Just Drabbles

Chapter 29: Valley of Darkness

Warning: More angst than romance.

A great rush of air escaped his lungs as he reached the outside, the cool night breezes kissing his face. Serenity eases the day's aches from his bones, soothes the bruises and cuts on his skin. For one precious moment he was able to cling to sanity and it was a feeling of bliss.

The door to the roof slides open, the whisper of footfalls reaching his ears. Her gentle scent of cherry blossoms usually woven into her scarlet hair envelops him before her slender arms do. He tenses, teeth gritted. For once he wishes she would embrace him with her tight, bone-crushing hugs, not these gentle ones.

"Robin, I am so-"

He cuts her off. "Don't say it."

"But truly I am s-"

"I know, just please don't say it. I don't want your pity."

"I am not trying to pity you!" She protested. "I merely wish to sympathize."

A sigh escapes him, "I don't want that either." He feels her head rest on his shoulder. He placed his hand against hers. "Right now your presence is all I need." Sweet words, but immediately a feeling of regret sweeps over him. Most likely she's biting on her lower lip, tears pricking her eyes.

A sob and the sensation of hot tears soaking his uniform top confirm his suspicions. Spinning around, he holds her close, his arms tight around her, their bodies flush against one another.

"Star…" he murmured. "Shh, sweetie it's okay. The Titans are okay. We're okay."

She shook her head against his shoulder. "No, everything is not okay. You are not okay physically, I am not okay emotionally and I do not know what to do!"

He leaned back, "First you need to stop blaming yourself."

"But--!" Her protest died when his hand caressed her face, thumb stroking across her lip before his lips sealed hers.

"Trust me," He said.

Her head came to rest on his shoulder again, soft sobs still escaping her. He glared at the moonless, starless night, frustrated that he couldn't completely eradicate her pain. Leaning his own head against her soft hair, he let the memories of the day's events permeate his mind.

It had started off normally, Cyborg and Beast Boy were unearthing a boxful of game cartridges found within the couch cushions while Raven hovered above them reading her newest novel. After finishing his coffee, Robin had set off to find Starfire, quickly finding her on the roof soaking in the sun's rays.

"Hey Star," he greeted amicably. "Mind if I join you? I could use some Vitamin D myself."

Starfire opened her eyes, propped herself onto her elbows and leaned her head back to look at Robin, a beatific grin gracing her lips. "Of course Robin!" She sang. "I enjoy your company very much!"

As Robin lay on his back next to Starfire, she asked him, "But Robin, I do not understand, how can one get Vitamin D from the sun?"

He thought for a moment before answering her, "Well, you know how as a Tamaranian you soak up the sun's rays to use for energy?"

She nodded.

"Us humans use it for energy too. Not that we can use star bolts or fly with the sun's rays, but it can help energize us for the day."

"Oh," then she blushed. "I merely assumed humans like to sit out in the sun to 'work on getting the tan', however sometimes they are unsuccessful and end up looking like a long red fish of the sea."

"That's a lobster, Star," he said with a smile.

"Lobster," she repeated, returning his smile. It was then he noticed how much like a fiery halo surrounded her hair, her eyes brighter than he had ever noticed. He looked away, not wanting her to catch him blatantly staring at her. His eyes widened when he felt a soft sensation touching his cheek.

He turned to see Starfire leaning away, a cheekiness dancing in her emerald orbs. Gathering his courage, he cupped her cheeks, and leaned in, his eyes sliding closed. Their lips barely brushed before they were interrupted by the alarm.

Starfire pulled away with a sigh, "Shall we continue this later?"

Robin stood up grinning, Starfire floating up beside him. "We shall," he replied before running inside, his teammate right behind.

It should have been simple, things shouldn't have gotten so far out of hand…

The Titans received a call from the planetarium on the outskirts of the city. "What a weird place for an attack," Beast Boy had commented.

"Doesn't matter," Robin replied as the Titans entered the large building. "We get a call for help, we answer it. Titans, spread out. Report anything you find. Can't find anything suspicious regroup back here at the entrance in fifteen minutes."

Robin slunk along the corridors clinging to the shadows like a victim seeking refuge. His eyes roved the empty hallways, the empty air had a creepy tenor to it, an unwelcome irrepressible shiver running down his spine. What is going on? He thought. Where's the employee who called?

A scream pierced the atmosphere, Robin's muscles becoming taut. Starfire! He sprung into action, racing down the hall toward the place where Star's scream had come from.

Robin quickly found himself inside a massive chamber where a helpless Starfire was struggling to rise to her feet, a scarlet slash on her arm and thigh, a whimper escaping her. He started to run over to her when she looked up and called out, "No, Robin! Do not come any closer!"

He skidded to a stop, confused. His eyes caught onto a giant laser much like the one he saw when he and the Titans last faced, "Dr. Chang!"

The short, portly mad scientist was manning the laser, gearing it for an attack, pointing it straight at Starfire, just like last time. Robin raced forward, knocking Starfire out of the way just as the laser was fired. As they flew, Robin was flipped onto his back by the force of the blast. Reaching for an ice disk, Robin twisted which turned out to be a horrible mistake.

"ARGH!!!!"

"Robin, NO!"

Darkness.

Starfire's sobs had slowly subsided to occasional hiccups. "I-I h-had asked you to not interfere," she stammered. "Wh-why did you i-insist on not listening? I would have dodged the attack by flying."

Robin smiled ruefully. "I couldn't help myself. I care about you Starfire, I'm going to want to protect you."

Starfire sighed, "I thank you then." She bit her lip. "Robin, may I?"

It was his turn to sigh. "At this point, I don't think it even matters anymore Star so go ahead."

He felt her slender fingers gently skim his face as they reached the edge of his mask. She gently tugged it off of him. He felt her lips press against each one of his eyes with a terrifying yet wonderful gentleness, knowing she was kissing the large and probably ghastly scars marring his face.

He opened his eyes and heard her gasp, the tears within it. The eyes before her were no longer a vivid sapphire, but an opaque cerulean. He reached out, struggling to find her face. She took his hand in hers and guided it until it rested on her cheek. He wiped away the tears as they fell.

"I'll fix this Star, trust me."

I'm guessing you guys can figure out what happened to Robin? Let me know if you need me to tell you.