I seriously cannot keep these to three sentences this time.

She fights like no one Robin’s ever seen.

No, that’s not quite right. Shiva moved like that, all swift grace and sharp edges - but Stray never goes for the kill. She’s not even brutal with her enemies, whoever they are.

This time it’s a bunch of muggers ganging up on some college girls. Robin lets Stray do her thing while she comforts them and ushers them off to safety; soon enough, silence replaces pained grunts and dull thumps.

Robin turns to find her kneeling, tying up the would-be crooks with quiet efficiency.

“You know, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be a bad guy.”

Srtay glances up from her work, offering a light shrug. “Relative.” Okay, that’s true enough. Catwoman’s more like Robin Hood, lately, and she helped a ton after the Cataclysm. Robin is pretty sure that’s when she found her new sidekick.

So she might as well help Bengal drag these jerks into the alley.

The girl really doesn’t look like she should be able to drag two hundred pounds, even covered head to toe in grey and black kevlar. Robin’s at least a head taller, and broader all around, and they finish at the same time.

So they stand there, facing each other beneath flickering street lights. Robin thinks she can make out a faint smile beneath Stray’s cowl.

“I should, you know, go call the cops.”

Stray nods. “Yes.”

Robin hesitates, before turning; it only takes that moment for Stray to rush her, and Robin tenses for a strike that never comes.

Instead, Stray lightly grips her arms, staring intently into her face. “I like you,” she whispers. “I don’t think - that I should. But…I do.”

Robin’s mouth has gone completely dry, and all she can do is nod. She has a feeling lying won’t get her anywhere, and the smile she knows is lighting Stray’s face right now is totally worth it, somehow.

That’s when Stray slowly reaches back, and pulls back her cowl, just to the nose. Her lips are dry and cracked, her cheek bruised, and it’s the most attractive sight Robin has ever seen.

She leans forward, gently pressing a kiss to lips that curve against her own.

Then, in a flash, Stray is gone.