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Michael flew into the Batcave unexpectedly. A while ago he had stopped flying in unannounced, to be exact he stopped for just under a month. Bruce hadn’t even expected Booster to come visit him today until the sensors alerted him that somebody was on their way in.
“Booster,” Batman states as he continues looking through and adjusting files on his computer. Booster responds with a much more energetic, Bats!” Bruce grunts in response as Booster walks around, attempting to look casual. Bruce immediately knows that something is up, yet he doesn't ask or even turn to look at Booster.
After a full minute passes by, Bruce can tell that Booster is much more quiet than usual. Bruce slightly turns his head to look at Booster. He isn't good at emotions, so it takes him a moment to see that itś almost as if Booster’s scared of being kicked out.
“Booster,” Batman speaks as he hesitantly turns to face Booster, afraid that maybe his expression will seem too cold and scare Booster away or offend him. “Is something wrong?” He anticipates Booster to reveal that some villain is after him or that he’s made some sort of mistake and only came to use the cave for himself. Instead, Booster tenses and goes quiet in a way that Bruce hasn’t seen before.
Bruce raises his eyebrow, causing Booster to panic a bit and rush out, “Wha- Uh, like what?” He clearly has this underlying nervousness. Bruce narrows his eyes at Booster without intent to seem stern or cold. Truly, he’s just suspicious. Booster lets out a nervous, fake laugh.
“Y’know, I’ve never checked this place out,” Booster comments, switching the subject. He smiles and calms his face, though Bruce can still tell that he’s faking it, and turns around. Booster then spots something that causes him to fly to where Bruce is working. Batman is about to tell Booster that he’s wasting time when Booster suddenly picks up Damian’s coloring notebook. Bruce had gotten it for the boy since Damian liked coloring and also because he was hoping that it’d show Damian that it was okay to have habits or enjoy things that he may consider “childish.”
“I didn’t know you had this! You like drawing?” Booster guesses. Bruce devices to firmly nod rather than correcting him. He then decides to test something by giving Booster permission, “You can draw on it.” Booster’s face immediately brightens.
“Really?! You’re my favorite hero called ‘Batman!’”
“Mhm.”
Bruce turns back to his computer and pretends to not be paying much attention to Booster as the man colors on the floor. At one point, when Bruce glances over Booster notices, causing the man to swiftly look away, but Booster doesn’t mind and simply smiles. He knows Bruce better than he’d like to admit.
Watching Booster from the corner of his eye, Bruce smiles, and it’s not one of those super cool and knowing smirks. No, it’s a genuine and simple smile.
Booster is visibly shocked, which Bruce lets out a short chuckle at. Booster instantly jumps up with both pride and amazement. “You laughed!” Booster exclaims with a point, just like a young kid. “I knew I had it in me!” It’s a lie, but Batman doesn’t need to know that. Booster continues, now flying around, “Aw yeah! I made the Batman laugh!!” Bruce grunts in acknowledgment, now fully turning toward Booster and knowing exactly what’s going on.
Bruce stand up and takes off his mask, which momentarily stuns Booster. The man stands still enough in the air and upside down long enough for Batman to ask, “Booster, are you hungry?” Feeling a surge of random excitement, Booster kicks his feet before forcing himself to stay still and turn back around. He attempts to play it off, “Nah, I ate.”
“Not even hungry for…peach cobbler?”
“I’m starving, let’s go!”
As they walk upstairs, Bruce questions, “I presume that Ted isn’t around right now?”
“Man, you’re good! I know you’re already a detective, but you should do it professionally and make even more cash!”
“Too many complications.”
Upstairs Booster meets Alfred and immediately ends up loving the butler. As Booster eats and swings his feet he tells Alfred with a smile, “You’re so serious! Is everyone in your family serious?”
Alfred stands straight with his arms behind his back as he answers Michael, “Master Jason enjoys making sarcastic comments on the job and Master Tim likes to enjoy himself. Miss Casandra appears to be undeniably serious to many, but I can assure you that she is not.”
“Woah! So Bruce must’ve gotten all of it from you.”
Alfred smiles at Booster’s words, proceeding to say, “Please, finish your plate, Sir Booster.” Booster smiles widely, clearly happy to have been referred to so fancily.
Once Booster is close to finishing eating, Bruce lies, “I have to admit something, Booster.” When Booster looks at him, he continues, “I’m a bit…lonely. You should stay the night.”
With the last of his food stuffed in his mouth, Booster mock-salutes him, wanting to help in any way he can. Bruce lightly smiles.