Archive of Our Own ^beta

Well, glad probably isn't the right word for it. He isn't excited to be picked, in fact he dreads it with everything in him, but he is always always overjoyed that it's not one of his boys. He would go through any amount of pain and terror just to keep them safe.

He’s not supposed to feel this way, he knows. When their captors brought Dick to him over ten years ago, it was only supposed to last the night. They’d hoped that an omega would be able to keep the pup quiet while they were smuggled across the borders. But when it came time for them to be separated, they both carried on so much that they were forced to move hideouts again or risk being found.

After that, he’d been allowed to keep Dick, tucking the pup in against his chest as they hunkered down in the meager scraps of fabric allowed to them by their captors.

Jason and Tim were given to him as well, with the instruction to ease their training. Bruce had done his best, doing better with Tim than he did with Jason. He will still never forgive himself for the time he spent apart from Jason, thinking that his pup was dead. Since then he’s always done his best to be the meek omega that their captors want from him. He keeps their customers happy and in return they let him keep his children.

It seems like a fair enough trade.

Bruce adjusts the silky black baby doll nightie, taking a moment to artfully ruffle his hair, before he pushes open the door. Inside sits a very awkward looking man, maybe a few years younger than himself. He's dressed in a flannel shirt, of all things, and khaki slacks. Glasses perch on a strong nose, obscuring clear blue eyes. At least this time he won’t be trying to swallow down vomit as he services the man.

Bruce slinks forward and crawls up his lap, stifling his laughter into a teasing smirk as the man somehow manages to get more awkward. His hands hover at Bruce’s hips, but don’t touch.

He presses a kiss to the alpha’s neck, glancing upward coyly. “What’s your name gorgeous?”

Before the man can answer, Bruce hears the protesting shouts of his pups and tries to pull back. He’s held in place by the man’s surprisingly strong grip on his thighs. When he turns back, the man stares at him looking startled. When he speaks, his voice is surprisingly soft for a man who looks like he could rip most people in half. “There are others?”

“Clark. There are pups.” Someone calls out. It’s not a voice Bruce knows, and he renews his struggles to break free.

Damian’s angry curses sound out, echoed by Jason’s threats. Something crashes, followed immediately by Tim’s yelp. The voice from before cries out while Dick can be heard trying to organize his brothers.

Bruce tries harder to pull free, but the man pulls him tight to his chest. One hand stroking up and down his back before cupping the back of his neck and scruffing him firmly. Helpless to do anything else, Bruce’s muscles go lax and he collapses against the man’s broad chest.

“It’s going to be alright.” The man speaks again, and his smile is kind—not lecherous. “You can trust us. I don’t want you to hurt yourself by struggling. We’ll take you to your pups.”

The mention of his children, followed by another round of Damian’s frantic cursing, is all Bruce needs. With the aid of adrenaline, he pulls away and makes it to his feet. Stumbling steps take him down the hallway to the tiny concrete room he calls home. Three men in uniforms have trapped his children in a corner. He shoves them aside before they can even notice that he’s there and plants himself in front of his children, baring his teeth. A hand fists in his nightie, probably Tim’s.

One of the men a beta by the lack of scent, steps forward but is stopped by the man who rented Bruce.

 “Wait. Back up a little and give them space.” The man walks forward cautiously, like he’s approaching a feral dog. He might as well be. He stops about a foot away and then sits down with a calming smile. “We’re here to help, not to hurt.”

“Clark. We don’t have time. We have to get them out of here quickly before the rest of the gang arrives.” A blond beta tries to step forward, but jumps back when Bruce growls.

The man, Clark presumably, waves the others back. “It’s alright, Barry. If we don’t get them calmed down they won’t be going anywhere.”

“We’re not going anywhere.” Bruce snarls. His voice is nearly as deep as an alpha’s and he can see the shock on the group’s faces. “Not with you. There’s no sense in trading one cage for another.”

“Clark.” The first beta hisses. “We need to grab them and go. This is Gotham and if the gangsters get here, we won’t be getting out.“

“They don’t know us, Hal. They’re not just going to follow us.” Clark reaches inside the neckline of his flannel slowly, carefully broadcasting his movements while Bruce watches with narrowed eyes. He draws out a badge on a chain and lifts it off his neck to hold it out to Bruce. “We’re with the cops. We’re here to get you out.”

“Bruce.” Dick breathes behind him.

More than ever he wants to rip out the throat of the alpha in front of him. The last thing his pups need is false hope. This is Gotham. A dirty cop is as common as common as cobblestone. The heavens know enough of them have visited him and his boys, but if it’s real—

Bruce traces the metal engravings, glancing back at his children. Dick has Damian firmly behind him, staring back at Bruce with wide eyed hope. Jason is similarly covering Tim’s body with his own, but fear paints his expression. His second eldest tried to escape once and to say it didn’t go well would be a devastating understatement. Still, Jason gives a hesitant nod.

Bruce steels himself and passes the badge back. “Let’s go.”

---------

The omegas gather up their meager belongings and it takes pitifully little time. Clark’s heart breaks for them as they bundle up three blankets and a handful of scanty clothing each. Their mother stumbles a few times, still not fully recovered from Clark’s attempt at a scruffing. He tries to offer help, but the omega jerks away with a scowl and a snap of his teeth.

He’s a brute of an omega, even if he is fine boned with skin like porcelain china. Clark has no doubts that any further offers of help will result in the loss of his fingers, so he makes sure to give the huddled group plenty of space.

They file out of the condemned building they’ve been living in. The youngest hesitates in the doorway for just a moment, but after a gentle nudge from one of the older pups he strides forward with his nose tipped up in the air.

The mother smiles faintly, before nudging the second smallest out. His voice his quiet, meant only for the pup. “It’s alright, Tim. It won’t be like before.”

“You can’t know.” The pup, Tim he presumes, protests. He’s clinging tightly to his mother’s arm and doesn’t look older than fourteen or fifteen. Conner’s age.  “Jason was—“

“Jason was alone.” The man nudges the pup again and the boy takes another sluggish step forward. “At any rate, we’d already be in trouble. When the others arrived they would be displeased with us even if we stayed. They might separate us anyway.”

“But Bruce! They like me, I could—“

“You could do no such thing.” Bruce’s stern tone is at contrast with his scruff induced wobbling. He’s forced to lean on one of the older pups. “With any luck you’ll never have to again.”

“What if they’re worse, Bruce? They could separate us too.”

The mother—Bruce, dips his head and noses at Tim’s head. “Then we’ll fight. I won’t lose one of you. Not again.”

Bruce helps the pups up into the back of the van John has ready before following. Barry is already inside, passing out blankets to each of the omegas. Clark sends up a silent prayer of thanks that they’d brought plenty of those at least. They’d meant for the one omega they expected to nest with them.

Bruce accepts his and then wraps it around one of the older two, scenting him thoroughly. Then he shuffles all four of the boys towards one of the back corners.

“There was supposed to be one, Clark.” Hal hisses at his side. “How in the world did the Falcones manage to hide five omegas?”

“I don’t know. Wish I did.” Clark bites his lip as he clambers into the back of the van and helps Barry and Hal pull the door shut. Seconds later the van takes off, rattling down the alleyway. In any other city, a white van rattling around back alleys would be suspicious, but it’s just par for the course in Gotham.

He turns on the battery operated lantern they brought with them and slowly approaches the tightly huddled nest of omegas. Bruce’s eyes stay locked on his as he holds out the device. One of the boys takes it, giving a bright smile to Clark. He then ducks his head shyly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Clark says. Then he looks back to Bruce. “We’re headed towards Metropolis. The Falcone gang has very little influence there. You should be safe.”

“Where will we stay?” Tim asks. He’s trembling head to toe, but his head is held high. One of the other boys is half draped across him. “We have no money.”

“It will be alright, Tim.” Bruce promises, reaching out to touch the pup’s shoulder, but Clark can see the same worry reflected in his eyes.

Very carefully, Clark sits cross-legged. Barry and Hal stay on the other side of the van. Eventually they will interact with the omegas, but until Clark has firmly established himself as trustworthy to them, it is best that their interactions are limited. “We’re part of a group that liberates omegas from bad situations. It’s not strictly legal, but we’ve found loopholes to make it work. One of those loopholes is claiming rights. In order to remain free you have to stay with one of the alphas who stole you from your first alpha.”

“So we’ll be staying with you.” Bruce asks. He sounds blank, but there’s definitely more going on underneath the surface. Clark can see the omega puzzling away at the situation. “You won’t divide us among the four of you?”

“We wouldn’t try. You belong together.” Is Clark’s gentle response. “Now that everything is settled, I was thinking we could introduce ourselves. I’m Clark. The blond fellow over there is Barry and the other guy is Hal. John is driving. What are your names?”

Bruce’s gaze barely flickers over to Hal and Barry, apparently deeming them safe enough for now. He continues to stare down Clark for a moment, probably trying to test Clark’s leniency. Most alphas wouldn’t allow such behavior, but Clark doesn’t care. He’s just met them and, despite what the law says, he has no right to tell them what to do. After another breath Bruce turns his head away to look over the children he’s guarding.

Clark follows his gaze

Four nearly identical faces stare back at Clark. The minimal differences are only in size, shades of skin color, and the particular hue of blue in their eyes. Bruce reaches out and touches the tallest boy with a darker shade of skin than the rest of them. His blue eyes shine deep blue-black.  It’s the boy who took the lantern. He gives another smile, while Bruce says in a complete monotone, “This is Dick.”

Across the van, Hal chokes on air and Barry has to slap his back until he revives.

Clark is thankfully better at hiding his reaction, but not good enough to escape Bruce. The omega’s lips quirk up just slightly in a smug smile before it’s back to the straight face. Clark searches for a tactful response, but finally gives up. “He… You don’t have to keep the names your captors gave you.”

“We know.” Bruce’s sigh is longsuffering, but fond. “That is his name.”

The boy, Dick, gives a cheeky smile. “It’s short for Richard. My parents’ first language wasn’t English so some of the slang was lost on them.”

The boy has parents. Maybe they’ll be able to track them down. Clark opens his mouth to offer, but sees Bruce shake his head out of the corner of his eye, and instead says, “I’m very glad to meet you, Dick.”

“Not as glad as I am to meet you.” The boy replies.

 Clark feels the sting of that deep in his chest.

Bruce then reaches out to touch the other older boy’s shoulder; the one draped across Tim. It’s hard to be certain which boy is oldest, but Clark is inclined to think that it’s Dick based on the way the other boy defers to him. This boy is pale with a light smattering of freckles that Clark thinks would cover his face if he were ever exposed to the sun. “This is Jason. My second son.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jason.” Clark offers, but the boy just narrows his blue-green eyes and pulls back one corner of his lips in a silent warning.  

Bruce brushes his hand across Jason’s cheek briefly before resting it on Tim’s shoulder. “This is Tim.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Tim.” Clark tries to coax a smile from the pup.

The boy, paler than Jason but with eyes so blue they’re almost violet, purses his lips and then turns his back on Clark to curl up against his mother’s side.

“And this is Damian.” Bruce rests his hand on the head of the pup in his lap. This pup is darker than Tim and Jason, but lighter than Dick, with sleepy green eyes that blink at him angrily before he too nuzzles against Bruce with a yawn.

Clark feels another pang. Damian looks barely ten, if that, and even Dick and Jason don’t look old enough to either one be a legal adult.

Bruce lifts his chin just slightly in another dare for Clark to show his true colors. His eyes are the lightest; almost silver.  “I am Bruce.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Bruce.” He tries to convey the truth of it, but he doesn’t push. It’s crucial that this meeting with the omegas go well so that they will feel safe living with him for the time being. “Are you hungry?”

Bruce was going to refuse him, he can tell by the frown that quickly takes up residence, but then the omega glances down at his children and gives a hesitant nod.

Clark twists to grab the lunch box they’d stashed in the van earlier and passes it to Bruce. As the omega opens it, Clark grimaces just a little. It’s all prepackaged food, in the hopes of reassuring Bruce they didn’t spike it, but there’s only enough for one omega. Bruce doesn’t complain though, just sets about calmly dividing the food among the children. Damian’s portion is carefully stored away while Tim, Jason, and Dick all nibble at theirs. Bruce leaves nothing for himself.

“We didn’t know about your children.” Clark tries to explain realizing anew, as he looks them over, that he’s going to have all of them living with him in his apartment. “All of the rumors spoke of a black haired, blue eyed omega and we thought—“

“There was only one of us?” Bruce asks dryly, shifting slightly to make room for Dick and Jason to lay down. Jason does so only at the urging of his brother, glaring at Clark as he settles in with his head pressed against Bruce’s thigh. Dick lays down beside him, one hand resting loosely over his brother’s waist.

Clark’s laughter is somewhat sheepish. “Well, yes. We should have looked into it more, but we heard rumors that they would be moving you soon and it felt better to get you out and risk surprises rather than lose you.”

Bruce shrugs, clearly disinterested. His hands gently stroke through his children’s hair and his expression softens just a little as he watches them settle in. When he looks back up, there’s a dangerous slant to his mouth. “You won’t touch them.”

It’s a threat, not a request.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Clark tries to reassure, already standing to give them space.

“Hnn.” It’s clear that Bruce doesn’t believe him, but that’s alright. He doesn’t need to believe yet. Given time, Clark will be able to prove it to them. This isn’t his first time fostering an omega, he knows better than to press.

Instead he moves over to sit by Hal and Barry.

“Are you really going to take in five omegas?” Barry looks dubious. You can’t possibly be prepared for all of them.”

“I’m not.” He admits, glancing back over at the pile of traumatized children and their mother. “But there’s no way that we can separate them.”

“That’s true enough.” Hal’s scowling slightly as he watches them as well, probably wishing he’d hit the captors harder. He’s got a good heart, but he’s better at getting the omegas out than he is at helping them adjust to real life. “Think they’re all his?”

It takes Clark a few minutes to find a good response to the tactless question. “I think he’s decided they are. I’m not sure much else matters.”

Clark comes back over, all gentle smiles. “We’re in the city. We’ll have to make a stop to register you guys in my name and then we can get you guys settled in.”

“Alright.” Bruce gives a single nod.

They follow Clark obediently and Barry obediently while Hal and John bring up the rear. There’s no one to block off the sides though, so when they come across the alley Bruce gives Dick a gentle nudge. That’s all the boys need, taking off running. Bruce is right behind them, desperate not to lose them yet, but knows that with his muscles still loose and uncooperative from the scruffing he doesn’t have much choice.

The alphas give chase, calling for them to halt.

They don’t dare. Even if they were decent before, there’s no way that they would overlook an escape attempt. There will be punishment if they’re caught. Bruce refuses to allow that to happen to the boys ever again.  They take a turn and hit a dead end, the alley blocked off by chain link fence. Even if they did get the chance to retrace their steps, Bruce is desperately lost. The last time he was in Metropolis, he was seven or eight and stayed at his father’s side the whole time.

Dick manages to scramble over the chain link first to catch Damian and Tim as Jason and Bruce help them up over the barrier. The alphas are getting closer, but Jason pauses, straddling the top of the fence when Bruce doesn’t follow. “B?”

“Go help your brothers, Jay.” Bruce swallows down the lump in his throat.

Anguish floods Jason’s scent, but his mouth hardens into a thin line and he nods, dropping to the other side of the fence. He plucks up Tim again.

Bruce gives his boys one last smile and then turns to meet his new masters. They’ve paused at the mouth of the alleyway, frozen.

He can hear the boys start to run and that seems to lift the spell. Clark calls out in a harsh alpha boom, “Wait.”

The scuff of bare feet on pavement stops, replaces by faint whimpers as his children are forced to obey. Bruce can’t move either, his muscles no longer his own. He growls as Clark approaches.

“Bruce.” The alpha whispers softly. He doesn’t look angry, doesn’t respond with a growl of his own. “I know you can’t trust me right now, and I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t trust me either in your situation, but you have to know that running will only land you in a worse situation. Five unmated omegas living on Metropolis’ streets won’t last long. You’ll wind up in the same place you were before.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Bruce snarls as Clark starts to take another step towards him, letting the noise die when the alpha takes a step back instead.

Clark smiles, but he looks sad. “If you come with me you might not be sold either. I know you don’t trust me, but can you try to trust that I’m a better option than where you were before?”

“Bruce.” Dick whispers behind him and Bruce’s heart breaks. He desperately wants to keep his boys with him, but he can’t let them be abused any longer.

He licks his lips, considering his options. Clark has already proven that escape is futile. His alpha voice can command them to do anything and they’ll be nearly helpless to do anything else. It would be best if they just gave in and took their punishment, but… “If—If you—you’ll only have sex with me.”

 Clark’s shoulders slump and he looks defeated for some reason Bruce can’t comprehend. He won. There’s no reason for the alpha to pretend to consider his demands, but he does. He nods and holds out a hand as he stares Bruce in the eye. “I promise.”

Bruce’s muscles finally seem to unlock and he takes the offered hand.

Clark gives it a squeeze and tugs Bruce close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Then the alpha looks up at the pups on the other side of the barrier. His voice stays soft, pleading. “Please come with me?”

Jason and Dick look at each other and then turn to Bruce. He wants to beg them to stay with him, wants to scream for them to run. He does neither.

This time Jason scrabbles up the fence with Tim clinging tightly to his back. When he lands on the other side, Bruce can see that his muscles are trembling and that he’s breathing hard. Even if they did run, they probably couldn’t get far. They just aren’t used to traveling very far, spending most of their time trapped indoors. Jason catches Damian when he’s dropped over the side and then helps Dick get down. The four boys huddle together just out of Bruce’s reach.

He wants to pull free from Clark, but doesn’t dare risk upsetting him further.

Clark glances down at him and then at his pups. “Can John, Barry, and Hal help you?”

Too late Bruce realizes his agreement didn’t include the other members of the ‘rescue’. “No. No please. Don’t touch them.”

Jason and Dick have already recoiled, pulling their younger brothers with them.

“No, no. That’s not what I meant. They’re not going to hurt your pups.” Clark turns Bruce so they’re facing each other. When he speaks, it’s with the conviction that can only come from speaking the truth. “None of us would ever touch a pup. You’ve worn yourselves out, Hal and Barry can help carry the young ones.”

“We can walk.” Tim answers firmly, wiggling free from Jason. Bruce’s heart swells with fear and pride for his sickly son in equal measure. Damian mimics him, but stays clinging to Dick’s hand.

Clark looks them over with a faint frown, but nods. “Alright.”

-----------

“Name?” The clerk behind the window asks. She seems bored as she looks over the omegas huddled in the corner unhappily. 

Clark hates that they’re probably in better shape than most of the omegas that come through this office. At the window next door, the alpha is holding his bleeding ‘prize’ tight by the arm, ignoring the man’s sniffling.  

Hal keeps glancing over at the pair, lips drawn back like he wants to challenge the man over the omega. Clark is tempted to let him, but they can’t risk blowing their covers. He narrows his eyes at his teammate, but gives a half nod. Hal can overhear the man’s identifying information and they, or someone else, can track them down can track the omega down once their current rescues are settled.

“Clark Kent.” He answers finally, turning his gaze back to the clerk. He provides all of his personal information before turning to beckon to Bruce. 

The omega hesitates, but this time he doesn’t run. His shoulders pull back and he steps forward boldly, his children trailing behind him. 

“Name of the first omega?” The clerk asks. 

“Bruce.”

She frowns at that, glancing up. “Last name?”

Bruce hesitates before shaking his head. His voice is rough with unnamed emotion. “No.”

“Hmm.” The woman eyes him, clearly not believing. Then she shrugs, as if to say she’s not paid enough to care. His last name would be changed anyway. “Bruce Kent. Can I see your hand?”

Bruce carefully extracts one arm from Tim and Jason’s hold to reach into the hole in the glass pane. The clerk pricks his finger quickly with a needle and collects the blood in the tiniest of vials which she then labels with a number.  After setting that aside, she picks up her pen again. “Next?”

After the registration they head straight for Clark’s apartment. None of the omegas had so much as flinched through the examination and tests that followed. By some miracle, all of them were clean and free of STDs, though it would appear that Tim has a double ear infection.

Barry splits from the group to go pick up Tim’s medication while Clark gets everyone settled in. Hal and John leave a few minutes later and Clark is left alone with the small family. 

He shuts the door and turns to face the others. They’ve huddled together in the corner. Bruce has taken the front, but Dick and Jason flank him despite his best efforts to push them back.

“Do you want to go see your room, or are you hungry?”

It was an attempt to give them agency, but it only gets him frightened faces. Even Bruce and Jason, who have appeared mostly belligerent since they were found, look almost panicked. Swallowing hard, he gestures for them to follow him. “How about we go see the room?”

They follow him in a tight mass down the hallway and into the spare bedroom he set up. The bed in the center is large with a dipped mattress and box spring set designed specifically for nesting. It’s piled with four comforters, a dozen pillows, and every throw blanket he could find in the house. 

“Oh.” Tim gives a small squeak, pulling his blanket from the van tighter around his body as his gaze seems to lock onto the bed. “B, look.” 

“Bruce...” Jason breathes, barely audible as he bites his lip and shifts his weight toward it hesitantly before stepping back to press against Bruce again. 

Dick pulls both of his brothers into his arms, practically vibrating. He turns his gaze to stare straight at Clark. “Are we allowed to use the bed sometimes?”

“It’s yours. You can do whatever you want with it.” Clark urges. “All of it is for you.”

Dick bounces on his toes then turns to his mother. If Damian wasn’t asleep, Clark’s pretty sure that he would be squealing. As it is, the boy takes in another sharp breath and asks desperately, “B?”

“Go on.” Bruce murmurs with a faint quirk of his lips. “Here, take your brother.”

“Yes please. C’mere, little D.” Dick takes Damian with grabby hands and nuzzles against the fussy pup. Shifting Damian to one arm, he tugs his other brothers over to the bed. After clambering up to set Damian in the center of the bed, Dick turns back to pull up the other two. 

It’s not until they’re all cradled in a pile of fluffy blankets that Clark realizes just how small all of them are. Tim glances back at him before hesitantly nestling down, rubbing his cheek on a soft pillow nearly as large as he is. 

While Dick makes sure Damian and Tim are comfortable, Jason starts building the walls of a proper nest. Everything is laid down with exacting precision and when it’s done, he takes up position next to Tim. The smaller boy hugs his pillow tighter as Jason spoons around him.  Dick does the same to Damian, leaving space for Bruce behind him. 

Clark is careful to note that Bruce will be sleeping closest to the door.

He backs out of the room with a sad, but hopefully comforting, smile. “This is your space. I won’t enter without your permission. If you need anything, please come ask me. I’m going to start some dinner and you can come out to get it whenever you want.”

Bruce nods, but Clark gets the feeling that it’s just to get him to leave. The man stays standing between him and the bed. As soon as the door is shut, he hears the click of the lock. He’s not hurt by it, but rather encouraged. They feel brave enough to lock him out. That’s a good sign. 

After puttering around the house and starting a stew, Clark calls Lois.

“How’d everything go?” She asks, before he can even say hello. It brings a smile to his face that only widens when he hears the boys bickering in the background. “Did you get him back safely?” 

“Yeah, yeah. Everyone’s safe.” Clark snatches a bottle of water from the fridge before sinking down onto the couch. “He has four children.”

Lois doesn’t miss a beat. “Shame that you hate children so much.”

That pulls an almost pained laugh from him. Though she adores Jon and Conner, children had always been a sore spot in their marriage. Had been the reason his relationship with Lex had fallen through as well. 

“I get the feeling they don’t like me so much. All five tried to run on the way to registration, not that I blame them...” Clark swipes a tired hand over his face. “Where we found ‘em? It was so bad. Not one of them had a proper nest, and their clothing... calling it clothing is generous.”

She’s silent, but Clark can hear the clicking of her heels as she heads to her bedroom. After the door shuts, she asks, “How old?”

“Young. Too young. They don’t know their exact ages and it’s too hard to guess. Except for the mother they’re all so small, and even he weighs half as much as he ought to.” Clark would know; he had the man on his lap. Even now he can felt the ghostly weight of the lithe body. “Soon as they’re up to it, we’ll have to get them to Ma so she can fatten them up.”

“She’s good at that.”  Lois chuckles. “I should know. Every time I smell her cooking I think I gain twenty pounds.”

“Mm. Ain’t that the truth?” Clark takes another sip of his water. “Tell me about the boys.”

By the time he’s done talking to Lois and the boys, sending them plenty of kisses over the phone to their disgust, it’s gotten late. He turns the crockpot down just a little so the house won’t catch fire and heads to bed. He passes by the locked door, but doesn’t knock to check up on them. The windows inside have been locked shut, temporarily.

Clark had gotten over the icky feeling it left him with after the fifth time catching a twelve year old omega who was determined to escape. That last time had resulted in a nightmare of a hospital trip and while it was all resolved happily in the end, Clark locks the windows now.

After leaving his door open a crack, he settles into the bed awkwardly and dreams of chasing a desperate omega down the winding streets of Gotham to a nest of starving pups.

He wakes to a bad taste in his mouth and a butcher knife to his neck.

The poor pup is nearly hyperventilating as he holds the knife in both hands. Too long strands of silky black hair fall into his face. His small nose scrunches up and it looks almost like there are tears in his eyes. “Please, Alpha Kent. You gotta let us go.”

“You know I can’t, Tim.” Clark is careful to keep his voice low and soothing. “I would if I was able, but that’s not how the law works.” 

It’s the answer the pup was expecting. His face crumples, but then he’s pushing the knife into Clark’s hand. The look on his face is calculating but it’s quickly hidden as he arches his neck to Clark. “Hurt me then. Don’t hurt mama or my brothers.”

“I don’t want to—“

“I’m not going to be the pretty one. I’m—I'm not...” Tim tries to close Clark’s hand around the blade. “I know alphas liketa mark up a ‘mega. I can be real good for you. I won’t even pull away if that’s what you don’t want.”

Before Clark can explain just how much he doesn’t want any of what he’s been offered, the door slams open to let in a flood of frantic omega scent. 

Bruce, chest heaving through his thin silk nighty, charges the bed. He swipes up Tim and cradles the boy close, a harsh growl rumbling from his throat. “No knives.” 

He doesn’t try to remind Clark that he’d promised not to touch the kids. It’s not likely he believed the promise anyway. Clark doubts that trying to remind their former alphas of promises went well for them. 

“Mama, mama.” Tim tugs on Bruce’s nightgown, causing it to slip off one shoulder. 

Clark really doesn’t need that glimpse of lightly toned bicep and pec. He shuts his eyes briefly to get his thoughts back on track because Bruce is terrified and the scent of attraction would definitely not be helpful.  Very carefully, he sets the knife aside, where it will be out of Bruce’s reach, and then takes just a couple steps to the side so that it’s out of his reach as well. “I’m not going to hurt your pup.”

Bruce snarls deeper at his movement, but when Clark doesn’t do anything else he pauses to nuzzle the top of Tim’s head. 

In return, Tim settles with his head on Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s okay, B. He didn’t do anything.”

“I told you not to leave the nest.” Bruce hisses, shooting Clark a furtive glance. “He had you at knife point.”

“Actually, I had him at knife point.” Tim says. He too turns to look at Clark, but his gaze is calculating. Clark’s reaction to knife seems to have been noted, but not believed. “He didn’t even growl.”

“You...” Bruce looks like he might pass out or throw up. The unnatural pallor, combined with the daylight streaming in his window, highlights the large number of hickeys on his shoulders and neck. “Alpha, have mercy. Please. He won’t—I won’t—please.”

“I’m not going to punish you.” Clark takes a careful step forward, wincing when Bruce flinches backwards. “I promise, it’s not the first time I was held at knifepoint. I am with the police force, remember?”

“Yesterday had nothing to do with a police raid.” Tim says, eyes narrowed in reproof. “If it did, the police would have rehomed us.”

“I’m a deputy sheriff.” Clark says, but despite his best efforts he knows that he sounds defensive.

Somehow, that’s what eases some of the tension in Bruce’s frame. “In Metropolis. You have no jurisdiction in Gotham.”

“Fair point.” 

It doesn’t make the omega relax, but he doesn’t seem quite as wary either. His silver eyes glance back towards the knife lying on the bed before looking back towards Clark. “You will let Tim leave the room?”

For some reason this makes Tim give a short cry of protest before Bruce claps his hand over the pup’s mouth. Tim shoves the hand away, but falls silent and fixes Clark with a sullen glare.

A chill creeps through the room. This feels like a question full of double meanings, but he also knows that there’s only one answer that he can give. “Tim can leave the room. I don’t want any of you to feel trapped.”

“Hnn.” Bruce frowns a little at that, glancing down at Tim.

Tim huffs and clings to Bruce a little tighter before reluctantly releasing Bruce. “I’ll be in the nest.”

Bruce nudges the top of Tim’s head before letting him go.

The pup pauses to give Clark a barely concealed glare, before stepping out of the room. The door closes behind him, leaving the pair alone. The silence in the room is oppressive.

Clark swallows a few time before offering a small smile. “Is there something you needed to talk about alone? I’m sure you must have concerns.”

“Concerns.” The lines creasing Bruce’s face deepen. The omega shifts his weight from one side to the other, his silk slip slipping further down his shoulder and almost off his body. It’s a nice body, but the knowledge that Bruce is hurting keeps Clark from admiring it. With one hesitant step, then a pause, then another step, Bruce makes it across the room to stand in front of Clark. He’s maybe an inch or two shorter, just enough that he has to look up at Clark. “My son held you at knife point and you haven’t yet retaliated. Is that a good enough concern?”

“Ah, well. No harm, no foul.” Clark rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’ll have to get a new lock for the knife cabinet, but—“

The weight of Bruce’s hand on his chest makes him break off abruptly. He, very carefully, tries to pull the hand away. “Ah, I told you earlier that I wasn’t—“

Bruce gives him a sharp glare, but it seems almost involuntary because in the next second it’s smoothed over into something more flirtatious. That’s all the warning he gets before Bruce drops to his knees and reaches for Clark’s pants.

“Don’t!” Clark yelps and trips backwards over his braided rug onto his bed in his haste to pull away.

Bruce stays frozen in place, hand half raised. He seems uncertain again; terrified might be the better word. “Alpha?”

“You’re safe here. You and your children.” Clark works to keep his breathing steady and his anger hidden from his scent. “No one is going to touch you here, Bruce, and if anyone does I want you to tell me.”

“No one is… You were telling the truth?” Bruce leans backwards, sitting on his heels. He looks more puzzled than anything else. That clever gaze darts around the room, like he can gather the truth from the sparse rustic décor that Ma sendsg. “You didn’t see an opportunity to claim five omegas?”

“Not all alphas are like the ones you’ve known.” Clark says.

“I know.” Bruce sounds almost defensive as he tugs his strap back over his shoulder. “That doesn’t mean that I’m likely to suddenly start coming into contact with the better ones.”

Clark hums quietly in response. Careful to not move too quickly and startle Bruce, Clark crosses the room to his dresser. He digs around before he finds one of his most comfortable pairs of jeans and shirt that’s soft from wear. After wavering a moment, he grabs a clean pair of boxers. Somehow he doubts that anything Bruce has is comfortable or particularly clean.

Bruce flinches back when he offers them, but then gathers the clothing carefully to his chest. “What are these?”

“Most omegas aren’t nearly my size, so I didn’t buy anything that will fit you. You can wear these for today and if you’re up to it, we can go buy you more later today.”

“If I’m not?” Bruce asks.

“Then we’ll look online and you can continue to wear my things until they come in the mail.” He offers Bruce a smile and a hand.

The omega’s scent is sweet with pheromones meant to endear him to threatening alphas. It doesn’t seem to be a conscious choice, based on the way he bats Clark’s hand aside. He pauses a moment to see if Clark will respond with a threat, and when he doesn’t Bruce seems surer of himself. “I need to check on the boys. They’ll be frightened.”

“I’ve got clothes for them too. Well, they can borrow some of my boy’s clothes.” Clark gives an embarrassed smile. “Dick and Jason might fit into the clothing I bought earlier, but we really weren’t expecting children.”

“You have pups as well?” Bruce says. His entire being brightens at the news as he scents the air. “Where is your mate?”

“Ah. I do, two of them. One is fifteen and the other is nine.” Clark picks up the knife and Bruce flinches, but he doesn’t shy away from Clark when he approaches. “I—well, I’m not mated to either of their mothers anymore. Lois, the younger’s mother, has them until everything is settled here.”

“How does she have custody of both if she only birthed one?” Bruce asks.

Clark chuckles and takes a detour to lock the knife back away, though he will definitely be asking either Lois or Jimmy to drop off a more difficult lock soon. “Actually, I have primary custody of both.”

“You’re an alpha.” Bruce freezes where he stands. His startled expression would be funny if he wasn’t so concerned. 

Clark reaches out before he thinks better of it and then rocks backwards onto his heels. “Well, not all alphas are like the ones you’ve known.”

The look Bruce gives him is unimpressed, could almost be called a pout even. That is, if such a slight shift in expression from neutral could be called anything. “You’ve no clue the alphas I’ve known.”

“I think I can probably guess.” Clark does his hardest not to look pointedly at the marks left on Bruce’s neck by alphas who’ve used him like a chew toy. 

Now Bruce truly is pouting, there’s nothing else he can call that mild furrow of his brow. “You’ve a small clue. A very, very small clue.”

Before he can respond, Jason charges in angrily with Dick trying to hold him back. It appears that Dick’s grip slips on him and the other boy charges straight into Bruce’s legs, nearly toppling him over.  Jason promptly wraps his arms around Bruce’s waist. His teeth bare threateningly as he snaps them at Clark. “Don’t’chu dare touch B. The other alphas always gave us a coupla days to settle ‘fore we had to do anything.” 

“I’m not—I gave him clothes to wear.” Clark protests, gesturing at Bruce. “I was going to get you and your brothers a change of clothes next.”

“Why?”  Jason narrows his eyes and nuzzles Bruce’s waist. “Our current lingerie not hit the right kinks?” He tugs Bruce’s nightgown. “C’mon, B. There’s only one of him. Bet we can take him an’ be outta here ‘fore anyone notices.”

“Easy, Jaylad.” Bruce strokes a hand through Jason’s hair, glancing up at Clark. His own eyes narrow before he angles a little more towards Jason and little further away from Clark. “He gave me some of his clothes.”

“Tim said he’s as stupid as he claims.” Dick whispers at a volume Clark can just barely catch. “Maybe he is a good alpha.”

“An maybe he ain’t.” Jason says. 

“But maybe I am.” Clark grabs an apple from the bowl and crouches down to offer it to him. “For now at least, you and your family are safe.” 

For a moment he thinks that Jason might bite him, but then the pup snatched the apple from him and darts back half behind his mother. “You ain’t gotta crouch none. ‘m short, not young.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.” Clark doesn’t smile, hoping that a more serious expression will go farther to reassure Jason. 

There’s a dangerous clattering from the back of the house before they hear the desperate whine of a young pup. “Mother!”

A few minutes later, the youngest is running towards them. He stops just shy of Bruce to glare up at his mother through unshed tears. “You left the nest.”

“I know.” Bruce takes the few remaining steps to his youngest son and kneels down to nuzzle his hair. “I had to, habibi. Everything is alright.”

“I never claimed otherwise.” The pup doesn’t settle, but instead glares at Clark before he’s distracted by the clothing also in Bruce’s arms. “What is this?” 

“It’s his clothes, duh.” Jason answers with a jerk of his thumb towards Clark. He’s taken a couple bites from the apple and is now passing it over to Tim. It doesn’t escape Clark’s notice that Jason also puts himself between Tim and Clark. “Boy Scout says he’s got more for us.”

“How dare you.” Damian spits out, glaring at Clark. “Mother already has a mate. He doesn’t have any need for you trying to bed him.” 

“I’m not trying to bed your mother, or any of your brothers. I just wanted to give a safe place for a while.” It’s hard to keep his voice even when Damian is ten years, at the oldest. There’s no reason he should know anything about what he’s implying. “There’s nothing more to it than that.”

“Tt.” Damian turns his head away from Clark. His hand fists tightly in the silk of Bruce’s nighty. “This nest doesn’t smell right, Mother. I want to go home.” 

Bruce croons softly, calling his other boys to his side as he heads back towards their room.  “I know, but time will change the smell. This will be better. Here we will only serve one alpha instead of many.”

Tim allows himself to pulled after Bruce by Jason, clutching the apple to his chest like a treasure. 

Dick pauses before following. He tugs at the web of silk and lace that serves as his current covering. “Do you truly have clothes for us? Real clothes?”  

“Would you like to help me pick some that your brothers would like?” Clark asks.

Dick frowns like he’s going to decline, but then nods hesitantly. “Yes please, Alpha.”

“You can call me Clark. There’s no need for titles.” He gestures for the boy to follow him down the hallway. 

As they pass the bedroom that his guests have taken residence in they can hear Damian ask, “How will father find us if we’re not at home waiting?”

It seems that Dick can sense his question before he asks it, because he answers it almost immediately. His expression is dark and angry.  “Damian’s sire.... is complicated and not my story to tell. She’s not worth finding.”

“Are you sure? If she—“ 

“If you found her, the only ones she would bother to take are Bruce and Damian, maybe Jason.” Dick insists. “Tim she would give to her father. You can’t find her.”

“I wouldn’t know where to find her.” Clark tries to reassure. He’s not sure it works, but that’s alright. They’ve reached the boy’s room. He pushes inside and leads the way to their dressers. “I know you said he’s probably older than what Jon is, but they look about the same size so something he has might work...”

“You’re really just going to let us pick whatever we want from here?” Dick glances at him and then edges in closer so he can run his hand over the folded clothes. He lingers over a few and then hesitantly picks a soft green shirt and a pair of shorts. When Clark doesn’t take them back and instead opens up Kon’s drawer for Dick to pick out a set for Tim, he hugs the clothes tight to his chest. The jeans he picks for Tim are slightly ripped and the tee has some sort of a joke on it, but it’s not one he gets. “Thank you.”

“Do you want to pick from here for you and Jason, or would you like to try the omega clothes I have?”

“We can use the omega clothes.” Dick ducks his head, arching his neck just a little. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Clark says. He pulls out the box of omega clothes. 

 Dick first pulls out a pair of cargos and a red hoodie before following it up with a selection of a bright blue and yellow tie dye tee and skinny jeans. 

When they go back out into the hallway, Jason is waiting for them. The omega child’s nose scrunches as he scents the air. Whatever he scents, it doesn’t seem to be what he fears. Jason reaches out to gather Dick close. “C’mon, Dickie. B is getting worried.”

“I got us real clothes.” Dick runs over to Jason’s side and holds up his treasure. “Look. I got you a red hoodie like you had when they brought you in. I know it’s not the same as the one your momma got you, but—“

“It’s nice, Dickie. Thanks.” The younger pup nuzzles under Dick’s jaw, despite needing to bend slightly to do so. 

Bruce is waiting at the door, looking both of his pups over before narrowing his gaze on Clark. After ushering the pair in, he stands in the doorway like that will be all it takes to keep Clark out. “I... Thank you.” 

“You’re very welcome, Bruce. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have food for you guys.” 

Bruce nods and starts to shut the door, before he wavers. His shoulders straighten and for a moment it looks like he’s preparing for a fight. “If we’re the reason your pups have left... you should call them back.  I know the hell you go through when your pups aren’t with you. I wouldn’t... we wouldn’t want anyone to feel that way because of us.”

“I’ll talk to Lois later tonight.” Clark reassures. “It will be alright.”

“Hnn.” Bruce gives him another considering look. Then he shuts the door and Clark is left alone to consider the morning’s events. 

Damian is still pouting, but he’s also changed into the clothing that Dick brought to him, after significant prodding. Now he’s begrudgingly letting Dick groom him. He’s reached the age where he feels too old to be groomed, but Dick’s never let that stop him with any of his brothers. 

Tim is back in the nest. He’s bustling around, moving pillows from one spot to another and then back again. With one particularly troublesome pillow he chirps his displeasure. A few times he’s glances covertly at Bruce, no doubt waiting for his lecture. 

He’ll have to wait a while longer. Bruce is still too terrified and angry to give a proper tongue-lashing. The alpha hasn’t done anything yet—still insists he doesn’t want anything from them. Kent turned down a blowjob. It’s been a long time since Bruce has met an alpha that didn’t jump at the chance to get his knot wet. 

Jason presses against Bruce’s side, glaring at Tim. He’s probably hoping that Bruce doesn’t realize he’s the one who picked the lock. That’s a conversation they’ll have to have soon, but for now Bruce is just grateful to have his children. 

Without giving any warning, he scoops up Jason and nuzzles his pup’s cheek. Jason squirms for a few minutes, before nuzzling back in return. Bruce’s nose drags across one of the deep furrows in Jason’s cheek. He gives a faint growl and licks over the scars. 

That does prompt Jason to wiggle free and glare at him, hands shoved in his hoodie pocket. “Aw c’mon, Bruce. Why you gotta do that? I ain’t a puppy.”

“You’re my puppy.” Bruce drops a kiss on top of Jason’s head. “Are you okay? I know the last person to see you was—“

“‘m fine.” He mumbles, staring down at his feet. “Wasn’t him. Guess one ‘a his men earned a reward. Was a sweet guy actually.”

“Okay.” Bruce runs his hands through Jason’s hair, over his shoulders like that might convince him Jason is telling the truth. “Okay.” 

“Guys, it’s nesting time.” Dick whines. He pouts at them, resting his chin on Damian’s head. If one didn’t know better, they would think Dick a shallow, flirty omega.  Bruce knows better. He’s seen Dick’s sharp smirk before he twists an alpha into a pliable mess. He knows that while Dick plays the clingy, cheerful older brother, it’s a show meant to ease tensions when necessary. 

Jason huffs and gives a small growl, but he lets Bruce scoop him up and plop him down into the nest. Once deposited among the plush comforters, Jason starts up a begrudging purr that eases into true contentment when Tim starts to groom him. 

Those two get on like a wildfire in California, when they aren’t tearing each other to shreds. True it means that Bruce has to keep a closer eye on them to make sure they’re safe than if they still hated each other, but he would never choose to go back the early days. Back when Jason had resented Tim for replacing him after their masters told the family that Jason had been torn to shreds for attempting escape. Back when Tim had been angry that the older brother he’d idolized for being willing to choose death over captivity would now roll over and present on command. 

Days full of heartache as he tried to mediate their fights without taking sides. As he tried to adjust to the angry, vengeful person his second eldest had become. As he tried to keep Tim from spiralling into suicide at Jason’s fervent rejection. 

No.  The danger they create together is worth it if it means they’re happy. 

With all his pups nestled safely into the walls of their nest, Bruce allows himself to change. It feels odd to be so covered up. More than that, it’s strange that his body isn’t the focus of the clothing. While they would get the occasional alpha who wanted them dressed in street clothes, it was never anything so decidedly innocent as jeans and a baggy tee. 

Dick gives a short growl when Bruce takes too long to climb onto the bed with them. It fades into a content yip when Bruce settles in, curling around all four of his pups as best he can. Absently he combs through their hair, smoothing out tangles.

Damian in particular fusses unhappily. He’s still so young, barely ten—if even that. It’s hard to remember sometimes, but others it’s painfully obvious. This nest, though objectively better than anything he’s had in his young life, doesn’t smell like their family yet. There’s a surface layer of scent, but it’s yet to seep into the room. 

Bruce tucks the pup in a little closer to his scent glands, hoping that will help. It gets him an unhappy glare. “I’m not a child, mother.”

“Maybe this makes me more comfortable.” Bruce says, careful to keep his tone mild. He has to reach out to stop Jason’s leg from bouncing as  he bumps noses with Damian. 

Damian grumbles, but rubs noses with Bruce. Eventually he and the others doze off while Bruce watches over them. He’s desperately tired, but he needs to stay awake and keep an ear out for the alpha’s return. If he tests the door and finds that it’s locked...

No alpha could be expected to let his omegas deny him access to their bodies without punishment. 

A few hours later and they wake with grumbling stomachs. The apple that the alpha gave to Jason was finished off before they took their nap. That leaves two options, to ask for food or to take it. Both pose risks.

“I say we jus’ take it.” Jason says. He’s rather comfortably reclined on his horde of pillows. “Long as we’re careful he probably won’t even notice.”

“Tt.” Damian nuzzles closer to Bruce, eyes still closed. Bruce isn’t sure that he’s actually awake. Disagreeing with his brothers just for the sake of doing so isn’t out of character for his youngest son. 

Dick pauses his grooming of Tim’s hair to frown. “I dunno. Timmy said he didn’t even growl when—“ here he pauses to give Bruce a sidelong wince, “anyway. He gave us clothes. And he offered food already.”

 “Food that could be drugged.” Tim says. He’s cheerfully barging past Dick’s stumble, probably hoping Bruce won’t remember to lecture him. He’s setting himself up for some strong disappointment. “It’s not like there isn’t a precedent for that.”

“He hasn’t done it yet.” Dick flicks Tim’s forehead with a pout. When he looks back up at Bruce though, his eyes are dark with worry. “What do you think, B?”

Bruce tips his head back as he thinks, weighing out each factor carefully. His gut says not to trust the man. The facts seem to point towards the man being who he says he is. At least, Bruce believes that they won’t be forced into sex work here. If that were going to happen, they wouldn’t be living in Kent’s home. 

And it isKent’s home. The scents that fill the apartment are too strong, too settled into the cracks for it to be anything else. 

That doesn’t mean that they aren’t there to entertain him. A small harem of omegas is a common alpha fantasy. His reaction to Tim’s knife is still confusing, but perhaps he really does want them to be willing partners. It’s a strange idea to be sure, but if Tim’s assessment is right then it wouldn’t be out of character for the strange alpha.

“You four will stay in here while I talk to our new Alpha.” Bruce says. “Based on his reaction to our conversation, I’ll make the decision then. Dick, keep a tight grip on your brothers. If I find that they’ve pulled another stunt along the lines of this morning, I’ll skin them myself.”

Jason clenches his jaw, but looks down with an embarrassed whine. He’s instigated more than his fair share of trouble, but this time was clearly Tim’s idea. Since returning to them, Jason’s become more wary of displeasing alphas if he can help it. 

Tim on the other hand, meets Bruce’s gaze evenly. “We needed to know what kind of alpha he is. Now we know.”

“We know nothing, Tim, other than he’s willing to bide his time.” Bruce raps his knuckles on Tim’s head lightly. “You got lucky. I don’t want you doing anything else.”

Tim looks away with a huff, hiding his face behind a pillow. 

Bruce nudges his pup. “Am I understood?”

“Yes, Bruce.” Tim jerks the pillow down to his stomach to glare at Bruce. He must be rather angry if he’s reverted to his given name. Usually he calls Bruce Mama, if only because it irritates Damian. 

Unable to help it, Bruce smiles and presses a kiss to his forehead and then leans over to kiss the top of Jason’s head. For now, there’s no one watching and so there’s no danger in showing his affection for his children. “Good. Now try to rest a little more. I’ll try to come back with food.”

All four nod and turn away with mournful expressions. It’s not hard to guess what they think Bruce will be trading for their meal. 

After just a moment more’s indulgence, Bruce unlocks the door and slips out of it. He waits outside until he hears the click of the lock behind him. Then he sets off in search of Kent.

Multiple voices can be heard from the living room, so that’s where he heads. Cautiously, he slides along the hallway so he can peek his head into the living room. To his surprise there’s only Kent on the couch and the tv is off.

He slides along the floor in an awkward side shuffle until he’s behind the couch and can get a peek at whatever Kent is looking at. It looks like one of the phones that their previous alphas had, but it’s playing a video. Bruce leans in just a little closer to see if he can determine what sort of weird camera/TV hybrid this is. 

That’s when one of the boys points and asks, “Who’s that, Daddy?”

Bruce trips over his feet trying to put space between himself and Kent when the alpha turns to look at him. 

The stupid alpha has the nerve to smile at him softly, making his glasses slip down a little. “That’s Bruce. He’s going to be staying with us for a while. Is everything alright, Bruce?”

“Mm.” Bruce nods sharply. He feels awkward, all of eight years again and not sure what alphas want from him. “We’re... fine.”

“I’m glad.” Kent’s smile gets wider somehow as he gestures Bruce closer. 

Reluctantly, he obeys. He doesn’t move to sit on the couch, but he does stand behind it and lean in when Kent waves him even closer. 

Then Kent holds the screen closer. “I’m video chatting my kids. I was asking them if they wanted to come home or stay a little longer with Lois. This punk is Conner,” He taps the amused older boy and then touches the grinning younger boy, “and this rascal is Jon. Kon, Jon, this is Bruce.”

“Nice to meet you, Bruce.” Conner smiles like he knows something Bruce doesn’t. Despite being used to this expression coming from Tim, Bruce feels uncomfortable with it coming from a stranger. The teen looks almost like Kent in miniature, but with more piercings. They line both his ears and two studs dot one eyebrow. 

Jon is still waiting to grow into his bone structure, but he doesn’t quite look so similar to Kent. Without seeing his mother, it’s hard to say if the differences are due to puppy fat or similarities to his other parent. He’s also excitable in a way that reminds Bruce of Dick when he was younger. “Hi Bruce! Dad says you’ve got kids an’ one of them is even close to my age. I wanna come meet them, but Kon says that I’ll scare them. You don’t think that I’ll scare them, do you?”

Bruce stares at the device and then glances sideways. “A video call? Like in sci-fi? This is live?”

The alpha manages to hold in his smile just barely, but one corner does quirk upwards. “Mmhm. Phones are able to do some amazing things now. Most of it I don’t understand. The boys have to show me how to do everything.” 

He doesn’t ask when the last time Bruce saw a phone. 

Bruce is inexplicably grateful for it. Perhaps he should be ashamed of how he’s spent the last twenty-some years, but it’s not as if he had a choice. He chooses to change the topic rather than dwell on things he can’t change.  “You told them about us?”

“I didn’t want them to be startled when I brought home five omegas instead of one.” Clark turns to the screen again, leaving his back to Bruce. It’s either a display of trust, or confidence that Bruce can’t hurt him. It’s not clear which. “Jon especially needs the time to get out some of his excitement.”

Jon shrugs off the admonishment. “I can’t help it, Dad. All the omegas are always Conner’s age. You neverbring home anyone my age.”

The frightened noise that escapes Bruce’s throat is involuntary. “Conner’s age?”

He’s already backing away. Both Jason and Tim seem too close to the teenager’s age for Bruce to be comfortable. Perhaps he ought to just steal something for them so he can get back to be guarding them.

“Why you gotta say it like that, stupid?” There’s the sound of a light smack and a puppy yelp. “Dad’s helping people, not dating them. He’s not gonna turn someone out onto the streets jus’ ‘cause you think they’re too old to be your friend either.”

“Don’t call your brother stupid, Conner.” Kent sounds exhausted. “But he’s right, Jon. Not everyone is as lucky as us and we need to help everyone we can, not just pick the people we like best. Now, give your mom my love. I’ll call you later tonight and you can tell me what you want to do then.”

“‘Kay. Bye, Dad.” Conner gives the screen a salute and then disappears. 

Jon pouts for half a moment before he brightens and waves. “Alright. Bye!”

Then the screen blinks to a white page with various numbers and names. Clark presses a button to turn it black as he turns to face Bruce again. 

“They look like you.” Bruce blurts before Clark can say anything else.

For a moment the alpha looks caught off guard, but then he smiles again. “Thank you.” There’s a moment of silence, but not an uncomfortable one. “Your children look like you as well.”

“Thanks. They were handpicked.” Bruce can’t help his laughter, it might be a strangled sob. He’s not sure anymore. “A matching set, you know.”

“I’m afraid I don’t.” Clark says. His expression is carefully neutral, but Bruce doesn’t think it hides anger. 

“I carried Damian.” Bruce’s hand twitches to cover his stomach, but he jerks it back to his side. Clark is under no pretense that Bruce is a wholesome omega. He clearly thought Bruce carried all of them, so if anything he should be pleasantly surprised by the small handful of stretch marks across his abdomen. “The others were brought to me to train and I claimed them.”

“Claimed them?” Clark asks. 

“I made them nests and groomed them and took care of them when they were hurt.” Bruce finds himself shifting his stance defensively. “I comforted them when they cried and kept them quiet so we wouldn’t be found. I claimed them. They’re mine.”

Clark nods. His expression is serious, like he’s actually listening to what Bruce says instead of imagining Bruce beneath him. He reaches out and takes Bruce’s hand firmly. “No one is going to take them from you anymore, I promise.  They’re yours.” 

Bruce has to pull away. He doesn’t know how to respond. Their old alphas usually demanded Bruce service them in order to properly thank them for letting Bruce keep his children. This alpha doesn’t look like he wants that. He doesn’t seem to expect thanks at all. He’s giving Bruce his children like it’s the obvious thing to do. 

For the first time, Bruce can sort of see why someone might want to kiss an alpha. 

He opens his mouth and then closes it a few times. The words aren’t coming out like they should. Nothing’s working like it should. His fingers tingle with pins and needles, creeping up his arms and ratcheting his heartbeat up another notch. Metallic fear snakes into his scent, and he needs to get it under control before the boys scent it and come to his rescue again but he just can’t. 

“Are you hungry?” Clark asks. The distinct rumble of alpha threads through his words, but it doesn’t feel threatening. “I’ve got some stew made, if you think your stomachs can handle it.”

Bruce swallows and nods. “Can,” He takes a breath, “can we eat in the room, or should I get them?”

“I’ll get you some bowls and you can take the stew into your nest.” Clark stands, setting his phone on the glass coffee table. “Once you’re more comfortable here I’d love to have meals with you,  but there’s no rush.”

Bruce nods like this makes sense to him and follows the alpha into the kitchen. He expects to be handed a tub of leftovers, maybe a bowl, and a few spoons. 

Instead Clark counts out a glass bowl for each of them and a spoon to match. Those he gives to Bruce before picking up a ladle and the crockpot he had set up for his own dinner. “I won’t go into the room, but if I carry this for you then you won’t have to make two trips.”

Bruce just nods again. 

Minutes later, he’s settled onto the floor with his children settled in a circle, watching them eat a homemade meal for the first time. The door behind them is locked and their alpha doesn’t care. He seemed to approve even. 

When they finish, they tuck the crockpot into the mini fridge Clark said is theirs. Then they all climb back into the nest. His pups all sprawl out happily, their stomachs distended from the full meal. 

Tucking them in close, Bruce lets his eyes rest. 

Bruce should have known better than to hope five unmated omegas could make it longer than two days without notice. Damian’s little kitten, named Alfred after the alpha in Bruce’s stories, finally opened his eyes. In celebration, Bruce and Dick had left the building to find more food. It had been a risk, but he’d thought it was a low one. 

Now they’re paying for it. 

Bruce wakes to the viscous scent of rutting alphas thick in the air. There’s shuffling on the floor below them, the sound of a hunt. Bruce’s throat closes with remembered fear of the hunts the Falcones used to put on. 

The fear is quickly shoved aside as unhelpful. He needs to defend his pups and he can’t do that if he’s frozen in their nest. The heavy metal pipe Jason had scavenged somewhere, the sink maybe, is tucked within the layers of their nest. 

Bruce stands, hefting it’s weight as he braces himself for a fight. Beneath him, the pups start to stir. 

They’re all awake and huddled together, Jason and Dick plastering their bodies over the younger pair. All four have started up a low, threatening growl. Any grown alpha or beta should know better than to intrude on an omega’s nest. Especially not one with pups in it. There’s a reason omega mothers are compared to bears, but rutting alphas aren’t known for their intelligence. With no real consequences for their behavior, alphas let their desires rule over them and then in court any misbehavior is excused by handwaving so that the judges and jury can use the same instincts excuse later. 

The pair that emerge through the door are large and brutish. The fear in Bruce’s palms and feet intensifies to the point of numbness. One large alpha is doable, maybe one large and one smaller one. Two alphas larger than Bruce is a losing battle. 

Bruce was bred for show and then forced into seduction. He might be larger than the average omega, but his bulk is soft. He’s only been in a few real fights and most of them were lost. 

He waits for the alphas to lunge at them and then swings for the head. 

One of them pins him down and single-mindedly tears at Bruce’s neckline. The alpha‘s nose drags along his neck, the hot breath trying to lull Bruce’s instincts into compliance. The low growl deep in the alpha’s throat sets his skin on edge. If it weren’t for the snarls of his pups in the background, Bruce would have caved immediately to the discomfort. 

With one arm pinned between his chest and the alpha, Bruce scratches at the man. It does nothing. His mobility is so limited as to be useless. The pipe is just out of reach; fingertips of Bruce’s free hand skim the edge. 

The alpha gives an aborted hip thrust, grinding down against Bruce’s leg. His grip hurts bad enough Bruce is certain his hips and thigh will bruise. 

It pushes him in reach of the pipe.  

Bruce aims for the back of the alpha’s head with the his non dominant arm. Once, twice, three times in succession he rains down blows. The alpha on top of him stills, teeth still clenched on the tender skin of Bruce’s neck. 

He scrambles free of the body to find the other alpha pawing at Dick. Jason has pulled the other two pups into the corner and is torn between trying to help Dick and serving as a wall between his younger brothers and danger. He darts from one to the other with squeaky growls and harsh yips. 

Bruce doesn’t think twice before smashing his pipe down across the alpha’s back. The man releases Dick and turns on Bruce. They grapple, the man’s hands gripping Bruce’s neck to induce a scruffing. 

Coupled with the bites from earlier, the hormonal flood makes it hard to focus. His fear for his children helps him to hold on. Somewhere in the fight he lost the pipe, but he still punches at the man’s head in the desperate hope will do anything. 

The alpha tears his shirt at the collar to expose Bruce’s collarbone before he goes limp on top of Bruce. His unexpected weight drives the air out of Bruce’s lungs.  He shoves at the dead weight, gasping for breath, as his pups help him. 

Jason stands with the pipe gripped in trembling hands. His feet are frozen by Bruce’s head. The small pup breathes in desperate gasps, staring at the man’s body. 

The alpha’s head is crushed. There’s no way he survived that blow, but Bruce will feel regret for that later. He runs a hand over Dick and Tim and Damian to reassure them he’s fine. “Shhh. Gather our things. We’re leaving.” 

Jason is sobbing on every inhale when Bruce kneels in front of him. “I couldn’t let him mate you. Not again. I can’t. Not again. He’d tear you up. I didn’t want—”

“Shhh. Jason. Don’t look. Don’t look, baby.” Bruce tilts Jason’s chin so that he’s all his son can see. He takes the pipe and tosses it to a corner. It’s too easy to gather his pup up into his arms and curl around him protectively. “Shh, babe. I’ve got you now. We’re safe.” 

“Where are we going?” Tim presses against Bruce’s side. They don’t have much, just what Kent bought them, so they’re ready to go. 

Bruce stands and keeps one hand on Tim’s shoulder. He doesn’t release Jason yet. 

The fact of the matter is, Bruce doesn’t know where they can go. They’re compromised. The stench of death won’t take long to set in and people, probably alphas, will come to see. Those alphas will smell unmated omegas and if those alphas go on a hunt... 

Bruce and his pups will never be safe again. 

Swallowing hard, he knows what he needs to do. He doesn’t want to, it’s risky, but... but they really don’t have a choice. “We... we're going to the omega center. We can claim to be kidnapped.”

It’s unlikely they’ll be believed. Even if Kent is as much of an idiot as he liked to act, and somehow Bruce doesn’t believe that’s more than partially true, the center will dig into their story. And that’s only if Kent didn’t report them as runaways. 

He doesn’t know what else to do. 

They don’t have the supplies needed to get to Gotham. They haven’t had the time necessary to be able to safely defend themselves on the long walk. They’ll be hunted down and torn apart. 

Kent will probably separate him from his pups, but maybe he’ll let the boys stay together if Bruce makes it up to him well enough. 

Damian and Tim try to protest, to insist that they’ll all be safer on their own, but Jason’s growl stops them. Bruce’s second eldest sounds dead when he speaks, repeating the words their previous captors had raped into him, “Omegas are too stupid to live by ourselves. We need an alpha. Kent is better than nothing.”

“Shh. Jason.” Dick pleads, reaching out to stroke back Jason’s hair. If anything Jason killing the alpha proves they could be fine on their own. “Don’t think about back there.”

Bruce cradles his pup closer as they trudge to the center. Every step hardens his heart against what he’ll need to do. It will hurt him, but.. but it will keep his pups safe. That’s all he needs. 

Clark broke down and checked the center a couple days ago. He didn’t want a disappearance on the omega’s record, but reporting them missing without a fight is the only way to ensure he has the legal grounds to fight for them if another alpha tries to register them. 

If he pulled them out of one bad situation just for them to end up in another, Clark will never forgive himself.

Hal thinks it’s a lost cause at this point, but Clark still heads in to check the center. Over the past couple days the betas working reception have become extremely sympathetic to his plight. To have his omega mate and pups stolen from him? It doesn’t bear thinking about. 

He’s bracing himself for bad news when Dahlia starts shaking her head across the waiting room. Clark still goes to officially check. 

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Still no sign of them. I hate to say it, but someone’s probably got them.” She reaches through the glass divider to pat his hand. Thankfully she doesn’t say the rest of it—that if they haven’t heard about the omegas, the person who has them isn’t someone who wants them for legal reasons. 

Clark feels his whole body collapse in on himself. He knows they can’t always save everyone, but he’d wanted so badly to give Bruce and his children a fighting chance at a happier life. He’d wanted them to know that they were worth more than their bodies. Eventually he’d wanted to hear Jason’s real laugh, and not just the terrified cackles he’d been trained into. He’d been planning on buying a few parts from the thrift shop for Tim to tinker with, and he’d wanted to have Damian start helping walk Krypto. There’s a silk scarf in a riot of clashing neon colors sitting on his dashboard because he thought Dick might like it. 

He just wanted to see Bruce actually smile. 

“Thanks anyway, Dahlia. You’ll give me a call?” It hurts to pull away from the window, but he forces a weak smile anyway. 

The beta’s lined face softens. “Of course, Darling. They’ve still got the catchers out looking for them so there’s still hope yet.”

The idea of an omega catcher getting the hands on his already traumatized omegas makes Clark’s gut clench. He forces a smile anyway. “Thanks. You’ll tell Betty I said hello, yeah?”

“I will.” Dahlia’s cheeks still flush at the mention of her wife, despite having revealed to Clark that it will be their thirtieth anniversary in a few weeks.

It hurts more than he thought it would to leave the building. Hal already has their next rescue lined up, and Clark knows that there are still omegas out there who need help. He’d... he’d just really wanted to help these ones. 

“Clark, Clark honey!” Dahlia throws open the door just as he’s getting into his car. She’s beaming, even as she pants from the exertion of her rush. “I think I have your ‘megas.”

Clark is out of the car and in the building without a thought. Dahlia scans him into the back with her ID, but he’s running ahead of her at a sprint as soon as he catches Bruce’s scent. It’s rank with fear and smothered under the smell of blood and dirt, but the cedar and citrus scent is one that Clark would recognize anywhere. 

He pushes open the exam room to find a doctor prepping the needle to draw blood for the database search. 

Clark scans over all of them. Tim’s eyes are rimmed red and Dick is hugging his ribs like they hurt. Damian is cradling a bundle of his new clothes and Jason is nearly catatonic in Bruce’s arms. Bruce looks like he aged three years during the past week, but he’s alive. They’re all alive. 

Without a glance at the doctor, trying to push him out of the room, Clark steps forward and hesitantly reaches to cup Bruce’s face. The omega watches him wide eyed, as though expecting a blow, but he stays still and lets Clark’s palms cradle his cheeks. This close, Clark can feel Bruce’s breath hitch, a hiccup in the hot breath fanning across his face, when he leans down and presses their foreheads together. He slides one hand down to put the barest pressure against the back of Bruce’s neck. 

It pulls a soft sob from the omega. 

Clark rocks with him gently. “It’s okay now, Bruce. You’re safe.”

He doesn’t think the omega believes him, but Bruce leans in closer anyway. 

In the background he hears Dahlia explain the situation to the doctor and security officers who have apparently also shown up. They’re unimportant next to the omega and pups that Clark needs to comfort. 

Bruce stays leaning against him when Clark pulls back so Clark wraps one arm around Bruce’s shoulders to stabilize him. He turns to the pups. Dick flings himself into Clark’s arms and starts to shake. He doesn’t speak, just clings to Clark tightly. Both Bruce and Dick’s new clothing is torn in ways that has Clark fearing the worst. The pain in Tim’s eyes when they meet confirms it. 

Clark rumbles softly and turns to look at the doctor. “Quickly please.”

The man works quickly and efficiently. Thankfully there are no major injuries, though they need to keep an eye on Dick’s ribs. The biggest hiccup comes when Damian refuses to surrender his bundle of clothing. Tim manages to coax the wad of fabric from him though, and cradles it close during the youngest pup’s examination. 

Soon, though not soon enough, Clark is signing the discharge papers. They all pile into the car and he twists to look back at them. 

Empty expressions stare back. 

He swallows as he twists back around and starts driving. “Are you hungry?”

For a minute no one says anything. Whatever relief they had at seeing Clark seems to have been left behind in the office. Then Damian’s whine cuts through the car. The pup’s cheeks flush darker with embarrassment, but he refuses to duck his head. 

Clark forces a soft chuckle that fades into a comforting alpha rumble. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

They go through the drive through, which is when Jason finally seems to rouse. He cuts Clark off, voice trembling but emphatic. “Dami is vegetarian.” There are few hissed attempts to shush Jason, but the pup meets Clark’s gaze through the rear view mirror as he repeats himself. “Dami’s a vegetarian.” 

“Thank you for letting me know.” Clark answers, letting his gaze submissively drop. He orders the food while the car fills with the scent of confusion. He passes the omega’s food back so they can eat on the ride home. 

What they’re going to do once they get there, Clark has no idea. At some point he needs to talk to them about their escape attempt, but he needs them calmer before he even attempts it. There will have to be changes made from before, but he’s not sure how to implement them without it all seeming like punishment. 

The pups head straight for their nest with single minded determination when they get back. Clark left the room untouched while he searched for the omegas so hopefully they won’t be too upset by what they find. 

Bruce on the other hand drops to his knees the second they cross the threshold. His forehead presses to Clark’s thigh as he sucks in a deep breath. Then before Clark can stop him, the omega’s hands fumble open his belt. 

Clark manages to get away just after Bruce opens the fly of his pants. He doesn’t bother to adjust his clothing as he drops to his knees beside the omega. “No, Bruce. I told you before. I don’t want your body as payment.”

Bruce’s expression crumples into desperation. “But why? How am I supposed to pay you back? You—you took us back after—after... what do you want from us?”

“I want you to be safe, Bruce.” Clark cups Bruce’s face and presses their foreheads together. He doesn’t know how to make the omega believe it, but he desperately wants to. “I want you to be safe because you deserve it.”

Bruce ducks his head to Clark’s shoulder, nose pressing against the scent gland by his collarbone. He doesn’t say anything more. 

Clark holds him while he shakes. 

Dick is heartbreakingly timid as he approaches. Bruce lifts his head, but doesn’t move to pull away. 

“‘Scuze me, Alpha Kent.” Dick is all frozen smiles. “Are... if you’re finished with B, Dami wants his mama. If that’s okay with you.”

“Well we can’t have a pup missing his mama.” Clark hefts Bruce up in his arms, startling both of the omegas.  They settle when Clark heads back towards the nest. He sets Bruce down outside their room. 

Jason immediately appears to help Bruce in, with many a dirty look thrown in Clark’s direction. There’s also a not so subtle gesture made when Jason thinks Clark’s back is turned.  

Clark tips his chin in submission and then turns to Dick. “Are you okay? You looked shaken earlier.”

Dick wraps his arms around himself and seems to shrink in. “Yeah. I’m fine. It... it was bad, but... but not the worst.”

“Okay.” Clark flinches at the admission and sucks in a breath. “Okay. I’ll be here. Let me know if you guys need anything?”

“Thank you, alpha.” Dick leans forward to rub his cheek on Clark’s shoulder and instead collapses against him. His arms wrap around Clark’s waist like he’s searching for strength.  “Goodnight.”

Clark rocks with him for a few minutes longer. “Goodnight, Dick.”

Bruce wakes, bruised and still exhausted, to find an extra pup curled in his nest and a second standing guard outside it. 

His children are all settled in the center of the nest, a small huddle that he slept curled around, with Damian at the edge protecting his own little bundle with his body. Jon is sleeping sitting up by Damian’s head. Meanwhile Kon sits with his back to the nest so he could face the door. 

“Did you sleep?” Bruce’s hormones are a mess, the protective instinct that drove him to adopt his other children is screaming that this one needs to be in his nest. As it is, he barely restrains himself from doing more than resting his hand on Kon’s head. 

Kon nuzzles into it with a soft purr and a happy wiggle. “Some. I kept guard for you most the night. I... I know you had a rough time when you were gone, but I didn’t just bust in! Promise. Tim came and got me.”

“I see.” 

Bruce is a weak, weak man. There’s a soft royal blue blanket with red and yellow streaks that Bruce tugs loose from a corner so he can wrap it around his new pup. 

“Ah. Um, Omega Bruce?” Kon looks up st him and then over his shoulder to the other pups still sharing the nest. “You’re not mad?”

A deep rumble pulls from his chest and Bruce moves down to drape himself over the pup. Kon isn’t technically his, but that’s nothing a good scenting can’t fix. “No. I appreciate it.” 

After a squeak, Kon settles into the hold; he even nuzzles up under Bruce’s jaw.  “Thank you for coming back.” 

Not being able to take the two alpha pups with him had nearly killed Bruce. They’re alphas though, and they belong to Alpha Kent.  It would be nearly impossible to disappear if they had come along. He noses the top of Kon’s head with a sad chuff. “Will you join us in the nest?”

“Will that help you to settle?” Kon pulls free only to climb over the soft walls and settle by Tim at Bruce’s guidance. “I can scent how badly you’re nesting.”

“I’m not.” Bruce answers with an accompanying snort of disgust at the idea, even as he tucks Kon in and fusses over him. “Sleep. I’ll take watch now.” 

“You don’t need to.” Kon murmurs, happily wrapping around Tim and nuzzling close. “Dad’s the strongest alpha in the county. You’re safe here.” 

Wisely, Bruce keeps his derision to himself. There’s little chance that the alpha will be able to keep them off the auction block and out of the government brothels if anyone catches wind of the murdered alphas. It won’t matter if it was in self-defense, not since they’re omegas. 

Instead he nuzzles Kon’s forehead and shushes him. “Sleep, pup. You’ve done a good job protecting us, I’ll guard the nest for now.”

“Did your nest help?” Clark greets Bruce the next morning. It feels weird to act as though nothing happened, but the kids aren’t up and... well... Clark isn’t sure how to broach the topic of their run. 

The omega is dressed in a loose black tee shirt as he sits next to Clark on the balcony. Instead of responding, the omega grunts and rests his head on Clark’s shoulder but doesn’t let Clark carry much of the weight.  Before Clark can do more than freeze in response, Bruce asks. “Why do you want us?”

“To keep you safe.” Clark reaches to stroke Bruce’s hair, but flinches back when Bruce tips his face up to growl. 

“No. Not that.” Bruce’s nostrils flare with restrained frustration, but he quickly calms. That tight control over his emotions probably served him well in the underground. “Not why us. I mean, why you? Why—why did you start?”

“Oh.” Clark shrugs and runs his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. I can do something to help people, so I ought to I suppose.”

Bruce clicks his tongue against his teeth. It’s a very omegan noise of displeasure. “That’s not a real answer.” Bruce pulls back to sit cross legged in front of Clark. 

“I—“ Clark huffs and rests his chin on his fist. “It wasn’t an active decision. Not really. I mean, I always knew things weren’t fair, but when I married Lex I realized just how much omegas don’t have. He was building this whole company, but everyone kept trying to say it was me—legally it was me—then we had Kon and I realized I was holding him back. He didn’t want a family like I did, and I didn’t know how to do anything he needed. So when Lex found an alpha who would make a better figurehead, I signed him over.”

“Just like that?” Bruce seems doubtful, but not dismissive. “And your second omega? You gave her up as well?”

“Lois is the one who convinced me to help rescue omegas from abusive situations.” Clark chuckles. “We make a great team, just not a good couple. When she wanted to go back to her father and be just friends again I didn’t fight it.”

“So now you’re searching for a new mate?”

“Now I’m trying to help people out of bad situations.” 

Bruce grunts, clearly unhappy with the answer. “Just because you can?”

“Yes.” Clark nods and then scratches the back of his neck. He suspects Bruce will need more than that. “And, and my parents took me in when they didn’t have to. Someone left me on their doorstep and they didn’t hesitate to claim me. I’d like to be like them. Y’know?”

Bruce’s shoulders soften and he looks down to his right. “I’m sure my parents would be horrified to know what became of their bloodline.”

“Were they judgmental people?” Clark hopes not. He wants to argue that the unknown couple would surely be proud of a man who kept himself and his pups alive through such terrors, but he can’t in good faith. He knows there’s more than a few traditional alpha omega couples back home who would turn out their children for lesser offenses than sex outside of a mating bond. 

Bruce’s smile is pained, but fond. “No. They did their best to help people in... my situation.”

“Do you want help finding them?” Clark offers. “I don’t want to keep you prisoner, Bruce.” 

Bruce flinches and looks out at the streets. “They’re dead now.”

“And there’s no one else?” Clark winces. “You’re clearly not happy with me. I just want you to feel safe, and if you were stolen from someone you cared about—“

“B?” Jason hesitates, just beyond the glass sliding doors. He looks sleepy, all wrapped up in one of the nesting blankets with tousled curls, but there’s a blood streak on his cheek. When he reaches up to rub at his eye, more rubs off the scratches on his arm onto his face. “You left.”

“I’m here, Jay.” Bruce jumps to his feet and is crouched down next to his son immediately. “What did you do?”

“I could hear him again.” Jason whispers. He doesn’t seem aware of Clark, standing frozen on the balcony. In fact he doesn’t seem aware of much. The blanket slips from Jay’s shoulders as he starts clawing at his arm, nails leaving behind new red smears. “He’s hunting.” 

“Shh. Shh, Jaylad.” Bruce takes both of Jason’s hands in his and presses them close to his chest as he leans forward to nuzzle the pup. “He’s not here. You don’t need to laugh or hurt. We have a new alpha, remember? Come back, Jay. We’re not there anymore.” 

Jason’s breath hitches and he stares past Bruce’s shoulders at the sky unseeing. “He can smell me. He always smells me. I can’t hide.” 

“He’s not going to scent you out.” Bruce pulls Jason close to his chest and looks back at Clark. His expression goes from pained to determined. It’s almost terrifying to see Bruce walking towards him, but Clark holds still. “Clark is going to hide your scent.”

Clark has only a few seconds to prepare himself for the pup pressed against his chest. The stench of fear and blood is thick and he doesn’t need Bruce’s nudge to act on his instinct’s insistence to cover it up with his own scent. He swipes his jaw over the pups and rubs his wrist up and down Jason’s side as he cuddles the limp pup close. 

“He can’t find you now.” Bruce presses close, doing his best to hide the rest of Jason with his own body and scent. “He won’t be able to scent you under our new alpha.”

One of Jason’s hands spasms around the flannel Clark has on. Then the boy goes limp, head bumping against Clark’s chest. 

Bruce pulls back just enough to close the flannel around Jason’s body and hide him that little bit more. 

The pup settles into a deep sleep, small chest rattling with a purr. 

Bruce nearly collapses, he’s shaking so hard. “I—I’m sorry. If you— he just needs a few minutes to settle. He wasn’t awake—“

“It’s okay, Bruce.” Clark keeps one arm wrapped tightly around his bundle and carefully frees the other to cup Bruce’s cheek. “It’s okay. I’m not upset.”

“You reek of anger.” The omega accuses, flinching back. He doesn’t go far, keeping one hand on his son.”

It hurts to try to reign that anger in; hurts to know that there are alphas out there who saw the five omegas and saw nothing but devices for pleasure. He wants to go back to where he found them and rip throats out instead of disabling everyone. He wants to bundle them all up and teach them their worth. 

He wants them to be happy. 

After another deep breath, his scent calms and he cradles Jason closer. The pup’s breath is warm against his neck. The sleep is too deep for Jason to have actually been awake when he stumbled out. “Is he alright?”

“No.” Bruce answers simply. “He escaped once. They gave him to one of the crueler guards to be retrained and told us he was dead.”

“You found him again.” 

“I think the commissioner nearly stumbled onto us. I don’t know. We were moved, but they only had one car for transport.” Bruce strokes through Jason’s hair, his expression and tone are blank but the gesture is tender. “He was nearly dead when I got him back. Sometimes he seems to forget where he is and will start trying to please the alpha.”

“And the alpha wanted?”

“Blood, self inflicted pain.” Bruce brushes Jason’s curls back further to expose a nasty scar trailing from his forehead to behind Jason’s ear. “He promised to free me once, when we were young. He was the worst sadist we were ever given to. Thankfully he preferred me, but... he never turned down their offer of Jason either.” 

“I’m sorry, Bruce.” The apology isn’t enough, but it’s all Clark has to give. Any promise to protect them would be empty. 

The omega shrugs a shoulder and smooths Jason’s curls back into place before holding out his arms for the pup. “I can’t trust you, but we won’t try to leave.”

“That’s all I ask.” Clark slips off his flannel and wraps Jason up in it before passing the pup back to his father. Then he goes into the kitchen and unlocks one of the cabinets to pull out a knife. 

Unlike the one Jason and Tim liberated, this is an actual fighting knife. It was a gift from an omega that he had rescued. After giving it a few thoughtful bounces, Clark holds it out to Bruce. “To help you feel safe again. I... just ask that I don’t get held at knifepoint again.”

“You’re just.. giving it to me.” Bruce doesn’t reach for it, the distrust evident. “After everything?”

“Bruce, I don’t know what you and your pups encountered out there but I know it wasn’t good.” Clark takes Bruce’s free hand and places the knife into his open palm. “I want you to feel safe.”

“We’re never safe.” 

“Well, then think of this a small step in that direction.” Clark forces his smile to stay steady instead of cracking with the need to scent Bruce; the handsome omega clearly distressed and in need of soothing. “Now. What do you want for supper?”

Bruce blinks at him and clutches both the knife and his son. “Supper?”

“Everyone in the house gets to take turns picking supper.” Clark turns to open the fridge. “We gave you a few weeks to help you settle, but it’s your turn now. Why don’t you take a seat at the table and we can talk while I work?”

Bruce’s frown creases his face; sharp icy eyes scanning Clark for signs of aggression. He must not find any because he hoists Jason up a little higher on his waist before taking a seat on a chair. As he shifts Jason to his lap Clark heard him ask, almost tentatively, “Do we have lasagna?”

Clark hides his grin, and his relief. “Lasagna sounds perfect.”