After that night, a noticeable shift occurred in Red's and Robin's relationship. Red acted as Robin's protector and had actually thrown the paddle into Jump City's harbor after that horrible night. As a result, Robin had come to enjoy and depend on Red's caring and comforting nature. The job of helping Robin with diapers had completely fallen into the hands of Red and same with any bathing circumstances (though Robin usually kicked him out). Sometimes they even slept together in bed with Red's arms encircled possessively around his little bird. Unfortunately for Robin, Slade had not been bluffing about the diaper punishment. He was now in tape diapers during the day as well, making his training sessions with Slade a bit more difficult. However, they were more absorbent than his pull-ups so he only changed two or three times a day now. Usually.
Even more unfortunate was that Robin was no longer allowed to change himself, which Red-X had fully agreed was ridiculous. Slade had invested in a changing mat for the bedroom and every time Robin needed a new diaper, he was put on it and his pants removed. It was humiliating for him and frankly, he felt like a baby. Even Bruce or Alfred had never changed him unless he was too injured or sick to move.
"All right, birdy. You're good." Red told him, giving Robin's overly padded bottom a pat as he stood. Robin's head whirled around to glare at him.
"Stop doing that!" He demanded.
"So touchy. You probably didn't even feel it, diaper butt." Red shrugged.
Protective did not mean he no longer teased the poor hero.
Robin scowled at him and wasted no time tugging his pants back on. "Whatever. Can we just eat now?"
"Fine, fine. Geez, you act like we starve you." Red huffed as they returned to the main lair. A box of pizza that Red had brought home sat unopened on the kitchen counter. The boys piled their plates up with slices before flopping down on the couch and returning to their show. Once they had finished, the two had curled up together on the couch. Red's arms were wrapped around Robin's tiny form, their breathing equal and relaxed.
"Will you tell me what made you incontinent?" Red asked suddenly. Their crime show had just gone on commercial.
Robin's eyes flickered from the TV screen to Red and he sighed. "You already know. I was stabbed."
"Yea, but being stabbed can mean lots of things." Red shrugged.
Robin frowned and rolled over to look at him. "What? Getting stabbed is getting stabbed."
"I want to know the details." The thief replied. "Please?"
Robin rolled his eyes and sighed. "Alright, fine."
Red sat up and crossed his legs, staring at Robin like a child during story time. "And don't leave anything out."
Robin huffed and sat up. "When I was thirteen, the Joker escaped from Arkham Asylum. Batman and I went after him and we ended up getting separated. I was investigating in downtown Gotham while Batman surveyed the east side, and all I remembered was passing out. When I woke up, the Joker was there and I tried to fight him until Batman could arrive. I leapt at him and the next thing I know, a horribly, sharp pain in my abdomen made me freeze. When I looked down, I realized that his knife was in me and I just stopped feeling completely." He blushed and played with the hem of his shirt. "I fainted." He admitted.
"Dude, how did you not die?" Red gaped.
Robin shrugged. "When I woke up, I was back home on life support. Luckily, the Joker missed my vital organs." He shuddered thinking about it. "There was a rip in my bladder and nerves around my bladder and kidneys had been sliced. The muscles around my…you know…" He blushed. "Those were cut through as well."
"Aww, poor thing. Show me the scar?" Red asked.
Robin huffed. "What? You've seen it a hundred times."
"But I want to touch it." Red replied.
Robin scowled at him. "You're so weird." But he did lift his shirt up. Red crawled forward and tugged the front of Robin's diaper down just enough to reveal the angry red scar that still marred his flawless white skin. Red gently brought a hand up and ran his fingers over it.
"Does that hurt?" He wondered.
Robin blushed and shook his head, suddenly embarrassed. Red changed his diapers all the time, but for some reason, this closeness and touching was completely different. His breathing faltered and his face burned bright red as the thief looked up at him.
"What the hell are you two doing?" Slade asked sharply. Both boys on the couch jumped and Red quickly released his hold on Robin's diaper. Blushing bright, Robin tugged his shirt down.
"He was just telling about his scar." Red shrugged.
Slade scrutinized the pair for a few long moments, making Robin squirm under his gaze. Finally, he seemed to let it go and migrate back to his spot at the monitor. "Has Robin been changed recently?"
"Yes." Robin scowled. It had been weeks and he should have been used to the embarrassing questions and comments by now, but his pride kept him from accepting that.
"Good." Slade nodded. "I want you in bed by eleven."
Red grinned. "Yes sir."
Robin stood and padded over to the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge. When he returned to the couch, he found himself being tugged into Red's lap and he gave the thief a quizzical look.
"Chill, he's not watching." Red whispered and grinned mischievously. Robin raised an eyebrow but turned back to the show. It hadn't been five minutes when Robin's attention was taken from the TV as Red started to press kisses to his neck. Sure, Red had kissed him goodnight on the forehead or given him a protective or playful kiss on the cheek, but this felt different. This felt much more loving and passionate. Robin tensed and turned to look at Red.
"What are you doing?" Robin frowned.
"Kissing you." Red smiled. Before Robin could even comprehend it, the thief swooped in and pressed their lips together. Robin quickly shoved him away and wiped his mouth, glaring at the thief.
"What the fuck?" Robin shouted angrily.
"What's your problem?" Red frowned.
"My problem? You're the one that kissed me!" Robin yelled.
"Calm down. You're acting like I just shaved your head or something." The thief replied, getting a little upset himself.
"You just kissed me on the lips! You're a dude!" Robin replied.
Red's face clouded. "What's wrong with that?"
Robin hesitated. "It's…it's not right."
"Seriously?" Red asked. "What about us? We cuddle all the time and sometimes we even sleep in the same bed!"
"But that's different!" Robin protested.
"How? How is that different?" Red asked, standing up.
"It…" Robin said, but he was at a loss for words.
"Exactly." Red replied. "Tell me Robin, did that really not mean anything to you?"
The hero fidgeted and looked away. "This is different!"
"Why? Because you're straight? Or is it because you do like boys and you're just too ashamed of yourself to admit it?" Red snapped.
"This has nothing to do with that? And it's none of your business!" Robin replied angrily. He shot up out of his seat. "Why should I tell you anything? You're just a thief! The only reason I'm here is because of your stupid blackmail!"
"Really? Because last time I checked, you were pretty comfortable here. And you had no problem trusting me every time you came crying and in need of a fucking diaper change!" Red roared.
"I did not come crying! And if it wasn't for Slade's bullshit rules I wouldn't even need you!" Robin screamed. His hands tightened into fists.
"Oh really, that's not what you said after you shit your pants like a fucking toddler and cried as Slade and I had to clean it up." Red hissed. "Pathetic little fuck." He muttered angrily.
Slade, who had remained quiet until then, stood up and walked over. "That's enough, boys." He said sternly. "I've had enough. Red, calm down and shut up. Robin, come here."
Scowling and on the verge of angry tears, Robin shuffled over. His jaw was roughly seized by the mercenary and he was forced to look directly at Slade. "It isn't nice to lie, Robin." He stated, and then released him. "Figure this out on your own." He told them. "Or you will severely regret it." Then he turned and left, leaving Robin to rub his sore jaw as Red glared at him.