My Batman One

I'm new here.

I was a post about dick hating talia and wondered, do you know of any fics/drabbles etc of the batkids driving away anyone bruce likes/loves? Like they are so consistently cruel to her (him/them) that bruce has no choice but to part ways with the only person who genuinely loves (understands/accepts/knows) him and in the end the batkids move out of the manor as time passes. And bruce ends up all alone with only ghosts and his memory for company.

No one was ever good enough for them.

Not Selina. Not Talia. Not Julie or Silver, or anyone else. Especially Khoa (not that Bruce could really blame them on that one, still his heart aches all the same). The kids would always look at Bruce and his partners with down turned lips. Assessing. Judging.

You can do better, they'd say as they cornered him in the cave. Usually right after he'd spent time with any of his romantic partners. They're not good for you.

It wasn't always a clean sweep either. Sometimes, most of them would be relatively fine with whoever Bruce was seeing at any given time. But all it took was one of the kids to have a strong disapproval for whomever was in Bruce's life, and he'd get the message fairly quickly. Sometimes their displeasure spread to all the rest like a wildfire growing out of control. Other times the individual kids who had some issue with the current partner were just too loud to ignore.

None of the children would fight for any of his relationships, even when they themselves weren't opposed to one (for once). It was even worse, Bruce found, when he ended up dating someone from the League.

No matter how long he'd known any hero, or how close they had been over the years, it didn't matter. If Bruce didn't end things, he'd have things ended for him, one way or another. Most of his romances ended because of his vigilantism, or moral differences, yes, but sometimes...they couldn't handle the stress. Not for what he did, but the weight the kids put on them.

Or at least, that's what Clark had said last year.

The kids were very...protective, he'd say. But it didn't feel like protection. It was just another thing he came to deny himself having in this lifetime. Something else he slowly made off-limits to make more room for his children. And he loved them, he did. He would do anything for them.

But sometimes...

He just wanted to feel less alone.

If long term relationships were off the table, then all he had left was one night stands. Short little flings. Temporary bandaids to tide him over when the weight became too much.

But for some ungodly reason, even that was slowly becoming off limits.

"Who'd you run off with last night?"

Bruce sat still in his chair, looking away from the case files he had been pouring over to find Dick half-sitting on the console, arms crossed with a bored expression on his face. Though Bruce could still spot the crinkles in the corners of Dick's eyes. The simmering disapproval underneath.

"Nobody you need worry yourself over." Bruce replied, and went back to staring at the case files. He heard Dick sigh and then suddenly fingers were entering his vision to shut the files, pushing them away. No distractions or leeway to get out of this conversation, it seemed.

Bruce took off his reading glasses and set them onto the table, then leaned back in the chair and deigned to turn towards Dick. Now his face was shimmering with annoyance, perhaps anger.

"You gonna start talking now or do I need to pry it out of you?"

"What does it matter who I was with?" Bruce sighed, staring Dick down. Lately the kids had been so damn nosy into the matter. What did they think this was, some secret marriage situation or something? "I do have a personal life of my own, you know."

"Then the least you could do is let us know who you were with. We'll find out one way or another."

Bruce scoffed, "If that's the case, why bother asking?"

"I want to hear it from you." Dick said, with a razor edge tinge to the words. "Who are you seeing this time?"

"I wouldn't call a one night stand 'seeing someone', and none of you know them so what does it matter? I won't be seeing them again anyways. That's the point."

Dick rolled his eyes. "God, B. This is like the tenth time you've done this. What happened to having a normal relationship like everyone else?"

Normal?

Bruce grit his teeth, feeling the fire arise in his chest.

"Why bother when I'm never allowed to have one."

Dick made a sour face, raising a brow towards Bruce. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"None of you ever approved of who I was dating. I got tired of trying, only to have to end things because none of you were happy with it."

"They weren't good enough for you, Bruce. You deserve better."

Bruce crossed his arms, trying not to gnash his teeth in his mouth out of irritation. A small little thing in the back of his mind cracked in half and the words on the tip of his tongue let themselves loose in consequence.

"Who is better? Who is good enough?"

"What?"

"Who." Bruce reiterated, jaw tensing. "Who do you think is good enough? Who is a good choice? Which one will satisfy the lot of you?"

"I...I don't--" Dick knitted his brows together, a complex expression blooming on his face. "That's not fair and you know it!"

"And yet all of you are so quick to judge every partner I've ever had. You want to talk about 'not fair'? It's never been fair to me to never leave me to my own relationships without all of you meddling in them somehow."

"We don't meddle--"

"What are you doing right now?" Bruce asked, getting silence in return. "I'm still waiting. Give me an answer. Who's good enough for all of you? What was so wrong with everyone previously that they were immediately disqualified from loving me?"

"Selina is a kleptomaniac and a villain." Dick spat out, without hesitation.

"Selina is doing things her own way. She's not a villain. And she was never obligated to be a hero, either." Bruce snapped back, adding, "You're not a stranger to dating villains yourself, Dick."

Dick was glaring at him now. "Shawn was reformed."

"I'm not talking about Shawn. She was lovely, by the way."

"Don't turn this back on me! Talia is a psychopath. You can't excuse all of her behavior towards you."

Bruce sighed through his nose. "She's made some hard choices in her life."

"She hurt you, Bruce. Bad."

"So have you." Bruce pointed out. Dick paled and pulled back. "Who hasn't at this point?"

The young man shook his head. "We just want what's best for you. We worry."

"No, you demand. You instigate. You always disapprove for one reason or another. Usually to the tune of 'I can't get them involved in this life', or they're already a part of it somehow but not 'the right fit.' They're a villain or they're a League member and for some reason that's even worse? So who fits? Who's better? Point them out to me. Or maybe you all just don't want to see me happy when it doesn't immediately involve all of you. Maybe you're afraid I won't put all of you first for once?"

Bruce paused to take a breath, sighing as Dick ran his hand over his face. "I love you all, I do, but you are my children. And despite how much I do for you, how much I sacrifice, how much I adore each and every one of you--I know I won't have you around forever. Half the time you find a reason to leave me here, alone, due to one fight or another. For any slight at all. Sometimes even because of whatever partner I have that week. Now you're irritated that I don't have one? Make up your minds. I can't read them. Nothing will keep you here yet you are all so quick to leave whenever it suits you, and hurts me the most. I need a life outside of you. If not to be less alone, then to stay sane from all of this."

"I--I didn't. We never--" Dick cut off, moving away from the console, about four feet. Then he started pacing. He stopped after a minute and looked back at Bruce over his shoulder. "You can't blame us for all your relationships falling apart. You do plenty of that all by yourself."

Dick paused, letting the tension between them grow. Then he snapped out, "What happened to Sasha, Bruce? Or Harvey? Diana? Where's Vesper, Bruce?"

Bruce felt a cold chill wash over him, like he was being thrown into ice water. All the fire and anger that had been simmering beneath his skin was snuffed out in an instant.

"I just--We--Just want what's best for you." Dick said, shifting in his stance uneasily from one foot to the other. "And they aren't it."

Dick walked away before Bruce could reply, practically leaping up the stairs leading out of the cave.

Bruce just sat there. Thinking. Drowning in the echoes of the conversation. Feeling the shards of ice stabbing into him.

He didn't notice the presence behind his chair until a warm hand landed on his shoulder.

"You know none of that is on you, right?" Zatanna spoke, her words were just as warm as her hand. He pinched his brow with one hand and raised the other to grasp at her fingers.

It wasn't a secret marriage situation, no, but they had always been on-again-off-again until recently. More on than off these days. It was...nice. Bruce already had to sneak around with his other flings, trying to have some privacy, and Zatanna didn't mind the added secrecy. She understood better than most.

"I don't know what to do with them. It's getting so out of hand, Zee."

"I can think of something. A few things, actually." She said, smirking in that playful way she does when she's made big plans he doesn't know about. "Wanna stay with me for a while? Got some shows across Europe the next few months. We could use the vacation, sneak around a little less."

Bruce huffed a small laugh. Even despite his soured mood, she always knew how to get a laugh out of him. He turned in his chair and put his hands on her waist. "I thought you liked that part."

She chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair. "Oh, I do. I just also might turn those little birds of yours into actual birds if they don't knock their crap off."

"Fair's fair." Honestly, he wouldn't mind that one bit right about now.

She clicked her tongue and made a face. "I don't remember them learning this kind of cruelty from you. What the hell happened?"

"I don't know." It was true. He had no idea why they were so adamant to make him miserable forever like this. Why couldn't they just understand? "How soon can we go? I...don't want to stay here."

"Anytime. Right now sound good?" She suggested, leaning over him where he sat and staring straight into his eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck loosely. "You can bring your fancy case files, or we can drop them off with Barbara? Leave the little gremlins with something to do other than come looking for you until you get back?"

"Sounds good." Bruce murmured, leaning into her space and touching his forehead against her own. "Zanna?"

"Yes?"

"What if...what if I don't want to come back?"

"Then you don't have to." She smiled at him. God, he loved her smile. "And they can learn to deal with it."

But when some of the kids invite him out, he figures why not. He's almost prepared, he almost has everything ready to leave and train, to become Batman.

He tenses up a bit when they walk in the direction of Park Row, between shops, but no one else does so he forces himself to relax. Then there's a scream, blood curdling and coming from the alleyway.

He's running before he realises, towards the sound, the sound of Mother screaming, and he tumbles into the alleyway mere seconds after gunshots ring out.

Martha and Thomas Wayne lie on the ground, thrashing weakly, gripped by their death throes.

Bruce calls for them, racing forward, and the gunmen steps out of the shadows, muzzle aimed at the centre of his forehead.

He's frozen, hyperventilating, watching his parents die all over again out of the corner of his eye, focused on the gunman's finger compressing the trigger.

A shot rings out, he tenses, and a flag pops out of the end of the gun.

The theatre group spills out of the shadows, picking up their cast members, howling with laughter, jeering and hollering in Bruce's face.

He feels the tears spill down his cheeks, and turns tail and runs. Their cheers ring out behind him, and he runs through Gotham's streets, dodging pedestrians, pets, vehicles, when he spills into the road, and keeps running until he's tearing up the driveway to the manor, banging on the door for Alfred.

The butler opens the door, a reprimand on the tip of his tongue for Bruce's dishevelled state, but he's already pushing past, thundering up the stairs.

Bruce Wayne is not in his bed when the butler looks for him the next morning.

Bruce Wayne is labelled missing, and search parties comb Gotham for him.

Bruce Wayne is declared missing presumed dead, and the investigation is closed.

Bruce Wayne's manor is inhabited only by his butler, who failed in his charge to keep the boy safe.

Bruce Wayne's schoolmates don't tell anyone what they did, and swear each other to secrecy, mouths clamped shut as a procession moves through the school hallways.

Bruce Wayne is mourned by Gotham, their poster boy for tragedy stripped from them, an entire source of entertainment for the masses gone in an instant.

Bruce Wayne swings through the streets of France, and catches the attention of the local catburglar.

but Bruces kids who cannot stand these signs and fear them because Bruce cannot age past the Age he was when he adopted them/took them in because that means he's more than just a Myth he's less than Batman and they cannot deal with that and cannot handle the fact that he's getting older and might one day be too old or get to a point where he can't do things with them that they want and rely on him for and they just can't deal with the idea of one day not having him

Bruce who spends money on wrinkle removers and skin smoothers and who dyes his hair so that his kids don't have to see signs of age

For Bruce, aging shows that he is alive but for the kids aging shows that he is that much closer to death

Batman is stoic, Batman is crude, Batman is rude, Batman is struggling to breathe, laughing while grabbing Zatanna's elbow? What?

Hal is honestly offended at the sight.

Everyone in the Justice League knows B has a close relationship whit the members of the Dark wing of the team... For some reason. And neither Zatanna nor Constantine has a free enough calendar to just go hang around the Watchtower. Normally, if they're up there, it means work. But not today.

Apparently, Zatanna had been having a hard time while trying to make contact with the bat. And, in her words, "I refuse to call the brats for input on my man". Diana is the only one who doesn't look taken aback by her words.

"Your man?" Oliver gapes at her "The brats?"

Barry perks his head between the circle that is forming around the magician. "You know who Batman is?" Hal pushes him aside.

"... What is your relationship with him?"

Zatanna opens her mouth to speak, but quickly whips her head around as if called. Not a second later, the automatic doors open, and Batman steps inside, followed by a floating, beaming, Superman.

"YOU BITCH!!" Everyone freezes. Clark's eyes grow comically wide as the woman strides towards the pair, lifting her hand. Hal hisses, expecting a slap to hit across the bat's face.

Instead, her hand rises higher, and slaps one of the bat ears to the front, making the cowl tilt slightly to the side.

Batman just grumbles as he fixes the offended cover, just for the other ear to be slapped.

"Would you sto-?" Hal doesn't get the chance to digest how much higher and annoyed Batman's voice sounds.

"YOU LEFT WITHOUT A WARNING!"

"I WAS BUSY SAVING THE FUCKING PLANET!"

"YOU STOOD ME UP!!!"

"I DID NO- oh shit"

"OH SHIT INDEED, YOU BITCH!"

She's not stopping her assault to his cowl. Batman is now failing to stand straight, trying to prevent his cowl from moving too much and exposing himself.

"YOU. KNOW. HOW. HARD. IT. IS. FOR ME. TO. TAKE. TIME. OFF?!" Every word gets emphasized by a slap on the pointy ears, or his padded shoulder, or his cape when he tries to turn to cover. "I. MADE. TIME. FOR. YOU!!"

"Ok, stop, stop!! I'M SORRY! ZANNA STOP!!" Her hand freezes in the air.

She narrows her eyes to him.

"Can I make it up to you today?" She purses her lips, contemplative.

"Is Wing coming to town?"

"I... It's Saturday, so... Yes?"

"Then no"

"Oh, come on!"

"No! I can deal with Robin. He's manageable! But that hormonal douchebag-"

"ZANNA!!"

"... Sorry" her arms cross, and the ground seems to catch her attention while she avoids B's glare. "That was rude of me. I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize to me"

"Fiiiine. I'll tell the kid I'm SORRY."

"... So?"

"Ugh. Ok. For you!"

And he's fucking smiling!? "Great. I need to finish here and I'll be gone"

"Mind if I accompany you?"

"You might steal my pillow if I say no"

"Hell yeah, I will!!"

Basic premise: the alpha knows their omega is pregnant while the omega actually has no clue

——

Clark notices something’s different with his omega immediately. He watches as Bruce shifts uncomfortably on his feet after standing for too long, when before he wouldn’t give it a thought, or how he scrunches his nose at certain foods he used to deem safe, and even goes for food combinations that he never imagined Bruce would ever try. There was even a small change in his scent, which was just... odd.

When Bruce is distracted talking to Duke about a board game the kid recently became obsessed with, Clark takes a moment to figure out what’s wrong with his mate. He just hopes it’s not another injury. It doesn’t feel like Bruce is hiding an injury from him.

Not wanting to be called out by the children around them, Clark decides that using his X-ray vision wasn’t the move for now. He's been caught staring before... It's embarrassing for everyone. He strains his ears, closing his eyes to focus and shut out every other sound in the world to truly and wholly focus on the love of his life in front of him

And there it is.

A faint heartbeat thumping just slightly out of time with Bruce’s.

Clark barely contains himself from flying out of his seat and tackling Bruce into a very gentle hug before sobbing his eyes out and thanking him for being so wonderful and amazing and-

But he doesn’t do that.

No, in fact, he’s sure Bruce would praise him for being able to keep his composure so well.

Ignoring the raised eyebrows and odd looks Damian and Stephanie give him when a wide grin stretches across his face, he sits there and thinks.

There has to be a reason why his husband, who tells him everything unless it’s strictly confidential for a mission or pertains to Wayne Enterprises, decided not to inform him of this wonder and joy.

Despite the impression Bruce gives off and what most people assume of him, Bruce can be quite cute and sappy…

A surprise!

It’s the only explanation. Bruce is planning one of those adorable surprises he sees on social media all the time. One day, when he comes home from work, Bruce will hand him a small box, and inside will be his pregnancy test!

Or maybe a little onesie? Or tiny baby shoes? Or one of the pets running up to him wearing a shirt that says he'll be a Dad? Or maybe ultrasound pictures, if Bruce has gotten that far. Or he’ll drag Clark to the kitchen and show him a bun in the oven?

And then both of them can plan a cute surprise for the other kids. He can order shirts that say ‘best big brother/sister around!’ with little sunglasses, and everyone will be so happy, and they'll take a bunch of pictures and-

“Why does your face look stupid?” Jason’s voice snaps Clark out of the daydream he found himself flying through. “Seriously, why do you look like that? All dopey and shit.” Jason crosses his arms over his chest with an unimpressed look.

Clark lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head. “Ah, just… thinking about some things.”

Dick’s head pops out from behind his younger brother and gives Clark an appraising look. “You’re not thinking any weird thoughts about Bruce, are you?” Dick squints and leans forward. “Cause I’m not afraid to hit you. You know I’m not.”

“Boys, stop bullying Clark.” Bruce’s exasperation was clear as he walked over to the table and placed a hand on the back of Clark’s chair. “You guys are stinking up the house. I thought you two were past the territorial phase?”

“They’re simply imbeciles, Ummi.” Damian pops out of nowhere to push himself between Dick and Bruce before hugging the omega’s waist. “Do you see how I can easily control my scent? Unlike the stinky alphas you decided to adopt.”

“That’s not even a fair comparison since you’re still a pup.” Tim laughs, coming down the stairs, Cassandra right beside him. “What scent do you even have to stink up the manor?”

“I could if I wanted to!”

“Is this the hill you’re willing to die on?” Duke laughed, expertly ignoring the indignant expression on the pup’s face and stealing some of the Oreo’s Clark forgot he was eating.

“Very deep thought? Share with the class.” Cass says as she takes his other Oreo, twisting off the side with cream and handing it over to Steph, who already has her hand out.

“Hey, I was eating those.”

“Barely.” Steph snorts. “You snooze, you lose, old man.”

“Anyways,” Bruce says firmly, taking all attention away from Clark’s stolen snack back onto him. “I hope you all have your outfits picked for the charity ball next week. Attendance is mandatory. Clark, wear the suit I bought you, yes, the one that fits. You’ll be going as my husband, not an investigative journalist. No, there’s no way to get out of this; it’s for a good cause.”

That shut down and retorts or protests anyone in the room had to say.

“Thank you, loves.” Bruce pressed a kiss to Tim’s forehead before turning to go back to his study, presumably to work on something for his company.

Or maybe… to plan out how to surprise him with the baby?

——

An entire week passed with nothing happening.

Every day, when he woke up, when he came back from work, when he and Bruce cuddled after dinner, and before he went to sleep, he waited.

There were plenty of private and quiet moments where it would just be perfect for Bruce to come out and tell Clark he was pregnant, yet nothing happened.

Bruce didn't even stop his patrols, not that Clark ever really expected Bruce to do something like that... yet. Though Bruce did grumble in confusion about how the streets seemed abnormally quiet and calm, ending his patrol early for the fourth time after absolutely nothing was happening.

It was getting tiring, always having to practice his surprised face so he wouldn’t ruin Bruce’s fun when he eventually did say something.

“So… anything you wanna talk about?” Clark asked from bed, watching as the omega meticulously went through his entire nighttime skin routine, gently massaging the expensive moisturizers into his already flawless skin.

Bruce paused and gave Clark a questioning look through the mirror. “You’ve been asking that question a lot… something wrong? Is there something I need to be concerned about?”

“No! No, no, of course not.” Clark waved off the concern with an awkward laugh and squeezed his pillow to his chest. “I just wanted to know if there was anything new… or unexpected?”

Bruce stood up from in front of his vanity, slipping off the dark blue bunny-eared skincare headband Stephanie had bought him as a gag gift, and made his way over to bed.

Bruce narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Clark, who was suspiciously avoiding his gaze. “You’re hiding something from me.”

“Shouldn’t I be saying that to you?” Clark muttered under his breath, giving Bruce a soft smile. “I’m not hiding anything.” Clark put his pillow back and opened his arms.

Bruce flopped down onto their bed, his head taking its rightful place on Clark's chest, the perfect spot to hear his heartbeat all night long. “I don’t like the way you said that…”

“Mhm, go to sleep. We've got a tiring night tomorrow.”

——

Bruce, or rather Brucie, effortlessly mingles in with the crowd of rich people who swarmed him, eager to talk and cajole him into investing in whatever stupid endeavors they believe will earn them the most money.

He plays the part perfectly.

Anyone would be fooled if not for the fact that Bruce doesn’t truly relax that stiff and plastic smile unless he’s around those who are deemed ‘unworthy’ of being at the party.

The kids in which the charity is for.

Bruce greets them with easy familiarity since he makes a point to visit almost every week, and the kids, in turn, scream Bruce’s name in joy and have no worry of being scolded for getting his suit dirty as they climb him like a jungle gym.

Clark is fondly reminded of itty bitty baby Dick.

"Wowie, did you have a growth spurt while I was gone?" Bruce gasps at a little girl giggling in front of him, the brightest smile on her freckled face. "And you picked such a pretty dress to wear!"

Clark could watch him interact with kids all day, every day if it were allowed. Bruce always looked so happy and relaxed. He could just imagine it now... Bruce interacting with their new kid... and all their other kids interacting with the new pup...

Three people scooted away from Clark as he let out a rumble and had the stupidest, goofiest smile on his face, staring off at nothing.

He only shook himself out of another wonderful fantasy when he realized his omega had just taken a flute of champagne from the platter of a passing waitress, giving them an iconic smile and swirling the glass before lifting it to his lips.

Which makes no sense because he knows Bruce would never willingly put another person in danger, especially a pup, by drinking alcohol, which he didn't even like. So why would he grab champagne and not some apple cider or a non alcoholic alternative?

At this very moment, it occurs to Clark that he didn’t even think to consider something.

Perhaps…

Perhaps his omega had no clue he was even pregnant in the first place. There was no surprise, because Bruce didn’t know.

Shit.

“Sweetheart,” Bruce blinks up at his husband in confusion as Clark takes away his flute of champagne. “Uh, I don’t think you should drink that.”

Bruce narrows his eyes, his body subtly tensing as his eyes shift around the opulent ballroom. "Oh? You're such a spoilsport." He teases, his voice light and airy, but the look in his eyes is sharp and ready for action at the drop of a hat. "Can you believe how protective my alpha is?" Bruce chuckles, causing the rich people around him to titter at the blatant PDA.

Clark subtly shakes his head, indicating there’s no poison or an intruder that needs to be dealt with.

He places the glass on a passing waiter's tray, doing his best to ignore the confused expression burning into the side of his face, and wraps an arm around his omega’s waist.

“It’s getting late in the night, and the pups are getting more rowdy.” Clark croons, glancing over to where Duke, Steph, and Jason are trying to incite a riot with the kids and overtake the dessert table. Then he glances over to Dick, who is trying to inconspicuously make his way onto the chandelier.

Tim has already disappeared under one of the tables; he can hear him talking to Kon and his boyfriend over some game chat. And Cass and Damian are standing in the corner together, glaring at anyone who dares to come close, clearly close to overstimulation, like Bruce, who is just better at hiding it.

"You know they hate it when you call them pups." Bruce chirps, easily falling in step with Clark as they make their way to the doors. "They're gonna throw a fit."

"Maybe they should stop acting like spoiled little pups then." Clark chuckles, letting a low whistle pass through his lips. Even though they also complain about being treated like dogs when Clark whistles for them, each of their heads immediately swivels, and they come trotting over.

"Eclair?" Duke chirped, pushing himself between Clark and Bruce and offering the sweet treat to the omega. "They're so fucking good. This is my sixth one."

"Concerning." Bruce hummed, pressing a kiss to Duke's temple.

"Glad to be leaving." Cass sighed, carrying a sleeping Damian in her arms. "Should've just gone on patrol."

"It's for charity, Princess. Gotta show Gotham and these kids that we care." Bruce reached back and took a moment to run his fingers through Damian's gelled hair that simply wouldn't hold for the entire night. "But... I'll keep that in mind for next time," Bruce said, getting a small smile from the young woman.

"Kelly started Judo classes last week, and I gave her tips." Stephanie grins, her smile vicious as she cackles. "Nobody's gonna be messing with her any time soon."

"Nothing too dangerous and life-threatening, I hope." Bruce grinned back, indulging her with a high-five plus a fist bump.

"I heard people talking about Clark acting weird and smiling at nothing." Dick ran up and jumped on Clark's back, putting the alpha in a headlock and beaming down at him. "Just like at home for the past week, huh, weirdo?"

"From the chandelier?" Clark raises an eyebrow.

"Where else?"

"Mom, if someone tells you that I took pictures of the mayor and his secretary making out on the balcony, don't believe them. I'm an innocent little boy, remember that." Tim grabs Bruce's hand before looking around the room in suspicion and darting behind Clark to hide.

Clark and Bruce simply looked at each other but didn't comment.

"Ma, can you text Alfred to have something ready for me? These burgers were subpar at best; I'm fuckin' starving." Jason decided to take up Bruce's other side, letting out a small whine and giving Bruce puppy-dog eyes with a small pout just to amp up his patheticness factor.

"Of course you're still starving, you fucking behemoth. Everyone, look at fatass over here, still not satisfied after stuffing four burgers down his gullet."

"What the fuck?!" Jason screeched.

"Hey... I'm still hungry too..." Clark pouted, getting blank stares from all of the bats.

"Oh, the bottomless pit is feeling bottomless, how shocking."

"Of course you are."

"Tell us something we don't know, Clark."

"Is the only thing on your mind food?"

"I'm honestly surprised you didn't clear out the buffet table."

"Top ten phrases I've heard from Clark; I'm hungry is way up there."

"Fatass: the original."

"Probably ate Ma and Pa Kent out of house and home."

"Saw him gnawing on a steel pillar a few days ago; he might actually eat our fucking home."

"Alien genes have him eating literally everything."

"Grocery bills have fucking quadrupled since he and Bruce got together."

"Careful, Jason, he might eat all your food the moment your back is turned. He'll probably use his super speed too."

Clark let out an offended noise. "Wait, why are we all piling on me? I thought we were having a good time." Clark whined and turned to his husband with a pout. "Do you see how mean the children are to me? I'm just a little peckish."

"Jason gets it from you, stupid alpha." Bruce sighed and shook his head, but Clark could easily tell that all of them were hiding grins from him and barely stopping themselves from bursting into laughter.

Clark took a moment to take in the warm atmosphere around their family. He almost forgot the news he had to deliver to his mate.

——

"So... what was the reason for stopping me from drinking?" Clark blinked, buttoning up the rest of his sleep shirt as he turned to Bruce, who was just staring at him with a blank expression. "And don't say it's because you know I don't like alcohol. We both know I can handle my liquor if need be."

Clark let out a wince and floated over to where his husband was standing with a suspicious expression. He landed softly and watched as Bruce's expression gave way to something more fragile and vulnerable, melting Clark's heart immediately.

"You've been acting weird all week... please talk to me before we have a huge misunderstanding."

Clark nodded and let out a short chuckle. "I-I know... I know... I just..." Clark took in a deep breath. "Honestly, I was under the impression that you knew the entire time and were trying to surprise me eventually-"

"Surprise you? Surprise you with what, Kal?"

"Surprise me with the joy that you're..." Clark let out a wet little laugh, already tearing up and successfully making Bruce panic even more somehow.

"What?! Clark spit it out already!"

“Darlin’… you’re pregnant.”

Bruce’s mouth dropped open in shock as he stared up at his husband with wide eyes, disbelief clearly painted on his face. The omega floundered, his mouth opening and closing as he grabbed Clark's arms to steady himself.

The kids get the JL to come to the manor, and to Bruce's horror and the kids' surprise Constantine finds out the kid is actually a shapeshifter in disguise trying to obtain sensitive info about the league.

After a long battle, Constantine takes the shapeshifter to hell. The JL dont have time to to say anything before the batkids (mostly Dick and Jason) yell at Bruce for almost putting everyone in danger and scenting an intruder, for thinking about himself and not listening to them, becaus they feel so vindicated for not trusting the kid (surely their gut-reaction to hating the kid and taking it out on Bruce was justified, even if they didnt realize it was an imposter).

The JL yell at the kids to shut up, but they keep going until they see Bruce crying, who lets out a gut wretching wail as he starts sobbing.

@pleasantlysparklystudent-46-blog No. 85, love

"Of course," Bruce scoffs, voice bitter in the sudden, suffocating silence of the Cave. "I should have known." He swipes angrily at his face, chest hitching with barely-restained sobs.

Clark hovers a few inches off the floor, visibly uneasy. "Come now, Br—"

"No." The word is filled with venom, and the Kryptonian's jaw clamps shut. "Look at them," he bites, thrusting a finger towards the kids off to the side. "It has been proved to me eight times over that it would never happen."

The kids exchange a glance.

"It has been proved to me six times over that I am the worst possible option to be someone's mother. That they would rather invent fake relatives, trek halfway across the world to find someone else, or attack me rather than accept me as anything resembling a mother."

Bruce scrubs a hand over his face. "I don't know why the fuck I keep hoping."

Diana steps forward, casting a stony look towards the kids before she turns it on Bruce, and it softens. "They are your pups—"

Dick opens his mouth, but is beaten to it.

"No, they're not." Bruce's tone is final. "The only person willing to be my pup is a damn shapeshifter that wants to kill everyone I care about. I'm such a fucked up omega that I don't have anything that would actually make me fit to be a mother, seemingly only the instincts that make me weak, that make me fall for such an obvious trap."

His next inhale is an awful sound, and anxiety ripples through the tense room when his clawed fingertips brush over his scent gland. "I'm done."

John holds up a hand. "Now, Batsy—"

"I'm done."

He turns, pressing a palm onto the rock, and disappears into a passage. Diana turns on the kids, eyes blazing, and puts her hands on her hips. "Where does that tunnel go?"

The kids stay silent, until Tim gestures helplessly. "We didn't even know it was there."

"Silly silly bats."

Reluctantly, everyone turns to the cells, where the shapeshifter presses themself against the glass with a sick grin.

"You made it so easy."

"Made what so easy," Jason growls, fists clenched.

The shapeshifter giggles, a melodic taunt. "Breaking the Bat!" They howl with laughter, head thrown back, and John motions to spell them, only for them to abruptly become serious. "What did you expect? More than anything that man craves a pack. A poor, feeble omega, enslaved by his instincts to be his mummy, but every kid he tries it on hates his guts. Even the stupid little pup he grew himself." Damian growls, and Steph puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Can it," John groans, orange swirling around his finger.

"You think that'll stop me?" They chuckle as their skin warps, then Dick is looking back at them from the cell. "Please, Bruce. I— That shapeshifter made me see the truth. Please, can we be pack?" Cass cocks her head, grinning to show all her teeth. "Mama," she whimpers. "Please. I want to be pup. Your pup."

"Stop," Tim orders, and is met with his own double.

"Oh, B. You know how much I missed you when you were lost. I— I just needed time to gather my courage. Won't you let me be your pup?"

The shapeshifter melds back into their own featureless form, but gives off the distinct impression of a smile. "And do you know what will happen then?" they ask. "When I take it back, and he loses the one thing he craves?"

The Shapeshifter loves playing tricks. Making serious people look goofy, making goofy people look serious. It's just an absolute Joy to see people react, but it's funnier when it works.

After all, The best deceptions are based in reality.

The Shapeshifter is already familiar with the Justice League, and often subs in, in case an identity is being risked, so one is familiar with one's coworkers.

Tonight's prank victim? The Batman. He's often scentless, so one would have to study him well before impersonating, whatever products he uses to erase his pack-scent would have to be borrowed.

So The Shapeshifter sneaks into Gotham, and hides as a sad little wet cat of a child, letting the Batman take him to safety.

There's a sweetness under the armor, and The shapeshifter is concerned. Would the bat really patrol so close to a heat, without the Comfort of his pack's scent on him? Sure, the Bat was always cautious, but fighting in preheat without scents was a one-way trip to a stress-heat.

Perhaps the sweetness intensifies, and The Shapeshifter realizes Batman's not fully in control, instincts lead by the ""pup"" in his arms.

The Shapeshifter is swaddled in blankets, pillows and clothes smelling of Bruce Wayne, but not a single drop of scent from the Robins that stop by the Watchtower. Not a scent besides one's own and Bruce's.

Maybe The Shapeshifter unshifts, revealing one's true self, but stays swaddled up in the nest.

At least until someone else stops by.

Nobody does.

Except maybe Batman's dog, covered in scents from around the Cave and Manor, doused in more scent than his Owner.

...

There's an intruder in The Manor. Two unfamiliar scents, both leading from the cave into the Manor, into the residential hall, into Bruce's personal room.

They break in, metaphorical (and physical)guns blazing, ready to fight off whoever broke into their den, instead finding Bruce and some random guy curled up in a pathetic attempt at a nest, Ace curled up at their feet.

Bruce's scent is far too sweet, the kind that lingers on the back of your tongue, thick and nauseating.

Desperate.

Why would he be so desperate? They were right here, Bruce never-

The Random Guy doesn't even look at them, instead just holding Bruce softly, like the Dark Knight was made of glass.

The kids get the JL to come to the manor, and to Bruce's horror and the kids' surprise Constantine finds out the kid is actually a shapeshifter in disguise trying to obtain sensitive info about the league.

After a long battle, Constantine takes the shapeshifter to hell. The JL dont have time to to say anything before the batkids (mostly Dick and Jason) yell at Bruce for almost putting everyone in danger and scenting an intruder, for thinking about himself and not listening to them, becaus they feel so vindicated for not trusting the kid (surely their gut-reaction to hating the kid and taking it out on Bruce was justified, even if they didnt realize it was an imposter).

The JL yell at the kids to shut up, but they keep going until they see Bruce crying, who lets out a gut wretching wail as he starts sobbing.

@pleasantlysparklystudent-46-blog No. 85, love

"Of course," Bruce scoffs, voice bitter in the sudden, suffocating silence of the Cave. "I should have known." He swipes angrily at his face, chest hitching with barely-restained sobs.

Clark hovers a few inches off the floor, visibly uneasy. "Come now, Br—"

"No." The word is filled with venom, and the Kryptonian's jaw clamps shut. "Look at them," he bites, thrusting a finger towards the kids off to the side. "It has been proved to me eight times over that it would never happen."

The kids exchange a glance.

"It has been proved to me six times over that I am the worst possible option to be someone's mother. That they would rather invent fake relatives, trek halfway across the world to find someone else, or attack me rather than accept me as anything resembling a mother."

Bruce scrubs a hand over his face. "I don't know why the fuck I keep hoping."

Diana steps forward, casting a stony look towards the kids before she turns it on Bruce, and it softens. "They are your pups—"

Dick opens his mouth, but is beaten to it.

"No, they're not." Bruce's tone is final. "The only person willing to be my pup is a damn shapeshifter that wants to kill everyone I care about. I'm such a fucked up omega that I don't have anything that would actually make me fit to be a mother, seemingly only the instincts that make me weak, that make me fall for such an obvious trap."

His next inhale is an awful sound, and anxiety ripples through the tense room when his clawed fingertips brush over his scent gland. "I'm done."

John holds up a hand. "Now, Batsy—"

"I'm done."

He turns, pressing a palm onto the rock, and disappears into a passage. Diana turns on the kids, eyes blazing, and puts her hands on her hips. "Where does that tunnel go?"

The kids stay silent, until Tim gestures helplessly. "We didn't even know it was there."

"Silly silly bats."

Reluctantly, everyone turns to the cells, where the shapeshifter presses themself against the glass with a sick grin.

"You made it so easy."

"Made what so easy," Jason growls, fists clenched.

The shapeshifter giggles, a melodic taunt. "Breaking the Bat!" They howl with laughter, head thrown back, and John motions to spell them, only for them to abruptly become serious. "What did you expect? More than anything that man craves a pack. A poor, feeble omega, enslaved by his instincts to be a mummy, but every kid he tries it on hates his guts. Even the stupid little pup he grew himself." Damian growls, and Steph puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Can it," John groans, orange swirling around his finger.

"You think that'll stop me?" They chuckle as their skin warps, then Dick is looking back at them from the cell. "Please, Bruce. I— That shapeshifter made me see the truth. Please, can we be pack?" Cass cocks her head, grinning to show all her teeth. "Mama," she whimpers. "Please. I want to be pup. Your pup."

"Stop," Tim orders, and is met with his own double.

"Oh, B. You know how much I missed you when you were lost. I— I just needed time to gather my courage. Won't you let me be your pup?"

The shapeshifter melds back into their own featureless form, but gives off the distinct impression of a smile. "And do you know what will happen then?" they ask. "When I take it back, and he loses the one thing he craves?"

maybe he comes back and it leaves him in a position where he's (sort of?) homeless bc he has no territory, no pack, no safety in these places that used to be his including safehouses

he's unofficially kicked out essentially

and he briefly stays at the manor before leaving once he realises how they've bonded without him and he truly has no place and no one thinks anything of it/ dont notice and assume he taking time to himself at a safe home or something

like B has been in this position before on travels and can survive just fine ohsycually but the emotional and mental toll is immeasurable

idk where you can go from this or if this makes sense, but B deserves some comfort

and also the kids dont mean for that to be the message at all its just miscommunication built upon misunderstandings which is the vibe given from npa and what think uve suggested/ mentioned before?

@romanticdestruction no. 54!

He makes it only a few weeks. He can't... His family lands. His ancestral home. Plucked from his grasp. He would've— He would have happily passed it down to his children, but to have it taken from him prematurely is another matter altogether.

At first, he plans to go to the penthouse. But when he walks in, he's hit by a wall of pack scent so entrenched he baulks and walks back out again. The Cave is his next step, but the bed he keeps down there stinks of Cass.

His safehouses have all been compromised, the lingering scents of his children forcing him to abandon another plan.

Nowhere's safe. Nowhere is his.

In a fit of frustration, he packs a bag in the middle of the night and starts down the driveway.

He was forces to figure out how to groom himself so he could still manage undercover missions while between bases, and is this not that? Going undercover as someone normal while his omega cries and whines incessantly at the loss of the pack territory, the last strands of connection he had to his parents, the last pack he ever knew.

Dick cracks a joke about the manor not being good enough for him and he feigns a laugh, feeling tears heat his eyes.

For two months, he spends his days on the streets, and his nights on those same ones, in the Batsuit.

He knew it wasn't sustainable. He couldn't think of another solution, mind clouded by his omega's screams.

He knew it wasn't sustainable. He didn't expect to collapse in on the Watchtower, though. Funnily, on some level, all it took in the end was overhearing discussions about redecorating some parts of the manor, having Tim lean over to him, eyes glinting with mirth, to ask if he's planning on coming back, or if they should give Damian the bigger room he's been wanting.

It's the last thing he remembers clearly.

After that is a blur of his omega's scream, his legs give out. The shouting of familiar voices. Hands pulling at him, poking him, demanding a response he can't give.

The pain that's been sinisterly creeping through him since he came back explodes, and the world goes black.

"He's starving."

Dick stares at Constantine. "Starvation doesn't do that," he objects, Bruce's hoarse screams replaying in his mind.

"Not that kind," the mage gripes. "Zee!"

Zatanna looks up, and presses a kiss to Bruce's sweaty forehead before walking across the medbay to them. Constantine puts his arm around her, and doesn't try to cop a feel for once. Dick is glad he's taking the situation seriously.

"Zee is a 'mega," Constantine reminds them. He waves his hand, and a gold haze lifts from her. Thick threads of magic concentrate around her breast, resting over her heart, the pulse making the threads throb.

"That is my omega." Zatanna reaches out, touching the gold threads, which dissolve in the air. "Now look at Bruce's."

She waves her hand, and a similar gold haze lifts over the bed, hovering over Bruce.

"Where's the rest of it?" Dick drifts closer in case it's a case of being at the wrong angle, but no. Bruce's omega is smaller than the size of a fist, the threads thin and almost transparent, not moving out much further than his breastbone, where Zatanna's push out across the entire hologram of her body.

"Disintergrated."

Something twists in Dick's gut. "It can do that?"

"It shouldn't. It's rare that a pack treats someone so badly that their soul starves." Zatanna's voice is waspish, and Dick finds himself suddenly back on the other side of the room, the witch taking his place by Bruce's bedside.

He bares his teeth in a silent snarl. "Bruce made the choice not to be pack. To go it alone. Don't blame us for his poor choices."

The door bangs open, and Clark stalks past Dick towards the bed. "You stole his home, Dick. That was your choice."

He gapes at his mentor. "Bruce moved out on his own."

"Your pack took over the last place he felt a connection to his pack, to his parents. The last pack he ever had. He had no choice but to leave, when you and your pack took everything he had and made it yours."

Dick clenches his fists, swallowing heavily. "He was dead."

"He's not dead anymore. Were you ever going to give it back?"

"He didn't ask—"

"It's Bruce!" Clark yells, eyes glowing dully.

Zatanna's glare is venom. "Bruce puts up, and he deals. And that is what he did, until he couldn't anymore. Until you drove him out of his home."

"The mind reader took a peek," Constantine says primly. "Want to know what he saw?"

Dick swallows. "He went to go and stay in a safehouse...that's what he told us."

"It's what you assumed," Clark clips.

"Hey, Cass," Tim greets as he walks into the kitchen.

"Timothy."

He pauses, hand outstretched towards the fridge, and looks back. Squints. "Dick?"

The mystery figure tilts their head, the shaggy mop of hair shifting around their face.

"Do you live here?" He slips a hand back, reaching for the knife block, and wraps a hand firmly around the handle of a knife, drawing it from the block.

The figure takes a step forward. "Go and get your siblings, and bring them to me."

"Why the hell would I do that?" he asks, bringing the knife up and getting ready for it to come to blows.

The figure lifts a hand—Tim tenses—and pushes their hair back from their face.

Bruce glares at him stonily, no more than twenty years old.

"Because someone put Lazarus water in my tea last night, and I know it was one of you because I found this on the floor in the lounge."

He tosses a familiar vial to Tim, who gulps at the sight of the bottle Damian brought to Gotham. Not for the purpose they used it for, but... Bruce was getting older. Greyer. Slower. They will not lose him.

"I'll go test it for prints," he lies.

Bruce holds up a hand. "I already did. Now go and get your siblings, Tim. Now."

Tim nods, making for the door, but Bruce's cool tone calls him back. "Tim?"

"Yeah, B?"

"Leave the knife."

Everyone calls out Clark for being a major d***head about it and everyone is happy that Bruce is happy

@ringleader-of-the-clown-alley 54 <3

Diana watches Bruce at the side of the room, murmuring quietly into his comm. Of course, in a room full of enhanced beings like herself, it does not mean much other than a signal to try not to hear, and don't address anything you do hear.

His voice is soft with affection as he murmurs into the comm to Hal, who has been in space for nearly four months now, and is scheduled for another two, if things go to plan. Which they rarely do, for Green Lanterns.

Hal's voice, as it filters through the link, is just as fond, exhausted as he sounds. Yet the obvious love between them does nothing to dissuade the burning glare from the Kryptonian next to her.

"Kal," she reprimands, for the countless time. "Behave yourself." He rolls his eyes like a petulant child, and she smacks his head. "Bruce is a grown man, his choices are his own."

"Choices," he snorts. "His choices are whoring himself out for two men at once."

Barry glares across the table, and Diana thanks Hera Bruce does not have enhanced hearing.

"Kal. Bruce's relationship with Hal and Minhkhoa are none of your business."

"Easy to say when you can't smell it on him. Hal is in space and he reeks of sex. Reeks of him."

She refrains from smacking him. Barely.

"When Hal is in space, Minhkhoa returns to America. When Hal returns, Minhkhoa leaves. It works for them. Hal doesn't want Bruce to be alone, Minhkhoa—"

"A psychopath."

"—cannot commit himself to a traditional relationship with Bruce. And Hal and Minhkhoa also partake in pleasures of the flesh with each other, you know this. You have accepted polyamoury in the past, why not now?"

"I left my wife for him," Kal hisses. "And he spreads his legs for everyone but me."

"You left your wife," she corrects. "Bruce does not owe you a relationship because you destroyed yours with a beautiful, strong woman."

Clark keeps muttering idiocies, and she contains her frustration for her friend. She knows he's hurting, that he is prone to lashing out when he does, but cannot continue to tolerate his intolerance for Bruce's loves. Especially when the three of them together are to be cherished, unfathomably sweet in their affection for each other.

If Hal does not mind, and Khoa has found a way to outlet his fondness for Bruce that will not destroy them both, and Bruce is not torn between his feelings for each of them, she does not see why it matters. She knows there is a difference between growing up on an island independent from the rules of Man and all of their inane intricacies, and being raised in a conservative small town, but when the rest of the League has accepted Bruce and his decisions, she cannot accept Kal's continued objections.

"I love you too," Bruce murmurs, a flush teasing his cheekbones, peeking out from underneath the cowl, and he hands up on the comm. He returns to the table, to the meeting that will begin in five minutes when the clock strikes the hour, and Kal surges to his feet, storming out of the room.

Diana avoids Bruce's confused, questioning gaze, and smiles at him. "How is Hal?"

Bruce watches her for a beat more, then sweeps his cape aside and lowers himself into his chair next to her. "Good," he reports, a smile creeping across his face. "He'll be home next week, and I'm taking him and Khoa for dinner in Venice."

"His mission is nearly over?"

A nod. "He's chased the convoy out of the sector, he's only staying on until the other Green Lanterns take up pursuing them." Diana's eyes drop to his left hand, and she smiles when he catches the direction her eyes have taken.

"Dinner in Venice, you say?"

A shy smile takes over his happier one, and he rubs his ring finger guiltily.

bruce's mark reads "woah there, it's a long way back to the spring if you spill them" (7/10, a bit vague and not exactly romantic but definitely has meet cute vibes)

Road trip! Batfam road trip!

Who's the first to drive? Who keeps getting shotgun? Do they rotate turns for the long trip? How many go in one car? How many cars do they use? Why does Dick always win shotgun whenever Bruce is driving? Is he cheating? Do they pass the wheel to Tim at some point and why the answer is fuck no? Did Damian succeed in taking the wheel after they stopped for gas? WHY DOES DICK KEEP WINNING SHOTGUN WHEN BRUCE'S DRIVING? Is that why Jason oopsies forgot about him in the gas station's bathroom and rode off without him? Ok Tim needs to figure out how the man keeps cheating his way into shotgun, that's insane.

Toodeloo!

@skinhorses 13!

"Explain."

"Hm?"

"Explain yourself."

"Well, my parents died when I was eight, that left a pretty big im—"

"Not that." Tim levels a finger at his face. "How did you get shotgun again? How do you always get it?"

Dick grins. "I'm just better than you."

Damian glowers. "I cried and somehow you still had the front seat. I want answers."

Tears streaming down his face, hitching breaths as he tried to stay quiet, undetected—

"How do you rig it?"

Jason glares at him. "Did Zatanna give you a spell? Raven, a portal?"

Dick snorts. "Yeah, she uses her powers to help me get a petty one-over on you guys for the front seat. Come on."

Dialing his team with trembling fingers, leaving a voice note pleading for one of them to take his place, he can't do this—

"We left you behind and you still got the front seat," Duke points out.

Dick rolls his eyes. "That's because Jason, in his hurry, also left Bruce behind. So now he's banned from driving."

Hands reaching for him, holding him close, apologies spilled out against his hairline even as he fought the embrace—

"We will find out your secret," Tim intones. Dick doesn't react, only offering a clueless smile.

"Sure you will."

The four of them stomp off to join Cass in the lobby of the hotel, and Dick grabs his bag from the footwell, blowing out a breath. They won't find out. They can't find out.

"They don't have a clue."

"Bruce!"

His father smiles, drawing closer, plucking the bag from his grip to sling over his own shoulder. "They're not even close to the truth, Dick. Don't worry."

He tries for a smile, but it sloughs off his face before it can fully form. "You sure?"

Walking onto the Batplane, freezing at the sight laid out before him. Jason, the new kid, in Dick's seat, right next to Bruce's own in the cockpit, slapping at Bruce's hands as he did up the belt to keep him in place.

Stumbling into the back of the plane, suddenly short of breath, the final straw breaking this camel's back as he secluded himself away to realise he was replaced.

Bruce finding him, holding him close, already figured out what happened and apologising, hugging him for the first time in nearly a year, his own tears spilling down his cheeks at his mistake.

The promise extracted after they returned from the mission, and Dick never sat anywhere but shotgun again. The one promise never broken, or faltereed, or wavered, through any of their fights over the years.

"I am sure." Bruce kisses his head firmly. "And even if they did figure it out, nothing would change, baby. I made you that promise ten years ago and I'll be damned if I break it now."

Care to give me (npa) a Zanna coming to Gotham after months of no contact with her Brucie. Just to see the mess is going on with his family.

I would love it if she had asked him to form a pack in the past, only to be refused bc he was needed in Gotham. Even cuter if she had come at some point back to Gotham, willing to stay with him as a pack, only to realize he had a pup now, thinking "Oh, he will form a pack with Richard, then. Oh well. As long as he's happy". Never realizing the bond wasn't formed.

Idk. Feed my cravings for this au!! *Elmo on fire PNG*

Mwah!!

@j-blackout8 58! Slow progress is being made

Zatanna casts her hand out, and a bolt of raw mana sails across the room, between Batman and Nightwing's faces. Nightwing startles, while Bruce just slowly turns his head to look at her, the set of his mouth making clear just how unimpressed he is with her interference.

"You're back."

"Surprise," she drawls, glaring at him. "Did Bane rip out your spine while I was gone?"

"Leave, Zanna. This is not your business."

"Scared she'll see the truth, B?"

"Ecnelis. Why the hell are you letting the pup speak to you like that?"

Bruce glances at Dick, pitching a fit as he suddenly has no mouth, then looks back to her. "We were having a discussion."

"I don't think a debate about patrol routes warrants speaking to you like that."

"Leave my family to operate as we please."

"No." The cave walls tremble with her words, and just for a second, Bruce looks discomforted, before it is sealed away again. "He does not get to say that shit to you, Bee. You are his mother, saying that you aren't over—"

Dick signs aggressively at her, and she narrows her eyes. Sparks dance around her fingers as she drums them on her hip. "You're not helping your case by doubling down."

"Zanna."

She blinks at Bruce, suddenly slumped in his chair, rather than standing like only a moment ago.

"Bruce?"

"Leave Dick alone. I lied."

Dick turns, eyeing his mother, and Zatanna joins him. "About what?"

He eases the cowl back, and the aching sadness in his eyes, carved into the aged lines of his face is all too familiar. "Oh, Bruce." Dammit. She should have realised. Of course he lied. What kind of friend is she, not to notice for fifteen years? "You idiot."

He rubs his hands over his face, offering a grim smile. "Let him go, Zee. He didn't say anything untrue."

"You're not his mother."

"No."

"You're not anyone's, are you?"

Something broken is quickly concealed, and she gets a weak shrug as he slumps in the chair. "Not even to Damian."

"He calls you—"

"In name, not practise."

She clenches her fists. "Fifteen years. Fifteen years you have lied to me about this."

He stares her down, unrepentant, and as she glares back, she is all too aware of Dick across the room, still spelled silent, eyes roving over each of them.

He doesn't know.

Bruce wouldn't let him know.

How the hell is she supposed to tell him?

Ship Warning! - JLA x Batman

I am a big fan of those fics or posts about the main 7 (6 in this case) pinning and swooning over Batman.

Especially when Batman is involved, or had previously been involved, with one of the JL members, and said JL member brags about it.

Batman and another member kissing, it’s cute, it’s romantic, and it’s dangerous. While Batman’s eye’s are closed, 6 eyes are open, glaring at the lucky one. I lent death threats being exchanged within seconds.

Depending on who it is, the luck-favored member either feels a cold sweat down their back, or my favorite, extremely smug about it. Maybe they’ll flex their hand around Batman’s waist to show off, or perhaps they’ll give them a cocky wink before using their tongue. It makes the other JL member’s blood boil.

Dick, Jason, and Tim, have all been bonded to Bruce at least once in their lives. Barbara+Steph aren't his kids, and he met them, Cass, and Duke, later in their adolescence.

But he had Dick since he was eight. Jason since he was twelve. Tim has been in his life since he was twelve.

And each time, when all the signs were showing that the boy was going to present, for ease they're all showing the aggression of a pup about to go into a rut and become an alpha, and Bruce sits them down, dead serious, and asks if they want him to comfort them during his ruts.

They say yes, grasp onto the chance with both hands. Presentations are usually spent with pack, the sexual element comes in as they mature further, not immediately. But it's still terrifying, often painful, and they don't want to go it alone.

So they go into rut, and Bruce spends days, nearly a week, cuddling them in a nest they've never visited before, scenting them to keep them calm, sparring with them to displace their surging aggression, then doing it all over again. Then their rut fades, they come out the other side, and Bruce smiles at them softly, and asks if they can feel their bond with him in their mind. They say yes, and Bruce tells them to follow his instructions. Imagine a hand, holding onto the bond that connects them, and pull really hard. They're wary, but they obey, and the bond snaps. Bruce falls aside, groaning in pain, and Alfred comes in, carrying them out of Bruce's room.

Bruce allows them to scent him during their ruts, but is so convinced they despise the idea of being pack that he coaches them into breaking the bond right afterwards.

Dick gets the offer of Alfred, rather than Bruce, but he chooses Bruce. Jason is offered Alfred or Dick, he chooses Bruce. Tim is offered Alfred or Dick, or they can find a way to get Jack and Janet back to America in time, he chooses Bruce.

All three are carried, protesting, thrashing out of the room by Alfred afterwards, and don't see Bruce for a day, but when he finally emerges, never brings it up again, and they heed Alfred's stern, repeated warnings not to.

Then Damian starts showing the same symptoms, and the pack is buzzing, realising Damian will present soon. Bruce sits Damian down, and makes him the same offer. Bruce, or the rest of the pack. It's so much bigger now, than what his brothers had, but he still chooses Bruce.

Dick, Jason, and Tim corner Damian later that day, and demand to know if Bruce asked him yet. When he confirms, they sit him down, and warn him. After his rut is over, Bruce is going to tell him to do something, he'll frame it like a trick, like something fun will happen, but no matter what, don't give in. Leave the room, if that's what's necessary. Damian demands to know why, but they refuse, and disperse before he can extract answers.

He goes into rut, he and Bruce seclude themselves away, and sure enough, when the haze passes, and he feels like himself again, Bruce tells him to pull on their bond. He's only just realising they have a bond, and recoils at the idea of ridding himself of what he's wanted for so long.

It devolves quickly into an argument, Bruce resorting to ordering Damian to do it, but there are tears in his eyes, and Damian does as his brothers said, and leaves. He throws himself out the window, and Jon catches him before he hits the ground.

He zips them to the Kent farm, per request, then collects the other boys too, and lets them meet in the barn. Greetings are given, fresh scentings now he's presented, and has his own distinct scent, then he demands to know what's happening. Then he gets furious at them for risking him like that, using him as a guinea pig to see if Bruce didn't want the bond, or if he was doing it for a different reason, by seeing if he would break the bond himself if Damian refused.

He's furious, but he understands. So they sit down, and plan, and discuss, and when a very confused Clark comes out, and tells Damian Bruce said "it's for the best", they only get more suspicious. Slowly, other members of the pack start contacting them, but they know Bruce is 99% probably looking at their phones, so start using intermediaries to pass along the information to fill in the others.

Damian, occasionally, toys with the new bond. He has felt nothing but panic, and fear from Bruce, since leaving Gotham, which only makes them more convinced that he has deeper motives to the way he acts.

(Edited bc I keep forgetting I have 2 tags for those two possessive jerks)

I started this fully intended to be just a list and suddenly I was writing a whole ass paragraph on Tim's nickname. At the end I said fuck it, everyone gets their paragraph. So, this is on you, anon.

They each have their nicknames. Those unique ways Bruce calls for them, and only them. And fuck if anybody else wants to call them that way, that's Bruce's right alone, just like it's theirs own privilege and theirs only. Seriously. Fuck anyone who tries to use it in any context (You can ask Kon for the time he called Tim Sweetheart and got an attempt of a bite in response. Don't worry, he avoided it, Tim's teeth are fine~).