Robin dug through his files, notes and memories. But for the life of him, he just couldn't figure out Starfire's mystery beau. Stepping back from the pile he had made, he still couldn't wrap his head around it. Starfire had gone from affectionate to panicky to only slightly nervous in a few days' time. It had to have taken something serious to cause a change in her like that. She said she had always felt that way, but never realized it, so it had to be someone she'd known for some time. But no one fit the bill. Neither Beastboy nor Cyborg gave her the slightest bit of extra attention, and Starfire didn't act differently towards either of them. He confidently crossed those two off his list. It wasn't another Titan. But Raven…Raven knew, Starfire probably confiding in her and asking for support. Robin walked to the door. Raven may be good at keeping secrets, but she had subconsciously let that control slip ever so slightly since her emotions were freed. As he walked towards the common room were Raven was having tea, he carefully set the right expression on his face and tone in his voice, mentally reviewing the conversation that would make Raven divulge the clue he needed without even realizing it.
Walking into the common room, he saw Raven in one corner, reading a book and holding a cup of tea, while Cyborg and Beastboy argued over a TV show. Perfect. He grabbed a can of soda from the fridge, took a sip, and walked over to Raven.
"Hey, Raven."
"Yes?"
Raven hadn't looked up from her book, but the fingers holding it tightened just enough to let Robin know talking to him was uncomfortable. He shifted his plan accordingly.
"I've been concerned about Starfire. She's been acting…kind of strange lately."
"Has she? Like she said, she hasn't been feeling well."
"Mmm…I don't know…it's like…somethings upset her. You haven't noticed anything?"
"Not really."
Raven glanced up at him, four red eyes under her hood, studying him.
"If anything has happened, I'd just like to try to help."
"If something is bothering her, I'm sure she'll come to you for help. You've always been…supportive."
Four red eyes, gauging his reaction.
"I hope so. But she's been so…distant, lately. I'm her teammate, her friend, her…I'm just beginning to worry. I'd like to find out what's made her so…uncomfortable."
Four red eyes quickly ducked back under their hood.
"I'm sure you'll find out…soon."
Not enough. He needed something, some clue, or to at least prod Raven into talking with Starfire again. Ahhh…crap. Floating through the door, happy as can be, Starfire headed for the fridge. On the other hand…
"Hey, Starfire. Feeling better?"
"Hello, friend Robin. Yes, I am feeling more like myself again."
The nervousness returned the second she heard him, and increased as he approached.
"That's good, I was beginning to worry. Oh, if you're feeling better, I was thinking we could do something later?"
Starfire froze for a moment before continuing, her confidence visibly wearing away.
"I…ah…that is…"
"Yes?"
"Excuse me."
Raven slipped past him, passing between the two. Robin noticed her hand went out to brush against Starfire's arm as she passed, and Starfire immediately calmed. This was more than just support. Raven was probably the only thing keeping Starfire from a full-out panic attack. Robin watched her finish her tea at the sink, the cup probably still half-full when she got there.
"Well, if you feel up to it, you let me know, alright?"
"I…yes, of course."
Robin watched her grab something from the fridge and walk the rest of the way the TV. Once she was out of earshot, he approached Raven again with his best concerned voice and spoke quietly to her.
"That wasn't from any cold. I'm seriously beginning to worry about her. I don't want to push, but if this continues, it could affect her performance as a Titan. I'm going to have to try to get her to talk to me about it."
"If something really is…disturbing her…confronting her would probably do more harm than good. It would be better to wait, and let Starfire talk to you when she's ready."
"You're probably right. Still, I think I'll try talking to her again, later tonight. I'll catch her before she goes to bed, try to get her to open up a little. I might have more luck…if it's just the two of us."
Four pale fingers suddenly tensed, digging into the countertop, four small claws leaving tiny scratches. Robin smiled inwardly as he walked away. Either he got to Starfire without Raven to interfere, or Raven went to Starfire, leaving him free to eavesdrop, hopefully getting some useful information this time
Sure enough, Raven had approached Starfire, later that night, and they had both hurried back to Raven's room. Robin had been pacing in his room for nearly an hour, but when his communicator showed the two girls moving together, he rushed out the door without making a sound, checking his equipment as he went. Everything in place, exactly as before, he kneeled around the corner from Raven's room, and listened.
"Raven, what am I to do? How am I to tell him?"
Starfire lay on Raven's bed, arms wrapped tight around the pale girl. Raven's cloak lay over them both, and Raven's hands worked the pressure points on Starfire's back, trying to relax her.
"Starfire, don't worry. You'll find the right moment-"
"But Rob-"
Raven pressed her lips over Starfire's mid-word. Starfire's body tensed for a moment before relaxing completely. Raven held the kiss a few moments before tilting Starfire's head back and trailing kisses across her jaw line, then down her neck, ending with a very gentle bite before moving Starfire's head back onto her shoulder. Starfire sighed, melting against her, wrapping her legs around Raven's own, her grip still tight, but not desperate.
"Robin, if he's not a complete idiot, will accept it. Regardless of how possessive he feels."
"Raven?"
"He…knows something is going on, Starfire. I could sense it whenever he was near you. His emotions are…unfocused, though. He may not know exactly what's going on, but he's trying to find out. I caught that much when he talked to me this afternoon."
"Then…what will he do?"
"The last thing he said to me, about talking to you alone, and what I've sensed from him…we have to tell him soon, before he does something stupid. And if he does try something…"
"Raven, please, if he does not receive the news well…he has been…possessive…in the past. Please, I do not want a fight between my friends. If anyone is injured…"
"Don't worry. I know how he can act when his emotions get the better of him. If worse comes to worse…I'll only restrain him, nothing more, I promise."
"Thank you, Raven."
"Though, if he doesn't behave, throwing him into the bay might cool him off."
"Raven…"
"Just kidding."
"…"
"Starfire?"
"Raven, could I…um…stay here tonight? If Robin were to approach me before I am ready…"
"Of course, Starfire."
"Umm…you do have spare sleeping garments, yes?
Even with that sweet, innocent, blushing face looking up at Raven, she still considered telling Starfire she slept in the nude.
Looking at Starfire wearing her dark blue pajamas, climbing into bed with her, Raven felt her whole body flush. It didn't help one bit when Starfire smiled nervously and shifted towards her. Raven quickly closed the distance and pressed herself against Starfire's back, slowly sliding her arms around Starfire, who let out a soft moan and twined her fingers with Raven's.
"Raven?"
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow. After breakfast. I will tell everyone."
"Alright. Tomorrow it is. Now relax. Tomorrow is tomorrow, and tonight…"
Raven brushed her lips over Starfire's cheek, and the moment of tension passed. The two quickly drifted to sleep, the other's heartbeat providing the perfect lullaby.
Outside, Robin hadn't listened quite so closely after 'before he does something stupid.' And being reminded of how foolish he had acted in the past, before he and Starfire were even on a date proper, did little to improve his mood. Gathering his things, he trudged back to his room and flopped into bed, an internal argument mainly revolving around 'maybe we weren't meant to be' and 'two days is not enough time to fall in love' keeping him up for a time before settling into a shallow, restless sleep.