[ CLOSED ]

[supersweet]

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. ]

Comments

[supersweet]

[ Oh. Something in Jon twists and he's not sure if it's pity or sympathy. He's not old enough to tell the difference. But Bucky's demeanor strikes him as . . . someone who is not in the business. Who knew his father's life, but lived in the fringes on what his father did. What he was. Jon hesitates before replying haltingly, trying to find the right words. ]

Being Superman, being . . . hope to other people means sometimes dad has to go. It doesn't mean he cares about people here less. It's just . . . there's so many people who need him.

[ A pause. ]

I'm sorry he hurt you.

[advanced]

[So many people who need him, ones that take precedence even over his own kid? Bucky gets duty coming above friendship sometimes, a man can't know Steve Rogers for more than ten minutes without understanding that, but this...?

It feels wrong to be getting comfort from a little kid even though he can't deny that he is hurting, so his expression closes off and he shrugs slightly.]

It's fine.

[No big deal.]

Came to see if you were okay.

[supersweet]

[ Jon is kind enough not to give a sarcastic reply, though Bucky would be one of the few people Jon feels confident enough to talk back to without serious repercussions. After all, they've fought before and come back from it, stronger than ever. ]

No, not really. But that's kind of a given?

[advanced]

Yeah.

[Of course it's a given, what a dumb thing to say. He has no idea how to make it any better either.]

...they going to let you stay here without him?

[supersweet]

[ Something flashes in Jon's eyes as he hunches his shoulders deliberately. ]

I'm not leaving my dad's house.

[advanced]

Then you might have to be prepared to fight for it.

[Bucky's not going to make him leave, but the authorities might not think a kid his age could live alone.]

[supersweet]

I can handle anything they throw at me.

[ But it's a weak boast. Jon couldn't possibly use his powers on the authorities and he knows it. He might lose this house and Jon doesn't think his heart could bear that loss as well. ]

[advanced]

[He wants to do something to help. This is Clark's kid, and he owes Clark a lot, but he also feels for Jon in his own right after their conversations before.]

...put my name on the lease. I won't live here, but they'll have an adult registered as living with you.

[supersweet]

[ Jon stares at him, caught off guard. ]

Your . . . real name?

[advanced]

[His expression closes off a bit, but he nods.]

Doubt they'd accept a fake one.

[supersweet]

[ Jon shifts on his feet. On one hand, that's a great offer and it would mean Jon can continue to stay here, adults or not. On the other hand . . . ]

You don't have to do that.

[advanced]

I know.

[He doesn't do anything that he has to any more, choice is very important to him.]

Shouldn't be a big deal, even if someone tracks down the house by my name, I won't be here.

[And it's likely to be someone like Steve, not someone wanting to catch him, so Jon should be safe enough.]

[supersweet]

[ He assesses Bucky quietly before nodding. ]

Okay.

. . . Thanks.

[advanced]

[He shrugs awkwardly, obviously not used to thanks.]

It won't bring your Da back, but you can keep your house.

[That's something.]

If someone does come looking for me, just shut the door on them.

[supersweet]

[ Jon huffs lightly, trying to disguise a laugh. ]

Sure, I can do that.

[ A little more gently. ]

My dad will be okay. He's Superman. And someday, he'll come for me.

[advanced]

[His expression closes off completely, it's obvious he really is hurt by this even if he's trying not to show it.]

Sure, kid.

[What about all of the promises broken in the meantime?]

[supersweet]

[ Jon doesn't consider the promise broken. Mostly set back. His father has never broken a promise before. But he knows Bucky isn't aware of that. ]

You know that he'll come back for you right? Or at least . . . he won't forget.

[advanced]

[He knows Jon is trying to be comforting, which is sweet when he's just a child and he's lost his father, but he really doesn't want it.]

It's fine, forget it.

[He doesn't need Clark.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon shoots him a faint frown. ]

It's not fine. Don't do that. We're . . . We're past that, right?

[advanced]

He wasn't my Da, you're not the one who needs to be worrying over me. I've handled this alone before, I can do it without a safety net again.

[But it had been good, let him feel secure enough to socialise with a few people, knowing Clark was watching and would step in before he hurt anyone if it came to that.]

[supersweet]

But you shouldn't have to. I have the same powers my dad has! I could do it!

[advanced]

I'm nobody's obligation to be passed down.

[Tread carefully, Jon.]

[supersweet]

I'm ten. I don't do obligations.

[ Jon crosses his arms. He can also be stubborn. ]

I can help. I want to help. You know how strong I am.

[advanced]

You don't even know what it's helping with, and you told me that you can't always control when your powers work.

[He's not putting this on the shoulders of a ten year old.]

[supersweet]

Yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't help at all.

[ Jon isn't sure why he's making this a big deal. Perhaps because his father had truly cared for Bucky. But also Jon needed to step up as well. He's been taking it easy since he came to Riverview.

It was time to be Super once more. ]

We can at least try.