Gotham's New Bird | T. Drake

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

After Robyn ate, she decided to explore the Batcave some more. She saw the giant penny and t-rex. And behind them was a waterfall. It was lit up by what looked like blue LED lights. She walked over to it and leaned on the railing that was provided.

She took in the loud crashing of the waterfall and breathed in the musty, earthy smell. Mist made the ground below her slightly slick.

Robyn closed her eyes and let her mind wander in the tranquil place. The feeling of home overcame her. Like Gotham under a blanket of snow at night or a nice thunderstorm on a hot day. Her mind brought her back to the circus.

Crowds of people in stands under the massive tent cheered. Haly was in the spotlight, introducing Robyn and her other teammates.

"Now, performing this ever-so-dangerous act...without a net...Caroline, Johnny, Denver, and our youngest member of the Furious Four, Robyn!" The crowd went wild when the four stepped out into the ring. They jumped and flipped around on the floor, nailing their routine like usual, before climbing the ladders up to the swings. The spotlight shone in her eyes, simultaneously blinding her and warming her already damp-with-sweat body. She focused on the routine. They've done it countless times without a net, but Robyn seemed to always get nervous during a performance.

Caroline and Johnny left their platforms, swinging and flipping and landing on opposite sides gracefully. Enter cheering crowd.

Then Denver went. Flip, grab, land. Cheering crowd.

And now Robyn. She grabbed the swing. The tent was silent aside from the music in the background. She took a breath and steeled herself and took off. Her body twisted and dove and flipped nearly autonomously, due to endless practices. And she was on solid ground again. She took half a second to find her balance before she flaunted her land. The crowd went wild. Booming applause and cheers.

But something in the back of her mind told her she wasn't happy. She wasn't filled with the usual adrenaline and joy of finishing a routine perfectly. She no longer got the satisfaction of a cheering crowd, a standing ovation for being the finishing act. She hadn't had that giddy feeling for the past few performances. Instead, she just felt empty.

Maybe it had something to do with him. The monster ruining her innocence. Destroying her confidence and self-esteem.

A hand on Robyn's shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. She whipped around.

"You okay?" Tim asked, "You're crying." Concern laced his tone.

"What? I am?" She swiped at her cheeks and, sure enough, they were wet with tears, "Didn't notice."

"So, why?" Tim pushed.

"What do you mean?" Robyn countered.

"What were you thinking about that made you cry?" Tim leaned on the railing, looking at her through his mask.

"Just remembering life in the circus," Robyn said and looked down into the deep crevice of the cave, where the water disappeared into the inky blackness.

"Wanna talk about it?" He asked.

"I think I'll be fine. They're not bad memories. Or sad. Just...," Robyn trailed off, looking for what she really wanted to say, but not knowing how to say it.

"Good ones. Memorable ones you want to keep forever and not let go of. Those are the saddest," Tim said, and Robyn nodded.

"You can't go back to them, no matter how hard you try. Like your life changed and you grew up and...now.... I just want to be a little girl again," Robyn said.

"I remember going to the circus when I was little. I saw Dick Grayson and his family before the tragedy. I have the picture. That night when we were driving home, I fell asleep in the car and felt my dad pick me up and take me to my room to tuck me in." Tim paused, "I miss those days."

"At least you had a childhood. The only life I knew was foster care until Haly took me in to the circus." She remarked. The conversation ended and they sat in silence for a while.

"Growing up and being grown up fucking sucks," Robyn said with a sigh. They looked at each other for a moment until something sparked and they were laughing hysterically.

Finally, when they calmed down, Tim said, "Just some fucked up adults doing fucked up adult things because we do whatever the fuck we want."

"Look at us, running around in a cape and mask, punching the bad guys." Robyn giggled.

"Wait, "us"? Last time I checked, you were pickpocketing," Tim said lightheartedly.

"I'm not a terrible person," she replied. Silence consumed them. It wasn't awkward, but companionable. Robyn opened her mouth to say something, but decided it was a horrible idea and decided to shut it again. Then her mind changed again and she let her thoughts leave her mouth.

"I've been thinking lately...," Robyn started.

"That's dangerous." Tim snickered as he received a light punch to his bicep.

"I don't know how I feel about the whole 'Robyn Hood' deal-io anymore...." Robyn said, turning to face Tim.

"Well, what do you feel when you're out?" Tim met her eyes. He didn't fail to notice the flecks of green in her brown irises.

"Bored, mostly. I can't seem to find many people to burgle from. There's only so many people in Gotham with big bucks."

"How do you feel afterwards? When you thieve?" Tim asked. Her eyes didn't meet his. Her eyebrows were furrowed.

"Guilty. Bad. Like I'm just another bad guy." She said, and her eyes focused on his lips. Full and pink, and they looked as if they would be as soft as his hair.

"You can still change your mind. Switch to hero or just quit." Tim suggested. Damn, he was perfect. His black hair was simultaneously messy and neat, the ends of each lock curling a little. She wanted to run her fingers through it. And kiss him and hug him. And she wondered what he would be like during- Stop thinking about that, Robyn. She told herself.

"I'm just afraid I'll miss it," she said, "The running and jumping and chasing. Gotham at night. The night air. Seeing you. Seeing your whole -- what is it you call yourselves? -- Batfamily."

"Maybe you could help us out on this one mission. Think it over about working with us. Maybe you could become part of our family." Robyn's heart melted. Maybe she could have a family once again. She could get the acceptance she so craved. She beamed happily and -- to hell with it -- kissed Tim.

He was surprised for a moment before he reacted, melting into her soft lips, bringing his hands around her waist and pulling her closer. He slid a hand up into her hair and massaged her scalp lightly. Robyn moaned and pulled lightly at his gloriously soft hair.

When they pulled away for air, they smiled at each other, panting. Then they were kissing again, open mouthed and borderline having sex, only the mouth version.

They pulled away again and Tim rested his forehead on Robyn's.

"Finally," Tim said, "one of us had to make the first move."

Ξ

Cries

Im ded on the insid halp

Well, to make up for that double update, I've waited like! A whole! Month! To! Update!

Shit happens in August and you get busy (lookin at u, band camp and family vacations)

Anywhay, school starts soon... Junior year. Pls kill me.

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(・ω・)ノ Your Unikorn Kat