Kids still like Batman, especially babyโs. Letโs say for a minute theyโre helping a few kids that got separated from their parents. Superman tries to help but most of the older kids stand between him and the younger kids, while the middle kids hold onto the babies and kind of get tense. When it comes to Green lantern the same happens but way worse. Theyโre not at more defensive because he has the ability to make anything and he sounds kind of stupid.
They like Manhunter a lot more even if he isnโt human theyโd trust to stay next to him and around him. He has a calmer energy to him.
But the moment Batman comes in all the kids donโt waste time making their way over to him. Older kids seems to crowd the middle oldest kids towards him while the middle kids hold the younger kids towards Batman. They like Batman because he TALKS to them.
Not in a babying way, but like heโs talking to another person. His voice softens when itโs younger kids, he explains things and then let the kids ask if he wants him to be things a little more simple(he usually gets a yes). The JL realize that the kids trust Batman(+Martian Manhunter and maybe Wonder Woman) way more than the rest of them. They notice it immediately after the Older kids seem to oh the middel and youngest kids between themselves and Batman.
They also realize the middle kids donโt seem scared to ask Batman for some help with the younger ones(aka the babyโs). Usually goes a little something like:
Batman: Youโre arms are getting tired, is it ok if I hold the baby?
Kid, seems to think it over before nodding: Okโฆthank you Mr. Batman :)
The Older kids keeps a close eye on him but visible relax and go back to watching their surroundings when they realize Batman clearly knows what heโs doing. Gentle hands carefully hold the baby/toddler in a way that supports them properly. Even then they can see the kids going โBaa ma :Dโ and holding onto him. They ainโt too worried.
Superman is a little jealous but at the realization that children have such a large amount of trust in one of their team mates gives him this warm feeling in his chest. Is it his crush on Batman? Yeah but itโs also the thought that such a scary member of the team has a soft spot.
Green Lantern is jealous but honestly heโs thinking the same thing as Superman in a less romantically stricken way(or is he?). Heโs glad the kids have someone to trust, theyโre glad the guy they trust is too scary to really mess with them too much but heโs pissed off that the scary guy has gotten the kids wrapped around his finger but itโs because he doesnโt want to acknowledge that itโs the other way around(kids have him wrapped around their finger).
Martian Manhunter gets to walk close by, the older kids talk with him about what happen and Martian Manhunter helps relay it to Batman and it seems they get the message on what happened.
When they do manage to finally get the children to the civilian area it was easy to see the kids reach out to family and when there was no parent there was a family friend or the childโs friends bringing them over ti their family. Lots of parent thank the heroโs and along with Batman :))
Edit: This is just angst because kids see a man who dresses like a scary bat and think of themselves presenting as scary to protect themselves and the people they care about. Which makes it easy for them to actually like him beyond being cool. Like YES he is cool but heโs also a lot like a kid having to grow up early to protect themselves and other figures in their lives.
