Chapter Text
Department store sale brown leather shoes trudged through the grey sleet and sludge of the dirty snow of the city sidewalk, his footsteps matched by the immaculate black leather of the testoni shoes his companion wore, they must have cost- actually Clark didn’t want to think about how much they cost. He shifted his messenger bag over his shoulder as they walked briskly along the bitingly cold avenue.
“How about Green’s Kitchen?” Bruce’s deep voice snapped him from his thoughts, bringing him back to the present.
“Sure, they do great waffles.”
“This is supposed to be dinner.”
“Ever heard of dessert?” Clark shot back. “And I’m paying this time, no arguments!” Bruce opened his mouth, Clark assumed with the intent to do exactly that, but obviously thought better of it.
Clark still wasn’t quite sure how they had gotten to this point, from Bruce hating his very existence to the point of trying to kill him, to Bruce meeting him after work so he could have supper with him. It still seemed so surreal, here he was walking down the street next to Bruce Wayne, and he cut an impressive figure. Bruce was understated, but immaculately dressed in a no doubt eye wateringly expensive, thick black wool coat and scarf, while Clark tramped around in his discount Target work clothes and a thrift store coat that had seen better days.
Still, he wouldn’t change any of it for the world, getting to spend time with his friend like this. No, friend wasn’t the right word to describe the depth of their relationship. Something more, that was rarely voiced by either out loud, Clark because he didn’t want to push Bruce too much and cause him to put his walls back up and guard himself, when Clark had spent so much time working his way around them, and Bruce because, well Bruce just didn’t talk about this kind of thing.
"How was work?" Bruce asked, pulling him from his thoughts as they continued on their way.
"Yeah, alright I guess. I'm still in the doghouse for skipping out on that interview with Lex."
"Perry will get over it."
"I know, but I'm annoyed with myself. My head was still foggy from the kryptonite and I couldn't think of a decent excuse quick enough. I didn't even try and reschedule." Clark sighed, kicking out at a lump of snow on the curb. "I think that's what annoyed him the most. So that's me stuck covering dyed dogs and firemen rescuing cats from trees for the next couple of weeks."
"Isn't that your job?" Bruce shot him a wry smile. "The rescuing, not the dying," he added, causing Clark to grin and gently elbow him in the side in response.
"I'm so hungry," Clark groaned, patting his stomach. "I can't wait to- Hold on-" Bruce raised an inquisitive brow as Clark disappeared from his view to the left and Bruce considered for a split second that Clark may have responded to an emergency, when he turned back to see Clark cheerfully talking to the flower stall holder they had just passed.
Clark returned to his side with a medium sized potted poinsettia, bright grin on his face. "Sorry, I keep meaning to get one of these and they were a good price, it's December already and I usually have one by now."
"A poinsettia?"
"Two actually," Clark corrected. "I got this one for my apartment, fingers crossed I can keep it alive this year. I can barely keep them going through Christmas." Clark chuckled to himself. "And this little guy," Clark lifted up a tiny pot hidden within the leaves of the poinsettia that was small enough to sit in the palm of his hand. "Is just the perfect size to sit on my desk at work."
"They're very... festive," Bruce said, a little surprised at the excitement the flowers seemed to bring out in his friend. "I didn't know you had such a passion for them."
"They're my favourite. I've loved them ever since I was a kid. Pa stopped buying them after a while because they kept dying over the winter, so I'm making up for it now." Clark caught himself, and awkwardly scratched behind his ear. "Kinda dumb isn't it? Not very manly getting all excited over a flower." Clark chuckled again. "Oh well who cares right?"
"It's a shrub, not a flower," Bruce corrected him, quite frankly bewildered at how someone could be so ridiculously endearing. At this rate he was going to have to invest in some Clark resilience training, although at this point he considered that he was already too far gone. "You know, in some places they grow into small trees?"
"No way! Imagine how amazing that would be." Bruce allowed himself another small smile at this, an idea already forming in his mind as they walked along.
"I sure do love Christmas," Clark said, more to himself as he looked up at the holiday lights strung up above them across the street.
"Of course you do."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, it's just a very you thing."
"You say that as if it's a bad thing," Clark replied. "What's not to like about Christmas? Pretty lights." He gestured at the festive lights shining overhead. "Good food, everyone is full of good cheer, Christmas songs…"
"There's a party or goddamn charity event every other day, crime goes up, it's cold, and Christmas songs are playing everywhere," Bruce replied, his voice full of contempt, which only served to make Clark throw his head back with laughter.
"Don't be so dramatic, B, it's the most wonderful time of the year after all." Clark shot Bruce a wicked grin as they stopped outside the restaurant. Bruce glared back at him as he held the door open for him, leaving Clark to quickly duck inside with a chuckle before Bruce changed his mind.
***
"Good evening, Alfred," Bruce greeted his butler, father figure and the most important person in his life, aside from a certain Kryptonian, Bruce grudgingly admitted to himself. He'd found Alfred sitting in the library reading by the warmth of the generous open fire that crackled softly in the background.
"Good evening, Master Bruce." Alfred placed the book he was reading open, faced down on his lap as he gave Bruce his full attention. "How was dinner?"
"I need you to make preparations for a trip to Mexico, preferably the week leading up to Christmas." Bruce avoided the question expertly, but not well enough to fool the person who knew him best in the world. "I will be unavailable."
"Sir, if I may," Alfred began, the epitome of professionalism, but not bothering to disguise the knowing tone in his voice. "I'm curious as to what is so important that it would take Batman out of Gotham for a whole week at the busiest time of year?" Alfred regarded Bruce with amusement, watching as Bruce shifted uncomfortably. "Is this something I should be concerned about? A mission requiring you to abandon Gotham-"
"I'm not abandoning Gotham," Bruce replied defensively, as if he ever could, and he knew Alfred was perfectly aware of the fact, he could tell that Alfred was waiting for him to get the point. The old man was enjoying this. "It's not a mission, per se...but I will need you to make arrangements for the three of us."
"Three?" Alfred quirked an inquisitive brow, taking great pleasure in drawing the information from Bruce.
"Clark will be joining us, I want to surprise him."
"I take it dinner went well then?" Bruce pointedly ignored the question and Alfred's wry smile.
"Forgive me, Master Bruce, I've had my fun. It's just such a joy to see yours and Master Clark's friendship developing." Alfred smiled warmly at Bruce, who grunted non-committally in return. "I must know, sir, what's to surprise him in Mexico?" Alfred asked genuinely curious.
"Poinsettias."
***
Clark stood in the hallway at Wayne Manor, he was behind, an hour late to be precise, and he had arrived to find Bruce waiting for him in the hall. Bruce had barely acknowledged his arrival, had texted him earlier that morning saying he needed Clark to come to the Manor this evening, and that it was important.
The silence was driving him mad, he had to say something, maybe Bruce was waiting for an explanation?
"Sorry, I'm late, the network went down and I had to wait for the system to reboot before I could submit my report. I guess I could have gone in after Christmas and sorted it out, but it's been two weeks of work, I just wanted it done so I can forget about it, you know?" Clark eyed Bruce carefully, a feeling of awkwardness crept over him as Bruce remained silent, his intense gaze lingering on him as he stood damply on the luxurious door mat.
"I sure hope Henry gets better soon, covering fashion events is hard, I was so bored I couldn't focus. I don't know how he does it," Clark continued, deciding to ignore the silent treatment that Bruce was giving him, although really, he didn't seem too mad at him, something just didn't feel right. Clark fidgeted with the zip of his jacket, unsure if it was actually alright to take his coat off and make himself at home.
"Come with me," Bruce said abruptly, walking past Clark, opening the front door of the Manor that Clark had just entered through and held the door open for Clark to follow him.
A bewildered Clark turned to follow him, zipping his jacket back up as he exited back outside into the crisp winter air.
They walked in silence for a while, the gravel crunching loudly under their feet in the stillness of the air as Bruce led him around the grounds of the Manor. A good few inches of snow covered the ground, but the real snow was due over the next couple of days, Clark mused happily. He always loved snow, especially at Christmas time, it just made it all the more special.
Speaking of special, just being able to be here with Bruce meant so much to him, even in the silence, he was just happy to share his space with this amazing, but private man. This incredible man who, over time, had allowed Clark to slowly intrude in his life.
Still, his curiosity was peaked, but Bruce gave nothing away as usual, and the comfortable silence that had settled over them as they walked reassured him that Bruce wasn't mad at him after all.
A few more moments passed by and Clark couldn't take it any longer, he needed to know what was up with the other man.
"Hey, B. Is everything-" Clark said, when Bruce stopped suddenly, turning to face him, visible puffs of hot air escaped from Bruce's lips and floated up into the night as he regarded Clark carefully.
"I want to show you something," Bruce replied simply, taking a few steps towards the gate enclosed in the large hedge that bordered the gardens behind the Manor. Clark resisted the strong temptation to use his x-ray vision to sneak a peek through the hedge to see what was on the other side, but only just.
"Okay…" Clark pressed, angling for a hint from Bruce about what to expect, simultaneously disappointed and unsurprised when Bruce didn't give him one.
Bruce of course seemed to sense this, and blocked the gate with his body, arms folded. "Don't you dare," Bruce warned him gruffly.
"I haven't, I won't!" Clark had been ready to tease his teammate for suggesting he would cheat, but the sternness of Bruce’s tone made him consider the situation more carefully. Whatever Bruce wanted to show him, it must be important.
Bruce gave him the once over, before finally turning to open the gate and stepping through it, pausing to wait for Clark, before pressing on again.
The land behind the Manor was pitch black, the low light emanating from the mansion now blocked by the tall barricade of the hedge, leaving them both in near total darkness, and Clark was impressed as ever as Bruce moved so deftly through the darkness. Of course he did, Clark thought fondly, looking over to Bruce through the darkness, he was the night.
Lost in his thoughts about Bruce, he jumped a little when Bruce's strong hand grabbed his arm, bringing him to an abrupt stop next to him.
"Wait, hold on, I-uh-I-" Bruce cleared his throat, while Clark looked back at him with something close to fascination as Bruce seemed to stutter. Was Bruce nervous? What could Bruce possibly have to be nervous about? Especially here at his home.
Clark opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't get a chance as Bruce took a deep breath and began again, with a bluster of confidence he didn't really feel.
"As you know I'm not very good at these things, so I'll just get it out the way," Bruce said rather bluntly, while Clark's brow furrowed in confusion and concern as he watched Bruce fidget restlessly in discomfort.
"I know we haven't always seen eye to eye and often still don't." Bruce inhaled deeply in an attempt to steady himself.
"Bruce, wh-"
"You've become a good friend Clark," Bruce continued as if Clark hadn't tried to speak. "Probably the best friend I've ever had and I-"
"I haven't had much competition have I?" Clark, cut in with a gentle tease, trying to put Bruce at ease, who's nerves were starting to rub off on him now, and his mind was beginning to race with concern over what had Bruce so rattled.
Bruce let out a self-deprecating huff of laughter in return, smirking back at his teammate, igniting a spark in Clark which was entirely unnecessary given the situation.
"Don't make me regret this," Bruce warned, but there was no heat to his words. "I know how much you love Christmas, so I wanted to surprise you,"
"Surprise me?" Clark replied curiously, his voice soft as he gazed through the dark, trying to work out what he had done to cause Bruce to go to all this effort.
"My initial plans were foiled," Bruce explained, his voice slipping into an almost bat-like growl as his irritation shone through. "I hope Perry's report on Gotham Fashion Week was worth it," he continued bitterly, "but a little bird advised me that you may prefer something less extravagant, so..." Bruce turned from him to face the darkness in front of them again, while Clark tensed in anticipation, completely bemused by the events unfolding.
"I figured if I can't take you to Mexico," Bruce spoke and Clark detected a slight waver in his voice and the spike in his heartbeat now as Bruce fought to keep his reactions under control and undetected. Too late for that, wait, Mexico? What did Mexico have to do with-
"Then I would bring Mexico to you," Bruce finished, not able to cover the catch in his breath, or the delicate sound of the click of the button he pressed.
“Poinsettias.” Clark gasped, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful view in front of him, it was like something off of a Christmas card. A deafening silence hung in the air for a few long moments as Clark stared in awe at the stunning sight before him, struggling to take it all in. He couldn't think, couldn't process that Bruce had gone to all this trouble just for him.
Two rows of poinsettia trees lined the long path along the side of the lake all the way to the lake house, the trees and the edges of the path were lined with warm, white fairy lights, highlighting the beautiful red and white leaves of the poinsettias and lighting the way for them.
“Bruce, I-” Clark was lost for words, completely overwhelmed by Bruce’s efforts.
“It’s too much isn’t it?”
Clark could hear the doubt, the threat of incoming brooding in Bruce’s voice, he needed to nip this in the bud before- “Alfred warned me about overdoing it, I just wanted-” Without a second thought, Clark reached out and took Bruce's hand in his, locking their fingers together, reassuring, while Bruce looked down in shock at their joined hands.
"I just wanted..." he repeated, forcing himself to look Clark in the face, though every self preservation instinct inside was screaming at him to withdraw, but Clark deserved better. "...you to know how much I appreciate you."
The look of pure adoration on Clark's face nearly broke him then and there, he knew this was a bad idea, he should make a break for it, run, this wouldn't end well for either of them.
Bruce must have made a subconscious movement as he felt the gentle steel grip tug at his arm, but Clark hadn't moved, he had.
"Bruce, this is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me." Clark smiled at him softly. "I love it, I love y-" Clark seemed to catch himself, releasing Bruce's hand as a hint of red flushed across his cheeks, barely visible in the dim glow from the trees, making Bruce panic in a different way as Clark let go of his hand.
"Clark?" Bruce breathed, another exhale of breath forming condensation in the air, for what felt like the longest second of his life.
"Come on, I know you hate the cold!" Clark beamed cheerfully, linking his arm with Bruce's, pulling him close to his side, and began walking them towards the parade of poinsettias.
Bruce had no chance of avoiding this now, of withstanding Clark's warmth, it was hopeless.
Bruce stopped them when they reached the beginning of the trail, and for the first time, Clark noticed a small table off to the right, just to the side of the first tree, with an ornate silver cloche sitting on top.
"Here." Bruce lifted the lid and passed Clark a small, hot, paper bag full of something, unable to resist the urge to peek inside the bag while Bruce retrieved his own portion.
"Chestnuts!" Clark exclaimed, popping a warm nut in his mouth, and tugging Bruce to his side again. Bruce accepted defeat, it was clear now that Clark wasn't going to let him go, his arm locked securely around Bruce's was keeping him at his side. Clark knew him too well, anticipated the flight instinct to kick in at any time now. The fact that Clark had him figured out like this, without saying a word, would normally frighten him, but instead he felt an altogether foreign sense of comfort.
"Is that a heated cloche?"
The bizarre question pulled him from his thoughts and back to the present. 'Um, yes?" Bruce replied, more than a little bemused at Clark's question regarding the serve ware.
"Right. I didn't know you could get heated ones."
Really? The warm and not so troubling feelings about his companion dissipated as Clark reminded him what a dork he was. "That's your take away from this?" Bruce replied, exasperated.
"Oh shut up!" Clark chuckled, elbowing Bruce playfully as they walked along the lit pathway.
"So what's all this about taking me to Mexico then?"
"Oh that..." Bruce suddenly became very interested in the trees lining the pathway, taking a deep breath before starting to explain.
"Like I said, I wanted to surprise you, and then you happened to tell me about how much you love poinsettias, so I did a little research and discovered that in Mexico, and other South American locations, they grow into trees. So I had the idea of surprising you with a last minute trip across the border to see them in their natural habitat."
Irritation and displeasure, evident in his voice, he continued, "And then Perry thwarted my plans by assigning you to that vacuous event.. I considered intervening, but Alfred strongly advised me that you would be," Bruce inhaled sharply, "less than impressed with my interfering with your work and that would negate any positives gained from the situation."
"Alfred would be right," Clark agreed, amused at the thought of Bruce being lectured by Alfred, but didn't hide the hint of warning that laced his words.
"So I decided to arrange to have an installation put in here at the Manor instead. It's not as extravagant as flying you away somewhere, I'm sorry, but it's the best I could do at short notice."
"Right, So you think that paying someone to install and light, I don't know how many trees to make a path across your considerable estate, is less extravagant than just jumping on a flight to Mexico to see them growing in the wild?" It was Clark's turn to arch a skeptical brow at Bruce.
"Well, when you put it like that…'' Bruce seemed to concede Clark's point. "It's just not very exciting coming to the Manor, you come here all the time."
"I don't need it to be exciting, I have enough excitement in my life. Honestly, Bruce, I'm just happy to spend the evening with you."
The crunch of snow under their feet was unnaturally loud in the stillness in the air, and Clark began to worry that it seemed he hadn't appreciated Bruce's gesture enough. He stopped in his tracks, tugging Bruce to the left to take view of the glistening reflection the lights made on the glassy lake surface.
"This is beyond amazing, Bruce, I could never have imagined anything like this. I feel like a kid again, it's absolutely magical." Clark beamed brightly under the lights, gesturing towards the lake. "Look at the reflection, it's so still, perfect."
That's not the only thing here that's perfect. Bruce wanted to say but couldn't find the courage to voice the words out loud.
"The snow's starting to really come in now, we should get to the lake house," he suggested instead.
"Sure." They continued on their way, Clark popping the last roast chestnut in his mouth, looking up at the flurry of snowflakes fluttering down towards them.
"B?"
"Hmm?"
"Did it ever cross your mind that I could just fly us to Mexico to see the trees?"
"Of course, but it wouldn't have been a surprise then would it?"
"I guess not." Clark chuckled sheepishly. "I don't think it could ever live up to this now anyway, thank you, Bruce."
They made their way along the trail, when Clark stopped abruptly, something catching his eye, hanging subtly in the middle between the third to last trees.
"Mistletoe."
"I didn’t ask for- Alfred." Bruce gritted as he followed Clark's gaze up to the plant hanging above them, only to look back down at Clark, seeing the amusement in his eyes and the mischievous grin on his lips.
"You know what this means?"
"Clark, this is nothing to do with me, I-"
"Shut up, Bruce." Clark stepped towards him and he felt his heart skip a beat, he hoped to god that Clark hadn't heard it, would ignore the catch of breath in his throat at the anticipation as Clark leaned forward and Bruce held his breath as the distance closed between them.
Bruce exhaled deeply as Clark embraced him tightly, wrapping his arms tightly around him, drawing Bruce into his warmth.
"Thanks for this, B. You don't know how much this means to me," Clark said softly, daring to press a soft kiss to Bruce's stubbled cheek as he pulled away again.
"Don't worry, I would never spring it on you like that, I know you don't like surprises." Clark chuckled gently, rubbing at the back of his neck, his breath catching in his throat as he felt Bruce's hand on his arm preventing him from turning away.
Instead, he pulled Clark back into him, and into a tender kiss. Clark stood stunned as Bruce's warm lips pressed against his, until his brain finally caught up with the situation and he returned the kiss. It was sweet, gentle, and sent a flood of warmth cascading through him.
Clark didn't know what to say next, and tried to keep a lid on the bubble of excitement he felt inside, but was unable to hide the bright smile on his face, as he turned back to take one last look down the glowing trail, trying to not to let it go to his head too quickly. There would be time to deal with it later. Better to let Bruce process, even if he was the one who initiated it.
"Come on, you're freezing, let's head inside and get warm."