#Wayne and Mr. Crawling my beloveds

[birbycakes]

NOVEMBER 1ST IS ALMOST HERE!!! GIVE ME MY SPOOKY HUSBANDS!!!

[thiccpersonality]

The Difficulties of The Working Class (Just Clark Kent): A Beautiful Omega, His Pups and The Fact He Wants Both

Happy Valentine's Day my loves! I know this isn't a post for that Damian story, nor is it the 5+2 that I'm doing, but I did say that I was working on a 5k+ superbat story (that obviously didn't stay 5k+ words). I kept myself up the whole night just to be able to post this on today, though sadly I won't be able to make a double post like how I wanted, but I hope this will suffice?

I really hope everyone is able to find some humor and love within this story? 😂 Enjoy! 💛

Being a reporter can be a pretty rough job...or so Clark assumes. It doesn't make him as physically drained as his very human coworkers, however, the Kryptonian can often feel mentally and emotionally overwhelmed depending on who it is he's talking to and what exactly he's researching. 

And maybe it's just his body's way of trying to relate to earthlings?

But, Clark often feels a physical weight on his shoulders or back when a scoop is particularly difficult to look into, or his legs get phantom aches and pains in them when he's been moving too much. All the bodily discomfort he tends to feel is most likely just Clark taking what he's heard the people around him complaining about daily and trying his best to imagine that for himself—again—in anyway to try relating to the humans around him, all to show that he's not too different. Anyway, Clark could go on forever talking about his identity crisis, but that isn't what this is about. 

No.

This is something much bigger than any stories he could ever chase down.

'Why', you ask?

That's a very good question. It's because most of Clark's mental, emotional and physical distress comes with one eligible bachelor's children. 'Who?' You ask this time instead. Well, one Bruce Thomas Wayne and his hoard of children...or demons? Clark isn't too sure on what exactly those—creatures are yet.

Figuring out if Bruce Wayne's children are also an alien species like himself, an experiment gone wrong, or demons that crawled their way out of hell, is a mystery that Clark has yet to solve at this moment in time. But all is well—if nothing else—than because everyone's beloved Kryptonian has found himself growing closer to Bruce everytime they do an interview together. It's honestly like a dream come true...ah, having those strikingly blue eyes on you that is, not the hoard of gremlins children that stare into your soul from afar off because they most definitely know that you have a crush on their mother and do their very best to make your life miserable and your job impossible.

Clark can't say that he knows for sure how they feel when seeing someone try to flirt with your mother during business hours, and eye him like he's eye candy. But, he supposes he could understand feeling protective over the only parent/person who–out of their love and kindness–took you into their home and loves you for who you are.

You see.

Not much is known about the Wayne childrens parents. It's something that hardly anyone talks about, and while there have already been released (and confirmed) statements on how all of Bruce's children (except one) is adopted, most people-including Clark himself-wonder if that's all true. I mean, most of Bruce's kids look like they could be his by blood...especially the Wayne brothers, and there's also the possibility that the rest took after their birth fathers more than the billionaire himself.

But in all honesty. That's not a thought Clark tries to dwell on too much...he gets...jealous whenever the thought of Bruce sleeping around with anyone that isn't him pops up in this useless brain of his.

Which Clark truly feels guilty for feeling. Isn't that, what did one of Bruce's kids put it as, red flag behavior right there? I mean, they aren't even together, so why should he be concerning himself about who Mr. Wayne sleeps with? The answer: he doesn't know. Which is making Clark start to feel disheartened at the fact he ends up with more questions than answers, he's a reporter for goodness sakes! That's all he does is find answers to questions left untouched and unsolved. Anyhow, Bruce's kids make his job so much more exhausting than it needs to be (or should be) for him. I mean, when he said he wanted to feel human, he didn't mean for it to be in the form of the world's most menacing kids making him feel like he aged as gracefully as forgotten milk in the fridge.

No matter though.

Because Clark can put all his worries behind himself—please don't ask why again; he'll tell you this time. It's because he gets to interview (again) for the fourth time in the same year and month, his unofficial lover crush/boss, Bruce Wayne.

The man's smile can make Clark feel like he can do anything both in and out of his suit (civilian and superhero). He makes him feel indestructible, as if even Kryptonite wouldn't be able to take him down. Which maybe that's the secret weapon? Clark should give it a try sometime. But, the man and everything he exudes does wonder for Clark's health, especially when those soft, fair skinned cheeks flush a pretty pink whenever Clark looks at him a certain way when interviewing...there's always a pleasant smell that escapes Bruce Wayne's scent patches whenever Clark flusters him, a smell that only the Kryptonian can detect and bask in.

A fact that makes that possessive side of Clark simmer down like a dog finally given a bone after growling and barking for it.

And when looking at Bruce.

What a pretty bone he is. Clark wouldn't mind biting on that one any day.

Ahem! Where were we? Clark is being extremely unprofessional right now...he's about to go interview his crush/boss and he can't be thinking such thoughts while interviewing the other, or else nothing but intense staring and heavy breathing will ensue after simply looking at the man sitting in his seat with that beautiful smile on his face to welcome him.

Which Clark wouldn't mind staring at Bruce all day. But the other might not appreciate it, and might even fire him for looking so creepy.

And if he's fired. There's no more getting to hold in-depth conversations with Bruce and hear that soft as silk voice caress his eardrums like a gentle lover. He won't be able to see the billionaire's carefully sculpted (yet somehow delicate) face flush a soft pink whenever Clark brings up something he actually enjoys.

.

..

...

....

Oh, yeah...and there's also the fact that if he's fired, he won't be working anywhere ever again. There's also that.

But today is a day to be free of any burdens built up over the past few months of carefully inspected stories and grueling hours of getting the scoop on people that don't want to talk. Because Clark is now sitting (im)patiently in Bruce Wayne's lobby, waiting to be told by the too stern receptionist (her name is Clara) that he's okay to head on up to the office. Even if it's always the same routine of him being allowed up before the interview actually starts...Clara sure is stubborn about him actually going up when he's allowed (she claims he's too early and should just be on time for once. Rude).

Clark jiggles his leg up and down in an anticipatory manner, sighing softly as he stands up from his seat and heads over to Clara's desk, the woman only giving him a warning glance as he leans onto her desk before continuing to clack away at her keyboard.

"So...Clara-"

The strawberry blonde sighs, pushing her stark white cat eye glasses up her nose when they slip. "Mr. Kent. I swear if you are here to ask me, 'can I go up now?' one more time, I'm going to lollipop your throat with my pen." The receptionist rolls her eyes when hearing the defeated whine escaping the beta's lips, glancing up from her computer to look at the pouting reporter, raising a brow unimpressed at the behavior. "You are a grown man with a job, not a pup, please remain professional. And do you really think Mr. Wayne's children would accept a father who acts just like they do?"

Clara smiles victoriously at catching the taller off guard, basking in the embarrassed sputtering escaping from Clark.

"I-I don't—I'm not-" Clark looks around nervously to make sure no one heard them, narrowing his eyes at the female omega when she speaks up again, her voice amused while the corners of her lips tilt up impishly. "What? The only people around are you and I. Unless you're suddenly afraid of the chairs and walls talking about how embarrassing you are. Do you even realize how pitiful it is to see you trail after Mr. Wayne like a lost dog? And you always come way earlier than you need to and it always ends up the same routine." 

Clark's flush deepens at how matter of fact the woman is about this...he's not that easy to read...is he?

"I-It wouldn't be the same if you just let me up early. You know Bru-Mr. Wayne doesn't mind it."

Clara snorts and shakes her head, "Well, I'm not Mr. Wayne, am I? I'm just a humble receptionist trying to do her job without bumbling Metropolitan reporter's disturbing me while receptioning." Clark's brow furrows and he groans while resting his cheek in his hand dejectedly, "Receptioning isn't a word, Clara. Are you sure you can't just-" he cuts himself off when seeing the omega reach for her pen. "You aren't a word, Kent. And I swear if you ask me to send you upstairs." Clark frowns in offense at the woman's implied threat, staring at the hand that squeezes the pen defensively. "First off, that doesn't make any sense. And second, you really meant that? About lollipopping me with a pen?! But...but it's such an expensive looking pen, surely it'd be a waste of money just to harm me?"

Clara twirls the object between her slim fingers, her smile pleased and relaxed. "I could afford it. Now, go sit down." Before Clark can raise another protest, a small child's voice speaks up from behind the man. "Good afternoon, Ms. Clara, is this...intruder disturbing you?" 

Both Clara and Clark turn their gazes onto Damian Wayne, the small pup giving the larger male an assessing look before clicking his tongue. "Oh, it's you...again. Why haven't you kicked him out yet?" Clara smiles at the boy and sighs, "I've tried. Your mother just so happens to really like Mr. Kent's interviews...so here he is for yet another one. Are you here for lunch, sir? It seems a bit early to be out of school, doesn't it?" Damian tuts and straightens up his school uniform, lifting his nose high into the air and brushing off imaginary dust. "I got into trouble today. The only reason mother does not know about it is because he was doing something of the utmost importance today-" he side eyes Clark suspiciously and tiptoes up so that he can loudly whisper to Clara-"This Metropolitan invader isn't the...important thing, is he?"

Clara looks Clark up and down, taking in the cheap suit (that's one of the man's better one's) and clunky tie (which aren't bad things, she just likes teasing the man) before chuckling and whispering back. "No, it's definitely not him."

Before the beta can protest, Clara clears her throat, "Alright. Alright. Your mom would be cross with us if he heard us teasing his—friend. How about I send you upstairs to your mom? I'm sure he'd be happy to see you despite getting into trouble. And no matter what he may say, I am proud of you for throwing a nice punch to whoever troubled you."

Damian nods his head and gives a small, but genuine, smile at the receptionist. "Thank you. I'll have to remind mother to give you a raise."

Clark sighs and moves away from the desk, inching closer to his seat before Damian snaps his fingers towards him. "Straggler, you're coming up with me. It's always so pitiful seeing you sit there alone...like a dog left in the rain." When the man refuses to move, Damian looks over his shoulder to raise a brow at the other. "Are you coming or not?" Clark practically vibrates in excitement and speed walks to the open elevator, playfully sticking his tongue out at Clara before the doors close. "U-Uh, thank you so much for allowing me to come up with you! But what's with everyone comparing me to a sad, lost or wet dog?"

Damian just hums noncommittally while loosening the tie around his neck, he hates these things and wishes whoever invented them had a horrible life.

Clark clears his throat at the silence and works on fixing his hair and tie before stepping out of the elevator with the small pup, willingly ignoring the piercing glare sent his way as they both stand outside the omega's office. "Listen up, Kent. I'm going to enter first, because my face is the first one my mother should see, and then after that you can come ruin everything with your sudden appearance, okay?" Clark feels like crying. He doesn't know what he did wrong to get Bruce's kids to be (what is it that Jason says) out of pocket with him, but he just nods slowly and nervously stands as far away from the door as possible so that he's not seen through the glass by the hardworking omega.

Damian narrows his eyes at the taller one last time before opening up the door and smiling brightly at his mother once getting his attention, "Hello mother. How is everything going today?"

Bruce blinks in surprise for a moment before immediately pushing away from his desk and standing up to greet his baby son, "Damian? What are you doing here, baby? Did something happen at school today? Why are you here? Did-" the omega suddenly looks distressed-"did someone get hurt?" Damian hugs onto the omega's legs, rubbing his neck on the soft fabric of the pants so that Bruce smells like pup. "I'm here because I wanted to see you, mommy. I got in trouble at school because someone-as per usual-was being an idiot. Again, I'm here cause I'm in trouble and wanted to see you. And the only person that got hurt was that little idiot at school. But, if someone were to get hurt that we know, I bet it'd be that idiot brother of mine."

Bruce slowly finds himself relaxing as his questions were answered one by one, gently running his hand through his pup's hair while shaking his head fondly.

"I've told you about getting into fights at school if you can help it, baby. But, I'm always happy to see my little boy." Bruce purrs happily and picks Damian up, "Please try not to call your classmates idiots...even if it can seem true sometimes. And don't call your brothers idiots either...though, which one are you talking about hurting himself?" Damian nuzzles into his mom's neck with a small squeak, "I don't know? Maybe the one that would do a flip off of the Empire State Building just to prove he could do it all because he was in the circus. Oh, or the one that would encourage the stupid behavior of the first one. Or, the one who would die because he can't properly care for himself–oh, wait a minute. That's all of them."

Bruce sighs softly and bumps his forehead softly against Damian's, "Don't be that way to them. All of my babies are very smart, and I won't have anyone, even you, saying otherwise."

Damian gets so caught up in snuggling his mother, that he almost forgets about the reporter he (practically) promised to let see Bruce. Key word being: almost, as the sudden flash of a horrid looking patched pattern of the man's sleeve, seen out the corner of his eyes, jump scares the poor boy into looking out of the window and towards Clark Kent, who looks dejectedly into the glass as though he wants to be a part of what's going on.

Ugh! He really is pitiful.

Damian clears his throat and quickly scents Bruce more before speaking up, "Ah...yes. I almost forgot that I wasn't the only one to come up here to visit you-" he directs his snuggle drunk mom's soft gaze to the reporter in the window-"That...reporter you insist be one of the only people to interview you is right outside. It wasn't time for your appointment yet, but I brought him up with me anyway." Because he looks like a kicked dog whenever he sees him, is left unsaid, but he's sure his mom understands. Damian pouts slightly at the way Bruce perks up and looks towards the door, a startled flush tinting the omega's cheeks pink as he automatically makes sure his hair and suit look good for his special guest. "Why didn't you bring him in with you? I look like a horrible person making him wait outside like this."

Damian clings onto the omega tightly, pursing his lips in displeasure while glaring at where the beta stands outside.

"Maybe he should learn how to actually be punctual for once in his life, rather than coming when you aren't yet prepared. And mother could never look terrible-" the pup perks up when complimenting the omega, his squishy cheeks rounding out until his eyes squint as he smiles-"you are the prettiest person ever. I look like you, so I must be pretty too." Bruce chuckles fondly at the compliment and peppers his son's chubby face with kisses, "You and your siblings are such flatterers, you know that? And you-" he boops Damian's button nose softly-"are adorable. You're just my pup, my baby, my little boy whom I love so dearly." Damian shouts in mock protest as he's cuddled close to his mom's chest, accidentally giggling when the older playfully bites the ticklish side of his neck and squirming as the omega keeps it up with a few laughs of his own. "M-Momma—stooop!" Bruce blows a raspberry into the tan skin and inhales the calming scent of his pup, getting one last tickle in before kissing the boy's face.

"Okay, okay. I stopped. Satisfied?"

Damian hides his face in Bruce's neck, raising his shoulders up to his jawline just as a precaution while nodding. "Yes."

Bruce smiles softly and kisses the crown of his pup's head before shaking off his nerves and opening up the door for Clark, looking up at the tall beta fondly when he just stands in place. "I hope I haven't become a stranger to you?" Clark snaps out of his daze when the omega addresses him, blinking away the brain fog and smiling down happily at finally seeing the man of his dreams. "H-Huh?"

Clark scratches the back of his head bashfully when Bruce giggles at him, "What? What did I do? Why are you laughing at me?"

The omega scrunches his nose in an attempt to stop laughing. A thing that usually isn't hard for the billionaire as he controls his facial expressions all the time being Batman, but leave it to Clark to achieve what seems like the impossible. "I-It's not you, per se, not in a bad way. I just think that you're cute-" Bruce smiles kindly and ushers the taller into the room, unaware of the now disgruntled pup in his arms-"You usually are so talkative whenever you come up, but some reason you are being really quiet this time." Clark can feel the air leave his lungs as Bruce flutters his long eyelashes up at him, the look screaming genuine in a way that the omega usually doesn't show in public, as though this is just Bruce himself choosing to do this and not Brucie.

Something about it also is a bit more reserved and shy than usual as he juts out his lower lip into a pout.

"Has my beauty finally stunned you into silence, maybe?"

Clark doesn't know what he looks like right now...but he knows it's probably stupid. His brain feels like it's turned into mush at how...soft and eager the omega looks as he asks the question.

'Everything about you has.'

Is what Clark thinks...or that's what he thought he thought at least. He must have said it out loud as Bruce's pout disappears into a surprised look, as though his mind is processing what was said before he ducks his head shyly.

Yeah, he definitely said something out loud. The look Damian is giving Clark makes the man fear for his life.

"U-Uh...I'm sorry for saying that out loud...ha, ha, ha. I just—you—I never really have gotten to see you interact with your kids much, you know? They usually rush off when I'm around or don't talk. So, it was nice to see you be...uh, a mom just now."

The silence is deafening.

God, why is it so quiet?

Clark blushes something fierce and feels like being launched into a red sun, anything to escape the embarrassment of his big mouth. However, the regret is quickly replaced with one of satisfaction as that pleasing scent from before escapes Bruce's scent patches...and it smells...pleased? Happy? Satisfied?

Clark swallows nervously and stands a little taller, clearing his throat to get Bruce to look back up at him before giving the final tier to his compliment cake. "And I just think that it's a great look on you. I can tell you love your pups dearly, Bruce. And that's admirable." He holds his breath. Gosh, he hopes that didn't sound demeaning or anything? That's definitely not the route Clark was trying to go, but what if that's how he made it sound? He just...just thinks being a mom fits Bruce, especially witnessing that affection in person. It's almost unreal how gorgeous the man acts when he's...acting like a mother.

Oh, gosh.

Does that sound horrible?

Clark slowly spirals internally the longer Bruce just stares at him. Is this some weird fetish thing he has? He's not just thinking this way because he's objectifying being an omega or a mother?

Because if so. Someone should just shoot him with Kryptonite for being like a lot of these alphas in the world.

But, by only nothing short of a miracle, Bruce finally reacts with the deepest blush he's pulled from the omega yet. That hidden scent that only Clark can smell drifting the hidden alpha's way, causing his pupil's to dilate at the happy and (admittedly) alluring smell coming from the shorter. It should be impossible to smell this good, shouldn't it? Clark fists his suit pants at the overwhelming scents coming from the omega, detecting a smell that is more similar to–no? No way.

Clark inhales deeply (without being noticed) and closes his eyes for just a second to focus on that one particular smell, stiffening up when realizing the omega is releasing a scent of gratification.

And he wouldn't call it a sexual one exactly.

Even though there is a hint of that sort of pleasure in the scent as well.

No.

Right now. Right now Bruce seems to be releasing a scent similar to the one's omegas release when they find a desirable mate.

Clark's eyes bug open. Internally screaming, gagging, throwing up (all in good ways. I promise) at how his simple words have caused Bruce to react in such a way.

The reporter has to fight his inner alpha so hard right now. It's jumping the gun and practically demanding he make Bruce his right now so that the omega's family can finally become his own and they can get an early start of making pups of their own. But, he has to remind that eager part of him that Bruce's kids seem to not even like him...and that is one of the most important steps is to at least have them be comfortable enough around him before doing anything with or to the omega.

Bruce's soft voice finally speaks up, cutting through some of Clark's troublesome thoughts. "I...u-um..."

Clark feels like howling with his inner alpha at the sight of the shorter hiding his still red face in Damian's fluffy hair. "Thank you...t-that is always such a-a compliment to me. It reassures me that I'm doing something right with these pups of mine." Bruce looks up at the alpha before glancing away timidly and turning his gaze back up to the taller man once more, the way his cheeks push up and round out all to similar to Damian's face when he smiles big, the sight enough to have Clark wanting to bow and thank the omega for gracing him with such a sight. "Especially coming from you, Clark. I...admire you a lot, so thank you for the compliment-" he hesitates for a moment before pushing onwards-"and I'm sure that whatever omega gets to be yours someday will be so lucky."

It takes everything inside of Bruce to say that last part. A slightly bitter feeling in his mouth as the weight of what he just said settles on his tongue.

Before Clark can respond to the comment, a puppy's call bursts the two adults bubbles, both men looking down at Damian who's face is now lifted from the omega's neck. The boy huffs and squeaks in irritation while fisting his mom's suit jacket in his small hands and tugging desperately, "He's not cute!" Bruce and Clark are both taken aback by the random outburst, the omega rubbing Damian's back comfortingly as he thinks about what he did wrong.

A subtle hand movement from the corner of his eyes gets Bruce's attention, the man looking up at Clark and furrowing his brows curiously as the man mouths something to him.

The omega squints at the taller man's lips in concentration before the realization hits him.

That's right. He called Clark cute earlier.

Bruce tries to hold back his amused chuckle and bounces the pup slightly to get his attention, "Ah...is this because I said Clark is cute?" Damian's brows furrow more and he lets out a small growl, looking betrayed as his mother responds by giggling at him. Bruce coos at the hurt look he receives from the boy and clears his throat, "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to laugh. But adorable and cute are two different things, right? I think adorable is much more endearing than cute is."

Damian perks up at that and smiles innocently, "So that means he's actually ugly?"

Bruce shakes his head and looks at Clark apologetically, "That's not what that means. I just think that out of the both of you..." he trails off to build anticipation, smirking slightly at the insistent tugs to hurry up from his pup. Surprising the boy by suddenly attacking his neck again. "That you are my baby-" a ticklish nibble to the soft skin-"my pup-" a gentle brush of his nose to the neck glands-"my everything in life and more!" Bruce ends with a loud, over exaggerated eating noise to the neck as he digs into that weak spot, chuckling himself at the squirming pup's loud belly laughs as he tries to escape the omega's attack. "And therefore, that means that out of the two of you, your cuteness will always triumph his." Damian squeals (though he would insist otherwise) at Bruce getting one last nibble in before releasing him, causing the boy to slump against his chest again, his small hands releasing the collar of his mother's suit to now wrap around his tie absentmindedly. "Okay-" he purses his lips and fiddles with the tie-"I'll stake my claim on both titles until I'm pretty like you."

Bruce's face hurts from all the smiling he's doing right now, but he hums in satisfaction at how his pup is learning to be content with being a child more and more everyday. Placing a gentle kiss to the pup's forehead before refocusing on Clark.

"I'm sorry for taking so long to start our interview. I'm pretty sure we should have started already?"

Bruce smiles apologetically before heading towards his desk chair, making sure Damian is situated just fine in his lap before gesturing for the beta to take his seat. "Don't be a stranger today. We'll do everything as usual, the only difference is that Damian is here for it. Okay?"

The only difference?

Does the omega truly not realize what he's doing to Clark and all of his instincts and desires right now? How can he focus on everything else when all he wants to do is watch Bruce be a mom all day, and he truly means that respectfully. It's probably dangerous how...fulfilled Clark himself feels just from watching the family–heck, even reading about them in the papers is enough to bring out that warm, fluffy feeling of contentment. As though he's watching a family of his own just simply be.

Sigh...

Clark realizes how much he wants to have a family of his own every time he's around the omega.

But what's worse is the constant realization and confirmation that he wants all of those things with Bruce alone. And isn't that taking his wishes too far? All of those little moments with Bruce that seem like flirting are probably just in his head, right? I mean, he definitely is probably a little bit obsessed with the other in some way, probably to the point of imagining the other flirting back, amongst other things as well, cause Clark is positive it's not too normal to envision a whole life with someone you only talk to for work. And he's also positive that you probably shouldn't have dreams where said person you talk to only for work is carrying your pups inside him...and not even in the sexy, you turn me on sense, but quite literally imagining the ways you can love and care for your pregnant mate who works so hard everyday.

And while Clark knows he might be a little obsessed.

He also knows that he's terribly, undeniably, truthfully, a lot-fully in love right now.

Clark's shoulders slump slightly at the thought. He sounds like Clara right now with the made up word...so that must mean he really is in love.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Clark places a careful smile back on his face and takes his usual seat, pulling out everything he'll need to do this interview. "I could never be a stranger to you, and I would never want to be." 

Because I hope to be more than that to you someday.

Clark sighs softly at his own thoughts, distracting himself by smiling at Damian instead. "Also, if he would like to, and if it's allowed, I'm sure the Planet would love to hear a few words from Mr. Damian." Bruce's eyes widen slightly in surprise, a doubtful look overtaking his features at the suggestion. "I don't know...I don't really like having the children in the news if I can help it, Mr. Kent-"

Clark interrupts Bruce with a calm smile, taking the omega's breath away as he looks at the other.

"I thought you asked me not to be a stranger with you today? Why are you suddenly calling me Mr. Kent?" Clark messes with his pen and holds eye contact with Bruce, his smile remaining open while his eyes suddenly hold a seriousness within them. "And you don't have to do anything that you're uncomfortable with, Bruce. If you don't want Damian to be in the papers, even if it's just with a quote, then he doesn't need to be. That's your choice ultimately as his guardian to make."

Ah! Why is Clark always so thoughtful?! It makes the omega's heart flutter and his stomach to tingle.

Bruce smiles thankfully at the other man, his posture relaxing at the beta's understanding, looking down when Damian taps on his hand to get his attention. "Do I not get a say in what I want to do?" The boy grumbles and crosses his arms to show how he doesn't agree with what's going on, huffing more when his mom just gives him that same amused smile once more. "I'm sorry. But you don't, not in these cases. You know that I consider it, but the choice is ultimately up to me, especially with those of you who are still underage...and I don't think I could handle seeing the comments people would, could and will make about you guys. And you know that no matter what, the media always finds a way to portray anyone horrible, even children. You all have enough troubles on your own...I'd hate to add onto that by shoving your faces in the news too."

Damian sighs softly and concedes to the rule by snuggling back into the omega's side. "Fine...but people find a way to talk about everyone in our family anyway and they barely know about us. It's not our fault we are iconic and they can't help but to talk about it all the time."

Bruce pats the boy's head for his obedience and laughs at how much Damian is picking up his older siblings ways of speaking.

"Thank you, puppy. And until the day you and all your...iconic-ness can be seen in public, you'll stay right here hidden away with me. Doesn't that sound better?" Bruce tilts his head down and to the side as he asks, humming happily when Damian snuggles more into his body, his small arms tightening around the omega's waist as his answer. "Well, since that's settled, Clark, would you like to begi-" Bruce sighs at the interruption from his desk phone, whispering a quick apology to Clark before picking it up and signing into the receiver. "Clara...what are you doing? You know I'm supposed to be having an interview right now?"

Clark does his best not to look like he's listening in on the conversation. Distracting himself with small doodles of his and Bruce's names put together on the back of his notebook in different fonts.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt the meeting we both know hasn't started yet. But, Mr. Hannington showed up for a meeting, or so he claims, and he isn't leaving no matter how much I insist that he has the dates mixed up. He told me to tell you that it's an emergency, but if you don't feel like coming down, I can just call security on him." Bruce rubs at his temple tiredly and sighs once again, "Why would you call security on him? He's a seventy-five-year-old man with memory problems. Tell him I'll be right on down and that I'm sorry for my misunderstanding, maybe find him something to snack on while I finish things up here, okay." 

Clara makes a suspicious sounding noise on the other side of the phone, her computer keys clacking away and her voice lowering as she whispers. "You never know what a seventy-five-year-old man can be capable of, but I'll do what you said right away, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce sighs tiredly at the woman's paranoia (that's rich coming from him) and puts the phone back on its stand, clearing his throat to get the reporters attention, his icy blue eyes apologetic as he stares at the taller man. "I'm so sorry to cut this short when things barely even got started...but there's an older gentleman downstairs who usually comes around unexpectedly, expecting me to have a meeting with him. He's a very sweet old man with no one to keep him company, so I would hate to leave him alone for so long and disappoint him."

Clark is truly and definitely in love.

How can his the omega be this kind to people? This is exactly why Clark is so smitten with Bruce. The man is just so naturally caring and generous to anyone willing to accept his help. The reporter nods his head in understanding and rises out of his seat along with Bruce, "I understand. It's very kind of you to...entertain him like this when you aren't obligated to. I guess I'll see you whenever you schedule another meeting-"

"It doesn't have to be a waste of his time, mother."

Both Clark and Bruce look down at Damian for his interruption, the omega giving his son a pointed look at the suggestion. "We've already talked about this, sweetheart-"

Damian crosses his arms and huffs, "No. You talked about it and I just agreed because I love you."

Bruce raises a brow at the backtalk and puts a hand on his now cocked hip, "Damian Wayne-" at the full name, the pup immediately snuggles up to the man's side and wraps his small arms around the other's legs. "I'm sorry, mama...but, don't you think me being interviewed by someone as trustworthy as Kent could be beneficial to me?" Damian looks up at the omega, determined to get his way, smiling a little in victory at the man's curious look. "Think about it this way, mama-" he presses on when Bruce still doesn't correct him-"I can learn how to act and talk in interviews now, so that way when the time comes for me to say something in the news later, I know how to be professional about any dumb questions the reporters ask me."

Bruce hums thoughtfully, carding his fingers gently through Damian's hair and grumbling internally at how he can never properly stay mad at his kids.

'Well..." The omega glances at Clark considerately. It's true that he trusts the beta with a lot more information and things considered normal for someone who's ultimately his employee to be trusted with or to know, but it's also not his fault that the man has proven himself to be trustworthy and a gentleman to top it all off. But, just because he trusts Clark with himself, does that mean he trusts the man to be alone with his children?

Clark clearing his throat snaps Bruce out of his thoughts, the omega looking up at the now awkward beta as he scratches the back of his neck nervously.

"Um...if you wouldn't feel uncomfortable leaving me with Damian, I wouldn't mind giving him a trial interview. I promise that I won't record or write anything down...i-it can just be a few easy questions for your pup to get a feel of things, you know?" Clark glances down at Damian briefly before looking at Bruce again, licking his lips nervously as he shifts in place slightly. "Plus, I would be lying if I said the thought of getting to talk to one of your kids wouldn't be exciting-" at the omega's unwavering gaze stayed on him, Clark clears his throat awkwardly-"O-Only because I often see your children hanging around the office with you...but every time I come around, they run off or something. It's probably stupid. But, you've been such an amazing person to hang around, so I could only imagine what your kids were like, but I haven't really gotten the chance to speak or have a real interaction with any of them until today."

Clark laughs nervously and shrugs, "I don't know? I guess it was also a bit discouraging to see your pups run away from we whenever I come around. I've always liked children...so, uh...I guess having a whole group of them not feel comfortable around your presence is a bit sad." He paused for a second before panicking and waving his hands around frantically, "Of course I'm not saying that they are obligated to be near me or anything! That is fully up to them if they would want that. I just-I guess I just wanted to get to know them better since I feel I've gotten to know you so well now."

Bruce is silent. Damian is silent (and glaring). And Clark is most definitely quiet now that he's word vomited everything to the omega.

Are they still even talking about the interview? Bruce wonders silently. At this point, it sounds like Clark is someone he's been seeing romantically for awhile now and he is trying to get to know the family after a couple months or a year of dating one another. I mean, Bruce wouldn't mind that option either, but he's in a working environment...so the intense blush from imagining building an imaginary life with your employee is probably some form of inappropriate workplace behavior.

Nevermind the fact that said imagination is almost causing Bruce to just ask Clark to be the father of his children.

Yeah, that's definitely crossing some sort of workplace code of conduct.

Bruce sucks in a deep breath to calm down his racing heart and gently nudges Damian's head, giving the boy a soft and serious look as he gestures towards Clark. "Baby, do you...would you feel comfortable sitting up here with Clark for a bit while I take care of Mr. Hannington?"

Damian can't help the sassy reply as he looks up at his mom, "Do I...do I actually get a say here?"

Bruce playfully slaps the back of his pup's head for the remark, "Of course you do. This is different...like if I were to leave you in the care of a babysitter or something, I want you to truly feel comfortable around them above anything else. Cause it doesn't matter what my personal feelings or opinions are about Clark-"

Damian tugs on the omega's pants, his gaze steady as he stares his mom down. "And what are your feelings on him?"

Oh, wow...

Bruce suddenly feels called out by his own child (even though the boy hasn't said anything worthy of him feeling that way) as the boy looks at him almost analytically, the pink tint coloring his face once more as he does his best to meet the big green eyes of his youngest pup. "Well—" Bruce gives Clark a passing glance, his tone uncharacteristically soft-maybe even shy-as he answers—"I trust him a lot more than even I ever expected to. H-He's a really outstanding reporter...and man from what I've gathered."

Clark swallows down all the saliva that suddenly decided to have a get together in his mouth. How is it possible for his throat to feel too moist yet dry at the same time?

The taller man looks down at Damian and focuses on the serious look the boy wears. Watching closely as the boy's lower lip juts out into a pout as he thinks (like Bruce does), and how his eyebrows scrunch together and wrinkle in the middle because of how hard he's thinking (exactly in the way Bruce's does too). The pup huffs softly before sticking his nose high in the air as though he didn't look troubled before and kindly waves his mom away, "Well...if you trust him, mother, then surely I have a reason to feel comfortable around him as well."

Before Bruce can protest, the pup pushes insistently at the long legs. 

"And before you scold me for what I said. I know that it's ultimately up to how I feel...but, I also trust your judgment as my mom. I know you wouldn't leave me with someone you know would hurt me-" the same can't be said about yourself, is left unsaid-"So, I am willing to find out for myself why you feel this way exactly. Now, off with you, mother. Go tell that old goat I said hello." Despite Bruce's complaints at being pushed, he humors the small boy and gives in to the pushes, heading towards the door step by step until he's 'shoved' outside of his own office.

Correcting Damian about referring to his elders as 'old goats' before the pup shuts the door in his face, respectfully, of course.

Clark shivers at the temperature dropping in the room suddenly when the pup turns around, the boy's soft green eyes (when looking at Bruce at least) suddenly turning sharp and cold as he looks the beta up and down. "Take your seat."

What is Clark to do but to listen?

This is a whole new side of Bruce's kids that he has never seen before. Of course, he's seen the kids in passing, usually when they ran away or made his job difficult by pulling little pranks on him, but he truly has never interacted with one of the creatures the children so closely before. He feels like his movements should be slow...and it's sad to say, but at this point he's not sure if the slow movements are for his sake or theirs.

Damian nods approvingly as the older listens to him and takes the same spot he was in earlier, hopping up onto his mom's desk chair and folding his hands as if he's in a serious meeting. "Look, Kent-" the pup sighs tiredly, as though he's been talking to the older man for hours on end already-"I understand that you have this...'infatuation' with my mother, but I'm here to tell you that whatever it is that you are scheming isn't going to work on him or us. You are here to do your job—" he pauses and waves his right hand around, rolling his eyes when the alpha just stares at him stupidly—"Your job, which is what exactly?" Clark blinks in confusion and pushes up his glasses nervously, "Um...being a reporter? More specifically: interviewing the people that I'm told to interview, go to the places I'm sent to go to get information, writing and getting the facts on my stories...to...uh...name a few things."

Damian nods his head, "Very good. And because you are constantly working hard to get such information from people, wouldn't you say that there requires a specific kind of professionalism to be had during work hours?"

Clark isn't sure where this conversation is going...but it sounds like one he doesn't want to have.

"Yes. Of course I remain professional during work hours. I wouldn't be a good journalist if I couldn't remain so."

The boy stares at him silently before humming and knocking thrice on the wooden desk, "Then why exactly have you been flirting during working hours with someone who you are sent to talk to for business? And not only that! But you flirt with someone who is now your boss." Clark flinches at the harsh accusation, looking on curiously as Tim Drake-one of Bruce's many pups-slides out from one of the desk cabinets with a large tablet in his hands. Damian choosing to carry on as if what's happening is completely normal, "My brother here has compiled up all the moments in which you've made those disgusting looking googly eyes at our mother."

Tim nods his head in greeting and draws Clark's attention to the device in his hands, his gaze accusing as he stares at the older man.

"Thank you, Damian. You did a wonderful introduction to this whole problem. Anyways, Mr...Kent, is it?" At Clark's slow nod, the young alpha continues. "That's what I thought. My siblings and I usually wouldn't bother to involve ourselves with our mama's business (that's a lie), but you see, we have been keeping our eyes on you these past few times you've come to interview our mom—" a few taps of the screen suddenly shows an image of Clark and Bruce, the video playing exposé style—"and we haven't appreciated what we've seen from you: 1. You are flirting on the job, 2. You are flirting on the job with someone who is supposed to be your boss now, 3. You are flirting with our mother and 4-"

Clark jumps in his chair as someone drops down dramatically from the ceiling, the tall and bulky alpha snarling meanly at the reporter. "And 4: We don't know what your fucking plans are with our mom, so spit it out or we'll help you spit it out."

Ah...

This one must be Jason. Clark remembers the few (un)lucky reporters who have actually gotten up close and personal with a few of Bruce's kids (jealous) saying that the second eldest boy is nothing like the omega describes him as: cute, innocent, a baby, the most precious being to ever walk the face of the earth, his small little boy; and now that Clark is looking at the alpha, he can see what those reporters meant. This 'baby' is built like a reinforced war shelter or something...but the man can't help but feel like this young alpha looks familiar in some way.

A whine escapes Tim from behind Jason's bulk, the much shorter alpha hitting at his big brother's back with his tablet. "That's no fair, Jay! You got in the way of my presentation! You promised that you'd wait until the end."

The older boy growls at being hit, but it must not be as threatening as he makes it sound as Tim keeps hitting him, even going so far as to start kicking at the older one's leg, in rebuttal to the sound. "I promised that I'd think about it, pipsqueak, and guess what my answer was? A big, fat, loud f-no. I'm getting impatient with this guy's innocent act...especially since he obviously wants something out of our mama."

Okay, okay, okay.

1. Clark knows he should be terrified right now because of how menacing Jason looks.

2. He is terrified...but not necessarily for the reasons they may want him to be.

3. How can he be scared when Jason calls Bruce, "mama", with an adorably scrunched up nose of protection (because that's definitely a nose scrunch of protection...Clark can tell. And is that something they all got from Bruce?)

And 4. Why is this whole experience making him want to father his pups these pups more than he already wanted to?

Clark, at the realization that his nervousness and fear is more so because he wants to impress Bruce's kids, rather than because they actually and genuinely terrify him, causes him to bury his face in his hands with a loud and pitiful cry. 

Jason licks his lips in excitement at the reaction, a twisted smile gracing his face as he looks down at the wailing reporter and giving a menacing chuckle. "Yeah, you motherfucker (and I oop-), cry me a river you bastard. I wanna smell the distress coming off of you in waves by the time you leave this place. You think you can just-just enter our mom's life without us knowing about it, huh? You think that you can make heart eyes at him and get away with it, hm? You think that you can just waltz in here and try to take him away from us, is that it?"

What is wrong with Clark?

Why would he want to be a father to what seems like some of the world's most stubborn, paranoid, crazy, out of hand, bloodthirsty children to ever exist?

I mean, some of those descriptions may be a bit true...but, Clark also can hear the adorably sincere, protective, maybe a touch possessive (in the way pups can be over their mother's), dedicated, filial, genuinely loving and caring tone coming from these-these gremlin children. 

Clark is just beginning to realize how crazy he either is himself, or, just how selfish he can truly be right now. Cause all he wants to do is to make these pups his own and be strong for them...because the way they seem to be talking right now disturbs his heart and penetrates deep down to his own protective instincts, at what sounds like the fact that none of these kids seem to have had a decent alpha figure in their lives.

I mean, what are they talking about taking there mom away? What do they mean by his 'plans' for their mom? They make him sound like he's here to hurt Bruce and his family rather than love them.

Jason growls low in his throat at the lack of a response from the seated man, the pups scrambling back in surprise when the reporter suddenly shoots up out of his seat and stands over them.

And stand over them he truly does.

They never actually realized how big the other man was until now...is he standing at full height?

Jason feels a pang of regret for talking the way he did. What if he got his younger brothers in trouble because of his big mouth? The young alpha pushes the younger two behind him, growling low in his throat when they try to protest his protection, forcing them to stay behind himself as they don't know what happens after backtalk. It always leads to beatings and bruises...and he doesn't want that to happen to them, not if he can help it. 

"Stay the fuck away from us!"

Clark freezes at the deep baritone of the boy's voice. He sounds...angry? That one is for sure, but the Kryptonian can hear beyond the instinctual anger and down deep to the imperceivable–well, imperceivable to anyone without super hearing that is. The older alpha (though they don't know he is one) stands as still as he can be and lets his super senses do the work for him. Frowning at hearing the slight, almost unnoticeable, shakiness of the boy's vocal cords; fear, the boy is feeling fear when talking to him. Clark carefully scents the air and has to hold back his distressed cry at the uneasy, weary smell coming from the young man.

Jason narrows his eyes suspiciously at the taller and how he seems to have listened to the command to not come closer...at least for now he has.

Baby blue eyes look behind the alpha as the office door opens and Richard enters the room with the rest of their siblings. They were on standby as clean up crew just in case things got messy, but now, the older is inching his way on up to be close to Jason when seeing that glassy look trying to take over the younger one's eyes. "Jay, everything is alright, Mr. Clark isn't moving a muscle." The eldest Wayne child suddenly turns a sharp gaze onto said male, looking over his body to make sure that he's remaining in place.

Cass does the same and looks over the older man, relaxing slightly at what she sees and huffing a quiet laugh to herself at how open the other is with his feelings.

The beta pushes past Richard and skips over to her three brothers, giving a big smile to Jason in response to his protective hissing. "Cass! What the hell is wrong with you?! Don't get so close to him!" The younger tilts her head slightly and looks behind herself to get a glimpse of Clark, taking note of the sadness in his eyes before turning back to Jason and making an x with her arms, "I don't sense anything threatening from him. I promise you, Jason. Everyone is okay as far as I can tell...if anything, Mr. Clark is uber easy to read, if a bit confusing? He's thinking too many things at one time for me to pinpoint what's causing his distress."

Jason watches his little sister sign closely, snorting at the last part of her comment. "Yeah...right, distressed. Why in the hell would he be distressed right now? Because he's been called out for his atrocious behavior?"

Richard finds himself relaxing a bit at having Cass's two cents on what's going on, though he still wants Jason to feel comfortable enough himself to release Tim and Damian from his protective grasp...the poor pups look like they're suffocating with the way the taller is pressing them into the wall. "Maybe we can give him a chance to explain himself? Even if he is some big, horrible man at the end of the day...I don't think he would harm us, especially as mom can easily come up and catch him doing it. And he seems a little too fond over B to hurt us outright."

Clark blinks away the wetness in his eyes...he understands what Richard is trying to do, but it still is a pain to hear someone say that their brother thinks that you'd harm them to your face indirectly.

Jason stiffens up as Clark is on the move again, making a confused noise in the back of his throat when the beta hunches in on himself (as though to make himself smaller) and clasps his hands together as though he's begging for forgiveness. "I-I'm sorry if I have ever acted in a way that has caused any one of you to think I meant harm to yourselves or your mother. I doubly apologize at the fact that I don't know what it is that I did to make all of you feel this way, but if you would be willing to tell me so I can fix it..."

Everyone stares at the reporter in varying stages of shock, confusion or guilt, Barbara being the one to break the silence with a long-suffering sigh. "I told you guys that this would be going too far."

Clark glances over to the sheepish looking woman, the ginger waving her hand in a gesture for the man to relax. "I'm sorry about our behavior towards you...we...uh...we got a little to overzealous in our plans to come talk to you in concern of our mother's new interest, and I don't mean that to be offensive. Mom usually only shows this much interest in us...so I guess we got a little jealous over you."

Stephanie nods her head in agreement, though she still looks curious and a bit cautious as to why Clark is so interested in their ma. "Yeah, and I hope you can excuse Jason? He has some...personal issues, like the rest of us do, and he just got a bit startled." Jason tightens his grip on Tim and Damian (that he moved to holding at some point), burying his nose in their hair for comfort (just like Bruce does *sobs*) as he protests. "I didn't get startled! And I wasn't scared-" his baby blue eyes shift over to Clark cautiously as he slowly relocates himself and his baby brothers over to where his siblings are gathered-"I was just making sure that he didn't do anything stupid is all. You can never trust a stranger."

Stephanie deadpans, "But all of us met B and trusted him when he was at his strangest to us."

The slightly younger alpha frowns, "But this is different, Steph. B is-is our mama. He's able to be trusted because he's showed himself to be." The blond sighs softly in response and just tiptoes up to ruffle the younger boy's hair.

This time it's Richard who turns to look regretfully at Clark, "I'm truly sorry about all this. I feel like I should take most of the blame as I'm the eldest sibling...and I know for a fact that I didn't help dissuade the others when they made plans to come interrogate you-" the older whines as he's slapped upside the head by Barbara-"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I left out how I was one of the first to suggest coming here to do this."

Clark looks between the group of pups (because that's what they are, okay?) and finally lets his tears fall, causing the children to look troubles by the intense reaction.

Damian stops trying to wriggle out of Jason's arms at the sight of Clark's tears and sighs empathetically, "I understand how scared you must have felt when I started talking to you. But...just know that while I was trying to intimidate you, this was not the reaction I was expecting–hey!" He shouts in protest as his hair is roughly ruffled by Jason (who has chosen to release Drake...how unfair). "It wasn't you he was intimidated by, it was me, obviously."

Damian frowns deeply at the obvious lie, nipping and biting at the older boy's hand in retaliation, causing a chain reaction as the rest of his siblings join in on the chaos and forget the crying reporter watching them fondly.

It's only when the man releases a deep chuckle that everyone turns to look at Clark confusedly, especially as he keeps on laughing. "I-I'm sorry to disappoint...but I wasn't scared of either of you-" he looks between everyone before shrugging-"Well, maybe just a little boy at first? But, I'm so selfish and greedy; covetous about something that isn't even mine." Everyone is taken aback by the yearning in the deep blue eyes. "I-I accidentally said too much earlier to your mom when he was in the room...I am guessing that Tim and Jason heard me as they were hiding the whole time? But, I just wanted you all to be impressed by me I guess...I just found it discouraging how none of you seemed to feel comfortable around me whenever I came to interview Bruce."

Jason purses his lips and stares Clark down, "And why do you even want us to feel comfortable around you? It's not like we'd be around you twenty-four seven."

Clark nods almost dejectedly, a small sighs escaping him. "I know...I guess it was partly because I ended up coming around a lot, so to see you kids in somewhat of a consistent enough manner really made me hope that I could get to at least speak to one of you. And...um...I said that I was selfish and greedy earlier—" he swallows nervously at the sharp looks he receives for the change in tone—"and I meant that. I suppose you all were somewhat right when saying I had intentions, but I promise you that it's not anything nefarious."

Stephanie hums thoughtfully before waving her hand, "Explain."

Clark nods in thanks at the chance to share his side of things, "It's true that I've been...flirting with your mother-" he ignores whoever murmured about stating the obvious and pushes forward-"and I'm sorry for being unprofessional in my work, but...but your mom–Bruce, he's such a hard worker and a dedicated boss to those working for him, as well as a committed mom to all of you. And I saw that and I-truthfully I fell in love with his everything: his passion to make this city and the world a better place for the struggling, the reddening of his face when I take an interest in something he finds interesting, his care and adoration for children and youths of all ages and backgrounds." He takes in a deep breath and deals the final blow, "But especially I fell in love with the children of Bruce Thomas Wayne: my boss, crush-and honestly-someone who feels like my best friend during these moments of getting to know each other."

Clark doesn't know where the sudden confidence comes from, but he looks each and every single pup in the eyes as he finally finishes. "And when I said I fell in love with his everything, I meant everything. All of you mean so much to me and I haven't even gotten to know you. That's the reason why I was so scared, it's because I wanted you to see me as someone worthy enough to talk to and feel comfortable around, and I'm only sorry for not being able to be that someone for you all."

With that, Clark bows his head and waits for the biting remarks from the Wayne children, only to be surprised at the gentle tugging of his suit sleeve.

Cass smiles kindly at Clark when he looks up at her, the girl's eyes a bit watery from the confession and baffled at the level of sincerity radiating from the man as he confessed. "You...you already sound like more than what any of us deserve. We're sorry for putting so much pressure on you rather than talking it out...most of us aren't good at that-" she gives a playful smile to lighten the mood and continues signing-"or in my case, can't simply do so. But, your honesty is appreciated...if a bit overwhelming because of its level of sincerity. Thank you."

He doesn't know how it's possible, but Clark is falling more for Bruce's kids and how...soft they actually seem to be.

They just need a little love is all.

And maybe a father? (Fingers crossed)

Jason grumbles to himself dejectedly at how wrong his analysis of the man was. Which really is a good thing! He would have freaked out if he found out the other had bad intentions towards his mama, but, he also doesn't know what to do with this new information, because it's nothing like what he expected it to be.

However, in a rare moment of showing respect, Jason turns to look at Richard and nudges the older with his elbow to get his attention and opinion as the head alpha (when Alfred isn't around that is). "What do you think about this? About him?" Richard's eyes crinkle in that familiarly comforting way it does when he's low-key (read: high-key, cause he ain't low-key about nothing) excited about something, the older wrapping a lean, yet strong, arm around Jason's neck and leaning in to nuzzle the boy's cheek. "I...actually feel really good about him, Jay. Don't feel pressured to like him either just because I or anyone else does, okay? You were very brave today too, by the way, thank you for standing up to what you saw as a threat."

Jason would never admit it, but he preens under the praise and returns the muzzle back to his older brother, allowing his tense body to relax into the slimmer build as Richard holds him up. His blue eyes scanning Clark from head to toe, "I...think I trust him too? I'm scared that I do though."

Richard hums in understanding and hugs his baby (because he is a baby) brother close, the two watching as Damian finally gets out of Jason's hold and stands up in front of his siblings with a heavy pout on his face. "T-Traitors! The lot of you! All of you don't love mommy, for you betray him by falling for such acts!" Uh oh...the boy is stressed out right now, he calls Bruce mommy to/when: 1. To soften the omega up when he wants something, 2. When the omega is distracted with something and Damian whines for his attention or 3. When he gets distressed at a situation and wants to snuggle into Bruce.

And with the way he's looking right now, Damian falls into category number three.

Tim softly tries crooning to Damian when seeing the boy get teary eyed at what he perceives as unfair treatment. "Dami-"

"Damian?" 

Everyone jumps in surprise at hearing Bruce's voice suddenly, the omega growing defensive at the thought of his pups having been hurt by Clark at the sight of their teary eyes, until he sees that the man himself also has been crying. "Baby, what's wrong?" Bruce purrs to soothe the distressed pup, lifting the boy into his arms and rubbing gentle circles into the small back as he looks between his kids and Clark for an answer. "What is going on right now? When did you kids even get up here?"

At the apologetic looks from his kids-and the very obvious looks Richard is giving Clark-Bruce immediately mourns whatever it is that his kids said or did to the poor beta.

"What exactly have you kids been doing while I was downstairs? And why are you all crying?"

Bruce extends a gentle hand to his kids and allows them to take off the scent patches on his wrists so that he can rub his comforting smell on all of them, his voice a calm rumble as he calms them down. "There you go, it's okay. Now, I want answers as to what is happening. No one is on trouble, understand? I just need to know if anyone was...hurt or anything." The doubt in Bruce's voice immediately causes all of them to speak up at the same time, the omega looking back and forth between his children in confusion as their words jumble together. "I love you, Bruce Thomas Wayne!"

Now that voice, that voice Bruce most definitely heard.

It's loud, booming, deep, gentle yet commanding and so undeniably alpha of Clark Kent. 

Which is confusing. Isn't he a beta?

It takes a moment for everyone to get themselves under control, Clark being the first to shake himself out of his own surprise as he boldly takes off his scent patches so that Bruce knows about him. "I-I wasn't expecting for my confession to ever go this way-" he looks at Bruce's kids in amusement-"much less with an audience around. But, I said I love you and everything about you, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet I love you. From your piercing blue eyes and the way you roll them unknowingly whenever someone says it does something stupid—I should know, you've given me them a lot—to your pink lips and the way you pout them in deep concentration whenever you think hard about something."

Bruce is too busy staring in a daze up at the alpha to pay attention to whichever one of his kids cooed about the romance happening and for someone to scoot over so they can get a better view (though it's most likely Richard).

Clark keeps his eyes trained on the shorter man, standing to his full height and slowly stepping forward until he's right in front of the man, his gaze overwhelmingly fond and loving as he looks down at the smaller. "I love the way you gracefully handle the most troublesome situations in your city, yet complain about the small things like a certain vegetable you don't like in your food or how the weather is a touch too cold for your liking—" Bruce frowns at that and unconsciously rolls his eyes. "Those are perfectly reasonable things to fuss about–w-what?"

Clark watches as the omega adjusts Damian so he can hold him with one arm and pat at his face with his free hand, to see if there's anything on his face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

The alpha smiles and raises a hand slowly until he's cradling the soft face in his wide palm, basking in the heat radiating from the blushing man. "It's because I love you and the way you complain to me-" he whispers it as though it hurts him to realize just how much he can love someone else-"and...and I don't even know if it's possible for me to have you and for me to be yours in return. I—you are so beautiful, Bruce. Inside and out. And to be around you for so long the way I've been privileged to is such an honor, while also slowly driving me mad with thoughts and dreams about a future I don't even know is obtainable for me." Bruce's arms tighten around Damian, soothing the pup as he whines from the confession going on, his voice nothing but a whisper as he nuzzles the hand cradling his cheek. "Then...then why don't you ask me what I think?"

Clark's breath is taken away at how beautiful Bruce is, his eyes searching the omega's face hopefully as he swallows down his nerves and does as requested. "W-What do you think about me, Bruce? What do you think about us being together?"

Bruce exhales shakily at hearing the question even though he asked for it, "I think...I think a lot of things: how crazy you must be to actually enjoy being around me, how correct you are for loving kids-but especially my kids; how I think that y-you'd make a wonderful father to the omega lucky enough to have you as an alpha." Oh...is this a rejection? Clark can feel his shoulders automatically slump dejectedly, though he keeps his hand on the other's face, fighting off the urge to protest and complain. The alpha caught off guard at the warm tears dripping onto his palm and the warmth of the omega as he steps closer and closer, until their chests are aligned and Damian is cradled in a warm cocoon between the two.

Bruce's voice is small yet optimistic as he asks, "Can I? Can I be that omega?"

Surprisingly, Damian is silent this time, everyone holding their breaths as they wait for Clark's reaction.

Before Bruce can self doubt anymore, Clark lets out a happy shout and picks up the omega and swings him around, placing a tender first kiss onto the shy omega's lips. "You can...as long as I'm allowed to be your alpha in return?" Bruce feels overwhelmed at feeling so...loved and sniffles loudly, stretching up on his toes when Clark pulls away from their kiss, stunned at how addicted he is to the alpha's taste already. He nods his head quickly in answer to the other's question, "Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, C-Clark."

The alpha wipes away the omega's tears, hugging the man close to his chest and places a tender kiss to the man's forehead as he lets him cry.

Clark catches Damian teary eyed stare in the middle of making sure Bruce is okay, giving a gentle smile to the pup as he croons softly to the boy. "And you-" he bends down until he's face-to-face with the pup-"I promise that I'm not taking away your mom from you or the family. I...I hope to add on to the family he's built, not take away from you guys, and I hope that I can prove that to you and your siblings in due time."

Damian remains stubbornly curled up against Bruce, though he's not as stiff and weary as before, his little nose twitching as he sniffles and looks between Clark and his mother.

"M-Mommy—" Damian whines and clings onto Bruce's suit—"he...he isn't like father."

Bruce sucks in a sharp breath at the admission, nodding his head in agreement, "You're right. He's not your father...he won't hurt you, baby, or me." Damian nods his head softly and leaves it at that, dragging Bruce's hand up to his face so that he can smell at the scent glands on his wrist to be comforted.

Well, that worked out better than expected for Clark, he gives a hopeful smile to Bruce before they turn to the rest of their kids.

Richard smiles brightly and practically vibrates excitedly at the thought of having a dad (again), "Welcome to the family! Is it too early to invite you over for dinner?" 

Barbara rolls her eyes good-naturedly as she carefully pushes the eldest to the side and nods her head in polite introduction, "Excuse the family dog, he hasn't had enough playtime today-" she smiles at the offended exclamation she gets from the alpha, waving him off when he tries to play fight her over it-"I'm Barbara and that's Richard...though I'm sure you knew that? I'm really sorry about what happened earlier...but, I'm glad you're one of us now."

Clark feels like crying even more at the beta's kind acceptance of him into the pack.

Cass steps forward next and waves excitedly, "I'm Cassandra; the favorite child,  but don't tell anyone else that. I admit that I don't understand why you love us the way you do...not many of us will right now, but like Barbara said, I'm glad you're with us now instead of anywhere else. I'm glad we didn't scare you off...you're kind." Clark barely has time to respond to the small girl before Stephanie is barreling her way through her siblings, the blonde eyeing him carefully now that she knows for sure he's an alpha. "Most alphas we know personally have sucked, so I hope you really aren't one of those ones? You don't seem like it though, so welcome to the family, and let's learn to bug people together. You and me. That's our bonding time."

That was...blunt, but appreciated nonetheless. Clark just is happy at the fact she mentioned bonding with him.

Jason bites his lip when the older alpha looks at him, scratching his index nail against his jeans nervously from the attention. "Uh...I guess I'm sorry for the...overreaction, but I don't have good experiences with alphas." The nineteen-year-old finds himself blushing as he quickly spits out, "But thank you for not freaking out about it-" a quick pause-"I guess."

Clark smiles and softly reassures the boy that there's no need to be sorry, unaware to how Bruce is melting at the dad energy radiating from the man.

Everyone stares at Tim as he's the only one who hasn't said anything yet. Not that he's supposed to, of course, but it's making Bruce worry about it the boy is feeling neglected already...he knows the pup as abandonment issues, so change is often a scary thing for him. "Timmy, is everything okay?" Bruce questions softly, gently brushing away some hair from the alpha's eyes just to see what's going on in his head. The boy only stares up at Clark as though he's found something (or in this case, someone) amazing, the teen hugging his tablet to his chest as he exclaims in awe: "I can't believe Superman is our dad."

Clark's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates as he chokes on his spit, the Wayne family practically breaking their necks to look at him as the room descends into chaos, Stephanie loudly exclaiming.

"I guess #superbat is now trending!"

And that's how Superman found out he was in love with Batman and vice versa.

(Damian's bio parent in this is Ra's Al Ghul. If I would have a decent writing schedule, y'all would have understood that as it's in the separate Damian story I said I was writing. But, just a quick explanation for anyone who would be curious as to who the parent is.

Just know that this also isn't related to the 5+2 story I have in this series as well, as due to popular votes, the majority wanted Clark (in said 5+2) to be Damian's bio parent. So, this takes the route on what I would have done if I would have kept anyone else but Clark as his other bio parent.

Also, please don't ask me what I was thinking when writing this? I was confused on whether to add the crack tags or not, especially as I don't think this is so silly/odd to the point of me tagging that, however, I felt (personally) that the certain way I wrote things was leaning into that crack-ish territory (though I'm most likely wrong lol).

Also, also, I had so many cute endings planned and some reason went with that. I swear if y'all are mad at the ending, I can try fixing it XD, but I just felt the story reached a certain point of angst I didn't expect to have for this...so I made the ending a bit silly-stupid

You all are always so greatly appreciated! And know that I love and appreciate each and every single one of you for taking the time to read, comment and kudos. You all are the most amazing Valentine's a girl could ask for, thank you!

Please remember to stay safe, happy, healthy and of course lovely as always. 💛)

[sellyoursoulforagoodfic]

JKR 2: BRC 1

Joker x Reader

Word Count: 1921

Summary: You love him, that much is obvious, but now Wayne is being flirty suddenly.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Alas, the much awaited sequel to JKR. At some point I got an ask for a sequel, but I literally cannot find it, so … Here it is! There will be more posting randomly as I get it out. Unlike my other series, I’ve got nothing like an outline, so I have no idea how long this is gonna be or when I’m gonna be posting it.

One of your favorite parts of being a mercenary was the fact that it was extremely rare for you to have to be a functioning human on Monday mornings. It was a perk you hadn’t really expected, but you absolutely loved sleeping in while the rest of the world crawled out of bed to begin another shitty work week. That alone almost made it worth it to put up with all the nonsense you handled day to day. And since you’d gotten involved with the joker, you’d even gotten to enjoy the addition of a warm body next to yours seeing how he shared your philosophy on those mornings. 

So when you woke up naturally one Monday morning several months since agreeing to work with Joker, you were more than a little annoyed. The irritation was only slightly alleviated when you started to really observe your surroundings and realized that Joker was currently playing big spoon with you and clinging to you like a child with a beloved toy. That, at least, was a sweet bonus to waking this early. A little smile formed on your face despite yourself. You could feel his breath on your bare shoulder, softly puffing every now and then in his sleep; the rhythm of it could almost put you to sleep.

And then your bladder made itself known. 

The annoyance promptly came roaring back.

Getting out of bed was a whole little challenge in and of itself due to the way he was clinging to you, but you somehow managed to escape without waking him. When you glanced back at the bed and saw the fearsome Clown Prince of Crime cuddled up to your pillow and snuggled under your covers, your heart gave a hard thump. Try as you might, it was steadily becoming harder to deny that you’d somehow developed feelings–real, deep feelings–for the madman. Every day you tried not to think about it because of how unlikely it was for him to reciprocate, but seeing him so vulnerable–without makeup and with green hair so faded it was almost completely back to its normal dishwater blond–made some part of you swoon. He trusted you enough to be so unguarded, and that was enough for you … mostly. Part of you still craved someone to talk seriously with, but you were content enough even without it. Or so you told yourself.

Sighing, you shook off the emotions and picked up his grey, patterned shirt from the day before. Problems for another day, you supposed.

Once your bodily functions were taken care of, you quietly stalked your way into the kitchen. Clearly, you weren’t going back to sleep anytime soon, so you might as well make a coffee. Maybe that would somehow help you tame your unwelcome feelings.

Clearly the answer was a big, fat “No,” since, as you were returning to the bedroom, you got distracted with how cut he was while you were in the doorway, mug clasped between your hands. You allowed yourself a moment to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and pretend that the two of you were just normal people.

Then, true to Gotham’s nature, it all came shattering down when you heard the telltale scratching of someone picking a lock. Specifically the lock on your front door. The switch in your mindset to Business Mode was instantaneous. Your world seemed to sharpen as you slowly eased the bedroom door closed; it would be quite bad if your suspicion about the intruder was true and he saw your houseguest. Your hand tightened around the mug, ready to throw the scalding liquid in an instant if threatened.

An angry scoff left your lips when you recognized the head of brown hair that peaked inside your apartment once the door was unlocked. “You’re really making me regret my decision against getting a guard dog, Mr. Wayne.”

You absolutely hated how dashing his ensuing smirk made him. “As busy as you are? Probably not the best idea.” Unlike the last time he broke in, he wasn’t dressed like he came from a trust fund soiree; instead, he was in a more casual ensemble of dark jeans, a dark shirt, and a leather jacket with red trim.

“Any particular reason you’re breaking into my home today or were you just hoping I was still asleep so you could peep?”

“I have to say no. That’s not exactly my style.” A thump from the bedroom halted whatever excuse he had for this breaking and entering episode.

Your heart gave its second hard thump for the morning, this one out of fear instead of love. Leveling Wayne with a harsh glare, you ordered, “Stay put.”

“Of course.”

Mug still clenched in your hand, you quickly retreated back to the bedroom. Based off the sight that greeted you, you could only assume that the noise was Joker grabbing his pants off the chair and inadvertently throwing the knife from his pocket into the floor. “You good?” you asked the obviously-groggy man.

“I heard voices. What’s going on?”

“Don’t you normally hear voices?” you teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“No. And you know that,” he deadpanned. His tongue started flicking as his irritation aggravated the tick.

“I’ve got an unwelcome guest again,” you stated, deciding that blunt was probably better than finesse.”

“Wayne?”

“Yes, so you’re going to stay here while I deal with him.”

“Should I be ��� jealous?”

“Fuck no. Can’t stand the bastard.” Well that was a bit of a lie. As much as the richboy infuriated you, he also acted as a constant source of amusement. “But I don’t want him knowing anything else about me if I can avoid it. Be a good boy and stay here, and I’ll let you have your wicked way with me later.”

“You’ll let me do that anyway.” He was right and he knew it. There was a long pause as you stared each other down. You could practically see his brain working over his options until he finally exhaled heavily. “Fine. I’m too tired for this, anyway.”

For once, his exhaustion worked to your advantage instead of making him intolerable. “Thank you. I’ll be back in a few.”

“I await with bated breath.”

The Joker handled, you slunk back out to deal with the unmasked Batman; part of you realized that Gotham City Police would love to be in your position. Both men, vulnerable with identities out in the open? They’d probably kill for it. You, however, were just tired of today already.

When you returned to the living room, Bruce had once again made himself at home on your couch. “Boyfriend?” he questioned, eyebrow raised.

“Something like that.”

“He’s got interesting taste,” he commented with a little gesture towards your body.

You raised an eyebrow. Sure, it wasn’t exactly your style, but, “You’re one to talk. Enough of the questions, Mr. Wayne. Why are you here?”

“I need a date for a gala I have to go to tonight.”

Your eyebrows now shot up almost to your scalp. “And you came to me? First off, I don’t like you, so what the fuck? Second, you don’t like me, so what the fuck? Third, do you honestly expect me to believe that you couldn’t get a date? And for that matter–”

“Relax, Y/N. I’m hiring you for a job. I need a distraction, and I hear you’re the best.”

“Awfully short notice. What if I don’t have anything to wear?”

“Already have that handled. Come by my penthouse at six.”

“And payment?”

“Half now, half after. Check your bank account; money’s already there.”

“You’re damn sure that I’m gonna do this, aren’t you.”

“You’re curious, you want to know what I’m up to, and you always get the job done if you’re being paid for it.” He was smirking again and heading for the door as he said that. “See you tonight.”

“Bastard,” you spat at the door the second it was closed. Already, you wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed and stay there for the rest of the day and it was only …  8:13 according to the clock on the wall.

Resigned to your fate for the coming evening, you retreated back to the bedroom. This time, you didn’t even pause to admire your lover’s form splayed across the bed. You did notice that his eyes were staring at you as you approached, though, and gave him a small smile.

“Got a job tonight with the hunky rich boy, huh?” he teased while rolling onto his stomach and kicking his feet up like a girl in a movie about a slumber party. “Am I just not, uh, doin’ it for ya anymore, dollface?”

“Fucker didn’t exactly give me much of a choice, did he?” you sniped right back. “Scoot over; you’re in my spot.” 

His response was to flop back over onto his back and pat his lap. “You’re mine now, remember? I was a proper gentleman and hid away while you talked to your suitor.”

“He is not–” You were cut off by him tugging you down to straddle him. “My suitor,” you finished, doing your best to sit on him with some modicum of dignity.

“Oh, you don’t have to lie to me, sweetheart. He’s quite, uh, dreamy.” He cackled. “Any chance you could convince him to join us in here sometime?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, J. I don’t think he’d go for it.” Especially considering the whole nemesis thing … “You’re just stuck with me, I’m afraid.”

“Ah well, have fun for the both of us, my dear,” he shrugged. His fingers suddenly halted their attempts to unbutton your (his?) shirt; alarmingly, you hadn’t even noticed him doing that. “Why did Brucy know what it is you do for a living anyway?”

Fortunately, you knew that question was likely to come up months ago, so you’d long ago thought of an excuse. “Did a job cleaning up one of those trust fund brigade’s messes after a particularly nasty party–”

“Ooh!”

“–and that apparently got me on his radar.”

“Never a dull day for a mercenary.”

“Or a madman,” you teased right back. “But be that as it may, I’m gonna enjoy having you all to myself until I have to go to that stupid party.”

“Never a dull day, indeed!” he cheered. “But for real, you gotta get a video or somethin’ if you fuck him tonight.”

You rolled your eyes even as you tugged at his boxers. It was an interesting thought. While you had first priority on the Joker when he was off the clock and a serious case of feelings for the clown, you were under no illusions that this was an exclusive thing. Physically, you sated each other easily. Emotionally, you were all the Joker needed (or wanted, for that matter), but he wasn’t crazy enough to think that he satisfied all of your needs. The whole comforting thing specifically was a weakness of his. You’d discussed all this (excluding the whole love issue) months ago at your insistence since you had no desire to earn the Joker’s wrath by having an affair.

Shoving all that aside, you just scoffed. “That man is infuriating.”

“And he has a crush on you. I can tell. We madmen have a … sixth sense for these things. Besides, the flirting was painfully obvious even from in here.”

“I’m not fucking Bruce Wayne.”

“Right. You’re fucking me!” Another hysterical cackle.

“Well …” you grinned, “I’m about to be, anyway.”

[crimes-and-gelato]

Only Half a Blue Sky (Chapter 5)

Rating: M

Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes

Chapter Title: One More Shiny Memory

A/N:Just so you know I'm not late, it's still Wednesday here in Spain. :)As always, thank you to my lovely beta 12AngelOfDarkness21, who continues to be patient with me. (As always, remaining mistakes are mine)And also, thank you to you if you're still here. Thank you for staying, and I hope you're loving it so far. I may also have introduced an additional character. Please welcome them with open arms, they are lovely. LOL! The chapter title is from Save the Last Goodbye (Union J).

**

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'Love isn’t soft, like those poets say. Love has teeth which bite and the wounds never close.’ - Stephen King

**

**

It’s not unusual that the late morning after the gala is a quiet one in the Avenger’s Tower, with how exhausting they all find it to look all normal and happy, to hide their personal demons and put on angelic masks. In short, it’s tough to try and be liked. Not to mention that they had to scout for any information regarding the missing sceptre after HYDRA’s fall from SHIELD.

Even for a spy like Natasha, bluffing through the night amongst important and powerful people is a chore. Her years of slipping from one persona to another have helped her, but has never numbed her of the exhaustion of feeling used and filthy. It still makes her want to crawl out of her skin. Only this time she’s not alone, she has her family she can rely on if she ever slips, because while she’s good — the best — she’s not perfect.

Steve’s making some late breakfast for everyone, because he’s reliable like that. It’s probably brunch already with how it’s almost into the afternoon. Nonetheless, bacon and Steve’s pancakes are amazing at any time of the day. It looks like Clint’s already done with his first plate and is eager for the next batch.

She takes the empty seat next to Clint at the breakfast bar, and sips at the coffee the archer had prepared for her.

Bruce is nowhere to be seen, probably back in his lab or still asleep. Thor’s back in Asgard since last week for an annual check-up on Earth’s Alien Invasion status, and for some query about the sceptre and how to find it. Tony didn’t return home with them last night, and according to JARVIS he’s with Bruce Wayne.

She only raises an eyebrow at the AI’s news of the genius’ whereabouts. She’ll try to subtly ask later if those two had finally decided to act on everyone’s excited pairing of them. Or they could have discovered that they’re actually soulmates, after all this time of dancing around each other. It’s not far-fetched that they could be mates, they’re both almost alike.

But there’s also that thing between Tony and two certain super soldiers. And right now, one of the super soldier is glaring at his Starkpad like it announced another HYDRA take over.

James’ scowl is on full murder mode right now, and she truly believes someone will get stabbed if she doesn’t do anything about it. Well, maybe not her because Steve can probably calm his soulmate so no one has to bleed, or miss an important body part.

‘Oh my god, Steve, you’re a lifesaver,’ Sam exclaims happily as he enters the kitchen, sniffing the delicious aroma of pancakes and fried bacon. ‘And who in hell killed your dog, Barnes?’ he asks when he sees James’ face.

James turns the glare on Sam, and Natasha can almost feel the way the black man’s heart stops beating for two seconds upon confronting the deadly eyes of James, though they more likely belong to the Winter Soldier. So far they haven’t had any episodes regarding the Soldier with James’ slowly easing into therapy with the help of Princess Shuri’s technology. But it doesn’t mean that it can’t happen.

‘Buck?’ Steve’s suddenly there beside James, full of concern with pancakes forgotten.

‘Nothing,’ James replies brusquely and closes his pad. And suddenly, as if he remembers logic, his face sheds off the Winter Soldier glare and morphs into a composed mask. It’s crazy to see the immediate switch of persona on someone other than herself. ‘I just remembered some bad things,’ he explains, but Natasha can tell he’s lying. Only a liar knows another liar.

‘Maybe you need more rest, Buck,’ Steve offers, oblivious to James’ lie.

It piques Natasha’s interest. What could be James covering up that he’s using his bad memories as a lie, when it’s usually the bad memories that he hides behind another lie? What is James hiding from Steve?

‘Coffee,’ Tony cries out as he walks out of the lift and into the common room, his voice reaching the kitchen. He beelines for the kitchen and drapes himself all over Clint. ‘Birdman, I need Jove’s sweet nectar of life.’

Clint only chuckles and shuffles Tony so the genius is on his lap instead. ‘Here you go, lover boy,’ he teases and brings his own cup to Tony’s eager hands. The two have the same taste in coffee, apparently. Both put too much sugar than necessary.

Tony lets out a quiet, satisfied moan at the first sip. He sighs happily and takes another two sips that are followed by those low sensual sounds. The archer only chuckles fondly at Tony’s reaction, gripping the genius more firmly by the waist so he doesn’t slip. Two certain super soldiers look bothered by the scene, Natasha notices.

‘Better?’ Clint asks fondly as Tony leans further into his body. The genius doesn’t bother a verbal reply, rather nods and takes another sip of his coveted drink. ‘You look like a zombie, Stark.’ And that’s true, there’s a light darkening under the engineer’s eyes, effect of poor sleeping hours or — Natasha thinks — no sleep at all.

Tony only yawns and pushes his — Clint’s — mug in mute demand for more coffee, which the archer obliges because he has a soft spot for Tony and coffee. Natasha should probably tell his other best friend to stop rationing the genius caffeine because the brunet clearly needs sleep, rather than more reason to be awake. And she will, after Tony finishes the second cup, the only way to stop him from whining irrationally about the lack of his beloved caffeine.

‘What have you been up to last night?’ The innuendo is clear because Clint is a shameless person like that.

There’s a quiet crack of something at the head of the breakfast bar where James is quietly sat with Steve standing beside him.

Tony takes three more huge gulp of his coffee before he answers, ‘I was up all night, if it’s not obvious with you yet, Katniss.’ He takes another swig of his drink, completely clueless to the low sound of more cracking from the super soldiers’ part of the room.

‘Did you get some ?’ Clint asks teasingly.

Natasha wants to stop him, but is far too curious to know what did commence between Tony and Wayne. And at the same time, curious with how both James and Steve would react. Especially the former.

‘I don’t know what you’re trying to presume, Legolas,’ the genius tells the archer innocently. He puts his empty cup on the table and rises from his seat. He stretches, wrinkling his suit further, which already looks efficiently rumpled. ‘But as far as last night’s happening is concerned, all I can say is that I’m sore as fuck.’  

There’s a loud crash. James’ chair clatters to the floor from the force of him abruptly standing up and exiting the communal kitchen. Natasha doesn’t miss the anger — perhaps jealousy — etched on his handsome face that he tried to hide by going away.

She turns to Steve, who looks shocked by James’ sudden departure. But then Steve’s blue eyes are back on Tony’s, who’s also surprised. There’s something like hurt in their Captain’s face as he tries very hard to school into something else other than wounded.

‘What’s up with Terminator?’ Tony turns to Steve with his question.

Steve looks away from Tony’s curious eyes, grooming his expression further to hide whatever trail of upset is left on his face. He stares with concern at where James had exited. He runs a hand over his face and says, ‘Rough morning.’

Tony doesn’t push for more information even when he looks just as worried as Steve.

**

**

Bucky needs to rein in his emotions. He tries to. Very hard. But it’s difficult when he knows Tony is supposedly his. Not that questionable Wayne guy that keeps showing up with Tony to important business meetings and company events.

It’s only been a week, but it feels longer than seven days. A week of pure torture of denying himself from seeing Tony personally but stalking the man online, reading every gossip site and all those blogs about IronBat shipment by zealous fangirls and tabloids alike. He’s also drawn away from Steve because he’s afraid he’ll slip and tell his soulmate the truth. And he can’t.

He doesn’t want to push his inner turmoil onto Steve’s plate when the blond’s already dealing with so much work regarding the secret HYDRA base they still haven’t found. He’s heard that Thor already went to Asgard to seek more help, because unfortunately they could be dealing with a magical stone that’s been keeping HYDRA hidden from any advanced technology that Tony had invented or had taken hold of.

Sasha, his therapist, is unhappy about his progress that week. She doesn’t say she’s disappointed with him about his lack of communication with his soulmate on important matters that’s bothering him, but he silently feels it nonetheless. Or maybe she’s not, but the demons in his head tell him that she is.

He’s sleeping less too, which shows on his face despite his best effort to do all normal tasks so Steve doesn’t worry about him more. He showers every day, shaves his stubble so he doesn’t look like a depressed hobo, eats three meals a day, drinks the tea Bruce suggests. But it’s all a façade, when deep down he’s slowly rotting in the hell hole that he’s dug himself.

‘Shield family, I am back,’ Thor announces loudly and cheerfully as he steps into the communal living room.

‘Welcome back, Mr. Odinson,’ JARVIS greets back before Bucky could say anything, because his eyes are glued to the person following the god of thunder. ‘And I can’t say the same for you, Mr. Laufeyson.’

Bucky’s never heard JARVIS be unkind to anyone; the AI is always gentle, and maybe sarcastic and sassy like his creator at some instance. There must be some rational explanation to it because Bucky himself doesn’t like Thor’s companion one bit. The other alien, dressed in green and black leather, unsettles him and the Winter Soldier in him classifies the alien as a threat.

‘I see that Anthony still hasn’t taught his servant manners,’ the alien god asserts amusedly. ‘I may have a word with your master when I see him, valet.’ He smirks mischievously.

And Bucky doesn’t like how the new god is talking to JARVIS, or how he says Tony’s name. He wants to threaten this newcomer to stop acting like he owns the place and the people in it.

‘Loki,’ Thor warns, which the other ignores as he gracefully walks into the room with an air of self-importance.

Ah, so this is the infamous Loki: adopted brother of Thor and the person who caused the alien invasion. No wonder the god looks familiar. And no wonder Bucky dislikes him.

‘Look. Anthony managed to recruit another super soldier,’ Loki states, staring curiously at Bucky, who was trying to suffer silently in the living room while watching MasterChef Junior US .

Bucky’s just about to tell the god of mischief that he should keep Tony’s name out of his mouth or else, when the elevator door suddenly opens and strides in Tony dressed in a snugly fit black tank top and worn out jeans. The arc reactor’s light sipping through the thin material that Tony doesn’t usually wear in public, or around people.

Tony’s still self-conscious about the reactor when Bucky sees it as a blessing, without it he won’t have smart-mouth, kind, and beautiful Tony Stark in his life. And fuck does that tank top leaves so little to the imagination. He can literally make out the genius’ nipples.

Damn it, Barnes, he chastises himself. Keep it in your pants.

‘And I see how prison still hasn’t taught you manners as well, Reindeer Games,’ the genius retorts back for Loki’s earlier comment to JARVIS. The alien god glares at Tony. ‘Pop Tarts.’ He nods at Thor.

‘Hello, friend Anthony.’ Thor puts a hand on Tony’s shoulder.

‘You should have sent a raven ahead to announce that you won’t be coming back alone, Point Break,’ Tony says to Thor but his eyes are on Loki, who doesn’t look annoyed anymore from Tony’s prison comment.

‘And ruin the surprise for you, dear Anthony?’ retorts the god of mischief, smirking at Tony. He arranges his clothes as he takes a fluid sit on the couch. ‘Besides, we all know that you’ve silently been missing me.’

Maybe Steve won’t scold him if he punches Loki in his smug face. Bucky’s never seen anyone who is so full of themselves. Sure, Thor is a confident fella, but Loki’s beyond vanity. The god parades around like a peacock, and Bucky’s disgusted.

‘After throwing me out of my own building window?’ Tony huffs.

‘Oh, you can’t be mad about that, Anthony,’ Loki purrs — fucking purrs — with his eyes twinkling impishly at Tony as he leans comfortably on the sofa like it’s a throne rather than an over expensive couch. ‘I’ve already apologised for that.’ He rolls his eyes. ‘Besides, me thinks you rather like it rough.’ Another devious smile, and a lewd lick of his lips.

It’s too late to stop the growl that rumbles from Bucky at the mixture of anger and possessiveness in his chest while listening to the conversation. Anger for knowing that this alien god had hurt Tony in the past, and possessiveness at the blasé flirting Loki’s doing.

Three pair of curious eyes are on Bucky and he lowers his gaze in embarrassment.

‘Why don’t we proceed to the part where you’re useful, Rock of Ages?’ Tony suggests. And Bucky is silently thankful to the genius for the evasive manoeuvre.

‘Good thinking, friend Anthony,’ Thor agrees.

He looks up from where he’s trying to avoid everyone’s stare, only to detect that Loki’s eyeing him with interest that Bucky wants to challenge or run away from. He’s not sure which one to do. Instead, he glares at Loki with his best Winter Soldier glower.

And because Loki must also be the god of chaos, instead of fearing like mere mortals do at the sight of the Winter Soldier, the god only grins with mirth. Bucky doesn’t like it. At all .

**

**

After his encounter with the crazy god of mischief, Bucky reports it to Steve because he needs a logical reason to not murder the god in his sleep. It’ll be hard to do but he’s willing to try. Especially when he doesn’t feel even an inch of comfort towards the new Asgardian.

‘They’re going to the Avenger’s Compound tomorrow with Thor,’ he informs Steve, who’s halfway across the world with Natasha and Clint on some recon.

Steve frowns but doesn’t say anything. Bucky can tell the blond’s thinking.

‘Will you come with them tomorrow, Buck?’ he asks. ‘Loki’s not trustworthy, despite what Thor says, because he’s bias when it comes to his little brother.’ Steve lets out a sigh. ‘Just so Tony has another eye to keep out on him in case Loki tries something.’

‘Sure, Stevie.’ He nods and doesn’t add that he already planned on going with the trio tomorrow at the compound even if Steve hasn’t asked him because like the blond, he also doesn’t trust Loki to behave. And if something out of hand happens, Tony’s only human without the suit — a fragile human that could easily get hurt.

‘How are you doing, Buck?’ The tense tone is replaced by a softer one. Worried, too.

‘I’m doing okay, punk.’ He offers Steve a small smile that the blond mirrors. ‘I miss you though.’

Steve nods solemnly. ‘I miss you too, jerk.’

And their nicknames are suppose to make them feel elated or amused. But not this time. Not when Steve’s thousand of miles away, and loneliness envelops him like a goddamn blanket. It’s never the same without Steve. It never has and it never will.

How did Steve survive when he thought Bucky was dead? Bucky can’t even stand the light aching that tends to follow him around when Steve’s away for missions.

‘Just one more day, honey.’ And for a second Steve looks like he’s about to pull Bucky through the screen and rub a soothing hand down his back. ‘One more.’

‘One more day,’ he mutters back like an assurance to himself. Maybe to Steve as well. He’s not sure who needed it the most between the two of them. But it’s motivation enough.

‘I gotta go now, Buck.’ There’s a displeased frown on Steve’s lips. ‘I’ll see you soon, yeah?’

Bucky only nods, not trusting he won’t cry and beg Steve to return if he uses his voice.

The call disconnects but Bucky continues to stare at the dark screen like he’s waiting for Steve to come back on. Or better, to come knocking on their apartment door.

He’s not sure how many minutes he stayed like that. But after some time he pulls himself out of his head space and formulates plans and tactics to keep Tony safe from the annoying god of mischief.

**

**

To say that he’s annoyed and jealous is an understatement. Bucky is shaking with envy and anger. How can he not when not only he has to keep his eye on Loki, but he also has to watch Bruce fucking Wayne flirt with Tony.

It’s not much of flirting and there are no casual touches, but Wayne is still staring at Tony when the genius isn’t looking and Bucky doesn’t appreciate it. Especially not when they whisper among themselves and Wayne makes Tony laugh.

Why did he even read all those gossip blogs about Wayne and Tony’s blossoming relationship? He’s been trying to deny those articles. Steve did tell him not to believe most of what’s written online unless they have concrete proof.

But what more proof does Bucky need to prove the gossip true when Tony looks like he’s enjoying talking to Wayne. They’re both people of the same calibre: smart and rich. They came from the same world. And Bucky’s known before that Tony deserves someone better than him, someone not broken. Someone stable who doesn’t have enough skeletons in his closet to call it a cemetery.

The two are actually perfect for each other. But still… Tony is his soulmate. His . Not Wayne’s.

He has Steve though. Glorious Steve Rogers that Bucky doesn’t deserve too. And maybe this is how the universe is teaching him patience, teaching him humility. How he’s not suppose to be greedy when he’s already been given more than his worth.

And Tony, he doesn’t deserve the half that Bucky’s offering. Tony deserves a whole fucking heart who will love him fully without someone else to share. So, Bucky has to endure. He needs to tolerate Wayne.

‘You do know you’re staring, right?’ Loki informs from across the room with a book in his lap.

They’re both outside Fury’s office. Wayne, Tony, and Thor are inside to talk with the Director about their plan to locate some magical sceptre that’s very important. Steve’s included in the meeting, he’s on a hologram screen. Bucky can still see them from the outside through the glass wall.

‘Well, it’s not like it’s easy not to stare, eh?’ Loki leans forward from his seat, discarding the book on the cushion. ‘Anthony’s a lovely thing to behold,’ he continues when Bucky chooses to ignore him. ‘But… isn’t he out of your league, soldier? Especially when you’re already bound to another.’

Bucky can’t help the glare he throws at Loki, despite telling himself that he shouldn’t let the god get under his skin. But damn it, the bastard’s good at pushing people’s button.

Loki crosses his leg while a sneer paints his lips. ‘Greedy little thing, aren’t you?’

And that aches, hearing it out loud from someone else’s lips because deep down that is the truth. But truth or not, it doesn’t stop his hands from clenching into fists with Loki’s piercing remark. For fuck sake, just one punch.

‘It’s none of your business,’ Bucky spits acidly.

‘Oh, but it is.’ There’s a sharpness in his eyes that isn’t there a while ago. ‘You see, dear soldier, I’m not overly fond of Midgardians. But Anthony’s quite useful and interesting. I would very much hate to come back and find him being none of those two.’ He smiles at Bucky, but it’s vile and threatening.

And before Bucky would ask what Loki means by that, or maybe threaten the god of mischief back as well, the three men exit Fury’s office.

‘Guess we’ll have to drop snowflake before we head out.’ Tony eyes him. ‘FRIDAY?’

‘Yes, boss?’ the female-voiced AI answers.

‘Alert Bruciebear of his unexpected pick-up by Capsicle, would you, darling?’ He’s typing on his phone in a rapid manner. ‘And inform Pepper to clear my schedule for the next seven days. At least.’

‘I have alerted Dr. Banner of Captain Roger’s ETA in South Korea,’ FRIDAY announced.

‘Good girl.’ The genius beams proudly. He pockets his phone. ‘Gentlemen, shall we? We don’t have much time to spare.’

They all followed him to the hallway. Their party marches the maze-like hallways with Tony in the lead. Wayne right next to the genius which Bucky doesn’t like. But it’s much better than Loki near Tony because that won’t do any good for Bucky’s heart and peace of mind.

Thor and Loki are behind him, he made sure he placed himself as barrier between Tony and the threatening god. Whatever it was the god of mischief is spouting he shouldn’t believe any of that bullshit.

‘FRIDAY, sweetie? Tell your older brother we are arriving at the tower to drop off Cyborg, yeah?’

They’ve reach a door at the end of the hallway. And once it opens, it leads to a massive hangar that houses different fighter planes and a quinjet.

‘Done, boss.’

‘Thanks, FRI.’

‘Anytime, boss.’

In Bucky’s ear, FRIDAY sounded please to help which is almost human. Another proof how Tony’s creations are as brilliant as he is.

They board the jet and Tony takes the pilot seat.

‘This is a new one so JARVIS isn’t installed to this yet,’ Tony explains to Wayne, who takes the co-pilot sit. ‘But since it stays in the Avengers HQ, I’m thinking that maybe FRIDAY is a much better choice since she’s the one running the programs there, and JARVIS is on SI and the tower.’

‘I’ve always admired at your AIs, Stark,’ Wayne comments.

Tony scoffs. ‘Is this the closest you’ll ever to admitting that I am smarter than you?’

‘And you know I won’t give you the answer that you seek.’ Wayne smiles amusedly.

‘Where are you guys heading?’ Bucky inserts, weary of hearing Wayne flirt with Tony. He’s more afraid someone might get hurt. Probably, him. ‘And why need the whole Avengers?’

‘We’re heading to Sokovia,’ Tony answers. ‘Bruce here has information that the sceptre could be there. We’re going to set up camp and wait, while Thuderbolt and Rock of Ages will scout for the sceptre’s magical energy.’ Tony grimaces at the magical word, still a hard man of science. ‘That’ll be easier than try to create an equipment with my Science Bro. It saves time.’

‘Do you need me to help you?’ Sometimes it gets harder to be left behind while his soulmate — soulmate s — are in the line of danger and he won’t be there to watch their backs.

‘You can sit this one out, Robocop,’ Tony assures him. ‘We’re not entirely sure it’s there.’

‘It’s there,’ Wayne insists. ‘You have to put some trust on me, Tony.’

‘But he’s coming,’ Bucky spats, the words sounding close to jealousy.

For the first time, Wayne looks at him with analysing eyes. ‘Yes, because I’m their ticket to get into the main city and their contact with the politician to make sure the people can evacuate when it calls for it.’

‘And Steve?’ he asks instead of punching Wayne and his usefulness. Maybe Bucky’s just imagining that smug look on the other man’s face.

‘America’s Sweetheart is going to meet us there with Brucie, Widow, and Legolas.’ Tony’s manoeuvring them on the landing pad.

‘I don’t like it.’ Sure, he’s not fine with Wayne being around, but there’s something else about the set-up that’s bothering him. ‘Why can’t I go? Just for back-up.’

They have safely landed and Tony swivels his pilot chair to face Bucky. He looks worriedly at Thor, as if he’s asking the god of thunder to answer the question instead of him. The genius had never been great with confrontation, and Bucky feels like this moment of truth will only bring him pain.

‘We also have other information,’ Tony starts, ‘that it might be a HYDRA base.’

HYDRA. Once again the cause of Bucky’s unending nightmares are back to haunt him some more. And after failing Project Insight, they managed to steal a magical item to help them gain power again. Christ! Cut one head and two more grows back, right?

‘And Steve thinks you’re not ready for this yet,’ Tony finishes, looking everywhere but Bucky.

‘The whole team had agreed to this, friend James,’ Thor adds, putting a hand on Bucky’s shoulder. ‘We want you to be safe.’

And the voices in the back of Bucky’s head are saying something different. It’s not that they want him safe. But it’s for them to be safe… from him. Him, who is a monster — a killer. Why did he even think he’ll be able to watch his friends’ back when they should all watch out for him?

‘Barnes, stop.’

There’s another hand on him, cupping the side of his neck. It’s a smaller hand with callous palm. It’s also a warm hand that feels great against his skin. He leans to the touch instinctively because it screams: safe.

‘Whatever it is you’re thinking, it’s not it,’ Tony says, looking him dead in the eyes.

It’s Tony’s hand, Bucky notices a few seconds later. Tony’s touching him and it feels wonderful. He wants to stay in this moment forever with Tony gently massaging him in assurance.

‘It’s not safe for you to be around those assholes who abused you.’ His voice turns sharp, but continues to be soothing. ‘And I can see that you’re not ready to face your demons.’ His other hand reaches for Bucky’s clenched fist. When did that happen? ‘You don’t have to put on a brave face, snowflake. It’s okay to be not ready to face your demons… Trust me, I know.’

And there’s no room for argument with that. Not when the blatant evidence of Bucky’s terror about HYDRA is clear as a day. This is also for the best, even when he’s not one hundred percent okay with it.

**

**

To compensate his lack of participation, he tries to monitor Tony’s thermal signature via a satellite that JARVIS has hacked. He wants to keep an eye out for the genius since Steve and the rest hasn’t arrived at Sokovia yet, still stuck in Brazil somehow.

Thor and Loki have left to scout for the sceptre’s energy while Tony and Wayne set up a rendezvous point for their team.

DUM-E, U, and Butterfingers keep him company with his watch. He plays fetch with them at some point, and they might have caused a bit of a mess in the lab that he promises to tidy up before Tony arrives back.

He’s been keeping vigil for the last seven hours since the group has arrived in Sokovia. And now he’s hungry. But he doesn’t even want to blink in case he misses something significant. He wishes Steve and his group would hurry up and get to Tony. What is taking them so long? It’s been fourteen hours since Tony’s team had left and stayed in Sokovia, and still has no Steve for back-up.

It reminds him again how Tony’s nothing but human outside his suit. What if he can’t call his suit in time before he’s attacked by HYDRA? What if Thor or Loki are too faraway to help him? Maybe the gods won’t even know that something went wrong because HYDRA goons are sneaky little shits.

And all Tony has for back-up is that rich boy, Wayne, who’s more likely only there for his pretty face and illegal influence. But other than that, Bucky doubts Wayne would be useful for anything else. Wayne won’t be able to protect Tony.

God, why is Steve taking so long? And why does Thor need to leave Tony behind with Useless Wayne? Why can’t they bring Tony along with them where he’ll be safe between two alien gods, who will probably annihilate any HYDRA minion with a snap of their fingers.

‘Sergeant Barnes?’ JARVIS calls.

Bucky looks up to the ceiling. ‘Yes, J?’

‘I’d like to advise you to eat,’ JARVIS says. ‘It’s been fourteen hours since you last ate, and according to my database this is not good for your diet.’

‘Later, J. Thanks.’ He proceeds to stare at the monitor again with Tony and Wayne talking to some trusted officials about their plan and how not to get innocent people in the line of fire in case it comes into a battle.

‘I’d like to suggest you at least partake some PowerBar that sir often stores in the lab,’ JARVIS says. ‘It’s at the bottom drawer to your right.’

Bucky obeys if it’ll get JARVIS off his back. Besides he thinks JARVIS has some protocol about his diet that Steve might have installed just to monitor him while he’s recovering. It’s handy because he’s still not use to eating at normal people pace, since during his Winter Soldier days he only eats when it’s necessary for his mission. He can last three days without food with his super soldier metabolism.

He takes out five of the milk chocolate brownie snack and continues his vigil. He easily finishes two of it in less than a minute.

Tony and Bruce with some people — probably officials and soldiers — are heading north-west. Their caravan weaves through a frosty forest just a few kilometres from the main city.

And that’s when shit hits the fan.

The third PowerBar he’s opening falls to the floor as he watches an explosion happen within Tony’s group.

‘Fuck!’ His heart pounds in his chest as he witness the horror in the screen. Tony’s heat signature goes missing in the midst of the explosion. ‘JARVIS, tell Thor to get Tony,’ he says sharply.

‘He has been informed, Sergeant.’ There’s a masked fear in JARVIS robotic voice as well.

‘Tony!’ he screams, praying that he’ll hear the genius’ teasing over the comms.

‘I’m afraid, I’ve lost connection with sir.’ JARVIS’ sentence turns Bucky’s world upside down.

No! No, no, no, no. Even JARVIS can’t reach Tony.

‘Bucky, what happened?’ It’s Steve voice coming from the team comms.

‘Steve.’ Oh my god. It’s Steve. He’ll know what to do, right? He’ll tell Thor to rescue Tony. ‘Stevie, Tony’s caravan… there’s an… there’s an explosion.’ He sounds erratic and nervous and angry. ‘Please tell Thor to check on him.’

There’s a sharp intake of breathe in Steve’s end. And Bucky wants to ask why, but JARVIS answers his inquiry by showing him Thor and Loki’s location. They have been moving opposite Tony’s position. And they are far away. So far away that even with Thor’s flying he won’t make it in time to back Tony up.

And as a soldier, Bucky knows that every second counts on these instances. Six seconds is a huge time for Tony to get shot with his lack of armour or back-up.

Why are Thor and Loki that far away? Why did the trail of the sceptre go the opposite direction of Tony’s caravan? And where was Tony’s group heading that they had to go through some remote cold forest?

‘Sergeant Barnes?’ It’s JARVIS but he sounds so distant like some muffled background noise. ‘Sergeant Barnes?’

God, why is this all happening? Why Tony? If they got him… Jesus, he doesn’t want to imagine it. The chair. The cold cell. The harsh medical hands. The hard lab table. The painful injections. The drugs.

‘Sergeant Barnes?’

He exits the lab, and discards the comm. With shaky legs he runs as far as possible from the screen that still streams the passing chaos. He needs to take off and hide from the painful truth of Tony dy—

No, he can’t finish that thought. And he’s not even sure which is the worst case scenario anymore: his first theory or the second one.

Maybe if he doesn’t face it, if he can get as much distance as he can from the computer monitor, then none of it is real. This can all be some wicked nightmare and he’ll wake up with Tony still safely in the tower about to call him those stupid names that Bucky doesn’t get the reference to at times.

Please , he mutely begs whatever higher power is listening to him. Keep him safe. Please, keep him safe . Please.

‘Sergeant Barnes?’ It’s JARVIS again. He sounds more insistent this time but still hazy.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! This is all Bucky’s fault! He should have gone with Tony. He should have insisted to come along. If he had Tony wouldn’t be… Tony wouldn’t be…

And now, it could be too late.

He feels like screaming. Maybe he has been because his throat feels raw and used and painful. But the pain is nothing compared to the ache that blooms in his chest like it’s on fire, like it’s been cracked open. He lets his anguish swallow him whole in its cold, aching embrace as he crashes to the floor in body-trembling sobs for someone he’d probably lost.

**

[tune-collective]

Childish Gambino Performed His Only Show This Year at Governors Ball & It Was Epic AF

Childish Gambino Performed His Only Show This Year at Governors Ball & It Was Epic AF

Donald Glover has been making a killing in every aspect of life. After winning a Golden Globe for his FX hit Atlanta, delivering the soulful yet funky Awaken, My Love! album and becoming a father in the past year, the 33-year-old multi-hyphenate (he sings and raps under the name Childish Gambino, acts, writes, and tells jokes exceptionally well) added headliner at New York City’s Governors Ball Music Festival to his stacked résumé. “This is the only show I’m gonna do this year,” he said on Saturday night (June 3). “I’m gonna try and blow the sh-t off of this motherf–ker.”

Wearing an all-white outfit with a headwrap (he eventually went shirtless), Gambino glided and shimmied across the Honda stage like it was his living room. His live band and back-up singers complemented every riff and falsetto, which were major keys in the Funkadelic-inspired LP he dropped last December. “I tried to speak from my soul and sh-t but sometimes you just want to turn up,” said Gambino about his latest effort.

  keep all your dreams, keep standing tall ✨ #childishgambino #awakenmylove #govballnyc

A post shared by adelle (@adelleplaton) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:57am PDT

  He often requested crowd participation, though attendees jumped and sang along to nearly every track at will. “I don’t want you to climax yet. I need this sh-t to be an 8. You want to go to a 10, do you but this needs to be an 8. When this sh-t goes off, feel free to jump the f–k around,” said Gambino before diving into “Zealots of Stockholm [Free Information]” off his Grammy-nominated album, 2013’s Because The Internet. 

It was difficult not to body roll for other melodic offerings like the grown and sexy number “Terrified.” “This lil’ kid who sang this is going to play baby Simba,” Gambino also noted with pride, referencing his gig in Disney’s upcoming remake of The Lion King. He then switched up the vibe by performing the sunny track “California,” lighting a blunt and proclaiming, “I love good weed.”

Gambino’s love for his fans was greater, though, as he reflected on his come-up: “I just wanted to tell you guys personally how much I love every single one of you. The best parts of my show was when I first started doing them, I saw every type of person come to that show.” He recalled a 7-foot man with goth makeup who was wearing a dress, who hugged him and said, “Thank you for Camp.” Gambino continued, “It was like the sweetest, greatest feeling I’ve ever had. I just want to say you guys have stuck with me for forever and I love you for that. But right now I want to play a couple of songs I think you should know if you’re a true Gambino fan.” Because The Internet-era Gambino emerged with performances of “I. Crawl,” “IV. Sweatpants” and “3005.” He later performed a snippet of his beloved Tamia cover for “So Into You.”

  i’ll be right by your side till 3005 — #childishgambino #govballnyc

A post shared by adelle (@adelleplaton) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:56am PDT

While orchestrating the turn-up, the most tender moment came when Gambino shared the name of his son before performing “Baby Boy.” “This song is dedicated to everybody in this crowd and my young son, Legend,” said the singer, who rarely divulges about his private life. 

For the finale, Gambino went into full Donald Glover mode and incorporated a sketch about a house party hook-up with a woman soundtracked by cuts like Lil Wayne’s “Mrs. Officer” and Rihanna’s “Sex With Me.” Once he reached the part in the story where the neighbors call the cops and the only option is to hide together in the bathroom with his lady, he cued up “the perfect song to make out to” and performed the effortlessly sexy “Redbone.” Before leaving the stage, Gambino suggested that his next project could be his final, saying, “I’ll see you for the last Gambino album.” 

    even sexier live. can i please watch this show again? #redbone #childishgambino #awakenmylove #govballnyc

A post shared by adelle (@adelleplaton) on Jun 4, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

See Childish Gambino’s Governors Ball set list below.

  Me and Your Mama ​Boogieman The Worst Guys World Star Have Some Love Riot Zealots of Stockholm [Free Information] Telegraph Ave. California I. Crawl IV. Sweatpants 3005 Stand Tall So Into You (Tamia cover)  Baby Boy Sober Redbone 

This article originally appeared on Billboard.

https://tunecollective.com/2017/06/04/childish-gambino-performed-show-year-governors-ball-epic-af/