Chapter 5

Promise

"I shall miss you all friends." Starfire and the others were on the roof saying their goodbyes. Apparently, the Gordanians had told her that they would meet her at the edge of the Vega System but it seemed all too suspicious for Robin to let it pass by. They sent a transmission to the Tower, no one knew how but they didn't want to question it, but the way the leader of the Gordanians said it made Robin feel off. There was a smile tugging on its lips as it was making contact with Starfire, and only Starfire, and the way he said it sent shivers down Robin's spine. He couldn't say the same for Starfire but he knew she felt something was off too.

"You sure you have to make peace with them? Can't you just stay here with us?" Beastboy was still in denial about Starfire leaving but then again, who wasn't? It wasn't until last night after Robin and Starfire came back from their date when Robin had a secret team meeting. Sure, Beastboy knew about the plan and what to do but that didn't mean that he didn't want another way to do things. The plan seemed doable but also dangerous. But if it was a way to bring Starfire back, then he would do what he could to do so.

Starfire smiled and laid her hand on Beastboy's shoulder. "Oh friend, as much as I do not wish to go, I must. I have already gave them my word and it would be rude of me to not follow through. Plus, would you wish for two planets to be obliterated?" The look on Beastboy's face told him the answer she was looking for. As his eyes were still downcast, Starfire took the moment to let out an "o-oh" and pulled the changeling into a hug. Beastboy, of course, accidentally let out his breath and now had to somehow tell her to loosen her grip on him. It seemed that she knew what to do so she let him go after a few seconds after she whispered in his ear, "You remind me so much like a little brother that I once had. Please continue to be comedic and kind and do not give up on friend Raven. I know that she feels the same way you do." When she pulled away, Starfire saw that Beastboy's cheeks were red and he was smiling at her.

"We're gonna miss you lil lady. Don't forget us." Cyborg spread out his mechanical arms, waiting for a hug that shortly came. Starfire buried her head in his chest and mumbled, "I shall miss you too and I shall never forget you. You are like a big brother to me and I shall forever cherish that." The two stayed in each other's embrace for a few more moments before Raven cleared her throat and cocked her head to Robin's direction where he had his fists clenched and eyebrows knitted together. No matter whom it was, Robin still seemed to be upset at anyone who happened to hold Starfire. Starfire noticed this and came out of her grip with Cyborg.

"My turn," Raven said while smiling and holding out her arms. As surprised as the three boys were at this gesture, they all decided to not react to it and only watched. Starfire grinned and threw herself into Raven's arms while sniffing. Starfire couldn't help but lightly laugh at the boys' reactions to her hug with Raven. The empath had led them to believe that she would never allow herself to feel anything and wouldn't react to any situation. However, Starfire knew that this was false and encouraged Raven to allow herself to feel, whether it was with everyone or just around her. Knowing Raven, the most she got out of that was Raven trying to feel the most basic emotions, only around Starfire. Since that day, the two girls meditated, hung out more often, and spoke with each other more than ever. They were like sisters and Starfire appreciated Raven's companionship.

"Stop hoarding her Raven! You're not the only one that wants a hug!" Shockingly enough, Raven chuckled carelessly and mumbled, "Not yet" into the Tamaranian's shoulder. This caused both of them to tighten their grip, but Starfire stopped at a point where she knew that if she held on any tighter, then Raven would surely suffocate. Knowing that she didn't have all day to hug Raven, Starfire started to speak silently into Raven's ear. Her eyes were closed and there was a smile on her face that showed proudly.

"Raven, I wish for you to know that I am very thankful to have had you as my friend. You were more of a sister to me than Blackfire could ever have been. You have listened when I needed you and helped me throughout the problems. Although you were distant and silent at first, you grew into someone that everyone can rely on. I shall miss you but please carry this with you when I am gone." Starfire lowered her voice into a barely audible sound and continued. "Please open your heart more to the others. Understand when I say that you are able to trust them because they shall catch you when you fall. Especially Beastboy; he cares a lot for you friend and do not deny that you do not feel the same." And with that, Starfire broke away from Raven, to which she saw an astonished face.

"Alright, alright! You two had your hug and now it's time for someone who has been patiently waiting." Cyborg patted the girls' backs and gently pushed Raven away as Robin took her place. This was the person that Starfire couldn't bear to leave. Newfound tears glazed her eyes as her lip quivered. Robin, on the other hand, was already crying but he didn't let anybody see. Since his mask covered his eyes, he had the easy way and only had to wipe stop from sniffling. There were some streaks from the tears that he already had formed and let fall down, but Robin would quickly wipe them away before anyone had noticed. But now, it was impossible. His throat hurt from choking back sobs, his eyes were red and puffy and his heart was broken.

"God, Star," he choked out, "you know I can't say bye to you." With that, Robin pulled her into a hug and let his chin rest upon the crook of her neck. Starfire's eyes closed and she did the same but let her hands wrap around his neck. Robin had his left arm around Starfire's neck while his right hand had buried itself in her mane of hair. Behind the mask, Robin's eyes were wide and frantic as he realized that she really was leaving him. Plan or no plan, this hurt like hell. Imagine someone ripping out your heart from your chest and literally tearing it to shreds in front of you. They stayed in that position for what seemed like seconds when it really turned into minutes. It wasn't until someone, from the group of three that were off to the side, cleared their throat telling them that it was time for Starfire to go.

The alien accepted this and, forcefully, removed herself from the loving grasp she was in. They only parted until the two were face-to-face when a thought occurred to Starfire.

One last kiss. I must remember him until the end of my days.

With this in mind, she pulled Robin into a kiss that he had been expecting. After all, if she didn't iniciate the kiss then he surely would have. Robin reacted to the kiss as soon as their lips touched. Her hands were at the base of Robin's neck collar, where they were balled into fists from pulling him in, and her elbows her bent. His hands cupped Starfire's elbows and used that to bring her closer to him, if possible.

I must control myself before this becomes more uncomfortable for my friends. Oh, how I love him.

Starfire, once again, stopped the contact and gently pushed away Robin who was disappointed at the fact that he didn't have much time until she left. Knowing that this wouldn't be his last kiss with Starfire, Robin inwardly smiled and accepted that it was time.

"Know that this isn't goodbye Starfire. It's just a… 'see you later'." As much as Starfire appreciated Robin's words, she knew that he was only keeping hope that she would return. Knowing the Gordanians and everyone else she had to face, Starfire knew that she would never come back to her life on Earth or Tamaran. As much as it pained for her to leave, the Tamaranian believed that her leaving would be the only way for everything to work out for every person that she loved. Even if it meant that she wouldn't have a happy ending.

"Robin, may I speak to you in private for a moment?" As befuddled as the Boy Wonder was, he nodded his head and pulled himself and Starfire away from the others until they were out of hearing range.

"Yes, Starfire?" She had to say it, no matter how hard it hurt to say it to herself, she just had to know and be comforted with the words that she hoped he would say.

"Robin, will you promise me something?" He gave her another nod.

"Anything Star," Robin guaranteed.

"P-promise me that you will make me become another memory for you, and that you will come to love another. Promise me that you shall love her more than you claim to love me. Promise me that you will have a long and delightful life." As shell-shocked as Robin was, he somehow managed a smile and gave her yet, another nod.

"I promise Starfire." To be honest, she had thought that he would fight for her and say things about how he would always love her and only her. But as much as it hurt for her to hear those words, Starfire still brought a half-heartedly smile to her lips. At least he would move on and continue to be happy in his life.

"Thank you," she whispered. One last smile was given to him before she left and rejoined the others.

"I promise Starfire. I promise that I will bring you back safe and sound and make you regret those words. I promise that I will never let you go and have a long and delightful life…with you." Robin said as he left to go follow Starfire.

To be honest, I think it took less time for me to update this story than usual, don't you think? I don't know, but I'm happy I kind of did it already. This is a late posting since I meant to post this Friday. Obviously, things don't turn out the way you want them to. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter because things are going to heat up soon. I can't be specific and say that it's coming in the next chapter, because I have a feeling that it won't. BUT THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN! I just hope everyone will like what I have in store.

I want to thank everyone who decided that I was worthy enough of being part of their followed/favorite stories! You have no idea how much this means to me. I honestly thought that this story would have to be discontinued and be left in the deepest part of my archives. Okay, so I only have five stories, including this one, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't feel bad. I hate unfinished stories and I would hate it even more if I became a hypocrite and did one.

Sorry, going off track here. Overall, thanks for sticking with me so far! Please review, follow, favorite and all that other good stuff! I don't own anything but Warner Bros. and DC Comics do!

Always yours,

light is in the dark