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(no subject)

who: Clark, Lois, and Jon.
what: Family meeting.
when: The day Jon arrives.
where: Communal housing.
warnings: None.

( continued from here )

[ On the way back to the communal housing building with Jon, Clark sends Lois a quick text message to say they need to talk and it can't wait. He had been on his way into the forest to practice with his abilities and she'd been planning to explore the city and meet some local contacts. Now, they have a ten year old son neither of them ever dreamed could exist. Clark's still reeling. This isn't like meeting Dick, who's a friend. Jon's his own flesh and blood.

He leaves Jon upstairs on the sixth floor with Taako. It's still in range of Jon's super-hearing but Clark trusts he won't eavesdrop. Taako will keep him busy.

Clark makes a beeline for her. He knocks before he enters the room she's in. ]

Lois.

[ He reaches out to take her hand. Now that he's not in front of Jon, he can finally frown in worry. ]

You're not going to believe what just happened.

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[ Jon looks down at that part. He knew that question was coming but Jon hated talking about his powers. He appreciated them, knew they made him strong. But their inconsistency, the late night talks with Batman . . . his encounter with Damian.

His mother's cat Goldie. ]

They don't work as well as yours. We don't know why. I can't fly yet but I've got the strength, x-ray vision, heat vision, ice breath . . .

But they come and go. Sometimes I'm Super and other times I'm just . . . not.

[ what the heck is ICE BREATH ]

We'll figure it out.

[ He reaches across the table to touch Jon's hand. ]

Does your father take you along when he's wearing the S?

[ He smiles, clear hero worship in his eyes. ]

A few times. Dad said I need to figure out what the S means for myself. But I'm allowed to be Superboy.

[ Though he pauses and amends. ]

But I'm not allowed on school nights.

[ He hides how uncomfortable he feels at being on the receiving end of that. Clark's not there. He can't call himself a hero, let alone see this legacy.

He squeezes Jon's hand and withdraws. ]

Lois?

Yeah.

[ clark might not see himself as a hero, but lois understands a little of that hero worship. she might not feel it herself, but clark kent is the best man she's ever known and following his trail across the country, learning of all the people he's helped, she can see where jon is coming from. ]

That's a sensible rule. [ she looks at clark again, smiling in what is hopefully a calm and collected manner. they're both fumbling their way through this conversation blind, it seems, but maybe they can lead each other, lean on each other. ] I think you should stick to it.

Have you been telling people here about your powers, or have you kept them secret?

Edited 2017-04-08 10:06 (UTC)

[ Jon frowns lightly at that. But it's clear this is still early for both of them. He sighs. ]

I can't tell anyone about my powers. Or who I am. I promised.

[ It's clear from his tone that it's an issue of mixed feelings. At least, for Jon. ]

[ He's reassured by Lois's glance at him. Clark speaks softly and seriously. ]

Lois is right. We're not your parents but we're who you have here. Some people already know about me, so they'll know about you. The rules might need to be more flexible.

[ Jon hesitates. The promise was a big part of his life. It dictated every action Jon took. Restraint, keeping his head low . . . He's never forgotten that night when Batman and Wonder Woman showed up on their lawn and he could hear the whispers.

He's a threat. He's dangerous.

Jon can't even blame them. After what he did to Goldie. He hunches his shoulders, defensive. ]

Yes, sir.

[ But he adds in a frail whisper. ]

. . . You won't let them take me, will you? Because I can't control my powers?

No.

[ His sudden conviction surprises him. Clark gets up and comes over to hug Jon. ]

I won't let them. I promise.

[ He went through this himself as a boy, so Clark can't let Jon go through it feeling afraid and unsure of himself. ]

We won't let anyone take you.

[ lois isn't sure it's a promise she can make, but she'll be damned if she stays quiet and let's him wonder. not being able to control his abilities is a reason to teach him, not a reason to take him away. ]

[ Jon leans into the hug like he's done his entire life, his head resting on his dad's shoulder, firm and steady. But Jon also stretches his hand out to reach for his mom. An irreplaceable part of his life. ]

[ clark hugs jon and jon leans into it like it's the most natural thing in the world. it probably is, for him, but something inside lois' chest catches almost painfully at the sight of the two of them. she hardly knows them, really—jon even less than clark—and it still has an impact. and then jon reaches for her and she curs her fingers around his and moves closer, putting one hand on clark's back and one arm around jon as well.

it feels odd, strange and new, but it doesn't feel bad. ]

[ Clark holds them both like they're anchoring him to where he is. He feels light though not unsteady. Previously, he only felt this around Lois. It's a sense of belonging he didn't know he could have and all the more precious for being short-lived.

He rests his cheek on the crown of Lois' head. ]

[ For a brief moment, Jon closes his eyes and lets his mind wander to his parents. He's safe. He can feel it in his heart. It'll never be the same, but they're still Clark and Lois. Superman and the reporter, standing for what's right. His response is warm and full of feeling. ]

. . . Thanks.

[ lois doesn't know them well, but she doesn't need to have known them for years to know that she'll do anything in her power to protect them; both of them. ]

Any time.

[ she might not be ready to be a mother, but she can do this much. ] Even if it isn't the same, you can always come to us, all right?

[ no matter what happens between her and clark, this is something they can do. something she feels comfortable saying on clark's behalf, too. ]

We're here for you, Jon.

[ Clark nods. ]

We won't be trying to replace your parents, okay?

[ Jon pulls back a little to smile at her reassuringly. ]

I know.

[ Though he can't help some cheek. ]

If you're not my parents, does that mean I can stay past my bedtime?

[ lois can't help but laugh, drawing back and sitting back in her seat. ]

Absolutely not.

[ Clark's reluctant to be out of her space but he lets her go. He ruffles Jon's hair. ]

Nice try.

[ Jon grins, not the least bit perturbed. ]

It was worth a shot.

[ Clark smiles back. ]

Do you mind going back upstairs before dinner, Jon? I'd like to talk to Lois.

[ Is that code for mushy stuff?? Jon squints at his dad and mom briefly before coming to a decision. Neatly leaping off the couch, he heads upstairs. He still wanted to play with his communicator and he's more than willing to miss out on the mush.

And he can always listen to it from a distance. ]

[ it might be code for mushy stuff, but also code for Adult Talk. lois doesn't really think of the possibility of jon listening in, not that used yet to being surrounded by individuals with superpowers. she waves a little when he leaps off the couch and goes upstairs, but remains sitting, watching jon disappear and then turning to clark again.

she has no idea where to start, what to say. ]

So. [ an eloquent beginning. ]

[ Clark waits until he can hear Taako talking to Jon. ]

So.

[ He sits next to her, his shoulder brushing hers. ]

What do you think?

[ lois reaches for clark's hand again, tangling their fingers together in a gesture that feels natural already. ] He's a sweet kid. [ she takes a deep breath, reaching for the coffee she'd made with her free hand. ]

I meant what I told him. He can always come to us. To me. [ even if there isn't a them. but that's probably something they should figure out, isn't it? and while it makes her heart beat in her throat, lois doesn't beat around the bush. ] Is there an us?