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After losing everything he ever knew, J’onn was glad for a place to belong. The Justice League had not reacted poorly to his extra-terrestrial nature, nor had they seemed immensely frightened by his powers. Having people he could trust would make life on earth much easier.
He had Batman to thank for that. Not only had Batman put forth the concept of a coalition, he had been the one to organise it, and even granted J’onn permanent membership.
Any outsider might have assumed that Batman was a cold, distant man, but J’onn knew better. He could see into his mind; knew first-hand the intense adoration Batman had for his people, and how much it hurt him to see them in danger.
To others, Batman might have been a terrifying scourge of the night, but J’onn knew him well enough to call him a terse ally.
Despite all that, there was something Batman was keeping from J’onn, closed off in the back of his mind. J’onn thought little of it, not begrudging Bruce for having his secrets, though he hoped Batman would one day trust him enough to share them.
The first official meeting of the Justice League went swimmingly, until J’onn took a moment to thank everyone for their kindness. “Most of all, I would like to thank Batman for allowing me entrance into your group,” he said. “I promise that you will not regret it.”
The group fell silent, and J’onn could feel their minds flaring with confusion.
“Apologies,” he said quickly. “I do not understand what is wrong with my words.”
Superman was brave enough to venture to speak first. Simultaneously, his mind morphed from pure confusion to something more readable.
Embarrassment. Nerves. Sympathy.
“I think you mean Batwoman,” Superman said, laughing a little awkwardly. “An easy mistake to make, certainly.”
J’onn furrowed his eyebrows. Indeed, the Bat was dressed similarly to their male companions, rather unlike Wonder Woman who dressed in a manner more typical for Earth females. Anyone looking solely at the Bat’s appearance would have struggled to guess if they were a man or a woman.
Except… they had called themselves Batman internally. The same way that Superman thought of himself as Superman, and Wonder Woman thought of herself as Wonder Woman.
“My apologies for the error,” J’onn said swiftly, before prodding into the Bat’s mind.
<<Did I truly make an error?>>
Terror. Distance. Longing.
<<I do think of myself as Batman.>>
Comfort. Guidance. Support.
<<You are self-named.>> J’onn warmed, reminded of one of his old friends, before the painful memories of that friend’s fate twisted the moment into one of sorrow. <<Apologies, I truly did not realise. I did not intend to rob you of your ability to announce this yourself.>>
Batman regarded J’onn for a long moment, glowering eyes under the cowl betraying a certain amount of fondness, deep in his subconsciousness.
“J’onn is right,” Batman announced. “Everyone, there is something I should tell you, if we are to be teammates. I no longer wish to be called Batwoman. Now, you may call me Batman.”
There was a moment of hesitation before the room erupted into-
Joy, Excitement, Understanding.
Superman thought about hugging Batman, then decided against it.
J’onn merely smiled, immensely proud of Batman for being honest with himself and their team.
A month later, Batman introduced himself to J’onn with his chosen name.
Bruce sounded elegant and, if J’onn understood the associations correctly, masculine.
It was a perfect fit for Batman.
A caped crusader, and one of J’onn’s closest friends.