Robin leaned back in her chair and yawned, stretching her arms above her head. Running her weary, dark eyes over the wall of text one last time, she rose from her seat and shut the leather-bound book. It was old and worn, clearly having seen better days. Robin traced her fingers along the engraving in the front, admiring its mysterious craftsmanship. This book had been with her since she first awoke sprawled out in the grass. She had been clutching it to her chest tightly. Every page was hand-written, though by whom, she wasn't sure. Perhaps it was she who wrote these strategic notes, but there wasn't any surefire way to find out. She lifted the hefty tome from the tabletop, returning it to its home on the bookshelf. She lingered in the room for a bit, listening to the silence. The barracks had been empty for the longest time, but it wasn't until Robin was standing amid barren room that she felt the absence of life. She lazily kicked the chair back beneath the table as she walked past, intending to head for the bath. She needed the hot water to relax after the harsh day on the battlefield, and to avoid the nightmares that would plague her if she fell asleep stressed.
With a towel slung over her arm, she gently swung the door open, and was immediately greeted by a flood of steam. It took her a moment to register the figure before her as Gaius, clad in nothing but his boxers. He peered over his shoulder at the sound, his face flushing a deep scarlet when his eyes met hers. Her own cheeks were heating up and furiously turning pink. She quickly shot her eyes down, attempting to avert her gaze, to no avail. She looked back at him. Gaius was a bit chubby, obviously due to his sugar addiction - which Robin actually found quite adorable - and a strange tattoo adorned his arm. She continued to trail her gaze upwards, but forced herself back into reality as she realized the mist was clearing, and to save them both from further embarrassment, she abruptly yanked the door closed with an audible slam! She leaned her back against the wall, letting out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Oh, Gods," she whispered, "so much for taking a bath."
She rushed back to her room and practically jumped into bed, quickly curling up beneath her blankets. She was utterly mortified with herself, having walked in on a comrade like that for a second time. She groaned and ducked her head further below the sheets, preparing for the restless night ahead.
The following morning was horrendous. Her entire body ached, and having gotten no sleep, she had to virtually drag herself out of bed. Heavy shadows hung from her eyes and she hunched over as she walked, practically falling asleep standing. She headed for the mess hall, intending to nourish her energy deprived soul. The smell of breakfast enticingly wafted from the kitchen, guiding her the whole way.
"Have you seen Robin?" Gaius asked, just around the corner. Robin, pulled from her zombie-like trance by the sound of his voice, came to a complete halt.
"I'm afraid not. You'll have to look elsewhere," another voice responded, Robin's mind too tired to identify it as she ducked behind a crate in the hall. Footsteps faded away, and Robin sighed, turning the corner - only to find that Gaius was still standing there. Almost as though he had been waiting for her.