Beckoning Lyght

The Last Straw

Chapter Seven: The Last Straw

She was grateful as her head hit the pillow, the softness of the sheets drifting her into almost immediate sleep. Tabitha had a rough night; after a slew of small missions, her day ended with a one-on-one with Mr. Freeze. She was confident that she would be able to take care of him herself; she never expected to fall victim to his ice ray. Luckily for her, Tabitha thought quickly and unthawed herself with her lightning. The effect of being trapped in ice remained even after the fight; the only thing she looked forward to was a warm bed.

She was too tired to feel Bruce shift beside her; she knew that he would eventually wrap his arms around her and fall back to sleep himself. Tabitha had to admit that they both slept better whenever they slept together; she dreaded the nights when they weren’t able to. Tabitha had slight thoughts of easing her workload for a while in order to enjoy more nights like that.

“…… I’m hungry…” the whisper was enough to make her open one eye and cringe. She thought against shifting, making her displeasure known. If she pretended not to hear him, maybe he would fall back asleep, she reasoned. Bruce Wayne would have to get up and get the food himself!

“…… Please… I’m hungry…”

“Go to sleep!” she nearly growled.

“Hmm…?”

“I don’t care ‘bout you being hungry right now…” she mumbled. Bruce stretched and gave his fiancé a sleepy look.

“What?”

“I’m tired; all I wanna do is sleep! I don’t wanna hear about you being hungry!” she told him, pulling the blanket over her head.

“… Are you talking in your sleep…?”

“… Gotta be sleep to do that; you’re pushing your luck, Wayne!”

“But, I didn’t say anything.”

“Ha, ha; very funny! Goodnight, Bruce!”

“Okay… goodnight…” he shrugged and cuddled beside her; Bruce made a mental note to talk about it in the morning. Tabitha huffed out a relieved sigh and began to doze off.

“…… Aren’t you hungry…”

“Gaddamnit, Bruce!”

“What?!”

“If you don’t leave me the hell alone, I’m gonna shock you! I mean it!”

“I haven’t done anything! Are you okay?” he halfway sat up. Tabitha snatched the blanket off her head and glared at him.

“I really ain’t got time for games! Five hours, okay? Can you give me five hours of fucking sleep and then I’ll fix you whatever you want?!”

“Tabitha… I haven’t said anything. Seriously; is everything okay with you?”

“You didn’t tell me you were hungry?”

“… No.”

“You ain’t been whispering to me?”

“I was sleep until you yelled at me. I don’t think that I talk in my sleep. Maybe you’re stressed and just… hearing things…” he tried to explain. She softened her look as she studied his face. His facial expression was one of genuine confusion and concern; he may have been right.

“I… I guess so…”

“You didn’t come across Joker tonight, did you?”

“No. Just that Freeze guy. He just… hit me with that ice gun.”