Dates

It was way past Dick's bedtime. The night was warm and quiet, but in the enlightened interior of Restaurant Rose D'or, the outside world was easily forgotten. The string quartet and the meticulously arranged bouquets on each table were, just like everything else in the restaurant, beautiful.

If he could just remember what beauty once was.

"Brucey, do cheer up." Laurensia was beautiful too, "It is such a lovely night."

"I'm sorry, Lauren, it was a long day."

"Oh, poor boy." And she reached across the table to caress his hand, "They really never spare any of us a break, do they?"

"They might not, but in either case, I'm all yours tonight."

Lauren's full lips curled into a knowing smile. She truly was very beautiful.

If he could just remember what beauty once meant.

It was way past Dick's bedtime, and he should probably chastise Dick for this, but he knew that the shift in the light's shadows belonged to a certain sprightly acrobat. He didn't even have to look, he just knew.

"So Bruce, tell me, what is it that you do in your free time. Please don't say you never have any, because I might just not believe you."

"I take interest in many things, but spending my time with a woman as charismatic and attractive as you are certainly tops most of them."

"You definitely know how to treat a girl, Bruce. It's no wonder they call you prince charming."

The night wore on. The string quartet performed piece after exquisite piece flawlessly, and Lauren was nothing but delightful. There had been many moments during their dinner when Lauren's body language begged for nothing but a kiss. Bruce could have easily leaned into Lauren and kiss those cherry-red lips. But he didn't.

Not in front of Dick.

Instead, he watched the way the light danced off the crystal décor, catching every flicker and quiver. Dick was moving ever so silently across the ceiling to get a clearer view of their table. A shift in the twinkles of his polished champagne flute and he knew that Dick was directly above them.

And when the shifting lights stilled, he waited, as Lauren twined her elegant fingers around his, and allowed his thoughts to wander to Dick. His cheeky little boy, his brave Robin. What was he doing here of all places and times?

It was getting late, after all.

"Thank you, Brucey, dear. I had a wonderful night." They were outside now. Lauren's chestnut-brown hair was swept by the warm, evening breeze. It really was, like she had said, a lovely night.

If only he could remember how beautiful beauty once was.

"So did I, Lauren. Will you be alright? I could take you home."

Lauren giggled, "Always the ladies' man, Bruce. I'll be alright. I'm a big girl, remember?"

Another moment when he could have taken hold of her delicate cheek and press his lips into hers. It would have been sweet, and she would have been so eager. But not when he knew Dick was watching so intently. Not when he could almost feel Dick's bright, blue eyes memorizing his every move and his every word.

"Unfortunately, I remember all too well."

Lauren smiled again, perhaps a little disappointed that nothing transpired between them, and decided she was bored of waiting. The kiss he felt at the corner of his mouth wasn't entirely unwelcome, but the subtlest quiver in the shadows instantly made the gesture repulsive. He pulled away as gently as he could without offending her.

"Your taxi is here, Lauren. Are you sure you wouldn't like me to take you home instead? It's just around the corner."

"Really, Bruce. I'll be fine. Will I be seeing you again? Maybe this Saturday?"

"I can't promise. It's a very busy week."

"I understand. Call me, okay?"

"I will."

"Goodnight, Brucey." This time Lauren settled with a kiss on his cheek. It was a tender kiss, but he felt nothing more than the contact between skin and lips.

"Goodnight, Lauren." And she was gone.

But he wasn't alone.

The realization felt odd. He wasn't alone.

The night was warm and quiet. And it was lovely, like Lauren had said. The moon wasn't full, but its pearly light shone persistently through layers of cloud and pollution. The stars weren't there, but the distant city lights twinkled just the same.

It was way past Dick's bedtime, but he didn't seem to mind anymore, because the shift in the silvery light just made the night all the more lovely.

For once he thought Gotham was beautiful again. For once he remembered how.

He would never tell anyone, but maybe it was because he wasn't alone anymore.

And he smiled.