Superman
General-K+
Summary: Just a short character study. It's pretty easy to guess who it's referring to.
--
He's the glue that holds them together.
The brick wall everyone leans upon.
The reinforcing platform.
The supporting beam.
The crutch.
The base.
The rock.
They look to him with constant expectation, unyielding dependence. As if no matter what they assume he can everything better. That he'll be there to pick up the pieces so all is whole again.
His role is simple; and his position never changes.
He's their support system.
The never-ending problem-solver.
A crisis ensues and he'll attack it head on. Fixing and talking and making it right.
It's what he does best.
He's not supposed to experience emotion. He's not allowed to have any issues of his own.
He can't cry when he's sad.
He can't sulk away in isolation when he wants to be alone.
He can't be afraid.
He just has to be there, always and completely, because without him they'll fall and never be able to get up.
He has embraced his circumstances fully. The role of the protector is one he's come to love. But with acknowledgement comes responsibility, possible failure, and inevitable heartache.
It's a tough spot to fill.
They're sensitive, vulnerable, each one prone to another disaster. He must bounce around and fight off every threat that comes their way, prevent them from making their way in. He can't catch them all. There's always something that slips through the cracks.
Cracks that he's always trying to mend and close.
The pressure gets to him sometimes, but he'd never dare speak of it. It's not his place to suffer when all he's meant to do is rescue.
So he walks around with the weight of the world on his shoulders, because they are is world, and he'll carry that heavy load forever as long as it means they're safe.
He does all that he can. He'll become whatever he has to make it all right.
The self-righteous outsider.
The generous lawyer.
The loving husband.
The model father.
He can be the perfect mold. The picture of what is wanted and needed in a hero.
And yet it's never enough. He can never save them all.
He'll try and he'll win.
He'll try again and he'll fail.
And they'll look at him despairingly with such sadness and disappointment.
It's just about enough to send him jumping out the window, screaming.
Because he's not perfect.
He feels and he fears.
He doubts and he dreams.
After all...
He's human too.
He wishes that they understood. He wishes he could make them see.
He's no superman.
fin.
--
A/N: This is just a little something I thought up today. I can't help but notice that Sandy is always left to fend for his family but never really gets to do anything for himself. Anyway, please review. :-)