Robin couldn't sleep. It was almost midnight. He eyed his clock. 11:56 P.M. Robin looked around for sleeping pills, by turning on his lights. They hurt his eyes, and he turned off, turning to his clock once more. 11: 58 P.M. Couldn't time just stop? Couldn't he go back in time four years?

Eventually, his eyelids dropped as he fell into a 'coma-like state'. He opened his eyes, to find it morning. A pain in his heart, was all he felt as he arose from his slumber. He didn't have to feel the pain anymore. It was as if his body, his mind, his heart, already knew today was the day. The day he could never forget.

The anniversary of his parent's death.

Sometimes, Robin wished he'd die too. Or that it was him, not his parents. Better yet, none of them died. Robin always wondered how his life would be if he hadn't met the Titans. Sure, he wouldn't have met the team, Bruce, Alfred or Babs. But his parents were here. Robin knew his team knows about this day. But he still wondered.

Do they remember?

Robin got up, and commenced his routine again. He looked in the mirror. But it wasn't his reflection. Not exactly. There stood his parents beside him, so proud, so young, so happy. Robin stared, touching the air with his hand to see if they were really there.

They weren't.

Robin knew, he was not looking into a mirror, but a mirror of desire. Desire is not perceived by the mind, or thought, it is what the heart truly wishes- hopes for. He could keep hoping, but he knew it was far from impossible. Unless he could bring back the dead, nothing would be worth it.

Was this grief worth it?

Robin never got over Tony Zucco ruining his life. But he let it go. Of course, he never forgave him, but who would? He just wished if he had told them to check the railings twice, or he ran down fast enough, he could've made it.

Could've made it.

But he just watched. It was unfair. Zucco may have gotten what he deserved, justice, but justice is a far punishment for murder. He was only a kid! Heck, he still is. He's a teenager. No child must go through that. Robin was only twelve. What did he know?

"Good morning, sweetie."

"Good morning, mom!"

"I've been lying to, Dick."

"What?"

"I don't like you…"

"…"

"I love you!"

"I love you too, mom."

Sixteen. It was weird for Robin to say. He's sixteen now. Not fifteen. Sixteen. Robin put on another clean uniform, even though the one he wore yesterday was completely clean, combed his hair, brushed his teeth until they were transparent, and put on his metal boots, cape and gloves.

Robin hesitated, before walking out his room. Eventually, he came out and walked down the empty halls. When Robin entered the main room, everyone seemed to be silent. Raven buried herself into a dark novel, scaring Robin senseless, Beast Boy ate tofu, Cyborg played early video games, and Starfire encouraged him by giving motivating words to Cyborg.

Robin did his usual routine, sat down outside, and watched the sunrise. It was one of his favorite things. The promise of a new day. Yet, Robin wished, this day would never begin, but just end. The silence was unusual, especially for the Titans, he completely missed the fact that they were contemplating to him the whole time.

They knew.

"Aw! Dang it!" Cyborg cursed, under his breath as his car got behind another one, violently speeding in front of him.

"Do not worry, Cyborg! You must have the faith, my dear friend!" Starfire encouraged, touching his shoulder, as Cyborg's fingers danced along the controller.

Raven looked at Robin. He seemed so melancholy. Raven decided to sit next to him. Robin turned to her. "Morning, Raven," he said, softly.

"I'm sorry," Raven directed, as she opened her book.

"Thanks," Robin nodded, knowing that she's been in his mind before.

"Is there anything I can do?" Raven asked, "My healing powers can also help with emotional pain…"

Beast Boy came over, tofu in his hand. "Dude, you want some?" He offered, as Robin cringed. "Uh, no thanks…"

Beast Boy shrugged, giving a hinting look to Raven, saying that he knows what day it is as well. "Boo-yah!" Cyborg cheered as the screen displayed, "WINNER: CYBORG".

"Congratulations my friend, you played well," Starfire smiled.

"Now for some breakfast!" Cyborg flipped over the couch and got some cereal. "Hey, Rob!" He called. "Want some?"

Robin squinted his eyes, taking a closer look at the box. Crocky Crunch. The same cereal his mother ate. It was her favorite.

"Mommy, what are you eating?"

"Crocky Crunch! I've been eating it since your age!"

"Can you pour me a bowl?"

"Mm-hm! Here you go!"

"Mmm, it's delicious!"

Robin paled. "Um, no thanks," he sat down on the kitchen table as the others ate.

"Good morning, Robin," Starfire sat next to him. "Why must you not join us in the breaking of the fast?"

"I'm just not hungry," Robin shrugged, observing the others, except Beast Boy, eat.

Robin put his head down on the desk. So many memories filled his head. "Hey!" Beast Boy came to Robin, in attempt to cheer him up. "Knock, knock." Robin stared at him, hinting he wasn't in the mood. "Psst! You're supposed to say, 'Who's there?'".

"Knock knock!"

"Who's there?"

"Olive."

"Olive who?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, mommy."

"Not now, Beast Boy," Robin shook his head, as Beast Boy took a seat next to him, on his other side.

"Come on, dude. We know-"

"I know you know!" Robin's voice became harshly loud, catching everyone's attention, as the room silenced. Robin sighed, and put his head facing down on the table. They savored the rare silence.

Starfire wanted to say something. Anything to comfort, but she couldn't think of anything to say,without hurting him. All in view was Robin's spiky hair, as his face was covered by his hands, that were used as shields when he rested his head on the table. All the turmoil tugged onto Robin's heart.

And that's when it happened.

Tears streamed down Robin's face, spurting out like waterfalls that were finally released from a cage. Robin gave a shaky sigh, catching everyone's attention. His small gasps for air, dissolved into heart wrenching sobs of grief. His body sighting shaking from the bottled emotions held in for far too long.

The walls carefully constructed, crumbled around the Titan, into discarded pieces, left with no remainder. Starfire didn't react as quickly as usual, but eventually, she wrapped her arms around him. At that moment, Robin lifted his head from the table, and pushed his body against Starfire's in a inconsolable embrace. Robin's arms were firmly stuck wrapped around Starfire's neck, as she held him even tighter every time she heard one of his strangled sobs.

Although the Titans didn't show it, they were in awe. Robin. Fearless, strong, stubborn, and natural born leader, helplessly crying. As if the walls, were shattered, much more than everyone else's.

Soon, the sobs turned into a tormented cry. Beast Boy joined the hug with Starfire, then Cyborg, then Raven. It was a group hug. His tormented cry calmed down into silent weeping. Hot tears spilled onto Starfire's shoulder and Beast Boy's wrist.

These tears were held in, far too long. Robin felt like a crybaby. Not Robin. Richard. This wasn't Robin. Showing weakness like that. It couldn't be. It was Richard. Richard John Dick Grayson. Robin pulled himself out of the embrace, and slowly peeled off his stained mask. His eyes were firmly shut, as tears still trickled down, venturing from his nose, and to his chin. He took of his right glove, and wiped his eyes. He put on his mask again, and couldn't help the feeling of wanting another warm embrace. He wrapped his arms around Starfire, who, without hesitation, wrapped them around him. They all were silent. The Titans listened to his labored breathing, and silent weeping.

"I'm sorry," Robin's voice was barely audible with a noticeable tremor.

Starfire pulled him away, keeping her hands on both of his shoulders. "There is no need for an apology, Robin. It is all right," she smiled, but Robin's face still seemed troubled.

"But it's…I'm a boy…a hero, and we can't cry-"

"A hero can cry too."

Two hot tears, from both eyes, made their way down Robin's cheeks, as his focus remained on Starfire. Starfire wiped them away. "Robin, it does not matter if you are a boy, or a hero. Everyone has emotions. Including Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven and me. We are heroes, no?"

Robin nodded weakly.

"We all are allowed to show our emotions. A boy does not need to muscular or strong to a man. If you can show your emotions, then you are a man, Robin. You have never been braver," she pulled him into a hug, feeling more hot tears spill onto her shoulder.

"There is no shame in displays of sadness, Robin. It honors those we have loved and lost," Robin searched if there was any sincerity in any of her words. "On Tamaran, it is acceptable for even the fiercest warriors to be tearful on such anniversaries. It is the same here on Earth, no?"

Robin nodded. "Yeah you're right," Starfire smiled, pleased by the answer. "But it's not always easy to stop hiding behind the mask. To stop playing hero and just…be human…"

Robin pulled away, wiping away the remainder of his tears. "Thank you," Robin directed to the Titans, as his voice still slightly shook.

The Titans smiled, as Starfire replied, "We welcome you!"

Later, the day was almost over, as Robin looked at a photo of him and his parents at the circus forever captured smiling next to a small boy in the middle. A picture so sweet, it could be on a hallmark card. "I love you guys," Robin smiled. "And dad, I promise I will never stop trying, and always fight until the end. Mom, I promise I'll always be your boy, and will always use what you have taught me. Thank you, for everything guys. I wish you were here."

Robin looked around his dull room. At the back of his ear, Robin seemed to hear a voice. A familiar voice. A female voice. "I love you, iubirea mea," another wonted voice spoke. It was a male one. "Happy birthday, son," the two voices spoke at the same time. "We love you."

Tears trickled down hanging on Robin's chin. He let a pathetic laugh, and then smiled. "I love you too."

My heart is officially broken .-. Well, that's the end of the story! Idk if I should add more... I'll let you guys handle that :) Thanks for reading!