Logical Stranger

This also means it’s likely we will see him use pet names with his children, so cute

So:

I have faith in what I write has value.

I hope it brings joy to someone besides myself.

And I love what I write.

(Extra 1)

Extra Scene 2

Location: Watchtower, main meeting room.

The atmosphere isn’t exactly tense, but it is expectant. At least, until everyone sits down and starts flipping through the dossier in front of them.

Barry, of course, is the quickest, the first to exclaim.

Barry: Wha…? What?!

Bruce looks at him, expressionless behind his white lenses. Clark smiles. A little shy, but mostly happy.

Hawkgirl: Congratulations to both of you. I’m really happy. Diana: Of course, that’s great news.

The others join in the congratulations, and Arthur jokes that, seeing the document, he expected a plan to deal with some terrible super-earthly threat.

Victor: And do you know what you’re going to do with your civilian identities?

Clark nods.

Clark: I’ll request coverage at the next Wayne Gala, and we’ll start… becoming public.

Everyone nods.

Clark: We’ve decided that Superman and Batman are the ones who don’t have a relationship. Aside from being the World's Finest.

Hal: That’s fine. I’m used to seeing Brucie Wayne kissing people, but I don’t know if I could handle seeing Batman being affectionate…

There are a few laughs, and Bruce simply crosses his arms, expression unchanged.

Bruce: I’m not affectionate.

The entire League goes silent instantly, and Hawkgirl and Barry each give Hal a playful smack.

Hal: Sorry, sorry, Bats, I didn’t mean to make you… I’m sure you two will do great and…!

Hal chokes on his own apology, and everyone is a little cruel letting him struggle for a few seconds. Then Diana resumes the congratulations, signs her own document, and reminds everyone to be more careful and to respect Batman’s “special circumstance.”

Gradually, everyone signs, offers congratulations again, and leaves the room. Victor is last, as he’s in charge of administration this semester.

Clark and Bruce linger a little, and when they leave, they first take a walk through the Watchtower, gazing at the Earth below and the infinite space beyond.

Clark: You lied to Hal.

Bruce: I lied to Hal.

Clark laughs, surprised and happy, and Batman takes his hand and kisses his knuckles.

Bruce: But I’m not very affectionate. I’ll try, if it’s important to you. Clark shrugs.

Clark: I’ll let you know —he pauses as Bruce caresses his knuckles, eyes lost in the window— so… me then?

Bruce: I can’t lie to you.

They stay silent for a moment, gazing at the vastness.

Clark: Zatanna said it could be complicated to break it…

Bruce: She did.

Clark: So… you can lie to some and not to others…

Bruce: I can lie to everyone. I just can’t lie to you.

Clark swallows. Bruce squeezes his hand.

Neither dares to ask—or wonder—if that restriction has to do with the curse or with Bruce’s heart.

The End.

Chapter 13

Extra Scene 1

Location: Clark’s apartment, Metropolis. Time: Sometime later. State: Let’s pretend there’s a sheet.

Clark: There’s… something I need to tell you.

Bruce: If you have doubts, tell me n—if you have doubts, we need to talk about it now.

Surprised, Clark watches Bruce sit, even though just a moment ago he seemed to melt next to him, like water.

Clark pulls him down to lie back again.

Clark: It’s not… really bad. But… some inappropriate pictures of me might be circulating. From recently. I don’t want you to think that… I don’t know what I want you to think, but you should know I didn’t do anything.

Bruce narrows his eyes.

Bruce: Are they illegal?

Clark frowns, thinking.

Clark: I don’t think so. There were a lot of people, they would’ve stopped us.

Bruce relaxes slightly.

Clark: They’re…

Clark doesn’t seem able to finish the confession.

Bruce: With another partner?

Not ideal, but Bruce has horrid skeletons in his closet and Clark intertwined his fingers with his during sex. He could cry just remembering. Again.

Clark: No! Just… just me… well, in underwear and a little wet…

Honestly, if that’s Clark’s level of embarrassment, Bruce will have to make a dossier and tactfully explain a lot of the things someone could find online about Brucie…

Clark: … riding a mechanical bull.

Oh.

Oh…

Bruce blinks.

That’s… different.

Slowly, he nods.

Bruce: And who has these pictures?

He can’t add “so we can stop them from circulating,” though he’ll work on that after he gets them.