So... daemons. Animal of a different gender from yours = your soul. Tag one of the characters on here with a starter, post your own with or without a request for one of mine or play here as you like.
It sounds perfect, honestly, and the soft look on Bruce's face probably gives away his thoughts on the matter. He'll always have a weakness for family, for the thing that was his whole world before his parents were murdered. People think that tragedy flipped a switch in him-- and it did, in a big way, but his parents were a buoy that kept his sensitive, prone-to-depression spirit afloat. Without them, and without them like that... here he is, now.
But he loves it. Loves knowing it still exists for other people, if not him.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should send Dick somewhere like that," he says with a sigh. "But I understand him... I don't know if it evens it out or not." Would a 'normal' parenting couple be able to comfort him and have it mean anything? Maybe not.
He can't help but look over at Bruce at that. Send him away? No. That's the worst idea, and not just because Bruce understands him. They've found something here, both of them. Giving up that bond would leave a scar, a nasty one, and he doesn't want either of them to live with that.
"Then how about if I'm still in his good graces by the next time his birthday rolls around," because he won't intrude, he refuses to intrude, "I'll make a cake, tomato soup and cream cheese icing if you want to be authentic, and we'll all settle in for some movies."
He's trying to do more than plan a party, but this is the only part he feels safe enough to broach, the only way.
You can have that too, he doesn't say. You can build that family for yourself.
Bruce thinks about it, because part of him believes it would be the responsible and better thing to do in the long run-- but he knows deep down that he's never giving Dick up. He loves him too much, even if it's selfish.
"I think he'd like that a lot," Bruce says quietly. His tone of voice says I'd like that too.
Dick returns in short order, bouncing in his saddle as his horse slows from her canter. Bruce laughs softly and shows him how to keep his heels down and his weight centered for an easier seat; Dick is so eager to learn from him. (It'll change. He'll be a teenager and he'll hate everything, but now, he's so desperate for his foster father's attention.) Another bit of trail wandering after that and Dick asks Bruce to show him jumps on another field, but they're a bit dilapidated and potentially not safe for the horses. He compromises by promising to get it fixed up, and letting Dick walk his horse over a fallen log back and forth a few times. Thrilling adventures.
Several hours have passed by the time they head back to the stables and Alfred, though it doesn't feel like it.
Sometimes, selfish is a good thing. Sometimes, selfish makes sure that you keep the things you really need in your life. Clark would say this was the farthest thing from selfish, but Clark also knew Bruce wouldn't believe him.
But he's pleased that it sounds like he'll be making up a tomato soup cake sometime soon. He'd have to ask his mother for the recipe the next time he was home. She'd be thrilled to know that he'd finally properly met Dick.
Once they make it back to the stables, Clark tilts his head towards the house.
"I should probably head back once we get in. I wouldn't want to intrude on dinner." And it really isn't in any way an attempt to get invited. He wants Bruce to have some time with Dick before he has to go out.
He holds his hand out and Neoma regretfully separates from Caterin to flutter to his finger.
There are sandwiches waiting with Alfred, and at Clark's proclamation, he gets a few shoved at him, lowkey British fussing. Dick's already stuffing a peanut butter and jelly one in his face and ends up running over to say goodbye to Clark and Neoma, trying to communicate this without talking with his mouth full. Bruce's laughter is quiet and mostly unnoticed in the commotion, though he's also taking the time to make sure the horses are put away properly. Dick offers Neoma a piece of his sandwich, his own daemon (now a Capuchin monkey - too tuckered out to keep flying) coiled around his shoulders.
"He's not going to vanish into thin air, Master Dick," Alfred says, getting him to settle down. "We do have to walk back first."
Dick is, of course, immediately exhausted after eating so fast after all that activity. He's just about too big for it but Bruce carries him back to the house anyway - he's more than strong enough. His son's arms wrapped around his neck, little head on his shoulder, daemon snoozing inside her human's shirt.
Dick gets a warm hug, Neoma takes the piece of sandwich and nibbles at the jelly, and Clark stays long enough to eat those sandwiches. After all, he didn't want to upset Alfred or waste food. The walk back to the house is slow and Clark makes it beside Bruce, a warm little smile on his lips as Dick snoozes.
"He's a wonderful child," Clark notes quietly as they make their way, "I'm glad I got to spend some time with the both of you. And I hope it goes without saying that I'd love to do it again sometime."
Bruce gives him a little smile; it's obvious how much this all means to him. In the hallway outside Dick's bedroom, he stops and gives Clark a pointed look. He wants a goodbye kiss, so don't you go anywhere. Once he's gently deposited Dick on his bed - his daemon wakes up, gives Bruce a fond, sleepy look before curling - Bruce slips back into the hall and shuts the door quietly behind him. Immediately he's reaching out to take Clark's face in his hands and press a kiss to his mouth, passionate and thankful.
Clark takes the kiss and responds, happy and warm and also thankful. He knows how much trust and how much courage it took for Bruce to introduce them, to take that step, and how much it really means for the two of them that he's spent time with Dick; somewhere, Bruce knows he's not going anywhere any time soon. It's such a small thing with so much meaning. And most of all, he kisses him because he's wanted to kiss him for hours, because Bruce's gentle smiles and the soft joyful looks had made his chest tight and now he finally gets to let Bruce feel that.
Once the kiss is done, he leans in to press his forehead to Bruce's, unable to stop smiling.
"Yeah," Bruce breathes against him, and then kisses him again. And again. Like he's trying to stop himself but can't quite--
"Eh-hem." Alfred 'zero chill disguised as Arctic freeze' Pennyworth is behind them, eyebrows raised, expression unfazed. "Master Bruce, I do believe you're soon to be overdue for your usual preparations, and that Mister Kent has a deadline he's been putting off."
Bruce sighs through that. "Yes, thank you, Alfred." He gives Clark another kiss just to prove a goddamn point, but relents as his mentor walks away.
Clark lingers in the last of the kisses before drawing back.
"Have a good night, Bruce" is all he says, a faintly goofy smile on his lips. He'd been kissed a few times, enough times that he'd probably be smiling during his own patrol and through the evening until he'd finished his assignment. Maybe even as he fell asleep.
He kicks his boots together lightly, careful not to scuff them.
"I'll leave these in the laundry room so you don't get mud in your room."
Bruce nods. Alright. He wants to keep kissing him and it's obvious in his expression, but all he does is skim his palm along Clark's arm to take his hand. He'll walk him out to the foyer, sneak in another kiss, and then head down to the cave.
Because once he's working, he's working. Even if he sees Clark, it's all business.
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But he loves it. Loves knowing it still exists for other people, if not him.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should send Dick somewhere like that," he says with a sigh. "But I understand him... I don't know if it evens it out or not." Would a 'normal' parenting couple be able to comfort him and have it mean anything? Maybe not.
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"Then how about if I'm still in his good graces by the next time his birthday rolls around," because he won't intrude, he refuses to intrude, "I'll make a cake, tomato soup and cream cheese icing if you want to be authentic, and we'll all settle in for some movies."
He's trying to do more than plan a party, but this is the only part he feels safe enough to broach, the only way.
You can have that too, he doesn't say. You can build that family for yourself.
And I'll help you.
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"I think he'd like that a lot," Bruce says quietly. His tone of voice says I'd like that too.
Dick returns in short order, bouncing in his saddle as his horse slows from her canter. Bruce laughs softly and shows him how to keep his heels down and his weight centered for an easier seat; Dick is so eager to learn from him. (It'll change. He'll be a teenager and he'll hate everything, but now, he's so desperate for his foster father's attention.) Another bit of trail wandering after that and Dick asks Bruce to show him jumps on another field, but they're a bit dilapidated and potentially not safe for the horses. He compromises by promising to get it fixed up, and letting Dick walk his horse over a fallen log back and forth a few times. Thrilling adventures.
Several hours have passed by the time they head back to the stables and Alfred, though it doesn't feel like it.
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But he's pleased that it sounds like he'll be making up a tomato soup cake sometime soon. He'd have to ask his mother for the recipe the next time he was home. She'd be thrilled to know that he'd finally properly met Dick.
Once they make it back to the stables, Clark tilts his head towards the house.
"I should probably head back once we get in. I wouldn't want to intrude on dinner." And it really isn't in any way an attempt to get invited. He wants Bruce to have some time with Dick before he has to go out.
He holds his hand out and Neoma regretfully separates from Caterin to flutter to his finger.
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"He's not going to vanish into thin air, Master Dick," Alfred says, getting him to settle down. "We do have to walk back first."
Dick is, of course, immediately exhausted after eating so fast after all that activity. He's just about too big for it but Bruce carries him back to the house anyway - he's more than strong enough. His son's arms wrapped around his neck, little head on his shoulder, daemon snoozing inside her human's shirt.
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"He's a wonderful child," Clark notes quietly as they make their way, "I'm glad I got to spend some time with the both of you. And I hope it goes without saying that I'd love to do it again sometime."
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Once the kiss is done, he leans in to press his forehead to Bruce's, unable to stop smiling.
"I'll see you at Work?" he murmurs.
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"Eh-hem." Alfred 'zero chill disguised as Arctic freeze' Pennyworth is behind them, eyebrows raised, expression unfazed. "Master Bruce, I do believe you're soon to be overdue for your usual preparations, and that Mister Kent has a deadline he's been putting off."
Bruce sighs through that. "Yes, thank you, Alfred." He gives Clark another kiss just to prove a goddamn point, but relents as his mentor walks away.
Time to go back to reality.
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"Have a good night, Bruce" is all he says, a faintly goofy smile on his lips. He'd been kissed a few times, enough times that he'd probably be smiling during his own patrol and through the evening until he'd finished his assignment. Maybe even as he fell asleep.
He kicks his boots together lightly, careful not to scuff them.
"I'll leave these in the laundry room so you don't get mud in your room."
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Because once he's working, he's working. Even if he sees Clark, it's all business.