A.N: This is the last chapter for little Bruce because it wasn't really plotty and was really just there as a basis for the timeline I've created. The other story is set further in the future but I've added an extra bit at the bottom so I won't have to write this bit separate. Also superbat fans enjoy.
The next week in Smallville happened rather fast with only some highlights for instance on Sunday Lionel decided to take Bruce and Alfred on a hike through the fields of Smallville. He had texted the location to Alfred and told him to meet him at twelve.
"How annoyed do you think he will look when I turn up?" Bruce asked his guardian
"Very, now then do you have everything?" He replied checking over Bruce's mittens and jacket making sure he was nice and wrapped up. It had snowed late the night before making Smallville some winter wonderland. Bruce was thankful that it had held off this long but there would be no escaping the next bath he was going to have to take tonight thanks to Lionel.
They met up on a field not far from the Luthor property. Lex and Lionel were decked out in designer gear and once again Lionel was lecturing Lex about something or other. Thankfully the prank he and Clark had pulled not to mention Clarks presence next to Lex meant that he was in a better mood today. As soon as Lionel spotted him and Alfred he rushed out to meet them. He spared a glance at Bruce inquiring to his health to get him to slip up on the previous kidnapping but Bruce held strong and replied with perfect politeness about his well being. Unsatisfied but willing to let it go Lionel herded Alfred down the field starting their hike. He called back to bark at Lex.
Bruce stayed with Clark for the majority of the hike as he didn't want to go near Lionel in fear of getting trapped there. They messed around and at one point even had a snowball fight which was quickly ended when Clark shoved snow down his back. Lex just looked on with fond amusement warning them if they got to close to a tree or rock that was hidden in the snowy landscape. But an hour in and the cold had started to seep through Bruce's clothes and sent a chill through him. He kept near Clark now because of his endless supply of warmth.
"Can I have a piggy back?" he begged at one point whilst clutching at Clarks arm.
"Sure" and he hoisted Bruce onto his back. Bruce pulled his gloves off and shoved them around the front of Clarks coat.
"So what happened to your hands?" Lex asked motioning to the bandages that were now visible.
"I fell from a tree," he told him just like he told Chloe and Pete yesterday.
"You must have a good grip, I'm surprised you fell."
"How so?" Clark asked boosting Bruce up further and zipping his coat up more.
"They look quite deep and stretch far up. He must have had a hard grip on the branch for it too leave an impression like that."
"I had a good grip the branch just snapped." Bruce explained uneasy at Lex's intelligence
"Before or after my father had you kidnapped." He had declared it so easily that Bruce had to let it process before he could form a response.
"You know about that?"
"He looked quite forlorn when he got a call telling him that you 'got away'. He explained after I questioned him about it that he had you kidnapped."
"He wanted to get Alfred panicked and vulnerable. Your father knows how to conduct business." He said and burrowed his nose in Clarks neck as a strong breeze drifted past.
"I'm sorry, he crossed a line when he did that," Lex apologised
"I don't blame you, just him. So rest easy. Besides you can look forward to your father's disappointment at the end of the week it will surely be something to see."
"You're not selling?" Lex asked wryly smirking at the thought
"Definitely not. Alfred promised that he wouldn't do anything with the company until he handed it over to me. Besides I have plans. I'm going to need my business if I'm going to fulfil them." Bruce smirked back.
They continued more comradely after that as Lex and Clark told tales about school and his friends with Lex giving advice. The wind was getting stronger but Lionel didn't seem it time to go back to the manor yet and led them further into the heart of Smallville's wasteland. Bruce had long since abandoned Clarks back for his front and now had his arms and legs in a bear hug around him with Clarks coat covering the both of them. Bruce wasn't prepared for the snow or the time he was supposed to spend in it which is why Alfred only packed a light winter coat. He had left his snowy gear back at his manor so his shoes had let the snow in quickly and although he was above ground now the cold was still freezing his wet feet. Lex had wrapped his scarf around Bruce but he also was growing weary of trekking through the snow. He remarked to Clark and Bruce that this was just another superiority challenge he was posing on Alfred and Bruce. He was showing that he could endure the weather much better than them because he was a born warrior or something. Bruce only scoffed and rolled his eyes and suggested that they should just turn around and head back. After that it became a game of many ways they could ditch Lionel in the snow.
In the end it was Alfred who ran over to them telling Clark and Lex to head back with Bruce to the manor while he stayed with Lionel.
"But why aren't you coming back it's freezing and you haven't got any better clothing than I have," he whined
"He's insisting that I come see some cave or other. But I told him that your bandages needed cleaning and that you three should head back. Honestly master Bruce there's no need for all of us to suffer because of him." Which led to him sending them back.
Clark told them that he knew a shortcut that would get them back to the manor in twenty minutes. "We took the scenic route," he winked to Bruce and got a good grip on him before they set off.
They got there in under half an hour and the first thing Lex did was call a maid over to draw a bath for Bruce. Clark laughed as Bruce moaned his annoyance and started untangling himself from Bruce as soon as he set him down in the bathroom. He was quite proud that it took Clark to once again put him in the bath after he made the attendant that was supposed to direct him cry.
"You know it's been a long time since I've been able to bathe myself. I don't need assistance." Was the only snappy thing he could think to say as Clark dragged him over to the massive bath.
"Well as soon as you start taking them yourself I won't need to be here," he replied and got Bruce under the armpits to drop into the steaming water.
"I take them just fine. You people make them too hot," he delivered a kick to Clark's stomach which received a 'ha ha invulnerable'.
"We don't, you're just too sensitive," Clark managed to get him over the water but Bruce held onto his shirt and tried to bear hug his way out of it.
There was a knock at the door "Is everything alright?" Lex's voice carried which received a yelled 'yes' from Bruce and a 'no' from Clark. "Do you need me to come in."
"Please." Clark tried to say but was stopped by Bruce's "Don't you dare, this is embarrassing enough without another person in the room.
"Then get in the tub."
Bruce sighed thought about it and finally relaxed his hold so Clark could put him down. He reluctantly went in the bath and made a hand motion to excuse Clark from any further involvement. 'When I'm older' he thought to himself as his legs defrosted 'I'm not going in the bath unless someone threatens my life'. The rest of the day was passed with Bruce lying in front of Lex's fire while he engaged Clark in a game of chess. Alfred and Lionel returned quite late and Alfred, though they had the invitation to stay the night said that he would rather stick pins in his eyes than enjoy Lionel's company any longer. Something on their hike must have made Alfred snap. He made his pleasantries to Lex but in the end Bruce and Alfred ended up back at the hotel with quilts around their heads recovering from their day in the snow.
As for the rest of the week Bruce spent it with Clark. He sped him around Smallville a lot especially when he was late for meeting Alfred and made Bruce help out on the farm at any chance he got. Jonathon even warmed up to Bruce when he realised that he wasn't going to tell anyone their secret. One of the many things that Bruce will be proud of in later years would be the snowman that Jonathon, Clark and himself made. They managed to gather almost all the snow, to the delight of Martha and formulated it into a giant Snowman that reached the window of Clarks hayloft. Bruce got many good pictures with it.
He was happy in the last week he spent there having successfully made a friend and he was a bit sad to leave Smallville on the Friday.
He had left a note for Lana in her bedroom from him that warned her to stay away from Clark, he wished he could see the look on her face when she realised that he had gotten into her house. Even more when she read 'he's my future, not yours' but Alfred insisted that they leave early so they could get back to Gotham by nightfall. The hardest thing he had to do was say goodbye to Clark.
He had came over to the hotel and was helping Alfred load the car. Alfred had dismissed him after three bags and told him to go say goodbye to Bruce.
"Hey." He sat down next to him on the step and held out his hand "So you don't forget me,"
Bruce took the little present and was given a little Snowglobe with Smallville written at the bottom. It was something that was found at a cheap giftshop but Bruce wasn't going to complain. "I like it."
"I thought it fitting. What with you visiting during winter."
They sat in silence for a while and Bruce was wondering if this was the end. He knew that friendships wouldn't be able to sustain themselves over long distances especially since Bruce quite liked going over and seeing Clark in person. The idea that he was losing his friend so soon made him a bit sad.
"Promise you won't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
"Why would I promise when you're going to come back and stop me," Clark nudged his shoulder "This isn't the end. We're going to see each other again."
"You can come over to the manor anytime," Bruce promised and gave him his address.
"Are you sure you won't be out saving the world? I don't want to go over there only for you to be out," he joked
"Don't worry I'll wait for you. We'll save the world together."
"Smallville's finest heroes," Clark said wryly "I think I like it."
"Be careful." Was all Bruce could say before Alfred called him to the car.
Clark got up with him and shook Alfred's hand promising to keep an eye on Lex and an eye out for Lionel before stooping down and swinging Bruce into a hug. "I'm gonna miss you," Clark mumbled
"Same." Bruce stepped back and opened the car door before he got in he left Clark with "About Smallville's finest. I think it's too small, we're going to be much greater than that."
"How about the worlds finest then," Clark asked
"Perfect" and Bruce got in the car leaving Clark and Smallville behind in snow and Christmas lights.
3 years later. Bruce is 14 almost 15 and Clark is 18
Bruce had been accepted into Princeton early due to his impeccable grades and advanced knowledge. With a year under his belt he was starting to grow bored of college life. His roommate was nineteen and obnoxious as he always brought girls back to their room. Bruce wouldn't mind it so much if he didn't chuck him out by saying "This is too old for your eyes kid." His classes were mildly interesting but not what he wanted out of life and at times he wondered if he should have listened to Alfred and stayed home until he was seventeen then go to college. He might have found it better if he was more mature.
As it was the students had made it their goal to avoid him, sure he wasn't the only boy to be accepted early but they really resented those that were smart enough to do so. He was almost a social pariah with the way they would part like the red sea whenever he went near them. It wasn't even that he looked that much different to them. In three years he had growth spurt that left him a good six feet and he'd lost the majority of his baby fat leaving him as Alfred had remarked 'looking more like your father every time I see you'.
It was a Friday when his life changed on its axis. He had prepared his bag earlier that evening as he was preparing to leave in the morning. But he had overheard earlier that a bunch of students were throwing a party to welcome potential freshers that had been given the tour of the university and granted the opportunity of staying overnight. His roommate was going as he enjoyed 'seeing who the new meat is' which meant hunting for girls to bring back to the dorm. Bruce was going to be spending another night under the stairs he could just tell. It would mean that he would have to sneak back into his own room for him to get his bag but he supposed it wasn't that big of a sacrifice.
So as soon as he left Bruce gathered up his quilt and books before retreating to the floor beneath his. He had discovered the gap beneath the stairs the first time that his roommate had chucked him out. It was compact but had a heater and enough space to sleep in without being seen. Not many people used the stairs anyway after a couple of drinks preferring the rule that if you lived more than two stories up it was best to find somewhere else to spend the night. Bruce bunched up his quilt and warmed his pillow on the heater before laying out his books and torch.
After half an hour of pursuing the boring take on the business world Bruce headed to the first floor to get something to drink. It was crowded with students all talking to each other or on top of each other some of whom he guessed were the potentials by the way his roommate was leering at them. It took longer than it should have for Bruce to reach the vending machine in the corner and even more to get the drink as he had to steel himself to wipe whatever sticky substance someone had spilled on it.
Drink in hand he started making his way back upstairs when a familiar face came into viewing. Clark Kent was still the same if not more filled out than the last time Bruce had saw him three years ago. Neither had kept in touch with the other as Bruce had set his sights on early admission and Clark was no doubt saving people in his small town from themselves. He was smiling at a girl who had her back to Bruce but still tried to remain inconspicuous despite potentially being accepted to one of the leading colleges in America. 'Some things don't change' Bruce thought as he gazed longer than he should have at him.
For some reason Bruce saw him differently but he knew that it wasn't his physical appearance so was left in the dark. He didn't like that feeling. Steeling himself he ducked under party goers and sidestepped spoiled drinks to reach Clark. He tapped him on the shoulder for his attention.
"Hey," Bruce smiled at him
"Hey back. Cool party huh?" Clark said gesturing around him.
Bruce cocked his head to the side. This wasn't the reaction he was hoping for. "I guess."
"You not much of a party person?" Clark asked already knowing that he wasn't from the relatable look he was sending Bruce's way.
"I prefer staying up late reading than losing my mind from liquid narcotics," Bruce replied absently.
Clark held out his hand "Clark Kent. So what are you thinking of studying?" Bruce shook it and realised that Clark didn't know who he was. He guessed three years and a growth spurt would change his appearance a bit but not so he was so unrecognisable. Especially to a guy who has a photographic memory.
"I'm actually a student here. Studying business and economics." Clark made a terrified face when he mentioned what he was studying
"Poor you,"
"Do you want to go somewhere quieter?" Bruce asked gesturing to the stairs. Up until that moment they nearly had to shout to be heard to one another. Clark nodded and followed Bruce to his hidey hole on the third floor.
"Nice," he complimented kicking his shoes off before setting down at the wall.
"My roommate chucks me out when he brings girls back. I found this place after I realised no one likes taking the stairs when there's a elevator at the other end of the building," Clark laughed in agreement. Bruce decided not to tell him about himself just yet. He was quite enjoying the anonymity that came with Clark's obliviousness, "So where are you from. No let me guess, a small farm town."
"How did you know?"
"Your accent. Not to mention your the only one wearing plaid to a Princeton tour."
"Ah. Yeah I'm from Smallville. It's a nice town, small like you said and everyone knows each other," He said fondly
"Then why are you thinking of coming here?" Bruce was genuinely interested. What with Clark's dedication to the meteorite infected town he was surprised he even applied to Princeton.
"I just like the knowledge that I could come here if I wanted too."
"So you're not coming?"
"I don't know yet," he said sounding lost. He shook his head a bit then told Bruce about his Ma and Pa. They were both doing well on the farm and even though there was some tough times they got through it. Bruce was interested in the farm and tried to pay attention to what had happened to Clark but his mind kept wandering to strange places. Such as how nice Clarks voice was and if he was still as warm as Bruce remembered him being.
"Maybe some time away would be good. I know that for some people moving away from home is like freedom and helps them shape their lives," he found himself saying
"Maybe. Is that what you like about college?"
Bruce rubbed his hands together uncomfortably. "Yes and no," he settled upon
"That's not really an answer."
"It's complicated," Bruce leaned back against the wall.
"I'm good at complicated. I might be able to lend you some advice if you tell me," Clark angled himself over to Bruce invitingly. When he saw no response coming he tried to amend whatever faux pas he had made "You don't have to though. We've just met after all."
Bruce hummed neither agreeing nor disagreeing with that and moved closer to him. He was warm, Bruce could feel it emanating from him in waves which made him smile a bit.
"What?" Clark asked amused
"It's nothing."
They were both close together now and he was admiring how blue Clarks eyes are. Slowly pulling him in closer to Clark. "You know you didn't even introduce yourself," Clark remarked quietly. In response Bruce only tilted his head and closed the gap between them.
Clarks mouth was hard and smooth, slowly opening itself up to Bruce. He placed his hands on either side of Clarks face leaning in more and pushing himself so he was almost straddling Clark in the small space. Clark pulled back panting "Wait I'm not- " "Neither am I," was Bruce's response before he returned back to his task with more vigour.
His tongue met halfway with Clarks, both of them eager to take charge. Bruce changed his grip pushing one into Clark's hair that ran smoothly over his fingers while the other one bunched Clarks shirt up.
With a moan as his skin met the cold air Clark pulled back again but not to protest. Instead he yanked Bruce's shirt from his torso and lay him on his back ('thank god for the quilt' was Bruce's thought as the floor was freezing). Clark kissed and bit his way down Bruce's neck to his chest. He didn't know he could be that sensitive, up until this night he thought that sex was a waste of time and hadn't bothered with experimenting with kissing (not that there was many in the manor) and now he was getting his chest bitten by a enthusiastic childhood friend. Odd how the world works sometimes.
Bruce whined and tried to bring Clark back up but he felt him smirk against his ribs before he angled himself up and placed a kiss on one of his nipples. Clark flicked his tongue out a few times before deciding that he wanted Bruce to make more noise and sucked it until he was writhing underneath him. He thumbed the other one before he came back up and kissed Bruce again. Bruce not wanting to be left like that again held on strongly and managed to rid Clark of his awful shirt brushing up against him as he did so. Clark groaned and moved his mouth to Bruce's neck sucking marks and biting playfully on his collarbone. Bruce wrapped his arms and legs around Clark and pushed them so that he was the one on top. He removed Clarks mouth from his neck and sat up not quite knowing what to do next.
Glancing at Clark now Bruce could see amusement and a bit of apprehension on his face "Have you done anything like this before?" he asked him and the apprehension grew to timid embarrassment.
"Not really. Pining after one girl tends to mean I don't get much experience," he tried to joke
"I haven't either," Bruce comforted and after they shared a smile Clark asked if they could just do something simple.
"It means that we can both still say we have our virginity when I leave," He pushed himself up on his arms causing Bruce's hands that were on his shoulders to run down his chest. Bruce marvelled at it. He knew how strong and resilient this skin was yet it was smooth and silky to touch. He placed a timid kiss on it before returning to Clarks mouth.
They both groaned and kissed back into a frenzy and Bruce felt Clarks hands moving something and his body shifting but it wasn't until they came to the button on his pants that he realised he was taking the rest of his clothes off first. "Something simple," Bruce reminded
"Don't worry we'll both enjoy this," Clark reassured "God knows it's great by yourself but with someone else..." he trailed off removing Bruce's underwear and putting him back into his lap.
They both faced each other and Clark returned his mouth to Bruce's before he made any move. He placed his hands on Bruce's lower back before stroking them inwards towards his dick. Bruce moaned into Clarks mouth and clung onto his shoulders while he fondled his balls before moving his other hand gently over his shaft.
Not wanting to be the girl in this situation Bruce steeled himself over the pleasure he was receiving, brought his hand down and clutched Clark as hard as he could. Clark himself went stiff. He'd probably never had this amount of pressure on himself before and to receive it from another person one he hardly knew was going to be confusing. He looked caught between telling Bruce to let up or telling him to move. In the end he just started moving his hands on Bruce again which Bruce took as the signal to get going.
Bruce decided to vary the pressure and lightened his hold on the way up and gripping hard on the way down. Pretty soon Clark was worked up and panting harshly against Bruce's shoulder. He decided to try what he enjoyed Clark doing before and dug his finger around the head lightly before harshly pressing down on the tip. Clark abruptly let go of Bruce and instead clutched his back closer to Clark's chest. It was when he felt the wetness on his hands that he realised that Clark was coming. As soon as the shudders subsided he set Bruce down on his lap turning him over so Clark's sticky chest was against Bruce's back. He made a face that quickly morphed into one of pleasure as Clark took a hold of him again. He used his other hand to angle Bruce's head up for another kiss. He quickly realised that the kiss was meant to be a distraction as he felt Clark's hand move inhumanly fast on his dick which had him moaning and clutching at Clarks hair in under a minute.
With an "Ah. Clark" he felt himself come all over Clarks hand and fell boneless into the body behind him.
Clark brought them back down to the quilt and after he thought Bruce could function semi-normal again handed him his underwear. Bruce only stared in confusion at the object before Clark reminded him "Just in case someone decides to use the stairs." Bringing him back into awareness. Bruce found he couldn't much care for it now though he always hated those people who over complicate things because they want to 'do the right thing' and just enjoyed the moment and the way Clark made him feel.
"That was great," he remarked at last and moved towards Clarks chest "I love how warm you always are."
Clark remained quiet for a while "Always?" Bruce hummed questioningly "We've never met before, why would you say always?"
Realising his slip Bruce turned away and started cataloguing where Clarks clothes were. It would take him two seconds to dress when he realised. "Have we met before?" He commanded and turned Bruce back towards him.
"Does it matter? You're leaving tomorrow despite knowing me or not."
"It matters. What's your name?"
Bruce stayed quiet, he wasn't going to ruin it. Clark would have to do that himself. "I knew you looked familiar," he muttered to himself "and you knew about the... don't you?" He questioned carefully referring to his powers "There's only a few people who know about that..." He pondered looking carefully at him. Whilst he was busy Bruce got under his quilt and grabbed his pillow from the heater getting comfy for the explosion that was imminent. He could tell when it came as Clarks eyes widened considerably "How old are you?" He choked
"Early admittance," Bruce confessed. To which Clark super sped into his clothes and paced a while. It was like reliving the night he told him about his powers all over again.
"Oh God your fourteen. Fourteen! I can go to jail for that!"
"I'm not pressing charges," Bruce called "So long as no one knows you're in the clear."
"That's not helping. Why would you let me do that!?" He quietened his voice at the end as he realised he was shouting.
"I wanted it. So did you."
"You're fourteen!" He seethed
Bruce turned on his side "Come on Clark you have to admit we share a bond." He looked like he was going to protest "Why else would you open up so easily to me. You know there's something there and it may not be like it was a couple of minutes ago but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
Clark paced a bit more before declaring that "I need to leave." He almost sprinted down the stairs. Bruce sighed and shoved his shirt back on climbing over the rails and jumping onto the next one below to try and cut him off. He managed it barely by getting to the door before Clark.
"I'm not going to bother you anymore or try and convince you that it's alright because you clearly don't believe me. But listen, I'm not going to tell anyone. By tomorrow I won't even be here so it's on you whether you want to make a claim that you 'raped' a fourteen year old. If I were you I would tell your conscience to just this once but out."
Clark didn't look any more appeased, in fact he looked confused "You're leaving? I thought I was the one who was going in the morning?"
Bruce realised that he let another thing slip "It's not important. Just think before you speak okay." He ran back up the stairs leaving Clark once more behind him and settled into his soiled sheets. Come morning none of that would matter though.
Taking one last look at his books he was quite glad that he decided to come to Princeton. It meant that leaving Alfred would be a case of him just not coming back instead of leaving him heartbroken in the dead of night. Nevertheless it was something that Bruce needed to do to get closer to his future.
"We're still going to be the worlds finest Clark. Even if you need some persuasion I'll see to it." He spoke to himself not knowing that Clark was keeping an ear on him for the rest of the night.