THE CALLING

Sick Day

Bruce stood in front of the mirror with a scowl as he watched his own reflection. He looked so pale and he hated how his nose kept twitching. His eyes were red-rimmed and teary. He tried swallowing and winced from how the action hurt his throat. He felt weak all over and could really find comfort under a pile of blankets.

He couldn't believe he had come down with a cold. He had come back from patrolling the last night and had stood under the shower for almost an hour, reflecting on himself and his life. He did that often and thought it wasn't a big deal. He had felt too lazy to blow dry his hair and had crashed into his bed , falling asleep right after.

He had woken up with a throbbing head and a running nose. The heat he felt all over himself was unbearable.

However, he couldn't let Alfred know. Or he would be forced to stay at home until he feels better.

Bruce went to his bed side table and grabbing a notepad, wrote to Alfred that he had already went out on an important emergency mission. He hoped Alfred would see it when be brings in his early morning coffee.

With that, Bruce sneakily slipped down to the Batcave and got into his bat suit. He walked to the zetas and punched in the coordinates to the watch tower. He thought he would be better off being there rather than the batcave, in case Alfred comes down for something later and finds him.

•••

"--And I have to thank my super speed for not missing my date this time" The Flash spoke animatedly as he walked through the hallways of the watch tower.

"Dude, I feel sorry for whoever's going out on a date with you. They are dealing with such a kid!" Green Lantern snickered and ducked down to avoid getting swatted in his head.

The two men laughed about it as they walked.

The Flash nearly jumped onto Green Lantern when he stepped foot inside the meeting room. "Whoa!" The both of the men screeched in unision.

A black figure was at the end of the table where Batman's seat was supposed to be. Green Lantern looked closely and figured that it might actually be the Batman himself, draped up in his own cape. The figure had it's head buried in it's arm and Green Lantern confirmed it was Batman when he saw spikes on the forearms and poi ty ears on the head.

"GL, wh-what is he d-doing..?" The Flash's voice came out as a squeak as he stood closer to Green Lantern.

"Hush, the Big Bat is taking a nap" he smirked "Let's call the others and tell them to hurry. They can't miss this"

•••

"You sure he is okay?" Wonder Woman wondered out loud as the four of them stood around the Batman who was still lying there with his head in his arms.

"I'm wondering the same. What if he is actually dead for good?" Superman raised his brows and the others shook their heads. He sure held a grudge against him.

"Batman?" Wonder Woman hesitantly tapped on the man's shoulder. A low grunt was heard and Batman turned his head. Wonder Woman flinched when she noticed that his face looked extra pale today.

"Hey..." Superman, though he hated the guy so much, was still concerned. He tried shaking him awake, only to no avail.

"I think he is burning up" Wonder Woman said in a concerned voice as she felt the skin on his lower face.

All four of them took a cautious step back when Batman's lips moved and he slowly opened his eyes. An unexplainable fear took hold of the Flash and he shrank in his spot. The Batman slowly raised his head and made an uneasy face, looking unhappy about his sleep being disturbed. He looked around and halted when he saw Superman.

It amused Superman how Batman's eyes narrowed to focus better. It was funny how the guy looked more like a human now. A vulnerable human.

Batman opened his mouth to speak with much effort. He cocked his head to a side as his eyes still watched Superman's face.

"Clark?"

The sound of his voice was low, but Superman immediately gushed forward and grabbed the guy by his collar. "What the--"

Batman still watched him with tired eyes.

Superman scoffed in anger, his eye twitching. "Have you been spying on me or what?" He grimaced and the rest of the leaguers tried to make him loosen his grip on Batman.

"Superman, calm down, he is sick" Wonder Woman tried persuading the man. She had a feeling that what Batman just muttered out was Superman's civilan name. She felt angered by the fact that Batman knew who they really were when he always nags about how secret identities shouldn't be exposed no matter what. But they could always confront him about him when he is looking less sick. This was not the right time.

Batman weakly reached out a hand to touch Superman's face and Superman flinched back . "What the hell--"

Batman started to mutter out something less audible and Superman involuntarily leaned in to hear him better. "Tell Alfred I need some tea. It's so cold"

Superman couldn't help the gasp that escaped his lips. He quickly grabbed a hold of Batman as the guy fell unconscious in his hands.

"Oh no, he fainted!" The flash exclaimed and the others all went into panic. But Superman's eyes were fixed on the lower half of Batman's face that was exposed and his eyes widened even more in realisation.

"You have got to be kidding me"