Chapter 3 - First Day Nerves (Darkness and Light Series)
Ship: Bruce Wayne x Clark Kent, Superman x Batman.
Word Count: 976
Clark had never visited New York. He often found it ironic that one of the most famous cities in the world had never seen the need for Superman. He also found it hilarious how a man who could fly anywhere had never set foot on the city that never sleeps.
Now he was standing at the doorstep of what he found out to be one of the biggest fashion companies in the world, along with his colleague that made it abundantly clear he did not like him. This next few months were going to be hard, but he was willing to do it if it meant he could save the people who needed saving.
A woman with long blonde hair stood looking around, wearing a dark blue blouse tucked in what seemed to be flared pants — her clothes screamed importance. She kept looking until she spotted them and wasted no time making her way towards them. The corner of her mouth turned upwards, revealing a welcoming smile. Bruce seemed a bit nervous, probably because he was testing out this new technology that hid his identity — the sad truth of being a world famous millionaire.
"Welcome to Long Bury Death, my name is Lena Leblanc" she spread her arms pointing at the logo.
"Thanks! We're so grateful for the opportunity" Clark smiled.
"Any connection to Martin Leblanc?" Bruce asked.
"I would hope so-" she remarked with a playful tone. "That's my dad!"
"You don't say! What a privilege to work with you" Bruce chimed in, he really did know how to charm someone.
"Well, thank you! I can speak for most of the hiring team that we were head over heels when we found you guys" Lena said in a dreamy tone.
"Why is that?"
"Having a gay couple working here would be great! As you might know, we're all about inclusivity" she answered proudly "Your resumes were also extraordinary" she added a little less enthusiastically.
"We are happy we meet the requirements" Bruce answered
"You are handsome couple, what a couple of charmers!" she took one good look at them, almost in awe. "Lets get on with it, shall we?"
It turns out that Lena is quite the talker; during the whole tour there was a mere 5 second period of silence, which consisted of her taking a zip of water. The tour started in the ground levels, where the least exciting part of the whole company resided — accounting. Which unfortunately for Bruce, would be his home for the next few months.
The higher levels dealt with the different assortment of needs; designing, data analyzing, and shipping. At first glance nothing looked out of the ordinary — which for Clark included behind every locked door and wall; x-ray vision and all. The last stop was the journalism floor, where Clark would be working. Here he would be writing for their fashion magazine which would be going to every single state in the U.S. — exciting.
Upon finishing the tour she turned and faced them. "Any questions?" she scanned their faces with great intensity.
"I think we're good" Bruce and Clark looked at each other before answering.
"Perfect, I'll let you guys get accustomed to the place, call me if you need anything!" She was off. Her hair flinging side to side as she headed towards the elevator; what a strange woman.
They spent the rest of their day figuring out what the job required of them. It was important to blend in as best as possible. Rather soon they were on the way home discussing their findings — which wasn't much. Bruce was driving and Clark sat on the passenger seat slouched.
"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty tired. Who would think a 9 to 5 would be more exhausting than fighting villains" Clark yawned.
"We should rest, tomorrow we should aim to get more information" Bruce did not feel that tired, he liked the normal feel this job gave.
"Not before we get to know each other better, remember? You promised" Clark looked moved to face Bruce better.
"I didn't, but it's a smart move… Fine"
The living room glowed with the warm lights. The huge windows on one end of the building gave it a sense of grandeur. It was a beautiful view, each building held many lives; Clark cared for all of them, no matter how small. He stood there watching the city, waiting for Bruce to arrive from the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Bruce asked
"Just pondering" Clark signaled for Bruce to take the seat next to him in the couch. "so tell me about yourself"
"What do you wanna know?" he questioned in a slightly hesitant tone.
"I don't know, maybe where you were born"
"In Gotham City, February 19" he answered without a second thought.
"Oh, what about your family history?"
"My ancestors were one of Gotham's founders. My parents inherited the money and once they were murdered I inherited it." Bruce answered casually.
Clark seemed to be caught off guard, Bruce really didn't hold back."Sorry to hear about your parents"
"No need, it was years ago, I was a child"
"Oh… well, I lost my parents too" Clark added in a quieter tone.
"I'm sorry for your loss" he spoke with empathy.
"I was a baby, barely remember them" Clark chuckled, the similarities in their life were strange.
"Seems like we have more in common than we realize"
"It does seem like it"
The mood turned rather dark, but their relationship seemed stronger. Sharing this kind of stuff wasn't easy; at least for Clark. Bruce seemed perfectly fine with it, but his bluntness brought some somber comfort. While they were too tired to continue their conversation a new door had opened, and Clark would make sure to keep it that way.
Link to AO3 chapter - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85673561/chapters/226556401
Co-author of this chapter - @ravenxunkindness
Chapter 2 - Fashionista (Darkness and Light Series)
Ship: Bruce Wayne x Clark Kent, Superman x Batman
Word Count: 629
Something that the League forgot to mention was the fact that they will be pretending to be partners. They will also be sharing the same bed. Bruce was very against this, but after much back and forth he sadly had to give in.
"It's not so bad if you think about it" Clark tried to be positive.
"It's just business, nothing to make a fuzz about" when Bruce in fact sent a very long worded message fighting against it.
They were standing in their new living room, high ceilings, polished floors, and neat walls made up this apartment. There was a balcony at the other end of the room that looked down to the city. Extravagant paintings filled the walls. Clark walked towards the bookshelf, pushed slightly and a whole new room was revealed.
Inside the room there was a complete lack of any windows. Monitors covered nearly all of the walls and there was one table in the middle with an assortment of technology and information they could need.
"It says that we start working tomorrow" Clark was kept his eyes locked onto the screens, trying his best to learn the fastest possible.
"Does it say anything else?" Bruce wondered
"Just the basics we already know" Clark answered
"Well that leaves all of today to prepare, I will leave you to it" Bruce was about to walk out when Clark stopped him.
"Do you think maybe we could spend some time together? After all we have to pretend to be a couple" Clark spoke holding eye contact.
"I think that would be smart, but we should leave that for tomorrow since we have to get ready for our shift tomorrow" Bruce answered, Clark looked a little defeated, not sure why though.
"Sure, I will hold you up to it" Bruce knew tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Standing so close to each other Bruce noticed Clark was significantly taller than him. Bruce was no short man though, he was 6'1, so that would make Clark ginormous, dumb aliens. Bruce found that the office was the best place for him to be, it was quite literally the only place in the whole house that they didn't have to share.
He sat and rummaged through the computer, which also held the Justice League database. Long Bury Death (LBD) seemed to be a start up by a a woman called, Cynthia Blaese. Interesting, she used to work for Catco a few years ago, and now she completely disappeared from the public eye. Interesting.
By the end of the night he was exhausted and knew newly everything about the company, and what they will face tomorrow. He headed to their room and decided to get ready for bed. To his surprise Clark was undressing himself.
"Shit! Sorry" Clark yelped while covering himself "I sleep in my underwear, is that okay with you?"
"I don't care, whatever makes you comfortable" Bruce spoke, his eyes scanned Clark's body. He was a muscular man, just like Bruce. His arms were well toned and his abs were directly from a movie set. Bruce found his eyes wandering between his legs but quickly composed himself before Clark could notice.
"I'm gonna go get changed" Bruce walked into the bathroom and changed into his pajamas. He usually slept shirtless, but he felt for today it would be better to cover up. After all there is an alien sleeping besides him. He walked out and laid down next to Clark. His back was facing Bruce so he was able to see his muscles, he was very well toned. Nothing Bruce would ever admit out loud.
"Goodnight Bruce" Clark spoke half asleep
"Goodnight Clark" Bruce answered, slowly drifting into sleep.
Tomorrow they will start their new job.
Link to AO3 chapter - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85673561/chapters/226488786#workskin
Chapter 1 - Dark & Light (Darkness and Light Series)
Ship: Bruce Wayne x Clark Kent, Superman x Batman
Word Count: 664
⎊Synopsis: Will the tension between Bruce and Clark finally give into more than friendship? or will they end up at each other's throat. One or another they will finish this mission, whether they wanna have fun doing it, that is their choice. Follow the story of this two beloved heroes fighting for the safety of humanity, and their new found love.
Bruce was sitting down at his dining room table. He finally was able to fit a day off to spend on his own. Whether that day was interrupted by his duty as protector of Gotham, he did not care. He was currently reading the Gotham Gazette, they were doing a story on him — again.
Lately the Justice League has been drying him up completely. The recent alien threat was no help with his already lacking 'family time'. And not to mention that being forced to spend too much time with Superman always gave him a headache.
"Master Bruce" Alfred said in his usual monotone voice "the Justice League is asking to speak with you"
"I will be there immediately, thanks Alfred" Bruce slowly rose from his seat and headed down to the Batcave.
Once he suited up he walked toward the gigantic screen in front of him and was greeted by the familiar faces of Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and The Flash.
"Good Morning Bats" Flash flashed a smile, no pun intended.
"We have a mission for you" Diana cut to the chase, as she usually does.
"I guessed that much, tell me about it" Bruce and Diana shared that in common, they didn't see the necessity of small talk.
"There is a secret supervillain organization going rampant in New York. They have killed one of the biggest crime overlords, and seemed to want to have New York as their playground. We believe it's directly connected to a company called Long Bury Death, which is just one big fashion company." J'onn chimed in. "You will have to go undercover for months trying to uncover their plan"
"Doesn't seem too hard, any villains that we might know?"
"A few, there is talk of Poison Ivy was seen meddling around with them, but nothing concrete"
"How long will this take?" Bruce asked
"A few months at least, we will position heroes all around Gotham to take care of business for you while you're gone"
"I don't see a problem then, when am I leaving?" He needs all the information possible
"Before you get too ahead of yourself there is one more thing" Diana interrupted "You will be going undercover… with Superman"
Bruce looked out the window of the jet, New York was slowly coming into view. He rarely liked going there. Too much noise, too much people, too much everything. He knew Gotham was no different, but it was home. The Justice League had told him Superman, would be coming along just because there was talk of Superhuman threats. As if Bruce hadn't shown his ability to take down any threat, no matter what.
Too soon they landed on the rooftop of a building. Bruce was told that Superman would meet them there. He didn't doubt he would be here, it was just the matter of when. He looked out into the city, from this high up the people below seemed so miniscule. He was wearing a suit, he made sure to always look his best when out as a normal person. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden whoosh and the materialization of a man in front of him. Superman.
He was wearing a normal dress shirt tucked neatly into his khaki pants. His hair seemed to be perfect even though he had been flying less than a few seconds ago, and a pair of glasses dangled from his collar. Bruce made a note to pretend to be oblivious at the fact that Superman is actually Clark Kent.
"Good evening Batman" Clark reached his hand out.
"Call me Bruce" he forced a smile, the least you can do when dealing with an overly happy superhuman.
"Bruce it is! I take it the League has told you everything?" he asked, even though Bruce was very aware this was just an attempt at small talk.
"Yes, they have" Bruce answered, trying his best not to sound irritated. He failed.
"Then let's get started!" It's going to be very long months ahead.
They headed down the stairs to the building they will now call home for the next few months.
Link to AO3 chapter - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85673561/chapters/226386056#workskin
Olivia has never known a home. A sense of security was a ghost in her past. Granted she was able to live most of her teenage life in the academy, but it felt more as a temporary escape rather than a permanent solution. The death of her parents marked the rest of her life, and whether she wanted to admit it or not loneliness was her one true companion. Her world had already been turned upside down, but meeting your all time favorite hero does something to a person.
She was in awe. Words seemed to hide from her mind. The only thing she could do is stare. The woman standing in front of her was the one and only, Invisible Woman. She was wearing her iconic uniform. Her eyes were really blue, like sky blue, but they were welcoming, as if they didn't know anything but warmth.
"Are you ok? Sorry for startling you" she reached her hand out, Olivia grabbed it, how could she not.
"It's okay" her eyes were glued to their hands, jaw clenched and everything. "may I ask you a question, Miss Invisible?" she spoke half mindlessly, as if words were just too hard to conjure but easy enough to speak.
"Sure! But I would rather answer them first" Sue took her hand back and gestured for Olivia to sit. "so, you might be wondering why I'm here. This afternoon when you had that spectacle it alerted all of the United Hero Protection radars and I was sent here to find out what the problem was. When I got here and surveyed the security cameras I saw what you did" she spoke in a soft tone, as if not to scare Olivia into out of her mind.
"So you came here to kill me?" Olivia asked, and braced herself. Her full attention was back now.
"What! Of course not!" she squealed "I come here to recruit you into the Junior United Hero Protection" Sue was baffled at the mere thought that she would hurt a child.
"Me? Why me?" she questioned, as long as she had been alive hiding her power was the only option she had.
"You displayed an immense amount of power, more than any usual child"
"My powers are not all that, I bet there are tons of more powerful child heroes" she looked down, it was unusual to receive a compliment — if you can even call it that.
"Nonsense, you created a whole show of shining threads. You were also able to immobilize a man with your eyes closed! That seems really powerful to me"
"Well, even if I am powerful , my powers… they have this glitch to them" her head dropped down, talking about this was hard and extremely embarrassing.
"What is it?" Sue asked leaning forward, as if to brace for the truth.
"The more I use them, the more I forget" she played with hands trying her avoid eye contact "I start forgetting details from my life, or sometimes even basic knowledge. The memories come back after some time but I have to stop using my powers for a while."
"I've never heard of something like this, I'll have to ask Reed" Sue said in deep thought "but my offer still stands, we need someone like you" she added, this time with her full attention "You also have nowhere else to go"
"I guess I have no option"
"You will not regret this decision" Sue said while dialing someone on her phone"I will fill you in on the way"
"On the way?"
"We are heading to UHP right now! We have to assess your abilities" she said with her phone in her ear.
"What about my belongings?"
"We'll have someone pick them up, not to worry"
Olivia had never flown in a helicopter before. Now she was thousands of feet up in the air with people who she did not know, going somewhere hidden far from her home, her life either started now or ended right then and there. The rhythmic sound of the blades cutting into the air made it almost impossible to hear anything aside from the faint chatter they were having in front of her. The view of the city below her was astonishing. She had never seen something like this before.
During the long flight from her home to the JUHP she drifted off to sleep. She usually didn't dream. And the few times she did she was stuck in that void. But today she was able to. She was sitting in dinning room, her feet seemed to dangle from the edge of the chair. The soft sound of chatter filled the room, and the smell of fresh baked cookies revolved in the air. She looked out up and the beautiful figure of her mom shined with warm radiance.
"Come eat sweetie the cookies are ready" her mom exclaimed handing her a cookie.
"Thanks mommy!" she took one huge bite off the cookie.
"I love y-" her words were cut short by the sudden knock at the door.
Her mom stood and looked through the peephole. Her mouth fell slightly agape. A sudden BANG! woke Olivia up. She sighed, a hand against her chest, she almost had to relieve it. She looked around the helicopter and found that they had arrived at some sort of roof. It was night time now, and the distant city glowed with liveliness.
"Welcome to The Junior HQ!" Sue exclaimed.
Here is a link for the AO3 version - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85533766/chapters/226335551
She was in the streets in less than 24 hours. No home, no money, no hope. Sitting in a park with her life packed away in suitcases made her think about the decisions that led her here , that led the world to be how it is. It didn't used to be like this, they had systems set up in place that allowed children and teens like her to find a home. Now the government doesn't have the resources to have orphanages or foster homes aside from a few big ones. None are close to her, reaching them would be impossible, given her lack of money.
Thinking of the Headmistress was unbearable. No pity was left in that woman. She was powerful, really powerful. They used to say that she worked along the X-men, maybe she was even one of them. No one really knows what truly happened to them, and it would be a waste of time trying to figure it out. her back started to ache, sitting down on disgusting floor didn't help with her already racing mind. The people walking around her were already given her a weary look. She grabbed her suitcases and headed directly towards the nearest motel, which her phone told her was a few miles on foot.
The scenery around her was pretty, the park was filled with families and the city glowed with life. Funny, the world might be scrambling to pull itself together but the most unexpected places shed light that most places forgot how. Maybe she was the only one noticing, but it felt good to notice those tiny specs of happiness. Her mom taught her to see the world this way, to never give up that light within her.
She turn a corner and suddenly feels something pressing against her temple. She move her head slightly. It's the muzzle of a gun. "Get down on your knees and give me all your belongings" Tears welled up in her eyes making the world blurry. Just when she was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. If she give him her things she won't have the means to survive.
"I can't do that!" she squealed putting her hands up.
"Do it or I'll fucking kill you right now" fear clogged in her throat, he left her no other option… but to use her powers.
Time seemed to slow. The rhythmic sound of her heart kept her anchored to her thoughts. She concentrated her energy to the tip of her fingers and felt the threads within her slowly seep out. She closed her eyes, distractions are not helpful right now. She imagine the path she want them to take and subtly move her fingers in that pattern, she need to keep them out of his sight until its too late. She clench her fist and feel the thump next to her. She open her eyes and sees her threads tied him up. He's laying on the floor with her threads covering his mouth, the gun is a few feet away from him. She look around she see the rest of the threads kept weaving in the air at least 100 feet. A huge dome of glowing threads now encompass them. Everyone is now looking at them.
She pulls them back into her. She scatters to grab her stuff and she goes off running. People are slowly walking up to the guy. She can't believe she just did that. What if they come for her, what will she do then? She just need to make it to that motel and she'll just figure it out from there. How could she be so stupid?!
Upon arriving she gave the little money she had to stay for the night. She had no more money. Her mind raced with the possibilities that could happen. What if a bounty hunter came for her? What if someone tried to hold her hostage for her powers? Tears ran down her cheeks, and before she knew it two cascades went rampage.
She sobbed uncontrollably, animalistic groans escaped her. No one can see her like this. Her crying was cut short by a soft knock on the door. She didn't move for a while. She just stared. She slowly get up and make her way to the door. She grabbed the lamp sitting on the nightstand and got ready to strike whoever is in the other side. She opened the door slowly and she was met with… nothing? It was probably just a prank. She's lying to herself, something fishy is going on here. She closed the door and locked it.
"Hello Olivia" a female voice speaks somewhere within the room.
She screams, a death scream, she's terrified. If she's going to die she's going to let everyone know that she's dying. Slowly a woman appears in front of her. Probably in her mid-forties. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was wearing some sort of blue uniform.
Holy shit, this is Sue Storm, Invisible Woman.
Link - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85533766/chapters/226114656
Preface - A villain known as Lord Malum infiltrated the X-men and attempted to destroy it from the inside, he succeeded, but not without the X-men killing him. He was also able to weaken the US government and have his people take control for a prolonged amount of time. When the X-men found out what was happening they were able to kill a good amount of the Malum’s people. In this fight heroes like Hawkeye, Cyclops, and The Hulk were lost.
A society that has seen the rise and fall of X-men. Very few hero organizations are left and those yearning to be heroes have a long treacherous path ahead of them that not many survive. Villains have gone rampant along the world and the Avengers have been stretched thin to try and save the world. They start an organization called United Hero Protection (UHP) that uses retired heroes or superheroes in general when their armed forces run thin. A few years later they start a smaller organization for super teens so they can be trained and get ready to take on the tasks those older heroes are doing.
The world had fallen, and so was Olivia. The darkness around her stretched infinetly far. There was no sign of anything, not even her body. Falling without a body feels like being suffocated into a vast void that holds no warmth, nor no happiness. Thoughts and memories here become anchors to the world, without it, darkness overcomes you.
She snaps awake, her head flings up and she's finally able to feel the sheets around her. It feels nice to have her senses back. She slowly opens her eyelids and take in the room around her. Hard rock posters feel the walls, and instruments are scattered all across the walls and floors. The sun reflected against the white painted walls which gave the room a calming feeling. If only all the mornings were like this. The ring of a school bells startles her. Fuck, she's late. She leaps from the bed and head directly to the bathroom, she needs to hurry.
She sprints out the bathroom and heads running down the hall to the monumental building across from her. She reach the door but before she's able to step through a statuesque figures stops her, Lalo. The people around them stop and look before continuing on their path.
"Lady Olivia, what are you doing running like this at our establishment" he asked, Lalo calls every girl lady and every guy sir, she find it extremely annoying and make the effort to mock him whenever she can.
"I was just going to the bathroom" she lied, if he found out she was late he would send her directly to the Headmistress's office. "it's an emergency"
He looked her up and down, as if trying to read her mind, thankfully he did not have that power, she thinks. "Fine, you may go, but do not let me catch you running like that again"
She walks at a fast pace, not running, but almost. She reached the class and took her respective seat. She slumps into her seat and let out a huge sigh, most of her classmates had already sat down and were chatting among themselves, she had a few minutes to spare. The chatting is abruptly interrupted by a voice booming over the intercom, a female voice speaks "Will Olivia Thompson please report to the headmistress's office." her heart drops, she knows it's over.
She stands without looking back at her classmates, the embarrassment eating her alive. Every step she took from then on towards that office felt like a ton of needles in her body. She reached the door far too quickly and pulled all her strength together to knock. It opened slowly and was greeted by an old, wise-looking, serious woman sitting in a wooden desk. Behind her the wall was made of glass, which looked down on the whole Academy.
"Good morning Olivia, please sit down" Olivia takes her place in the seat in front of her. "You know why I called you here, you have it written all over your face" she waved her hand and a mug came flying to her, filled with coffee and all.
"Mistress I hope you can understand, I had one of her episodes and she can't really control how they work" it was true, but she was able to control them, at least more than she did before.
"Olivia you have been warned countless of times, I personally vouched for you, for your condition" she emphasized the last word, as if to keep it a secret even though we were the only two in the room. "that also doesn't explain why your grades seem to be lacking and why you have been reported absent from complete days at a time" she had a point, most of the days she just decided to not go and blame it on her 'condition', she stopped the habit though after the warnings. "that leaves me no other option but to expel you from our institution"
Her words cut like blade. "Please Mistress! I'm begging you don't this to me, give me another chance" her voice broke, tears started raining from her eyes.
"Olivia please don't make this harder than it has to be. We are an extremely prestigious academy and if you are not going to take advantage of the opportunity we have given you we will give it to someone who does. We have no option, we are gonna keep the youth learning whether you want to be it or not is far too late for you to decide, our job is crucial for the healing of our world." she looked at Olivia coldly, all her pity had been excruciated out years ago. Rumors say that she used to work with the X-men, clearly that leaves a mark.
"I have no where to go!" she yelled, long threads of some glowing material snaked out of her finger tips, not as a threat, but as instinct. "Please…" she whispered, falling to her knees.
"Olivia put them away, you don't gain anything from that. If you are looking for sympathy, here is not the place to find it. You are expected to leave by tomorrow morning." with a waive of her hand she was staring at the door.
Her dignity was left in that room and part of her was ached to barge in and make her pay. But she knew she would lose that fight. She had no other option but to leave. In this barren world no one cared about others, just themselves. This thoughts filled her mind as she prepared to be homeless for the rest of her life.
Here is a link to the AO3 chapter! - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85533766/chapters/225970181
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