"Well that mission did not go as planned," J'onn states, floating behind Wonder Woman, Batman and I.
All four of our costumes are torn and Hal, Barry and Arthur aren't looking too great either. I would be absolutely exhausted if I weren't solar powered, I was lucky enough to be off world with my team on a yellow sun (and a planet almost entirely covered by sea). Barry and Hal talk slowly, not as they would if they weren't completely wiped out. I turn around to face them all and gesture to gather around.
"Okay team, we did really well even though things didn't go as planned. Barry, I know you heal quickly but I want you to go to the infirmary to get that arm looked at, that goes for everyone else who needs medical attention. To anyone who normally hides injury, I'm sure their Butlers would love a phone call and an excuse to get them to eat something and grab a few hours rest, not mentioning any names. Everyone else, please for goodness sake you're all tired, go home or go to your rooms, eat and get some rest, otherwise you're all dismissed," I say to the great heroes around me.
Barry takes my advice and speeds toward the infirmary, Hal floats exhaustedly to the Cafeteria, Arthur goes to the tank in his room and I'm left standing with Bruce, Diana and J'onn.
"I'm not injured so your previous statement was unnecessary," he says and I turn to look at him and shrug.
"Had to be sure."
"I wonder how the new heroes got along without us," Wonder Woman puts in as we start walking toward the Cafeteria.
"I still don't think it was rational to have the entire original League on one mission whilst new League members defended Earth. I'm not at all convinced of their competency and I wasn't at all comfortable with the idea, it was strategically stupid," Batman inevitably points out to us.
"We needed every member of the original seven off planet and you know why so let's not argue again. As for their incompetency, you like Zatanna, you've worked with her. Green Arrow has been doing this just a few years less than us but only just joined the league; he could have been a senior member. Just because you don't trust them, doesn't make them incapable of doing their job," I tell him and I'm pretty sure he rolls his eyes underneath the white cowl slits.
"Well I'm sorry I'm not invulnerable and can't afford to trust everything that moves. There's a fine line between stupidity and seeing the best in people," he growls at me and it's my turn to roll my eyes.
"I do not trust everyone Bruce," I state as we enter the cafeteria and go to grab food. We go to the front of the line (a rule if you've been on a mission for more than twelve hours) and Bruce tells the server (Shazam) his dietary requirements then goes to the table whilst Diana, J'onn and I grab whatever (even though I don't technically have to eat). "Do you think I trust Lex Luthor? Unlikely! But I shouldn't respond to you when you're grumpy anyway."
"I am not grumpy; I am simply stating something I would like to correct in the future. It is not wise to have the most experienced members out in the field doing the same mission all at once; any strategy advisor could have told you that. Surprised it's not in the reporter's handbook," he glares whilst he picks at his salad and steak.
"We all took a vote and agreed that we needed the skills that each original member just happened to have, it's not my fault you looked in the paranoia handbook and decided to fabricate disasters," I hear Diana sigh angrily under her breath and J'onn grimaces in pain.
"It's not paranoia if it's happened before. Let me put it to you simply Clark so that even you can understand it," he starts his next sentence very slowly and I grind my teeth in irritation, "when aliens come not every one of them is friendly like you, some of them want to do a thing called taking over the earth or destroying it altogether. When this happens the entire population will most likely die. That means humans won't live anymore Clark and that's a bad thing because our aim is trying to prevent that, do you understand now Clark?" He looks at me in a sarcastic gesture of patiently waiting for someone to nod in understanding and he puts a hand on my shoulder but I shrug it off.
"Perhaps now is not the best time, we have come from a long off world mission and hours with no one but our team mates can make people irritable, perhaps separation is best?" J'onn puts in but we both ignore him.
"No it's fine, Bruce is just being a pain because he's tired, it's understandable," I say casually and Bruce gets up, knocking his chair over and slams his fists on the table.
"Damn it Kent your stupidity will get us all killed! What will you say to everyone's families?" Now he begins to mimic me. "Sure I just got the entire leagues senior members killed but at least I showed the less competent members just how darn much I trust them, because that's what it's all about. Everyone would just be so much better off if we trusted each other more..." Diana gets up and slams her own fists on the table.
"I have a splitting headache from hours of fighting, negotiating, and being manipulated by magic so Hera help me if you two don't shut your mouths I swear I will smash both of your thick, stubborn skulls together!" She dares us to make another sound but neither of us does so she grabs her plate and walks off, J'onn sighs in relief, obviously he had been feeling her pain earlier.
Bruce, barely having touched his food, throws it in the bin and walks away.
I do the same with mine and go to check on the rosters to see when I have to do something next. Shazam is on Cafeteria for another few hours before he switches, Arrow is on gym, Elongated man has been crossed out for monitor duty...Seriously? Of the seven who are allowed to do that, there is one who is most likely to do so, I sigh, roll my eyes and run after him.
BSBSBSBS
SBSBSBSB
"So monitor duty huh? Not taking my great advice and going to bed?" I say as I walk in, arms crossed with a raised eyebrow and make my way over to sit next to him in front of the massive screen. His cowl is off now and sitting near him on the desk.
"I've been away from Gotham far too long, I thought this would be the best way to check on it and Earth. I noticed the planet is still here, that's a good sign."
"So four more hours of this and then what?" I urge from him.
"Then I will be heading back to Gotham and making an appearance at WE since it will be early morning by the time I get back," he states calmly, as if that were completely rational. He's just doing this to be stubborn now.
"Wow you're amazing Bruce, are you sure you're not solar powered too? Everyone else in the league needs to take a nap but not you, you seem to be able to just go and go," he sighs.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" I hadn't noticed but we are physically quite close at the moment, shoulders just brushing. I'm not bothered by it but he rolls his chair a little more away from mine.
"Not until we make a bet," I say, striking up an idea on the spot. He turns his head and looks at me curiously.
"What bet?" He inquires sceptically.
"I will do anything you ask for one whole month, unless there are disasters of course," I tell him and he looks intrigued but slightly weary.
"What's the catch?" His eyes narrow suspiciously.
"All you have to do is put your head on my shoulder and close your eyes for fifteen minutes. If you fall asleep then you have to listen to me every single time I tell you to stay in bed after injury or if I know you're tired, for a month," I state and his face breaks into a smile and he shakes his head.
"You're an idiot, this is the easiest bet I've ever won. I'll have you doing my errands after you finish work," he assures me so I put out my hand and he shakes it. He then looks at me awkwardly so I pat my shoulder in invitation and he slowly, reluctantly moves toward me. I let him take his time but eventually I feel his head hit my shoulder and I look to make sure his eyes are closed.
I tuck his hair behind his ear and his eyes snap open.
"You didn't say anything about touching me," he growls in my ear.
"I didn't say I wouldn't though, close your eyes or I win because you aren't following the rules," he gives me a glare but obediently shuts them again.
I begin to hum, at first the Harry Potter theme music but it turns into Once Upon A December from Anastasia, the animated children's movie. He sighs irritably and I realise his heartbeat is too fast, he won't fall asleep and I'll lose if I don't do something. I slide my arm around him and his head settles nearer my neck and chest but he doesn't protest. I rock him a little, as much as the seats will allow and it's awkward because he's nearly as big as me.
I give up the humming and breathe deeply, trying not to get annoyed at the fact that this is even necessary. Damn it I care about him! He's sending himself to an early grave if he keeps it up but if I win the bet maybe I can prevent it a little. I change tactics and breathe loudly but slowly, hoping he will unconsciously follow suit, I also remove the arm since it wasn't working.
"This isn't going to work you know, I have full control at all times," he assures me.
"Shhh no talking."
"That wasn't part of the agreement."
"Guess I'm lucky you're naturally quiet then," I tell him smugly.
"Brucie can talk your ear off; want me to bring him out?"
"No! I mean er, no thank you. I do not wish to meet your third alter ego again, interviewing him in public is bad enough," I tell him hastily.
He smirks into my shoulder/chest. "Good because I'm sick of using him, I don't want to have to around people who know my second identity," he says tiredly.
I go back to humming, not knowing what else to do. I feel him rubbing his head against me, a telling sign that I'm winning.
"You know you're really warm….softer than I thought you would be," he mutters slowly.
"Shhhh," I whisper.
His heartbeat slows as he succumbs to sleep and I smile, I have won. I wait for a little while before I pick him up gently and float to his room, grabbing the mask as I go. I lay him down and take his boots off in darkness, not bothering with the rest of his suit because it might wake him. I put the blankets over him and then proceed to write him a note and shut the door. I text Alfred telling him I have found a new way to get him to sleep and to tell me if he requires my services. I now have to go find someone to take his shift because I like to sleep.
BSBSBSBS
SBSBSBSB
Two weeks later...
"Clark here," I say, not really bothering to see who it is.
"Mister Kent, I am at my wits end! He has broken ribs and a sprained ankle and he's been complaining and irritating Master Jason and I and refuses to sleep. I swear I will drug him if he doesn't get his stubborn backside to bed soon, either that or I might just hit him with a baseball bat for irony's sake. Please, for goodness sake come here and deal with him because you said you could two weeks ago!"
"I'll be right there Alfred," I assure him and hang up. I run from the news room and go to the bathrooms, change and speed over to Wayne Manor. I land, change back into my other clothing and go through the back door and see Jason angrily eating a sandwich and Alfred doing washing up but practically throwing the utensils in the drawer.
"Hey Jason, how are you kiddo?" I ask him and mess his hair up a little.
"Good you're here! Alfred said you could help and Bruce has been grumpier than usual, ordering me around and shouting at us. He can't solve a case, he's frustrated, can't walk properly and he's being a pain in the arse!"
"Language Master Jason, you are eleven," Jason looks down, ashamed.
"Sorry Al, still adjusting," Alfred looks at him kindly with a smile.
"That's alright young man; just remember we do not swear in this house."
I'm very glad Jason has come to this house, he may be rough, his attitude is horrible sometimes, he's a real smart mouth and his swearing is appalling but he makes jokes around Bruce that make him laugh and smile and he helps Alfred with chores because he doesn't like to be waited on. He's enthusiastic and intelligent, and when he shows it he has a bright smile. Gotham has trodden on him and kicked him to the ground but it has not beaten him and what is even more interesting is he is willing to fight for her. He looks up to Bruce and wants both his affection and approval which Bruce gives, now understanding how to love because his previous child taught him.
I hear the TV on so I go to the lounge room nearest the kitchen and sure enough I find Bruce with his arms folded, sitting on the ridiculously long couch and glaring at the TV. He rapidly changes the channels and when he sees me he turns it off and flings the remote at one of the other couches in the horse show shape facing the TV.
"If you're here to tell me to go to bed then I wouldn't bother because short of drugging me, I haven't been able to sleep- at all!" He grumbles so I walk out of the room, his eyes watch me curiously.
"I'll be back," I say to Alfred in a perfect imitation of Arnold Schwarzenegger which Jason laughs at and I change clothes again and fly back to The Planet. I lower my temperature to the point where I shiver and my face pales as I exit the bathroom cubicle after checking that no one was in there. I change back to my civilian clothes yet again and stumble out of the rest room.
I make a show of shivering, very glad that I don't actually have a cold like that one time I did because that was awful. I walk toward Perry's office only to have Lois run over, her face concerned.
"Clark!" She touches my head and wipes the sweat off it. "Clark you need to go home, you look like you're about to faint, I'll tell Perry but you March yourself over to that elevator now," she says insistently and pushes me toward the elevator.
"No I have a story to write, I really shouldn't," I tell her whilst making a show of swaying slightly. She puts an arm around me and guides me to the elevator. Once inside, she gets me to lean against the wall of the elevator.
"You're going home Smallville, and you're going to bed," she commands and I nod.
We walk out of the lift and I make a show of being more steady then earlier so that she doesn't have to help support me.
"Go catch a taxi home and I'll tell Perry," she informs me.
"Okay Lois," I say to her gratefully.
"Maybe I should wait with you until the taxi comes," she says uncertainly.
"I think I can manage," I reply whilst making a show of sitting in one of the nearby chairs and pulling out my phone. She nods and goes back into the lift. I move my body temperature to an even night temperature then before and sigh in relief as the shivers stop. I get up, walk out of the automatic doors and run to the nearest alleyway. I'm in the skies in no time, flying amongst the clouds. I land yet again in the Manors backyard and change yet again into civilian guise before going back into the kitchen, telling Alfred I'm back and going to see Bruce.
He changed positions, elevating his sprained ankle on the couches arm rest with ice and laying with the remote on his chest as he once again flicks through the channels.
"If I didn't have the sprained ankle I could be playing games outside with Jason," he says and I frown at him.
"Alfred said you have broken ribs, wouldn't outside movement be extremely painful?" He shrugs.
"I believe my sly father figure thought he was being clever when he put pain medication in my milkshake, it relieves the pain and the ice brings down the swelling but either I didn't drink enough to put me to sleep or it is just meant for the pain," he informs me whilst indicating the half-finished milkshake on the coffee table, I shake my head.
"You could still injure them further," I tell him but he waves his hand in a dismissive gesture. I sit down on the large comfortable couch, a full seat still between us on this monstrosity. He sighs and looks like he's about to throw the remote again.
"Watch a movie with me on this giant TV?" I ask him casually.
"Kent, Grey Ghost the Movie, now!" He barks at me and I hide a grin. I get up, go to the Blu Ray player and grab the disk from the cabinet. He switches the TV over and I sit back down after grabbing the Blu Ray players remote. "Ask Alfred if he can get us popcorn," he tells me so I get up as he pauses it. I walk back to the kitchen and give Alfred the request, to which he nods and begins preparing.
"What are you watching?" Jason asks me, having snuck up behind me like his mentor does.
"Grey Ghost," I tell him with a smile.
"Is your Homework done Master Jason?"
"Yes Alfred, everything but two questions I didn't understand, can I take a break now?"
"It's may I, and yes you may but I shall help you with it after dinner tonight," he tells the boy sternly and Jason nods, grins at Alfred and runs into the lounge room.
I walk in to find Bruce sitting up with his arm around Jason.
"Come on, we are waiting on you," Jason tells me impatiently.
Alfred brings us the popcorn and even sits with us. A movie turns into a few. We laugh and smile at the amusing parts, Bruce analyses the detective parts and tells us what's wrong with the movie (Jason rolls his eyes at this), I 'Awwww' at the sad parts (something both Bruce and Jason roll their eyes at me for) and Jason finds crude things to say and makes jokes (something Alfred scolds him for whilst he laughs). Eventually Bruce and Jason fall asleep, Bruce's arm still around Jason and Alfred and I slip out quietly, my job done.
