It's true: Bruce makes jokes on purpose. What a relief to find that out, way back, and not too soon. Those seconds of unbearable quiet, too, are simply leaned into, rather than using this moment to overthink anything—on Clark's part, anyway. Bruce could comfortably disengage from this moment if he really wanted to—and hopefully because he really wanted to fight crime, not not be made dinner.

But he 'says' alright, and Clark echoes it, but doesn't get up and scamper to the kitchen. He leans across the space he's already closed up and nudges a kiss against Bruce's mouth. Gentle but insistent, not quick to break immediately.