A Tameranean's Raven

Moon and Sun

The Tower had been turned into something akin to a horrible high school dance venue. What they were celebrating, Raven wasn't exactly sure, but Robin insisted that it needed to be perfect so she did her best to help.
"What is this for again?" She asked, passing him a set of streamers as he perched on the edge of a ladder.
"Titans East is throwing a celebration for their new recruits," Robin explained, carefully stringing up the streamers from the ceiling.
"And why can't they do that at their place?" Raven frowned, already disliking the bright colors slowly taking over her home.
"It's under renovation. They have to expand and make room for their new recruits so I figured it would be helpful to host the event here." With a small nod, Robin deemed his work decent enough to leap off the ladder. He landed lithely on the floor before collecting the ladder and venturing over to the kitchen.
"Star, move it a little to the left," Cyborg directed, having Starfire and Beast Boy rearrange furniture. Needless to say, watching a giant green gorilla move a couch was not something Raven expected to witness in her lifetime.
"Friend Cyborg, is it not easier to host the venue on the roof?" Starfire asked, holding a lounge chair with one hand.
"And risk somebody falling off?" Cyborg asked.
"She has a point you know," Raven admitted, tapping Robin on the shoulder to get his attention. "Not to ruin everything we've worked on, but how are we supposed to fit this many people inside the tower?"
"That's where Cy comes in," Robin promised. "He's got a whole contraption set up to expand the floor of the tower."
"And it's safe?" Raven worried, watching as Cyborg collected a remote and pushed a button. For a moment nothing happened until the sound of gears whirring and cables tugging filled the space. Raven peered out the window watching as a section of the tower spread out. She could see hydraulics working to transform the building. "I don't know..."
"What? You don't trust my work?" Cyborg asked, smiling widely as he gestured to all the new open space.
"It's not that I don't trust your work, Cy, it's that I don't trust things not to get out of hand. Let's not forget we're a bunch of young adults with super powers now. We used to be a hell of a lot more responsible when we were younger. Back when we didn't understand the throes of the high life." Raven knew a handful of people who'd gotten a little too rowdy on more than one occasion. One such person was Beast Boy.
"It'll be fine, I'll keep things orderly," Robin promised.
"Do I have to attend?" Raven asked, eyeing Robin's hand which had settled on her shoulder.
"I mean, I suppose not but it'll be fun," he smiled, trying to encourage her.
"It'll be loud and horrible," Raven countered.
"Suit yourself," Robin shrugged, taking back his hand. He lingered a moment before moving to help Cyborg sync up the lights he'd installed.
"Do you really not wish to attend?" Starfire asked, quick to fly over to where Raven stood.
"It's not my cup of tea, Star. You know that," Raven sighed.
"Yes, but would it not be fun to dance?" Starfire asked, taking Raven's hands in her own. "I can teach you one from Tamaran."
"I'd rather not do that in front of a bunch of other people," Raven admitted, unable to keep her guilt at bay. She hated seeing Starfire's excitement fade, but Raven really did hate these kinds of events. She hadn't easily forgotten the last party she'd gone to.
"I understand," Starfire smiled warmly, taking the opportunity spare the half demon a tender kiss. "I will tell you all about it."
"I would like that," Raven smiled ever so slightly. "I'll probably be in my room most of the night. If you need me for anything you can find me there, okay?"
"Alright," Starfire nodded, her attention being called elsewhere as Cyborg requested her help to move a rather large speaker. Raven let her go, now painfully aware of the other girl's absence. The air around her always felt colder when Starfire left.
Leaving the rest of the work to the party go-ers, Raven busied herself with re-organizing her book shelf. She'd let Starfire borrow a few and they needed to be put back into their proper homes.
— — —
Already, Raven could hear the unnecessarily loud music in the main section of the tower. She could practically see the blaring lights through the walls. Perhaps staying in her room wouldn't be as effective as she thought. With a sigh, the half demon flipped the page of her book when her door slid open ever so carefully.
"Raven?" It was Starfire. She looked rather nervous as she stepped into the room. A dress adorned her body in a color that mirrored her usual uniform. It hugged her nicely but not too tightly, and settled just above the knees. "May you zip up the dress for me?"
"Sure." Setting her book aside, Raven abandoned her seat and ventured over to the other girl. Carefully brushing Starfire's hair out of the way, Raven wrestled with the zipper for a moment before effectively tugging it up into place. "There."
"Thank you," Starfire smiled, turning around to hug her partner tightly.
"You look absolutely beautiful Star," Raven sighed, happily returning the hug. Just Starfire's smile alone could make her the most beautiful person in the world as far as Raven was concerned.
"Robin helped me pick out the dress. He was very sweet," Starfire admitted, her eyes studying Raven as if she were afraid the half-demon would be mad.
"Good. I'm glad he was able to help you. Shopping isn't really my thing," Raven shrugged. In truth, it had taken impossibly long for things to no longer be awkward between Starfire and Robin. She was glad the two had rekindled a proper friendship over the last few months. "The dress suits you."
"I'll tell him you liked it," Starfire decided, stepping back and turning to the door. Raven managed to catch the other girl's hand before she left.
"Remember, it's okay to say no. If they don't listen get mean and make them listen," Raven insisted.
"I know," Starfire promised, giving Raven's hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving the book worm to her own devices. Neither of them had forgotten Starfire's first 'adult' party experience. With a shiver, Raven pushed the memory aside and settled back into her chair. Kicking up her feet she went back to studying and was soon enveloped in a world of knowledge.
She wasn't exactly sure how much time had passed until Starfire re-entered the room grinning excitedly. Arching a brow, Raven set the book down.
"You look happy," Raven noted, stifling a smile as Starfire twirled about excitedly in the air.
"They are going to play a slow song!" The Tameranean clapped her hands happily. "I was hoping you would come be my partner."
"Oh." Raven tried to hide her apprehension but Starfire was quick to pick up on the tone of her voice.
"I know this is not your cup of the tea but I would greatly enjoy it." Starfire settled back on the floor, clasping her hands together in hope.
"I don't know Star," Raven sighed, "I don't really want everyone to know about us."
"Is it a shameful thing to be with me?" Starfire worried.
"No! No, that's...no. It's just that some people aren't exactly cool with it like the boys are. Some people view the world differently and they think it's improper for two girls to be in a relationship. They find it weird and unnatural," Raven explained.
"But I am an alien. My love for you is the least weird thing about me," Starfire protested, frowning in thought. "Everyone here is weird. We are all inhuman in some way are we not? They ought to understand."
Raven had to admit, Starfire did have a point. Not a single person in the tower didn't have some weird aspect to them. Whether it was being an alien, a half demon, or having strange super powers. If people could accept superpowers as normal then they should be fine with her relationship to Starfire.
"Alright, I'll dance with you but I don't have much to wear," Raven admitted, setting her book aside.
"I will be back. I will go as Robin for the advice." In a flash, Starfire was gone only to return later with a set of clothes. "Here, he says these will fit you."
"Thanks Star." Raven spared the other girl a quick kiss and shooed her out of the room to change. It wasn't exactly Raven's type of outfit but it would do. She wore a set of nice pants and shoes with a suit jacket open at the top. To be frank, she felt rather naked without a shirt underneath but Starfire's reaction was all Raven needed to be quite comfortable in the outfit.
The adorable alien was waiting impatiently in the hall for Raven to emerge from her room. It took forever until at last, the half demon appeared. Starfire clapped excitedly and pulled Raven into a bone crushing hug. After a moment, she stepped back to examine the outfit. It was stunning to say the least, and she couldn't help but run her hands over Raven's collar bones.
Curiosity got the best of Starfire and her hands slipped further into the open top of the jacket eager to explore when Raven caught her by the wrists. The half demon was blushing like mad and it took her a moment to properly formulate a sentence.
"Ask first, Star," Raven breathed, clearing her throat.
"Oh! My apologies," Starfire sighed, "I was curious."
"It's alright," Raven soothed, pressing a kiss to her counter part's forehead. "I'll explain."
And Raven did. She told Starfire why people had to ask before touching someone else and being intimate. The Tameranean, bless her heart, apologized profusely much to Raven's amusement.
"It won't happen again, I promise," Starfire insisted. "I just...wonder. That's all."
This time it was Starfire's turn to blush.
"I know, but when you touch someone like that it gives off a certain impression," Raven explained, taking Starfire's hands in her own.
"Like the sex?" Starfire frowned.
"Yeah," Raven laughed.
"It was not fun when Robin and I did it. It was...painful. He was heavy and I felt like I couldn't do the breathing. It was rough and messy." Starfire's face scrunched up in distaste. Then she seemed to remember who she was talking to. "I did not know that's what we did at the time. You probably do not like me much anymore."
"What? Why would you think that?" Raven asked, gently tilting Starfire's chin so she would look at her.
"Earth culture values the virginity. I have read much about it. Robin did not share such information with me at the time," Starfire frowned.
"Sometimes the boys forget you don't know as much as they do. It's okay though, I'm not upset. Your value doesn't reside in who your partners have been." Raven's words took a moment to settle in before Starfire's frown disappeared. It was replaced with a grateful smile and another very tight hug.
"Thank you Raven," Starfire sighed. "I would like to try it sometime. The sex with you."
For a moment, Raven's brain short circuited and she was very thankful Starfire couldn't see the deep blush setting in. "That's, uh, that's good to know. I'll keep that in mind. For now, we have a dance to get to, yes?"
"Oh yes!" Immediately Starfire's attention switched back to the party. Taking Raven's hand in her own, she half dragged half pulled Raven out to the main floor of the tower. Just as Raven had suspected, the music was incredibly loud and the lights were impossibly bright. Squinting, she let Starfire lead her through the crowd. Then, all at once, the Tamaranean vanished leaving Raven alone in a sea of people she didn't know or like.
Shrinking in on herself, Raven had the urge to phase through the floor and out of sight. Hell, she suddenly wished she had her cloak to hide in. Muttering a string of curses, the half demon did her best to remain unnoticed until Starfire came back. Raven followed the alien girl's gaze to see Cyborg manning the DJ booth giving Starfire a thumbs up as the music changed to a slow drawl.
"You set this up," Raven noted, finding it hard to truly be mad. Starfire gave her a bashful smile in return and carefully took Raven up in her arms.
"Cyborg helped me practice before the party. He's very good at the slow dancing," Starfire blushed, her green eyes now a soft and gentle hue. With a bit of concentration, Starfire found the rhythm and began the dance just like she'd practiced with Cyborg. Much to her surprise, Raven fell in step with ease. "You have danced before?"
"A few times," Raven admitted with a small shrug. "I figured it'd be useful someday and I guess I was right."
"This is splendid!" Starfire smiled brightly, adding a bit of flare to the dance much to Raven's amusement. For a while, the only thing that existed was Starfire. The Tameranean's warm touch, her gentle eyes, and the twist of a gleeful smile on her face. Then Raven heard the whispers and felt the stares just as she had feared for so long.
"They're staring," she muttered, catching a few curious and confused expressions in her peripheral.
"That is okay. Do not mind them. Focus on me," Starfire encouraged, taking Raven's chin in her hand and planting a firm kiss on the half demon's lips. With a sigh, Raven nodded, hiding her face in the crook of Starfire's neck. She couldn't see the world around her anymore but that was okay. All that mattered was Starfire and making her happy.
The song seemed to last an eternity before it came to an end. As Starfire slowed the dance into a slight sway, she noticed the pacing of Raven's breathing. The half demon was half asleep on her shoulder. With a small giggle, the Tameranean gently took Raven's face in her hands and kissed the sleeping girl awake.
"Is it morning yet?" Raven joked, studying the taller girl through bleary eyes.
"Thank you for dancing with me," Starfire mused, trailing her thumbs over the pale girl's cheeks. "You are pretty good at the dancing even while sleeping."
"Awe, I'm sorry Star. You're just really comfortable," Raven blushed, rubbing lightly at her eyes as she leaned into the Tameranean's touch.
"It is alright. You are very cute when you sleep." Glancing about, Starfire noticed that a few people were still watching them intently. She could understand why it made Raven so uncomfortable. Their romantic affairs ought to be their own without unnecessary attention. "You may go to bed now if you wish."
"I'd like that," Raven admitted, "are you going to be staying up?"
"For now, yes, but I can join you when I am done," Starfire promised.
"I'd like that," Raven smiled, stifling a yawn. Starfire bestowed one last kiss on her partner before Raven more than willingly phased through the floor.
— — —
Starfire spent the rest of the evening mingling with new friends and old ones too. She was grateful for the most part that no one asked about her relationship with Raven. She didn't feel like it was necessary to explain. People ought to take it at face value.
As the clock moved past midnight, and the party began to die out, the Tameranean assumed it was time for her to bid everyone a goodnight. She was more than tired herself, and admittedly, she missed Raven. Floating down the halls, she changed quickly and with ease, having traded out sets of Cyborg's old shirts to sleep in, for some of Raven's.
Collecting her favorite blanket, Starfire slipped quietly into Raven's room and claimed her side of the bed. She was halfway under the covers when she realized that Raven was completely topless. A bit of panic set in before the half demon cracked open her eyes.
"How was the rest of the party?" Raven asked, adjusting her position in bed.
"Wonderful....you-you are aware that you are not in your pajamas," Starfire noted.
"Mhm," Raven nodded, rolling onto her back and tucking her arms behind her head as she closed her eyes again. "You said you were curious. Curiosity killed the cat so I figured I'd indulge you a little."
"May I?" Starfire asked, recalling their previous conversation as she clambered into bed.
"Yes," Raven nodded. The half demon was intensely aware of warm fingertips settling on her stomach and hesitantly fanning outwards. "It's okay Star, really. You don't have to be scared."
With a small nod, the Tameranean let her hands traverse the ridges if Raven's ribs, flatten out along her sternum, and investigate the more tender aspects of her chest.
"You really are beautiful, Raven," Starfire whispered, tracing a series of shapes on the half demon's stomach.
"Thank you," Raven smiled, opening her eyes to study her partner. Starfire's expression was one of pure wonder. There wasn't a single lustfull ounce to her gaze. She was quite honestly, and simply, mesmerized. "You're beautiful too, you know."
"I am?" Starfire asked, looking expectantly at Raven.
"You're as stunning as the sun," Raven promised, pulling the other girl closer and giving her a passionate and earnest kiss. "I love you dearly."
"I love you too," Starfire smiled brightly, her green eyes glowing happily in the dark.
Their only company was a few beams of moonlight trickling in through the curtains but as far as Starfire was concerned, it only made Raven more beautiful. The half demon seemed to drink in the moonlight. It was captivating.
"Get some sleep Star. You'll be grumpy tomorrow if you don't," Raven warned, closing her own eyes and rolling onto her side. She felt a shift in the bed for a moment before Raven was pulled into a firm and warm hug. It took her a moment to realize she was flush against Starfire's skin. The Tameranean had removed her own top without a word.
Raven would never verbally admit it, but she was quite comfortable with the current arrangement. She had a tendency to be cold at night, and having Starfire as a personal heater was an easy fix to that problem. But Raven also got the idea that Starfire just wanted to be close to her. As close as possible because right now that's all she really knew how to do as far as expressing her feelings.
Raven could say the most beautiful things to Starfire and leave the other girl blushing, but Starfire didn't have the linguistic skills to return the favor. This was enough though. Raven understood the meaning behind the actions. To others it may have seemed exceptionally flirtatious or dirty, but that wasn't who Starfire was. People didn't give the Tameranean enough credit for her thoughtfulness and feelings.
"Raven?" Starfire whispered, drawing the half demon's attention.
"Yeah Star?"
"If I am the sun....will you be my moon?" Starfire asked hopefully, hiding her face in the space between Raven's shoulder blades.
"Always," Raven promised, feeling a light kiss grace the skin of her back.
That night was one of the first nights Raven felt genuinely safe in her own room and bed. Her dreams did not shift into nightmares and the call of the demon inside her was effectively smothered. With Star, things were okay. They were exactly as they should have been. Raven didn't quite understand how she'd gotten so lucky after years of misfortune, but she wasn't going to complain. Starfire was the best thing to happen to her. That much she was certain of.