The Double K Farm for At Risk Youth - How it Starts

[stands_for_hope]

It had been a hard year for the Kents.

The loss of a father, a husband, had hollowed out mother and son, though thankfully they'd managed to make due on the farm between the both of them. But that was just the financial parts. The farm felt empty without Jonathon Kent, their home felt empty, and Clark...

Clark was so angry with everyone, with everything. It wasn't fair.

He could do so many things, so many things, but he hadn't been able to do anything when his father's heart had given out. He hadn't been able to do anything when Jonathon Kent had dropped dead in a field while Clark was at school. He'd just been there to get pulled into the office, take the phonecall from his mother.

It was doubly hard to go through his days now. Before, there'd been a bit of a barrier between the people who liked to tease him; Jonathon Kent had been respected and folks had looked out for Clark because of it. They still looked for him, but now it was more about sympathy and less of a willingness to put themselves between him and trouble.

That's why he was here. Twelve years old, pushed against a chain link fence, holding onto the fence pole for their sake as much as his own. Anger boiled up inside him, anger enough to make his eyes start to lighten to red, anger enough to make him want to do things he couldn't do, shouldn't do. Because people were mean and cruel and they picked on weakness like a pack of jackals, even if the weakness was feigned.

I can't do it. I can't hurt anyone.

It was like a screen door trying to hold back a tidal wave. He was shaking and his eyes were so hot. He just hoped he could hold on long enough for them to get bored. Long enough for someone to wander by. He just had to hold on.

Comments

[kolodnoykovki]

"You got here... survived a trip through space, survived growing up on a planet that doesn't like its own people a lot of the time... And you're a great person. You're awesome, Clark," Bucky promised, gathering both Clark and Steve into his arms. "We're happy to be your friends." And then, after a second, he added, "And I'm lucky to be your brother."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark's eyes got a little wet before he got his arm up around Bucky.

"You guys... I'm so glad you guys came."

[kolodnoykovki]

And Bucky smiled, holding on to him. "So are we."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark was about to say something more when Martha's voice rang out.

"Clark Joseph Kent, have you done your chores yet?!"

Which was when his eyes went wide.

"Back in a few minutes!"

Which was when he disappeared into a puff of air. Steve looked towards the stairs where he'd disappeared for a moment before turning to Bucky.

"You know, they said the country was different but... I think we couldn'ta guessed how different till we got here."

Still, no complaints.

[kolodnoykovki]

"That makes two of us. C'mon, let's see what chores I need to do, and we'll get those done, and then we'll all work on homework," Bucky encouraged, arm settling around Steve and guiding him to the steps.

It was the first day of what turned into a daily cadence of sorts. School, then to the Kent farm, chores, homework, and sometimes Sarah came for dinner with them all before taking Steve home, and sometimes Martha was insistently invited into Sarah's little cabin for a meal. Life as usual.

But as always, rumours began creeping in. Somebody, said one of the women at the hair salon, had rented one of the apartments above Saylor's Pharmacy, sight unseen. Over the phone, even. Nancy, the realtor's secretary, had told her all about it. Nobody was sure just who the renter was, or what was going on, but the town was on tenterhooks to see who would arrive.

In the end, the newcomer - or one of them, anyway - weren't so new. The man who hopped out of the U-Haul was long-legged, curly-haired, and a bit older than he had been when he'd first came, but he still had the same smile when he looked around town, soon joining the smaller version of himself on the truck's passenger side. Movers joined them soon, hauling the furniture from the truck upstairs into the apartment.

And that was how Michael Knight moved to Smallville, accompanied with his son.

[stands_for_hope]

Martha was on her way back from picking up her heart medication when she saw the movers, but her heart almost skipped a beat when she saw who was directing them. Of all people in all the world--

"Michael? Michael, is that you?"

[longdaysknight]

He looked up from what he was doing - and that sunshine smile spread across his face as he walked over to greet her, arms offered for a hug. "Martha. I thought I might see you here," he grinned. "Been a long time, hasn't it?"

[stands_for_hope]

She went right into his arms, hugging him tight immediately before pulling back to look up into his face.

"What in the world-- you're moving here? You're the mystery gentleman moving in at the pharmacy?"

She let out a little laugh of delight before pulling him down and kissing both his cheeks.

"Been a long time-- been a long-- it's been too long! And you should have told me you were coming! Now I have to go to the grocery store again and pick up more food because you are certainly coming over for dinner tonight."

[longdaysknight]

Laughing, Michael kissed her forehead and nodded. "Seeing as how my groceries are limited to cereal and Chex mix right now, I'll gladly accept, but you might want to make that two for dinner tonight instead of one."

Looking over his shoulder, Michael called, "Mike? C'mon down here, meet an old friend of mine."

And, with a clatter of footsteps, dodging between movers, a boy of a familiar and similar age appeared, jogging up to his father's side. The boy certainly had Michael's dark hair, but had deep brown eyes, skin that looked lightly tanned, and a haircut that looked straight out of the army. He stood with his hands behind his back, as if he'd been trained, and...

And Michael rubbed his shoulder in a gentle reminder, which got him a glance, and then a grateful look as he relaxed.

Michael smiled, motioning in front of them. "Mike, this is Martha - I met her a few years ago, on a case-- I think for her father, if I remember right. Martha, this is my son Mike." Of whom he sounded extremely proud. "His mom named him after me, which might make it a little confusing, but he's still deciding if he wants to go by Mike or by his middle name, Elliot. When he decides, we'll go with it."

Mike offered his hand politely, with a quiet, "Hello, ma'am."

[stands_for_hope]

Martha looked utterly delighted when she saw the young man who looked so much like his father and couldn't help the little bounce in her step.

"Two I can definitely do," she reported as she took the young man's hand and shook it firmly. "It's very nice to meet you, Mike. You're just about the same age as my boys. You'll get to meet them when you come to dinner tonight, and Bucky's friend Steve, I'll bet my boots."

She looked up at Michael then, a sadness to her eyes even as some of her smile fought to stay on her face.

"There's been some changes since you were last here. I had myself a son a while back, picked up another one a few months ago."

She swallowed a little as she tried to figure out how to mention her husband.

"But Jonathon... passed. About a year and a half ago. So... at least you don't have to worry about gettin' a shovel to the back of the head for smiling too much."

She tried to keep the comment light, but there was still the everpresent sadness in her eyes.

[longdaysknight]

"Oh, Martha. I'm so sorry." He stepped forward and hugged her, a warm and sympathetic embrace. "My wife... passed a few years ago."

"She wasn't my mom," Mike put in quietly, "but she sounded really nice when Dad told me about her."

"She would've loved you, Mike," he promised. "So now I'll have to love you enough for the two of us." He smiled and gathered Mike up. "But did you hear that? Martha's got some boys and a friend of theirs about your age. You'll get a head-start making friends."

Mike looked slightly worried before asking, very quietly, almost soundlessly, "I'm really going to a real school? You promise?"

"I promise." He even crossed his heart - but the look he gave Martha said that he'd explain later.

[stands_for_hope]

Martha just gave a short, quick nod before hugging him back.

"I'm so sorry for you too, sweetheart."

Then she pulled back to smile over at Mike.

"You sound a lot like my Bucky. He was so anxious not to fall behind while the adoption went through. I'm sure he and Clark'll be able to get you all caught up with your schoolwork. Though perhaps not tonight."

She looked up at Michael.

"Tonight, we catch up with old friends and make new ones."

[longdaysknight]

And Michael smiled at her, remembering how he'd thought she was beautiful years ago - and seeing that he still found her beautiful now. "It'll be great."

"Dad? Does she know about..." Mike's eyes flicked toward the trailer meaningfully - the trailer that had yet to be unloaded, and Michael nodded.

"Yep, she does." And, approving, Michael ruffled his son's far too short haircut. "Smart boy. You figured it out because I said I met her on a case, didn't you?"

Mike beamed, nodding. "Yeah, I did."

"Thankfully," Michael said, "that's one guest you won't need to feed."

[stands_for_hope]

"Well, he's still welcome to a spot in the garage if he wants one, keep him out of the rain, the poor dear," Martha said firmly with a nod.

"Now," she glanced past him towards the movers, "I'm sure you two have plenty to get done today, so how's about I let you go and you make your way to the farm around six o'clock to get fed?"

[longdaysknight]

"That sounds great," he nodded. "We'll be there on the dot - after we both get a chance at enjoying our new shower. We've been on the road for hours."

Mike nodded. "Yeah, and the truck isn't as comfortable as--" He broke off hurriedly, but looking up at Martha, he knew that she knew, and he smiled.

He definitely had his dad's smile.

[stands_for_hope]

She almost reached over and ruffled his hair. Instead, she gave a brief little chuckle and leaned up to kiss Michael's cheek.

"You two take care of yourselves and make sure you've got room in your bellies for a good meal. For now, I've got some grocery shopping to do and a bit of cooking to get done."

She pulled back and tilted her head towards the truck.

"You remember the way, don't you?"

[longdaysknight]

His smile became a grin. "If I don't, you-know-who does. We'll see you later, Martha."

Mike gave her a wave, having finally loosened up, and, after Michael patted his shoulder, giving permission, he ran off to head upstairs again.

Michael was more slow to get back to work, full of good feelings at knowing he was going to have someone to talk to. Someone in the same situation. But he did make up his mind to pick up a nice, casual bouquet before they went. Something that said friendship.

[stands_for_hope]

When the boys got home from school, they'd find Martha busy in the kitchen, looking a little bit like a chicken with it's head cut off. There were several blouses laid out on the couch that she kept glancing between and the amount of food that she was making was clearly more than even Steve or Sarah would account for.

"Mom?"

Martha leaned out of the kitchen and gave her boys a smile.

"Hey! We're going to have some extra company tonight. An old friend just moved in with his son and the boys even your age. Mike seems like a sweet boy so I hope you get along with him. His father's an old friend who helped your grandpa out a few years back."

[kolodnoykovki]

Bucky looked confused for a few seconds, but then he looked over at the blouses and some of the things Martha was cooking - and it struck. He knew just what was going on. Biting his lower lip, stifling a grin, he carefully put aside his backpack. "Steve, do you think you can help Aunt Martha in the kitchen while Clark and I get our chores done? We'll hurry, then we'll wash up and help, too."

And he was sure Clark would want to know what he'd noticed. Because he was pretty sure Steve already had.

[stands_for_hope]

Steve smiled just a little and gave Bucky a firm nod before glancing at the blouses and scooping up two of them. He brought them up to Martha's room and laid them on the bed before heading back down and going to the kitchen to offer his help.

Clark looked over at Bucky as they trotted out the door to start doing their chores.

"We don't usually have guests," Clark said as they trotted out towards the barn. And if the kid was new, associating with their little crew was... less social suicide than it'd been a few months ago, but still not good. Bucky had done something of a number on his social status, though there was no such thing as miracles when it came to the Smallville social cliques. He was just less of a pariah.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Yeah," Bucky said, "but I think this is important." If Clark had been at speed, Bucky couldn't have kept up, but jogging like this, it was easy for him to stay alongside him and say, in something of a stage whisper, "I think Aunt Martha met her Steve."

He hoped he was right. He hoped that this was someone who could bring the same kind of happiness and light to her that Steve had to him. And he hoped that it wasn't too soon for anyone. That could shoot it down.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark looked utterly baffled for a moment before his eyes went wide and he breathed out a sigh with enough force to leave a faint chill in the air.

"You think she's... she's interested in the guy comin' over?"

A little part of him was upset about that. After all, what about his father? What about Jonathan Kent? But the bigger part, the more important part, saw how she'd been lit up inside while she was cooking... and he hadn't seen that for almost two years. If someone made his mother happy, then... he'd be happy for her. He loved her too much to want her to be lonely.

...the guy had just better be amazing or he'd snap him in half and make him sorry he'd ever looked at his mother.

[kolodnoykovki]

Bucky nodded. "Yeah, I do - but you know we need to take care of her like she takes care of us." He looked over at his brother seriously. "We'll make sure he's a good guy. If he's not, we'll make sure nothing happens to her. But..."

And his expression eased to something... cautiously hopeful.

"Your mom knew I wasn't as bad as everybody else thought I was right off. I think she's pretty good at seeing how people are."

[stands_for_hope]

He considered it for a moment before nodding slowly.

"And... hey. Maybe we'll... get a new friend. If he's nice, maybe his son'll be nice."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Yeah," Bucky agreed, nodding firmly. "We'll bet he is - that way we keep our hopes up, right?" Better not to decide the worst when it could be better. "Let's get everything done and wash up, and then we'll find out."