Chapter Text
Metropolis was bright, sunny, and the complete opposite of Gotham. Bruce didn’t particularly enjoy visits to the city as he felt he was leaving his own defenseless. He was sitting in the backseat-brooding, Alfred would say-watching as they entered the city’s bounds.
Bruce looked out into the scenery of Metropolis as it blurred past his window, trees and buildings meshed together as his car glided by. Tonight was another charity gala he had been invited to by none other than Lex Luthor, most likely trying to maintain his reputation after his last scandal. Lex had been unsurprisingly caught yet again by Superman after another attempt at ruining the hero. Although he was able to avoid any punishments, his reputation had plummeted-hence the charity gala he was hosting. Superman and Batman have been working together for almost 2 years now after the Justice League was formed. Although Bruce would never outwardly admit it, he saw the Kryptonian as one of his closest friends in the League along with Wonder Woman. It left him slightly less displeased at the idea of visiting Metropolis, but not by much. It’s not like billionaire Bruce Wayne would be interacting with the man of steel anytime soon. Bruce hated leaving Gotham to Nightwing and Robin but there was no chance of him weaseling his way out of going to this gala.
“Alfred, remind me again how much time I have to spend at tonight’s gala” Bruce peered through the passenger window yet again in his impatience. Alfred made eye contact with Bruce through the mirror as he drove, his amusement at Bruce’s displeasure evident in the small uptick of his mouth.
“If I may, Master Bruce, you’ve spent the last 3 weeks away from the public eye in exchange for your nightly activities, the least you can do is spend one afternoon as Bruce Wayne.”
For the past 3 weeks Bruce had been monitoring gang activity in Gotham’s slums, there was something there and Bruce knew it. He had been tracking weapon shipments for days now, trying to locate the source and what was being planned. He had been working non-stop and slept rarely, which is why Alfred graciously accepted Lex’s invitation in his name to force him to take a break. He knew Alfred didn’t approve of him being Batman, as Alfred made no attempts to try and hide it. His butler constantly encouraging him to pursue a life of normalcy-if you can even call being a billionaire normal that is.
The car came to a stop in front of one of the LexCorp owned buildings, paparazzi already lined up to get a glimpse of all the big names that would be attending, which included him. Bruce, already feeling a headache come on from the prospect of interacting with the press. He steeled his resolve and put on his signature “Brucie Wayne” grin as he gave Alfred one last one over.
“I do hope you make the most of your time, Master Bruce. Enjoy your evening.”
“I’m sure I will.” His discontent had mellowed over the car ride and now all he wanted to do was get this over with so he could get back to Gotham.
Bruce said his final goodbyes and stepped out into the flashing lights of the cameras.
Metropolis 7am
Clark’s morning had started out busy as usual. Clark woke up early most days but always ended up showing up to the Daily Planet late due to his alter ego’s activities. He could never help himself from switching out to his costume to come to the rescue of a lost child or a burning building. It was hard to maintain both of his lives, but there was nothing else that satisfied him more than the hope he saw in people’s faces as he flew down to their aid. Today was no different as he showed up to the Planet almost 20 minutes late after stopping a flood 2 cities over.
“Kent! There you are!” Lois rushed over to him just as he exited the elevator doors and dragged him by his arm as she spoke. “Perry’s been looking all over for you!” Clark was thrown for a loop as he struggled to wrap his head around the sudden situation he was thrust into.
“I- what? What’s going on Lois?” Clark, now trying to keep pace with Lois as she skillfully maneuvered her way through the bustling office, her heels clicking with each stride. He wasn’t as graceful in his venture through the office, bumping into a couple of people and almost knocking over a pile of files, but it was a part of his persona. He could’ve avoided a lot of the mistakes he made but let them slide to keep up his bumbling reporter act. Well calling it an “act” is generous, as more often than not he finds himself almost making these small mistakes as Superman too. To his embarrassment, he had tripped on his cape the other day at the Watchtower.
“Clark!” Lois called from over her shoulder as she finally came to notice Clark wasn’t following as closely as she expected. Clark did a slight jog to catch up as they continued on to Perry’s office. “Hurry up, we’ve been stalling for the past 20 minutes, and I don’t think Jimmy can hold him off any longer.”
They made it to Perry’s office to see Jimmy nervously showing their boss an array of photos he took on his camera, nervously babbling about each one. He looked on the verge of tears when they walked in, tension bleeding out of his shoulders as he sighed in relief at seeing Clark. “See! I told you he was on the way, haha..” Jimmy said awkwardly as he backed away from the already irritated man.
“Kent!” Perry’s gruff voice barked out as Jimmy backed away from the desk to idle by Lois.
“You know I should fire you, but I need you to cover the gala Luthor’s throwing tonight.”
All Clark could do was stare dumbly as he tried to process the sudden information given to him. This was the first time he was hearing about him going to the party, last he heard it was Lois that would be covering that story. Although not her favorite as she craved more substance than what those gatherings usually entailed, she begrudgingly agreed a few weeks prior. Now hearing that he would be the one taking up the story on the day of the social event was too sudden.
“What?”
Ignoring Clark’s outburst he continued on. “Lane was supposed to cover the gala today, but I’ve reassigned her to cover a new development in the drug ring that was busted last week. Jimmy will go with you to take pictures. I expect a full article by tomorrow. That’s all.”
Perry turned back to the files and shooed them out of his office before Clark could ask any questions.
Clark, a bit peeved at the sudden change, looked to Lois for answers. Under his gaze, she shrank a bit with an apologetic look on her face. “Sorry, there was no one else to take the story, Kat would but she’s still out sick.” Clark looked at her for a moment longer before sighing and accepting his new predicament. “It’s fine Lo, just maybe a warning next time?”
“Sure Clark, thanks again though!” Lois playfully slapped his back before she happily waltzed off, relieved to not be at a bad standing with him. Moreso, she was pleased that she wouldn’t have to be the one to spend the night chasing billionaires for a quote.
Now alone with Jimmy he glanced over to what Jimmy was keeping Perry busy with for almost 20 minutes. “How’d you keep him at bay for so long?”
Jimmy looked up from his camera and grinned before handing his camera to Clark so he could see the photos. “I found photos of some of the people that’ll be at tonight’s party and asked him who I should be focusing on.”
Clark already knew that Jimmy was a bit ditsy but never incompetent at his work. He was thankful that Jimmy was able to figure out something to keep Perry busy, even if it likely put him in a worse position with their temperamental boss. Clark kept scrolling through the photos taken on Jimmy’s camera when he landed on a face he didn’t recognize.
“Who’s this?” Clark had memorized faces that held importance in Metropolis due to both lines of work, but he was stumped. Jimmy took the camera from his hands and glanced at the man in the photo. A flash of recognition went across his face as he lit up in his explanation. “Oh! That’s Bruce Wayne. You probably don’t recognize him because he’s from Gotham. Lex invited him to tonight’s gala. He’s the main reason why I’m excited for tonight. There’s a ton of rumors about him” Jimmy recounted some of the stories about what he heard about Wayne, but Clark couldn’t help but tune it out in favor of analyzing the photo again. Even though it was Clark’s first time putting a face to the name he heard in passing, he couldn’t help but feel like there was something familiar about him.
“Clark?” Jimmy, realizing he lost Clark’s focus, snapped his fingers at him.
“Huh? Oh sorry Jimmy, I just am a bit dazed right now. It’ll be my first time at a big event like this.” Jimmy gave him a sympathetic look before patting him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry big guy, I’m sure you’ll fit right in!” Jimmy’s optimism died as he looked at Clark’s disheveled state.
“Well, maybe we can get you a better suit…” Clark looked down and blushed a bit at his wrinkled suit and messy hair. “I guess you’re right”
Clark spent the rest of his workday helping around the office and trying to get himself somewhat presentable for the gala. Eventually, the hours passed and it was already time for the pair to head out.
As the two reporters arrived at the building they were grouped up with the rest of the press after their badges were checked out. None of them could enter the building until all the guests arrived, so they were stuck waiting outside trying to catch a glimpse of the people filing into the building before them. Jimmy was busy taking photos, so there was nothing really left for Clark to do but wait. Clark was vaguely paying attention when another sleek car pulled up to the venue and Jimmy jabbed at him to get his attention. “Look Clark! That’s that guy I was telling you about.” Clark looked up to see a tall man with dark hair and alluring smile step out of the car and into the light of the cameras. The paparazzi lit up with a new vigor, excited by the appearance of Gotham’s prince. “Bruce Wayne...” Clark murmured under his breath as he stared at the man. As if he heard Clark, Bruce looked up and made eye contact with him for a second, giving him a passing smile before fixing his gaze back forward. There was something off about him and Clark had all night to try and figure it out.
End Chapter 1.