[And again, he folds his arms across his chest, looking down. Both are real. Both are part of him. But that's not all of it, either. Bruce Wayne, Batman, they're the same. They cooperate, and together become something greater. His voice is much softer when he continues.]
I know you haven't. A man who was lost like that...
[His arms drop and he moves forward too, all bright colour beside the black, and reaches up to put his hand on Bruce's shoulder.]
He'd have taken this opportunity, being swept here, to just completely disappear, turned on himself. And I don't know--maybe you considered it. But you didn't choose it.
[There was more to it than that. Bruce was clearly complicated, and maybe the fact that Clark didn't understand was hurting him. Not for the first time, he wished he could fill that spot that Bruce needed, but he knew better than to think he could. He just hoped he wasn't doing more damage just by being there, like Him but not quite, doing more harm than good as a result.]
I don't know you, and I don't think I'll ever really understand. But I'm pretty sure you don't need saving. If you did, I'd know.
[ The hand on his shoulder is heavy, and Bruce reaches up and brush it off. He walks down the ledge again, looking outwards into the Darknes. The lights barely manage to pierce through the fog, and it's obvious that it's not natural- that, and the fact that Bruce feels that he doesn't exactly belong here. That he's too human. Not monstrous enough.
It's funny, because back in Gotham, he has always felt the most at home in the night. ]
My enemies are here. [ Breathe out. He looks at Clark= just him, and he knows that he's not the friend he has- but he might be able to give him the same that what he needs. ] Bruce Wayne serves a purpose. Nothing more.
[ It's a farce. No matter how elaborate and human-like the mask, it is still a mask. ]
And Superman? [ He uses the name deliberately. ] I'm usually the one who saves you.
[Serves a purpose. Then who was he? Both Bruce Wayne and Batman, and neither. Maybe...it doesn't need to be explained. Maybe trying to would just undermine it. When Bruce walks away from him he doesn't follow, just raises his foot off the edge of the roof to step up, and doesn't touch the ledge when he reaches it.
He doesn't notice. His eyes are on Bruce.
There's still something to save. His humanity can't just be a mask. He'd seen him smile, seen him laugh, and it's there. Maybe he should let it be, but it doesn't mean he can't acknowledge it, can't reach out for it.]
I'm beginning to see why he trusts you the way he does.
[ Neither, both. Add in Matches Malone and everything becomes complicated. Bruce keeps every part of himself hidden, only taking out bits and pieces of himself to flash out like cards to be dealt. Here, have a flash of a diamond two. Here, have a flash of a black king spade.
He never does show all of his hand. Not even to his children, not even to Alfred. To the first he is their leader, to the latter he is his employer. Bruce plays his cards close to his chest.
That's why when Clark says what he does, it takes him by surprise. He turns to him, a little too fast- the only tell he shows, and he cocks his head to the side. ]
Because it seems that no matter what it is, he can depend on you, that you're strong enough to take my weight on your shoulders as well as your own, even though you shouldn't have to.
You said I was more human than anyone. But you do this without any of my strength, without my invulnerability. You put everything on the line, and you pull through because you have to; because you have no other choice.
[He turns his head slightly, tilts his foot down and finds the brickwork beneath it, and wobbles just a little on the landing because he didn't expect it, spoiling the moment with his clumsiness.]
[ There's a pause before he reaches out, grabbing a handful of red cape, and pulls Clark in. It's like reeling in a fish. Then, when Clark is over the edge again, he shrugs. ]
No. You're wrong. [ He looks at him, half-hovering. The pose is definitely familiar, though the face is younger. ] This is the choice I made. [ He has to believe in that. ] I chose this life as much as you chose yours.
[ There's always the possibility of Superman hiding his abilities and never coming a hero, after all. ]
You have the irritating tendency of carrying the world on your shoulders, and at the same time being stupid enough to charge into dangerous situations against enemies who know your weaknesses.
I'd rather not have a Superman who is a loose canon because he's under too much pressure. Or one who is mind controlled.
[ It's not what Clark means, and he knows it. But Bruce gives words that can be almost seen to be the answer. ]
[He hears the firmness there, but he can't say he chose to be this. Sure, he could have - theoretically - walked away, but in all truth? It was never actually an option. The thought of leaving the people around him to be hurt was a jarring one.
The last comment, particularly, was a reminder that he needed to watch himself. They'd made one mistake; one mistake that couldn't be repeated. And he was something of a loose cannon. Batman was right; it could kill either one of them if he wasn't more careful.
But it didn't mean he could just close his eyes to it, either.]
No more ad lib wild Kryptonite chases, you mean? I think that's probably for the best.
[ That's where Clark would be wrong. It's an option; it's always an option for him to simply walk away. The fact is that he doesn't have to- he chose to. Bruce knows that even though his parents' death is solidified time, becoming Batman was still his own idea, his own choice. It's still a part of who he is instead of something as nebulous as fate. ]
No more. [ Dryly. ]
In fact, if you're at all intelligent, keep away from Kryptonite and let me deal with it.
[Clark hasn't quite levelled out yet, hasn't quite found his feet, tidied up his reasoning. Being a superhero all of a sudden, the way it's been here? It's only reenforced his feeling that he had very little choice in the matter. Not none; he knows in his mind that it was his decision, that his chosen path has led him here, not delivered him here. He knows that, like Hawk-man he could have walked away.
He didn't.]
Depends if you're going to make any promises not to charge into SERO laboratories without backup, doesn't it?
[ All of them with powers could've walked away or used those powers for harm. The fact that they haven't made their heroism their choice. It also makes it dangerous, for ther can turn away from it at any moment.
Abilities are amoral. It's the minds behind them that control the abilities.
Then, he snorts. ]
Of course not. I don't need backup. [ Smirk. ] I never do.
[Batman will have to keep drumming that in to him. Clark hasn't talked to Brainiac 5 yet, and he hasn't understood. He hasn't let go. But he's learning all on his own...and with Batman's help, of course.]
[ Dryly. And of course he'll keep drilling that into Clark. Because really, Bruce would be the world's greatest criminal if that's what he's working towards. ]
I know you haven't. A man who was lost like that...
[His arms drop and he moves forward too, all bright colour beside the black, and reaches up to put his hand on Bruce's shoulder.]
He'd have taken this opportunity, being swept here, to just completely disappear, turned on himself. And I don't know--maybe you considered it. But you didn't choose it.
[There was more to it than that. Bruce was clearly complicated, and maybe the fact that Clark didn't understand was hurting him. Not for the first time, he wished he could fill that spot that Bruce needed, but he knew better than to think he could. He just hoped he wasn't doing more damage just by being there, like Him but not quite, doing more harm than good as a result.]
I don't know you, and I don't think I'll ever really understand. But I'm pretty sure you don't need saving. If you did, I'd know.
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It's funny, because back in Gotham, he has always felt the most at home in the night. ]
My enemies are here. [ Breathe out. He looks at Clark= just him, and he knows that he's not the friend he has- but he might be able to give him the same that what he needs. ] Bruce Wayne serves a purpose. Nothing more.
[ It's a farce. No matter how elaborate and human-like the mask, it is still a mask. ]
And Superman? [ He uses the name deliberately. ] I'm usually the one who saves you.
Remember that.
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He doesn't notice. His eyes are on Bruce.
There's still something to save. His humanity can't just be a mask. He'd seen him smile, seen him laugh, and it's there. Maybe he should let it be, but it doesn't mean he can't acknowledge it, can't reach out for it.]
I'm beginning to see why he trusts you the way he does.
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He never does show all of his hand. Not even to his children, not even to Alfred. To the first he is their leader, to the latter he is his employer. Bruce plays his cards close to his chest.
That's why when Clark says what he does, it takes him by surprise. He turns to him, a little too fast- the only tell he shows, and he cocks his head to the side. ]
And why is that?
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You said I was more human than anyone. But you do this without any of my strength, without my invulnerability. You put everything on the line, and you pull through because you have to; because you have no other choice.
[He turns his head slightly, tilts his foot down and finds the brickwork beneath it, and wobbles just a little on the landing because he didn't expect it, spoiling the moment with his clumsiness.]
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No. You're wrong. [ He looks at him, half-hovering. The pose is definitely familiar, though the face is younger. ] This is the choice I made. [ He has to believe in that. ] I chose this life as much as you chose yours.
[ There's always the possibility of Superman hiding his abilities and never coming a hero, after all. ]
You have the irritating tendency of carrying the world on your shoulders, and at the same time being stupid enough to charge into dangerous situations against enemies who know your weaknesses.
I'd rather not have a Superman who is a loose canon because he's under too much pressure. Or one who is mind controlled.
[ It's not what Clark means, and he knows it. But Bruce gives words that can be almost seen to be the answer. ]
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The last comment, particularly, was a reminder that he needed to watch himself. They'd made one mistake; one mistake that couldn't be repeated. And he was something of a loose cannon. Batman was right; it could kill either one of them if he wasn't more careful.
But it didn't mean he could just close his eyes to it, either.]
No more ad lib wild Kryptonite chases, you mean? I think that's probably for the best.
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No more. [ Dryly. ]
In fact, if you're at all intelligent, keep away from Kryptonite and let me deal with it.
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He didn't.]
Depends if you're going to make any promises not to charge into SERO laboratories without backup, doesn't it?
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Abilities are amoral. It's the minds behind them that control the abilities.
Then, he snorts. ]
Of course not. I don't need backup. [ Smirk. ] I never do.
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Then who is Robin?
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[ Dryly. And of course he'll keep drilling that into Clark. Because really, Bruce would be the world's greatest criminal if that's what he's working towards. ]
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Whatever you say.
[Experience counts for nothing when you find yourself fighting something new. He'll just have to...look out for Batman. Simple, right?]
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Don't even think about listening to me. I'll shut off my heartbeat if that's what it'll take.
[ So much disapproval. ]
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Does it feel nice to put yourself as a god above me, the puny human?
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