The Next Step (Superbat, Fly With Me sequel)

5 - Halloween (pt 2)

Wayne galas and parties are exhausting. No member of the family enjoys them, but tonight was an exception.
No stuffy suits, and since they were all in costume they could be a little more natural. The uptight politeness was loosened so they could party.

Bruce and Clark are getting ready separately to surprise each other, Damien is sulking waiting for Raven to arrive. Conner, Tim, Dick and Jason are helping Alfred with the last preparations.
Tim has a pumpkin bowl full of candy that Alfred had set them out for the guests. Hes happily devouring as much as he can while Alfred is too distracted to rescue the snacks. Hes dressed as a pirate, complete with eyepatch and silly hat. Conner, who is slowly flying down from adjusting the decor, is wearing a merman costume.

Hes slightly concerned he may look like one of Aquamans people but he loves how much Tim stares when he turns around.
Poor little Tim is so dazzled by Conners chest that he doesn't see Alfred until he's stolen the pumpkin bowl right out of his hand.
"Master Timothy you will wait for the guests before indulging in any treats." He swats Tims hand when he tries to grab one last handful of candy. The merman chuckles at his pouty pirate.

Dick, a gorgeous classic vampire, has just finished setting out the spooky centerpieces when he's startled by a monster like groan and a pair of hands grabbing his shoulders. He whirls around and playfully punches Jason, a creepy yet handsome Frankenstein due to Dicks impressive makeup skills.
Jason laughs and boops Dick right on the nose before he grabs a handful of candy and runs off to share his loot with Tim.
Dick smiles fondly and watches Jason with so much love that Damien audibly gags. He'd snuck up to have Dick check his costume one last time before Raven arrived.
Dick turns and sticks his tongue out at Damien before shooting him double thumbs up.
"Such a cute werepuppy!" He teases.
Damien growls, which only earns him a laugh, before he sticks his nose up in a haughty way. "I am a werewolf."
Dick giggles again and straightens Damiens wolf ears. "Of course, my bad."
Alfreds voice barely has a chance to announce, "Ms Raven has arrived!" before shes striding into the room. She's dressed as a stunning werewolf. Damien flushes bright pink when he sees her edgy interpretation of the classic monster costume.

She smiles and kisses his cheek before he finally manages a soft, "Beloved, you look breathtaking."
She grins, playing with his costumes furry ears, "and you are simply adorable!"
He flusters, both mad and blushing at the same time, sputtering out an indignant, "No!" She holds his hand and is about to apologize when she's distracted by Alfred walking by again.
"Why isn't he in costume?" Damien follows her gaze and shrugs.
Raven smiles mischievously and pulls Damien with her after Alfred.

. . .

Clark has finally straightened and adjusted his costume to his liking. He pulls the cowl on and admires himself in the mirror. Bruce knocks on the door and Clark whirls around, feeling embarrassed for some reason.
"Come in! I'm ready!"
Bruce opens the door and they both freeze.
Bruce looks stunning in his Superman costume. His muscles being shown off and the bright colors making him look dazzling. "Wow," Clark manages. "Is this how people see me?"
Bruce takes a moment to respond, the sight of Clark in a batsuit making his heart race. Clark is far too cute and starry eyed right now to pull of the intimidating aspect of the Dark Knight, but he looks impressive and awe inspiring nonetheless. "If you mean do you dress like a crayon then yes."
The moment is over, Clark laughs so hard he wheezes.
"N- no, no I meant do I really- uh really look so handsome and dazzling?" He blushes and Bruce steps closer, wrapping his arms around Clark's waist. "No, you're even more handsome. My little alien." He kisses Clarks nose.
Clark hums happily, "If I ever need a stand in Superman you'd be a perfect fit if you could fly."
Bruce chuckles and turns to the door, "I'm flattered. I can't say the same though, you're too cute to be a convincing batman."
Bruce leads Clark by the hand out of the bathroom and downstairs. Where everyone freezes.
They're huddled in a circle around something, they slowly part to reveal a very inconvenienced Alfred. Raven has costume makeup in her hands and has turned the prim butler into a rather spooky zombie. Alfreds eyes plead for rescue.
Dick breaks the silence with the most sees-a-cute-puppy-in-a-teacup reaction. He claps his hands to his cheeks and squeals. "Dads!! You both look so cute!!"
They release Alfred and he straightens his tie before rushing off, stopping only to adjust Bruce's hair. "Master Bruce, Master Clark, you both look dashing."

And then, the doorbell. Guests. Party time!!
Tim makes his way to the candy with no hesitation. Bruce and Clark make their way to the door, greeting the first guest, Lois! Shes in a detail accurate catwoman costume.
Guest after guest arrives. The room is packed, happy chattering voices and a live band playing monster mash set the perfect Halloween mood.
Everything is going so well, people gushing over the soon to be Wayne-Kents rings and costumes. Damien behaving and Jason engaging in a dance battle with some guests. Even Alfred was receiving his fair share of compliments. And then, Talia.

She strides in, wearing a eye catching green evening gown and small green witch hat. Eyes are immediately drawn to the jaw dropping woman.
She stops at Damien with a warm smile "Hello, son." He nods stiffly. "Mother."
Raven offers her hand, "Raven, I'm Damiens-"
"Girlfriend, I know." Talia shakes her hand and studies the gem on Ravens forehead. "From what I've heard you're an impressive young woman. You and Damien will be quite the power couple."
Damien silently groans, he just knows his mother is envisioning them ruling the world. Before he can find a way to escape, the interaction finishes with a polite, "How nice of you to say." from Raven and his mother walks off.
"You were right, she's unnerving." Raven mutters while discretely wiping her hand on her costume. Damien nods and steers Raven to a table far away from his mother, but where he can still see her.
Talia smiles at Bruce, Bruce forces a smile in return.
"Beloved!" She exclaims,"I've heard so much about my sons soon-to-be stepfather that I just had to meet him!"
Clark smiles, uncomfortable with the way Talia peers into his eyes. He feels like she can read his mind, the feeling is not helped when her hand goes out at the same time as his. They shake hands and Clark feels suddenly dizzy. The green ring on her pinky looking unpleasant and oh so familiar.
He swallows his pain and smiles at her. Determined not to give himself away.
"You must be Talia Al-Ghul, you really are as beautiful as I've heard! Damien certainly takes after you!"
She giggles, a soft sound that from any other woman would have been charming. "How flattering. Although I have to say I always thought Damien took more after his father."
Bruce registered the ring at the same time as Clark, and had forced a nonchalant smile. "Speaking of fathers,, how's yours?"
She turns back to Bruce, "He's well.", and just as casually she leans in with a question.
"He wants to know, could you give us some of your kryptonians DNA?"