The Fortress of Solitude was amazing. It was different from the batcave, bright and spacious. It was similar in a few ways, the halls were filled with strange souvenirs, a common super hero hobby it seemed. Batman collected things to study as evidence, but Superman, it seemed, collected like Wally did, simply adding things to his massive fort in the middle of nowhere. And it was the middle of nowhere, Robin realized. The flight, where he spent the whole time clutching Superman's chest and squinting his eyes against the intense wind, had been short, but they were far far away from the league, form Gotham, from anyone.

Not that Bruce was even likely to notice he was missing. He was as distracted as ever, spending more and more time away from both the manor and the cave, away from Robin. Tim had worn high collars and hoods around the mansion in an attempt to hide the bruises from his brawl with Superman before realizing there was no one around to notice. After that he wore thin tank tops with low necks, enjoying the sight of himself in every reflective surface. The bruises were a deep plum, dark against the pale of his skin, and sore to the touch. Yet he couldn't stop touching them, tracing the shape with his fingers idly at every moment. School work, crime, everything faded from his mind when he pressed down on them and felt the throb.

His hand had crept up to his neck just as Superman reached out to touch the same bruise.

"Guess I went a bit hard on you last time." Superman grinned sheepishly.

"No, no no! I'm fine!" Robin fought back the blush he could feel creeping up on him. "I can take it, really!"

Superman's grin widened, that was exactly what he wanted to hear. "Well in that case, you should be ready for plenty more today."

"Ready when you are Supes!" Robin crouched down slightly, spreading his feet apart and assuming a fighting stance.

In a flash, he was down on the ground. Superman was on top of him. He squeezed his arms in tights and managed to slide under the kryptonian and roll away. This time, when the attack came he was ready. Superman rushed forward, throwing a punch, and Robin managed to roll sideways and sam a kick into his jaw as he passed by and slammed into the floor where he had been only moments before. He then jumped to his feet and pulled out a throwing star, tossing it at the older man's head.

Of course, Superman knocked it aside without a thought and rushed forward again, this time landing a solid blow to the boys chest. Robin fell back, gasping as the wind was knocked out of him. He landed on the floor, hard, and his head smacked against the ground with a loud sound. his ears rang and before he could roll away, he was pinned again.

Superman loomed over him, an arm pressed against his neck, holding him still. "I think you need some more weapons. I don't think you're going to have much luck just brawling with me," he whispered, leaning in close to Robin's ear.

"I noticed when you pinned me again," Robin gasped, fighting to talk with the pressure on his throat. "Not that I mind."

Instantly, he realized his mistake. Superman's playful grin disappeared, and he seemed to draw back a bit, the pressure coming off the boy's neck.

"I'm sorry! I just meant, well I don't know what I meant, it was oxygen deprivation or something! I just meant I was fine! Or more than fine! It's ok, just please don't freak out." He scrambled to sit up as Superman pulled back, his eyes darkening. His ears were full of the sound of his won voice and his own heartbeat, and his face felt hot, he was bright red, he just knew it. Before he could let out another word, he forced himself to just act. Maybe it would be a disaster but maybe not.

Robin reached out and grabbed Superman's cape and pulled himself closer, pushing his lips to the alien's with a sigh.

He was feeling the aster.