"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"You don't get it!" Superboy snaps, spinning around, fists clenched at his sides. "You're not sorry, you've always known and thought that this was a mistake, you've always thought that they should never have gone to Cadmus, you never wanted to..."
His jaw locked, eyes burning, fingers curled up into fists.
"You never wanted any of this to happen, right?" He asked quietly. "Then don't bother apologizing."
"No, that's not..." Clark's voice faltered as his steps stopped, eyes focusing on Superboy's nose.
"That's not true?" Superboy sneered, his voice a bitter laugh. "Don't lie."
Clark took a step back, and re-positioned himself. Back straight, arms open, chin straight. "Maybe I never wanted this to happen." He admitted, hating the way that Superboy's eyes darkened. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm trying here."
"Trying?" Superboy echoed, shaking his head, also stepping back. "Was ignoring me trying? Was leaving me alone when I needed help trying? Was thinking that I must be evil despite never getting to know me trying? When did you try, Superman?"
Superman.
The name, usually followed with a swell of relief that he was doing good in the world, was cold and bitter, like an insult.
Clark wondered if that was what the name had become. Something bad... to be bitter about. The thought sent chills rushing along his spine.
Well... Ma had always said that the truth was the best thing to do.
"You're right." Clark admitted, lowering his eyes, shame creeping up his chest as his cheeks burned. "I didn't try. And it was wrong of me to think that I did. You're right, I didn't do a good job of trying. It wasn't good, doing what I did. So... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not trying when you needed me to. I'm sorry for waiting until now to try. I'm sorry for not doing what was right in the face of pressure. I'm sorry, so please... let me try now."
Superboy's features softened, and he lowered his eyes. "I don't need you, anymore." He replied, voice dull. "I had my teammates when you were gone. They stuck by me, wouldn't leave me alone, they tried to get me to be something more than what I was created to be. I already have people that tried. You're just not one of them."
What about second chances? Clark wanted to shout. What about forgiveness? Can't you see that I'm trying now?
But it was too late.
It was his fault.
"Alright," He closed his eyes, lowering his head as his shoulders fell into a slump. "I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Yeah," Superboy's voice was soft, his heartbeat swelling in crescendo, "I am, too."