Bruce has to actually think about that one-- he's very good at reading other people when he's not blinded by his own bullshit, but his standards for what something like does Superman sound condescending are wildly different than anyone else's.
"You were trying to be nice, I think." Keyword: trying.
There are many things he worries about, both here and at home. Guy Gardener quitting the Justice League because of possible condescension is... lower on the totem pole than most.
Bruce huffs something like laughter. He's pretty sure that Guy didn't quit after Bruce KO'd him just to prove a point, so Clark's probably right. It's a little funny, outside all the irritation that virtually all Green Lanterns bring. In any event, JL shit talking is at least routine and lacking in strange tension.
It's easy to lapse back into companionable silence, so he does. After a while he's done all he can do until the caulking dries - between that and the smell of sealant it's probably time to let this sit for a while. He grunts as he sits up.
He shifts around until he can get a good look at the work Bruce has done, pecking a kiss absently as he crawls past him to take a gander. There's a bit of examination, some tilting back and forth (some internal grumping at his lack of x-ray vision) and finally he pulls back out and gives Bruce a firm, positive nod.
"Fine." He's been watching, he doesn't really need to check. A beat, then: "Are you staring at this withing you had x-ray vision?"
Both incredulity and amusement shade his otherwise still flat tone. Don't tell him you're irritated without just one of your many godlike powers, Clark.
...how happy would you be if you suddenly lost your ability to see in color? Or if your arm could only move in one direction? Only smelled things that have chocolate in them? It's frustrating.
One the one hand, Bruce intellectually understands. On the other, plethora of godlike powers, Bruce works with injuries and restricted senses and no tech all the time, and once trained Clark to be a superhero without powers when he lost his.
Verdict: you big baby. He leans over and kisses him, brief, not saying that verdict aloud but implying it by the particularly amused feel of his silence.
"Do you want to come with me to walk Ace, or do you need to head out?" The dog turns his head in a whiplash of motion, not beginning to wind himself up, but definitely recognizing the w-word.
There's a little tilt to the kiss that says that yes, he knows he's being mocked just a little but also yes, he it does bother him and yes, he's going to take the kisses for this because he can.
"I've still got time. Definitely time enough for a w-a-l-k."
Ace scrambles to his feet at that, staring at Clark while his tail moves in one hopeful wag.
"He can spell that word." Or rather, he knows the phonetic sounds mean the same thing as 'walk'. Bruce shoos the dog as he stands up and goes about putting things away and getting a coat. Ace still doesn't do the excited dog flipping out dance - he's too well trained, and Bruce runs him regularly - but he can't help looking very happy to be going out. Once they're ready to go, Bruce clips the leather lead on and they can set off.
"Just tried spelling it one too many times and he caught on?" he asks, walking along beside Bruce as they make their way out. He can't help smiling, though. Happy, excited dog, well behaved as he is, is still a happy excited dog.
"He does make me miss Krypto a little," he admits with a bit of a frown. Though he's well aware of Bruce's feelings on his own mutt. "...and don't worry, he's not coming here. Someone has to watch the Fortress, after all."
Possibly indefinitely. Though... he'd visit. He wouldn't leave him completely alone. And maybe if he did end up here for longer, he'd take further steps. He's still not sure.
Ace walks beside Bruce, sniffing here and there but not pulling or walking ahead of him. He's done remarkably well hopping to a new dimension.
"You're the one who said Krypto hates everybody," Bruce observes. Superpowered dog that hates everybody needs to stay at the Fortress, yes, good. "You mean something has to keep the robots on their toes."
Upsetting the robots is a fine past time, honestly.
"That too," he agreed with a little shrug as they kept walking along. "It's one thing to ask Kara to check in, but I don't like to leave the place without a living, breathing creature looking out for things. Robots are still robots, after all."
What can he say to this subject besides nitpicking the space dog? Clark has to be able to tell that Bruce is being deliberately oblivious-- or rather, Bruce is noticing very well how the other man is speaking of places from home as though he's never going to see them again, but uncharacteristically isn't asking why. It's not the first time Clark's done it, and Bruce is the farthest thing from unobservant.
It feels wrong that he's not asking Clark What the hell and getting on his case about it, but picking at him about wanting to leave Earth when Bruce plans on ... well, also leaving Earth, is just enough hypocrisy that he doesn't feel like getting into it. Could he defend it? Yes, absolutely. Earth needs Superman. Batman is inconsequential by comparison.
What if the conversation reveals the cracks in his armor. What if Clark is trying to ask him for help. What if...
Bruce makes a 'hm' noise, and takes Clark hand in his.
Clark can't help smiling when Bruce takes his hand. He gives Bruce's fingers a faint squeeze in his own before continuing to walk. It makes him feel good enough that he doesn't feel the need to comment any further on anything. No, he's just going to walk beside Bruce, holding his hand, and enjoying the mid-day sun as they go.
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"You were trying to be nice, I think." Keyword: trying.
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"...he was probably waiting for any excuse."
There are many things he worries about, both here and at home. Guy Gardener quitting the Justice League because of possible condescension is... lower on the totem pole than most.
"And it was almost certainly for the best."
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It's easy to lapse back into companionable silence, so he does. After a while he's done all he can do until the caulking dries - between that and the smell of sealant it's probably time to let this sit for a while. He grunts as he sits up.
"How's it look?"
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"Looks good. How's the toilet?"
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Both incredulity and amusement shade his otherwise still flat tone. Don't tell him you're irritated without just one of your many godlike powers, Clark.
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"No."
Yes.
...how happy would you be if you suddenly lost your ability to see in color? Or if your arm could only move in one direction? Only smelled things that have chocolate in them? It's frustrating.
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One the one hand, Bruce intellectually understands. On the other, plethora of godlike powers, Bruce works with injuries and restricted senses and no tech all the time, and once trained Clark to be a superhero without powers when he lost his.
Verdict: you big baby. He leans over and kisses him, brief, not saying that verdict aloud but implying it by the particularly amused feel of his silence.
"Do you want to come with me to walk Ace, or do you need to head out?" The dog turns his head in a whiplash of motion, not beginning to wind himself up, but definitely recognizing the w-word.
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"I've still got time. Definitely time enough for a w-a-l-k."
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"He can spell that word." Or rather, he knows the phonetic sounds mean the same thing as 'walk'. Bruce shoos the dog as he stands up and goes about putting things away and getting a coat. Ace still doesn't do the excited dog flipping out dance - he's too well trained, and Bruce runs him regularly - but he can't help looking very happy to be going out. Once they're ready to go, Bruce clips the leather lead on and they can set off.
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"He does make me miss Krypto a little," he admits with a bit of a frown. Though he's well aware of Bruce's feelings on his own mutt. "...and don't worry, he's not coming here. Someone has to watch the Fortress, after all."
Possibly indefinitely. Though... he'd visit. He wouldn't leave him completely alone. And maybe if he did end up here for longer, he'd take further steps. He's still not sure.
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"You're the one who said Krypto hates everybody," Bruce observes. Superpowered dog that hates everybody needs to stay at the Fortress, yes, good. "You mean something has to keep the robots on their toes."
Upsetting the robots is a fine past time, honestly.
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It feels wrong that he's not asking Clark What the hell and getting on his case about it, but picking at him about wanting to leave Earth when Bruce plans on ... well, also leaving Earth, is just enough hypocrisy that he doesn't feel like getting into it. Could he defend it? Yes, absolutely. Earth needs Superman. Batman is inconsequential by comparison.
What if the conversation reveals the cracks in his armor. What if Clark is trying to ask him for help. What if...
Bruce makes a 'hm' noise, and takes Clark hand in his.
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