The House of the Earth Part 2 (2/8): Falling and Getting Up Again

[jij]

Title: Chapter Two: Falling and Getting Up Again
Pairing/Characters: Kal-El, Bruce Wayne, Kara Zor-El
Notes: " The House of the Earth" is an AU in which a few thousand Kryptonians escaped the destruction of Krypton to flee to Earth and enslave its people.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2000
Summary: Kal practices walking, lying, and controlling his temper

Comments

[anonymous]

Oooh~ poor Kal! I really felt for him in this chapter! When he was pleading with Bruce in the room his distress and desperation for just *one* place where they could be equals was so palpable! Also the little day-dream near the end of Bruce walking alongside Kal on a random beach freely, without worry and there because he *wanted* to be was just...beautiful *sighs happily*. My love for Alfred was GREAT in this (I loved how his awesomeness stunned even *Bruce*! :D). Of course he knows what's going on! Alfred is omniscient like that! And Kara was just made of awesome too! Her little stunt with the wine glass had me cheering in my seat XD She's so clever and dedicated to her cause and I'm just in love with this version of her! I thought Bruce having an imaginary friend was a bit odd until I saw that it had been a griffin and then my only thought was "how utterly appropriate!" XD

[jij]

My love for Alfred was GREAT in this (I loved how his awesomeness stunned even *Bruce*! :D). Of course he knows what's going on! Alfred is omniscient like that!

I wish Alfred got more awesome-time in this arc, darn it! He's very cool in this AU--very similar to our Alfred in a lot of ways, and yet kind of tougher and more flexible, too...

I thought Bruce having an imaginary friend was a bit odd until I saw that it had been a griffin and then my only thought was "how utterly appropriate!" XD

I think I might have stolen this idea from arch_schatten, lol! He seems like such a solitary, thoughtful kid, the kind who would make up someone to play with.

And with each new chapter I can't help but wonder how long Bruce is going to keep up his subtle seductions of Kal until he snaps and does something a bit...drastic XDHe knows he probably shouldn't be pushing Kal on this, but he just can't seem to help himself, somehow...and yes, he might end up doing something a bit dramatic eventually

[jij]

*bows* I'm happy to do so! :) Thank you!

[starsandsea]

*new chapter dance*

Kal dusted off his thigh where it had connected with the floor. It had been a pretty convincing fall to him.

Hee.

Bruce laughed, a short, wondering sound. "I told him almost nothing, and yet...I think he understood almost everything I didn't say. When he left, he told me, 'I've always felt you were destined to change this world, Master Bruce. And I think that you and Kal together would be unstoppable.'" Bruce shook his head, his eyes far away. "How I've missed him."

*hearts Alfred* *pets Bruce and Kal*

It was close enough to the truth that Kal felt a hot flush of shame burning him.

*pets Kal again*

"He's...he's quite adorable, cousin."

Hee. Bruce is adorable. :p

Bruce pressed against his leg, winding an arm around his thigh in a gesture that seemed affectionate but was clearly warning.

Oooh. That is very hot, actually! ;)

He felt sick.

*pets Kal*

Kal smiled back at her, tasting gall and wormwood. An adult now.

*huggles Kal*

He was a griffin. A talking griffin.Eeee, I think that's going to have to be

[jij]

Oooh. That is very hot, actually! ;)

Part of the fun/frustration of this series for me is that there are all sorts of hot little moments that the characters can't really enjoy! Because yeah, uh, Bruce kneeling at Kal's feet is so, so hot, but Kal won't dwell on its hotness...

Eeee, I think that's going to have to be part of my head-canon now. That Bruce had an imaginary friend when he was little. Awwww! *glomps him*

I'm pretty sure I stole the idea from arch_schatten! It suits him, doesn't it? *hearts him*

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment!

[brushed_velvet]

I feel so much for Kal here, having to align his behaviour against his natural instincts and going through all that training on top of his attraction to Bruce. Poor thing! (I'm sure he'll be justly rewarded though)

And feeding Bruce strawberries? Incredibly erotic, even if it's not intentional. *shivers*

[jij]

And feeding Bruce strawberries? Incredibly erotic, even if it's not intentional. *shivers*

One of the fun/frustrating things about this series is the boys keep ending up in really hot situations that they resolutely don't think about as hot. Which doesn't keep us from noticing it, lol... ;)

[yavieriel]

This was a fantastic chapter - it's really interesting to see Bruce as the tactile one and Clark as the one uncomfortable with displays of affection. Hopefully we eventually get to see them actually enjoying playing their roles? This is a gorgeous series, and I'm looking forward to the rest of it.

[jij]

Hopefully we eventually get to see them actually enjoying playing their roles?

If only they were just roles, it would be a lot easier! T_T I definitely have to write a really indulgent story where they crash-land on a slave planet and have to pretend and end up having fun with it, because on the whole, they're not having a lot of fun here...although they do end up getting into the roles a bit, I think...

More fairly soon, I think/hope! :)

[yavieriel]

I guess I see the potential for them in the future to have established boundaries and signals in their relationship and become comfortable with the masks they have to put on to deal with life here. Since they are characters well-established as being able to cope with multiple roles, I could see them playing some very complicated games with it, rather the way they do in your fic with the mouse-over alt-text (dang it, I can't remember what it's called). I can also see, however, that the reality of Kal's power over Bruce could make it difficult. I'll be happy however it plays out.

The crash-landing story sounds fun, though!

[jij]

You've wandered into the middle of a long-running debate between my beta and I, actually! Bruce--whose POV I'm not in, alas--seems to agree with you to some extent in this arc, and is a lot more likely to be teasing and playing with Kal about it. Kal is a lot more restricted in how much he can join in without unbalancing things. J'onn will be heard from in a couple of chapters and more clearly sides with my beta. :) I, like Kal, find Bruce's playfulness both hot and reassuring, but playing along is risky for him--maybe mostly for his own peace of mind, in some ways, but still.

(It's obviously an issue I've been giving a lot of thought to!)