stands_for_hope | for justlikeacircus: Returning to Land

Despite Bruce's comments to the contrary, Clark was finding it just a little difficult to return to life after, of all things, a four day cruise with Bruce Wayne. Of course, quite a few things had happened on that boat, and some off of it.

For one thing, Bruce had kissed him. For another thing, he'd done a bit more than that, in public, outing not just his more inclusive sexual preferences but also the fact that they were in a relationship. And yet, it wasn't the part of the whole thing that had him feeling as if he was on another planet. Mostly he was still reeling from the fact that he was in a relationship with Bruce. More than a few years of being in love with someone somehow didn't prepare him for actually getting to kiss the man. He's not sure anything could have, to be honest.

Not that things had gone smoothly, were going to go smoothly. He knew that. He was well aware of what he'd signed up for. He also knew that since their original plan to keep things quiet and mostly go about things the way they had been (with the occasional private affection off to the side, as their own business) had been blasted out of the water, by Bruce of all people (the man had a very funny way of showing his affection sometimes), that he was going to be playing the front offense on handling most of their friends and family. In fact, he already had and he was proud that he'd managed to keep Diana from setting up some sort of party, honestly.

...at least he hoped so. She could be surprisingly sneaky at times.

He was far too terrified of Alfred to even begin meddling there, but he knew Dick. He was friends with Dick. Friends slash doting uncle slash coffee buddies with Dick. He'd watched the kid grow up, but he'd made a point of remembering and treating him like the adult he'd become and they had a pretty good relationship. That was why he texted him asking when he had time to perhaps have dinner at the restaurant they'd gone to the last time he'd been in town.

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"Good," Dick grinned. "Now, we've talked about him enough, his ears are probably burning. I take it we're going to see a lot more of you around here from now on?"

"I've still got my responsibilities," he admitted, "but... yes. I'll probably be over the house a little more often. Not that my stomach will be unhappy about that. Alfred's cooking is rather amazing."

"Yea I figured you'll still be busy back in Metropolis, but it'll be nice to see you more often, feel free to stop by when you're passing,"

"Always. And the same goes for you," he pointed out with a light waggle of a finger. "You know you're always welcome to come by, take a breather... make sure you don't work yourself to death between the two jobs."

He chuckled, clearly at himself.

"Not that I'm trying to be the 'cool' step-dad or anything."

...like he hadn't already been to some degree.

Dick laughed, running a hand through his hair.

"You know I might just take you up on that. Or at least I'll try. I might pretend otherwise,but honestly I'm just as much a workaholic as he is."

The stepdad comment just made him smile. Honestly Clark had already filled that role a long time ago, or at least a 'cool uncle', he'd definitely felt like family anyway.

Clark just sighed a little and shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"I'd noticed. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about you trying to go out when you're injured nearly so much. Somewhere, you picked up some sense."

"Must have been from you, because it definitely wasn't him," he laughed "That or I guess Alfie's scolding actually got through to me."

"I'm going to assume it was Alfred," Clark admitted with a smile, "since in truth, I'm almost as bad. It just doesn't come up as often."

"Probably was," he smiled fondly "Alfie's been chasing after all of us for years. He'll start relentlessly mothering you too, you know that right?"

"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I was thinking of asking Alfred about one of his recipes to pass it on to my mother. But now I'm wondering if encouraging contact between those two is a good idea for my sanity."

"Don't do it!" Dick exclaimed in mock panic "you'll never be free! ...unless your mother gives him delicious recipes and I get invited round for dinner, you can do it then" he chuckled.

"That's almost certain to happen," he pointed out, "and it's just a matter of time before she wants to have you all back to the farm to meet you."

He rubbed his chin.

"Then again, if you have her pies, I don't know how we'll ever get you to leave."

"I could take early retirement and live out in the country getting fat on pies," Dick mused, grinning slightly. He knew he'd get bored before long and want to come back to the excitement, but it was a nice thought.

He stretched, looking down with satisfaction at the empty plate of the dinner they definitely ate during this conversation, and sighed contentedly.

"Especially if they taste as good as that did. I better get a move on though, I've got a shift to get to."

Clark nodded and reached over to give his arm a pat.

"I won't keep you then but... it was good to talk. And if you ever feel like you need it, I'm just a phonecall away, all right?"

"Yea, it was," he agreed, smiling "Thanks, I appreciate that." He already knew that he could turn to Clark if he ever needed it, but hearing the man say it was always nice. It was reassuring.

Getting to his feet, he said his goodbyes and headed out, happy with how this went.

(aaand done XD)

for justlikeacircus: Returning to Land

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awkward wrapping up is awkward XD

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