A/N: Look at me, writing two days in a row!

Thanks for the reads and reviews guys, I really appreciate it.

Taking a moment for a review reply here:

Yuna Kimitachi—Thank you very much for your kind words! However, there isn't quite a….plotline to follow? My thinking when writing these is exactly as you said—they're random moments; snapshots in time of Robin from his very beginning and following his experiences with Young Justice. While they do adhere to a timeline (I'm trying to keep the events in chronological order), hopefully when I'm done, I've shown some growth and change in his character.

And onwards to another drabble! :)

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine.

Formal

"Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne, over here please!"

"Richard, a few questions if you will?"

"Mr. Grayson; Richard!"

"Bruce!"

The cameras began flashing even before we'd stepped out of the car, our bright smiles already in place like the masks we donned so frequently.

"Not tonight, I'm sorry," Bruce smiled, his hand falling on my shoulder as we walked through the crowd of reporters. "We have a fundraiser to get to." I nodded cheerily, my expression carefully hiding my reluctance. I understand the need for secret identities and a strong cover, but hiding in plain sight sure did get exhausting.

Maybe tonight we can make it a little more 'hausting.

My smile grew more genuine as I recalled the last event we'd attended. Wayne Tech had been hosting a banquet to mark the beginning of the school year and hand out the Wayne Scholarships. Considering Gotham Academy is run by some of the oldest and richest families in the city, the banquet had been as boring and drab as the uniforms the students were required to wear while attending. Fortunately, it had been cut short when the GCPD received notice of a bomb threat at the bank across the street. Bruce and I could leave, and Batman and Robin could come out to play.

No such luck for tonight, it seemed. Usually Commissioner Gordon and Babs would show up for at least a few hours, but her gymnastics practice ran late on Thursday nights, and her dad didn't want her out 'partying' on school nights. I stifled a sigh as I watched Bruce from the edge of the stage, thanking all the attendees for their generous donations and the like. I knew beneath his oblivious and smiling façade, he was just as bored with these social functions as I.

Minutes dragged on into hours while we mingled, carefully working the room in tandem and greeting everyone with smiles and recognition—mostly faked, on my part. Still, I was a performer at heart, and acting was as natural as breathing.

In a few stolen moments of solitude, I retreated to the corner of the room, tucked away in a small alcove as I ran another hand over my hair, sighing. My face was beginning to hurt from smiling so much.

"We should be able to leave in about an hour or so." I didn't flinch, having been aware of Bruce's approach long before he spoke.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Never let your guard down. Even here, my training was a constant mantra echoing in my head.

I nodded, turning to offer him a small but genuine smile as he reached out and adjusted my tie. The crowd suddenly seemed much louder and I leaned to peer around Bruce, curious. Maybe we'll catch a break tonight after all.

"George, what are you-"

"Sir, please-"

"Nonsense! This is exactly where I should be!"

A splash filled the room as the man, obviously inebriated, proceeded to jump into the decorative fountain in the middle of the banquet hall. His wife pushed her way through the crowd and reached out to him, trying desperately to calm him and pull him from the water.

"I am the kraken, hear me roar!" Her embarrassed blush darkened and she grabbed his hands, tugging fruitlessly.

"George, please, people are staring!"

"I thought the refreshments were strictly non-alcoholic this evening?" I quirked an eyebrow, glancing at Bruce with an amused smirk. He grinned, eyes on the spectacle.

"Evidently, someone didn't get the memo." Waiters rushed around the fountain with towels at the woman yelled in surprise, her husband yanking her off balance and into the water as he declared her to be the sea queen. He melted into the crowd, my eyes following him vaguely as I stepped forward myself and headed for the door. The fundraiser would be ending early tonight, it seemed.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion as Bruce stopped one of the waiters, taking a glass from him and smiling, nodding towards the fountain. He shook the young man's hand, looking for all the world like an innocent 'thank you' for his service. I smirked, crossing my arms as the waiter's hand pulled back and disappeared into his pocket.

"Ready to go?" I nodded as Bruce reappeared at my side, that same hand falling to my shoulder to steer me through the door, the chaos behind us ensuring that Batman and Robin would have time to patrol tonight after all.

And he questions my maturity level.