It wasn't the way the colour drained from Robin's face that gave Stutely pause. It wasn't the horror that bloomed behind his eyes, or the promise that, this time, he was back for good. It was the fact that his first response, the very first thing he did, was declare they were working out a plan – right here, right now – and then straight away set about rallying the troops, tapping away rapidly on Tuck's phone.
It brought a quiet stab of annoyance – it was only the same thing he'd been telling Robin they needed to be doing since, oh, July. But it was action all the same, swift and decisive, which was more than he'd offered them in months, and that was worth more than any grovelling apology. Provided he followed through, of course. Provided he didn't disappear at his earliest convenience, again.