Finally got around to thanking everyone for their reviews/comments. If I happened to miss anyone I apologize, and again, thank you all so much! The reviews and commentary have really helped boost my insecurities about trying to write this. ^_^ Their are some rocky chapters up ahead, however I hope you'll stick with me through the ride because it will all make sense later on. Also, biggest comment (wouldn't really call it criticism) I've been receiving is questions about Ri's eye color. I know traditionally it is blue however I took some artistic liberty for this story. (Well, with him and Eddie really, considering he's traditionally a brunette...) Ah, I'm rambling! Forgive this long notation and please enjoy the new chapter! As always, thank you for your kind reviews/comments/faves/author alerts etc!
Chapter 9
Spider
After everyone has gotten at least one good hit in they disperse, leaving Robin to ponder the now very interesting pattern of the colored tile. 'Blood…either I bit my tongue or my nose might be bleeding. At least it's not broken. Heh, they were strong, but not strong enough to break anything.'
With a quiet groan the emerald eyed young man removes himself from the floor. From the stiffness and overall burning in his muscles he knows he's definitely well bruised and going to feel it worse tomorrow morning; however it's nothing in comparison to playing with Joker or some of the other psychos of Gotham. Even though the world is tilting violently Richard grabs his backpack and drives to Wayne Enterprises. There are no real thoughts behind the decision, just the need to be near Eddie even if the researcher is too busy to talk.
Entering the building and going to the 13th floor in utter silence Robin is surprised to discover the redhead isn't at his desk. 'Probably bathroom break…or coffee…I just…' Shoving his backpack under the extra chair in the office and without thinking about it the lithe creature slips under his boyfriend's desk and into the sleeping bag kept there. After all, it's perfectly normal to have a hunter green sleeping bag under your desk for long projects right?
Curling into the startlingly soft material the brunette falls asleep for a while, vaguely aware of Edward's return. Bruce's employee mumbles to himself and continues his work unaware until he accidentally kicks his hidden guest.
"What the hell?"
Being booted again brings a soft protest but Robin doesn't open his eyes or unfurl until he hears the office chair being drawn back.
"Ri?"
Pushing the sleeping bag away from his face he blinks blearily up at the concerned expression. "Hi Eddie."
The chair backs further and in an instant Eddie is on the floor cautiously extracting Ri from his hiding place. "What happened? Why were you hiding under my desk? I didn't hurt you did I?"
Shaking his head the acrobat pulls back a bit just in case someone happens to pass by. "No, I'm fine and I just- ow!"
Richard flinches as long fingers ghost over what feels like a huge bruise forming on his left cheek; a very dangerous light igniting in his boyfriend's eyes as electric green takes over. 'Shit, Ed's in control….'
"Who did this? Are there more?"
"Well, feels like there's more but they're just a few bruises. Honestly I'm fine."
"What happened?"
"Ed, seriously I-"
"Answer me, Birdie." The sharpness of the redhead's tone gives no quarter.
"It was just a school fight."
Again a flicker of something before Ed's face gains perfect neutrality. "School fight."
The statement sounds more like a question than a confirmation. "Yeah. I mean, come on Ed. I have a very distinct fighting style. I can't go around beating up every guy 'roid raging with his buddies."
Ed nods and for a moment Ri thinks he's home free, until the lanky man gets up and retrieves his coat stiffly.
"Ed what are you-"
"Football practice."
"What?"
"If my presumption is correct, any high school student would want to leave school immediately unless there is reason not. And based upon the location and method of your bruising he's a member of a sports team."
"Ed, please…"
"He is isn't he? Or morely they?"
Richard opens his mouth to protest but the words never come. This man is far more intelligent than anyone can ever give him credit for. 'My Eddie…my Ed…'
"How many friends did he bring just to be able to take you on, Ri? Even not fighting back you wouldn't go down easily at all."
"There were nine in total."
Approaching Robin so fast it actually makes him stagger a little the Riddler unzips his hoodie and pulls it off, oblivious to the protests as electric eyes roam over the teen's face, neck, and arms. Then strong hands push up the grey t shirt to check his chest, stomach, and back. Even though he's unable to see the damage himself the look on the scientist's face says it all.
"I'm going to kill them."
"Ed no…."
"Fine. Seriously maim them then."
Goosebumps prickle up Richard's arms as he reclaims his discarded hoodie and after throwing it on as quickly as he can takes hold of Ed's hand. "Please, just forget about it."
"You are covered in bruises."
"It could have been worse and they really aren't bad guys, just stressing out 'cause the coach is making changes they don't like and I just happened to be nearby."
"They touched your face, Birdie."
This single growled statement explains everything and nothing all at once. Again unable to voice any objection the acrobat looks down to where he's tightly gripping Ed's hand with both of his own; staring in something akin to amazement at how easily he can hold a couple of fingers per hand and still have some room. 'I always feel like a silly little kid next to him, especially when he actually stands up straight.'
"Please Ed? It's not worth it, and I hate seeing you angry. I promise to tell Terry what happened, he's very likely going to be team captain here shortly so he'll take care of it."
The scientist sighs heavily as he stares at Robin, eyes bleeding back to their regular color. "Okay. I suppose we-"
"We better check to make sure Nygma is doing his damn job!"
"If you mean torture the poor schmuck sounds great to me."
Both men freeze like stalked deer being alerted to their predators. The obnoxious whine of Staeman and the stinging tone of Stickly inflict palpable pain to their intelligence and sense of self worth as a meaningful glance passes between the two. 'Fuck! If the Douche team catches me in here with Eddie we are so fucked!'
The redhead's eyes dart about his office for a moment as he tries to think of a way to avoid the incoming ass chewing, however by the instant guilt that follows in his tone the brunette knows he's not going to care much for this idea.
"I'm sorry, Ri."
"Wha?"
Hurriedly Edward Nygma takes hold of his boyfriend by the bicep and leads him over to the desk, gently pushing the teen to go back under. "I'm really sorry but if they both come over here and see you it will be the end of my breaks, and that would be just for starters."
Nodding in understanding even though his muscles ache and the bruises are truly starting to hurt Robin slips under; folding himself against the back panel of the desk.
The scientist takes his seat quickly, and with luck, manages not to kick Richard just as the tag team round the corner.
"Nygma!" Both voices ring in stereo and the emerald eyed creature wonders how anyone can work on the 13th floor and still have some form of sanity with these…people around.
"Yes, sirs?" The submissiveness in the reply is so convincing the eavesdropper would almost believe it himself. 'Yeah…if it was anyone other than my Eddie.'
"You did it again…"
"…the goddamn pen."
"If it wasn't for Mr. Wayne you would be fired…"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I had no other pen available. There were final reports due for Jake's team so any formal writing implement I have was in use. Blue and black pens really do go fast around here, in fact Margie said some have been taken out of her desk before and never returned."
As the tongue lashings continue Ri tries to shift positions for comfort, finding fast that even though there is plenty of leg room for Eddie there isn't much space for himself even with his willowy build. Hand tentatively on the lanky man's knee so he can move without making any noise an idea strikes. A mischievous grin crosses full lips as the young man feels the very distinct movement of Ed's muscles beneath his fingertips. 'If I'm going to be stuck down here…I want to try something…'
Without forewarning slender fingers trail up the scientist's legs, stopping just short of being too close. Robin smiles in a cross between triumph and remorse as there is a thump directly above his head and a hurried cough that sounds a bit forced.
"Nygma are you listening?"
"Yes Mr. Staeman. I apologize, you know, bugs go around…"
'Bugs…uh huh…' Biting his bottom lip shyly the teen retreats; grazing his nails lightly before returning to where he was, interchanging using the back of his nails and the ends. The harassment drones on and as it continues Richard gets bolder, action lacking confidence but not sincerity. 'Holy giant snake! Is that an anaconda in there?'
Edward's response to being groped is instant and hardly restrained. "OH GOD!"
"Nygma, what is your problem now?"
"F-forgive me, Mr. Stickly. I think I saw a spider."
"A spider?" The reply is thick with disdain. "You're a big boy now, Edward. I don't believe a little spider is going to hurt you."
The 'spider' continues his ministrations, stroking his boyfriend and trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. 'I can't help it, I really care about him…and if he's at least a little distracted they won't have him in a bad mood all day.'
"I know, you're right sir, I apologize about the green ink I will fix it immediately and bring you both coffees in five minutes, just need to finish something real quick." Although Eddie's voice is neutral and calm there is a barely detectable waver in it as he attempts to make Stickly and Staeman go away.
"Well, we better be on our way then."
As soon as he knows they are well out of range the researcher releases a shuddering breath and grabs Robin by his wrists, scooting back and pulling the acrobat out from his hiding place all at the same time. On his knees between Ed's legs the young man realizes how much trouble he's in as he catches the effervescent pale green eyes with veins of electric green through them. 'That must mean it's Ed and Eddie…is that possible?'
"You, my naughty little Birdie," Bruce's employee begins huskily as he pulls Robin off the floor and into his lap. "Are going to be punished for that later. Do you have any homework?"
Shivering the student manages to shake his head no. With a quick kiss to Richard's lips Ed gently shoos him away. "Then you better head out. I promise to text you and we'll do something this weekend."
Still speechless Ri picks up his backpack and waves goodbye, certain his Eddie would keep his promise.
There were twelve new texts by the time he got home, each a single word combining into a single sentence that brought a riot of color to the emerald eyed young man's face:
I love you so much Birdie, more than you will ever know
