Warning: Slash

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places or weapons/powers. WB and DC does.

The tension laced between those few words ripped right through Connor. He looked around to see if anyone else was witnessing this, sadly none of his friends were to be found.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as a firm hand grabbed ahold of his bicep, tugging him along into his bedroom; followed by the swoosh to his door, signaling that they were alone.

Once the hand released his arm, he retreated to the opposite side of his small living quarters to glare down at his genetic donor, fighting the urge to rub the soreness from his look that was etched upon Superman's face brought all the resentment he held for the man to a halt.

Why was he making such a pitiful face? If anyone should look for pity should it not be himself?

Then the man of steel heaved a sigh and began to pace back and forth between the small space given. Connor stood there a few laps before he eyed his bed, slowly shuffling to its soft edge. But as his rear hit the mattress below did his superiors insistent pacing come to a sudden halt. The teen froze in place as he and the others eyes met. One in confusion, the other in horror.

"I-I'm sorry Superboy . . . I don't even know what I'm doing here." The other said awkwardly standing in the middle of the room rubbing the back of his neck.

"Connor."

". . .What?" Responded a confused Super.

"My name. My name is Connor."

Heavy moments passed as the name hung in the air.

"-Connor." Was tested on some unprepared lips.

Superboy nodded his head in confirmation. It sounded . . . nice coming from his mouth.

"Well, what is it you needed to speak to me about?" Superboy reminded his elder as he faced him fully.

Superman's face lit up as though he were startled by something.

"Uh-yes. I wanted to know where you were whenever the alarm was set off?" The other took on an authoritive tone as he interrogated the younger man.

"I was in the gym working out, but then the sound of the sirens hurt my ears and I guess that's when you saw me." Connor gestured towards the other, "Why did they go off any ways? Is everyone alright?" He hurridley attempted to change the subject at the disbelieving face he recieved from his answer.

". . .Yes, everything and everyone are fine. It just seems that Artemis and Kidflash got into an argument that lead to a quarrel and they almost burnt the kitchen down." The boy scout finished with a concerned face.

Superboy merely chuckled as he thought of what Wally did to tick Artemis off so badly. He'd have to ask Dick what it was later. He looked up to see the hero exiting the room.

"Hey, where are you going?" The dark haired boy questioned lifting off his bed to the leaguer.

"I was going to finish monitoring the perimeter and meet up with Batman so we could finish our discussion." Was the almost irritable response he gave the teen.

Connor looked down feeling somehow ashamed and discouraged, knocking his boots together, but immediately ceased the pathetic scene as he heard a grunt from above. He looked to the man straight on, almost threateningly, squaring his shoulders and mounting himself to the floor.

"Can I come with you?"

There was a long drawn out silence as the question hung in the air. Their identifiably alike features crossing as time passed outrageously slow.

"Well," Superman croaked out" I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of good ears."he smiled softly, undoubtedly uncertain"I mean, Batman's not very easy to find, even for me. Especially if he doesn't want to be found."he huffed the last part under his breath and they shared another breathless moment before heading off.

. . .

If they received any odd looks from the inhabitants of the mount, they went unnoticed, because their attentions were solely left for the caped crusader. As they walked around, the elder Super couldn't understand why the younger didn't just fly around with himself, they would have certainly gotten the inspection over with much quicker. But later then he didn't mind as much as they spoke almost effortlessly about themselves to one another.

Was it then that Superman had found that the boy didn't possess all of his capabilities due to his portion of human genome. In a way he felt a bit sorrowful to hear this. He couldn't place his finger on why, but he did nonetheless.

Eventually they did find Batman with an almost open jaw from amazement at the duo. Almost.

The leaguers didn't get anything settled though, and contrary to that, the situation became worse between the senior members. In the end, both parties parted ways in bitterness.

It had been weeks since Clark was able to physically, no less electronically be in contact with his best friend-turned man crush. And it was tearing the Kryptonian apart every time he called or was sent away by Alfred on Bruce's' behalf. Not even Dick or any of the members of the league were of any help, and it was all he could do to not literally break into Bruce's manor.

He had to find some way to be able to corner the man in an intimately, secluded area where they could-were he could- explain and perhaps fix everything back to the way it was. But he had absolutely no idea how to fix what was broken between them. He had no one to turn to for help or advice without raising red flags about the leader of the leagues sexual orientation.

That was another problem Superman had no idea how to address. Clark didn't want to come out to the league, because he was worried how everyone would react knowing their leader liked men in that way. He knew Bruce would never say anything about what he had done to him, because he still saw some form of dignity and respect for the Super. And how could that not make Mr. Kent's chest ache with regret and pain for abolishing the billionaires trust in such a disrespectful manner.

He knew before he advanced at all with anything he had to take a trip to the Kent farm. His refuge. Somewhere he could go and hide for awhile in the shelter of his mothers love.

When his feet landed on the dirt gravel driveway leading to that white chapel his home was, did he suddenly feel gravities force. He felt shaky with every step and ailing as if exposed to kryptonite. He wet his lips as he watched the wind comb through the endless rows of freshly plowed soil that surrounded his childhood home.

The front screen door opened with a white flash exiting its confines. There was a bark before he had the wind knocked out of himself, with slobbery wet kisses on his chin. A large smile creaked itself upon his face as he raked his hands through the soft white fur of Kryto. His head lolled to the side as he let the dog have his way with him. The screen door opened again to reveal Martha Kent, his aging mother that held a soft smile to her thin lips.

He almost fell onto her small frame and squeezed as tightly as he could inhaling the smell of pies off her clothes. His mouth watered a moment before he heard her sigh in relief at having him back home again safe and sound. They pulled back after a moment longer and she held his face between her wrinkling hands watching him with bright eyes and creasing cheeks that framed her mouth.

He had never noticed how old his mother was till that very moment. Clarks brow dipped in concern at the sudden revelation, rattling him from the daunting feeling that crept down his spine, as he watched his mother retreat back into the house followed by an almost floating kypto and slouching bespectacled man. He held the thin door open as his mother bent slowly; apron on, mittens under a steaming pie from the oven, a soft glow to her aged face. A sinking emotion weighed him down where he was from the frail figure in front of him.

"Clark, honey why dont you go and get settled upstairs while I finish things up in-" She paused as a large hand rested heavily against her forearm. She turned to see what her son wanted, but the words were stuck in her throat as she saw discomposer claim his youthful face. An almost shaking hand came to rest on his shoulder that practically scared him off by the simple gesture. "What is it, Clark?"

He knew this moment would have to have come one time or another. So with as much strength as he could muster, he faced his adoptive mother fully. The dark haired man attempted to look strong, laying assured hands on either of his mothers slim shoulders, looking into her eyes with as much passion his frightened body could muster at the moment.

"Ma, I-" he trailed off looking down a moment to inhale deeply,"Ma, there's something that you need to know about. Something I've been keeping secret from you."

At her questionable face, he guided her to the dining table sitting her down for what would be shell-shocking news to his aging seated himself in front of her and he began to nervously fiddle with the dinning sheet as he thought slightly thankful, that Pa wasn't there to hear this.

"Clark, what is it?" His mothers concerned voice rung in his ears and he ditched his seat to stand.

The man of steel scuffed both hands through his hair, pacing about the table. He looked upwards as his eyes began to sting and his face grew hot from the onslaught of emotions that were suddenly surfacing.

"Clark-"

"I'm in love, Ma." was his quick answer.

That left his mother suspiciously silent, he eyed her and cringed at what he saw.

Martha Kent had an almost eathreal glow about her face as her mouth hung open in a smile, with two crinkled eyes. Clearing her throat, she sat up straight and softly shook her head after a few pauses to reminisce.

"I knew that Lois would be the one for my son. Not to mention she is gorgeous! Clark I'm so happy for you!" She almost yelled holding her arms out for her boy.

Dumbstruck by the statement, her son froze in place eyeing his mother as if she had spoken Kryptonian. He shook his head and lightly pushed her arms down.

"No mom. She's not who I'm talking about. She is a great girl, but the person I love is in the league and-"

"Wonder Woman? But, I thought she was with Batman?" She held up a hand to scratch her head in slight confusion, seeing as her obvious choice was thrown out the window.

Clark sighed as he sat down in front of his mother, grabbing a hold of her hands with his for support and to show his absolute sincerity.

"No ma." He paused, "It's none of them. Well it's no woman in this universe." At her confused face he looked deep into her eyes and took a deep breath,"Ma, I'm gay. And . . . I'm in love with my best friend."

A shy smile took his lips at the release, but it dropped as he saw no reaction from his parent. His heart pounded in his ears as he witnessed his mothers face go blank and frowned when she pulled away from him. She casually got up and headed for the kitchen with a petrified Kryptonian trailing behind. Tears began to swell in Clark's eyes as he saw, no less felt his mothers dejected aura.

"So that's it? Of all the things that you're going to reject about me, it's this?! I thought I could confide in you, Ma! I thought you loved me for whoever I was! For whoever I would love! I-I-I don't know what else to say to you. It's like I don't even know who you are." He whispered the last bit, breaking down.

He looked up after a few painful sobs to see his mother glaring at him from down her nose, a small scowl set her face and he saw her shake her head frowning. She turned back around to resume washing the dishes as if he hadn't ever stepped foot in the house to begin with.

Clark heaved as a hand clenched his chest, bolting for the door, rushing outside running as fast as he could through the brush-nonstop. Eventually he circled the globe, in a desperate attempt to escape this nightmare that was driving him insane. First Bruce rejected him, and now his own mother! He didnt know where to go, who he could go to. So he kept running until his legs shook, his tears ran dry and days passed. He collapsed upon a warm sandy beach, afoot a random mountain. One look around told him exactly where he was.

happy harbour.

:'(