Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice or any of its characters. Really, I don't.

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Chapter 3: Name || Bruce & Conner.

"Superboy." Batman acknowledged the clone with a short nod as he made his way inside Mount Justice.

"It's Conner," Superboy blurted out, brow furrowed as he looked at a spot behind Batman's right shoulder. "My name is Conner," he murmured.

Bruce's eyes narrowed as he looked at Sup- Conner. Dick had been urging him to at least convince Clark to give Superboy a name for a while now, but with the Kryptonian refusing to say more than two words to his clone and the almost palpable discomfort that emanated from him whenever he was near Superboy, that had proven impossible. In fact, he probably should have become suspicious when Dick stopped asking. It was just like him to take matters into his own hands, Bruce thought wryly.

Superboy pressed his lips together, shifting on his feet. Why hadn't Robin told Batman? Robin spent the whole day yesterday popping up out of nowhere everywhere he went, telling everyone his name was Conner and correcting them when they called him Superboy. Batman hadn't come to the mountain yesterday, but Robin was his partner, so he would have seen him at some point, wouldn't he?

"The others thought I should have a name." It wasn't a lie. Robin and Kid Flash had been the most insistent about it, but M'gann had brought it up too and the others had agreed. "They said Superboy is just a persona, and that I need a real name."

"I see," Batman replied, giving a curt nod. "And what do you think?"

Superboy blinked, taken aback by the question. No one had asked him that. And, he certainly hadn't been expecting Batman to ask it.

"I- I don't know." Brow furrowed, he took a moment to consider the unexpected question carefully. Batman wouldn't be asking if he didn't want an answer. A good answer. "It's okay, I guess. I know names are important here on Earth, I just don't understand why it's important that I have one when I don't know Robin or Artemis' names."

Bruce regarded Superboy for a moment, pleasantly surprised by the clo- boy's answer.

"I know it's important that they keep their identities a secret. Robin explained it to me," Superboy added after a moment of silence. "I just don't understand why they want to call me Conner instead of just Superboy."

"You should ask them," Batman said gruffly, but not unkindly. For one thing, his teammates would do a much better job of explaining and reassuring the boy than him, and it would be better for Superboy to hear it from them as well.

Superboy nodded slowly. He hadn't thought about just asking them that, mainly because he hadn't even considered his thoughts about being given a name in the first place. He had only shrugged and said it was okay when they asked him if he liked the name Conner.

Bruce took in Superboy's clenched fists at his sides, the hard crease between his eyebrows as he stood before him. The self-conscious way in which he was holding himself. Uncertain. Silence. Waiting. Risking quick, expectant looks at him. It dawned on him quickly that he was looking for Batman's approval. Or his disapproval. Anything.

Bruce stayed silent a moment longer. Superboy wanted Superman's approval, his acknowledgment, but Batman's was the closest thing he could get at the moment.

He may be a half-Kryptonian clone, but he was still a boy needing reassurance.

"Did you pick it out yourself?"

Superboy's head snapped up at the words, bright blue eyes blinking at Batman. A faint glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

'Conner. You look like a Conner. Nice to meet you Conner' That was what Robin had declared as soon as Superboy had pulled the door of his room open to find the smaller boy grinning at him, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.

"I- no." Superboy shook his head. "Robin helped," He said quietly, hoping it was okay for him to tell Batman that. Robin hadn't said anything about not telling him, though, and Batman didn't look mad.

Bruce dipped his cowled head in acknowledgment, suppressing a smirk. He was sure Robin had done more than merely 'help' with that.

He couldn't deny the apprehension he felt at the quick way Dick had not only accepted Superboy, but also the slow but easy way in which he was bonding with him. But then again, that was just Dick being his usual bright, cheerful likeable self. And with Superman ignoring Superboy, Dick had just made it his duty to make it up to the other boy on his own way.

The only noise Superboy caught as Batman walked away was the low hiss the cloth of his cape made with the movement, leaving him looking after the Dark Knight with a frown on his face.

"Conner," Batman called back without turning around, watching Superboy's head snap up out of the corner of his eye. "Don't forget to report to the gym for your training session in 42 minutes."

Superboy blinked at him. Watching Batman still there, he shook his head. "No. I mean, I won't."

Batman left the room without a word, the corner of his lips lifted up just slightly. He would have to ask Dick if he had helped Superboy pick up a last name too. He was going to need one when he started working on the papers that would make Conner an official U.S. citizen. He was sure Dick would be delighted to help him with that too.

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a/n: I know it's M'gann and J'onn who give Superboy his name in canon, but the idea of Robin doing it was too cute and fitting to pass up. I think Robin taking a special friendly/brotherly interest in Superboy could at least in part explain Batman's willingness to engage in Superboy's life too. At least in my head.

Also, I probably should have pointed out before that this fic doesn't have a linear narrative since I'm writing and posting chapters as the ideas come to me. So yeah, just thought I should let you guys know.

The next chapter would have Superman making an appearance, so I'm sure you can imagine how that will go.