If Stephanie Brown didn’t snoop around so much, then she would stay in the dark. That’s just the way it’s been for her. People withheld information from her, as if she still wasn’t ready… Hmph.
There’s memories she can’t touch, memories she wishes she wasn’t touched by. Men throughout her life who hurt her, or let her down. The child she gave up for adoption. There’s nights when she traces at her scars, remembering how it was like when her belly had been swollen with life she would never be equipped to care for…
Tortured nightmares and grotesque reminders ala Black Mask’s hands, cruel insults…
Loving Robin was so complicated, pining to be on the same level… Steph remembers his baby face insisting secrecy, the corner of his life reserved for her was when the masks were on.
Stephanie had been the one running around the rooftops blindly looking for him. Because, sometimes he wouldn’t answer her calls. Or her emails. She was the one kept in the dark waiting for much of their relationship to begin—and even then, she couldn’t let Timothy keep pushing her away. She couldn’t keep coming back hoping this time would be different.
He was Robin, and to him, she was just Steph. She used to repeatedly correct Tim in front of the criminals: The Spoiler.
Nowadays he’s Red Robin; Steph is Batgirl—loud, proud, and moving on.
Because Stephanie doesn’t do Bat-style Brooding for long, her inner dialogue interrupts: 'Enough sulking and dwelling on the past, Brown! We got a patrol partner to meet up with.'
With her grappling gun trained on the skyline, Batgirl is a-go once she fires. On her way to her friend.
“Hey,” Steph greets, upon landing next to her partner. “You good?” There’s her familiar grin.
“Here. Quick check,” She begins to list off: “Are you hydrated? Do you need a quick stop for coffee? Did you get to use the bathroom before ya suited up? If not, I’ll say nothing if you need to squat somewhere,” She cocks her head, two pinched fingers ghosting the curve of her smile in a zipping motion to seal her promise; still crouched beside her ally.
“And comm check—gotta make sure I’m still on speed dial, of course.” A hand to her earpiece, to be sure. With her own peppy voice echoing past the static click, sounds good. Their voice too.
“I always got energy bars if you ever need ‘em.” A wink. Not just as emergency snacks for any kids or civilians she rescues on the way. They’re for her friends too, of course. “And your six o’clock.” A click of her teeth with that.
“Well, partner? I’m ready to dispatch whenever you are.” There’s a determined gleam in her eye… One carrying her same bright mischief—oh, none of these criminals are gonna know what’s comin’ for them tonight. It’s Stephanie’s favorite argument with Gotham, the same one she’s always shown up for every single time she’s pulled up her boots and strapped on her gear.
She’s more than earned that bat emblazoned on her chest.
Yours truly—the only one to have ever been The Spoiler, a Robin, (~~dated one too, whether that truly was a mistake or not,~~) and a Batgirl, folks.
Trained by the same prized yet reluctant mentors, Bats and Birds—no matter their curled frowny faces, the tutting, the disapprovals they never held back voicing. Or kept behind her back just to humor her. Whether or not they stopped comparing her to her predecessors when they thought she wasn't listening. Tim, or Jason. 'Reckless', 'impulsive', yeah, Steph’s heard it all before.
Bruce can say whatever now—she’s always known by the look in his eyes that maybe she’ll never be the ward he wants. And maybe that’s fine. Maybe he’s finally come around to accept that, too.
Because Stephanie still hasn’t quit.
Never.
Anyway. Back to the present: “… Tell me where thine heart is led by the night, and I’ll be sure to follow.” Batgirl places a hand over her heart, pulling off a very passable performance on the Shakespearean drama-level. But her other hand being raised serves as a pledge, too. Not only that tonight won’t be a total tragedy on her watch…
'I’ve got you.'