Eponine. Every single part of me longed to be part of him. And yet he continued to underestimate me.

Perhaps one day, I shall show him what he constantly overlooks.