Birdcage

Chapter eight

Space already felt cold and impersonal as it was but dealing with a broken heart only made it even more lonely. Robin couldn't remember the last time he felt anything like this. It was a mixture of rage and pain. How could he have been so stupid? He should have seen this coming, should have known if she had to pick between their relationship and her home she would of course choose her home. Once he got far enough away from Tamaran he put the ship into auto pilot and slumped back in his seat.

Space was not just a lonely place, it was also quiet. Painfully quiet. There was no scenery to look at or anyone to talk to. No way to distract himself from his emotions. It felt like a weight trying to crush him. He wasn't even sure if he should go back to the Tower. Maybe some personal time away would be good for him.

He hadn't even wanted to be part of a team. He couldn't help but feel that if he had just walked away back then he wouldn't be in this situation now. In those days he was okay being alone but after so many years of being part of a team he wasn't as good at it anymore. After so many hours of trying to figure out how he could have done things differently he decided the thought process was too exhausting. Shifting more in his seat to get comfortable, he closed his eyes hoping to get some sleep in before reaching Earth.

…

The kiss was abrupt and she found herself staring in shock at him. Her mind went blank and she didn't know if she should push him off or what.

But why couldn't she just enjoy something for once?

Was it so wrong?

Her eyes slid close and she brought her hands around his neck. Inhaling deeply, she kissed back as she leaned more into it. Robin's arms wrapped around her waist as he shifted his weight towards her.

This felt so right, like something from one of her books. Unfortunately she couldn't let herself go too far. As right as it felt there was something about it all that bothered her and the longer the kiss lasted the more that bad feeling took over.

As her better judgment kicked in she brought her hands against his chest and shoved him away as nicely as possible.

"What are you doing," she asked. He sat back some slightly out of breath. As he brushed his damp hair out of his eyes, a lopsided smile pulled his mouth to the side. Her expression didn't change as she crossed her arms and he innocently shrugged before looking away from her.

"Not really sure, I guess it's my way of saying thank you for earlier." She let out an annoyed sound in response.

"Well stop it," she narrowed her gaze at him.

"You certainly don't let anyone get close to you, do you?" The statement seemed very odd coming from him.

"Why would you say something like that? Are you in such a hurry to get over Starfire?" He didn't skip a beat as he shifted closer again, faint grin still in place.

"She's not here, you are." She reached out and didn't feel any emotions coming off him, just a strange emptiness.

"There's no way you're that shallow," she growled back and got up from the couch to get away from him.

"I don't know how else to convince you," he replied, also getting up to follow her.

"Of wha…" as she turned back she was suddenly hit harder than expected. She was practically thrown across the room but was able to right herself before hitting the wall. Straightening up she glared in his direction. "What the hell!?" The boyish grin from before was now gone as he slowly moved towards her. Whatever the feeling in the room was it felt conflicted now. She didn't want to engage in this fight but wouldn't let him knock her around the room either. "Not sure what your problem is, Robin but you should really think about what you're about to start," she warned him. He chuckled deeply in response before he suddenly rushed at an inhuman speed only to stop right in front of her. Slamming both his hands against the wall he pinned her between his arms.

"Oh Raven,…" he leaned his mouth closer to her ear, "he can't hear you."

"What?" He turned more, narrowing his gaze in amusement. "No," she barely whispered.

"He was in my way besides I think you like this more anyway." She grit her teeth as her eyes lit up. A black aura surrounded her and sent him flying. He hit the coffee table hard before smacking his head against the front of the couch. Standing up, he rubbed the back of his head before turning it to crack his neck loudly.

"Just because he can't hear you doesn't mean he can't feel pain." This fact only seemed to make her angrier.

"What is it going to take to get rid of you?"

"Interesting question coming from the person who brought me here in the first place." He rolled his shoulders as he moved back in her direction slowly.

"I don't want you here, I just want you to leave me alone. Go back to wherever you came from."

"It's great that you think it's that easy," he was now leaning over her again but she refused to step back, "You got lonely and dragged me here because of your own desires. Now you wish me gone?" His voice was deeper and he no longer sounded like Robin. She turned away from him unsure of what to do.

No solution came though. She really didn't know enough about him to know how to stop him.

Robin could figure it out but she couldn't reach him. She was powerless and hadn't felt that way in a long time. Her legs became numb and she slid to the floor.

"What do you want from me," she conceded quietly. He reached down to her but she remained where she was not willing to take his hand yet.

"I want you to come with me. Forget all this and be with me. You know that's what you really want."

"….But I don't feel whatever it is you think I feel."

"Aren't you tired of being alone?" His question stirred that same unsettling feeling up from before and she slapped his hand away.

"I'm not alone. Or lonely….or need you," she floated up hovering over him, "I didn't ask you to come here, you waited for the opportunity and took it as soon as you could. And now you're holding my friend hostage if I don't agree to go with you."

"That's not true, you need me. You're the only reason I'm here," he growled back at her and again stuck his hand out, this time more forceful. "Now if you come with me, I promise I'll let him go."

Unfortunately for Raven there really was no other option. After thinking it over for a couple more seconds she reluctantly reached for his hand.