Chapter Text
Barbara Gordon had never smoked in her life. She knew it was a nasty habit that would likely kill her at some point and thus render all the super villains' attempts to kill her at some point in her life mute.
The irony of it not being the killer clown, the ecoterrorist, or the literal crocodile man was not lost on her, and honestly, a little funny. The small death stick between her fingers is what did her in. She had thought on this day about buying a vape, but the small, rolled cigarette that fit so neatly into her hand felt more appropriate. She took a long puff and stared at the grave of Dick Grayson.
Her friend, her ex, someone she knew and trusted, and here he was, dead and buried in BludHaven city cemetery. No pomp, no circumstance, just a gravestone. She took another drag of her cigarette. He had died protecting the city the way they all died. He had been on a mission with Batman, and Joker had gotten the upper hand; they had never even found the body. It truly was just a pile of dirt with a rock stuck in it. Barbara couldn’t bring herself to cry.
Alfred had dropped her off here every day for two weeks since the incident. The autumn chill was starting to get to her, making her legs feel stiff and cold. She dropped her cigarette and crushed it under her boot. She pulled out her phone to text Alfred to bring the car around. She’d need help with her wheelchair on the grass.
“It is… unhygienic and not good for the grass to do that.” A voice said behind her. Barbara let out a long sigh. Great… just what she needed. She looked over her shoulder and saw Starfire standing there. She was wearing a tight black dress that belonged at a club, not at a graveside. Still… her eyes were puffy with tears, and her nose was red from rubbing it. Her tanned skin and red hair usually glowed, today she looked like a light bulb that desperately needed to be changed. Like it was seconds from burning out.
“Yeah, sorry, Starfire, I just… smoking isn’t good for me either.” Barbara chuckled.
“No, I will never understand your humans and the obsessions for… vices.”
“Just in times of stress, Starfire. I uh, picked up the habit after…”
“Yes,” Starfire cut her off, brushing a curly lock of hair behind her ears. She closed her eyes as if fighting off tears. This was the first time Barbara had ever seen her here. Was it her first time or just the first time they had run into each other?
“Well… I’ll leave you to your mourning,” Barbara said, looking over the Tamaran’s shoulder.
“You can stay if you need…” Starfire said, holding up a hand.
“I’m good.” Barbara huffed. Goddamn it, where was Alfred?
“Alright… I didn’t see you at the memorial. Did you not wish to come?” Starfire asked.
Right… the memorial… 3 weeks ago. Bruce threw it, and everyone attended. Whoever heard of a memorial without a body? Barbara had skipped once again and just sat at Dicks graveside. She stared at it as if it would magically change something.
“No, I didn’t… listen, Starfire, I don’t… It’s hard enough…” Goddamn it, why were the words so hard to find? When were there tears in her eyes? Dicks ex-girlfriend, talking to her. Barbara was his ex, too, but that didn’t change how much this stung. They seemingly fought over him for years, and now. Now he was gone, so why talk?
“Perhaps, we should get out of the cold,” Starfire said, wiping a tear from Barbara's eyes. When did she get close?
“Alfred is coming to pick me up,” Barbara said, sniffing.
“Perhaps…you can tell him you are visiting a friend, I wish to speak with you,” Starfire said. Barbara sniffed again. They had been avoiding each other for three weeks. Maybe she had something important to say. It couldn’t hurt.
Barbara texted Alfred and let Starfire fly her back to Star's apartment.
The sun was setting over the horizon, painting the sky with pinks, whites, and oranges. 6 bottles of wine had been consumed, and Starfire and Barbara Gordon were absolutely sloshed on the floor.
It had started with one bottle. Then they had started talking about Dick, boy-wonder, Nightwing, and who he was to them. He was a friend, a lover, a confidante, someone who could always make them smile. He was goofy and loving, and he never took life too seriously.
“OH my god! Do you remember the Disco Robin costume?” Barbara laughed. She was hanging over Starfire’s couch.
“I do! I also remember the original costume from his childhood. He once tried to see if it still fit!” Starfire laughed, tears forming in her eyes.
“Did it?” Barbara asked.
“No, he rips the shorts in half.” Both girls started laughing more and then lay down on the floor. Barbara would need help getting up later, but it was nice on the carpet. It made a soft crunching sound when she scratched at it. She looked up slightly at Starfire, tilting her head backwards. Their red hair was intermingled. Curls and long straight hair weave together in a tangled mess. Dark red locks mixed with an auburn orange. Barbara took a strand and twirled it with hers.
“Did you ever reach out to any of the others?” Starfire asked, locking her fingers with Barbara's.
“Zatana sent flowers, but we never discussed things. Huntress called, and we talked, but I don’t think anyone else ever had the same relationship we did with him.”
“He talked of you often.”
“You as well.”
“Do you think he?”
“He loved us both, I think he just never could decide,” Starfire said, dancing her fingers with Barbara’s. Their skin was so different, they were so different, but it was almost as if Dick saw them as the same. Two parts of a perfect woman for him.
Barbara rolled over on her stomach and looked at Starfire. Starfire did the same. Green eyes met brown.
“I used to wonder what he saw in you,” Starfire admitted. “I know now, your resilience, intelligence, and the way you always fought in the face of adversity. I used to be insecure about it.”
“I felt the same way!” Barbara said. “Also insecure of me? How, you’re beautiful, strong, funny, determined, curious about everything!” Both girls burst into giggles, then into laughter.
“Perhaps I saw in you what I lacked in myself,” Starfire said.
“I think I did too, I mean, your body was always better than mine.”
“Nonsense!” You’re beautiful!” Starfire said.
“C’mon, Starfire,”
“Star…”
“What?”
“We are friends now, yes?”
“Um… maybe a little.”
“Then you must call me Star,” Starfire said, her eyes shown with genuine care and a hope that Barbara would do so.
“Then you should call me Babs,” Barbara said.
“Babs…” Star said, reaching out and touching her mouth. “He called you that.”
“A lot of people do.” Barbara joked, feeling tears well in her eyes.
“A lot of people called me Star or Kori, but it was the way he said it.”
“Yea…”
Star cupped Barbara's face tenderly, and Barbara, despite herself, leaned delicately into her hand. She felt her heart beating and the same warmth she felt with Dick. Maybe because Star was physically and literally warmer. Maybe because there was something in Star's eyes that showed like a promise of a better future. Sparkling green emeralds that promised so much healing.
That promise led to healing. For four months, they grew as friends. Long walks in the winter snow of Gotham, Star would take her flying in the sky to see stars as she had never seen them before. Barbara showed her videos of Dick growing up in the Batcave.
This is when moments seemed to start to change. Barbara would brush a lock of Stars’ hair from her face. Star would hold Barbara a little closer against the cold. A touch of the hands, a brush of the shoulder. The delicate whisper of something… more… something so promising.
Something changed one day at the graveside. Barbara felt her heart beating and tears in her eyes. Star was next to her, so close that Barbara could feel the heat radiating. Barbara reached out and brushed her hand. Star took it. Barbara felt her chest tighten and let out a sob. It was now something that gripped her to the ground. She didn’t want to let go. Star let out a soft, muffled cry, and Barbara squeezed her hand tight. Both let the tears fall down their face but kept the other on the ground.
Things changed further one night. They were watching a movie, and Barbara couldn’t focus. The smell of Starfire’s skin, her shampoo, and the touches they had been dancing around recently. Now here they were on a couch. Inches felt like miles, tender brushes felt like electricity, and Barbara craved more now.
Barbara decided to test the water slightly. She inched her hand out and brushed Stars. Star took her hand. Barbara moved closer onto the couch, and Star leaned into her. Cuddles and hugs became more regular after that, and then… finally, one night…
Barbara turned to face her friend. Green eyes, soft orange skin, curly red hair. A friend, comfort. Barbara didn’t notice herself leaning in until Star was inches from her face. Their lips brushed, once, twice, then they touched.
The kiss was soft. Innocent and pure.
“How long had you wanted to do that?” Barbara whispered.
“Too long,” Star replied, pulling her into another kiss. They then started going on missions together. Barbara would assign her stuff, and Star would always return to base with it. Star would surprise her with flowers or Barbara’s favorite coffee. Barbara would always give her the more… favorable missions
Two more months of stealing kisses, secret dates, and late nights sharing a bed, but never anything more, it finally snapped.
“Are you sure?” Star asked. She was topless and lying on top of Barbara. Barbara had her bra unclasped but still on, and her underwear was lying discarded somewhere in the mess of their other clothes.
“Yes,” Barbara said assuredly. Star kissed her again, and everything fell aflame. Barbara squeezed Star's breasts delicately, then more roughly. She rolled Star's nipple between her thumb and index finger, and Star moaned into her mouth. She moved her warm hand to finally discard Barbara’s bra and trailed her hand between Barbara’s legs. She teased her clit with her long fingers and swiped at her folds. Barbara mewled into her mouth and arched her back into Star’s hand. Star inserted two fingers slowly at first, then she moved them with surprising skill and precision.
It was clearly not Star’s first time with a woman, but it was Barbara's. Everything felt more intense. Star’s mouth on her neck. The way her nipple felt in Barbara’s mouth. The soft moans and pants filled Star's apartment before it got faster. More passion filled. Barbara came on Star’s fingers, clenching down. Star licked them clean, then kissed Barbara again. Barbara hadn’t come in for 6 months. Now she was like a woman starved.
“Take me to the bedroom, I want to taste you,” Barbara said, and Star complied. She carried her like a doll, and Barbara. She laid her on her stomach and leaned against the headboard. Barbara braced herself for her first time and licked a soft stripe up Star’s opening. Star gasped and let out a breathy moan. Barbara continued her ministrations. She licked deep within Star’s core and nuzzled her clit. She was determined to make this good for her. Star helped guide Barbara with her hand resting gently in her hair. Barbara took the guidance and listened to Star’s moans to figure out her directions.
“Yes! Yes! Like that!” Star let out a breathy sigh that grew into louder moans. “Yes! Babs!” Barbara didn’t stop until she felt a gush on her tongue and swallowed. Star pulled her into another kiss and rolled her onto her back. Star leaned over the bed and reached into a bedside drawer. She pulled out a long insertable dildo and pushed it into herself. She then pushed into Barbara with ease and kissed her again. Star began to thrust her hips into Barbara, and Barbara gasped and clung to her back.
This woman was so amazing. Barbara whimpered and palmed her breasts. She squeezed Star’s nipples again and raked her nails down. Star seemed to like the pain, the roughness. She picked up the pace, and Barbara cried out. The sound of their fucking grew until they were both cumming and squirming all over the bed. Star finally let out a scream and seemed to be spent after what seemed like hours and countless orgasms. She rolled off of Barbara, and the two of them panted. Barbara stared at the ceiling, both naked but no longer alone. Star cupped her face and kissed her again.
“That was…”
“That was my first time and holy shit…” Barbara let out a laugh. Star chuckled.
“I’m glad it was pleasurable.”
“Was I…”
“Yes, you were wonderful and took instructions very well.”
“Thank you,” Barbara pressed her forehead into Star’s. God, this was perfect. What could ruin it?
They heard the window unlock and both jumped. Barbara grabbed something from the nightstand, and Star’s hand glowed. The window pushed up, letting the cold night air flush in, and a familiar black-haired young man climbed through.
He was still scared and had some wounds on his body still healing. He walked normally, wearing a simple blue flannel shirt and jeans.
“Okay Babs, Kori, I know you are both here and you are owed a hell of an explain…a…tion.” Dick Grayson’s voice trailed off as he turned to find both of them naked, in Star's bed, both looking ready to kill him.
“Am I… am I interrupting something?”