Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (11/54)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Hal/Steve/Diana, Dick, Alfred, Lex/Jamie, Dinah/Ollie, Roy, Melody
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. New superheroes appear on the scene as the Abolitionist Movement gathers strength. Meanwhile, Lex gets his heart’s desire while long-held secrets begin to spill out of the Manor. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The entire series can be found
here.Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Hal and Steve bring Diana to Wayne Manor for Halloween Week.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): September 9, 2009
Date Of Posting: December 16, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1025
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Written for my
2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
"There’s nothing quite like the light in the Mediterranean, especially off the coast of Greece."
Professor Lewis Lang
"Offerings To Athena And Apollo"
2240 C.E.
XI
GRECIAN LIGHT
Bruce shook Diana’s hand, cataloguing everything about her.
She was as tall as Steve and Hal, her lovely face framed by dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Fashionable glasses accentuated intensely-blue eyes as she smiled sweetly at him.
“So this is the young woman who saved our Steve.”
Her grip was firm as she laughed musically. “A deed I am happy to have done.”
She was wearing a saffron-colored peasant blouse and pumpkin-colored skirt, a long necklace of flat orange stones adorning the blouse.
“Nice autumnal colors.”
“Thank you, Lord Wayne.”
“Bruce, please.”
“Bruce.”
Dick came forward to pick up the bags, Bruce resting a hand on his shoulder. “My Squire, Richard.”
Dick beamed up at Diana, who smiled at him. “What a beautiful sparkling child!” Dick blushed but his smile grew even brighter, if that was possible.
“I agree,” Bruce said as he squeezed Dick’s shoulder. Hal and Steve smiled, too.
“May I also introduce Alfred, my butler, and majordomo of my Household.”
Alfred bowed. “Welcome to Wayne Manor, Ms. Prince.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
“And this is my Prize.”
Clark came forward, dark glasses on but with a shy smile. He bowed his head respectfully.
“Hello, katare.”
Clark raised his head in surprise. “Thank you, m’lady.”
Bruce looked approvingly at her use of the Rigellian term.
“This way, lady and gentlemen,” Alfred said, heading for the elevator. Hal, Steve, and Diana followed, Dick bringing up the rear. Clark picked up the remaining luggage and hurried to catch up.
Bruce kept his eyes on Diana. She was already very important to Hal and Steve.
They had requested only one bedroom.
Amused and pleased for his friends, Bruce headed for the library.
& & & & & &
Diana looked over the guest room. “Impressive.”
“Well, it is a Prince’s castle,” Steve said with a grin.
“Ah, yes.”
Hal and Steve were unpacking their suitcases, and Diana opened her bag.
“Bruce would be happy to give you a tour,” Hal said.
“I might request that.”
“Feel at home?” Steve asked.
She laughed. “A woman’s home is her castle.”
“Ha, ha.”
& & & & & &
The Queen Family arrived, Lex and Jamie with them. They had met at the train station and piled into the limousine sent by Bruce.
After settling in, Bruce and his guests were seated in the library, enjoying tea and Alfred’s homemade pumpkin muffins. Jamie, Roy, and Melody were in the kitchen with Clark, Dick and Alfred.
“You have a lovely home here, Bruce,” Diana said.
“Thank you. It’s been the ancestral manse for a long time. Generations, in fact, starting before the Revolution.”
“Ah, yes, the old buildings are best.”
Bruce smiled. “You’re a history buff?”
“Yes.”
Hal and Steve carefully hid their amusement.
“Any particular period?”
“The Ancient World is of particular interest to me.”
“Ah, yes, you’re from Greece, so you must have plenty of opportunity to study the era with all the ruins and such.”
“It is the best way. It impresses me to see the longevity of such treasures as the Parthenon and Acropolis.”
Bruce sipped his Earl Grey tea. “Outstanding architecture.”
“Quite so.”
“So you rescued Steve?” Dinah asked.
“Yes,” Diana smiled. She rested a hand on Steve’s, her blue eyes sparkling. He smiled back, squeezing her hand. “He fell from the sky and into my life.”
“How romantic!” Dinah’s eyes sparkled.
Steve blushed and Hal clapped him on the shoulder.
“I was lucky. Without Diana, I wouldn’t have made it.”
“It was Destiny,” Diana said firmly.
“Are you a believer in mystical fate?” Bruce asked curiously.
“Oh, yes.”
“What about free will?”
“Free will is still ours. We still make our choices, but who we meet along our journey is often Destined.”
“That’s an interesting view.”
“Well, my family has learned this philosophy through the centuries.”
“Steve said you live on an island off Greece?” Dinah asked.
“Yes, my sisters and mother live there.”
“It must be beautiful there in the Mediterranean.”
Diana looked at Dinah. “It is incredibly beautiful.”
“So, our beautiful blond flyboy persuaded you to come to America?”
Diana laughed, combing her fingers through sun-bright hair. “Quite so.”
Steve grinned and kissed Diana’s cheek.
Dick arrived with refreshments, Diana very taken with the sparkling boy.
“Thank you, Richard,” she said as she took a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie from the china plate.
“You’re welcome, m’lady.”
Dick went around the room, scampering out when the cookies were gone.
”He is a charming boy,” Diana said.
Bruce nodded. “He brings light to this house.”
“Light is very important.”
“I know. This gloomy old manse welcomed Richard and my katare.”
“Your katare is quite lovely.”
“Thank you.”
As if on cue, Clark appeared, bearing a tray of drinks. Diana watched him avidly, Bruce proud of her appreciation. Part of it was pride as a Master, he supposed, but most of it was pride in a lover by a lover.
When Clark reached him, his smile was particularly dazzling. Bruce smiled knowingly, taking the cup of hot chocolate.
“Will there be anything else, Master?”
“No, that will be all, my Prize.”
Bruce was certain that Clark’s eyes were twinkling behind his dark glasses. He bowed, leaving the room.
“Exquisite,” Diana murmured, sipping her chocolate. “As is this drink. Nectar of the Gods.”
“Alfred will be pleased to hear it.”
“I look forward to tasting his cooking. My gentlemen say he is the finest cook.”
“An incredible cook.”
“I second that,” Ollie chimed in. “’Course, when it comes to chili, no one beats yours truly.”
“Chili?” Diana asked curiously as everyone groaned.
“Yep, five-alarm.”
“Goodness!”
“If you value your stomach lining, Diana, you’ll pass whenever he offers you a taste,” said Hal wryly.
“Hey! I’ll have you know that my chili is award-winning.”
“Sez you.”
“You’re right, sez me.”
Laughter trilled around the room.
Diana was a good addition to their group, Bruce thought. He was eager to show her the wonders of Halloween Week in Gotham.
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