Bang.
The sound hits my ears, before I could even register the pain. Reflexively, I put a hand to my chest. My glove was immediately painted red. I gritted my teeth. My wound, it burns. My knees buckle, and I collapse against the wall.
Vaguely, I could hear Slade's hasty footsteps padding across the pavement, running away in triumph. Bastard. He has won. I have failed.
I shakily take a breath, pain soars through my lungs. I should've told the others. I should've let them help. Stupid worthless me and my stupid worthless pride. Now I am dying, and they don't even know where I am.
I could contact Raven. Maybe she could still heal me. I felt a sarcastic laugh bubble up my throat. There was not a shrivel of chance she could get here in time.
I could at least contact the team, warn them about Slade, tell them anything and everything about my plan to terminate him that I've been forming behind everyone's backs.
I groan. I feel like a jerk. What a stupid feeling to die with.
I reach for my com, and contact the Tower.
Beep beep beep.
"Robin?" a voice says, unspeakably sweet and whimsical it made me want to cry.
"Starfire," I say, struggling to control my voice.
"Is everything alright?" she asks worriedly, and I form a mental image of her, beautiful jade eyes bright with concern. I smile despite myself.
I then come up with the most selfish decision I have ever concluded: If I were to spend my last moments with her, I don't want her crying. I want her to smile.
I took a deep breath. It hurt still, but I managed to calm myself.
"Everything's fine," I say. "Just thought I'd . . . " I struggled for something to say. "Just thought I'd say hello."
"Oh," Starfire says, and I imagine her cocking her head to the side, biting her lip, wondering whether I've finally gone senile. She looks adorable.
"Well then. Hello, Robin," she says happily, and just now do I realize how much I love it when she says my name.
"I trust that your mission is going well?" she asks, and I have a hard time processing this. Every vein in my body feels numb. My senses are a mess.
"Yeah," I managed weakly.
"Wonderful. Where are you?" she asks. I wish she would stop asking questions. I don't want to talk. I just want to listen to her voice.
"6th Street," I say, just because it's the first place that pops into my head. She had always loved that place.
"And you shall be back soon?" she asks.
I felt a lump in my throat, and stifle a sob. No Starfire, I won't be back soon. I'll never come back. I'll never be able to hear your voice or see you smile or feel your warmth when you tackle me into a hug. I'll never have your arms around my waist when I take you out to ride the R-cycle. I'll never feel your lips against mine.
"Yeah. I'll be back," I lied, and I hate myself for it. Starfire on the other hand seems overjoyed by this.
"Glorious!" she exclaims happily, and I imagine her clapping her hands in delight. It was a pretty sight, I am momentarily glad I lied.
"Then I shall prepare you a meal for your return," she says enthusiastically. I feel a small smile escaping my lips.
"Sure. Just make sure to ask Raven for help this time, I say, thinking of the mess she made in her attempt to fry eggs.
"I will," she laughs. I want to hold on to that laugh. I want to cut it into pieces and love every bit. I want to remember every syllable and keep it locked in my heart.
The edges of my vision start to blur. I feel dizzy.
No. I can't. Not yet. There's something I still have to say.
"Starfire?" I say, memorizing the way her name felt on my tongue.
"Yes?" she says.
"I love you," I say, loudly, clearly, with all my heart.
"And I love you as well, Robin. So so much," she says. And I believe her.
I closed my eyes, content, the echo of her voice the last thing I hear.