Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice

Fear. An emotion and a feeling. Fear - something that for a long time Batman wasn't afraid of. After all, he thought he didn't have anything to lose. So he wasn't afraid - he didn't fear but instead, was feared.

As Bruce Wayne perhaps, he did have things - people - to lose. Alfred, Lucius, his lady friends and many more.

But as Batman? He had no one. He was a solo vigilante who didn't dare bring anyone else into the field. Not only because it was dangerous, but because they would be a liability - a weakness.

Batman was supposed to be fearless and in order to do so, he could have no one whom to be afraid for. . . In other words, no one to care for.

The simple fact was that Batman couldn't care for anyone. So the dark knight built harsh cold walls around him that shielded him from feeling anything other than the fierce drive for justice.

But then Dick came along.

Dick who cared for everyone and anyone, who effortlessly wormed his way to Bruce's side and bit by bit wore down the walls until they simply crumbled down.

The boy while seemingly small and fragile, held a power and fierceness that surprised even Bruce. Justice drove him but unlike his role model, it wasn't the only feeling he felt.

And soon Robin spread his wings. . . He took to the Gotham skyline and shone a light towards Batman's grudging darkness.

Batman gained a partner. . . And inevitably someone whom he cared for.

Now it wasn't just him who was at risk. If he got into a messy fight or into a dangerous spot, Robin would also get caught in the crossfire.

Fear. . . Fear was introduced to Batman. . . This time not as an ally who could help him intimidate Gotham's low life but instead, as an enemy.

Batman feared because he had something to lose. A very precious and unique something.

Years went by and the dynamic duo remained strong; a tightly woven bond between Batman and Robin.

And slowly, Batman began to accept that caring for someone? It actually wasn't that bad of a thing. . . Or a weakness.

That wasn't to say he liked feeling fear. . .

Fear at the possibility of losing someone. . .

Fear because the simple fact that Robin was his partner immediately made the child a target. . .

No, Batman definitely hated fear.

But, there was also something else. He couldn't put it into words or form an idea of what it was exactly but it felt. . . Nice.

And as Robin matured, he got better. He became better trained and more skilled. The boy possessed great talent and the possibility of losing him became slimmer and slimmer. Of course, it could never disappear but get smaller?

Yes.

And yet, that possibility still hauntingly existed. . .

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Time seemed to slow down as he watched the projectiles soar through the air at an increasing speed getting closer and closer. . .

No!

His footsteps became even more urgent. Rational thought thought fled his mind.

It didn't matter that he wouldn't make it in time, because he would!

It didn't' matter that there wasn't enough time. It didn't matter!

Batman saw Robin's white lenses close and watched the thirteen year old's body tense in anticipation.

No! No! NO!

. . . Not again. . . No

Time sped up again. . . Less than 2 seconds had passed. . .

"No" The word was barely a breath

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Robin sometimes wished for invulnerability... Right now was one of those times. Unfortunately he didn't have it. He closed his eyes, hardened his fists, and braced himself. . .

Harsh bullets made sudden impact

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AN: So this is my first fic and it was supposed to be one shot but then that happened and my muse just got this wonderful, glorious idea that yes will bring daddy!bats and I was like eh, why not?

This was a prologue of sorts, Hope you guys enjoyed it, till we meet again! You guys get to see how that whole ending scene began next chapter!

~Just keep reading!~

[OceanBat]