I realize this whole chapter is about sex. Deal with it, cause it's the last one you're going to get on the subject.
Starfire loved baths.
She loved that her tub was deep set and the smell of her strawberry bubble bath permeated the bathroom. The lights were off and she had lit several candles which cast flickering shadows around the room. No distracting sounds except the noise of the water echoing off the walls when she shifted position. She had clipped her hair up so it wouldn't get soaked because trying to dry that mane took a lot of effort.
Bathing rituals were one thing she missed about Tamaran. While the men did not always care about perfect hygiene, women had elaborate bathing houses akin to spas on Earth where they could clean themselves. The royal family even had their own private one with servants who drew baths, rubbed oils into her skin, practiced Tamaranian acupuncture, styled her hair and painted her face. Soaking in her little tub with fragrances reminded her of some of the good times she had with her mother and sister when she was young, before things became so confusing and tragic.
She closed her eyes and let the heat seep into her body. The thought of her sister made Starfire's eyebrows furrow.
Her sister's trial date could be announced any day now. She had anxiously been awaiting a transmission from Batman, Galfore, or the Watch Tower. Any connection to the IGP news line.
Each day that passed gave her a false sense of security. The longer it became the more she became complacent, but in the exact opposite way it made her on edge because she knew the day would be coming. She supposed it should bring her a sense of closure. It would end that chapter of her life and she could look forward to the happy years she had on Earth with Robin and her friends.
She sighed and wiped the wetness rimming her eyes. Why did thinking of her childhood home make her so incredibly sad? The loss of innocence was something every royal had endured. She was groomed for the throne since birth and trained to be a deadly warrior when she was a mere child. She was far from the first Tamaranian princess sent to the Citadel for a treaty- and then she packed those memories down so tightly they couldn't breathe, because it really would ruin her bath if she started letting those demons out of their vault.
She huffed. This was supposed to be relaxing and all she was doing was dredging her emotions through the nostalgic mud.
She heard her bedroom door swish open and figured Robin was finally done burning off his testosterone.
"Star?"
She shifted in the tub and heaved a sigh. She heard him cross to the bathroom and crack open her door.
"Hey," he said, peeking in.
"Are you done chasing around Beast Boy?" she said reproachfully, opening one lid and giving him the side eye.
"Yes," he said sheepishly, coming all the way into the bathroom. He perched on the edge of the tub. "There's too many bubbles, I can't see anything."
Starfire grumbled. "You would have seen a whole lot more if you had come up here an hour ago."
"Oh?" he said, looking interested. "What would I have seen?"
She sank in the tub and gave him a snarky grin. "Possibly it would have been me, sans the clothing, lying the spread of eagles on my bed, waiting for you."
His eyes widened. "You're not... joking? You were really..."
"Indeed I was. And now you shall never know the wonderfully wicked things I was going to do to you. Instead I am going to lay in my bath and when the water gets too cold I will get out and put on my pajamas and go to sleep," she said, miffed.
"But...but... couldn't you just..."
"You will never know," she said, closing her eyes again and leaning back.
"How about I just go out of your room, give you five minutes, and when I walk back in you do what you were doing before and then we do all those things you were talking about?"
"Hmm," she considered. "No."
"Aww what? Why not?"
"Because you did the ditching of me for Beast Boy. I was naked and waiting and you would rather spar? Honestly." She crossed her arms and pouted.
"Sooo... after you get out of the tub..."
She humphed. "I am not in the mood anymore. I started without you."
Now his jaw fell open. "You what?"
"What is a girl supposed to do?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Did you really?"
She grinned. "You will never know."
He stood up abruptly and wrestled out of his pants. "I'm getting in."
"No you are not!" she said, sitting up.
"So am." He kicked his pants away and stuck a leg over the side. Starfire grabbed it and tugged.
"Star! Stop it!"
"You are not getting in, this is my bath!"
"You made that perfectly clear, jeesh. Should I be worried I'm getting replaced by your hand?"
"Ooooh, you," she growled as he grinned and managed to get his other leg into the tub too. Starfire let go and put her feet up, trapping him from sitting down.
"Knock it off, I want to get in too!"
"I said no!"
"You're gonna make me fall and crack my melon open!"
She squealed as he managed a sit and pushed him to the end of the tub, one foot on his chest.
He laughed. "You can't just let me in?"
"No," she said, turning her nose up.
"I'll tickle."
"No you will not."
"I know you lied to me. Your feet are ticklish."
"No they are not."
"Really? Let's test this out." He snatched her foot from his chest and began teasing his fingers on the sole of her right arch.
She shrieked and giggled, tossing and turning and splashing water over the side of the tub.
"That's what I thought!" he exclaimed, gripping her bucking leg as best he could.
"Not! Fair!" she gasped. She had enough of that and wrenched her slippery leg out of his grip.
"Hey look, all the bubbles are gone. Nice."
She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Aww."
She pouted at him. "You ruined my bath!"
"Oops. Let's get you naked."
"I already am naked! You missed your chance," she snipped.
"You sure about that?"
"Yes," she snarled.
"Really sure?" He slid a hand up her calf.
"Absolutely positive," she said darkly.
"I think you're bluffing." Over her knee.
"Oh, I would not dare go higher if I were you."
"No?" Up her thigh.
"No," she growled in her throat.
"Not even, just right here?" He grazed his fingers between her legs.
"No," she sucked in a breath.
He leaned forward with a teasing grin. "What about if I did this?"
"Still angry," she said, her head falling back.
"If I doooo... this? Now are you still angry?"
"Oooooh... I... yes. Angry. Still... mad... at you."
"I don't think you really are. I think you're only mildly upset."
Starfire's mouth was open and she jumped, gripping the side of the tub.
"Don't have anything more to say?"
"Less of the talking and more of the action."
Robin snorted. "Is that how it is?"
"Shh," she hushed. She wiggled her hips up into his lap.
"It's kind of hard to do this in the tub."
"Then get out and let me finish," she huffed.
He smirked at her and slid his hand away, standing and grabbing a towel. He quick blew the candles out, then offered her his hand, helped her up and dried her off. He unclipped her hair and let it cascade down her back. They stepped out of the tub and Robin pushed her up against the bathroom sink.
"What are you doing?" she murmured as he nibbled on her neck, pressing his lower half into her belly.
"You," he mumbled into her shoulder.
She grinned and raised her hands to his muscular arms. His lips found hers for a moment and then he disconnected and picked her up. She squealed as he dashed into her bedroom and threw her onto the bed. She bounced and giggled.
He knelt on the mattress and pounced toward her with a grin. She shrieked playfully and tried to scoot away but he was too quick, grabbing her ankle and dragging her underneath him. She ended up on her back with her wrists pinned above her head.
"You left the bathwater in the tub," he chided teasingly.
"Oh, I do wonder why," she quipped back. "Possibly it was because a boy invaded it, then kidnapped me and tossed me onto my bed."
"Sounds like that boy needs to be taught a lesson."
"Yes. I should kick him out of my room."
"No, he wouldn't like that so much. I think there's something better you could do."
"Oh, you mean like lay naked on my bed in the spread of eagles and wait for him? I already did that, and he did not appreciate it," she snipped.
"Well he's very sorry."
"He can stuff his sorries in a sack."
Robin laughed. "Where'd you hear that one?"
"That is what Raven told Beast Boy when he tried to apologize once after he played a prank on her by dyeing her cloak pink. He was not very smart, was he?" she giggled.
"Yeah, not the brightest crayon in the box, that one."
"He is intelligent, just in his own way."
"One Chicken McNugget short of a Happy Meal."
Starfire belly laughed, covering her mouth with her hands to contain her giggles. "You are most mean! He is not stupid... sometimes he lacks the sense of common."
"Yes he does. I'm just kidding, you know that."
"Yes, I know." She crinkled her nose. "Could we not discuss Beast Boy right before we are about to have the sex?"
"You started it! And we are going to have sex then?"
She gave him a flat stare. "What do you think? You are laying on top of me and poking my leg. It is quite hard to ignore."
"Sorry."
"You can stuff your- Oh!"
"Yeah, I think I will."
She curled her legs around his waist. "That was very sneaky."
"It was, wasn't it?" he said smugly.
"Robin?"
"What?"
"Stop talking."
ooo
It was a lonely week for Beast Boy while Cyborg was gone, because while he enjoyed spending time with Raven, she didn't exactly like gaming marathons or playing frisbee in the park, or doing the other things he normally did with his best guy bud. Beast Boy pounced all over Cyborg when he came home after a long week of canoodling with Bumblebee- oh yeah, and there was that case thing, too.
Summer was flying by, between answering alerts and keeping things in order, life settled back into normal again.
Or mostly normal. Raven frowned as she pulled the last condom out of the box. Had they really gone through that many? It seemed like they had just bought them. Beast Boy couldn't keep his hands to himself and was rubbing his palms along her back and hips while she leaned over the side of her bed and dug in her nightstand drawer.
"Last one," she mentioned as she turned back around.
"Really?" he slurred. "Thought we just got some."
"That's what I thought too," Raven said, the frown still on her face. It couldn't have been much more than two weeks ago. Sure, it seemed that Beast Boy had quite the appetite (it was morning and he was already asking for it) but so far she had mostly been willing to meet it. Lately her body was getting tired however, and she denied him a couple of times mostly because she needed some downtime. Still... there were twelve condoms in a box. Had they really done it that many times in the span of two weeks? Sexual libidos vary from person to person and couple to couple, and nothing is wrong as long as both partners are willing, but to Raven the idea of having it almost every day seemed like a lot. Granted, they were relatively new at this, but she hadn't expected to keep the same pace like they had in the first few weeks.
She enjoyed having sex with Beast Boy but it wasn't a necessity. It wasn't like she craved it or had to have it every day. It was nice, it was a good release when she did happen to hunger for it.
But... she didn't feel the same way about sex as she seemed to sense from Beast Boy. He wanted it all the time, always ready to go. At first she thought maybe his animal instincts had something to do with it, but the things she sensed didn't seem so basic. He was more complex than that. She loved the feeling of sharing souls with him during the deed, it made her connected and complete, and his emotions suggested that he too felt the euphoria of their bond.
That was what gave Raven pause. The more she started to resist keeping her soul tangling with his, the more he emotionally beckoned and pleaded for it. It wasn't a verbal thing, she doubted Beast Boy was even cognizant of it, but it was becoming a problem. She was sensing from him the same urges she picked up when people suffer with addictions; the inability to control themselves and the withdrawal when they couldn't get a fix.
He was clingy, constantly in need to be in contact with her, even if it was just a hand on her back. She was getting concerned, this was becoming a real problem. Not to mention she was kind of sore and she wanted her body to herself for awhile.
Right about the time when Beast Boy was working himself into a good rhythm and she normally opened up the channels to touch his soul, she pulled her senses back and cut him off. Immediately he slowed his strokes and lifted his head from her neck.
"Babe?"
"What?" she asked innocently.
"What's wrong?" he said, frowning.
"Nothing's wrong, why are you asking?" Raven said, playing dumb.
"Why aren't you doing the soul sharing thingy?"
"Do you need me to?" Raven responded.
He pouted. "Don't you want to?"
She sighed. Apparently they were going to have it out now. "I do, but sometimes I just want to stay in myself."
"You don't like sharing souls with me?" he said, the kicked puppy look evident in his eyes.
"It's not that, Beast Boy, not at all," she said, reassuring him. "I like it a lot. I just think we've been doing it so much lately-"
"You don't want to have sex with me?" he said, pushing himself up farther with a sad frown.
"No, no stop. It's not... I do. I do want to have sex with you, and I like sharing souls. I'm just concerned that we've been having it every day and I think you're becoming addicted-"
"I'm not addicted to sex," Beast Boy said immediately.
Raven quirked her lips. First step, denial.
"We've gone through a whole box of condoms in two weeks," Raven said.
"So?"
"So... it's a lot."
"Who says it's a lot? Some people probably do it more."
"Yeah... but they're probably sex addicts," Raven said hesitantly. She bit her lip. She had a habit of pushing him too far.
He scrunched his face and started to pull out.
"No, don't... Beast Boy stop," Raven said, wrapping her arms and legs around him to trap him.
"Come on Rae, let me go," he protested.
"No. I didn't mean to ruin-"
"Well you did," Beast Boy said shortly, morphing into a mouse and scampering off the bed. Raven sat up, but he had already made it to her door, changed into something small to scuttle under the crack and was gone.
Raven stared at her tangled sheets.
"Well shit. Not how I wanted that to go," she sighed. "I need to work on tact."
ooo
Beast Boy darted into his room and morphed up into his human self, pulling the latex off his body in disgust and disposing of it in his bathroom. He found a pair of sweatpants and a tank and yanked them on. Then he flopped down onto his bottom bunk and stared at the top bunk with a scowl.
Raven's accusations had shaken him. The worst part was he knew she was probably right. He did seem to want it more than she did, it was always him initiating and she went along with it. He felt guilty. It wasn't like he forced her, she said no sometimes and he respected that completely. But he knew that if he didn't ask, she would ask a lot less often herself.
He sighed and rolled onto his stomach. He wasn't sure how to fix this one. He liked being with Raven. He felt lonely and empty if he had to go too long without feeling her. It was just so amazing being with her, meshing souls with her. He felt the effects of her powers in different ways, when they ported the magic made his senses twitchy and he often felt nauseous. This melding was completely different. It was amazing, trippy, made him feel totally ensconced.
He snorted. Was he really getting high off of soul melding sex with Raven?
Maybe it was the way she had brought it up, or the fact that she didn't pull her punch and called it for what it was. She deprived him of the meld and he fussed like a junkie cut off from his stash.
He scrubbed a hand through his hair. Already he could feel the tightness in his chest, the void that started creeping up on him whenever he yearned for her.
Yeah. This was bad. Bad enough to make him want to go crawling back to her and beg her to have sex with him, just so he could make the gnawing feeling go away.
Beast Boy buried his face into his pillow. They needed to talk. But it would have to wait awhile, because right now all he could see was him throwing Raven down on his bed, with or without her consent, and that worried him more than anything. Sometimes his control over himself was tenuous, especially when his animal natures started to cloud his senses. She would just have to stay away while he worked his emotions out.
Was there a support group out there for Raven junkies?
There was a knock on his door.
"Beast Boy?" came her small hesitant voice from the other side.
"Not now Raven," he said, lifting his head so his voice would carry just enough so that she could hear it.
"Um, why? I came to say I was sorry..."
"I know. Just, not now."
He could practically feel her hurt. It tore him apart but he was mad, embarrassed, and desperate all rolled into one and he couldn't face her, and he wasn't sure how to tell her.
He heard her place her palm on the door, then the soft shifting sounds of her magic and she was gone.
"Fuck. This sucks," he muttered, burying his face into his pillow.
ooo
Starfire's room featured floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the ocean, and while they were covered with heavy curtains sunlight inevitably peeked through and cast its glittering late summer rays over the couple snuggled up under the covers.
Starfire woke first, her skin licking up the sunlight and rejuvenating her energy stores. Robin cracked a bleary eye open, pulled his pillow over his head and tugged Starfire closer into his side. She giggled lightly. His hand curled around her ribcage, then dipped down into her waist, fingertips brushing over the flesh of her stomach and navel, palm curving over her hip. He mumbled incoherently and burrowed deeper.
Starfire yawned and blinked, watched the flecks of dust shimmer in the light and wiggled herself further into Robin's embrace. He mumbled some more and slid his hand up to cup her breast. Starfire grinned when she felt him shift and his mouth replaced his hand.
She stretched her back purposely, pressing into his warmth.
"You wish to have me already?" she said, amused, running her fingers lazily through his hair.
He responded by nibbling. She squealed and wriggled, and he switched to her stomach, then her thighs. She giggled, twisted in his grasp as his teeth grazed against her hip and nipped her flesh. She tried to scoot away but he grappled with her and pulled her back. After more tickling, nibbling, and playful wrestling he rolled her so she was perched on top of him. She sat up and brushed her hair over the back of her shoulder.
"This is what I like to see in the morning," he said, reaching his hands up.
She teasingly pulled away and he pouted.
Silkie wiggled out from under the covers, cooed and jumped into Starfire's lap.
"Oh, hello my little bumgorf!" Starfire chirped, scooping Silkie up and hugging him.
Robin sighed. "He always knows just when to show up, doesn't he."
Silkie squirmed out of Starfire's arms and wobbled up to Robin, munching on his ear and warbling.
"Yeah yeah, hello to you too, bud. Your momma lets you get away with everything."
Starfire giggled and plucked Silkie off of Robin and tossed him onto the floor. Robin used her distraction to align her hips with his.
"Oh!" she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed and her head falling back. She could tell the moment he entered it felt different. She shuddered, he gripped her hips and started her moving and she blinked at him, a smile on her lips. She placed her hands on his chest and took over the stroking. Silkie managed to make his way back up onto the bed and was slobbering on Robin's arm. He scrunched his nose and tried to push the little larva away.
"Silkie, come on," Robin complained. Starfire shook her head with a smile.
"He just wants the attention," she purred.
"He's ruining the mood."
"Mmm, he is not ruining my mood," she said, eyes closed, hips still rocking, ignoring the Silkie drama.
"Star, do something," he whined.
"Silkie," Starfire chided, head titled back, "quit the pestering."
Silke stopped slobbering and pouted, slowly slinking off the edge of the bed with little larva grumbles, suitably chastised.
"Thank you," Robin said, half sitting up and getting into the motion. Starfire's breathing became labored, her breath escaping in pants. When it really started to feel good she became vocal, and she knew Robin always liked to hear her moans and purrs, the shrieks and the oh oh oh oh!s. Those were his favorite. Good thing the rooms were mostly sound proofed. Raven wasn't immature enough to tease them if she happened to hear but they didn't want to bother her, either.
She was really getting into a rhythm and felt that strange sensation spreading across her abdomen, like the times before. She was frustrated again, her fingers clawing into his shoulders. Why wouldn't it just go? She worked at it so hard but it always felt just out of reach, like she didn't know how to let go and tumble over the edge. She knew she was thinking too much and mentally backed off, letting her instincts take over. He seemed to sense her distress and reached a hand to where they were joined.
It sent a shock though her, she jolted and shrieked and he kept it up while she leaned back, it was close, so close. She pushed, the same spot hitting inside over and over...
and then it finally caught.
She felt it streak through her, a raw sensation rippling through her lower half and she couldn't help the wails and the oh oh ohs and vaguely she smelled something burning but she was too busy awash in a new kind of feeling to really be concerned about that. The tremors rocked her as Robin gripped her wrists and jerked them away from his skin, but he didn't stop his motion and while she came down from the first high, he slowed just enough and worked up again as a second one hit.
Amazing. She couldn't control her body or her voice and she figured he was getting quite the show. So this was why everyone talked about that elusive spot. Definitely not a myth.
As she was shuddering from the aftershocks he was groaning softly and his whole torso contracted, he gripped her hips and pushed up and she knew he was finishing too. Once he relaxed and fell back against the bed she flopped over, her body tingling and numb.
They both breathed heavily after the exertion and Starfire couldn't move her jelly limbs.
"Oooooh... love you," she finally managed to say.
"Love you too," he slurred.
After a few good minutes of post "really amazing sex" glow, necessity made her roll back up and clumsily look for the tissues they kept by the bed.
"You're making a mess," he noted.
"I cannot seem to make myself care," she sighed happily, the box still in her limp hand.
Robin chuckled. "It was good?"
"Oh yes," she breathed.
"Was that what I think it was?"
"Yes."
"That different?"
She scrunched her face. "Yes and no. It felt wonderful but also exhausting getting there."
"At least I gave you one... wait two?" Robin grinned smugly. "Now you don't have to be so frustrated."
"Mmm," she hummed, the dreamy smile still on her face. That smile pulled into a crinkled nose.
"Don't move, we gotta get cleaned up," he said, checking. "Give me the tissues."
She slowly removed herself and hurried to the bathroom. He cleaned himself off and followed.
She grinned at him as she started the shower, then covered her mouth.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, examining his chest. "I am most sorry!"
He chuckled and looked down. "Yeah, you got a little into it. It's okay, it doesn't hurt... bad..."
Two bright red hand prints were singed on each pectoral.
"I will take care of that after we shower," she promised.
After hosing each other off Robin carefully put on a t-shirt and sweatpants, Starfire found some shorts and a baby doll tee and they headed to the medical bay.
Starfire dug around for some burn cream and square gauze pads. Robin pulled his shirt over his head gingerly by the collar and Starfire applied the cream.
What they forgot about however, was Cyborg. He poked his head in.
"Y'all okay?"
Starfire eeped and Robin jumped, trying to turn away so Cyborg wouldn't see the hand prints.
"I got an alarm that the med bay was in use," he teased. "Whatcha hidin'?"
"None of your business, Cy," Robin growled, covering his arms over his chest.
The Cybernetic boy tilted his head. "Is that burn cream? Y'all hurt yo'self on your chest?"
"Drop it!" Robin said.
Cyborg grinned like a cat. "Did she burn you?"
Starfire flushed scarlet and Robin rolled his eyes and sighed, uncrossing his arms. Cyborg hooted.
"Nice! Lookit those hand prints! Must've been a wild ride," he snickered. "You two need to stop getting burned. Isn't that what y'all were doin' the last time I caught ya up in here?"
Robin shot him a steely glare.
"Hey, just statin' the facts."
"Do me a solid, make like a sheep and get the flock out of here."
Cyborg snorted. "Cleeever. Whelp, I'll leave y'all to it then, if I'm obviously not needed. No training today, huh Rob? That looks like it smarts."
"Not a word, Cy," Robin warned.
"Scout's honor," Cyborg said, holding up three fingers.
"You weren't a ever a boy scout!" Robin called after him huffily as Cyborg went cackling down the hall.
"I am sorry," Starfire said contritely.
"Don't worry about it. He'll be an ass and give us teasing looks for a few days and then he'll forget about it," Robin said. Hopefully.
"He would not use it as the blackmail, would he?" Starfire said worriedly.
"If he does, I have a nice little video stored away of him baby talking with Bee," Robin grinned viciously. "He calls her his ickle wickle honey bun." He stuck his tongue out in disgust.
"That is definitely much worse than the evidence of hand prints from the amazing sex," Starfire said, giggling as she applied a gauze pad.
"I agree. At least this way I look like a stud," Robin laughed.
"Absolutely," Starfire purred, kissing him on the cheek.
ooo
After dinner, Robin and Starfire were lounging on the couch, Starfire taking in a documentary on dolphins and Robin clacking away at his laptop, doing some online homework.
Cyborg was sitting at the kitchen bar tinkering with blueprints and gadgets for a scheduled upgrade to his systems.
Beast Boy and Raven were nowhere to be seen. Usually that meant one thing, but Robin had seen Beast Boy fly away into the city as an eagle and Raven didn't appear from her room. Her comm indicated that she was still there but she could have left it in her bedroom on purpose, not wanting to be tracked.
Starfire figured they were having a fight. She could always pick up vibes like that about her friends. No one was going to interfere however until either of them asked for help.
Starfire was just learning that dolphins were intelligent enough to use found objects as tools when the screen blipped and a transmission with the Bat insignia overlaid the programming.
The three Titans exchanged glances. Starfire lifted the remote and accepted the call, heart hammering in her chest. This was probably the news she had been waiting for.
Batman popped up on screen, the Batcave dark and damp behind him. Alfred was at his side.
"Hello Alfred," Starfire said, a trembling smile on her face. "And, Batman."
Batman nodded and Alfred waved and returned a warm smile.
"Just the girl we were looking for, right sir?" Alfred said.
Starfire bit her lip. This was it. Robin put his hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, you have the news for me?" she said, trying to keep the waver out of her voice.
"We've been contacted by IGP," Batman said tonelessly. "They've set Blackfire's court date."
Starfire's hands tightened. "And when is it scheduled for?"
"Late November."
Starfire let out her breath. Still several months away.
"We'll forward you the information. The prosecution will be contacting you to gather statements to build their case."
"So that's it then?" Robin said.
"That's it," Batman said. "Be on the lookout for Rollin. He will be contacting you."
"Okay," Robin said.
"Good to talk to you, Master Dick, Miss Starfire," Alfred said. Robin could just see Batman rolling his eyes under his cowl.
"Remind me to call you later to get that strawberry cheesecake recipe from you, Alfred," Robin said.
"Oh! Yes, I have that. Do you want me to fetch it? It will only take me a moment, sir."
"Oh, um, sure," Robin said. Alfred turned and disappeared into the gloominess.
Batman was staring at him. "Cheesecake?"
"I was going to show Star how to make Alfred's famous cheesecake. Is that a problem?" Robin challenged, crossing his arms.
"Why would it be a problem?" Batman retorted.
"I don't know, you tell me," Robin shot back.
"Why don't y'all just whip 'em out and compare and save us the bickerin," Cyborg piped up from the kitchen.
Robin's face went bright red and Batman suddenly had very important things to type on the other side of his computer panel.
Alfred returned with a scrap of paper, glanced at Batman resolutely playing Mine Sweeper and Robin's flushed face. "What did he say this time?" he sighed.
"Nuthin," Robin muttered.
"You missed a flag, sir," Alfred said, while scanning the cheesecake recipe into the Batcomputer and emailing it to Robin.
Batman grunted.
"That box clearly had a bomb, sir."
"We all know that now," Batman grumbled.
"We'll talk later, Alfred," Robin said. "Thanks for the recipe. We'll have to let you know how it turns out."
"Please do. I always like to hear Miss Starfire's additions."
Robin turned a little green at that, since Starfire's additions tended to be non edible and could cause serious stomach pumping induced trauma to the average human. Alfred found utter delight in the plight of Robin's attempts to monitor Starfire's cooking.
The worst part about it was she was always so pleased and eager to share her concoctions with her friends, but none of them could actually eat it without dying or ending up in the sick bay for a night (or three).
"Well, have a good night," Robin said, about to sign off. At that moment Raven came into the room.
"Oh, Miss Raven, hello," Alfred said.
"Hello Alfred," Raven said, nodding back to him.
"I trust you are doing well?"
Raven hesitated and Alfred minutely raised his eyebrow.
"Yep. Peachy," Raven droned.
"Where is Master Beast Boy?"
"Don't know," Raven shrugged.
"Oh. Well give him my regards," Alfred said, inclining his head.
"Will do," Raven said, and gave him another nod. A moment passed between the two.
"Well, have a good night all. We'll be going now. Oh Master Bruce, you knew there was a bomb in that one," Alfred chided.
Batman pouted and crossed his arms. "I hate this game."
Robin shook his head, waved goodbye to Alfred and disconnected the call.
"What was that all about?" Raven asked.
Starfire turned around. The look on her face said it all.
"The court date?"
She nodded.
"When?"
"Late November," Starfire said. "Batman will be forwarding us the details."
"Good to know," Raven said.
"There's some food on the stove for you Raven, if you want," Robin offered.
She glanced over. "Not hungry."
She walked through the common room doors as they swished open and disappeared as oddly as she had appeared.
"That was weird," Robin said. Starfire nodded and Cyborg shrugged.
ooo
Raven booted up her laptop and sat on her bed. She levitated a few scented candles around her room to help calm her nerves. She had sensed Starfire's inner turmoil and had gone to the common room to scope out why, correctly figuring it was news about Blackfire. Alfred had been a lucky bonus.
Once her computer was finished setting up an icon blinked on the bottom bar and Raven answered the call she was waiting for.
"Miss Raven," Alfred said warmly.
"Hey Alfred," Raven sighed.
"You seemed most unsettled a few moments ago. Is everything all right?"
"Not really. But it's awkward to explain."
"You don't have to. But you know I am always here when you need to talk."
"Beast Boy and I have hit a snag in our relationship."
Alfred nodded sagely. "Unavoidable in any good relationship. The key is how you two work together to solve it."
"He's not speaking to me right now."
"That makes it rather difficult," Alfred conceded.
"It's... not really my fault, but in a way it is."
"Sounds complicated."
"It is."
Raven was clearly uncomfortable. She shrugged her shoulders, rubbed her arm and couldn't quite make eye contact.
"I don't like talking about my problems. And if I do need to talk about a problem, Starfire usually is a good listener, especially with one like this, but she's got her own problems with her sister. I don't want to bother her. You're an extremely wise man. You have a wonderful aura. I guess I can't really explain it."
If she could look up, Raven would've seen a color to Alfred's cheeks at such high praise. But she continued to stare at a point down screen.
"Thank you Miss Raven. It's a wonderful compliment."
"You're welcome. Honestly, I already feel better, just talking to you and knowing you're listening. I'm jealous Robin kept you a secret for this long."
Alfred chuckled.
"The thing is... it's... embarrassing and I don't know how..."
"Miss Raven, I'm guessing your problem stems from the more intimate persuasion?"
"Yes," she said, her cheeks blushing scarlet.
"I see. You can spare the details."
"I shared my soul with him."
Alfred tilted his head. "You shared your soul?"
"Yes. My powers allow me to disconnect my soul from my own body. It can... meld with Beast Boy's soul. Connect with his."
"Oh, I see."
"It's a very unique and euphoric experience."
"I can imagine it would be."
"The problem is, I think he's becoming dependent on the sensation. He won't stop pestering me for it. Today while we were... um... I didn't do the meld. He became upset when I said I had reservations about it us doing it all the time. I told him I thought he was becoming addicted to it and he left immediately. I tried to go to his room to talk to him but he told me to go away."
The sadness was evident on Raven's face.
"Hmm," Alfred said. "Addictions are never an easy problem to handle. One person's addiction can certainly cause stress in a relationship and often the addicted do not like having their affliction pointed out to them."
"That's for sure. I just don't know what to do. I like soul melding with him too but sometimes I just want my body to myself. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings but I'm getting so drained."
"Once he cools down and allows you to talk to him again you both will have to examine how you feel about the situation. Listen to his side, but let him know that his behavior is detrimental to you, you cannot physically keep doing what you have been doing. He will understand. He is a wonderful bright young man who only wants to please you."
"I know," Raven said, blushing.
"Beating an addiction isn't easy. But you can help him, keep him accountable. Wean him off the sensation."
"Maybe save it for... special times."
Alfred nodded. "Yes."
"I should've been able to figure that out on my own," Raven said ruefully, finally looking up at Alfred. "I talk to Starfire about stuff like this all the time when she and Robin have issues."
"Ah, but that is because you have an outside opinion. In this matter, you are in the middle of the emotional situation, and I have the outside opinion."
Raven smiled. "Thank you Alfred."
"Anytime, my dear."
ooo
Starfire had retired to bed and Robin was finishing up his online homework at about one in the morning when Beast Boy trooped in and dug through the cupboards for a snack.
Robin continued clacking away as Beast Boy hopped over the back of the couch and slouched down, munching on a bag of chips.
Robin didn't need to have empathic powers to tell Beast Boy was in a mood. He was bummed and knowing the changeling was a social creature and probably wanted to talk, Robin glanced at him for a moment before going back to his work.
"Hey," Beast Boy said.
"Hey yourself. Where were you all day?" Robin asked casually, trying not to sound too interested.
"Out," Beast Boy replied shortly.
"That's it, just out?"
"Yep. Went cloud skipping."
"That's pretty high."
The younger boy shrugged.
"Saw Raven today, for a second," Robin said.
"Yeah?" Beast Boy said nonchalantly.
Robin frowned a little. Beast Boy obviously wanted company and probably some advice but he wasn't making this easy. Whatever their disagreement was, it had really affected him.
"She didn't know where you had gone. She didn't seem too happy about that."
Beast Boy shrugged again and crunched on another handful of chips.
"You mad at her or something?" Robin finally said, not looking up from his laptop.
"Not mad, exactly."
"She didn't seem like herself. Hope you guys aren't having trouble."
Beast Boy sighed. "We kinda are."
No really? Robin tried to look supportive.
"What kind of problems?" Robin said, closing the windows on his laptop.
"Uuuuh..."
"Sex."
"Yeah," Beast Boy said sheepishly.
Robin smirked.
"Just turn off the lights, maybe she'll try girl on top then."
"Dude, shut up. It's not that."
"No? Then what is it?"
"I can't like... it's weird."
"You're into that kind of stuff?" Robin said, giving him a look.
"Dude, stop it!" Beast Boy complained. While he appreciated Robin's attempt to keep the mood lighthearted he still needed to talk to someone about how he was feeling.
"Okay, I'm sorry. Really, what are you having trouble with?"
"So... you know how Raven's powers can like, bond with you?"
Robin nodded. "I do."
"Well, she can... join souls."
"Really?" Robin said. "That's cool."
"Uh yeah, it is. It's crazy awesome dude. It's like... nothing I've ever experienced before ever. She makes me feel..." Beast Boy trailed off.
Robin grinned. "You've got it bad."
Beast Boy's haze faded. "Yeah," he said dejectedly.
"That's not a good thing?" Robin said.
"Not according to Raven," Beast Boy muttered.
"Raven sucks at feelings. Kinda like me," Robin joked.
"Ha, yeah," Beast Boy said. "Thing is, it kinda makes me crave her. I can't like... think. I just..."
Robin frowned. "Raven apparently thinks you like it a little too much?"
Beast Boy released a breath in a huge huff. "Yeah."
"Tough one."
"You're telling me."
"I'm guessing this happens in the moment?"
"Yeah."
"And you've been asking for it a lot."
"Almost every day."
Robin's eyes widened. "Wow. I'm jealous." Then his eyes narrowed. "What about the chafing? How do you even manage that?"
Beast Boy's cheeks colored red. "Raven heals..."
Robin grinned. "Seriously? Raven heals your-"
"Dude! Don't say it!"
"Must be nice," Robin said lightly with huge smirk.
Beast Boy snorted and shook his head. "Dude, just... We didn't start out that way. I mean, we did it a lot but eventually I just kept asking more and more...I don't mean to hurt her, I just can't get enough."
"She's a girl though. Some of them are like... camels. They like a cool drink of water but they can go for awhile without it. Raven doesn't strike me as the kind of girl who has a high drive."
"She's been willing enough so far, but she just pulled this today."
"Cause you hit that point where it's not completely new. It's a hard pace to keep up with when a relationship progresses. At least for her, I'm pretty sure."
"I guess I wouldn't need it so much either if I wasn't like, hooked on the way it feels."
"You're not gonna like my advice, but I think you're just going to have to try normal boring sex like the rest of us have."
Beast Boy snorted. "Yeah, I guess."
"It sucks, but it's better than hurting Raven, and yourself."
"I know. I know it. It just sucks to hear it."
"Not that I'll admit this often, but I like both of you, and I don't want to see you guys go through stuff like this. So work it out. Plus, it fucks up team dynamics. Don't make me post a rule about no team dating."
Beast Boy laughed. "Right, you'd never make that a rule in a million years with Starfire around."
"I'm impressed I managed to resist her as long as I did."
"Yeah dude, that was kind of dumb. Starfire's hot. If we had ever been in the cards, I so wouldn't have waited."
"Hindsight is a bitch."
"Sure is. You could've been gettin' sweet Starfire lovin' a long time ago, but nooo, you had to be a hardass."
"It was for the team."
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. The team didn't care, dude! That's what was so funny. We had a pool going. Raven won, of course. Cyborg was out first. He thought you'd cave well before we went to Tamaran. I thought after Tamaran you'd get the balls to tell her, especially when it was so obvious how jealous you were but you still held out. You're the champion of stubborn."
"How did this conversation about you turn into a conversation about me?" Robin complained.
Beast Boy grinned. "Thanks for the advice dude."
"No problem. Why don't you go find Raven."
"Yeah, thanks. See ya round."
Beast Boy saluted Robin and tossed his empty bag of chips onto the coffee table. Then he bounded over the back of the couch again and raced out of the room.
Robin shook his head at the mess and shut his laptop.
He found Starfire sleeping in her room, snuggled up under the covers. He gathered a t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants he kept in her room and slid in beside her. He collected her hair and brushed it back so it wouldn't be in his face, then placed a kiss on her bare neck. She mumbled and shifted, her hand sleepily groping for his. He smiled, cuddled up behind her.
Beast Boy's ribbing had unsettled him. He really did make himself wait a long time for her and it was a dumb move. Now that they were in such a comfortable relationship, all his commitment fears and apprehensions about being accountable to her as a romantic partner seemed ridiculous. Giving his heart away to her wasn't as scary as he imagined. He briefly wondered what it would feel like to share souls with her, the way Beast Boy and Raven could.
Must be an amazing feeling.
ooo
Beast Boy stood outside Raven's door and knocked quietly.
"Hey, Raven?"
Her door slid open. She was clicking on her laptop as he came in.
"Guess we need to talk, huh?"
She didn't look up, but clicked a few things away and closed the lid. "Guess so."
He took a tentative step into her bedroom and the door slid shut.
"You're probably like, mad at me-"
"I thought you were mad at me," she interjected, staring at her bedspread, hands in her lap.
"Well, I mean... I wasn't mad...I just didn't like what you had to say."
She frowned. "I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings."
"I know you weren't, and I wasn't trying to hurt yours either. I didn't realize what I was doing to you."
She finally looked up at him ruefully.
"It just felt so good. I didn't mean to hurt you," he said earnestly.
"It was fine at first, but I just... that's a lot of sharing and personal contact for someone who doesn't do personal contact," Raven said, one corner of her mouth quirked.
"Yeah, I get that," Beast Boy conceded. "I really am sorry."
"Apology accepted," Raven nodded. "I could've brought it up in a better way, rather than just cutting you off. I'm sorry for that too."
"I could've handled it better," Beast Boy said. "Instead I whined about it and then made you feel bad."
"We're getting good at apologizing," Raven said.
Beast Boy laughed.
"So where do we go from here?" Raven said.
At this he sobered. "Yeah. Guess we're going to have to give it up, huh?"
"I don't want to completely give it up. I enjoy it too," Raven said quietly. "Could we make it a special occasion thing?"
"I can handle that."
"And, don't take it personally if I say no," Raven brought up.
"I know that now," Beast Boy nodded. "I'm surprised you said yes so many times in the first place."
Raven looked down at her spread and picked at an imaginary fuzz.
"I... was trying to open up and... I thought if I told you no, you'd think I was regressing and take it as I didn't love you or something. I've said no so many times before, I was worried you'd get mad if I said no now."
"Rae," Beast Boy said meaningfully, "I wouldn't have thought you didn't love me. I never wanted to keep pushing you. You should've said something earlier-"
"I was willing every time, don't think you were forcing yourself or anything."
"I was putting pressure on you. I didn't want to do that."
"I put the pressure on myself," Raven said. "It really wasn't you. I've never been in a relationship like this, I don't know what I'm doing."
"Neither do I, really. We're doing a great job of messing it up, aren't we?"
"Relationships are a lot of work."
"Yeah, hard work. I didn't realize it would be this hard."
Raven squinted. "Don't make me say it."
"Say what?"
Raven sighed. "That's what she said."
Beast Boy's whole face lit up. "I seriously have never loved you more than I do right now, babe."
"Don't get used to it."
"Wanna have sex?"
"No."
"Worth a try."
"We're out of condoms, remember?"
"Daaamn, you're right. Guess it's time for Kimmy to make an appearance again."
"Um, excuse me, who?" Raven said.
"Kimmy, you know, blonde, smokin' hot, buys condoms all the time with this really good lookin' dude. They must go at it all the time."
"Kimmy?" Raven said, horrified.
Beast Boy laughed. "I thought it was fitting."
"I might sort of hate you a little right now."
Guess what? It's Sex Ed with Kater time!
Okay, not so much sex ed but public service announcement.
It's your body. You have absolutely every right to dictate when you want to be touched. Before you're in a serious relationship and after.
Relationships however get very tricky. When two people are in a partnership, it's not going to be a happy relationship without compromise. After you've started having sex, you might feel pressure that you can no longer say no. Saying no to your partner if you're not in the mood for sex is not wrong. It absolutely does not mean you don't love your partner. If your partner tells you no, it does not mean he doesn't love you. Sex can be tiresome, it requires work and effort.
Everyone goes through a period where they want it all the time or they fall into those ruts where neither of you is feeling particularly inspired. It's all about compromise and figuring out how to make your schedules match. You're in a partnership, yes it's your body, but it's also your body for your partner too. You have to compromise.
On another token, this should go without saying but do not ever think being forced into sex by your partner is acceptable. Spousal rape is real and it is abuse. For a long time there was no legal action against spousal rape, but now it is a criminal offense in the United States and many countries. It is difficult to prove in a court case, but regardless on whether legal action can take place no one should ever stay in an abusive relationship. Please take care of yourselves.
I heart Alfred. He is the bestest character there ever was, period. I need to get some puffy paint and make a "Team Alfred" shirt. Crap, I just gave away my age again, didn't I. I bet most of you kids don't even know what puffy paint is, or if you do you've never used it. Why don't I get my yikes erasers, Reebok Pumps, Lisa Frank folders and settle in to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles while I'm at it.
I watched a Saved by the Bell marathon on Netflix the other day. I laughed at the outrageous 90s fashions, then died a little inside when I remembered that I wore most of those clothes and thought I was super cool.
Who didn't have a huge crush on Zack Morris though? Who I tell you!
I have no clue why the idea of the Batcomputer having Mine Sweeper on it makes me just crack up.
Oh, I also made myself watch the Fifth season. I just sat down one day and made myself watch it. Was anyone else a little sad at the distinct lack of Rob/Star-ness except for a little in Snowblind and when he holds his hand out to her in Titans Together? Then the last episode was BB having an affair with Kry's angst monster, and there was some weird creature they never explained.
I think they should make a season six to make up for that. Or at the very least have Robin and Starfire go on a date as chibis in the mini shorts they're doing. Then I might be appeased. You hear that Glen Murakami!
Next up: Blackfire's trial. Everything hits the fan. Told ya this would be the last chapter about sex.
I estimate about... three? chapters left maybe? Somewhere in there. I'm panicking a little. This has been part of my life for five years people. To be this close to the end is a little crazy and sad. I absolutely love everyone who's stuck it with me and also all you newcomers too who took a chance on a story that was started in '07. Wow.