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Clark rolled over in bed, checking his phone again. 3am and still no response from Bruce. He lay back and tuned out the rest of the world, that rhythmic thump-thump coming through clear, though slightly elevated; proving Bruce was alive and well, and in the middle of a fight against who knows what.
Clark closed his eyes, dozing for an hour until his phone buzzed once in the darkness. He groped out for it, lighting up the screen.
‘I’m home”
Clark let out a deep sigh.
‘Who was it?’
‘Joker. A whole thing.
Want to come over?’
Clark smiled softly, before zooming into some clothes and out the window.
Bruce had barely dropped his phone down on the bed when Clark was standing in front of him.
Bruce smiled. “Still not used to that.”
Clark took in the man in front of him. Bruce stood shirtless, pyjama pants hanging low on his hips with his bare feet on the carpet. His hair was mussed up and damp with sweat from the cowl, his chin dark and grimy with soot. Clark reached up to drag his thumb over Bruce’s lip.
“What happened?”
“A lot. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
Bruce’s voice was even more gravelled than usual, deep dark circles hung under his eyes that Clark couldn’t tell were kohl or sleep, the man himself looked dead on his feet.
“You look like shit.”
Bruce snorted, nodding softly. “Yeah. I was about to shower.”
“Come on, then.” Clark said as he reached up to strip off his tee.
“What are you…?” Bruce’s voice trailed off as Clark stepped out of his bottoms, taking a hold of Bruce’s hips he started to back him up to the en-suite.
“Relax, B. Just a shower. You look fit to drop.”
He let go of Bruce long enough to switch on the water, turning back to see him throwing away his bottoms. Clark held out a hand, tugging Bruce under the stream.
“Here, turn around.” Bruce let Clark move him, leaning back against his firm chest as he hooked an arm around Bruce’s waist.
Clark reached for Bruce’s fancy shower gel, letting go of him to squeeze a generous amount into his hands. Bruce moaned softly as Clark’s soapy hands spread over his stomach, moving over to slick his hair back from his face before going limp in Clark’s arms.
Clark’s hands slid over his body, soaping up his arms Clark pushed Bruce up to softly drag his nails down his back. Bruce groaned, falling back he arched against Clark, the hero tutting in his ear.
“ Just a shower, Bruce.”
“Stop pressing it against me then.”
Clark swallowed as he felt Bruce rub against him.
“It’s just there, like you have the energy for it anyway.”
Bruce proved his point by stifling a yawn, turning his head to burrow into Clark’s neck.
“Here.” Clark pressed the bottle into Bruce’s hands. “Finish off, I’ll wash your hair.”
“You just don’t want to touch my junk.” Bruce replied, quickly cleaning himself off. Clark didn’t answer, too concerned with rubbing shampoo into Bruce’s hair. Bruce froze as Clark’s fingers massaged his scalp, pressing just hard enough for his nails to scratch deliciously.
“Face me.” Bruce did as asked, sighing as Clark rinsed out his hair. Clark sped up as tired blue eyes watched him half-lidded, making quick work of Bruce’s conditioner. Bruce let him rinse it for just long enough before deeming him done, crowding into Clark he wrapped his arms around Clark’s waist, resting his forehead on Clark’s shoulder.
Clark smiled, winding his arms around Bruce he held him close, snuffling a kiss into his wet hair.
“How are you warmer than the water?” He heard Bruce mumble and laughed softly.
“Blame the sun. C’mon, let’s dry off and we can get to bed.”
Bruce let Clark manhandle him out of the shower, using the towel he wrapped around Bruce’s shoulders to dry himself off. Another towel landed on his head and Bruce rumbled softly as Clark dred the worst of the water from his hair.
The towel disappeared as Clark came into view, another wrapped around his waist as he rubbed at his own hair. Bruce yawned freely, dropping his towel on the floor he padded out of the room. Clark did the same, catching Bruce stretching as he neared the bed. Clark wrapped his arms around Bruce’s waist, grinning as he flinched before relaxing back against him.
“Bed, Superman.”
Clark let him free as Bruce bundled under the covers, joining him from the other side of the bed. Bruce found him quickly, throwing a leg over Clark’s own as he burrowed into his chest. Clark threaded his fingers through Bruce’s damp hair, tapping his chin Bruce tipped his head back for a kiss, Clark rearranging them both until Bruce was settled on his chest.
Clark’s hand relaxed on Bruce’s back as he felt the man relax, his breath coming heavier as he gave into sleep. Clark let his eyes close, falling asleep to the sound of Bruce’s calm, constant heartbeat; thumping gently against his chest.