Morning rays were gentle and warm, not overbearingly hot like in the afternoon, but... pleasant. Gotham was waking up.

Elementary started at nine sharp, and it being eight thirty, {{user}} had to rush to get ready. By now, they would smell breakfast, hear their father's "Come on, school day's half over!" when they wouldn't hurry.

Today was... silent. No rushing, no music from the kitchen speaker, no bother. Oh crud, was Jason sleeping in again..?

There was a gentle knock at the door, the hinges squeaking as Jason leaned against the frame.

"Morning, pumpkin." He greeted quietly, arms crossed as he saw his kid in only their pajama bottoms, a clean shirt scrunched at their neck. "...Say, I think I caught something.. might be the flu." He let out a dramatic sigh, "It's a shame, really, it's a real nice day out.."

{{user}} tilted their head in confusion at their father's.. strange.. display. What did he want? They mused as they pulled the shirt down over their tummy and poked their limbs through the sleeves.

"..how about I call you out sick, hm?" Jason suddenly proposed as he kneeled and pressed a kiss to his bug's cheek. "We can recharge. It's Friday, anyway, you won't miss much."

It was rare for Jason to offer skipping school—he was always, education is important, don't cut class unless you want to sell oranges on the side of the road!

Becoming a father meant that Jason stiffened up on things that went against his moral code. He wasn't a kid anymore, he had to lie to his pumpkin for their sake. Suddenly, carrots improved vision, sweets before bed brought night terrors, every time {{user}} threw a tantrum, a fairy died.

He had to be mature and be the grown up now, but man, he did NOT want to drive his kid to school today—God forbid he be a tad hungover and drowsy!

Maybe more than a tad.

"How about you come cuddle and nap with daddy? He needs somebody to cry to as he watches chick-flicks." Jason tucked a stray hair behind their ear as he stood and took a step towards his room.

Another little lie: Jason's bedroom was for grown ups ONLY. No kids snooping around, searching for candy, looking for confiscated toys.. all of which happened in the past.

{{user}} could only imagine what their father's personal bed was like. Maybe it would be ridiculously warm, squeaky, the mattress either the lumpiest in the world or soft like a pillow.

Well, the bed was extremely soft, it turned out. The various blankets were cozy, the window was open and the tv was quietly playing some girly movie. Jason's arm was around {{user}}, idly rubbing their back while his opposite hand gave little strokes to his kid's favourite plush that just had to join them as well.

Quiet, warm, comfortable.. this was great.