For the next few weeks, as Bruce recovers, Clark has taken it upon himself to go out as Batman. their faces are similar enough to pass with the cowl on. All he has to do is not speak, and be too fast for anyone to see.
Because of this, Dick picks up most of the slack. Clark is nothing more than a chaperone at this point, and Bruce is going insane from the lack of excitement.
While he's able to occasionally aid Robin from his computer, Leslie has all but demanded that Bruce not even look at his costume for at least a month.
Tonight, he waits in bed, staring at his laptop as he watches Robin hop around with 'Batman' following closely behind.
"Dick," he speaks into his comm, "how did I tell you to hold that grapple."
There's an audible and very exasperated sigh from the teen before Clark speaks up. "I'm right here, if he falls, I'll catch him. Calm down, Bruce... We're on the way back now, shut the laptop and get some sleep."
Bruce crosses his arms and leans back. "You two have done nothing but worry over me for the last month, you have no right to speak here."
Clark laughs it off and the two head back into the cave to get dressed.
"I'm heading up, Dick. You okay down here?"
The boy nods with a smile and waves Clark away. So, the Mam of Steel walks up the musty cave stairs, through the grandfather clock, and back to he and Bruce's room.
Once in, he lets himself collapse into the bed on top of Bruce and fall asleep.
***
It's almost a year until anything worth while happens in the Wayne house.
Bruce has recovered, and has taken over his suit again. Dick and Wally take things slow, going on picnics and movie dates. Bruce and Clark get no more intimate than they have been, but a bit more emotionally serious.
And Clark's asking for a baby again.
"What is the issue?" Bruce drops his hand on the keyboard in the Batcave. "Why do you keep pressing this baby thing, neither of us know what to do with an infant."
The younger man shrugs and leans back in his seat, hiding his face with a blanket. "I dunno, it's just always been in the back of my mind... I'm 33, Bruce, and my parents want grandkids, Lois always bugged me about kids, and now that we're getting serious, I figured it'd be a whole thing... If you're not ready, that's fine, but... could you think about it? It's not like we'd be low on resources if we did get one."
Bruce sighs and swivels around to face his alien. He cups Clark's face in his hands and speaks quietly. "Time. We're low on time. There is no way we can raise an infant with what we do. And I'm sorry Clark, I really am, but I do not want a baby in this house. I don't get any sleep as it is."
Clark sighs. His shoulders shift forward just a bit and he runs a hand through his hair. "Okay. That's fair, but just.... think about it, yeah? If not a baby, a kid? Dick's great, but I don't feel like I'm as close as we could have been..." He pats Bruce's head and starts towards the stairs. "I'm going to bed. You should too, you've got work tomorrow."
Bruce hums and nods a bit, but doesn't bother to get up. Clark sighs again and heads up the stairs. He takes a second to glance behind him before continuing up to bed.
***
With February just around the corner, and being the month of Valentine's day, as well as both Bruce and Clark's birthdays, Lois won't stop asking what the reporter has planned for the second half of the month.
"I don't know, it's our first Valentine's day and I have no idea what to do... then his birthday is right after, and I just- what do you even get a billionaire?"
Lois thinks for a second before rolling her chair until she's next to Clark. "Dress up real nice and wait for him in the bedroom. Make him some of.... whatever your Ma taught you to cook, then just spend the night with him. As long as you're spending time, I think he'd be happy. Show him the adorable farmboy he fell for." She finishes with a smile, leaving Clark to his thoughts as she wheels back to her own desk.
A couple of hours later, as Clark's shift winds to an end, none other than Bruce Wayne steps out of the elevator. He walks down the short hallway and leans on the end of Clark's desk. "Are you almost finished? I wanted to go get dinner before I have to go back into work later, if you're up for it."
"Oh, y- yeah, sure! Where were you thinking?
"There's an Italian place up the street, or we could try the new Korean place near home?"
"Either is fine. Whatever you're up for!"
Bruce glances at the alien in disguise sitting in front of him. He shifts his gaze to Lois, who tries to subtly hide her face behind her computer. "What were you two just talking about, hm?"
Clark reddens and stumbles over his words. "W- we weren't talking about anythig, right Lois? Just, how am I gonna finish this article is all."
".......Riiiiight....." Bruce rolls his eyes and glaces over to Lois, who can't stop smiling. "So, it'll be fine if I wait here for you to finish so we can leave?"
"Oh, of course! Yeah, it won't take long, I'll be done in just a bit-"
"Clark, you're rambling."
"I am not."
"Clark, shut up and type..." Bruce smiles and plants a kiss on Clark's cheek. "I'll be in the break room, come get me when you're ready." He pulls out his phone and starts walking.
Meanwhile, Clark's face has flushed to a deep red, and Lois waits until the second Bruce closes the door behind him to hit Clark in he shoulder and burst out laughing. "Go get him, Tiger, I'll finish your paper."
"Thank you!" He immediately stands up and begins packing his things away. As soon as he's finished, he grabs his bag and walks to the break room to get ready for his date.
