Chapter 8

Starfire stood before the computer and pressed the series of buttons that would allow her to communicate with Tamaran. Robin pulled his mask out of his utility belt, placed it back on his face and walked to stand by her side, taking her hand in his.

Galfore must have been waiting for their call as he appeared on the screen almost instantly. "Koriand'r," he boomed. "I was beginning to wonder if I should come and fetch you myself. I trust everything is under control now? You did not seem so happy last time we spoke."

"I apologise for taking so long. We had a few… issues that required the sorting out."

Robin involuntarily clenched his hand against Starfire's.

"So what is your decision, my little bungorf?"

Robin cleared his throat, his hands suddenly sweaty. "Galfore, I would like to request your permission to take Starfire's hand in marriage."

Galfore boomed with laughter. "Finally!" he laughed. "It has taken a long time for you to come to your senses, Robin, why, I remember how she felt about you when you both were on Tamaran last time."

Starfire went bright red and Robin rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Yeah," he muttered. "I'm a little slow."

"We shall start the wedding preparations immediately," Galfore announced happily. "There is so much-"

"No Galfore," Starfire interrupted, holding up her hand. "We plan to honour some human traditions as well as Tamaranian ones. While it is commonplace on Tamaran to be married before the age of seventeen, it is considered quite young here. We would simply like to become betrothed and marry when we are older."

"There will be a wedding," Robin included with a glance at Starfire. "Just not yet. Starfire told me about the xhandal and I would like to know the chances of it actually being declared."

"Very high," Galfore replied, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Koriand'r is not only the last remaining descendant of Guand'r that has not been banished, she also repelled the Citadel. And although she has renounced her claim to the throne, she remains royalty. There are many young men that idolize her and will take the chance even if she has undergone the a'tiyk valm."

"Then I will compete in the xhandal to prove myself worthy of marrying her."

"We have a few conditions," Starfire said. "Firstly, no more than one or two battles a day. Robin is a very worthy warrior, but he does not have the stamina that we do. Secondly, the xhandal must not be any sooner than a month from now. Thirdly, our friends must be allowed to attend. I know it is customary for offworlders to be barred from such events, but it is important to me."

Galfore considered. "What about your weapons? Will you forfeit them and fight in the traditional Tamaranian way?"

Robin nodded. "I will, that is why we are asking for a month so I can learn the traditional way."

"Very well," Galfore replied. "I accept your conditions. I will make the announcement of your intentions and wait the customary week to see if there are any xhandal contenders. If there are any contenders, the xhandal will be held a month from when it is declared. Would that be acceptable?"

"That would give us five weeks to prepare," Starfire said, looking at Robin.

Robin nodded. "That would be acceptable."

"I still expect to see you in five weeks, Koriand'r. If there will not be a wedding then, you must at least allow us to celebrate your betrothal."

"I look forward to it, Galfore."

"If I may ask, in what form has your a'tiyk valm manifested?"

"It is empathic," replied Starfire, her face blank.

Galfore nodded. "Very good, I will contact you in seven days," he replied before the image disappeared.

Robin stared at Starfire. "You lied to him about the a'tiyk valm."

Starfire nodded and turned to face him. "If he knew the nature of our bond, I would not be allowed to witness your battles in the xhandal. It is not permitted for you to receive help when battling, any encouragement you might receive though our link could be perceived as help." She swallowed and studied him closely. "Robin, are you sure you wish to do this? I could simply renounce my ties to Tamaran."

"No," Robin replied. "You have sacrificed so much, I couldn't live with myself if you sacrificed your planet for me." He glanced at the clock. "Look, there is several hours before dawn, you should go and get some sleep. I'll take you back to your room."

"Robin," she said quietly, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "We are betrothed now. On Tamaran, it would be acceptable for us to sleep in the same bed." She clenched his hand tightly. "I am not ready to couple with you, but I do not wish to be alone."

Robin gave her a slow smile. "If that's what you want," he replied giving her a quick kiss and together they crept through the darkened corridors of Titans Tower back to her room.

TTTTT

Robin stood by Starfire's window gazing out into the world as he waited for her to finish in the shower. He had managed to be up before her and had showered first, allowing her to sleep in a while longer. He had truly enjoyed being snuggled up to her all night and they had slept in because of it. But he did not want to face their friends alone and now waited patiently for her to complete her morning rituals.

Cyborg had installed bathrooms in each of their rooms, after several pot plants inexplicably died and the girls began to complain of green hair in the drain. Starfire's bathroom was quite different than his, in that it was pink and smelled faintly of roses. They had made a quick stop in his room last night so he could gather some clothes and toiletries and he was glad because Starfire didn't seem to own hair gel. How she managed with hair like hers he would never know.

She sang in Tamaranian in the shower, a strange off-key lullaby-like song that he couldn't understand but sounded soothing nonetheless. That she sang at all was something he didn't know she did. It was endearing to think there were so many little things about her he still didn't know. And now, after a night of heartache, pain and discovery they were engaged. He ran a hand through his hair before rubbing the back of his neck. He would need to get her an engagement ring. But could she even wear one or would her star bolts burn it up? What did Tamaranians give each other as a symbol of marriage?

He was glad she had mentioned not wishing to couple with him yet. There were times that he couldn't think of anything else but her beneath him, but was content to wait until she was ready. He briefly wondered if that was normal for guys his age, but then Starfire was someone special and he didn't want to stuff up their first time. Especially now.

The door to Starfire's bathroom opened and his day got considerably brighter. She stepped into the room, still brushing her hair and walked toward him.

"Hi," he said as she came to stand beside him.

"Good morning, Robin," she replied before tossing her brush onto her already made bed. "Are you ready to greet our friends?"

He sighed and put his arm around her waist. "Do I have to? Can't I just hide in here forever?"

"It may not be as bad as you believe," she said with a smile, gently pulling him toward the door.

He pouted at her before reluctantly following her from the room. They walked down the corridor side by side, his hand around her waist almost possessively.

Three heads swung toward the common room door as it slid open. Beast Boy and Cyborg stopped playing the game machine and Raven stood from attending to Beast Boy's leg.

All three of them approached door with carefully blank expressions on their faces. Robin swallowed and his arm clenched Starfire's waist.

"Greetings friends," said Starfire cheerfully. "Is it not a glorious morning?"

They stopped. Stared.

"It's a very late morning for you, Star," Beast Boy said carefully. "What were you guys doing all that time?"

"We were sorting out a few things," Robin replied, locking eyes with Raven. "First of all, I am very, very sorry about how I treated Starfire. I overreacted and didn't think the situation through. It won't happen again."

"Damn straight," Cyborg drawled, his arms folded across his chest. "I'm still plannin' on kickin' yer ass to Gotham."

Robin kept a careful eye on Raven who was watching the pair through veiled eyes. "Second of all, we're all going to Tamaran in about five weeks. Probably for an extended stay."

"Cool!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "They have such great animals there, but Star, can you tell me how to use the bathrooms before we go? I never figured it out last time."

Starfire smiled. "Galfore will be installing a human bathroom for us," she said before turning her eyes back to Robin.

Robin took at deep breath. "Third, we're getting married."

Raven emitted a muffled squeal and then turned bright red as four pairs of astonished eyes turned toward her. "That's just great," she muttered, wrapping herself in her cloak, trying to hide. "First I get to experience emotions and now I'm channeling Starfire." She raised her eyes to Starfire. "Is this what you want?"

Robin fought to remain still and not turn to Starfire for her answer, however anxiously he wanted to know. Cyborg and Beast Boy looked at Starfire.

"Yes," she replied evenly. "This is what I want."

"Well, all right!" Cyborg exclaimed, approaching the couple, his hand held up. Robin obliged him with high five. "Congratulations!" he said and kissed Starfire on the cheek.

"There is more," Raven said, her eyes narrowed as she looked between the two.

"Yes," Starfire replied while Beast Boy enveloped her in a congratulatory hug. "Because of the nature of the a'tiyk valm, we are required by Tamaranian law to be married. If there are any contenders, Robin is to undertake the xhandal. It is a Tamaranian contest for couples to prove themselves worthy. Any other eligible male on Tamaran can enter in a bid to claim my hand in marriage and Robin must defeat them all. We will need help to prepare him for battle."

"That seems a bit barbaric doesn't it?" Beast Boy asked.

"It's their way," Robin replied, casting a warning glance at Beast Boy.

"It's no worse that what humans have done in the past," Raven said darkly. "And remember, Tamaranians still have arranged marriages."

"But what if he loses?" Beast Boy asked frantically. "I mean, hello, they have super strength and flight and star bolts and the glowy eye thing. How can you hope to beat that?"

Robin frowned. "Don't have much confidence in me do you?"

"He's right, man. Face it, Starfire is stronger than me," Cyborg added. "You haven't got a chance."

"Do you really think there are many Tamaranians as badass as Starfire?" Robin snapped, suddenly angry at his friends lack of support. "How many of them posed a threat last time we were there? I made it to the goddamn throne room and they couldn't stop me. I can handle them one at a time."

Starfire laid a calming hand on his shoulder before turning to her friends. "Tamaranian powers are inclined by our emotions. Flight is dependent on unbridled joy. Our strength is governed by boundless confidence. The eye beams by righteous fury. Each of these emotions has its weakness."

"You said when we first met," Raven said thoughtfully. "That there was no word for nice in your language. From what you've told us about your planet and what I saw when we were there, I can't imagine your people being able to sustain flight as much as you can. I don't think I saw anyone else fly other than you and Blackfire and she only did it while she was fighting you."

"Indeed," Starfire replied with a smile and a shy glance at Robin. "It is the good memories I have gained on this planet that allows me to sustain flight for such a lengthy time."

"And we can tackle the confidence part as well," Cyborg included, rubbing his chin. "The longer Robin can last against an opponent, the less confident they will be. Just get a few good hits in."

"Exactly," Robin said. "That's my plan."

"Hello?" Beast Boy cried, waving his hands frantically. "What about the star bolts? Those things can hurt!"

"Eye beams wont be a problem, we can see those coming," Robin said dismissively. "As for star bolts," he stopped and glanced at Starfire.

"Blackfire and I are the only Tamaranians that can produce them," she continued and changed the subject before anyone could question her about it. "Cyborg, there are prints of blue in the computer from Galfore detailing the Tamaranian soral. It is the weapon Robin must learn to use for the xhandal. You did perhaps see the guards carrying one, can you please make us several to practice with?"

"Yeah sure, no problem," he replied already tapping away at his arm console. He let out a long whistle. "Damn, Star, osmium alloy? That thing looks heavy."

"With our strength, we do not need to create lighter metals for our weapons," Starfire explained.

"That's why I need you all to help me," Robin said. "Starfire will be training me in Tamaranian methods. Cyborg, I'd like you to help me with weights training. Beast Boy, you're on stamina. And Raven, can you please help us learn to control this a'tiyk valm."

Raven nodded. "Beast Boy is not doing any stamina runs for a while, his leg is not healed properly yet."

"I realise that," he replied glancing down at Beast Boy's leg. The leg of his pants was rolled up past his knee displaying a slight puckering and redness of the green skin, but looked a lot better than it had the previous day. "How is it?"

Raven followed his gaze. "The surface is healing, it shouldn't scar. I still have a lot of work to do on the flesh beneath the skin. Burns take longer to heal than fractures and cuts. He can walk with minimal pain presently, but I don't want him shifting for a while incase he damages it more."

Beast Boy grinned. "My Raven's a fine healer," he replied proudly swinging his leg in display.

"My Raven?" Raven asked disbelievingly. "Since when did I become your Raven?"

Beast Boy squeaked and ducked behind Cyborg. "Oh no you don't, short stuff," Cyborg grinned, hoisting the wriggling changeling out from behind him by the back of his neck. "You want Raven to be your girl, you can deal with her mood swings."

"Mood swings?" Raven repeated sinisterly as several boxes and chairs levitated into the air. Cyborg and Beast Boy turned and fled from the common room, pushing and shoving each other out of the way as they tried to escape out the door.

Starfire giggled merrily and headed for the kitchen to prepare something to eat.

Raven lowered the boxes and drifted to Robin's side as he watched Starfire in the kitchen. "She's not flying."

Robin glanced at her, his shoulders slumping. "I know." He sighed. "Believe me I know. I screwed up royally. I'm going to do everything in my power to set things right… I just hope she wasn't lying when she said this is what she wanted. After everything I did to her, I can't blame her is she was."

"She wasn't," Raven said, studying Starfire carefully. "There is still hurt there and very deep but she wasn't lying. It's easier to forgive than forget." She frowned. "It's strange, almost as though some of the pain she's experiencing is coming from somewhere else. Just give her time."

"As long as she wants," he replied softly, his heart heavy, knowing where some of her pain was coming from. That was the reason why she'd never shared her past with them before; it was painful for her to relive.

Starfire chose that moment to look up at them and smiled. "Are you planning on remaining there or are you going to assist me?"

"I plan to stand here and watch you," he answered with a grin.

"I, erm… have some idiots to chase down," Raven said, lifting her cowl and heading for the door. "I think I've given them enough of a head start."