𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐄 𝐔𝐏, ronance ¹

𝟏𝟔. 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦

As the morning sun streamed into Nancy's kitchen, she leaned against the countertop, quietly watching Robin as she pulled two bowls from the kitchen cupboard.

"I never thought I'd get this excited about cereal," Nancy said, taking one of the bowls from Robin, "Pass me the milk?"

Robin reached halfway for the milk, then froze, her eyes snapping up to meet Nancy's, "You haven't put the cereal in yet."

Nancy quirked an eyebrow, "And?"

"And you aren't supposed to put the milk in before the cereal!" Robin replied, peering into Nancy's empty bowl, "Cereal is an art, Nance. A delicate balance."

Nancy laughed, "Well, lucky for you—" she snatched the milk from Robin's lingering hand, "—this is my bowl."

"No, no, no," Robin shook her head, taking a deep breath as she stirred her own cereal, "First, you pour the cereal— gently, mind you. Each piece must land with precision."

Nancy got up from her seat and made her way around the counter; Robin barely stopped for breath as she took a bite of her cereal.

"Then, and only then, do you add the milk," she pointed a finger at Nancy, "And don't even get me started on the spoon size because that's—"

Nancy cut her off with a calculated kiss, stretching her arms over Robin's shoulders.

As they parted, Robin opened her mouth to tease her, but a sharp knock on the door echoed through the kitchen, shattering their serene morning.

The silence washed over them as they exchanged a hesitant glance, breaking apart and heading for their weapons.

Nancy grabbed her gun from the side table by the sofa, and Robin snatched the bat she borrowed from Steve.

Without a word, Robin turned the doorknob, the bat poised for a perfectly aimed swing.

She threw the door open and swung, not bothering to look at whose face she was aiming at.

Callahan ducked as Powell uttered a curse, catching the bat inches in front of his face.

Powell grinned, clearly amused, "Easy there, Batman."

Nancy let out a breath of relief as she put her gun back in the side table drawer. Robin lowered the bat, shooting a pointed look at their unexpected guests.

"Just in time to witness my near-heart attack," Robin joked, glancing back at Nancy.

"What brings you here at—" Nancy turned her wrist over to look at her watch, "—9:32am?"

"The mill filled with supposed cult bodies isn't showing up on our maps," Callahan said, helping himself to Robin's cereal.

Robin rolled her eyes, "Sure, Callahan, I'd be happy to share my breakfast with you."

Powell stifled a snort and turned to Nancy, "We kind of need you to show us where it is."

"Sounds fantastically boring," Robin joked, "We can take you when you're done eating our food."