slayers_desire | lets do the time warp baby ((Future-Verse))

Entry tags:

clark,
future!verse

lets do the time warp baby ((Future-Verse))

After a full week of classes, April felt drained and accomplished. Things were getting more intense with final papers and preparations for the end of her first year.

It felt good to enter her bed, cuddle into the blankets and fall asleep. Unfortunately, it seemed that her voices were not going to let her sleep easily tonight.

The vision came on stronger than any other she ever had. In the haunting whispers of the vision, April could see all seven faces of the Big Bads that were threatening Rome. And because of her knowledge of the TV shows, April woke up feeling worried.

She had to tell someone. And as she grabbed her phone, April felt strange and was surrounded by a sickly green light. This was bad... she knew it. And she felt being pulled into the light... then falling... falling... falling.

Until she hit the bed again. April gasped out loud. Not sure if that had been part of the dream or not. She didn't even notice that the bed in which she lay was bigger. Or that there was more space in the bedroom either.

Trying her phone again, all April received was static. It was like the phone wasn't working. And she set it down, and glanced around her surroundings. Noticing the bigger bed, and bedroom, April clutched the sheets to her in concern.

"Where am I?"

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All the statues seem to be so hard for April. And this Clark is handling it so maturely. So when they move towards the next statue, Envy, all her doubts hit her hard. The envy over how strong this Clark is being... the envy over feeling that her older self wouldn't be so embarassing... the envy that she is struggling so much and Clark is the true hero.

April clutches at her hair, tears falling as she fights against envy. In her heart, April knows that they share so much. That neither of them are better than the other. And she holds him again. "Was I this bad the other time?"

To some degree, envy strikes Clark in a different way this time. He's envious of her and her Clark, being so young, not knowing much of the heartache that awaits them. Being far before a lot of their hardest trials, back in more innocent times. And he tells himself that if not for those experiences, he would never have become the true hero that he is, that his April would not be the amazing young woman that he loves.

"No," he tells her honestly. "You handled them amazingly well. You grow into yourself so much in the next few years, and I think it starts here. That facing these fears once makes it easier the second time, when you know you've already won."

It does help that they already defeated these trials. And April takes his hand to move onto the next statue. "Perhaps we both learn from this experience, to be the wonderful people that you are now."

Sloth attempts to influence them next, and there is a moment when April wants to just relax. To walk away and just lie down for a while. But Clark's recent claim that they were able to move forward through these tests allow April to find the strength to go on.

"I have always felt stronger to face lifes trials with you by my side."

This time the influence of sloth tells him to just take a break, that being Superman is an exhausting and endless task, that he should have a day off just to himself, and sit down and put his boots up. But he shrugs it off, knowing that he's shouldered his burden and he intends to keep it, because if he doesn't, people's lives are at risk. And that makes it worth doing.

"We've always been good for each other," he tells her with a smile. "You helped me through my trials the first time, and now I'm here to help you through yours. We're all stronger for it, more than we would be alone."

"When our destinies deliver us difficult times to face, I am glad that I found you in the Nexus. I don't know how I would be able to get through some of these things, without you at my side."

Approaching gluttony, April feels the thirst of the vampire come over her. She hisses, and her fangs extend for a moment. A drink of blood would be so nice right now. But they are so close to being done.

"I never feel alone with you in my life."

Clark's prepared for this one, this time, as the cravings are the same. The urge to just fly up into the sun, staying there and drinking in the light. But he's been to the sun, and it bestowed him with the incredible gift of his life and powers, and he can't disrespect that gift by taking more than he is due. It's almost a spiritual connection to the sun, something developed through the lens of Rao-worship, and it's easy to remember to stay in his place.

"You keep me strong," he tells her in reply, so proud of her for getting through these, despite how hard they are. "My physical strength is nothing compared to what you give me. And it's out of love for each other that we triumph."

Holding his hand, April approaches the last statue, and she smiles softly for a moment. "We share a great love. It continues to amaze me."

The anger that washes over is a little different. Anger over losing Jonathan. Over losing Clark. Over how difficult it is to deal with the AI of Jor-El. Over hwo their destinies continue to test them so difficulty.

But April knows their love is what helps them triumph. "There is no one else I would be able to do this with."

Many of Clark's old angers are long settled, but one yet remains: the anger at himself for not being able to save everyone. And that, he tells himself, is what the League was built for. To be there when he can't, to do all they can to help the innocent, to extend their reach far beyond the emotionless justice of the police and deal with people in more than just moments of crime. He cannot erase poverty, or war, or accidents, but he can do everything in his power to help those left behind. And he knows that his efforts will be supported by his loving wife and family.

"Me either," he agrees. "We strengthen each other in ways you can only imagine."

With the statues dealt with, all is left is to approach the green gem in the middle. Its appearance, and familiarilty makes April hesitant.

"I am glad that we end up together. Happy." And that love they share is still there, despite the challenges that they must have faced.

He squeezes her hand, gently. "Far more than happy. We give each other purpose and meaning, and never once do I regret my love."

She leans forward, cupping his face, resting her forehead on his. Then collects herself from the seven trials they had faced. Turning, she moves towards the green gem.

"I really hope this doesn't try to take me over again." Of course, Clark knows it won't. That by touching the gem, it will activate the portal to return her home.

"It won't," he assures her. "The tests are over. This is our reward. All you have to do is touch it."

((Are we going to continue both or move them to one thread, so it's less confusing?))

Touching it, April activates the portal. Seeing the mirror-like effect for the first time.

"Oh its me. And you."

((good idea. This journal please))

He smiles, seeing his wife at last, and the somewhat gobsmacked look on his younger self's face. "It is indeed."

The younger Clark is happy to see his April, but far more stunned to see her at the side of Superman.

They will be able to hear each other too, but it takes the younger April a moment to get over the sight of her future and pregnant self.

"Once my younger self and I reach out and touch each other, we shall be exchanged." Older April takes a moment to embrace younger Clark. "I want you to remember how strong you were today. You can do amazing things with that strength of heart, spirit and body."

He holds onto her tightly, memorizing what this feels like, her changed body and what it means, so he has something to remember and look forward to. "Thank you. For everything." He's at a loss for words. But it's okay, because he knows that his future self, her husband, has had more than enough time to say them to her.

The future Clark puts a hand on younger April's shoulder. "Remember all the things I've said. You're far stronger than you think you are. And one day you'll grow into your powers and become the woman you were meant to be."

Turning to embrace the older Clark, April feels a familiar wetness in her eyes. She has learned so much about herself, and about their strong relationship today. "Thank you. I love you."

Finally it is time to move forward and touch the portal. Her older self does the same. As their hands touch the same spot, they sort of pass through each other. Until older April is standing back with her husband, and younger April is back with her Clark.

They both feel a bit strange. Older April places a hand on her tummy, while younger April stumbles slightly.

Both Aprils are embraced by their Clarks as soon as they are able, and the younger Clark is concerned for them both. "Are you okay?"

His older self, while concerned also, merely puts his arms around his wife, glad to have her and the baby back safely.

"Tired. Emotionally mostly." Younger April admits. It takes her longer to recover from such an experience than her older self. Who is already gently embracing her Clark, smiling at the sight of their younger selves.

As for the baby, it seems to sense the return of real dad, and kicks happily.

Future Clark smiles, and rests his hand on his wife's belly, feeling those little signs of life. "Let's go home. We know how this story ends now."

The younger Clark, glad that nothing's come back to bite them at the last moment, hugs his April tightly. "It's been quite a day."

The portal will close, leaving the younger versions alone in the cave.

"These are the enemies my Father and the others will face in Rome." April notes softly.

"The seven sins, you mean? I recognized Jasmine." Though he can't imagine the others are going to face them as mere statues.

April nods, and she too gets the sensation that in reality it will be much difficult. Wanting to leave the cave, she takes his hand and starts to slowly move back towards the path.

"Jasmine was the worse for me, though I struggled a lot with each of them. But you didn't make me feel stupid for my desires. So it made it okay."

"I would never make you feel stupid." He's glad that they've both made it through this, that they've grown stronger instead of having new doubts. "Anger was my worst. I guess I wasn't as okay with Dad being gone as I thought."

"You lost more than your dad. Its okay to be angry about it." April replies softly. A part of her is still hurting from the ordeal.

"I got the sense that we will be facing more difficult situations."

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