He wondered about Superman, generous and attentive as the media made him out to be. He wondered if the Man of Steel could even see the people he rescued from how high he was. He wondered if he realized how proud he was. Did he really think himself that important? He certainly acted like it, even if that wasn't the case.
He didn't overly care. He thought about it with as much concern as one thinks characters in a book or movie. Idle speculation.
He wondered when he started seeing Superman's problem with him as just that: the old man's problem. When did it become a running joke among the team of how long it would take the Man of Steel to flee from his presence? There weren't even villains he ran away from as fast.
When did he stop caring?
He couldn't remember. He couldn't find a single fiber of his being that cared either. At times, it was odd to realize that, remembering how…dependent he was on the idea of belonging to him. But it didn't matter anymore. Because he was so far beyond Superman.
That man had taken one look at him and judged him on the spot: unworthy. Lacking. Not good enough. In truth, Superboy had no idea what his…genetic relation truly thought of him. That would require talking either to or about him. He did neither. However, actions screamed much about one's feelings.
Before, he remembered it'd hurt his feelings, being rejected like that. Now, he didn't talk about it since, it didn't matter. He was his own person now, rather than being born yesterday. He could handle things on his own, without needing the old man's approval. Without needing someone to hold his hand.
Superman's attention was unattainable. Completely out of reach. Conner was so beyond him, he'd have to stoop down to even find the old man.
A/N: I know he hasn't been named in show yet. But I needed his name to be used here. Besides, some substantial amount of time passes within these anyway. Two more after this.