Be Tender

"Where's the fucking lamb sauce!"

"Yes, Chef. On the stove Chef"

"Why is it not on the plate?!"

Laughter and snickering could be heard as Robin and Zatanna laid on her bed in the cave with a bowl of popcorn in between them. On this lazy Friday, the pair decided to just chill and watch an episode of "Hell's Kitchen".

"Rob, you think he's like that in real life or is it just for the show?"

"I think it's both. Have you seen his UK shows? He still cusses like a sailor, but he doesn't yell as much."

"It's fucking raw you donkey! How dare you serve me raw chicken!"

"Oh c'mon. How can you undercook the chicken? It's a simple dish too! Chicken cacciatore is so easy. Even I can make it!"

"Wait….you cook, Robin?"

"Of course! I learned from the best! My….uhhhh grandfather worked in the service industry for many years!"

"Really? I'll have to try some of your cooking one day. Promise you'll cook for me?"

Robin looked to the side towards his plushie counterpart to hide his blush.

"Uh yea sure haha. Anything you want."

"Although….I don't care what you say. There's no way your Italian cooking is better than mine."

"What?! C'mon now you haven't even tried my cooking, and suddenly you're taking shots haha. Cheap shots at that haha."

"Haha ok a little cheap on my part. But still, I'm actually Italian, Rob. My dad taught me all his recipes. Including chicken cacciatore. One bite and you'll be seeing stars."

Not taking this challenging tone lightly, Robin decided to be a little….playful, "Oh yea?".

Carefully moving the popcorn bowl to the floor, he tackled Zatanna pinning her to the bed under him.

"What the! Robin….hahahahahahahahah"

Hoping to teach her a lesson, Robin mercilessly tickled Zatanna sides.

"Hhahaa Robin stoooopp please hahah"

"Say my cooking is better! Say it! Hahah"

"Ok ok you're the better chef hahahah now let me goooo hahahahha"

Finally, Robin stopped his assault….but he kept his hands to her sides. Breathless, Zatanna felt some heat slowly rising to her cheeks. Robin couldn't help but drink in the sight before him. Tears from laughing were steadily rolling down her cheeks. Her hair splayed across the soft pillow underneath. Her cheeks were bright red and her lips were just begging to be touched. A long silence fell between the two. Robin gradually pressed his hands more into her sides, slowly tightening his grip as he contemplated his next move. Zatanna held her breath silently hoping her best friend would just lean down, closer to her.

Luckily, she didn't have to wait long. Robin closed their distance and placed the softest and tiniest feather of a kiss on Zatanna's lips. Neither of them really registered what just happened…what finally happened. Reality hit Robin first as his eyes widened and moved to get off.

"I….I…..I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that without asking. I….that was a bad move."

Quickly, Zatanna wrapped her own arms around his neck pulling him back.

"No no. I…..I liked it. I really really liked it. Please don't go…." Zatanna whimpered a little more needily than she wanted.

"Please…..please kiss me again," she pleaded.

As she pulled him closer, hoping to entice him to another kiss, she could make out the faint outline of his eyes behind the sunglasses. She wanted to see more, to do away with those pesky shades. But this for now was enough. At the moment, she was content to wait for him to show her his eyes…even though she desperately wanted to see those blue eyes again.

Robin shifted slightly to completely wrap his hands around Zatanna. He relaxed a little letting some of his weight onto her but was still careful about where exactly his hands were touching. Zatanna still kept a loose but firm grip in his neck. To ensure that he wouldn't jump off again, she wrapped her legs around his waist. In response, his arms squeezed her ever so gently.

He leaned down and kissed her again. This time, he lingered a bit longer allowing her a chance to respond in kind. After a few minutes, they reluctantly separated with their eyes glistening and their cheeks on fire.

"You're really soft," Robin whispered trying to break the silence.

"You're really gentle," Zatanna replied cupping his cheek.

Suddenly, the cave's PA system boomed to life.

"Team! Report to the main hall for mission briefing!"

The young couple let out a frustrated sigh. Again, Robin moved to get off, but Zatanna kept him in a vice grip.

"Zee, we've got to go."

"Just. Give me this. Let me have this moment for a little longer."

After a little bit, she finally let him go change in his room. Zatanna did not move from her bed. She just sat there touching her lips. Turning to plushie Robin, she smiled.

"You and I….need to practice a little more."