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Clark feels the miraculous rays of the Gotham sun touching his face. He hears the laughter of children playing at the park and their caretakers talking. Him and Bruce are strolling slowly in the midst of it all, the park unusually busy on this unusually bright day. Ace is pacing steadily by Bruce's feet, standing guard, while Krypto and Titus run around chasing each other.
Clark listens to the world. To the talking, the yelling, fighting. To traffic and waves and winds picking up, and to sirens blaring, and bird songs in India. To shouting and crying. He closes his eyes, and feels the Gotham sun.
"Enjoying the sun?" Bruce asks. Clark focuses back on just the park, and Bruce in it. The rest fades away, until there is only children's laughter, crying, dogs barking, birds chirping and the occasional squirrel running along a branch.
"hmm," Clark hums. "How about you?"
"For once." It's still cold. Bruce's collar is turned upwards and he wears a scarf, hiding his neck from the cold air.
"Thank you for coming out here with me," Clark says. And not staying in the cave.
"Someone has to walk the dogs, I suppose."
Clark chuckles. "Maybe we could have them wrap their leashes around us and make us fall in love."
Bruce looks down at their joined arms. "I think it's a little late for that." He grunts on a step. "What were you listening to?"
"The people. Now, just the park. All good." He smiles at Bruce. We can stay here, it means. For now.
Bruce hums in agreement. It's nice, being out together and not worrying about their duties. It used to be different, a long time ago. Bruce would fidget, check his phone and communicator, look up at the sky when dusk set in, anxious to miss anything and blame himself for it, and Clark wasn't any better. Now they can walk calmly and enjoy the day without feeling rushed.
They pause to watch the dogs. Bruce should take a seat soon. Clark strokes a hand through his silvery hair. His wrinkles and laugh lines become more pronounced as he smiles at Clark's touch. "Hmm?"
"Just thinking how lucky I am to have you here," Clark says.
"Still, you mean."
Clark's smile falters for just a moment. "And sharp as ever."
Bruce turns to him, a grave look in his eyes. "I love you, Clark." As with anything Bruce does, it's with full conviction that he states this, a seriousness to it that is set in stone.
"I know. love you too, sweetheart."
"it's just-- I have to say it more."
"You say it enough." Clark keeps stroking Bruce's hair, and Bruce has closed his eyes. "But if you want to say it more, I won't stop you." He angles his face to kiss Bruce gently on the lips. This, too, Bruce doesn't do nonchalantly. He lets go of his cane with one hand to pull Clark in and kiss him back. His lips are cold, his breath warm.
"woof!" Krypto barks as he comes running up to them. Titus follows happily, wagging his tail and carrying a stick. Ace pushes at Bruce's leg.
"Alright, alright. We can play fetch." Bruce shuffles. Titus drops the stick in front of them. "Clark?"
Clark bends down to pick it up, and Bruce throws it. All three dogs run after it, jumping around each other and pulling at it when they reach the stick. "Hey, we make a pretty good team," Clark says as he hooks his arm through Bruce's again.
"There's no point stating the obvious, Clark."
"Says the man who claims he has to tell me he loves me more."
They walk slowly, Bruce supported by his cane and Clark and several pins that Clark doesn't want to think about right now. "Always gotta have the last word..." He mumbles. Clark smiles. He feels the Gotham sun on his face, and listens to the park, and to his husband's steady heartbeat.