Fan Fiction ❯ Enduring Love ❯ Love's the Easy Part ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans nor do I own Do As Infinity. ^_^ I will say that I love the group.

Enduring Love

[Chap. 1 - Love's the Easy Part]

Starfire tossed uneasily in her sleep. For days now, her mind couldn't let go of something. See, after her tryst in the future, Starfire had been unable to figure out why the future Raven had been so - strange. She had figured that it had something to do with having no friends, but even the Tamaran princess knew there was more. Sighing, she thought about how much she'd loved to find out what that something more was.

Her eyes snapped opened in surprise. That was it! Love! How could she not have seen that sooner? As seemily cold as Raven was, she was human... well, kind of anyway. Still, being part human she needed what every other human wanted in order to survive - love. Then it dawned on Starfire. Where was Raven going to find the love she needed? Due to past conversations between the two of them, Starfire knew Raven had absolutely no interest in the boys and she knew of no other friend or person that Raven trusted. Well, except for her.

Quirking her eyebrow, Starfire thought about that for a moment. It was true that she had seemed to be the only person Raven was actually close to. If she wanted to, Starfire could try to show Raven love and not of the 'just friends' kind. She frowned, knowing there were too many factors to that though. First being, she didn't know how Raven might react to the idea of being with a girl. Personally, Starfire saw nothing wrong with it. She wasn't a lesbian but if need be, especially for a friend, she could be if it would make her friend happy.

Secondly, Starfire was afraid to lose Raven's friendship. Sure the guys were entertaining but she couldn't discuss clothes or the latest fashion with them. And their odd ritual of belching contests, while being somewhat fun, were beyond her understanding. Thirdly, she knew that Robin was in love with her. Anyone with any kind of sense knew that and she didn't want to hurt him. Yet, she was deathly afraid of the future she had seen her friends in. Though, now that she thought of it, Robin seemed quite well off. So why shouldn't she try to make Raven's future just as enthralling?

In her mind, it was decided. Starfire would attempt to show Raven a deeper love. One that would last with her for as long as time. For the first time in days, Starfire closed her eyes and fell asleep right away.
* *

"I do not think that is your color, dear friend, " Starfire said, referring to the yellow socks that Raven wore under her boots.

"I didn't have any other clean socks," Raven replied with a small blush. "Plus, it's not like anyone can see them with my boots on."

"Ah, but you have them off now, so I can see them." Starfire said, enjoying teasing her friend.

"Oh, be quiet!"

Raven gave her a small smile and settled back on her bed. Behind close doors, Raven was a normal teenage, from Starfire's point of view anyway. Behind her, the stereo played a soft song by a group Starfire couldn't remember the name of. The music were calming, though she couldn't understand the lyrics.

"Do As Infinity," Raven said, watching Starfire curiously.

"Huh?"

"The name of the group playing is Do As Infinity, a Japanese group. You're trying to remember the name of who's playing, right?"

With a flushed face, Starfire nodded and smiled. "Thanks." Raven simply nodded in reply. It had been hard to hide her plan, but Star was determined. Yet, every time she looked at Raven, she felt as though the other girl was peering into her mind. Which could be possible, even at this moment. However, she knew Raven had enough trust in her not to . . . or so she'd like to think. Anyway, if she was, Raven would have known about her plan and said something. Wouldn't she?

Casting a glance at the purple haired girl, she was relieved to see no indication of that being so. Worried, Starfire had to make sure Raven wasn't reading her mind.

"How did you know, Raven?"

"Know what?"

"That I could not remember the name of the group."

"Lucky guess. You normally don't have that face unless you're trying to remember something." Raven was smirking.

"What face?"

Sitting up, Raven looked her in the eyes. A small chill ran through Starfire's body. She might want to show Raven love because they are friends, but it didn't hurt that she found Raven pretty. Those eyes staring into hers were actually driving her wild, something that never happened before. Maybe, deep inside, Starfire was realizing her true feelings toward Raven. No, couldn't be. She loved her deeply as a friend or did she? Starfire wondered briefly where all this self-doubt had suddenly come from.

"You wrinkle your nose up and you have a small frown when you're trying to remember things. You also tend to put your finger to your chin and tap it twice," Raven answered.

"I can't remember ever doing that."

Frowning slightly and wrinkling her nose, Starfire tapped her index finger on her chin as she tried to remember if she ever did that. Shaking her head, Raven quirked an eyebrow at her friend. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, Starfire smiled and scratched the back of her head. She smiled to show that she had been silly and Raven was right, but inside she couldn't help find it strange that Raven had noticed something as redundant as that. Maybe things would work out if she was to follow through with her plan. Yet, as she opened her mouth, her throat froze.

For the first time, Starfire was nervous about being near Raven. As badly as she wanted to say somethiing, she couldn't. So she closed her mouth and watched her friend who had been watching her all this time.

"What's wrong, Star? You're usually never this quiet."

"Uh... I-I was just thinking."

"About? ," Raven asked, her voice suspicious.

"Nothing, friend. It was silly."

"Star, don't you know I can read you like a book? Just by your face I can tell you're lying. Tell me what's on your mind. Don't make me read your thoughts." Raven was smirking again.

"Do you do that often?" Starfire's face was serious for once, catching Raven off guard.

"Do what? Read your mind? Jeeze, I thought you'd know me better than that. As my friend, I trust you enough not to probe your mind. I trust you to tell me things when you want, not because I forced you to by reading your mind. Plus, like I said before, I can read you like a book. Why do I need to peer into your thoughts?" Raven was frowning now.

"I did not mean to upset you, Raven. I only wished to know if you read my mind or not."

Starfire's eyes were betraying the smile she had. They showed the depth of her worries but Raven didn't say anything. Prefering, as she had said, to let her friend tell her instead. Sighing, Starfire was never good at holding back her feelings and that was why she couldn't hide them anymore. She knew that Raven could see the stress of recent days on her face, but at least now she knew why Raven hadn't asked about it.

It was odd trying to find the words to say. Instead, Starfire decided to let her hands start the conversation that might end their friendship. Raven's eyes widen some as her friend's hand gently caressed her cheek. Still she said nothing, rather enjoying the warmth against her face.

"Raven, remember when I went to the future? ," Starfire finally asked. Raven nodded. "Did I ever tell you how much it hurted to see you there? That I almost cried when your future self sent me away?"

Shaking her head, Raven said nothing.

"Since I have been back, I could not stop thinking about that incident. Why were you so alone? I did not like witnessing you like that." Tears were forming in her eyes, but she continued. "Last night, I laid away thinking of why you were like that and what I could do to keep you from being so sad. I have made a decision."

"What is it? ," Raven asked, inside, knowing what it might be.

"With your permission, I would like to become your lover. Of course, if you think I am foolish or disgusting, then I understand and I will leave."

Pulling her hand away from Raven, Starfire made to get up and leave but Raven grabbed her hand. Looking up, tears blurred her vision, but she could just make out the smile on her friend's lips.

"Why do you want to be my lover? What makes you think I go that way? ," Raven asked. Surprisingly, her voice was calm and almost teasing.

"I do not know what way you wish to go. I do, however, know you are my dearest friend and I would hate to see you hurt."

"Star, being anyone's lover, male or female, is a big decision that I don't think you're ready to accept just yet." Raven kissed the back of Starfire's hand. "That's why I would rather have you as my girlfriend."

Blinking, Starfire stared at her.

"But Raven, I am your girl friend."

Sweatdropping, Raven kissed Star on the cheek. "No, I meant 'girlfriend' as in the person I am dating."

Blushing, Starfire smiled wide and sincerely in understanding. "I am so happy, Raven! Thank you! I promise I will be an excellent girlfriend!"

"Just promise to love me," Raven said in a small voice.

Hugging her, Starfire whispered, "I already do."