A one-shot I wrote a while back.

Disclaimer: They aren't mine *long sigh*

Hope you like it!

Practice

He slipped out of bed before sunrise and made his way to his bathroom. After handling his business he stood in front of the mirror. He knew that he had a while before she woke up so he figured now would be a good time to practice.

He brushed his teeth and stared at himself. He flashed his 200 watt smile but shook his head. He grinned for a bit but shook his head again. His blank face wouldn't work so he went with a small smile.

His hair was long and it touched the mocha latte skin on his shoulders. He pulled it into a ponytail but he shook his head. He brushed it out and stared at it. 'Good enough' he thought.

He looked at himself to determine what to do with the rest of his face. He raised his left eyebrow but it didn't feel right. He raised his right eyebrow but couldn't decide. Wiggling his eyebrows back and forth almost made him dizzy. He decided on the right one.

He cleared his throat and leaned on an imaginary door. He stared at his reflection and spoke quietly. "Babe"

It didn't sound right.
He added more bass to his voice. "Babe"
Not quite right.
"Babe!"
"Babe?"
"Babe..."
Minutes went by before he found a way that he was comfortable with.

"Babe….." He spoke smoothly and nodded in approval. The sun began to rise and he knew that she will be waking up soon.
But how soon?

Once he was comfortable with everything he felt like he should review his actions once more. Like his military missions he planned every single detail to the last second. He didn't like surprises.

With his hair in place he was ready. Ricardo Manoso let a small smile grace his lips and smoothly leaned on the wall beside him. His right 'brow went up and he slowly inhaled the Bvlgari sent filling the room. "Babe."

Dammit!

He thought he had it but he didn't. He's a man on a mission and he's running out of time.

"Babe."

"Babe.." A bit deeper.

"Babe." Maybe lower.

"Babe..." Maybe casually.

"Babe" Happier.

"Babe!" Getting there. Darker!

"Babe" Stronger.

"Babe!." Lower.

"Babe."

"Babe.." She whispered huskily from the doorway.

"BABE!?" Ricardo nearly jumped out of his skin. Babe smirked and came close to raising an eyebrow up at him. "So this is why you get up so early?" She teased. Call her crazy but she could almost bet her last TastyCake that he was blushing!

or even.

(gasp)

Embarrassed. .

She smiled at the thought and lifted his chin up. His blank mask never appeared. His eyes met hers and she saw all of the love and adoration shining brightly back at her. He saw the same thing in hers.

Steph smiled at him through the mirror as she prepped her toothbrush. He was still a little hesitant to look at her even though his skin had cooled down. She held his face in her hands and kissed his cheek.

"It's okay Ric. Even Batman needs a little practice sometimes."

Words:531 words without note...I think.