The Last One (young justice/robin)

34. repercussions

Gotham
TWO YEARS EARLIER

    I didn't bother writing a note or some letter to explain myself.

    What was there to say?

     Instead I left the apartment exactly as it was, unpacked boxes and all. Then I placed my uniform on our dining table. The same uniform I've worn since I was placed in the Dastra Palace as a child. It was one of the few consistent things in my life. It was on my back when I arrived and it was with me through every mission I've been on.

    I ran my hand across the fabric one more time, before the purple light spread from my fingers slowly. The fabric was swallowed in purple flame, slowly melting and charring away.

    Once it had turned to nothing but ash, I closed the door and I was gone.

Star City
March 30, 21:57 PDT

    "Don't die," Dick whispered, combing a couple fingers through my hair.

    I pulled his hand away so that I could hold it. "I don't plan on it."

    Despite all the tension the mission brought, there was a certain peace looking at Dick brought that wasn't there before. All the resentment we harbored had come out now. There wasn't anymore tiptoeing or lying; there was a real way for us to start over.

    For the first time, I felt we'll be okay.

    "I love you."

    He couldn't seem to process at first, but slowly he adjusted and I adored how happy it made him. "I love you more."

    "Alpha squad is all ready," Robin said, appearing in his civilian clothes.

    We broke apart, getting ready to embark on the incredibly delicate mission ahead of us.

    Robin deployed with Batgirl and Bee to invade the abductee shipment below. Conner and I didn't wait long to follow, sneaking into the base to attack two manta troopers for their armor.

    We slipped into the gear, following the pods onto the submarine. Further ahead, I could see Artemis leading the parade. It only reminded me of where I stood with Wally—how my best friend was still furious for what I'd done. The thought sickened me.

    "Alpha squad," M'gann spoke, "I'm heading into the alien ship. Are you aboard?"

    "Affirmative," Barbara said. "We're in some kind of docking bay. We have a visual on the new aliens. AKA the Kroloteans' competitor. AKA the Light's partner. And we've got other company. It's Aqualad. If he makes us, we're over."

    Conner and I shifted as Aqualad passed by. I couldn't help but fixate on what Wally suggested. What if Kaldur really was a triple agent? What if none of us are safe right now?

    "Stay whelmed. He won't be looking for you. Just don't attract attention."

    Kaldur didn't notice, and if he did, he chose to ignore them. The pods were wheeled out into the docking bay, leaving Conner and I with the squad of troopers.

    "I found Gar and Bart," M'gann said. "They're unconscious but alive. No sign of Jaime or La'gaan."

    "We've got eyes on Lagoon Boy," Barbara added. "And... Shimmer? Uh, plus four civilians and all the teens we came with. We're unsupervised now, but Blue's still unaccounted for. An escape could trigger response. Do we wait?"