I4.6

Chapter 34: Statement Piece

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Adult themes. DO NOT read if you are underage or dislike controversial things.

Author's Note: I didn't forget about y'all. I just kept procrastinating until I forgot what time it was. Whoops!

"Welcome Robin."

The young vigilante nods his head once in greeting before responding, "Good morning Mr. Ricktor. I hope you are well."

"I am," the well-kept middle-aged man supplies while handing Richard a clipboard with information about today's conference. "This is a list of reporters and photographers who will be attending the Q&A session of the conference. Is there anyone here who you do not want to be present?"

Richard scans over the various names and organizations that they're associated with. On the lookout for anyone who might pose a problem or go rogue with their questioning. His eyes hone in on the name of Claudia Evans. A reporter from the Daily Planet. A woman who has distant ties with Bruce Wayne. Richard has met Claudia on several occasions at different events. She's a sharp and shrewd woman who cares more about the delicate balance of power in the Middle East than about some scandalous pictures starring two young superheroes. So, why is she here?

His first guess would be that Batman sent her to keep an eye on him, but the more that he thought about it the more he realizes that that is ridiculous. Bruce is a multi-billionaire who has unfettered access to the conference as it is happening. He wouldn't need someone like Claudia to be the middleman...or woman. Or he could find time in his busy schedule to come see what Richard has to say for himself. Like the old man would. The only time he comes running is when the eldest Robin is seriously injured or did something he severely disapproves of. It had annoyed him to no end when he was younger, but Richard is used to it by now. It's something that he has come to expect from his long-time mentor.

Richard thinks about having Claudia removed just to send a message to Bruce, but he decides against it. There is no real need to be petty. She might just be doing her job; besides, his adoptive father will understand soon enough that his underhanded tactics will have no sway on him. Richard has always known that his mentor is ruthless when it comes to getting what he wants. It's a trait that seems to have run in the family. You can't build that much generational wealth from being businessmen without being relentless, especially when he considers the fact that the Wayne family's name has ties to Prohibition. Needless to say, there have been many back door deals and under the table trades to get them to where they are today. Not that Richard is critiquing them too hard. He can be just as fierce when it comes to getting the things that he wants. Maybe one day, he'll be heartless enough to back stab someone he calls a son.

There is an awkward clearing of Cyborg's throat as he nervously says "Hello Batman. I'm calling like you asked."

The deep baritone of Bruce's voice hits Richard's ear like a hammer. "I assume that Beastboy has been dropped off at the private airport?"

Richard would like to say that he is surprised to hear this conversation as he stares at his bedroom's ceiling. His bare mattress is lying in the middle of his wrecked room. The evidence of Beastboy's assault still very present as he attempts to piece together what new information he can find. It's only been a few days since that fight and Richard hasn't had time to order new furniture. He's starting to think that he won't need it in the long run anyway.

"Yes," Cyborg's answer brings Richard's attention back to the damning conversation the two men, he once trusted, are having. "It was...a sad departure. But hopefully, BB will take this time to get himself together."

"Indeed. That is the goal," comes the stifled reply. Batman is clearly not interested in the emotional dilemma of the younger man driving the car back to the Tower. "What I really wanted to talk to you about is tomorrow's conference."

"Oh yea. Robin hasn't shared much information about that with the team," Cyborg supplies, "probably because we have our hands full with everything that's going on right now."

"I see," Batman quietly says and pauses before continuing, "Will everyone else on the team be in attendance?"

Richard finds himself grinding his teeth as he listens to Bruce fish for information. His nostrils flare at the fact that Cyborg is so forth coming with his responses. There is hardly any hesitation as he shares what he knows. Shouldn't he be more on guard with another crime fighter that he doesn't know that well? Batman isn't easy to talk to until you get to know him. On the surface, he appears very intense and intimidating, yet here the metal man seems to be conversing with him like they're old chums. This signals to Richard's mind that they have been talking for a long time in order for Cyborg to feel this comfortable.

"Nah," is the younger man's response, "As far as I know, Robin is only going with Raven. I've been tasked with manning the Tower in case there is an emergency and Starfire is supposed to be flying over the city in intervals in case there is an attack or some other issue."

There is quiet from the other side of the line and Richard can practically hear the gears in Bruce's head turning. He had directly told him that the whole team should be on that stage in order to present a unified front. Richard is clearly defying the order that was given to him. The threat of being replaced still rings in Richard's ear from time to time, but he firmly stands by his decision.

"Are you sure that Starfire is fit to fly?" Batman asks. Did Richard detect some concern in his usually monotone voice?

"She has regained her ability to fly, but for shorter times. That's why Robin advised her to do it in intervals, so that she can take breaks in between," Cyborg clarifies. "He also told her to come back to the Tower if she felt like she was pushing herself too hard. He said that he didn't want her to get hurt."

"Is that what she told you or were you there?" is the follow up question. It was kind of a strange thing to ask, but the metal man doesn't bat and eyelash before providing an answer.

"I was there. The three of us where in the living room," he answers, "the meeting took us all of 5 minutes, maybe?"

Ah yes, Richard remembers how awkward that meeting was and how thankful he was that Cyborg had been there as the mediating presence. Starfire could barely look him in the face, and he doesn't blame her. He had completely shot down any hope that she had of them becoming a couple. He had also outright acknowledged his attraction to Rachel with no hesitation in his voice. Richard can still remember how ecstatic he was when Star had let it slip that Rachel once had a crush on him. That knowledge imbued him with enough bravery and self-confidence to try and seduce her in the command room earlier in the day. While Rachel had outright rejected him, he couldn't help but to notice the sadness in her voice and the way that she still allowed him to press her small hand against his body. Richard was more than confident that he can break through any walls that she puts up. He's done it before.

"Was the empath there?" Batman demands.

"Raven?" Cyborg clarifies, "She wasn't there. It was just the three of us. BB was backing his bags and I don't know where she went."

"Why wasn't she there? It would have been easier to give the whole team an update at the same time," the billionaire continues. Thoughts and plots are probably running rampant in his head as he tries to connect the dots.

"I'm not sure," Cyborg responds. Richard can hear how flustered he is with not being able to give the all mighty Batman the answers he wanted. "I haven't had time to really talk to her...with everything going on. I've mostly been focusing on BB."

There is a deep sigh of disappointment that Richard knows all too well. He's heard it many times from Bruce who's probably heard it many times from Alfred. Cyborg is getting a small sampling of the type of interactions that he has had to navigate throughout the years. That one sigh can feel like a stab in a person's self-worth.

"Cyborg," Batman begins in a regretful tone, "If you want to be a leader of a team one day, then you're going to need to learn how to pay attention to all of your subordinates. Especially during times of strife. Favoritism like the one you're showing to Beastboy will only cause problems in the long run."

So, the seed has been planted, Richard thinks to himself as he continues to listen in. Batman might not have promised him this particular Titan team, but he has dangled the possibility of a leadership position. It could be on another Titan team or maybe even the Justice League itself. Which young superhero hasn't dreamed of being part of that international team? Great men and women from every country known to man have come together to protect the planet from greater dangers than a bank robbery or kidnapping. If Batman has sweetened the deal in such a way, then Richard can't be surprised or, even, upset that the metal man took it. He would have, too.

"Uh, uh…"Richard hears him stuttering as he tries to figure out how he is going to redeem himself, "I do know that the relationship between Starfire and Robin has fallen apart. She came to me crying about how he doesn't love her anymore and that he has been cheating on her with Raven. I was so stunned that I didn't know how to react. So I comforted her the best I could before going back to BB."

Richard groans to himself as he makes his way to his private bathroom so that he can brush his teeth. Wireless headphones firmly planted in his ears. He barely gives himself a glance in the mirror because he is thoroughly enraptured by this conversation between men he once truly respected. Instead of analyzing his appearance like he normally would, he reaches for his toothbrush and toothpaste.

Why do I feel like this shit is going to haunt me to my deathbed? He thinks to himself as he begins brushing.

"Hmm…" Batman hums over the phone, "Do you think that is true? Has Robin been cheating on Starfire with the witch?"

"Well, first of all, Raven isn't a witch," Cyborg pushes back. Richard is glad to see that the other man has a backbone and won't just let Batman walk all over him. "She is an empath. As for the cheating...I'm not sure what I think is right. I know that Robin and Star have been dancing around each other for years, but they've never declared an actual relationship. That doesn't mean that there wasn't one...even if they didn't put a label on it. As for Raven...I don't know. I know that she is close to Robin. He's the first person that she runs to for anything, but I didn't think that they were doing those types of things."

"You didn't think that," Batman says as he catches on to the phrasing of that sentence. "Does that mean you're not so sure about the type of relationship Robin is having with her?"

If Richard didn't know any better, he would think that Bruce sounded like a concerned father. However, he knows that there is an ulterior motive here. He knows that Bruce just wants to keep the two of them apart because he considers Rachel a wild card who might go rogue any day. His intentions aren't all the way pure since he clearly looks down on his love for the things that she can't control. She can't control the fact that she is a half demon. She can't control the fact that she can sense other people's emotions, which probably feels like a massive invasion of privacy for someone as closed off as Bruce. She can't control how addictive Richard finds her, either. She's one of very few people who can ease his hurts; physically, mentally and emotionally. Bruce has probably never had someone like that in his life before and doesn't know how to relate. He and Catwoman are two emotionally closed off people who suit each other but won't necessarily benefit one another.

"To tell you the truth, Batman, I don't know what to think anymore," Cyborg replies. "Before those pictures were released, I would have argued with anyone that those two were just good friends. Close friends. Friends who have many things in common. But now...I'm not so sure. Those weren't pictures of two friends. That was something else."

"Do you think that the wit...uh, empath is trying to seduce Robin?" inquires the Dark Knight.

There is a snort of laughter from Cyborg before he responds with, "Hardly. She's not the type to just throw her body at a man that she likes. If anything, I think Robin is the one who is trying to seduce her. Starfire was telling me about the way he was holding her in the kitchen. She said that they looked like lovers before bursting in to tears."

Richard is attacked by a sudden feeling of pity for Starfire. Even though she has done and said things that he doesn't agree with, he does feel bad for her in this situation, but he does think that she is handling this well. If he were in her shoes and Rachel was frolicking around with another man, he would be doing more than just crying. However, that doesn't mean that hecan let his guard down because as the old saying goes: hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned.

"Robin has clearly made of mess of this team," Batman says, "There was a time when I had high hopes for all of you, but one member has been exiled, another one is heartbroken and another two are hormonal teenagers."

There is a lull in the conversation between the two men. Richard can only guess at the expression on Cyborg's face at the blunt way that Bruce just described their situation. He knows that his mentor is plotting his next moves and is quietly seething because it doesn't appear as though Richard is going to listen to the orders that he has been given. He is probably weighing whether or not he wants to replace him as team leader and have Cyborg take the reins. Richard no longer cares. He has outgrown this position and this wayward team. For a brief moment, they were everything that he dreamed they would be. Well trained and prepared to take on anything that came their way.

That was until they became selfish, himself included. He wasn't blind to the part that he's playing in all of this, but he knows that he's not the only one putting his needs before everyone else. Cyborg is willing to sell team secrets for the low, low price of a potential new position. Beastboy is willing to ruin, what could have been, a perfectly good friendship with Rachel while building bad blood between him and Richard. Starfire is willing to do just about anything to claim him instead of coming to terms with his change of feelings and letting him go. Rachel is willing to deny herself true happiness with him because of some perverse sense of loyalty and fear of the unknown.

We're all so fucked up, Richard thinks to himself as he wipes away the stray water droplets on his face. He slips off his fitted t-shirt and takes a moment to run his hand across his bare torso. His mind replaying those tense and sexually charged moments with Rachel in that dark room. Her stubbornness is the only thing really keeping them apart. What he should do next is figure out the reason why she "can't give him what he wants." Richard highly doubts that she is attempting to reject him just because of the team and what other people would say. She's not that shallow. He's seen her go after the things that she wants in life. There has to be something else. Something deeper and maybe more sinister?

But that can't be all the way right either. Otherwise, she wouldn't have tried to pursue that painfully awkward relationship with Beastboy. Unless she somehow thinks that he is worthy, but not Richard? That would be a blow that his pride and self-control could not take.

No, the same way that Richard had forced her hand to explore his body is the same way that he's going to have to force her to realize that they are good together. That they are meant for each other. He could do things for her...and to her that other men wouldn't be able to match. He knows her on a deeper, more intimate level than anyone else, so the fact that she was not running straight into his arms is perplexing to him.

"Robin?" Mr. Ricktor's voice brings the young superhero back to the present.

"Has Raven arrived yet?" Richard inquires. He hasn't seen her since the time they spent together in the command room. He didn't bother to seek her out either. Understanding that she'll need space to process the ways that he is forcing their relationship to shift. Instead, he had sent her a message with the specifics of the conference, and she replied with "see you there." It was curt and crisp, but she isn't one for flamboyant emojis like Starfire. He could only imagine the blush that might have adorned her pretty face as she sent such a simple message. That pretty face that had blushed so enticingly as her slender hand gently palmed his erection without realizing it. Richard can feel the pull at the corner of his lips as he recalls the feeling of lust permeating the air. He's convinced that it wasn't just his...it was theirs.

"Umm…" the conference coordinator starts, mildly confused by the changing expression on the young man's face, "As far as I know, she's not here yet. Would you like to be notified when she arrives?"

Richard responds with a curt nod and "Yes. That would be great."

"I'll make a note of it," says the older man as he quickly types something into the tablet that he's holding, "If you'll follow me this way, I'll lead you to your dressing room."

Robin nods one more time before following the man in his freshly pressed business suit. His sharp eyes scanning the conference hall. He's been here before as both Robin and Richard Grayson. He's familiar with the ins and outs of the place, as well as the exits located in the building's basement. However, he can never be too careful and takes the time to scan his surroundings as he looks for any suspicious behaviors. The workers here are professionals who avert their gazes when he looks their way. They're probably wondering how true the rumors about Rachel and himself are. Is there really a pair of love birds roosting in the Titan Tower? Not quite yet, but he can at least guarantee that they'll get a show worthy of the amount of news that this conference is generating.

Richard is led around the conference hall through a series of smaller corridors. Eventually, both men are standing in front of a dressing room door that has a black and silver label with the word "Robin" engraved on it. To the right of this door, an identical label says "Raven." Seeing these two doors makes him wonder what Rachel would think about having "His and Hers" bathrobes at home. It could be cute. His bathroom is big enough for the both of them.

Mr. Ricktor's voice brings him back to the present with "I'll leave you here, Robin. Snacks and water have been provided for you within the room and I'll notify you when your colleague arrives."

"Thank you, Mr. Ricktor," Richard graciously supplies. He is thankful for how competent this man is at doing his job. It helps to take some of the edge off of what he's about to do.

Richard enters his modest dressing room. It wasn't the preparation station of a prima donna, but there was a sizable, full-length mirror in the left-hand corner of the room. On closer inspection, Richard realizes that there are three movable pieces to it, just like a changing room's mirror at a department store. He runs his hands up and down the length of the mirrors before checking the top of it. He quickly moves from corner to corner within the small room while running his hands under the coffee table, over the cabinets and around the lighting fixtures. It's not that he doesn't trust Mr. Ricktor or his crew, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Times have changed and technology has improved to the point where it is deceptively easy to hide cameras and listening devices in inconspicuous places. He should know, he does it all the time.

As Richard is inspecting the vanity mirror for any digital bugs, he hears his communicator go off. Thinking that it might be Rachel, he immediately reaches into his belt to retrieve it and answers without looking at who is calling. "Go for Robin."

"What are you doing?" Bruce Wayne's baritone voice makes Richard's wondering hand falter for a bit. He wasn't expecting his mentor to call until after the conference. The older man already knows everything that he needs to know.

"I'm checking for bugs," replies Richard as he continues to do a surface level sweep of the room. "I can't be so sure who I can trust anymore."

"I've heard that you've fallen out of favor with many of your teammates," Bruce retorts. "Hopefully, you still trust them."

"With my life," Richard says without any hesitation because it is the truth. Even though he is walking on thin ice with many members of his team, he is sure that if he were ever in danger, they would come running. Including Beastboy. He would still do the same for them. At least that much hasn't changed.

"But Batman," he continues, "where did you hear that I've fallen out of favor?"

The likelihood of the older, more experienced man letting the cat out of the bag is slim, but Richard decides to ask anyway. There is an off chance that Bruce might realize that he knows that there is a rat in his home. However, Richard is surprised by his answer.

"Well, you did send Beastboy away," Bruce answers, "I can't imagine that your teammates all agree that that is a good idea."

"You're right, but it needed to be done," Richard says as he takes a seat in front of the vanity. The naked light bulbs are highlighting all of the angles in his face. Content that his preliminary search yielded no spying devices, he reaches for his mask and gently peels it off. "I can't have a member of my team going off the rails like that without some form of punishment. At least, in this way, Beastboy can take some time to reflect and relax."

"Did you get a chance to smooth things over with him before he left?" inquires the older man, but Richard isn't sure why. He already knew the answer to that from Cyborg.

"Not quite," Richard responds. "I figure that we'd work on that when he gets back. Hopefully, he'll be in a better frame of mind by then."

And Rachel and I would be a solidified couple by then, thinks Richard. It shouldn't take him that long to show her the errors of her current ways. This is something that she wants too, she just doesn't know it yet.

"Then he's probably reacting instead of reflecting," says Bruce, "He left with an open wound which is going to fester if it's not addressed properly. You and I both know how dangerous dark, self-depreciating thoughts are. I thought I taught you better than that."

Did you really, Bruce? Thinks Richard. I remember you leaving me alone to handle my own volatile thoughts and dark emotions. Something about learning to be self-reliant. The truth was that the multi-billionaire, playboy had no idea how to parent much less how to have those hard conversations with a younger Richard. He's gotten better throughout the years and Richard is happy to see the man is making an effort for Damien and the other batboys, but at this point, the pot is calling the kettle black.

"The damage is done, and I can only do what I can when he comes back. Today, I'm more concerned about this conference," Richard says as he tiredly rubs his eyes. He knows that he should have gotten more sleep last night, but yesterday had been emotionally jam packed from beginning to end. There was so much to process, compartmentalize and analyze.

"Remember to stick to the scrip that I sent you," Bruce says in a chiding voice, "There's no need to do even more damage than what's already been done. The chain of command needs to be respected in order to keep the people safe."

The threat was clear. Bruce would be forced to retaliate in a similar fashion as Richard did to Beastboy if he didn't toe the line at today's press conference. He had received the script for the whole team from his mentor two days ago but didn't bother forwarding it to Rachel. He had no intention of putting the whole team on that stage and Bruce knows it. This was just a last ditch effort to sway the wayward Robin from doing something he would regret.

"I understand, Batman," Richard says, "As a leader myself, I understand the importance of moments like this."

There is a curt nod from the older man before he says, "Then I'll leave you to get ready. Oh...and Robin, be sure to cover those dark circles. They make you look haggard."

Before Richard could reply, Bruce disconnects the call, leaving the leader of the Titans sitting in silence. It's not too late for him to turn back now. He could easily postpone this conference for an hour or two and call the remainder of his team to the conference hall. Quickly walk them through the script. Everyone will line up on that stage in their designated, predetermined spaces. Jerking their limbs in acceptable ways. Moving their mouths while someone else's words flow out. All to lull the public into believing that it's business as usually when it's clearly not. Batman wants to see what Robin will do. If he was truly determined to stop the young leader then he would have told Cyborg about the plan that was passed on to him. Batman didn't mention anything about the orders he had already given. This is a test and one that Richard intents to fail, miserably.

If he complies now, Bruce will never recognize him as man capable of making his own choices.

If he complies now, his team will see him as a leader that bows to someone else instead of standing on his own two feet.

If he complies now, Rachel will continue to see him as a young, inexperienced boy.

If he complies now, Richard isn't sure that he could respect himself.

With his mind made up, Richard stands to his full height and walks over to the large changing mirror. He slowly unzips his modified Robin biker jacket to reveal a plain white t shirt underneath. He peels the fitted jacket off of his muscular arms and lays it down next to the small suitcase that he brought with him. Nimble fingers play with the combination lock that keeps the secured zipper shut, before a satisfying click can be heard. Richard pulls out the various parts of his suit and lays them out on the coffee table and couch. Affectionately caressing the bird emblazoned on its chest. The armor enforced leggings lays besides the chest piece. Richard feels content in his choices.

Up until this point, he had not been very sure about himself. He was always second guessing his decisions and comparing himself to other, more established, superheroes. What would Batman do? Was a question that would plague his mind before every mission and while writing every report for the last 6 years. At the back of his head, he would always wonder if his talent and hard work landed him in the position he's in or was it his connections. As he grew and evolved, he started to resent that little voice in his head that made him feel small for wanting to be too much like his mentor. As he aged, he began noticing the cracks in Batman's walls and the flaws in his character. Instead of wanting to emulate the man, Richard wants to set himself apart. He no longer wanted to hear "oh, you're Batman's Robin" when fighting an enemy. He wanted them to recognize him for himself.

The reinforced leather of Richard's suit groans as it stretches to cover his broad shoulders. His arms are cushioned by the softer material within the suit while the thin, but durable, outer armor rests against his bulging muscles. The joints of his neck, shoulders, underarms, obliques and elbows are protected by an interlocking web of fibrous material that works like chainmail. Sharp weapons won't be able to penetrate these parts of the suit, but if he's not careful, blunt weapons will leave him bruised and bleeding internally. Richard perches himself on the edge of the sofa as he works his biking pants down his legs. He takes a deep breath before pulling the stretchy material of his reinforced leggings up his muscular calves and thighs. He works the material up and over his briefs before tucking it in underneath the upper part of his suit. Now that the under layer of his costume is in place, Richard begins fastening the pieces of his dark armor to his legs. Mindful that his jock strap is comfortably in place and the piece of armor that protects his groin is securely fastened. Once his upper and lower bodies are dressed, Richard turns his attention to his combat boots. Hauling them up and over his calves for an extra layer of protection.

Now that he's dressed, Richard gives himself a once over in the full-length mirror. He nods in approval at the man staring back at him. Choices have been made. There is no going back from this.

Richard's suit inspection and internal pep talks are cut short by two rapid knocks on his dressing room door. The muffled voice of Mr. Ricktor can be heard saying "Robin, your teammate is here. She is waiting for you by the stage."

Perfect timing, Richard thinks as he attempts to finger comb his messy hair before gently placing his dark mask over his eyes. He's ready to face whatever the world has to throw at him.

He opens the door and strides out in complete confidence. On quiet feet, he makes his way to his waiting Rachel. The people rushing about him pause what they're doing to openly stare at him. As he approaches the stage, he can see her standing there in the dim light, just behind the curtains. She's peeking out at the sea of faces in the beyond. Richard knows that she is struggling to manage her own anxieties while not being swallowed by the waves of excitement permeating the crowd. He watches her pretty violet eyes flutter close as she breathes deep and mumbles her famous mantra in an attempt to regain control of herself in this chaotic situation.

"Don't be afraid, Rachel," Richard says while sneaking directly behind her. "I'll be with you for the whole thing."

The sound of his voice startles her enough to make her jump a little. Her head whips around to lash out, but the sarcastic comment dies on her lips as her eyes scan him from top to bottom. They grow even wider as her brain begins to comprehend what she's seeing. He says nothing as he gives her time to adjust.

"What the fuck are you wearing, Dick?"

He's wearing his midlife crisis, Rachel. Clearly.