Chapter Three – Justice League Universe
A/N: Don't worry, we will get back to the Justice Lords Universe soon.
"Awe, come on Bats, I'm great with kids."
"No."
"But-"
"I said no Wally."
"Bruce, maybe we should give him a chance. It's not like any other Justice League member is available and I know you won't let anyone who isn't an original member to look after Ko."
Bruce narrows his eyes at Clark and then glares at Wally who flinches slightly. Wally is giving him that stupid, lopsided grin of encouragement. Bruce has to admit that Wally is good with kids, always seeming to be able to put a smile on their faces, and as the youngest of the main seven at twenty-five-years old, he gets along with the youngest members of the League as well.
Bruce looks around the meeting room in which he, Clark, and Wally are only in. Wally has his mask down and is sitting in one of the seats, feet up, and Clark is standing next to Bruce. Bruce still has his cowl on. They've just started recruiting new members of the Justice League after the Thanagarian attack. It happened the day after the Justice League got back from the Justice Lords' universe, hence why this whole adoption thing is only just now happening a week later. He had worried the most about Ko in those three days the Thanagarians were here and he couldn't be there to make sure he was adapting to the new universe okay. Alfred kept him informed, of course, on top of Tim's vigilant eye, but he had still worried nonetheless. Now, as a consequence to the attack, Shayera has left the League and the others think it's necessary to recruit more members. Batman isn't so sure if it's a good idea to give so many super powered people that kind of power and authority but he was out voted. Instead, he'll just have to work harder to come up with even more contingency plans and he still has to figure out how Shayera managed to sneak into the cave.
"So, what do you say Bruce?" Wally asks, smiling even wider. He knows he's got Bruce hooked and sunk, the little bastard.
"Fine," Bruce says and Wally jumps up from his chair in victory. Bruce approaches him with narrowed eyes and Wally immediately shrinks away. "But if anything happens to him, if he gets hurt in anyway, then I'll hurt you. You understand?"
Wally's eyes are wide and he nods frantically. Clark places a hand on Bruce's shoulder and gently guides him off to the side. "Just be careful with him Wally."
Wally relaxes immediately and his smile returns full force. "No problem, Big Guy!" Wally salutes, runs out, and in a few seconds he's back in the room. "So, am I babysitting at your place," he points to Bruce, "your place?" to Clark, "or mine?" He then points to himself.
Bruce rolls his eyes and walks out of the room, allowing Clark to make the rest of the arrangements. As Bruce reaches the transporters, Clark catches up to him, cape trailing behind him gracefully as he walks. "I told Flash his place."
Bruce stops walking abruptly and Clark bumps into him. Bruce notices how gentle it was, suspecting Clark had diverted most of his energy somewhere else at the last minute in order to not knock Bruce down completely, hurting him. He turns to Clark. "Why?"
Sensing his defensiveness, Clark raises his hands to quell him. "I know you probably think Ko should stay in the…" he looks around and leans in to whisper so no new recruits hear him, "the Manor." He straightens. "But do you really want Flash in your house unsupervised? I know I don't."
Bruce takes a second to think and then, "You're right, good call." Clark beams and Bruce forces himself to turn away from it, punching the coordinates in for Gotham in the console. "You go get Ko and I'll meet you at Flash's. There's something I still need to do."
Clark's eyebrows scrunch in confusion. "You do? It's almost time to-"
Bruce holds up a gloved hand to silence him, sighing. "I know, I won't be long. It's just…" He steps onto the platform that will transport him. "I still have one more kid I need to inform about what's about to happen."
Understanding, Clark sets his mouth in a tight, straight line. "Good luck." With a nod, Clark pushes a button and Bruce is transported down to Earth and in Gotham.
It's only just after 1:30 in the afternoon so Jason won't be out on patrol. Lucky for Bruce, he makes it his business to know where Jason is most of the time, making sure to memorize his average daily routine. He now hopes Jason didn't decide to deviate from it today. Around this time of day, Jason would normally be out taking some kind of leisurely walk, either in and around Crime Alley or, if he's so inclined to have a change of scenery and nice scenery at that, then through the park. Last night was a pretty successful night for him, however, so most likely he's in the park. Bruce starts heading in that direction, making sure to stay in the shadows on top of the rooves.
As expected, Jason is at the park, walking slowly on the outskirts of it. Having been trained by Bruce, Jason has always been taught to stay vigilant so he doesn't take long to see Bruce. He makes a casual beeline towards the alleyway and once out of sight, he makes his way up to the roof Bruce is perched on. He approaches the shadow that Batman is barely hidden in. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you." One of Jason's eyebrows raises. "It's important and I would appreciate it if you listened."
Jason looks over to the park, chewing on his tongue in thought. He then turns his attention back to Bruce. "Okay, what is it?"
"You remember that baby I told you about?" Jason nods. "I'm planning on adopting him." Jason scoffs and looks away, opening his mouth to speak. Bruce doesn't let him, however. "Clark wants to adopt him too."
"So what, you two going to have a custody battle?" He turns accusatory eyes onto Bruce. Bruce thins his mouth; not really sure what Jason is mad at him for.
"No, quite the opposite actually." This makes Jason curious, softening slightly. "Clark and I are getting married."
Jason immediately starts laughing, doubling over in hilarity. "I can't believe this." He wipes nonexistent tears out of his eyes. "The two people that have been dancing around each other, not admitting how they feel for one another, are getting married because of a baby from another universe."
"What do you mean dancing around each other?"
"That's fucking classic." He slowly stops laughing. "This is the greatest shit that has ever happened."
Silence descends on them but Bruce soon asks, "Why does everyone think Clark and I are in love?"
This causes Jason to laugh again. "Are you serious? Are you in that much denial that even when you're going to marry the guy, you still won't admit it?" He looks at him in amused disbelief. "Everyone knows you love Clark and Clark loves you. You guys are like… an old married couple."
"Old married couple?"
"You two are constantly bickering and then looking at each other in these disgustingly longing looks that, literally, make me want to throw up. And then, you two do the sweetest," he chuckles at the word, "non-apologies that somehow are still apologies, get along, bicker again, and it starts all over. Seriously, it's like one of those fucking daytime soap operas."
"Soap opera?"
"I'm surprised no one else has even brought it up between you too, like Wonder Woman or hell, Alfred. The only reason why I never brought it up is because I was too busy being dead." Jason is still looking highly amused.
"Longing looks?"
Jason starts to laugh full heartily again, clutching his stomach and barely being able to talk. "You two… you two are so in love… so in love that you guys don't even realize it." Jason gets a hold of himself, this time wiping away real tears from his eyes. "Oh jeez, what did Dick say when you told him you were getting married? You! All over wanting to adopt a baby."
Bruce's heart is pounding wildly in his chest and he's sweating heavily. He wants to go home and get out of the Bat suit, take a nice, long cold shower, and then hide out down in the cave, away from everyone, aliens included. "Clark and I are not in love."
Jason shrugs. "Whatever you say, Old Man."
Bruce's heart lurches at the old nickname. He and Jason don't get along very much anymore. That's probably what the accusatory look was earlier, some kind of habit that Jason has now. "Jason, I don't know if you would want to, but if you happen to, you can stop by the courthouse at three. That's when the wedding is happening and everyone else is going to be there."
Jason's face turns into confusion. "You're doing a civil ceremony?"
"It's only for convenience Jason," Bruce says.
Jason takes a long, scrutinizing look at him. Then he says with no more trace of humor in his voice and instead laced with disbelief and conviction, "You seriously do believe Clark doesn't love you and you don't love him."
He sighs in frustration. "For the last time, yes, Clark doesn't love me and I certainly don't love him." His chest tightens at the statement.
Jason's eyes are wide. "Wow." It's all he says, staring at him for a minute longer, and then turning around to leave. He stops when he reaches the edge of the roof to jump back down into the alley, hesitating, and then turning slightly around. He avoids eye contact. "I'll come to your civil ceremony if you let me meet the kid."
Surprise circles into Bruce's irritation. "You want to meet Ko?"
Jason glances at him, mouthing Ko's name silently, and then quickly looks away with a shrug. "Why not. I am going to be his big brother after all right?"
Bruce blinks at him, Jason's back towards him as his second son waits for the response that will either break everything or start to mend things between them. "Yeah Jason, you'll be his big brother." Jason's shoulders relax the tiniest bit. "And I think he would love to meet you." With a single nod, Jason jumps down off the roof and disappears. Bruce gives it until he sees Jason back in the park before he heads back to the Manor to change and then meet Clark at Wally's apartment in Keystone City.
...
"Make sure you feed him his bottle at 3:30. I know he's half Kryptonian but that still doesn't mean you can give him scorching hot milk."
A mockingly shocked face and hand on his chest as if wounded. "I would never."
"The baby formula is in the bag. You shouldn't need to change him but check anyways."
A salute. "Okay detective."
"He just woke up from a nap so you're going to have to play with him."
A wide smile. "Playing with little kids is my specialty."
"Make sure you place him in front of the window so he can get some sun."
Another salute. "Aye-Aye captain."
"And Wally," Bruce glares hard at him, putting as much menace into it as he can. "Do not take him out of this apartment."
Wally swallows hard and nods. "Right."
Reluctantly, Bruce hands the baby carrier over to the speedster. "Don't drop him."
"Don't worry Bruce," Wally smiles down at Ko, "Like I said, I'm great with kids. Besides, this wouldn't be the first time I've ever babysat. I used to babysit my neighbor's little devils when I was younger and…" he trails off at Bruce's look.
"If I hear you calling my kid a little devil, Wally, you will-"
Wally holds up his free hand. "Right, I get it. I'm sure he's an angel."
Bruce turns around and sees Clark smiling at him. "What?"
Clark chuckles. "Nothing, just you're already very protective of the little guy." Bruce huffs and turns away. Clark approaches Ko in the carrier. "See you later little guy, we'll be back before you know it." He rubs his head and what little dark hair there is there. Bruce and Clark leave then, Bruce looking back apprehensively at leaving his soon to be son with such a rambunctious, sometimes irresponsible person. Clark's hand claps onto his shoulder, forcing him to keep walking. "Don't worry Bruce, Ko will be perfectly fine. Wally might not think sometimes but he's a smart kid and he would never let anything happen to him."
Bruce sighs. "I know, it's just… this will be the first time he's with someone other than me or Alfred."
There's a soft, amused smile on Clark's face. "You mean; this will be the first time you're away from him for so long." Clark chuckles. "You're such a dad."
Bruce punches his shoulder lightly, playfully. "Shut up."
They get back to Gotham quickly, dress into some nice clothes, and then have Alfred drive them to the courthouse in a car that hopefully won't draw too much attention. "Hey I just realized," Clark says during the ride. He's smiling playfully. "I'm going to be rich after this. That means I'll be able to get rid of my junk car and buy a nice one. Not as nice as this one since I don't need anything like this but, you know, a better one than the one I have. That would be nice…" he trails off as he sees Bruce's raised eyebrow. "I'm just joking." Clark chuckles nervously. Bruce says nothing and tries to keep the fond smile that is threatening to show off his face. Clark's eyes grow wide suddenly. "Oh, Bruce, do you want me to sign a prenup?"
"Prenup?" It hadn't even crossed his mind.
"Or, well, actually it's probably a little late to set that up so we would have to do a postnuptial since we will already be married," Clark continues. Bruce stares at him. "I'm only saying because you have Wayne Enterprises and the Wayne Foundation, plus the Manor and-"
"No Clark!" Bruce cuts him off. "I… I don't want you to sign a prenup or postnup. I trust you."
Clark's cheeks slowly heat up, turning red. "I just thought that…"
"Clark," Bruce grabs his hand, not giving it a thought. Clark's eyes dart down to their joined hands and then back up to meet Bruce's eyes. "When we do get that divorce…" Clark takes his hand out of Bruce's hands at the word and Bruce frowns. "I… I trust you, Clark."
Clark is frowning as well now, an unreadable emotion in his eyes. "Okay then." He turns away, looking out the window. Bruce can see his unhappy reflection. With a silent sigh, he turns to look out his own window.
He thinks about how all three of his boys thought Clark and him were either already in a relationship or want to be in a relationship because they love each other. But that really can't be true right? Bruce looks to Clark again, sees him frowning out the window, and wishes he could make the man smile that sunshiny smile again. Shit.
They pull up to the courthouse and Alfred parks the car. All three of them get out and make their way into the building where Dick is waiting on a bench with Tim. Jason is standing off in a corner, hands in his pockets. Dick approaches. "I'm surprised you managed to get Jason here."
"He wanted to come." Bruce notices Clark's eyes locked on Jason. "What's wrong?"
Clark shrugs and gives him a lopsided smile. It's not a happy one. "He's nervous."
"Jason nervous?" Dick whispers. Tim walks up beside Dick, watching Jason carefully. Tim and Jason never got along either, just like Jason and Bruce. Bruce hopes that can change soon. "You wouldn't think grumpy would get nervous." Dick turns to him. "Do you get nervous? I mean, you get just as grumpy." Bruce growls low in his throat warningly and Dick only smiles at him. "See what I mean?"
Bruce rolls his eyes and starts heading to the room they're supposed to meet the judge in. "Come on before someone sees us and gets nosey."
"It wasn't easy finding a judge who was willing to do this at such short notice," Alfred says, falling in step next to Bruce. "I will inform you Sir, that she did require some bribing to not only perform this ceremony today but to also keep it quiet as to who she is marrying."
"Very well Alfred."
"I have already discussed with Master Dick about being the second witness to sign the marriage license as Master Tim is too young and I didn't know Master Jason would be here as well," Alfred continues. "I've also brought all the necessary papers, including Master Clark's."
"Where did you…" Clark starts to ask Alfred but then eyes Bruce. "Never mind."
"Here are the rings Sir." Alfred holds out two black velvet boxes.
Both Bruce and Clark stop abruptly and Tim hits into the back of Bruce while Jason hits into the back of Clark. "Ouch!" Jason's hand reaches up to rub at his nose. "Fuck, that hurt! What the hell man?"
Clark ignores him as he stares at Alfred in shock. "You… you brought rings?"
"I didn't think we were going to have wedding rings Alfred. Last I checked, they're not necessary, not at a courthouse wedding." A few eyes glance up at the family. Bruce realizes too late he said that a bit too loud.
There's a small, hidden smile behind Alfred's stoicism. "They're not Sir, but I thought it would be a nice touch."
Bruce gapes at him and Clark is turning beat red. "Rings…" he mumbles, looking dazed. "I'm going to wear a ring."
Bruce looks between Clark and Alfred. "I'm not," he declares. "I didn't agree to that."
Clark looks at him, color finally starting to settle. "You don't want…" He frowns. "Are you sure?"
Bruce tries really hard to keep his resolve but the look Clark is giving him is impossible to deny. "Fine," he says with a sigh. "Fine, I'll wear the damn ring."
Alfred smiles in satisfaction. "Very good Sir." Bruce takes the boxes and stalks to the room, grumbling under his breath.
They find the judge and she leads them to the courtroom where she begins the service, starting out by saying a few words about marriage. Bruce doesn't pay her much attention, swallowing hard as he watches Clark. Clark avoids eye contact and instead keeps his eyes on his shoes. They're both holding hands lightly to sell the deal that they are in love with each other and want to do this. Clark doesn't look like he wants to do this. Bruce suspects he looks the same.
She asks Bruce first if he wants to marry. "I do," he says easily.
Next she asks Clark. "I…" He stares and Bruce can feel his pulse hammering in his wrist. "I do."
"Then please repeat after me," she says as she continues the ceremony.
They do as they're told, first being Bruce. "I declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, Bruce Wayne, may not marry Clark Kent. I," he swallows. "I, Bruce Wayne, take you, Clark Kent, to be my lawfully wedded husband."
Clark goes next as he fidgets on his feet, his hands squeezing a little with nervousness. "I declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, Clark Kent, may not marry Bruce Wayne. I… I… um… Clark Kent, take you, Bruce Wayne, to be my lawfully wedded husband."
Next come the exchanging of the rings and Bruce struggles to slide Clark's ring onto his finger as his hands are shaking so hard. He hadn't even noticed they were shaking, the clench of his stomach, his rapid breathing, and his pounding heart being too much of a distraction. Clark has an easier time with the ring but his hand shakes slightly as well.
"You are now married and may kiss," the judge says, taking a small step back.
Clark looks at him with apprehension and though Bruce knows they don't have to kiss, they should just to make it look real. Licking his lips, he leans forward, puckering his lips. He ends up kissing a hand. "Why don't we save the kissing for when we get home? It'll be more… uh… private that way." Clark laughs nervously and the judge doesn't even bat an eye, as if this happens every day.
"Okay," Bruce says quietly, allowing himself to slump a little in disappointment.
They have to sign the papers next, Alfred and Dick signing after them as the witnesses. They then leave, Clark staring down at his ring. "I'm heading off now. Let me know when I can see the kid." Jason then leaves, not bothering to look back.
Dick approaches them. "Uh, congrats guys."
Bruce ignores him and Clark is looking dazed again. "Hey," he gets Clark's attention, the man turning his alien blue eyes onto him with a sobering blink. "I can go get Ko while you go pack."
"Pack?" Clark gives him a questioning look. "Pack for what?"
"Moving in," he says as if it's no big deal.
Clark goes from confused to stunned. "What do you mean move in?"
"Clark, we're married now, we need to act the part. Especially if we're going to fool the media."
Annoyance now quickly enter his voice, eyes hard. "That wasn't part of the plan, we never talked about that."
Bruce shrugs. "I thought it was obvious."
"And what?" Clark asks, exasperated. "I fly back and forth from Metropolis and Gotham?"
"What did you expect Clark? If you don't move in then we are right back to where we started," he says angrily. "We'd be passing Ko back and forth between each other."
Realization forms on Clark's face and he softens. His shoulders slump in defeat and his eyes fall away from Bruce's. "Right, I didn't think of that." He sighs heavily. "Okay, I'll meet you back at the Manor."
He turns to leave but Bruce stops him. "Clark, don't go getting rid of your apartment as after the…" he clears his throat, "the divorce, you're going to need a place to live." Clark nods then leaves, disappearing into an alley. A moment later, Superman flies out and heads in the direction of Metropolis. Bruce turns to Tim and Alfred. "Let's go."
Dick stops him with a hand on his shoulder. "I'm going back to Blüdhaven. Give Ko a kiss for me."
Bruce rolls his eyes. "IF you want to kiss him, then kiss him yourself."
"Then can I come over for dinner?" Dick asks, eyes hopeful.
Bruce narrows his eyes at his eldest son. "That was your plan all along, wasn't it?" Dick smiles, clapping him on the shoulder, and then climbing into the backseat of the car. Tim, smiling wide, gets in after Dick. Alfred gets into the driver's seat and Bruce follows begrudgingly, sitting in the passenger seat. He lets Alfred drive him back to the Manor and then he goes straight to Keystone City.
When he gets to Wally's apartment, he knocks on the door and it doesn't take long for the speedster to answer it. Wally puts a finger up to his mouth. "Shh, he's sleeping."
Bruce walks in when Wally steps to the side and allows Wally to guide him over to where Ko is. Ko is on the floor, lying on top of a thin blanket, right in a beam of sunlight. Bruce can't keep the small smile from forming. "Was he good?"
Wally walks over to Ko and gently picks him up without waking him, bringing him over to the baby carrier. "Yeah, he was an angel just like I said." He settles Ko into the carrier then hands it over to Bruce. "We had a lot of fun and I made sure he got plenty of sun. Nice ring."
Bruce quickly hides his left hand behind him, feeling his cheeks heating up. "That's good. Thank you, Wally, for watching him."
Wally's eyes grow wide. "You're thanking me?" A smile then pushes its way up front. "No problem Bats, anytime."
Bruce gives him a small nod before leaving and heading back home. Clark still isn't there and Alfred immediately takes Ko to his crib to put him in it. Bruce waits for him in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools at the counter. When Alfred walks in to start on dinner, Bruce clears his throat. This gets Alfred's attention. "Yes Master Bruce?"
"I was just wondering Alfred, do you…" he swallows. "Do you think I'm in love with Clark?"
Alfred raises an eyebrow as he goes back to stirring the noodles. "I think you are… very fond of Master Clark." He peaks behind him. "Why do you ask Sir?"
Bruce looks down at the counter, replays what has happened today, and then looks at the gold band on his finger. He feels his breath hitch in his throat. "Because… I think I'm in love with Clark."
A/N: I wasn't going to add Jason into this story and save him for something else involving this series but Completelybatty wanted to see his reaction to the whole marriage thing so I added him. ;) As for the Justice Lords Universe, just pretend Jason is still dead in that universe and that's why Lord Bruce wasn't worried about him.
This one is longer to make up for the last two short chapters. :)
Hope you all liked it. Thank you!
