Chapter Text
Clark messed up. He messed up badly. He finally got to speak with Batman again. He finally got the other to speak with him, and it was because he messed up.
That voice kept repeating in his head. So soft, so cold, so painful. So much so that it sent chills running through him every time it echoed. It was not just the pain in his tone, but also the fact that just by the sound of it, it sounded like talking had hurt the other. Like he had not talked in so long, and to do so again hurt.
He tried not to think about it. Especially when he was at work, but when his brain drifted for even a moment, or the sound of a breeze came near him, it came back. He could not get it out of his head.
Not only that, but that name stuck to him. Richard…Richard who? Who was Richard?
He tried to look it up, but there were hundreds, if not thousands, of people with that name who lived and died during that time within Gotham alone. The only way he was going to get answers was to ask Batman himself.
Though, if the name alone brought the other such pain to even hear. There was no way Clark was going to push anytime soon about what the story behind it was. That would only hurt Batman more, and that was the opposite thing Clark wanted to do.
He decided to leave that for when Batman was ready. That was if he could ever even get Batman to speak with him again, let alone let him near him.
He had searched everywhere for the other, and when he did find him and got close, the other would simply vanish. Not even send him a glance. One moment he was there and the next he was gone, only a breeze left where he once stood.
Clark needed to find a way to make it up to the other. To get near him without the other instantly vanishing on him. It had been nearly two weeks, and he could not even get his own words out.
“Your head is in the clouds, Smallville.” He heard a familiar voice next to him. Finally realizing he had been once more staring at his computer where an empty document sat.
“More like in smoke…” He could not help but mumble, groaning after as he brought his hands to his face to rub at it. Not caring that he was harshly pushing his glasses against his face. He could barely feel as they tried to dig into his skin.
“What?” Lois questioned him, and he glanced over to see her sitting on his desk, giving him a raised brow. Clearly, she wanted to know what was getting him so lost, especially after that response.
That was the thing with Lois. She ‘needed’ to know everything that was happening with his life. Besides her, his parents, and now Batman. No one else knew what hid right below his usual work uniform. Why he would vanish for near hours on end whenever a cry for help was heard. And Clark just said something she wanted to know more of. He was stuck now. He had to tell her.
“I messed up, Lois.” He pouted slightly, looking up at her with eyes that screamed help me.
“You messed up or ‘you know who’ did?” She asked him, being careful with her words since they were very much in the open bullpen where anyone could hear them.
“Him…me…both?” Clark even questioned, groaning more after as he leaned back in his seat and faced the ceiling. The chair groaned at the weight brought on to it, but luckily stayed strong.
Lois hummed at that, looking around before she sighed and stood up. “Come on, roof time.” She said to him, walking off before he could even agree to it.
He huffed at it. Not really wanting to move or walk, but he knew it would just upset her more if he stayed. So with a grumble, he got up and dragged himself after her. He wanted to float, but doing that was a major no. He was not risking his entire identity just because he was upset and did not feel like waking. That did not stop him from making it look as though he was walking. When really his feet were a few centimeters off the ground. To anyone looking, it would look as if he was on the ground. Good enough.
“Shit, Smallville. Whatever this is, it's bad.” Lois pointed out when they made it to the roof, and Clark looked as if he just wanted to call it a short shift and go home to crawl under his covers. “What did you do?”
“I…hmm..I don't even know where to start.” He grumbled at himself, seeing a stone on the ground as he kicked it hard, watching the little pebble shoot into the atmosphere. Most definitely already on its way into space.
“Maybe the beginning?" She suggested. Clark groaned.
“Right… you're right. Umm…I met Batman.”
“What?! I thought you mentioned you and Jimmy had no luck?” She gasped, clearly mad she was just now being told of his discovery. Her attention was fully on him now and clearly invested in the story.
“Well…I umm…I did…twice actually.” He explained to her, not daring to look in her direction since he knew he would right away be met with a glare from her. Clark normally went to her right away about things. They were close like that, but this one? He did not know why he did not go to her right away. Maybe because he got lost in it all? Did not want to admit he messed up and could not fix it. Then he had to go and get found out because the thoughts were so consuming even Lois could see them.
“Oh, you better spill, Smallville. What happened?” She huffed, moving to be in front of him and poking at his chest. It forced him to have to look down at her, wincing slightly at her commanding look.
“We spoke…well, I spoke. He doesn't talk. Not really. And well, he actually did not even really move much either when we first met. Just sort of sat there…The sec-” He started to ramble on, his story all over the place. So much so that even Lois groaned and moved back, having trouble staying caught onto the story and her job was listening to them.
“Clark. Relax, breathe…or do whatever it is you do to calm down.” She huffed at him, and Clark knew she was right.
What did he even do to calm? Deep breaths did not really have any actual effect, seeing as he did not need to breathe. Then again, the psychological idea of doing so still, sort of, did something for him. So, he took a deep breath like she told him to.
“Good. Okay, now. Slow down some.” She added on, giving him space while she started to pace. “You met Batman. You spoke, but he did not. He listened to what you said. He stayed still the first time, but I'm guessing he moved more the next?” She questioned and looked at him for confirmation.
Clark nodded at that. That sounded about right. “Yes, he even got close. Like really close. He touched me and even put his hands in my mouth.”
“He did what?!” She shot up, looking at him with confusion and slight concern.
“I think it was more scientific for him. Like he was observing me and wanting to see what all parts of me were…human-like?” He questioned. He was still not one hundred percent certain about that part.
“Okay…so he touched you inside and out.” She added on.
Clark instantly cringed. “Don't word it like that!” He flushed with a bright face. To the point even his ears joined in.
“I'm just restating what you told me, Smallville.” She hummed, gesturing for him to continue after.
Clark huffed at her, trying to ignore the words she used to describe his interaction with Batman. “He moved away after, but he did not leave, so I took it that he wanted to talk more. Or at least he would listen to me now. So, I asked if he had a name, you know besides Batman.” He explained to her, hating how he did not see at the time that he should have asked something else and let the other tell him himself. It was stupid, and now he was here.
“He nodded at me. The first time he really responded with me, so I was hopeful he would actually do more, tell me, but he didn't. So, I guessed, and in doing so I messed up.” He groaned, hating the memory alone and that hurt tone echoing through his head.
“Messed up how?” Lois herself was curious, though. She wanted to know. She always wanted to know.
“I guessed a name, and it hurt him. It hurt him so much that he spoke. He told me not to say that name. Not only did he speak, but his voice. His voice alone was so painful, Lois. Painful in a way that the name was a memory he hated, but also that talking in general hurt him.” Clark sighed and groaned, unable to get that voice out of his mind. Unable to help but get chills every time he heard it.
All of it was so much, and he felt horrible about it. Terrible, and he hated himself because he wanted to hear that voice speak more. That hearing it made him want to hear it more, then it did scare him and hurt him that it clearly hurt the other to talk.
“Have you tried apologizing and approaching him about it?” She asked him, and Clark just groaned again at that.
“I tried the moment it happened, but he vanished instantly afterwards, and then I’ve been trying the past two weeks almost, and every time I get near him he vanishes again.”
Lois hummed at that, nodding as he started to pace herself. The look on her face was one Clark knew all too well. She was coming up with a plan. Hopefully a good one. Which, luckily, most of the time Lois always had great plans. “Follow him?”
“Hard to do. The moment he hits a shadow or dark corner he’s just…gone. Nothing left but a breeze.”
“Right…and I’m guessing he only comes out at night?” She asked, and he nodded. “Find him in the midst of a fight. He can’t exactly vanish away if he’s fighting. Help him out and maybe after he’ll stay to let you talk.”
Clark perked up at that. That was…that was actually really smart. Maybe if he helped lend a hand for the other, he would stay after and let Clark get his apology out. “Thank you, Lois.”
“It’s what I’m best at. Now you owe me lunch, Smallville.” She grinned and pointed out before moving inside, leaving no room for Clark to counter.
Not that he was going to; it was how they worked. Anytime one of them needed help or advice, their ‘payment’ was having to cover lunch for the other. Even without that, they still took turns covering one another’s lunches. So, did it really have much effect? Not really, but it worked enough for them.
—-
When Clark finally made it back to Gotham, it was a few days later. It was a nice night in Gotham. Clouds still covered nearly every part of the sky, but at least there was no rain and a very slight view of the moon through the dark clouds. So, for Gotham, that was about how nice a night one could get in this city.
A gentle breeze that pushed the smell of pollution and gun smoke through the already thick air brought a sting to Clark’s senses that he had to still adjust to the harshness, even after countless visits. It left him to have to hold his breath the majority of the time; luckily, that was a feat not difficult for him, but it still required slight focus at all times just to keep at it.
For now, he focused on his hearing. He needed to listen in for a crime or even the slightest breeze that felt just slightly more whispered than the rest. A crime that was more than just a petty crime. One that would bring interest to the Dark Knight, knowing it would take more than the work of the GCPD to handle.
It was not a crime for say that caught his attention when he finally got one. He knew it most likely was people committing a crime, but it was the words they said that brought his attention. A panic in their tone as they yelled out profanities and, most importantly, screamed of bats swarming their vision.
He was in the air in seconds, pin-pointing the noise to the port over on Founder’s Island. He was not even over the port before he caught sight of what the yelling was about. At first it was hard to make out what it was. A dark cloud hanging and moving violently over a warehouse. Yet, upon closer look, it was not much of a cloud, as it was a giant cauldron of bats. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of bats swarmed above and within the warehouse.
Violent screeches and barks near deafened the sounds of gunshots and panicked shouts of criminals paying the price of crimes they felt to be unseen. Yet, nothing came unnoticed by the bat when it came to his city. No man got away with anything without the knowledge of Batman finding it.
It was a sight that should be terrifying. A warning to those around that they would serve to face the same faith if they even thought of following in the footsteps of those punished. Yet, to Clark. It was stunning. A show of just how much power and care Batman put into protecting his city. To not only serve as a beacon of fear to wannabe criminals, but to be a beacon of hope to those affected by crimes. That Batman was there to protect them. That he was doing this for them.
Gunshots died, and the screeches took over; the swarm lessened its numbers as it worked its way inside of the warehouse. It allowed Clark to grow closer, not wanting to enter the swarm and overwhelm the bats. Not to mention that being inside that swarm would be hell on his own senses. Their barks were already near deafening from such a far distance that he could not imagine how much harsher it would be to be within their fury.
As he drew close, he kept his eye on them, watching as they flew like shadows mixed so perfectly with the wind. White piercing eyes struck out against the ever dark void of shadows that consumed their bodies. Each bat was never the same as another. Though they looked similar at first glance, there were little signs that showed a difference. Showed how each bat was perfectly formed by Batman, giving them each their own value. So perfectly crafted with attention and love.
One stuck out to him most, though, one that stayed within the outskirts of the swarm. Slower than the rest as its rhythm faltered and lagged while its brethren moved with speed and grace.
It worried Clark right away. Did it get hurt? It was very clearly slower, even at times struggling to stay afloat. Its own barks came out much quieter and delayed. Clark moved with haste as he flew up to the little guy. Ignoring the harsh barks of its brethren as he reached his palm right below where it flew, giving it space to land if it so pleased. “Here, take a break.” He said softly to it.
Right away it took notice of the palm. Near collapsing onto it as its long wings drooped over the sides of his palm, and it let out the tiniest of barks. So quiet it was almost missed. Oh, the poor little thing. “I got you. Don't worry. Just rest.” He said softly to it while moving away from the swarm and to safe ground. What did he even do? Did these things need to eat or drink? Could they even get hurt? Clearly, if this one was in the state it was.
It worried him more when the swarm started to fully move within the warehouse, but the little guy refused to move. It simply let out a small bark and rested its head down, its big ears drooping down as well. It had his heart flutter some, feeling bad for it as he held it close. He wanted to get it to safety, but it was not like a vet could take care of this thing.
It was made entirely of shadow, just like Batman, and like Batman, it was near freezing to the touch. Its touch was like a constant cold breeze touching his hand.
What he needed to do was get it to Batman, but Batman was inside, clearly where the sound of fighting was currently happening. Shoot. Think Clark. What did he do? He wanted to help Batman, but he also did not want to just leave this little guy out here by himself.
His cape! He gasped when he remembered. Never happier, he left his phone at home as he reached his arm behind his back and between his cape, finding the pocket as he directed the little guy to it. “Here, go in there. You'll be safe there.” He said gently, happy to feel it move and the ever slight weight being brought to his cape to show the little guy was securely in the little pocket.
It made him smile, especially when he got a bit of a louder bark from it and even a bit more of a frequent pattern to it. Almost as if it was like a heartbeat rhythm. That would not make sense, though.
Focus, Clark. Right…in the warehouse. He needed to get inside the warehouse, and with the little guy now secured and barking softly every so often, he knew he was safe to do so. He listened in as he moved inside. Happy that even without superhearing, it was not hard to pinpoint where everything was happening as he was brought to a giant open space.
Most of the men that were there were already on the ground. Most likely taken out when the cauldron of bats had first appeared. Yet, some were still up and moving. A few were already in combat with the very person Clark was looking for.
He smiled when he caught sight of Batman. The other was deep in focus as he took on three men at once. Dodging while still throwing punches that would in every way bruise, if not break bone. Batman was fast, yet he still held a weight in all his punches. Whether it was an aid of his cryptid-like powers or nearly two centuries of learning, it was in every way impressive.
Anytime he thought the other was going to get hit, he watched in awe instead as the bat that would have made deadly contact instead wisped through him like he was nothing more than a cloud of smoke. To be able to balance firm hits whilst also balancing out an almost translucent form had to have taken years of training and concentration.
Clark was so lost in just watching that he forgot he came here to help the other. It made him curse himself, looking around and noticing a man grab hold of a gun and take aim. He figured it would be easy for Batman to dodge, or like the fist, it would simply go right through him. If anything, shooting a gun simply risked the man wounding his own men. He still could not let that happen.
He moved with haste, yet sadly not fast enough, as the man muttered ‘eat silver, you monster.’ before the bullet was shot. Clark was able to disarm and bind the man with nearby rope. He did all that, but it was still not fast enough to stop someone from getting hurt as the sound of pain shot through the warehouse.
It was not just any normal sound either. It was more animal-like. A deep groan and growl of an animal wounded and angered. It made Clark’s blood run cold as his eyes shot over to Batman. The man growled as he gripped over a shoulder that fought to stay formed in shadow and solid mass. A tint of silver glistening from within.
Silver…It was a myth that silver took effect on such creatures. Stories Clark did not think to be real. Yet, he did not think Batman to be an actual living Cryptid like the stories said either. No matter how powerful something was or appeared to be, a weakness had to exist. Clark knew of it well; he was the same, in ways.
He rushed to the man fast, wanting to aid by getting it out, but first the men he was fighting needed to be dealt with. Worry was in his eyes as he took care of the other men whilst the other did whatever he was doing. Hopefully working to get his shoulder patched whilst Clark covered him.
By the time he finished binding all the men with rope and got back to the other, he watched with a hiss as the man threw the bullet into the distance. His shoulder looked better, but it still leaked an almost smoke-like blood. “You okay?” He asked the other. “Is there-” He started, but the man simply huffed before moving past Clark.
It shocked Clark, making him sigh as he followed behind him. So, he was still being ignored. Great…he really messed up that badly? “Listen, I’m sorry. I know it was crappy of me to keep pushing names.” He continued, taking the other not instantly vanishing and going away as a good sign as he continued to follow him. “I just want to help. Maybe make a friend that I know I won't lose to time,” he added on lastly, wanting to say more, but he went silent when he noticed the other push two crates apart, curious to what he was doing.
Was there something back there? He was going to get closer to see what the other was doing before he tensed when he backed out, and in his arms was a little girl. His heart sank instantly. He never even heard her.
“You want to help? Take her to GCPD. She's been missing for two weeks.” The other spoke to him while moving over and offering the little girl into his arms. It froze Clark. Two weeks…Was that why the other had been ignoring him? Had he been searching all these weeks for her?
Not just that, but the other spoke to him. Actually spoke again, and luckily this time his voice seemed a lot less painful. There was still a rasp to it that showed signs of a man who never really spoke, but it was as if he had been practicing?
Clark was not sure, and he could ask later as he quickly nodded and took the little girl who had been trying to get into his arms. “Hey there, I got you. You're safe.” He smiled right away at her. Happy to see her give one in return before nuzzling into his chest to hide. “Let's get you back to your parents.” He hummed while starting to float up, looking at Batman after and seeing he had already moved to investigate things. Hopefully that meant the other was going to stay and be here when he got back.
