Chapter 10: Realization #2-Fulfillment

'Who… AM I more comfortable with? Both of them have tried their very hardest to help me… and they don't care who I choose…'

"Robin… are you sure? If I make a choice, is it right?" she asked to reassure herself, still in Robin's arms. "You don't have to choose now… but yes, there is no wrong choice… whether or not I can only be a brother to you… I'll be damned if I won't be the best brother I can be." Robin explained, making it perfectly clear in Starfire's mind that he would be happy regardless of her decision. Resting her head for what seemed like an eternity, she thought about what had happened in the past few days.

'Raven… you were risking everything for me… you conquered your fears and gained control of your powers… not just for the team, but… for me… and then…' Starfire smiled as she sifted through her memories, of Raven's confession, training, their date, and then when they slept together. 'I cannot remember the last time I slept so peacefully… and I have her to thank for that… she and all the Titans have always been there for me. It makes me feel happy… when she smiles… when we're together… when she…' Starfire's mind froze as she realized what she was about to think. As it happened two nights before, through her mind screaming 'NO!' and 'I love her' all at once as she pictured the time when Raven kissed her gently, and the night afterward, when she returned the favor.

'…when she kissed me… it felt right. But Robin… he has sacrificed just as much, if not more for me… and I feel just as comfortable with him than with her, but… why does it not have the same spark? It just… feels too normal, while being with Raven feels… better, extraordinary.' Starfires tears returned, but of a whole different emotion. She felt happy.

'I know what to do now…'

"Robin… I am sorry, but… I think… I think I am more comfortable… with Raven." The Boy Wonder just barely hid the fact that he was somewhat hurt from Starfire's confession, although happy for the girl. "I am truly sorry… I do love you, in a way I could never love Raven… but… the same applies for her." Robin loosened his hold just a little, making eye contact with his quick girlfriend once more.

"Then go tell her." He whispered. "I know this must be hard… it is for me too, but… it's for the best, right?" Robin leaned in to kiss Starfire one last time. "I love you, Star…" Their embrace was broken as they sat up, ready to leave. "Thank you so much… Robin…" the Tameranean managed to say before she flew back toward the tower. Robin stayed for a moment, watching her go before heading back to his motorcycle on the other side of the building. Grabbing his mask, he threw it on the ground, revealing to the sidewalk the tear-filled eyes of a satisfied, yet hurt young teenager.

"Dammit… why do I have to be such a good guy all the time…" He spoke to the darkness, falling to his knees for just a moment to rid himself of his much-needed tears. He had never cried during his entire time with the Titans, and this would probably be the last, the tears used as one loses the one he loves. As if on cue, a sound of thunder, barely audible, made its way through the city, and rain began to sprinkle down.

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Starfire landed atop the roof of the tower, ready to bolt down the stairs toward Raven's room, but was surprised to find Cyborg there waiting for her. "Cyborg! Why… are you here?" she asked hesitantly, somewhat surprised to see him standing there as rain began to fall, surely he would begin to rust. "I heard what happened at the restaurant. Guess you were kinda disappointed, huh?" he half-joked, grinning. Starfire nodded halfheartedly, stepping forward once, a little impatient to see Raven again. "It just feels weird, don't ya think? Your first date with Robin shoulda gone better… the other way around… sorta doesn't feel right… at least to me, anyway." Cyborg explained his concern walking toward the opposite edge of the roof.

"So… did you decide yet?" He suddenly asked, turning back toward her. Starfire gasped, immediately aware of what he was referring to. "How did you know what was happening between Raven and myself?" The mechanical man chuckled. "Just instinct I guess. Must have picked that up from Robin. Anyway, if you've got something to tell her, don't let me stop you. All of us are behind you 100." He reassured her, giving a thumbs up again. "Do you mean that… the others?" her answer was given before she could finish her question. "Terra and BB came to me right when they came back. They were worried about you two, so… I told 'em. Beast Boy looked a little freaked out, but otherwise OK. Terra will keep him in line." Starfire's eyes widened, thankful to the largest of the Titans for his honesty.

"Now get goin'… somebody's waiting for ya." Starfire nodded again and went through the door leading inside. Cyborg stayed for a second before following to get out of the rain. "At least I HOPE Terra can keep him in line…" A radar protruded from his cybernetic ear to listen for unfamiliar sounds. He could hear the faintest of a buzzing going down the air vents. "Beast Boy… you daring little piece 'o shit…" He shook his head in embarrassment, hopeful that his teammate would get out of this mess alive.

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Starfire flew straight to Raven's door, almost forgetting to knock before opening it from her anxiousness. It opened an instant after she knocked to reveal the white-clad sorceress smiling in relief. "Star… I heard what happened. Are you all right? Did you… otherwise have a good time?" She bombarded her friend with questions as she allowed her inside. Starfire refused to answer her questions until they went to their normal spot on the bed and sat down. Raven's look of concern became mixed with impatience, waiting for Starfire's reaction from being with Robin.

"It was… a truly different experience. Before the Mad Mod had revealed himself, we were… asked to dance. Robin and I… while we danced it seemed too good to be true… that was when he… said he loved me." Raven smiled halfheartedly, thinking she knew where the conversation was going. Putting her hand on the Tameranean's shoulder, she motioned for her to continue. "Go on…" Starfire wanted to look her soon-to-be girlfriend in the eye, but somehow could not as she continued her story. "After the battle ended… I found out that… I love him too, but…" Starfire's slight emphasis on 'but' signaled for Raven to remain calm. Starfire then turned toward her friend, smiling with tears welling up again. "he also asked me… who I was comfortable with… and although I love him… in a way that cannot be compared to yours…" Starfire hesitated, and decided to lean in toward the sorceress. Caught off guard, she merely froze when the princess' lips touched her own.

'Wow… I definitely didn't see that… coming…' Raven's mind, for the first time, became lost in reality as she closed her eyes and returned the kiss, happy to be sharing this moment with the woman she loved. Breaking apart, tears were also present in the eyes of the sorceress. "…but I feel… much more comfortable with you." Raven gasped, not daring to think that Starfire actually chose her over Robin. "Starfire… does that… are you… we… really?" Raven stumbled over the right words to say, wanting to toss away any and all doubt that still existed in her mind. To Raven's great elation, Starfire nodded slowly.

"Yes… I love you, Raven…"

Raven nearly collapsed into her friend's arms, silent tears of happiness falling from both their eyes for themselves and each other. Starfire let her hand flow through Raven's hair, in return for the many times that Raven did the same. "Thank you… you don't know… how long… I've wanted to hear that…" They broke their embrace just slightly, long enough for Raven to respond in kind to Starfire's declaration. "I love you too Starfire…" then they kissed again, the red-haired girl moaning happily, enjoying this first of many moments. Silence fell across the room for a few seconds, that is until the both of them heard a faint sound coming from the air vent.

"What the…" Raven whispered, letting go of her girlfriend for a moment to send out a wave of mental energy across the room. From the vent came a scream and a thud, and a very shocked Beast Boy fell out from it. Cyborg opened the door seconds after it happened, snapping his fingers in frustration. "Dammit… too late." Beast Boy, however, was knocked out and therefore wasn't moving from his position on the ground, and frankly, everyone in the room wanted to keep it that way. Raven was looking like she wanted to toss the unconscious changeling out of her window, but was barely able to keep her temper under control. Cyborg smiled out of reflex at the strange scene in front of him. "Well… at least he's all right…" he judged from the scanner built into his arm and eye. "Um… I didn't interrupt, he did, right?" he asked, hoping to confirm it from the girls. Starfire nodded again, putting her hand on Raven's shoulder. Raven, still trying to calm down, smiled out of spite for situation.

"Just… get… out… please…?" Cyborg almost ran to the door, afraid of the evident rage in Raven's system. "Yeah, good, OK, later, bye…" he sputtered quickly before shutting the door. Raven sighed deeply, letting herself fall face-first into her pillow. "That could have gone better…" Starfire giggled as she laid down beside her new girlfriend. "It seemed fine to me…" she whispered before letting her eyes close beside the sorceress once again. Raven smiled as never before, as she laced her fingers with Starfire's before closing her own eyes.

'It's actually happened… it seems too good to be true… I kept my word and now… my first love is right by my side. I should apologize to Robin tomorrow… but… again… This is where I belong. My whole life, my mind and soul… belong with Starfire, and I can say it this way now…

my Starfire…'

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Epilogue – The morning after

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Starfire and Raven walked into the command center, still hand-in-hand. Everyone was accounted for, Robin and Cyborg sitting at the monitor and Terra sitting next to a slightly dazed Beast Boy, who had a rather thick bandage draped around his head. Silence came across the room as the doors closed, leaving either of them little excuse to clear their throats. "Assuming that Cyborg already told you about us…" Raven began, passing the explanation over. "…we wish to announce… our love for each other." Silence still spread across the room for a few seconds. Hope seemed to dwindle in those few infinite moments, until Robin stood up.

"We do know… and it's a great thing." He said, smiling. Beginning to slowly clap, Cyborg stood up and joined him. Terra and Beast Boy joined the applause, forcing both girls to blush deep shades of red. The team's leader walked up to them, wanting to get something out of the way. "Before you say anything, you don't have to apologize. We'll defend you guys if it ever gets rough." The Boy Wonder offered his vote of confidence. Beast Boy sat up higher to put in his two cents. "And hey, I was just confirming a theory, OK? I was skeptical, and I'm sorry!" Beast Boy crossed him arms, satisfied with himself. Terra leaned in and kissed his cheek once again. "That's better… you little perv."

The Titans Tower's laugher peaked once again, and a new day dawned on Jump City like no other once again, a good omen blossoming everywhere one cared to look.

The End

(A/N: Whoohoo! And there it is! Thank you all for your reviews and comments. I doubt there will be a sequel to this, and if there will be it'll take me a looooooong time to think it up. Plus I want to finish my other fanfic now. If you like Fruits Basket shoujo-ai, then check it out if you want! Thank you all again! I'm so grateful…)