(no subject)

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

So, every other time I've come here, it's been while in costume. It's been as Robin, teenage vigilante, prowling the streets by night, living a secret life by day. Nobody here (well, nobody who doesn't know from before I came here) knows about my real identity.

So when I walk into the bar in my civilian clothes, no mask, no cape, I'm a little worried. I don't panic, exactly; I'm able to keep my cool, shift my school bag on my shoulder, look like I belong. There's no way anyone here knows everyone that comes in and out of this place, so I should be able to fit in without a problem. The door is, when I glance casually behind me, gone, but I've been told it can happen. I try not to worry.

On the outside, I'm just Alvin Draper (like I'd use my real name), normal teenage guy, here on his way to school; on the inside, I'm Tim Drake, Robin, and I'm flipping out.

That's my life, never a dull moment.

Comments

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Barbara looks up as he comes in and catches his eye. She's certainly not going to approach him until she's sure how he wants to play this one out.

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

I see Oracle after a moment or two, and I take a second to try and figure out how to approach the situation. It doesn't take me long. My smile, if fake, is convincing and easy as I stroll over, hands in the pockets of my jeans.

"Hey," I say, pulling up a chair and sitting in it backwards. "How've ya been?"

I pray she reads my mind and doesn't call me Tim.

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

She smiles, he's using that ridiculous accent. "Hey, Alvin, I've been good. How about yourself?"

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

I could kiss her right about now, except...not, because...well, all the obvious reasons.

Also she'd probably break my arm.

"Awesome!" It's so easy pretending to be this normal. Way too easy. "Math homework's been seriously bringing me down though."

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

It's a testament to her ability to control face and voice that Barbara is able to say, "Well, you never were good at the technical subjects," with a straight face.

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

She's having fun with this. I swear she is.

"Isn't my fault!" I exclaim, slouching over the back of the chair. "I'm tellin' you, the teacher's got it in for me. Anyways, mind lending me a hand with a few problems? I could really use your help."

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Her eyes flash seriously just long enough for him to notice, "Sure. You know I'm around to help whenever you need it."

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

I smile and nod, and nobody but the two of us would know that we're talking about anything but math problems. I happen to have a math textbook in my bag, and I take it out and lay it out on the table, opening it to any old page.

"See, number 9. I don't get it," I tell her, leaning in closer to the book and resting my elbow on the table.

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

She reaches out and turns the book around to read it. Looking at the book gives her a chance to formulate her response.

"You mean this one here? The one with the girl who's taking a trip?"

[will_scarlett]

Will hasn't gone back up to the rafters yet and notices the new face and walks over with a smile and with a bow says,

"Good e'en, sir,"

The sword at his side and general medieval outfit make him look a little dangerous as does a slightly wild look in his too old green eyes, but the smile on his face is safe.

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

This guy looks...interesting, though I've seen odder. But I have to look at this through Alvin Draper's eyes. Still, sometimes I wish Alvin wasn't quite so...well...normal.

"Whoa dude, sick sword! That thing real?"

Sigh.

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, course it tis, twould be no use to me in Sherwood if it twasna real,"

Will's unsure how to take that reaction and so becomes a bit more cautious as he unconciously shifts into a fighter's stance, watching for what comes next.

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

Robin can notice the way his body language changes. Alvin? Alvin's too busy being amazed by the sword.

"That is so cool! Can I see? Can I give it a try? I promise to be careful!"

[will_scarlett]

Will gives a long look since he's never had anyone wish to examine and see his sword in Milliways before and wants to feel flattered instead of unsure.

So gives a cautious smile and says,

"Aye, but na in 'ere, tis space outback, though ye 'ave to tell me who ye are first."

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

"Names Alvin," I lie perfectly, "Alvin Draper. Nice to meet'cha!"

I hold out my hand, keeping the other stuffed in my pocket. Not sure why this guy has a sword, but his accent is thick and his attire not very modern; hopefully he still knows what a handshake is.

[will_scarlett]

"Will Scarlett o'Nottingham, year o'our lord 1138. When an where are ye from, Master Draper?"

Will says as he hesistates for a moment before taking the hand, Will's hand is calloused from archery and swordwork and his grip strong.

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's...quite far from my time.

"Twenty-first century," I say vaguely, shrugging. "Guess that explains the sword and stuff, huh? You know how to use it? Are you, like, a knight or something?"

Alvin isn't too good with Medieval History.

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph ... elegantly ... tumbles out of the rafters, she's laughing so hard. (That's the only reaction she can think of. God. God, she hasn't seen Alvin since she had the baby --

"Oh! Hi! Sorry, did I land on your feet?"

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

I'm at a loss for how to react for two full seconds. It feels like forever, then...

"Steph, baby!" It's so easy, the smile, the way I shift towards her, the way my eyes fall on her without hiding anything I (or Alvin, anyways) am thinking. "No worries, I'll live. Still, you don't need to be so rough. If ya really need to be like that, just push me in the mud or pull my hair or something. It's how your fellow fourth graders express their love and adoration, right?"

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Bite me, Al." She can't help grinning widely at him.

(Alvin doesn't have a dead girlfriend, or a fierce and painful history with her. Alvin she's allowed to talk to.)

"You're just lucky I didn't kick you in the head."

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

"Play rough all you want, I know ya love me." The wink is so corny it hurts. But part of me loves how carefree it is, how I can just throw it out there and not care. "What're ya doin' up there anyways? All the action's down here; it is where I happen to be, after all."

If I ever met Alvin, I may want to punch him in the face, but pretending to be him can actually be a lot of fun.

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph laughs, and punches him in the shoulder, lightly. "You never change, Al. Maybe I was up there to get away from you."

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

"No way! And besides, even if you were, I knew you'd come down real quick. Never could stay away from me for long; I'm too irresistible."

The smirk is cocky, his stance relaxed, and to be telling the truth, Alvin really is trying too hard, but it lets me joke around with (this) Steph, so it's beyond awesome.

[alwaysroomforhope]

"In your dreams!" Steph perches on the nearest table, laughing. "You're such a wannabe. C'mon, lemme get you a drink. ... Welcome to Milliways, right, it's the bar at the end of the universe ..."

[someboywonder.livejournal.com]

"Yeah yeah, I got all that before," I say, waving a hand dismissively. "So, what was that about treating your favorite pal who you have confusing feelings for to a drink?"

Al hears things the way he wants to. Or the way I want to. Whatever.