Title: Dad Mode Activated
It was an unusually quiet day at the Justice League Watchtower. The usual buzz of superhero discussions was mutedâmainly because everyone was currently trying to hold back their laughter, which was proving difficult.
In the center of the room stood Bruce Wayne, his usual stoic expression in place. Next to him, with a big, toothy grin and an enthusiastic thumbs-up, was none other than Dick Grayson, the newest (and most unexpected) addition to Bruceâs family.
âOkay, letâs get this straight,â Green Lantern (John Stewart) said, arms crossed, trying to maintain his composure. âYouâBruce Wayneâthe guy who canât stand people touching his stuff, whoâs basically married to his Batmobile⌠you adopted a kid?â
Bruceâs expression didnât falter. âYes, I adopted Dick. He needed a home, and I am perfectly capable of providing that.â
âBy adopting him?â Wonder Woman asked, looking mildly incredulous as she hovered nearby, adjusting her bracelets. âYou, a man of few words, adopting someone who practically never stops talking?â
Dick, standing next to Bruce, winked and immediately launched into a dramatic monologue. âOh, Diana, you have no idea. This guy has to have a talk with me every single day about something, and Iâm pretty sure Iâve heard the Bat-speech at least a thousand times about how âno one can know who I am, or how to make my own lunch.ââ He turned to Bruce with a smirk. âI mean, really, Dad. You could at least let me pick out my own cereal. How many different types of granola do we really need?â
Bruce didnât even blink. âGranola is a healthy choice. Youâll thank me later.â
âSure, but canât we vary the grains a little bit? Iâm not saying Iâm trying to get all wildâbut maybe some chocolate chips once in a while?â
John was rubbing his temples, his voice rising in frustration. âWait. Chocolate chips in the cereal? What is happening? Bruce, youâre a billionaire! You can buy an entire bakery, and youâre limiting him to granola? You donât even buy the kid Lucky Charms once in a while?â
Bruce shot him a pointed look. âItâs not about the cereal, John. Itâs about responsibility.â
âDad, can I at least have the funny shaped cereal?â Dick chimed in again, looking at Bruce with big puppy eyes. âYou know, the ones with the dinosaurs?â
The entire League collectively groaned, and even Superman, who usually kept his cool, was looking more and more like he needed to step out for some fresh air.
âBruce, come on,â Flash said, wiping a tear from his eye as he tried to suppress a grin. âYouâve got a kid now. Youâre⌠actually a parent. Youâre not just the brooding, mysterious, âdonât touch my Batcaveâ guy anymore. Youâreâwell, youâre Dad.â He did air quotes with his fingers. âI mean, look at you. Youâre practically the âcool dadâ in a sitcom.â
Dick, always one for dramatic flair, threw his arm around Bruceâs shoulders and leaned in close. âThatâs right. Dadâs basically Superdad. He does my homework for me. He even fixed my bikeâwhile giving me a lecture on the importance of safety precautions when riding it. I think I might be learning something from him.â
Bruce barely reacted, but there was a subtle twinkle of pride in his eyes.
Green Lantern was not having it. âSo, weâve gone from Bruce Wayne, Bat of Gotham, to Dad of Gotham. This is officially happening. This is real. He actually adopted someone whoâoh my godsâdoesnât even know how to do laundry?â
âOh, I know how to do laundry!â Dick cut in, looking horrified at the idea of his inadequacies being aired out. âI just donât always follow the rules, okay?â
âAnd that, my dear Dick,â Batman said with the faintest smirk, âis why Iâm going to make you fold your own laundry from now on.â
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at Bruce.
âI have to do what?â Dick asked in disbelief, looking up at his new dad with wide, innocent eyes.
âFolding laundry is part of responsibility, Dick. If you want to be in this family, youâre going to need to learn how to do things like a proper member of society. Start with sorting colors.â
âUghhh, fine,â Dick grumbled, but there was something endearing about the way he was trying to resist, as though he wanted to be a little more rebellious, but couldnât help but melt under Bruceâs dad-voice.
âYouâre going to love it,â Bruce continued, ever so patiently, as if lecturing on laundry was the most important thing in the world. âItâs simple. Itâs organized. It makes sense.â
John Stewart, who had been quietly watching this dynamic, sighed. âThis is not what I signed up for. A kid actually listening to Batman? Can we just talk about how youâre training him like a tiny soldier?â
âWell, Dick is very trainable,â Bruce said, the faintest grin tugging at the corner of his lips. âI am the best at teaching responsibility.â
Dick threw his hands up in the air. âYes, yes, we get it! Iâm learning, okay? Can we please just have lunch now? Iâm starving. I swear, the only thing youâve taught me so far is how to eat kale and granola.â
âGranolaâs healthy,â Bruce repeated, his voice firm.
âThatâs it. Iâm going out for pizza. I canât be part of this,â Flash said, turning on his heel, but there was still a smile tugging at his lips. âJust donât burn the house down while youâre being âDad,â Bruce.â
âI wonât burn the house down, Barry. Youâve been watching too many movies,â Bruce replied with an eye roll, but then added, "And Dick, weâre having kale for dinner. Please donât argue."
Dick groaned dramatically, flopping onto the couch. âYouâre the worst parent ever,â he muttered.
âEat your kale, Dick.â
âUghhhh!â Dick wailed, burying his face in the cushions.