Inbetween

Chapter Fourteen: Last Day

Have you guys seen all DC movies or do you just watch mainstream ones? Cause I'm not gonna lie I usually watch mainstream ones.
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Bruce woke before the rest of the house. He was sure of it. It was still dark out and the muffled sound of the birds outside kept Bruce's mind at ease. He loved the silence that came with early mornings. It felt as though he was the only person that existed and all of his problems disappeared. Of course back at the manor that silence never lasted too long especially on his busy days. He let out a sigh and rested his arm against his forehead. He never knew he could feel this relaxed. Especially after becoming Batman. He wished it'd last forever.

He let out a yawn before sitting up and rubbing at his head. He slipped out of the bed and trudged out of the room not really paying attention to his surroundings. The floorboards creaked under his weight and the soft sigh that escaped his lips echoed softly throughout the hall. He stepped into the restroom and started his morning routine.

He washed his hands and then his face. His eyes ached and he debated on going back to bed or continue his routine. He sighed and continued not wanting to get his body use to sleeping in. He stretched his upper body. His shoulders cracked and popped and he let out a soft sigh. He hadn't felt that much relief in a while and he wished he could maintain the peace he felt when he got back home.

He slipped out of the bathroom and made it back to his room being as quiet as he possibly could be. He laid back in bed and rested his arm on top of his head. He let his mind wander to his future and what it would hold after this trip. His heart skipped a little at the thought of Clark and how he would tell his family. Though he was sure Alfred would already know, he somehow always knew about anything going on with Bruce.

He sighed and looked towards the open window. Birds chirped happily and the sun was rising over the horizon. Bruce turned to his side and watched the peaceful morning. He knew he could pack up and move out of Gotham, live somewhere as peaceful as here but he also knew he couldn't abandon Gotham. Not when the city needed him. He shut his eyes and huffed. Though he felt selfish for the thought but he wished they didn't need him.

A soft knock on his door caught his attention and he looked over at the door. He mumbled a "come in" without moving from his position and he could hear the door creak open. There were no steps so he could assume that it was Clark floating in. He turned a bit to see if he was right and he was. Clark still had on pajamas and his hair was slightly messy. Bruce gave him a small smile and turned back over.

"Good morning." Clark took a seat near Bruce's feet.

"Morning, did I wake you?" Bruce turned over so that he could look at Clark while they spoke.

"No, I heard you walking around but I was up way before you." Clark shrugged, "I couldn't sleep."

"Rough night?" Bruce sat up and Clark shook his head with a soft smile.

"Not really."  Clark's eyes were gleaming with something fond, "just thinking about yesterday."

Bruce felt butterflies erupt in his stomach and he rolled his eyes, "flattery will get you no where, Kent."

"Noted." Clark chuckled, "anything special you want to do before we leave tomorrow?"

Bruce stood silent for a moment considering what exactly he could do in Kansas. He didn't know much about the area and he knew that giving Clark the power to choose would feel cheap to the other man. He shifted in his spot and finally a thought came to mind.

"Horse back riding." Bruce concluded and Clark smiled.

"Sounds like a plan!" He stood up, "we have a couple of horses in the stables."

"Do you ever ride them?" Bruce looked up at Clark.

"Occasionally, but I haven't really since high school." Clark shrugged, "start getting ready so after breakfast we can go for a ride."

Bruce nodded and watched as Clark stepped out of the room to go get ready. He got out of bed once again and stretched his whole body out. With cracks and pops he felt his body loosen. He sighed and decided that he would make the most out of his last day there and try his best not to feel sad about it.

~*~

Clark walked him to the stables making small talk on the way there. Bruce watched as the other man was practically glowing with joy. He looked radiant as ever and Bruce tried his best to keep his nerves together. He hasn't felt this intensely about anyone in a while. Clark was telling him the names of the horses before they even made it there and Bruce couldn't help the smile that reached his lips.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Clark stopped mid sentence and raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?" Bruce looked away his smile dampening.

"Like you're in love." Clark teased.

Bruce felt a blush reach his neck and he scowled at Clark, "shut up, Kent."

"It's okay if you do." Clark hummed, "I feel the same way."

Bruce watched him for a moment and then spoke, "Okay, you got me, I do."

"You do?" Clark stopped in his tracks.

"Surprised?" Bruce stopped just ahead of him, "or is it hard to believe I can love someone?"

"No, I just didn't know you could love me." Clark suddenly seemed so small to Bruce, "to have you actually admit it makes me want to explode."

"I hope you mean in a good way." Bruce chuckled and Clark bit back a grin.

"Obviously." Clark stepped forward making Bruce's breath hitch, "can I ask how long?"

Bruce hesitated, "honestly, I tried to ignore it for a while but I would say after we defeated those aliens from Neptune and we were flying back home."

"I remember that." Clark smiled, "your jet was busted and I offered to fly you back and you argued for so long until I finally just scooped you up and started to take you home."

"And you started telling me about yourself, your family, and I just remember thinking how could I have hated you." Bruce sighed, "and then you looked at me-"

Bruce stopped and he could feel his ears starting to burn. He hated how vulnerable he felt. He bit the inside of his cheek and did his best to remain composed. But he knew Clark could hear his heart pounding.

"Go on." Clark took another step forward so that he was in Bruce's space.

"I don't know." Bruce shook his head, "it was just a different kind of look."

"Hm, I don't think I know what you mean." Clark played dumb, "I think you'll need to describe it to me."

"Clark." Bruce huffed.

"I'm serious, Bruce." Bruce never realized how devious Clark could be but this weekend showed him a completely different side of Clark.

"I felt-the way you made me feel that night." Bruce felt his mouth go slightly dry, "you made me feel like I was the only person that mattered and when you spoke it felt like your words were made only for me."

Clark cupped Bruce's cheek, "because they were."

Bruce looked up at him surprised, "what?"

"My words were only for you." Clark admitted, "there is no one else I've ever spoken to like that except for you that night."

Bruce didn't know what to say and luckily for him Clark took his silence as acceptance and leaned in for a kiss. Bruce closed his eyes and kissed back his heart pounding in his ears and his face burning. Clark deepened the kiss and Bruce practically melted in his hold. His knees felt weak and he felt himself gripping Clark's arms to hold himself steady. He has never been kissed the way Clark was kissing him and he never knew how much he needed it until now. Clark pulled away much to Bruce's dismay and looked down at him.

"Ready to ride some horses?" Clark chuckled.

"Way to kill the mood, Kent." Bruce rolled his eyes trying to play off his feelings.

"I wouldn't want you turning into puddy before we get there." Clark teased.

"Shut up."