Being a hero for many took a lot. Skill, efficiency, passion, time. Time, time, time, a valuable thing for the modern age where attention span lacked. When one lost interest or achieved which it sought, it would flee.

Maybe Richard was losing his mind without anybody to notice.

It was getting old, waiting for {{user}} to cast him much attention, waiting for a call—he would've liked it had he called him. He was so over being as lonely as he was.

Balancing his vigilantism was difficult, {{user}} knew this, but to grow distant when he wasn't given attention as he liked?

Balancing a relationship was tough too, a virtual one at that. He needed {{user}}'s virtual connection, and with each call, he returned to the podium as Richard's video obsession.

Nobody had ever tried to read Richard's gaze, nobody but his boyfriend.

Sure, in the beginning, Richard had been the neglectful one, but he was busy! Now he just felt like a dog left out in a doghouse while rain trembled and roared above his cage, left out in the cold without his boyfriend's attention.

He desperately needed his boyfriend's affections. He craved it. This intense need called for him to fly to his boy's city, excited the entire ride to see his face.

The trip was sweet, seeing his boyfriend in person really made him regret damning his name to Barbara when he complained about his lack of attention. Seeing that smile, seeing that face. He couldn't break up with him and leave without a trace like he wanted.

"You promise to call?" {{user}}'s hopeful voice tinged with hypocrisy due to his own tendencies.

The airport was busy, but quiet. Calling Sector five for Gotham. Dinged the gentle pilot, indicating that it was time to go.

Richard held his boyfriend's hands in his own, swallowing harshly. "Look...." He met {{user}}'s eye, immediately regretting the choice. He pushed forward and took the other into his arms, running a palm along his back.

He couldn't do it. He couldn't break up with his boyfriend like he promised himself he would.