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Bruce had quickly suited up within the five minutes Superman told him he'd be there by. Right on time, Superman arrived, escorted to the batcave by Alfred where Bruce awaited him.
It was Clark… Not Superman.
“How come you aren't suited up, Clark?”
“How come you are, Bruce? Oh, and it's good to see you too.” Clark, in his casual clothes, casually strode over to where Bruce was standing by the bat computer.
“You said you had something important to tell me. What do you need?” asked Bruce.
Clark chuckled and shook his head. “Oh come on, pal, it's nothing to get all dressed up for. Do I have to need something just to come see you?”
Bruce huffed. “Tell me what's important. If this is urgent then you better not be wasting-”
“Whoa, hey, not urgent exactly. But it is important. I just want you to listen.”
Bruce, curious now, unfolded his arms and waited for Clark to continue.
“Eh, right, um, okay. I-” Clark licked his suddenly dry lips and shook his hands a couple times. “I uh…”
“Are you sure you're okay?” Bruce tilted his head.
“Yeah, yeah, no, I'm fine, totally! Just, could you maybe… take off the cowl for this?”
Suspicious. Clark was acting strange and Bruce didn't totally feel like letting his guard down when something might actually be wrong. But it was Clark, whom Bruce trusted with his life. Thus, he cautiously removed the cowl. “That better? Are you going to tell me now?”
Clark wrung his hands together. “Yeah, of- of course. I wanted to say-” he took a deep breath. He could feel his face heating up. Bruce could see it.
“Bruce, I… I love you.”
Bruce only stood frozen for two seconds before speaking. “Clark, don't do this.”
“Huh? What do you-”
“Whatever you're facing right now, you can't just give up.”
“Wait, that's not-”
“No, Clark, you listen here! Whatever’s coming for you, we can defeat it. You and I, the justice league, none of us will ever let anything happen to you. Don't you trust us? Don't you trust me?”
“Bruce, I do trust you!” He held Bruce's shoulders. “I didn't say that as a goodbye. I said it because I wanted to, and I mean it.”
Bruce frowned, confused. It just wasn't adding up to him. “Wh- But why-”
“Precisely because of the way you reacted just now.” Clark released Bruce's shoulders.
“I'm still not following.”
Clark sighed. “Look, Bruce, I was just thinking lately, we've had our fair share of scares in this line of work. And even though I know how capable you are and I trust you with my life, there were times where I thought I might have lost you.” he physically shuddered at the thought. “That kind of heartbreak, Bruce, it's unbearable. In times like that, I can only think, I wish I had told you how I felt. I can only think of everything I wish I had done whilst I still could.” He stepped forward and took Bruce's hands in his. “When I tell you I love you, it doesn't have to be because one of us is dying.” He lifted one of Bruce's hands and placed it over his heart. “I shouldn't be afraid to tell you how much you mean to me on a quiet night like this. A part of my heart belongs to you, which I'm sure you know, but you deserve to hear it at every chance I get.” He lightly squeezed the hand he held to his chest. “I love you.”
Bruce wanted to cry. He can't remember the last time he was faced with this much overwhelming emotion which wasn't in response to an emergency. The man standing before him, this brilliant man, could make him fall to pieces with a few kind words and a sincere gaze.
He opened his mouth a couple times, attempting to muster up words. “C-Clark-” was all he could choke out before he was covering his mouth to muffle a sob.
Immediately, he was swept into Clarks smothering embrace. He let out some tears and just let Clark hold him for a while. He completely understood the magnificent man in this moment. He has lost people. And every time, he wonders why he hadn't expressed one thing or another to them before it was too late. It made perfect sense, taking the opportunity while one could.
Bruce eventually lifted his head up from Clarks shoulder. Clark gently swiped a thumb beneath Bruce's eye, across his cheek, then let it rest at his neck.
“I love you, Clark.”
Clarks smile could have turned the night to day. He took Bruce's face into his hands and kissed his forehead sweetly. Because he could. Because now was as perfect a time as any to do so.
Bruce felt a blush forming. He cleared his throat. “Will you be staying tonight?”
Clark smiled. “As long as you like.”
After a cosy night of hot chocolate and film watching, Clark bid his farewell the next morning.
After waving him off at the door, Bruce was met with Alfred standing by, looking rather chipper about the recent events.
“Well sir I must say, Master Kents visit seems to have done you some good.”
"Hehe, yeah thanks. Oh, and Alfred?”
“Yes, Master Bruce?”
“There's something I have to tell you. It's important.”