POSSESSION ; INJUSTICE SUPERBAT

Chapter 05

It had been years since Kal dressed up as a civilian. He preferred appearing in public as Superman. After all, Clark Kent did not exist anymore. However, sometimes, disguising himself as an ordinary human could save him the troubles of being interrupted by the media.

It was an impulse decision. Kal passed by a cafe he used to frequent as Clark Kent, and suddenly, found he'd decided to bring a gift to Bruce. Every child loved desserts, even if they ended by growing into a bitter adult.

Kal took his time in choosing the pastries he wanted to buy. The mere sight of those finely decorated confections and freshly baked donuts reminded him of the child awaiting his return.

Bruce was a fan of pastries. And he loved the desserts of this store in particular. Kal knew because this was o the bakery to which he'd most often came as Clark Kent with the well-known billionaire, Bruce Wayne.

It had happened partly by design, and partially by coincidence. Bruce was a public figure. Thus, it is hard to find a place to have a meal together without causing a scene. This cafe was well-hidden in a less crowded district of Metropolis. Whenever the two of them went in the cafe, there were only ever one or two customers, people who wouldn't make a fuss upon seeing the billionaire of Gotham appearing in their company. The place had always made Bruce feel comfortable. Not only that, but the man had loved the sinful Devil's Food Cake this restaurant place was known for.

They used to spend a lot of time eating in this cafe. The topics they talked about were always the same: their jobs and missions. Sometimes, it would also drift towards relationships and family.

Kal didn't want to remember those days. Anything that was related towards Batman, the Kryptonian just wanted to forget and let them be buried under his past.

He would replace those bittersweet memories with the wonderful time he was going to spend with the younger Bruce.

  ★  

When Kal arrived, Bruce was sitting in the corner of the room. The boy was drawing on the paper with the crayons Kal had provided.

Picture books and drawing papers scattered on the floor. It pleased him. This morning, Diana had complained about the messiness of the room. She had also reprimanded Kal for providing Bruce with entertainment.

'He is our prisoner, Kal. We don't have to keep him entertained.'

No, he isn't our prisoner. Kal wanted to deny Diana's statement. However, he knew his denial would cause the woman to grow suspicious. Thus, Kal had decided to ignore Diana's complaint.

Bruce isn't their prisoner, nor is he a threat; the boy is Kal's trump card in the future to destroy the Insurgency.

"Bruce." Kal sat next to the child. Gently, he pulled the crayon from those tiny fingers. "What are you drawing?"

Bruce tilted his head up. When his crayon is taken, the boy curls his lips into a pout. Kal chuckled at the reaction.

This child is the only person in this world who could frown at Kal without making him angry.

"I'm sorry." Kal tousled Bruce's hair. "I shouldn't have interrupted."

From the corner of his eye, Kal took a glance at Bruce's drawing. There are two stickmen doodled with black hair and smiley faces. One of the stickmen is taller than the other. Bruce had also drawn a red cape with an 'S' symbol on the taller stickman.

"Are you drawing us?" When the child nodded, Kal's smile grew wider. "How sweet of you, Bruce. Thank you."

t had been three months since he'd brought Bruce into this timeline. There was nothing strange happening towards the child. However, Bruce was deeply traumatized by the gunshot incident. Kal had received reports from his lead psychologist--the boy had been diagnosed with PTSD. His obvious separation anxiety identified as symptomatic of a deeper social or generalized anxiety disorder--- which answered why he was extremely clingy towards Kal.