Ficlet: Fears in the Dark

[starsandsea]

Title: Fears in the Dark
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairing: Clark/Bruce, Dick, Tim, Cass.
Word Count: 540
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: For greeneyelove's birthday! This is also for your fear gas challenge... though I think I'm very late for it! Unbetaed, so point and I shall correct.



Kal flew to Gotham, his every thought laced with worry. Nightwing had called him, saying that Bruce had been exposed to fear gas from Scarecrow, and was unresponsive to him, or anyone else. Gotham was spread out beneath him, her shadows hiding the one he loved. But she could never hide Bruce from him. Never.

Batman was sitting on a gargoyle, high above the city, with their children around him. Nightwing was pacing back and forth along a narrow edge, while Robin and Batgirl stood silently behind Batman, standing guard. Kal saw them sigh in relief when they saw him approaching.

Nightwing swung around, and moved quickly towards where he was hovering next to Bruce. "He's been like this ever since we found him. Scarecrow must have developed a new toxin." Nightwing paused to look at Batman worriedly. "We haven't been able to get him out of it. He's just sat here, not moving, not saying anything..."

Dick looked in anguish at his father. Kal placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and smiled reassuringly at Tim and Cass. They didn't have to say anything to show that they were worried about what exactly the new toxin was doing to Bruce, why he wasn't moving, not seemingly to be reacting to it. Even his breathing was hardly disturbed. But Kal could hear his heartbeat, could hear it thumping wildly in his chest...

Kal moved until he was sitting behind Bruce on the gargoyle, and very gently gathered him in his arms. It began to rain, a long steady falling, and Kal wrapped his cape about Bruce, feeling him trembling, shaking against him.

"Bruce?" There was no response, not that he expected there to be. Kal pulled his love closer, settling him against his chest. He started to sing very softly into Bruce's ear. Almost immediately, Kal felt some of the trembling stop, felt Bruce pressing closer. Kal carried on singing to Bruce, songs of love and happiness, with no mention of any fears.

Slowly, very slowly, Bruce's trembling stopped, and his stiff muscles started to relax. Kal finally fell quiet, and Bruce stirred in his arms. Kal smiled down at him.

"Kal?" Bruce's voice was hoarse; Kal caressed his jaw gently with his fingers. Bruce sagged against him, then shakily stood up, Kal supporting him. Their children were standing before them, and Bruce stepped forward, Kal still holding him.

"Scarecrow?"

"In police custody," Tim responded, as Dick moved forward and gave Bruce a brief hug. Cass moved until she was standing by Bruce's side, and Bruce smiled at her.

"Good work." Bruce nodded at them, and they all seemed to glow with pride.

"You should get back to the Cave so we can take a blood sample," Tim noted.

Bruce nodded wearily, and leaned slightly more against Kal. "I'll fly you back." Kal gathered Bruce unresisting, in his arms. The toxin must have really shaken him up.

"We'll carry on patrol for you," Dick said as they lifted off. Bruce nodded his thanks to his children again, then rested his head against his lover's shoulder.

"Thank you, Kal."

Kal tightened his hold on Bruce. "Anytime, my love. Anytime."