Quick note: This is actually after my story Memories, I know I said it wasn't previously but, oh well. This just works for a scene later in the chapter.
I do not own the Teen Titans or any DC comic characters mentioned.
The Titans were in the T-ship, setting course for Gotham City. Robin had debriefed the rest of the team on Ra's Al Ghul.
Beast Boy has been jumping in his seat the whole trip. He was excited, mainly to meet the bat and see the infamous batcave. "So, Robin," The shapeshifter said, "What's Batman like?"
"Well, you saw most of his sparkling personality during the communication," he spoke through his headset, "stubborn. Headstrong. Thinks he always knows best." Robin let out an exasperated breath. "But Bruce Wayne, whole different persona. Kind, charitable. Moreover, ignorant to the public eye."
Beast Boys eyes sparkled, "Will we get to see the fabled Wayne Manor?"
Robin shrugged in his section of the ship. "Maybe. That's why I asked we being those rings along. Can't walk around at the manor in costume."
As they entered the city limits, Starfire looked out at the city and skyline. "Gotham City... It is so dreary and dismal."
"Cold, wet, downcast. That's Gotham alright." Robin commented.
He steered the T-ship towards one of the secret entrances to the Batcave that went underwater and was large enough to accommodate the ship. The ship glided through the entrance to the cave, and Robin soon directed the ship down onto the ground.
The Titans hopped out of orange vessel, Robin in the lead. He approached an older man in a pressed suit, who the Titans recognized as the butler, or really, father figure for both Robin and Batman, Alfred Pennyworth.
"It's nice to see you, Alfred," Robin greeted, hugging the man. He had missed him.
"Master Dick," Alfred said after patting Robin on the back and pulling away. He turned to his teammates. "The Titans, I assume?"
Alfred walked over to the four teens and first shook Cyborgs hand, then Starfires, Raven, and Beast Boys. They call greeted him kindly.
After greetings were exchanged, Alfred turned back to Robin. "Master Bruce is currently at a Wayne Gala event. He should be arriving shortly. He asked me to stay here for when you all were to arrive."
Robin nodded. "Thank you, Alfred." The Boy Wonder walked over to the Batcaves computer, with the Titans awkwardly shuffling behind him. Beast Boy was marveling at the sight of being in the legendary Batcave, and, while his best friend might not have been so eager to agree that he was also astounded to be in the Batcave, Cyborg was ecstatic just the same as Beast Boy. The technology impressed him, and he quickly took to standing next to Robin at the computer.
Raven, on the other hand, didn't show her excitement, but appreciated the fact that she was trusted enough to be in the cave.
Starfire didn't care for the dreariness of the cave as much, but, like Raven, she was honored just the same.
"Alfred, has there been any alert of Ubu or any other League of Assassin members targeting anywhere else?" Robin asked as he typed away on the keyboard.
Alfred approached him and stood at his side. "No, not currently. We have been monitoring all technology enterprises in large cities. No break-ins have occurred that match Ubu's or any other members description."
The teen nodded, stepping away from the computer. He had pulled up a clearer image of Ubu on the display that had been in the computers database taken from a previous encounter Batman had with the man.
After a few hours of analyzing other footage and showing the Titans photos of Ra's Al Ghul, Batman had finally arrived back to the manor.
It was late into the night, and he gave each Titan a respectful, yet emotionless greeting.
After some more time of all of the superheroes discussing the matter at hand, and, so far without any abrupt fights between Batman and Robin, Batman suggested the teens should get some rest. The Titans begrudgingly agreed.
"Alfred," Batman spoke, "would you mind escorting them to their rooms?"
"Of course, sir."
Robin followed behind them, and when they looked at him he said, "I figured we might be away from the tower for a while, so I asked Alfred to prepare the rooms before we got here."
His teammates followed the older man up the stairs, and, as Robin was also hesitantly walking up, Batman turned to him. "Robin, do you mind staying for a moment?" He said as he cleared his throat.
Robins teammates looked at him for a moment before he nodded to them, and they continued their decent up the stairwell and into Wayne Manor.
"Dick," Bruce looked at him as the boy walked over to him, keeping his distance. "It's... It's good to see you."
Robin looked down and sighed. "It's also good to see you, too."
The two stood in awkward silence until Bruce spoke again.
"Look, about that argument—"
"I know what you'll say. About the way I run my team. But trust me, I know—" Dick interrupted, on the brink of annoyance.
Bruce put up his hands, "No—Look, all I wanted to say is that your team deserves to have you as a leader. You are a good leader, Dick, natural born. And...from what I've seen of your team... you, you are in... good hands."
Robin looked at him in astonishment. He was complimenting him. "I, uh...thank you."
Dick turned his head, not sure what else to say. "I should... get back to my team. Make sure they all found their rooms."
He made his way up the staircase, and went through the door.
—
Robin caught up with the Titans as Alfred was walking down the corridor, showing them their respective rooms. They were at Beast Boys, and he was about to enter as he said his thanks before Robin started to speak.
"Everyone have their set of rings?"
All the Titans nodded, holding up their hands to show him.
"Might I suggest something," Alfred said, the teenagers turning to look at him. "Perhaps, if need be to leave the manor at any point in your visit out of costume, you should all have alias to go by?"
"Makes sense," Beast Boy commented. "Call me Garfield, then." Saying his real name earned a snort out of Cyborg and a smirk from Raven.
"My names Victor," Cyborg said.
The group turned to Raven, to hear her civilian alias. "Uh," she spoke in her normal monotone, "I don't really have a 'secret identity'."
"Then what's a name you like, then?" Cyborg asked.
Raven pondered for a moment, before deciding. "Rachel." The group nodded before turning to Starfire. She gave a small frown.
"As Raven made clear, I also do not possess the 'secret identity'." They all thought for a brief second before Beast Boy spoke up;
"Your name is Tameranean, Koria...Korin..." He struggled to recall the name as Starfire shot him a small glance of annoyance. "Koriand'r," she corrected.
"Right! That. Maybe you can use the name Kory? Since it's at the start of it..." Beast Boy suggested.
"Oh! That is brillant." Starfire clasped her hands together cheerfully. "I shall choose that name."
"Garfield, Victor, Rachel, and Kory." Robin recited.
"Don't forget Dick," Beast Boy giggled.
"Right." Robin said, sighing at how immature he was.
"Master Garfield, manners." Alfred scolded.
Beast Boy squeaked, "Sorry!" He edged toward the door to his room, "Ah, well, goodnight! Thanks, Alfred!"
They continued to show the rest of the Titans to their room, ending with Starfires. She thanked them both and slipped inside.
Alfred turned to Robin, "I assume you remember your way to your room."
Robin gave a light laugh, "Of course. Thank you Alfred, really. I've missed you."
Alfred looked down at the shorter boy with a smile. "It is nice to have you back, Master Dick." Robin watched Alfred leave the corridor of the guest wing of the manor. He gave a small, sad smile as he really realized how much he had missed his family before the Titans.
After a few minutes, Robin decided to knock on Starfires door to wish her goodnight. His lightly tapped his knuckles against the door. Seconds later, the door opened and he saw Starfires smiling face behind it.
"Do you mind if I come in?"
"Of course." She slid to the side to allow him in and closed the door behind him.
Robin looked around the room. He hadn't seen many of the guest rooms, especially ones these far down the hall. The basic structure resembled his own, though smaller. It had a desk, drawer, nightstand and a few other vanities. A few paintings were hung on the wall and a large window sat above the bed as the moons light cast a glow into the room.
"So," he said, turning to his girlfriend as they both sat on the edge of the bed. "What do you think of Alfred and Bruce?"
Starfire thought for a moment before answering. "I believe Alfred to have a personality similar to that of Galfores. He is kind and caring. He was a large part in your life when you were growing up, yes?"
He nodded. "I think of him like a father. He really is like Galfore. He was basically my caretaker for most of my childhood while I lived here."
Starfire continued on. "As for Bruce Wayne... If I am to be honest, I do not know the man under the mask, so I cannot and am unable to give my opinion. The Batman, while he seems to have a cold exterior, I am able to see that he truly cares for you and is capable of great kindness."
Robin blinked, surprised. "I'd say that's exactly it."
Robin looked away. "I'm sorry we're away from the Tower again. It's only been a few months, and we're already gone." Starfire placed one of her hands on his own. "It is alright," She spoke softly.
"Oh, I meant to ask you something." Starfire looked at him quizzically. "I was wondering if you'd show me the rings. I wanted to make sure they work, since I know Cyborg didn't have the most time to alter them."
The alien princess stood up and touched her fists to one another, and soon, her appearance changed.
Her skin became less of an orange hue, paler, though still showed a tan. Her sclera which had previously been a light green turned white, and her iris became more of a dark, natural shade of green. As for her hair, the style changed slightly, just enough to differentiate it from her iconic hair style. Her hair also became more of a natural red tone, along with her eyebrows. which were thinner. Her uniform was replaced by that of an off the shoulder, long sleeve shirt that was a deep purple, accompanied by white capris.
Robin nodded, "You look great, Star. I mean, not as great as you do as you." This earned a giggle from his girlfriend as they intertwined their fingers and rested their foreheads against one another.
Starfire rested her hand against his cheek. Her fingers slowly inched toward the edges of his mask, but did not tug at it, wanting to know first if he would be okay with such an action. He gentle wrapped his fingers around her wrist. She had seen his eyes before, though, Starfire believed she would need to better know the true man behind the hero persona and mask, this show of trust would strengthen their relationship more.
He soon dropped his hand, and Starfire continued to peel back the domino mask, and slowly set it down. He opened his eyes, and they stared into hers. She gave a small, quiet laugh. She loved his eyes, and didn't quite understand why he choose to hide them. She believed them to be beautiful. He smiled back and gently kissed the bridge of her nose and peppered her with light kisses on her cheeks.
"I love it when you laugh," he said. Starfire smiled. "You are too kind, Richard."
He had only permitted her to use his full first name instead of the nickname, Dick. He trusted her enough, and she was the only one to ever call him Richard out of the team.
Starfire leaned in to lightly kiss him. Soon after, she pulled back.
The Tameranean looked back at him. "I wish to ask, is it acceptable for me to say Richard in front of our friends?"
He nodded. "Yeah, it's alright."
They stayed leaning against one another for a little while longer, feeling the warmth of one another in comfortable silence. Soon, Robin stood up, and put his mask back over his eyes.
"It's getting late, you should get some rest." He kissed her forehead before walking towards the door. "I'll come get everyone in the morning. I'm sure Alfred will have breakfast ready. I recommend you use the rings. I'll see if I can give everyone a tour of the manor. Afterward, we'll talk with Batman."
Starfire nodded, undoing the rings transformation and slipping them off her finger. She set them on the nightstand that was set next to her bed.
"If you need me, my room is in the next hall, three down. Goodnight," Dick said, smiling at her.
"Goodnight, Richard," Starfire responded with warmth in her tone.
Soon after, Robin crossed the threshold of the room and hallway, and shut the door behind him.
—
Robin made his way to his abandoned room. He opened the door, and unsurprisingly, was cleaned and dusted to near perfection. Alfred's work, no doubt, he thought.
Robin tossed his backpack onto the floor. He analyzed the room. It was mostly empty, considering he had taken his most important belongings after the falling out and when he made his way to Jump City.
He threw open his old closet, seeing his old clothing. Most of it was still in good shape, and he suspected it would still fit. He pulled out a black t-shirt and dusty blue jeans. Robin remembered an old drawer that held sunglasses, and snapped his fingers before grabbing them and setting them off to the side with the clothing.
He sighed before flopping onto the bed. He was mentally exhausted from the events of the day. He kicked off his steel toed boots, pulled off his gloves, and soon found himself drifting off to sleep.
