DATE: September 2007
TITLE: Shadows of a Life
AUTHOR: LosingInThemyscira(Jennifer,
LosingInTranslation, losingntrnslatn)
DISCLAIMER: Don’t own anything associated with the show… I just like
playing with the characters in it from time to time. Dance Monkeys! Dance!
RATING: T - Teen
PAIRINGS: Clois
SPOILERS: None
SUMMARY: Clois 100 Prompt #37: Shadows. He lived his entire life in shadows...
A/N: Somehow, someway, and with someone at fault, I decided to try a solo
attempt at writing a Superman fic. And then last
night, my brain was taken over with another demonic plot bunny. Once again, Beelzabunny has wrought another fic
from the depths of my dark mind. I hope you enjoy it.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I have the two
most amazing people for my regualr betas. One of which
is specifically responsible for making me write this story. She's also directly
responsible for making me addicted to CSI Smut Fics,
Batman Begins, Wonder Woman Comics, Batman Comics, Justice League Cartoons, Clois Fics and Hanson's Diet
Black Cherry Natural Soda... But I suppose some of it is payback for the
hangovers I've given her, and the costumes I have aided in overtaking her
brains, not to mention making her hoeplessly addicted
to visiting me in Colorado (she's even toyed with the idea of moving here :D ),
so I guess we're almost even. LOL
REVIEWS: Reviews are the way I know if people are enjoying the work
or not. So, if you leave one, THANKS! And if not, I hope you found at least a
little something to brighten your day, and thanks for taking the time to read.
Shadows
of a Life
He
lived his entire life in shadows...the shadow of his father, the shadow of his
truth. And now, he lives in the shadows, watching from afar the ones that he
loves.
He
knows that his distance is necessary for their safety, but he just can’t help
wanting to be near them. More than anything, he wants to be there for them, and
to be the one making them happy, but instead he is exiled to the shadows of
their lives. Exiled by his duty, by his promise.
From
within the shadows of an oak grove, he watched them in the park one day. He
noticed their comfortable and carefree laughter, their undeniable happiness and
it made his heart ache with the loss of them. He longed to step into the light,
to take their hands and to share in the happiness that passed between them, but
the cry of someone in need arose and he was once again honor bound to respond.
There
was no one to blame for his life in shadows, for he had made the choice
willingly. He was to serve the greater good, just as his father before him, and
his father before him, and so on, until the beginnings of time.
The son
becomes the father - the father becomes the son.
Those
solemn and reverent words were his birthright; they were his legacy. They were
also his darkest fear. He feared the truth in them more than he feared anything
else, save for harm coming to the ones he loved.
And so, he
forged on, living a duty bound life; the light of the world, and a shadow of
the man he could have been.
But still,
he watched and hoped, knowing that their lives were better off without his
constant reminder of their combined sacrifice. He was absent from their world
for the benefit of all, except their hearts.
He would
stay away as long as he could, but eventually, he would sink back into the
shadows of their life, and keep watch. It was the only time he took to himself
any longer; the demands of honor overwhelming even a minor existence away from
it all. He remained apart from humanity, in order to serve it.
As he
watched their unhurried walk down the streets of Metropolis, he could feel
their relaxed nature and it gave him warmth. He knew that in some small way, he
was responsible for their comfort, for their ability to walk, untroubled by the
world, hand in hand, over the damp sidewalks of their city. They were safe in
the knowledge that they had each other, and that another watched over them.
Their
knowledge of him, and of his true self was his only
remaining link to humanity.
He followed
them through their weekly ritual, finding solace in the precious time they were
able to share with one another. As they crossed through the park, he noticed
that their steps had slowed through the years. Slowed by the march of time he
had begun to see in her eyes.
Before
reaching their destination, he started to wonder what life would be like when
she was no longer there for him to watch. Humanity came at a deadly price, and
he knew that one day the spark of life in her eyes would fade away, leaving him once again.
As they
came upon the marble monument in the center of the park, the pair took up their
usual seats on the bench with the best view of its solemn profile and held to
each other in an effort to blot out the icy chill in the air. Rain or shine,
frigid winter or boiling summer, nothing stopped them from their Sunday morning
tradition.
He listened
closely, so close that he could hear their hearts beating, waiting to hear the
only words which brought him comfort anymore.
Taking her
trembling gloved hands into his, the man at her side spoke the words of his father,
and the ones from his heart. “The Kryptonian prophesy has been fulfilled. The son becomes the father -
the father becomes the son. All you can do, Jason, even now that you
have...found yourself...is help them to evolve. Set an example. Show them they
must strive towards the light. And... Remember us...”