Within minutes the superheroed duo had fallen asleep wrapped around each other. Hours pass before one is finally awoken by an announcement over the speakers.
"Batman, Superman, you're needed in Gotham."
Clark looks down at the sleeping bat next to him and smiles. "Hey," he whispers, nudging the body of his friend. Bruce stirs, but doesn't wake, and rolls so that his back is facing Clark.
"Hey." He says a little more loudly. Bruce groans and pulls the sheets over his head. "What." He says irritably.
"Gordon needs us."
With a sigh, Bruce gets up, slowly walks to Clark's suit, and picks it up.
"Here." He says, tossing the heavy costume into his Kryptonian's lap. "Hurry up," he says, "and come get me when you're ready."
Batman walks out of his room, closing the door behind him before he makes his way to the kitchen. He picks up a glass and fills it from the faucet, then begins to drink.
"Bruce?" He turns, looking over the kitchen counter to lock eyes with Diana. He places the glass down, and leans against a wall. "Bruce, you know we're all here for you. If at any time, you need help, we-" "Stop it. I don't need help. If I did, I'd call." Wonder Woman crosses her arms in a stern attempt to intimidate. "I don't mean League problems, Bruce. I meant anything personal. If you-" "I know what you meant, Diana. I don't need help."
"Ready to go?" Superman pops around the corner, oblivious to his colleague's previous conversation.
Bruce does nothing but grunt as he walks around Diana and Clark to the Zeta Tubes and disappears.
Superman takes his partner's frustrated tone as his cue, and walks through the same Tube, vanishing into a stream of light.
***************************
In Gotham, Batman lands gently on top of the GCPD building, mere inches away from the commissioner. Superman floats silently by his side, patiently awaiting further instruction.
"Commissioner." Batman says, his rough, gravely voice anything but pleased.
Gordon turns around, the startling appearance of the vigilante no longer taking an effect on him. "Batman, Superman," he begins, "I'm glad you could make it.
"What is it." Batman speaks, annoyance and impatience peeking through his tone. Gordon takes this as a warning. "Was this a bad time?"
Batman and Superman speak in unisons, disagreeing with each other. "Yes." "No." Bruce sends a quick Bat-glare toward his partner, before returning his gaze to the police commissioner in front of him. Gordon appears to be confused, stuttering before beginning his rant.
"We've tracked down a suspect to the drug case in south Kingston." By then, Batman had already stopped listening. He thought to himself about what people thought of him now. About how he would face an infamous drug lord after the entire world had seen him cry?
"I need to go." He says, his voice gruff and deep. Superman and Gordon, who had been hooked in conversation, look up at Bruce, confused. "Why? We just got here." Clark asks. He's puzzled at why his friend would need to leave so early, much less in front of the commissioner. Batman turns to Superman, "I have a meeting at 6:20. I need to go."
Clark stares, unsure of what to do. "Oh. I could take you, if you'd like?" "No." Batman says, interrupting him. "I'll be back." Superman looks down at his boots in discouragement. "Oh, alright." He says, and like that, the Bat is gone.
***
Bruce makes his way through the building, stopping only to say a quick hello to his secretary Candace, before he pushes through the large oak doors to his office.
"Mr. Wayne! I was beginning to think you'd never show!"
Bruce walks in long strides across the room and takes a seat behind his desk. "Yes," he speaks, "I'm afraid I lost track of time."
"No need to apologize, Bruce. We're all friends here."
Bruce glares at the man seated in front of him.
"I'm not sure 'friend' is the word I'd use, Lex."
Luthor leans forward in his seat, and intertwines his fingers. "You're not still upset about that whole thing, are you? That was weeks ago!"
"It was less than a month ago, and you verbally assaulted my child."
"So I lost my temper, Bruce; it happens to the best of us! Hell, I've seen even you lose control more than once." Lex leans back, and places his hand on his chin."Besides," he says, "he's not really your child, now is he?"
Bruce takes in a deep breath to calm himself. "Why are you here, Lex?"
As if surprised by the anger in his tone, Lex cocks his head to the side.
"We had an appointment, Bruce. I'm sure you've remembered, otherwise you wouldn't be here."
"In case you hadn't noticed, Luthor," Bruce spoke, leaning forward. "I was late."
With a scowl, the bald man leans back in his seat, "Fine. But I'd still like you to think about taking up my offer."
"I've told you Lex, my company is not going to make weapons."
Luthor throws his hands up, as if in defeat. "Fine! Have it your way! But at least think about it. I feel that it would be a wonderful business investment for the both of us."
Before Bruce has the chance to retaliate, there is a knock at the door. "Come in." He says dully. His secretary pokes her small head through the door, looking embarrassed.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, you have another visitor. I've tried to talk to him, but he just wouldn't leave. He said he really needs to speak to you."
"Hmm." Bruce nods, thoughtfully contemplating who his guest could be. "Let him in." Bruce begins, "And escort Mr. Luthor out too, please. Our discussion is over." He says the last part staring threateningly toward Lex. "Of course, Mr. Wayne." Caroline says, carefully making her way across the large office space to retrieve Luthor and walk him to the door.
A couple seconds after the doors shut behind Caroline and Luthor, there's another knock. "Come in." Bruce repeats, growing increasingly tired by the second. By the time he thinks about it, he realizes he hasn't slept in days. He can only imagine what he looks like right now.
The wooden doors open to reveal a pissed off-looking Clark Kent. Bruce sighs, and rubs his hands over his face.
"I thought you weren't going to have any more meetings with him. What happened to that?" Bruce props himself up with his hands, elbows on the large desk in front of him. "I told him no, Clark. Calm down." The Kryptonian seats himself in the leather chair in front of a large desk with a pout. "Fine."
"Why are you here?" Bruce asks, rather rudely. Clark shifts in his seat awkwardly. "I wanted to check on you. You seemed in a rush to get out of there, so..." "So you think I needed a babysitter?" Shocked, Clark looks up at the pale blue eyes in front of him. "Wha- No! I just, I wanted to make sure you were okay." Bruce sighs and adjusts his position. "I'm sorry for snapping at you." He says, much calmer than before. "What if-" he starts. This captures the alien's attention, and he stares more intently. "Clark- Kal, what if we can't make this work? It's already taken me so long to admit to myself how much I love you, and if we can't keep this, then-" "You love me?" Clark interrupts. Bruce sighs again, and reaches his hand out to take hold of his lover's. "I do, Clark. I love you, and I-... never mind. I just don't want to lose you."
Taking everything in, Clark leans up in his seat, bringing his face closer to the billionaire's. The moment seems to take an eternity--taking forever for Clark to finally reach up with his free hand and cup Bruce's face. A lifetime before he presses their lips together in a soft, sweet kiss.
~~~~~(A/N)~~~~~~~~~~~
Alright well, first of all, let me just say how proud i am to have made it to 2.3K, and second of all, I am so, soooo sorry I have taken so very long to update. I've got a lot going on right now. Just got my cap/gown, so yay me! Alright, anyway, I hope you all enjoy this, and keep reading! Also, let me just say that I'm gonna try to start doing one-shots for every holiday that comes by. They will have nothing to do with the plot, just a little fun for you guys!
