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Clark Kent (ex_sonofkryp215) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2010-08-17 18:54:00

Entry tags:

clark kent, dick grayson/nightwing

WHO: Clark & Dick.
WHAT: Dick has something he wants to show Clark.
WHEN: Midnight.
WHERE: The complex roof.
RATING: PG to start.

It was much later than Clark was used to going about meeting people, but Dick had specifically requested that Clark come out and meet him for something - probably something important - and Clark wasn't going to downright refuse. Besides, he had already been out on the streets doing vigilante work anyway, so it wasn't like he had been ready to go to bed or anything just yet. Appearing on the roof in a dark blur, Clark found himself standing in shadow - the only thing really sticking out from where he was standing being the House of El symbol that glowed on his chest in a bright, white sort of color. It was easier to wear this uniform while running through the streets at night. Wearing the dark clothing helped keep him hidden, while the symbol on his chest inspired hope in those that he rescued. Most people were skeptical about the symbol in itself, claiming copyright issues and a man attempting to become one of the worlds more popular fictional characters. Clark, personally, didn't care. It was a symbol. One that had always belonged to him and his family. If anyone in this world had the right to use it, it was always going to be him. Clark shrugged off the long jacket that had been thrown around his shoulders and placed it along the edge of the roof. Then he knelt down, looking over the side quietly as he waited for Dick to appear.

He hoped that everything was all right. From what Clark had seen of his friend lately, he hadn't appeared all too happy about some things that had been going on. He suspected that those things had something to do with Babs; Clark had seen a few concerning things happen on her part lately, some of which had left him feeling intensely frustrated. Unlike Clark though, Dick had to deal with Babs on a frequent basis. He was sure that there were some things that the two needed to sort out and, hopefully, they would do so soon.

At the sound of footsteps approaching from behind - not quite on the roof, but along the stairwell that led to the roof from the floor below, as Clark was using his superhearing to listen to certain aspects of the city - Clark turned and waited for the approaching figure to appear. As expected, it was no other than Dick himself. Right on time. Clark folded his arms across the symbol on his chest. "What's this all about?"

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onatightrope
2010-08-18 01:10 am UTC (link)

It was almost time for Dick to start his own patrol. Midnight fell on the dot and Dick made his way toward the roof. He was still dressed in his civis, really not all that comfortable shedding them in the presence of the complex despite being fictional. Batman had worked it into his brain to keep it a secret, and that's how he always would treat it. Anyways he needed that separation. It was something both Tim and Bruce as much as he loved them, struggled with. Like hell he wanted to fall into the same pattern as the Batman. He was his own man with his own ways.

As he reached the roof and the appropriate shadows came into play, Dick performed a quick change. Just like back in the circus. The art of misdirection and preparedness( and it helped wearing his uniform under his clothes). As the shadows separated and moonlight lit his way toward Clark, Nightwing emerged in all black and blue form fitting Kevlar. He was muscular and athletic in build, the outfit was far less focused on armor and more geared toward agility than Tim's Robin suit, or Batman's own. It was light weight and sleek.

"I want to ask you something." He stated warmly with a quirk of his lips upward in amusement. He and Babs had their issues, but things would always be complicated with them and Dick was starting to accept that. He put a hand on Clark's shoulder in a friendly greeting as he passed by him toward the edge of the roof and looked down at the quiet city. "When you look down there, what do you see Clark?" He questioned as he let one of his feet lean up against the ledge of the rooftop and peered over his shoulder

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ex_sonofkryp215
2010-08-18 03:15 am UTC (link)

Clark wasn't surprised that Dick was wearing his costume. They were both tools of the same trade, after all. Sure, they had different methods and they probably held different beliefs on things as well, but when it came down to it both he and Dick only wanted to do good things. That was what mattered the most. They may not have had a lot of past history together - at least, Clark didn't have any history with Dick yet outside of the time they shared here and Dick only knew a future version of him before - but in the time that they had gotten to know one another, Clark had quickly learned that Dick was very trustworthy. He was smart, he was loyal, and he was capable of doing a world of good if he set his mind to it. Maybe they all were. Who knew?

At his question, Clark turned to look out at the dark city streets. There was something going on out there. Something that was impacting a lot of people, making them tell the truth against their free will. Clark was one of those people, so he knew that whatever it was must have been pretty powerful. Being under the influence of that thing made it impossible for him to lie, so when Clark looked down below he had an immediate, honest answer. "I see a world filled with people trying to find their way." Clark stepped out closer to the edge, blue eyes focusing on the scenery. "The city is different from Smallville. It's true, what they say - it never sleeps. There's always something going on somewhere, even when the sun goes down and darkness takes it's place." Clark shoved his hands into his pockets. "Why do you ask? What do you see?"

It was a strange thing to bring him up here for. Asking him questions about the city, right at the middle of the night. This was something Clark thought that they could have done at any time, in any place. Yet the rooftop seemed to be where he and Dick met the most. Maybe it was their thing.

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onatightrope
2010-08-18 11:40 pm UTC (link)

No question that it could have been done at any time. But truth be told, Dick was more comfortable at night. Another thing he could blame on Batman, but right now he was more focused on Superman infront of him who had yet to really embrace the true meaning of what they did. It wasn't about words like destiny, or the greater good. When it came down to it those were only pretty words that Dick couldn't stand. They belonged in Saturday cartoon shows, and movies. Adjusting his black gloves so they fit better, he mentally double checked his equipment list. It wouldn't be very smart to show Clark a thing or two only to become street pizza later. No way was that a good role model. He was a professional, it was clear just by the way he conducted himself. He'd been at the crime fighting gig since he was a teenager when his parents were murdered. Almost a decade compared to Tim, or Stephanie, or many of the other young new generation heroes just learning to take their mantles.

He was just barely twenty five and had a lifetime in the costume. He knew he probably shouldn't be asking questions, but at the same time it was for Clark's benefit. He was thinking of him. His heart was in the right place. He knew Clark had gotten a dose of the truth serum, somehow he'd been lucky enough to have a pass. He didn't question it. For the time being, Dick took off his comm link that he always wore. It would be better to talk to Clark without Babs potentially in his ear. It clicked off-he knew he'd be yelled at later, but what else was new? He tucked the comm link in his glove.

"Me? " Nobody had ever asked him what he saw when he looked into the sea of people. "I see people who need hope." For now he left his answer simple as he leaned against his knee and the rooftop and raised an eyebrow looking back at Clark. "What do you think about flying, Clark?"

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ex_sonofkryp215
2010-08-20 07:08 pm UTC (link)

Hope. Clark shrugged a little, as if he were partially agreeing with Dick. Maybe. A little hope might have gone a long way with some folks. It was merely the matter of inspiring said hope within them that Clark found was difficult. He liked to think that he had managed it before - those people that he sometimes encountered and ended up helping out on a personal level, Clark tried talking to them in a way that would guarantee that they'd try to accomplish better things and believe that there was indeed good out there for them to latch onto. But he was simply one man. And there was an entire world out there that needed help. Maybe they'd find it one day - hopefully in each other, if nowhere else. Clark looked over at Dick thoughtfully, wanting to press him about his answer. He found himself incapable when Dick instead pressed on himself, questioning Clark about flight.

That was unfair. Clark was under a truth-telling...thing. He didn't like being questioned when he had no choice but to respond. Looking a little affronted, Clark shook his head and shrugged once more. "I used to think it was impossible. Then I met Kara and a few others from Krypton and saw them do it, so now I believe that if you're capable, sure. Or if you're in an airplane." He remembered Lex asking him a similar question once. Do you believe a man can fly? Lex, it seemed, wanted to believe so. But Lex had believed in a lot of things and not all of them were what Clark considered as good. "I also think it's dangerous. Terrifying. I'm...sort of afraid of heights." Clark peered down across the edge of the roof. He had somewhat managed to master this fear by using his strength to propel himself from the ground in massive jumps, but it still wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world to look off the edge of a building and think that you were going to topple over and spiral out of control to the ground below. Not that Clark would die if he hit the ground, but it was still an uncomfortable notion. "What's with all the questions, Dick?"

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onatightrope
2010-08-20 08:48 pm UTC (link)

Dick knew he was fishing, and it was probably a little confusing to Clark as to what he was doing. But he had a method to his madness, usually anyways. Looking back just in time to catch Clark watching him, he offered him a lopsided smile. "I'm sorry about this. I know it isn't exactly fair. Me asking you like this.. " He stated as he uncomfortably pushed some black hair away from his face and let his voice trail off for a minute. He listened to Clark explain his side of things. Dick was slowly starting to understand where Clark was coming from, and that was the whole reason for this session of mild interrogation.

He wanted to understand why Clark couldn't fly, and it was because his thoughts were so grounded. He used words like impossible and dangerous. Dick could only raise an eyebrow at his last statement and barely contain a smirk at the thought that Superman was afraid of heights. He was however, still a kid. So he managed to keep a straight face. "Do you trust me?" The question was kind of out of the blue, but Dick needed to know before he pressed on. So he stopped and watch Clark carefully. There was no way Dick was ever going to disclose what they spoke about to anyone else, not even Babs. "What happens on the roof, stays on the roof." He teased lightly, but it was no joke. His blue eyes were steady and calm, waiting for Clark's answer.

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ex_sonofkryp215
2010-08-20 09:16 pm UTC (link)

"The timing is a little bad." They both knew that. It only made Clark question the situation even more. Why bring him out here, knowing that Clark was under the influence of a truth something to interrogate him? Couldn't this have waited until a more convenient time? Clark was already flustered from having revealed that he was afraid of heights; he really didn't know how much better - or worse - any of this was going to get. "You couldn't have waited?" Clark peered off the edge of the roof again, watching as a row of cars moved toward a traffic light a few streets off from where this particular building stood. It was a tall building. Probably one of the taller ones within this part of the neighborhood. Clark could see pretty far ahead - he enjoyed the view, even if heights were intimidating. This was how he operated best though. Standing on top of buildings and just listening. Because from here, Clark could easily hear everything.

"I'm beginning to wonder if I should," Clark admitted, shooting Dick a concerned look. "I do trust you, but..." Again with the timing. "I can agree to that, I think," Clark said a little nervously. "Just...uh, maybe you should consider going a little easier on the questioning there. It's not that I plan on lying, it's just that I have to answer instantly and I don't exactly have the time to think things through and phrase them the right way." It was really headache inducing. Clark was just glad that everyone here knew what he was capable of and where he was from, otherwise he'd be in a boatload of trouble. Even then, Clark still wasn't trying to have the rest of the city aware that there was an actual alien among them. Not only that, but an alien who was supposedly from a well-known comic book series. He was sure that would sit with them all really well.

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onatightrope
2010-08-20 10:01 pm UTC (link)

"Would you have told me what was going on if you weren't like this?" He asked sincerely. Dick knew things were going to go south if he didn't pull back, so he agreed with a nod and folded his arms comfortably. "I'll ask you once. Do you want me to wait? I can stop now if you'll talk to me later...I want to help you, Clark." His intentions were good, even if his timing was skewed. He was going to try and hold off with the questions until he got a fair answer. "If you want me too, I'll leave it alone." He did flinch a little at the fact that Clark was questioning his trust, and he offered a forced grin as he backed down a little. Dick sank down to sit on the edge of the rooftop. "This was a bad idea wasn't it. I'm starting to sound like him." He sighed in frustration and folded his arms as he looked down at the city and watched the glittering lights from cars and store fronts. He was doing exactly what Bruce would do, and it wasn't the way Dick operated.

Clark was afraid of flying, ironic that Dick loved heights and he was the one who could go splat. But he was starting to accept that he might be just a little bit of a masochist. Dick fidgeted with one of his wrist cuffs that was chafing against his skin. "You remember that Kryptonian story I was telling you about?" He finally asked after letting a few minutes of silence pass between them.

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ex_sonofkryp215
2010-08-20 11:25 pm UTC (link)

"No," Clark replied, "I wouldn't have. But that's because there's nothing out there that's bothering me. Nothing about flying, anyway. So what if I can't fly? There are plenty of people who can't fly. In fact, most people can't fly. I don't understand why it's such a big deal, Dick." First Kara, now Dick. Kara was more understandable since she was family and very much dedicated to the Kryptonian way, but what was Dick playing at? This wasn't something that Clark was all bent out of shape about. He was perfectly fine being on the ground. You know, where he belonged. "Him? Him who?" Clark was confused. First Dick asked him to meet him out on the rooftop so that he could 'show Clark something', then he went on with the interrogation, and now he was going on about someone in a vague way that made that confusion of his worse. Clark rubbed a hand across his forehead in frustration. He wasn't going to get angry or start yelling or anything like that, but he couldn't deny being a little irritated. "Why don't you try the straightforward approach instead? I do a lot better with those."

Clark went silent, as did Dick. He gave him a moment to gather his thoughts, all the while trying to straighten out all of the things that Dick had just presented him in his head. When Dick spoke again, Clark looked over at him carefully and nodded. "I remember." It was one of the first conversations that he had shared with Dick when he had first gotten here. It was hard to forget when a stranger knew about his heritage, especially when that stranger came from a world that was remotely similar to his own.

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onatightrope
2010-08-26 01:13 am UTC (link)

"Really? Nothing at all?" He raised an eyebrow at Clark and shrugged. "You help a lot of people already, I know. But think about how much more you could do if you could fly at your speed." He stated as he looked down at the street. The showing would come soon enough, but first he wanted to make sure Clark understood why he felt so strongly about him flying. It had nothing to do with doing it because of destiny, destiny was a word Dick hated. Speaking of another thing Dick hated off an on, Clark asked him about the who he was referring too and Dick frowned. "Batman. I always swore I'd never be like him, and here I am doing something he would do. Taking advantage of the situation. "

"You are alot of the reason I got the courage to do this on my own away from Batman." He looked back at him curiously to gauge his reaction. This might be his only shot at really getting Clark to think about flying, so despite it's borderline unethical advantage, Dick was thinking about the greater good. About how many more people Clark could possibly reach by using the full extent of his powers and Kryptonian abilities. Dick was limited that way. All the bats were. They didn't have super powers where the rest of the league did. If he could fly on his own he would do it without question and without pushing Clark, but he couldn't.

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