Chapter Text
Bruce looked calmly at his watch. Checked again that his scent was properly covered, his heartbeat masked, his vest lined with expensive metal linens that prevent any kind of xrey. Over-the-top perhaps, and certainly a gaudier display of wealth than he prefered but it fit Brucie Wayne’s persona and would keep Clark from observing anything he shouldn’t.
Clark was too polite to look without reason- and Bruce intended to give him none- but should a reason arise, Bruce now bore too many new scars that Clark had witnessed him receive firsthand. Bruce just wanted to make sure there would be no surprises in this encounter.
Even so, he still feared Clark would know him in an instant.
But that dare, the challenge, the slightly childish need within himself to know if he could manage to remain hidden to the most powerful person on the planet. There was also a very small part of himself that desired quite the opposite: The possibility to be known- especially by someone who shared some of his Mission- was an incredibly seductive thought. But it was also a far more terrifying one and that outweighed any desire he did have for Clark to make the connection between Bruce Wayne and Batman.
The minute hand of his watch ticked forward. It was time. Bruce let his body fall into the loose, relaxed, stagger of the happily sloshed. He rounded the corner, making sure to tip his weight into the motion-
“Oof-! Oh, I am terribly sorry sir-” Clark froze a moment later as he realized exactly who he had bumped into.
“Ah, don’t worry about chum…” Brucie him off with a an absent smile. He staggered on drunkenly, righted himself, looked around himself as if he were slightly lost. Clark frowned at him worriedly, hand partially outstretched as if uncertain if he should help or not.
Exactly as planned.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Clark asked hesitantly, ever the hero.
“I’m all right. Alright. Ha. I’m- hmm, always alright.” Brucie informed him with a slight slur.
“Um, okay.” said Clark cringing slightly.
“I was just going… somewhere, ha ha.” Brucie laughed a little too loudly, swinging himself around back towards the open hallway, swayed where he stood, and continued on his way.
“Ah! Mr. Wayne! Un- perhaps we should call the front desk? Get you to your room?” Clark hurried to his side- a little too fast for a human- resting a careful hand on his elbow when Bruce pitched sideways. Catching him as Bruce knew he would.
“What for? My room is just- just a bit up there. #749.” Brucie said blinking up at him. He kept his expression a little unfocused, but he couldn’t help but quickly scanning Clark’s face for any hint of suspicion. There was none. Just and open, worried, expression and the slightest furrow in his brow.
“#749 is in the other direction Mr. Wayne.” Clark told him.
“Oh, haha, so it is.” Bruce turned purposfully towards the wrong hallway.
“How about I walk you back to your room and we call someone?” Clark suggested akwardly guiding him around in the correct direction.
“Oh, good plan.” Brucie said and let himself be walked back to his room. Clark was here to interview someone else at this hotel, but his job would be finished now, Bruce knew. He had arranged it to be that way.
“Here we are,” Clark said with a smile as he helped unlock the door, “Is there anyone I should call for you?”
“Usually I’d prefer Alfred, but- ha, I think you should keep me company instead.” Brucie let his smile get a little appreciative just to watch how Clark would flush and shift. Soulmate or not, Bruce knew Clark would never make a move on a drunk person.
“How about we call this Alfred instead.” Clark smiled uncomfortably. Bruce punched in the contact and let Clark awkwardly inform Alfred he was smashed while Bruce pretended to sprawl on his plush couch.
“Okay, looks like your friend will be here in a bit.” Clark told him shifting uncomfortably about in the doorway, “I think I’m going to wait with you till they show up, just to be on the safe side though.”
Alfred, Bruce knew, would take his time getting there.
“Such a gentleman, does that mean I get you all to myself?” Brucie smiled lazily.
“You’re really drunk, Mr. Wayne,” Clark told him gently helping him sit up, “how about I get you some water?”
“Sure, sure.” Brucie said. Clark turned to grab a water bottle from the minibar and Bruce let himself watch him as intently as he wanted. Clark had angled his hand away from from Bruce and but he could still hear him tapping out a text at beyond human speeds. Bruce wanted to scold him for that, but couldn’t without blowing his cover.
“You going to write a new article about this, Mr. Reporter?” Bruce said instead. He knew Clark wouldn’t, but he was curious how much he would give away.
“How did you-?” Clark’s eyes widened. Was that too observant for a supposedly drunk airhead? No, not really, Bruce decided.
“Please, I’ve spent my whole life in front of cameras, you reporters have a certain look to you.” Brucie waved his hand vaguely.
“Ah, that makes sense.” Clark huffed a small laugh under his breath as he walked back with the water, “I promise I won’t write anything about this though.”
“It wouldn’t be anything the public hasn’t heard a thousand times anyway.” Bruce shrugged, “Who were you texting then?”
“Oh, um, my- er, I don’t know if I’d call her girlfriend yet, we’ve only gone on a few casual dates and- well, anyway, just letting her know I’m going to be a bit late.” Clark said looking a little flustered.
Bruce stilled internally and had to make a command effort not to let it show. This hadn’t come up on the reports. He had of course known that Clark held more than a little admiration for Mis. Lane, but he hadn’t actually thought it would go anywhere. Clark had thus far come across fairly traditional in his views about relationships and Bruce would have thought him to be unlikely to pursue a relationship outside of his soulmate. Lois, he admitted, was liberal enough to go for it though. At least from what he knew about her. He needed to keep an eye on that relationship, it could prove to be a liability to Superman. For now, he decided to simply prod for a little more information.
“Your soulmate?” Brucie teased. He’s already implied that he didn’t recognize Clark, and it would be a useful ruse to keep up. Potentially it might make Clark admit things he would otherwise be more cautious about.
“Ah, no.” Clark admitted smiling slightly, and perhaps a little softly, at nothing in particular. Bruce gave himself permission to stare a little more intently and memorize the new expression.
“Really?” Brucie feigned surprise.
“Yes, I’m a little surprised myself.” Clark scratched at his cheek with a small laugh, “I admit that she had turned much of what I thought I knew about the world on it’s head.”
Potentially dangerous, but still intriguing, Bruce noted.
“She is an extraordinary woman that I respect and I have come to care for her a great deal. We do not often see eye to eye, and perhaps the reasons why we are not soulmates are abundantly clear, but… all the rest of it. All the good in just being together. Even if we are not destined for forever, I have decided that it is still worth it to cherish her for as long as possible now.”
Yes . Bruce frowned internally: Yes, what exactly? He wasn’t sure, except that there was a deep sense of satisfaction about the idea of Clark and Lois finding love with one another that he hadn’t expected. Bruce didn’t much like being taken by surprise, it was more than a little unnerving. Nor did he liked the part of him that wanted to insist that Clark being unavailable romantically meant that he could be someone that Bruce could be allowed to let close. Which was ridiculous of course, because having a not-girlfriend or otherwise, Clark would never be truly safe.
“Mr. Wayne?” Clark asked uncertainly when Bruce didn’t respond. There was a moment of fear in Bruce, because when their eyes met he was sure that Clark could see him… and a small kernel of hope because maybe-
“Are you feeling alright? Do you need me to get you something to eat?” Clark asked. There was no recognition on his face, just polite concern for the drunk civilian he was taking care of. Right. Relief and disappointment warred with each other, but Bruce brushed them both aside. They were of no use to the Mission.
“I think I’ll be quite fine now, Mr. Reporter,” Bruce flashed him a camera worthy smile and watched Clark blink rather rapidly, “Oh, but I think you may have missed your calling as a poet. You’re quite the romantic.”
“Oh, I-” Clark fumbled a little. He was interrupted though by a polite knock on the door. Alfred. Right on time as always. He must have been monitoring.
“I’ll take it from here, sir.” Alfred said.
“Ah, yes, of course.” Clark smiled hesitantly, he glanced back at Bruce, “I hope you feel better Mr. Wayne, sorry to bore you with talk of my personal life.”
“Don’t worry about it, chum, go get your girlfriend.” Bruce waved him out.
“Oh, I- thanks.” Clark said, smile brightening a little before leaving.
Alfred shut the door and Bruce immediately let Brucie Wayne fall away. He sighed and rubbed his temples. That was just as stressful as he thought it would be, but at least it was not a complete waste of time. He had new info on Superman and a much better grip on Clark Kent as a person than he did before which would no doubt prove to be useful.
“Was your night successful Master Bruce?” Alfred asked as he began straightening up the space.
The Dark Knight worked alone. Bruce had always known this, but it was good to reaffirm that line every now and then.
“Yes, Alfred, I believe it is.” Bruce said straightening and beginning to shed the trappings of his deception.
“I must say, it is good that you are getting out into the public. As of late, you’ve been a bit more camera shy than usual and the public may require a reminder of your continued statis soon enough. May I recommend though that next time you take less juvenile approach that does not threaten your relationship with your coworkers?” Alfred sniffed disapprovingly.
“Hmm, perhaps. I assume since you’re bringing it up that you have an opinion on what that should be?” Bruce held back a tired smile.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I have however, taken the liberty to purchase you a ticket to the circus this weekend. You may of course do what you will with that.” Alfred said laying out some sleep clothes on the bed.
“Of course.” Bruce echoed with a small laugh.
A trip to the circus may be just what he needed. He’d been too wrapped up in the Justice League as of late. Too consumed with monitoring Clark and the danger he posed as a his soulmate. He need to focus on Gotham once more.
He worked alone, and that was the way it would stay.