For Drama Sake

Author's Note: Because I'm so annoyed at the mishandling of the Diana and Clark relationship, I decided to write this short story about their break-up and hope for an eventual reunion. I have no idea, of course, what will happen with the pairing. But this little story kept coming to me and wanting to be told. The break-up, as far as I'm concerned, is definitely drama for drama sake. Hence, the title of the fic.

Chapter 1: Regrets

Metropolis

"So, umm, have you seen her lately? Spoken with her?"

"You know, Clark, ever since the two of you broke up you've developed an annoying habit of referring to Diana as 'her.' She has a name. One you know quite well."

"You're not helping, Bruce." Clark stretched long legs out on his sofa. The piece of furniture not large enough to accommodate his tall frame, but it was better than talking to Bruce while reclined in a big bed that held far too many memories.

"Helping? Is that what I'm supposed to be doing? Because you haven't said much since you called me five minutes ago."

"I needed someone to talk to."

"You can talk to me about anything. But I am surprised you want to talk about Diana. I thought the break-up was the one subject that was off limits between us. A touchy issue best left alone."

Clark snorted, finding it ironic that the very man who spied on Diana and Clark when they'd first gotten together was now taking a mind-my-own-business approach.

"Since when have you left touchy issues alone, Bruce?"

To Clark's surprise, Bruce didn't respond right away, allowing many seconds to pass before he answered him.

"Look, you and Diana are my friends. And as your friend, I can tell you, Clark, that I've never seen the two of you happier than when you were together." Another lengthy pause. Clark sat up, swinging his bare feet onto the floor. "And now you're not. It's painful to see, to watch."

"What else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just say it already. Everyone else has, why not you?"

"Then you don't need me to say it, Clark. Relationships are complicated. No one, except for you and Diana, knows what happened. It's not for me or for anyone else to judge."

True, but everyone looked at him as if he was the biggest moron in the world.

"You've been through a lot lately. No one can truly understand all the changes you've experienced. Although I'm sure Diana tried."

She had. She did. But no, no one understood. Some days, neither did Clark. Even now, months later and having regained all of his powers, Clark still felt vulnerable and too raw. So much. Too much had happened. And when he looked at himself in the mirror, he didn't always like the grim-faced man staring back at him.

No, he wasn't happy. He hadn't been in a long time.

"I don't know what to do." Clark's broad shoulders slumped. "I broke up with her, told Diana I didn't know if I loved her anymore." The admission tasted like spoilt milk on his tongue and felt like sulfuric acid in the pit of his stomach. He dropped onto the floor, feeling as if he'd gone ten rounds with Doomsday.

"You told her that?"

The words were softly spoken, but not so soft that Clark couldn't detect the slightest hint of anger, of disapproval. Even the Batman couldn't hide his shock. He'd only ever said those words to Bruce. Everyone else who wanted to know, Clark had simply told them that he and Diana were no longer a couple. For those who pushed for more details, like Lois, Lana, and Trevor, Clark had confessed that he was the one to end things. And they'd gaped at him as if he'd grown a forked tongue and a demon's tail. It was an unintended insult he took in stride. But he didn't like the assumption that, if he and Diana were to break up, Diana would be the one to leave him.

"Why would you say something like that to her?" An unconcealed snarl in Bruce's second question. "Why would you lie to her?"

Clark closed his eyes, shame and guilt twin blades sticking from his chest, piercing his heart.

"At the time, I thought it was true."

"No you didn't." It was a sharp, impatient retort that had Clark opening his eyes. "It's three in the morning. I assume you didn't call to tell me lies or to convince yourself you've stopped loving Diana. What do you want from me?"

What did he want? Why had he called Bruce at such an ungodly hour?

The blades hurt like hell, making breathing damn near impossible.

"I don't know what to do."

"About Diana?"

"About my life, my heart." About her, who was his life, his heart.

"You do know. But you're afraid. Or maybe you're just a coward, Clark. You pushed Diana away and now you can't live with the consequences of your own broken heart."

Clark smiled a sad little smile. Now he knew why he'd called his friend so early in the morning. Tough love. The Batman could dish it out like no other.

"Say the rest, Bruce."

"You don't want to hear it."

No Clark didn't. He already knew.

"Tell me anyway."

"It's obvious to anyone with eyes that you love Diana. That you are in love with Diana. But, for whatever reason, you've decided not to act on your feelings for her. Worse, you went so far as to tell Diana you no longer loved her."

"I didn't say I was no longer in love with her."

"What you said was actually worse, Clark. Knowing for sure that you no longer loved Diana is one thing, but telling Diana you no longer knew if you loved her is something entirely different. The first is simple and straight forward. Painful, sure, but clear. The second is ambiguous and confusing as hell. What was she supposed to do with that kind of declaration? What did you think she would do? Wait around for you to figure out your heart, your mind, and where you she fit into your life?"

Any neutrality Bruce had exhibited early in the conversation was long gone. Bruce was, undoubtedly, Clark's friend. But he was also Diana's friend, which made Bruce's words all the more difficult to listen to and to ignore.

"If you want Diana back, which any sane man would, you better know precisely what you want and how you feel before you go to her. Otherwise, Clark, just leave it alone. Leave her alone. Eventually, your heart will mend and you'll get over Diana and she'll get over you."

That was part of the problem, Clark didn't see himself getting over Diana any time soon. And he damn sure didn't know what he'd do if or when she got over him. Hell, Clark couldn't say for sure that she hadn't already fallen out of love with him. Moving on with her life while he floundered in the muck and mire of his shattered heart, his smothered desire.

"You're an idiot, Clark."

"I know, Bruce." I know.