Chapter Text
There was a little voice in your head that was egging you on to throw something at Hal Jordan. Not sure what it was. Maybe it was the fact that he was still speaking ten minutes after the mission ended, and you wanted to go home.
Possibly.
Mission reports were your own personal hell on earth after a successful mission. Especially when it came to certain members giving their reports. He was first up, and you wished it was you instead, so you could leave. The more the man talked, the more tempted you became to snag a batarang off Batman’s belt and pelt it at him. You’d be stopped, but the longer this went on, the more willing you were to be scolded by Batman instead. Though judging from his scowl under his cowl… he might beat you to it.
“Hal-" Superman interrupted, “I believe you have said enough. Everyone else still needs to give their reports.” Ever the mediator.
Hal sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine.” And he went to sit back down.
Well, that stopped you from maiming a fellow teammate. The urge to still throw something at him was strong.
Batman glanced your way. Your identity, your power falling from his lips. “As you two were working together for this mission, have you anything to add?”
That was a simple answer. Green Lantern-Hal, he had mentioned every detail, important or not. What exactly was there to add that would feel substantial? “I think he said enough for the both of us. I don’t intend to waste anyone’s time.”
“Good, then let’s move to-" you tuned it out. Paying attention with a distracted mind had been your recent fate. You weren’t even sure why at first. You’d been with this group for years, nothing really should’ve changed… but maybe you did.
For the life of you, you couldn’t stop your mind drifting to the two men on either side of your seat. You’d admired them when you were younger. You could recall when they first appeared, reading about it during lunch in high school, and dreaming about joining them when you realized your own powers. Batman and Superman were great heroes you admired since then, and worked alongside in the League for years… When did your feelings for them change?
It started as genuine admiration, so how did that spiral?
You were snapped from your thoughts as the last mission report was delivered. Which meant you had freedom, finally.
Then you heard someone call for you, glancing over, it was Superman, who was all smiles as usual. It was the unshakable Clark Kent. The perfect man in every sense of the word. Every hair in place, eyes like the sky and sea, and a physique that swamped your own. For a man only a handful of years older than you, he trumped you on many different fronts. “Sorry to take more of your time,” he apologized.
“It’s alright. I don’t exactly have much going on with my day.”
“With how you were glaring daggers at Hal, I could’ve sworn you must’ve had something planned.”
No, he was just droning on, and your mind tempted you to throttle him. “I just thought he was over-explaining the mission. It was a little egregious to sit through.”
He narrowed his eyes a bit, not quite believing you. “I suppose it did go on for a while.” He shook his head a little, sighing softly. “I wanted to extend my thanks to you.”
“Thanks, what for?”
That smile was back on his face again. “What for? For looking after my kids for me.”
“I’ve been doing that since I joined the League, it’s nothing new. Besides, I feel like their fun uncle.” You’d almost forgotten. Back at your place, Conner and Jon were playing video games. For the past few weeks, they’d been staying at yours as Clark went through divorce proceedings with Lois. They ended amicably, thank god for that, but they didn’t want the kids to see it all. Hence, babysitting had fallen onto you again. “And they’re great kids. My only regret is leaving them with my credit card. Conner bought so many pizzas last time I left them alone.”
He chuckled a bit at that. “Let me know if you need me to pay you back.”
“I’ll be fine. I may not be some billionaire like Bruce Wayne, but I’m certainly not hurting. Conner isn’t going to eat me out of house and home.”
“Still…” he sighed. “You really have been a massive help. I don’t know how you handle it.”
“It’s his ability,” a gruff voice reminded. A quick glance over showed Batman approaching. While his outfit left little to be perceived, you knew what he looked like. The beautiful and handsome Bruce Wayne. His eyes were like diamonds, every hair combed to perfection. Even when stressed, his hair seemed to fall tantalizingly. He was built, too, with enough strength to easily overpower even a meta like you. Another man of seeming ability and perfection who had been a thorn in your thoughts.
“It definitely helps,” you agreed with a light laugh. “It’s good to know they look up to me enough that it works.”
“They are rather unique in comparison to other abilities,” Clark agreed, nodding along. “The admiral ability, right?”
“I call it the nurture ability, actually,” you corrected. The ability made it so anyone who looked up to you would have an easier time learning from you and staying on task and organized. It could be used in combat as well. Any who looks up to you would need very little instruction to follow your orders; you just never saw a need to utilize that ability. Mostly, it was used to make sure they ate enough meals and went to bed on time. Your utilization of it is what gave it its name.
He hummed, acknowledging your words. “Right. Even with that ability, I know my children can be a handful.”
“All hero kids are handfuls. It’s part of being a kid. If we’re talking about true handfuls-“
“No need to bring my children into this,” Bruce huffed.
“I was going to say Bart and Wally. Because of their super speed,” you corrected with a snort. “Guess you see them as handfuls then?”
Bruce merely sighed, hand reaching up to punch at the bridge of his nose. “It seems I walked into that.”
It was fun teasing them like this, it really was. “If I found any of them to be too much, I wouldn’t offer to look after them, I swear.” Maybe that was it. Constantly being around the kids of such wonderful men meant that you were in constant contact with them. Unlike merely colleagues who saw each other for work and work alone… you’d been to their houses, eaten dinner with them, and gone on trips with them. Your constant contact had stirred up repressed emotions, which led to your current state.
Well, there were worse men to have such an infatuation with. Maybe you had a type? Hard to tell. They looked vastly different when they were Batman and Superman. And contrary to popular belief, you thought their civilian identities looked completely different as well.
“Right, before I forget-“ you were snapped from your thoughts as Clark caught your attention. “Jon has a project he needs to do before Monday. Can you make sure he sits down and does it on time?”
“I can make sure. I’m pretty sure he’s already started it, so the reminder won’t really be needed. Still, I’ll keep an eye out.”
“You are the best,” Clark said with a relieved sigh. “I know divorce proceedings could be worse, but even with Lois and me ending things in great terms, it still feels like too much at times.”
You reached out, offering a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “I’m always here to help. And if you ever need a day to yourself after all of it is over, let me know. I’ll take Jon and Conner so you can have that time.”
Clark was forever thankful for your continued support. Truly. “Thank you. For now, I need to head back. Tell the kids that I’ll pick them up-“
“I can drop them off, don’t worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” you quickly assured, smiling gently. You hadn’t exactly been sure when you fell into this role either. Maybe it was when you first joined, and when Robin followed you around, even when he became Nightwing. It wasn’t your ability alone that got you that caretaker position. Whether it was Nightwing or something else, you were happy with helping out.
Maybe you took after your parents in that regard.
“Then I’ll see you soon enough. I’ll let you know when it should be fine to bring them both back.” He left after that, you waving him off, attention turning to Bruce.
“So, were you sauntering over to ask for some babysitting?”
“No. I’m here to commend you for not stealing a batarang to throw at Hal.”
Damn it. “I can explain-“
“No need. If Clark hadn’t cut him off, I would’ve done it myself.”
Oh. “You, Mr. Stoic?”
“I could say the same to you. After all, you’re a rather gentle man, wouldn’t you say?”
Not at all. Bruce had no idea what you were like outside of work and your caretaking duties. If he’d known what you were like, maybe the murder in your eyes earlier would’ve made more sense. “I’m not a saint.”
“If you say so. I do have to be off myself, take care of yourself.”
“I will. You make sure to get some sleep. I can text any of those kids of yours to see if you actually do.”
He did not respond before walking away. You just laughed a little to yourself as he faded from view. It was good to talk to both of them. You had feared your growing attraction would’ve impacted how you interacted with them, but you’d been fine sticking by their side.
Now… it was your turn to get home. Maybe after saying goodbye to some of the other heroes first.