Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was nearing four AM and Bruce was still on patrol. With Gavin still unable to fully control the pit he had asked Bruce to fill in for him. Even if Bruce didn’t stop any crime (he did anyway because he is trained), the Bat was a symbol to the city. For some it meant hope that they would live to see another sunrise. Others, that their children would have a future brighter than Gotham has been in years. For still others, it promised broken bones and a hospital stay.

Even now Bruce heard sirens come to pick up the mugger he had thwarted. The victim, being a true Gothamite, ran off without a trace the first chance they got. Well, not quite without a trace, the would-be mugger was still groaning from the crotch shot.

Bruce stood near his favorite gargoyle and stretched his senses over the city, hoping to hear something. There was nothing except the usual night-sounds, but there was a feeling. Gavin tried to describe this feeling once, Bruce remembered. The feeling after watching a horror movie, when nothing was wrong. But you still felt things in the shadows and no amount of light would make them go away.

The feeling of being watched.

Trusting his gut, Bruce rolled to the right and threw a batarang at the empty space to his left. Still crouched, he looked at the smog that was now in front of him. The figure became clearer as they floated closer. Their shape distorting unearthly in the slight wind.

“Superman,” Bruce grunted, irritated at the intrusion on the city. Unless Superman was bringing news of great catastrophe, which should have been transmitted on the league communicator, there were going to be consequences. Gotham would ensure it.

“Br-Ba-Batman! Didn’t know you were out tonight.” At least Superman was able to recover from his almost slip up.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” What Bruce didn’t know was that Clark was going to call him by his name, but something had twisted in his stomach painfully and ‘Batman’ had come out without his say so. Well, technically he did say so, but not intentionally.

“Ah, well-”

“Gotham needs Batman, even if someone else is under the mask.” Bruce was staring intently at Clark, it was unnerving. “Why are you here?”

Superman blinked, remembering his purpose for being in the city. “It’s The Flash and Green Lantern’s wedding invitation, they wanted me to give this to you-” a pause, “and the other one…” Superman shook his head. “They would have done it themselves, but they said they don’t like coming to Gotham.”

Batman smirked, “good. I’ll give this Agent B.” He turned away from Superman. “Now get out of my city.”

Clark left without another word - whether it was his choice or not - leaving Bruce to finish his patrol.

!@#$%^&*()

It was only a few hours later when Bruce finally got back to the cave. He quickly submitted the reports and showered before heading upstairs to bed. As he neared his bedroom door, he saw that it was open. He slowed his pace, walking silently in the face of a possible threat. Pushing the door open carefully, he saw a figure in his bed. His breath froze, it had been months since Gavin started sleeping in a separate room. Even though their relationship was on the mend, Gavin had been adamant about sleeping separately in fear of hurting Bruce during a pit episode.

Bruce smiled softly, he had to be careful, one wrong move could trigger an episode. He silently walked up to the bed where Gavin was sprawled out in sleep. Before he could do anything however, “Wha’ time ‘s i’?”

Bruce knelt down and placed his hand on Gavin’s head, carding his fingers through his hair. “It’s almost seven, I just got back.”

Gavin pushed himself up on his elbow to kiss Bruce. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being Batman while I can’t.”

Bruce smiled softly at him, “it's nothing that you wouldn't do for me.”

“Anything interesting happen while you were out?”

“Superman dropped by.”

Gavin frowned, “what happened?”

“Nothing bad that I could tell. Flash and Green Lantern asked him to deliver their wedding invitation.”

“Why couldn't they do it?”

“They don't come to Gotham.”

“Good.” Their grins matched for a moment before Bruce looked down in thought. “What's wrong?”

“When Superman was there, I got this terrible feeling. How does it normally feel when he visits?”

Gavin pursed his lips. “Not horrible? But definitely not good. I don't know why, but I don't think Gotham likes him.”

Standing up and stretching, Bruce sighed, “may we never find out why.”

“What, too much excitement for you?”

“Yes,” he grinned, “I am old and tired. You whippersnappers need to quiet down with your leagues of justice and your watched towers.”

“Wake up at da crack ha’ dawn, chop farwood, an’ then take you a ra’t good nap.” Gavin smiled as he slipped into his original accent to mock his partner.

Bruce was startled at his words and took a moment to process them with dawning horror on his face.

“No. For the love of god. No.”

Gavin laughed, “could be worse, I could always-”

“Please god, no. Have I not suffered enough in this life? Must I also be subjected to this form of torture as well?” Bruce slumped, placing his hands on the bed in mock defeat.

“Just another horror Ra’s has subjected the world to.”

Bruce kissed him and then stood straight once more, yawning.

Gavin tilted his head, smiling softly, “Let’s get you in bed.” He grabbed Bruce’s hand and suddenly pulled him into the bed, rolling to where Bruce landed on the other side of the bed.

They laughed and smiled at each other before a silence briefly fell. Gavin tried to keep his face neutral, but Bruce is adept in reading his facial expressions after so many years of knowing each other.

“What’s wrong?”

A sigh, “Just… Thank you, again, for taking care of Gotham for me. It really gives me peace of mind.”

Bruce smiled at him, “It’s my pleasure.” He then grinned wickedly, “And for my peace of mind, stop talking.”

“Beder than my granny, she never stopped talkin’. It was always ‘you young’uns this,’ or ‘you young’uns that’. My ma used ta-”

Bruce quickly attempted homicide.

!@#$%^&*()

Superman did not fly out of Gotham immediately. Maybe he should have… But he couldn’t force himself to, the strange feelings that Gotham gave off couldn’t fully cause him to leave. So, here he was, miles above Gotham using his super senses to spy on Bruce and Gavin in Wayne manor. It wasn’t right. He could feel his stomach twisting, revolting against his actions as not only Gotham, but also his morals objected to his actions.

Why didn’t he just leave? Why couldn’t he look away? Clark pulled his arms around himself in a sorry excuse for a hug. He has always felt as an outsider. His family was accepting and always made him feel at home. But while his family was human, he was not. What happened to his brother had made that very clear. Clark wished everyday that it was him instead. But he had decided to shirk his responsibilities that day and his brother paid the price. After that day, he never felt like he belonged anymore. His coworkers, his friends in the league, his parents… Despite meeting so many different types of beings, Clark was always left standing alone. He was expected to always be the strongest, the fastest, the best. But his powers meant nothing if he couldn’t save those he loved.

He couldn’t save Gavin…

When he first met Batman, it was nothing like he expected. From what he had heard regarding the Dark Knight, he thought they would be like oil and water. But instead the brooding man’s cynicism was like a balm. Not since his brother had someone doubted him or his abilities. Batman offered him help if Superman couldn’t handle something himself. There wasn’t surprise when Clark accepted, or when he refused it. Only a nod and further instructions for the plan. It was no wonder that Clark fell in love. But Batman could never be his. After years, Batman finally trusted the other league founders and revealed his identity, and the fact that he was already seeing someone. Clark came to the logical conclusion that Gavin only did this because he was tired of Superman’s attempts at flirting. What better way to get the ‘boyscout’ off his back than to tell them that he was taken? Who could compare to Bruce Wayne as a boyfriend?

Not Superman, that’s for sure.

Maybe… Maybe one day these feelings would fade. Maybe one day Clark could walk in public and see couples together and not feel like ripping his heart out. Part of him wanted to tell Gavin his feelings, but then, if it went wrong, he would lose his best friend. Clark doubted he would survive if that happened.

Clark finally tore his eyes away from the scene in Wayne manor as Gavin pulled Bruce into bed. Despite being impervious to extreme temperatures, he felt cold. There was a tingling in his chest and finger tips. Every breath was a fight. He didn’t cry. Superman doesn’t cry. He slowly drifted away from Gotham, passing over cities and towns as he made his way back to Metropolis. He stayed there, above Metropolis as he thought, or tried to. He needed to get groceries, there was a building fire, his microwave didn’t work this morning, there was a tsunami in Hawaii, his front door wasn’t closing right because of water damage, there was a child whispering his name as they huddled with the other prisoners-

He couldn’t think.

He laughed, maybe he just needed therapy. But why would the perfect man need therapy?