Author's Note: We've now caught up to tumblr, so I'll be updating both places at once.

Clarify

Fluffy and orange, the dying light of day dusted the clouds with its last rays. A moisture clung to the air, the clouds swirled, clumped together and grew heavy, a sure sign of a late night shower.

Starfire thought that was a good thing, rain had been lacking for the past few months. The trees in the gardens of Jump developed that parched look, browning leaves and droopiness, and all her favourite flowers wilted. Floating above the clouds, she bade goodbye to the dying light and drank as much energy as she could to sustain her until morning. Even as the shining orb dipped below the horizon and therefore offering no more sustenance, she still hung in the air, watching the glow fade into darkness.

Green Lantern had gone home ages ago and Starfire had not seen Robin since. Nor, she supposed, had she sought him out, so she was avoiding him just as much as he avoided her. For all their usual communication abilities, it seemed once kissing was added to the mix, they ceased to function. Or perhaps it was the newness of the situation, Starfire didn't know.

She knew why she avoided him, but his reasons for the return evaded her. She was afraid he'd take back the kiss. Pretend it never happened and expect them to remain friends. She was afraid he wouldn't and they would begin on a new journey. What would happen if they started something and his feelings changed when he returned to normal? If he returned to normal. If he wanted to return to normal… he seemed to be enjoying himself, what if he chose to keep his powers?

For a being who lived in the moment, contemplating the future was terrifying.

Teenage awkwardness, perhaps? She had not expected Robin to succumb to that Earthen affliction but he did seem most susceptible normally. Especially when pressed about feelings. Things were much simpler on Tamaran, but Earthlings did not like to blurt out their feelings. Happy, sad, in-love, they much preferred to keep emotions contained rather than tell the world. She'd learnt that quickly when she'd arrived, how to show subdued emotions rather than expressing them. Even still, sometimes it was wonderful to declare to her friends how glorious life was. Fortunately, that had been deemed an acceptable expression, which might explain why she used it so much. Perhaps that was why Robin also begun to use it. Not used to expressing himself openly, he was surely burdened with the strength of emotion a Tamaranian could have.

Unless there was something else going on.

While it pleased her to know some part of Robin's analytical nature remained, she thought it could be put to much better use than determining her inner thoughts and feelings, then acting on something she knew he never would had he not been under the influence of her people's freedom of emotion.

He hid himself away, rather than engaging in the discussion he promised. That at least seemed in character for him.

And it was not like she was making herself available, a situation which was most certainly out of character for her.

Starfire sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. She was flip-flopping all over the place, switching emotions at an unhealthy rate. Circling around the issue did not get her anywhere. She should just gather her courage and go and find Robin and face whatever was coming with her head high. That was surely better than guessing.

Wracked with indecision, her current emotions were not conducive to flying so Starfire pushed all thought away and focussed on her decent. Galfore would be appalled at her present control.

Galfore.

Thoughts of her k'norfka made Starfire's mood brighten. He would be astounded about Robin's new abilities. She could see the potential match-making scheming expression he would develop; her k'norfka was such a romantic. He liked Robin, inquired after him on many occasions and knew of her fledgling feelings toward Robin. He could not resist the chance to tease her. Perhaps she should suggest a visit to Tamaran? Maybe if she immersed Robin in the culture he was now a part of, he might find it easier to cope.

Armed with that thought as perhaps a starter for the impending conversation, Starfire closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall. Lifting her arms above her head, she twisted, turning the fall into a dive toward the Tower.

There were so many places on Tamaran where off-worlders were not permitted to visit. Places where she would have loved to have taken her friends to show off her world instead of the inside of a palace when her planet was under threat on invasion. The Musical Caves of the Lekenbor. The Cliffs of Eerel. Robin might enjoy the xhandal tournaments. The Free Market in Tenad. The deceased ocean. And those were just on Tamaran, she could take him many places within the Vegan system as well.

Mind full of things she could share with him, she didn't expect to see the green flare flame away from the top of the Tower and blast straight upward. She'd been hidden among the clouds so she didn't believe Robin saw her. Or was even looking for her, judging by his trajectory he was set to escape atmosphere.

Where was he going? Surely he was not heading after Pelithrior? Starfire's heart clenched and although she tried to console herself that perhaps he headed to the Watch Tower instead, the thought his rage had returned was too strong to ignore.

Pulling out of her dive and shooting upward, she formed an intercept course.

If Robin saw her, he gave no acknowledgment. Starfire knew she'd never reach him before he'd headed for space, and when there, he wouldn't be able to answer her, he lacked the training to speak in space.

He lacked training in a lot of ways. Something she needed to remedy.

Pausing in the upper stratosphere, she watched his flame trail surge away. He hadn't appeared angry, not like before, he wouldn't have been able to fly had the same rage been flowing through him. His flight was controlled, determined, and it reminded her a lot of the the old Robin. Perhaps this was something he'd arranged with Green Lantern in that oh-so-secret meeting. Starfire would have had to been blind not to notice the sudden possessiveness Robin displayed when Green Lantern had touched her. Surely Robin would not go after the Green Lantern in a rage. Green Lantern had seemed so happy when he'd left… smug even. They had to be planning something.

Perhaps she should follow Robin, just in case.

Robin, on the other hand, was trying exceedingly hard not to think of Starfire. Not to think about what she might be doing. Or what she wore. What her face might like dappled with sunlight as she bade the sun farewell for the day. Or the flashes of up skirt accidently stolen now he could fly. Or the feel of her mouth against his as she gave into her desires.

No. Definitely not that. At all.

Because if he thought about that, he'd turn right around and go find her to discover if she might be opposed to another round.

Nope. Nope. Definitely wasn't thinking about that. He really needed to get under control.

Clenching his fists, he rocketed forward. He would go meet this Razer Green Lantern had spoken so highly of. A previous Red Lantern. Robin hadn't even been aware other coloured Lanterns even existed, but then the Green Lantern order had been pretty secretive. Green Lantern confessed other colours were cropping up all over the Galaxy, from the Pink Lanterns of Love, Blue of Hope and Orange of Greed. Reds had been a great threat to the Greens once, but through Razer, Green Lantern and someone called Aya's efforts, that threat had diminished.

So, from what Green Lantern had said, this Razer had been a Red Lantern who converted to Blue. Rage to Hope.

Sounded like someone Robin would like to meet.

Robin had also been informed not to mention Aya to Razer, but that point had not been elaborated on. Robin guessed that was because Aya had been lost in the Lantern War.

He just had to get to Razer. In one piece. Through the vast distances of space. To particular special coordinates, without following the stars for more than basic guidance. Because the stars are no longer in the positions he could see them, since it took several light years for the light to reach him and the stars had already moved, so star charts didn't have the same effect in space as they had on Earth.

Robin was glad Green Lantern had said he had a bit of work to complete at the Watch Tower and then he'd escort Robin through space and back. Must be handy having a ring which did all the special coordinate tracking for him. That was the reason Robin had delayed until sunset. That, and the possibility of running to Batman was greatly diminished.

He'd rather not show off his new powers (beyond the occasional prank) to his father until he had complete control over them.

Breaking atmosphere was much easier than last time, now he knew how everything worked.

He paused to get his bearings so he could head to the Watch Tower, and completely freaked out when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Spinning, his hands flared in warning, only to be faced with a grinning Green Lantern.

Robin's cape smacked him in the face, having stayed in motion after Robin had paused.

"Only you," Green Lantern teased, grinning and enveloped them both in a globe of energy.

Robin struggled to free of his cape and only succeeded in tangling himself more.

"Seriously, Dick? Objects in motions stay in motion in space." He clicked his tongue in a scolding manner. "Capes in space are bad news. That's why few spacefarers wear them."

Robin pulled a face and waved his hand dismissively, finally prying the cape away from his face.

"Except, perhaps, Superman. Now, seeing him get smacked in the face with his cape is priceless. But we don't talk about that." Green Lantern's grin grew wider. "Also, you can talk in here. Self-contained atmosphere."

Robin should have remembered that. "Oh. Right."

Green Lantern laughed.

"Shuddup."

"Long and boring trip if I did that. Did you never watch Starfire in space?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Robin replied, trying not to let his face flood with heat.

"She doesn't stop, she loops. Otherwise she'd end up with a face full of hair. These powers must be doing a right number on you if you didn't recognise that."

Now that he thought about it, he did. And thinking about Starfire was the wrong thing to do right now. Going back to Earth surged to the forefront of his mind. "Shuddup."

"And we've resorted to the language of a two-year-old. Do a pout. It's been ages since I've seen a good pout. Razer doesn't do them much anymore."

Robin scowled. "It's not like I've done a lot of space travel with Starfire not inside a pod."

Green Lantern laughed. "I bet you will still watching like a hawk when she's outside her pod though."

The teasing was never going to end. "Can we go?"

With a grin, Green Lantern lifted his ring hand. "Sure."

"And cut the smirk."

"Nope."

"Hal?" Starfire asked from behind them. "Robin?"

Robin cringed and hunched his shoulders.

Green Lantern turned, beaming. "Hi Star, are you coming too? Looks like we're making a trip of this! Do you want to race? I've been practicing, I'm sure I can win this time."

Robin peeked. The rush of emotion at seeing her made his head spin.

Starfire floated a small distance away, her hands behind her back and her expression carefully crafted to appear neutral. "That would depend. Where are you going?" she inquired with tilted head.

Robin returned to the aforementioned cringe.

Green Lantern jaw clicked from the quick snap shut it did. He peered at her, then at Robin. "You didn't tell her."

Robin splayed his fingers as he lifted his shoulders. "Well…"

Green Lantern's hand shot out and he gripped the back of Robin's neck. Spinning him around to face Starfire, Green Lantern released him. "I told you, the one you really should talk to is Starfire. She's best suited to help."

"Talk to me regarding what?"

"I told you, I can't," Robin hissed at Green Lantern and turned away from Starfire. Seeing her standing there, all innocent and sunshine, he couldn't stand it. "Not until I have this under control."

"Have what under control?" Starfire asked. "You do not appear to be unbalanced. If fury was still an issue you would not have been able to reach orbit. What do you need to control?"

"Star, I really can't look at you right now. Go back to the Tower."

"What?" Starfire blurted.

Realising what he'd just said, Robin jerked his head up and spun around to face her and became entangled in his cape again. "No, wait, I—"

"You do not wish to see me?" Starfire asked, her expression hurt.

"Well, that was incredibly poorly worded," Green Lantern said and shook his head. "For shame."

"Hal?" Starfire asked, seeking clarification.

"The boy's having trouble with his prehensile organ," Green Lantern said with a barely contained smirk.

Robin scolded, "Hal!" He lunged for the man, but he ghosted out of his bubble, leaving Robin trapped inside.

Starfire looked bewildered. "What?"

"Apparently he wants to—"

Robin growled and punched the barrier. "Shut up!"

"Rage is also a hassle," Green Lantern continued. "But mainly hormones."

Starfire's gazed flicked from Robin to Green Lantern and back again. "Hormones?"

Now Robin groaned and covered his face in his hands.

Green Lantern shrugged. "Saying it like it is. I'll just float over there and block my ears. Feel free to go inside the bubble, Star. You can chat easier then."

Starfire looked at Robin and narrowed her eyes. Remaining outside the bubble, she drifted closer to study him. "I see."

He couldn't look at her.

Lifting her hand, she rested it on the globe. "Human mentalities in Tamaranian form."

He glanced at her, then at Green Lantern to check how far away he was and make sure he was pretending not to listen.

"It is no wonder you have the trouble. My apologies."

"It's not your fault."

"I should not have allowed us to complicate matters," Starfire said and drew back. "It was a mistake."

He frowned. "Don't say that."

"We both know you would never have allowed it to occur had you been of your right mind. It is as Green Lantern said, and unfortunate side effect of human mentality trying to cope with Tamaranian hormones. I was reckless and disregarded the knowledge you would never have—"

"I've wanted to kiss you for ages."

Starfire closed her mouth and stared at him. "No—"

"Ever since you learnt English from me," he admitted.

"What?"

He frowned as a thought occurred to him, then smirked. "Which, by the way, you totally didn't have to kiss me, did you?"

She swallowed and dropped her gaze. "Er—"

"I'm not taking it back, Star," he said, and raised his hand so it rested on the bubble. "And I'm not about to let you babble your way into taking it back either. I wanted to kiss you while I was human. I'll want to kiss you when I go back to being human. If I go back."

Starfire shook her head. "Robin—"

"I'm not used to following through with an emotion, that's all. I'm used to my mind working out solutions while remaining emotionally detached. I'm having trouble reconciling my mind and body but I will figure this all out. Seems to me emotional instability is a good trade for being able to fly, breathe in space, be strong, and throw starbolts."

"But you—"

"Would have gotten around to kissing you at some stage," he said. "Eventually. So the Tamaranian hormones upped the schedule, but I'm flexible."

Starfire wrung her fingers together. "Oh."

"We were on our way to see someone who might be able to shed some light on the righteous fury side of emotions and you make it very difficult to concentrate while you're floating there being all adorable like you are."

She blinked and tilted her head at him, regarding him with furrowed brow. "... adorable?"

"Very."

"I am… most unused to you blatantly flirtatious."

He smiled sheepishly. "I seem to be lacking any sort of brain-to-mouth filter. Do you mind?"

"No," she said after a moment's consideration. "It is… most enjoyable. I think I like it."

"Well, good. It's refreshing to be honest. Not confined to 'I think your starbolts are awesome'."

Starfire covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. "Indeed."

He floated forward, his intention pretty clear, only to be stalled by the bubble which allowed him to talk in space.

"Told you," Green Lantern called. "Always better to communicate."

"Just drop the shield," Robin called.

As the shield dissipated, he pulled Starfire toward him and pressed his lips to hers.