It was an uncarachteristically quiet night in Gotham City. The Dynamic Duo hadn't even gotten much of a chance to run into any real trouble. Not that the Dark Knight would mind, this way they could get some well needed sleep. The two heroes sat on top of a high building in the center of Gotham City, as they would do on occasions such as this one. Batman studied his young partner, who was next to him, arms around his knees, and staring straight ahead. One look at the thirteen year old's face told him the boy had something on his mind.

"Robin."

He looked up, confused, clearly having been deep in thought.

"Is there anything you would like to talk about?"

The man's usually dark and gruff voice was gentle, indicating that his protégé had nothing to fear. Robin bit his lip as he shook his head, looking into the distance again. His mentor frowned, worry starting to build within him. He had met this boy out on the dangerous streets of Gotham City, when he had been nine. And ever since then, he had started to become more and more important to him. Batman knew he depended on the child. More than he would like to admit. So of course he could not drop this, not if he intended to get any sleep at all tonight. He carefully placed one hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me." When he didn't respond, he added, "I promise I won't be mad."

Robin seemed to ponder this, eyeing the Dark Knight warily. Then he sighed, and began talking. "Well, I've been thinking. When we ran into these drug dealers today, and I snuck up to them from behind, one of them noticed me before he should have. It wasn't that big of a problem, but it wasn't the first time I noticed, and I thought... well, maybe my uniform just isn't good enough for this job."

The way he said the last sentence, Batman could tell he did not want a new uniform. He suspected it was more likely Robin's wish to please his mentor that made him consider this problem in the first place. Of course, Robin was right. The bright colouring of his uniform did nothing to hide him in the dark, but the boy had proved years ago, that he did not need any special stealth equipment to successfully disappear into the shadows. Robin used to disappear on Batman all the time when they first met, and even now, he still did when needed. So, clearly, he did not have anything to worry about, and Robin knew this. Which gave Batman even more reason to be worried.

"Why do you suddenly worry about this? You know as much as I do that you work perfectly well in your current uniform."

Again, Robin did not respond. Batman lightly squeezed his shoulder, encouraging him to talk some more, and eventually, he gave in.

"Yeah, I know. I just, well, I feel like I could do so much better! Sometimes, when we fight, it seems like I do more bad than good. I always mess up and make stupid mistakes!"

By the end of his explanation he had buried his face in his hands, too ashamed to even look at the black clad man beside him.Batman did the only thing he could think of at the moment: He wrapped his strong arms around his young partner, pulling him closer, and speaking quietly into his ear.

"Hey now, mistakes aren't always bad. And the mistakes you make certainly aren't stupid, alright?"

Robin gratefully leaned into his mentor's touch, returning the hug.

"I know how you always tell me to learn from my mistakes, but when has any mistake ever done anything good? Directly, I mean?"

His voice was almost desperate, barely above a whisper.

"You see, sometimes the biggest mistake leads to the best outcome."

Batman smiled to himself, waiting for his protégé to catch on. When he did so, he looked up at his mentor, confusion obvious on his young face.

"But what good came from that?" he wanted to know, remembering the Dark Knight's biggest mistake.

It was Batman's turn to stare off into the distance now.

"You and me," was all he said, as he replayed the events of that one particular night, in which he made a promise he would never regret.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

"Batman?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"I don't know, can you?"

The small child laughed.

"That's not how I meant it!"

Batman resisted the urge to laugh as well.

"I know that. Now ask."

"Well, I've always kinda been wondering... Have you ever made a mistake? You know, since you always correct my mistakes when we train. It's a stupid question, I know, sorry." he quickly added, looking away.

"There is no such thing as a stupid question. And, of course I make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Batman is no exception."

The nine year old perked up at that, but eventually narrowed his eyes.

"They must be small mistakes, if you made them, for sure."

"I'm afraid some of the mistakes I made were bigger than you seem to realize."

The young boy did not expect such an answer, and being the curious child he was, wanted to know more.

"Really? What was your biggest mistake, Batman?" he asked, not even considering it to have to do with himself.

Batman's expressions became distant as he began to speak.

"I watched someone being terribly hurt by a bad guy, and failed to do anything about it. When I wanted to help them afterwards, I came too late."

The boy was shocked. He had never heard the mighty Batman talk like that. He now felt silly for asking those questions. He had heard the sorrow in the Dark Knight's voice and he wanted to help him, to make him feel better.

"Hey, Batman?"

Batman sighed. "Yes?"

"What happened to the bad guy?"

"I haven't been able to catch him yet, but I'm still on the case. I'll have him soon. He won't escape again." he answered, voice low and fists clenched.

"I want to help you."

Batman wasn't startled, not by the suddenness of the child's statement, but of its content. He stared at the boy, not saying anything.

"I want to help you.", he repeated.

"You can't."

The hard reply slightly angered the boy. He was going to help Batman, whether he liked it or not.

"I can and I will. Everyone needs help once in a while, even Batman!"

The so called Caped Crusader was taken aback by his trainees words. He himself had told him so when he first met him, and offered to train him a bit, so he would be able to defend himself better. Maybe if he trained him even more... But how could he do that? How could he endager the life of a young child? Not to think about what Alfred would do if he found out.

Ah, who was he kidding. When he found out. He knew, he just knew, he had to let the kid help him. He knew he had to train him, help him on his way to become a hero. Because he was a hero. And he didn't want to think about what would happen if the boy tried to play hero on his own. It was for his own good, yes. Whether that meant Batman or the boy, he wasn't sure himself.

"What do your parents say?"

"They don't object to it, I swear! You won't get into trouble with them, Batman. And I know I want to do this. I have to!"

Batman continued to ponder all the pro and cons, but no matter how many points he found against it, he knew it wouldn't be enough. This child had already decided to become a hero, all he needed was someone to be there for him to make it easier. And this someone, obviously, would have to be Batman.

"You are right." he finally declared.

"I am? Right, of course I am!"

Batman had to suppress another laugh, which almost felt strange to him. Only this small boy had the ability to truly make him laugh anymore. He walked forward until he was right in front of him, and crouched down low.

"You have great potential, and a good heart. And, to be honest... Batman could use some light in his dark, bad guy- filled life." The boy chuckled at that. "Would you want to be that light?"

His eyes practically shone with happiness as he eagerly nodded in approval, showing off his best cheshire grin, which only grew in size when Batman gave a small smile, too.

"You do know that I will need to have something to call you. And since you still refuse to tell me your name, how about you tell me what you want your hero name to be?"

If possible, the boy's eyes lit up even more at that, and he seemed to only think about it for a second.

"Call me Robin."

"That's a wonderful name."

"Thank you!"

Batman's face then became serious once more.

"But if we really are going to do this, you will need to promise me something, alright?"

Robin nodded, not really caring what it was.

"Promise me to always be careful. I need you to be."

"I promise."

Relief made the serious look disappear and Batman smiled at the masked boy he would be calling his protégé from now on.

"But Batman?"

The Dark Knight frowned at Robin, noticing the tiny hint of fear in the nine year old's voice.

"Can you please promise something, too?"

"Anything."

"You will always save me, when I'm not strong enough, right? And I will save you, when you're not strong enough. Will you promise me that it will always be like that?"

"I promise, little Robin. I promise."

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

I do not own Young Justice or any of the DC Universe characters.