30Kisses Theme Ficlets

Robin/Raven

By Kysra

Theme #14 (radio-cassette player): Song

There were two things Robin never thought he would do after first becoming Robin that - with the passage of years - had occurred.

First, he had believed he would never set down the mask of the crime fighter, thought he would die in the line of duty, wanted the glory that would follow such a demise. This desire had been reinforced as he had grown into his Nightwing persona, going solo and proving his mettle time and again against the most dastardly of super-villains with his own finely honed super-skills and wit.

But he had been wrong, so very wrong.

Second, Robin - directly after forming the Teen Titans with Raven - had made a private vow to himself that he would never, ever give up his bachelorhood. It was one of those impulsive, teenage promises, but one he took very seriously. He did not want to care too much about one person, especially since he guarded his identity so jealously and . . . He knew first hand sorts of disasters could happen if a relationship were to spring between a superhero and a civilian . . . or even two superheroes. It was ugliness that he never wanted to subject another to.

That's why it was still such a surprise to him that he was where he was.

Husband. Father. CEO. No longer a night prowler. No longer a one-man army of justice. And content. Happy. Complete.

He smiled, serene, when he heard muted rustling then a distinct laughing gurgle coming from the baby monitor. Gingerly, he picked up the little listening device and tried to picture the scene unfolding with only sound.

Her blue-violet hair would be up in a high pony-tail (to keep out of their son's very curious reach), the shorter strands falling around her ears and neck. Her shirt would be skewed across her shoulders, spittle and spots of baby food staining the white fabric. She would look tired, he knew, but . . . quiet, calm, peaceful with a soft mouth and softer eyes. Bare arms would hold the baby carefully, closely as they cradled and rocked the infant to and fro, readying the child for bed.

Once laid, the baby would punch and kick the air, smiling his drooling baby-smile while she tickled his chubby tummy with one finger, preparing the radio-cassette player with her free hand.

He had asked her once, why she didn't just sing lullabies to their son; and she had replied that she wasn't made for talking let alone singing. After that, he had to admit to being rather tone deaf himself, and so, their son was made to fall asleep listening to the rather antiquated cassette tape of Peter, Paul, and Mary Pappy Bruce had managed to find in his cellar (Robin - or Dick - had wondered at how someone like his foster father had made such an acquisition).

But tonight, there was no 'click' as the tape slid into place, no audible depression of the 'play' button, just silence then . . . humming.

The voice was at once familiar and new, somewhat hoarse but still sweet in its way - a long quivering whine that smoothed into the melody of Puff, the Magic Dragon, their son's favorite (meaning, of course, that it never failed to put him to sleep).

Long moments passed as he listened to her struggle through the song, and he suddenly wished he were there to take up the harmony - not that it would have sounded all that wonderful. He knew this was her way of showing how much she loved their family, giving the gift of her voice.

Then there was silence, light rustling as she - no doubt - bent to press a kiss to her palm then the baby's forehead, a whispered "I love you," and nothing.

It was several seconds before she appeared in his study door just as he pictured her - hair in a messy up sweep, sleeveless white top marked, stained, and pulled. He knew how tired she was, how tired they both were; but - still - how happy. The life they had broken away from to build together was exquisite, one he wouldn't trade for the glory of the hunt. Ever.

Leaving his work for the morning, he greeted her with a warm embrace into which she readily sunk, and he began to shakily hum as his arms accommodated her weight, carrying her to their bedroom.