Chapter Text
Tonight has certainly been strange. The Metropolis air was cool, no emergencies in sight, but something was off.
It was Friday night, and Clark Kent wanted nothing more than to make some popcorn, sit on his couch and watch a movie. But nope, he was currently walking up the staircase to his building’s rooftop. He’d gotten a note earlier today, the sender didn’t specify who they are, they onto left an instruction to meet on the rooftop.
At first he got worried, had this come from someone who’d figured out his secret identity? But that didn’t make much sense, if someone who wanted to harm him had figured out that he was Clark Kent, why would they person send him a time and place to meet instead of simply surprise attacking him? It didn’t make sense.
But if not a villain then who? Why would anyone want to arrange a secret meeting with Clark Kent?
Well one thing was for sure, Clark would go. He wasn’t scared, even if he was meeting someone who wanted to harm him, he more than capable of defending himself.
And that was how Clark found himself walking up the narrow staircase to the rooftop of his building. The entire building was old, but this part was extra old, all the floorboards squeaked as he took a step. “Well this certainly isn’t creepy” he spoke out loud as he grabbed the handle to the door leading to the rooftop.
He pushes the door open and was instantly hit by the night breeze. He scanned the area in his line of sight, nothing, no person, robot, or alien, the roof was completely empty.
Had this been a prank? That would certainly explain the vagueness of the note, the building’s kid must have played a prank on him. It wouldn’t be the first time, they always ‘scare’ him during the month of Halloween, one time they threw water balloons at him from a window when he was leaving for work.
Phew, that had to be it, just a prank. But, just to be sure, the pulled the note out again. Because, even if it were a prank, shouldn’t someone jump out to scare him or something? Maybe there was a hidden camera somewhere to catch his reaction? He adjusted his glasses and looked down at the paper in his hands for the millionth time, “Note says to meet on the roof….”
But what Clark didn’t notice, was the pair of eyes watching him from the shadows cast down behind him. “Clark Kent of the Daily Planet…” a husky voice suddenly spoke up from behind him.
Clark jumped, “Oh my goodness!” His head snapped towards the sound ‘How did innot hear you’ he asked in his mind, he had shot hearing how on Earth had someone been able to avoid getting detected?
But his blue eyes widened when he saw who was stepping out of the shadows to greet him, “B-Batman! What a-a….what are you doing here? I’ve never seen you in Metropolis before.” Why the heck was Batman here? Had he figured out that Clark Kent was Superman?
“I’m here to speak with you” Batman stated the obvious as he stepped into the light.
Clark raised an eyebrow, “So you sent me the note?” Well….if Batman did know he was Superman, the bat sure had a strange way of going about telling him.
“Yes” Batman replied.
That was an odd response. Clark decided to play dumb, “Well what do you want from me?”
Batman paused for a moment, Clark of course, could hear his heart beat. Batman’s heart was always steady, even in the most dire situations. But right now, it was faster, reveling an anxiety that the man’s hard exterior refused to show.
“You’re in danger…” Batman said flatly.
Clark dropped the paper in his hand, “What?” What in the world? Was Batman talking to Clark to Superman here? Who was in danger? If Superman was in danger then Batman would have sent a message to the Justice League at large.
Batman kept his eyes fixed on the city skyline. Clark Kent this man usually avoided direct eye contact, but the way his heart was beating, something was making Batman nervous. And if Batman was nervous the entire world might be ending. “I’ve recently been meet with a new adversary….” he spoke at last, “….his name is Hush. He’s managed to stay one step ahead of me for a while now.” His tone was flat but held frustration, because if there was one thing Clark knew about the bat was that he hated being outwitted by villains.
Clark tilted his head and pushed his glasses up, “What does that have to do with me? I’m just a journalist. Unless you want me to help you catch this guy.” And he genuinely wanted to know. Batman never let other heroes into Gotham to help with cases, having a new rogue probably wouldn’t change that. Unless this Hush guy was operating in Metropolis and Batman needed help to navigate a different city. But if that was true Clark would feel truly hurt that Batman didn’t trust him enough as Supeman to reach out for help.
Batman’s jaw clenched, “No.”
Clark blinked blankly, “Then…..why are you here?”
Batman took a very deep breath, like he was about to get a huge weight off his chest. “Clark, I need you to leave Metropolis for a while. Maybe a week a or two.” He said so casually, like it wasn’t a completely absurd request.
Clark’s eyebrows shot up, “Excuse me?!” Why did Batman having a new rogue have anything to do with Clark Kent having to leave Metropolis. The math wasn’t mathing here.
Batman slowly, ever so slowly lifted his gaze to Clark. “Hush is, different from other threats I’ve faced before.”
Well that…..answered absolutely nothing! “Why?”
Batman sighed, “He knows who I am.”
Clark’s jaw hit the floor. “What?” Someone knew who Batman was, but that would mean….”Like your secret identity?” Not even he knew Batman’s identity! Even thought he’d had wanted to know for years, he actually had a small crush on Batman, he’d had it for a while now. But even before then, he’d always tried to get close to the other hero, and attempted multiple times to get the bat to reveal who he was.
Batman’s heart beat sped up again, but on the outside, his fists closed up. “Yes. I don’t know how he uncovered it. But he knows, and now he’s targeting those close to me in my personal life.”
“Oh…” that was awful. Clark had wanted to know who Batman was so they could be friends outside of work. He wanted to see what the bat was like when he wasn’t running around saving the world. And he wanted Batman to know him in return. But if a villain knew who Batman was, that could be disastrous.
“He killed someone” Batman continued, and Clark audibly gasped. “I’ve had to ask my associates to stay near until I catch Hush.”
Okay that made sense. If this Hush was targeting those close to Batman it made sense to keep them close. But how did he himself fit into this equation? “But I’m not one of your associates…” Clark pointed out, “Why would he target me? I have no idea who you are.”
Batman inhaled deeply, as if buying time to pick every word about to come out of his mouth very carefully. “Because we’ve met before…..dozens of times.”
“We have?” Well they had met, granted they’d met as Superman and Batman. But Clark Kent and Batman had never been together until tonight.
“You’ve written articles about me, my civilian self” Batman reviled at last.
Oh……Oh Rao! If Clark had written about him it meant Batman had to be someone important. It wasn’t that hard to believe though, with all his science and engineering genius Clark wouldn’t be shocked it Batman turned out to be a researcher or a scientist, or maybe a professor of some kind? “But, I’ve written articles on lots of people, that doesnt make any sense!” He’d written dozens upon dozens of articles on all kinds of important and famous people.
“It’s not just that” Batman stopped him in his tracks. “It’s not only because we’ve met before Clark, it’s because I’ve……” he paused, looking away from Clark again. “Because I took a liking to you.”
“You did what?!” It took all of Clark’s self control to not start floating right that second. What did Batman mean he took a liking to him?
Batman took a step back, “I don’t usually like reporters, but you, you’re one of the good ones. I enjoyed talking to you during your interviews.” He looked down at their feet touching the ground, “You’re attentive to details, you’re always fair in your assessments, you like investigating….I guess that’s one thing we have in common.”
Clark felt his cheeks begin to turn pink. He’d never heard Batman give so many compliments, ever! The other Justice League members would place bets on whether Batman would say anything nice to anyone during a meeting. So for Batman to come to him of all people and lay out so many of them….”So Batman, you. You like me?”
Batman gave a defeated sigh, “I do.”
Clark was gonna pass out! It was almost impossible for him to for so, but he was about to do so. He’d liked Batman, fine maybe he even had a little crush. But Batman was also so cold and a little dismissive of him, he thought nothing would ever come from it. But Batman did apparently like him, but he liked him as Clark Kent. “That’s….”
“I’m sorry” the same knight cut him off, “I’m sorry Clark.”
“Why are you sorry?” Clark couldn’t help but feel both scarred and flustered all at once. Damm he thought Batman didn’t really like him, but he’d apparently harbored a crush on the report that’s always tripping over himself. Clark couldn’t help feeling a little smug. But at the same time, it meant he’d probably have to tell Batman that he was Superman, it was the right thing to do in this situation.
Batman clenched his fists, the sound of leather tightening, “Because, I’ve had to make many sacrifices in my life because of the choices I’ve made.”
“To be a vigilante?” Clark knew that, oh how he knew that. Always being late to things to having to leave at odd times when someone needed help.
“Yes. I’ve sacrificed parts of my Iife including relationships. I never wanted to bring another person into danger” Batman clapped back.
That made Clark pause. Sure, the Justice League hadn’t existed for that long but he knew several of their fellow heroes had relationships. Flash was always mentioning his girlfriend, Diana had a thing with some guy named Steve, and he was pretty sure Green Arrow and Black Canary had a thing for each other. He himself had dated Lois Lane, sure it didn’t work out but I’d been nice while it lasted. Surely Batman had to have had some relationship, he was still human under all that armor. “Hey it’s okay, you can’t control something like that…”
“I should” the other said abruptly. “Now Hush knows who I am, I have no idea what else he knows or who he’ll target. But I can’t risk it.” His heart beat speed up again.
Clark cleared has throat, right, he had to treat this as if he wasn’t actually an alien who was capable to protecting himself. At least until he found a good way to tell Batman about his identity. “What do you want me to do?”
Batman finally looked back up at him, “I know I’m asking a lot. I want you to come to Gotham City with me. I’m not asking anything of you just, allow me to keep you safe.” He sounded almost….afraid. Afraid Clark would reject him instantly, or deny his protection. “At least until Hush is caught, then you can come back and we’ll pretend that this never happened.”
“This is a lot.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault” the reporter assured him. “You’re allowed to have a private life, and it’s not fair that he’s going after people you know.”
It was Batman’s turn to stare at him, maybe he hasn’t expected Clark to be so understanding. “Will you, allow me to protect you?” He asked hesitantly. “I’m not asking you for anything, I just don’t want you to get hurt. You’re a civilian, my job is to protect everyone.”
Clark smiled, superhearing was a blessing. Batman would often try to keep his heart beat in check near Superman, knowing he could hear. But right now in front of Clark, his heart was beating very fast and bus breathing by was slightly uneven. “I trust you Batman” Clarke fought himself saying, and fully meaning it.
Batman showed a simple lined smile, “Thank you.”
Clark matched the smile, though his was wider and brighter. “So umm, when should I go?” He’d play along for bit, he had to figure out how to help Batman catch this Hush guy, but he also didn’t want Batman to be embarrassed or ditch him once he found out that he was Superman.
“Tonight. My car is ready”
“Right now?” Clark’s voice grew louder. Batman wanted him to go to Gotham City right now? “Where am I supposed to stay? I can’t book a hotel and my job and….”
Batman placed a hand on his shoulder, “Clark. I have a place where you can stay and I can keep you safe. Also, I’ll handle letting your office know you won’t be going to work on Monday.”
Clark couldn’t think, Batman’s touch was warm and reassuring, the dark vigilante had never touched him like that before. “Y-you…”
Batman let go of his hand, “Go pack, I’ll meet you downstairs.” He then proceeded to jump off the ledge of the rooftop. Leaving Clark alone.
Clark blinked once, twice, “Oh god! What am I gonna do?” He pulled at the curls in his hair. He’d agreed to go with Batman, his crus, to Gotham City and let his crush protect him. He practically ran down the stairs back to his apartment.
He ran into his apartment and leaned against the door after closing it. Was he really gonna do this? Yes, yes he was. “I can’t believe I’m doing this” he breathed heavily and got to work.
He used his super speed to entered his room and pack a bag for himself. He had no clue how long Batman meant for him to stay in Gotham, but he’d be prepared. He packed six shirts, two pairs of jeans, a towel, his bathroom essentials, his pajamas,…should he bring his pillow?.., socks, he stuffed a his spare Superman suit at the very bottom of the bag, a pair of sneakers, his home slippers, and what else….oh underwear!
He also packed a backpack with his work computer, his notebooks for projects he was currently working on, and a book he was halfway through reading. Oh he also brought his water bottle, it was Batman themed. He’d bought it at a corner store that sold Justice League merch, they were out of Superman ones so he bought the Bamdman one.
All in all it only took him twenty minutes to pack everything. He had a hand suitcase and a very full backpack ready go. He checked outside his window and sure enough, parked in the shadows of the street was the Batmobile.
Clark took deep breaths during the ride down to the ground level of his building. He was basically running away with Batman right now. He wondered what the dark knight would do if he found out he was actually Supeman. Would he be offended that Clark had played along instead of telling him back on the roof? Would he be okay with it….would he still like him? Clark really wanted to know the answer to that last one. He walked out of the building and saw that Batman was leaning against the side of his car.
“That was fast” Batman remarked as he looked over Clark’s bags.
“I-I don’t have much….” the reporter stammered.
Batman grinned a little and pull d the passenger door to the car open, “Get in.”
“This is the Batmobile?” They’d been working together for almost two years now and Batman had never invited Superman for a ride on his car.
“Yes.”
Clark smiled and got inside the car. Batman took the suitcase and placed it in the backseat while Clark kept his backpack tucked into his chest. “This is amazing, did you build this?” He said as he looked at the interior of the car. The console had so many buttons, he wondered what they all did, he’d seen this car shoot firearms, electrocute a rogue, and even turn into a boat-car hybrid.
“Are you going to ask a lot of questions?” Batman asked as he took his own seat and put on his seatbelt, but his voice didn’t hold any venom.
Clark let out a laugh, “Well I am a reporter.” And he liked investigating, something the other had already pointed out they had in common.
Batman grinned, “I altered it myself.” He turned on the engine and the car began moving out of Clark’s street.
“Woah” Clark was a little taken a back by the speed as Batman put his full foot on the gas.
Batman snorted, he seemed to be enjoying this. He opened a little compartment of the car’s console and pulled out what looked like a black piece of cloth, “Here…” he handed it to Clark.
“What?” The reporter accepted the offering. After turning it in his hand Clark realized that it was actually a blindfold!
“It’s a precaution, so you won’t know where I’m taking you….” The bat said a he kept his eyes on the road, “..its for safety.”
Clark gulped, well he couldn’t really say no. He used a moment where Batman was distracted as he made a turn on the steering wheel to carefully pull his glasses up and tie the blindfold over his eyes. He wasn’t sure if Batman would be able to tell that it was Superman in the car with him, so Clark placed his glasses back into place over the blindfold, admittedly he had no clue if that would even work, but he’d take the chances. “I trust you Batman” he spoke full heartedly.
Batman looked at him through the rear view mirror. Bruce had become fond of Clark Kent over the past two years, he was the only reporter he agreed to do interviews with at the Daily Planet, he’d always chat with him at events whenever possible, and Dick would constantly tease him for it.
But he’d never thought things could go beyond that. He knew the dangers that came with his mission, brining a child, Dick into it had already been dangerous, he’d never intended to bring a significant other into it. So he’d kept his feelings buried, never acting on them.
Until Hush showed up and killed his friend Thomas Elliot. Then he attacked Catwoman, nearly killing her if Batman hadn’t gotten to her in time. He’d made it clear to Bruce he’d go after all of those he cared about. But Bruce had no clue who he’d go after next, he’d told Dick to stay close at all times, Alfred to always have a weapon on him, told Barbara to keep her trackers on and not go on patrols on her own, Selina had to keep a tracker on too as she recovered, and he told Lucius to be on alert at all times. The only person he still needed to figure out how to protect was Clark.
He never got to close to Clark as to not put him in danger. But there were pictures of Bruce Wayne speaking with Clark at events and papers the man had written for the Daily Planet about their meetings. The media knew Bruce Wayne didn’t like reporters much after getting badly harassed by them following the death of his parents, so Clark had to be very special for Bruce to let him in. And he feared Hush would make that conclusion too.
So now he’d have to do the things he promised himself he wouldn’t do. He’d have to bring Clark, such a kind and pure soul, into his world, have to show him the true dangers of his line of work. But worse, he’d have to reveal himself, under the cowl. He didn’t expect anything from Clark. He knew he was a difficult, say impossible person to love, he’d made peace with that. He had Alfred and Dick now too, they were enough. He wouldn’t ask for anything more than for Clark to keep his identity a secret from the rest of the world.
He looked again at the man beside him, wearing a black blindfold with his glasses sitting on top of his shut eyes…cute. Yeah, he trusted this man would keep his secret “Thank you Clark.”