Chapter Text
“No, no… Clark…” Batman scrambled to take the pieces of kryptonite out of Supermans abdomen, blood pooling below him where he was shot by kryptonite bullets. “Just stay awake Clark.”
~
It had been a week since the man of steel died. On every street corner they sold superman t shirts, blankets, mugs, and other trinkets you would see in a gift shop. Every time Bruce saw it he felt like he wanted to throw up. The world went still when he died, and so did Bruce. Batman had been patrolling more often than not because of the crime rate spikes. Other justice league members began patrolling more in metropolis, but nobody could replace Superman—or Clark.
One night in the batcave, Batman sat at his desk, and couldn’t stop thinking about the night Clark died. On the metropolis news people across the streets wore superman merchandise as if they knew him. It made him bitter; they had no right to grieve what they didn’t know. Clark always had a way of helping the hopeless, making personal connections with those he had never even seen. He was the pillar of hope for the world, and now he is dead. Bruce lost him, just like he lost Jason once… but Jason came back.
Bruce stood up and pushed his chair back, than began pacing. He promised himself he would never resort to it again, but he thought about it. The lazarus pit could bring him back. He could see him again, smiling and laughing. Bruce didn’t think twice and went to the room where Clark was cryogenically frozen. He looked so peaceful, his eyes closed. It looked as if he was sleeping. Bruce pushed a button and carried Clark to the bat mobile, as Dick liked to call it when he was Tim’s age, and started the drive to the abandoned warehouse where the lazarus pit now existed.
It was a blur until he carried Clark’s cold body to the lazarus pit, slowly submerging him into the green water. He waited by his side, and when he saw Clark slowly crawl out he looked at him. “Batman… what happened?” His heart sank. Clark always called him Bruce after the night that his cowl ripped.
“You were dead. I brought you back.” Bruce knew by looking at him that he had changed. He knew that things were going to be horribly different, and he left Clark there because he couldn’t bear to look at him.
~
Superman walked into the Justice League building and everyone welcomed him back, patting him on the shoulder and smiling. As they sat, they began to stratagize a plan to get things back to normalcy. “Metropolis could use the most work,” Diana pointed out, “I have been trying my best to help around but people have been grieving. I am happy that you are back, Superman.”
“Yeah, same here man. How have you been handling this past week?” Barry said with a smile, and Clark returned it.
“It has been going well! I am glad to be back, I’ve been feeling much more energized and happy. I am just glad to be back in metropolis and with all of you.” As Clark spoke, Batman walked out of the meeting. It was very uncharacteristic for him to leave like that without saying anything. Hal snorted but Diana shot him a glare.
“Well, looks like someone is a little grumpy.” Hal muttered, his green ring flickering in the light. Diana kicked him under the table.
“It is an adjustment for us all. I am sure he will be back to normal soon.” J’onn said in his normal stoich voice. Clark frowned and looked at the door that Batman left through, and felt a tinge of extreme sadness… he didn’t know why this hurt him. He continued with the meeting, dividing plans to work on stopping riots and crime sprees. At the end, everyone was happy… except for Clark.
Ever since he got home he has felt a sense of displacement, like something was very different but couldn’t tell what it was exactly. As he continued throughout his week things felt off. His heart ached but he couldn’t tell why, everything was back to normal, wasn’t it?