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'So, when should we try out that recent purchase?'

'Richard!'

Starfire sounded absolutely scandalised as she shrieked his name in surprise within their minds. Robin smirked, seeing her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of red.

'And here I thought you were the more open one about it.'

She shifted her eyes to Raven who sat calmly beside them, eyes closed and meditating herself.

'Perhaps but our friend is sitting right here with us.'

Robin grinned. 'Our friend who has no idea what we're talking about.'

Starfire bit her lip to suppress a giggle. 'Soon'.

'Huh?'

'In answer to your question... I would like to try soon... if you wish to?'

'I do.'

Robin considered his choice of wording and gulped. He was nervous. Very nervous in fact. And, it wasn't due to their impending love making.

Raven's voice brought him out of his momentary silence.

"A lot better recently. You're making the link a lot faster." She complimented, opening her eyes to glance between the two of them.

Robin felt his heart beat so much faster as Starfire's face completely lit up with joy. She beamed at him and clapped her hand lightly over their success in mastering their newfound ability.

Raven stretched her arms above her head and placed her feet flat on the ground. She lowered her hood and quietly smiled. It had only taken another week but she was confident in how well they were practicing and improving. The bond between them was strong and the empath could feel it. Robin and Starfire had already had a strong bond but, with the addition of the telepathy, it was practically blaring at her that they were best friends and in love with one another.

"Really, you guys don't need me to supervise your practice now. You both know how to establish the link, maintain it and close it down. You've gotten better and quicker at connecting in the last couple weeks. Just remember, the less you use it, the weaker it'll become." Raven explained,

The young couple nodded simultaneously, "Thanks again, Raven. For everything."

Raven smiled softly and nodded before turning to Starfire,

"Did you want to head out to the mall to grab that new... outfit you wanted before it gets too dark?" Raven offered,

Realisation dawned on Starfire and she blushed, suddenly refusing to look at Robin, "Oh, yes please, friend!" She giggled nervously,

Robin raised an eyebrow and was intrigued but something else was weighing on his mind and he tapped his fingers against his knee as his thoughts churned together.

"Okay, do you want to go grab your bag?" Raven asked,

Starfire opened her mouth to speak but Robin jumped in ahead of her.

"Um... actually... would-would it be okay if I could borrow Starfire for a little while? I won't keep her too long." He asked, lacing his fingers with Starfire's.

Raven shrugged; she could sense Robin's urgency to talk to Starfire and the anxiety that accompanied whatever he needed to say to her.

"Sure. Starfire, I'll be in my room. Just come and knock when you're ready. Okay?" Raven told her.

Starfire was staring at Robin in confusion. She reluctantly tore her eyes away to glance at her friend, "Of course, Raven."

With that, Raven disappeared in a cloak of black power.

Robin slowly looked down at their joint hands, eyeing her slender fingers locked with his own. Starfire tilted her head, a pang of concern in her chest.

"Robin? Is everything the okay?"

He gulped and nodded, "Yeah... uh... I just thought we could... spend a little time together."

She blinked before narrowing her eyes at him, "We have spent the entire afternoon together-"

He gave her a look, "With Raven."

Starfire softly smiled before touching his cheek with her free hand. She turned his face towards her, focusing on his deep blue eyes.

"Please... if something is troubling you, my love... do not be afraid to talk to me."

Robin tried to give a convincing smile to throw her off, "Nothing's wrong... I promise. C'mon... let's just watch the sunset for a couple minutes and then... you're free to go out with Raven and buy whatever... outfit you want."

Starfire giggled but continued to stare a him a few seconds longer, waiting for him to give something away about what he was thinking. He was acting strangely and was clearly hiding something and she was extremely curious as to what it was exactly.

Finally, she gave in, shrugging her shoulders and turning so she could lean back against him, sitting between his legs. Robin inwardly exhaled, silently thanking any God that was listening that she was simply going along with his odd behaviour.

He kissed her temple before wrapping an arm around her stomach. She immediately brought both hands of hers up to the hand on her stomach, sending a jolt of warmth through him.

Robin smiled; God, did he love the woman sitting in front of him.

It wasn't a decision he was making lightly; he'd been thinking about it ever since the night he almost lost her. It was an experience that had been just a little too close to the edge for him.

With his free hand, he gingerly ran his fingertips over the belt compartment that contained the object that was the root for all his anxiety today.

Even as he thought about it, he felt his face heat up and his heartbeat increase. He was so nerovous and idly wondered if, at the position of her head, she could hear the beat of his heart. Was it too soon? What would she say? Were they too young? Was there even a standard time on things like this?

He didn't know.

All he knew is that deep in the pit of his stomach, it felt completely right to him and that was saying something; given his past commitment concerns early on in their relationship.

Robin cleared his throat and looked down at his beautiful Princess who was smiling absently with her eyes trained on the sun as it dipped lower in the sky. He took a deep breath and felt a smidgen calmer.

Surely, he was thinking the worst of this situation. It was in his nature to do that. Starfire would never react negatively even if her answer was the one he didn't particularly want.

Starfire shifted between his legs and the hand on her stomach clenched into a fist, the nerves flooding back to him.

"S-Star?"

"Hm?"

"Can-Can I talk to you about something?"

She looked back at him with her eyebrows knitted together before she sat up and spun to face him, "Something is wrong."

He shook his head, "N-No... nothing is wrong. I promise."

"Then... why are you so... full of the jitters?" She asked, eyeing him like he was some weirdo off the street.

Robin tugged on the collar of his cape. Damn, he felt hot and he hadn't even gotten to the point yet.

"I just... ahem... okay... I've-I've been thinking about us a lot, lately... we're so good together, Star... and... I... we've been through a lot and we've been having a great time together-"

His head snapped up when he heard her sniffle. Suddenly, tears formed in her eyes and her lip quivered, "Please... this... this is the prelude to the break up?"

Robin's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, "What!?"

Starfire hiccupped and her breathing became slightly ragged, "I-I do not wish to do the breaking up, Richard... why do you wish to-"

He inwardly kicked himself. His nerves were making him do this completely wrong and now she was getting the wrong idea. He squeezed her hand and used the other to cup her cheek.

"No! God, no, Star. That isn't what this is at all... in fact, it's the complete opposite."

She blinked in surprise, "It... is is not?"

Robin smiled, "Of course not. God, I didn't spend 5 years having a crush on you, only to then date you and break up with you."

"Oh."

"My silly Princess."

Starfire gave into a timid, quiet giggle. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Then... please... what is it that you wish to speak of?"

Robin deeply inhaled, bringing his hand back down from her face.

"I... you've been on my mind a lot... and no, not just because of our link practice."

Starfire gave in a tiny, amused smile at his joke.

"We've been best friends for 5 years and now dating for just over a year... and I wouldn't change any part of it... I feel like we've gotten so much closer...

She smiled warmly, urging his to continue.

He suddenly frowned, "With the whole Slade issue... I mean... I've never been so terrified. I was so convinced you were dead... and by his hands too..."

Robin tensed slightly and she touched his wrist; just a small touch to remind him that she was here with him and that was what mattered. They would catch Slade in time; they would.

"It was... quite the wake up call for me... it made me consider some things. It made me really think about what's important to me... I was so afraid when I thought I lost you... I didn't... I really thought..."

Starfire kissed his cheek, "You have not lost me. I am here." She whispered,

Robin closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her lips against his skin. He sighed in content; the nerves were slowly but surely beginning to melt away.

"I know... but, being so close to losing you... it made me realise something."

She tilted her head curiously as Robin shuffled, taking both of her hands in his.

"Starfire... I love you. I never want to be apart from you again. I want to be with you forever... I know that's a big statement and I know we're only 21 years old... but, with you... it just feels right. And, we don't have to rush into actually going through with it for a little while."

Starfire sat back slightly, blinking at him. Her heartbeat had gotten considerably faster as she had a small inkling of where this conversation was headed.

"Robin... what is it you are attempting to say?"

He gulped and freed one of his hands, "I've never felt this way about anyone else and I know I'm not going to either. You're the only person who suits the type of personality I have. You're my best friend and I love you."

Slowly, he reached into the compartment of his belt and pulled a small velvet box out. Her eyes widened and she instinctively brings a hand to her mouth as a gasp escapes.

Starfire knew exactly what was happening; seeing as many romance movies as she had during her time on Earth, she knew.

"Richard..." She whispered with a small shake of her head,

Robin smiled nervously as he played all his cards. His walls were down and this was probably the most vulnerable he'd ever been before, in an emotional sense.

He popped open the lid of the box, revealing a beautiful silver engagement ring. It had a square shaped diamond in the centre with pieces of emerald running through the band of the ring, perfectly matching her eye colour.

Starfire fell backwards slightly in shock, using her hands to just about hold herself up. She was visibly shaking from excitement or fear, Robin couldn't tell but he hoped for the former.

"Oh!"

Robin took a giant breath to steady his voice, "Koriand'r... will you marry me?"

The Princess rapidly blinked at him and opened her mouth several times to speak with nothing coming out. She tilted her head and exhaled. She swallowed the lump in her throat, eyes darting between her boyfriend's face and the stunning ring he held out to her.

Starfire's expression was hard to read and she swallowed once more before letting her answer fall from her lips in a single breath.

Description
'So, when should we try out that recent purchase?'

'Richard!'

Starfire sounded absolutely scandalised as she shrieked his name in surprise within their minds. Robin smirked, seeing her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of red.

'And here I thought you were the more open one about it.'

She shifted her eyes to Raven who sat calmly beside them, eyes closed and meditating herself.

'Perhaps but our friend is sitting right here with us.'

Robin grinned. 'Our friend who has no idea what we're talking about.'

Starfire bit her lip to suppress a giggle. 'Soon'.

'Huh?'

'In answer to your question... I would like to try soon... if you wish to?'

'I do.'

Robin considered his choice of wording and gulped. He was nervous. Very nervous in fact. And, it wasn't due to their impending love making.

Raven's voice brought him out of his momentary silence.

"A lot better recently. You're making the link a lot faster." She complimented, opening her eyes to glance between the two of them.

Robin felt his heart beat so much faster as Starfire's face completely lit up with joy. She beamed at him and clapped her hand lightly over their success in mastering their newfound ability.

Raven stretched her arms above her head and placed her feet flat on the ground. She lowered her hood and quietly smiled. It had only taken another week but she was confident in how well they were practicing and improving. The bond between them was strong and the empath could feel it. Robin and Starfire had already had a strong bond but, with the addition of the telepathy, it was practically blaring at her that they were best friends and in love with one another.

"Really, you guys don't need me to supervise your practice now. You both know how to establish the link, maintain it and close it down. You've gotten better and quicker at connecting in the last couple weeks. Just remember, the less you use it, the weaker it'll become." Raven explained,

The young couple nodded simultaneously, "Thanks again, Raven. For everything."

Raven smiled softly and nodded before turning to Starfire,

"Did you want to head out to the mall to grab that new... outfit you wanted before it gets too dark?" Raven offered,

Realisation dawned on Starfire and she blushed, suddenly refusing to look at Robin, "Oh, yes please, friend!" She giggled nervously,

Robin raised an eyebrow and was intrigued but something else was weighing on his mind and he tapped his fingers against his knee as his thoughts churned together.

"Okay, do you want to go grab your bag?" Raven asked,

Starfire opened her mouth to speak but Robin jumped in ahead of her.

"Um... actually... would-would it be okay if I could borrow Starfire for a little while? I won't keep her too long." He asked, lacing his fingers with Starfire's.

Raven shrugged; she could sense Robin's urgency to talk to Starfire and the anxiety that accompanied whatever he needed to say to her.

"Sure. Starfire, I'll be in my room. Just come and knock when you're ready. Okay?" Raven told her.

Starfire was staring at Robin in confusion. She reluctantly tore her eyes away to glance at her friend, "Of course, Raven."

With that, Raven disappeared in a cloak of black power.

Robin slowly looked down at their joint hands, eyeing her slender fingers locked with his own. Starfire tilted her head, a pang of concern in her chest.

"Robin? Is everything the okay?"

He gulped and nodded, "Yeah... uh... I just thought we could... spend a little time together."

She blinked before narrowing her eyes at him, "We have spent the entire afternoon together-"

He gave her a look, "With Raven."

Starfire softly smiled before touching his cheek with her free hand. She turned his face towards her, focusing on his deep blue eyes.

"Please... if something is troubling you, my love... do not be afraid to talk to me."

Robin tried to give a convincing smile to throw her off, "Nothing's wrong... I promise. C'mon... let's just watch the sunset for a couple minutes and then... you're free to go out with Raven and buy whatever... outfit you want."

Starfire giggled but continued to stare a him a few seconds longer, waiting for him to give something away about what he was thinking. He was acting strangely and was clearly hiding something and she was extremely curious as to what it was exactly.

Finally, she gave in, shrugging her shoulders and turning so she could lean back against him, sitting between his legs. Robin inwardly exhaled, silently thanking any God that was listening that she was simply going along with his odd behaviour.

He kissed her temple before wrapping an arm around her stomach. She immediately brought both hands of hers up to the hand on her stomach, sending a jolt of warmth through him.

Robin smiled; God, did he love the woman sitting in front of him.

It wasn't a decision he was making lightly; he'd been thinking about it ever since the night he almost lost her. It was an experience that had been just a little too close to the edge for him.

With his free hand, he gingerly ran his fingertips over the belt compartment that contained the object that was the root for all his anxiety today.

Even as he thought about it, he felt his face heat up and his heartbeat increase. He was so nerovous and idly wondered if, at the position of her head, she could hear the beat of his heart. Was it too soon? What would she say? Were they too young? Was there even a standard time on things like this?

He didn't know.

All he knew is that deep in the pit of his stomach, it felt completely right to him and that was saying something; given his past commitment concerns early on in their relationship.

Robin cleared his throat and looked down at his beautiful Princess who was smiling absently with her eyes trained on the sun as it dipped lower in the sky. He took a deep breath and felt a smidgen calmer.

Surely, he was thinking the worst of this situation. It was in his nature to do that. Starfire would never react negatively even if her answer was the one he didn't particularly want.

Starfire shifted between his legs and the hand on her stomach clenched into a fist, the nerves flooding back to him.

"S-Star?"

"Hm?"

"Can-Can I talk to you about something?"

She looked back at him with her eyebrows knitted together before she sat up and spun to face him, "Something is wrong."

He shook his head, "N-No... nothing is wrong. I promise."

"Then... why are you so... full of the jitters?" She asked, eyeing him like he was some weirdo off the street.

Robin tugged on the collar of his cape. Damn, he felt hot and he hadn't even gotten to the point yet.

"I just... ahem... okay... I've-I've been thinking about us a lot, lately... we're so good together, Star... and... I... we've been through a lot and we've been having a great time together-"

His head snapped up when he heard her sniffle. Suddenly, tears formed in her eyes and her lip quivered, "Please... this... this is the prelude to the break up?"

Robin's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, "What!?"

Starfire hiccupped and her breathing became slightly ragged, "I-I do not wish to do the breaking up, Richard... why do you wish to-"

He inwardly kicked himself. His nerves were making him do this completely wrong and now she was getting the wrong idea. He squeezed her hand and used the other to cup her cheek.

"No! God, no, Star. That isn't what this is at all... in fact, it's the complete opposite."

She blinked in surprise, "It... is is not?"

Robin smiled, "Of course not. God, I didn't spend 5 years having a crush on you, only to then date you and break up with you."

"Oh."

"My silly Princess."

Starfire gave into a timid, quiet giggle. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Then... please... what is it that you wish to speak of?"

Robin deeply inhaled, bringing his hand back down from her face.

"I... you've been on my mind a lot... and no, not just because of our link practice."

Starfire gave in a tiny, amused smile at his joke.

"We've been best friends for 5 years and now dating for just over a year... and I wouldn't change any part of it... I feel like we've gotten so much closer...

She smiled warmly, urging his to continue.

He suddenly frowned, "With the whole Slade issue... I mean... I've never been so terrified. I was so convinced you were dead... and by his hands too..."

Robin tensed slightly and she touched his wrist; just a small touch to remind him that she was here with him and that was what mattered. They would catch Slade in time; they would.

"It was... quite the wake up call for me... it made me consider some things. It made me really think about what's important to me... I was so afraid when I thought I lost you... I didn't... I really thought..."

Starfire kissed his cheek, "You have not lost me. I am here." She whispered,

Robin closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her lips against his skin. He sighed in content; the nerves were slowly but surely beginning to melt away.

"I know... but, being so close to losing you... it made me realise something."

She tilted her head curiously as Robin shuffled, taking both of her hands in his.

"Starfire... I love you. I never want to be apart from you again. I want to be with you forever... I know that's a big statement and I know we're only 21 years old... but, with you... it just feels right. And, we don't have to rush into actually going through with it for a little while."

Starfire sat back slightly, blinking at him. Her heartbeat had gotten considerably faster as she had a small inkling of where this conversation was headed.

"Robin... what is it you are attempting to say?"

He gulped and freed one of his hands, "I've never felt this way about anyone else and I know I'm not going to either. You're the only person who suits the type of personality I have. You're my best friend and I love you."

Slowly, he reached into the compartment of his belt and pulled a small velvet box out. Her eyes widened and she instinctively brings a hand to her mouth as a gasp escapes.

Starfire knew exactly what was happening; seeing as many romance movies as she had during her time on Earth, she knew.

"Richard..." She whispered with a small shake of her head,

Robin smiled nervously as he played all his cards. His walls were down and this was probably the most vulnerable he'd ever been before, in an emotional sense.

He popped open the lid of the box, revealing a beautiful silver engagement ring. It had a square shaped diamond in the centre with pieces of emerald running through the band of the ring, perfectly matching her eye colour.

Starfire fell backwards slightly in shock, using her hands to just about hold herself up. She was visibly shaking from excitement or fear, Robin couldn't tell but he hoped for the former.

"Oh!"

Robin took a giant breath to steady his voice, "Koriand'r... will you marry me?"

The Princess rapidly blinked at him and opened her mouth several times to speak with nothing coming out. She tilted her head and exhaled. She swallowed the lump in her throat, eyes darting between her boyfriend's face and the stunning ring he held out to her.

Starfire's expression was hard to read and she swallowed once more before letting her answer fall from her lips in a single breath.