Chapter Text
Bruce stared at the three white sticks in his hand for what felt like an eternity. The bright pink plus signs were burning a hole through his eyes.
Why now?
The condom must’ve broken the last time they did it. Or the time before. Or maybe the time before that. Not that he could test this theory anyway, the remains of it long gone, existing only in the trash mountains off of Gotham.
He absently stroked his thumb across the display screen, trying to erase the result. What was only supposed to ease his mind was manifesting the worst of his anxieties.
Could he even do this?
Bruce and Clark had been married for nearly three years now, but kids had been a discussion Bruce kept putting on the back burner. Every time Clark brought it up, he never failed to change the subject. Shutting it down like cops at a frat party. Bringing up everything from the next black tie event they needed to attend to more desperate measures like talking about Clark’s favorite baseball team in its place. The idea of being a parent was something Bruce wasn’t ready to handle.
Yet, it had finally reached the point where he couldn’t avoid it any longer.
Bruce jumped from his seat on the toilet when he heard a knock on the door. He lost track of how long he had been in there.
“Babe…” Clark said softly as he knocked on the door again. “Is everything okay in there?”
“I'm fine,” Bruce replied quickly. “I’ll be out soon.” He shoved the tests into his pocket. He didn’t want to risk the chance of Clark seeing it. Not now, yet not sure when.
Was this even the right time?
The older man walked out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth. “All yours, Clark.”
The taller man looked at him a little perplexed before leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Thanks, B.”
Bruce gave him a small smile before Clark closed the bathroom door. He ran his hand through his hair before having a deep sigh. He needed to figure out what he wanted fast.
It wasn’t that Bruce liked keeping secrets. He was just good at it. However, this wasn’t one of those secrets Bruce would always be able to keep so easily. While he didn’t feel completely terrible, his appetite was off. Certain smells made Bruce feel nauseous, and he was more prone to fatigue during the day. He also spent more time in his closet, burning a hole in the mirror, trying to see if any changes were already happening, wanting to make sure his body wasn’t betraying him just yet. It had been about a week since taking the test, and he wasn’t any closer to telling his husband the news.
“Good morning, handsome.” Clark smiled at him when he woke up. Bruce studies his face as the sunlight crept across their bedroom, making Clark’s blue eyes look iridescent like the water off the Fiji coast where they spent their honeymoon. Bruce couldn’t help but fall in love all over again. “How’d you sleep?”
“Pretty good,” Bruce lied. He had spent a decent chunk of the night awake, his insomnia working overtime as he strategized his plan.
Why was this the thing that scared him the most?
“That’s what I like to hear.” Clark leaned over and kissed him softly. “I can make us breakfast if you want to stay in bed, enjoy this lazy Sunday for a bit longer.”
Bruce almost protested until his stomach started rumbling. He didn’t have much to eat last night, his mind occupied with other things, to truly focus on his meal. “That sounds quite nice actually. Thanks, dear.”
Clark gave him one more kiss before getting up from their bed to make a mess of their kitchen as he made breakfast the only way he knew how. Farm style. Despite it being the two of them, Clark never failed to make a feast. You can take the boy out of Kansas, but you can’t take Kansas out of the boy. It made sense with Clark’s past of working long hours on his family’s farm before he even started football and baseball practice. He grew up needing the energy, and as he had somewhat of an active lifestyle, a hearty American breakfast was still the way to go.
Bruce gave him the head start, lounging in bed a little longer, before mustering up the willpower to head downstairs. He wished he hadn’t.
The strong stench of eggs and bacon assaulted him as he walked to the kitchen, his stomach churning in an instant to protest as he rushed to the nearest bathroom. Just as quickly as it started, it was over, what little he possibly had in there heaved into the toilet. He stayed on the ground for a minute as he tried to catch his breath, gripping the porcelain rim as he fought back burning bile, his hair glued to his forehead, while his legs trembled every time he tried to stand. Morning sickness has finally decided to rear its ugly head and beat his ass.
“Bruce…” Clark rushed to his side after getting the eggs and bacon off the stove. “If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to lie to me.”
“I’m fine.” Bruce curtly told him. Still bracing for another wave as he took another deep breath in, his head throbbing. “I know what I can handle.”
“Babe, you practically green,” Clark reasoned. “I’m taking you to bed and getting you some crackers and water instead.”
“I told you I’m fine,” Bruce repeated, more annoyed than before. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I know you hate being sick, but you won’t get better trying to fight through it.”
“I’m not sick.”
“You threw up and your skins calmly,” Clark reasoned. “What else could it be?”
“I’m pregnant.” Bruce blurted, the words rushing from him like a flood. He studied every inch of his husband’s face, looking for any sign of acknowledgment. It was the longest there had ever been silence between them.
Clark stared at him as if looking through him. As if seeing Bruce for the first time, all the parts of him that the older man tried to suppress. All his hopes. All his wants. All his needs. All his desires. And all his fears. Bruce had never felt so raw and vulnerable before as his eyes looked away from him. He felt like a deer caught by its predators.
“You’re… you’re pregnant?” Clark stammered, making sure he wasn’t losing his hearing.
Bruce nodded as he took another deep breath. All his senses heightened in this moment as he tried to predict what Clark would do next. Like he rehearsed in his head a million times this week. Replaying every scenario he imagined. This is what he wasted his time on instead of coming clean.
Was he starting to reconsider this? Was this the end?
“How long have you known?” Clark asked, going into reporter mode. Bruce would blame it on his journalistic desire to get to the heart of the matter.
“A little over a week.”
A week?! When were you going to tell me?”
“I’ve been spending all week trying to work up the nerves,” Bruce admitted. “I’m still unsure how I feel. I want to be happy, but I also see all the ways I’ll screw up. Do you really want a kid with me, Clark? Are we ready?”
Clark sat down next to him and wrapped his arm around Bruce’s shoulder, making sure there was no gap between them. “There’s nothing more that I want, babe. I think about it often. How lovely it would be to have a family with you. How you’re the only person I want to have one with.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be the best they need,” Bruce added, leaning his head against Clark. “What if I’m not able to give them all the love and support they require. What if I’m not enough.”
“That’s nonsense,” Clark replied. “I think having these concerns is proof enough that you care. We won’t have all the answers, but we’re a team, B. We get to learn and make these mistakes together.”
Bruce nodded and leaned his head against Clark’s shoulder. “Like we always do.”
Clark nodded and kissed the top of his head before touching their foreheads together. He helped Bruce up after a while before they made their way back to the kitchen. Clark got a glass of water and some toast prepared for his husband instead, wanting him to take it easy for now. “If you want more let me know, babe.”
Bruce nodded as he took a slow bite of the plain toast. This was all he needed. He smiled back at Clark. “Thanks.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Clark replied before sitting next to him. He kissed Bruce’s cheek before digging into his meal. Simply enjoying his company, his smile grew wider as he continued processing the news. “It might not be the way you wanted to tell me, but I’m thrilled, dear. This is the best news I’ve ever heard.”
Bruce nodded before reaching for Clark’s hand to give it a gentle squeeze. “You’re the only person I ever want to do this with.”
“Glad we’re on the same page.” Clark kissed his cheek again. The conversation shifted to their growing family, Clark's eyes lighting up every time he talked about the baby. Seeing how much love was pouring out of one man helped put Bruce’s mind at ease. They could do this. Maybe they wouldn’t know all the answers, or be perfect, but they had each other, and that was more than enough.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! This was my first time writing in a while, and I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Chapter 2: The First Day of Spring
Summary:
Bruce and Clark welcome their first child. It doesn't go as they planned.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The first thing Bruce registered when he woke up was how heavy he felt. At 39 weeks and 5 days, gravity seemed intent on sinking his bump into the mattress, almost cursing the fact that he would have to leave his warm bed. Spring was technically another week away, but the cold would be felt in Gotham until at least mid-April.
He looked over to the other side of the mattress, already empty, except for the handwritten note.
Have a wonderful day, B. Love Clark.
Bruce couldn’t fight the smile on his face. He lingered over the note, gently rubbing his bump, heart swelling at Clark’s small act of love.
“I hope you know you got a sweet Pa, kid.” Bruce took the jab to his ribs as a yes.
Clark had hoped to start his paternity leave early, eager to be with Bruce when the time came. Instead, the demands of a major looming story kept him at the office more this week, despite his preference for working from home. To make up for his absence, he began leaving Bruce little notes if he wasn’t already awake, part of the enduring charm that Bruce kept falling for.
Bruce, on the other hand, was bored out of his mind. If it were up to him, he would’ve been in the office and meetings until he was in the hospital, not stopping til the baby was physically in his arms. But those plans wouldn’t work with such a doting husband and an OB/GYN who seemed to agree with Clark’s concerns that Bruce rest.
For the last two weeks, Bruce desperately tried to occupy himself with books, movies, and walking every square inch of their house five times over. He always made sure to stop in one room as the last part of his self-guided house tour: their baby’s nursery.
Bruce fussed with nearly every piece of furniture and accessory in the nursery, making sure the changing table drawers worked and their stockpile of clothes was ready. This room was his growing up, and soon it would be their son’s.
He couldn’t help but admire the nursery each time he stepped in, appreciating Clark’s work on assembling the furniture and painting the mural. When Clark first suggested a bird theme, Bruce hesitated. But seeing the orange-chested birds and spring flowers brought to life, Bruce knew it was the only design worthy of the space.
Bruce could’ve stayed there for hours, fantasizing all the nights he and Clark would spend in here, until he heard a voice from the door.
“I figured I would find you here, Master Bruce.” Alfred stood, back as flat as a board. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Thanks, Alfred.” Bruce nodded as he walked slowly to him. The one thing he was glad about in his boredom was that at least he didn’t have to spend his days alone. And if he was going to spend hours on end with anyone, spending it with Alfred was at the top of his list.
The two men made their way to the dining room, where their plates were already set. These days, Bruce wanted nothing more than a short stack of pancakes, eggs, and a side of bacon. Alfred left the maple syrup on the table for Bruce to control how much he wanted. In the center stood a bowl of fresh fruit; while Alfred could no longer force Bruce to eat it, as he had when Bruce was a child, he hoped the healthier options would at least tempt him.
“Your mother was the same way when she was pregnant with you,” Alfred spoke up as Bruce put another forkful of pancakes in his mouth, raising an eyebrow in return. “She was just as impatient.”
“It doesn’t help with how close he is to being here.” Bruce rubbed his bump as the baby kicked, a restless yearning in his voice. “So close yet so far.”
“He’ll come when the time is right, Master Bruce,” Alfred assured him. “You were late yourself. It appears to be a Wayne family trait.”
Bruce chuckled softly. “Guess I have to keep up with tradition.”
“Indeed.” Alfred smiled back at him.
Later that evening, Clark would return home shortly before dinner. It was the earliest he made it back all week. He kissed Bruce’s cheek before gently patting his stomach. “I missed you both so much.”
“Missed you too, Clark,” Bruce replied. He was enjoying a little pre-dinner snack, despite knowing he would later curse it for giving him heartburn. “I hope you had a good day at work.”
Clark nodded as he took his seat next to his husband, putting his chair as close as he possibly could without encroaching into Bruce’s space. “I’m almost finished with the article. There’s just one more person I have to interview, and then once I have our fact checker and editors look over it, it’ll be ready to publish.”
“That’s great,” Bruce said. “I’m excited to read it when it comes out.”
Clark smiled softly at him. “I’ll have to go into the office on the 20th, but after that I’m officially all yours for the next eight weeks.”
“That’s cutting it pretty close,” Bruce said, his concern flickering across his face. “He could be here before then.”
“And if he is, then I only go back to the office for that one day,” Clark said. “The team knows my family is my first priority.”
Bruce nodded, relaxing a little bit when Clark wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
Alfred walked into the dining room with the roasted chicken he’d prepared.
“Master Clark,” Alfred spoke. “You’re right on time. It’s nice to have you join us tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss your cooking for the world, Alfred.” Clark smiled up at him.
“I might be able to save some leftovers for your lunch tomorrow,” the butler suggested.
“That’ll be great,” Clark replied. “The cafeteria food gets a little stale after a while.”
“Then I’ll make sure you have a lunch you’ll enjoy.”
Bruce listened intensely to their conversation before digging into his meal, savoring every bite. He couldn’t finish his plate, the baby occupying the space his stomach once reigned, but what he had he enjoyed immensely. He was grateful never to go to bed on an empty stomach.
The first thing Bruce registered when he woke up was how heavy he felt. At 40 weeks and 5 days, he was well overdue, his belly sinking into the mattress as he reached over for Clark, feeling a note instead.
After today, I’m all yours, B. Love Clark.
Of course, he should’ve realized it was the day of his interview.
Bruce carefully sat up, his stomach tensing as soon as he was upright. He grew accustomed to the practice contractions, especially since they had become more common over the past few days, and started rubbing his bump to help relax his muscles.
The birds chirping outside reminded Bruce that it was the first day of spring. He put on his slippers and robe and prepared for his daily house stroll, but stopped about ten minutes later when his stomach tensed again—this time, his back joined in, and the pressure felt stronger than before.
He tried ignoring it. Walking more around the house to keep his mind occupied, stopping when the next cramp took its toll. He couldn’t brush it up as cramping anymore, the pattern too steady to be anything but contractions. Bruce did this until Alfred found him gripping one of the antique console tables in the hallway, as the older man went to grab him for breakfast.
“Master Bruce.” Alfred immediately went to his side.
“I’m fine,” he lied, stubbornness masking the swirl of panic beneath. He took a sharp breath as his stomach tightened, legs turning to lead with every second.
“Take a deep breath in, sir.” Alfred gently rubbed his back. “Focus on your breathing.”
Bruce let out a low growl as he felt the pressure around his stomach tighten, squeezing, until he felt release and a growing wetness between his legs. There was no denying it now. The baby was coming.
“I’ll get you cleaned up, Master Bruce,” Alfred said, not even phased by the bodily fluid. “Get you some new pants and grab your bag.”
“Clark…” Bruce spoke up, his eyes wide as the reality of the situation hit him fast. “You… We need to call Clark… he can’t… he can’t miss this, Alfred.”
“I’ll get Master Clark on the phone as soon as I get you situated,” Alfred assured him. “And make sure you and the baby are safe.”
Bruce nodded as he took the older man’s hand as they walked back to Bruce’s bedroom. Alfred grabbed the baby bag he and Clark had packed and helped Bruce into a new, comfortable pair of sweatpants.
“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” Alfred assured him, sensing how vulnerable Bruce felt in this moment. “I assisted your mother when she had you, and now I have the honor of assisting you with your baby boy.”
They shortly headed to the car, Bruce getting settled in the passenger seat, trying his best to keep track of his contraction. They were now happening every five minutes. Alfred attempted to call Clark on the way there, but all his calls went straight to voicemail.
Alfred called at least five more times. None were ever picked up.
They settled into the hospital room as soon as they arrived, a private suite away from the other rooms, allowing Bruce a bit more privacy from the other families, as he changed into his hospital gown.
“Just keep breathing, sir,” Alfred reminded him as Bruce tensed during his next contraction. It had been three hours since they arrived, and the contractions were only getting longer and stronger.
“He’s dead and I’m going to kill him.” Bruce exhaled as the pressure subsided. He kept one hand on his bump as he moved his hips around the birthing ball, trying to get comfortable. “Any word yet?”
Alfred shook his head. He had been checking their phones every twenty minutes at least. “I’m afraid not.”
“He’s not coming,” Bruce said, voice cracking. “He’s going to miss our son being born, and I won’t ever forgive him.”
“Sir, we don’t know that yet.” Alfred continued rubbing his back. “You know this is the last thing Master Clark wants to miss.”
Bruce nodded before reaching for Alfred’s hand to squeeze. He could take comfort in the fact that he at least had Alfred there with him.
He continued laboring for another two hours until that feeling to push became the need to push. Alfred helped him get settled on the bed as the doctor made their way in.
Bruce shook his head, desperation sharpening his voice. “I can’t… Clark isn’t here yet… he can’t miss this…” A sob caught in his throat as the next contraction roared through his body. “We’re not ready.”
“Mister Wayne, the baby is coming now, there’s no more waiting,” the doctor informed him. “On the next contraction I want you to push.”
Bruce was trying to resist, but his body took control, his chin pressed into his chest as he followed the doctor's orders, his hand gripping Alfred’s tight, as he felt a burning sensation below.
“I can’t…” Bruce repeated, his eyes darting around the room in search of his husband. “I can’t…”
“You can,” Alfred assured him as he dapped some of the sweat off of Bruce’s forehead. “You’re doing great, sir.”
“Get ready to push,” the doctor called out.
Bruce braced himself for the next impact, his body starting to tense up when the door to his room swung open.
“Bruce!” his favorite voice in the world called out for him. Clark made his way quickly to his husband’s side, pressing a kiss on his forehead as he grabbed his other hand. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“I would say you're right on time, Master Clark,” Alfred replied. Bruce squeezed both of their hands tight as he bared down with all his strength.
“I see the head,” the doctor said. “Just a few more pushes.”
“You’re nearly there, love.” Clark gently rubbed his knuckles as Bruce panted against the pillows. He was in too much pain to speak.
He pushed once more, letting out another primal growl as the baby slid out of him. Their son’s strong cries filled the room, before the baby was brought to Bruce’s chest.
“You did it,” Clark said softly, hot tears rolling down his cheeks as he looked over his family.
Alfred nodded in agreement.
Bruce's full attention was on the crying newborn, his world narrowing to the tiny miracle in his arms. Tears streamed down his face as he carefully put his hands on the baby’s back. “Hi sweetheart,” he cooed, new instincts overwhelming him. “You’re okay. Daddy’s got you.”
The baby’s crying started to slow down at the familiarity of Bruce’s heartbeat. Bruce kissed the top of his head before looking up at his husband. “He’s perfect, Clark.”
“He sure is.” Clark kissed the top of Bruce’s head. “I’m so proud of you, B.”
The baby stayed on his chest for a few more minutes before the staff took him for a few exams.
“Go with him, he needs his Pa,” Bruce said from the bed, noticing his husband's hesitation. The taller man quickly followed the staff to the other room.
In the meantime, Alfred was tending to Bruce, helping the new father sit up once the afterbirth was delivered. He gently brushed Bruce’s hair back as he took another towel to continue wiping the sweat off his forehead. Tending to Bruce in the same manner he did when he was a child. “You did a great job, Master Bruce.”
Clark returned momentarily, the baby now cleaned up and swaddled in a red blanket, as he carefully walked to Bruce’s side to put the baby back into his arms. “Here’s daddy, pumpkin.”
Bruce couldn’t help but fall deeper in love, heart thundering in his chest as he admired every inch of their son’s face. The cute button nose, the tufts of dark hair poking from under his beanie. He gently stroked his son’s cheek, shy tears escaping, in awe that he had made something so perfect.
He looked back up at Clark, who couldn’t contain his bright smile as he watched over them. “You still think the name we picked out suits him?”
Clark nodded. “I do. But I doubt either of us will ever call him by his full name.”
Bruce chuckled softly at that, careful of his movements to avoid disturbing the baby.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
Richard Grayson Wayne-Kent, born on March 20th at 5:32 pm, weighing 8lbs and 7oz, would only know a household radiating with an abundance of love.
The first thing Bruce registered when he woke up was how much lighter he felt. His hand instantly went to his stomach, a reflex from months of longing and hope, before hearing the soft noises of the baby across the room. Wonder and disbelief flooded him: not even a day ago, their little boy had been nestled inside him, now he was safe in his Pa’s strong arms.
“Morning, Dad.” Clark smiled brightly at him once he noticed Bruce was awake, still beaming at their new parenthood. He loved the way their new titles rolled off his tongue, settled like their house’s foundation. “I hope you slept well.”
Bruce nodded, his eyes fixated on the tiny hand poking out of the little red bundle. “Never better. I hope you got some yourself.”
“I did,” Clark confirmed. “Dick only woke up about twenty minutes ago. Seems like he just wanted a cuddle.”
“Mmhmm.” Bruce hummed. “Wants to get to spend more time with his Pa now that he’s no longer stuck to me.”
“You’re still his favorite through,” Clark replied as he gently held the baby’s hand between his fingers. Bruce had never seen love pour so easily from someone’s eyes before.
“For now, but if he’s anything like me, you’ll be his favorite soon enough.” Bruce smiled softly at them.
“Guess all we can do is wait and see.” Clark walked over with the baby to Bruce’s bed, gently sitting on the side, so Bruce could have a better look at their son, completely lost in their new world.
In the doorway, Alfred stood with some breakfast for the new parents, a smile resting across his face, proud to see the boy he raised and loved as his own, had grown into a fine young man with a family to call his own. Happy he got to be a part of their journey.
Notes:
Thank you for reading!
Chapter 3: Brave
Summary:
Bruce comforts Dick as a thunderstorm rages outside the house.
Notes:
In this story, Dick is roughly five to six years old. I hope y'all enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Can I sleep here with you tonight?”
Bruce blinked, surprised to see Dick standing in front of his side of the bed. The boy clutched his stuffed animal tightly to his chest, his hair a messy halo in the window's backlight. Clearly, Dick had not slept.
“Is the storm scaring you?” Bruce asked softly, making sure not to disturb the snoring man lying next to him. Not that he could. It never ceased to amaze him that Clark could sleep through anything.
Dick slowly nodded his head. As another roar of thunder shook the house, he closed his eyes, holding the elephant even closer.
"Oh, sweetheart." Bruce sat up, reached out, and carefully pulled Dick onto the bed and into his arms. Instantly, Dick wrapped his arms around Bruce and rested his head against Bruce’s neck. "You’re safe here with me and pa."
“I tried being brave, Daddy,” Dick whispered as his eyes started welling up. “I really did.”
“I know you did.” Bruce continued rubbing his back. “You still are. You are being so brave right now.”
"Brave boys don’t sleep with their dads and pas," Dick whispered.
“They do when they know they need help,” Bruce replied. “Being brave is also knowing when you can’t do something alone.”
Dick looked up at him, still hiccuping from his crying. “Really?”
Bruce nodded and smiled softly at him. “Really. You’re the bravest kid I know. But I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
"What?" Dick asked, eyes locked on Bruce.
“Daddy still gets scared too.”
“Nuh-uh.” Dick shook his head, automatically protesting this news. “Daddys never get scared. Especially not you.”
“I do,” Bruce confirmed, his tone serious. “We all get scared every once in a while. Fear is what keeps us safe. But it’s important we don’t let fear control us.”
Dick nodded his head as he followed along. He noticed his dad tense up when the next clap of thunder hit, the lightning strike that followed temporarily illuminating the room in a bright white glow. “Do storms scare you, too, Daddy?”
“A little,” Bruce answered honestly. “Especially when the thunder is too loud.”
“Mmhmm.” Dick nodded. “The thunder is very loud.”
“Yes it is.” Bruce gently combed his fingers through Dick’s hair. “But we got each other and your pa to help us through it. Now you gotta get some sleep, bud. We’ll keep you safe from the storm.”
Bruce helped Dick nestle between himself and Clark. As Dick settled in, Clark—still asleep—instinctively wrapped his arms around them both, positioning himself protectively like a shield.
“Night Daddy. Night Pa,” Dick whispered before quickly falling asleep, his anxieties melting away.
“Night, sweetheart.” Bruce continued brushing Dick’s hair for another minute, wondering when his boy had grown up so fast. He would soon fall asleep, happy that his world was within reach.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! I appreciate y'all taking the time to do so! Getting to share these stories is one of my favorite things to do!
Chapter 4: Through His Eyes
Summary:
Bruce’s second pregnancy brings up some self-esteem issues. Clark does his best to help.
Notes:
It was finally time for the family to grow a bit. I hope you enjoy this story!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When Bruce and Clark decided to have another child, Bruce thought he knew what to expect. He knew there would be some differences, namely, that the last time he was pregnant, they didn’t have a curious three-year-old along for the journey, but he figured the changes would be similar. He didn’t realize just how wrong he would be.
This time, Bruce felt like a stranger in his body. He hated his appearance, avoiding mirrors and feeling bigger than before. Strangers kept asking if he was having twins, surprised to hear it was only one large baby boy. The extra weight hurt his back, and the late July heatwave only made things worse. It was going to be a long, uncomfortable month before the baby arrived.
Bruce was surprised Clark could still look at him with such fascination. Most nights, Clark tried to hold him close, but Bruce would gently push him away, claiming he was too hot, even though he longed for the touch. He just didn’t want Clark to notice how much he’d changed.
“We’re home, B.” Clark called out from the entrance, holding Dick in his arms. He gently set the toddler down, who ran as fast as his little legs could to find his dad.
Bruce lounged on the couch in their living room, lumbar pillow supporting his back and a book resting against his bump. He read aloud, the only way to get the baby to settle these days. His eyes stayed on the page until his little boy appeared. He wished he could’ve joined them on their excursion, but simply didn’t have the energy.
“Daddy!” Dick carefully wrapped his arms around Bruce’s neck. His dad slowly got up to return the hug.
“Hi sweetheart,” Bruce replied. “Did you and Pa have fun at the park?”
Dick nodded. “Lots of fun, daddy! We saw ducks… and squirrels… and lots of doggies.”
“That’s exciting.” Bruce smiled at him. He loved seeing the world through his son's eyes.
“We also went on every slide at least three times,” Clark added with a slight chuckle.
“And monkey bars!” Dick exclaimed. “Pa helped me.”
“Sounds like you two had a lot of fun then,” Bruce observed.
“Lots and lots of fun!” Dick repeated.
Bruce chuckled softly. “I’m sure you must be hungry after all that running around. I think Alfred has some snacks ready for you in the kitchen.”
“And the baby?” Dick asked as he gently patted Bruce’s stomach. He had been fascinated by it since his parents told him he was going to be a big brother.
“Baby and I had a snack earlier, sweetheart,” Bruce assured him. “But thank you for looking out for him. He’s lucky to have a big brother like you.”
“Yeah.” Dick nodded in agreement. He held Bruce’s hand as they walked towards the kitchen, so he could have some of the sliced apples with peanut butter that Alfred prepared. The toddler sat next to his dad as he ate. He was practically stuck to Bruce’s side these days.
As Bruce watched Dick take careful bites of his apple slices, he marveled at how their toddler was a perfect blend of him and Clark. Sometimes it was hard to tell who gave him the dark hair; the slight wave, however, was all Clark. Their son's eyes were sapphire, with a glint of Bruce’s gray peeking through. The little details only made Bruce more curious about what this new baby would look like.
He would’ve gotten lost in his fantasy if it weren’t for the sticky pair of peanut butter-covered hands that started patting his bump.
“Hi baby!” Dick leaned over, convinced the baby could hear him better. The jab to Bruce’s kidney only proved their eldest right.
Bruce smiled softly, doing his best to ignore the handprint stains covering the lower part of his shirt. He knew by now not to get attached to any of his clothes. He gently took Dick’s hand so he could feel the baby kick. “That’s him saying hello back.”
Dick smiled brightly. Another trait he inherited from his Pa. He gently leaned over to give the bump a peck, like he had seen his Pa do a few times before. “Love you, baby.”
Bruce nodded as his heart melted. “The baby loves you too, sweetheart.”
He didn’t even notice his husband taking a few pictures of the two of them as Bruce kept his attention on how sweet their eldest was being.
“Dickie,” Clark spoke up. “How about we wash our hands and then we can go color.”
“Okay, Pa.” Dick walked with him to the sink.
While Clark and Dick washed up, Bruce slipped away to change into a new shirt—the last clean t-shirt he had. The shirt didn’t cover all his skin, leaving a sliver of his bump exposed and highlighting fresh, red stretch marks. Glancing in the closet mirror, Bruce felt a wave of disgust. He hesitated to come out, not wanting his family to see him like this.
Noticing Bruce’s absence after a while, Clark left Dick with Alfred and headed upstairs. He checked their bedroom, immediately spotting the closet light still on.
“Babe, are you alright?” Clark asked softly as he knocked on the door.
“I need a minute,” Bruce called out, his voice sounding raw.
Clark couldn’t leave him like this, instead opening the closet to find his husband sitting on the floor, his eyes red as he blinked back some tears.
“Babe…”
“I told you I needed a minute, Clark,” Bruce reminded him, still trying to remain stoic.
“What is this about, dear?” The taller man asked as he sat down beside him, gently draping his arm over Bruce’s shoulder.
“You’re going to laugh,” Bruce replied, refusing to look him in the eyes.
“I promise, I won’t laugh.” He gently rubbed Bruce’s back.
“I’m too big,” Bruce whispered at a volume barely audible, mumbling the words.
Clark raised his eyebrow as he tried to decipher it. “What?”
Bruce closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he was even doing this. “I’m too big.” This time, it was as clear as glass.
“B…” Clark blinked back at him. “You’re not big, you’re pregnant.”
“I know,” Bruce replied, annoyed at himself for even thinking like this. “But I’m still big. None of my clothes are fitting me. How can you even stand looking at me?” He looked back at Clark, only seeing unadulterated adoration in his eyes.
“Getting to be in your presence is a privilege, B.” Clark took his hand and gently squeezed it. “I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to share this life and build it with you. You’re all my dreams come true.”
“Some dream it turned out to be,” Bruce snarked.
“Because it's better,” Clark assured him. “Because every night I go to bed, I know I get to see your handsome face in the morning. That none of this is over when I close my eyes and lay my head on my pillow. And you’ve given me the greatest blessings any man could ever ask for. First Dick and now this little guy. How could I see you as anything less than beautiful?”
“Damn you.” Bruce gently wiped his eyes. Clark smiled softly at him before softly kissing his lips.
“And I’ll continue to remind you how much I adore you from now on,” Clark promised before helping Bruce up from the floor.
They made their way back to the living room, where Dick and Alfred were hunched over some drawing at Dick’s art table.
“Daddy! Pa!” Dick ran over to them, the paper in his hands rippling with every step he took. “Look what I drew!”
“Let’s see it, bud.” Clark smiled at him as Dick slowly turned the paper over. It was a group of four stick figures representing the household.
“That Pa, Alfie, me.” Dick carefully went down the line, pointing out the tallest to the smallest stick figure. “And there’s Daddy and baby.” Dick’s finger hovered over the second-tallest figure with the round middle towards the end of the paper. It was clear he put the most effort into it, as the other figures were sloppy at best. “I made it pretty, like you Daddy.”
Clark nodded. “Do you want to tell Daddy what you told me at the park earlier?”
“That I want a doggie,” Dick replied, the first thought that came to his mind of their adventure that day.
“No, bud.” Clark chuckled softly. “What you told me about Daddy.”
Dick smiled widely as he recalled. “That Daddy is very pretty. Like a prince.”
“Yep.” Clark looked back at Bruce. “Daddy is very pretty.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Bruce carefully leaned down to hug their boy and kiss the top of his head. “Daddy appreciates that very much.”
“And the baby?” Dick asked.
“And the baby appreciates it too.” Bruce gently ruffled his hair. For now, he put his self-doubts away. The love around him reminded him: those flaws were only in his head.
Later that evening, the parents settled downstairs after putting Dick to bed, the little guy tuckered out after a long day.
Clark kissed Bruce’s head as the older man rested against his shoulder, his arm carefully draped around his husband’s waist. “I have to show you some of the pictures I took today, B. I think you’ll really enjoy them.”
Bruce hummed as he turned his focus to his husband’s phone. He was pretty amazed that Clark still had any storage left on the device, given the numerous pictures he had taken over the past few years. He smiled softly as Clark scrolled through the images he took this morning of Dick at the park, their son’s huge grin bearing every one of his baby teeth. “Precious.”
“Yeah, but this is my favorite.” Clark selected the photo he took of the two of them this afternoon; Dick's smile was just as wide as he gently rested his hand against his dad’s bump, and Bruce’s smile was a mirror image. “I’m gonna print it to put in my office.”
“We got you wrapped around our fingers.” Bruce chuckled softly.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Clark gently kissed his cheek.
Bruce glanced at the picture again, this time seeing only its beauty. He could learn to love seeing the world through his husband’s eyes.
Notes:
Thank you for reading and all your support! Writing this series is an absolute joy!
Chapter 5: Three Become Four
Summary:
Bruce and Clark welcome a second child to their family.
Notes:
This story is going out later than I expected, but I wanted to make sure I got every detail I wanted down before sharing it with you all! I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Say it again,” Clark exhaled, the corner of his lips curling up into a smile. “I want to hear it again.”
Bruce looked him straight in the eyes, gently cupping Clark’s cheek with his right hand, his smile mirroring his husband’s. “I’m pregnant.”
As a journalist, Clark knew words carried power—a way to change lives and lead people to the truth. He never realized how much weight two words could carry. How two words could mean everything to him.
“We’re having another baby.” Clark wrapped Bruce in a hug, lifting him off the ground for a split second. The happiness he felt was unmatched. He adored being a parent.
“Yes.” Bruce nodded, his head resting against the nape of Clark’s neck for a moment. “That’s typically what being pregnant means.” He let out a strong chuckle. Even in this bliss, Bruce couldn’t pass up a chance to be a bit of a smart ass.
Clark didn’t mind that. It was one of the many traits about his husband that he couldn’t help but adore. He looked into his grey eyes, his mind already curious if this baby would inherit Bruce’s or be more blue like his. “You never fail to make me the happiest man there is.” Clark couldn’t help but be sincere; it radiated off of him, like heat from the sun. “It’s wonderful news, babe.”
“I’m glad you agree.” Bruce gently pushed Clark’s hair back. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Clark nodded, his smile not once leaving his face, before kissing Bruce softly. “It sure is.”
Telling Dick was the thing Clark was the most nervous about. He wasn’t sure how their three-year-old would handle the news. Both he and Bruce were only children, so they never had to deal with any sibling rivalries. Clark spent the rest of Bruce’s first trimester reading any article he could find on the best way to help Dick handle this transition. Analyzing everything any of the top parenting experts had to say.
Eventually, they decided it was time to rip off the band-aid.
“Pa and I have some important news we need to share with you, sweetheart,” Bruce stated as they sat down with Dick in his little playroom.
“What?” Dick looked up from his drawing.
“Daddy has a baby in his tummy,” Bruce revealed, placing a hand on his stomach for emphasis. He kept his focus on Dick to see how the toddler would react.
Clark nodded. “You’re going to be a big brother and have a little brother or sister to play with in a few months.”
“A baby?” Dick repeated. “I’m getting a baby?”
Clark smiled softly and gently ruffled his son’s hair. “You sure are.”
“This is what they look like right now.” Bruce pulled out the ultrasound picture taken this morning.
Dick carefully looked at the picture. It did sorta look like a baby, but not like any of the babies he had seen.
“The baby is still growing,” Clark added. “That’s why they’re in daddy’s tummy right now so he can keep them safe until they’re ready to meet us.”
“Oh.” Dick nodded, doing his best to follow along. It sorta clicked for him. “That’s nice.” The toddler looked at his parents before going back to his crayons.
Clark looked over at Bruce and smiled softly. It already went better than he expected.
“It is,” Bruce agreed. “And we want your help to tell Alfred, Grandma, and Grandpa the news.”
Dick gave them a huge smile at that. He loved getting to help his parents however he could.
They shared the news with Alfred first, with Dick’s help. Clark carried the toddler downstairs for breakfast before driving him to daycare.
“Good morning Master Richard.” Alfred smiled warmly at the young boy. Dick couldn’t help but giggle every time at how formal his full name sounded coming out of the butler’s mouth. “Is that a new shirt?”
Dick nodded as Clark adjusted him slightly so Alfred could read the text more easily: Promoted to Big Brother.
The butler studied the shirt a moment longer, gathering his thoughts before meeting the parents' gazes.
“Master Clark and Master Bruce, is this true?” Alfred asked.
Bruce nodded. “I’m fourteen weeks along as of yesterday.”
“Daddy’s got a baby in his tummy,” Dick said.
“This is wonderful news.” Alfred gave them each a hug. “I had my suspicions, especially when you started drinking herbal tea instead of your usual black coffee.”
“We can’t get anything past you, can we Alfred?” Bruce playfully asked.
“No, you certainly cannot.”
They told Clark’s parents that evening during their weekly video chats. Martha shrieked with joy as she read Dick’s shirt, her eyes watering over.
“I’ll be darn,” Jonathan spoke first, his eyes soft. “Another grandbaby for us to spoil.”
“I am so happy for you two!” she exclaimed. “I’ll need to start working on their blanket and see if we have anymore of your old baby items, Clark.”
“Ma…” Clark replied, his Kansas accent thickening as he spoke to his parents. “That’s not really necessary.”
“We know son,” Jonathan chimed in, the smile never leaving his face. “It’s just something we like to do. You might find some use for it.”
“We really appreciate it,” Bruce spoke as he gently squeezed his husband's hand, letting him know this wasn’t a battle either of them was going to win. “And we’ll keep an eye out for any packages.”
The family continued talking until it was time for Dick to go to bed.
Dick truly understood what was happening once Bruce started showing. It was a bit amusing to see his dad with a belly. The only other time was in photos his parents shared of Bruce when he was pregnant with him. From the moment he spotted the bump, Dick glued himself to Bruce’s side, eager to involve the baby in everything possible.
“Hi, Daddy, hi baby.” Dick gently patted Bruce’s bump. It had slowly become a ritual for him to do every morning when he got downstairs, waiting to see if there was any reaction.
“I’m afraid the baby’s sleeping right now, sweetheart.” Bruce gently brushed Dick’s hair back. “But you might be able to see them move on the monitor today.”
“Really?” Dick asked softly. He was excited to go to the appointment with his parents.
“Really.” Bruce answered. “We’ll even see if you’re getting a little brother or sister too.”
“That’s exciting isn’t it, bud?” Clark asked.
The toddler nodded. “Super exciting. I want a brother or a sister.”
Clark chuckled softly before looking over at Bruce and giving him a warm smile. “Yeah. Glad you’re not too picky.”
The family made their way to the OB/GYN office later that morning, and Dr. Thompkins was excited to see Dick with them. “There’s the big brother. Are you excited to see if daddy’s having a boy or a girl?”
Dick nodded; he wasn’t too shy around strangers. “Yes. I want to see the baby in daddy’s tummy.”
Dr. Thompkins nodded before looking at Bruce. “Ready when you are.”
Bruce got settled on the table, pulling his shirt up so Dr. Thompkins could put the gel and the ultrasound wand on top.
Clark guided Dick to watch the screen, and the machine finally picked up the image of the baby as the doctor continued moving the wand around.
“Wow,” Dick said softly. “That’s the baby.”
“It sure is.” Clark kissed the top of his son’s head. The ultrasounds never failed to amaze him as they watched the little one on screen kick.
“They’re strong,” Bruce remarked, his eyes still glued to the screen.
“He’s still measuring a little bigger, but nothing to be worried about,” Dr. Thompkins added. “Second babies tend to measure bigger.”
Bruce nodded along until he comprehended what their doctor said. “He? We’re having a boy?”
“You sure are,” she confirmed with a smile. “Congratulations.”
“You hear that, Dick?” Clark asked softly. “You’re gonna have a little brother.”
“Baby brother,” Dick repeated with a huge grin as he clapped his hands at the news.
“I’ll get some photos printed out for you both.” Dr. Thompkins left the room to prepare the prints.
Clark gently squeezed Bruce’s hand before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “This is great news, B.”
Bruce smiled softly before wiping the gel off his stomach and turning his attention to Dick. “And he’s lucky to have you for a big brother, sweetheart.”
“Baby brother,” Dick said again, pointing at Bruce’s stomach. That was going to be his favorite thing to say for the next few weeks.
As Bruce’s bump grew, his discomfort deepened. He had some aches carrying Dick, but this time, sharp pain shot down his legs, and standing for hours taxed him. He reached for the lumbar pillow far more often.
Clark did his best to help, often giving Bruce a massage before bed, his hand working the tense muscles on the small of the older man’s back. He kissed Bruce’s shoulder as he worked his magic, enjoying this new nightly ritual.
“That’s how we got this one,” Bruce teased playfully as he relaxed to his husband’s touch. “You know, if journalism doesn’t work out, you could always be a masseuse.”
“I’ll consider it.” Clark chuckled. “You’ll always have me on retainer at least.”
“I appreciate it,” Bruce replied, the sincerity in his voice thick as molasses.
Clark smiled as he kneaded Bruce’s shoulder. “And I appreciate everything you do, B. I know this hasn’t been easy, and I’m truly amazed by your strength. I get more excited to meet him every day.”
“You and me both.”
“Clark, for fuck sakes, drive faster,” Bruce hissed as he clenched the door handle, grinding his teeth through another contraction. Outside, streetlights blurred past the window, and the car's engine hummed beneath Clark’s tense grip on the wheel. “Or else I’m having this baby on the side of the road.”
“B, I’m going as fast as I can,” Clark explained. “I’m already going 15 miles over the limit.”
“It’s not fast enough,” Bruce barked as he shut his eyes tight.
Clark gently squeezed his hand, trying his best to bring Bruce comfort. “We’re five minutes away, dear.”
Clark knew that labor during second pregnancies often progresses faster than first pregnancies, but he didn’t imagine it would be this quick. It was only about 30 minutes ago that Bruce’s water broke, and the contractions were not letting up. The taller man was grateful it was the middle of the night and there were fewer cars for him to zip around.
He pulled up to the hospital around two minutes later, just as Bruce let out another groan, desperately gripping his husband’s hand to feel grounded.
“Get him out,” Bruce pleaded as he tried to focus on his breathing. Everything hurt.
They got settled into the hospital room immediately, Bruce barely had time to get dressed in his gown before he was on the bed pushing.
Bruce had never felt so exhausted; catching his breath was a struggle as contractions crashed over him—one after another. His legs turned to jelly as he braced himself to push again.
“This is the last one you’re getting from me,” the older man grunted as he crushed Clark’s hand during the next push.
“Good Bruce,” the doctor encouraged. “You’re nearly there.”
“You’re the strongest person I know, B,” Clark praised him. “He’ll be in your arms before you know it.”
Bruce nodded, searching for the strength to continue. He felt torn in two. The final push left him groaning, white-knuckling Clark’s hand and the bedsheet before the baby slid out, cries filling every corner of the room.
Clark immediately shed a tear at the sound and kissed his husband’s forehead. “You are remarkable.”
Bruce looked up at him with a small smile as he slowly caught his breath before the baby was brought to his chest, his tiny howls continuing to fill the room.
“You’re okay,” Bruce cooed as he gently rubbed the baby’s back. “We got you, sweetheart.”
Clark nodded as he kept a close eye on them. “He’s beautiful, B.”
“We only make pretty babies,” Bruce replied as he kissed the top of the baby’s head. Their newborn son started to settle down to his dad’s touch.
“We sure do.” Clark smiled softly at them before gently brushing Bruce’s hair back. Enjoying the bliss of their newest addition.
Jason Todd Wayne-Kent, born at 3:38 am on August 16th, weighing 10lbs and 9oz, would prove that love only grows stronger.
“He’s very little,” Dick observed during his visit later that morning. Clark had picked him up so he could have a better look at the sleeping newborn in his bassinet.
“Yes, he is,” Clark agreed. “But you were even smaller.”
“Really?” The toddler looked up at his Pa.
“Really,” Clark confirmed. “I could only fit you in one arm.”
“And you can fit Jason in one arm too,” Bruce reminded him.
“True.” Clark chuckled softly. The man seemed to forget he existed in a 6’4” frame.
“I won’t be surprised if our little Jaybird grows up to be as tall as he Pa,” Bruce mused.
“Just have to wait and see, won’t we?” Clark replied.
Dick continued admiring his baby brother in the meantime. The boy absolutely adored him at first sight. Jason was already better than all the babies he’s seen in the books his parents read to him.
“Love you, baby J,” he said softly as he blew a kiss to his little brother.
“And he loves you right back, Dickie,” Clark assured him as he kissed the boy’s head.
“And love you too, Daddy.” Dick focused his attention on Bruce. “Thank you for my brother.”
“It was a pleasure, sweetheart,” Bruce assured their eldest. He smiled softly at the thought of all the memories their family of four would make.
Notes:
Thanks for reading! I appreciate y'all so much, and it's a joy getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 6: Circus
Summary:
The family spends an exciting night at the circus, and a new dream unlocks for Dick.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"Pa…" Dick grabbed Clark’s hand, tugging on it with all the strength his small frame could muster. Though he barely budged Clark, the five-year-old planted his feet and leaned back, determined to get him to move. "We’re gonna be late."
“We’re not gonna be late,” Clark promised the boy before playfully ruffling his dark hair. “We still have another hour until it starts. And we still have to wait for Daddy and Jason to get ready.”
“I know,” Dick sighed. “But I want to get there early. I want to see all the cool things they got. Do you think we could feed the elephants?”
“Maybe,” Clark replied, not making any promises. He couldn’t help but smile at their eldest. The boy had patiently waited weeks for this day, and excitement vibrated through his entire body at the prospect of finally seeing a real-life circus. His energy was quite infectious.
“I hope we can,” Dick replied. “Do you think we’ll see a strongman and a lion tamer?”
“I think we will.” Clark nodded. “There’ll probably be some magicians too.”
“Wow, I’ll get to see magic?!” Dick couldn’t help but jump up and down. Every new thing he learned only made him more eager to get moving. “It’s going to be the best day ever.”
“I’m sure it will.” Clark smiled back at him. “There’s a lot of exciting things that happen at circuses.”
Bruce made his way into the living room, carrying their two-year-old on one hip. With his free hand, he double-checked that Jason’s stroller was packed with all the essentials needed for the evening.
“We’re ready when you are,” Bruce said, holding Jason close to his chest. The toddler was especially clingy to his dad these days.
“Are you excited Jace?” Dick asked his brother softly. “We get to see so many animals tonight. And there’s gonna be cotton candy.”
That piqued Jason’s attention. “Candy.”
“Yep.” Dick nodded. “It’s very fluffy and it’s on a stick.”
“You boys can share with me and Pa,” Bruce said. “Too much at once will make you sick.”
“It sure can,” Clark agreed. “They’ll also have hotdogs there. Like they do at the Kansas State Fair.”
“Wow,” Dick replied, his voice soft with wonder. “They have everything.”
Bruce smiled softly. It warmed his heart to see his kid so happy. “They sure do, sweetheart.”
The family made their way to the show. Their seats were in the third row—close to the action, but not too close to the stage. They also made sure Jason wore his headphones to help dampen any loud noises.
Everything had gone off without a hitch. The parents smiled as they indulged their boys in a few extra experiences during the preshow, delighting in their wide-eyed excitement at the petting zoo as they fed the animals. They snapped photos behind colorful cardboard cutouts, laughing as their boys posed like ringmasters, and watched with fond amusement as the boys picked out souvenirs. Dick's eyes lit up as he immediately reached for the grey elephant plushy, while Jason's face brightened in awe at the bright red toy motorcycle.
The entire family enjoyed the show until the clowns rolled in. Their white faces and crimson smiles, along with their bright purple and green uniforms, could be seen from space as they juggled and squeezed their horns across the ring. Within seconds of their arrival, Jason immediately nestled his face into the nook of Bruce’s neck, turning to his dad for comfort as he started wailing, his tears staining Bruce’s shirt, as snot bubbled from his nose. They had never seen the poor boy so hysterical before. Jason’s cries made Bruce’s heart sink.
“You’re okay, you’re okay,” Bruce said softly as he gently rubbed the toddler’s back and kissed the top of his head. “Daddy’s got you, Jaybird.”
“No! No!” Jason wailed, pounding his tiny fists against Bruce’s chest, each blow desperate and wild. Nothing Bruce whispered eased his son’s terror. Jason’s cries grew raw and frantic. The helplessness in Bruce’s chest was sharp and bitter; he would do anything to take away this fear.
“I’m taking him outside.” Bruce turned to Clark as he continued to rub Jason’s back to comfort him. “We’ll be back once he’s calmed down.”
Clark nodded, reaching over to gently squeeze Bruce’s hand before Bruce left with the toddler in his arms, the boy’s cries echoing up the stairs. Left alone with Dick, Clark noticed that their eldest paid no attention to the commotion and instead focused entirely on the stage.
The clowns eventually left, replaced by motorcyclists driving in circles in a small cage. They miraculously avoided each other in the confined space. Then came the unicyclist, juggling bowling pins while balancing on a tightrope. She kept her balance the entire time.
Dick clapped and jumped from his seat at all these stellar acts. He didn’t know how anything could get better than this.
The next group of performers made their way to the center of the ring, dressed in a matching set of leotards as they gracefully somersaulted into their starting positions.
For the first time that night, Dick was completely still, breath shallow with awe as he watched, transfixed. Every muscle in his body strained forward, heart racing with anticipation at what the performers would do next.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. Both performers gripped the same trapeze, the device lifting into the air as they dangled, swinging and twisting with every trick. For them, it looked as easy as breathing.
Dick finally exhaled when the acrobats landed safely, realizing his heart had been pounding in his throat. Goosebumps raced up his arm, his whole world sharpened in that magical instant. He sat, spellbound, as they bowed—certain there was nothing more wondrous in existence.
Dick gently tugged on his Pa’s sleeve, his curiosity starting to get the better of him. “Pa, what are they?”
“Those are the acrobats,” Clark answered before taking another bite of cotton candy.
“Ac-ro-bats,” Dick tried the word for himself. He liked how every syllable fit on his tongue. Never had a word fit so perfectly. He was mesmerized by every movement, staying still in his seat for the first time that evening. His eyes remained fixed on the performers as he studied their movements. He watched how they tumbled through loops and jumped from great heights, still landing on their feet as if they had only jumped an inch from the ground.
Clark looked over at him. He had never seen their eldest so enthralled. Dick rested his head in his hands for the rest of the performance, eyes shining, breath barely dared. His world grew bigger that day; wonder glimmered in every heartbeat. It was as if he discovered a new color. A new, aching hunger grew for him. He wanted to flip and twist like the troupe. This was all he now wanted to do.
“They’re pretty good, aren’t they sweetheart,” Clark said after the routine was over.
“Just good?! They were AWESOME!” Dick threw his hands in the air, excitement filling every being of his little body. “The best! I didn’t know people could even jump that high!”
“They had a lot of practice to do these tricks,” Clark explained. “Lots and lots of training.”
“Could I do this?” Dick asked, looking his Pa straight in the eye. “It looks like it’s lots of fun, Pa.”
Clark thought about it for a minute. He had never seen such a determined look on the boy’s face before. “We’ll have to talk to Dad about it, but if you want to give it a try, we’ll see about gymnastics lessons.”
“Gymnastics?” Dick replied. Another word he was unfamiliar with.
“That’s the sport acrobats train in to learn their skills,” Clark explained. “It’s even a sport in the Olympics. People can get medals based on how well they do.”
Dick nodded as he followed along. “That is so cool! I wanna do it! Please, can I?!”
Clark couldn’t help the smile on his face. He was a complete softie when it came to his kids. “We’ll talk to dad about it.”
Dick smiled back. Even at his age, he knew that meant yes.
Bruce and Jason eventually made their way back to them, the toddler tuckered out from his crying as he slept against his dad.
“Poor guy,” Clark said softly as he gently tucked some of Jason’s hair behind his ear.
“Dad, you and Jace missed the best part of the show,” Dick revealed. “You should’ve seen the acrobats, they were awesome. They did so many flips and spins and cartwheels. That’s what I want to do too. Maybe one day I can be in the circus too.”
“Maybe.” Bruce nodded, a small smile on his face as he listened to Dick’s newfound dream. “It’ll take a lot of practice, you know.”
“I can do it,” Dick assured them. “I’ll be the best.”
“I bet you will.” Clark gently ruffled his hair. It was pretty adorable how determined their eldest was.
By the end of the show, both boys were asleep. Clark carried Dick back to the car as Bruce managed Jason in his stroller.
“So gymnastics?” Bruce spoke first after they got the kids settled in their car seats, looking back in the rear view mirror to see Dick clutching his new stuffed toy close to his chest.
“I think so,” Clark replied. “I’ve never seen him so engaged before. Plus, it’ll be nice for him to have an activity outside of school. He can make new friends and build a new skill.”
“Yeah.” Bruce nodded. “I think it’ll be good for him. Maybe one day we’ll see him in the ring.”
“Maybe.” Clark gently squeezed Bruce’s hand. Looking at Dick, his chest filled with pride and yearning, seeing their son’s dreams just beginning to unfurl, limitless as the night sky.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! I appreciate all the lovely messages y'all have sent! Your feedback has been awe-inspiring. It warms my heart to read every one of them, and I love getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 7: Sublime
Summary:
Sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Clark thought he knew what the word meant.
Notes:
This short is different from the stories I've been posting. I wanted to experiment with more internal feelings in my writing, and the best way to get these feelings across is when Clark Kent is Superman and Bruce Wayne is Batman.
This story exists outside the universe I've been writing about and is more closely based on canon.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Clark thought he knew what the word meant. What it felt like. The weightlessness he felt the first time he lifted his feet off the ground and saw the crop lines of his family’s farm as he soared through the air. His small town quickly faded from view as he rocketed towards the heavens. To the first time, he flew over the ocean, the water rippling into waves as his boots glided on top at supersonic speed. There was much to admire then. Much more he yearned to experience.
The definition cemented itself when he flew out of the Earth’s atmosphere for the first time. Settling in the exosphere, admiring the glowing blue arc of the planet he had the privilege of calling home. He studied every swirl of the clouds on the surface, the mundane and the storms. All miraculously existing at once. Some might have only seen a solitary rock floating in space. Clark, however, saw a world beaming with life and stories. Within each of the 8 billion people, a universe of hopes, wants, and dreams. The sight instilled a more profound sense of duty in his heart. This was a world he was bound to shield and cherish, the responsibility now heavier and more distinct.
The blue of the Earth from above was rivaled by the blue in the eyes of the man he loved. The first time Clark held Bruce's hand, a spark leapt between them. The same electric magic that surged when their lips met. Drawing each other close was a need, a hunger satisfied. With Bruce, Clark felt truly human. He traced the constellations of scars on his lover's body, sharing the same breath as they entangled their legs together beneath the sheets. Their heroic masks forgotten for the night. Love burned in Clark's chest, fierce as a wildfire, as he listened to Bruce's heartbeat and knew he belonged to him.
All these meanings faded as he gazed at the baby in his arms. The room was filled only with the sound of the baby's coos and Bruce's well-deserved snores. Their child's face, peaceful and new to the world, radiated contentment. Each rise and fall of his tiny chest was a miracle. The future stretched before them, a blank canvas. Every glance at his son revealed a thousand stories yet to be told. Clark studied his features, awestruck, feeling small for the first time as an ocean of possibilities opened up before him. In his son's presence, he truly grasped the meaning of sublime: the world's beauty distilled into one delicate being and the overwhelming desire to be a better man, moved by the gentle grip of a tiny hand around his finger.
Notes:
BTW, the baby is Dick! Thank you for reading! I am floored by the response to these stories and I love getting to share these works with y'all!
Chapter 8: A Third
Summary:
The Wayne-Kent’s welcome the newest member of their family.
Notes:
First, thank you for over 3K hits! I am floored that so many of you have taken the time to read my stories and get lost in this world with me. It’s an honor to share these tales with you!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Are you ready for another round?” Bruce handed the positive test to Clark, staring at the taller man to gauge his reaction.
They had finished putting their kids to bed. Watching how sweet Clark was with their boys always made Bruce soft. The hard, icy layer he had built for himself had slowly melted over the years. Whether he was rereading one of Dick’s favorite stories or checking for monsters under Jason’s bed, Clark did it all with nothing more than a smile. Few people in this world were built to be a father, but Clark Joseph Kent was one of them. Wanting a third child with him was a no-brainer for Bruce.
“Really?” Clark’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as he looked back at Bruce.
“I took the test this morning,” Bruce said. Suddenly, Clark stepped forward and enveloped him in a warm hug, wrapping his arms around Bruce in a gesture of congratulations. Bruce relaxed and returned the embrace.
It wasn’t a complete surprise. For the first time, they were actively trying, but it never made the moment any less magical.
“You’ve made me the happiest man there is.” Clark’s eyes shone like a lovesick puppy. “We’re gonna take great care of you, B.”
“Never doubted it for a second.” Bruce smiled back at him, cupping Clark’s cheek before kissing him gently, eager to relish in this joy. “You always do.”
They would tell the boys once Bruce was done with the first trimester. It was still nerve-wracking, just as it had been then. The parents were lucky that Dick had such a great reaction to the news the first time, but there was no telling how it would be now. Jason had always been a Daddy’s boy, and they didn’t know how he would react to having to share him.
After picking Dick up from gymnastics class, they decided it was time to tell the boys. Their eldest had taken to the sport like a fish to water, always eager to practice and show off his new skills. Over the last few months, they’ve had to strictly enforce the 'no cartwheels in the house' rule, with Bruce contemplating whether converting one of their spare rooms into a gym would be worthwhile. It was hard for him not to give his kids everything they could ever want.
“Can I please take Jason to show and tell?” Dick asked at dinner that night. “I want to show everyone I got the best baby brother in the world.”
“The best,” Jason repeated before laughing as his older brother tickled his side.
“Dick, we’ve talked about this,” Clark said, fighting a smile. Nothing warmed Clark’s heart more than seeing how much the boys adored each other. “You can take a picture of him to show your friends, but he has daycare he has to attend.”
“Not even for one day, Pa?” Dick pouted slightly, looking back at Clark with big blue eyes.
Clark chuckled and gently ruffled his son’s hair. “Afraid that’s not gonna work on me, bud, but we’ll find a nice photo of the two of you—you can share with the class.”
“Okay,” Dick relented. He knew he wasn’t going to win this fight.
“You can also share this photo too.” Bruce placed the ultrasound on the table for their eldest to see.
“Why would I share this?” Dick's eyebrows knitted as he looked at the picture from every angle. “Jason’s not a baby anymore.”
“That’s not a picture of Jason, sweetheart,” Bruce said, watching Dick and hoping it’d click for him.
Clark couldn’t contain himself. “That’s your new little brother or sister,” he said.
“What?!” Dick yelled. “I’m getting another one?!”
Bruce couldn’t tell if this was good or bad news until Dick leaped from his chair to race over to him and give him the tightest hug the seven-year-old could muster.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” the words rushed out of the boy at nearly a mile a minute. “I always wanted another one to play with.”
“Give it about five more months, and they’ll be here, sweetheart.” Bruce smiled back at him.
Jason’s expression soured; he didn’t like the news one bit. “No, I’m the baby.”
“You’ll always be our baby, Jaybird,” Clark assured their youngest. “There’s more than enough love to go around.”
“I don’t want the baby.” Their three-year-old’s eyes started to water, and he got red in the face. “I wanna be the baby!”
Bruce reached toward Jason, intending to comfort him, but Jason pushed Bruce's hand away and instead turned, climbing into Clark's lap for comfort. Bruce watched, realizing it was the first time Jason didn’t turn to him for reassurance.
“It’s okay, Jace.” Dick walked over to him to try to comfort him. “I’ll teach you how to be a good big brother. Show you everything I know.”
Jason simply shook his head as Clark continued rubbing his back. Bruce had to accept that at least having one of the boys excited was better than nothing.
Over time, their youngest mellowed out, though he did this by ignoring the fact that Bruce was pregnant. Jason still tried sitting in Bruce’s lap during family movie nights—his usual spot—but as Bruce’s bump grew, Clark or Bruce would gently move him to Bruce’s side.
“I’m sorry, Jaybird, but there isn’t much room there,” Bruce carefully explained as he patted his stomach. “You’ll be a lot more comfortable here.”
Jason glared at the bump as if it were his mortal enemy. Everything was changing, and he didn’t like it one bit. He crossed his arms and frowned, looking more like Bruce by the day.
“You can always sit with me, Jace,” Dick offered, patting the spot next to him on the floor. The boy enjoyed having the space to move about as they watched the movie, often practicing the new skills he learned in gymnastics. “That way Daddy can focus on making sure sissy gets big and strong.”
“Dickie,” Clark said. “We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet. You could be getting another baby brother.”
“I know.” Dick nodded. “But I already have a brother, so I really want a sister.”
“We’ll find out soon enough, sweetheart,” Bruce said. A part of him couldn’t help but want a baby girl, either. He and Clark had already settled on the perfect name for one since his first pregnancy: Martha. In honor of the strong women who raised them. “And no matter what you can help us get the nursery in order.”
Dick beamed at that, still the helper. “I’ll make sure they get the best room ever!”
When it was time to learn the baby's gender, they chose to involve the boys, settling on a cake with the icing inside the layers, revealing whether it was pink or blue.
The reveal itself was quite intimate. Bruce and Clark felt no need to broadcast this news to the world. Every time Bruce saw an elaborate gender reveal online, he couldn’t help but cringe. He had no desire for smoke, fireworks, or even paintballs; just slicing into a perfectly crafted cake, surrounded by his loved ones, was enough for him.
Clark made the first cut, slowly pulling out the wedge to savor the moment, building up anticipation with every second. By the time the slice was out, the icing was as vibrant as a clear sky. Baby blue.
Clark immediately wrapped his arms around Bruce and kissed his cheek before Dick joined in by hugging his Dad’s side. Jason hesitated for a second, unsure of his feelings, but he wanted to be a part of this celebration. He made a temporary truce with the bump to hug his Dad.
“It’s a boy!” Martha exclaimed, her voice filled with pure joy. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thanks, Ma,” Clark replied, hugging her as she pinched his cheek.
Jonathan immediately followed by patting Clark on the back before wrapping Bruce in a bear hug, proving once and for all who Clark learned to give the best hugs from. “Three boys, you’re gonna have your hands full,” he added with the utmost joy. It was the best compliment he could give.
Alfred nodded, a small smile on his face. “Congratulations again, Master Bruce, Master Clark.”
Bruce looked over at Dick, expecting to see disappointment personified, but instead only saw the same ball of sunshine he saw every day.
“Thank you for my brother.” Dick wrapped his arms around Bruce again. “Next time you can get us a baby sister.”
Bruce didn’t have the heart to tell him there wasn’t going to be a next time.
They divided out the cake slices before convening in the living room so the parents could open their gifts for the baby. It wasn’t a traditional baby shower by any means, as Clark and Bruce still had enough supplies and resources to provide for their growing family, but it was something their loved ones enjoyed doing to show their support.
Bruce smoothed his hand over his bump as the baby started to kick, immediately rubbing circles on his side to soothe the little one.
Martha looked over at him and smiled softly. She loved Bruce like her own son. “May I feel?” She asked softly.
Bruce nodded and shifted to the side to give her more room on the couch. He took her hand and gently guided it to the exact spot on his stomach where the baby boy was kicking the strongest. “They want to say hi to Grandma.”
Her eyes shone bright as she felt the baby’s movements. It didn’t matter that this was the third grandson; she had the talent of making them all feel special. “How wonderful.”
She continued patting Bruce's bump, relishing in this joy. Bruce felt a pinge of sadness, knowing she never got to experience this moment for herself. Still, he had pride, seeing how she never let her circumstances stop her from being an incredible mother to Clark. Some people are meant to be parents, and Martha and Jonathan Kent were among them. They had loved Clark fiercely since the day they brought him home. He was always meant to be their son. Clark’s parents once told him that color had returned to their lives when he arrived, and Bruce still found that to be true.
“You call me if you need anything,” Martha reminded him as she hugged him goodbye. “Even if it’s just to talk.”
“I will,” Bruce promised, meaning every word of it. “You and Jon get home safe.”
“I mean it,” she insisted, kissing him on the cheek before she and Jonathan went to the car so Clark could drop them at the airport.
Bruce loved his baby boy with all his heart already, but couldn’t help but think about a little girl. If only to make Martha happy.
Happy she could be there for him when his own mother couldn’t.
That evening, after getting the boys settled in bed, the parents retreated to their room, grateful to have a moment to themselves.
“You’re not upset, are you?” Bruce asked as he lounged on the bed in comfortable pajamas, rubbing his bump and waiting for Clark’s answer.
“Upset about what?” Clark called back, toothpaste clinging to his teeth before he resumed brushing.
“That we’re not having a girl,” Bruce said. He didn’t know why this mattered all of a sudden. He knew how much he loved this baby and how thrilled he was to have another little boy in the mix, but the nagging what-ifs never left.
Clark turned on the faucet, spat out the toothpaste, wiped his mouth, and returned to the bedroom. He sat down next to Bruce, resting a hand gently on Bruce’s stomach and looking him in the eye. “There’s nothing to be upset about, B. Our baby is healthy, and that’s all that will ever matter to me.”
“I know. I needed to hear it.” Bruce guided Clark’s hand to where the baby was kicking. His heart still skipped a beat seeing his husband’s affectionate smile, the grin only highlighting the lovely dimples on his face. It didn’t matter that this was their third, nor that he had kicked for them before; Clark treated every movement as if it were the first. “I hope this one looks like you at least.”
Clark playfully shook his head before kissing Bruce’s cheek. “And miss having another mini you around? Not a chance.”
Bruce kissed him back, with the same passion he had the first time their lips ever touched. “Almost forgot how we got you wrapped around our fingers.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, B.” Clark smiled back as he gently pressed his forehead against Bruce, the love in his eyes growing stronger by the second.
Nesting never got easier for Bruce. As he continued to grow, he became increasingly anxious to ensure everything was in place. A meticulous amount of planning for someone who wouldn’t even comprehend their surroundings.
He rearranged the pillows on the crib again when he felt a hand tugging at the bottom of his grey shirt and looked down to see Dick’s big blue eyes staring back at him.
“Daddy, can I talk to the baby?” Their eldest asked. Dick had been making it a habit to tell the baby about his day at any chance he had.
“Let me get comfortable, and you can talk his ear off, sweetheart.” Bruce smiled softly at him.
Dick gave him another smile, showing his missing front tooth. Bruce still couldn’t believe how big his little boy already was.
They made their way to the couch, Dick placing his head next to Bruce's stomach as he started carefully detailing everything he did that day. From his morning gymnastics lesson to helping Alfred bake cookies in the kitchen when he got home, he only stopped talking to giggle when the baby gave his head a big kick. He was happy to talk about it all.
Jason made his way around, nestling on the other side of Bruce, having made his own truce with the bump weeks ago. He patted the bump, wanting the baby to know he was there as well. “Hi baby!”
“You have to be a little more gentle, Jaybird,” Bruce reminded him as he gently brushed back the boy’s hair. Looking at Jason made him feel like he was looking through his own baby pictures. The similarities were remarkable.
“Yeah, Jace,” Dick agreed before demonstrating, his hand gently tapping against Bruce’s stomach. “Just like this. I know you can do this.”
Jason watched his older brother for a moment longer before trying it for himself. “Better?”
“Much better, pumpkin.” Bruce smiled softly at his boy. “You’re already such a great older brother.”
“It’s cause he learned from the best, daddy,” Dick took a moment to boast.
“He sure did.” Bruce leaned over to kiss the top of their heads, wrapping his arms around them as they continued talking to the baby.
Later that afternoon, when Clark came home from work, he found them asleep on the couch. Their boys used Bruce’s bump as a pillow, while Bruce snored with his mouth slightly open. Clark’s heart could burst at how much love he had for his little family.
As the days passed and anticipation grew, Bruce took another deep breath as he settled into the tub, hoping it would help relax his tense muscles and alleviate some of the pressure on his hips. The waiting never got easier; he only wanted his baby boy in his arms.
Clark stayed close to his side, looking at his watch as Bruce's breath hitched again. “That’s 8 minutes apart, B.”
“We’ll go once they’re about 6 minutes apart.” Bruce closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation of the water against his skin. Taking his mind off what his body was doing got easier.
Clark gently brushed his husband’s hair away from his face, smiling softly at him. “Not much longer until he’s in our arms.”
“Not at all.” Bruce smiled back up at him. This time, labor was slow, and he couldn’t have been more grateful for getting to spend this time with Clark and ease into it. The nerves of the first time weren’t there anymore, nor the urgency that his second labor brought. Instead, it was steady, and Bruce was more than confident he knew what he was doing.
Once contractions were six minutes apart, they gathered their things and made their way to the hospital.
“Don’t touch me!” Bruce bellowed, shooting daggers from his eyes. “Don’t you fucking dare, Clark.”
Three hours had passed, and they were near the end.
The taller man sleepily pulled his hand away after attempting to give Bruce another back rub. Seeing Bruce’s reaction, he knew better than to take any of this personally at the moment. Clark kept a watchful eye on his husband, observing as Bruce closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and retreated further into himself to shut off the world around him.
Clark made sure Bruce’s playlist was set, ensuring it was to his liking. Anything he could do to bring comfort to the older man in this moment, he was on it. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure his safety.
“B,” Clark said softly, his hands glued to his side. “Look at me. Focus on me for a moment. You got this.”
Bruce nodded, his grey eyes laser-focused with Clark’s bright blue; he could nearly see his reflection in his husband’s glasses. He looked at him until the contraction passed, leaning back against the pillow as he caught his breath again.
“Good, just focus on your breathing, dear,” Clark reminded him. His spine shivered with the glare Bruce shot him back.
“Help me up,” Bruce commanded. “This is starting to get uncomfortable.”
Clark nodded and helped Bruce get steady on his feet to adjust his position. Bruce groaned as he gripped the side of his bed with one hand, the other cupping his bump as another contraction began.
“I have to…” Bruce breathed out, refocusing. “I have to push.”
“I’ll page the nurse, B,” Clark assured him, taking control in the moment.
Bruce got settled in his new position as his team came and checked on him.
“Alright Mr. Wayne, on the next contraction I want you to push,” the doctor explained.
Bruce reached for Clark’s hand and squeezed it tighter than he ever had, gripping it like an Olympic weightlifter holding on to a 250lb barbell.
“You got it, B,” Clark encouraged. “Nothing you haven’t done before.”
Bruce nodded, gaining his strength back. It took only five more pushes until a new pair of lungs entered the room, filling every corner with his strong cries.
The sound still brought tears to Bruce's eyes.
Bruce carefully cradled the baby close to his chest, pulling his gown down for skin-to-skin contact. “Clark, he’s precious,” Bruce breathed out, his voice hoarse from the day.
Clark nodded, his eyes watery as he pressed a kiss against Bruce’s forehead, relishing in the newest member of their family. “Never had a doubt he would be.”
“Thank you for him,” Bruce said, gently rubbing the baby’s back.
“I’m the one who needs to be thanking you,” Clark reasoned. “You did all the hard work.”
“It’s always worth it.”
Timothy Drake Wayne-Kent was born at 7:32 p.m. on July 19th, weighing 9lbs. and 13oz. With his arrival, the family puzzle was complete.
The following afternoon, they let the boys meet their brother. Dick’s eyes grew as wide as saucers once he laid his eyes on the baby in his dad’s arms.
“Is that the baby?” Dick asked, wanting to make sure he was real.
“Sure is,” Bruce confirmed from the bed, as he gently adjusted the blankets around Tim’s face. “You want to meet him, sweetheart.”
Dick nodded as he took Jason’s hand as they made their way closer to the bed.
“Wow,” Dick breathed out as he took his first proper look at him, captivated by the little guy.
Clark lifted Jason so he could have a better view, the toddler quite taken aback by the baby himself.
“His name is Tim,” Clark added. “He’s very lucky to have you two as his older brothers.”
“We’ll always keep him safe right, Jace?” Dick looked over at Jason.
“Right.” Jason smiled widely at his new duties. Having a new baby around didn’t seem so bad anymore.
“That’s all we could ever ask for,” Bruce replied, relishing in the love surrounding the little guy and knowing it was a well that would never deplete.
Notes:
Thank you for reading and for your wonderful responses! I have plenty more stories planned, and for the foreseeable future, I will have more time to write. I genuinely have Superman, Batman, and you all to thank for reigniting my love for storytelling!
Chapter 9: Legacy
Summary:
The arrival of their firstborn reminds Bruce of the two people he wishes could be here the most.
Notes:
I wanted to delve into the past and explore the anxieties Bruce experienced as a first-time parent. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
There were plenty of nights that Bruce could hardly believe this was his life, that he had a loving husband and a baby on the way, who were his entire world.
For years, it was only him and Alfred. The butler loved Bruce as if he were his own son. He made sure Bruce had everything and was there to comfort him on the hardest days. But Alfred knew he could never fill the void Bruce’s parents left. It was never his intention to. Nothing could ever replace them.
Grief didn’t come with a manual. It only had a button it could press at any moment—a silent watcher lurking behind life’s treasured moments. Over the years, the feeling dulled but never vanished. It burrowed deep within Bruce, tinting how he would forever view the world.
When Clark and Bruce began building their family, the shadows of Martha and Thomas Wayne crept alongside them. Bruce spent many sleepless nights, doubting his abilities. He only had his parents for eight short years. Was that even long enough to make a lasting impact? To learn everything he needed to raise his own child?
During his pregnancy, Bruce spent most of his time teetering between excitement and dread. He sensed it was more than just the nerves of first-time parenthood. He and Clark marked each monthly milestone. Clark tracked the baby's size each week by comparing him to various fruits, recording Bruce's changes in photos, and chronicling every appointment. The taller man maintained weekly calls home, his anticipation radiating from every pore. Bruce never doubted Clark would be a fantastic father and loved the ways Clark kept proving him right.
However, the arrival of their baby reminded Bruce of the two people he wouldn’t get to experience this joy with. The two people he wished could be here the most.
Years of therapy helped him come to terms with his emotions. He never failed to put a name to what he was feeling. He wasn’t going to suppress it, especially late at night when sometimes the only thing in his head was a supercut of all the memories he’d made with his folks. As nostalgia swept over him, his heart ached for more.
“Is he keeping you awake?” Clark yawned as he slowly blinked at Bruce, his hand reaching to caress Bruce’s bump. Their bedsheets clinged to the swell, the lovely reminder of how well their baby was doing.
“He’s not,” Bruce assured him. He didn’t even realize he was staring straight at their wall, completely lost in thought. “I’m just thinking is all.”
“About what?” Clark probed, sitting up to meet Bruce’s eye.
“About my mom and dad.” Bruce smoothed his hand over his stomach. His eyes started to sting at the memories. “I wish they could be here.”
Clark gently put his arm around him, keeping Bruce close. His heart ached for the in-laws he had never met. “I know they would be so proud of you, B. So proud of the man you are.”
Bruce wiped the tears falling from his eyes with his pajama sleeve. Years ago, he would have held them in, refusing to let anyone see him in this vulnerable state. But now he felt safe, and with safety came trust. And there was no one he trusted more than his husband. “I wish they could’ve met you and him. And I could ask them the millions of questions that I have.”
Clark kissed his cheek. “From all the amazing stories you and Alfred told me, they sound lovely.”
“They were.” Bruce nodded with a small smile before sniffing. “My dad used to give me the best hugs and sometimes he would take the day off from work and take me out of school early so we could catch a matinee of any movie I wanted to see. I think mom knew what he was doing, but she never said anything if she did.”
“That’s very sweet. I’m sure you must’ve had a blast.” Clark smiled softly at him as he kept him close. He loved learning more about his in-laws and unpacking the layers that built Bruce.
“It was the best. And my mom used to sing to me every night. She had the most beautiful voice.” Bruce gently rubbed his bump. “It was always the same song. She sang it to me before I was even born. Said it was the only thing that got me to calm down most of the time.”
Clark nodded, taking little notes as he gently rested his hand on Bruce’s, marveling at the life nestled inside him. “Something we can try on our little guy when the time comes.”
“Yeah.” Bruce smiled softly. The moonlight through the windows highlighted Bruce’s handsome features—his strong jawline, sharp grey eyes, and chiseled cheekbones. As Bruce’s pregnancy progressed, those features softened, and Clark’s feelings shifted from simple admiration to a renewed, deeper love, always finding something new about Bruce to admire.
“He still needs a name,” Clark reminded his husband. “We can’t call him baby boy forever.”
“Sure we can,” Bruce replied. “Names are overrated anyways.”
“Afraid that won’t be a good excuse when it comes time to enroll him in school.” Clark chuckled softly.
Bruce couldn’t even begin to think that far ahead in the future when the baby was still kicking his ribs most days.
“How about we name him after your dad?” Clark suggested. “Something to honor him by.”
“It’s a nice idea, but I don’t want him to feel like he has to live up to any expectations,” Bruce explained.
“He would’ve been Martha if he was a girl,” Clark reminded the older man.
Bruce shook his head. “That’s different though. I mean what are the odds that’s both our mom’s name.”
“Fair point.” Clark chuckled slightly, staying close to his husband. “I got a couple of names in mind we could workshop.”
“Let’s hear it. I’m not going back to sleep anytime soon.” Bruce adjusted his pillow slightly to get more comfortable.
The late-night name workshopping became part of their nightly routine. As expecting parents, they welcomed the ritual. Clark grabbed his pencil and notepad, writing down every name he could think of. Bruce was surprised there was still room for more—they had exhausted nearly every name imaginable.
“How about Kyle?” Clark started.
“Sounds like a stakeboarder.”
“Lester?”
“That’s an old man’s name,” Bruce reasoned.
“Samuel.”
“He’s not Amish, Clark.”
Clark knitted his brows, going over his list again before noticing one he had missed.
“How do you feel about Richard?” Clark asked softly as he stared into Bruce’s grey eyes, trying to gauge his immediate reaction. It felt like an older name, but not too old to be outdated. A strong name the baby could grow into.
Bruce nearly spoke before grabbing Clark’s hand to rest on his bump. The baby greeted Clark’s palm with a strong kick as if in agreement. A small smile broke out across Bruce’s lips. “Seems like he likes it. And I like it too.”
“Yeah.” Clark rubbed small circles across Bruce’s stomach. “Is that so, Dickie?” Clark tested out the nickname to see how it would feel, rolling off his tongue with ease. The baby gave another strong kick against the palm of his hand.
“I think that settles it,” Bruce replied. “He’s got a name now.”
Clark nodded before leaning over to kiss Bruce’s bump. It was always his favorite way to end the day. “Pa loves you so much already, Dickie. I get more excited to meet you everyday.”
Bruce combed his fingers through Clark’s hair, his heart bursting as he watched him bond with their baby. “So do I.”
Babies didn’t come with a manual. Only an alarm that seemed to go off every minute over the smallest things.
It still took Bruce’s breath away—just weeks ago, his son had been inside his body, and now holding him brought a rush of awe and disbelief. The change felt too fast and profoundly moving, every moment catching him off guard.
His days were now spent in an endless cycle: changing, feeding, burping, and sleeping, in no particular order. He cherished every minute of it.
Dick had been increasingly fussy, spending the night crying as Bruce attempted every solution he had in his utility belt to get the little guy to settle down. None worked.
Bruce walked around the nursery, bouncing the baby and kissing his head as he worked out more methods to calm him down, until there was only one option left.
“You want a song, sweetheart?” Bruce gently rocked him, a hint of pleading in his voice, desperate to find anything to make his baby happy again. He knew their son wouldn’t answer, but there was something special about asking him anyway, doing anything he could to involve the baby. “I’ll sing you something my mom, your grandma, used to sing to me.”
The tune started low as Bruce took his time to settle into the melody, almost feeling as if his mother were guiding him. Once he remembered, the lyrics melted like waves on a shore. He walked around the room singing, his baritone filling the space as Dick calmed and rested against Bruce's chest, their heartbeats matching as the baby fell asleep. Bruce kissed Dick’s head and gently rubbed his back, savoring the moment he never thought he'd experience.
“You have a beautiful voice, B,” Clark spoke softly from the doorway. His chest filled with pride at the display of love he witnessed. He came to provide some relief for Bruce, but instead got a masterclass in parenting.
“I try my best.” Bruce smiled softly at the baby. “I’m glad he likes it as much as I do.”
“I think he already knows how special it is,” Clark reasoned.
“He sure does.” Bruce nodded.
For years, the shadows of Martha and Thomas Wayne felt like impossible titans—shoes Bruce didn’t know he could fill. Now, those shadows no longer intimidated him. They felt as warm as the embrace Bruce shared while snuggling their son. He was happy he could help his parents' legacy live on.
Notes:
I cannot thank y’all enough for taking time out of your days to jump into this world with me! It's an honor to share this world with you!
Chapter 10: Good Morning
Summary:
If this was going to be Clark’s future, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Notes:
Here's something short and sweet centered around Clark/Bruce before they had children. I envision them between 22 and 23 in this. I plan to explore more of their early years as inspiration continues to strike! I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Every time Clark looked at Bruce, it took his breath away.
It didn’t matter if it was the first time he glimpsed Bruce across the Gotham University campus or waking to see him, hair tousled in every direction. Clark’s heart stuttered as he memorized every feature of Bruce’s face.
“If you take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Bruce mumbled, half awake, before taking Clark’s hand. The new silver band on his finger sent a warm shiver down Clark’s spine, an anniversary gift, and the start of a new era.
“I know, but a camera couldn’t do this.” Clark gently kissed his lips, his hand tenderly cupping Bruce’s cheek. It was hard to imagine with Clark’s large build, but the man only knew how to be delicate.
“You’re right about something,” Bruce playfully teased before pulling him back in for another kiss.
Clark smiled through it, his dimples a permanent fixture on his face these days. “I have my moments.”
“You sure do.” Bruce rested his head on Clark's chest, listening to his heartbeat as Clark gently ran his fingers through Bruce’s hair. If this was going to be Clark’s future, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! It blows my mind that work has almost 5K hits! I appreciate every single one of you for taking the time to indulge in these stories. It's a pleasure getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 11: New Friends
Summary:
It wasn’t the type of place Bruce ever wanted to be in. A bunch of kids ran aimlessly around. Arcade noises blared from every game imaginable, while the nauseating stench of greasy pizza with no nutritional value filled the air. Yet the bright smile on Dick’s face, as friends and classmates gathered around the animatronic show, made it all worth it. After all, it wasn’t every day your eldest turned 8 years old.
Notes:
This whole story started because I couldn't stop smiling at the thought of Bruce sitting in a Chuck E. Cheese and enduring the craziest to make his kids happy! I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It wasn’t the type of place Bruce ever wanted to be in. A bunch of kids ran aimlessly around. Arcade noises blared from every game imaginable, while the nauseating stench of greasy pizza with no nutritional value filled the air. Yet the bright smile on Dick’s face, as friends and classmates gathered around the animatronic show, made it all worth it. After all, it wasn’t every day your eldest turned 8 years old.
Bruce stayed at their reserved dining table in the showroom, his 8-month-old in a carrier strapped across his chest, eagerly playing with his hands while Bruce observed the room. Clark moved through the seats, gathering the older children as the second graders eagerly clustered around him, excited to play with a friendly giant. This was the usual division of their roles.
“Ba baba ba ba,” Tim babbled up at him as he gently patted Bruce’s hand. “Ba ba baba.”
“Mmhmm.” Bruce nodded intensely, as if he understood a single word his youngest said. “It is a fun party, isn’t it sweetheart?”
“Baba ba ba ba,” Tim replied. Bruce smiled softly and kissed the top of his head.
“I hope I’m not interrupting an important conversation.” A blonde man in a red sweater approached, smiling. “You’re Dick’s dad, right? Bruce Wayne?”
“I am,” Bruce replied coolly. He wasn’t used to many people not knowing him. “Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”
“Should’ve started with that.” The blonde chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. Bruce immediately clocked it as a nervous tic. “I’m Barry Allen, Wally’s uncle. He and Dick are in the same class.”
“Yes.” The name was immediately familiar to Bruce. “Dick talks about him all the time,” Bruce answered.
"Wally does too." Barry smiled. "My wife and I are his legal guardians. We moved here recently for my work. Our biggest worry was how Wally would adjust. It’s a tough age for so much change. But since starting here, Dick has made him feel welcome. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that. I hope they can hang out outside of school, too."
Bruce did his best to listen, but the other man spoke at nearly a hundred miles per minute. “You want to schedule a play date?” Bruce interjected.
“Yes!” Barry exclaimed. “Exactly! Iris and I would be honored to host something at our house or go to the park and let them run around for a bit. If you’re open to it.”
Bruce glanced at Dick and the red-haired boy he played with most of the party, smiling as they enjoyed Dick’s new Hot Wheels.
“I’ll be happy to work something out,” Bruce replied.
“Bababa ba baba ba,” Tim interjected before playing with the sleeve of Bruce’s black sweater.
“I take it that little man here agrees,” Barry said, chuckling as the baby stared up at him as if analyzing his features.
“Mmhmm.” Bruce nodded. “This is our youngest, Tim. He turned 8 months old yesterday. Our four-year-old, Jason, is over there with his Pa.” Bruce pointed to the dark-haired boy staying close to Clark’s side.
“How lovely.” Barry smiled and grabbed a sheet of paper and the nearest pen to scribble on. “Here’s my number so we can work out more details later. Enjoy the rest of the party.”
“You too, Barry,” Bruce said, leaning back in his seat just as the birthday boy rushed over.
“Dad! Dad! Can Wally spend the night?” Dick smiled brightly at him, his floof of dark hair bouncing slightly as he ran to Bruce. “Pa said I needed to ask you.”
“Not tonight, sweetheart,” Bruce said gently. “You got an early practice tomorrow. But I’ll talk to Wally’s uncle and see if next week works for them.”
“Really?!” Dick exclaimed before hugging Bruce’s side, being extremely mindful of his baby brother. “You’re the best dad!”
“I certainly try.” Bruce kissed his forehead. “How about you help me gather up your friends and we can start serving the cake.”
Dick nodded, then rushed straight to Wally. He took his friend’s hand, and together they ran around the room, gathering Dick’s classmates. The walls echoed with shouts of "It’s Cake Time!" as kids screamed at the top of their lungs. Bruce wished he could bottle this energy and keep it forever.
Clark picked Dick up so he could sit at the head of the table as the staff brought over the cake, an edible image of their eldest favorite superhero plastered on top, with a bright blue number 8 candle in the center. Dick's smile could light up an entire city as his friends and family sang the sacred birthday tune before blowing out his candle.
“What did you wish for?” Wally asked as he looked over Dick’s shoulder.
“I can’t say or else it won’t come true,” Dick reminded him. “But I’ll tell you first when it does.”
Wally smiled. The kids enjoyed the cake and played for another hour, until most of the guests had left. Only the Wayne-Kents, Barry, and Wally remained at the end.
Bruce was a bit taken aback by Barry’s willingness to help out.
“I always feel it’s right to help clean up,” Barry said, gathering a trash bag to collect wrapping paper as Clark cleaned the table. “We helped make this mess—it’s fair to tidy it.”
“We greatly appreciate it,” Clark replied. “I’m glad you could attend.”
“So are we.” Barry smiled back at him.
Bruce settled Tim in his car seat; the baby was fast asleep. “Dick wanted to know if Wally could spend the night next week. Does that work for you?”
Barry nodded. “Of course. That’s perfect, Bruce. It’s quite the honor.”
Bruce smiled softly. “We can work out some more details this week.”
He turned to watch the boys, who had invited Jason to join them. Together, they played on the floor with Dick’s new action figures, inventing elaborate stories and pretending to conquer new worlds.
Watching them play, Bruce couldn’t help but see the beginnings of a lovely friendship.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! I appreciate y'all taking the time to do so! It's a pleasure getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 12: Dancing Through Life
Summary:
Clark always knew he had two left feet. Gentle, yes—but graceful, never. He lost his balance on solid ground, tripped on air, and was as well known for his clumsiness in the office as he was for his writing. To save himself the embarrassment, he avoided dancing, blending into the wall and nursing his drink while watching other couples take to the floor.
He should’ve known things were going to be different when Bruce came into his life. The first gala Clark attended with him, Gotham’s prince pulled him onto the dance floor with no warning, taking Clark’s hand as they made their way to the center of the room, moving through the crowd like a needle pulling thread.
Notes:
Clark is forever the definition of "If he wanted to he would." I couldn't stop thinking of how sweet it would be for him to learn a new skill only because he knew it would make Bruce smile. I hope you enjoy this story!
And yes, the title is a Wicked reference! I love that show and it fit perfectly with the themes of this story!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“What are you doing, B?” Clark leaned in, his voice trembling as he whispered into Bruce’s ear, anxiety prickling his every nerve as his boyfriend’s hand slid to Clark’s waist, the grip on his other hand grounding him amid a storm of nerves. The music pulsed through the ballroom, nearly drowning out the frantic pounding of Clark’s heart. “You know I don’t dance.”
Clark always knew he had two left feet. Gentle, yes—but graceful, never. He lost his balance on solid ground, tripped on air, and was as well known for his clumsiness in the office as he was for his writing. To save himself the embarrassment, he avoided dancing, blending into the wall and nursing his drink while watching other couples take to the floor.
He should’ve known things were going to be different when Bruce came into his life. The first gala Clark attended with him, Gotham’s prince pulled him onto the dance floor with no warning, taking Clark’s hand as they made their way to the center of the room, moving through the crowd like a needle pulling thread.
“I know. But I do,” Bruce sternly replied, the determined gaze in his eyes that made Clark weak in his knees. He guided Clark to put his hand on his shoulder, ensuring their postures were perfect, with no space between them. “That’s why I’m leading. Follow my feet and the rest will come easily.”
Clark blushed as Bruce took the first step, guiding him expertly around the other couples who glided effortlessly across the floor. At first, Clark nearly stomped on Bruce’s toes every other step. Still, he relaxed more each time they rotated around the room, staring into Bruce’s eyes and seeing the soft smile on his face as they swayed. In that moment, Clark knew he’d do anything Bruce asked. He wanted to live for that smile. It wasn’t as bad as he imagined, and he had the best view in the building. The more they danced, the more Clark understood Bruce’s enjoyment.
“Guess I needed to find the right partner.” Clark chuckled softly. Despite there being hundreds of people, it felt like they had the entire room to themselves.
Bruce nodded as they continued waltzing. “I’m always happy to be.”
Asking Bruce to marry him felt like breathing—natural, essential, right. Wedding plans were a flurry of excitement and nerves, joyful anticipation mingling with Clark’s deep desire to create magic for them both. He longed to surprise Bruce, to show him just how much he truly cherished him.
For the last three months, Clark took ballroom dance lessons during his lunch break. As the weeks passed, he focused on smoothing out all the rough edges so he could be as skilled as possible for their first dance. By the end of the three months, he could waltz and foxtrot without looking at his feet. He wasn’t a pro, but could now hold his own.
On their wedding day, when they made their official debut as a married couple in the Wayne Manor ballroom, Clark eagerly took Bruce’s hand and gave it a soft squeeze as their first song queued up. A standard they could both enjoy.
Bruce readied himself in his usual position, reaching for Clark’s waist before the taller man stopped him.
“Actually, B, I’ll be leading.” Clark’s voice was gentle but bursting with pride. The rings on their fingers fortified Clark against any lingering doubt. All that existed was his overwhelming need to show the entire world how profoundly he loved his husband.
Clark put his hand on Bruce's waist and held the older man’s other hand tight. As the music started and Sinatra’s voice filled the ballroom, Clark took the first step. He stared into his husband’s eyes as the rest of the world melted away.
“I thought you didn’t dance.” Bruce couldn’t hide the smile on his face if he tried, quite touched by the effort the taller man was putting in.
“I know. But you do.” Clark spun him gently, then pulled him back in, not wanting to be apart for even a second. “That’s why I took lessons. I want to always be your dance partner.”
“You’re a sap.” Bruce smiled before leaning up to kiss his husband gently, the same warmth he felt when he said 'I do' filling his chest, knowing this man was his.
“And you married me.” Clark chuckled softly as he leaned his forehead against Bruce’s.
“I sure did.” Bruce nodded as they continued to dance the night away. Only stopping to cut the cake and wish their guests goodnight.
Clark’s confidence in dancing burned brighter each year. Now, he was the one to draw Bruce close at galas, sometimes pulling the older man eagerly onto the dancefloor. Supporting Bruce was never a question for Clark—if Bruce needed him, he was there in a heartbeat, longing to intertwine their hands and lose himself with Bruce on the dance floor all night.
Over the years, Clark had been to nearly every ballroom in Gotham. But his favorite place to dance with Bruce would always be home.
As the radio played softly in the living room, Clark took Bruce’s hand and put it on his waist. Then, as time seemed to slow, they began to waltz cautiously around the furniture, staring into each other’s eyes. With every passing moment, their love grew stronger.
While there were plenty of nights when they danced around the house alone, this time they had a small audience as their boys were eager to watch, encouraging their parents to dance while they looked through their wedding album, simultaneously fighting over who would get to go next.
“I wanna dance with Pa next,” Dick exclaimed. “It looks like fun.”
“But I wanna dance with Pa!” Jason protested. “You always get to go first.”
Tim stared up at them from his playpen, clapping his hands along with the music, a huge smile on his face.
“You can all take turns.” Clark chuckled softly as he gave Bruce one final spin before kissing his cheek. “You’ll all get your chance.”
“Okay,” the two eldest said in unison. Jason would dance with Clark first, while Bruce danced with Dick, making each of their boys feel special as they swayed around the room.
Clark would steal glances at his husband every so often, grateful that Bruce ever took a chance on two left feet and the life it led to.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! It's a joy getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 13: Surprised Addition
Summary:
“You gave me a belated Valentine’s Day gift.” Bruce handed over the white stick to Clark. He already knew; the morning sickness had been abrupt and clear. Taking the test was just to have proof for the taller man.
What was meant to be a simple night of passion ended with a memento neither of them had anticipated.Or the Wayne-Kent Family grows a little bit bigger.
Notes:
The time has come to welcome some new additions to the family. It took me ages to write as I wanted to tell the best possible story I could. I rewrote and revised this at least four times. I hope you enjoy!
To help establish ages, Clark and Bruce are about 37 and 38 in this story, as they’re 26 and 27 when Dick is born.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“You gave me a belated Valentine’s Day gift.” Bruce handed over the white stick to Clark. He already knew; the morning sickness had been abrupt and clear. Taking the test was just to have proof for the taller man.
What was meant to be a simple night of passion ended with a memento neither of them had anticipated.
“I’ll be darn.” Clark chuckled softly before looking back at Bruce, wanting to gauge his reaction before he said anything else. “Are you happy?”
Over the years, the parents had been content with three boys. All shared similar looks, yet each had a distinct personality. Tim, the youngest at five, read above his grade level. His keen intelligence and curiosity grew more apparent each day. Jason, the eight-year-old middle child, was smart and a ferocious reader. He nearly gave his parents heart attacks with his thrill-seeking bike stunts. Often, he returned home covered in more bandages than skin. The eldest, Dick, eleven, would start middle school later that year. Charismatic and kind, he made friends easily. He sought leadership opportunities at school and in gymnastics, spending as much time on the pommel horse and bars as on his schoolwork. Bruce and Clark couldn’t help but be proud of them.
“There’s a lot I’m feeling,” Bruce replied, sitting on the edge of their bed as Clark took a seat next to him. “I’m happy, excited, thrilled, but I’m also worried. We’re not as young as we used to be, Clark.”
“No, we’re not.” Clark gently squeezed his hand. “That’s just reality.”
Bruce nodded. He was pushing forty and already had a few grey hairs on his temple, and now he was having a baby that would only be graduating college by the time he was close to retirement.
“We’re going to be the oldest parents in their class,” Bruce replied as he mindlessly placed his hand on his stomach, the familiar habit creeping back in at the news.
“Yeah, but also the wisest.” Clark, ever the optimist, found the silver lining. “We’ve done this a few times.”
“Did you want another kid?” Bruce asked. “I know we were set at three…”
“B,” Clark interrupted him. “I would have a whole army with you if you wanted to. You’re a great dad and my favorite job in the whole world is being our kids Pa. I’m not upset if that’s what you’re really asking. The complete opposite, I’m thrilled.”
Bruce leaned on Clark’s shoulder, smiling. "I’m not upset. Maybe you'll get a mini me this time."
“Maybe.” Clark kissed the top of his head. “Or that girl you’ve wanted.”
"Maybe." Bruce couldn’t stop imagining the possibilities.
Later, the challenge became sharing the news with their sons. Telling the boys this go-round was easier said than done. Somehow, they even managed to find the time to get them all together, despite their various extracurricular activities.
“Are we in trouble?” Jason asked first, trying to read his parents' body language. After thinking of everything he did the past few weeks, he couldn’t think of any reason he would be.
"No one's in trouble," Bruce assured them. "We have news to share."
“Is it a family vacation?” Dick smiled brightly at them. “That’ll be so cool!”
“It’s not a family vacation,” Clark said. “But it does have to do with family.”
"What is it?" Tim pressed, fidgeting with anticipation.
"You're getting a new sibling," Bruce announced. "I'm pregnant."
"Really?!" the boys said together, each with their own reaction.
Tim was intrigued. He spent his whole life being the baby and wondering what it would be like to be an older sibling.
Jason was annoyed. He thought their family was complete.
Dick was beaming. He loved being an older brother and was excited to welcome another sibling to their family.
“I thought you were done having babies,” Jason huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
“We thought so too,” Bruce answered. “But these things happen.”
"Cool! Now you’ll have something to do while we’re out," Dick joked.
“Kids, a baby isn’t a hobby you pick up for fun,” Clark reminded them. “There’s going to be a lot of changes around here.”
“Yeah, dad’s gonna get big,” Jason replied and slowly pulled his hands apart to emphasize. This earned him an elbow to the ribs from Dick.
Clark elected to ignore it. He would discuss Jason's attitude with him later. “When they arrive, your routines will have to adjust. And there will be a few more responsibilities we expect from you.”
The boys nodded.
“We can help out more,” Dick replied. “But I’m not changing any diapers.”
“We’re not expecting that from either of you,” Bruce confirmed. “You’re all still kids at the end of the day and now you get another sibling to experience this with.”
As the weeks passed, Bruce didn’t know if it was his age catching up to him. The first trimester hit him harder than the last time. Morning sickness was rougher; even the stench of a single egg could incapacitate him. By afternoon, he was exhausted. Maybe it was all in his head, but his pants seemed to get tighter already. He knew he would show eventually, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be this soon.
“I think I know what the culprit is,” Dr. Thompkins said during his next visit with her. “Or rather the culprits.” She waved the wand over Bruce’s stomach, highlighting two distinct shapes. “You’re having twins, Bruce.”
“But how? Twins don’t even run in our family,” Bruce tried to reason, his eyes never leaving the screen. It was a lot to take in. Somehow, he never considered this a possibility.
“Twins are more common in older carriers,” Dr. Thompkins answered as she continued examining the babies. “And with elevated hormone levels, morning sickness can be worse. I’m seeing two placentas too, which means they’re fraternal.”
Clark, relief evident on his face, gently squeezed Bruce’s hand as the doctor explained. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he ever mixed them up.
“We’re going to have to schedule a few more appointments,” Dr. Thompkins mentioned once she was done with the machine. “To make sure they’re both growing and keep track of any complications.”
“Complications?” Bruce raised an eyebrow.
“There’s nothing to worry about right now, you and the babies are healthy,” she assured him. “Twin pregnancies just have a higher risk, so we’ll keep a close eye on you all.”
“That makes sense.” Bruce felt himself ease slightly as he rubbed the gel off his stomach. He could already see the bump taking shape.
“We’ll take great care of you, B,” Clark promised as he kissed his cheek.
“You always do.” Bruce smiled softly, finally letting himself relish in the excitement. “I guess we gotta tell the boys now.”
“There are two babies!” Dick exclaimed, the smile on his face growing wider as he looked over the ultrasound photo. “I can’t wait to tell Wally I’m getting two younger siblings!”
“Hey!” Jason and Tim playfully took offense.
“Two new younger siblings,” the eldest clarified.
Tim went wide-eyed. “That means I’m the middle child now.”
“It’s your turn for the title, Timbers.” Jason didn’t even try to hold his laughter.
“I’ll be the better middle child anyways,” Tim teased, sticking his tongue out.
“We don’t care about where you rank in the lineup,” Clark clarified and gently wrapped his arm around his husband’s waist. “We love you all so much and we’re happy we get to add two more to our family.”
By the time the second trimester hit, Bruce was starting to feel better. He didn’t worry about smells or if he was going to be tired before dinner. However, he had never been so hungry before, and the cravings he experienced were like no other. Sweet and spicy were in a constant battle on his tongue, often craving vanilla ice cream with hot sauce on top.
“That’s gross,” Jason mentioned as he watched his dad take another spoonful of his treat. It made his stomach turn.
“It’s what the babies want to eat,” Bruce reasoned as he gently patted his stomach. “When I was pregnant with you, I craved burgers. I used to make Pa go get them for me in the middle of the night.”
“But that's actual food,” Jason reasoned. “Not this.”
Bruce shrugged his shoulders. No one was going to take this away from him, nor the stash of Sour Patch Kids he kept in his office to munch on throughout the day.
As Bruce grew bigger, new questions started to arise at home—especially from his youngest. He anticipated that Tim would have plenty of questions about his pregnancy. Tim was naturally curious and wanted to know the answer to everything, something he seemed to have inherited from Clark. They were sitting on the couch, watching a movie, when the first line of questioning began.
“Does it hurt?” Their youngest asked softly as he gently patted Bruce’s bump.
Bruce gently combed his fingers through Tim’s hair. “A little, but only when they kick a little too hard.”
Tim nodded. He could accept that answer. “What do they do in there?”
“They do a lot,” Bruce started. “First, they’re growing. That’s why they're in my tummy—so they’re safe until they’re ready to meet us. Now, they’re kicking and moving around a lot. They really like exploring.”
“How did they get in there?” Tim asked the question Bruce was dreading the most. The older man would do his best to explain it in terms their youngest could understand, not wanting to dumb it down too much. He respected his kids and their intelligence to ever do that to them.
“Well… umm…” Bruce grasped, trying to figure out the best way to phrase it. “I had two eggs in a special body part called the uterus, that’s where the babies are now, and when the eggs get fertilized, they become babies and start growing. They’ll continue to grow in my stomach until it’s time to come out.”
Tim nodded his head, following along. “How do they come out?”
“Pa and I will go to the hospital once they let me know they’re ready to meet us,” Bruce explained. “They’ll either come out with me pushing them out of my body, or the doctor might have to perform a procedure called a C-section to get them out. It’ll depend on how the babies are positioned once they’re ready.”
“Oh…” Tim nodded. “That makes sense. I hope they enjoy being in your tummy in the meantime.”
“Me too, sweetheart.”
Bruce didn’t think more of it until later that evening when he and Clark were getting ready for bed.
“So…” Clark started. “Should I be concerned that Tim asked me how I fertilized your eggs?”
Bruce had to pinch the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath in. This was much easier when they could believe that babies magically appeared. “I’ll talk to him about it in the morning.”
Their next ultrasound only confirmed Bruce’s suspicion that they were incapable of having a girl. Two boys. They would have five boys under their roof by the end of the year, two under the age of one. Bruce could feel another grey hair growing as one of the babies kicked his kidney, their brother following shortly, jabbing his other side, not wanting to feel left out.
“It’s a good thing we can afford the grocery bill.” Clark chuckled, a warm smile on his face as the images of their large family flickered in his bright blue eyes. His boys meant the world to him.
“We should’ve moved to Kansas,” Bruce teased. “Put them all to use on your parents farm.”
“And miss out on the life I built with you here?” Clark shook his head. “This is where we're meant to be, B.”
Their boys were only elated by the news.
“You could name them Gary and Larry,” Dick suggested. “Or Sean and John”
“Thanks for the suggestions, Dickie.” Clark smiled softly. ‘We’ll take them into consideration.”
“You should name one of them Vlad, like a vampire,” Jason added. “That’s a cool name. We could call them Vladdy.”
“I’m not too thrilled about that idea,” Bruce replied. “We’ll figure out some names for them.”
“Okay, but you can’t say I didn’t try,” Jason said.
“We certainly cannot.” Bruce brushed his hair behind his ear. “Now wash up for dinner, it should be ready soon.”
The nursery was the next task the parents faced. While they still had a few baby items left over from the boys, it wasn’t enough to handle twins. They needed to add another crib and a changing table, gather a few more outfits for the babies to wear and grow into, and get a new stroller and two new car seats.
It warmed Bruce’s heart to see his boys coming and going from the room, their shirts and faces splattered with green paint, as he listened to Clark build the new furniture they had picked out.
“We’re not done yet, Dad,” Dick clarified. He knew Bruce was trying to sneak a peek. “You should be sitting anyway. Or else your feet and back are gonna hurt.”
“Alright, sweetheart.” Bruce made his way back to the living room. The babies’ movements rippled against his shirt as he gently smoothed his hand over the bump, as he settled on the couch. “You’re both excited to see what your Pa and brothers are doing, aren’t you?” Bruce said softly. A smile grew on his face as the babies kicked again. “I am too.”
Bruce relaxed on the couch, managing to take a little nap before his boys gently shook him awake.
“It’s ready,” Jason said softly, his smile as bright as a thousand suns. “I think you’ll like it Dad.”
Dick and Tim nodded in agreement.
“We worked very hard on it,” Tim added. “Made sure it perfect for our baby brothers”
Dick and Jason took Bruce’s hands to help him to his feet. They stayed close to his side as they made their way back up the stairs. Bruce found it precious that they were acting like his bodyguards.
“Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” Dick boasted, doing his best ring master impression. “I present the nursery.”
He opened the door slowly so Bruce could take it all in. Clark stood in the middle of the room, observing Bruce.
“So, what do you think, B?” Clark asked, doing his best to read his husband’s body language.
The older man analyzed every detail, from the green walls adorned with farm animals gazing out at the fields to the matching crib sets. Nothing was out of place. What touched him the most was seeing the elements his boys included. He didn’t expect to see Tim’s baby blanket, or Jason’s favorite picture books, or Dick’s favorite plushie lining the shelves.
“You did a wonderful job,” Bruce said, tears started to well up in his eyes. “I’m so proud of all of you.”
“Don’t cry, Dad.” Tim was the first to hug him.
“They’re happy tears, sweetheart.” Bruce gently combed his fingers through their youngest's hair, not able to bend down like he used to to embrace him. “They’re so lucky to have you three as their brothers.”
“We’re lucky to have them too,” Jason added, joining Tim to hug their Dad. “I’m excited to teach them everything they need to know.”
“We’ll be the best brothers they’ll ever have,” Dick agreed before joining in the group hug as well.
Clark took a few pictures of the bunch, wanting to savor the moment.
Fall settled in Gotham once Bruce started to feel the familiar ache, the contractions tightening his stomach every ten minutes. Any leaves that were still left on the trees were an array of golden oranges, reds, and the occasional yellow. It was a couple of weeks before his due date, but he knew twins were often born early, just grateful they made it to full term at 37 weeks and 5 days.
Bruce didn’t even have to wait a single ring before Clark answered his phone; he was practically glued to it since Bruce entered his third trimester.
“It’s time?!” Clark asked, his voice slightly raised. He knew Bruce would only call to let him know one thing.
“It’s time,” Bruce confirmed calmly before taking a deep breath. “Alfred will pick the kids up from school. I just need you here, Clark.”
“I’ll be there before you know it, B.” Clark hurried and gathered his belongings from his desk, rushing to the house to get to Bruce.
He found the older man clenching the back of the sofa with one hand and his bump with the other, his legs shaking as he focused on his breathing.
“They’re seven minutes apart now,” Bruce confirmed as Clark grabbed their bag. The car was fitted with the new car seats weeks ago.
Clark took Bruce’s hand and walked with him to the car, helping him settle into his seat as they made their way to the hospital.
While Clark was still nervous, it was nothing like the nerves he experienced when Dick was born. He now knew how to be a great partner in the delivery room, and he was aware of exactly what Bruce was capable of.
The older man couldn’t be more grateful for his husband, as Clark helped Bruce find a position to get comfortable in, squeezing his hand tightly to help ground him through a contraction, and praising him every chance he could.
“You’re doing great, B,” Clark pressed another kiss into his hair. He didn’t care that Bruce was covered in sweat. “They’ll be in your arms before you know it.”
Bruce nodded, taking another deep breath before pushing again. He trusted himself to know what to do, following his doctor for cues, and bearing down with everything he had when another contraction surged through his body. Feeling Clark's fingerprints kept him grounded as he focused his strength on delivering the babies.
It took four more pushes before their first twin came screaming into the world, his brother following twelve minutes later. Clark had never seen babies so tiny before, his eyes softening as he watched their every movement. Their cries were all proof that Clark needed to know they were strong.
“They’re beautiful, B.” Clark brushed Bruce’s hair back, his lovely smile spreading across his face.
Bruce smiled back up at him as he caught his breath, only to lose it again when both babies were placed into his arms, marveling at the little ones. Looking at their oldest twin was like looking at one of Bruce’s baby pictures; the resemblance down to the nose was uncanny. The youngest twin was the spitting image of Clark, his dark hair already curling on his forehead in a similar fashion to his Pa.
“Looks like we both got a mini me.” Clark chuckled before reaching for each of the babies' hands, still in awe that they were even here.
“I guess so.” Bruce smiled softly before kissing each of the babies' heads. Their sons nestled closer to him as their hands reached for the other. Bruce could tell in that moment that it would be hard to separate them. He looked back up to the taller man, Clark’s expression full of endless wonder, a limitless well of love for his family.
They discussed a few names before, knowing they wanted to get away from any of the traditional twin naming conventions, but looking at Clark, the man he had built this incredible life with, Bruce could only think of a few names he was certain of.
“I want to name them after our fathers,” Bruce said softly as he gently rubbed the babies' backs.
Clark was slightly taken aback, yet incredibly touched. “Are you sure, B? We don’t have to.”
“It feels right,” Bruce assured him before handing the youngest over to Clark. “He looks like a Jonathan.”
“And I guess that Thomas,” Clark inferred as he held baby Jonathan close.
“I like it as a middle name,” Bruce revealed as he held the eldest twin’s hand between his fingers. “It’s mine and I want it to be his too.”
“I think it’s lovely, B.” Clark smiled softly at him before kissing the youngest twin’s head. “They’re absolutely perfect.”
“Couldn’t have made them better if we tried.” Bruce nodded, getting lost in their new additions.
Damian Thomas Wayne-Kent and Jonathan Samuel Wayne-Kent were born at 3:15 p.m. and 3:27 p.m. on November 5th, weighing 6lbs and 8 oz and 7lbs and 2oz. Their arrival proved there was always room in their hearts to grow.
The parents welcomed their eldest boys to meet the twins later that evening.
“Are the babies really here?” Tim asked first once they were allowed to enter the room.
Clark nodded as he picked Tim up to help him see the babies better as they lay in their bassinets. “They are. This one is Damian, and this one is Jonathan.” Clark pointed them out to him.
The boy looked them over, examining every one of their little features. He couldn’t help but find them cute. “Damian and Dad have the same eyebrows,” Tim announced, quite proud of his discovery. “They’re very cute.”
“Guess you didn’t like the names Gary and Larry.” Dick chuckled softly as he looked over his baby brothers.
“Jon technology made the cut through,” Bruce added from the bed.
“True.” Dick smiled softly as he let Jon curl his hand around his finger. He couldn’t help but love them already.
“How are you doing, Dad?” Jason asked. He thought the babies were precious, but he couldn’t help but worry about the older man.
“I’m a little sore,” Bruce revealed. “But nothing a little rest and spending time with my favorite people can’t fix.”
Jason smiled softly at that. “We’ll help you feel better before you know it.”
“I have no doubt about it, Jaybird,” Bruce replied, completely enamoured by the love that surrounded their family and their new additions. “You always do.”
Notes:
Thank you for reading! I’m grateful you took the time to do so! It’s a pleasure getting to share this world with you!
Chapter 14: Meet and Greet
Summary:
“I get to interview an author next week, so that’s exciting. I can’t remember her name off the top of my head—either Diane Princeton or Diana Price.”
At the mention of that familiar-sounding name, Jason’s fork clattered onto his plate, instantly halting the conversation. Clark had never seen Jason’s eyes so wide. “You’re… You’re talking to Diana Prince?! My Pa is going to meet Diana Prince?!”Clark helps Jason meet his literary hero.
Notes:
I didn’t intend to take such a long break from posting. I have a lot of ideas currently running in my head, and it's been hard picking just one to focus on for the time being! Jason, being a bibliophile, is something I hold dearly, and I wanted to find a way for him to meet one of his favorite heroes in this series. I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Clark’s boys didn’t often take an interest in their Pa’s work. Though they thought it was cool to have a reporter for a father, the topics he covered—local government and global politics—rarely sparked their enthusiasm. Whenever Clark started sharing stories about the people he’d interviewed, the boys would pick at their vegetables, pretending to listen. Tonight, as he prepared to recount his day at the dinner table, Clark expected things would play out no differently.
“Cat’s going on vacation for a few weeks, so Perry asked if I could cover her beat,” Clark said as he tried to get Damian to eat his mashed peas. Damian kept his mouth tightly shut in protest. “I get to interview an author next week, so that’s exciting. I can’t remember her name off the top of my head—either Diane Princeton or Diana Price.”
At the mention of that familiar-sounding name, Jason’s fork clattered onto his plate, instantly halting the conversation. Clark had never seen Jason’s eyes so wide. “You’re… You’re talking to Diana Prince?! My Pa is going to meet Diana Prince?!”
“Yeah...” Clark replied. “Is that okay, Jaybird?”
“Okay?! Okay?!” Jason repeated, throwing his hands in the air as if short-circuiting, trying to catch his breath, shocked that his Pa would ever ask such an obvious question. “She’s only the best writer EVER! I’ve read all her books at least twice!”
Bruce nodded as he fed Jon another spoonful of his mashed sweet potatoes, their youngest more cooperative than his twin. “We were practically first in line at Gotham Books when her last book came out last year.”
“She’s just the coolest, Pa!” Jason couldn’t keep his voice down if he tried, far too excited to even think about using his indoor voice. “Can I meet her? Please! The Princess of Themyscira is the best series ever, and I need to let her know I’m her biggest fan. I’ll do all my chores. I’ll even do Dick’s chores if you take me.”
“Yeah, Pa.” Dick now had a reason to vouch for him. “You should take Jason with you.”
“You can do my chores too, Jay,” Tim added. “If that’ll help.”
“I’ll see,” Clark said, relenting as he looked at Jason. “But I can’t make any promises, Jaybird. Sometimes the people I interview have very busy schedules and have to go to their next appointments immediately.”
Jason, undeterred by the answer, quickly nodded his head. He stood and walked around the table to throw his arms around his Pa, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Getting the go-ahead from Perry was easier than Clark expected. The editor-in-chief even encouraged Clark to get Jason involved in the interview process.
“If your kid knows all these books by heart, he should be able to come up with a few smart questions for her to answer,” Perry reasoned before immediately sending Clark on his way to his next story.
Clark spent the week learning about the series and the author from Jason, who eagerly talked about his favorite characters and the answers he hoped would be revealed in the next book. Clark had never seen Jason so enthralled.
Clark wrote down everything he could, gathering intel from Jason to ensure he asked the right questions. He also spent nights reading the books to find anything he might’ve missed. From the first book alone, he could see why Jason was hooked: a mythical school where Amazons trained to be warriors and help defeat evil, all while the main character unraveled the mysteries of her past. The story was more enticing than he predicted.
The day of the interview came before they knew it. Jason wore his favorite red dress shirt, the one he saved for galas and family events. Clark helped him with his tie that morning before they headed to the office. He found it adorable that Jason was putting in so much effort.
“I want to make a good first impression,” Jason assured him, double-checking that his wavy hair was neatly styled, not a strand too out of place.
“I think you look great, Jaybird,” Clark assured him with a gentle smile. He quickly readjusted his glasses, double-checked that he had his briefcase, then leaned over to kiss Bruce’s cheek before turning to Jason so they could both walk out the door together.
Even though Jason had visited the Daily Planet office before, its grandeur never failed to impress him. The Art Deco skyscraper soared above Metropolis, giving Clark’s office a breathtaking view of Gotham.
“It’s nice that I can keep my eye on you all even when I’m at work,” Clark teased as he got his space set up for the day, his laptop roaring to life as he went over his to-do list, making sure his deadlines were in order.
During a lull, Jason took time to study his Pa’s desk. Behind the computer, little knick-knacks and family photos—of him, his Dad, and his brothers—crowded a corkboard near Clark’s monitor. Seeing this display of affection warmed Jason’s heart.
By 10:00 am, Jason waited patiently with his Pa in one of the conference rooms of the Daily Planet, watching intently as Clark prepared his notes for the interview, all his questions laid out in front of him, and his recorder ready for the moment the interview would begin.
What felt like an eternity for Jason ended when the author herself walked in. He had seen her face on the book sleeve many times, but meeting her in person was beyond imagination. She looked stunning in her navy blue suit, with long black hair that highlighted her piercing blue eyes and sharp cheekbones. She was taller than he expected; her head nearly reached Pa’s chin when she shook Clark’s hand. Her smile was as warm as his grandma’s apple pies. She felt like a statue brought to life.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Clark. I’m a big fan of your work,” Diana said, her voice soft yet commanding, conveying a confidence that couldn’t be taught. “And who’s this young man?”
Jason couldn’t believe she was looking straight at him, his heartbeat racing faster the longer she kept eye contact with him.
“This is my son, Jason,” Clark said warmly, placing his hand gently on Jason’s shoulder and steering him a step forward. “He’s actually a big fan of your work.”
Jason nodded, still speechless, as he tried to find a single word to say. With all the time he had to practice, his brain suddenly betrayed him.
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Jason.” Diana extended her hand, her smile never fading. “It’s always a pleasure to meet a fan.”
“I’ve… I’ve read all your books at least three times,” Jason explained. “And I read your last book in less than 12 hours. It’s my fastest record so far. I plan on breaking it when your next book comes out.”
“Wow.” Diana nodded, genuinely engaged in the conversation. “I’m quite honored.”
Jason smiled softly at that, his nerves calming down with every passing second. “I love reading. I read at least three to four books a week. I want to be a writer someday too.”
“It must run in the family then.” Diana looked back at Clark. “As long as you keep practicing and you keep reading anything that interests you, your name will be on the bookshelves before you know it, Jason. And I’ll be the one reading your book in less than 12 hours.”
“It sure will.” Clark nodded, opening his notebook. “I’m ready to start as soon as you’re ready, Ms. Prince.”
“Please call me Diana.” The author settled comfortably into her chair as she awaited the first question. “Ms. Prince is my mother.”
Jason watched in awe throughout the interview. He loved learning more about Diana’s inspiration as an author, her love of Greek Mythology, the writing advice she had to share for budding authors, and what the next plans were for The Princess of Themyscira series.
However, Diana wasn’t the only person Jason’s attention was glued to. He was amazed by the thoughtful questions Clark had, as well as the tactful ways he got to the heart of the story and put his subject at ease. He could ask the expected fluffy questions, along with questions tied to the more mature themes of the series, proving that the reporter had done his homework.
By the end of the hour interview, it felt as if no time had passed.
“Thank you again for taking the time to meet with us today, Diana,” Clark said.
“Haven’t had an interview like this well… ever.” Diana chuckled softly. “Most places I talk to only care about who I’m wearing and who I’m seeing.”
“That’s never been my style,” Clark said. “You have a great rest of your day.”
“Diana, before you go,” Jason said. “Can you sign my book?” He pulled his beloved copy from his bag. The spine was cracked, and the pages were bent in different directions. Even closed, you could see the notes in the margins and the highlighted words he used to grow his vocabulary.
Diana took the book in her hands without hesitation. She turned it over, running her fingers along the well-worn edges and admiring how much this copy was loved. Seeing the dog-eared pages, she was touched, realizing how much the world she built meant to him. Now, it was clear the boy wasn’t exaggerating about his dedication as a reader. Opening the cover, Diana carefully wrote him a little note and then handed the book back to its owner.
“Here you go.” Diana gave him another warm smile. “You two have a great rest of your day.”
Diana left the room, her heels clicking softly as she walked out and stepped into the elevator. Jason stood and watched her until the elevator doors closed, then, finally brave, he looked down at his book to read her note.
To Jason,
Always continue to let your imagination soar, to let your passions grow, and to always follow your dreams.
Your friend,
Diana
Jason held the book close to his chest, a few tears springing from his eyes as he let the weight of the day collapse into him.
Clark knelt next to him. “Are you okay, Jaybird?”
“This has been the best day ever!” Jason wrapped his arms around Clark’s neck. “Thank you for making it happen, Pa.”
“Thank you for all your help.” Clark gently rubbed his back. “Couldn’t have done this without you.”
Jason smiled softly at that. He was excited to get home tonight and tell everyone about their day.
“I wish you all could’ve been there,” Jason beamed before taking another bite of his chicken. “She was so nice, and Pa asked her all the questions I helped him with. It was cool. After the interview was done, he wrote his article in about an hour or two. Pa said it still needs a few more edits, but it should be out sometime tomorrow.”
“I’m excited to read it when it’s published.” Bruce nodded as he followed along, gently rocking Damian to help soothe the fussy baby.
“And she even signed my book, Dad!” Jason pulled his book out, immediately pointing at her signature. “I didn’t even tell her what to write! I can’t believe we’re friends now. This really is the best day of my life!”
“I’m glad you had a great time, Jaybird.” Clark smiled softly. He was riding the high of making his kid’s dream come true. “I loved having you as my coworker today. You did an amazing job.”
“Thanks, Pa.” Jason smiled back. “It was fun hanging out with you.”
“I think it's safe to say that you won the father of the year award,” Bruce teased that night as they got ready for bed. “He won’t stop beaming about this for weeks now.”
“I only did my best, B.” Clark smiled softly at him. “It was nice at least helping this dream come true.”
“You’ve never failed at it before.” Bruce kissed his cheek. “You’re a great Pa.”
“It’s easy when we have some pretty great kids.”
Notes:
Thank you for taking the time to read! I appreciate you all so much, and I am grateful to share this world with each and every one of you!
Chapter 15: Defender
Summary:
Bruce never imagined Dick would be involved in a fight.
Notes:
Inspiration can and will strike anywhere. Sometimes you are in the middle of the Humane Society looking at dogs and suddenly remember that Gotham is technically in New Jersey, and get curious about how the Jersey would come out of Bruce when he has to protect one of his kids.
I hope y'all enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Bruce was in the middle of preparing for a stakeholders meeting when his secretary pinged his intercom.
“Mr. Wayne, Gotham Academy is on the line,” Sarah said. “Want me to transfer them over, sir?”
Looking up from his notes, Bruce frowned. A twist of concern gripped him—calls from the school were rare. "Yes, please. Thank you, Sarah."
“You’re welcome, sir.” She transferred the call to Bruce’s line.
“Hello, Bruce Wayne speaking.”
“Mr. Wayne…” Bruce immediately recognized the voice on the line as the school’s headmistress, Ms.Winchester. “Richard was involved in an altercation at lunch today with another student. All students involved are safe and currently in my office as we continue to review the incident. I need you to come down to the office at your earliest convenience.”
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention.” Bruce ran his hand through his hair, a wave of anxiety tightening his chest. Dick had never shown this type of behavior before, and worry flickered in his eyes. “I’m on my way.”
The call ended abruptly. Bruce immediately messaged his secretary to cancel the rest of his meetings for the day; now, his focus was solely on understanding what had happened at school.
Bruce arrived at the school’s office around twenty minutes later, anxious anticipation making each step feel heavy. His eyes immediately found Dick sitting in his chair, compressing his knuckles with a bag of ice from the nurse's office. His eldest’s hair was tussled, his clothes were dirty, and Bruce felt a pang of disbelief—he never imagined Dick would be involved in a fight.
On the other side of the room were Wally and Barry, along with a third child and their parent. The child looked as rough as Dick did, with a few scrapes on his hands.
“Dick…” Bruce immediately took his seat next to him, worry etched on his face as he gently cupped Dick’s cheek, scanning for any other injuries with fatherly concern.
“I’m okay, Dad,” Dick replied quietly, wanting to downplay the situation and not add to his father’s visible concern. “Nothing that won’t heal.”
Before Bruce could say anything else, they were all called into the headmistress’s office.
“This afternoon, Richard, Wallace, and Mason were involved in an altercation in the lunch room,” Ms. Winchester restated after they all took their seats. “During the altercation, Richard and Mason tackled and threw punches at each other until the lunch monitors pulled the boys apart. Now we’re still investigating the incident throughly, but I’m hoping we can piece together exactly what happened this afternoon.”
“Mason started it,” Dick was the first to speak. Bruce could see in his eyes that he was waiting to get it off his chest. “He kept calling Wally names, and when we were trying to walk away Mason shoved Wally.”
“Is that true?” Mason’s mother asked, looking directly at her son.
“I shoved him, but I didn’t call him any names,” Mason replied.
“That’s a lie!” Dick interjected. “You called him a ginger freak! You told him, he doesn’t have a mom and dad because he doesn't have a soul. And that nobody loves him.”
“He did,” Wally confirmed, his eyes watering again as Barry gently rubbed his back to comfort him. “He’s called me a lot of things, ma’am.”
“Mason kept following us and we tried ignoring him and then we told him to leave us alone,” Dick continued to explain. “He put his hands on Wally first and just kept shoving him until he pushed Wally to the ground.”
Mason kept his eyes focused on the tile. He knew he couldn’t fight his way out of this one.
Dick took a deep breath, his voice trembling with anger and frustration. “I just got so mad because he always bullies Wally, and Wally doesn’t deserve it. He’s the nicest guy I know, and he won’t stop making fun of him. I’ve told our teachers, but nothing has happened."
“Is that true?” Bruce looked over to Ms.Winchester. “Is there a record of this behavior?”
“We’re still investigating all the detail of the incident, Mr. Wayne,” she assured him.
Bruce narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening with restrained frustration, not pleased with the headmistress’s answer one bit.
“I know it’s not the right thing to do, but he wouldn’t leave us alone,” Dick said. “We kept telling him to stop, but he just wouldn’t. After he pushed Wally, I saw red. I shoved him back, and then Mason punched me and I punched him. Wally didn’t do anything wrong, ma’am.”
“Thank you for sharing, Richard,” She replied. “Do you have anything to add, Mason?”
“No ma’am.” Mason continued looking down at the floor.
Ms.Winchester nodded. “Now at Gotham Academy, we have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and fighting. Due to the nature of this altercation, I will be suspending both Richard and Mason from school for five days.”
“Wait a minute,” Bruce spoke up, his grey eyes icing over. “You’re telling me, my kid and his friend can get bullied, but my kid can’t defend himself from the bully.”
Mason’s mother rolled her eyes. “Your son is just as responsible as mine is for this mess.”
“No, that’s where you’re wrong,” Bruce replied, his Jersey accent getting thicker with every word. “My son wouldn’t even be involved if yours could keep his mouth shut, keep his hands to himself, and learn to listen.”
“Excuse me!” She raised her voice. “I don’t appreciate being talked to in this manner.”
“And I don’t appreciate bullying,” Bruce replied. “But that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
“Mr. Wayne, this is our school’s policy, and this decision is final,” Ms.Winchester interjected, trying to ease the tension. “We expect our students to follow the rules.”
“Is there video footage?” Bruce asked. “Because if there is, I want a copy of it and see what happened for myself.”
“Mr. Wayne that won’t be necessary,” she replied.
“I think it's completely necessary,” Bruce said, his tone firm and eyes resolute. “Because if what Dick said is true, and you better believe that I believe my son, then we have a bigger issue than just the fighting that happened today. I can accept the suspension for now, but if the investigation reveals that Dick informed his teachers about the bullying and nothing was done to stop it, and it escalated to this point, then I want the suspension removed from his record and expect the appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken. This is a problem a twelve year old never should’ve been in a position to fix.”
“We’ll review all the footage we have and talk to all other parties involved,” The headmistress explained.
“If that’s all, I want to take my son home now,” Bruce replied.
“You’re all free to go,” Ms. Winchester dismissed them.
Bruce got up with Dick, gently putting his hand on his son’s shoulder as they left the office.
Wally approached Dick to give the boy a quick hug. “I appreciate you standing up for me.”
“Anytime, man.” Dick gently patted his back. “I’ll see you when I’m back in school.”
“I’ll collect your homework for you in the meantime.” The redhead smiled softly.
“Thanks, Wally.” Dick mirrored his smile back.
Bruce and Dick made their way to the car in heavy silence; Dick’s stomach churned with anxiety—this was the part of the day he dreaded most.
“I’m sorry about this, Dad,” Dick said, voice subdued as he looked down at his shoes, not daring to meet Bruce’s eyes. Guilt and uncertainty filled him. “I know fighting is never the answer. But I couldn’t let him treat Wally like that.”
Bruce gently placed his hand on Dick’s shoulder, a slight, reassuring smile on his face, and pride clear in his eyes. “I’m proud of you.”
“What?!” Dick looked back at him, disbelief and relief mixing in his expression. For a second, he wondered if he’d heard Bruce right or if he had been hit in the head harder than he realized. He was expecting a scowl and a lecture by now. “You’re not upset?”
“I am, but I’m not upset with you, sweetheart,” Bruce assured him gently. “I’m not proud of the fighting, but I’m proud of you for defending your friend. You did what was right in the moment.”
Dick nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”
“We’ll still have to let Pa know and let Alfred know you’ll be home for a few days as we work this out,” Bruce said. “I also expect you to continue working on all the schoolwork you have until you get back. This suspension is not a time to slack off and it’s not a break.”
“Yes, Dad,” Dick replied. “I promise I won’t slack off.”
“Good.” Bruce nodded before the small smile crept back on his face. “Now I think we both deserve a little ice cream today.”
“Really?!” Dick looked up at him with his bright blue eyes.
“Really.” Bruce nodded.
They stopped at their favorite shop and ordered a scoop of each of their favorite flavors. Dick enjoyed his chocolate chip. Bruce, across from him at their table, indulged in a pistachio affogato.
Dick smiled for the first time that day without hesitation, relief, and gratitude spreading across his face. “Thanks for sticking up for me, Dad.”
“It’s the easiest thing I’ll ever do, sweetheart,” Bruce assured him before taking another spoonful of his treat. “Remember we won’t tell Alfred about this.”
“This secret is safe with me.” Dick chuckled softly; his laugh never failed to warm Bruce’s heart.
Bruce knew the world could be cruel, but he could at least take comfort in knowing his son was doing his part to reject the cruelty by standing up for his friend in his time of need.
Notes:
Thank you for reading! I appreciate y'all taking time out of your day to do so! It's a pleasure getting to share this world with you!
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