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Clark was a man of privacy. Anyone who knew Superman personally knew that as a fact of life. If you know Kal-El, you know he has a civilian identity he doesn’t share with anyone.
This privacy also crosses over to his love life as well.
Ever since a banquet he reported on, he has been dating the one and only Bruce Wayne of Gotham. Well, technically they started dating when they went to get late night burgers after the banquet, but still.
“Superman doesn’t have time for love” is the mentality he tries to show to the world. He focuses solely on helping humanity when in the public eye as Superman.
Problem is, they all assume he’s dating Lois instead because of how many interviews he does with her. Also because of when she helped him get out of that pocket universe Lex Luthor put him in. And the article she released that had put Luthor behind bars and cleared his name.
There are only 4 people who know about the hypno glasses and the identity they hide. Mr. Terrific, who doesn’t talk to the media, or anyone if he can get away with it, and doesn’t like talking about personal life at work. Hawk-Girl, who retired to go have a family with her husband Carter Hall and wishes to disappear off the map now. Green Lantern, who has now added it to his vow to not bring up personal identities (thank you Shieran for clearing that up with him).
And finally, Lois. Who is the only one to know about his love life on top of the secret identity thing.
Not even Bruce knows that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person. Hell, the world doesn’t even know about Clark and Bruce being together for six months.
Bruce thinks it’s too dangerous for people to know he’s dating Clark on account of the target on Bruce’s back.
And Clark thinks it’s too dangerous for people to know he’s dating Bruce on account of the target on Superman’s back.
Which is why Clark is in his current predicament.
According to the newly named Justice League, it was Superman’s turn to patrol Gotham while the Green Lantern’s going to patrol Metropolis.
Superman was always more than a little excited to check-in on Bruce when he was in charge of patrolling Gotham, though he had to be discreet.
Especially since he and Bruce are currently fighting. This was the fourth night that Clark had to turn down seeing Bruce because of Superman work. He always had to come up with some lies to cover. This time Clark said he was going to a charity for kids with cancer to write an article on.
Clark did feel bad about lying, but the risk that came with dating Superman was too great.
First things first though, he had to talk with Batman. It would be rude to go onto his turf without getting the a-ok from the main hero of the city.
Luckily, it seemed Batman was thinking the same thing because he was on the roof of one of the many skyscrapers in the city’s skyline. He was crouching on the edge, clearly watching the sky for any signs of the Kryptonian.
“Evening, Batman. How have things been going tonight?” Superman landed on the roof gently and walked towards Batman, who is now standing upright.
“Things have been fine. Some robberies here and there, but the police have been handling that.” Batman said with a little more hostility than his typical brooding nature.
While Superman wouldn’t say he and Batman were necessarily friends, they are coworkers, and Superman isn’t the type to let people suffer on their own if he can help it.
Superman asked, “Rough night?” His eyes were now looking at the city of Gotham, trying to be friendly, but not too nosey. Experience said that Batman was more secretive than Superman, and way less trusting.
“Personal matters.”
Turning his head towards Batman, Superman nudged, “Want to talk about it? I have found it can help to get an outsider's perspective.”
Batman didn’t look back towards Superman, and he shrugged.
Superman has never seen Batman shrug, or do anything of the like. It was so shocking, he almost missed the beginning of what Batman was saying.
“-issues with my partner. We are having a non-verbal argument of sorts.”
This drew a chuckle from Superman. “You and I are in a similar boat then.”
Batman finally turned to look at the other hero as he asked, “You and Lois?”
“Something like that,” supplied Superman. While he loved bonding with Batman, he knew both of them respected their privacy too much to dive deeper.
They stood in semi-comfortable silence for a few minutes before Superman heard the screams of two women and he flew over to them after bidding goodbye to Batman.
After safely apprehending the would-be mugger and a few more small crimes after that, Superman found himself wishing for his cellphone. There was no place to safely put his phone in his suit, so he had to go without. There was also the concern that Lois brought up about if he got a call while being Superman and that potentially opening him to danger or getting exposed as Clark Kent.
So no phone and no boyfriend.
Bummer.
But that didn’t mean he couldn't peek at what his boyfriend was up to. He just should avoid getting caught by any of the residents.
He knew the way to Wayne Manor by heart now and made quick work of flying over.
When he got there though, there was no Bruce to be found. His x-ray vision found Alfred and Richard, but no Bruce.
This was not a scheduled outing because Clark remembers Bruce saying he was free tonight and was planning on having a family movie night with Alfred and Richard and wanted Clark to join.
Superman flew up and away from the manor to look for Bruce. Superman's stomach felt tight and twisted as he continued to fail to locate Bruce.
Needing to find Bruce, but not wanting to blow his cover by going to the manor and asking, “Hello, where is the third person I happen to magically know resides here,” Clark decides to go to a payphone to call the landline.
After a few rings, Alfred picks up, “Hello?”
“Hey, Mr. Alfred,” Clark says. “Is Bruce home?”
“Good morning, Master Clark. Master Bruce left a few minutes ago. I believe he said he was coming to see you.”
Gosh darn it. That was not what Clark wanted to hear. Sadly, he had to finish this call before he could fly as fast as possible over to his apartment.
“Oh, well then, I better get back to my apartment so he has someone to see.” Clark took a breath to calm his nerves. “Thank you, Alfred for letting me know. I don’t have my cell phone, so can you let him know I will be home in ten minutes?”
He got a confirmation, said his goodbyes, carefully placed the payphone back as it should be, and blasted off so hard he worried he cracked the pavement.
In the air, all he could do was worry. He wished he had his cellphone so he could have been more prepared, could have known what Bruce was planning before it got to the point of Superman needing to leave his post an hour before he was supposed to.
Clark didn’t have much time to worry because he was quickly approaching his apartment. He didn’t slow or stop as he approached the building. Instead, he zoomed through the still open window, bounced off his bed, and found himself standing in his bedroom.
The clock in his room informed him that he had 2 minutes until he told Bruce he would be home, and he was still in his hero uniform.
Clark quickly became a mess of flying limbs and clothes as he got out of the suit and tried to find suitable pajamas that say, “I just got home from a late night charity event.”
There was a knock on the door before Clark could get a shirt on. Deciding to just roll with it, he went to the door and opened it to find incognito-mode Bruce, who looked comfy in blue jeans, a Gotham University hoodie, and a baseball hat.
No words were exchanged because, honestly, Clark was scared of the glare being leveled at him from his boyfriend.
Both found spots in the living room on opposite sides of the coffee table. There was a tense few moments before Clark decided to try and be brave.
“Hello, dear. How have things been going tonight?”
Bruce let out a hollow chuckle, “I don’t know, Clark. How do you think it’s going when I found out there is no Rockin’ Charity for Children’s Cancer? I looked it up.”
Oh snickerdoodle.
When Clark said nothing, Bruce continued, “I thought I could stop by and at least see my partner at work because I haven’t seen him in, what, two weeks? And hey, I’m Bruce Wayne and can get into any event. Instead I find out he lied to me about some fake charity and went out to who knows where and only contacts me when I’m heading to his place at 4 in the fucking morning!”
Maneuvering around the table, Clark reached for Bruce's shoulders and said, “Bruce, I can explain-”
Bruce’s laugh is low and cold, “Explain? Okay, explain, Clark. Is there someone else? Is it Lois, because last I checked she was seeing Superman.”
“Of course I’m not seeing someone else, Bruce. I-” Clark froze. He couldn’t say what he was really doing, and now he didn’t have a good lie. Saying he was visiting Lois would just double down Bruce’s suspicions. Bruce now knows he wasn’t working. He doesn’t even have a relative in town he could ask to back him up. Everything is just a mess.
“Please, Clark. Just give me an actual reason. Is it me? Is it the secrecy? Because you can talk to me, we can talk about it.” Bruce started pacing the room. His baseball hat was removed so Bruce could run his hand through his hair.
Normally, this nervous habit made Clark’s heart soar, but all his heart could do right now is sink. “It’s not that, Bruce. I wish I could explain, but I can’t right now. There are things I can’t share.”
Bruce’s feet stopped. “You can’t share with me? I thought we were in this together, Clark.”
Clark rushed to grab Bruce’s hands as he pleaded, “We are! I just have things I can’t share with you at this moment.”
“Things you can’t share with me. You know what, Clark,” said Bruce as he removed his hands from Clark’s, “I think I need to think over if we can share a life together with this hanging over our heads.” The shorter man started to make his way for the door.
Clark took a step towards him. “Bruce, please-”
“Please what, Clark? I have found out that you are lying to me, hiding things from me, and you just expect me to trust you?” Bruce was in Clark's face now, tears were making his eyes glisten in the warm lights in the apartment. “Just, don’t Clark. I am going home. Please give me space.”
Without another word, Bruce walked out the door, leaving Clark alone with tears streaming down his cheeks.
----
Later that day, Clark was at work. He felt drained in a way no yellow sun could fix. All he really wanted to do was sleep at his desk, but his article on Jarhanpur’s recovery since the attempted occupation from Boravia wasn’t going to write, revise, and publish itself.
During a quick break that consisted of laying his head on his desk, Clark was roused by Lois putting a cup of coffee next to his head.
“You look like shit, Clark.”
Raising his head, Clark said, “Thank you Lois.”
Lois has been Clark's best friend since he moved to Metropolis. They never dated, contrary to popular belief, mainly because they both play for the other team. They instead bonded and became each other's go-to for everything. Clark was the first person Lois came out to, and Lois was the first one to find out about Clark being with Bruce.
It makes sense she would be the first to find out about their fight and imminent break up.
“Bee asked for a pause in the relationship.” Clark brought his head back down to the desk because the weight of reality was feeling like too much for him right now.
Lois sighed, “What happened?”
“I turned down spending the evening with him… 4 times in a row… because of interview stuff.” Clark and Lois had decided to refer to Superman work as “interview stuff” when in public to avoid suspicion.
“Oh, Clark.” Lois paused to drink her own cup of sugar with coffee. “Let me guess, he figured out you were lying, because you were, and you wouldn’t tell him the truth, so he felt betrayed.” She looked down at him as she asked, “and why can’t you just tell him the truth?”
Deciding this was a conversation that needed eye contact, Clark leaned back in his chair as far as it would safely go. “It’s because, Lois, the simple fact of knowing increases the likelihood that someone could target Bee to get to me. If he doesn’t know, then he’s not a target because he wouldn’t be able to say who I am or our connection. Also, when you found out, you told me how much it increased your worries.”
“So, what?” Lois asks. “You would rather not be together than add to his worries?”
“You are the one who said I was too trusting.” Clark looked at her as he said this, not moving from his leaned back position.
“C’mon, Clark. I’m a known cynic. If you think it’s worthwhile to have Bee in your life, you should tell him. He’s Bee! He is known for how hard it is to assassinate him. He already has a target on his back, it’s not like making it bigger will hurt anyone!”
“He has a child, Lois! Either one could be hurt because of this information.” This had Clark out of his chair and thankful that everyone was out for lunch right now.
“Then, I don’t know, move in with him! You can protect them. The commute wouldn’t kill you!”
“While I wouldn’t mind that, there is one problem getting in the way of that.” Clark said slowly, backing back towards his chair.
Lois’ face grew stern, “What is it, Clark?”
“Bee may have blocked me until he feels he’s ready to talk.”
“You two are hopeless.”
“I’m aware, Lois. Can I go back to work? I have interview stuff tonight and I don’t want to fall behind.” To prove his point, Clark sat back down and turned back to his computer, ready to wrap up his article.
“Fine. But you need to make up with him, Clark. Soon.” Lois moved to leave, taking her sugar coffee with her.
“I fully agree.” Clark watched Lois leave and when no one was nearby he said to himself, “I sure mucked this one up.”
---
Superman worked for the next week, but with one caveat, no Gotham.
It may have been driving his fellow League members mad. As Superman is learning right now at headquarters.
Superman was in the main lounge room, sitting on the couch, a cup of cocoa in his hand. Cocoa was his drink of choice when stressed. It was such a well known thing that Sheiran and Guy got him one of those delicious cocoa making machines that they have in diners as a “welcome aboard” gift when he officially joined the league.
He used that machine often.
In front of Superman, Green Lantern was, well, not raging, but not politely ranting, “I mean, it would have been annoying with just you avoiding a whole crime-ridden city, but no! We have 2 people in the same week saying they won’t go to a whole city! At least one said Gotham and the other said Metropolis, but still!”
“I understand your frustration, Green Lantern, but like I said, I have personal reasons to avoid Gotham right now. I don’t want to jeopardize people’s safety by not being fully focused on the patrol.”
“That’s exactly what Batman said.” Green Lantern started to make his way out of the room. Apparently he had a haircut for maintenance purposes.
When Green Lantern was gone, Clark tried to figure out his next move. Bruce was still radio silent, Alfred as well (Clark had never heard Alfred speak in such a detached voice before). He was sure showing up in person would not go well. Not unless Clark was planning on risking it all by telling Bruce the whole truth.
But if they were breaking up, Clark did not want a possible Lex Luthor situation where Bruce uses his money to find kryptonite. Not that he believed Bruce would want to murder him! But better safe than sorry. Superman should never reveal his identity to a powerful ex-boyfriend.
While laying on the couch, drinking his cocoa, and moping so much that he didn’t notice someone else joining him in the headquarters lounge.
What caught his attention was the sound of the cocoa machine warming up and making a cup of cocoa.
Surprised that someone was using the machine, Superman sat up and looked over the back of the couch. To his surprise, Batman, the Caped Crusader himself, was getting a cup of cocoa.
In a Batman face mug.
It took all of Superman’s strength not to laugh.
Batman was looking more sour than usual, even more so than last week. His cowl hid a lot of his face, but his mouth was in a very stern frown.
“How have things been going?” asked Superman. He made room on the couch for Batman, because everyone knows that cocoa is best enjoyed on a couch.
Batman carefully took the space Superman left him as he said, “Personal matters.”
“You and I are in the same boat then.”
Silence filled the room.
While it was odd, Superman found comfort in the silence. It was similar to the comfort he felt when he sat in silence with Bruce. But since he didn’t want to add even getting close to adultery to his list of mess-ups, Superman decided to just drop that train of thought and appreciate making a friend he doesn’t have to talk to.
“Any good cases recently?” Superman asked before taking a sip of cocoa.
Batman drank some cocoa, then said, “I had to solve a case involving knowing the Ancient Greek words used in The Odyssey. Which was a piece of information I never believed I would need to use in anything other than a trivia game.” Batman drank a little more cocoa before asking, “How have your patrols been going?”
“I can’t say I have had any clues that call back to my knowledge of classic literature, but I did have a man who robbed a mom and pop shop. He got pretty far into the park when I caught up to him, he shook in his boots and then passed out. He was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” Superman was chuckling by the end of his little tale.
Batman readjusted himself to better look at the other hero, “‘Cat in a room full of rocking chairs.’ That sounds like something my friend would say. He’s a midwesterner. Are you from over there?”
Fiddlesticks.
Superman's chuckle turned nervous, “Really? I was raised in Kansas until I graduated high school, then I moved to Metropolis. Everyone knows the rest, other than my private life.” He then proceeded to chug some cocoa to stop himself from revealing more information.
He really was too darn trusting.
Batman adjusted himself again so he was facing Superman. You can’t see much behind the cowl, but Superman saw the narrowing eyes and a familiar twitch at the corner of his mouth. It all made Superman feel like he was under a microscope.
“Where in Kansas? My friend’s from there.”
Deciding to throw some caution to the wind (this is supposed to be his coworker he can trust with anything), he said, “Smallsville.”
There was the most awkward pause Superman has ever experienced in his life.
Then, Batman said the one thing Superman would never expect, “Clark?!”
Now, that wasn’t Batman’s voice. It wasn’t artificially low and gruff. No, that was the voice Clark hears every time he inhales a burger in the blink of an eye, the voice he hears scolding a mischievous teen when said teen climbs up onto some high place he absolutely should not be.
That was Bruce’s voice.
Clark immediately feels his posture relax, then tense.
He and Bruce were fighting. He and Batman were fighting.
And Batman was sitting next to him, moving to take his cowl off.
“Bruce, I am so sorry I couldn’t tell you about this! I didn’t know you were Batman and I didn’t want to risk you getting hurt!” Clark set his mug down as he continued, “I was wrong to lie to you to cover my patrol schedule and I should have tried to come see you. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself had you gotten hurt because you knew my secret identity.”
Grabbing his hands, Bruce stopped Clark from continuing. “Clark, hold on. I understand now. Yes, I am hurt that you kept your identity a secret from me, but I am not one to talk here. I was struggling with not telling you myself, which is part of why I lashed out. But wait, what about Lois? Everyone thinks she is dating Superman.”
Clark sighed, “Don’t tell her I told you this, but she is actually interested in Ms. Grant at the Daily Planet.”
Nodding his head, Bruce astutely said, “Ahh.”
“How about we both call it a mistake and promise to not keep secrets anymore?” suggested Clark.
“Agreed.”
They both leaned in and had a gentle kiss. Clark had missed those in the last three weeks. Bruce’s kisses always made Clark feel at home. Before he could his it, he quickly sneaked another from Bruce, not that Bruce was complaining at all.
When they pulled back, they settled on the couch where Bruce was resting with his back on Clark’s chest and Clark had his arms around Bruce. This was a favorite position for the two to end up in after a long day.
“I missed you,” Clark whispered, like it was a little secret between the two.
Bruce sighed before saying back, “I missed you, too.”
“Do you want to go to your place tonight? Neither of us are patrolling tonight,” suggested Clark.
There was a comfortable pause before Bruce said, “That sounds perfect. First, let’s clean up.”
Together the two stood up, and following Bruce’s lead, Clark went and cleaned out his mug and let it dry. Then they moved to make sure they hadn’t left anything in the main lounge area.
When the room was sufficiently cleaned up, Bruce called out, “Robin, get down here!”
That’s when Clark noticed someone in the rafters, who had clearly been there for a while playing on some device while reclining on a beam. When the kid heard his name called, he tumbled down to the ground and started walking towards the couple. He was clearly on the younger side, no more than 13, and was wearing a bright red and green suit with a yellow belt and cape.
“You two done being all romantic, Padre?” asked a very familiar voice.
“Is that… Richard?!” Clark couldn’t keep the laughter out of his voice! Bruce had gotten his kid into hero work as well!
“Heyo Clark!”
At the same time, Bruce said, “Sorry, there was one more secret I had meant to tell you!”
All Clark could do was laugh and give Bruce a kiss on the top of his head.