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Something big was coming. Bruce knew that much. It could bring the whole city down in just a night. What was it? He was not sure yet, and it irritated him. It was like the person knew he was getting onto them. They knew, and they were toying with him. Keeping it just out of his reach, and he hated it.
That was not going to turn him away, though. No, he was too stubborn. He would work day and night if he had to, and he was. Sat down in the cave and lurked over his computer. He was going through any and all files he felt could help. He had also managed to hack into a few city cameras and other feeds. Yet, none of it was of use, because why would it? He was unsure how much time had passed. Not that he cared. He told Alfred to hold off on any and all meetings. Nothing could interrupt his search. Not even sleep. He was going till he found it. Nothing was going to stop him.
—
“How long has it been?” Clark sighed when he entered the manor of Wayne Tower. Alfred had called him in, which meant he was getting desperate, and Bruce was extra stubborn. Nothing too new, but it did worry Clark about how bad it really was if the man was not even listening to Alfred.
“Two hours ago was the forty-eight-hour mark. He’s fully ignoring me at this point.” Alfred sighed as he shook his head in disappointment. “I tried shutting down the power in the cave, but he has his computer hooked to a backup generator that can withstand any blackout.”
Great. This was great. This was bad. The man was invested, and Clark worried if he would be enough. Their relationship was still on the fresh side. He had yet to learn what got to Bruce and what did not. “How bad is the case?” Clark asked, needing to know how dire this situation is.
“From what I’ve been informed, it could be the end of Gotham.” Alfred sighed as he walked the man towards the elevator that could take them down to the hidden cave. He held a tray with him. Hoping Clark could at least get the man to eat. Alfred would not be surprised if the one he laid down there a few hours ago was untouched. And if it had been touched. He was sure some of the food was taken by the bats and not his own. “Though, with his state, I don’t really know what he expects to be able to do. The man will probably collapse when he stands up from that chair.” Alfred huffed.
Clark sighed at him. This was dire. Very dire. Which meant this was going to be very difficult. He knew he could easily force the man out of the cave, especially with the others' strength being very depleted from the lack of sleep, and he was sure of food. Using force was the last thing he wanted to do if he had to. He was hoping he could soothe the man out of the cave. That was the main plan. “Thank you, Alfred. I’ll see what I can.” Clark smiled when he finally made it to the bottom.
He did not even have to look around. He knew the man was at the computer. He was sure he had been there since the start of the forty-eight hours. Most likely, moving to go to the bathroom only. If even that. It made him sigh. Putting on a smile as he moved over. “Hey, B.” He smiled, sighing when all he got was a hum. The man did not even look his way. This was really bad. Clark even wondered if the man knew it was him who spoke or if he thought him to be Alfred.
The man looked horrible, too. His hair was a wreck and even had a bat lying on it. It was sort of adorable, if it was not for the fact that the bat probably found his hair to be a nice nest. He just let the little guy be. Not in the mood to fight two bats. So he brought his focus to his face. The black around his eye was intense. Clark had to wonder what was makeup and what was his body showing, how bad he needed sleep. Most likely both. His lips were chapped and cracked. Giving Clark the hint, he probably had not even drunk anything either. How the other did it. He did not know, and he hated that he did it.
“B, you need to rest.” He said gently. Bringing his hand to the man’s and almost jumping at the reaction. In a moment, Bruce’s other hand found his wrist, and despite being sleep-deprived and starved, the strength of his grip was a bit concerning. Guess it did not matter how sleep-deprived the man was. His reflexes were always on high alert. Was the man even aware he did that? If he did, he cared not to acknowledge it. Just removing Clark's hand and going back to what he was working on.
Clark sighed at this. Clearly, he needed a different approach. The man was not even acknowledging him. Not even a noise out of him, meaning the man was locked in completely. So locked in on his screen that Clark even wondered if the other was aware of his body begging to give out. With a deep breath, he moved behind the chair and waited for the perfect moment. The second Bruce moved his hand from the mouse to move them to the keyboard, he pulled the chair back fast with his speed. Not giving him time as he quickly moved in front of it.
That got a reaction from the other. In a moment, Bruce sat upright, and finally, he made eye contact with him. “W-what are you doing?” The man spoke out. His voice was so strained and low that Clark knew if it was not for his hearing, no one would be able to make out what he just said.
“You need rest, Bruce." Clark sighed and smiled softly, calming things down to gentleness. He would rather not raise his voice and go to Superman if he did not have to.
That got a hum from Bruce, and Clark had to move to the side to block his view when he tried to glance back at the screen. “I’m fine.” He huffed.
Clark almost chuckled, but he held it back. “Bruce. You have a bat on your head. You’ve been sitting still for so long that it thinks your hair is a nest.” Clark sighed and rubbed at his temple.
Bruce hummed at that, not caring to move the critter since it did not bother him. “Bats don’t nest.” He remarked. He did not get up, just stared at Clark. Now that he was away from his screen, his mind was starting to come back to his body and the state it was in. How long has it been? He could easily tell if he tried to stand, his legs would give out. Unlike his mind, his legs were very much asleep. Something the rest of his body wished to be doing. So standing was going to be useless. He would fall instantly and prove to Clark how bad he was.
That had Clark having to inhale deeply to keep from doing anything stupid. He would never hurt Bruce. He would never even think of doing that. He just needed a breath, even if it was not required of his body. He just needed to come back down. “Bruce, you need to sleep.” He repeated. He could do this. He did not need to bring Superman into this. Clark Kent could easily solve this.
“I need to solve this case. Then I can sleep.” Bruce huffed towards him. Not going to break just because Clark showed up and moved him away from his screen. He was not going to sleep. For all he knew, the person behind this could launch his plan and the whole city would be destroyed while he got some shut eye. He was not letting that happen.
“Fine, but you can go back to the computer yourself.” Clark grinned some, deciding to make it harder as he grabbed the chair and moved it further from the screen. Bruce wanted to be stubborn. He could easily be stubborn in return.
“Fine,” Bruce huffed back. He could easily get back to the computer. He still had on his suit. All he needed was his grapple. If his legs were not going to work, his utilities could still easily do the trick. When he got a hold of it and aimed, he grumbled when Clark again got in the way. Huffing when it just bounced off the man’s chest. “Really?” He huffed as if what the man did was the problem and not him having to use his tools to function at this point.
“Bruce.” Not Clark, but Superman spoke. His voice was deeper. It was more demanding and confident. It was the voice of tomorrow and hope. His stance was more confident, and despite not being in his suit, that was the pose that one would look up and see floating before them. This was Superman, and Bruce was facing him. Even the bat knew this was different and left. Leaving Bruce alone in his seat to face the man of tomorrow.
“Superman.” He huffed in return. Not about to back down because the man made himself more serious.
“You’re getting rest, Bruce. I will drag you out of this cave if I have to.”
“Guess you better get dragging.” Bruce huffed back. It made him a bit mad that he had no kryptonite on him. Was using that for a situation like this completely overboard? No. Not if you asked him. Which is why he was pissed he did not have it on him. If Clark was willing to play dirty. He was willing to play it back.
That was all Clark needed as he used his speed to grab the other and strip him of the suit. He knew where all the safety precautions were thanks to Alfred. So slipping him out of it and into his underclothes was a breeze. Once content with that, he held him like a baby and started to make his way up. Ignoring the grumbling and the other’s sad attempt to escape his arms. “Are you really still trying to get away?” Clark asked the man. Not shocked by the huff in response. So he ignored it, rubbing at his back to let the man’s usual cold skin start to warm under his touch.
Though their relationship was still fresh. Clark had learned some things. Like how cold Bruce’s skin was and how much the other melted under his own warm touch. How much Bruce loved to latch onto him to try and get heat. It felt like a cat trying to huddle into the sun. It was one of the many things that Clark adored. Right now. He was using that to every advantage he could get.
And despite Bruce's stubbornness, Clark could already hear and feel himself winning. He could feel that the man struggled less. Feel how his muscles started to go slack and relax wherever he would rest his hand. He could hear how that heartbeat started to slow down. Could hear Bruce let out an exhale of relief that his body was finally allowed to rest. They did not even get to the room before Clark knew he was asleep. Listening to the gentle exhale and inhale of his breath as he finally got to rest.
He felt bad leaving him, even if briefly, as he set him on the bed and under the covers. His heart ached at seeing the man trying to find the heat that was holding him. It made Clark move fast, finding some wipes before he moved back over and ever so gently joined him on the bed. Being careful to not wake the man. He kept his touch gentle, chuckling softly as he used the wipe to clean the makeup off his face. The last thing they needed was Alfred being angrier at Bruce for getting eyeshadow all over his sheets and pillows.
Once he cleaned what he could. He set the wipes to the side before he lay down and pulled him close. Adoring how the man instantly latched his limbs around him. “Sleep well, my bat.” He hummed, giving his head a gentle kiss before he joined in the sleep. This reward was well worth the hassle in every way.