Author's Note: Don't forget to review and check out the TV Tropes page. I would appreciate additional pieces to the page that I might have missed (plus, I don't know if it is cool to add stuff on a page about something I wrote). Also looking for Beta Readers for anyone with experience in Star Wars, BH6, and Love Hina (for Child Prodigy).
Disclaimer: Was Superman's only positive interaction with Conner by the end of Season One the equivalent of a "erm…nice job, I guess…", even though by that time, they were barely on the screen together? Really? Then I better put back this Kryptonite before Batman finds out and credit Young Justice as property of DC Comics and Cartoon Network.
"Do you bleed?"
Superman had that question asked one time, by Batman as they were both starting out. Thankfully, it wasn't under aggressive circumstances that could have been avoided with simply talking to each other – Superman wasn't an idiot, regardless of what people thought of Kansas and its inhabitants – but more out of curiosity.
He grinned, still in that phase of trying to coax a similar expression out of Batman. "Almost every living being on this planet has to, I suppose."
"That wasn't a joke." Batman's stoic expression didn't change.
Superman sighed. "I've never suffered injuries that could cause that to happen…so I don't know."
Several months later, Batman's question was answered. Superman could bleed and did. A surprising amount. A creature, later codenamed Doomsday, had crashed into Earth and began wreaking havoc. At the time, the Justice League consisted of Hal Jordan, Batman, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, himself, and Aquaman.
So. Much. Blood.
Metropolis risked destruction. His friends and family risked destruction. But with each blow that Doomsday dealt, Superman returned two in favor. Hal Jordon's ring was practically useless against the enemy, the raw power too much to be contained. Black Canary could only use her Canary Cry from a distance. Flash dealt with crowd control and rescuing teammates from impending death. Kryptonite proved useless, forcing Batman to retreat and attempt to analyze the creature.
Aquaman did not want to talk about it.
J'onn was the most helpful, being able to match Doomsday with strength and speed, though his telepathy couldn't break the creature's mind.
All were practically helpless except for him, only making bumps where Doomsday make dents. Rubble. Punches. Blood. So much of it. Superman had felt his heart slowing down, his breaths turning into pants, his knuckles red and aching.
It was a spear that did Doomsday in, sinking into the heart. Superman volunteered, ready to die for his adopted world, but J'onn said, and he had been quoted:
"You're injured, I'm not. Don't be an idiot."
Of course, J'onn meant to say he wasn't as injured as Superman was, but there were times when words could be minced. Later on, while in the infirmary – as a patient, for the first time – he was told that if the battle continued any further, he would have fallen into a near-death state, a coma. The symptoms were there and examined.
Ma cried when she was brought up to the Watchtower. Pa was silent, tears falling down his face. Lois looked like she wanted to slap him, but chose not to when she realized three things: he didn't need another injury, Batman was glaring at her, and her hand would have suffered more from the action. In the end, she stood vigil by his bedside, combing her hands through his hair and whispering her fear of losing him. Of losing Clark Kent, not Superman.
She had it figured out a long time ago and simply waited. Doomsday had scared her into confessing, afraid of things unsaid.
Recovery took months, even with his vulnerability to magic allowing Zatara to speed up the progress. J'onn acted as a double for Clark Kent. Diana prayed. Black Canary checked on his physical process.
But no one forgot how much blood was spilled.
Years passed before he thought about that day all over again. When he saw the eyes. His eyes. Younger, but he saw a few physical differences. The jawline was wider, eyes were sharper, forehead bigger.
Superman stopped seeing the boy and started seeing Doomsday instead. A threat to all he held dear. It took a few minutes for him to calm down, after the boy introduced himself as his clone. But he was afraid of speaking, the blood, the terror.
"We'll…figure something out for you. The League will…"
He flew off, wondering if the boy could hear his heart racing.
"…he needs you. He needs Red. He needs the Team. I'm just a reminder of what he isn't." Superboy did need all of those people. Clark was reminded of the blood, the battle, the fear. He's just a victim of this as you are. He reminded himself. Superboy isn't a monster. I'll just make things worse!
"This boy needs his father." Bruce's voice is cold, demanding, as if Clark had just been given a business offer he wasn't allowed to refuse.
"I am not his father!" Clark said sharply. I'd be a horrible father to him…
He steps out of the diner with the apple pie in a container. He barely touches it later that night.
Superboy began trying to get his attention, coming to Metropolis – risking our identities! – and then Lois began grilling him when they broke up.
He blurted out "it", thinking of Doomsday, but was unable to take it back.
He tries going to the bank and ends up in a hostage situation that is stopped by Superboy. He gets enough time to sneak out and change costume, but in his effort not to scream at him – the blood, the pain – he ends up sounding crueler.
Batman yelled at him with a microphone later. Clark wanted to apologize to Sup – to Conner, but things had gotten awkward. Rao, he remembered trying to sound funny. It ended up making him look immature and foolish instead. He still chuckled at the lame joke, needing space.
Next day was worse. Batman forced him to stay in the Cave and monitor the Team, but…he tried talking to Canary about his concerns and was dismissed.
"Get over it. He's not a weapon."
It was like she didn't hear him talk about Doomsday to begin with.
Each time he tried talking to Conner, it ended in disaster. Rumors started spreading about him and Batman, the Team acting borderline crazy, the League not helping at all. It was like they didn't see that the gossip could have potentially lead back to Batman and Superman.
It finally took seeing him interact with Robin – Rao, he missed being called Uncle Clark by him – to see what he was doing. Conner wasn't Doomsday, he wasn't the disaster, he was just some child…technically speaking. He wasn't "stolen" DNA, what happened wasn't his fault. Conner never asked to be made and he never wanted to be a weapon.
Everything afterwards was so confusing, he never wanted to speak of it again. The Team was punished for a prank that could have potentially put his and Batman's secret identities at risk, he and Lois had a hard time looking at each other until late March, and it felt like the gap between him and Conner had widened.
But, despite the potential backlash from Savage brainwashing him and the rest of the League, it gave Clark a chance to finally talk to Conner.
The next day, Conner came to Metropolis Park, muttering under his breath. Clark was at the Daily Planet at the time.
"If you can hear me, please meet me at the park."
Clark flew by around 11:30 and they both began to talk. Clark offered to bring him to Bibbo's Diner for lunch. When they walked in, the waitress asked if Clark was taking his 'son' out for lunch. Clark opened his mouth to answer, but Conner cut in.
"Nah." Conner said. "He's taking out his little brother."
And just like that, Clark found himself demoted to older sibling. He felt a knot in his stomach loosen.
"I mean, we physically look more like siblings than…you know." Conner explained later as they walked out, wiping away grease from the hamburgers they ordered. "You'd have to be 17 when it had happened. You know, my conception…"
"But I wasn't."
"Yeah, but the G-Gnomes said that there are pretty big age differences in siblings, too."
"Where did this 'sibling' thing come from?" Clark scratched his head.
Conner sighed. Clark noticed the shadows under his eyes, now. "Look…I don't feel comfortable with the whole 'parent' thing right now. It's a long story. And I know you're not comfortable with the idea either."
"It was never about the parenting, Conner." Clark cried out. "It was never about you. It's just, the memories connected to you are…"
"Painful?" Clark flinched. "The G-Gnomes told me where the blood came from while I was growing."
"They did?" Clark looked away. "Conner…I am sorry with the way I treated you. It wasn't right."
"All you did was ignore me and tell me to back off once or twice. It wasn't like you took your anger out on me every time we met. I'd probably have done the same thing." Conner shrugged. "It took the whole…prank…for me to get it all sorted out. I kept reaching for the idea of what it meant to be Superman, and I thought, if I could connect with you, that I could gain a better understanding.
"But I don't and all of those times in the past just boiled down to harassment. I let my anger get the better of me and then I realized something…it hurt."
Clark clenched his fists, Conner continued in a quieter voice.
"Part of me knew what I was doing was wrong, but the other part…shut down…from the rejection…that part wanted to know you so badly for some reason, that I wouldn't accept anyone else's words except yours. Only your approval mattered, only your criticism mattered. And then I started blacking out…everything felt weird and I was acting weird. Crazy, too.
"The Team said I kind of acted like a little kid and I can barely remember that. All I could remember was Robin's voice keeping me from going off the deep end. Him telling me that he was family and that we would look out for each other. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how I acted, because there are parts that are a blur and parts that I really wish were a blur...Maybe it was another failsafe that Cadmus and Luthor set –"
Clark looked at Conner right as he closed his mouth, his face turning white as he realized what he had just said.
"Luthor?" His voice was so quiet.
"It's nothing." Conner looked away. He flinched when Clark's hand touched his shoulder.
"Conner…what did Luthor have to do with your programming?" Come to think of it…Clark thought...he did try to take my 'corpse' away after Doomsday went down.
"He…he's my other father…" Clark tried saying something, anything, but his voice wasn't working. Conner took it as meaning something else. "I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone for good, this time."
He jumped high into the air, Clark ran into an alley and discarded his day-clothes. Superman came flying out, using his ears to pick up on where Conner was going. He heard a loud THUMP! and followed it. He flew overhead, hoping to catch sight of him before anything happened.
Superman saw him making his way towards a Zeta tube hidden in an alleyway – there were so many of them like that, it was ridiculous – and he was able to call out to Conner before he entered the blinding light starting to appear.
"Conner, wait!" Superman flew down to the ground, keeping his voice level and warm, noting how awkward Conner started shifting his feet. He flinched when Superman placed a hand on his shoulder, but when he was brought into a warm embrace, Conner didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Superman. His breathing didn't hitch or speed up, it was slow and steady.
"You are not Luthor's clone. You're Conner Kent. You're you. No one can ever take that away."
They separated, and Conner turned around, using his arm to wipe his face, sniffing a few times.
Both departed with a weight lifted off their shoulders.
CRACK!
Conner flinched as he felt the bed framing collapse – again! – making a note to tell Red Tornado about this issue. He tried ignoring it as he went to the drawers and pulled out one of his many black T-shirts, pulling it over his bare chest before closing the drawer and began searching for his jeans.
M'gann wasn't in the common area when he came in, but Conner knew the basics to cooking – that bit, he got from Alfred's lessons – and started pulling a carton of milk and eggs from the refrigerator. He placed them on the counter before going back to take out a block of cheddar cheese and several slices of bacon.
Recognize Superman 01.
Conner smiled, that was something he started hearing more often, at least three times a week at minimum.
"Morning Conner."
"Mornin'." He grunted back.
"Did you sleep well?"
Conner shrugged. "At least till this morning, I guess."
"Hey, are those splinters on your back?!"
"Uh…." Conner blushed. "That's why this morning wasn't exactly restful…"
Clark began muttering under his breath, brushing away the pieces of wood that clung to Conner.
"Wait, how did you get splinters on you in the first place? What about your mattress?" Clark asked.
"I broke through the mattress, too." Conner muttered.
"Ouch…" Clark winced. "Pa got so mad at me whenever that happened…"
Conner turned his head and stared.
"My powers started developing when I was around your age." Clark rubbed the back of his neck, a weak chuckle rumbling from his throat. "I had to practice getting off a rock a lot, like I was getting out of bed, just to try and make sure I didn't break something."
"Why a rock?" Conner raised an eyebrow.
"Better than sleeping in a chicken coop. Plus, a rock is more durable."
Conner turned away and started cracking eggs into a bowl. Clark walked over to the strips of bacon and looked at the cabinets, his X-ray vision seeing through the wood as it didn't exist at all. He frowned and turned his gaze downwards and smiled, seeing the cooking pans underneath the sink.
"How do you take your eggs, Clark? Cheesy or plain?"
"Surprise me." Clark pulled out a frying pan and set it on the stovetop.
"Hope I remember how Pa makes them, they're always a little on the runny side…" Conner muttered under his breath.
SLAM! Conner's back met the ground, but no pain came to him. His invulnerability was a blessing many would kill for, after all.
Conner scowled as he got up, he almost missed the Shields Luthor gave him. Almost. It felt so good to fly, though.
"You should focus your weight towards your feet when you jump." Conner looked at him with a scowl. With Red Tornado being upgraded, Superman had started popping in more whenever he could, sometimes helping with the training. Conner was starting to get annoyed with the scowls the Team was giving Superman, though.
"I already know how to do that." He said.
"Do you still break the bed?"
Conner blushed and looked away. Clark smiled. "It's the same principle, you need to spread out your weight or else you'll apply too much force. There are a lot of boulders on the beach outside, you should practice spreading your weight and strength on them for at least an hour a day minimum."
Clark was mending a crack with his heat-vision when he heard Conner walking behind him. He turned around just in time to see the small look of jealousy before Conner turned it into a mild look of boredom.
He called to him. "Can you go outside and grab some boulders? I can't leave this spot unattended."
A smile forms and Conner nods, walking off with something to occupy his thoughts for the time being.
He doesn't notice it at first, but recently, Clark has begun to see members of the League looking at him. Like he was the enemy.
It took some time for the Team to come around, but Conner was the one who intervened.
"We're working things out. And stop eating my potato chips, Garfield!"
Garfield had looked at Conner with his mouth crammed, bulging like it would explode, before turning into a hippo and swallowed the chips in his mouth.
There was also that time he questioned the idea of Conner wanting to be adopted by Batman, people treated him with hostility, even ignoring the fact that he was making amends. When the whole fiasco was over, Conner said it was a bet and he didn't hold anything against Clark.
Black Canary's comment irritated him the most; she may be the team therapist, but when Conner said the complete opposite of what she claimed, Clark felt like breaking something.
The monthly meeting that occurred in March that year was one he hoped the others wouldn't forget. The discussion had turned towards the custody of several members of the Team; Zatanna, Garfield, and Conner. The Doom Patrol had offered to look after Garfield, but J'onn didn't trust Mento – "Your demanding attitude is something that Garfield does not need so soon after losing his mother" – and agreed to claim guardianship – "M'gann and Garfield are already like siblings, I am certain that they would appreciate the formality" – while Zatanna was brought in and expressed the desire to remain at the Cave.
"The Team's my family, now." She said. "Plus, my dad's been able to talk to Fate. We're able to keep in contact."
"That is wonderful to hear, Zatanna," Diana nodded, "but to the rest of the world, you are seen as an orphan. Are there any friend you can stay with who would be willing to look after you?"
"My dad knew this guy called Constantine…" Zatanna frowned. "…but the last time I saw him, he kind of said he wouldn't make a good parent and to close the door, he was shagging someone right now. I didn't ask how he was doing that…he wasn't naked…"
Her face turned bright red.
Black Canary looked at her. "I'd be more than happy to become your legal guardian –"
She turned to face Doctor Fate.
"– that is…if Doctor Fate and Zatarra approve…"
Doctor Fate stared at them for several moments, and then sighed. "Zatara knows he cannot make decisions on his daughter's behalf as easily. And while she still needs training, she also needs the freedom to choose for herself."
Zatanna nodded, a weak smile formed on her face.
"Nonetheless," Doctor Fate continued, "he also needs to know that you are safe. Constantine would be a bad choice, indeed. And Black Canary's job and current life would make her role as 'parent' difficult."
"I volunteer as Zatanna's legal guardian." Red Tornado interjected. He looked at Zatanna. "If you are willing to this arrangement."
Zatanna nodded. "I think that works out for everyone. You are the Den Mother, after all."
"I prefer the term, Den Robot." Red Tornado countered. "And once my alternate form is completed, I may be able to become Den Father."
Diana nodded in approval. "That leaves Superboy –"
"Conner." Clark corrected her quietly. "His name's Conner."
All eyes were on him. Zatanna shuffled awkwardly.
"Whelp, better get back the Cave!" She said abruptly. She waved at Red Tornado, then to Doctor Fate. "See you back there, Red. And Fate, please remember that my dad has to eat and use the bathroom."
"Fate does not need those things."
"Well, he does if he's using an organic life form as a host. Tootles!"
Zatanna walked quickly to the nearest Zeta tube.
Recognize Zatanna B08.
The League looked back at Clark.
"Here we go…" He sighed. Diana looked between Clark and Batman, unsure of what her position should be.
"I'm surprised that you would be worried about him –"
"Canary, I love you like a sister, but shut the hell up." Clark said quietly.
She flinched.
"Why is everyone getting on my case over this?" He continued. "It's not like even half of you know much about him to even get on my case about it."
Bruce glared at him. "Everyone is on your case about it because it took you six months to make the effort."
"If you're so worried about Conner, why haven't you spent time with him?" Clark scowled. Diana took a step back as he flew in closer to Bruce. "Tell me, Batman, exactly how many members of the League actually know Conner on a personal level? Because I can only count them with my fingers. Not even a full hand.
"I get that I had screwed up a lot with this whole thing, but has anyone ever bothered asking me why?! I just don't get it. Everyone was on my case about 'getting along with my son', and yet no one bothered following that advice. What was keeping you all from popping in the Cave for a few minutes and seeing how the Team was doing. Because I actually had some good reasons.
My job, my duties in Metropolis, my duties for the League, almost every waking moment, someone needs my help whether its getting a cat from out of a tree to stopping the Toyman. I've been working on it, though! Nobody has the right to call me out on something that I've been making up for! Does anyone even remember what I said about how Cadmus got my DNA?"
No one answered.
"Doomsday. The first time we all thought I was going to die. The time I actually had nightmares for months, about not being able to save anyone if I didn't stop him in time. I told you that seeing Conner reminded me of where he got my DNA from, but no one cared! None of you bothered focusing on why I kept ignoring Conner, only that I was. Not am, was."
He glared at Bruce. "How often do you give Conner the time of day outside of briefings?"
Batman had started opening his mouth before Superman finished his question, then closed it when he realized what he was asking.
"I have been fixing things to the best of my ability!" Clark glared at them. "I have not been able to forgive myself for this, but none of you have the goddamn right to chew me out when you acted no better."
Diana spoke up. "I stand by Kal-El and agree that we have no right to be hypocritical about it. Constantly reminding someone of an issue that has been resolved brings neither resolution or catharsis, only more turmoil."
Captain Marvel coughed. People stared. "I…um…what she said. I…I try to see the Team and hang out with them, and Super – I mean, Conner, he likes company. The issue wasn't bothering him that much anymore, he…just didn't like to talk about it. And then that creepy Savage guy showed up and…. look, can we just let this go, now? I mean, it's not like he's still ignoring Conner, right?"
He took a deep breath and continued in a stronger, firmer voice. "The problem wasn't that Superman wasn't there, it was that everyone was waiting for someone to act. And when that didn't happen, everyone looked at Superman to do something about it. Kind of seems unfair when a lot of us can do the job just as well. Maybe better…"
No one spoke, several members looked away in embarrassment and shame.
"Perhaps this is a good time for a recess." Red Tornado said.
No one questioned if Red Tornado was simply tired or knew that everyone needed space.
"Clark…." Dinah called out to him. Clark sighed, but stopped walking. She was about two feet away from him before she stopped. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I care a great deal about Conner and I let my emotions get in the way of my reasoning."
"I'm sorry it took so long to get my act together." Clark said. He looked at the greenery, thankful for Diana's suggestion to bring life to the Watchtower. "Everyone was getting on my case for not getting off my ass, but you were one of the few people that was actually getting off your ass to help. Really irritating."
Dinah focused her attention on a rose with petals that flattened and curved, the Krypton. Diana and Bruce spent several months perfecting it before transporting their work to the Watchtower, presenting it as a gift on Clark's birthday several years ago. It not only survived, but populated a fair patch of soil. Clark was thankful that the fight on New Year's didn't destroy the flowers. One Krypton destroyed was too much.
"Does Conner ever feel hurt or confused over spending time with me?" Clark asked in the same quiet voice.
"I thought he did…" Dinah frowned. "I assumed…and that's not what my job is about. He stopped talking about it after New Year's and I started jumping to conclusions."
She sighed.
"This is why I'm not an official therapist, I know the movements, but I haven't perfected the art."
Clark snorted. "Didn't think you were the poetic type."
Dinah scoffed. "My bad. Thought it would have been a good analogy to use."
Clark heard someone behind them. Probably because he allowed himself to be heard in the first place.
"Clark…" Bruce started, and then paused. "You know I was concerned about Conner's welfare, right?"
"You could have adopted him." Clark suggested.
"His powers, temper, and physical resemblance to you would have brought too much trouble. Robin's difficult to handle alone. Two kids are worse. He needed constant supervision and support, two things I couldn't provide for properly. You know how difficult it was when I took in Dick, right?"
Clark nodded. Diana elbowed Bruce after a few moments.
"And…that doesn't excuse how I handled our discussions about it, though. Doomsday completely slipped my mind."
"Were you going to propose taking Conner in, Clark?" Diana asked.
Clark shook his head. "I don't think Metropolis would be the right fit for him. Bruce is right, Conner needs stability. And with my job at the Daily Planet, I can't accomplish that well. Somewhere quiet would do. Somewhere where his hearing wouldn't be excruciating. Somewhere he can be with people who love him."
Diana raised an eyebrow and nodded, urging Clark to continue.
"And Ma and Pa already said yes."
He bumped into Lois the next day when they were both going out for a lunch break. Lois stared at him, Clark stared back.
"Conner said he was moving in with your folks." She started.
"Our folks." Clark corrected.
"W-what?"
"Conner's my little brother. It was his idea." He added when Lois started opening his mouth. "Ma and Pa don't mind him using my old room back in Kansas."
"That's…great, I guess." Clark started walking away when Lois called him back. "Clark? I know things are different between us, now…but I'm really sorry about the prank…you want to get lunch with me and Jimmy? As friends?"
Clark looked back at her and sighed. "Not today, Lois."
"Your loss, Smallville." Lois said sadly. "Just go somewhere other than Bibbo's. Broaden your palate a little."
"I'll try, Lois, I'll try."
Author's Note: I'm back for a few weeks. So sorry about the hiatus. Finals were a nightmare and drain on my batteries. Plus, I wasn't sure which story to do next. I thought of Babs, since she deserves a spot in the sun. Then I thought of another Baby Flash story where the Zatanna/Wally conflict is explored further – again, it wouldn't be in chronological order – but I had a hard time writing it.
Then I remembered Clark and Conner and decided to expand on the issues I created in We Love Our Two Dads and fix the mistakes I made regarding characterization. Instead of turning the tables on the League regarding the whole "Superman neglected his unofficial 'son' and we're mad at him" issue, I decided to have both sides have points instead. I knew that I'd get flack regarding how I portray characters being in the right and wrong – I also realized while writing that there were League characters that didn't know everyone's secret IDs and fixed some things so Clark wouldn't expose Batman and Black Canary by accident – so I am not sure what to make of this chapter.
The part about Doomsday, I mentioned back in We Love Our Two Dads, and I was surprised at how emotional I was able to turn that little piece of information. I really hope I gave a good justification for Clark's behavior and the whole "brother" thing. Conner coming up with it would be considered a sign of maturity and make bonding easier, in my opinion.
Poor Lois, her part in the prank put a strain on her relationship with Clark. It is going to take a while for Clark to forgive her – unless Mxyzptlk or Mix-Yeesss-Spit-Lick had something to do with how everyone acted.
Will this be considered controversial like Traitor or Leader? By the way, Black Canary advocating Machiavelli wasn't the message, Robin did disagree with that. Just wanted to let you all know if you read this far.
Last thing: I will be working on a Christmas deconstruction for Dick and Bruce. I think it might be short depending on how much time I will be able to spend working on it, so don't cross your fingers or break any bones. For any hints on what it is going to be, it will also take place in the Humorverse and has been referenced as far back as one of the last chapters in We Love Our Two Dads (I hated some of the gala clichés that far back too and decided to vent).
Thanks for reading.