The Apprentice

Hear Him Out

The Titans' attention snaps to the sound of the curtain drawing closed.

"Batman!!" They cry out in unison, and he braces himself. The Titans rush towards him, speaking over each other in a race to make their case.

"Easy now—" Superman placates, stepping into their path, but they part around him. Beastboy mutters "Not now, Superman", and he's left standing there with one hand raised, wondering what just happened.

"...Alright then."

They come to a stop closer to the Dark Knight than he'd like, and Starfire throws herself up into the air.

"We are ready to discuss Robin's goodness!" She exclaims, floating over Cyborg's head and knitting her fingers together in a predetermined plea.

"You are gonna let us discuss him, right? And not just tell us what's gonna happen?" Cyborg adds suspiciously, making himself look bigger by crossing his arms and straightening his back.

Batman squints up at the tag-team display. The direct question means they expect an answer, which means he's finally given respite from their chatter. His eyes train on each Titan, lingering on their utility belts. Superman offers him an encouraging nod from the corner of his vision. The eye slits of his cowl narrow to slivers.

"There's nothing to discuss," Batman says slowly, gliding away from the curtain towards the middle of the platform. Superman sighs.

"See? What did I tell you!" Cyborg remarks to Raven, whose expression remains carefully neutral despite the shadows darkening around her.

"Man, what is your deal?" Beastboy complains, following after him. "There's nothing to talk about?"

"Not when he could be listening." The Bat adds decisively, turning back to face them.
The Titans exchange confused glances, faltering at the sudden shift in topic.

"Uh... who?" Beastboy prompts, looking around for good measure.

Superman walks over to Batman's side, attempting to take the lead. 

"We have reason to believe—"

"Robin." Batman decides, and Superman flashes him a concerned stare. Batman returns the look with an unimpressed deadpan.

"I assume you are all carrying your communicators." Batman continues, "Does he still have access to his?"

It starts to click.

"He might." Raven shrugs, her cape settling as she thinks.

"Let me get this straight— you think Robin's been eavesdropping on us this whole time?" Beastboy gapes, eye twitching. "Um, ew!"

They remove the communicators from their belts— Cyborg simply raising his forearm to access its embedded screen— and each gawk at their own with a mix of emotions.

"I do not know if he still has it." Starfire admits solemnly, gently passing her thumb over the raised 'T' on the front of the device. The faces of her teammates soften, turning their attention to her as she holds the communicator close. "He would not answer when called, but we hope... maybe he will contact us for help, when he is ready."

"That's not going to happen." Batman asserts bluntly, earning hard stares from everyone in the room.

"Dude!" Beastboy objects, but all it does is deepen the Dark Knight's frown.

"Deactivate the communicators. Then, we'll talk."

Beastboy grumbles, but turns his off. Raven follows suit. Cyborg reaches for his, but Starfire hesitates. She flips it open and presses a button, then raises the device to her lips.

"Robin, are you there?"