Fic: A Certain Thought that Lingers - (11/20) (Clark/Bruce)
Title: A Certain Thought that Lingers
Pairing: Superman/Batman
Rating: R
Verse: DCU/DCAU
Word Count: 13,439
Summary: The decision to use a telepathic link to allow the Justice League to communicate during battle backfires, creating a special bond between Superman and Batman. Batman finds the situation...unbearable.
XI.
Later that week, at the JLA meeting, Batman made his case, made the motion, and asked for a vote. He completely ignored the fact that Rayner was in the room, sitting too close to Superman, touching him and whispering in his ear at every opportunity; ignored Rayner’s shocked expression and indignant exclamation; ignored it when he stomped from the room like the child he was. Batman merely sat in his seat with his hands folded on the table, waiting for his colleagues to address his motion. He only had eyes for Superman.
“I need a moment alone with Batman,” Superman announced. He waited for his teammates to file out of the room and then stalked to the window, where Batman was now standing.
“You can’t treat Kyle like he’s some second class citizen, Batman. He deserves the same respect as anyone else. He’s a full member of the team-”
“Not yet he isn’t.”
“That’s a technicality-”
“-that was put in place for a reason. The first year he’s on probation. I think there’s enough clear evidence to support the conclusion that the appropriate place for Kyle Rayner is with the Teen Titans, for at least another two years. John Stewart is a better candidate for this team, and he’s available again.”
Superman was silent, staring at him. Batman had the uncomfortable feeling that his every motivation was being read like a book, but he didn’t care. He was right. The kid’s insecurities were a menace at this level.
“You’re pushing this for the good of the team.”
“Absolutely.”
“You’re a liar, Bruce. And the worst part of all, you lie to yourself.”
It was almost-more than he could bear, to have Superman take Rayner’s side like this when he was so clearly right. “Don’t act like you don’t love having him all over you, following you around like a puppy,” Batman accused, finger pointing at Superman’s chest. “You don’t want me to send him down so you don’t have to lose your lapdog.”
Superman stared. “I can’t believe this-you’re jealous,” a hand through his hair, “and you’re taking it out on Kyle. I won’t let you punish him-”
“You won’t let-”
“I won’t let you punish him because you’re too scared to take what you want-”
“And I suppose Rayner is so brave. That’s why he was all over you the other night in your apartment.”
“What?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t know the minute he kissed you? Did you think you could hide how much you liked kissing him?”
“You were…spying on me?”
Batman didn’t bother to reveal the extent of his electronic surveillance of his colleague’s life, and simply focused on what was most relevant. “Did you forget our link, Superman? Or isn’t your Kryptonian brain bothered with all of this extraneous information? I wish I could stop spying on you.”
Superman was silent, studying him. “Do what you have to do, Batman, but know I’ll fight you on this all the way. If Kyle goes, I go.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that’s exactly what you want.
Pairing: Superman/Batman
Rating: R
Verse: DCU/DCAU
Word Count: 13,439
Summary: The decision to use a telepathic link to allow the Justice League to communicate during battle backfires, creating a special bond between Superman and Batman. Batman finds the situation...unbearable.
XI.
Later that week, at the JLA meeting, Batman made his case, made the motion, and asked for a vote. He completely ignored the fact that Rayner was in the room, sitting too close to Superman, touching him and whispering in his ear at every opportunity; ignored Rayner’s shocked expression and indignant exclamation; ignored it when he stomped from the room like the child he was. Batman merely sat in his seat with his hands folded on the table, waiting for his colleagues to address his motion. He only had eyes for Superman.
“I need a moment alone with Batman,” Superman announced. He waited for his teammates to file out of the room and then stalked to the window, where Batman was now standing.
“You can’t treat Kyle like he’s some second class citizen, Batman. He deserves the same respect as anyone else. He’s a full member of the team-”
“Not yet he isn’t.”
“That’s a technicality-”
“-that was put in place for a reason. The first year he’s on probation. I think there’s enough clear evidence to support the conclusion that the appropriate place for Kyle Rayner is with the Teen Titans, for at least another two years. John Stewart is a better candidate for this team, and he’s available again.”
Superman was silent, staring at him. Batman had the uncomfortable feeling that his every motivation was being read like a book, but he didn’t care. He was right. The kid’s insecurities were a menace at this level.
“You’re pushing this for the good of the team.”
“Absolutely.”
“You’re a liar, Bruce. And the worst part of all, you lie to yourself.”
It was almost-more than he could bear, to have Superman take Rayner’s side like this when he was so clearly right. “Don’t act like you don’t love having him all over you, following you around like a puppy,” Batman accused, finger pointing at Superman’s chest. “You don’t want me to send him down so you don’t have to lose your lapdog.”
Superman stared. “I can’t believe this-you’re jealous,” a hand through his hair, “and you’re taking it out on Kyle. I won’t let you punish him-”
“You won’t let-”
“I won’t let you punish him because you’re too scared to take what you want-”
“And I suppose Rayner is so brave. That’s why he was all over you the other night in your apartment.”
“What?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t know the minute he kissed you? Did you think you could hide how much you liked kissing him?”
“You were…spying on me?”
Batman didn’t bother to reveal the extent of his electronic surveillance of his colleague’s life, and simply focused on what was most relevant. “Did you forget our link, Superman? Or isn’t your Kryptonian brain bothered with all of this extraneous information? I wish I could stop spying on you.”
Superman was silent, studying him. “Do what you have to do, Batman, but know I’ll fight you on this all the way. If Kyle goes, I go.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that’s exactly what you want.