for knightbynight: For now and hereafter...

[stands_for_hope]

[some time after the events here]

Superman and Batman were partners in more than a work sense. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent were an adorable (if mildly ridiculous) couple. Kal-El of Krypton and a man who defied any definition outside of the single letter 'B' made time on weekends, worked around world crises and teenage tempers, and occasionally fell into bed together when the stars aligned. Thankfully, they aligned relatively often.

Wayne Manor received a delivery of organic produce and baked goods once a week from a small, independent farm in the heartland. Lois Lane was a little less likely to agree with snide comments about the uselessness of Bruce Wayne, especially after seeing the utter madness that was Clark's desk after a few weeks. The texting habits of a certain blond teenager in Kansas rose sharply... and in parallel to that of a certain former street punk in Gotham.

Life was... well, it was good, even if it was also Life. Until it wasn't. Until everything changed.

They all had enemies, of course. But the problem with Superman's enemies was that they were coherent enough to decide to team up. And crazy enough to use the kind of weaponry that could make whole cars just vaporize into nothing.

Crazy enough to point that weapon at a somewhat-pinned Batman and a Wonder Woman who was digging him out from the rock. Crazy enough to point that weapon at Batman.

Bruce.

B.

Clark didn't even make the choice. His heart made it for him. The beam shot out of the Toyman's mechanical monstrosity and Clark flew, the pain of the beam itself nothing on the fact that he was leaving Bruce behind. That his vision of them as old men together would never happen. That he was leaving behind a world that needed him.

The guilt that, if it meant saving them, saving him, he didn't regret a thing.

Comments

[stands_for_hope]

It pulled a warm smile out of him and earned him a kiss to the shoulder before Clark sat up and stretched his neck a little.

"By the way," he asked, satisfied enough to shift to a new topic, "what would you say is the best exit and entrance for flight in the house?"

[knightbynight]

Bruce was starting to get used to Clark being affectionate. Or, well, glad enough to have him back to enjoy it for the time being, without any real risk of him becoming 'touched out' any time soon.

Or possibly any time ever.

"Pick a balcony," he said, somewhat dryly. "Let us know which one you pick, and we'll make sure to leave a window open. This wing's a bit more difficult. The most convenient and largest balcony is just off my parent's room." And that one wasn't being used, thank you.

[stands_for_hope]

"Then that one sounds good," Clark said, clearly having settled out some from everything earlier. Or at least very very good at brushing it aside for the moment. There was nothing fake or put on about the smile on his face, but it was gentle enough that it was clear he wasn't entirely solid yet.

"I'm sure once I've been here for a bit, we'll have figured out the best option. Proximity isn't necessarily necessary, after all."

[knightbynight]

He should probably start singing let it go to himself about now, but. He didn't love anyone that much. "My parents room is in this wing. And you can't use that balcony. Or room. That's why it's difficult. Maybe one of the ones off a ballroom? They're all amply large, if you don't mind doing a bit of walking through the house first."

[stands_for_hope]

He blinked a little and tilted his head just the once. He hadn't realized Bruce had been referencing the one that was actually attached TO his parents room. He'd never assumed that Bruce would ever mention anything of theirs in such a context. But after a moment, he nodded.

"That's fine. And the ballroom would probably be best unless we're in a hurry. Like coming in the front door."

[knightbynight]

"If we're in a hurry the fastest exit and entrances are probably the cave," he mused. "Or just walking in the front door, yes. It really depends on context and what needs accomplished. I'll take you on a tour and let you see the outside perimeter and you can make your own judgements."

Bruce was... weird about his parents space, when he mentioned them and when he didn't. Not Clark's fault.

[stands_for_hope]

"Just one of the silly little things we get to figure out while I move in here," Clark said as cheerfully as he'd said anything since he'd been back.

He stretched a bit, clearly getting used to muscles that no longer ached or pulled or gave him difficulty again.

"I don't even think I know your wifi password."

[knightbynight]

"The password to the wifi upstairs is password," Bruce said, dryly. "I'll get you added to the system downstairs in the next day or so and make sure you have the passwords you need to use it."

Which was, as everything else, convoluted and unnecessarily difficult but Bruce Wayne wouldn't have crazy secure internet.

HE stood up slowly and inclined his head. "Let's get your things moved."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark nodded and held out a hand to Bruce, almost as if he was asking him to dance. But he was smiling, feeling... light. Lighter. Though after a moment, there was a very wry sort of look.

"...don't tell me: the network's named 'Linksys'?"

[knightbynight]

"No." Bruce hesitated a moment, then took the hand just because Clark was feeling... better, or at least seemed to be. "It's named 'This one, Bruce'."

Because why the hell wouldn't it be, and no one ask how he ran a company, dammit. Ever.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark couldn't help it. That actually earned a laugh as he stepped in closer and got an arm around Bruce. And normally, that would be all, but he was too happy. The vessel had shrunk over his time away, and what would usually just be worth a smirking smile had him leaning in to nuzzle Bruce's hair once they were close and grinning.

"Remind me never to underestimate your brilliance at empty-headedness again," he said, making sure to get a good grip on him.

[knightbynight]

"I had no idea you ever had," he admitted, one corner of his mouth quirked up in vague amusement. Mostly, he held onto Clark while Clark was close, leaned back and looked at him quizzically. "Are we driving or flying?" He was a bit confused by the holding, actually.

[stands_for_hope]

"I was thinking flying, just to get it done quicker. That's also why I skipped the shoes," he explained. Then he gave Bruce a light squeeze.

"I figured this was a bit more dignified, since you're not injured at the moment." Bruises weren't 'injured' and there wasn't much to be done about them when it came to mitigating things for a flight. "But I can always scoop you up if you really prefer that."

[knightbynight]

The holding was really only confusing because Bruce hadn't been expecting Clark to want to fly. Since Clark did, Bruce was fine with it. In fact, he just outright stood on top of Clark's feet.

"Thank you for thinking of my dignity."

[stands_for_hope]

"If I didn't, you'd remind me," Clark said with a little grin as Bruce stood on his feet. "Just remember to tuck up against my shoulder so you don't get anything in your face."

[knightbynight]

"You just want a reason to have my face in your throat." Which wasn't quite where it would be unless he bent down or something, given their heights, and his shoes on Clark's feet, but he'd make it work.

He was mostly teasing about the griping, though. He was smart enough to prevent getting something in his eye at those kind of speeds.

[stands_for_hope]

"Always," Clark admitted. But he didn't hesitate much longer before they were suddenly moving through the air, keeping to speeds and heights that would keep just about anyone from noticing them as they made their way to Clark's apartment.

He took them straight to the fourth floor window, using the specialized latch he'd installed to open it from the outside and float them in at a much lower speed. He gave a light sniff as they made their way in and sighed, scrunching his nose just a little before landing and loosening his arm around Bruce.

[knightbynight]

Bruce kept his head tucked down and close, and his arms around Clark. The movement didn't bother him, nor the speed or height. He was so, so used to that sort of movement, even if he was usually in control of it, and trusted Clark so completely that there was just nothing but a relaxed sort of enjoyment from behind held. And some thrill from the wind in his hair and sensation of speed.

He moved away when Clark let him down, took a deep breath and watched his face. "Something dead in the walls or just from being closed up for so long?" He paused. "Refrigerator, maybe?" He could send cleaners in.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark's nose twitched a couple of times before he managed a small smile.

"Refridgerator and hamper. I'll take out the trash and throw the load of laundry in while we're here."

It would take a bit for him to pack up the most important of his belongings, after all. And that was what he was getting for the moment.

"You'll smell the 'fridge as soon as I open it," he warned as he stepped over towards the kitchen.

[knightbynight]

"Then for god's sake don't open it," Bruce said, all in a rush. "Take the whole thing to a landfill. It's a three hundred dollar appliance, if it were new. We'll replace it for your landlord and spare us both the experience."

Bruce didn't have Clark's nose. He wasn't overly prissy about scents. He had absolutely no intention of subjecting himself to that. He had less intention of subjecting Clark to it.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark looked genuinely nonplussed at the very idea of throwing out a refrigerator because there was rotted food within it, but he stopped himself moving forward and put his hands down.

"Are you sure?" was the best he could manage, though, "I can have it cleaned out and smelling like chemical orange at the worst in a minute or so. No need to waste a perfectly good appliance."

[knightbynight]

"Clark, you've just come back from literal hell. I'm not making you stick your head in an insulated box that reeks of rotten food. Throw out the appliance. We'll have it replaced."

He loved Clark, but sometimes that man - came from another world in a way that had nothing to do with planets.

[stands_for_hope]

His fingers curled against his palm for a moment before he breathed out and nodded. Then his eyes went red as he carefully sealed the edge of the 'fridge, blew it cold again, and turned back to Bruce.

"Lemme go get that laundry in. Hopefully, it'll be done by the time we head out."

[knightbynight]

Bruce waited until Clark turned back toward him, then stepped in and deliberately, intensely, slowly, kissed Clark. Deeply, passionately, lovingly, and with a lot of both feeling and arousal.

Then stepped back.

"Go do your laundry. Let me know where or if you want help."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark was a little surprised, but soon enough he was far too busy being kissed (and kissing back) to concern himself too much with it. Bruce was... beyond distracting. Bruce made the world small just by stepping into view.

"If you don't mind grabbing my laptop and packing that up?"

It was a rugged old thing, bought years ago and still alive mostly because Clark refused to let it die. It had been left, closed, on the desk near the window where he'd usually worked.

"Anything else you think I might want. You know me well enough."

Then he was heading for his room and the bathroom to get what they'd come for.