Chapter 5: Holding Cell

It'd been a long day.

Batman restrained himself from sighing as he thought about it, his gloved fingers whizzing over the Zeta-Tube's control panel, typing in Danny's address. All around, the usual hustle and bustle of the Watchtower wracked his ears, but despite the crowd, no one had approached him yet – a small blessing in disguise. Batman didn't think he had the patience right now to deal with anyone. He just wanted to get to Vegas, get his info, then get back to Gotham, so he could sleep.

Naturally, the gods that be had other plans.

Just as Batman stalked for the Zeta-Tube as it whirled to life, a blue-clad figure came from above and hovered right in his path. Batman saw the blazing gold and red S in its shield before he saw anything else, his bad mood sinking further into the depths of despair. His eyes rose to meet Superman's grinning face. "What do you want?"

(Batman would not think about how much he sounded like Danny.)

If the Man of Steel were perturbed by the edge of murder in Batman's voice, he didn't show it. Hands on his hips, he puffed his chest and nodded towards the blinding light of the Zeta-Tube behind him. "Just wanted to say hi. You haven't been around as much lately, Batman. Thought it would be nice to catch up."

"That's nice, but I'm busy. We can catch up later." For emphasis, Batman tried to steer himself around Superman. The prick only floated in his way, then proceeded to smile like he hadn't moved at all. Batman's eyes narrowed into a glare. "What?"

Finally, Superman has the decency to look just the tiniest bit nervous, one hand resting on his neck. "Well, it's nothing really, and I guess it's not really my business-"

"Then, why are you asking?"

"-but I was wondering what was in Las Vegas that was so interesting to you?" Superman dropped his hand and smiled that ridiculous grin of his again, the one that could make any woman swoon, a crying baby laugh, and the same one that constantly made Batman want to punch him in his perfect teeth.

Clenching his fist at his side, the Dark Knight seethed, "Been nosing around in my Zeta-Tube logs lately, huh, Kent?"

Superman gave a noncommittal shrug, averted his eyes to anywhere but Batman's withering glare, and said, "Maybe. But regardless of how I know, whatever is in Vegas seems important but not important enough for you to keep off the books, so I didn't think it would hurt to ask."

Another shrug. "Besides, who knows? Maybe I can lend you a hand?" Superman's eyes fell back to Batman as he gave him a nervous grin.

Batman's glare sharpened into a look so frightening, it usually had criminals sobbing at his feet and begging for their dignities to remain intact. It had never worked like that on Superman, just like it didn't work like that on him now, but if nothing else, it got him to give an anxious chuckle before he floated back a step, though that stupid, hopeful grin remained on his face.

"No." Batman tried once more to go around the Man of Steel, but the insufferable twat only floated right back in front of him. If it hadn't been for his incredible self-control, Batman would be shaking. He said, "Kent, you are one wrong move away from having kryptonite shoved down your throat. Choose your next action wisely."

Superman really needed to have the fear of God (or rather, the fear of Batman) put into him. He only waved the threat off and said, "Come on, Batman. Set your stubbornness aside for just a day and sate your friend's journalistic curiosity. It's not like you to leave Gotham so much, so what's up?"

"Why does it matter?" Batman snapped.

"Why does it matter to you?" Superman finally landed on the ground, his stupid, fluttering cape finally stilling. He reached as if to touch Batman but didn't – the smartest thing he'd done this entire conversation. "Look, if you really thought it needed to be top-secret, you wouldn't have traveled with the Zeta-Tubes. It's too easy to track. So, why try to hide it now? It can't be that bad, right?"

A montage of every line Danny had spoken to Batman flashed through the Caped Crusader's mind. His bad mood sunk even deeper, knowing the mental movie would be added to shortly.

…but maybe he wouldn't have to endure it alone for once.

Quirking an eyebrow, Batman asked, "You really want to know, Kent?"

Because truthfully, Batman really didn't totally care about the others knowing about his little personal project. At some point, it may even become vital for everyone to be brought into the loop, whether for mentoring purposes or capturing purposes, depending on what lifepath Danny chose to pursue. He just hadn't thought anyone would have the balls to ask him this soon.

Damn Kent and his invulnerability casting a false sense of security. Batman would have to strip him of it soon.

Speaking of the boy scout, Superman beamed at the underhanded invitation, completely unaware of the hell he was approaching. He finally – finally – stepped aside and gestured to the waiting Zeta-Tube. "After you."

Batman took the offered lead. As he and Superman stepped into the blinding light moments later, he said over his shoulder, "Oh, and Kent – tell anyone of this excursion, and I'll make sure to include pinches of kryptonite in your cereal, got it?"

A sigh was his only reply.

Moments later, the two stood atop Danny's apartment building. Without explanation, Batman headed for the side of the building, where he scaled the rusty fire-escape to Danny's window. Big Blue floated behind him the whole time, his cape the biggest, literal red flag on the block. A flurry of scolds rose up Batman's throat, but he bit his tongue, shoved Danny's window open (would he ever lock the damn thing?), and slid inside.

Superman came in right behind him. Batman watched his expression as he surveyed the room, taking in the less-than-impressive layout and messiness of it all. Takeout littered Danny's few counters, and his mattress remained smack-dab in the middle of the walking room. Even the laptops, easily the most impressive part of the apartment, were turned off with the stereo, giving the whole apartment a homeless-person vibe instead of an untidy secret lair.

"Um, are we in the right place?" Superman asked. He raised an eyebrow at his friend, then turned back to the apartment with a grimace.

"Yes, we're in the right place." He moved over to the worktables and bent down. Pressing a hand to the mattress, he noted how cold it was, though he guessed that really didn't mean much when Danny didn't sleep very often anyway. He copied the same procedure with Danny's Bluetooth headset, finding it cold as well. He ignored the twinge of nervousness in chest as he said, "But the person we're supposed to meet isn't."

"Really? What gave that away?"

Batman shot another glare at Superman. "You don't seem to realize how grave a situation this is."

"Batman, I get that it's not something you do often, but people go out." Superman shook his head as he floated to the fridge, opening it and finding one whole expired yogurt cup. He pointed at the white, empty abyss and said, "He probably went to get groceries or more takeout."

"Doubtful," Batman commented. He shifted through the unfinished parts and chicken-scratch on notepads, searching for… He didn't really know what. Just something more out of the ordinary than normal.

"Yeah? Do tell how getting groceries is doubtful."

"He's more of a hermit than I am. His apartment is his sanctuary. He doesn't leave often, and when he does, it's not this early in the night. He usually goes early mornings or has his food delivered." More shifting. Batman ignored the painful squeeze of his heart as he continued to find more nothing.

Batman felt rather than saw the exasperated look that Superman bored into the back of his head. Big Blue asked, "Should I even bother to ask why you know such specific details of this person's life?"

"Tracker." Batman turned back to his fellow Leaguer, voice steady and the perfect monotone. "He had it for the first week I knew him, then found it and destroyed it. Not like it told me much other than that, however."

Superman sighed and with one arm over his chest, reached up and rubbed his temple with the other. "You are such a sad, lonely man."

Batman ignored the comment. Reaching into his belt, he pulled out his phone, dialed in Danny's number, and allowed the ringing to fill the headpiece in his cowl. It rang three times before the receiving end picked up with an irritated, "What?"

From the corner of his eyes, Batman saw the way Superman jerked back as if he'd been slapped. Over the phone and especially without any of Danny's deeds tainting the boy scout's perception of him, Danny sounded like any moody teen on the block. He tried not to let himself linger on the thought too long as he asked, "Where are you?"

"Why does it matter?"

Superman snorted beside him, apparently tickled by a snarky boy throwing Batman's earlier question back in his face. The sound drew any and all concern Batman had had for the boy from his body, and he glared at the wall before him, imagining what it would be like to smash Danny's head into it. "Because I'm currently at your apartment, and you're nowhere to be seen – something that doesn't bode too well for the city of Las Vegas. So, before you can get yourself into too much trouble, let me come stop you."

"HA. You? Keep me from trouble? That's funny. Unless you can track this number, which I highly doubt, count me out for tonight. I've got places to be, people to burn."

"You're already in trouble, aren't you?"

"Did I say anywhere in this conversation that you could call me out like that? No, I didn't, so fuck off."

Danny had exchanged all of what? Three sentences with him tonight? Batman could already feel the familiar headache beginning to form behind his eyes. He ignored Superman's incredulous look as he pinched the brink of his nose. "What'd you do this time?"

"Um… Well, I may have gone to the mall for some fresh air, and I may have walked into a Tiffany's without money, and I may have walked away from that Tiffany's with a new, shiny bracelet. But that's all stuff that may have happened, so who's to say for sure?"

"You committed grand larceny?!"

"Absolutely not! Who do you take me for? I would've been a lot more careful if I were committing grand larceny, but since the bracelet was under twelve hundred dollars, who gives a fuck? It's only petty larceny at that point."

That was it. Batman couldn't take it anymore. He was really going to kill the kid tonight, and finally, the pounding migraine behind his eyes would fade away.

Batman physically shook with anger as he seethed, "Where are you now?"

The shaking in combination with the tone of his voice was enough to make Superman take a step or five back, where he started sifting through the fridge again, even though it was just an empty, cold void.

"I'm at the main Vegas PD now. They've got me sitting in my holding cell, wondering why their fingerprint scanner still doesn't work on me and why their files from my other visits are suddenly no longer in the system."

"If you're in a holding cell, you're taking this call how?"

"Dude, I've been to this station so many times that I've got, like, five different devices stashed in this place. Keeps me entertained while they scramble to figure out what to do with me again."

"You are beyond lucky I need you for a job." Batman turned towards Superman, then gestured towards the window. The Man of Steel didn't dare to question nor comment as he floated out, followed closely behind Batman as he climbed the fire-escape. "I'm going to be there in twenty minutes, and so help me, if you've caused any more trouble before I'm there, I'll be sure to throw you in the darkest cell that Blackgate has to offer."

"Even though you know I can escape it?"

"Twenty minutes. Be prepared to work your ass off." Batman ended the call before Danny could find a way to get in the last word. He climbed up over the side of the building to see Superman looking like he had a million questions and no vocabulary to articulate them well enough. Batman sighed and said, "I'll explain on the way."

It had been a while since he'd been caught and put in this cell, but Danny had to admit – his mediocre harmonica skills hadn't sunk into shit. Moving his hands across the instrument, Danny blew into it an off-kilter version of some Panic at the Disco song. Down the hall, he could hear the cops talking, once again trying to figure out what to do with him.

One of these days, they'd just lock him up and throw away the key. It wouldn't do much, but it would be the most sensible option for them with the information they had – which was to say, very little.

Danny played the last few notes of his current song, then slumped against the concrete wall behind him and groaned. He phased his harmonica back into the wall and got up, walking towards the bars. He called down the hall, "Hey asshats! You find any of my previous six lost files yet?"

Somewhere down the hall, a voice: "Hey shithead! Shut up!"

Leaning against the bars, Danny snickered. He looked at the invisible watch on his wrist, mumbled to himself, "Okay, Bats. It's been twenty minutes now," and waited some more until he heard footsteps coming down the hall. The teen looked up and grinned as he saw his favorite punching bag approaching.

Hopping up, Danny sauntered to the thin metal bars. He pressed his face into the bars and sang, "Ronny-boy~! It's been so long! How are you doing? How's the family? Even more important, got something to tell me, like that I'm leaving or something?"

The officer, slouched over and with dark eyebags the size of crescent rolls, halted in front of Danny's cell door, key in hand. Glaring, Ronny glanced between the key and his prisoner's shit-eating grin. With a reluctant sigh, he started to unlock the door. "Today's your lucky day, Sullivan. A friend of yours – a friend I didn't know could possibly exist – is bailing you out, though he looks more like he wants to come back here and punch you instead."

As the door swung open before him, Danny strolled out, gladly taking the lead down the hall as Officer Ronny closed the cell door behind him. "That's just how he shows affection."

Just as Officer Ronny stated, there was a man at the front of the police station filling out some paperwork, one that Danny had never seen before and, honestly, had to stop and consider for a second. As he approached the door leading out of the back office of the police department, he slowed his walk, looking the man up and down. Danny tried to mask his surprise because – how could this man possibly be Batman? He had the height and the broad stature, sure, but where was the hulking muscle? And what was with the blonde hair and the bushy mustache? Especially the mustache? How could he possibly hide that caterpillar on his face if the only part of his body uncovered in-suit was his mouth and upper lip?

Uncertain and a little perturbed, Danny eased out from behind the door and tiptoed his way around the front. He peeked around the wall to study the stranger, trying to find any sort of hint that this was truly the Dark Knight. Honestly, Danny couldn't really tell – not if this was him, some guy he hired off the street, or another person entirely. Honestly, what if this was some random person? What was Danny going to do then? Did people even do that – bail random kids out of jail? It seemed unlikely, but this was Vegas, and oh God, this man was going to have his ass kicked when he asked Danny to suck his dick in return for– wait.

Nope.

Definitely the Bat-Glare. Danny was all good.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Danny came out from his hiding place and wandered up beside his blonde(?) friend. "Aw, thanks for bailing me out, my batty friend!" He bumped into the man's side, laughing as the Dark Knight grunted and glared again.

Behind the desk, the new officer working with Bats – Danny thought he had heard him called Rodriguez or something? – gave him a strange look.

The half-ghost boy's smile dropped. He gave the officer the same look in return. "What? Do I got something on my face?"

THWACK.

"OW! It hurts like a bitch when you do that!" Danny shot Batman a nasty glare as he rubbed his sore head.

"Good. Now, before I strangle you in front of this nice officer, let's go," Batman said as he dotted one last I and crossed one last T before handing the clipboard back to Rodriguez. Then, without further ado, Batman snatched the back of Danny's neck and began to lead him out the door, unmindful of the immediate squirming and screeching from Danny. As he pushed Danny out the doors, Batman called one last time over his shoulder, "Goodnight, Officer," then was gone, leaving one very confused Officer Rodriguez.

It took a few minutes, but Batman eventually manhandled Danny around to the back of the building. When the Dark Knight finally released him, Danny stumbled away and muttered a long list of curses while Batman pressed a button on his belt, his disguise fizzling out into his regular old uniform. Danny snarled at him, "Manhandle me again, and I'll stab you in the throat."

"Don't get arrested, and I won't have to manhandle you." Batman snatched Danny's wrist in a vice grip, aware there was nothing he could do to stop him from phasing away. Fortunately, Danny seemed to forget that fact too, scratching at the gloved hand and listing off death threats like some people do their drink order.

It was this scene that Superman decided to interject, floating down from his hiding spot on the department's roof. With tense shoulders but a blinding smile, he said, "Alright, before the two of you destroy Las Vegas while trying to destroy" – not kill, of course, not kill, never kill with Kent – "why don't we just get to the point of this visit?"

Danny froze, watching Superman's feet touch the ground with eyes as wide as dinner plates. Batman exhaled a long breath, thinking about the plan he and Superman had just gone over that was now thoroughly destroyed by Big Blue's entrance. He released Danny's hand, though he didn't relax. If the boy tried to fight or fly, Batman didn't want to be caught unawares.

Fortunately, he didn't have to worry as Danny whirled towards him, jabbing a thumb in Superman's direction. "The hell did you bring the boy scout for?"

The Man of Steel opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but Batman cut in before he could, saying, "He noticed I had been coming here for a few weeks now. Wanted to know why."

"And you brought him here?!" Danny yelled, his look withering. Batman rolled his eyes while the boy continued, "Are you braindead? This is Vegas! I can think of fourteen lies you could've told him right off the bat, but you still went with the fucking truth? Who does that?!"

SMACK.

"OW! Would you quit doing that?!"

"One, Superman can hear heartbeats. He could tell if I were lying a literal mile away," Batman said, bring a proud smile to Superman's face.

Danny just scoffed. "Oh, sure, like you don't know how to use breathing techniques to avoid that."

Superman's smile dropped again.

Batman ignored it. "Two, lying hasn't gotten anyone anywhere, and it has definitely bitten me in the ass a few times before. Decided this was a situation where honesty mattered more."

(Not entirely true, but who was gonna call him on it?)

Danny gestured to himself. "I'd beg to differ. I've lied plenty of times, more times than I tell the truth honestly, and look where I am now! I'm sitting on a pile of Vandal Savage's money. Without lying, I wouldn't be the person I am today."

"We're counting that as a plus?"

"If we're looking at it from a purely financial standpoint, absolutely." Danny gave one of his cute little smiles, grinning wider as Batman's glower sunk further.

Superman, who had been completely disregarded for a good chunk of the conversation, glanced between the Less-Than-Dynamic Duo, feeling incredibly uncomfortable with himself and a little confused. He stepped forward, interjecting, "Not to be rude–"

"Then leave," Danny said.

"–but can we get back to the point of this visit?" Danny opened his mouth, but Superman kept on talking. "I understand Batman needs you for 'a job,' I think? Whatever that means? Danny, I'm told you're a tech genius. You must be really good if Batman of all people is asking you for help on something that's considered his territory."

It was a backhanded comment if Batman had ever heard one, but Danny just barked a laugh before turning to Batman, completely ignoring the Man of Steel – a far worse insult than any string of words that Danny could possibly find. He said, "Oh, this poor, clueless bastard. Did you not give him any information before dragging him along on your little excursion?"

Superman tried his damnedest not to bristle visibly, but the Man of Steel could tell by the growing smirk on Danny's face that he wasn't doing too hot. He knew Batman caught it too because he said, "Play nice, Danny. If he wanted to, Superman could fry you where you stand, flatten you into a smear on the ground, or cause any number of unfortunate ends." Batman's eyes narrowed into little slits. "You should remember that when calling him names."

Danny's smirk didn't drop an inch, but he gave a hmph and didn't say anything more.

Superman gave his old friend a grateful smile, some of the tension easing off his shoulders. If Batman noticed, he didn't acknowledge it, but Danny certainly did. The Man of Steel and the teen locked eyes for a split second, the boy narrowing his blue orbs into a sharp glare, before Danny looked back towards the Dark Knight. He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped a tad closer to Batman, earning his undivided attention. "Fine, whatever. Superman's a total badass. Can we go home now, so I can show him why I'm even more of a badass and why I should be feared?"

The Man of Steel quirked an eyebrow, unsure of how to interpret the sudden shift in Danny's attitude. Since he'd seen Superman, most of Danny's actions had revolved around mocking him in underhanded ways. Yet, now, all of his attention had reoriented to Batman and though it wouldn't appear so to an outsider, it didn't seem like Danny was intentionally trying to grind his gears. Rather, it almost seemed like a desperate plea for attention.

Attention that had, for a brief moment, split between Danny and Superman.

It took more concentration than Superman would have liked to keep his face somewhat neutral instead of breaking out into the shit-eating grin he would love to be sporting right now. Getting in another battle with Danny just wasn't quite worth it, he thought.

Batman seemed to be on the same page as him. Giving a sigh, he said, "Yes, we can go back to your apartment. Like Superman said, this wasn't a visit for visit's sake."

"When is it ever?" Danny grinned, this time a bit more genuine or, at least, relaxed, Superman noticed. Leaning back, arms still crossed, the teen looked between the two giants before him. "So… Which one of you drove?"

Whistling, Danny unlocked his front door and sauntered into his house. He hip-checked his door shut behind him and tossed his keys into their little bucket on the counter before slowly turning around to see Batman and Superman standing by his open window. "You know, the Uber had plenty of room for both of you to fit. Also, I have a door." He pointed to said door behind him. "I understand it's a complicated practice, but I believe in you brain donors the same way that I believe Micky D's gives me shitty food but in an impossible amount of time – which is to say, a lot."

Batman sighed. "We get it. You love to hear yourself talk–"

"It's a passion, actually."

"–but can we please just get to work?"

Oddly compliant, Danny shrugged and said, "Sure." Then, smirking, he sauntered over to his desk, turning on his stereo as he passed it. Meghan Trainor's "Me Too" blasted from the bass-boosted speakers, which brought Superman to his knees with its intensity. Batman rushed to turn it down as Danny collapsed in his chair, rolling up to his desk as he pretended not to notice Superman dying in the corner.

The whole mess lasted about two seconds, but Superman didn't immediately get back up when the noise died down. Batman snapped, "Was that necessary?"

Superman lifted his head just in time to see Danny shoot another one of his dark little smirks over his shoulder at him. Keeping his eyes locked with the Man of Steel, he answered Batman, "Is any of my mischief necessary? No. Is it fun? Hell yeah."

Looks like the kid still wasn't happy he had to share the Dark Knight today. Pulling himself to his feet, Superman prayed he would survive mostly intact by the end of the night.

Fortunately for Big Blue, Batman still remained mostly on his side. The Dark Knight came up behind the teen and delivered another solid SMACK to the back of his head, earning another yelp of pain, but it went ignored as Batman snapped, "Create mischief on your own damn time. You've wasted enough of my time tonight with it, so get to helping me already."

Danny glowered at his supervisor, rubbing the back of his head where he'd been hit, but he didn't try to fight him. Instead, he just picked up his Bluetooth earpiece, wedged it into his ear, and mumbled under his breath, "Motherfucking Bat being a motherfucking pain in my motherfucking ass…"

"Language, Danny."

"English, Bats." Danny stuck his tongue out at Batman before whirling his chair around to face Superman. The Man of Steel tensed up, prepared for another round of insults or physical pain, but the teen only said, "So, I hear that Bats told you that I'm good with computers. However, that's not even the half of it, okay? Because, actually, the truth is…" Danny trailed off, his expression dropping as he folded his hands in front of him. He stayed there in that position for one, two, three seconds – just long enough to make both adults uneasy – before spinning back to his desk, where a snap of his fingers had his bank of holograms coming to life all at once. Danny smirked as he felt Superman's eyes go wide behind him. "I'm the fucking master."

While Superman stared with the most wonder he'd had since seeing the Watchtower, Batman only rolled his eyes again. "Great. You've had your moment of glory. Can we please get to what I need already?"

"Oh yeah, absolutely." Leaning back, Danny laced his fingers behind his head. "What do you need from my exclusive tech-support today, Batsy? As you know, this staff of one is always making an effort to meet your expectations, so our service remains number one." The teen turned his just enough, so that Batman could see him bat his blue eyes all cute-like.

Batman ignored it and dropped a slip of paper on Danny's desk. "It's a pretty standard case – just need you to find me another guy. That's his info. He used to work for the Riddler, but it's been a few years since anyone's seen him, even on the internet."

Danny rubbed his hands together in anticipation and leaned forward, taking the paper in his hands. "OOO, a challenge! You're in for a treat, Supes, because it isn't often that I get to–" Danny stopped. Like, just stopped entirely, mouth dangling open mid-word and all, the paper slipping from his limp fingers.

Superman and Batman shared a concerned glance. Batman then stepped forward, his hand reaching out to tap Danny's shoulder. Before making contact, he seemed to think better of it, his hand hovering just a few inches away. "Danny?"

"I don't know how you did it," Danny whispered, his head dropping. "Literally, the statistical probability of this exact situation is so incredibly low and has so many zeroes, it may as well be zero itself. Yet, somehow, it plays out before my eyes – a taunt to every math class I've ever taken. Which isn't many, but still."

"What are you talking about?" Batman asked.

Danny dropped his head to the desk and pointed to his door. "This fucker lives on the next floor down. Room 208. Go haul his ass off to jail now please and let me sulk in peace over the fact that I didn't get a chance to show off my hella impressive skills to this fucking newbie." An exaggerated sobbing noise came from the teen, muffled by the plastic beneath him.

"Are you serious?" Batman asked, an ounce of incredulousness entering his tone. When Danny nodded into the desk, still faking his sobs, Batman started for the window once more, muttering, "This wasn't even worth bailing your ass out of jail for…"

"I knowww!" Danny yelled, his sobbing growing even worse and more exaggerated.

Batman didn't even utter a goodbye as he swung himself out of the window and onto the rusty fire-escape. Superman made to follow him, but pausing by the windowsill, he looked back over his shoulder and said uncertainly, "It was nice to meet you, Danny."

The teen popped up from his desk, his sad façade dropping as he turned his attention towards his keyboard and holo-screens. "Too bad I don't feel the same. Get out of my house now, please, thank you, bye." The speedy click-click-click of his typing punctuated his goodbye.

At this point, Superman didn't even feel offended. He just shook his head and slipped his way out of the window, shutting it behind him before following after his old friend to make sure no harm came to him from Room 208 (not that it would, but one could never be too sure while in Vegas).

Two hours later, the two heroes filed back into the Watchtower after hauling their catch to the same police department that they had bailed Danny from. Much like he had with the teen, Batman gave no goodbye to the Man of Steel as he left him, setting off to do God-knows-what now. Superman waved at his back, used to it, before going on his way. While Batman could run for days on nothing but black coffee and spite, the Man of Steel could not, and images of his bed lingered in his mind.

However, bed would have to wait, it seemed. As he turned the second to last corner to his bedroom, he spotted Diana, who also spotted him. The Amazon visibly lit up upon seeing one of her closest companions and greeted, "Superman! I've been looking all over for you. Where have you been?"

With a wary smile, Superman replied, "I was out with Batman, believe it or not."

"Oh, really?" The amused grin on Diana's face said she didn't quite believe him, but she placed her hands on her hips and leaned back, ready for whatever story was to come. "And what exactly was it that you two were doing?"

The smile – the very shit-eating one that Superman had wanted to wear when Danny had inserted himself as close to Batman as he dared and all but said, "Look at me! Look at me!" – came to Superman's face at that moment, earning an eyebrow-quirk from Diana. He said, "Would you believe me if I said that I think I just met the next kid that Batman's going to try and adopt?"

A sigh. "By the gods, he found another lost child to take in and love?"

"Like a crow hoarding shiny things, yes. Yes, he has."