A Superhero Retired

The life I have isn't all that spectacular now.

But once upon a time, it was wonderful. It was a time full of adventure, adrenaline, and fun.

Snap, Crackle…

Snap!

Then comes the pop, and that’s about the time every friggin’ thing goes out of whack. In an odd way, this was something that was expected ever since the moment the good old uniform met its last wear. It’s also the day the ass came out the seat of the pants - bringing a whole new meaning to wear and tear.

But, Bruce’s old bones were just that - old, and the brittling of age was nothing that he, or any other could escape. Once, the Dark Knight had been a strong, indomitable force, and the suit he’d donned held up by amplifying his chiseled muscles in ways that, truly, no other tailor had ever been able to recreate. With salty grey hair, and a firm grip though, Bruce still looked the part of a man who wasn’t to be tried - even if he was retired.

It had been only a few years, and despite choosing to cease his call to vigilante justice, Bruce still kept aware of what the ongoings in his locale were. How else was a retired Superhero supposed to pass the days?

It helped that he had many a great story to regale people with, but lately it seemed like the audiences were diminishing. It couldn’t be due to his incessant need to discuss that one time Robin fell from the trapeze and how he really didn’t want to be responsible for someone who couldn’t prevent themselves from a wreck like that. Still, Robin was his one sold friend anymore as Alfred had long passed from the dreadful thing that now gripped Bruce tightly - geriatric age.

“Hey, Brucey….” The trailing interruption of Robin’s words drew Bruce away from his crossword puzzle as he peered over the edge of it,

“Hm, what do you want, Rob?” Bruce asked, casually placing the crossword on the end table beside him and tilting his head with intrigue. The door had been opened so slowly, that the inch of light in the hallway cast a sliver over the floor- emphasizing Robin’s shadow as he stepped inside.

“I was thinking…you know they’re going to be closing down the minor league baseball stadium, right?” Robin asked, easing. His green and red fading jacket from his arms, and cradling it over the edge of the armchair just beside Bruce.

“Nah, can’t say I did. Been pretty occupied with this…” Bruce waved toward the crossword puzzle and crossed his arms. His nonchalance apparent from the way he followed suit by uncrossing his previously crossed legs and placing both feet calmly upon the floor.

“Heh, you seem rather meticulous about all this...” Robin said, “and I figured as much. Ya know, it’s not good for you to stay cooped up in this cave all the time.”

“Well, I am Batman.”

“Holy Smokes! Batman, I had no clue! So, then how come you’re not hibernating upside down then?” Robin inquired coolly.

“I do what calms me. I don’t know why my choice of hobbies bothers you so much, Robin. How’s the mountain climbing going? I can see you still haven’t fallen down.” Bruce retorted.

“Oooh, the sting in that! And here I came to ask if you wanted to join me to watch the game! C’mon - I need a sidekick.” Robin joked playfully. He tilted his head, and reached back for his jacket with a casual slowness that Bruce immediately noted. Bruce smiled with a bit of a light chuckle, and shaking his own head, immediately stood up,

“And I need a bout with the Joker and Harlequin - fuck me, I’m in.”