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]

[ 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.