Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based in the era of the Roman Empire to give you all some context. Some practices from this empire may be present in this story. I created a new Empire for this story. The Gotham Empire, totally original right? Wrong! I can't claim DC Universe, or the Known World like many have done before *cough* Alexander the Great *cough* Napoleon *cough* Your face :B

Rated T: Abuse

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The Changing of a Heart

By: Fanficer21

Chapter 6

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Previously

"Time to go boy!"

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Robin sat for what felt like hours, when in reality it was less than a minute. He hardly registered the arms of Wally squeezing his shoulders, trying to comfort him. Or even the large hand that grabbed his hair again and pulled him up. He felt numb, inside and out. Looking foward, but focuing on nothing. Following the lead of the man, he walked down the ramp. He didn't even hear the cries that Wally shouted as he widened the distance between them. Stopping at a table, he felt hands take the rope off his neck and heard the question: "What is your name sir?" Followed by "Antonius Zuccos".

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Silent tears continued to make their way down his cheeks when he was lead into a large house. However, he was then lead out to the back
where a small shed stood beside a large garden. Opening the door, Antonius shoved the boy into the small structure before locking the door.
Robin just curled up on the floor and cried himself to sleep that night. Images of his parents, his home, his garden, and the members of their band filled his dreams.

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Light shined through the cracks of the shed as Robin opened his eyes. The musty smell filled his nose, making him sneeze. "Mom." He mumbled while sitting up and rubbing his eyes. However, the realization of yesterday's event flew back into his mind and he fell backwards onto the floor again, tears fell down his cheeks again as soft cries escaped his lips.

The sound of the door being unlatched and opened made him jump and curl up in the corner. His head burined in his knees. A soft gasp filled his ears causing him to look up. An older woman possibly in her 30s was kneeling in front of him. She had dark brown hair trailing down her back and over one shoulder, and her eyes, a light greenish blue. A sad look covered her features. "You poor child! How could he do this!" She spat towards the door before looking back at Robin. "My name is Livia. What's yours child?" she asked lovingly, attempting to comfort the boy.

"Robin" he responded quietly. He rubbed the tears from his ears as he sniffed until a hand softly grabbed his. "You have beautiful eyes." She smiled at him causing the boy to crack a tear filled smile too. "I h-have my m-m-moth-er's e-eyes..." he buried his head into his knees as more tears came.

"Oh no! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-" She was cut off when they heard a growling voice. "Woman! Where are you?"

Livia jumped to her feet and rushed out of the shed. Robin crawled to the door and peeked out. He was just in time to see the man slap Livia in the face. Her cheek was red where she cupped it with her hand. Tears were in the corners of her eyes. Robin quickly went back to the corner and was about to curl up again, until the man came into the structure.

"Get up boy!" Antonius kicked Robin in the leg as Robin stared at him with tearful eyes. He was afraid of this man. "I said get up! Don't make me whip you you little nobody!"

"Master! He's just a child!" Livia screamed from where she stood outside. "You hold your tongue woman!" Antonius shouted before stomping out and another slap was hurt followed by a yelp. Robin scramble to his feet and ran to the door. He didn't want Livia to suffer because of him. "There's a good nobody! Now come here!" The man growled. Looking at Antonius, then Livia, Robin walked forward. His jaw was clenched and his hands fisted as he stopped in front of the man.

"Now, I can't be seen in public again with you looking like that. Woman, clean him up and give him new clothes." With that, he walked back into the house. "Follow me Robin." Livia said quietly, her hand still on her swollen cheek. She led him into the house and to a small bathtub. The room was open and Robin felt exposed with the lack of privacy. "I trust you can wash yourself. I'll be back with new clothes." She said after filling the tub with steaming water. As soon as she left, Robin made sure the man wasn't anywhere in sight before he got out of the towel like fabric he wore from the auction house and tried to get in the water. To his chagrin however, it was really hot. Hearing footsteps coming, he quickly made up his mind and jumped into the water with a yelp.

"You'll learn to get used to it" Livia said pointing to the water. "Here are your new clothes. I'll be in the garden, so call me when you are finished. Oh, and the master is gone. He left to do some stuff in town, so you don't have to worry about your privacy." She said with a hint of a smile before giving Robin a wash cloth and then left.

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Once he was finished bathing he quickly changed into his new clothes, a white tunic going down to his knees, a pair of sandles, and a belt to wrap around his waist. He decided to find Livia instead of calling her. He found her in the garden picking flowers and humming to herself.

"That's a nice tune." Robin said behind her making her jump and almost throw the flowers. "The master doesn't like it, so I do it when he isn't around." She responded with a smile despite her swollen cheek. Looking at her sadly, Robin touched her cheek gently making her gasp. "You remind me of someone. He always tries to find the good in every situation. What good is coming from this one?" Robin grumbled, but stopped when he saw Livia genuinely smile. "Well...I was able to meet you! I don't want to sound rude, but I'm happy that you're here. It won't be so lonely anymore." Tears came to Robin's eyes at the thought of his parents, yet he was greatful he had someone to talk to.

"I can understand why your friend looks for the good in everything. It makes the hard times just a little easier to bare." She smiled while ruffling Robin's hair. Her hand stopped suddenly while she gave him a thoughtful look. "I think a haircut would do you some good." Leading him back into the house, she dunked his, now mostly dry hair, back into the tub. Then sitting him down on a chair, she stood behind him and cut his hair with a pair of shears.

"Robin, whey were in the auction house?" She asked as she cut another section of hair. Robin remained quiet for a minute, before telling her the story. When he finished, she dropped the shears on the floor and hugged him from behind. Her head rested upon his shoulder as they cried together. "I'm so sorry!" Her tears fell onto his tunic as she squeezed him tighter into her chest. They stayed like that for a few more minutes before they dried their tears. Picking up the shears once more, she cut the last bunch of hair before brushing the loose strands from his shoulders.

Robin, come here!" She exclaimed with a laugh standing beside a table where she held a small mirror. Robin, getting up from the chair looked at all the hair on the floor. He hadn't realized that it grew so much since his mother last cut it. Feeling his scalp, he was surprised at how short it was. He looked into the mirror and almost didn't recognize himself. His hair was cut close to his scalp, but sill long enough to be messy. He was greatful that Livia held the mirror, because it would have hit the floor if he did. The Robin's egg blue eyes stood out so much more now. Unable to hold his excitment anymore, he hugged Livia, after she put the mirror down. "Thank you! Livi" was his muffled appreciation.

"Livi. I like that, Rob!" She ruffled his hair as they both laughed before they quickly emptied the tub and rounded up the loose hair on the floor. Just as they finished cleaning up, they heard the master's footsteps. He entered the room with the usual bark of orders or the ever present words of (un)encouragment.

"Well, looks like you can do something right!" He said inspecting Robin from the doorway. Livia's eyes were downcast as she stared at the floor. "Come here nobody!" Antonius demanded. Robin complied, begrudgingly, and stopped in front of the man. Said man grabbed his jaw and moved his head side to side again. "This will have to do. Woman, I expect food to be ready in a hour. Come nobody." Antonius orderd as he left the room. Robin spared a glance backwards at Livia. He gave her a smile, that was contagious and formed on her lips as well.

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Did I succeed in making you hate Tony Zucco?