Robin's chest constricted walking down this lonely empty road remind him just how he felt in those moments vacant. He had not seen this city for so long, and coming back was more excruciating than he ever imagined. Here he was walking down the same street where a calloused hand took his hand, and promised him a love that would leave him breathless. His fragile grasped Bruce's hand, but with that simple gesture it shattered a Robin that he knew forcing him to go through this awkward re-discovery of himself allowing him to find himself truly. He never said it enough, but he should have thanked Bruce for awakening a new era of him. If he was being true to himself he should have thanked him for so many things that he never did.
Bruce intimidated him, because while he was loving his words penetrated his defenses leaving him vulnerable to prying eyes. He remembers the way that they would look at one another a perpetual dream, but deep down they were a beautiful nightmare. He remembers how his tears fell over his body burning his skin leaving his mark on them both. He remembers how he kissed him for the very first time just mere steps from where he was walking now. His lips tasted of strawberry lollipops, but he could feel all the damage he was it nearly crushed him yet the bliss overpowered all of that. He did not have to hide his love well at least not the way he had to now. He did not feel like a walking contradiction with Bruce.
He was young, inexperienced, and always trying to say the right things to a person that already thought he was saying all the right things even when he was saying all the wrong things. The older heron already had mastered patience with along with a tenderness that made him shiver. All those moments came rushing back to him attacking him making the walk feel paralyzing. He thought that he should recant now while he was ahead while he did not have to see those piercing eyes that would see right through him. The voice that made him feel like for the first time in his life that he was enough, or maybe that this time that he would not be left. He could not do this, because no matter how he loved Slade he would Bruce more. Robin deep down never truly got over what happened, or how they left things primarily how he left his mentor to rot in this God forsaken place. Bruce had been wallowing away for quite some time. He had became an artist of the darkest knight. He was stunning oh so mesmerizing at least in the photos he still kept in the clear picture cover in his wallet. How could he not miss Bruce?
Here it was the Wayne Estate. He been dreading this moment, because this was the moment he had to say goodbye for good. He had to leave a piece of his heart, and himself at the estate. He would not be the same, and somehow that had to be okay. He came to the door this was it. He knocked his hand felt heavy as if the strength in his body could not handle the weight of his indecision. There was a warm familiar face to greet him. Oh Alfred he thought to himself how Gotham had aged him. His suit was wrinkled, and his eyes were weary. It must have been all the nights he stayed awake checking on Bruce. He gave Robin a faint smile. He stepped forward engulfing Robin a bear hug. Robin eased instantly Alfred was the most genuine father figure he had. Alfred had the most compassionate eyes gentle with a touch of understanding.
" Master Wayne will be so pleased to see you" His eyes were pleading with Robin. The guilt, and self pity lubricated Robin's insides leaving him to feel toxic.
" Alfred I am sorry that I didn't come when I heard about what happened. It's just that things were complicated. I-I… " Robin stammered not able to finish his sentence his mind in mass hysteria at the mere thought that Bruce was in close proximity. He could feel him so intimately even though he could not see him. Bruce's anguish radiating like the sun almost to powerful to withstand. Alfred looked into Robin's eyes so inflamed nearly glowing with intensity Alfred had to escape his gaze for a moment to collect himself. Alfred gently squeezed Robin's arm an act of support.
" You feel him don't you? I always knew you two were connected. He has missed you terribly Robin."