Disclaimer TEEN TITANS and all other related characters and material are the property of DC comics and Cartoon Network, I claim no ownership.

Chapter 10: Razorblade Kiss

By: Ansa

"Your love is a razorblade kiss…"

-H.I.M

The four titans just stood there stunned as they stared at the screen as the image of their leader spoke solemnly. They were stunned; nothing could have prepared them for what Robin was now telling them. It all seemed surreal, like some kind of dream; it couldn't be real…could it? As they pondered this, the bust of their comrade pulled off his mask for the first time in front of them.

"…I know it must come as a shock, and I probably should have given you guys more of a warning. But this is just something I have to do, and a formal farewell would be too hard." The recorded message paused for a moment as Robin collected his thoughts. This was so hard for him to do…but his life was going through a number of twists and turns. He was having a hard time just trying to figure out what he wanted for himself. College, it seems, was one of those things he knew he wanted, but in order to do that…he had to leave his team…his friends.

"Right now I'm probably already on my way, so there's really no use in trying to track me down. I've also left my communicator…make sure you choose your new teammate well. As for leadership…I leave Cyborg in command, should he choose to stay." At this Cyborg's head shot up in surprise.

"What…me? But…" The message went continued before he could finished, now more stunned than ever.

"I know you guys will do just fine without me. You've protected the city several times over, and just because I'm gone won't change a thing. Just remember to trust your instincts and always go with what you know is right…" Again, there was a pause. "…Farewell Titans…" Robin's image leaned down as he cut off the camera and the screen went black. For a moment there was silence, a horrid silence that seemed to wittle away at their sanity as they waited for someone to speak. Beast Boy, not much for uncomfortable silences thought aloud.

"Well…what do we do?"

"We must respect our friend's wishes." Starfire hovered somewhere in the back of the group, her arms hanging limp at her sides, he head tilted forward to shade her eyes. Something in her voice had changed, it was no longer warm and chipper, instead it was cold and barely audible.

"But we can't just…"

"If he does not need us then we do not need him!" The tone in her voice sent the others back reeling. Her fists were clenched tight and it was clear that she was trembling in the air, although no tears could be seen it was clear she was not taking this well. Star had always been the closest to their leader, and their relationship as of late had become stronger as the two grew closer.

After another silence fell upon them Starfire turned and headed for her room, her mind adrift and her heart aching within her chest. How could he have done this to them…to her? She thought…she thought they had had something together, something special. Why did he leave her so without reason…and without one last embrace?

"Star wait a minute." Beast Boy's pleas were cut short by the all too familiar alarm. Immediately they all turned to the large computer screen where a map of the city flickered up. Somewhere in the center was a flashing red dot and from it a file scrolled down beside it."

"Awww man not Mumbo." Cyborg hug his head in disgust and waited patiently for the orders to go…then he realized that was his job now and straightened up. "Alright Titans…lets go."

"But…"

"We'll talk things out later; right now we got work to do."

"You…what?" Cyborg nearly dropped his fork when he heard the news, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. Next to him Starfire didn't seem to be phased, instead she stared ahead blankly as she played with the food on her plate.

"I'm sorry…but I think I'm ready for an attempt at a normal life now." Raven still hadn't even sat down at the table, she and Beast Boy had been thinking about leaving for college for some time now…but it had always been in the back of their mind. They never really thought about it seriously…until now.

"Yeah, I mean I like the super hero stuff and all but…I want to try and pursue my real dream."

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Cyborg gave Beast Boy a cynical look headed with a raised eyebrow. He had known him for a long time and he had never heard of this "real dream" of his.

"Well…I want to be…an actor."

"…" Cyborg just blinked at him for a moment, not sure if he was serious or not yet. After a while, when the look in his eyes hadn't changed Cyborg realized that this was not a joke…yet he still laughed.

"What? What's wrong with that?"

"Y-You? An actor? What movie did you hope to make your big break in, Dr. Doolittle?" Beast Boy glared at him, grinding his teeth as he lunged at his "friend" but found the scruff of his neck held tightly by the slender pale hand of his girlfriend, a sweat drop forming above her head.

"We're serious…with Robin leaving; it just seems like the best time to be going ourselves."

"But…we are a team…" The soft hurt voice of Starfire finally made itself present in the room. During the battle she had the chance to let off some steam, and though now she no longer felt angry…she still felt terribly depressed.

"Yes…we are. You, me, Beast Boy, Robin, and Cyborg are a team. I just don't think…it can ever be the same without him. We are a team…and I couldn't fight if we weren't." This hit them all hard, mostly…because they all knew it to be true. They had been together for quite some time. They trained together, lived together, spent practically every living moment together. By now they knew each others' strengths and weaknesses, as well as each others' moves and abilities. With this, they could work together perfectly, more than anyone else in the entire world. Adding someone new…or even changing leadership…would throw them off balance. Not to mention...they were not only a team, but friends…and they couldn't even imagine anyone taking Robin's place.

"…yes…I suppose you are right."

"So…you're really leaving?" Cyborg straightened up, still not sure whether this was really happening or if it was just a bad dream. Raven and Beast Boy looked at each other for a moment, she taking his hand carefully from underneath her cloak. The two nodded at each other slowly, and then turned back to their friends.

"Yes…"

Starfire's head shot up, the sadness overwhelming her to the breaking point. Suddenly, all of her friends were leaving her. She couldn't handle it. Standing up quickly she flew down the hall and up the stairs, moving as fast so that anyone who attempted to follow would not get far before having to guess which way she went. Up the staircase she went, floating several feet above the steps so that her journey went all the quicker, flying her way up to the roof. She burst through the door and slammed it behind her, sending a starbolt to melt away the handle, locking herself out…and preventing anyone from disturbing her.

She wept quietly, her tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged herself tightly, looking out upon the sunset over the water before her. How fitting…for it seemed to her that the sun itself was setting upon her life with her friends. Would she ever see them again, and what would she do? Would she stay with Cyborg…if he was even staying? She was full of insecurities; it seemed that nothing was so sure for her anymore.

"I hope those tears aren't for me…" A familiar voice sounded from behind her, and almost as quickly as it would take to blink, she whirled around hoping and praying that her ears weren't playing tricks on her. "…because frankly, I don't deserve them."

"Robin…" As she stood there she thought about turning away, shutting him out as he had done with her, leaving her so abruptly. Her caring nature wouldn't let her do it…at least that's what she told herself. She knew it was something else…but she didn't want to believe it yet. Quickly, before he could even think of stopping her she rushed to hug him tight, her tears still flowing and dripping onto his…t-shirt? She paused and looked him over…no mask, no costume. He was dressed in civilian clothing…so this meant that…that…

"Star I…"

"You…really are leaving aren't you?" Robin nodded, his arms slowly reaching up to hold her back. He had held her before, but this time was not like the others. This time, it was loose, and empty. "Why will you not hold me?"

"Star…" He couldn't find an answer for her, nor could he bring himself to hold her like he had so many times before. His heart hurt too much to.

"Why did you not tell us? Why did you not tell me?" She looked into his eyes with so much pain, so much distress that for a moment his arms tightened around her. She felt that warmth in him again…if only for a fleeting second when he gently pushed her away.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you. It would have made things so much harder, and…"

"And what?"

"And I might have thought about staying."

"Why is that such a horrible thing?" She reached out for his shoulder only to have it rolled out from under her as he walked over to the edge, he too admiring the sunset as he thought.

"Because…this is just something I have to do. I need…I need something else in my life besides being Robin." He gritted his teeth as the image of his mentor flashed in his mind, the idea of becoming him…the idea of losing his life to a costume and cape was the only real thing that scared him. He didn't want to become him, he wanted his own life…he wanted time to himself and no one else. Unfortunately…that meant he had to leave his friends behind. What was worse was that he had to leave her behind as well.

"You do have something else…" Starfire blushed softly and grabbed his hand, holding it up to her heart. "You have me. Robin, I lo-…"

"Don't say it," Robin clenched his eyes shut and turned away, quickly slipping his hand from hers. "Please…don't say it."

"Why not?" Starfire's eyes pleaded him to turn to face her, her heart beginning to throb with this terrible pain. "I must say it…"

"Save it for someone else, don't waste such a thing on me."

"Do you not think that is my decision to make?" Robin didn't answer, he just stood there, his back to her, arms crossed in front of his chest. The sun was burning a deep red now…red like hellfire, red like…her hair. He found it hard not to think about her, no matter how much he tried. He wanted to forget her, he wanted her to forget about him. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so bad about leaving…maybe then he could have some peace. His heart wouldn't let him forget, her name was seared into it, burning with each heartbeat.

"I'm sorry Star. I hope you will be happy again someday." Without another word he jumped. Starfire moved to stop him but was quickly repulsed back by a blurred object tossed from Robin's hand. In an instant she fell back upon the rooftop, her arms trapped tightly by her sides by strong binding rope, two large orbs on either end that wrapped around each other securing the trap. She was stunned, but only emotionally, breaking such a device was no effort for her, both of them knew that. He had only wanted to stop her from chasing him to the ground where his motorcycle lay in wait for him.

She lay there, not bothering to snap the ropes that bound her, her heart in too much distress to put out any sort of physical strength. She wept terribly. She never understood the emotion of heartbreak, on her planet those she cared for were only friends or family, for she knew not love. She knew both now…and she wished she hadn't.

In case you guys didn't pick this up when reading, this chapter is a flashback of Starfire's story. Things will go back to the plotline next chapter, don't worry. Sorry if it took a bit long to get this out but things are going on with me, work and such. I'll try to update as quickly as I can, but I can't promise much. Although the latest you should ever have to wait is a week…I mean, I got college. Later Days

ANSA