Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (3/42)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (3/42)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Dick, Alfred
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark finally learns about his identity and heritage. Will that knowledge tear him and Bruce apart? Meanwhile, Rebellion and Abolition twist and turn in the pageantry of events.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Clark tries again to regain his powers.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): September 17, 2010
Date Of Posting: August 27, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 985
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
And so the Starchild
Once more became
The avatar of the Sun
As the dawning
Of the Age of Freedom
Came like a sunrise,
Bright and glorious.
Alyssa O’Reilly (Ed.)
"The Freedom Chronicles"
2363 C.E.
III
SON OF THE SUN
“Clark!”
Bruce, Dick, and Alfred rushed to the crumpled figure on the ground.
“What happened?” Dick asked anxiously.
“I don’t know.” Bruce checked Clark’s pulse and respiration. “His pulse is racing.”
Alfred said, “Shallow breathing.”
Dick glanced up at the sun. “It’s too much!” At Bruce and Alfred’s puzzled expressions, he elaborated, “The sun must be too much for him all at once, after being repressed for so long.” He took one of the manacles from Bruce. “We gotta get the Rainbow K back on him.”
Bruce quickly snapped the other manacle on as Dick did so on Clark’s right wrist. He put the collar back on.
“Clark, Clark, can you hear me?” Bruce lightly tapped his lover’s cheek. No response. “I’ll bring him upstairs.” He gently lifted Clark into his arms, Dick and Alfred right behind him.
Once in the master bedroom, Bruce laid Clark on their bed, Alfred directing Dick to get a washcloth. When Dick returned, Bruce wiped Clark’s flushed face.
Alfred touched Clark’s arm. “He’s extremely warm.”
“Yes.” Anxiety laced Bruce’s voice. “I wonder if that’s normal, or has his system been so screwed up by the Kryptonite? I haven’t read everything Lex sent me yet.”
“I didn’t, either," said Dick. “I was too floored by what I’d read in the beginning.”
Clark moaned, his eyes fluttering open. “Br…Bruce?”
“Right here, love.”
“What…happened?”
“You passed out.” Bruce rested his hand on Clark’s chest.
Clark blinked as he looked around at the anxious faces surrounding the bed.
“How do you feel? Overheated?” asked Alfred.
“Y…yes. I felt this surge of energy at first, a mild tingling as my senses sharpened, then another surge that overwhelmed me.” Clark rubbed his forehead. “It was too much.”
“That was what Dick said.”
Clark grinned at the boy, who smiled back.
“Well, you were one hundred percent right, Dick.”
“Instincts are strong in our lad,” said Alfred.
Bruce smiled slightly. Dick had everyone wrapped around his little finger, including Alfred.
He studied Clark’s face. The flushed look was receding and a more normal color was replacing it. His breathing was back to normal, too.
Bruce caressed the blue-black hair, his own heartbeat and breathing coming back to normal. His fears had gripped him as he had seen his lover collapse.
“How do you feel now?”
“Better.” Clark sat up with Bruce and Dick’s help, Dick fluffing the pillows behind him. He smiled his thanks and sighed as he relaxed against the pillows. “I want to try again.”
“Clark…” The fear was back again.
“I can do it more slowly this time.” Clark grasped Bruce’s hand and squeezed.
Bruce looked into crystal-blue eyes and knew he was lost. “All right, but first you have to rest. There’s still plenty of daylight left.”
Clark nodded. Bruce ruefully reflected that despite his qualification, Clark had still gotten his way.
Some Master I am, he thought with a touch of humor. Clark and Dick and Alfred usually get what they want.
Dick ran to the bathroom to get a glass of water for Clark while Alfred said, “I will bring up some toast and tea.”
“That sounds great, Alfred,” said Clark.
Dick brought the glass of water while Alfred went downstairs. Bruce sat on the edge of the bed and held Clark’s hand.
“It’ll be all right, Bruce, “Clark said softly.
Bruce certainly hoped so. “I can’t believe that every time I gave you a shot, it was suppressing your memories,” he said ruefully.
“You can’t blame yourself for what Silas Bracken told you.” Clark closed his eyes.
They sat quietly, each lost in his own thoughts, even Dick still as he sat cross-legged on the bed.
Bruce was glad for the quiet. He needed time to think. If Clark was successful in regaining his powers, he would probably need practice. It had been four years.
That long? Sometimes it seems as if it was just yesterday when I brought him home, and other times it’s as if I’ve known him all my life.
He did not think of anything beyond Clark getting and refining his powers. He would simply focus on the next phase.
Time enough later to try and deal with all the changes.
& & & & & &
The afternoon sunlight was bright, just what Clark needed. He smiled at his family as he walked out to the patch of grass he had stood on earlier that day and carefully removed his collar, setting it at his feet. He lifted his arms up in the gesture he had used before, closing his eyes as he tilted his head toward the sun.
The sunlight held that special shading of light that only occurred in autumn: a butter-gold that was not too bright, but mellow, bringing out the best in trees turning to red, gold, and orange, and flowers blooming profusely in purple and pink, the skies eye-achingly blue as fat, white clouds scudded across the azure surface.
The watchers held their collective breath as a small smile crossed Clark’s face. He remained still, no trembling this time, and after several minutes he removed his left manacle, soaking up the sun, then finally removed the right manacle.
Bruce watched intently, eagle-eying for any signs of distress, but saw none.
Instead, he began to appreciate the way the light kissed Clark’s skin, causing it to glow with vitality as good health seemed to surge within his lover, bringing a cast of bronze to his skin. His smile widened as he absorbed every ray of sunshine.
Suddenly, his eyes opened and his smile grew even more dazzling as he bent his legs, pushing off, and leaped high into the sky until he disappeared into the clouds.
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