A Tameranean's Raven

You Are Beautiful

Parties weren't something Raven enjoyed, in fact she hated them with a fiery passion. They were poor excuses for social interaction with sweaty hung over people too close together for her liking. Yet, there she was, amidst a throng of dancing people overwhelmed by blaring music with a little too much bass.
Of course, she'd been talked into it by Beast Boy and Cyborg because someone needed to be responsible enough to get them all home in one piece. Then there was Star, who insisted on joining the boys in their escapade. She looked the part of a party girl, Raven would give her that, but Starfire didn't understand the culture of parties. She didn't grasp the predatory nature that often overwhelmed the dance floor and it's occupants.
As a result, Raven watched the other girl closely. Admittedly, Star was perhaps the closest of her friends. They'd switched bodies and knew each other's deepest darkest secrets. Most of them anyways. Raven kept a few to herself but that was beside the point. The point was, Raven would do anything she needed to in order to protect Star. Unlike the Tameranean, Raven knew not to trust folks when alcohol was involved.
Of course, Robin had been right to an extent when he said Star would have to learn aspects of earth culture the hard way. What Raven didn't like, was the implications of those aspects. There were plenty of things she despised about earth culture, it was why she kept to herself and stayed away from these sorts of situations.
With a sigh, the dark haired half-demon followed Star's path through the crowd. Her bright orange skin was easy to spot amongst the group of nameless people. It helped that Star was tall enough to see over the top of the crowd too.
In pursuit of the Tameranean was a trio of boys, prowling and on the move. Raven knew predators when she saw them. It wasn't hard to spot your own kind. The demon in her knew the stance and gaze of someone hungry and desperate enough to do anything.
Moving away from the corner of the room where she'd been lurking, Raven made her way into the crowd. She was aware of arms and legs brushing against her along with hot breathe decorating her cheeks. It was stifling, nauseating even, but she had to keep Star in her sights.
Elbowing her way through a particularly tight knit group, Raven was spit out by the back entrance of the reserved club. Sure, Star could take care of herself, but would she even know to say 'no'? Men had a way of sensing who they could effectively corner. Raven had experienced it one too many times herself and despite her own powers it was often intimidating. That was the way of being a woman.
Setting her jaw, the half-demon stepped out into cold bitter air, aware of it nipping at her cheeks. Thankfully, Raven had been smart enough to dress for the weather. Tugging up her turtle neck, she tucked her hands in her pockets and set off down the alleyway.
"Oh you're very nice, but I can walk to the home by myself," Starfire insisted, her sweet lilting voice carrying easily outside. Raven had come to adore the other girl's voice and the way she constructed her sentences. It used to be funny, but now it was endearing. It just made Starfire, Starfire.
"Why don't you stay a while? You're gorgeous and I'd just love to take a bite of you." The voice belonged to someone trying way too hard to sound suave.
"Oh, no biting please," Starfire winced. Lingering by a shadowed edge of the building, Raven peered around the side of a garbage bin. She didn't want to get involved unless absolutely necessary. Starfire could fight her own battles.
The Tameranean was confronted with the three boys from before, all of whom took up any space they could around her. They were like moons orbiting too close to the sun. Their postures were straight, sturdy, and strong. It made Raven's stomach coil in irritation.
"You're not the kinky type then? That's alright, I can keep it pretty simple." The same boy who'd spoken before took a step closer, planting an arm up on the wall and invading all of Starfire's personal space. It was clear she was uncomfortable. Raven noticed the way her green eyes shifted nervously, the way she pressed herself flat against the wall, and the way her breathing hitched. Closing her eyes, Starfire muttered something to herself before plastering a smile on her face.
"Simple is nice. I'd like simple," Starfire agreed, but Raven knew the poor girl had no idea what she was actually insinuating.
A shit eating grin spread across the ring leader's face and with a too firm touch, he pulled Starfire right against him and began ravishing her neck with messy kisses.
"Good girl."
"This-this is not what I meant," Starfire worried, trying to push the boy away. She could have launched him into the sun if she wanted to, but he was human and she didn't want to break him. "Please stop."
"Not simple enough? You want to get right to it?" The boy moved to unbuckle his belt. Raven had seen enough.
"Hey!" Her voice was firm as she walked calmly down the alleyway from her hiding spot. Starfire's eyes lit up excitedly and a breath of life seemed to re-enter the girl. "She said stop."
"Who are you? Her girlfriend or something?" One of the side kicks scoffed, upset he wouldn't get his opportunity to play with Starfire.
"Girlfriend? Yes!" Starfire nodded, smiling happily at Raven. For a moment, the half-demon was confused and even flustered by the words until she recalled what her priorities were.
"Little bit ugly for you," the main boy snorted, eyeing Raven enviously.
"No, she is the most beautiful girl!" Starfire insisted, taking the opportunity to back away and move closer to Raven. Rolling with the punches, Raven happily took Starfire's hand in her own and fixed a menacing glare on the trio of boys.
"Mess with her again and I'm going to break your knees. Understood?" Raven asked, arching a brow. With a defeated sigh, the group of boys sauntered out of the alleyway.
"You can unclench your fist," Star noted, looking pointedly at Raven's free hand.
"Right," Raven nodded. Her gaze soon settled on the Tameranean and she noticed the start of tears welling in the alien girl's eyes. "Oh, Star. It's okay. Come here."
"I thought they were doing the flirting. Is that not what Robin meant when he explained?" Starfire asked, burying her face in Raven's shoulder. Maybe Starfire hadn't consciously understood all that happened, but her subconscious comprehended the threatening situation she'd been placed in and it's implications.
"That's not flirting Star." Raven couldn't help but hold her friend as tightly as possible. She herself hadn't had anyone to look out for her the first time she experienced something like that, it only made sense for her to be there for Starfire. "They just want sex. That's it. Some people will do anything to get it."
"Isn't sex for people you love?" Starfire asked, pulling back from the hug to wipe away her tears.
"Sometimes. It's complicated," Raven sighed, tucking a strand of loose hair back behind Starfire's ear. "It's something I can explain better when I'm not upset, okay?"
"Okay," Starfire nodded, taking Raven's hand back in her own. Raven supposed it was for comfort. Starfire often sought out physical touch when she needed it. It was something Raven had come to accept with time. Starfire was the only one who didn't have to ask to touch her. "Raven?"
"Yeah?"
"Why did they leave me alone when I said you were my girlfriend?" Starfire looked expectantly at her friend, her green eyes burning with curiosity. "You are a girl that is my friend are you not?"
"I am," Raven smiled faintly, "but girlfriend often means something else. When people are dating, in a relationship, and they love each other they can be boyfriend and girlfriend."
"I am not a boy," Starfire frowned.
"Well, sometimes people can be boyfriend and boyfriend or girlfriend and girlfriend," Raven explained, trying to think of the best way to get her point across. "When you said I was your girlfriend-"
"They thought I would kiss you and things," Starfire determined. "I understand why they think that. I would."
"You-what?" Raven asked, confusion clouding her features.
"I would kiss you." Starfire repeated with a shrug.
"Why?" Raven asked again, aware of the tightness in her chest.
"Because you are beautiful and I love you," Starfire smiled with a tiny tilt of the head. Then, without warning, she planted a firm kiss on Raven's forehead. The shorter girl fought down a blush and nodded as if understanding something.
"Well, I love you too Star, but there's different types of love. You know that right?" Raven watched the other girl carefully. Starfire's face screwed up in thought for a moment before she gave a small squeak and repeated the gesture of kissing Raven's forehead.
"I know." Starfire's smile turned into a tiny smirk as she studied Raven's features. There was a question in those burning green eyes that Raven, admittedly, was scared to answer. "Thank you for looking out for me."
"Of course," Raven nodded, very aware of the way Starfire's thumb ran over the back of her knuckles. "Let's go get the boys shall we? I think it's time we get home. It's getting late anyways."
"Raven," Starfire frowned, "you really are beautiful. You know that right?"
"I don't know Star, no one's ever called me that before," Raven admitted.
"Then I will tell you everyday," Starfire decided, quite pleased with herself as they ventured back inside. Raven couldn't help but smile to herself. Starfire was impossibly sweet.
After about ten minutes of searching, they managed to collect both Beast Boy and Cyborg for the walk home. The two idiots were worse for wear but they could walk semi straight which was a plus. As they walked, Raven wondered what exactly her joined hand with Star's meant. She liked it, she did, but things didn't feel right. Not yet anyways. She wasn't the type of person Star should be with. She was too dark, moody, and grumpy for someone so bright and happy. Raven knew she could be stifling too, but if Star really meant that she loved her, maybe it didn't matter? Maybe Star liked Raven the way she was.
That thought alone was comforting.
Once at the tower, Raven made sure the boys got safely to their rooms before catching Robin up to speed. He insisted he'd look after them and make sure they didn't do anything dumb while heavily intoxicated. In the mean time, Raven was eager to go to bed. It'd been a long night and she was out of social battery.
Yawning, she ventured down the hallway aware of Starfire following close behind. Pausing in front of her door, Raven turned to face the other girl expectantly. Neither of them said anything  until Raven got a bit of courage. She floated a little in order to plant a small kiss on Starfire's forehead.
"Goodnight Star."
"Goodnight Raven."
The two shared a lingering moment before Raven phased through the wall and retreated into her room. Yeah, Raven still hated parties. That hadn't changed, but Raven was keenly aware that she truly did love Starfire. She wasn't proud of it, in fact she was a bit ashamed, but those thoughts belonged to the demon in her that thought she couldn't be loved.
With a sigh, Raven got ready for bed, and fell asleep wondering what would become of her relationship to Star. Whatever the case, she was just glad that Starfire was okay. In the end, that was all that mattered.