Bleak humor: if Luthor had been less heavy-handed, if Bruce had not been pushed to such an unhinged state, he may have actually managed to kill Superman himself. He's wildly dangerous when he's spinning out of control, but he's far more effective when he isn't. If he has a plan and he's clear-headed, no moment of weakness is going to interrupt him. He'll always want to get back to center, no matter how angry he is.

So thanks, Lex.

Bruce presses his thumb up against Clark's grip. Returning it while caged in. Looking at him finally, brown eyes tired, but unguarded. Sitting across from him at a small table in a food court at an aquarium. A small bird has landed on the lip of the koi pond, hoping for soggy pellets not yet vacuumed up by the koi.

"And here I thought," well, this is happening, apparently, "that would be boring."

Boring and about a lamp. You midwestern asshole, Clark.