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Lunch with Clark went well, the reporter allowing him to pay and never asking him questions about Batman related topics. By the time they parted Bruce felt confident that he could get a second date. Clark surprised him by asking him out before he could say anything.
“I’ll be in town this weekend for the game, if you want we can go together.”
“Yes. I can definitely clear my schedule,” Bruce responded before the man changed his mind.
And with that they parted ways, Bruce happily walking towards the car that Alfred had sent for him. Everything was perfect until he arrived to the cave. Then he had to work on a case the same one that had been giving him trouble the last two nights.
The random and sudden disappearance of sex workers across Gotham hadn’t gotten the police’s attention until one of the women’s roommates had kicked up a fuss about the lack of results. Jim had been quick to let Batman know so it could be resolved before a month had passed. So far though all Bruce had gotten was a general area where the kidnappings were centered.
Heading out onto the rooftops he expected to have to talk to a few workers before he would get useful information that could form a lead, but was instead greeted by the appearance of Superman of all people in his city.
“What are you doing here?” he growled at the man of steel.
“Probably the same ting you are, looking for missing people,” Kal-El cheerily replied.
“I don’t need any help dealing with my own city”
“I know, but a friend asked me to look into it so I am. If you want we can work together, after all we have the same goal.”
Bruce wanted to argue and be difficult but Kal was right, and this wasn’t all about him either. It ended up being for the best as some of the people he got to talk seemed more at ease knowing that Superman would protect them. Eventually he got a lead, and with hours before dawn he quickly made his way to the warehouse.
The Joker had been silent for a bit, but he hadn’t been worried about it just yet. He supposed it would help to have a team that could divide up the work so he can always keep tabs on dangers before they became catastrophic. Now he just hoped that his information was up to date as he raced to where he hoped the clown was hiding.
Several hours later he’s stopped the Joker, prevented him from unleashing a new form of his joker gas, and saved all the missing people. Superman had helped, mostly by finding and freeing the hostages while Bruce confronted the Joker. By the time the villain had finished monologuing about his new weapon the test subjects had been released from their cells.
Superman didn’t seem to understand that Batman could handle the situation as he not only reappeared at his side, but also took the dose of joker gas aimed for Bruce. Batman tensed worried that the serum to make someone more violent would affect the kryptonian, but thankfully nothing happened.
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So when the same case reappears a few months later after the Joker escapes from Gotham he expects a repeat of before. What he doesn’t expect is to be kidnapped from a dinner date with his boyfriend and dragged to another warehouse.
The rope tying the together is also the rope holding them over a vat of acid and while Bruce trusts Clark to be able to fly them to safety it’s hard to explain how they got out unscathed. He wishes at times like these that he had a sidekick or partner, one that he wasn’t dating.
While he and Clark continued to think of how to escape in silence, the sounds of henchmen getting beaten could be heard outside. Before they can think of an explanation, the Joker runs in desperately trying to get away from Wonder woman. As soon as she knocks the Joker out Clark breaks the rope and bridal carries him to the ground.
“Put me down Clark, I’m more than capable of walking on my own.”
“Fine,” the kryptonian says as he moves to drop him to his feet.
“Not so fast,” Diana interrupts before scoping Bruce up herself, “since I saved you it only seems fair that I take you home safely.”
“What! No! Diana put me down, this isn’t funny” Bruce said, pouting as he’s flown to the manor. He supposes having friends is worth the embarrassment though.