A/N: So for those of you who have read chapter one, you don't have to read this chapter! I merely cut the previous chapter in two, making it shorter and less grueling for y'all to read. So there. -grin-
Chapter II : Come With Me Tonight
Robin awoke with a chink in his neck and a pounding head full of questions. Slade had left immediately after their deal was made, only tossing him a satisfied smirk before calmly exiting his bedroom via the door. He was still angry, enraged even, but he knew he would come up with an escape plan. If his friends didn't find him first, that is.
"Good morning, sunshine..." he mumbled as he walked into his private bathroom, taking in his reflection in the mirror. "Ready to betray your friends for their own good?" he asked the other Robin, whom said the same as him, his voice laced with sarcastic glee. He laughed dryly and ran a hand through his tussled raven locks, tugging gently at the few knots to carefully work them out.
His late night visitor had caused quite a stir, and the hero's dreams had been plagued by that handsome, rugged face. Said handsome, rugged face had laughed and mocked his worth as he fought hard to rescue his captive friends, whom were nowhere to be found. His dream had taken a drastic turn for the worst, promptly spiraling into a nightmare, and his dream self had thrown open a lone door to reveal the lifeless bodies of his beloved teammates.
Robin shook himself and splashed cold water on his face to rid his mind of the tragic thoughts.
The Boy Wonder's foul mood could only corrode further when he noticed the note that was placed on the edge of his nightstand, sitting innocently in plain sight for him to see. It seemed to jeer at him as he approached and he grabbed it harshly, as if to punish it for taunting him.
Until tonight, my pretty bird. -S
Robin growled and tore the paper into tiny pieces. His eyes followed the flakes of paper as they fluttered carelessly to the floor like man-made snow. He turned away from them and flung the double doors of his closet open, pulling out a fresh uniform and roughly tugging it on.
Robin hissed and fell back onto his bed as he struggled to tug his pants on. He fought them bravely, but the gesture merely forced his frustration higher. He gritted his teeth and screamed. His leg slipped through and he wiggled his toes in relief. Attempting to stand and cross the room, the teen cried out as his foot caught on the limp spandex of the forgotten second leg and he fell to the floor with a dull whump. He grumbled angrily into the area rug, cursing it and everything around him.
The four Titans looked towards their leader when the main room door hissed open, mouths open and smiling to greet him. They immediately recoiled, cowering under the little bird's ice-cold glare. Even Raven shrank back into the shadows in which she meditated.
Robin visibly bristled, but instantly felt a stab of guilt in his heart and forced out a smile.
"Morning!" he said cheerfully, bouncing over to dig through the fridge. The ambience of the room lifted and the Titans resumed their previously prepared greetings.
"How was your sleep, friend Robin?" Starfire chirped happily, hovering around the little bird. Robin forced out a warm smile, fighting back the agitation that bit at his lips due to her close proximity.
"I slept very well, thank you." his tongue easily conjured up the lie. He abandoned his voyage into the fridge and settled for a carton of Chinese takeout that was nestled comfortably between a box of tofu bacon and a bowl of fuzzy blue stuff. He swore he saw it wink at him…
With a shudder, the blue-eyed hero slid the carton into the microwave and fingered in the appropriate time, nuking it until it sizzled. Robin tucked into his meal with no lack of enthusiasm, wolfing down the chicken-fried rice.
"Yo, Rob!" Cyborg greeted heartily, sweeping the small boy into his strong arms and placing him gently on the counter so he could maneuver around him without knocking him to the floor. "How 'bout a game of b-ball later?"
Normally, Robin would shake his head sorrowfully, his lips immediately forming some excuse about research or patrol. His mind however, was temporarily unable to comprehend such neglect, and he reminded himself that he had a certain villain nipping at his heels, forcing him out of home and out of his friends' comforting arms. He would use his limited time wisely, he decided, even if it killed him.
"If you think you're up for losing, Cy!" Robin grinned, feeling the warmth of his home, of his friends' love, envelop him and lull his heightened sense of insecurity. "Donkey Kong later, Beast Boy?"
The green changeling looked at him in surprise, but nodded vigorously as soon as the request processed, smiling from ear to ear.
"Awesome!" Beast Boy whooped happily.
The emergency alarm began to shriek just as Robin finished his takeout, which, he discovered once he reached the bottom right corner of the carton, had adopted a bit of the fuzzy blue stuff he had pushed aside earlier. Or vice versa. He'd rather remain ignorant of the answer.
Robin tossed his chopsticks into the sink and rushed over to the main computer, typing in his username and password.
"No big deal." the Titan said, relief evident in his soft voice. "Just a standard robbery, no hostages or casualties."
"Looks like today's gonna' be a lazy day!" Cyborg laughed, Raven nodding solemnly in silent agreement.
"Sounds good to me. Titans go!"
"Well, hello, gorgeous."
Robin resisted the urge to throw back his head and scream, turning stiffly to glare at the thief.
"Why the dangerous look, sweet thing?" Red X drawled, sauntering over to the tightly wound teen. "I thought you would be happy to see me."
Robin's masked eyes caught a bright glimmer, and he glanced down at the pleasantly sparkling gem necklaces that dangled precariously from the other teen's belt. An idea began to take shape in his head, and he smirked to himself.
Ignoring the shocked and bewildered looks his friends were casting towards him, Robin forced himself to relax his stance and wrapped his arms around the thief's strong neck. Red X appeared pleased by this gesture, and he wound an arm around the little hero's hips.
"Hm, not playing hard to get this time?" Red X chuckled, his thumb absently stroking the embraced bird's prominent hipbone. Robin merely leaned in close, his hot breath ghosting over the surface of the other's mask, smiling seductively.
"Oh no, love..." he purred, tilting his head to expose the milky flesh of his tender neck. "I'm just playing you."
Red X found himself splayed out on the asphalt, his head pounding and his spine aching in protest towards the abuse. Robin stood over him, smiling sweetly as he twirled the shimmering necklaces that were laced around his thin wrists. The thief's hand flew to his belt and, feeling the lack of loot, dropped his head back onto the pavement with a groan.
"Today was not the best day to mess with me, love." Robin hissed from between clenched teeth. Red X nodded vigorously, practically leaping up and embracing the recently arrived police officers.
"It started out as a mere lovers' quarrel." the raven-haired boy heard Red X groan pathetically, pointing towards the little hero. "I didn't think it would get this bad! So I left... got lost... I was so cold, so I found cover in a nearby jewelry store..."
Robin sighed wearily, all his energy from earlier drained, and handed the recovered jewelry to a female officer who would return them to their rightful home. She thanked him with a nod and he smiled in return. His face fell as soon as she turned and he sighed again, rubbing his masked eyes.
His team stared at him as he passed, but thought it was best to remain silent.
By the time the five Titans returned, the sun was beginning its trek across the low horizon,casting the water into a shimmering pool of melting amber. The Tower's windows gleamed dully and they gratefully took shelter inside just as another light drizzle began to fall from the clear sky.
"Zombies, vampires or aliens?" Beast Boy spoke thoughtfully, eyeing each DVD with the poise of a weathered movie critic. "What do you guys think?" He turned and grinned at the other teens, splaying the cases out on the table.
"I say vampires!" Cyborg grinned back at the changeling with equal enthusiasm. He waved said disc, its gory cover art reflecting under the fluorescent lights. "We watched zombies last week."
The remaining heros agreed, some more reluctantly than others. Robin and Raven exchanged a passive glance and settled down on the dark leather couch. Starfire took her seat between Robin and Cyborg, a bowl of popcorn drizzled with mustard occupying her lap. Nobody dared eat any.
Throughout the night, Robin's mind continued to stray, no matter how much effort he cast into the task of paying attention to the shrieking blond whose bloodied face currently occupied the screen. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, but he knew very well that the cause was not the vampire who sucked greedily at the woman's neck, but a certain one-eyed villain. The latter was much more terrifying to him than the former.
He felt a shiver crawl up his spine, and he involuntarily yelped at the shriek that blared from the speakers. The screen faded to black just as the blond woman's green eyes swirled into a hungry red.
"Oooh..." Beast Boy grinned, exchanging a mischievous glance with an equally entertained Cyborg. "Robin's scared!"
The two were swiftly slapped to the floor before their smirks had a chance to drop in terror.
"I'm not scared!" Robin humphed, plopping back down on the couch, arms folded smugly over his small chest. "There's no reason to be scared."
Oh, but there is...
Robin beat the voice back, willing it to melt into the murkiest shadows that lurked in the recesses of his mind. The last thing he needed was something to remind him of his own impending demise. He could barely keep it out of his mind as it was.
Beast Boy grinned, raising his hands in defeat. He promptly yawned afterward and bid them goodnight, a half conscious Starfire trailing in his wake.
"I'm gonna' hit the sack, too, y'all." Cyborg said, waving at the two birds. They nodded and Robin wished him sweet dreams, knowing somebody should have his own since he would not be granted the luxury.
Robin sighed and Raven looked at him with her usual blank face.
"Something's been bothering you." she said, placing a comforting hand on the other bird's shoulder. "Care to tell?"
"Nothing's been bothering me." Robin said softly, trying to maintain his icy facade. "What would make you think that?"
"Your aura has been very... out of character lately." Raven said, keen eyes roaming the little hero's face. "I thought maybe it was something we could-"
"There's nothing you can do to help!" Robin snapped. He gasped and his cheeks reddened in shame at his outburst. Never would he even dream of treating any of his friends in such a manner, but sometimes they were just too dense.
"So something is wrong."
"No." Robin said softly, dropping his masked gaze, eyeing the carpet almost wistfully, obviously aching to tell his sister-figure what was plaguing his sharp mind, but unwilling to cast her into a shadow of worry. "I mean, yes, but... there's just, um… it's just nothing you should worry about." the Boy Wonder declared, raising his head with the usual confidence he flaunted.
He turned to leave, pausing for a fraction of a second in the doorway.
"I'll make sure of it." he mumbled darkly.
He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all.
Slade rubbed his neck and sighed irritably, his single eye roaming absently around the room.
His plan had initiated quite flawlessly in the beginning, but it had slowly began to digress the further it proceeded. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how much he had truly messed up.
He had led the child into his trap with ease, planting the new bombs as efficiently as his bumbling minions would allow. The boy had followed him to the warehouse, frustrated and vengeful, his small hands clenched into fists at his sides. His anger sent him flying into a frenzy, as it sometimes did, but he always managed to keep his blows flawless and precise.
Slade had been thoroughly flabbergasted as soon as his lips fell upon his bird's own to silence his overactive mouth. He knew that he had been feeling some sort of attraction to the little hero, but he had assumed it temporary. Apparently he had underestimated its strength greatly, and it had lost him his self control.
He realized now that one seemingly harmless flaw could drastically change his tediously organized plan. For the better or for the worse, he did not know. He had lost his authority over the situation, if only for a moment, and that fact was something Slade could hardly bring himself to believe.
Organization. Oh how it pleased him, but he should have known his plan would be corrupted by the hand of spontaneity. That trait happened to be one of his favorites of Robin's. His pretty bird was fiery and untamable with a heart that positively burned with passion and love. His mind was as well trained as his body, and his movements reflected his plans fluidly.
He was perfection.
Slade bit his tongue and silently chastised himself for allowing such foolishness to steal away his self control. Such absurdity was not allowed to even amble within a mile's distance of him, and he would train himself to be even more alert when around Robin.
The man tapped his foot lightly on the floor, sinking back into the shadows.
The door of the room hissed open and a small shadow stretched to its full length across the floor, a stroke of tainted black swimming in a pool of pure light.
Robin sighed and locked his bedroom door, leaning against its cool metal surface. He parted from its chill and threw himself onto his bed, seeking the blanket's comforting embrace.
A nagging tingle hailed his mind's attention from its seat at the back of his mind, and he ushered it forward, listening intently to its silent plea. His fingers twitched and he slowly pushed himself from the bed, ears perked and keen eyes scanning the room.
With the fluid grace that accompanied his circus upbringing, Robin flipped back and sent a roundhouse kick into the shadows. His foot was caught and he was thrown back onto his bed, bouncing slightly with his momentum.
"You should have been expecting me, little bird." Slade smirked behind his mask at the surprise written clearly across the boy's porcelain features. "I left you a note."
"More like a warning." Robin hissed. Slade chose to ignore the threatening tone of the boy's voice and quickly countered.
"One that you apparently failed to heed judging by your reaction." Slade drawled mockingly. "Ready to depart?"
"Depart?" Robin squeaked, his masked eyes widening in alarm. "Where am I going?"
"With me of course." Slade said, daring to smile at the dumbstruck look that now took control over Robin's poker face. His expression immediately smoothed and he opted to adopt his usual cool.
"You're serious about this?" he asked softly, the barest hints of fear and apprehension leaking from a fault in his icy facade.
"I am." Slade's eye narrowed dangerously, and he fingered his well stocked utility belt, a threat perched on the tips of his fingers, ready for discharge.
Robin nodded, almost thoughtfully, wide masked eyes roaming the perimeter. He turned reluctantly, mask tilted downward slightly, his face the perfect picture of defeat. Slade smirked, relishing every prick if sorrow and shame painted over his little bird's pretty face.
Deep inside him, a small annoying feeling nagged at the back of his mind, but its presence was too distant for him to grasp.
Robin stared up at the Tower, a look of forlorn sadness aging his porcelain features. The corners of his lips curled down into a frown and he reluctantly turned back to his company.
"Ready?" Slade questioned, dark eye searching his face, which Robin quickly smoothed, leaving no visible evidence of emotion. He motioned towards the black car that sat immobile a few feet behind him, its sleek frame glinting under a thin sheen of raindrops.
Robin looked at the man, masked eyes narrowed and mouth opening, an answer perched on the tip of his tongue, but his mind had begun to work again and his teeth clamped down on it.
How could he abandon his friends just like that? Leave his city unprotected? What a terrible friend and hero he must be!
The coppery taste of blood washed over his taste buds from the fresh tear in his tongue, fully awakening his slumbering heroic spirit. His fingers twitched irritably and his muscles burned with the intent to kill. He felt his face heat up, and he flinched when he felt a strong hand fall on his shoulder.
"Are you ready, Robin?" Slade asked slowly, his voice lowered to a deep drawl.
Robin's lips curled into an animalistic snarl as he felt his anger towards the villain slowly flood back into him, fueling the enraged fire that mingled around his trained muscles.
I should be ashamed of myself. The Boy Wonder scolded himself. There's no way I'm going down without a fight.
With a swift roundhouse kick, Robin sent Slade rolling away, the mercenary gripping his neck in pain. The boy silently thanked his steel-toed boots and took off running, his rage dying his vision a bloody crimson.
Slade landed with a grunt and quickly pulled himself up off the rocky ground, smirking behind his mask. The man had known the little hero would turn on him, he had been much too willing to abandon his friends and the city he swore to protect in the first place, but had also hoped for a fight. It would be the first lesson in Robin's training, and Slade would be sure to clip the little bird's wings.
"Oh, Robin." Slade's gruff voice shifted to one of mock-hurt. "You should know better then to turn on your mentor. Then again…" the man smirked cruely. "You have done it before…"
Robin felt his blood run cold and he shrieked in rage, ramming his fist into the villain's stomach. Slade easily parried the attack and ducked down to dodge the second fist. The blue-eyed teen also dropped to the ground and swiped his leg out, spinning around and swiftly knocking Slade's feet out from underneath him. Robin grinned in victory, but Slade appeared to have other plans, and grabbed the boy by his ankles, easily rising and easily tossing him aside as a child would with an unwanted toy.
The little hero hissed as he slowly pushed himself up onto all fours, pain rocketing up his right side from where he had landed roughly on a rather pointed rock. He knew he would earn a well colored bruise from the experience. He raised his fearful eyes, Slade's impossibly tall stature looming eerily over him.
Slade swiftly backhanded the boy, sending his dark head smashing into the ground. His body lay motionless…
The villain leaned down and picked up the Boy Wonder's limp body, easily balancing his meager weight and slinging him onto his back, hitching his long legs around his waist and thin arms around his neck. Slade hoisted him up for good measure, Robin's head lolling against the back of his neck, hot breath ghosting over his neck guard.
Slade involuntarily groaned and shook away the naughty thoughts that accompanied it. He had lost authority over his self control a few times too many over this little hero, and he was not about to let it happen again.
A/N: So I have a short note for those who are currently reading my drabbles! If there's anybody out there who has an idea for a drabble but is reluctant to write it themselves, I'm looking for ideas! Feel free to drop me a review or a message with your ideas and whatnot, and I'd be happy to write it, giving you full credit for the idea of course! Be it you have an idea, or just want to toss me a quick prompt, I'll be taking anything you guys got! Especially is you'd like some lemon... ;)
Yayz 4 smexyness! Drables 4 teh winz! -rolls on floor-