Flash Fiction Month 2016

Day 2: Pain (RaeStar)

He struck her.
The shock almost hurt more than the blow itself.
Almost.
Pain blossomed outwards from her cheekbone, and Starfire couldn't help but cry out, falling to her knees.
Robin didn't say a word; he just stalked out of the room, the doors sliding all too quietly closed behind him.
Starfire stayed on the floor, trembling, trying to comprehend what had just happened. She gingerly raised a hand to her cheek, felt the swelling that was starting to press her eye closed. The whole left side of her face throbbed horribly.
Forcing in a few deep breaths, the Tamaranean girl got to her feet, and stumbled her way to the only place she could think to go.
*
Raven finished her page before setting her book aside and answering the knock at her door.
A tear-streaked face stared at her pleadingly as the door slid open a sliver.
Immediately she opened the door wider, reaching out to Starfire even as she cannoned into her arms. The redhead was shaking like a leaf as she clutched at Raven's cloak, sobbing into her shoulder.
"S-Star? What's -"
Raven pried Starfire off her and held her at arm's length. Her words abandonned her when she saw Starfire's face.
Her left eye was swollen shut, the beginnings of a red bruise spreading across her cheek.
Raven pulled her into the room and closed the door.
"What happened?" she asked, leading Starfire across to the bed and sitting her down.
Starfire took a few breaths to control her sobs.
"R-Robin..."
Raven felt cold hatred curdle in her stomach, and quickly brought it under control.
"Robin did this?" She ran feather-light fingers over the bruise.
Starfire nodded, grimacing.
"Why?"
"I do not know," Starfire choked out. "He was just so angry..."
Starfire's shoulders shook as she was wracked with silent sobs.
"Easy, Star, it's alright," Raven comforted. "Just stay still for a moment, okay?"
Starfire did as she was told, turning her bruised cheek to Raven. The empath ghosted her hands over it slowly, channelling her magic into healing the wound. The bruise cleared and the swelling went down.
Starfire sighed as the pain faded.
"Thank you, Raven."
"No problem."
Starfire sniffled, and Raven offered her a tissue.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked as Starfire blew her nose.
Starfire shook her head.
"You'll have to eventually, you know."
"I know. But I... I do not feel that now is... It is too soon," she tried to explain. Raven just nodded, feeling the swirling emotions radiating off the other girl.
Confusion, hurt, fear...
Raven put her arms around Starfire's waist and drew her in for a hug. Starfire didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around Raven's shoulders and cling to her tightly, searching for a sense of comfort and safety.
"Don't worry Star," Raven murmured to her. "I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Starfire nodded, and started to cry again.