Author's Note: Now things get more serious for the young teenagers, originally there was going to be more but I felt the Terra and Robin bit had been overused so I did what I could, this should be fun. Read and review please.
Once Raven had returned and four of them ordered a glass of water for the drink with Starfire asking for a full bottle of mustard, a question that did not even faze the waitress the five superhero teenagers looked carefully over the menu, three of them wanting to milk the changeling dry for the amount of shit he's pulled over the years, ignoring guilt for payback.
"I heard great things about their omelets, think I'll have the ham and pepper jack cheese omelet with hash browns and two strips of bacon and two sausage links or-" Robin mulled out loud before looking over the other items and glancing in Beast Boy's direction seeing the boy blink and sway with the thought of all the animals whose lives were taken for a simple meal.
"Though I am not against meat for it provides protein and enjoyable taste, for Friend Beast Boy's sake I will have the chocolate oatmeal waffles with banana slices and hash browns with cheese." Starfire spoke quietly looking to her friend and secret crush as he graced her with a sincere smile, causing her to giggle before noticing all their eyes from the action making her want to kick herself.
"Oh ok, well if that's how we're going to play it then I think I'll have the-"
"Will you all shut up and wait until the waitress is actually here?!" Raven uncharacteristically shouted making them jump in fright and cutting off Cyborg's no doubt meat lovers meal.
Simultaneously they all did as she said, not wanting to feel the half demon's wrath right before the nervous and truly terrified host came to greet them, her note pad and pen shaking in her hands forcing her to attempt to get their orders and run off so she did not get torn to shreds.
Quickly, Robin and Starfire repeated their words, Beast Boy wanting cinnamon french toast with green apple slices on the side, Raven choosing to get a bacon, sausage, egg and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise and a buttermilk biscuit as Cyborg to no one's surprise got a spicy triple meat stuffed burrito with biscuits and gravy and a side of bacon, much to Beast Boy's already dwelling electronic currency's demise.
Their server swiftly jotted down their meals, refilled their drinks, or in Starfire's case got her another bottle of mustard and disappeared from sight hoping she wouldn't suddenly explode.
An awkward silence stretched out for the group for a few minutes, none knowing what to say for fear of setting off the empath again who had leaned back in the booth and was resting her head on the cushioned seat, her eyes closed.
After a full five minutes Robin quietly asked the three around him what they thought of the football game the other night, which rapidly caused them to reply the highlights of the sport much to their friend's annoyance but at least they spoke in hushed tones.
The conversation switched to many different topics, ending at who between Supergirl and Starfire could win in a full no holds bar match while their food finally arrived, Raven thanking whoever would listen softly for some real peace and quiet as they ate.
Nothing but utensils tapping the table, glasses being picked up or set down, chewing, swallowing and the occasional throat being cleared was heard throughout the table until they eventually finished.
The server being told again and again to give Beast Boy the bill who was left to hold his communicator to a small, black portable scanner created to all areas of business around the world for the Teen Titans alone and taking the required amount out from his personal savings making him groan out loud much to everyone's amusement before Cyborg provided the tip in cash for Beast Boy being such a good sport.
Exiting out of the restaurant, full and content they stood in a small circle deliberating their next move before Robin had said he and Raven were going to find supplies to repair the Ops Room, Cyborg with a serious expression told them he was going to search for new furniture and silverware after which he would aid the newly couple in restoring what had been torn down.
Before Beast Boy or Starfire could give their own input, they had left them in front of the diner, Robin with his usual mode of transportation, Cyborg in his car and Raven flying to the spot she would meet Robin at as the two glanced at each other feeling a little left out.
They knew in part it was because they could fly, but perhaps they did not ask for their option because it would distract the trio from their goals...or maybe it was also in part because a few hours together enjoying a meal could not repair the damaged friendship Starfire caused and they just needed some time alone.
In truth they could not blame them, no one but Beast Boy comforted her when she had ran away in tears, unleashing her anger on the non judgmental sea and it must have seemed as though the morpher sided with her rather than the one he used to crush on.
Whatever the case, they no doubt needed their space and it would give the two friends a chance to smooth out the awkwardness that had happened alone on the edge of the tower.
"Perhaps we can go to Central Park and enjoy the beautiful morning, Friend Beast Boy?" Starfire questioned him softly, a blush forming on her cheeks at the thought of being alone with the one she had pictured taking in the shower before she wrestled her emotions back down, this was no time to think of what could be.
"Uh, sure Star. Sounds like a good idea, we can meet the others in a couple hours anyway." He responded with a grin, his single canine tooth and laid back attitude made her giggle at how nonchalantly he took their friends sudden departure, she was glad to have him by herself, even if it was only a few hours.
Instead of flying or transforming the two simply walked to their destination, it was not far and they marveled at how quiet the city seemed to be with people at work or school, allowing for a calm, relaxing walk.
As they sauntered past many shops that were beginning to open, Starfire giggled looking towards a little girl about four with a few boys the same age squealing and running through a low spraying fire hydrant while an older woman who sat on the concrete steps of a townhome and a few feet away, probably their mother or guardian watched over them carefully with a loving smile.
Without even realizing what she was doing, Starfire wrapped her left arm around Beast Boy's right and leaned in to place her head on his shoulder, matching his step with her own as he swallowed nervously, finding the feeling of her body alluring and comfortable as his eyes looked to where she was watching the children play.
They slowly wandered past the family, Starfire just now noticing what she had unintentionally done, pulling her head away, feeling a small sudden hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach and tried to release her grip but he stopped her with only a small smile.
"I don't mind, Kori." He spoke slowly, wanting her to understand he enjoyed the contact and her company even if it was a little rushed while she could only match his expression going back to her position with vigor.
In reticence and an air of jubilance around them at last they arrived at the playground, the entire area devoid of any humans, only a few squirrels and a stray dog or two were in their field of vision to greet them before Starfire sighed wistfully making Beast Boy frown and pull away from her in worry as she looked at him with a slightly hurt frown being separated from him again.
"You alright, Star?" He asked softly, not wanting to press for an answer and scare or anger her until she was ready to talk about what was bothering her.
"I truly thought he was the one, Beast Boy. When we first met, I had seen a mask of fear and concern as I gazed upon him...all we had been through, it seems he was only doing it as a friend." She said slowly, feeling the pain and rejection she had not felt since their break up.
"No one I know travels space for someone if they did not deeply care about them, Kori. You both have formed a very powerful bond, near unbreakable and though it may not have ended with the dream you had imagined, he's still your friend and there for you when you need him. Plus you can do better than a traffic light, right?" His words sprinkled with mirth causing her to laugh out loud, the sound like music to his ears.
"I got better...I got you." The orange skinned princess notorious for her battle prowess whispered softly in his right ear making his face flush as he could only stutter some incoherent reply making her laugh again, only louder and lasting a few more seconds at his squirming body language.
With his trademark grin, Beast Boy turned his eyes from her face and slowly, as he had done just last night took her hand in his, not seeing her look of surprise and elation before she intertwined their fingers, a snug but instinctive hold of bliss warmed both their hearts as they journeyed towards a dark wooden bench and sat, neither releasing their hold on the other as they surveyed their surroundings in the gentle outdoors.
"May I ask you something...Garfield?" Starfire quietly voiced, the sound alone in the silence nearly made the changeling jump and transformed into a different animal before his surprise wore off, not missing that she had said his real name instead of his superhero persona, meaning she must have been serious.
"Anything Koriand'r." He chuckled with a light hearted grin that slowly diminished as the firm look on her face did not change but he noticed the slight upturn of her lips at he had mentioned her real name as well which vanished as quickly as it appeared, making him question if it was just his imagination.
"Does this," She gestured towards their still interlocked hands with her eyes "Mean we are...together now or are you merely comforting me in my time of the loneliness?" She added, her eyes focused on his own making his breath hitch in his throat for the reply that would either break their friendship for him leading her on or strengthen it into a new formed romance that both of them questioned if they could make it work and last longer than their previous one.
When she saw his hesitation she knew deep down that she was foolish for rushing something that they had worked so hard to preserve and slowly took her hand away from his, turning her face and telling herself over and over not to cry feeling angry at herself for appearing so weak a second before he took her hand back, but did not wrap his fingers around her's.
While she was dwelling on being abandoned, again he was seriously considering if he was even ready for a serious relationship, not that he had any experience to begin with but he did not wish give her false hope if he could not even figure it out himself, what would they do? How far would they allow themselves to go? Where they both just merely a rebound towards each other because of their heartbreak with Robin and Terra or were their feelings for each other genuine.
If he was being truly honest with himself he was scared, he did not want to rush anything or push her away if things got rough and he sure as hell did not want to do anything to jeopardize their friendship in case things just did not work out between them.
But as he noticed her pull her hand away and turn her face from his own he made his decision.
She gasped softly when he took her hand back, her heart beating so loud in her chest she did not doubt he could hear it while he looked at her, his eyes searching for any sign of teasing or distress that he was not being asked this question completely because she was emotionally injured but finding nothing but confusion and a hint of hope making him grin as he noticed she was still the same old Starfire he had known for years.
"If you want to be, Koriand'r...just promise me they'll be no secrets between us." He responded causing her to squeal in joy, wrapping her arms around him tightly but not hard enough to hurt him and unknowingly lifting them a foot off the bench into the air before she chuckled, embarrassed and placed them back onto the wood.
"No secrets between us, my mate. I vow on my crown as Tamaranean royalty, which on my planet is a serious oath." Starfire answered with a loving smile, leaning in with her lips puckered to capture his own with her eyes closed but he leaned back slowly with a frown, seeing the hurt look in her eyes when she opened them as he did not return what she had hoped would mark the start of their relationship.
"It's just...can we maybe slow down, I don't want us to-"
"Say no more, Lover Garfield. I apologize for appearing impulsive." She shyly spoke making him give a meaningful smile before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his embrace.
"We will tread lightly together until you feel ready for the next level." She giggled at the pun in her words taking a jab at his love for video games without knowing it making him laugh.
"Lover Garfield, eh? A guy could get used to that." He chuckled while she lightly punched his chest as he gave a mock wince in response before winking at her.
They had no idea that so much time had passed, Beast Boy looking up at the slowly descending sun while Starfire checked her communicator for the time, reading that it was nearly a quarter to three and after a brief talk to get different points of view and option for lunch or a snack they agreed on a light snack.
They stood up, allowing their abilities to come into play, flying and morphing towards the burger's drive in and ordering two milkshakes, Starfire buying strawberry as Beast Boy ordered chocolate, the alien paying despite her friend turned lover's protest that he should pay but she merely rolled her eyes with a smirk.
The evening wore on as the two explored more of the town, laughing at a mime's pranks in a small crowd they stumbled into, starting in awe at a breakdancers graceful and slightly frightening movements on a simple piece of cardboard while hip hop music played from a boombox, Beast Boy having to explain the ancient technology and dance to the still slightly naive alien and once they had finished their malts, walked hand in hand to look at the stars and moon in the sky above.
They rested under a tree and on the grass, Starfire curling her body into his and laying her head on his chest while he laid with one hand under his head and the other over her back, his hand gently holding her shoulder.
"Now you really are a grass stain, Lover Garfield." She teased lightly as he snorted with a grin.
"Keep'em coming, Star. Anything you dish out I can take." He replied, sticking his tongue out to her while she did the same and licked the tip of his nose making him yelp, forgetting she had a longer muscular hydrostat than normal making her laugh so hard she had to keep herself from crying in mirth.
"Oh you think that's funny huh? Well let's see how you like this!" Immediately his hands drove under her arms and tickled her armpits making her screech in laughter attempting to roll away from his restless pursuing hands for a few minutes before he finally stopped, his body leaning over her own until he could feel her breast as it heaved for air, their faces in close proximity to the other before he suddenly leaned down.
Again she closed her eyes and awaited to feel his lips touch her's but was slightly disappointed when he only kissed her nose instead.
"Sorry...I...I'm just not ready yet." He admitted, ashamed of himself for leaving her hanging from the romantic kiss he had no doubt she was waiting for since they had admitted their feelings.
"Garfield...it is alright, don't be embarrassed. We have plenty of time, it does not change my love for you." She whispered, kissing his cheek and hugging him gently, making him feel a bit uncomfortable that he could not return the contact with the ground beneath her but loving her body forming with his all the same.
Their communicators flashing at the same time got their attention, as they instantly got up from the ground, both having serious expressions and feeling guilty for not even finding the time to check in with their friends during the day they spent together.
Beast Boy opened his, seeing the rushing background of night time from Robin's helmeted face, knowing he was riding the R-cycle as he contacted them.
"Beast Boy, Starfire, sorry to interrupt you guys hanging out but we just been alerted Johnny Rancid's near the Bank of Perez, we need you to intercept him and keep him-"
He was cut off by an enormous explosion and a large cloud of smoke drifting into the air a few yards from where they were, Beast Boy immediately telling their leader they were on it and switching off the device before clipping it back to his jeans.
"Shall we, my warrior princess?" He grinned seeing her already having hovered into the air beside him, hands and eyes aglow with her familiar and signature bright green.
"We shall, my love." She replied, sailing high into the sky as he chortled then got serious, morphing without pause into a hawk and chased after her, it was time for some action.