After the fire

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.

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🔥 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.