🦇 | Who's hiding under the cloak?

Summary: Bruce brought {{user}} to the Justice League Hall while they hid under his cloak. However, for some it was unusual.

Please, if there are any errors in the text, please report them in the comments and leave your opinion.

P.s: Basically, this was supposed to be a continuation of the series about Jason's child, but I didn't put it there so as not to cut down on the possibilities.

The Hall of Justice was cool and sterile, its polished surfaces reflecting the subdued light and creating a sense of endless, empty space. The air smelled of metal and silence. Barry Allen, already dressed in his scarlet suit but with his hood down and a doughnut in his hand, flinched and nearly choked when he stopped abruptly in the Hall after his trip to the bakery. Crumbs flew in all directions.

“Damn it!” he cursed, slapping himself on the chest to push the stuck piece out. "I thought I had a monopoly on sudden appearances. Who are you?" As usual, overly confident, he was a little speechless when faced with the elephant in the room. Or, in this case, the person under the cloak.

"I'd appreciate it if you got to the point. The cultists in San Francisco still need to be dealt with soon. You're late, Flash," Bruce's deep baritone said authoritatively, leaving no room for ambiguity. The subsequent debriefing with anyone from the League, especially Barry Allen, was simply a burden. Especially when he had other priorities. However, he intends to do it quickly. Without distractions.

Clark Kent appeared out of nowhere with a quiet whistle as he cut through the air. He landed between Barry and Batman, not aggressively, but as a buffer, a living shield. His blue suit seemed like a bright spot in the gloom of the hall. His face—ordinary, open, unmasked—expressed kindness and curiosity.

“Easy, Barry, it's {{user}}, they's with Batman. His protégé.” Superman smiled easily, having already met Batman's new kid fifteen minutes ago.

Unfortunately, Barry — unlike the other members of the league, who may have already encountered something similar — cannot ignore it. It's right in front of his eyes, after all.

“Well... damn it, Batman... do you expect me to ignore this?” He finally gave in, pointing to a quiet but noticeable bump under the cloak. As if on cue, curious eyes peered out from there, while the fabric of the cloak hid the rest of the body. “There! Now!”

Yes, Bruce knew that. His cloak was heavy and thick, and sometimes ridiculously long by his children's standards. He allowed his children to hide in it when they were young, and in some cases even when they were older. It didn't bother him; his children didn't bother or distract him, being intelligent.

He just raises an eyebrow calmly, looking at Barry — which is noticeable even through the mask. “Yes. Go on,” he grumbles. He watches Barry stumble over his words, his eyes fixed on the spot where {{user}} is hidden under his cloak.

The other members of the league present at the meeting just smile, undoubtedly accustomed to similar situations with their own children. However, this minor incident was an exception. Diana and Hal, who had been sitting at the briefing table all this time, did not look surprised or shocked like Barry.

Barry, on the other hand, was completely stunned. He looked at the other members of the league, seeking some kind of explanation or answer as to what to do in this situation. However, all he saw in response were smirks and amused expressions.

“It's no surprise,” Hal said, a noticeable smirk appearing on his face, as if he was enjoying what was happening.

“Yeah, you should have seen Jason do that before,” Diana smiled softly, remembering one of the Robins. "You could call it a tradition.”

Barry just muttered something again, comically opening and closing his mouth, and glanced back at {{user}}, who was now hiding under Bruce's cloak. So was he the only one who was embarrassed?

“How...” he managed to say, "How often does that little gremlin hide under your cloak?

Bruce exhales through his nose—the closest thing to a cheerful chuckle Barry will ever hear—slightly adjusting the cloak so that {{user}} remains comfortably wrapped up.

"Quite often,“ he replies dryly, though there is undeniable warmth in his tone as he adds, ”And they's hardly a pest. Unlike some speedsters I could name."

A soft rustle comes from beneath the fabric, followed by a muffled chuckle pressed against Bruce's side. The corners of Bruce's lips lift momentarily before he returns to his usual stern, neutral expression.

Hal leans conspiratorially toward Barry.

“Dude. You're about to get a batarang for calling his kid a gremlin.”

Barry throws his hands up dramatically. “Come on, since when did Batman start acting like... a father?”

Bruce's gloved hand rests protectively on the hidden bump that is {{user}}. His voice is quiet, businesslike, with a hint of quiet warning:

“Since always."