More RobStar, since I think they look really good together and I really do like the canon couples on this show. Also, because I was hit with a plot bunny and just couldn't let it sit. I guess you could look at it as being RobRae as well, but the RobStar here is more prominent – I just included Raven because I like the idea of her having a lot of medical knowledge. Tell me I'm not alone on this?

This installment will likely be a bit longer than the others. I have a lot of ideas for this one and I don't want to break it up or cut anything out. We'll see how it goes.

Still taking requests!

-

-

He shivered visibly.

Of all the Titans, Robin was most human. Raven and Cyborg were just about half and Beast Boy was some sort of mutant. Starfire, of course, was alien but hardly looked the part. Robin himself was left without supernatural powers, and his various weapons and surprising skill weren't enough to keep him from catching a virus.

His immune system was definitely impressive for one of his species, but it was nothing compared to the plethora of defense against germs that his team mates withheld. And Robin was bound to fall tangibly ill sooner or later.

A rattling cough echoed through the halls of Titans Tower, and Starfire was the first to recognize the source.

"Robin?" She called from her doorway, clad in a lavender silk nightgown with lace trim. It was near two in the morning, and the vestibules were quite dark. The carpet tickled her bare feet as she followed the leader to the common room.

"Yeah, Star." He responded, stepping into the kitchen and filling a glass with water from the faucet. He downed it quickly, disregarding the lukewarm temperature. His throat was parched.

"Why are you up so early?" She questioned innocently.

"Thirsty," He explained briefly, followed by a short wheeze. "Go back to bed."

Starfire took notice of his irregular breathing pattern, and observed his trembling form. The team had embarked on a mission earlier that evening, which included a trek across the city in the pouring rain. Had Robin fallen ill?

If anything, the boy wonder hated feeling less superior; insignificant. Helpless. A virus was likely to render him just so, which was why he chose to keep whatever ailment this was an absolute secret. He planned on refusing help and denying any sort of malady, continuing to persist in his duties as a hero. Heroes didn't take sick leave.

Robin felt his chest tighten. He loosened his grip on the glass and allowed it to shatter on the floor as he collapsed along with it. Wet, sticky coughs racked his form and he felt a pair of warm, strong arms envelop him before he lost consciousness.

-

"Then Friend Robin… is okay?" The first thing he heard was Starfire's ringing voice, traces of pleading in her query.

"He's fine, Starfire." Raven replied calmly. "There's a possibility of bronchitis – we can test for that when he's awake – but it's nothing life threatening."

"Oh," Starfire said, and placed a hand on the masked teen's shoulder. "Robin? Robin! You may wake up now, please!"

"I'm awake," Robin mumbled, his statement nearly inaudible. He immediately felt something unbearably cold on his chest.

"Rales," Raven murmured. "Robin, I'm going to need you to breathe deeply. Can you do that?"

Robin attempted to oblige, but was overtaken by a pattern of harsh coughs. The metal piece was removed.

"A severe respiratory infection, at the least." Raven diagnosed. "Likely acute bronchitis."

Robin sat up and opened his eyes to the sight of an immensely concerned Starfire, and Raven removing a stethoscope from her ears. He felt tired and congested, as well as incredibly embarrassed. This was exactly what he was trying to avoid. He scanned the room for the two audibly absent titans.

"Friends Beast Boy and Cyborg are still sleeping," Starfire stated, as if answering his unsaid question. Robin nodded, and then turned to Raven.

"Are you going to heal me?" He asked.

"No," She replied quickly. "It takes a lot of energy for me to heal somebody, and wasting my powers on a simple illness is hardly necessary, especially if it will heal on its own. Doing this frequently also increases your chances of future viruses developing into Nosocomial Infection, which is beyond the help of an antidote."

"You can't do it just this once?" Robin demanded, wincing at how skewed the mucus in his lungs and sinuses had caused his articulation to become. "What if the team needs me? I can't just–"

"Robin," Raven spoke, "you'll be fully healed within a weak. We can't risk you going out to fight in your condition and worsening your malady. Calm down; you need to rest."

His anger persisted, but Robin didn't argue with her any further. Instead, he exited the infirmary, stumbling slightly, and collapsed on the couch.

-

-

I really enjoy making Robin sick. Possibly because he's supposed to be fearless and has this facade that I just love manipulating. It's so nice to see him vulnerable. I am so screwed up.

This didn't go exactly as planned, but I'm not completely unhappy with it. I really want to know what you thought. Review?