A/N: Happy b-day Topkat82 (June 14)!

The wish this time was for a darker story, but, as we discussed the ideas, a big-ass plot-bunny bit me and this just HAD to be written. It might not be as dark as was wished for, but it has dark elements, as you will see, and I truly believe that even though I can, sometimes, go very dark, my true strength, and passion, lies in these kind of 'in between' stories, which, I hope, this one will be proof of… Fuck, that was one long-ass sentence! Take a few breaths… ;)

Warnings, though, for the very sensitive among you!

Just a Friendly Wager

'Deadbeats' was a shabby bar in one of the dodgier parts of Jump City, but two of the men in it tonight didn't quite seem to fit. One, a bald man wearing a crisp suit and perfectly polished shoes, looked like he shouldn't even know that there was such a thing as a bar like this. The man sitting opposite him, however, looked like he could handle a place much worse. That man, dressed in faded jeans and a tank-top, had white hair, a goatee-like beard, as well as a black eye patch. It was his size and mere presence that made the other occupants of the place cower slightly though. The bald man, however, looked completely relaxed. At first glance one might think that they were employer and body guard; a rich businessman wanting to 'slum it' on his last night in town, perhaps, but then you met the suit-clad man's eyes, and you knew that he was just about as dangerous as his drinking buddy.

They were sitting at a small table by the window, although, to be fair, the window was so grimy it might as well have been a wall, for all the light it let in. The manager didn't bother cleaning it; he knew many of his guests preferred not to be seen.

The men were each nursing a large whisky, and seemed to be having quite a nice time.

"I believe you owe me three hundred?" Lex Luthor smirked, as a change of subject.

"Oh? And Superman is dead? Must have missed that on the news," Slade replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Our bet, my friend, was whether or not the pink kryptonite would work. It did. It would hardly kill him, after all."

"Very well, I'll give you that," Slade said and withdrew his wallet, handing the businessman three hundred dollar bills. "After all, it was entertaining while it lasted. See? I came prepared."

"Yes, it's all electronic currency nowadays, isn't it?" Lex sneered and pocketed the money.

"Getting nostalgic? This early in the evening?"

"It just makes me feel old. A thick wad of cash, how can a series of ones and zeroes beat that?"

"You sound like you are talking dirty," Slade chuckled. "Still, we have our next bet to decide upon… any suggest-"

At that moment someone crashed, back first, through the window, right between the sitting men, in a confusing mix of green, red, yellow and black. That someone twisted in the air, pushed off from the bar with one hand and landed on his feet.

"Robin! Robin, are you the all right?" a voice crackled through a intercom.

"Robin here. I'm fine, Star. Make it look your way, I'm on it!" With a leap the young man left the bar the same way he had come in, jumping off the men's table.

The men remained seated, only glancing out of the window with mild interest, as the fight with -whatever that creature was- moved away down the street.

"Sooo… that was Robin?" Lex Luthor said.

"Yes, it was."

"He seems quite… focused."

"I'm sure being raised by the Bat had something to do with it."

"Yes, Bruce can be like that. Never met a man so bad at playing an airhead," Lex supplied.

"Whenever my faith in humanity seems restored I tend to wonder why no one has figured his alias out yet, and I realize how utterly stupid the common man must be," Slade muttered.

"Indeed," Lex nodded. "Still, the Bat couldn't have done such a bad job. His ward seems to be holding his own."

"Oh, yes. And speaking of feeling old; I remember when I first came to Jump. Robin was just a slip of a boy back then, leading those infernal brats of his…"

"He's grown up quite a bit." the businessman commented.

"He sure has."

"One might even say that he has grown up quite… fine."

The mercenary gave his friend a look and then smirked, raising his glass.

"To Robin?"

"To Robin."

Back out on the street, in the middle of the fight, Robin blinked. He had a very good memory for details, honed for almost ten years since he became the Boy Wonder, and something told him he had just seen something… unexpected. He shook his head and focused on taking down the giant Sloorgrax. No matter what it had been it was not likely to be important.

The next day, a little red light flashed on an alarm-panel in Robin's room. The teen blinked in surprise but went to investigate. The alarm wasn't an emergency, not at all, because it was hooked up to a mailbox.

An hour later he called Batman.

"Hi, Bruce, up yet?" he grinned, seeing the man looking a bit ruffled and grumpy on the screen.

"Just barely. Are you having any problems?"

"Well… not really. Maybe. No. Perhaps. Yes?"

"Spare me? I had a fight with the Riddle last night, my brain hurts."

"Sorry. Well… I got this invitation. Well, Richard got the invitation…"

"So? You signed up at JC University, you are bound to get a bit of mail… to the apartment I'm paying for…" the man added with a grunt. "That's your official address now, after all."

"Yes, and it's great," the teen grinned. "But this invitation… it's from Lex Luthor."

"What?"

"Lex Luthor. Remember him? Bald guy? Rich? Hates Superman? He's having some kind of 'books for the poor'-thing, and, apparently, I'm invited. As a V.I.P."

"Does the words 'it's a trap' have any meaning to you?" Bruce asked him dryly.

"No, I mean… yes, but… it's for Richard? I was just wondering… is it legit? What is he doing in Jump, anyway?"

"I'm going to check this with our Lex-expert," Bruce told him.

"Oh, yeah, how is Clark? Recovered yet?"

"Yes, fully, thank god."

"Damn."

"What?"

"Um… I meant 'damn, that took a long time'?"

"Sure you did. I'll be in touch."

"Thanks, the thing is tomorrow, so…?"

"I'll be in touch soon."

"That's all I ask," Robin grinned.

His friends knew about his studies and his identity by now. Going to school as Richard meant less danger for his classmates, as the university might be targeted if it became known that one of the Titans went there, and it felt good too... to be 'normal' for a while. Granted, he mostly only went to classes, and he didn't spend a lot of time at the apartment, although it was furnished and he had civilian clothes there as well. It had to look good in case someone would come by. Someone male. For a sleepover.

Robin snorted and shook his head. Yes, he had imagined that he would finally get some dating done as Richard, but between classes and missions it was hard to find the time to catch anybody's eye… or the other way around. Besides, it wasn't always easy to spot other gay men, and if it was easy, Robin wasn't interested. His type was more straight-acting than flamboyant after all.

Well, a 'happening' might be a good for his social life… provided it wasn't a trap of course. Hell, the way he was feeling, he would walk into a trap if it would get him a date. He snorted at himself again and chuckled tiredly. Where were these hormones when he was fifteen? Busy saving the world, he guessed, and even if he was still busy with that, maybe they had decided that they didn't want to be ignored anymore…

He was about to leave his room when his communicator rang.

"That was fast-" he answered with a grin which slipped off his face very quickly. "Slade?"

"Sorry to disappoint you," the man drawled.

"What do you want this time, and how many people's lives are at stake?" the teen grunted, not in the mood for guessing games.

"I just wanted to talk," the man claimed.

"Um… what?" was the teen's answer.

"I know you wonder about me, Robin… why don't we meet up? Tonight, at the water fountain in the park."

"Yeeaaahhh-heh-heh-heh… no. No, that's not going to happen, Slade. What the hell is going on?"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Not even a tiny bit."

"Oh, come on, Robin, what have I done to you lately?"

"Just last week you had us disarm those bombs on the bridge so you could break into the Wayne-building uninterrupted," the teen pointed out.

"Ah… yes… but I actually didn't steal anything, now did I?"

"The professor is still traumatized. What the hell did you say to him anyway?"

"That's a secret, I'm afraid," the man said, shaking his head. "But I might tell you… in the park…"

"I'll be happy to send the police?" Robin offered.

"All I want is talk. Don't make me threaten people. By placing a bomb in the Main Street Mall, for example."

"That was… specific."

"I always am."

Robin narrowed his eyes. "Is there really a bomb at the mall?"

"By tonight there might be."

"And you just want to talk, you say?"

"Yes."

"You must think I'm stupid."

"No, not at all. But I was hoping you were… curious."

Robin bit his bottom lip. The man got him there. He was always curious. It was like a god damn disorder or something.

"Fine. The fountain. Tonight. At eleven," he bit out.

"I can hardly wait."

Not much later Bruce called him up.

"Clark says it's one of his real charities… he has a few, after all. He has held them at several places around the country, but this is the first one on the west coast, and it seems to have been put together pretty quickly, so…"

"So you think it's a trap?"

"Not sure. If something would happen at one of Luthor's own charities, that would reflect badly on him, so I don't see what he could have to gain from it… maybe it's just a coincidence…"

"Maybe I should keep an eye out just in case," Robin suggested.

"Do that," his mentor nodded. "And be careful."

It was a nice night; warm, but not stuffy, the sky was clear and the stars glittered like they were getting paid for it. Only one thing ruined it, at least according to a particular mercenary.

"You brought your friends?"

"Of course I brought my friends," Robin smirked, backed up by four battle-ready, grim-looking Titans. "Not stupid, remember?"

"Obviously not very curious either. What I have to say is for your ears only."

Robin glared at the man, thinking things over, but then shrugged.

"Fine. Titans, stand back, I'm going to hear what he has to say, but if he makes a wrong move… blast him."

"Um… me, Star or Raven?" Cyborg wanted to know.

"All of you," the teen smirked, his eyes locked with Slade's.

"I'm hurt," the man smirked.

"Try anything and you will be," the hero told him and walked over towards the fountain. "Well? What did you want?"

"I'd like to offer you a truce, of sorts. You. Personally."

"What for?"

"Like I said, we'll meet, just you and me, from now on."

"Yes, but why?" Robin demanded to know.

"I'd like to get to know you."

The teen's eyes widened a little. The man had sounded sincere, but, above that, very personal as well. Still, though, it was far too dangerous.

"Not interested."

"Ah. I'm sorry to hear that. I was thinking that, for our next meeting, I could take something off."

"W-what?" the teen gasped.

"My mask... but I like the way you think," the man grinned.

"Your mask?"

"The metal in front of my face? You haven't noticed it?"

"I… no, I couldn't, it-"

"As you wish. Goodbye," the man said and turned around. He had not even taken one full step when Robin changed his mind.

"Wait! Fine! When and where?"

"How about tomorrow night?"

"Oh, sorry... I'm busy tomorrow…" Robin said.

"I see," the man said in a rather strange tone, like he had almost expected it. "Very well, the day after tomorrow. And how about here? Same time?"

"Alright. And my friends won't be here, but they will know where I am, and I'll be wearing trackers, so no funny business," the teen growled.

"Not in the way you mean, no, I assure you," the man chuckled. "I'll be looking forward to this, Robin… I'll see you in two days." The man turned around again and with only a few steps he had disappeared in the shadows. Robin sighed and shook his head. What the hell had he just agreed to? And how would he convince his team that it was a good idea when he didn't really even think so himself?

The next night Robin, or rather Richard, took a cab from his apartment, smartly dressed in slacks and a crisp white shirt and a jacket, no tie. The invitation hadn't specified a dress code, and he didn't want to be over dressed. He had heard a few comments about 'rich brat' at school and that wasn't what he wanted to portray himself as. The playboy-thing might work fine for Bruce, but Robin wanted to stay more true to his real self.

It was slightly odd to arrive by himself but the teen immediately spotted some students from school, all from wealthy families, he noted, and went over to introduce himself. His path was cut off, however, by someone so suddenly that he almost bumped into the man's chest.

"Oh, sorry," Robin said, even though it wasn't exactly his fault. He craned his head back and his eyes widened. "Luth- I mean… Mr. Luthor! What a surprise!"

"Hello, do we know each other?" the bald man said with a friendly smile and held out a hand. Robin shook it.

"Richard Grayson. We met a few time in Gotham, I don't expect you to remember…" he smiled, trying not to include the fact that, on one or two occasions, they had actually fought too. Well, not man-to-man, but Robin had helped smash the fruit of the man's plans, alright.

"Of course, Bruce Wayne's ward! What are you doing so far from dreary old Gotham?"

"Getting away from the dreary and old," Robin grinned. "Actually, I'm taking a few classes at JCU."

"I see… It's been some time since I visited Gotham last… you must be, what… nineteen? Twenty?"

"Seventeen," Robin smiled and straightened a little. He quite liked when people thought he was older than he was.

"And at university? That speaks of dedication," the businessman smiled. "I like dedication," he added in a lower, more private tone.

Robin found himself feeling a little warm around the ears. Yes, he knew this was Lex Luthor, a man who would like nothing better than to kill Superman, and all the JL, actually, and take over the world… but right now, they were just student and businessman, and, the teen had to admit, he kinda liked the attention.

"So, Richard," the man moved on, "May I call you Richard? Thank you, you may call me Alexander… or Lex if you prefer. Are you here alone?"

"Um, yes, I got the invitation and I was curious… I haven't had time to involve myself much with the charity work in Jump yet."

"Then I'll join you. I visit Jump now and then and I'll be glad to introduce you to some people."

"Oh. Thanks," Robin said, trying not to have his jaw drop. "Actually, I'm a bit surprised that you are here Lu- Lex… I mean, it's your charity, but you don't go to all these things personally do you?"

"Heavens no, but I was in the area, and this is the first time we introduce this concept on the west coast… and it never hurts to promote these things personally."

"No, I guess not," the teen smiled politely. The situation was slightly absurd, but he had had an even more absurd conversation just last night, after all.

Only half an hour later and Robin had been thoroughly introduced to all of Jump's leading men and women. He already knew them as Robin, of course, but people acted differently when faced by a hero… now he got to see more of their real personalities.

Suddenly a bell rang softly, and Lex looked up.

"Ah, it's time for the presentations and refreshments. The seating arrangements have been chosen at random, I'm afraid, so I might have to do without your company for a while," Luthor said and the look he gave Robin made the teen shiver a bit. But, unexpectedly, in a good way.

When they came into the presentation hall, however, it turned out that the man hadn't needed to fear; Robin was seated next to him.

Something inside the teen sounded a bit of an alarm at the coincidence, feeling that, perhaps, it wasn't one at all, and the rest of the teen agreed. To what purpose, however, he couldn't fathom.

The rest of the night was… great, actually. Luthor took the stage himself to do a short presentation about the charity and then there were several more talks about education and research about learning disabilities which were very interesting. Between lectures Luthor always was able to ensnare Robin in conversation, and the teen, reluctantly, found himself fascinated by the man.

"I had a lovely time tonight, Richard," Luthor said as they were about to part, standing out on the sidewalk.

"Yeah, me too," Robin admitted, hoping his ears weren't red.

"I'll be staying in Jump for a week or so, mostly to get this thing up and running… this might be forward, but may I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"

"Y-yes? Oh, damn… I have a… thing, but that's not until eleven…?" Robin didn't know why he had said that, he should be turning the businessman down, but…

"An early dinner then, I'll pick you up at seven?"

"Okay, my place is at-"

"The organization has your address on file, but here… my private cell phone number, in case there's a… emergency." The way the man said that word seemed slightly odd, but Robin gave him his, or rather Richard's number as well, and then they parted.

Robin stood still on the sidewalk for a bit just trying to take the whole thing in. He had a date. With Lex Luthor. He didn't know whether to be excited or horrified.

When we dream the brain sorts through all the impressions we have collected recently, and Robin's brain had probably been busy with the Sloorgrax-fight and other things because it wasn't until that night that it came to the memory that had been scuttling around the edges of the hero's subconscious since it had happened: the bar. Robin suddenly remembered exactly what he had seen and sat up straight in bed.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked himself, and his mind offered several opportunities. Firstly; it had definitely been Lex and Slade, even though it had been dark in that bar, and he had never seen Slade without his mask before. The thing was that there weren't many people who fit that profile; tall, very muscular, one eye. So they had been there, taking a drink together. A date? No, Robin's mind discarded that suggestion immediately. It hadn't looked like that, but it had looked friendly. So… those two were friends and they had both contacted him shortly after. If things hadn't happened the way they had, Robin might have suspected that they were after his life, but, even though that fitted Slade, it didn't fit Lex. He wasn't an assassin, he hired assassins… so could he have hired Slade? No, it still didn't fit… Why ask someone out if-

"Oh, fuck me…" Robin gasped as the pieces stared to fall together. They had both, in a way, asked him out… Slade hadn't been that direct, but, after all, they had an unfavorable history. Lex and Richard, though, did not.

Richard… damn… that meant that Lex knew his real identity, and if Lex knew, Robin was sure Slade did as well… and why were they both asking him out? The answer came down to a single one which was the most probable: a bet. But a bet about what? For just asking him out, for going on a date… or more? The teen, even though he was alone, blushed fiercely. That both men might be thinking of… well, thinking of him like that… The teen felt a familiar stirring and groaned, letting himself fall back on the bed again… feeling hot because someone else might be picture him naked? That was narcissistic… but still… Slade was a bit of an Achilles-heel for Robin, because it was the man that had, inadvertently, helped him figure out, and accept, that he was gay. At some point he had came to the conclusion that a straight guy probably didn't get breathless when another man spoke.

It had stopped at that, though; he had never had any romantic feelings about the man, and would never have, he expected. How would Slade try to date him anyway? That would just be so bizarre, that…

Robin suddenly began to grin. Maybe… no… no, he couldn't? Could he? But if he was careful…? Yes… yes, this might be fun…

Robin dressed stylishly again the next night, but again, no tie. Lex might have been born in a suit but it wasn't the teen's style unless necessary. Hopefully the man wouldn't bring him to a place that required it…

The man arrived promptly at seven at his door. Only then did Robin reflect over the fact that he could have picked up Lex. The businessman was a guest in this city after all… on the other hand, so was he supposed to be…

Now having an idea about what the man was after, Robin was looking for the signals, and he found them in bundles. Luthor was charming, if a little bit snobbish. It was clear that the charm was something he switched on when he needed it, even though his compliments and words in general seemed honest enough.

Robin was a bit preoccupied, though, thinking of his meeting with Slade later… He wondered how the man had planned that it would work out, and if it would end up with them fighting.

"You seem a bit… distant?" Luthor suddenly said.

"Um… Oh, Lex, I'm sorry... I'm having a lovely time, really, but…"

"Has it something to do with whatever will happen later tonight?"

"Yes… I'm sorry, I'm meeting someone, and-"

"You are?" the question was sharp, with just the right amount of jealousy to make it believable but not creepy. Robin was impressed with the man's acting skills.

"No, not like that! It's not a… well, it's someone I know… or rather meet occasionally, and we never… umm… got along very well… but the other night we bumped into each other and he… well, he wanted to talk. I have no idea what that means, because that's not really like him…"

"Maybe he has had a change of heart," the man shrugged. "I find that when people want to talk, you should always listen before you make up your mind. Give him a chance… not a big one, though, mind you," the man added with a smirk.

Robin gaped slightly. Lex had to know who he was talking about and he was what? Leveling the playing field? Maybe it was more fun for him if Slade had a chance in hell. Not that he had, not that either of them had. Robin hadn't decided exactly how far he would take this game yet, but he hated it when Slade won. Anything. Slade losing, though, that was an enticing thought. On the other hand, exactly how far did he have to go for Lex to have 'won'?

"Yeah, I… maybe," he nodded.

It's been a while since Robin had some really challenging and interesting conversations, although he would never admit that to the Titans of course. Still, it pulled him in and when it was time to leave the teen wanted to blow Slade off and just continue talking. He decided not to, though, and at ten Luthor walked him to his door.

"I had a very nice night, may I call you tomorrow?" the man asked.

"Yes, I'd like to do this again," Robin smiled, actually being honest. Lex was interesting, and Robin felt like he had deserved to have some fun. The important thing, of course, was not to get too close.

Suddenly, though, they were a bit too close, and then the man's lips brushed his. Robin's mind went blank. His first kiss with a man. And it was Luthor. Because of a bet. That was so wrong, but somehow it was still exciting. So he kissed the man back. It only lasted for a moment and there was no groping involved, just a nice, almost chaste, goodnight kiss. It occurred to Robin that the man might have just won the bet, but before Lex left he repeated his promise to call, so maybe not. With men like these two, the stakes were probably higher.

Robin changed quickly and left by the roof for the park, arriving just in time. Slade was there waiting for him.

"Alone tonight, Robin?"

"Yeah, so what's with the mask? Take it off already!" Robin snorted. He wasn't going to make this too easy on the man, although… maybe a bit easier, now when he knew what the guy's game was… or thought he knew… he couldn't jump to conclusions here, but if Slade acted friendly that pretty much sealed the deal.

"All in due time. Let's take a walk."

"My friends are tracking me, just so you know," the hero pointed out, just now realizing that he had forgotten to activate the tracker. He subtly slipped a hand into his belt and did so; he didn't want his team to worry, after all.

He followed Slade down to the lake. As it was rather late, and a weekday, the place was deserted. The man led them right down to the water edge where there was a small camp fire area set up for the park's visitors. It even had logs around it as benches, and the Titans had made s'mores there several times, and only once had the treats exploded. Starfire's fault, of course. Now there was a fresh pile of wood prepared and the man gestured for Robin to sit while he lit it.

"So are we going to tell ghost-stories, is that it?" the teen smirked. "Maybe I'll scream if you take your mask off…?"

"You're very focused on my mask, Robin," the man chuckled, his voice relaxed, even friendly. He then went to sit down as well, but on the ground, leaning back against one of the logs.

"Yes, well, I'm curious," Robin admitted studying the man, wondering if he was aware of the fact that, by sitting down, and so low as well, he was silently communicating that he wasn't a threat. Probably.

"I know. I'm curious about you as well." Robin couldn't see it, but he knew Slade was smiling; it was in his voice, somehow.

The teen had remained standing until now, but finally shrugged and sat down on the log to the man's right. His weak side. If he had one.

"So what are you curious about?" the teen asked, determined to leave the man an opening, just to see if his hypothesis was correct. "Whether or not I have changed my mind and want to be your apprentice? Because, no, I haven't."

"That was a bad idea of mine."

"Huh?" Robin had never heard the man admit he was wrong before. Actually, he wasn't sure that Slade was even familiar with that concept.

"Trying to convince you to become my apprentice by threatening your team? Horrible idea. Could never have worked in a million years. Must have been drunk when I came up with that one."

Robin burst out laughing, both delighted and completely stunned. "Really?" he chuckled.

"Yes really. I might even go as far as to apologize, but I'm not very comfortable with that,"

"No, no, don't overdo yourself. I don't want your head to explode before I've seen it," Robin grinned. "But seriously…. have you come up with some other plan, then?"

"No. You would have made a fantastic apprentice, you are intelligent, athletic, strong and an incredible fighter… but that was when you were younger."

"What, I'm rubbish now?" Robin asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No, you've even better now. I just meant that you have passed the age of a mere student."

"So now you want me to be your… partner or something?" the hero asked, deliberately putting some extra emphasizes on that word.

"Hmmm… as much as it would be a dream come true, I know it's just a dream. You are a hero, and I suspect that you will remain one for the rest of your life."

Damn. Slade hadn't quite taken the bait. Robin frowned, and pushed on.

"So… what do you want from me, Slade?" he used an almost humble voice, like he was begging the man to tell him.

"Like I said, I'm offering a truce of sorts. I'm here to tell you that you don't have to fear me taking you away from your friends again."

"Well, that's good. So now I just have to fear you trying to kill us or blowing the city up?"

"I think we are past our childish little games. I admit I've started most of them. You fascinate me, and it's very interesting for me to see how you solve the problems I present you with… if you do it the way I would or come up with some other way… but that stops now."

"It… does?"

"Yes. Those 'games' are not what I do, Robin. I'm a mercenary. I take on missions. Or did you think I made a living threatening to blow up bridges?"

"Well, the last time it was a diversion," the teen pointed out. "Which reminds me; what did you say to that man?"

"Let's just say that someone wanted him to stop looking into a certain scientific area. I simply reminded him that family is more important than work."

"And is it?" Robin asked, a multitude of images of Bruce's empty seat at the dinner table flashing before his eyes.

"Always. But most of us have to learn it the hard way." The man's voice was somber, spiking the teen's curiosity and also Robin got the first glimpse of Slade as… human. It was strange.

"Tell me about it," he sighed and found that, sometime during the conversation, he had relaxed. "So, what happens now?"

"I rather like it in Jump, but I expect I'll be travelling a lot. I'm sure we'll see each other again now and then, though."

Robin blinked. This wasn't going quite according to plan. Why wasn't the man making a move?

"You're… leaving?"

"Will you miss me?" Slade teased him.

Robin made a split second decision. "Yes."

"Really?" the man sounded surprised, as he should, of course.

"Yes. Those little games… they challenge me. I wish they wouldn't pose a threat to anyone else, but… once they are over I always find that I've enjoyed them… somehow…"

"Hmm…"

"I didn't mean you should keep them up, though!" Robin hurriedly added. "If I mess up one day, I'll never forgive myself."

"How about-" the man didn't finish the sentence, and Robin leaned forward.

"How about what?"

"I need a good sparring partner," Slade told him. "You are one of the few I know who might actually last almost a whole round."

"Hah, funny, I can wipe the floor with you," Robin smirked, joining in the man's chuckle as they both knew he was more than a little overconfident.

"So you'll take me up on the offer?"

"No nano-probes?"

"No probing. Not that kind anyway," the man promised.

Robin grinned, that was the sign he had been waiting for… well… yes, it had to be, right? That had to be an innuendo! "So… how about we begin right away?" he suggested.

"If you insist."

"Without the mask, though. You promised."

"How about without the masks, plural?" Slade asked.

"I…" Robin hesitated. He kinda knew that Slade knew, but… "Slade… do you know who I am?"

The reply didn't come immediately, but the man cocked his head like he sensed danger. "Yes."

"Oh." Robin needed proof, though. "So what's my real name?"

"Richard Grayson."

"So you do know…"

"Why would I lie about something like that?" the man snorted.

"Well… you first."

"Fine."

Behind the metal was the face Robin had seen in the shadows, now illuminated by the dancing flames of the fire, and that made it even more fascinating. Robin knew the man was clever, stubborn, serious and experienced and his features reflected all that and so much more. Robin found himself wanting to just dive into the mind behind that grey-blue eye and explore… and the man's mind was not all he wanted to explore either, to be honest.

"Your turn."

"Huh? Oh. Um… yeah…" the teen peeled his mask off. It wasn't such a great revelation, really, just his eyes, but somehow the man seemed a bit captivated nonetheless. Well… someone once told him that he had very blue eyes, although how much of the color the man could make out with just firelight? "Sooo… should we begin, or…?" Robin asked.

"You don't have any questions? No 'what's with the white hair?', 'why do you have an eye patch?' or 'how old are you?' Slade smirked.

"Well… yeah, but would you tell me?"

"Military experiment, I got shot in the face, and much too old for you to be looking at me like that."

"Wha- I… I wasn't looking at you in any special way!" Robin objected, blushing.

"I might only have one eye, but that doesn't make me half blind," the man stated, a bit smugly.

"You wish. So you're really old, then?"

"Practically immortal."

"What, really?" The teen's eyes widened. He had not known that, not even suspected it.

"I love to see that expression on your face, and it's even better now, when I can see your eyes as well," the mercenary… purred? Robin's jaw slacked a little. Was Slade… flirting? Should he flirt back? Maybe he should just call it a night, after all he had had his suspicions confirmed; there was absolutely some kind of bet going on, and it was not about killing him. Still, Robin reasoned, that because he knew what was going on it was pretty safe to stay with it for a while… and that damn curiosity made it hard to just leave.

"Um, yeah, well, let's get you a bit less immortal then," Robin said, too chicken to let the man know he had noticed the tone of voice, and walked over to a flat, grassy area. It was darker here, but nowhere near pitch black, so it would do.

Slade chuckled and followed him and then they were facing each other.

"Okay, so do we do this freestyle or…?" Robin asked.

"If you wish."

"Freestyle, then… so… um… this is awkward but how do we begin? On three?"

"I'm sure you have sparred before."

"Yes, but only with friends, not with you," the hero shrugged.

"Ah… would it help if I was to say something like 'I'm going to kill your friends'?"

"Yes, actually, that helps…" Robin grinned. "Three!" The teen's first attack wasn't meant to be anything serious, his heroic side forbade it, since he was practically cheating, but it soon turned more serious. Their fighting was, however, interrupted by comments of the friendlier kind.

"Very good follow through there," Slade said.

"Pft, I didn't even touch you."

"Without my meta-powers, I'd be down, though," the man shrugged and blocked yet another kick. "And, to tell you the truth, blocking that one hurt."

Robin grinned and did a standing jump to avoid the man's retaliation. Fighting Slade, when no one's life was at stake, was kinda fun.

It had to end sooner or later, though, and Robin was the one who got out of breath first. Slade tricked him into doing a summersault out of the way from a kick that never came, and instead the man more or less slammed him into the ground like someone swatting a fly. The teen fought to get some air into his poor lungs and when he had enough to care about what was happening he looked up to see the man straddling his thighs.

"I say I win."

"I say your crotch is within reach of my fists," Robin smirked, but didn't make a move.

"Interesting that you would notice something like that."

"Well, it's right there," Robin exclaimed and gestured at the man's groin.

"It is hard to miss, isn't it?"

"I don't know if it's hard…" Robin blinked innocently.

Slade bent down and placed his hands on either side of Robin's shoulders. "You can always find out…?"

The teen's heart was beating a mile a minute. He knew the man was only doing this because of the bet, but it was so easy to forget that detail. His heart had been racing with Lex too, but not like this. Nothing like this.

"What… what are we doing?" he asked, almost helplessly.

"That's completely up to you. Could be nothing… could be anything…" the man purred.

"Okay…" Robin almost whispered and let his hands run up the man's arm until his fingers laced together behind the man's neck. "Then maybe… something?" he asked.

Slade replied by lowering himself down, or rather, allowing Robin to pull him, and then, suddenly, Robin was being kissed again. For the second time. By a different man. On the same night. The teen figured that hadn't the situation been like it was, he might have had serious moral issues. This kiss was completely different, though; there was nothing chaste about it. As soon as the man had gotten Robin's permission, he had taken it and ran with it, so to speak. Robin found himself gasping for breath, which only invited the man to deepen the kiss. Feeling the man's tongue against his lips shot something like an electric current through the hero's body and he made a strange little noise he had never, ever made before. When the man's fingers curled around his hip, though, pushing the fabric there down a little, Robin pulled away.

"I… I have to go," he said, and somehow, got out from under the man.

"No," the man got to his feet as well and grabbed his wrist. For a second the teen felt really afraid, but then the man just pulled him closer carefully. "I went too far. I don't want you to leave, thinking that I would-"

"Well, I… it was moving a bit too quickly for me… I…" Robin stammered, not really acting at all.

"If you want me to back off and never contact you again, I will," the man claimed. "But I would like to meet you again. Very much. Taking things slower, if you wish."

Robin knew the man was playing a dangerous hand here, because if he said no that was it; Slade would have no chance of winning the bet. That meant the mercenary was confident enough that the teen would agree… which almost made Robin turn him down out of spite. Still, however, he hadn't had his fun yet…

"Um… I… I'd like to see you again… tomorrow, maybe?"

"Just name the time and place."

Robin just got an idea and tried hard not to grin. "How about the amusement park down by the docks? In civilian clothes?"

"Really?" the man arched an eyebrow. "Very well. Which time?"

"Around six? I always wanted to go on a Ferris wheel ride in the sunset," the teen lied, because romantic nonsense like that rarely occurred to him.

"Anything you want," the man said and now Robin smiled, because this was exactly what he had counted on…

In the shower that night he ran several scenarios through his mind. Tonight had done what he had hoped; confirmed that this was all a bet. But the two men to place it shouldn't be the only ones that got to play… and now Robin knew exactly what to do.

The next morning Lex called and they scheduled a lunch together. Fortunately the crime-activity seemed to be at an all time low, so Robin made it there on time. The teen wondered if maybe the two influential criminals had anything to do with the alarms keeping quiet… to be able to play in peace… well, he'd be able to play as well…

The lunch was nice, and then Robin took Lex for a stroll through the city. Jump didn't have that many homeless people compared to other cities of that size, but the teen made sure to head for places where he knew there were people begging, or charities going on. He stopped just ahead of an old, haggard man with a metal can in his hands and a sign saying 'God bless'.

"Oh no… I hate seeing that kind of thing and not being able to help… but I'm not carrying any cash…" he began. He had noticed, after all, that Lex, for some reason, did. And a lot of it. "Besides, my allowance from Bruce is not that generous…" he added with a sigh.

"And why not? He has enough money, I would imagine," Lex smiled.

"Yeah, but he always points out that I have to be economical… and that I can't save everyone… and besides, I'm not… well…"

"What?" the man asked, while Robin was staring at the ground, trying to will some tears into his eyes. It succeeded and he looked up to answer.

"Well… I'm not his real son…"

If Lex Luthor had been the kind of man who said 'aww', he might have done that now, but instead he caressed the teen's cheek. "I'm sure he's just trying to teach you the value of money," he said softly. Robin tried to keep his sad puppy-dog face in place, but he could almost hear the man whooping in triumph at the opportunity that an emotionally wounded Richard would give him. In Lex' mind he had probably already won the bet.

"You think so? Sometimes I feel like he just doesn't care… sometimes I feel like no one cares…" Robin continued, making his lip tremble.

"I care," the man promised and kissed him. Robin wanted to punch the lying bastard in the gut, but he knew what would really hurt him.

"All I want is to help men like that…" he said, nodding to the beggar.

"Then let me," the businessman smiled, falling into the trap. The homeless man ended up with a hundred dollar bill in his can, and he was not the only one. As per chance they seemed to walk down just the right streets to run into several more, and the businessman appeared to realize that he couldn't just give to one and ignore the others. According to Robin's calculations the man was down a cool thousand dollars before their walk was over.

"You are such a wonderful, generous man, Lex," the teen told him with a big smile as they reached his apartment. "I'm beginning to think that the rumors I've heard about you must be wrong."

"There are always rumors around powerful people," the man said. "But I do like to spoil you as well… you're a poor, hardworking student, after all," the man smirked.

"Yes, well, I deserve it then…" Robin grinned. "Um… this might be too much to ask, but I'm going to work tomorrow morning, on a charity event… I didn't want to ask you before because, well… I didn't think you would want to, but seeing this new side of you today… would you want to come with me? We can have a bit to eat afterwards, maybe?"

"I'd be delighted."

"Great! Pick me up here tomorrow morning at nine?"

"Of course."

After being such a good guy and falling for everything Robin said, the man rather deserved the kisses he got after that. In fact, this time Lex was a bit more aggressive, although not inappropriately so. The man made Robin breathless, but it wasn't quite the same thing as kissing Slade. Still, the way he went about things, being somewhat less obvious about it, let him go further before Robin pulled back, and the teen felt rather ravished afterwards, even though they were still standing on the sidewalk in the open. There had been a hand caressing his ass at some point, he was sure of it. He might need a cold shower now.

In the early evening he met up with Slade, who was dressed in a faded green t-shirt and grey jeans which, at some point, probably had been black.

"You don't go out shopping much, do you?" Robin grinned. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt too, but both where in better shape.

"Something wrong with my clothes?" the man asked, eyebrows raised.

"Nah, you look okay. Besides, now I have a project," Robin grinned and took the man's hand. "Come on! I never get to have any fun!"

"…project?" Slade asked half to himself, sounding a bit worried. Robin allowed himself a smirk. Slade should be. Slade should be very worried indeed.

The handholding, which Robin insisted on, was clearly not something the man was used to or even really comfortable with, as it drew attention from the people around them. Still, this was exactly what the teen had counted on.

The evening went by in a bit of a blur. Contrary to Lex, charm seemed to come natural to Slade, and Robin was practically basking in it… and exploiting it all the way… The teen had the man buy cotton candy for them, pink cotton candy, and then proceeded to feed most of it to him. Next they took a whole series of novelty pictures which involved sticking your face in holes of cut-out characters. Robin made Slade be a little girl in pig-tails and frilly dress in one. Robin was going to have those framed. The man paid for them as well, of course. They had hamburgers for dinner, after trying out some of the rides so childish that even Starfire sneered at them, and then; the Ferris wheel. As they were sitting at the top, looking out over Jump City, Robin scooted a bit closer and tried to indicate that he wouldn't mind being kissed. Slade picked up on the signal and soon they were entwined, staying so for a full spin. Then Robin pulled back and chuckled, while rubbing his chin.

"Owww… your beard itches," he grinned.

"Well, I'm sure it's worth it," the man smirked.

"Yeah," Robin grinned and then looked thoughtful. "You never thought of shaving?"

"What?"

"No, no, sorry, it came out wrong, I just…" the teen took the man's face between his hands and studied it, turning it this way and that. "I don't know, I think it would suit you."

"I'm not going to shave."

"No, of course not!" Robin's eyes were wide. "I would never… sorry, I was just… you know… thinking out loud."

"That's fine."

"Thanks… and you know… if you ever did try it, I mean on someone like you it would grow back in days, right?" Robin grinned "I can barely get my damn pubes to grow… no body-hair genes at all."

"Hmmm… makes me feel like I should inspect that," the man leered.

"Yeah, on the Ferris wheel… riiiight…" Robin chuckled.

"I must say that you are not exactly how I expected you to be," the man said as their last spin began.

"Oh… No, I guess… Robin has to take care of his team all the time… be responsible… they are all just kids, really… It's nice to let loose a bit… be with someone who doesn't mind being with the real me… you don't mind, do you, Slade?" the hero asked, his voice almost trembling with insecurity.

"Of course I don't mind," Slade answered, like he had to. Robin knew he would be able to drag the man to a My Little Pony convention and Slade had to pretend to like it, or, well… he wouldn't get any further, would he? "I didn't think you would be this… at ease with me so quickly, however."

"Yeah, I thought about it last night and… well… when you kissed me, I…" Robin managed a real blush this time before continuing. "I figured that you know who I am, right, and if you wanted to hurt me you already could have. A lot… So I thought that maybe you don't want to hurt me and… well…"

"You are rambling a bit there, Robin," the man chuckled, pulling him closer and running a hand through his hair.

"Sorry… it's just that… I like you, and what do I have to lose, really? You can literally destroy my world, and what's a broken heart compared to that… if this doesn't work out, that is…" Robin looked up at the man and saw something unexpected in his eye, like… hesitation? Regret? Then the man smiled, however, and it was gone, probably imagined.

"I think you are a very brave young man," the mercenary told him.

"Thank you. Um… I have to tell you something else, though…" Robin said and hesitated for real now. Should he? Well, Slade must already know, and he knew much more about Robin's morals than Lex did, so… "Um… I'm kinda… seeing this man…"

"You are?" It was the same words Lex had used but the tone was a lot darker.

"He… he asked me to dinner before we met in the park… the same day, actually."

"Are you going out?"

"I… don't know… we… kissed?"

"Is it serious?"

"I don't know, what is serious, really?" Robin asked.

"Are you sleeping together?"

Aha… the teen thought to himself, so that's the goal, huh? Get me into bed first?

"No! No we just met! Like… like you and me…"

"Are you going to see him again?"

"Um… I'm taking him to a charity-thing tomorrow morning…"

"I see."

"I feel awful!" Robin complained. "I've never dated before and suddenly there are two men in my life and… I don't know what to do…"

"What is he like?" Slade wanted to know.

"Well, he only knows me as Richard… and he's only in town for a short while… so I guess it's kinda doomed, really… but he's very attentive, and he's generous… and he's a great kisser."

"Ow. And generous? Really?" the man said the last part in a rather disbelieving tone.

"Not that you're not! Both generous and a great kisser, I mean… But at least I don't get stubble burn from him…" Robin grinned. "Do you want to call this off…?"

"No. As you said, we just began seeing each other, it wouldn't be fair. Keep seeing him, decide he's a snobbish douche bag and dump him," the man smirked.

"Alright, I'll do that," Robin grinned. He wondered if that would have made him suspicious, if he hadn't already known. What man gave the go-ahead to date someone else? But maybe the rules included that they weren't allowed to ruin it for each other… That made sense, actually…

"Will you tell him about me?" Slade asked.

"I'm… not sure. I don't think he's as understanding as you are," Robin smiled and squeezed the man's arm.

They made out before they parted that night but that was as far as Robin would let things go. Slade was not going to win this. Not that Lex was going to win this either, of course. When the time came he would… he would… call them on it? The teen suddenly realized that he was dealing with two dangerous men here, and he didn't think either of them appreciated being played. Maybe he should just break up with them? But on the other hand, then he wouldn't get to see their expressions… ah, it was a difficult choice… Maybe he had taken this too far already? He just couldn't call things off quite yet, however… just another day… or two.

The day after again exceeded expectations; Robin first took Lex to an orphanage where he first made the man read stories for the children and then had the man donate a very, very generous amount to be used to buy new books and computers for them. After that he took the man for pizza, a sight in itself.

As Lex took him home the man seemed to want something.

"So... you never showed me your place?" he hinted.

"Oh, well…. um, it's a mess right now," the teen lied.

"I don't mind… since this is our third date and all…"

"Lex, I don't know what a third date means to you, but to me it's just a third date… in a long row of dates."

"How long? the man only half joked. "I have to leave in a few days and-"

"Are you pressuring me?" Robin exclaimed and the anger in his eyes was very real.

"No, no, I-" It was obvious that this usually worked for the man, and now he was desperately searching for a way out. The teen could see the exact moment he found it. "I didn't mean it like that Richard, it's just that I have to travel a lot and my schedule isn't normally this open at all. I'm very willing to clear some space in it for you, a lot of space," he quickly amended, "but I need to know that this is going somewhere…"

"Oh… yeah, I understand…" Robin said. "It's so soon, though… I haven't even told Bruce yet…"

"Maybe you shouldn't," the man hurriedly said and the hero could actually see him pale a shade or two. "As you said, it's soon… but once I have to leave… would you like me to come back?"

"I think I would," Robin smiled. "But I understand that this is serious for you… I mean, the press might pick up on it soon and I know you don't want a scandal… neither of us do, so… give me the night to think about it, alright?"

"You, thinking about me at night? How could I refuse?" the man smirked and kissed him. It was a very persuasive kiss, and Robin thanked his lucky star that he knew the man's agenda, or Lex might have gotten to see his apartment after all…

"Oh… that was… wow…" Robin grinned as they parted.

"One of the best reviews I've ever gotten," Lex smirked.

"I'll call you tomorrow, okay? Maybe dinner?" Robin suggested.

"How about dinner at your place? Just dinner," the man clarified.

"Um… okay, but… I can't really cook…?"

"I'll have a caterer take care of everything, tomorrow at nine?"

"Okay. Tomorrow at nine," the hero smiled. Now all he had to do was to get the man out of his apartment without him taking Robin's virginity with him. That wouldn't be a problem. Probably.

Later that evening it was Slade's turn and when the man turned up the teen practically squeeled.

"You shaved!"

"Well, I thought I'd try it. Not sure of the result, though," Slade shrugged, actually looking slightly self conscious.

"You look fantastic," Robin said, caressing the now smooth cheeks. Unfortunately it was the truth. The man didn't look ridiculous at all, in fact he had a very strong jaw under that beard and somehow his features were even manlier now. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look years younger as well," the teen added truthfully.

"Well, as long as that is a good thing," the man muttered.

"It is… and I have to check so I won't get stubble burn now… care to help me?" Robin grinned. Slade did. He helped him out for quite a long time, in fact, and when the hero's feet found the ground again, the redness on his face was for different reasons.

Robin picked a movie for them to go to for their date that night. Actually he had Beast Boy pick it to make sure the man would hate every second of it. Robin, however, pretended to be so interested that he only could make out with the man a little. Dinner followed at a pirate-themed family restaurant, and when it was over Robin had some not-so-heartfelt apologizing to do.

"I'm so sorry, Slade, I didn't realize that the eye patch…"

"Don't mention it."

"But really… I'm sorry… You were really good with all the kids that wanted to sit in your lap, though… and when the parents took pictures… and when the staff made you wear that pirate hat…"

"Now when I think about it, I might need some compensation…" the man leered. "You have a place close by, don't you?"

Robin almost rolled his eyes. What was it with men and third dates?

"I'd love to compensate you… a lot… but it's a bit fast? Soon? Promise?"

"I'll try not to rush you... although my pride was severely damaged, so I demand a kiss at least," the man muttered, half joking half serious.

"Oh, I'll give you a kiss… at least…" Robin grinned and, in a dark doorway, did so. For the first time Slade kissed more than his lips, however; the man kissed his neck as well, having the teen moaning and pressing closer, not caring that his aroused state was both heard and felt. He felt the same from Slade and that spurred him on even more, but he finally got hold of his senses and pulled back.

"A… another day…" he gasped. "I have to go… see you tomorrow? Why don't we go shopping?" he added, wondering if he could get the man to wear a 'Hello Kitty' t-shirt. Probably not, but he might just try.

"I'll call you," Slade nodded.

An hour later the two men involved in the bet, or so they thought at least, met up at 'Deadbeats'.

"What happened to your beard?" was, not surprisingly, the first thing Lex asked.

"Robin happened," the man shrugged. "He's harder to please than I thought."

"Is that your way of telling me you won the bet?" the businessman frowned.

"No, unfortunately no. I think I'm close, though."

"Well, I'm having dinner at his place tomorrow night, and I plan on bringing some wine."

"It's not fair play if you get him wasted," Slade warned the other man with a growl.

"I don't plan to. Just lower his inhibitions a tiny bit," Lex smirked. "Not that I can afford anything fancy…"

"I heard you were being 'generous', when the hell did that happen?" Slade chuckled.

"Since he dragged me in the path of every hobo in the city and used those big, blue puppy dog eyes on me," the multi-billionaire muttered. "And then the orphanage, and that really cost me."

"At least you didn't have to watch 'Space Duckies Attack'," Slade snorted, "Or get your picture taken as-" the man suddenly got quiet.

"What?" Lex asked.

"No… he couldn't… but… the little BRAT!" the man growled and looked more murderous than he had ever done, even while actually killing people.

"What am I missing?" Luthor wanted to know.

"He knows!"

"What? No?"

"Yes! It's the only explanation, just look at what he has made both of us do! You have given away more of your private money these last days than you probably have in your whole life, and as for me… I can barely think about it..."

"But… the little BRAT!" Lex hissed, as he as well realized the truth.

"I thought it was strange that he was so approachable…" Slade muttered. "And that childish way he was acting…"

"What childish way?" Lex asked.

"Exactly, he played us. Both of us. I thought it was too dark in the bar that day, but he must have seen us… or remembered seeing us…"

"So none of us wins, then?" the businessman grumbled. "If he knows about the bet, he won't let us, will he?"

Slade took a long, thoughtful sip from his glass and then smirked. "Where were the two of you having dinner tomorrow night, you said?"

Lex smirked back.

Robin expected a call from Slade the next morning, but he didn't get one. It made him feel a bit… strange. He couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it was something between being annoyed and disappointed. Still, he couldn't expect the man to call every day, even for a bet. He also realized that he didn't have a way to reach Slade, which was rather unfair, actually.

Lex called though, and confirmed the plans, and, promptly at nine, the doorbell to Richard's apartment rang.

The teen opened it with a smile on his face, to find the businessman standing there, dressed to the teeth as usual.

"Hi, you!" Robin grinned. "Come in. Um, I thought you'd bring the food?"

"It will be delivered any time," Lex said and looked around. "My, my, this is quite nice…" he continued into the living room, looking around. "It's a bit too chilly to leave the window open, though isn't it, Robin?"

"The window?" Robin said, following him in. He walked up to it and closed it. "That's strange, I must have forgotten it when I-" the hero suddenly froze. "Robin?" he gasped and spun around.

"Well, that's your name too, isn't it?" the man smirked.

"I think you should leave," the teen tried, drawing himself up and walking towards the man.

"Could I stay?" a voice asked behind him.

Robin spun around again.

"Slade!"

"I know we don't have a date, but after realizing a few things last night Lex and I agreed on a double date…. well… in a way."

"We also realized something you also should have," Luthor growled. "Neither of us likes to lose."

"So we decided neither of us should," Slade smirked, coming closer.

"Well, you both will!" Robin hissed and simply turned to try to push Lex out of the way. The man was a lot stronger and sturdier than the teen had expected however, and pushed him back, right into the arms of Slade.

"Awww… you're such an affectionate thing, aren't you?" the mercenary purred, while Robin tried to get out of his grip. "Grab his legs," the man added to Luthor, who narrowly escaped getting viciously kicked, but eventually succeeded. "The bedroom's this way," Slade said, nodding down the hall.

"Let me go! I won't let you-" Robin began, but his arms were twisted so suddenly and painfully that the sentence was ended in a gasp.

Before he knew it he was in his bedroom, being thrown face first and held down onto a bed he had very rarely even used.

"Good, a sturdy headboard, just what I like to see," he heard Slade say just before he felt something cold lock around his wrists. The men worked in perfect synch, and just as Robin drew in breath to scream for help a rubber gag was pressed into his mouth.

"Now, now, Robin," Slade said. "You could actually scream all you want, you see… Mr. Luthor has been very generous again."

"I made sure all your surrounding neighbors got free tickets to the entertainment of their choice, only valid tonight. This floor, and the one beneath it, is empty. And, as this is the top floor, no one is going to hear you," he was informed as the handcuffs were snapped to the headboard, close together.

"MMfff!" Robin yelled.

"Oh, no need to thank me," the businessman smirked.

In the mean while Slade had climbed onto the bed and straddled Robin's legs, making sure he couldn't kick. It was almost like at the park, apart from the fact that Robin was on his stomach. That changed with an order from Slade and the hero was suddenly, violently, turned on his back, the chains twisting to allow for it. The mercenary immediately sank down on the teen's legs again, and smirked down on him.

"Now listen to me, Robin," he began.

"Aaant iien o oou!"

"Yes you will," the man, having somehow understood what Robin was saying, chuckled. "For your own good. Now, you played a trick on us, and we fell for it. Shame on us. On the other hand, we started it, and, in a way, we both agree that we got what we deserved."

Robin was listening now, but he couldn't quite make sense of it.

"EN EET II OO!"

"No, we won't let you go. We feel we deserve some sort of compensation, after all, and you are going to provide it. We have both felt you… responding to us, so we really don't think we are asking too much of you."

"Ih aunt eooning oo agagh!" Robin growled.

"That one I didn't get," Slade admitted and just by touching a quick release hook on the side of the gag, freed Robin from it.

"I said I wasn't responding to you!" Robin spat.

"My thigh remembers differently," the mercenary leered.

"As does my hand," Luthor added with a similar expression.

"And it was us who made you react like that, Robin. Us. Even though you knew exactly who we were and what we were after… and we think we can make that happen again."

"Fuck you!"

"Not the wisest chosen words, were they?" Lex chuckled.

"Now be a good boy, and we won't be rough with you," Slade smirked. "Well… not too rough. So, let's get comfortable, shall we?" the man added, an old fashioned straight razor suddenly in his hand.

"Why not let me?" Lex asked.

"I'm better with a knife than you are," Slade shrugged.

"Exactly."

The mercenary glanced at his friend and smirked. "Point taken, here you go."

Despite the not-so-subtle threat, the blade didn't cut him as it sliced through the hero's shirt and thin dress-pants, leaving him all but naked.

"Look at these, aren't they precious?" Slade almost cooed, pinching one of Robin's pink nipples.

"And sensitive as well, it seems," Lex smirked, as the bud hardened under the mercenary's finger. "Let's see if this one is too…" he then pressed the side of the blade against the other one, making the teen gasp, half from the cold, half from fear that the man would cut him. The steel disappeared however, leaving another hard nipple behind.

Robin was just glaring, more angry than afraid for the moment, and not only angry at the men, but at himself as well. He should have never taken it this far, hell; he should have called it off at once. If this little bet never really got started he wouldn't have been in this situation now. His friends knew he would be at the apartment tonight, but unless a miracle happened, they wouldn't come by. They thought he was studying. Robin had told them about Slade, alright, but not about the bet and not about Lex. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself," the mercenary chuckled above him.

"What?" Lex asked, confused.

"Robin looked like he wanted to bang his head against the wall," Slade smirked. "Bet you are regretting that photo session now, aren't you?"

"Go to hell, Slade!" Robin growled through his teeth.

"I say we should assist him in the head-against-wall- thing… or headboard-against-wall, at least…" Luthor said and began to unbutton his jacket. As he shrugged it off, Robin's eyes widened as he saw the gun holster there. He looked at Slade in a panic. They would kill him afterwards? Yes, he assumed, why would they want to leave him alive? Even if they dangled Robin's real identity over his head, one word from him and at least Lex Luthor's career was at stake.

Slade met Robin's eyes and again seemed to almost instinctively understand what he was thinking. The man smirked and plucked at Robin's nipple again, almost absentmindedly.

"That gun is not meant for you," he said, his finger tracing the teen's rapidly rising and falling chest. "He wore it in case you put up a bigger struggle."

"Yeah, and I'm just that gullible…" the teen muttered.

"If you are a good boy you might enjoy this immensely," Slade told him. "We might have deserved to be played, but we deserve to play as well. We could just rape you, hell we could rape you dry, even though that would be rather uncomfortable for all involved, but we think it would be a lot more fun if we made you want it."

"Good luck!" Robin snorted.

"Ah, thank you but I think we have skill enough so that we won't need any. Come on, Robin, don't sulk. You lost, but you played very well, and the consolation prize isn't that bad, trust me."

"Right…" the teen snorted.

"Well, I hope you are ready to be proven wrong," Lex said, and when Robin turned his eyes back to him he discovered that the man was down to his underwear. He somehow, automatically, noticed that the man didn't have a bad body, hard planes without overly bulging muscles, much better than an average desk-man… although Lex Luthor wasn't exactly average.

Slade wasn't wasting any time looking at his friend, he was drawn to more interesting things, like the only piece of clothing remaining on Robin's body; his boxer-briefs.

"You haven't exactly been very honest with me on our dates," the man said disapprovingly, "I wonder if you lied about this as well…" It was the mercenary's turn with the razor and this fabric didn't stand a chance either. "Hmmm… no, it seems you were telling the truth… you're not very hairy, are you?"

"I can't image the conversation you must have had that led to talking about body hair…" Lex snorted. "I'm eager to start this little challenge, so get off him and strip if you are going to join in."

"Impatient, are we? That's usually Robin's role. Ah, well. Just hold his ankles down or I'm going to get a rather nasty kick when I get up."

"You want to ruin all my fun, don't you?" Robin muttered.

Slade just chuckled as he got safely out of kicking range and began to undress.

Lex sat down on the side of the bed, but Robin's legs were free and, crunching his body, he managed to slam a knee into the man's back. Unfortunately, as he didn't have any real leverage on the bed, it was only hard enough to annoy.

"That's it, we're tying his legs to the bed as well," the businessman growled.

"Good luck trying to fuck him in that position," Slade snorted. Robin shot him an angry glare and discovered that he was in his underwear now as well. The teen swallowed. He hated his own mouth for suddenly salivating.

The men climbed into the bed on either side, and Robin found himself wishing he hadn't bought a king-sized one. He didn't think a narrow single bed would have gotten him out of this, but still. He closed his eyes briefly as two hard bodies pressed up on either side of him. It would have helped a great deal if the men didn't seem intent on acting out one of the hero's reoccurring wet dreams. Not that either of them had ever occurred in those. Well… maybe a bit, lately, but…

"Now there's one rule you might want to know before we start," Slade purred in his ear, making Robin's body tremble. "What you do to us, we'll do to you. Kick, scratch, bite, and we'll make sure you'll receive the same amount of pain."

"Then we should knee him in the back," Lex pointed out vindictively.

"Starting from now," Slade chuckled. "See, Robin? It's up to you if you want to get hurt, and it's also up to you if we take things nice and slow or not."

"Slade…" Robin's voice was pleading as he opened his eyes and turned as much as he could to look at the man.

"Yes?"

"I…" Robin whispered, wetting his lips with his tongue.

Slade leaned closer to be able to hear him and the hero head butted him. Hard. Unfortunately, the man was a bit too quick to react, so Robin's forehead smashed into the man's jaw instead of his nose. Still, it was a point well made.

"I see you don't quite understand," the man snorted, rubbing his face. "Ah, well, I'll just explain it to your nipples."

Robin let out a grunt and then a gasp as the men pinched a nipple each and twisted a bit, even pulling on them, which had the teen arching off the bed, trying to elevate the pain. The hero was on the point of pleading when he was let go.

"There. Pain for pain… now let's try to make these poor things feel better…" Slade grinned. The attack again came from both of the men at the same time, but the targets were different. Lex wound a hand into his hair, gripping but not pulling, making sure Robin's head stayed down and still, or he would pull his own hair out. The man then began tracing kisses down the side of his neck.

Robin tried kicking again, but the men's legs wound over and around his own, trapping them against the bed.

Slade went for his abused nipples, and Robin gasped loudly as one of them was sucked into the man's mouth, his tongue flicking over it. The sensation, despite the situation, was breathtaking. When the man then pulled back and blew cold air over it, soothing the now rather angry red skin, a spasm went through the teen's body.

The next thing he knew Lex' lips reached his other nipple and gave that an equal amount of attention, while Slade nipped and kissed his way up instead. The men's hands weren't idle either, tracing and caressing his skin from his knees to his chest, teasingly avoiding actually touching his cock. Robin didn't notice that he was beginning to raise his hips every time a hand got close, in a silent invitation, but he was just so frustrated. His skin seemed to be on fire, tingling. More experience might have given him a higher resistance, but as it was he was helpless as all these new sensations washed over him.

"Remember the rule," Robin heard Slade murmured just before lips claimed his. He tried to turn his head away, but Luthor's grip on his hair wouldn't let him. He didn't dare actually bite, but kept his mouth closed until he suddenly felt something hot, hard and slightly wet push against his hip. He gasped then, unwillingly letting Slade in to plunder his mouth. That was soon forgotten, however, when a finger finally traced his skin all the way down to his pubes and then stroked over his length.

"Someone likes this," Lex purred.

"Don't tease him, who wouldn't like that?" Slade chuckled as his lips left Robin's. The teen himself just groaned and tried to shake his head, which hurt his scalp. He couldn't quite form any words, though, mainly because he didn't want to seem weak by begging them to stop. Not telling them to stop, however, didn't quite feel right either.

"Ahhh…" Lex' hand had wrapped around the hero's member, forcing it from half hard to fully erect in only a few strokes. "Don't… touch … me!" Robin groaned.

"But you like it," Lex pointed out.

"I think Robin wants to be more involved. Just lying there is boring, isn't it?" Slade said. "Now, why don't you suck Mr. Luthor's cock?"

"No way in hell!" Robin snarled.

"In that case it's only fucking left then," the mercenary said and grabbed one of the teen's knees, prying his legs apart.

"No!"

"No? So you would want to play a bit first?" Robin just glared at him, so Slade continued. "Tell you what, how about a nice sixty-nine, and remember, whatever you do to Lex, Lex will do to you. That is fair, isn't it?"

"You clearly have no idea what that word even means!" Robin snorted. He fought the men but still ended up on top of Lex, his hands still shackled to the headboard, his head level with the man's now naked crotch and his knees on either side of the man's head, being held very firmly there, so Robin couldn't slam them together, cracking the man's skull. Oh, how he wanted to do that!

"No, here is what going to happen," Slade explained. "You will at least try to give Lex some nice head, to the best of your ability, of course. Don't worry, we don't expect you to be good. While you do that, I will begin to prepare you. If you want to be fucked by something bigger than my fingers, all you have to do is stop sucking. And, of course, if you bite… well… Lex will bite you back, possible harder, and preparation time is over. Understood?"

"I hate you!" the teen spat.

"That's rather irrelevant. Begin."

Robin shook his head.

"Fine," Slade shuffled up behind him and the teen suddenly felt something hard and rounded against his opening, pushing at it.

"No! Stop!" he yelled, trying to get away, but Slade had his hips in a firm grip.

"Not until you put your mouth to work," the man told him and pushed harder.

"Okay! Okay! Just stop!" Robin groaned and then took a deep breath before he opened his mouth letting the angry, almost purple, tip in. Immediately he felt the pressure against his opening disappear, as well as something hot and wet engulfing the tip of his own member. The feeling was so startling that Robin gasped and pulled back a little, and then the sensation disappeared. When Robin hesitated a bit too long, Slade's cock slid up his crack towards his entrance again, and the teen quickly lowered his head once more, making that feeling go away and the other, incredible, one begin again.

The man's cock was long and had enough girth not to look thin. The taste was clean, thank god, laced with the musk and slight saltiness Robin was familiar with from his own body. Being an acrobat had its advantages… although he could never do it long because he couldn't breathe very well in that position… still, that meant that it wasn't, despite what the other men thought, completely new territory to him.

Lex mirrored every move perfectly, to the extent that the teen almost could pretend he really was doing this to himself, but in a much more comfortable position. That way he quickly learned what felt good and what didn't quite work. He scraped the man with his teeth once, which hurt, but one of Slade's fingers had slipped inside him and he had jumped a little, so it had been an accident. Robin didn't want to be bitten down there, after all. The finger inside him was easy compared to the tip of the cock which had tried to push into him earlier. It slid in and out effortlessly, curling now and then to clip a spot which made the teen see stars. He also took more of Lex' cock in, having more of his sucked as well.

The teen pulled his head up and groaned as a second finger pushed into him.

"Ready to be fucked already?" Slade asked him.

"Let him get used to it for a moment, or he'll scratch me again," Lex said. Robin actually felt just a small pang of gratitude towards the man for that. A moment later, however, both men felt he had gotten enough time, and he was back to pleasuring the businessman again. There was no respite when the third finger pushed in, and the teen's groan, cock deep in his throat, made the businessman let out one of his own. Robin felt the sound vibrating up his length and he felt on the verge of coming. Suddenly the idea of coming down Lex throat became very exciting to him; in that position the man would have no choice but to swallow, after all, or he might choke. This spurred the teen on and he got more imaginative, having the man have to struggle to keep up. He was so close now, and knowing that he would come in the next instant he let the businessman's cock deep into his throat and moaned. When the man returned the favor it pushed Robin over the top and he let out a muffled yell as he came. He hadn't quite expected the man to come as well, however, but suddenly the length in his mouth swelled and twitched, the first loads shooting straight into his throat. Robin pulled up, trying to get away, but that only meant the next ones coated his tongue instead, so he could taste it. As he finally got it out the last streak of cum splattered across his nose.

He was disgusted, but he had also just climaxed, making his body slump into a relaxed, boneless state, while he gasped for breath like a fish on dry land. He hadn't quite noticed how the three fingers had been replaced the moment Lex came, and what was now pushing into him was filling him all the more. He did notice when the wider head suddenly popped in, however, and his head snapped up.

"UUgh!"

"Shhh…. relax, you're ready… the worst is already over," Slade calmed him, stroking his ass and back like he was a nervous mare about to be bred for the first time. As Slade pushed in a bit further, Robin felt the analogy was even more appropriate.

He groaned again, but his body seemed to be swallowing the thick length, wanting it, urging him to push back. In the mean while, Lex had gotten out from under him and then Robin felt his arms being released. The handcuffs were snapped together, making sure his hands were still tied in front of him, but Robin barely noticed as Slade had pulled out a little, just to push back in again, and, with every thrust, more of the man's cock disappeared inside the teen.

Robin's hands were on the mattress now, supporting him, but Luthor had other ideas and pushed at the teen's shoulders until he was almost sitting up, before seating himself in front of him. Robin closed his glazed eyes as he was pulled down onto the body under him and just gasped as Slade finally buried himself to the hilt. Robin felt so full, so many thousands of nerve endings were firing signals to his brain, that there wasn't enough left for any thoughts except what was being done to his body. When lips met his, he simply kissed back, and his hips pushed back as well, against the man behind him. He was hard again, and he was not the only one, Lex seemed content with just kissing for now, however, while Slade's thrusts got even harder and faster. Robin knew what that meant and he was close behind the man when he grunted and, after a few last, short, thrusts, stilled inside him. Close, but not quite there for Robin, who groaned in frustration as the man pulled out of him.

"My turn, I think," Lex smirked as he pushed his way up and got behind the teen.

Robin's opening had clenched shut and resisted for a moment, but not nearly good enough, and the man buried himself completely in the teen's body in one, hard stroke. Robin gasped at the suddenness of the penetration, but his body sang at being filled again. The hero lifted his head to see Slade coming out of the bathroom, not even having realized that the man had left. The mercenary came to stand by the bed, by the teen's head.

"Open wide. You'll need to," Slade ordered.

Robin smelled soap and knew that the man had washed, but even if he hadn't, the hero felt like he might, somehow, still be compelled to obey.

Slade may have taken things slow while fucking his ass, but he didn't seem that considerate now, when it came to the teen's mouth. The man wasn't fully hard, which helped, and Robin felt him lengthening and thickening in his throat, groaning at the sensation. Slade took a hold of his hair, just keeping him there until he was completely ready, while Robin tried to support himself better by placing his hands on the man's thighs, meeting Luthor's thrusts which were threatening to bounce his nose against Slade's pubes.

Once hard, the mercenary forcefully began to fuck Robin's throat in time with his friend's thrusts, but the slight pain and discomfort somehow matched the pleasure coming from his prostrate and enhanced it in a way Robin couldn't quite understand. He wasn't being stroked himself, not at all, but having been close already he soon came helplessly all over his bed. Slade pulled almost all the way out and came himself, the second load of cum for the day sliding down into the teen's stomach as another one filled his ass.

"How is that special Viagra working for you?" Slade asked his friend over Robin's slumped body.

"Very well, thank you," Luthor replied.

"Cheaters," Robin muttered.

"Ah, but we have to cut him some slack, he's only human after all," Slade chuckled. "You are too, but you are young… and I… well, I'm just me, and trust me, we are no way near done yet." To prove his point, Slade rolled the teen over on his back, lifted his legs, bending them at the knees and pushing them up to the teen's shoulders, before pushing into him again.

Robin's alarm-clock flicked to 02.06 AM. The hero himself was out cold. He was lying on his side, Slade pressed up against his back, the man's cock still buried inside him. They cuffs were long gone, and hand ended up somewhere on the floor by now.

"Quite a night, my friend," Lex chuckled as he buttoned his shirt. The man had taken a shower after declaring that he was leaving, as he had a flight to catch in a few hours.

"Quite a bet," Slade almost murmured, seemingly finally satisfied.

"It really was. A quite expensive one too, but I think I've gotten my money's worth here tonight."

Slade chuckled. "Robin will be delighted to hear that."

"I have a feeling he won't. How do you think he's going to react? He got pretty into it, after all."

"I knew he would. Pent up sexual frustration for years. The poor boy was about to burst. We did him a favor."

"Are you sure he'll see it that way?"

"Of course not, he'll be completely livid and ashamed of himself, I would think," Slade half shrugged.

"But will he talk?"

"No. For several reasons, he won't breathe a word of what happened here tonight, trust me."

"Good. Don't think I am growing soft, no pun intended, but I'd hate to have him silenced unless I had to. I quite like the little brat."

"Same here. No one has ever dared to pull a stunt like that on me before," Slade chuckled. "I'm impressed."

"Well, are you leaving as well?" the businessman asked.

"No. I think I'll stay the night."

"You are a braver man than me," Lex grinned. "I wouldn't want to be in the way of the Bat-brats fury."

"Oh, he'll try to kill me, he'll cry, I'll comfort him and then I'll make him feel a lot better," Slade smirked.

"My friend, the size of your ego never ceases to astonish me," Lex chuckled. "I'm not sure your plan will work this time, though."

"Wanna bet?" Slade smirked.

The End

A/N: If you are wondering what pink Kryptonite does, you should check it out… it might explain Robin's 'damn' comment… ;) And yes, this was HIGHLY dub-con, but I couldn't really warn you about it without ruining the story, so… oops? ;)

Hope you enjoyed both the fun, the crazy and the dark parts, though… ;)

/W