Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (46/54)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Dick, Alfred, Clark/Bruce, Barbara Gordon, Lana Lang, Jonathan/Martha
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: The Second Annual Free Your Slaves Day! goes well.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): February 18, 2010
Date Of Posting: May 22, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1127
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Note: Written for my
2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
"I am happy to announce that the second annual Free Your Slaves Day! is a smashing success."
Senator Lana Lang, (D-KS)
September 27, 22 - C.E.
XLVI
BUTTERY POPCORN AND SUGAR-DUSTED LEMON COOKIES
“Always the best day of the year,” Dick smirked.
“No doubt,” Alfred agreed.
Clark smiled. “As long as Bruce doesn’t cook any meals, we’ll be fine.”
Laughter echoed around the kitchen as Bruce entered. “Glad to see everyone so happy.” He went over to the coffeepot. “So, what are the plans for today, my friends?”
“A few daily chores with your assistance, of course, and then I would like to attend the Egyptian exhibit at the museum.”
“I’ll have Brendan drive you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“What about you, Dick?”
“I’m going with Alfred, then when we get back, Barbara is coming over for gymnastics and then she and I are going to make cookies. She’s got a special recipe.” He winked impishly.
Bruce grinned. “Sounds like a plan. Always nice to have an Olympic gold medalist in the house.”
Dick beamed. “She’s the best, Bruce!”
Bruce smiled. “And what about you, Clark?” His pulse pounded as he remembered last year’s holiday.
Clark smiled at him. “Movies.”
“What?”
“I want to spend the day watching movies. With you.”
“Okay.”
Clark rose from his chair and sidled up to Bruce, nuzzling his neck as he whispered, “And then we’ll see about tonight.”
Bruce grinned, kissing Clark warmly.
& & & & & &
Bruce waited hand-and-foot on Clark as the day wore on. They enjoyed movies on the theater-sized screen in the entertainment room, Bruce keeping them supplied with buttery popcorn and cold drinks, laughing at the comedies and sniffling at the dramas, snarking at the action movies and gleefully criticizing the Grade-B science fiction flicks.
Alfred and Dick came home after lunch, Alfred settling in the library with a good book and Puccini from the stereo speakers while Dick dressed for gym practice.
The doorbell rang and Bruce answered it.
“Barbara! How nice to see you.”
“Hello, Mr. Wayne. Thank you for the invitation to come over.”
“Dick invited you.” Bruce laughed. “That didn’t come out right.”
“I understand.” Barbara’s eyes twinkled. “You allowed him to invite me over.”
Bruce smiled. “He wanted you over to celebrate the day.”
Barbara’s face lit up. “Free Your Slaves Day!”
“That’s right.”
“I’m honored.”
“Come on in.” Bruce shut the door behind her. “We’re honored to have you.”
Barbara beamed. Almost fifteen, she was growing into a fine young woman.
“Go on, Dick’s waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wayne!”
Barbara hurried to change and join Dick in the gym. Bruce watched her go, glad that Dick had such a friend here in Gotham. Roy and Mia were in Star City, so they kept in touch electronically, but nothing beat the personal touch. He returned to Clark in the entertainment room.
& & & & & &
“The day is a success.”
Lana smiled as she made her pronouncement. Martha and Jonathan smiled as they nodded, sitting at the kitchen table in the farmhouse.
“It was a brilliant idea, Lana.” Jonathan poured another glass of apple cider. “I think it really gets people thinking. We’ve seen the news reports.”
“Lois did a great job on her feature in The Daily Planet.”
“She’s a good advocate.”
“She has to remain objective.”
Jonathan smiled. “Trust me, Lana, most reporters have viewpoints and agendas.”
“Oh, I know. Some are just better at hiding it than others.”
Martha laughed. “You're a smart cookie, Lana.”
“As long as I get to continue eating your amazing cookies, Martha.” Lana picked up a sugar-dusted lemon cookie.
Martha laughed. “No problem there. You’ll have as many as you want.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Jonathan laughed. “Better deal than you’ll get in Washington.”
“Far better.”
Jonathan nodded knowingly.
“It truly is a success,” Lana said as she tapped her fingers on the keyboard of her laptop. “So many supporters at freeyourslaves.org.”
“No trolls?”
Her mouth twisted in disgust. “Always those.”
“Delete ‘em.”
She laughed. “Pity it can’t be as easy in real life as on the computer. I’d love to hit the delete key.”
“I can understand why.” Jonathan sipped his cider. “Plenty of people hate even this much.”
“Oh, that’s for certain.”
“Remember, this is Bleeding Kansas, dear. You get both sides of the question here.”
“I know.”
“It’s also the home of the good Reverend McCain and the Church Of The Word.”
Lana’s distaste grew. “Yes, I know.” She shuddered. “Truly awful people.”
“That’s putting it kindly.”
Martha silently agreed. She stood up to get more cookies.
She was glad about the success of the special day, but her heart was heavy. Melancholy weighed her down, a familiar feeling she experienced periodically ever since…
She shook herself out of her gloom and brought over the fresh plate of lemon cookies, setting it on the table. She took her seat again.
“This is a boost to the Movement.” Lana’s eyes sparkled. “Martha, how’d you enjoy your visits to Wayne Manor and Castle Luthor?”
“Interesting.”
“It was great to be in Luthor territory,” said Jonathan wryly.
Lana laughed. “So were you more relaxed at Wayne Manor?”
“I was, but Jonathan wasn’t.”
“Goodness, why not, Jonathan?”
He shrugged. “I just wasn’t comfortable with Bruce Wayne surrounded by slaves, I guess, and he such a big name in the Movement.”
“Well, the wealthier donors do have slaves sometimes.”
Jonathan rubbed his chin. “I guess the pleasure slave he keeps really made me uncomfortable.”
Lana cocked her head. “I can’t believe that Bruce would mistreat him.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just uncomfortable with the whole idea of sex slaves.”
“Ah, well, you needn’t worry, Jonathan. Kathy tells us that Bruce treats his Prize exceptionally well.”
“Prize,” Jonathan sighed.
“Yeah, I know,” Lana said sympathetically. “But truly, Bruce treats all of his slaves with respect. Alfred rules the roost over there.”
Martha laughed. “I certainly got that impression.”
Lana nodded. “It’s probably because Alfred had to practically raise him after Bruce’s parents were killed.”
“Such a tragedy,” Martha murmured.
“Yes.”
Lana was a good woman, Martha thought. She had been Clark’s first and only love, and they had gone to the senior prom together. Perhaps they would have had a future together if Clark had not gone missing. She wondered if Lana thought of Clark often.
“So, this day is a great boost for our Society,” Lana said, highly satisfied.
“I’d say you’re right,” Jonathan agreed, taking another cookie.
Martha shook herself mentally. Her boy was gone, but this work she and Jonathan and Lana were doing was important, and the success of this day was a very good thing.
She felt satisfaction as the afternoon light slanted in the farmhouse windows, a golden glow speaking of safety and love within these walls.
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