a common theme in superbat fics is to have clark be the completely oblivious one or have clark think bruce is the oblivious one but he's been secretly pining all this time and good at hiding it. and i think that's great but i also think it's hilarious when bruce genuinely has no idea clark has feelings for him, and genuinely doesn't even think about liking clark romantically until clark confesses.
he's not in denial, he doesn't fantasize about clark or get jealous over anyone clark dates, he doesn't even need to trick himself into thinking his feelings are platonic because they genuinely are. he's entirely content with their friendship.
it never crosses his mind to take it in a different direction until clark comes to him one night with tears in his eyes, unable to bear his secret any longer, and says, breathless, "i think i'm in love with you."
bruce bluescreens. he's honestly blindsided, completely surprised by clark's words, surprised that he could mean that much to clark.
clark, who takes bruce's stillness as an answer, the cautiously hopeful expression on his face dimming as his shoulders curl forward. "you don't feel the same way."
"i...never really thought about it," bruce says, the blank shock in his voice betraying his honesty.
clark lets out a startling, wet laugh. "okay," he says, shrinking back, lifting off the ground. "sorry, um. i'll leave you alone."
"don't go," bruce says desperately, reaching for clark and grabbing his wrists. it's true, he'd never really thought about it. but now that clark has brought it to his attention— "i'm thinking about it now."
with a furrowed brow, clark searches his eyes. bruce tries his hardest to be transparent, to let clark look without hiding anything. "you don't have to lie to me just to spare my feelings, bruce. that's worse," clark says, biting at his full lip.
and since when has bruce thought about the fullness of clark's lips? or the warm, richness of his voice, or the long, dark eyelashes that frame his bright eyes so beautifully, or the way his hands feel in bruce's right now—
"i'm not lying," bruce says, clumsily bringing his hand up to cradle clark's jaw, the warmth of clark's skin zinging up his arm. "i didn't know it was an option then. i want it now."
"you're serious," clark replies, his eyes wet. "you just suddenly...want to date."
"if that's what you want," bruce replies, unable to keep his gaze from lowering to clark's mouth again. "we can date, or hookup, or just hang out. whatever you want," he continues, voice turning breathless as he continues, getting excited about all the things he might get to do. "i can take you to dinner. we can eat dessert on the hood of the batmobile. we can go driving, or hiking, or boating. do you know how to waterski?"
"i'll get you anything you want—"
"i really want this clark. let me have this—"
"god, do you have any idea how beautiful—?"
clark finally gets him to shut up by hauling him forward into a fierce kiss. bruce welcomes him readily, wrapping his arms tightly around him and giving as good as he gets. they are by no means gentle, but bruce likes it that way, relishes the feeling of clark's hot, slick mouth against his, shivering as clark's hands drag up his spine.
"i want you," bruce whispers when they break away. "i don't know how i didn't see it before."
clark smiles at him, utterly radiant. "as long as you see it now."
"i do," bruce says earnestly, kissing him again and silently cursing himself. he could've had this so much sooner. "god, i do."
