Wow very heavy and dark. This part was so painful to read. The angst and fear in Clark are so real you can taste them.

Oh, I'm glad! I find writing sorrowful things difficult, so this arc was both a challenge and a joy to write when it came easily (and a lot of this did, to my surprise).

Ra's would be happy to control Bruce--but if he feels he can't get through to him and he has a better option, his plans are flexible, like he always is. :)