THE CALLING

Coming In Good Terms

"What--"

"Clark, you're the one good friend I have. Do you even realise that?" Bruce nearly spat and Clark's confusion only increased.

"You... You're not just a friend to me. I don't know what you are to me, Clark. I'm sure I've said this before, but you're pretty much all I have" he shook his head to himself. "And when you kissed me out of nowhere, Clark, I hate to say this, but I felt nothing but shock. I didn't even hate it" his voice lowered to a whisper. "I wish I did"

"What are you trying to say?" Clark wanted nothing more than an honest answer to that. But he had a feeling he was never going to get something as such. And he wasn't entirely wrong.

"I don't know"

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Clark couldn't help but sound desperate.

"It simply means I don't know, Clark. I can't think straight. My thoughts are a mess. And I honestly hate it" Bruce clutched his head with one hand and heaved a sigh. He turned his head to look at Clark, a dead smile on his face, an expression that brought chills to Clark's body.

"Isn't it quite laughable? How I am stuck being that ten year old boy, running away from life, from everything?"

"Bruce, don't --" Clark took a step forward to the other man.

"I hate this part of me, Clark. It's just too miserable and disgusting"

Clark took a stride towards Bruce and embraced him, pulling him in on his warmth, in an attempt to calm him down. He could hear his racing heart, he seemed to be anxious.

He rubbed soothing circles on his back, shushing him. "Hey I'm sorry I did that to you"

Bruce waited a moment before replying, his head propped up on the crook of Clark's shoulder. "Don't apologise, Clark" he heaved a sigh. "It's not as if I hated it or anything"

Clark's heart skipped a beat before going on with its usual rhythm. His hand still rubbed circles on the other man's back.

"Just give me some time, and I hope I'll come around"

They didn't know how much longer they stayed like that. Soon, Bruce pulled away from Clark's embrace and gave him a tired smile.

"Care to join me for dinner?"

Clark returned the smile and nodded. "Wouldn't miss Alfred's cooking for anything"

Bruce smiled wider as he got up and held out his hand for him to take.

Clark happily took the lead and walked out with him.

He felt foolish for ever thinking he was going to lose him over something so stupid.