Chapter 19: Day and Night
It was business first and foremost, to be clear.
While they worked for hours into that first night in relative silence, questions or brainstorming coming out in spurts, it was professional as they both knew what was at stake. As they filtered data and came up with possible leads and connections, compiling their information to be sent off to Batman, it was tedious work that required all their concentration.
Unexpectedly, there was an ease to all of it. Even though she had never been one to be a part of the investigation process in this capacity, it gave her mind something else to focus on. Diving into the data and marking up technical drawings, it was an escape from her problems, the dark room shrouding her from the outside world. She thought she could start to understand why Robin found tranquility in such a place.
And falling in line with Robin's guidance, it was old hat to follow his lead, smoothing her rough edges back as if she had never left, a lullaby she had never unlearned. There was a kinship between them that had not wavered while she'd been away, and truly, that had been the most shocking of all. Where her train of thought began, he would finish. When he would stumble with something truly alien, she would pick up. A state of flow achieved as their work went hours into the night but only felt like minutes. A delicate balance of professionalism and friendly exchanges, it was an easy dance that they had done before.
However, while there was a familiarity to their interactions, there were also more complicated steps added as going from not being around each other in months to spending hours in the same room was near stifling. And so, there was an undercurrent present as an unintended game of cat and mouse played out from that very first night.
A sly glance in his direction. The brushing of hands unintentionally as they traded paperwork. Pure electricity buzzing and building with nowhere to go.
She couldn't help it as her eyes lifted up above the sheets of paper in front of her every once in a while to catch his familiar mannerisms. The way he smoothed back his hair in frustration. The way he held his pen to write down his thoughts. How he unconsciously leaned toward her when she had an inquiry, his knee barely brushing hers. Every movement and sound acknowledged and cataloged, no matter how hard she tried to ignore him. Chewing on the end of her pen, she knew he probably watched in turn, though his attention only appeared to be on her when he scooted his chair over once again to her side, explaining a certain concept she had a question about.
As the clock chimed that early morning had sprung, he finally called it and led her out his office door for the night. As the first reaches of dawn came in from the hallway windows, they came to a mutual agreement of when she would come back. He gifted her with his handsome smile and a little wave as the door closed again before her, this time the action bringing the feeling of comfort rather than dread.
Floating tiredly to her room, little did she know that it was to be the first night of many. That it was to be but a spark that ignited a full-blown fire.
She slept dreamlessly after that first night, waking up for lunch around midday and little sleep to be had. This habit stayed with her as quickly that one night turned into two and two into three. Three days gone by, marking the halfway point of her visit, and Starfire found that she was surprised that no one had yet caught on to her actions. Or at least had not asked her out loud.
While Cyborg had teasingly asked if the Titans East had been running her ragged, Raven eyed the dark circles under the alien's eyes and the cute little yawns that escaped her. While she said nothing, accepting Starfire's companionship without qualm, she still silently questioned, raising an eyebrow as Starfire entered the common room almost always at twelve sharp, an action that Starfire pointedly ignored. And though not entirely deceptive, but also not quite truthful, Starfire did not bring up her talk with Robin and their mission. And Raven did not ask, even if she could feel something was amiss, the atmosphere too calm around the Tower for having two lovesick teenagers present.
As to not arouse further suspicion, Starfire spent most of her time in the blinding, winter sunlight with the empath, the windows in the common room the perfect place to meditate and sip a cup of herbal tea. A few hours of open daylight kissing her skin filled her soul like nothing else and her mind… it was for once vacant, breath returning to her more easily and color returning to her cheeks. Even with the tiredness that seeped into her bones, it actually helped. It numbed her to the anxiety that had crept up so frequently.
That anxiety would only temporarily spike once a day, a daily dose of reality and a reminder that a decision was needed all too quickly. When she sneaked away to full fill her promise, calling Speedy on her communicator, it was to not only share her current activities but gauge his demeanor as well, test the waters that were still choppy between them. Much like with Raven, she kept certain information close to her chest, unsure whether it would be a mistake or if it was a decision made in defense, one to protect both their hearts. And much like Raven, Speedy questioned without asking the most important inquiry out loud. Hints dropped and pleading looks from her for his understanding, she thought he knew. But this was a different game from what she was already playing. Ice instead of fire and heat. Though she looked forward to these talks, it was strained, and they usually ended more quickly than she liked. Screen blinking black, her tired reflection shining back, she promised she would tell him everything. Eventually.
After her one-on-ones with Raven and calls with Speedy, that taking up most of her early afternoons, epic gaming marathons and naps abounded, these activities a much-needed burst of fun. She had taken to curling up on the couch for late afternoon snoozes, catching only a half hour's worth of sleep, if lucky, only to be awakened by the rambunctious pair of boys that she was fortunate enough to call her brothers.
It was usually a jarring awakening, Beast Boy scrambling over the couch's back to retrieve his controller, sometimes jumping on top of her on accident. Half-meaningful apologies emitted but still with no regard for personal space, Raven would either roll her eyes and move on to her room to read or tolerate her boyfriend's antics depending on her mood. Cy was no better, the shouts of 'booyah' filling the girls' ears sometimes preluding the stampede to the couch that followed. Moaning her tired frustration, the boys would beg Starfire to join to which of course she agreed, rubbing her eyes to brush away any lingering sleep.
While she tolerated being beaten at Crazy Cart Racers and Modern GoreFare 2, the boys would eventually give in and play the Wee, the newest dance game and its selection of current pop hits being her favorite. Though tiring her more, she reveled in the fact that while the boys complained to be pulled away from their "manly" games, they secretly loved it after a few songs in. That, and the fact that she kicked their butts being a bonus.
Unbeknownst to the group, and usually during the aforementioned antics, a certain boy wonder would pop up, appearing in the background usually unseen to pickpocket a sandwich out of the fridge or snitch a water bottle only to sneak out again. On one such occasion, he entered, stopping dead in his tracks as he watched with a shameless smile and shake of his head as Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Starfire boogied with no inhibitions. After gathering his needed supplies, he gave pause, the sight a reflection of older days gone by, he hopeful it was a sign of days to come. With that in mind and a slight grin that stayed on his lips, he slipped out of the room, no one the wiser.
Those three days were filled with so much laughter, and so much love, she overflowed with joy. Finding it hard to ground her feet at any given time, her exhaustion was the last thing on her mind. While the team just hung around the Tower, it was the mundane that was made magical by the people she loved.
And while those snow-blinding days were for her found family and dearest friends, she still often thought of afterward, when all would go to rest and she counted down the numbered evenings left.
The darkest and deepest winter nights were for one and one alone.
Author's Note:
A short chapter for you to enjoy :). We are getting down to the wire. Only a few more chapters to go.
