Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (8/61)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (8/61)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): King Jodelle/King Jovan, Sefran, Clark/Bruce, Dick, Ollie/Dinah, Roy, Melody, Alfred
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark begins training under the Bat and secrets are uncovered as the Abolitionist Movement makes rapid progress with old and new methods. Can Freedom outrace rumors of War as the Galactic Empire rushes headlong to a new future?
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: The political fall-out continues on Jovara while on Earth, Bruce and Clark take the children trick-or-treating.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): February 28, 2011
Date Of Posting: April 10, 2012
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1141
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
Enjoy today,
Because tomorrow
May never come.
Sarah Silk
"The Yellow Rose
And Other Poems"
2012 C.E.
VIII
SAVOR THE MOMENT
Jodelle stared out the window, the hissing of the machines background noise to him now. Pain throbbed in his arm and ribs, and the cut on his thigh was screaming at him. The sky outside was slate-gray, suiting his mood. His heart was aching with a different kind of pain.
Jovan, my love.
“Majesty.”
Jodelle looked up at the soft voice, his eyes dull. “Yes, Sefran?”
“I brought some clothes from the Palace.”
“Thank you.”
Sefran hesitated. “Your Majesty, it will be all right. Our people are searching and investigating who did this terrible thing.”
Jodelle’s face darkened. “You do not need to look very far. Vashton is behind this.” The bandage over his right eye stood out stark and white against his blue skin.
Sefran bit his lip. “We must have proof, sir.”
“I know that!” Jodelle snapped, and immediately was contrite. “I am sorry…”
“No need, Majesty.”
Jodelle rubbed his eyes. “We will not find proof directly linking Vashton. He is too clever. He incites the pro-slavery faction but will claim he had nothing to do with the attack.”
“Of course, sir, but this attack was well-planned, not a last-minute thing. Somehow the bomb got past the Royal Guard and blew up your coach. If it was not for King Jovan noticing something amiss…”
“Yes.” Jodelle’s eyes burned with unshed tears.
Sefran’s eyes were kind as he put a hand on Jodelle’s shoulder. Years of service and close emotional intimacy allowed that in this stressful time.
“All will be well, Your Majesty.”
Jodelle looked down at the heavily-bandaged figure of Jovan lying in the hospital bed.
“All must be, Sefran.”
& & & & & &
Bruce rubbed his forehead and looked into the worried eyes of his younger partner.
“Bruce, I know you wanted to push the contract slavery idea, but do you think you should after what happened in Jovara?”
Bruce smiled gently at Dick. “I’ll be fine.”
They were in the library, preparations for the Harvest Ball in full swing.
“How do you know that it’ll be all right? Please, Bruce, if you come out in favor of contract slavery, someone is bound to match it up to what happened on Jovara.”
“That’s very perceptive of you.”
Dick sparkled briefly at the praise but quickly got back to his concerns. “Bruce, there are crazy people out there! I know you know that, but sometimes I wonder if you realize how vulnerable you are as the Prince of Gotham.”
Amused, Bruce said, “I have excellent bodyguards.”
“I know.” Dick pouted. “But you put yourself out there in dangerous situations.”
“I have to take my share of risks, like Kathy and Martha and Lana.”
Dick sighed. “I know. Just be careful, please?”
Bruce’s smile was affectionate as he drew Dick into a hug. “I will.” When he released Dick, he said, “Now you’d better go get dressed. Everyone’s getting into their costumes and will be ready. And you still have to go trick-or-treating!”
“Okay!” Dick paused before he dashed out the door. “Just watch your back tonight, or better yet, have Clark do it.” He winked as he disappeared.
Bruce shook his head with a smile.
& & & & & &
In the foyer, Bruce noticed the two guests as he reached the bottom of the grand staircase.
Ollie smirked. “Let me guess what Clark will be.”
“Welcome, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern.”
Dinah smiled. “Thank you, Iron Man.”
Bruce smirked as he clanked across the floor. “Seems like we had superheroes on the brain.”
Ollie smirked back. “Let me guess what Clark will be.”
Bruce’s mask hid his smile. “We should be back in an hour after taking the kids trick-or-treating.”
“Eventually they’ll be too old to go,” Dina said regretfully.
“True, but not this year.”
“Exactly,” Ollie said.
Bruce smiled as Dick rocketed down the stairs. “Well, Bucky, are you all set for trick-or-treating?”
“Yes, sir!” Dick’s eyes shone with excitement.
Bruce realized that Dinah was right: in a few years Dick and his friends would be too old for trick-or-treating, maybe even next year, but he was willing to stretch it out as long as possible. They had all missed a lot of years.
Besides, Dick loves dressing up in costumes and playing a character. Looks like I’m a stage mother, like it or not.
Bruce smiled as Dick eagerly went over to Dinah and Ollie, admiring their costumes.
“Wow, you sure make a pretty Wonder Woman, Mistress.”
“Thank you, Dick. You are a handsome Bucky, indeed.”
Dick beamed, smoothing out his red-and-blue costume. “Thank you, Mistress.”
Roy and Melody came down next, grins all around as Roy strutted in his Robin costume and Melody in her Batgirl costume.
“You make a cool Robin, Roy,” Dick laughed.
“Thanks. And I bet Melody could show us an acrobatic trick or two.”
“Yeah, Batgirl is very acrobatic.” Dick smiled a secret smile.
“We can get going as soon as Clark is ready," Bruce said, turning as Dinah pointed toward the staircase. He smiled.
Captain America strode confidently down the stairs, chainmail shirt glittering under the chandelier. The big, white star gleamed on his broad chest.
“Whoa, pretty nice, winghead,” Bruce said.
“Thanks, shellhead.”
Dick fist-pumped. “You look great, Clark!”
Clark grinned. “So do you. You all do.”
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Bruce called for Alfred, who came to help with the coats.
Once out in the crisp night air, everyone had an extra lilt in their step. Leaves swirled in the air and skittered down the street in little arcs as the jovial group headed out, waving and laughing to other groups making their rounds.
Bruce savored every moment. He knew that changes were coming, had already come, and he was not sure that they would all be together next Halloween.
Clark had come back to him, but would he stay? He was going to have great responsibilities once his training was complete. His people expected a Savior, but they would settle for anyone who would help them from being Hunted and executed. It was something he probably would not be able to do from Earth.
And what about Dick? Soon he would be hitting the adolescent years, chafing at restrictions. He had grown up in positive environments: first the circus with his parents and then at the Manor. As sweet and happy a child as he had been, it was no guarantee that his adolescence would not be a stormy one. Bruce just hoped that he had not been too lenient with his boy, causing trouble down the line.
He took a deep breath. Clark was always chiding him about thinking too much, so busy planning far ahead that he failed to enjoy the moment. Well, he was going to enjoy this moment.
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