Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. My passion for animation is the closest thing I have to it. That'll do for me.
Well, it's been a while since I got this started. This chapter though, is what I thought of since the beginning. I wanted a good background before it, and the story formed in my mind from there. Honestly, I don't think I could of gotten this entire thing out if nobody bothered to read it. I learned here on the fan web; that if you have a good idea, you will always have people to back you up. That is the hidden beauty of this site, and I can now say I've been intimate with the feeling. Three chapters: that is how many will be left. This chapter, the battle with Slade, and the conclusion that I've been hinting at for the entire story is all that is left.
One person in particular, wanted me to do this, so I thought it would be polite of me to dedicate this chapter to her. I hope that this can help her with her own ideas in the Teen Titans universe. So, Ruby, this one is for you, as thanks for your support.
One last thing, I had another quarrel with what song to use. One song has been a candidate for chapter 7, the other for chapter 9 – 4. The one I didn't choose, I thought I'd tell you guys anyway cause it fits really well here. The song I didn't pick is "Breathing" by Lifehouse. I'm happy with my real choice as well also. Please enjoy...
Chapter 11: We'll Beat Back The Pain We've Found
"Crush" by Dave Matthews Band
Robin walked out of the main hall after the meeting about Terra's future. Though Robin was happy that Beast Boy's friend was given another chance, he now had to think of another problem: Terra's confession to Starfire. It was definitely a stain on the group's record so far. How were they going to handle something like this? Terra would probably prove loyal, but the cloud of blackness would always be close to her. Still, Robin wished her the best, no matter what that may entail.
'Poor Star,' he thought, turning his thoughts to the girl he saw crushed with bad news. 'This war had been nothing but a tragedy for her. And yet, all this time she remains such a wonderful person. I really admire that about her; she always tries to see the good of everyone. Star, you are there for everyone, but who will be there for you?'
"I will," he said to himself.
"You will what?" said a voice.
Robin looked ahead of him, seeing Legasnouro standing there with a quirked eyebrow.
"You must have the best set of ears in the universe," he said with a smirk.
"Luck has a part to do with what I experience," said Legasnouro, "the same can be said about all of us. So, like I asked: you will what?"
Robin was feeling kind of cornered now. First Korisunjin, now Legasnouro was teasing him. Was he not going to get a moments peace until he said something. Then again, thought Robin, Legasnouro doesn't know what he was about to say.
Robin sighed; "Well," he began, "I was thinking about a special friend. I was thinking how this entire war has caused her much pain. Yet, my friend is still showing that perfect smile, my friend still gives everyone boundless respect and kindness, my friend stills goes on suffering on the inside. I was saying, who will be there when my friend needs the same? I was saying that, I want to be that person." Robin kept his head down this entire time, out of embarrassment. He never thought he could say something so cheesy. 'Am I really the leader of the Titans?' he thought.
Crazy how it feels tonight
Crazy how you make it all alright love
Crush me with the things you do
And I do for you anything too, oh
Sitting smoking feeling high
Legasnouro just stood there, looking at his pupil. When training, he was a fierce tiger, using its knowledge and experience to the fullest extent without mercy. Now, that same pupil was staring a hole through the ground, fear shrouding his voice.
"Don't you think," he said, "that this speech is better left for your friend?"
Robin laughed, "I've spent my entire career on Earth being the impenetrable stone. I wouldn't be surprised if my friend just bawls out laughing. But, even then, I would still be glad I brought my friend some happiness."
Legasnouro stood there nodding, "time goes full circle," he said to himself.
Robin picked his head up. "What was that?"
Legasnouro smiled, "I had a very good friend just like that. In the real world, he was cocky, serious, and had unbridled confidence no matter how impossible the task in front of him. But, to those who knew him, he was one of the most complex, shy characters around. And just like you, it took a very special person to crack that stone my friend put up in front of him every time he set out in the real world."
Robin was genuinely intrigued. "Who would that be?"
"That," said Legasnouro, "I promised him I would keep to myself." He turned around to leave Robin, still full of questions. "We have no training today," said Legasnouro, "so feel free to do what you want."
Robin showed a small smile, it'd been a long time since he had some private time. Robin, being a teenager, took a sniff of his arm. A pungent smell came through his suit. 'Well, it's been pretty wild around here; of course I wouldn't have time to wash. It might be good for my muscles too.' Well, that decided it for Robin.
"Hey Legasnouro, you guys have someplace to wash up around here?" he shouted as Legasnouro went out of sight.
Legasnouro, hearing his pupil's question, came into sight and shouted back. "It's in the back of the monastery. Its open air, so you should have no problem finding it."
It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
And here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
And is this real or am I dreaming
Robin led himself to the back of the monastery, and found only one door to a room. That had to be the bath Legasnouro was talking about. Robin opened the door, and was amazed at what he found.
The bath area consisted of a giant pool of heated water. The bath was made of stone, and was built under ground amongst the polished rock surrounding it. The pool was split in half by a stone bump, which when submerged, came to a persons chin level. This was meant as some boundary for the female and male monks, but thankfully, the monk's respect for each other never became a concern. The pool overlooked the ruins Robin had visited yesterday, along with the green jungle around the monastery. A small house was built to the side for people to remove their clothing, and store until later.
Robin went into the small house, and came out moments later clad in only a towel; carrying only some soap, and a washrag. Robin helped himself to the pool, and slowly dipped into the water. The heat slightly scalded his skin, but it soon became accustomed to the change in temperature. Robin started to scrub himself down, having a couple weeks' worth of filth to clean off. Thankfully the young man had the pool to himself, so he took his time to enjoy a little day's worth of quiet. He took a half – hour to clean up, thinking about absolutely nothing. Afterwards, Robin sat himself against the rock divide, letting the water form an envelope around him. Robin began to feel drowsy, and slowly his eyes succumbed to that feeling.
Robin opened his eyes slowly, and then suddenly awakened to the fact that fell asleep in the bathhouse. 'Damn, all afternoon long? I must be working harder than I thought,' he said to himself. "What the hell was I doing in here so long?" he said a little louder.
"Who's over there?" said a voice behind his head. Robin turned around to what he feared, for he knew that voice all too well. Sure enough, there was Starfire on the other side of the rock divide, her head peeking over. Robin turned redder than he ever been in his life.
"S, S, Star?" Robin stuttered. "W, W, What are you doing in here?"
"Well, it was the evening, and one of the monks suggested the bathhouse. They said it would good to take my mind off things."
"Oh," said Robin, trying as hard as he could to keep his eyes on Starfire's "Wait a minute; you must have seen me, why didn't you say something?"
"You seemed to be sleeping, and I thought you were just taking a doze, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to just take the other side," she said twiddling her fingers, her own face red.
"I see," said Robin, "I guess you meant well." Robin's hormones were getting the better of him, and he felt his head slowly tipping downward.
Lovely lady
Let me drink you please
Won't spill a drop, no, I promise you
Lying under this spell you cast on me
Each moment
The more I love you
Crush me
Come on, oh yeah
Robin went wide – eyed; this was so not the time to be doing such things. "I'm very sorry," he said nervously. When Robin returned his gaze to Starfire though, she started to stare downward too.
"Hey, Hey, could you please do the same?" he said bluntly. He didn't meant to be so sharp with her, but he thought better of her.
"My apologies Robin. Maybe its better we just turn around," said Starfire.
"Or, I could just leave. I've been in here long enough anyway," offered Robin. He was going to wade to the edge, but then what he heard changed his mind.
"Robin, please, I could really use someone to talk too. Who better for that than my best friend?" said Starfire. Robin stood in place, but then retook his position against the rock divide.
It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
And here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
Is this real or, am I dreaming
Robin took a deep breath. Starfire was never this bold with him before. He was always ready to hear her out, whether it was a question about Earth or otherwise. What was on her mind so badly that she'd talk to him naked? Robin then remembered what he said: to himself and Legasnouro.
"Starfire, what's on your mind?" he asked like so many times before.
"The decision with Terra," she began, "it was probably the hardest one I ever made."
"It's understandable Star," said Robin, "even though she was brainwashed, she killed your mother and brother. Who wouldn't have doubts?"
"It's not just that. I'm always trying to be the best person I can be, but this war has been nothing but a giant test on my tolerance. Robin, to tell you the truth; I want to cry, I want to scream at her, I want to do a lot of things. But, inside of me I hear myself saying that I can't. Inside, I tell myself that everyone sees me as a little angel. That was one of the reasons I decided to study abroad. I wanted to see if that just who I was. Robin, what I fear the most, is someone will think ill of me if I ever let out the emotions I've kept to myself," she explained to Robin.
Robin just shook his head, "what's wrong with anger?"
Starfire turned her head towards Robin, "what do you mean? Anger is wrong."
"No," said Robin, "anger is human. I lived with my own anger for a long time. I felt it was a boost. With anger, I could do anything, if I thought about it long enough. Then, one day, someone came to me and the other Titans from another world," Robin turned to Starfire's face.
"Star, I've known you as a shinning light in my world. Everyday you are kind, polite, honest, brave, and beautiful," said Robin, making Starfire red again. "Starfire, as wonderful as you are, who says you aren't allowed to feel pain, anger, and sadness? Such is the life of any living thing in this universe."
"But, people don't like angry people," said Starfire. "I see it all the time, the villains we fight are all horrible, angry people. Some of them don't even know what they're angry about."
"I was a pretty angry guy Starfire. Sometimes I was just the same as them. You still liked me though. It makes me like myself better, and made me realize how much I liked you back," said Robin.
"Maybe, maybe 'like' is too weak a word now."
Starfire was now completely confused, "Robin, you are giving me mixed signals. Please, you can tell me. What do you want to say?"
Robin took a giant breath, and looked Starfire dead in the eyes; looking at those pools of emerald he finally understood how he felt about.
"Starfire, I want to say that from day one, I wanted only one thing out of this war: to stay friends with you. But then, being here has let me think about everything in my life. Everyone has been pushing me to my limit, but they only gave me one reason as to why. It's because you believe in me. Starfire, it's because of you this planet is giving me a chance to save it, and its because of you I want to save it."
Robin took one last breath, "Star, I finally can say it without embarrassment or fear. I love you Starfire of Tamaran."
Lovely lady
I will treat you sweetly
Adore you I mean you crush me
And it's times like these
When my faith I feel it
I know how I love you
Come on, Come on
Baby
Starfire backed up from the divide, her hand on her breast, feeling her rising heartbeat. This is why he's been fighting? For me she thought. She never thought someone like Robin could fall in love, but she was ecstatic that it was with her. Starfire walked up to him and clamped his face in her hands. A bright smile flooded her face.
"How long have you been hiding this?" she asked.
Robin was getting the feeling she was just flattered, not acceptant of his declaration. If he went this far though, he might as well go all the way.
"I, I think I just made up my mind, after all the other great reasons I've been given about you," he said calmly. "I told somebody, I wanted to wait until I met the person who would be the only one I could ever say those words to. I know that person is you."
Starfire began to cry. All this time, he was waiting to know. Now that he knew, Starfire knew he meant it with all his heart.
She came close to his lips, and then quietly to him said, "Robin of Earth, I love you too."
Starfire then pressed her lips to Robin's. Robin could not believe his eyes, ears, or his lips right now; she said she loved him back! They stayed like that for countless minutes; as the moon started to rise over two new found lovers.
It's crazy I'm thinking
Just as long as you're around
I'm here I'll be dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
To each other we'll be facing
My love
By love
We'll beat back the pain we've found
You know
I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking deep inside
My friend
Each moment the more I love you
At the same time, an attendant approached the main hall, looking for Master Legasnouro.
"Master, when I went to check on Princess Koriandor, she was not in her room. It's past curfew," she said.
"Where was she last seen?" inquired Legasnouro.
"Last time someone saw her, she was heading towards the bathhouse this evening. Another thing, your pupil seems to be missing."
"Really?" Legasnouro was now wide – eyed. "Is he? Did he? No, he couldn't..." Legasnouro began to chuckle to himself.
"Master, what is so funny?"
"I think I know where both are Consul."
The attendant looked lost in thought, then her expression widened at the thought Legasnouro was hinting at.
"Master! If what I think is going on is occurring, surely we must do something about it!"
"Let them be Consul," said Legasnouro, his eyes closed in satisfaction.
"Master Legasnouro, such fraternization is forbidden on monastery grounds."
"Consul," said Legasnouro, "I said leave them alone. Let them have a night with each other," he opened his eyes, "this night, might be their only night together."
"What?" asked the attendant.
"My scouts reported this morning," said Legasnouro. "The Godstar is on a course for the monastery, it should be within visual range tomorrow morning." Legasnouro got up, "let them be, for right now this is all the time they will have. I'm going to bed. Goodnight Consul."
Well, I did what I set out to do. To tell you the truth, I was going to put a scene in here that would change the rating to R, but I decided just to have Legasnouro hint at it. I'm not saying that kind of scene is below me; in fact, if done right, those kinds of scene can be truly powerful. I just opted against it. Hope you'll accept my opinion.
"Thank You!" To The Following:
Penguin
I'm getting this story done as fast as I can. I hope you keep enjoying it. Thanks for your continued support.
Terra
Thank you!
Archer of the Titan
I'm sorry for making you cry. But isn't that the goal of any real writer: to touch the reader in a way. Thanks for your kind words!
DIWaRrIa
I did get word that you updated, I will be sure to look at your fic. Thank you very much!
CrEsCeNt MoOn19
I got your review. I managed to write this out on Wednesday. I hope you like k? Thank you for your kind words.
ssjEasterBunny
I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. You've been a big help with a perspective on Terra, though I thought good of her before your fic. I'll see you around the fan web k? Though I don't have any more story thought up yet.
KPAAF Everyone. If you need me, I'll be playing Final Fantasy Online for the rest of the week.
