Inbetween

Chapter Ten: Country Nights

I'm pretty sure Batman will always be my favorite super hero.
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Bruce leaned against the fence cutting off the rest of the grassland from the Kent's land. The nights breeze eased his nerves and made him realize how exhausted he truly was. Of course he knew how tired he was before coming on this trip but this moment made him really understand how much his body screamed for rest. He constantly ached and it was more obvious than ever.

The night sky glistened with stars as far as Bruce could see and he definitely wished Gotham's sky looked like Kansas' at night. He tipped his head back and started searching for constellations. He was in the middle of tracing out the Big Dipper when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see who was approaching and saw Clark.

Clark had two cups in his hands and a bright smile on his face. A part of Bruce wondered why the other man always looked at him like he was the best thing in his life and the other part never wanted him to stop. He took the cup Clark was holding out to him and realized it was more tea. He took a sip out of the cup and mumbled a thanks to the other hero.

"So I know today wasn't your standard vacation day, but tomorrow I promise you'll see all of Kansas' finest spots." Clark leaned against the fence as well and Bruce nodded.

"I had a good time today." Bruce reassured him.

"Are you sure? I brought you away to not have to take care of kids and here you are..." Clark trailer off when he saw Bruce shake his head.

"It honestly made me miss having babies around." Bruce admitted.

"Is the great Bruce Wayne having baby fever?" Clark teased.

Bruce chuckled but he honestly couldn't deny that claim. He loved raising his boys and wouldn't mind raising more kids if the opportunity arose. Clark chuckled along with him until he realized that Bruce never denied it. He patted Bruce's shoulder.

"Do you want me to get you pregnant?" He joked.

"Very funny, Kent." Bruce scoffed his tone now dry.

"Hey, who better to raise a kid with than your best friend?" Clark shrugged.

"Alfred." Bruce deadpanned.

"Hm...I'll take it." Clark looked up not noticing the stars until now.

Bruce looked back up at the sky somehow finding the Big Dipper again. He finished tracing it with his eyes and soon after started looking for the Little Dipper. The silence between the two men was comforting and Bruce felt like he could let everything off his chest that he's been holding in. Clark sighed catching Bruce's attention.

"Bruce." Clark's tone made a lump form in Bruce's throat.

"Yes?" He took a deep breath his nerves getting the best of him.

"I-I'm not sure how to say this." Clark let out a nervous chuckle.

Bruce stood silent letting the other man collect himself and figure out his words. He had a small feeling that Clark felt how he felt but quickly dismissed the thought not sure where it came from in the first place. Clark ran a hand through his hair and put his cup down in the grass. He looked up at Bruce and gave him a hesitant smile.

"Bruce, I have feelings for you." Clark admitted his chest rising and falling a little faster than usual.

Bruce froze not sure how to react. This is everything he wanted. He had liked Clark for  a while now to the point that he found himself looking for the other man and hoping they'd have missions together. At some point Bruce looked up his files just to get to know him a little better. He opened his mouth to speak but Clark kept going his nervousness now making him word vomit.

"You don't have to feel the same way but I just thought I had to let you know!" Clark was fumbling now, "I lose sleep thinking about you and I always want to spend time with you and thinking of you makes me feel like I'm a teenager again and all I want to do is protect you-"

"Clark!" Bruce interrupted him.

Clark stopped and stuffed his hands in his pockets not sure what to do with himself. Bruce squared his shoulders and did his best to look composed even though he felt like he was melting and his legs were puddy.

"I have feelings for you as well." Bruce looked away not sure if what he was doing was the right thing.

"Really?" Clark smiled.

"Obviously." Bruce hummed still not looking at the other man.

Clark took note of the blush on the tips of Bruce's ears and neck. Clark took a step forward and he could hear Bruce's heart skip a beat. The bat tried to seem interested in the night sky but Clark knew that he was focused on him. He reached out for Bruce's hand and held it making Bruce look at him with a raised eyebrow. He knew what he was doing was a little bold but he couldn't help himself.

"Is this okay?" He hummed and Bruce looked down at their interlocked hands silent.

He never had anyone ask if physical touch was okay and he couldn't say he was surprised that Clark was the first. He nodded and Clark gently brought his hand to his lips and kissed the back of Bruce's hand. Bruce felt his stomach fill with butterflies. He gave Clark a weak smile and the other man brought their hands back down.

"I don't want to push any of your boundaries." Clark admitted.

"I appreciate that." Bruce said still holding on to Clark's hand.

"We can take this at your pace." He spoke reassuringly.

"Clark, I'm not some fragile-" Bruce started.

"I know but I want to do this right." Clark interrupted him, "I want to be with you in whatever way makes the both of us happy not just me."

"Oh." Bruce honestly wasn't the best with words and he knew that.

"Okay?" Clark smiled.

"Okay."

They both stood in silence once again. Watching the night sky Bruce felt as though he was on cloud nine and that he was never coming down. He looked over at Clark and smiled. He knew what they were doing was dangerous but he couldn't help himself. After all he was in love with him. He bit his lip and looked away trying his best to contain his happiness. He wouldn't had guessed this trip would turn out this way and yet here he was.

Clark sighed and pulled Bruce a little closer, "I'm really happy you came, Bruce."

"So am I."