Fic: The Speed of Life (Kon/Cassie, Clark/Lois)
Title: The Speed of Life
Author: milleniumrex
Fandom: DC Universe
Characters/Pairings: Kon-El/Cassie Sandsmark, Clark Kent/Lois Lane
Rating: PG
Words: 1539
Author's Notes: xenokattz wanted baby!fic. Her wish is my command. :D This is set a little bit in the future. Kon and Cassie got back together and had wild reunion-sex shortly after he came back, and Cassie wound up pregnant.
"Well, I hope you two are happy." Lois shook her head. "We're probably banned from the crib department."
Clark shrugged his shoulders. "I want my grandchild to be safe. I don't see what I did wrong."
"First up, your grandchild is going to be a quarter-Kryptonian, a quarter-God. I don't think it has to worry about crib safety. And second, I doubt all the mothers in that store appreciated you detailing all the safety hazards in those cribs."
"X-ray vision makes you see these things, Lois! That place was a deathtrap."
"Uh-huh. I'm sure it had nothing to do with you wanting to get out of there as soon as possible." Lois turned around and poked a finger at Kon. "And you."
"Me? What did I do?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cassie rolled her eyes, taking over for Lois. "It could be the fact that you disappeared in the middle of crib shopping, and it took us twenty minutes to find you in the power tools department."
"Hey, our kid is going to grow up, and he's going to want to play with power tools. I'm just forward thinking."
"You're impossible." Cassie groaned as they approached a bench. "Hold up. Pregnant girl needs to sit down."
Cassie eased herself down onto the bench and exhaled. "Is the air-conditioning broken? Malls are supposed to be air-conditioned, aren't they?"
"You're in your third trimester, kiddo. There's no air conditioning in the world strong enough." Lois smiled. "Why don't we take an ice cream break before we go shopping for some baby clothes?"
"Music to my ears."
"And you two..." Lois shook her head at Clark and Kon. "I can tell you're not going to be any use in Gymboree. Why don't you go find something to do and meet us back here in two hours?
Clark looked at his watch. "I have some business in the Fortress anyway. I should be back by then."
"Yeah, same for me. Well, in Smallville." Kon nodded.
Cassie waved to Kon as she and Lois walked over to Baskin-Robbins. Kon and Clark looked at each other.
"There's no business in Smallville, is there?"
"Nope. Anything going on at the Fortress?"
"Not unless you count itemizing some files." Clark said with a chuckle. "Which might still be preferable."
"Oh, man. Thank God I'm not the only one." Kon laughed. "I felt like they were speaking Cantonese the whole time! I don't know what a "Bugaboo" is! A "Swaddler" sounds like a low-end supervillain!"
"I never realized just how much out of my depth I'd be in this situation. I think I was very lucky that Chris came to us as a 6-year-old."
"And then aged another ten years!" Kon laughed. "Somehow, I don't think I'll have it that easy."
"It's never easy, Conner. Whether you're raising a baby, a six-year-old, or a teenage Kryptonian super-spy, it's far and away the most challenging thing you'll ever do." Clark said with a slight smirk. "I may be biased, but I think that last one tops it all. You try telling a kid who infiltrated another planet that he has to be in by 11."
"Oh, man." Kon put his hand on his forehead. "I'm doomed. Cassie's due in less than six weeks, and I have no clue how to be a father, do I?"
"No, probably not." Clark put a hand on Kon's shoulder. "But the good news is, no one does."
"Sage fatherly advice from Superman?" Kon laughed. "That's a new one."
"I probably deserved that." Clark nodded. "But I think it's time I fixed it. Come on. Let's get some corn dogs, and you can ask me anything you want. I might not be the best father in the world, but I can try."
"Dude, you had me at corn dogs."
-----
"This top cost more than my whole outfit, and the kid won't even know he or she's wearing it." Cassie stared at the designer baby clothes in shock. "There's something wrong about that."
"It's all a big racket, Cassie. These tops are status symbols for the parents, showing off that they have disposable income. Unfortunately, 'superhero' doesn't come with a paycheck, so you two will probably be shopping in the sales department."
"More like the dumpster behind it." Cassie sighed. "I really appreciate all the help you two are giving us, but I'm getting kind of freaked out. I mean, we're still in high school. I have no clue how we're going to make ends meet."
"Is your mom helping out at all?"
"She might...if we could get five minutes into a phone call without winding up screaming at each other."
"Yeah, you told me she didn't take it well. Things are still bad?"
"Pretty bad, yeah." Cassie sighed. "I mean, it could be worse. She's not disowning me or anything. She just really didn't want this for me, and she's upset. I think it's because she got pregnant young too, and she thinks it's the same situation. But it's not. She hooked up with a God on a sex tourism trip. I'm with the guy I want to spend my life with. This isn't a mistake. It's just...off schedule, I guess."
"Trust me - she'll come around as soon as there's a grandchild to visit." Lois smiled. "How are things between you and Conner?"
"Pretty good, most of the time. I just wish he'd take this a bit more seriously. It's hard to feel like I can freak out properly once in a while when I've always got to be the grownup in the relationship. I know Conner's young, but - "
"Oh, it won't change." Lois laughed. "Clark may seem like the face of reason and responsibility to the world, but as a father, he's the world's biggest kid. And I'm thinking on my feet most of the time. You can't prepare for parenthood beyond the material things. Every case is different. And you two are going to have both of us butting in whenever we think you need some help, so don't worry. You'll be fine."
Cassie nervously ran her fingers over her swollen belly. "So you don't think we're going to screw this kid up beyond all repair?"
"Kon came out great for being half-Luthor. You came out great for being the daughter of the divine equivalent of a frat boy. I think this kid's ahead of the curve."
Cassie smiled as she hugged Lois. "Thanks. I'd be totally freaking out if it wasn't for you."
"No problem. Just don't let the kid call me grandma. I'm only 30!"
"It'll be Aunt Lois." Cassie grinned. "How do you think the boys are making out?"
"Probably bonding awkwardly over corn dogs or something."
-----
"God bless Kryptonian constitutions." Kon said as he polished off his fifth corn dog.
"Just don't overdo it. Trust me - Kryptonian or not, I was plenty sick after my first Smallville state fair."
"So, the secret ingredient in fried dough...Kryptonite?"
"Maybe." Clark laughed. "So how are the fatherhood jitters doing?"
"A little better. I still don't think I'm going to have a clue."
"No one does, Conner. That's the thing to remember. Ma and Pa, as wonderful as they were, were hardly professionals. All we can do is use what we know and try to do the best we can. And most of all - learn from mistakes. And you'll make plenty. We all do."
"I'm getting an early start, I think." Kon sighed. "I think Cassie's pissed at me."
"Then here's what we're going to do. We're going to stop eating corn dogs, pay a visit to the Hallmark store, and you're going to get some practice in making up with the girl you love." Clark clapped a hand on Kon's back. "The one skill every family man needs most."
-----
Cassie saw the flowers and box of chocolate from across the floor, and raced over to where Kon was standing.
"Conner? What are these for?"
Kon shrugged, a sly grin on his face. "I was kind of a jerk earlier, so I wanted to make up for it. I figured we'd go out for dinner tonight too, if you're up to it. We might not get many chances after the baby gets here, so..."
"What happened to you?" Cassie grinned as she embraced Kon. "It's like a Stepford Boy replaced you."
"Least I can do, babe. Least I can do." Kon gave Cassie a passionate kiss as they hugged.
Lois watched this with a bemused expression and elbowed her husband. "You totally put him up to this."
"Walked him through the whole process, told him what to get, and what to say. He's learning."
"I think they'll be okay, don't you?"
"They love each other, and they've got family to help them through the rough spots. That's the most important thing."
Clark and Lois left and gave Kon and Cassie their privacy. Clark snuck a look back at the young couple. Being young and in love was exciting, but it was also scary. He wished them all the best, and he was happy to go home to his wife and family, grateful for the life they had and the unconventional family they had built.
Author: milleniumrex
Fandom: DC Universe
Characters/Pairings: Kon-El/Cassie Sandsmark, Clark Kent/Lois Lane
Rating: PG
Words: 1539
Author's Notes: xenokattz wanted baby!fic. Her wish is my command. :D This is set a little bit in the future. Kon and Cassie got back together and had wild reunion-sex shortly after he came back, and Cassie wound up pregnant.
"Well, I hope you two are happy." Lois shook her head. "We're probably banned from the crib department."
Clark shrugged his shoulders. "I want my grandchild to be safe. I don't see what I did wrong."
"First up, your grandchild is going to be a quarter-Kryptonian, a quarter-God. I don't think it has to worry about crib safety. And second, I doubt all the mothers in that store appreciated you detailing all the safety hazards in those cribs."
"X-ray vision makes you see these things, Lois! That place was a deathtrap."
"Uh-huh. I'm sure it had nothing to do with you wanting to get out of there as soon as possible." Lois turned around and poked a finger at Kon. "And you."
"Me? What did I do?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cassie rolled her eyes, taking over for Lois. "It could be the fact that you disappeared in the middle of crib shopping, and it took us twenty minutes to find you in the power tools department."
"Hey, our kid is going to grow up, and he's going to want to play with power tools. I'm just forward thinking."
"You're impossible." Cassie groaned as they approached a bench. "Hold up. Pregnant girl needs to sit down."
Cassie eased herself down onto the bench and exhaled. "Is the air-conditioning broken? Malls are supposed to be air-conditioned, aren't they?"
"You're in your third trimester, kiddo. There's no air conditioning in the world strong enough." Lois smiled. "Why don't we take an ice cream break before we go shopping for some baby clothes?"
"Music to my ears."
"And you two..." Lois shook her head at Clark and Kon. "I can tell you're not going to be any use in Gymboree. Why don't you go find something to do and meet us back here in two hours?
Clark looked at his watch. "I have some business in the Fortress anyway. I should be back by then."
"Yeah, same for me. Well, in Smallville." Kon nodded.
Cassie waved to Kon as she and Lois walked over to Baskin-Robbins. Kon and Clark looked at each other.
"There's no business in Smallville, is there?"
"Nope. Anything going on at the Fortress?"
"Not unless you count itemizing some files." Clark said with a chuckle. "Which might still be preferable."
"Oh, man. Thank God I'm not the only one." Kon laughed. "I felt like they were speaking Cantonese the whole time! I don't know what a "Bugaboo" is! A "Swaddler" sounds like a low-end supervillain!"
"I never realized just how much out of my depth I'd be in this situation. I think I was very lucky that Chris came to us as a 6-year-old."
"And then aged another ten years!" Kon laughed. "Somehow, I don't think I'll have it that easy."
"It's never easy, Conner. Whether you're raising a baby, a six-year-old, or a teenage Kryptonian super-spy, it's far and away the most challenging thing you'll ever do." Clark said with a slight smirk. "I may be biased, but I think that last one tops it all. You try telling a kid who infiltrated another planet that he has to be in by 11."
"Oh, man." Kon put his hand on his forehead. "I'm doomed. Cassie's due in less than six weeks, and I have no clue how to be a father, do I?"
"No, probably not." Clark put a hand on Kon's shoulder. "But the good news is, no one does."
"Sage fatherly advice from Superman?" Kon laughed. "That's a new one."
"I probably deserved that." Clark nodded. "But I think it's time I fixed it. Come on. Let's get some corn dogs, and you can ask me anything you want. I might not be the best father in the world, but I can try."
"Dude, you had me at corn dogs."
-----
"This top cost more than my whole outfit, and the kid won't even know he or she's wearing it." Cassie stared at the designer baby clothes in shock. "There's something wrong about that."
"It's all a big racket, Cassie. These tops are status symbols for the parents, showing off that they have disposable income. Unfortunately, 'superhero' doesn't come with a paycheck, so you two will probably be shopping in the sales department."
"More like the dumpster behind it." Cassie sighed. "I really appreciate all the help you two are giving us, but I'm getting kind of freaked out. I mean, we're still in high school. I have no clue how we're going to make ends meet."
"Is your mom helping out at all?"
"She might...if we could get five minutes into a phone call without winding up screaming at each other."
"Yeah, you told me she didn't take it well. Things are still bad?"
"Pretty bad, yeah." Cassie sighed. "I mean, it could be worse. She's not disowning me or anything. She just really didn't want this for me, and she's upset. I think it's because she got pregnant young too, and she thinks it's the same situation. But it's not. She hooked up with a God on a sex tourism trip. I'm with the guy I want to spend my life with. This isn't a mistake. It's just...off schedule, I guess."
"Trust me - she'll come around as soon as there's a grandchild to visit." Lois smiled. "How are things between you and Conner?"
"Pretty good, most of the time. I just wish he'd take this a bit more seriously. It's hard to feel like I can freak out properly once in a while when I've always got to be the grownup in the relationship. I know Conner's young, but - "
"Oh, it won't change." Lois laughed. "Clark may seem like the face of reason and responsibility to the world, but as a father, he's the world's biggest kid. And I'm thinking on my feet most of the time. You can't prepare for parenthood beyond the material things. Every case is different. And you two are going to have both of us butting in whenever we think you need some help, so don't worry. You'll be fine."
Cassie nervously ran her fingers over her swollen belly. "So you don't think we're going to screw this kid up beyond all repair?"
"Kon came out great for being half-Luthor. You came out great for being the daughter of the divine equivalent of a frat boy. I think this kid's ahead of the curve."
Cassie smiled as she hugged Lois. "Thanks. I'd be totally freaking out if it wasn't for you."
"No problem. Just don't let the kid call me grandma. I'm only 30!"
"It'll be Aunt Lois." Cassie grinned. "How do you think the boys are making out?"
"Probably bonding awkwardly over corn dogs or something."
-----
"God bless Kryptonian constitutions." Kon said as he polished off his fifth corn dog.
"Just don't overdo it. Trust me - Kryptonian or not, I was plenty sick after my first Smallville state fair."
"So, the secret ingredient in fried dough...Kryptonite?"
"Maybe." Clark laughed. "So how are the fatherhood jitters doing?"
"A little better. I still don't think I'm going to have a clue."
"No one does, Conner. That's the thing to remember. Ma and Pa, as wonderful as they were, were hardly professionals. All we can do is use what we know and try to do the best we can. And most of all - learn from mistakes. And you'll make plenty. We all do."
"I'm getting an early start, I think." Kon sighed. "I think Cassie's pissed at me."
"Then here's what we're going to do. We're going to stop eating corn dogs, pay a visit to the Hallmark store, and you're going to get some practice in making up with the girl you love." Clark clapped a hand on Kon's back. "The one skill every family man needs most."
-----
Cassie saw the flowers and box of chocolate from across the floor, and raced over to where Kon was standing.
"Conner? What are these for?"
Kon shrugged, a sly grin on his face. "I was kind of a jerk earlier, so I wanted to make up for it. I figured we'd go out for dinner tonight too, if you're up to it. We might not get many chances after the baby gets here, so..."
"What happened to you?" Cassie grinned as she embraced Kon. "It's like a Stepford Boy replaced you."
"Least I can do, babe. Least I can do." Kon gave Cassie a passionate kiss as they hugged.
Lois watched this with a bemused expression and elbowed her husband. "You totally put him up to this."
"Walked him through the whole process, told him what to get, and what to say. He's learning."
"I think they'll be okay, don't you?"
"They love each other, and they've got family to help them through the rough spots. That's the most important thing."
Clark and Lois left and gave Kon and Cassie their privacy. Clark snuck a look back at the young couple. Being young and in love was exciting, but it was also scary. He wished them all the best, and he was happy to go home to his wife and family, grateful for the life they had and the unconventional family they had built.