The BOWL; Superbat

5

"We could learn to love one another." Clark leaned against the wall. "I don't think two more weeks of this will help the theory so all I want is to try."

Bruce fixed his stare on Clark. He slid himself in his chair to another table attempting to ignore him.

"Bruce, the serum won't matter after you have your heat."

"I can do it. I -"

"You kissed me. We made out like teenagers in that booth. You do realize we could've beckoned Lex, Joker, and Harley and lost them because you got drunk and half seduced me."

"I didn't kiss back."

"No, but you kissed me. I never said it wasn't both of our faults. It is. Neither of us growing towards each other is good with me having Lois and you with the lonely 'Bleh, I'm Batman. I don't need love.' This Serum Frigus won't work like you think it will and it sure as hell definitely won't work in two weeks!" Clark but for a moment hesitated. "Three of the smartest people I know that haven't become complete insane villains are working on a project that might not work."

Bruce continued to face away. "I don't need anyone. Most of all you... Get out."

Clark scoffed. He was gone. Bruce turned around with wet eyes and blood on his hands. He had crushed a cylinder measurement glass in his hands.
Unbeknownst to bruce, Alfred entered the cave. Bruce stared down at his shaking, bloody hands as Alfred made his way over. He grabbed bandages from a distant table, Bruce then looking up. The old man sat. He took Bruce's left hand with care. "You we're always a reckless child. Taking things into your own hands and disappearing for hours only to return with an injured animal or injured yourself. I remember searching the entire property for you when you fell into the cave.. No worries after that have been so severe. Not until tonight."

He took Bruce's other hand. "You don't understand."

"I had a mate once. She was a beta, beautiful and dangerous. We were in a very similar situation but we fell in love. At least, I thought so. She had stolen from the family we were caring for and tried to convince me to run away with her." Alfred finished the wrappings. "If I hadn't turned her in I wouldn't be here and you wouldn't be so good."

Bruce stood strait. "Where is she now?"

"She died in Arkham when you were in Japan."

He nodded, passing Alfred toward the cave entrance. Alfred caught his arm. "I am here for you, Bruce, but I won't be forever. Take his offer before you mess this up."

Clark called and called. Four days worth. Two days of mark pains and annoying meetings with Lois up his ass about when he was picking up Jon. He almost went to the moon and back just to scream his anger away. That didn't help either with the pain it caused just attempting to fly to Star city.
Clark stayed from his home only a small distance. He watched Lois get Jon ready for bed, the smaller version of himself running around his room and jumping on the bed. He chuckled. Lois finally got their son to settle down. She grabbed her phone and typed. Clark's own phone went of in his pocket. He answered.

"You should be here."

"Just put him on." The phone shuffled from Lois to Jon, him holding it in both hands.

"Hi daddy."

"Hey, big man. How was school?"

On the fifth day of Bruce not answering his calls, Clark flew. He landed on the balcony outside Bruce's window, the early rising sun starting to shine through the blinds. He checked the lock before entering. It was unlocked. The light came through onto the bed, it's owner tangled amongst the sheets. Clark went deeper in the room. An arm wrapped around his neck, the person doing so tossed to the floor. "Clark?"

"Bruce?"

Clark helped him up. Bruce was in his batsuit. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Star and Central City working with Oliver?"

"Hmm. About that. I tried to leave five days ago but I can't get past the bond pains. I haven't been to the fortress in almost two months so it kind of sucks ass if I can't even go to Central City." Clark shut the balcony doors. "I thought you were asleep when I came in- who is in your bed?"

"Damien. He gets flashbacks from his time with Ra's so he sometimes sleeps at the foot of my bed or if I'm gone, sprawled like a starfish." Bruce came forward, hardly a space for both to have separate air. They were oddly close. Though always trying to keep distanced, they can't stay apart.

"Alfred's awake."

"Yeah."

"He made coffee."

"Mhmm."

"We should, uh..." Clark swallowed. "We should get some."

"Yep."

Bruce turned around, Clark following behind. They ignored the snoring eleven year old, silent as they trotted downstairs. Tim ran past. Bruce could hear Alfred yell from the kitchen for him to not shove his face with strudels. Dicks laughter followed. Bruce went in first, the boys continuing their banter and fun. He took only one piece of half burnt toast and left again, his suit half off. Clark itched his nose before anyone noticed him. "Oh. Hi." Tim said.

"Good morning. What's for breakfast?"