A/N: 07/31/2024

Hi, all. I've missed this series. I really wanted to do more stories with the team working together before the events of "So Far Away". I hope all of you enjoy this first quick drabble.

SYNOPSIS: During a moment of quiet, Batman and the team take the moment to relax and talk. Pre-"So Far Away".

Bonds

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Ember argued. The team were lounging on top of Gotham's highest buildings. The night had been quiet so far, so they decided to wait until a call for some trouble came in. Any down time usually led to either family discussions or whatever random topic they landed on.

Tonight was the latter.

"What?" Runner shrugged.

"The Doors? The best band from the 70s? Get outta here!"

"Well, it's better than yours! Aerosmith?! I mean… seriously?!"

Ember stopped and she glared at Runner. "Say, you wanna go, bro?! 'Cause we can go!"

Runner laughed and Ember joined in.

Koutetsu chuckled. "I still say Heart."

"Not a bad choice," Ember shrugged. "I'll never turn my back on Aerosmith, though."

Runner chuckled and looked at Batman, "What about you, Bats?"

"Eagles," Batman smiled.

"Not bad, not bad. I honestly didn't think you knew about them."

"Max loves classic music like that. You wouldn't believe how much I've had to learn since we became friends."

"Are we talking solely about music?" Koutetsu asked.

"Nope," Batman answered. The team laughed.

Ember activated her comms, "Oracle? Boss? What about you two?"

"Ember!" Batman chided.

"What?"

"Bruce doesn't ever answer these questions."

"Well, maybe not to you. I'm cute."

"Confirmed," Koutetsu smiled.

Batman threw his head back.

Tiana giggled. "I'm gonna drop a band name on all of you you've ever heard of!"

"Oooh!" Runner straightened up. "Hit us!"

"Mother's Finest!"

"That was a band?" Batman asked.

"Yep. All African American members! Loved them."

"Actually, they were pretty good," Bruce added.

"Thank you, Bruce!" Tiana replied.

"What the hell?!" Batman jerked his head back. "You know rock music?"

"Some. I know most hits. I actually learned about Mother's Finest through Lucius."

"Grandpa loved them!" Tiana explained. "That's how I knew about them."

"Wow," Runner said. "All those photos of Lucius Fox… never guessed he was a rocker."

"He was. I mean, Chuck Berry!"

"Yep," Ember nodded.

"No question," Runner agreed.

"Iconic," Koutetsu noted.

"Legendary," Batman added.

"Also, a secondary answer is Earth, Wind & Fire," Tiana declared.

"Agreed," Bruce said.

"Oh, my God, they were awesome!" Ember shouted.

"Fantastic group," Koutetsu chimed in.

"For sure," Runner nodded.

"Oracle wins," Batman smiled.

"Yes!" Tiana exclaimed. She began singing the lyrics to the Earth, Wind & Fire song, "September."

"Alright, girl!" Ember said as she joined in.

After a minute, all of the Dark Knights were singing, laughing, and moving to the music.

Bruce just sat in silence. Normally, he would scold them for the noise and lax attitude. But he stopped himself. They earned this. They earned the right to smile when there was no fight to be had at the moment. Each of them had proven themselves time and time again. Singing a song did not mean they were lesser, nor did it mean they didn't their mission seriously.

It meant they were human. It meant they had a chance to breathe. In the life they lived, every bit of peace was worth grabbing.

So, Bruce sat back and enjoyed their revelry. Even if Terry and Basem were off-key. He was surprised how well Michelle and Hayate were at singing and Tiana's vocal range never failed to impress. Bruce would never admit to them, but he was very happy to hear them at peace.

And even happier none of them could see the huge, approving smile spread across his face.

A/N: Some more notes: Mother's Finest is an actual band. I learned about them years ago. They're really good. So, I have some more ideas on the way where the team actually battling threats in Gotham. I also hope to have more ideas of the team just being friends. I still have some unfinished ideas of the heroes dealing with the emotional fallout of "So Far Away". Hopefully, I can get to them soon.

See you all later! Take care!