Beyond the Night: Beyond the Team
Asterous Start

The mission certainly started off asterous.

Zatanna saying, "don't let that make you nervous" definitely made him nervous, yet Batman came on screen right after that in order to debrief them regarding their mission. He was sure, despite the fact Bruce hadn't reacted, that the man could see right through him. No, he didn't fear Batman. He feared over-protective Bruce Wayne who could ground him but get Alfred onboard with the treatment as well.

That was far more asterous than Batman, for sure.

"As you recollect, prior to the teams founding, those of you with mentors helped take down a set of ice villains. It has come to our attention they built an ice fort, so we are sending the team in for a reconnaissance mission. Let me repeat this is a recon sense mission. Do not engage, period."

A silence fell over the team. None of them were asking questions, yet Robin knew there was an important one to ask. Or maybe he asked to quickly, he honestly didn't know, considering how asterous he right now felt, particularly since he didn't want anyone to suspect he was the leader of the Teen Titans. "Who's giving orders?"

"You decide."

Asterous, as something told him Roy would want to be leader, meaning he'd be sidelined due to Red Arrow treating him like a child. Batman signed out, and Robin flipped the switches, preparing the craft to fly. The ship teetered slightly, yet hit nothing, simply catching the others off guard slightly. Only, Wally had to open his big mouth. "Man. You do have a crush on…"

"I do not!" Robin swung around, not paying attention to the controls. The ship began to spin.

The next thing he heard was a slight crunch and Kaldur yelling, "Robin!"

He quickly corrected, before checking for damage. His face burned red, knowing full well this mistake would get back to Batman, and he'd find himself grounded for weeks. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the look on Zatanna's face, one of concern, even if he couldn't see the rest of the team. He also noticed she'd gotten knocked over slightly but was regaining her balance.

Mentally, he cursed at himself, but found himself glad Raven wasn't there to hear what was going on in his head.

Pushing this into the back of his mind, he flew the ship to the location indicated, a place in the north, and set it down. Zatanna stood looking towards the back, placing a hand on Robin's shoulder. "I'm not going with you, as I expect the five of you to function as a team. In that regard, do keep in radio contact. I'll only interfere if you need help, but don't be afraid to ask for help if you get in over your heads."

"Whatever." Roy commented. Robin couldn't help but feel the last part of Zatanna's comment was directed at him, particularly since she was staring at him.

"What?"

Zatanna blinked. "Sorry. I was just thinking…"

"What?" Robin held back lashing out. He'd already found himself reacting too much for his liking today, to all sorts of emotional stimuli.

"No. I…"

"Come on. Spit it out."

"I shouldn't. I really shouldn't." Zatanna shook her head, sucking in her cheeks ever so slightly.

Robin smiled at her. "Come on. I can handle it."

"I'm not sure…"

His smile turned to a bat glare, making her swallow.

"You really don't want me to."

"Come on. Robin said he could handle it. The polite thing to do is to say what you're thinking." Superboy piped up.

"Thank you! Another person who gets that I can take care of myself!" He continued giving her the bat glare.

"Fine. I think you look adorable in your cold weather gear." The look in her eyes screamed. "See why I didn't want to say anything."

Robin cursed himself for having forgotten the fact every single female on the Justice League ranks considered him cute, adorable and fluffy. Hell, even villainesses weren't immune to his charm, but he hoped if he ever met Killer Frost that she'd be an exception to the rule. The attention lavished wasn't to his liking, despite what some males might think.

"*cough* Green Arrow *cough* Flash *cough* Superman *cough* who was guilty of thinking the same thing *cough* because he was Superman *end cough*"

Of course, Roy and Wally burst out laughing, while Kaldur let out a groan. Superboy seemed a bit puzzled. "I'm confused. Isn't Robin's cold weather gear what one would call cute?"

The two laughing idiots laughed even harder, while Robin frowned at Superboy. "Why do you have to be such a clone, clone?" His mouth twisted into a frown, yet he held his tongue, not wanting to hurt Superboy's feelings, particularly since he knew Superman was being his hardheaded Kryptonian self.

"Guys don't like being called adorable or cute SB." Wally chuckled.

"Yes, but…"

"Why don't we get started on the mission." Robin piped up, unbuckling from his seat. "The sooner, the better."

Yup, he'd said the last part so everyone could hear him. Roy stopped laughing. "Okay, so Robin is with me in one group, and the rest of you in another group."

"Wh…"

"We're going this way, you go that way."

Roy simply grabbed his arm, tugging him after him. "Don't react. Don't let Roy get to you like Kaldur said. Take into consideration the fact he treats you like a child and adjust your own movements to that. After all, Batman trained you, so it should be no problem."

That didn't change the fact his predicament was embarrassing. Painfully so. He was being dragged along in a most strategic manner, but more specifically treated like a small child. Roy didn't even give the others a chance to say anything, yet there was someone who didn't need a chance to catch up. A gust whipped up, bringing snow up to land on both Robin and Roy.

Wally hissed. "What, do you think you're doing Roy!"

Kid Flash poked Roy in the chest. Roy narrowed his eyes. "What do you think you're doing? Why aren't you going in the same direction as the others to get to the fort?"

"Why? Because I'm the only one who can catch up to you after we argued about whether to follow your orders or not! What made you leader, huh RA?"

"Someone had to give orders."

"Why does that person have to be you?"

"Yeah AR. I'd make a better leader than you." Robin piped up, his wrist still gripped in Roy's gloved hand. "Yeah, despite my royal screw up with the Titans."

"Sure. A thirteen-year-old is going to lead the team." Wally said what he did in a joking manner, just maybe, yet this was the wrong time. Robin wasn't in the mood for frivolous banter.

"Do you think you're mature enough to lead at fifteen, KF?" Robin hissed.

"Neither one of you are leading! You, because you can't follow orders, and you because…"

"Because what? You think I'm a royal screw up! Like the Teen Titans? You going to use that against me?"

"I never would."

Meaning simply Roy hadn't figured it out yet, because he most certainly would use the Teen Titans incident against Robin if he knew. "You…"

"The Teen Titans have nothing to do with you. You're not a circus freak."

Robin felt his entire body tense. He was indeed a circus freak. Everyone at school said so, or so it seemed.

"However, there is that incident with Mothman to consider."

"That was your fault!" Robin snapped, coming back to his senses."

"No, it was yours."

Kid Flash glared at Roy, knowing full well whose fault said incident was, but that it could have honestly been much worse. A noise caught Robin's attention, and he held up his hand for them to quiet down.

~B~

Cyborg felt numb. Something happened to him, and Robin blamed himself. "No, not your fault."

"Yes. Definitely my fault."