Forgiveness

Starfire keeps her arms around you for a long time. Her grip is gentle but firm; you cannot so much as slip your fingers from her lock. Her fingers occasionally press into your hands for a moment at a time. With the room quiet and her head on your shoulder, you hear her stuttering breath tumbling across her lips.

You wait for her to speak. You hear her open her mouth several times, but every time. her voice catches in her throat and she backs down. I wonder what will give out first :your legs or her silence.

After torturous minutes, Star croaks, "Why are you apologizing?" She probably didn't want to sound like she was crying, but it's too hard to mask. "You have been the villain Jinx would want you to be. It would have been perfect if you had just stayed quiet about it." She slides her arms to her side and you spin to face her. Her face shines from fallen tears and snot, but she gives you a weak smile. "I do not think you would make a good villain; it hurts you too much."

You pull her into a hug, squeezing her with all your strength. "I'm so sorry, how could I ever earn your forgiveness?"

You feel her cheek pull back as it nuzzles into your neck, "It is okay, I forgive you."

"No!" You pull away and look her in the eye. "Don't just give this to me."

Star frown in confusion. "I do not understand. Is it not my decision when to forgive you? I want to forgive you, so I do."

Damn it, she's better with guilt than a Catholic.

Starfire giggles, "I do not see how Jinx could think you would make a good villain."