Authors Note: First fanfic in a long while… a simple one-shot post Robin's mistake in creating Red X. Enjoy! ~RavenRachelRoth
Her amethyst eyes pierced through the darkness. The figure before her, unaware of her presence, input the encrypted code into the glowing wall panel. The mechanism glowed more brightly for a moment before the steel plates shifted into a solid glowing red bar and the panel slid open. The figure hesitated, and with a sigh set the red glowing rod and black utility belt inside the gaping hole. With the faintest hiss the panel slid closed and the lock reset itself. Slowly the figure stood and turned, lifting his gaze and finally realizing that he wasn't alone.
"Oh… Raven… I didn't know…" His voice trailed off weakly and an awkward silence fell for long moments.
Finally, Raven separated herself from the shadows, like a wraith emerging from the darkness. Her amethyst eyes were cold, and Robin's gaze was cast to the floor.
"Why."
Her voice was equally as cold as her eyes. His shoulders hitched as if she had struck him.
"I told you… I was trying to keep you all safe from-"
"That's not a good enough answer."
The guilt and remorse were clear on his face, but even as the empathy felt his pain it was far exceeded by the pain and betrayal that her other friends were feeling… that she herself felt. The silence hung for long moments, and both figures remained motionless.
Finally she moved, a statue breaking the cold bonds of stone, she floated without touching the floor until she was close enough to him to look into his eyes… to feel the heat from his body… and taste the hurt he felt as clearly as her own.
"You taught me to trust, to put my faith in people… in friends. You showed me that no matter what your friends come first and that there is always hope. Things will always get better." Raven paused, gritting her teeth as the pain swelled within her breast, threatening to overwhelm her. Frantically she pushed I back into submission. When she finally opened her eyes, Robin was staring back at her, his eyes mirroring the sadness… the pain.
"Raven, I'm-"
"Don't." The empath turned away. "Just remember Robin, trust is earned."
Her slender form melted into the shadows and vanished.
Robin hung his head, his gaze landing on the half metal mask on the table. The bronze glinting menacingly in the half-light. Behind him, the door opened with a soft sound.
"Robin?" Starfire's innocent voice came clear and sweet from behind him.
"You come to yell at me too? Everybody else has."