Location: Spirit Club Infirmary — the glowing healing chamber. Starfire lies asleep, her flame dimmed but alive. Cat Rock hasn't moved from her side for hours.
---
She stirs.
A flicker of light runs across her bracelet.
Then her eyes open.
And sees him.
Still in his armor. Still behind his mask.
---
🔥 Starfire (softly, whispering):
> "You stayed…"
Cat Rock leans forward, voice lower than usual.
---
🪨 Cat Rock (serious, yet gentle):
> "You scared the hell out of me."
She gives a small, tired smile.
---
🔥 Starfire:
> "I lost control."
She turns away, fire glowing weakly around her fingers.
---
🔥 Starfire (with guilt):
> "I hurt our team… I hurt you."
---
He shakes his head — then gently places his gloved hand over hers.
---
🪨 Cat Rock:
> "You didn't hurt me.
You reminded me why I fight."
---
She looks up — surprised.
---
🔥 Starfire (whispers):
> "Why do you fight?"
He hesitates… then smiles a little.
---
🪨 Cat Rock (gently):
> "For people like you.
The ones who burn bright… but don't know how to ask for help."
---
Her heart stirs. Something inside her aches.
Not out of pain.
Out of something deeper. Unspoken.
---
🔥 Starfire:
> "I don't even know your real name."
---
🪨 Cat Rock:
> "Neither do I know yours.
But that doesn't change how I feel when I look at you."
She blinks — startled.
Her breath catches in her throat.
---
> He stands.
> Turns slowly toward the door.
> Pauses.
---
🪨 Cat Rock (quietly):
> "Rest, Starfire.
Your flame doesn't scare me."
And he walks away.
---
She sits there, glowing faintly in the golden light.
One hand over her heart.
One whisper on her lips:
---
🔥 Starfire (softly):
> "You're the only one who never looked at my flame with fear…"
---
🌠 (Back in the real world)
> Morning sun floods the Elemental International College campus.
Aahi walks through the halls quietly, headphones in, hood on. She passes Aarif — who leans casually near a window, arms crossed.
He glances at her, then looks away.
She sees him.
Her heart stirs.
She thinks of Cat Rock.
He thinks of Starfire.
They pass each other — just like strangers.
But something in the air… flickers.
---
🪨 Aarif (to himself, quietly):
> "Why do her eyes remind me of the fire?"
🔥 Aahi (to herself):
> "Why does his silence feel like stone… yet safe?"
---
They don't know each other.
Not yet.
But fate?
Fate knows exactly what it's doing.