v e n t (+16)

(8)

It has been raining throughout the night which only added a peaceful feeling to the ambient. Raindrops softly tapping on the glass walls and dripping down together with a whistling wind were like a lullaby. It made the tower feel much more cosy and safe. Their breaths were relaxed, long and warm, hitting each other's skins like breeze. Robin spent the night in his room with Michelle. Like usual, he had his arms wrapped around her while she was laying down with her back turned on him. Whenever she felt a little cold, she would face her dad and snuggle to his body. It forced him to adjust to be able to hug her comfortably. Sometimes, a little shiver of excitement ran through his body when he felt her get closer. He should be used to her by now, but it still made him happy to know that she's there, safe and sound and in his arms.

It wasn't often that he could just have his daughter over at the tower and cuddle her so while he was tired sometimes, moments like those made up for it easily. The first half of their night was restful. Around 3 AM, Michelle began moving her legs slightly. It resembled kicking. Her eyelids tightened together in a frown. One of her hands, which was embracing her father's back, clenched into a fist and grabbed his shirt. Her fingers fidgeted nervously on the red fabric as she exhaled sharply and moaned. She turned her head to the other side and her breaths became shorter and quicker. Soon, her body was all wriggling in discomfort. Her mumbling sounded louder and worried. Soon some pulls on Robin's shirt, and occasionally even hair, when she managed to grab it, brought awareness to the sleeping man next to her. He opened his squinted eyes after rubbing on them and then looked around until he noticed the poor girl haunted by a bad dream.

The man suddenly felt more awake. He supported himself on his left forearm to face her, grabbed one of her arms gently and began to shake her.

- Wake up, Michelle - he half-whispered.

She seemed to think that Robin's grip belongs to someone evil because she tried to kick him, but then she suddenly woke up and bolted up from her pillow, accompanied by her own heavy breathing and fast heartbeat. The older sat up together with her and watched her calm down on her own for a moment. She took a short glance at the room around her nervously until she saw her dad. Her eyes looked glossy from tears she was too terrified to shed. Robin gave her a kind face expression and rubbed her back affectionately.

- You're okay, baby - he reassured her. - I'm here.

The girl listened to him. The heavy breathing eased and her eyes became more tired. She laid down and fell asleep instantly. The man observed her for a moment and then he felt tired himself. He also rested his body on the mattress and pulled Michelle in his arms to hold her tighter this time, hoping to scare away the nightmares that steal her sleep. After wrapping a blanket around them both, the man also drifted away. After that incident, they managed to sleep without waking up too early again. At around 6 AM, which was their usual time to start a new day, Robin yawned and stretched. He scratched his scalp and turned to Myth. She was sleeping on her back with her mouth open and hair all over the pillow. A few strands also ended up on her face. He rubbed his face with a long sigh. After he got up from the bed carefully enough not to wake her up, he walked over to his closet and picked his everyday suit to change into in the bathroom. The door to his room shut quietly, leaving only the girl inside.

Robin took a refreshing shower and then brushed his teeth and washed his face. While doing that, he noticed differences on his skin. It was a bit darker under eyes. He tried to pull it up with his fingers and rub on it to check if it's really there to stay. After washing face again, no changes appeared.

I must have slept badly - he guessed in his mind.

He changed into the clothes without thinking too deeply of his state. Next direction was the living room. It was still empty and smelling fresh due to tilted windows. Spending time there in the morning and at night was very enjoyable because of the atmosphere and air in that room. He stayed there for only as long as their electric kettle needed to boil water for an unsweetened black coffee. After pouring the liquid onto instant coffee inside his favourite red mug, he grabbed the dish and carried it with him on the roof. He expected to not see anyone, but his sight met Raven who was sitting near the edge and looking down at something. It wasn't surprising when he saw a more or less 200-page book on her knees after coming closer.