A swirl of energy silently announced Raven's return. She took a moment to smooth out her cloak as she looked around. Starfire was sprawled out on the bed, her head leaning over one side. Raven walked over and kneeled on the floor next to her, studying her for the first time as someone who loved her, instead of simply as a friend. Before, she was just cute and perky. Now, she was simply beautiful. Warm, caring, always thinking about the well-being of those around her. She was something that Raven was pulled to…no. Raven felt for a moment as if she had always been incomplete, and she had finally found the missing piece. Raven sighed.

So this is what those poets kept going on about… Standing, she went to the window and pulled the overly thick blinds aside. The sun was just starting to rise, a new day. Ha, how poetic can you get? Raven pulled the window open, smelling the salt air coming in from the bay. A good start…now…let's see about something more substantial…

Raven returned to Starfire's side and leaned down.

"Starfiiirree…" She whispered.

"Hmmmm…." Starfire stirred slightly.

"Starfire…" She was louder, but only a little.

Starfire mumbled something in her native language that Raven couldn't make heads or tails of. Maybe…A kiss for the sleeping beauty? Despite herself, Raven giggled, then giggled again after realizing what she did. At the sound, Starfire giggled in her sleep too, and Raven had to press both hands over her mouth to keep from bursting out in laughter. Nope, can't get ahead of myself. Kissing her in her sleep would be underhanded anyways…at least…on her lips…Unable to resist, Raven took a glance to make sure Starfire's eyes were still shut, then leaned down to gently brush one bare patch of shoulder with her lips. She pulled back feeling warm, her mind spinning. I…just kissed Starfire… Raven leaned back, and fell right off the bed in her daze.

"Mmmmm…Raven?" Raven looked up to see Starfire turning over to look at her. "Do you often sleep on the floor?"

Raven hoped to whatever otherworldly powers that might be watching that Starfire didn't notice the guilty look on her face. She tried to compose herself as she sat up, and tried to resist following Starfire's curves when she yawned and stretched. Never thought about that before…Now I'm really getting ahead of myself…

"Raven…what time is it?"

"Just before eight o'clock." Meditation. Great for clearing the mind, focusing your energies, and quick recovery after almost being caught nibbling on someone in their sleep.

"Mmmm…I should get dressed."

"Yeah, me too." I have some things that would look nice on you…

"And I should bathe as well after that battle."

"Yeah, I'm a mess too." You could use my shower…

"Then I will see you for breakfast?"

"Of course. See you in a few." I could really go for some Tamarian right now…

Starfire skipped towards the door, but stopped at a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes?"

"Ah…Starfire, when you woke up and saw…me, you didn't seem startled or worried in the least."

"Why would I have been?"

"Well…"

"I knew it was you, friend Raven. I have always felt safest when you are near. That will never change."

"…Starfire?"

"Yes?"

"You've…always been kind to me, and you're probably the only person that ever really tried to understand me…and…when my emotions were sealed, I never let it show…but you helped me, more than you realize. You were there for me when I pretended not to care, you were there for me even when I was being a pain. Just…thank you. For everything."

Raven quickly stepped forwards and wrapped her arms around Starfire. After a moment of surprise, Starfire returned the gesture and the two stood there, enjoying the moment. Soon, Starfire was flying towards her room, laughing and twirling in the air, nearly colliding with Cyborg as she sped through the corridors.

"She's even more Starfire than usual this morning. Guess that must mean Raven is alright too." Cyborg rubbed the flesh half of his head before continuing downstairs, listening to Starfire start singing something in Tamarian as she entered her room.

Back in her room, Raven was soaking in the shower as she thought about what she had said. A short while ago, she never would have spoken so freely about her feelings for someone else. But I guess that's just the effect you have on me…and by the way…what the hell was that? You can use my shower, heh heh heh…I promise not to peek. Peek? I wanted to do a lot more than peek. I wanted her to go in first…I would slip in after a moment…press myself against her back, wrap my arms around her or grab her by the hips and dig my fingers in…kiss her, on the neck this time, find a nice sensitive spot to caress…listen to her say my name as I…

"Raven?"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

"Raven! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine! You just startled me!"

"I am sorry. I wanted to see if you were ready yet."

"J-just a minute, Star."

"Alright. Again, I am sorry for intruding."

Peeking around the curtains on her shower, Raven caught the ends of Starfire's hair disappear out the bathroom door. Turning the water off, wrapping a tower around herself instead of her bathrobe, she enjoyed the blush on Starfire's face as she walked out of the bathroom and moved to get dressed. She stopped in front of her dresser, trying to keep a straight face as she looked at the blushing girl and raised a hand to take off the towel. Starfire nearly tripped, blushing deeper and babbling apologies as she rushed out the door. Flicking the door lock with a black spark, Raven dropped the tower and quickly dressed, laughing inwardly. After joining Starfire in the hall, Raven couldn't help but smile at the blush that was still on Starfire's cheeks.

I'll get you my pretty…and your cute little butt too!

…Stop doing that already…