"She's late," Raven stated the obvious.
Robin was making a path on the ground after an hour walking back and forward, looking aware as he always did. Cyborg sat on the couch, dedicating his concentration on a magazine Starfire had bought just a few days ago, while Beastboy looked at Robin; the black of his eyes tailed him all the time. He was too worried and curious to actually do anything else but wait patiently. She didn't blame him for acting this way, not that he had any problems being patient but it must have something to do with the sensation of waiting for a bad news. It was like the silent moment before a tsunami. He stopped, but then started again. She was leaning on a wall where she could look in and out the wide glass window that covered their tower.
"Something is wrong, I can feel it. If it's not bad news than it shouldn't take this long..."
"Dude, she's been away from home for a long time. Whatever it is they have to say, they may have some catching up to do." Cyborg stood up, finally abandoning his struggle to understand the modern fashion. She didn't think anyone could understand. The first time she had read the cover, it plainly said that blue was the new green. She didn't even give it a second glance.
"I'm sure if there is anything important she needs to tell us, she would Robin. Especially to you." At that, she got him to stop. "She needs to take her time to take in what exactly is the problem and all the information she needs."
"And how exactly do you know that there's a problem?" Beastboy asked.
She stared at him long and hard, "She said so. Vega is the prince and if he would go so far as to leave his throne than something must be terribly wrong." She said. Her eyes caught movement. "In fact there they are now."
They all looked down and saw four flying people landing on the ground, now walking towards the entrance. Strangely, the prince was walking behind everyone, looking back every once and then as if expecting someone to jump out and attack him. She had found his red wild hair was an attractive color, she had to look away when he caught her staring at him.
"Alright! Let's give them a warm 'We insist upon being nice' welcome the way we gave Starfire!" Cyborg said, remembering something Starfire had said when they had just met. She had an odd English then, though it was better now it was still strange. Raven took a seat on the couch when the door slit open; letting Starfire and the other three come in. She couldn't help but stare at the red haired boy, the way he moved his hip when he stepped down the stairs. A small wooden box was attached to his hip, a symbol of a small scar was pressed on all sides.
Starfire stopped in the middle of the room, her face was a light pale color with large green sad eyes. She smiled, but the smile didn't touch her eyes. For a moment, Raven couldn't help but feel guilty for thinking about a boy when obviously Starfire was in trouble. She looked away.
"Friends I have something I need to tell you." She said.
"What is it? If there is anything we can do-" Roin started.
"No," Yudit said quickly. "I don't think there will be anything you can do." And with that, he left the room. His footsteps sounded distant by the time everyone had come to look at Starfire again. She swallowed, the corner of her lips playing.
"I... I will soon leave for Tamaran. That is all."
"What?" They all said at once. Raven sounded questioning, Beastboy purely shocked, Cyborg sounded like he didn't really believe her, while Robin said nothing. It was hard to tell when he showed no expression at all.
"Is there any specific reason for that? Something I should know?" He asked. He didn't even bother saying we. For the first time, the blond haired boy showed emotion or interest in the conversation.
"Tamaran needs their future queen. As the second in line to the throne, she has a responsibility to come back in times like this." He said.
"What exactly is in time like this?" Robin asked calmly. If he was a few years young, he would have jumped at him like a guard dog.
"It is war, Robin," Starfire said. "I have heard what happened, and I wish to inform you that I will soon leave the Titans... for good." Uncharacteristically, she turned and left the room. Her red hair swung behind her, glittering under the light of the kitchen. Raven and the rest stayed quiet, not sure what to say or do in a time like this. If there was a war in Tamaran, which was unexpected but also not impossible; then Starfire really did need to return home. She hated to admit, but the state of her world has Starfire to be concerned about but not them. They had to stay here, where trouble was. Cyborg stood up, ignoring Beastboy when he asked him where he was going. He stopped, said something to Robin's ears and left as well.
"Wait for me!" And with that Beastboy followed Cyborg. Leaving her in an unconvertible situation between Robin and the blond haired.
"I should head out." She said, leaving the room.
Outside the night sky was scattered with small stars just above the city and sea she so often observed in her sleepless night held the sky's reflection. It was beautiful now no matter how bad situations were, she could always find peace here where she could feel that the sky was her friend. A silent friend who would stay with her and keep quiet when she needed it. She blew out a breath that formed white clouds. She wondered if she would come to Tamaran, would she bring any difference?
"What are you doing all alone here?" A voice asked. She could recognize the red of his hair the moment she turned to see who it was.
"I could say the same thing. You just... left back there." She said matter-of-factly. He didn't look unconvertible or awkward when he walked to stand by her, gazing down the city that she secretly adored.
"I didn't see why I should stay there. It's clear they need some time to talk."
"Then you shouldn't have said anything and let them talk." She said without looking at him. Normally she would feel the person she was talking to tense under her words and pressure. It was some sort of instinct she had, to read others mood when they talked to her. Even Robin would have tensed, though perhaps a little too how hard she had said it.
"I was helping her say the hardest part she wanted to say to him." He said, "Perhaps I should have just stayed quiet but he needs to know."
It was like talking to an older brother that was strict and loving at the same time. The stiffness in his voice was gone, changed to a sadness and care that she had to return his gaze. His eyes were the color of a planet she knew once. It was dark purple with lighting on the edges of his pupils. Under the night sky, she could see stars there, a bit of her reflection. He was so handsome, she thought without shame.
"Needs to know what?"
"That Starfire doesn't want him or you or anyone in the team to come with her. It would mean your life's and a chance that you probably wouldn't come back for years... that is... if you live." He said to her. The wind blew his hair back from his face, and she could see he had pointed nose and a pair of thin lips that made him look like he was smiling.
"You think just because Starfire doesn't want us to come that would stop us from coming?" She asked with a hint of amusement. He looked surprised, this time he didn't tear his gaze away from her.
"Surely, if that is her request, you would do as much to respect those wishes."
"Sometimes... being friend's means giving what a friend needs and not what a friend wants. You don't know Robin, he'll follow Starfire to ends of existence." She said. "And where he goes, the team goes, and where the teams go... I go." Something flashed in his eyes, for a moment everything was a blur. She was prepared for a lot of things. For a sudden attack, for magic, and for dying. But she wasn't prepared for this.
Before she could stop him, he took a step back and bowed, took her hand and kissed it. His lips were soft and warm. She blushed.
"Then, I will see you there." He said. "I'm Yudit by the way."
"You are the prince." She said, unsure. Yudit looked confused. "Me? The prince? I am just a bodyguard."
Raven blinked as he saw him walk away and into the tower, no doubt looking for his prince. She blushed even darker. She wasn't one to misunderstood, but from all the things she thought of Yudit as a prince. It was, to her, an embarrassing thing to admit.
She didn't think there would be a time when she would have to say goodbye to her room. It was all light pink covering the walls, the furniture was a lighter pink color with wavy shape wardrobe, a tall mirror was placed next to the window, the sky was covered with glow in the dark stars, her bed was large with dolls and teddy bears placed neatly on her large pillow, the floor under her feet was carpeted with soft material Robin had arranged for her a few years ago. She remembered sitting with Raven on her bed one night when she had cried for missing home, they were busy then trying to make something from her long red hair, with butterfly clips and X-shaped pins. She remembered Robin coming in her room one night for being worried about what happened with Blackfire.
Her heart throbbed with pain, kicking all the sense in her mind. She didn't want to leave the Titans, she didn't want to say goodbye to Robin.
"Starfire..." Someone knocked on the door. The sound was familiar enough to let her know it was Robin. The door slit to the side as he walked in, his face was half covered in shadows in her dark room. She could feel the tip of his fingers touching hers, lingering as if he wasn't sure whether to pull her or not touch her at all. How can she tell him all she wanted was his arms around her?
"How are things there? This war. Sounds like a big thing."
"It is Robin. I have heard stories in history, that our great kings have fought in great wars that had killed our people. Destroying everything until there is nothing left but ash and stones. I don't know what is the real reason behind this war, but I do know one thing that is certain. I need to return to my kingdom." She said.
"If it's that dangerous then maybe you shouldn't..." There was desperation in his voice as he spoke. She doesn't remember when, but his hand was now holding hers. Despite the warm temperature in the room, his hands were as cold as hers. "I'll come with you." He finally said.
"Oh no, Robin you must not! This has nothing to do with you, your place is here on earth—"
"It has everything to do with me!" He raised his voice. "How can it not have anything to do with me? Star, we're a team, you and I. I'm not going to let this war get in the way!" She bit her tongue not to cry.
"No war can sever our friendship. I promise you that." She said. He shook his head, the stiffness in his eyes was a sign that he had made up his mind. She stepped forward, reaching out to make him stay. The flash of his mask made her tremble within.
"I wish for you to stay here."
"No. I'm coming. Cyborg is preparing the ship already, we can go anytime you're ready." They stood face to face, lips to lips. He was taller than her now, the lines of his face had hardened over the years. "You never have to face things alone Star. I'm, we're here for you."
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