15. A revealing chat.
"You're not going to ground me or something are you?"
Chris asked with a smirk as he collapsed on one of the empty chairs. Robin looked at him with mild distaste; it would seem he was still slightly annoyed by Chris's rather uncaring attitude towards the document which he had just submitted.
"Is this about the form I just filled in?"
Robin looked at Chris coldly.
"No, but you really should have taken that more seriously."
Chris put on a fake shocked expression.
"I did, whatever could you mean?"
Robin took the document from under his arm where it had rested since he had led Chris to the thinking/Sherlock room. He opened the document and turned to the appropriate page that Chris had only just finished filling in.
"If I should be unfortunate enough to be delivered form the tyranny of physical existence by a passing bus or whatnot I would like it if my ashes were kept close to the tower, preferably inside a garden gnome or some other novelty item, for that is how I would like to be remembered, that way I can watch over my team mates from beyond the grave with a grin on my face."
Chris couldn't hold back a smile as Robin finished quoting what he had written. Then trying to look serious said in a fairly level tone.
"You're point being?"
Robin sighed shook his head and put down the document.
"It's just a bit, off, that's all, this stuff is important you know."
Chris nodded, wiping a small tear out of the corner of his eye as he did so.
"Anyway, back to why I brought you here, which is no laughing matter."
"Well this should be fun."
David said in a bored tone.
While Chris did respect Robin, as a leader a person and warrior, he had a feeling that what was about to come would significantly alter his perspective of the boy wonder currently standing before him with his arms folded. As it would happen he was right, though for different reasons.
"Now Chris, I am not going to reprimand you like a child, but I must do something."
Said Robin gravely.
"No, of course not, he's just going to break you in half to teach you a lesson."
Said David with his usually flare for depressing Chris in full use. Chris sighed and looked Robin in the eye, only to realise he could not, how he wished he could see his leaders eyes, there was something about it Chris didn't trust, he still couldn't quite get used to the idea of not knowing just what someone was thinking, something their eyes usually betrayed.
"We needed to have this talk, its nothing against you, but things have got to be said."
"Things that couldn't be said in front of the others it appears."
Chris responded coolly, he couldn't believe that Robin was going to do this; he simply couldn't see how anyone could actually tell someone that they had risked and nearly given their life in an inappropriate way. Folding his arms Chris waited for the next sentence to come his way, firmly believing that he would be disgusted, depending on you're view of David as a separate entity then you could say that in a way, he was.
"You have displayed bravery, bravery firmly beyond that which most would, for that I commend you, I want you to know that I am proud to have you on my team."
Chris simply stared back blankly, he certainly had heard it, but his mind still refused to acknowledge what he knew to be what had just been said.
"I don't believe it, he must be off his rocker if he is saying things like that, I mean at first I just thought he looked stupid, dressing like that well anybody would, but now I guess he is just completely insane, and foolish to boot."
David announced in a shocked and notably angry voice, like it was inconceivable that Chris should get praise from anyone.
"Er, thanks."
Said Chris gruffly, secretly embarrassed and also feeling guilty about his thoughts towards Robin.
"However."
Robin then added, firmly dragging Chris back to the possibility of a sound verbal thrashing.
"Ah, here we go."
Added David overjoyed. Chris frowned and resigned himself to the coming criticism; he hoped it wouldn't last long, for though he had said it was nothing, the many minor burns he now possessed were really beginning to hurt. There had been an offer of help, but his foolish attempt at being macho, not to mention his fear of what would happen if he allowed Raven to touch him, had put a stop to that. Now he was in mild agony as the crisp dried out skin began to crack when he shuffled uneasily in his uncomfortable position.
"You first took command of two members of the team, now I have no problem with that, especially after they told me that you did such a good job."
Chris looked at Robin with a fearful expression on his smoke blackened face. Could Robin actually be going to ask him to take some sort of responsibility? He severely hoped not, and would fight any move in that direction.
"However I must say that I don't think it is a good idea that you do the same again."
Chris sighed in a relived sort of way, he was so very glad of this, and it showed.
"I doubt you would want to considering that response."
Chris looked up from the piece of charred skin on his hand he had been examining. In a way he was glad of this, he hadn't actually meant to take any sort of command or the responsibilities attached, he had just reacted as he thought best, and at that time he had thought it best to get those people out of there.
"I wont, I didn't mean to today, it just happened, I didn't even mean to take command, I just sort of said what we should do and the others reacted like I was giving orders, sorry."
Robin nodded, then smiling; he proceeded to reassure Chris in a way in which he had not been expecting.
"That's because they are a good, well trained and effective team, and they trust you're opinion, now you, you acted on instinct, I know you didn't mean anything by it, Starfire can sense peoples emotions in a way, she told me that there was no emotion from you when you were out there, it was pure instinct to protect the innocent, the fact that you acted like an experienced team leader saved lives today, you didn't show fear and you didn't fail anyone, just like we knew you wouldn't, take pride and now believe in yourself, just like we do, because you deserve it."
"Been talking to Raven have we?"
Said David in a suspicious voice. Chris had been thinking the same thing, while the words were comforting, he was still a little surprised that Robin had blatantly ripped them off from the conversation he had had with Raven on the rain swept rooftop. Robin continued.
"The reason I say it isn't such a good idea for you to take command again is that while it would appear that you can in fact handle command, I get the feeling that you would never want it if the duty was dumped on you, am I right?"
Chris nodded.
"I thought so, you did well today because you didn't think about it, you acted natural, and while being a natural leader is good, it isn't enough if you don't want to be."
Chris knew where this conversation was going, he had had it with himself already, but now it seemed that Robin was going to tell him just what his perspective on the whole subject was.
"However, if you were to do so again and then there was to be a pause in the action in which you actually stopped and thought, then you might find yourself unable to act decisively."
"You mean I would freeze."
Chris said, knowing it to be the truth, Robin nodded.
"Its nothing against you but I have the team to think of, including you, I wouldn't want you to end up blowing yourself up or something because of an accident like this."
Chris nodded and looked at the floor, 'freezing' he feared that a lot, to freeze and for others to suffer because of it, that would be a nightmare come true, but Robin was trying to save him that possibility, and Chris was beyond grateful.
"Thanks, I don't think I could ever really take a command of my own, heh, for a second there I thought you were going to tell me you wanted me to."
Robin took on a mild, yet still frightening grin.
"What?"
Asked Chris, not really wanting to know.
"You have a skill, we don't waste skills in the Titans, I want you to work on it, I will help you, but one day I want you to be able to take command of this team should the situation dictate its necessity, you can never have too much backup."
Chris couldn't believe it, he was being told to do one of the few things he could never even consider doing for his friends, and he didn't like it.
"No."
Was his simply yet infinitely clear response. Robin grinned.
"Look at it as an order if it helps, but one way or another you will do this, so get used to it."
Chris looked directly Robin's hidden eyes.
"No, I won't do it."
Robin was smiling now, he liked a challenge it would seem.
"We will see, but that order stands, and I can be persuasive, if I have to be."
Chris grumbled something about where Robin could stick his order, the comment sounded like a mild threat, the friendly challenge type, like before their training session, but nice as he was about it, Robin was not going to get Chris to do this. Chris was adamant that he wouldn't yield, and happy with his resolve he re-focused his attention on his leader.
"Now, another thing, when you went back for Starfire, you risked you're life to save her, even if she didn't really need it."
Chris raised an eyebrow, he wasn't sure where this was going, either way, he had had more than enough praise for one day.
"Yes."
He said just for the sake of saying anything. Robin scratched the back of his neck, as if he was uncomfortable with what was to come.
"You did just what I would have done, you acted bravely, foolish, but brave, and for you're actions on Starfire's behalf I can't thank you enough."
Chris felt there was more to that comment on the end, it seemed surprisingly grovelling for Robin. There was a notable pause.
"Er, you're welcome, but I would have done it for any of you, you do know that don't you?"
Robin nodded, far too quickly, as if he was desperate to move the conversation along and away from the awkward moment that they had apparently both noticed.
"If you ask me, he doesn't want to talk about something."
Chris hadn't asked David's opinion, though he did agree.
"Come on, let's have a sniff around, see what potential blackmail material we can uncover."
While Chris didn't really think he would ever feel the need to blackmail Robin, or indeed any of the other Titans, not much anyway, he was still intrigued at this apparent chink in Robin's armour. He didn't know why, but his curiosity that so often got him into so much trouble was off once more, on one of its obscure tangents that would inevitably lead to an amusing and interesting, yet ultimately pointless and potentially dangerous escapade.
"Big words, I am impressed, but don't tax yourself, we still need to find out what this is all about remember."
Commented David, surprisingly succeeding in focusing Chris's mental efforts.
"Er, the way you told me not to risk anybody for you, that was a selfless act, one to be commended."
Said Robin, trying to change the subject, and not succeeding. On the field of battle he may have been able to tear Chris in half and then beat the upper half do death with the lower, but hear and now, on the field of strategic conversation, with the surprisingly observant David by his side, here, Chris had the advantage. Though until he knew just what Robin wasn't wanting to talk about his efforts would be restricted. He decided to clarify that point.
"I'm sure you would do the same thing, you would have gone in there to rescue one of the team, though you would probably be much more successful than me, I bet if it had been you instead of me then you would have come out of that place with Starfire in you're arms."
Chris had only actually meant anything by the first part of the sentence, and even that had only been to get the subject back to what he was interested in. It was however, the latter part that seemed to yield the greatest result. Chris saw a distinct shudder and a momentary look of shock, then the beginnings of an embarrassed blush which was quickly strangled to nothing by Robin's disciplined features.
Chris was surprised by the reaction, he had at first thought Robin had issues about having to save a member of the team, he had also faintly thought that actually saving Starfire was particularly difficult for him.
But now, now he was faced with a possibility, a possibility that was so very interesting and amusing that even David was keeping quiet out of a strange sort of respect for what was to come.
"I, I er, I heard that through the communicator just before Raven pulled you out, that was a very noble thing to do, and Raven appreciated it."
Chris smiled slightly, Robin was trying to ignore his last words, he was also continuing along his lines of flattery, and now he was mentioning Raven in another desperate attempt to change the subject. Though to be honest Chris was slightly disturbed by the effectiveness of it, the very mention of Raven was nearly enough to throw him off track, but in this light it was very off putting.
"Oooooh, appreciative is she, well that's a turn up, be interesting to see how you cringe over that, but not now, stay focused."
Chris mentally told David to keep quiet but still agreed; he knew he was close to learning something, or more accurately of confirming his suspicions.
"You would though wouldn't you, you would go back into a place like that for Starfire wouldn't you, you would, wouldn't you, you would do anything to protect her."
He said raising a suggestive eyebrow as he did so. Robin looked down at him with an un-amused expression, he wasn't going to play, but he didn't have to, both had their suspicions, and nothing could change that. Though to not answer would be to admit to the unsaid accusation.
"Yes, I would, for 'all' of the team."
Robin put a lot of emphasis on the word 'all', but it didn't matter.
Chris felt a distinct meaning to what Robin had just said, could it be, could it actually be that he was not the only male Titan besotted with a female counterpart.
"Well done boyo, you have actually achieved something; I now only hold mild resentment for you."
David said, in as close to a sincere voice that a troublesome figment of imagination could muster. Chris felt a surprisingly good feeling of accomplishment, though he was slightly worried by the fact that he was accepting compliments from his internal tormenter.
Even so he leant back triumphantly and put his hands behind his head, though he soon wished he hadn't, for his burnt flesh cracked and sent waves of pain through his body. Somewhat more sobered by the feelings of intense agony he looked back up to Robin who was looking mildly flustered, and even more annoyed.
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Did he know, could he know, yes of course he did, they all did, and even if he didn't then he soon would when Cyborg inevitably spilled the beans.
It puzzled and angered Robin that despite his best efforts everyone knew that he and Starfire held deep-seated feelings for one another, the worst of it was that there seemed no limit to his own attempts to keep his side of these emotions well hidden, and he had done a damn fine job in his opinion, despite this, everyone seemed to know and treat it as a big joke.
Now Chris apparently knew, and he had just figured it out now, in under two minuets of verbal manoeuvre he had managed to drag the truth kicking and screaming from its hidden depths, curse his witty Raven-like word games.
Raven, hmmm, that would be a great comeback, the boy wonder thought to himself. If Robin knew that Chris had feelings for Raven then he could use that, but alas, for Robin at least, he had no such blackmail material, a pity, it would have helped with the difficult task of convincing Chris to take the responsibility of command. Though he didn't know it, he had come closer to the truth than he could have ever known, in time though, he would.
"Anyway."
Robin said firmly, determined to allow no more dwelling on this particular line of questioning.
"You should get those burns looked at, go and see Raven, I told her to wait for you in the infirmary."
Chris flinched noticeably, Robin saw but said nothing, it must be wishful thinking, surely he was dreaming, it couldn't be that his prayer for an angle on Chris had been answered. No of course not, that would be just too perfect, and things in this life didn't come that easy. They both had learned that lesson the hard way.
Chris's response brought Robin back to the real world, and ended his dangerously accurate pondering.
"I'm all right, no need to trouble her; she has done enough for me already today, she may get bored and just decide to break my legs so I can't cause any more mischief."
Robin grinned ever so slightly, he liked Chris, he had all the characteristics of an English gentleman, yet the strange comical sarcastic outlook on life that made him the person he was. In short he was just non-normal enough to fit in well with the motley crew which Robin had assembled to protect their city.
"You should go, I know you said they were nothing but those burns must be quite painful."
Chris pulled his sleeve over his burnt right hand and shrugged.
"I told you, I'm fine."
Robin sighed.
"If you say so, you'll be up for some training right this minuet then?"
Chris looked horrified at that prospect and stood hurriedly.
"I er, I, I'll be with Raven if you need me."
The boy wonder nodded smiling.
"Don't worry, we will be needing you in a while though, there is one last thing you need to do to become an official Titan."
Chris turned at the door.
"Not another bloody form to fill in?"
Robin tapped the side of his nose and winked; Chris groaned and then backed cautiously out of the room.
"I don't like the sound of that."
He said before he disappeared down the corridor.
Robin sighed contently; he would soon be getting even.
The initiation would be most amusing.
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Please R&R, you know my petty begging rituals by now.
Thanks to those that have reviewed, and those that have read and not just scoffed at it. Also thanks to those that have helped and shown support to this story, awful as it is.
Anyway, sorry about this chapter, went on and nothing at all happened, I will make up for it on the next one, promise, actually got a good idea about it.
So anyway please don't judge the entire story on this one monumental disaster.
Thanks for reading, if you have read from the start then you deserve a medal for going on in the face of utter literature rot.
Oh and sorry it took ages since my last update, had a few 'minor' setbacks and I have been busy, or just overly lazy…take your pick, anyway sorry.
Thanks, take care, bye.
