Robin stretched his arm out, his eyes sleepily blinking open before closing into black again.
His fingers grazed velvety skin, he trailed his fingertips in soft circles which elicited a quiet mew from the warm curvaceous form next to him.
A leg that was wrapped over his own rubbed against him.
He reached out with his lips and pecked kisses along an arm and shoulder, brushing silky hair out of the way.
A quiet giggle ran through the other's body as her fingers reached behind her and teasingly groped along his hip. He shifted and pressed into her hand, and she gave a tiny squeal and pulled her hand away. He laughed.
She turned then to look at him with a twinkle in her eyes.
He ran his hands up her supple body as she playfully scooted away. He leaned toward her, determined not to let her escape.
She giggled and drew him in for a kiss, their bodies entwining naturally.
As Robin pulled away he murmured, "That was an amazing night."
"Yes," Starfire agreed. She tucked the covers around her body. "We have not done the cuddling while sleeping in a long time."
"It feels nice."
She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder and chest, her arms hugging around him tightly. He kissed the top of her head lovingly.
Both of them jerked apart however when there was a deafening pound on the door that rattled the walls.
"Koriand'r!!"
Starfire's eyes were wide as she flew off the bed and started gathering up her clothes. Robin jumped up as well, scrambling for his boxers and pants.
"Coming Galfore! Just a minute!" she yelled back, jumping into her panties and frantically trying to hook her bra.
"You are needed! What are you doing in there?!" her nanny called back. "It is well past the time you should be up!"
"I! I am… um…" her voice muffled as she pulled her shirt over her head. "I will be ready in a moment!"
Another slam of pounds on the door.
"He's gonna break the door down!" Robin hissed as he pulled his own shirt over his head.
"Galfore please! A minute!"
They heard scoffing in the hallway.
Starfire pulled on her boots and headed for the door before Robin grabbed her hips and stopped her, straightening her skirt. Then he cheekily slapped her on the butt and pushed her toward the door. She glared at him with a smirk before opening the door wide.
Galfore scrutinized her with a suspicious glare, his eyes narrowing in on Starfire's disheveled hair. Robin's guilty grin was plastered on his face as he attempted to smooth her tresses from the back.
Galfore snorted.
"Have you been doing the wrestling this morning? You should have more decency and composure before meetings," he chastised. Robin choked behind Starfire. So Galfore knew?! His face turned bright red.
"Oh please, Knorfka Galfore, the roughing of the house has never thrown off my composure," she shot back, giggling.
"You look like you have gone a few rounds," he smirked, rubbing his chin.
"He is no match for me," Starfire said slyly, completely unaware that Robin was dying behind her.
"True, but is he not agile?"
Starfire considered this. "Yes, he often out maneuvers me, but usually I can do the pinning of him easily if he is cornered." Robin barely contained a squeak, a hand clamped over his mouth, shocked that Starfire and Galfore could talk so freely about what he and Starfire had previously been up to.
"You should take it more seriously, it helps you train," Galfore chastised. Robin's eyes nearly popped out of his mask at that one. Imagine Bruce telling him doing that would help him train! … he would train all the time if that were the case…
"I shall take note, Knorfka Galfore," Starfire laughed. "You seem so interested, perhaps you would like to test his abilities?"
Robin's mouth dropped open and he stared at Galfore in horror, then at the back of Starfire's head. Did she just suggest…
What?!
"Wait, are we still talking about sex?" Robin hissed frantically to Starfire.
"Who was talking about the sex?" Starfire turned and asked him, bewildered.
"Yes, who was talking about-" Galfore started severely, his beard bristling and a hand rising for a scary lecture.
"Ookay!!" Starfire said, flying up and taking Galfore's hand. "Did you not say I was needed? Is the Chief ready to speak with me?"
Galfore became serious. "Yes, he is ready for you, Koriand'r. But first you must address an important issue. Come. You too," he gestured at Robin.
Robin nodded, still completely mortified.
As he passed through the door his eyes widened at the amount of guards present.
Galfore boxed Robin out as he put an arm around Starfire and spoke quietly to her as the guards snapped to attention.
Starfire pulled away. "What?!"
"It is all over the place, Koriand'r. Is it true?"
She glanced back at Robin, a worried look on her face. He narrowed his eyes, wondering what was going on.
"Well," she hesitated.
"The public is awaiting a statement from you. You cannot ignore them," Galfore said. "I know you have been hiding on Earth, but that is possible no longer."
Starfire looked indecisive and slightly upset. Robin strained to hear what Starfire said next.
"This puts us in considerable danger. How was it leaked to the press?"
"Apparently your knotha spoke to a secretary who loves the gossip. She has a friend who is staff at the Intergalactic News."
Starfire frowned.
"This is most unfortunate."
Galfore looked grim. "I know, my little bumgorf. But I can promise you security will be the highest grade."
Starfire's green eyes went wide and sad. "Galfore, do not do the kidding with ourselves. You know as well as I do it is only a matter of time."
He placed his expansive palm on her delicate shoulder and bowed his head. Then he looked her straight in the eyes, his own glowing fiercely.
"There would be a war so great, should they ever-"
"Galfore, Koriand'r. The conference is ready."
The little group turned to see Ryand'r walking toward them, followed by his own entourage of guards.
Robin saw Starfire straighten her posture, throwing her shoulders back and holding her head high.
Galfore snapped his fingers and an attendant handed him several purple cloaks. Starfire turned and Galfore tied it around her shoulders. It was heavy, lined with fur, and fell to her feet. Ryand'r also donned one, and Galfore's huge one was tied around his shoulders. Starfire and Ryand'r were also given their crowns, which symbolized their royal status. Starfire placed the sleek metal against her face, which was deadly serious. Three pairs of eyes were lost into a green glow.
Robin watched all of this, awed by all the circumstance but feeling oddly left out, like he was watching a movie.
Galfore snapped his fingers and all of them began to progress down the hallway, their heavy capes tailing behind them.
"Robin," Starfire called, her voice commanding. Robin felt ill at ease when he heard her tone, but knew this was the very same tone that told him to sit down and shut up yesterday. This was a tone he obeyed, or else.
He hurried to her side.
"Keep pace with me. This is not going to be enjoyable. Whatever you do, do not speak, and do not fidget. Stand strong and proud. It is good that you wear your mask," she said, sounding almost relieved. "You must look completely impenetrable."
He listened with a straight face but inside was annoyed. Like he didn't know how to conduct himself with stuff like this. Do not fidget? It was like she was addressing a child. He scowled.
They were being lead through several hallways. More and more creatures were starting to pack closer to them, flashing lights going off everywhere. Soon there was a huge crowd, pressing against the guards and Robin was reminded of the paparazzi he was so used to in Gotham. This crowd was in a complete frenzy, all kinds of devices trying to capture images of the exotic Tamaranian princess and her long lost brother.
And, when the hallway opened up to a great room with a huge balcony overlooking it, Robin realized with a startle that they were trying to get pictures of Ryand'r, Starfire, and her new fiancé.
A huge screen overlooking the massive hall bore a headlining title. He gaped at the English translation.
"Tamaranian Princess Koriand'r to wed Human."
A picture from the security cameras of him looking extremely annoyed with Debbral was plastered over every available screen.
His mouth dropped open.
Starfire reached over and closed it for him.
"I apologize," she said quietly, but still formal. "I did not mean to put you in this situation, but I promise I will work things out."
He opened his mouth to ask a question but she stepped forward. He heard the popping of flashes shoot at her every move.
Robin was no stranger to the paparazzi and being followed by a hoard of press and fans (read: screaming rabid fangirls) all trying to get a glimpse of him. But when he followed after Starfire and gazed over the massive balcony into the cavern of a room, he had to admit Dick Grayson never had the equivalent of half an entire planet there to see him.
The noise of thousands and hundred thousands of different creatures packed into that colossal hall was deafening. A deafening roar echoed off the walls when Starfire was spotted at the podium flanked by Galfore and Ryand'r. Robin's image was replaced with live feed.
Starfire raised her hand and the entire room quieted.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for coming here today," she started off, speaking into a small device floating near her mouth. Her strong voice now echoed off the walls of the great hall.
"I can see some very important news was leaked to the press. Doubtless everyone has questions and it is my attempt to quell the rumors before they get out of hand."
Murmurs buzzed from the crowd below. They hushed as Starfire began speaking again.
"As you can see, I am alive and in good health. I am unsure how it was reported that I was no longer living, but it was obviously a miscommunication and I am pleased to announce that I will resume my duties with Tamaranian and foreign affairs."
Starfire glanced at her brother.
"I wish to express my sheer joy that my brother, Zhal Ryand'r is also alive and well."
A loud thunderous uproar of cheers and hollers made Robin's ears ring.
Starfire smiled minutely as she waited for the noise to calm down.
"He has been missing for too many years, and it gladdens my heart to see him return home to Tamaran."
Robin breathed in as she turned and beckoned to him. He stepped forward.
"And now for the news that all of you have been buzzing about this morning," Starfire started. "I am aware of the source of information, but nothing has been officially released. There are no plans as of yet and currently 'knotha' is a loose term-"
"Zhala Koriand'r, Zhala Koriand'r!"
"Princess! Do you mean to say-"
"Is that human your knotha?"
"When will you announce it officially?"
"Are you currently in a relationship with this human?"
"Is he royalty?"
"Where has Zhal Ryand'r been?"
"Is there a reason you and the prince have been in hiding?"
"Why did you feel the need to fake your own deaths?"
"Princess, Princess! Is that a baby bump, are you pregnant?"
Robin's eyes widened the size of saucers and felt his entire body go into a cold sweat. He pulled on his collar and wheezed.
Starfire grumbled under her breath, surreptitiously checking her stomach.
"Paparazzi," she muttered, rubbing her belly self-consciously.
Robin regained composure to hear more pressing and completely invasive questions rapid firing from all sides.
"Zhala, Zhala, were you not engaged once before?"
Starfire grit her teeth at that one, and Robin couldn't help the flare of anger that rose in his chest.
"My previous engagement was invalid. The prior Grand Ruler had less than honorable intentions and what happened in the past has no bearing on my present situation."
"But-"
"I will offer no other statement on the matter," she said severely, her eyes flashing dangerously. The nosy press in the box below her collectively gulped.
Starfire continued in her no-nonsense tone.
"I believe I have said all I need to say," she finished. "I appreciate each and every one of you who support my family and me. My brother is awaiting a happy return to our home planet. Thank you all for coming."
Starfire waved as the crowd roared in approval, before she slipped away from the podium and ignored the press still pressuring her with questions from all sides, lights and flashes popping. Finally they reached a section where press was not allowed.
Robin followed, irrited she that seemed to be aloof to his presence.
"Galfore," she called.
"Yes, Zhala?"
"Is the chief ready to meet with me now?"
"He is waiting in meeting hall 680."
She nodded, her jaw set. Robin continued to trail behind the three Tamaranians, annoyed that he was being ignored. Did they even remember he was there? He glowered and stomped after them, glaring as they moved to a hyper walk. Just watch him fall again in front of all of them.
Luckily there was no mishap as he made sure to brace himself on the handrail. The wooziness after he stepped off still hit him, and he had to steady himself before he sprinted to catch up with the three who were walking in a hurry.
The finally reached the meeting hall, and Robin noticed it was smaller than the one she had been in before.
The guards opened the door for the three and they entered regally. Robin pottered in after them, and had to hold the door for himself.
"Please, be seated," Galfore said, motioning for the police officials to sit.
"Robin, you may also be seated," Starfire said.
"Oh, so you do remember I'm here," he muttered as he took a seat. Starfire made no reaction.
"I understand you have reached a decision?" she started. Her hands were clenched at her sides; Robin assumed she was trying to assume a powerful stance. But he noticed that her hands were trembling.
The Chief and his second exchanged glances.
"We regret to inform you, Princess, that there is nothing we can officially do at this time."
Robin watched Starfire's face closely. Panic flitted across it and in seconds it was replaced with blankness.
"I see," she said carefully.
"It's extremely unfortunate. But we can do our utmost to protect you until we can apprehend your sister."
Starfire shook her head. "I cannot live my life in exile. My sister is cunning. She will tread carefully where you can reach her. She will be scheming ways to get what she wants."
The chief was silent before he gestured, "It is your choice, Princess. You can stay here and be safe with the protection we can offer you. If you'd rather be on your home planet, we can send regular patrols. Unfortunately until your sister breaks a law, there is nothing more we can do."
Starfire was now silent, pressing her lips together before she nodded in resignation.
"You communicated that your intelligence has found the current location of my sister?"
The chief nodded his great head. "Our intelligence has discovered that she is with the Gordanian fleet. They were still stationed around Gordania the last we heard, which was two hours ago. We have determined that she has not been in contact with the Citadel the entire time she has been with the Gordanians."
Starfire clenched her hand so tight her knuckles went white. Robin also received this news with dismay. The Gordanians… Blackfire was definitely sending a very pointed message.
"Chief, Inspector," Starfire nodded to them. "I greatly appreciate all of your help."
"Anytime, Princess," the chief thumped his fist on his chest in the show of Tamaranian respect. The three Tamaranians thumped back.
"Galfore, Ryand'r, please escort me to my room," Starfire said, her face grave.
"What about me?" Robin grumbled.
Starfire's eyes flicked to him. "Yes, you as well."
"Gee, thanks," Robin snipped, once again following behind.
The three of them reached the royalty's wing with a crowd of creatures trailing behind, the guards keeping the mob from pressing against all sides. Robin wondered if they were anything like the paparazzi on Earth. If they were, he knew many of them would stake out her quarters, or as close as possible to it, until she emerged again.
Once Starfire was in the sanctuary of her room her face lost the careful blankness. She wrenched the crown from her face, tossing it away, and ripped the cloak from her shoulders. Galfore and Ryand'r watched her with sympathetic silence as Starfire clenched her hands and paced.
She shook her head and Robin could see the torment of thoughts cross her features.
"Kori," Ryand'r started, his voice sad.
"We are not left with many options," Starfire said bitterly. "It is looking like I must take this situation into my own hands."
All three of her companions vehemently blurted no at the same time.
Galfore straightened up his massive bulk and pushed out his chest threateningly. "I will not allow you to do anything concerning this matter by yourself, Koriand'r," he boomed.
"Galfore," she said sharply, "there is nothing anyone else can do. This is what it has always been. It is between my sister and me. It is time I fight my own battle. I was a fool for thinking the IGP could help me." She turned away, her face now upset as she spoke softly. "I knew they could not help me when I came here in the first place."
"But Kori, then why-" Ryand'r started.
Starfire sighed. "I had thought it was worth the try. I should not have wasted this time. I have only given away my position, and now the media is buzzing with news of me. It will not take long for the Citadel to take action."
"I am so tired of running and living in fear. Why us, Kori," Ryand'r moaned.
"I know, Ry," Starfire said grimly. "It has always been an issue of pride. We represent our planet and we always will."
"They will never give up, will they?"
"I do not believe so," Starfire said softly. "Komand'r will see to that. Our sister knows them too well. She betrayed us then and she betrays us now. She knows exactly what tools to use, what words to say. She has them in the palm of her hand. I would not be surprised if she aspires to rule over the Citadel itself."
Galfore and Ryand'r looked shocked.
"But Kori, how can you possibly know that?" Ryand'r asked.
Starfire sighed sadly. "I listened for news of her and the Citadel. Every day I have spent on Earth, I have watched over my shoulder, waiting for them to come back for me. It was in my best interests to know their every movement. I had asked Cyborg to help me tap into the Watch Tower's news feed. He of course did not think it odd I wished to stay with the current events of my home planet, and never asked the real reason."
Now it was Robin's turn to be completely shocked. He had no idea that Starfire had lived in so much fear every day. She had been afraid her past would drive her friends away, and she had been even more afraid her past would find her. How could he have not seen?
"I was happy when I saw they believed me to be dead. It gave me peace," she said, her eyes looking far away.
Robin bit his lip, feeling bad for snipping at her.
"Sister, I think you should stay here," Ryand'r spoke up.
"I agree," Galfore said firmly. "You are not safe anywhere else."
Starfire shook her head, the pain surfacing on her face. "You all know as well as I do that I am not safe here either."
"We will not leave your side-"
"I will not live the rest of my life in fear!" Starfire burst out. "It is time I end this once and for all!"
"And how do you propose to do that, Kori?" Ryand'r asked.
"I need to think. Please… all of you, please…"
She rubbed her hands over her face, turning away.
"Starfire," Robin said softly, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I need to think," she said softly. "Please, I just need everyone to go."
Robin removed his hand, hovering it in the air. "What?"
"I want to think. I need to be alone."
"I am not leaving you alone."
She turned around. "I require some of the alone time." Her face was deadly serious. "Galfore, Ryand'r, please take Robin with you, perhaps you would like to get something to eat?"
"But what about you, you haven't eaten either," Robin said, unmoving.
"I am not hungry," Starfire said, her voice betraying no emotion. Robin knew however that it was simmering beneath her eyes and as soon as they were gone, she would break down.
Galfore nodded, pained to see her acting so strong when he knew she was crumbling inside. He sighed, resigned.
"Ryand'r, Robin. Let us go, we can acquire something to eat while the princess can rest."
Everything in Robin told him not to leave her, but she had turned her back again and he knew that she was in no emotional state to deal with him. He wasn't hungry either, even though he hadn't eaten for over a day. He reluctantly turned and left with Galfore and Ryand'r, leaving Starfire staring at the wall, with her arms crossed over her chest. She looked fragile and so small, her head down. He heard a sniffle as he closed the door.
Robin walked bleakly with the two Tamaranians, everything now seeming so surreal. So out of his control.
--
The Watch Tower was silent except for the humming of technology.
Beast Boy lay awake on the bed, his head resting on his hands, staring up at the cold metal ceiling. Apparently no one had thought the guest rooms needed any more décor other than the bare necessities. His full sized bed was functional; there was a dresser with a clock and one lamp.
He sighed as he turned his head and glanced at the glowing numbers, which read 2:00 am.
"I'll never get to sleep," he muttered. The room was too impersonal and steely. The bed was hard and the covers were itchy.
It had been a rough day. They all had been on edge, waiting for a call from Robin or Starfire. Finally Superman and J'onn had suggested the Titans retire for the night, and showed them the guest rooms.
That had been at 11:30 pm. Beast Boy had tossed and turned, shoved the covers off and then pulled them up to his chin, flipped the light off only to turn it back on.
He heaved a huge defeated sigh. He stared at his hand for a moment before thinking, 'Wonder what Raven's doing…'
He tossed his covers off and tiptoed to the door, placing his ear against the cool metal surface. There were no sounds of anyone walking in the hall.
He opened the door and then turned into a mouse, glancing and sniffing around before scuttling down the hallway.
Raven had been sitting in her own cold and impersonal bedroom, meditating because she too had trouble falling asleep. She hovered over her bed silently, her legs crossed and her hands in her classic meditating gesture. She cocked an eyebrow when she realized that it was always right about… now in her mantra that Beast Boy always seemed to miraculously appear and interrupt her. It irked her that she actually felt disappointed he was nowhere to be found until she heard a soft squeak and a scratch at her door.
She opened one eye and glanced at the door with a smirk. "No way…"
She glided over to the door and opened it, and sure enough there was a green mouse that scurried into her bedroom.
The mouse grew up into the lithe shape of Beast Boy.
"You have impeccable timing," Raven said, the corner of her lip turning up.
"Huh?" Beast Boy said, confused.
Raven shook her head. "Nothing."
Beast Boy forgot Raven's insinuation immediately and his eyes swept over Raven's form. She had taken off her cloak and shoes.
Raven instantly recognized the hunger reflecting in those lusty green irises and frowned.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Did you come over to my room just to get some?"
He dragged his eyes away from her creamy legs and back up to her face sheepishly.
"Of course not. But without your cloak you look so damn sexy and I couldn't help it."
"We can't do this here."
"Why not?!" he whined. He slipped his hands onto her waist, pulling her hips closer. "We could go all the way, and then be able to tell everyone we did it in the Watch Tower," he murmured.
"No," Raven said flatly, giving him a look. "What if we got caught? That would be too embarrassing."
"Maybe, but I think everyone would just be jealous of me cause I got to slee- make love, to, the most beautiful girl in the world."
"Nice save," Raven said dryly.
"Thanks chief."
Raven rolled her eyes with a grin.
"Soooooooo… considering it?" he asked, swaying their hips.
"Don't pressure me," Raven said, going serious.
"But Rae we've talked and talked about it! You always say maybe next time, maybe next time…"
Raven pulled away. "Don't do this to me. You said you'd wait until I was ready," she said, her eyes going hard.
Beast Boy sighed. "Sorry. But you don't realize how hard this is for me, Rae. I've regular human hormones running around and all these crazy animal instincts too. It takes every ounce of will power I have not to just throw you on the bed."
Raven clasped her hands together over her chest and turned away.
"I know you do," she said softly.
"Do you?" he asked.
"I can sense it."
"Oh yeah," he muttered, running fingers through his disheveled hair. "I'm sorry I came over…"
"Don't be sorry," Raven said, turning around. "It's not your fault I'm insecure."
"Insecure about what?" Beast Boy asked.
Raven's mouth parted as she stared at him, her eyebrows knitted, before she turned her gaze to the ground and stuttered. "I don't… I can't… I'm not…"
"There were a lot of negatives in that babble there," Beast Boy said gently.
Raven shrugged sadly.
"What are you afraid of, Rae?"
"Beast Boy, don't-"
"Obviously this is the real reason why you keep avoiding us. Open up to me Rae, I promise I won't judge you or laugh at you, whatever it is."
"It's too…intimate."
Beast Boy frowned. "Intimate? How?"
"I don't… I can't-"
"Stop it. No more negative stuff. What is it about sex that you think you can't?"
"It's too… close, it's too personal. I'm not a lover, Beast Boy. I can't let myself go like that."
"Rae… I've already seen you naked. That's pretty personal as it is. You've let me down there already; I've kissed you everywhere you can be kissed. Sex is all we've got left, and I know that whatever you're worried about isn't as big a problem as you think it is. It's just me… I've seen all parts of you, I just want to share the rest," he grinned, his fang poking over his lip.
"I just don't think I'm a very sexual person and I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."
Beast Boy's eyes widened. "What?! How can you not think you're sexual?!"
Raven drew back. "What do you mean?"
"First off, you have the most amazing body I've ever seen. Every move you make, whether you're fighting or like, just gliding across the room your body oozes sexiness. You're so hot, like seriously, nothing gets the wolf in me panting like you in that tight leotard. Secondly, when we make out you make all those hot breathy noises and like, seriously I'm getting up from just thinking about it. You are the most incredibly sexy girl I've ever seen and here you are standing in front of me saying you think you're not sexual. Good God! The woman has no clue what she does to me!" He threw his hands in the air exasperated.
"You really think all that?"
"Yes!" Beast Boy said emphatically. "Rae I'm glad we're not experienced, I'm glad we're gonna figure it out together. Don't worry about what I think of you, if you're anything like when we make out, you'll be fine."
"Okay," she said hesitantly.
"Quit sounding so uncertain. You're hot. You're amazing. And when we finally do, it will be so awkward cause we both have no clue what we're doing, and you'll be in a lot of pain, and I'll be all clumsy, but it'll be us, babe. And that's real."
Raven chuckled uneasily as Beast Boy enveloped her in a hug.
"Don't get any ideas tonight though. It's not a good time or place here. I'd rather do… that at home. Plus, it's inappropriate because Robin and Starfire…"
"Yeah," Beast Boy said sadly. "I understand."
He looked down into her eyes.
"Can I at least get a good night kiss?"
She smiled. "Sure."
He dipped down, sweetly capturing her lips, making Raven's stomach flip. When he finally leaned away his eyes were half lidded. "Can I get maybe just a little more than a good night kiss?" he grinned, sending a tingle straight through her.
"Maybe just a little bit, before I send you on your way," she said, her mouth turned up.
"Awesome. I've been staring at that leotard this whole time and I need to get underneath there."
"Be good," she admonished.
"Oh I intend to," he said devilishly, pushing her onto the bed.
--
Robin picked at his food, which was mostly unrecognizable. The alien at the counter had said it was Earth scrambled eggs, but Robin was pretty sure scrambled eggs weren't supposed to be blue. The fries were okay, but generally he didn't eat fries with scrambled eggs. And he was fairly certain the gelatin was moving on its own accord. He pushed back his plate and stood.
"Is there a bathroom somewhere?"
Galfore pointed. "Our private bath is down that hall, second door on your left."
"Thanks," Robin said, hurrying away.
He actually had no intentions of visiting the bathroom. He could feel something was up. He snuck out of Galfore's suite. Thank goodness the Royalty were in a private hall, where press and traffic were not allowed. Starfire's room was close to Galfore's quarters, and he scurried down the hall as fast as he could.
He slipped behind a pillar quick when Starfire emerged from her room, glancing around nervously. He narrowed his eyes when he noticed she had tried to disguise herself.
A scarf was over her head, a pair of silly looking glasses was on her face, and a large baggy sweater was thrown over her lithe frame. She clutched the excess fabric tightly around herself as she darted down the hall.
Robin followed her stealthily. She was unaware of his presence behind her. Starfire reached the guards, who looked at her curiously.
"Zhala Koriand'r-"
Starfire spoke rapidly in Tamaranian to them. They looked at each other, concerned. Starfire said something sharply, and Robin imagined her to be saying, "that's an order."
The guards straightened and let her pass through the door.
Robin nodded to them, and pointed at Starfire. They let him pass with no hassle.
He followed Starfire as she weaved and bobbed through throngs of creatures, very obviously headed somewhere specific. He tried to ignore the warning bell in his head that she was leaving and she hadn't intended on telling him.
She took the hyper walk, and he stepped on after her, careful to leave just enough people in between them so he wouldn't be spotted.
"Shit," Robin muttered when he saw her disembark at the station labeled Departure Pods.
She was leaving. She was leaving and she was going to go without him.
Starfire spoke with an attendant, who leaned in close to get a good look at her, and she half turned nervously, straightening her scarf.
The attendant's eyes widened, and he saw her hastily quiet him. The attendant then seemed to babble as Starfire started glancing around, trying to make sure no one else had noticed her. The attendant happily planted a set of keys in her hand. Starfire thanked him and hurried on through a portal.
Robin raced up.
"I'm with her… please, I need to get to her."
The attendant stared at him too.
"Oh, you're her knotha, aren't ya!"
"Yes, yes," Robin said hastily. "Please, let me through. I'm with her."
"I saw you on the news. Not often we see a princess down here, and here I see her fiancé too!"
"Yes, it's amazing. Open that door thing and let me catch up with her, okay?"
"Well all right. Barely recognized her too, what with that crazy get up of hers…" the attendant kept talking as Robin paid him no attention and hurried through the portal when the door was opened for him. He raced down the tubular hallway, until he came out into long tunnel full of crafts.
Down the line he spotted bright red hair as she pulled the scarf off her head. She disappeared into a ship.
"Damn it!" Robin cursed as he broke out into a gallop.
The door was hissing closed as he reached it, and he dived through before it sealed.
Starfire jumped, shocked as she was pulling off the ridiculous sweater.
"Robin! What are you doing here?!" she screeched.
"No, the question is, what the hell do you think you're doing?" he shouted back angrily.
"I am taking matters into my own hands," she said defiantly.
"No, you were slinking out of here and not telling anyone where you were going. You wanted us to leave so you could sneak away without me!"
She put her chin up, her fists balled. "I am doing what I have to do."
"No you're not, you're being stupid! You're going to your sister, aren't you?" Robin accused.
"And what if I am?"
"It's completely stupid! How could you even think that this would be a good idea?!"
"I do not care what you say! I am going to do what I have to do and there is nothing you can do to stop me!"
The pod jolted them both to the ground as it blasted out of its shoot, launching them into the empty heavens. Starfire had initiated the launch sequence, but had forgotten to buckle herself in after Robin surprised her. She growled as she hefted herself off the floor and into the captain's chair.
Her foot tapped angrily on the floor as she guided their craft through the inky darkness. Robin rolled onto his side before sitting up. His mouth curved down in a bitter frown, his arms crossed and his fingers drumming on his forearm as he stared at her back.
"IGP Navigation Control, report, can you read me?" Starfire said into her headset.
There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.
"Princess Koriand'r."
Another hesitation. "Please inform me of accurate coordinates for the Gordanian fleet." Her fingers furiously tapped the control panel.
"Gosta. I should not be needing your assistance any further."
She removed the headphones from her ears. She spun in her chair to glare at him.
"It does us no good for you to act this way, you know," Robin said tersely.
Starfire snarled. "You are the one who disobeyed me. On Tamaran it would be within my rights to have you severely punished."
"But we're not fucking on Tamaran, are we?!" he shouted. "You've been running around snapping directions and orders at me from all sides, but you forget who your damn leader is!"
Starfire slammed her hand on the dash and stood up, eyes flaring.
"We are no longer operating as the Titans right now, either!"
"How can you say that?! It's what we are!"
"No! Right now, I am a princess that is wanted by another nation! They will stop at nothing; Robin you are completely without the clues! You know nothing of them, of how brutal they can be! I am in more danger now than we have ever been!"
"I'm not clueless," he growled. "Do you think I learned nothing from Batman and his missions with the Justice League? Why the hell do you think they have a tower in space with connections to all the star systems? I am not stupid, and yes, you are still under my leadership, you are part of the fucking Titans and you should still respect my authority and my orders. And currently, I think going right into the enemy's hands is a completely idiotic idea!!"
"You have not experienced the fearsome wrath of the Citadel first hand. You are the clueless. Right now I do not feel you should be giving me the orders when I am princess of an entire planet and my current actions are a result as such. You should not even be here!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here? Your own knotha shouldn't be here?" he sneered.
Starfire's fists clenched into balls and they faintly glowed when she barely managed to hold onto her temper. Finally she burst out.
"NO! You should not be here! You have put us both in danger, you were supposed to stay home at the tower where it was safe!" She began pacing as she ranted. "Robin I could not live with myself if you were to be hurt or killed because of me!" she wailed.
Robin exploded.
"What makes you think it's different for me?! What makes you think I could live for even a second of this life without you?! God Starfire, if you were hurt or killed by those… those horrible monsters and I wasn't there to save you, I could never live with myself!" he cried, anguished.
His words stunned her into silence.
"You… could not live without me?" she said meekly.
Robin heaved an exasperated sigh and scrubbed his hands through his hair.
"Star… no, Star. I couldn't," his voice broke. "I would rather die with you than live a thousand lives without you."
Starfire gasped, her hand fluttering to her mouth.
"But I… I just wanted to keep you safe," she whimpered.
"And I just want to keep you safe," he replied.
"I could not live with myself, Robin, if this ends badly."
"Me either. I won't let you just run off to your death, Starfire. I won't let you die, at least not alone."
Starfire choked in several short breaths, pressing her hands to her chest. She catapulted into his arms, hugging him tightly and burying her face into his chest.
"I am not sure we will make it through this," she admitted weakly. "I am not strong enough."
He frantically kissed the top of her head, pressing his lips to her over and over, stroking his hands erratically through her hair.
"You are the strongest person I know."
"I… I feel stronger when I am with you."
"That's why I'm here," he answered right back, pulling her face up to his so he could attach his lips to hers. "We'll get through this together. Always together." He laced his fingers through her hand, their kisses becoming more passionate, more frantic as they couldn't get enough of each other.
"This- could be- the last time- we are together," she said in between kisses.
"And it might not," he said barely above a whisper.
"But if it is?" she questioned.
He pulled away, searching her eyes.
"Then let's make it count."
She rolled her tumultuous thoughts around in her head before firmly nodding yes.
He lifted her slightly, asking in a very serious tone, "About how long until we reach the perimeter of the Gordanian ship?"
She swayed as she stood, checking the reading.
"Eight hours."
He grabbed her hands, locking them in his own. "I love you. More than anything in this world."
Tears pricked her eyes. "And I love you more than anything in this world, as well."
"It's set on autopilot?"
"Yes," her voice wavered.
Robin pulled her close before moving them to the cabin, kissing her frantically as they hit the doorframe. He picked her up and placed her on the small bed lovingly, his fingers tracing her curves as he knelt near her legs.
He smiled ruefully at the tears that coursed down her cheeks.
"We'll make it through this," he said, but he knew they both heard the uncertainty in his voice.
He no longer felt the need to rush. Instead he wanted to take his time, memorize each and every curve she had, the way she fit perfectly in his palm, the soft skin at the small of her back, her neck, her collarbone, her knees, her toes. If this truly were the last time…
He bit his lip as he trailed his nose along her stomach, felt her fingers grip his hair, making it a complete mess.
His warm hands explored everywhere, letting nothing elude his attention. Her hands answered just as eagerly, tracing the contours of his chest, letting no detail escape.
It was bittersweet, loving, gentle.
And possibly goodbye.
OMG I'M BACK!!
Wow. I apologize that it's been a crazy long time since I've posted. But, I promised I'd get it out there, it was just gonna take me awhile. You all should be happy, because I've been working on this story instead of doing all those thank you notes. I'm horrible.
I don't know if I'm entirely happy with this chapter as a whole but I'm tired of staring at it. And I've been meaning to get back in the game with this thing so I can get it finished and start something new and of my own. Sadly there's still a lot I have planned for this thing, so it won't be finished that soon.
If anyone wants to know, my wedding was wonderful, but went by so fast, as it always does. The honeymoon was fantastic as well; we went on a cruise to the Caribbean. It was our first cruise and let me just say… we wanted to stowaway on the ship and not get off.
Thank you absolutely each and every one of you who has continued interest and reviews. I am awful, I'm so sorry I can't reply to everyone. Please know that I want to… but those damn thank you notes… It's hard enough writing thank you notes at Christmas to like, aunts and uncles and whatnot. Now try writing thank you notes to 200 people. o_o It's daunting. So thank you for understanding!
Next up: Finding Blackfire