Drabble: Heartless

[starsandsea]

Title: Heartless
Pairing: Bruce/Clark, Clark/?
Rating: PG
Word Count: 250
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: The first sentence is (almost) directly taken from Writing Fix's Sentance Starter



Bruce laughed loudly at a joke that only he heard.

It was not even that funny, Bruce thought. Nothing ever was anymore.

He thought he could do this. He thought he could continue on after... but no, given the looks that were being bestowed upon him, he couldn't.

He had laughed at one of the society parties again, when no one was telling a joke.

Bruce knew that he was starting to seriously worry people - Lucius, Dick, Alfred. But how could he explain to them what was happening to him? That his very soul was being ripped out of his body every time he saw Clark with...her.

A person who he could never compete against, even if he tried.

Clark didn't know of course. He never now would know how Bruce's heart shattered every time he saw her, every time he saw them together and he had to watch her receive all of Clark's love, wanting nothing more than to be on the receiving end of one of those loving looks. But he never would be.

After all, Clark was a man of his word, and once he promised you something, he never broke his vow.

Bruce knew he needed to get himself together, start building himself again in the ruins of his shattered life.

To become the heartless being so many thought he was.

Wait.

'Heartless'

Bruce started to laugh loudly again. Yes, he was heartless.

After all, Clark had stolen his heart from the moment they met.

Comments

[carolandtom.livejournal.com]

This was very good. I'm sorry for Bruce; losing Clark would have to be terrible for him.

Great job!

[sasha-anu.livejournal.com]

Ouch.

Clark has the world in his hands and doesn't even know it.

[vigilante-wake.livejournal.com]

The image of Bruce in his "Brucie" persona just losing it at a society function is both disturbing and fascinating. Good job!

[greeneyelove.livejournal.com]

Oh that just hurt. Poor Bruce.

Very well done!

[bradygirl_12]

Oh, dear! *hugs Bruce* So sad! And scary!

The last line: awesome!

[jij.livejournal.com]

*whimpery*

Poor Bruce!

After all, Clark was a man of his word, and once he promised you something, he never broke his vow.

Oh, I love this line because it's unclear what exactly is being referred to (a promise Clark made to Bruce? To the woman? In what circumstances?), but there's a wonderful, heavy finality to it that really thuds home.

And the image of Bruce laughing manically at some party, enough to worry everyone...it's painful and great together.

[summonercat.livejournal.com]

After all, Clark had stolen his heart from the moment they met.

;_; Augh. Poor Bruce. Too touching, I can't word it right.

[batmanwatchtowr.livejournal.com]

Wow...I was wondering when someone would address Bruce's feelings when Clark married Lois...

[taro-twist.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, this was so sad. You did such a great job of showing how broken Bruce is, but without going over the top. The thing with him laughing at the joke of being heartless, and just laughing in public without being able to stop himself--that just gave me chills. *aches for Bruce* Anyway, this was a wonderful ficlet!

[rai-daydreamer.livejournal.com]

Awwww, it's hurt, but I like the story somehow.
Poor Bruce. Would Clark never realize his heart? *sobs*

Uh, I feel I would like to read the sequel... sorry, I'm such a sucker of happy-ending. *mumbles and runs off*

[tmelange.livejournal.com]

*weep* I feel so bad for Bruce! Bravo on this!