Batman and the Justice League

Belittle the Bat

            Teasing a friend comes with the contract. The closer you are to someone the more you'll tease, poke, and prod them for fun. That's for friendships. Then there's bullying. But what if the person is really tuff and just so much fun to do it to? Maybe they need to just chill a bit? Is that still okay?

The Justice League were battling their second alien invasion of the month. This one took too long and caused too much damage to both leaguers and the street itself. Batman made his way over to the younger members for pointers. Wonder Woman and Superman were taking over the news casting while the Flash and Green Lantern cleaned up. Batman knew he was good at spotting errors and finding out the best solution, but when rebuking other people, well, they didn't take it well. Batman inwardly sighed approaching the small group.

"Shhh Skeets! Batman's here!" Booster Gold swatted his flying friend. Shazam coughed to the side trying to mask his grin while Stargirl didn't even bother to hide it. Zatanna placed her hand on a hip with an almost daring smirk. Batman respected her greatly, but he could forget that she was also a showman and played off of her audience, even at the expense of others.

"Speak of the devil"-Zatanna twirled her wand-"what'd we do wrong now, sa lausu?"

"How come Batman never gets in trouble for anything?" Shazam scratched his chin trying to act how he appeared.

"That's what Wonder Woman is for. I bet she could really smack him right. Supes is too soft." Booster Gold chimed in.

"Hrn." Batman grunted to gain their attention. He was used to this banter by now. He would let them play their little game at his expense. Dick would do this as a coping mechanism, and he didn't want to take that away. As long as they still listened at least. "You all did a good job today" and he meant that, "Shazam, you executed your control well by containing the fight to one portion of the city. Stargirl, I can see your improvement. Zatanna, watch your aim, but otherwise good job. Booster, mirrors are not for viewing yourself while in a fight. That is all. I expect your reports by tomorrow night." With a swish of his cape, Batman made his way towards the Batwing.

"Man, he can be such a butt." Booster scratched his head. Shazam laughed at that. Batman sighed ignoring it as every other time.

Batman hated tentacles. He brushed away as best he could the remaining mucus on his cape. He walked through the Watchtower's corridors doing his best to cover the stench. Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, and Supergirl followed dealing with the same problem on their own clothing. They each headed straight towards the lockers to shower and change.

"That is the last time I agree to fight on an ingratiating planet" Hawkgirl huffed "They have no true honor, spraying us like that." The girls entered their respective sections. The last Batman caught of Supergirl was her downcast face. He grimaced.

As Bruce scrubbed the oily remains away, he couldn't take his mind off of Kara. She shared the same face Clark gave when he had failed something big. Supergirl missed her shot when Bruce had told her to fire at another tentacle back on the planet. In doing so, the thistles by Martian manhunter caught fire paralyzing him until Batman could save him. She had been tight lipped the entire ride home and did not complain once about her clothing. Bruce knew that look, and he knew she wouldn't get over it easily. As he began wiping off his wet hair, he decided that it would be best to talk to her. He sunk into his boots and topped off the uniform with the cowl before exiting the lockers. Batman stepped a good distance from the women's section, not to seem like a creep, but enough to wait for the young Kryptonian. He was the only one to help her right now. J'onn wouldn't know what to say, he wouldn't even think to ask her. Hawkgirl was far too insensitive as well. She was a warrior first and foremost, probably expecting others to be the same. So yes, it was up to him.