Okay, this is late and I'm sorry. And to make matters worse, there isn't very much romance-ness. But don't worry! I'm working on the next one which should have a nice serving of awkward mixed with admiration and adoration. Triple A threat! Okay. Whatever, just read and enjoy.
I don't own the Titans. : (
The first instinct is survival. No matter how selfish it sounds, life really is all about looking out for number one. After all you can't really do anything if you get killed too early.
He understands survival. He knows all about danger and death because he's seen it. Honestly, he's spent more time dancing along the razor thin edge between here and gone than he will ever admit to. The only reason he survived this long is because he knows how to pick his fights. He knows several people he hopes he never has to try himself against because he won't win.
And right now is one of those times. Red X is too much for him, for his team. They are in over their heads. What they need is Robin. But Robin is gone now, has been gone, and will probably still be gone if they ever get home. The Fearless Leader has left them to chase after shadows in search of his obsession.
It doesn't really matter though. He doesn't really listen to Robin very much any more. Mostly he just lets the words wash over him and goes through the motions of obeying pointless orders. Everything they have done for weeks has been focused around one person. He knows obsession when he sees it. And unlike everybody else, he has seen what it does to a team.
Obsession pulls and tears and puts pressure where none would normally be. Barely a month ago, they were unstoppable and inseperable. And now? Now their Alpha has disappeared and they are being beaten into the ground by a smart mouth in a tricked out suit.
Red X. This guy is dangerous. Too dangerous. He's known that he got stuck to the roof of a building. Since his entire team was brought to a screeching halt in a matter of seconds. Red X made fools of them and made it look effortless. He had them at his mercy and walked away. The predator in him wants to make this guy pay, to put him in his place.
NO ONE TOUCHES HIS FAMILY
But that instinct is begging.
just this once, run. don't look back. take the pack and go.
The idea of retreat is there tickling at his mind, but he won't listen. He never listens and doesn't run. Maybe he really is as stupid as they all say. But honestly, he's just too stubborn. He doesn't run because he won't run and he won't run because he can't. Besides, what would Ra...the rest of the team think if he just fell apart every time a new and dangerous villain showed up on the streets?
So yes, he knows chasing X into the subway station is a bad idea. Worse than the ones he comes with in his spare time, and incredibly worse than the ones he dreams up while he is on duty. But cold feet aren't an option for heroes. Not to mention he likes kicking ass way too much to wait in the car.