Starfire and I stood in awkward silence for a while. I think she was having as much trouble getting used to our dynamic here as I was. Both of us wanted to go back to the way things were, but unless Batman came and pulled a rabbit out of a hat...
"Star...there's something I should tell you." She looked up at me with such sad, watery eyes that the words clogged in my throat. I have the worst timing in the universe. I know I do. I should have told her months ago how I felt. I should have told Bruce to shove it, admitted what everyone already knew, and...
"It is more difficult than I anticipated," she said softly. She had no idea. In my head, admitting that I liked her was the easiest thing in the world, but the moment my mouth tried to form the words I started sweating and stammering. Stalling, I scratched the back of my neck.
"Starfire, if you decided that you wanted to come back with us, you know that would be all right, don't you? You could leave Karras in charge, since he's already a Prince and married anyway, and we-you know, the Titans-could be together." Yes, I chickened out on that one. Her shoulders sagged, drawing my attention back to her dress. She looked so lost. "You belong with us, Star. We're a family. You've given your people more than they have any right to expect. You don't owe them anything else."
"If you were in my position, would you turn your back on your people? On the people of Earth?"
"If I had to choose between the people of Earth and the people I care about most, then I-".
My belt started vibrating again. Geeze Bruce!
"Yes?"
"We're coming in to land. Tell Starfire to meet us as soon as possible." Bruce sounded grumpy. That wasn't promising. Had they figured out who was behind the story leaks on Earth? Starfire touched my arm.
"Robin, I want to return with you, you know that I do, but it would be selfish."
"This is your life, Starfire. You're allowed to be selfish sometimes."
"No Robin, I am not." She flew at me and wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug. I held her, not wanting to let her slip through my fingers. Her lips were against my neck and I felt her breath on my skin. My fingers tangled in her soft hair as it spilled over my hands.
"We are Titans, Robin. We do what must be done for the greater good." She pecked me on the cheek and I... I let her walk away. She turned and started walking toward the door. Her hips swayed so that the sheer panels of her skirt floated back and forth around her legs. Her smell was all around me, the exotic fruit scent that brought images of sunsets and rooftops to my mind.
Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman met us at the docks. I was surprised to see all three of them. Diana had even worn her formal attire, a white Grecian-style gown with a one-shouldered purple cape. She placed a fist over her heart in a salute when Starfire walked out to greet them.
"Your Highness, we have come with a marriage proposal from Earth."
"You what?!" I spluttered. The lines around Batman's mouth deepened with disapproval and he blatantly ignored me. The other two did the same, though they looked more amused than Batman. Starfire's mouth opened and closed in stunned surprise, but she recovered quickly.
"You are fortunate that I have recently broken my previous betrothal."
"Princess, we have tried every avenue of diplomacy available to us to keep you on Earth," said Superman seriously. "But your people are insistent that you are of age to marry and to begin producing heirs."
"I do not understand. Who am I to marry?"
"Robin," said Batman flatly.
My knees buckled. What?! Behind me the Titans gasped.
"Perhaps we should step inside," said Wonder Woman smoothly. Starfire merely blinked at her. Superman chuckled and extended his arm. Starfire shook herself, smiled in polite denial, and turned to lead us back inside. The Titans, Batman, and I hung back for a moment. He scowled at me.
"This is what you wanted. Stop being so dramatic."
"You can't just decide to marry us off without even asking us," I hissed. He gave me one of his, 'remind me why I put up with you' glares.
"It is in name only. If you two choose to see other people when you return to Earth that's up to you. You know my feelings about that."
"Why would you support this now when you've been so dead set against them dating?" Raven asked suspiciously. I'm glad someone was thinking coherently enough to ask the right questions. Batman pulled his cloak around him and looked down his nose at her.
"This marriage is a formality. It means nothing. And I never said I supported it." With a flick of his cape he strode past us. Cyborg shifted to watch him go.
"Dude, does he ever lighten up?"
"No," I grumbled.
"Now that we are all here," said Diana when we entered the great hall once more. "I think we should begin. Starfire, I realize this may come as something of a shock. We are not forcing you to accept this decision, merely give you another option should you choose to accept it. During your time on Earth you have proved yourself a true and capable warrior. You have saved many lives and demonstrated the qualities that we all struggle to find within ourselves. On behalf of the Justice League we would be honored to keep you with us. I'm sure your team feels the same."
"Why are you only coming up with this idea now?" Raven asked, breaking through Wonder Woman's smooth, diplomatic speech. Diana arched a warning brow. Raven wasn't intimidated. "You claim to have been looking for a way to save Starfire for almost a year now."
"You are very young by Earth's standards, you both are. Besides, we understand what a burden this places on both of you. Marriage is a monumental step. If you accept Robin as your betrothed it will save many more lives, but I do not pretend that it won't create challenges for you to overcome. Batman has been...very vocal in his opinions of how damaging this could be for your team. Still, most of us believe you are capable of overcoming those obstacles." Trust Bruce to try and throw a wrench into things.
"What about me?" I heard myself say. "You're not even going to ask me if I'm okay with this before you marry me off?" The hopeful look on Star's face dimmed and I wanted to kick myself. What was I doing? This was what I'd wanted? Star and I could be together. She could come back to Earth and save her people. There were no downsides.
"We have selected Robin because he represents the best of humanity's potential. He has no superpowers and yet he is a leader among heroes. If you accept him, Tamaran will be placed under the protection of the Justice League and all it's members." Diana added a special emphasis to the last part that was lost on me, but Starfire sucked in a sharp breath.
"But it is forbidden for Green Lantern Corps to police the Vega System."
"The human Lanterns are capable of coming to the aid of their own people, no mater what world they live on. Fortunately, there is more than one human Lantern at this time."
Starfire's eyes were shining with hope now.
"What does Green Lantern have to do with anything?" Beast Boy asked.
"The Lantern Corps formed a pact with the Psions that they would leave the Vega system alone. Because of this, the Psions are allowed to go unchecked. If that were to change..." Starfire didn't even dare put into words the impact the Green Lanterns could have if they were finally allowed to police the Psions. Diana was right, this was in everyone's best interests. But no one had asked me before they started rearranging my life. I hated it.
"I think Starfire and I need a moment alone," I said loudly. I was getting tired of being ignored. Batman grunted.
"It's simple. Either you are willing to go through with it or you're not. If not, then say your goodbyes and get back on your ship," snapped Batman impatiently.
"I'm sixteen years old and you're asking me to get married! I think we deserve the right to think about this first," I fired back. A black band of power snaked around the crook of my elbow.
"Don't say something you'll regret."
I rounded on her, but she wasn't watching me or Beuce, she was looking at Starfire, who despite her best attempts to appear unaffected, had curled in on herself.
"Of course you can have time to think it over," said Wonder Woman magnanimously. She ushered everyone from the room again. I went to stand next to a column, pressing my forehead against the cool stone.
"You do not wish to marry me," said Starfire flatly. I sighed. Of course she would think that.
"That's not it, Star. I just don't like them going behind my back and-"
"Arranging a marriage without your consent?" She finished the thought for me and I deflated immediately. No wonder she was so eager for this. This was normal for her. I turned and caught her hands.
"I'm sorry. I promise it's not you. On Earth we've gotten away from the whole arranged marriage thing. We date first. We find someone we care about, spend time getting to know them, fall in love and then decide to get married. This...this just takes all the fun out of it. I...I want to be with you but I want to do things the right way. I want us to be together because we want to be, not because we have to."
"What if I were to tell you that I have already done the falling in love with you?" she whispered with her head down. I couldn't see her eyes and that meant she couldn't see my face. My whole world came to a complete stop. For a moment I knew what Kid Flash felt when he was moving at his top speed and the rest of the world went on like normal.
Starfire loved me. She was ready to marry me. She wanted this. Did I? Could I be happy with this down the line, knowing that the League had decided my fate for me, even though they'd given me the most amazing girl I could ask for?
"Star, I-"
"If you are worried whether I will change my mind I am incapable of it. Tamaranean love is eternal. My heart will only ever belong to you. I have known this since you did the rescuing of me from the Citadel. I knew I would gladly give myself over to them a hundred times over if it meant keeping you safe." She began twisting her fingers anxiously in front of her.
"Starfire-"
"I understand if you do not feel the same way. If friendship is all we can ever have then it is all that I require if it means we can stay together. I will not ask more than you are willing to-"
"Starfire!" I shouted to get her attention. She squeaked and looked meekly up at me. "Stop talking." I crossed to her side and pulled her against me. My lips found hers as easily as if they had made the journey a hundred times before. She inhaled sharply and I tilted her head just enough that I could really kiss her the way I'd wanted to for a year now. Her mouth was soft and warm, her body pressed against mine, and her beautiful red hair slid like silk against my hand as I brought it up to cup her head. I closed my eyes and finally surrendered.
"I'm not going to lie, this is a big step and it kinda scares the hell out of me, but I have wanted to be with you since the first time you kissed me." We rested our foreheads against each others', breathing a little uneasily. "Are you sure?" I whispered. "You could have anyone in the world. What about Speedy?" My stomach clenched at the thought.
Starfire threw back her head and laughed. Her hair splashed up and hit me in the face. Before I could recover, she was on me, grabbing me by my shirt and yanking me back against her as her lips sealed over mine in a hungry kiss. It wasn't soft and sweet like the first. My hands grabbed her waist and pulled it against mine, her legs rose from the floor to wind around mine. Without even thinking about it, my hands slid lower to cup her bottom and support her, and all the while she was kissing me and we were panting and gasping and my heart was on fire. It was...glorious!