His hands were shaking. His eyes were wide. His hair was a scattered mess and his eyes pleaded with desperation. He collapsed to his knees, injured, bleeding, ashamed.
"Help me, Superman."
Clark had heard these words so many times; they'd lost all meaning. It was a ritual, a dance, he knew the next step and he knew the right response. I knew his duty, yet he said nothing. Then came the burst of tears.
"Help me, dad-"
"I'm not your father!" The rage was intense. His voice was like a crack of lightening.
Round helpless eyes met stern unapologetic ones.
"You're not weak." His voice was loud and swift yet calm.
"I can't-"
"You can." Another outburst of rage came. Superboy couldn't stop the stream of tears. He couldn't bring her back. He couldn't do anything. He was now sobbing in fits. The harder he cried more he could feel the disappointment weigh in on him.
"I'm sorry." Superboy spat and found the strength to push himself up off the ground. He raced out of the building with more regret for his visit in each step.
He had no family to turn to.
Superboy rapped frantically on the door of the Wayne residence, his fists leaving dents. The door swung open, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Young Master C-" Alfred was cut short in as he leaned forward in an attempt to stabilize the boy.
He stood for a moment comforting him before pushing him away by his shoulders.
"Come." He said softly and led Superboy to an armchair in the expansive living room.
Alfred positioned the chair to face the fireplace and gestured for him to sit.
"I'll be back with something for you to drink." He said hurrying toward the kitchen.
"You're here to see Master Greyson, I presume." Alfred confirmed turning back to Superboy. Superboy said nothing, his eyes fixed on the fire before him.
Alfred returned with a mug of tea.
"Got anything stronger?" Superboy let out a weak smile.
"Very amusing." Superboy's smile grew a bit wider.
"Superboy?" A voice came the other end of the room. A tired Dick Grayson still in a nightshirt and pajama pants steps forward.
"What are you doing here so late?" Superboy snapped, he remembered why he was here. He shifted his eyes to the ground and fidgeted his hands slightly. He tried to form words but fails in the attempt.
Robin rushed a few steps forward. "What's wrong?"
Superboy paused; finding the right words looked physically painful.
"I killed someone."
"What happened?" Robin said, his voice tinged with shock.
"I let go." It took Superboy a moment to fight back tears. "I dropped her."
"Who-"
"I watched it from start of finish." His voice was shaky, rapid, but he was determined to tell someone. "I was walking downtown, out shopping, and across the street, I could see into this apartment. This woman, she set her groceries up onto her kitchen counter, knocking over a lit candle. Suddenly, the flames were everywhere. There was no time to call for help so I rushed in and grabbed her. She was burned and bruised and coughing up smoke. I must have been nervous because I was flying really fast. I moved my hand to holder her safely but I forgot about the burns. She shrieked and I-" He clenched a fist around the cup in his hands. "I dropped her."
"Conner" Robin now stood beside Superboy. "It was an acci-"
"The noise when she hit the pavement-" Robin froze and Superboy swallowed. "Her body twisted and her hair lying in blood." Robin was speechless. "I'm the reason."
"Superboy." Alfred interrupted. "Have you told anyone else this, yet?"
"No." He answered softly.
"I assure you, the others will understand." Alfred reassured. He disappeared in to the other room.
"Superboy." Robin looked down, trying to get him to meet his eyes. "It's okay, you didn't mean to-"
"I know, Robin." His voice was distant, cold.
"You're still a good person." Robin urged. Superboy met him with silence. He swirled the tea in the half full mug and watched the liquid rise and fall.
Alfred returned with an armful of pillows and folded blankets. He gestured the one of the plush couches across the room.
"You're welcome to stay the night." Superboy nodded.
Well into the night or impossibly early in the morning, Superboy heard footsteps across the room.
He sat up, tossing a mess of blankets off himself.
"I couldn't sleep." Robin explained.
"Come to watch how it's done?" Superboy said, distant again.
"Superboy-"
"Please, Robin. Just go."
Neither of them slept that night.
Conner and his father have such a complicated relationship. It's the most interesting dynamic of Young Justice in my opinion. There will be more drama to come.
I know they live over at Mount Justice, there is a reason Robin is here right now, patience dear reader. All will be revealed in time.
If I get a certain number of reviews, I'm going make a very detailed colorful fanart for this story. Leave a review. Trust me, you want that.
Thank you all, see you next chapter.