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Superman wasn't always the Leader of the Justice League. After it was founded by Wonder Woman and Batman, they both came to the conclusion that they needed someone else than them to lead it, someone that would have the perfect character to inspire hope and faith in people. They didn't lack either of these qualities but they both felt the darkness of war lurking in their hearts and wanted someone to tip the scales and balance their qualities. So, they chose Superman.
On the anniversary of Justice League's, one year after being founded, they called the Great Council of Heroes into the Hall of Justice to announce the results of voting for their New Leader. And there wasn't a single objection on the matter of who would take that position. All the votes were given to Superman.
And after the Founders the leader took turn for his very own first speech.
"I want to express my gratitude all of you who honoured us with your presence today and shared your piece of mind contributing to our Teams collective spirit and also believed in my values and character to vote me for the position of the Leader. Furthermore, I want to give special thanks to our Great Founders, who were the first to propose my leadership even when from the time I had not even made a huge name publicly yet nonetheless they believe in me and supported me.I owe you a lot and I thank you from the bottom of that heart for all what you've done till today for me and the world."
All the heroes stood up and clapped at his words, some cheering more than others.
"Now, to celebrate our First anniversary I've brought pies for everyone to enjoy with the ordered beverages we have. I hope they fit your tastes." Superman added signing for the servers to come in with the trays full of freshly baked pies of any type.
"Pies?" Green Lantern asked him taking the initiative on all the people who had the same question on their minds.
"Yes."
"Free food? Sounds good to me! Celebrating always comes along with food!" Flash said already pouring a glass of champagne to Hawkgirl besides him.
"You bake pies?" Batman asked in a lower voice, as if it was a secret, raising an eyebrow at Superman.
"I do. My mother taught me, bless her patience." Superman responded hand on his heart tearing up a bit.
"Really? They do look good, I must admit. But you really didn't have to do such a feat to serve us all today." Wonder Woman joined in from the other side of the table.
"It's my honour to serve you. Being a leader doesn't obstruct me from doing that too. We are all comrades at the end of the day."
"Sure, but it was really unnecessary to take this toll on your shoulders today. We could just ordered something."
"It's okay, really. I like baking."
A head popped under Batman's arm with unruly silky black hair sticking out on all directions.
"Robin. You shouldn't be here." Batman growled softly and headlocked the boy playfully, ruffling his hair.
"I'm your successor, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be! Also, these pies were smelling delicious and I had to investigate if they can pass the detective taste test."
Batman sighed as Wonder Woman burst into laughter.
"That's one bold kid, Batman. You should bring him more often in here."
"Here, have some pie too!" Superman offered a piece at the boy.
"You'll spoil us rotten at this rate." Batman complained at Superman while watching Robin wolfing down the pie as if it was the last piece existing on earth.
"Just say you're jealous you can't bake." Wonder Woman poked fun at him.
Superman served them all a piece and smiled cutting the conversation short.
"Let's eat better! Pies are getting cold quickly!"
_______
The rustle of a cape sounded behind them in the roof.
A batarang flew into the general direction of the sound before Batman got to yell out:
"Robin! Not a threat! Don't engage!"
Robin-Jason- reatreated, putting back the other batarang back on his belt.
Superman landed in front of them on the roof, slowly approaching and then pulled a small backpack under his cape.
"Sorry, I hope they we're not damaged on the trip here." He apologised, rubbing his nape akwardly and handed the package to Batman.
Robin wrinkled his nose at him, finding this meeting particularly suspicious, before he was met with the smell slipping out of the paper bags.
"Is that pie? Pumpkin pie?" The boy squinted his eyes at Superman.
"Indeed. I hope you like it. I wasn't sure what to make for you but it's fall so it's pumpkin season."
Robin turned to look at Batman and then back at Superman completely flabbergasted.
"Since when you do pie delivery as a hero? Is that a joke? Batman doesn't do jokes."
"Yeah, I don't do jokes but he does pie deliveries at random sometimes. I'm used to him jumpscaring me with Lemon meringue and Apple pie, pumpkin pie is new." Batman admited to Robin holding his deadpan expression and the turned towards Superman.
"You shouldn't really do that. You're putting yourself in danger since you don't know Gotham as well as I do. That's just ridiculous, the whole habit of pie gifting at random times. You could have just left it in the Cave. Agent A is always there." He pinched his nose frustrated.
"Ehh, I thought to bring a snack while you patrol. It's cold now and you definitely need some extra calories to burn."
Robin's gaze turned from suspicious to warm and curious.
"You make them yourself? Like the whole thing? Home made?"
"Yeah, I do actually." Superman admited.
"Can you teach me?"
"Pardon me-"
"Can you teach me?" Jason persisted.
Superman looked at Batman who stood silent behind the boy. The Bat nodded slowly.
"Sure, why not. I'm happy to share knowledge with people."
_______
The elevetor bell rang echoing across the Cave.
Faint footsteps got closer to Bruce seated in front of the batcomputer, working as always.
If re-watching footage from the Dead Robin was considered working.The funeral wasn't even two months ago.
"Good evening! How are you today?" A kind voice spoke besides him and a warm hand landed on his shoulder carefully.
"Clark. What do you want?" Bruce asked voice devoid of any emotion, clashing entirely with the other mans attitude.
"I wanna know how are you doing. You know as friends do. That is all." Clark responded leaning forward to look at him in the eyes.
Bruce avoided the man's bright gaze returning his attention on the screen.
"Working I see. Can you take a small break now? Should I come back in half an hour or so?" Clark proposed blocking of his hands from typing.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Does it not make you comfortable me doing that? Should I not do it? Definite that."
"You're not obligated on doing that, is what I mean. You should not waste your time away from your family on running behind me trying to help."
"You can come in the farm if you want to. You know for family gathering. We go every other month.You're family too. My friends are family."
Bruce stood up to leave and brushed off the hand on his shoulder.
"Don't kid yourself. I'm not your first priority and I shouldn't be. You should leave. "
"Indeed. You may not be my first priority. But you other people's first priority. People who look after you and look up to you. And right now you're pushing all of them away along with me."
"I'm not push- I just need space. You're distracting me. You know I need room to function, Clark."
"I know. But right now, you've created a void between yourself and us. That's not healthy, Bruce. You're distancing youself more than any other time before. Please, let's bult a bridge together to cover that gap."
"I don't need your help. Just leave me alone."
"Bruce." The man stood before him, not demanding, not begging but waiting. Waiting for him to understand his own words coming out of his mouth.
"Don't use that tactic against me. It won't work." Bruce growled trying to be intimidating and failing miserably.
Clark sighed and then smiled the air getting lighter instantly.
"Okay. Maybe I chose not one of the best days to talk with you. Here, have that. It will help you more than me being here today."He handed him a paper bag.
Bruce squinted his eyes to see inside the bag and then looked back at the man raising an eyebrow at him.
"Is that a pie?"
"Yeah. It's pecan pie. Your favourite. Eat it while it's fresh and warm."
Bruce looked at him suprised for a moment, holding the bag in a distance, not sure if he should return it or accept it.
"Why?" He asked in a small voice smaller than he believed he could manage.
"Gotta take care of my friends you know. I told you before, Bruce. You're family too."
Bryce remained silent, calculating his next words.
"Well, time for me to leave. If you like it tell me to drop you another pie next time a pass by, okay? You can give orders too, I can make whatever pie you want." Clark winked at him shaving him from having to choose an ambiguous dialogue option.
"Sure."
Bruce stood there as then man vanished on the elevator holding the still warm pie on his hands.
Clark visited again two days later with another pecan pie.
_____________
"Where's Clark? He isn't usually late." Diana asked while leaning on the window platform.
The Watchtower was surprisingly silent that day, not even a single intergalactic missions for them to spend their free time to.
"He didn't send any distress signals, so he's probably just busy with his job or his family." Bruce speculated while fiddling with his glove computer.
"That's good to hear. But then the evening council will be late. Who else was chosen participate that isn't present here yet?"
"Flash is on his way here propably."
Before he even got to finish his sentence a sudden wave of red wind passed right in front of them to stop with a flashy spark.
"Already here! Couldn't miss that council too!" Flash saluted with a huge grin on his face.
"You were waiting to mention you to pop up didn't you? Hiding in the generators again to not trigger the alarms?" Bruce asked completely unbothered.
"Nope. It was landing station today."
"You know you're not sneaky right? Robin could pull that off and he's twelve or so."
"The children you choose for sidekicks have uncanny minds, okay? I'm trying my best!" Flash tried to defend his honour.
"You sure do." Diana reassured him and gave him a pat on the back.
"Welcome to the Watchtower Super Man." the alarm sounded and a figure made its appearance on the hall bellow.
"Am I late? I'm sorry! I waited for my pies to be done baking and lost track of time." Superman flew up on the platform landing gracefully while holding two bags.
"Lemon meringue pie? Do we celebrate something today? Did I miss the memo?" Barry asked, pointing at the bags.
"Oh no, it's just pie Tuesday. Also, I brought pecan pie for you Bruce as always."
"You gotta a thing going on that I don't know about? When that started?"
"Um, from the first anniversary? You're just being late on councils and all the pies are gone till then." Diana explained while opening one of the bags.
"What? C'mmon not even a piece for me left?"
"I actually left a piece on your room every time." Clark said and handed him the other bag for him to open.
"So, that was you? I thought I had a secret admirer or something."
Bruce snorted and Diana tried to hide a snicker creeping on her face.
"Why does Bruce gets a whole pecan pie for himself either way? Do you have a secret super-Best-friend club?"
"He ordered it actually. You can too, if you want."
"Really? Do you make blueberry pies too?"
"I do."
"Fantastic! I want a dosen whenever you get the time."
_________
"Hey, Uncle Clark! " Dick waved at the man entering the eastern salon of the Manor.
"Hello, Richard. Nice to see you around." The man greeted back as he approached.
"You and Alfred still being persistent at calling me Richard. Happy to see you too. Coming to visit the beast after it's downfall?"
"Indeed. How is he? "
"Stable. Really whiny. Hope your pie will shut him up for a few hours."
Tim popped off from the hallway unexpectedly to raise an eyebrow at both of them.
"Uncle Clark? Since when? I mean- I did not know you were that close..."
The man approached the boy and ruffled his hair.
"I got a pie for both of you too. I hope you like apple pie Timothy, just like your brother." And handed him the bag he was holding.
Before Tim got to realise what was on his hands Dick had jumped of the couch and snatched it from him.
"Apple pie? Great we got some leftover ice -cream too. Thanks Uncle Clark! I'll tell Alfred to prepare tea for you." He winked and then vanished in the hallway behind them.
"Would you like to escort me to Bruce maybe? Robin?" Clark smiled at the boy, leaning forward to look him in the eyes hiding under the long black bangs.
"Eh.. yeah, of course." Tim recollected himself and set sail for the bat elevator.
The boy led him to the med bay were Bruce was connected in all the possible health monitors he could be.
"Good evening Bruce. I hope you're recovering fast and well." Clark greeted.
"Hnn" Bruce responded unmoving on his makeshift cast.
"He's got two months until we get the cast off and then he'll start recovery. And that's just the minimum time for this type of injury. He's lucky his spine was intact when we found him." Tim explained to Superman while checking the monitors yet another time, now he got the chance to do so.
"He does look grumpier than usual. Can he talk or he chooses not to?"
"He can. But because he can do anything else but that in his condition his vocal cords gave out pretty soon. He really did try to recite all the works of Marcus Aurelius the first week while still on sedatives."
"Didn't expect anything less from him." Clark shook his head with understanding.
"Hnnnn" Bruce protested, moving a hand towards him.
"Yes, yes! I have brought you your pecan pie. No need to be so impatient."
And then he turned his gaze back to Tim.
"I'm sorry, I haven't be able to come more frequently. Intergalactic missions now that he's on 'vacation' are more demanding and tough."
"It's okay. Not that he has not made his plans already about situations like this."
"Always prepared but his presence can't be replaced really. You know, you're like him too."
"Me?" Tim pointed at himself, as if there was anyone else to point at but him.
"Yes. You are alike a lot. Character wise. I hope you don't take from his stubbornes as well. Usefull but it gets him on rough corners sometimes."
"I know. I know well." Tim sighed.
"If you ever need help or just a pie you can contact me okay? You're family as well after all. You can ease up in front of me."
"I am?"
"You are. Now, if you'll excuse us old men we have to talk in private. Go enjoy your apple pie before it vanishes. Richard isn't merciful when it comes to pies"
And Tim left running up the stairs.
___________
"Steph, What. are. you. holding?" Tim asked, eyes wide and delirious from the lack of sleep, gaze locked on the girl's hands.
"Um, dunno pie? It was left unnatended in the fridge, not my fault, man." She mumbled, as she continued munching on the piece stuck on the fork.
Tim lunged at her like a cat, wrestling for the plate.
"That was the last piece! How dare you! You pie thie ! It's mine! Uncle Clark made it for me! Get your own!"
"Wait, you get free pies from Superman? Like the real deal Superman? Were do I sign to get mine?"
"Just ask him." Tim stated and finally took the plate on his hands.
".. Whoops! Older brother privilege!"Dick butted in their fight, snatching the plate from Tim and running away.
"How dare you! I'll ask Babs to send that one video in the group chat." Tin threatened and shook his fist at him.
"You wouldn't dare!" Dick yelled from the other end of the hallway.
"You bet, you pie thief! I'll tell Kon to tell Clark to cut out your monthly pie supply! I have connections to destroy you! Don't dare try me!"
"Tyrant!"
"Why am I the one getting left out always?" Steph murmured and turned her back to them planning to demolish something else that wasn't marked as property.
Returning in the kitchen she found Bruce eating his very own pie on the kitchen island, leaning protectively above her like a troll keeping its treasure.
"Really? Were did you hid that for me not to find it? Under the couch?" She asked already done with her journey for the after-dinner dessert.
"Mini fridge." Bruce managed to say between the bites.
After a moment of looking back and forth at his pie and then the girl, he eventually desided to cut off the clean part and offer it to her.
"Thanks, Not-Biological-Dad-that-acts-Fatherly." Steph said and sat besides him to enjoy her pie. "Can I make a pie contract with Superman too?"
Bruce handed her his phone without saying anything. Stephanie knew well what do do next.
_______
"Clark. I need a dozen till tomorrow. You know. The emotional support ones. It's an emergency. Don't care about flavour put whatever you have available inside I'll eat it. What matters is to be made by your hands."
"Sure. I'll see what I can do. Rough week with the Rogues?" The man on the opposite side of the line asked.
"No. Not at all. Damian is grounded because he stabbed someone again and I have to spend father-son quality time with him as one does. But this time I'll be left all alone. All the others refused to be the ones explaining monopoly to him or any other modern board game for family bonding. Please. If you can't, send Jon to help." Bruce begged him.
"Jon is quite busy lately with school work but I think he can manage some time off to spend with his friend."
"Bake some pies for him too. Maybe... Maybe that could help calm him down a little."
"Indeed. I'll be on my way soon then since they situation calls for pie measures. Have a fun father - son night!" He hunged up the phone on him.
Bruce crumbled on the couch, phone slipping of his hand dramatically.
Damian just in time entering the room to see his father in that condition, left a loud dissapointed "Tt" and turned around to leave.
Bruce suddenly bolted up.
"Damian, are you interested in learning how to bake pies maybe?"
"What? No, that's a ridiculous survival skill to learn Father.
"What if the lessons include Jon? They don't have to be too many. Just some evenings on the farm."
Damian raised an eyebrow curious.
"Is that on the family bonding activities or something? Whatever. Let's be done with it if that's gonna end my grounding time sooner. I'll excel at it as any other art. Also, Jon is not a friend, just a close associate of mine. At least the Kents do allow having pets, because they don't have to care about their immitation Mink dynasty vase being destroyed." The boy said crossing his arms over his chest, judgemental mode on.
Bruce typed frantically back on his phone.
"Cassandra would benefit from nature too. Maybe we should bring her along. Brown is a bad influence to her. Instead of teaching her ASL she teaches her outdated gang signs." Damian proposed.
"Good idea. I'll text her too. Why not starting to bag your clothes then for the roadtrip?" Bruce waved at him to go upstairs to his room.
"Okay, Father. Friendly reminder, wherever Robin is, criminals will be brought to justice!" Damian stated and vanished in the hallway just like a true ninja.
______________
Kent Farm, Kansas
"Tim, who tied your tie."
"Kon."
"Tell him he's an idiot for me." Jason said and started fixing his brother's clothes.
"I don't understand what's so important about my tie. Why even wear a tie in the countryside. People don't know what a tie is-" Jason shut him up with a finger on his lips.
"We have half an hour till the contest starts to get ready okay? Bruce wanted us to be presentable."
"Since when do you even hear Bruce."
"It's not about him. It's about Uncle Clark, his family and Diana. Now, shut up and move or I'll yeet your scrawny ass outside the window."
He knocked on the door besides theirs on the hallway a couple of times.
"Dickhead, are you still wrestling to fit in your pants? We're gonna be late. If you end up being the one making us show up late this time I'm changing your Fruit Loops with Kelp Krispies."
"Coming!" Dick responded from inside.
They got outside Kon already in the car waiting while singing along with the country songs on the radio.
"Where's Damian? Don't tell me he went to say goodbye to his cow friends and he's gonna have hay stuck under his good shoes." Jason stopped on his tracks to look around frantically, a vein already popping on his neck.
"Jason, maybe you should calm down-" Tim tried to save the situation, to realise his middle child people skills weren't enough for that.
"Calm down?? I am calm! Damian get your ass in the car right now! You and Jon! "
Two heads popped of the corner of the house and ran towards them.
"Get inside already! " He shoved them along with Tim and closed the door.
Then he ran back to the house to announce their departure to Ma Kent.
Dick got inside just in time, squeezing himself besides Tim in the back seats.
"Floor it."Jason said being the last one to get in the car to Kon and they finally went off.
The girls already waited for them there along with Diana and Bruce.
"Were are your other looser friends Bruce? Weren't they supposed to be here to support Clark?" Jason asked coming up at the man clearly agitated.
"Had their shift at the Watchtower. Don't worry the whole contest will be broadcasted to them."
After a while the judges introduced themselves announcing the start of the Pie Contest and the first contestants started presenting their pies on stage.
After a while the number fifteen was called in on stage and Jason stepped forward for all his family to look at him as if he had three heads.
After he presented his pumkin pie to the judges and came down from the stage he got bombarded with questions.
"Since when you were supposed to participate?"
"You know how bake pies? Why you didn't bake for us before? Gatekeeping pies now?"
"Are you trying to antagonize Clark or something? Is there a beef going on?"
"Clark taught me. I'm just trying to prive my worth to my teacher. Get in line if you want lessons." Jason said all smug, waving them off.
When the Number twenty eight was called finally , Clark stepped on the stage holding his pie.
A whole crowd started to cheer for him so hard the judges had to ask for them to be silent. Eveyone around them was a neighbour of his or a relative and everyone adored him as if it was their own child.
After the judges tried the pie, Clark returned back down to them and the contest proceeded with the rest of the Bakers.
"And now it's time to announce the Winner of the annual pie contest of Smallville! This year the Winner is....Clark Kent! Again!"
The main judge clapped for him as he was walking up the podium to receive his Prize.
"How many times he has even won?" Stephanie asked Jon who happened to stand besides her.
"Ten? Maybe more he didn't participate every year for others to be able win too." The boy explained shrugging his shoulders and Stephanie blinked repeatedly, trying to process the answer.
The judge stepped back leaving the mic for Clark to make his Winner speech.
"I want to send a big thank you to everyone who came to see and participate to the contest today. I owe so much to my friends and family who always support me and I love dearly. I want to offer the Money of this years Prize to my friend who along with W.E. is gonna make a Culinary school in this town free of tuition fees, free for everyone to learn!"
The crowd cheered once again for him even louder this time.
Bruce rose besides him on the podium to thank him and then turned towards the mic.
"I want to express my gratitude to everyone that came here today and supported the Pumkin Festival and the Pumpkin contest contributing to this New project funded by W.E. I also want to publicly congratulate my friend for his achievements this year that deserve to be announced and recognised, as he's an active and important part of the local community. As his friend I could nothing more than to be a man of his character as well. He really is an example for everyone to aspire to be. Clark Kent, thank you for everything."
The moment he stepped back from the Mic, Clark proceeded to hug him, almost making both of them fall of the podium.
On the base of the stairs his parents already waited for him to congratulate him and imidiately smother him in hugs and kisses, then the rest of his family followed into a group hug.
____________
The butler opened the door and bowed at the visitor.
"We're happy to have you join us today, Mr. Kent."
"I'm happy to be here too, Mr. Pennyworth." Clark bowed back at the butler.
"Please, just Alfred is acceptable." The butler stepped aside for the man to enter.
"Well, then you have to drop the Mr. for me, too."
"Can't, it's embedded in my training and conscience, I'm afraid." He said while taking carefully the visitors coat to hang it.
"Then I can't back down either. Is everything set at planned?" Clark asked him.
"Yes, you have arrived exactly in time. Go on inside. I'll be there in a few minutes. I have to take care of some other business first." He waved at him to continue towards the hallway as he turned on the first door leading to the kitchen.
Clark suddenly bumped with someone in the dim lit corridor.
"Cassandra? Oh, Good evening!" He immediately switched to sign language. "Can I go as we talked? Or should I wait for a bit?"
"It's time. You do you as planned." Cassandra responded and passed by him another shadow following her. Damian.
He arrived on the salon with the fireplace, Bruce sitting on the armchair by the warmth sipping on his evening tea.
"Good evening, Bruce." He greeted with a smile as always.
Bruce looking a bit suprised, set down his teacup and stood up to greet him.
"Good Evening to you too.You didn't say you'll visit today. You usually come on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Did something happened?"
"Can't I visit my friend unexpectedly?" Clark asked innocently.
Bruce raised an eyebrow as he poured him a cup of tea.
"You're all so suspicious today. First, Damian woke me up in the morning, smiling like a madman and then Tim hugged me as if he was on Cuddle Pollen. We're talking about Tim! He did with his own free will! Then Jason made me breakfast that didn't contained anything poisonous and Dick reanacted a ancient TV drama along with the girls as I sipped my Coffee. Thankfully, Alfred was normal today. But now I'm getting suspicious with you here. What are you planning?" Bruce ranted, waving his arms around frustrated.
Clark simply smiled warmly at him which didn't made Bruce less suspicious but it got rid of his frown.
"I brought you your favourite pie. Why won't you come with me to go eat in the back balcony of the Grant hall? It's chilly outside but not that cold yet. Perfect weather to combine with a warm pie, don't you think?"
Bruce nodded and followed him without any further questions giving up trying to explain the series of weird events happening in this house that day.
"What about the tea?" He remembered halfway to their destination and attempted to turn back.
"Don't worry Alfred will take care of it." Clark reassured him gently redirecting him by the shoulders at the right direction.
As they arrived at the door of the Grand hall Clark grabbed the handle first.
"You first." He bowed shoving him inside a bit ungracefully.
Bruce's eyes were met with a decorated room as if they'd host a gala: colorful garlands all arouy, the crystal chandleliers lit and polished tables around ready full with plates food of any kind, dance floor a literal mirror he'd pick his flaws at.
When he turned around his head ready to ask Clark for an explanation he saw him approaching with all his children around him.
"What's happening?"
"Happy birthday, Bruce!" Clark said raising the pie in front of him for him to blow the number candles sitting on his favourite pecan pie.
Bruce stood there completely flabbergasted.
"Today is my birthday?"
"Oh, you really have become an old man forgetting basic things, haven't you? Just blow the candles already!" Jason groaned.
Bruce blew the candles and the children rushed to give him his presents the hid behind their backs and then ofcourse hug him.
Then the feast ensued.
As the night was closing of Clark pulled Bruce aside on the balcony.
"I didn't give you my present yet."
"There's really no need. You baked me a pie." Bruce waved him off ready to return on the Hall.
"That doesn't count you know that." Clark stopped him, holding his wrist gently.
"Clark, I'm a billionaire. Keep the money to buy your son something." Bruce rolled his eyes at him. "I should be the one giving you money and buying presents, not the opposite. Nevertheless, I have nothing in my to buy list currently, so no need to bother."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not a poor farmer boy after all." And he handed him a small paper bag with a red ribbon tied on it.
Bruce cautiously untied the ribbon, opened the bag and pulled out a pair of hand knitted stripped black and yellow gloves.
"A little bird told me your hands get cold easily."
Bruce tried to shove his smile back but his body acted on his on and crushed his body on the man for a hug.
"You're a dumb, yet a good farmer boy, Clark. Don't you dare ever change."
"I'll try my best for all of you."
"Thank you for being my friend."
"Thank you for being family."
"Right. We are family."
"We always will be."