[CLOSED]

[performance]

WHO: Dick, Artemis, and Wally
WHERE: Downtown Heropa.
WHEN: 7/12, nighttime.
WHAT: Robin's emotional turmoil culiminates in the world's stupidest injury. Stupid teenage dramatics to follow.
WARNINGS: References to a broken bone? And probably yelling.

[ It's 10:20 PM, and it's finally stopped raining that particular variety of Florida rain that's not so much like a drizzle as like the sky's just up and poured a bucket of water on your head. It's wet and it's too warm and there's still lightning flashing off in the distance, and Robin's just made the stupidest mistake of his career.

Okay, so no one realistically-fake-died, and nothing exploded. Which is a plus, considering his track record. But breaking a leg in a fall from a third story roof has to be — without any hyperbole — the most embarrassing thing he's done in his entire life.

He could make a lot of excuses: he's not used to the weather, the railing was slick, he hadn't checked his equipment, the terrain's unfamiliar, he's distracted and emotionally compromised. He doesn't have his team. Every single one is terrible, even if they're all true.

For several excruciating minutes, while he waits for the painkillers to work their magic, Robin debates his options. An ambulance would attract attention. He's pretty sure he couldn't hobble all the way to the hospital like this, even if there was one within the city limits. Maybe the ground will swallow him up right along with his shame and he won't have to admit that any of this ever happened.

It doesn't.

Out of reasonable options, he sends off a text with his coordinates to Artemis, who, logically, is the person on their team most likely to know how to deal with injuries:
SOS.
Achey breaky leg.
Please don't ask.

And moments later, a text to Wally with the same coordinates:
Need a ride to the hospital.
If you're not married to SB's couch now.
Faster is better.



It takes a minute for him to realize the gravity of his possible mistake. If they find a way to fight over this, too... well, maybe yelling makes bones knit faster. ]

Comments

[performance]

Everything never works out.

[ But he's being nice, because he doesn't say a word about Wally looking stupid. ]

this is what you have a crush on robin

[runningstart]

I'm fine with 85% of everything working out. Otherwise it's just crazy, not good-crazy. [He wolfs the sandwich down in four disgusting bites. Wow. Immediately starts fixing another.]

DREAMY SIGH

[performance]

[ Ugh. Gross. GROSS. It's weird that he missed that, right? It's totally weird. Is that lurch in his stomach from nausea or feelings? ]

I'll strive for good-crazy. And making you look awesome, instead of stupid.

[runningstart]

[yeah it's p. weird u missed that also it's probably nausea]

Thanks. As my exclusive publicist and president of my alternate-Earth fanclub, that should be at the forefront of your mind at all times.

[performance]

[ Robin's pretty weird in general, so anything's possible. ]

Should I start following you around with confetti and pom-poms?

[runningstart]

No no, keep it subtle. You can start by building me a fansite.

[performance]

Careful. You might regret saying that.

[runningstart]

...yeah I'm regretting it now, actually. But if you're gonna do it, at least make it awesome. You put dumb pictures of me on there with me making weird faces and I'm going to fill your room with cement.

While you're sleeping in it.

[performance]

Dude, no fair. You're always making weird faces.

[runningstart]

Excuse you! There're plenty of occasions where my face is just as gorgeous as it usually is.

[he likes me]

-so, y'know. Just don't take any candids and we'll be good.

[performance]

[ a beat. ]

... I make no promises.

[ Why would he say that? Dick goes a little pinker than usual as he finishes his sandwich, suddenly unsure of what to say. ]

[runningstart]

[sldfkjsf because he always says that stuff, just now it means something different. It's never sounded like flirting until NOW auuuugugghghghghh]

Just do your best. [Wally finishes his sandwich and dumps everything into the sink, puts the bread and jars back. He knows Levi will probably give the dirty dishes in the sink the stink eye but he just doesn't care right now.] I'm gonna hit the hay. Are you okay? Down here?

[performance]

[ It's just a broken leg, jeez. ]

Am I okay?

[runningstart]

Oh sorry, didn't realize you liked to hobble up stairs for fun. [Wally holds up his hands and circles around the counter.] Concern redacted. It never happened.

[performance]

[ Dick rolls his eyes, shaking his crutch at him. ]

Watch it, West.

But yeah. I'm heading to bed anyway, so...

[runningstart]

So what, you want me to carry you up the stairs too? Geez.

[performance]

[ THE MOST EXAGGERATED SIGH ]

Fine, fine, I'll let you. You don't have to beg me.

[runningstart]

I'm gonna drag you up the stairs like dresser in a second. [Wally grabs Robin's crutches beside the door and slings them over one shoulder, holding out the other arm for him to take. He'll help you up the stairs. Punk.]

[performance]

[ ...blink.

Yeah, this might have been a mistake, but it's a mistake he's gonna follow through to its vaguely embarrassing conclusion. So he takes Wally's arm. ]

Wow. You're too good to me.

[runningstart]

Yeah, sometimes. [With Wally's arm as a brace, they get up the stairs and Wally tries not to think about how that was kind of date-ish. Instead he just thrusts Robin's crutches at him when they get to his door.]

Try not to OD on those pain pills they got you. Don't get too crazy just because the dragon's not awake. [Meaning of course Levi.]

[performance]

[ Dick's stomach definitely thinks it's date-ish. He wishes it would get the memo. ]

Yeah, yeah. No wild parties. You know I hate pain meds anyway. Makes my head all... [ vague loopy hand gesture.

He takes the crutches, balancing again easily as he heads in the door. He wants to say thank you, or sorry, or what does this mean?, or let's forget this ever happened, or maybe all of the above. But he doesn't. ]

Go to bed, dude. You look terrible.

[runningstart]

Says the guy with the cast. [They never say goodbye at their doors, it's never like this. That stupid chant starts up again and Wally gets away just to make it stop-] So yeah, g'night.

[Wally ducks into his room before anything else that idiotic can fall out of his mouth and he throws himself onto his bed with a groan. What does he do?

What does he do?

he likes me, he likes me

he likes me, he likes me]

[performance]

[ Dick falls into bed with his heart pounding in his ears and his limbs all loose and quivery. Everything that's happened tonight washes over him like a wave, good and bad, too much all at once, sweeping him up. But he's exhausted, physically and mentally, and somehow, he falls asleep moments after his head hits the pillows. ]