Work Text:
For years, Batman has been updating random aspects of the Watchtower without checking in with other members of the league. For most things, this is not an issue. Batman always has the league’s best interest, which he has proven repeatedly. However, sometimes, Batman will alter something that grates against the others’ nerves.
When Batman altered the layout of the kitchen, everyone complained, but eventually they all got used to it. When Batman changed the way that the leaguers logged into the computer systems, again it took time, but eventually, everyone came around.
For Clark, it is the small things that Batman alters that irk him the most. He understood the kitchen, the computers, and everything else, but he doesn’t understand Batman’s obsession of lining so many items with lead. Their rooms? Clark understands completely. The meeting rooms, sure. The tables? No. Why does he line the tables with lead? It seems like such a pointless aspect to change, but here is Clark, in a meeting, glaring at a table.
Clark isn’t even sure when the tables got changed. It’s not like he makes it a habit to scan the tables with his x-ray vision. But today, he did. Barry and Hal are sitting next to each other in the meeting, and have been snickering to each other. Seemingly nothing is happening, so Clark is assuming they are kicking each other under the table. Now, Clark only has his assumption though, since the table is lined with lead.
Cyborg is standing near Superman, telling the league about some of the new updates he is adding to the security. And Clark is trying to pay attention to Cyborg. He is. But, he can not fathom what reason there would be to have a lead lined table in the league. The league has been around for seven years and at this point, Batman will usually at least send out a memo when he is altering something. When would he have even had time to do this?
Clark’s eyes flicker from the table to Batman. Batman is watching Cyborg give the presentation, his eyes flickering down to his tablet, taking notes. And Clark shouldn’t be so shocked that Batman would lead line a table. Hell, he lead lines his face. Clark feels eyes on him and his eyes shift to the person next to Batman.
Nightwing sits next to Batman. He was invited to this meeting as a leader of the Titans. The Titans have been around for around 3 years now and have been making great changes for younger heroes.
As Clark’s gaze shifts to Nightwing, Nightwing meets his gaze unflinchingly. The young hero seems to be staring straight into Clark’s soul. Clark doesn’t know much about the young hero. The titans were sent an invite to this meeting to discuss how the Titans and League will be able to communicate with each other during world ending events.
Absentmindedly, Clark notices that Cyborg has stopped talking and is making his way back to his own seat, which means that John Stewart is going to be talking about any intergalactic issues that may cause issues. Clark, begrudgingly, must pay attention to this part, so he turns his eyes from Nightwing and turns slightly, giving John his full attention.
—
Watching Cyborg give a presentation about the security of the Watchtower would be very appealing and educational to Dick if he hadn’t read all of Cyborg's notes prior to the meeting. Not that Cyborg gave Dick the notes, but Cyborg should know at this point that he doesn’t care about hacking into anything.
Instead, Dick has been messaging Jason and Bruce throughout the meeting.
Nightwing: Wouldn’t it be more beneficial if Cyborg rerouted all of the outgoing calls from the beta system to the delta system? The beta already has the backup comm unit going through it as well as zeta tube designations of guests to the Watchtower.
Nightwing: Just a thought.
Robin: You’re a thot.
Batman: Robin.
Robin: What? He is.
Batman: Would you want Agent A to read that?
Robin: …. no
Nightwing:😝
Batman: Bring up your thoughts with Cyborg after the meeting.
Dick looks up from his tablet and watches Cyborg finishing up the meeting, jotting a few more notes down of thoughts for Cyborg. As Dick does this he realizes SUperman is staring intently at Batman. And two can play at this game, so Dick sets his tablet down and stares at Superman. Dick waits for the older man to realize and then stare him down. Dick is holding out for Superman to turn away first, holding back a smirk at the olderman’s worried lines.
Once Superman looks away, Dick picks back up his tablet.
Nightwing: Did you notice Clark was staring at you
Batman: Yes.
Nightwing: He wuz also glarin at the table. LOL what if he just realized it’s lead lined!
Robin: Use a question mark.
Nightwing: Ok riddler?
Robin: Did you fail English class?
Batman: If Clark just now realized the tables are lined with lead, he has been ignoring the table for the last seven years. Now pay attention to the meeting.
Robin: Yeah, pay attention to the meeting.
Dick makes sure to keep a straight face as he kicks under the table where he is pretty sure Jason is hiding near Bruce. Dick definitely hits something solid and has to hold back his smirk. There are a few moments of reprise before Dick feels a rough smack against his leg.
Making sure to keep his face straight, Dick lifts his leg and kicks again. This time earning a quick glare from Batman….wrong solid.
There is a pull against Dick’s leg as his boot is pulled ever so slightly off. And oh, Dick is going to hang Jason by his toes off of the T-Rex later. Dick kicks his leg out hard, dislodging the leech on his leg.
“What are your thoughts on this Nightwing?” Superman asks him, smiling slightly too wide to seem genuine. Nightwing’s gaze shifts to Superman and then to the information John Stewart has pulled up.
Grinning, devilishly, Nightwing questions, “Do you actually want my opinion? Or are you just trying to see if I’ve been paying attention?” NIghtwing leans forward, waving his hand dismissively, preparing to lie through his teeth. “I know that I am young Superman, but I have been doing this longer than most of the heroes in the league. I don’t like being looked down on.”
Cocking his head, Nightwing looks Clark up and down, eyes narrowing. As he does this, he feels his other shoe get pulled slightly and he kicks his leg out sharply. “If you want my plan, I will write up an entire report tonight about how I would counter this attack and send it to you. But if you are just planning on using me during this meeting as a lesson about paying attention during a meeting then I suggest that you- Mother fucker!”
Dick cuts off as a sharp pain shoots up his leg. He jumps up, his chair scraping backwards and clattering onto the ground. Several other leaguers jump up in unison, muscles tensing, preparing for a threat. Dick leans under the table, shouting, “Did you just stab me?”
Several leagues look at Nightwing with concern and they too lean under the table to look for someone with a knife. Those who look under the table watch as a red and green blur scurries out from under the table and pops up next to Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman looks down at this young boy who is barely taller than her waist, grins at her and then lunges behind her as Nightwing leaps over the table.
“How did a kid get in here?” Oliver yells, watching as the two younger men run around the table.
Hal shrugs and points at the intruder, “Should we catch him?”
“No.” Batman says from his seat where he has yet to move during this time. Batman sounds tired as he says, “Everyone sit down.”
The leaguers look at each other before slowly sitting down at the chairs uncomfortable as these two people scream at each other.
“I’m going to lock you in the fucking dungeon!” Nightwing yells as he vaults over a chair to grab Robin. Robin dives under the table and scrambles to the other side.
“There is no dungeon!” Robin retorts, holding a chair out in front of him.
“Tell that to the last kid, who’s still locked in there to this day.”
Nightwing jumps over the chair and Robin ducks down. He jumps back up and runs over to Batman, grabbing the back of Batman’s chair and spinning it. Robin now stands behind Batman with Batman facing Nightwing.
“Save me, B! He’s gone feral.” Robin screams in Batman’s ear, ducking behind the chair. Batman sighs as Nightwing walks up to him.
“Come on, B.” Nightwing smiles, “Move out of the way, and we can go back to the days of just three people at the house.”
Batman stands up and pushes the chair in quickly, making Robin yelp. Batman stares down at Robin. Then he looks over at Nightwing.
“You’re both grounded.”
“-but he started it-”
“-he stabbed me-”
“I don’t care.” Batman turns to look at Robin. “No stabbing your brother. You’ve lost Pride and Prejudice for a week.”
“But B!” Robin starts, but cuts off at the glare Batman gives him. Nightwing sticks his tongue out at Robin.
Batman spins around and Nightwing quickly calms his face. “And you’re not allowed on the trapeze this week.”
“I don’t even live at home anymore!” Nightwing protests, throwing his hands in the air. Batman glares at Nightwing and after almost a full thirty second stare down, Nightwing huffs and pulls out his phone. “Fine, let me text Star that I’ll be back next week and she’s in charge.”
Batman nods once and then points to the door. “Now go home. Both of you.”
Slowly, both kids make their way to the zeta tube, grumbling as they go.
“This is your fault, dick for brains.” Jason grumbles.
“Said the kid who stabbed me.” Dick retorts, rolling his eyes.
“I nicked you,” Jason mutters, “And now I lost my favorite book and movie.”
Superman listens to them the whole way to the zeta tubes. There are several moments of silence until right before they step into the zeta tube, Nightwing asks, “So, since we left early, wanna go get ice cream?”
“Sure.” Robin replies quietly, “Sorry I stabbed you. I’ll give you one of my Sonic Band-Aids.”
Meanwhile, in the meeting room, the leaguers sit in a stunned silence, gaping at Batman.
“Those are my children.” Batman finally says. “No, I will not elaborate on that. No, I will not be taking criticism of my parenting. No, you will not be meeting them.”
There is a moment as the leaguers take this in and they start to slowly raise their hands.
“No questions.” Batman states. He turns around, his cape fluttering behind him, “Now, I have to get home to make sure they actually follow their consequences.”
“They’re getting ice cream,” Superman mutters, blinking a few times in a daze.
Batman sighs and walks out of the room, leaving the league behind, stunned.