Mates: The Sequel
Chapter 16
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Lust.
Want.
Need.
It washed over him, wave after wave, bringing him under. It felt so good...filling his mind with pleasure and causing his member to grow stiff with arousal. His heart was pounding in his ears as hands roamed over his very sensitive skin, lips brushing against one of his soft areas. His back arched in response and those lips returned, running a tongue along the spot teasingly. He let out a moan, one that was quickly swallowed in a kiss that threatened to drive him over the edge. So good...more...he needed more...
Desperate, he blindly reached out, grabbing hold on to strong arms and returning the kiss, needing to feel more. And for a split second, there was nothing but bliss.
Until he felt something painfully erupt in his chest, causing him to gasp out as pure agony crashed into him, the pleasure being replaced by sharp twinges. His mind started to slowly come out of the fog it was in...and that's when Bruce realized just what the fuck was going on.
He was being pushed against the computer...and kissed.
By Superman.
Well, actually, if he was being honest, kissed was putting it lightly. With those hands roaming everywhere...felt up seemed to fit the situation more.
The first thing he felt was shock. He didn't remember how the hell he got here. The last thing he remembered was telling Aphrodite that he'd think about talking to J'onn and the next...
Was Clark's tongue in his mouth.
He started to try and pull away but he was pressed right up against the computer and no matter how hard he struggled the alien was not getting the hint. It caused his rage to intensify because of all the things that had happened lately he did not need this. Gathering up all the energy he could in his arms, he gave the Kryptonian a hard shove. His efforts didn't even make him move. A surge of desperation coursed through him, giving him a burst of strength. Get the--
"FUCK OFF ME CLARK!" Bruce exploded when Clark finally stumbled back, giving him much needed space and breathing room.
Wiped angrily at his mouth, then froze as he looked into blue eyes and saw just how cold they were.
You're not as strong as the Martian.
No, I'm not. But I will make you leave.
"Rao.",He snarled, receiving a smirk in return. "What the hell are you doing?"
It was so odd seeing such an evil look on someone who went around saving kittens from trees on a daily bases...he noticed that 'Clark' was now edging towards him again and he quickly moved away from the computer, not wanting to relive that experience. Ever. Clark Kent was handsome, sure. But he was also idealistic, naïve, emotionally needy and a bit too clingy for his tastes.
"I'm giving my Kal what he wants. You."
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Do you honestlythink he's going to be happy with getting me this way?"
A blink and 'Clark' was standing right in front of him. Damn. He sure wasn't wasting any time... "Once he has you I doubt he'll care how he got you."
"You don't know Clark at all." He growled, dodging an attempt to grab him. Being a man of numbers he knew the probability of being able to stop Rao was...zero. He wouldn't get to the stash of Kryptonite fast enough without getting knocked down first and fighting him would just result in a quick defeat. However the others had to have noticed Superman was missing by now, so his best bet was to try and keep the god occupied until assistance arrived.
It wasn't his favorite plan but it was one that would work.
But before he could even open his mouth he was pinned to the ground with Rao smirking down at him. The smug look on 'Clark's' face was enough to make his blood boil.
"You read my mind."
It wasn't a question but Rao answered anyway. "Correct."
Damn god was enjoying this. His limbs were positioned in a way where he couldn't maneuver his way out of the hold. Escaping with brute strength wasn't even an option worth considering. His mind started to race, knowing that Rao was probably reading his thoughts but it was all instinct, seeking out possible options and openings.
"You know...you weren't complaining a few seconds ago...I wonder..." The words were said in a mocking tone and he hated what they implied. If Rao was reading his every thought then that meant he knew. And he couldn't go back under that fog again. To the pain.
The god leaned closer, brushing his lips against Bruce's, chuckling when the human's heart started to race. "Well this is certainly interesting...and it does make my job easier..."
Another wave of lust washed over him and soon he was drowning in it. Tried to find his center and fight but Rao was too strong and he didn't have nearly enough experience. There was no bliss this time. The arousal clouded his mind but he didn't feel any pleasure; the pain was back and it was growing as the seconds ticked by.
Oh god it hurt.
His skin was on fire. It was burning and he could feel something circling around his arms in a strange pattern. It wasn't the god's doing; Clark's hands were currently undoing his shirt. No, this was an entirely new presence, feeling cool against his hot flesh. But it only brought more agony as blood started to drip down his arms. His mind kept shouting to move; to shove away whatever it was that was currently digging into his body but Rao was keeping him trapped in the fog and he couldn't do anything except writhe.
His soul was being torn apart. It felt like it was being ripped right out of him, bit by bit and he gasped out, wanting it all to stop.
Bruce wasn't dying. No, he'd been through that before to know what it felt like.
And dying wasn't nearly as painful as what he was going through right now.
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They arrived at the cave, tense and ready for battle. Admittedly, they didn't really have that much of a plan. Everything about this situation was off. But they were prepared to do whatever it took to beat Rao.
What they were not prepared for, was the site of 'Clark' trying to...well...rape...Bruce. And he seemed to be succeeding, seeing how the human wasn't protesting at all. In fact, he wasn't responding at all. He was limp, bleeding and growing paler by the second.
Aware of how crucial time was, they quickly snapped into action.
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"Can you get him away from Bruce?!" Hawk Girl shouted over the chaos, ramming her mace upside the Kryptonian's head, mentally wincing in apology to the real Clark. But she didn't really have any time to be sorry because ten seconds later he returned the favor, ten fold. She went flying into Apollo, who might have given her a dirty look before dodging a fist sent their way.
'Clark' was still holding onto the human's body. He refused to let go, thus making their attacks limited. They couldn't risk harming their teammate when he was in such an unstable state as it was.
"I'm trying--" Lantern bit off his reply to duck behind the giant penny, just in time to avoid the heat beams sent his way. "But what's to stop him from escaping?!"
Hermes dashed forward, Flash right by his side, matching him step for step as they raced around 'Clark' in an attempt to slow him down. "Don't worry about that! Hephaestus' got it covered! Rao's not going anywhere!"
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While the majority of them were fighting Rao, Zeus, Hades, L'Zoril and Athena were on Mount Olympus, wondering just how the hell they were going to get to Rao. Obviously the other's attempts weren't working and according to the God of the Underworld, the strand Bruce was hanging on was growing thinner by the second. They had to act fast but anything they did to get to Rao was going to harm Clark as well.
There didn't see to be a sliver of Clark in there. Before, they had seen the way he had stopped Rao from making him fry Luthor. But now...Rao was completely in control. Clark wasn't even trying to fight. Had the god managed to corrupt him?
No. Zeus refused to believe that. There had to be something more to what was going on.
There just had to be.
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Their little tornado trap didn't work for long and soon it was Artemis' turn to play, and she quickly attacked, her blows hitting with harsh precision. Gashes appeared where her weapon struck skin, blood pouring out and mingling with the human's. Continued on forward, determined to drive him back, when Wonder Woman tackled her, cutting over her assault on the Kryptonian. They landed on the ground in a daze, leaving them open for retaliation.
Luckily though, Dionysus appeared just then and began distracting Rao long enough so they could scramble out of sight and gain their balance again.
"Are you insane?!" She yelled at the supposedly Amazon. "I almost had him--"
"Clark is still in there!" Wonder Woman interrupted, her eyes glaring harshly. "You were going to kill him!"
Artemis pursed her lips together. "You want your friend back? Then the alien must die."
"Death isn't an option." Diana hissed. "Either you accept that, or stay out of it."
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"Artemis was close." Hades muttered, staring down at the scene with a frown. "Almost too close."
Time was running out and if they didn't do something soon then one of them was going to die. And like the little amazon had said...that wasn't an option.
L'Zoril sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever we do doesn't matter. If Kal-El isn't putting up a fight, then Rao is going to be able to take over again without a problem."
It was so frustating. They couldn't do anything. Couldn't attack Rao without hurting Clark or Bruce. Couldn't get Bruce away because Rao refused to let go of the human. Couldn't kick Rao out because he could just walk right back in.
What else was there?
Zeus let out a growl. "It's seven gods against one! How can we be losing!?"
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J'onn ducked behind C'eridyall's shield in just the knick of time; 'Clark's' hand brushing against his cloak. It had been hard to run with Bruce in his arms but he'd done it. After Hera had finally managed to get Rao to drop him he wasn't going to waste the opportunity. Enraged, Rao started pounding at the barrier, causing the pink energy to flicker.
Gazed up at his goddess, seeking even now, for reassurance. She smiled weakly, trembling but still strong. "I'll hold it for as long as I can."
Nodding, he focused on his mate, more importantly, at his arms. Which were still bleeding. "What's causing this? The wounds should have stopped bleeding by now!"
C'eridyall bit her lip, pouring more energy into the shield. It was their only protection between them and him. It called for a lot of concentration but she managed to spare him a glance and what she saw nearly made her drop the barrier altogether.
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"What about Morpheus?" Athena inquired softly, gaining the attention of the other three gods. The intensity of their stares was a tad overwhelming but she continued on with what she was saying, knowing that now was not the time for such thoughts. "We could use him to go inside Clark's subconscious. Find out why he's given up."
Hades hummed thoughtfully, bracing his fingertips against each other. "I'm not sure. What's to stop Rao from attacking us once we're on the inside?"
"Them." L'Zoril stated, pointing down to where the gods and leaguers were trying to get 'Kal-El' away from the shield. "He can't fight both them and us at the same time. Rao's not that good."
He started to fade into the dream realm. "I'll return once I've located him."
"Hurry. Seconds in that realm equals minutes in this one.", Zeus stated, turning to watch the scene unfold beneath them.
Had the situation not been so dire, Hades would have smirked. The Great Zeus relying on a Martian God?
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"It's the bond," C'eridyall explained, keeping her eyes on 'Kal-El' and how he was fighting the others. She couldn't bare to look at her Child right now. Not when she needed to remain calm and focused on what she was doing... "It's punishment. What ever Rao did to him...Bruce must have felt some sort of pleasure. The bond realized it wasn't with you and...this is his punishment." She laid a consoling hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
J'onn's hold on Bruce tightened as he took in what she just said. He was silent for a only a second before saying, "How do I lift the punishment?"
At hearing that, she stumbled, the barrier flickering. "What? You want to..but..."
Locked eyes with his goddess and said without a hint of doubt, "Bruce wouldn't do that. He wouldn't...cheat."
He knew that now.
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"I'm not sure if I can do...this." Morpheus said as he lead L'Zoril and Athena through his realm, making turns left and right in a seemingly endless manner. He really would have felt better if Zeus or Hades had accompanied them but the two brothers had opted to stay up in Mount Olympus in case something went wrong. They had faith in Athena though...
"I've never entered an alien's mind before. That's not my territory." There was a hint of bitterness to his voice that the god didn't even try to hide; he wasn't the only one disgusted by Rao's actions, he was sure.
"His soul's more human than anything else." Athena pointed out. "I doubt you'll be having much of a problem."
It seemed she was right, for suddenly they were in Clark's mind. Not the center of it. No, that was where Rao was, and they really didn't want to battle him in Clark's mind. Who knew what type of damage that might cause?
That and Clark wasn't in the center. He was curled all the way in the back, trying to make himself impossibly small.
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"You have to forgive him of his misdoings."
"There's nothing to forgive!"
"You don't know that. And neither does the bond."
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Do you love me? Am I good enough for you yet?
Quiet. It's hard enough trying to concentrate without you adding to it.
Kal tried to make himself smaller, wanting to be as out of the way as possible. He didn't know anything. Didn't remember anything. There was a part of him that said his God was hurting people...people he cared very much about...but that part of him was wrong. Had to be.. His God loved him, he did! Why would he cause him so much pain? Why would he want to hurt those he loved? Those he wanted to protect?
Because he hates you...
No!
Had to love him. He had to.
Couldn't be hated. Couldn't. He would fix this. He would, he just needed to try harder. His God wanted him to be quiet. So he would. Wouldn't utter a single peep. Maybe if he did this one last thing, he'd finally be good enough. A long time passed and while he knew it would bug his God...he needed to know...
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J'onn pressed his lips against Bruce, trying to relax and let the bond wash over them like he'd been instructed to. It wasn't right. He shouldn't have to forgive his mate for anything. If anyone was in the wrong, it was him. But C'eridyall had stated that the bleeding wouldn't stop unless he'd forgiven Bruce.
"I..I forgive you."
Nothing happened.
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Do you love me yet?
No.
Tell me how I can make you love me again.
Again? I've never loved you.
Never?
I never WANTED to love you.
Kal wanted to scream.
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"The bond knows you don't mean it!" C'eridyall snapped, the barrier fading in it's color. But she couldn't make it bright again; she was almost out of energy. "J'onn if you plan on doing something you have have to do it now!"
Time was running out, he shouldn't be worrying over something like this, but there was nothing to forgive. So how was he...?
Trembling, he laced his fingers with Bruce's, trying hard to find something to say...
What came out wasn't all what he expected.
But it was the truth.
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"Clark..." Athena sighed as they finally came across the distraught Kryptonian, kneeling down next to his pale form. "Clark...what are you doing?"
She received a puzzled look. "Clark? Who is that? I'm Kal. Kal of the House of El."
"Is that so?" L'Zoril asked, tilting his head to the side. "Do you truly believe that Kal-El is all that you are?"
Kal didn't answer, to busy wondering about what was causing his God's latest bout of rage to come forth. It wasn't him was it? "I'm sorry." Maybe if he apologized for everything, his God would love him. "I'm sorry..." For everything? That didn't seem good enough but to list it all individually...he didn't even know where to begin...
He was a failure. Couldn't even apologize right.
"I'm sorry." Apologizing for failing to apologize? Pathetic. No wonder Rao hated him.
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"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for turning your life upside down. I'm sorry I almost got you killed. I'm sorry for not giving you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry for hitting you. Twice. I'm sorry you're bleeding. I'm sorry." His voice was barely above a whisper and he wasn't sure if it would even count. According to C'eridyall, he was supposed to be granting Bruce forgiveness, not apologizing. But it was the only thing he could think of. Bruce didn't have anything to be sorry for.
J'onn, however, did. So he poured his soul into those words, trying hard to convey to the bond that he wasn't feeling betrayed or angry. He wasn't in love with his mate, no, but he certainly didn't feel hatred.
He could never hate Bruce.
The bleeding didn't stop and he held his mate tighter, refusing to let go even as the barrier fell and Rao charged at them. He wasn't going to leave Bruce. Not this time.
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"Clark, listen to yourself!" Athena pleaded, trying to make him see reason. "It's Rao! He doesn't care!"
He didn't answer her.
"He understands that." L'Zoril spoke up, eyes unusually soft. "He just can't accept it."
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"LET GO OF HIM YOU THING!"
Heat beams tore through J'onn's arm, making him cry out in pain.
But he didn't let go.
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When Kal was little, before he came into his superpowers, he was teased and bullied quite a lot.
And when ever he would ask his Ma' why they didn't like him, she would say that there was over a million people on the planet and so what if a few people didn't like him? He had many more people to go through! One of them had to want to be his friend! He just had to look a little harder for them, is all.
True, there were many people on the planet.
But there was only one Rao.
He didn't have anyone else to love him.
Without Rao he was alone...
His God was all he had.
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It was getting harder to hold on to consciousness. His world was getting fuzzy around the edges, but still J'onn fought to hold on. He couldn't let Rao have Bruce. Bruce was his. He'd failed his mate enough times in the past; he wasn't going to do it again. No. Couldn't let go.
Bruce was his.
His mate.
His friend.
And he was going to protect him.
Even if it cost J'onn his life.
He was so caught up in the pain that he never realized that Bruce had stopped bleeding several minutes ago.
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"He's not all you have!" Athena shook Clark harshly, wanting him to see how wrong he was. That he had people who loved and cared for him. He didn't need Rao. "What do you care if he hates you?! You've never cared before!"
L'Zoril took a step back to assess the situation, trying hard to think about when Clark had snapped. What had caused him to depend so much on Rao of all the gods? Rao didn't care. He obviously hated--
Memories flashed through his mind.
'...if he's so evil why did he come back?! Why would he--'
'Because he hates you.' Hermes stated quietly, his usual cheerful demeanor gone. 'He left because he couldn't handle his destiny. When Krypton exploded he thought his problems were solved. Then, turns out that not all his children were dead. He feels everything. Your pain, happiness, misery, anger, wants, needs, accomplishments, crushes...and he hates it...'
'What do you care if he hates you?! You've never cared before!'
The answer came to him and he was tempted to marvel at it's simplicity. "He didn't know before."
The Goddess of Wisdom turned around to face him, her eyes questioning. "What does that...?"
"You thought he would handle the scorn of his god well. He didn't. Rao is the only god he has. It's the bond between them that's making him act like this."
She sat down next to Clark, wondering what she could possibly say now that everything was so screwed up. "You..."
There was nothing she could say, really...
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For the longest time the only thing Bruce had been aware of was pain. It seemed to stretch on for ever, clawing at his soul and raking harshly at his mind. That and the blood dripping down his skin. It burned like acid all the way down to his very bones. Tried to hold on, thinking that eventually the pain would level off and it would become bearable...but it didn't. It was never the same, always different and attacking him in places he never knew existed.
Wasn't aware of anything else. Until J'onn's words reached his ears.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for turning your life upside down. I'm sorry I almost got you killed. I'm sorry for not giving you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry for hitting you. Twice. I'm sorry you're bleeding. I'm sorry."
Idiot. Did J'onn honestly think he had to apologize for all that? The slapping thing, yes, Bruce felt he was owed an apology there but the other things? J'onn didn't almost kill him. That was a result of the heat. There was nothing the Martian could do about it. It had been his choice to let the Martian Gods strengthen the bond between them. Yes his life was a bit hectic but he couldn't blame J'onn seeing how it had been his choice to accept this...mating...thing.
The pain was dying down and he was relieved but he didn't linger on the feeling, because he was now aware of what was going on. J'onn was still holding him, trying to protect him from Rao's blows. Which the god was giving in full strength. Took in the gashes on J'onn's body, the faded look in those golden eyes and felt his frustration grow. Idiot! Growling, he gathered up what little strength he had left and maneuvered it to where he was the one on the receiving end of Rao's attack. J'onn wasn't letting go and he couldn't let the Martian take anymore hits.
He could handle it. J'onn couldn't.
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They sat there for the longest time, not knowing what to say to make things right again. L'Zoril was right; Rao was the only god Clark had. It had been a mistake to let Hermes say what he did after all that had happened to the poor alien. He wasn't able to handle it at all. Clark was acting like a little kid: lost, frightened and so desperately wanting to be loved. But Rao wasn't going to ever love him; he was a selfish being and would always think of himself first before others.
'You knew that Rao was there. You knew that he was planning something. So why, why didn't you warn us? Warn them?'
The King of the Gods walked away from the scene, slumping down into his thrown with a defeated air about him. 'I didn't...think he was going to do anything of this extent.' He croaked. '...I didn't want...Kal-El to know of his return.'
"Zeus cares." She said softly, hoping that he wasn't too far gone to hear her words. "He didn't want you to know about Rao's return, because he didn't want you to get hurt."
Dejected blue eyes looked into hers and she wanted to cry at how broken they looked. "But Rao--"
"Rao doesn't matter." He had to understand this part. "Zeus has been there since you first arrived here on earth, watching you grow up into a strong individual. He cares about you. All of you. Clark, Kal and Superman. He loves you like you're his own."
Kal so wanted to believe her but there was a part of him that just couldn't let it go. "Why doesn't he love me?" It was so pathetic but he needed to know what he did wrong. Maybe if he fixed it then--
"You can't fix it, Clark." L'Zoril stated quietly. "Rao isn't able to love anyone but himself. He was given a destiny he didn't want and he's been running from it ever since. He's never going to love you." His hand reached out, gently wiping away the tears that were falling. "It's not your fault, you did nothing wrong. You can't fix it, can't change it but you can accept it. Rao may not love you, but Zeus does."
Kal knew what they were asking of him. They wanted him to reject Rao. To kick him out. But if he did that...the bond would be broken. And there would be nothing there. Just an empty hole...and then he really would be alone.
'Rao may not love you, but Zeus does.'
Maybe...maybe Zeus would be willing...to fill that spot...maybe he wouldn't have to be alone at all...
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Zeus was so involved in his pacing and observing the battle that he almost didn't feel the tentative soul reaching out towards him. It wasn't unusual. When unique souls first entered the world, they reached out for a god to favor them. It differed every time, usually based on what the soul's needs were. They all had connections to each soul on earth but the ones that they favored were different. The bond was more...intense. Usually favoring was reserved for those souls who were going to leave their mark on the world.
Subconsciously, he observed the soul reaching for him, trying to see if it was worthy of being his favorite. What he felt actually made him fall over in shock.
Clark?!
But that...that wasn't...possible...Clark already had a god! Yes it was Athena and L'Zoril's mission to get him to reject Rao but...once someone rejected their god, that was it. No one had ever chosen another god before. It just...wasn't...
The soul started to shy away and Zeus quickly latched onto it, trying to be as soothing as possible. He didn't really know how but...there was no way he could deny Clark. Clark, the same little boy who had actually smiled at him when he had peeked into the rocket all those years ago, wondering what was going on. Who, after discovering his powers, refused to take retribution on the kids who had bullied him for years, afraid of hurting them. The one who did just as much good as Clark Kent as he did Superman, with his articles that brought dark issues to the light, making the public see just what was going on.
Deny Clark? Clark Kent? Kal-El? Superman?
Never.
I would be honored to call you my Child, Clark.
()
'Clark's' attacks came to a screeching halt, making all of them on edge, wondering what the mad god was planning on doing next. It was never a good thing when a bad guy went still. Usually that meant that they had noticed a weakness in their attack and was getting ready to strike. Would he try to leave the cave? Had there been a flaw in Hephaestus' wards? They'd said that the lame god was a genius when it came to such things but...
Now Green Lantern was starting to wonder.
They were tense, wound up so tightly and ready to spring at the slightest movement. But 'Clark' just stood ridiculously still, his fist still raised up, ready to strike Bruce once more. The silence was deafening. Until 'Clark' suddenly released his hold on Bruce and fell to the ground, trembling fiercely. "Oh...oh god...Bruce...J'onn..."
At hearing the stricken tone in his voice, Flash relaxed, letting out a breath he hadn't even been aware he'd been holding in. "You're back."
Clark, the real Clark, didn't reply, his eyes still trained on the battered forms of his teammates in front of him. I...I did...this...I let Rao...god...his throat tightened painfully. I...I should leave. Went to fly away, only to be yanked back. Looked down and saw a bloody hand clenching the fabric of his cape in a death grip.
"If...you...leave..." Bruce bit out, his voice heavy with pain and exhaustion. "...going to...find the...biggest stash of Kryptonite...and...kill you..."
He was serious, Clark knew him well enough to realize that but...he couldn't...it wasn't... "Bruce...I...let Rao...I can't..."
Tried to pull away but the grip was strong and refusing to let go, no matter how hard he pulled. "BRUCE--"
A hand landed on his shoulder, making him look up and he was shocked to see Wally, not Flash, but Wally, staring at him. "Running away isn't going to change what happened."
His shoulders slumped with defeat as he looked around at the cave, mourning the destruction he'd caused. The penny was half-way melted, the computer was nothing but a bruised pile of metal and nevermind the state the Batmobile was in...or the condition of his teammates. Lantern's nose looked like it was broken, and he was nursing his left side. Flash had two nice black eyes, along with a swollen lip and a still-bleeding head-wound. Wonder Woman was cradling her wrist and trying to keep her weight off her knee, which he could tell via x-ray was badly sprained. Hawk Girl had a few bruised ribs, along with a mild concussion, probably from when he'd slugged her as payback for the mace-to-the-head thing.
J'onn had several burn marks on him from when he'd fired his heat beams at the Martian, along with bruises and gashes from trying to protect his mate. The biggest wound was very close to his left eye and he really hoped that he hadn't caused any permanent damage. Bruce had two nasty looking gashes on both his arms and he was covered in blood that had yet to dry, along with three broken ribs and a few burns of his own.
Clark had caused everyone so much pain...he didn't even know where to begin to make things right again.
"I'm..."
What could he possibly say? There was no way he could fix all that had happened.
It's not your fault; you did nothing wrong. You can't fix it, can't change it but you can accept it.
"I'm sorry.", He whispered, because really, that was all he could do.
J'onn lifted his head and offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "Apology accepted."
And it really was.
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I hope the uh...lust scene with...Bruce and Clark/Rao wasn't TOO bad...I SUCK at writing that type of stuff. I gave it my best... / so shuffit. XD and review! Two chapters in one! Two LONG chapters in one! I think I deserve a review! Or twelve! XD