Starfire remembers the night her feelings about Garfield started to change.

During my teenage years, I was entirely captivated by Robin. His charming personality was simply magnetic, and I found myself drawn to him... umm what's the phrase... 'like a flying insect to a luminous object?' It was difficult to ignore his unwavering confidence and determination. I was intrigued by his mysterious aura, which only added to my fascination. It took me some time to overcome my infatuation with him. Looking back, I don't blame myself for getting wrapped up in his gravity.

Unfortunately, the very things that made Robin such an amazing leader also made Dick such a crappy partner. I loved him. I loved the parts of him that he allowed me to see. But after years of trying to make a relationship work with him, I realized that Dick was already married to his work. He wasn't cruel, and he would never be unfaithful. But he just wasn't really... available. He never really let anybody in. The barrier to intimacy was always there. He felt this pressure to never lose focus and to never show any kind of weakness. I don't think he really knew how to let anyone get close to him in that way. It just wasn't going to work out in that kind of relationship. I will always love him. But being with him just became lonely and agonizing.

It was in this place that I started to really see Garfield for the first time. His dedication isn't to a mission, but to those he loves. He is just as brave and strong and talented as Dick, but his motivation is out of a deep sense of love for the people in his life. When he loves you, he loves you profoundly. I do not know why it took me so long to truly appreciate his kindness. In hindsight, he has always been one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met. His unwavering willingness to go above and beyond for his friends without a second thought is nothing short of admirable. I have always held a deep sense of respect and appreciation for this quality in him. It was only when I stepped back and examined the dynamics of our relationship that I realized how important having a foundation of friendship becomes in cultivating strong and meaningful loving relationships.

It was our anniversary, and Dick and I were out on a 'date' if you could call it that. His phone went off right as the appetizers were brought to the table.

"I thought Barbara was on call tonight?" I asked him, irritated that he brought his phone after promising that he would leave it in the car. I continued, "She has explicit instructions to call ME, not you, tonight, if there is an emergency."

He immediately throws money on the table and grabs my hand without acknowledging what I said. "We have to go," he practically ordered.

I took a moment to gather myself, because I was about to make a scene right there in that fancy restaurant. He had promised to turn his phone off. I asked for just ONE night. If it was an emergency, Barbara would have called me. He wasn't even supposed to bring his phone to the restaurant. I double checked my phone, to make sure I hadn't missed a call from Barbara.

"No, Dick, YOU have to go. I am on a date. I got all dressed up. I am hungry, and I am going to enjoy my meal," I practically hissed at him. It had been a long time since we were titans, and I would jump when he said to. He wasn't my leader anymore.

He looked annoyed by my protest and whispered, "fine, I'll send a car for you, then."

"Don't bother, I'll make my own way home. I'll take your card, though, I think I might want dessert," I stared at him with venom in my eyes that dared him to protest. He knew tonight was supposed to be work-free, but I realized then and there that Dick Grayson wasn't capable of existing without his work. I also realized that he wasn't able to give me the kind of love I really needed.

So, I texted Raven and asked her to join me for dinner. She brought Terra and Garfield along, and we had a wonderful night at a fancy restaurant, all thanks to Dick's "generosity".

"Thanks for the ride, Gar, I hate taking Ubers" I said as I slid into the passenger seat of his hybrid, "just glad you didn't bring your moped," I laughed.

"No problem, pretty lady. Raven and Terra were headed home, anyways, and I was hoping to give you the rest of that date Dickhead didn't," he responded with a sly little wink.

"oh, really?" I asked him, surprised.

"Well, yeah, I mean, what else were you planning to do, tonight? Go to a movie? Go Dancing?" he responded cheerfully. "Come on, Star, what are you gonna do, go home and be sad? I can't let you do that."

"Honestly, probably just go back to his place and watch a movie we've already seen before," I responded with a bored sigh.

Garfield looked at me with his big green eyes and asked, "Did you want to do that, Star?" His eyes seemed to radiate purity and sincerity, and when he wanted something, it felt like he was looking right into my soul.

I replied, "Well, no. Actually, I wanted to go dancing, but you know how Dick is - always so serious." I realized I had spoken without thinking. Maybe it was the wine or the tequila that had loosened my tongue.

Garfield's face lit up. "Dancing? That sounds like fun! What kind of dancing did you have in mind?"

I hesitated before responding, "It's kind of silly, Garfield. I'm not sure if you'll like it."

He laughed and said, "Come on, Star. You know me better than that. What could be too silly for me? Let's just have fun tonight. When was the last time you did something spontaneous?"

I relented and said, "Okay, fine. I've always wanted to try two-stepping."

Before I knew it, we were twirling around a wooden dance floor to the sound of steel guitars and a country twang.

"You are very good at this, Garfield," I said to him during one song.

"Just a fast learner, I guess," was his only response, but I suspected he'd done this at least once before, especially after he let go of one of my hands and spun me around with such effortless grace that I didn't even realize it was happening until it was almost over.

"I am having so much fun, thank you, Gar." I laughed as I sat down for another drink at the bar. A cute girl in cowgirl boots, a white tank top, and short denim shorts came up and asked him for a dance, and I answered for him, "YES! Go, show em your stuff, BB!"

"No, Star, I'm here for you," he responded, and turned towards the cute girl and politely said "I'm so.." and that's when I kicked him in the butt pushing him just a little towards the girl, and said "GO, I can't dance right now, anyways, I gotta pee." This time, it was definitely the tequila.

"ok, fine, ONE song, while you go pee, then I think I need to get you home, Star," he insisted.

"Deal" I said, acting just a little more drunk than I actually was, to get him to dance. I was watching him throughout the song as he spun and dipped her, once lifting her up and flipping her side-to-side and overhead. He moved smoothly and confidently over the dance floor.

"Fast learner, my ass," I said as he came back to the bar where I was sitting.

"I thought you had to pee," was all he said with a wink, as he grabbed my hand and led me out of the bar.

"By the way, Gar, are all of the lights on your vehicle supposed to stay on and flash like that?" I asked as we got back into his car.

"Oh... that...I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice, but to be honest, I'm not totally sure," he admitted with an awkward grin. "It's been a hot minute since I hung out with Cyborg. He's been all wrapped up with his new tiny human, and I was just fiddling with it the other day. But I'm heading over to visit my godson next weekend, so I'm sure Cyborg will give me a hard time if I messed anything up. Either way, don't worry, I'll get you home safe," he promised as he clicked his seatbelt into place.

"haha, ok, if you say so," I replied, honestly too tipsy to care.

I woke up in my bed feeling terrible, with a pounding headache and the smell of food in the air. I stumbled into the kitchen, still feeling groggy, and saw Garfield cooking breakfast. He was wearing tight black yoga pants with the word "PINK" on them.

"Are those... my pants?" I asked him hoarsely.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," he said with a smile. "Yeah, I needed something to sleep in. I hope you don't mind."

"umm.. coffee?" I managed to say.

"You don't drink often, do you?" he asked, seeming amused.

"What gave it away?" I replied sarcastically.

"Probably when you passed out in my car," he teased, pretending to snore. He handed me a cup of grey liquid and a plate full of food. "Blueberry and spinach green smoothie, tempeh potato hash, tofu scramble with bell peppers, and a banana," he listed off. "It's a perfect, healthy, vegan hangover cure," he said proudly.

"You know, I think those pants look better on you than they ever did on me," I teased, trying to get that smug look off his face.

"You think, hunny?" he said in a nasal voice, "I kinda thought they made my ass look a little big." Then he strutted like he was the most extravagant boy on the runways of Milan. I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.

"Ow, don't make me laugh, it'll make me sick," I finally managed to say.

"A little late for that," he replied with a huge belly laugh. I must have looked confused because he laughed again, "You totally don't remember, do you? Oh yeah, you ralphed over the place last night, had to run my clothes through the washer twice, ha-ha".

"Oh my God, seriously, I am so sorry," I replied, mortified.

"No biggie," he shrugged as he grabbed a bowl of popcorn from the counter and headed for the couch. "Want to watch a monster movie?" he asked as he sat down, "my clothes are still drying, so you're stuck with me for a while."

"Gar, why did you stay here? Why didn't you just go home, especially after I..." I asked as all of the blood in my head rushed to the top of my cheeks.

"You asked me to stay," was all he had to say, as he shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Besides, I knew you were going to have one hell of a hangover," he smiled a toothy, ornery grin. "And I can't pass up the chance to see that," he laughed.

"Yeah... my head feels like it will burst," I changed the subject.

"The Advil is on the counter, next to the Gatorade," Garfield said, without taking his eyes off of the movie.

He really had thought of everything. I turned off all the lights before lying down on the couch next to Gar, when I remembered: "Wait, weren't you supposed to have a date this morning?"

"Eh, I'd rather be here," he replied and looked at me winking, "now shhh..." he pointed at the movie.

I was too tired to debate with him, and it was nice having him caring for me.