Why We're Here

For A Moment, The World Stopped

Lions roared, bird chirped, zebras brayed, and monkeys howled. The zoo was filled with all sorts of noises, including the chattering of its visitors. The sun shone down, and there was nothing but tiny white clouds dotting the sky. It was the perfect day for the perfect date.
Barbara had finally gotten tired of my constant talking about Clara and sent a text to her from my phone. As a result, I had a date to the zoo. For once, I was actually grateful for Barbara.
"I always wanted a pet bear," Clara commented as we gazed down at the grizzly bear and her cubs, "But, for obvious reasons, I couldn't get one."
I grinned, "I always wanted a tiger."
"Kids and their deadly animals."
Both of us laughed. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was beautiful. The sun reflected off her obsidian hair as if it were a prism. Her eyes laughed as well as her lips. It was no wonder I had a bit of a crush on her.
The two of us made our way through the zoo. We passed cages of various birds, most exotic. Some I had never even seen. I sipped on my cola as Clara picked at her popcorn.
"Lucy, can I ask you a question?" Clara asked.
I nodded, "Anything."
"Were you Robin?"
I nearly spat out my drink. A round of coughs racked my body. Clara had to hit my back in order for me to recover.
"What gave you that idea?" I asked as soon as the coughing had subsided.
"The way you acted during Riddler's attack was like you've done it before," Clara replied, "Robin does that kind of thing all the time."
I shook my head, "Robin is, and always has, been a boy. I'm a girl."
"You could pretend."
"I'm not Robin," I assured her, "I'm just the kid of a very paranoid cop."
Clara frowned, "Right, sorry, I just thought-"
"It's alright. Everyone's wanted to know who Batman and Robin are at some point or another."
Clara nodded. The two of us continued through the bird exhibits, stopping to look at a toucan.
"I met them once," Clara stated.
I lifted an eyebrow, "Oh?"
"Yeah, three of them," Clara replied, "When I was fifteen, my parents and I were taken by Joker. He was going to kill us all, but Batman, Robin, and Blitz arrived in time to save me, but not my parents."
"Blitz was there too?" I asked.
Clara nodded, "She untied me and was about to get me out, but Joker attacked her from behind and threw her in the river. Robin carried me out of there."
I stared at her for a moment. In my career, there had been so many times we had fought Joker, it was hard to keep them all straight. Her confession made me wonder if it was fate that brought us together. Normally, I tended not to believe in fate.
"What about you?" Clara asked, "Have you ever met any of The Caped Crusaders?"
"Batman and Robin saved me after my parents were killed. That's about it."
Clara smiled. We didn't talk more on the subject, but I could feel that it wouldn't go away. The two of us walked through the zoo. Eventually, I felt her hand slip into mine. Electric shocks went up and down my nerves, as if I was wearing my gloves.
"I'm glad you asked me here," Clara said as we stopped in front of the seal exhibit, "I'm having a great time."
I smiled, "Twenty years, and you've never been to the zoo."
"My parents thought it was cruel."
"Still!"
Clara giggled. She rested her head on my shoulder, making even larger sparks travel the length of my skeleton. I had never felt that way before, but I liked it.
"Let's go on the merry go round!" Clara grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me to the ride.
I laughed, letting her drag me. The attendant let us on as soon as I slipped him a five dollar bill. Clara dragged me to the unicorn, which oddly didn't surprise me. She seemed like the sort who would chose a unicorn over a dragon.
"Get on with me," she said as soon as I was heading towards the dragon next to her.
I lifted an eyebrow, "Is that allowed?"
"Do you care?"
"Ooh, Clara, I didn't know you had a bad side," I slid on behind her, "I like it."
Clara grinned. The ride began, spinning us in a slow circle. I had my hands on her waist, holding her down as she pretended to bounce. At several points, I was scared she would knock me off. Luckily, we were both able to stay on.
About halfway through the ride, she surprised me by flinging her legs around. She flung one over my head until she was riding the horse backwards. Her smile was bright, but also a bit mischievous. Before I knew what was happening, Clara took my cheeks in her hands and pressed her lips against mine.
My body felt like one, giant, conductor. Every inch of me was electrified several thousands times more than my shockers could ever do. My stomach soared out of my body.
The entire world seemed so much brighter. Everything was laughing, everyone was smiling, the world seemed like a Disney movie. It was a fairytale moment, where the true love's first kiss is shared. I was happier than I had ever been.
"I suppose that means you're up for a second date?" Clara asked when we pulled apart.
I smiled wistfully, "Hell yeah."
Clara grinned. I pulled her into an embrace, wrapping my arms around her shoulders while she buried her cheek in my chest. For a moment, the world seemed better than it ever did before. For once in my tragedy of a life, I was really and truly happy.
Maybe this is what it's like to be normal.