Chapter Title: New Home
Gotham City
May 4, 22:03 EDT
While Batman waited for the police to arrive on the scene so Professor Pyg could be taken away to Arkham, Robin took Max to the place he stayed so he could pick up his belongings. Considering Max was a street rat who had to always be ready to leave at a moment's notice, all his belongings were able to fit in just a backpack.
After a consoling pat on the back from Robin, the two hopped on Robin's custom motorcycle and made their way into the sewers where they then headed north, leaving the dingier parts of Gotham but not quite entering the wealthy section.
Instead of resurfacing, however, Robin drove into a dead end that opened up to reveal a secret tunnel that ended up in an underground garage.
"Whoa." said Max as he took off his helmet and got off the bike.
"Yeah, pretty sweet. She's all custom. Rides like a dream." said Robin as he lovingly caressed his bike, "And she's got some other cool surprises."
"Oh, I meant the secret tunnel, but yeah the bike's cool too." said Max making Robin unintentionally laugh even though he wasn't joking.
Max wasn't a material possessions guy since he didn't have much growing up and that included vehicles. He thought they looked nice and were practical but other than that he had no real interest in vehicles.
"So what is this place?" asked Max as he looked around and noticed that the place looked like an underground garage but there were no cars parked anywhere.
"It's an apartment complex. Batman owns it." said Robin, nonchalantly.
"Owns it? The entire thing?" asked Max, baffled.
"Yeah. It's not a big deal you know. He has a custom plane called the Batplane, an apartment complex isn't all that crazy compared to that."
"Is he rich?" asked Max to which Robin only smirked at him before starting to walk towards elevator doors with Max following him.
As they approached the elevator doors, a light scanned Robin before the doors opened.
"State of the art security system, not even a fly will get in unless it's authorized to. I'll put in your information later so you won't run into any problems." said Robin as the two entered the elevators before Robin pressed the highest floor.
"Do other people live here?" asked Max while they rode up.
"No. From the outside, the place looks like crap and is always under construction. Meant to deter anyone coming in. Doesn't always work but that's what the security system is for." explained Robin.
"So I'll have the whole place to myself?" he asked.
"For the most part. Batman and I use this place as a sort of safe house now and then. Though we will be coming around more now that you'll be staying here." he said.
DING
As the elevator reached the top floor and the doors opened, Max laid eyes on what could only be described as a luxury apartment amongst luxury apartments.
A spacious foyer adorned with polished hardwood flooring, complemented by a modern, artistic light fixture suspended from the ceiling. The walls were white like snow and hung on the walls were artworks only a rich person would have, amplifying the sense of grandeur.
The living area had plush, oversized sofas with a central, intricately designed coffee table to serve as a focal point. Large floor-to-ceiling windows draped in thick black curtains offered a panoramic view of the city. The kitchen looked equipped with every state-of-the-art appliance imaginable while the cabinets and marble countertops shone with a sparkle.
"Holy shit." said Max, his jaw practically dropping to the floor from how luxurious the place looked.
"Hahaha!" laughed Robin seeing the look on Max's face.
"This is what you call a safe house? This is nicer than anything I've ever seen." he said as he stepped off the elevator.
"Don't worry. This is the best one we have. Our sense of normalcy isn't all that screwed up." he said patting Max on the back, "Come on, I'll show you around."
Through the foyer and into the living room with the expensive-looking and cushiony couches, the giant flat-screen TV, and every game system out on the market to the kitchen stocked to the brim with food and drinks. Then they made their way to the bedrooms with giant mattresses and the closest bursting with clothes before finally ending their tour back in the kitchen where they began to eat some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches courtesy of Robin.
"Can't remember the last time I had a PB&J. Thanks." said Max as he devoured the sandwich before devouring another until he ate 5 and drank a half carton of milk.
"So, what's life been like since ... you know." said Robin with a noticeable, but more importantly genuine, empathetic look on his face which did not go unnoticed by Max.
Having lived on the streets for years, Max had gotten quite adept at reading people's faces and being able to discern whether or not they were being genuine with him. And he instantly was able to tell that Robin was being nothing but genuine, something he appreciated and he would reciprocate.
"Honestly, they died when I was young, too young to really remember my parents. The only thing I can remember about them is the vague flashes of their silhouetted faces and their smiles. But that didn't make it any easier. Made it harder. Not knowing what they were like. Not even knowing what it feels like to be a son." he said as he stared out the window at the city.
"What about the orphanage? What was life like there?"
"Bad. The directors weren't good people. They barely fed us and kept us clothed. They forced us to do all the work around the place and they would hit us to reinforce discipline. They never let any of us get adopted since they were using us for the government assistance money." he said.
BANG
"What's the name of this place?! Batman and I will go investigate and get the place shut down!" said Robin after slamming his fist on the countertop and getting up from his chair.
"No point." said Max.
"But-"
"No, I mean, you guys already had it shut down."
"Huh?" said Robin, his hot-headedness leaving him like a balloon deflating.
"About a month before I left the orphanage the directors started to get even angrier at the kids. The abuse became a lot worse and they would go off on the kids for any little thing. We never knew what it was but we assumed it was financial problems or something like that. Then about a week after that, one of the kids was suddenly gone."
"Oh, I remember now." said Robin with a solemn face.
"Yeah, they started to traffic the kids as a way to make up for their gambling debts. Then one night when I was up in the middle night because of the pain from a beating I had received earlier in the day, I saw one of the kids being taken away by a couple of men. The next morning they said she got adopted, but we all knew that was a lie. That night, I packed my stuff, ran away, and then I called the cops." said Max, clenching his fists at remembering the experience.
"That was the first time Batman took me out on a mission." said Robin.
"Looks like we just narrowly missed each other." said Max with a small, sad grin, "Anyway, after that, I lived on the streets. The first few months were rough, having to learn how to survive, but after that it was okay. Picked up a few useful skills. And that's been my life up till now."
"Sounds like you've had a rough life." he said.
"Better than some, worse than most. When did you lose your parents?" asked Max.
"What do you mean?" asked Robin, his face showing surprise for a split second before going back to normal.
"Oh sorry. I just assumed. I could tell by the look on your face that you really felt for me when I said my parents died and that kind of empathy only shows up in people who have had the same thing happen. But if you don't want to talk about it, no pressure." said Max, not wanting to pry.
"Wow, some skills you picked up, huh?" said Robin.
"You learn to read people." agreed Max.
"I ... lost my parents when I was 9. They were killed by a mobster. Batman took me in and helped me bring their killer to justice."
"They must have been good parents."
"They were. The best." said Robin as silence fell over the room.
Two orphans, one a hero and the other a street rat.
Two different paths in life, two different upbringings.
Yet, somehow, their paths had begun to go in the same direction.
"Robin." said a gruff voice out of nowhere, startling Max and making him turn to see that Batman had appeared as if out of nowhere.
"Yeah he does that a lot." said Robin with a smile before making his way over to Batman.
The pair went out of earshot but seeing the two of them talking and interacting, Max thought they looked like a father and son. He also wondered if perhaps it was not the act of Robin bringing his parent's killer to justice that allowed him to move on but rather Batman himself.
After a short conversation, the pair walked back over to where Max was.
"Max, was it?" asked Batman.
"Yes."
"You'll be staying here. Make yourself at home. We'll be back tomorrow. And try not to mess with the ring. We don't know what it's capable of." said Batman.
"Okay."
"Robin told me about your past. I'm sorry we weren't able to help you sooner."
"Not your fault, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"Mm." he said before turning around and walking away, "Robin."
"See you tomorrow Max." said Robin before following Batman, leaving Max alone in the apartment.
As silence descended on the apartment, Max moved from the kitchen and stood in front of the panoramic windows to get a good look at the city.
To his left were the streets and city that he called home for the past few years, to his right was the rich and wealthy district that he only dreamt of living in, and to his front was a blend of both.
'Just earlier today I was living on the streets. Now I'm in a luxurious apartment that Batman owns. Not to mention a ring that I've had my whole life that turned out to be magical/futuristic. Looks like any future plans I had are probably out the window. What was that saying, 'Man plans and God laughs.'
I suppose it's not the end of the world. I'm sure I can still go to high school and get a high-paying job and help fund an orphanage or run an organization to help orphans. Besides, it seems like my childish dreams of becoming a hero might come true. The young me would probably pee himself from the notion of being a hero.
Guess I'll have to try and make him proud.' thought Max as a smile appeared on his face.