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Edward Nashton never granted much thoughts to 'babies'.
At the orphanage, young fellows were the kids most likely to be adopted and leave this Hell for good. That is, for those who didn't pass out in the deadly cold winters.
Over his adult life, nothing he undertook ever involved approaching a baby. One of his co-workers when he was an accountant got pregnant during his second year at the job, however they were not 'close', he hadn't been invited to her baby shower and he didn't participate to the collective card written and signed by his colleagues.
No, really... he has no 'history' regarding babies.
And yet, over the few days he stepped in an improvised parental role, he spent hours contemplating Stephanie Brown like he never saw anything that magnificent, he was in awe of the adorable chirping sounds she released, he was exhausted but delighted after experimentally taking care of the blonde girl.
"Getting soft, aren't you?"
Eddie smiled when he felt Batman's comforting presence right behind him.
"What can I say?" He retorted, his head leaning, almost an instinctive reaction, against his Batman's shoulder.
Even without his armor, Bruce looked rather imposing.
"You have such the effect on me."
Steph's presence was unexpected, nonetheless... she tightened the odd albeit sincere bond Batman and him progressively developed over the months Riddler has been placed under the vigilante's responsibility to help him solve cases, as a condition pronounced in his sentence at the trial.
A lovely condition, one Batman expressly demanded.
Still, they never predicted their uncertain shared path would involve babysitting a newborn.
Today, Bruce brought a plush from Wayne Manor: according to Alfred, this toy used to be his favorite when he was as small as Stephanie, he found appropriate to put the stuffed bird among the pillows forming a fluffy nest at the center of which they placed the two months old human being.
"A robin?" Edward recognized the bird's distinctive features. "You went from playing with birds to identify as a bat?"
"... As it seems... The 'bird' part is appropriate though: babies are as cute as tiny chicks."
Eddie chuckled, not making too much noise not to wake up their precious angel.
"She makes for an adorable Robin, that's for sure."
Definitely overwhelmed by the cuteness, the two of them produced a fond sigh when Stephie cuddled the plush birdie.
While Edward never minded babies before, in this new life of his, Bruce and Stephanie became the lights of his days, the two persons he holds more dear, the people for whom he would do anything.
His guardian angels are an autistic gothic Bat with a big heart and a little Robin who is a very dynamic, joyous baby.
That's more than what Edward ever hoped for in life.
