Heyo! Sorry this last chapter took so long, but let me know what you think! Yes, last chapter of my first story. I'm sad to see it go, but I was incredibly overjoyed when I saw how much positive feedback I was getting from everyone!

If you don't already know, I've started writing another story called The Joker's Game, rated T...so...yeah, if you guys would check it out that would be great! [Link: s/12015002/1/The-Joker-s-Game]

Thanks again for all the love and let me know how you thought I wrapped it all up. It's not the best, but the heart is there :) Thanks! xx

Chapter 5

Robin didn't finally arrive back at the tower until the other titans had already trickled back into their rooms one by one(Starfire probably being the first, with assistance).

The titan waltzed his way down the halls of the Tower, his mind still clouded with thoughts, uncertainties. Guilt.

He knows he couldn't have known about the guy, but he also didn't try to scope out the joint for criminals or familiar faces like he usually does. "Idiot…" he thought.

The young titan never really thought about having more important talks with Starfire like that; safety and alcohol and whatnot. She's a hero, he'd always thought she would be able to tell if someone was sketchy. "Then again, this is Starfire." he thought. "She'd apologize to her own murderer for making him angry."

And that's why he loved her. She was everything he wasn't.

He slowed his pace as he came upon the Tamaraneans room, quiet as could be. Usually he would've knocked to see if she were okay or feeling better, but he knew she was out-or at least embarrassed if she wasn't. He knew she would need her space. Still curiosity became him and he opened the door just enough to see how she was holding up.

In the darkened room was a small Tamaranean girl huddled in the corner, holding her head in her palms. She looked up, sensing movement in the room, and managed her hide her head again in shame when her eyes locked with his.

Robin let out an audible sigh before walking into the purple room and closing the door behind him. He wanted to get closer; to scoop her up in his arms and hold her in silence, forgetting the night had ever happened, but he didn't. He just looked at her.

Her hair was up in a loose bun and she was wearing some loose clothes that seemed to be Raven's(judging by the shade of black). Her legs were revealed; long and smooth and drawn up to her chin as she hid her face.

"Star? How are you feeling?" Robin almost whispered, trying to find the girl's hidden eyes again.

"I am humiliated, Robin." she let out. The princess lifted her head enough to reveal her face, but refused to look the masked boy in the eyes. Instead her eyes were focused on one particular spot on the wall; a picture to be exact.

To get her perspective of the object, Robin walked over to his friend, casually sliding down the wall into a sitting position right next to her.

"Your mom." he said definitely.

"Yes."

"You look just like her."

There was a moment of silence between the two, both staring at the photograph. Starfire wiped her hand across her face and let out a breath before looking him into the eyes.

"I am sorry, Robin."

The boy wonder was taken aback by this. Why the hell is she sorry?

"Star, sorry for what? You didn't do anything wrong." he replied.

"Yes, Robin, I did." she responded, looking at all of him. "I was myself and I trusted too easily and because of that I have ruined tonight. And for that, I am sorry." Starfire felt the guilt inside of her overwhelming, and bit her lip to stop anything else from coming out of her mouth-whether it be actual words or sobs, she didn't know.

"Starfire, you shouldn't always have your guard up." he reassured. "There's no life to that."

The redhead looked back up at him "But you always have your guard up." she replied.

Robin's mouth tightened into a straight line. "Star, if you haven't noticed, I'm kind of an idiot most of the time."

The girl's eyebrows furrowed at his statement. "What do you mean, friend Robin? You are always leading us to victory on missions, and saving the town, and-"

"I'm an idiot because of how I treat you, Starfire." he breathed out. Now that caught her attention. "Don't be like me, Starfire. Wear your heart on your sleeve; it's beautiful, like you." He finished before blushing madly, but still having a serious look on his face. He meant what he said.

The comment caused the princess to blush madly, but she remained quiet, knowing he had more to say. "I'm guarded and it hurts, Starfire. Not trusting keeps myself from getting hurt, but it hurts everyone else. It hurts you. And that's what happened tonight. I hurt you."

Starfire was swirling with emotions: hurt, surprise, shock, but mainly confusion. "Robin, I..?"

"If I would've just stood up for myself and said you were my girlfriend, while not our label, well, um…" the masked boy pulled at the collar of his shirt, becoming flustered. God, he hated talking about feelings. "Then...then you wouldn't have gone with Elliot to that stupid bar." he finished. "But I didn't. God, Starfire, this wasn't your fault. Your emotions didn't get the better of you-it was my lack of emotions. This was my doing. I'm sorry."

The boy's friend place her hand on his arm, trying to comfort him. "Robin, this was not your fault. I trusted Elliot regardless, even as a friend. I should have been more attentive to your signals as well." She sighed. "I guess we both were caught up in the moment, yes?"

Robin chuckled slightly and looked into Starfire's glowing eyes only to find them darken again. "I have done the embarrassing of myself, haven't I?" The girl's smile turned into a frown.

The Boy Wonder looked back at her. "Do you not have alcoholic drink on your planet?" he asked. The red head replied with a small shake of her head. "The effects have seemed to wear off, however. Tamaraneans are able to metabolize toxins quickly-it is a toxin, yes? The pink drinks?"

He laughed at her description. "Yeah, pretty much. It makes you do some crazy stuff." he softened for a moment. "You have to be careful, Starfire. Elliot could've hurt you while you were under the influence, he could have…" he trailed off, clenching his fists.

Starfire places her opened hand on his closed one to try and loosen it. "I understand, Robin."

After a moment of silence, the caped hero finally took a breath. "Are you okay, Star?"

"Yes…" she said finally, obviously still bothered by what had happened earlier.

Little did the girl know that the events turning over in her head were the same ones that were invading Robin's as well.

"Star?"

"Yes?"

"Do...do you remember what happened tonight?"

Starfire sighed. "Yes, unfortunately." She frowned.

"Even, the um…"

"Lip contact?"

Robin felt his face heating up yet again. "Yeah, that."

Starfire shifted away from his gaze,looking down to her bandaged hand. "It means more on your planet, yes?"

Robin felt uneasy. "Yeah. Kind of."

Without any hesitation, Starfire quickly latched her lips onto his, wrapping her arms around his neck. It took Robin a moment to process the situation, but quickly returned the gesture. The kiss was soft, warm, and sweet; soundly expressing the feelings that they had been hiding from each other for far too long. It was funny to Starfire, as this kind of expression wasn't common on her planet. But it was pleasurable nonetheless; it felt like their lips were dancing. And together they felt whole.

When they finally pulled away, they both were gasping for air.

"What was that?" The masked boy asked, still in a daze.

"I'm doing what you said." she replied soundly.

"Huh?"

"I am doing the 'letting down of my guard'." The red-haired girl smiled.

This caused Robin to smile brightly in return before pulling the girl back into his arms and crashing his lips passionately against hers.

"Me too."