Cat and Mouse

Chapter 8

Fox POV

The night was uncharacteristically quiet as I did my usual route from the tops of the buildings. There were no cries for help, no robberies, not even the bat signal flashed across the sky tonight. Maybe it was because the past few days were very busy and full of crime, and now that it was Monday, everyone was too tired to try. Personally I hated Mondays and apparently so did Mr. Wescott since he was extra harsh on me today. He had yelled at me every time I made one tiny mistake, like take too long or yawn or any petty excuse he could think of. Even though I had ended my shift 9 hours ago and it was almost midnight, I still had not gotten over Wescott's obvious dislike for me.

“Long night?” an annoying voice said from behind me. Sighing, I turned around from my spot to see Robin leaning against the chimney of the building, looking incredibly relaxed.

Sighing, I sit down so my back is leaning against the three-inch high border of the building, splaying out my legs to run a hand through my orange hair.

“You have no idea” I say with a sigh.

Robin gets up and moves so that instead he’s sitting beside me “I’ve been doing this since I was 9, I think I have an idea” he says with a lopsided smile.

I smile slightly “Surprised you’re still alive” I say teasingly.

“Is that meant to be an insult?” he says and turns to face me, narrowing his masked eyes.

“Only if you take it as one, Wonder Boy” I retort with a smirk.

“It’s Boy Wonder” 

“I’m not stupid, just teasing” i say and stick out my tongue.

“Well seeing as you dropped out of school, I’d assume you are” Robin shoots back.

“Actually, I’m pretty smart, at least smarter than you, Birdbrain” I say, trying not to show the hurt in my voice.

“I sincerely doubt that, Fox” 

“Wanna bet?” I challenge

"I always feel bad beating a girl, so I'll pass" 

Huffing out a breath, I punch his thigh. Robin turns to me

"What was that for?" he says, rubbing the area even though I barely hit him hard.

"Being a jerk. And a wimp" I say with another smirk.

"A wimp?" He says, looking offended.

"Can't even take a punch" I say with a shameful shaking of my head.

'More than you can" Robin says defiantly.

"Yeah, sure"

"I'm serious! I mean, Batman trained me, I'm sure I'm a better fighter than you" Robin says.

"Doubt it"

"I'll prove it to you!"

"Okay, go on" I say in a challenging tone. Robin growls and gets up, me slowly following. He wanted to spar, I'll spar.

"Show me some wonder, boy" I say. Robin narrows his eyes and makes the first move, throwing a punch. I duck under it and jab his side, causing him to falter slightly. Before I can gain the advantage,  he's regained his footing and throws a few punches, which I block. He then brings out his leg and spins it around to kick my side. Just as it's about to connect, I grab his boot with my hands and twist, making him spin and fall on his back with a groan.

"Not very impressed" I say as I hover over him. Robin grits his teeth and somersalts backwards and kicks off the ground to stand back up, back in a fighting stance. i circle around him, looking for an opening. I lunge forward, ducking under his punch and kicking his back. he stumbles forward before he turns around and throws a punch. I'm about to duck under it when he fakes it and instead ducks down with me and kicks his leg out while he spins, connecting it with my ankle and sending me off balance. I try to keep my balance but Robin quickly jabs my stomach, sending me backwards against the ground.I groan and attempt to stand, but Robin straddles me, pinning my arms to the ground.

"Told you I'm better" he says with confidence. I sigh, my pride slightly bruised as I try to think of a way out of his hold, but unfortunately nothing comes to mind. Glaring at him, I open my mouth.

"Great, now get off" I say and struggle to free my hands. He releases them and I shove him off, pulling myself up and brushing the dirt off my gloves.

'Impressed, but I've seen better" I say, just to irk him.

Robin gives me a pompous smile "Well that 'better' didn't include you" he taunts and I avert my eyes to look down.

"Hey I'm new to this, cut me some slack" 

"You held your own" He admits.

"Better than you did as a newbie"

"I was nine!" He denies and I chuckle, patting his shoulder.

"Kidding Wonder Boy, no need to get so defensive"

Robin groans and shoves a gloved hand through his midnight black hair, mussing it up in a handsome way. I quickly look away so I don't drool.

"It's getting late, I should walk you home" Robin says.

I raise an eyebrow "Nice try, but I'll pass"

"What? I'm trying to be courteous" he complains.

"Courteous enough by trying to find out who I am" I remark.

"Smarter than you look"

"I was told foxes are supposed to be cunning. Guess I got that part down"  

"You know you don't have to behave exactly like your name?" He says, before widening his eyes as if he just realized something, but I shrugged it off.

"Guess that's why you can't fly, Robin" I snort

"Sorry for not being a Superman" he says sarcastically.

"At least pick a realistic name. Like Ostrich. Or Penguin" I say, referring to the flight issue.

"I think Penguin is already taken"

"Shame, with the way you waddle..." I trail off.

"I don't waddle!" Robin protests, crossing his arms like a little kid.

"Says you" I shoot back.

"I don't!" He reiterates.

I hold up my hands "Kidding, kidding. Sheesh. Why the name Robin, doesn't exactly fit the whole Bat theme" I ponder out loud.

Robin opens his mouth as if to answer but then shuts it again, obviously thinking better of it "Why the name Fox?"

"Touche" I say.

A silence fell over us as we just looked at each other. Timidly I looked down, adn when I did, I froze.

"Shit" i exclaim.

"What's wrong?" Robin asks, hurrying over.

I pull up my arm to look at the time. 4:45. I had taken the Tuesday 5 o'clock shift so I could get home early and now I was running out of time. Turning away from Robin, I ran off to the edge of the building and sent a backwards look at the puzzled teenager.

"Sorry, got to go! Duty calls" I say and hop onto the next building, praying I won't be a second late so Wescott wouldb't yell at me.

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Anybody get the Dick Grayson joke or was that just me?

Anyways, filler chapter... Again... I'll have more action next chapter.