Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or any of the characters involved in anyway, shape, or form. I also have nothing worth being sued over.
Aftermath
It's cold.
I didn't notice it when I first came out here. The funny thing is I never do, no matter how many times I end up here. I know it's kind of strange to stand on a rooftop in the middle of the night but some habits are hard to break. I guess I just like to stare off into space as I sort out my thoughts.
I can't help but wonder what Batman thinks about when he stands on a rooftop at night. Does he wonder what super-villain he'll have to confront next? Does he ever wonder what makes them tick? I could never read what was going on in his head but it always seemed like he was looking over Gotham, like he was waiting for something.
I think that's our biggest difference. He would come out to be part of his city, to watch over it. When I stand out here my mind is miles away from the city below me. My thoughts are always focused inward.
Right now all I can think about are the last two days.
Before Slade was a complete mystery to me. Despite my best efforts nothing concrete would ever turn up. Something about the way he fought screamed military and not just any group could be that good but no matter how much I searched it seemed like he didn't exist. All I could say about Slade was that he was ruthless, determined, and far more intelligent than you ever want an opponent to be.
And now I think I understand him even less. Because back there in his hideout, in that clock tower turned stronghold, I think I saw past his mask. Not that stupid orange and black mask he wears on his face, but the meticulously crafted persona he presents to the world. For a split second, instead of the ever calm and collected criminal mastermind I saw a psychopath. That makes his actions even more confusing.
Honestly, I didn't think Slade would deactivate the probes. Fact is I expected to die in that room with all of my friends. And I knew that could, and probably would, happen when I infected myself.
So why didn't he kill us?
He could have eliminated all of the Teen Titans, and he could have watched us die right in front of him. How many villains have tried to get that same opportunity he just threw away? I'd like to think that it was his ego that saved us. That he thought he could still salvage part of his plan. Or maybe that he thought he could beat all of us. But that doesn't fit his character, or at least how little of it I've seen.
Driven? Yes.
Crazy? Possibly.
Stupid? Definitely not.
I don't want to think that he spared them to keep from killing me, because that means we will definitely face Slade again. And that it will be because of me that we do. But right now I can't see any other reasons and I'm scared I could be put in that situation again.
It was bad enough having to work for Slade. Having to fight my friends and break the law in order to protect them. At the time all I could do was cooperate in order to keep them alive.
But where would I have drawn the line?
Would I have drawn one at all?
I realize I would have had to at some point. But trespassing, stealing, and destroying property, are all minor crimes compared to protecting four lives. Problem is where would it have stopped? What if he made me steal a weapon, one that I knew he would use to hurt innocent people? What if he ordered me to use it? Even if I could never bring myself to murder someone, I'd be responsible for the deaths of my friends. When I think about everything that's happened I'm amazed that no one was killed.
Will we be that lucky when Slade comes back?
I think that's what's really bothering me. The next time we see Slade he'll have a new plan. Now that he's tipped his hand we'll be more cautious and he knows it. He's going to have to be even more creative next time and I'm worried he'll be up to the challenge. Hell, I know he will be.
It all comes down to whether or not we *drip*…
My train of thought screeches to a halt when a drop of water hits me in the face. A second later it completely derails when I hear a familiar voice come from the roof entrance.
"Not exactly the best night to be stargazing." Raven's soft voice startles me from…well my brooding. I wonder if she's been standing there for very long.
When her words sink in I look back at the sky and realize that I can't see anything. Looks like there'll be a storm tonight and the clouds are blocking the stars. I turn back to her and put on what I hope is a relaxed smile. "I'm just trying to sort out my thoughts."
She nods slightly before speaking again, "The 'cooks' downstairs will be finished soon so they sent me up here to get you. I should warn you, Starfire is attempting to prepare the 'sacred pudding of friendship'. It ate through the first pot she was cooking it in and … she seemed pleased."
I can feel my appetite shrink at the thought and I'm about to comment when both Cyborg and Beast Boy appear in the doorway.
Beast Boy begins to talk but gets cut off by a sharp elbow from Raven. "What's keeping you two? The food's been sitting there for at least…Ow! Hey! What gives?" Once again I wonder long she's been there and I'm tempted to ask until Beast Boy begins speaking again.
"Anyway I came up with a great idea! I think we have a lead on Slade." Why don't I like the sound of that? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt though, because I have too.
"You should have heard the theories he went through while forming this one." Cyborg interrupts, and he seems to mentally brace himself for something.
Beast Boy looks a little upset but presses on. "We saw Slade was ready to give up that base. So he must have a bunch of others. Well anyway based on what we saw I came up with a theory. Now try to keep up with me here." He pauses for dramatic tension.
"Real estate agent turned criminal mastermind!"
…I have nothing to say to that and judging by the lack of sound around me the others feel the same way. So everyone sorta stares at each other for a few moments. The silence is finally shattered when a noise from someone's stomach reminds them of their monstrosity of a breakfast downstairs and the two 'chefs' take off down the steps. I can't be certain but I think I hear the words 'robot' and 'zombie' as they race to the kitchen.
Sighing softly, I turn to Raven. "See what happens when they're left alone for too long? Someone has to be the voice of reason."
"That's your job." She replies in a neutral tone and I'm not sure but I think I saw her smile…or at least smirk. It looks like I'll have to depress myself some other time. We both head towards the stairs when I decide it can't hurt to try.
"You've got a point, so Raven…ever considered leadership?" She rolls her eyes and I think I can feel a smile tugging at my lips.
Slade will show up again and the next move is his to make. I wonder why this doesn't bother me as much as it should. Until I realize why this feels so familiar, and I know it's corny and I know I said it before.
But right now I'm just happy to be part of the team.
This time I know I'm smiling.
A/N: This is the first thing I've ever written and posted online so constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. It seems like I tried to write a very odd type of fanfic, so I'm not sure if the formatting was done very well. Trying to keep the fanfic in Robin's POV made it kind of awkward. Any feedback will be helpful. This was supposed to be a look into Robin's thoughts but halfway through it took off in some random direction.
