They had three first meetings. Yes it was weird, but no, they didn't care.

The first time was at the circus, back when his mom and dad were around.

He wasn't really used to visitors at the time. It was just him, his folks, and the other people in his troupe. When they did get visitors, it was usually friends of his parents for one or two performances. Dick was very courteous, his parents had raised him well. He would always greet the guests properly and try to engage in conversation like a well-mannered host should. Well, whatever conversation a 7-year-old could muster up.

He had never met anyone like her before.

She came in with her dad one day, a handsome guy with slicked back raven hair and a curved mustache. He was nice enough, he made a bird appear out of thin air to amuse Dick. The kid appreciated that.

But she was something completely different. He took one look at her and couldn't tear his eyes away. She had beautiful raven black hair that matched his own and swayed down her back in a way his mother's didn't. And absolutely gorgeous blue eyes, several shades brighter than his own. He swore he could stare into them for hours on end without blinking.

Being the first girl his age that he had ever seen, she set a rather high bar. He didn't think anyone else could come even remotely close to reaching it.

But perhaps even more stunning that the girl herself was her act. A magician, like her father, but unlike any he had ever seen. Dick was used to being the center of the show, the prized act of Haly's Circus alongside his parents. But she took that notion and threw it on its head. Her magic was more breathtaking than any acrobatic maneuver the young boy could ever dream of. It was almost…almost like it was real. Her piece de resistance was creating two copies of herself, and if Dick didn't know any better he'd say there really were three of them on stage.

The boy was too nervous to approach her after the show. Despite not being able to take his eyes off her for even a moment's notice, when he tried to walk up and talk to her he felt his body stiffen in response. Instead, he chose to hide behind a curtain and listen in as she and her father talked with his parents. He heard that her mother was unfortunately away on business endeavors and couldn't make it, and he also heard his parents say they would be honored if she and her father would ever consider returning for another act. He sincerely hoped to God they would.

He was even fortunate enough to hear her name.

Zatanna Zatara. Exotic yet beautiful, much like the girl herself.

He had to admit he felt a sting of regret when the two magicians left without him getting the backbone to talk to the girl himself. He just stood there awkwardly and watched as they drove off, silently praying to some divine force out there that this would not be the last he saw of that girl.

The second time was at a Wayne Industries gala. God, he despised those things.

Most of these galas went the same way. Bruce would talk to newspeople, political figureheads, lots and lots of models, and he would just stand there silently, wishing he could be anywhere else. Preferably somewhere with fewer people occasionally sending him confused or pitiful looks.

But this one was special, because this one had entertainment. Bruce had called in a favor from an old friend of his, a stage magician who was rather popular in New York. Giovanni Zatara, the Master of Magic. And on this special night, he would be performing alongside his daughter, Zatanna Zatara, the Mistress of Magic.

That name sounded rather familiar, but Dick couldn't put his finger on it.

When the curtains parted and the elder performer walked on stage, Dick wasn't too interested. He scoffed as everyone applauded him and crossed his arms, looking away.

But then she came in after him. An inch or so shorter than him, sporting a sparkly black dress and immaculate raven black hair. Her baby blue eyes shone brighter than the lights that illuminated her stage, and the moment Dick got one look at her, he felt his jaw drop.

Now this was something worth paying attention to.

Dick kept his eyes trained on the breathtaking sorceress throughout the entire performance. There was something about her…something he couldn't quite pinpoint…something that made him want to get to know her. Even Barbara had never made him feel like this before. He couldn't explain what it was, but this…Zatanna was just beyond words.

She was pretty asterous, if he did say so himself.

He got to talk to her this time. After the performance had ended, he noticed her standing outside a balcony overlooking the city. She was leaning on it rather casually, and Dick was mesmerized by how the winds blew through her gorgeous hair.

He casually walked up next to her and leaned on the railing right alongside the young girl, and she eyed him subtly before smiling.

She could tell how nervous he was, and she loved it.

"Uh, h-hi." Zatanna turned to him.

"Hi."

Dick froze. He hadn't really thought this far ahead. Should he introduce himself? Compliment her? Ask about who she is?

"That was, uh, that was kinda amazing. Th-the show, I mean." Compliment it is.

She blushed. "Thanks." Dick extended his hand awkwardly.

"I'm Dick. Dick Grayson."

"Zatanna Zatara." She shook his hand, and he took quick note of just how soft her skin was. "I know who you are." He blushed.

"Y-you do?" She giggled lightly, and he felt his heart flutter. That laugh sounded like a synchrony of angels.

"I saw you on TV. You're kinda famous."

"Y-yeah, I get that a lot." Both of them chuckled, but before Zatanna could say anything more, Giovanni walked up to the terrace to interrupt them.

"Zatanna, it is time." She nodded softly, almost disappointed. She was at least doing a better job of hiding it than he was.

"Okay, daddy." Giovanni then turned to face Dick, extending a hand.

"You are Richard, no?" Dick shook his hand and nodded.

"Y-yes, sir." He smiled.

"Bruce speaks rather highly of you." Dick cocked his head to the side in surprise and grinned.

"He does?"

"Indeed." Giovanni looked down at his watch and sighed. "It is getting late. Zatanna, we should go now. A pleasure to meet you, Richard." Dick nodded as Giovanni turned to leave. But before she followed him out, Zatanna turned back to Dick and threw him a soft grin. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"S-so...uh...c-catch you later?" Her smile widened, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

"I'll see you around, Dick Grayson." She left him with a wink and a bounce in her step, and he could do nothing but stare like an absolute buffoon.

Dick sighed dreamily as the young sorceress followed her father out, and he leaned back on the railing and looked up to the sky.

Somehow, the stars seemed dull after having looked into her eyes. He couldn't tell you why, but he did know one thing.

If he ever saw that girl again, he would probably turn into putty in her hands.

The third time they met each other was the most significant. Because this time, she was joining his team.

He had just fallen onto the floor in a sparring match against Artemis when he heard the Zeta tube go off. The archer helped him up to his feet as Zatara walked out of the tube.

Business as usual so far. He was probably their den mother of the week.

But then Zatara approached the Zeta tube controls and began typing something in. He was authorizing someone.

And out of the Zeta tube walked a girl his age with wavy, raven black hair that draped down her back and baby blue eyes the size of the ocean.

From behind his mask lenses, Dick's eyes went wide as they traced all over the young girl, Zatanna from what the Zeta called her. She was beautiful. Dressed in a Catholic school uniform, which he thought was adorable. Something about her seemed so familiar…but he couldn't place it.

He also couldn't place why it was getting so fucking hot in the room all of a sudden.

"Zatanna, this is the team. Team, my daughter, Zatanna." The girl rubbed the side of her arm and waved awkwardly to the group. M'gann floated down to greet her, but Dick just couldn't help himself.

"Robin! I-I-I mean, heh, I'm Robin!"

Yeah. Putty.