Welcome to my 30 day writing challenge. Everyday through the month of November will be a different batfam centric one shot. I hope you enjoy!

All characters belong to their respective companies

When Clark get's word that Batman has taken on a protege he thought it was odd, then he hears a rumor it's a child. So now he needs to get involved.

Clark can count on one hand the amount of times he'd been completely shocked by something. Being an alien and a reporter from a large city made it difficult to just floor him with information.

That being said, the information on a blog post with about twenty people following, had the man of steel at a complete loss for words.

WTF! Gotham knight has a smol partner?!

'WTF' did feel appropriate. Clark had originally been suspicious of the credibility of this source. Baywatchers were all over the place in Gotham, trying to get a glimpse of the infamous Batman. A batwatcher blog forum with a following in double digits and a clickbait title wasn't usually something that he took seriously. The rabbit hole he fell into however changed that.

The blog post had only been the start. He'd found it about a week after it had been posted. Since then it had been blasted all over social media, long forums of the bluriest images imaginable of this 'smol partner'. No one had been able to get a good shot yet. Clark equal parts hoped they got one and didn't all at once.

First he thought it had been some eager kid that had managed to follow Batman around for a few blocks. Sometimes he got stuck but Batman has always been good about keeping people out his way so that they wouldn't get caught in any cross fire. Something Clark admired. Then the posts began to span over longer periods of time. He'd hoped that this kid was simply more enthusiastic than most, it wasn't the first kid attempting to help Batman. Hell Clark had his share of small children clamoring to help in any way they were able. He just had to trust Bruce wasn't letting it get too far.

Of course that's when a half decent image finally appeared.

It was still extremely poor quality. All that could really be made out is a small person in red, green, and yellow using some guy's chest as a springboard. But that's not what finally got Clark to decide that this needed to be addressed.

Clark will admit to using his powers to… snoop, from time to time. He justified it as worrying about his friend and also wanted to avoid any major blowouts with the semi-new Justice League. It'd only been around for about a year and while they all trusted each other it was mostly tentative. One small slip up and it would all be gone. This kid had weapons. One of them had been retrieved by the GCPD.

He knew that they had a box of Batman's nameless weapons that he threw at people. This wasn't that. Batman's were bat shaped and much larger, what Clark had retrieved from evidence was meant for a child's hands. Small, red, and bird shaped.

They couldn't just be made by anyone. He was no expert in how Bruce manufactured his weapons but he could recognize the artistry immediately. These had been made by him, for some small child.

It was the final nail in the coffin.

Bruce counted on the idea that his actions wouldn't be questioned, especially if no one else was involved. Clark couldn't let that slide this time. This was too important.

So he stole the evidence (with the plan to put it back after his confrontation with Bruce) and went to the source to get to the bottom of what had started as some innocent baywatcher forum.

Clark came early in the morning. He knew Bruce was awake, he'd made sure beforehand.

Alfred had let him in and offered coffee instead of the usual tea and biscuits due to the early hour and had him wait in the dining room for Bruce to make an appearance.

"I was wondering when you'd show up" Bruce began upon entering the room. Clark had learned it was a show of comfort when he started with nonsequaters. He didn't feel the need to introduce himself. "I thought I would've seen you sooner."

"I wanted to have my full argument before coming. Otherwise I would've looked foolish." Clark counters, trying his damndest to remain cool. He still had no hard proof.

Bruce settled across from him. He only had a steaming mug in front of him. "Say your piece."

To say he was a little irritated at how calm Bruce was acting was only scratching the surface. He'd never seen Bruce or Batman truly crack under pressure.

"I just want to know if it's true." Clark replied simply, it was the only thing that mattered at the end of the day.

Bruce studied him. "And if it is?"

Always one to get to the point. "Then I might just have to change my opinion of you. For starters when I met you, you told me, verbatim, 'I work alone'. Which honestly, while I think that's nonsense and stupid, am willing to let you think and was something I was also willing to go along with. However, to get a partner, a child partner nonetheless, is to say the least- unexpected."

"So you came to what? Talk me out of it? Stop me?"

"I am not under the impression I can actually stop you from doing anything. Not while keeping my morals. As for talking you out of it? This is a kid, seems like the only argument I need."

Clark kept waiting for any sign that he was getting to Bruce, who, of course, hadn't even twitched. He'd been preparing for this. He knew the kind of backlash this would receive. Not just from Clark, but the whole League. He likely was under the impression he only really needed to get one of them on his side. But give Bruce some time to prepare the argument and it was a lot harder to not get swayed.

He liked to think he wasn't one of those people who Bruce could convince, that he could feasibly win an argument with on a semi-regular basis.

Bruce didn't respond, not like he felt guilt or had no counter, but that he didn't need one. He felt confident.

"You're not even gonna try to justify this?" Clark asked, allowing just a little bit of his frustration show.

"There's no need." Bruce answered easily, leaning back in his seat.

"Really?"

Bruce took a moment. Taking a long slow drink. "Really."

Clark wasn't sure where this was going anymore. He reached into his pocket to pull out the weapon. "You think this is safe for a kid?"

"He needs to defend himself with something."

"And this- this uh-" Clark had no idea what to call it. "This-"

"Birdarang." Bruce offered

"Birdarang?"

He shrugged. "He named it, not me."

"Okay, whatever, this Birdarang is supposed to protect him?"

"Yes, it has so far."

"You know this argument is not very satisfying. You're not even trying."

"Because I don't need to."

"This isn't a game Bruce, I know you know that."

"Yes, and believe me, he knows it too."

Bruce's tone changed with that statement.

Clark was saved from his lack of a response by the sound of small fast feet bounding themselves down a flight of stairs.

"You were stalling." Clark realizes.

Other than a slight upward tick on his face Bruce doesn't respond.

"How about you convince him?" Bruce finally tells him. "I gave up."

A very odd thing to hear from Batman. He remembered when Bruce had broken his leg and still insisted on being useful in the field. Batman doesn't give up.

"What kind of hold does this kid have on you?" Clark couldn't help but ask.

"Oh you'll see." He breathes out over the top of the mug.

Before Clark even had a chance to unpack that, a small child stepped into the room. He was much smaller than Clark had been expecting, he couldn't have been older than eight years old, still in his pajamas and hair tousled from sleep.

Bright eyes met his own. He hadn't been expecting Clark to be here, there was clear recognition, like he was trying to piece why Clark seemed familiar. He thought Bruce would've trained such obvious reading out of the kid. Of course he might just not care.

He held a bowl with both his hands, unsure how to proceed with a guest. It made Clark wonder how many people Bruce had introduced him to.

"Uhh- I'll just-" He made a motion to step back into the kitchen.

"It's alright chum. You didn't interrupt anything. In fact, we were just talking about you." Bruce reassured, gesturing to the seat at the head of the table.

Uncertainty still painted the kid's features but it was enough for the kid to join them.

"It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Clark, an old friend of Bruce's." He outstretched his hand.

He takes it cautiously, still trying to get a read on things. "Dick."

"Awfully young to be called Dick."

He shrugged. "It's what everyone has always called me." He glanced past Clark to his other hand. "What's that?"

Damn, he forgot to put the Birdarang back in his pocket. Of course this was as good a test as any. No way was Bruce letting this child out without training. If he was out with Batman he might be able to see through the lie.

"Well I'm a reporter, and I heard Gotham recently got a new vigilante. A kid of some sort. And this weapon was found at one of the sightings. I was just seeing what Bruce thought about it."

Dick blinked at him. He wasn't buying it. "And what do you think?" he looked over at Bruce as he asked the question.

"Why not? Batman could probably stand a partner." Bruce answers, feigning nonchalant.

"A child partner?" Clark asked. "Doesn't that seem a little reckless?"

"I don't know. I don't know this kid, what he's gone through, what he's seen. Maybe this is exactly what he needs."

There was Bruce's real argument. Somehow he's justifying this as something Dick needs. Not himself but this eight year old sitting next to him.

Dick looks between Bruce and Clark, watching. "Do you think it's a good idea?" Dick finally asks.

"I guess I don't know either." Clark admits. "I'd like to think that Batman has good reasons but, a kid could get seriously hurt doing this. I'd hate for him to get hurt."

Dick doesn't respond. Just keeps trying to place Clark's face. He can tell it's driving the kid crazy. "You said you were a reporter. Do you work for the Gazette?"

He's clearly attempting a slight interrogation to figure out who Clark is. "No, I don't work for any of the publications here in Gotham."

Clark is more than willing to play along with this. He's a little shocked that Bruce didn't just outright tell this kid who the leaguers are but then again the best learning always happens on the job. Maybe Bruce is attempting to coax that skill out of Dick or fine tune it.

Dick still watched suspiciously as he began to scarf down cereal.

Clark glances back at Bruce. He half watched Dick, clearly amused at the display, and half watched Clark to maintain the conversation.

"How's Lois, I haven't seen her recently." Bruce asks lightly.

Clark can't tell if Bruce is attempting to make small talk or trying to provide Dick with hints. Both seemed highly unlikely.

"She's fine. Chasing stories like usual. You know when she catches wind of something there isn't much that can stop her."

"I don't suppose you've looped anyone else in, that you're here."

Clark couldn't quite tell what Bruce was attempting to get at. "I didn't think there was a need to. I can come in late once and a while."

Bruce let the conversation lull but Clark could feel a trap.

"So, Dick, what do you like to do for fun?" Clark asks.

Dick had apparently stopped listening. Taking half a second to realize Clark was addressing him. "Um, I like reading."

"What do you like to read?"

"All sorts of stuff."

This kid was being vague. Was that something Bruce was teaching? "Any favorites?"

He thought for a moment. "I like Robin Hood."

"That is an excellent story." Clark agreed. "What else do you do? Surely you don't read all day."

"I don't really know. I'm still just trying to get used to this house. It's huge. Like when I go run I only need to do one lap around the whole house."

"Do you like running?"

Dick nodded "Yeah, I like running outside. You never know what you're going to find."

Clark caught the muscle that jumped in Bruce's face. There was a story there, one he would get later.

Dick glances back at Bruce, and then at his now empty bowl.

Suddenly his head snapped up, his eyes wide, attention fully on Clark, all suspicion gone. "You're Superman."

Clark has no idea what caused that to click for him. He smiles slightly. "And what makes you say that?"

"Well now it's obvious. Who else comes all the way from Metropolis with a Birdarang in their pocket and wants to know why Batman has a kid partner?"

"I never said I was from Metropolis." Clark points out.

"Superman is Lois Lanes' boyfriend." Dick tells him blankly.

Bruce couldn't hold back the snort. An actual smile on his face.

Dick turns at the sound. Clearly looking to see if he's right.

"Good job." Bruce offers.

It seems to be enough, Dick is almost vibrating with excitement. "I was hoping I could catch a glimpse of you last time I was in Metropolis, I was kinda disappointed that I wasn't able to but now you're here. I mean I figured I'd meet you at some point, but- you know- as Superman. Do you really have X-ray vision and Ice Breath? I heard someone say you did but I couldn't find any proof if that was true. How fast can you fly? Have you ever broken the sound barrier? Is it like whooshing, you know wind whooshing past your ears or is it silent 'cause you're going too fast? Do you remember Krypton at all? I mean I know-"

He seemed to go on and on. Every question he'd ever had and he was trying to get them all out in one breath.

He could almost give Barry a run for his money if he keeps talking this fast. Clark thought to himself.

Some of the questions he'd heard dozens of times, but this kid's excitement was contagious. Clark could feel the grin on his face spreading. He was trying to contain it. This was supposed to be a serious conversation. But he couldn't help it.

Of all the types of kids Bruce would take in and make his partner, he picks this kid. This small ball of energy. They couldn't be more different. Maybe that was why. It makes Clark wonder where Bruce had found him.

"-cause I feel like that would be a pain. How do you shave if you're invulnerable, do you use your laser eyes with a mirror or somethin'? Have you ever burned holes in your clothes from the friction? Like you need to change into your suit and then your clothes catch on fire 'cause you moved too fast? What's your suit made of? How do you fix it when it rips and stuff? How do you fly? If I had any super power it'd be flight, cause flying is awesome! There are so many tricks that would be so much easier if I could fly, like-"

"What kind of tricks?" Clark cuts him off after realizing Dick was unlikely to stop unless he did something.

"Oh, well, there's this thing I've been learning on the rings that is super hard because, you know- gravity, anyway flying would make it like a million times easier."

"You do gymnastics?"

"I'm an acrobat. I was in the circus. I miss it." His attitude and tone calmed significantly with that sentence.

Seriously Bruce, where on Earth did you find him?

"Did you grow up in the circus?" Clark asks, wary of the response. Whatever this was to the kid, it was fresh.

Dick nods. "Yeah, now I'm here. And it's nice."

"Do you like it here?"

He seems to ponder the question. Dick might not have been here long enough to have a good opinion on it.

"Sometimes. I mean it's cloudy and it rains a lot here, but I like the rain. And I'm making a difference. I'm helping people. So… I'm okay here."

There was maturity beyond his years. This was more than just a thrill to this kid, he, to some extent, understood his purpose.

"Are you here to talk me out of it?" Dick asks. There's something in his tone Clark doesn't recognize.

Fear? He didn't know Dick well enough to make that judgment. The look in this kid's eyes suggested if Clark did attempt to talk him out of it- it was going to be a task.

There was something underneath it though, something he did recognize. It was the same look Bruce had when they first met. There was trauma and a desire to do something about it. Clark begins to understand why this kid.

He realizes he can't bring himself to do it. He can't be the one to tell this kid no, not yet at least. He needs more answers. He can only get those answers from Bruce.

"No," Clark finally answers. "I came to return this to you."

He hands Dick the birdarang (a name that now makes a lot more sense).

Dick takes it and very clearly doesn't buy that lie either. "You stole this from GCPD evidence."

Clark shrugs. "They won't be able to catch me anyways."

Dick smiled.

"Dick, if you could give us a minute." Bruce speaks up.

"Yeah." He hops down collecting his dish. "It was nice to meet you, Clark."

They both watch him leave.

"You know if anything happens to him, I will not hesitate to rain hell on you." Clark finally tells him.

"I know. I would too." Bruce admits.

"Where did you find this kid?"

Bruce huffs out a breath. "Alfred told me to take the night off. Thought the circus would be a good way to unwind, take a little bit to forget about everything going on. Lucky I was there, or who knows where he would've ended up?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mobsters killed his whole family. They wanted to kill him because he could name them. It took me a minute to find him but- he wants to do this. And I'm not gonna stop him. I already tried it."

"You know Diana is going to lose her mind when she finds out."

"Hn"

"I suppose you have a plan for that?"

"Obviously."

"The whole League is going to take issue with this."

"I'm prepared for it."

Clark didn't doubt that for a second. "Batman and Batboy? Batman and the Batkid?"

"What?"

"His name, moniker, or whatever. He's associated with you, but I do need to call into question the red and green."

"He picked it."

"And you let him?"

Bruce gave him a look.

"Oh so he's running the show now?" Clark realizes, amusement dripping in his tone.

"To an extent, I guess."

"Batman and the Boy Wonder."

"Are you coming up with a headline?"

"Yes, can you imagine the numbers when this story breaks? Batman and-"

"Robin." Bruce tells him.

"Batman and Robin, the Dynamic Duo."

Bruce shakes his head. "No one is calling us that."

"Oh trust me, it'll catch on as more people learn about him."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I am going to make sure of it."

"You are not writing that article."

"Oh cause you can stop me. I won't write it for the Daily Planet, I'll make my own forum. Put it there. Maybe it'll get as popular as the one that brought me here in the first place."

"Under a pseudonym?"

"Yeah, I'll write it as myself."

"I guarantee Superman is taken."

"Then as Kal-El."

"I'm sure that's taken too."

Hope you enjoyed. Have a Jason centric story lined up for tomorrow.