Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bruce had always loved Clark. Loved his smile, the way he always found the good in people in a way that Bruce could never, the way he brought hope to the people around him. In battle or in cases, they understood each other without signals, a deep understanding that went beyond words and feelings. Bruce loved Clark, but Clark doesn't love Bruce, as evidenced by his marriage to Lois Lane. Lois was smart, witty, fierce and just simply, not Bruce. However, despite his feelings, he still carried on, even on the day of Clark's wedding as he took his place as Clark's best man, watching the love of his life wait at the aisle for his bride with a smile on his face.

But despite all this, Bruce dreamed. Dreamed about the what if's and what could be's. Dreamed of a loving relationship with Clark gently calling his name with the look of soft adoration in his eyes. A look which was typically reserved for Lois. He didn’t understand why the Superman in his dreams preferred to be called Kal, why his suit seemed to be different or how he seemed a touch more obsessive than what he’s used to. Nonetheless, Bruce just pays it no mind chalking it up to his own fantasies. If dreaming was the only way for him to experience Clark’s love, he would happily continue to dream.

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Over at the watch tower, Superman barges into the monitor room, shouting, "Diana! What seems to be the situation?", only to be met with the entire Justice League, crowding around a table with furrowed brows, deep in discussion which was interrupted by Superman's arrival.

"Batman is missing," J'onn says, looking up and meeting Superman's eyes.

"And he is nowhere to be found."

"No, that's not possible, he's he-" and that's when Clark realises. Batman's heartbeat is nowhere to be found.

Which couldn’t be possible. Clark had literally heard it a little over an hour ago thrumming strong. If his best friend was going to do something where he can’t be contacted or doesn’t want to be contacted, he would have let Clark know. Besides there was also no way Bruce could have left his hearing range within that time no matter how fancy his gadgets were.

"I sent a notice to the lantern corps, but no one has seen him either," adds Green Lantern.

But if Bruce wasn't on earth and he wasn't in the vicinity of this solar system, then where is he?

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"Bruce."

"Bruce, wake up my love."

Bruce looks up and squints temporarily blinded by the light. "...Kal?"

Above him hovers Kal's face, gentle and with that look Bruce has always wanted Clark to direct at him.

"Hey there sleeping beauty," Kal chuckles. "Ready to get up?" He gently cups Bruce's face. Kal, or well, just Superman in general, always ran a tad warmer than normal people.

"5 more minutes," grumbles Bruce, turning his face back into his pillow, wanting to stay in this dream just a little longer.

"Alright, I’ve already waited so long for you, there's no harm in waiting a couple minutes more since you're here now", Kal says, snuggling up behind him.

Bruce doesn't notice how the word choice seems a bit strange, doesn't notice how the Superman suit seems a bit different from what he was used to, just happy to immerse himself in his dream. Behind him, Kal's grip around his waist tightens just a bit and his eyes darken with a glint of obsession. He wasn't proud of some of the things he did to get to this point. He admits the way he killed the Batman of his own universe when he found out that it wasn’t his Bruce was a bit overkill, but it was necessary. Especially with the insurgency Batman had established, which would always fight against his regime, his plans for a better world. However, after years of dreaming and planning, he finally has his Bruce right here in his arms.