Chapter 11: Kiss and Tell
"Go fish."
Mas y Menos grudgingly picked from the center pile of cards, casting Speedy a glare and muttering under their breath as they did so, their set of cards fanned across their faces.
Speedy sighed. He couldn't go anywhere without being accosted by them, Spanish name-calling and sour faces now the norm.
"Got any fives?" he asked Aqualad, resolutely ignoring them. Aqualad plucked a card from his pile, handing it to Speedy. Speedy in turn laid down a new set on the table as his hand of cards dwindled.
"Damn," Aqualad said. He eyed Speedy after being asked if he had any queens and replied that he, in fact, did not. Aqualad took his time examining his cards to prepare for his next move. Looking around the table with a smug grin, he asked, "So, anything exciting happen recently? Anyone?"
Speedy rolled his eyes under his mask and groaned, rubbing his free hand down his face. "If you're going to ask, just ask," he said, exasperated.
"What?" Aqualad said, playing dumb. "I thought you were ok with kissing and telling?"
"That policy may or may not have been revoked," Speedy said as he went to take a drink of his soda.
"Aw, don't leave me hanging," Aqualad said and looked around to make sure he wouldn't be heard. "I heard through the grapevine that you took her up against the wall of the staircase."
Speedy nearly spit out his drink, sputtering and hacking as he thumped his fist against his chest while Mas y Menos sat, mouths open in an 'o'.
Speedy, more composed now, replied, "Not with the children present! That's pretty crude. Especially for you, gill face."
"Muchachos, tapaos los oídos," Aqualad amended and commanded the boys, but the twins ignored him, waiting for Speedy's response. "Hey, I'm just letting you know what I heard."
"Whatever you heard, didn't happen," Speedy said. The twins took in an audible sigh of relief. "And she kissed me, not the other way around."
With that, the speedsters nearly fainted.
"Ay Dios mio," they said forlornly. They folded down their cards, got up from the table, and shook their heads as they went to exit the room, them mumbling 'de todos los chicos, ¿por qué él?' as they went.
Speedy and Aqualad spared them a glance as the doors closed after them and they discarded their cards as well. Aqualad scooped them up, fiddling with them as to prepare to shuffle and deal. "Look what you did now. You broke their hearts."
"I think they'll get over it."
"Poker?" asked Aqualad. Speedy nodded as he received his five cards. "So, how did it end up happening?"
"Well, when a boy and girl like each other very much—"
"I'm serious. It's like the heist of the century. Pretty ballsy to do it at the party too."
Speedy looked at him, not liking what he was insinuating. "Starfire's not an object to be stolen and I feel like we've had this conversation before. She can make her own decisions. Don't be so surprised she chose me."
Aqualad held up his hands. "Hey, I'm happy for you all. It's just sudden."
Speedy took his sweet time replying, focusing on his cards. "Yeah, I wouldn't disagree," he finally said. "The whole thing honestly happened so quickly. One minute we were having an argument and the next she was on me."
"Arguing? About what?"
"Robin," Speedy said reluctantly.
"Oof." A realization then came to Aqualad as he changed the subject. "Oh, to be a fly on that wall when he finds out."
Speedy smirked as they started another round. The cards made a satisfying sound as they were expertly shuffled. "You can say that again. And I couldn't care less what he thinks."
"Sounds like an interesting way to start… whatever it is you two are doing," Aqualad said as he raised an eyebrow at him.
"She's not a fling if that's what you're rudely insinuating," Speedy huffed, dealing out once more.
How could Speedy articulate how Starfire made him feel? It was difficult to describe, even to himself. Like there was something worth holding on to. Like there was hope at the end of a drought. But he couldn't say that to Aqualad.
"Realllllly?" Aqualad drawled, bringing Speedy out of his thoughts. "Aw, Speedy all grown up," he teased. "But seriously, I really couldn't be happier for you. Just try not to screw up a good thing or break her heart. Then I'll have to beat your ass for Robin."
"Thanks, dingus. Now, are we going to play or what?"
The snap of cards as they were shuffled again gave him his answer.
In the days that followed, all that mattered was that they knew what they were to one another. It was casual but also not at the same time. It was intense but also sweet and flirty. They skirted around one another but always came back together. Opposites but in a way that ignited, not smothered.
He liked that fieriness that she possessed and would let out on occasion. She adored his candor and cutting humor with a hidden softness underneath. She craved the comfort of their connection and the surprising ease of it. It was unplanned, but a most welcome distraction.
She looked at him now, her tucked into his side as they loafed on his bed. He looked straight ahead, engrossed in the movie they were watching.
It had taken her some convincing to get her to come to his room. After promises of only maybe cuddles and sweet nothings and talking, she obliged. She now memorized his strong jaw and the way his lips quirked up at the amusing parts. Eventually, he turned his face towards her, a trace of a smile on his lips.
"Like what you see?" he teased, giving her a squeeze.
Before she could respond, he leaned down, pressing himself against her and his lips to hers. Initially shy, she let herself ease into it as it was different than their first kiss. Easy and slow and soft. He grinned against her mouth as he pulled away and butterflies rustled in her belly.
She beamed, her eyes bright. "Very much so."
The hand on her waist moved back and forth, restless in its pursuit to memorize her curves and take in her warm skin on his fingertips.
"This is ok, right?" Speedy asked softly.
Starfire nodded, biting her lower lip and glancing away from his face. "It is wonderous," she said hesitantly and in the same motion moved to be sitting up properly. With his arm still around her back, she sighed and tilted her head so it rested in the crook of his neck. "Though, I think we have a few things to discuss."
Starfire could feel him nod, his wandering hand pausing.
"I agree," he said, leaning a bit away to get a better look at her. "Where would you like to start?"
Starfire lifted her head and looked at him fully in turn. "Well… I wish to know… what are we?" she finished bluntly and lamely, seeing Speedy's playful look but charging ahead. "I believe we need to do the defining of our…affiliation."
"'Affiliation'. Hm. Well, when you put it that way, it is quite sexy," Speedy laughed as she lightly wacked his chest.
"You know my meaning."
"I getcha, Red," he said as his demeanor changed to be more serious. He had known that this conversation was coming but didn't know where to start, sure of his intentions but not of hers. Heck, he had basically blurted his desires out the night of the party. Not wanting to overstep but wanting to repeat his sentiments from that night, he asked, "What is it that you want?"
Starfire wrinkled her nose at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Speedy said, lifting his other arm behind his head to scratch the back of his neck, "On the roof, you said you didn't know what you wanted. How can you be certain that's even me? Or that a relationship is even what you want?"
He flexed his hand at her side, fiddling with her skirt as he awaited her answer, not sure he would like the answer.
She finally nodded, understanding now what he meant and his hesitancy. She looked at him earnestly then, placing a hand on his cheek as to gently pull him toward her to place a lingering peck which he eagerly accepted. She released him, confessing, "I know many things. I know you care for me. I know that I enjoy doing the spending of time with you and that I get the feelings of many rvnoks swarming inside me when we are near. I know I adore the cuddles and kisses you give." A smile touched his eyes, the corners of them crinkling. Her hand then left his face to rest on his chest, just above his heart. "And that you have a kind and patient heart. I feel that there can be somewhere in the near future where we can be a couple but I do not think being the 'official' is what I need at this time. Can that be enough for the present?"
Speedy gave what looked like an easy smile to Starfire, nodding, though it felt slightly strained to him. "Anything is enough when it comes to you, Red." He placed his hand on top of hers, now holding it properly. He lifted it up, giving the back of her hand a quick kiss. "So, no declarations of love and running off to get married anytime soon, eh?"
Starfire giggled. "No, I do not think so. And I thank you for your understanding."
"Anytime," Speedy said. He then wiggled his eyebrows at her, joking. "So, what shall I call you instead of a girlfriend? A girl thing? Partner in crime? Oh, oh, maybe something more romantic like my beloved? Darling?" He said the last term of endearment in a southern drawl, noming the side of her face with small pecks in quick succession that had her squirming and giggling once more. A pleasant flutter stayed in his chest as he felt pleased he could get that reaction out of her.
"I think Red with suffice," she got out between laughter. "But what shall I call you?"
"Roy," he said without hesitation. Pulling away from her breathy and looking down at her, Speedy saw her eyes get wide. "Roy and Red. Has a nice ring do it, don't you think?"
After pausing and getting over her shock, she attacked him, attaching her lips to his, and Speedy held her close, her tucked into him as they continued this dance and explored this new part of their 'non-relationship'.
"I guess I'll take that as a yes?"
Thoroughly flushed with a relaxed and satisfied Starfire curled into him, her attention once again on the screen, a slight frown marred Speedy features as he feigned continuing to watch the movie, ensuring that Starfire could not see that he was troubled.
His mind thick with thoughts, he vowed right then and there to make sure that he was worthy of her. He felt as though she might be deciding between two choices, two paths that could threaten his potential future with her.
He would just have to prove to her his worth and ensure that the path she took led to him.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the late post. The good news is I have the rest of the story outlined. There will be at the very least 7 more chapters to this story and some pivotal chapters are already completely written. Bad news, the next one or two are not. Life has been super busy lately but I'm hoping the next update will be sooner. Again, thank you to my dedicated readers .
Also, if anyone is interested, I have a playlist for this story on my profile. It is comprised of songs that I have listened to or have inspired me during the writing of this story if anyone cares lol.
