Unmasked
This is a my favourite chapter so far. It's one I'm particularly proud of. Let me know if you like it.
"Hi." Starfire said.
Robin glanced up from the rooftop.
He had been sitting on top of Titans Tower, watching the sun go down. His cape billowed in the breeze as he sat on the side, watching the city.
"Hey."
"Is it alright if I sit up here with you for a time?"
"Sure, Star." Robin shrugged.
For a moment there was silent as the two teen heroes sat next to each other.
"Your name is Richard, correct?" Starfire asked.
Automatically Robin looked around, paranoid someone might hear them. But they were on Titans Tower. No-one could break in unnoticed.
"Used to be." He answered her finally.
"Richard Grayson?"
"Cyborg mentioned that, huh?"
"Yes."
Robin sighed. "Yeah. Used to be."
Starfire studied him for a moment. "I do not think the name 'Richard' suits you at all."
Robin blinked. "Uh, okay."
"I do not believe that the name 'Richard' suits you. It is my belief that this is a common name on Earth?"
"Yeah…"
"You are not a common person. You are special. I think 'Robin' is much better for you."
Robin smiled slightly. "Thanks."
Then the smile vanished as he looked out. "You're not exactly the first person who thinks that."
"Would you like to be thought of as normal?" Starfire blinked.
"Not really. I mean, I'm not. It's just – well, a lot of people seem to like Robin better than Dick Grayson."
Starfire paused. "I have never met Dick Grayson, so I cannot be certain that I like Robin better." She said carefully, unsure what Robin wanted to hear. "However, I do like Robin very much." She took his hand.
Robin smiled at her.
Starfire paused. "Could I meet Richard Grayson?"
Robin blinked. "Uh, what?"
Starfire's cheeks coloured.. "Never mind."
"No, did you say that you would like to meet Dick Grayson?"
Starfire nodded slowly.
Robin hesitated. "He doesn't really… exist any more."
"Okay. Forget I said anything." Starfire tried to brush it aside.
"But… well, if you really want to meet him…" Robin said slowly. "Well, maybe I could…"
Starfire blinked. "Really?"
"I guess… I mean, it's just a change of clothes and taking off the mask…" Robin paused. "If you really want to meet him."
Starfire hesitated, and then nodded.
"I'll… get changed then."
Robin uncertainly walked down the stairs. Starfire followed him in the air.
Robin pulled out a silver suitcase that he and the other Titans had once fought so hard to get back. He carefully opened it.
In it, were a couple of clothes. There was a medal for Mathematics. A photo album. A small stuffed dog, about the size to fit in someone's hand.
Starfire picked up the photo album. She opened it, and found it filled with pictures of kids. In most of the photos a boy with black hair and brown eyes was grinning with whoever else was there.
"All that's really left of Dick Grayson." Robin said softly.
Robin picked up the jeans and the top. He glanced at Starfire.
"Oh, right." Starfire flushed again and left.
Robin got changed quickly. The clothes were a little tight, but considering he hadn't worn them in two or so years, it wasn't so bad.
He looked over at the mirror on the wall and flattened down his hair again. He didn't so much look like an ordinary boy as much as Robin in different clothes.
Robin slowly reached up and took hold of his mask. He hesitated for just a second. In a quick, fluid motion he whipped it off.
Then Robin looked at his reflection.
There was a boy he hadn't seen in a long while there. A boy with twinkling blue eyes that had seen too much.
"Hi Dick." Robin – or Richard – said quietly to his reflection. "Nice to see you again."
Beast Boy and Cyborg were in a continuation of the Tofu/Meat debate as they walked down the corridor. Raven groaned behind them.
"Dude, seriously! I've been every single type of animal you've eaten!"
"And I'll bet you never met any of them!"
"I might have! At least some of my animal friends have been eaten!"
"What are you waiting for Starfire?" Raven asked, interrupting.
"I am waiting for Robin." Starfire answered, hovering outside his door. "Well, not exactly Robin."
"What do you mean, not exactly Robin?" Cyborg asked, confused.
The door opened and Robin/Dick stepped out. "So, Starfire, this…"
He froze when he saw more than just Starfire standing there.
"Uh, hi?" Robin offered tentatively.
"Who are you?" Beast Boy asked, sounding half stunned. He had an idea as to the answer, but he couldn't be certain.
"Uh… Dick Grayson?" It was more a question than a statement.
For a minute all four of the Titans were silent, including Starfire.
"The mask works." Cyborg told him. "Really. You can't be recognised at all."
"Thanks. It was kinda the idea." Robin shrugged. Self-consciously he touched below his eye, where the mask usually was.
"Is that the first time you've taken off your mask since coming to Jump City?" Raven asked.
"Well, unless you count that time in Tokyo, yeah." Robin shifted uncomfortably.
Starfire looked Robin up and down. Robin felt more self-conscious then ever.
"Now you do look more like a Richard than a Robin." Starfire told him. "It is… very different from how you usually look. Not necessarily a bad different, but…"
"But you like Robin more than Dick Grayson, right?" Robin rolled his eyes.
Starfire nodded silently, blushing.
"How often do you do that?" Beast Boy asked.
"Do what?"
"Roll your eyes like that. Normally we can't tell."
"However often I need to, I guess."
Robin looked down at his hands. They were callused from hard work, with a small bruise on his left one.
"Do you miss him?" Raven asked.
Robin looked at her in confusion.
"Do you miss Dick Grayson, Robin? He's not going to be around here for long. If he comes back it won't be for long either. Do you miss being Richard Grayson?"
Robin considered the question for a second. He pulled the mask out of his pocket and looked over it.
"No. I don't." He answered finally, placing the mask back on again.
Yay! A less cheesy ending!
Well, I like it.
Let me know if you do too! Or if you don't - feedback is much appreciated!