Robin (Tim Drake) one-shots/series

First date

I nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I checked the doneness of the boiling potatoes. They passed the fork test and so I poured them into the strainer, careful to stand clear of the steam. My nervousness wasn't about the potatoes, or even the making of the potato salad at all. No, instead it was due to my first date being mere hours away. And not just my first date with Tim. My first date ever.

I was so happy that he had accepted some late night pie with me, and I enjoyed the time we spent at that diner, but in the back of my head I didn't think Tim Drake would really be interested in a librarian chick. But when he texted me later that night, asking me out thus weekend, I squealed in delight. It wasn't that I was purposefully celibate, I had just been so shy that I never knew how to approach someone I was interested in. And, conversely, nobody had approached me, so a boyfriend had just never happened. But now, I had a chance to change that, and I was going to do my best to make up for lost time.

I mixed up the ingredients for the potato salad and then covered it, sticking it in the fridge to cool while I got ready. Tim had been hesitant to allow me to bring anything to our picnic, but I had insisted and he finally relented. What a sweet guy. I really hoped he was actually interested in me.

Up in my room, I kept my makeup light, just a bit of basic eyeliner and mascara before I swiped on some strawberry chapstick. I stood in front of my closet for what seemed like forever before I finally settled on a bright, floral sundress, figuring my red bracelet would go well with it and it was casual enough for a park date. I clasped the small pendent necklace I wore most of the time and then grabbed my sandals, way ahead of schedule.

I pulled my phone off the charger before I went back downstairs, this time to the living room. My two brothers were playing the new Mario Kart, and they were about neck and neck with each other. As another race wound down, my older brother, Gregg, looked up. "Hey, what are you all dressed up for?"

"My date, remember?"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You have a date?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I have a date."

"Haha, finally!" my little brother, Keith, laughed.

"Hey!" I exclaimed.

"What?" Keith asked. "You, like, never date."

"Well I do now," I replied, slightly miffed.

"Who is he, again?" Gregg asked.

"Tim Drake."

"Hmm, he sounds kinda familiar. If he gives you any trouble, just call or text me and I'll come pick you up, okay?"

"Okayyy, I promise," I said as I relented to my older brother's protectiveness.

It wasn't but maybe ten minutes later that the doorbell rang, and I answered it to find Tim standing on the doorstep. "H-hey!" I stuttered, my nerves getting the best of me as his smile threw me for a loop. "Just let me grab the potato salad and we'll go."

A few minutes later, I sat in Tim's car as we drove to Gotham's large city park. The park had tons of amenities, tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, running paths, even picnic and grilling areas. But Tim led me a bit off the beaten path to a quiet area under a large oak tree. He spread the plaid blanket that he'd brought with him as we sat and unboxed the food. He'd made a couple of sub sandwiches for us and brought a large bag of chips, to go along with the potato salad that I had promised. We heaped as much as we wanted onto paper plates and dug in, chuckling as we talked.

Since I'd never had a date before, I didn't really have anything to compare this to. But to me it seemed to be the perfect lunchtime date, the sun high in the sky and a light breeze blowing as we slowly ate while we talked. He asked questions about my family, and I answered every one. My older brother, Gregg, was in college and still at home, while my younger siblings, Keith and Ava, were still in high school, though Keith was about to graduate.

"So what about you? Do you have any siblings?" I asked.

"No, I'm an only child," he replied.

"Do you still live with your parents, or do you have your own place?"

"Um, well, my parents died a while back."

I was instantly horrified. "Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to ..."

"It's okay," he cut me off with a smile. "I do live with my adopted dad, though, Bruce Wayne."

My jaw literally dropped. "Bruce Wayne? Really? Wow, what's that like?"

He laughed at my shock. "Pretty interesting."

The rest of our conversation stayed pretty casual, and a couple of hours flew by easily. We had long finished the food and just sat on the blanket under the tree, laughing and talking and just enjoying the time. He paused in conversation and I looked up to see him looking right at me. My cheeks flushed and I looked down but not away, wondering what he was thinking. I got my answer soon as he leaned down and softly pressed his lips against mine.

My first kiss! My heart fluttered painfully in my chest at all the sensations that were flooding my body at just that simple act.

When he drew back, he asked, "Are you okay?"

I realized my face was burning and my breathing was rapid. I blushed even harder as I replied, "Yeah, it's just ... um ..."

"What? Did I go too far?"

"No! No, it's just that ... that was my first kiss," I almost whispered, unsure how he would take that.

He seemed a bit surprised. "Really?" I nodded and he grinned. "Well, I'm happy to be the first."

I smiled back as his head dipped down again. I had a feeling that this would be the beginning of many firsts for me.