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[i][b]3 Months Earlier
Location: Metropolis[/b][/i]

[color=#ffe63a]"I'll see you at work, honey."[/color] Clark Kent said as he leaned in to kiss his wife. [color=#ffe63a]"And try not to be late? Perry's been getting on me lately about us showing up at different times and being late despite being married."[/color]

Lois fixed his tie. [color=CF9FFF]"Well, Perry doesn't understand this is easier than you having to run out of the car every time some maniac wants to ruin the city's morning."[/color]

Clark smiled and turned to Conner who had been sitting at the kitchen island watching them. [color=#ffe63a]"Have a great day, Con. We'll train after work, okay?"[/color] Having Conner around was an awkward adjustment at first. He and Lois always wanted kids, but were never sure they'd be able to due to his Kryptonian biology, but Conner came into their lives and proved it was possible and Jor-El confirmed that he was their son. But part of him was worried about how his arrival would affect them having him. Clark spent the first week worrying that he'd accidentally prevent him from existing or get Lois pregnant earlier or later and have an entirely different child. He feared getting too attached to a son he may never have, but Bruce thankfully talked him off of that ledge. Even if he thought it was out of guilt for pushing his own son away, he never mentioned it, not even to Lois. He was just grateful and hoped that he'd be able to return the favor and reunite him and Dick. These past three weeks with Conner were great, growing closer with him and getting to know him, so he knew Bruce missed that.

Conner smiled at his dad's invitation. He loved these moments, but at the same time felt an intense pain every time he watched them, remembering how he lost his parents and how he was here to save them. Superman held the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he had friends that helped him carry it. But Conner had the weight of protecting them, the world they were holding, and the future all on his and he didn't have anyone he could share that with. No one he could even talk with about it. He was only here for a month and he already felt like he was ready to collapse under the pressure. [color=0099f7]"Looking forward to it, dad."[/color]

Lois watched her son with a concerned look on her face that she immediately changed to fit the mood. When Clark left she approached Conner and crouched down a bit in front of him. [color=CF9FFF]"Sweetie, I need you to tell me the truth about your future."[/color]

Conner tried to hide his shock at her question. [color=0099f7]"Uhh... What do you mean, mom?"[/color]

[color=CF9FFF]"Every time your dad or I leave you look at us like us like we're never going to return. I recognize that look. It's the same one I had every time my dad was deployed. Something happened to your father and I, didn't it?"[/color]

Conner didn't know what to say. He hadn't planned to be found out so easily and so soon. But he could never hide anything from his mom. Just the thought of getting caught by his mom brought tears to his eyes. He couldn't speak so he only nodded without ceasing.

Lois shot up and hugged her son and she wouldn't let go until he stopped.

[hr]

[b]Present Day
Location: San Francisco, California[/b]

Interaction(s):[@Lord Wraith][@Master Bruce][@Hillan][@Simple Unicycle][@Sep][@Half Pint]
[hr]

Conner awoke to the inconsiderate blasting of Kyle Rayner's morning bang out session. He liked the guy, but he often forgot others lived in the world he inhabited and that some of them have super hearing. But it didn't matter, like doctors they were always on call. Heroes didn't get any sleep, especially when they were being run by a guy who was big on PR. This morning they were due to take on Cinderblock... again. He just wanted to lay in bed today, even if it were just for a little longer. Troia, Kyle, and M'gann could handle him easily. Hell, even Robin probably could alone. He knew the training Batman put him through. From all the stories he heard about the Bat Family growing up he still never understood how they weren't metahumans. Even seeing them alive and in their prime he still wasn't convinced that they weren't. And don't get him started on Arsenal's arrows. He could definitely blow up a stacked pile of concrete. He was even confident of Stich's ability to take on Cindy alone and that'd honestly be a fight he'd pay to see. The ragdoll vs the concrete man. Staying in bed was starting to sound more and more convincing.

Conner fought with himself and ultimately decided that it'd go against his cover for him to stay in while the others were busy fighting. With a trained detective and a telepath on the team he didn't need anyone finding out or worrying about the future he was working to prevent. He slunk out of bed and dawdled over to the closet to get his costume. He opened it and took one of the many sets out and tossed it onto the bed before moping over to the bathroom.

The lights flickered on automatically as he crossed the threshold. He stepped in front of the mirror and turned the faucet on. The sound of the water was starting to fully wake him up. Conner cupped his hands together and placed them under the water before splashing what he collected in his face. [color=0099f7]"Time to put your face on, Superboy."[/color] He said forming the same smile he's practiced so many times.

[hr]

Conner was the last to arrive in the kitchen and just right on time, as the team was assembled and ready to take to the skies. He stepped in with the exaggerated swagger of a black teen despite being anything but. He took off his shades and announced his arrival. [color=0099f7]"I see my timing is as divine as always."[/color]