Elation: Part Two
The sights and smells that accompanied the district were a spectacle and brought up many memories of a time that had brought me and Dick together, particularly the smell of fragrant flowers that filled the air sent me right back to Tokyo. As we walked the river walk, I imagined the both of us young and optimistic as Robin paddled us under bridges and we idly chatted about nothing at all. This place felt right but different. A new era that included my favorite people plus one addition.
In the present, bright neon lights flashed in every imaginable color, advertising the stores' contents inside and the food provided by various restaurants as we passed by. As Raven, Gar, and I continued to walk, Mar'i floating ahead, I spotted my favorite half-robot, my brother in this life and I hoped in the next.
He gave a big wave, practically shouting, "Hey, fly girl! Happy Birthday!"
While people stopped to stare and whip out their phones to take pictures, Mar'i and I flew to greet Cyborg, embracing him in the bear hug. While excited to see him, I glanced behind him and around to notice he was alone.
I mustered a smile, saying, "My friend! It is joyous to see you on this day of my birth!"
Cyborg returned our hug, patting the top of Mar'i's head. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Star. Now, who's hungry? I know I am!"
As we made our way into the all-you-could-eat Japanese restaurant, we were led into a private room with birthday decorations strewn all about, streamers and balloons hanging from the ceiling, and a meat crown sitting in the middle of the table. As we sat down, I noticed there was only enough seating for the five of us, no room for one of my favorite people on this planet. Raven noticed my slight pout, an unexpected grin on her face as she sat next to me.
"You'll see him soon, Star," she said as if she could read my mind. "And it will be worth it when you do." I gave a confused look but then a meat crown was placed on my head by Cyborg, my offspring giggling madly.
Conversation flowed like we had never left one another, drinks of tea and soda poured from pitchers and teapots, and food followed. While Raven demurely picked at the edamame and a salad, the boys, Mar'i, and I gorged ourselves on sushi, ramen, udon, tofu (except Cy), and yakitori. Plate after plate. Dish after dish. It felt like my stomachs were about to burst as Mar'i burped and Cyborg and Gar patted their own stomachs, satisfied.
"I think I'm going to die," Mar'i claimed dramatically, earning a laugh from her uncles. She then laid her head on my shoulder, rubbing her eyes as if this meal was going to make her comatose. I draped my arm around her, timed perfectly as a waitress placed a matcha cake in front of me with one single, lit candle. With the lights dimmed, Mar'i did not move as the team began to sing Happy Birthday, she quietly whispering it. The song finished and I closed my eyes, taking a moment to think of a wish.
I already had everything and more, so I kept it simple.
I wish I was where Dick was. Always.
I blew out, the candle extinguishing, and opened my eyes. I saw I was surrounded by love, and the looks of my people were nothing short of adoring.
Cyborg then reached out to me, slipping the last piece of paper in my hand:
Finally, our family is complete. Go to the place where it all started, where you and I found each other under a blanket of stars. There you find your final surprise, one I hope you accept with all of your heart.
My heart thudded. Hard. I felt it in the base of my throat and tried to swallow it down. But as the knot remained and the butterflies played in my chest, I knew deep down what this meant.
What was I to say? When had he decided? More importantly, why had I chosen this specific outfit?
Acting on instinct, I floated up from my chair, my knees hitting the table underneath.
The group had the softest eyes but the biggest grins as Cyborg asked, "You ready?"
A loaded question, one I merely nodded to as I basically dragged the group from the restaurant, impatient as Raven paid the bill. Scooping up Cyborg in my arms as soon as we exited, us fliers hit the warm night air, Gar cawing at me in his pterodactyl form to slow down. Mar'i merely giggled at my side, racing ahead so I gave chase.
The night could not be clearer, the moon bright white as we crossed the bay, the Tower growing ever closer. Finally, finally, we closed in on the roof, Cyborg signaling for us to land at its one end. It was hard to plant my feet, my heart exploding with joy as I took in the sight before me, so I merely floated in place, the wind playing through my hair.
The fragrance of flowers overpowered me as the entire rooftop was covered in bouquets, or planters, of flowers. Roses, lilies, tulips, lilacs. Purple, green, orange, blue. They were laid out in delicate, intricate patterns that reminded me of a mosaic. Cut through this makeshift field was a path lined with candles, all roads leading to Dick.
He was ravishing, dressed in simple dress pants and a blue button-down, he stood uncharacteristically nervous as he straightened the collar of his shirt. I wanted to dart to him. I needed his mouth on mine, my arms around him. But to savor this moment... It was more important. So, I floated forward. He became clearer, standing taller and sure as I approached. A grin that made my heart flutter split his face, his body framed by a wooden arch that had vines and flowers adorning it. His handsomeness physically hurt, the soft lighting from all around making him undeniable, almost glowing. Once close enough, he reached for my hand, so warm and promising, calluses brushing the underside of my palm.
"Hey there," he merely said, barely audible in the summertime breeze. The wind seemed to react to his voice, picking up fallen petals to sweep past us and rustle the rest of the meadow.
His eyes were molten blue, staring directly into me, seeing everything I wanted and more. I hoped I conveyed my love, my want of him in my look. Because I felt it. And it felt all-encompassing.
"Dick?" I said back, looking around, questioning everything. His grin grew to a full-blown smile, knowing that I knew.
"Did you have a good birthday?" he asked, taking both my hands in his. I smiled back, it the most natural thing in the world between us.
"It was the best, except..."
Falling back into a smirk, he cocked his head in a question.
"I missed you today," I finished and sighed. "You missed everything."
He turned tender, taking one hand to cup my cheek. I leaned into it, basking in his attention, his thumb running circles.
"I think it might be worth it."
Before continuing, he blessed me with a kiss, soft but compassionate. I never wanted it to end.
He eventually released me, still holding my other hand as he got down on one knee.
My poor heart could not get a rest, a surging through me like electricity flowing between us where we were connected. He anchored me to this world, wrapping both hands around mine.
"Star," he started, his throat bobbing. "I've known you since we were sixteen. And from the moment of our first language transfer and the early days of the Titans, I knew... I just knew something was happening. While we grew not only as a team but as a family, I grew to love you as my very best friend."
I nodded, urging him to go on as tears threatened to cloud my vision.
"For a while, I thought it was enough. Years passed but the need in my heart never faded, no matter how much I denied it." His mouth lifted. "You were undeniable."
He shifted to get a box out of his pocket, holding it unopened in his free hand.
"Star, many years ago in this same place I told you I loved you for the first time. When I said that, I didn't think I could cherish you more. But as we grew up and together, I was wrong. You stayed through my shortcomings, we became stronger, and became parents. You became the best mother." He opened the box and moved the ring out so I could see it. Simple but perfect. A dark emerald set in a simple silver band. "We have done everything together, except one thing." He breathed out as if preparing himself. "Will you marry me, Starfire?"
I wanted to float to the moon, past Saturn, and possibly into the sun I radiated so much happiness. I nodded vigorously, not able to hold back any longer as I got on his level, this time careful not to knock him over as I hugged him around the neck. He held me steadfast, him stroking my hair. This was mine. He was mine forever. We would be tied together now as husband and wife, souls in a final joining.
As the whoops and yells of the others filled our ears as they came forward to finally congratulate us, Dick slipped the ring on my finger, I not able to tear my gaze away.
My wish had been granted. Together we would go forward, for now and for always, as Mr. and Mrs. Grayson.