Great big thanks to Julesfire and Scooter, for their beta work on this story!
Hi. Good to be back, after my forced absence. FF Admin. spanked me for using the word 'bitched,' as a verb, in one of my summaries...go figure...
I will be posting another letter from Raven tomorrow, for those of you wondering.
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Solace in Shadows
"Starfire, I'm sorry, but I think we need to move on – to see other people," Robin said to his picture of the pretty redhead. He had been practicing for a week, now – and still he could not find the courage to actually tell the sensitive Tamaranian girl that he just wanted to remain her friend.
"She's stronger than you know…" Raven's familiar voice startled the Boy Wonder. She stood just inside his doorway, leaning against the frame, hands crossed on her chest. "Just tell her, for heaven's sake." Her voice was a scratchy monotone, but she had a hint of a smile on her face, which was slightly unnerving.
"How long have you been there, Raven?" Robin was blushing furiously.
"Long enough. Look, I'm sorry – I came up to tell you that it's time for dinner. I'm – we're all worried about you. You've been spending so much time moping in your room…" Raven trailed off.
Robin looked at Raven with a pleading in his eyes. "I just feel so… evil. I really care for Starfire, but I can't lead her on – I don't love her. Will she hate me? I don't want her to leave again…"
"You didn't hear this from me – but I think Star already knows how you feel." Raven flashed Robin a small smile. "It probably won't be as bad as you think–"
Robin frowned. "It's not just that, Raven – I think I really am in love with someone else. I'm afraid what she's gonna think of me when she finds out who."
"Mind telling me? I can keep a secret; you know that," Raven deadpanned.
To Robin she seemed just a bit too curious… "I – I'd rather not." Robin examined his shoes in minute detail, not daring to meet Raven's gaze.
Raven turned to leave-before Robin could see that she, too, was now blushing. "I'm hungry. See you at dinner." The dark girl morphed back through the wall, leaving Robin still agonizing…
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"Where is Robin?" Starfire voiced her concern at the dinner table. "He is missing the delicious Hamburgers which are not Ham. I should tell him that he has spent enough time alone for one day."
"Hey – I don't miss hamburgers," whined Beastboy. "That stuff is bad for you, and besides that you had to kill something to make it."
"Why don't you just eat, Star?" Cyborg suggested casually. "He'll be down when he gets hungry."
The Tamaranian was insistent. "No, Robin needs to spend time with his friends. It is not healthy for him to lock himself in his room and not eat." She got up and flew off to Robin's room.
"Gee, you're quiet tonight, Raven," Beastboy observed. "I mean, even more quiet than usual." He grinned, hoping that the sorceress wouldn't take offense.
"Is that a problem?" Raven was not allowing the changeling's comments to lure her into a show of anger. Other matters were occupying her mind...
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Starfire knocked on Robin's door. "Robin. You must come down and join us in the burgers-not-of-ham!" she shouted.
Robin reluctantly opened his door to confront his fear. "Starfire, we need to talk." He stood aside, inviting the redhead to enter.
"Can it not wait until after we have eaten?"
"No, Star, I really need to do this now." It pained Robin to look at the lovely, sweet girl whose heart he was about to shatter. "It's about us – you and me." He stared at Starfire's dainty hands, which she held clasped in front of her.
"I too, have something important to say about us, dearest Robin." Starfire was serious – too serious, thought Robin.
'Please don't tell me that you love me,' he pleaded silently. The fearless Boy Wonder was terrified at the thought of seeing Starfire break down and cry. "Starfire, I know that we haven't been officially dating..." he began, trying to steady his voice.
Starfire jumped in. "Yes, that is what I wished to talk to you about. I love you very much, Robin, but not in the way of one who is betrothed to another. But you are my best friend, and that is why I wished to ask you if you would mind if I went on a date with our friend Cyborg."
Robin was speechless. 'What just happened?" he thought to himself. 'Raven – she said it wouldn't be so hard...' He noted that Starfire was looking at him with concern. She was afraid she had hurt his feelings... "No, I mean yes, that's fine, Star. I'm glad for you and Cy. But you're still going to be my best friend, right?" A small smile crept across his face.
"Of course I will, dearest friend!" Starfire threw herself at him, clinging to him with rib-crackling force. "I am so glad that you are understanding."
"Urggh-uhh-Shtarrrfrrrr-" Robin grunted, before being released by a blushing Starfire. "Let's go join the others for non-ham burgers!" He grinned, grasping the slender girl's hand, and headed for the doorway.
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"Goodbye, friends," Starfire called gaily, waving. "Cyborg and I are going on the date of the dinner and movie."
Cyborg turned red, coughing. "Yeah – uh – see ya later, y'all." He took Starfire's hand and pulled her toward the garage, muttering something to her that the others couldn't hear.
As soon as the couple was out of sight, Beastboy burst out laughing. "Did you see the look on Cyborg's face when Starfire said they were going on a date? Hee hee hee..."
"Hilarious," deadpanned Raven.
Robin looked at the dark girl. "You have to admit, Raven, it was kind of funny. Cyborg was so uncomfortable; I think this may be his first real date." He chuckled quietly.
"Well, I think it's – uh – nice, that they're enjoying themselves." The sorceress caught herself. "Speaking of enjoyment – what are we going to do for dinner?"
"Why don't we go out for Italian? I don't feel like cooking, do you?" The slightest hint of a smile played on his lips, but it did not go unnoticed by Raven.
"Just the three of us?" Raven asked.
"Just the two of us." Robin definitely smiled, his mask barely hiding the twinkling in his eyes.
"Hey! What am I gonna do?" protested Beastboy. He was preparing to continue his argument when Raven shot him one of the looks she reserved exclusively for Beastboy, when she was about to injure him physically. "Uhhh...oh yeah. I still have some 'Tofu Surprise' left over from last night. And I did want to watch that movie on the TV..."
"What movie was that, Beastboy?" Robin almost laughed, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
"Heh – I don't remember the name. But I saw a trailer on the Sci-Fi channel that looked good." He breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, no problem. Someone should stay here to keep an eye on things, anyway."
"Shall we go then, Raven?" Robin smiled. "Since BB's got things handled here." He got up, and offered her his arm.
The sorceress remained seated, inwardly grinning. 'Robin hasn't gotten his yet,' she thought. "So, are you inviting me on a date, then?" She smirked, as the lighthearted expression on Robin's face dropped like a rock.
He reddened, fumbling for words. "Ah – er – um...I just thought that we should, ah..."
His embarrassing display was interrupted by gentle laughter. Raven was joined almost immediately by Beastboy's raucous guffawing, as soon as he got over his initial shock that Raven had set up the Boy Wonder.
The green one broke up. "Ha ha ha! You should have seen your face Robin," Beastboy said, holding his sides. "Have fun, guys," he managed, still chortling, as he headed out of the room. 'Heck,' he thought, 'that was almost worth staying home for...'
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"So Robin really wasn't upset when you told him that we were gonna go out?" Cyborg was still a bit nervous.
"Robin is my best friend–he always understands." Starfire said. "He was happy we are getting together…as am I." She smiled shyly, as she took the big man's hand. "Besides, I think he and friend Raven will be spending more time together, now."
"No way!" Cyborg quipped. "He likes dark girl? And what about her–has she said she likes wonder boy?
The slim redhead chuckled. "No, I do not believe she has; but a girl has a way of knowing…"
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