Chapter One: Special Favor

Raven meditated on the roof of Titans Tower, enjoying a fresh sea breeze and the feel of the sun's warmth on her face. As much as she enjoyed the dark, a bit of light didn't hurt; at least, as long as she wore sunscreen, which she used in large amounts. She had a complexion to maintain.

She cherished her private moments, as she got so damned little of it living with the rest of the Titans, and so was a bit irked when she sensed Starfire walking toward her. 'Wonder what she wants now.' she thought.

Raven hoped Starfire wasn't about to join her in meditation. Last time she did, she had fallen asleep, slumped over and drooling. It was the last time Raven gave her a lesson in meditation.

Over the past week, Starfire had been acting more excitable and uppity than usual. It was understandable the first day, as it was her birthday. Now, she was the same age as Raven. However, even after her birthday passed, she still seemed so vibrant and full of energy, as if something inside her had been let loose.

As if that wasn't enough, Robin was encouraging it! He also seemed to have lightened up a bit. He didn't seem to be as stressed or preoccupied with work as he used to. He was also hanging with Starfire more than usual, even more so than Cyborg and Beast Boy hung out together.

Raven was happy that the two were closer in their relationship, as it seemed. She just hoped it meant she could get some more quiet time to herself. Now, more than ever, it was important for her to control herself. And being interrupted didn't help one bit.

"What do you want, Star?" she said before her friend could speak.

Starfire had long since become accustomed to Raven's cynical attitude, and so it didn't bother her as much as it used to when she first knew her.

"There is something I wish to discuss with you, friend Raven."

"Oh? And what is that?"

"Well, it is a sort of personal issue, which I feel I must tell someone!"

Raven stood up and looked at Starfire. "Has something happened?" she asked in concern.

"Well, yes, but something wonderful! At least, to me it is!"

Raven raised an eyebrow at her. "What exactly is on your mind?"

"Well, it is difficult to put in words."

"Come on, Star, it's me, Raven! Your friend! You can tell me!"

"Okay then." Starfire took a deep breath. "Well, last week…" She paused.

"Yes?" Raven gestured for her to go on.

"Robin and I…we had sex."

"See, that wasn't so…" Raven's mouth was agape as she fully realized what Starfire had told her.

"You had sex with Robin?"

Starfire nodded.

"In his room or yours?"

"His. I snuck in there after he left to shower and…"

"Wait! You snuck into his room?"

"Yes! When he returned, we did the making out and then…"

"Okay, I think I get the picture." Raven paced in a circle and then sat down.

"Well, this is a rather awkward situation."

"Why is that?" Starfire asked her.

"For one thing, the two of you are younger then me."

"Not by much. Beside, now we are the same age in years." A thought occurred to her. "Have you had sex yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Do you want to?"

"Star, let's stay on the subject, okay?"

"Okay. Sorry." She felt bad for getting into Raven's personal affairs.

"Now, did you use protection?"

"The latex Trojan thing? Yes."

"Good, that's one thing not to worry about." Raven sighed. "I'm a bit surprised he was willing to go that far with you."

"I was not. I was hoping for it!"

Raven eyed her suspiciously. "You sure do have a way with men, you know that?"

Starfire smiled. "Thank you!"

"It wasn't really a compliment."

"Oh. Um, Raven?"

"What?" She feared what was coming.

"There is another thing I wanted to ask of you."

"What's that?"

"Well, I would like a day alone with Robin. Just him and me in the Tower. You can take Cyborg and Beast Boy to the mall or something…"

"Wait a minute here! What is it you're planning to do?"

"I want some quality time with my man."

Raven sighed. "First off, he's still younger than me, so even if he did have sex, he's not quite a man."

"I see him as I want to see him."

"Right, sorry. I suppose you consider yourself a woman then, right?"

"I know Robin does."

"Yeah, figures. What do you want to do?"

"I do not know. I think we shall have some fun."

"So why have us leave the tower then?"

"The tower is our home, and I want free reign of our home with Robin without interference from Cyborg and Beast Boy. And I don't want to disturb you."

"Like you're doing now?"

"Sorry about that. Anyway, I want to further explore our relationship."

Raven stood up and rubbed her temples. "This is a bit too much! I know you want to have your way with Robin, but are you absolutely sure you're comfortable with it?"

"Absolutely!"

"Well, alright then. But you own be big time for having to put up with those two lugs!"

Starfire hugged Raven tightly. "Oh, thank you my friend! I am sure you can manage such a task!"

"Yeah, well, helps if I can breathe!" she said weakly in Starfire's relentless embrace.

"Oh, yes. Sorry!" She let her go.

"When do you want to set this up?"

"Tomorrow if possible. Okay?"

Raven sighed. "Alright, I'll do my best."

"Great!"

"Just don't hug me again. My ribs need to heal."

"Okay then, friend Raven. You are the best!" Resisting the urge to hug her friend, Starfire leaned toward Raven and kissed her on the cheek. Raven snapped her head back in surprise.

"What was that for?"

"You said I could not hug you, so I kissed you."

"Yeah, I noticed that!" She rubbed her face. "Please don't do that again."

"Why not?

"It's a little embarrassing. And for me, worse than a hug."

"Okay then, Raven. Have a nice day!" Starfire went for the hatch that led inside. "Oh, and Raven?"

"What?"

"I am certain one day, you will experience love as I do!" With that, she departed the roof.

Raven scoffed as she resumed her meditation. "Fat chance." she muttered.

Once indoors, Starfire sought out Robin. She figured he might be in the gym, engaged in a workout. Sure enough, she found him there, just finishing a run on the indoor track. He was in a t-shirt and shorts, glistening with sweat. He slowed his pace to a quick walk as he allowed himself a cool down period. Starfire joined him.

"Hey babe, what's up?" he said.

Starfire blushed. When they were alone, Robin often used various nicknames for her. Starfire wasn't so good at it, often mixing Terran and Tamaranean terms. More often than not, she drew a blank stare from Robin.

"I think we can manage a day alone in the tower tomorrow."

"Really?" he said with delight. "How'd you arrange that?"

"I have my ways." she replied, voluptuously.

Robin loved it when she talked like that. It clashed with her somewhat innocent mannerisms beautifully.

"Any idea what you want to do?" he asked.

"I do not know. I prefer to make it up as we go. Does this sound agreeable to you?"

"It certainly does. I'm looking forward to it!"

"As am I! Oh Robin, you are so wonderful!"

She grabbed him to give a powerful embrace. Robin was startled by it, but didn't protest.

"I love you, Star!" he whispered as much as he could manage in Starfire's powerful grip.

She loosened her hold on him.

"I love you, too!" she replied as she delivered a quick kiss to his cheek.

They smiled at each other before parting. As Robin turned though, he was suddenly smacked on his butt. He turned to see Starfire giggling at him.

"Touché!" he said, remembering he did the same thing to her the night they made love.

With that, he entered the locker room.

Starfire stood for a moment outside the room before heading down to the lounge. She sat down to read one of her romance novels. She found it hard to concentrate, though, as thoughts of her love constantly appeared in her mind. She couldn't wait for tomorrow!

In the shower, Robin's thoughts never strayed far from Starfire. He wondered exactly what it was she had planned. Whatever it was, it had to be good. Whether or not he'd survive the encounter was another matter! He laughed at that thought. Starfire would never hurt him. Not even when he was forced to fight the Titans as Slade's apprentice did she try to hurt him.

On the heels of that thought came the memories when he hurt Starfire, emotionally and physically. He recalled the time when he was hallucinating, seeing his old nemesis back from the dead. He thought Starfire had left him go and had gripped her so tight, it actually hurt her. It was one of Robin's most regrettable memories.

Since the ordeal with Raven, the Titans knew that it wasn't Slade that activated the mask that made him hallucinate. Whoever really did it was a mystery. It might even have been an automatic signal, sent from somewhere that Slade used to hide out at. But whatever the cause, it didn't matter anymore. Not with his true love around.

Robin's heart felt fluttery at that thought. 'My true love…' he thought again. He smiled at that, liking the sound of it. He knew Cyborg and Beast Boy would never let it down for their tough leader to use such a fluffy and romantic term. He'd never tell them. Raven, he figured, couldn't care less.

So, only Starfire had to know. He would tell her tomorrow sometime. And then, who knows what could happen from there?