Disclaimer: In the name of...um…whatever, I don't own TT. But if I did, you could bet your bottom there would be twenty million seasons.
A/N: Howdy. Day FIVE!!!! WHOO! Anyway, it has references to the episodes: "How long is forever?" and "Sisters". Have fun. This chapter didn't turn out the way I wanted it to at all. I wrote in a half hour...that's probably my problem...
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Day Five.
Starfire looked up at him. It was strange to do. She'd always towered over him a bit, and now it was the opposite. He'd grown a good head or two over the previous year. But as anomalous as it was to change views, she was growing fond of his height...and it was always nice to look up to someone. He was now the height Nightwing had been when she had traveled forward in time twenty years. Nightwing's voice had been deep and steely. He boasted long hair and a skin-tight, black jumpsuit with a blue hawk printed onto the torso. His mask had looked a bit like a bird's beak...and was nothing like Robin. What she wanted to believe was that it truly wasn't Robin, and that he'd scampered off somewhere, but was still the unchanged boy she had come to infatuate with. It was hard to look in that glass case and see her loved one's attire worn by a wooden imitation. All she sought after was to see was the Robin... The one that had rescued her from the Gordanians and Citadel. If it hadn't been for him and the others, she'd be living out her days as a servant. And that's why she didn't want Nightwing...she just wanted Robin.
Her Robin.
The Boy Wonder whistled lightly, breaking their silence. Starfire laced her arm through his, not desiring to let him go and be replaced. He stared down at her peculiarly, cocking his head to the side.
"You okay?" Robin queried. "You're pretty quiet, and you seem sort of…tense."
Starfire eyed him calmly, playing with a vine of her hair. "No. I am...in good condition."
"Are you sure?"
She smiled halfheartedly. "There is no need to worry." He shrugged and returned her gesture...only reasoning her to reflect further. She glanced at the "R" crest on his shirt. But he'd denied it once. He just didn't know it yet.
Starfire shook the memory out of her head. But it still troubled her. Robin had been attracted to the name "Nightwing", and it got to her after a while. That boy she had been watching romantic chick flicks with...that boy was the one she always wanted. And maybe if she tried to keep him, she'd always be able to.
That was what she required.
But even if he really did change his appearance, he'd always be Robin inside...right?
You can't exist as an adolescent forever. You have to grow up sometime. And that message was finally arriving to Starfire's mind. She couldn't stay seventeen for the rest of her existence, and maybe she should...make a move. She was still quite naive, even after years on Earth with countless, tragic experiences. From having her big sister betray her...twice…to having her confidant play villain for the day, she had witnessed pretty much everything. So, maybe before she saw Robin being swept away, she should attempt to gather him in her arms before anyone else had the chance.
"I had a good time… last night." Robin murmured, absentmindedly stroking her hair.
Starfire beamed. "Agreed." she said quietly. "Thank you for watching that feature film with me. I understand you did not enjoy it, but I am still thankful for your patience." He raised a brow.
"No problem."
"Mmm..."
"Um…Star?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering..."
"Mmm-hmm?"
"The fair is in town for a couple days." He offered, motioning his hand.
"Oh, yes! I most enjoy the park of amusement! It truly is glorious!" Starfire exclaimed. Robin chuckled.
"Yeah, so, would you maybe...I don't know...like to go with me? I know it sounds silly, but I know that you like it and-"
Starfire threw a giggle fit, throwing her arms around Robin with glee. His nose scrunched up. It made him feel dirty and at fault knowing he had her wrapped around his finger like a ring that was a size too small, and wouldn't come off when you pull at it. He wanted her to love him. True. But when he really gave it thought, realizing he had to keep something so innocent wasn't an ecstasy. He had had contemplations about them being in a relationship, but when reality smacked him in the face, that thought was being encouraged to escape him. But the exit was blocked, and that bittersweet proposal kept coming back every time he was near her.
Robin sighed. Love was complicated. There is no way in or out of it. You have to find on your own time. You can't catch a cab in the rain, and you can't seize the love bug when you yearn to. It's a perplexing process, but if two people try hard enough and the chemistry is already there, you're all set to go. It will be in effect if you allow it to. Robin didn't seem to want it to be in effect at all. The pain of knowing of her affections was like a bullet to his brain...
She had her finger on his trigger, and she was about to pull it.
And he didn't want to be found as the empty casing of a broken heart.
Starfire and Robin exchanged tender, brief glances. The world looked so much brighter having him by her side. A million questions were skipping along her tongue. But not many were precise for this particular moment. Truth be told, she did have her uncertainties that he heard her confess her affections that night to Silkie. And then, she didn't really concern herself with it. If he had heard her, all the better. Then maybe he'd get the guts to tell her. Maybe her words were enough to give him the confidence and nerve to compose him to tell. Or perhaps that night just brought him down. It wouldn't matter if she weren't his friend—especially his best friend. But she was and he did care. Now that brightened world had just dimmed. It was too complicated...and he tended to be protective.
Protective! That was it! She could make him jealous...
But, that was just too harsh and more of Blackfire's style. And Robin always thought of Blackfire as snobbish, egotistical, and a bit sluttish. So… perhaps that wasn't the best idea.
Robin scratched his head, clearing his throat a little. "So...when do you want to go to the fair?"
Starfire leaned back on her elbows. "When do you wish to venture there?"
"Anytime you want to."
Pause.
Starfire cleared her throat. "Perhaps now." she offered. "Than we may enjoy all the sights of the park of amusement, and still be able to view the works of fire display,"
Robin smiled at the memory of the first time they had observed the fireworks together...
The night sky shimmered with delicate stars, and colorful sparks soared up from the earth. Nearby was a carnival with a Ferris wheel, games, and roller coaster...basically the standard fairgrounds. And on the Ferris wheel sat Robin and Starfire, accompanied by many other Jump City citizens. Starfire watched in awe as the fireworks exploded in the dark sky, sending sprinkles of color across the endless ebony atmosphere. She rested her chin in her hands and sighed blissfully as yet another shade flew across the heavens.
"Beautiful." the princess murmured. "Tell me again what they are called."
"Fireworks." Robin replied simply.
"Ooh." Starfire's expression was suddenly concerned and fearful. "On my planet, such explosions would mean the Gordanians were attacking." she peeped. "You are certain Earth is not under attack?"
"Positive." Robin paused, holding out a container of cotton candy out towards her. "Cotton candy?"
"The last time I ate a ball of cotton, is was white and it did not taste very-"
"This is different." he interrupted as he stuffed a piece of pink into his mouth. Starfire uneasily reached forward to the candy, taking a small handful out and placing it into her own lips. She smiled contently.
"Mmm..." she hummed, yelping with surprise shortly after. "It vanished!"
Robin laughed. "Yeah, it'll do that."
"When I first came to this planet, " Starfire began. "I did not think I would ever fit in. Earth was full of strange things. But now I see-" A glare of color cut her words off. Robin screeched with excitement.
"Here comes the finale! Yes!" he exclaimed.
And it did. Dozens of fireworks set off at once, blinding everybody's eves with magnificent color. It did not last long, but it was still quite amazing to see. As the last firework evaporated into the air, Robin leaned back into his seat, chuckling.
"Who-hoo-hoo!" he cheered. "Amazing!"
Starfire stared at him dreamily, gazing at his face longingly. "Earth is full of amazing things too..." she whispered.
Robin shrugged. "Best planet I've ever been to."
And Starfire had hoped that when she looked at him and said: "Earth is full of amazing things too", that perhaps he might get a hint. But that was years ago, and she didn't think he would remember that. But he did. He had given that comment a lot of thought, and finally came to a conclusion that Earth was just generally full of things that she found amazing. Then the memory of her expression when she looked at him tried to change his mind. That conclusion never changed. And neither did the memory. They had only known each other for a few months then, and he wasn't in love with a stranger. Starfire on the other hand was. Tameraineans were known to be very expressive and emotional. The emotions grow in short periods of time, and that was basically the reason why. Robin had only dwelled in Jump City for those scant months, and he already had every girl (except Raven) crawling all over him. So, Starfire considered herself lucky to even exist in the same dwellings as him.
Robin tapped his finger on his chin. "We could take the R-cycle, I guess." Starfire clapped her hands.
"Glorious! I shall fetch a helmet!" she chimed.
"Cool. I'll meet you outside in five minutes, okay?"
"Yes!" Starfire halted herself. "Thank you, Robin."
He blushed lightly and exited through the sliding door, leaving Starfire practically throwing a 'I must be the luckiest girl in the world...no! UNIVERSE!' party. The princess fell back onto the couch. She'd finally found what she'd been looking for. And it was a good feeling. Real good. As she recalled, the fireworks display last time was romantic, and she could have sworn she saw Robin moving closer that night. Or maybe it was just a fantasy. Well, whatever it was, she cherished it. But she didn't have much time to think. She had a date.
She darted to her room, snatching a purple helmet with a silver star painted onto the front. Robin had given her that helmet for her birthday. She'd never gotten any use out of it, due to Robin never offering her a ride on the R-cycle. But he just had, and she certainly wasn't going to pass the opportunity. He could have picked any girl in the world for that night, and he chose her. It made her feel special. And she loved that feeling.
Robin glanced at an imaginary watch. He was nervous about this, but it felt so right. As he worried needlessly, Starfire entered into the room. She stepped forth to Robin, his head turning slightly, and his eyes grew wide at what he saw. Standing before him was Starfire. Instead of her usual purple mini-skirt and tank top, she wore a pair of faded blue jeans, a lavender T-shirt, white sneakers, and her usual gem that was always placed on her neck guard was tied around her neck by a slim chain. What he saw amazed him.
He gaped at her, his jaw drooping open. "Star?"
She nodded. "Please, I look... nice?"
Robin said nothing.
"Robin?"
Robin laughed nervously.
"What do I look like?" she huffed. "Is it amusing to you?"
"N-no!" he stuttered. "You..." he sucked in a deep breath. "...You look... pretty."
She blushed. "Should we not depart?"
He shook his head, knocking all his thoughts out. "Yeah. Um... Starfire," She climbed into the seat.
"Yes, Robin?"
"I didn't know you had any jeans..." Starfire giggled at his foolish remark.
"Terra took me to the mall of shopping once."
"O-oh." he blinked. "We... should leave,"
"Yes. I cannot wait to see the park of amusement!"
Robin roared the engine, shaking his head and smirking. "Me neither."
The R-cycle sped across the streets of Jump City; curious eyes watching the "Happy Couple" (as Beast boy would call it) cruising down the road. A few boys' whistles were aimed at Starfire from the street. Robin glared at each and every single male in the city, wondering where the stupid idiots were that just hit on Starfire were. He replied to them with a growl, which sounded like an angry cat when its tail gets slammed in the door, and a savagely red face. He was jealous. He knew it. It only proved that he liked her more than usual. Robin was being protective of her... again. She wasn't his property. She wasn't anyone's property. And yet, when those obnoxious whistles sounded, he actually felt like he was supposed to guard her. Starfire draped her arms around his waist, and his stomach turned.
(Fair: Ferris wheel...)
Robin thoughtlessly held Starfire in a small embrace as the fireworks began to go off. It was magical to watch. Starfire's eyes reflected the colors like a mirror, filled with hope and love.
"Beautiful..." Starfire trailed off.
Robin stared at Starfire warmly. "Yeah. If you like that kind of stuff, anyway."
She nestled her head into his chest. "I do." He timidly placed his hand on her knee.
"I guess most people do."
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A/N: Yes, it does suck. But still... don't resist the urge to press the purple button! But... only do resist it if you feel like flaming me. I'll take constructive reviews, but I won't accept crap. Anyway, please send feedback. And if you get the time, check out my new RobStar oneshot "Of Boys and Bikinis"! I worked very hard on it, and I would totally love it if you could check that out too if you get the chance. Trust me... it's better than this chapter. Okay... see ya!
Xoxo,
PWG
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