Alright new chapter so this one will be slash, so if you don't like it you can skip it.
Game plans
There is always a reason for every action. Sure it might not be the best reason, or the most lawful, but there was a reason none the less.
There was a reason he stole. It was a fun, easy way to get money. Plus he enjoyed the adrenaline rush he got from pulling off a successful job.
There was a reason he wore a mask. He did have a life outside of being Red X, thief extraordinaire and only enemy to continually fight against the Titans and win. Plus the mask was pretty kickass.
There was even a reason why he flirted with the hot alien chick. It pissed Robin off and the madder he got the harder he fought, and those fights always proved to be entertaining.
So yes, he had a reason for doing everything he does, and he knew and accepted all of these reasons. Or he thought.
"Of all the stupid, irritating, ridiculous reasons… Why? What did I do to make you hate me so much?" The thief, who was currently pacing his apartment tugged uselessly at his hair and shouted at his ceiling, which proved to only piss off his neighbors. Ignoring the complaints that came his way the teen sat heavily on his couch, pouting (in a manly way, or course) and glared at nothing in particular.
Before his life changing revelation, the thief had been contemplating going out to steal something. Then he did the worst thing he could do; he thought about the why. He really didn't need to go out tonight, at the moment he had more precious stones and antique things that he could go inactive for a few years and still be living the high life (not that he would ever go inactive). So it wasn't money that he needed.
Then he thought it was for the rush, but realized that though he wanted a rush, it wasn't the kind he got from stealing but the kind he got from a good fight. That was easy to do; he could just go hang around a bar or go to the slums of the city and pick a fight with someone. But then he thought about it some more and realized that he didn't want to fight just anyone, but the Titans, or more specifically Robin.
But why? Why did he want to go out here and purposefully provoke his greatest rival, just to fight him? Maybe it was how they seemed to be evenly matched? Or maybe it was something else? He thought it over (something he told himself to limit, it got him in trouble), thought about how the teen hero would shout out his name, sounding determined and frustrated. He thought about how the younger teen fought, how graceful he moved, almost like he was dancing. How strong he was, despite his lean figure (though Red wasn't bulky in the least), how powerful his hits with that bow staff were…
Red abruptly snapped out of his musings when he felt his cheeks heat up, much to his horror. He hadn't blushed because of someone else since he went through puberty, and now his face felt like it was on fire.
This was horrible! Of all the reasons for him to do something, personal feelings never really entered the equation. Now he was second guessing himself, did he steal this and that for fun or to see his… crush? He couldn't go out there tonight, not like this. Hell, he couldn't go out there to steal ever again! He was going to have to move, change his appearance and his name and grow a mustache. He needed to…
"What am I thinking? I can't grow a mustache! It would look weird and take too long and it is seriously not what I should be worried about right now. First and for most I am talking to myself, not cool. Secondly, why should I be worried? I'm sexy and awesome and cool and totally better than some really hot alien chick that lives with him and works with him to fight crime and is a good friend of his—and now I'm depressed. Ok I need a battle plan. And markers. And paper and food and I really need to stop talking to myself…"
Half an hour alter the plan was done. Using a blank piece of paper he torn out of one of his textbooks and a magic marker he found under his couch, the thief out to steal a hero's heart planed out his ten step plan.
Step one was the easiest. Flirt heavily with the alien girl. Really lay it on her and when Robin interferes, as he undoubtedly will, joke about him being jealous. Do this for a few days or so until they all think he's interested in her.
Step two would be the funniest. Don't acknowledge the girl at all unless in combat with her. Don't speak or touch her unnecessarily. Do this for a day.
Step three will be the most difficult. Go inactive right after step two. A necessary part of the plan, they will still be pondering what he was playing at from the last confrontation and Robin will start to obsess with where the thief went to. That means his little Robbie-boy will be thinking of him, a lot.
Step four, his second favorite. Pull off a huge heist that will make the papers, one that might make international news if he could swing it. He would need to leave a marker; leaving no doubt as to whom it was that did whatever it is that he would do. That was easy though; he could just leave a shrunken at the scene, or allow a camera to catch him.
Step five, well that step will be amusing as hell to see. He would once more flirt, though this time it would be with Robin. It would have to be subtle flirting, something that could be taken in another way but would leave the boy wondering what he really meant. This would also be his longest step, maybe he would take a month to do this one, it depended on when Robin picked up that his rival might be flirting with him. It shouldn't take terribly long however, as Robin is smart and obsessively observant.
Step six; he would have to be careful with this one. He would start to flirt more obviously with the boy. Let him know that Red was interested in him. He would have to be extremely careful that he didn't start this step to fast or lay it on to heavily lest he scared the boy off. He would also have to be careful to seem sincere so the paranoid hero didn't think he was trying to play with him.
Step seven would be the start of his if steps. If Robin started to show interest in him, he would start this step. If that happened then he would try to get him alone more. Have the boy chase him, as he would, by himself, which he would do if he were interested. Red would then try to initiate conversations with him, talk about food and views on the world. Things that couples on the first date would talk about. It might not work at first, but he would keep trying until it did.
Step eight makes him the most nervous. If all goes well with step seven he would ask Robin on a date. Once again this step might require multiple attempts and he would have to be careful. Robin might just be playing with him and try an ambush. So Red would have to make sure that if Robin is showing interest, that interest is real.
Step nine is his favorite. If the date goes well, and if he is sure that Robin is sincere with his own feelings, Red would ask him if Robin would like to be an actual couple. He would still have to be careful about the possibility that Robin is playing with him, so he would ask if Robin would take off his mask. Of course Red would remove his own mask and that won't happen until more trust is establish, but the removal of masks would help settle probably both teens' nerves.
Step ten… doesn't really exist. He just didn't want to end on an odd number, that's just awkward.
Right, so he could do this. He could totally do this and he would do it, in a few days.
