It wasn't a tropical paradise, by any means.  Hell, it wasn't even that hot out, and Dick knew that if he opened his eyes, he'd see the visual reminders of his true location--a rooftop on the outskirts of Gotham City.  But it was *his* space, and he had declared the day a holiday of sorts.

 After a non-stop week of helping to fight a threat to the city, and with the bad guys finally behind bars, he had given himself the day off.  A sunny day was something he'd decided he shouldn't waste.

No criminals.  No costumes.  No company.

He grimaced at that.  Truthfully, he would have welcomed the presence of one person, but he was sure that would have ended up violating the last of his criteria for the day:

No criticism.

There had been enough of that recently.  Batman and Nightwing still clashed when it came to some specifics about crimefighting techniques.  At any rate, he probably couldn't have gotten Batman to join him anyway.  Bruce Wayne ran a corporation by day, and Batman protected the city by night...not room for much else.  Not that Bruce allowed anyway... one more thing they clashed about.

With a sigh, Dick stretched and turned over onto his back, trying to let go of all of that Bat-baggage and concentrate on relaxing.  The sun's rays were weak as they cut through the dreariness that always seemed to hover over Gotham, but he could still feel the heat, and he focused on that.  His only covering was a pair of clingy red Speedos, and he relished the warmth touching him all over his exposed skin.

Lying on a rooftop wasn't the same as tanning on a beach, but it was the best he could do, and he damned sure was going to enjoy it.  As he cleared his mind, he felt reckless, liberated, even aroused, spread out on his towel under the open skies.  He chuckled, thinking how Bruce would scowl at the very idea of it, and somehow that made him enjoy it all the more.

Despite instincts that had been honed by years of training, the sudden swish of air and subsequent thump of someone landing nearby caught him off guard.  He tensed, opening his eyes, readying himself to attack, then sighed and relaxed back onto his towel when he recognized his visitor.

"You're blocking my sun."

And indeed the large form did cast quite a shadow.  Dick could feel the difference in temperature as his legs were hidden from the incoming rays.  A minute later, the warmth returned as the shadow retreated.  He raised his head, cocking an eyebrow at the imposing figure, looking him up and down.

"Welcome to 'Grayson's Island'.  No costumed superheroes allowed."

"Are you all right?"

Dick huffed, sitting up angrily.  "Look, you don't need to check up on me.  Contrary to what *Batman* thinks, I can take care of myself.  And if you're here to tell me how I broke rules #13-17 of the Superhero Manual, save your breath.  I got that lecture already.  Now, if you don't mind, I want to be alone."

As a flash of hurt crossed Superman's face, Dick was reminded that none of this was the other man's fault.  He hung his head for a second, then looked up, mumbling guiltily, "Sorry, it's been a rough week."

"I heard...that's why I came by.  I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude.  And I hope you know that I wouldn't *lecture* you."

"I know, I know."  Dick smiled, relieved when he got a small smile in return.  "But I've seen you get in Batman's face about the way he does things."

"Yeah, well, Batman often brings out a more...aggressive side of me.  He seems to need confrontation to get the point."  Superman smiled wider at Dick's chuckle.  "But you and I have always been able to talk."

"I know, I know," Dick repeated.  "I apologize again, really."

"Apology accepted," Superman said.  "So... 'Grayson's Island', huh?"

Trying not to feel embarrassed, though he suddenly felt extremely exposed in his skimpy attire, Dick answered, "All it takes is a little imagination.  I'm taking a vacation day.  As long as the sun stays out, I'm going to enjoy it."

Superman watched him steadily, unreadable, then nodded.  "Fine.  As long as you're all right, I'll leave you to it."  He turned, moving towards the edge of the building, then stopped, turning back.  "How would you like to really take a vacation day?"

"What do you mean?"

"I could take you somewhere.  A place I know.  A *real* island."

Surprised, Dick asked, "You're going to take me to an island?"

With a shrug of broad shoulders, Superman answered, "If you're interested."

As if Dick even had to think about it.  "Let's go!  It's not like I get offers like that every day.  I'll just go change, and--"

"You don't need to change," Superman broke in, an amused look on his face, "it's not as if we're going to the airport.  And I think you're dressed appropriately for where we're headed."

Dick looked down at himself, still feeling a bit self-conscious about the small bathing suit, but then he took a deep breath imagining tropical breezes, sandy beaches, crystal blue waters...  "Right.  Okay.  I guess I'm ready then."

Superman stepped closer.  "Hold on tight."

With his towel in hand, Dick let Superman get him into position, and as instructed held on tight.  He laughed at the rush of taking off in flight, and held on tighter.

~~~~~

"Now, *this* is paradise," Dick said, taking in his surroundings, breathing deeply of the sweetly scented air as a warm breeze filtered through the lush foliage in the distance.  Just as he had imagined...*better* than he had imagined.  With a bob of his eyebrows and a grin in Superman's direction, he dropped his towel and took off running over fine, white sand and jumped into the sparkling, turquoise waters.  He propelled himself underwater for a minute, enjoying the feeling of being cocooned by warm wetness, but having no desire to expend energy swimming, he surfaced and waded back to the beach.

A few feet away, Superman stifled a gasp at the unadulterated masculine beauty of Dick rising from the sea, dripping wet in nothing but the brief red suit and heading slowly towards him, and he was unable to do anything about the flash of heat coloring his face and tightening his groin.  Cool droplets sprinkled over him when Dick came up shaking the excess water from his hair before collapsing onto his spread-out towel, and he wrestled with retaining his self-control.

"Now, *this* is a vacation."  A friendly grin.  "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

 "You know, although, technically, this isn't 'Grayson's Island', there's still the matter of a certain rule.  No costumes allowed."

"Yes, well, I'll leave you to your day off.  I'll return in time to get you back before night falls in Gotham."

"Wait, I didn't mean you had to go."

Lifting one corner of his mouth, Superman smiled.  "As you pointed out, I'm not exactly dressed for vacationing.  It seems I left my Bermuda shorts back in Metropolis."

"You don't need 'em.  I don't mind if you go...'native'."  Sensing the other man's hesitance, he added, "Come on, there's no need to be shy about *that* body.  If *I* had a bod like yours--"

"No, it's not that... not exactly."

"Hey, I can lose my suit," Dick teased, "just so you won't feel over-exposed."

Sure that he was only imagining the flirtatious tone, Superman ignored the remark.  Exposing his body was one thing, exposing his desire was quite another, and out of the question.  He cleared his throat, struggling for a way to get past the moment.  "If you've had enough sun for a while, I have something I think you'd like to see."  Turning away, he missed seeing the gleam in Dick's eye, and didn't realize how his statement had sounded.

As he stood, Dick thought that a super buff adopted alien farmboy who was obviously hung like a prize bull, no matter how he tried to hide it, definitely had a *lot* that was worth seeing.  The sand gave way to soft, damp grass, cushioning his feet as he hurried to catch up to where Superman was disappearing into some dense undergrowth.

~~~~~

"Now, this, this is *heaven*!"

Dick didn't try to contain his reaction to the place where Superman had led him -- a clearing that was partially shaded by floral-laden greenery, highlighted by a gentle waterfall that rained down into a sizable pool.  He couldn't resist immediately going to stand under the spray, drenching himself with water that felt much cooler than that off of the beach.

"You know," he said, once he had pushed the wet strands of his hair out of his eyes, and was floating lazily on his back in the pool, "I had a crush on you when I was a teenager."  Right before Dick's eyes, Superman's pleased expression changed into something almost blank in response to his words.  But he didn't let that stop him.  "Hero-worship is a given when you grow up surrounded by superheroes the way I did, but my fantasies about you... well, let's just say, they came as a surprise.  Took me a while to get used to that part of myself.  Hell, being a costumed crimefighter is hard enough to handle for a teen."

"Uh...Dick...you and I have a friendship that I value, and..."

"Don't worry.  I'm not going to suddenly attack you and start humping you or anything..."  Though it was subtle, Dick caught the effect his statement had on Superman's body.  "Unless..." his eyes raked over the sculpted physique, magnificently displayed in form-fitting fabric, "unless you want me to."  He stood, focusing on Superman's face.  "Do you want me to?"

The only answer was a drop of sweat that trickled down Superman's brow.  Just when the silence had stretched on long enough for Dick to think that maybe he should apologize for stepping out of bounds, it was finally broken by a deep, but quiet voice.

"What about Bruce?"

His mouth gaped open in shock and then snapped shut, before Dick managed to stutter out, "B...B...Bruce?"

Stepping forward, Superman said, "Am I wrong in thinking that you're...that you have certain feelings for him?"

Dick didn't even want to know what had brought Superman to that conclusion.  The last impression that he wanted to give was that he was sitting around making goo-goo eyes at Bruce Wayne.  He had been sure that his hidden feelings were...hidden.  "Bruce and I...  That's so complicated that it's not even worth discussing."

Superman moved a step closer.  "Maybe it's not as complicated as you think.  Maybe it's simply a matter of confronting him."

Dick chuckled, though it sounded brittle.  "I've tried that, and now maybe I'm *tired* of confrontations.  I think I'd like something more agreeable.  I'd like--" Dick stalled, taking one deep breath, "you."

Coughing a little, Superman sputtered, "Um, well..."

Holding up one hand, Dick halted Superman's words.  "Don't even think that you would be taking advantage of me and our relationship or that you would be coming between me and Bruce.  But, if you're not interested, it's okay--forget I ever said anything."

"I...  I..."

"Consider it exploring our friendship by mutual consent.  Simple and uncomplicated."

Maybe not so simple.  In his heart of hearts, Superman had to admit that he wanted more than just that, but he also knew about fantasies...about wanting the seemingly unattainable.  And to have it there just within arm's reach, well, even a super man couldn't resist taking what he could get.  As long as any pain from regret was his alone.  So, he nodded his assent, and stared as Dick stripped himself of the scrap of red fabric and left it to float in the water lapping around his legs.

"Undress."  The whisper touched Superman in places where he desperately wanted to feel Dick touch him, and in seconds he was naked.

When Dick beckoned, Clark Kent stepped into the pool.  Cool water from the waterfall splashed him from behind, but he was oblivious to everything but the heat of the young man in his arms, the sweet taste of a first kiss.

"I've dreamed about doing this before," Dick whispered.

And, he didn't make Clark guess what 'this' was, immediately kissing his way down the smooth skin until he was on his knees between Clark's massive thighs and facing a graphic indication that the nickname 'Man of Steel' hadn't been earned for nothing.

Even so, Dick realized that he could easily make the other man tremble with a lick here, a teasing touch there, with enthusiastic suction and a firm grasp.

"Dick..."

The rough tone made Dick's cock swell painfully, and he gasped as Clark pulled him to his feet.  When he was led back to lie down on the grass, he sighed, looking at the man standing over him--a symbol of strength and perfection.

"A costume is wasted on you.  One look at you like that and half the population of the world would probably just fall at your feet.  The other half, well, they're probably already there, you just haven't noticed."

"And you?"

"Me?  Obviously, I'm not immune.  I like you and I respect you, but clearly, I'm aroused as hell.  And...maybe just a little nervous about where you're going to put that thing."

"I won't do anything at all that you're not entirely comfortable with."

"Come down here."

Clark lowered himself to the ground, eyes bright with something that warmed Dick all over.  "You're beautiful."

Trying not to blush, Dick snorted, wishing he felt more in control.  "There must be something wrong with your super vision."

"I see just fine.  You're strong and good and determined and beautiful.  That's out there for anyone to see."

Pathetic, Dick felt, how badly he had needed to hear something like that.  Wonderful that Clark seemed to know the right things to say.  So much easier than with...

"What?  What is it?"

"Huh?" Dick responded, shaken from his thoughts.

"You were--"

"Shh...don't say it.  Just kiss me again."

The kiss was more forceful this time, coupled with them rolling around on the grass that crushed flat beneath their grappling.  Dick was almost violent in his passion, pushing the limits, biting, squeezing, trusting his partner not to hurt him as they rubbed against each other, finally giving in when Clark set a rhythm with his hips that Dick couldn't resist.  Pleasant friction heated their groins, and Dick moaned shamelessly, almost on the verge of begging to be allowed to come.  For too long his life had seemed like angst and anxiety, and the simple pleasure of release with someone who cared about him, saw him for what he wanted to be and not how he used to be, was intoxicating.

"Ah, ah, ah...*oh*..."  Dick came with a virtual explosion, throbbing as he let go, slicking the space between them.  He felt Clark go completely still, body so tense it seemed totally immovable.  Then, a blast of wet heat hit his stomach and Clark exhaled in a rush of air that sent icy fingers down Dick's spine.

When Clark rolled off of him, their legs still somewhat tangled, Dick lay there looking up at the blue, blue sky, thinking how far away Gotham seemed, but knowing that he could be returned to his clouded existence in a blink of an eye.

"I wish I could stay here forever."

"Do you really?"  Clark propped himself up on his elbows, evidently not modest at all about his blatantly naked, deliciously mussed and messy state.

Dick's eyes traveled the muscular form, lingering for a bit on the large, soft cock resting on Clark's thigh.  Clark's eyes never left Dick's face, and finally Dick turned his head from the intensity of the blue gaze.

"Well...maybe not forever..."

Maybe it would be nice to be able to stay there, but Dick realized that what he really wanted was to feel the way he did right at that moment when he was back home, in the real world, in costume.

"It's fine to take a break once in a while," he heard Clark say, "but you can't run--"

"You said no lectures."

"Don't consider it a lecture, consider it a discussion.  You're free to make whatever comments you choose."

"How about if I choose not to discuss it at all?  I'd rather just enjoy the rest of my day."

"Very well."

Clark rose and went over to rinse off under the spray of the waterfall.  Dick watched for a few pensive moments and then joined him, washing away the sticky remains of their lovemaking.

"Sorry."

"Don't be.  I'm not trying to interfere, but I do worry about you."

"I'm fine, really.  It was just a bad week."

"You can talk to me about him, you know.  I don't mind."

"*I* mind."  Dick turned his back, splashing out of the pool.

They dressed in silence, walked back to the beach with the quiet hanging heavily between them.

"Does he talk to you about *me*?" Dick finally asked.

"He has on occasion."

Dick resisted the urge to ask for details.  "And are you going to tell him about this?"

Superman actually looked scandalized.  "Is that what you want?"

"No, no I don't," Dick said, fighting a snicker.

"I don't think that's a conversation I'd want to have."

"You and me both."  He stepped closer to Superman, kissing the hard line of his jaw, moved his lips to Superman's ear, his face away from Superman's gaze.  "I did have feelings for him, but it was stupid...a kid's crush."

Superman's embrace tightened for a brief moment, then he pulled back, waiting until Dick's eyes met his.

"Okay, maybe it went beyond that, but it has nothing to do with this."

Nodding, Superman asked, "Ready to go?"

The trip back was over way too quickly for Dick.  Too soon, he was back on the rooftop, red Speedos and mussed hair, but he had to admit that he did feel better.

"What was that place?" he asked, then shook his head.  "Never mind, don't tell me.  But, can we go again?"

"Anytime," Superman answered with a bright smile, which suddenly faltered.  "We have company."

Seconds later, Batman dropped down on the roof, staring silently at them.

"Goodbye, Dick," Superman said, then with a nod, "Batman."  With that, he left, flying off into space.

Dick braced himself for a barrage of questions, felt his attitude building at what Batman must be thinking, and getting pissed at the idea of having to defend himself yet again.

But, Batman only asked, "Are you with me tonight...on patrol?"

Before answering, Dick raised his eyes to the sky, unconsciously looking in the direction that Superman had flown.  "Sure," he finally said, "let me change out of this."  He settled his anger around him, because it helped him fight the urge to explain what had happened that day, or apologize one more time for the night before.  "Be right back."

He relaxed as he headed for the stairs--the silence didn't seem at all hostile, just familiar, almost comforting.  And if Bruce didn't want to fight, he damn sure didn't want to either.  It didn't even matter that his 'vacation' was over.

But, he did plan on taking a trip to Metropolis in the near future.  And, maybe he'd even take his red Speedos with him.  Just in case.
 
 

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