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The sun hung low in the sky, casting a dazzling pink hue on the city. His feet dangled over the edge of the roof. Below him, the ocean crashed against the shore gently.
After the events of the day, it was no surprise he would seek refuge on the rooftop. Even though he’d deny it over and over again, he was incredibly predictable.
“Greetings,” She said as she took her place next to him.
“Hey Star,” He greeted. A small smile graced his lips, “How are you doing?”
Starfire sighed deeply. She looked to the sky for a moment before turning back to him. Her eyes twinkled with mirth. He cocked his head at her. In the glow of the sunset, he looked angelic. She couldn’t be happier that things were back to normal. That she was with her earth boy sitting on their roof.
“Today was very strange,” She answered. “Was it not?”
“You could say that again,” He laughed.
“Today was very strange —“
“You don’t have to actually say it again, Star.” He said softly, “It’s a figure of speech.”
She blushed profusely. Though, she was getting much better at recognizing idioms and earth slang, some things still made her head spin. Apparently, this was one of those things.
“Oh, my apologies.” She said, refusing to meet his eyes. “I was not aware of this figure of speech.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Star.” He said with a grin. “It just means that I agree with you. Today was…. weird.”
“Indeed,” She agreed with a nod.
They turned their attention back to the sinking sun. They let the silence wrap around and sink into them. Simply too exhausted from the day’s events. Too wrapped up in each other’s presence to care about forcing words out of their mouths. They interlocked their hands.
Finally, he spoke, “I’m just glad things are back to normal.”
His words elicited a small laugh from her. She wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was from relief or perhaps it was from the absolute absurdity of the day.
“I am happy that things are back to normal as well,” She admitted, but the gnawing feeling would no leave her. She worried briefly how he would react if he knew how she truly felt. Hesitating for a moment she said, “I must admit, I will miss the small Starfire. It was nice to have a sister who was not trying to send me to prison.”
His heart ached for her. He knew how it felt to long for family all too well. Grief was something they shared, something all of the titans shared.
“I’m sorry, Star.” He meant it. He only wished he could the pain away from her.
“I take it you do not feel the same way towards small Robin?” She said with a smile.
He laughed, “No. Not at all. That guy was a piece of work.”
“He did save us though,” Starfire reminded him.
“I guess.”
The truth was, without the strange versions of themselves they would have never won their fight against Trigon. He should’ve felt nothing but gratefulness towards the other titans. However, for whatever reason this is not the case. Something in the back of his mind was eating away at him. He had tried his best to brush it off but the thought has made permanent residence in his consciousness.
“Star,” He whispered. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yes,” She said turning towards him. She blinked at him, her eyelashes long and enticing.
He sighed, unsure what to say. “Did you really think that serious adult me was uh —,” his voice trailed off.
“Was what?” She asked curiously, her head tilting slightly to the left.
“You know…” He can’t find the words. He’s all too aware of his cheeks burning. He knows she can see the bright pink flushed across his cheeks.
“Robin,” She started. “I do not know what you are trying to say.”
Swallowing, he found the words, “Did you uhm — did you — I just saw the way you reacted to that older me. I was just wondering why?”
“Why what?” Starfire asked, still confused.
He stared at her for a moment, catching his bottom lip in between his teeth. It seems stupid in retrospect, he can’t even ask her properly.
“You didn’t actually think the older serious version of me — I mean, that guy. You didn’t actually think he was handsome or whatever… did you?” He bit out quickly.
She says nothing. He can’t bring himself to look away from the sky. Wordlessly, he fiddles with their interlocked fingers. For a while, they stay silent.
Finally, she laughed. The noise was bubbly and full. It spilled out of her and filled him completely. He couldn’t keep himself from looking back at her. She was already smiling widely at him.
“I thought the ‘more serious’ you was very handsome,” She confessed. His eyes grew wide at her admission. He spluttered incoherently at her.
“You what?” He asked. She laughed again.
“I thought he or you were very handsome!” She replied with a sly smile.
He guffawed, “You did?!”
“Oh, Robin!” She exclaimed, “Do not feel the jealous! I did not think the serious you was more handsome than you are now!”
“I’m not jealous!” He yelled with a huff, “Why would I feel jealous — he’s me!”
She didn’t believe him. Hell, he didn’t even believe himself.
They looked at each other for a moment. The sun had almost completely disappeared in the sky. It was almost time for them to back inside. Their long day was coming to a quiet and peaceful end. She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
She lingered there for a moment before pulling away from him slowly, “I am very glad things are back to normal.”