THE WOES OF A SINGLE FATHER ; BATFAMILY && SUPERBAT

Chapter 14

  "I thought about quitting, but then I noticed who was watching." - Unknown.  

    ★    

The peaceful morning air of 5.30 a.m was shattered by a sudden shrill wailing. The source of the cries came from the youngest member of the Wayne family.

Damian's soft tufts of black hair stuck up all over the place. His eyes shut tight as he let out a high-pitched shriek.

Bruce, who slept on the bed stationed a few feet from the baby crib, struggled to fight off the temptation of sleep. Slowly, he sat up and groaned out in exasperation. As he rubbed his sleepy eyes, his attention drifted towards the digital clock on his nightstand.

Five thirty in the morning.

It was too early to wake up, especially for Bruce who had only slept for two hours.

It took a few minutes before Bruce finally gets out of the bed. Grudgingly, he walked over to the crib.

Despite Bruce's appearance, Damian was still crying his eyes out.

With a deep sigh, the father lifted his son up. He checked on the boy's diaper, but it didn't seem like Damian had wet it.

Bruce cradled Damian close to his heart. He mumbled gentle whispers of comfort as he rocked his son back and forth.

Despite the attention and comfort, Damian did not stop crying. Bruce was starting to grow frustrated.

He was too tired to deal with all of this. The fresh injuries he'd received during his night patrol were starting to ache again.

 He was exhausted and wounded.

Moments like this always made Bruce felt helpless and he didn't know what to do.

With his son in his arms, the father walked back to the bed. Sitting down, he placed Damian on his lap and started to sing a lullaby.

"Lullaby, and good night, in the skies stars are right..." Upon hearing his voice, Damian cracked a teary eye open. His wailing started to slow down. Bright green eyes looked up at Bruce in pure curiosity.

Seeing the effect of his singing, Bruce feigned a tired smile to his son.

As a child, Bruce remembered hearing his mother humming the same song to him every night. It was a nostalgic song, filled with plenty of pleasant memories of his mother.

"Lullaby, and goodnight, you are mother's delight," Unintentionally, Bruce's voice stumbled over the word 'mother'.

Damian, impossible as it may have been, seemed to have noticed Bruce's sudden insecurity. He had stopped crying, his eyes staring wide at his father.

Damian couldn't talk. However, it seemed he could sense the negativity Bruce was experiencing.

"... it's okay, Damian..." Bruce brought his son close to his chest. His palm rubbed soothing circles on the child's back.

He shouldn't.
He can't.
He won't allow his negative emotions to affect Damian.

"I'm okay," Bruce assured. However, the adult wondered if he is actually comforting his son or himself. "I'm okay. Everything is okay. Just focus on my voice, Damian."

He was relieved to see the child's eyelids begin to drop.

"I'll protect you... from harm... a-and you'll wake in... my... arms..." This time, when Bruce stopped, he couldn't continue the singing. There is a lump stuck in his throat, trying to escape.