Dick Grayson sighed, tugging at his shirt collar as he looked in the mirror.
How long has it been since I last went on a date? The last time was... with Kara a few months ago. I hope I haven't lost my touch.
Then he chuckled.
Impossible. I am Dick Grayson, after all.
He looked around and picked up a black jacket. He looked at himself a second time in the mirror. He was wearing his best pair of shoes and black pants. His reflection's nose wrinkled.
Too black. But I don't want to change my pants, I like them.
He sighed but opened his eyes wide as he reached a conclusion.
Holy black suits, Batman! I look like Batman! I don't know if that's a good thing or not, though...
Dick stared at himself. He lifted one corner of his mouth a couple of inches and later the other. Afterwards he relaxed.
Not when I smile, though. After all, Batman smiles very little.
He looked at his watch. It was about an hour before the appointment took place in Gotham. And the distance between Gotham and Bludhaven is just about an hour. He smiled.
Not when I ride my motorcycle there.
Dick opened the garage and got on his motorcycle, a blue BMW kindly given to him by his father for his seventeenth birthday. He got on the bike, strapped on his helmet (safety first, as Bruce and Alfred taught him) and started the bike.
He sped through the night streets of Bludhaven at an exaggerated speed. Everyone who knew him could tell that he was always a danger on the city streets. Dick, on the other hand, declared himself as a master of motorcycles.
In case you missed it, motorcycles are his vehicle of choice (as evidenced by the R-cycle, his bike in Robin's time, Wingcycle, his current bike as Nightwing, and his BMW, his bike as a civilian) and he rides them like crazy.
So, you hope you never get on a motorcycle with Dick Grayson as the driver.
He arrived in front of the restaurant in about fifty minutes, parked and got off the motorcycle. He unfastened his helmet and stowed it in the motorcycle. He spotted Selina and joined her.
"Sorry I'm late." he apologized, smiling slightly nervously.
"Don't worry, I only arrived a few minutes ago." she smiled at him.
Dick returned the smile and observed her outfit. "Wow, you look really beautiful, Selina."
She smiled radiantly. Her dress showed off her slender, athletic build well, every curve well defined. Her hair was gathered in a bun, just like at the gala. "Thank you. You look stunning, too. Maybe too black, but I find it sexy." she smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Dick chuckled. "Yes I know. Black and blue are all I have as far as elegant clothes go. Shall we go in?" he pointed to the restaurant a few steps between them.
The girl nodded and linked her arm with Richard's. Dick opened the door and let her in first, his hand resting gently on her back as he led her to a small table. The modern style diner was welcoming and intimate.
He sat down in front of her and picked up a menu. "This is my favorite place to eat."
Bruce has often taken me here. We still come here from time to time. That's probably why I like it so much, besides the great food.
"It looks cozy." happily admitted Selina as she also picked up the menu.
"Yes, it is." agreed Dick.
Immediately a waiter arrived. "What can I get you?"
Dick quickly replied. "I would like the house special hamburger with fries and coke. What do you want Selina?"
"The same, please."
The waiter nodded, wrote in his notebook and walked away.
"So," Selina began, settling comfortably and firmly focusing her gaze on Dick. "tell me about yourself, Dick."
Richard had to use all his willpower not to lose himself in the girl's beautiful emerald green eyes. He shrugged his shoulders. "My life is practically written in the tabloids." he said with a sad smile.
"I know but surely you know that not everything they write in the tabloids can be trusted. Besides I'd like to hear it from you, if you don't mind." she asked with a small smile.
The boy smiled back. "All right." he took a deep breath. "My biological parents were Mary and John Grayson, and I lived for eight years in the Haly Circus. The three of us were famous trapeze artists for the act "The Flying Graysons" where we performed with the trapeze without a safety net." this detail aroused great interest in Selina.
"We were world famous acrobats. My native language is Romany. We traveled not only in America but also in Europe. We were always on the move. That was until we stopped here in Gotham." here his breath became slightly shaky and Selina reached across the table to cover Dick's who smiled gratefully at her.
"My parents were killed in the act. The trapeze wires were sabotaged and they...fell. Right in front of me." Dick lightly squeezed Selina's hand for support, and she squeezed it back, smiling encouragingly at him. "My parents' killer was Tony Zucco, a mobster who was later apprehended by Batman and Robin.
"I was subsequently taken in as the ward of Bruce Wayne, who witnessed the tragedy, about a week after the murder and I officially became his adopted son at the age of fourteen." here Selina saw the beaming, happiness filled smile on Dick's face and could not help but smile back.
Dick voluntarily left out the part where he was thrown into juvenile hall after his parents died both because the orphanage was full and because his social worker was racist.
"Years have passed since then and now I am the older brother of three brothers and one sister. Of course, we are not blood siblings but we are still a big family. A messy family but still a loving family. Starting at the age of seventeen, I moved to Bludhaven and began my studies to become a police officer. And now I'm in a restaurant with a beautiful girl." he concluded by winking at her and making her giggle.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened to you but I'm happy that you have found happiness again." she told him with absolute sincerity. He smiled at her and gave her hand another squeeze. A brief moment of silence passed but it was not awkward, on the contrary: it was comfortable.
After a few seconds Selina broke the silence. "My childhood was not one of the best either." she began, earning a reassuring look from Richard.
"My mother was chronically ill, while my father was an alcoholic. I became an orphan from the age of 12. I was put in an orphanage soon after." she said with a heavy sigh.
"I ran away months later and lived by begging for what I could." Selina was slightly embarrassed at the revelation but Dick squeezed her hand, reassuring her quietly without any sign of judgment. "When I came of age, fortunately I was able to get a job. I work for charity fundraising."
"A nice job." commented Dick with a small smile that was reciprocated.
The waiter arrived with food and drink. "Here you go." and he left.
"An acrobat, huh?" asked Selina curiously as she took the first bite of her burger.
"Yes. An acrobat since the day I learned to walk." he gave her a wink.
"I'm sure." she said, glancing down at the boy's body.
Dick chuckled before taking a sip of Coke. "To be honest, you look like an acrobat too."
"I classify myself more as a gymnast, actually. Not to brag, but I'm pretty good."
"You know, I have acrobatic equipment both in Wayne Manor and in my apartment in Bludhaven."
"Really?" she asked surprised.
"Really. Maybe, someday, I can teach you a few tricks of the trade." he said with a playful twinkle in his bright blue eyes.
My God. He has the most beautiful eyes. The most beautiful and expressive ones I have ever met. Every time I look into them I risk losing myself in them.
Selina squinted her eyes. "Is that a challenge, Grayson?"
Richard simply shrugged as he swallowed some chips. He simply smiled in response. "Maybe, Kyle."
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you become a Bludhaven police officer?" she asked particularly curious.
"First of all, I moved to Bludhaven to claim my independence from my father. Although I visit him and my brothers often."
"Is your father very protective?"
"You have no idea. Although he's quite nice sometimes." there was a pause. "Don't tell him that, though. Bruce has a reputation to uphold, after all." Selina laughed. "As for wanting to be a cop, it's just that I like to help people who need help. Also, another goal of mine is to clean up corruption in the Bludhaven Police Department. Kind of like Commissioner Gordon did and is doing here in Gotham."
A few seconds passed before Selina spoke. "It is honorable. Very. I'm sure you'll succeed someday." she smiled sweetly at him.
Dick smiled back. "I hope so." he took a bite of his hamburger. There was a relaxing pause in the conversation. "Out of curiosity, how does your job work?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Selina smiled. "As a fundraiser, I have to be able to calmly manage professional relationships with the donor, no matter how snobbish they may be or the urge to throw a punch at them." Dick laughed amused followed soon after by the girl.
"Together with colleagues, I organize charity events that will draw profits that later go donated to hospitals, orphanages, etc."
Dick nodded understandingly. "An altruistic person. I like that." he said smiling, making the girl blush slightly.
The rest of the date passed pleasantly for the two of them, with quiet, relaxed and sometimes funny chats. Once the bill was paid (courtesy of Dick but much to Selina's dismay) the two exited the restaurant, with the girl keeping her arm wrapped tightly with the policeman's.
"Where did you park your car, Selina?" asked Dick, turning his head to scan the vehicle.
"Actually, I came on foot. The restaurant was only ten minutes away from my house." admitted Selina, shrugging her shoulders.
Dick's head turned toward her so quickly that she feared his neck would snap. "By yourself? In the evening? In Gotham?"
Selina mentally scolded herself.
It's obvious he's a caring person and of course he would care about me, even if he shouldn't. But I can't tell him, "hey, don't worry about me, I can take care of myself because I'm Catwoman!"
She smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry, Dick. I know some basic martial arts moves." she lied, even though she hated doing it.
He looked at her skeptically for a couple of seconds before she took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "If you say so." he muttered. However, the girl heard him and frowned slightly. "Whatever" he began with a smile. "I'll take you home now." when he saw that she was about to protest, he added softly. "Please."
Eventually she sighed and nodded resignedly (how the Hell could she say no in front of those damn puppy eyes?), accepting the ride and got on the bike. "Is this by any chance an excuse to get a hug?" she joked, winking at him.
Dick chuckled. "Maybe." he replied as he handed her a helmet.
"Do you have another one?" she asked as she put it on.
He simply smiled at her. "No, but I don't need one."
Before she even fully comprehended the words, the motorcycle took off in a high gear, forcing the girl to hug Dick from behind.
Hmm, muscular! Meow!
"Slow down!" she complained, tightening her grip on Dick.
She probably wouldn't complain so much later.
All she got in response was a creepy laugh that sent chills down her spine.
Not that she would ever admit it, of course.
They arrived in a few minutes in front of Selina's apartment.
"You're reckless." giggled the girl once they got off the motorcycle.
Bruce's eldest son laughed. "Everyone tells me that."
"I had a good time." admitted Selina once she arrived in front of her apartment door.
"Me too."
Dick smiled sweetly at her. He leaned down and slowly brought his face closer to Selina, giving her time to move away if she wanted him to.
Which she did not.
He kissed her softly, his lips safe and warm on the girl's. Selina happily returned the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. Dick raised a hand and gently caressed her cheek. She shivered with pleasure at his touch as they continued to kiss.
The kiss was slow, gentle and full of passion.
A perfect first kiss to say the least.
Both Dick and Selina felt their chests fill with warmth. It was a fantastic feeling, indescribable and unforgettable. For them, the world had disappeared, leaving only their mutual companionship. For them, nothing else existed in the world.
However, like all good things, this beautiful moment also had to end.
Not least because they needed oxygen.
They reluctantly broke away from the kiss and smiled sweetly at each other.
"Well" Dick tried to act nonchalant but Selina could see his blush and found it adorable to say the least! "I'd better get going. Talk to you soon?" she nodded without even thinking twice and he smiled. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and gave her one last smile before heading to his bike and riding off.
Meanwhile, Selina absently touched her lips and the happiest smile she had ever experienced in her life appeared.
Best night of my entire life hands down!
As he sped through the streets of Gotham toward Bludhaven, Dick had the silliest smile on his face.
That kiss was nothing short of fantastic! I have never felt so much happiness in the company of a girl! Cass, Bruce, maybe you were right...