Robin was almost disappointed with how easy it was to slip out of the manor unnoticed. Just a few months ago this never would have been possible, Bruce didn't trust him enough to go out alone and potentially end up in danger. But lately he had been distracted, locked in his study and wandering the halls with bags under his eyes. He had refused to talk about what was bothering him, and after a few attempts the Boy Wonder had just given up, annoyed that the older hero still wouldn't trust him with his personal problems. Whatever it was he didn't care.
A different raven haired hero had been haunting his mind anyways. Every time he stretched his sore muscles, or counted the small, fading bruises in the mirror before a shower. Superman. It was hard to think of him as Clark Kent. To Robin, Clark was a stranger, silly in a way. Who would believe that a man as powerful and great as Superman could ever be like that in private. It was just an act, Superman, the hero, the near god like being, that was the reality. he always seemed so perfect, costume neat, hair combed.
But he had seen the mask crack, just a bit. Seen it slide away as the Kryptonian's eyes had gone glassy. Just thinking about it made his heart race. He shook his head and passed into the Zeta-tube in the lair. Superman would be at the base soon.
As he walked in, he noticed something strange about the base. It was clean, something rare enough to be noticed with a handful of teens living mostly alone. Conner was in the kitchen, lifting the table with one hand and mopping with the other.
"Spring Cleaning?" Robin flopped on to the couch, one eyebrow raised over the dark rims of his sunglasses.
Conner blushed. "Bru-Batman. He, uh, said I should try and get used to normal stuff. I never cleaned at Cadmus. Miss Martian explained it to me. Did I do ok?" The hopeful look on his face was enough to banish Robin's momentary annoyance at the mention of his surrogate parent. It wasn't Conner's fault Bruce was so distracted lately. It was likely a work problem.
Before he could answer Superman strode into the room, looking even more like an all American figure in blue jeans and a plain white shirt. He gave Conner a long, sideways glance.
Robin watched the two of them closely. It was strange seeing them like this, side by side. Conner looked a lot like Superman, but he wasn't a perfect copy, there were slight changes. His face seemed softer, his jaw less rigidly set. But the look the older alien wore was one Robin hadn't seen before. His eyes looked cold and hard. It sent a slight chill up Robin's spine. But just as quickly, the look was gone and Superman's face broke out in the warm, familiar grin.
"Hey boys. How are you doing Conner? I just came to pick up Robin here for a training session. You ready to go?" He turned smoothly to the smaller boy before the clone could respond.
"Yeah, let's go!" All thought of Conner and Bruce melted away in the warm glow of Superman's gaze. "Bye Conner!" he waved and dashed out the door, Superman giving Conner a half hearted nod as he followed behind.