Prompt 16: Sight

"Hey…hey Robin!"

"What is it, Beast Boy?"

"I'm bored."

"Shh. We shouldn't talk. It could give away our position."

"Oh. Sorry, dude."

Silence.

"…Hey, Robin?"

Thirty seconds into the stakeout, and Robin was already regretting his decision to position himself with Beast Boy.

There hadn't been much of a choice, really. Preparation for Dr. Light took very specific tactical arrangement. Cyborg had to be on the roof of the Power Plant, otherwise he wouldn't be able to properly scan the surrounding area for electrical surges, potentially indicating the presence of the villain obsessed with luminosity. Starfire and Raven were airborne, hidden in the various shadows of the angular building's contours; they alone were suited for sustained flight without tiring out, and there was a lot of ground to cover.

That left Beast Boy and Robin to crouch behind the large stone slab indicating that the relatively new power plant was constructed in memory of Jump City's late Mayor Dean Vaughn, guarding the main gates.

Thirty seconds into the stakeout, and Robin already wanted to gut something.

"What, Beast Boy?" He shot a glare at the changeling, hoping his teammate would get the hint.

"Why do you always wear that mask?"

"I already told you we shouldn't be talking."

"But-"

Robin put a finger up to his lips to shush his stakeout partner.

Silence.

For moments. Sweet moments.

"Robin, why won't you take your mask off in front of us?" The Boy Wonder sighed at Beast Boy's question, deciding that maybe answering was the solution to ending the conversation.

"It protects my identity."

"Oh," Beast Boy thought about this for a moment. "But how do you even see through that thing? Especially late at night like this. It's gotta be kinda hazy."

Robin sighed as softly as he could, "It's a special design."

"Y'know, I always sorta thought your mask made your face look like a soulless vortex. I mean, people always say eyes are the windows into your soul, right?"

"Beast Boy," Robin hissed at his teammate, "stop talking. We're supposed to be on a stakeout."

"What? It's not like Dr. Light's here yet, and it's not like Raven can't pull an evil tentacle move thingy and shut him down fast, so…"

"He stole a powerful suit from S.T.A.R. Labs, which means that Raven might not be able to stop him so easily this time," Robin whispered, crossing his arms defiantly. "This conversation is over."

Silence.

"…If I poked you in the eye, would it hurt?"

Robin ignored the changeling, which only fueled the desire to find out. As stealthily as he could manage, Beast Boy leaned towards the Titan leader and slowly extended a finger towards the masked eyes.

Robin swatted the appendage away just shy of a centimeter from his face.

"Ow."

"Stop distracting from the mission."

"I'm just trying to pass the time, okay? I'm bored," Beast Boy finished his statement with an annoyed grunt.

"…What's with all the questions about my mask, anyways?"

"Now who's talking?"

"Just answer the question."

"I guess…I just wish you trusted us more, that's all."

Robin raised an eyebrow at his friend. "What do you mean?"

"Usually heroes have a secret identity to protect their friends and family from becoming targets. But," Beast Boy shook his head, "I don't know, I always thought that maybe the Titans should know the identity of their leader and friend, y'know? You can see everyone all the time, but no one can really see you."

"There's more to sight than seeing," Robin commented. The changeling beside him looked annoyed.

"Aw, c'mon Rob, don't give me that True Master crap. You're one of my best friends, and I don't even know what color your eyes are."

Robin had nothing to say in response. And for the first time since the stakeout began, the pair sat through ten consecutive minutes of silence. The only sound that could be heard was a faint whoosh when Starfire and Raven altered positions in the sky.

Suddenly, a voice buzzed softly in Robin's ear; someone was talking into the com units. It was Cyborg.

"Target acquired. Titans, Light's headed this way. He'll be here in ten…nine…eight…"

"Hey Robin?"

"What is it, Beast Boy?"

"…four…three…"

The changeling grinned, "I betcha have a crazy mask tan."

"ONE."

A brilliant flash flooded the power plant's grounds, and the Titans leapt into action.

Words are very unnecessary; they can only do harm.
-Enjoy the Silence/Depeche Mode-