Chapter Text
[I just think we need to take a break]
Clark Kent couldn’t stop rereading that text. After arriving in Gotham City to interview the seclusive yet well known billionaire Bruce Wyne, the Kryptonian was met with a couple of misfortunes. He forgot an umbrella so he got caught in the rain, his traveling bag broke but thankfully he was able to conceal his Superman suit without anyone seeing it, and now he just got the text from Lois Lane about how she thinks they should take a break from their relationship.
The midwestern journalist couldn’t help but feel so much guilt and heartbreak from this. He loved Lois, he really did. But he still feels that this was his fault, that this was all Superman’s fault. That juggling two identities with her wasn’t enough in the relationship. Or because of what he stands for and how he was seen by others could be too much pressure on her, or even both of them. Clark didn’t want her to feel like that and had always encouraged her to always speak her mind when something made her uncomfortable. He didn’t think it would bite him in the butt in the end.
But maybe this break is coming at a good time. Clark needed to start focusing on himself both as Clark and as Superman. He was in Gotham with two set goals, to hold an interview of his career and hopefully write an amazing article on it as well as trying to recruit the infamous Batman for the Justice Gang.
“Clark Kent?”
Clark whipped his head over to a thin well dressed woman with blonde hair tied tightly up. He got up from his seat and followed her out of the waiting lounge. He still couldn’t believe Perry White picked him out of everyone at the Daily Planet to interview Bruce Wayne, the city’s most well known billionaire earning the title “The Prince of Gotham”.
He has heard little pieces of Bruce here and there, about the tragedy of his parents getting murdered right in front of him at a very young age and that he spent a few years in Princeton until dropping off the final year for unknown reasons. He has been an expert in avoiding tabloids and scandals but part of it must be from not being seen as much around the city. Everyone assumes he must have traveled the world on a yacht with supermodels while others think he just shuts himself outside of Gotham in the Wayne manor, refusing to see anyone.
But ever since the flood, Bruce has been trying to gear his father’s empire back on track, attending and funding charity events to help fix the city, and even collab with different companies to fund resources for environmental projects. He even heard last year he adopted a young boy from Blüdhaven after an unfortunate event happened with the child’s parents.
Hopefully during his time at Wayne Tower, he’ll get a good story on Bruce that’s not just a gossip column.
“You’ll have to excuse Mr. Wayne. He was running a little late for personal reasons and it’s a rarity for him to be in the office.” she explained as they walked down the hallway.
“He….you mean he never works in this building?” Clark asked, confused on what she meant.
“He normally works at his manor since he’s been watching over his son. But he has been trying to pop up here from time to time. So mind the boxes.” she told Clark before stopping over at the door and opening it for him.
“Mr. Wayne is waiting for you.”
Clark gulped nervously and thanked her before entering in. The receptionist wasn’t lying when she said there were boxes in the office, some don’t even look like they’ve been opened yet.
His eyes then stopped at the man in question, his back to him as he looked like he was sorting out files and documents on his desk.
“Umm…Mr…..Mr Wayne?”
Clark breathed in quietly when the billionaire he was interviewing turned around to face him. The Kryptonian breathed in as he took all of Bruce in. Sure he had seen photos of him before, some staged for magazine articles or others were just a quick shot by paparazzis. But this felt different.
He looked young. Possibly around his late 20’s or early 30’s, even with the bags under his eyes he still looked youthful. His hair was a dark earthy brown that had a long fringe that reached his chin and a side parting. It framed his face perfectly, especially since Clark couldn’t help but notice his hazel grey eyes. It reminds him of a light almost dying out but refuses to go out.
Blinking a little, Clark bit his lip and walked over to Bruce’s desk. “Hi!...I ….I’m sorry to bother you I…I’m Clark Kent, from the Daily Planet.” he greeted, reaching his hand to the brunette.
Bruce didn’t say a word at first nor did his emotionless expression change. He put his documents down and reached his hand over to shake Clark’s. Clark couldn’t help but notice how Bruce was looking at him, like he was trying to read who he was and where he came from. Part of him hopes he wasn’t secretly a mind reader or something like that.
“I apologize for the mess. I’ve been in and out trying to feng shui everything but….” Bruce paused as both men looked around the room, boxes not opened and frames leaning against the walls instead of being hung up
“Haven’t been in the right mood to decorate, I assume?” Clark asked him, their hands pulling away.
“Well…that and I really prefer to work from home. That way I’m not being a burden to my employees here.” Bruce explains with a slight shrug as he puts his hands in his pockets.
Biting his lips a little, Clark looks back at the billionaire and asks “Did you ... .did you wanna go somewhere else for the interview instead?”
“Hmm? Oh, no it’s fine. I just need to make some room here.” Bruce went to the table in the middle of the room and moved a few boxes out of the way so Clark had a place to sit. Once he was done, he looked back at Clark and showed him an empty chair. “Shall we?”
Clark nodded slightly as he removed his laptop bag when he sat down. He glanced over to see Bruce bringing his chair around and sighs as he sat himself down. Clark couldn’t help but notice how surprisingly built Bruce’s body looked for a businessman. Sure he didn’t look like he was bulging with muscles but he looked fit as if he had a gymnast body form. Though his eyes couldn’t pry away from a few fainted scars peeking from his arms, both on top of his forearm and on his wrist.
“Mr. Kent?” Bruce called out for his attention, tugging the sleeves of his midnight blue dress shirt down as he waited for the interview to start.
Clark's cheeks went pink when he was brought back to reality. “Right! Right, sorry. Umm…I’m gonna make a few rules here if you don’t mind, just to make it more comfortable for you.” As Clark talked, he pulled out his notepad and pen as well as a voice recorder. “I’m going to ask you a few questions and you can answer them as honestly as possible or if it makes you uncomfortable, just ask for it to be off the record or we can switch to a different topic.”
Bruce didn’t say anything but nod to him. It wasn’t the first time he had a one-on-one interview though to be fair it’s rare for him to have interviews at all.
Clark smiled and nodded back as he adjusted his glasses and pressed record on the device. “This is Clark Kent with the Daily Planet having a personal interview with the Prince of Gotham himself, Bruce Wayne. It’s an absolute pleasure sir.” the dark haired midwestern man started, smiling still.
“The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Kent.” Bruce said politely, his mouth moving slightly upward for a brief second of a smile. Still a win in Clark’s book for making him smile at least once.
“So, Mr. Wayne, you’ve been a very busy man lately. You’ve been helping to rebuild not only Gotham after the flood caused by those Riddler followers but your family business as well. What caused this motivation for you?” Clark asked him.
Clark watches as Bruce clenches his jaw slightly, almost in deep thought. “I just want to set things right again. Gotham, my family name and business,.....me.” Bruce paused for a moment as he shifted in his chair, crossing his leg. “I think of it as a self healing journey.”
That perked Clark’s interest. “A self healing journey? Care to elaborate on that in any way?” he asked, writing down some notes.
Bruce breathed in quietly as he stared at Clark. “I’m guessing you haven’t read any articles or columns about how I might be ‘mentally unstable’ or that mental illness runs in the Wayne genepool?” he asked in a quiet yet assertive tone.
Clark looks back up from his notepad and bites the inside of his cheek. “I….I heard a few things…..This can be off the record if you like but…I’ve always been told that it’s healthy to be more open about mental illness.” Clark offers him.
He watches as Bruce thought to himself about it, hearing the brunette’s heartbeat with his ability as it paces a bit.
“......I suffer from MDD and PTSD. You do the math on what could have caused it.” Bruce told him, almost giving Clark a hard stare.
Clark bit his lips again as wrote down a few more notes. “My apologizes, Mr. Wayne. I wasn’t trying to offend-”
Bruce let out a quiet sigh and interrupted him “No…no it’s all my fault. I’m still working on myself and it’s just ... .a tough drive on an intense road.”
“Well you know what they say, if you fall off the horse, you just have to get back on it.” Clark assures him with a smile.
Bruce looked at the midwestern man for a moment and a small smile creeped his face. “I was talking about driving but you switched it to horseback riding.” he pointed out. It took Clark a moment to realize what he was saying then let out a soft chuckle. Bruce couldn’t help but chuckle quietly as well.
“Where are you from originally?” Bruce asked, interested in the interview now.
“Oh um…Smallville, Kansas. Beautiful town really.” Clark answers him.
“That explains the horse metaphor then.” Bruce said, the small smile still on his face. “But….you’re not wrong though. I am trying to get back on track on everything and not slip up again. I have a job, a mission, my health ... .mostly mental health to focus on, and especially my family.” he added while Clark continues to write down more key notes.
Clark nodded and leaned over to say “I think finding and listing things that are important to you is key to help you go through everyday step by step. Now you mention family, does that include-”
Suddenly the sound of the doors opening caught the attention of the two men. They both spotted a young boy, about 5-6 years old with messy black hair, closing the door behind him and rushing over behind Bruce’s chair to hide himself in the coat hanging from behind.
Clark raised a brow from this and was about to ask Bruce a question until the doors opened again. This time a well dressed man in his late 50’s enters in, almost out of breath.
“I’m so sorry Master Wayne but you wouldn’t happen to see young Master Grayson anywhere would you?” he asked Bruce.
Bruce has a confused expression on his face and looks over at Clark. “Hmmmm no. Can’t say I have. You?” he asked Clark. “Oh uh…no. Didn’t see him.” Clark played along.
Bruce nods and then looks back at the older man. “I do have one question though, Alfred. My coat. For some reason it’s covered with bumpy noisy lumps.” he said, motioning to Alfred to the giggling boy hiding behind his coat. “Any suggestions on how to get rid of them perhaps?”
Alfred couldn’t help but smirk and then suggest “Well Master Wayne. Back in my days, we would simply tap the lumps away.”
“Tap them, you say?” Bruce asked, thinking to himself while Clark watches the event in front of him.
“So…do I make small little taps like this?” Bruce reached a hand around and lightly tapped his coat, causing the small boy to giggle. “Or do I start…banging it like a drum?” Bruce then turns around too rapidly and carefully taps his coat more, making the boy come out of hiding in a laughing fit. Bruce carefully picked him up as set on on his lap with a soft smile.
“Aren't you supposed to do your home schooling, little birdie?” he asked the boy.
“Mmmm nope!”
“No? What about lunch then? Did you eat everything?
“Nope!”
“And why not?”
“I wanted to have lunch with you.”
“Aww kiddo.” Bruce gave the boy a hug. “I have an important interview but I promise once that’s done, you, me, and Papa Alfred will eat together.” he promised.
“Pinky promise?” the boy asked.
Bruce chuckles once more and leans his forehead against his. “Pinky promise.”
Clark couldn’t help but smile at the scene in front of him. He had heard about people questioning why all of a sudden Bruce Wayne decided to adopt a child. He wasn’t dating or seen with anyone and a lot of conspiracy news sites (if you want to call them that) saying that him adopting a child is a news stunt for sympathy on him.
Bruce looks back at Clark and gives him another small smile, turning the boy to face the dark haired reporter. “Dick, this is my new friend Clark Kent. Clark, I’d like you to meet my son, Dick Grayson.” he introduces the two while Alfred looks over proudly at how Bruce is opening up.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dick. I’ll try not to keep your father away for long.” Clark said as he shook Dick’s hand.
Dick smiles and says to Clark “You got pretty eyes.”
Bruce couldn’t help but chuckle and hug him from behind. “Doesn’t he? Like blue oceans” he whispers so Dick could only hear him. But Clark was able to pick that comment up from his super hearing, trying his hardest not to blush.
“Blue’s my favorite color.” Dick told his adoptive father and then turned to Clark. “What’s your favorite color, Mr Kent?”
“Oh, well I love blue too. I also like greens and yellows as well.” Clark answers, debating whether or not to turn off his recording device. “How about your dad? What’s his favorite color?
Bruce was about to answer until both Dick and Alfred answered for him.
“Black.”
“Black and grey.”
Clark couldn’t help but chuckle from that while Bruce playfully looked offended. “Come on guys. Black and grey isn’t my favorite.”
“Then why do you wear it all the time?” Dick asked him, poking at his grey blazer.
Bruce rolled his eyes and said “These are my comfy clothes, smarty pants.”
“....looks dumb.” Dick told him.
Bruce let out a playful gasp while Clark tried his hardest not to laugh. “Bullied by my own boy. I have never.” he said, pretending to look away while Dick hugged him.
Clark's cheeks were sore from smiling but he had to continue the interview. “I guess we don’t have to talk about family now. But I was wondering-”
“Where are you from, Mr Kent?” Dick interrupts him.
Clark knew he needed to be professional for this interview but he couldn’t scowl at a kid and tell him to scram. So he decided to play along. “I actually told you father this. I’m from Smallville, it’s a farming town in Kansas. But now I live in Metropolis.”
Dick’s eyes lit up and asked “You lived on a farm? Did you have animals there?”
“Well, my parents used to raise dairy cows but now they own not just cows but goats, pigs, chickens, they’re thinking about rescuing either donkeys or horses next.” Clark answered, seeing Bruce kept his smile warmed something inside him. He was glad he wasn’t upset with him talking to his son.
“Do they have dogs too?” Dick asked.
“No but I co-own a dog with my cousin. Here I’ll show you a picture of him.” Clark pulls out his phone to show a picture of Krypto (thankfully without his cape) to the boy.
Dick’s eyes lit up more and turned to Bruce. “He looks so cool!”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Bruce said, thanking Clark for showing the picture when he pulls away.
“Do you know Superman? You said you’re from Met…..Metro… Metro-something. Superman lives there doesn't he?” Dick asked Clark.
“I’m afraid we can’t keep your father from his interview.” Alfred told Dick, who whined quietly. He didn’t want to leave.
“Sorry little birdie. But like I said, after this we’ll all go to your favorite place to eat.” Bruce promised his son, giving him one more hug before letting him go. As Dick’s feet landed on the floor, he rushed over to Clark to give him a hug as well.
“Nice meeting you, Mr Kent.” he said before leaving with Alfred.
Clark couldn’t help but take notes on how Bruce looked as his butler and adoptive son left. He looked very proud of them despite early looking stoic and gloomy.
“Aren’t they incredible?” Bruce asked softly, before turning back to realize that Clark was writing down more notes. “Um…sorry they stall for time.”
Clark looked up at him and said as he adjusted his glasses. “Oh no! No worries at all! In fact they answered a question I was about to ask you.” he explained.
Bruce chewed on his lips and said as he leaned back in his chair “Just ... .nothing too personal about Dick please. I don’t want the public to harass the poor child more than before.”
Clark couldn’t help but wonder what he meant by that but wanted to respect his wishes and nodded firmly.
“Okay dokey! Let’s continue…..despite the fact that you’re using your wealth for a good cause, the public thinks that having billionaires for heroes is just an ego boost for them to do whatever they want or even take over the world while the less fortunate suffer. Where do you stand by that?” Clark asked him.
Bruce tilted his head so it was resting on his knuckles as he looked at Clark. “Take over the world?”
Clark shrugs slightly and said “I mean, you’ve seen what these men are doing to the planet. Musk, Bezos, hell even Luthor is behind bars for rifting a black hole in Metropolis.” Clark listed.
Bruce groans when he mentions the latter and says bluntly “Lex Luthor is a fascist.”
Clark stared at the brunette for a moment, surprised at how straight forward he was with that remark. “Um…..did you want me to strike that remark or-”
“It’s just a known fact that everyone is finally seeing. That man is a narcissistic pathologically fascist that only wants to take over the world because he’s threatened by a metahuman who wants to do good and spread hope to others.” Bruce told him, letting out a sigh as he shifted in his chair. “And what is even more frightening is that if, for some idiotically reason he’s released, they’ll side with him and say he’s a hero when really he almost destroyed the world.”
He then leans forward to look at Clark firmly. “Men like him don’t deserve to change the world.”
Clark gulped a little from that but added more notes.
“.....glad to hear you hate him too.” was all he could say before going to the next question.
“Ummm so what exactly are your plans for restoring Wayne Enterprises and Gotham from the dark depths” Clark continued on with his questions.
Bruce looks away from Clark for a moment and glances at the huge window behind his desk. “All I want is a bright future for everyone out there. Even to the ones that are broken and damned, I’ll still find a way to reach out to give them a future they deserve.”
Clark watches as Bruce’s eyes were stern and yet soft as he talked, seeing the hazel eyes almost lit as if the flame was going on strong still. He was still awestruck at how selfless and strong hearted Bruce was being right now. Part of him feared he would just be like Lex Luthor when he was assigned to interview him, but he was happy to know he was mistaken. Even with all the money and wealth, Bruce was still human.
‘Wow that’s a good line.’ Clark thought to himself as he wrote it down for later.
Bruce looks back at the midwestern man, curious on what he was writing down. "Was there more you need to know, Clark?”
Clark looks back up at him, a little surprised he called him by his first name. “Well, we got all the important stuff covered. The next ones are just dumb gossip questions my staff wanted me to ask.” he explained, pushing his glasses back up.
Bruce tilted his head again and asked ”How dumb are we talking about?”
Clark bit his lips, a little embarrassed to ask him. “You know like which super model you’re dating? Are you gay? Is it true that you dropped out of Princeton because you got arrested? And ... .and this is incredibly silly, what’s your view on the Batman?" he listed, not at all expecting an answer from him.
“I don’t date models. Technically I’m bisexual. Yes I did drop out of Princeton for one year but not because I was arrested but to check into a hospital for reasons I’m not comfortable getting into.” Bruce answered his questions quickly for him.
“As for Batman……he seems like a very complex character. Some say he stands for justice, others think he’s an incarnation of fear.” Bruce leans more into his chair again as he continues. “Though seeing him help those people from the floods ... .maybe he stands for hope. Something we need in this city, maybe even the world.” he finished quietly, looking back at a stunned Clark.
Clark didn’t know what to say. He wants to hear Bruce continue to talk, about anything really. But he knew that their time was up and he closed his notepad.
“Did….do you want to go get coffee with me? You know just….continue on talking? No journalism involved. Just…two men enjoying each other's company?” Clark boldly yet bashfully asked, trying his hardest not to flush shades of pink in his cheeks.
Bruce was taken back from the other man and smiled softly. “I…I wish I could but I promised to take Dick out for lunch.” he explained, getting up from his chair.
“Oh no worries then! Maybe next time!” Clark suggested but then mentally kicked himself when he realized there wasn’t gonna be a next time.
The brunette looked back at him and chuckled softly. “I’ll hold you on to that. Um…wait right here for a moment.” he said as he went to his desk to pull something out. Clark leans over to watch Bruce write something down. Once he was done, Bruce headed back over and handed Clark his business card.
“Oh…thank you.” Clark said as he took the card. On one side it has the company logo on it while the other side has the company’s office number and email. But Clark felt his cheeks heat up when he spotted a written number.
“Just in case you’re back in town and wanna meet up for that coffee date.” Bruce told him, giving Clark a little wink.
Still trying not to blush, Clark smiled and pocketed the card carefully in his bag. “I can’t thank you again for this interview, Mr. Wayne. Hopefully the article will be up in the next few days. It was….it was something else…..but in a good way of course!” Clark assures him as he packs up.
“I’m not gonna lie, I’ve had some horrible experience with interviews….fuck you’ve seen how my talk with Vicki Vale turned out.” Bruce said, rolling his eyes at mention of her name. “But you were different. It….I don’t know, I just felt comfortable talking with you.” he told Clark, giving him a warm smile.
Now it was Clark’s turn to be surprised at his remark. “Well….I….thanks. That means a lot and….and again I hope we can talk again.” he said as he grabbed his back. “I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day and have a good lunch with Dick and Alfred.”
Bruce nodded to Clark as he headed out. “It’s blue by the way.” he called out before Clark could leave.
Clark looks back at the businessman, slightly confused. “Pardon me?”
“Blue is my favorite color too.” Bruce told him.
Clark smiled softly at him and nodded his head as he headed out. He couldn’t stop smiling to himself as he walked out of Wayne Tower. Not only was he able to get a good interview, but somehow he got Bruce’s phone number. He wasn’t even trying to hit on him or anything. But the fact that he liked him enough just to want to talk to him again made his heart glow. It made him almost forget about Lois wanting a break from him, and even then he was still head over heels
As he got to the nearest bus stop, figuring out how he was gonna start writing the article let alone figure out the title, he looked down at his recording device and realized it was still on.
Clark chuckled at himself and shook his head. He really had his work cut out for him today. Who knows what he’ll face next.