#robstarweek2019

At the end of the day, both of them returned to the tower, but there was still no sign of the other three. After a quick call to the others they explained that it was merely just a delay on getting the job completed and that they should be back soon.

The day slowly started to turn into night and there was no point in going back out after they returned from a fun but tiring day. They decided to sit out on the rocks and watch the sun set to end it all.

They took in the beautiful view of their city and how the orange sun made the water sparkle. Starfire sighed. “Oh, the city is absolutely beautiful tonight.”

“It really is.” Robin responded while not breaking eye contact with the shimmering water. He turned to Starfire and sat up straight. “Today was amazing. I always forget how much fun the city can be, especially since we mostly just save it.”

Starfire nodded. “Indeed. On the days there are no crimes we mostly just do the relaxing here, and while it is enjoyable, we miss out on all the fun things that are happening else where.” She turned her head to Robin with a light smile. “I am glad I did that today, especially with you.”

“Me too. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Robin said.

“As am I.” Starfire said before sighing once more. She placed both hands behind her and leaned back, continuing to take in the view of the pink-ish orange sky as the sun gradually became lower and lower, which started to bring forth the dark night sky.

Not hearing anything from Robin in quite some time, she slightly turned her head to see what he was doing, only to find him completely lost staring in her direction. His hand was pressed against his cheek and a red hue settled on his face. She knew he was staring at her by his exact face, which he had done on more than one occasion. Though she had to admit, it did make her heart flutter. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she felt her own cheeks grow warm. “Robin,” she finally said, trying to contain her own smile as well. “you are doing the staring again.”

“Oh.” Robin sat up straight, a small smile still visible on his face. He rubbed the back of his head as the blush on his cheeks continued to stick. “Sorry, I just can’t help it.”

Starfire couldn’t help but giggle at that point. “This is definitely not the first time I have found you staring. You are not as subtle as you think.”

Robin laughed at that. “I know. I’m not trying to be subtle, I just can’t help but look at you.” Robin paused and admired her for a second longer. “You’re so beautiful.”

She felt a tingle in the pit of her stomach and the blush on her cheeks only got worse from there. “Robiiiinn...” Starfire said rolling her eyes playfully.

“Aw come on, Star, it’s true!” Robin said as he crossed his legs. “I wouldn’t have said it if it weren’t, besides, it’s kind of hard for you not to be.”

Starfire hummed and moved closer to him. “I truly do not understand what I have done to deserve you.” She said as she cupped his face in both her hands.

Robin put his hands over hers. “I could say the same thing about you, princess.” He looked at her adoringly before leaning in to kiss her, in which she returned.

A few moments of uninterrupted love had passed before a voice rang out in the air. “Well well well, isn’t that romantic?”

The two teens pulled apart and looked up to see Beast Boy morphed as a pterodactyl with Cyborg holding onto its leg as Raven floated behind them. Once Cyborg was on the rocky ground, Beast Boy morphed back into his normal form as he crossed his arms and gave Robin and Starfire a look.

“You guys couldn’t have picked a better time to come back.” Robin said sarcastically.

“Don’t worry your spiky little head,” Cyborg told him. “We were just going inside, right, B?”

“You said it.” Beast Boy said as he stretched out his limbs. “Seriously, I’ve been transporting heavy metal parts for the tower back and forth all day! I’m telling you, this is what cranes are for, and I’m not talking about the bird.”

“Aw man.” Cyborg said as Beast Boy shot him a look, causing him to chuckle.

Raven put her hands on either of the boys’ shoulders and led them towards the front door of the tower. “It’s been a long day, why don’t we order some pizza?”

“Aw yeah! Pizza!” The boys said in unison as they scrambled into the tower taking Raven away with them. The front door closed leaving Starfire and Robin alone with each other once again.

“Well,” Starfire began with a smile. “that was quite the interruption.”

“Yeah,” Robin said. “but it’s not like I’m not used to it by now. This sort of thing happens a lot more than I thought.”

“You are acting as if we haven’t had time alone together in a while.” Starfire said with a lazy smile. “You know we have plenty of time for that.”

“I know, I just like to take the opportunity with you whenever I can.” He ran his fingers through her long hair and looked into her bright green eyes, once again entranced by her beauty.

Starfire hummed and leaned closer to him. “I suppose after we eat the pizzas with our friends, then perhaps we could have more time alone together. Truthfully, I would not mind that at all.” Her eyes cast slightly downwards and she briefly kissed his jawline, which shot a tingle through his body. “How does that sound?”

“That sounds perfect.” Robin warmly smiled at her.

Nightwing was on the horizon; plans and designs carefully in place, just waiting to be followed through. He had always told her how he wanted Nightwing to be separate from Batman but, asking for a small ounce of help in creating the identity wasn’t too hard a pill to swallow.

Alfred was someone that instantly made her smile; the older gentleman was warm and wise and she felt like she got on very well with him. He reminded her somewhat of Galfore, someone who would likely give her advice that was hard to hear but that was necessary.

If anything, she enjoyed visits to Robin’s former home, simply because of seeing Alfred. She liked to help him with household chores including food preparation or, if the rarity came when the sun was beaming down on Gotham, she would help him in the garden; all the while chatting about whatever they wanted to.

She didn’t have to wonder with Alfred; not like she wondered with Bruce.

As she sat on the integrated seat at the large window of the back of the den, she sighed and rolled her shoulders. There was a breath of loneliness that befell her at times such as this.

Robin had been summoned hours ago, spending the time with Alfred so that measurements could be taken for his new uniform. Bruce had gone as well of course; down the winding staircase into the cave.

She hadn’t explicitly been told she couldn’t tag along with the three of them but she also hadn’t received an invitation, having resorted to staying upstairs and out of their way, instead.

The faint smile she wore faded a little as her mind dwelled on the insecurities she had locked away inside of her.

Starfire had a gut feeling Bruce didn’t like her very much and was likely happy that she had not followed them down to the batcave. He was a conundrum of a person and she simply could not gauge what he was thinking, especially when it came to her.

In the beginning, when she had first come to Wayne Manor and met him for the first time, he had offered a polite smile and engaged in small talk with her as best he could but she still felt the scrutiny in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

Was it because she wasn’t from Earth? Was it because she was a super powered being and he felt that she was a dangerous threat? Or was it simply… he didn’t like who she was and didn’t approve of his son being involved with her?

Biting her lower lip, Starfire pushed the swell of concern mixed with unhappiness further down inside her. There was a lump in her throat and tears briefly pricked her eyes. She wanted him to like her, to think of her like an addition to their family but she had doubts that she would ever reach such a level of acceptance from the man beneath the cowl.

“Starfire?”

A squeak burst from her lips and she jolted forward, her heart thumping in her chest like a caged bird fighting to be free. She took a deep breath and turned to find the source of the voice.

Bruce stood at the archway of the den, staring at her with mild curiosity, his hands at his sides. He wore a pale blue dress shirt, with a stray button not done up at his neck along with pressed, black pants, looking pristine as always. The dim light in the room reflected in the shine of his dark leather shoes and she found herself blinking at him.

“Oh… B-Bruce… you startled me.”

A soft smile adorned his face, “Sorry. We seem to have that be a running theme in this house.”

She puffed out a laugh, “Yes, Dick often catches me by surprise when we are at the tower… he is most silent and works well to use stealth tactics, without even meaning to.”

He nodded and slipped his hands into his pockets, blue eyes narrowing ever so slightly in her direction,

“What are you doing down here?”

She gulped and suddenly felt nervous, a chill coming over her like she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t have.

Immediately, she got to her feet, shyly wringing her fingers together in front of her chest, 

“O-Oh… apologies for… intruding upon areas of your home… I was just-”

Bruce tilted his head, looking confused, “Starfire, please… sit.”

She appeared hesitant now; unsure and uncomfortable.

“Please?”

Wordlessly, she sat back down on the cushion of the window seat, looking awkward as she pressed her knees together and threaded her fingers atop her lap.

Bruce calmly walked closer to her and waved a hand, “I didn’t mean it like you aren’t allowed to be here. You are… I was just curious why you were here of all places in the manor?”

She turned her head back towards the window, watching the rainfall, “This is… the most peaceful spot I have managed to find within your home. I can watch the rain here and be soothed by it.” She paused, “And… I did not wish to interrupt… your planning in the cave.”

His eyes widened a fraction, “Interrupt us? We were actually waiting for you for a time… Dick said you would come down but…”

“Oh.”

She felt her face become hot, embarrassed, with the blush hidden by the orange tone of her skin. 

Peering down at the hem of her skirt, Starfire chewed on her lip, feeling foolish and out of place. Insecurity gnawed at her soul, whispering fears and uncertainties into her mind about what he must think of her.

Bruce watched her for a long moment, processing and reading her behavior before he crossed the space between them and took a seat beside her, on the cushioned surface.

“You must be used to the grim weather here by now.” Bruce murmured, his eyes focused on the lead of the water droplet race that was still in full swing.

Starfire blinked, surprised that he seemingly was trying to make conversation. As she had already pointed out to herself, Bruce was a quiet person, analyzing and calculating and using the true streak of a detective in him to figure others out, rather than conversing to do that like most people would.

“Uh… I… truly do not mind it. Rain is not something that we have on Tamaran. I find it fascinating.”

His brows rose, “You don’t?”

She shook her head, “We have water, of course. But, our water does not fall from the sky.” She paused as a memory floated through her mind and she giggled behind the palm of her hand,

Bruce tilted his head in a questioning manner.

“Forgive me… I… just remembered the first time I discovered rain on this planet. We were all at the park and it started to rain and I was most certain is was an enemy hiding in the clouds… until Dick explained what it was. I do not believe he expected me to spend the rest of our day jumping from puddle to puddle, refusing to go home.”

Bruce stared at her for a long moment before he quirked a smile, “I suppose it would definitely be something worth exploring if you’d never seen it before.”

She smiled fondly as she cast her mind back on that day, “The first time I saw the snow… it was much the same… Dick explained it to me and told me how snow only really comes in Winter.”

“He’s been quite a teacher to you through the years.”

Her smile widened a little more, “He has helped me adjust to life on Earth the most out of all our friends.”

Bruce’s blue eyes softened, seeing very clearly how much his son meant to this girl. 

He hadn’t been sure what to make of Starfire when Dick had first mentioned her and when it became apparent that the boy wonder thought of her as more than just a friend, Bruce took a little more interest when Dick would let slip little details about her.

Meeting her was a full on experience, she’d been excitable and exuberant, floating around the manor with the other Titans, awestruck by the building. He remembered wondering if she ever stopped smiling and if her face hurt at the end of the day because of the constant cheer across her features.

That first time had been years ago now and yet, sometimes, he still got the feeling he and Starfire were at odds in some way. 

He was far from oblivious. He could guess that she didn’t feel like she belonged or fit in whenever the two visited and stayed in Gotham for a few nights; the city and her were like polar opposites. One was gritty and dark, the other was passionate and full of happiness and life. 

Bruce mused that that was what attracted Dick to the alien Princess; she was so different to what he’d known throughout his adolescence; a ray of sunshine through all the gloom, if you will.

“He’s always been the helpful type.” Bruce grunted,

“He is a good man.” She paused to look at him, her green eyes locking on his blue orbs, “For any flaws Dick may have… he has a big heart and a gentle nature…”

He held her stare for a long time; not exactly one to break eye contact easily, before he gave her a short nod, “He is.”

Starfire smiled and played with a lock of red hair, spilling over her shoulder and she turned her attention back to the rain streaked window.

Bruce refrained from clearing his throat awkwardly, trying to ignore the subconscious tapping of his fingertips against his knee. He wasn’t an open book and he wasn’t exactly the social type or at least… he didn’t enjoy being social.

But, in this case, he wanted to try. He knew he wasn’t easy to get along with and every single time they had come face to face, it was Starfire attempting to crack open the shell around him that she’d clearly shattered with Dick. 

He’d noticed the change though; how in recent months, whenever they visited Gotham, Starfire had lost some of that glowing joy that usually radiated within an entire room, lighting everything up.

She’d given in a little with being the first to try and he could imagine what she thought, he thought of her.

Of course, she would likely be wrong. 

Bruce considered her to be a very charming young lady; she was a very good fighter with a fiery temper to match. She was besotted with his son and he with her which was something no one could miss when seeing the couple together. She was an extremely upbeat soul with a sense of childlike wonder which was nothing short of endearing. 

He was happy that Dick was happy and it didn’t hurt that Starfire was a lovely girl as well. He enjoyed her company and found her sweet; a rarity to find in most humans, especially in Gotham City.

“Have I ever told you about when Dick was just a kid and Alfred was in London for a few days?”

Starfire’s brows rose and a small, hopeful smile lingered on her lips as she shook her head.

Bruce chuckled, “He was only about 11 years old then and I’d finished a rough patrol… I had injuries that no child could really know how to dress.”

The Princess shifted, eyes sparkling with interest as she tucked her legs underneath her and laced her fingers together.

“And in usual Dick fashion with trying to help everyone around him… He ended up wrapped toilet paper around my wounds. He wasn’t stupid of course; he’d washed them with water and applied medicinals but this kid couldn’t figure out where Alfred would store the gauze so… doing what he does best, he improvised and headed for the roll in the bathroom.”

Starfire stared at the dark haired man for a long moment before she cracked up laughing, holding her stomach with one hand whilst the other covered her mouth as she descended into giggles.

“He did not!” She squealed, eyes bright with mirth,

Bruce smirked, “Oh he did… before he stuck the paper down with some plasters, hoping that would hold it all together.”

Wiping a tear from her eye, Starfire shook her head in disbelief, “That is most hard to believe. Beside Raven, Dick is possibly the best in the team at wrapping wounds after battles.”

Bruce eyed her, amused, “Well of course he is… after that little display, I had to teach him how to do it the right way.”

Starfire tucked her hair behind her ear as the last of the chortles flowed from her mouth, slowly feeling an ease in her chest, like a weight was lifting the longer Bruce kept the conversation going with her. 

Maybe she hadn’t been entirely correct; maybe there was a chance that Bruce did approve of her and perhaps… he may like her.

“You sharing my embarrassing childhood moments with her, Bruce?”

Starfire beamed as she cast a glance over at the archway where Dick was standing, his arms folded over his chest whilst he leaned against the frame. He wore a smirk across his lips, like he already knew what they had been discussing.

“Me? Never.” Bruce told him in a somewhat stoic manner,

“Uh huh… sure you’re not.” Dick replied, pushing off of the wall to cross the distance before he took a seat just behind Starfire, one arm sliding around her waist and softly kissing her cheek in greeting.

“I’ve just been telling her about… skills you have now improved upon.”

Dick narrowed his eyes at his former mentor, “Is that right? Well, Star, would you like to hear some stories about Bruce?”

Bruce’s eyes widened slightly and he frowned at his son, “Don’t you dare.”

Starfire grinned and turned to her boyfriend, “I believe I would love to hear some.”

“Wait, wait… if you’re set on tarnishing my reputation…” Bruce paused and smirked, seeing Dick playfully roll his eyes in Starfire’s direction, “We’d best go and see Alfred for snacks.”

“You think he’ll be up for making his cookies?” Dick queried, getting up and offering Starfire a helping hand as well. 

Bruce eyed the clock on the wall, “Hmm… I don’t know… it’s a little late.”

Dick grinned and laced his fingers with Starfire’s, “Maybe but I have a secret weapon with one hell of a puppy dog face.” 

Starfire laughed, a tinkling sound amidst the brief silence in the room as walked towards the kitchen with Dick on one side and a smiling Bruce on the other. 

And for once in all the times she had visited Wayne Manor, she actually felt like she could relax and that her presence was welcome, rather than tolerated. She felt like she belonged, even if it was just a little bit.

Kory kissed his cheek. “What are you working on, my love?”

Dick absentmindedly stroked one of her hands, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Stuff.” He replied tonelessly.

“Stuff.” She repeated. “Care to elaborate?”

“Uh-huh. Love you too, Star.”

She sighed. He was in one of those moods again, fully concentrated on his work. And when he got started, it usually took him a good couple of hours to snap him out of it again.

Kory leaned in close and whispered in his ear. “Well, I suppose I could not kiss you for a week. Perhaps then we could talk about “stuff.”

“Yeah I’ll be up a sec.”

She groaned, finally resulting to drastic measures. “Then I expect to see you at my wedding next weekend. I am leaving for Tamaran in the morning.”

She started to walk away, but Dick caught her hand and pulled her onto the couch, catching her so her face was inches from his.

“And who is this suitor who dares to steal you away from me?”

“I believed you were not listening.”

“I am now.”

She laughed and kissed him. “Perhaps I shall reconsider.”

She rose herself up to a sitting position and rested against Dick’s shoulder.

“What is this?” she questioned. “This does not look like a case.”

It’s my will.” He replied.

Kory’s eyebrows creased with confusion. “Richard, ‘will’ is a grammatical function used for the future-tense.”

He laughed. “Yeah, but a will, the physical thing, are like instructions on when you die.”

“When you die?” she questioned.

“Yeah, it tells the lawyer or your family what to do with your money and possessions. Like here in this section, this delegates who will take custody of Mar’i and Jake if something happens to us.”

“You are implying that something will?”

“No, it’s just a precaution. It’s good to be prepared.”

“Ah.” Satisfied with his answer, she squinted to see the screen. “So who did you put to care for our children?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out.” Dick mused. “I don’t know who would be best suited. Bruce is the closest living relative, but it doesn’t create the most ideal living situation, especially if the kids are still young.”

“Why not Rachel and Garfield? They live close enough to Gotham so they can visit Bruce daily, and it would create a steady home environment. Besides, I am certain wherever they live, they will have many people caring for them.”

Dick looked at her with surprise. “You’ve got a point there. Maybe you should write the will.”

“Or just let me into that fortress you call your mind occasionally. What does this section address?” She pointed to a small paragraph near the top of the screen.

“Oh, that just instructs on how we’re going to be buried.”

“That is easy.” Kory stated. “We shall have a traditional Tamaranean funeral for warriors.”

Dick raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly does that entail?”

“Simple. Our bodies will be burned in the Furnaces of Glorthrog the All-Seeing, and after a glorious play will be depicted of our deaths by the royal theatre in front of the entire planet. Then we shall be carried to the top of the highest mountain and a Zobgar will be sacrificed in our honor. And finally, our dust shall be released into the universe. And then—” she stopped at Dick’s expression. “What is it?”

“It’s uh, definitely unique. You sure we can’t just have a quiet, normal Earth funeral?”

Kory scrunched her nose with distaste. “You mean placing the dead in wooden boxes and leaving them underground to rot and disintegrate?”

“Well when you put it that way—”

“You do not prefer the traditions of my beloved planet?” she accused, Dick quickly releasing he was about to lose a fight with his sleep-deprived wife.

“I didn’t mean it that way!” He defended himself. “I just meant, that uh, maybe it’s not the best thing for Mar’i and Jake to watch.”

Kory’s expression softened. “You are correct. It would not be wise to have them rewatch our deaths.”

“How about we compromise?” He proposed. “We can have a funeral here on Earth, with tombstones so they can visit us, and then our ashes can be sent to Tamaran so we can be nuked into space and whatnot.”

“Alright, I concur.” Kory smiled, but her eyes told Dick a different story.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his full attention now focused on her.

“It is…sad. To think about what will happen if we someday pass unexpectedly. To think what will happen to the children.”

“Yeah, it is.” He agreed. “But it’s just a precaution. It’s not like we’re planning on it. It’s very unlikely to happen.”

“It was unlikely for our parents as well.” She stated dejectedly while avoiding his gaze.  

“Hey,” He took her face his hands. “Look. I can’t promise that it won’t happen. But we’re going to do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t. And on the very off chance that it does, we’ve already set up a plan for Mar’i and Jake. We’re not leaving them to fend for themselves, okay?”

“I do not wish to lose them, Richard. I could not bear it.”

He pulled her into a tight embrace as she rested her head against his chest. He stoked her crimson curls, watching her shake ever so slightly. Dick was well aware that in their line of work, they could be killed at any moment. He didn’t like the thought of leaving their children anymore than she did, but worrying themselves to pieces on the worst possible outcome wouldn’t do them any good. No one ever won at that game.

“Enough of this will nonsense.” He said, closing the laptop. He scooped up Kory off the couch and threw her over his shoulders.  

“Richard, wha—?”

“No more tears for tonight. And you can’t go to bed until I get a smile out of you.” He spun her around in circles across their living room, her laughter driving out whatever gloom had been there before.

“Richard, s-stop!” she shrieked before they finally both collapsed on the couch, breathless with laughter. Dick slid an arm under Kory’s waist, appreciating the amusement that had crept back into her eyes.

“You okay in there, Princess?”

“I am now.”

“Good, because I’m looking forward to an evening alone with you.” He pulled her into a kiss, both lost in the moment until Jake’s faint cries reached their ears. Kory groaned.

“Well, you, me and Jake.” He decided. “Don’t worry, I’ll get him.”

He rose from the couch and was about to make his way to the stairs when their six-year-old daughter appeared around the corner.

“Mommy, Jake is crying.” Mar’i stated, clutching a stuffed elephant.

Dick gave a stern look. “Young lady, you’re supposed to be in bed.”

“But Jake is awake.” She pouted. “Can I stay up too? It no fair!” She stuck out her bottom lip and pleaded with the largest puppy dog eyes she could muster.

Dick sighed and looked helplessly at Kory, who was trying not to laugh.

“Come on my little bumgorf.” She said. “One last story for you and Jake before bed.”

Dick picked Mar’i up and swung her onto his shoulders. “Come on, Starshine. It’s daddy’s turn to tell the story.”

“Oh yes, tell her the one about Larry.” Kory chimed as they ascended the stairs to Jake’s room.

“I’m not telling her about Larry.”

The laptop lay forgotten on the table below.

 _____________________________________________________________

It was unusually cold on Tamaran that night. Despite her supposed increased tolerance to cold weather, Mar’i shivered. She struggled to climb over the craggy rocks and jumbled vegetation to reach the top. She didn’t feel like flying tonight.

She slipped and would have fallen flat on her face if her brother hadn’t of caught her.

“Careful.” Jake said, breaking the silence between them. “Are you sure you don’t want me to carry that?”

Mar’i sighed. “Sure.” She relented the urn she carried to her brother. “We’re almost there anyway.”

Jake took her hand and smiled softly at her, guiding her along the way. Even if he was her annoying younger brother, she always found comfort in his strong and steady presence.

It was a breathtaking view as they reached the top. The cloudless sky opened up to reveal multicolored planets and comets, with billions upon billions of stars.

“You ready, Sis?”

Mar’i looked over to see Jake cradling the urn, his eyes staring straight into hers like he could see into her soul. There was no hiding anything from this guy.  

She felt tears prick her eyes, and Jack enveloped her in his arms.

“I know,” he sighed. “I miss them too.”

They stayed that way for a while until Mar’i released his hold, wiping her eyes.

“I’m ready.”

She helped Jake lift the urn above them before turning it on its side, releasing the contents into the air. The ashes poured out like mist, like shimmering dust.

“Goodbye.” Mar’i whispered, feeling Jake put his arm around her shoulders. “I miss you.”

The ashes seemed to dance, chasing itself higher and higher in the galaxies above. The stars seemed to shine brighter. Despite herself, Mar’i smiled, seeing them both released into the universe.