Birdcage

Chapter five

-Tamaran-

It was difficult not to be frustrated. Soo much of this trip was not what he expected. Had he really forgotten how different their worlds were? He found himself alone again, waiting for the chance for the two of them to have a moment together. Privacy was definitely something he had missed. He knew she had responsibilities and wasn't expecting her to ignore them for his sake.

He could honestly say he was trying to be patient, trying to understand but when she wouldn't even make time to talk to him he was starting to lose confidence in their relationship. But here he was, sitting outside her throne room, his foot tapping a rhythm as he leaned his head back against the stone wall trying not to think about how long he had been sitting there. His stomach let out a growl, this time louder than the last one. He knew he wasn't getting enough to eat since all the food he brought from home had ran out over a week ago. He had tried to adapt to her people's food but it was difficult. Most of it moved on the plate ruining his appetite.

All this time alone left him questioning so much. Would they be able to go back home or would she have to stay here long term? If so what did that mean for him? He probably couldn't live here indefinitely. The double doors suddenly opened and he turned wearily to see several elders come out surrounding her as she left the room. A small grin still managed to spread across his face before he felt something hard poke his ribs.

"You will stand in the Queen's presence," the guard ordered him. He rose silently to his feet glaring up at the rather large soldier who towered over him. Everyone here towered over him! He turned away from the guard and hurried after her trying to get her attention. It seemed impossible to be heard over the other voices. After so long he decided to give up and headed back to 'their' room. It really didn't belong to both of them considering how many late nights she had. The room they shared was more like two rooms with an adjacent bathroom. His room was much plainer than hers and smaller but it wasn't like they were married and here traditions like that were important. He was lucky to even be anywhere near her. He still wasn't allowed to touch her and had already been corrected several times when he had attempted to hold her hand or tried to get her attention.

He wanted to be understanding and supportive. He really did. When they first got there Galfore had already gone to the front lines where he was needed. Her role was clear that she had to take his place while he was away. Weeks later and they didn't seem to be any closer to resolving the conflict. The longer they stayed the less he saw her and the more frustrating things became.

They could make it through this, right? This was just a rough patch, everyone went through this kind of thing at times. It would be okay, this wasn't permanent. They would go back home and everything would go back to normal. She was burning herself out with all this political stuff. Eventually she would put her foot down and tell them she wanted to go back to earth. It was all he could hold onto right now.

"I will be right out, I just need to change," he heard her right outside the door. As she came into the room he gave her a faint smile that quickly vanished when her two men servants follow behind. "Oh, I was not expecting to see you in here."

Every time he saw her lately the less she reminded him of the person he loved. Her posture was rigidly straight and the way she looked at him felt indifferent.

"Not really a lot of places I can go around here," his attempt to not have a tone failed.

"I cannot have this conversation right now," she stated as she headed towards the closet.

"Then when can we have it? Do I need to schedule a meeting or something?" He knew at the time it was the wrong thing to say but was so tired of being ignored. He felt like he was some inconvenience for just being there.

"You know, being rude is not helpful. Do you think I am happy with how things are?" He dropped his shoulders and took a seat on the bed across from her.

"I wouldn't know what your feeling since I never see you anymore."She inhaled sharply trying not to be angry. He ran a hand through his hair clearly frustrated. He decided to try and take a different approach. After all, sarcasm never did get him very far with her. "I just miss spending time with you. I am trying really hard to be understanding but it hasn't been easy."

"I do not know what you want me to do. This is how it has to be for now." Her tone was still harsh even though she was attempting to be nice. He just then remembered they had an audience and he cleared his throat.

"Can we maybe talk alone?"

"You do not have to worry about them, it is fine." She crossed her arms and seemed annoyed by the question. He grit his teeth trying to keep it together.

"I want to go home and I want you to come back with me. There has to be someone else who can run things here."

"You know I can't leave, we're in the middle of a war. They need me."

"I don't think I can do this much longer. I never see you, the food here makes me sick, and I don't feel like I'm even needed."

"So that is what this is about? You are not the 'leader' here and calling the shots. I have the responsibilities and just need you to support me." Even though she finally dropped her tone to match his the words stung. She didn't think he was supporting her? After weeks of being brushed aside and quietly tolerating her busy schedule, none of that mattered?

"Are you kidding me," he snapped back, "this has nothing to do with whose in charge and everything to do with us. Star, I haven't spent any time with you since we got here four weeks ago. These guys are with you all the time, it's enough to make anyone jealous. I am treated more like a pet than your boyfriend by everyone here. I feel that I'm looked at as a nuisance or a distraction when all I've been doing to trying to stay out of your way so you can do what you have to for your people." He caught the whispered scoffs from the two by the door he'd just gestured to.

"I'm sorry all this bothers you but there isn't anything I can do to fix it." He dropped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose as though he was trying to figure out how to get through to her.

"I don't expect you to fix it, I want you to go to whoever and tell them you need a break. I just want to spend some time with you, even if it's only a couple of hours." The room became quiet and the longer the silence lasted the more it seemed to be crushing him. She turned away going back to her closet to grab the outfit she planned to wear to dinner. She finally turned back to him with a stern look on her face. He swore she looked like she was going to cry but her expression was hard to read for once. Maybe what he had said had gotten through. That she agreed that she was worn out by all this and needed some time alone with him.

"I cannot do what you ask. There are too many who are depending on me. I cannot be so selfish as to ask for personal time. If you cannot understand than maybe you should go back to earth. It might be what is best for us."

It would be two more days until Robin saw her again. Either she was avoiding him now or she had left and no one told him. A servant quietly knocked before coming in to bring him what he could only assume was dinner. He couldn't help but wonder if she had spoken to whoever was responsible for the food since there was a clear attempt to make it more edible. He took a reluctant sip of the red smoothie like drink.

"That's not so bad,"he told himself before downing the rest of it quickly. After a couple of seconds his stomach protested loudly. "Uh oh…" he hurried over the balcony and threw it all up. Practically laying over the edge he let it a groan. He must not have heard the door open again but he definitely heard the sudden tantrum as things were thrown around the room. There was a yell of frustration that turned into a sob. Cautiously he poked his head around the corner to see her now sitting on the bed, her head pressed into her hands.

"Starfire?" She sat up suddenly and looked back at him. He quickly put his hands up as if to surrender after seeing the rest of the room.

"Did you need something," she asked before wiping at her face. It was clear she had been crying but for whatever reason she didn't want him to see.

"Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"It's nothing you should worry about." He gave her an incredulous look.

"Come on, Star. It's me you're talking to. I know things have been stressed between us but that doesn't mean you can't talk to me,"

"Maybe I do not want to talk?" He walked further in and sat down next to her.

"We used to always be able to talk back home." She stood, moving away quickly.

"We are not on Earth. Things aren't that simple anymore." He had to hold back but deep down he just wanted to hug her and tell her everything would be okay but he knew it wouldn't be appropriate.

"I want to help but don't know how," he admitted. She turned back to him inhaling sharply.

"You cannot solve this problem for me."

"Please let me try?" A sudden green blast shot just past him and out to the balcony.

"You cannot!" She yelled back at him. "Galfore was mortally wounded and now the only way I can end the combat is to agree to a peace treaty. I have to commit myself to the leader of our enemy! In matrimony." She watched his shoulders sink as the reality of everything finally hit him. Tears started to blur her vision even more as it became unbearably silent between them.

"We could leave…go back home and let someone else deal with it," he questioned in a low tone now staring at the ground as he tried to figure this out.

"Robin, there is no one else. I cannot abandon my people." He brought his gaze up towards her.

"So this is it? There's no way for us to be together?"

"I wish there was but I cannot ask you to stay here any longer. It has become too painful." He stood even though he couldn't feel his feet under him moving. Reaching out he pulled her towards him and kissed her lightly. He didn't care if every guard burst into the room right then. His action caused her to pull away some as more tears streamed down her face. His hand moved up to shakily brush them away. "Y..you have to go home. It will not be good for you to be here when…when..."

"I will…, just give me a minute," Now he was having a hard time keeping it together. He brought his head down taking a deep breath. He felt her hands wrapped around his back and kiss his forehead. He held her tighter trying not to lose it. The last thing she needed was to see him upset. After several minutes he took a step away so he could pack his things. Neither of them said another word for the remainder of his brief stay.