Stranger in a Strange Land: Advice (5/8)

[mithen]

Title: Stranger in a Strange Land:  Advice
Pairing/Characters:  Clark/Bruce, Dick, Tim, Barbara, Alfred
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Continuity: Justice League Unlimited
Summary:  Kal asks Bruce for advice about costumes and human flirtation customs. 
Word Count:  3600
Notes:  For a prompt on the

Comments

[ilovetobefree]

Part I:

"--And a cape," Tim was saying. "You have to have a cape! What kind of crummy superhero doesn't wear a cape, huh?"
There was a vehement protest from Dick, and a moment later Robin and Nightwing tumbled to land almost at Bruce's feet, wrestling and growling. They blinked up at him comically, then scrambled to their feet--Robin brushing pointedly at his cape.
:DD I loved that! :D

"We're trying to choose a superhero costume for him," said Robin. "But he's being stubborn."
“Stubborn”- Yes, I think he can be pretty stubborn sometimes. :)

Kal's head snapped up and he glared at Bruce. "Fa sharryth in-- I mean, how could you even ask me such a thing?"
I liked the reaction (and Kal using Kryptonian language).

Behind him, Barbara and Dick were glaring at Bruce.
They are just amazing!

If I could not be a member of your League or have your approval, I would find some place that needed me.
”some place that needed me” - That was so well said!

"Impossible." Kal shook his head. "I could never live a normal life knowing that people like

[mithen]

I liked the reaction (and Kal using Kryptonian language).

I kind of like the idea that this version of Kal slips into Kryptonian when he gets angry or confused.

*Nods* I’m definitely for a long cape. :D

Me too! Both Superman and Batman look much better with a long cape, in my opinion.

Hmmm, I’m not sure it’s possible for Kal not to get involved.

Your instincts are good!

O-ow, poor boys. :) I agree - Kal needs some advices there. But this conversation is probably going to be a little awkward.

He does need some advice, but Bruce is not very good at it, is he? :) He gets all tangled up in his own reactions and trips over his feet...

Mmmmm, obvious... :)

Poor Kal, he must feel like he has a huge bright sign saying "I WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH BRUCE WAYNE" over his head all the time.

[ilovetobefree]

Part II:

"Be silent!" Kal slammed his fist into the dashboard in front of him, a sharp, short sound in the quiet of the moonlit grove.
Ouch

"What use is a desire that drives you to risk shattering friendships and valuable working relationships just for a fleeting physical experience? It's senseless, it's stupid, I hate it!"
Oh, Kal... *pets him*

Bruce bit down on a laugh. "Did you memorize all the rude words for copulation you could find?"
"I can't be sure," said Kal primly. "There were so very many."
Oh Kal. :D

"Did Mr. El have a pleasant outing?"
"He revealed himself as incapable of obeying a simple order to not get involved," Batman said.
Alfred's voice was dry."Truly, I am shocked nearly speechless. Usually the people you train are so very docile and compliant."
OMG! That was brilliant! :DDD

He paused, and Bruce was surprised to see a slight smile flicker across his face. "I believe I have gained some valuable insight from this evening's events."
WOW! :)

"That's the exact opposite of the advice I gave you," Batman growled

[mithen]

Oh, Kal... *pets him*

I know, it must be so difficult. I think that Dick and Barbara have been giving him some subtle hints and advice and trying to reassure him, but he's just so worried...

And Kal learning every possible English word for having sex makes me want to giggle...it's a theme that I think will show up again!

I'm so glad Kal's homesickness came through. He was never truly happy there (for obvious personal reasons), but he loved the world and the culture and it makes him so sad and lonely to know they're gone... Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! :D

[mettathron]

Have I told you (lately or at all) that these are fantastic, and everything you write for this pairing makes me smile? Your characterization is excellent, and I eagerly await the next piece.

[mithen]

Aw, thanks so much! I'm so glad I could make you smile, that's my favorite thing about writing. :) I just finished a little more of this series, so I'm hoping to have more up soon!

[bradygirl_12]

Great chapter, Mithen! Kal's frustration comes across very clearly. To be fair to Bruce, he's trying to be respectful of Kal's cultural attitudes and so is missing the clues. Kal's early reactions are coloring Bruce's perceptions now.

I still love Dick in a cape, but he certainly has,um, assets that can be shown off without one! ;)

I love how it's canon about Dick's taste in clothes/costumes. It nearly fails to amuse me how the supremely tasteful Bruce and Alfred raised a child who adores glitter, sparkle, and feathers! ;)

"You were magnificent," Kal breathed. "I couldn't just stand here and watch you! The way you fight--it's like epic poetry, like the purest science, it's--"

I agree with others about these lines. Kal using science to express his aesthetic sense is quite lovely.

Clark is so thoroughly American/Human that it's interesting to see how he would be raised as Kryptonian.

Kal and dirty talk? LOL!

I hope your beta gets cracking on the next chapter! MOAR, PLEEZ! ;)

[mithen]

Kal's frustration comes across very clearly. To be fair to Bruce, he's trying to be respectful of Kal's cultural attitudes and so is missing the clues. Kal's early reactions are coloring Bruce's perceptions now.

It's true, Bruce has taken Kal's early statements at face value and it's making it hard for him to realize maybe he wasn't being totally honest!

I love how it's canon about Dick's taste in clothes/costumes. It nearly fails to amuse me how the supremely tasteful Bruce and Alfred raised a child who adores glitter, sparkle, and feathers! ;)

LOL, I know! It's always really fun to imagine their reaction to Dick's taste...

Kal and dirty talk? LOL!

It's so very dissonant for him that it's fun to play with! There'll probably be more discussion of that in the future... :)

[dizmo]

Oh, oh, Bruce, you are spectacularly dense.

However, at least he's acknowledging his density to a degree, and thus allowing Kal to start to get a clue! So yaaay!

And as always, Alfred and the kids are just phenomenal in this chapter. This fic never fails to make me happy. :D

[mithen]

However, at least he's acknowledging his density to a degree, and thus allowing Kal to start to get a clue! So yaaay!

That's about the best you can hope for from Bruce in some ways, a sort of "Um, maybe I don't notice this kind of thing so well..." :) Luckily Kal is willing to get that involuntary hint at this point!

The kids just keep making me so happy to write in this one! They keep things going when they risk stalling out (Dick especially salvaged the whole next chapter, lol!) I'm glad it makes you happy to read!