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Superman is making his way across the watchtower. He loves being up here, away from all the noise and chaos of earth. If he tries he can listen all the way down there, but it isn’t actively beating him in the head. The watchtower is silent. It’s a handful of varied heartbeats and calm voices and conversations. He looks out the window into the abyss of space, earth off in the edge of his vision. Superman closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, enjoying the calm.
Enjoying his few moments, Superman opens his eyes back up and goes towards the monitor room. He’d rather not be late and hear about it from Batman for the next week. Superman listens as he walks, checking who is in the tower. He can make out the sounds of Barry snoring, Diana’s deep breath while she meditates, and Green Arrow and Batman having a conversation.
“Ugh,” Arrow groans, “I can’t believe I have another dinner with Lex tonight.”
Superman’s foot fall falters. He tilts his head, concentrating on the conversation.
Batman just hums in response.
“Seriously, how many times in one week can a man be taken out for dinner?” There are several moments of silence. “This doesn’t bug you? That I’m going out again with Lex?”
Batman sighs, his chair slightly scraping against the ground. “You are an adult Arrow, who you go to dinner with is whomever you’d like.” Bruce pauses for a moment and what Superman doesn’t realize is the slight tone change of Batman’s voice and the slightest smile pulling at his lips. “Maybe you can fix him.”
“Maybe I will fix him.” Green Arrow retorts. There is a silence between the two men after that. Shaking his head, Superman continues to the monitor room where the two men are sitting.
Batman nods at Superman as he pulls the chair out next to him and takes a seat. Superman looks at the clock, seeing he is one minute early.
“So,” Superman starts, pursing his lips. He leans forward to look at both men. “Do you two have any plans tonight?”
Unsurprisingly, Batman just grunts. Arrow on the other hand smiles at Superman. “I have a hot date tonight.”
Superman falls forward just a little bit. “Oh, uh,” he coughs, “that’s nice.”
Batman gives Superman a look.
Superman rubs the back of his neck. “Ah, who is it?”
Arrow clicks his cheek and smirks at Superman. He leans back, folding his arms behind his head. He throws his feet up on the counter. “Sorry Supes, secret ID and all that, can’t tell ya.”
“Feet,” Batman growls. Quickly, Arrow drops his feet and leans forward with a grimace.
Once Batman looks away, Green Arrow rolls his eyes.
“I saw that,” Batman deadpans, not taking his eyes off of the monitor.
Green Arrow throws his hands up. “Literally, how?”
Batman remains silent. The only sound in the room is the clacking of Batman at the computer. The screen flips through different cameras where leaguers are off fighting different people. Even though the room is fairly silent, Superman’s staring off into the screen while his mind is screaming at him.
How could someone in the League willingly go out with someone like Luthor? There has to be some type of mistake. Maybe it’s to keep enemies closer tactic. And why would Batman be okay with it?
Superman swore when he joined the league that he would not use his powers to look at anybody's identities under the mask. He knows for a fact that Batman took it a step farther and has a thin layer of lead lining his mask.
Trying to be subtle, Superman looks over both Batman and Green Arrow. Both are acting completely normal, or well normal for them at least. Surely, Batman would have lectured Arrow if the Lex he is going out with is actually Lex Luthor.
Maybe this is a job for Clark Kent and Lois Lane instead of Superman.
With a plan set to look into Lex’s schemes as Clark Kent, Superman continues monitor duty as if nothing is happening.
–
After a few hours, Superman’s time at the monitor is done. Once Flash, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman make there way in to take over, Superman says quick good-byes and flies to the Zeta’s
Diana frowns, watching the door where Superman just fled. “That was rather odd for Superman.”
Flash nods his head in agreement, shoving a handful of chips into his mouth. “Maybe he needs to pee,” Flash mumbles around a mouthful of food.
“Yes, perhaps.” Diana agrees, giving Flash a look that says the exact opposite of her words.
Batman and Green Arrow both stand up and walk towards the exit. Batman stops in front of Flash and grabs the bag of chips. “No greasy food in the monitor room. Get a protein bar and wash your hands.”
Flicking his cape, Batman walks away. “Arrow.” Batman calls out, “Follow me. I had your exploding arrows changed.”
Arrow shakes his head, but smiles and waves good-bye to the three leagues. He trots after Batman. “Ah, thanks. I knew you liked me.”
“Don’t push it,” Batman growls as he types coordinates into the zeta.
—
Arrow materializes in the cave.
“Damn, is your electricity bill too high? You never have the lights on.” Arrow looks around the dark cave. He wraps his arms around himself, and shivers. The cold air tickles him. “It’s always so cold in here, too.” Arrow smirks, “Maybe you should hold me.”
There is a crunch next to Arrow he turns to look at Batman who is actively eating Flash’s potato chips.
“Did you seriously take Barry’s chips just to eat them yourself?” Arrow yells at Batman. He gapes at the man as he eats another chip.
“No.” Batman says, walking away. He holds the bag up as he walks away, and shakes it at Oliver, the bag crinkling. “He can’t have chips in the monitoring room, but I’m not going to waste them.”
There is another crunch as Batman shoves another mouthful into his mouth. Arrow’s steps quicken to catch up with Batman. Hurrying the hurried footsteps, Batman shoves another handful into his mouth.
Arrow lunges for the bag. “Give me some!”
Batman holds the bag away from Arrow. He side steps Arrow and tilts the bag to his mouth, dumping the rest of the contents into his mouth.
Arrow freezes and gapes at Batman. “You’re a child, you know that, right?”
Batman is silent for a few moments, trying to chew the contents. He crumbles the bag up in his hand. Finally he swallows, “No, I have too many children and know that if I want a snack to be just for me, I have to eat it either quickly or stealthy. My children are too perceptive and I can’t sneak junk food anymore. So, I have to eat it fast.”
Walking away from Arrow, Batman pulls his cowl off and tosses the bag into the trash. “All of my kids would have gotten that away from me, too. You need to train more.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No.” Batman goes over to the monitor. “Now, go change, you need to be ready for your hot date tonight.”
Arrow groans, dragging his feet as he makes his way over to Bruce. Arrow pulls his mask off of his face.
“Ah, come on. I don’t wanna.” Oliver whines and drapes himself over the back of Bruce’s chair. He takes in a large breath, the smell of Sandalwood and roses meeting his nose. Oliver buries his face into Bruce’s neck.
“You don’t have a choice,” Bruce says sternly, but puts a hand in Oliver’s hair, running his fingers through. “Bruce Wayne isn’t able to make it tonight. You know how pissy Lex gets if too many people cancel on him for his parties.”
Oliver blows a hot breath onto Bruce’s neck. “Why doesn’t Bruce Wayne have to go again?”
Bruce scratches the top of Oliver’s head. “Because, Batman and Robin have to go visit the Al Ghul’s for Talia’s birthday.”
“You hate Talia.” Oliver brings his arms up over the chair and wraps them across Bruce’s waist. “Let’s both skip tonight.”
Oliver nips at Bruce’s neck. “I’ll make it worth your time.”
Bruce laughs, pushing Oliver away from him. Oliver whines. “I am not a fan of Talia, but Damian loves his mother, so I will be accompanying him to make sure he comes back in one piece.” Almost as an afterthought, Bruce adds, “Besides Dick is in space on a mission with the Titans, so he can’t take him either.”
Bruce spins around and smirks at Oliver, “You can make it worth my time when I get back.” Bruce shoos Oliver. “Now go change and put on that ridiculous goatee.”
Oliver rolls his eyes, but straightens up. He scratches his naked chin. “Fine. And you know you love the goatee.” He hums, “Maybe I should grow it for real.”
“Green Arrow doesn’t have a goatee. It’s one thing to wear a fake piece of hair with a charm to make it more life-like as a civilian. It’s another thing to cover up fake hair.” Bruce holds his hair up seeing Oliver open his mouth. “And no, I will not ask Constanie to make you a charm to cover up the goatee. If any spell is cast that renders magic, everyone would know. Or the charm could break, and your makeup skills are not that good. It took you long enough to make the goatee look good enough to match up the charm just in case that one breaks.”
“Also,” Bruce adds, spinning his chair back away from Oliver, “I refuse to kiss you with facial hair. I hated that in college.”
“We didn’t even date during college!” Oliver argues back.
In the monitor, Oliver can see Bruce’s smirk. “Never said it was your facial hair. Now, go change. Or you’re gonna be late.” Oliver starts to walk away, grumbling as he goes. “Also, don’t forget to look hot for Lex!”
Oliver rolls his eyes, but fires back. “You know what, I will! You’ll be jealous.”
—
Meanwhile, Clark and Lois are making their way into one of Lex’s gatherings tonight.
“I’m telling you,” Lois mutters, “the fact that it is an actual gathering means it is not a date.” Lois tilts her head, “Unless it’s an orgy.” Lois shakes her head at that thought.
“Come on, Smallville. This is just another one of Lex’s boring parties with billionaires that we cover all of the time. A rookie could have taken this one. We could have stayed in tonight or gone to a movie or literally anything else.”
Clark pushes his glasses up and smiles at Lois. “I know and you’re probably right, but I just need to be sure that everyone on the team is safe and making good choices. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
The pair step into an elevator and press a button for the top floor. The elevator hums as the doors start to close.
“Hold it!” A voice calls out.
Clark lurches forward, putting his hand in front of the doors, stopping them. The doors reopen for Oliver Queen to be in view with a relieved look washing over his face.
He steps in. “Thanks. I can’t be late to another one of these, ya know?”
“Mr. Queen.” Clark says, nodding his head.
Oliver smiles back, he leans against the wall as the elevator whirls and starts to move upwards. Oliver snaps his fingers and squints at Clark. “It’s Craig, right? Craig Kent?” Turning, Oliver smiles at Lois, “And the lovely Lois Lane.”
Clark pushes his glasses up again. He mutters, “It’s Clark, actually not Craig.”
Oliver passes him a glance, “Yeah, sure buddy.” He turns back to Lois. “So how did the Daily Planet get the lovely Lois Lane to cover this party?” He laughs, “Isn’t it a bit below your paygrade.”
Lois laughs back. “Sometimes it’s just refreshing to get back to where I really started with journalism, do these small stories.”
“Keeping in touch with your roots.” Oliver nods, a charming smile plastered on his face. “I respect that.”
The elevator dings and the doors start to open. Oliver starts to step out of the doors first, already the room is filled with various different people, mostly the rich and famous. Clark places many names with faces as his eyes scan the room.
Oliver sighs in front of Clarks as Oliver also looks around the room. He looks over his shoulder at Lois and Clark. “Brucie messaged me earlier, very upset. He couldn’t make it last minute. He has a thing for Lex, has since we were kids. He always calls these,” Oliver lifts his hands for air quotes, “ hot dates . He’s really just hoping one of these turns into a date, I think.”
Clark’s eyes widen from the word choice.
“Anyways, I have to get going, people to schmooze and all that. Enjoy your night.” Oliver turns away from the pair and smirks.
Serves Bruce right for mocking him earlier.