Bruce hadn't tried to approach him since he had left the room. Clark had taken up trying to get to know his colleagues again in this universe and found it rather difficult without his memories. The fast man in red whose name was Barry assured him that once they had everyone in their right universes they were going to restore everything that had been lost to them.

He watched the other him and his friends and could immediately see the difference between them. Clark knew that he belonged in the other universe. Despite being somewhat older he had a niceness around him that only came from naivety. The others were different too. He could see how that Oliver tread the line between criminal and hero so finely that it didn't bother him as much anymore. Then there was their camaraderie with Chloe. She had hopped over to this universe along with the others and was currently telling them off. She hadn't noticed the switch but kept commenting on how she must have been blind for the past half a year not to see that that Clark wasn't hers.

Owlman and his gang were soon transported here and through it again when they set up different co-ordinates. Barry went with them to presumably destroy their machine and Clark noticed that Thomas kept glancing around at the faces within the watchtower. Clark couldn't tell if he was looking for Bruce or just scanning the faces of those who had defeated him. Clark was glad either way that Bruce had remained within his room, there was something about Thomas' obsession with him that unnerved him and it wasn't just because of what he had done to them.

It wasn't long before Clark was watching as Zatanna in all her skimpy glory came up to the watchtower with some other people in tow to sit down each of the other's league. He watched as one by one they grew younger so the plains of Arthur's face didn't seem so stressed. Then they too were gone.

"You're turn now boy scout," Zatanna called motioning him over.

He was a tad reluctant to face her, worried in case anything went wrong. But he felt the magic work its way inside his body and felt his mind unfold while his limbs grew a bit larger and his hair fuller. He soon couldn't help his smile on his face when he saw Zatanna. All of his memories were back. About Conner, Kara, the league, how could he have forgotten. How dare his memories be taken from him.

Oliver with his beard all bushy and blonde clasped his arm in a warning. It seemed that his eyes were growing red. He murmured an apology that was met with Oliver's instant forgiveness. He wasn't the only one that suffered.

"So," Zatanna said calling their attention back "Are one of you going to get Mister Grumpy or shall I?"

Her sentence had immediate reactions. Oliver backed away pale faced saying he had catching up with Dinah to attend to whilst Barry whisked Bart out of the satellite and back home. Clark told her to get him. He didn't think he could face Bruce right now. Not with his memories.

He left watchtower to go to the fortress an inner battle raging inside of him. He remembered everything now, how Bruce wasn't his and how this universe hadn't let them be together. There had always been something. If not an end of the world battle then there was always the obstacle of Bruce's boys. Sure Clark loved them and some of them liked him. But not in a way where they would be happy for their dad to date him. Dick might get past it but Damian certainly wouldn't. He hadn't a clue as to how Tim and Jason would react.

Truth be told though Clark hadn't allowed himself to think of Bruce in that way for years. Not when his playboy image showed nothing but a heterosexual man in his prime. Was what happened in the other universe really Bruce? Or was he just using Clark to get his trust. It wouldn't have been the first time he employed such tactics on people and they too had deluded themselves into thinking there was a future with him. Clark resolved to see what they had as it was, an excuse. Bruce said and did whatever he could think of to get Thomas away from him and allow him to get back home.

But it had meant something to Clark either way. He couldn't help thinking back on those ignorant times in the fortress and on the farm (He hoped to God the other him didn't find out what happened,) and how he had hoped that when they got their lives back that him and Bruce would be together in them.

He ended up staying in the fortress for three days before paying his parents a visit. They were fine but worried and Conner was always happy to see him. The visit was short and soon Clark got ready to face Lois at the planet. He hoped he still had a job.

Metropolis wasn't what he expected to see. There were buildings burnt down and acre's of land destroyed. That was when Clark finally grasped the bigger picture. These people had been to his home. Had tried to destroy it and build it up again in their idealisms. Luthor was still in jail but he knew that there were contracts being signed up as he spoke for the replacement buildings. He couldn't tell if Luthor owning half of Metropolis was worse than Ultraman. He supposed he was going to find out though.

Lois was happy to see him and asked how his vacation went before sending him into Perry for a new article. It seemed that the other him had kept up appearances at the Planet and even put a few holiday days in, probably knowing that he would need a few days to adjust back into his life.

It became a busy month. Spending his days catching up with his more than absent cousin because of Legion buisness. He also let Conner help with the rebuilding of Metropolis, deeming him ready to be out on the field. He actually missed the boy and felt proud when he saw him veer off to take care of a bank robbery whilst Clark was busy with a fire. He supposed this is what Bruce feels when he's out with Robin. Then stops that train of thought as it led him down a miserable path. He was hoping to avoid Bruce for the time being so that things wouldn't be as awkward when they next worked together.

It seemed that was sooner rather than later though as Clark soon found himself on monitor duty with him the next Friday. He greeted him the same as he always would and treated him like the past half year hadn't happened. There was no reason for Clark to make things more weird than they had to be.

"How are the boys?" He made himself ask.

"Busy," Bruce replied gruffly and Clark had to pause a moment to listen to the gruff voice that was addressed to him. He had forgotten how deep Bruce's voice was, it seemed that puberty had hit once again after he was seventeen as the silky tone, though was detected, was much darker and seductive than it had been last Clark had heard him.

"Oh?" he heard himself ask trying to nonchalantly peer through Bruce's suit to admire how else he had grown up. Remembering wasn't the same as seeing it again in real life.

"Gotham's been through a lot when I was gone. The boys did all they could but they're still busy with repairs," Bruce explained and tinkered with the computer to his left.

It seemed that Metropolis wasn't the only city to have felt the effects of the syndicates wrath.

"I'm surprised they touched Gotham. I thought Owlman wanted you to take over it."

"He only destroyed what wasn't mine," and turned his attention back to Clark "What's Metropolis like?"

"Manageable. I've had Conner come and help with some of the repairs but it looks like Luthor's going to be taking them off our hands pretty soon. I wish sometimes that he was like the other Lex. I could have just stormed in and threw a tantrum. He probably would have still went through with it but at least most of it would be for the people. God knows what this Lex is going to do with the buildings," He sighed.

Bruce hmmmed and went back to his computer. That was the longest conversation they had that night. Clark kept trying to peer at Bruce's older self while admonishing himself for trying to do so. It wasn't like the other universe he kept telling himself.

They left without a goodbye and Clark went back to his empty apartment to settle back into the routine he had developed. Metropolis still needed saving so his drama was going to have to wait.

And wait it did. For three months his life and the league carried on like before. Oliver and Dinah had made up after his relationship with Chloe and were stronger than ever. He often envied how easily Dinah could forgive the archer. Wally and Barry seemed overjoyed that Bart was back and causing trouble. Clark heard from time to time one of them complaining about his lack of responsibility but there was an undertone in their voices that spoke of nothing but pride. He barely saw Arthur in the next three months, he was spending most of his time in Atlantis to reconnect with his children and Meera whilst Victor went back to the Titans for a while.

He wondered if his life would ever feel as simple as theirs. They seemed to have completely forgiven what happened which was something he was having trouble with. He would go to work and see Lois and sometimes forget that they hadn't lived together when he was younger. Often he would wake up from a nightmare and phone his Pa to make sure he was alright. The other universe was haunting him and he couldn't make it stop. His two lives didn't interlink and left him torn between which memories were real or not.

In the end he spent more time in the fortress. Krypto would often come with him so that he wouldn't be lonely and they would spend hours playing fetch or Clark monologuing his woes to his lovely companion.

"How would you get over it?" He asked him and received a whine and nudge for the ball he was holding. "I guess you would probably ask for a ball. It's probably the same in any universe for you huh boy," He ruffled Krypto's soft head.

On the beginning of his fifth month back in his life he received an unexpected invitation. He was at his desk writing an article about the new housing developments when Jimmy came over and slipped him a note.

On the cover was his name but inside was a place and time to meet. "Where'd you get this Jimmy?"

The boy turned and gave him a grin "A black haired teen on a bike. Said to give it to you CK or else he'd fire me. Can you imagine?" he laughed at the absurdity while Clark hoped the boy wouldn't actually go through with it.

The place where Bruce had asked to meet was on top of the Wayne Enterprises building in Gotham. Bruce hadn't been kidding when he said Gotham was bad as well. Clark could see constructions going on all over the town. He wondered if Thomas actually got his wish and Bruce owned the new sites. Or if not feared for whoever was living under their new Mob landlords.

"You came," He heard and turned around to see Bruce. He wasn't wearing the bat suit which struck Clark as odd.

"You asked," He held the note up. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Why are you avoiding me?" Bruce began.

"I'm not," He replied knowing he had been doing just that. "I've just been busy and so have you."

"No, you've been avoiding me," Bruce pressed and joined him on the ledge that overlooked the smog smoked streets. "And I want to know why."

"Why!" Clark muttered not believing Bruce had actually asked that. "It's not like we saw each other much before Bruce," Clark deferred.

"No but you didn't go out of your way to avoid me either."

"How exactly have I been avoiding you?" He asked hoping to stall for time.

Bruce turned to him "You usually drop by the cave or have dinner once in a while but other than the league mandatory meetings and monitor duty I haven't seen you. I would forgive it if there was something wrong or you were busy but it's been five months and nothing," He threw his hands up.

"I didn't know you valued my presence so much."

"Neither did I," Bruce bit out and slouched backwards. "Well?"

He couldn't look at him "I just though we needed some time apart. I needed some time apart, after what happened in the other universe."

"After what happened?" Clark turned to stare at Bruce. His face was older but that look he got when he was confused still made him look adorable to Clark.

"Bruce we had sex," he exclaimed not believing that he had to spell it out for the detective.

"And? How exactly does that equal to you avoiding me?"

"You can't be serious!" he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "You honestly can sit there and not feel weird about it."

"Oh," Bruce frowned "I didn't realise you felt that way about it."

"Well I do," he brought his knees up closer to him.

A silence settled over both of them. Clark didn't know what to say to him, he hated that his best friend had been made into a foreign being. He couldn't even look at Bruce anymore. It was just too painful. He had awoken things that should have been left to die but Clark couldn't even bring himself to be mad at Bruce for doing it.

"So why did you do it?" Clark asked.

"Hmm?"

"Make me your boyfriend,"

"I told yo-"

"Answer it properly Bruce!" he snapped.

"Why do you have such a problem with it?" Bruce countered "So we had sex. So what? I never took you to be homophobic so I really don't understand what the problem is-"

"How dare you even insinuate-"

"Well why not! You keep asking about every little thing I did. You went along with it but only because I kept telling you bits of information."

"So you're saying that I manipulated you?" Clark asked angrily "I manipulated you!?" he shouted and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Bruce demanded standing up.

"Well I'm leaving before I manipulate you again," He snapped sarcastically "Why do you think I'm leaving? I'm not listening to you saying these things."

"Well you started it!" Bruce barked.

"Only because I don't know what's happening to us!" He yelled back and watched as Bruce's face turned into an angry frown. "We've come back to this world and we aren't even us anymore. Can you honestly tell me that you see me the same way as before?" Bruce shook his head "Same. Bruce I can't be around you right now because I can't forget what happened. It's different for the others because they were able to look past what happened as just another consequence of the job. But Bruce, I can't do that. I look at you and I see what we were. What I thought we were in this world and to come back and it not be what I imagined... It's going to take some time before I can act normal around you again. I'm sorry."

"Fine," He heard Bruce spit out but he was already halfway to Metropolis when it happened.

The next day was awful. He couldn't concentrate on anything he was writing and ended up typing their parting words in his articles frequently. He didn't even answer Lois' jibes and instead tried to keep an ear on the world. But that was strangely quiet too. By the end of the day he was glad to just go back to his apartment and watch awful telly for a while.

He ordered take-out and scrubbed a hand over his face while flipping through the channels. Naturally there were mostly romantic comedies on and he ended up doing his own batman impression by growling and throwing the remote at the TV.

"Tough day?" Damn those birds.

"How long have you been here?" He countered turning to face Dick. He was in his Nightwing costume juggling a couple of wingdings where he sat.

"Not long. Timmy wanted me to find Conner with him," He shrugged "Thought I would pop in."

"Make yourself comfy," Clark told him watching as the mask was removed.

"So what are we watching?" He asked nudging Clark's legs away before collapsing back onto his sofa. He reminded Clark of Bruce when he did that and wondered which of them copied off the other.

"If you can find something decent the remote's yours." He told him fetching it from the floor "Chinese should be here soon."

"Yummers."

Clark fetched Dick a drink and smiled when the vigilante pulled his boots off so he could fold himself into his seat. It was nice to see that he had some manners unlike his temperamental father. He handed the glass and fell back into his seat, pulling a face at having to watch Beauty and the Beast.

"Disney?"

"Damian doesn't allow it in the house," Dick smirked "I have to get my fix somewhere."

"What? You're telling me an eleven year old decides what you watch. Honestly Dick you've changed," He joked and ruffled his hair laughing as the acrobat batted him away.

"It's not my fault," He whined "And besides you don't live there so you don't know. He's a very scary eleven year old."

He left Dick alone and went to get the door smiling when he heard him singing along to Gaston. He was beginning to wonder when Dick would reveal why he was really here. Tim was sixteen and more than capable of shouting for Conner to get him and although Clark liked it when he did come over it was usually because he wanted to talk about something.

"How are the other two then?" He attempted.

"Jason's staying at the manor for a while. You would think that there'd be constant arguing but Bruce and him seem to have a weird alliance going on. I'm actually scared to stay over for the night. Tim's, well Tim. He's spending his weekends at the Titans but when he is home he keeps to his room. Damian's made one to many threats I think," He spoke swallowing instead of breathing as he ate.

"Why doesn't Bruce do something about him?" Clark wondered.

"He does and Damian's not that bad. It's Tim, he just riles him up. Honestly they're both as bad as each other," Dick sighed inhaling more food. "Speaking of conflict. When are you and Bruce going to make up?"

Ah here we are "What makes you think we're fighting?"

"You're never at the manor anymore. I had to come here to get my Super fix." He explained and waved his arms in a manner like Metropolis was on the other side of the world.

"That doesn't mean we're fighting," Clark waved away.

Dick sighed "Fine. The reason I can tell is that Bruce came storming into the manor last night complaining about men in tights. Now either he's been watching too much Robin Hood or you two had a fight."

"Stormed in?"

"Like a child. Stop stalling," He pointed.

"Fine. Look we just had a fight about something that happened in the other universe, it's no big deal, but it means that I can't come to the manor for a while," he explained.

"Can't? I don't see anyone stopping you." Dick took a breath before saying this next part "Is this about how you two hooked up?"

He was never happier in his life that he didn't need to breath as much as humans "How... You know about that?" he asked feeling his face redden.

"Yep," Dick said and turned back to his food. "So is it?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand how you can fight about it. I would have thought you'd both be jumping for joy or something," Dick muttered staring confused at his meal.

"Jumping for joy?"

"Well yeah. You guys got together in a different universe. One where there wasn't any Robins or Superboys. I would have thought the fact that you two getting together when there was so little complications would make it easier for you to be back in this universe."

"I don't think I'm following you Dick. I mean I get about how it would be simple for us to get together in the other universe. But you do know that we only did as a cover. We just needed a solid excuse to see each other without Owlman prying," He said and felt cold at hearing Bruce's previous explanation slip from his mouth.

"Really?" Dick asked not looking like he believed Clark.

"Well yeah. Why else would we get together?"

"Because you wanted to," Dick said simply. "If you ask me pretending to be involved as a cover is a good excuse but it doesn't mean that you guys had to... you know... go all the way," he said avoiding eye contact. He would feel pity for Dick if he wasn't just as embarrassed to be having this conversation

"Well that was just... I mean..." he stuttered "He was manipulating me," Clark finally bit out.

Dick looked up quickly "Are you sure? Because he said the same about you when I asked."

"He said what?!" Dick paled realising he had said the wrong thing.

"I don't think he meant it like that though," He tried to amend "I think he meant it in the way that you were using Bruce just as much as he was using you. I mean-" He stuttered and watched with a red face as Clark stood up pulling his jacket on "Please don't fight," he begged and sounded just like he did when Clark and Bruce had just met. Standing in the cave begging his mentor not to attack his idol, he was smaller but the way he spoke had almost broken Clark's heart. And now here he was twelve years begging the same thing but with the roles reversed.

"I'm not," He sighed "I'm just going to talk to him. You can come and supervise if you want," He offered and waited while Dick grabbed his mask and boots before flying them both to Gotham.

The manor was different in this universe since it had survived two earthquakes and numerous psychotic break ins.

"Are the rogues back?" He asked Dick setting him down.

"Yeah, they came through with you guys. Joker looked so weird normal. Zatanna almost kept him that way," Dick shivered and opened the front door. "By the way those imposter things were aliens, thought you'd like to know. They're peaceful in this universe but in the syndicates they're notorious for impersonating people and stealing their wealth. All they need is a strand of DNA and they can turn themselves into anyone. It's not the same as Manhunter but still creepy," he continued and led the way through the manor.

They passed Alfred on their way in and Clark was never more happy to see the butler. Unfortunately he only had stern words for Dick telling him to strip in the hallway and fetch his pyjamas afterwards. The acrobat complied with only little complaining and earned himself an audience and Jason throwing taunts from further down the corridor as he handed his suit to Alfred.

Clark dutifully waited while he fetched his batman pj's and even asked where he could get some before they continued up the staircase to Bruce's room. Dick knocked once and after hearing a high come in entered with Clark in tow.

Damian was seated on his fathers bed with his knee bleeding. Dick seeing the blood rushed over to pamper the little assassin. Damian tried to fend him off but in the end everyone concedes to one of Dick's hugs.

"Dick," he heard Bruce bark from the bathroom "Stop jostling him around until I've cleaned his leg."

"But he needs love. That makes everything better," The acrobat joked hugging Damian closer.

"Bruce is right Dick. You're getting blood all over his bed spread," He told him and heard Bruce's heart speed up before calming.

Dick only groaned before falling back onto the bed thankfully letting Damian go before he did so. The boy himself only scowled and glared at Clark being in his manor. Bruce came out of the bathroom with a flannel and a box of little plaster boxes.

"Try not to move Dami," He soothed and bent down to clean the gash on Damian's leg.

"How'd he do it?" He asked keeping to a light comfortable conversation until Damian was out of the room.

"I can speak for myself," Damian growled.

"He tried to steal one of Jason's cookies by tackling him and ended up missing and falling down the stairs. The cut is from when he made impact on the banister."

"Ouch."

"Aw poor little D," Dick cooed earning him a smack and an admonishment from Bruce for making Damian move.

"Right all done. Now do you want Scooby Doo or Spiderman?" Bruce asked holding up the boxes. Damian looked at them confused.

"Always go for Scooby," Dick whispered from behind Damian. He nodded his agreement and let Bruce put the little plaster on his leg. "Wish I still got Scooby," Dick moaned before grabbing Damian around the waist and plonking him outside Bruce's door "We have stuff to talk about so see if you can Jason and give him a kick."

"Don't encourage him," Bruce sighed as Dick closed the door. He turned to Clark "What are you doing here? I thought you had to have some time away?"

"I did but then Dick mentioned that you thought I was the one manipulating you in that other universe," Clark started.

"You said you weren't gonna fight," Dick seethed moving to stand in the middle of them.

"I'm not. I'm just going to point out that it was you who kissed me first Bruce. You were the one that instigated everything. So don't try and make me the bad guy," he explained in a calm voice watching as Bruce's face darkened.

"Dick get out," Bruce growled.

"No! You're not fighting. I'm not allowing it! You guys are friends why are you making so much out of this."

"Because Clark can't accept that we may have had something on that other universe," Bruce bit out.

"No it's because-" Clark realised what Bruce had just said "Dick get out," he told the young vigilante and watched as he turned betrayed eyes on him "Dick," he warned and his eyes must have been glowing because he did as Clark asked. Making sure to stomp and slam the door as he left. "Why are you angry at me?" Clark asked Bruce when they were alone.

"Why are you angry with me?" Bruce countered.

"I'm not angry. Frustrated yes because I thought that you were using me for a cover," He moved closer to Bruce.

"I was," Bruce admitted and held his ground.

"I thought that since we were back here that you would want to get on with your life. That what happened would be forgotten like the others have done."

"Obviously not," They were close now and Clark could look into those piercing blue eyes that hadn't aged a day.

"I thought that I was the only one that felt something. You never said in that other universe and it made me wonder. I thought that you were holding back telling me about our lives because you refused to mix that and this world together. That after everything I would just return to being your best friend," He leaned down and close almost whispering those last words. Still Bruce hadn't backed off.

"You're a moron Kent," Bruce uttered in his low guttural voice.

"I love you too," He spoke and went in for a kiss.

Bruce's lips were harder than they had been at seventeen and his hands were rougher as they clasped his head closer to him. Clark grabbed him around the waist and sped them over to Bruce's bed letting the bat twist around him until he was on top. Bruce was still the same but different. His kisses were the same as they knew where to go to make Clark moan and God help the little cheat because he had years of playboy experience in the other world while Clark was nothing more than a virgin in comparison. But now he had some moves of his own that made little gasps emerge from Bruce much quicker than they had five months ago.

Their clothes didn't stay on too long and ended up in a sad little heap on the floor while Bruce climbed back on top of him. He kissed and sucked all the places he had learnt Clark liked back on the farm which soon reduced him to a whimpering mess.

Clark grabbed his neck and pulled on his shoulder gently to pry him away from Clark's naval and back up to his mouth.

"It's my turn," He muttered grinning at the confused look on Bruce's face before flipping him onto his back.

There were so many scars to memorise and lick. Knife wounds that painted his thighs received a thorough suck when Bruce gasped a bit too loudly at the light touch he previously gave them. Burn scars from villains or fixing his cars on his hands were rewarded with bites and dutiful attention if only to make him squirm.

Clark was surprised that he found scars leading down his hips and followed each line and jagged mark until he reached a one on his dick.

"How did you get this?" He asked slightly nervous about the answer.

Bruce gave him his signature 'You're an idiot Kent' look before praising his eyes skyward "Er I dunno I think it might have Talia. She always liked swiping below the belt with that stupid sword," he grumbled before almost shoving Clark's head back to his task.

Clark complied with a little nip to the tip which made Bruce growl beneath him. He loved the sounds he made. Clark took him in his mouth and held his hips down before moving to straddle a wayward leg that had thrown itself too near Clark's head. He'd forgotten how flexible Bruce was at this age.

The position meant that Clark's own dick was receiving attention making him moan as he moved over Bruce's.

They must have been making some noise but Clark hadn't really been paying attention until the door burst open.

"I knew it was a bad idea to leave you two alone-" Dick started before grasping the scene that was in front of him.

"Out Dick!" Bruce almost yelled and watched as the startled boy ran out the door "Door!" Bruce yelled again and Clark watched amused as Dick came back with his hands over his eyes to fumble with the door. He felt hands return to his hair "Suck!" Bruce demanded the adrenalin of being caught seeming to make him harder in Clark's mouth.

He complied and soon they were both moaning their release. Clark crawled up Bruce's body planting kisses as he went until he got to his mouth.

"I love you," He told him.

"I love you too," Bruce said back and pulled him down next to him.

Clark lay next to him feeling like he had in the barn. Like he could fly.

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't," He heard Bruce say. "Love you. I wouldn't have had sex with you if I didn't feel something for you. I guess I always felt something but seeing you again in that universe something just clicked and I knew."

"I'm glad," Clark muttered and said 'I love you' in Kryptonian. Another thing he was happy to have back. "So what does this make us then?"

"Don't you know. You've already agreed," Bruce said arrogantly and continued when Clark wasn't getting it "The other universe, you, all those months ago, said you would be my boyfriend," He grinned and pulled Clark in for another kiss.