Scars: Chapter 2

Dirty Little Secrets

"How long have you been standing there?" Robin asked with a tone of authority in his voice."

"About 5 or 10 minutes the least." Starfire answered.

"What are you doing out here Robin? What's wrong? You had us worried sick."

"Just a nightly watch of the city. I was going to come back to the tower in a few minutes."

In a few seconds, Starfire had gotten in front of him and had pinned him against the wall of a smaller building on the roof top. Robin looked at her, puzzled.

"Robin, don't lie to me, and don't bother not admitting that something's wrong. I'm not stupid. I know there's been something bothering you all day. I noticed from the first time I saw you today. You were not normal. You were fidgety. You almost looked, saddened and depressed. Even...I don't know, mopey. And more than usual. I notice things, Robin. Especially about you. And if you don't tell me what's the matter, I'll find out for myself." When Starfire finished, she had put her face up near Robin's, since Robin was now taller. And their bodies were touching.

In any other situation, he would have liked this position, but the direction the conversation was going, angered him. He broke away from her touch and walked in a different direction, away from her, before he stopped and started talking.

"I told you already before, nothing's up with me. I'm fine, dandy, peachy. And I was just on a patrol of the city and I'd like to continue that if you don't mind." Robin stated harshly.

He turned his back to her as he walked toward the edge of the roof top and looked down at the city below.

"You're so stubborn Robin, you know that? You push away the people that care about you and try to help you. Why wont you let people help you, Robin? Something happened to you, and I'm not leaving until I find out what!" Starfire snapped at him.

Robin looked at her a little surprised, but nonetheless he expected her to say something like that. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I'M FINE!"he shouted suddenly making her surprised.

"No Robin, you're not fine. And I would know. I know you better than anyone and you know it too. And damn it, if you're going to tell me that you are fine. Because guess what? You're not. And let me tell you something Robin, I know you have your little moods every so often and you get pissed off at everything you see, but this is different..."

She started to move and walk around him while talking.

"This is much different because I've noticed a pattern."

She stopped in front of him, because by this time, he turned around to face her.

"The same pattern every year. On this same day, every year, you act up. And not just because of Slade,...this is something that has to do with you. Some secret that you keep, which is unbeknownst to us."

Robin stared at her, mask furrowed, eyes darting all around. She walked up to him and put her face in his once again. And just said a single word.

"Why?"

Robin was confused, for 'why' could mean absolutely anything and just said the first thing that came out of his mouth.

"Why what?" he asked a little annoyed.

"Why do you keep secrets from us? Why do you run from your fears Robin?"

Robin found himself helplessly silent. Starfire had lured him in, and now she was in for the kill. She paused before continuing.

"You know you can come to us anytime if you're scared of something that happened Robin. But you don't. You refuse to get yourself help. And your stubbornness is getting you nowhere. So just spill it, Robin, please. What happened to you?"

She finished quietly.

Robin looked down with his eyes closed and answered.

"Nothing you'll ever understand." he said softly. But Starfire was not satisfied with this answer. She wasn't though with him yet. Not after all this.

"What wouldn't we understand! What can't you tell me that I won't understand!" Starfire bursted at him with questions. Robin got angry again.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!" Robin shouted unexpectantly.