134Hello, it's me again. I hope you like this fic. Let me fill you in on a little bit before we begin:
Red is a new Titan. If you've seen the episode "Fractured" he kind of looks like Johnny Rancid, except WAAAY toned down. He looks younger than Rancid, a lot less bulky, and his face is calm, tame, and collected. He has Spider Man-like powers. Rather useful, but, like Raven, Red has a mysterious past. This is my first original character so be nice.
Secondly, Red has been rather secretive lately. And Robin doesn't like that. Robin doesn't trust Red, and Red hardly trusts Robin.
Lastly, if reading murder wigs you out, you may still want to read because the murder is very quiet and not graphic at all. And yes, you've guessed by now who kills Robin I'm sure…
Red-Handed
Robin died, but he's not gone. There are still a few things left for him to do... Yes, we're talking ghosts. Humorous undertones, Robin/Starfire. Please R&R!
Rated PG
For violence, murder, and thematic elements.
Disclaimer: I own Red, but other than that I own none of the Titans. Which is a good thing. Kind of…
Red-Handed
"Do you believe in ghosts, Red? I do. I really do."
Robin's Diary
Entry Date: December 5th, 2005.
Entry:
… I don't' trust Red. Not one bit. Everyone likes him, even Raven, and it's driving me insane. He looks at me, when he thinks I'm not watching. Ha. One of these days I'll catch him and expose him for the traitor he is… I've heard him, talking to his "Father" or his "Trainer" on the phone. But he's really talking to Slade, I can feel it. I know it's all a lie. He's just like Terra, or almost just like her. He'll never turn out good. The way he acts, they way he talks, the way he fights…
But I'm rambling.
Red is just downright evil. I don't trust him. And Starfire… poor Starfire believes in him. I, of all people, would have expected her to see him for what he is. But she doesn't. It sort of wounds me, in a way. I guess.
But I don't care. It's my teammates' deal now. It's their fault for trusting him, right? Why should it be MY problem? I WARNED them, didn't I? Right. It's their problem. I don't care if Red betrays them one by one. It wouldn't get to me. Right?
Wrong.
Robin sighed, closing his diary, and slipping his blood-red pen back into the pen holder. He locked up the diary and put it inside one of the desk drawers, then lay back on his bed. Why DIDN'T he trust Red? He'd asked himself this question many times. There really WAS no reason not to trust Red, but it just seemed like a good idea to keep one's distance from him.
There was a light knock on the door.
Robin looked up. "Who's there?" he asked.
"Robin, it is Starfire."
Music to his ears. "Come in."
The door opened and Starfire trotted silently into the room. "Beast Boy and Red were wondering if you would like to –"
"No." Robin said instantly. He blinked at his own firmness. "Uhm… no, thanks."
"Oh." Starfire hung her head and sat beside him. "Perhaps you would do something with me?"
"Like what?"
She shrugged. "We could go play in the snow."
He smiled sadly, shaking his head. "I would. But I don't really feel up to anything right now."
Starfire sighed. "Would you prefer to talk, at least?"
"I don't have anything to talk about."
"I do," Starfire whispered. "Why do you not like Red? What is it about him that makes you so upset?"
Robin looked at her, surprised. "Uhm… well…" Once again, WHY? He didn't understand why he didn't like Red either. He guessed it was just an instinct, like to flinch when someone pretends to strike you. "I just don't. I get the feeling Red is up to something, and that something isn't good."
Starfire nodded but said nothing.
They sat there in silence for who knows how long, when there was a knock on the door.
"Who's there?" Robin called.
"Red."
"Don't come in," Robin said softly.
"What?"
"I SAID don't come IN!"
Silence.
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not good enough." Red opened the door and strode into the room. Starfire huddled closer to Robin, giving Red a bright smile. She grabbed Robin's arm, digging her nails into his flesh. Robin clenched his teeth together and forced a smile at Red as well.
Red was a handsome young man, tall and muscular. His long red hair hung loosely about his shoulder, falling in his face and obscuring his knowing black eyes. He smirked, folding his arms over his tight black T-shirt. He was the only Titan ever dressed casually nowadays. He tilted his head to one side, and several strands of hair brushed across his pale skin. Robin winced.
"What's up, Robin?" Red asked, scuffing the toe of his sneaker on the floor and rubbing a heavily tattooed arm. Robin despised the fact Red, after discovering his awesome powers, decided to get his entire upper body tattooed like a spider web. "You look stressed about something, dude."
"Christmas is coming up," Robin muttered.
"Then shouldn't you be happy?"
"No." Robin narrowed his eyes, challenging Red to question him further.
Red shrugged his heavily muscled shoulders, his old mischievous grin lighting up his face. "Hey, Star, I want to talk to you." He paused, glancing at Robin unsurely. "Unless you have a problem with me taking her away from you, Robin."
Robin shook his head.
"Alright then. Come on, Star."
Starfire gave Robin a concerned look, gave his arm a final squeeze, and followed Red out of the room.
Robin was left alone again. A shiver ran down his spine. Red had just been in HIS room. Robin would have to disinfect it later.
He stared at the drawer where the diary was kept, thinking about what he had just written. Was what he had put down true? Did he REALLY think Red was evil?
Yes.
Why?
No one knew.
It was a rather irritating position for Robin. A VERY irritating position. And the worst part was, no matter how hard and long he thought about it, he couldn't figure out anything farther than this: Red is evil.
Robin slipped out into the living room later, after the sun had set. Beast Boy and Cyborg were flipping through channels on the TV with bored looks on their faces, and Raven was eating what Robin guessed was her dinner. Starfire and Red stood in the corner, still deep in discussion. Robin felt a pang of jealousy, but then instantly it was gone. Robin knew Red liked Starfire – a lot – and it made Robin furious. He didn't know why, but for some reason every time Red would pull Starfire aside, Robin wanted to attack him. Viciously. In fact, sometimes the urge was so strong Robin would knock something over and scare everyone.
Amusing, but dangerous.
Robin sighed and flopped down beside Cyborg, trying hard not to look at Red. Robin chewed on his lower lip, watching silently as the characters on screen ran from a roaring beast.
Red let out a shout of anger in the corner, and everyone looked at him. Starfire looked horrified, pressed up against the wall with her fingers in her mouth. Red looked absolutely furious; his face was bright red and his fists were clenched. He was shouting so loud and so fast, no one understood what he was saying. Starfire was wailing, but Red's shouts drowned out almost every word she said. Robin sat up straight, in full alert. Red was known to throw tantrums, and usually something or someone got broken. Robin's hand hovered above his bowstaff, ready to whip it out if needed. He listened carefully to sort out what the two blabbering friends were saying.
"YOU LITTLE –"
"I'm SORRY! I'm SORRY! I did not know –"
"YOU BETTER BE SORRY! I'll-"
"I did not –"
"ROBIN-"
Robin instantly stiffened, narrowing his eyes. They were saying SOMETHING about him.
"No, I –"
"TRAITOR!" Red roared, and brought up a hand to strike Starfire. Instantly the other Titans jumped up.
Robin twirled his bowstaff and whacked Red's hand right into the wall. Robin moved to stand between Red and Starfire, and delivered a kick right to Red's chest. Red stumbled backwards, eyes blazing, and was lifted up by Raven's powers. He couldn't move, so he just floated there with his eyes narrowed spitefully and his teeth bared.
Robin turned around after a moment to look at Starfire. "You okay, Star?"
Starfire, breathless, nodded. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her chest rose and fell rapidly. Red had just given her the scare of her life.
Robin put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she came off the wall to lean against him, still in shock. Robin didn't demand anything else from her as he looked up at Red with loathing.
Red mouthed a hateful curse at Robin, who smirked.
This hadn't been the first time Red had tried to hit someone. The time before it had been Cyborg, and the time before that, Raven. And in combat Red had struck all of them accidentally. Raven shook her head at the boy in the air, and let him go. He hit the floor with a thud, and glared at each of them in turn.
"Dude, you need to learn to control your temper," Beast Boy said in a lecturing voice. He sounded odd using this tone, but that was probably just because they were so used to him joking around. "You've gotten WAY too many people hurt because you can't –"
"Control your emotions," Raven finished for him. "I had to learn to do that years ago. Now it's your turn."
Red's face softened, and he hung his head. "I'm sorry."
Robin rubbed Starfire's shoulder, watching Red avidly. Starfire panted against his neck, digging her nails in his chest. He didn't mind – after what she'd been through he didn't blame her for being shaken. Not in the least. Red could be rather scary when he wanted to. Even scarier than Slade.
"Sorry? Is that all you can say, Red?" Cyborg demanded, looking rather livid.
Red heaved a heavy sigh, hugging himself with his bulky arms. "What else is there to say?" he asked softly.
"For starters," Robin said suddenly, his voice very hard indeed, "you could explain WHY you tried to hit Star."
Red looked up in surprise, then narrowed his eyes at Robin. "I can't say," he hissed through clenched teeth.
"Why? You don't have a reason, is that?" Raven challenged, putting her hands on her hips.
"NO!" Red exclaimed, glancing at Raven with a look that could be considered hurt. "I would NEVER… never EVER… no…"
"Then WHAT is your problem, dude?" Beast Boy demanded.
Once again Red hung his head. "It's personal."
Starfire gave a shuddering sob into Robin's shoulder. He patted her back comfortingly.
There was a heavy silence.
"Alright then," Cyborg said. "If you promise to behave yourself…"
"I'm fine," Red said icily. "Just as long as I don't have to talk to THEM."
"'THEM?'" repeated Raven, raising an eyebrow.
"Robin, and Starfire," Red said, shooting the two a glare.
"Why not? What did they do to you?" shouted Beast Boy, irritated.
"NOTHING YOU COULD UNDERSTAND!" countered Red at the top of his lungs, his snarl returning. "IT'S PERSONAL!"
Cyborg blinked. "Fine. Rob, Star, keep your distance."
"Gladly," Robin said. "I think Star needs to calm down. I'll take her to her room."
Raven nodded.
Robin shot Red one last warning glance and led Starfire to her room, as he had said. Just as the door closed behind him, he heard Red say again, "I'm sorry."
They reached Starfire's door, and it opened on its own, as always. Starfire detangled herself from Robin's arms and stepped towards her room, but stopped at the threshold. She turned to look at him, thanking him silently with her eyes.
Robin smiled. "Get some rest. You've had it rough the past few days."
She smiled too, and the door closed.
Robin sighed, and slowly made his way back to the living room.
Red sat brooding on the couch next to Raven, who was watching Cyborg and Beast Boy play video games. Robin sat beside Beast Boy – as far away from Red as he could get one the couch.
Red snorted but said nothing.
"BOOYA!" Cyborg shouted, punching the air. "I WIN!"
"Did not!" Beast Boy whined. "You cheated!"
Cyborg stuck out his tongue and danced around, waving his arms. Raven sighed.
"Hey, can I play?" Robin asked, picking up the controller Cyborg dropped. "Winner fights Cyborg."
Beast Boy nodded and sat back. They selected the game, and began playing. It was a fun fight, and lasted roughly half an hour, but finally Robin won. Beast Boy whined and complained, but Cyborg snatched the controller away and started playing before a rematch could be demanded.
Robin won again.
Cyborg gaped. "Dude! How's that possible? You hardly ever play!"
Robin smirked. "I'm just good," he bragged playfully.
"Ha, ha, Cyborg, you lost!" Beast Boy chanted, pointing.
"Wanna loose your finger?" Cyborg muttered.
Beast Boy quickly hid his hands behind his back. Raven yawned.
"Guys, it's getting late. I'm going to bed."
"Me too," said Beast Boy. "I'm bushed. Later, dudes!"
"I'd better go too," Cyborg said, standing up. "Robin, you won't mind cleaning up, will you?"
"Not at all," Robin said, smiling. "Get some rest."
He watched his friends head off the bed, then began cleaning.
There was a cough from behind him. He wheeled around and came face-to-face with Red.
"Red?"
"Robin," Red said, smirking. "I've been meaning to talk to you."
"What do you want?" Robin stepped back.
"About earlier. I'm really sorry. I never meant to get so out of control. Want I should make us something to drink?"
Robin narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but nonetheless agreed. He sat on the couch and listened as Red apologized and made them both tea. When Red returned, he handed a glass and set his on the floor by his foot. He watched intensely as Robin took a sip.
"So, yeah. I was just stressed out," Red explained. "Starfire has a knack for getting on people's nerves. She doesn't know when to shut up."
"Hey," Robin said after taking another sip. "Don't talk about her like that. She's our friend."
"Yeah, right." Red paused. "Drink some more."
Robin raised an eyebrow and obeyed. He drained the glass and moved to wash it out. After he was finished, he came back and studied Red's face carefully. There was a spark in Red's eyes. One that Robin couldn't identify.
"But I still think Starfire can be obnoxious," Red said absently.
"Hey! Cut it out! I LIKE Star!" Robin said loudly. "There's nothing wrong with her!"
Red shrugged. "But do you LOVE her?" he asked cryptically, a note of deep loathing in his voice.
Robin blinked, confused. He decided to sort out Red's riddle later, and he sat back down. He felt short of breath, as if he'd been running. He suddenly felt the need to sleep, so he stood up slowly to go to bed. He stumbled towards the door, but stopped in the middle of the room, panting.
"Robin? You okay?" Red asked.
"I-I think so…" Robin slowly sank to his knees. He felt hot, and when he looked at his palms he was rather sweaty. He looked up, and the room was blurry. He shook his head, but that only gave him a roaring headache. The sound of rushing water filled his ears, and Robin rubbed his eyes. "Ugh…"
"You sure you're alright?" Red asked nervously. "You don't look so good."
"I don't feel so good either…" As he said this, Robin gagged. He labored to get back to his feet, and he staggered over to the couch, where he lay down. The room was spinning, and the colors dulled. Red leaned over him. Robin couldn't breathe… he was choking on nothing. Darkness ate at the corners of his eyes, and he slightly felt Red's hair brush against his cheek. There was a muffled hiss in his ear, and he barely made out the words: "Goodbye, Robin."
And the world went black.
Author's Notes: OMG! What did you DO, Red!? Hehe… this only the first chapter, I hope you like it. If you're confused, the plot will unravel itself, don't worry. PLEASE review! I'd greatly appreciate it!