"Batman's the one stargazing on roofs rambling on about his undying hope for the future. Batman is the one making adorably cheesy gestures to show how much he cares for Clark. Batman is the one making Clark coffee, the one promising to stay by his side no matter what, even when Clark pulls away. Batman is usually the one initiating effort to deepen their relationship, or at least deepen the understanding of the other (badly though, sorry Bruce, get better at words) Batman is the one asking to hear about Clark’s childhood and parents when he feels so terribly lonely. Batman is the one willing to lower his guard around him, willing to fall asleep or pass out in his arms, willing to get grabbed around by the scruff of his neck or swaddled up in Clark’s cape. Willing to let Clark see the worst in him because Clark will literally not judge, he will rationally look at the problem at hand and help Bruce in ways he knows will make him the most comfortable."
There's so much to say about World's Finest Comics (1941), and about the Earth-1 iterations of Superman and Batman in general, that I'm not even sure where to start. I still have to read Earth-1 Batman's solo comics, so feel free to take me with many grains of salt, but the original poster @batboopp is excruciatingly correct as far as I am aware — as in, here are the two specific comics most of the original post's sentences were pulled from [WFC #282 & 285, though Bruce also offers coffee in WFC #288].
Now, I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't mention that Earth-1 Clark is plenty attentive, optimistic, and affectionate, just in his own way; he was painfully avoidant and somewhat emotionally incompetent, but that was noticeably lessened with Bruce. It's even more pronounced when Bruce is specifically a guest or a mention in Clark's solo comics. (You can see this if you look through the LOCG for the characters, Batman's appearances in Superman's comics are greater in number than the reverse by at least some dozens, and this is not necessarily explained by Batman's popularity, given that Superman was the flagship character until the early 80s or so.) More on that later.
Still, Bruce makes far more bids for attention, connection, and companionship to/with Clark than many modern Batman devotees would attribute to him. (That's hardly exclusive to Clark, but this is a WFC-centric post.) Just off the top of my head: Bruce was more than fine with Clark being in the Batcave and in Gotham in general, business or not, and invited Clark to his home [e.g. WFC #275, 276, 279]. Alfred saw enough of Clark to confidently say that he would work for Clark if he weren't working for Bruce [also WFC #279]. As aforementioned, Bruce would listen to Clark tell stories and openly grieve all four of his parents and share perspectives in kind [e.g., WFC #285, 293]. Bruce was, not always by his own choice but nevertheless, very vulnerable around Clark [e.g., WFC #272, 283-284]. Clark was there when Thomas Wayne Jr. was introduced for the first time [WFC #223]. Bruce nearly died multiple times helping Clark and openly was distraught at the thought of Clark being hurt or dying [e.g., WFC #240, 246-247, 249, 273-274, 276]. He allowed Clark to carry him any way necessary/efficient, including bridal style and swaddling [the entire series; if you've seen an older photo of Batman being carried by Superman, it was probably from WFC].
Now, I would personally argue based on the letters between fans and editors and certain narrative and dialogue choices that Bruce was generally intended to be the rational one — in the sense that Clark's emotions varied far more and quickly, and he often lacked patience. Regardless, Clark was a scientific and medical genius whose daily experiences outstripped the content of the average lifespan on any planet. He was also the first superhero ever on Earth-1... starting at just eight years old. (For reference, Clark was perpetually stuck at his early 30s maximum, which is the only reason that Clark doesn't have even more experience than people his age. There was a fan debate over whether he was actually 29, and one or two comics that validated that. If his aging had kept up with Earth-1 Kara's — who was college-aged a mere 5 years (real-time) after her intro where she was 15, became an actress, went back to college, etc. — he easily would have been pushing 40.) Plus, he had lived on Earth for decades. Clark had little incentive to use all of that knowledge and experience to judge or deride his best friend where he could help, and Bruce extended him the same courtesy. This was true regardless of the situation.
"And then Superman is just midwestern apathy and built up rage and dread smothered with well practiced manners and slightly charming commentary and an undying love for human life. Superman is the one on his last fucking straw, except if he actually snaps then unlike Bruce his bones won’t break easy. Superman is the one who tends to see more of the negative side of things, at least regarding things in the long-run, but he uses Bruce to push himself to think positively. Do you know how insane that is. Superman. Using Batman, As a way to inspire himself to stay optimistic. In fact, that much hasn’t really changed."
I cannot understate exactly how much Earth-1 Superman lost just about everything and everyone important to him in some way across his existence. I'm not sure how much of his solos OP read, but if the answer was zero, then they were extremely perceptive of how done Clark was at just about any given moment while reading WFC. The concept of good things both happening to Clark and remaining good did not exist past 1963...maybe, which only intensified as time passed and Clark struggled with his self-esteem, self-concept, feelings of belonging, his romances, etc. I wouldn't describe Earth-1 Clark as apathetic, though I will admit that I have no what "midwestern apathy" specifically refers to. If anything, especially with the additional context of his solo media, I would argue he'd be better off if he cared and reacted less. Rage and dread, on the other hand, are pretty accurate to his tendency to (eventually) lose his temper. Every other straw was the last straw, but it also couldn't be the last straw because Clark was Superman; and no one really internalized that it might in fact be the last straw besides Bruce most of the time, besides the other Kryptonians. His child stardom forced him to learn how to accommodate and tame the public, hence the manners, and his upbringing and jobs (reporter and newscaster) required that he be charming outside of playing the coward. Though he enjoyed the latter, constantly catering to other people in some way was the most consistent and pronounced aspect of his stress. As a result, the Fortress of Solitude was explicitly a big "Go Away" sign. Superman loved Earth and humanity, yes, but there was a lot of persistent fear and resentment stemming from treatment of him and the Earth that fundamentally shaped him and his attitude, on top of all of the other complications.
Thus, Superman being unabashedly negative, or judgmental, or rash, or a little disdainful, and having Batman around to temper that with a solution, kind word, or a firm reminder was just an expected aspect of their dynamic. Again, Clark was a genius, but he wasn't patient!
To extend more positive agency to Clark, however, I will say that there were plenty of times the dynamic was believably reversed, more like a softer version of what we see today. Clark reminding Bruce to take care of himself [e.g., WFC #259, 276], jumping in front of any and all dangers and villains to take and dish the blows [the entire series], indulging Bruce when he asked for stories [again, WFC #285], not just "allowing" but wanting Bruce to help where and when he could [again, the entire series], confessing his feelings to Bruce [the entire series, but e.g., WFC #285-289, 293, 319. Bonus: Superman (1938) Annual #9], trusting Bruce with all of his secrets and a key to the Fortress [Action Comics (1938) #241, WFC #273], and defying infinitesimal odds to save Bruce's life [e.g., WFC #251, #273, and #295].
And it should also already be a given that there was plenty of mutuality and teamwork: They were on case #1000 together halfway through the total number of issues for WFC and only 80 issues into the series since their first team-up [WFC #155]. They also beat up men who were being implicitly homophobic to them in a bar while they were resolving a friendship dispute, after which they went back to Bruce's home again [WFC #302].
If you're wondering how I can cite all of this, it's because I read them; but more importantly, if you're remotely interested in how Superman and Batman's relationship was originally constructed, regardless of how you interpret it, World's Finest Comics (1941) is a must-read, and the Adventures of Superman radio show is a must-listen!
As for the tags by @vintagerobin, I agree wholeheartedly. Superman and Batman love each other and get along because they are 1) more similar than people will admit and 2) their differences (generally) complement each other well. I would argue that this was at its most true on Earth-1, when they were allowed to exist as dynamic characters even with their stock reputations at hand, but it's never been untrue. If Batman were almost anyone else, Superman would not have enjoyed his company; in fact, the (false) assertion that they were becoming "too different" is the reason why their friendship was broken apart in early post-crisis. Moreover, at that point, Superman didn't even have any other friends as close as Batman. He was choosy and reclusive, on top of his other emotional and mental health issues. Again, I can't speak to Earth-1 Batman as well yet, but between him leaving the JLA in 1983 and the Outsiders in 1985, as well as Robin leaving for college in 1970 and staying with the Titans, I'm relatively confident Batman didn't have friends as close as Superman in abundance either.
Yes, Batman represents the kind of hope and persistence Superman admires in humanity writ large; he also specifically embodies the qualities that Superman needs in a companion — grit, high competence, and patience, amongst others. Superman himself must persist to an extent that no one else can, much less will. He needs someone who has traits and skills that he doesn't to make them both more effective, who can also manage the emotional and physical fallout of their duties, including dealing with Superman himself. In return, Superman offers the full trust, friendship, and devotion of a good-natured, superpowered, godlike entity. To quote Batman himself, "few can follow where Superman leads, but I will." [WFC #319]. That is what Superman most admires about Batman: a steady, complementary, reliable presence. They catch each other when they stumble and support each other. That includes a resolute faith that the problem can be solved.
Superman, on the other hand, isn't just sunshine and light, and that's also what draws Batman in. Eschewing all the moments where Earth-1 Superman threatened to kill or grievously injure someone in an act of vengeance more severe than even Batman was willing to go, Superman is fundamentally a tragic figure. As aforementioned, he lost everything, including Batman ultimately. The profundity of his loneliness and isolation, his grief and anger, and his feelings of obligation permeate everything he is and does if one knows what to look for. And Superman — perhaps better than anyone given the longevity of his career — understands how vital it is to maintain a reputation... to be secretive, firm, and even unrelenting at times. Their kinship was built on an understanding. Superman begrudges him almost nothing and isn't easy to offend with questions or demands (at least for Bruce). But most importantly, Superman's determination to save and his love for others exist both despite and because of all of that. Superman wants to ensure no one is ever abandoned, desperate, oppressed, or lonely. If that isn't Batman's guiding ethos, I'm not sure what is. They always had their disagreements, but even those were founded on respect and adoration. Anything else is a far more recent development.
As for @noodledragon324's contribution, I haven't read Golden Age WFC yet (shocking at this point, I know), but having engaged with plenty of other older media, I agree with the ending sentiment. Superman and Batman are a lot more complex, historically, than most people will give them credit for. I cannot be too upset about that, given that most are inclined to read what comes out recently, but I think it is desperately important to keep in mind every time a comic or adaptation or even a fandom post starts seeming a bit too reductive. After all, as others have argued in posts floating across the dash lately, even more modern iterations of the characters can easily have their sun/moon dynamic subverted.
