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Tim had been waiting for this for so long he can't believe tonight is finally here. His very first patrol as Robin.

It took everything in Tim to not fidget.

This uniform fit was completely different from the first one he put on all that time ago. It clung to his skin like it was supposed to. The armor was much thicker and covered more of his body. Even the cape was made of a heavier material. Along with looking completely different from the previous suit. There was no hiding that he was completely different from his predecessors.

He rocked back and forth on his feet as he waited for Bruce.

Tim still wasn't sure how Bruce felt about him. It was hard to argue when you had both Dick and Alfred vouching for you, but it had made training… rough.

He tried to give Bruce a little grace. This was completely different than with Dick or Jason. The reality of this position had fully set in for all of them. They'd all understood anything could happen. Anything. But it was one thing to warn and another to have a constant reminder displayed in the cave.

He felt weird being in the Robin suit, his own Robin suit, with Jason's so close. Tim turns slightly to keep it from view. He was doing this for Jason, he was doing this for Bruce. He'd hope that Jason would understand why this was needed. It had taken a while to convince Dick but he came around.

Maybe this had been a mistake. Months of intensive training and meeting all new teachers who'd repeatedly told him he wasn't cut out for this life had done nothing to reassure him. He didn't really feel like he'd made any progress until Dick had taken over a good portion of the training.

He and Bruce were still… Tim wasn't sure what to call it. There were still problems. High tensions, very clear lines drawn in the sand for Tim to dance around, egos, pettiness, attitudes, silent arguments, hurt feelings, anguish over lost family, a strong desire to move forward for both of them but neither wanting to be the one to make the first move. But Dick taking over training had helped things progress. A lot.

Suddenly they could be in a room together for more than ten minutes without making everyone feel uncomfortable. There was light conversation. Tim suspected it was Dick's way of removing some of the burden and attempting to make peace without explicitly saying sorry.

The other day Tim had secretly listened in to one of their conversations. Fifteen whole minutes of pleasant exchanges without one curt word. Tim called it a win.

Dick had really taken the time with him to explain why they did things the way they did. Noted Tim's strengths and honed in on how best to use them. He taught Tim the best routes across the rooftops to different safehouses. He'd even given Tim a crash course on Batman's wide variety of grunts which had already come in handy.

But Dick wouldn't be around tonight. Part of their conversation had been about Tim's first patrol route as Robin. They'd both agreed it would be best if Dick wasn't nearby. It was important that Batman and Robin be able to work as a cohesive unit.

So Dick had gone to San Francisco to help with Titans stuff leaving Tim with Bruce. He knew he could call Dick if anything happened but he wanted this to work so badly. He wanted to prove he could do it. Dick had been so against it in the beginning. It'd taken so long to convince him. Convincing Bruce had been easy but the original Robin was stubborn and bull headed.

If tonight didn't go smoothly he worried Dick may take it as a sign Tim shouldn't be Robin and that'd be it. It had been made abundantly clear by everyone involved if Dick didn't approve of Tim in any capacity as Robin it was over. He needed Dick to stay on board.

But he'd been given the go ahead, so he waits, for Batman, for his new partner, who he wasn't sure even liked him that much. There was mutual respect but that was kind of it. Bruce hadn't wanted a new Robin and had made that very clear. He was too jaded by everything that happened to Jason. It would hurt Tim too if he'd been that close to someone that died.

Tim stands up a little straighter as Batman comes out to check their route for the night. He watches silently. There hadn't been much discussion as to how this part was supposed to go.

He watches as Bruce presses his mouth into a tight line. "Okay, tonight will be extremely routine. Nothing fancy."

Tim blinked. He hadn't expected Batman to say anything. He opted for a nod in agreement. "Okay, sounds good. I don't like fancy anyways."

His heart pounds in his ears. He and Bruce hadn't really spent much time together, alone.

Bruce looks at him for a moment before turning to head for the car.

Something he had been warned about was to be aware of silent orders. He was famous for wanting people to follow him without saying so. Dick had taught him the tells.

Tim follows a few steps behind, settling in the passenger seat of the Batmobile.

He worried his bottom lip, the nerves really setting in.

He was really here, he was really in the Batmobile (so cool), and he was really about to go on patrol with the freaking Batman. How many thirteen year old kids could say that?

The engines roared to life. He could feel the rumble in his seat. The power the car had was unmatched. It was incredible.

"Ready?" Batman asked him.

Tim looked over, he could tell Batman was watching him through the cowl even if he wasn't facing him. "Oh yeah." Tim tells him, a smile forming and nerves being replaced by unfamiliar confidence. He was Robin. Robin doesn't get nervous. "I was born ready."

Batman nodded once before stepping on the gas.

He'd never been in a car that was this fast. The feeling was wild. Robin could imagine how his Dad would disapprove of this whole thing. Saying they were reckless and uncivilized. But his Dad wasn't here to stop him.

Everything went by in a rush. This is what all of the training had led up to.

The endless nights of sore muscles and countless cuts and bruises. This is what he'd been preparing for and it was everything. Dick had really undersold how awesome this whole thing would be.

Or maybe he could only express the opinion of someone who'd been doing this for almost a decade, the novelty of it all had likely long worn off.

In the distance Robin could see the Bat Signal.

"Kind of early for the signal isn't it?" Robin observed. "Are we gonna answer it?"

"Part of the routine." Batman tells him simply.

He parks the car and they take to the rooftops.

It was completely different to how he used to get around by the rooftops at night. Now, not only did he have a grappling hook to help out, he had the proper technique to avoid the numerous bad landings he usually had.

The rush of the wind in his face as he moved was unmatched. This was amazing. He understood what Dick had meant about the excitement. But also kept his warning in mind to not get a head of himself. To not let his confidence become his hubris.

He stopped on the edge of Police Headquarters. Next to the infamous Bat Signal (which he was insanely close to for the first time ever!) was Commissioner Gordon and Detective Renee Montoya.

They both noted his presence. Robin felt uneasy again. He wondered what they thought he was doing, if they wondered why he was doing it, if he knew what this meant, who he was?

Gordon cleared his throat. "I see you got a new one. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting you to get another one."

Batman, tactfully as ever, avoided the question in its entirety. "You needed to speak to us about something I presume."

"Yes, uh, Detective? The file?" Gordon turns to take whatever was in Montoya's hands

She eyed Robin suspiciously. He kept his chin up, he needed to make sure he looked like he belonged.

"We think the Penguin and Freeze are working together." Gordon explains. "His guys are breaking into old hideouts of Freeze and stealing supplies."

"What supplies?"

"Mostly things used to make the Freeze Gun, and his suit." Montoya supplies. Her tone filled with animosity.

Batman doesn't acknowledge whatever she's getting at, instead looking over the file. Robin walks over to his side to peek at the file through his arm. He needed to know what they're getting into.

Much to his surprise, Batman hands him the file to look through fully.

He tries to hide his shock as he looks at the locations for the burglaries.

"We're pretty sure the supplies are being smuggled into Arkham for Freeze but we can't find anything to be certain. We've searched him and his cell several times but… they're prepared. The cell is always empty." Gordon continues, also seeming to find it weird Robin was handed the file.

Was this not something that was done often? Did Batman not do this with the others? Or was this just because he was new?

"We're hoping you can find what we're missing." Gordon finishes.

"We'll see what we can find and let you know." Batman turns to leave.

Robin hesitates for a moment. Unsure what to do with the file.

"Keep it kid." Gordon tells him. "It's a copy."

Robin glances at him before moving to follow Batman.

They travel a few blocks before Batman stops him again.

"Okay, what do you think our next move should be?" He asks.

Robin blinks. "Hmm?"

"What do you think we should do next?" Batman asks him again.

"Oh, uh well- um…" Robin trails off. What should they do next?

Batman stands a few steps away, watching expectantly. He's waiting for Robin's answer.

"Well, If- If I was penguin," Robin begins, his idea only half formed. "I would want a list of whatever I am needing to steal for Freeze. I'd need to know what I'm getting. We need to get that list. Then we can compare it to what has been stolen and get a better idea of where they might strike next."

Batman nodded in agreement. "Okay, where would the list be?"

Robin presses his lips together. "Uh, probably the IceBerg Lounge."

"And what if it isn't there?"

"Then- we… We talk to Penguin. Find out what's going on."

"Alright, follow me."

Robin can hardly believe Batman just went along with his plan like that.

They sneak into the Lounge through a skylight, dropping silently into a dark empty room.

"You go to the back rooms and see what you can find." Batman instructs. "I'll stay out here."

"Okay."

Robin cautiously picks the lock of one of the doors Batman had gestured to before slipping inside. There wasn't anyone in there but there was a second entrance on the other side of the room he needed to remain aware of.

He looked through drawers for a tablet, phone, laptop, stack of paper, just anything useful that might link Penguin to Freeze.

The secondary door suddenly swung open filling the room with the club music from outside. Where Robin happened to be standing didn't offer many immediate places to run and hide other than temporarily keep him out of view until whoever opened the door stepped fully into the room.

He gripped his collapsible bow staff and waited, holding his breath.

There was the rhythmic sound of, what Robin thought was, a cane with each step they took along with an insane amount of wheezing.

After a couple of moments Robin realized he was in the same room as Penguin. He was faced away from Robin, occupied with something in his hand, but Robin couldn't get to either door to escape without being seen.

Penguin turned just enough to catch sight of Robin out of the corner of his eye.

He jumped. "What are you doing here? I thought you died!"

Robin had no idea how he was supposed to respond. "Uh-"

"No, no, no. Now wait just a minute. You're not the same kid."

He didn't answer, not that it was a question. He needed to get Batman somehow.

"What are you doing here? Are you with Batman? Is Batman here?"

"No." Robin answers after a moment.

"No to what?"

"No to both, Batman isn't here and I'm not with him." Robin's voice fills with more confidence.

"So you broke in here alone, with a dead kids costume, to what, exactly?"

Robin's brain stalls, he knows what he should say but the words don't come out. "Ummm… Does your umbrella really shoot bullets? And electrocute people? Can it do both or is it like one of each?"

The face Penguin makes is almost comical. He clearly hadn't antiquated the question he'd just been asked. "You broke in here as Robin to ask about the mechanics of my equipment."

"Yeah." Robin nods eagerly. "I've always been curious."

Penguin regarded him for a minute. "No one's ever asked me that."

"Ever?" Robin feels his posture slip slightly, along with his tone, for a singular moment of genuine curiosity. No one had ever wanted to know how he made that thing? Tim had always wanted to know.

He shifts the umbrella in his hand as if to show it off. "Well if you are curious-"

"Put that down Cobblepot." Batman orders.

Both Robin and Penguin jump at the order.

"You lied. You said Batman wasn't here." Penguin looked offended at the lie.

Robin shrugged. "Well- you wouldn't have talked to me if you'd known."

"You've been breaking into Freeze's warehouses and stealing his equipment? Why?" Batman's tone doesn't sound like what he'd been expecting. Robin thought it would be more growly, more accusatory, not this. Whatever this was.

"I would never break into Victor's labs. We're friends."

"Well wouldn't a friend try to smuggle stuff to his other friend if he were in prison?" Robin asks.

"I would not. I am trying to remain out of Blackgate, thank you." Penguin straightened his suit jacket as he told Robin.

"Our evidence suggests your guys are breaking into Fires' old labs. If it isn't under your orders then why else would they be doing it?" Robin continues, stepping slightly closer.

"Someone else is paying them to betray me. It's happened before."

"Well you need to pay your goons better if it's that easy."

The look Penguin provides is unimpressed.

"If not you, then who could it be?" Batman asks. "Who would use your men like that?"

"Could be Black Mask. You know how he's beginning to move up in the underworld. Sometimes it's helpful to be rubbing elbows with the big dogs if you know what I mean."

"Why wouldn't he be trying to 'rub elbows' with someone like you then?" Robin counters, moving to stand more at Batman's side. "You've been in the game way longer than him. You're a dangerous enemy to make."

"I don't 'rub elbows' with that crowd anymore." Penguin snaps. "I run a legitimate business."

Robin mirrors the unimpressed look Penguin had provided earlier.

"Oh stop, it's true. You can't believe everything you read." Penguin attempts to persuade.

"We need lists of the men you have around Fries' labs. Anything could be useful." Batman interjects.

This really isn't going how Robin thought it would.

Batman was being oddly… nice. Is it because Robin is here or does he really think that The Penguin isn't involved.

"I am more than happy to accommodate."

They leave after getting the information moving quickly back towards the Batmobile. Batman only pauses to deal with some guys trying to break into an ATM, leaving Robin alone with his thoughts.

When Batman returns not five minutes later Robin only has one question.

"Ask." Batman tells him after noticing Robin not moving to follow.

"Do you not think Penguin is involved?"

"Like you noted. Cobblepot is a dangerous enemy, he is also an incredibly useful informant. Part of how he's been able to last as long as he has is because of his information." Batman explains, looking Robin in the eye. The first time he's done that. "This doesn't match his MO but it doesn't match Black Mask either. We'll take the information he provided along with the information from the GCPD and go from there."

"Okay… But that doesn't really answer my question." Robin presses.

"Hn." Batman presses his mouth into a tight line for the second time that night. "I don't know."

Robin blinked. "You- you don't-"

"No, I'm not sure. We need to look over the evidence and follow up on leads. This will likely take more than a night to solve. We also need to investigate Freeze directly, look over delivery logs and security tapes. It's too soon to know for certain."

"Oh. Okay."

"Let's finish patrol, then I'll follow up on these leads afterwards."

Robin's head snaps back up at that instruction. "What? I can help with that."

"No. You need to get home. I'll let you know what I find tomorrow when I see you and we can go from there."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow."

"There's a tomorrow?"

Batman huffs out a breath.

"Sorry, it's just- I didn't think- Okay. Let's finish patrol." Robin stutters out.

There was a tomorrow. He was Robin. Officially. He would be with Batman tomorrow, following up on an actual case. Like Robin is supposed to.

The rest of patrol was not eventful. It was a lot of running across rooftops, stopping creeps from doing creepy things, watching creeps to see if they would do creepy things, and trying not to trip on his own feet.

The car ride back had very different energy. Not nervous but something similar. Something Tim couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Is it weird if I ask how I did?" He asks after a mostly silent car ride.

"There's room for improvement." Batman answers, vaguely.

"Is that good or bad?"

Batman thinks for a moment. "Good. You're still new. I can't expect you to know everything."

They pull into the cave.

"Alright, hit the showers. I'll see you tomorrow." Bruce repeats once they're out of the car

Tim can help the smile. "Yeah, tomorrow."

This one is easily one of my favorites. I absolutely love Tim in his extremely early days as Robin when he was still getting his feet wet, just before he becomes the sassy, sarcastic, vigilante, genius we all know and love. Anyway, I have something short, sweet, and cute planned for tomorrow. Kudos to any possible guesses.