Just a note because I kept getting reviews on the subject.

As a reminder DCAU Kara is not blood related to Clark. She is his adopted cousin from a sister planet.

Catching Icarus

Chapter Twelve: Welcome Home

Having his shirt back felt like having a limb reattached. The familiarity of the symbol, a life preserver he was handed. Superman gave this to him.

Superman wanted him here. He wanted him to live with him.

It felt surreal like he was in a dream he desperately didn't want to wake from.

Clark told him that it would take him a few days to get everything read for him to live with him. Between work and the league, his hands were busy.

But for the first time since he arrived in this strange world. He felt okay.

Ma and Pa seemed to be practically beaming the next morning. So it seemed that they had listened into the two kryptonians conversation. Ma humming particularly loudly as they made breakfast.

He helped Pa with the chores until lunch time where a red headed woman around Clark's age was sitting in the chair, he normally sat in.

Ma waved him over. The strange woman sized him before beaming widely.

"This is our old neighbor Lana. Lana, this is Superboy."

She didn't blink at the name. So it was clear that she had long known Clark's identity.

"Nice to meet you, Superboy" she said gently. "I guess I'm like your honorary Aunt?"

"She's known about Clark since she was a teenager," Ma supplied helpfully to the confused teenager. "Though now she's a famous fashion designer now."

"Speaking of fashion, what colors do you like?"

The question surprised him. He had never really had a strong opinion on the subject. "Black, I guess?" It had been the furthest shade from his white solar suit. "Red too?" It was the color of the shield after all.

"Well I'm glad you didn't inherit Clark's love for plaid," she said with a sigh of relief. Grabbing him by the shoulders she sized him up. "You look about Clark's size when he was your age. That makes things simpler."

"Make what simpler?" He asked.

Lana quickly changed the subject to embarrassing stories of Clark in his youth.

Canary called him back to Hall for a training session. He hadn't seen any of the leaguers since the announcement he was stranded. Once he arrived, the whole building turned deathly silent, clearly having just been talking about him moments ago. Every hero in his line of sight shot him a look of sympathy which was much worse.

Making his way to the training room, Canary was there already with Shayera. In the room were dozens of training dolls.

The duo of women waved him over. Canary squeezing his arm and Shayera ruffling his hair.

"Hey, kid," Canary greeted.

"What's this?" He gestured to the mountains of dolls surrounding him.

"We heard you were down and thought some wanton violence would cheer you up," Shayera said.

She was right.

Smashing the dolls was very cathartic. Every single one he imagined was Felix Faust. After a certain point, Shayera offered to let him use her mace.

He had to apologize profusely for the damage he caused the foundation of the building when he was done.

After what felt like a eternity, Clark said his room was finally ready. And that he was ready to move in.

Instead of flying him over like he thought Clark would. Ma and Pa offered to drive him the four hour ride to Metropolis, Ma holding a prepared lasagna for them to eat while they arrive. He said he didn't want to inconvenience them but they had insisted and he couldn't take no for an answer.

Next thing he knew he was in the car as the duo sang old country songs along the road. Making note of several landmarks along the way. Superboy wished his phone had still worked. The object had gone missing a few days ago and he still couldn't find it. Ma and Pa promised to keep an eye out for it.

It's nightfall by the time they arrive to his apartment building. Clark owned the Penthouse on the top floor. Publicly had been a present from Superman who rebuilt it to one of his favorite reporters after a super villain attack. Which was why the rent was so affordable with a reporter's wages.

It had a private elevator that led directly into the apartment which allowed the trio to avoid any awkward questions of Clark Kent's sudden unnamed teenage copy

The doors opened and Superboy was rewarded with a loud yell.

"Surprise!"

Clark, Lana, Shayera, the adult Wally, among others stood all in plain clothes underneath a giant banner with the words, 'WELCOME HOME,' written on it.

The table behind them was lined with pizza and snacks, a large cake in the center.

"What is this?" he asked confused as Clark approached him.

"I thought your homecoming deserved a little more fanfare this time around," Clark said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Consider this a welcome to the universe party."

The other occupants cheered loudly in agreement. Superboy quickly turned pink from the attention and looked away.

Clark only chuckled.

"So you're the famous Superboy?" A teasing voice said.

The crowd parted to reveal this earth's Lois Lane. Her hair wasn't tied back in a pony tail like the one in his world always wore, and this one traded her traditional slacks for a white skirt and purple blazer."

"I'm Lois," she introduced, stretching out her hand. "Nice to finally meet you."

Superboy took it and shook it lightly. Compared to everyone else he has either met only in this world or knew them in both. But Lois had only existed in his implanted memories. Her existence inseparable from the identity of Superman.

Saving her was his first memory.

"Likewise," he echoed.

Superboy's only experience with cake was M'gann's failed attempts to recreate one. A dry, burnt confection. Nothing like the soft and fluffy slice that tasted like vanilla in front of him.

He relishes in the sweet, finishing off multiple slices when Superman brings out a table of presents into the room.

"Is this for me?" He asked tentatively. The mountain of boxes were far too many.

"Well, what kind of party would it be without presents?" Clark said.

Wally urged him on. "Go on and open it."

Superboy takes out the nearest box. The card said it was from Green Arrow and Black Canary. Inside was a flower pot with a assortment of seeds.

A bunch of leaguers gave him things like candy and gift cards as a welcome. A signed card from all of them stood beside their pile.

Diana gave him a book on Amazonian poetry while Wally a series of young adult books he has enjoyed as a kid. Shayera gave him a long blade which Clark quickly stored away safely. The thanagarian giving him a sheepish smile in response.

Lana had given him a full wardrobe in dark colors. So that in her own words, "It didn't look like a cow had dressed him."

Lois immediately jumped in after her like a man possessed with a game system and a series of games.

Batman who was noticeably absent had given him a charger to replace his old one. He had taken his phone to make a new one, Clark said. Superboy still found it uncomfortable to be around the dark knight. But he was deeply grateful for the present.

Ma gave him a blanket that she had knitted that was a a bright baby blue. And Pa, a thin silver watch that he said belonged to watch to his own grandfather.

"You're a Kent," Ma said. "Only proper we make it official."

Clark was last and his package was also the thinnest.

"I wracked my brain for days for this," Clark said as Superboy picked it up.

Superboy ripped it open to reveal a single paper. A large certificate with the large embossed words on it.

CONNER JOSEPH KENT.

It was a birth certificate.

"If you don't like the name. We can think of another," Clark quickly added.

"No," he said. "I love it."

End

I really really hated this chapter. As you can see from the length it took me to update.

But decided that it was best I bite the bullet and post this.