(A/N)- So this one and "Tropical" are the two that I felt really hit those good summer vibes. I dunno I just kinda felt like that was the theme I wanted to go for this year for RobStar Week.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I am soooooo hungry. Oh and I also don't own Teen Titans.
RobStar Week 2022, Day 3 - July 4th
Melvin and Timmy ran past them, giggling, bright sparklers fizzing in their hands. Teether toddled after, eyes wide and happily clapping his pudgy hands as he followed his siblings.
Starfire grinned, watching the dancing sparklers twist and bob in the stark black night.
She stretched her arms out above her head, taking in a deep inhale of the fresh sea breeze, still warm from the hot summer afternoon, but beginning to cool. Tiny droplets of ocean spray fizzled on her bare skin.
The beach was crowded, nearly the full Titans network had been invited, and even though many of them weren't American they had turned up for the party anyway. Raucous, jubilant noise filled the air and echoed down the strand of sand. Starfire tilted up on her bare tiptoes, searching the heads for her boyfriend. She hadn't seen Robin in a while; last she'd glimpsed him he was busy at the grill with Cyborg, making sure everyone had a full plate.
Which meant he may not yet have seen her in her flag bikini ensemble, she realized with a mischievous giggle.
She angled herself in that direction, enjoying the feel of the sand on her feet as she wove in and out of the crowd. She passed multiple clusters of Titans—Wonder Girl, Pantha, Kole, and Jinx had set up a net and were in a pitched volleyball match, Lightning was at the fireworks station practically bouncing on his feet in impatience as he waited his turn, with a moderately concerned Thunder hovering behind him, and Beast Boy was regaling a very politely confused Argent on American history, with groaning corrections from Hot Spot—and made her way to the still-burning grill.
Sure enough, Robin was still there, looking comfortable in his short-sleeve gray t-shirt and green cargo shorts. He had one eye on the grill, grabbing the handle and peeking in every few minutes, and one eye on his T-communicator, checking for crime alerts.
Starfire shook her head, smiling long-sufferingly, and stepped up next to him. She clasped her hands behind her back and just waited.
Robin glanced briefly her direction, and then double-took, his expression lighting up.
"Oh wow," he commented, looking her over in appreciation. "You went full summer beach girl, huh?"
Starfire beamed at the praise, joyful tingles bubbling up in her stomach. "This year I wished to 'dress for the occasion', as you say," she said, extending her arms a bit out from her body to show off her floppy straw hat, flag-pattern bikini top, and frayed jean minishorts.
"It's a good look," Robin told her, grinning.
"Has there been much trouble?" Starfire asked, tilting her head towards the T-communicator.
Robin picked it up, glancing at the screen for a moment. "Couple reports of vandalism, firework noise complaints, drunk and disorderly conduct..." he listed. He turned the device off and set it back down on the table. "Not really anything worth the Titans' attention."
"Surprising, given how much Mad Mod hates this holiday and frequently seeks to disrupt it," Starfire mused idly, picking up a stack of paper plates and holding them at the ready, as Robin opened up the grill and released a fragrant puff of smoke.
Together they worked in tandem to put hot dogs and hamburgers in buns on the plates, Robin transferring the meat carefully with tongs. Starfire's mouth watered. There was something about charbroiled Earth grilling that made her nostalgic, reminded her of the summer feasts they used to have at home, before the war.
The folding serving table was soon quickly filled back up with ready-made plates, and almost just as quickly emptied, Titans moving eagerly into line.
Someone set off one of the bigger fireworks; it whistled loudly as it soared high into the air, then burst with a loud bang and a blossom of green sparks.
The gathered teens "oooh"ed in appreciation and gave a light scattering of applause.
Starfire was rather pleased and proud of herself that she hadn't flinched a bit. Fireworks and thunder used to startle her, used to remind her of Gordanian attacks. She'd told Robin as much the first time he'd taken her to see some, years ago at the carnival on the pier.
Her heart warmed with that nostalgic feeling again. The lingering warmth in the sand felt good on her feet.
She grabbed one of the free-standing canvas chair scattered around and ate a quick plate of food, delighting in the tang of mustard and sharp sourness of the relish.
She gazed around as she ate.
Moments like this were when she truly loved Earth, truly felt like she belonged here, with these people and these cultures and traditions, with all her friends. With the boy she loved, who had so patiently introduced her to this world.
He came over and sat next to her shortly, pulling up a seat.
"Cyborg made me take a break," he said, smiling nonetheless. He reached over and took her hand, squeezing it warmly.
Starfire squeezed back. The happiness inside her was spilling over, making it hard for her not to float. "I am not sure exactly why," she said, "but I think this is my favorite Earth holiday."
"Yeah?"
"There is an... innocence to it. A sense of pride and..." Starfire struggled to find the words, rifling through her mental English dictionary. "...unbridled childhood," she finished. Her eyes glimmered, reflections of the sparklers and fireworks dancing in the depths. "The summer festivals on Tamaran were one of the only times I was allowed to mingle with ordinary citizenry from outside the palace. It always made me feel more... connected to my people."
She let a wistful little smile play on her lips.
"There was a group of girls my age that would always play with me. We would swim for hours, buy sweet treats from the vendors that set up all along the boulevard." She sighed heavily. "I still do not know what became of them."
Robin sobered. "I'm sorry," he whispered sympathetically.
Starfire shook her head, dismissing her momentary sadness. "It is okay. I have all of you now," she said.
Robin raised their clasped palms to kiss the back of her hand. "We should set off some fireworks," he suggested.
Her heart gave an excited flip, her wistfulness utterly forgotten, clearly a calculated move on her boyfriend's part.
"We should," Starfire agreed. A playful grin spread across her face slowly as an idea came to her. "But first..."
Without warning she grabbed him up in her arms and took to the air.
Robin yelped, flailing awkwardly as she beelined for the water, and shrieking as she dunked them both.
Cold ocean water swept over her head. A quick push up with a foot and she broke the surface again. Starfire laughed as she swept her straw hat off her now-soaked hair, water dripping off her golden skin.
Robin came up from the surf sputtering and laughing, smacking a handful of water into her face. Starfire shrieked with mock indignation, getting her hands on his head and shoulders and immediately dunking him again.
They roughhoused in the water for several minutes before stumbling happily onto the sand, dripping saltwater and stealing kisses.
Their hands entwined once more as they walked to the fireworks station.
(A/N)- Aaaaaaaand now I want to go to the pool, phooey.