The Protector

Charles buried his face in Clark's neck, playing with the curls ag the back of his neck.

"I love you."

"I'm sorry I wasn't more help before. And taking over for that week." Charles never wanted Clark to mistrust him, and never wanted Bruce to hate him.

"Maybe?" Hard to say with Bruce. He was weird.

"Let's try it."

"I know that." Charles is more than aware that Clark is the best of the best, but Bruce has... problems.

"Just remind him. Even when you don't have to."

eye-to-eye on this.

Bruce just needs reassurance that he is loved and Clark isn't going anywhere or leaving him. Like their mother and father had, even if it wasn't their fault.

There's so much more to the story, to what happened to them, but Charles isn't ready to divulge all that on Clark at once, and some of it should come from Bruce.

"Sweet, sweet Clark." Charles loves him even more. As long as they were both ready to protect Bruce and their family, they could see-

around.

"Clark, listen to me." Charles is the most serious he's likely ever been with Clark, always willing to lighten the mood a little bit, so his dangerous nature isn't so obvious.

"We need you. You are everything good in this world, and we love you."

for.

"The mob, my vendetta is personal. But I never should have agreed to let you help me with that. Not ever. That's our vengeance, not yours."

Charles soothes a hand over Clark's head, over his dark hair, kissing his forehead. He should be protecting Bruce and Clark now, not the other way-

They've lived a life of turmoil and pain from such a young age, always searching for the bit of peace that's never been quite in reach. Bruce vowed to stop people like that, never to let other children go through such horrid things, at least not in his city.

He got much more than they bargained-

she had been distracted, and it wasn't enough. Bruce ran off, right into Joe Chill, mom and dad ran to catch up, only to catch bullets. Bruce has always taken it to heart that if he hadn't gotten upset and wanted more attention, they'd be alive."

Lawyers and police wouldn't let our parents pay it at first. So, we suffered for it. A lot." He clears his throat, sighing. He wouldn't get into the details.

"Three years later, they were murdered. Bruce always had our mother's attention, always, ever since they got us back, but that night

when he feels vulnerable or needs more attention."

Charles knows Bruce has never shared the story of their kidnapping and ransom, the reason Charles and Blue had ever come to be to start.

"Did you know we were taken at five years old? Taken by people who wanted money. A lot of money.

"I'm not saying you did." Charles isn't doing a great job of explaining, but that's more of Bruce's thing anyway.

"He knows you do. We all do. But listen to me..." Charles faces Clark and holds his face with both hands, forcing him to look at him.

"Bruce is unshakeable and he will never tell you

"I think a schedule can be made, maybe. And you have to stop feeling guilty and just show Bruce you still love him. I think that's the main issue."

"We're all human, Clark." Charles shows disregard often, but he's more insightful than he seems.

He's aware of what he does, but he'll admit to going too far.

"Love and respect go a long way. We all need to learn that, I think."

Charles sighs. That does make it difficult.

"I get it. How can write help with that?" He'll write this down later for Bruce.

Oh. Sweet boy. Charles loves how naive he is. He is pure and wonderful.

"For one... stop running away from sex. You're freaking him out." It had been better, from what he's seen, but things could happen.

"Especially after I've been here. Dont do that." He gives Clark a smile.

"Oh, and don't lie."

Charles doesnt worry so much about time. His job is to protect the system, to protect Bruce. He failed.

Bruce was insecure and Charles hadnt helped.

"I don't need reassuring, Clark. I know my worth with you."

"So much for that board?" Charles smiles sadly.

"How can we? What would br easier for you?"

Charles cants his head at Clark, sad to see him in such turmoil over them.

"Equal?"

Charles sighs. He's had a lot of time to think about all of this.

"I made you a promise, though, and I broke it." Mainly because he didn't want Clark involved in any of that.

That's what Jake was for.

"You didn't do anythin'." Charles did. He made choices that Clark found out about.

Unfortunately.

"Which part?"

It's a weird thing to think about if you don't have the problem. He and Blue sit around, it's a lot of that.

A lot of self reflection.

Bruce being exhausted? This might be it.

He sits next to Clark, sure they're about to have this conversation.

"So..."

"Where do you think I go?" Not like there's a shopping mall in Bruce's mind palace.

"I'm here until you tell me to go."

As long as Bruce knew his prolonged stay was wanted, then Charles nodded his agreement.

"I'm yours then."

"You do?" He's apprehensive to agree, but doesn't stop hugging Clark.

"... are you sure?" Charles doesn't want Clark to think he would stick around too long.

"I don't wanna cause trouble."

"Maybe." He doesnt want Clark to get the wrong idea, that he is taking too much of Bruce's time.

"It's all good. I'm happy to see you. I was just checkin on the twins." He hardly sees them awake these days.

"Yeah. Didn't expect you to say hi or anything." He knows he's been avoiding Clark.

But he hugs Clark tightly.