Sparks Fly
A DC fanfiction by Andrew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan-based work of prose. Superman, Livewire, Batman and all other characters and worlds are the property of Warner Brothers and DC Comics. Please support the official release.
The air was so clean. The sun was clear and seemed to stretch out forever, blue and beautiful. The farmhouse was picturesque, like it had been brought to life by Norman Rockwell. Even the cows lowing seemed like something out of a picture book.
She had gone with a sundress she'd bought ages ago with the intention to wear it for a vacation, somewhere nice and tropical. It didn't work with her new skin tone, but it was the only thing she could wear that seemed even semi-respectable. Her sunhat just shadowed her face, but it didn't hide her concern.
How did he talk her into this?
This was dumb. Beyond dumb.
"Look, um... Clark, I…" She looked at her boyfriend, who was dressed in simple flannel and blue jeans. He smiled back encouragingly, looking at home with the rural landscape. Like he belonged.
In every way she didn't. She worked her jaw, and gave him a sad, sardonic expression.
"I'm... Not the kind of girl most guys bring home to meet their parents," she explained softly, trying to hide her fear.
"Leslie, I'm an alien," he said with a gentle smile, and a squeeze of her hand.
A fear he seemed to see immediately. Stupid Kryptonian super senses. Leslie shook her head, the hard edge just kind of melting away.
All that was left was the little girl whose dad hadn't bothered with her life, whose mom had barely bothered, and whose father figure was long dead. She sucked in a deep breath, and let it out in a panic.
"Not to them! To them, you're their son! Me, I'm some electric city bimbo! Or-Or a woman child who plays pretend still! Or some monster-!"
"Leslie," Clark spoke, firm but gentle. "I know it's scary. I'm nervous too. But believe me... They will see you how I do. I promise."
He had to pull the promise card. Goddamnit.
"... Okay." She took another deep breath. She took another. "Okay..." She nodded to him slowly.
They walked down the road, right up to the white picket fence (because of course they had that). Hand in hand, they went up to the porch. The door was opened by a smiling, gray-haired woman who looked warm and beautiful despite the years. Behind her was a tall, strong built man going bald who was as kind and warm as a father should be.
"Dad! Mom!" Clark hugged them while Leslie hung back. His parents hugged him back happily, the embrace… Authentic. Leslie felt incredibly awkward just standing around them.
"Clark! Just look at you! Eating all right? Getting enough sleep?" His mother (Martha, she recalled) asking earnestly. His father (Jon) laughed, patting his son on the shoulder.
"Don't baby him Martha, he looks fine! So! Who's the girl you brought us to meet? Is it that Lois Lane?"
Leslie couldn't help her scowl at the name, but brought her face to something approaching neutrality as Clark stepped back. He gave his parents a smile.
"Ah, no. We're just friends." He turned his smile at Leslie, who stepped forward awkwardly. He took her hand, which honestly helped her a lot.
"Mom, Dad, this is Leslie," Clark introduced her. Leslie, for lack of anything better to say or do, raised her hand in a weak little wave.
"Um, hey."
The Kents were quiet for a time, sizing up Leslie. She fidgeted, and her mind began to race.
Oh shit oh shit my own mom doesn't speak to me why would they be different Oh shit Oh shit they hate me they hate me-
Martha smiled warmly at Leslie. It was genuine, without a drop of reserve or irony.
"You saved Clark, as I recall?" She said. Leslie managed a nod.
"Um, yeah. He did it for me first, so I-"
She was being hugged. Martha had seized her in a tight, happy embrace. She looked up a little into her face, which was probably beyond surprised. Over her shoulder, Jon gave her a grin. Martha nodded.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm glad Clark met someone who would care that much for him," she said earnestly, tightening her hug. She beamed in thankfulness. Leslie found her arms awkwardly floating, unsure where to put them.
"I, um, it's no big deal..." Leslie tried. Jon took her other hand, and he and Martha pulled her inside. God, they must have rehearsed that.
"Means plenty to us," Jon said, as though speaking about the surety of the sun rising and setting. "Come on, tell us what happened."
Leslie looked over at Clark, who was smiling just as kindly. It was all so genuine and heartwarming and she flat out didn't know how to respond. She felt like a scared rabbit, about ready to bolt.
Then, Martha's smile turned impish.
"I'm certain Clark didn't tell us all the details. Especially the embarrassing ones."
"Mom!" Clark cried, in perfect embarrassment due to his mother. Her fear fell away, and Leslie found her smile.
"Well, he did talk about what would happen if a vampire bit him," Leslie said. "I don't know if it was because of the power drain or he's just that big a geek." She paused, and shook her head. "Nah, it's because he's a geek."
Clark groaned, Jon and Martha laughed, and Leslie let herself be led into the warm house.
She relaxed. A little. This was just the first hurdle. There was a lot more to go through. But she needed to do this, because she would never make Clark choose between his parents and her.
She couldn't.
Just a short bit I hope you enjoyed.
