Opposite Eventually Attract

The Ties That Bind (i)

"I don't agree."

"Of course you don't," the taller of the two men sighed. Sure, it was the reply he was expecting and the response he was used to getting, but regardless, it still didn't make hearing
it any less frustrating. Resisting the urge to shout, he simply frowned back at the other man, not exactly sure what it would accomplish. The reward for his effort was a flat expression and
an even more insipid reply.

"It's reckless."

Blue eyes flashed with obvious annoyance, but his tone came out much more pleading than
his gaze. "It's not reckless. It's just a plan that leaves room for a few unknown variables, but if anything goes wrong, I know we can handle it."

Although his opponent's tonal countenance never once changed, Clark was sure his super hearing detected a bit of disparagement in Bruce's reply.

"The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, pride, and arrogance."

It took nearly all of the Clark's resolve to stifle back a groan. "Oh don't give me that line again. I already memorized it."

"And yet here I am repeating myself again."

An amused laugh escaped Wally's lips. Until now, he had just silently watched the scene unfold from the other side of the table, but once it started escalating into impassive bickering, he could no longer contain himself.

"Uh oh, looks like Ma and Pa are at it again."

"Be quiet and pay attention," Shiera barked. Even if she had already long since tuned out Superman and Batman's tiresome debate, hearing Flash's self-satisfied voice was somehow even less bearable for her.

This only earned her a deeper grin as Flash leaned back in his chair and smiled up at her knowingly.

"Why? You and I both know this meeting will go on like this for another 20 minutes with
neither Bats nor Supes paying any mind to the rest of us. Stubborn ol' Pa will never cave, and Ma will eventually give up and come up with some lackluster compromise that neither parent will really be happy with. Then they'll both go off and sulk about it, we'll do the mission, one
of them will end up in a life or death situation since the new plan will be substantially inferior to the two original ideas, one of them will save the other by the skin of the neck, and then they'll kiss and make up."

Superman scanned the hall. Several heroes verbalized their agreement while the rest gave a mix of indifferent or approving nods.

"Alright, then on to the next agenda."
"Well this is awkward," Wally mumbled uneasily. "I can't believe those two still haven't made up."

Shiera gave the worried looking hero a questioning glance, and then, against her better judgment, took his conversational bait. "What are you going on about now?"

"Don't you think something is off about this meeting?"

Shiera glanced in the direction of the silent Batman. Although it was always hard to read his face, it was apparent his attention was completely on Superman, who was now fully engaged with briefing everyone on the latest mission. Both heroes appeared perfectly calm.

"No, not really. This meeting is actually going pretty well." She shrugged. "Minus one big mouth commentator."

The corner of the Flash's mouth turned up a bit at the last statement but then instantly flattened back down.

"That's just it. Don't you think it's going a little too smoothly?"

Shiera made no attempt to reply to Wally's comment. She wasn't exactly sure how to respond
as she wanted nothing more than to disagree but couldn't find the words to dismiss the
unsettled feeling washing over her.
"Alright, meeting adjourned."