Hikaru descended the Tower stairs the next morning to find the kitchen already buzzing with activity. Cyborg stood at the stove flipping pancakes while Beast Boy raided the fridge. Kid Flash vibrated impatiently by the toaster, and Donna sat at the counter reading on her phone.
But his attention locked onto Starfire.
She stood in the middle of the kitchen wearing an oversized shirt that he had given her to sleep in and a pair of Raven's black sweatpants, her red hair slightly disheveled from sleep. In her hands, she held a box of Lucky Charms, turning it over with the intense focus of an archaeologist examining an ancient artifact.
"These... colorful squares," she said slowly, squinting at the leprechaun on the box. "They are sustenance?"
"They're called cereal," Hikaru said, sliding onto a barstool beside Donna. "And yeah, it's the go-to for an authentic American breakfast."
"Yeah! Try it with milk!" Beast Boy added enthusiastically, already pouring himself a bowl.
Starfire's eyes lit up. "Milk! Yes, I have heard of this."
What happened next made everyone pause.
She upended the entire box into a mixing bowl—easily three times the size of a normal cereal bowl—then grabbed the gallon of milk and poured until the bowl nearly overflowed.
Six pairs of eyes stared.
Starfire lifted the bowl with both hands and took a massive bite, marshmallows and oat pieces crunching loudly. Her face brightened. "It is... crunchy!"
"She's gonna fit in just fine," Cyborg said, grinning as he slid a plate of pancakes onto the counter.
Hikaru found himself watching with an amused smile. An expression Donna matched. Across the kitchen, even Raven's mouth twitched upward before she returned to her tea.
As breakfast wrapped up, Robin leaned back in his chair arms crossed, clearly in planning mode.
"Koriand'r needs Earth clothes," he announced. "Someone should take her shopping."
The room went silent.
Everyone looked at each other.
"Shouldn't a girl go with her?" Hikaru suggested.
Raven didn't even look up from her book. "Not it."
"I have training with Wonder Woman later," Donna said looking apologetic.
"I barely wear clothes," Cyborg pointed out.
"I can go!" Kid Flash volunteered.
Beast Boy snorted. "With your fashion sense?"
"Dude, you practically wear the same thing every day!"
"That's called having a signature look!"
Starfire's gaze drifted across the room and landed on Hikaru. She tilted her head, expression hopeful.
He felt six pairs of eyes turn toward him.
Hikaru sighed. "Alright. Let's go shopping."
"Oh! I would love for friend Seraph to accompany me!" Starfire clasped her hands together.
"You can just call me Hikaru," he said, standing.
Starfire blinked. "Is Seraph not your name?"
"It's more of a codename, for when we go on missions."
"Oh." She processed this. "Perhaps I could get one of these codenames?"
Hikaru pretended to think for a moment, tapping his chin. "How about... Starfire?"
Her entire face lit up. "Oh! Starfire! How fitting!"
"Then it's settled."
Behind them, Kid Flash whispered to Beast Boy. "Twenty bucks says they're dating by next week."
"Dude, that's easy money. I'm not taking that bet."
Hikaru's enhanced senses caught the whole thing but chose not comment.
The Jump City mall bustled with afternoon shoppers. Hikaru walked beside Starfire as they entered through the main entrance, immediately drawing stares.
To be fair, it was hard not to stare. Even in borrowed clothes, Starfire's orange skin and vibrant red hair stood out like a beacon.
After the third group of teenagers openly gawked, Starfire touched her cheek. "Is there something on my face?"
"They've probably just never seen a Tamaranean before," Hikaru explained. "You're not the first alien on Earth, but they're definitely not common."
"Oh, I see." She brightened. "I would like to meet one of these other aliens."
"I'll try to set up a meeting."
They entered a department store, and Starfire stopped dead in her tracks. Racks of clothing stretched in every direction—colors, patterns, fabrics in overwhelming variety.
"Why do Earth people wear so many layers?" she asked, touching a mannequin's jacket-over-shirt-over-tank ensemble. "On Tamaran, we wear much less."
Hikaru struggled on how to phrase his response. "Different climate. And, uh, cultural norms."
"Cultural norms," she repeated, as if pondering the meaning.
For the next hour, Hikaru found himself in the surreal position of fashion consultant. Starfire gravitated toward bright colors—purples, pinks, golds—pulling items off racks with the enthusiasm of someone discovering treasure.
She disappeared into the changing room and emerged moments later wearing a purple crop top with gold trim.
"Does this make me appear Earth-normal?"
"You could never be normal, Kory," Hikaru said honestly. "And you shouldn't try to be. But you look great."
Starfire beamed.
After cycling through several outfits—some hits, some definite misses—they settled on a collection of clothes that balanced her preferences with Earth practicality. When the sales clerk rang up the total, Starfire examined the cash register with intense curiosity until Hikaru guided her away.
"I wish to wear one of my new garments now," she announced.
"Go for it."
She returned wearing a white NASA t-shirt and pink shorts, spinning once. "How do I look?"
"Amazing," Hikaru said without hesitation. "Guess I have an eye for fashion."
"Yes, the clothes you picked are most pleasing to the eye."
"Honestly, I think you'd look good in anything." He grabbed the shopping bags. "Come on, let's get some lunch."