EPIC: Robin breaks a heart

Robin's watch was over--she was turning to wake the next sentry when there was an ominous rustle, and she whirled with sword drawn.

It was only Commander Rad coming to take her place. His massive sword was buckled over his shoulder, but he was otherwise unarmed and unarmored. "Hello," she said, relieved, and stood up to stretch. "Thanks for waking up on your own—I always feel bad kicking people awake for watch."

Rad's face creased into a smile, and Robin was surprised to find that he was almost handsome when he wasn't being hostile. His features held a boyish charm that had always been buried behind the eagle mask. He came to stand by her and stared out into the dark for a long moment. She waited for him to say something, but nothing seemed forthcoming.

"Is Andais always at war?" she found herself asking. "Do you always have to be the Commander?"

Rad turned slowly to face her. "Yes," he said after considering. "It is. I do. Andais is good. Others are evil. There is always a war between the two and it will not end for many lifetimes yet."

Robin couldn't decide whether she was aghast at or impressed with his simple view of things. "That's sad," she said. "Not the between good and evil part," she amended when he looked at her quizzically. "Good should do battle against evil. But I meant the part where you always have to fight."

"I don't mind it," he said. "I've done it all my life."

Robin ventured a quick glance at him, expecting an impassive mask, but instead his face was still and peaceful. She tried to think of something to say, but nothing sounded right. Finally she gave up and only reached up to put a hand on his shoulder, intending some small comfort before she left him to his watch.

"Don't go," he said, and Robin turned to him in surprise. Then suddenly his arms were around her and she couldn't have gone if she wanted to.

"Ouch," she said breathlessly. "Rad—"

He looked down at her but didn't budge. "Yes?"

"Rad—ow—you've got to let go," Robin squeaked, her respiratory functions somewhat hampered by his embrace.

"Oh," he said, immediately loosening his grip.

Robin coughed and heaved a grateful breath. "You've got to be more careful. You're very strong."

"Am I?" he said eagerly. "That's good, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, it's definitely nice," Robin said, trying to subtly push him away. It was like trying to push away a geological feature. "Except when you try to squish me."

"I mean, if I'm strong, I would be good for you," he said, and Robin saw the hopeful gleam in his eyes and really understood.

"Oh, Rad, no," she said. "It's not—you can't— Oh, no."

"I could protect you," he insisted, not releasing her. "I could help you."

"You already help me," Robin said. "You help all of us."

"But I want to keep you safe," he said, looking very determined.

She sighed. "Rad, I'm glad you want to look out for me. But I can look out for myself."

Stubbornly, he said, "Not all the time. No one can look out for themselves all the time."

I don't need security. Not from him.

"I'm sorry," she said uncomfortably, still trapped. "I just don't think this would work. For either of us."

He was silent a moment, his expression pensive. Then a thought struck him--visibly, as thoughts always did for Rad. "Is there someone else?" he asked mournfully.

Caught off guard, Robin said, "Yes. I mean, no! No. Not really."

Rad looked perplexed. "Then why can't you love me?"

She wanted to groan, or punch him. Both if that was an option. "This has to be a joke," she muttered under her breath. Looking him firmly in the eye (an effort in itself, with his height), she told him, "I just can't, Rad. You have to understand. You don't really want this."

"Yes, I do. I love you with every hair of my being," Rad said earnestly.

Robin, gathering herself for a final protest, was momentarily thrown. "Don't you mean 'fiber'?"

"Oh. Do I? I thought it was hair."

"The line goes 'I love you with every fiber of my being', Rad."

"Oh," Rad repeated, brow puckering slightly. Despite her exasperation, Robin cracked a smile.

"I like you," she said as kindly as she could, "but I can't love you. It's just not how it is. You don't need to waste your time. And anyways I'll be gone before long." Before she could think too much about it, she stretched on tiptoe in his arms and kissed him on the cheek. Then she broke from his embrace and tried to ignore the feeling of his eyes on her as she walked away.