Hands (SuperBat)

20 Hug

Bruce came home after patrolling the night as Batman. It has been about two weeks since Kal met with the League. Since then, the two continued having short picnics in the yard. They also hung together to just talk or to be quiet together.

Bruce came to find Kal awake, staring out his bedroom window.

It was barely morning. The sun hasn't came over the horizon yet. There was just a hazy orange amongst the dark blue.

Kal has been sleeping less the more he was exposed to the sun. That meant that he was still slowly gaining his Kryptonian abilities. For all Bruce knew, he probably was completely powered up by now. He probably didn't need to sleep much, and that probably made Kal relieved.

No more nightmares so often. No more being in a vulnerable position. No more bed wetting.

"Good morning, Kal."

Kal turned to see Bruce. He greeted, "Good morning, B." He was happy to see him.

Bruce asked, "How was your night?" He came to his side to see if Kal was staring at anything. All he could see was his normal backyard.

"It was alright," Kal said. "Sounded like you had your night cut out for you. Your heart sped up a lot."

Bruce nodded, "Yeah."

Kal was right. Bruce did indeed had a long and arduous night.

Kal suggested, "You should get some sleep."

Bruce asked, "Did you get some sleep?"

"Not really," Kal answered. "I don't get tired like I have been. I guess I don't need to."

"Hm," Bruce muttered. "I figured as such. I do have a question."

"What's that?"

Bruce asked, "How often do you sleep?"

Kal answered, "Well, I sleep maybe... Once every 5 days. The longest I've stayed up, except when I was in the Fortress."

Bruce said, "I was almost convinced that you didn't need to sleep because you get your energy from the yellow sun."

"Well," Kal explained. "I get my physical energy from the sun, but I have to sleep for my mental benefit."

"Hm," he replied. "That makes sense." He heaved a sigh and said, "I'm going to bed before Alfred nags me."

"I might nag you as well," Kal said. He placed an arm around Bruce's shoulders. "You have yourself a good sleep. I'll meet you for breakfast." He gave him a gentle squeeze before letting him go.

"Alright," he replied.

Bruce went to sleep. The next time he woke up, it was near noon. He sat up in bed alarmed. He quickly got up and went to search for Kal, but Kal found him in the hallway before he could. "Sorry for sleeping over."

Kal said, "Don't worry yourself about it. You needed the sleep." He wrapped his arm around his shoulder just like earlier. He seemed to relish the contact between the two.

Bruce decided to use his outer arm to put it around his waist.

Kal seemed to love that even more. He hummed as he gave him a little squeeze.

"I forgot how much of a hugger you were," Bruce mentioned.

Kal asked, "Is that bad?"

"Not at all." Bruce loved those hugs as well.

The two began walking to the dining room. Bruce let go of him, but Kal didn't let go. He just let him cling on to him. The warmer than human body was pressed against him.

Kal finally let go of him when they reached the dining room. They sat down and ate. Kal asked about what was going on in Gotham.

Bruce asked, "Why don't you just listen out there? You have the ability to."

"I'm nervous to do that," he answered. "I don't want to hear certain things."

Bruce nodded. He went ahead and told him about things that were going on. He didn't want to force Kal to do something he didn't want to, but eventually, he would need to get over that fear.

Kal listened patiently.

After they were done eating, Bruce said that he had to go out and do Bruce Wayne things. But he had something else he wanted to tell Kal. "Hey, um... There's this charity gala that I have to go to. I can bring a guest with me. Would you like to go?"

Kal's jaw tensed up. He asked, "When is it?"

"Tomorrow at six," he answered.

Kal looked down as he asked, "Will there be a lot of people?"

"Yes," Bruce answered honestly. "And since they know that you're Superman, you might gather a crowd. But they already know that we are a thing, so if you need to cling to me, I'm game."

Kal asked, "Can I give you an answer later?"

"Sure," Bruce said. "If you don't come, I won't go with anyone else. So if you say yes at the last minute, it's alright." He reached his arm out to Kal.

Kal slipped into his arm and wrapped his arms around Bruce. "Okay, but I won't wait too long."

"Good enough. I'm glad you are considering it."

When Bruce came back, Kal was in the sitting area. He was obviously worried. He didn't notice when Bruce came in.

"Kal," Bruce called.

Kal looked up at him. Anxiety was written all over his face.

"You know I won't get mad if you choose not to go," Bruce assured.

"But I can't hide forever," he replied.

Bruce sat down beside him and said, "If you do choose to go, we can leave anytime you feel uncomfortable. You don't even have answer any of their questions. All they need to know that you are my partner, and that's it."

Kal reached for Bruce and wrapped his arms around him for support. "I think... I will go."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Kal said. He held Bruce for a while. It was like he needed some type of comfort for the decision he just made. Maybe he regretted. Maybe he wanted to take it back.

Later in the day, Kal got fitted for a simple suite. He silently asked for hugs as he reached for Bruce often. He was quiet all the way until the next day.

Kal sat close to Bruce as they sat in the limo, being driven to the event. He was ready to go back out to society.