Chapter Text
Kon stood outside of the new apartment building. Although, new wasn’t really the word that he would use to describe the building. It was anything but new. Old blackened brick, metal guard rails at the windows (the same kind that would have plants hanging from them if this was anywhere else), concrete detailing climbing the sides and roof. Hell he saw old gargoyles on the buildings nearby.
The sidewalks were cracked, roots from the nearby tree well breaking the concrete. The tree was decently strong, a bit bare with its leaves covering the floor for the up and coming fall, definitely adding to the city’s gloomy vibe. Some weeds in the cracks added to the greenery, which wasn’t lacking in any aspect, but not much else.
It was leagues different from Metropolis. It was crazy the differences the cities held when they were only a short distance apart. For him the distance barely mattered, it was a quick trip (if he was allowed to take the trip). It was monumentally different from Smallville. With the endless fields, the sun beating down, seeming bright even when the clouds were out. The endless miles of farmland may not present much in scenery, and the old architecture of Gotham, albeit partially corroded, was beautiful. It was unique when compared to the sleek glass buildings of Metropolis, and the cushy feeling that the farm gave.
The atmosphere still unsettled him, it made him feel cold, like a light chill climbing up his back. He chose to blame it on the lack of natural light, something he was so used to and practically lived off of, covered so easily. Barely penetrating through the smog that has the city covered.
The inside of the new temporary residents was decent, to say the least. There was a kitchenette, which consisted of a pantry, fridge, a counter with a stove oven combo against the wall. There was another counter parallel to those that looked into the main room, some bar stools sitting at it. The small kitchen was perfect for them, it wasn’t like Clark or him were cooks or anything close.
The main room had a couch pressed against one of the walls. A tall floor lamp next to a window with its curtains drawn. He would bet even if it was open there wouldn’t be any added light, the lamp was definitely going to be put to use. Okay, he was being a little pessimistic about this move. A small coffee table in front of the couch, currently holding the moving boxes.
There was a small hall occupied with four doors. A linen closet that had a stacked washer dryer set, and a few too tall shelves for a normal person to reach. There was a bathroom and the final two doors were bedrooms. He passed Clark’s, opening the door for him. It creaked as he pushed it open, revealing a small square room. An empty bed frame sat in the middle of one of the walls– he was going to be moving it later. A desk on the side and a display shelf next to it.
Well, this was going to be his life for the next few months. Awesome. He let out a deep breath, jumping slightly as it came out as frigid white air. Shit. Going great. The room temperature dropped, and his frown grew. Just a few months, and this would be over.
Then he could move back to the endless fields, his small town school. Fly back to Metropolis after he finished his homework and farm chores. Float in the clouds, feeling the gentle breeze, the warm sun, looking down on the bright reflections on the glass towers. Back to dodging weekend plans so he could hang around the tower.
Watching Bart run around, excitedly updating him on whatever he had done during the week. Pestering Robin as he was nose deep in a report while sitting on the couch, making snarky comebacks. Cassie sitting down with them playing an old movie for background noise, pointing out stupid inaccuracies, Bart pausing his stories to join in with her.
He couldn’t wait to make it back there. To the return of normalcy. He grimaced to himself thinking of all the stupid and honestly unbelievable excuses he’s been using for the past two months for not making it on the weekends. He doubted anyone believed them either.
He left, heading back to the main room. Clark was walking in with the final box in tow, placing it on the counter.
“All righty, that’s everything.” He wiped his hands of whatever imaginary dust was there. Turning back towards Kon. “You get a look around, see your room?”
“Yeah, it was, it’s…” He gave a vague motion with hands, conveying its decency as, well, a room. “You sure I couldn’t just stay with you guys in Metropolis if I couldn’t be on the farm and just come here when needed.”
“It’s not that bad kiddo, you’re only here for a little bit.” Kon rolled his eyes at the ‘kiddo’ comment, he just assumed it was a part of Clark’s internal dictionary from growing up with Pa. “We will run the tests, get results, figure everything out. You’ll be back in no time.”
Kon gave a non-committal grunt in response. He knew Clark was trying to help. Which was a concept the two of them were still developing. It had been a few years, but they were still adapting to their acceptance of each other. He was definitely a thousands times more comfortable around Kon now then they had been when they first met. They had managed a weird, somewhat off family dynamic. Clark would watch over him to make sure he was safe, but he wouldn’t heavily parent Kon like he would with Jon. Kon accepted that, and he wasn’t really looking to be parented either, he was fine with the mentor who would invite him to family dinners thing they had going for them.
He was also well aware of the fact that Clark had brought him here for his own wellbeing. It was probably safer for him to stay under some form of supervision, and Clark was bringing him to the person he trusted most to figure this ‘thing’ out. Batman. Which terrified Kon. He was going to have some weird bat-tests run on him. The strings pulled for Clark to get an assignment from The Planet in Gotham definitely wasn’t easy either.
“Need help with boxes?” It was a stupid question, there was no way Clark need help with superstrength, but it was the thought that counted.
“You can take your stuff to your room. That will clear up some space.”
“On it.” He gave a joking salute, grabbing two of the boxes that had his name written in rough sharpie across the side.
“Be careful, don’t crush anything.” Clark’s voice rang out.
“No worries, it’s not that bad.” At least he didn’t think it was that bad. Although those cracked walls in the Smallville barn would beg to differ. That was different though, he didn’t even know what was happening. Well he still didn’t, he just knew to be careful now. The only other incident with strength recently was breaking the handle off one of the mugs. Which sucked, he really liked that mug. Ma said she would fix it for him, then teased him about having a favorite mug.
He placed the boxes on his desk. All in one piece, no crushed sides. Taking another look around the bare room. He should probably unpack his stuff, mainly his clothes, maybe pull out the mattress and get it on the bed frame. He starred that task in his mind, he wanted that out so he could lay down.
Mattresses, as it turned out, sucked to get out of boxes. Not to mention once it was out and placed on the bed you had to wait for it to unwrinkle and actually start mattressing. So his plans of laying on the bed were postponed temporarily.
Instead of lazing around he moved his clothes from their boxes into the wardrobe. Which was an easy task since Ma had watched him pack everything and made sure he actually organized and folded everything. Rather than him just throwing everything into the box.
He also moved the bed away from the middle of the wall and into a comfortable corner. Moving his valuables, then pulling out everything else from the boxes and finding places or general areas for them to occupy. It wasn’t much, he had left most of his stuff back in Smallville, and his other stuff in the tower, which was basically a second home. He knew better than to make temporary residents like a home, but he wasn’t going to be stuck living in a lifeless room.
The last thing he pulled out was a picture frame with two splits for photos. The first was a photo Cassie had taken for Cisse. She was holding the phone for a selfie smiling brightly. Bart peeking out behind her, big hair partly flying around and blurred. Kon had an arm wrapped around Robin’s shoulder pulling him into frame. The other was wearing those sunglasses he used when they went out civvies because he still couldn’t reveal his identity. He looked partially annoyed but still had a smile on his lips.
The second photo slot was from when all five of them went to the Olympics. Cissie was holding her newly won metal up as the rest of them surrounded her. Bart had been the one to snap the photo this time. Well more that he set the phone against something, clicked to take it, then quickly ran over to join them. They were all huddled around Cissie in a semi hug.
They were the only photos he had of all of them he could keep outside of the tower. He had one in his room at the tower from their space baseball adventures taken by Bart at an unknown time. Seriously no one knew how and when he took it. He was glad he had a photo he could display in his normal room of them all though.
When the mattress had puffed into shape, at least an acceptable level for him, he threw sheets on it. Pilling pillows and blankets onto it, then falling on top of them. Resting his eyes for a little.
▱▱▱
Kon hated needles. He hated what came with them, the sterile labs, the fluorescent lights, the monitors beeping in the corner of the room, test results on screens in front of him, scientists talking about him like he wasn’t there wasn’t being poked and prodded, the nausea that came with his ‘special needled’ because normal ones would snap.
The cave was different from CADMUS Labs. Only two people were talking, still about him, but they weren’t ignoring his presence, treating him like an item in experiments. He was explained to what the showcases on the screen ment, not that there was much showing up right now. The room was still sterile, but it didn’t feel like the lab. He wasn’t stuck staring at stark white walls, unimaginably bare, reflecting the light.
He sat at the edge of the medical bed, feet swinging slightly from the edge. His eyes focused on the scruffs of his boots, and the pooling fabric of his jeans. He was half listening to the conversation Clark was having with Batman.
It was weird being in the cave for the first time. Especially when he was in his normal civilian clothes. In a way he felt undressed for this occasion. Hell even the boyscout looked better dressed than him for this, and he was in his reporter’s suit. He doubted suits were the wear for a dark, high tech cave, owned by the man in bat shaped body armor, but a collared shirt beat his old band tee he had chopped the sleeves from. He felt bare.
“...run the results.”
“And how long should that take.”
“A week.” Kon perked up a little at that. “A month.” and deflated again. “The root of the problem is unknown.”
Clark let out a sigh, “So you need to find the root first before even trying to solve the problem.”
The dark cladded man gave a curt nod in response. “Start with a simple blood test.”
Kon went back to picking at the hem of his shirt as the two walked off. His mind distantly wandered off with them. Clark and Batman seemed decently friendly, considering how much Clark trusted him, both with Kon’s issue, and his comfortability to be in full reporter gear as simple Clark Kent instead of Kal-El, Superman. He wondered if Clark knew who the other was, or was he just like the bat 24/7.
They had a wordless cooperation, one built off of the years of fighting together in life threatening situations. Batman had a no metas rule in Gotham, yet when Kon was having issues, he was the first person Clark turned to. The no meta city opened its arms to them in the terms of protecting everything else from Kon. Batman trusted Clark enough to bring the situation to him, and his supervision, while Clark trusted the other to be able to break the case.
Kon remembered Clark saying once that if there was one person who would make sure that they and everything that surrounded them was safe it would be the Bat. The same man who knew multiple ways to take them down, plans drawn to stop them at any cost, was the same one who would make sure they were safe. Kon knew there were layers to whatever dynamic they had, for now he chose to interpret it as the man making sure they would never become threats. For his case specifically at least, solve the problem in its unknown stages before it gets out of control.
What would out of control look like? Damage, but could he lead to something so horrible. It was a thought he didn’t want to pursue. He liked to think that despite his lack of control currently, he was still managing a cover on everything. There was some part of his brain banging, afraid that nothing was wrong, and this was just him. He was just losing his grasp on everything, losing his ability to monitor his power. He was becoming destructive. What if the emergency insurance were necessary for him?
Not being able to control anything felt worse than that time he lost all his powers. Feeling stripped down, weak, out of his comfort. It was a sickening experience, losing something he had been made with, made for. Kon had always been trying to get over the mental hurdle of being created for a singular purpose, and he had done well defining himself outside of it. Losing everything back then had made him feel like he had lost everything, dragging him back into the trap that was his creation.
He had gotten better, both mentally and physically. Despite how disoriented he had felt at the time it had helped him work through the final mental blocks he had tying him down to that mindset.
He wasn’t losing his powers this time, but what if it was worse. He wasn’t experiencing the same stripped, raw, empty feeling. He felt normal, and that scared him. Knowing something could just bust in his hand without him feeling any different was intimidating and he was afraid of what that could mean for him in the future.
“Stay back there.”
The deep voice made Kon jump slightly in his seat, pulling him away from his thoughts. Batman continued soundlessly walking over to him, Clark keeping a healthy distance of ten feet from them. He leaned over to get a better look at Clark, who in turn gave him a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. Weird. His eyes landed back on a small box in the gloved hands of the dark knight. Right, blood test, and, oh , that was why Clark was standing back there.
He looked up at the dark cowl, a flat expression that was impossible to read. Kon gave a sheepish nod, just in case the other was waiting for some kind of indication that he was ready to be poked, and also as a way to reassure himself.
The box opened, low green light emitting from it. He took a deep breath, trying to steel his nerves. A sickly feeling starting to grow, his movements and breathing feeling sluggish. His eyes tracked the green needle attaching the syringe. Slowly being brought to his arm, inserting smoothly into his veins. It stung, he felt as it plunged deeper into his vein, watching the blood drawing into the clear plastic. Swallowing the saliva that filled his mouth.
The light disappeared, the needle and blood sample encased in the box again. His arm was left with a burning feeling, pricking at his skin. His movements were still heavy in the after effect. He let out a breath of relief, trying to get his oxygen intake back to a normal level. A large hand covered part of his back, patting awkwardly but reassuringly. He looked up to see Clark giving him a small smile, switching from awkward patting to a gentle circling rub. He had definitely learned that from Ma.
“You’ve been able to keep everything stable?” The voice came over from the computer, where his blood results were currently being uploaded.
Clark gave him a look telling him to answer. “Uh, yeah mainly. Just had to pay more attention, try not to use any of those good ol’ kryptonian quirks.” He said it like he was trying to make a lighthearted joke, but you can’t blame him, he resorted to humor when he was stressed. Batman was a stressful person to talk to. “I mean there’s been some instances when I slip up but nothing major. Broken mug handle, colder room.”
A small grunt just came from the Bat, continuing to type away. Did he say too much, too little, it was super hard to tell.
After a few minutes of silence the man spoke again. “I hope you're still planning on giving him an education at this time, Clark.”
“I was hoping to send him here, got his transcripts transferred for the semester. We pulled him out of Smallville High after he accidently hit the wall in the barn. That was when I first contacted you. Wanted him to get better control temporarily.”
A gravelly noise response. Was he approving? Kon looked over to Clark who had a much better read on the grunts. He looked assured. Guess it was approval. He was safe enough to be around others.
“Come on kiddo, let go.” Clark patted his shoulder as he jumped off the bed.
“I’m not a kid.”
▱▱▱
Kon took himself out for ice cream. The streets were somewhat busy, people walking by going to and from. It was still cloudy out, the type of clouds that would cover the farm for a few days before a rainfall. Except here there was no weather report for rain, just endless clouds. It really wasn’t ice cream weather, but Kon didn’t really care.
He used to like going to that old ice cream stand by one of the parks in Metropolis. There were outside benches and swing sets to sit at. Or his personal favorite when he wanted to sit, the fire escape of one of the nearby buildings. Some days he would just float above the park, eating his ice cream as he listened to the cheerful chatter of the park goers. There was a small unshatterable bubble of joy that seemed to surround the area. There were days he would just go to pick up his own mood.
Now he was walking out of a Gotham ice cream parlor, the door’s bell ringing as it closed behind him. There were some seats inside the shop, but most were occupied. He couldn’t float above the streets enjoying a passing breeze like he used to. Superboy wasn’t in Gotham, plus he didn’t even know if he could trust flying around at the moment.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, looking to see if Bart had sent any more updates on the game he was playing. He hadn’t played the game himself, and probably wouldn’t have the chance, so he was living vicariously through Bart’s updates. So far there were none, so he switched to Ma’s contact, sending a quick message with one hand to see how they were holding up. (He knew they were fine, but he missed the farm. Slightly.)
He looked up from his screen for a moment, seeing a kid (they were probably the same age as him) on a skateboard weaving through pedestrians. He swerved out of the way of an old man who started grumbling, then was coming full speed at Kon. He got a good look at the kid’s face of realization seeing the very little distance and time between them. Bright eyes widening, eyebrows knitting together like they were calculating a way around (there was something else behind them too), dark hair tossing around in his face, mouth dropped slightly open. For a moment he thought he knew them, but he didn’t, couldn’t even think of someone with those eyes.
Kon quickly sidestepped the boy, not looking to be run into by someone today. It would definitely hurt them more than him. Nor did he want to lose the ice cream he bought. The kid turned back at his mouth, slightly parted like he was going to say something, then just turned back. Kon continued his way back to the apartment.
He fiddled with the keys in his hands for a moment, trying to unlock the apartment door. Pushing it open and announcing his entrance with an ‘I’m back’ to wherever Clark was inside. Throwing his keys onto the counter and glancing up. Clark was in the middle of the main room tugging on one of his shoes, glasses slightly crooked, and suit jacket hanging on his arm.
“Work?” Kon probed, leaning against the counter watching the man fumble around. It was hilarious watching the display.
“Uh-huh, where’s my…” He blurred out of the room, then back in with his briefcase in hand, “I’ll be back later tonight.”
The door shut behind him, then opened again. “Don’t forget to go to sleep. You have school tomorrow.” Clark stuck in last minute before closing the door for the final time.
“Yeah, wasn’t gonna forget.” Kon muttered to himself. He threw away the empty cup in his hands, and made his way to his room. Flicking the light on and sitting on his bed, pulling over the laptop he left on the end of the bed.
Across his room on the desk, a school uniform was laid out. New school, same routine. Go there, pass, go home, no patrol, no flying around, no helping Ma and Pa with chores. This was going to be a long few months.
“Yo, Tim, do you know what questions we had for math?” Marcus walked up behind him, followed by Noah. The two were a sociable duo that Tim shared a few of his classes or teachers with. They would make small talk, and occasionally Tim would have them snag a paper from a class they took earlier in the day for him. It made his homework load slightly lighter.
“All of the even ones, plus eleven and seventeen.” Tim responded, still looking at the solitaire game on his phone.
“I told you,” Noah started, “But noooo, ‘I never know anything about the homework’” He put air quotes around his final words.
“Look, it’s not my fault you’re normally wrong. I was taking precautions.” Marcus turned back to Tim. “Thanks dude.”
“Mhm.”
Noah and Marcus continued their bickering as they turned down towards the quad. Tim deviated from them to go towards the main building. There was still a good amount of time before the first bell. The cafeteria was currently given out their grab and go breakfast, which was usually just some apple slices, and the choice between bitter orange juice, super sweet apple juice, or the standard chocolate or plain milk. He wasn’t a fan of the school's breakfast, or their food in general, but he was willing to snag a pack of apple slices and the orange juice.
Opening the cheap cardboard carton, and simultaneously trying to shove the apple slices into his bag without needing to stop walking. After successfully getting his bag’s zipper closed he took a victorious sip of his juice. His nose scrunching up with immediate regret. The juice was like three times more bitter than usual, and its usual wasn’t even good.
“Ugh” He had a lingering taste on his tongue. Turning down the corner of the hall, dodging out of the way of a kid with a paper in hand running from someone else. He brought the carton up to his mouth again, and nope, ew, gross, not even slightly better, Why did I take another sip? Horrible decision. As soon as a trash can came into view he dumped the carton into it.
He made his way to his class, the door wide open, a student walking out with their friend debating what they wanted from the cafeteria. Not the orange juice, Tim internally commented, he was going to be petty about this for the rest of the day.
He dropped his bag on the floor sliding into his seat. Searching through his bag for a piece of gum to clear his taste buds with. Mint, he thought about it for a second, mint and orange weren’t the most popular mix of flavors. He shrugged putting the gum in his mouth, definitely not the most popular. He honestly couldn’t tell if it was better or worse. He went back to his phone, continuing the game of solitaire, half eavesdropping on the surrounding conversations for entertainment.
Someone trying to get their notes off of another. A kid scrambling to finish their math homework before the bell just like Marcus. He heard the name of a comic mentioned, that he knew Bart was reading.
The first bell rang, noise from the hallway rising as people started making their way to their class now. A student who was perched on top of one of the desks was nudged by their friend who was kicking them out of the class. Seats slowly filling.
“Uhh, excuse me.” it was a lower voice, sounding a bit awkward, out of place. The voice was newer, not one of his classmates he’s been hearing for the past few months.
Next to his desk one of the girls, Stacy, hit her friend on the shoulder. Pointing towards the teacher’s desk. “New Kid!”
Her friend gave a response, sounding less enthusiastic about this. “I got eyes ya know.”
Tim looked up to the front of the room. The teacher was talking to the kid, probably giving one of her long explanations. Wider shoulders in one of the school blazers that looked a bit big for him. A bag slung over one of their shoulders. He saw the back of a black undercut, dark curly hair forming on top. He started at the back of the head, something feeling off, familiar, he squinted his eyes…
The teacher pointed over, the new kid turning around and…
Fuck
What the fuck.
The universe had to be messing with him. Because that was Kon. Standing in his classroom. Which no, absolutely not, it shouldn’t be. Kon was supposed to be going to his small town school in Smallville, and if for whatever reason he wasn’t there then he should be in Metropolis. Not Gotham, not at his school, and definitely not his class.
Kon was here though, standing in Tim’s class. In his school’s uniform. Wearing it in a loose style, the blazer draped on like an accessory jacket, collared shirt half untucked, the collar part undone, tie loose around his neck. He wore the uniform like half the student’s here, in a lazy manner that magically looked like a cool background character in a show. Tim definitely thought the style looked nicer on Kon than the majority of students who attempted the style.
Kon had replaced his big round Superboy sunglasses with a pair of normal glasses. Taking the good ol’ dork Kent farmboy route. Except ditching the flannel and not even looking slightly dorky. He pulled off the glasses well, Tim did still prefer the no glasses look though. The other had bright eyes and the glasses, sun or normal, covered them. Even his hair was still looking nice, fluffy curls that looked tempting to run your hands through. Some pieces of hair falling in front of his face, which held on a simple smile, that was just–
–Wait a minute. If Kon was here now, then that also meant… He knew he wasn’t crazy yesterday. He almost crashed into him with his skateboard. He had felt so stupid then, thinking he was delusional seeing Kon in the middle of a Gotham street.
He pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. His solitary game is now running long over his normal winning time. Why was Kon here? was repeating in his head.
When he looked back up, Kon was at the desk in front Tim, dropping his bag. Right, because of his luck the teacher telling him where to sit, chose the desk in front of him. He felt like there was some twisted fate against him right now.
“Heya, I’m Stacy, this is Emery.” One of the girls next to him, started introducing herself to Kon. The girl next to her looked up, giving a short wave.
Stacy was a naturally talkative person. Easily approachable, very open to others. Tim would confidently place a bet that she could hold conversations with about seventy-five percent of their graduating class. He held respect for her confidence to speak to just about anyone.
“Conner, pleasure to meet ya.” He flashed one of Superboy Smiles™.
That was lethal. Kon probably wasn’t even trying to be any more polite than normal, but his words mixed with that midwestern accent and courtesy. Tim always loved when Kon unintentionally slipped into the accent. Most of the time it was when he was worked up about something, which just made their petty arguments funny. He may have intentionally antagonized the other a few times just for it, but Kon did the same to him for other reasons. He would also do it when using ostentatious language and politeness when someone (mainly Cassie) made a joke about his ‘mannerism.’ Which she would specifically do after being equally obnoxious just to mess with him. It always ended in the group yelling in fancy faked accents at each other, with Bart switching to a Shakespherian speech pattern halfway through.
The accent mixed with the classic smile, which no one else really knew what it was from, but Tim had seen it enough that he could spot it a mile away. All to say, Kon definitely knew how to make an excellent first impression. That also doubled in killing off everyone of Tim’s brain cells simultaneously. Luckily he was just a silent observer, for now and hopefully ever.
Stacy continued talking to him. “Where you from Conner?”
“Smallville.” When a questioning look crossed her face he clarified. “Kansas, farm town.”
“Well then, welcome to Gotham. It’s not as bad as it sounds” She paused, “for the most part.”
Kon let out a low chuckle, “the most part?”
“Chances of anything you’ve probably heard of are slim. Unless you’re like a bad luck magnet.” Tim internally scoffed at that. Kon might not be a magnet for bad luck, more like trouble was a magnet for him.
Stacy continued. “If you need anything, I’m here to help. Tours, introductions, uhhh, other things that pertain to that list. I am a no go for actual work though.” She crossed her arms with emphasis. “If you need help with that, find a smart kid.”
“Like Tim.” Emery added.
What. No!
He looked straight at Emery, eyebrows furred in betrayal. She just shrugged, ‘if i have to deal with this so do you.’ stemming from her body language. He regretted ever helping her with work when he had free time in his pre robin era. Never help people, they will throw you under the bus to get their girlfriend back from talking too much.
“Tim.” Kon repeated his name, turning towards him. “Nice to meet you.”
Okay. This is fine.
It was matter of factly not fine. His heart definitely skipped a beat upon hearing his name tumble out of Kon’s lips. Because, well, that was Kon, his best friend, partner in life threatening situations, and he just spoke his name, for the first time. His actual name, not his code name, not one of the twenty nicknames Kon had made to make Robin sound more casual, Tim’s actual name. And it sounded super fucking nice to hear. He could sit here and listen to him say it again, even just once more. It wasn’t something he was supposed to ever hear slip out of the other, but he wanted it to again.
“Mhnn.” He gave out a strangled greeting in response. Wow, excellent first impression, really pulling it together. At least he didn’t say something like ‘likewise’ or worse ‘ditto’. He’s been around Dick saying that a few too many times.
The conversation was quickly swept past Emery and Tim’s side introduction. Much to his relief. Kon’s eyes, unfortunately and much to Tim’s dismay, drifted over to him again. Kon flashed a little smile, this one a little more awkward then the one earlier. The round glasses he was wearing added to the amateurish appeal. It was unfair he still carried charm when he was just standing there like that.
The bell rang, and the piercing eyes moved away. Tim felt relieved, saved by the bell, literally. The teacher started their lecture, and Tim was left zoning out, staring at Kon’s back which now interrupted his view of nothingness. He rubbed his forehead, letting out a quiet sigh. His mind wasn’t going to rest until he figured out why the other was here.
Some part of him felt slightly offended. Kon usually told him a lot of things, well him and the other’s too. He was Tim’s best friend, even if Kon didn’t get to see who he was under the mask, he still got a more open version of Tim. In some weird way. They worked well together, hung out peacefully (when they weren’t antagonizing each other), talked very openly. Especially open for someone like Tim. He couldn’t help but wonder why Kon didn’t tell him that he was in Gotham. Kon never came here, always cracking jokes about how he would need Tim right by his side before he even attempted to step foot in city lines.
He thought of all the lame excuses that Kon had been giving recently for ditching the tower weekends. He knew that Kon was aware of how flimsy his excuses were, he had even given up on making events half the time now, just vaguely saying he couldn’t make it. Tim couldn’t have been more confused. He knew the other had rights to his secrets, and wouldn’t purposely keep something unless he had a reason. But part of him ached with wonder, and parts of worry. He hadn’t seen Kon in two months. And now all of a sudden he was in Gotham as a student in Tim’s class.
The system for classes was completely random. Six classes total in the day, and somehow in about half of them you could pick out the same five to ten students from other classes. Tim was extraordinarily lucky and that number had now increased by one. Math, Gym, and Physics. Half of his classes now had a new student. Super lucky. The only classes he didn’t share were his free period, English, and History.
Hell, they even shared the same study hall room. While he was betting against those odds, didn’t even count it in his original statistics. He was in the library, where there were more students than in a normal class.
Now he was watching Kon walking into the library. Chatting away with the librarian as she started pulling out some textbooks. Kon wasn’t even looking in Tim’s direction, but he couldn’t say the opposite wasn’t true. He was blaming it on his detective instinct to observe and try to find an excuse. Jason would call it ‘him making excuses and being strange.’ but Jason wasn’t someone you really wanted to take advice from.
He dipped his face into his hands, letting out a low frustrated groan. It was embarrassing how much of his brain power this was occupying. He just had to stop looking and pay attention to his own work. By work he meant finding something to do because he stress finished everything he had to occupy himself earlier.
He peaked through his fingers. Watching Kon half facing the counter, swaying on his back and forth like it was entertaining. His eyes were darting around the room, lips scrunched up to one side like he did when debating looking for something to do when he was bored.
For a moment Tim felt like the bright eyes were piercing right through him. He covered his eyes again, rubbing his face, which felt hotter than it was before the other was in here. He leaned back in his chair, focusing on the blank screen of his computer. Today was not the day he was going to open that door. It's been closed and out of the question, and there was no way he was going to open it now. That was a Robin problem (not even close to a Robin problem, it was a personal problem. A personal one he has ignored for an indignant amount of time.). He definitely wasn’t going to get it mixed in whatever was going on that had Kon in his school.
Kon hadn’t been expecting much out of his first day. It was weird being at a school with a uniform rather than using Clark’s hand me downs. The flannel, and too large glasses, he was seriously wondering how it worked, like what was the logistics behind it. He was able to wear the uniform in a way that conformed more to his style rather than the ever so popular farm boy style. He did keep the big glasses, the round shape reminded him of his sunglasses. When he was in Smallville they were probably his favorite part of the flannel look.
He eased his way through the day. Stacy was nice, showed him around to some of his classes, or passed him off to a friend that could. A few people made the joke about it not being as bad in Gotham as people joked. He just smiled and nodded, knowing otherwise. His best friend was constantly out dealing with the ‘it's not that bad’, and he’s heard some freaky shit from him.
Handouts from his teachers filled his backpack. Some old syllabuses that he was probably going to forge a signature on. He was one hundred percent able to just have Clark sign them but he also doubted he would pull them out for the other at any point. He also had a handful of catch up, or review notes. Mainly for math and physics, because he joined in the perfect timing of halfway through a unit. English was more well timed, they weren’t currently working on any papers or reading any novels.
Tagging behind the herd of students through the gates to finally get off the school’s property. He walked down the general direction to the apartment, pulling out his phone for directions for the turns he was still unclear about. Idly wondering if Clark had gone grocery shopping yet.
The apartment’s light flooded the entryway as he opened the door.
“How was school?” Clark asked as he walked in. He had a pen in hand circling something on a paper.
“Eh, normal.” He noticed that the other was in a much nicer suit than normal. Raising a brow, “Got a special event?”
“Interview with Bruce Wayne.”
Kon gave a low whistle, “Big shot, lucky you.”
Kon opened the fridge, searching for something to eat. There wasn’t much which meant Clark still hadn’t gone shopping. He grabbed one of the pre-made sandwiches they picked up the other day and a water.
“Good luck man.” He gave Clark a pat on the shoulder. He knew that famous, gossipy interviews weren’t Clarks preferred reports. He was an investigative reporter, it was in the name. Sure he handled many types of reports, and was definitely at least good to get this assignment from the planet, but still.
In his room he threw his bag down, and tossed his lunch onto his desk. Hand coming up to the tie and tugging it off as he searched for something more comfortable to wear. Settling on a pair of gym shorts and a plain shirt.
He ignored the papers in his bag that were waiting for him, opting for laying on his bed and finding something else on his phone to do. He missed being able to get out of school and just fly around for a while.
A notification buzzed onto the screen. He brightened a little seeing what it was.
Imp:
[image attached]
Its u
:SB
I look wonderful
The picture was not something wonderful. No, instead it was of a very badly pixelated game animal. It was large and had weird triangles coming from its sides, and a silly looking smile on its face. For some reason it was wearing 90s sunglasses. Kon smiled a little, this is what he got for comparing Bart to sonic the other day. Specifically the 1998 Sonic Adventure version. He couldn’t help making a speedster joke to the dude.
Another notification came in and so did another photo. This one wasn’t a game photo. It was a photo of a cat perched on a wall, looking down. It looked serious but there was a little pout in the look.
Imp:
Look what I found
:SB
It looks like Rob
Robin would hate the comparison, but Kon couldn’t help but find it cute. The faces he made were always endearing. He liked watching the other work, scowling slightly at his notes, biting his bottom lip in concentration. Something Kon couldn’t help to hang around and observe. Sometimes Robin would start talking about his work with Kon, getting his thoughts concentrated. Kinda like he was the other’s own person recording journal, except he couldn’t repeat half of it back to him. When he would remember a detailed mid explanation his face would light up. Kon could only imagine his eyes brightening behind the lens of his mask.
There would be other days where Kon would just sit by Robin making random conversations. Sometimes he would pick little fights with Rob just to annoy him. He couldn’t help but smile at the face Robin would make when he got worked up trying to defend his case, or while repremending Kon. The other would still indulge in his shenanigans, making jabs at Kon in return. He would find himself cracking and smiling or laughing midway through.
Robin’s face would redden slightly, or his heartbeat stuttered for a second, and Kon couldn’t help but stare. Robin would already return to whatever thought they were talking about previously and it would take Kon a bit more time before he actually started listening again.
Kon would be the first to admit to himself, and only himself, that he may have a tiny thing for Robin. There was no way, no situation, he would ever find himself admitting it to anyone else. To his defense, he had thought that he was going to get over it, eventually. It was just a small thing stemming from respect for his super cool friend, or it was. Unfortunately for him eventually was apparently not here yet or anywhere in view. And ignoring his feelings for a few years (ongoing) only seemed to worsen it. It wasn’t small, or just some weird respect, and he accepted that. He still got to tease his best friend, and hangout, which was amazing. Perfect even. He was just actively choosing to ignore the side dish of heartache he got with every interaction.
His attention was stolen from his thoughts when his phone buzzed again. Bart and him texted back and forth a little, Bart's messages coming in super quick and in chunks. The other was probably running around, bored so he started questioning random things. Eventually the text Kon knew was going to pop came.
Imp:
Hey
btw
U coming to the tower this week
:SB
Nah got some kinda Kent family bonding thingy
Imp:
…
Seriously
What that even mean
Its been foreverrrrrrrrr
:SB
Honestly idk either
He didn’t know because it was another lame excuse he was making again. He missed the tower, missed seeing his friends. Missed watching the trashy movies with Cassie, playing games with Bart, annoying Rob. Hopefully everything will clear over soon, and he will be back there.
Kon ended up falling asleep on his bed, lying diagonally across it, not even with a pillow or blanket. He wasn’t even tired, just comfortable. He was lacking a bit more energy than normal, choosing to blame that on the lack of direct sunlight and freak genetics, literally.
An unknown amount of time passed. A groggy eye slowly opened. His room had gone dark, now devoid of the natural light from the day. He was facing a wall, at least he thought it was based on his orientation. Letting out a deep breath, he rolled over to the edge of the bed. Brain lagging behind on the fact that he couldn’t feel the mattress underneath him.
“ Wha- ” He exclaimed as he fell feet from the air. Hitting the floor with an audible thump. He sat dazed for a moment trying to wrap his sleep aided brain around what happened. Reaching for the edge of the bed to get up, only to discover he was in the middle of the floor. Not even close to his bed. His hand ended up reaching nothing except empty air. His head falling back onto the floor when he falsely put his weight into nothingness.
He let out a frustrated groan as the cool wood seeped into his skin. At least he couldn’t bruise from the tumbling on the floor. But, seriously, sleeping floating, To be fair he had done this previously before, only happening when he and the rest of the young justice was still in that old mountain, and only when something really wrong was bothering him. Now it was just a side effect of him not being able to keep a grip. Which was totally unfair, now he had to be cautious in his sleep.
He pushed himself off the floor after a moment. Scrambling through the things on his desk until he got his hands around a notepad. Jotting down sleep floating and the date right under the previous logs of his ‘incidents’. Breaking the mug, holes in walls 1-6, freezing room. All were spread out by, aside from the wall incidents which had been caused like a chain event.
He looked at the list, mouth pulling into a straight line. At least he was keeping track.
▱▱▱
Kon’s leg was bouncing, pen fiddling in between his fingers. Half of his papers were full of notes from an article he just read (out of procrastinating his other work). The other was incomplete physics problems he didn’t even know how to start. Missed the first two months of his class, and now he can’t complete a single worksheet. Bullshit. Stupid kinematic equations. Stupid recommended third year of a science. He should’ve just stuck to the required two years for credits. Why couldn’t he be given the knowledge of physics when they were deciding what a clone should know. He should’ve never tried being productive after english.
The bell rang, shoving all of his papers into his bag quickly and leaving the room. Absolutely Enthralled that he had lunch, also known as finding somewhere to sit. The school lunch was shitty today. Guess it didn’t change much in between schools. He kept the bread roll and discarded the rest. He should really bring his own lunch, school food was not his thing.
Absently biting into the bread roll he walked into the library. His eyes scanned the room as he entered, a few students were around. A group of three talking about a project for their psychology class a few tables away. He reconigzed two of them from his P.E class, they invited him to play basketball once he got gym clothes. Someone trying to print their essay. Other students casually working, or pretending to be busy. There was a louder group playing B.S. while laughing at each other. In the corner table there was a kid on a laptop, looking a bit bored. A smile crossed Kon’s face.
“Hey, uhh, Tim.” Kon walked up. Remembering Emery pulling the dude into their introduction yesterday. Maybe, he could get help from him. She had said he was smart. Tim looked up from his computer. Looking a little surprised and confused that Kon had walked up. Which he totally understood, he had only talked to the dude once.
It was fine, Kon was confident, and talking to someone new wasn’t anything off for him. New people, people of higher skill level, even super intense and honestly frightening bats. A kid from his class who seemed cool was nothing in comparison.
Tim raised an eyebrow at him, in a questioning look. Which shot his confidence a bit, to be fair it was a very intimidating look. It felt like he was about to get a long winded lecture about his awareness in a fight or something. He could feel his smile falter a little. Turning more awkward as it replaced the damaged one.
Confidence, truly doing wonders right now.
Tim’s eyebrows pinched in, his face looking unsure for a second before changing to flat expression.
“Conner.”
Working wonders.
“You’re uhhh, smart right.” Great fucking opening. He had to be losing his touch or something. “Do you know how to do like, any of the physics?” His words speeding up throughout the sentence.
Tim’s face seemed to relax a little, which Kon hadn’t even realized there was tension in the look before. Wow, he was paying way too close attention to facial expressions right now.
“Oh, yeah what do you need to know?”
“Thank god.” Kon breathed out. He felt more confident again, more comfortable. Whatever awkwardness that was making him feel intimidated faded. Maybe he was just struggling to figure out a conversation this time. He put his bag down and slid into a seat.
He pulled out his folder while speaking, “Basically everything, I missed like the whole intro to the class.” When his eyes met back up with Tim’s face there was a small smile tugging on his lips.
“Didn’t you learn any of this in farmtown?”
Kon gave a small laugh, “Nope, I was out for the beginning of the year.”
“Oh”
“Haven't asked the teacher here either, he seems a little.” Kon trailed off not knowing what to say. Their physics teacher was super nice, and Kon was sure if he knew what they were supposed to be doing the class would be easy. However there was something about the way the class was run that made it feel like not a class.
“Weird” Tim filled in for him. “Definitely. He’s an interesting character, good at teaching though.”
“Interesting how?” Kon was super curious.
Tim’s mouth pulled up in one corner as he made a thinking face. “He did skincare while we were testing once.”
“Wha- you’re joking right?!” Kon’s mouth fell into an open semi smile.
The other just shook his head, as he pulled in the papers from Kon’s pile, skimming them. “Late work basically doesn’t exist in class. He basically only grades during progress reports and you have until the last week of the semester to submit anything. So you have plenty of time to catch up on the current unit.”
“Damn.” Kon wished he had teachers like that last year. Trying to complete the homework in between ‘Superboying’ was a pain, and a majority of his teachers were asses about it. God forbid he missed the English question to analyze a quote his teacher gave. One day you’re getting thrown around into buildings and the next your teacher is lecturing you on how submitting the assignment three hours past the deadline is ‘unacceptable’.
Tim, as it turned out, was super enjoyable to talk to. Kon will admit that he totally derailed their conversation from the actual work he came over to talk about. Tim looked down at the pile of papers a few times, like he was mourning their uselessness, but he never actively tried to get them back on the topic of the work. There was an ease to conversations.
When the bell rang disappointment washed over Kon. He didn’t quite want to end their conversation yet. Not to mention his history class was boring. He already knew everything they went over and then some, because that was the information that CADMUS implanted in his brain. Ensuring he was well versed in the ways and the accounts of the world.
Tim gave him a small smile as he closed his computer. Kon reached for the abandoned stack of papers and tucked them into his bag.
“See ya around.” Kon smiled and gave a two finger salute goodbye.
“Uh- later.” Tim sounded unsure about them meeting again, and Kon found it charming. There was no way he wasn’t going to talk to the kid again. He made sure of that. He made sure to come up to the kid at least once a day the rest of the week. Tim actually insisted on him doing some of the work he used as an excuse. Which led to Kon sitting across from him in the library staring at a textbook during the remainder of the week and he kept going back after that.
▱▱▱
He switched the receiver from one ear to the other, searching through the fridge for food.
“I’m sorry.” Clark’s voice now rang into his left ear. He was caught up in Metropolis, because a business trip to Gotham as a reporter did not equal a business trip for Superman. Apparently he was going to be out later than expected. Kon ended up suggesting he just stay there for the night, it sounded like whatever he was dealing with was the kind of multip-hour type of saving.
Clark was now profusely apologizing about not being there, which Kon honestly wasn’t that bothered by.
“Dude, you’re totally fine, stay with Lois and Jon. I can handle one night by myself.”
I did all the time before you were here and I can do it again. Kon internally commented. Okay, maybe he was working himself up a smidge. He tried not to mention, or think about, the time when Clark wasn’t aware, or acknowledging his existence. He could only imagine how creepy it was learning there was a clone of you walking around. Try grappling with the fact your whole existence was made in a lab by some crazy people. Sometimes he wished there was a way to explain how out of place he felt next to Clark. The only thing that mattered now was Clark was trying to be present, and Kon was trying to accept the new figure that had taken up a role in his life.
He also knew Clark had a life that he cared dearly for, and there was no way Kon was going to prevent him from living it. The life he spent so long formulating with Lois and now with Jon. Clark had shared these parts of his life with Kon. Lois gave him tight bear hugs that he swore could suffocate a normal person. She also entertained his terrible jokes about her name sounding like a street when they first met. Which to be fair, with the last name of Lane, she probably heard them before. Jon looked at him like a sibling, and challenged him to board games that Kon never got to play with his nonexistent childhood. He would also give Kon a knowing look that an eight year old should never have when things got tense between Clark and himself.
Kon was grateful to have Clark in his life trying, and sharing the people he loved. Even with all the time, developments, fights, that it took to get to this point, he would go through it again, no hesitation.
“I’ll survive, after I get food in this fridge.” He closed the fridge door sighing. Seriously, it had been a week and a half since he started school. How was the fridge still empty? “Can I have dinner money?” His eyes glanced over at the clock on the stove, eyes widening a little at the time. It was almost nine, this was going to be a later dinner.
“There should be twenty by the key holder. Are you sure you’ll be fine there?”
“Yes, yes, you’re becoming naggy. Go do your city saving and hangout with Lois. Be safe, use protection, all that stuff.”
“Wha-”
“Byeeee” he dragged it out as he cut Clark off, bringing the phone down and hanging up.
He walked over to the table, digging through the random things thrown in the key holder and victoriously pulling out not only one but two twenties. Grabbing his jacket off the nearby stool and pulling it on. Looks like he got to go out tonight.
The streets of Gotham were chilly at night. Not that it could really affect him. Kon barely knew the area, let alone what restaurants were here. He had his phone out as he walked down the block searching for some place that was open at this time. Most were closed or about to, and he wasn’t going to be that asshole who shows up when they’re cleaning the counter and still orders. Eventually he found a deli that was open for another hour and a half. Perfect. He made his way over following the directions on the map.
The deli had some string lights hanging outside front and a painted logo on one of the windows. The inside was warm compared to the night air, but on the colder side of a restaurant. There was a counter with display cases of food, majority pastries. Which looked mouth watering. Black and white cookies, Rugelaschs, Babka, Hamantaschen in many different jam flavors, some of those coconut macaroons with the chocolate on the bottom. The same ones that you would need a drink with because they made your mouth dry. There was a wall of racks, mostly empty now. The remains of a bread wall, most of the loafs obviously been sold. There were still the name signs challah, sour dough, rye, white, baguettes ect.
The lady at the counter greeted him as she finished checking out the other customer. There was a paper menu pamphlet, the kind you would keep in your house for take out. He snagged one looking over the different options. Kon ended up getting himself a pastrami sandwich, and some different cold cuts to take home. He was not going to let that fridge be left empty for another day. There was an additional small box of pastries, simply because there was nothing stopping him from getting them. The counter worker waved him goodbye when she passed him his bag. The doorbells rang behind him as he left.
Walking around the block, a muffled bang sounded through the air, grasping his attention. No other sound followed, but he still stood aware. He tried listening carefully, only the wind brushing against his ears. Taking a gamble, he tried using a little of his super hearing, spreading it out listening for anything.
Then, he heard it, a straggled almost gagging like sound coming from nearby.
“God, fu-ow damnit.” It was wheezed out by a voice that sounded like… Robin.
Kon’s eyes widened, starting to scan the nearby buildings for his friend. It came from the left, scanning the rooftops. Another banging sound, like a heavy object being slammed against. Two buildings down, he started moving closer, actions on autopilot. Following the noise of his friend. In view he saw the figures, pooling towards the western side of the building.
Robin slammed his bo staff hard into a goons side. Another taking a shot at him, aiming for his shoulder. He twisted the cape flying up and the bullet impacted against the fabric, head flattening against it. He elbowed the goon recovering from the side hit in the face, a crack coming from his nose. He scanned the rooftop, the door banging harshly again, then again, threatening to give any second.
Robin rushed one of the goons towards the edge. Dodging under the attempted grab for him and tripping the goon with his staff. As the goon’s jaw hit the floor the door on the opposite side of the roof burst open. Shots rang out as more people filed onto the roof. Robin continued his dash for the edge, and jumped.
Kon’s eyes watched the falling figure, cape rustling in the wind covering any features. He watches for a few seconds, waiting for the grapple to shoot out. Robin to effortlessly swing through the air, flipping between buildings, disappearing into the shadows of the city.
No grappling line edges its way into a nearby building's brick. No steal line connecting the other, pulling him out of free fall. Robin’s hands are grabbing away at his utility belt, searching for something. He can hear the other’s heartbeat pick up as he speeds towards the ground.
“Oh Rob, you idiot.” Kon breaths out. Dropping his bag of food, dashing forward. The bag hitting the ground just as he’s feet below his friend.
He reaches out an arm, wrapping its way around Robin’s waist. Other hand coming out to support his head, into his hair tucking it close. They blurred around the corner of the building, into a dark alley. Everything distorted from the speed, wind resistance hitting against them, stinging. He shouldn’t be going this fast with someone else in tow. His arms wrapped around his friend tighter. His grip was too tense, a small section in the back of his brain yelling at him it was too much.
It’s off, he doesn’t have the control he should.
They’re pulling closer to a wall, and Kon's afraid he messed up. He’s slowing down, but he doesn’t know how much power to use. What if he stops too suddenly, their interia from their speed to a complete stop could injure Robin. If he’s not quick enough he runs the risk of them barreling right through brick. He can hear the blood rushing past his ears as he turns his body, ready to head on the impact of the wall.
Brick centimeters away from his back. If he relaxed he could feel it trying to scratch through his shirt into his skin. He stopped in time. Kon let out a sigh, the adrenaline still floating in his head. Robin’s breathing against his chest. His grip is still too firm.
He loosens his arms, looking down at his friend's face. White lenses staring right back at him. A gloved hand puts pressure against his shoulder as Robin slowly disentangles himself from Kon’s hold. He lets his hand drop out of other’s hair.
Robin’s moves, saying something. His own ears are still static filled, unable to understand. His mind felt sluggish, unaware.
Kon can’t bring himself to smile like he always did when he caught Rob. His heart is beating too fast, making him uncomfortable in his own skin. Panic teetering, playing with the edge of his mind when the sluggishness breaks.
He wasn’t supposed to do that, to be here. That was the whole reason he was brought to Gotham. He had no control, and this had just proven it to him. Rob didn’t know, he couldn’t see, Kon was covering his face. But he knew, he almost injured them, almost ran them into a wall.
What if that wasn’t the worst that could have happened. What if Kon grabbed him too hard initially, or crushed him while flying. What if he had failed to catch him originally. Watching as he hit the pavement. The thoughts made him want to throw up.
He was able to handle not using any of his power, but in a situation like this. When he didn’t have time to think about it, to find another choice. Where he couldn’t moderate every microaction, He had a gauge, one that had been completely uprooted, with an unknown cause. His default power has become too much, unpredictable.
He couldn’t control anything. He lied to himself thinking he could. How would he when he was unaware of his limits, when the limits he was used to were now constantly changing. All the precautions and training he lived with now shifted and broke. His old fifty percent could be ten one moment and seventy the next.
And now he just got a live demonstration of what his false beliefs almost gave him.
“-on? Kon?” Robin leaned in, his voice laced in confusion. It was distance against the sound of pounding blood and thoughts floating around in his head.
“Kon?” It was louder, a gloved hand grabbing part of his cheek and tilting his head from side to side. “You okay?”
“Hmmnn, oh yeah.” His voice shook a bit as he spoke. He swallowed it down, changing his demeanor, trying to pull on a small smile and doing a shoty job at it. “Heya Rob.”
He knew for a fact that Robin gave him an unimpressed look at his complete and horrible job of masking his thoughts. “Hm.”
They stood there for a few moments, the gloved hand that was holding his face releasing. Robin seemed to notice Kon’s reluctance to speak on why he was completely ignoring his calling a few minutes ago. So they stood in silence, staring at each other, knowing they were unharmed. It was comfortable, it let Kon’s burning nerves settle slightly.
The white lenses of the domino mask narrowed when Robin finally decided to speak again. “Why are you here?”
Tactical approach. That was the route Robin had chosen.
“To catch a falling birdie clearly.” Kon’s tone of humor was dampened significantly.
“But why are you here ?” A strong emphasis was added at the end of his sentence.
“Oh, uh, well you know the whole-” His brows knitted together as he cut himself off. Robin didn’t know why Kon was here? Of course he didn’t. Kon never told him. They hadn’t seen each other in two months. The only filler being Kon’s stupid excuse to not show at the tower and random things he’d send in the ‘Just Us’ group chat. He mentally face palmed.
Robin didn’t know Kon was in Gotham. Didn’t know the reason he was, what was wrong with Kon. Blissfully unaware of the damage that he almost caused, of the threat that was Kon just deciding to try to help. Blind to the reason that he was out of the field. Robin’s mentor clearly hadn’t told him either. That he had been brought in to find a cure or solution. Or that Clark had brought him here to stay idle.
And-
Oh god, what was Clark going to say.
Kon didn’t listen to him, he wasn’t careful. He screwed up. How was he going to tell him, what was he going to tell him. He could feel his thoughts crushing under a new weight. Clark was going to be so disappointed in him. What if he didn’t want to be around him again.
The idea of being left alone, ignored.
Clark wouldn’t leave him like that.
But what if he did
He’s working hard to help him.
You didn’t listen, you ignored his advice.
He didn’t mean too. Clark knows he wouldn’t purposely do that. He knows how hard he was trying.
He could feel his breathing speed up. The sound echoing in his ears. Rattling against his battling thoughts. The facts, what he knew was the truth (how Clark would never do that) with his own insecurities and doubt. His brain wouldn’t shut off. He took a harsh swallow, the noise reverberating, the shallow breaths he was taking still echoing.
“Kon, Kon, hey, look at me.” Robin was talking to him. A soft voice, trying to cushion his spiral. He took a cautious step forward, trying to reach out again like earlier. “Hey, breath, it’s okay.”
Kon nodded, the action feeling distant, unconnected to him. He tried to take a deep breath, resulting in shaky air entering his lungs. Robin took another slow step forward. Kon taking one back on pure panic and instanic. His back hit the brick behind him, hard. His fist banging right beside him. He could feel the rough brick cracking, the sound undeniable. The wall shifted under his palm, caving inwards.
He pushed away from it, getting away from the crack, getting away from the alley.