“. . . Back to today’s top story: many in Metropolis are still without power after the villainess - known as Livewire - latest escape from Metropolis Correctional. An estimated 900,000 are currently affected and without electricity. We take our coverage to Elaine, who is currently on the scene. Elaine, now that Superman has successfully apprehended Livewire and handed her back to police custody, when can citizens estimate their lights to turn back on?”
A few booths back from the countertop, a blonde woman in a long, brown overcoat coughed. The white mutt sitting on the bench beside her tilted his head in confusion, leading the girl to scratch behind his raised ear as she downed the rest of her Thanagarian liquor.
“Clark is out late, tonight, isn’t he? Whatever happened to early bedtime for younger cousins, huh?” The girl chuckled as the mutt licked her face.
“. . . in other Super news, Mayor Shuster has announced our very own Man of Tomorrow is to receive the coveted Key to Metropolis City in a ceremony scheduled for next month. We turn to my co-anchor Julie with the latest news on that. Julie, do we know the date of the ceremony, or, even how Superman received the news, for that matter?”
The blonde girl dropped her hand from the pooch and forcefully exhaled. She reached for her glass cup, but found it was empty.
Krypto whined beside her.
Kara Zor-El, however, was finished listening to the ramblings of the television.
“Al!” Kara called out to the lone bartender behind the mahogany bar. “How about something other than the boring news? You got MTV on that thing? It’s stuffy in here!”
Al, the bartender and owner of the alien speakeasy Kara found herself in, shrugged as he dried a glass cup with a rag. “No can-do, Blondie. This television’s only got three channels, and Music’s been off the air since yesteryear.”
The Kryptonian sighed as she begrudgingly went to stand, wobbly guiding herself - and her glass cup - to the bar. Krypto followed, nibbling on her leg once he understood her incoming request. Kara shrugged the pooch off.
Before the female Kryptonian could ask for a refill, Al raised his hand.
“Miss, I told you that was our last bottle of Thanagarian. No more, until the ship arrives next year.”
Kara’s open mouth closed into a tight frown. She blinked, her peripherals becoming… spinny. She gripped the counter as the liquor finally began to work its way through her system. “Okay then, how about—”
──────── ⵌ TEN MINUTES LATER
“W-ooh, pup, why’d you let me drink s’much?” Kara slurred as she exited the speakeasy, immediately followed by clutching her temples with her hands. She gasped, gritting her teeth in pain. Too much, too much! So much for being under a red sun! As soon as she stepped out into the cool, outside air, her senses were assaulted by the nightlife that surrounded her.
It would be hours until the city of New Orleans fell into a slumber.
As Kara fought the internal war on her senses, Krypto took notice of. . . something. The pup turned towards a nearby dark alley and raised his furry ear… listening.
Kara peeked behind her shielded eyes when she heard the Kryptonian mutt begin to growl. “Krypto? What..?”
In a blink, the mutt took off in a white blur, stopping at the mouth of the alleyway. Kara cursed as she rushed after the mutt, curious to see what had him growling and barking like Lobo himself was ahead. . .
Lestat moaned softly as the man’s blood filled his mouth. He’d caught this creep about to assault one of The Vampire Arsenal’s fans, so he took it upon himself to enact some wonderful retribution. He was halfway finished with his meal when the sound of a dog barking reached his ears, but he paid it no mind.
Atleast until another delicious smell filled his nose as the sound of footsteps approached.
He pulled off his now deceased prey and dropped his body to the ground, wiping away any excess blood that spilled past his lips.
“Beautiful dog you have there, Mademoiselle…” Lestat said with a small fanged smiled.
“Krypto! Wait!” Kara called out as she stumbled after the dog. The Kryptonian nearly tripped over her own feet as she skidded to a halt behind the dog at the mouth of the alleyway.
Kara blinked.
Then she rubbed her eyes.
The millisecond the human’s heart ceased to beat, Krypto let out a sad whine.
“Um. .” Kara started, as she took two steps to approach. . what was the human term? What was this man?
“Excuse me..” she staggered as she thrust her hand out to grasp a nearby dumpster; her visual world began to spin, again. “You remind me of someone. You seem. . familiar. I don’t feel so good.”
As soon as the words escaped her lips, the Girl of Steel took a tumble to the dirty alleyway floor.
Even the toughest of beings could rarely hold their own against Thanagarian liquor.
The air in the containment room reeked burnt flesh and scorched metal. Chains hissed faintly where they met his skin, humming with silver and green mingling light. Kryptonite-infused silver — enough to make every movement feel like drowning in fire and make rescue difficult.
James lifted his head just enough to glare at the camera watching him from the corner. His coat hung in tatters, blood drying at his collar. The last thing he wanted was his help. Not after the words they’d exchanged. Not after Superman had stormed out and left him in the cold.
But Lex Luthor didn’t care about heartbreak.
A red light blinked to life above the comm unit. Lex’s voice drifted over the intercom, smooth and venomous. “Say the words, Mr. Norrington. Or I’ll find someone less… sentimental to encourage him.”
James’s hissed. He’d rather swallow glass! But when one of Luthor’s guards flashed UV light upon him, the pain arced through him like fire, forcing a growl from his throat.
He finally broke— low and cold, his British lilt cracking under the strain. He could feel Luthor’s smug eyes behind the lens. “Superman…” His voice cracked with restrained venom and pain. “ I— I need your help. Please… hurry.”
The moment the red light flicked off, he let out a rasping breath and sagged forward in the chains.
James sagged against the chains, eyes half-lidded. “There. You got your bait,” he muttered toward the mirrored wall. “But don't hold your breath that he'll come for me, we're not exactly on speaking terms.”
He let his head drop forward, voice barely a whisper now.
"if he does... he’ll hate me more for it.” he mutters more to himself than Luthor.
A low, satisfied chuckle filtered through the intercom — rich, deliberate, and unbearably smug.
“Oh, Mr. Norrington… you underestimate just how predictable your caped paramour really is.”
The hum of the containment field rose slightly, bathing James in a brighter wash of green.
“For all his righteousness and restraint, he can’t resist a damsel — or whatever it is you count as these days. He’ll come charging in, heart first, head last. And when he does…He’ll see exactly what his sentimentality costs him.” What James cost him.
“Thanks, Superman!” The tiny brunette girl exclaimed as the Man of Tomorrow handed over her rescued tabby cat that was previously trapped up the tall, oak tree. Superman smiled, but the expression did not reach his eyes.
𝟏𝟕𝟕 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬.
"Gee blue, its kinda lookin' like ya been either smackin’ the goons a lil too hard, or ya ain’t givin’ ’em nearly enough oomph! C’mon, what’s the deal, huh? You losin’ ya spark?" Spoke the mischievous Harley Quinn as she was escorted — once again — out of the Hall of Justice.
𝟒,𝟐𝟒𝟖 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬.
“Clark, I’ve never seen you like this. In this much. . pain,” Lois Lane admitted with a concerned tilt to her voice. “This is even worse than when I. . . When you.. when we..” she coughed, not wanting to verbally continue that train of thought. “Smallville, you should really talk to him. Try to salvage what you two had. It’s gonna kill you if you don’t.”
Clark tried to distract himself by diving even deeper into the role of Superman… but in the back of his mind, that clock still ticked.
The seconds felt like hours, and hours felt like months.
The sun began to dip over the Metropolis horizon, which brought another reminder of him. Of the man he once loved.
Of the man he thought he’d spend forever with.
──────── ⵌ ⵌ ────────
Snap! Snap! Snap! “Earth to Clark, dear. Are you with us?”
Clark blinked, realizing he had zoned out at the Kent dining table. Before him, his Ma had attempted to grab his attention. “Oh, hi, Ma. Sorry, yeah, I’m here.” Clark spoke near monotonely as he quickly took another bite of Ma Kent’s famous chicken pot pie.
He ignored the frown that lingered on her face.
Jonathan Kent attempted to lighten the mood. “Clark, you wanna stay a few days here? Remember, the county’s fall festival is coming up this weekend, and us old folks could really use the extra pair of hands for preparations.”
Clark nodded robotically. Another task to keep him busy. “Sure, Pa. I can stay.” To keep him from thinking about. . .
“Superman. . .”
Clark gasped, shooting immediately to his feet as if a bolt of electricity struck him right then and there.
Only slightly slower than their son, both Martha and Jonathan joined Clark to their feet, concern etched on their faces. “Clark, what is it?” “Did you hear something?”
Clark expanded his senses, not completely sure if it was simply his mind playing an evil trick on him. It has been too long, since he heard him. Since he attempted to reach out to him. .
“Superman!”
The voice spoke louder - with more fervor - in his mind, and he knew then it was no illusion.
“I need your help. Please… hurry.”
It had been 115 days since his husband had attempted to reach Clark via their blood bond. 115 days since Clark had heard his voice.
Clark promised himself he would stay away..
“James is in trouble. He needs me, now.”
… but his hand moved to the beat of his Kryptonian heart as he ripped out of his civilian attire, leaping into the sky as Superman, once more.
“James, I got your message. I am on my way. Where are you?” Clark asked as he shot through the skies like a rocket, following the bond’s connection from Smallville to somewhere in.. Louisiana?
What was James doing in Louisiana? Clark wondered.
“. . . Back to today’s top story: many in Metropolis are still without power after the villainess - known as Livewire - latest escape from Metropolis Correctional. An estimated 900,000 are currently affected and without electricity. We take our coverage to Elaine, who is currently on the scene. Elaine, now that Superman has successfully apprehended Livewire and handed her back to police custody, when can citizens estimate their lights to turn back on?”
A few booths back from the countertop, a blonde woman in a long, brown overcoat coughed. The white mutt sitting on the bench beside her tilted his head in confusion, leading the girl to scratch behind his raised ear as she downed the rest of her Thanagarian liquor.
“Clark is out late, tonight, isn’t he? Whatever happened to early bedtime for younger cousins, huh?” The girl chuckled as the mutt licked her face.
“. . . in other Super news, Mayor Shuster has announced our very own Man of Tomorrow is to receive the coveted Key to Metropolis City in a ceremony scheduled for next month. We turn to my co-anchor Julie with the latest news on that. Julie, do we know the date of the ceremony, or, even how Superman received the news, for that matter?”
The blonde girl dropped her hand from the pooch and forcefully exhaled. She reached for her glass cup, but found it was empty.
Krypto whined beside her.
Kara Zor-El, however, was finished listening to the ramblings of the television.
“Al!” Kara called out to the lone bartender behind the mahogany bar. “How about something other than the boring news? You got MTV on that thing? It’s stuffy in here!”
Al, the bartender and owner of the alien speakeasy Kara found herself in, shrugged as he dried a glass cup with a rag. “No can-do, Blondie. This television’s only got three channels, and Music’s been off the air since yesteryear.”
The Kryptonian sighed as she begrudgingly went to stand, wobbly guiding herself - and her glass cup - to the bar. Krypto followed, nibbling on her leg once he understood her incoming request. Kara shrugged the pooch off.
Before the female Kryptonian could ask for a refill, Al raised his hand.
“Miss, I told you that was our last bottle of Thanagarian. No more, until the ship arrives next year.”
Kara’s open mouth closed into a tight frown. She blinked, her peripherals becoming… spinny. She gripped the counter as the liquor finally began to work its way through her system. “Okay then, how about—”
──────── ⵌ TEN MINUTES LATER
“W-ooh, pup, why’d you let me drink s’much?” Kara slurred as she exited the speakeasy, immediately followed by clutching her temples with her hands. She gasped, gritting her teeth in pain. Too much, too much! So much for being under a red sun! As soon as she stepped out into the cool, outside air, her senses were assaulted by the nightlife that surrounded her.
It would be hours until the city of New Orleans fell into a slumber.
As Kara fought the internal war on her senses, Krypto took notice of. . . something. The pup turned towards a nearby dark alley and raised his furry ear… listening.
Kara peeked behind her shielded eyes when she heard the Kryptonian mutt begin to growl. “Krypto? What..?”
In a blink, the mutt took off in a white blur, stopping at the mouth of the alleyway. Kara cursed as she rushed after the mutt, curious to see what had him growling and barking like Lobo himself was ahead. . .
James was incredibly grateful to have a lover who could complete both sides of his personality, and knew how and when to give him what he needed. Though James tried to be the same, Clark was the first person James had ever been with that understood the switch in him.
Here, behind him, was an entity of the night. A being that lived only because of the death of others. A predator… and Clark, by definition, was his prey.
In a logical world, Clark would have ran away. Shunned him. Perhaps even banished the being to the Phantom Zone…
Nobody ever claimed Superman had the power of SuperLogic.
Clark took one step forward, bringing his boyfriend with him so both were directly underneath the warm spray. If he closed his eyes, the visual painted vividly in his mind.. James and Clark… one, a creature of the night, one, of the day… coupled as so within the ambience of a steamy rainforest on a secluded island. The wildlife pausing only to watch the two lovers at play.
The alien’s heartbeat slowed minutely in response to the peppering kisses, feeling every bit of loved and relaxed at the action. Oh, James, he mentally moaned.
Clark was back in the rainforest; the thunderstorm pouring overhead. He was so dazed in serenity that he missed the hungry snake approaching. Devilish fangs extended in anticipation. . .
. . . And vampire-sharp fangs pierced alien flesh, leading to an audible gasp from the alien! Clark’s orbs snapped open, and he gritted his teeth.. but not in pain.
James’s bites were never painful. A clearer-headed Clark would laugh at how oxymoronic that sounded.
Warm vampire hands traversed his physique (earning shudders in response) until it reached its destination, and Clark couldn’t contain the whine from his lips.
“What say I give it a go, love?” James managed to somehow tease even with his teeth in his throat, and Clark already began to nod in response.
“Please.. James,” the Man of Steel was reduced to whiny begs.
“I love you James. Please. . .”
And thus the Kansas native offered his body and flesh for the vampire to devour. . .
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The sound of a whimper pierced the midnight air. Instantly, two non-humans woke from their slumber, and moved from the king-sized bed. Within moments, two alien (and two vampire) eyes were looking down into the soft pink-laced bassinet positioned to the left of the parents’ bed. . .
The dark, curly-haired infant stirred. Half-lidded, her green eyes peeked through as her tiny palm patted her throat.
“She’s hungry.” <And I fell asleep before I could grab more formula,> the alien both verbally, and mentally, stated to his vampire husband (while said alien gently caressed a ringlet of their daughter’s hair.)
While Adeline Maeve mainly had a diet consisting of whole blood, the parents had been experimenting mixing human infant formula into her blood bottle every few feedings. After a few months of slow experimentation, she no longer rejected the mixed bottle.
Clark Norrington-Kent got to his feet and quickly located both his wallet and his bedroom slippers. The father made no effort to switch out of his navy blue pajamas: a trip to the store at 12:24 am didn’t require that much effort. Clark smiled as he knelt in front of his wonderful husband, who was now sitting on the edge of their bed, cooing and rocking their precious daughter. Clark gently ran his fingers through the vampire’s hair.
“I’ll be back faster than a speeding bullet.”
As the alien made his way to the balcony, a gentle British voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Clark.”
Clark turned around.
James tapped his temple with a smile.
“Your glasses.”
Clark felt his face and made a noise similar to an “oops.”
A gust of wind stirred the room as Clark retrieved the last of his attire and took off into the midnight sky.
Ten minutes later, the alien touched down upon their balcony, leaving his slippers outside as he opened the sliding door. As he entered the bedroom, he couldn’t help but to awe at the precious sight of the two beings he loved the most.. The man that stole his blood (and in-turn, his heart), and the gift of life that lay in his husband’s arms.. the life neither of them could have predicted would enter theirs.
Clark briefly watched the two before he kept moving, leaving the bedroom, to stop in the kitchen. Within the few grocery bags he totted, he quickly retrieved the rocky road and stored it within the freezer for another evening to munch upon. In another bag he pulled out her favorite formula, and the father used it to make a new, warmed bottle of formula-infused blood.
Setting the bottle upon the counter, Clark pulled out the last item he purchased from the bag. He retrieved a vase from a high cabinet, and made work cutting the bouquet’s stems, evening out the arrangement as he filled the flower vase with a bit of water.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
That lovely British voice questioned as Clark set the vase of tropical flowers upon his (James’s) night table.
Clark only gave a mischievous shrug as he climbed back into the bed, handing over the warmed blood bottle. He rested his head upon his husband’s right shoulder, sighing happily as he caressed their daughter’s shoulder.
Another happy smile as James Norrington-Kent offered the bottle to their daughter, who immediately began to suckle.
“Oh, you know. . . you deserve that and more. My wonderful husband: I love you.”
Once one enters the front door of the Kent house, the downstairs bathroom can be found just beyond the stairs on the left. As Ma and James gave playful banter, Clark gave a quick kiss to his boyfriend’s temple, then motioned to the civilian clothes in his grasp before darting away for the privacy of the bathroom to change back. The alien was gone in a rush of air, but Martha barely flinched.
Clark was only gone long enough to put on his comfortable clothing and wash his hands. He returned to his family at a human pace, watching as their mother ran a finger across the labels of her various board games. Clark scanned the labels himself, his eyes pausing once he read two labels.
“Ma, I think James here would enjoy either the 90s, or 2000s version of Trivia Pursuit,” the alien replied before giving a nudge and a wink to his boyfriend, knowing full and well that he was asleep for the majority of those two decades.
Martha Kent, however, was unaware of this fun fact about her new son, and questioned in a genuine voice: “Is that so, son? Is that what you’d like to play, James?” She had retrieved the box and displayed it towards her older son.
No doubt James Norrington did not understand 99% of the references that decorated the outside cover of the trivia game.
Clark, quit that smirking!
“ You wot?” James rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in a mock exasperation. “Really, Clark? You think I’d prefer the ‘90s or 2000s Trivia Pursuit? It seems you’d like me to lose—after all, you know I’m not exactly up-to-date with all those modern references.” He scoffed.
Martha laughed softly as she laid the box on the table “Oh, James, you do have an air of stubbornness about you. I’m kinda curious to see you navigate the trivia of recent decades. Who knows? Maybe you’ll surprise us both with how much you remember,or even learn something new. You never know, do you dear?”
James wore a playful smirk, addressing both Martha and Clark. “Now, now, don’t tempt me with your faith, Mum. I’m more comfortable with battles on the high seas than battles over pop culture. But, I suppose I can muster some effort. I know Clark’s been eagerly waiting to see me struggle a bit.” He let out a light chuckle, clearly enjoying the friendly banter.
Martha, gently teasing as she prepared to set the board up on the coffee table, nudged the vampire “Oh don’t worry, dear, a little competition never hurt anyone. And if you do stumble a bit, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to laugh it off and help you out. After all, isn’t that what family—and especially game nights—are all about? Why don’t you help me set the board up, James?”
“Very well, Mum, but if I embarrass myself, I fully expect you to take my side against your son’s inevitable gloating.” He reached for the deck of trivia cards, examining them with mild suspicion before giving Martha a sidelong glance. “Also, if any of these questions involve… what is it—'boy bands’ or 'reality television'—I may have to rely on your kindness to keep my dignity intact.”
He carefully arranged the game pieces, his fingers precise and deliberate, as if he were strategizing for an entirely different kind of battle. “Now, tell me, how ruthless should I be in enforcing the rules? Or do you allow Clark some leeway because he’s your golden boy?” James arched a brow playfully, letting a fang show as he wryly grinned, clearly enjoying the familial atmosphere, even as he prepared for what was sure to be a humbling experience.
Clark wasn’t trying to act cocky but. . his sensitive, alien ears heard something else. You sure you didn’t accidentally say “you win”, huh, my love? Clark playfully asked his boyfriend in his mental voice.
“Me? Want you to lose? Nonsense!” Clark scoffed as he arranged their chairs properly for game night. “This is me having faith in you that you’re a very smart, both man, and vampire.”
The moment James spat out the word “boy bands”, Clark snorted. Meanwhile, Martha reassured that there were no winners or losers, but only seeking a fun evening together.
Internally, however, Clark admitted what was at stake:
If you win, nothing changes, and you sleep wherever I sleep tonight. But if I win. . . that’s a week you have to sleep - separately - in your coffin. Clark, acting like nothing transpired, picked up his deck of cards.
“Ma? James? You two ready?” Cue a side glance towards the vampire. Let the games begin.
“Ready, son.”
With a clearing of his throat, Clark read a question off a card. The first between James or Martha to answer correctly went next in the next round. “What was the first animated feature-length film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar?”
Clark heard the little girl’s bedroom door open, but by the time he could turn around, she had already bounded herself into the kitchen, launching herself - and wrapping her tiny arms around - her smiling father. In a smooth motion, Clark took the handle of the spatula James was previously holding, now becoming in charge of the eggs and meat.
“You’re up early, sweet pea!” Clark said milliseconds before the spat of grease popped upon her cheek. Both men gasped in shock and horror, Clark at once retrieving and holding out a napkin for James to use, only for James to use his finger alone to wipe it away. A small glance was exchanged between both fathers as she gave a non-reaction to what would have normally caused minor (or major) burns to a regular human.
An issue for another day, Clark mentally remarked after shrugging his shoulders.
As the father / daughter conversation continued, Clark had finished preparing the special breakfast.
As far as little tiny Adeline knew, she had put all of her blood, sweat, and tears into this card, and everything she had ever worked for came down to this moment in the spotlight: would Dada like it? Would it make him smile?
Soon enough, her question was answered, and her wide, toothy grin matched her Dada’s as he gave her his many thanks. The tiny girl recognized the slight waver in his voice, and her hand went to cup his cheek. Her sensitive, half-vampiric nose had picked up on the scent of nearly spilled blood that lined his nasolacrimal ducts. Right after he gave a kiss to her forehead, she returned two, just beneath both of his eyes.
“No! I love YOU more, Dada! Best Mama-Dada in the world!”
Clark had long since finished preparing their two plates, and he stood just a foot or two back. The alien held a hand to his heart, swearing it could burst at any moment with how happy he felt for the two he loved the most. James finally turned to him to show him the card, and Clark let out a small giggle at the visual (James in makeup; he didn’t disapprove, but the sight was still funny nonetheless), before a permanent smile fixed on his features.
“I can think of no other man that deserves anything more than what she gives you.. What she gives us. She truly has the best of both of our hearts.”
James went to tickle Addy’s neck with farty kisses, and the little girl gave a mixture of giggles and hissing at his diabolical actions. “Stop it, Dada! Not funny!!! Not funny!!!” She attempted to push him away, but her giggles and laughter displayed how she actually liked being tickled.
“Thank you Princess,” that evil, sinister man replied after his hideous assault. After regaining her composure, the tiny girl folded her arms together in a pout, then actually displayed her tiny fangs to show she truly meant business and was not to be messed with.
“Remember your lessons on starboard and port side,” Dada had gently spoke as he corrected the placement of her shoes upon feet. The gears turned in her head as she made sense of his words. Once they did, she hopped off the counter and stood tall.
As she recited her naval directions—declaring "STARBOARD!" then "PORT SIDE! BOW! STERN!"—James beamed with admiration. Watching her command the room like a true little captain, he recognized that her cleverness and discipline were gifts that would guide her through life's vast seas.
Proud of the brilliance of his little girl's display of intelligence and affection, James resolved that such a day deserved to be celebrated in grand style. He decided that they would embark on a special outing—a day of treats, adventures, and cherished memories. Nothing could make him happier than spending a day devoted solely to honoring the smart, sweet soul that was his daughter.
James gently ruffled Adeline’s soft, dark hair as she finished her lively recitation of naval directions. His eyes, glistening with pride and affection, reflected the endless possibilities that awaited them. He imagined the gleam in her eyes as she took in the grandeur of a real ship or the gentle murmur of a flowing river, her curiosity ignited by the promise of new adventures. " That's right my little captain. By Jove, I think you've got it." He teased.
With a final affectionate squeeze, James set Adeline down gently at the kitchen table, smoothing out the ruffles of her pink dress with careful hands. “There we are, Princess,” he said, voice brimming with warmth. “Every captain needs a hearty breakfast before setting sail for adventure.” He kissed the top of her head before stepping back, watching as she wiggled excitedly in her seat, her little feet kicking beneath the table. Her joy was infectious, filling the room with an energy that made James feel like the luckiest man in the world.
Turning toward Clark, James leaned against the counter with his usual composed grace, though his eyes still shone with adoration. “Darling, I think today calls for a grand outing,” he announced, tilting his head slightly as a playful smirk touched his lips. “Our little navigator has proven herself quite the scholar, and such brilliance must be rewarded properly. I was thinking we could take her out—perhaps to the park for some fresh air, a treat or two along the way, and maybe even a stop by the harbor to see the ships.” His gaze drifted back to Adeline, who gasped in delight at the mention of ships, her green eyes glittering with excitement.
James chuckled at her reaction, then looked back at Clark, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “What do you say, my love? A day of family adventure? Just the three of us, making memories while she’s still small enough to fit in our arms?” This was supposed to be 'his day' ( Mother's day ) but he'd much rather it be Addy's day instead.
Addy had listened when her alien father had described how it felt to linger out in the sun. “It’s like. . . a special, warm blanket envelopes your entire body. All of your bad thoughts go away, and, for the moment: everything is perfect. You feel your strength return to yourself, and with that, your courage to accomplish anything.”
While Addy mostly agreed with Daddy Clark’s sentiments (save for the sun’s rays sometimes felt like Pop Rocks on her skin), she felt his words adequately described another situation. . .
. . . Whenever Dada James felt pure joy, his exuberant energy radiated from father to daughter - like solar ray to solar panel. All the excitement Dada felt, the empathic Adeline Maeve felt reverberated down to her bone marrow. She held her head up higher, and her toothy smile shone brighter as her father’s paternal proudness flowed through her tiny body.
“That’s right, my little captain,” Dada James had complimented as he ruffled her soft, curly locks.
Adeline gave a snicker as her tiny hand reached up and gently touched right beneath his eyes, testing if the liquid she saw was just regular tears, or blood tears.
Clark, by now sitting at his seat at the table (but not yet having dug into his plate as that would be rude to do), spoke up then with a proud, fatherly smile of his own. “Her father is only just the single-best Captain, Commodore, and Admiral the British Royal Navy has ever been lucky enough to have. From both her genes and teacher, it’s no wonder she’s a quick learner.” By this point James had placed their daughter upon her favorite chair at the table, and Addy gave a quick glance to Daddy Clark. “With that being said: both your father and I are beyond proud of you, precious darling.”
Addy wiggled in her seat in response to both her parents’ kind words, and their physical acts of affection (James kissing the top of her head and Clark giving her palm a soft squeeze). She briefly turned her face down and away, feeling a tiny moment of shyness at the attention. The act caused her long, dark, curly locks to briefly hide her face. . . but the scent of her blood pooling to her cheeks fooled neither father (least the vampire): she enjoyed the compliments. It made her feel good.
Addy felt her hand being squeezed again, and looked up to see it was Daddy Clark, gently motioning with his eyes for her to dig in to her breakfast. With a glance back to Dada James (who gave a supportive nod), Addy picked up a strip of cut-up waffle and began munching.
She kicked her feet excitedly as she realized she could taste blood within the waffle’s maple syrup dipping sauce!!! So so good!!!! She dipped another piece of waffle into the sauce, then her own finger (and gave it a lick). She squealed.. it’s fresh Dada blood!!! She could hear her parents saying something, but otherwise she was lost in her own little world, enjoying the flavors of her breakfast, in a way only a hybrid like her would.
“. . . maybe even a stop by the harbor to see the ships.”
With a start, Adeline froze in place. Literally, a sausage link (covered in the blood / maple syrup sauce) hung from her mouth, as she heard the word ship. To Daddy Clark, it would look like she froze for close to thirty seconds, but only Dada James knew she was using her gift of telepathy to search his thoughts, to make sure she heard her Dada correctly.
She did!! She did hear him right!!! She dropped her sausage upon her plate and clapped!!!! “Ships!! Sailing!!! Let’s go hunt pirates, Dada!! I wanna!! Please, pleasepleaseplease?!”
Clark’s own head swam, but only due to the pure joy he felt radiating from both his husband and his daughter. He swore the smile he now held would become tattooed on his face.. not that he minded at all. Clark was watching Addy, but turned his attention to his handsome husband when the vampire grasped his palm. Clark responded by first pulling said vampire palm up to his cheek, nuzzling it, then speaking aloud:
“I think I’d have to agree with our brave daughter. Commodore James: if there’s still pirates on the open seas in need of capturing, today would be a great day to set sail.”
Right now, it is 5:28 A.M. on the morning of our fifth Valentine's Day together as a couple. Our fourth, since I received your hand in marriage. I am writing this letter as I watch your pretty form sleep soundly beside me in our cozy king bed.
You might be a creature of darkness, but you are the light of my life.
James Lawrence Norrington-Kent. . . I love you with every inch of my heart. With every molecule in my body. Being lured into your hunter's trap that day five years ago was the most significant and important day of my existence. That day you were simply seeking my blood, but you took more of me.
You took my heart. . . and in exchange, I received yours, too.
From that day on I learned your personality, your history, your heroics. . and I could not be more proud than I already am. Remember a few weeks ago, when I visited London for a secret assignment and you were disappointed that I said we couldn't visit your hometown together? Well, In went to do some digging.. searched through some undisturbed archives. . . and attached to this letter, is your (original) Commodore portrait, from the day you were given the title.
That man in that very portrait is my husband. My lover. My hero.
You seem to be reading my mind this very moment as, while still in a deep sleep, you just smiled.
James. . . you have transformed my life. You are my unexpected soulmate I never saw coming. Every day, every millisecond with you, is a gift I'm not sure I deserve. You have no idea how much it means that you love me. All sides of me. The Super, and the Man. The Kansas native, and the Alien.
And, oh James. . oh how you take my breath away, with perfectly you are in parenthood. Our miracle daughter Adeline is nearing her first birthday soon. Every day I see you with our tiny princess in your arms, and I just want to cry. You're a perfect father, James. I should say I'm surprised, but that would be a lie.
You were made for this. You waited for this moment all of your three hundred years. You were born to be a kind, gentle father.
Our Ma is proud of you, and I just know Eleanor is beaming down, crying tears of pure joy for you too.
I need to wrap this letter up as you are beginning to stir beside me, and I want this letter to be a surprise.
This last picture I have attached is one of my favorites you have taken of me. It was a couple years ago, briefly after I gifted you that Polaroid camera. You had insisted on bringing it when we made that spur-of-a-moment trip to the Caribbean. I hope this photo brings you a smile and wonderful memories, just as it does me.
I love you James Norrington-Kent, and I will forever love you.
You are my miracle I never knew I needed.
Forever and always yours (and Happy Valentine's Day from),
James nodded at Clark’s request, no doubt half excited to show her his long history as detailed by his many artifacts. The happy vampiric son lead their mother away, arm-in-arm as Clark busied himself by first placing the second bottle of blood rum in the fridge (in the very back), then tossing the box it came in in the garbage. Clark finished his task long before James was finished with his tour, but the alien chose to linger within the kitchen, as to give his fiancé a few moments of privacy with their mother.
He leaned against the kitchen island, holding out his hand so he could once again inspect every single microscopic detail of that precious piece of metal that rested upon his left ring finger. He began to daydream of their future… Oh where will their wedding venue be? What is he going to wear? What would James want to wear? Would he wear a regular suit, or should he wear his naval uniform? The guest list… the honeymoon… kissing the man he loves so much underneath the altar…
“Clark, Darling, could you bring our mum a bottle of sparkling water, please?”
His fiancé’s words snapped him out of his wedding daydream. Clark stood to attention, rotating as he reached for a glass cup from their cupboard, and filling it up with water from the tap. He opened the fridge and retrieved one of his snack cheese sticks. Quickly enough, he entered the living room with a smile, extending the refreshments to their mother.
“Ma has never really liked sparkling water. She’s always said straight-from-the-tap makes her happy enough,” Clark gently corrected his fiancé, earning a thankful nod from Ma.
“Thank you sons, both of you,” she said gratefully as she began to nibble on her cheese stick.
Clark sat beside his mother and grinned. “That was a better tour than anything you’d receive from a museum, eh Ma?” Clark snickered, before winking to his fiancé.
James chuckled softly at Clark’s remark, settling into an armchair across from the couch where Martha sat. He grabbed the remote and flicked through the streaming services until he landed on a selection of Christmas movies. The glow of the television cast a warm light across the elegant living room as he pressed play on It’s a Wonderful Life.
“I thought this would be a fitting choice,” James mused, crossing one leg over the other. “A classic, timeless, and all about family, wouldn’t you agree?”
Martha smiled, taking another small bite of her cheese stick as she nodded. “I do, James. Though I have to admit, I didn’t take you for a sentimental type.”
James smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Well, I do have a soft spot for stories about good men overcoming hardships. Besides,” he gestured toward Clark with a twinkle in his eye, “your son has made me quite the sentimental fool as of late.”
Martha let out a delighted chuckle, her gaze warm as she looked between the two of them. “It’s nice, seeing you both so happy,” she said.
James nodded, the weight of centuries of loneliness feeling like a distant memory now. He leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to something gentler. “Martha, I wanted to mention something.” He rested his forearms on his knees, regarding her seriously. “I know you love your farmhouse, but if you ever wanted to update it—renovate, expand, or modernize anything—I would be ever so happy to share my wealth and make that happen for you.”
Martha blinked, clearly taken aback. “Oh, James, that’s incredibly generous of you, but I—”
James held up a hand, shaking his head. “No objections. You’ve welcomed me into your family, treated me as one of your own. This is the least I could do.” His expression softened. “Besides, if I have the means to make life easier and more comfortable for the people I care about, why wouldn’t I?”
Martha looked down at her glass of water, her lips pressing together in thought. James watched as her fingers tapped against the glass before she exhaled and gave him a warm smile. “That’s… That’s very kind of you, James,” she said softly. “I’ll think about it, I promise.”
“That’s all I ask,” James replied with a knowing smile, leaning back into his chair as the opening scenes of the movie played.
Clark spared a glance over towards the large television screen, and he admired how the lessons he gave his fiancé on how to navigate the TV’s menus were finally paying off. Look at you go, Clark mentally remarked with a smirk.
Once It’s a Wonderful Life was chosen, Clark’s snarky smirk turned into another proud smile as he knew his mother would appreciate the choice of movie program. It’s Ma’s favorite holiday movie, as Grandma Clark used to play it for her every holiday when she was a little girl, the alien informed the vamp. (Clark was given his name in dedication to Martha’s maiden name).
“Your son has made me quite the sentimental fool as of late,” James admitted.
Clark replied: “You have done a lot of good for a lot of people in your past, James; it’s about time you’re reminded of your heroism. It’s past time for somebody to explain to you what a good, kind-hearted man you are..” No matter your diet, Clark concluded mentally.
“It’s nice, seeing you both so happy,” Martha remarked with a content sigh, mindlessly rubbing her alien son’s bicep.
Clark very gently bumped her shoulder with his shoulder as he blushed from the compliment. “Never felt happier in my life, Ma.”
Clark wanted to say he didn’t expect the next words out of James’s mouth… but frankly, it was absolutely in the British man’s nature and character to be giving… to want to improve his their mother’s life, in any way possible.
Again, was it possible to love the man even more?
“That’s beyond kind of you, love,” Clark spoke his thanks as he took a moment to think of some improvements himself.
If anything, I’m sure Ma could use a new mattress. Her’s hasn’t been changed since Pa. . Maybe we could get her a Temper-Pedic, or a Sleep Number? Oh, and I would definitely help you remodel her bathroom. She wouldn’t outright ask for it, but I know she would appreciate a deep bathtub to soak in. And maybe get her another deep freezer so she can prepare and store more meals, and have them frozen and ready to serve?. . .
“She’s beautiful,” Martha Kent cooed, as she received the newborn baby from her son, Clark.
Clark beamed as he momentarily removed his glasses to wipe a stray tear from his eye. No matter what his eyesight told his brain, he still couldn’t believe it. . . he now had a child. A daughter.
And she was perfect.
He could hear the newborn’s heart slow a few beats, as Martha’s rocking lulled the tiny girl into a deeper slumber.
Suddenly, another woman’s arms wrapped around the man in a proud embrace. “Oh, son. .” She spoke through not-so-hidden sniffles, finally pulling back to make eye contact with her only child. “She’s magnificent. In her, Krypton lives on.”
Clark returned the hug to his birth mother, Lara, thanking her with another smile. (Lara? Here? On Earth?)
Another male stepped closer to Martha, gazing down to the baby in her arms. He held a warm smile, but didn’t make a move to touch the tot, least she awaken. “The physical embodiment of the coexistence between Earth and Krypton. A child of two worlds,” spoke Jor-El in his kind, fatherly voice. “You have achieved more than your mother and I could have ever have dreamt for you, Kal.”
Clark searched around for his significant other, desperate to share the attention he was receiving. “Uh, where’s. . .?”
Then he heard him. His shoulders relaxed as his sensitive ears picked up on his favorite British cadence from within the farmhouse. Not three seconds later, he watched as his husband followed his human father, Jonathon Kent, out of the front door of the farmhouse. Jonathan carried a tray of sandwiches as James toted a pitcher of lemonade and glassware in his other hand.
The two new parents locked eyes, and Clark couldn’t help but gush mentally towards him. <This cannot be real, James. Life. . . Can life really be this perfect? I love you so much, my Commodore. I have everything I never knew I always wanted.. and it’s thanks to you.>
The afternoon was a joyful one. Many laughters were given as Clark’s human parents shared funny (or downright embarrassing) stories from his childhood. His birth parents explained how life was like back on Krypton, detailing just how important the birth of James’s and Clark’s daughter was to their species as a whole. At some point halfway between conversations, James had gently retrieved their daughter from Martha, mentioning he was taking her back into the farmhouse for a meal and a nap.
Clark blinked, now realizing it had been an hour since he heard a peep from his husband. Turning away from his parents’ conversations, he focused his hearing on the farmhouse.
Nothing. Not a squeak from a rocking chair, nor quiet footsteps. No humming or lullabies from a gentle British voice.
Worst of all. . . he could not hear his daughter’s heartbeat.
As if reading his mind, Martha appeared before him, kneeling as she placed her palm upon her son’s knee. Softly, she replied:
“He’s already awoken, son. Now you need to, too.”
Clark stared, only now noticing the once bright, sunny skies had turned stormy. Darkened clouds were rolling in, along with the audible approach of thunder and whistling wind.
“Wha?” Clark questioned, confused at the turn of events. “He’s inside the house. They’re inside the house. . . but I can’t hear them.”
As he spoke, the man spared a glance back to the farmhouse. He jumped as, once he turned back around, both sets of his parents were now in front of him, gazing on the man in pity. Martha hugged her son tightly. “Wake up, my son.”
“We’re proud of you, Kal.”
“This isn’t your reality, Clark.”
“Go. James is waiting for you.”
In the real world, Clark began to stir. “Ma. . Pa. . Stay. .” His sleeping voice hiccuped, and a tear ran down his cheek. “Don’t go. Please.”
With a gasp, the alien finally blinked awaken, searching around his room in a dazed confusion. One minute he was with his entire family on the farmhouse. . . now he was. .
Where was this?
And why did his head throb like so?
“James,” he spoked as he made eye contact with his husband. He began to stand, to make his way towards him. . . but he found his legs couldn’t bear his weight. His world spin and swirled, and he toppled onto the cream carpet in a heap.
“I feel. . something’s off,” the alien accurately predicted.
James’s eyes widened as Clark spoke, his voice tinged with confusion and sorrow. The words were raw, and for a moment, James wondered if they were born from a lingering nightmare. The alien's hand reached out, but his eyes were unfocused, struggling to piece together the disorienting fragments of his surroundings.
James Clark’s voice rasped as he made weak eye contact, his face pale and drawn. James felt a pang in his chest—there was something wrong, something deeper than just the situation they were in. He couldn’t quite place it, but the sorrow in Clark’s voice told him that.
Clark attempted to push himself up, but his legs were unsteady, like they were made of rubber. His entire body swayed as he struggled to regain his balance, and before James could react, he saw his husband crumple to the floor.
“Clark!” James called out, panic lacing his voice. He rushed forward, knees hitting the carpet with a soft thud as he knelt beside Clark, trying to catch him before he fell completely. The Kryptonian’s large frame was too much for James to support in his own weakened woozy state, and with a weak grunt, he found himself unable to lift Clark’s weight.
The room spun, and James’s vision blurred, his own dizziness threatening to bring him to swoon. No… not now, he thought, struggling to clear his head. His body wasn’t cooperating, and it was a fight just to stay steady beside Clark.
James rubbed his own temples as he tried to regain his composure. Half below Clark, both huddling on the carpet. “You’re right, darling,” he murmured, his hand hovering over his husband’s. “Something is wrong. We’re not… we’re not where we were supposed to be. And I can’t… I can’t barely…lift myself let alone you.” He trailed off, the frustration thick in his voice as he tried and failed to support Clark’s weight once more.
James struggled to keep himself from panicking. “Clark, we need to figure out where we are, but right now…” His voice cracked slightly as he reached for Clark’s hand, trying to offer any comfort he could in this strange moment. “ We ..seem to have a bit of an audience.” They were both drained—physically, mentally. It was clear that whatever had happened to them, it wasn’t just their surroundings that had been altered. But there were more pressing matters at the moment.
It wasn’t a prison. No, this was worse. It was something worse than a cage—it was an experiment. They were being observed. He could feel it in his bones, the eyes of unseen beings upon them, watching, analyzing, waiting.
“And I can’t… I can’t barely… lift myself, let alone you,” the vampire wheezed underneath the alien’s large frame.
Clark coughed, sending a mental apology his husband’s way as he used a burst of strength to push himself off of the trapped man, to now lean upon the coffee table beside them.
Seconds ago, Clark was in a daze, caught in the world between the dream of his greatest reality and his waking world. Now, the Man of Steel was allowed a few moments to catch his metaphorical breath.
James was right; they were no longer in the comfort of their bedroom back in Metropolis. No, this was more sanitized. More clinical. The bed.. the bookshelves.. the heatless fireplace. . .
. . Clark was suddenly reminded of childhood memories of field trips to the local zoo.
Clark sucked in a breath as he began to stand, now more steady than he was previously, facing the same glass wall his husband was facing towards.
“We … seem to have a bit of an audience.”
Superman approached the transparent partition… and the aliens on the opposite side stepped back simultaneously. A few awed and gasped at his form, while others spoke in a language he didn’t understand.
“Greetings, Kal-El,” a monotone voice appeared behind the two men, causing both to turn and follow. One of the bookshelves had revealed itself to be a secret door, and through it appeared a being. A man, although only resembling a man in figure only. This person was dressed in dark grey garb, with pink accents. His skin was grass green, and his eyes were best described as being hollow. Most notably was the design on the being’s forehead: three equal circles, positioned in an inverted triangular shape.
Clark heard his husband immediately hiss upon the being’s entrance. Ignoring his reaction, Clark closed the distance, standing in a protective manner in front of his earthling mate. While he had never met this alien before, he did recognize the symbol on the being’s forehead.
“Brainiac, I presume,” the Man of Steel questioned with his arms crossed, in a stern voice.
James’s eyes fluttered open, and the sharp, pounding headache that greeted him was the first sign that something had gone terribly wrong. His senses were dull, a strange heaviness weighing on his limbs as if he were half-dreaming, trapped between wakefulness and unconsciousness. He groaned softly, reaching up to massage his temples, but that only seemed to make things worse.
When his vision finally cleared, he noticed immediately how off everything felt. He was no longer in the bed he had shared with Clark the night before. Instead, he was in a strange room—an unsettling mix of a home and a prison.
The walls around him were smooth and sterile, but the furnishings—an uncomfortable sofa, a coffee table, and a low bookshelf filled with neat stacks of books—felt eerily domestic. There was even a glowing hearth in the corner, crackling with a fire that didn’t seem to emit heat, merely light. It was all too perfect, too curated, like some kind of mockery of a cozy home.
But it was the wall that drew his attention.
One entire side of the room was a giant, clear window. His first instinct was to look outside, but as he stared through the glass, the truth hit him all at once. What he was seeing wasn’t the outside world. It was… more alien. Strange figures moved around in the distance—beings of various shapes and sizes, some humanoid, others completely unrecognizable. Their eyes locked onto him immediately, and their gazes were intense, cold.
The scene looked like something straight out of a zoo, but this time, they were the exhibits.
James pushed himself into a sitting position, his body sluggish, and as he glanced around, he realized that he wasn’t alone.
Across from him, slumped awkwardly against the sofa, was Clark. His bright blue suit and red cape were crumpled, his head resting on his hand as he breathed deeply in his sleep, unaware of their captors—or the very bizarre situation they found themselves in.
James’s mind raced as he pieced together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was lying beside Clark in bed. They had been together, content, comfortable. And now… here they were, trapped in some kind of glass cage, watched by who knew how many alien creatures.
“Well,” James muttered, his voice rough and dry from sleep, “I suppose our captors figured they’d try to make us feel at home. Too bad they missed a few details.” He glanced around at the unnervingly perfect room before his eyes settled back on the large window. The alien onlookers were staring at them like they were nothing more than curiosities, amusement—or something darker—in their eyes. “Homey little trap, isn’t it?” He was calm .. too calm.. he would normally have run over to Clark the moment he saw him in that state but they .. had clearly done something to them both.. whatever had kept the kryptonian out this long had affected James in a similar to make him this .. docile, this un-phased.
“She’s beautiful,” Martha Kent cooed, as she received the newborn baby from her son, Clark.
Clark beamed as he momentarily removed his glasses to wipe a stray tear from his eye. No matter what his eyesight told his brain, he still couldn’t believe it. . . he now had a child. A daughter.
And she was perfect.
He could hear the newborn’s heart slow a few beats, as Martha’s rocking lulled the tiny girl into a deeper slumber.
Suddenly, another woman’s arms wrapped around the man in a proud embrace. “Oh, son. .” She spoke through not-so-hidden sniffles, finally pulling back to make eye contact with her only child. “She’s magnificent. In her, Krypton lives on.”
Clark returned the hug to his birth mother, Lara, thanking her with another smile. (Lara? Here? On Earth?)
Another male stepped closer to Martha, gazing down to the baby in her arms. He held a warm smile, but didn’t make a move to touch the tot, least she awaken. “The physical embodiment of the coexistence between Earth and Krypton. A child of two worlds,” spoke Jor-El in his kind, fatherly voice. “You have achieved more than your mother and I could have ever have dreamt for you, Kal.”
Clark searched around for his significant other, desperate to share the attention he was receiving. “Uh, where’s. . .?”
Then he heard him. His shoulders relaxed as his sensitive ears picked up on his favorite British cadence from within the farmhouse. Not three seconds later, he watched as his husband followed his human father, Jonathon Kent, out of the front door of the farmhouse. Jonathan carried a tray of sandwiches as James toted a pitcher of lemonade and glassware in his other hand.
The two new parents locked eyes, and Clark couldn’t help but gush mentally towards him. <This cannot be real, James. Life. . . Can life really be this perfect? I love you so much, my Commodore. I have everything I never knew I always wanted.. and it’s thanks to you.>
The afternoon was a joyful one. Many laughters were given as Clark’s human parents shared funny (or downright embarrassing) stories from his childhood. His birth parents explained how life was like back on Krypton, detailing just how important the birth of James’s and Clark’s daughter was to their species as a whole. At some point halfway between conversations, James had gently retrieved their daughter from Martha, mentioning he was taking her back into the farmhouse for a meal and a nap.
Clark blinked, now realizing it had been an hour since he heard a peep from his husband. Turning away from his parents’ conversations, he focused his hearing on the farmhouse.
Nothing. Not a squeak from a rocking chair, nor quiet footsteps. No humming or lullabies from a gentle British voice.
Worst of all. . . he could not hear his daughter’s heartbeat.
As if reading his mind, Martha appeared before him, kneeling as she placed her palm upon her son’s knee. Softly, she replied:
“He’s already awoken, son. Now you need to, too.”
Clark stared, only now noticing the once bright, sunny skies had turned stormy. Darkened clouds were rolling in, along with the audible approach of thunder and whistling wind.
“Wha?” Clark questioned, confused at the turn of events. “He’s inside the house. They’re inside the house. . . but I can’t hear them.”
As he spoke, the man spared a glance back to the farmhouse. He jumped as, once he turned back around, both sets of his parents were now in front of him, gazing on the man in pity. Martha hugged her son tightly. “Wake up, my son.”
“We’re proud of you, Kal.”
“This isn’t your reality, Clark.”
“Go. James is waiting for you.”
In the real world, Clark began to stir. “Ma. . Pa. . Stay. .” His sleeping voice hiccuped, and a tear ran down his cheek. “Don’t go. Please.”
With a gasp, the alien finally blinked awaken, searching around his room in a dazed confusion. One minute he was with his entire family on the farmhouse. . . now he was. .
Where was this?
And why did his head throb like so?
“James,” he spoked as he made eye contact with his husband. He began to stand, to make his way towards him. . . but he found his legs couldn’t bear his weight. His world spin and swirled, and he toppled onto the cream carpet in a heap.
“I feel. . something’s off,” the alien accurately predicted.