Ficlet: Irreversible Effects | DCU | Clark/Bruce | PG | 1/1
Because I still needed to write *something*... O_O
Title: Irreversible Effects
Fandom: DCU
Pairing: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne
Rating: PG
Word Count: 427
Prompt: For dcu_freeforall: T05; P04 - Gold (kryptonite)
Summary: Bruce and Clark wake to face a terrible new day.
Disclaimer: DC and WB own it. I own nothing. Darnit.
Author's Note: Yup, bad day = angst fic. :/
Irreversible Effects
Setting the breakfast tray down on the night table, Bruce gazed at his lover, still sleeping, the sun caressing his features in a thin stripe from between heavy curtains. He would let Clark rest a while longer, considering the fitful night he'd had. Sweat-drenching nightmares and tossing and turning; Bruce was sure he hadn't managed more than a few hours of shut-eye in the midst of it. Really, it was a miracle Clark had finally drifted off to a more peaceful slumber at all. Considering.
Considering.
Gently, he brushed the hair back from his lover's forehead, smiling sadly at him, then rose to open the curtains completely. Morning light flooded the room, falling on Clark's form as a heavenly aura. The god of the day calling to his son and offering his healing touch. Beautiful, otherworldly.
And all for nothing.
The heaviness of reality sunk to the pit of Bruce's stomach like a boulder as he sat on the bed beside Clark and brought up his feet to stretch out beside him. Propping himself up on an elbow, he watched, dreading the moment he would have to refresh Clark's memory of the night before. The horrible chance encounter and its far-reaching consequences.
As it turned out, he didn't have to wait long, and he was both grateful and sorrowful when Clark stirred and awoke, blinking lazily into the sunlight. "Morning," he greeted him quietly. "How are you feeling?"
Clark blinked a few more times, looking at Bruce, then rasped, "Like Doomsday hit me."
"I'm sorry. Do... what do you remember?"
"I..." More heavy blinking, and Clark shook his head minutely, letting out a heavy breath. "Most of it. Enough." The last word was a whisper.
Bruce closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing the lump in his throat, then leaned over and kissed his lover on the forehead. "I'm so very sorry, Clark."
"I know." Clark brought his weakened arms up to encircle Bruce and hold him as tight as he could manage. It wasn't enough, and he couldn't suppress the whimper that escaped him, even as Bruce pulled him up to a sitting position and held on in return, making up for the weakness. "Tell me it's gone," he managed through unshed tears.
"Destroyed," Bruce grated, unable to conceal his anger any more than Clark could hide his frustration. "Shot into the sun."
Clark nodded, and they fell silent, clinging to one another in mutual, searing grief, thoughts of the terrible future circling them like starving vultures. Thanks to a single exposure to the last piece of gold kryptonite on Earth, Superman was no more.
* * * * *
Title: Irreversible Effects
Fandom: DCU
Pairing: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne
Rating: PG
Word Count: 427
Prompt: For dcu_freeforall: T05; P04 - Gold (kryptonite)
Summary: Bruce and Clark wake to face a terrible new day.
Disclaimer: DC and WB own it. I own nothing. Darnit.
Author's Note: Yup, bad day = angst fic. :/
Irreversible Effects
Setting the breakfast tray down on the night table, Bruce gazed at his lover, still sleeping, the sun caressing his features in a thin stripe from between heavy curtains. He would let Clark rest a while longer, considering the fitful night he'd had. Sweat-drenching nightmares and tossing and turning; Bruce was sure he hadn't managed more than a few hours of shut-eye in the midst of it. Really, it was a miracle Clark had finally drifted off to a more peaceful slumber at all. Considering.
Considering.
Gently, he brushed the hair back from his lover's forehead, smiling sadly at him, then rose to open the curtains completely. Morning light flooded the room, falling on Clark's form as a heavenly aura. The god of the day calling to his son and offering his healing touch. Beautiful, otherworldly.
And all for nothing.
The heaviness of reality sunk to the pit of Bruce's stomach like a boulder as he sat on the bed beside Clark and brought up his feet to stretch out beside him. Propping himself up on an elbow, he watched, dreading the moment he would have to refresh Clark's memory of the night before. The horrible chance encounter and its far-reaching consequences.
As it turned out, he didn't have to wait long, and he was both grateful and sorrowful when Clark stirred and awoke, blinking lazily into the sunlight. "Morning," he greeted him quietly. "How are you feeling?"
Clark blinked a few more times, looking at Bruce, then rasped, "Like Doomsday hit me."
"I'm sorry. Do... what do you remember?"
"I..." More heavy blinking, and Clark shook his head minutely, letting out a heavy breath. "Most of it. Enough." The last word was a whisper.
Bruce closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing the lump in his throat, then leaned over and kissed his lover on the forehead. "I'm so very sorry, Clark."
"I know." Clark brought his weakened arms up to encircle Bruce and hold him as tight as he could manage. It wasn't enough, and he couldn't suppress the whimper that escaped him, even as Bruce pulled him up to a sitting position and held on in return, making up for the weakness. "Tell me it's gone," he managed through unshed tears.
"Destroyed," Bruce grated, unable to conceal his anger any more than Clark could hide his frustration. "Shot into the sun."
Clark nodded, and they fell silent, clinging to one another in mutual, searing grief, thoughts of the terrible future circling them like starving vultures. Thanks to a single exposure to the last piece of gold kryptonite on Earth, Superman was no more.
* * * * *