He led her into the crowd, finding a space where the press of bodies wasn't quite so intense. The music shifted to something with a driving rhythm, and Starfire found herself moving instinctively, letting the beat guide her.
Hikaru moved with surprising grace—not quite Tamaranean fluidity, but with the same confidence she'd seen when he fought. His light powers occasionally flickered at his fingertips, creating tiny motes that danced between them like fireflies.
"Better?" he asked after a few minutes, he leaned in close enough for his voice to be heard over the music.
Starfire realized she was smiling. Actually smiling. The weight that had pressed on her chest since Komand'r's arrival had lifted. "Yes. Thank you for this."
"Anytime."
They danced through two more songs, and Starfire felt more like herself than she had all day. She was laughing at something Hikaru had said about Beast Boy's earlier attempt at breakdancing when the music shifted to something slower.
"I require a beverage," she announced, suddenly aware of her parched throat.
"Want me to come with?"
"I will be fine. I shall return shortly."
Starfire navigated through the crowd toward the makeshift bar area. She'd just grabbed a cup of the bright blue liquid Kid Flash had recommended earlier when a familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Having fun with your angel?"
Starfire turned to find Komand'r leaning against the wall, examining her nails with affected casualness. "Sister. Are you enjoying the party?"
"It's adequate." Komand'r looked up, pink eyes sharp. "You know, it's sweet how protective he is of you. Hikaru, I mean."
Something in her tone made Starfire's shoulders tense. "He is a good friend."
"Friend." Komand'r's smile was thin. "Is that what you're calling it? Come on, Kori. I've seen how you look at him. How he looks at you."
Heat crept up Starfire's neck. "I do not know what you mean."
"Sure you don't." Komand'r pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "But here's the thing about guys like that—guys with looks and power and that whole mysterious vibe. They get bored easily. And when someone more exciting comes along..." She shrugged. "Well. It's only a matter of time before he starts preferring me to you. They always do."
The words hit like physical blows. Starfire's grip tightened on her cup until it crumpled, blue liquid dripping between her fingers.
"You're naive, little sister. You always have been." Komand'r's voice held an edge of pity that somehow hurt worse than outright cruelty. "You think being sweet and kind is enough? Please. In the real world—the real galaxy—people want someone strong. Someone who can handle themselves. Someone who isn't going to get all weepy over movie nights and borrowed clothes."
Starfire couldn't breathe. The warehouse felt too small, too hot, too full. Without a word, she dropped the cup and fled, pushing through the crowd until she found a service exit that led to the roof.
The night air hit her face like cold water. She gulped it down, trying to settle the churning in her stomach. The city spread out before her, lights twinkling like grounded stars, but they brought no comfort.
She sank onto a ventilation unit, dropping her head into her hands. The metal was cold through her gloves.
Perhaps I do not belong here after all.
The thought crept in unbidden. Maybe Komand'r was right. Maybe she was too naive, too innocent, too emotional, too enthusiastic, too different, too... much. The Titans had welcomed her, yes, but perhaps that kindness would only last until someone better came along.
Someone like her sister.
"There you are."
Starfire's head jerked up. Hikaru stood at the roof access, his hood pushed back to reveal genuinely concerned features. "You okay? You kind of vanished."
"I..." The words stuck in her throat. "I needed air."
He crossed the roof to sit beside her, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched. "Want to talk about it?"
"Why did you not stay with Blackfire?" The question emerged more accusatory than intended. "She is beautiful and skilled and clearly interested in your attention. The others all prefer her company to mine."
Hikaru was quiet for a moment. Then looked into her eyes with that look he sometimes had, that seemed to know more about you than you knew yourself. "Is that what this is about? You think we prefer Blackfire?"
"Do you not?" Starfire's voice cracked. "She is everything I am not. She is confident where I am uncertain. She knows things I have never learned. She fits in with such ease while I still struggle with Earth customs and metaphors and—" She broke off, pressing her palms to her eyes. "She says it is only a matter of time before you prefer her. Before all of you do."
"Kory. Look at me."
Slowly, she lowered her hands. Hikaru had shifted to face her fully, gold eyes intense in the dim light.
"Your sister is lying," he said flatly. "And she's doing it to hurt you. I don't prefer her. Not even close."
"But she—"
"She's manipulative. She's calculating. Everything she does is designed to make you feel exactly like this." His jaw tightened. "I've known people like her. Hell, I'm related to the king of manipulators. But you know what the difference is between you and Blackfire?"
Starfire shook her head mutely.
"You're genuine. When you care about something, you care completely. When you're happy, everyone around you feels it. When you're excited about mustard or Earth movies or teaching us Tamaranean words, it's real. There's no calculation behind it, no angle you're working. You're just... you."
The knot in Starfire's chest began to loosen. "You truly believe this?"
"I know it." Hikaru's expression softened. "And I'd bet everything that the rest of the team would agree. You want to know why Blackfire is trying so hard to impress everyone? Why she stole your clothes and is monopolizing your friends?"
"Why?"
"Because she's jealous." He said it with complete certainty. "Think about it. You have a home here. People who care about you, who chose to be with you. You've built something real. And she shows up with nothing but enemies chasing her, wearing your clothes, trying to take your place. That's not the behavior of someone confident. That's someone desperate."
Starfire considered this. It was true that Komand'r had taken her outfit specifically. Had targeted the Titans' attention. Had gone out of her way to learn things—chakras, meditation, Earth customs—just to impress them.
"She said I am naive," Starfire whispered.
"You're not naive." Hikaru's voice was firm. "Maybe you have a soft spot for family—which is completely understandable—but that doesn't make you stupid. It makes you loyal. Hopeful. Those aren't weaknesses, Kory. They're strengths that people like Blackfire don't understand and can't replicate."
Something warm and bright expanded in Starfire's chest, pushing back the shadows Komand'r's words had cast. "Thank you. For seeing me clearly."
"Always." Hikaru smiled. "Want to know a secret? When you first arrived and kissed me to learn English, I was stunned. Not just because—well, obvious reasons—but because your light felt like sun. Pure and warm. Blackfire's energy feels cold in comparison. Like a star that's already dying."
Starfire felt tears prick her eyes, but they were different from the ones that had threatened earlier. These were born of gratitude, of relief, of something deeper she wasn't quite ready to name.
"Do you think..." She hesitated. "Could Blackfire ever steal you? Make you prefer her company to mine?"
Hikaru's response was immediate and absolute. "That would never happen."
The certainty in his voice broke something open inside her. Starfire launched herself forward, arms wrapping around him in a hug that nearly knocked them both off the ventilation unit. Before she could overthink it, she pressed her lips to his, not for any practical reason but because she wanted to.
Hikaru's arms came around her immediately, his lips moving against hers with warmth that matched her own. Time seemed to stretch, the city lights blurring into insignificance as they held each other. When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Starfire found him smiling—genuinely, beautifully smiling—and her heart soared.
"Thank you," she whispered against his skin. "Thank you for your kindness. For your honesty. For remaining my friend even when I am being foolish."
"You're not—"
The rest of his protest was cut off by a brilliant flash of pink light. Three alien probes somehow had arrived above them.