Work Text:
"[...] You are in the justice league, you are not alone"
That's what Batman had said to him, but it was possible to feel alone while at the same time being surrounded by people.
' But I'm here'
J'onn couldn't talk in his current condition after almost dying, fixing what he himself had caused. The thing was, communicating his thoughts was so natural for him that he had done it without meaning to.
So weak, the Martian had forgotten to put a barrier between his thoughts and the thoughts of those around him.
' If this is what you need, I can be this for you'
Batman was offering what j'onn had craved, ever since losing his family; his planet. Batman was offering a connection he yearned for as long as he could remember, a connection meant for Martians like him.
' Humans aren't meant for this, Bruce'
'What do you mean?'
The confusion he felt in Bruce's mind alleviated the sorrow logged in to his chest.
' Humans are intimate and reserved creatures. They are not ready for the openness a mental bond requires. I also know how much you value your privacy'
Plastic Man and Flash chose that moment, after five minutes of what was silence for the two of them, to voice their good-byes and started heading for the teleporters. They were needed on Earth and there wasn't much they could do for j'onn at this point.
"I value my privacy, j'onn; but I value you more. You are a friend and a colleague; an important member of the team. Of all these years we have known each other, you have never betrayed my trust. And as long as you are willing not to judge me, I want to do this for you. If you'll have me."
Having the space for themselves, had probably a lot to do in Batman's decision to voice his speech, instead of conveying it mentally. Another reason why j'onn thought this was a bad idea, the need to speak in order to make a point.
' And you are absolutely certain that you won't be bothered by me, getting to know anything and everything that's on your mind, however flimsy?'
"Like I said," ' I trust you'
To be completely honest with himself, J'onn was deeply moved. This selfless act and what it implied of his relationship with Batman… that was what made him incline the scale to cement his decision in to a yes"
' Thank you, Batman. My condition is than you let me know immediately if it is to much'
J'onn opened up his mind, letting Bruce in, as he got to slip his own mind into Bruce's. Everything the Martian lived, he showed to his new mindmate; everything he was and everything he wanted, was placed for Bruce to know.
Batman swaid a little bit. Apparently, the first time a link was formed could make you slightly dizzy.
"When are you going to read mine?"
Bruce kept expecting for his turn sharing who he was, but after ten minutes of waiting, nothing had happened.
' I wasn't, this is more than enou-'
"What this is, is unfair. Don't test me, j'onn"
Without replaying, the Martian accessed the memories that carved Batman and Bruce Wayne. The sensation left Bruce gasping.
The feeling was intense to say the least, but it came with a sense of belonging… Of togetherness he had never felt before. It was-
'Alien?'
Bruce could feel the playfulness in j'onn's silly remark.
'i'm going to say yes because it is new to me, it doesn't have anything to do with its origin'
Two could play this game, and honestly, two was everything they needed right now.