Hands (SuperBat)

4 Come

Bruce left to be Batman in Gotham and came back to the Fortress. He searched for Kal to see if he was up and about. It had been 8 hours, so maybe he would be awake already.

The first stop was Kal's bedroom.

Before the door opened, he could hear heavy breathing. It wasn't simply snoring. It was laboring breathing.

When the door opened, Kal was still asleep, but he was clearly having a nightmare of some sort. He was gripping the blanket in his fists to the point of ripping them. He was trembling.

Bruce quickly came over to the bed. "Kal," he called as he shook his shoulder. "Wake up."

Kal didn't wake up as a sob escaped his mouth.

"Kal," Bruce continued to call. "Clark!"

Kal's eyes opened, but just as they did, his eyes flashed red.

Bruce quickly pulled away as the eye lasers shot into the ceiling above.

Kal caught his breath as his eyes widened. He sat up and turned, seeing Bruce. His mouth moved a bit, but nothing would come out.

"It's okay," Bruce said, trying to console him, but he was shocked as well. "It's just a nightmare." He reached over to pat his back, but he stopped short of touching him. "Sorry."

"For what?" Kal asked. "You've been nothing but good to me." His head hung down.

"I-," Bruce stopped himself.

Would Kal want to know what he knew?

"I could've been there for you sooner," Bruce said.

"I left," Kal said. "And I didn't tell you where I went. You have no obligation to help me." He wouldn't meet Bruce's eyes. "Bruce, I don't want you to waste your time trying to help me. I'll be fine."

"No you won't," Bruce said. "You are my friend. We've been friends through thick and thin. You were the one who was insistent on it in the first place. Clark-."

"Kal."

Bruce exhaled, "Kal... Just come with me to the manor. You don't have to be alone."

"And risk everyone else's life?"

"None of that was your fault," Bruce reasoned. "You aren't risking anyone's life. Vandel was just some sick fuck who wanted to take all the power for himself and take the strongest person out."

"I still can't."

"Why not?"

Kal gulped. His hands balled up as he tensed up with guilt. He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I love you, B, but I just can't move in with you." Even in his state, he could still throw around the word 'love' to those he cared about.

"Kal," Bruce said. "I really want you to come back with me to Gotham. If you want to stay hidden there, I can arrange that. I don't want you to be alone. It... Would put me at ease." Thinking it would convince Kal to come with him, Bruce tried to make it about himself. Maybe, just maybe, Kal would want Bruce to feel better.

Kal took a slow breath in and out. Was he gullible enough for this?

Well, it was the truth. He was worried about Kal, and he would feel better.

"Okay," he said in defeat. "I'll come with you."

Bruce let out a breath that he had no idea he was keeping in. "Thanks. We leave in an hour."

"Um," Kal said, frazzled. "So soon?"

"You've been gone long enough," Bruce reasoned. "We don't need to wait any longer."