Batfamily secrets

The truth...kind of

The next morning.

Clark's pov:
I woke up and made my way downstairs. Bruce had already left the room. I paused outside the kitchen door. I really hoped Bruce was in there. I did not want to be alone with his kids after I spent the night in his room. Not that I hadn't done that before but we normally told them I would be staying in a guest room. But the kids apparently decided that they were done waiting on us to tell them were together so they put a stop to that. I asked Bruce last night if he had told them and of course he didn't. They figured it out on their own to no one's surprise. I took a deep breathe and walked into the kitchen. Bruce was sitting at the table reading the paper with his kids in their seats. I walked to my normal seat across the long table.

Breakfast was going great. The kids ignored me. Which I was grateful for because they pull no punches in conversations. Bruce cast me a smile every now and then but he was a little busy reading the paper to have a conversation. Everything was going great. The pancakes were of course amazing because Alfred is amazing.

But I could tell all the Wayne's were on edge. You could feel the tension in the air. Even Alfred seemed to be withdrawn. At first I thought it was me. The kids obviously knew we were together but now it's kind of official. But then I noticed that the kids could not have cared less about me. They traded looks and never even so much as glanced in my direction. They didn't fight once. Which was the biggest tip off that something was wrong. Normally the kids could barely look at each other without fighting. It was kind of ridiculous to watch. But not today. They just quickly finished breakfast and left the table. Bruce hadn't touched his breakfast or coffee. Coffee untouched was also a huge tip off. That does not happen. Ever. He read the paper and didn't put it a fight for them to stay.

Alfred stood next to him with a worried now. He opened his mouth to stay something but stopped when he remembered I was still there. The closer I looked at Bruce I noticed that he hadn't turned the paper since I had entered the kitchen. His eyes also weren't moving like he was reading. Just staring at the page.

"Interesting page?" I asked

"I need to tell you something" was the only response I got. I wanted to make a remark back at him about how that was obvious but I stopped myself and made a mental note to stop hanging out with the kids. They're rubbing off on me.

I waited a couple beats before responding "what?" Was really all I could think to say.

Bruce was still staring down at the paper. He didn't say anything so I decided to. "Bruce what's wrong?" I was trying to be calm about it but I was worried and you can't lie to Batman.

"The vigilantes. The ones in Gotham that have been causing problems." He put down the paper and sighed "I haven't been completely honest about them. I do know them. I work with them often and I know their real identities"

I was shocked. Not because he didn't tell the league. That doesn't surprise anyone. I was a little offended that he didn't tell me but not surprised. I was surprised he was telling me now. In his kitchen. As Bruce Wayne. I just sat there staring at him.

"I know that this is a big thing to just say but it's important" he looked at me but I still didn't respond and he sighed.

"Listen I was trying to keep them safe" he said getting up and walking towards me

"Why?" I asked

He paused half way to me and just stared. He looked a little surprised for a moment but recovered quickly. "What do you mean why?"

"Why now?" I asked

He moved closer to me and sat down on the table right next to my plate. Alfred walked over and grabbed it then left.

"Clark. I know everyone sees the vigilantes as villains but they aren't. I need you to keep that in mind-" I cut him off

"I thought you didn't let supers in your city"

"I let you in" he said

"But that different-"

"How?"

"Well if you'd let me finish then maybe I'd be able to tell you"
I didn't respond so he continued "anyway they aren't bad guys. I didn't tell the league because you guys see them as bad guys and would not like me working with them. But there is one thing you don't know about the situation. Th-" I cut him off again

"What?!" I couldn't help myself. He just looked at me. "Sorry. Keep going"

After a moment he started up again "the vigilantes are diffident. That's why they can be in Gotham with powers. The vigilantes are my kids. Dick, Jason, Barbara, Tim, Steph, Cassie, Damian, and even Terry. All of them."

I just stared. I didn't know what to say. I honestly was at a loss for words. It's not the first time Bruce has done this to me but this time I really didn't think I was ever gonna recover.

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right"
-Napoleon Hill