Chapter 19
Batman's Talk
Batman and Superman finished dealing with the robbery, handing the crooks to the authorities. The chief thanked them for their help, then turned and drove off with the wrongdoers, leaving the duo alone. The heroes made their way to the rooftops, taking in the sights while looking out for any more trouble.
"Thank you for help tonight," Batman said, fiddling with his binoculars.
Superman shrugged. "Don't mention it..."
With that, the conversation fell into silence. The city had a lot to say, with cars roaring along the roads and distant conversations between citizens, but the heroes said nothing as they watched. It made Superman uncomfortable as his mind wandered with nothing to do. Without his job, without saving the day, without the air of friendship from Kara and Barbara, without the enigma of Lana, without Lois' strong presence, Superman started to fall into the comfort of a reliable teammate like Batman and lose his guard. He noticed it was happening, but once the memories started, the boy scout couldn't just snap out of it.
His mind was being carried through the current of memories. Superman saw Lois storming out in anger. He saw Lana cutely hiding behind her menu. He saw Kara expressing her concerns for him and Lois. Then memories of all the fights he had been having with Lois flooded in, and it was becoming harder and harder for the alien to pull out the happier moments between them. Clark didn't want to give up on Lois, but…
"…Has our relationship deteriorated that much?" Superman whispered to himself.
"Yes," Batman said. He was so merciless in his blunt response that the single word felt like a stab in Superman's back – a harmless one, but it still hurt.
"I shouldn't have said that." Superman scratched the back of his head.
"I'm just stating the obvious based on your behaviours," Batman stated. "When Lois was first kidnapped, you searched relentlessly for days, but then, as time passed, you started focusing more on work. I'm not going to complain since missions are being completed and lives are being saved, but it does imply that your love for her is declining."
"Are you calling me heartless?" Superman lightly growled. The statement, neutral as it sounded, felt like an attack on his character, that he didn't care about Lois.
"No." Batman turned to his teammate. "I'm saying you're starting to remember."
"What?" Superman said frustratedly.
"You're starting to remember happiness."
"What are you talking about? I was happy with Lois!"
"...Then why haven't you been more of a pain in the a*?"
"Huh?" Superman shook his head as confusion mixed with his annoyance.
"Why are you not abandoning missions to search for her and dumping all the work on Kara, Barbara, or me?"
"Lives are at stake! Of course, I have to help!"
"Why are you not taking time off your job to look for her?"
"I-In journalism, you have to meet deadlines! Miss one, and you're fired! I can't just leave it for days! Lois and I would get in trouble!"
"Why are you training Lana and not making Kara do it?"
"W-Well-" Superman had no answer for that.
"Why hasn't Lois returned to you?"
The man of steel lost his footing in the conversation at that question. "…What?"
Batman stood, now at eye level with Superman. "Lois is undoubtedly good at getting into trouble, but that doesn't mean she can't at least send an S.O.S. She's been kidnapped enough to become rather resourceful and stubborn. So, why hasn't she contacted you?"
"Uh…"
"I have many theories of what might have happened to her, but I find it strange that no one has contacted you. Villains in Gotham are either noisy and incompetent or noisy and deadly. They like to get attention and will flaunt a success like the kidnapping or murder of Lois as if they won an award for villainy. Some clue, either from the villain or Lois, should have appeared ages ago. The only reason it hasn't must be because something went wrong after her capture."
Superman couldn't say anything, and his attention was fully on the greatest detective.
"Lois is still alive."
"…"
"However, the fact that she isn't sending you clues…"
Superman felt a shiver go down his spine.
"Leads me to wonder if her anger has made her lose faith in you."
The way Batman's eyes narrowed made Superman gulp.
"If she has truly given up on you…"
Batman turned back to Superman, who was frozen in place, completely shaken.
"Expect to meet an entirely different person when she returns."
Silence fell as each returned to surveying the area for wrongdoings. Superman didn't want to believe their relationship was done. There was still hope, wasn't there? He could make it up to her once she was found. Yet deep down, he knew Batman was right. His thoughts returned to the last time he saw her. The anger in her voice and eyes haunted him.
Suddenly, Superman began to see Lana's smile when they bumped into each other that day. Slowly, he began reflecting on his recent time with her. Those moments of joy in an otherwise dark time in his life. He saw her laughing during her first night of training and how she had grown into a true heroine since that fateful day she gained Kryptonian powers. Then he saw her eyes sparkle and felt the heat return to his cheeks. He shook his head, trying to convince himself that it was his imagination.
"We'll give it another hour before we head back."
Clark wasn't paying attention.
"Superman?"
"Hmm, oh, yes."
Batman glared and groaned.
"Sorry, I..." Superman grunted in frustration. "I can't get her out of my mind."
"Who?"
"Lana." He admitted.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Yes. No- I mean... We broke up years ago, and that was that. But now whenever I'm around her, I feel... like our spark is still there when it isn't."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am," Superman stated firmly.
"…You don't seem sure," Batman said, looking at Superman's eyes.
The man of steel tried to keep himself together as he spoke again. "Look, Lana and I are just friends – that's it! Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing will change that!"
"Don't lie to yourself, Clark." Batman harshly stated, getting tired of his friend's clear denial. "You know what you're feeling. The more you fight it, the worse it will get."
A sigh escaped from Superman's lips. "I thought I had gotten over her, that I moved on. Now I'm not sure if I want Lois or her."
Batman thought for a second, contemplating how to word his next sentence. "In the end, it's your decision. However, moving on is your best bet."
He looked at Batman with confusion.
"It's tricky, and you might doubt if you've made the right choice, but eventually, you'll end up in a better place."
"How can you be sure about that?"
"Because I've been through it."
They returned to their duties while Superman let Batman's words sink in.
Author's note: Special thanks to Pure Red Crane for their help with this chapter.