Chapter Text
Clark disapproved. He disapproved so thoroughly he didn't quite know how to express it. Their line of work was morally dubious enough as it was without bringing children into the mix. Robin was bright, Robin was young, Robin was innocent. That was what bothered Clark the most. That Robin was innocent. He didn't deserve to be pulled into this world of theirs with its blood and its pain and its loss.
Gotham was always quite intimidating, even during the day when the tall gothic buildings cast long dark shadows that one could never truly leave. Clark had considered cornering Bruce while he was out on patrol but knew the other man would be far too stubborn on his own turf, on the dark and merciless Gotham streets. Superman was not commonly seen in Gotham and his presence would be noticed no matter how discrete he attempted to be. Bruce would not like that in the slightest. Despite the joy Clark got by causing Bruce irritation he knew that, in this situation, that was not the way to get his answers.
No, Clark had to confront the Batman in the light of day where he couldn’t hide in his shadows. This meant that Clark was wearing his suit. The plain, easily overlooked suit he wore to work over that of Superman's. The cape arranged around his stomach gave the impression of a slight gut and his glasses and hunched shoulders simply completed the disguise of a regular, if a little timid, reporter. Reporters were common in the Wayne Enterprises building and nobody looked twice at unassuming Clark Kent. To be honest, Clark was still shocked at how well the disguise worked.
The man at the front desk had taken his name and then handed him a visitors badge before directing him towards the elevator with instructions to go the thirty second floor. There was another desk waiting for him when the doors slid open. The woman seated there looked down her nose at him and wordlessly ushered him to sit in a waiting area to her left. There was a large opaque door opposite his chair and Clark didn't need x-ray vision to know that Bruce was behind it. He wondered how angry his friend would be.
The ding of the lift caught his attention. A small form rocketed out and bounded towards the woman at the desk. A smile tugged at her painted lips as the little boy, no more than nine or ten, clutched the edge of her desk. He was standing on the very tops of his toes, worn blue shoes scrabbling for purchase on the smooth wood. Clark recognised Richard Grayson from the papers. Anyone would. The boy looked a damn sight better now, Clark would admit. His picture in the Daily Planet had been pale, drawn and tear-streaked, clinging desperately to Bruce Wayne's hand as the man tried to shield him from the crowds. It had been a heart-wrenching sight.
This boy however was vibrant. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes bright and a smile seemed at home on his impish face. The woman seemed unable to ignore him as she had Clark, leaning towards the boy with an answering smile she seemed unable to repress. Soon enough the boy's ridiculously blue eyes had found Clark. Clark found himself sympathising with the secretary. His grin was infectious.
"Hello," Richard said happily, skipping across the room to him and holding out a hand to him. "I'm Dick."
Clark blinked once at the name. It was unusual for 'Richard' to be shortened to 'Dick' in these times but somehow Clark didn't think that many insults would pierce Dick's happy shell. "Clark," he replied, taking the boy's hand and feeling the hard callouses on his young skin.
"Why are you here?" Dick asked, hoisting himself up onto the chair beside Clark and folding his legs easily under himself. "Are you here to talk to Bruce?"
"Yes," Clark replied, feeling a little thrown. Dick Grayson was Robin, was he not? Clark didn't think that Bruce, despite all his failings, would let any student of his go without learning anything and everything Bruce could teach him. Including the identities of every hero and villain that Bruce knew. "I'm a reporter from Metropolis. I'm here to interview him."
"Wow," Dick said with wide eyes. "Metropolis. Have you ever met Superman?"
So Bruce had told him then. Dick's eyes were just the slightest bit too wide, his face too composed, his breathing too careful. The cheeky little- "I've run into him once or twice." Clark returned easily and Dick's mouth twitched.
"He can fly, you know." Dick told him in a loud whisper, leaning closer as though imparting some grave secret. "Do you 'reckon he ever gets airsick?"
Clark was saved answering by the door opening and Bruce Wayne's impressive frame filling the doorway. "Leave the poor man alone, Dick." he said with a small smile. "You'll frighten him away." he held out a hand for Clark to shake as he stood and Bruce grinned, showing too many teeth and with a dangerous glint in his eye. "We don't want that, do we?"
Dick snickered darting past Bruce into the office with a jaunty wave to the secretary. She seemed rather charmed. Bruce took a step back and to the side, holding out an arm to gesture Clark into the office. Perhaps, Clark allowed as he stepped carefully past Bruce and into the office, this hadn't been the best idea. Seeing that look on Bruce's face without the barrier of the white-eyed cowl was strangely more threatening. Maybe he should have taken his chances in a cape.