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Slowly, and smoothly, he got out of the shower and put on some sweat pants, brushed his teeth, and went upstairs.
He checked on his sisters and brothers, and grandfather, then on the pets, before making his way to his bedroom.
His name is Richard and in the last 2 months he quit his job, he and his wife, Barbara, with their family, left the manor and went to a penthouse.
At his command.
He became the man in the family.
He became the older brother who was the Guardian.
He became the businessman for the company.
He became Batman.
In less than a month, he would be a dad.
That thought made chills go down his spine, but, he took a deep breath to calm himself, and opened the door to his and his wife’s room.
Babs was sleeping on her usual spot on the right on their king bed, with a peaceful look on her face.
Their son was in her 7 months womb.
His son.
Wyatt Bruce Grayson.
It made him feel uneasy, thinking that he will be responsible for raising a young boy- that he made!- that might look like him, or like Babs, he didn't want to screw him up, traumatize him!!
He laid down next to his wife, with a mental sigh, he closed his eyes trying to fall asleep, he have work tomorrow’s morning... Which was after 4-3 hours.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep.
After 30 minutes of turning and tossing around in his spot, he finally got up and went to the balcony’s doors, and opened them, he sat down, letting some of the wind come at him, hitting him and making it go through his hair.
His eyes were cast to the sky, where he would usually fly at night, the moon was whole, white stairs were shining down at Gotham City.
He felt a slim arm going around his shoulders, one arm that he knows too well, “ Hey Princess.” he said, his voice was faded, “ Hiya handsome, ” she kissed his jaw, before letting her head drop to his shoulder.
Her hair was down, unlike when he saw her earlier, she was wearing very short shorts with a silky robe around her, covering her chest, letting her growing womb exposed to the nice wind, “ woke you up?”
“ what? Nah... Wywy did.” she ran her delicate fingertips on her stomach, “ clearly, he will be a crime fighter, just like his family, ” she smiled fondly, “ you ok, Pixie?”
Pixie. A silly nickname she gave him when they were just 7... It used to make him mad, back in the day, but now? Now it brought him comfort somehow.
“ I... I will be good,” he whispered, they stayed in silence before the red-haired woman said, “ talk to me.”
“ *t* I... I don't know what to say, ” he tutted, “ I am listening.” Babs said, her head still was on his shoulder, she took his hands in hers, “ there is a family that died tonight, ” small tear went down his chin, dropping on their hands, “ Oh honey, ”
“ there was a fire at their home, and when I arrived, there was a kid, no older than 18... He was screaming for his family, his mom- and... I didn't know *Gasp* what to do, to calm him down, especially as Batman... Babs, the fire was just so big!! No one could’ve survived it!”
“ I am so sorry, Dick... All we can do is pray for their son, and family, and friends.” she rubbed his shoulder.
“ something else is at your mind.” she stated after a while, “ yeah... Well, a lot actually.” he sighed as Calmed down, “ hmm? What are they?” Babs asked, she took her husband’s head and slowly lowered it to her lap, “ how did you do that? Laying me down in your lap?” the man laughed, it was watery... but, it made him have a big smile on his face.
“ what can I say? I am amazing.” she smirked, “ but really Babe, what is upsetting you?” she ran her fingers through his thick black hair, “... It’s been 2 months without him, ” he whispered, “ oh... Dickie.“
“ and I know that is so stupid, I should’ve been doing better than this! But I can't... I am only 21 years old, trying to take care of everything... I miss him, Y’know?” He wiped the newly released tears, “ yeah, I do. He was like my father/ Uncle figure... We all miss him.”
“ I know, I know... I’ve been thinking how did he do it?” he closed his eyes, “ being a great dad for me and my siblings, a great son, and a friend. Had a company and was Batman without losing himself?!”
“ he had his own personal problems... Dick, he just didn't want you to know.” Barbara looked down, “ I know there is more.” she gave him a stern look when he wanted to say something back, “ Fine... I don't get it! Why did choose me to Batman? why me? Why did that family die? What if I lost everyone? I... Really think that I will be a bad father! I know I am not a great husband or son, or even brother!”
“ you done?” she asked him with a raised eyebrows, he nodded silently, she took a deep breath and started, “ Bruce... He trusted you, Dick. He could've given Jay, Tim it even Cass the name, but no. He didn't, he gave you... Because, in reality, you are the only one who is strong enough not to lose themselves to the darkness, tell me I am wrong.”
“ no, you are right... He wrote that letter-”
“ that’s good! That family is gone because this is what God wanted, this was written for them, and you won't lose anyone Dick, not by choice... A bad father? Did you hear yourself? Dick! You are the best man I ever could think to help me raise our son, you were a great son, you are an amazing brother and friend, and an AWESOME husband, ok baby?”
They both sat down like that for a bit, “ I know that what you said is true, it’s just... I always get this feeling-”
“ Hunk wonder, I want you to listen to me closely.” Barbara said, and Richard nodded, “ life can and will get hard at times, but it will get easier.” she smiled at him, “ I want you to know that these feelings? Are just thoughts, you choose to make them big, or small... That letter that Bruce wrote to you? Keep it under your pillow. That teen boy? Our heart and prayers go to him, and if it makes you feel better, you and I can visit him!!” she smiled at him, “ and the whole family leaving?” she looked at him with concern. “ there is a lot to say to this particular idea, but, I feel I should just say that I and Wyatt have your back, no matter what... You are my hubby and his daddy, and we love you so much. Being Batman or Nightwing, or Robin, or EMT, or whatever, we love you.”
The ebony-haired man nodded before he raised himself from his position, “ Thanks, Angle.” he kissed her on her cheek, “ you know it Pixie, ” she smiled back, “ now come on, let’s go inside and get some sleep before we have to wake up again.”
“ whatever you want Baby, whatever you want.”
THE END!