It had been almost a week, and there had been no trouble. It could have been because the name of Harry Evans was now Henry Kent. Maybe it was because he was over a thousand miles away from England. Or it could've been the fact that he did not go out often. There was a dream that seemed to follow him since his arrival at Metropolis though. The police found him, and he was taken away. That was not the worst of it either. He remembered his powers not working. Faded, as if he was a normal human. Every time he woke up from that dream, he would make sure it wasn't a reality. He would pick up his bed with one hand, or run around the house in a dazzling red flash.
That wasn't the only dream he had though. Once or twice, he dreamt that he still lived on the old streets of London. His life had changed, he thought. It really had. He did not need to steal food anymore. He didn't have to sleep with one eye open, just in case any druggies came out of the shadows with knives, not for him, but for Areo and everyone else. He did not need to get ready for the cops, or at least the need lessened. He did still occasionally look out for the window and kept an eye out for any cops that may have found out who he really was.
Then there was the man who was technically his father. He tried to stay in his room all day, but Clark pulled him out of his room. To talk. To eat. To ask about his Hobbies, favourite foods, or just to see how his day went.
On his third there they left Metropolis. Clark now as Superman, and him with his hood drawn on tightly. They entered an icy region, with snow laying heavily around them.
''You told me that you struggled to control your Heat Vision?'' Superman asked.
''I guess,'' Harry said
''And it's only heat vision and nothing else?'' Superman said.
''I'd say so.''
Superman finally dropped down from the air.
''That's good. When does it normally activate?''
''I don't know. When I'm angry or annoyed. If I'm in a good mood it doesn't usually work.''
''It was similar when I was your age,'' Superman admitted. ''But instead of Heat Vision, it was my super breath.''
''I don't even have that.''
''I didn't have Heat Vision until I was a teenager. I'm sure it will come in time.''
''How'd you get it to work when you wanted then?
Superman looked into the sky. ''I was able to fix it with some training. That's why we are here. Not being able to control your powers can be….''
''Dangerous.'' He cut him off. ''Yeah, I know, I'm the dangerous ex-criminal.''
''That wasn't what I was trying to say.''
''Yeah.'' He said. ''I know. I only use Heat Vision when I'm angry, and I'm only angry when the cops are after me. Or When someone back home tried to start something. Now that's not going to happen, my powers shouldn't go haywire.''
''That may be so. But I still think it would be best if you were able to control your powers.'' Superman said.
''Maybe. What do you do when you want to use Heat Vision.''
Superman looked off into the distance. ''I picture it, and then it usually comes out naturally.''
''Doubt that's going to work. But worth a try, I guess.''
He turned around and pictured it in his mind. just work. It didn't work. He tried again. Again, and then again.
''It's not working.'' He muttered.
''I'm sure it is different for everyone,'' Superman told him. ''You told me it works when you're angry? Do you remember what you felt just before it happened?''
''I don't know. I just feel annoyed. I said it's not really something I can control. I just can't do it, okay.'' He tried again. ''It's just not working!''
Superman came up behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder ''We have all the time in the world.'' Superman said softly. ''Getting Frustrated won't solve anything. You will learn it. It will just take time.''
''I know.'' He took a breath. He took another breath. He narrowed his eyes, but all that did was activate his supervision. He narrowed his eyes again, and this time a Scarlet Beam shot through the air.
''Oh, I did it!'' He said. ''Wait, wait. How do I stop it.''
''Close your eyes, and wait until that stinging sensation fades.''
He closed his eyes for a few more seconds, and when he opened them a mountain had been sliced into two.
''You don't have to worry about that,'' Superman said. ''It happens, and there is no one in at least 100 miles.'' He smiled down at him. ''I knew you could do it.''
He felt his lips curve before he forced his expression into one of indifference. ''I know. It was actually easier than I thought it'd be.'' He faced away and tried again. It did not work. ''Or maybe it's not. It's not working.''
''I didn't expect you to master it immediately. We have all the time in the world.''
''You're really letting me stay home alone?'' He asked.
''I would have liked to stay home longer, but if I take another day off I don't think my boss would be happy.'' Clark straightened his tie. ''You are fine with that, aren't you?''
''Oh, I'm fine with that. I was homeless for two years, remember? I just thought you'd be keeping an eye on me 24/7, just in case I did something.''
''Are you planning to do something?''
''Well, no.''
''Then I have nothing to worry about,'' Clark said. ''I was going to tell you this tonight, but I might as well tell you now.''
''What?''
''This weekend you will be meeting my parents.''
''What?'' He whispered coolly. ''Why?''
''Why?'' Clark said. ''They are your grandparents. I think that's more enough of a reason for you to meet them.''
''Okay, but do they know about me?''
''They do. I told them over the phone last night.''
''No, no. I mean did you tell them everything.''
Clark looked at him from the corner of his eyes.
''Thought so.'' He said, dropping his hands into his pockets. ''I'm not going.''
Clark sighed. ''Is there a reason why you don't want to go.''
''I just don't want to go.''
''My parents were really looking forward to meeting you, Harry. They won't judge you. I'll ask you again tonight, please at least think about going.''
''Mhm. Sure.''
Clark pulled the door open, picking his glasses up from the stand. ''Well, I'll see you tonight.''
For the next couple of hours hour, he lay on his bed and stared into space. Eventually, he started to hear some barking. He ignored it at first, but after it didn't stop, he got up to see what it was. The dogs were by the doormat, clawing against the door.
''What's up?''
Areo barked at the door.
''Is somebody there.'' Harry went over to the glass door. He saw no one. Abbie clawed at the door.
''What, you guys want to go out?''
All four of them barked at the same time.
''I don't even know if I can leave… alright fine. Just stay close.''
Before they left, he put on a baseball cap and a coat, drawing the hood over his hat. They crossed across the street, and he had to move out of the way before three masked men could bulldoze him.
''Hey, stop right there!''
Police Men stormed past them, chasing after the masked man with their pistols out. He stayed still and stared at them. He thought, I'm not Superman.
Harry made sure the dogs stayed close to him, but they still got lost in the crowds. Even the quieter places of Metropolis were still busier than most places he'd been to.
Eventually, they passed by a store, where Alice stopped by the window.
''You coming?''
Alice stayed still, staring at a pack of tennis balls.
''I'm guessing you want that?'' He said. ''Sorry, but I don't have any money on me.''
Alice barked.
''And if I caught stealing something, well.''
Alice barked again.'
''Okay.'' He sighed. ''Fine. Come on.''
He walked away. Alice and everyone else didn't follow.
''I said I'd get it. Just come with me.''
He walked into the alleyway, and this time they followed.
''Stay here for a minute, okay? I'll be right back.''
In the period of a split second, he ran into the shop and raced back into the alleyway. Alice jumped at him.
''Not now. I'll give you it later.''
Alice jumped at him again.
''I said later.''
They walked out of the alleyway, and he let himself be sucked up by the crowd. He walked over the stone bridge and could hear water bubbling up on both sides. He entered a park. Ducked under a slide, and sat on a bench.
As he was opening up the pack, he noticed a pair of teenagers. They were sitting by a bench, with cracked bottles of alcohol under them, taking deep drags from their cigarettes. He stared at them. They stared back.
He ripped the pack apart, and let the tennis balls sink into the floor. Abbie, Ace, Areo and Alice picked them up with their teeth and started to roll across the grass.
As he was watching them, he suddenly heard a crack from beside him. He whipped his head around and saw a fractured bottle next to them. He looked at the other bench and saw one of the teenagers, a ginger girl with lip piercings staring at him. ''What?'' She drawled.
Aero dropped his ball to the floor and barked.
''Bark, Bark, Bark!'' One of the other teenagers yelled. ''Retarded dog.''
Aero barked again.
He got up from his chair and crouched down beside Aero, lightly petting him.
''Calm down.'' He said softly before his voice turned cold. ''What did you just call Areo?''
The teenager got up. ''I called him a retard. Are you deaf?''
He petted Aero one last time before he stood upright. ''Say that again.''
The girl from before got up from the bench and laughed. ''Are you really trying to get into a fight? What are you, 12?''
He took a step away from his bench. ''I said say it again.''
The rest of the teenagers got up, and a new voice said, ''He's really trying to fight us right now!'' He laughed. ''I can't.''
A cigarette pierced through the air. It was heading towards Ace, before he grabbed a hold of it with two fingers, and tore it apart.
''Stay back,'' Harry said coldly. He pulled his hood down and hurled his hat to the floor, the visor digging itself into the dirt.
If Superman finds out, you're in trouble. A foreign voice said, but he ignored it as he came stomping towards the other teenagers. Then they shouldn't have started it.
The tallest of them came towards him first. He was probably six feet, and fifteen stone. The Teenager said. ''Fuck off you little faggot.''
Harry stared up into the dark, black eyes of the older boy.
He swung his fist back, and Harry let him strike him in the face. He took it head-on and did not move an inch.
Harry took fistfuls of his shirt. Picked him high into the air and flipped him to the floor. The ground splintered slightly''Say sorry.'' He placed his foot just above the teenager's face. ''And I might not break your fat, ugly face.''
''Hey, let him go!'' One of his friends called.
''Beg me.''
Harry watched as the boy turned pale. Serves him right.
''I meant what I said. If you say sorry to me. To Abbie and Ace and Areo and Alice, I won't break your face.''
Before anything else could happen, a voice from high above them said. ''Hey, cut that out.''
He looked into the sky and saw a figure he had only seen on TV. She wore a costume that looked strikingly similar to Superman.
''They started it.'' He said, still not putting his foot down.
Supergirl dropped to the ground and said. ''If you don't put your foot down, I'll put it down for you.''
He scowled at Supergirl. ''Do it then.''
Supergirl matched his scowl and took a hold of his wrist.
''Let me go.'' He demanded, ripping his arm free.
''You aren't normal, are you?'' Supergirl asked with her hands on her hips. ''You kids, go!''
One of the teenagers pulled their friend to their feet and hurried away. ''Yes, Miss Supergirl.''
He went over to his bench, and Supergirl said. ''Hey, I'm not done with you yet.''
He pulled his hood up. ''What?''
''You know you shouldn't be using your on normal people?'' Supergirl said coolly.
''I didn't,'' Harry said boredly. ''If I did they would have actually been hurt.'' He looked down at the dogs. ''Come on, let's go.''
''I'm not done with you yet.''
He sighed. ''What else do you want.''
Supergirl appeared in front of you. ''You're a cocky little kid, aren't you?''
''Don't call me a little kid.'' He said hotly. ''Do you know Superman?''
Supergirl raised a golden eyebrow. ''And why are you asking?''
''Just curious.'' He said. ''Do you know him, or are you just a fan who stole his name.''
Supergirl took in a deep exhale.
''I swear I wasn't this bad when I was this age. Shouldn't you be in a school?''
''Don't go to school.'' He said ''Not that it's really any of your business.''
Supergirl pressed her lips together. ''Just don't use your powers against normal people again, okay?''
Harry ignored her. He draw his hood up. ''Come on, guys. Let's go.''
''I'll be watching you!'' Supergirl called. She shook her head, before diving off into the sky. ''You're lucky I have more important things than dealing with arrogant, super-powered brats!''
Her name is Supergirl, he thought. Of course, she's related to him somehow. He looked down at the dogs and said. ''I think I'm screwed, guys.''
After cooling down, Harry moved to another bench and watched them play in peace.
''Doggy! Doggy! Doggy!'' A toddler squealed. He ran over to them, and wrapped Areo in a tight hug.
''Tommy.'' A plump woman called while watching Harry wearily. ''Come back here.''
''But Doggy!''
''I don't mind,'' Harry said, as the Toddler moved over to Abbie. ''It's not like he's trying to hurt them.''
The woman continued to watch him wearily. ''Well….''
''How do you have so many doggies?'' The Toddler asked.
''Tommy.''
''Well,'' Harry said, leaning into the bench. ''I guess I just found them.''
''I want to find doggies to keep. Cats too. And Snakes. And elephants.
Harry smiled under his hood. ''I know I wanted a dog too when I was younger. I'm sure you'll get one eventually.''
''Don't know.'' The Toddler made a face. ''Mommy said I can't get any doggies.''
''That sucks.'' Harry glanced at the woman. ''My aunt was kind of like that too.''
The toddler looked up at him. ''Aunt was?''
''Yeah, she was a real….'' Harry stopped for a moment. ''Let's just say she was pretty annoying.''
''Then how do you get doggies.''
''I.'' Harry stopped, upon remembering he was talking to a toddler. ''You probably shouldn't do what I did.'' He scratched his cheek. ''You'd probably get in trouble, and getting in trouble is bad.''
The toddler patted Ace. ''But I want doggies.''
Harry was lost for words for a moment. ''You've still got mine to play with right now, right? And if you want one, I'm sure you'll get one eventually. I did.''
It wasn't until much later, and after much convincing from his mother, did Tommy finally leave.
''Thank you.'' Tommies mother said. ''I know he appreciated that.''
''Yeah,'' Harry said stiffly. ''You're welcome, I guess.''
Harry watched mother and son leave, hand in hand before he finally looked down at them.
''Don't look at me like that,'' Harry said. ''Come on. We should get back before da- Clark does.''
On his way home, Harry saw the teenagers from earlier. They stared at him. He stared back. They bolted across the road, walking in the opposite direction from him, and he smirked.
As Harry stepped into the front yard, he almost immediately noticed Clark's car was already there. Sighing, he went inside and tried to go up the stairs.
''There you are,'' Clark said. ''Where have you been?''
''Out.'' Harry watched the man. ''Or aren't I even allowed to do that now?''
''When I said you weren't on house arrest, I mean that. Although next time do tell me beforehand.''
''Mhm.''
Clark regarded him seriously. ''Nothing happened?''
He rolled his eyes. ''Don't worry. I didn't attack any cops.''
''That wasn't what I was talking about.'' Clark crossed his arms. ''While I do love Metropolis, I do know it has its dangerous points.''
''Have you forgotten where I lived?'' Harry asked. ''Plus, normal people can't hurt me. I don't even know if a bomb would.''
''I know. There are places where it is even dangerous for people with superpowers to go to.''
''Right. This is Metropolis.''
''Are you hungry?'' Clark asked. ''I got something for us on the way home.''
''Sure.''
After that, Harry followed Clark down the stairs, over to the dining table.
''Where did you go?'' Clark asked.
''To the park,'' Harry said, after taking a bite of his carrot. ''They seemed pretty bored.''
''Are you bored?''
Harry picked up his glass of water. ''I don't know.''
Clark nodded slowly. ''When was the last time you went to school?''
Harry slammed the glass down onto the table. ''Are you actually serious right now? I'm not going to school. Ever.''
''That wasn't what I was trying to say. But.''
''But what?'' He growled. ''I don't need to go to school and I won't.''
''Is there a reason you don't want to go to school?'' Clark asked lightly.
''Because I don't need to.'' He pushed the plate away. ''Let's say you do force me to go, not that I would ever actually go, but let's say I do go. What do you think going to happen? I'd get kicked out of the first day.''
''I am not forcing you to go anywhere,'' Clark said. ''That was never my intention, Harry. I understand that things have only just started to come back to normal in the last week. Things can and will stay as they are for now, but have you ever thought what you want to do in your future.''
He gave Clark no answer
Clark studied him. ''You didn't have a good time at school before, did you?''
Harry pulled his plate back, and yet again did not respond.
''Have you thought any more about what I told you this morning?''
Harry frowned. ''I'm not going.''
''I had hoped you would change your mind,'' Clark said. ''When I tell my mom that you aren't coming, she might come down here and drag you down yourself.''
''I'm not coming,'' Harry said. ''Why are you trying to get me to go so badly?''
''Because they're your grandparents. Family is important.''
''No, they're really not.'' Harry said coldly.
''I don't know what your aunt and uncle were like,'' Clark said softly. ''But I can promise you my parents aren't anything like them. They are some of the kindest, most loving people I know. They will love you.''
''Mhm.''
''I can't force you,'' Clark said. ''But at least think about it some more.''
Harry didn't say he would, but neither did he say he wouldn't.