*Edited on- no just kidding. It's new. And out super fast. Don't expect that.
Please enjoy. If you're a returning reader from so many years ago, I'd like to thank you for coming back and also to ask that you re-read the story as so many things have changed.
Thank you for reading.
His pants are pulled down around his ankles; his underwear still on, but tugged down on one side as Bruce's nimble fingers make quick work at pulling out the stitches on his groin. His cheeks are tinged red as Barbara watches from the side between pull-ups. Her lips are tinged red and her smile is stretched wide.
"I'm impressed," he looks down at Bruce, who has his eyes focused on his work.
"About what?" Robin shifts his leg slightly, feeling an itch to get out of the chair he'd been trapped in for nearly two weeks.
"You didn't tear a stitch." Bruce's milky blue eyes look up at his partner, "I figured you'd need restitching at least once." He's got a smirk spread across his face and Dick wonders for the umpteenth time if he is possibly related to this man, somehow.
"We had a bet going," Barbara grunts out as she swings down from the high-bar and lands perfectly on her feet. "I said five." She's got a big grin as she leans over and grabs her water bottle from a bench. She walks towards the men while she pops open the top and downs nearly the entire bottle.
Her head pops over Bruce's shoulder and down at Robin's lap. He can feel his face burning and he shifts his legs to try and give himself some modesty. Bruce's eyebrow shoots up and he meets his son's eyes.
"Barbara," his tone is all business and it makes her jump, "That landing needs some work."
"What?" Her eyes narrow at the bat, "my landing was perfect." Her hands have gone to her hips, but her eyes are off Robin and he can breathe easier.
"On a training mat, sure. But you'll snap an ankle landing on concrete." Bruce turns from his work and looks up at the red-head. "You need to tighten up. Do it again."
She stares daggers down at her trainer, before turning with a huff and walking to the high-bar. Bruce keeps his eyes on her as she leaps up and catches the bar effortlessly before turning his attention back to Robin's stitches.
Dick never got to act that way towards Bruce when he had been in Barbara's position. His mentor was tough and cold. He didn't take humor lightly and talking back to him earned punishments. Of course though, back then, Bruce had never had a reason to smile or joke around. She was lucky; she had a mentor who was genuinely happy, even with the bullshit he'd been through.
"Alright," Robin snaps out of his head and looks down at the aforementioned mentor, "Want to stand up?" He has a shine in his eyes and it warms a cold place inside Robin.
"Thought you'd never ask," Robin says as he braces his arms on the side of the chair and, with shaking legs, pulls himself upright for the first time in way too long. Bruce stands just beside him, keeping his arms close enough to catch him if need be. Barbara jumps down from the bar, crumpling down onto her knee under impact.
"How you doing?" Bruce asks softly as Robin feels a tremble rock through his body.
"Good. I'm feeling real good." He cautiously walks forward and feels a smile break out as his tired legs get to stretch out.
"Great," Bruce claps a hand on Robin's shoulder, "Take it easy tonight, and tomorrow go back out for patrol. With me."
"Cool." Robin utters lamely. He hoped he'd get a chance to get out now, but he honestly didn't want to waste a chance at patrolling with Batman again. It'd been ages since the duo last worked together.
"Barbara, again." Robin turns behind him to see Bruce in full teacher-mode, standing above Barbara who's sitting in annoyance on the mat beneath the high-bar.
No, Dick never got to horse around during training. He didn't have the privileges that Barbara got now. But he realizes it isn't anything to upset himself over. Because he is the reason her mentor can be happy.
He's sitting up in his bedroom at Wayne mansion, working on overdue homework from the days he's missed at school. Barbara watches him from the doorway, well aware he knows of her presence. She smirks before finally caving and walking into the room.
"How's the homework coming?" She hops onto his neatly-made bed, wrinkling up the silk sheets.
"Fine." He doesn't look up from his notebook as he jots down notes from the textbook dumped out on his desk.
She twirls a lock of scarlet hair around her finger, glancing around his room. She'd been training with Bruce in the batcave for a long time - over three years, on and off - but she rarely came inside the mansion itself. She still has that look of awe as she stares up at the high marble ceilings and the large bathroom attached to Dick's bedroom.
"Your friend talked to me today," she says out of nowhere. But it really wasn't out of nowhere, Robin thinks, realizing this is the reason she came up here for.
"Artemis." she says, as if to clarify which friend. Her name sends a shiver through him. "She thinks you're pissed at her, over the accident."
Robin clenches his jaw hating where this is going. He glances sideways at Barbara, through a shroud of raven hair that's gotten just a bit too long and hangs in front of his eyes now. She's examining her fingernails, while talking so casually.
"So congratulations, I guess." She meets his eyes, and all the usual cheer is gone from her voice, "Your plan worked."
"What else was I supposed to do Barbara?" he asks, feeling defensive all of a sudden.
"Anything else. Anything other than make a poor girl feel horrible about herself for nearly two weeks," there is fire in her teal eyes. "Because you get off on playing a sick game with her."
At that, Robin bolts up from his chair, forgetting completely about the tender patch of muscle and skin on his leg. He's in her face, the pupils in his eyes mere pinpoints.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, Barbara. Would it kill you to stay out of people's business for once?" He growls out. Her eyes are watering up, but it doesn't make her look any less angry. She pushes him hard and leaps off the bed, storming to the door.
"You're right, I don't know what I'm talking about; because I don't know who you are." She tosses over her shoulder before exiting the room. He can hear her shoes clip against the marble floors down the hall, and when she decends the staircase, he runs after her. He doesn't want to ruin two relationships.
"Barbara wait!" He calls after her, gaining quickly on the shorter girl. She doesn't stop and he follows her through the winding halls and into the kitchen where Bruce stands at the large island, mixed drink in hand. She brushes past him without a word and vanishes into the connecting loft. Before Robin can pursue her, he meets Bruce's eyes and stops at the island across from him, letting Barbara escape.
"What was that about?" Bruce asks, in a semi-joking tone.
"I-just," he shakes his head and leans against the counter while letting out a large huff of air.
Bruce takes a sip from his drink, eyeing the doorway Barbara had just slipped through. The main entrance slams shut and Robin realizes what a mess he's made for himself now. Bruce's eyebrow raises up, but he drops the subject and the two stand in silence for a moment.
"Master Grayson," Dick looks up from his pale hands as Alfred walks through the swinging door holding a crystal dish full of his homemade chocolate pudding. "Lady troubles?" He asks, setting the dish and a polished spoon down in front of him.
"I suppose," Robin says softly, picking up the shiny spoon and looking at the warped reflection. The face is all muddled up, but he can still see his large, cobalt eyes perfectly, looking right back at him.
"Happens to the best of us," Alfred stands close behind, watching Robin twirl around the spoon, "Isn't that right, Master Bruce?" Alfred looks over to his employer who is downing the rest of his drink, eyes wide.
"Mmmm," Bruce wipes a hand over his upper lip, "Nope, can't say I'm having any trouble there." He's lying. Everyone in the room knows it, but he's a little buzzed and he's in a playful mood and its easing the tension weighing so heavily on Robin, so no one interjects.
Alfred smirks, patting a hand on Bruce's shoulder and taking his empty cup into his hand. "Anything else for you sir?" He asks, walking to the swinging door that leads to the staff kitchen.
"Actually, how about you crack open a bottle of champagne? For two."
"Very well sir. What should I select?" Alfred stands stiff, nose upturned, awaiting orders. After a second Bruce pushes away from the island and walks over to Alfred.
"Let's see what we have," he puts his large hand on the butlers' shoulder and they walk side-by-side into the staff kitchen, leaving Dick alone.
He's got a large spoonful of pudding in his mouth when he hears an unfamiliar voice behind him. "Sorry it took me so long," delicate mocha-colored arms worm their way around his waist as the woman hugs him from behind, "This place is like a maze." Her hands graze his narrow hip bones and the spoon in his hand clatters down on the counter. He looks behind him at a pair of hazel eyes that are wide with realization.
The woman quickly pulls away from him, leaning against the counter opposite the island. She tucks a thick, coiled strand of caramel hair behind her ear. She bites her lip, cheeks coloring much like his own.
"Sorry, Tall, Dark and Handsome. You look like someone I know." Then she's glancing around the room nervously, "I am in the right mansion, aren't I?"
Robin leans his back to the island, facing her, "Wayne?" She nods quickly, her puffy hair bouncing up with her head. "Then you're in the right place."
She looks a little less helpless then, cocking a dainty hip up and smiling at him coyly, "So who are you then?"
"He's my son." Bruce announces while pushing through the swinging door. He's got a bottle of something pink in his hands while Alfred follows closely behind with a bucket of ice and two wine glasses.
"Ah, that explains the striking similarities." She puts her arm around Bruce as he approaches her. His large hand cups around her narrow waist, his fingertips brushing against her navel.
"Actually, he's adopted." Alfred sets the bucket and glasses down and retrieves the champagne bottle from Bruce. The woman looks up at Bruce with stars in her eyes.
"Richard, meet Elise Winters, daughter of the late Nigel Winters, head of Winters Industries." Bruce gestures between the two with his free hand. Alfred pops open the top of the bottle.
"Nice to officially meet," she tells Robin, wide smile stretched across her flawless face.
"Elise will be taking over the company next month." Bruce explains to Robin, taking the offered glass from Alfred.
"Ah. So this is a business glass of champagne?" Robin asks, his voice full of mocking skepticism.
"Well we want to keep relationships with our more valued partners strong." Elise says around the brim of her glass.
"Uh huh," Robin says, picking up his dish and spoon, grinning at Bruce. The man quickly downs his glass of bubbling champagne.
"Are you getting into the family business?" She asks Dick, trying to keep appearances up while tugging down the hem of her short dress.
"You could say I already am involved."
"That's fantastic. Starting them young, my father would say." She laughs awkwardly at Bruce who's watching Alfred pour him a refill. "You know, we're having a gala next week. Why don't you come with Bruce?"
"I'm not sure-" Bruce starts, but she slaps a hand against his chest, silencing him.
"No I insist! That'd be a great experience for him."
Bruce takes his glass from Alfred and swallows down most of its contents. His eyes water from the burn and Robins grin doubles.
"I'd love to." He tells her, handing Alfred his empty dish and walking to the doorway.
"Great! I'll see you there." She says, throwing her arms up. She's got perfect teeth and a big dimple on her left cheek. Robin returns the smile and walks out, chuckling to himself while Bruce finishes off his second glass.
Dick had text Artemis that night. He knew it was because of Barbara, even if he hated to admit it. The message itself was pathetic, but it was the only honest thing he could say to her. She didn't respond.
When he got to school, he stalked around the halls by her first hour, but didn't see her. She was a no-show at lunch as well. At this point he wanted nothing more than to pull her to him and press his lips against her own. His stomach tightens up at the thought and his cheeks flush.
He turns his head over his shoulder at Batman, who's busy accessing the police scanners for crime around Gotham. They'd been out for a few hours now, and while jumping around buildings put stress on his wound, it was also extremely invigorating. He'd missed it.
But he misses Artemis, and the tingling in his lower belly isn't going away. He rises to his feet and saunters over to his mentor who briefly acknowledges his presence but doesn't stop his search.
"How are you doing?" His voice is rough and his attitude cold; a sharp contrast from the man last night.
"Fine."
"You're having some trouble keeping up." He notes.
"Well I've been off my feel for awhile," he responds around a smirk.
Batman's computer beeps and connects him to the police mainframe, granting him access to the crime scanners. In seconds he's got multiple locations circled on his holomap.
"I've got more hits on the map. Ready?" He turns to Robin, closing his computer. Robin rubs the back of his neck.
"Maybe I should call it a night." He says sheepishly, looking away from Batman, "I don't want to over do it my first night back."
Batman's eyes narrow behind his mask and his lips curl down into a scowl. "I thought you were doing fine."
"And I am, but I want to stay fine." Robin starts worrying his lips. For as guilty as he feels for trying to skip the rest of the night, he is too excited at the prospect of seeing Artemis to let it stop him.
Batman can see through his poor excuse, but he nods his head slowly before walking to the edge of the building and diving off. He bounds back up a moment later, wings fully extended, and glides off into the distance.
When he gets to Artemis's house - landing silently onto the fire escape outside her bedroom window - he finds himself smiling softly at the girl. She stands in her bathroom in front of the mirror, brushing her teeth. Robin looks her up and down, feeling the tightening in his stomach at the sight of her fully exposed legs.
He slides the window up and scrambles inside as she spits into the sink and rinses off the bristles of her toothbrush under the running tap. He slowly approaches her bent over form and slips his hands over her hips. She jumps up but sees his reflection in the mirror and quickly relaxes, pressing back softly against him.
"Hey," he whispers against her ear.
"Hey yourself," she responds, cheeks flushed. Her voice is extra raspy and the tingling in his stomach travels lower at the sound. His fingers brush her sharp hip bone and dip under the waistband of her short-shorts.
Her eyes flutter and she bites her thick bottom lip. He moves his fingers down an inch further as he watches her expression change in the mirror; watches as she unravels at the seams.
"You're all I ever think about," he breathes into her ear, "every single second of every single day." He meets her eyes in the mirror and smiles when he realizes his are covered. She's crumbling into pieces for him, not Richard.
"Robin I-" her voice shudders to a stop. She shuts her eyes and her fingers grip onto the lip of the cheap vanity in front of her. His hands tighten on her hips, afraid she'll vanish if he isn't touching her. He can feel her large inhale against his chest.
When she lets out the air she's holding in, her eyes open. "I have to tell you something." Her voice is calm and steady and it shocks him.
His fingers twitch around the edge of her underwear before he slips them out of her shorts. She spins around in his loose arms and they're face-to-face. She's nawing on her lip again and he smirks, bringing his hand up to cup her chin. He brings her face up and leans down to press his lips to hers. Before they meet, she's turning her head to the side and his lips brush her cheekbone.
"What's going on?" He pulls his head back, eyebrows furrowing in concern.
Her navy eyes brim with tears. She leads him into her room and onto the bed he'd sat on thousands of times in another man's shoes. His back is pressed against the headboard of her bed, the metal bars digging into his shoulders. Her head is resting on his thigh and he runs his fingers through her long silky hair. It's still damp from her recent shower.
Slowly, she tells him about her trysts with Superboy. He's jealous and angry but he lends her an ear as she pours out her heart on his lap. She's apologizing to him, but his mind is on Batman.
It such a normal problem. Relationships. This isn't Dick. He's got a mask on; a cape and a Kevlar chest piece. He's fought robbers and gangsters in this silly suit that's soaked in a girl's tears. Bruce Wayne slept with a woman last night. It meant nothing and the two went on with their lives. Batman is gliding around Gotham and the worries on his mind have nothing to do with a woman.
Robin finds this separation hard to manage. And it's because of the beautiful blonde sitting before him. He wants her and he doesn't want to be Dick or Robin. Because it isn't a game anymore. If he is sure of nothing else, it's that he loves her. And all the petty bullshit means nothing to him.
She's troubled, but everybody is. He's got an undiagnosed case of multiple personality disorder. One thing that's sure with both of his halves is the way he feels about her. And maybe, if he can put the pieces together, into some semblance of a human being, she'd be able to return his feelings.
"Robin." Her tears are dried on her cheeks. She's been waiting for a reaction. He's surprised to note that she is upset at his lack of disgust.
He blinks twice. She wants a reaction and he decides that the only thing he can give her is the truth. He pulls off his mask.
Exciting stuff. Please drop a review if you enjoyed it or hated it. I'd love to hear feedback.
~Just Look Up
