Saturday, 19 December ~*Love *~

It was early. It was practically still night. Robin had woken up from a suffocating nightmare around three and couldn't go back to sleep. He really, really hated small spaces! He could stand on the very edge of an abyss, staring straight down into it and be excited to jump, but this? But he had to. And part of being a hero was being brave enough to do things even though you were afraid. There was no bravery without fear. Still… The black cookies-and-cream flavored tea had only soothed him to a certain extent, and now he was sitting up in bed wondering what to do next. He then realized what he wanted to do.

He opened the door to Slade's bedroom as quietly as he could. The man was sleeping on mainly one side of the bed, so there was no problem for the teen to slip under the covers on the other side. He had hoped Slade wouldn't wake up, but of course he did.

"Feeling ok?" the man asked, pulling him close.

"Nightmare."

"How can I help?"

"You already are," Robin claimed and snuggled close.

"I've talked to Bruce and Selina, but they won't budge. She'll be helping from a distance as a look out, that's all."

"Why did you talk to them? Don't you think I can do it?" Robin asked, a bit angrily.

"No, obviously you can, but I don't want you to have to. Unfortunately… there's no other way. Not if we want to do this the stupid way."

"The 'not-killing-everyone-inside' way?"

"Exactly."

"Ah well. Stupid hero morals," Robin chuckled.

"Yes. But I have to put up with them for your sake, don't I?"

"I'd hope so," Robin grinned up at the man and then stretched enough to be able to kiss him. "Wanna… do stuff?"

"Always."

It was early in the morning, so he wasn't taking up any work-time for Slade and wasn't disturbing his focus in any way, Robin figured. That meant it could be his time. He kissed the man again, and then continued to kiss his way down his chest.

"Do you want to-?" Slade started asking.

"Mmm!" Robin confirmed and, with a grin, got completely under the covers.

In a parallel universe Alfred walked in on that scene, but here it was three-thirty in the morning and no one to disturb them. Using hands and tongues they pleased and teased each other until at least Robin was a sweaty, quivering mess.

"Make me… please!" he gasped, and arched his back as the man honored his wish. Something wet landed on his chest a second later, and Robin looked up blearily to see Slade just finishing touching himself.

"Oh…. I'm… sorry," the teen panted. "I just…" he said. "Too much…" he added, with a blissful smile and half-closed eyes. "Sorry, that was selfish…" he added, a bit more contrite now.

"I enjoy seeing you like this far too much for holding anything against you," the man chuckled. "Besides.. you'll make it up to me?"

"Yes, I will," Robin grinned. "'M tired," he added in a mumble.

"Nope, you're not falling asleep without cleaning up first, Alfred doesn't need to see you like this, nor any stains," Slade told him firmly and pulled him out of bed. That threat was enough to get the teen to realize the danger too, however, and soon they were in the ensuite bathroom together, cleaning up in the shower. Which led to a round two, where Robin was quite generous indeed.

"You're not… I mean, you don't mind that we didn't… do it?" Robin asked a bit later, when they were back in bed together. It was still early, it was Saturday, and the teen damn well didn't want to get up just yet.

"We didn't do it? What the hell was all that sweating and moaning about, then?" Slade chuckled.

"I mean... you know… do it-do it."

"Ah. No. When you feel ready-"

"It's not that, I just didn't want to go all the way right then, I just wanted to have some fun," Robin claimed, though he wasn't sure it was the whole truth.

"Plenty of fun was had," Slade confirmed.

Robin snickered and then yawned. "I think I might be able to sleep for a bit longer."

"Want to stay?"

"Hell yes."

"Not caring about Alfred's opinions?"

"Alfred likes you. I think he likes the idea of you and me too. He's just making sure I'm… ok," Robin smiled.

"Which is very good. Do you know if he enjoys anything specifically? Whiskey? Porter?"

"I rarely see him drink at all. Except for tea."

"Well, tea it is, then. I'm sure someone sells ridiculously overprized bags of dried leaf litter somewhere, that can work as a proper present."

"Might even find two places," Robin snickered again. "Now hush. Me sleep."

"Yes, sir. Might join you," Slade chuckled.

Robin was out like a light within minutes.

To be Continued…