a/n: Okay, uh. There's major spoilers for the whole 'Superman's Joker Arc' (Batman/Superman issues #16 to #20) so read it at your own risk if you haven't read the comics.

For those not really familiar with the arc, the basic plot was that someone (Xa-Du aka the Phantom King) was going around attacking Superman's friends or people he had saved in the past using tiny Kryptonians from the bottled city of Kandor as 'bullets'. Everyone that could be a target was put under protection (except Batman since he was with Clark helping out). In one of the issues (Batman/Superman #18. Google it. The panels will show up right away and you will not regret it.) the bad guy ignored Lois and proclaimed Batman the most important person in Superman's life and then shooting him. Hope that helps :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, Superman, or any of its characters. Really, I don't.

...

Less than twenty-four hours had passed since the fierce showdown with the man who attempted to destroy him and Clark was sitting in an antique and comfortable settee in the parlor of Wayne Manor, a mug of warm coffee between his hands and a plate of freshly made scones placed on the coffee table by Alfred just minutes ago.

To his right, sitting cross-legged on the other equally elegant piece of furniture was Bruce, sipping from his own coffee mug. He was relaxed -or as relaxed as he ever was- wearing a pair of loose fitting sweats and a dark cotton pullover. The book he had been reading when Clark arrived was placed on the empty space at his sidea with a bookmark between is pages.

The silence was comfortable. A blessed and much needed calm after the storm of destruction that only hours ago threatened to shatter his life to pieces.

It was Bruce who invited him over, asking if he had a minute to look over some data in the cave, in what Clark was sure Bruce thought was a very subtle way to check on him. The message brought a smile to Clark's face when he read it, and it made him smile even now. He had to lift his mug to cover his mouth.

Once he agreed to come Bruce directed him to fly to the Manor rather than the cave and then relied on Alfred's politeness to stay here instead of dragging him straight to the cave. Not that he was complaining. Not at all.

The first thing Clark did after leaving Kandor and returning to his normal size was fly to Felicity Regan's home to let her know she was free to announce to the world she was alive. That she didn't have to keep hiding in fear of being attacked again just because Superman 'saved' her years ago. He left with a lighter heart after their talk, even if he couldn't forget the grief and hurt this had caused to her and her fans.

He flew back to Metropolis and then went to pay his respects to the family of Carlos Gutierrez; the man who died at the hands of a madman obsessed with revenge, only because he was wearing Superman's S-shield.

The family of Carlos Gutierrez was just as he imagined the man had been; humble, kind and honest, but above it all, good-hearted people. After explaining the situation as best as he could, and offering his condolences and a heartfelt apology that the mother and sister accepted quietly, Clark asked tentatively for any details they were willing to share of the life of Carlos Gutierrez. He wanted to know more about the man that every weekend put on a Superman suit and went to Metropolis City Center Hospital to light up the day of sick children confined to their beds.

He stayed for a few hours in the small house on the east side of Metropolis, listening attentively as the old woman described his deceased son to a stranger with a fragile voice that broke down on several occasions during her narratives. With tears that didn't stop coming and fleeting smiles that didn't reach her sad brown eyes.

For a second, Clark wished they hated him for what happened. That they blamed him. He thought maybe that would have been better than their understanding, their compassion. That it would make it easier, somehow.

It was as he flew away that he vowed to take Carlos Gutierrez's self-imposed duty on his own and visit the hospital at least once a month to carry on with the dedicated and selfless task the man had realized for four years, ten months and eleven days. Until his last breath left his body.

Clark pulled himself out of his thoughts to find Bruce watching him with piercing blue eyes. He didn't avert his eyes, and it was as Clark met his gaze that he remembered there was something he needed to say to him.

He leaned forward to put his mug on the table, elbows resting on his knees. "He was right."

"Excuse me?"

"Xa-Du. He was right. ''The one you confide in the most. The one who understand you the best. The one you'll miss more than any other when he dies.'" Clark raised his head to meet Bruce's eyes. "He was right. It is you. It's always been you."

He looked at him, mug resting on his bend knee and dark brows knitted together. "Clark-"

"You're my best friend. You always have been, but it wasn't until now that I realized you're more than that."

Bruce shifted his gaze minutely to the side, jaw clenching almost imperceptibly. Clark's lips twitched as he recognized the telltale signs of his discomfort, present any time someone around talked about feelings. Bruce was really that bad about it.

"I'm not sure how many times I cursed you in my head while I flew met you at the Catskills. I was so mad at you for launching such a risky plan without talking it over and putting Lois in danger." He smiled lopsidedly. "And I thought I was supposed to be the reckless one." Bruce opened his mouth to protest, but Clark spoke before he could. "You knew I was going to say no and that's why you acted the way you did, I know. There was nothing reckless about that.

"It was the only way to end it all without putting more people in danger and I knew that, I just..."

Clark didn't say anything else, and Bruce didn't attempt to fill the silence. He had never been good at that when he wasn't playing a part.

He looked away, then, eyes drawn to the fireplace. He watched the dancing flames, the soft crackling and hissing as they devoured the wood filling his ears.

"When I saw you two standing there- when I heard the projectile aimed at Lois, I was terrified I would be too late again. I just- I just acted, reaching to intercept it- him." Clark's right hand twitched as if feeling again the strange wave of heat as the Kandorian- Kan Ko slipped between his fingers. "And then he started talking and I couldn't ... I just couldn't focus on what he was saying. I just knew the projectile went past Lois without hitting her, and yet it kept moving, eluding me and then it was as if time had slowed down as I finally realized why. But at the same time, it happened so fast that I could do nothing but watch as it made its way toward you."

"I felt- I don't know how I felt when I saw you tumble down. When I saw the blood." Clark squeezed his eyes shut. "But I knew I wasn't just terrified anymore. It was so much worse. It felt as if something inside of me just- broke."

Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his seat, coffee mug long forgotten on the table beside Clark's.

Clark had very little doubt Bruce would rather be talking about almost anything else right now, but even if he wouldn't admit it, Clark also knew Bruce wanted to make sure he was okay, and the only way to do that was hear him out so he could try to find a way to help. Clark knew it, and he was using that to his advantage.

"And I launched myself after you, even before I knew what I was doing. Before I could fully understand what happened." Clark looked down at Bruce's hands, pale long fingers clenched tightly around the fabric of his sweatpants. "I could hear your heartbeat, your breathing, but it wasn't until I heard your voice that I dared breathe again." The corner of his lips twitched slightly. "And it wasn't the Kryptonite."

"I have been hurt plenty of times before. You have seen it," Bruce pointed out, piercing blue eyes meeting Clark's own.

"I know."

"And this wasn't even the worst," He continued as if Clark hadn't spoken.

"I know. And I've hated each and every one of those times too, believe me. But this time was different." Clark made a pause to gather his thoughts. "I was so relieved I didn't have to face this on my own, so glad to have you to by my side supporting me that I didn't realize you were the perfect target all along. I knew it subconsciously, or at least a part of me knew it, I think, but I was too frustrated and angry to think clearly."

Clark rubbed a hand across his face, forcing himself to continue. "It wasn't until I had you in my arms, hurt by someone who wanted to hurt me, and with Xa-Du's words echoing in my head that I realized how special you're to me. Not just as Batman fighting by my side, but as Bruce Wayne- the real Bruce Wayne. My best friend. The man I trust with my life and so much more."

The steady rhythm of Bruce's heartbeat quicken slightly, even if his face was a blank mask, showing no sign of being affected by anything Clark had said. He took a deep breath. He wasn't sure if this was the best time or way to say this. He just knew he had to do it now.

"I love Lois. Maybe I always will. But it's not the kind of love that makes you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, or wish the other person was with you in the most unexpected times. The kind that makes you love everything about someone, even the things you don't like." Clark gave him a rueful smile. "It took me a long time to understand that."

Bruce swallowed. "What about Diana?"

"We aren't together anymore. I don't think we were meant for each other." Clark bit his lip. "We decided to put our relationship on hold a while ago and the truth is ... I didn't miss it. I love her and I love spending time with her, but the rest, I- I didn't miss it," He said again.

"I- It's normal that you're confused, Clark. After so many people close to you attacked, it's only natural that you-"

Clark didn't let him finish. He was kneeling before Bruce in the blink of an eye, lifting a hand to cup the other man's cheek as he brought their lips together. The kiss was soft and gentle. Tentative. He was so lost in the feeling of Bruce's lips under his own that it took him a moment to realize Bruce wasn't responding. To sense the stiffness of his body. Clark was just about to pull back- and probably flee away with a stammered apology- when he felt Bruce's lips slowly moving against his own, kissing him back.

"This is a terrible idea," Bruce murmured but didn't pull away fully.

"Mmm,"

"You agree?"

Clark's lips twitched. Even if the light touch of surprise in his voice hadn't been telling enough, the fact he didn't need to open his eyes to know he was under Bruce's scrutinizing gaze was. "This could be a very bad idea, you're right. Or, it could be the best idea we've ever had. I'll like to find out which one it is."

"Do you have to be so damn optimistic all the time?"

Bruce's tone was snappy and his expression annoyed, but the warmth in his smoldering blue eyes told another tale.

"Well, someone has to make up for your cynical nature, I think."

It was Bruce who closed the distance between them this time, taking him by surprise. He pulled him closer with an almost rough tug, his arms going around Clark and his fingers sliding through locks of dark hair. Clark felt a gentle bit on his lower lip, and a moment later Bruce's tongue was slowly parting his lips, deepening the kiss.

The kiss tasted of coffee, with a faint touch of blueberry.

Clark had just bared his soul and heart to Bruce; had told him he loved him in every possible way without actually voicing those three little words (because Clark knew Bruce, and he knew saying the words would only make him pull back) and yet he had received no reply from the man before him. Not a verbal one in any case.

The shudder of Bruce's powerful body beneath his fingers. The muted hitch in his breath. The feel of his warm tongue exploring and stroking. The muffled moans against his bare skin. The expression of genuine pleasure on his face-

All of it was the only answer he needed.

...

a/n: Yeaaah. If those panels are not enough proof of just how much those two love each other I don't know what is. And okay, I'm afraid I may have made Clark a bit too sappy here, so I'm sorry about that. I also realize Clark didn't give Bruce much of a chance to talk, but well, you know Bruce, so that's probably a good thing since he would have come up with dozens of reasons why they shouldn't do this so. So, yep, Clark did the right thing.

This also my very first time writing slash, so I would appreciate any comments or critics :)

Lastly, English is not my native language, so any tips or corrections are welcome.