Chapter 28
Something shifted in Starfire's eyes and she bent at the waist, her face hovering above Nightwing's neck. He could feel her breathing in his ear, sniffing, before her tongue tasted the skin beneath his ear. The hand around his neck loosened a fraction.
"Male," she growled in his ear, before pulling her face away. "Chosen." A shudder rippled through her body. The hand around his neck released, dropping to her side and Nightwing gulped in a gasp of breath.
The green glow of her eyes flickered and died, the fury within her gone. She touched his face lightly, as if to reaffirm that he was really there, leaving a sticky smear of green blood on his cheek. "Richard," she whispered with a tenderness that was breathtaking.
Nightwing breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief and blinked back tears. He knew she had been in there, trying to get to him.
Then he saw something else reach out and grab her. She stiffened, every muscle suddenly so tense it looked as though she would snap. She sucked in a ragged gasp of breath, throwing her head back, her hands clawing at her chest.
Her legs collapsed from under her and he caught her before she hit the ground. "Starfire!"
A moan sounded before him and Nightwing raised his head, startled to find several Citadelians rising to their feet. He glanced over his shoulder at the now shrinking portal. He slapped his mask back on and gathering the trembling Starfire into his arms, he made a mad dash for the portal, propelling both of them through.
There was chaos on the other side of the portal as they tumbled through.
Screaming and shouting.
Arms pulling at him, hands tugging at Starfire.
He snarled and hunched his body over hers protectively.
"Back off!" Cyborg bellowed, shoving Titans away from Nightwing. Black energy wrapped itself around more Titans, pulling them away as Raven and Beast Boy interposed themselves between the Titans and Nightwing.
"Nightwing, how could you bring her here?" Lightning cried. "You saw what she was doing! She'll kill us all!"
"No," Nightwing bellowed, uncovering Starfire's shivering form. He brushed the slick green and red hair away from her face. Her eyes were closed, her hands clenched into twitching fists. "It's not Starfire's fault. Those bastards drugged her, they did this to her and now she's fighting it."
Raven knelt beside them, her hand hovering over Starfire's head, her eyes glowing with power. "The rage is gone," she said softly. The room breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"What's wrong with her?" Blackfire asked with concern. "What did they give her?"
Nightwing raised his eyes to hers. "Something that induces the desires of morn'lo, multiplying it tenfold, only since she couldn't find me, she used it to fuel her anger. It's going to kill her."
Blackfire sucked in a gasp, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. "Oh X'hal, letumdelectat. Not letumdelectat."
Starfire's eyes snapped open. "Kom?" she gasped, her hands quivering.
"Kori, Kori, I'm here. I'm so sorry, Kori, I came as soon as I could." Blackfire knelt beside her, taking her hand. Starfire shied away, turning her face into Nightwing's chest, squeezing shut her eyes once more.
Raven placed a hand on the devastated Blackfire's shoulder. "It's not you," she said quietly. "She couldn't stand our touch before either. I think every sense is heightened somehow."
"But you said the rage was gone," Blackfire replied anxiously.
Raven looked at Nightwing meaningfully. "The rage is gone. She found her chosen. She was looking for you. And since she found you, the rage has been replaced."
"Replaced with what?" Kid Flash asked curiously.
Nightwing looked at Raven, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. He didn't want to have gone to all this trouble just to lose her again. "Please tell me there is something you can do," he begged. "Please."
Raven placed a hand on Starfire's forehead. Starfire shuddered and tried to move away, but Raven held fast, her hand glowing with power. She was silent for a long moment before she said; "I can take the edge away, give her a little control over it, make sure it won't kill her. But the drug will still need to run its course."
Nightwing breathed in a sigh of relief; an anxiety that he hadn't known existed draining away from him. She was going to be all right. "Thanks, Raven, I'm really glad you and Beast Boy are okay too, you know?"
Raven nodded, an unreadable expression in her eyes as she released Starfire's head. "Go."
He lifted up Starfire in his arms, cradling her against his chest. "I want to thank you all for your assistance in rescuing Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy," he said to the assembled Titans who were watching him closely. "You have all been invaluable. I am in awe of your teamwork and skills. When we return to Earth, we'll have a party or something." Starfire began to purr and nuzzle his neck, her hands making little clenching motions on his chest and Nightwing went bright red. "Um… Cyborg?"
Cyborg chuckled and placed his hand on Nightwing's shoulder. "Sure thing, I'll take care of them. Just… you know, wash her off first or something?"
Nightwing gave him a withering look and stalked toward the bathroom. "Someone tell Galfore she's fine would you?"
"No, seriously, replaced with what?" Kid Flash asked again as the door closed.
TTTTT
Starfire was all over him the instant the door clicked closed, her lips plastered to his. Nightwing let out a muffled yelp as she twisted in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and ground against him. He fumbled for his gloves and belt, tossing them aside and managed to kick off his boots before he staggered over to the shower and turned on the water. The stream of cold water still wasn't enough to pry Starfire's lips loose from his, so he fumbled for the warm water tap.
It was hard to concentrate on kissing her while he tried to clean off the green muck from her hair and body, but somehow he managed to do it.
Her hands snaked under his shirt and her lips left his for the moment it took for her to yank his shirt over his head. He caught the look in her eyes as she tossed his shirt away; it was not his Starfire that stared back at him, but a body driven by lust. But she was in there still; he just had to find her.
Her hands went to his mask next, tearing it off and tossing it away as her lips clamped on his.
He fumbled for her gorget, the damaged latches disintegrating beneath his hands. It dropped wetly to the tiled floor. It seemed that the streaming water was simply too much for Starfire's shredded uniform, one quick yank and it fell apart, but she didn't seem to care.
His hand caressed her bare breast, but it seemed she needed more than simple touch as her mouth bruised against his. She fumbled for her thong, ripping it off in one deft move. She unhooked her legs from his waist, floating her body away as her hands reached for his pants, yanking them down enough to expose him.
She wrapped her legs around his hips again before impaling herself on him with a sigh. He let out a muffled croak against her lips before he shoved her against the wall, thrusting deeply into her, allowing her lust to spill over to him.
She groaned throatily, releasing his lips and opened her eyes. Blue eyes stared into green ones and Nightwing saw the first flicker of the true Starfire that bubbled beneath the surface appear in them.
He froze in relief at seeing the real her, the warm water of the shower pounding on his back. He pulled her wet hair off her face, wanting to see her eyes.
"Do not stop," she panted, her eyes glazing once more. "Please, Richard, do not stop."
He began to thrust again, reveling in the fact that with each thrust, more and more of his Starfire appeared in her eyes. He wanted to keep this movement up forever, knowing the longer he could, the longer she would stay with him, before being buried back under a layer of lust and lost in the need for release.
But it was not to be. She moaned throatily, her head thrown back, her hands clamping on his to shoulders and she pushed down against him, trying to bury him deeper within. He groaned as he felt shudder around him, his head dropping to her shoulder as he spilled into her.
She stroked his hair, in such a Starfireish motion that he raised his head to look in her eyes once more.
"Starfire," he breathed thankfully as she still shined from her eyes.
"Richard," she said quietly, her voice husky. "You came."
"Of course I did," he replied, his finger caressing her cheek. "I could never leave you. I love you so much, Star."
Tears filled her eyes. "I love you too, Richard." Fear replaced the tears. "Raven? Beast Boy?"
He patted her wet hair. "They're fine, Star. They're right outside with Blackfire too. You're gonna be fine, Raven made sure the drug won't kill you. Oh god Star, I couldn't bear it if I lost you again."
Pain surged in Starfire's eyes briefly. "Richard, there is nothing she-" she began before a shudder swept through her body and she was lost once more.
TTTTT
"Well," Cyborg said as the bathroom door closed. "As Nightwing said, thank you all for coming. We couldn't have done it without you. Now, if any of you are in need of healing, I'm sure Raven-"
"Can't," Raven said, still kneeling on the floor, her face filled with despair. "I need the energy. Starfire's dying."
"What?" came the cry from the Titans in the room.
"But you said-"
"How?"
"I lied," Raven yelled, the room dropping into silence. "The drugs gone too deep," she continued softly. "Maybe if I had more time, a lot more time, maybe if I been able to touch her before she went on the rampage, maybe if she'd been able to hold still instead of being forced to keep moving, then maybe I could do something about it." She shook her head, her voice breaking. "But now? There is nothing to be done but help her through the last stage. And that stage is not far away."
"Why did you tell Nightwing she was going to be alright?" Cyborg asked, his voice cracking.
"You do know what's wrong with her don't you?" she snapped.
Cyborg nodded. "Yes."
Raven raised her head and gave Cyborg a scathing look. "Could you go in there and do what Robin- Nightwing needs to do, what she needs him to do, knowing that she's going to die?"
Silence.
"How is it you two survived?" Kole asked tentatively. "She didn't seem to recognise us."
Raven turned her head. "Something of Starfire still existed in the rage, she could surface only briefly. She said before it started that as long as we didn't try and stop her and Beast Boy remained an animal, she wouldn't harm us. But she had to keep moving, always moving. I didn't even have a chance to find a safe spot to stop to mediate and find a way out of the place."
"We had a few very scary moments in there," Beast Boy said softly, his hand gripping Raven's shoulder. "When it seemed she'd forgotten we were there and had to remind herself. But she protected us too. So many times she saw one of those monsters coming that we didn't see. So many times she threw herself in the way. I have no doubt that we would be dead if it wasn't for her."
"And she killed those two," Jinx muttered. "I though you heroes weren't supposed to do that."
"And what would you do," Blackfire snapped harshly, her eyes glowing purple. "If those bastards stole three years of your life? If they subjected you to years of torture and servitude and…" She clasped her hands over her head, tears forming in her eyes. "She took my place, it was meant to be me and she took it. She smiled and let him do it and she never told us." She fell to her knees. "Oh X'hal, Kori, they took our brother and now they're taking you too. They deserved it. Every last one of them."
Raven stood and turned to Jinx. "Yes, she killed them," she said sorrowfully. "But did you see her enjoying it? Did you see her torturing them first? She killed them in one single hit. Just one. That's all it took before she moved onto the next one. Personally, that was better than the alternative. I'd kill them too, rather than have to do what they wanted her to do. For those of you that are too thick to have figured it out, they gave her a lust drug. Trigon be damned, they wanted her to service them until she died."
Jinx and several of the Titans went green and turned away but Raven hadn't finished. "They took away her freedom and gave her two choices, submit or destroy." She sighed and looked toward the bathroom door. "Perhaps it's best that she's going to burn out soon. She won't have to live with what she's done. At least I managed to give her back some measure of control; she can talk to him, say goodbye properly. Now, all we can do is wait, say goodbye if we get the chance and pick up the pieces."
TTTTT
The joining between them became slower, less frantic, more at the leisurely pace they were used to and she was able to stay with him longer after each one. Which was good, because he was wearing out fast. And he could feel the waves of exhaustion rolling off her too.
He was glad that Tamaranian bathrooms were soundproof and the shower was running. He didn't like the idea of the other Titans being in the next room but it couldn't be helped and at least they couldn't hear what was going on.
Somehow they had ended up sitting on the floor, his back to a wall so she could straddle him and take everything at her own pace. He found it quite enthralling to see her head thrown back in pleasure as she rode him, his hand or mouth hot on her breast. And it was good that she didn't need him to finish so she could come out of the haze, after the second time he knew he wouldn't be climaxing again any time soon.
She stroked his hair and he gazed into her eyes, his heart breaking each time she disappeared beneath the layer of lust.
And suddenly the lust was gone and Starfire smiled for him, all the tension draining away from her. "It is over, Richard," she whispered, pulling away from him. She floated out of the shower, reaching for a towel and wrapped it around her body.
Nightwing breathed a sigh of relief and shut off the water. He fixed his wet pants so they sat correctly and rubbing them down with a towel until they were simply damp.
He thought about their future. She was going to be sad for a while, after all, she'd been forced to do some terrible things. Even if she was flying now, once today's events caught up with her, she was going to collapse in a heap, he could see that. So they'd stay on Tamaran so she could heal, where they wouldn't be bothered by Titan alerts or other hero duties, where she could keep an eye on Galfore and his attack on the Citadel and not have to be worried about her family. She could take the time to reconnect with her sister and spend time with Fyria. And Beast Boy and Raven would need time to mend from their ordeal too, after all, they'd been forced to watch.
And he'd be there every step of the way to help Starfire through her pain. He was going to hold on tight and never let her go.
Perhaps she'd like to be married on their anniversary? That was coming up in a few months. They could come back to Tamaran for a ceremony and bring his father and Alfred and all the Titans back for it. Then he'd take her away on a honeymoon, someplace nice and warm where for the first time it could be just the two of them for a while, where they wouldn't have to worry about being quiet and discrete, or Cyborg springing them. Or maybe somewhere nice and cold so they could snuggle. She loved the snow just as much as she loved the beach and since she could fly; maybe they could do both. They could go anywhere she wanted to go, and he'd be happy as long as they were together.
He turned to Starfire, intending to ask her what she wanted and froze in shock.
The words died on his lips and new ones leapt from them unbidden. "Oh god, no."
TTTTT
Raven sat on the floor, tucked away in a corner by the doors heading to the balcony, gently stroking the green cat sitting on her lap. The motion of her hands soothed her and Beast Boy too, lulling them both into a false sense of security. The sorrowful music of Jericho's lute filtered through the air.
She glanced around the room, surprised at the grieving pairings that were taking place.
Cyborg was on the balcony speaking softly to a grieving Blackfire. Kole and Gnarrk stood on the balcony too, Gnarrk's big arms holding on tightly. Kid Flash and Jinx, well there was no surprise there, they'd been rumored to be an item anyway. Pantha and Wildebeest, except they had more of sibling relationship like Thunder and Lightning. The two surprising couples were Bumblebee and Herald and Argent and Hotspot. Raven had known Bumblebee had a thing for Herald, but had never realised the feeling was mutual and she was quietly glad for her friend. Argent and Hotspot was a shock, but they had been working very closely together lately.
After all, what were the Teen Titans without raging hormones?
Raven sighed sadly. What were the Teen Titans without Starfire?
The green cat raised himself out of her lap, placing two paws on her chest and rubbed his face against hers.
Galfore and a bandaged Fyria landed on the balcony; Blackfire hovered uncertainly before them until Fyria opened her arms in invitation. Blackfire dashed into their arms.
Raven buried her head into Beast Boy's fur, unable to bear the pain within the room, the pain within her own heart. Everyone was hurting in their own way. Starfire had been such light and love for all of them.
Red Star survived because of her; he had friends because of her.
Mas Y Menos considered themselves in love with her.
Thunder and Lightning understood the meaning of consequences because Beast Boy had taught them after leaning from her.
Aqualad, Speedy, Bumblebee, all of the Titans received something from her, whether it was simply from her friendship or she saved their life. And now there was nothing anyone could do to save hers.
And out of all of them, Robin… Nightwing was going to lose the most.
The door to the bathroom creaked open and Raven raised her head.
Starfire floated through clad only a towel and her tattered boots and gloves, her hair still dripping water, her whole body shining a brilliant green.
Raven rose to her feet, clutching the green cat tightly in her hands. "It's time, isn't it?" she choked out.
Starfire's eyes slowly turned to her and she smiled serenely, nodding only once.
As one, the Titans stood, a silent salute to a wonderful alien girl. A friend.
A wet Nightwing appeared in the door behind Starfire, dressed only in black pants and the ever present e'ara on his arm, a terrible grief filling his blue eyes. His eyes found Raven's. "You lied," he said, his voice breaking.
Raven nodded, her eyes filling with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Starfire turned back to Nightwing, caressing his cheek with her hand, before she floated toward the balcony, Nightwing a pace behind her, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
The Titans gathered in silence.
She floated to each of them, placing a hand on their shoulders in silent goodbye. Red Star and Bumblebee were graced with a few murmured words in their ears. Mas Y Menos were blessed with a hug.
Raven couldn't understand it. How could Starfire approach each of them, with such a serene smile on her face and say goodbye without crying? How could she be so calm about her own death, more concerned with how everyone else was feeling than what she was going through?
Starfire floated up to Cyborg, throwing her arms around his neck. "Brother," they all heard her say and she whispered into his ear, before kissing his cheek softly.
Beast Boy received the same treatment, tears streaming down his face and he clung to her before she untangled herself, touched his cheek lightly and moved on.
Blackfire was next. The Tamaranian woman burst into tears, begging for Starfire's forgiveness. Starfire smiled serenely, caressing her sister's cheek. "I love you," she whispered.
Galfore and Fyria received a double hug and a whispered endearment.
Raven waited impatiently for her turn. She threw her arms around Starfire. "I'm sorry," she whispered frantically, knowing time was short. "That I can't take this away. I can't make this better. I wish I could. I'd do anything to be able to. I'm so sorry, Star."
Starfire returned the hug gently and Raven could feel the burn of her skin as her powers bubbled beneath it. "It will be all right, sister," she whispered, kissing Raven softly on the cheek. "I love you. Please look after him. You will need to be the bedrock for the Titans now. Do not let them forget what they have together. I am glad that you have found love in your heart, cherish it, for it will always lead you true."
The green glow intensified and began to pulse as Starfire turned to Nightwing. She reached out a trembling hand, brushing away the tears from his face. "D'anthe l'ani."
"Please, Star, don't go."
Starfire reached up to the small metal band on her arm, pressing the button to detach it. With both hands she placed the band in his hands, before pulling off the small ring on her finger.
Nightwing's hands began to shake as she gently placed the ring in his hands. "Please, Star…"
Starfire smiled and traced his cheek with her finger. "No more sacrifices," she said, kissing him hard and very quickly, her body already floating away from him. "I love you, Richard."
And she was gone; zipping away into the sky before Nightwing could grab her, a green trail of energy flowing in her wake.
"Starfire! No!" screamed Nightwing. Raven grabbed him in her powers, preventing him from leaping off the balcony after her. He collapsed to the ground, clutching Starfire's e'ara and engagement ring tightly to his chest, his face twisted in anguish.
A green ball of power erupted in the distance, the force of the release ripping through the sky, tearing away the clouds. Displaced sound rushed toward them and many of the Titans fell to the ground, covering their ears in pain.
The only thing that was heard in the silence that followed was the echoing sound of Nightwing's voice as he screamed out the name of his lost love.