Chapter 2: Denial and Acceptance

Robin closed his eyes tight, listening to himself, then immediately bit his tongue.

''No idiot'' he said to himself ''you can't love her, love is dangerous, I am probably just getting carried away...but why do I not have the urge to stop it?''

Robin sealed his eyes even tighter, he didn't want to be in love, and yet he did. But nonetheless, he was speaking truthfully to himself, he honestly did not want to stop his affection.

'Maybe it's just all in my head' he thought 'And besides, even if I loved her, she would never love me back'

The thought of not having his true affections returned left a sour taste in his mouth as he felt his stomach punch against his muscles.

'Maybe I should just do something to keep her off my mind' he assured himself 'I have had crushes before...but somehow, this one feels completely different'

He dared not to lie to himself, he did have a few crushes in his early life, but some of the girls he had liked before, doesn't even remember their names now. He felt his heart throb in his rib cage like a raging animal desperate to escape; he realized he was indeed, feeling something he had never felt before.

Before battling with himself more, Robin decided to stop looking at the golden sun that seemed to resemble Starfire's reflective and radiant hair only to hurry back into the tower.

When he arrived at the living room, he noticed Raven reading her book of Azar with her companion of herbal tea in assessment of Terra and Beast Boy near by having a friendly arm-wrestle. Not seeing Cyborg, Robin suspected he was probably exercising or upgrading himself, it was nice to see them all for they did mean a great deal to him, but there was one in particular that had the power to have his feelings plead on their knees for their mercy. Robin bit his lip as a self-warning, he told himself not to think of the one.

Robin walked pass the empty corridors, secretly hoping to see the face of the beautiful being, but she was not within his sights. And with a mental frown in his heart, he continued to walk along, but then he encountered it again, the room. HER room. It had the plain gray color, blocking his access to it, written across it were the eight most beautiful letters ever combined together to create an utmost gorgeous name. He reached out his hand and traced the letters with his fingers, and mentally spelled the name it had created, and then it returned again; the powerful jolt in his stomach. He felt his senses pull him, they were easily pulling him, egging him, daring him to say the name aloud, and Robin accepted.

''Starfire'' he whispered quietly.

With that, he felt that unfamiliar feeling deep in his heart and that equally unknown desire stir in his blood. Robin was being pulled away to another world, the other world he created completely dedicated to the one who's name he dared to say ''Starfire'', but Robin's brain kicked him again, shooing Robin out of his world and returning to the world he lived in. Before anyone would have the opportunity to notice, Robin pulled his hand away from the door and turned to leave but not without one last deep breath to absorb the intoxicating scent that was enhanced within it and a final glance.

Robin stood before his own door and entered his room; it felt so empty and dull without any special scent or feeling to occupy it with. He looked at his stacked files, and rolled his eyes at the sight of them for there hadn't been a crime in quite a while and he had time to do what he craved. She returned to his thoughts yet again, but attempted to banish it by looking at his closet that was populated with his extra supply of costume, masks, and occasional civilian clothing that was rarely used. SHE had come back into his thoughts once again; he mentally placed a picture of him and her in normal civilian clothes enjoying a regular day in an open area where they could enjoy desired moments together. He shook his head and tossed the picture from his mind and fell back-first on his soft bed but the same one had still lingered in his thoughts.

''Robin, get a grip, you're acting crazy, just shut up and go to sleep'' he hissed to himself.

Without removing any particles of his clothing, Robin turned to his side and closed his eyes hoping to get her image out of his head. He immediately pried them open fearing and knowing he would have dreams about her. He smacked his forehead in defeat.

''I am not in love...I am not in love... I am not in...love...I..'' he stumbled to find his words ''...I...AM in love''

Robin banged the back of his head on his mattress, he couldn't defeat it, the power of love had battled against him and conquered. He admitted it: he was truly in love.

''Okay, so I admit it, I am in love, but that still doesn't mean she'll love me...ooohhh... if she rejects me...'' he dared not to finish his sentence, he felt his stomach churn again is disgust, he did not have faith that he could take such a rejection.

''But I can't stay like this admiring her every move in silence'' he attempted to convince himself ''I have to tell her...and... and I WILL''

Robin kicked his legs back and lunged on his feet, he took a deep breath and exited his room. He was going to tell her, and he was going to do it now as he faced the living room, but saw no sign of the one he needed to see. He groaned in grief, of all times for her not to be present, he hung his head down with his shoulders slumped. He was about to turn his foot so he could drowsily proceed back to his room, but stopped dead when he was face-to-face with no one else than Starfire.

''S-Star!'' he shrieked

''Hello Robin'' she greeted partially startled ''How are you doing on this day?''

''G-Good'' he managed to squeak as he felt himself twitching and sweat beading his neck

She grinned a radiant smile ''I have been searching for you''

Robin felt his heart skip a beat.

''Y-You have?''

''Yes, I was flying about the Gotham City, and then I have spotted a most beautiful sight I believe you shall be quite found of, do you wish to view it?'' she asked while revealing her most crucial weapon, her deep emerald jewels excused as ''eyes''.

''Y-YES!'' Robin blurted almost dangerously ''but why don't we change?''

Starfire turned her head at strange angle with a curious expression to match.

''I beg your pardon?''

''Yeah! Why don't we change out of our costumes for once and enjoy the sight like... normal people''

Starfire gave a smile.

''I shall proceed to accomplish your request'' she answered

with that done and said; they walk down the hallway together.

They stopped at Starfire's dormitory and as she had her back turned to Robin to enter, Robin nodded at the door acknowledging they have met once again.

''I shall be ready momentarily'' Starfire signaled

''Take your time'' Robin assured

The minute her face escaped behind the door, Robin turned quickly to his room, entered, and looked at his closet. He then cracked a friendly smile at his civilian clothes who he thought he wouldn't use for a little more time.

''Did you miss me?'' he cockily questioned them