No, but Battinson and Simon "Ghost" Riley? Copy and paste. Emo in italics vs Emo in Bold.
For my " Alfred trained Ghost at some point and of course Bruce grows up with an annoying ass older brother" agenda.
I'm sorry, but I simply can't help but drool and cry and scream over Clark visiting the manor because Bruce demanded to keep traction of his powers, -
(translation: Bruce is worried and wants to offer healthcare to the indestructible Kryptonian in the best way he knows how)
-, and look. He can't exactly HELP peeking through privacy. But, honestly? A part of him feels like it's better.
He hasn't felt an ounce of awkwardness around Damian ever since he heard that " how to make friends" tutorial from his room. It's easier to make eye contact with Jason when Clark knows he cries at Little Women. (He gets it. He does, too.)
And Tim can't really intimidate him like he used to now that Clark knows he needs a tutorial on how to grill cheese.
He likes it. Its not a bridge, not quite yet, but it IS a foundation.
One thing IS curious, thought. Alfred.
Alfred, whose warm voice is very comforting, like a spoon of sugar In a cup of mint tea,
" I don't suppose you'll be visiting soon, love?"
There's one detail that actually MAKES Clark want to listen. He didn't know Alfred's accent had a twang of Manchester to it.
But it's the voice on the other line, - gruff, grainy but pleasant, deep and whispery, - that stirs his curiosity,
" Don't tell me Bambi's dyin' to see me?"
" He specifically instructed me not to invite you again, actually. He's never quite recovered from that tea bag incident."
Faint gun sounds. Then a deep, chilling silence, " Ain't my fault no one thought 'em street combat. Soap says hi, by the way. Price still waitin' on that dinner date."
" Tell him to come here and get it. If he dares. And bring John at once! This silent pining of yours won't get you anywhere."
A pause, in which Clark feels an invisible pressure settle over him. He feels cornered. It's foreign, and nasty, on the wrong side of admiration.
" ...I'll see you in a blink, Pop."
When Bruce comes back, elegant, dainty, violence stained hands full with sweet treats Clark has no taste for, entirely for him only, he burns to ask about this mystery son.
But then again, it's really funny seeing Bruce on the receiving end of being investigated. He has no clue how Clark finds these things out, putting Superman above petty things like eavesdropping.
Clark Kent, however, won't bother. It's way too much fun.
If he had half a mind to ask, then maybe future Clark would know how to prepare for Simon "Ghost - AKA Bruce Wayne's Tank Older Brother " Riley better.
Why Am I looking up why am I looking up why am I looking, -
" It's not a compliment. "
Bruce pouts, - and a fragment of Clark, who's currently doing his best not to hide behind his cape like an overfed 6 year old (because good lord, that mask), is endeared.
It's nice to see Bruce like this, - grumpy but relaxed and filled with loving annoyance. " This could've been a Facebook message."
Ghost shrugs, big hand messing up Bruce's hair, all bored and affectionate, " We celebratin' Jay's 9th birthday, don't we? Can't do that over call."
Ghost shrugs, " I stopped counting after Dick, Bambi."
That...Was adorable. In a messed up, way too accurate manner.
"Besides," And Jason clearly learned " stabs you with a single stare" from the right person, " I heard it's open season in Gotham."
Clark gulps behind his smile.
