Disclaimer: I do not own any of this! The Teen Titans are not my idea and belong to their rightful and respected owners! Enjoy!
A few things to know: 1) this story takes place almost directly after the Apprentice Episodes. 2) Slade still wants Robin as an apprentice. 3) The Teen Titans (the original five) know the Titans East and have made allies with all of the other Titans that are featured in the later seasons (except Jinx, who still belongs with the High Five)
Birthday Bird
Part 1-Revelations
(8:00 A.M.)
"Oh Robin, this is most glorious!" Starfire exclaimed as she, Robin, and the other Titans walked through the streets of Jump.
"It's not that big of a deal Star," Robin rolled his eyes, trying to keep her on the ground. The five of them were already attracting stares from several pedestrians. As they continued to stroll down the sidewalk, many people they passed shot second glances at them, smiling at the teenage heroes they had come to know and love.
"Come on Rob," Cyborg elbowed Robin playfully, a smug smile on his face. "Let the girl be excited."
"There's nothing to be excited about," Robin hissed, dreading the sly smiles Cyborg, Beast Boy, and even Raven were giving him as he tried to control Starfire.
"Nothing to be excited about?" Starfire half screamed. "Friend Robin, today is a day better than any other!" Squeezing Robin in a bone crushing hug, she spun his around and around until he told her he was about to throw up. Setting him down, Starfire blushed embarrassed as Robin tried to catch his breath.
"Come on dude," Beast Boy smiled. "We're all excited. It's your birthday!"
"So," Robin sputtered weakly, still nauseas from Starfire's spins.
"So we gotta throw you a party!" Cyborg replied, putting a hand on Robin's shoulder.
"No parties," Robin said curtly. "I do not need a party. I only told you four because you're my friends. But I do not want a party."
"But Robin," Starfire began to whine.
"It's okay Star," Beast Boy grinned mischievously. "We're gonna throw him one anyway."
"Guys," Robin moaned.
"We'll get the decorations," Beast Boy said, gesturing to Cyborg. "Raven, you can get the cake?"
"Guys, I do not want cake!" Robin pouted.
"Vanilla or chocolate?" Raven asked.
"Neither!" Robin exclaimed.
"I think he likes vanilla," Starfire mentioned.
"I hate vanilla!" Robin shouted, throwing his hands to his temples in exasperation. He knew this would happen if he told them. He knew this would get out of control.
"Chocolate it is," Raven replied.
"Raven!" Robin turned to her. "I don't want a party!"
"I'm not getting you a party," Raven said darkly. "I'm getting you cake."
"Fine," Robin hissed. Then, looking at all of his friends, he continued, "but no presents. If you get me anything, I'll just throw it away."
"Even if it was…Slade tied up!" Beast Boy teased.
"Even if it was Sl-hey!" Robin growled.
"Haha just kidding!" Beast Boy snickered.
"Alright Star," Cyborg laughed. "Why don't you go get the invitations ready?"
"Indeed, I will fly all the way around the earth to invite all of our friends!" Starfire cried joyfully.
"Star, they can't just drop everything and-
But his best friend had already zoomed off in her excitement, leaving behind a trail of dust and bewildered pedestrians. Fuming, Robin turned around to yell at his friends…but they had fled as well.
"Stupid party…" Robin muttered as he sulked through the streets of Jump.
In a hideout nearby, Slade was watching the boy wonder on a large screen. One of his hidden cameras had managed to capture Robin's argument with his fellow Titans about his birthday party, and Slade couldn't help but smile. It was…interesting to say the least, watching Robin try to deal with his friends. But their excitement couldn't be helped.
*Maybe I should get him a gift,* Slade thought absentmindedly. *But I wouldn't know what to get him.*
Slade stopped short as he realized what he had just thought. It wasn't the fact that he had considered getting the boy a gift that startled Slade; it was what came after. It was the fact that Slade had thought he wouldn't be able to actually find a present for Robin.
*Well, I could find a gift if I really wanted to,* Slade thought, trying to calm down. But his mind was racing, his anger building at the thought of Robin besting him at something without even trying. He had to get Robin a present now! He wouldn't let Robin beat him at birthday shopping! Yet he had no idea what to get the boy. Sure he had all of Robin's files, but finding the perfect birthday present for Robin was like finding a needle in a hay stack. A really big hay stack.
*Snap out of it!* Slade thought harshly. *You are not getting the boy a gift! It doesn't matter anyway! He's your enemy! * But even as Slade tried to reason with himself, he was already repulsed by the idea that he had given up. He had to prove that even as Robin's arch nemesis, he could still find the perfect gift for the boy wonder.
"Damn it," Slade hissed. He couldn't take the thought of quitting any longer.
"Wintergreen, get my car, I'm going out!"
(10 A.M.)
Robin pushed his way through the department store, muttering incoherently to himself.
"Dress casual," he growled. "Nothing fancy!" he mumbled sarcastically as he pushed through the racks of jeans. He hadn't worn anything but his uniform since…
"I'd rather wear that (referring to Slade's apprentice uniform) then these," Robin pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, grimacing and putting them back. Grunting and rolling his eyes for the hundredth time, he pulled out the invitation that Starfire had given him just five minutes before. Robin had begged Starfire to make it a small party, but she had already flown away, promising to make his party the best birthday party ever and reminding him that "he must not return to the tower before 4 or he will ruin his super awesome birthday bash". Glaring at the invitation, Robin read it again.
ROBIN'S SUPER AWESOME BIRTHDAY BASH!
AT TITAN'S TOWER, 4:00-MIDNIGHT!
DRESS CASUAL! NOTHING FANCY!
PRESENTS OPTIONAL!
"Gr…I told them no presents!" Robin hissed, snapping a hangar that he was holding. Looking around, Robin stuffed the broken hanger and the pants it was holding into a pile of clothes and hurried away quickly before anyone noticed him.
In another part of the city, Cyborg and Beast Boy were in Jump's biggest party store, Party Center. They had just received their invitations to Robin's party from Starfire as well. The invitations looked fine; the main issue was getting them to all of the Titans on time. But Starfire seemed to have it under control, so Beast Boy and Cyborg let her go on her way.
Now, they were looking for decorations for Robin's party, trying to think of a theme.
"Do you think Robin would want a pirate themed birthday?" Beast Boy asked, poking at a pirate statue repeatedly.
"He says Titans go, not Titans argh," Cyborg rolled his eyes as he looked down another row. While the party idea had seemed nice at first, he was lost now. Robin was literally the most impossible person to shop for. But he would give it his best shot.
"What about…a disco dancing party?" Beast Boy popped out of the nearest aisle with an afro on, dancing stupidly even though there wasn't any music.
"Are you insane?" Cyborg hissed, yanking the wig off Beast Boy's head and giving him the evil eye.
"Alright, alright," Beast Boy looked around. Suddenly his eyes widened and he hurried over to one shelf. When Cyborg walked over, Beast Boy turned around holding up a pop up circus tent.
"What about a circus theme?" Beast Boy asked. "Come on, we wouldn't have to dress up as clowns or anything like that. We could just decorate the tower like that! That's perfect, it's kind of edgy like Robin but also fun!"
"Well…" Cyborg contemplated this party idea. While it was the best option out of all of them, Cyborg still wasn't sure. Something just seemed off. But who knew, maybe Robin would love the idea.
"Alright, sounds good," Cyborg agreed. "Now, let's go find Robin a present."
"But you heard him," Beast Boy replied. "No presents!"
"You saw the invitation," Cyborg reasoned. "It said presents optional, so everybody's bringing one! And I'm not going to have our team represented poorly by not getting Robin a gift!"
"Well…okay," Beast Boy's eyes widened at the idea of getting Robin a birthday present. "What should we get him?"
"I don't know," Cyborg noticed a sign nearby pointing to the section of the store that sold gifts. "But let's look over there to see if there's anything nice."
Little did Cyborg and Beast Boy know, that beneath that very sign, Slade was too looking for something to get Robin for his birthday.
*It's been a long time since I took my mask off for this long,* Slade thought to himself. While he didn't enjoy exposing himself like this, he had to take his mask off in order to avoid any problems with anyone who knew him and could easily recognize him.
As Slade walked through the first two aisles and noticed all of the trading cards and action figures, he realized he was in the toy area of the gift section. He was about to turn to head in the other direction when he almost ran into one of the attendants that worked at Party Center.
"Oh! Excuse me sir," the young girl said embarrassed. Then, after seeing Slade was empty handed, she smiled. "Can I help you with something?"
"Just looking," Slade said dismissively, hoping she would go away. But this must have been a new employee hoping to prove herself, for when he tried to step around her, she blocked him.
"Are you sure, sir? It's a big store," she said warmly. Then, extending her hand, she smiled again, "Delia."
"Delia," Slade replied as he attempted to smile politely, taking her hand and shaking it firmly. "That's an interesting name."
"It's short for Adeline," Delia replied sweetly. This name made Slade flinch for a moment, but then he merely went back to smiling politely.
"Well, miss Delia," Slade responded. "I'm looking for a gift for a young man I know; around fifteen. He's very hard to shop for…are you sure you want to help me? I'm more than happy to find it on my own."
But Delia simply pointed to a nearby aisle and smiled again. "The pleasure's all mine Mister…
"Wilson," Slade finished.
"Alright Mr. Wilson, right this way please," Delia replied.
(11:00 A.M.)
"Well Mr. Wilson, whoever it is you are shopping for should be very glad to have someone like you shopping for them," Delia stated as she and Slade rounded the sixth giant isle of possible gifts. They had been shopping for an hour, but from what Slade could tell, they had barely covered half of the gift section.
"So, let's see," Delia stopped, a look of contemplation showing on her face. "So far, this boy you're shopping for is kind most of the time but can be moody, prefers the colors red and black, isn't a big fan of really any sports, and doesn't like the arts either."
"That's correct," Slade replied, trying to keep his exasperation from showing. Shopping for Robin was harder than he had originally thought, and he had originally thought that shopping for Robin would be difficult.
They had just gone to look at a section of shelves holding wall clocks when Slade's ears were pierced by an annoying shriek.
"Hey, we've been waiting for an attendant for forty-five minutes, can you help us?" Beast Boy's irritating voice rang through the aisle.
*What are they doing here?* Slade cursed mentally as Cyborg and Beast Boy entered the aisle, heading straight for him and Delia. He noticed Cyborg carrying what appeared to be…circus decorations?
*No,* Slade thought incredulously as he stared at the blow up circus tent and big top posters that Cyborg was carrying. *There's no way they're giving him a circus-themed birthday party! Are they out of their puny minds?*
"I'll be right with you," Delia responded to Beast Boy. "I just have to finish-
"Actually," Slade interrupted. "Why don't you work with this young man here? Your time with him will definitely be shorter than your time with me. I can wait."
To be truthful, Slade didn't want to wait around Party Center all day, but he just wanted those annoying brats out of his way. The very sight of them made Slade want to pull his bo staff out of his pocket and whack them both right in skull. Memories of their previous encounter rushed to Slade's head, making him angrier as he remembered Beast Boy's vicious tiger claws and Cyborg's enraged sonic cannon fire. He had lost Robin to them; his Robin.
"Thanks Mister," Beast Boy smiled at Slade, forcing Slade to return the favor. "That was nice of you."
*Enjoy my kindness now, you little twerp,* Slade thought venomously. *When I'm beating you to a pulp tomorrow, we'll see how nice I am.*
"Alright Beast Boy, I'm going to get more decorations," Cyborg announced. Seeing this as an opportunity to get Cyborg alone, Slade walked after him, waiting until he and the young man had gotten out of Delia's line of vision.
"Listen Cyborg," Slade stepped in front of the boy, "I don't think a circus idea is the best idea for Robin's birthday party."
"Really, you don't think…hey wait, how'd you know I was buying decorations for Robin's party?" Cyborg's eyes narrowed.
"I saw the alien girl, Starfire, flying with invitations," Slade quickly covered. "She dropped one conveniently on the windshield of my car, so I read it. Wish Robin a Happy Birthday for me."
"I will," Cyborg smiled, accepting Slade's excuse. "But why don't you think a circus themed party is a good idea?"
"I just don't think Robin is the circus type," Slade explained, even though in his head he was screaming,
*BECAUSE HIS PARENTS WERE MURDERED AT THE CIRCUS YOU IDIOT!*
"Besides," Slade continued. "I thought I read in an interview he did once, that he hated the circus."
"Really?" Cyborg cocked an eyebrow, then looked at the circus decorations. "Guess I better find new decorations. Thanks for the advice, man!" And with that, Cyborg hurried off to the decorating section.
"Don't mention it," Slade grumbled, heading back for the aisle. To his dismay, it appeared Delia was still working with Beast Boy.
*He's probably having the same difficulties shopping for Robin that I am,* Slade realized. *Well, then I guess it's going to be a while.*
Meanwhile, Raven was also waiting…only she was waiting for her turn to order her cake. While part of her did sympathize over the birthday issue, she wasn't going to pass up an opportunity like this. Robin had divulged one of his secrets with her and the rest of the team, and she wasn't just going to brush it off. It was Robin's birthday after all. Leaning against the wall, she tried to ignore the loud sounds of the bakery and the unpleasant smells forming from so many people crowded together.
"Number 65!" the clerk's voice rang out. Raven looked at her number ticket:
NUMBER 66
"One more to go," Raven mumbled grouchily. As more and more people filled the tiny bakery, someone stepped on her foot.
"Hey, watch it!" Raven hissed, only to find that it was a little boy. Looking at Raven fearfully, the little boy suddenly began to cry.
"No, please, don't cry," Raven tried to comfort the boy but only managed to scare him further. She tried to reach out to him but he turned and fled to his mom.
"Fantastic," Raven rolled her eyes and went back to leaning on the wall.
"Number 66!" the clerk called out.
"Finally," Raven breathed a sigh of relief and pushed her way through the crowd up to the front desk.
"Welcome to Jump's Deserts," the clerk said cheerily. "What can I get for you today?"
"One chocolate cake," Raven replied.
"What kind of cake?" the clerk asked. Raven grudgingly repeated.
"Chocolate," she said tersely. The clerk rolled his eyes and asked again.
"What kind of cake? Traditional Chocolate Cake, Chocolate layer cake, Black Forest cake, Chocolate soufflé cake, Devil's food cake, Ding Dong, Flourless chocolate cake, Fudge cake, Garash cake, German chocolate cake, Joffre cake, Molten chocolate cake, Red velvet cake, Sachertorte, or Snowball cake?"
"Um…" Raven ran through the options in her head hurriedly as a million questions ran through her head. *Would Robin want to stay traditional? Would Robin want fudge? Would Robin want Garash Cake? What is Garash Cake?*
"Ma'am," the clerk said nervously, "the line's piling up.
"Uh…chocolate layer cake," Raven decided. It was almost traditional, and it had a lot of chocolate.
"Excellent choice," the clerk punched the cash register. "Now what kind of chocolate do you want? Milk, dark, or white?"
"Milk!" Raven blurted, just wanting to leave the store.
"Alright ma'am, you're order should be up in about two hours," the clerk replied as he printed out her receipt. "Please come back or send someone with your ticket to pick up your order."
"Thank you," Raven grabbed the receipt and sprinted out the door, enjoying the cool, odorless air that met her.
"Raven!" Starfire's excited voice filled the air. Turning, Raven found her friend flying toward the ground near her. When Starfire had landed, she ran up to Raven and gave her a flimsy piece of paper. After Raven scanned it, she looked up at Starfire, attempting to smile.
"Nice invitations, Starfire," Raven complimented.
"Thank you, friend Raven," Starfire smiled. "I have given them to all of our friends!"
"Already?" Raven asked surprised.
"Yes, friend Raven," Starfire replied. When Raven still looked skeptical, Starfire explained, "As you know, flight for Tamaranians is fueled by righteous feelings or pure happiness. And since I have much pure happiness, I can fly at great speeds."
"I see," Raven nodded. "Well, I don't have to be back here for another hour, and you're done…do you want to head over to Party Center to help the guys?"
"Sounds wonderful," Starfire flew up in the air happily.
"Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Raven chanted and flew up as well. Nodding to Starfire, Raven flew with her toward the center of the city where Party Center was located.
(11:30)
Over near the outskirts of the city, Robin was sitting on a rooftop, with his head in his hands.
"I knew this would get out of control," Robin mumbled miserably. "I knew they would throw a party like this." Again he looked at Starfire's invitation and again he smoldered his head in his arms, hoping that the invitation would disappear. He stayed in this position for a while later, until a discreet thud sounded behind him.
Keeping his head in his arms, Robin strained to hear what sounded like footsteps coming toward him. Tightening his muscles, Robin got ready to pounce. Whoever his attacker was, Robin would be ready. As the footsteps got nearer to him and his attacker still didn't say anything, Robin shifted his feet slightly. Finally, when it appeared that his attacker was almost a foot away, Robin swiftly whirled around and grabbed the man's gloved arm, and brought his other arm back to deliver a punch. However, his fist was grabbed and he before he could save himself, he was pulled into a giant bear hug.
"Dick," Batman said affectionately.
"Bruce?" Robin asked, looking up at the Bat.
"I hear you're having a birthday party," Batman teased as he relinquished Robin from the hug. Rolling his eyes, Robin smiled.
"It wasn't my idea," Robin began, but Bruce held up his hand.
"You told them," the Bat reasoned.
"I didn't think it would get this out of hand!" Robin replied.
"Dick," Batman smiled under his cowl. "You can't expect them to keep it a secret like you do. They're just happy for you."
"Yeah I guess," Robin crossed his arms. "But that still doesn't make it any easier to endure."
"Agreed," Batman nodded. Then, pulling an envelope out of his utility belt, he smiled again. "But maybe this will."
"Bruce, you know I don't accept presents," Robin waved his hands, not wanting to accept it, but Batman threw it at him. Out of reflex, Robin caught it. Scowling, the boy wonder took it. "You tricked me!"
"Just open it," Batman ordered. Sighing, Robin opened the envelope. When he saw what was inside, he stopped cold.
"B-Bruce," he stuttered. "Where did you-
"That's classified," Batman teased, his smile widening. He had known Robin would be happy with his gift.
"My-my parents," Robin stared in awe at the photograph showing him as a young boy with his mother and father. And unlike almost all of the other photographs of his parents that were taken at the circus, this one was taken under a willow tree, in a park of some sort.
"I hope it's enough," Batman broke the silence when Robin wasn't saying anything.
"It's perfect," Robin breathed as he turned the photograph over and over in his hands.
"I'm glad," Batman grabbed Robin and pulled him into another hug, trying not to squeeze so hard. It had just been a long time since he had seen his son.
"I've missed you Bruce," Robin whispered into Batman's chest.
"I've missed you too Dick," Batman ruffled Robin's hair gently. The two stayed like this for a moment until something on Batman vibrated.
"Trouble," Batman reported, his voice showing his reluctance to leave Robin.
*It is his birthday,* Batman reasoned.
"Go," Robin smiled, clutching the photo in his hands. "You know where to find me."
Batman took another long look at Robin. The boy had grown up so much since he had left Gotham; he was really turning into a leader…a hero. Which was good…and bad. As much as Batman loved to see Robin spread his wings, he missed the boy incredibly, amazingly so. But he would see Robin again. After all, Jump was just a small ways away from Gotham. A small gap that could never break his and Robin's bond. That, Batman was sure of.
"Alright then," Batman nodded, and smiling one last time, fled into the night.
Robin, also grinning, looked at the photo in his hands, memorizing every detail: the soft petals of the willow tree, his own unruly hair, his mother's warm eyes, and his father's mischievous smirk.
Looking up, Robin saw Party Center not too far away in the distance.
*Well, if I'm going to have a party,* Robin thought, *it might as well be a good one. Let's just see how my friends are doing.*
And with that, Robin leaped off the bridge and toward Party Center, the photo in his pocket carrying him the whole way.
(12:00 P.M)
"Wow, I have some tough customers today," Delia announced as she led Beast Boy through another aisle, with Slade following closely behind. At Slade's insistence, Delia had agreed to help Beast Boy. Slade himself was following the duo close behind, silently scowling whenever Beast Boy made a comment about who he was shopping for, which Slade knew was Robin.
"Perhaps you would like a foosball table for the boy's room," Delia suggested, but Beast Boy just shook his head.
"We already have one," Beast Boy explained. "Besides, my friend doesn't do much in his room other than research."
This caught Slade's attention.
*So, Robin spends his time researching?* Slade wondered. *I wonder what he researches.*
Luckily, Delia must have also been wondering, for she asked, "What does your friend research?"
"Um…well…" Beast Boy toyed with his thumbs uncomfortably. That was alright though, Slade had all the time in the world to wait until he found out valuable information on Robin.
Unfortunately, it was at this time that three of the other Titan brats showed up, none of them happening to be Robin himself.
"Hey BB, guess who I found?" Cyborg motioned to Raven and Starfire.
"Hello, friend Beast Boy," Starfire waved.
"Hey Star," Beast Boy grinned.
*Oh great,* Slade rolled his eye inconspicuously.
"We were thinking about going to lunch at the restaurant across the street," Raven stated. "I'm going to get the cake in half an hour, Cyborg says he has an amazing theme planned, Starfire has delivered all of the invitations, and you…"
"I'm finding a present for him," Beast Boy finished.
"Find anything yet?" Cyborg asked.
"Nope," Beast Boy moaned. "He is so hard to shop for!"
"Take a break friend," Starfire suggested. "After lunch we will head to the tower and you can come back to look for your gift."
"Sounds great!" Beast Boy grinned. Then, abruptly turning to Slade, Beast Boy asked him, "Hey mister, would you like to join us?"
"What?" Slade almost choked on the breath he was taking in. Were the Titans seriously asking him to lunch?
"Yeah, why not?" Cyborg agreed, then turned to Raven and Starfire. "He helped me with the decorating. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have found my great theme! Which reminds me, after lunch I have to come back here and grab the decorations!"
"Alright," Raven merely shrugged.
"This is most exciting!" Starfire clapped.
"Wanna come?" Beast Boy asked Slade again.
"Well…I…um…" Slade couldn't think of what to say. One part of him would rather poke his eyes out than eat lunch with the Titans. But another part of him knew the potential information on Robin that he could gain from eating with them. As he was weighing his options, someone called out to the group of them.
"Hey!" Robin called. All of the Titans as well as Slade flung their heads in Robin's direction.
"Robin?" Starfire squealed excitedly. "What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to see how my party's coming along," Robin replied, cocking an eyebrow when he noticed all of their empty hands.
"Don't worry man, we've got it completely under control," Cyborg said. "We're actually just about to go to lunch, why don't you join? Mr…" Cyborg motioned to Slade.
"Wilson," Slade prompted.
"Mr. Wilson might join us," Cyborg continued. "Actually he's been helping all day with your party."
"Oh…well thanks!" Robin turned and smiled. Slade thought his heart was going to burst out laughing from the irony of it all. Robin…was smiling…at him! And on top of that, the boy was thanking him! It was unbelievable!
*If he only knew who he was smiling at,* Slade thought.
"I think I'll come along," he managed to say to Cyborg.
"Great," Cyborg began to lead everyone out the door. "Let's go!"
(12:15)
"I think I'll have some…baby back ribs with a side of fries, and a milk shake!" Cyborg told the waiter. The five Titans and Slade were at the restaurant at a big table with chairs: Robin had allowed Cyborg to sit at the head of the table, Raven and Beast Boy were on each side of Cyborg, Starfire was sitting next to Raven, Slade was sitting next to Beast Boy, and Robin was across from Cyborg.
"Very good choice sir," the waiter turned to Raven.
"I'll have the soup of the day," Raven muttered, handing the waiter her menu.
"Can I have a veggie burger?" Beast Boy followed.
"One soup of the day and one veggie burger," the waiter scribbled on his notepad and then turned to Starfire.
"May I please have…a chocolate fudge ice cream sundae!" Starfire's eyes widened as she read the menu.
"Starfire, you're already having chocolate tonight," Raven nagged Starfire. Then, turning to the waiter, Raven spoke, "she'll have spaghetti."
"Ooh, I love spaghetti!" Starfire smiled.
"Um…alright," the waiter took it down. While he was writing, he motioned to Slade and said, "And you?"
However, Robin did not see this gesture, so at the same time, he and Slade said,
"Just a salad please, hold the dressing."
The waiter looked up, cocking an eyebrow, "Alright, so both of you want a salad without dressing?"
Both Robin and Slade nodded. After scribbling on his notepad again, the waiter took off. When he was out sight, Cyborg turned to Robin and Slade.
"Looks like we have two health freaks here," he rolled his eyes.
"It's what I usually get," Slade replied.
"That's what Robin usually gets too," Cyborg continued, eyeing Robin. "Every time we go out."
"Yeah, well when you're out of breath because of your milkshake, I'll be fighting strong," Robin defended. Slade silently praised Robin.
*That's it Robin, don't let him berate you,* Slade thought possessively.
"Fighting strong against Slade," Beast Boy teased.
"Beast Boy!" Raven snapped, mentally throwing an ice cube from her drink at Beast Boy.
"It's alright Rae," Robin smiled. "I'll have to face him again sooner or later."
"Do you know who Slade is?" Beast Boy asked Slade.
*Yes…very well actually,* Slade thought, but instead said aloud, "I've only heard rumors. He's a criminal, yes?"
"He's only the most evil and mean criminal in the world!" Beast Boy replied.
"Beast Boy," Robin interrupted the boy. Then, turning to Slade, he explained, "Slade is an exceptional fighter, who happens to use his amazing tactical skills and incredible strength for evil."
"What are you, the president of his fan club now?" Cyborg snapped, narrowing his eyes.
"Of course not," Robin defended. "But it's true."
"If you're going to face an enemy like that, then you need to accept his power," Slade also defended Robin. He wanted to tear Cyborg's limbs apart for interrupting Robin, but he forced himself to sit there calmly.
"See," Robin gestured to Slade. "Mr. Wilson's smart."
*Why can't you see that I'm smart when I have my mask on?* Slade thought. If only Robin could see beyond the role he was forced to play to see Slade in his true light.
"Hey speaking of Slade, what did you do with that apprentice uniform?" Beast Boy asked.
*Please don't let him have thrown it out,* Slade silently pleaded.
"It's…in my room," Robin smiled sheepishly.
"Robin! Why have you kept such a horrible thing?" Starfire asked worriedly.
"Well…because…" Robin looked to Slade, hoping maybe the smart Mr. Wilson would have an answer. Luckily, he did.
"Is this apprentice uniform similar to Slade's uniform?" Slade asked, smirking at the fact that he was asking about himself.
"Yes," Robin replied, understanding what the older man was getting at. "Almost exactly like Slade's uniform. I've been keeping it to see if there are any chinks in the armor that I could use on Slade's armor.
*Please, chinks in my armor* Slade thought absentmindedly, but continued to focus on the conversation at hand.
It seemed that the other Titans accepted this excuse, and the food was just coming out, so they directed their attention away from Robin and started to eat. However, Slade noticed that Robin was just staring at his plate. Then, abruptly, Robin shoved his plate away.
"I'm going to the bathroom," he announced.
"I'll go too," Slade said at once. "I need to wash my hands before I eat."
"Alright," Cyborg said with a mouthful of food. As Robin walked away from the table, Slade followed closely behind.
When they had reached the bathroom, Robin turned around, almost bumping into Slade.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" he shifted uncomfortably, wondering if he should really be asking some stranger something as personal as he was thinking of asking.
Slade, however, was beaming inside. Robin had wanted him to come back with him to ask him something. Robin was going to confide in him! The sheer excitement made Slade's heart pound, but still he kept his calm and replied,
"Of course."
"Alright," Robin looked around, making sure none of his friends were coming. "You seem to understand my reasoning, and since none of my friends see Slade the way I do, I was wondering if you would help me with something. It's been bugging me for a bit now, and maybe if I have some input from someone who thinks like me, it will be easier to decide."
"Ask away," Slade said hungrily, desperately wanting to know Robin's question.
"Okay," Robin looked around one more time and then began. "You see, about two weeks ago, Slade tricked me into becoming his apprentice. He infected my friends with probes and told me that if I didn't follow his every order, he would destroy them. So I agreed to work for him against my will. I had a uniform and everything. Slade even made me fight my friends. And while I know it was cruel and all and I shouldn't be thinking about it, something Slade said while I was under his apprenticeship is still bugging me. He said that when I was stealing, it was a thrill for me. As much as I wish I could have denied him right then and there, I didn't. And even now, I still don't. Because what if I do get a thrill from stealing? I mean sure, I get satisfaction when I do good, but…what if I am meant to steal? What if…
"Yes," Slade pushed, devouring each of Robin's word.
"What if Slade is right?"
Okay so I haven't been doing anything because I wanted to edit this! Please tell me what you think, I tried to do really well on this, so please let me know what you think! Finally, part 1 is done, part 2 coming up soon!