A/N: I know some of you will think I stole the idea for the outfit in this from one of my own drabbles, but it was actually the other way around! I thought this up first and decided I needed to explore it more… ;)

From the previous chapter:

"Good for him." Robin muttered. "So, what would it take for me to improve my status?"
Slade suddenly had a very wide grin on his face.

"Funny you should ask…"

2060

Chapter 9: Of Sickos and Animals

Robin's eyes narrowed, but Slade just chuckled and gestured to the cart.

"Let's have dessert first, shall we?"

Robin didn't think he had much of an appetite left, but after seeing the thick piece of chocolate cake with slices of canned peach and a thick dollop of cream on top, he changed his mind. Some things were just too good to pass up. Robin still gave Slade a glare or two before sighing and reverting to his silent mantra.

It's just sex, it's just sex, it's just sex… all I have to do is lie back and endure it…He had felt rather flippant about this in the beginning, thinking that it wouldn't be such a big deal, that Slade would in no way be able to even crack Robin's façade just by sleeping with him. Now, however, when the moment drew closer, he wasn't so sure of himself any more.

He ate the dessert as slowly as he dared, without looking like he was stalling. That, the hero decided, was beneath him. Far too soon, however, the treat was gone.

"Now, Robin…" Slade rose and took the plates, placing them on the cart. The teen remained seated, he wouldn't do anything before being told to, he decided. "Rose, and William as well, I might add, seem to think I have been too lenient with you." the man said, and started walking around the table in what Robin recognized as his 'lecture-walk'. The teen's eyes darted around the room, looking for pens, but he really didn't think he would be dead at the end of this little speech. He could hope, though. He frowned at the mention of the twin's opinions, and Slade caught the grimace.

"No, no, Robin, you thought it very strange yourself. Remember the 'no dessert'?"

"Yeah, well, if I had known there were desserts like these involved, it would have felt as more of a punishment." Robin shrugged.

"Ah, my fault I see." Slade smirked, making Robin follow him with his eyes as he circled the boy. "However, I think Erik is basically wrong."

"There's no 'basically' about it." Robin snorted. "About what, by the way?"

"About pain."

Robin blinked, and Slade continued.

"You remember, I think, him offering to train you in obedience by using pain? His methods are efficient, but only on the common mass… someone as extraordinary as yourself… you need something else."

Robin snorted. He knew when he was being buttered up, and when he was being threatened, and this definitely felt more like the latter.

"Like what?" he asked, taking the bait.

"Like pleasure."

Robin burst out in a short laugh.

"And you think you can give me that? How? Fucking me? Right… that would take a miracle, Slade, and whatever you and Duncan might think, you are not a god."

"Aw, but you misunderstand." Slade had come to stand in front of him now, and Robin unconsciously moved back a bit in his chair. "Pleasure can be so much more than sex. How about somewhere nice to sleep? An opportunity to take long baths, work out, have interesting conversations, healthcare, eat amazing food? Haven't I given you all these things?"

"You've also dressed me up in silly outfits, embarrassed me, and killed people in front of me. Oh, yeah, and almost got me killed with some stupid germs." Robin muttered and crossed his arms.

"Oh, yes, I didn't want to spoil you too much." Slade grinned. "However, Robin, I feel that you haven't appreciated my generosity enough. I think it's time for you to give something back."

"Like what? As if I didn't know…" Robin growled and glanced up at the bed on the raised part of the apartment.

"Oh, no, Robin, I am going to fuck you, make no mistake, but what I was thinking about for now is more about you applying yourself, instead of me." the man took half a step forward. "Does anything come to mind?"

For a split second, nothing did. Then Robin's face drained of color as he realized that the man's crotch was right in front of his face.

"No! I'm not doing that!" Robin shouted and got to his feet, pushing his chair back as he did. Immediately Slade's hand shot out and grabbed his neck in a grip so painful that Robin thought he felt his arms and legs go numb. Before he knew it, Slade was on the sofa and he was on his knees between the man's legs.

"Would you like to rethink that?" Slade hummed softly.

"I'll bite you!" Robin growled, unable to move as he was afraid his neck would snap. The pain was exploding out from his upper spine to every nerve in his body. It was like being slowly electrocuted, and in all his years fighting and getting hurt, Robin had never felt anything like it.

"Then what would you think would happen? I'll heal in a matter of moments, and you'll heal in a matter of months… and then… we'll start all over again. Without me asking you nicely." Slade still sounded like he was purring, making Robin see white. He had been prepared, although reluctantly, to let the man fuck him, but this? It was somehow so much more personal, and it was about him submitting, servicing the man in a whole other way, something he was far from ready for. Escape plans be damned.

"I don't care!" Robin snarled. "I don't fucking care! Beat me up all you want, I'll nev-" Slade's thumb moved, pressing down on his air-pipe, making Robin gasp for oxygen.

"I apologize. I couldn't let you say it… it would come back to haunt you, you see, every time you willingly fall to your knees in front of me from now on." Slade smiled almost gently. "You see, Robin… there's always this…"

Robin barely noticed that the man let him breathe again, as he stared at the syringe which had seemingly just materialized in the man's hand.

"Wh-what"? he croaked, although the icy feeling in his stomach made his suspicions known.

"Lust. For the next twenty-four hours, you will moan and spread you legs for me as soon as you see me. Well, any man or woman, to tell the truth, but don't worry. It will only be me." Slade then removed the small plastic cap over the needle with his teeth. Spitting it out, he continued. "I'll give you three seconds to make up your mind."

I can't do it! I can't-

"Three."

I'm not responsible if he drugs me, I'm not! It's not my fault-

"Two."

He'll never trust me, though, he'll keep me drugged all the time, he'll-

"One." Slade turned the syringe over, needle pointing to Robin's arm.

"Stop!" Robin half screamed, half sobbed. "I'll do it, you son of a bitch, I'll… don't…"

He needed Slade's trust more than anything, Robin knew that.

"Very well."

Robin felt the grip on his neck disappear, and amazingly all the pain disappeared with it. He had to raise a hand to the sore spot, making sure his head was still connected to his body.

"In your own time." Slade said dryly, indicating that Robin should get started immediately.

"How about Friday afternoon 2105?" Robin muttered.

"Now, don't be nervous. Since it's your first time, I don't expect you to be good… I merely expect you to be adequate." Slade, sort of, reassured him.

Robin only glared.

"Are you any good?" Robin asked coldly.

"I always endeavor to excel." Slade said airily, with only a slightly hint of sarcasm which told Robin that he was teasing him.

"Spent a lot of your time on your knees then, I presume?" Robin smirked. "Really, Slade, you surprise- Ow!" the man had just cuffed him lightly on the head.

"Get on with it." Slade reprimanded him with a small chuckle, like the teen's words were really just light entertainment to him.

Robin tried not to let his hands shake as he reached for the man's trouser-button.

Just think of something else… he told himself and then nearly rolled his eyes at the silly thought. Like he was able to think of anything else than what he was about to do.

He got the button open and pulled down the zipper. Slade was wearing underwear, probably just to make things more difficult, Robin suspected. He was sure that the man was that petty.

Robin could feel himself getting more and more embarrassed for every second it took to get the man out, but eventually he managed. He stared. He couldn't really believe he was holding Slade's cock… it was just so… absurd! The man wasn't even half hard, and that fact irked Robin. Somehow he had expected Slade to be painfully stiff at the mere thought of him sucking the man off, and now he felt slightly offended somehow. The cock grew rapidly now, however, and it didn't seem that it knew how to stop.

"Well, your mouth is already hanging open; maybe you should put it to good use?" Slade suggested.

Robin was almost too transfixed by the thing to hear him, however.

God, if I had something this size to play with at home, I would have never left my room…his inner voice, cheered on by his libido, drooled. He couldn't find the energy to fight as Slade's hand cradled the back of his head and drew him closer.

"There's a good pet, Robin. Lick it."

Trying his best to ignore Slade, at least the part which spoke, Robin still stuck his tongue out and licked tentatively just under the head. The cock twitched and the teen had to repress a smug smirk. He repeated the move and the cock twitched slightly again, growing even harder. It vaguely occurred to him that doing this would make Slade lose some of his infuriating control, and, in doing so, Robin would gain a bit of control himself. It wasn't much of a comfort, but it helped Robin proceed. Closing his eyes, he took the head into his mouth and sucked gently.

Slade's hand was still present, guiding him, coaxing him, and petting his hair in reward when he was performing well. Robin had sat up higher on his knees now, as Slade was slowly fucking his mouth. The taste wasn't horrible, he decided, probably because the man recently had a shower, but it was no chocolate cake. His jaw was beginning to ache a bit, so Robin pulled back a little.

"You are not finished until I finish, Robin. Just a reminder." Slade purred.

Robin blinked. Of course. Make Slade come as soon as possible, and this would be over. He started up his task again with an enthusiasm which seemed to take Slade by complete surprise.

"Very… good." the man admitted.

Robin tried to think of things that would feel good on himself, and, doing so, his boxers tighten a bit.

I'm NOT getting hard from sucking Slade off! he told himself, but, in fact, he was. Over a week without any release was long in the teen's life. Add a vivid imagination to the mix and Robin had some serious problems. Fortunately he didn't get more than slightly aroused, however, but it was more than enough to be embarrassed about. His only consolation was that Slade wouldn't notice in this position. Robin used everything he had learned in the short amount of time, and he could hear Slade's breathing getting heavier, the fingers on the back of his head tensing and releasing. He had started using his hands as well, cupping the man's balls and stroking the base of the cock which he wouldn't be able to reach otherwise. When Robin felt the man stiffen, he tried to pull back, but Slade's hand wouldn't let him, holding him still as Robin's mouth filled with his seed.

"Swallow."

He did, more so not to choke than because of the demand, and the hand let him go. Robin tumbled backwards, wiping the corners of his mouth where some droplets had escaped. Now that it was over, his anger returned, but he tried to keep it in check as he quickly got to his feet.

"Well done, pet." Slade sounded slightly different; there was a satisfaction in his voice now which Robin didn't want to hear again, ever. The teen growled something nasty quietly under his breath and went over to the dinner-table, sweeping the rest of the wine in his glass and then refilled it, downing that as well. It wasn't to get rid of the taste, not exactly. Slade's cum had tasted very much like his own, and he had tasted himself often enough to be used to it. It was the action he was trying to wash away, and the fact that Slade had been able to 'convince' him to perform it.

"Happy now, sicko?" Robin growled.

"Call me what you want, pet. The fact is that whatever you do from now on, I will always be able to picture you on your knees with my cock in your mouth… and so will you."

"Yeah, well, do you know what I will remember?" Robin asked coldly.

"Pray tell."

"The ending. Did you know that you sound like a little kitten when you come, Slade? A lost, scared little kitten." Robin smirked.

He saw Slade narrow his eye, and looked back without blinking. After a moment Slade smirked.

"Well, when… happy memories for us both, I would say."

Robin chuckled grimly. The man had suspected the lie, but he wasn't completely sure, something which Robin took great satisfaction in.

"As for the rest of our evening…" Slade said and stood up.

"'Our' evening's over." Robin snorted. "You got what you wanted, so back off!"

"Is that so?" Slade smirked, and, there in his hand, was the syringe again.

Robin wouldn't allow himself to be threatened now, not when he was free to move. Before the man had time to react, the teen's foot crashed into his hand, sending the needle into the fire-place where it was almost immediately incinerated by the heat.

"Let's not use that argument again, shall we?" Robin said flippantly. He didn't back away when Slade came closer. It was no use running, he would only look foolish.

"Robin, you know I have more of that drug, don't you?"

"Yes, probably." the teen shrugged.

"And… " Slade had come all the way up to him now, looking down at the teen with a curious expression on his face, "… you know I can make you do what I want? One way or another…?"

"Yes, I know." Robin said and rolled his eyes. "If you insist on going on, we will. I never said I wouldn't. I was just expressing my opinion." the teen allowed a small smirk to play on his lips, knowing it would drive the man crazy.

"And the syringe?"

"I don't like feeling threatened. When I feel threatened, I kick… hmm… haven't we been over this? I have this feeling of déjà vu."

"Then you would have no problem taking a bath with me?" the man smirked triumphantly, obviously thinking Robin would retreat.

"No, of course not. Want me to undress you?" Robin asked sweetly, and reached for Slade's shirt-buttons.

"Is your fever back?" the man asked and felt the teen's forehead.

"Actually I feel a bit-" Robin's eyes suddenly grew large and he bolted towards the bathroom.

Pity about the dinner… he thought as he bent over the toilet and quickly stuck his fingers down his throat. He had been taught this by Bruce, in case he ever ate anything poisonous, but not even in his wildest imagination he would have thought that he would use it to get out of having sex.

When Slade entered the bathroom Robin just managed to throw up again, this time from the vile taste in his mouth.

"Seems like the wine might not agree with you…" Slade commented as Robin tried to catch his breath.

"Yeah…" Robin panted. "Sure… blame the wine…"

"I'll call Rose. Clean up and get to bed." Slade said and turned around in the door. As the man left, Robin smiled. As he thought; no one wanted to have sex with someone they had just watched throw up.

I'm a genius... pity I can't do this all the time without starving to death… he smirked as he got up and flushed, before rinsing his mouth, splashing some water on his face so he would appear clammy, and then using a Denta-tab to get rid of the taste completely.

He then hurried to bed and climbed in, just as Rose came in the door.

"Some of us have personal lives, you know? Just because you get your pet drunk and he throws up, doesn't mean I need to be here." Rose snorted after checking Robin over.

"I'm just making sure it's not a relapse." Slade defended himself.

"It's not, he just ingested something that didn't agree with his stomach." Rose told them, making Robin chuckle softly.

"I think I did too…" he said.

"All he needs is some rest, I would say. He probably won't even throw up again."

"Very well." Slade muttered. "I'll let you get back to… what did you call it? Your 'personal life'? Who is it? Will I approve?"

"Not your business, and I doubt it. When have you ever approved of anything?" Rose snorted, but then laughed softly and, Robin's eyes grew round again, gave Slade a kiss on the cheek.

"I think I feel a bit sick again…" the teen muttered.

After seeing her out, Slade came back, walked up to the bed and picked Robin up in his arms.

"Hey, what?" Robin objected, afraid he would be forced into that bath anyway.

"I'm taking you back to your room."

"What? After what I did for you?" Robin objected.

"Well, I'm tired of having sick people in my bed. I only want horny and willing people in it from now on." Slade smirked.

"You'll always sleep alone then, won't you?" Robin muttered.

"I've let you stay far too long already. It was only supposed to be for a night or two, without reimbursement that is, but then you got sick… Damn, I really have been too soft on you…" Slade muttered more or less to himself.

"But… I want a blanket…" Robin complained, as he was being carried down the corridor.

"And I wanted a long, hard fuck. Seems none of us will get what he wants tonight." Slade told him.

"Cold-hearted bastard." Robin hissed.

"Naturally talented cock-sucker." Slade whispered in his ear, just as they entered the reception. For once it was empty, and Slade merely continued on to his office.

"I can walk by myself you know." Robin muttered.

"But you are sick… I wouldn't dream of letting you tire yourself out…" Slade smirked, and easily handled both Robin's weight and opening the door.

"You're so sweet… always thinking of me…" Robin said dryly.

"But of course. You're my precious little pet, Robin…" Slade chuckled back and opened the cell.

"I was sarcastic." Robin pointed out, in case the man had missed the obvious.

"Really? I wasn't." Slade grinned, kissed his forehead and, standing up, dropped him on the mattress on the floor.

"OMPF!" Robin gasped as the air was knocked out of him. "What the hell happened to taking care of me because I was sick?!"

"I got the impression you didn't like that? Make up your mind, little bird." Slade shrugged. "Besides, I wanted to test your new bed. You stuffed the other mattress so full of metal it was easier to just exchange it."

"Oh." Robin mumbled, pretending to be disappointed.

"They found things in the water tank of the toilet too, and many other places… you were quite busy, weren't you?"

"Well, 'idle hands' and all that, you know?" Robin grinned innocently.

"Indeed? Well… I've forgiven you. Good night, pet, wake me if you feel worse." Slade said and was out the door before Robin had stopped gaping.

He's… he's just strange… the teen decided and sat up, checking so he hadn't dislocated anything. The mattress was thick, but Slade was also quite tall, and the fall had been completely unexpected.

He looked around and dared a glance upwards. The electronics he had hidden on the ceiling was still there! That cheered him up to no end and he stretched out on the mattress with a smile. After a while he took his shirt off, to have something to cover himself with. It was strange… it was warm enough, but he still felt the need for a blanket or a sheet of some sort.

He sighed. Strange day. He hated that he had been forced to give in to Slade, but at least he man hadn't gotten a two-for-one deal, and Robin war rather proud of that fact. Sex would come, but it wasn't completely in Slade's control. In fact, he was pretty sure he had confused the man tonight. Robin's smirk grew. A confused Slade was good… He wasn't quite sure why, exactly, but it was the principle of the thing… and it was only fair, since he was pretty confused about Slade as well.

Robin closed his eyes and curled up a bit.

If someone was to keep score… I wondered who won today? he thought before falling asleep.

Robin awoke early in the morning, starving. His dinner last night had, after all, ended up in the toilet. Refusing to call for anyone, Robin decided to wait for Slade, but he had to wait for almost two hours before the man showed up.

"Morning. Slept well?"

"Yup. No one groped me or kicked me out of bed." Robin shrugged.

"You are never going to forgive me for that, are you?" the man chuckled.

"I have bigger things to not forgive you for…" Robin muttered.

"Ahhh… about last night… were you really sick?" Slade asked.

Robin tried with all his might to keep his face blank, but his lips betrayed him, quirking up in a small, quick grin.

"I thought so, you little minx…" Slade snorted. "Well played, Robin." the man sounded proud of him, and Robin was so busy trying to come to terms with that, so he didn't become aware of the man entering his cell until it was too late.

Slade lifted him up again, but slung him over a shoulder this time.

Robin almost burst out laughing at both the sensation and the absurdity of the situation.

"Hey! Cave man! What are you doing?!"

"We are going to take that bath." Slade growled, but in a good humored kind of way.

"What? Before breakfast?" Robin complained pleadingly.

"Yes. And about the cave man-thing; let me remind you that I am more evolved than you…"

"You're not evolved, you're devolved…" Robin snorted. "Morning William!" he greeted Slade's assistant as they passed the reception.

"Err... Slade, where are you…?" the man asked.

"Taking a bath, apparently." Robin answered in Slade's place.

"Sir! Sir, you have a meeting in thirty minutes, remember?" William called after them.

Slade stopped.

"Damn." He turned around and put Robin down on the floor.

"Hey? What gives?" Robin crossed his arms.

"Rain check. The meeting is very important." Slade muttered glumly.

"Now I feel incredibly rejected. I might not be in the mood for a bath with you for weeks because of this!" Robin snorted and turned on his heel, marching back to the office with his nose in the air.

"Not a word." Slade growled at Wintergreen when he noticed the young man glance at him.

"Noted, Sir." the man tried to keep from grinning. "Shall I bring you breakfast? And what about Robin's outfit for today, did you want to continue with the competition?"

"Might as well, it will keep the board happy." Slade shrugged. "And perhaps me as well."

"Not Robin, though, I fear." William chuckled.

"I doubt that too… but I'll get there…" Slade smirked and went into his office.

Robin was sitting in one of the conference-chairs, flipping through a folder he had grabbed on random.

"Into your room." Slade pointed.

"Aw, come on? Can't I-?"

"Now."

Robin knew when not to push, and stood up with a sigh, before dragging his feet into his still open cell. Slade left it open until Wintergreen came in with a breakfast-tray and a large, rather flat, box.

"Will! I love you!" Robin exclaimed and hurriedly grabbed the tray.

"Robin…" the young man said warily, glancing at his boss.

"What? Oh, no, not like that! It was just an expression, like…. 'Slade, go fuck a meat-grinder'. Means, nothing, just something you say all the time… I can think of thousands-"
"If the pet wants its breakfast, the pet might want to eat more and talk less." Slade said dryly. "And I don't need to remind you to behave perfectly during the meeting, do I?"

"Ooo, I'ill-ee-ood." Robin promised with his mouth suddenly stuffed with food.

Slade wasn't completely sure what his pet meant, but nodded nonetheless, as it sounded encouraging.

Wintergreen left the box in Robin's cell as well, and Robin glared warily at it while wolfing down his breakfast. He knew it must contain the days outfit, and he had no idea how to gather the resolve to not looking embarrassed once more.

It's a French maid uniform, I know it is… or black fish-net stockings and a leather bodice… Or… oh for the love of god, don't let it be harem-pants!

Wintergreen was on standby to retrieve the tray, and Robin looked over at him when he had finished.

"Thanks for breakfast, it was great. Err… do you know what's in there?" he nodded to the box.

"No, neither I nor Slade does, I just get the one with the right number." the man said and collected the remains of Robin's breakfast, which only consisted of sandwich paper, and apple core and an empty plastic mug, since the teen had eaten every last crumb.

"Oh. Okay then. Time to find out." Robin took a deep breath, steeling himself.

"You must have been hungry… didn't you have a big dinner last night?" William said, making conversation.

"Yeah, I… threw that up." Robin shrugged.

"You… what? How- wait... this is something I don't want to know about, right?"

"Right." Slade and Robin said simultaneously. They glanced at each other, both having their own reasons for not wanting the story told.

"I just had a small relapse." Robin shrugged.

"Whatever you say. Work's calling." Wintergreen said and exited the cell, closing the door behind him.

Robin undid the strings around the box. He lifted the lid and glanced down. A second later he put the lid back on and stared into the air for a moment, before glancing back into the box again, like he wasn't sure what he had seen. Then he started giggling.

"Just put whatever it is on." Slade muttered, probably still a bit annoyed to have his morning bath postponed.

"Yeah. I will. Definitely… but Slade, could you whiten the glass? This should be a surprise…"

"You got two minutes." Slade muttered, and the outer world disappeared.

Robin giggled again. He couldn't wait to put this on, because, even though he would normally rather die than be seen in it, he knew Slade would hate it.

"I can still hear you, you know." The man growled from outside, and Robin hurriedly pulled the box contents out.

"Hey, Slade, do you know who this was from?" he asked as he dressed.

"Let me check the list. Oh, it's from Parker."

"Parker? Wasn't he one of the guys who had a… err… writing utensil-related accident?"

"That's right."

"Good, then you don't have to kill him again. I'm ready."

The walls once more became clear and Robin saw Slade as close to gaping as he thought he ever would be. The teen twirled around, showing the outfit off.

"Aren't I pretty?" he asked, straightening his ears. He was wearing black leather shorts, the really short kind, a top which looked like a t-shirt but it was cut off just under his pecs, showing of his taut stomach, and then there were the black bunny-ears and big fluffy tail. There were even fingerless gloves with fake fur, as well as little rabbit-feet shaped slippers.

"Take it off." Slade growled.

"What? I'm pretty!" Robin objected gleefully. He had bent one of the rabbit-ears in a cocky angle and he could tell that it hurt the man just to look at him.

"You look ridiculous! I'll get you something else."

There was a knock on the door and Wintergreen stuck his head in.

"Mr. Moto has arrived, Sir." the man glanced over at Robin- "Oh, my..."

Robin saw Slade close his eye for a moment, and he was actually worried about what the man would decide.

"I never believed in Karma until now." Slade muttered, making Robin burst out in a happy little laugh. "So be it. William, take the box out of Robin's room and show Mr. Moto in. Bring us some coffee. I need it."

"Yes Sir." Wintergreen nodded and hurried into Robin's cell. He grinned at the teen. "Can't help but think that you seem even less threatening now…"

"I know, I must look adorable." Robin chuckled. "I could still kill you with a single kick, though."

"Got it." the young man nodded and grabbed the box and wrappings, before backing away quite quickly.

"Oh, don't be like that, I wouldn't hurt you…" Robin snorted and rolled his eyes. "I have Slade for that."

William didn't look like he quite believed Robin, and seemed much better at ease once the cell was closed again.

Slade had time to give Robin a last, warning glare, which the teen returned with a smile, before the door opened and Wintergreen showed Mr. Moto in. The man was short, in his sixties, and of Asian descent, Robin guessed Japanese.

"Welcome. Had a good flight?" Slade asked, and Robin listened up. The tone of the man's voice told him that this was a man Slade cared about, maybe not emotionally but at least professionally, and, therefore, he was important.

"Fine, Sir, fine. Oh, so this is your pet I have heard so many rumors about?" the man studied Robin over the rim of his steel-framed glasses. "He's as lovely as they said… and you dressed him in the latest fashion, I see?"

"Well, his outfit was given to me today, he's trying it out." The strain in Slade's voice was slight, but there.

"He looks adorable." The man said, and Robin dared to give him a little, bashful smile. "My wife loves that style. She keeps an insane amount of kittens, puppies, rabbits and foxes around… Japanese-retro-fashion she calls it. Animal-outfits were the hottest style twenty-five years ago, and now the time for it has come again. Have you seen the robotic tails? Oh, but I digress, forgive me… Business first as always, correct?"

"I don't mind, I won't pretend to know much about pet-fashion." Slade chuckled.

"That's right; he's your first, isn't he? Well, a good choice, I must say, although the rumors of where you got him are pretty wild. Some say he is a mongrel, some say an alien… care to set the record straight, Sir?"

"I'm sorry, that is private." Slade said, and Robin blinked in surprise. He had thought his origin was common knowledge, but now he wondered if only the Wintergreens knew the whole truth.

"My apologies, Sir, just an old man's curiosity." The man waved Slade's words away, as he started to spread folders out on the small conference-table. "Do feel free to let him out, though. He is well behaved I've heard."

If Robin's rabbit-ears had been real, they would have perked up, but Slade's next words would make them droop again.

"He's recuperating from a slight cold; I'd rather keep him where he is."

"Oh, poor little thing. Well, take a look at this, Sir, and tell me what you think…"

The men started working, and they worked intensively. Wintergreen came in and served them coffee and tea but they barely noticed. Robin soon figured out that it had to do with drug-development and testing, and he listened carefully, absorbing everything he could.

"Your pet seems very attentive." Mr. Moto smiled after a while.

Slade glanced in Robin's direction and smirked.

"He's very attached to me."

Robin smiled back, trying not to make it look forced or ironic.

"I can see that. Well, if we look at this plan…"

Robin's stomach started growling after a few hours, telling him it was time for lunch. As on cue there was a knock on the door and the teen looked up hopefully. It wasn't a hot meal, though; it was a small group of people. Duncan, Rose and Erik, as well as two Asian men Robin had never seen before. Slade and Mr. Moto started to put their papers together, while talking to Rose and the unknown men, while Duncan came up to the glass cage, with Erik trailing behind. Robin, however, didn't notice; he was busy watching Slade.

The man's demeanor and expression was so different to the one in the board-room. He was surrounded by his subordinates here as well, but he was more relaxed, and discussing a subject he found truly fascinating, and it showed. He almost looked pleased, and the others were clearly more comfortable around him.

Suddenly someone banged on the glass-pane next to his head, making Robin jump a feet in the air.

"I was talking to you boy! Pay attention to your betters!" Erik chuckled cruelly, and Robin could practically feel the man's eyes sliding over his body.

Robin just managed to school his featured into a demure look.

"I'm sorry Sir." he said softly.

"Hmmm… A few days ago you called me a 'slimy bastard', if I remember correctly…" the man growled.

"Yes, Sir. I apologize, Sir." Robin said, trying not to sound like he was clenching his teeth. It wasn't that fun to play this game with Slade, but doing it with Erik was almost painful.

"You can't blame him, Sir." Duncan said in a surprisingly warm voice. "Didn't you see that he was looking at Slade? I swear, once you sleep with him, you just can't help but fall in love, isn't that right, Robin?"

"Yes Sir." Robin beamed, and it wasn't completely fake. Duncan had given him a wonderful idea. Maybe he could convince Slade that he was confusing sexual gratification with love, once the had gotten that far, that was… it only depended on if the man had planned to even try to make it pleasant for him, but Robin hoped so. He wasn't sure he could fake that as well.

"Hmm… well. I'll take our word for it." Erik shrugged. "By the way, Duncan, nice work on that statistics-report. If you ever get tired of the office or lab, let me know, though. I might have a spot open for you in one of my brothels. 'The Wet and the Willing' perhaps?"

Robin gaped, but quickly hid it. Who the hell did the guy think he was, insulting his coworker like that? He was even more shocked, however, when Duncan smiled delightedly.

"Thank you, Sir! That was very generous of you!"

Erik nodded and walked back to the other group. Robin just had to know, so he risked asking the man a question.

"Err… Sir? Are you happy the man offered you a job at a brothel?"

"Of course! Erik has the best ones, after all, and he might even let me choose my own clients. I wouldn't want to let the education Slade gave me go to waste, though…"

"What is he doing here? I remember he told Master Slade that he used pain, not drugs, to train people." Robin tried to keep the scorn out of his voice, but didn't fully succeed.

"Not completely true, he has allowed us to use some of his slaves for research, and has made some valuable suggestions… you should try to get on Erik's good side, you'll probably end up with him one day."

Robin couldn't hide a shudder, and Duncan chuckled softly.

"I know you don't want to leave him, but it's not really your choice… Even if you please him to the best of your abilities, Slade never holds on to one person for very long. He hasn't even had pets before, for goodness sake, and only temporary lovers like me, so he's not much for commitments. I thought for sure he would marry Rose, but… well…"

"Slade and Rose are-?" Robin whispered wide-eyed.

"No, no, not as far as I know. There were rumors when Rose where in her early twenties, but they were denied… it's just that I think they look good together, don't they?"

Robin glanced over at the group. Rose was just laughing at something with the rest of them, and even Slade smiled.

"Yes, Sir." Robin lied. He felt… not jealous, per se, but if Slade had brought him back he was damned if would let the man run off with some blond skank and leave him to rot in some filthy brothel. His inner voice tried to tell him he was being ridiculous, but Robin refused to listen.

"And aren't you supposed to call him Master?" Duncan said a bit sternly, making Robin forget his dark thoughts.

"Huh? Oh! I'm sorry! Please don't tell him, I just…"

"I know, I know… young love…" Duncan smiled and shook his head with a wistful grin on his face. "I won't say anything."

"Thank you Sir." Robin said softly.

That guy has more loose screws than Rob… he thought to himself.

"Well, everybody, I have brought my best chefs with me, so lunch is on me!" Mr. Moto said loudly. "Afterwards, why don't we take a tour of the labs and we can demonstrate a few things first hand."

"Sounds good." Slade said. "Well, shall we?"

Robin was hungry enough to want to come with them, and, as he had showed the rest of the group out, Slade turned back, and probably saw some of that longing on the teen's face. He smirked.

"I'll be back tonight, Robin. Be a good little bunny."

Since no one else was in the room, the good little bunny flipped him off.

A/N: yes, the bunny-outfit… I'm actually writing a sequel to "hop-hop-hop", because I need to write something insanely silly when I take breaks from this story… ; P

So, you got a bit of smex here, and more IS coming up. Robin won't be able to avoid that tub forever. ;)