Not my best, but I tried. It's my father's birthday, okay? Lemme alone :P


Robin kept his eyes closed as his mask came off of his lids harshly. It wasn't the first time someone had accidentally pulled it off. Currently, he was in the living room of Mount Justice. Wally had run in the room and tripped (typical, Robin thought), his hands flying out in front of him. His right hand inadvertently pulled the mask off, Robin only having enough time to close his eyes. His eyes felt bare without the domino mask.

"Rob? I'm so, so sorry," Wally apologized profusely. "I didn't mean to-!"

"It's fine, Wally," Robin said, his voice calm. He didn't need to fuel the fire. Not yet. "But, I do need a favor."

"What's that?"

Robin had to think carefully. He knew there was M'gann, Kaldur, Connor, and Artemis all sitting on the couch.

"Could one of you explain to Bats how I'm now maskless? And can someone else help me find another?" Robin asked.

"I'll help you," Artemis said instantly, knowing Wally would have to face Batman sooner or later.

Robin cackled as he and the blonde girl left the room leaving a sputtering Wally behind.

~!~

"Uh, Rob?"

"Yes?"

"Where are the masks?"

At the moment, Robin and Artemis were in Robin's room looking for an extra mask. Well, Artemis was, Robin was just kind of sitting on the bed trying not to fall. Having your eyes closed while moving was throwing off his balance a little, but he'd manage.

"Ah, well, since the spirit gum was yanked off so harshly, I think it's wise I put my sunglasses on instead," he said after a bit.

"What do you mean?" Artemis asked.

"Spirit gum is how the mask stays in place. But, since it was yanked off by Wally quickly, it wouldn't be wise to put more of the stuff over it."

"I see."

Robin felt Artemis place the cool metal of the sunglasses in his hand. He put them on and looked in the mirror to see the damage done and winced. The area where the spirit gum was before was bright red and irritated. He reached up to touch it when Artemis slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch it! It'll only make it worse!"

He could only grin wickedly back.

~!~

When they returned into the living room, Robin was pleasantly surprised to see Batman and a very pale Wally. M'gann gasped when she saw Robin's face. Connor and Kaldur weren't even in the room anymore.

"Ah, Robin," Batman said, his voice monotoned. "I've been told your mask was pulled off."

"Uh, yeah," Robin said sheepishly.

Batman nodded before jerking his head toward the Transporter.

"Recognized, Robin, B01," the computer said. "Recognized, Batman, 02."

~!~

When they returned to the Batcave, Robin was wincing at the pain burning near his eyes. Batman became Bruce and Robin Richard.

"Tell me what happened," Bruce demanded softly.

"Wally tripped and ripped the mask off my face," Dick said instantly.

"How does it feel? And don't lie."

"It isn't... pleasant."

Bruce nodded before getting a cold compress. He held it up to Dick when he returned. He let his pseudo-father hold it to his face. He didn't complain. He simply leaned into the cool bliss washing over the burns.

And he had to make sure that Wally got what he had coming to him.


It was not the best, I'll admit it. Hopefully it was good enough...

~*MegaMon2580*~