#ava rules

She just...worried about him. A lot. He was, as her friends said, broody, and would sometimes forgo food and drink when he entered such a state. Starfire knew she was probably a little too forceful in trying to coerce him into eating dinner, but by X’hal, did he try her patience tonight. So she’d left in a huff, her eyes and fists smoldering, and decided to do a nightly patrol. It was low crime season, anyway, so Starfire felt no need to call for backup. Besides, with weather like this, even the most dastardly criminals elected to stay indoors. 

Starfire reached out, letting the raindrops fall into her outstretched palm. The droplets fizzled and evaporated on contact, a sensation Starfire found soothing. This was one thing about earth she couldn’t get enough of; rain. It had little effect on her body, seeing how she was far warmer than the average human. Of course, even she could get soaked in a downpour such as this, so Starfire figured it was best to hide out beneath the balcony and wait out the night. 

A loud explosion caught Starfire’s attention. She was up and in the air at the blink of an eye, racing through the downpour towards the commotion. It was a bank downtown; one of the bigger ones. And her eyes picked up a familiar form bearing the white, skull-faced mask rolling into the street. Her eyes narrowed. 

Red-X. 

Starfire was on him in an instant, her fist glowing green in the low light. “I would not move,” she said, “unless you wish me to do the blowing up of your face.” 

The masked marauder chuckled, seemingly unalarmed at her presence. “Well, howdy, Princess.” He glanced about, amusement filling his demeanor. “Is it just you and I, tonight? I’m quite flattered.” 

Starfire suppressed a growl. Her glowing fist grew even brighter, and she leered close to the irritating villain. “Yes, it is just I, and unless you wish to be marked, I suggest you turn yourself in.” 

Red-X seemed to consider her warning for a moment, before letting out a snort. “Nah, I think I’d rather not. Thanks for the offer, Princess.” He rolled out from beneath her, vaulting off into the rain. Starfire blinked, hissing in annoyance. She gave chase, ignoring the stinging bite of the raindrops against her skin. 

They zipped through the streets of Jump, Starfire hot on the thief’s heels. The few times no civilians were in sight, Starfire let off a barrage of starbolts, only for them to implode in a spectacular green array of sparks, missing her target. Rain pelted her skin and dripped into her eyes, forcing Starfire to blink. She almost missed the jagged edge of Red-X’s cape disappearing into an alleyway, and she banked sharply to follow. 

Only, the turn was too sharp, and Starfire rammed into a brick wall with enough force to crumble the delicate stone work. She staggered, groaning. A pair of hands grabbed at her shoulders, and Starfire let off a bolt with a yelp. There was a cry of pain, and she blinked in time to see Red-X pawing at his mask. She’d only nicked him; enough to singe his chin. 

“Dammit!” he said, pain lacing his tone. “Thanks, princess.” With a flash, a rod was brushing against his nose. Starfire scowled, glaring at the villain. He’d pulled up the burnt mask, revealing his lips and nose, but otherwise kept the smoldering fabric on. She knew he was hiding his eyes from her, a smart move. But despite how easy it would be to bat his puny weapon aside, Starfire couldn’t. 

She stared at Red-X’s chin, transfixed. Red-X typically wore a full-body suit; she’d never seen so much as a sliver of his skin before. The appearance made him seem less human, and more...villainous. He was a bad guy, who did bad things because he could. And yet now, it was like the curtain was pulled back. There was a real human under that mask, and by the look of that square jawline, an attractive one. 

Starfire flushed, her scowl deepening. 

“You’re pretty cute when you’re mad, you know that?” There was a smile on his lips as he spoke, and Starfire felt her face grow even hotter. He leaned close, his smile dissolving into a smirk. Boldly, he reached out and brushed a wet strand of hair from her eyes. Starfire froze. 

She knew she should stop him. Light up a bolt, shoot him in the face, whatever. But for some inexplicable reason, the thief had her entranced. Their lips brushed, and Starfire’s eyes fluttered closed. But the kiss never came. A sudden chill came over her, and when she blinked her eyes open, she was alone. A curse sprung from her lips, and Starfire lit up the dumpster.