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bradygirl_12Title: Victorian Ladies, Elephants, Bulldogs, And The 1939 World’s Fair (2/3)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Alfred, Dick
Continuity: Batman Begins, Superman Returns
Genres: Challenge, Drama, First Time, Holiday, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce invites Clark to the Manor for Christmas.
Chapter Summary: Clark arrives at the Manor and is swept up in Christmas traditions.
Date Of Completion: November 23, 2011
Date Of Posting: December 4, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and WB do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1831
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Written for the 2011 World’s Finest Gift Exchange. Prompt: F2: The rest of the Justice League scattered to spend the holidays with friends and family. Everyone just assumed Clark would be doing the same. But Martha passed away a little while ago, and Lois married Richard, and Clark is all alone on Christmas Eve. Bruce finds out, of course, and decides that Something Must Be Done.
CONTINUITY: SUPERMAN RETURNS/BATMAN BEGINS, but expanding to bring in all the other heroes. One or more of the Robins is fine, too, if it suits the story. Also written for my 2011 DCU Fic/Art Silver-‘N’-Gold Winter Holidays Challenge. Prompt: Silver-‘N’-Gold, natch! ;) and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
saavikam77’s 2011 DCU_Freeforall Winter Holidays Challenge. Prompts: No. 3: Twinkling Lights/Star/Sparkle, No. 8: Family/Home/Shelter/Hearth and No. 9: Christmas Tree. :)
All chapters can be found here.
II
"EVERY ORNAMENT TELLS A STORY"
Ornaments glitter
As silver-and-gold
Sparkle and dance,
As hearts overflow
With merriment askance.
Clark nervously adjusted his glasses as he stood on the portico of Wayne Manor clutching his suitcase. The stone pillars were twined with garlands of holly and red berries, and a huge wreath adorned the door, decorated with silver-and-gold-dusted pears and apples, red berries and a big, red bow. White candles glowed in the windows as darkness began to fall.
The tones of the doorbell rang pure and clear. Clark could her the measured tread of Alfred’s footsteps as he crossed the foyer. As the door opened Clark smiled.
“Glad to see you, Mr. Kent.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
“Come in.” As Clark entered the foyer Alfred said, “Let me take your coat.”
Clark handed over his coat, hat, and scarf, stuffing his gloves in the coat pockets. After Alfred had put them away in the hall closet, he said, “Let me take your valise.”
“I can handle it.”
“Please, Mr. Kent, you make me redundant.”
Clark laughed. “All right.”
Alfred took the suitcase. Clark was glad that it was not heavy. He could not have allowed the elderly man to take it otherwise.
The foyer glittered under the light of the chandelier. Holly garlands wound around the balustrade of the grand staircase and a magnificent bowl of red and white poinsettias flowered on the pier table.
Clark was always awed at the baronial Manor whenever he had reason to visit. It looked more like a castle than a home. The entire farmhouse could fit into the ballroom, he thought wryly.
Alfred led Clark upstairs to one of the many guest rooms. “Master Wayne’s bedroom is there and Master Richard’s is next to his.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
“Anything that you need, please be sure to ask.”
“I will.”
“Master Bruce is in the library. Shall I escort you after you unpack?”
“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. I can find it on my own.”
Alfred smiled and said, “Very good, sir.”
Clark smiled, too, and began to unpack, carefully setting three brightly-wrapped packages on the bed as he hung up his suits and put his shirts in the dresser drawer. He had brought his favorite pair of jeans and some flannel shirts but wasn’t sure if he should be so casual to start, so he chose a pair of blue pants and a pale blue shirt. He kept the top button undone and ran a comb through his hair, slipping his feet into loafers
Clark wandered down the hall and the staircase, hearing Alfred working in the kitchen. The sound of childish laughter drifted into the foyer and Clark followed it to the library.
Dick was performing a handstand while Bruce was pretending to ignore him. He busied himself with paperwork at his desk and looked up at Clark’s entrance. “Hello, Clark.” He rose to his feet, wearing charcoal-gray slacks and a dark-green cashmere sweater. “Welcome to the Manor.”
“Thanks, Bruce.” Clark smiled as Dick came out of his handstand and landed on his feet. The boy was dressed in a yellow sweater over a green shirt and jeans. Bruce and Alfred despaired of his fashion sense but Clark found it amusing.
“Hi, Clark!”
“Hi, Dick.”
Well, I always have one fan for sure with Dick.
“Have a seat,” Bruce said with a sweep of his hand.
Clark sat on the couch, adjusting his glasses. “Thank you for inviting me, Bruce.”
“Have you seen the tree?” Dick asked.
“No.” Clark amended that to, “Well, just a glimpse as I went by the living room.”
“That’s the first order of business, right, Bruce?”
“That’s right.”
Dick grabbed Clark’s hand. “Come on!”
Clark rose from the couch and followed Dick down the hall, Bruce coming with them. When they reached the living room, Clark’s eyes widened. “That’s one big tree!” Dick laughed in agreement.
The Balsam fir was a fine, tall specimen, the tip brushing the high ceiling. The yellow star on the top of the tree twinkled as the entire tree glittered with silver and gold garlands and dozens of ornaments.
“Every ornament tells a story. Right, Bruce?” Dick asked.
“Most of them do.”
Dick pointed to a bauble. “That Victorian lady was picked up in London by Bruce’s ancestor Uncle Andrew in 1859.”
“That’s right. He purchased it during his Grand Tour of Europe. He came home in 1861, just before the War started.” Bruce touched a bauble. “And this fierce tiger is from Dick’s family.”
Dick nodded happily. “This elephant ornament is, too. I call it Zitka, after my favorite elephant in the circus.”
“This umbrella bauble is from Alfred’s family.” Bruce smiled. “We also have a teacup, and English bulldog, and a miniature replica of London Bridge, all courtesy of the Pennyworths.”
“These are wonderful.” Clark touched the bulldog bauble with a smile.
“Family traditions,” Bruce said.
“Yes.” Clark kept his eyes on the bulldog. “We have an ornament bought at the 1939 World’s Fair from Grandma Kent, and Grandma Clark made a wonderful casting of our house, just to name a few.” He smiled. “Tradition is very much a Kent thing, too.”
Alfred appeared with tea and oatmeal raisin cookies, a Pepsi on the silver tray for Dick. Dick started a fire in the fireplace as Clark and Bruce sat on the couch. Dick sat cross-legged on the rug by the coffee table.
Snow began to fall outside the windows. Clark nearly laughed.
Picture perfect.
“Hey, it’s snowing!” Dick’s eyes sparkled, reflecting the glittering ornaments.
“And that means…” Bruce said dryly.
“Snowman time!” Dick finished his cookie and dashed out to the foyer.
“Watch,” Bruce said with a smile.
In less than five minutes Dick was outside, running around with his face upturned and his tongue out, tasting snowflakes. He fell to the ground and made a snow angel, then popped back up and began making a snowman as the snow came down hard and fast.
“He’s so full of life,” Clark said.
“He sure keeps things hopping around here.” As Clark watched Dick through the window, Bruce asked, “Do you want to join him?”
Clark smiled brightly. “Yes, I would.”
& & & & & &
Bruce had seen Clark’s wistful look. Not for the first time he was struck by the vulnerability of the man known as invulnerable. Ever since his return to Earth, Clark seemed quieter, more distant, and Bruce speculated that the isolation of his five-year space voyage had affected him.
He needs to re-connect to Earth. Bruce went out to the foyer with Clark and shrugged on his coat. Finding out that he had a son and being separated from him can’t be easy, and his mother’s passing is the final straw.
He and Clark grabbed scarves, hats and gloves as they headed outside. Dick was delighted to see them as he rolled the enormous ball of snow.
“Come on, Clark, roll the next part!”
Bruce worked on rolling the head while Clark rolled the middle section. He used normal speed, snowflakes sprinkling his hair and glasses.
Interesting how even with just us, he still wears the glasses.
Clark rolled his part over to where Dick had set his ball. Clark easily lifted his portion and set it on top of Dick’s.
“We need to get some accessories,” the boy said. He picked up a thick branch and searched for another one. He stuck them on each side of the middle ball of snow.
“What about the eyes, nose, and mouth?” asked Clark.
Dick grinned and scampered off. He was back in seconds.
“Are you sure this kid isn’t the Flash?” teased Clark as Bruce chuckled and Dick giggled.
Bruce was struck by the picture Clark made with his eyes incredibly blue behind his glasses and his cheeks pink from the cold. Snow starred his hair and lashes as he laughed in pure joy.
Bruce’s heart ached with the beauty of it.
Oh, Clark.
& & & & & &
After another snowman was made so the first one wouldn’t be lonely, according to Dick, the three of them tromped into the kitchen after divesting themselves of their snowy outer clothes and boots. Hot chocolate was served and Alfred said, “Dinner in fifteen minutes, gentlemen.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
The hot chocolate was consumed and dinner was welcome after their exercise in the snow. Clark was a little intimidated by the gleaming silverware and elegant chandelier over the large dining room table. The sideboard was old-fashioned and magnificent, set with plates etched with the Wayne crest.
He remembered the suppers at his home with his parents, usually eaten in the kitchen. The small dining room was for Sunday dinners and special occasions in their house.
Our whole kitchen could fit into this dining room.
“How do you like Alfred’s roast sirloin?” Bruce asked.
“It’s delicious.” Clark took another bite. “So are the caramelized inions, baked potatoes, and wild rice.”
“It’s like heaven.” Bruce smiled as he cut his steak.
“It’s been a good day, Bruce. Thank you for inviting me.”
“A pleasure.”
Clark noticed how the candlelight accentuated the cheekbones of Bruce’s face. He was incredibly beautiful. Clark had always known this and had kept it close to his heart, even through all the long years in space as he searched for the remnants of Krypton.
Alfred served chocolate torte for dessert, which Clark declared to be haven. Bruce and Dick laughingly agreed.
When they were finished they retired to the living room. Dick brought down his homework and spread out in front of the fireplace. Clark and Bruce talked about JLA business, Clark comfortable with the subject. He was glad that his colleagues had accepted him back after he had run out on them.
Bruce was called away to take an important Wayne Enterprise-related call. Clark sipped hot chocolate as he stared into the fire, watching the flames leap and dance as they crackled.
“Clark?”
“Hmm?”
“What’s space like?” asked Dick.
“Cold and lonely.”
“What did you do on our trip?”
“Oh, mapped stars and ran computer simulations. I slept a lot.”
Dick wrinkled his nose. “That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“It wasn’t.” Clark sipped his hot chocolate. “The stars were beautiful and I saw things I’ll probably never see again, but it was lonely.” He looked over to see Dick’s eyes large in his face, the blue orbs shimmering with sympathy. For a moment he saw Jason, then blinked and said softly, “It’s all right, Dick.”
Dick smiled. “You’re back now."
“Yes.” Clark returned the smile. “Oh, I should get my presents to put under the tree.”
“Presents are good,” Dick said sagely.
Clark laughed and went upstairs. When he returned, Dick’s eyes were bright as he watched Clark put the presents under the tree. He immediately got up and poked around under the tree, finding his present.
With the fire crackling and highlighting Dick’s hair, Clark felt warmed by more than just the fire. His lonely heart felt a little less lonely.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Alfred, Dick
Continuity: Batman Begins, Superman Returns
Genres: Challenge, Drama, First Time, Holiday, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce invites Clark to the Manor for Christmas.
Chapter Summary: Clark arrives at the Manor and is swept up in Christmas traditions.
Date Of Completion: November 23, 2011
Date Of Posting: December 4, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and WB do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1831
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Written for the 2011 World’s Finest Gift Exchange. Prompt: F2: The rest of the Justice League scattered to spend the holidays with friends and family. Everyone just assumed Clark would be doing the same. But Martha passed away a little while ago, and Lois married Richard, and Clark is all alone on Christmas Eve. Bruce finds out, of course, and decides that Something Must Be Done.
CONTINUITY: SUPERMAN RETURNS/BATMAN BEGINS, but expanding to bring in all the other heroes. One or more of the Robins is fine, too, if it suits the story. Also written for my 2011 DCU Fic/Art Silver-‘N’-Gold Winter Holidays Challenge. Prompt: Silver-‘N’-Gold, natch! ;) and
saavikam77’s 2011 DCU_Freeforall Winter Holidays Challenge. Prompts: No. 3: Twinkling Lights/Star/Sparkle, No. 8: Family/Home/Shelter/Hearth and No. 9: Christmas Tree. :)All chapters can be found here.
"EVERY ORNAMENT TELLS A STORY"
As silver-and-gold
Sparkle and dance,
As hearts overflow
With merriment askance.
Emily Parker
"O, Christmas Tree!"
1906 C.E.
Clark nervously adjusted his glasses as he stood on the portico of Wayne Manor clutching his suitcase. The stone pillars were twined with garlands of holly and red berries, and a huge wreath adorned the door, decorated with silver-and-gold-dusted pears and apples, red berries and a big, red bow. White candles glowed in the windows as darkness began to fall.
The tones of the doorbell rang pure and clear. Clark could her the measured tread of Alfred’s footsteps as he crossed the foyer. As the door opened Clark smiled.
“Glad to see you, Mr. Kent.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
“Come in.” As Clark entered the foyer Alfred said, “Let me take your coat.”
Clark handed over his coat, hat, and scarf, stuffing his gloves in the coat pockets. After Alfred had put them away in the hall closet, he said, “Let me take your valise.”
“I can handle it.”
“Please, Mr. Kent, you make me redundant.”
Clark laughed. “All right.”
Alfred took the suitcase. Clark was glad that it was not heavy. He could not have allowed the elderly man to take it otherwise.
The foyer glittered under the light of the chandelier. Holly garlands wound around the balustrade of the grand staircase and a magnificent bowl of red and white poinsettias flowered on the pier table.
Clark was always awed at the baronial Manor whenever he had reason to visit. It looked more like a castle than a home. The entire farmhouse could fit into the ballroom, he thought wryly.
Alfred led Clark upstairs to one of the many guest rooms. “Master Wayne’s bedroom is there and Master Richard’s is next to his.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
“Anything that you need, please be sure to ask.”
“I will.”
“Master Bruce is in the library. Shall I escort you after you unpack?”
“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. I can find it on my own.”
Alfred smiled and said, “Very good, sir.”
Clark smiled, too, and began to unpack, carefully setting three brightly-wrapped packages on the bed as he hung up his suits and put his shirts in the dresser drawer. He had brought his favorite pair of jeans and some flannel shirts but wasn’t sure if he should be so casual to start, so he chose a pair of blue pants and a pale blue shirt. He kept the top button undone and ran a comb through his hair, slipping his feet into loafers
Clark wandered down the hall and the staircase, hearing Alfred working in the kitchen. The sound of childish laughter drifted into the foyer and Clark followed it to the library.
Dick was performing a handstand while Bruce was pretending to ignore him. He busied himself with paperwork at his desk and looked up at Clark’s entrance. “Hello, Clark.” He rose to his feet, wearing charcoal-gray slacks and a dark-green cashmere sweater. “Welcome to the Manor.”
“Thanks, Bruce.” Clark smiled as Dick came out of his handstand and landed on his feet. The boy was dressed in a yellow sweater over a green shirt and jeans. Bruce and Alfred despaired of his fashion sense but Clark found it amusing.
“Hi, Clark!”
“Hi, Dick.”
Well, I always have one fan for sure with Dick.
“Have a seat,” Bruce said with a sweep of his hand.
Clark sat on the couch, adjusting his glasses. “Thank you for inviting me, Bruce.”
“Have you seen the tree?” Dick asked.
“No.” Clark amended that to, “Well, just a glimpse as I went by the living room.”
“That’s the first order of business, right, Bruce?”
“That’s right.”
Dick grabbed Clark’s hand. “Come on!”
Clark rose from the couch and followed Dick down the hall, Bruce coming with them. When they reached the living room, Clark’s eyes widened. “That’s one big tree!” Dick laughed in agreement.
The Balsam fir was a fine, tall specimen, the tip brushing the high ceiling. The yellow star on the top of the tree twinkled as the entire tree glittered with silver and gold garlands and dozens of ornaments.
“Every ornament tells a story. Right, Bruce?” Dick asked.
“Most of them do.”
Dick pointed to a bauble. “That Victorian lady was picked up in London by Bruce’s ancestor Uncle Andrew in 1859.”
“That’s right. He purchased it during his Grand Tour of Europe. He came home in 1861, just before the War started.” Bruce touched a bauble. “And this fierce tiger is from Dick’s family.”
Dick nodded happily. “This elephant ornament is, too. I call it Zitka, after my favorite elephant in the circus.”
“This umbrella bauble is from Alfred’s family.” Bruce smiled. “We also have a teacup, and English bulldog, and a miniature replica of London Bridge, all courtesy of the Pennyworths.”
“These are wonderful.” Clark touched the bulldog bauble with a smile.
“Family traditions,” Bruce said.
“Yes.” Clark kept his eyes on the bulldog. “We have an ornament bought at the 1939 World’s Fair from Grandma Kent, and Grandma Clark made a wonderful casting of our house, just to name a few.” He smiled. “Tradition is very much a Kent thing, too.”
Alfred appeared with tea and oatmeal raisin cookies, a Pepsi on the silver tray for Dick. Dick started a fire in the fireplace as Clark and Bruce sat on the couch. Dick sat cross-legged on the rug by the coffee table.
Snow began to fall outside the windows. Clark nearly laughed.
Picture perfect.
“Hey, it’s snowing!” Dick’s eyes sparkled, reflecting the glittering ornaments.
“And that means…” Bruce said dryly.
“Snowman time!” Dick finished his cookie and dashed out to the foyer.
“Watch,” Bruce said with a smile.
In less than five minutes Dick was outside, running around with his face upturned and his tongue out, tasting snowflakes. He fell to the ground and made a snow angel, then popped back up and began making a snowman as the snow came down hard and fast.
“He’s so full of life,” Clark said.
“He sure keeps things hopping around here.” As Clark watched Dick through the window, Bruce asked, “Do you want to join him?”
Clark smiled brightly. “Yes, I would.”
Bruce had seen Clark’s wistful look. Not for the first time he was struck by the vulnerability of the man known as invulnerable. Ever since his return to Earth, Clark seemed quieter, more distant, and Bruce speculated that the isolation of his five-year space voyage had affected him.
He needs to re-connect to Earth. Bruce went out to the foyer with Clark and shrugged on his coat. Finding out that he had a son and being separated from him can’t be easy, and his mother’s passing is the final straw.
He and Clark grabbed scarves, hats and gloves as they headed outside. Dick was delighted to see them as he rolled the enormous ball of snow.
“Come on, Clark, roll the next part!”
Bruce worked on rolling the head while Clark rolled the middle section. He used normal speed, snowflakes sprinkling his hair and glasses.
Interesting how even with just us, he still wears the glasses.
Clark rolled his part over to where Dick had set his ball. Clark easily lifted his portion and set it on top of Dick’s.
“We need to get some accessories,” the boy said. He picked up a thick branch and searched for another one. He stuck them on each side of the middle ball of snow.
“What about the eyes, nose, and mouth?” asked Clark.
Dick grinned and scampered off. He was back in seconds.
“Are you sure this kid isn’t the Flash?” teased Clark as Bruce chuckled and Dick giggled.
Bruce was struck by the picture Clark made with his eyes incredibly blue behind his glasses and his cheeks pink from the cold. Snow starred his hair and lashes as he laughed in pure joy.
Bruce’s heart ached with the beauty of it.
Oh, Clark.
After another snowman was made so the first one wouldn’t be lonely, according to Dick, the three of them tromped into the kitchen after divesting themselves of their snowy outer clothes and boots. Hot chocolate was served and Alfred said, “Dinner in fifteen minutes, gentlemen.”
“Thank you, Alfred.”
The hot chocolate was consumed and dinner was welcome after their exercise in the snow. Clark was a little intimidated by the gleaming silverware and elegant chandelier over the large dining room table. The sideboard was old-fashioned and magnificent, set with plates etched with the Wayne crest.
He remembered the suppers at his home with his parents, usually eaten in the kitchen. The small dining room was for Sunday dinners and special occasions in their house.
Our whole kitchen could fit into this dining room.
“How do you like Alfred’s roast sirloin?” Bruce asked.
“It’s delicious.” Clark took another bite. “So are the caramelized inions, baked potatoes, and wild rice.”
“It’s like heaven.” Bruce smiled as he cut his steak.
“It’s been a good day, Bruce. Thank you for inviting me.”
“A pleasure.”
Clark noticed how the candlelight accentuated the cheekbones of Bruce’s face. He was incredibly beautiful. Clark had always known this and had kept it close to his heart, even through all the long years in space as he searched for the remnants of Krypton.
Alfred served chocolate torte for dessert, which Clark declared to be haven. Bruce and Dick laughingly agreed.
When they were finished they retired to the living room. Dick brought down his homework and spread out in front of the fireplace. Clark and Bruce talked about JLA business, Clark comfortable with the subject. He was glad that his colleagues had accepted him back after he had run out on them.
Bruce was called away to take an important Wayne Enterprise-related call. Clark sipped hot chocolate as he stared into the fire, watching the flames leap and dance as they crackled.
“Clark?”
“Hmm?”
“What’s space like?” asked Dick.
“Cold and lonely.”
“What did you do on our trip?”
“Oh, mapped stars and ran computer simulations. I slept a lot.”
Dick wrinkled his nose. “That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“It wasn’t.” Clark sipped his hot chocolate. “The stars were beautiful and I saw things I’ll probably never see again, but it was lonely.” He looked over to see Dick’s eyes large in his face, the blue orbs shimmering with sympathy. For a moment he saw Jason, then blinked and said softly, “It’s all right, Dick.”
Dick smiled. “You’re back now."
“Yes.” Clark returned the smile. “Oh, I should get my presents to put under the tree.”
“Presents are good,” Dick said sagely.
Clark laughed and went upstairs. When he returned, Dick’s eyes were bright as he watched Clark put the presents under the tree. He immediately got up and poked around under the tree, finding his present.
With the fire crackling and highlighting Dick’s hair, Clark felt warmed by more than just the fire. His lonely heart felt a little less lonely.
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no subject
Date: 2011-12-07 11:38 pm (UTC)They're really irresistable! :)
This was a perfect pick-me-up today. I loved the descriptions of the ornaments. It was beautiful and perfectly sentimental.
Thank you! I enjoy writing about ornaments and coming up with stories for them. :)