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Clark woke feeling strangely sated- his body was warm and relaxed like he had spent days soaking up the sun and there was a welcome languor that weighed his limbs. Even before he opened his eyes, he knew there was a warm body next to him, the quiet breathing and intermittent shuffling of pages a dead giveaway. The fact that he was naked was a shocking realization, but he could feel the edge of something soft-a blanket? - drawn haphazardly over his hips to grant him a modicum of privacy. He knew he would blame his lethargy if this turned out to be a hostile situation, but he could feel the warmth of the sun- or lamps that mimicked it, on his body, and he doubted anyone who truly wanted him hurt would allow him to be so well rested.
He turned- careful to keep hold of the blanket that guarded his modesty, finally facing the individual sharing his space and found himself smiling when he realized that it was Bruce.
“Hey,”
“How’re you feeling?” The billionaire asked, closing the file he had been perusing to grant him his full attention. A glance at the file told Clark it was regarding some employee benefit reform scheme- something that Bruce must have been in the process of implementing at WE. It was these little things- like giving his complete focus to whoever was speaking to him instead of continuing to multitask like he knew Bruce to be capable of, that endeared the Dark Knight to him. The Bat’s aloof and taciturn nature was a standing joke for the majority of the League, most never realizing the depths of his care just because he did not verbalize it. Fortunately, his Kryptonian heritage allowed him to be more perceptive than most. In fact, most found their friendship strange (and he had unfortunately overhead a few of them whispering how ‘one-sided’ it was. When he had complained to Bruce, the human had just laughed.) But then again, most never saw how Bruce made time for him despite his busy schedule- times like this, when he sat beside Clark just so he wouldn’t have to wake up alone after whatever it was that had gone down, despite being obviously needed elsewhere as well.
“Good. Rested.” Clark admitted, “What happened?”
“What’s the last thing that you remember?” Bruce countered instead of responding.
He smiled at the not-so-subtle check of his mental state and tried to recollect the last thing he remembered clearly, “We finished debriefing, I was feeling hot… so I opted to use the containment room…?”
Bruce nodded, “Anything else?”
“I remember being hot, uncomfortable. Almost like I was about to experience a rut-”
He paused, blushing, even as he forced himself to raise an eyebrow in silent question towards his friend.
“Yes.” Bruce agreed.
Memories of the last time he had experienced a rut with Bruce slammed into him and drove the air from his lungs. “Did I hurt you?”
Bruce shook his head easily, “No, you just seemed to want the company.”
“Thanks,” Clark smiled back hesitantly- had Bruce joined him only after his rut had ended? He looked over the other man carefully without using his powers- there were no visible scars or bruising this time and even though his charcoal-grey turtleneck covered the majority of his skin, Clark could not smell any blood or antiseptic from the other man. And his clothes looked freshly laundered as well. He tried to think back and see if he could remember anything from his rut before giving up and asking hesitantly, “Did we-?”
“I have a meeting at WE in forty minutes, if you’re okay to be alone now, I think I’ll head out. Will you be, okay?” Bruce said instead of responding.
Clark knew an evasion when he heard one, but he also knew how many responsibilities Bruce juggled, and the fact that he had still offered to spend time with Clark was humbling. “Yes, I’m good. You can go to your meeting.”
“Good, thank you.” And Bruce stood to leave- no evidence of hidden injuries in his fluid movements but paused with his hand on the doorknob. Clark saw the way the broad shoulders came down as the man exhaled as though steeling himself for some admission, “We… need to talk, Clark. Tonight, after work?”
Clark nodded immediately. Maybe he would get more answers then.
They never found the time to have that discussion- there was an earthquake in the late afternoon on the western side, and a tsunami on the other side of the globe a few short hours later. With the JL engaged otherwise in assisting with the natural disasters, two warring nations violated their ceasefire agreements, and then they had their day jobs and deadlines to tend to. And before Clark realized it, it had been nearly a month since that strange wake-up in the Watchtower’s containment cell. It felt strange to bring up his questions when so much time had passed. So, given that Bruce did not raise the topic himself, Clark kept his suspicions to himself.
***
He regretted his reticence a few weeks later when he woke with the sun was shining through large bay windows and a warm hand gently petting his hair. The high thread-count of the sheets he was laying on and the familiar scent permeating the entire space made it easy for him to identify that he was at Wayne Manor. Safe, because B wouldn’t let anything happen to him while he was compromised and the pleasant lassitude in his body was hard to ignore. But three times in as many months was too much and he signalled his wakefulness with a small grumble.
“You’re right,” Bruce agreed blandly- tone as unremarkable as it was when he was using the voice-modulator in his cowl, translating his inarticulate grumble with the ease of long familiarity. “This cannot happen again, Clark. You hurt me, this time.”
And Kal was sitting up and staring at the billionaire with wide eyed horror before the man had finished speaking- Bruce never admitted to injury, and for the man to admit it now, it must have been truly unbearable.
His eyes quickly took in the swelling on the man’s left forehead and the inflamed cheek on the same side, the dark bruise blooming an ugly yellow green. If he focused, he could make out the individual fingerprints, indicating someone had grabbed his face with cruel force and Clark knew it would be his own fingers that matched the shape of the bruises left on Batman’s face. He switched to his X-ray vision to look through the layers of cloth, skin, muscle and bone to check for more damage, but found none barring the slightly inflamed skin of his right forearm. And then glanced askance at Bruce- it was unlike to man to admit to being hurt, especially when there were nothing more than a few bruises decorating his distinguishing features.
“Not physically,” Bruce explained, tone as mild as ever even as his lips twitched with a suppressed smile as the keen-eyed detective understood he had been scanned by the alien without permission in his panic- it was not something Clark did often, especially after being told off about it being a breach of privacy, but moments of panic still made the Kryptonian revert. It was something everyone at the Justice League had grown to accept. The smile dropped off and the vigilante was serious again as he continued, “You threatened my kids this time, Clark. You’re lucky his armour-”
“Who?” Clark asked, horrified. He thought of Dick, the first Robin, his little shadow who jumped and swooped and flew through the air as though he had the same flying capacity as him. Of Jason, the boy who thought being Robin gave him magic. Of the boy that was stolen from them far too soon and miraculously returned. Of shy, studious Tim who always surprised them and of Damian, who had come such a long way. “Who did I hurt, B?”
Bruce sighed, “It was Jason. He was still in his suit, so you didn’t actually do any damage; but it was close. … and I can’t have that, Clark. I don’t care what you need to do for it- you cannot treat any of my kids- anyone, like that. I will not allow it. – I understand your alpha thought of Jason as a competitor, but he-he’s my son, Kal. My kid. And you need to come up with a way to ensure that no matter what happens, you will recognise them as such- as our children.”
Despite everything, Clark felt hope flare into a brilliant flame as he caught on to Bruce’s words, “Our?”
Bruce sighed, a wry chuckle worming its way out despite the exhaustion lacing his actions, “Trust you to focus on that. Yes, Clark, our- you’ve been right by my side since nearly the beginning, you saw them grow. I think Dickie chats with you more than he tells me anything even to this day… and I saw you after Jason was- … I know it would break you as bad as m… that it would affect you as well if anything happened to them. Which is why I cannot risk this. You- your alpha side-thinks of me like a-…a partner-”
“Not just my alpha side, B.” Clark managed to admit, feeling his cheeks reddening as he confessed.
“I meant sexually.” Bruce cut in harshly even if the single stuttered break in his heartbeat told the Kryptonian that his words had affected Gotham’s Knight.
“Oh,”
“And that’s fine. I can handle that, but-”
“But you shouldn’t have to,” Clark agreed.
“But you cannot think of my kids as your competition.” Bruce countered hotly.
“You’re okay with me assaulting you?”
“It’s not assault if it’s consensual, Kal.”
“I’ll figure something out,” He agreed, not keen on arguing yet again on how Bruce should not simply accept this unasked for burden Clark had unwittingly saddled him with.
He opened the bedroom door and stumbled back a step when a heavy, armour-piercing round slammed into him from point-blank range. He reacted instinctively to grab the ricochet, not wanting it to accidentally hit Bruce who was just a few steps behind him, and excruciatingly aware he was leaving himself open for another attack by doing so, if any. He was just glad that it was not Bruce who had opened the door first. Before he could steady himself to fight back against the unexpected attack and catalogue who the assailants were- too preoccupied with ensuring he was shielding Bruce effectively to fully focus on retaliating and neutralising the assailant, he felt the impact of an active Escrima Stick, a Birdarang and a Bo-staff in the same spot. He winced even as he admired the ability of the gathered boys to ensure all their weapons made impact on his left pectoral like the bulls-eye of a dartboard and being trained bats, had made the score easily. For the fraction of a second, he found himself wondering if this was some kind of game or hazing ritual the kids had come up with- invulnerable skin would heal, but it would bruise, if only for a few minutes till he got enough sunlight; before noticing their expressions.
“Clark?!” Bruce’s worried voice rang out as he pushed forward, then his training took over as he identified the choice of weapons and turned to glare at the assailants, “What is the meaning of this, boys?!”
“Not gonna sit back and let you be assaulted, Bruce.” Jason’s voice dripped with enough threat that the Bat wondered if his boy was having another Pit episode.
“Yes Father, we will not allow this alien to hurt you.” Damien piped up, glaring a Superman.
“What they said,” Dick, his oldest and the one Bruce had believed to be above such childish displays tacked on.
He turned his eyes to his other son to find Tim glaring at Clark, clearly in support of his brothers even he was not verbalising it.
“It was not his fault!” Bruce protested.
“Which is why I did not use my Kryptonite bullet, Dad. But he better figure out something quick or that is what I’m going to use the next time he touches you.” Jason snarled, turquoise eyes looking more green than blue as they glared at where Clark was standing.
“They’re right, B.” Clark spoke up, making Bruce wonder why he even tried.
Apparently, that was the right call though because Clark’s admission took the wind out of the sail of the murderous rage his children were seething with.
“Wait, you knew what you were doing?” Tim asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Rao, no!” Clark shook his head immediately. “But it wasn’t hard to put the pieces together once I was in control of my faculties again.”
Red Robin nodded, something knowledgeable passing in his eyes like he was confirming some theory- there and gone again before Bruce could make sense of it.
“Look, this is something I have never encountered before,” Clark continued, “And all of you are right- I need to figure out how to … stop this? -reverse this? -I don’t even know. But I’ve already hurt you too much, Bruce. And risking your kids is unacceptable. Please, I will figure something out.”
“For the thousandth time, Clark; you are not hurting me. I mean-” Bruce’s shoulder’s slumped as he saw Jason narrow his eyes dangerously- realising he had about ten seconds to clarify his statement before Jason revealed something that he definitely did not want discussed in front of young ears. Despite how mature both Tim and Damien were for their ages, they should not have to hear about or witness their father’s indiscretions.
He carried on quickly, “Yes, this time your instincts were wrong, and I would appreciate it if you never did that again, but its more about you recognising them as family. … your alpha self seems like a feline, in some ways. Territorial. What if you scent marked them?”
“Cats usually use urine to mark their territories,” Tim added helpfully.
“Eww!” Dick, predictably the most emotive of the group.
“I’m an Al-Ghul and the Heir to the mantle of Batman. No Alien is going to…- to mark me as his territory!” Damien announced, arms crossed mutinously.
Clark felt his eyes widen and glanced at Bruce for help.
“If- if that is the only way, I’ll hold them down myself to let you mark them,” Bruce admitted uncomfortably. As much as he hated to admit it, his kids’ safety came first, before his pride or even their comfort.
“B, what the hell ?!” Dick, wide eyed and horrified.
Damian just spluttered at what he perceived was his father’s betrayal.
“Et tu, Bruce?” Jason asked, theatrically clutching at his chest with one hand as the other extended towards Bruce. He really should have gotten the boy more involved in Drama club than vigilantism, he thought wryly.
“I am your parent- I will protect you all in any way I can!” Bruce whisper growled in response, as awkward as ever when emotions needed to be expressed.
“I will look into ways to ensure that they are safe, B.” Clark affirmed, “But what about you? We need to see how we can stop my alpha from assaulting you every time my ruts hit me as well. I think that would hold priority, won’t it? It’ll solve this issue as well.”
“I told you already I don’t mind, Clark.” Bruce repeated tiredly.
“You said your alpha considers Bruce to be your mate,” Tim interrupted, brows furrowed like he was working something out in his head.
Clark looked back at the teenager askance, “Yes?”
“Kryptonians mate for life, breaking such a bond is inadvisable.”
“Oh Rao, no…” Clark whispered, eyes wide.
“And you would know that because-?” Bruce asked, raising a single perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“Kon and I were looking into it.” Tim shrugged awkwardly. “He wanted to know if his physiology would impact his ability to pass as a human.”
“Look, you don’t need to break the bond, Clark. Just-” Dick, ever the pacifier consoled, but then he hesitated, glancing at his brothers.
Bruce knew enough of his children to realise the glance meant they were just having a silent debate about something they did not wish to discuss with him. Not Yet.
Sure enough, less than two seconds later Jason took over, “What Big Bird is trying to say is we wouldn’t be opposed to having you as our stepdad, Clark.” The former Robin expertly grabbed Damien and slapped his hands over the boy’s ears before continuing, “Just stop treating Bruce like a convenient outlet.”
Damien wrestled free and glared up at the older boy, “That is my Father, I have the right to hear anything that you say about him!”
Jason rolled his eyes, “I was just suggesting that Clark actually make the effort to take B out on a date instead of turning up only when he is compromised.”
Damien paused, considering before giving a brief nod and turning to face Clark again, “I agree. I demand that you treat Father with the respect he deserves!”
“It might not be the worst idea,” Tim piped up, interrupting Damien but eyes fixed on Bruce’s. “If you two spend time together, and maybe with us occasionally as well- outside of mission parameters, I mean- it would allow his alpha side to become more familiar with the family as well.”
Clark considered, given what he felt for the human he could see how it would impact his alpha side- theoretically, at least; if- and that was a big ‘if’ -Bruce agreed. He narrowed his eyes, an idea coming to him as he realised he could utilise the kids’ affection for their parent to convince Bruce while gaining some brownie points in the process. “And… you all would be okay with me …courting you father?”
Bruce spluttered.
The kids had varying degrees of disbelief etched on their faces as he asked for their permission, Damien the only one who seemed openly pleased with his question, “As long as you treat him with the respect he deserves. I know my father holds affection for you, but you would need to remember that he is Batman and the heir to the Wayne mantle. Possibly the Al-Ghul mantle as well, if I know the way my grandfather thinks. You need to show him the respect and deference-”
“Not again…,” Bruce groaned out loud with a hand coming up to cover the embarrassed red blooming on his face, clearly this was not the first time his youngest had given such a speech to one of his … suiters. And while he was slightly taken aback by the strange ‘shovel talk’, Clark still found himself wondering just who it had been.
“What the Demon Spawn is trying to say is that if you hurt him, you answer to us.” Jason piped up, pulling the youngest back into his hold and slapping a palm over his mouth playfully to cut him off.
Clark could not help but smile in amusement. “I would have thought Batman would be capable of defending his own honour,”
“Oh, he is.” Dick responded, “He can take care of himself just fine too. … But he is far to forgiving of those that hurt him. We are not. And family watches out for each other.”
Clark swallowed at the clear threat. He knew what Bruce was capable of. And of what his kids could do if they put their mind to it. … it was humbling to be reminded that this group would not have trouble bringing him to his knees without breaking a sweat, despite his so-called invulnerability. After all, he had seen them in action multiple times.
He managed a tight smile before glancing at his friend, “What d’you say, B? Would you go out with me?”
Bruce groaned, “You are seriously taking advice from my kids now?!”
“Hey, they’re your kids… and they do have a point, y’know?”
Bruce glared at him for a moment before huffing out one of his familiar exasperated sighs as he pushed past him and headed downstairs to the dining area without a verbal response. The boys and Clark all stared at the departing form of the eldest Wayne for a moment before moving to join him.
To Clark’s surprise, breakfast was a more relaxed and boisterous affair than he had anticipated. He and Bruce were mostly quiet as the boys talked to and over each other, passing a variety of preserves and jams as well as the butter without much spoken direction in a controlled chaos that spoke of their long familiarity with each other and each other’s habits. They had a few questions for Bruce- Tim asking about something related to WE, and Damian about some school activity; and Bruce had a few questions for them- whether the XYZ issue that Dick was working on as part of the BPD was resolved, and when he could expect Jason to join them for dinner again… but it was all homely, nothing related to their nightlife. Once the boys dispersed to do their own thing, Clark found himself at a loss for how to proceed and mutely followed his friend to the cave when Bruce turned abruptly to face him, “Look, you don’t have to do this.”
Clark hesitated, taken aback by the sudden change in topic. “Err…What?”
Bruce grimaced, “Date me.”
“I thought you agreed-” Clark began.
“Do I need to remind you that you’re married?”
Clark felt like he had been doused in a bucket of ice-water.
“I-I know how you feel about Lois, Clark. … and I refuse to come between you two.” Bruce’s words interrupted his thoughts sharply. “You can tell her the truth, how I thought I was helping you when I was doing anything but. And how your biological quirk has made that one mistake into something you would have to live with for the rest of your life. I can never apologise enough for that… but I refuse to take anything more from you.” Bruce was breathing hard, his chest going up and down with his suddenly ragged breaths.
Clark opened his mouth twice and snapped it shut each time, uncertain how to articulate his thoughts. He had the hysterical realisation that he who made his living in his civilian life by stringing together words was now unable to find a single appropriate word. Eventually he decided to extrapolate what Bruce had said to make his point, “And when my rut makes me come to you every forty-five days?”
Strangely that seemed to calm some of his friend’s agitation- Bruce didn’t hesitate before responding, “I’ll develop a calendar- some kind of early warning system. I’ll keep myself available of course, you don’t have to worry about that-”
“And I what? - just use you like a convenient sleeve?”
Bruce closed his eyes briefly before he gave a single, sharp nod- lips pinched in distaste at the crass language. “I know it is not how you would have done things... unfortunately, there is apparently nothing to be done for it now. So essentially, yes; that is exactly what I’m suggesting. I will obviously be looking into alternatives, try and figure out something. Till then, if you allow it, I can explain it to Lois- tell her how I forced your hand. How it is not your fault and that you were not unfaithful to her. That this is nothing more than a biological imperative brought on by the curse. You can even tell her that I took advantage of you, if it makes things easier. That the curse- … that because of the curse, I was scared to involve her. Despite all her strength, she is a civilian and I didn’t want to take the chance that you could accidentally injure her. Unfortunately, my uh- my solution … backfired. And now you’ve been left to pick up the pieces. It was not something I had anticipated. And if she could find it in her to forgive me my transgressions and wouldn’t mind helping, you could bring her as well. We can figure something out that would sate your alpha-side while soothing the emotional side of things.”
Clark snorted, “Right, because polyamory is what will resolve this.”
“Not polyamory!” Bruce countered immediately; eyes widened in discomfort. “I-I know you won’t approve of it. Think of it more like… adding a toy to your bedroom?”
Clark felt himself blanch, his mind scrambling over the words to parse out just what Bruce was hinting at, “A toy?”
Bruce swallowed, clearly uncomfortable with putting his thoughts in words but explained, “I’d wear a blindfold, a mask or… y’know, something… of course, you’d have access to my-” Unattractive red spilled over the man’s cheeks, but he forced himself continue. “to whatever part of my body that you need. I’ll not impinge on Lois’ privacy… Or- or yours. You won’t need to interact with me more than what your physiology requires of you. I’ll stay quiet, or I could use a gag, maybe… unless you’d want to use my mouth? - we can figure out the details later. Think of it like, well, like adding a sextoy to your bedroom repertoire. And now I’m just repeating myself.” He huffed, irritated with himself before glancing up and meeting Clark’s eyes head-on. “Like a toy, it’s would not be something you’ll need to concern yourself with, it'll just be a receptacle for whatever you need, to be used if and when you need it, but nothing beyond that.”
Clark felt like he was going to be sick. “You really think that that was- that that is something I can live with?”
“It’s not a permanent solution... But, I can’t let you make me the reason you two break-up.” Bruce countered, but then he hesitated briefly, clearly debating if he should continue, but Bruce had always been the bravest man Clark had known- never backing down even in the face of potential discomfort and hurt. “I vowed to never come between the two of you- you cannot let this curse change…”
“You… vowed to never-?” Clark interrupted, eyes widening as his mind hurried to put together the puzzle pieces to paint a picture he had never anticipated.
Bruce smiled gently at him, grimacing slightly, “Speak now or forever hold your peace. … I chose silence for a reason, Clark. I honestly never meant for you to find out.”
Clark clenched his eyes shut as he registered the line from his wedding vows from over a decade ago, … and Bruce had never breathed a word, never acted in a way that went beyond teammates and best-friends. Just another secret the Bat had chosen to keep to himself. And Clark knew his friend well enough to understand that had it not been for the unexpected complication of the mating bite he had inflicted upon the man, Bruce would have never breathed a word regarding his feelings. Who was he kidding- even now Bruce was more focused on saving Clark’s marriage than Clark himself. A part of him whispered that this was the missing piece about why Bruce had chosen to offer himself as an ‘omega’- as a ‘volunteer’ for Clark’s cursed rut instead of involving anyone else, but that malicious voice was silenced by the knowledge that even if it had been a factor that the Bat had considered, Bruce had not lied about wanting to ensure nobody else got caught in the crossfire. He had known that he would be able endure whatever Clark would put him through because of the curse and emerge on the other side and forgive him for his actions. Maybe his forgiveness came easier because he loved Clark- and wasn’t that a strange truth, Bruce- Batman loved him…
Bruce shifted slightly, still building logical arguments and unaware where Clar’s thoughts had drifted. “Forget what the kids said, Clark. As well-meaning as they are, they are not seeing the whole picture. I mean, they’re kids. And as long as you don’t think of them as your competitors and hurt them, I don’t really think we need to date to humour them. I can start tracking your cycles, make sure we know to isolate well enough in advance to avoid a repeat of what happened this time. We can go to the Fortress, or I could set aside a room in the Manor or at the Cave for the purpose. Or even the Watchtower, if that’s what you prefer. I’ll never turn you away- delay you maybe, possibly – especially if there were people, civilians around. But I’d never refuse you. So, this doesn’t have to impact your life. I’ve already caused more of an upheaval than I anticipated-” He let out a mirthless chuckle, “I thought I was helping you- protecting you from accidentally hurting the people you care about. Instead, all I did was disrupt your life. I’m sorry- I can never tell you how sorry I am… but please, I’ll never be able to live with myself if I became the reason to break your family apart.”
Clark held his tongue for a moment as he focused on breathing evenly to keep from launching into one of the many counter-statements that were fighting to escape, knowing he needed to keep track of the objective and not get sidelined by the words that had just escaped his friend’s mouth. Had it been anybody else, Clark would have believed them to suffer from a crippling lack of self-esteem. Since it was Bruce, Clark knew it was just the man’s capacity to shoulder responsibility, necessary or not. Richard had been correct when he had said Bruce tended to forgive easily, but perhaps it was because he was Bruce’s son, it had escaped the acrobat that it was not simply forgiveness but Bruce’s protectiveness- whatever he might claim, Bruce had taken on the mantle of Batman to protect the citizens of Gotham. He had adopted Dick and the rest because he wanted to protect them. And as much as they all complained about it, Bruce; human Bruce had more often than not thrown himself between a threat and a fellow league member because his natural reaction to any threat was to protect others. Clark admitted that the man almost had a superhuman capability to bear things- the billionaire had endured things that would have broken most if not all others and kept going. And given his natural protectiveness, he was offering to shield Clark in this instance as well. He would allow himself to be used and discarded, much like the sextoy he had compared himself to. And he would endure it in silence because he was the only one who ever could. He would take no pleasure from it but would never utter a word of protest about everything that Clark’s physiology would require from him, but neither he would ever lay his own claim in the same way.
Batman claimed to work alone and many in the league joked about that given the sheer number of people in the so called ‘Bat-family’, but what they never realised because Bruce was such a good actor was that despite working together, despite being partners, and team-mates, it was Bruce who was protecting them. Shielding them from the worst so that no one else had to endure what he did. What he could endure on their behalf. … Clark had realised the truth early on, and in his naïveté believed his invincible Kryptonian physiology meant that he could be the one being that Bruce would not have to shield. Who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Gotham Bat and offer to take some of the load. And now he was the one asking for the one thing that should never be asked for. He swallowed down the bile with some difficulty. After a moment he had managed to wrangle enough control over himself to quietly put forward the one thing he wanted Bruce to know above all else in this moment, “Lois and I are separated. It’s been almost a year now.”
Bruce froze, a near silent ‘What?!’ slipping out in surprise. Aloud he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I – I thought you knew.” Clark admitted with a shrug, Bruce’s powers of deduction rivalled… well, they were second to none and the man had earned his ‘world’s greatest detective’ moniker. “We both realized that it was over awhile ago, but we still wanted to give it one more shot- if you remember, I was delegating more, taking on shorter missions all through last year. … I-we tried spending more time together- we went on vacations, had date-nights,” He sighed. “We tried, Bruce. We did everything those self-help books suggested … that our Counsellor suggested. Everything, except me giving up the cape. At the end of the day, Lois just couldn’t live with the uncertainty that my life as Superman bought. She does care for me still, but I understand that it’s too much to ask. And it was holding her back from what she does best as well- she lives for the thrill of the chase, Bruce. Jon needed stability, so she was staying back. Trying to be the dutiful wife, the dutiful mother. … but- but that’s just not her, y’know? I could see her chafing under the responsibility. So, we decided to move Jon to Smallville earlier this year. Ma is happy to have him close, and Jon loves the freedom that being on the farm gives. Lois can pursue her stories, and I can- well… I guess I’m free to pursue what I want as well.”
“Pursue what, exactly?” Bruce asked softly.
“You, if you grant me that opportunity.” Clark confessed.
“Why?”
Clark sighed, feeling like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on him- initially, he had wondered if Bruce felt anything for him at all; but then the man had all but confessed to loving him. And Clark had taken the risk, expressed his interest in exploring this unspoken thing between them, anticipating an eager agreement. But when were things that simple when dealing with the Bat? “B, I just told you that I am no longer with Lois. Your boys told the both of us that they would be okay with us seeing each other as something beyond friends- and you yourself told me to find a way…” Clark snapped his mouth shut as he realised that he was giving external reasons. Taking a breath to order his thoughts, he tried again, “My alpha side already thinks of you as a mate… and you are my best friend…I would like to see to see if we can be more as well.”
Bruce gave a quick nod and glanced away, “So this is about your guilt.”
Clark spluttered, “No!”
A single, perfectly shaped eyebrow arched up imperiously.
He deflated, “I’m not saying that I don’t feel guilty, but I do want you, Bruce.”
“Why?”
Again, that question!
Clark wanted to grit his teeth and fly off but then suspected that that was the exact reaction that the Bat was trying to provoke him into. He took a minute to breathe through his frustration before asking as quietly as he was able, “What do you mean?”
“Clark, you never been interested in me as anything beyond your friend. Who am I kidding, you’ve never expressed an interest in men. Why now?”
“Can’t I be curious?” He returned, fighting the blush that wanted to stain his cheeks crimson.
“You can,” Bruce admitted grudgingly. “And thank you for telling me that. If you’re curious or just wanted to scratch that itch… I can help. I ca-”
“Stop.”
Clark opened his eyes at the sudden cessation of words, wondering when he had closed them in the first place. He took a minute to gather his thoughts before speaking, but Bruce interrupted. Again.
“So, you want this to be a one-time thing? See what the fuss is all about in homosexual relationships… am I understanding correctly?”
“I- … given what’s been happening- I don’t think I’m exactly as inexperienced as you think.”
Bruce nodded, “No, you’re right. … You’re not inexperienced and your instincts are… fairly accurate if you want my biased opinion. But that’s not what you are asking for, are you? You don’t emerge from your rut cycles with clear recollections, and you’d like to change that.”
“Bruce, I can go elsewhere if all I wanted was to know what gay sex was all about.” Clark grumbled.
“Can you?” Bruce countered.
Clark looked up from the ground he had been staring at to meet his friend’s eyes. “Of course I can, Bruce.”
“Then why don’t you?”
Clark felt his cheeks heat as he realised what Bruce wanted to know, “Because I – I wanted it to be-”
Bruce shook his head sharply, “Could you trust your hypothetical partner with this?”
And Clark’s eyes widened. “This?”
“Your identity.”
“Oh.” Clark mumbled in relief, “I think so, yeah. Not trust them as much as keep it under wraps.”
“Fine.” Bruce rumbled, “So you want this as Clark Kent. Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“No,” Clark sighed. “I want this as Clark Kent and Kal-El and as Superman. I want this as me. I don’t separate my identities the way you do, B. Clark Kent and Kal-El are as much a part of me as Superman is. So, when I say I want to be with you, I mean in all my identities.”
“Hmm.”
Clark raised an eyebrow.
“That complicates things a bit.” Bruce elaborated.
Clark grinned helplessly, “Explain.”
“I have to maintain a distinction between my identities... so you can be seen with either Batman or with Bruce Wayne. Not both. ... And we can’t go the polyamory route.”
“Why not?”
“Polyamory?”
“Umhmm.”
“Because unlike you, Bruce Wayne is a public figure. If Clark Kent is seen with Bruce Wayne, you will come into too much scrutiny - at least initially, to be able to slip away as Superman. And if you seem secretive at all, they’re going to hound you. It’ll increase the chances of your identity being compromised.”
“So, you want to date Superman.” Clark surmised.
“Clark, if my understanding is correct, you don’t age like regular humans... you still look like you’re in your early twenties. ... Sooner or later people are going to notice.”
Clark narrowed his eyes at the non-sequitur, “What?”
“We’ve known each other for over a decade now. But you still look the same as the day we met. I’m sure your coworkers have noticed as well,”
Clark bit his lip and nodded, remembering Grant’s veiled questions about his skincare routine. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“It means you’re going to have to retire Clark Kent in a few years,”
“Retire?”
“Umhmm,” Bruce nodded. “From the public eye, I mean. You’ll need to come up with a new identity or find a way to turn ‘Clark Kent’ into a recluse who doesn’t come out in public.”
“I see,”
Bruce laughed, “No, you don’t.”
Clark frowned.
“What I’m trying to say is, it doesn’t make sense for me- for Bruce Wayne, to be seen with Clark Kent when he’s someone who is going to be shelved soon.”
“So, you want to be seen with Superman,” Clark repeated.
“And Kal-El.” Bruce added with a small smile. “Superman can save him the next few times Brucie gets kidnapped. They start seeing each other out of life-and-death situations... Brucie gives up his playboy lifestyle to settle with the Man of Steel. Sound good?”
“You’re talking marriage,” Clark grinned. He had thought Bruce didn’t want to date him... it looked like he had just been thinking too short-term for the man.
“If you want,” Bruce agreed without rancor. “It’ll make it easier for you as well- Superman is already a public personality. And he is an alien. So, him not aging will not raise any eyebrows.”
“And Bruce Wayne?”
“Who better for Bruce Wayne to hang up his playboy hat than Superman?”
“What of Batman?”
“He’s a loner. And he operates in the shadows. No one is looking to hook up with a lunatic who dresses up as a bat.”
“You might be underestimating the impact of your Batman growl,” Superman laughed, “But sure.”
“What d’ya mean?”
“Nothing. Just be glad that you don’t have super hearing.”
Bruce’s eyes widened comically, “Seriously?”
Clark bit his lip and nodded, trying not to remember the numerous times his super-hearing had led him to overhearing something at inopportune moments.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to hear that,” Bruce mumbled, the tips of his ears a bright red.
Clark nodded but said, “So... to summarise, Clark Kent dies-”
“Becomes traumatised and agoraphobic.” Bruce corrected.
“Traumatised and agoraphobic,” Clark corrected gamely. “Batman continues to operate in the shadows. And Superman ends up with Bruce Wayne?”
“Yes, if you’ll have him.”
Clark felt giddy. “So, can I pick you up this evening?”
Bruce shook his head, lips not quite curving up into a smile at Clark’s eagerness, but the reporter had known the tycoon long enough to know better, “I’m going undercover as Matches for a week this afternoon. Sorry.”
“Oh,”
“But if you’d let me, I’d love to make it up to you by taking you out next Thursday. Say... seven o’clock? Does that work for you?”
Clark didn’t stop his own grin at that as cheekily pouted, “Only if I can have a kiss now to tide me over.”
“You’re such a child!” Bruce rolled his eyes, but he still stepped forward and placed a chaste kiss to Clark’s forehead.
Clark could picture Bruce doing this to his kids and sighed, “Not a kid, B.”
And before the Bat could more than step back, he caught the billionaire’s wrist, the warmth of his fingers a quiet demand. Bruce turned, not startled but close, as Clark’s hand slid to the small of his back, firm yet careful. There was hesitation in the way he held him, his arms curving around the Bat’s muscled back but his grip loose—like he was afraid of holding too tightly, of breaking something delicate. His breath was warm against Bruce’s face as he bent his head, his lips barely brushing his at first, the ghost of a touch. “Is this okay?”
Then, at Bruce’s nod, with deliberate slowness, he pressed their lips together, firm but chaste, control woven into every movement. He didn’t deepen the kiss, didn’t take more than what he assumed Bruce was willing to give right this moment, far too aware of all the times his body had taken from the other man without permission.
Everything stilled for a moment, and Clark felt the way Bruce’s lips curved up into a smile at this display of control. Then, with a certainty that sent a through Clark’s spine, he closed the distance. The shift was subtle, but Clark felt it instantly—the way the tycoon’s fingers curled into his shirt, the way he tilted his chin just so, answering the unspoken invitation. A quiet sigh left the man’s lips, and it was all the permission he needed. His grip tightened—just a fraction, just enough to let himself hold the man properly. Not crushing, not dangerous. Just enough to let the billionaire know that he was there. And that he wasn’t letting go.
Bruce’s lips met Clark’s in a kiss that was both possessive and searching, a silent declaration spoken in the press of his mouth against the reporter’s. He marvelled at how it was slow at first, as if Bruce was savouring the moment, then deepening— heat and restraint warring beneath the surface. Clark felt Bruce’s fingers curl at his waist, anchoring the Kryptonian to him, while his other hand reached up to cradle his jaw, tilting his own head further up in offering and grinning as Clark responded to the unvoiced invitation.
And for a moment, the world faded—the noise, the doubts, everything but the way he was kissed, like Bruce had been waiting for this. Neither of them knew what the future held for them, the dangers that their lives were inherently woven with, made a promise of forever neigh impossible, but standing there in the cave, holding each other, made it seem like a possibility. And if that was what they could give each other- a moment of peace amidst the chaos that ruled their lives, it would have to be enough.