canon is dceu.

[administer]

I thought it might be that time again. Your persistence isn't too far off from the idea of clockwork.

Comments

[timore]

If you're strong enough, then they come back. Especially if it's around the time they think of you.

[administer]

I suppose old habits have always died hardest.

[timore]

Or not at all. You're here, and after how long? You must be cared for.

[administer]

There are others — alternative versions of myself: one way or another, we're called forward. Maybe not simultaneously, but frequently enough.

[ is that care? or means of escape? he imagines there's nothing about himself that puts him above the rest, allows him to be "cared for" more primarily than the others. ( the rest, they'd say the same. ) ]

[timore]

Why do you think that is?

[ as far as he is concerned, there is only one version of himself that is to be called on. not that he minds — he likes the attention, the doting. it's everything he wants it to be. ]

[administer]

Well, I imagine it has something to do with dumb luck. Whose, exactly, remains to be seen.

[ his, theirs, to be certain — it's a privacy of affairs. ]

[timore]

Fair enough. Sometimes all it takes is the right mood, the right mindset.

[ with luck there has to be chance. was he the lucky one? or was he the one called upon because of something certain? there are many explanations, all plain but withheld. ]

[administer]

It isn't always easy, but life rarely is.

[goldpants]

From what I've heard sounds like the two of you have that in common.

no, no, do-over. (hi!)

[administer]

A little of it tends to go a long way.

[ case in point: the birds of prey — don't think he doesn't know about that, miss lance. ]

surprise, bitch.

[spe]

I suppose that makes two of us. There is always a time, isn't there?

oh my god 😩

[administer]

And a place.

[ a thoughtful beat, an angled grin: well, look at you. ]

I just never thought it might be here.

[spe]

[ a smile, bright as the sun. hello, there. ]

It's out of our hands, isn't it? Giving up control is probably our biggest obstacle, but we can do that, can't we?

[administer]

[ a nod and bruce rubs two fingers across his chin in thought. the dry jump of his brows says it all. ]

Years of practice.

[spe]

[ tilt of the head, watching intently. he immediately knows what bruce is getting at. ]

Years and years — and it hasn't been so bad. Give it minute, and it'll steady itself out. What matters is that you're here.

[administer]

— I could say the same.

[ but he won't — not yet. ]

I have to admit, I'm surprised. [ soak it in. ] What changed?

[spe]

I suppose you could.

[ that's teasing. take it or leave it, but it does come with a smirk. ]

Are you? [ he adjusts his glasses, pushing them up his nose thoughtfully. ] I have a knack for showing up in unlikely situations. Maybe it was just time I did that.

[administer]

So, that's it.

[ there's doubt, but it comes by way of a wry amusement. ]

You just — showed up.

[spe]

Is that so hard to believe?

[ a laugh, one that's just above a whisper. ]

Maybe they figured that since you're here, it might be the perfect time to dust me off.

[administer]

I had it under control.

[ but did he? does he? ]

[spe]

Doesn't mean you still don't.

[ ah. there it is. not that clark is one to impose, but — ]

Maybe we've both got it.

[administer]

[ that was a test, clark. you passed. ]

You're still interested, then.

[ in working together. ]

[spe]

[ another pass with flying colors. it's almost as if clark knows bruce, and knows how he operates.

for the most part. ]

Of course. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't.

[ it can't be a partnership without two people, remember? ]

[administer]

[ a dangerous game. ]

As you've said, I'm not so sure we have a choice in the matter.

[ still, he's certain he wouldn't have it any other way. ]

It's good. That you're here.

[spe]

[ as all good games are. ]

I don't think we do. I also don't think we're meant any harm.

[ eyes meet eyes. it's clear that this is for the best. ]

It's good that we both are, Bruce. Together, I think we can do this.

[administer]

No. I don't think we are.

[ perhaps it is.

he's nothing if not true to form: ]

We'll see.

[spe]

[ clark purses his lips only to let them go. he glances off, then back to bruce, giving a nod of his chin. ]

That's all we can do, isn't it? Stick together.