Worse Than Death

by pukingtoreador

Drabble oneshot. Robin discovers his apprenticeship to Slade is worst he could have ever imagined. AU, slash, noncon. Critical feedback is greatly appreciated.

It was worse than death.

"You will learn to like this", Slade growled, "and part of you already does"

Robin closed his eyes and tried to blot out what was happening to him. Slade's grip tightened on the back of his neck.

For the first few nights of being Slade's apprentice, he was forced to commit crimes, fight his friends and hurt the innocent people he had promised to protect. But he never imagined he would be forced to submit this way, never imagined the extent that Slade wanted to control him.

It was worse than death.

His gentle reminders that his friend's lives depended on his willingness to cooperate made him fall to his knees in a way force never could.

Slade was evil, Robin had always known that, but he had never known evil like this. He thought evil had limits. Slade showed him it had none.

It was worse than death.

But it wasn't worse than the death of his friends.