Chapter Text
Bruce had been lord of Wayne manor ever since his parents death fifteen years ago, but now after returning to England he found himself being forced to deal with Alfred forcing him to deal with the marriage mart. He knew he should have moved on after what happened ten years ago, but the idea of betraying his first love by marrying another has his stomach twisting in knots.
As he ends up at Lady Prince’s ball he’s lucky enough to meet the hostesses unmarried daughter Diana. While he certainly doesn’t plan to marry, spending the evening being forced to dance with every debutante that came his way is certainly less likely if he’s already spending time with another. Diana informs him early on about her unofficial engagement, attempting to get rid of him, and instead they become fast friends who bond over their disinterest in marrying at the moment.
The season is going better, with a new friend to entertain him during events. This is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of Clark Kent, his childhood friend and the love of his life. Ten years ago he had been ready to ask for the man’s hand in marriage despite his lack of a title and money. They had been in love, or so he thought. Then Clark had abandoned him, leaving Bruce to pick up the shattered pieces of his heart.
The event had destroyed Bruce so thoroughly that he had left for the continent and been traveling ever since. He had never learned the reason for Clark’s change of heart but he had mourned what they had lost. The only thing the man had given him was a single letter rescinding his love and damning Bruce to a life without him.
Despite his cruelty Clark still has Bruce’s heart, and now as he stares across the room at the man he has to hold himself back from begging the man to take him back. He stays strong only just barely and is rewarded with Clark returning his gaze and reacting in shock. The drink in the other man’s hand spills, barely missing the dress of his companion.
Bruce turns away, looking to Diana and hoping the woman could distract him from doing anything embarrassing. He soon is embroiled in a talk on haberdashery and how difficult it was to find a certain shade for her silk ribbon on the hat she would wear to a garden party later in the week. As such he didn’t notice Clark’s approach until the man announced himself and came up behind Bruce.
“Lord Wayne, it’s been quite some time since we last spoke.”
Bruce froze desperately trying not to fall for Clarks charms, his sweetly honey voice tempting him to forget the man’s abandonment from years ago. Before he could speak Diana cut in with a waspish remark.
“Don’t you think Mr. Kent that it’s quite rude to reestablish connections for mercenary purposes?”
Bruce had no idea what she meant by such a comment but by the flush on Clark’s face she had touched upon a sore subject.
“Perhaps Lady Diana I merely meant to greet an old friend. I hadn’t thought one financial state affected their ability to be polite.”
Bruce was getting a clearer picture and was rather disheartened. He had thought Clark had changed his mind, had maybe wanted to give him another chance. Instead, by the sounds of things, the man wanted to marry him to resolve some financial issue he had. It stung Bruce to know he was nothing but his money to Clark now, when all those years ago it felt like Clark was the only person he didn’t care about his title or wealth.
Even worse he felt disgusted that he would take Clark now, even knowing of his true interest, if only to have the man in his life. He had lost his pride long ago and was set on not losing this chance. He wishes Diana weren’t present to see him stoop so low, but at least she knew about his past with Clark. She wouldn’t really expect better from him.
“And I’m happy that you decided to do so, Clark. Would you join me for the next dance?”
Clark seemed stunned but replied in the affirmative. A few minutes later they were on the floor, dancing to a waltz and catching up. It tok=ok very little cajoling from Bruce to get Clark to relax and soon he was recounting his time on the continent while they spun on the floor.
As the season was nearing its end they got engaged much to Diana and Alfred’s disapproval. He knew they meant well, but it still hurt that they didn’t believe him when he said Clark made him happy. The man wasn’t looking for money to pay off debts acquired from gambling, but instead to help his parents whose farm had been struggling ever since his father fell ill.
While the Kents were uncertain about the marriage they had given Bruce their blessing and helped plan the wedding. He had wanted a small ceremony but thanks to being the most eligible bachelor of the season he had been forced to deal with a great portion of the ton. Thankfully the ceremony was straightforward and before he knew it, it was over and he was married.
The reception was longer than he thought was necessary but eventually it was over. All he wanted was to go to sleep and not think about how despite having Clark in marriage, he didn’t have the man’s heart. He didn’t know how to get Clark to love him again, but he was desperate to have things as they were before.
So, despite his fears, when he arrived to their shared chambers he asked the question that had haunted him for the past ten years.
“Why did you write me that letter?”
Clark freezes, a grimace marring his angelic features for a moment before he replies.
“It’s a bit embarrassing but,” he pauses as he sits upon the bed and stares at the floor as he continues, “I had thought you were in love with me the entire summer. We had known each other so long and yet I was sure that you felt something more. So, when you actually started courting me I was ready to marry you. I was so in love with you, then I saw you kissing Selina Kyle at your garden party. I felt so betrayed that I wrote that letter to end things. I didn’t realize you would leave the country.”
Bruce is shocked. He remembers the kiss and how Selina had declared her romantic feelings for him. It had been awkward because he had rejected her right after and they didn’t speak for two weeks after that. Eventually he had received a letter from her while traveling, free of any mention of the kiss and they had returned to their friendship.
“That wasn’t what it looked like. She had-”
“I know,” Clark interrupts, “after you left I asked her about the kiss and she told me what had actually happened. I was so upset but since you had left I didn’t think you wanted to hear from me.”
Bruce pulls him in for a gentle kiss, not wanting to be apart a second longer.
“I love you Clark. I loved you back then, I’ve loved you every moment we’ve been apart, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life.
“I love you too.”
And so they spend their wedding night rekindling their love for one another. In the morning Bruce writes to Diana to tell her of his news and by the evening she and Clark have become friends. Bruce ends the second night of his marriage wrapped up in Clark’s embrace, happier than he’s ever been.