An awesome hurt/comfort fic! What strikes me most about Clark here is his numbness to the amputations and his feelings until he speaks to a fellow amputee. It's a deep buried pain, and well shown instead of being described. I wonder what would have happened if Lex hadn't shown up. Would Clark have then try to keep in contact with Lois and his parents?
And in his own way, Bruce is trying to wait by Clark's side. I had to giggle at his that's-not-love-Clark! rant, because duh, how would he know right?
A hand, one finger raised to the sky, toward Clark, stays in place the entire time to the gates.
This image just about breaks my heart. Oh, Bruce.
You could be a brain in a jar and I'd still want you.
OMG. So Midnighter/Apollo isn't really the counterpart of Bruce/Clark, it's Monsieur Mallah/the Brain!
Thank you. There's a certain grieving process that amputees go through, and part of that is denial that the deep grief is there. I think Clark would be just as affected by that, if not more so. As to what he would have done if Lex hadn't shown up, I'm not sure. He was avoiding Lois and his family, he might have continued to do that.
Bruce considers himself an expert on psychology, so he might feel self-justified in his rant. *g*
Bruce flipping Clark off breaks your heart? I could think of a few reasons, but I'm probably wrong. I hope you don't mind if I ask why.
So Midnighter/Apollo isn't really the counterpart of Bruce/Clark, it's Monsieur Mallah/the Brain!
Bruce flipping Clark off breaks your heart? I could think of a few reasons, but I'm probably wrong. I hope you don't mind if I ask why.
Ooh not at all. I want to be mad at him for pulling that stunt at the car, but I can't help and think of how lonely he must be down on the ground, hating himself. Er, hope this makes sense!
You do complex very well. It sang true the way Clark was so quiet emotionally afterwards, numb -- Bruce the ever so stubborn man who wouldn't give up, yet couldn't really say anything to Clark. The way you played them against and towards each other. And the scene with Lex was so much them.
Thank you. Bruce, in a quite a few ways, is the best and worst caretaker. Clark, given how much he wants to belong and have at least *part* of a normal life, would be a bit numb. This type of situation is difficult for both people in it.
And Clark and Lex, well, given a Smallville history, there's too much history for Lex *not* to show up.
Well, to be fair to Lex in this (and I hoped I had been fair?) he didn't have anything to do with Clark's injuries. And to him, he's telling the truth as he sees it. He really is offering to set Clark back up in his old life. There might be a few strings with that...but he's always been complicated. *g*
I like Lex in this. As a character, I would never be able to live with someone like Wayne. He's too harsh with people. Lex can pamper people, even if it comes with strings attached. Bruce is much, much harder on Clark (even if it's his way of showing affection).
I loved the inclusion of Lex in this, even if it means that I had a little twinge of regret going on there when it looked like it wasn't going to happen, after all. (The CLex, I mean).
Thank you. You can vote for Lex! I didn't post this over at the SV comms or list Clark/Lex as a pairing because of how this ends up. I didn't want Clex fans to get mad or sad. I still write Clex sometimes, but I've been tending more to the Bruce/Clark side of things in this particular triangle for a while. Bruce can be harsh, but I find him fascinating. What does that say about me? I don't know! *g*
That is indeed some very, very extreme hurt/comfort. I believe I gasped out loud when I realized the extent of Clark's injuries. I think what I liked best about the setup--narratively, I mean--was that it gives Bruce an entirely natural reason to be brusque and tough with him, because letting someone wallow in self-pity in this situation is not at all a good thing. Even more than usual, then, the care beneath the harshness shines through. Also, the image of Bruce reading "The Little Prince" made me want to weep with laughter or pain, I don't know which. I was just thinking about that book yesterday (specifically the scenes between the Prince and the fox, of course), and I can very much see Bruce picking it out to read to Clark.
I'm surprised to find that I think one of my favorite scenes was the encounter with the veteran. It worked really well to remind both us and Clark that his situation is hardly unique at all.
(I am also terribly glad you allowed his hearing to dull a bit, because being able to hear and not help would be
( ... )
Thank you. Yes, I probably should have put a few 'very's in front of extreme in the warnings. I'm never quite sure what to put in warnings without giving too much away. I intended for the reader to discover the extent of the injuries at the same time as Clark. People who are suddenly introduced to this situation (accidents, combat) react slightly differently from ones that have time to prepare (disease, neural disorders). But it's hard on everyone. Including the caretakers
( ... )
I actually finished reading this yesterday when you first posted it. I'm only able to leave you feedback a day later after I was able to read through it again without crying like a baby through the whole thing.
When I was 13 my stepdad had to have his leg amputated above the knee. Having to dealt with wanting to alternately hug and throttle him, this fic will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear about your stepfather, that must have been difficult for everyone. And I know what you mean about the alternate urges. He doesn't like me to talk about it in public posts, but Mr. Romany's an amputee. Although the procedure itself doesn't take that long, it's an adjustment and a lifelong process.
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And in his own way, Bruce is trying to wait by Clark's side. I had to giggle at his that's-not-love-Clark! rant, because duh, how would he know right?
A hand, one finger raised to the sky, toward Clark, stays in place the entire time to the gates.
This image just about breaks my heart. Oh, Bruce.
You could be a brain in a jar and I'd still want you.
OMG. So Midnighter/Apollo isn't really the counterpart of Bruce/Clark, it's Monsieur Mallah/the Brain!
Fantastic work, as always XD
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Bruce considers himself an expert on psychology, so he might feel self-justified in his rant. *g*
Bruce flipping Clark off breaks your heart? I could think of a few reasons, but I'm probably wrong. I hope you don't mind if I ask why.
So Midnighter/Apollo isn't really the counterpart of Bruce/Clark, it's Monsieur Mallah/the Brain!
Hee!
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Ooh not at all. I want to be mad at him for pulling that stunt at the car, but I can't help and think of how lonely he must be down on the ground, hating himself. Er, hope this makes sense!
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And Clark and Lex, well, given a Smallville history, there's too much history for Lex *not* to show up.
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I mean. Uhm.
I like Lex in this. As a character, I would never be able to live with someone like Wayne. He's too harsh with people. Lex can pamper people, even if it comes with strings attached. Bruce is much, much harder on Clark (even if it's his way of showing affection).
I loved the inclusion of Lex in this, even if it means that I had a little twinge of regret going on there when it looked like it wasn't going to happen, after all. (The CLex, I mean).
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I'm surprised to find that I think one of my favorite scenes was the encounter with the veteran. It worked really well to remind both us and Clark that his situation is hardly unique at all.
(I am also terribly glad you allowed his hearing to dull a bit, because being able to hear and not help would be ( ... )
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When I was 13 my stepdad had to have his leg amputated above the knee. Having to dealt with wanting to alternately hug and throttle him, this fic will always have a special place in my heart.
*smishes you*
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*smishes you in return*
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