This is a sequel to my story: "My Sweet Cup, Why Do You Taste So Bitter?" I wanted to kind of go into what happened with the whole "dining room incident."
If you'd like to, I would appreciate it if you went to read the other story too. Though I don't feel like you'll need to read the other one to understand this really. I also want to add how I am not positive anything I wrote is extremely graphic...but I wanted to put it as a precaution.
If anyone stops by to read this too long story (it got away from me. Which idk how...the other one was 2k+ words ?) and manages to enjoy it. Thank you! 💛
Bruce wakes up with a gasp, his throat clicking loudly in the silence of his room as his throat opens and closes around...well, nothing really. The only thing that is maybe in the way is his spit, which his throat is desperately trying to decide whether to swallow down or not swallow down.
The billionaire manages to calm himself down from the panicked feelings he suddenly felt, desperately trying to ignore them as he angrily wipes at his sweaty forehead. Bruce has been feeling anxious lately and it's annoying him, he can't freaking concentrate on his work and family when all his mind is focused on doing is screaming at him in fear that something is wrong, but what?
Bruce's thoughts are distracted by the sudden knock on his door. Immediately he knows that it's Damian, he doesn't know why the boy still knocks-but you do know why-his mind answers for him...and it's annoying, but he does have a feeling he knows why his youngest child has been knocking as of late: the child senses his mood change. Bruce sighs and makes sure his tone is calm when he answers, "Come in." The door slowly opens to reveal Damian, the boy looking awkward in the doorway while he looks curiously at Bruce.
"Breakfast is ready, father. Pennyworth wanted to know if you will be coming down or have it brought up to you?"
Bruce manages to hold back his groan. Alfred only offers breakfast in bed on certain occasions, and one of those occasions is when he also senses Bruce's mood shifting for the worse. "No, I will be coming down for breakfast today." The older man feels bad at seeing how happy Damian gets at hearing he'll be joining his family, has he really been that distant lately? He didn't even pay attention to how much he'd been locking himself away, and what, all for his stupid anxiety?
Bruce stands up with a small sigh, his joints and bones popping as he stretches, the man deciding that he'll change his sweaty shirt and shower after he eats. The man gives a soft smile at his son while he picks the boy up, his lips stretching wider at Damian's flimsy protests and how the child sinks into his hold as if he's been missing this.
A sudden spike of fear goes through his heart now that he is focusing on something other than his anxious thoughts, he doesn't know why he feels like he should hide his child away. But that horrible sense of foreboding comes back stronger than before as his young child leans his cheek on his shoulder, Bruce's strong arms tighten around the boy as his thoughts yet again scream that something is wrong. The sudden sound of his other children fighting to get to the dining room first interrupts his frantic mind, his shoulders relaxing at the playful shouting match he hears taking place.
Bruce blinks away the spots in his vision and gently shushes Damian when the child confusedly hums, he is supposed to stay strong for his kids and not worry them.
Damian shifts his head so his lips are near Bruce's ear, the boy sounding worried as he speaks. "What is wrong with you father? You have been...out of it as of late. Is there anything I can help with?" Ah, Damian is truly such a kind boy. But Bruce will continue to insist that everything is fine until he finds the source of his troubles, which is why he just plasters on a smile and whispers back how everything is just fine.
When Bruce enters the dining room, he starts to feel the worry and fear fade off to just a murmur at the sight of his (many) children arguing with each other over who should be served their plate first.
And it's at this sight that the older Wayne begins to think that maybe he is just being dramatic over nothing as he watches Damian slip out of his arms to join the playful banter.
XXX
Scratch that. Something is wrong and it's driving Bruce even more mad at how he doesn't know what it is. The tired man groans loudly and throws his wrench back into the toolbox, he can't focus on Jason's bike when he is so anxious.
Usually, Bruce would be able to ignore such feelings, but something is telling him that this isn't regular anxiety or panic, it's more of an alarm or notification that something is going to happen and that he should prepare for it. Bruce sits silently in thought for a moment before his breath hitches and his blue eyes widen when the sudden thought of Superman comes to his mind.
He doesn't know why he is suddenly thinking of his friend-or ex-friend-he hasn't really seen or heard of the man ever since the...incident with the Joker and Lois Lane. But his brain is telling him to suddenly search for things on Superman...so that's what he will do. Bruce rises to a stand and immediately heads over to the Bat-computer and begins his long and tedious search, his back hurting and eyes burning from his hunched position and the strain on his eyeballs from hours of looking at a screen.
And there isn't much he found...but there has been news about a super sonic-or even faster-object that has been appearing on sound sensors and such. The mysterious thing is too quick to be visually identifiable, but that doesn't matter, that information alone is enough to have Bruce's heart pumping with adrenaline. The only other thing that he could imagine moving so fast is Flash...but the man can't fly-however, Superman. Superman can move that quickly if he so chooses.
But you aren't even positive if that is true, Bruce's mind butt's in. While that's true, as he is looking at the articles on where this "mysterious" blur has seemingly been traveling to the past week, it only seems to solidify his theory more now: how this quick blur is his old friend Superman.
News articles keep reporting how the government has been tracking this thing ever since it popped up a week ago, and how it keeps going to somewhere in Greece before completely being lost on any Radar's and sound machines. The only place Bruce could possibly see Clark visiting in Greece is Themyscira and he doesn't know if he should be worried or not. On one hand, he wants to be happy his old friend is making an appearance again after so long...but on the other hand, Bruce knows how Diana feels about him now ever since the Joker incident, and it honestly scares and hurts him to think that maybe Clark has come to feel the same way.
Another part of Bruce isn't mad about it. I mean, sure he is scared to think that, but he can understand why Clark would grow to be so bitter and upset toward him.
Bruce sighs and shakes his head rapidly to try and pull himself out of that dazed and distracted state. He almost has the urge to shout for Clark once again...but something tells him that wouldn't be the best idea right now, plus, with his still anxious thoughts he doesn't think he could handle seeing the object of his worries.
The sound of the grandfather clock shifting catches Bruce's attention, the man quickly clicking shut his research as someone walks down the steps. "Dinner's ready, old man. You gonna join us anytime soon?"
Jason? Bruce turns around to blink curiously up at his second eldest son, "You are joining us?" The young man rolls his eyes and clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, immediately causing the older man to worry about making his son feel unwelcomed, but the response Jason gives makes Bruce relax in his seat. "Duh. I thought I should grace you bitches with my presence, plus, I kind of need my bike asap as it's my only form of transportation."
At hearing that Bruce perks up and leans forward, looking at his son seriously as he says: "I told you to let me buy you a car. You keep saying no."
The silence is deafening until Jason lets out a snort, "Yeah. And do you really think anyone here would believe that I, Jason Peter Todd, got a nice-looking car on my own?" Bruce's eyebrows furrow and he tilts his head, his lips pulling into a frown. "Do you need them to believe that you did it yourself? You usually don't have an issue taking stuff from me, you never have."
Jason nods, "Yes. But I have also never been questioned by so many cops when I go out for the things you have given me-" Jason holds his hand up to stop Bruce from speaking-"And before you make a big deal out of it, it's...fine, I guess? I could understand why they are so suspicious and I don't want you to do anything about it either. I think the constant guessing will do those cops some good, dont'cha think?" Bruce softens at the impish smile Jason gives, his second child always had a penchant for teasing people and making them guess.
At the silence again Jason clears his throat, more so because of the look Bruce is giving him and not the silence. "Anyways, I'm also here because I have heard from some little birds that you have been...off lately. I tried to tell them that you are just acting like you, but I see what they mean now, you really are acting weird."
Ah, there it is. Jason has also had a penchant for being very blunt and honest despite of whether someone wants him to be or not. But a part of Bruce is proud about how his children are able to read him so well while another part is worried that he's slipping up. "I'm not off. I'm just stressed-"
Jason's eyes widen and he stops leaning on the cave wall to stand straight as if he's ready to fight whatever is making his dad freak out like this. "What!? Why are you-"
Bruce stands up quickly and makes his way over to his concerned child, carefully lifting an arm to drape it over the other's broad shoulders while he leans his head on Jason. "Because I am a dad to very rambunctious and purposefully obnoxious children. I have started to grey faster ever since I took in Richard." Jason blushes and rolls his eyes, he just showed Bruce he's concerned for his well-being...which is gross.
But having his dad looking relaxed in a way he hasn't been looking lately-ever-makes the young man feel relieved and a bit smug for being the one to do so and he can't wait to rub it in everyone else's faces.
Jason ends up clearing his throat and slowly wrapping his arm around Bruce's waist, leading the man upstairs with a smirk on his face. "Yeah, yeah. But you are the one that chose us, old man. Now you're stuck with all of us." Bruce just smiles genuinely and tightens his hold on Jason as they head up the steps. "I know I did. And I'm grateful that I did...I am truly grateful."
Ugh! Bruce's face is looking soft again and Jason can't handle it anymore, so the nineteen-year old-when exiting through the clock-pushes Bruce into the wall and shouts about how he's quicker than Bruce all while running away from the now baffled father.
XXX
Bruce sighs softly, his hands absentmindedly twirling the pasta on his fork while his icy eyes watch over his family like a hawk. His heart beats quicker out of affection for his children, taking the time to observe them and the way they tease and poke at each other during dinner, his gaze growing fonder at the scolding Kate receives from Alfred for throwing her food at Damian.
Bruce holds in his laugh when his cousin complains about how his youngest child started it, and finds it harder to keep it in at Alfred's unimpressed look and sarcastic comment on how Kate is being a child.
However, as he keeps staring and thinking, his mind can only go back to Clark and how he feels he should do something about his family. Bruce tightens his hold on his fork and shoves the noodles into his mouth just to be able to do something other than grasp at his utensil nervously. But what is Bruce even supposed to do? If his old friend is back out of some sort of revenge for him then it wouldn't be wise to attempt to move his family from possible harm when the possible harm is a man that hears everything.
Also, the fact that his family is and can be just as stubborn as the Bat himself...so trying to move them out of the Manor and somewhere completely different without context or warning won't go well for him. Bruce also doesn't know if he'd be able to hide anything? As this situation is bothering him enough his whole family has noticed something is up with him-and while it may sound weird, Bruce has never been more grateful for things like anxiety, panic attacks and depressive episodes.
Of course he knows that isn't what is happening lately, but Bruce can deduce that that is what his family must be thinking is happening with him right now. They would be right-in a sense-if they'd guess it's anxiety and nerves, but he knows they wouldn't even begin to think it's because of Superman.
Bruce snaps out of his thoughts and forces a small smile when Cass turns to look at him. His daughter is very smart and great at reading body language, but he knows that she tends to get confused about him when he shows parts of his emotions. For example: he is showing a small smile that can be mistaken for bittersweet and fond all in one. And maybe it's cruel to play on the fact he knows his family assumes he is in a depressive mood, but it is better than the alternative of telling his family something that is-in theory-just a theory itself and having his children become protective and mess up something .
Bruce makes sure to keep that bittersweet look until he slowly sees his daughter relax back into her seat with a fond look in her own brown eyes.
"You haven't eaten much of your pasta, Master Bruce. Is it not to your liking?" Translation: "I'm worried about your behavior as of late and now you aren't eating? What's wrong?" Bruce looks away from Cass and into Alfred's gunmetal blue eyes, noticing how focused the gaze is towards him and internally sighing when realizing his dad is analyzing him for any issues.
"No, it's perfect as usual. I was just looking at everyone eating is all."
Alfred keeps his sharp eyes on his son for a little longer before humming softly and smirking, "Yes. They are quite the group of pigs, aren't they? You'd swear they have no home training." Bruce can't help the sudden laugh escaping from his throat, his heart fluttering at the simultaneous protests from his family.
"Then would that not be my fault? I'm the one who was supposed to take them in and teach them." Bruce raises his brow while taking a bite out of his bread, watching as Alfred sits in thought before shaking his head. "But then that would mean it's my fault. As I am the one who took over teaching you...though you have always been a little piggy yourself, sir. But I do believe that's more so because of your willfully stubborn nature and not because I did horrible home-training you."
Bruce's brows furrow and he feels a protest wanting to immediately rise in his throat, but he would hate to seem childish, so he just focuses back onto his meal and stops looking at Alfred. Ignoring the pink shade his cheeks are turning at hearing his butler softly chuckle at him and even mention something about his "pouting". "If that is your wrong opinion Alfred then I guess I can't complain."
Richard almost choked on his water from the matter-of-fact way Bruce said Alfred was wrong. The whole table erupts into laughter and protests of Alfred's lack of discipline towards Bruce for his comment, all while the man himself slumps in relief and smiles wide as he watches the chaos that is his family.
Bruce blinks in confusion at the sudden appearance of rubble in the middle of his dining table, the laughter completely dying out into a shocked and confused silence at the tall and familiar figure hovering above the table. Bruce's brain can't even process who he is seeing, his brain trying to quickly catch up to believe what he knows to be true...but for some reason all he can do is stare up at Superman in shocked wonderment because the man standing in front of him isn't Clark Kent, it is someone much more poised and stern in a way that Clark isn't.
Bruce also notes something seemingly darker shifting underneath the night sky blue eyes of his once friend, something that doesn't seem like Superman...but he doesn't know what it is or what it could be.
Icy blue eyes keep staring at the deep blue ones without wavering, the two eyes seeming to be searching one another for something that no one else can understand but the individuals doing the searching. Bruce's heart begins to pound with a sudden rush of adrenaline when the moment catches up with him, here is the man that he hasn't seen in what feels like forever, dressed up in his Superman garb with a look in his eyes that Bruce has never quite seen before.
It's Alfred that manages to address the elephant in the room first, the old man standing up slowly as if he'll spook the super-powered alien. "Master Ke-I mean, Superman. It's been so long since we've seen you, may I serve you a plate of food?"
Superman continues to hover and looks down at the butler without any emotion before the man suddenly smiles and shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Alfred. I'm not here for food...I just...I just wanted to come to see Bruce after so long-" Alfred doesn't know how he feels about the feeling the other is giving off, but who knows how long he's been in seclusion for? So the older man just shakes his head and holds up a hand to stop the man from speaking, "That's understandable sir. You have been away for so long...I am sure you wanted to see people that are familiar to you."
Superman nods his head and gestures for the butler to sit down, watching closely as the older man slowly settles back down before turning to look back to Bruce.
"Bruce." Said man holds back a shiver at the way the other man said his name, cursing himself internally for the way his heart races from his old friend-and unrequited crush-practically whispering his name in what seems like awe at finally seeing him again. "It's been...a while since I have seen you. You look-" the super carefully takes in Bruce's figure-"healthy and well despite everything."
Bruce makes eye contact with the man again while nodding, "Yes. You also look well despite these past few months...I'm...happy for you." It's at those words that Bruce and his family feel a shift in Superman's attitude, Cassandra immediately picking up on the sudden tension of the broad shoulders and the slight pinch between the thick eyebrows. "Are you happy for me, Bruce? You didn't like what I did the last time we talked, you weren't happy then." Bruce's jaw clenches at the accusation in those words, he doesn't like these kinds of conversations as he can never seem to get people to see where he's coming from. So, the billionaire stays quiet and just looks at Superman cautiously, waiting for the man to attack but only growing confused when his friend runs a shaky hand through his hair.
"Will you at least speak to me? I have been thinking really hard about coming to do this and I need to hear what you say before I choose to do anything else."
Bruce can feel the micro-tension of his muscles at those words. He has been looking the other man in his eyes the whole time and something seems to have flickered in his eyes as he said that, something sinister, as if whatever happens next is based on what Bruce chooses to do or not do. "What does that exactly mean? Is that why you've been going to visit Diana lately, Clark?"
The response he receives for his comment isn't something Bruce expects. He watches as Superman looks...disbelieving and relieved at the same time from his answer. "So you have been watching me? I was keeping watch over you as well...even though I was mad I couldn't leave you alone, so I listened for you every day. Though I have one question, Bruce-" the look in the man's eyes is no longer hiding anything because the look Superman gives is downright terrifying. As if he sees everything Bruce is and knows everything he's been struggling with lately when he asks-"Why are you scared?"
When Bruce closes his eyes to compose himself, that is the moment Damian moved to say something, he doesn't like the way the alien is speaking to his father. "What are you on about, alien? You are the one who's crashed our dinner, so you can either take the invitation to eat or get the hell out of our house!"
Superman hums at the comment and turns his head to look at Damian, his eyes showing grief and despair when he finally takes a good look at the angry boy. "You know...he truly does look just like you, Bruce. I-I wonder if my son would have taken after me...do you think he would have if the Joker didn't kill him?" That comment does cause Bruce's heart to stutter with sadness for his friend, his voice comes out hoarse when he speaks. "I...I like to think he would have come out like you. Especially in the looks department. I'm sorry."
Superman closes his eyes with a sigh and looks up at the ceiling, is that what he came here for? Are those the two simple words the man has so desperately been craving to hear for months on end? Has-has he been eating himself up with feelings of bitterness towards Bruce because he thought he wasn't ever sorry this whole time? Bruce watches as the man finally looks back down towards him and opens his eyes, physically taking Bruce by surprise at the anger he sees within them.
"You are sorry. That doesn't bring back my wife or son, it doesn't. You say you are sorry but you didn't deal with the Joker properly so what happened could have been avoided in the first place! Why do you think Jason died!?" Bruce jerks back as if he's physically been slapped, anger mixing with the fear inside of him at the words, but what else does he say to a man who has heard it all before? I mean, Bruce knows that he has sacrificed his mental health in a lot of situations, but he never wanted to sacrifice his mental health at the hands of the Joker.
And the way Superman is acting right now is helping him prove his point.
"I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm sorry, okay!? I am always sorry for the shit that goes on, but I am not willing to sacrifice any sanity I have left to the Joker-" Bruce didn't know when he stood up, but he finds himself leaning forward to slam his hands on top of the table while glaring at Superman defiantly-"And the way you are behaving right now is only proving my point."
Everyone at the table tenses up from the conversation, they don't know how Superman will take it. The rest of Bruce's family has had time to understand or at least hear where he is coming from, and over the years they've even learned to respect Bruce's decision, because they-mainly Jason-have come to realize that just because Bruce didn't act in the way they thought he should act it doesn't mean he thinks less of you, if anything, the man probably wanted so badly to murder someone out of rage but didn't for his own sanity and other peoples safety.
But they can admit that Bruce could word it better...even if Superman is technically proving any sort of point right now, now wouldn't be the time to mention that. Especially since that has been another way they've had many misunderstandings, the way Bruce words stuff can make it seem like all he truly cares about is the mission when that isn't always true, and they can only imagine what the super could be thinking right now. Probably something about how this is always just to prove a point in Bruce's world...and to be fair, maybe sometimes it is for him, but that has been something their dad has been trying to work on desperately for years.
Looking at Superman he seems taken aback, the whole family is sure that if he were standing right now he would physically take a step back from the words. Alfred almost wishes he could step in but he doesn't know how well his voice or input would be received.
Superman clenches his fist and inhales sharply. "It's always a fucking point with you, isn't it!? You always have to prove to everyone how you are bigger and better than them when you are absolutely nothing, do you hear me!? You can't save anyone no matter how hard you try-"
Bruce doesn't know what came over him, he didn't mean to say it...but in his rage, it was the first thing he thought to say to Clark. Anything to hurt the other man for leaving him...and doesn't that sound selfish? He truly does understand the reason why Clark left and he really doesn't blame the other man for choosing to go, but no matter how tough he tries to act, Bruce has always desired friends and anyone he can form some semblance of a genuine relationship with. And Clark felt like the piece to his unfinished puzzle and then just left.
"Just like how you saved your wife and son!?"
Everyone in the room grows silent. Alfred doesn't even need to scold Bruce for his behavior because when he turns to glare at his son he sees the regret on Bruce's face already, sees all the anger and fire be snuffed out at the realization of what he just said.
"Clark...I-I didn't-" Bruce shuts his mouth at the look the other man gives him, because that specific look is the commanding one Superman would give specifically to Batman when he was being extra difficult and he didn't feel like playing the nice guy. That look is telling Bruce to shut his lips if he knows what's good for him, and so Bruce listens and stands as still as can be.
"No, you are right. I couldn't save them...but I came here to try and save you from what we are planning to do. And despite your attitude I still want you to join us." Bruce pinches his brows together in worry of what the man is talking about. "By we do you mean you and Diana? Clark, what have you been doing whi-"
Superman releases a growl from his throat and is suddenly in Bruce's face, his tall figure hovering above Bruce as if he's a displeased god coming down to reign his judgment on those who didn't listen, his large hand lifting to choke Bruce. "Stop calling me that! I am becoming Kal-El, the ruler of earth and I wanted you to join me! I came here to try and show you mercy and you slap me in my face by hurling insults at me! But I still want you Bruce...maybe in more ways than one." Bruce lets out a choked-out gasp when the man before him pulls him in close and trails his lips up the slim neck.
Superman smirks at the sound of Bruce's family's heart racing, he can hear the man's older cousin Kate spit out curses at him while a worried gasp escapes Richard. He can hear the anger forming in Alfred's veins, can hear the way his heart beats in a mixture of fear and wrath towards him for treating his son in such a way.
It's the sound of Jason pulling out a gun that is hidden under his chair while attempting to stand up that makes the man snap, how dare these ingrates be too stubborn to realize the kindness he is extending to them. Superman turns his head and looks at the nineteen-year-old angrily, enjoying Bruce's hands slapping at him and trying to turn his head as his eyes glow red and shoot out his laser beams.
The red light hits Jason's upper thigh painfully, and the sound of skin slowly sizzling fills the otherwise quiet room, the smell begins to permeate the room causing Bruce to feel nauseous simply because of the knowledge of who it's coming from. The multiple smells assault Bruce's senses: a mix of burnt beef becoming more potent the longer Kal sears the flesh, the smell turning into something metallic-more specifically-coagulated blood with the acrid smell of burnt plastic. All of it being topped off with Jason's screams.
Bruce suddenly finds himself back in that cabin he found Jason alone in...it smelled the exact same way then too, all he can envision is the image of his little boy lying limp in his arms while the smell tormented him for his failure, reminding him that it was too late. One word manages to escape Bruce's throat, "J...ason."
Superman stops with the lasers at the pain in Bruce's voice, oh yes, he recalls now. Bruce knows exactly how it feels to lose a son at the hands of a psychopath, doesn't he? And it would be unfair to kill the kid for a second time when he already suffered from the Joker once before. "Sit down, Jason. I would hate to hurt you, you just have to understand that you needed discipline...you are so stubborn that any other way wouldn't have worked." The older teen hates the fact he's crying but he also can't help but glare at the man for his self-righteous bullshit.
It's at his dad's fearful look that Jason pauses and slowly lowers himself to his seat with a grimace, his family slowly leaning over to try and check on him all while they keep their weary eyes on Clark.
Superman hums and loosens his grip on Bruce's throat, looking the man in his eyes and feeling...something when he sees the caution and worry within the icy orbs. Doing this is making him feel powerful in a way he's never felt, he is getting his anger out on the man he thought was his friend, but he also feels empowered doing this to Bruce. Large hands pull Bruce in close so he can whisper in his ear, "I need your answer. Will you join me and Diana?"
Even though Bruce feels apprehensive...he can't help the cold look in his eyes as he stares at the man he thought he called a friend. "I will never join you." Bruce spits out with as much hate as he can muster, this man just harmed one of his children, and he can't forgive or join that.
Superman smiles as if he were expecting that response, the hand that is still holding Bruce's neck squeezes tight while lifting the shorter man off the ground. "You have always been so difficult, haven't you? Nothing is ever too much for you Batman, is it? You are always so immovable-" Bruce grunts as he is spun around and lifted high before being slammed back onto the table-"Always so unshakable and never ever giving a reaction-" a wheeze escapes pink lips as Clark squeezes his throat tighter-"I just want you to show me something! Anything!"
Spots dance across Bruce's vision as he desperately gasps for air, his mouth opening to weakly murmur incomprehensible words, his eyes slowly roll to the back of his head as his lungs burn for air.
Kal-El watches as Bruce gasps for air, listens in on the man's body and how his heart races with adrenaline and his lungs wheeze for air. Watches as the reddened cheeks begin to return to his naturally pale color after loosening his hold. "I know you are having trouble understanding me, Bruce...but even though I am livid with you, I want you by my side as we used to be. I know you, and so I know how stubborn you are, but I will make you see my ways are better."
Bruce can't even focus on Superman, all he can home in on is the sound of his family calling his name, all he can look at is Alfred and try to reassure him that everything will work out in the end.
A warning tap to his cheek causes Bruce to look back to Cla-Kal, narrowing his eyes at the super for what he is putting his family through. "If you have an issue with me, then fine. But let's take this somewhere else and not involve-" A loud grunt escapes from Bruce's lips as he gets forcefully shoved back down when trying to sit up, his heart racing in fear when Superman pins him to the table by his wrists. "I didn't tell you you could move. You involved your family ever since you let them into this life. Do you know I don't even really remember how I murdered my own wife? I only remembered coming to and seeing her bloodied and mangled body on the ground."
"I know it would hurt to remember...but me just not knowing exactly what I did is also killing me every day. But this...this I can remember, Bruce. This I have control over-" Kal leans into Bruce, until they are pressed chest to chest-"Do you remember when I told you that I was listening in on you?"
"...yes." Bruce grits out.
Kal smiles and he tightens his hold on Bruce's wrists, listening to the bones creek under his forceful grip. "Then you must have realized that I know how you wanted me? How you still want me." Bruce hates his heart for beating wildly in his chest, curses his eyes for widening slightly and balls his fists up when he sees Kal's all too pleased look, his smile amused as if Bruce is a joke. "So you didn't think that at least once? I'm genuinely surprised about that, especially as you think a bit too much. But I knew...never said anything since you were willing to be content being friends and you never caused an issue for me and...me and Lois, so I let it go."
Kal-El leans into Bruce and glares at Richard and Tim when they make noise as he presses close to their father. "But when I came in through the roof I was still listening in on you. You've been weary about this moment the whole time, haven't you? Every time I flew to Themyscira I listened, I knew the moment you realized it was me because I heard your fragile little heart pound loudly in worry. I bet it was you already overthinking all the things I could or would do, bet you put together how I was visiting Diana, the woman who absolutely despises you now."
Light blue eyes nervously shift away from Kal's all-too-knowing look. He despises that this man knows him better than almost anyone else, it's like he can see into his heart without having to use his x-ray vision.
The super laughs amused and entertained by his old friend. He has missed Bruce in an odd way, "If you are so curious to know, we were discussing this moment. She tried to talk me down from coming here and speaking to you in attempts at recruiting you and your family for our destiny...she told me you'd fight and growl and argue with me, and she was right. But I told her that if you submitted so easily then that would be no fun at all."
Bruce's eyes widen when smooth lips suddenly press against his own, his thoughts seeming to skid to a stop while his heart tries in a desperate attempt to beat out of his chest. This time when Bruce is breathless, it's from shock of the situation, his treacherous emotions seem to make his heart flutter at what it deems as a requited response towards his wayward attraction. But his much more reasonable brain screams at him to fight against it, that he is only a backup in place of the other's deceased wife, that Kal doesn't actually love him; he just loves the thought of something familiar warming his bed.
At that thought, Bruce squirms and slaps at the broad shoulders, gasping when Kal-El pulls away and licks at his lips, the deep blue eyes manic and wide as if he is excited from the experience. Bruce takes a moment to compose himself before glaring up at the taller man. "What the fuck do you think you are doing!? You don't-I can't..."
Kal-El smiles knowingly and leans in to press against the trembling form, "You are still fighting me. I knew Diana was wrong about you, you are still Bruce in so many ways...you have yet to change. But I can help you Bruce-no, I will help you. I want to take those ugly parts of you and turn them into something beautiful, something beneficial to us-" The super narrows his eyes, displeased at Bruce's continued struggling. He carefully wraps his right hand around the man's neck to lift him up and slam him back down onto the table-"No! You don't get to leave. I am doing you a favor and you are going to appreciate it! Isn't this what you wanted? Isn't this what you imagined being with me would be like?"
A wheeze and cough escape Bruce's throat from the pain in his back and from his airways being constricted, blue eyes closing when Kal trails his hand up his trembling thighs and digs his thick fingers into the inner thigh meat. He is trying to remind himself that this monster standing in front of him isn't Clark, that it isn't even the firm and leader-like attitude of Superman, but this new man is who he has created Kal-El to be.
It's no longer the ever gentle, bumbling reporter Clark Kent who would interview Bruce with a knowing look in his eyes whenever he saw how exhausted Bruce was from his double life. This is no longer the sternness of his best friend Superman who would-at the right time-force Batman to rest or give him a glare that was done out of affection and care for someone so different yet similar to him. No, this is now a man who is quickly becoming a dictator, this is a man who is tired of playing the good guy and is ready to play god as if he has a heaven to keep people from and a hell to put someone in; this is Kal-El of Krypton.
A man who is more like a god, who lost his home and is finally ready to establish a new one here on earth after losing the one woman that started to feel like a home. Who is going to give him a new start from their unborn son now? Especially since the man has gone mad from grief and is hiding his cruelty under the guise of wanting the world to be better...what do you do when the one trying to help is becoming so much worse?
Kal-El sighs when he sees Bruce closing his eyes, he can guess what the man is doing, probably trying to convince himself that he is no longer himself and changed to someone completely different...but that just isn't true. He has always been this person, he has already been what the people need and he is only ready to fully step into that role now. Kal snaps out of his thoughts to squeeze Bruce's neck tighter in warning, "Open your eyes and look at me. I have always been this way and nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop me from my destiny. This is what the world needs me to be so nothing like the Joker will rise up ever again."
Bruce only opens his eyes to give Kal-El an incredulous look, the latter man rolling his eyes at all the attitude the shorter man still is giving him. No matter, he will just have to show him he means business then. Bruce should understand that. He is a businessman after all, and what is wrong with a little negotiation?
Kal sighs while lifting Bruce up by his neck once again and slamming him back down onto the wooden table, pressing his hips into the other's and taking pleasure at hearing the pained grunts escaping plump lips. "As I mentioned before, you liked me-no. I would even say you loved me. And I have been thinking about how lonely you are, Bruce, your love life has always been particularly spotty. I mean, all the flings you had and then Talia taking advantage of you in such a way...you don't know how to pick the good ones."
The mention of Talia makes Bruce mad and ashamed all at once. What does Kal think he is doing to him right now? Because the man is playing the same game Talia did, even with the whole "acting like it wasn't an issue because you liked me thing". Kal is acting exactly how she did, except for the superpowers, he doesn't need to be drugged because Kal-El is just too strong and can take whatever he wants.
"But you picked me, Bruce. You picked me and I have chosen you now, you will serve alongside me as my partner and your family will never want for nothing if you just obey me. I am giving you all you could have ever wanted and asked for. I am giving you me and you should feel thankful. Lois may be gone now...but you and her I have always loved and cared for: you both are too stubborn for your own good and so smart, you both have attitude and don't know how to sit still to save your life; you both were my everything." Kal's voice trembles with sadness at the reminder of what he lost on that fateful day, he not only lost his wife, but he lost his best friend that day as well.
But now, now he is gaining his partner back, in whatever way that may be. Kal runs his left hand down Bruce's thigh again, his right hand still keeping the other pinned to the table as he seems to come to a decision. The ripping of fabric sounds all too loud in the silence of the room, the cool air hitting Bruce's now bare legs like a shockwave, the air feels dense and all too cold when Bruce realizes what just happened. His legs flail around at feeling warm hands squeeze at his thighs, his breathing stops as short nails pinch into the skin experimentally just to truly see for himself how vulnerable humans are.
Kal sighs almost dreamily at the site of the struggle, his left hand petting the thick thigh in false consolation and reassurance that everything will be alright.
"You both are so different yet similar which is why I decided I needed you. Bruce, you were my partner even before Lois and I got together and now I am answering your unasked question. My answer is yes, I will give you what you want and love you because you are the one who chose me first...forgive me for taking so long to make a decision, but I need someone to fall back on. Aren't partners supposed to fall back on each other when things get tough? And I know I left and neglected you for months now...but that's why I am here to make amends and to make up for lost time, because it is what you have wanted this whole time."
Bruce feels fear for himself at the outcome in a way he has never felt before, Kal-El is already talking about them like they've been in a relationship this whole time and it is deeply unsettling to hear.
A gasp escapes his lips when the hand on his throat suddenly releases its hold to grab onto his hips, the world spinning quickly around until his chest is pressed to the table and his family can see his face clearly now. A warmth presses against Bruce's back and his hair is harshly grabbed, his head being forcefully lifted so he is looking at the troubled faces of his family, taking notice of every anxious line on their foreheads and weary glint in their eyes, doing his best to be brave for them.
A deep voice rumbling in his ear snaps Bruce out of his thoughts, "I want you to take a good look at your family, Bruce. I want you to start thinking about how much you absolutely love them and how you would fall apart more than you already have if they were to die." The underlying threat in Kal's tone causes Bruce's hairs on his neck to stick up, his body jerking against the solid form in an attempt to escape so he can help his family.
"Don't fucking touch them! I swear if you do I'll-" Bruce's lips open slightly in a quiet gasp as his head is pulled back farther than expected and Kal-El's voice angrily speaks into his ear.
"Or you'll what, Bruce? Make my life a living hell? Kill me? Use your Kryptonite to stop me? But you are right...I won't touch a hair on their heads-" Warm lips trail down Bruce's neck, a smirk stretching against the pale skin as Kal presses a kiss to the quickly beating pulse point in the neck. "But I don't need to touch them to hurt them. It seems after all these years you still don't understand it. If I...let's say, hurt you-" Bruce grunts as his face is smashed against the table-"then they'll feel absolutely livid. If I touch you-" a hand that feels too hot trails down Bruce's spine and hovers just above his backside, clawing at his lower back and leaving small scratches.
"Then they will go mad knowing they can't do anything to stop me. And you-" Bruce stays quiet as his face is squished in between a large hand and turned to face Kal-"will be desperate to do anything when your family's lives are involved. I bet you are starting to beat yourself up about not planning beforehand, I mean, you were thinking about the possibility of me coming over here...and yet you did absolutely nothing about it. What a shame you are."
Bruce clenches his fists in anger. At Kal and at himself, he despises how well the other knows him and how right he is...he was thinking about all the scenarios and possibilities, but the one time he actually hesitates on something is the one time something bad actually happens.
The more Bruce ponders on Kal's words he knows that the man is right, he would do absolutely anything for his family if they were in danger, and with how far the alien has gone now...he wouldn't doubt if the other started killing or maiming his family. A sudden cool breeze on Bruce's bare legs reminds him that he no longer has his pants, he can guess what Kal has come to take from him...but he doesn't want his family to witness this. If he can just get Kal to go somewhere else...then maybe it'll be easier to take.
Bruce slowly tests the hold on the hands in his hair, turning his head to look at the super when realizing the other is allowing him to move somewhat on his own now.
"Fine. I'll give you what you want...but not here. I don't want to here." Bruce's voice tapered off when he saw the disapproving frown on Kal-El's face, what did he do wrong? Isn't this what he wanted? To get his submission?
Kal clicks his tongue in disappointment before casually slamming Bruce's face back onto the wood, hard enough for the man's nose to crunch sickeningly from the rough treatment, a loud grunt escaping the billionaire as pain explodes across his face and blood slowly drips down his nostrils to his lips. "You still don't get it, do you? I didn't have a choice before with the Joker, so now I am here by my choice. I am doing things that I want and taking what is mine!"
The fabric of Bruce's underwear is slowly stretched, the sound of the threads tearing away from each other too loud in Bruce's ears.
The shorter man starts to panic at what's about to happen. He doesn't want the memory of his best friend to be tainted by whoever is behind him, he doesn't want to look at the man and be reminded of someone who no longer cares for him, who no longer takes care and concern to be gentle because he knows his own strength.
Bruce squeezes his eyes shut at hearing a whimper come from the left of him, he knows it's Tim-oh gosh! He really doesn't want his family to see this, he doesn't wish for this moment to be ingrained in his babies minds of this version of their father who couldn't protect them. The sound of Damian shouting his name automatically causes Bruce to open his eyes, shame settling in his stomach like a too-heavy weight when looking at his youngest son, the fear in those large green eyes makes Bruce ashamed to have let things get this far.
Kal hums and lifts the smaller man's head up, making sure to keep the man in view of his family so they can see his bruising and bloodied nose. "You are going to keep your eyes on your family while this happens or there will be consequences. You are blessed to still have a family...I could have so mercilessly decided to murder them so that you would have nothing left in this world, but yet I have chosen to spare their fragile little lives. And now they will watch as I so gracefully make an example of their father instead of choosing to snap your neck just as I did your little clown friend. I will show you what you actually want and when all is said and done, you will say thank you."
Bruce pleadingly looks at Alfred to stay in his seat, he saw the man shift his body as if preparing himself to stand, but he doesn't want to imagine what the consequences will be if the man does so.
Icy blue's search the sorrowful gun metal colored eyes for comfort, the older man's lip trembling at still being able to find resiliency in the eyes of his child when he himself feels lost. Alfred internally apologizes to the Wayne's for failing them and their son.
Kal-El spreads his palm across Bruce's stomach, feeling a tingle of pleasure at the resistance from his touch and how the muscles tighten.
No matter, the other will come to enjoy what he does, but now he must punish Bruce for his behavior so he slowly sits the other up until they are pressed back to chest. He can feel the other trying to prepare for harsh touches, but Kal doesn't want to do that yet-instead-he gently circles his index finger around Bruce's navel while easing his right hand up to the round pecs and squeezing experimentally.
Bruce feels confused by the touches. His mind is yelling at him to get away, reminding him of what those hands did to him by calling to attention the painful throb of his nose, but his body is tensing in fear and also shock at the unexpected pleasure that is starting to warm his body.
Bruce furrows his brow and his throat tightens around the gasp that tried to escape his throat at the long fingers circling his nipple. Embarrassment immediately takes place with the pleasure and confusion at realizing how he's missed touch...especially from his long-time friend who happens to also be his unrequited crush-'I guess Kal was right. You do want this, don't you?' Bruce's breathing turns panicked at the thought, why is he thinking that right now? He knows the only reason why he is reacting is mostly because the other man is making the touches feel good.
But...he wouldn't lie if he said his body is also reacting because of whatever attraction he still held for Clark.
"Mn-" Bruce bites his lower lip to stop the noise from fully escaping his lips. He hates how his own body is betraying him by responding so positively to a man he feels so disgusted by right now. Despises the touches getting bolder from the slipup he made, curses the hand that is now sliding up his shirt to flick at an erected nipple and the hand that trails from his navel down to his groin and-dare he say-lovingly starts to stroke him to half hardness.
Pale cheeks turn pink at the overwhelming mixture of feelings his body is trying its best to respond to and get away from. Bruce unconsciously lowers his head so he isn't looking at his family's reactions, it's bad enough he can hear their angry and shocked noises, but he doesn't want to look at them either.
But doing that is apparently a mistake as the once soft touches to his now full erection become a bruising grip, the hand playing with his nipples tugging and pulling harshly in punishment for not listening to the order. Bruce gasps in pain and instinctively tries pulling away from the pain but only finds himself being held in place while Kal spins him around to slap his face. His nose throbs again from the sudden assault, his cheek stinging and mouth filling with blood from biting his tongue while Kal bites at pink lips punishingly.
Bruce hates the pained noise he makes as Kal digs his pearly whites into his lower lip, the other man forcing his tongue into Bruce's mouth to lick up the blood and suck on his tongue.
A moan escapes from Bruce at the fire he feels from the kiss, he hates it, he really does. But the kiss just feels so...good and he feels like all the training he did to carefully control his own bodily reactions is suddenly disappearing at the feeling of warm lips against his own. He can feel his body switching from tense to loose the more Kal kisses him, his breath being taken away when Kal-El's tongue suddenly pistons in and out of his mouth, his ears ringing at the squelching sound their tongues are making.
Bruce gasps and unconsciously whimpers when the super pulls away, the man gifting the other with a softer bite to his lip in reward for responding so beautifully for him.
Shame. That's all Bruce feels is shame at realizing what he just did. He didn't mean to make those pleasured noises, he really didn't, and he hoped his family didn't think he wanted this now because he didn't. If anything, he wants to fight and scream and to run as far away from Kal-El with his family as possible-hell. If he could only save his children and Alfred that would be good enough for Bruce.
Bruce feels confused when another slap lands on his other cheek, his body jolting from the force while his hands scrabble around Kal's forearms when he is suddenly lifted by his neck again. "You still don't understand! You keep going into your mind to try and escape reality, Bruce. You can't save anyone here because there is nothing to save anyone from! I am your savior. I am your god and I am giving you what you've always wanted. It may be in the form of a punishment now...but you'll come to love it."
Bruce gasps for air, spit dribbling down the sides of his mouth from not being able to swallow anything, his eyes watering at the other hand that rises to grip his thigh so hard he can feel a bruise already forming.
A wheeze escapes Bruce as he tries to say something, but the hand on his thigh just spreads his leg wider until he is fully exposed, not just to the Man of Steel himself, but to his family. Kal just hums and looks at Bruce's scarred legs in admiration, a dark look quickly overtaking his features when remembering the countless others that have seen and hurt what is his.
Kal-El lowers Bruce back onto his feet, steadying the dazed man with the hand still attached to his throat before quickly spinning the man around to push him back down to the table by the back of his neck. "Just remember how I am giving you what you've always wanted, Bruce. We can be good together like we used to be if you just submit to my will."
Bruce starts truly struggling against the steely grip when hands grab his biceps and start to slowly lift him up until his torso is hovering above the table. He starts fighting and shouting when he is made to look at the pained faces his family is making as the alien lines up to his hole, his heart beating too fast at seeing all his children crying and calling his name desperately, he hates the helplessness in Alfred's eyes and the sorrow in Kate's body language.
Bruce hates the warmth against his back consuming him like an uncontrollable fire. He despises it all as the image of a man he thought he knew well enough is immediately destroyed for eternity when the other roughly forces his way inside his body.
Bruce trembles and shakes at feeling how hard Kal-El is from all this. Loathes the weakness he shows to the man at the pain from the sheer size and girth of the appendage inside of him, gasping and screaming in pain as he feels something tear. It seems as if it never ends, Bruce can feel Kal forcing his way through despite his body's efforts to stop the unwanted intrusion.
Kal huffs in frustration and pulls all the way out, smiling when hearing Bruce speak to him first this time around. "Stop! Clark you-" the shorter screams louder when Kal slams back in, the blood acting as some form of lubricant and squelching when the large appendage continues to force its way in until the super is finally all the way in.
Kal looks down and groans at the blood smearing his front and from how warm and good Bruce feels. He feels a fire ignite within him at hearing the flesh stretch apart and break, adores the adrenaline and scent of fear and helplessness Bruce is giving off...yet there is still some sort of anger towards him within the other and he finds himself being all too excited at the thought of breaking Bruce in more. Of being able to break down and build the man back up to his own design.
Maybe Bruce is beginning to feel and understand some of that sorrow and helplessness he felt from not having a choice.
The thought of everything that has happened causes Kal to snap more, his frustration with Bruce for not handling the Joker before showing in the way he shoves the smaller man forward while pulling all the way out and shoving back in. Kal's hips slap loudly against Bruce's ass while he begins to reign down bruising hits to the sweaty back, pressing the man down to the table again by his neck with his other hand while continuing to slam into the now crying man harshly.
Bruce has nowhere else to turn to. He can't go into the depths of his mind or Kal-El will pull him out of it, he can't clench his eyes shut as the man said there would be dire consequences for his family if he didn't listen...so what? What is Bruce supposed to do now?
Gunmetal blue is immediately what Bruce sees as he internally asks himself that question. Of course it's Alfred he can turn to...of course it is. Bruce feels like that eight-year-old again when seeing the pain in Alfred's eyes, he feels like that boy who just came home from seeing his parents murdered, begging and pleading with the man to never leave his side. And just like all those years ago, he can see the sympathy and compassion in the other's face, as if he is feeling Bruce's pain.
"Dad..."
Alfred's eyes widen at that one word and his heart shatters at hearing the desperation in his boy's voice. His own eyes water and spill tears while looking at his son, how could Bruce still see him as a dad when he's failed him as one? Alfred doesn't think he'll ever know, but he knows he can't look away now, no matter how much he wants to.
Bruce's lip trembles, his voice shaky and desperate while calling Alfred's name. As if that one word is keeping him from truly falling apart, as if it is his only lifeline. "Dad, dad, dad, da-" he chokes on his words when Kal shoves two fingers in his mouth, the man slapping his ass and growling in his ear. "Say my name! Who am I!?"
Bruce cries loudly around the fingers playing suggestively with his tongue, his voice cracking as little puffs of air are brutally fucked out of him.
"I. Said. Say. My. Name!" Kal-El punctuates every word with a harsh thrust or a slap to his ass and face. Bruce feels like he is going to pass out soon from all the exhaustion he feels, but for the moment he sniffles and grabs the wrist of the hand in his mouth, his voice scratchy and soft when he speaks.
"...Kal-El."
The way Bruce said his name is so...broken and defeated, yet it has an underlying tone of spite as he says it. And it's everything Kal has imagined it sounding on Bruce's lips, he is so happy the man has proved Diana wrong, she'll be (dis)pleased to know that the big ol' Bat wasn't as submissive as she thought he would be when seeing him. Kal-El groans and continues slamming inside of Bruce, clawing up and down the sweaty chest and leaving his own set of scrapes and cuts for the man to look at later. Kal slams in once, twice, thrice, before spilling his seed inside the bloody and swollen hole.
Biting at Bruce's shoulder to muffle his groan he continues pumping his hips until every last drop is squeezed from him, and while he could keep going, he has news to relay to Diana so she knows the plan is fully in motion now. Bruce stares blankly into Alfred's eyes as Kal-El pulls out and fixes himself back into his super suit. His eyes slowly drift upwards to watch as Superman is bathed in the moonlight, his powerful form hovering above the table in the spot he first descended into.
It's at finally seeing the resolve in this new man's eyes that something seems to click inside Bruce.
This...man floating away like a god is who Superman is now. There is nothing the man wouldn't do to get Bruce to join him, and isn't that thought hard to think? Bruce feels something heavy settle in his chest, his battered form shaking as he finally slumps against the table in exhaustion, a wail ripping its way out of his sore throat in grief of the friend who he lost at the Joker's hands.
All Bruce hears is chairs scraping against the floor and Alfred's voice desperately apologizing to him.
Warmth is what Bruce feels outwardly when his dad wraps him up in his arms and rocks him back and forth like when he was eight and scared, grief is what he feels for Clark: the man he once called friend and brother dying along with the symbol of Superman; and fear is what he feels for the thought of what his family's future will look like from here on out because of him.
One thing that Bruce is sure of is that while he is prepared for anything. Nothing could have prepared him for the return of a grieving Superman.
Maybe I should have written it as chapters? But if I did that then y'all would be waiting forever for a new chapter to drop lol. Once again, I thank anyone and everyone who did manage to read this nonsense. Do forgive the angst...I feel I am not too good at writing it.
And I would like to explain some things. Like how Kal was (hopefully it was obvious) trying to manipulate Bruce's emotions by telling him how he wants him. That is the reason I wrote Bruce so ashamed because (on a technicality) Kal-El is somewhat right. I am NOT excusing what he did at all, I am just saying that Bruce still does and did have feelings for Clark, but taking advantage of someone and using that as an excuse to assault or rape them is obviously a very horrible move.
Besides wanting Clark to burn in this story. I hope it was noticeable enough how (besides playing with his romantic side) he played on the fact he knows Bruce well enough. I thought I saw somewhere once in a World's Finest DC comic that it was stated they both can think similar thoughts about humanity sometimes. In the sense that they can both have a violent urge to want to...well, kill somebody. But they both have boundaries they set.
So Kal is trying to bank on the fact he knows him and Bruce (despite their MANY differences) are also the same at heart when it comes down to it in many ways. My guy is really trying to gaslight and girl boss Bruce into turning into a dictator basically.
There are other things I wanted to mention that I felt like were important...but I was writing this during the past two days and forgot all things I wanted to mention in the notes ?. My memory sucks and it is hard lol.
Edit: Oh! One of the things I wanted to say was sorry for the lack of dialogue from everyone else. Literally ALL of Bruce's family was there including Steph, Cass, Barbara, etc. I just kind of homed in on Bruce and Clark ?
Comments, favorites, reviews and silent readers are much appreciated. You darlings please stay safe, happy, healthy and of course lovely as always. 💛
