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]

And Bucky smiled. "He's my brother. I should be here with him."

"Steve had a doctor's appointment today. And he's..." Mike shrugged a little. "It's probably better for him to not be here. Just in case."

As much as Bucky generally wanted Steve around all the time, it was true. He nodded.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark looked down at his plate, which had gotten very empty by this point, before looking around at everyone else. Then he looked over at Mike and reached down to take his hand and give it a squeeze.

"Can I talk to you before we do all the tests?"

[longdaysknight]

Mike blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Yeah. Sure," he answered, keeping his voice low. "Is something wrong?"

[stands_for_hope]

He shook his head but he was biting his lip a little. Nervous.

[longdaysknight]

He was confused but he accepted easily enough - "Okay." After all, it was Clark. He trusted Clark.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark smiled and nodded and tipped his head towards the living room. If Mike was ready.

[longdaysknight]

And Mike nodded, standing up as quietly as possible. "Excuse us, please," he said with his best manners, but he headed for the living room anyway.

[stands_for_hope]

When they were in the living room, Clark wrapped his arms around Mike and buried his head in Mike's shoulder.

"Promise me you won't be scared of me?"

[secondtry]

Surprised, Mike's eyes went wide - but then he was wrapping his arms tight around Clark and leaning his cheek against Clark's hair. "I'm not gonna be afraid of you, Clark," he murmured, voice soft since his mouth was so close to Clark's ear. "I think you're awesome. And it doesn't matter if you're strong enough to... to-- I don't know. Move the moon. You're nice, and even when you're frustrated, you're gentle. You're fun to hang out with. And I like it when you float around me 'cause it makes me feel like I did something right and made you feel good. I'm not going to be afraid of you."

[stands_for_hope]

"Okay."

And he definitely seemed more settled, calmer, now that he knew Mike was behind him too. Then, smiling...

"When I float, I think about how nice it feels when you give me a hug."

[secondtry]

A soft laugh, and Mike squeezed him tighter, even pressing his hands against Clark's back. "Then I'll have to hug you more."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark smiled... and then couldn't help a giggle as he tipped his chin down.

The both of them were a few inches off the ground.

[secondtry]

Mike glanced down, then looked up at Clark with a wide, amazed grin before tucking his chin over Clark's shoulder. "You're so cool."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark blushed deep red before turning just a little to press a little kiss to Mike's hair.

[secondtry]

He gave a deep, satisfied sigh, trusting Clark completely. His head was leaned to Clark's shoulder, and he just felt... happy. "Mm."

[stands_for_hope]

Both of them floated a little higher before Clark looked down and pointedly floated them to the ground again. Then he gave Mike a firm hug.

"I don't wanna worry them. We should go back in."

But he slid one hand down to take his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"But you're gonna watch with Bucky, right?"

[secondtry]

Reflexively, Mike threaded his fingers with Clark's. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

[stands_for_hope]

His fingers still entwined with Mike's, he walked back into the dining room and looked over at everyone.

"I'm ready to do the tests whenever."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Wanna do some of them and then have dessert?" Bucky suggested. "That's what I'd do. Work up an appetite." He didn't say anything about Clark and Mike holding hands. He even managed not to look smug.

Mostly.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark nodded.

"If that's all right.'

And he looked over specifically at Michael.

[longdaysknight]

Michael nodded, shrugging. "Sure. That sounds fine to me. I'll clear the table if you guys want to go ahead and--"

But all he'd done was say the words and, that fast, Emin had the table cleared of dishes and dishes washed, placed beside the sink. "There."

"...Yeah, I should've known that was going to happen."

[stands_for_hope]

Clark let out a soft little laugh.

"It was going to be him or me."

[longdaysknight]

"This old man is turning obsolete," he chuckled. "But that's fine. That means I can buy myself a fishing rod and go find a lake."

[stands_for_hope]

"I'll pack you the sandwiches," Martha said with a kiss to the side of his head. She couldn't help the little smile on her face since seeing her son smiling so much with his hand in Mike's.

Clark gave Mike's hand a squeeze.

"I think I'm getting a hang of floating too," he told them, "if you wanna test that."

[longdaysknight]

"With some practice, I bet you could fly," Meghan suggested. "Ahdri could help you with that."

Ahdri was already slightly off the floor again. "I would be glad to."

Michael had settled an arm around Martha's shoulders, smiling at the entire sight. His boy looked happy right where he was - and that was the most important thing in the world to him.