A/N: I know it has been..... a good while since I've updated this. Over two years, actually and I'm sorry about that. I've lost interest in the story being told here and in writing overall. I've been focusing more on my art career than anything, as that's what I really want to do with my life. I went to college and I'll be graduating this year, and I want to thank you all for being around as long as you did. I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to continue this all the way through for the sake of you all, of finish up the story I had in mind over the course of a few chapters. Either way, I'm keeping your best interests in mind. I want you to see the story I had in my mind when this started. At the very least, I'll periodically update with random one shots so you still have something. Thank you all for staying so long. 123 thousand of you constantly reading. You got me to #2 in the superbat hashtag at one point and I'm incredibly proud and thankful. I will update as soon as I've decided what I'll be doing with this story.
"How was work today?" Bruce asks casually, before shoving a breadstick into his mouth.
"It was fine. Perry's upset that I'm missing days lately, but I blame that on you."
"And you have every right to." The two smile at each other before entering a silence between themselves.
"So Clark," Bruce begins, picking up a napkin to wipe his hands off. "You understand what's coming up, right? In the next couple of weeks?"
"Oh, yeah of course. February's big for us, especially with it being our first one together."
"Exactly. I hope you have something planned?"
"Of course I do!" Clark runs his hand down the back of his neck. "I just... gotta.... go through some details......"
Bruce raises a brow at him, then resumes his breadstick munching. "So....?"
"Oh, I mean, like.... I gotta, um... I'm ready, I have everything planned out I just need to check up on some things, make sure, etc..."
"Do you need money, Clark?" Bruce looks back up.
"I-.... might.... do you wanna lend me some? I can give it back, if-"
"Clark." Bruce starts, putting his fork down. "I'm going to give you- give. $10,000. Do not give it back. Do not attempt to repay me. Take it and do whatever the hell you're planning. Don't argue." He starts to take out his checkbook, physically shushing Clark the second he opens his mouth.
"You will take this and you will keep your mouth shut about it. I don't care what you have to say. If you try to pay me back, I'll give you more."
Clark clamps his lips shut, takes the check when it's handed to him, and twiddles his fingers, nervously trying to find something for his hands to do as Bruce continues eating.
"Um.... thanks......" he finally manages to squeak out.
"You're welcome. Now, can you go ahead and finish your food? I'm feeling kind of awkward being the only one here with an empty plate." Bruce cocks a sly grin that he knows will get under Clark's skin in the best ways.
Clark shudders with the thought of what those teeth would feel like on him and mentally prepares himself for the vacation they have coming up.
So Clark finishes his meal, Bruce pays for the check and they get up to leave together. Once in the car, they head home.
They pull up in the garage, greeted by a light-footed 14 year old. "Hey B, any idea of what you want for your birthday?" Dick hops onto the hood of the car and takes a seat.
Bruce lifts him up from under his arms and places him back onto the ground. "For you to stay out of trouble for once, thank you."
Dick squints and blows a raspberry up at his adoptive father. "For real, what do you want? If you say nothing again I'm gonna have to get the Team to help me figure it out."
"I don't want anything, Dick. I'm fine, thank you. I'd just like for you to be here and not make a mess."
Dick huffs and sticks his tongue out before focusing his attention on Clark as Bruce exits into the house. "Do you know what you're getting him?"
The man of steel shrugs and brushes the hair out of his face. "Same thing as always probably. A card and some flowers. Maybe some of those little lemon squares he likes."
"....... that's lame." Dick says immediately after, climbing onto the hood of the car once again.
"What?" Clark sits next to him and pulls a pack of gum out of his pocket.
"It's lame! Ya'll are dating now, you're gonna get married or something," Dick picks out a piece of gum and sticks it in his mouth. "You gotta do more than flowers."
"We're not getting married, Dick." he takes a bite of the gum as well. "At least not anytime soon."
"But you were talking about a baby? Make up your mind, dude."
"How did you even know about that?"
"Dude. Batman." Dick leans back onto the windshield.
Clark leans forward instead, twiddling with his fingers. "I don't know..... I'm not really sure what I want. I was so set for a family with Lois, but when that went downhill..... I'm discussing the philosophy of my love life and ambitions with a teenager..."
"...... you should talk to someone about that." Dick hops off the car and walks inside.
Clark sits by himself, staring at his hands, forced to think about what he really wants.
