Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (42/42)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (42/42)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Dick, Alfred, Brendan
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark finally learns about his identity and heritage. Will that knowledge tear him and Bruce apart? Meanwhile, Rebellion and Abolition twist and turn in the pageantry of events.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Clark comes home. Will he stay?
Date Of Completion (First Draft): February 8, 2011
Date Of Posting: February 20, 2012
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1499
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
"Home is where the heart is."
Old Earth Proverb
19th Century C.E.
XLII
HOME
Bruce looked out the living room window.
“They’ll be here any time now.” Dick sat cross-legged on the couch.
Ironically Dick was the still one while Bruce had to keep moving. Morning sunlight streamed in, golden motes dancing in the beams.
“I know.” Bruce fretted. “Maybe I should have gone to the train station with Brendan.”
“You’ll have a much better reunion here away from prying eyes.”
Bruce stopped pacing and looked at Dick. “Since when did you get so smart?”
“I’ve always been smart.”
Bruce rolled his eyes while Dick laughed.
The sound of a car coming up the driveway caught their attention, and Dick hopped off the couch and ran over to the window. “It’s the limo!”
Dick raced out to the lobby with Bruce close behind. Alfred was already at the door and opened it.
“Hi, Alfred!” said Clark cheerfully.
“Welcome home, my boy.”
Clark hugged his friend as Brendan brought in his luggage. Dick got in his hug next, and then Bruce was there, almost hesitant, and Clark drew him into a hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Bruce held him tightly.
& & & & & &
While Alfred and Dick helped Clark unpack, Bruce paced in the library. While thrilled to have Clark back home, there was no guarantee that he would be staying permanently. When he had called to say that he was coming home, Clark had said that he wanted to explain face-to-face about his decision, but had not given a clue as to what it would be.
For the space of a moment, Bruce devoutly wished that he could order Clark to tell him, but he had let his lover take the lead on this one, so he would not interfere.
He wandered out to the hall, hearing voices drift down from the second floor. They were happy voices, for which Bruce was grateful. Sighing, he went back into the library and stood in front of the portrait of his parents, his younger self smiling out at him from the painting.
“If Clark decides he wants his old life back, I can’t stand in his way,” he said softly.
Laughter trilled down the stairs. If Clark left to remain on the farm or went to Metropolis, he would still have Dick with him with his light and laughter. And Alfred would be here, steady and capable and loving.
His heart still ached.
“Oh, good, you’re already here.” Bruce turned at the sound of Clark’s voice in the doorway. “Please have a seat, Bruce. Dick and Alfred will be in soon.”
“So I’ll need to sit down for this?” Bruce asked, trying to keep it light.
Clark merely smiled and Bruce sat on one end of the couch, deciding practicing some Bat-like stillness would be preferable to nervous pacing.
A few minutes later, Dick bounded into the room, followed by a more sedate Alfred. Dick sat next to Bruce while Alfred took the other end of the couch.
Clark smiled at them and began pacing back-and-forth. He seemed to be putting his thoughts in order. Finally he turned and faced his family.
Because we are his family, in every sense of the word, Bruce thought a little desperately.
“It was a difficult decision for me. I had all these new memories and my parents to process and there was my life as Clark Kent, one which had been hijacked when I tried to rescue my fellow Kryptonians on Beta Colony, and was captured by Gov forces.” He suppressed a shudder. “I ended up in the slavers’ hands with my memory and powers suppressed, and then Bruce bought me.” He smiled affectionately at his lover.
Bruce smiled back, his stomach churning. Clark resumed his pacing, his arms folded.
“Clark Kent is me, not just some persona I had to adopt when Mom and Dad found me. I had a real life, one that was a good one. And I had dreams and plans.”
He looked sad for a moment, the ache in Bruce’s chest increasing. He wanted to reach out and draw Clark to him but waited.
“I was learning more about my heritage and hoping to become a journalist. I even got an internship at The Daily Planet and was sending back travelogues from my Empire tour. Perry White, the Planet’s editor, said I had potential.”
Bruce bit his lip. His first instinct was to make sure that Clark could realize his dream. He could buy The Daily Planet as easily as buying a hot dog from a street vendor.
“The farm is where I get my strength, where I go for peace and serenity.” Clark smiled and Bruce felt his stomach constrict. “I thought of resuming my life and having Clark come back from space, but I also thought of my life here, the haven I found when I woke up with no memory.” He smiled gently. “Without you, I couldn’t have survived these last four years.”
While Dick beamed and Alfred smiled, Bruce blinked back tears. He smiled quickly, hoping that Clark wouldn’t notice.
Clark rubbed one of his slave bracelets. “If I stay here as your slave, I can keep close to so many things: the Abolitionist Movement, Bat-business, and most of all, my second family.”
Dick laughed. “That’s right, we are.”
“Do you mean you wish to stay?” Alfred asked.
Clark smiled. “I do.”
“Yes!” Dick jumped off the couch and hugged Clark, who happily returned the hug.
“Will you be coming to stay as Clark Kent?” Alfred asked.
“I thought about it, but I’ve been photographed pretty often and could be recognized. There are just too many complications if I come back as Clark Kent right now. Maybe someday.” He sighed wistfully. "Though I do wish I could have more opportunities to write." Bruce immediately started making plans in his head while Clark ruffled Dick’s hair. “Looks like you and Alfred and me are in the same boat for awhile.”
Dick grinned and Clark looked over at Bruce. “You still have my obedience, Master, but you won’t have to worry about me so much.”
“I’ll always worry about you.” Bruce stood and took Clark’s hand, drawing him close. “I’m glad you’re staying,” he whispered.
“How could I leave you?” Clark murmured.
Bruce felt nearly dizzy with relief. “Upstairs.”
Clark’s blue eyes sparkled. “Yes, Master.”
Dick and Alfred exchanged amused looks as Clark and Bruce left the library.
“Come on, lad, there are leaves to rake and work in the gardens.”
“Yes, sir!”
& & & & & &
Up in the master bedroom, Bruce felt he had to clarify the situation.
“You can still be Clark Kent.” He started unbuttoning Clark’s shirt.
“I know. Someday, Clark will be back. Just not right now.” Clark pulled his shirt out of his pants.
“Why?” Bruce slid the shirt off Clark.
“I just feel that the time’s not right.” Clark removed his shoes, laughing as Bruce gently pushed him back down on the bed, bouncing lightly. Bruce tugged down his pants. “Besides, I need to be where the action is.”
“Action, eh?” Bruce smirked as he removed Clark’s socks.
“Yeah, action. The superhero community, the Abolitionist Movement…it’s all happenin’ here.” Clark pushed down his boxers with a saucy wink, Bruce pulling them all the way off. “Legally, you can’t free me, but even if I decided to ignore that and come back here as Clark Kent, how would Dick and Alfred feel? They have no choice but to remain slaves.” Clark’s eyes were very blue. “No, I’ll be freed the same day they are.”
Bruce swallowed. He was very lucky, indeed. “You can stay close to the N.A.S. on the farm.”
“But the Batcave is here. And how can I join the caped community in Kansas?”
Bruce laughed as he pulled his own jersey over his head, ruffling his hair. He started removing his pants after kicking off his shoes.
“So, the caped community can’t exist in Kansas?” he teased.
“Smallville doesn’t need a superhero. They do pretty well on their own.” Clark’s expression softened. “It’s a place to rest and rejuvenate, to find my center.”
Bruce removed his final article of clothing and climbed up on the bed. “And what about Wayne Manor?”
“I fell in love here.” Clark’s smile was blinding. “I started my family here.” Love shone from his eyes as Bruce swallowed. Clark gently gripped his arm as Bruce straddled him. “It’s been my sanctuary in a world cruel and cold, when I was confused and hurting. I’ll never forget that.”
Bruce gazed down at Clark, his heart swelling with love. A cold, cruel Universe had taken away his first family and all sense of security, sending him into a tailspin that had eventually led him to Batman, but had also gifted him with a second family and the love of his life.
Bruce cupped one side of Clark’s face, leaning down.
“I love you.”
Clark smiled as he pulled Bruce down into a kiss.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
END of Arc The Eighth (Rainbow Prisms)
NEXT: Arc The Ninth (Justice)
And if you think it's going to be status quo, think again! ;)
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