Conner Has Two Daddies (and a Robot Nanny) [14/??]
Conner Has Two Daddies (and a Robot Nanny)
Main Characters: Superboy/Conner, Booster Gold / Michael Jon Carter, Blue Beetle II / Ted Kord
Pairings: Booster/Ted
Rating: K+
Warnings: shameless WAFF and Boostle slash
Summary: Superman won't become a parent for Superboy, so when other heroes step up to take the responsibility, there aren't many objections. Well, other than the fact that the parents-to-be are Booster Gold and Blue Beetle.
Notes: For the YJ anon meme prompt: Superboy get somehow adopted/mentored by someone who is not Superman. Who then turns out to be TOTALLY AWESOME at being a parent/mentor. Happy fun adopted family times a must.
Original post here.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
When Clark entered the Justice League Headquarters on Monday, almost immediately after he had returned from his mission in space, he at first thought he had somehow managed to arrive back on an Earth different from his own. He suspected he had ended up in an alternative universe, or at a different point in time. This was mostly due to the completely different mood in the Justice League Watchtower in space.
There were no subtly disappointed or openly disapproving stares directed at him, no harsh voices whispering critique no one expected (or everyone counted on) him to hear. A thought passed in Clark’s mind that perhaps all everyone had needed to move past their issues had been some time without the target of their issues in constant sight.
However, Clark quickly realized that the attention he was receiving had not vanished anywhere. It was still there, only its tone had changed. People were acting nervous, almost jittery, and they avoided having any hushed conversations without a wall between them and Clark muffling their words. It was like they were hiding something from him.
Of course, to every rule there is an exception, and eventually Clark would hear what the fuss was about. Only, when he did come across the conversation that could answer his questions, he didn't recognize it as such at first. In fact, the only reason he'd been listening in on said conversation in the first place was because he'd recognized the voices and had expected the Leaguers in question to be more open about what had everyone so hesitant to talk to him.
"...sounded like a new kind of gay joke." Guy Gardner's voice had been the first one Clark had heard, and it was one easily recognized. "I told Ted as much, but then he threw this hissy fit over the phone and it just made me wonder if he was the mom."
"Guy..." Fire, Bea da Costa, groaned in trepidation. "Please, please tell me you didn't actually say that to him."
"Of course I did." Guy said it like it was only to be expected which, considering just what the Lantern was like, it actually was. "And then he hung up on me. Just like that."
"I called Ted to apologise for Guy," Ice, Tora Olafsdotter, piped in for her boyfriend. "I don't think he's still mad." The young woman paused hesitantly. "Do you think Ted and Booster want godparents for their son?"
Clark had been about to enter the cafeteria where the trio were having their discussion, but paused at the unexpected news. Ted and Booster, parents? It had never been a secret how close those two were, even before they had gotten involved, so their relationship taking such a turn towards serious was not completely unexpected. Clark decided he wanted to hear more; it was rare for heroes to talk about such pleasant things.
"I haven't even thought about that." There was laughter in Fire's voice. "I'm still reeling from them actually having a kid." The woman released a giggle. "Who in their right mind would give those two a kid to adopt?"
"I do believe it was Batman," Ice commented. It was usual for Ice to answer a rhetorical question with sincerity, so Clark knew he could trust her word. Why would Bruce be involved with Ted and Booster adopting a child? It all brought a foreboding feeling to Clark.
"There's a joke there, but I feel like it would be too easy a hit to make," Fire said with a chuckle. "But I wonder if Batman really has that sort of authority. It's not his clone those two are adopting."
Now Clark was seeing the full picture. Well, most of it. He would need to actually ask questions to find out the rest. He entered the cafeteria, the bright primary colours of his costume immediately drawing the attention of the only Leaguers in the cafeteria outside lunch hour.
"Excuse me," Clark started, his burning curiosity not hindering his natural tendency towards good manners. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."
Ice looked incredibly guilty, like she'd been caught doing something wrong, while Guy merely looked smug, as was usual. Fire's expression was a mixture of startled embarrassment and defiance for the sake of her friends. Clark kept his tone even, trying to avoid ruffling any feathers.
"I'd appreciate it if you could answer a few questions."
---
It shouldn't have been such a shock. The situation couldn't stay the way it had been for several months. And it was no wonder that things had changed without Clark knowing about it; he had been actively avoiding talking about Superboy and it was no secret that it was an uncomfortable topic for him. Of course the news would come as a surprise to him.
He didn't have a right to feel outraged or brushed aside. He was the one who'd started ignoring Superboy's existence; he was the one who had 'disowned' the boy, to borrow the term Fire had used for Clark's behaviour.
But he did have the right to feel betrayed. Bruce had not hesitated bringing up Superboy with Clark before. In fact, Bruce had been actively trying to get Clark to reconsider his opinion on the boy. And now, as soon as Clark's back was turned, he carted the clone off to someone else? Bruce just gave Superboy to the first willing parental figures to come along, without even mentioning it to Clark.
It felt like manipulation. Clark didn’t like to think of someone he considered a friend as capable of such underhanded methods, but Bruce was capable of using whatever advantage he could find. Because of this Clark could not overlook the possibility that this was all just a scheme to force Clark into action. But, one way or another, the solution would be to confront either Bruce or Booster and Ted.
As fate would have it, Booster was the only one of the three people in question at the Watchtower. So Clark went to seek the time-travelling hero out. And he did find him, in the middle of a conversation with Power Girl of all people. And Karen even seemed to be enjoying the other’s company, judging from her relaxed posture and easy smile as the two stood half-facing a window.
“You must be doing something right if he’s already made that much progress,” the woman was saying to Booster, who actually looked uncharacteristically bashful at the praise.
“Well, I did read up on the subject back in school, but four hundred years is a lot of time to lose information or to misinterpret facts.” Booster released a strained laugh. “I can’t be sure if it’s actually all wrong.”
“If it’s any consolation, I think you’re doing a splendid job.” Karen patted Booster’s arm with a hand and shot a look over the man’s shoulder, right at Clark. “Remember that.” She used that same hand to turn Booster so that the other hero could see Clark as well. “We can continue this later, okay?”
A short laugh bubbled forth from Booster’s mouth. “If I’m in any shape for it.” The blondes shared a smile before Karen left, and Clark covered the last metres to Booster.
“Booster, we need to talk.”
“Right, there was that space octopus-slash-squid thing at Metropolis while you were in space.” Booster was babbling, his speech gaining speed as he went on nervously even as he clearly tried for a flippant tone. “I took care of it. It was really friendly once I got it to stop tearing things apart. Maybe a bit too friendly if you catch my drift.”
“I heard about that; you handled the situation well, but this isn’t about that, Booster,” Clark said, somehow feeling like he was bullying the blond. “I need to talk to you about Superboy. What you’re doing with him.”
“Right.” Booster was standing incredibly still, his every muscle taunt like he was readying for battle. It was such a strange reaction to have to a conversation. “I figured as much. You have complaints?”
“Batman put you up to it, didn’t he?” Clark pressed on, figuring he might as well be quick and spare Booster any further anxiousness. “He knows we don’t always get along, so he figured I’d have to step in if you got inv-”
CRACK
There was a crackle like electricity, a clear sign of Booster’s enforced suit reacting to prevent injury, and a dull impact echoing in Clark’s brain when the artificially improved strength of Booster’s punch caused Clark’s head to jolt back at the force of the blow.
Clark hadn’t seen it coming. He never would have expected to be attacked by one of his allies on the Watchtower of all places. But the slow ache sinking into Clark’s chin was undeniable proof of Booster’s violent reaction and Clark merely blinked in startled silence at the other man.
“The world does not revolve around you!” Booster snapped heatedly, an angry flush rising up his neck and to his ears. “You know whose idea this whole deal was? Mine and Ted’s!” After the first shout Booster’s tone started to lower but none of the anger left his voice, creating a low threatening growl. “And you know what Batman said? He said: ‘If Superboy is fine with it’. And. He. Is.” Booster stepped closer to Clark, poking a finger at the ‘S’ on his chest. “We asked him if he wanted to be our son, and he said yes. So there.” With that Booster whirled around with an angry huff, directing his glare at the space beyond the window panel.
Several moments passed before the angry silence was broken by Clark’s hesitant mumble. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have just assumed...” He trailed off, watching as Booster took deep breaths to calm himself down.
“I shouldn’t have hit you,” Booster conceded, the closest he would probably get to apologising, and moved his hands so that his left one was cradling the right one. “And I’m not saying that just because of my bruised knuckles.”
Silence fell again, even more awkward than before, as Clark stared at Booster’s profile. Clark pressed on: “Why do you want to become Superboy’s guardian?”
There was something intense and fierce in Booster’s eyes when the blond turned to Clark, and for a moment Clark thought that Booster might try to hit him again. But then a melancholy shadow crept in and Booster spoke: “Is it really that hard to imagine me not having ulterior motives?”
Clark was caught between honesty and sparing Booster’s feelings. He aimed for a bit of both. “I’m not saying you aren’t a good person.”
Booster’s hummed, thoughtfully, and his gaze trailed off to the stars in the space for a moment before his eyes returned to Clark. “I do treat a lot things like business. I won’t deny that. I also won’t deny that I’ve screwed people over in the past.” Booster turned his body so he was leaning against the window, focusing completely on Clark. “But I’ve only ever messed with people who can handle it. I never get family involved. If I make a gamble, I only risk myself, not the people I care about.” Booster appreciated the worth of family, Clark knew that for a fact.
“Everyone's talking about it, but if you're not doing this for the attention,” Clark spoke, hurrying on when he saw the threatening flash in Booster’s eyes, “then I see no reason to tell you what you can or can’t do.”
“This was supposed to be a private affair, you know,” Booster told Clark gravelly. “But, you know Guy, can’t keep his mouth shut.” Booster stood up straight, pulling away from the window. “I’d actually prefer it if the entire League didn’t know. Family is supposed to be private.” The blond gave Clark a bemused look. “But that’s what you get when you get involved with Kryptonians. Suddenly it’s everyone’s business.”
“Sorry.” Clark wasn’t exactly sure what he was apologising for, but he felt like he owed Booster as much for hounding him like this. “I guess I really didn’t need to get involved here this time.”
“You won’t need to, period,” Booster spoke and there was determination in his voice that was as unyielding as steel and just as cold. The blond’s eyes reflected the same as he met Clark’s gaze head on. “This isn't really about you or me; it's about Conner, and I won't let anyone ruin it.”
Clark had heard and written several stories about parents like what Booster was shaping out to be, had seen the type that risked everything they had for their children, and he could now see that this had not happened suddenly while he had been gone. This had been building for a while for Booster to be this dedicated to Superboy, to ‘Conner’. He nodded his head once, acknowledging Booster’s intent and knowing no more words were necessary.
“Great.” Booster’s smile was as wide as it ever was, but his eyes still held that steely coldness before the blond moved to walk past Clark. “I’m glad we could reach an agreement, Clarkie-boy.” It was spoken nonchalantly, but the words still struck a chord inside Clark and the Kryptonian frowned after the blond until he turned a corner, out of sight.
---
Author’s Notes: Gah! I have such mixed feelings about this chapter! It’s important and I found myself really liking writing these two characters interacting, but I’m not sure if anything came on too strong here. Booster's reactions are all over the place, and I'm not sure if it accomplished what I wanted it to. I wanted Booster to come across as protective and defensive, and also scared. Because who would he expect people to side with if Clark suddenly decided to go for Conner's custody? So Booster actually was worried that someone else stepping in to parent Conner might get Clark to stake claim after all. But besides that worry I also thought it was in Booster's character to react strongly. I mean, Booster got pretty psychotic towards his teammates after Ted’s death; he does take the people he cares about seriously. And that’s basically why I spent so much attention to building Booster’s relation to Conner, to get that possessiveness out.
I also really didn’t want to make Clark look like a donkey, but then I realized that this situation, with these people involved, would make a misunderstanding easy. So Clark wasn’t really sure about Booster’s motives at all. Ted he trusts easily; he just focused on the ‘Booster Factor’ here.
Also, it has been my headcanon for ages that Booster knows practically everything about Superman and back in college wrote a term paper on him. I mean, he’s such a squealing fanboy when they first meet and then bam! Rivalry. Ha, comics…
Main Characters: Superboy/Conner, Booster Gold / Michael Jon Carter, Blue Beetle II / Ted Kord
Pairings: Booster/Ted
Rating: K+
Warnings: shameless WAFF and Boostle slash
Summary: Superman won't become a parent for Superboy, so when other heroes step up to take the responsibility, there aren't many objections. Well, other than the fact that the parents-to-be are Booster Gold and Blue Beetle.
Notes: For the YJ anon meme prompt: Superboy get somehow adopted/mentored by someone who is not Superman. Who then turns out to be TOTALLY AWESOME at being a parent/mentor. Happy fun adopted family times a must.
Original post here.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
When Clark entered the Justice League Headquarters on Monday, almost immediately after he had returned from his mission in space, he at first thought he had somehow managed to arrive back on an Earth different from his own. He suspected he had ended up in an alternative universe, or at a different point in time. This was mostly due to the completely different mood in the Justice League Watchtower in space.
There were no subtly disappointed or openly disapproving stares directed at him, no harsh voices whispering critique no one expected (or everyone counted on) him to hear. A thought passed in Clark’s mind that perhaps all everyone had needed to move past their issues had been some time without the target of their issues in constant sight.
However, Clark quickly realized that the attention he was receiving had not vanished anywhere. It was still there, only its tone had changed. People were acting nervous, almost jittery, and they avoided having any hushed conversations without a wall between them and Clark muffling their words. It was like they were hiding something from him.
Of course, to every rule there is an exception, and eventually Clark would hear what the fuss was about. Only, when he did come across the conversation that could answer his questions, he didn't recognize it as such at first. In fact, the only reason he'd been listening in on said conversation in the first place was because he'd recognized the voices and had expected the Leaguers in question to be more open about what had everyone so hesitant to talk to him.
"...sounded like a new kind of gay joke." Guy Gardner's voice had been the first one Clark had heard, and it was one easily recognized. "I told Ted as much, but then he threw this hissy fit over the phone and it just made me wonder if he was the mom."
"Guy..." Fire, Bea da Costa, groaned in trepidation. "Please, please tell me you didn't actually say that to him."
"Of course I did." Guy said it like it was only to be expected which, considering just what the Lantern was like, it actually was. "And then he hung up on me. Just like that."
"I called Ted to apologise for Guy," Ice, Tora Olafsdotter, piped in for her boyfriend. "I don't think he's still mad." The young woman paused hesitantly. "Do you think Ted and Booster want godparents for their son?"
Clark had been about to enter the cafeteria where the trio were having their discussion, but paused at the unexpected news. Ted and Booster, parents? It had never been a secret how close those two were, even before they had gotten involved, so their relationship taking such a turn towards serious was not completely unexpected. Clark decided he wanted to hear more; it was rare for heroes to talk about such pleasant things.
"I haven't even thought about that." There was laughter in Fire's voice. "I'm still reeling from them actually having a kid." The woman released a giggle. "Who in their right mind would give those two a kid to adopt?"
"I do believe it was Batman," Ice commented. It was usual for Ice to answer a rhetorical question with sincerity, so Clark knew he could trust her word. Why would Bruce be involved with Ted and Booster adopting a child? It all brought a foreboding feeling to Clark.
"There's a joke there, but I feel like it would be too easy a hit to make," Fire said with a chuckle. "But I wonder if Batman really has that sort of authority. It's not his clone those two are adopting."
Now Clark was seeing the full picture. Well, most of it. He would need to actually ask questions to find out the rest. He entered the cafeteria, the bright primary colours of his costume immediately drawing the attention of the only Leaguers in the cafeteria outside lunch hour.
"Excuse me," Clark started, his burning curiosity not hindering his natural tendency towards good manners. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."
Ice looked incredibly guilty, like she'd been caught doing something wrong, while Guy merely looked smug, as was usual. Fire's expression was a mixture of startled embarrassment and defiance for the sake of her friends. Clark kept his tone even, trying to avoid ruffling any feathers.
"I'd appreciate it if you could answer a few questions."
---
It shouldn't have been such a shock. The situation couldn't stay the way it had been for several months. And it was no wonder that things had changed without Clark knowing about it; he had been actively avoiding talking about Superboy and it was no secret that it was an uncomfortable topic for him. Of course the news would come as a surprise to him.
He didn't have a right to feel outraged or brushed aside. He was the one who'd started ignoring Superboy's existence; he was the one who had 'disowned' the boy, to borrow the term Fire had used for Clark's behaviour.
But he did have the right to feel betrayed. Bruce had not hesitated bringing up Superboy with Clark before. In fact, Bruce had been actively trying to get Clark to reconsider his opinion on the boy. And now, as soon as Clark's back was turned, he carted the clone off to someone else? Bruce just gave Superboy to the first willing parental figures to come along, without even mentioning it to Clark.
It felt like manipulation. Clark didn’t like to think of someone he considered a friend as capable of such underhanded methods, but Bruce was capable of using whatever advantage he could find. Because of this Clark could not overlook the possibility that this was all just a scheme to force Clark into action. But, one way or another, the solution would be to confront either Bruce or Booster and Ted.
As fate would have it, Booster was the only one of the three people in question at the Watchtower. So Clark went to seek the time-travelling hero out. And he did find him, in the middle of a conversation with Power Girl of all people. And Karen even seemed to be enjoying the other’s company, judging from her relaxed posture and easy smile as the two stood half-facing a window.
“You must be doing something right if he’s already made that much progress,” the woman was saying to Booster, who actually looked uncharacteristically bashful at the praise.
“Well, I did read up on the subject back in school, but four hundred years is a lot of time to lose information or to misinterpret facts.” Booster released a strained laugh. “I can’t be sure if it’s actually all wrong.”
“If it’s any consolation, I think you’re doing a splendid job.” Karen patted Booster’s arm with a hand and shot a look over the man’s shoulder, right at Clark. “Remember that.” She used that same hand to turn Booster so that the other hero could see Clark as well. “We can continue this later, okay?”
A short laugh bubbled forth from Booster’s mouth. “If I’m in any shape for it.” The blondes shared a smile before Karen left, and Clark covered the last metres to Booster.
“Booster, we need to talk.”
“Right, there was that space octopus-slash-squid thing at Metropolis while you were in space.” Booster was babbling, his speech gaining speed as he went on nervously even as he clearly tried for a flippant tone. “I took care of it. It was really friendly once I got it to stop tearing things apart. Maybe a bit too friendly if you catch my drift.”
“I heard about that; you handled the situation well, but this isn’t about that, Booster,” Clark said, somehow feeling like he was bullying the blond. “I need to talk to you about Superboy. What you’re doing with him.”
“Right.” Booster was standing incredibly still, his every muscle taunt like he was readying for battle. It was such a strange reaction to have to a conversation. “I figured as much. You have complaints?”
“Batman put you up to it, didn’t he?” Clark pressed on, figuring he might as well be quick and spare Booster any further anxiousness. “He knows we don’t always get along, so he figured I’d have to step in if you got inv-”
CRACK
There was a crackle like electricity, a clear sign of Booster’s enforced suit reacting to prevent injury, and a dull impact echoing in Clark’s brain when the artificially improved strength of Booster’s punch caused Clark’s head to jolt back at the force of the blow.
Clark hadn’t seen it coming. He never would have expected to be attacked by one of his allies on the Watchtower of all places. But the slow ache sinking into Clark’s chin was undeniable proof of Booster’s violent reaction and Clark merely blinked in startled silence at the other man.
“The world does not revolve around you!” Booster snapped heatedly, an angry flush rising up his neck and to his ears. “You know whose idea this whole deal was? Mine and Ted’s!” After the first shout Booster’s tone started to lower but none of the anger left his voice, creating a low threatening growl. “And you know what Batman said? He said: ‘If Superboy is fine with it’. And. He. Is.” Booster stepped closer to Clark, poking a finger at the ‘S’ on his chest. “We asked him if he wanted to be our son, and he said yes. So there.” With that Booster whirled around with an angry huff, directing his glare at the space beyond the window panel.
Several moments passed before the angry silence was broken by Clark’s hesitant mumble. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have just assumed...” He trailed off, watching as Booster took deep breaths to calm himself down.
“I shouldn’t have hit you,” Booster conceded, the closest he would probably get to apologising, and moved his hands so that his left one was cradling the right one. “And I’m not saying that just because of my bruised knuckles.”
Silence fell again, even more awkward than before, as Clark stared at Booster’s profile. Clark pressed on: “Why do you want to become Superboy’s guardian?”
There was something intense and fierce in Booster’s eyes when the blond turned to Clark, and for a moment Clark thought that Booster might try to hit him again. But then a melancholy shadow crept in and Booster spoke: “Is it really that hard to imagine me not having ulterior motives?”
Clark was caught between honesty and sparing Booster’s feelings. He aimed for a bit of both. “I’m not saying you aren’t a good person.”
Booster’s hummed, thoughtfully, and his gaze trailed off to the stars in the space for a moment before his eyes returned to Clark. “I do treat a lot things like business. I won’t deny that. I also won’t deny that I’ve screwed people over in the past.” Booster turned his body so he was leaning against the window, focusing completely on Clark. “But I’ve only ever messed with people who can handle it. I never get family involved. If I make a gamble, I only risk myself, not the people I care about.” Booster appreciated the worth of family, Clark knew that for a fact.
“Everyone's talking about it, but if you're not doing this for the attention,” Clark spoke, hurrying on when he saw the threatening flash in Booster’s eyes, “then I see no reason to tell you what you can or can’t do.”
“This was supposed to be a private affair, you know,” Booster told Clark gravelly. “But, you know Guy, can’t keep his mouth shut.” Booster stood up straight, pulling away from the window. “I’d actually prefer it if the entire League didn’t know. Family is supposed to be private.” The blond gave Clark a bemused look. “But that’s what you get when you get involved with Kryptonians. Suddenly it’s everyone’s business.”
“Sorry.” Clark wasn’t exactly sure what he was apologising for, but he felt like he owed Booster as much for hounding him like this. “I guess I really didn’t need to get involved here this time.”
“You won’t need to, period,” Booster spoke and there was determination in his voice that was as unyielding as steel and just as cold. The blond’s eyes reflected the same as he met Clark’s gaze head on. “This isn't really about you or me; it's about Conner, and I won't let anyone ruin it.”
Clark had heard and written several stories about parents like what Booster was shaping out to be, had seen the type that risked everything they had for their children, and he could now see that this had not happened suddenly while he had been gone. This had been building for a while for Booster to be this dedicated to Superboy, to ‘Conner’. He nodded his head once, acknowledging Booster’s intent and knowing no more words were necessary.
“Great.” Booster’s smile was as wide as it ever was, but his eyes still held that steely coldness before the blond moved to walk past Clark. “I’m glad we could reach an agreement, Clarkie-boy.” It was spoken nonchalantly, but the words still struck a chord inside Clark and the Kryptonian frowned after the blond until he turned a corner, out of sight.
---
Author’s Notes: Gah! I have such mixed feelings about this chapter! It’s important and I found myself really liking writing these two characters interacting, but I’m not sure if anything came on too strong here. Booster's reactions are all over the place, and I'm not sure if it accomplished what I wanted it to. I wanted Booster to come across as protective and defensive, and also scared. Because who would he expect people to side with if Clark suddenly decided to go for Conner's custody? So Booster actually was worried that someone else stepping in to parent Conner might get Clark to stake claim after all. But besides that worry I also thought it was in Booster's character to react strongly. I mean, Booster got pretty psychotic towards his teammates after Ted’s death; he does take the people he cares about seriously. And that’s basically why I spent so much attention to building Booster’s relation to Conner, to get that possessiveness out.
I also really didn’t want to make Clark look like a donkey, but then I realized that this situation, with these people involved, would make a misunderstanding easy. So Clark wasn’t really sure about Booster’s motives at all. Ted he trusts easily; he just focused on the ‘Booster Factor’ here.
Also, it has been my headcanon for ages that Booster knows practically everything about Superman and back in college wrote a term paper on him. I mean, he’s such a squealing fanboy when they first meet and then bam! Rivalry. Ha, comics…