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Bruce has always been… unconventional. He wasn't given a very good hand in the first place, with everything he's gone through it's no wonder he's a bit different. First of all he's huge, taller than most Alphas. And he's worked very hard to have the bulk and muscles he has, it's all also necessary for his mission. He’s also never been very… demure. The power and intelligence he possesses has always made him larger than life in a way most Alpha’s would not appreciate.
So while at times, he may look in the mirror and wish he was shorter and skinnier, he wouldn't actually do anything that could change that. Bruce’s body is also covered in scars, a natural casualty of his night job. He… struggles with that more, since his body isn't exactly a pretty sight. The billionaire’s scent is also rancid, all the grief and pain throughout his life has seemed to permanently change it. He hasn't even smelt it in years, cycling though different scent blocking technology and never letting a gland sit long enough for anything to seep through. Thankfully his face is decent enough, all symmetrical and fairly androgynous between Alpha and Omega.
Although sometimes it can sting, he's proud of the things he's done. If he changed anything, he wouldn't have his beautiful pups. And he would never have gotten the chance to truly meet his partner.
With the help of his amazing family, Bruce has been doing better about keeping healthier habits. Learning to take better care of himself, letting people in, and most importantly keeping communication/not hiding information. Him and the kids all had a sit down last year where everyone let their feelings out, to say it was one of the hardest days of his life is an understatement. There was a lot of yelling, crying, and in the end, understanding. For Bruce, he had to hear a lot about what his actions, or lack thereof, had deeply hurt his babies, something no parent wants. He also had to speak as well, he talked about not enjoying the children running off to different cities when they have fights and feeling frustrated when they expect him to do or know something without telling him and get mad when he doesn't.
One of the main things that came out of that exhausting day was that any secret Bruce had, was told. It was very taxing, some secrets had his pups screaming with rage, their scents spicy enough to make your eyes sting. Others had the pups cuddled around him, whines of sympathy filling the air. Bruce never knew which one would garner either reaction, making the whole ordeal very anxiety inducing. But in the end, he powered through it and his relationship with the kids is better for it. He's fumbled here and there but done his very best to be honest and forthcoming.
Bruce credits all the work his family has done together for the reason he and Clark started dating 3 months ago. He could hardly believe that the Alpha wanted him in such a way, thoughts of self doubt swimming in his head. But he learned from all the work he had done to improve himself and accepted the farmboys invitation to a date, and the rest was history. He won't lie and say that his body image issues haven't shown their face, late nights spent wondering if Clark would want a prettier omega. One who would actually be able to carry his children. Bruce, in theory could get pregnant, but with all the damage and stress done to his body over the years it would be a miracle. And Leslie said there was a high likelihood of miscarriage even if it was successful, a brutal hit to his self esteem.
But every day, Clark showed up. To be honest, not much has changed in their relationship other than kissing and holding hands. They haven't gotten to go any further yet, due to many end of world crises, family drama, and well.. Bruce being nervous. He's fooled around with people before, hell he has Damian. Though that was a lesson on just because the insides don't work right doesn't mean the outsides follow that logic. Besides that one area, Bruce has never felt happier, his kids are always coming by or calling him and he has such a wonderful boyfriend.
He should have known better to let his guard down.
It has been a day like any other, Bruce was lounging by the gardens simply because he could. The sun wasn't fully out, otherwise he would burn like the vampire he is. But it was bright, the gentle breeze was pleasant, and he was dozing off. A year ago, he wouldn't ever consider taking a lazy nap outside just because he could, but the kids are in the cave working away and had shooed the bat off. He'll go down in a bit to wrangle them upstairs, maybe they'll go out to a nice dinner.
Speak of the devil, he can hear several sets of foot falls coming. Ah good, the pups dragged themselves out. Though if the wind hadn't been dragging their scents away, he'd at least been given a heads up of what's to come. It's too late to run when the children come into his view, faces scrunched and red with anger, all directed at him. He sits up, but is unsure of what course of action to take.
“Pups? What is-”
“Don't,” Dick seethed, his mouth twisted into a snarl. Bruce flinched at the harsh tone, not even aware the boy's voice could sound like that. “After everything? All that work? For nothing! God Bruce, are we a joke to you?” He challenged, his chest heaving.
Bruce spluttered, completely caught off guard by these accusations. His mouth opens and closes several times, but he feels so overwhelmed. If he hadn't been relaxing, he doubts it would be this bad. The children don't give him time to give an answer either way.
“I'm not surprised, I knew you'd relapse eventually. Though, don't think this could count since you've been hiding this little number for a while, huh?” Jason fumed, his hands clenching and unclenching with unhidden rage. Hiding? What had he hidden? His mind was swimming, trying to look back but without any hint, he had no idea where to begin. Looking at his babies, he sees a range of emotions. Dick looks outraged, while Jason is livid. Tim and Cass, his only Omega children, are away from the group looking more hurt than angry. Duke and Stephanie are looking at him with annoyance and disappointment. And little Damian is seemingly indignant, his eyes as sharp as they were when he first arrived. What had he done? Where did he go wrong?
Dick moves to stand directly in his line of sight, bent forward to take up space. Bruce never thought his oldest son could look so… threatening towards him. Looking every bit the Alpha he is.
“I've known you for how long? And you hide this? Something so damn fundamental?” The romani boy- man. The romani man ranted. “Why Bruce? Why.”
“...Why what?” Bruce pleaded, if he knows maybe he can fix this.
“Why hide that you're an Omega?! Huh? Why don't you ever trust us with anything? Why, was- was it so you wouldn't be expected to be a mother? So when you fucked up you could just blame it on being a territorial Alpha?” Dick exploded, throwing his hands in the air.
Hide he was an Omega? He never hid that? Sure he wasn't traditional, he's never even worn a dress, they'd look ridiculous on him. But he's never tried to trick them. But again, before he can utter a word, Jason beat him to it.
“I mean I could understand keeping it from the public, more power to you. But really? Honestly I wish I'd never known, before you were just a dense father, now? Now I know you're a horrible mother. An awful Omega. You should have burned the papers if you didn't want anyone to find your little secret.” Jason sneered, having said his piece, his scent thick with an Alpha’s anger.
At that, all the children leave, going back up to the oppressing stature of the manor. Though Bruce can't see them very well due to the tears in his eyes. He feels like his heart has been gutted, smashed into pieces. Has he truly been that bad? So horrible at being an Omega that his own children didn't even realize.
He tries to think back, though it's difficult with the incoming panic attack. He's never made a nest, no one ever taught him. He doesn't purr, never soothing his pups with the vibrations. He doesn't scent mark them, never wanting to force them to carry his putrid smell. He never does anything a proper mother should do. It wasn't on purpose, he just doesn't know how. But that just means he doesn't know how to fix it.
Can he even? He's too soft to be an alpha, not soothing enough to be a beta, and he's never done anything an Omega does. He can't carry a baby, he can't make a nest, he can't be a good mother. Can he even call himself an omega? He's just a failure. He wants to rip his uterus out, shred his scent glands. He doesn't want to be anything.
The sun has begun to set when he finally ventures inside. The walls are void of light or laughter, he checks his phone and sees none of the children are on the grounds. A part of his heart breaks a little more. The trek up the grand staircase makes Bruce feel small, worthless. All the shadows of his home coming up to swallow him whole.
When he pushes open the door to his bedroom, he's greeted with the sight of his partner. The other man walks out of the bathroom, having just taken a shower. Bruce watches silently as the man gets dressed in some casual clothes. It's only when Clark turns around that his presence is noticed. The reporter lets out a soft sound, initially going to smile until he sees whatever expression is on Bruce's face.
“Sweetheart? What's wrong?” Clark coaxed, soft blue eyes filled with concern. All Bruce wants to do is rush into his arms, crying his heart out at all of these ugly feelings. His chest is tight with crushing agony, filling every inch inside of him. He needs someone to understand, to reassure him that it wasn't his fault. He’s not a bad mother, he's just different. Bruce can be a good Omega, he is wanted. The detective opens his mouth to retell the afternoon's events when.. A thought comes to him.
“...What's my designation, Clark?” Bruce queried, he has to know. He has to. He has all these heightened senses, and the kryptonian has always known Bruce like the back of his hand. He knows.
“Uhh.. ha.. um Alpha? I don't understand, why-what? What! Bruce?” Clark's confusion turns to panic at the devastation on his lover's face.
No, no no no no.
Did anyone know? Did he fail that spectacularly? This can't actually be happening, there has to be a joke here somewhere.
“That's.. I'm not- no. I-” Bruce blurts out, choppy breaths escaping him. What does he do in this situation?
“Oh! Oh B. I'm so so sorry I didn't know, I shouldn't have assumed. That was so rude of me.” Clark confessed. Ok, okay. It was just a misunderstanding. God, he had worked himself up so much. Bruce can't take much more of all this, just needing to sleep. He takes a step forward when Clark continues. “I’d never want to cause you any harm by misgendering you, I had no idea you were wanting to transition.”
What.
His eyes snap to meet his lover's gaze, dread meets worry. Transition? He… no. That's. In any other circumstance, he'd be happy to know Clark would support him though a process like that. But he isn't doing that. He doesn't know. No one knows. He's tricked everyone without ever even wanting to. He can't fix this.
“I’d like to be alone tonight, please.” Bruce whispers. His eyes cast down in shame. He hears Clark try to speak again but he says another plea. To be left alone, to wallow in his suffering in peace. He tried his best to let people in, but it's in his nature to keep those out. His own body is hostile to carrying life, why would he be any good at maintaining it. He doesn't know how long he stands there but when he looks up, his… Clark is gone.
Gone, like everyone else. Because Bruce pushed them all away.
—
Bruce has had depressive episodes in the past, he's no stranger to it. But this is an entirely new beast all together. He barely moves, just staring at a wall. He knows he's worrying Alfred greatly, the old beta fretting over him and his poor state. The butler is also likely shocked at the scent escaping Bruce, finally letting the blockers go since he was too tired to deal with them. He had maintained a small hope that maybe the scent had changed, that he could have this one thing to prove he was an Omega outside of his broken uterus. But no, it was as awful as it ever was.
He thinks it's been several days since the initial argument, but he doesn't really know. Or care. He won't answer his phone that's been going off periodically, he won't really eat anything either. He doesn't feel alive. Bruce knows he’s going to have to get up again eventually, to stop being so dramatic. He had been lying to himself for years that he was just different, but for all of his odd traits he at his core was an Omega. He took pride in having a big pack and saving lives. But it wasn't true, he wondered if he ever had a chance, if there were any latent omega instincts inside of him.
—
It is a week after the argument that Bruce sees his children, all of them. Any other day, he'd be ecstatic, but he knows better now. Rain pelts down on all the windows heavily, helping to create a dark atmosphere. He wants nothing more than to be a coward and hide away from the pending rage he will face, but his children have been hurt by him enough. As Bruce walks down the opulent staircase, simply wearing silk pajamas since he was too tired to truly dress, he can hear quiet murmurings in the dining hall.
Bruce allows himself a moment of hesitation before he marches to his execution.
All eyes are on him as he carefully walks to take his seat. The room is now so silent, you could hear a ghost whisper. The billionaire reverts back to his older instincts in his time of distress, his back is ramrod straight and gaze forward. He doesn't look at his children, in fear of offending them. He barely breathes.
Eventually, Alfred serves dinner, and it is the most awkward meal he's ever had. The room thick with tension, cold glances thrown his way every so often. Bruce's hands shook with nerves, wishing they would just yell at him already. Although he isn't quite sure he's strong enough for that, his weak heart is still bleeding. After picking at his food for god knows how long, the children decided to speak.
“Bruce. I really don't know where to begin.” Dick declared, not quite looking at him. “Disappointed is too small of a word for what I've felt for the last week. I'd understand if you wished to keep it a secret from the public, respect it even. But a detail so foundational, something of your very being? Kept from all of us? It is simply too much.”
His eldest son truly looks at him then, his sweet eyes now hardset. He looks every part a man of polite society, Dick had learned how to blend in with the sharks the best of all his pups. Bruce is hit with the realization that he truly is a grown man, no longer the precious boy he had taken in.
“Which is why, as a collective, we have decided that we are going to go no contact with you. Every time something like this happens, we argue, we don't talk, then we have to come to you and fix it. Maybe, if you spend some time alone, you'll change. Or maybe you won't. At this point I don't care.” Dick spat.
No.
No no no.
Anything but this, please. He'd been doing so well, and he didn't even really do this. The children stand like a mourning party, and start to head for the door. He has to try. He has to try.
“No, please. This isn-” Bruce tries to speak but is quickly cut off.
“NO! You can't keep getting away with this old man. You need to take accountability.” Jason seethed, his bulky frame blocking the main doorway. Bruce’s breath hitches as tears threaten his eyes, making him feel pathetic.
“I-I know, I do. I've made terrible mistakes in the past, things I can't take back. But this? This is-” interrupted again.
“Jesus fuck Bruce. Just let it go. I don't want to hear your excuses about why you hid your designation. Were you really that ashamed of it? Are you ashamed of me?” Tim accused, his scent painfully sharp. The boy has taken a defense posture, with Cass behind him. His baby girl, utterly betrayed by his apparent failure.
“No that's not it a-” again.
“You're not getting out of this wit-”
“I THOUGHT YOU KNEW!” Bruce bellowed, iron hot tears spilling from his eyes. He's choking on stolen breaths, but he needs to get this out. “I thought- I never hid it. I know now I'm not a good omega, a good m-mother, but I thought. You. I-” Bruce whined. He can't breathe, it's too cramped in this room. So he does the only thing he's ever been good at.
Run.
He goes through the back doorway, simply following his instincts. He hears no one following him. He runs through winding hallways and rooms until he finds himself outside the manor. Bruce spins circles until he sees it, the maze, his sanctuary. Something he's cultivated since he was a young child. He ignores the pouring rain as he runs to it, finding comfort in its complicated path. He twists and turns until he's not at the heart of the maze, but an offshoot near. One that has an angel statue at the dead end, once again, he relates to the sorrow etched into her marble face.
He curls at her feet, side pressed against the freezing stone. A low, crooning noise leaves him, a pack call for his pups and Alpha. When no one answers, he just sobs.
—
Clark has been beside himself with worry, but not understanding where he messed up. The look of devastation on his lover's face has been haunting his dreams. He's been replaying the last real conversation he had with the other man, sure, he's gotten some texts since then, he knows they aren't genuine.
It revolves around Bruce's designation, Clark is sure. Something in there is sensitive and hurting.
His love denied being an alpha, which already makes him feel awful. He completely assumed without confirming, he should know better. Clark has never learned the billionaire's scent, assuming the man was just private about that like he was with every other aspect of his life.
To be completely honest, Clark assumed that Bruce just didn't put any stock into designations. That he used blockers and suppressants to ignore his biology, while not the healthiest thing to do, it's not entirely uncommon. Some people that do such things to call themselves ‘made beta's’ which is ridiculous. It makes a beta be boiled down to someone without ruts or heats and neutral scents, but they're so much more. Omegas and Alphas can have their hormones and instincts make them unstable, causing drops.
A drop is an awful experience, at least according to those who have told Clark about it. It's like being incredibly sick, going through the worst heat/rut of your life, and every instinct you have gotten haywire. It can last from days to weeks depending on the severity, and it can be fatal for those with pre-existing conditions.
But in a proper pack, a beta's presence can help regulate hormones of others, and can spot a drop faster than any other designation. They're the glue for any family.
So when Bruce obviously had been in distress about his designation, Clark was taken aback. He really should have asked about it before starting to court the man, feeling like the biggest jerk in the world. Kal doesn't care what the other man’s second gender is, but it's apparently a sensitive topic.
Not an Alpha because he said no.
Not a beta because he wears scent blockers.
He didn't say anything about a transition, but he did ask Clark to leave then so likely no.
So then…
Oh.
OH!
Ma is going to kill him when she finds out about this. He's going to have to do some soul searching about why he never considered that his sweetheart could be an omega. It makes so much sense.
Bruce has always had this nurturing aura about him, any victims or children flocking to him even though his armor should scare them. He's also insanely beautiful, having an ethereal glow that's typically seen in Omega’s. He's also incredibly strong, being the head of the family, he's charged with protecting his pups. God he's the luckiest man in the world, with the most amazing mate one could ask for.
He needs to go find him and clear this up.
Thankfully there's a really gnarly storm going on, absolutely pouring rain and thunder cracks in the sky, so he isn't worried about someone seeing him leave in normal clothes.
He's quick to zip over to the manor since it's too early for the bat to be on patrol, and uses his key to get in. Clark is about to just run upstairs to the man's study or room when he comes to hear a frantic argument in the dining room or hall; rather, since it's such a big space. He walks over to the open door to see all of the children yelling at and over each other, Bruce nowhere in sight.
“It could just be a lie! Something to cover his ass?” Tim desperately guessed, pacing a hole into the hard wood a few steps away from the large oak table.
“But why would he say that? He ‘thought we knew’? That's too odd of a defense. I mean, what if he did? What if he genuinely thought we knew already?” Stephanie faltered, the young Alpha curled around Cass. Clark didn't know if she was trying to comfort the Omega or be comforted.
“... I do remember him calling himself my mother once. I thought he was joking or something, but I remember the look on his face. He looked… sad.” Jason remarked, sitting on the edge of the table, picking at his nails.
“He looked devastated earlier. I never thought I'd see him cry, let alone do that. He seems off, like something bad is going to happen.” Duke cautioned, the beta sitting in his usual seat with a furrowed brow.
“I do not believe Fathe-... Mother.. I don't think he was lying. His distress was real.” Little Damian spoke, sitting in a seat closest to Dick, who was at the head of the table. The eldest Alpha of the children, was standing with his arms wide on the table and head hanging low.
“If he really wasn't lying, and… he thought we knew. If he wasn't hiding at all. That means, after 15 years and 7 kids, no one picked up on it,” Dick commanded, his voice low. He won't look up at his siblings, trying to untangle his own complicated feelings. “Somewhere in him being… unconventional and all of us making an assumption without fact checking, this fact had slipped through the cracks. Maybe.. that's why our pack has always been rocky, because we deeply misunderstood our foundational pack member. We've never bonded with him as an Omega.”
The room fell quiet at that, everyone looking back on their own memories and recontextualizing them. Every instance that was brushed off as Bruce just being weird now makes sense. His insistence that they all stay in one room, his own broken way of a nest. Him always giving his clothes to the kids, an instinct for scent bonds. His hovering, simply him trying to sooth his worrying nature. Everything makes more sense.
Clark knew that whatever argument that happened did not bode well for them. No one knew? No one? Bruce may seem odd about certain things, and he may hide if he thinks it's for the best. But this? Clark knows that this wasn't intentional. His idea of what is and isn't obvious can be skewed from other persons perspectives. He may have said something or did something that in Bruce’s own mind made it obvious. After a lifetime of the lies and deceit Bruce has dealt with, the man doesn't know what transparency looks like.
“Where did he go?” Clark questioned. The room jumped, finally noticing his presence. There was some sputtering, each trying to talk over each other. But Dick finally looked up and simply pointed to the other exit. Clark threw his hearing out and listened for that familiar beat. What he found was a concerningly fast and irregular beat somewhere outside in the back.
He quickly leaves, winding through balls and following the path of open doors until he gets to the beautiful French doors that lead to the backyard. They are still open, the entry way is wet with rain. Not good.
He follows his hearing to a maze, one he knows Bruce is fond of. But even with his hearing the maze is challenging. With all the layers of vegetation, he is struggling to see through it to find a body. But when he finally gets to the center of the maze, Bruce isn't there. Confused, he looks around until there's a heaving sob to his left. Clark walks over, peering behind the wall of shrubbery to see-
Bruce.
Curled into himself, and tucked into a pocket where an angelic statue and the wall of green meet. It's hard due to the heavy rain, but he can tell Bruce's scent patches are off and looking around he can see the transparent gel blockers laying on the grass. But what's most concerning is three things:
One, Bruce is utterly soaked. All his clothes, rather his pajamas are sticking to his body, and he’s shivering horrifically.
Two, his scent is screaming distressed Omega. All Clark can smell now is help-hurt-pups-pack-help and every instinct Clark has is losing it.
Three, blood. Bruce is frantically clawing at his own scent glands, absolutely mauling them.
Bruce was dropping and hard. Clark had to navigate this very carefully otherwise he could make everything worse.
He quickly releases his own scent to say pack-imhere-safe-alpha-safe, and lets out a few low pack calls. If he can get the Omega to come to him, this whole process will be much easier.
Bruce's hands stop their assault, and he catches a glimpse of those sad eyes. Clark can tell he's on the verge, either going to tip down and drop further or he'll go into a submissive state if he feels safe enough. He's still crying very hard, how long has he been out here?
“Hi sugar. My sweet Omega, don't you wanna come here? Let me take care of you, beautiful.” Clark cooed, getting one his knees. He keeps his arms outstretched to his sides and bares his throat, needing to look non threatening. The man before him tries to smell the air between cries, gaging if he is safe.
It takes a while, but with more pack calls and soft words, the omega unfurls himself from his corner. Oh so slowly he crawls to where Clark is, still sobbing and hesitant. Like he desperately wants to believe Clark is true to his word but has been hurt so many times in the past. He pauses right before he touches the Kryptonian, looking deep into his eyes. Clark can see all the sorrow and agony clear as day, and he wonders what Bruce sees.
Whatever he does see must be good enough because he gently crawls into Clark's lap, pushing his nose under his chin as an act of submission. As beautiful as the action is, he wishes it was given freely rather than in a time of desperation. The reporter doesn't hesitate to wrap him in his arms and start to carry him inside. The omega was still crying, though not as hard, and let out soft whimpers. He's fully gone into a submissive state.
When he gets back to the dining room the children are still arguing, but quickly shut up at the sight of their mother. Bruce tries to mumble something that resembles ‘puppies’ but still way too out of it. Clark is glad they're still here, he will need them.
“One of you go down to grab a medkit, Tim and Cass? Please go make a family nest. One of you go get some snacks and someone set up a quiet movie, nothing violent.. now!” Clark declared, watching the pups sound off one who's doing what and scrambling to follow his orders. Clark slowly brought Bruce to the family room and sat on the couch until a nest could be made.
The room was controlled chaos, people coming in and out to grab things and coordinate. Alfred comes by with Jason who had the medkit, and he starts to tend to Bruce's wounds. Thankfully he didn't do any serious damage, but they will have to watch for infections.
Duke and Dick bring the food out, popcorn, candy, fruits, some charcuterie snacks, even some hard boiled eggs. A good variety for the whole family.
Tim and Cass bring in heaps full of blankets, clothes, and pillows. Clark doubts anyone's bed has its linen anymore, all being repurposed for this objective. It’s mesmerizing to watch the two Omegas weave and twist all the fabrics into a strong structure. Big enough to fit the entire family, and sound enough to support them all.
Damian, the only unpresented pup, is searching through the family's DVD collection until he decides that The Last Mimzy is the way to go.
Clark makes his way to the nest, and leans down outside of it. He needs to let Bruce inspect the nest to decide if he accepts it or not. The bat is still hiccuping and shivering but he isn't actively freaking out. He shakily touches the walls of the nest, smelling it, and looking at it entirely. While Bruce is debating, Alfred quietly hands Clark some clean pajamas for Bruce, which he nods in appreciation.
Thankfully, Bruce accepts the nest with no fuss, not even shuffling things around. He crawls into it and takes his place at the center, still shivering. He looks around hazily, seeing who all is here. When his eyes land on Clark, the Omega makes a sweet call. Accepting Clark as the Alpha of the pack, at least temporarily. With a flush to his cheeks, he makes sure his shoes are off and gets situated inside. Though before the pups can get in, Clark quickly changes Bruce into the dry clothes. Everyone in this family has seen each other in compromising positions so no one is weirded out, simply waiting patiently.
As Clark and Bruce are in their respective places, Bruce starts to call the pups in. Damian is squished into Bruce's side, curling around his stomach with Dick at his back also having his arms around Bruce. Cass is laying her head on the Omega's stomach, purring. Tim and Stephanie are tucked into Clark's side. Jason, shockingly, lays his head down on Clark's thigh, accepting his position as pack Alpha. He truly has come so far. And sweet Duke seems to flounder, still feeling insecure in his position in the pack. But Clark gets him tucked in between himself and Bruce.
The entire room was a loud chorus of purrs, soft scents, and smiles.
—
Bruce woke up very slowly, not really wanting to leave his slumber. His entire body is aching, feeling like he got hit by a bus. His neck hurt the absolute most, a pulsing pain that's driving him up the wall.
He cracks his eyes open after feeling a soft commotion going on around him, though it takes a couple of tries with the morning light coming into the… family room? The first thing he truly notices is how warm he is, easing his tender body. As his eyes adjust, he realizes the warmth is coming from bodies. Damian is tucked into his stomach, little arms wrapped around him tightly. Jason is behind him, snoring softly as the boy nudges closer. And Bruce is laying atop Clark, who when he looks up, is looking at him with so much love.
“Morning sugar. How ya feelin’?” Clark coaxed, brushing a large hand though Bruce's messy hair. He sighed at the feeling, nesting into the hand. The lazy affection is making his head spin. There's a very sweet, pleasant scent coming from someone.
“Mhm.. like I fell off a cliff. What happened?”
“You dropped sweetheart, it was pretty rough. No permanent injuries. But the Doctor has diagnosed you with needing extra cuddles all day, so you're stuck here.” Clark chuckled, trying to keep the mood light for as long as he can.
He dropped.
That's bad.
That's very very bad.
He hasn't done that since Jay, he had been doing so well.
Bruce looks around to notice all of the children are still in the nest, spread out and seemingly were previously doing something but stopped once he woke up. They look like they're waiting. For what? For him to break again? For him to fail?
He tucks his head in Clark's neck, hiding in shame. This is mortifying. He was the Batman but he couldn't control his damn emotions, freaking out over nothing. He's the one who failed as an Omega.
Bruce can feel his pups all clamor over each other to get close to the Omega, soft puppy whines and purrs filling the room. A tear slides down his cheek, everything still too raw to confront. He wants to run, to hide, but he thinks if he leaves this nest he will die.
He thinks he's whining, on any other day he would never let himself even think of doing something like that, but he's so tired. His body hurts and he has all of his babies around him.
After a while, he's able to calm down, leaving his hiding spot. Bruce thinks he should say something, to soothe their worries but he doesn't know what to say. ‘Sorry I freaked, I'm all good now. Please don't leave me.’ But thankfully, he doesn't have a chance to start the conversation.
“Bruce? Hey. I'm… I’m so sorry. For not giving you a chance. For making an assumption. For not realizing this entire time you were an Omega. I'm sorry.” Tim cried, his scent pushing sorry-pack-hurt-mommy-love-sorry.
Bruce let out a keening whine, the pups shouldn't be upset. It's his own damn fault this happened, if he had just been a good Omega thi-
“No! No Bru- Mom. Mommy please. There's nothing wrong with you.” Dick sniveled. Oh he said that part out loud, he must really be out of it. “You don't need to fit into a box for us to acknowledge you properly, we could have at least asked.”
Bruce was torn between comforting his pup, ensuring that they knew it wasn't their fault and it was just complicated, and feeling just a bit vindicated. He knows he's had problems in the past but he's been doing so well on fixing those, and this came out of left field.
“You told us in your own way. Honestly looking back, If you were hiding your second gender, you would have never just put it in an unlocked medical file. We jumped to conclusions.” Jason lamented, picking at his nails. A nervous habit that he could never drop.
He looked at all of his kids, curled around him and Clark. Damian has his head pressed to his chest, he must have woken up with all the commotion. Dick, Tim, and Cass all looked at him with tearful expressions. Jason looked like he wanted to crawl out of his skin, while Stephanie looked like she'd never leave his side again. And sweet Duke had a gnarly furrow in his brow, guilt seemed to be coming off him in waves.
“...I ...I knew something was wrong. When we- well, we confronted you.. last night. I didn't recognize the signs of a drop. I'm sorry.” Duke spoke mournfully, worrying his lip.
How was he so blessed with these kids? Many very grown people would never admit to making any kind of mistakes, but his babies? He's so lucky.
“It was all a bunch of miscommunications, between all of us I suppose. Being in a better headspace these last few months, I can think of a few instances where I wanted to do things a.. traditional omega would do but didn't because I made myself believe that you all wouldn't accept it. Or I would hurt you if I did.” Bruce admitted, if his babies could be so open, so could he.
“Like making nests or scent bonds. Though I have a horrible scent so that was for the best.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
A look of confusion spread across everyone's face and some sniffed the air. He felt Clark's nose press against his scent glands, making him shiver. Not now.
“Your scent is fine B? Actually I really like it. You smell like a rainstorm and honey. It's unique!” Stephanie told him cheerfully. A chorus of agreement was let out and Bruce felt Clark.. kiss his neck. Not now. He brought a wrist up to his nose and.. he was shocked to find out they were right. The sickly scent of grief and mourning wasn't there anymore.
“Sugar, you are perfect just the way you are. There is gonna be some adjusting in the coming weeks but that's all fine. But we all love you, so much.” Clark expressed a soft smile lighting up his handsome features. Bruce's face burnt up immediately, this was all a lot to process for him. He was struck with a pang of longing, to do an action that before yesterday he would never consider. But maybe… he can.
Bruce hesitantly brought his nose to the underside of Clark's chin, rubbing the skin underneath his jaw. A very affectionate and very Omega thing to do but it felt right. And the purr that came from Clark and the coo's (and gags) that came from the pups told him it was the right choice.
He was loved.
He was always going to be unconventional, and that's okay.
He will always be loved.