Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (24/42)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (24/42)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Hal/Steve/Diana
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, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Diana enjoys a special day.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): December 14, 2010
Date Of Posting: December 7, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1491
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
Time flows
Like a river,
As our special days
Give us joy.
Helena
Amazon Poet
336 C.E.
XXIV
RED-YELLOW-AND-BLUE
Diana smiled as she suited up. Her days were spent on patrol and at public appearances and her nights with Steve and Hal. She had a job as a researcher for the Boston Athenaeum, which meant deadlines were not as tight as in the news fields, so her busy schedule as Wonder Woman did not interfere with her tasks. She had completed her priority assignments, anyway.
She adjusted her tiara as Steve stepped out of the bathroom, his hair wet and skin glistening from the shower, wearing only a towel around his hips.
“Ready for patrol, darling?”
She nodded. She picked up her Golden Lasso from a chair and wound the glittering strands around her fist and attached it to her belt. “I will be home the usual time, barring any unusual events.”
Steve smiled as he approached, taking her face in his hands as he kissed her thoroughly. Her hands cupped his buttocks, and when they parted she said breathily, “Be cautious, my love. I will be late starting my patrol.”
Steve smiled saucily as he moved closer. “Maybe that’s what I want.”
She laughed. “You are incorrigible!”
“I hope so.” His blue eyes sparkled.
She shook her head, still smiling. She caressed his cheek, squeezing a different kind of cheek as she stepped away.
“You are most tempting, Beloved, but I must resist temptation.”
“Why?” he smirked.
She evaded his groping hands with a laugh. “Tonight, my love.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Angel.”
“I expect no less.”
Wonder Woman exited the house too fast for the human eye to follow.
She liked this time of day as the world was waking up. The sun was rising, the day was dawning, and a criminal was snatching a purse…
She swooped down from the sky, easily running down the thief. He sputtered and kicked but was no match for an Amazon in her full glory.
A middle-aged woman hurried up, slightly out of breath. “Oh, thank you, Wonder Woman!”
“You are most welcome, madam.” Wonder Woman handed the purse back.
The woman quickly looked through the purse to see if everything was there. “I know he didn’t have time to take anything out, but you never know.”
“Of course.” A squad car pulled up and the police alighted. “Officers, you are right on time.”
The female officer smiled. “Great job, Wonder Woman. Ma’am, would you like to press charges?”
“I most certainly would!” The victim glared at the thief, who shrugged thin shoulders as lanky brown hair fell into his eyes.
Wonder Woman gave the male officer her statement, then leaped high and caught an air current, flying away from the scene.
Early morning suited her just fine. Back on the Island, she had often risen with the sun when not entertaining a client. She loved to watch the way the sky lightened from starry indigo to rose-pink, gold and orange.
She liked seeing the lights on in the houses as their occupants got ready for school and work. Some worked from home, but many still had to commute, though the quiet, efficient trains had cut down considerably on what used to be a nightmare of ‘rush hour traffic’. She had seen the historical vids and wondered how people could have stood such a ritual on a daily basis. It seemed to be madness.
Wonder Woman watched as people walked the streets, ready for a new day. She diverted back to her neighborhood, waving at one enterprising girl on her way to school.
A pang of homesickness went through her. When the Island was free of clients and only the military guards remained, she and her sisters were allowed to live fairly normal lives. Rising in the morning meant the glory of the sunrise to be viewed, a breakfast of the freshest and choicest fruits, and days filled with exercise, games, reading, and conversation.
All Amazons were encouraged to cultivate intellectual and artistic pursuits. The drugs administered to them dulled their rebelliousness and some of their senses, but did not completely eradicate their creativity.
She dabbled in sculpture and painting, though there were others far more talented than she, but she did have some talent in playing the lute and lyre. She was quite good at writing and had written several novels over the years.
Historical studies engaged her, and she had always enjoyed talking to her mother and others who had seen classical Greece at its apex.
Wonder Woman banked, flying back over the city. She had always been curious about Man’s World. Contact was limited to the clients who used her and her sisters, but there were men and women who brought more than their lust to the Island. She had learned much about the outer world.
The wind blew, her dark hair streaming out behind her as she watched the flow of pedestrians beneath her. She soaked up everything about her new world, guided by her men, a smile coming to her face at the thought of Steve and Hal.
Steve was her Destined Soulmate. Of that she was certain. She had known it, deep down, when she had first laid eyes upon him. It had been subconscious, subliminal, and a part of her being.
Steve had proved his mettle, risking all to help free her and her sisters, also showing a sweetness and gentleness that endeared him to her heart. He had shown courage and fire, a true Warrior.
Hal was also a Warrior, more brash and cocky but the bravado overlaying a vulnerability. He was kind and considerate, ribald and humorous. His willpower had marked him as eligible for the Green Lantern Corps. Headstrong and dynamic, he was becoming more important to her every day.
She liked the idea of ‘her men’, but needed to make more contacts among the women of this world. She would look into that immediately.
& & & & & &
Wonder Woman was grateful that the day was relatively uneventful after the morning’s excitement. She knew that hectic days were coming, and peaceful days were to be treasured.
If a pang over the loss of her mother and sisters cleaved her heart, she would keep it from her men, who already carried too much guilt about what had happened to the Amazons even though the Second Great Enslavement had occurred four centuries before they were born.
She headed for home.
& & & & & &
Diana quietly entered the house, safe from prying eyes due to the speed of Hermes. She smelled the scent of pumpkin candles, pleased at Steve’s thoughtfulness. Pumpkin had quickly become one of her favorite foods, and the scented Yankee candles amused and pleased her. She liked to take baths with a jar candle burning nearby. She noticed how dark the room appeared.
Suddenly the lights were turned on and yells of “Surprise!” startled her.
“Wha…?”
A laughing Steve and Hal rushed to greet her. “Happy Anniversary, Angel!” Steve hugged her, followed by Hal.
“Hal! When did you get back?” Diana asked, giving him an extra squeeze.
“Just a few hours ago.” Hal beamed at her delight.
“And what is all this?” Diana indicated the streamers and balloons of red, yellow, and blue all around the living room.
“Observing special anniversaries, Angel,” Steve said. At her puzzled look, he feigned hurt feelings, putting a hand on his chest. “You don’t remember the day we met?”
Diana’s eyes widened, then she smiled.
“Ah, but that’s all tied up with another anniversary.”
“And…?”
“Freedom, Princess,” said Hal as he took a bottle of champagne from a bucket of ice on the coffee table and popped the cork.
“Today’s the day you and your sisters took back your freedom,” Steve said softly. His eyes silently asked her if she would prefer a less exuberant celebration, aware of what she had gained and lost on this day.
Diana smiled and happily took the flute of champagne that Hal offered her. “’Tis a day to celebrate, to be sure!”
Hal poured glasses for him and Steve, and they clinked them together with Diana’s.
“To Freedom!” Hal said.
“To Freedom!” Steve and Diana echoed, and they drank down the sparkling wine.
“C’mon,” Hal urged, he and Steve leading Diana into the dining room.
“Pizza!” she cried.
Three large pizzas were set on the paper tablecloth decorated with pictures of birthday cakes and balloons. Real balloons drifted around the room, the streamers twirling in the late afternoon light.
Diana eagerly checked out the pizzas: chicken-and-broccoli, hamburger-and-onion, and black olives-and-sliced tomatoes. She had become addicted to this Man’s World food since her arrival.
No doubt there is a cake in the kitchen that will be paraded out with bells and whistles and candles blazing.
She was flooded with warmth as she saw the joy on her lovers’ faces for her. She hugged both of them, tears of happiness in her eyes.
She was truly blessed.
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