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[girod]

You've reached Clark Kent. I'm not here right now, unfortunately. Please leave a message after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

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Comments

[knightbynight]

"I've been relying somewhat heavily on... contact free options, though that's become more complicated since Grayson left."

That is an aside, a bit, just information 'casually' tossed out - because he wants Clark to have it, not focus on it.

"I wish there was an easier answer. When additional requirements aren't imposed, it isn't an issue." Meaning they can just have sex.

[girod]

"Right," he agrees quickly enough. The same can be said of him.

There's also something to the fact that he's not considering too hard, namely that it seems less of a stretch, less... violating something in his marriage (separated or not) to be with Bruce than anyone else. Lois at least knows Bruce. He even thinks she might understand.

"But it's also not something that is... reliable. That it will always stay that way."

[knightbynight]

Bruce isn't speaking of Lois - hasn't since very early on - but he sure as hell has not forgotten her and still isn't comfortable with... much there. It's not active evasion, at least.

"No. I do think you need to address it. I think this may be a situation we simply need to get through, but that ultimately the more social and emotional connections you build, the less miserable the inevitable return to this will be."

Is he a jealous person? Yes -- sort of. But he's not married to Clark, there are all kinds of complications and most importantly--

sex and survival entwine here.

[girod]

He hates this.

He hates this mostly because he feels as if he's a burden on Bruce. That if he wasn't here, Bruce would probably have less trouble with this, one less person and their quota to concern himself with. The fact that they haven't even talked about-

"So that's me sorted, or at least we have a gameplan. What about you?"

[knightbynight]

he hates this mostly for Clark. He can put up with a lot of shit on his own, but he also knows without Clark he'd be taking a lot more damage, by choice.

"What about me in which regard?"

[girod]

Ah, the harder part.

"You mentioned you had concerns for yourself."

[knightbynight]

"Oh."

Oops.

"I have concerns about where I'll ultimately go for this. I may lean into the drugs and then sleep off the... after effects."

He doesn't even like being touched by most people anymore. Clark is different and he's gotten more comfortable there. The public/casual stuff? he's been getting slowly but steadily more averse and evasive the entire time.

[girod]

Not. Oops.

"Would my presence help with anything? Or would you prefer I do my best to... ignore it?"

He'll always know where Bruce is baring magic nonsense but-

[knightbynight]

"Is a third option a possibility?"

He sounds very casual. He's even drinking his coffee and leaned back again.

His pulse says he's nervous.

[girod]

"Of course," is addressed immediately, though he definitely turns his attention just a degree or two away, makes it slightly more casual, when he notices Bruce's pulse pop up.

No caveats. No concerns. If Bruce is bringing it to him, it's something he trusts him to consider.

[knightbynight]

Why is this still so hard.

If Clark wasn't this good at him, it would be almost impossible.

"Can you do after care without being the initial source of what caused the..." need, "desire for it?"