It takes him a moment to balance his center.
Getting thwacked in the head by a bat never not hurt. Even if he managed to roll with the blow for the most part. This was just supposed to be a run of the mill robbery at your corner gas station.
But these mooks were desperate it seems.
Also Robin wasn't at his best anyway. Batman was going to kill him when he found out he'd snuck out... again. Despite being explicitly told to stay in tonight.
Robin swipes at his jaw, teeth gritted and eyes narrowed.
"What?" He says, almost surprised at the harsh taunt in his voice. That's not usually there. "That all you got?"
The men in ratty clothing and one had a gold tooth as he scowls deeper wrinkles into his face and lifts his pipe.
"Oh, you wish ya Halloween reject."
Robin spilts and waits for the losers to attack. They do all at once.
I mean, It's not his fault Bruce has been brooding even more so than late.
He dodges a swing and with an open palm smacks the thugs nose, breaking it.
Commissioner Gordon was still in the hospital but at least he was alive.
Robin jumps and unnecessarily drop kicks another thug before dodging a back attack and flipping a third.
Batman needs help sometimes but he seems to have lost all faith in Robin. They were supposed to be the dynamic duo? Why does he have to be so self centered and take away an important part in Dick's life?
He drops and sweeps another thug off his feet and into a nearby trash bin, it falls and curses fly out as the man rolls down with a clang.
And another thing! If Bruce doesn't trust him anymore, for whatever reason... Babs has also been avoiding him and that stung like salt on top of the wound.
He punches more viciously. Stabs with his bunt weapon a little harder.
He couldn't have known!
A punch and flip, another round of broken bones and curses.
If he could have he would have saved Gordon, why does Bruce -
Robin snatches the gold toothed man, everyone else out and sprawling around him on the ground, moaning and twitching. He drags the shaking man to eye level but he doesn't see him. His own anger bubbling over.
Why does Bruce take things out on Robin? Treating him like a child, never listens, doesn't take advice... maybe he should be a hero in his own! That'll teach Bruce. That'll teach Batman that he can't be everywhere at the same time and even if he could, some things just aren't their fault and he should-
"I -I thought the Bat was the scary one." Gold tooth sputters.
Robin grits his teeth, "you thought wrong." And punches the lights out of the D list criminal dropping him promptly on the cold cracked concrete before he steps over them.
Robin stands at the alley's exit and looks over his shoulder for a moment, guilt streaks through him for a briefer moment for using more force than necessary but-
Maybe Bruce just doesn't want him to end up like Batman.
Dick shakes his head and decides to try and sneak back home.
Alfred will probably give him the eye tomorrow but - he can't find it in himself to be upset.
He feels empty. Deflated, defeated even. Batman and Robin, the dynamic duo. The crime fighting hero's of Gotham.
He looks at his reflection in a passing black window.
Robin stares back.
Maybe...
Maybe Batman doesn't need Robin as much as Dick hoped he did after all.