A minor injury on a stubborn Robin, who doesn't want to admit it.

Conner was stuck in Mount Justice, waiting for some of the team to return. He was comfortable sitting in the living area, eyeing a black screen. Bart, Cassie, Tim, and Jaime were taking care of a Robbery while M'gann, Conner, and Kaldur took care of another issue across the country. The latter group got back first, which was why Conner was waiting around as the others went home.

The sound of several Zeta Tubes welcoming a group back echoed through the halls. It was clear that the quartet was back and were making their way into the hideout. Conner stayed in his seat, knowing that they would come there. Footsteps got louder as they approached the living area.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Bart asked.

"Yeah." Tim confirmed. "I've been tossed harder than that."

"But he hit you pretty hard." Cassie stated.

"I've been smacked by Killer Croc's tail harder than that."

"But he's a nearly ten foot crocodile human hybrid." Jaime reminded.

Conner quietly watched their little debate. Tim seemed normal, a little roughed up, but alright. Tim playfully chuckled, unfazed by their concerns.

"Don't worry." Tim comforted. "I'll be fine."

Everyone seemed a little disheartened by Tim's stubbornness. However, none of them were willing to argue it any further.

"If you say so." Cassie accepted. "Just take it easy, okay?"

"Okay." Tim agreed.

Cassie, Jaime, and Bart left, all having to report home. Tim stood there watching them. Once he thought he was alone, Tim groaned in pain. His arm wrapped around his ribcages as he leaned forward slightly.

"What did you do?" Conner asked, approaching Tim.

Tim jumped slightly, not expecting Conner to be there. He straightened his posture in an attempt to hide his pain. He gave Conner a smile, not wanting to worry the Kryptonian hybrid.

"I didn't do anything." Tim denied. "I'm just a little tired from the robbery."

Tim awkwardly chuckled, hoping that his lie would work. Conner's eyes scanned Tim's body. Tim's hand was subconsciously hovering over his side, raising some suspicion. Without warning, Conner grabbed Tim's shoulders, keeping the teen in place, as he did a further inspection. Tapping into his x-ray vision, Conner could see cracks on his ribs.

Tim wanted to fight back, but he couldn't find the words. Not that it would matter. He knew Conner could see the damage. Conner slung an arm around Tim's shoulders, so that Tim wouldn't try to escape the inevitable.

"This way." Conner demanded, forcefully guiding Tim towards the medbay.

Tim and Conner were the only people in the medbay. That in itself was relieving. They wouldn't have to explain what happened and could tend to Tim's injury in peace.

Tim was sitting on the bed with his feet hanging over the side. Conner approached the bed with some medical wrap in hand. He rolled a chair over before taking a seat on it.

"Going to need you to get your shirt off." Conner stated. "I got to see the damage."

Tim followed the request, slowly getting the top off. It was a little embarrassing, not because he was doing this in front of his friend, but because he was admitting defeat. He was hurting his pride by admitting that he was hurt.

Once the shirt was off, Conner was stunned by the damage. Two large bruises coated Tim's sides. They were black and blue and when Conner lightly tapped one, Tim flinched in pain. Conner didn't need more prompting, wrapping Tim's abdomen.

"What did you do? Hit a truck?" Conner interrogated.

"No." Tim denied. "Got kicked by Bane."

Conner recalled the villain in question. A hulking man with enhanced strength thanks to a carefully perfected toxin. He may not have been superhuman, or Batman, but he was still pretty intimidating the few times Conner encountered him.

"We handled the robbery just fine, but we didn't expect him to show up." Tim filled in. "Considering what he could do, this isn't too bad."

"Not too bad?" Conner loudly remarked, dumbfounded. "Tim, he cracked five of your ribs. How is that not bad?"

Tim yelped as Conner tightened the bandages. It was clear that Conner didn't like his choice of words. A mix of concern and annoyance was plaguing Conner no doubt.

"Yeah, but his vendetta is against Batman, not us." Tim hissed, prompting a curious gaze from Conner. "He may ruff us Robins up, which in and of itself is its own issue, but he never liked the idea of killing children. Something about his corrupted childhood prevents him from doing that. Most likely due to the trauma of growing up in the environment that he did if I had to guess."

Tim hissed as Conner tightened it slightly. Conner got it as tight as he wanted, tying the remaining wrap. He could tell that Tim was still sore, both from his ribs and the firmly adjusted wrap.

"You know you can say that it hurts, right?" Conner stated. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. Not to mention Bane probably hits like a truck."

Tim bit his lip. He wanted to admit that it hurt, but his pride got in the way. The pride and stubbornness of being the only normal human on the team blocked his ability to admit defeat.

"Come on." Conner begged. "You're amongst a good friend."

"Okay." Tim accepted, wrapping his arms around his sides. "It hurts. Now can you help me get down? My lungs are dying."

Conner gently assisted Tim. He slide Tim of off the bed, helping Tim get his footing. Tim attempted to straighten up his posture, hunching slightly to prevent the strain on his ribs.

"You wanna watch a movie?" Conner asked. "I want company and I don't think Batman will mind if I borrow you for a while. Plus, you'll be able to relax and let your ribs take it easy."

"That sounds nice." Tim agreed. "It'll give me time to think up an excuse for the damage."

They trotted down the hallway, back to the living area. Conner sat down as Tim slowly worked his way down. As he grabbed a pillow, Tim laid down on his side, using the pillow as a cushion for his side.

He didn't need to say anything for Conner to know that he was comfortable. Conner flipped the television on, looking for something good. When an old action movie popped up, Tim nudged Conner, wanting to keep it on. Conner smirked, getting the point, and set the remote down.

I know Bane could do a lot more damage, and probably wouldn't hesitate to really damage a Robin, but I did want to give him a reason not to.