Chapter Text
"Leaving already?" The woman questioned while piercing her unnaturally large lips into the shape of a pout.
"It's still pretty early." The second woman added while leaning towards Bruce and fluttering her long thick eyelashes balefully
"Ladies, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I have another engagement tonight that I simply cannot miss," Bruce apologized.
"What a shame," a third woman mewled just before she interlocked her arm with Bruce's own and looked up at him with all the insincerity of the world. "Are you sure there isn’t anything we can do to convince you to stay?"
Bruce resisted the urge to dislocate the woman's shoulder and gave her his best smile. "Madam, I'm sure there is plenty someone as lovely as you could do to convince me and that is exactly why I better leave now."
The woman let out a sickeningly sweet laugh. She then lightly tapped his shoulder a few times. Bruce used this gesture as the perfect opening to free his arm from the woman's hold. His timing couldn't have been better as his body involuntarily shuddered.
“Brucie, flattery will get you everywhere,” the lady giggled.
“I certainly hope so for the next time we meet,” Bruce winked.
All three women began to laugh wildly in a manner that reminded Bruce of the clucking chickens back on Clark’s farm. While they were distracted with their exaggerated tittering, he waved a hand at them and made a quick retreat.
As soon as his limo was in sight, Bruce exhaled deeply and began loosening his bow tie.
It had been another wonderful evening in the presence of Gotham’s high society. Bruce spent the first part of the night dealing with various wealthy esteemed businessmen and entrepreneurs, the type of people who always seemed so keen on challenging Bruce’s status. In actuality, it was a pretty delicate game for Bruce, balancing between the lines of keeping his company’s reputation intact while disguising his competency from everyone. It was just a part of maintaining his Brucie image of an inept, over privileged, clueless, playboy, someone who would never be suspected of being Gotham’s clever resourceful dark knight.
In the past, whenever Bruce got tired of dealing with the over inflated egos of the wealthy men and their pointless pecking order, he would turn towards the female presence in the crowd. They served as a perfect shield as they flocked around him like mindless sheep. Dealing with them required a different level of expertise but was much less mentally taxing. All he had to do was smile charmingly, throw a few compliments their way, and on occasion take one of them home. At least that’s how it used to play out.
Now dealing with them was even more delicate and exhausting than any encounter with the conceited derisive men. Bruce had to somehow maintain his reputation as Gotham’s most renowned Casanova while somehow dodging any of their advances. Unfortunately, when women put their minds to it, they were more obstinate and persistent than any of Gotham’s blueblood men.
Regardless, Bruce had made up his mind. His days of one night standing were over. His heart and body belonged to one person. There was no way he could ever betray the love and trust that Clark so faithfully put in him.
Just as he got a few steps from his limo, Alfred stepped out from the vehicle. Bruce gave the Wayne Butler a tired smile as he reached for the door and groaned out. “Alfred, I have never been more ready to go home.”
“Okay, Master Bruce, but I wanted to inform you that-” As Alfred started to warn him, Bruce noticed the uneasy expression on the butler’s face, however, it was already too late. As soon as his hand lifted the handle and opened the door, he was roughly grabbed by the front of his jacket and pulled inside.
“Hello Brucie,” the woman with long legs and a sly smile greeted.
“Victoria,” Bruce replied in a strained voice.
Had he not been quick enough to grab the back of the seat for leverage, he would already be lying on top of the smirking woman as she was already partially laid out across the limo seats forcing Bruce to hover over her.
Victoria’s lips began to curl further as she took in Bruce’s stalwart face. “It’s been awhile.”
“Yes, it has,” Bruce answered evenly.
Victoria’s hold on Bruce’s jacket did not give as she looked him up and down, taking a few extra seconds to appreciate his chest and lower groin. “You never call, you never write, you know just how to get my attention. I love it when they play hard to get.”
“As I recall, you already got what you wanted, and you were the one who never called,” Bruce countered.
“Oh, is that how it played out,” Victoria chuckled lightly as she finally released one hand from Bruce’s jacket and began to flick at his untied bow. “I guess it slipped my mind.”
Bruce let out an impatient sound which only caused Victoria’s grin to deepen.
“Well, the only thing I remember from that night was how much fun we had together, and I was so very bored tonight, so I thought perhaps you could entertain me.” As the words left her brightly painted lips, Victoria leaned forward. Bruce quickly intercepted the kiss with his one free hand. Victoria let out a gleeful sound before releasing her hold on Bruce and wrapping both arms around his neck and kissing it.
“Ms. Vanderbund, I am too busy to entertain you tonight. I suggest you find someone else to escort you,” Bruce warned while grabbing both her wrist and forcing her away.
“Oh, we are no longer on a first name basis, Mr. Wayne?”
Bruce expertly held back a frown, but maintained a straight face. “Yes, Mr. Wayne has already made plans tonight.”
“Oh Bruce, I didn’t realize it bothered you so much when I didn’t call back. I thought that was the way you liked things.” Victoria paused and waited for a reaction, when there was none, she smiled to herself. “I guess I will just have to make it up to you when you aren’t busy.”
Victoria glanced back at Bruce through the corner of her eye, but he made no move to reply. Her superior smirk did not falter, but she eventually let out a bored hum and picked up her purse which had fallen carelessly to the floor.
“See you around, Brucie darling. I promise next time we will have so much fun,” and with that final remark Victoria sauntered out of the vehicle and made her way back towards the party.
*****************************************
As Bruce entered his room, he let out a heavy breath before tossing his coat onto the bed. It was then that his entire body tensed up. Bruce took on a defensive pose and narrowed his eyes on the open window before glancing over towards a figure sitting on his coach.
“Clark, what are you doing here?”
“Hey Bruce, sorry to drop by unannounced,” Clark waved weakly taking note on how on edge his unexpected presence had made Bruce. “I actually happened to be in the neighborhood, and thought I would stop by to say hi, especially considering the fact that I won’t get a chance to see you this weekend.”
Bruce made a strange face at Clark’s last comment. “Oh, what brings you to Gotham?”
“I wasn’t exactly in Gotham. I had to meet an informant in Bludhaven, and…” Clark’s voice trailed.
Bruce furrowed his brow. “Something wrong?”'
“Oh, uh, well…” Clark started to stammer his eyes drawn to something just below Bruce’s neck.
Instinctively, Bruce looked towards the area Clark was staring before he noticed the bright red stain in the shape of a large kiss on his collar.
Bruce’s eyes slightly widened but his voice remained calm. “Clark this isn’t what you think. I was at a party tonight and this woman-”
“Its fine,” Clark interrupted as be brought a hand up. “You don’t have to explain. I’m sure one of your many Brucie fans is responsible, but it’s okay. I trust you.”
Bruce slightly winced when he heard the words trust, but Clark just smiled at him reassuringly.
“Well, in any case, I thought I would catch you before you went on patrol, I wasn’t aware you had an event tonight. I was actually about to leave since I know you work around this time, and I’m sure that you are busy.”
Finally Bruce dropped his defensive stance and let out a defeated sigh. “I’m sorry Clark. I actually am. This case I’m working is pretty time sensitive. I wouldn’t have shown up to that party if I wasn’t trying to gather information.”
Clark examined Bruce’s tired posture and weary face and gave the man a sympathetic look. “I get it. Say no more. I will get out of your hair. I’m just glad I got to see you, and since its past midnight, I can officially say, Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Bruce stared back at Clark with a look of pure regret. “Clark…”
Clark let out a nervous laugh promptly cutting Bruce off. “Well, I better get going, good night, Bruce.”'
Bruce opened his mouth to say something, but retracted his words, and watched feebly as Clark made a hasty exit out the window.
*****************************************
“Happy Valentine ’s Day, Smallville.”
“Lois…” Clark murmured as he stared back at the dark haired woman who was now handing him a cup of coffee. Clark took the cup and gave her a weak smile.
Even though things didn’t end up working out between the two former lovers, their break up had been pretty mutual. Well, for the most part. Admittedly, Clark had been content with their relationship, but when Lois finally revealed her unhappiness with the state of their affair, everything just made sense, and they both agreed to part ways.
For a while, Clark had been pretty heartbroken over the whole ordeal, but eventually he recovered. Also, there was no way a bond like theirs could ever be fully broken. Not after everything they went through, and in the end, Lois became one of Clark’s best friends. Ironically, the two of them seemed to have a much better relationship now as friends then they ever did as lovers.
“So you have any hot plans?”
Clark’s shoulders slumped as he glanced down at his cup. “Actually, no…”
Lois looked at Clark with mild shock, before mumbling more to herself than to him. “Surprising, I thought for sure that you would…”
“Well, then that’s perfect!” An overly bright voice cut in.
“Leslie?” Clark balked as a woman with short auburn hair peered from behind him and positioned herself between Lois and Clark.
“Well, I don’t mean it’s perfect that you are all alone on Valentine’s Day,” she laughed out haphazardly.
“Ouch,” Lois mouthed.
Leslie gave Lois a reproachful glare before smiling back down at the puzzled looking reporter. “What I meant is, Clark, I have a huge favor to ask!”
Clark continued to look at Leslie with confusion and waited for her to continue.
“I was supposed to write my annual after Valentine’s Day article, but my boyfriend won tickets on a cruise that last all weekend, and I have to be gone within the next few hours. I told Perry I would write the article from the ship, but where the cruise is taking us is a bit remote, and I couldn’t guarantee I would have internet access. So when Perry found out, he said I couldn’t have the days off unless I found someone else to write the article.”
There was short moment of silence as Leslie looked at Clark with expectant eyes.
“You want me to write a romance article for you column?” Clark questioned with clear uncertainty.
“Yes.”
“I, well, are you sure you are asking the right person. Don’t you think someone like Cindy or Evelyn or maybe even Lois…”
As Clark’s voice began to fade he turned towards Lois who immediately threw her hands up and started to wave them defensively.
“Whoa, now, don’t try to rope me into this. Besides, I already have plans this weekend.”
Clark raised a brow to Lois. “You do?”
Lois’s wrinkled her nose at Clark and made a motion to respond but was gruffly interrupted by Leslie. “Clark, everyone has plans this weekend, besides Carl and Alex, and well, Carl is an idiot, and Alex is a crotchety pervert.”
“Hey now Leslie, I’m not crotchety,” Alex grumbled from across the room. Both Leslie and Lois rolled their eyes.
“In any case, out of all the guys left, you just seemed like the right choice considering you are such a sweet, selfless, generous guy.”
“Laying it on thick are we?” Lois mumbled from the coffee cup she was now taking a sip out of.
“Butt out, Lois,” Leslie snapped to which Lois merely shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
“So would you mind doing me this favor, pretty please?”
Clark looked at Leslie whose face was now only a few inches from his own. Her eyes were impossibly large, doe-eyed, and pleading. He then looked over at Lois who was shaking her head “no” in the distance before staring back at the hopeful red head.
“I, well, I guess I can give it a try,” Clark mumbled. Lois dropped her head and let out a groan.
“Clark you are the BEST!” Leslie jeered as she clasped both his hand. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be award winning, anything will do at this point, so I’m sure even you can handle it.”
“Flattering,” Lois muttered as she walked over towards the printer to retrieve a copy.
Leslie scowled at the back of Lois’s head before grinning back at Clark. “You are a total life safer. I just knew you wouldn’t have plans and would say yes!”
“Ouch again,” Lois grimaced as she happened to be walking back to her desk just in time to hear the comment. This time Leslie completely ignored her.
“Okay, I will let Perry know then,” Leslie chirped before hoping off Clark’s desk. “Thanks again, I definitely owe you one!”
*****************************************
Clark stared blankly at his computer screen. He was completely stumped. He had just spent the last few hours reading through Leslie’s column and even went as far as reading her past Valentine’s articles. Throughout the years they ranged from unbearably sweet to brutally cold and bitter making it quite obvious to him which years she had been single. Clark was pretty surprised how much freedom of opinion local columnist had.
Clark let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t exactly sure where to start. Usually he wrote stories that involved coverage of a person or event, and he had to be very objective with his opinion. He thought it would be much easier to write an opinionated column, but half an hour had already gone with him staring at his monitor without a single idea.
Maybe it was because the topic. When it came to romance, Clark never really considered himself an expert. From Lana to Lois, it was one failed relationship after another at the hands of his heroic persona, Superman. The idea of being with the hero was one thing, but the reality was a life of hardship that Clark understood all too well. Always torn between his duty to the planet and his duty to the ones he loved, in the end it had taken its toll on every person he ever had a meaningful relationship with, and then there was Bruce.
‘Bruce…’
Clark felt a dull ache in his chest. They had been together now for nearly a year, and this was actually their first Valentine’s Day as a couple. Clark had imagined doing something special to commemorate the event, but knew it was hardly likely it would happen at all. Bruce wasn’t that big on celebrating holidays. So when it came to Valentine's Day, he hadn’t expected much. He would have just been happy if he could have spent any kind of time with Bruce today, but in the end, Batman had been busy working a case.
For a moment, Clark just stared at his glasses sitting on the desk beside him. His eyes then began to wander to all the various items around him before his gaze fell on the ring around his finger. Both had been bought by Bruce. Sure their relationship was far from storybook status, but Clark could definitely attest that this was probably the happiest time in his life.
Clark let out a light chuckle as he twisted the ring around his finger a few times before rubbing it idly. He then stared back at his blank word page, placed his hands on the keyboard, and started typing away vigorously, the words flowing freely from his fingers at a pace faster than his mind.
*****************************************
It had been a rough weekend for Clark, and he was glad it was finally over. Everywhere he turned, there were subtle reminders of the Valentine’s weekend. With the exception of his super hero duties, Clark spent the remainder of his weekend cooped up in his apartment attempting not to sulk. Back when he was single, he never thought twice about the holiday, but now he was with Bruce, he felt miserable just thinking about the day.
Clark let out a long yawn as he made his way towards a local news stand. He usually took a few minutes during his commute to browse through various competing newspaper articles.
“Oh my gosh, it’s you!” A girl gasped from behind the magazine she was looking at. She then smacked her friend who was standing beside her. Clark felt his blood go cold as he immediately recognized the excited expression of someone who just spotted Superman.
“Clark Kent, right?” A wave of relief washed over him but was soon followed up with a head nod, and utter confusion. “Can I please get a selfie with you?”
Clark blinked at the girl wildly. “Umm, sure?”'
Her eyes lit up as her friend let out a giddy sound. They both then jumped into Clark’s space, and before he knew it, the three of them were crowding together and posing in front of her cellphone.
After the picture was taken, the two girls thanked Clark, giggled, and ran off.
“That was strange…” Clark mumbled as he watched them disappear into the crowd.
**************************************************
As Clark walked into the Daily Planet’s front entrance, the receptionist’s eyes widened before she stammered out. “C-Clark! G-good morning!”
“Good morning,” Clark replied back with a bit of surprise. The few years Becky worked the front desk, she never once greeted the reporter. She was usually more interested with texting on her cellphone or flirting with the security guards.
After that, Clark took the elevator to his floor, but the moment he stepped out, he was greeted by Jessica, the office flirt, who just happened to be walking by.
“Hi Clark,” she smiled with a playful wave.
“Good morning…” Clark trailed.
“It is now,” Jessica laughed out before winking and walking off with greatly exaggerated hip movements.
Clark made his way to his desk, still slightly in a daze. Lois was sitting on the edge of his desk reading through the paper. Clark landed in his seat with a heavy thud and stared up at the other reporter with a look of bafflement. “Lois, I’m having a very strange morning.”
Lois dropped the paper and gave Clark a knowing glance. “I bet. So you know that little love article you wrote?
“Yeah,” Clark replied as he took in Lois’s serious face.
“IT WAS A HIT!” a familiar voice shouted from behind them.
“Leslie?”
“Maybe you are not following your true calling. Have you ever considered being a columnist?” Leslie exclaimed as she once again pushed her way between Lois and Clark.
“I’d really rather not…” Clark started before shaking his head and looking up at Leslie with question. “What is this all about?”
“Clark,” Lois managed to cut in as she pushed Leslie to the side. “Your article was published Saturday morning, and since then the emails and letters have been nonstop. We actually almost had one of our mail servers crash because of it.
“What?”
“Ladies all over Metropolis have been flooding my mailbox asking about the man who wrote the article,” Leslie added. “And can you blame them? That article you wrote was so passionate, so romantic, so….”
For a moment Leslie’s eyes began to gloss over as she stared towards the ceiling and let out a longing sigh. She then shook her head and looked back down at Clark before lightly flicking the bridge of his glasses. “Who would have known that behind those thick dull frames and mild personality there was such a zealous lover? If I wasn’t already with Robert…”
Leslie choked on her words and blushed before turning her back to Clark. Lois was the only one who could see the woman’s expression as she gave Leslie a mordant head nod.
Once Leslie recovered from her daze, she turned back towards Clark and gave him a very familiar look of appeal. “Clark, you simply must let me debut my next article about you.”
“What?”
“The ladies are crying out for more!” Leslie shouted as she threw a hand into the air for added affect. “They already coined you with a fan fav nickname!” Clark slightly backed up in his seat as Leslie leaned over his desk so she was right in his face. “I can just see the headline now. Meet Mr. Romantic!”
“Mr. Who?” Clark stammered back.
Lois let out a dry laugh before answering his question. “That’s your new nickname, Smallville, I mean, Mr. Romantic.”
“Mr. Romantic?” Clark echoed before a very bad premonition came over him.
To Be Continued…