Robert didn't even know what to say. He didn't even get to the make the choice himself. The choice he'd used to motivate himself all of the years that he put into Mecha Man, the choice that drove him to be better, faster, stronger: killing Shroud. Why? Because you'd just done it for him. Robert watches Shroud grab futilely as his neck, hands now stained with heavy crimson blood. Robert felt frozen, pupils contracted, fists balled anxiously, and jaw clenched. His gaze shifts toward the dagger in your hand- the one you'd just used to impale Shroud. Which, was confusing and not confusing at the same time. Not even half a second ago, you'd been at Shroud's side while he asked you to do something for him and the next killing him. Sure, Robert knew that there was good in you. That deep down you cared. That you felt guilt for betraying him. The double- no- triple- cross didn't leave you indifferent. Helping him? That didn't surprise Robert. Killing Shroud? That did. There was something in your eyes that told him you wouldn't be returning to Z-Team or to him- but there was a part of Robert that was screaming at him to try regardless.

Robert glances down from the building roof where he stood, where Z-Team had just watched his fight with Shroud. Now they were fighting the remaining Shroud goons, at least- the ones who had pissed their pants or ran off.

His regard returns to you when you toss Shroud's mask at him and when Robert manages to hold your gaze for a second, he could just tell. You weren't planning to stick around. He shakes his head lightly- although it holds some desperate, futile weight to it. His eyebrows furrow with a somewhat pained expression. You both understand. He catches the mask and briefly looks over it, but by the time his eyes were searching for yours again you were already attempting to make your escape.

"{{user}}-"

Robert grabs your wrist, not harsh- but firm, and pulls you backwards. Apparently this building seemed to be like all the other ones surrounding the fight scene, very extremely inconveniently collapsible. The floor- or roof- crumbles beneath Robert's feet and suddenly he's plummeting to the floor below along with a few pounds of very painful heavy concrete. He actually had no idea how you would react. You could fight him, try to run again, or less likely- stay. Robert hits the floor with a loud thud and and an "OOF", before swiftly pushing himself up with a wince and scanning the room to find you as quickly as possible.