This for me and the very few others who are (or maybe not) in the Jouce/Johnce life raft with me.
Batman has been part of the Justice League for the better part of a year. While previously, he stayed firm in simply being a consultant, now he's an official actual member.
And something about that always fills him with glee. A giddiness that overtakes his being at the knowledge—the immutable fact that Batman is here to stay and here for him to watch.
He's been trying to lay out hints. Leave a breadcrumb trail. Nudge him into the right direction.
That being into his—Clark Kent, Kal-El, Superman (in case you haven't heard of his name yet)—loving, strong, muscular, absolutely toned, warm arms.
Except... For the oft and highly regarded "world's greatest detective", Batman isn't necessarily as observant as he'd bren touted to be.
But that's fine, Clark's ready and willing to wait no matter how long it may take... Well, maybe, somewhere deep, deep, incredibly buried deep within himself, he's imaptient.
Disregarding the amount of time Batman has been in partnership with the Justice League as a whole; they've been acquaintances, friends for much longer. Just a little over a decade, in fact.
It... Certainly gets to a point, doesn't it? That is to say, it gets to a point where Batman has remained still entirely oblivious to the amount of affection, attention, loyalty, devotion that Clark has poured onto him for a decade.
10 human years. It's wild.
Now, if subtly toward romantic intention is somehow the only aspect that Batman can't seem to grasp, then Clark will simply make it more obvious.
And if a bouquet of roses and the explicit, clear question of will you go on a date with me? Still doesn't work, then Clark may as well just shave his head bald and throw himself into the sun.
Batman is by the docking bay when he gets to the Watchtower, tablet on hand and staring at it intently.
There's very few staff maintaining the bay at the moment, which minimizes any listening ears. And the perfect time could never come in as opportune a moment as this.
He floats over, disregarding the idea of hiding the bouquet behind his back when Batman would no doubt be able to spot it either way due to how massive it is.
"B, hey." He greets, landing softly onto the floor.
Batman raises his head, his mouth quirks just a tad, "Superman." He greets back with a subtle, slight nod.
"So, what're you doing here?"
Batman's eyes shift away from him, over his shoulder to where the doors of the bay are closed. "Waiting for an important arrival."
"Oh," he intones, turning just enough give the doors behind him a glance, "Is it a dignitary? I wasn't made aware that there would be a special guest arriving today."
Batman hums, more of a rumbling purr, something so quiet that Clark's pretty sure he wouldn't have heard if he didn't have superhearing.
"Not necessarily a dignitary."
Clark nods, turning back around to face the dark figure. With an inhale that he doesn't really need, he opens his mouth. "B, Batman, we've been friends for so long."
Batman shifts to look back at him. His eyes widening just a miniscule amount as his faze flits downward. And for a fleeting moment, Clark feels excited that Batman is finally picking up what he's been putting down for so long.
"And time with you has been incredible. I like to think that we've learned from each and continue, still, to learn."
Batman blinks, licks his lips. But Clark goes on. "But I like to think that we can be more and do more, as something else. More than friends. Batman, Bruce," he whispers just in the case the other people loitering around hears him, "Will you go out with me?"
"I—" Clark thrusts the roses and Batman shifts back just enough to be able to keep his line of sight on both Clark's hulking figure and the flowers he's reaching out with. "Superman, I—"
Just as the word traces the shape of Batman's lips, the doors of the bay are pried open. Careful yet with ease.
A green-coloured construct covers the rest of the open to prevent too much oxygen from escaping.
And a man comes floating in, his body is a glowing neon green. The same green as Hal's ring. The insignia of the Green Lantern Corps. is on his chest, a white logo sitting against his strenum.
Then his glowing figure dims as it retreats into his ring. The man's eyes land on them and the smile his face transforms into is wide, big and happy.
"Bruce." He says, more than a sigh of relief. More than a reverance, more than a coo.
Batman doesn't even look at him as he moves forward. His black cloak billows like a dress behind him as he practically runs toward the newcomer.
"John." They hug, meeting in the middle. John even has the audacity to lift Batman up by the waist and twirl them around. Just once before Batman is placed back to the floor.
"Where're the kids?" The man asks, sharp yet shapely eyebrow raised.
"They'll come." It's only then that Batman turns to look at Clark, sticking close to the newcomer.
"Ah—! You must be the famous Superman! Man, your name has been all over the galaxy. Nice to finally meet you."
Clark takes the hand being offered to him, but only graces the hand with one firm shake before drawing back. "Thanks. I'm sorry, you are?"
"Oh," he chuckles, a hand placed low on Batman's back, "Name's John."
"Yeah, no, I got that." Clark laughs back, humourlessly. "I meant, uh, what's this?" He gives a vague gesture to the proximity between him and Batman.
Clark feels his thoughts leak out of his ears, his heart shouting against his eardrums, his stomach dropping out. "Kal, this is John Stewart. He's my husband."
Right. He thinks to himself. Bruce Wayne is married.
