It was dinner by the time Star and Icefire returned. Before Robin even saw her, he heard her laugh once again echoing off the strange stone walls in the great hall. While the smaller rooms were indeed covered in fuzzy pillow, the main hall looked like that of any castle, namely large with thick marble columns.
Robin thought he couldn't feel any lower. That is until he saw Star and Icefire.
They stood next to each other, their red hair slightly merged since Star's head rested on Icefire's slightly taller shoulder.
Once again Robin felt self-conscious about his height. He wasn't short; just about average for teen guys about his age. But when he was next to Star, it was clear she was several inches taller than he. It had never been a problem, he had never thought about his height compared to girls, but when he was with Star he couldn't help but remember how in 99 of movies the girls were always the shorter ones. In real life, the few couples he had seen had seemed to be out of story books. They fit like puzzle pieces, the guy was always taller than the girl. Like Icefire was with Star.
Robin forced the thought from his mind. 'Star doesn't care about any of that stuff.' He continued to walk toward them.
Star was still laughing at some hidden, inside joke. When Robin reached her, she smiled, her checks red with pleasure.
"Robin! Icefire has just told me a most humorous joke about porkins!"
"hmm," Robin said neutrally. He wished that he knew something to add to the conversation, but as far as Tamaran's culture was concerned, he knew next to nothing. Star rarely talked about her past, and Robin rarely asked about it.
"And look Robin!" Star held out a flower. It was like a rose but the bottom of the stem was red then farther up orange. The actual flower had yellow petals.
"It's nice," Robin forced a smile out of himself.
"It's beautiful," Star murmured to herself, stroking its velvety soft petals.
"For a beautiful girl," Icefire dexterously slipped the flower behind her ear.
Star blushed and smiled. Robin thought his heart would break.
(awww... now im feeling bad for Robin... )