Tim Drake oneshots

(3.5) New Persona

Tim grinned to himself, still riding the high of his Iceberg Lounge encounters. It had been too easy. Now, he had to kick it up a notch—flirting with the Rogues when they were alone was one thing, but doing it in front of witnesses? That would be a real test of his ability to walk the line between charm and danger. The more people watching, the better.

His first thought? A public showdown with Catwoman. Selina Kyle was always straddling the line between ally and enemy, and there was something inherently fun about pushing her buttons. Plus, she always enjoyed the attention.

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It wasn’t long before he tracked her down. Catwoman was mid-heist at a gala hosted by Gotham’s elite, slinking her way through a crowded ballroom in her sleek, black suit, her whip hanging loosely by her side. Tim had heard about the gala through Bruce, and as soon as he heard whispers of Selina’s appearance, he couldn’t resist.

Tim dropped down into the ballroom through a skylight—classic entrance—and landed silently in the corner of the room. The crowd was too distracted by the dancing and laughter to notice him yet. He spotted Selina making her way toward a display case at the far end, containing a priceless diamond necklace.

She was about to make her move when Tim stepped into her path.

“Selina,” he said smoothly, blocking her with a confident smirk. “I didn’t think you’d be at such a… classy event tonight. Though I must say, you fit right in. You’re absolutely radiant.”

Catwoman’s green eyes flicked toward him, narrowing slightly. “What are you doing here, kid? Thought you’d be off somewhere else, like chasing after Joker or something.”

Tim shrugged, ignoring the curious looks they were getting from nearby guests. “Why would I waste my time with a clown when I could be here, admiring someone with actual style?”

Selina’s lips twitched into a sly smile, but she didn’t back down. “Flattery gets you nowhere, Robin. But I’ll give you points for trying.”

“Oh, I’m not trying to get anywhere,” Tim replied, his voice low and teasing. “Just thought I’d stop you from committing another little crime. Or maybe…” he leaned in closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear, “you could steal my heart instead?”

Her eyes widened, clearly taken aback by his boldness. A few people nearby had begun watching their exchange with growing interest, murmuring to each other. Tim could feel the tension rising in the room, but he was committed now. He wasn’t going to back down.

Catwoman let out a low, sultry laugh. “Oh, you’re brave, aren’t you? Trying to sweet-talk me in front of all these people. You know what happens to boys who play with cats, right?”

Tim grinned. “I don’t mind getting scratched.”

Selina’s eyes glittered dangerously as she stepped closer, so close that Tim could smell the faint scent of her perfume. She reached out with one gloved hand, tracing a finger along his jawline. “Careful what you wish for, Timmy. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

Tim maintained his smirk, but his heart was pounding. He knew she could easily flip the script and make him regret his decision. Still, the eyes of the crowd were on them now, and that was half the fun. He didn’t flinch. “I like games,” he whispered back. “Especially when you’re the one playing.”

Before Selina could respond, the ballroom’s doors swung open, and the air in the room changed. The crowd parted as Bane stepped into the room, towering over everyone with his hulking physique. He was flanked by several of his henchmen, and they weren’t here to party. The chatter died down immediately as everyone turned to look at the intruder.