Disclaimer: Blah…. blah… blah… not mine…
Pairing: Main characters are Slade/Robin but it's… well… You'll see…
Warning: Hey! I think I have managed to write my first completely dark story! Not a joke in it! Implied rape, though. Slash.
Background: None! NOT a sequel/spin off/what if…! For once…

Earning Ones Keep

"So Robin. Are you going to do any work today?"

"Go to hell, Slade."

Slade studied the boy, who had backed in to the far corner of his cell as soon as the man had opened the door. It had been five weeks. Slade had snatched him from his own bedroom and since then he had put the boy through hell. Not because he wanted to, but because Robin simply refused to obey. The man had beaten him, tortured him even, starved him, refused him any personal hygiene, but the boy had not given in. He had done some of what had been asked of him, but only as little as possible. Just enough to stay alive.

"What I had planned for today is a small break-in. It's a simple job. Just enough to pay for your food for the rest of the week. Not interested?"

"No." The boy snarled.

"As you wish. There are other ways for you to compensate, and you are not going to like them."

Robin's eyes narrowed, but he refused to ask what it was Slade had in mind.

"You are going to be allowed a shower and a change of clothes this afternoon. Consider your refusal to work for me until then." Slade said and walked out the door.

Robin enjoyed the shower. He tried to drink his fill of water, too. Even if it was hot, he never knew when he would be able to get a drink again. The fresh clothes also felt like heaven. He wondered why he was allowed this, as he had refused Slade that morning, but he couldn't figure the man out and didn't care too anymore. Sure, there had been a fascination, even an obsession about Slade when he had first appeared in Jump City, but now Robin only wanted to get away from the man, as far away as possible.

S
lade waited outside and steered Robin along an unknown corridor, with a firm grip around his neck. Robin, weakened by the last week's treatment, walked along quietly, but a faint fear had started rising inside him.

They stopped outside an unmarked door.

"Well, Robin. I'll ask you one last time. Have you reconsidered working for me?"

The boy shook his head.

"Bad choice. You see, you cost money. Provisions, extra security, training equipment. And you seem to enjoy destroying as much as you can… it all ads up. It all has to be paid off. Somehow. Did you know, Robin, that there are quite a few men in this city, that would pay good money for a few hours with a pretty boy like you?"

Robin gasped and looked up at the man in horror.

Slade reached out and knocked at the door. A fat man in a half-opened robe appeared.

"Here he is. Is he what you expected?" Slade wondered, shoving Robin a bit forward.

The man let his eyes roam over the boy's body and licked his lips.

"He will do just fine. Virgin?"

"I believe so. He will most likely fight you, though. May I suggest a mild sedative? Not enough to knock him out, just to make him more… manageable…"

"Just fine with me…" The man grinned down at Robin. "We will have a nice couple of hours together, won't we, boy?"

Robin had been frozen to the spot, unable to comprehend what was happening. He didn't even see the syringe in Slade's hand before it was too late. The sharp pain in his arm woke something in him, though, and he tried to bolt. Slade's hand on his neck tightened painfully, and Robin's attempt at escaping was stopped. The client took a few steps back into the room and Robin was mercilessly thrown in after him. The door clicked shut behind and as Robin raised his eyes he saw that the fat man was not alone. Two other men were in the room, closing in on him with smiles on their faces.

Robin spun around and started pounding on the door.

"Slade! Slade! Please! No! I've changed my mind! Please! Slaaaade!"

The door opened. Thank god! Slade filled the small opening, though, looking down on the boy.

"Good. I expect you to remember that, when I come for you tomorrow."

"No! No- don't… don't leave me here! You can't..! Please! Please, Slade!"

"Oh, but Robin. You had your chance. And these gentlemen have already paid. Be a good boy, now…"

Someone grabbed Robin from behind, pulling him into the room. The boy felt weak, but tried to fight off the hands that were all over him. Something was pushed in between his lips. A rubber gag that made it impossible for him to close his mouth, to bite. His eyes were still on Slade in the doorway, a desperate plea for help shining in them.

"You are welcome to join us if you don't mind sloppy seconds" one of the men said, turning to Slade, who shook his head.

"I don't share your preferences, but have a nice evening, gentlemen." He closed the door. Robin screamed after him through the gag, sobbing as he was lifted on to a table in the middle of the room. As his clothes were being torn off he closed his eyes. He didn't open them again until it was over.

Slade walked into the room, finding Robin still on the table, naked and curled up on his side. As Slade came up to him he curled up tighter, looking up at him in panic.

"So Robin. Are you going to do any work today?"

Tears spilled out from those blue eyes. "… y-yes…" Robin whispered.

"Excellent. The men from last night really recommended you, by the way. I have been getting quite a few calls. So if you decide you don't want to steal for me again… there is a waiting list…"

Slade left to the sound of the boy's sobs, a wide grin on his face. Why hadn't he thought about this before? He had a feeling Robin would really start earning his keep form now on.

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A/N: Sooo thought I only did fluffy-human-Slade, did you!? Ha! I like him as an ice-cold total bastard too… ;o) What did you think? Please tell me!