Downtime

                                    

                                          
Robin groaned silently as he regained consciousness. 
                          
A deep laugh could be heard before it turned into a full on raspy roar. Where was he?
                          
He barely opened his eyes to see the rest of his new teammates lying on the floor as well, but Aqualad wasn't with them. 
                          
There was also a question: why was there clay everywhere?
                          
Suddenly, Robin remembered what had happened. Batman had given them a mission in Gotham against Clayface, but the villain had tricked them all, leaving them a hurt mess on the cold cement floor. 
                          
Hm, death by clay. What a way to go. 
                          
"ROAR!" Clayface yelled once more. Robin wanted to get up, but he couldn't. He was exhausted. 
                          
Fortunately, the sound of shattering glass was heard as well as blades flying through the air. 
                          
Robin cocked his head only to see Batman electrocuting Clayface, rendering him nothing but a pile of mush. 
                          
--- 
                          
"I need to talk to Aqualad." Batman stated as the team entered Mount Justice,"The rest of you, hit the showers and head home."
                          
"Head home?"Superboy threw his hands up,"I am home."
                          
Batman chose to ignore him. 
                          
Soon enough all the team had left leaving Robin and Aqaulad. 
                          
"Just Aqualad." Batman spoke, his tone darker.
                          
It took a second for Robin to realize that was directed to him, but when he did Robin glanced at Aqualad, making eye contact, before walking towards the Mountains showers. 
                          
He tried to keep his face very stoic before he was out of Batmans sight. Then once out, he turned back and sent a small glare. 
                          
---
                          
Dick found himself within the gym of the manor. He had seen some rings and immediately decided that that's where he would practice for the moment being. A few days ago, he might of thought of this as cool, but not anymore. 
                          
Dick should have been happy. He should have been grateful. Bruce had saved him from the Court of Owls (plus Bruce had a pretty cool gym), but now he was upset. 
                          
Yes, it was partially because the nightmare from the other night had frightened him, but that fear turned to anger. No way, would he kill. He refused to be his Uncles servant. He could stand being called anything, but a Talon. He despised that name. 
                          
There was also what had happened earlier. He got angry just thinking about it. 
                          
He had risked everything by running from the Court of Owls. Was that not enough for Bruce to trust him? Why did he need to talk to just Aqualad?
                          
As an attempt to rid of his frustration, Dick flipped himself on the rings, eventually letting go, sending himself into the air, and just as he came down he gripped the metal rings once more. 
                          
He gripped the rings hard as he pulled himself up and attempted to hold his body straight. Sweat dripped from his face and onto his blue and white training clothing. 
                          
"Just Aqualad." He mimicked. Didn't Batman asked Robin to be his partner? Then, why did he want only Aqualad? Did he suddenly decided that maybe Robin was just someone they could abandon just because he was raised by the Court. 
                          
Still upset, Robin flipped himself off of the rings and onto a near by stand, but his left foot missed causing him to topple over. Fortunately as he fell, he performed a backflip which prevented him from hitting the ground. Though as he stood he crashed into the wall, adding to his anger. 
                          
What? Did this random wall have something against him too. 
                          
He aimed all his anger into his hand as he brought it upon the wall, causing a good sized crater. 
                          
Dick backed away from the wall and decided to cool off. He placed a towel over his shoulders and was about to quench his thirst with cold water until the gym door was opened. 
                          
"Master Bruce wishes to see you." Alfred spoke in a calm and neutral voice. 
                          
What did he want now? To bring the team over and say that they were going on a mission that Dick was forbidden to go on?
                          
Even though he was upset, he got up and followed Alfred to where Bruce was. 
                          
He was led outside and immediately a basketball was tossed towards him.
                          
"What's this?" Dick questioned as he saw Bruce standing in front of him. 
                          
"Training: Hand-eye coordination." Bruce smiled at his protege. 
                          
Dick lowered his eyes. 
                          
"What's wrong?" Bruce walked towards the ebony. 
                          
Robin shook his head. He was embarrassed,"I-I don't really know the rules to Basketball... I was never taught as a kid and-" 
                          
"I'll teach you then." Dick jerked his head up. 
                          
He smiled and quickly nodded. 
                          
"Only if you think you can handle it." Bruce challenged,"I am pretty good." 
                          
"Ha!" He grinned,"I'm sure I'll beat you the second I know how to play."
                          
"Let's just see about that...."
                          
Dick let out a cackle as they both threw harmless insults at each other, both claiming that they were gonna be the winner. Both getting along, just as Dick had once hoped he would with his foster father many years ago. 

                          
Ew, filler chapter. I know, we all hate them, but it had to be done. 
                          
Don't worry, the next chapter is going to be extremely long and will practically kill me as I get word for word. 
                          
Oh, and Daddy Bats won the vote (no shock there) so, expect more of this fluff and Daddybats.
                          
Also, above is a new title cover I've been thinking about putting up, but idk how I feel about it so...