Tower party chapter 3
Disclaimer: They aren't mine…except for Blood orchid…No matter how much I wish they were…especially Kid Flash. He's so yummy…uh…well, I mean, uh…okay, I have to say it again KID FLASH IS SUPER FUCKIN' SEXY! For a cartoon, anyway…yeah, I'm just a lovesick fan girl who needs to lay off the comic books…but you still love me anyway, right?
Reader: Uh…yeah sure. Wait, what was the question?
Author: I understand. . F
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Into deep depression…lols. Just kiddin.
So, R+R if you want, and I hope you enjoy readin this as much as I enjoy writin it.
P.S: and just so you guys know, I tried very hard to make sure that these things would be something that Kid Flash and Robin would actually say. I tried to keep them in character the best that I could, but if you guys have suggestions, I'm always open to new ideas.
P.S.S: There will be upcoming slash eventually. Lols. (This Slash should not be read by energy efficient lamps, polka dot lawn mowers, neon bananas or purple dinosaurs…sorry Barney.
Oh, and also small children or whatever…lols.
Chapter three: Painful memories
The erupting applause and cheers made Evangeline smile uncontrollably, and she laughed quietly. The adrenaline was pumping through every inch of her body now, her fangs even more obviously poking into her lips…why weren't they bleeding? Suddenly she froze.
Bleeding…That word was somehow very strong in her mind…Blood…pain…Someone was thinking about blood...their own blood…pain…excruciating pain…the overpowering desire to die…WHAT? She thought, but gasped (not into the mic, thank goodness) when her mind made the connection.
GRAYSON! Evangeline's head screamed. She wanted desperately to run from that stage and find out what was wrong, to help him forget about whatever was making him struggle with his emotions. But the last thing that Robin ever wanted was an audience, so she stayed put where she was. HE'S ALMOST A MAN, NOW. She told herself, trying to calm herself down. HE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. HE'LL BE FINE.
Then she saw Kid Flash's face. Shocked, Hurt, confused, and startled. PLEASE HELP HIM! She wanted to mentally scream at him, but she didn't want to ruin what was going to happen…between two friends…two hearts…she didn't want to ruin what would happen to Robin…She must not interfere. Only encourage…not get involved…she must let Robin suffer…Wally needs to help him…
Robin…..
Richard….
Dick…
Grayson…
Jay…no, that couldn't be right…But it sounded so familiar…Jay…Joker's son…
NO, Robin struggled fiercely against the anger and pain that was threatening to run him back to that state of madness…..all of the paroxysm…the endless weeks of brainwashing, starvation...torturing…the electric table was the worst…or was it the laughing toxin? His skin being burned and killed by acid…the pain…the misery…empty hope…the slow decent into madness…that must have been the worst…
The thoughts all flooded back to his mind, no matter how hard he had tried to suppress them. MAKE THEM STOP, he begged his mind…MAKE THEM STOP…IT'S ALL OVER…YOU'RE HOME...YOU'VE BEEN HOME…YOU'RE FINE…YOU'RE CURED…ITS OVER…THE WORRIES ARE OVER…HE'S GONE…
"But what he did is still there," he mumbled to himself. He knew it. Raven, who had been in his head, knew it too. And so did everyone else. What he had been through...no human is supposed to live through that let alone return to sanity…
The cool night air and the twinkling stars were comforting. So was the still water, and the distant sound of Eve telling a joke that everyone was laughing about…It all slightly calmed his nerves a bit..But it wasn't enough…
Only when a stream of liquid fell down his face from beneath his mask did he get control of his emotions, and the memories were stuffed down deeper once again. Get a grip on yourself, he thought. It's over. Everyone's inside…Kid Flash didn't mean anything by it...if someone had called me that before that happened, I would have shrugged it off. It shouldn't be any different now.
He took a deep, shaky, calming breath and breathed out. The cool air helped a lot. He wiped his face and adjusted his mask. He was fine. None of this mattered. He was fine, and he had a party to attend to.
Robin looked out to the water one last time, and then turned around…to slam into something red and blue and fall onto the ground and completely get this hair wet and get really, really bemused and was that several robins flying around his head…?
Wally flinched and rubbed his head, then looked down on Robin. "Oh, jeez…I'm so sorry, Robs, I guess I came over here the minute…" he stared, panicked at the black haired teen, which looked cross eyed through the mask.
This scared him.
Flash knelt down to his level and snapped his fingers once. Then three times. No response. "Robin? Robin? Uh…Grayson?" That name again…that was his name… "Richard? You alright?"
He speed dried robin's hair with his hand, making it somewhat fuzzy and staticky, but it was still dry. "Kid Fl-Flash?" Robin asked quietly. "What just- how?"
Now Wally's heart stopped. "Jeez, Robs, I'm so-I had to check and see if you were okay after I…did I say something that…I didn't mean to offend you or anything, and...Jeez, now I DEFINITELY know that you aren't okay, 'cause you're on the ground and you're-"
Robin tried to focus on Wally, not succeeding. There were still at least three doubles of Flash…
"-The way you are," he mumbled quietly. Wally bit his lip. He gently put one of his red-gloved hands on Robin's head. "Hey, Robs. Look at me for a second?" Robin turned his head slightly, wincing, in Flash's direction. Flash put up two fingers. "How many of these am I holding up?" he asked gently.
Robin tried to focus his eyes on one Kid Flash, but there were still three of him… He groaned quietly in pain. "I...uh…well it looks like you're holding up six because I am seeing three of you but I know you aren't actually because that's physically impossible, and since there are six fingers…three of you…" he tried very hard to divide six by three…it took a good five seconds of awkward silence. "You're holding up two?"
Wally stared at him for a second feeling somewhat whimsical, and shook his head. "Well, it's nice to know you're mathematical skills are working." He chuckled slightly, but then frowned again.
Robin didn't like Kid Flash frowning. He shouldn't be unhappy along WITH him…Wally was always calm, suave, put together…he always had a clear head and relaxed attitude. He knew where his path was going and lived like a free spirit. He shouldn't be held down by such depressing thoughts from someone else…
The images were finally starting to clear...the colors separated themselves…The Blue of Wally's eyes, red flaming air-tousled hair, a yellow figure, the dark night sky, the flickering lights illuminating from the tower windows…it was all coming back into focus. He shook his head gently, squinting his eyes. Now there were two Flashes….no…two Kid Flashes merging into each other. "I can see you," he said quietly.
Flash smiled in relief and let out a long breath. "Good…your eyes are working too."
Robin chuckled breathily. This made Flash laugh. He has a nice laugh, Robin thought. His eyes widened at himself. Did I just think that? That was weird…This snapped him back to his senses fully and he hastily stood up, stumbling just the littlest bit. "It-It-It' not your fault, Kid Fl—"
"Call me Wally," he said. "I didn't know you could laugh," he teased.
Robin rolled his eyes at this and smirked, trying to look convincing. "It doesn't happen very often," he admitted. He stood a bit too close to Flash…Wally, he realized…but why didn't it bother him like it did before?
Then Wally looked to him with genuine concern again. "ARE you okay?" his eyes bored into the depths of Robin's mask, and he felt as though he might as well not be wearing it.
He didn't answer for a moment. No. He was not alright. He was better, but not alright. Those awful thoughts…no, memories, they had actually happened…were still swirling around in his head, making his brain throb and his stomach completely sick. Not to mention his heart was pounding at the thought of Flash…no Wally, and him being alone for so long and why was he standing so close…?
"I'm fine," he lied with a flat, emotionless voice. "I'm fine." He seemed to have to repeat it to himself…He still wasn't convinced.
And neither was Wally. But he let it slide. "Alright. If you say so, Robs." He put a red-gloved hand on his shoulder and grinned, slightly biting down on his bottom lip. "Now, Robs…I made a promise to a very good friend of BOTH of ours, that I would make sure you had fun tonight," he said, leading him back inside. "SO, I intend to fulfill that promise. And guess what song is on next?"
Robin looked to him, and you could practically see a rapid flow of energy around him of confusion. "Who did you promise? And what makes them think I wasn't having fun? I was fine! And how do you know what song is on next-"
He chuckled at the expression Robin's face, the deeper crease between his eye brows and the lack of understanding in his eye of which couldn't be wider than ever. His mask very animatedly widened with his eyes. "I ALSO promised I wouldn't tell, but I'll give you three hints; She's new, "extremely talented," he quoted him, "and she happens to be the hottest thing alive tonight, or at least in my opinion." He laughed.
Robin thought. HE ACTUALLY GAVE ME FOUR HINTS, He thought. It's a SHE (Starfire?) New? Extremely talented…? Then a connection was made in his head. "She's extremely talented. I'm glad I asked her to join the team."
EVE, He thought, and his eyes widened further, but decided something else in his head. Fine. If she wanted him to have a good time, then he WOULD have a good time, he thought mischievously. He turned to Wally. "Uuh…Raven?" He guessed innocently.
"Yep." At this Wally stopped walking and literally froze. "WAIT, WHAT? WHAT?"
Robin bit on his lip really hard and tried very hard to contain his laughter. He couldn't. He shook with it silently and then took a deep breath to make up for the air he had lost and chuckled quietly before getting a grip on himself. He cleared his throat.
He suddenly got it, and frowned, crossing his arms. His blue eyes were brilliant with shame. "You know, if you're going to torture me, you can at least use your actually laugh," he stated flatly, abut broke into a smile. He couldn't stay mad at Robin right now. He'd never seen him so happy…
Robin smiled, and still contained the laughter he wished to unleash on the world. "Maybe when I've had more to drink," he suggested, and walked with distingue and fervor.
Wally gaped at his passing figure. SMILING? LAUGHING? DRINKING? "Who are you and what have you done with the Boy Wonder?" He mumbled to himself, but followed him back inside. Just to hear Evangeline say into the mic, "Well, that's terrible! What's the worse news? And then the doctor told him, I've been trying to contact you since yesterday!" And everyone submitted themselves to laughter and hoots and giggles. Cyborg was on the floor of the platform, hugging his knees and laughing hysterically. Orchid had a hard time keeping from laughing herself. Her face was flushed and she was clutching her stomach, a broad smile playing on her lips.
Suddenly Wally got an extremely sad and anguished look on his face. He took his head in his hands. "NO! I missed the stand-up-comedy act? Wow…this night really isn't turning out like I thought it would…but… (Fake sniffles) I suppose I'll live…maybe…sort of…probably not…"
Robin turned and couldn't help but chuckle quietly. "It's not the only time she'll do it. She's going to do another I think before the finale."
Wally sighed in relief. "Oh, ok. In that case I believe I will live. So hey, want me to get a few drinks?" he asked. His face was serious (for Wally) though, so Robin knew he meant regular drinks.
"Uh, sure. Water's fine." Wally zipped and disappeared before Robin's eyes and then was back in the same time it took him to disappear, and he was holding two water bottles.
Wally examined each one carefully. "I better…check these first," he said to him, "You never know." He took one of the bottles and took off the lid. It was already looser than it should be. He took one sip and flinched. Robin could smell a hint of "Ew….yeah, uh…don't drink that one…" he said, putting the cap back on and putting it in the garbage. He tested the other one and nodded. "Yeah, this one's fine," he said and handed it to Robin.
Robin nodded. "Thanks," he said, and took a few gulps. He was unbearably thirsty…whenever he was forced to relive what had been done to him in Arkham asylum; he always grew really thirsty…
DAMMIT, he thought. More hot flashes. Random words and images-Pizza, death—laughing gas, his friends-dolls, toys…a rubber ball…a toy gun…-a smile…red eyes…how awful the color purple was…at least on him…on…that…MONSTER-
"Alright, guys," Eve finally said. "One more and then I'll continue on with the next song," she said, and everyone cheered. Wally whooped and punched his fist in the air. "She's a natural on that platform," he commented, and couldn't contain his smile.
Robin pushed the other memories back into his head, taking in the atmosphere and trying to have fun. What was wrong with him? Everyone was laughing, having a great time, and celebrating, completely blissed into happiness. Why couldn't he be?
And then his mind went blank when he looked to Wally's face. Calm, care-free, happy and funny. How could someone be so calm? Contain so much…such…he couldn't even form a word.
Everyone finally quieted down and Eve calmed herself. "Okay, okay. Last one. Brenda and Terry are going out for the evening. The last thing they do is put their cat out. The taxi arrives, and as the couple walk out of the house, the cat scoots back in. Terry returns inside to chase it out. Brenda, not wanting it known that the house would be empty, explains to the taxi driver, "My husband is just going upstairs to say goodbye to my mother." Several minutes later, an exhausted Terry arrives and climbs back into the taxi saying, 'Sorry I took so long, the stupid idiot was hiding under the bed and I had to poke her with a coat hanger several times before I could get her to come out!"
Eve's struggles not to laugh were pointless, especially when you heard Cyborg bawling with laughter and rolling around on the floor, and Speedy practically crying, and even Sergeant giggling really hard, and Starfire saying, "But…but that means that the driver of taxi would believe he had to get his mother out from under the bed and not their cat."
Wally shook reticently with laughter for a minute. "Not bad, Vange, not bad."
Robin chuckled quietly. It was a good joke, but for some reason whatever Wally said was always the funniest thing that he'd ever heard. What was going on with him…?
Suddenly he was sitting in a two-person sofa towards the back of the room alongside Wally who was already half-way done with a sandwich. He shrugged with indifference and drank more water. "You sure there's nothing in this? Because this would be a perfect opportunity to get me "loosened up" and keep your promise," he joked, but Wally suddenly looked to him in alarm and froze with shock. Wally would never put an unwanted chemical in Robin's body. Ever. And then the memory of Robin's incident with the Joker suddenly clicked in his head from about a year ago that he had heard about from Titans East and he never asked him about it. Even now. For all he knew, Wally didn't even know about it. And he remembered that part of what Robin had been through involved LOTS of unwanted chemicals. Some of them would have rotted his brain and done God knows whatever the fuck else.
For the first time in Wally's life, he was absolutely and completely without a doubt scared to death and completely serious. He swallowed the bit of sandwich that was in his mouth and in all seriousness said, "I would never do that. Ever. To anyone. That's where I draw the line," he said, and turned his face away a minute. He took a deep breath. "I would put something into anyone that they wouldn't want."
This time Robin froze. He had never seen Wally so…so…DEAD. Not a hint of a smile or sparkle in his eyes. His voice sounded austere and somber. "Wally…I'm sorry, did I say something that…?"
He turned back to Robin and shook his head, a bit of the sparkle returning to his eyes. Robin obviously didn't acknowledge what the Joker did, so he shouldn't bring it up. He smiled slightly. "No, its fine. I just…I dunno…I was being dumb." He brushed his hair back nervously with his hand. "Just thinking over some things."
Robin nodded, not really understanding, but before he could, Eve said, "Alright, once again, I think this one is pretty familiar and its one of my personal favorites, hope you guys like it," she said, everyone clapping and cheering, then falling silent. She picked up her electric again and looked down at it with longing. The guitar solo started playing, following quickly the drums. Everyone smiled when it started playing.
(Here's the link again, guys. Man, this is going slower than I thought…I've got like, sixteen more songs to do and I'm only on two! Pray for me, please…lols.
.com/watch?v=hq_PrxbnUkw&feature=PlayList&p=1008F7E4DA9012DD&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1
Okay, if this link doesn't show up AGAIN, then you can open another tab and find the link again in my profile. Why won't they let me say youtube?
Wally grinned practically from coherence. "I…love…this…song…" he said suddenly, and the humor was back into his voice. Robin sighed with relief, and smiled also when he recognized the song.
Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory-
"God I LOVE this SONG!" Wally cheered and he was tapping is foot to the beat. Robin smiled wider, and tapped his foot too. Everyone fell under a spell when her voice started ringing out through the room, and he fell under it as well.
-It's the eye of the tiger it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
It wasn't long before Wally was wording the lyrics as Eve was singing them.
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all with the EYE
OF THE TIGER!
Everyone was clapping to the beat now, and singing along with Eve. Even Robin was mumbling the lyrics along with her. Of all the things he had been trained to do and learned to do, he wasn't exactly the best singer, but he did anyway.
Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough staying hungry
They stack the odds till we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive
It's the eyes of the tiger it's the thrill of the fight, risin'
Up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all with the EYE
Of the TIGER!
Risin' up straight to the top
Have the guts, got the glory
Went the distance now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
It's the eye of the tiger it's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge, of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all the with the eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tigeeer
The eye of the tiiiigeeerr!
Those last few picks at the guitar strings felt like magic and when it ended all the titans smiled and whooped with joy and appreciation.
Eve was beaming, Robin noticed. She looked as though her heart was soaring...then his heart stopped for a minute. HER EYES ARE DIALATED, he thought. He could see it even from where he sat. WAS SHE…SHE…THIRSTY?
Suddenly Eve's eyes widened even further and she stared down at Robin. WHAT? No of course not," she told him mentally. "Well, I mean, I am sort of, but that's why I'm…it…it uh…it helps with the…it's hard to explain, but I swear I'm not going to hurt anyone, and if I do you can remove me from the team," she told him. Her voice was so clear, it sounded as though she were telling this in his ear without the annoying tickle.
He stared at her on the stage, and knowing that she could hear him; he nodded, and told her mentally. "I trust you, Eve. I was just worried about you. I have confidence in saying that you won't hurt anyone tonight. Go ahead and continue with your performance, you're doing great."
At the sound of this she was beaming again and told him mentally. "Alright Robin. I'll do my best." After the applause quieted down again, she suddenly got this extremely atrocious gleam in her eyes, and suddenly a pop beat started playing, and as the guitar was placed back on the floor, she started dancing…dancing to…
Wally's eyes were bulging out of their sockets. He was hypnotized, and he could barely move, besides tapping his foot again. "Oh…my…God…Oh…my…GOD," he said. His eyes shone with the most incredible aphrodisiac shine you could practically hear it screaming if such a thing were possible. Even Robin couldn't help but stare.
And when she started singing AND dancing…well….
Ladies (move)
Gentlemen (move)
Somebody ring the alarm
A fire on the roof
Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows) x7
Ooh, I'm overdue
Gimme some room
I'm coming through
Paid my dues
In the mood
Me and my girls gonna shake the room
DJ's spinning (show your hands)
Let's get dirrty (that's my jam)
I need that, uh, to get me off
Sweat'n til my clothes come off
It's explosive, speakers are pumpin' (oh)
Still jumping, six in the morning
Table dancing, glasses are crashin' (oh)
No question, time for some action
Temperature's up (can you feel it)
'bout to erupt
Gonna get my girls
Get your boys
Gonna make some noise
Wanna get rowdy
Gonna get a little unruly
Get it fired up in a hurry
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time that I came to start the party
Sweat dripping over my body
Dancing getting just a little naughty
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time for my arrival
Ah, heat is up
So ladies, fellas
Drop your cups
Body's hot
Front to back
Now move your ass (ha)
I like that
Tight hip huggers (low for ho)
Shake a little somethin' (on the floor)
I need that, uh, to get me off
Sweat'n til my clothes come off
Let's get open, cause a commotion (ooh oh)
We're still going, eight in the morning
There's no stopping, we keep it popping (oh)
hot rockin', everyone's talking
Give all you got (give it to me)
Just hit the spot
Gonna get my girls
Get your boys
Gonna make some noise
Rowdy
Gonna get a little unruly
Get it fired up in a hurry
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time that I came to start the party
Ooh sweat dripping over my body
dancin' getting just a little naughty
Wanna get dirrty (oh, oh)
It's about time for my arrival
Here it comes, it's the one
You've been wait'n on
Get up get it rough
Yup, that's what's up
Giving just what you love
To the maximum
Uh oh, here we go (here we go)
what to do when the music
Starts to drop
That's when we take it
To the parking lot
And I betcha somebody's
Gonna call the cops
Uh oh's, here we go's (here we go)
Ohh ooh ohh, yeah yeah...
Redman: not in alll versions, if it isn't just skip it)
Yo, hot damn, Doc a jam like a summer show
I keep my car looking like a crash dummy drove
My gear look like the bank got my money froze
For dead presidents I pimp like Huddy roll
Doc the one that excite ya divas (ow!)
If the media shine
I'm shining with both of the sleeves up
Yo Christina, better hop in here
My block live and in color, like Rodman hair (yeah)
The club is packed, the bar is filled
I'm waiting for sister to act, like Lauryn Hill
Frankly, it's a rap, no bargain deals
I drive a four wheel ride with foreign wheels
Throw it up
Baby it's brick city, you heard of that
We blessed, and hung low, like Bernie Mac
Dogs, let 'em out, women, let 'em in
It's like I'm ODB, the way I'm freaking
Wanna get rowdy (rowdy, yeah)
Gonna get a little unruly (ruly)
Get it fired up in a hurry (hurry)
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time that I came to start the party (party)
Sweat dripping over my body (body)
dancin getting just a little naughty
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time for my arrival
Rowdy
Gonna get a little unruly
(Ooh oh)
Get it fired up in a hurry
(Ooh oh)
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time that I came to start the party
Ooh sweat dripping over my body
dancin' getting just a little naughty
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time for my arrival
Rowdy
(Let's get dirrty)
Gonna get a little unruly
(I wanna get dirrty)
Get it fired up in a hurry
(Let's get dirrty)
Wanna get dirrty
It's about time that I came to start the party
(Ooh yeah)
Sweat dripping over my body
(Let's get dirrty)
dancin getting just a little naughty
(Wanna get dirrty)
Wanna get dirrty
(Ooh yeah)
It's about time for my arrival
Uh, what?
At first everyone in the room was stunned and completely amazed, silent with overwhelming feelings of concupiscence and predilection. Then the entire room exploded. Screams and applause and God knows what else. The guys in particular were…well….they were experiencing…um…a few somewhat, "lecherous" feelings… (Cough, cough)
Robin never felt more adrenalized in his life. Even when he was kicking super villain/criminal ass, he wasn't anywhere near as energized as he had been. He had wanted to actually get up and dance and start singing with her. The pull was so strong; it took all he had to stay where he was sitting.
Wally wasn't an exception. "Um…hey, Robs?" he asked, still staring at Evangeline.
Robin looked to him in concern, the enlivening burn in his body simmering down to a warmth. "Yes?" he asked cautiously. Whatever Wally was going to ask, he could tell it wasn't exactly what he would want to hear…
"Um…" his voice was cryptanalyzing with emotion. "Can I like…have Evangeline? Like…forever…I want to marry her and have her all to myself and love her and have her forever and ever and ever and-"
Robin tugged on one of the lightning bolt ear-thingies of Wally's and turned to face him. "I'm sorry, Wally, but besides Cyborg she is the only person in this household that knows how to cook and I can't let her go for that. If she were to leave and go off with you we would all DIE. I thought I could survive on takeout but I was WRONG. I was so…so…..WRONG." He got this very dramatic look on his face and then smiled, shaking with silent laughter. "Your-your face," was all he said before he silently laughed harder and had to take a breath.
Wally smiled. "Wow, I've never seen you laugh this much before, though you aren't REALLY laughing, you're just vibrating with it." He looked up to the ceiling and crossed his arms, thinking. "Now, how do I make you laugh out loud?" He kept thinking, and suddenly Robin stared at him in fright. Wally was willing to do almost anything to get a certain reaction out of someone and he didn't want to know what he was planning to do…it was probably extremely hazardous to his health, a complete blow to his ego and a humiliatingly hilarious experience.
His eyes suddenly widened as he was struck with an epiphanic idea. He slowly turned his head to face Robin. "I know what to do," he said in a somewhat demoniacal voice.
And suddenly Wally's hands were all over Robin's body and he was gasping for breath.
Robin tried to hold back chuckles and wild laughter as he tried saying, "You-ye—ah! You aren't—a-a-a-a-a-a-actuallyeeee! Trying to make meeee—GAH! Lahahaugh by…b—b-b-b-b-b-b-y tick-tick-tickling…." He could barely get a word out and it took all of his strength and will power not to laugh. He tried pushing Wally off of him but he was relentless.
"I know this must be torturous for you Robs, so all you have to do is laugh and I'll stop," he said playfully. Robin still resisted though. He was smiling and shaking with laughter silently but he refused to laugh out loud. He couldn't stop gasping. He was afraid his oxygen would get cut off….
Wally rolled his eyes. I JUST HAVE TO FIND HIS WEAK SPOT…EVERYONE HAS ONE…He tried his stomach, and although it certainly got ONE reaction out of him, with much difficulty he still resisted.
"Sto-sto-sto-p! stp….stp…stp….STP….STP! staaahahahahop! STOP!" He tried, but Wally was just…he wouldn't stop tickling him. "Pl-please!" He managed, still smiling.
"I will, just LAUGH!" And he tickled him harder. Robin couldn't withstand this for much longer.
He was fully prepared to chuckle with all his might…but then…
The last time he heard laughing was when he was trapped in that Asylum…with…HIM. With them. Both of them. They made him a little Joker…there were months where he couldn't even talk…all he could do was laugh maniacally…when he was being treated in the hospital…it scared the hell out of everyone…he couldn't even look in a mirror for weeks…he was afraid of seeing…him…only it wasn't the….him…it was…Robin…AND him…at the same time…
And suddenly Robin's heart stopped and he went stiff as a board. He couldn't breathe. He was afraid to…he couldn't bear to hear that laugh again…he hadn't laughed for almost a full year…how did he know that it wouldn't actually be…?
Wally stopped brushing his fingers over Robin's body and stared down at him in worry. "Robs? Robin?" Robin was still frozen, and the consternation made his face pale. His panicked eyes almost burned through the mask. This scared Wally even more. "Robs? Robs! ROBIN!" He hesitantly brushed a gloved hand over Robin's face and immediately this snapped the stunned teen out of his temporary insanity.
Robin still wanted to laugh…his sensitive skin still echoed Wally's touch...he still wanted to laugh…he could still feel the tickling…
"Get off me, Wally," he said quietly but firmly. For a minute they both locked stares, one's pair of blue eyes mirroring the other's. Robin's heart started working again, but he couldn't believe how hard it was to breath…with Wally looming over his face…so close…Every different shade of blue in Wally's eyes seemed to dance…he couldn't even count how many of them there were if he wanted to…
Wally sighed with relief quietly, and slowly slid carefully off of Robin's still somewhat weakened body. "I'm sorry, Robs-uh, Robin. I didn't mean to…did…did I hurt you?" he asked tentatively. He turned away slightly and depressingly looked to the floor.
Robin tried to meet his gaze but he was staring at the floor as if he wished it would kill him. "I'm fine, Walls…Uh…Wally…you didn't hurt me." WALLS? Where did that come from?
Wally must have thought the same thing, because no sooner had Robin said it that Wally's head snapped up and he couldn't help smiling again. "Walls?" He asked, slowly turning his back to Robin's direction.
For the first time in Robin's life, he had blushed because of what a guy had asked him. His entire head seemed to flush deep crimson and he looked down at the floor in embarrassment. "I, uh…I dunno it just sort of slipped…I guess…I dunno..." he was mumbling and he kept fidgeting, brushing his hair back with his fingers.
Wally chuckled really loudly and hugged Robin. "Oh, Robs, you DO care!" he joked, taking his glove fist and giving him a noogie.
It hurt his head and when Wally was done Robin felt a bit dizzy. "Do you…have any idea…how long…it…took…for me to…jell…my…hair?" he asked evenly but any person in their right mind could see that he was about ready to explode.
Wally happened not to be in his right mind at that minute, apparently. "Just as much time it takes to mess it up?" he joked. Then he quickly fixed it by speeding his hand through it and styling back to its original spiky shape. "You know, you really shouldn't jell it. It does a lot of damage. And I also don't recommend using a hair dryer…MAJOR radiation. You should let it air dry." As if to prove his point, he ran around the room once and returned to his current location on the sofa, though it was a considerable distance closer to Robin then before. And somehow it didn't bother him? In fact, he almost enjoyed it…
Almost.
His red flaming hair was air dried perfectly. It's probably really soft, too, Robin thought. But once again, this was another weird thought in which he pushed back into his mind.
"See?" he said. Suddenly they both heard the continuous sound of applause and exclamations of joy.
They turned back to look at Evangeline. She bowed her head slightly, yet bashfully, as a delicate blush rose into her cheeks. Her pupils were still dilated, but she was no doubt in control of herself. She had been controlling herself for at least two centuries…one night would be a piece of cake.
"Did she finish another song already?" Wally asked. Robin looked up to the stage, puzzled.
"I guess so," he said, confused.
That's when Orchid turned to smile at Robin, and told him mentally, "You were too absorbed in what you were doing. I don't take it personally, though. After all, you do have a very strong minded, tricky speedster to keep busy." She wiggled her eyebrows.
Robin raised his and murmured. "What? IS she seriously…?" Eve, quit baby sitting me!
She giggled. GREAT, he thought.
"Robin?" Wally asked. He looked to Robin's face, "Are you okay? You look a bit distracted. Has Eve got you dizzy too, or is it just me?" A playful smile danced on his lips at that last part. The shiny gleam in his blue eyes made Robin dizzy.
"Just you," he said back cynically. Wally chuckled. "She's keeping tabs on me apparently. Evageline wants me to let my guard down for once, and have a good time," he explained, crossing his arms in frustration. "Like I don't keep it down enough…"
Wally raised his eyebrows. "Are you kidding? You're one big mystery, Boy Wonder! If you were any vaguer about things then you'd be a shadow! I mean, you know me, my name, how I came to be, where I live, who my friends are…you know pretty much everything about me. And what do I know? Your name, big whoop." He rolled his eyes. "Your guard is up 24/7 12 months a year and…I dunno…" Suddenly his eyes became genuine pools of blue. His eyebrows knit together and he looked to Robin in all sympathetic seriousness. "You don't have to be like that with everyone, you know. You can trust Star, Cyborg, Bumblebee, Beast Boy, Raven, Aqualad, not really Speedy," he joked, "Everyone here could know who you are and…they'd keep you safe like you do for them."
Robin looked into Wally's eyes, and melted. Screw it. He'd let his guard down for a minute. He couldn't do that with anyone…it wasn't a matter of trust…he was afraid…
But being the proud, head strong young teen he was, he told himself he'd never admit to that. Not on his life. He tried to keep most of his emotions under control…but to see the image of young, innocent Wally defeated and sad was almost too much. He tried to ignore it, but it just kept growing stronger. "Wally-"
"-You can trust ME, too," he took hold of one of Robin's green-gloved hands in his red one. His gaze locked Robin's eyes beneath the mask, and he couldn't look anywhere else. His eyes almost wouldn't blink. He was too drawn to him…his happiness, humor, life, carelessness…it was almost like looking into the eyes of a dream. "People can't hide themselves from everyone around them forever. Eventually the stress and guilt and lies will build and build until there's a giant wall separating you from your emotions, your friends…your family," he corrected. "It won't just hurt you. I don't know what it is you've been trying to hide, Robin, but it'll hurt more to keep it bottled up forever."
Before Robin could lie his ass off and say he wasn't hiding anything, and that he was fine, completely at ease and he really just needed sleep more than anything else, the next song started playing. Her guitar's soft strums slowly started to creep into your ears, seizing the attention of everyone in the room, then the drums kept you where you were, and all you could do was dance and relish in the magic of the rhythmic heartbeat of the song. Then Orchid's voice rang through the room again.
At the low groans of the guitars, everyone pumped their fists into the air in unison, and the lyrics were echoed by the young teens.
Well, it's a midnight damn right; we're wound up to tight
I got a fist full of whisky, a bottle just bit me
Ooooh!
That shit makes me bat shit crazy
We got no fear, no doubt, all in balls out
Ooooh!
We're goin' out tonight, (hey)
To kick down every light (hey)
Take anything we want, (hey)
Take everything in sight (hey)
We're goin' till the world stops turnin' and we burn it to the ground, tonight
Oooh, ooh, ooh-oh
We're screamin' like demons and swinging from the ceiling
I gotta fist full a' fifties, tequila just hit me
Oooh
We got no class, no taste, no shirt and shit faced
We got 'em lined up, shot down, firing back straight crown
Oooooh!
We're goin' out tonight,
To take out every light
Take anything we want,
Take everything in sight,
We'll go until the world stops turnin' while we burn it to the ground tonight
Oooh, oooh, oh-oh
Then the guitar solo started, and everyone was practically squealing. Robin was uncontrollably tapping his foot along to the beat, and once again Wally was staring at her as if she were the last girl on earth. It gave Robin a strange feeling…seeing him look at her like that…
HOW COULD I POSSIBLY BE…BE….JEALOUS? No…no he could never be jealous of Wally liking her…she was…she was a girl, after all. He just felt protective of her was all, that's it. In his head she was like a sister. An older sister…a much, much, MUCH older sister.
But still…when he kept seeing him stare at her like that…
"Alright, fine," Robin said, once again turning Wally's attention back to him. Wally raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked. Robin rolled his eyes. Sometimes that kid had the shortest attention span…
"I'll tell you about me. I'll let my guard down for a mere five minutes. I'll trust you to know what's best for me and I'll let my fate rest in someone else's hands. But ONLY five minutes." HE crossed his arms and stared straight in Wally's eyes with all seriousness.
Wally grinned with satisfaction. He'd finally get to know more about him. Probably more than anyone else. Even Raven, or Starfire… (Starfire because he told, and Raven because she had read his mind) not that he didn't know more already…he knew his real name. It was a start. "Alright, Gray—Robs, if you say so." He also crossed his arms and looked in the places on Robin's face where his eyes would be. "Let's take this outside, however. You don't have to let your guard down for EVERYONE," he assured, and after a minute, Robin nodded and they both got up, walking out of the Tower to the balcony.
Eve noticed, and she smiled. It was happening. She couldn't believe that her vision was coming true. And till the world stops they would be so happy…she couldn't wait.
We're goin' turnin' while we burn it to the ground tonight
A.N.: what did you guys think? I think this one was my best chapter. Oh, and I don't claim any of the songs in which I put the lyrics in here. Oh and yes, when I was talking about Robin having painful memories, I was actually talking about what happened to the third Robin, Tim Drake in "Batman Beyond, Return of the Joker." But I thought it would be cooler if it had been Richard Grayson that it had happened to. There have been lots of fanfics in which that was the scenario, so I thought I'd give it a shot. And yes, it gave me A LOT more to work with. Chapter four will be written soon! Loves you alls. 3 3 3 3