"Just pick something, Dick."
He spins around and grins at her. "I haven't decided yet."
"You've been 'trying to decide' for practically five minutes now." Barbara couldn't be more grateful for the elderly woman behind the counter's patience - which might have something to do with the fact the store is empty except for her and Dick.
"You can't rush these things, Babs."
"Dick. Pick something already."
"Fine." Dick gives her an exaggerated huff before turning back forwards.
"I'll have an ice cream sundae."
"Regular or customized?" Asks the clerk in a voice surprisingly sweet, given how long they've been waiting for Dick to decide.
"Customized. I would like a double chocolate scoop with sprinkles, whip cream, strawberry syrup, and peanuts."
"How about cherries, hon?"
"No cherries, please."
"Alright, then." The woman finishes inputting Dick's order into her computer before looking at Barbara. "What about you, red?"
"Mint chocolate chip with a strawberry wafer," Barbara answers.
"Alright, hon, it'll be $17.50 for both of your orders." She tells Dick after she finishes entering their combined order into her cash register before pausing, "You are paying as a couple, right? I hope I haven't been too presumptuous."
Before Barbara can answer, Dick answers for them both. "No, you haven't. I'm paying for both of us."
It's as much a statement for Babs as it is for the old lady behind the counter since he knows Babs doesn't like charity - or the appearance of charity. Barbara isn't the type of person who enjoys having things just given to her. But since it was his idea to come here and get ice cream, he feels he should pay (Not to mention, his allowance is way bigger than hers).
Despite his worries, Babs doesn't object to his chivalric act, so Dick pulls out his wallet, then places a $20 bill on the counter.
The lady grabs the cash, gives him his change back before handing him a receipt.
"Take a seat, dearies. I'll bring you your orders when they're ready." She instructs them.
Dick leads Babs to a corner table that, not incidentally, has a full view of the sitting area and front door. He takes the seat facing away from the wall (giving him the view), while Babs takes the one across from him.
"So..."
"What?" Dick responds.
"Are you gonna tell me why we're here, or what?"
"Patience, Babs. Patience."
Babs folds her arms in annoyance.
She's upset.
Which she has every right to be: He knows he hasn't been a good friend lately.
He spent most of the summer at Mount Justice. It was a busy summer, spent fighting supervillains and saving lives. However, Babs doesn't know any of this because she doesn't know he's Robin.
Babs wasn't privy to the real reason for his absence. Instead, like everyone else, she was fed lies - usually from Dick, but sometimes from Bruce or Alfred - about why Dick was absent from Gotham over the summer.
He hates having to lie to one of his closest friends. Hopefully, he won't have to anymore after today.
Bruce won't be happy about Dick revealing his identity, that's for sure. In fact, Bruce will furious, and Dick's guaranteed a very long, uncomfortable conversation with Bruce, or more accurately, Batman.
Right now, though, Dick couldn't care less.
He values his relationship with Babs, and right now, knows their friendship is on thin ice. He'd rather Babs learn the truth than risk losing her forever.
Besides, he trusts Babs to keep his - and indeed their - secrets.
Honestly, it's amazing he kept his secrets this long, considering how smart and naturally curious Barbara is. There have been some close calls; Moments where Babs came close to the truth, however luckily for him, the truth proved just elusive enough each time.
He looks up from his fingers - which he's found interesting for the last couple of minutes - ready to begin the most difficult conversation he's had since that night at the circus, nearly five years ago.
"So, how's life been lately?" He starts with something easy.
Barbara gives him a look of incredulity. "Really, Grayson, small talk?"
"What's wrong with small talk?" Dick smiles. "It's a great way to start conversations. Besides, I actually do wanna know what you've been up to lately."
She mumbles, "You'd know if you weren't gone all the time." under her breath before telling him about the recent happenings in her life, as well as Gotham.
Most of the stuff she says about Gotham writ large isn't actually news to him. Reading Batman's nightly patrol reports plus some select newspapers (digital, of course) allowed him to stay informed about events in Gotham even while he was hundreds of miles away at Happy Harbor. Though some things can't be learned from patrol reports or newspapers.
Like Barbara getting a spot in Mr. Callahan's advanced math class.
"Mr. Callahan told me last week during orientation," Barbara says with a small smile.
"Awesome! We'll both have math class together."
"Yea, we will." Her slight smile grows. She meets his eyes briefly before looking away.
"Where were you last week, anyway? You missed orientation."
The arrival of their orders cuts off any response Dick might've given.
"Sorry for the delay, sugarplums," The woman says as she approaches their table carrying a tray with their desserts on it. "I'm just not what I used to be. An old lady can only move but so fast."
She seems genuinely a little upset, so he takes the time to reassure her, "You're fine, ma'am. We are just having a conversation about school."
"Oh! No need to be so formal, sweetheart. My name's Margaret, but I've always preferred to be called Maggie."
Maggie arrives at their table, setting the tray down.
"Maggie is a cool name. My name's Richard - but I prefer to be called Dick..." He points a thumb at Barbara, "And this is Barbara."
Barbara greets Maggie with a soft voice and a slight wave, "Hi."
"Hello, dear," She responds before removing two plastic bowls from the tray she was carrying. She hands the double chocolate scoop to Dick and the mint chocolate to Babs, giving them both plastic spoons.
Maggie grabs the tray, "Now you two enjoy your sweets while an old lady catches up on some paperwork."
Both of them attempt to protest.
"We're just frie-"
"I'm not his girlfriend!"
"Oh. Forgive me. I could've sworn from the way you two were bickerin' that there's something between you two."
They both blush.
"For what it's worth, I think you two would make a cute couple," She says as she heads into the back of the shop.
Barbara's blush deepens, and she turns her head to face the window.
Dick's blush also deepens, though he stutters out, "T-thanks, for the compliment!"
Neither of them says anything for a few minutes after Maggie leaves. The two simply silently eating their ice cream.
In the silence with only his thoughts, Dick can't help but think about what Maggie said: Him and Barbara making a "cute" couple.
Dick does like Barbara. He likes her more than a friend probably should.
But with his secretive and busy life as Robin, a romance with Barbara wouldn't be fair to her. She deserves better than a guy who would have to lie to her every time some supervillain goes on a rampage.
Regardless of his feelings, Babs doesn't seem to feel the same way.
And even if by some chance she does, surely some other guy will come along and be for her what he might never be: A stable and dependable boyfriend.
Her Romeo.
He hates the guy already.
Dick must've let his feelings show because the next thing he knows, one of Babs' hands is holding his, comfortingly.
"Are you feeling alright, Dick? You look a little sick. Should I call Alfred?"
"No. I'm fine, Babs." He gives her a (hopefully) reassuring smile. "Just got a bunch of stuff on my mind."
"Care to share?" She looks at him with a curious look on her face.
"That's why I brought you here."
"Really?" Her curiosity intensifying. He can practically see the curiosity brimming behind her beautiful green eyes.
He opens his mouth before closing it again, deciding he must carefully choose his words.
He takes a few moments. Barbara waits patiently until he's ready.
Finally: "Do you think it's ever okay for friends to keep secrets from one another?"
She considers his question for a moment, "Depends on what the secret is."
"It's... serious. Life or death, to be honest."
She scoffs, "You're a fifteen-year-old former circus acrobat who got adopted by a billionaire. What secrets could you possibly have that are so consequential?"
He smirks.
"You'd be surprised."
"Maybe." She sweeps a stray strand of hair from her face. "...I feel like we've grown apart lately. We used to hang out all the time; Now I rarely see you out of school."
Dick nervously rubs his neck with his hand. "Yea... I'm sorry about that. I've just been busy... and I just don't have as much time as I used to."
"And now you're gonna tell me why you've been so busy," Barbara says with a sense of finality.
Dick sighs.
How is he supposed to tell her he's Robin?
In his head, it seemed like it would be easier. However, the reality is turning out to be more difficult than he thought.
Maybe the best way to do it is to personalize it for Babs.
"Do you remember that time you Two-Face's thugs kidnapped you and held you for ransom?"
"Kinda hard not to, after spending six hours in some dingy apartment." She unconsciously rubs her right arm at being reminded of the uncomfortable experience. "Why do you ask?"
"Batman and Robin saved you?"
"Yeah. What's your point?"
Here it comes, the moment he's been waiting for with both apprehension and anticipation.
"I'm Ro-"
Dick stops mid-sentence because he notices something from out of his peripheral vision.
A car heading towards the shop.
Heading towards him and Babs.
And it ain't stopping!
Dick quickly acts, his training taking control. He grabs Barbara and pushes her out of the way, just as the car crashes into the shop.
Everything happens so quickly after that.
Next thing he knows, he's lying on the floor covered with tables and chairs.
He can't move.
Dick's vision is going spotty.
His body hurts, and his forehead feels wet.
Is he bleeding?
He tries harder to move again. But intense pain makes clear he isn't going anywhere without some professional help.
Dick hears Babs screaming his name.
'Is this what death is like?'
'It won't be that bad. I'll get to see mom and dad again.'
Barbara screams his name again, briefly causing him to open his eyes again. However, his urge to sleep is too strong, and his eyelids are growing heavy.
'Too bad I'll never get to show her how I feel, but at least she's okay.' He thinks before everything fades to black.