**Chapter 8: Baby Joker and Superman's Timeout**
The Hero Daycare was in full swing. The sounds of giggles, babbling, and the occasional burst of baby-powered mischief filled the air as the mini-Avengers, mini-Justice League, and mini-X-Men played together under Lois Lane's watchful eye. Natasha had left feeling more at ease than she had in days, knowing her tiny team was in good hands.
However, even in a daycare full of baby superheroes, things didn't always go smoothly.
Lois had just finished settling Baby Wonder Woman into her crib for a nap when she heard a commotion coming from the play area. Curious—and slightly apprehensive—she hurried over, only to find two very familiar faces at the center of the chaos.
Baby Superman, usually the picture of calm and control, was floating a few feet off the ground, his tiny fists clenched and his cape fluttering behind him in what could only be described as a mini-tantrum. Below him, Baby Joker, the wild card of the daycare, was cackling gleefully, his green hair sticking up in all directions as he tossed blocks around with reckless abandon.
Lois sighed. She had hoped today would go smoothly, but Baby Joker always had a way of stirring things up. Despite his chaotic nature, she had a soft spot for the little troublemaker—he was, after all, just a baby, even if he was destined to become one of Gotham's most notorious villains.
But right now, he was being a handful, and it was clear that Baby Superman was not happy about it.
"Kal-El," Lois called gently, using Superman's Kryptonian name in the hopes of calming him down. "Come down from there, sweetie."
Baby Superman pouted, his lower lip sticking out as he stubbornly remained airborne. His usually bright blue eyes were clouded with frustration, and he pointed accusingly at Baby Joker. "Bad!" he declared, his voice high and wavering.
Lois knelt down beside Baby Joker, who was still giggling uncontrollably as he continued his block-tossing spree. She gently took his hands in hers, stopping him from launching another block.
"Joker, honey," Lois said in her most soothing voice, "we don't throw toys, okay? That's not nice."
Baby Joker looked up at her, his wide eyes sparkling with mischief. For a moment, he seemed to consider her words, but then he burst into another round of giggles and tried to squirm free from her grip.
Lois sighed again. "Okay, that's it. I think it's time for a timeout."
At the mention of a timeout, Baby Superman seemed to calm down slightly, his small shoulders relaxing as he slowly floated back to the ground. Lois picked up Baby Joker and carried him over to a cozy corner of the daycare where she had set up a soft, comfortable chair specifically for timeouts.
"Just a few minutes, Joker," Lois said as she gently placed him in the chair. "You can come back and play once you've had a little time to calm down, okay?"
Baby Joker pouted, crossing his arms and huffing dramatically. But despite his grumpy demeanor, Lois could see that he wasn't really upset. If anything, he was more disappointed that his fun had been interrupted.
Leaving Baby Joker in the timeout chair, Lois turned her attention back to Baby Superman, who was still looking a bit shaken. She walked over to him, kneeling down so they were eye to eye.
"Are you okay, Kal?" she asked softly, brushing a stray curl out of his face.
Baby Superman nodded, but his bottom lip wobbled slightly. "Joker mean," he murmured, his voice small and uncertain.
Lois pulled him into a gentle hug, rubbing his back soothingly. "I know, sweetheart. But he's just playing—he doesn't mean to be mean. Sometimes he just gets a little carried away."
Baby Superman sniffled but nodded again, burying his face in Lois's shoulder. Lois held him for a moment longer, giving him the comfort he needed before pulling back and smiling at him.
"Do you want to play with the others?" she asked, gesturing to where Baby Tony and Baby Batman were still engrossed in their toy car race.
Baby Superman hesitated for a moment but then nodded. Lois gave him an encouraging pat on the back, and he toddled over to join his friends, the earlier incident already starting to fade from his memory.
Lois watched him go, a small smile tugging at her lips. Even at this young age, Kal-El was so caring and sensitive, always wanting to do the right thing. She knew he'd grow up to be the hero the world needed—but for now, he was just a little boy who occasionally needed a hug and some reassurance.
She glanced over at Baby Joker, who was still sitting in the timeout chair, his arms crossed and a stubborn pout on his face. Despite his mischievous nature, Lois knew he was just a baby too, with a lot of energy and not always the best way to express it.
After a few minutes, Lois walked back over to Baby Joker. She crouched down beside him, giving him a gentle smile. "Are you ready to come out of timeout, Joker?"
Baby Joker looked up at her, his pout still in place but his eyes softening slightly. He didn't say anything, just nodded slowly.
"Okay," Lois said, holding out her hand to him. "But remember, no more throwing toys, alright? We need to be nice to our friends."
Baby Joker hesitated, then reached out and took her hand. Lois helped him out of the chair, and together they walked back to the play area. As soon as they reached the other babies, Baby Joker's face lit up again, and he immediately ran over to join the others, his earlier grumpiness forgotten.
Lois watched as Baby Superman, now fully recovered, cautiously handed a toy car to Baby Joker, offering it as a peace offering. Baby Joker blinked at the car for a moment, then grinned widely and took it, his earlier antics forgotten as he joined in the game.
The two babies played side by side, the tension between them gone, at least for now. Lois breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the situation had resolved without too much drama.
Just then, Baby Wonder Woman woke from her nap and let out a loud, sleepy yawn. Lois turned to her with a smile, ready to get back to work.
As chaotic as the Hero Daycare could be, Lois wouldn't trade it for anything. These little heroes, with all their powers and quirks, were a handful, but they were also full of so much potential and goodness. And in a world where things could get pretty dark, Lois found comfort in knowing that she was helping to nurture the next generation of heroes—even if they did sometimes need a timeout.
