Possessive

Clark was reminding Bruce of a wolf more and more often. Wolves by nature require a pack.

Any wolf that is separated for any reason and turned 'lone wolf' often looses its mind within a few years and turns 'feral.'

Wolves are not creatures of solitude.

As if knowing this, by some instinct wolves are very possessive.

Their land, their territory, their pack mates. All part of a primal urge to claim.

Bruce knew that as a Kryptonian Clark was only starting to emotionally mature. Bruce was also starting to suspect that Krypton's had been a far more instinctive people than most species.

Resembling animals driven by instincts in more ways then one.

Just like wolves

Clark was kind and would never try to separate anyone without just cause. Part of what made Superman such a great hero was not the Kryptonian, but the sweet farmer's son with a heart of gold. Clark would never do something selfish at the expense of others. Someone who cared for every little corn seed could never do that.

But it was almost painfully amusing how he would unconsciously try to keep people away from Bruce.

Without meaning to be

Clark was very possessive

Especially of the one he considered his equal.

"Superman, hello," Batman listened as some feet away Robin spoke soothingly to the unknowingly agitated reporter.

Smart kid, he knew when something was up

Batman carefully typed in the code that would links the north wing's security system to the south wing. Tricky business in the Watch Tower

"Why are you here?" Superman was curious. Batman rolled his shouldered to prevent them from tensing.

Superman would do it again, the way he'd been doing it more and more lately.

Not consciously of course, not even wolves do it consciously. But as soon as Batman had noticed it happening he had started expecting it.

Superman's sheer ignorance of his own actions as the man based his life off the human species was the only thing keeping Batman calm.

Batman didn't know how much of this he could take, but Superman completely out of control was not an option.

Completely feral.

"Actually it's about Gotham; I thought I'd talk to Bruce face to face on this one." Robin's voice was soft and breezy, as if the idea had only just occurred to him. The boy was testing the waters.

Batman quietly re-routed the Towers power, his muscles clenching and unclenching as the simple work made his body protest from the let down of the pressure it was always under. Simple work like this was not to upset him and Bruce carefully refused to allow the situation behind him qualify as a precarious situation.

"Anything I can help with? Bruce is busy and I would like to know more about your group." The honesty in Superman's voice was just sad. He was telling the truth, just not for the reasons he thought.

"The Titans." The boy corrected gently, a leader's reprimand.

"Superman" Batman spoke up, his voice deep and impossible to ignore. Batman knew that Robin was looking on hopefully and Superman waiting with naive patients.

"You're annoying."

Bruce absently ran the routine systems check.

"Batman." Superman said exasperatedly. "Anyone can be in here, if our talking bothers you, tune us out."

Robin sighed softly and Batman listened as his soft footsteps walked around the hero and towards Bruce.

"Robin!" Superman's voice was sharp and he seemed to startle even himself.

Batman rolled his shoulders again, looks like this was, in fact, going to be one of those times. Batman cracked his knuckles darkly and turned his chair around to glance quietly at Robin. The boy had stopped and was now thinking quietly.

"Well, it can wait." Robin said chipper as always, he cast a momentarily meaningful look at Batman. He then turned on foot and clapped Superman's shoulder on the way out.

Robin pointedly said nothing when Superman's posture loosened the further from Batman Robin got.

Batman watched his young son leave the room. Sometimes it was a wake up call to remember how brilliant and observant Robin was. Chances are that whatever he had come all the way to the Watch Tower to discuss had been important, to him at least.

Robin walked in clueless of the situation but whatever he had been able to read from Superman had told him he would have to handle it for now. Batman quietly reminded himself to contact the boy later.

If it had been anyone other than Superman, Batman wouldn't have tolerated this even for an instant.

Superman was still acting without intention. The way he breathed or flew. All part of what made him up.

The problem being that what made Superman up was not the same material as the humans he was trying so hard to fit in with.

Like a guard dog he was protecting what was his.

His pack.

And in that pack there was only one being in the universe that Clark saw as equal.

How lucky for Batman.

It was sad. Every time Superman did something that would have been easier if he wasn't alone in the whole universe, Batman could not help but think of a planet full of people all with their own ideas and stories lives and loves. A whole world evolved and designed, populated with beings called Kryptonians.

A world as precious as the one he and Superman gave everything to Protect.

All that remained of that world was the lone figure behind him. A man who didn't even remember his own world or species. All the visionary marvels and histories of civilizations and customs-… lost. Even to the last of their people.

And Superman in question was left ignorant of his own instincts as he figured out how to be human.

He pulled it off in many ways, he thought about things like his job and his family and childhood, he loved Ice Cream and grudgingly ate his vegetables.

He was a shining example of a well raised human child.

But he wasn't human.

The first time Superman unknowingly refused to let someone near Batman; it was Flash trying to get Batman to accept a mission no one was willing to take on for diplomatic reasons. Flash had been tugging on Batman's shoulder and arguing when the long fingers of Superman had shot out and grabbed the red clad wrist.

Superman had carefully tugged Flash away from Batman and soothingly, in his Boy-Scout manner, told Flash that he himself would take the job. Flash looked appeased and although Batman was eyeing Superman, he wasn't terribly alarmed. It was nothing too suspicious.

Until of course Flash turned to say something to Batman and Superman had clapped a hand down on his shoulder and teased Flash that, 'wouldn't they be enough?'

After that it got progressively more common for Batman to be in a forced isolation because Superman would distract Batman from anyone but himself.

He did it casually, Superman's conscious mind supplying reasons for that moments behavior like 'Batman is busy, you know how he can be' and 'I own Batman one, I'll handle this.'

Batman wondered about mating customs between Superman's species. If they had aggressive behaviors towards their interest. If honor of family had been incredibly important to the possessive creatures. Or maybe Superman was an extreme case driven out of sheer loneliness and his condition would be an illness or legend on Krypton.

They would probably never know. Batman would deal with the Kryptonian on a day to day basis.

Or at least that had been the plan

Did you know that if a wolf is pursuing a mate or a prospective pack member and the desired doesn't show interest, the wolf grows more aggressive, only calming and returning to normal habits when the desired show the appropriate interest?

Batman shouldn't have let the situation progress. It was supposed to be testing the waters, seeing Superman's mindset bur reality hit brutally.

Robin had left and Superman had wondered away to get food.

Batman had quietly called Robin who had been concerned about a poison spreading through the underground black markets.

Batman wondered what it would be like to be a hero of an era that wasn't so chemically sophisticated.

Footsteps, familiar light clicking of heels.

Wonder Woman

Not good.

Wonder Woman had been a wonder from the moment he met her. She was everything he wasn't. She and Clark where a lot alike in that respect.

"Bruce" She always called him by his name.

Batman frowned, the Watch Towers gravity flux had been in need of more uranium batteries for some time, its readings where starting to fluxgate. Long fingers covered with smooth gloves clicked the keys thoughtfully. Batman didn't like being under prepared; this would have to be handled.

"Don't pretend I don't exist." Her voice was like bells on a high cliff as she laughed. She was more human than Batman. He appreciated her for that.

But right now, with Superman. She was a nuisance, in the way.

Because when Batman first started thinking about wolves it had been to compare to how much Wonder Woman reminded him of a female wolf, proud and determined.

She, in her quiet way, was sure Bruce and herself could find something border line happiness. Bruce never had those illusions.

What he did have where friends he quietly protected.

Right now the other half of 'The Worlds Finest Team' needed Bruce. And Bruce, the Justice League, The world needed Superman to still be good old Clark Kent. Bruce would protect Superman like this.

In a way he wouldn't for anyone else.

"Diana." Batman was matter of fact.

"Playing hard to get, I like that." She teased warmly, sitting on the control panels.

"I'm busy." Batman informed her.

"Always." she rolled her back, stretching. Just came from practice no doubt.

"You shouldn't be here." A warning

"And why not?" He voice was warm but her practiced eye ran over the systems readings.

"I'm busy"

She was torn between a groan and a laugh

Sometimes none of this felt real. The person inside Batman that was just some rich kid who was like every other human, sometimes it was bizarre to look in the mirror and know you where the masked ledged that had defended against villains and been to other planets and seen so many civilizations. Something only a handful of humans had ever done.

Batman couldn't live any other way now. This is who he is.

"Listen Bruce," Diana spoke up but Batman's ears where already peaked, listening for familiar footsteps that would mean Superman was near.

He was always near.

Batman glanced at Wonder Woman.

"I know you have professional outlook on life."

The irony stayed locked in Batman's chest

"But don't you think everything, all of this-" he wave of her arm somehow managed to incorporate the universe and more "-would be better If you had somebody?"

Not asked out of self-interest but out of concern.

Wonder Woman's family turn their back on her, she regarded the team as very important.

Should mind her own damn business.

"If you ever need me-" An offer, brought on by a change in Batman's behavior? No, some other element then.

Batman's ear perked

Footstep, slightly rushed and heavy.

The wolf was coming back

"-We're all here for you." She murmured finally. Ah, brought on by possible emotional trauma she thought Batman might have from the last mission.

Irrelevant

Just another secret harbored within.

Batman needed to be rid of her before the wolf returned

Superman's lost heritage was more of a problem than Batman would ever let on. He almost regretted that day that he defeated Superman, thus gaining his impervious status in the mans eyes.

Almost.

After all if not Batman, then who?

"Bruce perhaps I-"

"Wonder Woman." The voice was quiet but cut like butter across the room.

Superman looked tense, and not a 'preparing for battle' tense.

It was a 'I might cry and I'm not sure why' tense.

Wonder Woman didn't recognize that. She smiled at her friend.

"Superman! Hello, I was just thinking about getting some coffee. Would you like to come?" She frowned "Or have you just come from the cafeteria?"

She was impossible to hate.

Batman hated her for it.

"I'd love too." Superman voice was sweet and amused, his body loose and calm, easy as that. "My shift is the only reason I'm here anyway," The Superhuman was so content with his explanation. Batman ignored him.

"Nothing like coffee to start a shift off. Lets?" Superman gestured to the door.

The time between Superman noticing someone was near Batman and trying to get them away had decreased. It was getting worse.

Batman ran his eyes over the security feeds.

A minor fight between Hawk Girl and one of the new hero's.

Pointless.

"You coming Bruce? I think the pentagon can hack itself for a while." Diana turned back, her body leaning over Batman.

No, the pentagon certainly could not.

Batman didn't have to turn around to know that Superman was curling his toes in unknown frustration, probably leaving small impressions in the iron floor.

Batman himself had designed Superman's boots to withhold under that kind of pressure.

"I have things to attend to, you two go on without me. I'll be fine by myself."

Saying that he would be alone made Superman step forward and motion to Diana to leave with him. Superman was content as long as Batman was not gracing anyone else with his 'affections.'

Wonder Woman would never know the damager she caused by resting her hand on Batman's shoulder. "Bruce perhaps if I-" She was cut off

"We'll bring him back one." The wolf was growling low. His territory, his pack, his equal.

Was being touched.

By an outsider

Touched

Superman took touch very seriously.

Conscious or not.

Human or not.

Superman or not.

Wonder Woman sighed, her smile sweet and soft.

"Your right." She chuckled to Superman. "the day grumpy pants joins friends for coffee is the day Batman retires." Her light blue eyes reflected affection as her tone colored wistful.

Then she was gone, and nobody was looking to see Superman firmly follow her out, leaving Batman alone.

They where lucky Batman preferred this.

Regardless of what his teammates thought.

Batman paused for, just a moment, to reflect as it where.

Then he slowly began hitting a series of buttons, each one capable of so much and meaning that much more.

It was seventeen minutes before Superman's footsteps echoed towards Batman.

Feathery light.

Superman stepped into the room and Batman hit another button.

The door slid shut, firmly. As if closing had been its solemn task, which in many truths, it was.

"Batman." Superman's voice was soft. He wanted Batman's attention, he wanted Batman to pay attention to him. Even I he didn't know himself why he was here.

Batman leaned back in his chair, away from the monitors. Away from work.

"Wonder Woman has gone down to earth with J'ohn" Superman informed him of his triumph.

"Yes." Batman agreed.

Superman stepped forward to take seat next to Batman. "Will you be heading back to Gotham soon?" A perfectly ordinary question in Superman's mind.

"I prefer not to be away for to long." It was a answer in and of itself.

"You know Bruce-"

Superman never called him by his name on the job.

"-Gotham's been doing quite well thanks to somebody." The warm look sent in his direction was ignored, the look filled with a whole world that was shared by that man and the one sitting over the consol.

"-And I've been having more trouble in Metropolis lately." Superman's voice took on a rough edge.

No

Again.

Batman had let this happen again, it progressed and ran rampant before he had even gotten a handle on what he was dealing with.

Or how to deal with it.

Superman that is.

It was too late.

Keeping Batman from people wasn't good enough anymore.

Like a Wolf, viscous against anything not labeled 'mine.'

And now it had been drawn to the wolfs attention that Gotham herself was a rival.

Batman closed his eyes.

He had thought perhaps more time to observe would be he best goal right now.

Bad situation had festered, going from a small scratch to an infectious disease. And now it was threatening to consume the Hero.

Before touch had been enough, a solid affirmation of the counterparts existence.

Now it wasn't close to enough.

Superman wanted- no perhaps needed-

To posses

Batman wondered if exposure would sooth the fire, calm Superman down till reasonable encounters where enough to keep him from going crazy

Feral

"Bruce." The name held the warm glow of friendship that Superman had never once thought to doubt existed. From that first moment where the Kryptonian had looked up at the dark mask of the human that had stopped the horrible villain, saved the world, and for the first time Superman looked up at the man hat had saved and stop Superman himself.

Superman knew there was nothing to fear from this 'Batman.'

And that had reflected upon everything from that moment on. The forging of the Justice League, the meals and moments Clark initiated between him and his 'friend.'

Superman had been unreasonably pleased when Bruce showed up after the fight. His tone said that he was there solely to prove he could be.

Superman's faith had been re-affirmed when he had 'convinced' him to stay for dinner.

How could they be Hero's and not keep up with each other?

Batman knew perfectly that this was Superman's line of thinking.

"Superman." Batman was suborn.

"Bruce." So was Superman.

Batman cleared his throat, giving Superman even a moment to be driven further into obsession was something Batman would not allow. For whatever reason.

"Remember that diner we went to?" It was pointless to specify which one.

"Yes." Perfect pure honesty and curiosity. Superman's body spoke otherwise, subconsciously tensing as if ready to snatch whatever it would be handed. Coiling tighter.

Batman was always prepared, just in case. All the buttons had already been pressed and Batman was turned away from the consol to look at his 'friend.'

"Perhaps we can discuss Metropolis' problems there." Something for Superman to latch onto.

Batman knew they would never make it to the diner.

Superman walked forward thoughtfully. "That's a great idea." His eyes light. "We can go after my shift." No room for argument.

He wasn't even willing to wait till this evening or tomorrow. Batman knew the pressure must be building up inside of him, driving him mad without him know what the problem was, only how to relieve the pressure.

Batman

The dark figure himself stood slowly, as if with great dignity. Batman reached a clawed hand up and with off-putting gentleness he pulled the mask and cowl off. Bruce Wayne stood before the Superman.

He felt it then, the regret.

Superman was someone not only the world but their little league of hero's needed. Perhaps even someone Batman needed, if only to be what he was not. Bruce would gently stop the flood of Kryptonian drive from the wound Superman didn't even know her had.

But first he would have to pry the wound open and let the rush, suppressed by Clarks desire to belong with humans, consume the Superman.

And for that Bruce was sorry.

The instincts would have to rise from the depths and roar from the animal that wanted so desperately to be a man.

To be human.

When the flow softened, then Clark could be settled and patched, regain himself so to speak.

The pounding that had been echoing in Superman's mind would be brought to the forefront. And it would drive Clark.

Drive him to the only equal in the universe.

And Bruce was ready.

For Superman and not anyone else. For any other reason.

Time to begin.

"Although," Bruce said softly, his words perfectly comprehended by the super-ears that strained for them.

"I haven't had time to patrol Gotham as thoroughly as I would like."

Bruce knocked the metaphorical first domino. The silence afterwards was like the crash of a colliding marching band.

Superman's fingers twitched.

"And Bruce Wayne hasn't made an appearance publicly for some time." Batman let his tone imbue with regret, and almost winced as hand that could crush mountains clenched into fists. Superman was clearly reasoning with himself. Telling himself there was no reason to be so upset and rationalizing why he was so upset.

The problem being that there was nothing rational about the sheer possessiveness that was consuming the Superman.

Bruce went for the kill, prolonging this was pointless and to Superman it was painful.

"In fact I was thinking about setting up a few parties with…lots of guests. Been feeling like I need to get out, share myself with the world."

Had Superman been in any other condition he would have noticed how unusual his friends words where structured.

Alas

"You can't" Superman said slowly, as if it was a fact only just dawning on him. "You can't." Superman said with more resolution. That idea was taking hold of the Kryptonian, possessing him in a way.

It wasn't in Braces or really any humans nature to bow down when told what they can and cannot do. A large mart of Bruce rebelled but I remained under the surface, Bruce's infallible will firmly secured.

To subdue a wolf you must keep it well fed. Not dangle the prize and then tear it away, to a wolf that would be the blackest form of treason.

Superman was not a wolf but in this case the comparisons bubbles up against Bruce's will. All would be well when the wolf vanished and sweet natured Clark Kent stood before him.

Superman stepped forward as if testing ice that would crumble at any moment.

Another step.

"Why do you have to leave?'

Left foot forward this time.

"You don't have to."

Two steps.

"You can't."

Superman stopped.

"You wont." A realization. Superman knew something was wrong, Bruce could compare him to a beast of the wild but the truth was Superman was a thinking rational human.

Made things more complicated.

Superman only had to reach barley beyond himself to place a firm had on Bruce's shoulder. "Bruce."

A question a statement and a plea, all in one.

Bruce said nothing. It was answer enough.

Superman surged forward, his feral madness, held at bay, driving him.

And Bruce was compliant

Not for any other soul in he universe but the man who saw the human as his equal.

And the human who would bare to the grave, that he though the same.

After all if Clark was devoured by the Kryptonian instincts than he wouldn't be here.

Not Superman o Batman's 'Worlds Finest.'

Perhaps it was not just one Wolf that was

Possessive.

Authors note.

I'm done, I've nothing left to write.

Thought I'd show how Superman may be instinct driven but he was perhaps not the only one who saw an equal in the other.

Thought I'd take it to M++ but in the end its not my style. And I hate authors that recycle the same lines and words in lemons. In the case of most stories if you've read one lemon you've read them all. No personality or realistic bonding and moments.

Any who got some readers saying they hate my writing style and some begging contraire.

I like it it's the first I've tried it. Don't read my other work, its all crap.

Due to technical issues I apologize for any errors, I know there are probably more than are bearable but I posted this before I my trash comp could loose it again.

Reviews are wholly appreciated.

-Just Miki