Hello all and welcome to my first contribution to Robstarweek! I am a… pretty hopeless shipper for these two, so once I discovered this tradition, I couldn't resist participating. The oneshots in this collection vary a bit in length and tone, but they all follow the week's prompts in one form or another.

For day one, "Wayne Manor," I was both intrigued and a little intimidated by the kind of material I'd be tackling. I'm not exactly a Batman expert (or as well-versed in the greater DC franchise as many people here in general), but I do enjoy expanding on the universe connected to the Teen Titans animated series. I've been meaning to tackle something related to the 'verse's Justice League, Batman and such for a while now, and this prompt gave me a great excuse to do so. It's actually based on a concept that I'd already been playing around with, and now that I've written something for it there's a pretty good chance that I'll come back sometime to turn it into a full story.

I should note, a lot of my inspiration for characterization and such here (especially when it comes to Penguin's personality) comes from animated series The Batman.

City-Sitting

Ragged laughter echoed through the still halls of the Gotham Bay Art Museum. Penguin strode down those halls, as he far too often did, like he owned the place. He wasn't bothered by the nighttime security systems – his trained birds had already taken care of that – but he couldn't help but wonder why the museums around here always saw fit to tempt him.

Well, their loss was his gain. With Batman away on Justice League business, Penguin stepped with an extra note of confidence into the newly expanded Ancient Wonders exhibit. It didn't take him long to find his prize: an elegant – and, more importantly, priceless – sculpture of the Egyptian hawk-headed god Ra.

With a nasty little grin, he approached the statue and reached over its barrier. "Too easy," he muttered to himself.

As if in defiance of that statement, a small disk flew in and burst at his feet. Smoke billowed out around the would-be thief, sending him back with a startled yelp.

"You didn't really think we'd leave Gotham unprotected, did you?"

Penguin started again and turned at the sound of that voice. The smoke was thinner here, and through the haze he was able to make out a familiar but long-absent form, already clutching his bo staff.

"Well well, if it isn't the little bird-brain come back to the nest," Penguin drawled with a smirk. "I was expecting the other brat, but with Daddy Bat gone this won't be a problem either way."

Robin gave his staff a little twirl and showed off a smirk of his own. "I wouldn't say that if I were you."

Well, Penguin was done talking. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed his trick umbrella forward and shot off the explosive tip. Robin was forced to step back and shield himself with his cape as it burst against him, giving Penguin a chance to turn around and grab the sculpture through the thinning smoke. In another moment he had his umbrella's copter mode running, and he quickly rose up past the costumed teen.

Ha! It really was too easy. Those chumps over in Jump must have let Robin go soft.

There was a flash of green light, and his copter mechanism exploded.

Penguin had just enough time to think that he should seriously stop tempting fate before he slammed hard onto the museum floor, the statue of Ra rolling harmlessly out of his grip. Robin stood over him and pressed his staff against the dazed villain's chest, keeping him down while he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Meanwhile, a purple-clad girl that Penguin had only ever seen in newspaper images flew into his range of vision and swooped down to pick up the statue.

"I thought the Penguin was one of your mentor's most troublesome adversaries," the girl commented as she checked the statue over for damage, nodded in satisfaction, and placed it back on its pedestal.

Robin glanced back at her, that stupid smirk still on his face. "He is when he doesn't get too cocky. You should have seen him the first time Superman was in town."

Robin had to keep himself from laughing as he relayed the story back to Batman.

"I barely had to do anything but distract him while Star got into position. I think that might be the fastest Penguin's ever been taken down!"

The voice on the other line hummed in thought. "Good work, but don't get too comfortable," it finally said. "That only worked as well as it did because he wasn't expecting an enemy who could fly. Now that you've used up the element of surprise, the news of who's here is going to spread through Gotham's underworld and you can bet the next criminals will be ready for you."

Robin fought back a scowl – as much as he wanted to just take pride in this victory, Batman was right. He glanced up at Starfire, who was flying several yards ahead of his cycle as they traversed one of the many secret tunnels leading to the Batcave. She remained silent, though whether she was leaving him to his conversation or simply didn't have a comment he wasn't sure.

"I know," he said at length. "We'll just have to be ready for them too."

"This isn't a vacation, Dick. Don't think I didn't notice your choice of partner."

Now Robin did scowl down at the console on the R-cycle. "Is that seriously what you think is going on here?!" he snapped. "Starfire's my teammate, Bruce. I didn't bring her along as a date, I brought her because of how well we work together." He fixed his gaze ahead and revved up the cycle, bleeding off some of his frustration into the increased speed. Day one in Gotham and he was already missing his home and the rest of his team.

Maybe it was that acceleration or maybe Starfire deliberately slowed down for a moment, but suddenly she was keeping pace at his right. She said nothing other than a tentative, "Robin?" but the concerned look she gave him told him she was ready to mediate if need be.

Meanwhile, a sigh sounded through the other end of the line. "…I suppose I know that," Bruce admitted. "I just don't want to see you get hurt out there. Either of you."

Robin grit his teeth, but his frustration was already starting to drain away. "I know," he muttered.

The tunnel opened up then, into a vast cavern that Robin hadn't seen in far too long. "We're here," he informed the console as he slowed to a stop. "I'll update you again later."

The Batcave hadn't changed as much as he had expected. The main computer had been upgraded, of course, and the trophy area had a few new additions, but everything still felt so… familiar.

Of course, that wouldn't mean much to someone who had never seen the place before. Robin couldn't help but smile at Starfire's low gasp as she rose slowly toward the ceiling, rotating this way and that to take everything in.

"I take it you approve, Lady Kory?"

Both young heroes looked over to find Alfred waiting for them on the upper floor. Starfire grinned and flew over to alight next to him.

"The Batman's base of operations is most impressive," she said with a small incline of her head. "Thank you again for hosting us during our stay."

Alfred's lip quirked into a small smile of his own. "Of course. Any friend of Master Dick's is welcome here." He turned on his heel and started making his way toward the exit into the rest of Wayne Manor. "Right this way, please. I took the liberty of bringing your bags in, but I will need to ask that you change into civilian clothes once you are inside. One never knows."

Robin played a little at the edge of his mask as he followed the other two through the entrance into the Manor proper before finally peeling it off. It felt almost wrong – he'd been doing the full-time hero gig for so long now that he was used to only removing his uniform in his own private quarters. Getting called by his birth name on a regular basis again was also going to take some getting used to.

Robin – Dick, now – was pulling his gloves off when he finally caught up to Alfred, Starfire disappearing ahead of them. "'Lady' Kory?" he asked the butler, one brow raised.

Alfred merely shrugged. "I know I won't be able to use it if company comes by, but it seemed sufficient given her… unique station." The corner of his lip quirked again ever-so-slightly, in a smirk that Dick doubted anyone who didn't know the man well would notice. "I suspected that you would both object were I to attempt the more appropriate 'Highness.'"

Dick scowled. "I still can't believe you guys knew she was a princess before I did," he grumbled.

Alfred strode forward. "Master Bruce's associates include several high-ranking extraterrestrials, and this is hardly the first time their duties have taken them off-world. I would have been more worried had he not known."

Dick snorted and shook his head, but he couldn't help but smile. He had to admit, it did feel good visiting Gotham again… even if he and Starfire had been called away to deal with Penguin before they'd even gotten to the Manor.

Speaking of Starfire, she reappeared a few moments later in casual clothes and one of Cyborg's holographic rings. She had remembered to stay on the ground while in her civilian wear, but still she seemed to almost glide over the floor. He suddenly found it very hard to take his eyes off her.

"Your k'norf- Your guardian's home is beautiful, Richard," she commented with a warm smile.

Dick returned it, and without thinking he blurted out, "So are you."

Immediately he felt the heat rise to his cheeks, and he started stammering, "Uh… What I mean is… I guess you're right."

Star – Kory? – giggled a little behind her hand, and a lightly impish smile appeared on her face. "Do I make an attractive human?" she asked, twirling once to show off her disguised form. It wasn't far too different from her true appearance – human-toned tan skin and hazel eyes, longer eyebrows, and a smattering of freckles that Cyborg had said would break up her face shape, but that Robin suspected he'd really added just because he could.

"Of course you do," Dick replied, smoother this time. "You'd look great no matter what disguise you wore."

Kory blushed a little at the compliment, but after a moment she looked around the living area again and her smile softened. She let out a contented sigh.

Dick raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Kory made her way to a plush armchair and sank down into it, turning to face him again. "I am glad that we can visit your old home for a time, even if it is to watch the city while your mentor is away," she replied. "I know he has his reservations, but I believe we can still have some of the fun here when we are not working."

Dick snorted and strode over to her, resting his arms on the back of the chair when he reached it. She craned her head to look up at him, a hint of that playful twinkle still in her eyes.

"Bruce is just protective of the people he cares about," he said. "And sometimes that protectiveness comes out as kind of harsh. It took me a while to realize that."

Kory smiled again. "He reminds me of Galfore, in some ways. In any case, I believe I will enjoy Gotham."

Dick snorted. "Don't get too comfortable. Batman didn't get his reputation by dealing with petty criminals all the time."

For a moment, all mirth in his partner's face vanished and she became dead serious. "Of course," she said earnestly. "I would not let my guard down just because I wish to appreciate the positive aspects of the city."

Dick chuckled. Of course she would take a mindful but positive approach to their mission. "That's my girl," he murmured, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. She giggled.

"Need I remind you," Alfred's dry voice broke in, "that removing your mask alone does not constitute civilian clothes."

Dick jolted and looked down at himself, finally remembering that he was still wearing most of his Robin costume.

"Uhh…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Right, I'll go and change now." He started off for his room, flashing Alfred an apologetic smile and offering Kory an awkward wave. She waved back, her expression impish again.

As he passed by Alfred, the older man held out a hand to stop him for a moment. "I wanted you to know that I took the liberty of preparing a separate room for Lady Kory," he said. "I hope this was not done in error?"

Dick's face screwed up in confusion. "No, why wouldn't she need…" He trailed off as he saw that tiny hidden smirk on Alfred's face again.

All at once he realized what Alfred was trying to imply, and his face went beet red with embarrassment. He made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat and pushed past the butler, praying that his girlfriend hadn't overheard.