Family Legacy by Mithen, General Audiences
Fandom: DC Comics
Pairing: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne
Length: 4,212 words
Author on LJ: mithen
Author Website: At AO3
Why this must be read: I love "what if?" stories. They're the whole point of fanfic, IMO, exloring what if this had happened instead of that, with an infinity of possibilities. One of the best things about comic books fandom is that you can pose questions like..."What if Thomas and Martha Wayne were driving through Kansas and discovered a spacecraft from Krypton?"
Apparently there was an actual Superman/Batman comic, #50, with that premise. I haven't read that, but would be very surprised if that version if anywhere near as satisfying as what Mithen does with the idea here. From Bruce stowing away in the car when Thomas sets out on his annual visit to Smallville, to how this knowledge of Clark is part of the fuel that drives him after parents are murdered, and to how Bruce finally does meet his alien brother--and then beyond that--this story is loaded with wonderful little moments.
The cave was nearly pitch-black when Clark returned to it. "Bruce?" he said softly. The crystal chimed as if in response to the word, sending a sharp gleam of jade light through the darkness. He raised his voice. "Bruce?" The crystal crooned echoes and glimmers of alien delight, but the cave was empty.
He found Bruce on top of the Manor, his back to a chimney, still wearing his overalls and staring out at the distant lights of Gotham. "I'm sorry," Bruce said without preamble as Clark landed beside him. His voice was brusque and businesslike.
His eyes were not.
"I don't always think about these things," he continued before Clark could say anything. "I've studied Kryptonian for so long that there are...things I can't say in English, that I can only express in Kryptonian. Important things. Things that--" He broke off as he noticed the green crystal Clark was holding out between them in his cupped hands. "What's that?"
Family Legacy
Pairing: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne
Length: 4,212 words
Author on LJ: mithen
Author Website: At AO3
Why this must be read: I love "what if?" stories. They're the whole point of fanfic, IMO, exloring what if this had happened instead of that, with an infinity of possibilities. One of the best things about comic books fandom is that you can pose questions like..."What if Thomas and Martha Wayne were driving through Kansas and discovered a spacecraft from Krypton?"
Apparently there was an actual Superman/Batman comic, #50, with that premise. I haven't read that, but would be very surprised if that version if anywhere near as satisfying as what Mithen does with the idea here. From Bruce stowing away in the car when Thomas sets out on his annual visit to Smallville, to how this knowledge of Clark is part of the fuel that drives him after parents are murdered, and to how Bruce finally does meet his alien brother--and then beyond that--this story is loaded with wonderful little moments.
The cave was nearly pitch-black when Clark returned to it. "Bruce?" he said softly. The crystal chimed as if in response to the word, sending a sharp gleam of jade light through the darkness. He raised his voice. "Bruce?" The crystal crooned echoes and glimmers of alien delight, but the cave was empty.
He found Bruce on top of the Manor, his back to a chimney, still wearing his overalls and staring out at the distant lights of Gotham. "I'm sorry," Bruce said without preamble as Clark landed beside him. His voice was brusque and businesslike.
His eyes were not.
"I don't always think about these things," he continued before Clark could say anything. "I've studied Kryptonian for so long that there are...things I can't say in English, that I can only express in Kryptonian. Important things. Things that--" He broke off as he noticed the green crystal Clark was holding out between them in his cupped hands. "What's that?"
Family Legacy