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Chapter Text

The Justice League had been in a meeting-

No, that's not completely correct. Some of the Justice League had been in a meeting in the Watchtower; others had been protecting their respective cities whilst the rest were on an off-world mission.

Batman had stood at the front, cape obscuring his body as he spoke about a foiled drug ring. Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl were sat to the right side of the meeting room's table with Martian Manhunter, the Flash and Green Lantern sat opposite of them. Superman had sat at the very end of the table, directly facing Batman. Batman had curtly finished his report and as he was the last one to speak, it had signified the end of the meeting. Green Lartern and Flash had eagerly gotten out of their seats, chatting amicably about something, whilst the Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl leisurely got up.

And Superman? He'd been overcome with a sharp sense of wrongness as though the world had been tilted slightly off its axis. He had held onto the table for support as he got up, ignoring the crumble of quartz beneath his fingers. His legs had felt oddly weightless sa colours had burst across the inside of his eyelids. Existence itself had seemed... Unsteady, as though an acute bout of vertigo had struck.

But that's silly, Superman had thought, I fly over Metropolis and leap off of buildings on a regular basis and I don't get vertigo. Looking back on it, that probably should have clued him onto something being strange...

__________________________________________________________

"Guys... Does anyone know where we are?" Flash's voice breaks the silence. The Justice League is no longer in the meeting room of the Watchtower. Instead, they're in what looks like Metropolis yet... the buildings aren't right. There are flats where single houses once sat, sky scrappers in place of construction sites, and offices in strange places. Everything has a new sheen to it, brighter than Metropolis on the sunniest of days.

"I'd say it looks a lot like Supes' city, but... Something doesn't feel right. I've only been to Metropolis a few times, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I swear the buildings weren't this large," Green Lantern sceptically looks up at one of the flats. They are pillars of glass and concrete, spiralling into points like fractured crystals. There were several buildings of similar design, as though their sole purpose was to refract light until they formed stars onto the roads and constellations across bright billboards. Superman can imagine it what it would look like at night, as though galaxies had come alive and plastered themselves to the sleeping walls of this city.

"I can get a bird's eye view? Check out any buildings that stand out and come back. That way, we'll have a good starting point to figuring out where we are," Hawkgirl offers. The others unanimously nod. She spreads her wings and pushes herself off of the ground. Relishing the strong beat of her wings against her back, she weaves through towering buildings. Scanning the area from above, she notes its layout is remarkably like that of Metropolis with similar highways and main roads. Looking around, she spots a glimmering golden dome in the distance. She heads toward it, hoping to check it out.

The remaining Justice League sit on nearby dumpsters or lean against walls as they wait for Hawkgirl's return.

"So, Supes, what's your verdict?" Lantern says, back against the wall of a white, glossy building. "Is this your home turf or what?"

"No. It looks similar... but it can't be. There are so many buildings I don't recognise..."

Green Lantern raises an eyebrow, scoffing as he says,"because we all obviously know every building where we live, don't we?"

"That's not what I meant! It's just that..."

"It's just that what?"

"This looks a lot like the centre of Metropolis-" Green Lantern begins to interrupt Superman.

"Isn't that a point for it being Metropolis?"

"No. Well, usually yes but this time, no. I know Metropolis pretty well, especially this area and there are buildings that should be here that aren't which have others in their place," Superman explains.

Green Lantern runs a hand across his hair and mumbles something. He looks up at Superman, and simply says, "And you're sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Isn't how we got here most important?" Flash asks. He waves a hand beside his head. "Like, where we are is great and all but are we just going to ignore that we were just in the Watchtower and now we're... here?"

"Where we are is our immediate concern. How we got here can wait for a little while," Superman says.

"And figuring out where we are is easier than figuring out how we got here. Appearing here had no forewarning or obvious cause," Lantern reasons. Martian Manhunter mumbles something and Superman starts to speak.

"Maybe not no forewar-"

"Hawkgirl is coming back!" Wonder Woman shouts and points into the air where the silhouette of Hawkgirl's large wings can be seen.

"Great! Maybe she's found something that can tell us where we are," Flash taps his foot against the ground, smiling all the while. Wonder Woman beams at Flash before turning back to look at Hawkgirl soaring closer.

"I would not get your hopes up, Diana," J'ohn speaks up.

Wonder Woman looks over her shoulder, peering at J'ohn curiously. "And why's that?"

"She seems... distressed," he says simply.

"How can you tell? Are you doing your whole," Flash gestures animatedly, "psychic thing?"

"No," Green Lantern says. He walks forward from his place on the wall and looks directly at Hawkgirl's flying form in the air. "Even I can tell something is up. She's usually faster than this. Either she's injured, which I doubt, or she's got some bad news she doesn't want to tell us."

Superman raises his eyebrow,"Okay... And are you sure about that?"

"Sure as anything."

The Justice League waits with baited breath for Hawkgirl to come back. She lands steadily and locks her eyes onto Superman. She opens her mouth, pauses and then finally says, "You have a Daily Planet in Metropolis, right?"

"...yes? Why do you ask?"

"Does it have a gaudy, golden planet statue on the top?"

"I wouldn't call it gaudy..." Superman mummers. Hawkgirl sighs and breaks eye contact.

"I was afraid you'd say that..."

"What do you mean?" Diana asks. She puts a reassuring hand on Hawkgirl's shoulder.

"There's a building just like that only a couple of miles away... I think this might actually be Metropolis."

"But there's no way that's possible! Buildings don't appear out of nowhere," Superman waves an arm at the various new structures.

"The impossible has happened before," Hawkgirl shakes out her wings uncomfortably.

"Not in mere moments," Superman says. Batman steps forward.

"Hawkgirl is right," Batman announces.

A series of protests comes from Lantern, Flash and Superman. Diana simply rubs Hawkgirl's shoulder comfortingly while looking to Batman, waiting for him to explain.

"Everyone, calm down," Batman walks over to the exit of the alleyway they are in.

"B, what do you mean? How is that possible?" Superman walks forward, his cape dragging against the ground.

"Kal, you were right when you said that the impossible rarely happens in mere moments. The thing is, I don't think these buildings just appeared in a second."

"A cloaking device, maybe?" J'ohn speculates.

"An illusion?" Flash pipes up.

"No. These buildings have never been hidden... At least, I don't think they have. I recognise these buildings, although I've only seen their blueprints."

"You've seen their blueprints?" Superman asks.

"Yes. The buildings were due to be built in ten years."

"And when did you see these blueprints?"

"A month ago." Everyone turns to face Batman. His cape flutters slightly and he clenches the fingers of his gauntlets. "Which is why I suspect we have been transported...

...to the future."

Chapter Text

Silence reigned after Batman spoke. The Justice League began to look amongst each other, in the hope someone would speak up and deny Batman's theory. None of them did.

Eventually, Batman gazes upon his teammates and, taking pity on them, guides each of them to sit on the ground. With no resistance, everyone is sat cross-legged in no time. None of them complain about sitting on the cold concrete, too concerned with their predicament. Batman finally sits down, completing the circle of Justice League members. Sat on the ground in a circle, they look like overgrown children; slumping forward like dejected toddlers.

"There has to be another explanation," Flash whipers.

"I'm afraid not," Batman, in a rare show of emotion, sounds sympathetic.

"But! But there was no sign of time travel, no big bang or flashing lights... Nothing," clutching at the material on his thighs, Flash stares hopelessly at the floor.

"There isn't always a sign that something has happened. Not all cameras flash, not every driver uses turn signals... Sometimes, these things happen without warning and all we can do is pick up the pieces," Batman's hand twitches towards Flash. For a second, Superman thinks the man is about to put his hand on Flash's shoulder like Lantern sometimes does and then remembers it's Batman he's thinking of. Superman isn't surprised when Batman retracts it and clasps those black gauntlet covered hands back together in his lap uselessly; just disappointed. Batman continues: "We'll figure this out. One step at a time if we have to."

"Okay... Okay, we can do this. We can do this!" Flash rises to his feet, putting both hands on his hips. His lips pull apart in a shaky grin.

Wonder Woman stands up next, declaring,"Both Batman and Flash are right, we are fully capable of fixing whatever this is."

Green Lantern and Hawkgirl get to their feet simultaneously. "Giving up won't get us anywhere," Hawkgirl runs a hand through her red hair. Green Lantern nods.

"She's right. You never succeed if you don't try," he says.

Batman stands up next. He gives a hum of approval and turns his head toward Superman and Martian Manhunter. "And you two?"

"I don't believe that our sudden displacement had no warning," Martain Manhunter says suddenly. Batman's white lenses narrow.

"What do you mean?"

"I felt something, a small something before we appeared here. Like a pull at the back of my consciousness," Martian Manhunter turns to Superman. "You felt something too, didn't you, Kal?" Superman glances away from Manhunter's knowing gaze and nods.

"For a moment, it was like gravity didn't exist except for the heavy feeling behind my eyes and temples... It was similar to when people describe sitting up too fast," Superman picks at the sleeve of his costume, all too aware of the one similarity between Martian Manhunter and himself that the the others would think of as the reason behind their shared experience. Both are 'openly' alien. If he is lucky (and didn't have enhanced senses), none of them will mention it in earshot of him.

Batman glances between Superman and Martian Manhunter. "Makes sense," he says.

"Pardon?" Batman couldn't possibly lack that much tact, could he? Superman thinks.

"Martians and kryptonians both have an innate psychic ability. Both of your feelings could be explained by transition between time periods either causing an overload or lack of input," Batman offers a hand up to both his teammates. They take them gratefully.

If Superman lets out a relieved sigh, nobody notices.

"Can someone translate that to Not-Batman, please?" Green Lantern grumbles.

"...he's talking about a sensory thing," Flash mutters, tapping on his thigh. "What Superman experienced was being overwhelmed because of the sudden increase of what he heard probably because of a period of in-between in the two time periods while John's mind or like, psychic muscle or something was looking for input because of the sudden removal from our time. I assume since none of us remember how we got here, there must of been a period where no feelings were felt and no thoughts were thought."

"Excuse you?"

"Basically, Superman was the equivalent of being at a super loud party while J'ohn was like being in a mental sensory deprivation chamber," Flash shrugs awkwardly as he speaks.

"You sound pretty familiar with the sensory stuff."

"Let's just say I'm... empathetic to their situations."

"Good explanation, Flash," Batman sweeps his cape over his shoulder. "Now it's time to figure out what time we're in."

"Seems like it's time to explore then," Hawkgirl says.

The Justice League set out to find what time they're in. They read signposts outloud and point out any buildings that stand out. Nothing gives them an idea of what time they're in.

"We know for a fact we are at least ten years in the future," Batman states.

"That doesn't narrow it down very much, Spooky. That means we could be as little as fifteen or as large as one hundred years in the future," Green Lantern sighs and then pauses. "You said you came across a newspaper building, right, Hawkgirl?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Did it have a stand or something where you can buy newspapers?" Hawkgirl nods at Lantern. Green Lantern smiles triumphantly and declares:

"I think it's time to go buy us a newspaper."

__________________________________________________

The Justice League walk to the Daily Planet. It has a large newsrack on both sides of the entrance. Green Lantern walks up, puts a dollar coin in the slot and takes out a newspaper. His eyes quickly scan over the paper. He swears under his breath.

"Woah, that bad?" Flash peeks over Lantern's shoulder.

"Yeah, 'that bad'. We're a good fifteen years in the future," Green Lantern turns the paper around so the others can see. Diana lets out a small wince, and Hawkgirl takes the paper gently, running her finger over the date in disbelief.

"Maybe it's not so bad," Superman says.

"Excuse you?"

"Well, it's only fifteen years. Most likely, the league is still a thing and we can ask for our- their? - help," Superman cheerfully announces. Batman tilts his head.

"Unless we've taken our future selves' places, in which case we're on our own," Batman takes the paper from Hawkgirl and flips through its pages. There are mentions of the Justice League but only off-hand. "Nothing world-ending seems to have happened recently, we're barely mentioned."

"Cheer up, B. We can figure out if your theory is right easily. We'll go fight some crime and see if ourselves show up," Superman smiles.

"We are all aware that they'll probably think we're imposters or evil alternate versions of them, right?" Flash's fingertips dance across the side of his thigh.

"We're reasonable people. Our future versions will try talking first, I'm sure of it," Superman pats Flash on the shoulder reassuringly.

"Most of us wouldn't resort to violence first, although others..." Green Lantern sends a quick glance at Batman.

"I can handle myself. Besides, a violent reaction to a look-a-like is warranted when you deal with Clayface on a regular basis," Batman adjusts his yellow utility belt slightly. Superman doesn't have to use his x-ray vision to know one or more are lined with lead. "It's as good an idea as any, Kal. We'll try it. If we don't encounter any of our future selves by the end of the day, we'll go to the Hall of Justice and see what is happening there."

Wonder Woman nods in agreement and asks,"Kal, do you hear any crimes in action? We should start as soon as possible."

__________________________________________________

After putting out a burning building, saving a child from their would-be captor, helping several elderly people across the street and rescuing several cats from trees-

"Seriously! How have we not bumped into one of us already? Even if Supes is off-world or something, one of us would've come to check us out by now," Flash grumbles. "Are we just... not together in the future? Are we no longer heroes? Maybe our mention in the newspaper was a fluke," he drums his his hands against his arms, vibrating slightly.

"Hey, hey, slow down, Flash. It's okay, even without our future selves we will get back home. Besides, someone has to be here protecting Metropolis. I've heard snippets of some other crimes, but... they stop randomly, the crimanals swear and the victims thank someone. I can't tell who, but they're fast, so it's probably me or you," Superman says warmly.

"Then why haven't you or me come yet?"

"I don't know, but if there is someone here, which I'm sure there is, then they'll head to the Hall of Justice to file one of our monthly reports. It is the end of the month, after all."

"Yeah... Yeah, Supes, you're right," Flash takes a deep breath. "We'll continue as we planned. Fight some crime, see if anyone shows up and then check out the Hall of Justice. If we can't get a hold of anyone, we'll just have to figure this out ourselves."

The Justice League nods unanimously. The others start to spilt into groups to cover more ground with a reminder from Batman to 'keep the comms on and check in hourly'. Green Lantern and Hawkgirl fly off in one direction, Martian Manhunter and Batman in another and Wonder Woman sets off by herself.

Superman goes to head off as well, except Flash tugs on the back of his cape.

"Hey, Supes?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for the reassurance back there. I know it probably it didn't seem much to you but... it helped. Thanks," Flashes looks down, face red. His voice is quiet, unlike himself. Superman decides swiftly that he never wants to hear Flash's voice so meek again.

"Don't mention it, Flash."

"No, seriously. I was on the verge of a total freak out back there, and yet you knew exactly what to say and that means a lot to me and-" Flash's arms start to tremble. Superman notices.

"Flash, can I touch you?"

"-yes?" Flash says bewildered. Superman places his hands on Flash's arms. Flash almost pulls away but... Superman's grip isn't threatining or restraining. It doesn't hurt or stop any movement, it just... Sits there softly. A warm weight on Flash's arms.

"I'm glad I could help but you really don't need to thank me. I know the Justice League hasn't been a team for very long yet but... we fit. We fight well together and maybe our communication isn't the greatest yet but it'll get there, okay? And frankly, all I need to know right now is that my teammate is okay. So, are you okay, Flash?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. And really... I appreciate what you did- what you're doing, I mean," Flash chuckles.

"Do you want to go together? Pretty sure a bank robbery is about to take place twenty blocks north from here."

"You bet. Race you there?"

Superman blinks and then snorts. "Sure, why not?"

__________________________________________________

Stopping the bank robbery went without a hitch. The robbers were pretty low-risk criminals, carrying two pistols and one extra cartridge of ammo between them both. One of them had even forgotten to turn the safety off. Preventing the crime had gone well, great even but...

Something about the way the bank-goers looked at Superman left him feeling on edge. They looked confused, surprised even.

It doesn't make sense, Superman thinks. Looking at Flash surprised would be one thing but me? I'm always here, Metropolis is my city, Superman thinks.

__________________________________________________

The Justice League meet up in front of the Hall of Justice. Flash grins widely.

"Hey, guys!"

"You seem happier," Hawkgirl remarks.

"Me and Supes stopped a bank robbery together and guess what? One of the guys had the safety on his gun turned on! I think that's the easiest robbery I've ever been to."

"Good for you. Me and Lantern stopped a drug deal in process. Thankfully, they seemed to only be prepared for Superman. The only thing they were armed with was Krytonite," Hawkgirl gestures to Green Lantern and he opens a fist. In it, there's two small shards of the green rock. Superman is quietly grateful when Batman takes it and stows it away in a lead-lined pocket of his utility belt.

"Batman and I caught a pair of thieves," Martain Manhunter adds.

"I caught three cars speeding to the point of being a danger to the other vehicles on the road," Wonder Woman pats her lasso.

The Justice League take a moment to relax outside the doors of the Hall of Justice before Superman speaks up.

"I'm surprised your crooks had kryptonite on them, Hawkgirl."

"Me and Green Lantern's crooks actually but continue."

"It's just... People here have seemed almost surprised to see me?"

"In what way?" Asks Martain Manhunter.

"Just... surprised. Not like when I first donned the suit but still... They were confused, like I wasn't meant to be there."

"It's a shame I didn't go with you then. I could've told you what the confusion was," Martian Manhunter regretfully sighs.

"Hindsight is twenty-twenty," Green Lantern says causally. "Besides, it could be something as simple as Supes being off-world at the minute or at his hide-out in the artic."

"Agreed. Do not beat yourself up over it, either of you," Diana places a hand on both Superman's and Martain Manhunter's shoulders. They both mummer their thanks.

"It's time we head in now," Batman says. With varying levels of anticipation, everyone nods.

They enter the Hall of Justice. It looks more well put together but other than that, it's exactly the same. Batman hums in approval whilst Flash zips in and out of every passing room, remarking on how every one is identical to their time's one.

Soon, they make it to the common room. Couches are laid out and there's an oval table in the middle. The zeta tubes line the back wall, all with the same glowing bases and clear glass doors. Superman pauses, tilting his head towards the direction of the kitchen.

"Someone's here," Superman whispers happily. Finally, they'd meet a future version of themselves, one who could hopefully help.

Footsteps come from the kitchen and the Justice League turn to face the door. The person walks out into the common room. Wonder Woman's eyes widen, Hawkgirl lets out a gasp, Green Lantern narrows his eyes in confusion and Flash's jaw drops. Both Martain Manhunter and Batman remain stoic.

Superman simply stares because standing there in the doorway of the kitchen is the most indescribable, impossible sight he has ever seen. A man- no, a teen- stands there in a black leather jacket and combat boots, his hair in a fade that poofs out into a pile of inky curls on the top of his head with sunglasses low on his nose.

But that wasn't the shocking bit, not even remotely. The truly chilling bit is that the cobalt blue eyes set in the boy's face are ones he sees in the mirror everyday. And even worse (better? Most confusingly?), the boy wears an eerily familiar suit underneath his open jacket and black tights. Blue, red and yellow with an eerily familiar crest. It's undeniable, Superman thinks.

Across the boy's chest is the crest of the House of El.

Chapter Text

The boy takes his sunglasses off and seems to visually size up the Justice League. He puts his glasses in his pocket with a practised motion and says:

"What are you lot doing back? Thought you were all gonna be off-world for another week at least," the boy strides over to the nearest couch, flops down and kicks his feet up onto the table.

"Y-you've been... taking care of Metropolis while I'm away..?" Superman's voice is strained, feeling like something is caught in his throat. The boy rolls his eyes and rests his chin on one of his hands.

"Obviously?" The boy pauses and sits up straight. "Wait, is that why you came back? Because you don't trust me enough to take care of Metropolis for more than a week?" His face goes red with- embarrassment? Anger? Indignation?- emotion. He scowls at Superman.

"No!" Diana chimes in, having recovered from her shock. "No, of course not. I'm sure your Superman is very proud of you at the moment."

"My Superman? What do you mean,'my Superman'?" The boy barely glances at Wonder Woman before turning back to squint at Superman.

"We are not your version of the Justice League. You see,we are from-"

"An alternate universe," Kal interrupts. "We're not sure how we got here but we were hoping this version of the Justice League would help," he smiles gently at the boy. The boy crosses his arms and plants his feet on the floor, leaning his crossed arms on his knees.

"Well, at the moment, they're not here. You'll have to settle for the Teen Titains if you want help. Either that or you could gather some of the solo-heroes."

"Thank you. What's your name?" Kal hurries to correct himself when the boy narrows his eyes further. "Your hero alias, I mean. Not your civilian identity."

"Superboy."

Kal fights back the urge to sob at the confirmation. His teammates give him an in sync concerned look that tells him he isn't succeeding in keeping the pain off his face. "And..?" Kal tries.

"And what?" Superboy's teeth audibly snap shut.

"Do you... Do you have a kryptonian name you'd be willing to share?" Kal sees Superboy pause for a moment and feels a flood of disappointment, relief and self-loathing at the idea that maybe he'd been wrong, maybe he had misunderstood the situation. And then Superboy speaks.

"Kon."

"No last name?" Martian Manhunter asks. Kal is glad because his throat seems to be doing its best impression of a squished straw, letting through only the tiniest sliver of air. At least someone is asking the important questions, he thinks.

"None that are mine to share," Kon says cryptically. The Justice League seems collectively stumped at his answer. The boy continues talking. "You guys can stay in your rooms in the Watchtower. I'll tell the others."

"You're awfully quick to offer us the rooms in the Watchtower. You haven't tested for DNA, followed no protocol whatsoever and have been completely at ease with us here," Batman chimes in. Green Lantern sends him a confused look. Kon simply sinks back into the couch.

"Your Superman, to borrow Wonder Woman's wording, has proved you're not from this world already," Kon glances at Superman. "Your reaction showed your ignorance of this world. Only if you lot were goons hired by Lex Luthor would that reaction make sense."

"What makes you sure we're not Lex Luthor's doing?" Martian Manhunter asks curiously. Both Green Lantern and Flash sigh exasperatedly. A dark look flashes across Kon's face.

"I know Lex's work. You seven are not it."

__________________________________________________________

The Justice League zeta to the Watchtower. They all beeline to the meeting room, where everyone takes their respective seats. Everyone takes turns glancing at Superman. Diana is the first to speak up.

"Kal, why did you interrupt me back there? Not once had we discussed the possibility this may be an alternate universe," she says.

"That boy, Kon, proves this is an alternate universe. He doesn't exist in our world."

"Supes, with all due respect, that boy looked young. Really young," Green Lantern leans on the table. "And I mean, your planet was destroyed a while ago so there's no way he's from there. You know we won't judge, so think back a little bit. Is it possible that maybe he could be yours-"

"It's not."

"How isn't it?"

"Ignoring the fact the boy seemed older than fifteen, you mean? The first thing scientists did when I started wearing this suit was try and collect my DNA, trying to see what kind of 'meta' I was. One of the tests was to put human DNA and my DNA in a petri dish together," Superman explains.

"Invasive, much?" Lantern mutters.

"I thought you were always open about being an alien?" Flash asks curiously.

"It was before I had properly talked to any of the press."

"What was the result?" Diana inquires quietly.

"The krytonian DNA ate away at the human DNA completely," Batman answers. "There was a rather derogatory news article about it. When researching Superman, I stumbled across it."

"It means me having a child with a human is impossible. Kon can't be my future child," Superman looks down at his hands clasped on top of the table.

"Who says the mother has to be human?" Flash gives Superman a gentle look and rests a hand on his back. "He could be your child with another alien," he says cheerfully.

"Can't be. Kon looks too krytonian, too human, for his mother to be an alien. There aren't many human-passing aliens, especially on earth. And the few on earth are ones I know, ones that couldn't possibly be the other parent."

"Maybe his other parent was a shapeshifter, there are quite a few in our solar system," Martian Manhunter ponders aloud. Kal looks up and says:

"That's the most unlikely scenario. If we're trying to as realistic as possible, the most likely thing is that this is an alternate universe."

"He may have been another kryptonian child sent down to earth. It's possible that his pod was just a little late landing or opening," Hawkgirl taps at the side of her mask.

"The timing doesn't match up."

Flash pipes up,"could be a result of the space travel. I mean, we all know that travelling through space can screw with time." Several people shudder in their seats. They are well aware of that fact, unfortunately.

"And the fact apparently two kryptonians of the House of El were sent down to the same planet?"

"It's entirely possible you and him aren't biologically related," Batman says. Superman turns to look at him, confused.

"What? Why is he wearing the crest, then?"

"He's obviously younger than you. It's possible you saw a struggling, child kryptonian and took him under your wing," Batman's voice becomes lower and softer. "It would explain why he feels as though he can't share his last name. He may not know it, or maybe he's still in the process of taking your name. It's normal for kids who have been taken in to be... insecure about their place in the family."

"You think Supes would let someone who's not family wear the crest?" Flash asks.

"Family isn't always by blood or DNA. And going off by how Kal looks," Batman gestures to Kal's tired, mourning eyes,"he'd readily accept another kryptonian."

The Justice League waits for Superman to interject, to deny, to do anything. He picks at the corner of his cape and starts to speak.

"Batman's right. Kon... Even just seeing him has been a lot. He's the first other kryptonian I've seen and something in my chest just aches... " Superman gets out of his chair and starts to pace in small circles.

"I hope I'm wrong, I hope so badly that I'm wrong. I would love for us to go back home and for there to be something on the news or a tip off about some sort of space shuttle and for another kryptonian of whatever age to be there," he takes a deep breath and ignores the burning feeling in his eyes. He knows it's not heat vision.

"Humans are abundant, so maybe it's different but... If I saw another kryptonian, that would be it. We'd be family to me," tears stream down his face, landing in fat droplets on the floor. "I couldn't let them be alone... W-... When I got my powers, I had help." For a moment, Kal considers leaving it at that and pretending that that is all he wants to say, yet he continues.

"I had help from two lovely people who took me in. They're human and I love them but they had no idea what they were doing when I started developing heat vision and flight and super senses. I couldn't- can't - leave another kryptonian like that. Not in a million years," Kal stills and realises he's shaking. Tremors wrack his body as he tries to quiet his grief over family he'd never meet and the boy who's eyes looked like his that he will never see back home because back home, he is alone.

Back home, he is the last son of krypton.

Hands land on his arms. They are covered in smooth red fabric, cool to the touch; they're Flash's hands. Flash is stood by Kal's side, simply holding him as he falls apart.

More hands land on his back. Those of Martian Manhunter and Diana. They mummer hesitant but sincere words of comfort under their breaths.

"You shall be alright, Kal, but for now there is no fight or battle. You can let yourself be not alright and for as long as you need us, we shall stay here with you."

"It's alright to grieve what you've lost. I've done my fair share of grieving and it will hurt less eventually. Until then, know that we will stand by you. We can't fill the void of what you've lost but we are building something new here and now, with the League."

Hawkgirl and Green Lantern stand beside Kal in silence, their mere presence comforting in its own way.

Batman gets out of his chair last and reaches into his utility belt. He walks over to Kal and pulls out a black handkerchief. Kal can't help but to smile at the small yellow bat embroidered into one of its corners.

Kal wipes his wet eyes with it and gives a small smile. "Thank you. Thank you all."

The team separate, gravitating back to their own chairs. Flash stays beside Kal for an extra minute, hands resting on Kal's forearms gently. Kal smiles, leans towards Flash and quietly says,"Thank you. For you coming over here first, I mean. You could've just stood there, I wouldn't have thought any less of you if you did."

Flash squeezes Kal's arms gently before pulling away. He whispers,"Don't mention it. Right now, all I need to know is that my buddy is okay. So, Superman, are you okay?"

Kal chuckles wetly, half-heartedly scrubbing at the dried tear tracks on his cheeks. "Yeah, I'm okay."

__________________________________________________________

They all head to their rooms for the night. As they get dressed for the night in their separate rooms, they look into their strangely full wardrobes with a feeling of satisfaction.

If they keep so many clothes in the Watchtower, they must spend a lot of time here, they think. A lot of time with their teammates may just be the best news they've had since arriving in this alternate world.

__________________________________________________________

Martain Manhunter shifts underneath his bedsheets. Something about that boy, Kon, had been strange. Not bad, per say, but strange.

The emotions Kon had felt when seeing Superman weren't the feelings of familial affection, or child-like deference to a parent that would be expected from one's child but something else. Martain Manhunter had only felt it vaguely, in that quiet passive way that he simply can't help, but he could have sworn that Kon had felt dejected by Superman's imagined distrust in Kon's ability.

Most confusingly, the boy had felt indignant after the admittance that the Justice League were from another world.

It was peculiar. If the boy was close enough to wear the El family crest, shouldn't he have been overjoyed at seeing Superman? Shouldn't there have been a rush of affection, or at least a hum of content acknowledgement?

What is Martain Manhunter missing? What explanation would make Kon make sense?

Chapter Text

The Justice League wake up early. The day before, they and Superboy had planned to meet up in the Hall of Justice to discuss what they wanted to do next and who they wanted to go to for extra assistance, if anyone.

Superman isn't surprised when he's told he had zoned out when that talk was happening. He'd been much too occupied commiting the boy's facial features to his memory (the boy who isn't his son, or sidekick or family because Kal-El belongs to a different time, a different world).

(A lonelier world.)

They all sit down to eat breakfast in the Watchtower's kitchen. For a moment, only the scraping of utensils against ceramic can be heard. Diana is the first to break the silence.

"Kal, are you going to be alright with Superboy around?" Her voice is kind, like she's approaching a spooked animal instead of a grown man. At first, Superman wants to bristle at the tone, remind her that he is a person and not a feral stray with a bite risk (because alien isn't the same as animal, isn't inherently dangerous). And then, he recognises her tone as the same one she uses on civilians who are frightened and deflates.

"I will be. This is my first time meeting another kryptonian and... I plan to make the most of it," Superman spoons some cereal into his mouth. Green Lantern drops his buttered toast back onto his plate and looks at Kal with a sombre expression.

"I hate to ask this but are you sure that's a good idea, Supes? Like you said, it's unlikely you'll meet a counterpart of the boy in our world. Wouldn't bonding with him and then not being able to see him again hurt?"

"It will but I think it'll be worth the pain. I can't just avoid him and honestly? I don't want to. For as long as we'll be here, I may as well be on friendly terms with Kon," Superman gently smiles into his cereal. "I'm happy for this universe's version of me. Kon seems like a great kid."

"He does," Martian Manhunter nods. "Although something seems off to me."

"What do you mean? You think the kid is up to something?" Hawkgirl stabs at an egg with her fork.

"Not up to something but..." he hums. "You are all aware of my passive ability to sense emotions? Especially the strong ones?"

Nods from all around the table.

"When he saw Superman, I didn't sense any of the emotions you'd expect from seeing a family member again after a long time. His feelings were surprisingly harsh," Martain Mahunter stares down at his pancakes. He thinks of how brittle the boy's emotional state had felt, fragile as the finest of cobwebs. "I suspect that maybe there is currently a tension between Superboy and his Superman. It would explain his immediate assumption that you had come back because you didn't trust him."

"Oh..." Superman blinks."That's...not great, admittedly, but I think it'll be fine. I'm sure whatever argument he and my counterpart got into was minor. It can't possibly affect us getting home."

"Wait!" Flash calls out. "Maybe that's what Superboy meant about his name. If he and his Superman had a fallout, maybe he feels like Superman wouldn't want him using the name 'El' anymore." Diana looks up from her bacon and then starts to speak.

"You mean he feels as though he doesn't deserve to be seen as part of the House of El?" Diana's face bunches up slightly at the nose. "Maybe you're right, Kal. Talk to the boy. While you may not be responsible for his apparent upset, you may be able to help ease his worries until his Kal is back."

Kal nods, more intent than ever to form a bond with the young Kon.

Cutlery scrapes against bowls and plates as the Justice League finish their breakfast. The clock strikes ten.

All of them get out of their chairs and head to the zeta tubes. With the familiar warmth of teleportation on their skin, they find themselves in the Hall of Justice.

"He should be here soon," Flash gives Superman a supportive pat on the arm. "Good luck with your whole thing."

"He's already here," Martian Manhunter says lowly.

"What?" Hawkgirl's wings rustle against her back as she looks around. Batman makes a hushing motion as he creeps towards one of the couches and pulls the cushions off.

There lies Superboy in an oversized T-shirt and joggers with its drawstring knotted in the front. Superman absentmindedly notes that the shirt is a faded pink that clashes horribly with his lime green joggers.

"Did he fall asleep waiting for us?" Diana asks. Batman shakes his head.

"What he's wearing is clearly sleepwear."

"Why would he be wearing his night clothes in the Hall of Justice?"

Kon whines in his sleep and rolls over onto his stomach. Flash stares and says:

"Okay, I have slept on a couch before, and it was most definitely not comfortable. For him to be this asleep, he'd have to be exhausted or used to sleeping on the couch. With how those cushions were arranged, my bet is that Superboy here has been sleeping on the couch for a while," Flash taps his foot.

"Maybe it has something to do with his and his Kal's argument?" Hawkgirl speculates aloud. Kal looks horrified.

"There is no way I'd let him sleep in the Hall of Justice instead of at home!"

"Kal, keep in mind that this is an alternate universe. You wouldn't, but your counterpart might," Hawkgirl sends Kal a pitying look. Flash jumps up.

"Hold on, maybe alternate Superman doesn't know? He is off-world, after all."

The Justice League goes silent. None of them voice what Flash's suggestion would mean. That somehow Kon thought he wasn't welcome, wasn't wanted after one argument. Either it was one nasty argument or...

Kal breathes out slowly. I have my work cut out for me, he thinks.

Kon stirs and flips himself over sluggishly. He yawns, smacks his lips and opens his eyes. He blinks up at the Justice League and,in a much too casual tone,says,"Good morning."

Green Lantern can not believe this kid. Greeting them as though they hadn't caught him sleeping underneath the couch cushions like a modern-day stowaway.

"Good morning to you as well, Kon," Kal tries to sound cheerful. "May I ask why you were sleeping on the couch?" Kon blinks at Kal slowly, an action more befitting of a large drowsy cat than a teenager.

"I always sleep here?" Kal's smile doesn't falter but his eyes take up a look of pure confusion.

"Excuse you?"

Kon gets up and grabs the cushions from Batman. He rearranges them onto the couch; put back so meticulously, it looks like nobody had slept there at all. "I sleep here. Where does your Superboy sleep?" He asks almost accusingly.

"There is no Superboy in our world," Martian Manhunter answers. Kon eyes light up in... Understanding?

"Oh, I get it now," Kon turns to face the Justice League. "Anyways, we need to discuss who could help you guys, if you want the help that is."

Kon strides in the direction of the meeting room, still in his tacky sleepwear. The Justice League follow behind with one question in all of their minds.

What on earth was that about?

_________________________________________________________

"So, first up there is the Teen Titans. Me being one of them. There's quite a few of us; me, Robin, Aqualad, Miss Martian, so on and so forth," Kon lists the member of the Teen Titians with a practised ease. Martian Manhunter perks up.

"Miss Martian?"

Kon's face scrunches up, bewildered. "Yeah, your niece?" Martian Manhunter tilts his head.

"My family are all dead, Superboy. At least, in my world, they are."

Kon's eyes go wide and he snaps his fingers. "Oh! Not your biological niece, I mean your adoptive niece. She landed on earth around three years ago, I think?"

Martain Manhunter looks shaken. Kal leans over and pats his hand. They share a look of mutual grief. Martain Manhunter looks back to Kon.

"Is it possible for me to meet her before we go back?" Kon shakes his head.

"Sorry, she and some others are on a group mission with Shazam. They won't be back for a long while."

"I see."

Kon squirms, evidently uncomfortable with the conversation. "There's also the Titans."

"You have already mentioned them," Diana says.

"No, I mentioned the Teen Titans. The Titans aren't teenagers, at least not anymore. They were the original Teen Titans, they just changed the name after they grew up."

"Who do the the 'Titans' include?" Hawkgirl asks.

"Nightwing, Raven, Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy."

Batman hums in approval. "I recognise those names, Robin has told me about them, they're his teammates."

"Wait, I thought that Superboy said Robin was part of the Teen Titans?" Flash asks.

"He is," Kon declares unhelpfully.

"Robin would no longer be a teen at this time," Batman looks at Kon. "He'd be an adult."

Kon looks confused for a moment before facepalming and saying,"Oh, you mean the first Robin. I've been talking about the third." He chuckles.

"What do you mean, 'the third Robin'?" Batman clenches and unclenches his gauntlets repeatedly.

"Well, adults usually don't want to go around dressed as traffic-directing elves so the former Robins took on their own hero identities. 'Robin' for them was like training wheels, I guess. I don't really understand the whole ritual of it but it makes them happy so whatever. Nightwing is the first Robin. A lot of his teammates still call him 'Rob'," Kon babbles.

"And who were the Robins after... Nightwing?"

"Your kids, obviously?" Kon says flippantly and then stares as Batman lets out an exhale that sounds concerningly like a broken kettle.

Kal looks between Martian Manhunter still reeling from the shock of another martian and Batman's twitching lips and thinks, this is going to be a long day.

Chapter Text

Sitting around the Hall of Justice meeting table, all that could be heard was the tapping of Flash's foot against the ground. A fast paced, repetitive tap, tap, tap against the floor.

Superboy had left to call in Batman's sidekicks, both former and current.

Batman is still, so still that his chest barely moves to breath - most gargoyles would look livelier than Batman in this moment. Martian Manhunter isn't any better either, looking somewhere over by the doorway as though lost in thought.

Superboy, the Robins, Miss Martain; their existence enough to shake the foundation of some of the strongest heroes. Superman looks over to his shaken companions and finds himself inexplicably grateful. At least when his mystery relative popped up, he had been the only one experiencing a world shattering revelation at the time.

"You know..." Flash starts. "I'd like to ask him about the other heroes but honestly? I'm scared as to what his answer will be."

"Aren't we all?" Green Lantern sighs and looks at everyone in turn. "Manhunter, Batman, it's good to keep in mind this is an alternate universe. It's probable that these... acquaintances of yours don't exist in our world."

"For better or worse," Martian Manhunter replies.

"I'd toast to that!" Superman tries to smile; his team had been a steady pillar of support in his time of need, the least he can do is try to keep morale up while his teammates try and piece themselves back together.

Batman uncharacteristically snorts. His voice is trembling slightly, a pitch off to Kal's ears.

Hawkgirl and Diana look at each other. Diana leans forward, and starts to speak;

"Superboy shall be back soon. Batman, the vigilantes he will be bringing are associated with you. Do you wish to remain in the room or leave?" Her voice was filled with soft sympathy that, paired with the warm eyes of his teammates, purveyed their unspoken meaning effortlessly.

'We won't judge if you need to leave' is what their expressions so clearly meant. And for a moment, a very short moment, Batman considers it. He considers the Robin he has at home, wonders how one turned to two turned to three and then lets the thought die. It is obvious how it happened; just like how he took in his first Robin. Children, boys from the sound of it, who reminded him of himself. Ones he couldn't let fall into the darkness that permeated the streets of Gotham.

He would never let the shadowed underbelly of Gotham take another child's heart, no matter how many bones he needs to break or children he will need to take under the kevlar cape of the Bat.

"I'll stay."

"It's okay, you don't have to feel guil- what?" Diana blinks owlishly.

"I'll stay," he repeats. Diana sends him a grin after she recovers from her shock. Green Lantern raises his eyebrows quizzically.

"Are you sure? I'm pretty confident you're allergic to emotions, a reunion may be too much for you," it's said humorously but there is concern lurking in the depths of Lantern's green eyes.

"I'll be fine," Batman speaks confidently with the same surety he uses when discussing his varied arrange of gadgets and his rogue gallery's unique quirks.

Superman nods at Batman. He then looks over at Martian Manhunter,"J'ohn, I'm sorry that your... Miss Martian is away. Despite the stress that may come with being aware of an alternate relative's existence, it would have been nice for you to have had the choice to see her and interact with her."

Martian Manhunter raises a hand. "Do not worry, Kal. It is... somewhat upsetting but I am fine. As much as meeting another Martian would be... nice right now, we have more important matters on our plate."

They all nod in unison. Then, the wait begins.

_________________________________________________________

The zeta tubes call out,"B-04, B-01, B-13, B-20."

"Holy- it goes all the way to twenty now?" Flash splutters. The Justice League all share surprised looks until Batman stands up - thankfully, back to his usual, composed self.

"Let's go meet them in the common rooms," He announces.

They all march towards the common room, preparing themselves for whoever awaits them on the other side. It's an alternate universe, they all think, who knows what's different? Age, memories, personality... Nothing in an alternate dimension is set in stone.

They step in and the first thing they all notice is the iconic colours of Robin's suit. Red, yellow, green all wrapped around a physique too short and thin to be that of Batman's usual protégé.

This is obviously the most recent Robin. This Robin's cape is black on the exterior and yellow on the interior, unlike his own Robin's fully yellow cape. Another change is the steel-toed combat boots (protective and possibly offensive - Batman is impressed). And with a subtle sigh of relief, Batman notes this one has full-length pants.

The next person they notice is a tall, lean man clad in black and blue. His suit is mostly a shining black but with blue highlights and the silhouette of a bird across where his chest begins and collar bones end. He wears a black domino across his face with the same white out lenses as Batman and Robin. This one is presumably Nightwing, Batman thinks.

The last one they notice is already slouched on the couch, speaking amicably to Kon. He wears a red helmet, unlike the other two. A leather jacket is stretched across his large shoulders over a black chest plate with a red Batman symbol across the front (taller than Batman but not broader). He's the most visibly armoured and with a spike of panic, Batman notices the full holster that is slung over the man's hips. There is no name to pair with this one.

Kon looks towards the Justice League and gestures for the three newcomers to stand in a group. They all easily take their place in a line up, with Nightwing to the left and Robin to the right. The tallest stands in the middle.

Kon points at each in turn,"He's Nightwing, the first Robin. The one beside him is Red Hood, the second Robin. Finally, there's Robin, the current Robin. Nightwing is part of the Titans, Robin is with the Teen Titans and Red Hood..." Kon trails off and looks towards Red Hood. The man shrugs.

"I mostly operate alone in Crime Alley but when I'm not, I'm helping out Artemis and Bizarro." The Justice League looks at Red Hood and seven overlapping voices all ask;

"Bizarro?"

Red Hood nods. His modulated voice makes telling whether or not he's serious difficult as he says,"Yeah, It's my friend's name. We've asked if he wants to go by something else but... he doesn't seem to want to. Not sure if he likes the name or if he's just too used to it to consider changing it."

"Who names themselves Bizarro?" Flash mumbles. Kon turns his face towards Flash and begins to talk loudly.

"Not everyone who goes by a name, chooses it. Besides, what matters isn't anyone else's opinion but that of the owner of the name," his words are clipped. Martian Manhunter looks at Kon curiously, sensing waves of aggravation coming off of the boy. It feels personal in a way, which is... Strange.

Flash nods apologetically, glad that whoever 'Bizarro' is isn't in the room. Sometimes, he forgets his verbal filter and apparently, the stress of the last not-even twenty-four hours has made him forget his manners. "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude. It was just... Unexpected and I said the first thing that came to mind."

Kon looks Flash up and down in an eery mirror of their first meeting. Seemingly happy with what he has found, he makes eye contact with Flash,"It's alright, Zippy. I should have realised you meant no harm."

Red Hood speaks up,"Besides, Biz wouldn't be offended if he were here. Dude's a huge teddy bear, really. Though that does mean others sometimes have to stick up for him, so don't be surprised if we get a little defensive over the big guy, okay?"

Superman tries to mentally imagine a man big enough that the bulky Red Hood would call them 'big guy'. The only person he's seen both taller and broader than Red Hood is himself.

"Who's 'we'?" Hawkgirl asks.

"Me, Superboy and Artemis, if you get to meet her."

"I understand you and Artemis - you've said you work together - but why Superboy? What's his stake in it?" She questions. Surprisingly, it's Kon himself who speaks up.

"Me and Bizarro are family, brothers actually," Kon plays with his earlobe which is sloppily pierced. Superman wonders how Kon managed to get his ear pierce when his krytonian DNA should leave him invulnerable to any needles or sharp objects in general until what the boy had said catches up to him.

"Brothers?" Superman chokes out. Batman and Martian Manhunter share knowing looks as they discretely move towards Superman, both standing on either side of him. Kon doesn't seem to notice. All of the Robins tilt their heads slightly, like triplet owls.

"Yeah," Kon says. "Although, I guess you may not have him either."

"Is he... available?" Superman asks.

Kon shrugs. Red Hood steps forward and answers for him. "Biz is busy at the moment. Besides, that isn't what we came here to talk about, is it?"

The Justice League nods. Diana nods at Red Hood,"Well, it is lovely to make your acquaintance. And your brothers..?"

A verberating sound comes from Red Hood. He motions wiping something off the lenses of his helmet and clutches his stomach. Only then does Superman realise that Hood is laughing.

"Well, you all have already met Dickiebird." At the Justice League's confused looks and Batman's small sigh, Hood elaborates. "I mean Nightwing. Us birds use a lot of nicknames and shorthand but don't worry; you'll pick up on who's who fast. For example, Nightwing is usually Dickiebird or when I'm particularly mad at him, Dickface."

Green Lantern and Flash let out ugly snorts. Batman remains stoic, although his shoulders shake. Diana and Hawkgirl let out similar mumbles that sound like "boys."

Red Hood then nods to the littlest of them. "Robin, the current one, is the youngest of us three as you can probably guess. Luckily for you, we usually just call him Robin unless we want to mess with him - if we say Baby Bird we mean him."

The Robin in question lets out an indignant squawk of protest. Nightwing ruffles Robin's hair and, with a toothy grin, says,"I don't know what Little Wing means - I call Robin here Baby Bird solely out of affection. Oh, and if I say Little Wing, I mean Red Hood. Also, if anybody says Hood or Red, you can assume it's him."

Nightwing directs his shining grin at the Justice League and then hones in on Batman specifically. "Hey, B."

"Hello. I'm told you're the first Robin?"

"Yes. I suppose it could be different in your world, though, but... From your expression, I'd say it's the same." Nightwing shrugs afterwards, as though it's a simple afterthought.

"Yes, although I could be wrong. It's a strange situation like that."

"I know, right? Like, holy alternate dimensions, Batman! This is so bizarre." Nightwing chuckles. Surprisingly, so does Batman.

Robin waves a hand in the air and, in a quiet voice, says,"Come on, we need a plan of action. Let's go to the meeting room."

Chapter Text

The Justice League sits on one side of the table and those from the alternate universe sit on the other. The Justice League are all straight-backed with arms either crossed on folded in their laps. Constrastly, those of the other universe are seem relaxed; Kon and Red Hood are slouched back in their chairs whilst Nightwing is leaning his elbows on the table - Robin is the only exception, equally as proffesional in his posture as the Justice League.

Robin is the first to speak.

"First and foremost, we need to know how you got here. Was it purposeful? A horrible accident? What's the deal?" The Justice League looks at each other and unanimously shrugs. Kal looks at Robin.

"We don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

"We don't know. We were at the end of a meeting and then both me and J'ohn started to feel strange... Somehow, a second after that, we showed up here." Kal shrugs again, at a complete loss.

"Alright, not great but I can work with that," Robin gets up and begins to pace. His brothers and Kon turn in their chairs to look at him. "Did you guys appear in the Watchtower or Hall of Justice?"

Flash taps the table and says,"Neither. We appeared in the middle of Metropolis."

Robin spins on his heels and levels his white lenses on Superman. "Is what Flash said true for all of you?" Superman nods. "If I gave you a map, could you pinpoint exactly where you appeared?" Another nod.

Robin quickly strides out of the room, presumably to get a map of Metropolis. Diana looks at the door he left through.

"Is he normally so..." she gestures vaguely with her hands. Red Hood makes a noise made indecipherable by his voice modulator whilst Kon chuckles good-naturedly.

Nightwing ends up answering her question. "If he's been given a task, he's like this. Baby Bird is one hell of a detective, although he'd never say that about himself..."

"Why wouldn't he?" Diana asks.

"He compares himself to me and Hood too much, especially Hood."

Red Hood sits up straighter. "Not sure why. I was a major screw-up as Robin," Red Hood's voice is lower than usual even under the strong distortion. Batman goes still.

Nightwing turns toward Hood, his domino scrunching up around the lenses. "No, you weren't, Little Wing. Honestly, you and Robin have the same problem. You both compare yourselves to others too much."

"Hard not to, Boy Wonder. You leave large shoes to fill, no matter who takes on the mantle."

"That's where you're wrong," Nightwing puts his hand on top of Hood's and begins to talk louder. "The best thing about Robin being passed down is that everyone adds something, everyone brings something new. Neither I nor Robin can talk so well with the Crime Alley folk as you do and no Robin has ever been as analytical as Robin is now."

Red Hood bumps his shoulder into Nightwing's affectionately. They look back to the Justice League. Batman relaxes into his seat.

Kon clears his throat and asks,"Does anyone have any questions before Robin comes back with the map?"

Green Lantern nods. "I do. Why were you sleeping under the couch cushions this morning? You know, instead of on them?"

Kon flushes red, and the two men next to him look at him as though they have only just realised that Superboy is still in his nightwear. Nightwing smiles.

"So, the clothes do fit you alright, then?" Kon, relived at the change of topic, nods.

"Yeah, they're really comfy. Thank you again." Kon rubs at his neck. Red Hood shrugs.

"Don't mention it. If you didn't wear them, they would end up living in the attic back home. We're just glad they fit you right. You should probably get changed, though."

Nightwing laughs,"Yeah, don't want to answer the call of crime looking like that, do you?"

Kon is gone in a flash and returns in his suit and the jacket from yesterday. Batman notices how similar the jackets Superboy and Red Hood wear are. Apparently, Hood does the same thing because he nods at Superboy's outfit and says;

"I knew you would like the leather jackets. You seemed like the type," Red Hood brushes off his own jacket.

Green Lantern crosses his arms. "That's lovely and all but does anyone care to explain why a child was sleeping in the couch of the Hall of Justice? Superhero or not, that's weird."

Robin walks in with the map and pushes it into Superman's arms along with a thick marker. "Here you go!"

After blinking owlishly at Robin, Superman marks down the place and begins to speak. "I agree with Lantern. Why wasn't Kon sleeping at home? And why is he wearing you guys' old clothes?"

"Waste not, want not?"

"Safety reasons."

"None of your business."

Kon looks between Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin as they all answer simultaneously with different answers. The three seem to realise this as with one shared glance they all say;

"All of the above?"

Green Lantern raises an eyebrow. "We're not going to get a straight answer on this, are we?" The silence is answer enough.

"Anyways," Robin calls out. "Are you done marking the map?" Superman nods. Robin swiftly takes the map and splays it across the table. "Well, would you look at that," he whistles.

Red Hood leans over to look at the map. "That explains a lot."

Nightwing shrugs,"Doesn't explain how he got away with it, though."

Superboy frowns. "Of course, he'd get away with it. He's one of the only people alive who could get away with stone cold murder. All he would have to do is throw money at the right person and the evidence would be gone like that," he clicks his fingers and his eyes flash red for a moment. Swiftly, he presses the heels of his palms against them.

Hawkgirl stands up and looks at the map. She raises her head, exasperated. "Are any of you going to explain what you're talking about? This map means nothing to us." She shakes her head. "It's not even labelled."

Robin perks up. "I can explain that!" He points to where the spot Superman marked is. An alleyway in a block of unremarkable skyscrapers abstracted as squares. "That is where you all appeared, which is strange because it's not where you were when you were transported. That means that it is highly doubtful that your... relocation was a natural phenomenon."

Martian Manhunter nods along and then starts to speak as Robin stops to breathe. "Yet you could have told us that without the map."

Robin nods. "Yes, but that's not what me and the others were talking about. Sorry about that by the way, it's easy for us to assume everyone is following along with what we're saying. Me and the former Robins were all trained the same so..."

"So they are on the same wavelength, so to speak," Superboy finishes. Robin smiles gratefully and then continues.

"What's most notable about where you all appeared is the buildings that it's next to," Robin points to the three buildings, all surrounding the alleyway. "This tells me that most likely your arrival here was caused or aided by something with these buildings."

"It could be a coincidence," Flash says.

"Unlikely. These buildings have always been unusual in that the owner of these buildings are the same person. And this person never puts his buildings in clusters like this."

Red Hood pipes up,"Plus, he's been real secretive about the purpose of the buildings to the public. That place has the highest security on the block, fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and all that pizazz."

Nightwing gently takes the marker from Robin and circles all three buildings. "The buildings are also strangely unremarkable considering how they are usually designed with huge logos plastered all over them."

Kon sits down, still covering his eyes and says in a strained voice,"Not to mention you have shown up here conveniently when our Justice League were away. The placement, the timing, everything all points in the same direction."

"And that direction would be..?" Hawkgirl steps forward slightly, curious.

"Lexcorp," Batman's protégés scowl.

"Lex Luthor," Kon grits out. Blood seeps through his fingers. Alarmed, Superman jumps up and rushes to Kon's side.

"You're bleeding!"

"I'm fine. Give me a minute."

"You are not fine, you are hurt. Let me see," Kal goes to gently pry Kon's hands from his face. Kon hisses when Kal touches him.

"Unless you want lasers to the face, I wouldn't do that."

Chapter Text

The Justice League gets up from their seats, defensive at the perceived threat towards one of their own. Hawkgirl's mace rests against her thigh, Wonder Woman's hand twitches toward her lasso and Batman's fingers rest on his trusty utility belt. Flash, Martian Manhunter and Lantern simply stiffen, widening their stances.

Superman doesn't move his hand from where it hovers restlessly above Kon's hands. He looks at the gleaming blood dripping through the boy's fingers and longs to help but... Kon couldn't have been clearer about his refusal and who was Superman to deny this child (not his child, not his blood, not even his to care for) his bodily autonomy?

"Justice League, stand down," Superman says. Even if the threat was unnecessary, he wouldn't begrudge the child setting boundaries. Kon makes a small, curious sound.

"Stand down..? What do you mean?" Kon's hands relax some. Hawkgirl ignores him, ruffling her feathers.

"Kal, the kid just threatened you! Not even subtly at that. You seriously don't see something wrong?"

Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood step forward protectively. They stand between Kon and the Justice League with the eldest two at the forefront.

"Threatened?" Kon asks. There's a pause in which Hawkgirl makes a disgruntled huff. "Oh...Oh! No, no, no, that was not a threat, it was a fact. I don't... It's not purposeful, it just happens occasionally." Kon finally removes his hands from over his eyes with a wet squelch. Superman's eyes follow the blood that spills onto the floor - it smells of strongly of iron. Superman tears his gaze from the bloody floor and looks back up at Kon.

The top half of Kon's face is covered with blood like a morbid recreation of Robin's domino mask. Superman lets out a choked whimper. "It's over now anyway."

Superman reaches for Kon's face and then stops, licks his lips and says,"can I touch your face, please? Just to clean it up." Kon blinks at him warily but nods slowly.

Superman speeds to the kitchen, wets a towel and is back in the blink of an eye. He kneels before where Kon sits, looking out of place on the Hall of Justice's shining floors. He gently dabs at Kon's face, taking in the boy's familiar swollen eyelids. To the average person it may look like the result of crying or hay-fever but Kal would know that irritated pink skin anywhere. After all, it's how he looks after battles involving Luthor; involving krytonite. If he tries using his heat vision too soon after being in the presence of kryptonite, his still delicate skin will go red with residual heat. To see the look on another krytonian, though, is horrific.

"Why didn't you stop?" Kal begins ruining the towel over Kon's hands. Poor, small hands stained with blood and marred with burnt skin. Kal had never wondered why only his eyes were completely immune to his lasers but now he curses his biology. Seeing such small hands so damaged makes him think of the more severe house fires, of those times where he doesn't succeed in saving everyone. Those times are few and far between but seeing even one person rolled out of a smoking building on a gurney is too many.

Kon jerks back and venom coats his words as he says,"Don't you think I would if I could? Do you think I enjoy fearing how badly I could hurt someone if I weren't careful? There's a reason I was covering my eyes, moron."

"You can't control it?" Kal whispers. He had always had some form of control over his heat vision, some form of unconscious action like breathing or blinking. To think Kon didn't have that is... Curious. Dangerous.

"Did I not just say that?" More metallic red drops hit the floor. Kal reaches for the boy's hands again but refrains when Kon shouts, "Quit it! I've had enough of you for one day. Go play house with somebody else." Kon is out of the room before anyone reacts. Kal sits there, dumbfounded, with a wet bloodied towel in one hand.

Robin shakes his head. "I'll go and check up on Kon."

Red Hood turns his helmet in Robin's direction. "He was too fast for you to have seen where he went."

"I don't need to see it to know where he's going."

Nightwing hums and then clicks his fingers. "The red room?"

"The red room."

Red Hood's helmet lets out a vibrating noise."Why would the kid want to be there?"

"You wouldn't get it, Hood. You're used to Bizarro and, as similar as he and Kon are, there is a major difference. Bizarro is an adult."

Nightwing nods. "Yeah, have to agree with Babybird on this one. Not only that but... Bizarro is overwhelmingly positive. Which is great! But also not how people usually are, meaning you can't really apply his logic to Kon, if that makes sense?"

Red Hood nods slowly. "Guess so. Biz is really one of a kind... You go take care of Kon, Dickiebird and I have this handled."

Robin leaves, his cape sweeping behind him.

"What's the red room?" Flash asks.

"A room lined with lead that has red sunlamps as its only source of light," Nightwing explains. "Originally, it was for when red kryptonite was involved but Kon has been making use of it when his powers go out of control. He'll rest there until he feels better."

Kal shudders at the mention of red krypronite. The pure unfiltered rage it causes... Red krypotonite, while not deadly in and of itself, is most certainly one of the most sinister. "So, he just sits there? Alone?"

"No. Quite often, either me or Robin will sit with him. His team does so as well but less frequently."

"Oh, that's good," Kal twirls the towel between his hands. It's still warm and tacky from blood. "It seemed like he had history with Luthor?"

Red Hood plucks the towel out of Kal's hands. "Yeah. His mention was probably what triggered the kid's heat vision. It's an emotional response, I think?" He roots around in his pocket.

Kal dusts himself off. "Alright... Would you be willing to explain why he has such a strong reaction to Luthor?"

"Not my place."

"I see."

Red Hood nods. He leans down to wipe the floor clean of any spilled blood and then straightens back up. Unexpectedly, he then pulls out a lighter and sets the towel on fire. Kal blinks at the display and Martian Manhunter reels back faster than Superman does when faced with kryptonite.

The reflection of the flickering fire dances across Red Hood's helmet. Surprisingly, the burning orange embers seem fitting when flitting over glossy red metal and pure white lenses.

The towel burns in Hood's hand, crumbling to black ash. Hood drops it and puts out the lingering orange flame with the heel of his boot. There is nothing left of the towel.

"You should go wash your hands," Red Hood says nonchalantly. "Wouldn't want to have to burn them too."

The Justice League stand there, most still looking at the pile of charred remains of the towel on the floor.

"What?" Superman splutters.

"Kidding. Well, mostly at least. I'm inclined to trust Kon's judgement of you all but until I have solid evidence I'm not taking unnecessary risks. Go wash your hands, Supes."

Superman looks toward Nightwing, who from his impression was the more understanding and, most importantly, understandable one of the two. Nightwing just shrugs and points to the kitchen. "You know where the sinks are, don't you?"

Superman silently walks to the kitchen. Nightwing follows.

As Superman begins washing his hands, Nightwing begins speaking. "I'm sorry but Hood is right. Kon, as clever as he is, sometimes lets his feelings affect his judgement more than it should. Meaning we can't be lax around any of you, even if we do believe you."

"I don't understand. You and your brother make it sound like burning a towel and making me wash my hands is preventing something catastrophic. It makes no sense," Superman finishes washing his hands and turns the tap off. He dries his hands off.

"I'm hoping the fact you think that means we can trust you're not one of Luthor's," Nightwing leaves the kitchen, apparently satisfied. Kal leaves afterwards.

________________________________________________________

Sitting in the meeting room, the lack of Kon and Robin's presence is felt acutely. Both Nightwing and Red Hood seem to sit straighter and have become more tense without their third sat beside them.

And Kon? It is like everyone's eyes keep wandering to his empty chair, none more than Superman's.

Superman still feels the warmth of blood on his clean hands and the phantom feeling of too tender skin beneath one of his hands as he wipes away the blood off his- the boy. A nonsensical feeling but one that leaves Superman's stomach in knots. After all, he wasn't able to patch Kon up properly.

"So, that's the long and short of it. It has to be one of Lex Luthor's plots. You see that now, right?"

The Justice League gives hums of agreement and the meeting is called to a close. Both Nightwing and Red Hood leave through the Zeta tubes, saying that Robin will return to them when he feels like it.

The Justice League go and do the same, Zeta tubing back to the Watchtower. Lantern and Hawkgirl head toward the common room, Diana and Flash head towards the kitchen and Batman goes to his room. Martian Manhunter and Superman both sit beside the Zeta tubes.

"It only gets more confusing the more we know, doesn't it?" J'ohn asks.

"Unfortunately."

"Apparently, Kon has an adult brother which does prove you right. This must be an alternate universe."

"I know."

"Did you have the same issues as young Superboy does when you were younger?" J'ohn turns toward Superman fully, blatantly curious.

"No, never. It's instinctual, once your brain catches up with your heat vision it's quick to stop. At least it was that way for me."

"His feelings are no less confusing. Even what Superboy said didn't entirely make sense to me. Playing house is a game for children, correct?"

Superman runs a hand over the flooring. "Yes."

"How were you at any point 'playing house'?"

"It's a metaphor. It has a couple of different meanings but given the context I think he was saying something along the lines of 'stop playing nice' or to stop doing traditionally parental things?"

"This universe is... concerning. Why would Kon hold such anger towards you?"

"I don't know, J'ohn. I really don't know."

Chapter Text

Superman and Martian Manhunter bid each other a curt goodbye. Superman walks aimlessly, finding himself at Batman's door. He debates with himself for a moment before deciding that nothing can make this situation worse than it already is. He goes to knock and the door opens.

"This is about Kon, isn't it?" Batman asks, his large frame taking up a good portion of the doorway.

"That and... Some other things."

Batman moves out of the way and goes to sit in the chair in front of the desk. Numerous case files are scattered across the desk, sticky notes strewn over them - all written on with red pen. The handwriting was inconsistent. There was Batman's non-descript, legible writing but also one that was akin to a doctor's writing - uniquely indecipherable in every conceivable way. Superman sits on the bed, looking curiously at the piles of cases.

As though reading Superman's mind, Batman says, "Not my work. It was like this when I walked in yesterday. Someone else's handwriting is on it as well and it's not Robin's... Or at least not my current Robin's, Nightwing as he seems to go by now."

"Current Robin's..? You make it sound like you think it's likely you'll have others."

"I didn't before I came here but... Seeing the boys - my boys - today has made me realise something. If another child ever were to fall into the darkness as I have and I didn't do everything in my power to stop it, I wouldn't ever forgive myself. So yes, I do think that I may take in others." Superman goes to interrupt, to declare how unlikely that the same two boys would later fall into the pits of Gotham and even later, Batman's care. But he doesn't get a chance because Batman continues.

"Is it likely to be these future's boys? No, but they are Batman's Robins in this world and they deserve my respect and care the same as my current does."

"So, you don't care that may never be your... your boys in our world?" Superman feels his throat tighten.

"I do care, that's why I think this way. It hurts knowing that maybe the reason one of those boys aren't back home in our universe is that they've already fallen. They may be dead or injured or going down a bad path but they are also just as likely to be fine. It's possible in our world that they are in a better position than they are here... I hope so at least."

Superman stares at his usually stoic teammate, wondering how someone so touched by the world's evil could speak so lovingly about two children he had just met. There was only one he actually knows-

"Batman?"

"Yes?"

"How do you know that Nightwing is the same person who is Robin in our time?"

Batman's lips twitch and for a moment, Superman thinks he won't answer. "Dickiebird."

"What?"

"It's how I knew. Now, what did you come here to ask me?" Batman folds his hands in his lap.

"Who else's handwriting do you think is on the files on your desk?"

"One of the boys. You're avoiding the question."

"You usually don't leave things in such a state, you know? I wonder why."

"The boys most likely have access to this room so that they can work on them at their convenience whilst I'm away. You are trying and failing to change the topic."

Superman sighs and lets his shoulders slump in a way that's normally reserved for Clark Kent. "Martian Manhunter has noticed Kon's behaviour around me is... strange. Since you are the only League member I know is a... guardian, I thought I'd ask you what you could make of Kon's whole thing," Superman waves a hand around vaguely, hoping it gets his point across.

"All children are different, Kal," Batman's voice is uncharacteristically soft. Superman flinches at the tone and snaps;

"Well, it's good that you're the world's finest detective then, isn't it?"

Batman gets up and sits beside Superman on the bed. "Kal, you're worried right now. Scared, even. I don't want to say something to make the situation worse purely based on barely two days of observation." Amused, he adds,"Even the world's finest can be wrong."

"I just- I know I probably won't like what you'll say but I think I need to hear it."

"And why do you think that?"

"Because I already suspect it and if it's really so blatant, we need to do something about it. I can't just leave it, not if- not if this feeling I get is right because if so, a person might be in danger," Kal pauses and corrects himself. "Two people may be in danger and like you said, just because they are from an alternate universe doesn't make them any less my... my family."

Batman sits silently and then begins to speak.

________________________________________________________

"Hey, Diana?" Flash jogs in front of Wonder Woman, his face lined with worry.

"Yes, Flash?"

"I'm worried about Superman. He's been so quiet since we met Superboy and to be honest? I don't think he's taking this well at all. Like, he's trying obviously and I don't want to disrespect that but sometimes the best someone can do is hold themselves together with sheer will and glue, which is what I think Superman is doing, which is really bad. He'll fall apart eventually and at that point he'd already be hurt and it'd be too late and-"

"Flash, breathe. You're hyperventilating. You're also about to walk into a wall," Diana says calmly. She walks past Flash and into the kitchen.

Flash stops, turns around and grins sheepishly at the wall before following Wonder Woman. "Whoops?"

"Your concerns are well-founded, Flash. I've seen some of my Amazonian sisters do similar things. What did you call it? To hold yourself together with will and glue?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Another of Men's World's sayings?"

"Nope, just a regular metaphor," Flash reaches into a kitchen cabinet and pulls out a bag of chips. "Chips are in the same place as they are back home. It was like this during breakfast too - everything is in a similar place to back home." He sits on the counter with his legs swinging over the side. Diana sits on the table opposite Flash.

"Kal isn't alright but until he comes to us for help, we can not do anything."

"What do you mean?"

"Kal needs to reach out for himself. We can offer the olive branch but we can't make him take it. For now, we need to be present and willing to lend an ear, shoulder or advice. Though, I feel like Kal had already chosen to seek someone to confide in for this matter."

"What do you mean?" Flash looks at how Wonder Woman twirls her lasso around her hand and waits for her to explain.

"He didn't leave from the room with the Zeta tubes, did he?"

"No, I don't think so? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Martian Manhunter was also there. Seeing as J'ohn has also been confronted with the existence of a potential relative, it makes sense for Kal to seek solidarity with him, if not comfort."

"Wouldn't going to Batman make more sense then? He had to meet two kids that are apparently his sons! Wouldn't that hit closer to home than a niece?"

"Superman and J'ohn are both sole survivors of their kinds. Meeting another, especially one you're said to be close with, would have a different effect on them than on Batman."

"You've got a point but... What if Batman also needs to talk? I know he's got this whole rep of being the big, bad bat but... I think seeing Hood and Robin was hard for him. He kept looking over at them during the meeting."

"Flash?"

"Yes?" Flash turns at the waist to face Diana head-on. Diana smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"You have a loving heart, my friend but trust in me when I say this; our teammates will be fine and even if they aren't, we shall be here for them."

________________________________________________________

"This is a bad situation," Hawkgirl kicks her legs up onto the arm of the couch and lies down.

"I know," Green Lantern replies. He spins his ring around his finger.

"Superman, Batman and Martian Manhunter now all have emotional stakes in this."

"J'ohn hasn't met his 'niece' yet."

"Did you see the look on his face? He was devastated by not being able to see the girl."

"Yes, he was... upset." Lantern sits on the couch by Hawkgirl's head.

"What's going to happen when we have to go home? What kind of state are they going to be in afterwards? What if their emotional attachments to these strangers get them hurt? Superboy could have lasered someone in half earlier!"

"Well, we'll just have to be there if they fall apart. It's the reason this League was formed after all, so that if one of us goes down the rest still remain swinging."

"You don't get it. Since we made the League, we're all connected like... Like a chain link fence, Lantern. And I'm not sure if it's a good thing," Hawkgirl crosses her arms. Lantern brushes a stray hair of off her shoulders.

"Why's that?"

"When everything is connected, everything falls." Hawkgirl looks up at Lantern, lips pressed in a frown.

"It's easier to knock over one than it is many. With everyone supporting each other, we'll make it work."

"Will we?" Hawkgirl rests her head against Lantern's thigh.

"Trust me, we will. Don't worry about that fence falling because no one will fall in the first place, not while we all work together."

Chapter Text

The next day begins with much of the same. Eating breakfast at the Watchtower, getting ready and heading over to the Hall of Justice through the Zeta tubes.

Unlike the previous day, Superman's eyes are narrowed in determination as he looks at the four people waiting in front of the Zeta tubes.

Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin and Superboy all stand facing the Justice League. Nightwing steps forward.

"We need to go check out the buildings around where you guys appeared. We are not to act or attack unless strictly necessary - this mission will simply be to scope the place out. If it seems like it's involved in your little trip across dimensions, then we'll come back afterwards when we have more information." Nightwing's brothers nod approvingly and Batman lets out a small hum.

"What about Superboy?" Hawkgirl asks.

"If you're talking about Superboy, you can ask him directly," Nightwing places a hand on his hip. Hawkgirl's feathers rustle and she turns to Superboy.

"What about you? Are you going?"

"No! I mean, no. No, I'm not," Kon rubs at his jacket's sleeve. Green Lantern looks at him curiously and begins to talk.

"Why's that? By your own admission, you seem to know the Lex Luthor of this world the best. Why wouldn't you come along?"

Robin steps in front of Kon as though to block him from view. It isn't very effective considering Kon is at least an inch taller than Robin. "It's a simple mission to retrieve information, it's not a brute force attack. We need subtlety and stealth and frankly? Kryptonians aren't exactly made for that."

Superman raises an eyebrow and Robin crosses his arms and he continues.

"Tell me I'm wrong. Laser eyes, super strength and ice breath may help you break into a place but it doesn't do your discretion any favours," Robin looks towards the rest of the Justice League, eyes daring them to say otherwise. Red Hood slings an arm around him and begins to talk.

"What we're trying to say is that this kind of mission is more suited to our more... Sneaky members. Basically, this is a job for a couple of birds."

Batman steps forward. "I'll come with you."

Nightwing claps his hands loudly. "Great! Ideally, we should have a pair for each building so that if something does happen, we have one person able to get the other out. Batman, you're with me."

Nightwing slides in beside Batman as though it's the most natural thing in the world. Batman, like he would with his Robin, stands slightly angled towards Nightwing. An almost invisible, protective gesture that catches Superman's eye.

"Martian Manhunter, would you be up for this mission?" Nightwing looks at J'ohn expectantly and grins when he nods. "Fantastic! And Wonder Woman?"
Diana nods. "Okay, that makes six! Now, you two will pair and Robin and Hood will pair."

Almost everyone nods at the groups but Batman looks between each of his boys and tilts his head.

"What about the rest of us?" Superman asks. "What should we do?"

"Stay in the Watchtower, of course."

"You're...kidding. You must be kidding. You expect us to sit around and do nothing?"

"Yes, actually. The more you guys go out, the more your respective rogues will take notice. None of you are the experienced individuals that you are in this time, some of your rogues you haven't even met yet," Nightwing's voice is clear and firm. Hawkgirl speaks up.

"Why do we have to stay in the Watchtower specifically? Some of us have bases of operation that would be free for us to use, like Batman's cave or Superman's Fortress of Solitude," she gestures to Batman and Superman in turn. "Or why not stay here in the Hall of Justice?"

Superman looks at Hawkgirl, confused by her reluctance to stay in the Watchtower specifically. That is until she turns his way, winks and gives a tiny nod in Kon's direction. If they stay in the Hall of Justice, Superman could spend more time with Kon. He feels his heart warm at one of his teammates trying to help in such a way.

Nightwing pauses and says cautiously,"I don't think it would be an issue for you to stay in the Hall... but it's better for you all to stick together so you'll have to pick one place to be."

Red Hood's helmet turns to look between Hawkgirl and Superman. His head tilts in a move reminiscent of when Batman is piecing the clues of a case.

Superman goes to speak, to say that they would prefer to be in the Hall when-

"No!"

Everyone's head swivels to Robin, who's stiff-backed with his fists clenched at his sides. His shoulders hunch under the scrutinising gazes of everyone, everyone except Kon that is.

"You can't stay in the Hall."

Diana's soft voice breaks through the still air. "And why is that, young warrior?"

Robin looks up at her and speaks bluntly. "Kon stays here. We will not leave one of us surrounded by so many of you and it's not right to kick Kon out. You will have to go back to the Watchtower."

"That's a noble reason but why can't Kon be alone with us?"

Robin's eyes don't betray where he's looking but Superman swears the he feels the teen's gaze on him.

"Better safe than sorry."

Kon walks to Robin's side and says in a gentle voice,"Robin, it's okay. I'll call in one or two of the other Teen Titans, you don't have to worry about me." Kon runs a reassuring hand down Robin's back.

"Are you sure? You don't have to compromise if you don't want to."

"I'm sure. Besides, if I missed anymore phone calls from them, they would end up breaking in here anyways."

"The worst thing is is that they would totally do that." The boys chuckle quietly. Robin, seemingly content, looks back at the Justice League. "Correction: you can stay here."

________________________________________________________

The Robins, Batman, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter take their leave. The rest of the Justice League sit in the common area whilst Superboy goes to another room to call some of his teammates to the Hall of Justice.

Superman ignores the fact that his super hearing can't pick up on so much as a whisper. After all, why would Kon feel the need to take his phone call in the red room? That's obviously not the case, exhaustion is simply fogging my senses, Superman thinks.

Kon walks back to the common area after his phone call is done. He and the Justice League sit in awkward silence.

________________________________________________________

Nightwing pulls out a familiar bat-themed lock-picking set from somewhere on his person. Batman watches with a blossoming pride as his son expertly picks the window lock of one of Luthor's buildings.

"You've gotten quicker at this," Batman mummers happily.

"Sure have. With enough practice it became second nature, even easier than using keys."

They enter the building, looking at the sterile, white walls for any sign or clue that pointed to the building being involved in their predicament.

"You still don't trust us, do you? That's why you paired Robin and Red Hood together."

"You're right."

"Good. Even though I know the distrust is misplaced, it's nice to see you being cautious." Especially when it comes to your brothers, Batman thinks.

They climb up a narrow set of stairs and crouch out of sight when two guards walk by. They wait until the footsteps have fading to the left until they start walking again.

"The fact we haven't seen any other guards before this point probably means the building isn't currently in use for anything, right, B?"

"It means Luthor isn't currently here, that's for sure."

Batman reaches into his utility belt for a collapsible bat-screwdriver. He unscrews a large grate close to the ground and pops off the cover.

"You know how to put it back on from the inside, Nightwing?"

"Of course. Couldn't exactly fight Killer Croc without knowing how to put a grate back, could I?"

'Killer Croc' must be a rogue that either doesn't exist back home or only shows up later, Batman thinks. He climbs down first, Nightwing following soon after.

Nightwing effortlessly slides the grate back into place.

"The whole nickname thing you and your brothers did was a ruse, wasn't it? Or rather, it wasn't about the nicknames itself."

"What do you think it was about then?"

"I think it was you trying to figure out if I knew your identity. If I did, it would prove that I'm not a trick or trap. It would prove the validity of my teammates as well."

Nightwing stays comfortably silent but nods. Batman turns to him and slides a hand onto either of the young man's shoulders.

"You've grown into a fine man, Richard 'Dick' Grayson."

Chapter Text

Nightwing looks up at Batman and his face splits into an affectionate grin. Before Batman realises it, he has an armful of his son buried into his chest plate.

"It really is you."

"I'm correct then?"

"Obviously, B. I'm so glad... If you all really were lackeys of Luthor, things would have gotten ugly," Nightwing's grip tightens slightly and then releases as he pulls himself away. "Time to get back to the mission, huh?"

"Of course."

"Wait! Give me a moment, it's time to check in over comms," Nightwing presses a finger to his left ear and starts speaking. "Robin, Red Hood?" There's a moment of silence. "They're legit, B's just proven it... Yeah, me and B got a little sidetracked but we're close to where we need to be, I think... Uh-huh, bye and love you both!"

"I take it they're doing well."

"Yep, those two are like a well-oiled machine out in the field. They have some schematics and files that don't look like they've been touched very recently."

"Makes sense. Once something is made, there's be no use for its schematics anymore unless it's broken or needs frequent repairs," Batman flexes his gauntlets and looks around. "And the fact that it was the Justice League that was transported instead of one of the Lex Luthors tells me this was meant to be a one-way trip."

"Your Luthor may be here, B. Just because no one has gone running around screaming that they're from an alternate universe doesn't mean no one else had been transported," Nightwing begins climbing a ladder to get to a grate above him.

"You know how to undo the screws?" Batman asks.

"Psh, I could do this in my sleep. These aren't even the good screws," Nightwing pulls out a gadget from his belt (third pocket to the left, Batman thinks, must be the bat multi-tool) and makes quick work of the grate.

"Luthor, of my world, at least, knows I can get past average screws and attachments in seconds. If he really were trying to properly guard this place, he would have at least had custom screws made."

"Another point to whatever is here being intended as a one-use only item, huh, B?"

Batman hums affirmatively.

The grate slides to the side with ease once Nightwing gets the screws out. They both pull themselves out. They are in a corridor with a large metal door. There's a keypad beside it. Nightwing looks at it in disbelief.

"Seriously? Was Luthor even trying with this one?" Nightwing pulls out a different gadget, this one seemingly a new addition, and attaches it to the keypad. "At this point, he may as well be using child safety locks."

Batman can't help but agree. Most children can short-circuit an average keypad with two double A batteries, some chicken wire and eleven minutes by age ten. Although upon reflection, that may strictly be Gothamites - when any possible public area is at risk of being filled with fear-gas or whatever new concoction Ivy has come up with, people tend to learn how to escape being locked inside enclosed spaces.

________________________________________________________

Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter walk through the deserted halls of their own building, looking at the white-grey walls for any sign of what may have happened. Wonder Woman is the first to speak.

"This place doesn't look like it's been used very recently, does it? There is dust building up and the beginning of cobwebs."

"I think you're right. The question is why? Why would this building be so unkempt after such a recent use? We've only been here for three days so far," J'ohn runs a hand down the wall. It comes back with dust covering it. He wipes it off quickly.

"I'm not sure..." Wonder Woman walks past a closet door. "You spoke to Kal last night, yes?"

"I did."

"How was he? Did he say anything about his... thoughts on this situation?"

"You are worried," J'ohn says, looking over to Wonder Woman.

"Of course, I am. He and the rest of the Justice League may be different from my Amazonian sisters but in a way, it's the same... we are all siblings in battle. Brothers in arms as I think men's world calls it," Wonder Woman begins defensively but as she continues, her arms reach up to hug herself.

"Diana... I hadn't meant for it to seem like I was questioning why you worry for Superman, I was just thinking outloud in the moment. Please, forgive me."

"It's alright, J'ohn. I shouldn't have assumed the worst."

"Superman had been... confused yesterday. Kon's behaviour had left him with many questions, I could tell that much," J'ohn keeps his gaze on the ground as he walks alongside Wonder Woman.

"Is that all?" Wonder Woman sees J'ohn nod.

"We didn't talk for very long. He clearly had questions I couldn't answer."

"Oh, that's... That's concerning."

"Yes."

They arrive at a large steel door. On the side is what looks to be a fingerprint scanner. Wonder Woman looks at it and chuckles.

"J'ohn, I think your shape-shifting ability may help here," she points at the keypad with a flourish. Martian Manhunter sighs and looks away.

"While I can hypothetically shapeshift into someone whose fingerprints could grant us access, I would need to have actually seen a person who fits that description and would need to have studied their fingers in detail."

"Oh."

"Apologies for the inconvenience. Even shapeshifters like me have limitations."

"No, it's fine. In hindsight, we probably should've discussed our individual skills as a team after everyone agreed to form the Justice League."

"Indeed."

Wonder Woman looks around for a minute, searching for anything that could help them bypass the door.

"I could break it down?" She suggests.

"We've been asked to be subtle."

"Ah..." Wonder Woman purses her lips as she thinks. "You can phase through objects, right?"

"If I did that, you'd still be on this side of the door."

"There is probably a way to open the door from the inside and if there isn't, you can search while I guard the door?"

J'ohn looks at Wonder Woman and for a second, she thinks that maybe there's something wrong with that plan too. Maybe J'ohn can only phase through certain things, she thinks.

Then, J'ohn phases through the door and within seconds, there is a quiet mechanical click. The door swings open and on the other side, J'ohn stands almost sheepishly.

"That should have been our first plan, shouldn't it?" He asks.

"Yes but to be fair to us, we have all had a very stressful couple of days. I think we are allowed to be 'a little off our game' as Flash would say. Besides, this is a simple intel mission, better we make mistakes now than in the heat of battle," she strides forwards. Both her and Martian Manhunter begin their own search for clues.

________________________________________________________

The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Superman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Flash take up two of the couches and Kon sits on one of the ones on the very opposite side of the room.

It's so quiet that Superman can hear everyone breathing.

Hawkgirl's wings flex against her back in visible irritation - obviously made uncomfortable by the silence. Her eyes meet Superman's and, with what he can confidently say are the most aggressive eye movements he has ever seen, she looks between him and Kon meaningfully.

'Go talk to him', her eyes scream.

Superman stays where he is for a moment, wondering whether he should get closer to Kon or talk from where he is. He decides to stay where he is; the kid deserves his space and Superman doesn't want to accidently make Kon uneasy.

"So, Kon... How's school?" That's what maybe parents, maybe caregivers, ask their possible children from the future, right?

Kon blinks at Superman. Very slowly blinks, in a way that is clearly purposeful. He doesn't speak or open his mouth or even move his jaw in a way that suggests that he is going to respond.

Superman drums his fingers against his knees.

Hawkgirl stares at the floor as though she'd rather be anywhere else. Green Lantern's shoulders shake with what Superman can guess is suppressed laughter. Flash, supportive as always, gives Superman a subtle thumbs-up.

Kon rubs at his temples and, seemingly taking pity on Superman, curtly replies,"I don't go to school."

Every Justice League member in the room goes still.

Superman can't help but feel utterly out of depth talking to Kon. Every other sentence paints a picture of what this universe's Superman is like - an awfully disturbing picture.

"What do you mean you don't go to school?" Flash asks. "Does it have to do with what your friends were talking about earlier? About how you stay here for safety reasons?"

Kon's eyes fall on Flash and with a slight hesitance, he nods.

Superman hopes that means that this dimensions Superman has nothing to do with Kon's lack of current schooling.

After that, nobody talks much. Everyone seems too uncomfortable to really say anything. Superman is sure that Flash would love to talk to anyone about anything at the moment but it's obvious that he is being quiet in the hopes that Superman and Kon will talk to each other - Flash is kind like that as Superman is now finding out.

Everyone tries to ignore the Flash's restless fidgeting and Green Lantern's stiff shoulders and Hawkgirl's fluttering wings beating at the back of the couch. It's easier to let silence fill the air, almost as easy as letting an infection spread.

...

A yellow blur streaks into the room at such a high pace that there are visible smoke trails dancing along the floor. When it stops, all Superman can think is, 'here we go again'.The Justice League get up; none of them truly worried but all of them too used to the unexpected to not be cautious.

The person standing in front of them is clad in yellow and red in a strange inversion of the Flash's costume. That paired with the signature lightning bolt on his chest all pointed to him being in some way associated with the Flash.

"Hey, Kon! How are and why did you ask me here? Not that I have a problem with that but it seemed out of the blue, especially since you haven't been answering your phone the last two days which is super weird for you and-" The figure, as though just noticing them out of the corner of his eye, swivels on his heels to face the Justice League. He lets out a small gasp and, with a face-splitting grin, yells;

"Uncle Barry!"

All anyone sees next is a blur of yellow ramming into the Flash and making both him and the miniature Flash tumble to the ground. Flash lies there on his back with the child lying on top of him, hugging his torso.

The Justice League try to collect themselves - the child obviously doesn't mean any harm to the Flash. And did mini-Flash just say 'Uncle Barry'?

If how still Flash is says anything, he is just as shocked by the appearance of the mini-Flash as the rest of the Justice League.

Chapter Text

Kon looks scandalised in a way Kal can't help but compare to the old ladies that sometimes buy the Daily Planet newspaper in the morning - their mouths would part slightly and their their eyebrows would raise in miniscule increments as they read the front paper, truly a spectacle to behold. The younger employees, ones the Clark would see everyday, would chuckle at the elder ladies and their careful reactions to the things they found 'shocking' but it was something that the older workers had always seemed sad about.

"Kid Flash, get off of him! He's not our Flash, you shouldn't be hugging him!" Kon hisses frantically. The words swim mutely around Kal's head as he thinks.

Clark had asked some of the elders at the Daily Planet about the little, old ladies' almost non-reactions before. They'd all answered almost the same way...

'Woman from that generation were judged rather harshly for their supposed "dramatics", you know?'

'It wasn't a great time to be emotional or heavily reactive. No one would take you seriously and you'd end up feeling all the worse for it.'

'Ever heard of hysteria? Or being hysterical? That's what big, grand feelings would get a woman accused of.'

'Those times were less... empathetic than now. Old habits die hard, I suppose.'

And all Kal can think is why Kon would share those mannerisms, that hiding of or lessing of his expressions.

Did someone make you feel ignored, Kal thinks. Did someone tell you that you were wrong for your feelings, Kon?

When Kal comes back to himself, he sees that the other teenager has gotten off of the Flash and is latched on to Kon's arm.

"Kon, what do you mean that's not 'our Flash'? Wait, hold up, is that a cyborg? A hologram?" Kid Flash squints skeptically at Flash for all of three seconds. "Wait, no, I touched it, it can't be a hologram. That one rogue of Batman's? Clay man, I think? Is he a clone-"

"Kid Flash." Kon's voice sounds monotone. His eyes are facing his feet. Kid Flash's head jerks upwards to look at him, eyes apologetic.

"I'm sorry," Kid Flash says nonsensically. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think before speaking, I-"

"Try not to call anyone by their civilian names, okay? Not anymore, now that you know," Kon shrugs, looks at Kid Flash and gently pats the red spandex covered arm still resting on his bicep.

The Justice League stares, befuddled by Kon's complete non sequitur but Kid Flash simply smiles at Kon and relaxes.

Kal looks over at his teammates and, seeing that Green Lantern is looking his way, mouths, 'Am I missing something here?'

Lantern mouths back, 'I am just as confused as you are. Why did the kid apologise?'

"Well, are you going to introduce us or what?" Hawkgirl asks. Her wings loosely rest against her back and her hand doesn't so much as twitch towards her mace.

Kon runs a hand through his hair and gestures to Kid Flash. "This is Kid Flash. If you haven't figured it out yet, he and the Flash of this universe are related," he says. Kid Flash mumbles 'of this universe' under his breath as he looks between Kon and the Justice League at break neck speed.

Flash pulls himself off of the floor at last, dusts himself off and more casually than anyone could have hoped for, starts to speak. "Hey, Kid Flash. Nice to meet you. Me and my friends here are from an alternate universe. We're not holograms or Clayface, promise," he snorts. Kid Flash looks up at him wide-eyed and mouth agape.

"Oh, wow... Also, so sorry for tackling you earlier, I thought you were... Well, yourself but from our universe, I guess and that was a totally normal assumption to make, so I don't think I was wrong for thinking that but I am sorry for like, invading your space and stuff. Probably pretty weird for you to be hugged by your alternate universe nephew, huh?" Kid Flash taps his right hand against his thigh. "I'm not making you homesick by being here, am I?"

Flash shakes his head quickly. "No, not at all. It's a little strange but not in a bad way, you know? How old are you?"

"Sixteen!"

The Justice League share a look with one another. They could all do the math. There's no way that this kid could exist in their universe if Flash didn't already know him.

Kon steps forward and places a hand on Kid Flash's shoulder. "We're not sure if what they say is true yet, Kid Flash. We can't be sure that they're not a trick. It's why I asked you here, strength in numbers and all," Kon's voice is gentle. It shakes on the word 'trick'.

Kid Flash stands straighter and steps closer beside Kon so that they're shoulder to shoulder. "What do you mean 'we'? Have any of the other Teen Titans been here?"

"Yeah, Robin was here. His brothers stopped by as well."

"And yet you were alone here. Why?" Kid Flash crosses his arms and stares at Kon in what Kal can only describe as a scolding manner.

"The birds and some of these lot," Kon gestures at the Justice League, "are out on a mission. Just retrieving intel but it could be important in getting them home if they're telling the truth."

"So, you've been alone with them for how long?"

Kon looks down at the floor. "A little less than half an hour?" His left foot kicks at the heel of his right, scuffing his boots.

"Kon! What were you, and the others for that matter, thinking? What if they're a ploy of Luthor's? Do you have any idea how dangerous this could have been for you or how badly this could have gone if something had happened? I wouldn't have known what was going on if you went missing and by the time the birds came back, anything could have happened to you!" Kid Flash shouts.

The Justice League stares dumbfounded at the scene in front of them. Seeing someone so similar in appearance to Flash raise his voice and berate someone unsettles them for a moment until they step closer and see the boy's body language more clearly.

Kid Flash's hands are trembling and his eyes are watering. It's a startling constrast to how the Flash reacts to situations but the emotion beneath it all is clear. The kid isn't angry, not truly.

He's just scared.

Kid Flash's tirade dies off when a loud sniffling is heard throughout the room. "Kon?" He asks.

Kon looks up. Tears stream down his face as he takes in shallow breaths. Kid Flash looks horrified.

"Kon, I... I shouldn't have yelled, I'm sorry. I didn't... I forgot. I forgot that it upsets you and I shouldn't have shouted in the first place," Kid Flash puts his hands on Kon's shoulders.

Kon flinches.

"Kon... I'll try to remember better, okay? I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. Are you okay?"

Kon wipes a hand across his wet cheeks and lays his hands over Kid Flash's. "Yeah, it's just... I know Lex's work. I know that these people are not it and I wish that for a moment, someone would just take my word on that. Was being alone with them a bad idea? Yes, obviously. That's why I called you. Yet somehow, I'm still in the wrong. I still screwed up. For once, I'd like to be able to do something right."

"Kon, I wasn't upset because of your decision. Don't get me wrong, I'm not entirely happy with it but it wasn't just you who had a lapse in judgement. The birds are at fault too and I will talk with them about that later," Kon winces at Kid Flash's words. "Don't give me that look, Kon. I'll be nice about it, I swear."

Flash steps forward slightly, as though he wants to intervene. Green Lantern puts a hand across his chest and mouths, 'Wait. Give the kids a moment'.

Kon tilts his head. "Why were you so mad then?"

"I wasn't mad, Kon. I was frightened," Kid Flash says. Kon reels back, far enough that Kid Flash's hands no longer reach him.

In a horrified voice, Kon asks,"I scared you?"

"No, no, Kon... I was scared for you. The idea that we could've have lost you because of one silly mistake is terrifying. Sure, maybe they're not Luthor's but if they were then... then you might not have been here anymore. Not in one piece at least."

Hawkgirl tugs at the sleeves of both Kal and Green Lantern and jerks her head towards the doorway, where Flash is already standing. The two look at her confused. She mouths,'We've seen more than enough. We'll talk to them when they're not in the midst of a mutual breakdown, yeah?'

They go to leave the room but before they leave, Kal hears Kon whisper,"I know. Really, I do and I'm sorry too. I... Hug?"

The Justice League leaves to give the two boys some privacy.

____________________________________________________

The gadget gives a satisfying hiss as the doors come open. Nightwing takes the gadget of the keypad and grins.

"Open sesame. You want to go first, B?"

"Sure." Batman goes through the doors. On the other side is a large room that could have passed for a normal, if excessively grand, study if it weren't for the tank-like machine in the centre.

"What on earth is that?" Nightwing peers over Batman's shoulder, looking at the device with mounting dread clear across his face.

"I don't know but it's pointed to the only window in the room."

The window in the front of the room is large and uncovered. The glass that makes is up is cut oddly - almost like the fractals you get shown in science class.

"B, how did nobody see this from the street? People would be concerned if they saw a giant glorified machine gun pointing at them here. After all, this is Metropolis, not Gotham."

"I think it's one-way glass. That way the people in here would've been able to see through to the street but those below would have been none the wiser," Batman looks up to the ceiling. His white lenses narrow. "It would also explain the lack of lights. One-way glass only works if the side you're not meant to see through is darker than the other."

"Crafty."

Batman approaches the device. He hums as he runs his finger across it, picking up a sheen of dust. It hasn't been touched recently, he thinks. How? We've been here for barely three days.

"Dust, huh? That's odd. Haven't you guys only been here for a couple of days?"

"Yes. Yet this would suggest this machine hasn't been touched for a while," Batman inspects the dust on his glove. There's only a miniscule amount. "Maybe it was on a timer? Still, that would be strange. The time we were brought here bares no significance."

"Yeah, and I doubt that Lex Luthor would've let you all wander about for as long as you did... Have you considered it needed to warm up or charge?" Nightwing asks. He runs a hand over the main body of the machine. "It's still warm."

"It would explain the timing."

"It would, wouldn't it?"

____________________________________________________

A peculiar machine, almost like a gun, stands in the middle of the otherwise unassuming room. Its cogs are shiny and new and there are tracks of reel tape stretched out further into it. The walls of the rooms are lined with bookcases full of leather bound tomes that are covered in layers of grime.

"What is this place?" Wonder Woman turns towards Martian Manhunter imploringly.

"I do not know but it is clearly nothing good."

"It's pointed towards the street! What could Luthor possibly be doing aiming a macanical monstrosity like this at the street?" Wonder Woman slides her hand across the contraption and quickly retracts it when it becomes coated with dust and a tacky, black substance. It shines a radiant green under the light of the window. "This... is disgusting. What is it?"

Martian Manhunter looks at Wonder Woman's hand. "Could it be oil?"

"Oil usually reflects more than green."

"Does it hurt? Sting?" Martian Manhunter rips one corner of his cape off, handing it to Wonder Woman.

"No, it doesn't feel like anything. And, J'ohn, what is this for?"

"To wipe whatever that is off... Even if it doesn't seem dangerous at the moment, there's no point in risking it."

Wonder Woman wipes her hands and lets the ripped cloth fall to the ground afterwards. She looks between the window and the machine before mumbling something.

"Diana, what was that? I did not hear you."

"It's pointed to exactly where we appeared when we first arrived," she looks out towards the other buildings. "And so are the others."

Loud footsteps echo from the hall. Voices  start shouting.

"Hey! The door is unlocked! Who did this?"

"There must be an intruder! Intruder, everyone! Intruder!"

"Get going! It's our paychecks on the line!"

"And our heads too if Luthor finds out about this!"

Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman give each other one look before they both scatter to find a place to hide as armoured guards barge into the room.

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman hides behind an oak cabinet whilst Martian Manhunter ducks into the hollow inside of a desk.

Stomping fills the room.

"Where could they have gone?"

"Check anywhere large enough to fit a person. All units, the backsides of bookcases, turn this place upside down if you have to!"

"What's the point of a full search? I thought this building didn't matter anymore," one of the younger sounding guards whine.

Wonder Woman turns her head to the direction of the conversation, curiosity piqued.

"There are certain individuals that shouldn't be here. Ones Luthor will want to know about."

"Like who? If the police find out, the boss will just pay them off. It wouldn't be the first time..." one of them grumbles.

"That's confidential."

"Doesn't matter anyway. Mark my words, it was probably just some bored teenagers."

"What teenagers would break in anywhere knowing full well that this is Superman's turf?"

"Lots of people are moving to Metropolis nowadays. Got some from Fawcett, Jump City and that lot - they might not realise Superman deals with petty crime."

"Besides, Superman isn't even here right now. And we all know how lax Superman has been about anything involving Luthor or LexCorp recently."

There's the scrape of wood against wood as objects get moved out of the way by the guards.

Wonder Woman peaks over the cabinet and, seeing that the guards have all turned away from the door, gestures to Martian Manhunter. He nods.

Both make a break for the door.

______________________________________________________

"I think we've found everything we can, B."

Batman nods reluctantly. Looking through all the pictures that had been taken with his bat camera, he feels like what they've found is insufficient. Looking past his usual distain for Lex Luthor's schemes (Superman, from what Batman has gathered, is a wholly undeserving target), he can acknowledge that the man had managed to clean the building of anything incriminating for the most part. "Unfortunately, I think you're right, Nightwing. This building is unusually lacking the proof Luthor's crime scenes are typically littered with."

"Yeah. Luthor really upped his game a couple of years ago, back when Red Hood was still Robin. Superman really struggled at that time," Nightwing stows away his own camera (second pocket to the right, the same one Batman puts his own in).

"How so?" Batman follows along, closing the door behind them. Nightwing brings out the new gadget he had used for opening the door (it's in the first pocket on the right, where lock picks are usually put) and attaches it to the keypad.

"It's when Luthor started making more active grabs for power in Metropolis. That paired with Luthor's newfound skill of properly desposing of evidence was dangerous at the time..." Three light clicks and some metallic noises and the door is once again locked.

"There would still be whistle blowers. It wouldn't be as good as concrete evidence but it would be enough to cast suspicion if there were repeated accounts," Batman and Nightwing's steps fall in tandem as they walk back to where the grate was.

"Money keeps a lot of things quiet if you know how to use it," Nightwing kneels down and lifts the grate to the side.

"Not everything. Not everyone."

Nightwing frowns, the corners of his mouth creasing slightly. "True but Luthor knows that. Has known that for almost over four years now, I'd reckon."

They climb down the ladder and Batman puts the top of the grate back in place.

"Even if he knows it, there's not much he can do about, is there?"

"That's what Superman thought. That's what everyone thought. We were wrong, though, so dreadfully wrong. For almost three years, things with Luthor had been relatively quiet - peaceful, even. And then the Justice League got wind of strange happenings and went to check it out and..." Nightwing takes a deep breath and Batman watches how the young man's whole chest shakes as he exhales.

"Luthor did some horrifc things, Batman. Stuff even the Justice League of this universe refuses to talk about. It's been almost a year since everything was... uncovered and yet the damage sticks with everyone - even those of us only there for the aftermath," white lenses stare into Batman's own. "Three years. Three years of no whistle blowers or eyewitness accounts or tip-offs."

Batman puts a hand on Nightwing's shoulder and bends at the knee slightly to be eye to eye with his eldest. "And did any of you ever figure out why there wasn't anyone who spoke out against the... atrocities committed by Luthor?"

Nightwing nods jerkly and fists his hands into Batman's cape like the Robin he used to be, like someone seeing the horrors of the world for the first time.

"We think...

We think Luthor kills them."

______________________________________________________

Heels and boots stomp along the flooring as Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter run along the halls, tailed by guards.

"We can't let them see us, they know we're meant to be off-world," Wonder Woman makes a sharp turn into a connecting hallway.

"At some point, there is going to be a path that is straight ahead, Diana. We can't keep out of sight forever."

"There must be something we can do. Hide and wait for them to pass, maybe? I did see what looked like a cupboard door somewhere up ahead..."

Martian Manhunter frowns and the reflections across his pupilless eyes move in way Wonder Woman had learnt means he's looking around. "Even so, they will hear that our footsteps have stopped and begin to search if we both hide. Although... I think your idea could work with a few alterations."

"What are you thinking?" Diana asks, smiling.

Martian Manhunter begins to shift in shape. For a moment, he looks almost liquid with how his body loses form and condenses itself. Only once a general structure forms does details begin to become clear.

The body is scrawny and slightly on the short side and the hair is curly black and put in twists. Dark brown skin, dark eyes and acne that suggests that this form is meant to be interpreted as an adolescent.

The clothes are typical of a lot of teenagers, simple blue jeans and a large hoodie, but the shoes are odd. One is a heel and the other is a flat-footed boot.

"You hide in the cupboard whilst I run. I'll let them see me and then they'll think it is just what they thought earlier - a bored teenager breaking in," he nods in his usual manner, which is decidedly unsettling on such a youthful facade.

Diana nods and when the door to the cupboard comes up, she ducks into it. She hears Martian Manhunter and the guards run past and holds her breath until they pass by her.

J'ohn will come back, she knows. Besides, leaving individually could cause issues if the other is in trouble. So she sits on the floor of the cupboard and waits.

One minute passes.

And then five more.

Then ten...

The door is pulled open by the fifteen minute and Diana is met by the sight of her (once again green) teammate.

"Apologies for not coming back sooner. I led the guards to the other side of the building so we would have ample time to escape," J'ohn bows his head almost sheepishly.

Diana holds one of her hands out to J'ohn and waits until he takes it to say, "Let's get out of here."

______________________________________________________

Superman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Flash all wait in the kitchen. Stools had been pulled out from under the counter and the four share a bowl of chips between them.

"That was... a lot," Hawkgirl says and looks over to Superman. "Kon's kind of your kid here, so what do you think of the whole situation?"

"Which one?" Kal looks at the bowl and taps the side of it gently. Weirdly enough, it seems to be old fine china. His future self was definitely not the one who had put it in with the other cutlery. "So far, we've had a lot of 'situations' the past couple of days. We might need a list."

"Don't deflect. I obviously mean Kon's whole staying here for safety reasons thing. Do you think future you is somehow involved in that?"

The cabinets are slightly off-white, Kal notices. It's almost unnoticeable but he would bet that if he held a piece of printer paper and a piece of high quality art paper up to the wall, it would be more similar to the art paper.

"Kal?" Hawlgirl leans over slightly, looking at his face intently.

"I don't know. I hope not."

Green Lantern and Flash look at each other, uneasy with how somber their teammates seem.

"Hey, it's possible you don't have anything to do with it, Supes," Flash takes a handful of chips. "Both of the kids mentioned how much danger Kon could be in because of Lex Luthor, right? Him staying here is probably just like witness protection but a bit different."

Hawkgirl gives Flash and approving look and even Kal almost seems to perk up.

"Isn't witness protection only used after something terrible has happened?" Green Lantern asks.

Hawkgirl glares at Lantern and motions zipping her lips shut frantically. Her eyes dart between him and Kal.

Kal slumps and lets his head hit the counter. Concerned, Flash looks over.

"You alright, Supes?"

"No."

"Look, I'm sure whatever may or may not have happened wasn't this Superman's fault-"

"Of course, it is," Kal sighs. "Look at the signs. Everyone we've met here has either been uncomfortable around me or wary of me and I'm pretty sure Red Hood's and Nightwing's display the other day was a subtle threat-"

"That was meant to be subtle?" Hawlgirl mumbles.

"So in this universe, I'm obviously a bad person."

"Why would you still be in the Justice League then?" Flash asks.

"I don't know, Flash. I really don't."

Green Lantern sighs. "I hope the others will be back soon."

______________________________________________________

Somewhere not too far off, a tall building with large windows overlooks Metropolis. Sickly white light pours from the inside of it, leaving only black silhouettes of things to be seen from the outside.

The outline of a man can be seen, holding a telephone to one of his ears.

If someone were inside the building or had super hearing, they might hear;

"An intruder in one of my buildings? Did you catch them?"

The man pauses and muffled sound comes through the phone.

"Then what do I pay for? To sit around and be useless? You and your whole team couldn't catch one intruder. You've failed."

Another pause, shorter this time.

"Give me one, singular good reason not to fire you."

...

"You saw them? What did it look like?"

...

"A teenaged boy. Do you have any idea how many of those we have in Metropolis?"

...

"He had mismatched shoes? A boot and a... excuse you?"

...

"I know what a heel is, you dimwit! I'm questioning why a teenaged boy would be wearing two shoes of completely different types, especially when breaking in somewhere. It's not exactly productive to running, is it?"

...

"He left something?"

...

The man's voice twists, almost like he's smiling. "I'll be there tomorrow to check it out. Put it in a zip lock bag and place it on the desk, would you?"

...

"There's a stain on it? Make sure you wash your hands in the lavatory before leaving the building. The substance on it isn't harmful, just irritating."

He hangs up and slides the phone back onto its base. He looks out of the window, turing his head in the direction of a building with a globe sat above it.

"Not harmful to humans, anyway."

Chapter Text

Kal hears the footsteps before he hears the light knock on the kitchen doorway. He turns around on his stool and isn't remotely surprised to see Kid Flash standing there.

"The kitchen is a communal area, Kid - at least it is in our universe. You really don't have to knock," Green Lantern says, standing and dusting himself off. Flash soon follows and hops up to his feet.

"Neither is the common room," Kid Flash walks forward and sits on the counter. Lantern sits back down, curiously looking at Kid.

"We left because you and Kon were having a conversation we thought you wouldn't want us to be privy to. What's your excuse?" Hawkgirl asks. She's put her elbows on the counter beside Kid and is looking up at him.

"I didn't know if you were talking about something private and all that, so I thought it was best to be sure," he picks at his gloves. "I wouldn't normally talk to you all alone like this - I was telling Kon off for that earlier, after all - but I needed to talk to you and Kon... wouldn't be happy with what I'm saying, I don't think so anyway."

Flash leans towards Kid slightly, apparently thinking the same thing Kal is. The birds and Kon himself haven't been very forthcoming about what's going on with the young Superboy and yet here Kid Flash is without any of the same discretion.

"Thanks for giving me and Kon privacy earlier, we probably should've moved our discussion elsewhere but..." Kid Flash wrings his hands. "It's been difficult, you know? Having a new member has been hard for us Teen Titans and sometimes, we don't really know how to handle certain conversations and stuff," Kid waves his hands defensively and his boots lightly hit the counters underside. "It's not because we don't care - we do - it's just that it's hard understanding him and that's not his fault at all, it's just... he's so different compared to well, everyone..."

Different. It's shockingly odd to hear Kid Flash utter that word. Kon doesn't seem to be the only alien on the team - there's a Miss Martian, after all - and these people would obviously be vaguely familiar with Krytonians (this universe's Superman and apparently whoever Bizarro is) so what would be different? Kal can't really come up with an answer.

"Usually, we can move conversations from one place to another but he just doesn't do that. He takes it as an opportunity to not have that discussion or maybe he just gets uncomfortable but either way, it kind of means we have to take those moments as we get them so he doesn't go closing himself up again.

So, what I'm trying to say is thank you for your understanding and sorry if we made you feel awkward," Kid Flash smiles and pushes himself off of the counter, seeming lighter after having spoken to them.

Kal thinks he hates himself - his alternate self, that is. Whatever life Kon has led with the other him has left the poor child with behaviours even other children find baffling. How bad must he be? Why is this Superman still a part of the Justice League?

"Wait. Kon's a new member?" Flash looks over at his teammates and then back at Kid.

"Uh, yeah? Obviously?" Kid Flash chuckles. "He's been a Teen Titan for a little less than two months now. Anyways, what do you lot think of watching a movie with me and Kon? It'll be fun while we wait for everyone else to get back," he smiles and walks off, not waiting for the Justice League to follow.

Kal looks over at the rest of his team and mouths,'two months?'

They helplessly shrug.

__________________________________________________

Stepping out of Luthor's building is a relief, Wonder Woman thinks. There's only so long you can stay in a maze of sterile grey-ish hallways until it becomes unsettling and from the way Martian Manhunter's shoulders relax upon exiting, she can only assume the feeling is mutual.

Stood outside already are Batman and Nightwing. Nightwing is smiling casually, at home leaning against the alleyway's wall. He says something lowly and Batman's mouth twitches upwards before looking at where Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter stand.

"You're here. What have you both found out?" Batman approaches them.

"There's a machine in the room that window," J'ohn points upwards at the building, "belongs to."

"Same with ours," Nightwing rests a hand on Batman's shoulders. Oddly enough, Batman doesn't seem to mind. "It was still warm too which is weird. It's been three days since you've gotten here so that thing must have been boiling hot to not have gone cold already."

"Ours was leaking oil," Diana adds. "At least, it looked like oil. Black, glossy and rather reflective."

Nightwing's lenses narrow. "That's unusually messy for Luthor's handiwork."

"Another point to this only being intended for one use," Batman mutters and then turns to nod at Diana. "You're right about that sounding like oil - it was probably different than the kind you're used to from Themyscira, though. Most likely modified in a way."

"Where are the others?" She asks.

"I'll call them up on comms," Nightwing's hand raises to his earpiece. "Hey, where are you and Robin?"

A pause and then Nightwing grins. "We'll be there right away. Good job, team," he clicks off his comms. "They finished a little earlier, so they've been waiting a little farther up so the scarce guards on rotation won't see them. We're all heading back to the Hall now."

"You mentioned the machines only being a one-time use?" J'ohn directs this at Batman, although he does nod in acknowledge in Nightwing's direction.

"Yes. The lack of a substantial amount of guards and upkeep says it all. Lex Luthor doesn't plan to make use of this again and the only reason the guards are here is to make sure nobody finds out what he's done or doing."

"Then why not dismantle the machines?" Diana questions. J'ohn shudders.

"With how warm those machines' outer shells are, how hot do you think they would be internally?" He asks. She has to surpress a wince - she'd seen oil burns on her sisters and civilians and they were always grisly.

"It's good we got here soon then," Nightwing walks slightly in front so he can turn to face them all, "otherwise, all the evidence would have been gone."

They walk through the street, mostly using back alleys to avoid the public eye. Sooner than expected, they reach the Hall.

Robin is sat crossed-legged infront of the door, a pile of files sat on his lap. Next to him is what can only be Red Hood, except his red helmet is clasped in his hands instead of on his head.

He has a red domino mask on with the same white lenses as his brothers and father, with mostly black hair with a tuft of white in the front. Stridng forward, he comes to a stop in front of Batman and gives the man a hard hit to the shoulder.

"Sorry for the cold welcome earlier, you understand, right? Paranoia was practically the first unit in our training," Hood's amused words sound nonsensical to Diana but Batman must've made sense of it because he claps Red Hood's shoulder in return and says:

"I understand. You did the best thing for the given situation."

Robin quickly lifts all the paperwork up, walks over to Nightwing and pushes it into the older hero's arms. He practically bounces over to Batman and, beaming, says,"B, you and your team need to see all the new tech in the Watchtower. Maybe it'll give you some ideas to implement into your own!"

Robin latches onto Batman's arm and goes to drag him inside before looking back and yelling,"are you all coming or not?"

Diana and J'ohn share a confused glance, bewildered by the birds sudden changes in attitude around Batman. Red Hood and Nightwing seem to notice this as they both laugh. Red Hood is the first of them to straighten up and talk.

"We'll explain later but for now, we should really talk to everyone else, okay?" His unmodified voice sounds warmer and clearer than Diana had expected - she'd been imagining Batman's growly voice but pitched up slightly.

"Of course. I am assuming this," she gestures good-naturedly to Robin chatting at Batman's side, "has been caused by the same thing that brought on that?" She points at his helmet in his hands and his (relatively) bare face.

"You'd be right."

They begin to go in but J'ohn lags behind slightly, frowning. He can feel the buzz of familial affection in the air, the excitement the littlest one has, the calm contentment of Red Hood and the pleasant joy that Nightwing carries. It makes sense for the situation and it's undeniably a good thing.

The only issue is that it proves him right, Kon's feelings that first day were indeed strange - he felt almost none of the feelings he senses now back when they had first arrived.

Poor, poor Kal, J'ohn thinks, he's going to be so upset.

__________________________________________________

How did we get here? Superman can't help but ask himself.

Farthest from the front of the room are Hawkgirl and Green Lantern are sat on opposite sides of the couch, both lying down with their feet intermingled in the middle. To their left, Flash has made himself at home slouched on a beanbag (one that is most definitely not in their version of the Hall). None at all uncomfortable, unlike Kal.

Kal sits in one of the two recliners, both of which are to the right of the couch. There's nothing wrong with it - it's the same as they have back in their universe - but it isn't his own position that makes him feel uneasy.

It's Kon's.

Kon was the first one in the room and yet, for some reason, he's sat on the floor. Or huddled may be the more accurate word for what he's doing as the floor has been covered with blankets, pillows and what Kal is sure are extra couch cushions.

Music fills the room as skeletons start dancing across the TV screen.

Comparatively, Kid Flash is sat in the other recliner which is definitely big enough for both boys to share comfortably.

"Kon," Kal whispers. "Wouldn't you rather sit on the couch? Or maybe the other recliner? I'm sure Kid Flash will let you if you ask."

Kon reluctantly pulls his eyes from the screen where a blue woman (Kal thinks she's meant to be a zombie?) dances with the one-eyed skeleton and is dipped. "No," he says quietly and turns back to the movie.

"Why not? It can't be very nice down there," Kal nods at the floor and leans on his armrest to better see Kon. The boy is half buried beneath a patchwork blanket.

"This is my spot," Kon huffs and defiantly shuffles deeper into his bizarre nest of blankets.

Kal frowns.

On the screen, the blue woman and the rather sombre looking human spin around. The lady's skeletal arm comes off.

"It's the floor, Kon - you shouldn't be sitting there. Come up and sit on the couch or even share a seat with someone else - I don't think any of us would mind," Kal tries to keep his voice low and calm. He's angry his other self isn't here because Kal should not have to be the one dealing with whatever this conversation is.

Kon is a child and yet he sleeps on a couch and thinks the floor is 'his spot' - what child thinks their place is on the floor?

Wanting to punch yourself can't be healthy but Kal feels like he can give himself a pass considering it's an alternate version of him.

"No," Kon hisses, "this is my spot, stop asking." Kon sprawls himself out to the right (away from Kal), headbutting Kid Flash in the leg.

To Kid Flash's credit, he barely even flinches. He simply looks down at his teammate, then up at Kal and finally back at the screen. His left hand comes down to rest on Kon's head.

Kal looks around. Green Lantern is looking straight ahead at the movie playing, Flash is peeking intermittently at the two boys across the room and Hawkgirl is peering at Kal from the corner of her eye.

'What am I doing wrong?' He mouths.

'I don't know but whatever it is, you need to stop doing it,' she mouths back. Kal sighs.

'I'm trying my best here,' he mouths. Hawkgirl squints at Kal, clumsily mimics it and shakes her head. She doesn't understand.

This time, he whispers, "I'm trying my best here. I just... don't know what I'm doing wrong."

Hawkgirl goes to nod but jerks back in surprise when a pillow smacks Kal in the face. They both look in the direction it came from.

Kid Flash is shushing them but his expression is odd. His brows are furrowed and his expression is serious. His eyes dart from the two to where Kon is sat, engrossed in the movie, against his leg and back again.

The message is clear.

Both Hawkgirl and Kal go back to watching the movie and don't attempt to talk to each other again.

__________________________________________________

When those who were out on the mission return (he can hear their footsteps in the common room), Kal can't help but be relieved.

"The others are back," he announces. Flash, being the one closest to the TV, is the one to pause the movie. The zombie woman, a spider and a caterpillar had been singing. Kal had been too busy stressing over Kon to really pay attention to most of what had been going on.

They all file out to go meet up with Batman, the birds, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter.

"It's good to see you all back," Kal smiles at them - none of them are injured, which is expected but still nice. "How'd the mission go?" He asks and pats Batman lightly on the arm.

Kal feels heavy. He tries to ignore it.

"Well. Nobody got caught and we all gathered as much information as possible."

Kon walks over to where the birds are standing between Batman and Wonder Woman. "Are you all alright?" Kon looks over all of them.

"Yes and even better yet, we have solid confirmation that these lot," Nightwing gestures to the Justice League, "are legit. You were right, they're not Luthor's work after all."

Kon grins but his eyes go funny for a second - twitching about before rolling downwards. His smile drops as he stumbles. Wonder Woman catches him by the wrist.

Kon wails.

She lets go in shock and backs up. Kon is on the floor, eyes unfocused and cradling his wrist. It's swollen and red like an allergic reaction.

"Kon!" Both Robin and Flash cry. They hurry over to his side but don't touch him.

"What is wrong with him? Is he alright?" Diana kneels down.

"Wonder Woman," Robin turns to look at her. "His wrist is swelling up. The wrist you touched. Did you find and hold anything unusual at the building you were in?"

"Only the machine."

"That shouldn't have done anything, though..." he turns back to Kon. "Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?"

Kon's mouth opens and closes for a second before he croaks out, "Unwell."

Kal goes to stand by Wonder Woman, who gets up. She's focused intently on Kon and he can't help but think she's blaming herself.

His chest feels tight.

Robin looks across to Kid Flash,"Did Kon seem ill before this at all?" Kid Flash shakes his head and pulls one of his gloves off to fidget with.

"He was alright before this, nothing unusual."

Wonder Woman flinches and Kal whispers,"it's not your fault." He tries to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Tries because when he does, he feels like he's put his palm against a hot flame.

Kal pulls his hand back and examines the red irritated skin there. It looks almost exactly like Kon's except less severe.

"Kal, Kal, are you alright?" Diana looks horrified.

He breathes unsteadily and asks, "Are you one hundred percent sure you didn't touch anything?"

Batman answers for her, "the oil."

...

"Everyone who went on the mission and everyone who has touched someone who went on the mission, decontamination showers now!" Nightwing shouts.

Red Hood and Robin react immediately. Batman and Martian Manhunter walk over to where Kal and Diana stand.

"Quickly," Martian Manhunter prompts.

Kid Flash stays sat beside Kon until Nightwing say, "Kid, help Kon to the decontamination showers. The sooner that hand gets washed off, the sooner it will heal."

Confused and concerned, they all head to the decontamination room.

Chapter Text

When the Justice League gets out of their decontamination showers, it's late. Luckily, extras of their uniforms had been in their lockers.

"Woah, Batman! That's really different from your usual get-up," Flash circles Batman, staring at the suit. It's bulkier than Batman's usual one and the cape appears thicker.

"It's also a size too big. The height is fine but there's too much room," to demonstrate, Batman slowly waves his arm from side to side and with too much ease, the armour moves around it.

"Oh, that is definitely too loose," Green Lantern steps forward to better look at it. "I guess the Batman here is larger?"

"More muscular, maybe," Flash guesses.

Humming, Batman nods. "That's the most likely explanation, yes. The different suit is... a surprise although it makes sense. Despite the obvious similarities between this world and ours, some things are clearly different," Batman nods in Kal's direction.

"Why is yours so different? Mine is the exact same and so is Hawkgirl's and the Flash's?" Kal asks.

"I think mine is made out of a sturdier material actually," Flash pinches his own suit to demonstrate. It's textured roughly unlike the material of his previous suit.

Hawkgirl shrugs, "My one is the same as always."

"Mine has also changed," Diana holds her arms out to her sides, showing off a more armoured look in comparison to her almost fabric-like outfit she had on before. "My skirt has been exchanged for... I am not sure what this is."

"Looks like swimsuit bottoms to me," Lantern calls out. "Strangely modern. Maybe it's because this world's Wonder Woman has spent more time here."

"You think any version of me would abandon my Amazonian roots to comply with the standards of Man's world?" Diana crosses her arms - her face is set in a scowl. Flash puts himself between her and Lantern.

"Woah, nobody said that. He just means that maybe you want to show off where you live now, you know?" His arms gesticulate frantically. "This Wonder Woman is still wearing Amazonian gear just... in a newer way. Maybe she wants to show off both her roots and the world she fights for at the same time?"

Wonder Woman pauses and wets her lips. "Yes. That would be a good reason, wouldn't it?" At that, Flash nods happily.

Hawkgirl shuffles closer to Wonder Woman.

"I suppose some of us are less alike in this world," J'ohn says.

"Then shouldn't Superman's outfit be the most different?" Flash points at Kal's unchanged outfit.

"Not necessarily. His suit is based off of his kryptonian heritage and he has always lived among humans, so there'd be no reason for a change."

"Oh, I get it. And I guess more armour wouldn't really make much sense since Superman is already invulnerable to most things," Flash grins.

"Except kryptonite," Green Lantern pipes up.

"And whatever the oil Diana touched was," Kal adds. "That stuff burned badly and Kon seemed to have a similar if not worse reaction than me. If what that was exists in our universe, we need to figure out what it is and quick."

"Nightwing seemed to know what it was," J'ohn says. Light reflects oddly off of his pupil-less, sclera-less eyes for a moment, suggesting that his gaze has moved elsewhere. Kal wonders if he'll ever be able to tell exactly where the man is looking.

He hopes so. Maybe he'd be able to understand his teammate better if he could.

"What makes you say that?" Hawkgirl's feathers fluff up slightly as she speaks. "If he knew what it was, why wouldn't he have just told us? Whatever that substance was put Kal at risk so at least Kal should know what it is to better protect himself from it in the future."

"His priority was Kon in that moment. If only you had felt it - Nightwing had been terrified, the feeling was practically seeping out of his pores."

Curiously, Diana steps forward. "But J'ohn, Kal was also injured. Was that not also worry for him?"

"There was concern for Kal but not fear. He seemed sure Kal would be fine," J'ohn pulls at the opening of his gloves, pulling them up higher.

"But Kon..?" Kal moves forward slightly. J'ohn looks down.

"I cannot say for certain but Nightwing felt very strongly about the entire situation. I would be surprised if he hasn't already burned our contaminated clothes."

"You do know there's a washing machine for that, right?"

"I am not sure if he would use it."

It would sound like a joke coming from anyone else but J'ohn's serious tone and the last time one of the birds had burned something with little to no provocation leaves no doubt that that is an actual possibility.

"Why don't we just... ask him? It can't hurt, right?" Lantern suggests. There are mumbles of agreement from around the room.

"He may not be out of his own decontamination shower yet," Hawkgirl suggests. Despite it only being necessary for some of them to decontaminate, Nightwing had managed to convince everyone to take one for precaution's sake so she couldn't imagine him slacking on his own shower.

"Let's check the building. If we don't find him, we'll just go back to the Watchtower, get some rest and ask him tomorrow," Kal heads towards the door to the locker room. The others follow.

Upon opening the door, they see Nightwing suited up and sat on a table in front. His hair is damp and his skin is flushed a raw red colour - Kal wonders whether Nightwing simply had the shower hot or if he'd scrubbed his skin too harshly.

There are empty, available chairs tucked underneath the table top so the Justice League all pull one out and sit down.

"I know you're all going to want an explanation but there's only so much I can say," Nightwing starts.

"What do you mean by that?" Hawkgirl asks. She brushes her own wet hair off of her shoulder.

"I don't know much about that stuff - it's not something you really ever encounter in Gotham. It's not even common in Metropolis," he kicks his legs back and forth and keeps his head down.

"Okay, so what even is it then?"

He takes a deep breath and quickly says, "it's altered kryptonite."

For a moment all that can be heard is quiet breathing.

Kal should have expected it. Of course, it's kryptonite - what else would it be? But the 'altered' bit concerns him. Kryptonite has never been discrete, it's a green glowing rock that's only reliable way of being hidden would be to put it into jewellery of some kind.

But a liquid? That's easily disguised - it can be painted onto objects if it can dry or put into drinks or even just put into an opaque container.

He's about to ask for more elaboration when Batman beats him to it.

"Nightwing, do you know how exactly it's been altered or why?"

"I don't know how but I know it's done by Lex Luthor and his scientists - luckily, no other criminals seem to have caught on to the fact it can be changed in such a way. I'm not sure why it was in the machine."

"Luthor was obviously expecting us," Hawkgirl grinds her teeth.

"I don't think so. Luthor only ever uses solid, natural kryptonite against Superman," running a hand across the edge of the table, Nightwing looks up from the ground and nods at Kal.

"What's the point of it then?" She demands.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you that," he pushes himself off of the table.

"Then what use are you?" Hawkgirl shouts. "Why is it nobody is able to tell us anything useful for some reason? We need to get home and we can't do that if we have Luthor on our heels!"

"You don't have Luthor on your heels or at least you shouldn't as long as Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman didn't get found out - which they say they didn't. So, you're all fine."

"You say that but how can we trust any of you when you refuse to tell us anything? We've been having to prove our own legitimacy this entire time and yet none of your little group has had to do the same," Hawkgirl gets up from her chair, seething. Diana stands and puts a hand on her shoulder.

"We've been helping you, haven't we?" He asks.

"Your 'help' got Kal injured mere moments ago."

"And you think that was purposeful?" Nightwing strides forward, scowling. "Kon got injured as well. Do you have any idea how terrifying that was for us all? If we knew that your friend would be covered in kryptonite do you really think we would have let you anywhere near Kon?" His voice shakily raises. "How dare you? How dare you suggest we would put Kon at risk like that!"

"Enough," Batman calls out and pushes his own chair out of the way. "Hawkgirl, I understand your frustration but if this is all he can tell us then nothing is going to change that. And Nightwing-" Batman puts a hand on his shoulder. "Please, calm down. Hawkgirl wasn't trying to accuse you or either of your brothers of not caring for your teammates."

Nightwing's shoulders slump and he rests his head against one of Batman's shoulder pads. “I know- I know that logically. But it's so difficult to try and balance telling you and your team certain information whilst not hurting anyone or doing more damage than good," his breath hitches.

"Why couldn't you have all come when our Justice League were here? It would have been so much easier to just have them sort this!" Nightwing raises a hand to steady himself against Batman's side. Batman hums slightly and runs his hand up and down Nightwing's back.

"I can't tell you anymore about the altered kryptonite, okay? Or its purpose. You'd have to ask someone else," Nightwing straightens up. There are tears seeping through the edge of his mask.

As he turns to leave, Green Lantern asks, "Where are the rest of your lot anyway?"

Nightwing looks over his shoulder. "They've all head to bed. I was just waiting in case you had questions," he sighs. "Don't badger Kon about this, okay?"

He leaves. It takes only a couple of minutes before they hear a Zeta tube go off from farther in the building.

"We should probably get some rest too, huh?" Flash rubs at the back of his neck.

"You all go do that. For now, me and Diana need to talk," Hawkgirl points her thumb at Wonder Woman.

Diana blinks owlishly,"we do?"

"Yes."

J'ohn shakes his head. "I do not think I will be able to sleep very well at the moment, Barry."

The Flash winces, "I was hoping that you all had conveniently forgotten that Kid Flash totally blew my cover."

"Not entirely. We still do not know your identity, just your first name. I am sure that there are plenty of Barrys in the world," J'ohn smiles at Flash.

“Besides, there are more pressing matters at the moment. We still don’t know how we are going to get home,” Kal says.

“Tomorrow, I’m assuming there will be a meeting about all that was found at Luthor’s buildings. It may give us some ideas,” Batman nods at his teammates. “I’m retiring for the night. If anyone needs me, you know where my room is. Goodnight.” He swoops out of the room. His cape flows less than it usually does.

“I’m with Spooky on this one. If we’re all exhausted we’re good to nobody,” Green Lantern looks over at Hawkgirl. “Make sure you and Wonder Woman get some sleep, okay?”

She nods at Lantern as he heads out. Soon, the others file out as well - chairs scraping against the ground as they’re pushed in - leaving only Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman.

“What did you wish to talk about?” For a second, Diana hands go to play with her skirt only for her to remember it’s no longer there. Hawkgirl sits on the ground and leans against one of the table legs.

“You were really upset earlier. That’s not normal for you, especially not over something so minor. What’s up?” She looks up at Diana.

“It is nothing, Shayera. I was just being sensitive,” Diana turns away and crosses her arms but her voice doesn’t sound angry instead it’s monotone - empty in a way.

“Diana, even if you were being sensitive - which I’m not saying you were - it’s not ‘just’ anything. I know how strange this whole situation is and-“ Hawkgirl looks to the ceiling and gives herself a second to collect herself before carrying on.

“I’m worried; about you, about Kal, about everyone. So, talk to me. Tell me what upset you and I’ll make sure whatever it was doesn’t happen again, yeah?”

“It is not something you can help,” Diana sits down beside Hawkgirl, still not looking her way.

“How is it not? Green Lantern said something and I can tell him not to do that: it’s easy,” Shayera puts a hand over Diana’s comfortingly.

“It was not something he said. What he said was just…”

“The straw that broke the camel’s back?”

“If that is how you wish to put it,” Diana grips the hand in hers. Her voice is quiet and unsteady.

“Then that’s fine, we can work with that. What was it that was really bothering you?” Shayera tries to keep her voice gentle - usually it’s not her who has do any comforting or tell people that ‘everything is going to be okay’. More often then not, it’s Flash and Superman or if it’s a child, Batman.

“I worry that my mother and amazonian sisters will not accept me back,” Diana turns her head, allowing Hawkgirl to see her face. It’s splotchy red and her pursed lips and concentration on a point somewhere above Shayera’s shoulder seems to be the only things keeping her from crying.

Shayera doesn’t truly know what to say. Of all the people to somehow be having family issues brought up at the moment, Wonder Woman is probably the least expected.

“Oh… And what makes you think that?”

“I would have no other reason to modernise my costume otherwise. Sure, what Flash suggested may make sense for anyone else but that’s not how I think. My suit is a mark of honour as much as it is a nod to my heritage. To change it would be unfathomable,” tears begin to drip down the corners of Diana’s eyes.

Hawkgirl wishes she had asked somebody else to be present for this conversation or even to do it for her.

“But that’s you. Maybe this world’s Wonder Woman doesn’t see it that way - if this universe’s Kal is so different, you might be too,” she doesn’t really know what’s she’s saying: she just wants Diana to stop looking so distraught.

“It is not even made of the same material, Shayera. There is not a scrap of the original in it - why would I do that? Why would I not preserve something I hold so dear to me?”

I don’t know, Shayera thinks.

“The original may be too battered from a fight to still wear. It could be hung up somewhere,” she says instead.

Sobbing. Full-blown sobbing tears through Diana’s throat.

Shayera wraps an arm around Diana’s waist and pulls her into her side.

“Look, if you really think being… disowned, discommunicated, whatever you want to call it is an actual possibility then I won’t try to convince you otherwise. You know your family better than I do,” Diana’s head comes to rest above Shayera’s collar bone. Shayera keeps talking as she rests her chin on Diana’s hair.

“And you know what? When you do try to talk to them again, I’ll even come with you if you want. Be your emotional backup,” Shayera finds herself saying completely honestly. She would face the amazonians if Diana asked - no, even suggested that that’s what she wants.

Diana lets out a hiccup and then a giggle. “Like a cheerleader?”

“Not quite. Save that job for the Flash.”

“And no matter what happens, me and the team will be there for you. I may be no amazonian sister but… a teammate works well enough too, right?” Shayera puts one of her wings around Diana’s shoulders. She’s surprised when Diana hugs her tightly.

“My sister in battle.”

They sit there in the floor for a long while. At some point, Shayera takes off her mask. She trusts Diana not to look.

__________________________________

J’ohn sits in the kitchen of the Watchtower, a piece of paper laid out in front of him. He has a pen clasped in his right hand. He looks up at the doorway.

“Hello, Barry. I thought you were going to get some rest?” J’ohn watches as Flash grabs a bowl from a cupboard, pours a pack of oreos into it and puts it on the table.

“Couldn’t sleep. How did you know I was here?” Flash slouches into the chair beside J’ohn. He doesn’t have his gloves on.

“You feel… anxious.”

“Of course, I do. Our team is falling apart at the seams,” Flash takes a rather vicious bite out of an oreo.

“You normally would not say that.”

“What’s the point in lying to you? You can read minds anyways, you probably already knew what I was thinking.”

“I never try to actively read any of your minds and the only reason I can feel your emotions so acutely at the moment is because you may as well be broadcasting them,” J’ohn takes an oreo out of the bowl and thinks whilst chewing it.

“You do know that, right? That I would never purposefully invade your privacy.”

“It’s difficult sometimes to- to remember that. It scares me, I’m going to lie. Not because I don’t trust you but…” Flash waves his hands about hopelessly.

“But..?”

“Sometimes we have to lie to ourselves. Or maybe you don’t but others do,” Flash looks at J’ohn. J’ohn sees his pleading eyes and wishes that he doesn’t need to ask but-

“Why would you need to do that? What do you gain by deceiving yourself?”

“Comfort.”

“I do not understand…” J’ohn wracks his brain to try and come up with a reason why someone would need to tell themselves falsehoods and think of one. It wouldn’t work anyway would it? The purpose of a lie is that the other doesn’t know it’s not true.

“What do you think this universe’s Superman is like?”

Surprised by the change in topic, J’ohn stammers out, “I- I am not sure, we have not met him yet.”

“I think it’s great that you think like that - that you don’t make assumptions like I do. It hurts, you know?” Flash’s fingers drum against the table.

“I want to believe he’s a good person, just like our Superman. I want to think that all of the things that say otherwise are coincidence but… but then I see that kid and I don’t think that. So, I lie to myself because it’s easier than thinking about it.”

J’ohn stares at Flash. “But you know it’s not the truth.”

“I do.”

“Does it hurt that badly that you need to ignore it?”

“It’s easier,” Flash says. “What’s the paper for?”

“I… I do not know. I was going to do something with it but… I am not sure what that was anymore,” J’ohn looks down at his pen and paper. Tries to figure out why he grabbed it and can’t.

“It’s alright, we all have days like that.”

They sit in silence, sharing the bowl between them until Flash begins to fall asleep sitting down. Then they both leave to go to their rooms.

Chapter Text

The morning is somber. The Justice League wake up, none feeling ready for the talk to come. They gather in the Zeta room and are surprised to see that in front of the Zeta Tubes, their old suits have been placed down.

"Looks like Nightwing didn't burn them, huh?" Flash elbows Martian Manhunter slightly, smiling.

"Looks like I was wrong. You had all better get changed out of the borrowed uniforms now, I am sure that this universe's Justice League would not appreciate them being missing when they come back."

Eager to get back into their regular uniforms, they all go to their respective rooms to change except for J'ohn (who shapeshifts his clothes) and Green Lantern (whose outfit is created by the ring).

"Hey, Manhunter. How are you holding up?" Lantern asks, walking closer.

"Well enough, I suppose. You do know that you can call me J'ohn, right?" J'ohn has three names in total, two of which are known by the Justice League: Martian Manhunter and J'ohn J'onzz. Usually when off the field, his teammates opt for the more intimate choice of calling him J'ohn.

"I could but I'd rather not. It'd feel strange," Lantern scratches at the back of his neck, sheepish almost.

"And why is that?"

"It's just- just that I know a guy called John and it'd feel weird calling you both by the same name," anxiety flares up around Lantern like a smoke cloud. J'ohn decides not to read into it.

"It is said J'ohn, actually. I understand but being called 'Manhunter' feels a little... impersonal."

"I get that," Lantern sighs and then his face lights up. "What associations do um... Martians have with last names?"

"It is slightly formal to be referred by it but other than that and the fact your family share it, it's not much different from a first name," J'ohn replies.

"How about I just call you J'onzz then?"

"Yes, I would like that."

They stand in comfortable silence and J'ohn basks in the camaradery of it all.

Soon, the rest of the Justice League file into the room, comfortable in their usual armour. Green Lantern goes over to pat Batman on the shoulder and asks, "does it feel better to be in a suit that actually fits?"

"Yes, actually, it does," Batman gives his arm a shake, seemingly satisfied with how the material doesn't move around his arm.

"Now, that everyone's comfortable," Kal starts. "Let's go to the Hall of Justice and speak with everyone over there."

"Wait, shouldn't we have breakfast first?" Flash asks.

"We'll be having that at the hall. That way we have more time to discuss before the boys head out for patrol," Batman goes over to one of the panels to input their destination.

"Kon would be there to answer questions as well though," Kal says, confused.

"He also has patrol," Martian Manhunter interjects. He walks over to stand beside Batman, closer to the Zeta Tubes.

"But Kon hasn't patrolled since we got here?"

"He's right, Kon's been at the Hall all around the clock from what I've seen. So that's two days without patrol," Flash says.

"But we've been here for three days?" Green Lantern waves a hand about vaguely.

"Kon had been out in Metropolis the first day, remember? The crimes that seemed to abruptly stop before we could get to them?" Batman finishes inputting the coordinates.

"Oh, I see. That's... odd," Flash looks at Kal, who seems rather overwhelmed.

"The kid's what? Seventeen? Of course he's not going to be out patrolling everyday. I don't think even Bats sends his little guy out every night," Green Lantern points at Batman.

"Robin. He is called Robin," Batman says.

"Yeah, well so are two other boys at some point apparently. It's not my fault the naming system for your sidekicks seem broken."

"Robin chose his own name," Batman growls.

"Hey! Everyone needs to settle down. We would be in the Hall right now if it weren't for your bickering," Hawkgirl's wings flare out to the side in irritation.

"Hawkgirl is right, we should go now," Wonder Woman announces.

"We can ask Kon about his weird patrol schedule when we get there, okay? Flash whispers to Kal.

"Alright."

They all shuffle into their own Zeta Tube and are transported to the lounge in the Hall of Justice.

Quietly, Kal floats over a couch and peers over the edge. His entire back stiffens and he frantically looks over the other couches in the room.

"Kon'a not here," Kal looks at the rest of the Justice League as he talks, face creased with concern.

"Good, maybe the kid's in an actual bed this time," Green Lantern walks over to the couches, gives them a cursory glance and sits down on one.

"Doubt it," Hawkgirl remarks. "Kid talked about sleeping on the couch way too casually for it to be a one time thing. Besides, didn't you see him sat on the floor during the movie? Kid seems to have a weird relationship with furniture."

"None of that matters right now! What matters is that Kon isn't here - neither for the meeting or to sleep on the couch - and yesterday he was injured! What if he was hurt badly?" Kal wraps his arms around himself.

"Nightwing talked about Kon as though he was fine though," Flash puts a reassuring hand on Kal's arm.

"Could be a flare up. Gets worse before it gets better and all that," Hawkgirl sits next to Green Lantern. "Maybe you should go check on him, Kal. Me and Lantern can stay here and the others can go to the meeting room - if any of us see him, we'll come get you, okay?"

"Yes, of course! I'll get started," Kal hurries out of the room speedily.

"He's more wound up than a Jack in the box..." Flash mumbles.

"At least searching gives him something to do that'll work off the nervous energy," Batman pats Flash on the back. "I'm sure Kon is fine but a worried parent rarely listens to reassurances without seeing their child physically in front of them."

"Personal experience, Bats?" Green Lantern snickers.

"We save parents and children regularly, you've seen how parents get when they are separated."

"Not what I meant but sure. Don't think any of us have forgotten that the Robins are apparently all your kids."

"Did none of you realise that before coming here?" Batman asks in disbelief. "What did you think Robin was to me? A random child I picked off the street? A neighbor's kid?"

Green Lantern shrugs,"either or. Never took you as the parental type."

Flash perks up,"oh, I totally forgot about that! So, since we've met your kids, when are we going to meet Mrs Bat?"

"Excuse you?" Batman's head tilts to one side and his lips twitch downwards.

"Or maybe it would be Mrs Man? Mrs Batman?" Flash puts up a finger for every variation of the name.

"I'm not married, Flash."

"So, fiancé then?"

"Flash."

"Or girlfriend, that's an option too, I guess."

"Barry!" Batman snaps his fingers in front of Flash's face. "While I appreciate the enthusiasm to get to know your teammates better, in this case it is entirely unnecessary and unwarranted."

Batman inhales softly before blowing the air out of his mouth. "There is nobody for you to meet as there is no romantic partner in my life. There is no co-parent either before you ask."

Flash's mouth falls open. Green Lantern is staring at Batman and Hawkgirl has gone still. Martian Manhunter's shoulders are tense. Wonder Woman has a hand clasped over her mouth.

"I- I am so, so sorry, I didn't realise-"

"Flash, calm yourself. My single parenthood is entirely of my own choice and is nothing to be upset about. I love Robin dearly and I wouldn't change anything even if given the chance to," the corners of Batman's lips pull themselves upwards and a sliver of his white teeth show. It takes a minute for Flash to realise Batman is smiling at him.

Flash and everyone else relaxes. "That's good," Flash says. "Glad to hear that I didn't just make everything massively awkward."

Batman nods and his face, thankfully, returns to normal.

"When you lot head to the meeting room bring some breakfast food with you from the kitchen, alright?" Hawkgirl says as she runs one of her hands through her feathers.

"We will do that," J'ohn nods. "See you soon, Hawkgirl. And you, Lantern."

"Bye, J'onzz."

J'ohn walks out and Wonder Woman, Batman and Flash follow him out.

Green Lantern turns to Hawkgirl. "What are you up to, Shayera?"

"What makes you think I'm up to something?" Some loose feathers fall to the ground.

"You took charge pretty eagerly back there whilst usually you're happy hanging back unless someone does something stupid. I want to know what it is," Lantern says. He looks at Hawkgirl's wings and adds,"do you want some help with those?"

"Yes, please," Hawkgirl turns her back to Lantern and stretches out one wing to the side. He leans forward and starts running his hands through her feathers.

"So? What was the deal with separating everyone?"

"Kal will get some much needed one on one time with Kon when he finds him. I'm hoping it'll boost his morale a bit - he's been so upset recently and that's not good for anyone," she pinches the end of a baby feather between her fingers and watches the cartilage crumble.

"So, you're trying to help Superman which by extension is helping the team?" Green Lantern pats at the side of her wing.

Shayera shakes her wings a bit to shake loose some of the more stubborn feathers.

She bites her lip and says, "If we're a fence, we need to support the other links, right?"

Green Lantern grins. "I couldn't agree more."

"Anyway, enough about what I've done, let's talk about you getting buddy-buddy with Manhunter?"

Lantern rolls his eyes despite Shayera not facing him. "It's nothing really. He just... wanted to be called by his actual name instead of his hero alias, you know?"

Shayera pauses. Giving both her wings a quick inspection, she deems them acceptable and folds them back behind her. She turns to face Green Lantern but doesn't meet his eyes.

"Shayera?"

"I understand it well. When... When you are surrounded by people not like you and your name - your proper name - isn't used, it feels almost... alienating. Like you have to changed yourself for people to want to see you," her red hair falls in front of her face slightly. Lantern pushes it back.

"Well, I call you Shayera. And I'm sure the others will use it as often as you'd like if you ask."

"You don't know that - I don't know that. I'm not sure they'd understand how much it means to not be called by your name. For ones like me and- and J'onzz, it's what little left of our culture we carry," Hawkgirl rests her head on Lantern's shoulder.

"Like Wonder Woman's outfit was important to her?"

"Exactly!" Hawkgirl says. Then she gazes at Green Lantern for a moment and squints. "That was you making a point, wasn't it?"

"Yep. Look, I know it's not the same but I'm sure we all have something similar to that. I mean, you've already crossed off Diana and J'onzz and you can also cross me off so that only leaves what? Three people left out of the Justice League?"

Hawkgirl nods.

"So, you'll be fine, Shayera. Trust me and trust our teammates."

"I'll try harder."

"That's all I ask."

_________________________________

Kal roams the halls, alert for any sort of sound. Footsteps, breathing, anything.

He's hyper aware of how he's flying instead of walking but he doesn't care, can't care at the moment. It's scary to think of how attached he's gotten to this boy from a different universe but he knows-

No. Hopes that this world's Superman would be equally as worried as Kal is right now.

So caught up in his own head, he almost passes a slightly ajar door - until he realises he can hear breathing from it. He recognises it as one of the spare bedrooms.

Knocking on the door gently, Kal whispers, "Kon, are you in there?"

When there's no response, he pushes the open slowly.

Sat on the floor and sleeping are Kon and two other boys: all dressed in their nightwear. Kon has his head leaning against the bed behind him and an arm wrapped around the shoulders of each of the boys.

The boy to Kon's left has black hair and thankfully has his unmasked face buried in Kon's shoulder. From his height, hair and build, Kal can only assume that the boy is Robin.

The one to Kon's right has bright ginger hair and has his face turned towards Kon's chest - once again, luckily out of Kal's sight. Kal wonders who the boy could be, he doesn't know of many red-headed heroes.

Between the boys' laps, there is a game console that Kal doesn't recognise. It seems to have turned itself off.

Smiling, Kal clears his throat, "boys, it's morning."

Kon is the first to stir, stretching his arms out above his head and yawning widely. His eyes open and he looks around until his eyes focus on Kal.

The other two start to wake up and go to sit up straight but Kal puts a hand to the back of both their heads to stop them.

"Robin, Kid Flash, don't. Superman's here. Alternate universe Superman, I mean," Kon says.

Both boys go still. A minute passes.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Ask him to leave," Kid Flash mumbles into Kon's chest.

"I thought one of you were going to do it! It's not my secret identity at stake."

"What secret identity, Kon? You don't have one to be at stake in the first place," Robin grumbles.

Kon sighs. "Hey, Superman. Mind getting out? These two need to get some masks on," Kon pats the back of his friends' heads.

"There are domino masks in the bedside table," Kal points rather unnecessarily to the unit beside Kid Flash.

"Wait, really?" Kon leans over to the side slightly and rummages through the top drawer, letting out a happy 'ah-ha!' when he grabs some. "Sweet. Robin, what size domino are you?"

"Medium b, I'm pretty sure?"

"Wait, don't those things need adhesive?" Kid Flash asks.

"Yes, obviously," Robin flaps a hand in Kid's direction sassily.

Kid grumbles. "Do we have adhesive?"

"Usually, I'd carry some in my utility belt but..." Robin trails off.

"But you don't have your utility belt right now. Great," Kon facepalms with the hand not carrying a fistful of masks.

"Back of the drawer, kiddos," Kal says, shaking his head. At this point, he's leaning against the doorframe and watching in amusement. Kon rifles around the drawer again.

"Oh, there it is!" Kon holds a tube with small writing on it and a pink cap. He takes off the cap and stares at the semi-transparent white stick of adhesive inside. "Okay, how do I do this?"

"It's kind of like a glue stick. You can either apply it to the mask or directly to the skin," Robin explains with the ease of someone who's been applying dominos for years - which he probably has, now that Kal thinks about it.

"So, which are we supposed to..?" Kid Flash mimes gluing something despite the fact that only Kal and Kon can see it. Fortunately, Robin seems to have gotten the gist because he answers not a moment later.

"I'd suggest the masks this time around. Using on the skin is all well and good when it's your personal adhesive but otherwise it's pretty gross."

"Got it," Kon says. "So, medium b for you, Robin?"

"Yeah."

Kon slathers a black domino with adhesive and unceremoniously presses it to Robin's unsuspecting face. Robin makes a disgruntled noise.

"What about you, Kid Flash? What size?"

"I don't know, I don't wear domino masks!"

"Let me do it," Robin says and moves to sit up across from where Kid Flash is. "You look like a small a. Hey, Kon?"

"Yes?"

"Pass me the adhesive and the red mask, please."

Kon hands both to Robin. Robin quickly applies the adhesive to the inside of the mask, leans over and swiftly sticks it to the front of Kid's face.

Kid Flash looks up and around the room in his temporary mask. "This is so strange..." he says.

"You get used to it," Robin picks up the game console and puts it away in a compartment of the bedside unit. Getting up, he offers a hand to bother of his friends. Both take one and also stand up.

It gives Kal a proper chance to look at what all of them are wearing. Robin is in a yellow long sleeved shirt and lounge pants, Kid is in a Flash T-shirt and Superman joggers while Kon is in a tall, hawaiian shirt and black, below the knee shorts.

"Let's get going. The rest of your team are in the meeting room, yeah?” Kon asks.

Kal nods.

“Then what are you waiting for, Superman? Lead the way.”

Chapter Text

Kal and the boys head to the Zeta room and meet up with Hawkgirl and Green Lantern first - Kal had insisted because he had wanted to make sure Hawkgirl and Lantern knew everything was okay.

Lantern gave Robin and Kid Flash a curious look but smiled nonetheless. Hawkgirl had smirked for some reason - Kal had a feeling that she had thought he was overreacting earlier.

After that, they had all gone together to the meeting room.

When they had gotten there, Nightwing and Red Hood - once again, not wearing his helmet - were there already.

On the table were bowls, spoons, two jugs of milk, several boxes of cereal and paperwork.

The stranglers sat themselves down and the meeting had begun...

__________________________________

Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin, Kid Flash and Kon all sit on one side. The Justice League sit on the other.

Kal decides to start the conversation with the most pressing matter. "So, liquified kryptonite..." he starts.

"Of course, that's what we're starting with," Red Hood groans and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Is there an issue with that?" Lantern huffs.

"No, just that it's not all that complicated. It's kryptonite, it's in a liquid form, what more do you need to know?" Hood gestures widely before leaning his chin against his palm.

"A lot!"

"Aqueous," Robin says quietly.

"What?" Hawkgirl asks.

"It's not liquified exactly. It's aqueous - mixed with something other than itself," Robin says as he grabs a bowl and a box of cereal.

"And you know this how..?" Hawkgirl mirrors Robin's movements. Despite the question being directed at Robin, it's Nightwing who answers.

"I went back to the building, got a sample and tested it in the cave. It's part oil, a fifty-fifty split."

"So, it's part oil - who cares?" Lantern waves a hand to the side and fills a bowl with a sugary cereal he doesn't recognise.

"I care. And you should too because it means that the kryptonite wasn't for the purpose of attack or injury - it was to make the machine work," Nightwing crosses his arms.

"It could have worked with just pure oil," Batman states. He grabs a box that has already been opened and pours the contents out into two bowls.

"But could it have nabbed Superman with just pure oil?" Red Hood asks before turning to Kal. "How did you feel just before being sent here, Superman?"

"Nauseous, heavy, a bit of an ache, I guess?" Kal pours some milk into the bowl and then some crispy cereal.

"Like how you feel around kryptonite?" Robin says knowingly as he takes the jug from Kal and puts some into his own bowl.

"Lessened slightly but... yeah, exactly how I feel around kryptonite."

"Wait, we thought it was sensory overload because of an overlap in times," Flash is already eating out of one of the ceramic bowls - Kal isn't sure when the man had filled his bowl - waving around a spoon questioningly.

"Did you hear anything, Supes? Was it loud?" Kid Flash - extremely like Flash it seems - has a bowl full of cereal in front of him and fidgets with his spoon while talking.

Kal shakes his head.

"No further questions needed. If that isn't damning evidence I don't know what is," Red Hood grins.

"That is all well and good but why was the kryptonite needed?" Wonder Woman asks as she pours out some mixed fruit and nut cereal.

"Why do you think? From what Superman has said, being sent here wasn't immediate. Luthor needed a way to incapacitate him so that he couldn't run when he noticed something was up," Robin explains and shovels some cereal into his mouth.

"Wouldn't even have to run," Kon says. "If he had walked away at a decent speed, that probably could have gotten him out of range."

"Are you suggesting the machines were area specific? We were in the Watchtower," J'ohn grabs some chocolate cereal and shakes some into his bowl.

"Luthor's rich and money talks. If he asked for a couple of drones to be put around the general location of the Watchtower, he'd get it," Red Hood scowls.

"But the machines here are so much bigger," Flash spins his spoon around his fingers.

"That's because they were doing the heavy lifting," Robin taps the side of his bowl.

"It would also explain why they'd all be pointed at the same area. Why go through the hassle of building three incriminating buildings otherwise?" Nightwing draws a triangle on the table with his finger - the exact positioning of the three LexCorp buildings facing each other.

"But that doesn't explain why liquid - sorry, aqueous - kryptonite exists in the first place? Why would Luthor make something like that only to not use it offensively?" Kal questions.

"He uses it for lots of things," Kon's voice is just barely audible.

"What do you mean?"

"Kryptonite is an effective power source which is good for things you don't want to have a paper trail for. And he mixes it with a bunch of stuff," Kon lifts his knees to his chest, feet barely on the edge of the chair.

"Like?"

"Oil, petroleum, grease, petrol, saline, charcoal..." Kon's eyes flicker from one side to the other as he lists all the things that come to mind.

"Charcoal isn't a liquid," Batman says. He pours milk into the two bowls in front of him and sticks a spoon in each. He pushes them towards Nightwing and Red Hood respectively. Sheepishly, they both start to eat.

"It's not."

"Why mix it with charcoal?" Lantern shakes a spoonful of cereal for emphasis.

"I'm not sure. He just does. Amusement, maybe?" Kon shrugs.

"Okay, so now that we know that - what are we meant to do?" Flash wonders aloud.

"The aqueous kryptonite is the future's problem. We just need you all to focus on getting home," Nightwing looks at the Justice League.

"And how are we meant to do that? We have no leads!" Lantern grumbles.

"We do. Maybe not a great one but... a lead nonetheless."

"So? What's the grand plan then?"

"Break into LexCo and threaten Luthor for information," Red Hood says simply.

"Seriously?" Hawkgirl's wings go limp against her back as she stares at the boys in disbelief. "That's the best plan you have?"

"Yes, it is and be glad for it. We are trying to get you back home, not reinvent the wheel," Robin huffs. Gesturing to the paper he has beside him, he continues. "Look, there were missing sections in the blueprints and I think if we can find out what it was, we can get you back home."

"And you think the missing pieces are related because..."

"Because Luthor wouldn't have moved it for no reason, especially when he didn't move the machines," Robin taps at the machines in the blueprints.

"Mark our words, it's important. Important enough that Luthor can't rely on luck," Red Hood claps Robin on the back and nods at the Justice league.

"They do have a good point," Wonder Woman admits.

"So, we're all agreeing on breaking and entering?" Lantern asks.

"Yep."

"Yeah."

"Looks like it."

"Who's going?" Flash gestures to the table at large.

"What do you mean, who's going?" Kal looks over at Flash. "This is Luthor, we need all hands on deck."

"Actually, we'd only really need one person to threaten him technically," Hawkgirl taps a spoon against her bowl.

"We're all going," Nightwing declares. Robin coughs and crosses his arms over each other in a an 'x'.

"Hold on. No, not happening - Kon?" He looks over at his friend.

"Sorry, but... I know the most about Lex in this situation. I sort of have to come," Kon hugs his legs tighter.

"No, you don't. Nobody is going to make you," Kid Flash says hurriedly.

"Do you even want to?" Robin presses a hand to Kon's shoulder.

"Of course not! When does anyone want to face off against Lex? But I know I'm our best chance navigating the building and the guard patrols."

"But it's not safe!" Kid Flash rises out of his seat, knees hitting the table. The table shakes slightly and the milk in the bowls ripple.

"Doing any of this isn't safe! If we only ever did safe things, everyone here would have hung up their capes!" Kon shouts and buries his face in his knees. "I- I wouldn't even be here right now if we all played it safe... and I don't know about you but I, for one, am grateful for every reckless decision that got me here!"

"Kon..." Robin sighs.

"So, yes. I am going and nothing you or anyone else says will convince me otherwise. I know what I'm in for - I know probably better than anyone else here," face still buried and in his knees, Kon reaches out blindly to pull Kid Flash back down into his seat.

Kid Flash reluctantly sinks back into his chair. He grabs Kon's hand and squeezes it.

"Are there any more complaints?" Hood asks as he pushes his now empty bowl away from himself.

"Do we have a map of the building?" Batman fixes up a bowl for himself.

"LexCorp have only been improving their cyber security in the last couple of years. Hacking into their systems would not only take forever but would also alert Luthor, which is the last thing we want to do," Nightwing's foot taps against the floor.

"I can draw one up," Kon looks up.

"That's kind but unless you have photographic memory, it won't be accurate," Lantern says softly.

"Fine. It won't matter anyways - I know the place like the back of my hand," Kon puts his feet to the ground.

"Why?" Hawkgirl asks.

"Why what?"

"Why do you know the place like the back of your hand? And for that matter, why do you keep calling Lex Luthor by his first name?" She tosses some of her hair over her shoulder to get it out of her way.

"None of your business."

"What is with you and-"

"So, what do you say we stage our break in tomorrow?" Nightwing stands up and claps his hands together. Most of the table flinch.

"Why not today?" Lantern asks and puts a hand over Hawkgirl's.

"I want to give our kryptonian teammates a little more time to recover before we throw ourselves at Luthor," Nightwing's head only tilts slightly but it's clear that he's glancing at Kon. "Any other questions?"

"Yes," Kal nods and turns in his seat. "Kon, you haven't patrolled since we got here. Is there a reason for that?"

"Some of the Titans covered for me over the weekend. I think you'd know them? Starfire, Raven, Beast?"

"Wait, Beast? I haven't heard of that one," Lantern says.

"Used to be Beast Boy?"

"Oh, I do know him," Lantern smiles and then pauses. "I can see why he changed it."

"Still, is there a reason you missed patrol?" Kal asks.

"I only patrol three days a week. It's... complicated but the general gist is that I deal with the smaller issues. No drugs rings, no gangs, no trafficking. Only things that can be dealt with immediately," Kon picks at the skin of his fingers. Kal cringes.

"Why's that?"

"Well, I haven't been doing this for very long," Kon says.

"Do you... do you want to do this? Being a hero, I mean."

Kon looks up at the ceiling and pulls at his pierced ear.

"At first I didn't really know. Then I did my first day and... it just felt right, you know? The helping, the comforting, the people - it all just... fit," Kon says as he tugs at his earlobe.

"That's good! That's... I'm happy to hear that, Kon," Kal says genuinely. It's nice to know that Kon is doing something of his own volition, Kal thinks.

"I'm going to go now if that's all," Kon gives Kid's hand a squeeze before letting go and getting up.

"But you haven't eaten anything," Kal protests.

"I'll get something from the kitchen," Kon looks down at the table. His throat bobs and Kal notices something the rest of the room, except for Kon himself, can't hear: the sound of gagging. "I hate cereal."

Kon walks off after he pushes his chair in with his foot.

"Kal," Lantern sighs. "How have you managed to upset the kid this time?"

"I didn't do anything though!" Kal says and then he turns around to look at Batman and asks,"did I?"

"Not that I could tell."

"Hold on, what did he mean 'this time'? What did you do?" Red Hood gets up out of his seat, hands twitching.

"Nothing! Just..."

"If it had been nothing, why had Kon been clinging to my leg yesterday during the movie?" Kid Flash crosses his arms. Apparently, upsetting Kon had been enough to lose any good will Kid Flash had had for Kal.

Which is understandable, Kal thinks. He hates an alternate version of himself for mistreating Kon so he'd be a little bit of a hypocrite to condemn Kid Flash's scepticism.

"Kal didn't do anything. The kid's just overly sensitive," Hawkgirl huffs.

"Excuse you?" Robin gets up and his voice is cold.

"If your Superman has upset Kon somehow, we need to know," Nightwing crosses his legs and leans back in his chair.

"We're not sure what was done that upset Kon," Lantern says.

"How can you not be sure?" Kid Flash's foot taps against the ground impatiently.

"We're just not, there's nothing I can think of that should have upset him..." Kal explains awkwardly.

"Just because you don't think there's something worth being upset over doesn't mean there isn't," Batman turns his head to the side to look at Kal.

"What- what do you mean?"

"Being upset is emotional, Kal. It doesn't always have a logical reason behind it."

"But..."

"Oh, I get it," Hawgirl leans over the table to put a hand on Kal's forearm. "Kal, have you ever just had the worst day and the littlest thing has set you off? One thing goes slightly wrong and suddenly, you're a wreck?"

Kal can't help but think of the day his parents told him that he was an alien. That morning, he had been late for school, caught in the rain and had fallen down a short set of steps which had ruined a pair of new jeans. Then his parents had told him he was an alien later that day (in kinder words, he doesn't remember them ever actually using the term 'alien') and he had just broken down sobbing.

It wasn't truly the alien bit that had upset him - he had already been developing powers and had had suspicions he wasn't exactly the same as everyone else - but the long string of unfortunate, uncomfortable events that had happened.

But the only truly bad thing he can think of about yesterday was the kryptonite encounter and even then, that had happened afterwards.

"Yes... but what does that have to do with Kon? He had been with us all day and there wasn't anything awful happening."

"Kon was probably very overwhelmed in that moment, Kal," Batman says. "And most likely still is. Give the boy some time and some patience, alright?"

Nightwing looks between Kal and Batman, sighs and announces, "Alright, fine. We'll let you off-"

"Seriously?" Kid Flash exclaims.

"But try not to test your luck. Even if you are legitimately from another universe and not just a ploy sent by Luthor, that doesn't exempt you from being held to the same standards as our own teammates," Nightwing gets up and dusts himself off. Red Hood snorts.

"He's saying that if you hurt Kon, you'll have hell to pay. Are we clear?" Red Hood's gaze is most definitely directed at Kal.

"Clear as crystal."

"Okay, glad to have that sorted," Nightwing pats both his brothers in the back. "We're heading to patrol. I'm assuming we can trust you not to destroy the place while we're gone?" He asks teasingly.

"Of course," Batman nods.

Robin collects his papers and then he, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Kid Flash all walk out. Nobody talks again until they've heard the Zeta tubes go off.

"So, are you going to explain whatever situation you apparently got yourself into while we," Batman gestures to himself, J'ohn and Diana, "were away or do we have to assume?"

"I offered for him sit on one the couches and he just- just got really irritated and practically latched on to Kid Flash."

"That is strange..." J'ohn mumbles.

"Why were the boys all in their pyjamas still?" Diana asks.

Kal fights back the urge to smile. "They all fell asleep in one of the spare rooms. The three were cuddled up to each other on the floor."

"Aw, cute," Flash chuckles. "Did you get a picture?"

"No, I didn't have anything to take a photo with. And even if I did, why would I?"

"Parents just do that kind of thing - sometimes, even aunts or uncles," Flash shrugs. "I figured alternate us would have appreciated it."

Batman hums affirmatively.

Kal sighs. Maybe he should start writing things down - even if biological kids aren't an option, he could always adopt in future. Maybe an older child who's in need of a home...

But then people would have to look over his legal papers, including his very much forged birth certificate. One which might not hold up under extensive scrutiny.

Kal sighs again. He wishes being here didn't make him long so badly for a family of his own, especially when it's not a viable option for him.

The Justice League look around at one other and give quick concerned glances at Kal.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm sure alternate us won't be too upset about one missed picture opportunity," Flash says in a reassuring tone. Hawkgirl adds;

"They don't even know, so when you think about it, there's nothing to be upset about."

Kal chuckles. "That's not what has me down, it's just- just difficult being here, knowing that I'll never have this kind of future..." He looks at where Kon had been sitting.

"There's always other ways of having kids, you know?" Lantern tries to cheer Kal up.

"Ways that would involve thorough background checks, you mean? My civilian identity's birth certificate and medical documents are all forged. I don't think I'd even make it past the first screening," Kal laughs humourlessly.

"I could always pull some strings if need be," Batman abruptly suggests. "If you ever genuinely consider adoption or fostering."

Nothing but breathing can be heard for a minute as the Justice League collectively stare at Batman in stunned silence.

"Batman, are- are you seriously offering to illegally help me bypass the adoption system?"

"That's not exactly what I said but... that's the gist of it. I know you, I know you're a good person and you've lived among humans for long enough that I can safely say you know how human children work," Batman shrugs as though he had offered something minor like getting Kal a drink.

"I- I don't know what to say, B... Thank you, I'll keep it in mind." Kal is truly touched by the gesture but also slightly concerned by the ease of Batman offering to, presumably, break several laws.

Though Kal supposes he shouldn’t be surprised. Batman is from Gotham, which Kal has learnt doesn’t play by the same rules as the rest of the world. It’s entirely possible that the Gotham foster system is lax enough that Batman could shuffle some things around which is depressing but useful.

Green Lantern begins to speak, breaking Kal’s train of thought.

“Hey, since we have some time to kill alone, what do you say we do some training?”

Chapter Text

Green Lantern hits the floor with a hard thud, bouncing a couple of times on the mats.

"Good one, Shayera," he sits up and rubs at his aching back. "Though I don't think this is entirely fair."

"Excuse you?" She crosses her arms. She has a teasing smirk across her face and her ginger hair is in disarray.

"You're using your wings for leverage even if you're not flying," he explains.

"I can't help that, it's reflex."

"You could tie them down with boxing tape," he suggests playfully. Then hurriedly adds, "only if you're okay with it, of course."

The thought of binding her wings makes her uncomfortable - it would be what any smart captor would do if they captured her. It's taking away an easy escape, a quick weapon and most of all, leaving her vulnerable. But thinking about doing it in the Hall, surrounded by a group of heroes who have her back... It's not as scary.

Shayera hums, stretching her wings forward to get a good look at them. "I'm going to need help to wrap my wings. Diana, would you mind?"

"Not at all," Diana says, stilling her punching bag and walking forward into the make shift ring (several currently not in use punching bags arranged in a circle and connected with duct tape) in the middle of the room. "Do you have any tape on you?"

When Shayera shakes her head, Batman throws a roll of it into the ring. Diana picks it up and gestures for Shayera to turn around.

When Shayera turns, she looks over at the others in the room.

Flash is happily running circles around the room while Batman reads out the different speeds from a speed gun.

Green Lantern is stretching and quietly murmuring about being 'bruised for days', which he won't be - Shayera made sure to floor him on the thickest of the mats.

Martian Manhunter is enjoying the climbing wall, challenging himself to not use his levitation abilities.

Shayera can feel Diana firmly pulling tape around her wings and binding them to her back. Diana gently rests a hand in between Shayera's shoulder blades. "How does it feel, Hawkgirl? Not too tight?"

"No, it's all good," Shayera says and flexes her wings. The bonds are secure but with enough give to not pull at her feathers. "And there's actually something I'd like to ask you all," she makes her voice a little louder to catch everyone's attention.

They all turn to her curiously.

"When we're not on the field, I'd like if you all could call me Shayera instead of Hawkgirl," she smiles hopefully and hopes they don't notice how she digs her nails into her arms nervously.

Agreement sounds out across the room.

"Not a problem, Hawk- Shayera. Sorry, that might take a bit to get used to," Flash chuckles.

"As long as nobody gets them mixed up in public, I see no issue with it," Batman chimes in.

"Whatever makes you most comfortable, Shayera," Diana pats Shayera on the shoulder.

"Of course," Martian Manhunter agrees.

Lantern simply looks at Shayera with a soft smile.

Shayera breathes a sigh of relief. "That... was a lot more nerve-wracking than I thought it'd be."

"But went a lot better than you imagined, right?" Green Lantern chuckles. "Come now, stop stalling just because you know you're going to lose."

"Bring it," Hawkgirl rolls her shoulders and gets into a fighting stance. Diana gets out of the ring and walks over to the corner of the room, where Kal is sat alone on one of the benches.

"Kal, are you feeling okay?" She asks.

"What?" He blinks up at her, his expression blank for a moment before smiling at her. "Oh, I'm fine."

"Really? Because usually you'd be the first one to affirm anyone's doubts or worries..."

"What do you mean? Did something happen?" He looks around quickly and when he sees everyone seemingly in bright spirits, he relaxes.

"Did you not hear Shayera just now?" Diana slides over onto the bench beside him, brows creased in worry.

"Hawkgirl said something?"

"She has asked us to call her Shayera when not on the field," Diana says slowly. "I'm worried for you, Kal. We all are."

"I'm fine-" he runs a hand through his hair and tugs at it when his fingers get snagged.

"You are not. You are not and you do not have to be. Let us help you and tell us what is wrong," she pleads.

"Everything. This world is all so... wrong," he sighs and rests his head against the wall behind him. "Kon is obviously hurting and this world's Superman has seemingly done nothing."

"We do not know that for sure-"

"You've seen the kid, Diana. No well loved kid is like that, not one," Kal's eyes search the ceiling as though answers are written there. They’re not, of course.

And for a moment, all Diana can think is how unlike other children Kon has seemed. How completely strange his behaviour has been, how compared to other kids who are presumably close to him in age, he has seemed almost alien.

"Well... maybe not human children," Diana cautiously suggests. Kal's eyes dart to hers and she finds herself uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

"What do you mean by that, Diana?"

"Just that Kon is not like the children we rescue or that we see day to day. He is not human, Kal, and we need to keep that in mind," Diana carefully chooses her next words. "For all we know, some of his more... unique quirks, may just be a result of being krypton."

"Kryptonian, Diana. The word is kryptonian."

"Are those not the same thing?" Diana asks. Kal supposes it's a fair question as Diana refers to herself equally as an amazon and as amazonian - to her, the difference is negligible.

"No, it's... Krypton is exclusively the name of the planet and kryptonian is purely the name of the species. They're not interchangeable, it would be like calling J'ohn a Mars," Kal explains.

Diana snorts. "I see my mistake now."

Kal watches as Shayera and Green Lantern take turns in gaining the upper hand. Shayera will toss him down onto the mats and Lantern will snag one of her ankles and they'll both hurriedly get up and return to circling.

It's like watching puppies play fight. Neither wanting to hurt each other, just wanting to prove something.

Kal wonders if Kon does any of this with his friends. Would he be comfortable enough to wrestle and rough house with humans, people so terribly fragile in comparison to kryptonians.

Kal knows control, is intimately familiar with idea of restraint because of a human upbringing. But Kon? Kon hasn't mentioned being related to anyone other than Bizarro, who's undoubtedly also kryptonian.

Would Kon have ever learned how to not hurt someone when playfully shoving them? Or when training?

"And you are gone again," Diana snaps her fingers in front of Kal's nose.

"What?"

"I will leave you to think about what I have said. For now, try not to chastise yourself for things you have not done," Diana gets up and takes in Kal's expression. "You, as yourself, are not this boy's father or guardian. You are simply a man who shares the same face."

"I know..." Kal really does try not to let his frown deepen but there's only so much he can do with his emotions so twisted.

Diana tucks her hair behind her ear roughly and turns to face the rest of the room.

"Try not to look so upset. In a way, this is incredibly fortunate - you now know that things can be worse so that you can appreciate what is better," she says. "And Kal?"

"Yes, Diana?"

"If you ever take up Batman on his offer of..." Diana waves a hand off to one side, probably trying to think of the gentlest way of saying 'breaking the law'. "Assistance through the adoption system, I have no doubt you would be a great father."

Diana turns her head to look over her shoulder.

"After all, bad parents would not care this much about a child from an alternate universe - especially not one that they will never have to see again," Diana walks away, light on her feet.

Kal feels his breath catch in his throat. Diana is right, so absolutely awfully right. Once they find a way back home, Kon will still be here. He'll still be here with a Superman who doesn't care for him, hurting in silence and thinking the mistreatment he goes through is normal.

All the whilst Kal will be back home, knowing that there was a child he didn't save. He can't let that happen.

He won't let that happen.

__________________________________

They train for four hours in total. As equipped as the Hall of Justice is, it doesn't have much in way of entertainment aside from hurling your teammates onto cushioned mats and exchanging blows.

They really ought to put some board games here at some point. If they ever need to lay low, they'll appreciate it.

Batman makes a mental note to buy some books and games for the both the Hall and the Watchtower. He'll have to ask his teammates about what genres they like or else it will purely end up being gothic novels, children's books and parenting guides (actually, maybe he should recommend some of those to Kal - he's sure he has a couple on the adoption and foster care system as well)...

Or he could just send out a survey. He likes that idea better than asking in person - it could be a survey for feedback on team spaces. It'd be undoubtedly useful.

He shuts the speed gun off and goes to the large, heavy duty black cabinets against the back wall, putting the gun back in its designated spot.

He can see Lantern and Hawkgirl taking apart the ring and lining up the punching bags into rows. Then there's Diana wrapping up and putting away the boxing tape and Flash and Martian Manhunter putting away other miscellaneous gear. Kal is just stood awkwardly to one side, seemingly having no clue what to do with himself.

Batman heads over and when he's close enough, puts a hand on Kal's shoulder. "Are you doing alright?"

"Why is that all anyone seems to ask this week?"

"Because your teammates are worried about you," Batman says and then more quietly adds, "because we are worried about you."

"And now you're starting to sound like Diana," Kal groans.

"I don't know why you say that like it's a bad thing - Diana is a very intelligent woman and her willingness to help others is a great trait to have," Batman takes a long hard look at Kal. "Superman-"

"Hey, you all might want to see this!" Flash calls out. "There's some weird buttons on the wall that I swear we don't have in our universe's training room."

Everyone gathers by the panel near the door and sure enough, down the side are a set of six buttons.

"That is... odd,” Diana remarks. She was one of the more frequent users of the training facilities and had never noticed them before.

"That's one way to put it,” Lantern steps closer to get a better look. The buttons are all the same size and they’re the same colour as the panel they’re on.

"At least three of those are perfectly normal buttons that we also have,” Batman grumbles and starts pointing at buttons. “That one is for air conditioning, that is for heating and that one is for emergency contact."

"Why do we need an emergency contact button?" Green Lantern asks.

"In case anyone gets locked in here."

"This is our building, in what scenario-"

"Mind control, betrayal, hacking-"

"Mind control is reasonable but do you really think anyone here is going to turn to a life of crime?" Lantern gestures to the group at large.

"This is one of the highest tech buildings ever, you've said so yourself, so why would hacking be an issue?" Flash asks.

"I don't think it's likely but it's best to be prepared for every possible situation."

"Paranoid much?" Green Lantern rolls his eyes.

"Lantern,” Diana says scoldingly.

"If having an emergency panic button makes anyone here feel safer than I think it is a good idea even if it will never be used,” J’ohn puts a hand on Lantern’s shoulder.

"J'ohn has a point, Lantern,” Kal looks towards J’ohn curiously. J’ohn’s knowledge of other people’s emotions makes him great at de-escalating fights but he also sometimes ends up saying more than he should. Kal wonders if this is one of those times.

Does Batman feel safer because all of his back-up plans and contingency and constant over-preparation? Kal had always, perhaps unfairly, assumed it was just a strange compulsion the man had. Like how Flash is constantly moving, even when unaware or how Lois is always chewing on the ends of her pencils.

Somehow, the idea that maybe Batman wasn’t just doing it ‘just because’ frightens Kal. Because for him to be constantly be scared of what-ifs and being caught off guard has to have a reason behind it.

Normal, well-adjusted adults don’t live in constant fear of what-ifs like kids do of the dark. So what must have happened for Batman to see danger in every corner? In what is meant to be the safest building in the world?

"Well then, what do the other buttons do?" Green Lantern points at them.

"Let's find out,” Shayera knocks her knuckles against the panels.

"Is that a good idea?"

"I'm assuming that the other us isn't going to do anything to injure their own team," she shrugs. “Besides, they don't even know we're here."

"It could be a Batman contingency."

"It's possible," Batman confirms. “Not likely unless any of you have done anything to make me believe the Hall is unsafe, but possible."

"You heard the man, it's unlikely at best,” Shayera grins and with hesitation presses the first mysterious button.

Kal’s enhanced hearing allows him to hear the quiet clicking in the walls as the lights shut off for a second. When they come back on, they’re duller and have taken on a red hue.

“Mood lighting? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Green Lantern chuckles.

“Anti-climatic much?” Flash looks up at the lights, giggling slightly before adding, “I guess it could be useful if we had a light sensitive teammate in future though. They’re less harsh than the usual lighting.”

“Okay, that’s the first button. What about this one?” Shayera presses down a second button.

There’s an audible click of metal as silver shutters descend around the room, covering everything from the ceiling to the floor to the door. Kal feels a spike of anxiety as he realises that the metal is part lead.

“Strange,” Diana hums as she runs a hand over the shutters. “What are these for?”

“They’re lead,” Kal chokes out. “They’re all lead.”

A cage, Kal thinks. No sunlight and entirely encased in lead - if he had just been exposed to kryptonite, it’d be the perfect place to hold him.

More proof that this universe’s Superman is awful.

Batman feels the walls and looks up to lights and his lips twitch in the way that suggests he wants to smile. “This… this is ingenious,” he mutters and then louder, “the shutters block sun and the lights must be red sun lamps.”

“And your point?” Lantern asks.

“This would allow Kal run himself down to the point of being de-powered - which would make it easier for our more experienced fighters to teach him actual technique without Kal being worried about holding back,” Batman gives the shutters a firm hit and seems pleased by the lack of movement.

“Neat!” Flash grins. “And I bet it would be super useful in situations where his powers don’t work as well or could be too destructive.”

“It would be nice to be able to properly spar with Kal,” Diana chimes it.

J’ohn, from next to Kal, whispers, “Kal, are you alright? You seem distressed.”

Loudly, Kal says, “let’s just test the last button and get out, okay?”

Shayera obligingly presses the last button. The shutters retract first and then the lights shut off and change back to what they looked like before. They’re warm.

“So this one is just an off button for the other two?” Shayera asks.

“I suppose so,” Diana looks around the room.

“That’s odd. I don’t usually put separate off buttons, I just have it so that if you press it again it’s off…” Batman looks curiously at the panel.

Kal shakes himself off.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have a switch then?” Flash leans over to have a look himself.

Kal starts walking.

“No, in an emergency it’s easier to push a button and a switch would be at risk of being broken in one position.”

Kal opens the door.

“Oh, I see. I guess switches would be a bit of a hassle with teammates who have super strength.

Kal leaves.

Chapter Text

When Kal leaves the training room, he heads straight for where he knows his room in the Hall will be. He unceremoniously throws the door open and rummages through his drawers until he comes across the stationary.

He hates that they're in a different place to where he would put them at home. It's the small details that really show that the Superman here is unlike Kal in every which way.

He lays out the thin sheets of paper across the desk and begins to address them.

To Green Lantern.

To Wonder Woman.

To Shayera.

To Flash.

To J'ohn.

To Batman.

It's only then does he begin properly writing. He switches from paper to paper, trying to capture the absolute horror he has felt during his time here, how appalled he is at Kon's mistreatment, a plead for each and every one of them to do something about what's going on, to speak up and aren't they heroes? And how could they let one of their own be so cruel?

He doesn't intend to but he ends up making Batman's the longest. Where the others are a page at most, Batman's spans both sides of two pages with each injustice to Kon listed in detail.

Oddly, Kal feels like Batman is the one that would really make a difference for this universe's Kon. It could be because Batman is also a parent, or because Batman has never failed to stand up to those stronger than himself, or maybe it's because Kal has proof of this Batman's kindness in Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin.

So, he writes and hopes it will make a difference after Kal and his Justice League have left. After these are done - or as done as they can be, Kal won't hesitate to add anything new he finds - he deliberates on what to do with them, where to put them.

He doesn't want his teammates - his own teammates - to see them. He doesn't want to risk being told that he's overreacting or that it's nothing because what would that mean for their own future? That they would let a child be treated so terribly?

It's awful of him but he'd rather live in blissful ignorance for now.

It means he can't put them in the Watchtower because there's too high of a chance of them coming across the letters. That leaves the Hall of Justice.

He doesn't want Kon or anyone other than the intended recipients reading the letters - they might end up throwing them out in fear of possible repercussions from this world's Superman. And isn't that a nasty thought? That everyone would be so scared of angry this world's Superman that they would throw out something that could help, that could save them?

That excludes any communal area, leaving only the bedrooms left.

Decided, he quickly leaves his room and slides almost every letter into its place in the recipient's top drawer. The only one he has left is Batman's.

He'd like to put Batman's in the man's room and be done with it but...

Kal remembers the notes Batman's Watchtower room, handwriting not his own. It seems like Batman’s children have complete access to his rooms whether he's here or not which means it's likely one of them would happen across the letter first.

Kal heads back to his room and shoves Batmans letter into his own drawer for the time being. Before they leave, he'll put it in Batman's drawer and will just have to hope that the kids won't find it first.

He doesn't want to burden the boys with that.

He's written down everything in the letters that he feels he needed to but his fingers still itch to write so he sits down and starts an entirely new letter and addresses it with pointed loathing twisting every letter.

To Superman. To Kal-El. To Clark Kent.

_________________________________

"Kal left in a rush..." Flash mutters and isn't comforted in the slightest by the nods of agreement that spreads throughout their group.

"He has not been taking the situation well," Diana starts.

"Neither has anyone else, princess, but none of us have ran away at light speed, have we?" Green Lantern looks at the panel with the buttons. "And he wasn't jumpy until-"

"Until the red sunlight and shutters came on? Yeah," Shayera folds her arms over one another, eyes looking at the door.

"That's... odd," Flash says.

"You're telling me," Lantern runs a hand across his face, "I'm not sure how long Kal's going to be able to keep it together here. Politely, the guy is a wreck."

"J'onzz, what emotions did you feel off of Kal before he left?" Shayera asks. Before J'ohn has a chance to speak, Flash interrupts.

"Isn't that a major invasion of privacy?"

"Not really," she shrugs. "Look at it this way, if we had been looking at him, we probably would've been able to tell for ourselves, right?"

"Yeah, I guess," he then mumbles, "although I'm really not sure what that has to do with anything."

"So, if one of us had been looking at him and the others weren't then would the one who saw telling everyone else what they saw be an invasion of privacy?"

"No."

"Exactly," Shayera grins at him before turning back to J'ohn. "So, what emotions was Kal feeling before he left, J'onzz?"

"Shock, fear," J'ohn looks up at the ceiling and, in a quieter voice, finishes, "anger."

"What could have made him so upset?" Diana frowns.

The others look around as though searching for an answer when Batman's breath hitches and Shayera's eyes widen. They share a look and Shayera hesitantly steps towards the panel.

"You're thinking it too, right?" Her voice is quiet.

"I should have thought about it sooner," he scolds himself. "Of course, it would upset him."

"Love whatever bonding is going on here but will one of you please tell us what's going on?" Lantern looks between the two, sounding annoyed but his expression is one of pure concern.

"I don't think Kal was thinking about this room like we were," Batman explains. "I can't blame him. Lead lined shutters, only red sunlight, no exit... it is rather alarming."

With dawning horror, Flash steps forward. "What are you saying? That- that he thought this place was some kind of..."

"Holding cell? That's exactly what we're saying," Shayera shakes out her wings slightly, seeming uncomfortable.

"But I am sure that is not its purpose," Diana says. "Right, Batman?"

"I agree with you, Diana but what its actual purpose is isn't what Kal was thinking of, was it?"

"But we would never hurt him - he knows that! He... he does know that, right?" Diana whispers shakily.

"Just because you factually know it doesn't make the fear go away, Diana," Shayera pats Diana on the arm. "It's not that he doesn't trust us, alright? It's just..."

Shayera backs up and runs her hands through her hair. "Think of it this way. If I, unprompted, asked to tie your hands behind your back, would you let me?"

"I would guess that there was a good reason for it so yes, I suppose," Diana says slowly.

"I'm with Diana on this one," Lantern agrees, unsurprised when Flash and J'ohn nods along.

"I wouldn't," Batman says.

"See?" Shayera, while looking at Diana, gestures at Batman. "Batman, you trust me, right?"

"I wouldn't be working with you otherwise," he deadpans.

"Which means asking someone to disarm themselves is more than just a matter of trust," Shayera concludes.

"Okay, so what else plays into it?" Flash asks curiously.

"Comfort," Batman says simply.

"But... aren't those the same thing?"

"Not at all. They're connected, of course but not the same. You can trust someone entirely and still have some level of discomfort," not for the first time, the Justice League hates the white opaque lenses that Batman wears - it would be so helpful to just be able to see his eyes.

"And even if it were a matter of trust, it wouldn't make Kal's distress any less reasonable," he says firmly. When everyone but J'ohn and Shayera give him a confused look he elaborates.

"I have not revealed my identity to any of you and I’ll admit at first it was because I didn’t trust you. But now, I do trust you all. I turn my back to all when I’m injured despite the fact it leaves me vulnerable and I’ve even shown several of you the Batcave - that should show how much I trust you all,” he explains softly.

“Yet, I still wouldn’t share my identity with you even now. And now that decision has nothing to do with trust - now, it’s about comfort, my own comfort with that decision. See the difference?” Batman asks and isn’t surprised to see realisation light up in Flash’s eyes.

"Not to mention that Kal has only been able to speculate how awful this universe's Superman is. It must have seemed like proof to him," J'ohn adds.

"So, how do we fix this?" Lantern looks towards each of his teammates, hoping for someone to have an idea.

"I'll talk to him," Batman steps into the doorway.

"Are you sure that you should be the one to do that?" Lantern asks sceptically.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't?"

"You're not the most..." Lantern waves his hand before setting on, "emotionally in tuned person on the team. Are you sure you'll be alright comforting Kal?"

"Who said that I would be comforting him?" is what Batman says before making a swift exit.

"This is either going to go really well or really badly and I'm not sure which," Flash shakes his head.

"Let's hope it goes well, Kal doesn't need anymore stress than he's already dealing with," Shayera gives where Batman had stood a worried look.

"I have the upmost faith in Batman," Diana smiles reassuringly.

"Great because I don't," Lantern grumbles.

_________________________________

Kal is set at the desk in his room, pages of what can only be the most vitriolic writing he's ever written spread out before him. The handwriting is scruffy unlike how it was with the other letters - those he needed to look reasonable, persuasive. With these, he doesn't need them to achieve some goal as he's writing for himself.

For both himself and the him of this world, that is.

It's a surreal experience to write for himself, Kal thinks. Knowing that everything he writes will hit the reader with a piercing shock because he knows how he would feel reading what he had written.

In another way, it's not so different at all. Kal doesn't know this world's Superman, not in any personal way. For all he knows, this Superman could as opposite as could be from Kal himself. The only thing Kal truly knows is that how Kon has been treated is unacceptable and this world's Superman should have been the one to take care of the boy.

Even if this world's Superman and Kon aren't related in the conventional sense (a possibility that looks more likely the longer Kal spends here), sticking their house's crest on the kid may as well be a bright, neon sign saying 'family' in Kal’s eyes.

Honestly, if this world's Superman wasn't going to take care of the kid then the least his alternate self could have done was give Kon to someone who would take care of him.

Batman, maybe. Kal doubts the man would be upset at having another son and Kon already gets along with the other kids so really, it would be a win-win situation.

Kal collects the papers, taps them against the table to even them out and slides them into his drawers.

A knock sounds out across the room.

"Come in," Kal calls.

The door is pushed open and Batman steps into the room. His footsteps fall heavily against the floor as he walks over to sit on the edge of the bed. His elbows are rested on either of his knees and he has his fingers interlocked between them.

Kal can't help but think it looks eerily like what his pa would do before giving advice.

"Kal, we need to talk," Batman says calmly and Kal corrects his initial thought.

That is exactly what pa would do before giving advice and for some reason Batman is doing the same. It must be a dad thing, Kal supposes.

If he didn’t already expect this, Kal would ask why Batman is here. The answer is obvious though. Kal had run off without any discernible reason whilst they’re in a completely different world with very limited knowledge other than assumptions that the world must be mostly the same.

It was a poor decision, one that might’ve been dangerous if Kal had decided to leave the Hall. He’d like to think he wouldn’t have done that but…

Kal grips his desk and tries to ground himself. "I'm sorry for rushing out of there, I just-"

Batman holds a hand up. "There's no need for an explanation. All I ask is that if you ever feel the need to do that again, you try and give us a warning first," Batman puts his hand down. "We were worried."

"But... I shouldn't have just- just left like that!" Kal thinks back to how abruptly he had left and how concerned his teammates must have been. Guilt burns at the back of his throat.

Even if the room had been so horribly claustrophobic with those shutters encasing everything-

Even if the red sunlight had felt like damnation written across his skin-

Even if he had felt ill at the idea of a room made to contain him, it doesn't justify him-

"Kal, there is nothing wrong with removing yourself from a situation that is upsetting for you," Batman nods at Kal's side. "Especially if you don't think you'll be able to handle it in a desirable way."

Kal pauses, wondering what Batman could mean. Knowing that Batman isn't angry with him, he relaxes and by extension, lets go of the desk. He hears the splinters hitting the floor more than he feels it.

Kal looks back hesitantly and is appalled to see an imprint of a handprint in the table with cracks crawling off of the edge of it.

He hasn’t lost control like that in ages.

He rests his head in his hands and mumbles, "I hate this. I hate this and the worst bit about it is that I can't do anything about it. Not in any meaningful way at least."

"What do you mean by that?"

Kal looks up at Batman. "If my alternate self were here, it'd be easy! Or, at least easier. Just deal with him and be done, right? But he's not here, he's off-world which means there isn't a single thing I can do," he huffs.

Batman looks at him for a moment before softly saying, "easier for you."

"Excuse you?"

"It would be easier for you because then you have one target for all that upset and anger you're feeling. But for Kon? Kon would have had to try and pick up the pieces of whatever fight you two would've had," Batman reasons.

And it makes sense - Kal doesn't kill, doesn't think he has it in him to kill. And where would that leave Kon? With an angrier Superman he’d have to placate?

“So, there really isn’t anything I can do, huh?” Kal thinks back to the letters hopefully but that hope is crushed by the thought that Kon has been allowed to suffer for this long. What are the chances that this Justice League knows and simply doesn’t do anything?

Kal tries to comfort himself with the thought that Nightwing and Red Hood and Robin are all seemingly happy and healthy in life and if nothing else, this world’s Batman can’t be bad.

Kal suppresses a flinch when he feels Batman’s gauntlet on his shoulder. “You can still help,” Batman’s lenses may be emotionless but the gentle curve of a smile across his mouth isn’t. “Try and show Kon how he should be treated - that way when he’s treated unfairly, he’ll know. It should be too easy for you honestly, just be your usual self and I think it’ll help more than you know.”

“It doesn’t feel like much,” Kal carefully takes Batman’s hand in his two and can’t help but pay attention to the man’s steady pulse hidden behind his kevlar.

Kal wonders how his own pulse sounds at the moment. Erratic, most probably. He’s never actually listened to his own heartbeat before, afraid to find it completely wrong compared to the people he lives among.

He should change that, he thinks and all that runs through his mind is that he would hate it if Kon were so skittish around his own kryptonian nature. Really, the least Kal can do is try to be a good role model while he’s here.

“Most things don’t feel like much, Kal,” Batman reaches his other hand forward to put with his other one now grasping Kal’s. “That doesn’t mean they’re not important.”

Kal looks up and tries to ignore the cool, film-like sensation of tears building in his eyes. “Thanks,” his voice is thick but he powers through it, “I think I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime, Kal,” Batman gets up and dusts himself down before sweeping silently out of the room.

Raising a shaking hand to his forehead, Kal leans back in his chair, closes his eyes and wonders when Kon will return from patrol.

Chapter Text

Soon, the Justice League congregate in the meeting room of the Hall. Kal sees his teammates send worried, sympathetic glances in his direction and he fights the urge to look down at the floor.

They all sit down in their places, after shuffling around awkwardly for a moment - despite this being their building, it really isn't. It belongs to the other world's Justice League so uniquely in that their Hall back home still looks barely lived in.

A warm hand rests itself on his forearm and he looks to the side to see Diana looking at him with frowning eyes and thinned lips. She leans over, whispers, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, Batman talked some sense into me," he replies just as quietly. "I guess I just needed someone to get me out of my own head."

"I am glad," Diana smiles and the deep frown lines that had had been extending from the corners of her eyes smoothen out. "If you ever need anything, tell us. We are a team for a reason."

Kal nods and hones his hearing back in onto the idle chatter of his teammates. Shayera and Green Lantern are discussing whether hand hoops would be a good addition to the training room back home (Shayera dislikes the idea while Lantern is all for it) and Flash and J'ohn are chatting about... honestly, Kal isn't entirely sure. It seems like Flash is just jumping from topic to topic and J'ohn is somehow managing to keep up.

Kal can hear Batman's voice in his throat before the man even starts to speak. "I hadn't realised those two had become so close recently, had you?"

"Not at all," Kal puts his free hand on Batman's shoulder, "although I'm surprised you didn't notice, world's greatest detective."

Imperceptibly to the rest of the group, Batman and Diana shift their chairs in, getting closer to Kal.

"Do not be too hard on him, Kal. We have all been caught up with everything going on," Diana playfully chides.

Batman lets out a pleased huff and says, "I'm not sure this universe's Batman is the world's greatest detective. Looking at the notes I found in the Watchtower's room, it looks as though one of my new protégés may outstrip me."

Kal swallows his surprise at that - he's never met any detective, official or not, that could out do Batman when it came to deduction. The idea that either Red Hood or Robin could come anywhere close, especially considering how young they both appear, is unbelievable.

Or maybe not. Batman no doubt learned from trial and error, but the boys wouldn't have had to - they would have Batman's wealth of knowledge at their disposal from as soon as he thought it fit to teach them.

"Mourning your title already?" Kal teases. And Batman's entire demeanour seems to soften, shoulders relaxing, head tilted almost lazily to one side. Kal wonders if it's more in line with what Batman would look like in his civilian form.

"No, it'd be a proud day to see one of my children do so well. It's what I want for my Robin, the one who's Nightwing here. To be better than me," Batman says it so surely but casually, as though nothing could be simpler.

Diana takes her hand off of Kal's arm and lets it hang at her side - although she leaves it close enough that she bumps shoulders with him. "You are a good parent, Batman," she says and not a moment later is she looking at Kal. "If you ever do consider Batman's offer, I'm sure he wouldn't mind showing you the ropes."

"She's right, you know? Any time, really," Batman chimes in.

Kal clasps his hands in his lap, closes his eyes and focuses on the sensation of Diana and Batman by him. Diana radiates warmth like fired clay fresh from the kiln and Batman has a marching heart that demand to be heard.

And there is so much he wants to say to them, about everything; from the moment they met, to the battles they've faced, to just today.

Yet nothing he could say feels adequate so instead he simply grabs the two hands closest to him and squeezes gently. He has a lifetime to figure out how he can verbalise his gratitude but for now, holding their hands under the table will do.

Diana's is calloused, hard skin cracked in some places like pottery but still she's warm and has the slightly oily palm that Kal has come to associate with handiwork and hard labour. Batman's hand is covered by his gauntlet, cool and smooth and just that much weightier than a proper human hand.

Both squeeze back, Diana's as a steady pulse and Batman's as a brief but firm thing.

"So..." Green Lantern starts. "The boys should be back from patrol soon, right?"

"If what a normal patrol would be is any indication then yes," Batman confirms.

"Are you sure?" Flash asks and when Batman turns those milky lenses towards him, he hastily explains. "I'm just saying that Superboy isn't really an experienced hero and that maybe they'll be going a little slower to accommodate that."

Batman shakes his head. "On patrol, you teach while you travel. There's no need for breaks unless someone is injured or tired," Batman glances as Kal, "and I think we all know enough about kryptonian biology to know the latter isn't likely."

"He has a point," Kal thinks back to his days helping out ma and pa at the farm. When his powers started coming in, there was no such thing as being tired - much to his parent's confusion.

"With that out of the way," Green Lantern unfolds his arms and clasps them on the table in front of him. "How are you holding up, Kal?"

"Better now."

"Good to hear. Though, next time, try talking to us first instead of running off, alright? Can't help if we don't know what's wrong and all that," Lantern says it lightly, cheekily almost, but his face gives away his concern. His grin doesn't quite meet his eyes and his brows are furrowed.

Green Lantern has never worn a mask and Kal is grateful for it. It makes it so much easier to tell what the other person is feeling when you can see the full range of their eyebrows to their eyes to the bridge of their nose.

That doesn't mean Green Lantern doesn't have a secret identity, he does but that's hidden mainly by the power of his ring. There's something in the way neon green pupils and irises can warp a face when they glow or how a simple change in mannerisms could make someone more or less visible.

Kal supposes he can't judge. His disguise a lack of glasses and tousling his hair, at least at first glance.

"I promise I'll try and communicate first. I can't say I'll be any good at it but... I'll try."

The hard stomp of boots against the floor comes from the hallway on the left. Everyone straightens in their seats, perked up like prairie dogs.

The sounds of more footsteps follow and soon, the Robins (ex and all) along with Kon and Kid Flash enter.

"How did patrol go?" Diana gets up from her seat and Kal sees her eyes dart across each of their figures. Batman also stands and he seems to do something similar: head turned to one and then switching to another. Scanning for injures, Kal thinks.

Kal doesn't seem to be the only one to notice though as, after taking his helmet off, Red Hood gives an amused sigh and keeps his arms uncharacteristically unfolded. Most of the other boys do the same, Robin even turning slightly to Batman and brushing his cape behind him as though to say, "see? Not a scratch."

The only one who doesn't is Kon. Under the caring scrutiny of Batman and Diana, he seems to wilt and shuffle to the back of the group. Arms hugging his waist and back hunched, Kon looks like a perfect picture of a new sidekick hiding an injury. Kal has no doubt that if the boy had owned a cape, he would have wrapped it around himself.

There's light chatter around the room - Nightwing quietly recounting stopping an armed theft to the rest of the Justice League and Red Hood butting in a couple of times to comment on the thieves poor handling of armed weapons. Robin whispers to Batman all the while, something about the criminal's history if Kal is hearing right.

But Kal doesn't concern himself with that. Instead he walks over to Kon and brushes the boy's fringe out of his eyes. Kon flinches slightly but doesn't move aside from that. "I was thinking maybe we could rewatch some of the movies we were watching the yesterday. To make up for," Kal pauses for a moment, "upsetting you, you know?"

Kon stares for a moment, mouth not quite agape but definitely not shut either, and says slowly, "you don't have to. It doesn't have to be a big deal if we don't make it one."

Kal tries to soften his voice because in what world should a child be saying something like that (more for the letters, he supposes) and gently corrects, "I'm not offering because I have to, I'm offering because I want to."

Kon's eyes widen and not for the first time, Kal can only think how Kon looks like he was ripped straight out of one of ma and pa's old picture albums from when Clark was a teen except more punk and having lost the glasses. He guesses that would make Kon look more like Superman but as a teenager than anything but why get into semantics?

Someone clears their throat and Kal turns to the side, although he makes sure to keep Kon in his view.

The rest of the room is chatting away, mostly oblivious but Kid Flash stands there, just a little farther in the room than the two kryptonians.

Kid Flash and Kon make eye contact and Kid jerks his head towards Kal and crosses his arms. Kon shakes his head and surprisingly grabs onto the sleeve of Kal's suit. Kid relaxes and walks away, joining the large group in the centre of the meeting room.

"So, I'm assuming we're good to go then?" Kal asks. Kon nods.

"Lead the way."
__________________________________

Throughout the walk down the hallways, Kon's grip on Kal's sleeve doesn't relax. Instead it seems to tighten and become slightly clumsy: adjusting and readjusting for a better hold, occasionally reaching out with the other hand and holding on with both for minutes at a time.

It reminds Kal of small children, toddlers even, groping at the air to catch a parent's shirt hem, skirt or trouser leg except he doubts anyone has ever had a tot with a grip as strong as Kon's.

It would be cute if Kal wasn't preoccupied with where the sudden clinginess has come from. They make it to the room where they had watched the movie last time and almost instinctively, Kon lets go of the sleeve and beelines for the spot of the floor he took last time.

Kal shuts the door and goes over to the TV, turning it on and looking at the play screen that lights it up. They never did take the CD out.

When Kon stops abruptly and swivels on his heel to look at Kal without sitting down, Kal thinks that maybe Kon is worried Kal is going to say something again. Scared of being scolded, maybe.

Kal just sits down on the couch and smiles, in what he hopes is a reassuring way.

Kon, instead of sitting down where he is, walks over to the couch and awkwardly sits cross-legged on it. His back doesn't even touch the supporting cushions with how far forward he's decided to sit.

Kal takes one look at Kon and makes the choice to not ask why Kon is sat stiffer than a soldier toy with snap joints.

The movie starts back up with the dreary scene of a bleak London. This time Kal really does focus on the movie, watching the characters (are they made of clay? They look like it) argue and fluster and move about. It's an odd movie but fun in a way - he likes the songs and finds the bright setting of what seems to be the underworld enthralling. He doesn't like the parts that take place in the living world very much but he supposes not every scene can be a winner.

"Emily's my favourite," Kon says.

Kal watches Emily, the blue bride, sing along with her spider friend before asking, "Why's that?"

Kon shrugs before slowly answering, "Her feelings are complicated and hard to manage and... I like that she struggles with that. With how different she is."

"How so? She was human once too."

"Sure, but she's not human anymore. She's close although I think that really just makes it worse," the lights of the screen flicker across Kon's face, tinging it a muted blue.

"You think so?"

"I mean, it must hurt, right? Being so close to one thing and yet not quite being it. She's like the ashes of a tree, only the way she is because she was destroyed once. That first marriage, or attempted marriage, ruined her," and Kon says this in such a matter of fact manner that Kal can't help but frown.

Being so close to one thing, yet being another... Something about that rings familiar in a way that makes Kal uncomfortable.

He decides to focus on the other part of Kon had said instead.

"I don't think a person can be ruined. Damaged, yes, but ruined? No," Kal shifts slightly, leaning into the armrest beside him with one arm.

"What's the difference?"

"Ruined implies that someone is suddenly destroyed beyond repair in the face of what happened. Damaged is different, it suggests there's a possibility of healing," it's an explanation that Superman has had to give more times than he cares to count.

Thinking back on it, Kal's first couple of days of being a hero had been... disillusioning, to say the least. To see so many people wrapped in shock blankets or huddled against walls looking down at their hands and asking whether what happened to them had ruined them...

By now, Kal's got the entire counter speech and every argument against it memorised.

Kon simply hums, appearing disinterested in continuing the conversation. Even so, Kal makes a mental note that Kon likes conflicted characters that struggle with their oddities.

It's almost ironic how much that differs from how Clark's tastes were as a kid. Clark had loved the run-of-the-mill, everyman characters - ones that were made to project onto.

The movie continues and Kal finds himself lost in the characters and listening more intently when Emily is on screen, scanning for those telltale signs of insecurity that Kon sees.

They're at the part where spiders fix Victor's suit when Kal notices that Kon has moved across the couch - he's barely a hair's breadth away from leaning against Kal.

He doesn't really think much about what he does next and like any spur of the moment action, it's quick and almost startlingly simple.

Kal puts an arm around Kon's shoulders.
__________________________________

The Justice League and the boys sit around the meeting room when they all hear the distinct tick of the clock.

Flash rushes out of the room, checks the clock above the door (a sleek, flat thing that almost blends into the wall) before calling out, "It's almost time for lunch, everyone!"

"Really?" Lantern asks in disbelief. "I guess it's true what they say about time flying..."

"Well then, let us take this to the kitchen, shall we?" Diana claps her hands together, smiling brightly.

Agreement sounds out around the room until it's halted by Robin holding one of his hands up. Everyone pauses and watches as he looks around the room, mask scrunching up at the nose as he continues to look.

"Where's Kon?" Robin's voice is quiet yet still rings out as loud as a gunshot in the large room.

"Kal isn't here either. They're probably together," Batman says and the rumble in his voice almost sounds comforting.

Robin doesn't seem very comforted. The boy tugs at the opening of one of his gloves and his white lenses have gone wide. "Why would they be? There's no possible reason for them to be alone together, Kon-"

"Is fine," Kid cuts in. "He and Superman are just watching the rest of the movie from yesterday together. Something about making up for making Kon uncomfortable."

"And you just let them go off with each other like that?" Robin hisses through his clenched teeth. "You had the audacity to lecture us on leaving Kon alone with this lot and yet now you're pretty much serving Kon up on a silver platter to them? Hypocrite," his hands are balled up at his sides and his face creases in anger, creating deep valleys from the corners of his lips to his nose.

The Justice League look on with mounting apprehension as the two boys glare each other down.

"Kon wanted to and I'm not going to tell him no, am I?" Kid scoffs and crosses his arms.

"You should have! Or at least have gotten someone to supervise the two, poor Kon's been a wreck and now you want to make it worse?" Robin shouts.

"He's not a child!"

"Enough," Batman's firm tone cuts through the commotion. "I'll go check on them. I will be back shortly."

"I would like to come with you," Diana steps forward beside Batman. He nods and they both walk out of the meeting room together.

Nightwing and Red Hood quickly come over to stand on either side of Robin. Nightwing puts a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"I think we should get going now," Nightwing says before looking over to Red Hood.

"Agreed."

"You will not be staying for lunch?" J'onn curiously asks.

"Agent A will worry if Robin isn't back home soon. And... I think it may be best if everyone took a breather away from each other," Nightwing gives an apologetic smile that ends up looking more like a grimace.

Flash walks up to pat Kid Flash on the head. "Yeah, that's a good idea," he chuckles when Kid fusses slightly, batting his hand away.

"You talk to yours, we'll talk to ours?" Hood asks amused.

"I'll give it a go but keep in mind I don't have as much experience dealing with children as future me seems to have," Flash sheepishly shrugs.

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Nightwing reassures Flash and then the trio of brothers all head out.

Nobody speaks again until the hum of the Zeta tubes can be heard.

Flash kneels down in front of Kid Flash and asks, "do you want to tell me what all that was about?"

Kid Flash huffs. "Kon isn't a child, we shouldn't be wrapping him in bubble wrap just because he gets a little uncomfortable sometimes. It's not my fault no one else gets that."

While Kid Flash looks down at his feet, Flash takes the time to share a confused look with his teammates.

They all somehow resist the urge to point out that Kid, Kon and Robin are all children.
__________________________________

When Diana and Batman enter the room, they're pleasantly surprised by what they see. The end credits for a movie is playing and the sound of high piano and dragging violin floats from out of the speakers. Kon and Kal are both asleep on the couch.

Kal has his shoulder on the armrest, one arm tucked under his head. His legs are crossed over and hanging off of the couch.

Kon is slouched into Kal's side, face rested against the man's ribs and legs stretched over the rest of the couch. His hands are fisted into the fabric of the Superman suit and one of Kal's arms are draped across the boy's shoulders.

Diana is deciding whether to wake them up or just leave them to sleep when she hears a click beside her. She turns and sees Batman with a small camera (with tiny bat ears on either side, one working as the camera lense).

Batman looks back at her and completely unabashed says, “trust me, Kal will want to see this once he’s awake.”

She stifles a laugh with the back of her hand and looks back to the two cuddled on the couch. She can see why Kal may want a keepsake of the moment.

Kon’s smiling in his sleep.

Chapter Text

Kal wakes up slowly. The first thing that comes back to him is the sensation of the couch against his back and a warm weight on his side. The next thing is the sound of jazz music, an upbeat sort of song.

He opens his eyes and finds that the movie had gone back to the menu screen at some point. Twisting his head slightly, he can see a dark head of hair sandwiched under his arm and on the side of his chest. Affectionately, he runs a hand over the boys forehead, pushing back the hair so he can see Kon's face.

The sight of Kon's smiling, content face warms Kal's heart. Kal tucks some of the hair behind Kon's ear and not for the first time, his eyes are drawn to the hole there.

Kal can't help but wonder how Kon managed to get pierced, what with how resistant kryptonian skin is. Curiously, Kal turns the boy's head slightly to check the other ear. Not pierced.

It seems strange to only get one ear pierced but Kal doesn't have any piercings, so maybe it's more common than he thinks. He knows Lois has her ears pierced (he's seen her with studs in a couple of times) and Jimmy has pinprick scars on both of his earlobes but other than that, Kal doesn't know many pierced people.

Or maybe he does and he's just never noticed. He tries not to stare and the only reason he had noticed Jimmy's was because of how often they had sat at the same wall facing desk to chat. Maybe he'd ask the other heroes, one of them might have had experience getting their ears pierced. Who knows, he might just learn enough to start up a conversation with Kon about it.

Slowly, with one hand steadying Kon, Kal moves out from under the boy. Kon stirs slightly and the hands fisted into Kal's suit tighten weakly but Kal eventually manages to completely untangle himself. Kon's now empty hands grope at the couch cushions for a moment before stilling and coming to rest just in front of the boy's chest.

Kal watches him curl up and shift for a moment, before unclasping his cape and laying it over Kon. Something about it doesn't look right though; it's messy, the corners rest awkwardly against the backrest or hang over the side of the couch and touch the floor, and it just doesn't look secure.

Kal tuts. Wracking his brain, he tries to remember the last time ma or pa had tucked him in and how they did it. There was a process to it, he was sure.

He'd been in the middle of his teens at the time and had just gone through his first breakup. That night, ma and pa had sat with him in the kitchen - listening to him mourning his first ever relationship - until it was late. Kal closes his eyes, trying to remember how it had gone.

First, they had put him to bed.

Kal looks at the sleeping teenager in front of him and decides that that will have to be close enough, at risk of waking the boy up.

Second, ma had pulled the blanket over him length-wise.

Kal eyes his cape - it's width-wise. Its still covers Kon, his cape is large enough that it dwarfs a curled up child, but it probably would be better to have it length-wise. So, Kal grabs the cape by two of the corners on the nearest long side and pulls it over Kon like that.

Third, pa had tucked the edges into the seam where mattress met bed frame.

Kal supposes down the sides of the cushions would have to do. Slowly, he tucks the edge of his cape down the sides of the couch - smoothing out any creases as necessary.

"Sleep well," he whispers to the boy before turning off the TV and creeping out of the room. A warm feeling of satisfaction settles in his chest as he closes the door.

__________________________________

"It's infuriating! They can't keep him swaddled in bubble wrap forever," Kid Flash furiously scrubs at a plate, soapy water flying off like a broken sprinkler.

Flash had tried to say he'd do it but Kid Flash had insisted on washing up his own plate - something about needing something to do. Something Flash could totally understand! Just... not when it comes to doing the dishes of all things.

Flash would have at least gone for a run or something.

"I'm sure Robin was only trying to protect Kon," and isn't it strange to think anyone would feel the need to protect someone from Superman? It'd almost be funny if it weren't for the very real worry that had overcome Robin earlier.

"And I'd get that if it were like, kryptonite or actual harm. But it's not, Robin just wants to protect Kon's feelings," Kid's bare hands (he took his suit gloves off to wash up) have gone an awful pink colour from the heat of the water. Flash tries not to wince.

"Do you not think emotional harm is actual harm?" Flash asks.

Kid pauses. "Of course, it is."

"But you just said-"

The scrubbing starts up again. Flash isn't sure what imaginary grime Kid is trying to clear off - the plate has been clean for a solid minute now. "I know what I said. All I meant is that I think by babying Kon we're making the situation worse - what happens when he doesn't have others to protect his feelings? What's he going to do?"

"So, the solution is to throw him in the deep end?"

"He's going to have to the worst of the world at some point - better to do it in a safe environment, right?" Kid holds the plate out in front of himself. From over his shoulder, Flash can see the reflection of both of them in it.

Flash has a hunch Kid is looking at him through it. He keeps his eyes focused on the plate. "Maybe he won't have to. I hope he doesn't."

"Are you kidding? Now that he's starting being a hero, there's no way he can avoid the nasty parts of the world. Even if we were to restrict him purely to helping old folk cross the street and saving kittens from trees, he'd still be exposed to it," Kid scowls and gets back to scrubbing at the plate. The bubbles have deflated to a depressingly thin foam by this point.

"How so?"

Kid finally puts the plate on the drying rack and turns around to face Flash. Water drips freely from his hands to the floor.

"Uncle Barry," Kid Flash wipes his wet hands on the sides of his costume. "There's very few reasons why people become heroes. The main ones? One, people see injustice in the world and want to fix it," Kid holds up a finger. "Two, they're angry - they feel personally wronged and want to rectify that. Surrounded by people like that, it's impossible to not see the world's cruelty."

Kid starts walking to the door of the kitchen. The next thing he says is quieter although somehow it doesn't feel any less loud. "You're either seeing good people getting hurt or bad people getting hurt. Either way, it's still violence - still ugly." Kid waves a red, raw hand - nails discoloured from the hot water.

"You should wear gloves next time," Flash remarks.

"Can't. The rubber smell sticks for ages afterwards," Kid leaves after that, footsteps sounding softly down the hall.

Flash is left wondering how such a simple conversation went horribly wrong.

__________________________________

It had taken less than ten minutes of having left Kon for Kal to run into Batman and Diana. They're holding a camera between them and Kal can only assume Batman is explaining how it works by the way he occasionally points at the lense or its screen.

"What are you two doing?" Kal asks, more to warn them of his presence than anything. He has a nasty habit of ignoring gravity whilst suited up, leaving his footsteps either weirdly quiet or non-existent.

"Batman is telling me about how his camera works. He has offered to get me one," Diana turns around and looks up at Kal joyfully. Kal can't help but be confused by her excitement.

"Do you not have a camera?"

"I do but it does not print my photos for me. I either have to use a printer or have to develop it, depending on whether I am using newer technology or not," she sighs. "It does mean I do not have as many pictures of my friends as I would like."

Kal thinks back to last December, where his parents had asked for him to send over photos so they could replace some of the old ones back home - last time he'd been round, some had been sun bleached to the point it had looked like the brightness had been turned up all the way. He'd only had two, maybe three photos of himself that he had actually taken. He had felt so bad about how few there were that he had ending up sending some that had actually been group pictures with his colleagues, just so he'd be able to pad it out a bit.

"I understand, I've been there," Kal nods sympathetically.

"Speaking of pictures of friends!" Diana perks up and looks towards Batman. "Now would be the perfect time to show Kal, right?"

"Show me what?"

Batman reaches into one of the back pockets of his utility belt and pulls out a piece of paper. Kal barely has time to look at it before it's placed into his hands. Kal looks at the blank, white square for a long moment before turning it over.

It's a picture, shockingly clear for something that's come out a Polaroid camera, of him and Kon together on the couch. With their matching suits, their identical black hair and the casual affection of sleeping cuddled up to one another, they really do look like father and son.

Kal wonders if a picture of Clark Kent and whatever civilian identity Kon has taken on would look the same.

Would Kon, like Kal, wear what look like prescription glasses? Or are the sunglasses a staple in both of Kon's lives?

Imagining Kon in civilian clothing is harder than it should be - Clark's clothing style initially how he felt upon moving to Metropolis, how uncomfortable he had felt in such a big city. Eventually, as he had became more at ease, he'd felt better dressing with comfort in mind - scratchy but professional looking fabrics got switched out for softer, more homely materials and the awful strap of his work lanyard got lined (with permission) with the scraps of an old nightshirt.

Kal wonders whether Kon has had the same experience. That keeping up appearances should only ever go as far as you're comfortable with when it comes to secret identities.

"Thank you," Kal says once he's realised he's been silently staring at the photo for a good couple of minutes now. "I really appreciate this."

He takes another long look and thinks maybe he should get a polaroid camera at some point. Get in to photo booking or something.

Kal feels fingers brushing against the top of his shoulder. He looks up at the familiar gauntlet touching him and gives Batman a curious look.

"Where's your cape?" Batman asks.

Kal had almost forgotten he had taken it off. "Oh, that? It's with Kon."

Batman lowers his hand from Kal's shoulder, almost seeming content with the explanation. "Kon, who is still asleep, you mean?"

"Yes," Kal hesitantly replies.

Batman gives Kal what can only be called a knowing look, although what Batman knows Kal can't be sure.

"Diana," Batman starts, not looking away from Kal. "I'll get a camera for you by the first meeting we have back in our own world. And Kal?"

"Y-yes?"

"Welcome to fatherhood," and with that, Batman walks off with his cape fluttering behind him

__________________________________

Shayera walks through the halls slowly. She hadn't had much time to just look around the other day but today everyone has seemed content to go off and do their own things instead of corral themselves together in one room.

She takes her time, runs her hand over the seams of doors, tapping their hinges with her nails and even has a lazy snoop into some of the rooms. There's nothing unusual although, to be fair, she didn't think anything would be.

It never hurts to be cautious though.

It doesn't take long for her to stand in front of the wing containing Justice League bedrooms, ones that she knows have only been used once or twice back in her world. Thinking but to the full wardrobes back at the Watchtower, she wonders whether or not these would be equally as lived in.

The door handle is cold against her palm as she drags it down.

Before she can open it, something collides with her and she and it go falling to the floor. "Watch where you're going-" she hisses through her teeth. Holding her head, it takes a moment for the pain to subside enough to see the person laying next to her (who seems to be nursing a hurt forehead).

"Kid Flash?" Shayera pushes herself up off of the floor and holds a hand out to Kid. "I'm surprised. You'd think super-speed would require spacial awareness."

Kid gives her a shaky smile and gratefully takes her hand. "You would, wouldn't you?" His hand is unpleasantly warm and Shayera doesn't think she imagines the boy's pained wince as she pulls him up.

"Did you put your hands against the oven or something?" More carefully, she turns his hand over so that she can get a better look at it. Red with heat but also wrinkled - it must be from water then.

"No, I was just washing up," he says.

"Without gloves on?"

"The smell sticks."

Shayera shakes her wings out slightly. They don't seem hurt from the fall but they are ruffled - she'll have to groom them later, she supposes. "I get that, it bothered me the first couple of times too."

"It's not me who has the problem with it but I do actually want to talk to Kon today so... no gloves," and Kid does jazz hands as though to prove it. Shayera can't help but raise an eyebrow.

"And Kon asks you to do that?"

"Please, like Kon would be comfortable asking for anything," Kid snorts humourlessly. "I just know he gets really cagey around the smell of it - won't let you touch him at all and keeps looking around. It's..." Kid trails off. "Just another one of his little quirks, I guess."

Shayera hums and idly runs a hand through her scruffy feathers. “You know, for someone who was lecturing Robin for babying Kon earlier, you seem to make quite a few allowances for him as well.” She paces slightly, before starting to list, “apologising on his behalf yesterday, telling Kon he doesn’t have to go on the mission to LexCorp just this morning and now doing the dishes without gloves because he doesn’t like the smell of rubber-“

“Not you too,” Kid Flash huffs. “Look, what me and Robin are doing is different. I do try and keep him safe but never at the cost of stripping him of autonomy - no needless supervision, no dictating what he can and can’t do, that kind of thing.”

Kid crosses his arms and leans against the wall. “And when I do go out of my way to make sure he’s comfortable, it’s only ever things I can control. I don’t ever want to restrict what Kon feels like he’s allowed to do - don’t get me wrong, safety above all else but… I don’t think your Superman would hurt Kon,” he sighs.

Shayera roughly pats Kid on the shoulder. “Okay, it’s great that you think that but have you considered that maybe Robin doesn’t believe that?”

“But Superman hasn’t done anything that would suggest he’s…” Kid helplessly flails a hand about.

“I’m not saying he has, I’m just saying Robin hasn’t seen as much of Superman as you have. Keep in mind, Robin was on the mission yesterday so he completely missed our little movie night so all he really knows-“

“Is that Superman has managed to upset Superboy multiple times already,” Kid whispers, horrified. “I need to go apologise right now,” he says before speeding off.

It takes maybe five seconds before he’s back in front of Shayera. Jogging on the spot, he says, “before I go, thank you! And if you see Kon, can you tell him I’d like to talk to him? Thanks, bye!”

Shayera can feel her hair whip back as Kid once again takes off running beside her. She waits a few minutes to make sure Kid really has left before reaching out for the door again.

It looks identical to the one back home - same size, same colour, by all means the door is perfect except for how slightly more worn everything seems. The handle has slight scuff marks and it feels noticeably looser as well as the hinges having the shine chipped off.

All doors have been the same in this respect. They are the same as back in their world, except visibly used - little scratches that act like scars, showing that there’s a history that lies in this building. Shayera wonders whether their Hall of Justice will look like this in a couple years time.

Taking a deep breath, she presses down on the handle and-

She can’t do it. It feels too much like invading a stranger’s privacy for her to go through with it. She releases the handle and decides to go back to exploring the common areas of the Hall.

Chapter Text

Dinner begins with gathering in the kitchen. Everyone comes in groups of twos or more; Batman and Martian Manhunter, Superman and Wonder Woman, Batman's present and future protégés, Hawkgirl and Flash and Lantern...

They walk by each other, tap at each other for attention, chat loudly and it just... works. It's bizarre how natural them all buzzing around the kitchen feels.

The Justice League has never had to use the kitchen back at their Hall of Justice. They even went out of their way to avoid it at times, mumbled made-up plans to excuse having to eat with their teammates because they thought it would be awkward - like a dinner function at work. Instead they bob in and out of each other with ease and switch tasks simply.

It's enjoyable.

Red Hood and Robin only really interact with their brothers and Batman but that's fine. Besides, Nightwing doesn't seem to have an issue bouncing around between the Justice League, helping a little with everything.

Everyone's head turns when there's a knock at the door frame. Kid Flash stands beside a blurry eyed Kon who's wrapped in Superman's cape. There's a palpable tension between a lot of the League members, remembering the argument from earlier.

Then Kid waves and Robin waves back and the tension releases like a stubborn valve.

Everyone goes back to what they're doing and the kitchen fills back up with the sound of knifes against wooden cutting boards and spoons against pots and the shuffling of feet.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kal can see Kid Flash go straight for Flash. He chuckles and goes back to minding his pot of stew, and turning down the heat slightly.

The rich smell of beef is in the air and there's some oxo stuck to the inside of the pot and oddly enough, it feels like home. Like if he closed his eyes, Kal would be back on that farm in Kansas with his ma peering over his shoulder and humming approval while pa munched on some of the fatty leftover beef.

A hand tugs at the elbow of his suit. Looking over his shoulder, Kal sees Kon stood there. The boy's hair is a mess, sticking up oddly on one side.

Kal will never question ma's fussing again because in this moment, he entirely understands the urge to run his hands through scruffy hair to flatten it down into being presentable. He doesn't, of course. It would be rude to do that to a kid that's not his (even if Kon is technically his by whatever adoption/mentorship alternate Superman has going on with the kid).

"Did you need something?" He asks. Kon looks up at him and pulls lightly at the cape like a shy bird flapping his wings. Kal waits patiently, giving the boy time to answer. And then Kon huffs as though Kal is being difficult.

"This is your cape," Kon says simply. Kal nods and Kon huffs again. "Take it. This is me giving it back to you."

Kal looks at his cape swaddling Kon's shoulders and shrugs. "I don't need it at the moment and besides, it would get in the way of cooking. How about you wear it for now and keep it safe for me?"

Kon stares at Kal for a long moment, expressionless. Kal can hear the bubbling pot behind him and breathing of everyone in the room and, shockingly, his own heartbeat.

He knows the human heart is split into a left and a right section, both pumping individually to create that dual ba-bum. When hearing his own heart though...

It beats like the clop of horse's hooves against the ground.

Mercifully, he's spared any time to freak out by Kon breaking the impromptu staring contest and speaking.

"Okay then... I'm going to wash my hands and help my friends with..." Kon looks over at Robin and Kid, watching as the pair drive knifes into the center of the crust of a loaf of bread. "Whatever they're doing."

Kal is pretty sure the boys were only meant to cut the bread into even slices but... who's he to stop their fun? "That sounds great, Kon. The sinks are over there," and Kal points happily to the sinks across the room.

"I know. I live here."

Kal lowers his hand and goes back to stirring the stew. Kon shimmies away to the sinks.
__________________________________

After dishing up, everyone sits down at the long table they had breakfast at with a bowl of beef stew and a side of bread. The bread has been cut into odd flower shapes (Kal thinks his may be a fluffy dandelion or maybe a very angry rose) but nobody complains.

Kon is sat across from Kal with the red cape still wrapped around his shoulders. The boy's hands occasionally come up to adjust it, either pulling tighter around himself or pushing it back so he can eat.

Various spreads for the bread are scattered across the table. Garlic butter and herbs, regular butter, margarine and some things Kal doesn't even know the names of. Some people leave their bread plain and just dip it into the stew but some pass around the various spreads.

"Do you want your cape back now?" Kon asks. He hasn't touched his bread even though he has happily dug into the stew. Still, the cape remains spotlessly clean on Kon's shoulders.

Kal shakes his head. "Not right now, no."

"Then when?" Kon asks.

"You can just give it back at the end of the day, I'm in no rush - I trust you with it."

Kon's face does something odd. A sort of half-squint and tensing before he ducks his head and gets back to his food. Kal can't help but be disappointed, he was enjoying speaking to Kon.

The chatter around the table is light, about casual things like poor wannabe villain names (Kid Flash acts it out with his arms, ending anticlimactically with the 'Mr Money M Mayhem' getting caught by a random civilian with a taser) and strange conversations with GCPD (Nightwing, of all people, got grilled about vigilantism by a newbie officer and commissioner Gordon had to step in). All silly things, inconsequential things that won't really matter.

Nobody seems to want to talk about Lex Luthor and his seemingly improved technology or about the mission ahead. Maybe because it would bring the mood down on an already questionable day. Or maybe nobody wants to break the thin veil of peace that's settled above them.

Kal's fine with that. He'd be a hypocrite if he weren't - he's doing the same thing after all. He could easily ask Kon about the details of his mistreatment but...

He doesn't. Because it would make it real.

And maybe the others know that. That the moment something is said aloud, it can't be taken back. It's out there forever and, sure, it's no longer festering in the back of your head but that doesn't kill it.

If anything, you give it more ammunition by letting others see it because they can add to it with their own.

So dinner goes on, talking about superficial things with no real relevance and eating together. At some point, Robin elbows Kon in the side and whispers something to the boy. Kon begins eating his bread then, not dunking it or spreading anything on it, just ripping it apart with his fingers and eating it like that.

Nobody says anything but he Kal knows that they notice, can feel how Batman turns slightly in the chair beside him and hear how Flash goes still for a moment.

There's a lot of things they ignore at dinner. Some bigger, others smaller but as long as they say nothing, it doesn't have to be real.

Maybe that's how the alternate Justice League ended up doing nothing for Kon.
__________________________________

After dinner, everyone ends up in the communal area. Several people take up the couches (the bats all congregate on one, and Kal and Diana with Sheyera, and then Flash, J'ohn and Lantern on the last).

As they all settle in, Kon takes a moment to look around before walking over and sitting on the floor next to Kal's legs. Kal is almost about to say something, ask why is Kon sitting on the floor again for some reason but then the boy leans over and flops limply against Kal's leg.

It takes longer than it should for Kal to process what he's seeing and by the time he does, Kon and Kid Flash have already started up a conversation.

Feeling completely out of his depth with his not-son's head rested on his knee, Kal looks over to Batman, hoping for guidance. Batman apparently decides he's in an unhelpful mood because he just shrugs slightly before turning back to his hoard of kids.

More conversations start up around them. Kal can hear Diana talking with Sheyera excitedly about something or other, the other woman occasionally chiming in, while Flash taps his foot against the floor and Kid Flash rubs his knuckles against the arm of the couch.

Kal is also extremely aware that Kon's hair is still a mess, not made any better by being unceremoniously laid onto a knee. Once again, Kal is reminded of how his own parents used to fuss over his hair when he still lived back in the farm - Pa to a lesser extent because often his hair was just as bad.

Kal reaches down and rakes one of his hands through the boy's hair. Kon doesn't move and he doesn't even halt his and Kid's conversation so Kal does it again, more purposefully.

He smoothes down the shorter hair on either side of Kon's head, not needing to do much with it. Kal runs his nails over any stubborn patches that insist on sticking up until the hair there lays flat and straight. He then moves onto the top of Kon's hair, where it's longer and slightly wavy. He rakes his hands through it, finding any knots and tugging them apart with his nails and repeats until his fingers stop getting stuck. Finally, he brushes the hair forward in an attempt to get it to look how he thinks it's meant to.

Kal isn't sure how much time passes like that but it's enough that everyone starts to yawn and that the young heroes (all except Kon, of course) get shooed off to bed. Then his teammates gradually get up to leave, one by one, saying goodnight and vanishing into the Zeta tubes.

Eventually, it's only him, Diana, Batman and Kon left on the couches.

"You look like a bird preening its children," Diana says, peering at Kal. He stops what he's doing and gives her a half-hearted glare.

"I do not!"

"It is not a bad thing-"

"Diana!" Kal puts his head in his hands, having gone bright red. He supposes he probably does look like a bird preening his child - not helped at all by his cape still around Kon's shoulders like a pair of scarlet wings - but that doesn't make his fussing any less embarrassing. And if it's embarrassing for him, an adult, he can only imagine how humiliating hearing that must be for Kon, a teenager.

Suddenly, he's hit with a flood of guilt - he just did that in front of Kon's friends, what if he's teased for it?

"Kon, I-" Kal pauses when he sees Batman shushing him and pointing down. Kal leans forward and catches sight of Kon's sleeping face. "How long has he been asleep for?" Kal asks.

"He fell asleep around ten minutes after you started playing with his hair," Batman stands up and dusts himself off. Diana chuckles and does the same.

"Seriously?"

Batman nods. "I'm not surprised. Robin - from our universe, I mean - is the same."

“It is late as well. I think it is about time for us all to head to bed,” Diana smiles softly before continuing. “Kal, you should probably move Kon to somewhere more comfortable. Goodnight to you all,” she turns on her heels and head to the Zeta tubes.

Batman nods, gives a gruff goodnight and then he’s off as well.

Kal looks down at Kon and moves the boy’s head from his knee to the sofa. He then gets up, picks up Kon - and isn’t it strange how light he is? Kal is used to lifting grown men and women from danger, making Kon seem all the lighter in comparison - and starts walking towards the extra rooms. He’s not about to lay Kon down on the couch and he doesn’t think the boy even has a room so he simply heads for the one he found the boys in this morning.

Once again, he finds himself tucking the boy in (this time into an actual bed) and he thinks he could get used to it. He leaves his cape over Kon’s shoulders.

When Kal heads back to his room in the Watchtower, he sleeps well.

Chapter Text

The morning arrives and a feeling of anxious anticipation settles over the shoulders of the Justice League. They wake up battle ready, spines stiff and hands twitching at their sides.

Breaking into one of Lex Luthor's buildings will be difficult but worth it.

Breakfast is a hurried affair, hastily shovelling cereal into mouths and tearing apart toast with their teeth. Only Kal drags behind, barely touching his breakfast, brushing off the worried looks with a "I'm just not hungry."

He joins in his teammates as they walk their ways to the Zeta tubes and tries to ignore the awful coiling feeling his stomach. He tries to keep his mind in check, to push away the thoughts of what happens after.

After, he and his friends go home.

After, Kon will be left here with this universe's Superman.

After...

Kal doesn't want to know. Truly, he longs for peaceful obliviousness and to not have to worry. Nothing more would make him happier than for his letters to be enough, to be the saving grace Kon desperately needs.

He had snagged his letter to Batman from his room before going to bed yesterday and it now sits in the left hidden pocket of his suit. In the right is the picture he has of himself and Kon on the couch.

When he arrives at the Hall of Justice, he can quickly separate from the group and plant the letter in Batman's room. Hopefully, it won't be found by one of the kids first.

He hopes because it's all he can do.
__________________________________

The Zeta tubes hum to life as the Justice League gets sent to the Hall of Justice. Nobody is surprised to find the future's young heroes already stood in front of the couch.

Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood (he has his helmet on already, appearing so much colder without his youthful face exposed) are all facing the Zeta tubes, seeming equally as prepared as the Justice League. Kid Flash and Kon are off to the side, looking more unsure. Kon has Kal's cape bundled in his arms.

"Are we all ready?" Batman asks. Everyone shares one determined look (slightly nervously in Kid Flash's case and Kon could almost pass as ill with how pale he's gone) before nodding. Flash walks over to Kid, patting the boy on the shoulder comfortingly. With the only ones who'd be able to see him running at super speed looking away, Kal begins the run to Batman's room.

Or, tries to at least.

Before he knows it, Kon is in his path, looking up at him (because of course, Kon also has super speed - Kal should've realised).

"Your cape," Kon says and hands the red bundle to Kal. Kal takes it, flicks it out and, seeing it in perfect condition, gladly clips the corners of it back to the shoulders of his costume.

"Thanks for taking care of it."

"No problem," and then Kon latches onto Kal's arm. Not one hand or even two, just wraps the entirety of his arms around one of Kal's like a strange kola.

Kal doesn't even think before he's asking, "Kon, what are you doing?"

Kon's tentative smile, one he's had for the duration of the little interaction, falls. Or more accurately, slams shut. Kon's eyes narrow and his shoulders stiffen and then he's pulling away, the same shut off teenager he was when they first met.

"Nothing. You know us teenagers, impulsive to a fault, right?" Kon crosses his arms, fingers digging into the blue material of his suit. His hands are still and tense but the muscles along his arms twitch with motion.

Kal isn't sure whether Kon is repressing the urge to hit something or to tremble. Either way, Kal doesn't like it.

Unsure of what to do, Kal looks over his shoulder, hoping Batman is in a helpful mood and finds the man unfortunately busy speaking with Nightwing. He does manage to make brief eye contact with Flash, who gestures to his hand before nodding at Kon. Then Flash gets dragged back into conversation with his nephew.

Kal gently places his hand over Kon's crossed arms and nudges them apart so he can grab one of Kon's hands. The boy shoots Kal a surprised look before jerking his hand away as though Kal had pressed kryptonite to it.

"Now, what are you doing?" Kon hisses, looking over to the rest of the group (some of which are giving them curious looks before turning back to their own conversations) before his eyes settle back on Kal. Kon has the touched hand held in front of his chest.

Kal was right, Kon is trembling.

"Well, I was holding your hand," Kal purposely lets his arm hang by his side open-fisted. "And I don't think you're 'impulsive to a fault', Kon. I'm not sure who told you that," probably my other self, Kal thinks, "but I don't think you should put much value in their opinion."

Kon puts his arms down.

"Alright, everyone!" Red Hood's modulated voice cries out. "Time for the general plan."

Everyone shuffles around, making a lopsided circle in front of the couches.

"Basics of it are that we're working from the ground up, including those who can fly. Nobody splits up, nobody leaves the group - we don't know what will be able to get you lot home, or whether or not it's in the building, but just in case, everyone should stay together, understood? We want to get you all out as soon as possible and having to hunt you down will waste time," Red Hood pauses here, arms crossed. There's a lengthy moment of silence before Hood calls out, "any questions?"

"Wouldn't splitting up make finding Luthor quicker? If he's not in his office that is," Flash waves his right hand around as he speaks, the other placed on his hip.

"And wouldn't it make finding whatever could send us home quicker as well?" Shayera chimes in.

Hood's voice modulator makes an odd noise, like sheets of aluminium rubbing against each other. Kal realises it must be a sigh. "We don't know enough about what'll send you home to risk us not all being there at once. For all we know, it could be time-limited."

Nightwing nods. "Taking a long time to find Luthor is just less risky in general. Being in a large group will make up less vulnerable to attack if the guards get alerted."

"Which they will," Robin adds. When several people turn to him, he elaborates. "It's LexCo. If Luthor doesn't have his guards on the look out for spandex clad fighters of Justice, I'd be shocked."

"Most of us do not even wear spandex," Diana says.

Green Lantern cringes. "You could've just said heroes."

"Nope, not a hero," Hood points to himself. "Vigilante."

"Splitting hairs, much?" Hawkgirl mutters.

Batman says nothing. Kal knows for a fact that the man was once very adamant about the difference between vigilantism and heroism himself.

Kal stills, feeling a small hand slip into his. He can see Kon in his peripheral vision - the boy's standing awkwardly, like a wooden soldier with its knees glued together.

"Ignore him," Nightwing raps his knuckles across the back of Hood's Helmet. "He's going through a rebellious phase."

Robin claps his hands together. "Okay, it's time to head off! We want to go when it's still early or else the streets will be flooded by adults heading to work."

And then they're walking out of the Hall of Justice and heading straight for Metropolis.
__________________________________

Kal takes time to actually look at the surroundings in detail. The shops that have been replaced, new flats, roads that have been widened or bi-sected...

So much is different. Yet the little flower shop by the long back alley is the same and there's still the same '20% off!' sign that stays up all year in the convenience store - such tiny things that have stayed the same.

The optometrist has been replaced by another. It doesn't surprise Kal - the small family owned ones rarely last, popping up only to get replaced by another. Only big optician chains survive in Metropolis.

Kon grips Kal's hand a little tighter.

"Kon, are you alright?" Kal asks.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just... stay close? Please?" Kon's eyes are focused on the ground, yet he manages to easily follow the group as they weave their way through small alleys.

"Of course," and Kal gives Kon's hand a gentle squeeze.

A couple more minutes of walking and they arrive at the back side of LexCo's central building. It's bigger than the one Kal is used to, wider and half on top of the other buildings around it, slovenly seeping through what used to be pathways and pavement space.

He stares at it for a long moment and out of the side of his eye, he can see his teammates do the same.

"Superboy," Diana begins. "You said you know your way around?"

"I do," Kon nods.

Diana, relieved, gestures forward. "Then lead the way if you will."

Kon lets go of Kal's hand but doesn't move. "I'll need someone to open this door first," he gestures to the heavy metal back door. It's slightly embedded in the wall with a blue iridescent handprint scanner off to the side.

Green Lanren side-eyes the boy. "With how you've spoken about knowing the building, I would have thought that you had already broken into the place."

Kon rolls his eyes. "I've been here before if that's what you're asking."

"Then how come you can't open the back door?" Hawkgirl asks.

"I can but if I do it my way, the guards and Lex will be alerted," he plays with the zipper on his jacket.

Robin steps forward, pulls a strange gadget that looks a bit like a radiator key with a bat at the top and feels around the sides of the scanner. Within seconds, he's pulling out a rubber stopper painted the same colour as the metal and jamming his odd bat-key into it. He twists the bat on the end and the door slides open with a hiss.

Flash stares blankly as Robin slides the bat-key out of the scanner and back into the pocket of his utility belt. "What is that?"

"Same thing the electricians here would use for routine maintenance or if the scanner broke," Robin pops the stopper back into the hole. "Except ours is pretty much universal because there are different attachments for any size you might need."

Flash turns around to look at Batman (who's placed himself at the back) and mouths, 'what?'

Batman shrugs, mouthing back, 'must be new.'

Kon steps towards the door but stops and turns to look over his shoulder almost immediately after. "Are you coming or not, Superman?"

Kal manages to tear his eyes off of the door and its scanner (it must be a new addition or quirk of this world, Kal has never seen any sort of scanners on the outside of Luthor's buildings). He quickly falls into step behind Kon.

Despite Kon's earlier anxiousness, he moves through the corridors with an absent certainty. He doesn't so much as look at any of the doors they pass, swivelling in place when coming to corners.

Muscle memory, Kal thinks. Except that can't be it - muscle memory takes weeks. He would know with the amount of times he had gotten lost looking for his cubicle during his first month at the Daily Planet. Kon would have no reason to have been here enough for muscle memory to kick in.

That's what Kal tells himself anyways.

The only time Kon pauses is to peer behind him at Kal. Mostly, it's quick glances before returning to walking but once or twice Kon just stops until the distance between them is closed.

Something about that worries Kal and he's not sure why.

Kon makes a sharp turn and they all follow. There's a small stairwell in front, one that looks rather like a fire escape. It has those thin individual stairs that are grated in rows and pipe like railing.

"Not to question your sense of direction but... this doesn't look right," Flash says. There are general low murmurs of agreement from some of the others.

"I'm going to agree with Flash on this one," Lantern chimes in. "If we were to get cornered on those narrow stairs, we'd be in trouble. Maybe some of the main stairs would be better?"

Kon doesn't look away from the stairs. "The main stairs would be full of guards further up. We're on the first level so the floor here doesn't have excessive security because it's a glorified lobby but higher up, it gets worse. And..." Kon pauses here as though debating whether to finish what he's saying. "We get access to more of the building this way."

Kon doesn't give anyone time to argue, just starts climbing up the stairs.

Everyone follows.

The stairs are horrifically narrow, especially around turns. There's something stuffy to the air, a kind of fuzzy texture that Kal associates with dust and age. His teammates clear their throats, some even beating on their chests as though to clear their airways.

Then Batman and his protégées begin passing around rebreathers (Kal wonders how anyone manages to fit so many things in one belt). Robin puts his on, passing his spare to Kid Flash, Red Hood gives his two spares to Hawkgirl and Lantern ("I have one built into my helmet, I carry two because training drilled it into me"), Nightwing hands his spare to Diana and Batman gives his to Flash.

Martian Manhunter, like Kal and Kon, appears unaffected by the stagnent air. At first Kal wonders whether it does bother him and Manhunter just doesn't want to make a big deal out of it but then Kal listens (only for a second) to his teammate's breathing. It takes a moment to differentiate Manhunter's from everyone else's but when he does, he can hear it is clear and unobstructed.

That's something Kal is glad for. He isn't sure whether Batman or his hoard carry a second (or third, in Hood's case) spare rebreather.

"What floor is Lex's office on?" Kon asks.

"Top," Nightwing replies. His voice is muffled by the rebreather at his lips.

"These stairs don't go that far. We'll need to switch a couple floors below that," Kon doesn't use either of the handrails going up the stairs. Despite knowing a topple from this height (or any height) wouldn't hurt the boy, Kal still cringes.

"It's a bit of odd design choice to have the fire escape not span all floors," Kid Flash runs a hand over the railing loosely in the same way Flash does.

"The harder the upper floors are to access, the better chance Luthor has of escape," Robin looks up at the amount of stairs they have left. "It's not like he's busy prioritising employee safety after all. Hey, I think I can see the top!"

Soon, they've all shuffled out of the stairwell. Those with rebreathers take them off, breathing in the delightfully clear air of a well-ventilated room. They're in what looks like a seating area, couches pressed to the walls and a tiny circle table in the centre. It connects directly to a hallway, no door or divider separating the two.

The rebreathers get handed back to their owners and everyone takes a minute simply breathe.

Kal is the first to step forward into the hallway, noting that all twenty doors down the length of it are locked with a combination of facial recognition and keypads. "Why does every room require a lock?" Kal asks.

"They don't," Kon says.

"Then why are locked?"

"Because all of them have the potential to need a lock," Kon tugs gently on Kal's cape. Kal moves away from the mouth of the hallway. "Everyone permitted in this part of the building handles sensitive information. They deal in the shady parts of LexCo."

"That's odd. The Luthor I know has never been one to segregate his employees, they're either in the know or not hired."

"But it works better for him this way, doesn't it?" Red Hood takes one of his guns out of its holster, running a finger down the barrel. "If you have innocents working obliviously, they can genuinely vouch for you. And if someone were to ever try to interrogate one of the innocents..."

"Then they genuinely wouldn't know anything," Lantern says slowly. "And then the interrogator would look like the bad guy for falsely accusing people."

Red Hood kneels in front at the mouth of the hallway, one knee up like a marriage proposal.

"It's a good cover up," Batman says grimly. "Let me guess, the people working in this part of the building aren't on record?"

"Exactly," Robin nods.

Red Hood steadies his gun in front of himself. "Kon, are we going through the left or right?"

"Left," Kon puts his hands over his ears.

"And because the only ones on record are those who're clear of any wrongdoing, anyone accusing Luthor of any thing just looks like a liar," Flash adds, sounding disgusted. Kal feels a pang of sympathy - he's dealt with Luthor a little too long to be surprised now but the instinctive repulsion at Luthor's methods is something that never goes away.

Red Hood swivels to the right and shoots out the facial recognition camera.

A heart skips a beat.

Hawkgirl's wings flare out, her left hits the wall and her right hits Lantern under the chin. "A little bit of warning before shooting things, please?" Her shrill voice cries. Green Lantern rubs at his chin.

Nightwing, appearing completely collected, gives everyone an apologetic look. "Sorry, our Justice League is more used to Hood's guns," he tilts his head towards Hood. "Which is probably why he didn't think to give anyone a head's up."

A garbled noise from Red Hood's modulator. Kal would think it's agreement if it weren't for how Nightwing crosses his arms and how Robin sighs.

Diana curiously steps forward, stopping behind Red Hood's to see what he's shot at. "What was the point of that?"

"The facial cameras double as security cameras. They're always on and get randomly checked," Hood stands up and shifts to the side.

"How do you know that?" Lantern asks.

"This isn't the first time I've seen this tech. Penguin has used something similar."

"Why only take out the right camera?" Diana gestures to the other door. "There's another on the other side."

Red Hood puts his right hand out. "The cameras are only on the left side of the door and are straight forward. That means the left door's camera won't see us entering. Besides, shooting out one camera is less suspicious."

"Won't it can't the door swinging open though? Its field of view can't be that bad," Flash mimes opening a door.

"The door opens inwards, not out. We're fine," Kon heads over to the door.

"How are we getting through this door?" Lantern asks.

"The good old fashioned way. Robin, I need your card," Kon holds a hand out. Robin slips a nondescript black card into it, one the same shape as a bank card.

Kon leans his entire body against the door before ramming the card into the crack between the door and the frame. He wiggles it once, twice and then the door falls open.

Chapter Text

The inside of the room isn't anything like Kal expected it to look on first impression. It's the same clean white as the majority of Luthor's buildings are but something about it just feels off.

When everyone steps into the room, closing the door behind them, the feeling only increases. It's nothing like Kal's ever seen in a LexCo building. There's counters protruding out of the back wall, hollow rectangles underneath containing gurneys of varying sizes. Most are standard, the type you'd find in the back of an ambulance, but there's a couple of scuffed ones off to the size that are larger, wider. Then there's a couple small ones, varying from a length of three feet long to the biggest of the small ones, five feet.

There are cupboards along the joint between wall and ceiling, large ones with small keyholes, the type sometimes seen on modern windows (the type of windows that Clark's apartment building are currently being fitted with, he thinks). Absentmindedly, he scans them with his x-Ray vision, finding them full of first-aid supplies.

There's a variety of bandages in several shapes, the long sterile cotton strips that Kal forgets the name of, the ones you tape on yourself, as well as bottles in different stages of use.

"Is this a medical wing?" Flash asks incredulously. "Why would Luthor need-"

"The door over to the right is the one we'll be going through, right, Kon?" Robin's voice is loud. Kon blinks as though coming out of a stupor.

"Yeah, it is..." Kon steps in front of the door, this one is standard, the type Kal's Luthor has. "Only a lock pick is needed for these. All these rooms are identical until we get out of this hall."

"Why bother with conjoining doors?" Lantern asks.

Hawkgirl nods beside him. "Or why not just knock the walls in between down and just have one front door?"

Robin kneels in front of the door, slotting a hook and what looks like a crooked needle into the keyhole.

Kon doesn't say anything.

The door clicks open, and Nightwing and Red Hood (seemingly having decided to flank the group) herd them all forward.

Kal isn't sure what he had been expecting when Kon had said identical. He had known the rooms would be similar but not truly identical, he supposes.

The layout of the room is the same. Same size, same amount of cabinets, same strange hollowed out desks. Nothing odd, really, having multiple of the same room isn't unheard of, especially in a company building.

What is odd is that even the gurneys are equal in number and type. Not only that but they're in the same exact position. If it weren't for the three doors (front and the two conjoining), Kal might've thought it was the same room. He says as much to the group.

"Yeah, I spent a while thinking these were all the same room. Turns out they just have designated places for just about everything," Kon says.

Kal doesn't bother x-rating the cabinets. He doesn't care about how used or untouched Luthor's medical supplies are.

Green Lantern elbows Flash somewhere behind Kal. Neither of them talk but Kal feels the light scuffle behind him and hears the impact acutely.
He tunes in to them for a second, hearing their regular breathing and the shift of material but nothing else. Kal tunes out.

The next couple rooms pass in silence. Everyone glances at the back walls of each room, as though expecting to catch something out. Kal half expects someone to cry out, "aha! There are too many gurneys in that nook!" Nobody does.

He half wishes they would, just to break the silence that has fallen. Something about these specific set of rooms has a sense of unease building in the air. At some point, they all fell into the same routine.

Robin, Kon and Kid Flash take up the front, Robin at the locks and the other two at his back, facing outwards.

The Justice League sticks to the middle, roughly in a sort of V. It's a familiar formation, one that's natural for them to fall into.

Finally, Nightwing and Red Hood lean against the door they just came from. Until the next door opens, Nightwing keeps his leg solidly in front of the door like a human barrier. Hood leans his left shoulder against the frame, right open for shooting.

Eventually, they come to a room with no door ahead. Just the one they came from and one into a hallway.

"They open regularly from the inside," Kon says, hand on the doorknob.

"How are we going to deal with the camera?" Flash asks.

"The easy way," he opens the door, stands in the doorway for a moment and then swiftly drives the heel of his palm into the camera. When he lifts his hand from the wall, shattered glass falls to the ground. "Come on, let's go," Kon gestures for them all to come forward but doesn't move himself.

Kal takes one last look around the room, eyes falling on the gurneys. He wonders why Luthor would need them.

"Superman," Kon calls impatiently. "We kind of have places to be."

Kal doesn't mention that nobody else has moved either and simply walks forward to stand with Kon. Then they move forward together.

Luckily, the security for the most part appears to be reserved for the first hallway because the rest seems mercifully lacking in cameras.

They walk past more doors, regular key-locked doors this time. The further they get, the more Kon falls back into the group, going from speed walking in the front to just barely keeping a lead.

"There's going to be guards up ahead," Kon says quietly. "There'll be a set of grand stairs with two on either side and then up the stairs there'll be two at the top. The hallway after that will have maybe six..." Kon runs a hand through his hair. "Or maybe only four. It's an even number though, Lex likes even numbers for most things."

Kon puts a hand on Kal's upper arm, fingers digging in slightly. It hurts. Kal's confused for a moment and reflexively looks around for kryptonite before remembering that of course, it would hurt. Kon is a kryptonian too, it wouldn't make sense if Kal was invulnerable to him.

So lost in his own head, Kal doesn't even notice Kon shoving him forward.

"It's straight ahead," Kon points forward, half hidden behind Kal's back.

They walk like that for a while, listening to their own steps against the glossy floors and the sound of their own breathing.

Then the hallway opens up, widening into a large room. There are stained glass vases on podiums along the walls, each carry a bouquet of wilted pressed roses. No guards stand at the wide lip of the grand staircase.

"Luthor sure has a strange sense of decor, doesn't he?" Lantern taps one of the vases.

"Are pressed flowers not usually displayed in glass frames?" Diana looks at the one beside her, taking a budded flower by its pressed stem. Its leaves get caught on another next to it, pulling it out. It falls to the ground as Diana looks at the flower in her hand.

"Normally, they are," Batman crosses his arms.

"And withered ones too! Weird, right?" Flash gestures to them widely.

"They're not withered," Red Hood presses one blackened petal between his fingers and it crumbles into...

"What do you mean they're not withered? Look at them!" Hawkgirl walks over to look more closely at the remains of the petal.

Ash. All that is left of the petal is fine, black ash.

"They're not withered," Red Hood repeats. "They're charred."

Kon's hand tightens around Kal's arm.

Diana puts the flower she's holding away, and has to lean down to pick up the bystander flower. She puts it back rather messily, and a couple of its leaves fall off in the process.

Apparently satisfied with their inspection of the room, they go to stand at the front of the stairs.

Still on the look out for guards, they proceed up each step cautiously. The further up they go, the tenser they become, anticipating a surprise attack.

But there are no guards.

Kon's hand falls from Kal's arm and he thinks the kid half-breathes a sentence but Kal can't hear it over the beating of anxious hearts.

They make it to the end of the staircase, to the opening of the final hallway before Luthor's office, to what should be the gaping mouth of the beast-

And there's nothing. No guards or cameras, no high tech locking mechanisms or traps in sight. Just a regular door in a regular wall in a regular hallway.

"Is... is this it?" Kid Flash asks to Kon, who's fallen to flank the group.

"That's his office," Kon confirms slightly breathlessly. There's nothing need to ask who 'he' is.

"Are you sure? There's no guards," Kid waves a hand at the blanks hallway.

Kon's jaw drops and he stares at Kid as though offended.

"Hey, I'm just saying there's no shame in getting mixed up," Kid raises his hands placatingly. It only seems to make Kon more upset.

Martian Manhunter steps closer to the front, looking uncomfortable.

"There's no shame because I haven't gotten mixed up. That is Luthor's office, I'm sure," he insists.

"One way to find out," Nightwing walks forward and places a hand on the doorknob. "I'll open the door. You guys go in. Or don't, depending on what's in there."

Nods of agreement ripple throughout the group.

Nightwing opens the door.

Kal can see hardwood flooring, covered in a thin coat of something glossy. Bookshelves from floor to ceiling, bending at the sides from being filled to over-capacity. To the right is a floor length curtain made of what looks like a rock heavy material. Despite it being pitch black, the stitches are obvious.

He also gets a side view of a desk with none other than Lex Luthor sat behind it. Luthor who, instead of facing the direction of the desk, is facing them. "Decided front doors are beneath you, Superman? Shame. The guards would've loved to meet you."

From the lack of surprise, it's obvious Luthor was expecting them.

Superman steps forward , hands on his hips and looks down at Luthor. "Cut the chit-chat, Luthor. You know why we're here."

"Oh, do I?" Luthor grins. His face is more lined than Kal's Luthor and there's a new thinness to him, making his face look more angular.

"You brought us here," Superman guesses. "And we need to get back," he steps forward. Luthor's eyes give him pause, they scan over the group (since when has Luthor ever allowed himself to be distracted? Especially when given the opportunity to brag?) before returning to Superman, looking almost disappointed.

"I didn't bring you here. I just set up what was needed for the other me to send you here," Luthor rises from his chair, running a finger across its sleek leather before standing behind it. "Really, it was almost too simple."

Kal feels the other heroes fanning out beside him, five to his left and five to his right.

"And how's that?" Superman asks. Luthor gets loose-lipped when cocky, a fact Kal has used to his advantage multiple times.

"Oh, I'd explain it but truly, I am in a rush. But I have some nice gents who would be happy to answer any of your questions," Luthor smirks. Within seconds, he's put his foot to the back of his chair and sent it wheeling towards Hawkgirl, whose attempt to fly out of the way knocks Lantern and Martian Manhunter into the ground.

"He's getting away!" Nightwing yells. He runs forward only to be caught off guard when the wooden back of the desk comes off, revealing a guard hidden inside. The man latches onto Nightwing's knees and jams a switchblade into the back of one.

Flash and Kid Flash both attempt to chase Luthor's retreating back (he's heading for one of the bookcases, the bookcase is a dead end, why isn't he running for the door?) except in the mere moment it takes them to run half the way to Luthor and they're skidding to a stop. The strange gloss has foamed into a steaming froth that now envelops Flash to the knees and Kid to the waist.

Armed guards pour out from behind the curtain with guns in hand (big guns, the ones they brace against their shoulders) and open fire. Superman places himself in front of Hawkgirl and Lantern, feeling the bullets ricochet off of his chest.

Wonder Woman and Batman stay back to back, they seem to have a strategy for this. Batman faces the gunners for offensive, using his grappling gun to catch them behind the knees, toppling them like puppets with cut strings. Then when the gun fire ultimately gets directed at Batman, they turn on the spot and Wonder Woman deflects bullets with her cuffs.

There's a grating noise and when Kal looks over Luthor has shoved the bookcase to the side, revealing that there's nothing behind it. A secret entrance.

A tug at Superman's arm. Kal turns his head and finds Lantern nodding in the direction of Flash and Kid Flash. Neither have been severely hurt the gun fire yet, both having ducked to the best of their abilities, but it's not a safe position.

"Can't you form a shield?" Kal whispers. Lantern shakes his head.

"The less focused I am, the less I can do. And being shot at is pretty distracting," Lantern explains. "Besides, I can't see how far they are from here. There's a chance that I could get it wrong and that would draw way too much attention to them."

"So, what's the plan?"

"Hawkgirl needs to get to those two to cut them out of the foam but she needs cover for that and the only reason the gunmen are shooting at you is because they know we're both behind you and are hoping for a lucky shot," Lantern talks quickly, in a sort of panicked way that makes it clear that Lantern isn't really sure of his own plan but it's the only one he's got. "So, I'll put up a shield and which'll make them think that I'm covering for both me and her whilst you get her close enough to the desk that she can use that as cover while she cuts the Flashes out."

"Aren't your constructs transparent?"

"I can make them opaque if I try."

Several noises bangs one after the other. Kal looks toward the commotion and sees several guard on the group, shrapnel embedded in their armour. Red Hood appears to be purposefully shooting into the enemies guns, causing small scale explosions.

"Okay, let's do this," Kal doesn't bother looking behind him, can feel hum of Green Lantern's construction at his back and the brush of one of Hawkgirl's wings along his shoulder blades.

Lantern was right. The gunfire stops for the most part.

Kal trying to look as natural as possible walks diagonally forward as though he's leisurely strolling towards the gunners.

Lantern's shield is being pelted with bullets. Being Metropolis citizens, they clearly don't know much about Lantern's powers. That or they're heavily underestimating him. The construct is slightly concave, lessening the ricocheting. Most of the bullets hit and then slide along the curved wall into the center, where they lose all momentum.

Some of the now unarmed guards are getting back up again, charging forward. Batman hits some with the butt of his grappling hook and Diana elbows them viciously in the side of the head.

Some manage to make it past those two, only to get shot at by Red Hood (they don't seem to be fatal bullets, there's no bleeding but the sound of blood vessels bursting under the skin as they get shot is almost worse).

If they make it past Red Hood then Robin barrels into them and smacks them with what Kal can only describe as a metal rod.

Some manage to get past Superman, wisely staying out of reach, and see Hawkgirl behind him. They go to yell out to their teams but Martian Manhunter is quick to punch those ones in the face. Those guards hit the floor hard.

Kal looks over to the desk where Nightwing is still caught by the legs and is trying futilely to drag the man off him. Unfortunately, the man's helmet is smooth and Nightwing's suit is the same, not letting him get a good grip. The knife looks like it's been twisted pulled out and then jabbed back into Nightwing, one big bloody hole in the back of his knee and then the knife embedded somewhere left of that.

Some of the bullets that ricochet off of Kal head in Nightwing's direction. One grazes him the back of the shoulders and shudders for a moment.

It's hard to tell because of the black suit but the odd shine leads Kal to believe the would is bleeding and quickly.

"I don't think I can get any closer to the desk without putting Nightwing in danger," Kal whispers.

"How long's your cape?" Hawkgirl asks nonsensically. Then, "long enough to reach the desk, right?"

Kal tries to keep the worry out of his voice when he answers. "Are you sure about this? My cape may offer you some protection but keep in mind it's malleable and not solid like I am."

"It'll be fine. Now flare your cape out but make it seem natural."

Kal complies, grabbing the edge of his cape and dragging it up and over. He can see Hawkgirl swiftly scurry along the floor to duck behind the desk. His cape lands over his shoulder, half covering him.

Hawkgirl begins the slow crawl to her two trapped allies although she does glance back at Nightwing, wondering whether to help him first and risk giving her position away or let him handle it.

Nightwing braces both hands on the top of desk, putting most of his weight on it, and uses his good leg to knees the man in the nose. There's a sickly crack as the man's head hits the back of the desk from the force of it.

The arms around Nightwing's knees don't loosen. Nightwing starts kneeing the man's face repeatedly in quick succession.

Hawkgirl decides that Nightwing is handling himself fine and goes back to crawling towards the Flashes, her mace clutch to her chest to avoid making any noise.

When she reaches the Flashes, she's able to see their faces. Flash's is screwed up in a grimace, the same face he gets if he gets a limb trapped under rubble. Kid Flash has tears rolling down his face with both hands covering his mouth.

Flash opens his eyes slightly, makes eye contact with Hawkgirl and then nods towards Kid Flash. What he's trying to say is obvious, 'free Kid first.'

Hawkgirl begins the slow process of scraping the odd foam off with her mace. The first chunk she cuts off is tentative and falls silently to the ground. The part that had been in contact with Kid Flash is bloody. Hawkgirl checks her mace.

A crimson smear across its blade.

She looks up at Kid, horrified and thinking she's accidentally cut into him, but his facial expression hasn't changed. She goes to wipe off the smear and-

Her mace is warm. Not the blood is warm but the metal itself is warm and only the side that touched the foam.

She looks at the chunk of foam on the floor, how the glossy varnish on the wood around it is bubbling up in frothy patches.

The foam is hot. It's burning her teammates.

Quickly, with a frantic sort of vigour, she goes back to cutting off the foam. Trying her best not to slice into flesh instead of foam, she angles her mace away from Kid's body as she saws. Chunk after chuck comes off, revealing his very damaged suit underneath.

Patches of fabric are missing off of the legs, showing off burnt uneven flesh. The worst bit though must be his left thigh. The outside of it is missing over half its suit and the skin underneath goes from a blacken dry texture to wet pulsing muscle.

Enough has been uncovered for Kid Flash to get out. Hawkgirl tells him to stand where he is as though he's still trapped so she can get Flash out.

Getting Flash out is easier. She doesn’t have to work around knees or hips because of how far the foam travelled up Flash. Fortunately, Flash isn’t in as bad a state. He’s still heavily burnt in places and is missing both boots (they had melted into the foam like bubbling rubber) but isn’t missing chunks of flesh like Kid is.

When she finishes cutting Flash out, it’s oddly quiet. She looks around and finds the man under the desk entirely unconscious with his nose caved in and spurting blood periodically with Nightwing sat on the desk nursing his wounded leg.

Looking over to the right of the room, she sees piles of guards stacked on top of each other in lopsided piles. A few of them have dents in their leg armour, others have mental sticking out of their chest plates in odd angles and others appear to have just been hit to unconsciousness.

“Is that all of them?” She dusts herself off and asks.

The group nods affirmatively.

“Luthor went through there,” Kal points to the passageway that’s no longer hidden by the bookcase.

“The injured should stay behind,” Batman says. “Take a breath and then go back to the Hall of Justice. We have it handled from here.”

Kid Flash falls to his knees, finally allowing himself to wail in agony. Robin goes up to him and rubs his back.

Nightwing slides off of the desk unsteadily, takes a vial out of his utility belt and then scoops up a sample of foam with it. When he’s given inquisitive glances, he explains, “this stuff is new. I’ve never seen it before. Hopefully with a bit of chemical analysis, we can fix the suits to be immune to… whatever this is.”

Flash kneels beside Kid, wincing all the way down. “We’re going to need a few non-injured people to help. Kid’s not in any state to walk and there’s no way either of us,” he gestures between Nightwing and him. “Can carry him.”

“I’ll stay,” Hawkgirl offers. “My flying will jog him less than walking will.”

Flash gives her a grateful look.

Robin looks between Nightwing, Kid and Red Hood, the hand not on Kid’s back tightening.

“It’s fine,” Red Hood says. “Take care of Nightwing and your friend, alright?”

“But you-“

“Are both uninjured and heavily armoured,” Red Hood interrupts. Then, more softly, he adds, “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll have B to with me after all.”

It sounds as though it’s meant to be reassuring. Robin doesn’t look reassured at all but agrees, “I’ll stay with the injured.”

“Now that that’s sorted, let’s go catch Luthor,” Kal says to his group as the injured and their helpers huddle together in front of the desk.

He leads the fast march into the dark passageway.

Chapter Text

Flash watches the other group's retreating backs until they're entirely out of sight. He sighs.

Shayera looks at him curiously. "You're awfully upset considering we pretty much have our ticket back home within our grasp. What's wrong?"

"Nothing went to plan at all," Flash manages to drag his legs up to his chest. Kid Flash whines and buries his tear stained face further into Flash's shoulder. "We had one hard rule, one! All we had to do was stick together and somehow, we failed at that!" Flash uses one hand to gesture wildly, the other hugging his knees.

"We couldn't have known," Shayera rests her head against the side of the desk. "How were we meant to know that Luthor was expecting us?"

Shuffling to Flash's right. Shayera leans forward slightly and sees Nightwing half slumped into Robin's side. His head on Robin's, shoulder jammed between Robin's back and the desk and his free hand clasping Robin's.

They're whispering about something.

"Care to share with the class?" Shayera puts her elbow up on the desk, rising to her knees to better see the two. They turn to her in unison.

"We're not sure whether we should. We all got caught up in the chaos of the fight and with Nightwing's blood loss..." Robin's grip tightens around Nightwing's hand. "We're worried is all."

"Then wouldn't it be better to tell us? Five sets of eyes are better than two, right?" She drums her fingers against the table impatiently.

Nightwing and Robin share an indecipherable look before Nightwing asks, "who did you see during the fight?"

"Everyone and a lot of guards," Shayera automatically answers. "Why? Did you recognise one of them?"

Robin appears to relax, grip loosening and shoulders drooping. "That's fine then. I must have been mistaken."

"We should start patching everyone up," Robin unclips his cape and passes it to Nightwing. As he passes it to his injured brother, he lowly says, "apply pressure to the wound."

Nightwing scoffs. "For fifteen minutes, I know. I've been doing this for longer than you have, I know how to handle a stab wound." His voice is fainter than Shayera would like to hear but she guesses that him talking intelligibly is a good sign, or at least a neutral one.

Clutching the cape in a tight fist, Nightwing presses the material to behind his knee. He hisses in pain but still smiles at Robin.

"Just making sure you're not too out of it," Robin says cheekily. Then he pulls out a roll of bandages from one of his utility belt's many pouches and holds it out to Shayera.

Shayera takes the roll and looks between their three injured teammates. "How are we doing this?"

"Triage," Robin says. "High risk injuries first. Lower risk injuries after. Since there's three of them, we can do either two at a time or work on one together."

"I'll do one and you do one," Shayera looks between the two burnt Flashes and the bleeding Nightwing. "Who should we handle first?"

"Burn victims first," Robin rolls his shoulders. "We don't want them going into shock," he kneels in front of Kid, non-verbally leaving Flash to Shayera.

She isn't sure whether it's a matter of him handling his and her handling hers or whether there's an actual reason. Ultimately, she decides it isn't important enough to ask and sits beside Flash.

Looking at his burnt legs, she finds herself lost at where to start. "I've never had to take care of burns before," she admits.

Robin looks at her, opaque lenses revealing nothing, and says, "that's... not ideal." He fiddles with utility belt. "You should tell your Batman to do first-aid training when you all get home."

"I don't think burn care is part of standard first-aid."

Robin chuckles, reaches into a pouch and pulls out some plastic packets of what looks to be water. "It is for vigilantes," he passes a packet to her. "I'll show you what to do. Just copy me and you'll have Flash patched up in no time."

Shayera looks at her roll of bandages and packet of liquid, steeling herself. "Okay, let's do this."
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Kal brings up the front, footsteps heavy against the metal flooring. He keeps his speed in check, looking over his shoulder to make sure the others are close at his heels.

Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern make up the back, ready to be offence and defence respectively. Lantern's heart beats steadily faster the longer they run and there's a stuttering thrumming from Manhunter where usually it would be a lighter, fuller noise.

Kal doesn't know anything about martian biology. He only knows that J'ohn's body makes sounds not unlike the pulling of strings.

They turn a corner. The hallway gets narrower, and they're running at a slightly sloped angle, just barely noticeable.

Red Hood, Batman and Diana stay in the middle; Hood's hand on the butt of his gun, Batman's on a pouch of his utility belt and Diana's fisted into her lasso.

They radiate warmth from behind Kal, no doubt all burning with the same determination.

Luthor switching them from one dimension to another was one thing. Hurting their teammates was another.

The decline gets steeper the further they go and the walls get darker and more riddled with cracks. Kal's chest feels oddly tight and he wonders whether this is what claustrophobia feels like.
__________________________________

Flash jerks back under Shayera's hands, covering his mouth to keep from yelling in pain.

Kid Flash isn't much better with Robin, not moving and instead sobbing with pain.

Robin, steady handed, keeps clearing out the burn. Shayera watches as he peels open another packet of clean water and runs over Kid's burnt hip.

He works with his bare hands, having stuffed his gloves into his utility belt at some point. Robin doesn't even flinch as Kid periodically twitches, only occasionally mumbling, "I know it hurts," and "I have to do this, I'm sorry."

Robin's already done one of Kid's legs, wrapped it in non-adhesive bandages that he held in place with pins with little bats on the end.

Shayera is still on Flash's first leg, struggling to keep going when Flash involuntarily rears with pain or cries out.

She's never had to give medical care to one of her teammates before. Most of them are sturdier, or quicker, than anything thrown at them. The only one she can remember seeing truly, severely injured is Batman and he's usually content to lick his wounds in private.

Should she be expecting to have to deal with this regularly? Robin seems practically desensitised to it all and Nightwing is just as calm. Is this normal for heroes in this world? Will she have to-

"I think the wound's all cleared out. You can pat some of the excess water off now and then wrap it," Robin's voice breaks through Shayera's train of thought. She looks at the red, inflamed skin in front of her.

"Pat excess water off..." she wracks her brain, trying to remember how Robin had done it. "With some bandages, right?"

Robin nods, focused on Kid's burns.

Shayera tears off a bit of bandage from the roll. She lightly swipes it across Flash's leg and-

Screaming. Blood-curdling screaming. Flash all but convulses in pain. Shayera moves away and stares at the bandage in her hand. "Why-" Shayera swallows, trying to suppress the sick feeling she has in her gut. "Why is he hurting so badly? He didn't... he hadn't been screaming in the foam."

"Anticipation," Robin says simply. "Knowing that something will hurt can make it worse," he begins patting Kid's hip dry with a strip of bandage.

"How do you do it?" Shayera asks. "Watching them in so much pain, knowing that you're the cause..." Shayera looks at the bandage in her hands again, seeing it stained with watery blood and some sort of other fluid.

"We're helping," Robin tosses his wet bandage behind him, into the gradually growing pile. "And sometimes we have to let people be in pain temporarily to do that."

"How are you so calm about this?"

Robin doesn't so much as pause in what he's doing. He begins bandaging Kid's hip with a new roll. The other is nearly bare yet it had been a full untouched roll when they had started.

"It's difficult," Robin sucks in his lips in concentration, hands deftly working around the bandage. "But everyone knows there aren't any hard feelings for it."

Everyone knows. Why is it so commonplace that everyone knows?

"Does this happen often?"

"Not to this extent. Usually it's a dislocated shoulder needing to be put back into its socket or basic shrapnel removal," Robin winces slightly, adding, "or various vaccinations from toxins."

Nightwing gives an identical wince off to the side, no doubt as familiar with all of the above as Robin is. Maybe even more considering Nightwing is the eldest.

Somehow, the wincing makes Shayera feel better. Robin, who's apparently somewhat used to this kind of thing, is still upset by having to do it. Even Nightwing seems discomforted by the mention of it. Meaning Shayera doesn't have to feel bad about her hesitation or how she has to remind her hands to stop shaking.

She's having a normal reaction, just a less experienced one. And Robin makes her think that it'll get easier. That she won't always be this shaken.

Shayera takes a deep breath, tosses her bandage behind her and pulls off the last of the old roll. When her patting is met with a collection of winces and shaky breathing, she doesn't falter.
__________________________________

There are latches in the floor, half-cylinder protrusions in groups of two. They're like the hinges at the back of a music box, the thin long sort.

It's gotten darker somehow, almost pitch black. Kal can hear the drag of hands across the walls, the others using them to navigate.

They haven't seen or heard Luthor yet. Something about it doesn't sit right with Kal, like an overwhelming feeling of something being wrong but he's struggling to think through his shortened breath.

The decline gets steeper.
__________________________________

Getting up, she looks at Flash. Both legs entirely bandaged from feet to knee. Shayera feels shaky, the same type of jitteriness that she gets after a fight.

Adrenaline.

It's the first time she's gotten it from anything other than fighting or flying. She's quick to decide she hates it: at least with fighting she can channel the energy into bludgeoning people with her mace.

Robin gets up, having finished with Kid Flash's injuries a couple of minutes ago. He stretches, right arm up and the other caught between that and his chest. Then after a short moment he switches.

Now that he's no longer wrapping Kid's injuries, he's also trembling.

Nightwing, having been silent for a while now, looks up at them. "You two should take a lap around the room. You both look ready to drop."

Robin swivels around and his protest is immediate, "but your knee-"

"Isn't going anywhere," Nightwing gestured to his knee with his free hand. Robin's cape is soaked with blood, wetly dark where it meets the underside of Nightwing's joint. "And neither of you are going to be of any help if you're practically leaping out of your skin."

Robin huffs; his cheeks puff up like a disgruntled bird, he crosses his arms, he even narrows his eyes enough for the domino mask to crease. Shayera barely keeps herself from laughing.

Nightwing appears entirely unbothered, swapping out the hand holding the cape. With the now free one, he rotates it in circles, and unclenches and clenches his fingers. The joints crack until the third or so rotation.

Unceremoniously, Robin sighs and rubs his unsteady hands on the front of his tunic. He looks over his shoulder at Shayera, "looks like we're doing laps. Do you want to walk or jog?"

"You're giving up that easily?" Shayera had thought Robin was more stubborn than that. Maybe she had misread him.

"Nightwing has seniority," then, under his breath, "unfortunately."

"Over you, maybe."

Robin turns to fully face her, beginning to grin. "Over you too, actually."

"Excuse you?"

"Not our world's version, obviously. But you? Not a chance, he wins by a mile," Robin puts his hands on his hip, "he may even be older than you as you are, actually."

Nightwing is quietly, breathlessly cackling from where he's sat, head between his knees. Shayera barely keeps herself from gawping at Robin for his sheer audacity.

Instead of dignifying any of it with a response, she jogs past Robin and lightly swats him on the head either her wing as she passes.

She can hear his indignant yell and then his boots hitting the ground as he jogs up to her side.
__________________________________

A creak. A horrible, groaning creak. The floor tilts.

It swings out from beneath their feet, sending them all to ground. Kal hits the floor first, nose hitting the ground before anything else. There's a sharp crack and then a thud off to his side. Batman and Red Hood's respective headgear if he has to guess.

He wonders whose split on impact.

Kal pushes himself enough to turn himself over. His arms burn with the effort.

Sitting up proves to be for nothing as he's quickly shoved back to the floor by Diana's falling body. Her chin collides with his cheek painfully and his head smacks against the floor.

Kal barely hears the scrape of metal or the softer sound of leather gloves against the floor. Batman and Red Hood slowly getting themselves off of the floor.

Diana is quick to scramble up, more alert than the rest of them, her hands pushing into Kal's shoulders for leverage. Once she's up on her feet, she cranes her neck up and her eyes widen.

Within in seconds, she's swinging her lasso and throwing the curled end of it. Kal's eyes can barely follow the movement of the golden rope but it's made obvious what she's doing when she tugs and both Lanten and Manhunter are pulled down and towards her.

Two sets of feet hit the ground, both men almost buckling. Diana steadies them both, putting an arm under both of their shoulders.

Kal looks at their bare faces and comes to the horrifying realisation that both of their faces would have probably ended up crushed if they had hit the ground like the rest of them.

That thought is the one that finally gets Kal up on his feet.

There's a screeching noise from above. Everyone looks up only to see the floor - ceiling? - hatch has closed.

"This... is not good," Diana pats both Lantern and J'ohn on the shoulder before stepping forward now that they're standing firmly on the ground.

"You're telling me," Lantern looks around the dark expanse of the room. "Where even is this place?"

A mechanical groan from over Kal's shoulder. He turns his head and sees Red Hood stood behind him.

"No idea. Honestly, I'm shocked. Trapped doors aren't usually Luthor's style as Superman-" Red Hood lifts his head, and freezes. His helmet is intact, if a bit scratched on the forehead area-

"What happened to your face?" He yells and his modulator, seemingly struggling with Hood's increased volume, follows it with an awful whistling whine like a blown out speaker.

The others turn to look at Kal. Lantern takes a step back, J'ohn puts a hand on the man's shoulder as though comfortingly and there's an odd diligence from Batman and Diana that tells Kal they're worried as well.

"What do you mean?" Kal's voice sounds unusually nasally. For a long moment, he gets no reply.

J'ohn is the one to step forward. He raises a hand to Kal's face, back of his hand facing forward, and gently runs it under Kal's nose.

Pain. It shoots through Kal's nose then it's aching spreads to his upper lip, over his cheeks and under his eyes. He can feel them watering. Kal stumbles back.

J'ohn's green hand has a red smear across two of his fingers.

"Kal... your nose is busted. Badly," Lantern says slowly.

"Check for kryptonite," Batman calls out to the group. The left side of his cowl is partially cracked and in the centre of the jagged cracks is a chunk missing, about the size of a dollar coin. There's what looks to be black hair peeking out.

Kal looks away and focuses on looking around the room.

It's a long, almost corridor-like, room; rectangular, slope roofed and split into three segments. The segments separated by lines across the floor and ceiling: thick, black and with three rows of holes perpendicular to the walls. The hinges on the ceiling line up behind the black lines.

Each segment is fairly large although the Justice league stands in the smallest. Then the one beside them is the middle most spacious and the one next to that is biggest, both from line to wall and from ceiling to floor.

"I do not see anything glowing," Diana's off to Kal's right, looking around. She's right, there's no glowing or even anything green coloured anywhere near.

"Kal," J'ohn places a hand (the non-bloody one) on Kal's shoulder. "Maybe try using your X-Ray vision."

Kal nods, closing his eyes for a second. He feels the reassuring, cold film of X-Ray vision slide over his eyes and beneath his eyelids. For a moment, he had wondered whether he'd be able to while weakened but luckily, he only seems partially weakened.

He knows the order in which his powers drain under the effects of kryptonite. Invulnerability first, then flying and lasers followed by strength and then lastly X-Ray.

When he opens his eyes, that feeling of security falls away. He can't see through the walls at all.

He turns to the side and settles his focus on Diana. She's the only one with no secret identity or unconventional inner anatomy here. The only one he feels comfortable X-Raying.

When he looks he see's what he's expect from her. A collection of bones, then the system of veins and bundles of nerves.

His X-Ray vision is working so...

"The room is lined with lead," Kal closes his eyes, lets the film fold back into wherever it goes when it's not being used. He doesn't particularly like using his X-Ray vision on people. There's something unsettling about how much they look like the diagrams in high school science books.

He can hear Lantern curse under his breath and opens his eyes to see his teammate pacing.

"This is a trap!" Lantern runs his hands over the back of neck.

"But Luthor couldn't have planned this," Diana crosses her arms. "At least, not enough to have made an entire room for it."

"Then it's repurposed," Red Hood suggests. "Doesn't really matter what it's for anyway. We just need to get out."

Batman knocks his knuckles against the wall. "It's solid," then he stomps his foot against the ground. "Also, solid. Our escape needs to be done through the ceiling. Lantern?"

Lantern shakes his head. "I can't concentrate. It's hard to breathe properly in here."

Off to the side, Red Hood tilts his head curiously.

Batman simply nods in understanding and turns to J'ohn. "Are you okay to fly?" After getting a nod in return, Batman says, "check the ceiling for any weak spots. See if you can break us out."

J'ohn flies up with ease and runs his hand across the ceiling. "No inconsistency that I can find," he then rears one arm back, other bracing the wall, and hits the ceiling with all his might.

Nothing.

"Try to phase through, maybe," Diana's craning her head to see what J'ohn's doing, eyes curiously scanning the ceiling.

J'ohn's hand becomes slightly transparent and he slowly starts to phase it through the ceiling. He gets to the point of having his hand in to his knuckles before he reels back with a horrible screech that unhinges his jaw, rendering his face without his usual façade of human form, and falls to the ground.

The Justice League comes his side immaculately.

"J'ohn, are you alright?"

"What happened?"

"Is he injured?"

J'ohn's on the ground, body curled around the hand that had gone through the wall, clutching it to his chest. His face hasn't return to its usual shape, his eyes are still entirely dark and the back of his head is elongated into its natural point state.

Gently, Batman kneels and attempts to pry the damaged hand away to get a closer look at it. J'ohn curls further into himself and hisses open-mouthed at Batman.

"J'ohn, I can't help you if I can't see where and how you are hurt," Batman reasons. J'ohn makes no attempt to move, shuddering and tucking his head over his clasped hands as though to hide it further.

Diana sits behind J'ohn, rubbing his back. Hesitantly, she whispers, "he doesn't feel solid."

Lantern's eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean? Your hand's clearly not going through him and he's not melting or anything."

"It..." Diana closes her eyes and breathes deeply. "It is like the feeling of an almost full water balloon. There is no... structure underneath. There looks like there are bones and an internal system but when I touch them..." Diana runs her hand over the overly prominent ridges of J'ohn's spine. They dip under the pressure of her fingers and the surrounding area becomes temporarily bloated.

"How worried should we be?" Red Hood asks. "He is a shapeshifter after all. Their bodies are more... not fluid, that would be a bad word to use... malleable?"

"It's still odd. I don't know about your Martian Manhunter or... Miss Martian, you called her? But our J'ohn typically choses forms with structure. Skeletal systems and hard edges,” Batman grabs J’ohn’s arms again and is met with less resistance: this time, J’ohn only pulls away and doesn’t hiss.

“His arms are solid though. Maybe even harder than usual,” Batman manages to get the hands out from under J’ohn’s chin. He starts prying the healthy fingers off of the injured hand. J’ohn whines.

Lantern frowns, then covers his mouth. “He doesn’t seem very coherent. Whatever it is must be pretty bad.”

Finally, Batman gets the hands away from each other. Diana turns away, Lantern gags and even Kal feels faintly ill.

J’ohn’s fingers are blackened and bubbling with no structure at all. They hang limply without even the impressions of joints. The tips of them are fuller than where they meet the knuckles, like long water droplets of boiling tar.

“Fire,” Kal says. “It must have been, what else-“

“Why would there be fire in the walls?” Lantern asks.

Batman stills before taking his hands off J’ohns and reaching into his utility belt. He pulls out a roll of bandages and tears off a tiny piece.

“That is a bit small to wrap J’ohn’s hand with,” Diana eyes the small piece of bandage, bemused.

“This piece isn’t for that,” Batman mutters before trying to toss it over the line that runs between their segment and the middle segment.

Trying because when the piece is in the middle of that line, smoke pours out of the rows of holes before bursting alive into bars of flickering green fire from floor to ceiling.
__________________________________

Robin and Hawkgirl are finishing up their laps when a blue of colour almost charges into them. It skids to a stop just before knocking into Robin, revealing itself to be Kon.

He’s breathless, eyes darting around frantically and twitching slightly. Theres the crushed gun of a guard in his hand. “More are coming!” He drops the gun and reaching for Robin’s shoulders. His hands settle there but he doesn’t hold on or grip them. “Where are the others? Where are the others?”

Kon looks around, becoming more agitated at the sight of the injured Flashes and Nightwing.

Hawkgirl and Robin share shocked looks, Robin mouthing ‘I thought you said everyone’ before resting his hands on Kon’s forearms.

“Breathe, Kon, I don’t understand-“

“This is an ambush!” Kon screams. “There’s more guards on the way, I dealt- I dealt with a few but there’s so many and where are the others?”

Tears are streaming down Kon’s faces and his body is wracked with tremors.

Soothingly, Robin begins explaining. “Me and Hawkgirl have been left with the injured. The others have gone for Luthor, through there,” he points to the dark passageway.

Kon moves quickly, tacking his jacket off and shoving it into Robin’s arms, mumbling, “for Kid,” and then takes off through the passage.

“You’re calm,” Hawkgirl remarks. Robin immediately disproves that by rushing over to Nightwing.

“Can you still fight?” Robin hurriedly asks Nightwing. Nightwing barely gets to nod before Robin is tearing away his hand from his wound and peeling the cape off. The wound drips with blood.

“It’s still bleeding, that’s not good, we don’t have time to-“

“Don’t bother. Just tourniquet it for now,” Nightwing stretches out his leg slightly, wincing as he does.

Robin throws Kon’s jacket at Shayera. She catches it and before even having to asks, Robin explains, “put it around Kid’s waist, it’ll hide his hip injury and prevent the guards from targeting it purposefully.”

Shayera hears approaching footsteps. She hurries to do as asked.

Robin ties the cape around the top of Nightwing’s thigh in a basic knot and then ties his bo staff, in the most compact form he can get it, to that. He twists it, making Nightwing hiss in pain, then secures the loose ends on the other side.

The jacket is easily tied around Kid’s waist and hide the majority of the heavy bandaging. The footsteps are getting closer.

Nightwing gets up.

“Can I borrow one of your escrima sticks?” Robin asks. Nightwing passes one to him without complaint.

Shayera walks up beside them, facing the door Kon had come from. She holds her mace over her shoulder. “What’s the plan?”

“Hold them off until we get an opening. Then run,” they all get into fighting positions. Guards barrel into the room.
__________________________________

Kal falls to his knees, the familiar drain of kryptonite settling in deeper. Lantern is quick to come to his side, sit down for Kal to lean against.

J’ohn screams at the fire, pure terror in his pitchy voice. Batman barely manages to bandage him with how he flails but he and Diana eventually manage the task together.

“Everyone, to the wall furthest from the fire,” Batman orders. Then he looks between everyone before turning to Red Hood. “Either you can help Kal or you can switch with me and help Martian Manhunter.”

“I’ll help Superman,” the green flames reflect off of Hood’s helmet faintly. All except for his lenses which clearly reflect the lapping fire. “I don’t do well with burn victims.”

Red Hood walks over to Kal’s side. He and Lantern haul Kal up, one on either side, and helps him to the furthest wall.

The distance only mildly helps Kal’s foggy thoughts.

Batman and Diana have a harder time, neither wanting to put too much pressure on any of J’ohn’s disturbingly soft body and because J’ohn remains entirely unresponsive for the most part.

They settle on Batman cradling J’ohn to his chest and Diana keeping J’ohn from falling or otherwise bonelessly flipping out of Batman’s grasp.

They manage to make it to the back wall, sitting down as they are. J’ohn’s screaming has thankfully died down to heavy, uneven breathing.

Then the ceiling of the largest segment falls open and they watch as Kon, missing his jacket, tumbles down. Unlike Kal, who landed mostly flat, Kon puts his hands out.

There’s an awful cracking and Kal sees one of Kon’s wrists break under the pressure of the fall.

Remarkably unbothered except for some painful wincing, Kon rushes up to his feet then pauses at the sight of the fire. The ceiling snaps shut.

“Kryptonite fire,” Kon mutters. “Of course, he’d have made kryptonite fire.” Then, louder, “don’t worry, I’m sure there’s got to be some way to get you out. Maybe the walls-“

Kal doesn’t hear the nest part, distracted as he is be the cracks of light appearing in the wall directly behind Kon. It’s in the shape of a square.

It slides down to reveal Luthor standing there, glowing green syringe in hand.

Kal, despite his thick, heavy tongue, manages to scream, “Kon, behind you!”

Kon doesn’t get a chance to turn. Luthor’s hand is too swiftly on the boy’s chin, forcing Kon’s head backwards into Luthor’s chest. Then the sharp tip of the syringe and an inch after that is inserted into Kon’s exposed neck, and Luthor presses the plunger down.

Kon thrashes for a minute before going limp, held up only by Luthor’s hand gripping his face.

“You know, I had been worried for a moment that maybe you hadn’t brought this one with you,” Luthor’s voice is light, amused. He gives his hands a shake, jostling Kon’s head back and forth. “I suppose I have to thank you. You’ve saved me a lot of extra work,”

Luthor sweeps his free arm under Kon’s legs, hoisting the boy up and into his arms. He steps backwards. “Don’t worry. You’ll only be here until I figure out what to do with you.”

The square panel rises, hiding Luthor and leaving a glowing square outline. Then the outline fades and the room is filled with black smoke and green flakes.

The Justice League loses consciousness.

Chapter Text

A guard charges forward, pulling a heavy baton from his belt. Shayera sweeps his knees from under him with the blunt end of her mace before bringing the sharp end down onto the guard's helmet. A loud crack sounds out and when she brings her mace back up, the guard falls limp to the ground.

A pair of guards come forward, arms linked, hoping to rush the injured Nightwing. Nightwing attempts to step back, hesitating when his calf tenses up under his weight. The guard keep running towards him even when he holds out his escrema stick, readying to strike. When they get close enough, Nightwing gives the one to the left an electrifing jab to the neck. He buckles and falls whilst the other unhooks his arm.

He doesn't get far before Robin cracks him in the neck with an escrema stick.

The guards keep coming, a slow persistant trickle of them through the doors. The room lights up with the harsh flashes from the buzzing ends of escrema sticks as well at the harsh impacts of Shayera's mace against hard armour. Nightwing, Robin and Shayera work as a wall, keeping the guards pouring forward away from their injured teammates.

Dwindling in numbers, the guards switch tatics. No longer trying to close the distance between them and the heroes, they start tossing their batons like javilins. The heroes spin their respective weapons (Nightwing and Robin do so with the ends of their fingers while Shayera just grabs the chain of her mace) and use them as shields. The majority of batons deflect backwards, either being caught or dodged by the guards, whilst the less well-aimed ones hit the ground bludgoning end forward.

"Their aim sucks," Robin kicks at a stray baton by his feet.

"Their batons aren't exactly made for this," Nightwing's half-kneeling, one hand on the floor to steady himself. Sweat is dripping down his forehead and off the sides of his mask. "Actual throwing batons have to be evenly balanced on both sides."

Shayera hadn't ever put much thought into bladeless weapons, especially not glorified sticks, but maybe she should at some point. Not for herself, she loves her mace, but to better understand the limits of other people's weapons. She supposes the guards throwing the batons is kind of like her throwing her mace; not very areodynamic, falling heavy end first. The only difference would be her mace is weighty enough to still damage whoever it hits.

"Why do you know that? I thought your weapons are both called sticks," she asks. Neither Nightwing's escrema sticks nor Robin's bo stick have a larger end. Their entirely even from one end to the other.

"I tried out a lot of weapons when I was starting out," Nightwing falters for a moment, panting, and a baton grazes his shoulder. Robin steps infront of him.

"I've only ever used my bo stick out on the field, spent so much time watching the other Robins that I felt more comfortable with it, but weapon training was something Batman deemed neccessary although I'm not sure," Robin glances back at Nightwing, who's jammed a hand over his injured knee, "I'm not sure whether that had been the same with the other Robins."

Shayera's not great at reading faces obsured by masks but if she's right then the heavy slope in both Robin and Nightwing's shoulders is decidely uncomfortable. Or maybe they're just tired.

Shayera's tired. Her wings are  sagging dlightly, not tightly folded to her back like usual. She doesn't have the energy.

"We can't keep playing defensively, we're tiring quicker than they are!" She winces as a baton hits the swinging chain of her mace, close enough it almost catches her fingers.

"What do you suggest?" Nightwing looks up at her.

Quietly, Shayera says, "I think me and Robin should charge them." She isn't suprised when Robin begins to protest.

"But that would leave Nightwing open-"

"Do it," Nightwing insists. "I'll manage," he twirls his escrema stick.

By the way Robin's face scrunches up, lips straightening and nose wrinkling, it's clear he's unhappy with Nightwing's command. Yet he still shifts, stiffening his shoulders and getting into posistion.

"On three?" He asks.

Shayera tightens her grip on her mace. "On three."

"One," they both face forward.

"Two," right foot shifts in front.

"Three!" They charge, swinging their weapons with reckless abandon. Robin switches the escrema stick on, jabbing it into the guards vulnerable throats. The guards attempt to step back from the electrified ends but their knees buckle and they're left convulsing on the floor or collapsed on top of their comrades.

Shayera swings her mace over her head and brings it down brutally into the guards' helmets, a viscious satisfaction building as she hears the metal domes crack. She purposefully aims for where she knows their ears will be, hoping for the impact to give them a harsh shock. It does and they stumble back on shaky legs before toppling like dominos.

Two approach Robin from behind. He jerks his head back, headbutting the shorter one in the chin before reeling his elbow forward then back and up into the taller one's throat.

A guard tries to hit Shayera with his baton but fails when Shayera stretches her wings out, smacking him the face.

Only occasionally does Nightwing have to fend off a stray guard, roughly pushing the electric tip of the escrima stick into guards' bellies.

For a moment, it's going well. Guards are dropping to the floor, unconscious or stunned, at a quick pace and the back log of guards bottlenecked by the door gets lesser and lesser. They're exhausted but their experience makes up for their tired limbs.

Then Flash cries out.

The three fighting swivel around expecting to see a guard or two that had managed to slip by them...

And instead there's two platoons worth of armed guards coming through the bookcase passageway.

"We need to get out of here now!" Nightwing is the first to act, pushing himself to his feet even as his legs threaten to give out. He's by Flash's side in no time, pulling him up and tossing an arm around the other hero. "Robin, take his other side! Hawkgirl, grab Kid!"

Robin kicks the guard in front of him down, barreling over him to go and help Nightwing. "What about the others?" He asks.

Shayera abandons the guard she's wrangling in favour of picking up Kid Flash. His limp body is small enough that she can pick him up with ease. He's passed out and worryingly quiet.

"We won't be any good to the others if we're dead!" Once Nightwing is sure that Robin's grip on Flash is steady, he steps forward. When the other two follow, he quickens his limping pace.

Flash is thankfully conscious although from his wide-eyed, dazed look, it's clear he's not fully aware either.

They exit the office the way they came, back into the long hallway. The guards follow.

Shayera, being at the back, bares the brunt of the guards attacks on her extended wings. They drive the ends of their batons into the thick of where the wings root at her shoulder blades, grab large fistfuls of feathers and try tugging them back, even trying to simply barrel into her like one would try to break down a door.

She's grateful none of them seem to have blades or guns.

"Hawkgirl?" Robin calls out as he runs. He'd go faster, she can tell, if he weren't having to help an injured person assist another injured person move. "Can you manage your mace and holding Kid at the same time?"

"I don't have eyes in the back of my head, or wings, so no!" She's not sure what answer Robin had been expecting. If the guards were in front then that would have been a different matter but as things are...

Sheyera flaps her wings as someone roughly yanks at her covert feathers.

"What about if you were flying?" He asks.

"I can't do that!"

It's Nightwing who speaks up next. "Why not?"

"It'd leave you three open!"

"And it would also make the guards more manageable if we took some out! Do it!" Robin briefly looks over his shoulder at her, hand on his escrima stick tightening with determination.

Shayera relents. She braces Kid Flash against herself with one arm, flaps her wings once sharply and then takes to the ceiling. With her free arm, she holds the chain of the mace and swings.

The mace knocks into the sides of guards heads, causing them to crash into each other and the walls like the balls of a pendulum. The ones behind push past their fellow guards, those able and ready to dodge getting past Shayera and heading straight for her teammates on the ground.

Robin reaches into his belt, pulling out handful of batarangs and tossing them over his shoulder. Two end up in either wall but the rest end up embedded in the guards' armoured necks.

They make it to the stairs.

Shayera curses, realising that none of them had discussed how they were going to get Flash down with the conditions of his legs. Even Nightwing might stuggle with his own bad knee.

Then Robin pulls out his grappling gun. He aims up at the fluorescent lights embedded in the ceiling and shoots. The glass shatters, sending shards of it over the room below. Robin gives the grappling hook a rough tug and, happy with its stability, shoos Nightwing off to the side.

Nightwing dunks under Flash's arm, leaving Robin to support the injured hero's entire weight.

"Hold on tight," Robin advises. Then the grappling retracts slightly and Robin and Flash are sent swinging to the ground.

Worried about Nightwing's ability to get down the stairs alone, Shayera turns in the air to ask whether he needs help-

And he's already sliding down the banister with his escrima stick hooked under it for stability.

Shayera flies down to meet them at the bottom.

"Does anyone know if guards' boots have treads on the bottom?" Nightwing asks when he gets to the end of the banister. He gets up, holsters his escrima stick and immediately heads over to Flash's side.

"They don't," Robin says slowly. "Why do you ask?"

Nightwing, Flash and Robin walk along, arms under and over shoulders, a single hobbling unit.

"We've put pretty good distance between us and them. I'm just thinking we should keep it that way," Nightwing grins and turns to face Shayera. "Mind smashing the podiums behind us?"

She steadies her mace when they make it to the mouth of the room and swings it into the podiums. They hit the floor with dull thuds, the glass vases on them shattering on impact and crushing the burnt flowers into ash that coats the ground.

They hurry forward, not staying to see the chaos their mess will bring.

The rest of their trek down to the bottom floor goes relatively unimpeded, with only a stray guard or two managing to halt them. The guards are dealt with quickly by Shayera.

Once they get to the back door and spill out into the alleyway, their fatigue catches up with them. They lean against the sides of either building, panting.

"Nightwing, shut the door?" Robin nods at the open backdoor.

"Forget shutting it, I'd happily weld the thing closed at this point," his white lenses narrow as though genuinely considering it. Shayera's not sure whether she wants him to be kidding or not.

"Don't. The others need an exist and we don't know whether this is the only back entrance," Robin runs a hand through his hair. Nightwing shuts the door roughly.

"Come on, let's go," Robin pushes himself off of the wall and tosses Flash's arm back over himself. Flash is looking worse and worse by the minute, head hanging low. Shayera's not even sure he's conscious.

Nightwing mirrors Robin's actions more delicately, cautious of injuring his knee. "Do you know how long it's been since you applied the tourniquet?"

Robin doesn't answer. Just repeats, "come on, let's go."

Shayera attaches her mace back to her belt and holds Kid Flash up with both her arms. "Flying would probably jog his injury less."

"Do whatever you need to do," Robin says. "I trust you to do what's best for you both."

Shayera shakes out her wings, gives a harsh flap and then takes off.
__________________________________

When Flash wakes up, it's to the familiar rod lights of the medbay and a warmth against his right side. His legs dully ache and his mouth is drier than a desert but overall, he's feeling better.

Better isn't much considering he'd been trapped in burning foam earlier but better is enough for him. Any improvement is worth being grateful for in his mind.

He turns his heavy head from side to side. The bed to his left is occupied by Nightwing, his suit opened and bunched around his hips. His back has a light but large bandage across it. He's got a white bedsheet over his legs. Flash isn't sure whether it's for his own comfort or that of those around him.

A knee wound is a grisly thing to look at, Flash knows.

The right bed is empty. Its sheets are rumpled and on the corner of the bed, hanging off. The pillow has a dip in the middle as well, clearly recently used.

The warmth beside him shifts and he feels the sheets shift over him, creasing as though bunched.

Flash looks down.

Kid Flash is tucked into Flash's side, lying over the blanket. His head rests between Flash's arm and torso, one arm thrown over Flash's body and the other tucked into his own chest and grasping a portion of the blanket.

Kid Flash is wearing his costume except anything under the hips have been sheared off. Instead of his suit's pants which were probably rendered unsalvageable because of how badly they'd been burnt, he's wearing a pair of loose blue shorts with lightning bolts down the sides. Pyjama bottoms, Flash thinks.

Kid's legs are completely bandaged. White, thick, bandages in perfectly even rows that hide what must be the horrific sight of Kid's burnt skin. Flash presses a hand to his mouth and tries to remind himself to breathe.

Flash looks down at his own legs. He shifts the blanket to the side and pokes his leg out.

His suit's been sheared from mid-thigh down. His calves have been bandaged lightly, the breathable kind, but mercifully nothing else is. There's a few stray burns upwards of his knees but those are only a tender red, no skin broken or blisters. They seem to have been mostly left alone aside from the glossy sheen over them. Probably a burn cream of some sort, Flash thinks. Flash pulls his leg back under the blanket.

More shifting to his right. Kid Flash's face has scrunched up, brows furrowed. His hands grip the sheets tighter.

This isn't this Flash's nephew. If this were a normal situation, and this were just some stranger's kid, he'd probably have woken the kid up and reminded them that climbing into other people's beds isn't acceptable behaviour.

But this isn't some stranger's kid. This may not be Flash's nephew, he doesn't have one, but this is a Flash's nephew. And if this world's Flash is anything like him, then he wouldn't mind someone else taking care of the kid for a moment.

So Flash shakes Kid's shoulder lightly. "Hey, Kid. You're having a nightmare."

Kid's face scrunches further before his eyes open. He looks up at Flash.

Quietly, Flash continues. "Why're you over here? Weren't you put on your own bed?"

Flash knows Kid was put in his own bed. The messy sheets of the bed to his right attests to it. But he doesn't want to sound accusatory. Kid might get defensive if he does that.

"I'm sorry," Kid lets go of the sheets and covers his face with his arms. "I just... I woke up here and my legs are all bandaged and not like the light bandages but the really heavy duty ones for when things are real bad and all I really wanted was my-" Kid sniffs loudly, "all I really want is my uncle Barry but he's not here and I know you're not him but-"

Barry doesn't wait any longer, just shushes Kid and rubs circles into Kid's upper arm. "It's fine, you don't need to apologise for that. Come here, you're going to get cold laying over the blankets like that."

In that moment of picking up the top of the blanket so that Kid can get under them, Barry understands Kal's struggle with Kon. Seeing a child, one who's related to you in an alternate universe, so vulnerable and in clear need of someone...

It's enough to break a person's heart.

Kid slips under the covers and is immediately at Barry's side. Barry turns onto his side and wraps an arm over Kid's shoulders. Kid tucks his face into Barry's chest, wrapping his arms around Barry.

"Does it hurt?" Barry asks. Idly, he runs one of his hands up and down Kid's back. He feels so weird thinking of a nephew (even if it's not his) as only Kid but... It's th only name he knows for the child in his arms.

And maybe part of him is worried that knowing the kid's civilian name, regular name, might make it hurt worse to leave.

"No," Kid shakes his head. "I think they must have given me painkillers or... or the other thing because my legs don't hurt at all."

Barry raises his eyebrows despite knowing Kid can't see it. "The other thing?"

"Yeah. I don't know that name, I rarely ever need to use it, but it's the one that you use that you inject near the injured spot," Kid's voice is getting fainter and fainter. Flash even thinks he can hear a small yawn.

Barry wracks his brain, trying to think of the name of it. Anethestic, obviously but what kind? it has a specific name, Barry is sure...

"Local anethestic! That's what you're thinking of-"

Snoring. Light, shallow snoring. Barry chuckles. After such a long day, Kid has the right to a nap, Barry thinks, and closes his eyes. He doesn't plan on moving for a while.
__________________________________

Outside of the infirmary, Shayera is leaning against the door, watching Robin pace.

“You haven’t gotten word from any of yours, yet?” He asks. It’s the first time Shayera thinks she heard him sound so young. It’s unnerving almost, that someone so nonplussed about treating wounds and fighting people twice his size can sound unsure.

And ‘yours’, not ‘your team’ or even ‘your teammates’, simply ‘yours’ is a curious word to use. Shayera would never dare to refer to any of her teammates like that. It implies a closeness she’s not quite comfortable with. Still, she doesn’t correct him.

Robin knows his world, his Justice League. For all she knows, the Shayera of this world may be fine with it.

“No. And on your end?”

“Still nothing!” Robin slumps against wall opposite Shayera. “I don’t get it, it’s Luthor! Sure, he’s undeniably one of the more difficult villains but come on! We know his tricks by now, Why aren’t they here yet? Or at least on comms?”

“You know his tricks, you mean,” Shayera says slowly. She’s not sure what she’s getting at but…

She’ll figure it out as she talks. She’s always been more of an out loud thinker anyway.

Robin looks up at her blankly. Or maybe not. It’s hard to tell with his domino’s lenses.

“You, your brothers and Kon, you all know Luthor’s tricks. Me and my team don’t,” Shayera clarifies.

Robin’s mouth falls opens slightly. Shayera waits for a minute, letting the realisation.

“But…” Robin fiddles with the communicator in his hands. “Red Hood wouldn’t have let them walk into a trap.”

“Not unless he made the same mistake you did and assumed my team knew more than they did. Kal was at front leading, wasn’t he?” Shayera’s finds herself still talking, not entirely aware of what she’s saying, just that it makes sense. “Same could go with Kon as well. Maybe they just… fell into the same habits as they would with your Justice League.”

Robin slides to the ground soundlessly. The comm slides from his fingers as he puts his arms over his head.

Shayera stands there, silently. Considers leaving. Decides not to and walks over to sit beside Robin. “It will work out,” she puts her hands on her knees. “We’ll rescue them.”

“How?” Robin runs a hand across his face and repeats, louder, “How? We don’t even have a functioning team! We’ve three injured and then just you and me. The Flashes are completely down and Nightwing would be a liability-“

Shayera can hear Robin’s voice trembling.

“And that only leaves us! And what good are we if the others failed? There were more of them! And almost all of them were from the same team, there should’ve been barely any issues!”

There’s tears slipping from underneath his domino. “Robin-“

“No!” He shouts. “No, everything is not going to be fine! Luthor has them, he has them and do you have any idea what he’s going to do to them?” His hands are tugging at his hair and his chest is rising and falling jerkily and quickly in short gasping breaths.

“Do you?” Shayera asks. Robin buries his face between his knees, moans in defeat.

“I know enough,” his voice is quieter but clearly unhappy. “I know enough and enough is more than I want to know. Luthor won’t risk them escaping.”

A chill runs down Shayera’s spine. Robin sounds sure for the first time in this conversation. She doesn’t like it.

“What do you mean?” She can’t feel her mouth. It makes sense. She’s not really talking: the denial is. “There’s no way to keep them locked in for sure. Escape artist is practically a requirement for heroism.”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re good at escaping,” Robin looks up at her. His mouth barely moves when he speaks next.

“Not if they’re dead.”

Chapter Text

Kal wakes up feeling groggy. Sound is the first thing that breaks through the thick fog of sleep.

His own halting breath and slow heartbeat. Then somebody else's light breathing beside him and their stronger heartbeat. It's slightly quicker than he'd usually expect. Excitement if Kal had to guess.

Then his sense of smell comes back to him. The only word he can really put to what the strong scent is, is sterile. It's sharp, burning and makes Kal think of newly opened bleach. Then there's the odor underneath that, warm metal and rubber.

Finally, touch and sight come back to him at the same time. There's a hand to side of his head, its dry palm on his temple and its thumb running repetitively across his forehead. The forearm connected to it is over him, blocking most of his vision. Its sleeve is rolled up its elbow.

Kal licks his dry lips, surprised when his own warm breath stays around his mouth instead of dissipating. He looks down. There's a mask over his face, the type he's seen used on the people he rescues occasionally. An oxygen mask. Except this one isn't simply being held to his face if the straps he feels crisscrossing against the back of his head are anything to go by.

He flexes his arms and legs, feels the thick straps over his ankles and wrists. Tries to break through them. They barely budge.

The thumb at his forehead stops for a moment. Then there's the sound of movement and whatever it is beneath Kal gives a slight creak. A warm pressure against his side, someone's hip he thinks and goes to check but he can't turn his head-

The hand slides into his hair, grabs a fistful, tilts his head back slightly then a face moves into his field of vision-

Luthor hovers above him, wearing a neutral expression.

"You're awake," Luthor's hand releases and goes back to slowly dragging his thumb up and down just above Kal's eyebrow.

Kal hopes Luthor goes back to the manhandling. It wasn't nearly as disconcerting as whatever the other man is doing now.

"Like my little set up? It's rather ingenious on my part," Luthor taps against what Kal is strapped to. "It's almost entirely regular, the same sort of thing you'd find used to retrain a regular human, if a strong one. Really, the most notable part is this," he presses the mask roughly into Kal's face.

Kal winces at how it bites into the bridge of his nose. Luthor continues.

"Oxygen with the faintest traces of kryptonite. Enough to keep you at a human level of strength but also to keep you lucid," Luthor lets go of the mask and braces that hand beside Kal's head. The other hand is mercifully removed from Kal's face-

And placed back into his hair. Not pulling but instead being run over his scalp until it meets the table. Then being lifted and starting again back at his hairline.

Kal doesn't think he's ever felt this uncomfortable before in his life. The Luthor of his own universe rarely touches him, usually having plans that have robots or machines doing all of the physical work and yet this Luthor not only keeps touching him but also has no issue having his face barely an inch away from Kal's oxygen mask.

It's unsettling.

"You know, ten or even five years ago, I would've been thrilled to have you at my mercy like this," Luthor's voice is hushed, as though telling a secret. "Having you tied to a gurney, your existence in my hands..."

Luthor lets out a shaky breath, eyes shut like he's bracing himself.

"Yes, years ago, this would've been the height of my fantasies," Luthor puts his hand around Kal's throat, resting it there, before pulling away entirely. He pushes himself off of the gurney and onto the floor.

Kal isn't sure how he feels about Luthor being outside of his line of sight. Part of him is screaming that having the enemy where he can't see them is dangerous. The other part is just glad the caressing has stopped.

The ceiling is generic. Dark with low fluorescent lighting in long strips.

"I would have killed you back then," Luthor says calmly. "And would have been right to do it. An extraterrestrial such as yourself, protect the earth? It's laughable."

Kal bends his fingers. He feels nothing but the gurney beneath him.

"Your strength, your powers, your invulnerability... it's a danger to humanity even if only I'm intelligent enough to see it."

The familiarity of the speech is almost comforting. At least one thing seemed to have stayed the same about Luthor.

"Or that's what I thought."

Kal pauses in his futile exploration of his bonds.

"What's dangerous is who wields it. You, Superman, pose a threat because earth is a passing fancy to you. Who knows what would happen if you were to get bored of being humanity's saviour," Luthor's voice is a whisper behind him, breath brushing his hair.

"But someone more impressionable, someone who could have humanity's values instilled in them, someone with a connection to earth... they'd be an asset if raised right," Luthor pushes Kal's hair back. Kal feels a chill run down his spine.

"I do owe you a thank you, though. You saved me the trouble of having to retrieve the boy after all," Luthor's shoes tap against the floor. A door slides open. A strip of light across the ceiling.

"Wait!" Kal's voice is hoarse and his lungs sting in protest as he speaks. He hopes to stall Luthor, to keep the other man away from Kon as long as possible.

He tries to think of something that could set Luthor off into a rant, something relevant as to not be too obviously a distraction but-

He doesn't know this Luthor. Anything that he'd usually goad Luthor with is potentially useless against this warped version, this reflection in a funhouse mirror.

So he asks the first thing that comes to mind.

"You said you would've killed me had you had this opportunity years ago. Why aren't you now?" Kal's voice is little more than a croak by the end of his question but he knows it must have been understood because footsteps come back towards him.

"Adolescence is a temperamental time for the body," Luthor waves a hand loosely above Kal's head and speaks in a steady tone Kal dislikes.

"And our boy is rather... unique. Kryptonians are a small sample size as it is, I can't risk making that amount even smaller," the hand disappears from Kal's view. He hears ripples, like the surface of water being broken.

Another similarity. Luthor seems to be as scientifically driven as Kal's own. "You're keeping me as a control group then? To make sure Kon is healthy?"

"Kon?" Luthor drags the name out. "Is that what he's calling himself?"

Luthor hums. Kal can hear the smirk in the other man's voice. There's a dripping noise that sounds too loud to Kal's ears.

"In the best case scenario, you'll barely be needed at all," Luthor drags the words out and Kal has no doubt the man is deriving a sick pleasure in his own vagueness.

Kal doesn't want to ask. He does anyway.

"And in worst case scenario?" The flat of something is pressed under his chin. It's cold, smooth and smells of antiseptic.

"You're spare parts," Luthor whispers viscously and drags the object (a scalpel, Kal is now realising) roughly across Kal's throat.

It had been the blunt end at Kal's neck, yet he still feels how it grazes his skin, leaving a raised line blooming on his clammy throat.

A splash. Luthor must have dropped the scalpel into a container of liquid, something anti-bacterial if Kal has to guess.

Luthor's steps once again get quieter, a sure sign he's walking across the room back to the door.

"I'll say hi to our boy for you, shall I?" The beam of light across the ceiling gets thinner and thinner and then the door clicks shut, leaving the room dim.

Then the fluorescent lights go out and Kal is plunged into darkness.
__________________________________

Shayera can't help it, she stares unapologetically at Robin.

"What do you mean 'not if they're dead'? Why would they be dead?" She leans closer, feeling her own panic rise.

Robin doesn't answer. He just runs his hands over his face.

"What do you mean 'not if they're dead'?" She asks louder this time and has the unhelpful urge to shake Robin for answers.

"The Justice League are public figures. If they go missing, people notice," Robin takes a deep breath and rests his head against the wall. "And even if they didn't, they still have civilian identities who'd be noticed missing. But..."

"But we're not your Justice League. So Luthor-"

"Can do what he wants," Robin finishes. His lips are pressed together hard enough they've gone entirely white. Shayera thinks he'd be sobbing if she weren't looking.

"But what about Red Hood? He was with them and he's part of your universe, he'd be noticed missing, right?" She's trying to make him feel better.

She's not sure why it results in Robin burying his face in his knees and screaming.

"No, no, he wouldn't because he's stupid and we've brought this up before and he never listens when we ask-" Robin gets up and begins pacing again, ranting all the while.

Shayera has no idea what he's talking about. It sounds like the second part of an argument taken out of context. It’s like something she'd imagine hearing neighbours saying through a wall.

"Because you can't actually be reported missing if you're not a recognisable legal entity and he's not and if I told anyone he was missing as his civilian self, I'd get thrown in Arkham on basis of mental instability!"

"What about reporting him missing as Red Hood instead?" Shayera asks.

Robin turns sharply and his lenses narrow at her. "Report Red Hood, a vigilante, missing? To who?"

"The Gotham police?"

"I'd be laughed out of the station!"

Shayera hesitantly walks towards Robin and puts a hand on his shoulder. He's panting and red in the face from all his yelling.

He wobbles slightly and puts both of his hands over Shayera's arm to steady himself.

Quietly, whispered so faintly Shayera isn't sure she's meant to hear, Robin says, "we're going to lose him again, maybe forever this time..."

Awkwardly, Shayera pats Robin on the head with her free hand.

"Maybe we could try and rescue them ourselves? I mean we know where they are."

Robin shakes his head slowly. "Luthor would've moved them, he's no novice."

A low buzzing comes from the floor. Looking down, Robin and Shayera both see Robin's abandoned comm vibrating. Robin dives for it, catching in both hands and sliding across the floor from the momentum.

Still on the floor, he holds the comm close to his face and presses the button on the side.

"It's a distress signal!" Robin announces. "And Red Hood has activated his tracker so we know where they are!"

Robin waves the comm triumphantly in the air before scrambling to his feet. "I'm going to go tell Nightwing!"

Shayera watches as Robin pulls the door to the infirmary open. He hurries to Nightwing's bedside and shoves the comm into Nightwing's hands.

Nightwing sits up slowly, turns the comm this way and that, and grins.

Shayera steps into the room and has to look at Kid Flash's bed twice. Empty. She almost turns to Robin and says that Kid is missing before she catches sight of the boy tucked into Flash's arms.

If she didn't know better, she'd assume the two were father and son.

"Nightwing, we have their location now! Me and Hawkgirl can try and rescue them and-"

"I don't think you'll need to," Nightwing interrupts.

Shayera sits on Kid's unoccupied bed, and watches Nightwing and Robin. Nightwing is relaxed for the most part, rolling the comm between his fingers. Robin is staring as blatantly as his domino will allow.

"What do you mean? Of course, we have to save them! It's a distress signal," Robin throws both of his arms into the exasperatedly and repeats, "distress signal, Nightwing. Distress."

Nightwing taps one of his fingers against the side of the comm. “Do you remember how the colour coding works for the light on this?”

“Obviously? Red is one-on-one, yellow is a select group and green is every comm connected,” Robin lists, putting finger up for each colour.

Nightwing takes his finger off of the side of the comm. There’s a small green light on the side. Robin takes it back and stares at it.

“Other than us, who else does Red Hood have connected to his comm?” Nightwing leans back, putting his arms behind his head.

Robin stands there gawping at the comm for a moment before a grin breaks out across his face.

“New plan, Hawkgirl.”

“And what would that be?”

Robin perches himself on the end of Nightwing’s bed. “Sit and wait.”

Shayera feels a draft come in through the open infirmary door once and then twice. She gets up to close the door but the draft is already gone.

Flash stirs, eyes opening slowly. Trying not to jog Kid Flash, he slides himself up to lean against the wall.

Kid Flash mumbles something in his sleep, nose wrinkled unhappily before shifting to lay his head partly against Flash’s hip. He settles down.

“What’s going on?” Flash asks. He yawns and stretches.

“Not much anymore,” Shayera closes the door before heading over to stand beside Flash’s bed. “From the sounds of it, everything’s being worked out. And by people other than us at that.”

“And the others are fine?” Flash has his hand is on Kid’s shoulder, idly tapping there.

Flash doesn’t mention it so Shayera doesn’t either.

“Not fine yet but about to be,” Shayera looks over at Nightwing and Robin. “Those two wouldn’t be so relaxed if they weren’t sure.”

Shayera decides not to mention Robin’s breakdown outside the infirmary. It’s not her place and frankly none of her business.

Luckily for Robin, the infirmary is soundproof to regular hearing.

“But you don’t know what’s actually happening, do you?” Flash looks over at Nightwing and Robin before turning back to Shayera. She shakes her head.

“Not at all. But that doesn’t surprise me. I feel like since we’ve been here nothing has gone quite how we’ve expected it to,” Shayera sits on the floor by the bed, and stretches her wings. They ache slightly.

“Why’s Kid in your bed?” She runs her hands over her wings, bending them slowing. She hopes it’ll starve off the worst of the pain later.

“Nightmare,” Flash’s tapping gets quicker until Kid starts to shift. Then Flash stops for a moment until Kid has gone still and then starts slowly tapping again. “He wanted his uncle and obviously his uncle’s not here so-“

“So he went to you instead,” Shayera looks the arm Kid has tossed over Flash. “And you let him?”

“What else was I supposed to do?”

Shayera almost laughs. Flash makes it sound like letting Kid cuddle up to him was the only conceivable option.

“You’d make a great uncle, Flash,” she picks out some damaged feathers, wincing slightly.

“You can call me Barry.”

Shayera pauses. “Are you sure? The identity reveal, even if only partial, wasn’t exactly your choice. You don’t have to pretend to be okay with it if you’re not.”

“I’m sure.”

Chapter Text

It's quiet under kryptonite. Quieter than Kal would like. Since he was a child, the world had always been full of noise; breathing, heartbeats, the rustle of clothes and cloths and curtains. All of it had a sound.

People for one are a cacophony of noise. They brush against things, their hair rubs against their necks, their teeth click; even staying still, a person can never truly be quiet. Kal has always sought comfort in that, the reminder that he's never truly alone no matter where he is.

Now all he can hear comes from himself. He's tempted to speak out loud just to check if he can and that the quiet won't suffocate the words the moment they come out of his mouth.

He doesn't though. With his head strapped back, he can't check for cameras. He wouldn't put it past Luthor to have them installed somewhere.

He tries tugging his wrists from the restraints again. It doesn't work.

Kal will check again in five minutes.

He debates whether he could get the gas mask off. His hands are bound, his head has limited movement and he is not sure how else he'd be able to get the thing off.

Kal tries opening his mouth as wide as it'll go in an attempt to dislodge it. All it does is dig into his cheeks.

He's stuck, well and truly stuck.

He wonders how Kon is doing, whether he's strapped up like Kal is. Kal hopes not. It hurts.

At least from what Luthor had said, Kon doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger. Although...

The fascination Luthor has with the boy was strong. And there was the feverish determination in his eyes that Kal had thought the man was missing back in the office. Except it wasn't missing, Kal now realises.

It had simply been redirected.

'Our boy,' had been what Luthor had said. 'Our,' as though Luthor had an indisputable claim on Kon. Kal's Luthor had always been possessive, borderline fixated, on things but they had always been just that: things. Never once had it been a person in Kal's memory.

Kal tugs at the restraints.

He wonders where the others are. Nobody seems to be in here with him but how close are they? In a room across or beside his? On a different floor? In a different building?

Mainly, Kal wonders whether J'ohn is okay. He's not sure how long a direct burn would hurt the martian. He should've asked before they had gotten themselves in a situation where knowing would be necessary.

Kal tugs at the restraints.

Clark Kent has never been to a hospital before. His parents haven't been in all the time he's been around and his friends have either not been or not asked him to come. And Clark has impeccable health apart from his supposedly poor eyes.

Kal-El has never been to a hospital before. He's invulnerable most of the time and in the cases where he is hurt, a hospital wouldn't be able to help. And doctors would be more likely to realise he's not human than anyone else.

He imagines this burning, overly clean smell is what a hospital would smell like. He hates it.

Kal tugs at his restraints.

His lips are dry and he runs his tongue over them only to regret it when he falls into a coughing fit. His mouth tastes acidic and his throat burns with an intensity that has him sweating.

The oxygen is mixed with kryptonite, Luthor said.

Excess must've settled around his mouth. And he's just ingested it.

Kal coughs, wanting nothing more than to sit up and put his head down but strapped down as he is, the most he can do is thrash in the restraints and hope the pain dulls soon.

Kal tugs at his restraints.

His face is wet and his vision is spotting at the edges and there's this loud blaring noise that's shooting through his skull like the sharpened end of a pick. It's a constant, high droning and it feels like it's everywhere-

A sliver of light across the ceiling. Abruptly, it unfolds into a large stream. The light is red, flashing.

A loud thud drowned out by the droning that's gotten louder.

There's a scuffle, movement, and the hard clicks of metal against metal. There's breathing other than Kal's own. It's heavy, panting.

Whoever it is must have risen to their feet because Kal can hear quick heavy footsteps. They stop beside him, and from the clattering, they're pushing things around the table.

Kal's head throbs with stabbing pain. He struggles to keep his eyes open.

He feels but can't see hair against his arm. Whoever is in here with him must have it really long.

The gas mask on his face shifts, letting up on one side and digging into the other. Tugging, the person must be tugging on whatever the mask is connected to.

Kal barely registers the uncomfortable bite of mask into his face over the thought of maybe they're here to save him. But who are they?

Another tug. There's a splutter and the gas mask releases globs of warm liquid kryptonite onto Kal's face. He can feel the skin around it furling up and apart like it's trying to run from the kryptonite.

He screams.

They're shushing him, although it sounds more like hissing from their tone, and their hand comes up to awkwardly pat his forehead.

He sees a thick metal cuff around their forearm before he blacks out.
__________________________________

When Batman comes to, his first thought is, "where's Robin?"

So he ignores how the ground moves and bumps up and down under him and opens his eyes with difficulty. It's the inside of large van, probably repurposed from a shut-down moving company if he had to guess.

That's where Gotham criminals get their vans from at least.

It's light gray and spacious but clearly old. The entire thing smells of dust. To his left, there's Diana, J'ohn and Green Lantern.

All unconscious. Arms and feet handcuffed together with their knees and elbows duct tapped together.

Batman tenses his forearms. He's tied the same way. If he had to guess, they must've used anywhere from five to seven layers of duct tape for securing them.

There's no wall splitting the driver and passage's seats from the 'cargo'. He can see two people occupying them, a woman in a LexCorp lab coat and a strap around her neck he thinks is a lanyard, and a heavily armoured guard in the passager seat.

Just behind their chairs is a pile. Batman recognises the lasso of truth, his own yellow utility belt and something black underneath them both.

He's glad for his blank white lenses. They make pretending to be unconscious all that much easier.

Trying to be subtle, he rolls slowly, groggily but silently. No need to draw attention to himself. To his right, there's Red Hood lying beside him. There are no clear cues that Hood is awake, if anything he's the perfect picture of a sleeping person. Slow, consistent breathing, relaxed posture and only the slightest movement when the van lurches.

But Hood's helmet has white lenses. His eyes could be open under them and Batman wouldn't know. And he can't ask because then he risks alerting the people driving.

So Batman purposefully holds his breath and waits for a reaction.

It takes less than a minute.

"You're awake then?" Red Hood asks at full volume. "Or is that sleep apnea?"

Batman almost recoils. Red Hood clearly has sight of the driver and guard so why-

"Calm down, your tensing is going to draw their attention."

"More than your talking is going to?" Batman whispers. He's not sure why Hood seems insistent on speaking so loudly but no matter the reason, it's going to alert the two up front.

He wishes he hadn't turned over. At least then he'd be able to look at the pair. He feels vulnerable with his back to them.

"Relax, neither of them can hear us. I recognise both of them, they had their ears blown out in an explosion at one of Luthor's old buildings a while back. Both have little to no hearing."

Batman hesitantly stops whispering and asks, "are you sure?"

"Of course, I am. Even if I hadn't been, the fact neither of them have so much as glanced our way tells me I'm right," a pause, "if you're awake, the others should be waking up soon as well."

"You didn't realise that when you woke up?"

"I didn't wake up. I was never knocked unconscious like you lot were."

Batman thinks back to being trapped in that long room. To the gas that filled the air and to Hood sat there against the wall with the rest of them-

And then he thinks back to how they went through the stairwell and how heavy the air had been, them handing out the rebreathers-

"Your helmet has a filtering system."

The modulator may alter Hood's voice but Batman doubts anything could successfully hide the smug tone of the man's next words.

"Sure does. Managed to send out a distress signal as well. Help's coming and it's coming fast."

"Your brothers?"

"Maybe. Although if they're being smart then they won't come. Too many injured," Red Hood pauses. "And Flash and Kid definitely need monitoring with burns like that."

For a moment the only thing that's heard is the clatter of van and the breathing of their teammates.

"Is your Superman behind me?" Hood asks.

Despite having already looked, Batman scans the area behind Hood once more. "No. I don't think he's with us. Neither is Kon."

Red Hood curses. "Luthor must have them then. Of course, he'd have to make this more difficult than it needs to be."

"Will that be a problem?"

"Not a problem, just an annoyance. I press the distress signal while we were still in the building so hopefully they noted down our beginning location.”

The van rocks unsteadily for a moment.

“Why did let yourself get captured? You said yourself that you were never unconscious,” Batman examines Hood as he speaks. Notes that his utility belt has also been removed.

Must’ve been the black in the pile.

“None of you would’ve been able to send out a distress signal or activate any trackers,” Hood’s silent for a moment. “I’m not sure if any of you have trackers yet with how far behind you all seem in… everything, honestly.”

Hood sighs and adds quietly, “and someone needed to stay to make sure J’ohn wasn’t going to… anyways, it just made more sense for me to stay with the group.”

“Thank you.”

The van wobbles slightly. A pinprick of light hits Batman’s cowl.

Then the roof caves in and a large slab of it hits Batman in the head.

His vision blurs and he hears screaming. Two voices, male and female, must be the guard and the driver.

Red Hood’s gotten to his knees and is shuffling forward, checking Batman’s head as well as he can with his hands cuffed.

The screaming stops. The van is starting to swerve, Batman thinks.

Red Hood shouts something to the front of the van and the vehicle jerks to a harsh stop.

Batman can’t muster up any panic even as Hood manages to clumsily take his cowl off. Hood’s still talking.

Hands enter Batman’s peripheral. A belt and a box cutter. The lever of the cutter isn’t a standard oblong or rectangle and is instead a yellow textured bat.

The hands look wrong for some reason, even blurred as they are. They reach out and cut the tape tying Hood’s elbows. They pinch the chain between the cuffs and the link between their fingers ends up as little more than metallic dust.

Hood takes the box cutter and black belt. Batman is picked in large arms and one of the hands turns his face inwards so that his head is hidden in the person’s chest.

The hand is dry and uncomfortably warm.

Batman’s cape gets thrown over his own head by who he assumes is Red Hood. It can’t be the person with the odd hands because they’ve got an arm under his shoulders and the other under his legs, and he’s doesn’t think the others have woken up yet.

Batman stares hard at the familier outfit he’s seeing and despite his fading vision and how heavy his eyes seem, it only takes a minute to recognise it.

A big red ‘S’ in a diamond shape with yellow backing across a blue chest.

Chapter Text

At some point, they must have fallen asleep. Shayera isn't surprised. Today, or maybe yesterday, depending on when she fell asleep, had been exhausting, so waking up on the floor wasn't unexpected.

She drags herself off of the cold floor, reaching both arms over her head and leaning back, hearing her sleep-stiff body crack as she does. She's never sleeping on the floor again.

She looks to the beds around her. Kal is tucked into what was once Kid Flash's bed nearest to the door. Next over, Flash, or rather Barry, is still cuddled up with Kid Flash on his bed. Then Nightwing is asleep, sat up in his with Robin passed out against his chest.

Then Shayera turns her head all the way back around because since when was Kal here?

Yet there he is, blanket tossed over his chest with the ends messily jammed under the mattress. He looks paler than usual and now that Shayera has been shocked into wakefulness, she sees the sun lamp beside his bed.

She looks around once more and finds that more beds have been unfolded, taking up what's usually walking space. These beds are parallel with the regular ones and foot to head with each other.

J'onn is in one bed with no blankets. His arm is swollen and slathered in some sort of cream but other than that, he looks as he usually does.

Diana has been put into another and thankfully seems completely unharmed. Her brow is furrowed in her sleep though and her hands are gripping her blanket. Maybe a nightmare.

None of them ever mention it but Shayera is sure they all get their fair share of bad dreams. She does at least.

Batman is over the blankets on the same bed. His cowl has a chunk missing and underneath she can see bandages. Apart from that, he's in what must be the under-layer of his costume. A black, thick bodysuit that probably makes the layers of armour he wears more bearable.

Finally, in the last bed is Green Lantern. There's less of a glow about him than normal but Shayera couldn't care less.

All of the Justice League is accounted for so she's happy despite the bone-deep exhaustion sunken into them and the injuries.

Or, almost happy. Someone seems to be missing.

So, she counts in groups.

Diana, Kal and Batman are three.

Barry, J'ohn and Green Lantern then make six.

And then she makes seven. Yet, looking around the room, she feels that something, someone is missing. She looks around the beds again, six in total, and her eyes stop on Nightwing's.

Nightwing and Robin, just as they were before she fell asleep.

Where's Red Hood?

Shayera feels herself go cold and before she's even aware she's doing it, she's shaking people awake.

"Get up, get up, get up!"

Groggily, they all begin pushing themselves up whining and moaning under their breaths but Shayera doesn't care because where is Red Hood?

Once everyone is sufficiently awake (eyes open and sat up), she loudly announces, "We are missing Red Hood. I fell asleep at some point yesterday and don't recall how or when you all got here after the split, so if someone else has seen him and knows of his whereabouts, speak now."

The tired heroes look around, clearly counting and confirming for themselves.

"I apologise, I do not remember anything after having been knocked out," Diana rubs at her face.

"My memory is... shaky, even from before being knocked out," J'onn attempts to push himself up and winces as he puts pressure on his injured arm.

"Same here," Green Lantern sits up.

"We were in a van," Batman lifts a hand to rub at his head and pauses when his fingers meet his cowl. He grumbles something incomprehensible but then continues. "There was a scientist driving and a guard. I had woken up from whatever gas they had knocked us out with, and Red Hood had never been unconscious in the first place."

"How is that possible?" Diana asks.

"If you'll recall, his helmet has a built-in rebreather and it wasn't damaged too badly in the fall. He said he sent out a distress signal which is how I assume we were rescued."

"Wait. Shayera just said that she's been asleep since a little after we separated and doesn't know how or when we got here," Lantern looks towards Shayera as though expecting answers. "So, who did rescue us?"

"I don't know," Shayera thinks back to the distress signal, to Robin all but hyperventilating and then the calm that settled upon him after talking to Nightwing. "But Nightwing and Robin do," she turns to their bed.

"So, who and where are our rescuers? We need to thank them after all," Shayera almost thinks she's being ignored. And she is but...

They're both mouthing numbers silently. Neither of them look well.

"They were wearing cuffs," Kal says hoarsely. "Whoever they were, they had long hair. I couldn't see very well and I was pretty out of it but... their cuffs seemed familiar, almost like..." He trails off.

"Like Diana's?" Batman suggests. "Those of us in the van had a different rescuer. My recollection is hazy because I had just suffered head trauma but... it seemed to be a man and he had been wearing your house's emblem on his chest. I couldn't make out more then that."

Kal's eyes go wide. "Do you think that-"

"Where is Kon?" Robin interrupts.

"Kon is missing!" Nightwing runs his hands through his hair, tugging at it roughly. "Again!"

Shayera begins another headcount and she can see the others do the same.

"Great, now we're missing two people," Shayera can feel the irritation prickling at her skin. She almost wants to shake the sensation away but she'd end up hitting someone with her wings if she did that.

Why is the medbay so small?

"Just one, actually. Red Hood's probably just with Bizarro and Artemis," Nightwing says offhandedly.

Robin mumbles something, scowling. Nightwing swats him on the head, mumbling something in return.

"Bizarro and Artemis would've been the ones to save you all," Nightwing shoos Robin off of his bed.

"Then where are they then?" Lantern demands. Shayera can hear the frustration in his voice.

"Not loitering in here when it's already crowded?" Smiling weakly, Nightwing nods at the door. "Go check, they've got to be around here somewhere."

And the Justice League are all up on their feet in seconds. They and Robin all head out of the infirmary, Robin in front.

Kal and Batman hang back.

"I don't understand, Artemis and Bizarro? I know they've mentioned them but I could've sworn those cuffs looked exactly like Diana's," Kal presses a hand to his head, trying his best to recall but only feeling his headache worsen

Batman eyes Kal. "Are you sure you're well enough to be up? You look ready to pass out."

"I'm fine, just a bit of kryptonite exposure. I'm sure I'll be right as rain in a moment," Kal looks at the group ahead of them and lowers his voice. "Are you sure you saw the House of El on that man's chest?"

"I wouldn't have said it otherwise."

"Of course, but... are we sure it's this Atremis person and Bizarro who actually showed up to rescue us? Nightwing and Robin both spoke as though they were also unconscious at the time we were all brought in. Could our alternative selves have instead been the ones to show up?" Kal rubs his hands down the sides of his thighs. He feels shaky and he's not sure whether it's left over from the kryptonite or if it's from the anxiety he can feel rattled inside his head. He's not prepared to meet what might be an evil version of himself masquerading as a hero.

"It's possible, although unlikely. It hasn't even been a full week since we arrived."

"What was the person like?" Kal asks quickly. His question must've been telling because Kal swears he sees Batman's lenses go slightly wide in either sympathy or exasperation.

Or both. Batman seems to be the type to hold multitudes, Kal is sure he's fully capable of feeling both simultaneously.

"I wasn't very coherent. The van roof got caved in upon the man's arrival and I got hit with the rubble."

Kal can feel himself sag. Whether in relief or disappointment, he's not sure.

"But for what it's worth, he was the one to take out the two in the front and he was helpful to Red Hood in freeing us. Carried me back even, if I'm remembering correctly," as Batman continues, his voice softens. Still, the next words hit as though Batman had struck Kal with a whip. "He seemed to already know my identity as well."

"What? How do you know that?"

"My cowl had to be taken off, I think... and I was unmasked when the man picked me up. Only after did someone cover my head with my own cape."

There's a commotion in the hallway. Both Batman and Kal look up and just beyond their group are two people at the very end of the hallway, seemingly arguing. One is clearly Red Hood with his helmet removed and the other is a young woman with bright red hair down to her lower back and an outfit of mostly spandex with some metal reinforcements.

She's wearing metal cuffs, eerily similar to Diana's.

The group moves forward and they're soon in earshot.

"What do you mean, you didn't find Kon? He wasn't with us!" There's panic to how Hood talks, arms moving fact and the lenses of his domino wide.

"He wasn't there. I checked all the rooms he could've possibly been in, followed Bizarro's list to the letter. He just," she presses her fingers to her forehead. "Wasn't there! I don't know what else you want me to tell you."

"Do you know where he could've been taken?"

"No, I don't! Unlike your bat clan and Superman, I don't tend to hang around billionaires. I don't know where they'd keep their scheming instructions," she crosses her arms and leans against the wall.

"Hood!" Robin cries out. "Artemis! What's going on here?" He runs over to them.

Both look at Robin with startled expressions which then get quickly covered by fake calm when they see the rest of the group approaching.

"I couldn't find Kon in the building that Superman was being held in," the woman, Artemis, says.

"And Kon wasn't in the van either."

Robin freezes. All Kal can see of the boy is his back but from how Robin's shoulders shake and how Artemis and Hood go still, he can only guess the boy is close to tears.

"Hey, hey..." Artemis walks forward and puts a hand on Robin's shoulder. "I'm sure he's... Somewhere."

Kal recognises the forced comforting tone. He'd heard the same voice shushing him when he was rescued.

Hood walks forward next and he doesn't even bother with talking. He just sits on the floor, tugs Robin down with him and pulls the kid into a hug. He looks up at the Justice League.

"Me and Artemis were just reporting back to each other on what happened."

"Then shouldn't this Bizarro that all of you keep mentioning be here too?" Lantern raises an eyebrow.

Artemis and Hood share a look. Kal isn't sure what the look is meant to mean but he can decipher that it's definitely not anything good.

"We try and keep Bizarro out of situations involving Luthor," Artemis looks up and speaks slowly as though trying to find the words.

"Especially since this one involves Kon," Hood tacks on. "We're afraid it might be a bit too..."

"Personal," they both finish off. The word is said with a weight that Kal doesn't want to think about.

'Personal' never means anything good when related to people like Luthor.

"And now, we're debating who's going to tell Bizarro that Kon is nowhere to be found and almost certainly still in Luthor's clutches," Artemis winces as she speaks. Then she looks down a soft sigh, says, "although I think your little brother has decided that for us both, Hood."

"I could always take him to the infirmary and come back-"

"No. Go take care of little bird and reassure your older brother that you're still breathing. I've got this," she smiles slightly.

"Are you sure?" Hood gets up and pulls Robin to his feet.

"Wouldn't have said it if I wasn't. Go on."

Hood begins walking the way to medbay and just before he turns the corner, he calls out, "I owe you one!"

"I take repayment in cash and favors!" She replies.

There's silence for a moment which lets Kal hear the pacing from a couple of rooms down. The communal area, if he's guessing right.

"We're going to go see Bizarro now," Artemis states firmly. Then quieter, with a look over her shoulder, she adds, "be nice. This is already a stressful situation and if I find out that any of you are making this any harder for him, there's going to be blood, are we understood?"

The Justice League looks between each other. If Kal is remembering correctly, this is the second warning they've gotten about being nice to Bizarro. Odd that that's something everyone is worried about.

Is this world's Justice League usually mean to Bizarro?

Artemis starts walking. They follow. Diana falls behind to stand beside Kal and Batman.

"That woman," she says and looks around before lowering her voice. "She is an amazon."

"She doesn't act much like you did when you first arrived here," Batman keeps his head forward as he walks. "She interacts with Hood just fine and she doesn't speak the same way you do."

"I do not recognise her," Diana takes another look at Artemis. "But her armour gives her away. That is an amazonian woman, I have no doubt."

"Is that a bad thing?" Kal asks.

"No," Diana shakes her head, her lips pursed. "Just strange. None of my amazonian sisters would leave for man's world. Seeing one here," Diana stares at her cuffs. "Seeing one makes me wonder whether I will be joined at some point, after we have gone back to our universe, obviously."

"She didn't appear to have any overt reaction to you," Batman says. "Although that could be because of the additional warning she got compared to the other heroes we've met."

"Would you like it if one of your sisters joined you, Diana?" Kal asks.

It takes a second, a second in which Kal doesn't think she will answer, for Diana to softly say, "I would like it but... even without that, I know I have siblings in arms with me already."

She walks forward, her pace leisurely, almost weightless, and Kal almost asks what she means. Then she looks at the rest of the Justice League beside her and smiles over her shoulder at Batman and Kal, and he gets it.

He can't help but smile. Family can be found anywhere, he guesses. Whether it be a field in Kansas or the walls of the Hall of Justice.

And although he knows Batman will deny it later, he sees and makes note of the smile pulling at the other man's lips.

They reach the doorway of the communal room and walk in. Over the side of one of the couches is a familiar costume. Kal doesn't notice the person on the other end of the room at first, only looking over when he hears the faint gasps of his teammates.

Looking up, he's met with a sight he hadn't expected. Bizarro looks creepily like himself except...

Bizzaro's skin is gun gray with long indented lines through his skin like scored clay. There's something uniquely horrific about the symmetry of the dips in his skin as though each had been mapped and placed. The worst is the two from the corners of his mouth, down his chin and throat which gives him the appearance of a ventriloquist dummy.

He's in regular clothes. A black t-shirt, brown cargo pants and tan jacket over the top. Somehow, the reprieve of normal makes everything worse.

Kryptonians are invulnerable under most circumstances and yet Bizarro has lines etched into skin like an anatomy doll for a classroom, to be put away in a corner and sit limply on a desk. It makes Kal uncomfortable and makes his skin itch because what could have possibly done that, scarred so deeply and visibly on a species that can deflect bullets with their bare skin?

Yet, Bizarro looks like Kal. His hair is slightly longer, not neatly trimmed but it's the same black with the same faint waves. His nose has a deep imprint over the nose yet that's also the same, the same one Kal sees in the mirror everyday, the same curve. And the eyes are identical to the ones in Kal's own sockets and those of Kon's, the same bright blue.

"Hey, Bizarro? Everyone's woken up," Artemis gestures at them all, smiling at Bizarro. And Bizarro turns to face them, smiling his own smile and the skin pulls and the dips distort, collapsing in at his cheeks and stretching into ravines at his chin and neck.

His teeth are perfectly straight and perfectly white, looking brighter behind his ashy lips.

He's clearly the same age or older than Kal. He hadn't been expecting that. For some reason, he had expected an older teenager; a taller, bigger Kon but still young, still undeniably a child. Yet this is clearly an adult, Kon's big brother from what they've been told and the math doesn't add up.

If Bizarro is as old as he looks and this world's Kal is the same age as himself, then this world's Kal would've still been a child when Bizarro was born.

And if Bizarro and Kon weren't related at all to Kal, then why do they both wear the House of El?

And why would this world's Superman take in Kon when Kon has an adult brother right there to take care of him?

Chapter Text

Bizarro crosses the room, fast but clearly without using any superspeed. Once he's within arms' reach of Artemis, he stops.

Kal can see why Red Hood called Bizarro 'big guy' back when first describing him. Bizarro is large, as big or even slightly bigger than Kal himself. He towers over Artemis even as he smiles down sweetly at her.

His eyes hover over her face and his smile falls slowly, a concerned frown taking over his face.

"Everything okay?" Bizarro asks.

Artemis looks away, biting slightly at her lip. "As okay as I can be. Why do you ask?"

"Tense," he says simply and pats at her high shoulders. She snorts slightly and puts her hands over his.

Kal can feel the confusion coming off of Diana at his side. He feels the same. If he, or any man for that matter, had done that to Diana in their first month or so of knowing each other, she would've had her lasso around his throat.

Amazons usually hate or at least strongly dislike men. Artemis being so friendly with Red Hood and Bizarro, and tactile even, is strange to see. There's no hesitance in how she interacts with Bizarro, even with him so far into her personal space.

"Bizarro, we need to talk about the rescue misson," Artemis pauses as she pulls Bizarro's hands between them. She doesn't seem able to look him in the eye and instead focuses purely on their hands. "My part of the misson, specifically."

"Okay," Bizarro agrees easily. He doesn't look worried anymore, face entirely relaxed.

Kal finds it strange. The tension in the room is palpable, yet Bizarro seems unaffected.

"Waiting for Hood and Kon?" Bizarro leans left and the right, clearly looking past the Justice League in search of his teammate and brother.

Artemis' grip on his hands tighten. "About that... you may need to sit down for this."

Bizarro blinks at her, owlishly. His brows furrow and he sucks in the side of his cheeks. Kal recognises the gesture but can't think of where he's seen it before. Confusion, he thinks.

"Can talk standing," Bizarro says slowly. He gestures to himself with both hands and then Artemis.

"No, really," Artemis insists. She's impatient, tapping fingers together. Amxious. "You're going to need to sit down."

If anything, Bizarro manages to look more confused and even slightly frustrated. There's a crease to the corners of his eyes.

It's strange seeing his face move in such ways. His expressions, unlike Kon's, all look discomfortingly similar and yet wrong.

Bizarro's face looks like Kal's face. And yet his mannerisms are nowhere close to Kal's.

"Am fine. Feel fine," Bizarro says stubbornly. Kal peers at his teammates. They're all looking back and forth between the two in front.

Batman's lenses are narrowed, and he and Diana keep sharing glances. They look towards Kal. At his inquiring looks, Diana mouths, 'we'll talk later' silently. Kal looks towards Batman. Batman nods and adds, 'Watchtower, as a group.'

"Okay," Kal mumbles.

Bizarro's eyes flicker to Kal as though just noticing he's there. Then immediately back at Artemis. He steps closer to her.

She pats his arm and slowly says, "I know you feel fine. But I would feel better if you sat down for this, okay? Even you you don't need to."

Bizarro's face goes blank before lighting up in understanding. He nods compliantly. He walks over to the couch and sits down with his legs tucked under himself. Artemis' lips quirk up at the corners before she falls back into her somber mood.

She sits beside him in the same way and leans slightly on his arm. Bizarro waits patiently for her to speak.

The Justice League looks around and decide to occupy the remaining couches.

"Obviously, I found Superman," Artemis starts, gesturing to where Kal sits. "But-" Artemis grips the edge of the couch roughly before interrupting herself. "And before I finish, I just want to say I looked, okay? I really looked and I am sorry but I tried."

She fiddles with her hands silently for a moment before finally, thickly saying, "I didn't find Kon anywhere."

Bizarro stills for a moment. Kal can't hear him breathing, only the faint racing of the other man's heart.

It sounds wrong.

"I'm sorry-"

"It... it is okay," Bizarro tosses an arm over her shoulder. He's trembling slightly and his eyes look far away. "No blame here. Things," he pauses, looking towards the ceiling. "Things happen. You tried."

Artemis shakes her head. "Don't," she says roughly. "Don't try and comfort me, I should be comforting you. It's Kon, Kon is missing and with Luthor, and you can't tell me that you're not upset; you're shaking," Artemis glares at Bizarro for a moment before sagging against the arm of the couch, legs tucked into Bizarro's side. Exhausted, she buries her head into the cushion. Bizarro's arm stays on the back on the couch.

"Kon is gone with Lex?" Bizarro asks quietly.

Artemis nods and looks up at Bizarro with guilty eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Help instead," he gets up, dusts himself and then picks Artemis up from under the armpits. She stares at him blankly, hanging limply in his arms.

"Help?"

"Yes. Help find Lex. Help find Kon," he sets her down on her feet. "Punch Lex, bring Kon home."

Artemis snorts. She puts her hand over her mouth, laughing. Bizarro smiles at her.

Bizarro's hands are still twitching in barely visible spasms.

Artemis gets up, grinning. She lightly punches Bizarro's chest. "Couldn't agree more," then, softer, "we'll get him back, I swear."

"Trust," Bizarro holds his fist out. Artemis bumps it with her own.

"Trust," she agrees. "Now, I suppose onto the introductions," she folds her arms and looks between the Justice League and Bizarro. "This is Bizarro as you can probably tell. Bizarro, I'm not sure how many of their names you're familiar with so I'll just list them all, I guess."

And with that, she begins pointing, "Hawkgirl. Green Lantern. Wonder Woman, she's an amazon like I am. Batman-"

"Hood's dad," Bizarro adds. Artemis nods casually and continues.

"Martian Manhunter. Superman."

"Hi," Kal stands up and steps forward. Even if Bizarro's appearance has been surprising, he wants to make a good impression. The second kryptonian he's meeting in barely one week.

Kal can't tell if fate really likes him currently or hates his guts.

He holds his hand out, tries to keep his face friendly and approachable instead of borderline panicking.

Bizarro glances at him.

He expects a lot; a handshake in return, a refusal, maybe a greeting of sorts, or to be told off for letting Kon get taken by Luthor.

What he doesn't expect is for Bizarro to pick the costume off of the couch with two fingers and to drop it onto Kal's hand.

Then Bizarro turns back to Atremis.

"And little and big Flash?" Bizarro asks.

Kal stands there, looking down at the costume on his outstretched hand. He's not sure what he's meant to do with it, how he's meant to react.

The rest of the Justice League are looking at him with a mixture of pity and confused amusement.

"Still in med-bay," Artemis answers. "Neither are well enough to be mobile."

"Hood?"

"Also currently in med-bay. Nightwing's injured so he and Robin are keeping him company," Artemis looks at Kal. Kal who is still staring helplessly down on the costume in his hand. "Why'd you pass him that?"

"From Superman's room. Borrowed earlier, protects from kryptonite better than jacket," Bizarro answers simply. He doesn't bother to look back at Kal.

Artemis raises an eyebrow. "He said hi after I introduced him."

"Didn't need to. Already know Superman."

"You already know our Superman. This is a different Superman," Artemis explains.

Kal almost cheers. He wouldn't let the cold reception dishearten him too much. Maybe Bizarro will be more receptive after hearing he's from an alternate universe.

Bizarro turns this time and looks Kal up and down. "Looks same. Clearly Superman."

"You can just call me Kal," folding the costume and putting it on the arm of the couch, Kal steps forward again. Bizarro steps back, putting Artemis between them both.

"Got back from the misson fast. Kon said Superman would be gone for some weeks. So did Hood," Bizarro's face is expressionless, eyes drilling into Kal's.

Kal can feel the Justice League go tense around the room. Hears the drumming hearts and sees the twitchy fingers in his peripheral.

Haltingly, Kal tries to expand on Artemis' explanation. "Like your friend has said, I'm not your Superman. This Justice League and I are from an alternate universe," Kal puts his hands up in the gesture for surrender. Bizarro's expression doesn't change.

Artemis doesn't move to mediate. She looks confused but stays put between Kal and Bizarro.

Diana gets up from the couch she's on and goes to stand beside Kal, putting a hand on his arm. Despite this, her words are to Bizarro and Artemis, not Kal.

"It might be less confusing if we all collectively agree to refer to this Kal as Kal and the other, yours, as Superman," Diana looks around and there's easy agreement from the Justice League and a curtain nod from Artemis.

Bizarro scoffs quietly. "Same person, same name. Superman is Superman."

"Bizarro," Artemis turns to look up at him from over her shoulder. "They're from an alternate universe, he's not our Superman."

"Justice League and Superman have hit heads on alternate rock, maybe," Bizarro snorts. "Lex has plenty of kryptonite."

And with that, Bizarro turns around to leave. He calls over his shoulder, "visiting Hood! Be back later!"

Artemis stares at his departing back.

"Be nice to him? Be nice to him, were you and Red Hood kidding?" Green Lantern has his hand pressed to his head. He's wincing like the last couple of minutes have physically pained him.

"What happened to him being 'sweet' and everything else you both said? Because everything that came out of his mouth just now was as bitter as ash," Hawkgirl leans on Lantern's shoulder. She's scowling deeply.

"I have to agree," Diana keeps her hand on Kal's arm. He appreciates the warmth of her palm.

The rest of his body has gone cold.

Batman stands and approaches Kal. He puts a hand on the other man's back. "Does your friend usually act like this?" He asks.

Unlike the others, he doesn't sound accusatory. Merely curious, the same tone he uses when asking for misson reports. Serious but with none of the urgency given to time-sensitive tasks.

"No," Artemis says definitively. "I've never seen him so angry."

"Now I know you're kidding!" Lantern rises from where he's sat, tossing his arm out to point to where Bizarro once stood. "He's covered head to toe in scarring! He's clearly kryptonian, so who in this world has he managed to anger enough to bang him up that bad? Bizarro," Lantern all but hisses the name like a curse, "clearly has temperament issues."

Kal looks between Lantern and Artemis.

Green Lantern is panting from his tirade, chest heaving with his every breath.

Artemis back has tensed up like an agitated cat, eyes locked onto Lantern.

Barely audible, Artemis says, "you have a problem with Bizarro."

"Yes. Yes, I do and anyone with an ounce of sense would as well," Lantern crosses his arms, staring her down with equal ferocity.

"Do yourself a favour," she starts. "Keep that to yourself."

Hawkgirl answers on Lantern's behalf. "Or else what? Your buddy's going to throw another fit? He left you here too, if you can't recall."

Artemis' eyes lazily trail over to Hawkgirl. "It's not him you'd have to worry about."

"So it's you, then?"

"Hood, actually. He's shot people for a lot less," Artemis speaks with a cold certainty. She doesn't bother waiting for anyone else to speak, just turns around and leaves.

The Justice League waits until footsteps are no longer audible. Then a couple of minutes after that, Lantern, seething, goes to break the silence first.

Batman holds a hand up, stopping him.

"Watchtower, now," Batman strides over to the Zeta tubes and begins inputing the codes.

"We are leaving Flash here?" Diana asks. She sounds unsure. Batman nods silently.

"Are you insane? After what Artemis just said-"

"Lantern. Flash is not in danger here, no matter how much you dislike the current residents. Martian Manhunter, am I wrong in thinking that neither Artemis or Bizarro have violent intent?"

"No, you are not wrong," J'ohn rubs at his temples with his good arm.

Lantern grits his teeth but gets into the Zeta tubes without another word of complaint.

Once they've all been transported, Batman takes the initiative in guiding them all to the kitchen. They sit around the table.

"I wanted us all to speak here because of Bizarro's apparent super-hearing. Here, we won't be overheard," Batman puts his hands on the table rests his arms on the table.

"What is there to say? We're all out of Luthor's clutches and our rescuers are both completely awful, end of story," Lantern puts his hands out in exasperation. Then, he mumbles, "I can't believe we were told to be nice to that guy."

Diana hesitantly adds, "although I wish the situation were handled more tactfully, I cannot blame Lantern for losing his temper. Bizarro had been extremely rude."

"To Kal," Batman specifies.

Kal sits up straighter in his seat, curious to where Batman's train of thought is going. Frankly, he needs something to take his mind off of earlier.

Kon hadn't been the politest at first either but Bizarro had come off as downright hostile.

"Because that makes it so much better?" Sheyera rolls her eyes and leans back in her chair.

Batman crosses his arms. "My point is, we've all already addressed that the Superman of this universe may not be the best person. And Bizarro is clearly under the impression that we are this world's Justice League," he drums his fingers against his arms.

Kal can tell Batman is trying to phrase things delicately. The other man's has never been a fast talker but his speech has slowed to a crawl.

"Bizarro's overt dislike of Kal is almost certainly the product of a pre-existing grudge against his Supermam, not an accurate gauge of who he is as a person," Batman finishes. Nobody looks entirely happy with his confusion.

"It was not only Kal he insulted though," Diana argues.

"Because you got involved. I don't think he would've paid us any mind if you hadn't inserted yourself into the situation first."

"How dare you. Was I meant to ignore Kal's clear distress?" Diana's hands are balled into fists on the table.

Kal, sat between them both, waits for the inevitable explosion. For shouting, arguing and insults. He's aware that quite a few of his teammates have explosive personalities, and although they try their best, it's clear very few of them have been in a team before.

Not that he can say anything. He's not very familiar with teamwork himself. Even at the Daily Planet, Clark Kent works solo most of the time. And even on joint projects, usually it's partnered and not in large groups. One photographer, one journalist.

How Kal wishes Jimmy Olsen had been a hero instead. That's a man who's easy to work with.

Yet there's no explosion of shouting.

Batman silently puts his hand face up on the table. He only begins speaking again when Diana has taken a couple of calming breathes and puts her hand in his.

"I am not saying that, Diana. Trying to help mediate was quick thinking on your part and under normal circumstances would've best course of action. All I wanted to point out was that the insult towards us as a whole was most likely collateral and not targeted," Batman explains.

Other than Kal, the rest of the Justice League looks surprised by the gesture. Batman rarely shows his softer side and when he does, it's in one-on-one situations.

Kal isn't phased, though. Even before the Justice League had formed, Kal had known that something softer had to lie underneath the cold exterior. Gotham's populace wouldn't love Batman half as much if that weren't the case.

Diana squeezes Batman's hand before taking her hand back and relaxing into her chair. "Why do you think Bizarro was so insistent on us being from his universe?"

"I think he was lying and just wanted an excuse to shout at people," Lantern's foot can be heard tapping the floor underneath the table.

"He believed we were of his universe genuinely. His feelings were strong, stronger than they could ever be if they were faked," J'ohn rubs lightly at his face.

"Could you tell what he was feeling?" Shayera asks, leaning forward in her seat.

J'ohn faces down at the table, eyes shut. "Affection when Artemis came in. Sorrow, grief when told about Kon. And then," J'ohn opens his eyes. They're watering slightly. "Pandemonium. A thousand different feelings all at once, I have no doubt his mind must have racing for his feelings to be so disjointed."

"Any notable ones?" Batman asks.

"Wanting to hide," J'ohn frowns. "It was the only thing consistent enough to get a read on. Then there was relief as he left."

For a moment, breathing, shifting and heartbeats are all that can be heard. They're a comfort to Kal even in the tense atmosphere.

He never wants the world to be as quiet as back in that room again.

"I don't understand," Lantern shakes his head, considerably mellowed. "Why would he be so angry with Superman? Even if this world's Superman isn't great, he doesn't seem to be a villain or dictator."

Kal thinks of the scars across Bizarro's body. The other kryptonian's clothing had been pretty full coverage but from his face and his hands, the damage was pretty extensive.

Bizzaro is a kryptonian like Kal. Supposedly invulnerable to any but kryptonite. But kryptonite wounds heal seamlessly and Bizarro is nothing but seams.

Who could hurt a kryptonian like that?

He thinks of Kon's almost painful grip on his hand when he took the boy to rewatch the movie he'd interrupted.

Then Kal of Bizarro's clear dislike of him, the grudge Batman suggested.

It couldn't be, could it?

Kal rests his chin in his hand, fingers covering his mouth. He hopes it disguises how he's trying not to gag.

He feels sick.

He tells himself it's just a leftover side-effect of the kryptonite.

"It could be because of custody battle," Batman suggests.

The Justice League stares at him stupified.

Batman, like that's somehow a normal suggestion, continues, "Kon is staying in the Hall of Justice instead of with Kal or Bizarro. It could be a compromise until things get sorted out. Bizarro being Kon's adult brother and this world's Superman seemingly being a mentor and possible current guardian."

"Wouldn't Bizarro easily get custody then? He seems to be biologically related to the kid and Superman doesn't," Shayera replies.

"Not necessarily. Depending on living conditions and how long Kon has been with Superman over Bizarro, Superman could have a pretty good case..." Lantern muses.

"It would also explain the hostility," Batman nods with satisfaction.

"It does seem probable," J'ohn agrees.

"What do you think, Kal?" Diana asks.

Internally, Kal wants to laugh. Or maybe cry. Somehow, his teammates had managed to create a scenario in which the several horrific warning signs point to a basic, domestic dispute instead of grievous violence.

He doesn't correct them. Just nods along.

He doesn't think he'd be able to talk if he tried. He might throw up if he attempts to.

Batman stands up and announces, "if this is all and nobody has anything else they need to say, then I think we can call this meeting to an end."

Shayera smothers a yawn.

Batman adds, "and call it a day as well. We all need some rest."

One by one, people file out into the hallways and to their rooms. People say goodnight and clap each other on the back lightly. Making sure they're all solidly there and safe. It's sweet.

Kal is still at the table once everyone has left, chin still rested in the palm of his hand.

He thinks of scars like scoring in grey skin.

Chapter Text

Barry must have fallen back asleep at some point because when he wakes up, it's as quiet as the grave. The room is dark without the lights on and completely colourless. Kid Flash is still tucked into his side but the child's grip has loosened to nothing.

He runs a hand over Kid's head, back and forth like he'd do for hair. Then he slowly shifts to sitting, slides Kid's arms to the pillow and attempts to get up.

Pain throbs in his lower legs. His feet are mostly numb.

Barry takes it as a good sign. Throbbing pain is preferable to stabbing pain.

His stomach growls hungrily. He hasn't eaten all day, which is decidedly not productive to healing when one has an inhanced metabolism.

Still, this level of pain isn't going to allow him to reach the kitchen.

Barry thinks for a moment before looking back at the bed.

He kneels down painfully and reaches underneath the bed.

He's mostly relying on the idea that alternate batman is as prepared as his own but...

There! His hand closes around a handle. He pulls and out comes an adjustable crunch. He puts it off to one side and then reaches again. He gropes around and he finds the foot of the other crutch. It only takes a moment to slide it out from under the bed.

He squints at the crutches. The outline of their main body in the dark is mercifully clear but the handles and feet blur with the dark floor. Barry feels the crutch, trying to get an idea of what kind of crutch it is.

The main body is light and one solid rod. The handle is roughly a quarter the way down the crutch and is molded to the shape of fingers wrapping around it. Then at the top there's a ring of plastic.

Forearm crutches, then.

Barry slides his arms into the rings and grips the handles. It only takes a moment to get them to the height he needs them. He broke his left leg once as a kid and had to use similar but smaller crutches.

Soon, he's up off of the ground and making his way to the door of the infirmary. His crutches tap quietly across the floor and his feet fall close behind.

He opens the door. The lights in the hallway begin to slowly start up. Kid Flash whines in his sleep, burying his face into the pillow. Barry quickly exits the infirmary and closes the door behind him.

Barry walks through the hallway as it steadily brightens. Upon walking under the next set of lights he realises it's only the infirmary hallway that gets a gradual wake-up call.

The set of lights above him immediately goes from inactive to blinding.

Barry flinches slightly and squints downwards as he waits for his eyes to adjust. He flexes his fingers around the crutches' handles. They're a dark navy blue in contrast to the silver metalic body of the crutches.

Once his eyes have adjusted, Barry resumes walking. Walking on crutches, for all his familiarity with them, is a slow going process.

He's in the hallway perpendicular to that of the kitchen's when he realises something odd. The light in the kitchen is on, spilling through the open entryway and faintly illuminating the walls.

Barry hesitates. He doubts anything or anyone dangerous has gotten into the Hall of Justice but if hypothetically, it has...

He's on crutches. Significantly slower than his regular speeds and even mildly slower than the average person. He's also injured pretty badly, a pointed hit could bring him to his knees. The rest of the team are not with him to back him up if things get ugly. Everything points to it being a bad idea for him to enter the kitchen.

Then he hears the sound of toast jumping up in the toaster. And he figures a bad guy wouldn't be making themselves midnight snacks in the Hall of Justice's kitchen.

Barry turns the corner fully and makes his way over to the kitchen. He looks in the doorway. Sat in the middle of the kitchen, on the floor, with a container of butter in his lap, is what could have passed for an ill Kal-El if it weren't for the scars running across his body.

The scars run deep and have an almost inverted type of look. Barry is reminded of the seams on teddy bears, the way the fabric folds in to hide the stitching. As though the man's skin had been sewn inside out before being turned the right way and stuffed with organs and bone and flesh.

Barry is reminded of tearing his pants as a kid. Of big, soft hand holding a tiny needle and sewing the hole. An invisible mend if not for the seam.

Ladder stitch, Barry thinks it's called.

The man looks up and light hits his grey skin. He looks tired.

There are two slices of toast on a plate on the counter.

"Hi," Barry says. He tries not to stare as he steps further into the room.

"Hi," the man echos back.

Crutches click across the floor as Barry closer to the cupboards at the back of the room and, as a result, closer to the man.

Blue eyes watch Barry the entire time. They have a look to them, he thinks, that Kal's and Kon's don't.

The longer Barry sees the man, the less alike he thinks the man is to Kal. He's not even sure whether the guy is kryptonian.

Can kryptonians have grey skin? And even if they can, is it healthy?

Barry takes out the first cereal box he gets his hand on. He doesn't really care about what he's eating as long as it gets his complaining stomach to quiet down.

The toast is still sat untouched on the counter.

Barry sits down, box in his lap, and puts the crutches to the side. The box is already open and when he moves the cardboard flaps to the side, he can see that the plastic bag with the cereal inside has a pink clip holding it shut. He fiddles with the clip for a moment, figuring out whether it's a press or pull one before managing to get it open. He dips his hand into the bag and eats a handful of the sugary flakes.

A noise to the side.

Barry turns his head, mouth full, and sees the man giving him a nauseous look. The man turns his head away entirely.

Internally, there's a decision to be made on whether to ignore it or not. Barry's tempted to ignore it; he's tired, hungry and in pain and would rather not deal with a lecture on his table manners.

But he looks at the toast still on the counter and the container of butter in the other man's lap and figures that neither of them are leaving any time soon.

Barry finishes chewing, swallows and then asks, "what? Not a fan of cereal?"

The man shakes his head. "Hate cereal. Soggy."

Barry looks down at his cereal. His entirely dry, not at all soggy cereal.

"I haven't even put milk in it," he says quietly, more to himself than anything. "How can it be soggy?"

The man, either not hearing or ignoring it, twists in place and reaches up to poke his toast. Then decisively, he opens the utensil draw and picks out a butter knife.

Barry watches as the man pries fruitlessly at the lid of the butter.

"What's your name?" Barry asks.

"Bizzaro."

Barry wracks his brain. The name sounds familiar...

"Oh, Kon's brother?"

Grey fingers pry at the lid some more. Bizarro nods.

"So, you're kryptonian then?"

"Made of the same stuff as Superman," Bizarro's hands slip from the lid. He grumbles in annoyance and tries to get his nails under the lip of the lid.

Barry nods along. "Cool, cool. Well, I'm Flash-"

"Obviously."

Barry watches Bizzaro scratch indents into the side of the lid. Beneath the printed green of the lid is white, uncoloured plastic.

Bizzaro drops the butter and rests his head on the counter behind him. He brings his knees up and hugs them to his chest.

Putting his box to the side, Barry leans forward and takes the unopened butter; turns it around and inspects the scratches on the side. They're shallow, not surprising with how short Bizarro's nails are.

He holds the container in both hands, places his thumb under the slight lip of the lid and pushes. Pop! And the lid is off.

It's half full, clearly having been used and opened several times before.

Bizzaro takes one look at the opened butter and breaks down into loud heaving sobs. His big shoulders shake
and he presses his palms to his eyes.

Tears soak into the sleeves of his jacket.

It takes a shamefully long time looking at the hulking man in front of him for Barry to realise he should say something.

"Hey," Barry puts the butter down on the floor. "What's wrong?"

"Stupid- butter! Stupid!" Bizzaro shoves his head into his hands and screams. Barry flinches back, covering his ears.

Even with the hands in the way of both Bizarro's mouth and Barry's ears, nothing could properly muffle the sound.

It's an awful, gutteral noise and Barry half expects the scars down Bizarro's throat to blow open in a spray of gore from the sheer force of it.

It takes what seems like forever but eventually, Bizarro's cries die down.

Bizzaro places his forehead against his knees. Spittle is dripping from his lips and his eyes are swimming in tears that drip down his face and follow his scars like they're train tracks. He's panting in tiny, gasping increments.

Tentively, slowly, Barry shifts closer. Bizarro jerks slightly at the sound of movement but other than that is still. Barry gets closer, close enough to put his hands on both of Bizarro's shoulders and pull lightly.

And that's all the encouragement Bizarro needs to rest his head against Barry's neck limply. Barry can hear minutes sniffling.

Barry's shoulder is wet. He doesn't care.

He's just glad Bizarro hasn't cried himself sick.

"Can you talk?" Barry asks, rubbing a hand up and down Bizarro's trembling back. Bizarro's breathing is still in an odd rhythm but it seems mostly steady by now.

Barry is shocked at how calm he feels. He's not sure exactly what's done it but despite the situation being wildly unexpected, he feels like he has this handled.

He wonders whether this is how Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman feel when somebody needs their help. Like the fact someone is relying on them means they can't possibly fail.

Bizarro nods shortly.

"I don't think that was about the butter," Barry suggests. Despite how frustrated the other man had been with it, the crying had come out of nowhere. "Not entirely, at least."

"Bad day," Bizarro states slowly. He's back to being coherent again, thankfully.

"Tell me about it?" Barry asks.

Bizarro barely moves as he speaks, more mumbling than anything. "First, distress signal. Never had one before, panicked. Artimis had to help."

Barry wonders how long Bizarro has been with the Outlaws. How long he's been around heroes in general. Distress signals, while not common, are pretty standard.

Then again, the Outlaws are a smaller group.

Bizarro continues, "found almost everyone. Thought Artimis had Kon because Kon wasn't in the truck," he sits up and rubs at his face. His skin looks... Irritated. Around the seams leading to (or away?) from his eyes, the colouring has darkened in splotchy patches.

Barry can't tell if it's from the crying or rubbing at the tears.

Bizarro trails a finger across the ground then begins talking again. It's stilted, like most of the man's longer sentenses, as though being read out loud. "Found Wonder Woman, Batman, most of the League in the truck. Weird, should be in space, not here."

"Well, that's actually a bit of a long story funnily enough! You see, me and my team are actually from an alternate universe to yours-"

"And lying! Again!" Bizarro's hands both get slammed onto the floor, loud enough that Barry looks down to make sure the ground is intact. It is.

"Why? Why the lying?" Bizarro's face is complicated to read as he talks. There are so many indented, tight ravines in his skin that his face moving one way pulls the neighboring skin in odd ways.

If his eyes close, his forehead pulls down and his cheeks pull up. If his mouth pulls wide, the skin of his nose stretches uncomfortably taunt. If his eyebrows raise, his eyelids stretch flat instead of snuggly sitting over his eyeballs.

Barry can't tell which movements are genuine expression and which are simply the result of the odd configuration of Bizarro's face.

"We're not lying," Barry tries to keep his voice soft. He doesn't want to sound defensive, lest Bizarro mistake it for agression. It seems to work because Bizarro's shoulders slump.

"Not true," Bizarro replies. He doesn't seem angry, simply tired.

"I'm probably not the best person to explain this so maybe tomorrow you can ask Kal-"

"Superman is Superman," Bizarro grabs his plate from behind him and the butter from in front and begins buttering his cold toast. "Know him. Don't want to."

"You don't know that, he's not your Superman-"

Bizarro gives Barry a look. Barry...

Barry is sure it's meant to mean something. But reading the look is like trying to read a latex mask over someone else face. Nothing moves with the control and give that it should.

"Superman is Superman. No other Superman here: this world, this Superman," Bizarro gets to his feet, putting the lid on the butter. He puts it back in the fridge. He then walks back and drops the butter knife unceremoniously in the sink.

Talking in circles like this isn't helping, Barry decides.

As Bizarro is sitting back down and pulling his plate into his lap, Barry asks, "is it lying if what we're saying seems like the truth to us?"

Bizarro doesn't look up, speak or otherwise acknowledge Barry's question. But he stills in a way that says he's listening.

"I mean, I can't speak for the others, I guess, but I do really think we're from an alternate universe. And you say we're not and yeah, I could probably say you're just really committed to gaslighting us for whatever reason-"

"What is gaslighting?"

"When you make someone doubt their own memory and knowledge, and stuff. Like, if I told you the Superman suit has a purple circle on the back."

"It doesn't," Bizarro says but the way he looks to the doorway makes it seem like he's tempted to go and check to make sure. Barry can't help but smile.

"It doesn't," Barry agrees easily. "But that's what gaslighting is. Okay, usually it's a bit more subtle than that but that's the gist."

"Not gaslighting anyone," Bizarro's lips pull down and the sides of his face flattens.

"And I don't think you are," Barry says. "But that's sort of what you're accusing me and my Justice League of. Which doesn't feel great."

Bizarro's fingers tap at the edge of his plate. "Sorry."

"It's alright, just- let's try and assume the best from each other, okay? Me and the team are going to be stuck here for a while, probably. Might as well get along in the meantime," Barry shrugs casually. His stomach growls angrily.

He'd forgotten how hungry he was, completely distracted by his conversation with Bizarro.

Barry grabs his cereal box again and almost doesn't notice Bizarro's wince of disgust.

Looking down at the cereal box, Barry has an idea. May as well build some trust with Bizarro while he's here.

"Hey, Bizarro. Your issue with cereal is that it's soggy, right?"

Bizarro nods.

"But this cereal isn't soggy," Barry continues. "Cereal in the box isn't soggy, or even wet, at all. It's milk that does that and there's no milk in here."

Bizarro stares at Barry. "Cereal is soggy," he says with the same amount of certainty someone would say, 'the sky is blue' with.

It would be funny in any other circumstance. But Flash can't help but wonder how little life experience Bizarro must have to not know that dry cereal isn't soggy.

Barry brings a handful out of the box and holds it where Bizarro can see it. "Does it look soggy?"

Bizarro glares at it. The only expression Barry can think to compare it to is a dog who knows that the cheese in its owner's hand actually has a pill stuffed in it.

"No," Bizarro says hesitantly.

"Are you willing to trust me?" Barry asks. Bizarro nods. "Hold your hands out."

Bizarro does as asked and Barry, slowly as to give Bizarro time to pull away, drops the cereal into Bizarro's hands.

Bizarro flinches slightly at first and then relaxes. He pokes and prods at the cereal inside his hands, startling when a flake snaps. Then curiously, he close his hands completely, crushing the cereal into a thin dust that he then drops.

"Not soggy," Bizarro mumbles. Then looks up at Barry and beams. Barry laughs.

A smile looks happy even on Bizarro's patchwork face, toothy and with unrestrained enthusiasm.

"Do you want to try some?" Barry hold the box out. Bizarro, laughing as well now, shakes his head.

Maybe some other time, Barry thinks as Bizarro begins eating his toast.

"I'll talk to the others, okay? Make sure that we're all on the same page," Barry says. He doesn't know if he'll be the first to see the League in the morning but if he is, he wants to talk. With Bizarro's insistence on them being from this universe and his apparent dislike of Superman, their talk earlier in the day must have been rough.

Barry hopes it wasn't. Bizarro seems nice so far.

Bizarro nods and Barry and him spend the rest of their time eating in silence side by side.

Bizarro doesn't look at the cereal with disgust anymore even though he doesn't seem like he'll be trying it any time soon.

When Barry is done, he grabs his crutches to limp back to the infirmary. Bizarro shakes his head, and picks up Barry and the crutches in his arms.

He carries Barry all the way to the infirmary before heading off to go to bed.

Barry slips the crutches under his bed before pulling himself up onto it. He rests his head on the pillow and lies beside Kid.

Kid's sleepy hands release the pillow and his fingers curl themselves into Barry's suit instead.