Disclaimer – See the first chapter.
Warning – Stupid humor, eventual f/f romance.
Other – Ah, fluff alert in this chapter. Other than that, no worries, eh, cap'n? Oh, and I've discovered what the ending of the story shall be.
Raven was glad that she woke first. It gave her a chance to start putting her plan into action. If all went well, Star wouldn't think twice about not bringing Raven back to the prince.
"Star?" She asked, mouth very close to Star's ear. She received no answer and figured it was safe to continue. Moving one leg over Star's waist, Raven straddled her victim, leaning in close. She placed small kisses along the side of Star's face, waiting for the other girl to wake up.
"Raven…" Star's eyes didn't open, but her body squiggled.
Raven kissed the tip of Star's nose, "Yes, Star?"
"Please…"
Raven took that as an open invitation, placing her mouth directly on Star's. She waited patiently; Star would wake up soon. It took less than a minute – Star's eyes flickered open. She tried to sit up, only to find Raven had her pinned to the mat. Her struggle lasted all of ten seconds.
Raven smiled into the kiss. This was what she was hoping for. She drew back and waited for Star to speak.
"What did you do?" Star sounded horrified. She tried to shove Raven off.
"Gave you what you wanted." Raven took a gamble, "At least, that's what you said last night."
Star blushed profusely… She had no idea she spoke in her sleep. "I cannot…"
"You can! Think selfishly a minute!" Raven argued.
Star shook her head, "I cannot!"
"Then think of me!" Raven stared longingly down at her captive friend, "Do you really think I want to marry the prince?"
Star's face trembled. She truly hadn't thought of that. "You do not wish to marry him?"
"No." Raven stated without a hint of hesitance. "What I want is for you to kiss me."
Star gulped softly. Nobody had ever treated her like this, and she had to admit, she kind of liked someone taking charge. There was a moment of tense silence before Star gave in, leaning up to kiss Raven.
They were interrupted by their host knocking at their door. Raven sighed – she'd pick this up later. She swung off of Star, heading to open the door. The woman held a large tray of breakfast items and Raven monotonously gave her thanks.
Star had already changed her clothing, hoping that Raven wouldn't see her unclothed. Now that she was awake, her previous qualms had taken hold again.
"Raven, we must return to the kingdom. It is my duty. From there you may turn down the prince if you wish, but I must bring you in." Starfire regretfully informed her charge.
"Did that mean nothing to you?" Raven demanded, temper flaring. It wasn't enough to awaken her curse, but it was enough to be annoying.
"No, but I cannot escape my job." She replied sadly. "I would give anything to stay, but I cannot. What would I do if Prince Robin came seeking me? Or Friend Beast Boy?"
"Hide!" Raven didn't understand where Star's sense of duty came from.
"I cannot spend my life in hiding, dear Raven."
"Why not?" She hit her fists into the bed, frustrated.
"That is no way to live." Star murmured. "So please, do not tempt me further."
Raven growled angrily and threw the breakfast tray down. She seized her pack and stormed from the room, "I'll meet you outside."
Starfire felt terrible, but there was little she could do. She ate a small breakfast before grabbing the remaining pack and finding Raven outside. Head hung with shame, Star set off, knowing Raven would follow her.
"I'm sorry…" Star murmured loudly enough that Raven could hear her.
"Yeah, so am I." Raven's voice had lost any luster it once contained, and every word she spoke was deadpanned and flat.
"May we make a deal?"
"No."
"I still wish for us to return to the castle but if you wish to cuddle along the way, I will not stop you." Star hoped Raven would take her up on the offer, "And if you refuse Prince Robin, I will gladly take you into my home."
Raven sighed, "Starfire, if I turn him down, he'll throw me into jail."
"I will explain to him what has happened."
"And get yourself thrown in, too?"
"What if we told him that it was the curse and since I used my kiss to awaken you, it is with me you must stay?" Star reasoned.
"He'd probably still imprison us."
Starfire fell silent, defeated. This wasn't turning out like she had hoped. Raven walked behind her, at least five paces back. Star felt the morning sunshine was taunting her – it was too cheerful for her mood.
Suddenly Raven jumped forward, shoving Star to the ground. Four arrows whizzed into the spot Star had just been standing in. Raven groaned – not these fools again.
"Ahah! We have caught you unawares!" The men stood in a semi-circle around their prey. Each of them was large and muscular and each held a bow in one hand, but no arrow on queue. They looked formidable enough.
Raven growled; she was already riled up from arguing with Star, and this was just icing on the cake. She aimed her open palm at the leader of the pack of fools, unleashing an unruly blast of black waves. It smashed into him, sending him barreling back through several trees. He landed and didn't move.
Star scrambled back to her feet, "What did you do?"
Raven stumbled, hand dropping, "I don't… I didn't…"
The rest of the green men had fled, yelling, into the woods. Star ran for the fallen idiot, laying her fingers on the side of his neck. While Star made sure the man was still alive, Raven stood stock still in her spot. She had let her guard down and something horrible had almost happened to Star.
She had promised to never let anything happen to Star and she nearly broke that. It was too close for comfort.
"Star… are you okay?" Raven hung her head and wandered over.
"I am fine. This man is, too, thank you for asking." Star snapped. It was one thing to be stubborn and thin tempered, but to so viciously attack someone who wasn't even a threat…
"I'm sorry. Is that what you want to hear? I shouldn't have lashed out at him." Raven riposted.
"No."
"Then what do you want from me?" Raven cried, frustration returning.
"I want for you to relax." Star turned to her, grabbing Raven's hand, "I want for us to be okay."
"I can try." Raven visibly calmed, her shoulders drooping and her body un-tensing.
Star smiled softly, "Good. And because the man will live, we can continue on our way."
Raven nodded, "I guess you're right."
Wishing to cheer her companion up, Star leaned in, bestowing a small peck on one of Raven's cheeks. It worked; Raven brightened up considerably. They walked closely now, nearly touching, and often Star would touch Raven's shoulder, arm, or back, just to remind Raven of her presence.
Just before the sun set a large green bird hurtled into their camp. Beast Boy chirped at them loudly before regaining his human-like form. Raven groaned while Star cheered happily.
"Hey ladies, didja miss me?" He smirked at them with every ounce of charm he possessed.
"No."
"Yes!"
Both women answered at exactly the same moment, causing Raven to roll her eyes and Starfire to giggle madly. Beast Boy sighed, feigning disappointment, but regained his happy-go-lucky attitude.
"The Prince sends his regards to Raven and hopes to see you soon. He has the wedding planned, as it is." Beast Boy chortled, "You should see the awful dress he has planned for you, Rae."
Raven almost snapped at him, almost yelled that he had no right to nickname her, but Star gripped her arm, silencing any complaints.
"I do not think dear Raven will be marrying the Prince." Star murmured.
Beast Boy cocked his head, "That's odd, 'cause that's what Master Mumbo was laughing about before I left."
Raven turned away. She didn't like being toyed with. "So your Master has sent some vile magic to play with my emotions?"
"No!" Beast Boy empathically replied, "I know when he's using his magic, and it didn't feel like he was doing anything to you, other than sending Starfire to rescue you."
Star snapped her fingers, "He must have known I would have the feelings for Raven!"
"The what?" Beast Boy's jaw dropped.
"The feelings." Starfire repeated for him, unsure if he had misheard her or not.
"You mean… You and the goth-princess there…" He fell to his knees laughing.
"Do not laugh at me, Friend Beast Boy!" She yelled, though she smiled. She knew was merely joking.
"Shut it, grass stain." Raven hissed, pride hurting.
His lips zipped shut automatically and he swallowed roughly, "I was just kiddin', you know."
"I know, Friend Beast Boy, but Raven is not one for your jokes. I would greatly appreciate your lack of them until she gets used to you." Starfire warned softly. She cared deeply for both her friends, and she would prefer they both stayed in one piece.
"So what are you guys gonna do?" Beast Boy questioned. He didn't see a safe way out of the situation.
"I'm just going to tell the Prince no." Raven stated. "And your Mumbo can back me up."
Beast Boy shook his head, "Master gets into enough trouble as it is. He wouldn't seek more."
"I had thought that perhaps dear Raven could explain that the curse she was under requires her to stay with the one who awoke her from her tower."
Beast Boy nodded slowly, "I like that. And I can vouch for that one."
"Great!" Star giddily floated through the air, "Then it is settled!"
Back at the castle, Prince Robin had a bad feeling about the coming days.