[ 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]

Yeah.

[ He glances at the board, melancholy filling his features. ]

If I wasn't here, dad would have had an easier time. He wouldn't have to worry.

[nikolaievich]

Probably.

[Once the pieces are in place he shifts the board so Jon has the white pieces. May as well give him a slight advantage.]

But he'd also not have met you, and not gotten to have that experience. He was very, very proud of you Jon and I'm sure he wouldn't have changed meeting you for the world.

[supersweet]

[ Jon's gaze flits from piece to piece. From an outsider standpoint, he knew of chess and the names of the pieces. But that's the extent of his knowledge. ]

Yeah, he . . . he wrote that. In his letter.

[ His shoulders tremble but Jon valiantly holds off the tears. ]

It's still — it's still hard. Being alone like this. I've never done it before.

[nikolaievich]

[Illya nods.] I know it’s hard.

[The way he says it makes it sound like he’s talking from experience. He was younger than Jon when his father was sent to the Gulag, young enough that the only thing he could process was the shame that burned inside him without him. And he was a little older when his mother passed away. But he still knows the experience of being suddenly alone when you’re young.]

But you don’t have to be alone. It won’t be the same, but I will be here to help. We will be here to help.

[He points at the board.] How much do you know?

[supersweet]

[ Jon picks up the tone, but he doesn't know what to make of it. His brow furrows briefly but he lets it go almost immediately. Normally, Jon would pursue it but he can't muster up the normal childlike curiosity. ]

Uh, pretty much nothing. But I can wiki it?

[nikolaievich]

[Illya’s face makes it clear what he thinks of just wiki-ing stuff up.]

I am good teacher, I think you will be fine listening to me as I explain. And if I do something you don’t understand, you can ask me. Do you know the names of the pieces?

[supersweet]

[ You're such an old man, Ilya. ]

Yeah of course.

[ He points them out easily. ]

King, Queen, Castle, Knight . . . Bishop? And the pawns. I think the pawns just move forward and the others are a little more special. And you have to capture the king.

[nikolaievich]

[Definitely an old man, raised old school.]

Correct. I will show you how each of them moves. [He reaches for the knight first.] But you should know I won't go easy on you. I never go easy on anyone.

[supersweet]

[ Jon crosses his arms with a frown. ]

Like I'd ask you to.

[nikolaievich]

Didn't think you would. Your father never wanted me to go easy, either.

[Explaining the movements it's fairly easy, the real challenge in chess is the actual gameplay and Jon will figure that out fairly enough.]

Your father said you are fast. Does your mind work faster, as well?

[supersweet]

[ He blinks before mulling it over. ]

Sometimes. That ability hasn't matured yet though.

[nikolaievich]

[But Clark’s had matured. It explains why he learned Russian so fast, even with the fact that Illya worked hard to practice with him as often as possible. And probably explains why Jon is so smart and mature, even if he also acts like a kid his age sometimes.

Once Jon makes the first move, Illya replies in kind. He meant it when he said he wasn’t going to go easy on him.]

What about your other abilities? Have they matured?

[And then, a pause.]

I’m not sure if it’s rude, to ask so many questions.

[supersweet]

[ Jon merely shrugs. Everyone asks when they find out. He certainly doesn't mind but it's sad that Jon no longer has any real pride in his powers. He is pleased that he can fly now, but the experience he went through to unlock was . . . unpleasant. Jon fears his powers rather than embracing them. ]

Some kind of have, some haven't. They usually don't work all the time but they've been better since . . . [ A shadow passes over his face. ] . . . since some stuff happened.

[nikolaievich]

[Which is exactly where Illya wanted to get, but he still keeps a close eye on Jon’s reactions to know if he’s pushing it too far. He may be a blunt and even rude at times but as always, kids and people he actually likes are the exception. Jon just happens to be both.]

Your dad told me about it. A little bit, not everything. [Mostly because he knew Illya wouldn’t stop until he made the person who hurt Jon pay if he knew who it was.]

Will you be okay?

[supersweet]

[ Jon forces a smile. ]

Yeah, of course. It wasn't that big a deal or anything.

[ It totally was, but Jon has trouble discussing it openly. To him, it's still a raw wound. And the nightmares haven't quite slipped away. But the smile slips because Jon just isn't practiced enough at faking it. He's not that kind of person. ]

He told you that I tried to kill him?