TOSoP 15

Kal-El didn't get a chance to ask Brainy again the next morning. They were woken up early by Laura, who didn't comment on their sleeping together but was failing at hiding her grin, and sent to work with Zel-Kar.

It was the day before the Naming of the Seconds ceremony and the house was filled to the brim with woman. Traditionally the mother of the newborn and all of her female friends spent the day before the ceremony cooking. The father and his male friends decorated the hall the ceremony was going to take place, arranged the furniture and set up the place the band would play while the siblings of the newborn, biological and seconds, were in charge of watching the newborn and decorating the cookies that everyone would eat after the newborn was introduced.

Brainy didn't really understand why the traditional sweet for this was cookies, but he supposed it was like their wedding cake for baptisms, no matter how weird it sounded. Still the siblings would frost the cookies the woman baked, and none of the cookies were allowed to look the same, sort of like snowflakes.

"We could just number them all," said Brainy, knowing that they were to frost about five hundred cookies.

"That's no fun," commented Zel-Kar, grabbing the yellow frosting. She carefully squeezed out the frosting and presented her finished creation to the two boys. "Look, I made a yellow star."

"Now what should we do for the other four hundred and ninety-nine cookies?" asked Kal-El.

"Well, we could do the star idea with each of the colors we have available," said Brainy, looking at the frosting containers. They had yellow, blue, green, red, purple, orange, white, and pink. "That will take care of seven more cookies."

"Okay, but what should we do for the other four hundred and ninety-two cookies?" asked Kal-El.

"Don't you have a single creative bone in your body?" asked Zel-Kar, getting annoyed with him.

"Yes, but I was just wondering how many times I can ask before you loose it," grinned Kal-El.

Glaring, Zel-Kar pointed the yellow frosting at him threateningly.

"Don't make me hurt you in front of your sister."

"Why not? You've been hitting me in front of yourself for years," said Kal-El.

Instead of retorting, Zel-Kar smiled happily at him.

"Awwwww. You just called me your sister."

"I have to under your death threat, remember?" asked Kal-El.

Ignoring him, Zel-Kar frosted some cookies with blue and pink stars since Brainy had already done the other colors while they had been talking.

They continued to do circles, triangles, squares, diamonds and rectangles in all of the colors.

"So what should we do for the other four hundred and fifty-two cookies?" asked Kal-El.

Remembering his earlier thought about the cookies being like snowflakes, Brainy took some of the blue and white frosting and mixed them together for a lighter blue. He put it in a empty squeezable tube with an smaller nozzle for finer detail and proceeded to use his memory and perfect precision to recreate a snow flake he saw once in frosting on one of the cookies.

"That's amazing Brainy," exclaimed Zel-Kar. "What is it?"

"It's a snow flake," said Brainy.

"It's so pretty," sighed Zel-Kar. "I've never seen snow before."

"I did once when I was real little," said Kal-El. "Back in the frozen north when Dad was doing research up there."

"Most people have never seen snow before," commented Zel-Kar. "I bet everyone will want the snow flake cookies you make. How many designs do you know?"

Brainy thought of all the snowflakes he had ever seen.

"About a thousand."

"Wow," stated Zel-Kar. "We should still try to use the rest of the frosting though." She turned to Kal-El. "Any ideas?"

"Just one," said Kal-El.

Just as he said that, Brainy felt something on his cheek. He glanced at Kal-El's mischievous grin before touching his cheek and glancing at his fingers. The green frosting almost blended in perfectly with his skin.

Before Brainy could consider why Kal-El had done this, his mind completely froze as Kal-El grabbed hold of Brainy's face and… licked his cheek.

As Kal-El released his face and he heard Zel-Kar's gasp, Brainy felt like he was about to find out if it was possible for him to blush to death.

"I think you fried his brain," commented Zel-Kar, trying not to giggle.

"Think I can get away with doing it again?" asked Kal-El.

"Well, since the frosting is green, I can't tell if you got it all," said Zel-Kar.

"That was the point," stated Kal-El.

"I'm going to go wash my face," exclaimed Brainy, running out of the room and ignoring Zel-Kar's 'darn it'.

After ridding his face and hands of the green frosting, Brainy stayed in the bathroom with his face still burning and touching his cheek. He could still feel Kal-El's tongue there. How was he supposed to go back in there and act like nothing had happened? That it hadn't affected him?

Long after he knew he had been there much longer then needed, Brainy forced himself out of the bathroom. He passed many of the woman running back and forth from the kitchen to the hall where the ceremony was going to the place where they would keep everything warm, or cold, until it was ready to be served. As he got to the less crowded area of the house, where the frosting was going on, he heard Kal-El sigh.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold myself back, Zel-Kar. Every time I look at him I just want to kiss him, but that's against his culture. I'm barely allowed to touch him and every time I do I only want more. They need to invent something stronger then a cold shower soon or I'm going to jump him," exclaimed Kal-El.

I should have stayed in the bathroom, thought Brainy, his face heating up again as he became frozen in the spot where he could hear them, but couldn't see them. He tried to will his feet to move away, but they refused to obey.

"I'm surprised you haven't already," commented Zel-Kar. "I mean you've practically been in love with in your entire life."

"What are you talking about? I know I sensed him coming the day of his arrival, but I didn't know he existed before that," commented Kal-El.

"Don't you remember your imaginary friend from when we were five?" asked Zel-Kar, sounding annoyed.

"I don't remember ever having a imaginary friend," said Kal-El. "I was too busy running away from you to need one."

"You have a horrible memory," stated Zel-Kar. "The first day we met you introduced me to your imaginary friend, Smarty."

"Smarty?" asked Kal-El, laughing. "What kind of name is that?"

"One thought of by a five year old," said Zel-Kar. "Don't you think it sounds a lot like 'Brainy'?"

"Well…" said Kal-El, slowly.

"And you told me he was from another universe, and he had green skin and the was the smartest boy in the whole wide world," said Zel-Kar, imitating a child's voice when she repeated the list.

"Now you're just pulling my leg," said Kal-El.

"I'm dead serious," said Zel-Kar. "My mom kept the picture you drew of us playing tag with him. Green skin, blonde hair, labeled Smarty. I'll have my mom dig it out if you desire further proof."

"How come my parents haven't said anything about this?" asked Kal-El.

"You never talked about Smarty at your house. He was your extra super secret that you only told me about and I told my mom before you cried and forbid me from telling anyone else," said Zel-Kar. "And you just stopped talking about him when we turned six. Mom said you just grew out of it and not to mention him again."

"Wow," said Kal-El. There was a sound like someone had moved a chair. "Are you sure you're not pulling my leg?"

"You can come to my house and watch my mom dig out that picture if you so desire," said Zel-Kar.

"Ah, no. If you're willing to go that far, I'll believe you," said Kal-El. "What do you think it means?"

"I think it means you two were destined to meet and be together, but that's just me," said Zel-Kar. "It's the whole reason I accepted Brainy right off the back. I mean, I like Brainy for his own merits now that I've gotten to know him, but there was no way I was going to make a bad first impression on my future brother-in-law."

Kal-El laughed softly and said, "I don't think you can make a bad first impression." He paused. "I wonder what happened when I was six that I stopped thinking about him."

"I'd rather know what made you think of him in the first place," commented Zel-Kar. "Someone with green skin isn't exactly all that common around here."

"Do you think I should tell Brainy?" asked Kal-El.

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea," said Zel-Kar. "It might freak him out, or he could get jealous of Smarty. Who knows?"

"I doubt he would get jealous," said Kal-El with a sigh. "I'll think about it some more later. We really need to finish these last two hundred cookies."

"At least I can assure Brainy that he's safe when he comes back," said Zel-Kar. "I used up all the green on trees and flowers."

"You mean besides the frosting you flat out ate?" asked Kal-El.

"Yea, besides that frosting," said Zel-Kar.

It felt like an eternity that Brainy stood there after they started to talk about other things. He really had no idea what to think about the whole Smarty thing, but he knew he couldn't avoid Kal-El forever. He took in a deep breath and walked back into the room.

"Hey Brainy," greeted Zel-Kar, grinning. "Fall in?"

"Several times," said Brainy sarcastically, rolling his eyes and silently praying that he wasn't blushing anymore. Instead of moving back to where he had been before, he stayed on the other side of the table and began working on another snowflake cookie.

"What are you doing over there, Brainy?" asked Zel-Kar sweetly.

"It's safer over here," stated Brainy.

Kal-El pouted as Zel-Kar laughed.

They finished frosting all of the cookies just as Laura came back and announced it was time for everyone to go to bed. It was actually quite early but the celebration started at midnight with the beginning of the new day so everyone went to sleep early in order to stay awake for the party later.

"Sweet dreams little sister," said Zel-Kar, as Laura carried Martha away. She then turned to the boys. "That goes double for you two." She winked at Kal-El and headed back to her house.

"Good night," said Brainy, heading towards his room.

"Where are you going?" asked Kal-El.

"To bed," stated Brainy.

"Well, I thought," started Kal-El, but trailed off nervously. He swallowed. "I-I thought you'd be sleeping with me from now on."

How was Brainy supposed to explain that he was removing temptation and that he needed time to be alone to think about everything he had overheard?

"Oh," said Kal-El, blushing at Brainy's expression. "You heard."

There was no point in lying so Brainy nodded.

"I see," said Kal-El. "Does the idea of Smarty creep you out?"

"I'm not sure what I think about it," admitted Brainy. "I'm having a hard time imagining that there can be such a big coincidence unless our dimensions are somehow connected."

"Don't you mean if 'we' are somehow connected?" asked Kal-El.

"Perhaps," sighed Brainy.

"Don't sound so happy about it," said Kal-El.

Brainy didn't comment on the way the Kryptonian had said it in a near growl. Instead he started to walk away as he was doing before this conversation started.

"Brainy, wait," called Kal-El, rushing after him and grabbing hold of his hand to keep him from going any further. "Please stay with me."

"I don't see the point in," started Brainy, pausing to think of an appropriate word. "Tempting you."

"Oh, so you heard that part too," said Kal-El, blushing. "I don't suppose you're susceptible to begging?"

"Why do you want me to sleep with you so badly?" asked Brainy.

"You mean besides the fact I'm in love with you?" asked Kal-El, smiling when Brainy blushed. "Because I've slept with you in my arms. I don't think there is a better sleep possible or a more enjoyable way to wake up."

There goes my heart again, thought Brainy has it began to pound. Yet his mind fought for control.

"Do you promise not to," he cleared his throat nervously, "jump me?"

"I promise not to jump you," said Kal-El, grinning. After Brainy nodded he added, "At least not tonight."

Brainy decided to take a page from Zel-Kar's book and give Kal-El a well deserved smack on the arm.

As it turned out it was highly awkward laying in bed with Kal-El, with his arms wrapped around him, when Brainy wasn't exhausted to the point of falling asleep the moment he closed his eyes. His heart was pounding and his mind was yelling at him for ever agreeing to this in the first place. He jumped when Kal-El started to stroke his back.

"Relax," whispered Kal-El, continuing to run his hands over Brainy's back. "I promised not to do anything and I won't."

Not sure how to respond, Brainy remained silent.

"Would you feel better if I did something and then, since I did something, you wouldn't have to worry about something happening?" asked Kal-El.

"That makes no sense," commented Brainy.

"I'm a very illogical person," said Kal-El.

"I've noticed," said Brainy in a tone that caused Kal-El to laugh.

"Brainy?" called Kal-El. "Can I kiss you? Good night that is?"

"You're actually asking?" questioned Brainy, looking up at Kal-El.

"I promised not to jump you. I'm assuming that includes kisses," said Kal-El before grinning and leaning in slightly. "Or was I mistaken?"

"It definitely includes kisses," stated Brainy.

"I thought so," said Kal-El. "So what's your answer?"

"That's a rather awkward question," said Brainy.

"Perhaps I should be more specific," said Kal-El.

"That would help," said Brainy.

"Can I kiss your lips?" asked Kal-El.

"No," blushed Brainy.

"Can I kiss your cheek?" asked Kal-El.

"I rather you not," said Brainy.

"How about your temple?" asked Kal-El.

"If you must," said Brainy.

Leaning in, Kal-El placed a soft kiss on Brainy's temple and another one on his cheek. Grinning he said, "You didn't say no to the cheek."

"I'll remember that for next time," said Brainy.

"You mean there will be a next time?" asked Kal-El, excitedly.

"With your track record, yes," commented Brainy, making Kal-El laugh again. He hesitated a moment but then kissed Kal-El's cheek. He blushed at the happy daze on Kal-El's expression. "Don't read too much into it," Kal-El said something on the lines of 'too late', "it was just a good night kiss."

"I love good night kisses," said Kal-El. "Hey Brainy."

"What?" asked Brainy.

"You know you have full permission to jump me whenever you want," said Kal-El.

"Go to bed Kal-El," sighed Brainy.