Generations of Family

[bought_the_bank]

"Make yourself at home," she's told him on more than one occasion.  Still he finds it difficult to do so despite the sincerity of her offer.  There's no pretense with Martha Kent and it's one of the many things he admires about her.  Her son has the same quality.  As she says good night and ascends the stairs to bed, he can hear a shower running.  Old houses.  Old pipes.  Noises uninsulated.  Parts of the manor were the same way.  It's a comforting collection of sounds.  

He settles himself down on the sofa and glances across the coffee table at a green covered book.  It's old with a three ring binding.  He suspects a photo album.  Forcing himself to take her directions to heart, he leans forward and opens it to the first page.  Black and whites comprise the first eight or nine pages.  Then he beginnings to see faces he recognizes in others.  The woman looking back at him with her hair pulled into a tight bun can't be anyone but Martha's mother.  Maybe an aunt, he corrects himself.  

Comments

[signifies]

[ So he says! Luckily Alfred's fond of Clark, and he won't have to do a lot of prying to find out.

Clark wags a finger at Bruce. ]

I'll have the name of your favourite stuffed animal within the week. Just watch.

[ He doesn't really know if Bruce had one. He doesn't seem like the type. . . it was just the first threat that popped into Clark's head. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[More frequently it seems like they're in league against him, trying to make him smile and not take life quite so seriously. He resists. Because it's what he does. And they themselves seem to find joy in the attempt and cooperation.]

The white rabbit. From Alice In Wonderland.

[His mother and then Leslie used to read it to him regularly. It was his favorite book.]

[signifies]

[ Diana is his favourite partner in crime for that end. It's win-win when the attempt makes her smile or laugh too. She's having a hard time opening up just like Bruce is, so Clark counts every little victory he gets.

He's pleasantly surprised Bruce just told him. Clark doesn't mind if he has to fish around or push him sometimes for an answer, but Bruce does like to take him off-guard too by doing this.

He smiles very fondly at Bruce. ]

I had a stuffed dog before Dad decided I could have a real one.

[bought_the_bank]

[The world needs Superman. And the team needs Clark. The statement was true back then and it's still true today in so many ways. He does like to occasionally catch him off-guard. Because it produces smiles like that.]

Did you walk him too?

[He teases.]

[signifies]

Yeah, around the bed.

[ Clark ducks his head, smiling at the memory. ]

A little white labrador. Mom helped me make a red cape for him so he could always fly when he wanted to.

[bought_the_bank]

[He can picture it in his head as clearly as if it were one of the pictures in front of him, somehow completely in keeping with the man he knows now.]

Do you still have him?

[signifies]

No, we gave him away years ago.

[ The boxes in his room are stuff from his teenage years. The oldest possession there is the telescope Dad bought for him when they'd told him he was from outer space. ]

I had real dogs after that. [ He points to them in the photos. There's several of Clark at different ages with dogs. ] That's Shelby. . . this is Hank.

[ Hank had been there when his father died in that tornado. Clark is quiet as he thinks about it. ]

Did you ever want a pet?

[bought_the_bank]

[He of course notices the change in Clark's demeanor and glances sidelong, securitizing his expression. He didn't stop to think how a trip down memory lane would impact him and for a moment, he contemplates closing the album.]

Alfred had a dog for a few years. He thought it would help. But I never grew attached.

[He doesn't dislike dogs or animals in general and maybe someday they'll own another. Right now it wouldn't be right to keep one with such a bizarre schedule.]

[signifies]

[ He's still grieving over Dad. But with Bruce here. . . it's easier to bear.

He finishes his pie and leans into Bruce's space a little. ]

I don't know. . . you strike me as a cat person.

[ This is ironic considering Clark hasn't met Selina yet, nor does he know about her.

But he does think of all the stray cats he's met during his travels. Cats are independent, but they're also very social with the right people and loyal in small family groups. They're very particular.

Just like Bruce. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[The sound that escapes him is a strangled snort.]

You have no idea.

[His relationship with Selina has been on and off for years, running from enemy to friend to lover and back again. It’s a cycle with no rhyme or reason, seeming dictated by both their whims. Right now they’re only friends.]

[signifies]

[ He looks up.

Well, he can always ask Bruce later if he's really curious. Clark doesn't have a burning need to pry into his life. Bruce is a private man. Honestly, so is Clark. Just because he's friendlier on the outside than Bruce doesn't mean he's more forthcoming. ]

Well, you do surprise me a lot. [ He smiles warmly at Bruce, but his face scrunches at the next set of photos. ] Oh no, not high school! Skip those!

[ He dramatically tries to cover them. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[It's because Clark doesn't pry that Bruce is willing to share information. There are few people in his life he trusts implicitly. Clark has moved beyond friend and into the realm of family.

The face Clark makes elicits a grin and Bruce tries to pull his hands away from the pictures.]

[signifies]

[ Clark can't be moved unless he wants to be. He playfully swats back at Bruce, dramatically struggles, and then flops on the couch with his ultimate move: pouting.

He doesn't expect any of this to work: he just wants to keep Bruce grinning. ]

No. . . how will I ever recover. . .

[bought_the_bank]

[It's quite a scene. And all for his benefit. The grin lasts longer than it normally would. But smiling isn't Bruce's natural state of being. It morphs into a smirk of subtle amusement.]

I'm sure you'll find a way.

[The high school pictures live up to his embarrassment.]

[signifies]

I thought we were friends.

[ This is the worst day of his life! Clark does some more dramatics for effect, and after that settles back on the couch to watch Bruce. He's made it past the freshman science projects and theatre group photos (Clark was a stagehand: he was good at heavy lifting and staying in the background), and is now on the full page prom photo. Teenage Clark was trying to stand up straight in his suit, smiling for the camera.

Clark points to the young lady accompanying him. ]

That's Lana, she used to live down the road.

[ He had the biggest crush on her. She was his first kiss, but nothing happened after that. Clark hadn't kept in touch with anyone after leaving Smallville.

Even though it'd been awkward for him back then, it's a fond memory now. Life could be that normal for him. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[The fond memory translates into a fond tone that comes through in his voice and Bruce can tell easily that she was special to him. Still might be special today.]

Where does she live now?

[signifies]

New York, I think. I haven't talked to her in a long time.

[ He smiles to himself. ]

I didn't have a lot of friends, as you can see. [ The pictures are of him with his parents and the family pets. Aside from Lana, there's no other classmates. ]

I'm glad that's not the case now.

[bought_the_bank]

[He responds with a straight face, taking every opportunity to needle him, even though it's the two of them sitting shoulder to shoulder.]

Barry and Diana definitely think the world of you.

[signifies]

[ They don't make a secret of that.

But someone likes to make Clark dig for his praise. ]

Amongst others? [ He grins. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[He concedes.]

Amongst others.

[signifies]

[ Clark grins at him.

Then he moves forward and gives Bruce a quick sideways hug. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[The hug catches him by surprise and for a brief moment, his arms are pinned. But he doesn't tense up in Clark's embrace.]

Clark.

[signifies]

[ He could have hugged Bruce at super-speed. . . he wouldn't have felt it at all. But that would have been dishonest. Clark doesn't want to give him a bear hug, so this will do.

He lets go, but is still sitting next to Bruce. ]

I won't do it often, I promise.

[bought_the_bank]

Just... don't do it in front of the others.

[signifies]

Everyone knows what I'm like.

[ No one is spared the super-hug, even Arthur. It would make sense that he got around to Bruce eventually, but Clark understands. Bruce prefers to keep hidden.

He bumps his shoulder against Bruce's. ]

I think the world of you, you know.

[ Bruce is intelligent, charming, and kind. He's not perfect, but he's good for Clark, and Clark is good for him.

He can't put into words how glad he is that he didn't have to miss out on everything they've already accomplished, as well as what they might do in the future together. ]

[bought_the_bank]

[He's always been better with showing how he feels through his actions. After Clark bumps his shoulder, he pulls his arm out from between them and lays his hand at the back of Clark's neck in an affectionate gesture before curling his arm around his shoulders. It isn't quite a hug but it's close. The sentiment is mutual.]

[signifies]

[ Clark knows not to draw attention to it, so he just enjoys it for however long Bruce is willing to extend it.

There's not many photos after high school as Clark was travelling - just one last one of him with Lois in front of the house when Bruce had bought it back for them.

When Bruce closes the photo album, Clark pipes up. ]

We should get some sleep. Tomorrow you can look through my room if you want.

[bought_the_bank]

[He's used to being up so much later than this. The downside of working nights.]

You go ahead. I'm not ready to turn in.

[signifies]

[ He flashes Bruce a quick smile as he stands and herds the dog out of the room. ]

Well, I know bats are nocturnal, but don't stay up too long. We're usually up and about around dawn.

[bought_the_bank]

[He nods. They'd probably let him sleep in but the movement about the house would wake him anyway.]

Good night, Clark.

and wrap :)

[signifies]

Good night, Bruce.