I am soo sorry this is late! I've been really busy these past week and was only really had time to write this yesterday and today (though the first scene was written on Saturday). Please accept my apologies oh glorious readers!
I was amused that one or two of you thought J'onn was in trouble, I didn't even intend for it to sound like that... And that quite a few of you also were really PO'd at Supes, which is understandable. But you know Superman would not be comfortable with putting a kid (no matter how talented) at risk like that- he's not the goody twoshoes of the group for nothing.
EDIT: Also, I was going to make Robin a little less awkward at the end, because he made the flow really weird but I decided that I liked awkward Dick, it fit with th situation so I kept it :P
Warning: Cursing, as always.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.
EDITED: 12/8/2012
(In Which J'onn is Old, Everyone Cool Likes Oreos, and Robin is a Smarmy Brat)
Robin followed the Martian warily as he pointed out different rooms on the deck, nodding in the right places. Once they covered the various meeting rooms, training rooms, and even bathrooms, J'onn stopped at the entrance of a room yet to be explored.
"This is our main meeting room and observation deck," The Martian smiled and Robin raised an eyebrow at the alien. The Boy Wonder's face went slightly slack when he fully entered the room. Three of the walls of the room were completely transparent showing the stars, earth, and moon that were just out of reach. The ceiling was high and the room itself was nearing the size of the Batcave (something Robin didn't think was possible).
The Boy Wonder's mouth dropped slightly at the sight until he caught J'onn's smile. The young hero bristled and snapped his jaw shut. The Martian chuckled shortly before turning to head out of the room.
"Come, young one." He told him merrily. Robin glared.
"Young one? What're you, ancient?" He snarked. J'onn merely smiled.
"By your terms, yes, I suppose you could say that as I am over a century old in your Earth years." He replied and Robin was thrown for a moment. He had completely brushed off his insult and Robin's respect for the green Martian rose exponentially (plus, J'onn definitely did not look his age).
"Oh," He said with an uncharacteristic softness, "That's... Cool." J'onn smiled when he did not hear any veiled insult and apparently he also heard the hidden apology in Robin's words.
"You must be getting hungry, let me show you to the kitchen," J'onn told the masked boy, "Do you like Oreos?" He asked.
Robin gave him a confused look, "I love Oreos."
"Then I'm sure we'll get along fine." J'onn said. Robin put a hand over his mouth to stifle the giggle bubbling in his throat.
/\*0*/\
"Fuck," Green Arrow groaned, "What do you think the kid did?" He asked turning to face the rest of the League. Superman and Flash were sharing worried glances while the rest had their own worries written across their faces. Batman's face was obviously blank and that had Green Arrow more anxious than anything else.
"Where's the laughter coming from, Supes?" Flash asked, vibrating in place slightly. Superman closed his eyes (why did the walls have to be lead, if they weren't this would be so much easier and they wouldn't be at risk for lead poisoning. Oh right, so the Boy Scout wouldn't become a peeping Tom) and cocked his head to the side.
"I think it's coming from the⦠kitchen?" The group of heroes stared at each other before taking off at various speeds in the direction of the childish laughter. Flash skidded to a stop in the gleaming room first, staring at the scene stunned. Superman and Wonder Woman weren't far behind. By the time the slower members of the League arrived at the entrance to the kitchen, the faster metas were just getting over the shock.
There was no ungodly mess or cleverly concocted trap. J'onn wasn't even writhing in pain on the ground. The Martian and the Boy Wonder were simply sitting at the round metal dining table placed at the center of the kitchen sharing a package of Oreos and apparently enjoying each other's company. The laughter Superman had heard was now being stifled behind Robin's hand, though his amusement left him when he saw the League standing at the door.
"What are you looking at?" He snapped suddenly, crossing his arms defensively. Green Arrow ignored the kid and walked over to J'onn. He clapped the Martian on his shoulder joyfully.
"J'onn! You're alive!" He cried and Robin glared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Would I be any other way?" J'onn inquired and Green Arrow rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Supes heard the kid laughing and we assumed he did something to you." He muttered and J'onn sighed.
"Actually, I find his company quite enjoyable." The Martian said and Green Arrow stared at him incredulously.
"Seriously?"
"Unlike you, Queen, I do in fact have manners; I just don't use them with those who don't deserve that level of respect." Robin huffed, turning his head to the side in dismissal. Green Arrow's eyebrow started to twitch.
"You little brat!" Flash put a restraining hand on Green arrow's shoulder.
"Now, Ollie, let's calm down now."
"What are you talking about? I thought you didn't like the kid either!" The archer exclaimed, glaring at the speedster over his shoulder.
"I got over it," Flash rolled his eyes, "Besides; I have a nephew around Robin's age so I'm used to it." Green Arrow crossed his arms (he was not pouting, he was a man!). Aquaman stepped up beside the pair and put a hand on the blonde's other shoulder.
"Don't worry, Oliver, I understand. That child indeed needs to learn some respect." The King of Atlantis sniffed and Robin stuck his tongue out at them.
"Jeez, get over it already. He's like, eight! Plus, he's the Bat's kid! If he wasn't a mouthy little brat, I'd be worried." Flash rolled his eyes and Robin flashed him a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Flash, at least you understand." Flash turned a critical eye on the young acrobat.
"Okay, now I'm worried." Robin started laughing but quickly placed his hand over his mouth and Flash winked at him. Green Arrow huffed again and J'onn swallowed another Oreo whole. Batman materialized from a shadow behind Robin causing most of the League to jump (though J'onn and Robin seemed unaffected). He set a glass of milk down by his son's hand.
"Enjoying yourself?" Batman asked too quietly for the others to hear, placing a hand on his son's head.
"Yeah!" Robin exclaimed, smiling up at the Dark Knight. Flash smiled again and blurred over to the kitchen table. He grabbed an Oreo from the pack and had already consumed it and started on another. The remaining League shifted in their spots as an uncomfortable silence fell upon them. The only sound came from the trio who were quickly destroying whatever was left in the package of Oreos.
After several minutes, Robin wiped his mouth on the back of his glove and looked up at the League members who were still standing in the doorway.
"Well?" He asked, crossing his arms once again. The heroes all turned to stare at him. "Are you just going to stand there looking lost? I thought you had wanted to 'officially' meet me. Well, here I am." He finished, gesturing at himself. The League stared at him and shared some nervous glances. When the League members made no move to say anything or even sit down Robin hit himself on the forehead. "My god, you're hopeless."
Flash rolled his eyes from the seat he had taken next to the masked boy, "So, how old are you?" He asked, "What?" The speedster shrugged at the looks from his fellow Leaguers, "I was only guessing at his age earlier."
"Nah, you got it right anyway, I'm eight." Robin smiled, "Well, I'll be nine in a month." He amended, taking a drink from the glass of milk. Superman frowned.
"How long have you been working with Batman?" Superman asked earnestly and Robin cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing.
"I've been doing this for about eight months, right?" Robin asked, turning to look up at Batman who was still hovering behind the Boy wonder's chair. The Dark Knight nodded down at him.
"Just about," He rumbled. Flash blanched.
"Why are we just finding out about this now then?" Green Arrow huffed, "You gotta stop keeping things from us Bats." Batman simply rolled his eyes in response (it wasn't like anyone could see it).
"Maybe it's because you're not important enough to know. Did you ever think of that?" Robin huffed childishly, glaring at Green Arrow and squaring his shoulders defensively.
"Now listen here, brat," The archer snarled, jabbing his bow at the acrobat.
"Queen," Batman growled placing a protective hand on Robin's shoulder. Green Arrow crossed his arms and looked away.
"Hey, kid," Green Lantern called out suddenly, trying to disrupt the impending bloodshed, "What's your real name, I mean; we can't call you Robin all the time, can we?"
"Well you could," Robin grumbled, "Batman says I shouldn't tell people my secret ID." Robin proclaimed and Wonder Woman's lips twitched.
"We know Bruce's secret ID, though." Wonder Woman smiled and Robin looked a little unsure. He looked up at his mentor again warily, sighing when the Dark Knight nodded.
The acrobat peeled off his mask and blinked, revealing his eyes, "Fine, then. I'm Dick Grayson." Wonder Woman smiled at him but before she could say anything she was interrupted by a snicker. She turned to glare at the laughing archer.
"You think my name's funny, do you?" Robin- Dick- snarled, "At least my name isn't that of a dog. Though, it suits you, because that's what you are, you-" Robin probably would've continued his rant but Batman put a hand over his son's mouth.
"That's enough," Batman told him before turning to give Green Arrow a look, "He's got a point you know." Green Arrow clenched his fists and looked away muttering to himself. Black Canary put a hand on his shoulder though she was holding back a laugh.
"You know what?" Green Lantern asked as he walked over to Dick's chair and leaned on it, "I like you, kid, you've got spunk." Dick managed to wrench Batman's hand from his mouth and turned to smile at him. "Hal Jordan." He stuck his hand out for Dick to shake.
"Nice to actually meet you, Mr. Jordan," Dick responded and Hal rolled his eyes.
"Call me Hal; Mr. Jordan makes me feel old. You were right though, you do have manners. Where'd you learn them? Certainly not from Bruce?" Hal asked, ignoring batman's obvious glare. Dick smiled wider, looking the part of the eight year old child he was.
"Alfred taught me." The acrobat chimed and Flash smiled wistfully.
"Oh, Alfred. That man is a god; he makes the best damn cookies ever." Flash smiled a bit dreamily though Bruce's hand colliding with the back of his head wiped any trace of happiness off his face.
"Don't curse in front of Dick," Batman growled. Flash rolled his eyes at him.
"He lives in Gotham! He probably hears worse at school! And he's in like third grade!" Batman's glare didn't waver so Flash sighed and turned back to the Boy Wonder. In a blur, he had his cowl down and his own hand stuck out, "Names Barry Allen, not telling you my full name because it's probably worse than yours. So just call me Barry." Dick giggled and shook Barry's hand. Wonder Woman then took the opportunity to walk over and sit in the empty chair beside the boy.
"And I'm Diana." She smiled at the acrobat, though she seemed hesitant to offer her hand the same as the men had.
"You're a princess, right?" Dick asked, cocking his head to the side as he took her hand. Diana nodded and Dick smiled, bowing his head over her hand, he brought her knuckles to brush against his lips though it wasn't necessarily a kiss, "It's nice to meet you, your Majesty." Diana placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"It's a pleasure, but please call me Diana," She smiled at Dick and he smiled back, pink dusting his cheeks. Barry nudged Bruce playfully.
"This kid's got more moves than you do!" He whispered and Batman's lips turned up into a slight smirk.
"Why do you think I keep him around?" The Dark Knight replied and Dick stuck his tongue out at his father.
"That's it," Hal exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air, "I want my own partner now." Black Canary snorted and patted Hal's arm as she passed.
"I doubt that'll help much."
"Hey!" The blonde ignored him though as she turned her attention fully on the Boy Wonder.
"Dinah Lance, and please just call me Dinah." Dinah smiled at Dick as he grabbed her hand too and brushed it against his lips, "Ah, a real charmer."
"Pleasure to meet you." Dinah smiled at him.
"Nice manners too, hey Ollie! Why can't you be this charming?" She called back to the archer who turned red and huffed. Dinah smiled back down at Dick, "You seem to already know but that's Oliver Queen, you can just call him Ollie though, and His Highness over there is King Orin." Dick glared at Oliver and nodded stiffly to the king. Dinah turned to introduce Superman too but was surprised to find that neither he nor Bruce were still in the room. "Huh."
"Enough of this," Barry exclaimed as he leaned over Dick's chair and threw an arm around his shoulders, "You have to tell us all of Bruce's dirty little secrets." The Boy wonder raised an eyebrow up at Barry.
"Do you want Batman's secrets or Bruce's secrets?" Dick asked, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat. Dinah showed a sudden interest in the conversation.
"You have dirt on both?" She asked curiously and Diana bit her lip, torn between interest and disapproval.
"Of course," Dick said cockily, cocking his head back, "But, what's in it for me?" Barry and Dinah share a smirk.
"Kid, we'll go places together."
And so starts the troublesome trio :), cause you know Dick's gonna cause some chaos now that he's been taken under Dinah and Barry's wing.
Thank you guys soo much for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites! They're all really appreciated. Don't forget to check out my tumblr wtjcanons and my livejournal bloodofthedawn!
~Dawn
