Chapter 5

It was getting dark, and Robin had not budged from the couch since his second fight with Starfire. The grimace upon his face hadn't budged either. He would occasionally grumble or sigh, but other than that, the only sounds materializing in the living room were that of immature comments by Cyborg and Beast Boy.

And of course the occasional virtual car crash and/or virtual monkey screech.

After losing for the 12th maybe 13th time, Beast Boy elbowed Cyborg and tilted his head in Robin's direction.

He whispered, "Psst! Dude. Think we should..you know..DO something?"

"Man I think you're just tired of losing!" Cyborg, not bothering to whisper, yelled crudely.

Beast Boy glared at him, and mumbled obscenities under his breath.

"I heard that you grass stain!"

Beast Boy stood on the table, jumping around, attempting to cover the giant television.

"Hey! HEY! Get off! Pshh. I'm still kicking your-"

"Kicking my what huh Cyborg?" Beast Boy turned around and shook his butt in rhythm to the video game background noise.

With both on the verge of their respective tantrums, Robin finally spoke up.

"God guys, grow the hell up it's just a game!"

The quarreling "couple" looked at Robin in awe and began to verbally (and vulgarly) attack him.

There was now a full out screaming match going on in the Titan threshold.

Cyborg towered over both Robin and Beast Boy, but that didn't stop them from jumping on anything to gain the upper hand.

Minutes of roaring and childish comebacks went by. At this point Robin was on Cyborg's shoulders, attempting to yell in his ears while shoving Beast Boy down at the same time. Meanwhile, Beast Boy had transfigured into an octopus, attaching designated tentacles to both Robin's head and Cyborg's thigh, making a serious effort to sucker punch him in the "sensitive" spot.

Then the bell rang.

The three male Titans snapped back into reality. They knew who it was.

Robin narrowed his eyes at the closed door. Cyborg put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Hey man..want me to get it? You can go to your room and we'll call you when they lea-"

"No." Robin scowled and walked towards the door. He swallowed and tried his best to keep his balled up fists strictly at his sides. He had never hated Speedy, he just hated any guy that neared Starfire romantically. Speedy was now under that category.

He opened the door, surprised to see Speedy in civilian clothing. He wore jeans and a light blue shirt. In Robin's opinion it was far too tight for a guy. In an unbiased opinion, It showed Speedy's Titan trained body perfectly. His hair, in typical Speedy fashion, was perfect. Not too messy, not too overdone. It really looked like Speedy had spent a good amount of time working on it.

Robin's hand itched to mess it up.

"Hey man! What's up?" Speedy let himself inside, sliding past Robin (and his scowl) and plopping down on the couch.

Beast Boy and Cyborg, arms crossed stood over him.

"So. Taking Star out tonight huh?" Beast Boy fixated his eyes on Speedy.

Speedy chuckled. "Well somebody had to! Ooh! Video games! Let's play."

They looked at each other unsure of what to do with this...guest.

Robin walked over to Speedy, grabbed his collar and dragged him in the kitchen.

"Uh. I was playing that!" Speedy protested.

Once they were out of earshot, Robin pushed Speedy towards the counter.

"Hey man. Why so violent?" He smirked. As if he didn't know Robin's feelings for a certain gorgeous alien.

"Why'd you ask her out?" Robin crossed his arms and proceeded to interrogate.

"Why didn't YOU?"Speedy mimicked his actions and responded, proud of his rebuttal.

This startled Robin, he stammered out, "What..what do you mean?"

Speedy put a cordial hand on Robin's shoulder., he looked at him with a serious expression etched on his face.

"Look man. With all due respect, Starfire was never YOURS. I'm not the only guy that's ever going to be interested. I'm just the first one to try for her. And no.. You didn't try for her. "

Robin hadn't expected that. He let his arms drop to his sides. Speedy was right. He had never truly tried for Starfire.

Speedy patted Robin's shoulder as he left him alone with his thoughts.

"Now. Where are the mirrors in this place?"

TTTTT

"Oh Raven I do not know how I look.." Starfire mumbled through the bathroom door.

Raven was leaning against the wall, wishing there were at least tiles on the ceiling to count. She sighed.

"Starfire. If you don't come out I'm retiring to my room until next week. And you know I will have no problem doing that."

Silence. Then the bathroom door shyly opened, as Starfire stepped out.

"Alright let's..see.." Raven's words trailed away from her. Her friend looked bewitching. "You look great Star."

Starfire smiled timidly, "Do you think Rob-" she caught herself, but pushed away the despondency that threatened to arise. She cleared her throat and smoothed her dress. "Do you think Speedy will like this appearance?"

Raven smiled encouragingly. "I do. Let's go, he's here."

With one last look in the mirror, Starfire sighed and walked towards the living room, determined to take pleasure in the evening ahead.

TTTTT

Somehow, Speedy had managed to set up three compact mirrors on bookshelf, at perfect angles, so that he would never have to turn his head as he meticulously combed his hair.

"There." He proclaimed for the 20th time that evening. "Perfect."

Cyborg and Beast Boy groaned. They'd returned to playing video games.

"Man do you EVER just wash and go?" Cyborg called over his shoulder.

"Heh. That's rich." Speedy checked his teeth in the mirror and looked in Robin's direction.

"Hey Rob-Rob. What are YOU up to tonight huh? Hot date like mine? Well obviously not AS hot as min-"

Robin was in Speedy's face, shooting daggers with his eyes, before Speedy was able to get his last word out.

Speedy lifted his arms up in mock defeat, "Just saying, Starfire does have a pretty nice-"

In one swift motion, Robin took Speedy's comb, an evil grin domineering his face, and snapped it in two.

"Oops!"

Speedy's smirk dropped, he let out a squeal of agony as he collapsed desperately grasping at his now fallen comb.

Robin doubled over with satisfied laughter, tears escaping his eyes.

Speedy pouted, but shoved Robin with displeasure.

"Hey!"

Both Titans pierced the other with scowls. A growl was heard, the tension seemed to much to handle, and an eruption was expected any second.

When Starfire entered.

"Um. Hello Speedy." Robin heard her sweet voice first, and was too scared to turn around.

Speedy straightened up immediately. He grinned. "Hey Starfire. You..look awesome."

Robin slowly turned around, the sight before him stopped his heart.

Starfire was shyly playing with her hands, she seemed insecure.

God she shouldn't be, thought Robin.

Her hair was pulled up into a loose ponytail, a flood of auburn curls cascading down her back. A few loose tendrils, framing her hair sensually. Her eyes were only accented by a touch of gray shadow, and dark mascara. Her cheeks had a natural flush, blush didn't even seem evident. And her lips, her lips were parted and rose colored, mocking Robin with how inviting and luscious they looked. She bit her lip.

God don't do that, he pleaded silently. His eyes scanned her body.

She had a dark blue dress with a modest plunging neckline. The dress was tight, hugging every gorgeous curve, stopping teasingly a few inches above her knee.

Robin completely forgot how to breathe.

Cyborg and Beast Boy turned around briefly, their eyes bulged out momentarily.

"STAR! OHMYGOD YOU LOOK GREAT!" Beast Boy yelled excitedly.

"Yeah girl! You sure do!" Cyborg added.

Starfire blushed and looked at Robin. He was simply gaping at her. Maybe HE didn't enjoy her particular ensemble.

How wrong she was.

Robin still stood in the same spot, as Speedy elbowed past him and offered Starfire a hand.

"Should we go, my lady?" He sneered at Robin as he said this.

Starfire hesitantly took his hand. "Er..Yes! Of course. Let us progress with the date yes?"

As they walked out the door, Robin saw Starfire look at him one last time. It was as if she was saying, I'm sorry, with her eyes. Sorry that he had never sincerely tried.

Hey guys, just a filler chapter leading up the big moment XD

Hopefully my upcoming finals aren't too demanding, and I can still have time to update and write regularly.

Thanks for reading, reviews and criticism always welcome.