I don’t know whether Bruce just doesn’t know what to do with genuine courtesy or if it’s just an extension of him figuring out Clark
No worries, anon, that is pretty much the direction I had in mind - I don't imagine that many people tell Bruce Wayne "thank you" as sincerely as Clark, and probably he's also a little startled to have Clark call him "thoughtful" when he's mostly spent their dates hitting on Clark and being mildly annoying. :D
But I can’t help but wonder if tailoring the date more for Clark’s enjoyment is less a calculated move and more something else
:D It's Bruce, so probably both - I don't know if I'll get around to writing a companion piece in Bruce POV, but I imagine the line between "things he can plausibly do for Clark because they're fake dating" and "things he's wanted to do for Clark anyway" is getting blurry ... Which, yeah, totally also would apply to the kiss: on the one hand, he can absolutely come up with an objective rationale for why it's best to do it this way - and on the other hand that's the way he WANTS it to happen, not that he'll let on.
So basically your opinions are good and you should feel good. :D
/o\ Oh, thank you so much, anon - haha, I'm glad you liked the line about Clark's eyes (again, yeah, totally a thing Bruce is finally getting to say because he's "under cover"), and it has taken SO RIDICULOUSLY LONG to get to the kissing, I'm so grateful to hear it feels like it was worth it! \o/ I'm so very pleased you're still enjoying this, and, as always, so delighted to hear your thoughts! THANK YOU. ♥
Re: FILL: tell all the truth (but tell it slant); Bruce/Clark, fake dating (8/?)
No worries, anon, that is pretty much the direction I had in mind - I don't imagine that many people tell Bruce Wayne "thank you" as sincerely as Clark, and probably he's also a little startled to have Clark call him "thoughtful" when he's mostly spent their dates hitting on Clark and being mildly annoying. :D
But I can’t help but wonder if tailoring the date more for Clark’s enjoyment is less a calculated move and more something else
:D It's Bruce, so probably both - I don't know if I'll get around to writing a companion piece in Bruce POV, but I imagine the line between "things he can plausibly do for Clark because they're fake dating" and "things he's wanted to do for Clark anyway" is getting blurry ... Which, yeah, totally also would apply to the kiss: on the one hand, he can absolutely come up with an objective rationale for why it's best to do it this way - and on the other hand that's the way he WANTS it to happen, not that he'll let on.
So basically your opinions are good and you should feel good. :D
/o\ Oh, thank you so much, anon - haha, I'm glad you liked the line about Clark's eyes (again, yeah, totally a thing Bruce is finally getting to say because he's "under cover"), and it has taken SO RIDICULOUSLY LONG to get to the kissing, I'm so grateful to hear it feels like it was worth it! \o/ I'm so very pleased you're still enjoying this, and, as always, so delighted to hear your thoughts! THANK YOU. ♥