A Sense Of Normalcy (Clark Kent x Wayne Male!Reader)
Part one of two that will be released simultaneously. Might write more for this so I'm calling this Wayne!bro Reader.
Reader is Bruce's older brother (hence why it's not batbro)
Part 2
Word count: like 6k (ish) not super sure but this thing is long and took a while to write.
Summery: You can't help your desire for something normal, after all nothing about your life has been normal so far. When your parents died in a mugging and left you and your younger brother Bruce orphans you gave up all semblance of normalcy, which is why you're incredibly surprised when an incredibly sweet reporter manages to sweep you off your feet and make you feel normal.
Warning: Reference to child soldiers (no details given, it's a tiny comment), light descriptions of injury, mostly just family drama.
Bruce wasn’t the only Wayne child that lost his parents on the tragic night we all know too well.
He may have been the only one left alive in that alley but his older brother Y/N got to hear about the loss only hours later.
You were five years older than Bruce, the eldest Wayne son and on the night of your parent’s murder you were sleeping at a friend’s house, having fun and playing games to celebrate his birthday.
You dealt with the loss differently than your brother though. Bruce saw his world fall apart but you were simply told. You lost your parents but you weren't there. You didn’t hear the gunshot or see the blood or fear for your life. So you also grieved differently. For a long time you felt guilty, guilty that your younger brother was the one who had to watch your parents die. Guilty that you didn’t go to the movies with them that night, maybe if you were there you could have done something, maybe you could have died instead.
It was when that thought first crossed your mind that you knew you needed help. This was too much for you to deal with on your own. And in fact you didn’t, you had Alfred and your friends, your therapist whom you saw regularly for years and to some extent you had Bruce.
But Bruce wasn’t your best friend. The two of you didn’t have that kind of relationship. You would tease the young boy a lot before that fateful day, gave him funny nicknames and occasionally took his stuff, everything a good older brother should do. But even so, you loved Bruce to the moon and back. He was your baby brother after all and you remembered your mother teaching you how to change his diapers when you wanted to help with the baby or how little Bruce would waddle after his you as a toddler. But when Thomas and Martha Wayne died there became a rift.
You grieved, cried, mourned but you also moved on. You refused to let the tragedy define you and instead you worked to lead the company and charities that your parents devoted their lives to.
Bruce on the other hand withdrew. He sought revenge, sought to stop such things from ever happening again.
Bruce, became obsessed with the event. Nothing you or Alfred did to help him overcome the loss helped. He mourned and he grew but he let that event define how he would live his life and at the age of 18 you walked into Bruce’s room in the manor to find a note from on his desk. He explained in the note that he was going to learn as much as he could about combat and would return to protect Gotham City. After that Bruce didn’t pick up his phone or reply to emails and for months you left voicemails going from screaming at your younger brother’s recklessness and lack of communication to crying and begging for Bruce to answer just so that you knew that the only family member you had left was still alive.
It took seven years for Bruce to return to Gotham from his “studies abroad” as you and Alfred told the press. When Alfred picked him up from the airport Bruce was relieved his brother wasn’t there.
“I wouldn’t be relieved quite yet if I were you master Bruce, Master Y/N is waiting to greet you back at the manor” Alfred told him and took his bags to the car.
And indeed he was right because when Bruce came back to the manor, you were pacing back and forth, waiting, and when Bruce walked in you turned to face him.
Your face was a mix of conflicting emotions, anger and delight, love and hatred. Bruce stood there watching your face contort and eventually reach a decision. You ran to your younger brother and embraced him in a bone breaking hug.
“You idiot, you thick headed numskull” You said as you practically choked Bruce in a hug. Bruce hugged back as much as he could and when you let go he hunched over in pain as he realized you had punched him in the gut.
“What were you thinking?! You ran away without a word, didn’t answer me or Alfred almost at all and went no contact for seven years!” You yelled and Bruce wasn’t sure how to respond. The whiplash of the emotional extremes was disorienting.
“You look tired” He simply said and you stopped, looking at your brother.
“Well I’ve been doing a lot, you know, running Wayne Enterprise by myself.” You said and you knew that the sarcasm might have been a bit much but you didn’t care. You had taken the position of CEO and chair of Wayne enterprises four years ago and coupled with the loneliness of the manor you felt emotionally and physically exhausted.
“I’m sorry” Bruce said and you nodded.
“If I’m being honest with you, I don’t care. Just please tell me you’re staying” You said and Bruce saw the fragility in your eyes. His brother who had always seemed invincible. The brother that promised to protect him from the world after their parents' deaths, just wanted his younger brother to stay.
“Yes. I’m staying in Gotham” He said and you smiled a tired but relieved smile.
“Very good master Bruce, I will make your favorite for dinner then. We shall celebrate” Alfred said and both you and Bruce turned around, having completely forgotten the butler was there.
After that you reintroduced Bruce to public life and you began leading Wayne Enterprises as co chairs. Everything seemed good. Mostly.
Bruce was brooding and you could tell that he was very different from the boy you once knew. Something happened to Bruce on his travels. Something that led to the birth of Batman.
“So you want to dress up as a bat and beat up criminals?” You asked Bruce. The two of you sat in your office in the manor.
“I want to make a change Y/N. The kind of change that the police and charity work can’t do. I need to become a symbol, strike terror in the hearts of criminals. I’m going to do anything I can to make sure no one has to go through what we did.” Bruce declared but you sighed.
“Bruce, what happened to mom and dad was a tragedy. Trust me I know as well as anyone. But vigilantism isn’t going to stop random muggings. This isn’t a healthy way to cope.” You told Bruce but you saw the determination in your brother’s eyes. There was nothing you could do to dissuade him.
“You’re an adult, it’s not like I can stop you but Bruce please listen to me, this is not the way to seek justice. This isn’t healthy.” You said, your voice was softer and you hoped it would help your brother be reasonable but Bruce stood up.
“I have to do this Y/N. I’m sorry” He said and walked out and you watched as he shut the door behind him and held your head in your hands. You knew your life would never be the same.
Three Years later
Bruce was batman. That was your new normal. Your brother ran around Gotham in a surprisingly high tech batsuit and even though for the first few years the police weren’t his biggest fans, he kept going. Now you weren’t proud of him, but you were happy to have him around again. So when he told you he was adopting a kid you were caught off guard.
“What do you mean by adopting, and for that matter what do you mean by kid? Bruce, you're not even thirty, the last time you were in a stable relationship was in highschool and you’ve never shown any interest in being a dad. What is going on?” You asked and Bruce told you. He was at the circus investigating when he saw the flying Grayson’s last performance. The one where John and Mary Grayson fell to their deaths. He explained how he wanted to take in their son, Richard and then you understood. You smiled realizing that Bruce was trying to help someone like him. “I can’t wait to meet him then, and to be an uncle” You told him and Bruce smiled just a little bit.
A few days later when you met Richard you were surprised by how small he was. With his black hair and blue eyes he really did look like Bruce at that age.
Bruce escorted him into the manor and you came out to meet him.
“Hey Richard, I’m Y/N Wayne, it’s nice to meet you” You said, bending down to be at eye level with the eight year old as you held out your hand. He took it and shook it hesitantly.
“It’s um, It’s Dick actually” He told you and you nodded. “Alright then Dick, I’m very happy to have you moving in, it was getting lonely just Bruce, Alfred and I” You said and he looked confused. “It’s just you three in this huge house?” He asked and you nodded.
“Yup, so it’s really nice to have someone new” You told him with a smile as you stood back up. “I have a board meeting, I’ll have notes sent over to you later” You told Bruce as you walked out, grabbing your coat and hoisting your messenger bag over your shoulder.
Having Dick at the manor was a very refreshing change and you saw how Bruce smiled more when the boy was around. Not by much, this was still Bruce but you noticed the slight change. Dick brought more life back into the manor. He asked questions and sought out answers.
When Bruce enrolled him in Gotham Academy you smirked.
“I’m sure that Headmaster Hammer loved seeing you again” You quipped when Bruce told you.
“Not much he can do about it, Dick is a good kid, he’ll be fine”
Up until know you did your best to keep yourself away from anything Batman. You’ve never been to the Batcave or seen Bruce in the batsuit. You don’t keep up with his adventures and the two of you never talk about patrol, but when you found out that Bruce was bringing Dick along on his nightly crusade you knew you had to step in.
“You can’t be serious! I can forgive illegal vigilantism Bruce but child soldiers? Is that where you’re at with this Batman obsession of yours?!” You questioned, you had cornered Bruce in his office at the manor.
“I’m training him to get justice for his parent’s murder. He needs this.” Bruce said and you glared at him.
“He needs this?” You asked shocked. “You know, when you told me you wanted to adopt a kid I thought it was to make sure he didn’t become like you, like us. To give him a family but Bruce, I never thought you’d stoop so low as to use children in your god forsaken crusade” You told him coldly.
“You don’t understand. You never will. Dick isn’t like you, he’s like me. He’s capable and he wants to do this. Now get out of my office, I don’t have time to listen to another one of your goddamn lectures, you’re the one who said you wanted nothing to do with Batman. I’m not asking for permission or forgiveness” Bruce said coldly but you stood your ground.
“If this was another grown adult I wouldn’t be here Bruce but he’s eight. I don’t give a rat’s ass about Batman, I care about the vulnerable kid you’re choosing to bring into it and I swear if something happens to him because of your stupidity I will bring your entire operation down and I will personally drag Batman through the mud.” You told him and then stormed out.
That argument was a point of tension with Bruce for years. You refused to support Batman even if the city supported him, if Alfred supported him, if Wayne Enterprises supported him, even if the whole world supported Batman. You could never do it because Batman took your brother from you. It’s why you stayed as far away from anything Batman as you could. If the dark hero were someone else, some stranger you wouldn't be like this. You knew it was selfish but the reason you hated Batman was because for him to exist Bruce Wayne had to sacrifice himself.
Tensions ran high in the manor every time Batman became a topic, Alfred and Bruce tried not to talk about it around you but Dick was young and he didn’t quite understand why his uncle figure didn’t want to hear about his nightly adventures.
“Why don’t you tell me about school?” You said whenever he tried to tell a story from a patrol.
“But, this is so cool! I got to meet Superman and Wonder Woman and Flash! And they were really nice, you’d like them Y/N” The young boy said one day at dinner and you sighed. But gave up trying to steer the conversation away.
“So you went to the new hall?” You asked and he nodded enthusiastically.
“It’s super cool! It has a bunch of tech and it’s kind of like the Batcave” The boy raved and you used the years of training you had in faking interest to keep a smile on your face. You loved Dick and he was young, he didn’t know you wanted nothing to do with The Batman and it would be a long time before he understood why.
“You should come see it with us, since you already know about it” Dick said and you had to admit you were curious, especially since Bruce and by extension you were funding it.
“It would be nice to see how everything turned out, make sure my money’s being put to good use” You said and Bruce butted in.
“Our money.” He said and you rolled your eyes.
“Wayne money is being put to good use” You corrected, it was somewhat of an ongoing joke between you and Bruce that since you ran Wayne Enterprises (AKA the money making side of the family business) it was your money. It was only a joke though and it helped to create yours and Bruce’s characters for the public. He was the fun loving billionaire partying playboy with a heart of gold and you were the calm and collected corporate business man who led Wayne Ent.
Bruce took most of the media attention for himself and his laid back, fun loving persona while you got to live a more private life and run the business. It took some of the pressure off of you while allowing Bruce to work on his passions (and Batman) without worrying too much about maintaining a billion dollar corporation.
That’s why on a slow evening you went with Bruce (as Batman) and Dick (as Robin) to the brand new Hall of Justice.
You walked in beside Dick in the same suit you wore to work before and you quickly realized that when surrounded by superheroes in capes and spandex you in your business suit were the odd one out.
“League, I’d like you to meet Y/N Wayne-” Bruce began and you held back a chuckle as you heard his “Batman voice” for the first time.
“As in the billionaire?” The flash butt in and you smiled.
“As in the one funding this operation” You joked and laughed through Bruce’s side glare.
“Very happily by the way. Wayne Enterprises is more than happy to donate this building and all of the equipment in it to ensure earth’s heroes can keep the planet safe” You said, in full corporate mode. You had perfected this persona over a few years of working at WE. Your tone was captivating and you confidently stood straight with an even voice.
“He wanted to come see the Hall!” Dick said excitedly, dragging you around the building showing you computers and training rooms and talking excitedly about the League.
Meanwhile the League themselves looked at Bruce curiously. They all knew his secret identity but during the construction of the Hall when they asked if you’d be coming by (since it was your company funding it) he said you aren’t associated or planning on associating with Batman.
“So spooky, what changed? Cause that doesn’t look like someone who’s upset his brother dresses up as a depressed bat to fight crime” Hal asked Bruce and your brother, still completely in his Batman persona said, “Dick asked him to come”.
While Dick was showing you around the Hall Superman approached you.
“Mr. Wayne, it’s nice to meet you” Superman said, holding out his hand for you to shake. You nodded and shook his hand.
“And it’s an honor to meet you Superman” You said with your usual corporate charm and the man of steel smiled.
“Please call me Kal. I understand you’re not interested in associating with us too much personally but you can feel comfortable here” He said and now it was your turn to smile, a real one this time not your fake smile.
“Now where did you hear something like that?” You asked and he looked a bit confused.
“Well, Batman said it was Robin who convinced you to come here-” He said and you rolled your eyes.
“My problem isn’t with the League Superman. My br- Batman is- well we don’t always agree on things. But I appreciate all of what the League has done. You all are heroes, giving everything you have to make the world a better place.” You told him and you noticed the sincerity fall into your voice as the topic became personal.
“My family has prided ourselves on protecting and helping Gotham for generations and I am happy to grow that tradition and sponsor the League to allow you to make the world a better place” You told him and your chest filled with pride as you told him about your family. As much as you disliked his nightly activities over the past few years you began to accept that it wouldn't change. This is your brother now and you had to accept it. Besides, he was a hero. He saved the world.
Superman smiled, “I’m sure they would be proud of you and your brother’s efforts” Kal said and your smile faltered only slightly. “You know, don't you?” You asked. You didn’t talk to Bruce about the League so you didn’t know if they knew his secret identity. When Kal nodded that he in fact knew you smiled sadly.
“You know I think this is as close to a real friend group he’s had in years” You said and Kal looked sympathetic.
“I’m not sure we count as friends quite yet” he said and you nodded and looked at him as if saying that’s what makes it so sad.
“Thank you by the way, he’s an ass to deal with and I can’t imagine how he is as Batman but he’s passionate about what he does here and I owe you thanks for helping him” You confessed and Kal chuckled. “He’s a special one that’s for sure.” He said and you were the one to ask the next question.
“So do all of you know?” You asked and Kal nodded.
“We all know each other’s identities, yes” He said and you smirked slightly, teasing.
“And do I get to know?” You asked and he laughed. A warm laugh that made you smile.
“That depends, can you keep a secret?” He asked in the same teasing tone and you playfully pretended to zip your lips.
“My name is Clark Kent” Kal- or rather Clark said and your face shifted to slight surprise.
“The Daily Planet reporter?” You asked and he smiled nodding. “I read your articles on the Wilson v Brown court case, it was incredibly interesting. You do some great work” You said you swore you saw a hint of blush on Superman’s face. Just then Dick ran back into the room with Green Lantern and Flash.
“Mr. Wayne! Flash and GL wanted to meet you!” Dick said. The little 11 year old was so excited to finally merge his worlds but Flash and Green Lantern looked more embarrassed than excited.
You turned from Clark to the newcomers and smiled at Dick. You loved your nephew dearly and your heart grew when you saw his giddiness.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you” You tell the heroes and shake their hands.
“So…” Flash said awkwardly and you smirked.
“I am many things Flash but I’m not a snitch. If you want dirt on Batman you’ll have to find it somewhere else” You said and they both looked at you stunned.
“Is the detective-ness genetic or something?” Lantern asked and you chuckled.
“It was written all over your face, it’s not that hard to guess” You said lightheartedly and put your arms around little Dick as the boy beamed.
“Besides, what kind of example would I be setting if I told you all the adorable things Batman did before you knew him” You teased and The men looked almost devastated. You found this hilarious.
“Y/N, you should go. An alert just came up for an earthquake in Japan.” Bruce said and you smiled slightly seeing him. You never thought you’d feel this way, you still hated The Batman but you were starting to see that maybe this was the right thing for Bruce. Maybe.
“Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way” You said you nodded thanks to the rest of the League, hugged Dick and walked out of the Hall. As you walked out you looked over your shoulder and smiled at Clark who was still watching your retreating image.
…
The next time you saw Clark was a few months later in his civilian alter ego. You were at your office at Wayne Enterprises editing new safety policies you were supposed to bring to the board later when your assistant’s voice buzzed over the intercom phone on your desk. “Mr. Wayne, the reporter from the daily planet is here for your 3 o’clock” She said and you sighed. You completely forgot about that.
“Let them in” You said into the device and you heard the beep of the call ending and the click of your office door opening.
You were expecting some business reporter, but when a muscular man with black hair, blue eyes and glasses walked through your door you smirked to hide the genuine joy you felt seeing the man.
“Well if it isn’t Clark Kent. What’s an investigative reporter like you doing here?” You asked teasingly and the man smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’m here to interview you about the new Wayne Ent. branch opening in Metropolis?” He said though it didn’t sound like he was so sure.
“Really? I thought I’d get some prissy business reporter, though I’m glad to be wrong for once. Please sit down” You said. Motioning to the leather lined chairs on the right side of the room as you stood from behind your desk. Your office was admittedly a bit extravagant but it helped you work (not to mention looked very impressive in photos and interviews).
It was a decently large room (for an office) with a beautiful dark wooden desk on the left side, some nice chairs around a coffee table on the right and a few shelves with books, trinkets and photo frames around the walls.
The far wall was the highlight though. Your office was on the top floor of the building and your exterior wall was a gorgeous floor to ceiling window that looked out at the city.
You walked over to the sitting area and sat down on one of the comfortable chairs, Clark following after you, sitting in front of you.
“So, can we begin?” He asked, setting a tape recorder on the table in front of you.
“Whenever you’re ready” You told him confidently and he smiled.
The two of you discussed the new branch and new changes within your family business for almost an hour and when Clark put his voice recorder away you smiled, a real, natural smile. Not the fake one you used during the interview out of habit or at events.
“Thanks for coming Clark, it was a refreshing change of pace” You said and shook his hand.
“Well, it’s my job” he said cheekily and you laughed.
“Are you in a rush back to Metropolis?” You asked as you walked him out of your office and he shook his head.
“Not really, why?” He answered.
“Would you like to go get a cup of coffee with me?” You asked and Clark seemed caught off guard. You weren’t sure if it was because you misunderstood and the two of you were in fact not flirting or maybe he just wasn’t into men. Either way you were about to backtrack when he nodded.
“I’d love to” He said and you kept walking with him. “Hailey, I’ll be back in an hour or so, call only in case of emergency please” You told your assistant as you walked by her desk and she nodded.
The two of you left the building and walked around Old Gotham. Clark wrapped himself in his coat and you chuckled.
“Cold?” You asked and he laughed a bit himself.
“Chilly, yeah” He answered and you nodded.
“You get used to it here, I’m guessing the same doesn’t exist in metropolis?” You asked. You’ve been to Metropolis a few times, always on business. It was a nice place, definitely brighter than Gotham.
“The closest thing I can think of would be the noise, and the super villains but I hear you have that here too” He joked and you laughed, nodding.
“The one thing we aren’t short on unfortunately”
The two of you made it to a small, cozy coffee shop and you walked in and ordered your usual hot drink of choice.
You sat down in a booth at the edge of the shop and Clark spoke up.
“So, may I ask what brought the CEO of Wayne Ent. on an outing with a reporter from out of town?” He asked in a light tone and his welcoming voice sounded like music to your ears.
“Well, even busy people desire company” You said, “And I like your company”.
You dated a bit before, in college you had a fairly steady partner and you’ve been on a few dates since but you’re a busy man with a lot of secrets and prestige for the average person. It made dating difficult. As a teenager and young adult you stuck to mostly the upper class boys you knew grew up like you but it never worked out. When you met Clark though something about him was appealing. Maybe it was the fact that he had secrets too, or the fact that he was a hero trying to make the world a better place both as himself and as Superman. Hell maybe it was just that he was an attractive guy. Something was there that made you crave his company. So you talked. A little about work, a little about your lives. You learned that Clark grew up in Smallville and moved to Metropolis to work as a journalist, how even before he became Superman he wanted to give people hope and make the world a better place. You told him about your childhood in that manor, and how even though you didn’t love your job you loved using your position to help people and the city of Gotham. It was nice to just talk to someone. So often you felt like you had to be the Y/N Wayne that you almost forgot what it was like being truly yourself, without having to seem perfectly calm and collected. Without being the put together Wayne brother.
On Clark’s end this was the first time he went out with someone who knew about his secret. He didn’t have to worry about keeping that part of himself a secret and it was calming to know you didn’t judge him for it.
“You don’t have to answer this but, why are you so against Batman” He asked and you sighed.
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, I was just curious-” You cut him off though.
“No, it's fine.” You told him and took a sip of your drink.
“If he was anyone else I wouldn’t be like this. I agree with what Batman stands for, having someone to protect this city from the lunatic psychopaths that the police can’t deal with is good.” You shared and looked down at your drink. “But for that protector of Gotham to exist… Bruce Wayne can’t. He can’t live a normal life, or have a family, or even really be happy because he has to be full of rage. Even if it’s deep inside.” You finally said. You took another sip of your drink as Clark simply watched you, listening to every word.
“That night in the alley, when everything changed, it drove Bruce into a different world. I guess it took The Batman for me to realize that the kid I knew, the one who would run around the manor and smile so often, he would never come back.” Clark looked at you with what was either pity or sympathy, you couldn’t find the emotional energy to try to differentiate.
“That must be really hard, for both of you” He said and you nod.
“I wasn’t there that night. If I was there- well I don’t wanna think about who I would have become. But Bruce disappeared for seven years before Batman was born and when he came back I thought that maybe I got him back. Maybe he healed while he was away but… I was wrong” You confessed and Clark placed his hand over yours on the table. You looked up, surprised by the contact.
“Still, it seems to me that he has the best older brother to help him through everything” He said and you smiled and couldn’t hold the blush back from your cheeks.
“Thank you Clark” You told him, your hand still under his. You took another sip of your drink and tried to lighten the conversation again. “So, you’re an only child?”
He nodded and retracted his hand, “Yeah, just me, Ma and Pa on the farm” He said and you nodded, you missed the warmth of his hand on yours.
“That sounds nice, must’ve been quiet” You said and he nodded.
“It was nice, I wouldn’t trade it for the world but it was very quiet. I like living in the city though, it’s a bit more exciting” He joked and you laughed.
The two of you had a really nice time and when you looked at your watch you noticed that in the blink of an eye almost two hours passed.
“I completely lost track of time, I have to get back to the office but I had a really nice time” You said and Clark smiled.
“I had a really good time too Y/N” He paid for the coffee (against your insistence that you asked him out so you should pay) and you two walked back in the direction of Wayne Tower.
You rifled through your wallet and pulled out a piece of paper, giving it to Clark as you arrived back at the Tower.
“I’d love to do this again sometime, here or in Metropolis, I don’t mind” you said, giving him the card.
He looked at it and smiled, “I’m guessing this is your personal number” He joked and you laughed and nodded.
“Wouldn’t want you calling Hailey by accident” You replied and you smiled as he got into a taxi and drove off.
The rest of your day was better just because of your little date. You were in high spirits, got everything done on time and even managed to get ahead a bit before heading home.
-
You met with Clark on a few other dates and your relationship grew. Of course you didn’t mention this to Bruce. It was none of his business. Unfortunately when he walked out of the Batcave one night, three months after you began to date Clark you could feel the anger radiate off of your younger brother. He was dressed in a turtleneck and slacks which is as close to casual as Bruce gets and you smirked from behind the book you were reading.
“What’s got you so riled up copycat?” You teased and he stopped a few feet in front of you.
“I can’t believe you.” He said and you looked up at him, finally putting the book down.
“What?” You asked and Bruce’s knuckles became white from how hard he was clenching his fists.
“Clark? Really Y/N? Out of everybody you could choose to date, you chose him?” He questioned and your face straightened.
“What do you want Bruce? He’s a good man, a great reporter and very polite. What are you mad about?” You asked and Bruce’s eyes twitched.
“I don’t understand you. You yell and threaten me because I go out and fight crime but when you look for a partner you go to Superman? You’re a goddamn hypocrite!” He explained and you went back to your book.
“Really? You’re wondering why I have an issue with my very human brother dressing up and punching criminals but not the nearly indestructible alien?” You asked sarcastically. You knew you were being petty but so was Bruce. He’s had an on and off flirtation with Catwoman from what you heard and preferred to be seen with a never ending series of models and actors just to keep up his playboy persona.
“You met him through Batman so why seek him out?” Bruce asked coldly and you stood up, putting your book away for good. “Bruce. It took me damn near five years to learn to butt out of your nightly activities, but I did. Because it’s your life and I can’t change it no matter how much I want to so all I ask is that you butt out of my dating life. Besides, I'm not going out with Superman, I’m going out with Clark Kent. The reporter. Aren’t you the one who's constantly disconnecting his hero life with his secret identity? You should be able to make the distinction” You said and walked to your bedroom to continue reading in private. Bruce watched you go with anger. It wasn’t just that. Over the last year or so he and Clark became close, it felt like some sort of betrayal when he found out that his older brother was dating his best friend. But he learned.
The Wayne brother’s relationship wasn’t the most communicative but it worked for them. They would keep their feelings private until something moved them past the line they drew in the sand and they’d finally argue about it. That’s how it’s been since they were kids and it was no different now that they were adults. Neither you nor Bruce were ever exceptionally good at talking to each other.
“I just don’t understand him sometimes Clark. It’s as if he forgets he’s human and those patrols of his end with injuries and scars and damage.” You told Clark on the phone. You were pacing around your office while you talked to your boyfriend.
“I mean, he knows what he’s doing and he's good at what he does” Clark tried to say but you wouldn’t let him.
“But he’s still human. He can still break. And he does.” You told him and finally sat down in one of the leather chairs. You gazed out at the city skyline view.
“I’m sorry, I’ve only been talking about myself. How are you love?” You asked and smiled as Clark still stuttered a bit at the nickname.
“I’m good. Last minute editing for my article on the bank robberies downtown is almost done which is nice and I finally got around to cleaning the apartment” He said and you enjoyed hearing the levity in his voice.
“I can’t wait to read that article when it finally publishes” You said and you heard him laugh from the other end of the phone.
“As if you haven’t read the draft a million times” He said mid laughter and you smiled.
“Helping you edit it isn’t the same as reading it” You teased. It was these moments you loved with Clark. Being able to be normal. Just two people who love each other talking about their day and laughing at each other’s jokes. No billion dollar company to run or people to impress or reputations to keep up. Just normal. It was something you got surprisingly little of in your life so you cherished every bit of normalcy you got.
“You know the view from here is beautiful” You said, suddenly changing the mood and you could practically feel the shift in Clark’s posture. You were being sentimental, he could tell. Over the past few months you got into a rhythm. You’d send each other good morning texts when you woke up and try to talk during the day even though both of you were busy. You got to know each other and how you work. You saw that Clark, the real Clark was a mix of his Superman persona and Clark Kent. He wasn’t nearly as awkward or clumsy as he was as Clark but a lot of the confidence he has as Superman is faked. The real Clark is calm and yet comfortable in his body. He’s funny and sweet and can be very sappy. He’s also very good at switching between his Clark Kent and Superman personas. Not so much with letting himself be exactly that. Himself.
You didn’t know but on his end of the line, all the way on top of the giant globe of the Daily Planet Clark sat, in his Superman suit, and smiled imagining your view of the sun setting over Gotham.
He loved you dearly. It was a relief for him that you already knew he was Superman but didn’t know him long enough as the man of steel to see him only as his hero persona. As for what he learned about you well, He learned that like your brother you were incredibly passionate. He saw your love for helping people. How you could discuss the latest book you read for hours on end. Even how you enjoyed taking arrogant pricks down a peg. (He found it hilarious how you could stare someone down and somehow see into their soul and tear them apart). But he also saw how (like him) much of you is hidden behind layers of masks. Y/N Wayne the Business man. Y/N Wayne the entrepreneur. Y/N Wayne the brother, the leader, the CEO, the uncle, the eldest Wayne. And then there was Y/N Wayne the true person underneath it all. The guy who hates pointless arguments but will get annoyingly passionate about nothing. The guy who loves his family more than anything in the world, who had to rebuild himself after his parent’s murder and who had to be an example for his traumatized younger brother. Sometimes you felt like you had to bear the burden of all of these roles all the time and Clark made sure you knew you didn’t have to be anything when you were with him. Just be yourself.
“I think you’d like this view. It’s about as serene and calm as gotham gets and it is so beautiful” You said and Clark smiled. It wasn’t often you let yourself be so emotionally open and sentimental.
“Well, I’m looking out at the sunset here too. I’ll take you up here some time, it’s romantic”
