Avoiding Past And Future

(68) Misplaced 1

Due to the nature of this arc, and how dark it will get, I will add a warnings-free recap at the bottom of every chapter

WARNINGS
* racism (Zatara and mildly Wally @ Danny) 

November 5

Robin giggled softly as he acted like he was helping Phantom carry their obnoxiously big box. Drifting through the halls and narrowly avoiding hitting corners, the two resident trouble makers made their way through the base in the least inconspicuous way they could.

Fortunately for them, M'gann and Artemis were out going grocery shopping and other supply restocks. Kaldur was stuck in a pre-training meeting with Canary, Red Tornado and Batman. Meanwhile Wally was running famously behind once again, which left only their intended target roaming the grounds.

"You know, it would be a lot more helpful if you would not intentionally try to trip me." Phantom complained as Robin bounced around, aggressively jostling the box.

"I'm not." Robin wined, nearly sounding like Cujo who had stayed with the other furry demons back home.

"Really? Hadn't noticed." Phantom deadpanned as he simply turned slightly, moving the box to the other side with him. Robin's supposed grip on the cube immediately fell as he truly hadn't been carrying any weight. With a mildly amused huff, he darted to the other side, just to be able to place his hands on it again. It's the thought that mattered and a hill he was willing to die on. Emotional box carrying support was still support in his book.

Before the bird could grumble back a response, they arrived exactly where they wanted to be.

Right in front of Conner's door.

Being the one with actual free hands, Robin knocked on it, making sure to also press the built in bell on the panel next to the door. Knocking itself wouldn't do too much with the sound proofed structure but it was a standard habit. But it seemed like the bell also didn't do much as they received no answer. Knocking once again, Robin started spamming the button, hoping the continuous sound would annoy their recipient enough to give them attention.

"What are you doing?"

Robin nearly jumped high enough to land on top of the box as Conner had snuck up on them from behind. Phantom had only momentarily lost his grip on tangibility but at least he didn't fall through the floor with their precious cargo so it was a win in his book.

With a grin bordering insanity that would have unnerved any Gothamite, Robin turned to face the clone. "Who, me? Pfft," Robin tried to wave off his reaction like nothing happened. "Just testing out if the system is all good and running properly." Trying to solidify his blatant lie, he knocked on the control panel, accidentally hitting some buttons and getting an error code in return.

Conner raised his eyebrow at the boy, not believing a single syllable that left his mouth. Crossing his arms over his chest, he glanced over at Phantom. Not sure what he was expecting from the resident ghost, given that he was looking mostly embarrassed on Robin's behalf.

As if not knowing what the word for shame meant, Robin tried to casually lean onto the box, elbow propping up his head as he gave the cardboard a good slap. Not amused by the added weight, Phantom turned himself and the box intangible before Robin could speak, leading to an indignant squawk from the boy as he stumbled to catch his fall.

Attempting to recover again, ignoring the snort of his brother, Robin straightened out once more as he looked up at Conner. "He-I-we, ah, we got you a thing." He said, his failed smoothness turning into pitiful cringe. Knowing he wasn't going to be able to salvage it any more, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not much but-" He wasn't even sure how to finish the sentence as he just helplessly gestured at the box.