Asuka02RedEva
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or Batman or Robin sobs or any of the characters used in this story.
Richard made his way to the room that had once been his. He couldn't believe that he had allowed Bruce to see him in that state. 'I must have looked like a wimp or something…I just couldn't…' he sighed, his thoughts trailing off.
He stood in front of the door and slowly turned the knob. The room was exactly as how he remembered it. It appeared that nothing had been touched; however, the room was spotless so Alfred must have dusted it every week, or knowing Alfred, every other day. Sure wasn't like the room he had lived in at Titans Tower. There had always been clutter of some sort: newspaper clippings, gadgets and gizmos, you name it. That life was in the past now…
He slowly set his duffle bag down on his desk and nearly collapsed onto his bed, lying on his back, he closed his eyes and let sleep take him.
Bruce sat at the end of the table it was past six and he was contemplating going upstairs to fetch Richard. Something was off with him that was for sure. The protégé could never get anything past his mentor. His stance, posture, attitude, all told Bruce that he had been hurt and whoever it was wasn't far from his thoughts.
"Shall I fetch the young master?" asked Alfred.
Alfred's voice seemed to snap Bruce out of his trance. "Give him a few more minutes Alfred then go and get him."
"Very well then," replied Alfred as he smiled, seeming to know what Bruce had been thinking before he head off into the kitchen.
What had happened to him? He hadn't seen Dick so frail since after his parents' unfortunate demise when he was a child. He would have to get to the bottom of this, but be careful not to push him away. One thing was clear, Dick felt safe at Wayne Manor that is why he had returned.
The room was dark and he could hear foot steps from behind…
"Robin, why do you fight your fate?" asked Slade, appearing behind him.
Robin turned quickly and was struck down. Slade now towered over him and proceeded to kick him on the ground.
"Slade…please…stop…" uttered the boy wonder, coughing up blood and kneeling.
Slade sent his foot into the boy's rib cage and a smirk seemed to appear on his mask, his lips curling into an evil grin.
"Robin, why don't you just submit to me? Admit your defeat! Once you do the pain will stop. Do you understand?"
"…I…won't…" he whispered.
Slade picked the boy up off his feet and threw him. "You are worthless and you have no one, do you hear me?"
Robin hit the floor and fell in a heap. He winced and tried to get back up but he failed miserably.
"Now we end this, Robin…"
Richard felt someone shaking him and a voice. His eyes shot open and he yelled as he grabbed the person and in mid throw stopped. It was Alfred who he had in his grasp. Alfred of course was half way off the floor with one of his looks (you know the one I mean, the calm, yet, you're scaring me look).
He slowly returned Alfred's feet to the floor and turned his back to him (now sitting on the side of the bed).
"Alfred, I…"
"Quite alright young master, it would appear that you were having a nightmare."
Somehow Alfred always knew what to say. Dick turned his head to the side and half smiled.
"Yeah…you could say that."
"Master Bruce is downstairs waiting for you. I will tell him that you will be down shortly."
With that said Alfred left as though nothing had ever happened. Of course, he left Dick with a lot of questions and few answers. What was wrong with him? Now that was a question he found himself asking too many times. It wasn't bad enough that Slade was…no! had been in his head, now he was in his dreams? He had to shake this; Slade had caused him to doubt everything that he had once known to be true. At least at Wayne Manor he would be safe…wouldn't he?
Bruce looked up to see Richard standing in the doorway. He looked on edge and Bruce just wished that he knew why.
"I fell asleep…you shouldn't have waited…" he began, his eyes downcast as he slowly made his way to the table, pulling out a chair before sitting down.
"Don't worry about it, I always eat alone, so having some company no matter how long the wait is well worth it," replied Bruce, arching an eyebrow as he glanced at Dick, "I was thinking that if you were going to be in town for a while if you'd like to attend a few business outings with me, like old times."
This actually caused Dick to move away from his dark thoughts and crack a smile. "In other words: 'Dick, you know I can't stand those men who just talk about their cars and their houses and their many girl friends who do nothing but flirt with me.' Yeah, sounds like a terrible time to me…"
Bruce smiled, "You know me too well, so what do you say? Care to save me from their clutches?"
"You're not exactly my idea of a damsel in distress, not exactly my type if you know what I mean."
Alfred came in with the entrees and smiled. It was good see the two together again. Things were looking up for the young master too. Hopefully whatever was troubling him would be revealed during his stay. Alfred had a feeling that Richard may have returned home indefinitely.
The entrées were set before them, as the gleaming metal cover lifted to reveal…something…slimy…
Both Bruce and Dick eyed the tray, smiled to Alfred and waited until he walked out of earshot.
"…Alright, funny…what is it?" asked Dick.
"…I have no clue…" replied Bruce in all honesty.
Well, this was a rather odd meal at Wayne Manor…very out of character…
Dick poked at it with his knife and retracted his utensil. "I think it moved."
Both were now standing up in their chairs which were pushed away from the table.
"…Yeah...take out sound good?"
"Very good Bruce…"
Alfred smiled from behind the scenes and watched both men make a quick yet quiet exit for the door. Things would work out…
The Titans had fallen into one of Mad Mod's traps. The aftermath: Beast Boy was a vegetable with drool, Raven was covered in slobber, Cyborg was dragging Mod's butt to prison, and Starfire was wishing that their boy of wonder had been there to assist them. Their past dealings with Mad Mod hadn't been as tedious; Robin always had this way of figuring out Mod's plan and bringing him down. They were used to Beast Boy's drool but not a three hour outing with Mod.
The Titans made their way back to Titans Tower….
Sorry it's short! Sorry for the long wait, haven't had much time! .
