Fic: A Certain Thought that Lingers - (16/20) (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.
XVI.
“If I knew what to do,” Clark sighed, “I wouldn’t be asking you what to do.”
“You are both stubborn.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
J’onn phased through the floor and then returned momentarily with a bottle of water in his hand. He passed it to Clark.
“I hesitate to offer any advice, my friend. I would have to say at this point, you know him best.”
“He showed up at my job. Fired a teammate then tried to beat a kid ten years younger than him into a bloody pulp.” Clark shook his head. “I don’t know this Batman.”
“Perhaps you should stay away from Kyle, at least until Batman and I reach the part of his training that will teach him to control his emotions. He has a possessive streak, and his inability to control what is happening is bringing out his worst side.”
“A possessive steak,” Clark muttered. “That’s an understatement.” He sipped his water. “How’s the training coming?”
“Very well. Batman is a quick study.”
“So you think-I was hoping…”
“That he would come to understand and appreciate your connection?
Clark felt the heat rise to his face. “Something like that.”
“Possibly.”
Clark sighed, deflated.
“I wish I could offer you more hope, my friend.”
“That’s okay. I just-I never wanted anyone before. Not like this. I can’t eat; I can’t sleep. I try to respect his privacy but sometimes…”
Clark folder his hands behind his back. Looked through the observation window and out into space. “Sometimes it’s hard.”
He turned towards J’onn again. “Kyle said something to me the other day. He said, Now I know you, both as Superman and as Clark Kent, and it got me thinking: there’s another side of me. I’m also Kal-El, of Krypton. You might be the only one who acknowledges that fact on a regular basis.”
“You make it easy for everyone to forget you are not from this world.”
“I was thinking-maybe-Bruce would be interested in knowing a little more about that side.” Maybe what he needed was to get to know him better. Certainly, it couldn’t make things worse, and besides, he had been meaning to trust Batman with more of his secrets.
J’onn nodded. “I think that sounds like an excellent course of action.”
Later, Clark sent a high priority note to Batman in Gotham via the JLA intranet.
Meet me at these coordinates.
-S
Explanations were unnecessary. Bruce would figure out that the coordinates didn’t exist on any known map, and no satellite could be tasked to view the exact spot. Curiosity would get the better of him.
Superman was sure he could get Bruce out to the Fortress, but he certainly wasn’t sure he could get the man to stay.
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.
XVI.
“If I knew what to do,” Clark sighed, “I wouldn’t be asking you what to do.”
“You are both stubborn.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
J’onn phased through the floor and then returned momentarily with a bottle of water in his hand. He passed it to Clark.
“I hesitate to offer any advice, my friend. I would have to say at this point, you know him best.”
“He showed up at my job. Fired a teammate then tried to beat a kid ten years younger than him into a bloody pulp.” Clark shook his head. “I don’t know this Batman.”
“Perhaps you should stay away from Kyle, at least until Batman and I reach the part of his training that will teach him to control his emotions. He has a possessive streak, and his inability to control what is happening is bringing out his worst side.”
“A possessive steak,” Clark muttered. “That’s an understatement.” He sipped his water. “How’s the training coming?”
“Very well. Batman is a quick study.”
“So you think-I was hoping…”
“That he would come to understand and appreciate your connection?
Clark felt the heat rise to his face. “Something like that.”
“Possibly.”
Clark sighed, deflated.
“I wish I could offer you more hope, my friend.”
“That’s okay. I just-I never wanted anyone before. Not like this. I can’t eat; I can’t sleep. I try to respect his privacy but sometimes…”
Clark folder his hands behind his back. Looked through the observation window and out into space. “Sometimes it’s hard.”
He turned towards J’onn again. “Kyle said something to me the other day. He said, Now I know you, both as Superman and as Clark Kent, and it got me thinking: there’s another side of me. I’m also Kal-El, of Krypton. You might be the only one who acknowledges that fact on a regular basis.”
“You make it easy for everyone to forget you are not from this world.”
“I was thinking-maybe-Bruce would be interested in knowing a little more about that side.” Maybe what he needed was to get to know him better. Certainly, it couldn’t make things worse, and besides, he had been meaning to trust Batman with more of his secrets.
J’onn nodded. “I think that sounds like an excellent course of action.”
Later, Clark sent a high priority note to Batman in Gotham via the JLA intranet.
Meet me at these coordinates.
-S
Explanations were unnecessary. Bruce would figure out that the coordinates didn’t exist on any known map, and no satellite could be tasked to view the exact spot. Curiosity would get the better of him.
Superman was sure he could get Bruce out to the Fortress, but he certainly wasn’t sure he could get the man to stay.