Title: A Darker Shade of Love
Author: Jordan Herbert
Rating: M throughout the entire fic.
Genre: Angst/Slash/Drama
Pairing: Sladin with RobinRed X
Chapter Summary: The end. Is it happy or is it sad?
AN: Yes, this is the last chapter. Sad, right? …Not the ending, I was talking about the fact that I'm finished with this story. What exactly does it mean for my future writings in the TT fandom? Well, I can assure you I still have plenty of fic ideas. So no worries, I'll still be updating my Sladin One Shots and maybe my Wandering Robin story too. I post more fics on LiveJournal and my own personal website though. Including a few Sladin fics that I haven't posted here. Yeah, I've been holding out on you guys. Sorry. The links are in my profile so don't be too mad, please? Look, here's a fic to make you happy…maybe…
It Ends With Red
It was supposed to be a normal date night. One formed without any heists from Red's part and without any fights to distract Robin. The couple would head out from Red's apartment, go to the beach, and have a picnic in the moonlight.
It turned out to be far from their original plans of romance.
Robin smiled and grabbed Red's hand, squeezing it. He was glad that he hadn't acted rashly and left Red. He really was happy with him. Red pulled his hand out of Robin's grasp and crossed his arms over his chest, huffing indignantly. Robin frowned for a moment until his smile came back and he chuckled lightly.
"Is this about me refusing to have sex on the beach with you?" Robin asked.
"Romantic atmosphere, homemade packed dinner, and a declaration of my undying love for you," Red stopped walking and his hands fell to his side. "Not even worth a hand job." Robin chuckled and shook his head.
"Did you ever think about how messy all that sand is? We didn't have a blanket, Red." Robin reminded. Red stared at Robin blankly for a moment.
"So, do I still have a chance to see some action tonight?" Red asked, his hope starting to rise slightly, along with something else.
"Romantic atmosphere, a homemade dinner, and a declaration of your love; I think that's worth a little something." Robin's voice dropped to a sultry purr as he wrapped his arms around Red's neck. Red quickly lifted up his mask and connected his and Robin's lips.
"Cute," a voice interrupted. Robin and Red X pulled away with a gasp, Red quickly righting his mask. "If not a little childish." Slade pushed off of the wall he was leaning against, slowly making his way toward Robin and Red.
"Slade," Robin growled and quickly pulled out his bo-staff.
"I didn't come here to fight you, Robin." Slade announced as he crossed his arms behind himself. "In fact, I'm just here to take care of a little pest problem." His eye narrowed threateningly. Suddenly, the rooftop was filled with Sladebots, the robotic minions outlining the roof to stop any chance of running.
Robin grimaced, knowing that they were outnumbered. "You have your communicator on hand, right?" He asked Red.
"Yeah," Red answered as he moved to stand back to back with Robin as the Sladebots all started to move in, trapping the pair in the middle of the circle.
"Good, I want you to use your invisibility setting, get out of here, and call them." Robin ordered as he spun his bo-staff and held it in a ready to attack position.
"First off, the invisibility setting is broken, you knew that already, but more importantly, I'm not leaving you and I never will." Red produced two sharp 'x' shaped weapons. "I'll take the one on the left."
Robin couldn't help but smile slightly. Even in the middle of danger, literally, Red still brought humor into the situation. "Alright, I'll cover your back if you've got mine."
"I'm always watching your back." Red smirked behind his mask and lunged forward at the first Sladebot within striking distance. He lashed out, hitting one then another and slicing open their mechanical stomachs. The defeated Sladebots fell to the ground, wires sparking out of the opened gashes.
"These guys aren't so tough," Red declared confidentially. "I get more of a sweat going fighting you than these robotic wannabes." He spared a glance to watch as Robin took out two Sladebots with one high kick. "This is a snap. We'll take out these goons, double team Mr. Ugly and be home in time to have a nice celebration before the hour is up."
"Don't get cocky." Robin hissed as more Sladebots appeared on the roof. For every one that had been struck down, two more came to replace it.
"Slade needs a new hobby." Red decided as he rushed the oncoming Sladebots.
Robin lifted his bo-staff and brought it down, slamming into one Sladebot's head. He turned to take out another only for his bo-staff to clang against another. Robin's eyes narrowed as he found himself facing off with Slade. He pulled his bo-staff away and leaped backwards, landing a bit away and taking out another Sladebot with his landing. Slade began to circle and Robin fell into step with him, keeping the distance between them.
"I'm not trying to make you suffer, Robin. You're doing that by yourself." Slade's voice was soothing, trying to calm Robin into believing him. "This would be so much easier if you stopped fighting and just came back to me. It's your choice." Robin's eyes narrowed into angry slits. Unsurprisingly, he continued to fight, lunging at Slade with his bo-staff. "That's what I admire you for, Robin; you never choose the easy path."
Robin kicked up from the ground and brought his bo-staff down. But Slade blocked every attack with ease, flinging Robin to the side by using his own attack against him. While Robin had been getting cozy with his boyfriend and fighting the two-bit villains that set their eyes on Jump, Slade had been growing stronger with each day. He had been prepared to do whatever it would take to get his Robin back, even if he had to fight the Teen Titans and the Justice League. He had an army of Sladebots prepared and even if they weren't the strongest things, the amount alone would be enough to tire Superman out after fighting so many.
"You're out of practice when it comes to fighting against a real foe. Don't worry though, Robin, once you're back with me, I'll get you in fighting shape again." Slade commented as he blocked another attack and swiped at Robin's feet, knocking the teen onto his back. Robin rolled and lunged at Slade again with a roar.
"You're full of it you pompous," weapon clanged against weapon, "self-absorbed," a strike, a dodge, "son of a--"
"Robin!" Red cried out in a panic voice. Robin froze in his attack, his eyes widening as he watched Red struggle in the arms of three Sladebots.
"I'm coming, Red!" Robin exclaimed. He took two steps in Red's direction and fell to the ground as overbearing pain filled his body from a strike focused directly on his spine.
"Never turn your back on your enemy, Robin." Slade lectured as he stepped to Robin's side. "That mistake is going to cost you. You're practically paralyzed now, at least, until I strike your pressure point again." He lifted Robin in his arms. "Now watch," he hissed venomously in his ear, "as my Sladebots get rid of this replacement once and for all."
"No," Robin whispered, fear laced in his voice as he struggled as much as he could. It was barely anything. His limbs felt like they had weights tied directly to them. He could only flap his hands and legs a little in desperation. "Red," he moaned as he watched the Sladebots walk over to the edge of the building.
"Red, no!" Robin shouted as the robots hurled the boy off of the building's edge.
"Robin!" echoed through the night for a moment only to be covered by Robin's own distressed cry.
"Red!" Robin's eyes filled with tears, quickly streaming down past his mask. "Red, Red!" Robin continued to shout as he tried to kick and wiggle and do something to get out of Slade's hold.
"That's the end of that chapter," Slade commented victoriously. "Time to start our new one," he purred as he adjusted Robin's body in his arms and began to head toward his lair. Robin cried for Red the entire way, in the arms of the man responsible for killing him.
Robin sat in the middle of Slade's bed as Slade went around his room and lit a variety of candles. Robin thumbed at the bracelet under his glove, the bracelet Red had given him. He knew that Red X was alive; he had to be. Robin had fallen off of buildings' ledges all the time but he always found a way to survive. Red was resourceful and knew how to live through such tough events; he had survived the fall and would be coming to rescue Robin in any moment.
The bed shift a little as Slade sat down on the edge of it and stared at Robin's back. Robin looked at the door, imagining Red X bursting into the room for a daring rescue; his knight in black spandex. He just had to stay calm and wait for Red to come get him. Red was probably getting the Titans to help. Red was smart, he would figure out a plan to save Robin.
Slade edged forward on his bed until he was a foot away from Robin's stilled form. He unclasped Robin's cape and threw the morphed titanium to the ground. He brushed his fingers against Robin's cheek in a soothing gesture. Robin turned his head away to once again watch the door.
He tried to slide farther away from Slade on the bed but Slade placed his heavy hands on Robin's shoulders. Slade felt him tense immediately. Slade inwardly sighed as he started to try to massage away Robin's stiffness. He figured the boy's back was in pain from the paralyzing strike he had delivered to it. But he didn't feel guilty over the maneuver; all's fair in love and war.
Slade continued to use his large, warm hands to rub at Robin's shoulders and neck. Robin loosened slightly after a while, despite himself—the man had magical hands, damn him—and Slade decided to take that as a good sign. "See, Robin; I can be gentle and romantic, at times." Slade continued to rub Robin's shoulders with a firm yet tender touch. "See all these candles? Each one represents a month I've been without you."
"No, you're not romantic and you're never gentle; you can just fake it sometimes." Robin's voice didn't sound bitter, only hurt and angry. He also thought that the little fact about each candle was a little creepy but it was kind of low on the creepy list of things Slade had done.
Slade's grip tightened immensely on the small boy's shoulders as he became angered by the rude remark. Robin grimaced as he felt like the bones in his shoulders were about to be grinded down into powder. Slade knew his strength and he had control over his power but when he got mad his control tended to slip for a moment. With Slade's strength, a moment could do permanent damage to someone.
As Robin flinched beneath him and a slight cry of pain left his pressed lips, Slade quickly released his grip, moving his hands away from Robin. He knew he should apologize for loosing control of his anger, like he had with Robin so many times before, but he simply couldn't. His pride was too strong and insisted that it was Robin's fault for making him angry in the first place.
Instead of apologizing verbally, he gently rubbed Robin's shoulders once more and then stopped after a short period, trying to physically make up for the pain he had caused yet again by taking it away. "I don't want to hurt you, Robin." He didn't get a response as Robin remained silent so he continued. "My intentions are always good." Slade removed his gloves and sat them on the bedside table.
"I think that's the biggest amount of bull I've ever heard from you." Robin replied coldly as he turned his head slightly just to let Slade know that he was glaring.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Slade's voice raised a notch as his anger started to return again. "I've always--"
"You tried to kill me!" Robin spun fully around as he shouted. "It wasn't you exactly but it was your last measure; your stupid dust. It tried to kill me and almost succeeded."
Slade flinched inwardly; well aware of what Robin was accusing him of. "That was only to be triggered if I ever died. And it wasn't supposed to be that hostile." It had been a mistake, but he wouldn't admit to it.
"But it was hostile, very hostile." Robin glared again. "I was almost beaten to death, Slade. And unlike you, I would have died and stayed dead; I don't make deals with demons."
"The gas agent was based off of your thoughts and feelings, Robin." Slade growled as he began to yell again, matching Robin's level of volume. "It was only as you imagined it would be. Meaning, it acted as much as," Slade's voice hitched in his throat as the realization finally hit him, "as a monster that you thought I would be." For a moment, Robin's masked eyes flickered with sadness as he realized that Slade finally got it. "Because you really think that I'm such a monster." Slade looked up at Robin but the boy refused to meet his gaze.
Turning around again, Robin stared once more at the door and prayed that Red X would come to save him. He really hoped that he had run to tell the Titans. Or even Batman. The National Guard would be good too. He just really wished that someone would barge through the door and take him away before he had to continue to talk with Slade. He couldn't bear the thought of explaining everything to Slade.
"Do you really think that I'm that bad? Is that how you really feel about me?" Slade asked quietly behind Robin. "Did you really think that I would go so far as to kill you?" He didn't get a verbal response but he didn't need to. Everything that had to be said to answer him had already been said a long time ago. All the times that Robin had called him a monster, that he had acted cold to him, that his body language had shouted 'no' in neon letters; it finally made sense. Robin really saw Slade as a murdering bastard.
Slade sighed as he sat still for a moment in silence, contemplating what he should do. He remembered the week he had observed Red X and Robin together. The two had been mask less a lot and Slade had always observed from afar so as not to see Robin's true face.
During their relationship, Slade had always made sure they were both masked at all times, to show some sort of mutuality. Also, Slade had always thought that if he removed his mask then Robin would know the man behind it and would no longer be interested. He had always been a mystery to Robin and he feared that that was all he was to the boy. And once a mystery is solved then it's no longer a mystery.
Slade had also thought that being able to be masked yet still in love showed how much they trusted one another; that they could have their secrets but be assured that their love wasn't one. It seemed like it was the opposite though.
He took a deep breath and removed his mask quietly as he placed it over his gloves on the bedside table. He slid behind Robin again and pressed his lips to the boy's revealed neck, the first act of love that Robin had ever shown Slade and that he had never returned until then. Still, Robin kept his gaze to the door, ignoring his token of affection.
Robin was a bit too stunned to actually turn around; Slade had finally removed his mask and he had just received his first kiss from the man. Turning around slowly, Robin stared into Slade's face. Slade didn't look like he had expected, the goatee and white hair were a surprise since he hadn't realized how old the man was. But he was just as handsome as Robin had always suspected that he would be.
It was a start to something, Robin realized, that Slade had removed his mask willingly. And so Robin smiled a bit as he reached up to his own mask and peeled it off. Slade smiled back and Robin realized that Slade had a really nice smile; if only the man would let people see it more often. But he was glad that he was finally able to see it. After so many years, there was finally a face behind the man.
Slade stroked the side of Robin's face softly. "Your eyes are as beautiful as I always thought they would be." He whispered as he leaned into the boy's exposed throat and kissed him once more. Robin sighed happily despite himself; he had waited for what seemed like an eternity for Slade to finally kiss him. Red X would understand that Robin just needed to know what it felt like and Robin would assure the thief that he had no interest in Slade anymore; he just needed to know. Besides, after everything Slade had done to him, Robin deserved a few kisses. Especially since Robin was planning on them being kisses goodbye.
Grabbing Robin at the waist, Slade slid Robin across the bedspread. He pushed him onto his back and laid him flat on the bed, his head comfortably seated on the pillow. He quickly straddled Robin's hips but kept his weight off of the boy, for fear of hurting him some more by making him feel trapped beneath him.
"Slade, stop before you go any farther; I have a boyfriend and it's not you anymore." Robin protested softly as he held his hands out onto Slade's shoulders to keep him at bay. Slade was being gentler than he normally was but that didn't mean that the past could be forgotten; it would never be forgotten nor fully forgiven until Slade actually apologized for his wrong acts.
Slade's eye narrowed for a moment and then he leaned down, Robin's arms bending willingly because he needed to know, and kissed the boy on the lips. It was warm, gentle, and everything Robin needed when they first started to date. "You know how I feel about you, Robin." Another kiss and Robin finally knew what he had always missed out on. He no longer had to wonder; he had been satisfied and needed no more.
"Why don't you tell me how you feel instead of just assuming that I know?" Robin asked as he pushed Slade up once more. "You've never told me it before."
Slade sighed and looked off to Robin's right, not able to look him in the eyes. "You know that I can't say it. I'm not that type of guy, Robin."
"Then how can you expect to receive it from another? How can you even feel it for someone if you never speak it to anyone?" Robin asked sadly, pitying Slade for a brief moment. "And why don't you try to be 'that type of guy?' Being gentle and romantic isn't anything to be ashamed of. It's a way of showing that you really do love someone and if you can't say it then you need to act more like it."
Slade's hands tightened on his knees as his eye narrowed once more. "You don't have to say something to feel it; action has always spoken louder than my words. And I shouldn't have to change myself to suit you."
Robin sighed. "That's why we can't be together, Slade." Slade looked at Robin and for the first time ever, Robin could see that Slade was hurt by his words. "One of the things I love the most about Red X is the way he holds me in his arms and whispers that he loves me. We can never do that." As an afterthought he added, "And I'm not asking you to change, I just want you to not be so possessive about me; I'm not something you own and the fact that you think you can own me hurts; I'm no one's possession."
"I'll try not to hurt you, Robin, I'll really try. But we can do other things then whispering sweet nothings; better things together wait in our future." Slade growled as he leaned down to Robin once more.
"Slade, stop—mmphrgh!" Robin began to shove at Slade's shoulders as the man kissed him roughly; completely different from the sweet kiss he had received only a moment ago. Slade ignored the muffled protest and the struggling as he slid one hand behind Robin's head and held him still as he bit the boy's lower lip and then pushed his tongue into Robin's mouth.
Robin began to pound at Slade's shoulders with his fists and bit the invading tongue. Slade gripped Robin's hair roughly, tugging at it and growled dangerously until Robin released his tongue with a gasp of pain and fear. Taking the opportunity of the widened mouth, Slade deepened the kiss and slid his hand that wasn't tangled in Robin's dark spikes to slide down the boy's body and work off his belt.
The kiss tasted like hate, anger, and jealousy and Robin felt weak because of it, because of the situation Slade was once again putting him in. As Slade's hand began to work on his zipper, the tears in his eyes spilled over and ran down his cheeks. Not again, it couldn't happen to him again, especially not while Slade kissed him; that was always one of the differences between Slade and Red X. He wouldn't be able to take it again; he couldn't handle being broken by Slade again in an even worse way. Not by the man behind the mask instead of just the monster always present.
He wasn't even able to breathe anymore due to his panic and Slade's tongue in his mouth. Robin half hoped that he would pass out if it meant he wouldn't have to be aware of his surroundings and what was being done to his body. Slade seemed to have noticed his trouble with breathing though so he pulled away from his mouth and started to plant a trail of wet, hard kisses from his jaw to his neck and back again.
"Slade, stop it, stop it, please, I can't take it again." Robin sobbed desperately as he continued to futilely push at the man to get off of him. His pushes only became weaker as he felt his energy draining quickly. His body was too tired with dealing with this situation and was already starting to shut down; like an automatic reaction.
"I'll make you feel so good, Robin." Slade hissed into the crook of his chin as he licked at some of the salty tears. "I'll make you feel better than that damn Red X ever could. I'll give you so much pleasure." Slade's hand moved into Robin's pants and began to stroke Robin. The boy shook his head frantically.
"I don't want it; I never wanted it. Please, just stop." Robin begged as he closed his eyes and whimpered miserably.
The door slammed open suddenly and interrupted the forced situation. Slade released Robin to glare at the figure standing in the doorway. "Get off of my love." Red X hissed dangerously as he stood, ready to fight.
"Red," Robin gasped as he sat up and squirmed off of the bed. He wondered how his lover had made it to the lair without having to fight the Sladebots that had been waiting. But then Robin heard the familiar cries of his teammates and knew that Red had called for backup. He was glad that his friends were fighting off the Sladebots and were there in case they were needed.
He slid off the side of the bed only for Slade to quickly grab Robin again. He lifted him off the floor as he removed a knife from his belt and pressed it to the Boy Wonder's throat. Red X's eyes widened and he moved forward as his hand reached for his own belt.
"Stop right were you are, Red X, or else Robin dies." Slade threatened as he dug the tip of the knife into the soft skin of Robin's neck.
"That's the biggest bluff if I ever heard it. We all know you wouldn't kill him, Slade." Red X's hand hung dangerously over his belt as he hesitated. Nothing was ever certain with Slade and that was always something to be assured of. The man was psychotic and crazy people only played by their own rules "You love Robin too much, in your own, sick way."
"If I can't have Robin, then no one can." Slade declared possessively. Robin shuddered in Slade's hold and Slade pressed a quick kiss to the boy's neck. "Don't worry, Robin, I won't let you die alone. Think of it as being romantic," he hissed. "I'll kill you and then I'll kill myself, and this time, I'd stay dead. It would be just like Romeo and Juliet; the truest love story around." A peck on the cheek from the controlling psychopath sent Robin shivering once more in fear. "We can enter into the afterlife together and we could stay with each other there. Just like real lovers do."
"There's a special place in hell for rapists like you," Red hissed. "And Robin won't end up there."
Slade's eye narrowed dangerously. "I knew you weren't wise, boy, but to call someone holding a hostage something so untrue and low is--"
"Untrue?" Red's eyes widened behind his mask, "Nothing I said was untrue, Slade. Or are you really that crazy that you think Robin wanted it every time you fucked him. Do you think he cried from joy afterwards? Robin has never cried with me. Do you know why? It's because I don't force sex on him; he initiates it most of the time and I never threaten him if he doesn't want to."
"Don't talk about what you don't know." Slade shouted, pressing the knife into Robin's throat, making it bleed slightly.
"Please, Slade," Robin's voice was low and scared. "I don't want to die." He raised his trembling hands up to the arm around his waist and squeezed gently.
Slade swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and ignored Red's words. "But I don't want to loose you again. It's worse than dieing and I can't loose you anymore." Slade replied desperately. "I can't because," he hesitated for a moment, "I love you." He whispered into Robin's ear as he held onto the boy with a possessiveness that was no longer his right to have.
An eternity seemed to pass before Robin's mouth was wet enough for him to talk again. "I know, Slade, I know." Finally, finally Robin had heard what he really wanted to hear from the man. Only, it was too late. Robin loved another. Those three words had no affect on him coming from Slade. "But I don't love you anymore." Robin felt more tears threaten in his bright eyes again and he knew that they were tears for Slade. "I'm sorry."
"Was it," Slade moved the knife slightly to rub over the small wound with the soft pad of his thumb. "Was it rape, Robin?"
Robin inhaled through his teeth as he whispered, "Yes." Slade audibly swallowed.
Another moment of silence passed before Robin was suddenly dropped to the ground. "Leave, Robin," Slade whispered as he stared at the boy as Robin turned to face him with a shocked expression. "Just leave before I hurt you again. It's apparent that we're done. What we had was one-sided and it's over now." Slade's grip tightened around the knife in his hand, threatening to snap the handle away from the blade.
Robin allowed the tears to spill again as he wrapped his arms around Slade's midsection. Slade wrapped his arms over the small boy and curled over him into the hug. He squeezed Robin tightly before he released his hold on him and watched sadly as Robin turned and ran into Red X's arms, embracing the boy just a moment later but with so much more energy and passion. He was envious of the scene but he barely felt the emotions; he was numb all over.
While Robin retrieved his cape from the floor, Red X watched Slade carefully and grabbed Robin's mask from the bed. He handed it to the Boy Wonder and after Robin placed it rightfully onto his face again, Red X held his lover's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. Robin smiled and followed the thief out of the room. As he turned around to close the door and leave Slade to himself, he smiled at his first love. "Thank you," for finally letting me go. Slade nodded and watched as the door closed and his little bird flew free.
Slade looked at the knife in his hand for a moment and then hurled it across the room and into the wall. There it stayed, stuck and sunken into the wall's plaster as Slade went around the room and knocked over every candle. His latest lair wasn't as solidly built as his previous ones. It would burn down around him.
He sat in his room as it slowly started to fill with smoke and contemplated over Red's words. He had been playing dumb but he knew that what he had done to Robin was rape. Slade was well aware that he had forced the boy. In fact, he knew that he was a rapist from the very start; Robin was underage when he had first taken him. But he had always thought that he could ignore that and just make Robin happy enough to forget the bad times too. Robin had been happy with him once, he should have been happy with him again.
Slade planned for his new life as the flames began to rise and the room slowly grew hotter. Slade decided he would return to his simpler life as being Deathstroke the Terminator. He would return to being a weapon, a hit man for hire, and hopefully never cross paths with his bird again.
Slade rose from his bed and slowly walked out of the collapsing door. Years of planning, so many images of being happy with Robin, all of the time wasted due to his delusions. Robin was happier with his little thief and Slade had to accept that. Besides, he could be happy knowing that he would always be Robin's first love. That would be enough to keep him going in his new, emotionless life.
He would rise from the ashes as someone reborn and no longer craving his fair skinned Robin.
It was hours later when Robin finally found himself able to relax. He had to explain and apologize to the Titans about not informing them about Slade's return. He had told them how personal things with Slade were and Raven had nodded, understanding what he meant as the others simply thought they understood. With Red X beside him and holding his hand, Robin had decided that his team finally deserved to know the entire story with Slade.
He had started in a soft voice and ended with slight tremors raking his body. Red had stayed by his side as he listened to the tale he had heard once before. Raven had lowered her hood so Robin could see her soft, encouraging smile. Beast Boy and Cyborg had been shocked. Starfire had an empathetic look in her eyes and Robin recalled her own story of how she came to earth. Robin apologized again that night, for not telling them all sooner and for doubting that they wouldn't understand.
But now Robin rested in Red's arms, the two of them naked under Red's sheet. "I love you," Red whispered. Robin smiled as his heart sped up at hearing the words. That was the reaction that made those three words worthwhile.
"I love you too." Robin nuzzled at Red's throat. Red smiled as he pressed a kiss against Robin's forehead.
"Your nightmare is finally over." Red stated as he stroked softly at Robin's bare chest.
"I feel like it's been over for a while." Robin admitted. "Once I got my knight in shining armor, I knew I would have my happily ever after." He pressed a kiss to Red's palm and then allowed him to continue to gently caress him.
"There's nothing left to stop us from being happy together." Red agreed as his eyes started to droop close. "We can do anything now."
"Yeah, we can. In fact, I wanted to talk to you about that." Robin admitted. "I got a call the other day from Batman."
"Please don't tell me I have to meet him. I'd rather take on Slade again." Red whimpered.
"No, you're safe for now." Robin grinned. "He was telling me that the crime in Bludhaven has risen greatly and the city needs a hero." Red hummed to show Robin that he was still listening even though his eyes were shut. "I was thinking of quitting the Titans and going there to help clean up the crime."
Red's eyes opened and he frowned. "You're leaving Jump City and the Titans?"
"It's time for a change. This city doesn't need me anymore. But Bludhaven needs Nightwing." Robin chuckled at Red's confused look. "I was thinking of getting a new costume and name. Do you like it? I imagined a blue and black costume to replace this one and I was thinking of growing my hair out since it's already started to get long."
"Nightwing," Red smiled, "Sounds hot. But are you trying to get a new identity in case Slade ever came back?" Red asked.
"No," Robin shook his head. "I think Slade returning is unlikely."
Red nodded and swallowed. "So, how much longer do I have to be with you until you moved?"
"Well, I already found an apartment in Bludhaven but I'm afraid it's really big. Too big for just one person to live in," Robin smirked. "I was hoping to have a little company, maybe a familiar face to always be there for me?"
Red grinned and pressed a kiss to Robin's lips. "I was just thinking that a change in scenery would do wonders for me. So what is Bludhaven like?" He asked, closing his eyes.
"A bit better than Gotham," Robin admitted.
"I guess they don't need any more thieves over there then. I suppose I'll just have to be a kept man. Or I could take on the mantel of Robin and be your side kick." He chuckled only to yawn widely. "Man, hanging onto a windowpane for your life with one hand really makes a guy tired." He mumbled as he started to drift asleep. "Good thing the Titans were programmed as speed dial two on my communicator."
Robin chuckled softly and rolled onto his side, snuggling closer against Red's body. "Go to sleep, hero, you deserved it."
"We didn't get to have sex yet. We just got naked, haven't even started." Red complained.
"We can have sex in the morning." Robin promised and kissed Red's chest. "Now go to sleep." He didn't have to say it twice. It was apparent that Red's adrenalin had worn off awhile ago and he would be in a deep sleep within moments.
Robin closed his eyes as he started to drift off as well. Something suddenly struck Robin and he couldn't hold back a smile as he reached over and gripped Red's hand. This story started with Red X and it finished with him too.