I’ll probably elaborate more on this tomorrow but I think it would be SO funny if Batman and the others create the justice league maybe a year or two after Dick has been going out as Robin.
And people have heard of Robin, sure, but never seen any pictures. Gotham is very territorial, and they don’t want news of their little bird reaching the wrong ears. Most people think Robin is some strange eldritch horror or cryptid like Batman, they don’t think either of them are really human. Gothamites know better, of course, but they don’t correct any outsiders. It’s a joke for them, really. It’s entertaining.
So then Batman co-creates the Justice League. And they all start asking about Robin.
They all assume Robin is an adult. That he’s like Batman. They know now that Batman is human (most of them do, at least - some are still skeptical), and they assume Robin is an adult human too.
“Why doesn’t he join the League?” Superman asks one day.
“No,” is all Batman says.
Eventually though, after a year of needling him, they get Batman to agree to bring Robin in to meet them.
And boy are they shocked when they hear a child’s voice complaining after announcing Batman’s designation and a new “Robin, B-01” designation.
“You’re only here to meet them. You’re not allowed to join.”
“Why not? That’s no fair! I’ve been around longer than some of them even!”
“Statistically speaking, I won’t make it to thirty.”
They hear Batman make a strangled sounding noise, like a whine and a wheeze.
“Don’t say that,” Batman pleads.
“Because it makes me sad, Robin.”
“Oh.” There’s a pause. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
There’s another pause, before Robin’s voice perks up and asks, “Is Superman gonna be here?”
“He is not taking you flying and you will not ask.”
“That’s no fair! Why not?”
“I could get hurt doing anything! Are you gonna wrap me in bubble wrap and lock me in my room?”
“Please, please? Can’t I just ask him to toss me in the air? He’s Superman, he won’t hurt me!”
“He might hurt you because he is Superman,” Batman says. “You’re small. You’re fragile. He’s a very large alien with super strength.”
“But you’re big and strong and you toss me up in the air all the time!”
“That’s different, Robin.”
“You’re such a spoilsport!”
And then suddenly Batman and Robin are standing in the doorway to the meeting room where everyone is sitting around, shocked. Because Robin looks like he’s maybe 10 or 11. He’s a child.
And he beams at the sight of Superman before darting over to him, his hand leaving the hold he had on the edge of Batman’s cape.
“Superman!” Robin greets, stopping straight in front of him and bouncing on his toes. “Can you throw me in the air like I’m flying? Please, please, please!”
Clark’s throat is dry and his mouth can’t move, because even though Batman has a cowl on hiding his eyes, he can feel the glare being sent his way.
Robin has noticed the look Batman is sending Superman, and he’s quick to send a scrunched up facial expression Batman’s way before moving closer to Superman, practically in his personal bubble.
“Ignore him, he’s being big and broody today!” Robin says quickly. “You can toss me up, I’m real good at flying!”
“Touch him and I’ll break your kneecaps,” Batman threatens.
“You’re such a party pooper!” Robin whines s Batman yanks him back, tucking his cape around the boy. “You can’t just drag me up here and not even let me have any fun!”
No one can believe what they’re seeing. No one can believe Batman is dad.
Superman isn’t afraid of much, but he’s terrified of finding out what Batman might do if anyone were to accidentally harm Robin.
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