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who: Jon's CR + anyone who knew Clark Kent
what: Reaction to Clark's departure
when: 10th of August
where: The Superfam House
warnings: sads?? sads.

[ Jon didn't know what to do. Every action feels robotic. He sent out what texts he could about his father's departure from his phone and checking his father's contacts. He didn't bother checking for the replies. It buzzed quietly in a corner and it wall he could do to melt it down. He must have cried for hours when he found his father's letter, holding onto Annora until she protested his strong grip. After the sadness, the fear had finally sunken in. He was alone. There were no contingency plans, no promises he could follow. He didn't know what to do.

What about the house? Was Jon meant to protect it? Would Miss Jones take it away now that his father had left? He didn't want to leave. He couldn't leave. He curls up tighter with his blanket, trying to block out all the fears and doubts that plague his mind. Everything was so uncertain and Jon . . . Jon was scared. He didn't know how to stop. ]

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[He hesitates a moment, and lets out a quiet sigh.]

Sorry, kiddo. I uhh.. got into some trouble with the law, they won't let me leave the communal hall without my parole officer supervising. You're gonna have to come here.

[ A beat, because Jon hadn't expected that. ]

What happened?

It's a long story.

[Or more specifically, he just doesn't want to upset Jon further.]

[ Jon wavers because breaking the law seems like a big deal before coming to a decision. ]

Okay. I'll come over. Where should I go?

Floor four, room one... the door's all charred up, it's hard to miss.

[So is a large portion of the hallway, right around there. The door actually hasn't been reattached to its hinges, so Jon will easily be able to knock it over or move it to the side, and see Dodger's room... which is currently a huge mess, piled with laundry and various types of alcoholic bottles, with Dodger hunched over his desk surrounded by some makeshift chemistry setup with vials of multi-colored, glowing liquid. The rest of the room seems illuminated mostly by jars of brightly shining fireflies, much like the ones that were plaguing the city back in May.

A malinois walks over from under Dodger's desk, and greets him with a robotic voice.]

Hello. My security protocol has been deactivated temporarily. Should I run a 'welcome home' protocol?

Your choice, kid. [Dodger adds as he turns to face him. He's wearing what looks like a shock collar with a green light on it... likely the form his legal punishment has taken.] Fair warning, he'll jump on you.

It's okay.

[ Jon can handle dogs. Even robot ones. He takes in the sights with wide eyes. Jon has never seen a place like this before. ]

. . . Are you having a bad day too?

Yeah. A little.

[The dog looks to check on Dodger, and he gives it a 'go ahead' motion. Immediately the dog's tongue pops out to pant, as he jumps up to lick Jon's face and dance around him a bit before letting him walk past. As soon as Jon's properly in the room, Brink cools down much too fast for a dog and just sits at the doorway with his tail wagging idly.]

I've been... working on something I don't really know enough about to get it right. [He shrugs as he gets up, and crouches down to pull Jon into a hug.] Sorry you had to lose your parents out here. I know it fucking blows.

[ Jon smiles faintly. As much as he liked Annie, Jon has always been a dog person, having two at home. No one beats Krypto. The hug catches him by surprise. He looks down at the floor. ]

My parents help people. It — it doesn't mean anything that they're gone. They still love me.

[Dodger lets him go after a moment, but remains at eye level with him and gives him a solemn nod.]

Course they still love you... fuck, from what I've heard about 'em, I'd never doubt that. [He tips his head.] But I know it still hurts that they're gone. Being away from someone you care about that much... it really hurts.

[It's been seventeen years since his mom died, and it still hurts like a fresh wound. And he can definitely still remember how much pain he was in when it first happened. It almost feels now like he's getting the chance to be the adult he never got to talk to when he was Jon's age.]

You don't have to stop yourself from missing them, kid. Trust me, it'll just start eating away at you.

[ Jon shifts on his feet. It has been a struggle, trying to rein himself in. Trying not to cry too hard. The parade of helpful adults has . . . well, it has helped him feel less like everything is spiraling out of control but Jon just doesn't know what he's meant to do or say. Whatever cathartic release they're expecting doesn't seem to be within his grasp.

Jon is ten years old, but there have been plenty of times when he feels far older. ]

It's . . . like a void. I used to be able to hear them, no matter where I was. Now I just. I can't hear them.

[Dodger isn't sure if that's some attempt at a metaphor or a literal sensation, but... he understands the feeling. As much as someone from a totally different walk of life can understand another.]

Listen, I know some people are gonna tell you to cheer up and be strong, but it's alright to be sad and weak for however long you need. Alright? And I'm always here for you, whenever you need me, and... you don't even have to talk to me, you can just cuddle the dog a while.

[Hearing himself referred to, Dodger's dog perks up a bit from his spot at the doorway and his tongue rolls out to pant endearingly.]

[ Jon's smile is faintly wry around the edges. ]

You've never done this before, have you?

[He hesitates for a moment, and shakes his head.]

Never been on the adult's side. My mom died when I was a little younger than you, and... the guy that was taking care of me just started hitting me any time he saw me crying. [He pauses, and gives Jon a nervous look.] Am I doing a bad job?

No.

[ Jon shrugs loosely, the smile still playing on his lips. ]

I've met worse. My dad's best friend used to talk about how dangerous I was on the dinner table.

I know the type.

[He hesitates a moment.]

I'll be honest... I've never had someone actually know what to tell me during shit like this. I've got no clue what I'm supposed to do, I just.. y'know. Wanna do some good.

[ Jon listens to this quietly, no hint of judgement. ]

It's okay if you don't know. That's normal. Not everyone knows what to do.

Good people get involved. That's what my dad always says. If you're trying, that means you're good.

I'm good, huh?

[Well.. that gets a smile on his face.]

Your dad's a smart guy.. and he did a damn good job raising you, too. [He hesitates.] So, what do you think I should do for you?

I . . . don't really know?

[ Jon mulls it over. ]

They say these things . . . get easier over time.

They don't... not really.

[He taps his scars briefly.]

Scars aren't easier than wounds. They can still hurt - you just get stronger than the pain after a while.

[ Dodger plz. Jon scrunches up his face. ]

My dad isn't dead or anything, you know. I'm not . . . I'm not hurt. I mean, it sucks, sure, but I can't be mad about it.

Is there a difference? You're not gonna see him again.

[Dodger why are you like this.]

[ Jon flinches visibly, but he squares his shoulders. ]

Yeah, but I've still got my dad at home. Things aren't that bad.

[He ducks his head, in... some attempt at looking apologetic. Yeah, that was a wrong turn, he can see that now.]

Yeah... I guess there's always the chance he'll come back. But as far as I've seen, no one who's gone missing has come back.

[ Not coming back. Jon's hunched shoulders shake briefly. All he can think of are the promises that his father used to give him, put him to sleep with. Don't let go, Jon had begged when his body flickered away and his father's cool brow pressed itself to his forehead, tears staining his cheeks. ]

. . . He's where he's supposed to be.

[Dodger is quiet for a moment, and his frown deepens.]

...I'm really getting the sense I'm not the person to talk to about this, huh.

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supersweet - 2017-08-18 12:07 (UTC) - Expand

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