#villian's could set up an ambush or trap if they knew you did this

[bwabbitv3s]

It is not even that Clark is not careful enough, uses to much force, or is not aware of potential risks, just that when rescuing people even the most careful help can hurt them. When it comes to rescuing people Superman is one of the gentlest, most careful, and precise hero out there. He also is able to rescue people in situations or from accidents that otherwise would have been fatal. From places that normal rescue workers would be unable to reach.

The type of accidents where body retrieval would have happened as almost no one else could have done it. It is why people don't really talk about it. As while suffering bad fractures, whiplash, losing mobility in a limb, or paralysis is awful they are alive. No one blames Superman when their Aunt needs to use a wheelchair now after being saved. As if Superman had not been their to pull her out of the car as it was falling off a bridge she would not have made it. It is not seen as a failing of him as a hero, or as someone to blame, but as part of that accident.

Bruce's has never had to have NDAs signed or even try to smooth things over with family members or the injured. The funds to help people with medical bills is not seen as a bribe to stay quiet. It is the silent understanding that the care is going to cost them a lot of money and they don't need to worry about that. That let them help with this so it is not a burden on them.

Clark is always careful and uses his powers as best he can, but he can't always be as gentle as he wishes he could and still rescue someone in time. Sometimes the choice he makes is to cause the least harm while saving them. It does not make it hurt less knowing that someone will have scars or life changing injuries from his rescue of them. No that always hurts. He always strives to learn to be better when it comes to rescuing people. Why he is always the first to sign up for rescue courses and lectures at the league.

What allows him to keep doing it and not freeze up when the time for those decisions are the letters. They are uncommon and often long after the event. Long letters that explain lots of things or ramble about nothing and everything. Small notes that are just a couple sentences. Some are types up and others hand written. Children tend to send him pictures drawn in colourful crayon or pencils. He even has a couple that included photos taken of them getting home for the first time after the hospital. All of them thanking him for helping them make it home to those they love.

Clark keeps it a not secret per say, but makes sure to not mention it to Bruce. As he just knows that if he were to mention how he checks in on as many of those he rescues it would drive him mad. Knowing him it would be seen as an undue risk to bring his identity to check in on them so much. That if it were to be noticed as a pattern that his enemies could use it against him. Yet he does his best to check in at lest once, if not in person then by going through records. He is just lucky that his job as a reporter means it is not seen as suspicious.

There’s a pretty high chance that Bruce secretly, under pain of death, pays for and conceals all of the people and innocent bystanders Clark accidentally injures or kills.

Because those super powers result in injuries and deaths, undoubtedly. Buildings topple and people are caught in blast waves. Clark’s laser eyes aren’t always accurate enough.

But he doesn’t know. Clark doesn’t know that Bruce quietly pays for rehab and funerals and long term care. Clark doesn’t know that the woman he saved last week suffered a fractured vertebrae because of how fast he pulled her out of that burning car. He doesn’t know that Bruce quietly paid for a million-dollar hospital stay because of her subsequent paralysis.

Bruce doesn’t tell Clark about them. He pays off bills and long term trust funds for patient care. He hides what he can from Clark because if Clark knew, he wouldn’t be able to go on being Superman.

And maybe, one day, when Bruce dies, he learns exactly what his best friend was doing, all these years. But at that point, there’s no Superman anyway. Not without Batman.