starsandsea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starsandsea) wrote2007-11-19 09:01 pm
starsandsea) wrote2007-11-19 09:01 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: The Batman/Superman Story: Retold
Title: The Batman/Superman Story: Retold
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Clark/Bruce, Dick, Barbara
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warnings: A whole lot of spoilers for The Batman's 'The Batman/Superman Story', and 'The Joining'.
Author's Note: Thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jen_in_japan for looking over this! :)
Superman was hovering in the air above Gotham. He was glaring down at a figure encased in black, cape moving like water in the wind. So, this was 'The Batman'. Superman sneered slightly. This was the man who the Martian claimed more or less single handedly saved the world almost a year ago? Superman narrowed his eyes. A short observation revealed that 'The Batman' was just a human playing dress up. Not a real superhero. But the Martian had seemed sure that this human had saved the world. Superman looked away, unwillingly, refusing to acknowledge the bitterness within him.
He hadn't been able to do anything.
Weakened by the lack of sunlight, and exposure to kryptonite just before that, there was nothing he could have done. He had been temporarily the same as everyone else, human and helpless, he had thought. But this
man below him had been able to do it... he was only human and yet he had stopped it. Saved the world.
Superman returned his glare to the 'Dark Knight', though he seemed oblivious to his presence. Instead, he was watching over the city, proud. Superman glanced at his surroundings. Gotham had been the first city to be attacked by the aliens - and was that just a coincidence? - and the worst affected by them, numerous buildings destroyed. It was slowly being rebuilt, however, and he supposed it was... all right. It was no Metropolis, though, and it never would be. Superman felt a brief flash of satisfaction. His city would always be superior to Gotham.
He smirked. The black clad figure moved slightly, cape rippling about him like liquid reluctant to remove itself from his body. Superman frowned. What had the human seen that he had not? He was just about to switch to x-ray vision when he caught sight of them.
A woman - no, a girl - dressed in purple and black, cape and red hair flowing behind her, and a boy, dressed in red and green. Superman watched as the children exchanged grins, and crept up behind the black figure. He frowned as their muscles tensed, ready to jump... and The Batman turned around to face them. He could feel his amusement from where he was hovering over the city.
The two children sighed and pouted. "Don't you two have better things to do?" It was clear that The Batman wasn't really angry at them.
The girl sighed dramatically. "There's nothing going on!"
The Batman gave her a reproachful look. "That's a good thing, Batgirl."
The boy sighed now. "Yeah, but there's no one's butt to kick!" He was idly, it seemed, doing a one handed handstand.
"I'm so bored!" The girl - Batgirl - flopped down next to where Batman was standing. The boy joined her.
"Yeah. Isn't there something we can do?"
"Patience, Robin. You might find soon that you'll be longing for a slow time like this." Both Batgirl and... Robin? shook their heads vigorously. Batman sighed slightly. "All right. Let's go flying."
Two cries of joy sounded, then both Batgirl and Robin were in flight, Batman following them, the sound of their capes rippling in Superman's ears. He was frowning. If this was the kind of people who were in the Justice League, then he was glad he had declined membership. He flew off, back to Metropolis.
*****
The first time he met Batman face to face, Superman despised him. He had come to Gotham - his teeth ground at any mention of the city - to present a cheque on behalf of the people of Metropolis to Gotham's new Mayor. In his eyes, even the one hundred million that Metropolis sons and daughters had given wouldn't be enough to make Gotham look even half decent. But, of course, he did not let people know that, smiling at the assembled crowd as they cheered him, before he unveiled the cheque. Then, Metallo had come and ruined it all.
They had fought, sending the crowd into panicked screams and pounding feet. Metallo had punched him through a wall and all he could do was lie at the villains feet, groaning as the kryptonite took hold of him. He was punched and hit another wall, but fell to the ground this time. He was vaguely aware of being slung over Metallo's shoulder and of him jumping on rooftops and cars, but blackness was darting before his eyes. Like The Batman's cape, he thought drowsily. Metallo threw him into a pile of junk. His head cleared a little then; he still couldn't make out what Metallo was saying to him, but he could see that they were in a junk yard. Besides, then he saw The Batman's cape for real, heard its fluttering. Finally. Why had it taken him so long to show up? If this had been Metropolis, he wouldn't have taken so long to respond to a emergency like this...
He was again forced to the sidelines as someone else did his fighting for him. The fact that it was Batman, who had all ready succeeded where he had failed before, only made him feel worse. And then that boy - Robin - appeared on a motorbike. Superman's eyes blazed. He was too weak to even attempt to stand, and here Batman and Robin were, a human and a boy, fighting - and winning - against his enemy.
There was a sudden explosion. Superman was torn from his self-pitying thoughts to see Batman press... something... and a car, a black car, emerged from the flames, intact. So did Metallo, as soon as the... car stopped by Batman and Robin's sides. Metallo said something, but then the humans were on him again, with some kind of small bomb. Superman watched as the kryptonite fell from Metallo's chest. He was able to stand, shakily, feeling his strength returning to him, and look around to see a cloud of dust that was slowly dissipating, revealing Batman slowly being crushed by Metallo's arms about his chest.
Superman stood to his full height. He might not like Batman, but no one was going to die while he could prevent it. "Let him go." He growled to Metallo, walking closer to them.
Metallo looked at him a moment, before dropping Batman to the ground where he lay, groaning. Metallo ran towards him, arm outstretched to punch him. Almost lazily, Superman caught his fist in his hand, feeling his cape moving behind him as a result of the shock-wave his movement caused. He smirked. Apparently, the robot had forgotten that he no longer had his Kryptonite heart. Superman punched him hard with his free hand, sending him flying in a large arc until he landed in a compressor. He flew towards it, seeing Batman standing and moving towards the compressor himself out of the corner of his eye.
He pressed the compressor closed, hearing the sounds of Metallo's body closing down. Then, he flew to stand on the ground, body half aligned to Batman's, who had halted his movements.
"He isn't even scratched. Just powered down. An internal battery will keep him alive." Superman moved quickly onto the most pressing matter. "Where's the kryptonite?"
"Don't worry. We've got it," Batman said in what he guessed was meant to be a reassuring manner.
Superman turned so he was fully facing Batman, and walked towards him, using every extra inch he had over him in height to his advantage. "I want it."
Batman narrowed his eyes at him. "You're not very trusting."
Superman narrowed his eyes this time, switching to his x-ray vision, looking under Batman's cowl. He mentally raised a eyebrow at who he saw. Bruce Wayne?
"Not when it comes to that, Mr. Wayne."
He saw Batman's eyes narrow almost to slits at that. They glared at each other.
"Hey, you two!" Both he and Batman broke off their glaring to stare at Lois and Jimmy who were quickly moving towards them. "How about a hand shake? Make a great page one..." Lois continued, as Jimmy snapped a picture.
Batman immediately walked away. "I'll get it to you within 24 hours."
Superman stepped forward, towards him. "Where?"
"I'll find you." The black car appeared from no where, and Batman jumped in, speeding away.
"Wow. Nice ride." Jimmy exclaimed.
Superman narrowed his eyes at the now empty spot, and took to the air. He didn't trust that vigilante one bit.
*****
The first time he met Bruce Wayne... it was different. He had been grocery shopping, and his arms were full of brown paper bags. He fell face first through his open door, more in case Lois was still watching than through clumsiness. He had checked the hallway was empty, then grinned to himself and used his super speed to pick up the scattered items. He had just placed them back in their bags and on the counter when he heard him.
He spun around to see Bruce Wayne lounging against his door frame, a forgotten tin in one hand, something else in the other.
"Hn. And they call me a split personality." Wayne threw the tin at him, hard, while he spoke, inviting himself into his apartment and looking around.
Clark scowled, and put the caught tin in with the others. "Mr. Wayne. You really are 'The World's Greatest Detective'". He hadn't believed that before. But how else could he have figured out his secret identity?
Wayne turned to look at him, holding the other item between them. "Here it is. Like you asked. You can take a peek if you want... but I wouldn't advise opening it."
Clark took it from him, slightly surprised. He hadn't really expected to be given it back voluntary. Because of that, he said, "I'll take your word," not something... alpha male, like he felt he should.
"I didn't think you were the trusting kind." Wayne commented as he walked to the still open door. "By the way, the Justice League is about to have it's first official meeting. I heard the Martian invited you... but you declined."
Wayne paused at door, obviously waiting for a answer.
"I prefer to work alone."
"So did I. Once. But I found you never know when you might need a friend."
Clark raised his eyebrows as Wayne left. He hadn't expected that. He sighed softly, and closed the door. Of course he was lonely, but what he said about was true. He always worked alone. The brief fight against Metallo with Batman and Robin was the first time he had worked with another hero. He sat on his couch, thinking. Maybe... maybe this 'Batman' wasn't as bad as he had thought. He had to admit the man was one of the most capable crime fighters around, human or not. Maybe the most capable. And, he was extremely good looking out of the costume too. Clark shook his head forcibly, and stood up. He had better things to do than sit around thinking about 'The Batman'.
*****
Unfortunately, no one had explained that to Luthor. He had Lois kidnapped, and of course he had had to rescue her, somehow ending up briefly working with Batman and Robin again. It was almost as if the world was taunting him, saying that he couldn't work alone anymore, shouldn't...
To prove to himself that he still could, that he was perfectly capable of working alone, he flew away while Batman was in the middle of suggesting that they confront Luthor together. He should have listened to him, Superman thought as the spores from - Poison Ivy? - and the kryptonite entered his body. Batman would have been able to help prevent this, maybe. Superman was slightly annoyed that he hadn't followed him, that when he needed help most, the universe decided to mock him by letting this be the only time that Batman didn't show up...
Luthor kicked him hard, and he fell to his knees. That actually hurt! Then, things got very fuzzy, very far away, like he was watching himself from a distance... and Superman knew that he had failed...
*****
When Clark was next aware of his surroundings, truly aware, he was leaning against some pipes. He groaned. His head hurt. He glanced over his shoulder to see Batman and Robin. He pulled himself upright with the pipes, turning to look at them properly.
"Wha... What's going on?" Superman looked to Batman for an explanation.
"That cured him?" Robin said, incredulously. Superman glanced at him, before retuning his attention to Batman, who for some reason wasn't wearing his cape, and was holding an arm over his ribs, as if they had been hurt. Batman slowly, almost warily, moved towards him.
"Luthor out you under the spell of Poison Ivy's mind controlling plant spores. But I just dosed you with acrdozine, a basic component of plant killers. Wiped out the spores."
He and Batman were standing only a arms length away now. They both reached out their hands simultaneously, and slowly shook them. "I owe you one," Superman said, feeling the warmth from Batman's hand, even through his glove. He x-rayed his chest, and winced as he saw cracked ribs. What had he done? He must have been the one to do that, Batman had perfectly fine when he last saw him... they slowly let go of each others hands.
"It wasn't just me," Batman nodded at Robin.
Superman smiled. "I guess teamwork does have its advantages."
*****
Superman was flying Batman and Robin to Luthor's lab. They had explained to him what had happened more fully, and what Luthor was planning. He had wanted to fly off and deal with it on his own, but... as he had said, teamwork did have its advantages.
Just as he set Batman and Robin down on the roof of Luthor's lab, 3 robots shot into the air. "I'll handle them. See if you can stop them from the inside." He rose higher into the air, seeing Batman and Robin run off. He could only admire them now. Where he once scorned them for only being 'human', he saw now what risks they took every night, how dangerous it was for them to be out there, doing this, with no powers at all...
He almost absentmindedly fought the robots. They were no match for him, really, once he had destroyed the ones with kryptonite. A huge robot appeared suddenly, and he knew Luthor was inside it. There seemed to be something wrong with it, it wasn't reacting as the others had. Superman slammed his body into into it repeatedly, sending it to the ground, then catching it and tearing it open, seeing Luthor inside like he knew he would. He sensed Batman and Robin flank him.
"You can't leave without saying goodbye!" Robin smirked. Superman smiled, and he saw Batman's lips quirk out the corner of his eye. Yes. There were definite advantages to teamwork.
*****
Superman flew up through Earth's atmosphere and into space, heading towards the strange building on a sort of asteroid base. He flew to a hatch, and opened it, letting himself in. He saw a lift, and flew to it, after closing the hatch. He stepped inside, and the doors before him closed as it automatically started to move. The doors opened moments later to a hall with massive windows. He walked forward, seeing Batman standing, waiting for him.
"So. This is what all the excitement's about." He said as he flew down some steps. He should be looking about him, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off Batman. He landed quietly next to him.
"It's a work in progress. But it'll do for now." Batman glanced about them, but now turned his full attention to him. "I asked you here because I wanted to give you this." Batman held a small grey box out to him. "The real kryptonite. Dug it up from my lab. Found the piece in the river too."
Superman took the box from him and considered. He smiled as he threw it up in the air, then caught it, offering it back to Batman. "You keep it. At least then I'll know it's with someone on my side."
Batman returned his smile, as he took the box back.
Yes. Batman should keep it. He would know then, that if he was ever controlled again, ever hurt him again, Batman would have the means to stop him. He turned away from him suddenly, looking around the hall so Batman didn't see him shudder.
"Now, tell me about the 'Justice Team' of yours." He hoped that deliberately getting the name wrong would further distract his companion.
"League. Justice League." Batman sighed softly, and Superman once more couldn't take his eyes off him. "I told the Martian it sounded like a ball club. Anyway, this is our command centre. Someone's always stationed here. It's time consuming... but the view's great."
Batman gestured at the windows, Earth glowing beneath them.
Superman smiled again. "Yes. Yes it is."
They stood in silence, both gazing out the windows. Eventually, Superman turned back to Batman. "I want to apologize. I can't remember what happened after those spores started to affect me, but I know that I hurt you. And Robin. And I wreaked your lab."
Batman turned to look at him. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know what you were doing."
Superman moved closer to him, raising a hand to touch Batman's ribs, very carefully. "I hurt you." He repeated, looking at the fragile bones and organs under his hand.
Batman gently placed a gloved hand over his. "It's okay. It's healing."
Superman nodded slowly, raising his head, not all together surprised when he saw how close their heads were. Batman opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again, his free hand going up and removing his cowl.
Bruce Wayne stared at him, blue eyes intense.
"Bruce." Clark whispered, realizing that it was the first time he had spoken the name.
"Clark." Bruce whispered in return.
Clark shuddered, and couldn't resist anymore. He pressed his lips to Bruce's, feeling them opening under his, gently probing forward with his tongue, feeling Bruce doing the same. Clark groaned, and tightened his hold on his hand, shifting it, so their fingers were entwining, Bruce pressing closer to him, free arms wrapping about each other's bodies. They eventually broke apart with a gasp, both breathing heavily, even though he didn't have to.
Bruce smiled at him, slowly, wondrously. Yes. Clark was definitely going to have to do intense study on teamwork. He leaned forward to kiss Bruce again, Bruce meeting him half way, and pressing closer to him, groaning. Clark ran his hand down his back, pulling him even closer.
Long and very intensive studies. And who better to help him than Batman?
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Clark/Bruce, Dick, Barbara
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warnings: A whole lot of spoilers for The Batman's 'The Batman/Superman Story', and 'The Joining'.
Author's Note: Thank you to
jen_in_japan for looking over this! :)Superman was hovering in the air above Gotham. He was glaring down at a figure encased in black, cape moving like water in the wind. So, this was 'The Batman'. Superman sneered slightly. This was the man who the Martian claimed more or less single handedly saved the world almost a year ago? Superman narrowed his eyes. A short observation revealed that 'The Batman' was just a human playing dress up. Not a real superhero. But the Martian had seemed sure that this human had saved the world. Superman looked away, unwillingly, refusing to acknowledge the bitterness within him.
He hadn't been able to do anything.
Weakened by the lack of sunlight, and exposure to kryptonite just before that, there was nothing he could have done. He had been temporarily the same as everyone else, human and helpless, he had thought. But this
man below him had been able to do it... he was only human and yet he had stopped it. Saved the world.
Superman returned his glare to the 'Dark Knight', though he seemed oblivious to his presence. Instead, he was watching over the city, proud. Superman glanced at his surroundings. Gotham had been the first city to be attacked by the aliens - and was that just a coincidence? - and the worst affected by them, numerous buildings destroyed. It was slowly being rebuilt, however, and he supposed it was... all right. It was no Metropolis, though, and it never would be. Superman felt a brief flash of satisfaction. His city would always be superior to Gotham.
He smirked. The black clad figure moved slightly, cape rippling about him like liquid reluctant to remove itself from his body. Superman frowned. What had the human seen that he had not? He was just about to switch to x-ray vision when he caught sight of them.
A woman - no, a girl - dressed in purple and black, cape and red hair flowing behind her, and a boy, dressed in red and green. Superman watched as the children exchanged grins, and crept up behind the black figure. He frowned as their muscles tensed, ready to jump... and The Batman turned around to face them. He could feel his amusement from where he was hovering over the city.
The two children sighed and pouted. "Don't you two have better things to do?" It was clear that The Batman wasn't really angry at them.
The girl sighed dramatically. "There's nothing going on!"
The Batman gave her a reproachful look. "That's a good thing, Batgirl."
The boy sighed now. "Yeah, but there's no one's butt to kick!" He was idly, it seemed, doing a one handed handstand.
"I'm so bored!" The girl - Batgirl - flopped down next to where Batman was standing. The boy joined her.
"Yeah. Isn't there something we can do?"
"Patience, Robin. You might find soon that you'll be longing for a slow time like this." Both Batgirl and... Robin? shook their heads vigorously. Batman sighed slightly. "All right. Let's go flying."
Two cries of joy sounded, then both Batgirl and Robin were in flight, Batman following them, the sound of their capes rippling in Superman's ears. He was frowning. If this was the kind of people who were in the Justice League, then he was glad he had declined membership. He flew off, back to Metropolis.
*****
The first time he met Batman face to face, Superman despised him. He had come to Gotham - his teeth ground at any mention of the city - to present a cheque on behalf of the people of Metropolis to Gotham's new Mayor. In his eyes, even the one hundred million that Metropolis sons and daughters had given wouldn't be enough to make Gotham look even half decent. But, of course, he did not let people know that, smiling at the assembled crowd as they cheered him, before he unveiled the cheque. Then, Metallo had come and ruined it all.
They had fought, sending the crowd into panicked screams and pounding feet. Metallo had punched him through a wall and all he could do was lie at the villains feet, groaning as the kryptonite took hold of him. He was punched and hit another wall, but fell to the ground this time. He was vaguely aware of being slung over Metallo's shoulder and of him jumping on rooftops and cars, but blackness was darting before his eyes. Like The Batman's cape, he thought drowsily. Metallo threw him into a pile of junk. His head cleared a little then; he still couldn't make out what Metallo was saying to him, but he could see that they were in a junk yard. Besides, then he saw The Batman's cape for real, heard its fluttering. Finally. Why had it taken him so long to show up? If this had been Metropolis, he wouldn't have taken so long to respond to a emergency like this...
He was again forced to the sidelines as someone else did his fighting for him. The fact that it was Batman, who had all ready succeeded where he had failed before, only made him feel worse. And then that boy - Robin - appeared on a motorbike. Superman's eyes blazed. He was too weak to even attempt to stand, and here Batman and Robin were, a human and a boy, fighting - and winning - against his enemy.
There was a sudden explosion. Superman was torn from his self-pitying thoughts to see Batman press... something... and a car, a black car, emerged from the flames, intact. So did Metallo, as soon as the... car stopped by Batman and Robin's sides. Metallo said something, but then the humans were on him again, with some kind of small bomb. Superman watched as the kryptonite fell from Metallo's chest. He was able to stand, shakily, feeling his strength returning to him, and look around to see a cloud of dust that was slowly dissipating, revealing Batman slowly being crushed by Metallo's arms about his chest.
Superman stood to his full height. He might not like Batman, but no one was going to die while he could prevent it. "Let him go." He growled to Metallo, walking closer to them.
Metallo looked at him a moment, before dropping Batman to the ground where he lay, groaning. Metallo ran towards him, arm outstretched to punch him. Almost lazily, Superman caught his fist in his hand, feeling his cape moving behind him as a result of the shock-wave his movement caused. He smirked. Apparently, the robot had forgotten that he no longer had his Kryptonite heart. Superman punched him hard with his free hand, sending him flying in a large arc until he landed in a compressor. He flew towards it, seeing Batman standing and moving towards the compressor himself out of the corner of his eye.
He pressed the compressor closed, hearing the sounds of Metallo's body closing down. Then, he flew to stand on the ground, body half aligned to Batman's, who had halted his movements.
"He isn't even scratched. Just powered down. An internal battery will keep him alive." Superman moved quickly onto the most pressing matter. "Where's the kryptonite?"
"Don't worry. We've got it," Batman said in what he guessed was meant to be a reassuring manner.
Superman turned so he was fully facing Batman, and walked towards him, using every extra inch he had over him in height to his advantage. "I want it."
Batman narrowed his eyes at him. "You're not very trusting."
Superman narrowed his eyes this time, switching to his x-ray vision, looking under Batman's cowl. He mentally raised a eyebrow at who he saw. Bruce Wayne?
"Not when it comes to that, Mr. Wayne."
He saw Batman's eyes narrow almost to slits at that. They glared at each other.
"Hey, you two!" Both he and Batman broke off their glaring to stare at Lois and Jimmy who were quickly moving towards them. "How about a hand shake? Make a great page one..." Lois continued, as Jimmy snapped a picture.
Batman immediately walked away. "I'll get it to you within 24 hours."
Superman stepped forward, towards him. "Where?"
"I'll find you." The black car appeared from no where, and Batman jumped in, speeding away.
"Wow. Nice ride." Jimmy exclaimed.
Superman narrowed his eyes at the now empty spot, and took to the air. He didn't trust that vigilante one bit.
*****
The first time he met Bruce Wayne... it was different. He had been grocery shopping, and his arms were full of brown paper bags. He fell face first through his open door, more in case Lois was still watching than through clumsiness. He had checked the hallway was empty, then grinned to himself and used his super speed to pick up the scattered items. He had just placed them back in their bags and on the counter when he heard him.
He spun around to see Bruce Wayne lounging against his door frame, a forgotten tin in one hand, something else in the other.
"Hn. And they call me a split personality." Wayne threw the tin at him, hard, while he spoke, inviting himself into his apartment and looking around.
Clark scowled, and put the caught tin in with the others. "Mr. Wayne. You really are 'The World's Greatest Detective'". He hadn't believed that before. But how else could he have figured out his secret identity?
Wayne turned to look at him, holding the other item between them. "Here it is. Like you asked. You can take a peek if you want... but I wouldn't advise opening it."
Clark took it from him, slightly surprised. He hadn't really expected to be given it back voluntary. Because of that, he said, "I'll take your word," not something... alpha male, like he felt he should.
"I didn't think you were the trusting kind." Wayne commented as he walked to the still open door. "By the way, the Justice League is about to have it's first official meeting. I heard the Martian invited you... but you declined."
Wayne paused at door, obviously waiting for a answer.
"I prefer to work alone."
"So did I. Once. But I found you never know when you might need a friend."
Clark raised his eyebrows as Wayne left. He hadn't expected that. He sighed softly, and closed the door. Of course he was lonely, but what he said about was true. He always worked alone. The brief fight against Metallo with Batman and Robin was the first time he had worked with another hero. He sat on his couch, thinking. Maybe... maybe this 'Batman' wasn't as bad as he had thought. He had to admit the man was one of the most capable crime fighters around, human or not. Maybe the most capable. And, he was extremely good looking out of the costume too. Clark shook his head forcibly, and stood up. He had better things to do than sit around thinking about 'The Batman'.
*****
Unfortunately, no one had explained that to Luthor. He had Lois kidnapped, and of course he had had to rescue her, somehow ending up briefly working with Batman and Robin again. It was almost as if the world was taunting him, saying that he couldn't work alone anymore, shouldn't...
To prove to himself that he still could, that he was perfectly capable of working alone, he flew away while Batman was in the middle of suggesting that they confront Luthor together. He should have listened to him, Superman thought as the spores from - Poison Ivy? - and the kryptonite entered his body. Batman would have been able to help prevent this, maybe. Superman was slightly annoyed that he hadn't followed him, that when he needed help most, the universe decided to mock him by letting this be the only time that Batman didn't show up...
Luthor kicked him hard, and he fell to his knees. That actually hurt! Then, things got very fuzzy, very far away, like he was watching himself from a distance... and Superman knew that he had failed...
*****
When Clark was next aware of his surroundings, truly aware, he was leaning against some pipes. He groaned. His head hurt. He glanced over his shoulder to see Batman and Robin. He pulled himself upright with the pipes, turning to look at them properly.
"Wha... What's going on?" Superman looked to Batman for an explanation.
"That cured him?" Robin said, incredulously. Superman glanced at him, before retuning his attention to Batman, who for some reason wasn't wearing his cape, and was holding an arm over his ribs, as if they had been hurt. Batman slowly, almost warily, moved towards him.
"Luthor out you under the spell of Poison Ivy's mind controlling plant spores. But I just dosed you with acrdozine, a basic component of plant killers. Wiped out the spores."
He and Batman were standing only a arms length away now. They both reached out their hands simultaneously, and slowly shook them. "I owe you one," Superman said, feeling the warmth from Batman's hand, even through his glove. He x-rayed his chest, and winced as he saw cracked ribs. What had he done? He must have been the one to do that, Batman had perfectly fine when he last saw him... they slowly let go of each others hands.
"It wasn't just me," Batman nodded at Robin.
Superman smiled. "I guess teamwork does have its advantages."
*****
Superman was flying Batman and Robin to Luthor's lab. They had explained to him what had happened more fully, and what Luthor was planning. He had wanted to fly off and deal with it on his own, but... as he had said, teamwork did have its advantages.
Just as he set Batman and Robin down on the roof of Luthor's lab, 3 robots shot into the air. "I'll handle them. See if you can stop them from the inside." He rose higher into the air, seeing Batman and Robin run off. He could only admire them now. Where he once scorned them for only being 'human', he saw now what risks they took every night, how dangerous it was for them to be out there, doing this, with no powers at all...
He almost absentmindedly fought the robots. They were no match for him, really, once he had destroyed the ones with kryptonite. A huge robot appeared suddenly, and he knew Luthor was inside it. There seemed to be something wrong with it, it wasn't reacting as the others had. Superman slammed his body into into it repeatedly, sending it to the ground, then catching it and tearing it open, seeing Luthor inside like he knew he would. He sensed Batman and Robin flank him.
"You can't leave without saying goodbye!" Robin smirked. Superman smiled, and he saw Batman's lips quirk out the corner of his eye. Yes. There were definite advantages to teamwork.
*****
Superman flew up through Earth's atmosphere and into space, heading towards the strange building on a sort of asteroid base. He flew to a hatch, and opened it, letting himself in. He saw a lift, and flew to it, after closing the hatch. He stepped inside, and the doors before him closed as it automatically started to move. The doors opened moments later to a hall with massive windows. He walked forward, seeing Batman standing, waiting for him.
"So. This is what all the excitement's about." He said as he flew down some steps. He should be looking about him, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off Batman. He landed quietly next to him.
"It's a work in progress. But it'll do for now." Batman glanced about them, but now turned his full attention to him. "I asked you here because I wanted to give you this." Batman held a small grey box out to him. "The real kryptonite. Dug it up from my lab. Found the piece in the river too."
Superman took the box from him and considered. He smiled as he threw it up in the air, then caught it, offering it back to Batman. "You keep it. At least then I'll know it's with someone on my side."
Batman returned his smile, as he took the box back.
Yes. Batman should keep it. He would know then, that if he was ever controlled again, ever hurt him again, Batman would have the means to stop him. He turned away from him suddenly, looking around the hall so Batman didn't see him shudder.
"Now, tell me about the 'Justice Team' of yours." He hoped that deliberately getting the name wrong would further distract his companion.
"League. Justice League." Batman sighed softly, and Superman once more couldn't take his eyes off him. "I told the Martian it sounded like a ball club. Anyway, this is our command centre. Someone's always stationed here. It's time consuming... but the view's great."
Batman gestured at the windows, Earth glowing beneath them.
Superman smiled again. "Yes. Yes it is."
They stood in silence, both gazing out the windows. Eventually, Superman turned back to Batman. "I want to apologize. I can't remember what happened after those spores started to affect me, but I know that I hurt you. And Robin. And I wreaked your lab."
Batman turned to look at him. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know what you were doing."
Superman moved closer to him, raising a hand to touch Batman's ribs, very carefully. "I hurt you." He repeated, looking at the fragile bones and organs under his hand.
Batman gently placed a gloved hand over his. "It's okay. It's healing."
Superman nodded slowly, raising his head, not all together surprised when he saw how close their heads were. Batman opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again, his free hand going up and removing his cowl.
Bruce Wayne stared at him, blue eyes intense.
"Bruce." Clark whispered, realizing that it was the first time he had spoken the name.
"Clark." Bruce whispered in return.
Clark shuddered, and couldn't resist anymore. He pressed his lips to Bruce's, feeling them opening under his, gently probing forward with his tongue, feeling Bruce doing the same. Clark groaned, and tightened his hold on his hand, shifting it, so their fingers were entwining, Bruce pressing closer to him, free arms wrapping about each other's bodies. They eventually broke apart with a gasp, both breathing heavily, even though he didn't have to.
Bruce smiled at him, slowly, wondrously. Yes. Clark was definitely going to have to do intense study on teamwork. He leaned forward to kiss Bruce again, Bruce meeting him half way, and pressing closer to him, groaning. Clark ran his hand down his back, pulling him even closer.
Long and very intensive studies. And who better to help him than Batman?