Brothers and Heroes part 4
11/3/05 11:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
roxyParts Before
Hello. Back again with Brothers. My word…I passed out like a rock last night, I didn’t even know I was going to sleep. It’s sad how little resistance I have to this thing. I’m drinking lots of tea and honey—mmmm! And I’m being pampered so it’s all good. Two more days and I’m off for the weekend! Whoo-hoo! Nobody better make plans for me either...grrrr!
Well, you’ve sat through blather long enough, shall we get to the get-to?
Fresh hot fic! Like ta see it?
Brothers And Heroes
The next summer at the Hotel was the summer Bruce turned nine. Things were a little different for all of them, now that the Kents had little Clark. Clark never spoke, even though he looked pretty smart, and really did seem to understand everything.
Dad said Clark was special and they had to be very careful with him, not to get him upset or anything. Which pretty much meant Clark got whatever he wanted. All Clark had to do was let his lip quiver and he got ice cream or Bruce’s book or Bruce’s time-- whatever he wanted, the brat got. And Lex—what a traitor. He thought it was all so cute. He practically broke his neck for Clark. It made him so mad. What ever that brat wanted Lex ran to get. If they were talking and Clark came up and whined, Lex dropped everything and ignored Bruce.
For most of that summer, Bruce tried to figure out what made Clark special—besides not speaking. Bruce knew he could make noise, sometimes when he got excited he made some noises that reminded him a little of being in the Chinese Market with Dad. Not that Clark was speaking Chinese, Bruce was pretty sure because his dad didn’t understand what Clark was saying. But being quiet didn’t make him special. In fact, he was pretty much like any other little kid Bruce had ever seen, whiny, snotty, pukey… he didn’t get it.
And one day when he and Lex and of course, Clark--because everywhere Lex went Clark went—were splashing around in the water, Clark caught a fish.
He just reached out and snatched it up, so fast that they weren’t sure at first what he’d done. It was cool—at first. And then Clark’s face slowly went from surprised joy to complete horror—he started crying but not like a little kid, it was pretty horrible—loud and hurt-sounding, his little chest was heaving in and out and he held his hand out and just…screamed.
Lex was there first and managed to get Clark to show him his hand, pulled it open. The fish’s head was fine and the fish’s tail was fine, but the fish’s middle was—paste. It oozed between Clark’s baby fingers, and got all over Lex’s hand. Lex was frozen, mouth open, staring at Clark and Clark started screaming harder.
Bruce grabbed Clark’s fish gut covered hand and pulled him deeper in the water, washed it off and told him over and over again it was okay. He ended up with a soaking wet chest and Clark wrapped around him, crying his heart out and apparently not planning to stop… finally Lex just—Bruce swore he could see a light bulb go off over his head—grabbed Clark, swung him and Bruce around and yelled at Clark.
“I’m not afraid of you!”
Clark hiccupped and slowed a tiny bit.
“I’m not afraid of you. Not a bit afraid, okay?”
Clark looked at him, the howling tapered off and he slowly nodded.
“Okay now?”
He nodded, but didn’t let go of Bruce and Bruce felt kind of protective. He patted Clark until Clark finally eased off. Lex held out his hand, and Clark took it and they walked to the hotel together.
Lex looked at Bruce over Clark’s bobbing head, and the thought went between them, unspoken.
Clark was different. He really wasn’t like the rest of them. Lex whispered, “Could it be the rocks did it, like they did to me?”
Bruce nodded. It makes sense. He looked down at his achy, bruise covered arms, whispered back. “That’s got to be it.”
The rest of that summer went by in a haze of long golden days. It turned out to be the most perfect time they’d ever had, filled with strolls on the boardwalk, and hot dogs that tasted the best they’d ever had, cotton candy and strawberry pop, sweet and cold and delicious, sticky and red on their lips and chins.
The water was always warm and the days were always sunny. They swam all day every day, and played pirates in the rocks.
One day Bruce was watching as Lex tried to teach Clark to say ‘yo-ho-ho’ and thought amazing. Lex was pretty amazing. He knew about Vikings and Indians and Pirates and he taught Clark how to tie a pirate scarf. He taught them how to make a cup out of leaves like pirates did. He taught Clark how squirt water out of his hands and how to laugh out loud.
Weird, what you could learn from a book…Bruce watched him day in and day out. Lex made a great older brother, better than him, maybe. It wasn’t that he didn’t love Clark, he just got on his nerves sometimes, and he wanted *so* much attention that it just made him tired. But Lex seemed to always have the time, and the patience—how did he do it? Clark looked at him like he was…Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny rolled into one. Bruce grinned a little. Maybe he wanted Clark to look at him like that too. It’d be nice if Lex would….
He spent the rest of the afternoon teaching Clark how to skip stones and not thinking about Lex.
Part II
Plans were made for the three households to spend the Christmas holidays together that year. Right after Christmas, the families planned to vacation at the Wayne estate through the New Year together. Lillian was ill part of the time, and Martha and Mattie were always able to help her through the bad times. Lillian begged Lionel to let her spend the holidays with her friends and because he loved her, he agreed. The same scenario played out in two other houses, and the three boys were beside themselves with anticipation.
******
Dec. 2, 19__
Dear Casper,
I’m really looking forward to seeing you after Christmas. When I get that b-b-gun like I asked for, we’re going to have fun. Dad made me promise not to shoot birds, can you believe it? Like he’d have to tell us that. Good guys don’t hurt animals. Unless I see a weasel trying to kill a bird. Then I’ll shoot it. But we have lots of space for target practice and Dad said he’d get targets for me too. Also they told me ix-nay on the no Santa Claus thing with little Poop-Head. Mr. and Mrs. Kent do that Santa thing, so don’t spoil it for them. Miss Martha would really be sad if we told him.
Write me back.
Spooky
******
December 7, 19__
Spooky,
First of all you would be the last person I’d give a loaded weapon of any kind to. I’ll be sure to protect my eyes and wear a steel cup when we come. I’m looking forward to missing the target repeatedly. I enjoy games that lower my self –esteem. I plan to teach you play chess this holiday, maybe that way I’ll be able to regain my feeling of superiority.
Secondly, it’s cute that Clark believes in Santa. You should have heard him get all excited about Christmas on the phone. Anyway, I assume he was excited. Basically he just yelled my name a lot. Looking forward to seeing you too, don’t call him poop-head.
Your friend,
Casper
******
Alexander,
You talked to Clark on the phone? You didn’t call me? Clark can talk? Why didn’t you call me?
Bruce
*****
December 15, 19__
Dear Bruce,
I’m sorry I didn’t call you but we write to each other all the time. It just didn’t occur to me.
Clark can’t write so his mom calls me to talk to him. He’s starting to talk, he can say ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ and ‘cow’. Make him say moo when you see him, it’s absolutely the funniest thing.
I’ll ask dad if I can call you. He might say yes, I got exceptionals all this year in school and you know how he is about performance. Clark calls me Lexer. It’s so funny.
Your friend,
Lex
******
Dear Lexer,
I asked Dad, I can call you the day before Christmas Eve. Pretty cool, right?
I’ll talk to you then, Lexer. That’s a week from now Lexer so make sure you’re home Lexer.
Your buddy,
Spooky Bruce
Tbc!
Hello. Back again with Brothers. My word…I passed out like a rock last night, I didn’t even know I was going to sleep. It’s sad how little resistance I have to this thing. I’m drinking lots of tea and honey—mmmm! And I’m being pampered so it’s all good. Two more days and I’m off for the weekend! Whoo-hoo! Nobody better make plans for me either...grrrr!
Well, you’ve sat through blather long enough, shall we get to the get-to?
Fresh hot fic! Like ta see it?
Brothers And Heroes
The next summer at the Hotel was the summer Bruce turned nine. Things were a little different for all of them, now that the Kents had little Clark. Clark never spoke, even though he looked pretty smart, and really did seem to understand everything.
Dad said Clark was special and they had to be very careful with him, not to get him upset or anything. Which pretty much meant Clark got whatever he wanted. All Clark had to do was let his lip quiver and he got ice cream or Bruce’s book or Bruce’s time-- whatever he wanted, the brat got. And Lex—what a traitor. He thought it was all so cute. He practically broke his neck for Clark. It made him so mad. What ever that brat wanted Lex ran to get. If they were talking and Clark came up and whined, Lex dropped everything and ignored Bruce.
For most of that summer, Bruce tried to figure out what made Clark special—besides not speaking. Bruce knew he could make noise, sometimes when he got excited he made some noises that reminded him a little of being in the Chinese Market with Dad. Not that Clark was speaking Chinese, Bruce was pretty sure because his dad didn’t understand what Clark was saying. But being quiet didn’t make him special. In fact, he was pretty much like any other little kid Bruce had ever seen, whiny, snotty, pukey… he didn’t get it.
And one day when he and Lex and of course, Clark--because everywhere Lex went Clark went—were splashing around in the water, Clark caught a fish.
He just reached out and snatched it up, so fast that they weren’t sure at first what he’d done. It was cool—at first. And then Clark’s face slowly went from surprised joy to complete horror—he started crying but not like a little kid, it was pretty horrible—loud and hurt-sounding, his little chest was heaving in and out and he held his hand out and just…screamed.
Lex was there first and managed to get Clark to show him his hand, pulled it open. The fish’s head was fine and the fish’s tail was fine, but the fish’s middle was—paste. It oozed between Clark’s baby fingers, and got all over Lex’s hand. Lex was frozen, mouth open, staring at Clark and Clark started screaming harder.
Bruce grabbed Clark’s fish gut covered hand and pulled him deeper in the water, washed it off and told him over and over again it was okay. He ended up with a soaking wet chest and Clark wrapped around him, crying his heart out and apparently not planning to stop… finally Lex just—Bruce swore he could see a light bulb go off over his head—grabbed Clark, swung him and Bruce around and yelled at Clark.
“I’m not afraid of you!”
Clark hiccupped and slowed a tiny bit.
“I’m not afraid of you. Not a bit afraid, okay?”
Clark looked at him, the howling tapered off and he slowly nodded.
“Okay now?”
He nodded, but didn’t let go of Bruce and Bruce felt kind of protective. He patted Clark until Clark finally eased off. Lex held out his hand, and Clark took it and they walked to the hotel together.
Lex looked at Bruce over Clark’s bobbing head, and the thought went between them, unspoken.
Clark was different. He really wasn’t like the rest of them. Lex whispered, “Could it be the rocks did it, like they did to me?”
Bruce nodded. It makes sense. He looked down at his achy, bruise covered arms, whispered back. “That’s got to be it.”
The rest of that summer went by in a haze of long golden days. It turned out to be the most perfect time they’d ever had, filled with strolls on the boardwalk, and hot dogs that tasted the best they’d ever had, cotton candy and strawberry pop, sweet and cold and delicious, sticky and red on their lips and chins.
The water was always warm and the days were always sunny. They swam all day every day, and played pirates in the rocks.
One day Bruce was watching as Lex tried to teach Clark to say ‘yo-ho-ho’ and thought amazing. Lex was pretty amazing. He knew about Vikings and Indians and Pirates and he taught Clark how to tie a pirate scarf. He taught them how to make a cup out of leaves like pirates did. He taught Clark how squirt water out of his hands and how to laugh out loud.
Weird, what you could learn from a book…Bruce watched him day in and day out. Lex made a great older brother, better than him, maybe. It wasn’t that he didn’t love Clark, he just got on his nerves sometimes, and he wanted *so* much attention that it just made him tired. But Lex seemed to always have the time, and the patience—how did he do it? Clark looked at him like he was…Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny rolled into one. Bruce grinned a little. Maybe he wanted Clark to look at him like that too. It’d be nice if Lex would….
He spent the rest of the afternoon teaching Clark how to skip stones and not thinking about Lex.
Part II
Plans were made for the three households to spend the Christmas holidays together that year. Right after Christmas, the families planned to vacation at the Wayne estate through the New Year together. Lillian was ill part of the time, and Martha and Mattie were always able to help her through the bad times. Lillian begged Lionel to let her spend the holidays with her friends and because he loved her, he agreed. The same scenario played out in two other houses, and the three boys were beside themselves with anticipation.
******
Dec. 2, 19__
Dear Casper,
I’m really looking forward to seeing you after Christmas. When I get that b-b-gun like I asked for, we’re going to have fun. Dad made me promise not to shoot birds, can you believe it? Like he’d have to tell us that. Good guys don’t hurt animals. Unless I see a weasel trying to kill a bird. Then I’ll shoot it. But we have lots of space for target practice and Dad said he’d get targets for me too. Also they told me ix-nay on the no Santa Claus thing with little Poop-Head. Mr. and Mrs. Kent do that Santa thing, so don’t spoil it for them. Miss Martha would really be sad if we told him.
Write me back.
Spooky
******
December 7, 19__
Spooky,
First of all you would be the last person I’d give a loaded weapon of any kind to. I’ll be sure to protect my eyes and wear a steel cup when we come. I’m looking forward to missing the target repeatedly. I enjoy games that lower my self –esteem. I plan to teach you play chess this holiday, maybe that way I’ll be able to regain my feeling of superiority.
Secondly, it’s cute that Clark believes in Santa. You should have heard him get all excited about Christmas on the phone. Anyway, I assume he was excited. Basically he just yelled my name a lot. Looking forward to seeing you too, don’t call him poop-head.
Your friend,
Casper
******
Alexander,
You talked to Clark on the phone? You didn’t call me? Clark can talk? Why didn’t you call me?
Bruce
*****
December 15, 19__
Dear Bruce,
I’m sorry I didn’t call you but we write to each other all the time. It just didn’t occur to me.
Clark can’t write so his mom calls me to talk to him. He’s starting to talk, he can say ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ and ‘cow’. Make him say moo when you see him, it’s absolutely the funniest thing.
I’ll ask dad if I can call you. He might say yes, I got exceptionals all this year in school and you know how he is about performance. Clark calls me Lexer. It’s so funny.
Your friend,
Lex
******
Dear Lexer,
I asked Dad, I can call you the day before Christmas Eve. Pretty cool, right?
I’ll talk to you then, Lexer. That’s a week from now Lexer so make sure you’re home Lexer.
Your buddy,
Spooky Bruce
Tbc!
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11/4/05 12:07 am (UTC)