Familiar Darkness (Sequel to Brothers Again)

Chapter Three

Robin paced back and forth in his room muttering things to himself. "I wanna help him and protect him but last time I did that I was too protective. " he said to himself. He paused and looked at himself in his mirror. "Why can't I just be a better brother?" He said as a frown spread across his lips. He flopped back on his bed and pinched the bridge of his nose. A faint knock sounded on his door. He groaned as he stood up and walked over to open his door. The door slid open to reveal Starfire. "Robin are you alright? I could hear you from outside your door and you sounded distressed." She said. "I'm fine Star." Robin said dully. "Robin do not attempt to lie to me." She said with a stern voice. Robin sighed. "Fine, I'm worried about Danny. Ever since we fought that ghost he's seemed really off and I don't know why." He said. "He's always told me everything so I don't get why he won't tell me now." He continued. Starfire placed her delicate hand on his shoulder. "Robin everyone has their secrets and I'm sure he'll tell you eventually." She said in her usual calming voice. "Thanks Star." Robin smiled as he reached up and grasped her hand. They walked out to the main room. Robin looked around. Every titan except his brother was present. The smiled that covered his face faded into a frown. He walked over to the kitchen and grabbed an apple. As he bit into the soft fruit he continued to wonder what his brother was doing. Well, Danny was sitting on his bed hugging his knees. He wanted to go out and be with his friends but he just couldn't look at them without seeing their bloody corpses or disgusted scowls. He sighed and laid back on his bed. He felt like crying but that's all he'd been doing since he last talked to his brother. Their seemed to be no more tears left in him. He covered his face with his hands. "Why couldn't that stupid thermos have been stronger..." He muttered. He slowly got up and shuffled over to the bathroom. He turned the faucet on and watched as the clear water spilled out. He splashed his face with the cool liquid washing away the dried tears that covered his cheeks. He looked at himself in the mirror. He saw his reflection flash to the face of his evil self. Danny stumbled back nearly falling in to the bathtub. He then rushed back to his room. He jumped back on to his bed and buried his face in his pillow. The words of his older evil self repeated in his mind. He tried thinking of happy memories to drown them out but his attempts were useless. He turned over on to his back. He held back the tears that threatened to fall. As much as he wanted to he refused to cry anymore than he already had. Suddenly the crime alarm sounded. Danny groaned as he got up and shuffled out to the main room. He was greeted by his friends who were already over at the computer looking to see who was attacking. "It's that same ghost we fought before!" Cyborg said. Danny gulped as he saw who was attacking the city. "Why did it have to be him?" Danny thought. He was almost shaking with fear and worry. Robin looked over at his brother and noticed his worried expression. A wave of worry washed over Robin as he tried to think of what was making his brother so upset. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Raven spoke up. "So are we gonna go or not?" She said. Robin looked at her dull expressionless face. He laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh oh yeah right. It looks like the ghost is attacking near the bank." Robin said turning towards his teammates. They all looked at him listening carefully to his words. "Titans go!" He finally shouted. The titans all ran out of the room. Danny seemed to be going extra slow. Robin stopped him by placing his hand on his shoulder. He sighed. "Danny look it's ok if you don't wanna tell now or maybe even ever but I want you to know I'm always here for you if you need to talk." He said. Danny nodded and smiled. "Now come on let's go the others will be wondering where we are." Robin said as he pulled his brother out of the room.