It didn't occur to me until I was typing the title to Twinkle Twinkle, but I had a series on my hands here. Consider this an unofficial prompt fill for the Nursery Rhymes Challenge.
He was good. He wasn't great, but he was good. He'd get better in time, with more experience. It was going to take time and patience, a lot more sturdier punching bags, patience, effort, discipline. Above all, it was going to take the patience of a saint.
Dinah was as close as it came to a saint, but she fell far short of actually being one. Even she snapped sometimes. Although he could take her hits, his pride stayed bruised for days.
If saints were qualified as such by their patience, Superboy dared not name what that made Batman. Because while the Dark Knight could stake-out a target for forever and a day easy, he had no tolerance for anything short of perfection from his subordinates. Especially when it came to taking time out of his own schedule to deal with him.
Superboy was lucky if he got out of those sessions with an ounce of self-esteem and dignity.
He'd take Robin's word that it'd get better. Not easier, but better. Eventually, he'd learn what Batman really meant when he spat out sarcastic comments. He'd get used to it. While he was no expert on the matter, he wasn't sure if that was psychologically healthy.
Oh, and his form of praise? Just what did he say to motivate him?
"It could be worse."
And what did Robin tell him?
"He wouldn't insult you if he didn't care."
Oh, yes! That made so much sense!
Yeah, no. That was insane. They were both insane.
It would be worth it though, one day. He'd outshine the old man, as he'd taken to thinking of him. He'd be a hero in his own right, earn his own name.
He promised himself. Someday, he'd be more than just Superboy. And the old man…he'd be the one who was like a nightlight next to the sun. He would dare Superman to try and ignore him then.
These will be short. Probably not even reach 1000 words.