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bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (The Jewel In The Crown Arc) (16/31)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Steve/Diana, Hal/Steve
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Steve and Hal help Diana in her time of need.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): April 12, 2009
Date Of Posting: March 14, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 937
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
They say
That pain is sweet,
But I’ve found
It’s merely
Exhausting.
XVI
SWEET PAIN
Diana groaned, her body twisting as she clutched the bedsheets. Her hair hung over her face, sweat sheening her skin.
“Steve…”
“It’s all right.” Steve rubbed the small of her back. “Don’t worry.”
“I…” She doubled over, clutching her stomach as Steve held her arms, waiting for her to ride out the pain. “I need…”
“I know, Angel, I know.” Steve’s voice was strained with sadness. “Try and take it easy.”
Diana groaned again as she began to shake.
“Do you feel like throwing up?”
“N…No.”
Steve caressed her back, trying to relax her. His touch did help, but her stomach was still burning as she craved the drug her body wanted after 400 years.
“I’m sorry,” Steve said miserably.
“Not…your fault,” she gasped out, squeezing her eyes shut as another vicious cramp ripped through her. Her fingers dug into the sheets as she fought her craving.
Steve wiped her brow with a damp cloth.
& & & & & &
“Is she sleeping?” Hal asked as Steve emerged from the guest bedroom.
“Yes, thank God.” Steve wearily sat in a chair, leaning over as he rubbed his eyes.
“You look wiped.”
“Yeah, well, it’s rough watching her suffer and not being able to help.”
“You’re being there is a big help, but you need rest. I’ll take the next shift.”
“Hal…”
“No arguments.” Hal clapped a hand on Steve’s shoulder.
Steve let out a sigh and smiled. “All right.” He rose with a groan, rubbing his hip.
“That still bothering you?”
“Just now and again.”
Hal gently rubbed the aching bone, Steve resting his head on his shoulder. Hal held him close, then let him go, Steve smiling softly and heading for their bedroom.
Hal sighed. Steve was worried sick. With good reason, because Hal was concerned about Diana, too.
She’s really having a tough time of it.
Hal quietly entered the bedroom, saddened to see Diana so tightly curled up in the sheets, suffering evident in her face.
At least she’s getting some sleep.
He had been through the withdrawal of a good friend once years ago, and it was always the same: pain, suffering, and helplessness until it could be ridden out.
Hal carefully sat on the bed so he wouldn’t jostle it.
The withdrawal had hit not very long after their arrival in America. Diana had been subdued but interested in her new surroundings, taking in the new sights and sounds with avid eyes. She liked the classical buildings in Boston, Steve promising her even more when they traveled down to Washington.
“This city is known as the Athens of America?” she had asked, and Steve had smiled and said yes.
Watching them together had hurt.
Again, he regretted his fear of commitment. If he hadn’t been so afraid, he and Steve would have been married by now. Steve loved him (or had) and had wanted to take things to the next level.
Now he’d lost Steve to a beautiful Amazon.
Pain deep in his heart, he watched Diana sleep.
& & & & & &
“Ooh.”
Hal touched her shoulder. “Do you need to get to the bathroom, Princess?”
She snorted. “Princess of what? My people are gone.” Her voice grew pained. “No one but you and I and Steve remember them, except in legends.”
Hal gently squeezed her shoulder. “It’s tough, but they’ll be back.”
“When? A hundred years from now? America will never give up its slaves.”
“You’d be surprised.”
She closed her eyes. Hall couldn’t blame her. Why should she believe anyone in Man’s World?
“Tell me how you met Steve.”
Hal’s hand slid down to Diana’s back, rubbing slowly. His lips curved into a small smile.
“I met him at the Air Force Academy. Earnest, smart, and with a sparkle in his eye. He was funny and the best pilot I’d ever seen, besides me, of course.” He was pleased to see a small smile on Diana’s face. “And, oh, yeah, he was sexy as hell.”
She shifted under his hand, but relaxed again.
“He and I hit it off right away. We were at the top of our class pushing each other to be the best possible pilots we could be. We’d both had fathers in the military, giving us more common ground.”
Hal recounted some of their adventures, the life of a test pilot exciting. He mentioned the Virillian War and Kraylon Conflict briefly, but Diana asked, “You are tested in combat?”
“Yes.”
Diana’s eyes searched his face. “It troubled you.”
Hal sighed. “War isn’t easy.”
“No.”
They were silent for a minute, then Diana began to move restlessly.
“All right Prin…Diana?”
“No.” She groaned. “These cramps are excruciating.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not …your fault.”
Hal wasn’t sure of that. He was a member of the military organization that had maintained her people’s enslavement.
“So…you love…to fly?”
“Oh, yes.” Hal smiled. “It’s the best thing in this world or any other.”
Diana emitted a small chuckle. “Pilots love the sky.”
“It’s a wonderful freedom.”
“Ah, yes.” Diana closed her eyes and Hal pulled the blankets up over her shoulders.
“I know it’s tough, but try and get some sleep.”
She nodded and burrowed deeper under the covers.
Hal gave her back a pat and rose from the bed. He looked back at her curled up under the blankets, looking very vulnerable.
No wonder Steve loves you so much, Princess.
Hal left the room, leaving the door ajar in case Diana needed to call for him.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Steve/Diana, Hal/Steve
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Steve and Hal help Diana in her time of need.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): April 12, 2009
Date Of Posting: March 14, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 937
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
That pain is sweet,
But I’ve found
It’s merely
Exhausting.
Sir William Gladstone
"Bitter Winds"
1846 C.E.
SWEET PAIN
Diana groaned, her body twisting as she clutched the bedsheets. Her hair hung over her face, sweat sheening her skin.
“Steve…”
“It’s all right.” Steve rubbed the small of her back. “Don’t worry.”
“I…” She doubled over, clutching her stomach as Steve held her arms, waiting for her to ride out the pain. “I need…”
“I know, Angel, I know.” Steve’s voice was strained with sadness. “Try and take it easy.”
Diana groaned again as she began to shake.
“Do you feel like throwing up?”
“N…No.”
Steve caressed her back, trying to relax her. His touch did help, but her stomach was still burning as she craved the drug her body wanted after 400 years.
“I’m sorry,” Steve said miserably.
“Not…your fault,” she gasped out, squeezing her eyes shut as another vicious cramp ripped through her. Her fingers dug into the sheets as she fought her craving.
Steve wiped her brow with a damp cloth.
“Is she sleeping?” Hal asked as Steve emerged from the guest bedroom.
“Yes, thank God.” Steve wearily sat in a chair, leaning over as he rubbed his eyes.
“You look wiped.”
“Yeah, well, it’s rough watching her suffer and not being able to help.”
“You’re being there is a big help, but you need rest. I’ll take the next shift.”
“Hal…”
“No arguments.” Hal clapped a hand on Steve’s shoulder.
Steve let out a sigh and smiled. “All right.” He rose with a groan, rubbing his hip.
“That still bothering you?”
“Just now and again.”
Hal gently rubbed the aching bone, Steve resting his head on his shoulder. Hal held him close, then let him go, Steve smiling softly and heading for their bedroom.
Hal sighed. Steve was worried sick. With good reason, because Hal was concerned about Diana, too.
She’s really having a tough time of it.
Hal quietly entered the bedroom, saddened to see Diana so tightly curled up in the sheets, suffering evident in her face.
At least she’s getting some sleep.
He had been through the withdrawal of a good friend once years ago, and it was always the same: pain, suffering, and helplessness until it could be ridden out.
Hal carefully sat on the bed so he wouldn’t jostle it.
The withdrawal had hit not very long after their arrival in America. Diana had been subdued but interested in her new surroundings, taking in the new sights and sounds with avid eyes. She liked the classical buildings in Boston, Steve promising her even more when they traveled down to Washington.
“This city is known as the Athens of America?” she had asked, and Steve had smiled and said yes.
Watching them together had hurt.
Again, he regretted his fear of commitment. If he hadn’t been so afraid, he and Steve would have been married by now. Steve loved him (or had) and had wanted to take things to the next level.
Now he’d lost Steve to a beautiful Amazon.
Pain deep in his heart, he watched Diana sleep.
“Ooh.”
Hal touched her shoulder. “Do you need to get to the bathroom, Princess?”
She snorted. “Princess of what? My people are gone.” Her voice grew pained. “No one but you and I and Steve remember them, except in legends.”
Hal gently squeezed her shoulder. “It’s tough, but they’ll be back.”
“When? A hundred years from now? America will never give up its slaves.”
“You’d be surprised.”
She closed her eyes. Hall couldn’t blame her. Why should she believe anyone in Man’s World?
“Tell me how you met Steve.”
Hal’s hand slid down to Diana’s back, rubbing slowly. His lips curved into a small smile.
“I met him at the Air Force Academy. Earnest, smart, and with a sparkle in his eye. He was funny and the best pilot I’d ever seen, besides me, of course.” He was pleased to see a small smile on Diana’s face. “And, oh, yeah, he was sexy as hell.”
She shifted under his hand, but relaxed again.
“He and I hit it off right away. We were at the top of our class pushing each other to be the best possible pilots we could be. We’d both had fathers in the military, giving us more common ground.”
Hal recounted some of their adventures, the life of a test pilot exciting. He mentioned the Virillian War and Kraylon Conflict briefly, but Diana asked, “You are tested in combat?”
“Yes.”
Diana’s eyes searched his face. “It troubled you.”
Hal sighed. “War isn’t easy.”
“No.”
They were silent for a minute, then Diana began to move restlessly.
“All right Prin…Diana?”
“No.” She groaned. “These cramps are excruciating.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not …your fault.”
Hal wasn’t sure of that. He was a member of the military organization that had maintained her people’s enslavement.
“So…you love…to fly?”
“Oh, yes.” Hal smiled. “It’s the best thing in this world or any other.”
Diana emitted a small chuckle. “Pilots love the sky.”
“It’s a wonderful freedom.”
“Ah, yes.” Diana closed her eyes and Hal pulled the blankets up over her shoulders.
“I know it’s tough, but try and get some sleep.”
She nodded and burrowed deeper under the covers.
Hal gave her back a pat and rose from the bed. He looked back at her curled up under the blankets, looking very vulnerable.
No wonder Steve loves you so much, Princess.
Hal left the room, leaving the door ajar in case Diana needed to call for him.
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-14 09:34 pm (UTC)Extra sadfayce for Hal. I’m still rooting for a threeway. Amazons are open like that! Right? Right?! Either way it’s no fun seeing him super sad. Could we have a happy chapter next please? Please acknowledge that my request means nothing, as I’ll be happy with whatever sort of chapter we get :D
no subject
Date: 2010-03-14 09:47 pm (UTC)LOL! Truly! :)
Extra sadfayce for Hal. I’m still rooting for a threeway. Amazons are open like that! Right? Right?!
They usually are. :)
Either way it’s no fun seeing him super sad. Could we have a happy chapter next please? Please acknowledge that my request means nothing, as I’ll be happy with whatever sort of chapter we get :D
*grins*
no subject
Date: 2010-03-14 11:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-15 02:05 am (UTC)It's awful, but she's got loving care.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-15 02:55 am (UTC)Well done.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-15 03:25 am (UTC)There might be! ;)
Well done.
Thank you! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-03-16 06:41 am (UTC)Also: Jeebus! No heating pad, no iced tea, no cold pack, no ice cream, no nothing? Just tough it out? Damn, she deserves a boy/ girl/ boy - way if there isn't gonna be any devil dogs or donuts or anything! Even AA has coffee cake! ;^P
no subject
Date: 2010-03-16 10:24 pm (UTC)Yeah, it'll get better! :)
Also: Jeebus! No heating pad, no iced tea, no cold pack, no ice cream, no nothing? Just tough it out? Damn, she deserves a boy/ girl/ boy - way if there isn't gonna be any devil dogs or donuts or anything! Even AA has coffee cake! ;^P
She's an Amazon! No nothin'! ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-04-29 10:05 pm (UTC)Hal's pain is more emotional because he feels that things between him and Steve will change, and Steve is just exhausted from taking care of Diana.
*hugs all three of them*
Very well done bradygirl, I can all most feel all the pain in this chapter.
*looks for an aspirin*
no subject
Date: 2010-04-29 10:16 pm (UTC)It's tough. :(
Hal's pain is more emotional because he feels that things between him and Steve will change, and Steve is just exhausted from taking care of Diana.
Exactly!
*hugs all three of them*
All three sure need hugs!
Very well done bradygirl, I can all most feel all the pain in this chapter.
*looks for an aspirin*
LOL! Hope the aspirin helped, and thanks for the comments. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-12 05:43 pm (UTC)And Hal... I hope it's not too much to keep wanting them all to be together after this. *wibble*
no subject
Date: 2010-09-13 03:13 am (UTC)Yeah, I know. :(
And Hal... I hope it's not too much to keep wanting them all to be together after this. *wibble*
They'd make a good trio, wouldn't they? :)