Superman shook his head. It was another failed mission. Another failed mission that had been assigned to the Batfamily. Batman may have nothing to do with his children's rebellious nature, but if he didn't clean up their act, there would have to be a pretty large execution. He walked to Batman's office, watching silently from the doorway. The office had always been plain and simple. It'll probably always be that way. There was a desk, a chair, a computer. All of it was black or gray.

Superman didn't bother making his presence known. He knew Batman knew he was there. Batman always knew. Whether he cared or not had always been a mystery to Superman. Finally, Superman walked in.

"Bruce," Superman started.

"I know." Batman didn't bother turning around. "I know." And of course, he knew.

"Then why aren't you doing anything?" Superman said, turning Batman's seat around. He was trying to force Batman to look at him, so Superman could see his expressions. So Superman could see if his face was telling the same thing as his heartbeat. To know if Bruce would lie to him. "We have to have the upper hand, Bruce--" Bruce's Heart skipped a beat.

"Don't call me that," Batman said.

Superman sighed. "Were friends, Bruce. I think it's about time we started calling each other by our real names." Superman had worked so hard,too hard, to gain the Bat's loyalty and trust. He couldn't lose it now. Not now that the world was safe. Not while it was under their command. It was theirs to do with as they please, and with everyone as their puppets they could keep them safe.

"That's not your decision to make, Superman." Batman tried to turn the chair back around, but Superman wouldn't let him. Yes, a year ago he would have let Bruce do as he pleased. Once, Superman viewed Bruce, a man playing a god's game, as noble. Honorable. Brave. Now he can see that all Bruce had been doing was hurting himself. He pranced around as Batman, and then at night when he was all alone in his cave, he'd peel off the mask and lick his hidden wounds better. Superman knew, though, that even when they did heal, each one left its own scar. To keep Bruce safe, Superman had to be the one in charge. He had to give him his limits, just like they've done for the rest of the world.

"Clark," Superman said. He took Bruce's chin in his hand, forcing Bruce to look at him. "Call me Clark."

Bruce fought back. Of course he fought back. So predictable. But he could hardly move with the iron grip Superman had on him. Superman could feel him shaking. He could hear Bruce's heartbeat quicken. Bruce was scared. Superman pressed his thumb further into Bruce's jaw, and could feel Bruce's struggle stop. His heart was still beating, but Bruce showed no external sign of discomfort or fear.

"Do it," Superman said. "It's not that hard. Do I have to spell it out for you, Bruce?"

Bruce grunted in disagreement, and Superman could feel a flash of anger. Superman tightened his grip, listening as Bruce took a quick intake of breath through his teeth. Superman hadn't been expecting that. Bruce didn't showed pain. Ever. Why'd he show him? Superman could only suppose that it makes sense. Why hide something from a being that'll see it anyway? 

Superman could hear Bruce's Jawbone start to crack under the small amount of pressure that he had put on it. Superman almost smiled. Humans. So Fragile. So soft and so breakable that they had to be saved from themselves.

"Say it," Superman hissed. He felt Bruce flinch; watched as he tried to even his breathing. Superman smiled. Bruce was trying so hard to be Batman in front of him. It would have been cute if it hadn't been so damn annoying. Bruce didn't realize just how much he was giving in, though. If Bruce wanted to be Batman in front of him, he would have pulled out his weapons by now. Superman hasn't restrained Bruce's hand at all, and yet they stayed on the arms of the chair, clutched shut as he tried to look anywhere but Superman.

"Say it."

He could feel Bruce's jaw try to move, and Superman loosened his grip just enough to let Bruce speak. Bruce licked his lips first, almost as if trying to delay, and then slowly stuttered out, "C-Clark." His heart skipped a beat.

"There we go," Superman said. And then slowly, he let go of Bruce and took a step back. His smile broadened, and he took a deep breath, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. He was enjoying the moment. "See? It's all about the upper hand. Now, I expect better results from your clan by the end of the month, Bruce. Otherwise they won't die very noble deaths. I highly doubt you want that."

When Superman looked back at Bruce, his chair was turned back around, fingers on the keyboard and eyes locked on the screen. The only acknowledgment Superman got was a grunt. Of course that was what he got. There was only so much that Bruce could do without Batman.

Superman walked to the door. "I'll see you later."