A/N: Ok, I guess I'll leave up the last chappie since you all seemed to enjoy it. I think… Either way, I would like you all to take a good look at my summary and tell me what you think the pairings will be. If you're still clueless, take a look at my user lookup. I hope you get it after that. If not… then… well… just… I don't know. Just R&R, y'all.
Starfire reflexively slammed a hand down on her alarm clock and rolled over in bed. Her eyes slid slowly open, taking in the massive tangle of sheets obscuring her view. Hastily untangling herself, she allowed herself to drop to the ground. There, she lay face down on the floor for a few minutes… letting the searing cold of the metal fully wake her. Finally alert enough to stumble from her room, she headed towards the roof, where she would watch the sunrise… as usual. She stretched lethargically and floated sleepily up the stairs.
Finally arriving on the roof, the cool draft that swept through her was sufficient to kill any remaining fatigue. She yawned cutely and danced lightly over to the edge of the roof, plopping down rather ungracefully. Star giggled and pulled her knees up to her chest, propping her head on them. She stared with joyful eyes as the vermillion sun crept up onto her field of vision, the rays of dawn smiling on her. Dawn was a beautiful time… slayer of the evening shadows and jubilant mother of the day. A happy little sigh escaped her and a grin danced onto her features. Well, this would prove to be an interesting day. Starfire decided she would approach the impending matters optimistically; it would do her no good to mope about her feelings.
Plus, she was, remorsefully, a tad excited about the prospect of speaking with X again. She thought it would be good to apologize about her hasty leave last night… And of course, how could she be upset with getting to know Robin better? Admittedly, today was not bound to be all sunshine and fluffy kitties for her, but she was determined not to become depressed. Her situation was… odd, having fallen in love with two bitter enemies… but it could be resolved.
She returned her attentions to the sun as it inched higher in the sky, peeping well above the horizon. Starfire yawned again. Standing slowly, she raked a hand through her mane of hair. Well that was the first thing she needed to attend to…
Bouncing back into her room, she set herself down in front of her vanity and began to tend to the tangled tresses. After a few moments, she felt satisfied, and replaced her brush. A knock on her door startled her. Who else would be up at this hour? "May I request you to state your name?" she trilled. She perceived a soft chuckle outside and needed no more identification. Robin. She smiled.
"It's me. Who else?" he replied. Starfire rolled her emerald eyes and trotted over to her door.
"I do get other visitors, you know," she stated smartly as she allowed him in. Robin's hair was disheveled and it appeared he hadn't changed since yesterday, seeing as he was still in workout clothing.
"Like who?" he asked.
"Well, let us see here… friend Raven, friend Cyborg, friend Beast Boy… they are all in this tower too, yes?" she quipped. Robin shook his head.
"Ok, ok, just burst my bubble. I thought I was special. Oh well," he laughed quietly. Starfire touched his shoulder gently.
"You are a special visitor. Simply not the only visitor. Did you fall asleep on the sofa?" she inquired. Robin shook his head.
"Ugh, about that. No… I actually made it to my room and got my mask on the way. But that's besides the point. I don't exactly remember what I said last night, but if it was… whatever… just forget about it. You know how I get…" a tiny smear of red flew across his features and disappeared almost instantaneously, but Starfire caught it. She smiled.
"I understand. You did not do much… you tried to recite a poem of some sort, but I believe that was unsuccessful for the most part." She smirked as another flush of scarlet briefly tainted his cheeks.
"Yeah… sorry," he laughed in embarrassment. She nodded.
"Nothing to be sorry about… Richard take off that mask! No one has even awakened as of yet! I believe you must be the most paranoid person I have ever known!" she tugged off the piece of cloth in sudden exasperation; just in time to catch him roll his icy blue eyes. She wrinkled her nose and playfully slapped his arm. "Be nice," she fussed. Robin snorted.
"Yes, mother," he snickered. Starfire sighed and shook her head.
"Truly, you are hopeless with and without sugar," she groaned. Robin gave a lop-sided grin.
"I know," he replied haughtily. Starfire gave him a look of disdain.
"X-Hal, Richard…" she clucked. Robin threw up his hands.
"Alright, alright. I'll be good today. Promise. Either way, I just wanted to catch you alone and tell you I was sorry if I said anything crazy last night, k?" he started to leave. Starfire nodded. He walked out into the hall and began to make his way to the training room, but Star called after him.
"Richard! Did they… really die on the last day of Spring? Is that really why you do not like it?" she asked gingerly. Robin turned slowly, his face slightly pained.
"…Yeah. They did." He nodded slowly and turned the corner, replacing his mask as he went. Starfire smiled sadly.
"Let me help you, someday," she murmured. Star left her room, the door sliding over the vacant chamber. As she passed the kitchen, she scrawled a quick note to inform the others she would be out for a while. She quietly left the tower and took to the air, flying high. Her destination was unknown. All she had to go on was the need to find Red X. Starfire bit her lip, dipping down through a soft, feathery cloud. Where should she look first? The girl shivered, the coolness of the cloud's icy crystals nipped at her skin as she darted through. She supposed flying this high was really very silly, seeing as she would never be able to spot him from up there. Star continued her decent and finally found herself flying over the park, just above the trees. Her eyes darted towards the cherry trees. All were bare save one, which clung desperately to its last few buds with a vengeance. Today it was officially winter, and yet this one stubborn tree still insisted on soldiering on.
She smiled and mentally wished the tree good luck. That was about as far as she got into musing about the delicate trees, for a black caped figure caught her eye. Red X. So he was at the park again… she shook her head and flew down, landing behind him. X whirled to face her, eyes narrowed. Upon realizing who it was, his stare softened a bit and he straightened up. "So… you actually going to talk to me today?" he asked ruefully. She cringed, but noted there was a slightly jesting tone in his remark.
"Yes, I am sorry about last night… I simply needed to go inside or Robin would have become concerned and…" he cut her off.
"Concerned, or suspicious." He asked. Starfire's eyes widened briefly.
"C-concerned of course! Robin cares about me," she stuttered, not in full belief of her own words.
"Tell me, did he actually help you last night? Did he answer your questions? Or did he avoid them by distracting you with trivial games?" X inquired, waving his hand as if to emphasize the point.
"Well… I suppose… I suppose he did not actually answer my questions… but he was not avoiding them… was he?" she was suddenly feeling very insecure about all she thought she knew of Robin. "Plus, how do you know about what I talked about last night!" she snapped quickly. Red X shrugged.
"It was inevitable, really. You're not sure about breaking away from your sheltered world. I figured you would have wanted someone to try and give you a reason to stay," he sighed. Red X abruptly came towards her, and grabbed her wrist. "But no one really gave you a good reason to stay. Did they? No one told you they loved you. The kid didn't tell you he loved you… did he?" Red X snarled. "They're trapping you, Princess, I could make you free," he declared. The thief pulled back, releasing his hold on her quickly. "But I can only make you free if you let me," he added quietly.
Starfire felt confusion spring to her eyes in the form of hot, burning saline that spilled out and snaked down her cheeks. "N-no… he did not. But… but you never said you did either. Do you? Do you really?" she charged back, her voice wavering. Red X stoically wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Of course I do. Why else would I have kept seeking you out like this, huh?" he asked. Red X grimaced behind his mask. Starfire's lip quivered. Be optimistic. This isn't what I planned on hearing… but we can work with it. Right? Right! The girl gave a distressed groan inwardly.
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Robin emerged from the shower in a billowing puff of steam. He shook a few stray droplets from his hair and ambled to his closet. Randomly grabbing one of the uniforms, he shrugged it on easily and secured a new mask. Making his way out of his room, he moved silently down the hall, his steel-toed boots laying the barest of whispers on the metal floors.
The Boy Wonder sauntered into the kitchen, eyes searching for something edible. His gaze landed curiously on the note lying on the otherwise bare countertop. He arched a brow and plodded lazily over, his movements like that of a lithe tom-cat… secure in his position and regally languid at the moment. He picked up the piece of parchment with a feigned look of disinterest. Immediately recognizing Starfire's bubbly hand-writing and heart-dotted i's, he dropped his disconnected façade and attentively read its message.
A fleeting frown crossed his face. "Slipping off again, are we?" he gave a hushed mutter. His lips pressed into a grim line. "You've been doing this so much lately… Don't wanna invade your privacy, Kori, but I think I'm gonna take a peek at what you're doing all alone…" he mumbled to himself. Robin replaced the note and added his own memo to the bottom, stating he would be out for a while as well.
Robin moved starkly to the garage, and mounted the R-cycle easily, pulling on his helmet in the same motion. The muffled growl of his bike's engine split the early morning air as he shot off. Robin rummaged through his utility belt with one hand, the other occupied with steering. His gloved fingers closed over his communicator and he tugged it out. Flipping it open one-handedly, he glanced at Starfire's location. The park. What was it with that girl and the damn park? If she's gonna go off on secret endeavors, Robin figured she would choose something more exciting… like a dance club or some place more alive.
He shook his head and parked a block away from the city park, opting to walk unobtrusively the rest of the way. Plus, he could use the exercise. ((Stupid boy, if anything… you exercise too much! All you ever do on Fanfic is make out with Star or train! Yeesh… get a life!)) Robin shook his ebony hair and raked a hand through the unruly locks. He abruptly stopped the deed and grimaced. The young man silently moved through the brick archway leading into the park, his eyes instantly picking up on Starfire's form, outlined gracefully by the early light. Other than her, the park appeared deserted. He stepped curiously towards her.
"But no one really gave you a good reason to stay. Did they? No one told you they loved you. The kid didn't tell you he loved you… did he? They're trapping you, Princess, I could make you free," Robin perceived an all too familiar, mechanically altered voice ring out in the silent park. The Boy Wonder stopped, body rigid. "But I can only make you free if you let me," Red X continued. Robin felt his fists clench, his heart rate speeding up, and indignation racing through his veins. Starfire, do something! He willed the alien beauty.
"N-no… he did not. But… but you never said you did either. Do you? Do you really?" Robin heard Starfire mumble, her voice high with impending tears. His eyes widened. Starfire was willingly talking to their enemy? What was going on!
"Of course I do. Why else would I have kept seeking you out like this, huh?" Red X emerged into Robin's view, daring to wipe a tear from Starfire's cheek. His Starfire's cheek. Robin gritted his teeth. Blast him to hell, Kori! He mentally screamed. Starfire did nothing of the sort. She stood for a moment, looking confused, and then she leaned in against him. Robin bit back a yell.
"What if I love you too?" She asked quietly. Starfire stared up at the familiarly masked eyes. Red X wrapped his arms around her, his cape shrouding her.
"Then I would be… very pleased. You're one jewel I thought I could never have. Not matter how much I wanted to steal you," X chuckled. Starfire's eyes shimmered with sudden mirth.
"Well, it looks as if the robbery was successful… yes?" she giggled, her tears drying. So this was what it felt like; to be loved. Robin had lost. Said Boy Wonder fled the park, rampaging back to his R-cycle, vaulting on to it and roaring off towards the tower. He had to find away to get Starfire out of this mess. She had to be confused.
"I think so," Red X replied, resting his head on hers. "Does this mean you'll leave them?" He asked. Starfire hesitated. Her friends were all she'd ever known of this planet. She didn't really want to leave… but perhaps it was time to learn more about Earth. From a new perspective. She really shouldn't spend time chasing an unreachable love like Robin. She was nothing more than a teammate to him, perhaps a friend… right?
"Ok. I will come. It is still early enough for me to get a few parting things from the tower without anyone being awake. Robin is probably in the training room. I doubt he is even aware I am gone," she said hastily. X nodded and released her. She smiled, a sudden thrill gained from the impulsive decision. "I shall be back very soon," she peeped, leaping into the air and flying speedily back to the tower.
In, and out. Really quickly. No goodbyes, just in and out. Foolproof, right? Starfire opened her bedroom door. Wrong. She bit back a startled cry. Robin was standing in the middle of her room, his back turned to her. At the sound of the opening door, Robin whirled to face her.
"R-Richard?" she squeaked. "W-hat are you doing? This is my sleeping chambers… Can I help you in any fashion?" she asked, doing her best to keep her expression emotionless. Robin's masked eyes stared into her being. The boy's lips pressed tightly together. "Richard?" she tilted her head, becoming a little nervous. Robin ripped his mask off, anger in his movements.
"Don't. Even. Think." He snarled. Starfire jerked back, his words stinging.
"Excuse me?" she asked quietly.
"Don't even think about going with him." Robin hissed. Star went pale. She swallowed hard.
"Please… I do not understand what you are speaking of," she gave him a weak smile. Robin clenched his fists.
"Don't lie to me, Kori. I saw you. You and that… that… criminal. You do NOT love him. You don't," Robin growled stubbornly. Starfire's fear flared into anger.
"Do not speak of Red X that way! And- and who are you to tell me who I do and do not love!" she retorted. Robin received the words like a slap in the face.
"You can't love him though…" he murmured, his scalding tone becoming a child-like disbelief.
"And why not?" Starfire bit back, her head still pulsing with rage. Who was Robin to question her decisions? He had made worse mistakes than she had… and why was it that now he suddenly couldn't bear the thought of her leaving? It was like he just had to have everything that wasn't his!
"Because… because…" his azure eyes suddenly clouded with insecurity. Why should he have a reason? She belonged with the Titans, that's why! Wasn't that enough? She belonged with the Titans… with him…
"Because of what!" Starfire snapped in exasperation.
"Because I love you… you have to stay with me. I need you. Kori…" he moved towards her, his gaze searching her for any hint of emotion… he would've even accepted pity at this point. Starfire just stood, dumb-struck. ((Jeez, you're slow Star… he's always loved you! Hugs for Robin!))
"N-n… Ri… H-how?" she stammered. Robin closed the distance between them and cupped her cheek in his hand, his soulful stare calling out to her. Starfire's eyes widened as he brought their lips together in a pleading kiss.
TBC
Author's Note: PillzBerryDoughFrEaK 1, I keep trying to find your user look-up and it keeps on messing up and not loading. I'm really flattered you want me to read your work and I promise I will as soon as I can get these stupid links to work. I also wanna thank all of you who are taking the time to review, it's really nice. I hope this chapter wasn't too strange, but now we can get into the big stuff... you know, the whole RedX/Robin rivalry. Fun times... I'll try and update again tomorrow, I'm really sorry this took so long to get up, but at least it's pretty long.
Love, Princess Starfire of Tamaran
