Just a writer

Identity porn

Takes one to know one (love square) by soetry, T, ~10.000

Author's summary:

Superman is infatuated with Bruce Wayne. Batman is infatuated with Clark Kent.

Looking at it that way, it really shouldn't be as complicated as it is.

That which we call a rose by arysteia, E, ~12.000

Author's summary:

The course of true love never did run smooth. When Clark Kent met Bruce Wayne. And Bruce Wayne met Superman. And Superman met Batman. And Batman met Clark Kent. And Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne finally got their acts together…

(Love) triangles have multiple centers by FrozenPotions, T, ~99.000

My personal favorite identity porn fic. I genuinely think about this all the time.

Author's summary:

It starts like this. Clark Kent has a hopeless crush on a woman who's out of his league. Bruce Wayne has a newly-acquired kid he feels ill-equipped to raise. Superman is still finding his feet. And Batman has an unshakeable suspicion that Superman surely can't be all that he seems.

Things can only get more complicated from there.

Met as kids/teens

Gardens of Wayne Manor by Mithen, G-M, ~104.000

The definitive “meeting as kids” fic. Adorable, wholesome, adolescently melodramatic and absolutely absorbing.

Author's summary:

When young Clark Kent's father dies, his mother is forced to take employment with a wealthy family on the East Coast, starting a friendship that will last for years and deepen into something more.

In the cracks of light by soetry, T, ~12.500

Author's summary:

“It's like I have two left feet with you,” Bruce murmurs.

Clark smiles softly. 

Where Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne grow up together, and it's anything but easy.

The midtown junior youth orchestra by threekingbelt, G, ~7500

Author's summary:

The Midtown Junior Youth Orchestra drew from the entire district, bringing together the best and the brightest local young musicians to participate in a summer long program.

I loved you before you knew me by lostinreeverie, T, ~14.000

It makes my heart ache how lonely Clark is in this. I just love it so much!!

Author's summary:

“Hey Ma, hey Pa! I’m home!”

Clark’s voice. So familiar it tugged at something deep in Bruce’s chest.

He blinked awake just as Clark stepped into view—jeans, white t-shirt, open red overshirt catching the breeze. And that smile. Bright, unguarded, devastating in a way Bruce hadn’t been prepared for.

God, he was beautiful.

Bruce gets sent back in time, turned into a teenager again, and the worst part is that Clark Kent is way too pretty for his own good. How the hell is he supposed to focus on getting home?

Multiverse 

(Gay) Crisis on infinite earths by the_oncoming_stormageddon, G, ~2000

Author's summary:

“Back in the other world, you were…” Mine, he didn’t want to say, but how else did he describe it?

But Clark spoke first, his voice resigned. "Evil."

Or, Bruce swaps places with an alternate version of himself, and learns about what a future with Clark looks like. He has a lot to think about when he gets back.

A constant satellite of your blazing sun by cherryfeather, E, ~73.000

Author's summary:

Bruce skidded to a halt, breath hissing through his teeth.

Superman’s head came up sharply, like the sound of Bruce’s shock still meant something to him—and it was Clark, but he was different. Different lines on his face, a subtly different curl to his hair, and as he looked Bruce up and down his eyes blew wide.

Bruce’s hand dropped immediately to his belt, a chill sweeping through him. “Not our Kal.”

--

Bruce and Clark have been in a relationship since the founding of the Justice League almost twenty years ago. When the League tries to bring in a thief with stolen reality-shifting technology, Clark is accidentally exchanged with his counterpart from a universe that's almost identical—except he's married to Lois. And they have a son.

As each side scrambles to swap their Clarks back, Bruce and Clark find themselves grappling with new questions about their life together, faced with the possibility of things having gone differently for not just the two of them, but their children—the ones they have, and the one they've never met. Along the way, they do their best not to to blow up their counterparts' lives by dredging up any long-buried feelings. (They may or may not succeed at that last.)

Two suns in the sky by xanthoszephyrus644, E, ~30.000 (ongoing)

Author's summary:

A routine Watchtower experiment sends Bruce and several members of the Justice League into a world ruled by a Superman who has already lost everything.

The others escape. Bruce does not.

When they finally return home, everyone believes Batman survived the impossible the way he always does. But something followed him back—something he cannot outthink, outfight, or bury beneath the cowl.

As Bruce begins to unravel, the League is forced to confront what happened in the other world, what they failed to see afterward, and how far they are willing to go to bring one of their own home. And the dark side of betrayal by one of their own.

A dark Justice League story about captivity, trauma, friendship, recovery, mysterious villains and a slow-burn Clark/Bruce romance.

A stolen moment by Excalis, T, ~4500

Simply heartbreaking

Author's summary:

Then, Clark’s eyes met his, and he pulled away so quickly that the sound of his retreat whipped through the air. His face, for a moment, was startlingly open, and naked grief cracked harshly through his expression like a fist shattering the surface of a frozen lake. Then, it was gone, and the slate was wiped clean as though there had been nothing but a mild smile there since the very beginning.

But Bruce knew what he’d seen.

“How long?” he asked.

Clark’s mouth twisted. “I don’t know why I thought I’d be able to keep it from you,” he said softly. “You know me too well. Was that even five minutes?”

“Clark.”

Clark’s lips turned up into a smile, fracturing his face, his eyes glittering shards of lapis lazuli. “How long for what?” he asked. “For how long we were married? Or for how long it’s been since you died?” 

Undercurrent traces by scarletazure, G, ~5000

Author's summary:

“You were kind of a dick all the time, all those versions of you,” Clark announces. “You want to know something even funnier?”

Bruce obviously has no idea where this is going. “Clark—"

“In every universe,” he says quietly, “I’m in love with you.”

clark and bruce take a little trip through alternative universes. things are a little different, a little skewed, and yet an undercurrent of similarity runs through all of them.

Post clois divorce 

Kissing other people by pasdecoeur, E, ~5000 (ongoing)

Going to the beach with your best bro and your sons and also your best bros ex wife. Perfectly harmonious. Obviously.

Author's summary:

"I loved you," Clark whispered. His voice cracked. "I always loved you. I loved you as much as I was allowed to."

Or we could try by nocanonhere, E, ~24.000

Author's summary:

"...We went out tonight and he mentioned that when he went to the website to look at my articles, there was a lot to get through. I was expecting him to say he only ended up reading a few, but no. Bruce, he used a fu-sorry. He used an AI program to sift through my writing to tell him what kind of topics I write about, and what kind of person I am.”

--

Clark goes on a terrible date and Bruce decides to date him about i

Don’t hold your breath by FrozenPotions, E, ~50.000

Author's summary:

“Hey, Bruce,” he said tentatively. “You have a lot of casual sex, right?”

Bruce raised one delicate eyebrow. “Mr. Kent,” he said slowly, amusement curling around the words, “are you calling me easy?”

(or: Not quite fresh out of a divorce, Clark attempts to have a hot girl summer. It goes well until it doesn't.)

Bruce pining at the clois wedding 

My heart (it digs its own grave) by Excalis, T, ~10.000

Author's summary:

Kryptonians ran hotter than humans by about 5.4 degrees, give or take a few decimal places. Clark felt like a radiator even on the bitterest of rainy nights on Gotham rooftops, a foot's distance between them; Bruce wondered if it would feel different somehow, if he pressed his hand against his chest, where his shield would lay, with intention—touch for the sake of touching. If it would feel different without the barrier of triple-weave kevlar and impenetrable alien fabric between them, stripped of the context of battle and the excuse of necessity.

Bruce was, however, in possession of all his faculties and thus was sound of mind enough to create a 20-item list (organized by relevance) of all the reasons why following through on his desires would be unwise. Chiefly among said reasons was, of course, that there were approximately thirty minutes before Clark would be married to the love of his life, Lois Lane, and that Bruce would never jeopardize their happiness for something as petty as feelings that he’d failed to smother in the cradle—no matter his alleged ‘self-destructive tendencies’. 

Forever hold your peace by Anonymous, T, ~5000

Author's summary: 

He heard Clark shift in the chair — that particular adjustment, weight redistributing, the prelude to something. Bruce had catalogued Clark's physical vocabulary over six years without meaning to, and he knew, from the sound of it, that Clark was about to say something he considered important.

"I want you to be my best man."

Bruce's heart did something it was not supposed to do. A single, traitorous beat off the rhythm — brief, a flicker, the kind of weakness he had not permitted himself in years. He was aware, with the cold certainty of a man who had made a study of Clark Kent's capabilities, that Clark had heard it.

He set the tablet down.

The wedding of the decade by Sanshal, G ~4000

Spin off chapter to Because I Ask it of You (found under the BDSM themes part of this rec). Makes my heart ache how clear Bruce's devotion is. Lois pov.

Author's summary:

Clark proposed to Lois and she said yes. He asked Batman to be his Best Man. And the vigilante agreed... after a fashion. Simple, right?

As it turns out, nothing is simple when your best friend is a billionaire with a secret identity and tons of issues.

Silly/Light-hearted

10 things every Brucie fan needs in their life by Pomeloquat, T, ~11.000 (ongoing)

Author's summary:

In which Bruce Wayne is the nation's boyfriend instead of a playboy, and his merchandising power accounts for most of Gotham's budget.

Pay to play by Pomeloquat, E, ~39.000

Author's summary:

Brucie!™ is a volunteering and virtual pet mobile application in which the user tends to a cartoon version of Bruce Wayne. Brucie, as a party boy and an idiot, is always falling into mishaps. The user’s job is to complete volunteering tasks in order to care for Brucie and earn in-game currency to purchase items, clothing, and accessories to decorate him and his home.

When Clark started using the Brucie!™ app, he intended it to be a fun and easy way to volunteer for a good cause. He didn't anticipate how quickly he would get sucked into Bruciemania.

For separate reasons, Bruce didn't anticipate how easy it was to get sucked into the app either.

Live footage of Bruce Wayne emotionally imploding by Dopamine_Knight, T-E, ~54.000 (ongoing)

As hilarious as it is addicting!

Author's summary:

A series that starts with Bruce Wayne drunk-posting in what was supposed to be his vent account, but wasn't.

Each work tells a part of the love story between Clark and Bruce.

A pie is not made but an eclair does get arrested by godsfavoritefool, T, ~8000

Author's summary:

Bruce Wayne agrees to appear on the Daily Planet's new baking show if, and only if, Clark Kent is his cohost.

Clark Kent thinks that, if Bruce Wayne isn't trying to fuck him, he's probably trying to kill him.

Let’s give ‘em something to talk about by butchyaoi, T, ~13.000

<333 Bruce is such a little shit in this <333

Author's summary:

Everyone in the Justice League knows Superman and Batman are married, but then Superman is seen kissing Bruce Wayne. Bruce thinks he's funny. He's not.

(Okay, he kind of is.)

Running backwards (the only way forward) by soerty, T, ~8000

Author's summary:

Tim's expression finally eased, and he gave Clark a sympathetic slap on the back. "Don't worry, Supes. You've just gotta suck tongue with B for like, twenty minutes and then everything will be back to normal."

Bruce gets hit in battle, forgets everything about being Batman, and adopts the entire personality and characteristics of his idiotic playboy persona. To get his memories back, someone has to get rather intimate with him.

And really, Clark is the only one for the task.

How to perform an exorcism (five easy steps!) by soerty, T, ~11.000

Author's summary:

“Bruce,” Clark finally said, brokenly. “I love you.”

Oh no, thought Bruce. He's possessed.

Locked in, locked down by scarletazure, G, ~8000

Author's summary:

“Hello!” says Diana Prince, cheerfully. An— an imposter, no doubt. She's in Wonder Woman gear, lined in glistening gold, but everything from the angles of her face to the way she holds herself is uncannily identical to the woman Bruce knows. “Welcome to the Justice League! Are you excited to be here?”

[ Of course I am! ] [+]

[ I’m excited to be able to prove myself to you. ] [♥]

[ Not particularly. ] [x]

Bruce opens his mouth. Nothing comes out; nothing can come out, except until he forces, “Not particularly,” and then adds, “Where the hell is Superman?” because even if this is some humongous Jason-stamped prank, his first instinct is still to find Clark.

Jason becomes a matchmaker, Bruce transmigrates into a Justice League Dating Simulator, Dick regrets everything and Clark has no idea what the sweet hell is going on.

Send to all by cairosene, T, ~3000

A classic for a reason. Laugh out loud funny!

Author's summary:

I, ___________________________, hereby acknowledge that this form represents my wishes should I contract phytoaphrodisiac-induced delirium (hereafter referred to as “PAID”) during engagements with or while apprehending Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley (“Poison Ivy”).

-

The bats have a sex pollen release form. Because of course they do

Alien biology

A secret im holding in by Susiecarter, E, ~3500

Author's summary:

It's the kryptonite that does it.

(Or: Kryptonians look like humans—when they want to.)

Don’t know the rules but I got to win by Internerdionality, E, ~11.000

If you read a secret I'm holding in and thought “this needs 11k additional words of octopusfucking”, man have i got you covered.

Author's summary:

When Batman found out that Superman was an alien cephalopod camouflaged as a human, he really thought that was going to be the weirdest thing he ever experienced.

Wow, was he ever wrong.

When I’m standing at your door by Susiecarter, M, ~4000

Author's summary:

Clark has a lot to deal with, now that he isn't dead anymore.

(But this particular thing wasn't on his list.)

Positive bias by pasdecoeur, E, ~7000

Author's summary:

There are certain things they don't do, and kissing is one of them.

Until it isn't.

*

[loosely based off of this prompt] Clark has a secondary sexual organ in his mouth right where the soft palate begins in a human. Consider it like a clit. I'd like 5 times Bruce/Batman made Clark come in his pants just from kissing, ranging from discovery to just for s&g.

Smells like middle-aged spirit by JustAnotherWanderingOne, M, ~74.000

As you can probably tell from this list, I'm not a big fan of omegaverse. But this, specifically, really really works for me. Also check out the sequel!! I love a sentient, detachable penis!

Author's summary:

“Congratulations, you just finished puberty.”

Clark blinked. Then he blinked again. “What?”

***

Being forced to reexamine every aspect of his life because the unholy brainchild of Lex Luthor and Poison Ivy unlocked an entirely new section of his biology was not on Clark’s bucket list. Which was good, because Clark wasn’t going to do that. It wasn’t that big of a deal, really! He was fine, everything was fine, and things would go back to normal sooner or later. Honestly, things would already be pretty normal if it wasn’t for Clark’s newfound desire to maul his best friend.

Bruce, meanwhile, has a bite on his neck, an unrequited crush, and hundreds of pages of Kryptonian documents that needed translating. Oh, and eight kids who are maybe a little too good at meddling.

Everyone else is just along for the ride.

Featuring: Copious blankets, platonic intimacy, the Justice League being surprisingly functional, sex pollen (now with 200% less sex!), Kansas typical repression, pillow forts, rebar, romantic intimacy, Batfam typical shenanigans, untranslatable words (coming to a dead alien language near you!), and the fictional concept of Omegaverse, which is also here for some reason.

Keep me there by TheResurrectionist, not rated, ~4000

Author's summary:

For a theory to be formed, three things must happen: careful observation, hypothesis development, and testing and confirmation through experimentation.

Dinah Lance formulates a theory.

(or, the one where Bruce keeps covering for Clark’s Kryptonian biology/enhanced senses by immediately turning and going for Hal Jordan’s throat. it’s surprisingly effective)

Sooner or later by TheResurrectionist, not rated, ~5000

Author's summary:

Five times Kryptonian people, animals, and tech tried to tell Clark that his mate was pregnant, and the one time he figured it out himself.

The joy of mekhzh by Mithen, M, ~3000

Author's summary:

Batman finds out about a possible weakness in the Man of Steel's defenses and investigates, with interesting results.

Alien culture 

Adoption to Adoration by Missingjay, M, ~53.000 (ongoing)

One of my most anticipated ongoings. Terrific in every way. Through a series of misunderstandings Clark and Bruce each believe each other to be animals. When Clark eventually adopts Bruce, nothing is cleared up. Really really adept at showing how context is everything. 

Author's summary:

Bruce Wayne, interstellar bounty hunter, is trapped in a nightmare. Lost in the depths of space, abducted by aliens and held captive as a mindless beast. Powerless to resist the whims of the aliens or reason with them for his release, he is utterly trapped.

Kal-el, a freelance journalist specializing in xenobiology correspondence, is in love. A surly little unclassified mammalian at the shelter he volunteers at has stolen his core. He’s never had a pet before and this creature has a history of servere behavioral problems, but he can’t let the poor thing stay at the shelter forever without trying to save it. How hard could exotic pet ownership be.

Stranger in a strange land by Mithen, M, ~27.000

Author's summary:

Kal-El of Krypton arrives on Earth as an adult. To the Justice League's surprise, Batman volunteers to introduce him to human ways. There's an immediate bond between the two men, but cultural differences and miscommunication complicate their relationship.

BDSM themes

The five-year angst by Internerdionality, E, ~7000

Author's summary:

Batman and Superman deal with the fallout after some alien mediators require that they seal an important treaty in an... unusual way.

Because I Ask It of You by Sansha, T, 55.000 (ongoing)

Deep cover in a d/s relationship! Could also be categorized as alien culture, but the bdsm is really really central!

Author's summary:

When an alien empire announces Earth as a potential weapons-testing ground, Superman and Batman need to pose as a bonded pair to infiltrate a multi-planetary conclave and turn the vote in Earth’s favour.

But the deeper they sink into their cover, the thinner the line becomes between performance and reality. And both must hide the fact that what they’re pretending… feels dangerously close to real.

You always leave me wanting more by mundanehilarity, M, ~9000

My only exposure to tickling as a link, but goddamn if it didn't make perfect sense for them as characters!

Author's summary:

Panic runs through him, one that he’s never felt before. It’s panic from sensation instead of thoughts or fear. It activates his survival instinct, but in a way that pain or danger never has. He’s hyper aware of every single one of Clark’s fingers on him, five digits curled into each underarm, touching nerves he’s never had to focus on before. He feels electrocuted and overwhelmed and flustered and sensitive —

“Oh!” Clark says, genuinely surprised. “I guess that did tickle!”

(Bruce asks Clark to tickle him. Platonically. As a training exercise. To test his endurance. He definitely isn’t expecting to be so ticklish… or to like it so much.)

Lock and Key by bonzai_bunny, E, ~70.000 (ongoing)

Author's summary:

Clark meets a mysterious man on a hookup app, known simply as "B.”

Fake dating

A common misconception by rotasha, T, ~91.000

Perhaps the most “grounded”/well reasoned queer fake dating story I've ever read.

Author's summary:

When Bruce Wayne comes out, he accidentally becomes the poster child of bisexuality and realizes his lifestyle of sleeping around needs to come to an end. Clark, being the supportive friend that he is, volunteers to pretend to date him for a year.

You know the rest.

Nowhere to land by bloodvvitch, E, ~90.000

Tender, heart breaking and multi layered. Not your average fake dating. Really enjoyed the crafting of a “civilian identity” for Kal-El!

Author's summary:

Bruce – recently injured and working a case that just won’t break – sees the tactical advantages of temporarily ‘dating’ Superman.

Clark – who was almost too late to save his friend from a fatal fall – doesn’t understand what he’s signed up for.

For two people who know each other so well, the World’s Finest just can’t manage to get on the same page.

Hockey

Iced out by brooklynmac, E, ~27.000 (ongoing)

This fic makes me absolutely feral. Bruce believes he is stuck in a psychosexual power play, while Clark is in a romcom. Classic detective story/love story stuff!!! If you still need to scratch that heated rivalry itch, this is the undisputed champion of the subgenre, as it pertains to superbat fanfic

Author's summary:

The gaggle of reporters were staring at him expectantly now, waiting for him to answer the same question for the fourth season.

“How does it feel to be going up against your rivals, Clark Kent and the Metropolis Metros, for the cup?”

Bruce gave the same answer he always gave.

“I look forward to beating him.”

Bruce and Clark are bitter rivals on the ice- have been for years- but a disappointing cup final brings emotions to the surface, and a contract dispute changes everything for both of them.

the best parts of lonely by Ferox, T, 26.000 (ongoing)

This fic is hilarious. I love them all, especially 12 year old Jason <333 world's best head coach!!

Author's summary:

Clark Kent has a pretty great thing going for him. He's the backup goalie for the Gotham Blades, the worst team in NHL history, and he's working on his journalism degree. He never has to worry about money and he's got plenty of free time to be Superman and partner with the Justice League.

It's all going really well. Until Bruce Wayne ruins everything.

“When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday, you said you wanted the Blades to,” Bruce used air quotes which shouldn't be endearing, “win an ‘effing’ game for once in your life.”

"What,” Jason barks out a laugh, “you’re gonna bribe a ref or somethin’?”

“Goodness no!” Bruce cries out dramatically clutching his hands to his chest, utterly scandalized. “What do you take me for? A criminal? Of course not, Jason. I would never! I am a good influence.”

Jason continues to glare at him, clearly waiting for something.

“I bought the team,” Bruce announces.

Queer themes

Leave no trace by Ferox, M, ~127.000

Achingly beautiful. Set during the aids crisis. Doctor Bruce + firefighter/fire lookout Clark. Will give you an intense desire to work at a fire lookout.

Author's summary:

Clark Kent has been Tower 344’s fire lookout for the last decade. In the summer of 1987, a camper is injured in the remote woods. Clark ends up with an unexpected house guest while they wait for the next available medical evacuation.

It changes the course of his life in ways he never could have imagined.

If the shoe fits (wear it) by Butchyaoi, E, ~4000

Butch for butch superbat my beloved 

Author's summary:

Bruce is far enough into her transition that it’s time to step back from being Batman. Introducing: the Bat!

(A story about later in life realizations and transitions, renaming yourself, and eating your butch boyfriend’s pussy out on a Gotham rooftop.)

For DC Trans Week 2025!

Comfort and joy by orphean, T, ~9000

Author's summary:

Martha Kent wasn’t spending Christmas in Smallville.

In one of the last storms of the season, a section of the roof fell off and it was alright, it was fine, but the repairs wouldn’t be done until early in the new year. It had been Bruce who had suggested it. Your mother can come here for Christmas, he’d said one lazy morning, murmuring the words against the nape of Clark’s neck. We don’t do much, but she’s welcome.

Martha had been delighted when Clark had called her up, and apart from asking what she should bring – nevermind, I’ll ask Alfred – she hadn’t asked any questions.

There was one question she should have asked. There was one answer that Clark should have given, unasked.

Who needs you, I’d like to know by NothingEnough, M, ~7000

Set in the 50s during the red scare. I LOVE a period piece!

Author's summary:

Or, the story of how Clark Kent repeatedly failed to realize Bruce Wayne was Batman, on account of being too easily distracted. Among other things.

Pre-relationship co-parenting

No compasses, no signs by Starlighter_Varda, E, ~320.000 (ongoing)

To me, this is THE corensupes/battinson fic. It has basically everything you could want: copious identity porn, copious regular porn, jealousy, betrayal and parenting. Every time this updates, the author blesses us with a full meal of ~30.000 words, and NOTHING can keep me from devouring it at once.

Author's summary:

Between dealing with Gotham and the child he’d impulsively adopted, the last thing Bruce Wayne needed was to develop strong yet confusing feelings for the reporter Clark Kent.

To make things worse, his rivals for Clark's affections are Lex Luthor and Superman!

The maddening desire, jealousy, and distraction stemming from his fixation on this man are almost manageable...until Clark starts showing an interest in the Batman.

________________

Or, How Bruce Wayne's Sexuality Crisis Led to Him Accidentally Baby-Trapping Superman.

conner kent-wayne, or, co-parents to lovers by snapdragonsuplex, G-E, ~250.000 (ongoing)

Clark and Bruce raise Conner (and eventually most of the bat kids) together. Getting together, however, takes a while longer.

Author's summary:

Months after Lex Luthor used a clone of him to help nearly destroy Metropolis, Clark finds out that Ultraman wasn't the only clone he made.

Betrayal and buttered noodles by beefyboy, T, ~10.000

One of the very first superbat fics I ever read, still a favorite!

Author's summary:

“I’m never talking to him again!” the young robin cried as he flung himself into Clark’s arms, “He cheated on you with a witch!”

Clark Kent had never been so confused.

Or where Clark comes home only to find Dick Grayson crying in the living room of his apartment, livid at his father for cheating on a man he was in fact not dating.

Prodigal son by TheResurrectionist, Not rated, 5000

Author's summary:

The Amanyl delegation will only negotiate with “the firstborn child of Batman and Superman.”

Dick knows who that is.

Superbat & Dick Grayson

Worlds finest: The missing issues by WingFeathers, G/T, ~80.000

Few fics loom larger in my imagination than this series. It's called missing issues for a reason. WingFeathers has an uncanny ability to write something that gives off such a strong canon feel (hard as that is to define with DC) while also being debilitatingly, achingly real about the kinds of issues you might face in a relationship. It's also full of cute family bonding (classic world's finest covers style), and if you don't read the break up arc it can only haunt you generally rather than specifically (ask me how I know this).

Author's summary:

Early in their careers, Clark and Bruce give dating a go. Clark takes a day off saving the world to take Bruce and Dick to a county fair. Something fun together, all three of them, to keep Dick from feeling jilted by the new arrangement.

But can you call it a date when you bring your boyfriend's 13-year-old ward along? And can Clark Kent actually take a day off?

(This follows Grounded, but it is more of a spin-off than a sequel.)

Family made from fate by littlearrows, T, ~15.000

Brilliant and realistic portrayal of the parent-child relationship! 

Author's summary:

One time Dick walks in on Bruce and Clark having sex, and five times he walks in on them doing something else

Won’t be long (till I belong) by soerty, T, ~11.000

If it weren't for that damn meddling kid!!! 

Author's summary:

“What's the plan, then?” Superman asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Dress in civvies? It'll be tricky to hide your, uh.” He brought up both hands and wiggled two fingers on either side of his head. “Ears.”

“Ha,” said Batman, as Robin and Superman both grinned. “Funny. No. I've got another plan.”

During a team-up, Robin lets slip that a certain Bat's birthday is coming up. Superman reacts accordingly, as does Batman — naturally, they engage in complicated communication rituals.

A different life by FabulaRasa, E, ~9000

Author's summary:

This is a Dick Fix-it Fic: Dick ends up trying to fix Bruce's love life. Since Dick's own love life is currently skating out of control, this is a spectacularly bad idea.

Look, I don't have a whole lot of justification for this piece of fluff. I've just always loved the idea of Dick trying to insert himself in Bruce's personal life, because Dick has this way of just slicing through all of Bruce's avoidance and bullshit, and also just because, come on, Dick is hilarious. Dick trying to fix people is even more hilarious.

It also occurred to me as I was writing this that it's sort of the dark twin of one of my earliest stories, Shit My Dad Says. I guess I am wedded to the trope of "Dick goes to Bruce for advice, which goes poorly." For that matter, so is DC, so I won't feel bad about it.

Hints of offstage Birdflash, Spitfire, and whatever the hell the smush name is for Batgirl and Nightwing. Never mind, don't tell me.

Martha and/or Thomas Wayne resurrected 

No one seems to go by haljordont, OkayAristotle, T, ~18.000

Author's summary:

“Father,” Bruce mumbles, “I am something of an outlaw.”

“Were you always this dramatic, son?” Thomas asks, the bed beneath them shaking as he shifts.

“Alfred.” Bruce snorts, shaking his head. “Theatrics are his speciality, remember?”

Be as you’ve always been by Excalis, G, ~6000

Author's summary:

Martha Wayne is resurrected for a day. Clark is mostly here for moral support and to make sure Bruce doesn’t crawl out of his skin from sheer stress, but he certainly wouldn’t mind making a favorable first impression on one of the most influential women of his best friend’s life. He just hadn’t expected her to be so incisively observant, though he really, probably should have.

Misc faves

All my traitor heart by Holdt, E, ~80.000

A noir detective story with brilliant pacing and characterization and the perfect atmosphere! One of my all time faves!

Author’s summary:

Gotham, 1935. Bruce Malone is a private investigator with a shingle, a past he doesn't advertise, and a client who smells like jasmine and trouble in equal measure.

Diana Prinkipas needs a treasure found. Clark Kent needs a job. Bruce needs to stop noticing things he has no business noticing.

Nobody gets what they need.

A noir in sixteen movements, one interrogation tape, and a coat button that costs twenty years.

Carry moonbeams by Ginerva_Benci, E, ~60.000

Absolutely swallowed this in one sitting! Brilliant setting, beautifully written. Still think about this all the time.

Author’s summary:

Between the drought and the Depression and the dust, and keeping the farm on what's left of its feet, Clark Kent has a lot on his plate. But the Kents have been hospitable as long as there've been Kents in Smallville, and putting up a meteorologist for a few days while his car's fixed isn't that much of an imposition.

In other news the exact same story: Bruce Wayne, playboy prince of Gotham, is getting married. Just... not yet. Right now, you see, he's got a science mystery to solve—in Kansas of all places.

***

In which Bruce helps out around the place, digs around in the dirt after space rocks, uncovers several decades-worth of buried secrets, falls more than a little bit in love, tells a lot of lies, is part of the Great Cow Rescue of 1935, and (a couple of times) is rescued himself.

Gone fishing by Unpretty, T, ~15.000

Exceptional characterization! Thoroughly entertaining and perfectly silly.

Author’s summary:

A very normal vacation with friends. 

$17.99 by Katflap, E, ~9000

Katflap is a master of the bitchy-bickering-old-married-couple vibe. A fic that’ll make you say <333 he’s such a little shit <3333

Author’s summary:

Bruce has an issue with Clark's roleplay scenario.

Luckily, Bruce also happens to have a solution.

Together forever (in the great in-between) by April_Blooms, G, 790

A sweet tribute to the characters in what feels like a very classic fandom type of fic. Made me sigh lovingly like, I love fandom, I love superbat.

Author’s summary:

For Superbat Week 2025. Prompt: Time-Travel

With the advent of the new Superman movie, Clark returns to visit Bruce in The Great In-Between. They reminisce over old friends and old faces and new stories yet to be told.

oO

“What are they calling you? Outside.” Bruce asks.

Clark tilts his head, listening. “David.” he says. “Sometimes Henry, but it’s David now.”

“David.” Bruce says. “It’s a nice name. A strong name.”

“A kind name.” Clark says. “It reminds me of Joe and Jerry a bit. Of old times.”

“Old.” Bruce says. “Yes, we’re very old.”

“1939. Eight-six years.” Clark smiles over the city, the landscape shifting in medium from moment to moment- flesh, ink, watercolor, lines of text, Ben-Day dots.

“They’re still talking about us. Still telling stories.”

Bruce grumbles. “They have nothing better to do.”

oOo

The more I read this the more I realize it's not truly time-travel- more of a meta fandom-aware character study. Enjoy it for what it is!

Hang on, hang up by hellslibrary, E, ~2000

Hot as hell 

Author’s summary:

'Are you listening to me, boy?’ Bruce demands, voice authoritative and commanding even from half the country away, and Clark can just imagine the iron grip he probably has on his phone right now.

'Bruce. ‘M here, keep— keep talking. Connection’s bad, ‘s all.’ He slurs against the mattress.

— or: Clark gets tipsy and forgets that getting off to a coworker over a decade older than him whilst on a case is just a little too inappropriate and perverted, even for him.

Here in our bed by The Resurrectionist, Not rated, ~5.000

One for the jealous!Clark lovers. Bonus rec: the preceding fic in this series is also brilliant (just couldn't rec it here as its Bruce/Slade Wilson)

Author's summary:

Next to him, Bruce shifted slightly in his chair. A hand drifted down to his hip, nudging absently at a handprint Clark could see hidden under the thin fabric of his t-shirt.

Bruce let out a subaudible sigh, eyes fluttering. The stylus snapped in half in Clark’s hand, scattering metal and plastic across the table.

Foreign languages by FabulaRasa, E, ~22.000

THE quintessential ‘batman goes to therapy’ fic. I've been chasing this high ever since I read this for the first time.

Author's summary:

What exactly happens to your life, when you become Batman's therapist?

Many thanks to Amanuensis and Schemingreader for tireless beta-reading on this one.

Five times superbat had sex and one time they admitted it was more by April_Blooms, M, 19.000

Brilliant character work, exquisite tension. 

Author's summary:

The first time, they are young and dumb, and it's Ivy's Pollen that does it. It was a mistake. It will never happen again.

Second time, Jason is dead, and Bruce just needs to feel anything to know he is still alive.

Third time, the Javalin is stuck in a time stasis bubble. The equivalent of two years is too long to resist.

The fourth time, they're just glad to be alive. They mean more to each other than they ever thought they would, but they have duties and obligations and they can't get out.

The fifth time is the worst yet. Bruce's fiance has left him. Clark's wife and son are just downstairs. This is painful, this is wrong. It needs to come to an end.

Or, the 5 times Bruce and Clark had sex, and how they finally realized that they needed more.

It happened one night by BradyGirl_12, E, ~5000

This list’s secret bonus category is for sure fics set in the 30s-60s. This takes place in the late 30s, aka when batman and Superman first debuted! I love it dearly.

Author's summary:

Fresh-off-the-farm Clark discovers new experiences in the Big City.

I’ve been knocked down, i got up again by susiecarter, T, ~5000

My favorite kryptonite fic. Exposure to pink kryptonite makes Clark straight, which troubles him quite a bit, even though he can't quite explain why.

Author's summary:

"So," Bruce says, accent firmly in place, broad enough to drive a truck through, "are you gonna let me take a look at the goods, or what?"