Robin was very eager to reveal his relief at finding me undamaged when we returned to his room. After so long with only the restrained affection he permitted it was overwhelming to feel the full force of his feelings for me. As soon as the door closed behind us his mouth crashed against mine. Tamaraneans do not have the custom of kissing, and I felt woefully inept as I struggled to keep up with him. He pulled back just long enough to yank his gloves from his hands and flung them against his dresser before he refastened his hands to my waist. His fingers made small clenching motions before they slid slowly up my ribcage, resting at the hem of my top. I knew what he sought and I raised my arms to drape around the back of his neck, drawing him more closely against me.
He groaned and lost his nerve. Shifting so that he wedged me more tightly against the door, his hands gripped the back of my thighs with sudden fierceness. Seconds later they cupped my bottom lifting me against him.
"Is that okay?" His voice shook slightly. He breathed heavily as if we were in the midst of battle, and the low pitch of his voice made me shiver with delight.
"I find that to be acceptable."
He chuckled, "Good. I've wanted to do that for years."
Glorious as it was to finally receive his full attentions, it was not only me that was in his mind as he molded his body against mine and kissed me against the door, the dresser, and the wall. It was the culmination of everything, of Batgirl, her father, and Joker's recapture. I understood such things. Often I have hidden my pain behind an overly cheerful demeanor so that my friends do not know all the darkness that lives in my memory.
"Robin stop," I said in a ragged voice as our frenzied kissing moved to the bed. He pulled back enough to see my face, but there was sweat on his skin and confusion mixed with stark lust staring out from behind the mask.
"What?"
"If we are not careful we will regret where this will lead." I would not, but he would. He opened his mouth to deny it, but by slow degrees his dilated pupils returned to their normal size as he saw the wisdom in my words. A dazzlingly charming lopsided grin broke out across his handsome face that made me instantly regret my intervention.
"It's your fault. If you weren't so sexy I wouldn't get so carried away."
I giggled.
"And if you were not so adept at...everything I would not permit such liberties to be taken. Truly Robin, you are glorious." His grin turned shy and he slowly slid back down my body to stand at the foot of the bed. He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly anxious.
"I'm not, am I? Taking liberties, I mean. You would tell me if I was overstepping your boundaries, right?" It took much control not to giggle at his anxiety. I have always had a weakness for Robin's fumbling when he is determined not to let his discomfort prevent him from doing what he felt he needed to do for my sake. I confess to having asked him to explain many earthen practices and phrases of romantic and sexual nature that I had already educated myself about simply because it was charming to see him explain them to me with his cheeks red and his eyes lowered. This time I took pity on him.
"I have very few boundaries where you are concerned, Robin. I would certainly tell you if you crossed one." Though I meant to do the teasing of him his face became very serious.
"Starfire, about earlier..."
"I understand your anger, Robin. I do not believe there is anything further we need to discuss on the matter." He did not look convinced.
"Actually, I think there are, but I'm exhausted. We really should get some sleep."
"You do not wish to see your friend again?"
"Babs? Nah, if I go back tonight it'll only stir up the press. They-" suddenly he scratched the back of his neck in a way that suggested he was uncomfortable. I leaned forward, eager for information.
"They what?"
"The press was all over us for a while. Her spending so much time at the Manor training, letting people think we were dating seemed like the perfect cover. We didn't. I mean, I had a crush on her and she gave some signals that she was interested, but then I left for Jump and nothing ever came of it."
"I see."
"You're not jealous, are you?"
"I have no right to harbor jealousy, just as you have no right to question my past." His initial relief sharpened.
"Was there anyone on Tamaran...I mean, not that it matters. I'm just curious..." He trailed off, looking away from me. I touched his hand.
"There is no one on Tamaran for you to concern yourself with. My previous betrothal was broken years ago, and I-"
"Betrothal?" His body snapped upright. "You mean you-ugh, I can't do this tonight. It looks like we need to talk about a few things though." He scrubbed his face with his hands as if that would remove the unpleasant revelation from his mind. I bit my lip. If a broken betrothal bothered him then what would he feel over the other details I needed to share. Fear clawed my belly.
"It can't be that bad," he said, watching my face with a wry smile. I shook my head.
"I am afraid that it is much worse, but you are right that now is not the time."
A/N: so I've been sitting on this chapter with the worst case of writer's block forever. I hate leaving things up in the air like that. I will try to update more frequently in the future.