Damian's Education

Chapter 4: Conner and Clark

Superman had initially balked at the idea of coming to talk to Conner at Batman’s home, especially at 3 am. He resented Conner because of what he symbolized; Cadmus had managed to humble Superman and for all intents and purposes raped him, stealing his DNA and combining it with Luthor's of all people to create a half human clone. Batman could sympathize, Talia Al’Ghul had drugged him and used his semen to impregnate herself and conceive Damian. But Damian actually was Bruce’s son, legitimate or not,conceived by a violent assault or not. He wasn’t an abomination created in a petri dish in some lab.

 “It isn’t the boy’s fault,” Bruce and Diana had both said when they first freed Superboy from Cadmus, “He needs guidance, and you’re the only one who can give it to him; and if you can’t be a father to him, at least try to be his friend.”

Now, if he understood Batman’s cryptic message, Conner needed guidance of an altogether different sort.

Clark spoke to Conner in the Kryptonian dialect used by the scientific and scholarly caste of his home world; the recordings about his heritage left for him by his father were made in this language. He often spoke with Kara using this tongue but almost never addressed Kon-El in anything but English; when they communicated at all.

“Batman said he found you and Tim together in his bed, is that so?” 

Conner did a double-take had he heard right; was Superman actually speaking to him the native language of their home-world?

Correction, Conner reminded himself almost despairingly; it was Superman’s home-world, he didn’t consider Conner to be a true son of Krypton.

“It is,” Conner replied awkwardly, he didn’t really know too much Kryptonian, he had no one to practice with except the computer at Mount Justice and of course, Tim.  He was as much a genius with exotic languages as he was with computers and criminal investigation.

Are you two happy together, how long has it been going on?”

It took Kon-el a few moments to translate the question in his head, he was sorely in need of practice and answered in halting awkward sentences, “We’ve been together for about three months and we are very happy.”

Seeing how much difficulty Conner was having Superman switched to English and asked candidly, “Have you ever been intimate before tonight?”

Conner’s face flushed almost as red as his erstwhile mentor’s cape and answered in a voice barely above a whisper “We’ve made out a lot of times but we’ve never tried to have sex before tonight.”

Superman knew how awkward this must have been for Superboy and hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Does anyone else know about this, or have you two managed to keep your relationship quiet?”

Before tonight Kaldur knew about us and so did Tim’s brother Richard; but we haven’t told anyone else.”

“Well it’s up to you and Tim, but give careful consideration to keeping this under wraps for now.”

Seeing the wary expression returning to Conner’s face and the tension returning to his shoulders; Clark give him a slight smile “Believe me I know how difficult it is to keep secrets from the people around you but for the time being it may be for the best.”

Conner just silently nodded, this was the longest conversation he’d ever had with Kal-el that wasn’t about ‘official business’; and he didn’t quite know what to say.

Superman then handed him a sealed lead box, “What’s this,” Superboy asked hesitantly although he had a good idea. He’d seen boxes like this before, they usually contained samples of that painful mineral, kryptonite.

“Don’t worry it isn’t dangerous, go ahead open it,” Superman told him.

Conner opened the box revealing a luminescent violet crystal.

This synthetic violet kryptonite was developed by Jonn and Ray Palmer along with Star Labs it temporarily renders a Kryptonian on earth only as strong as a normal human.

“Lois and I used this when we first got together so I wouldn't accidentally hurt her, you can use it when you’re with Tim for now until you’ve fully learned to control your power and I’ll help you with that; just don't overuse it, or the effect becomes permanent."

“Bruce and Diana have both been after me for some time about this and I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting my responsibility and neglecting you.”

Conner stuttered, “Superman I….” he halted, finding himself at a loss for words.

“It’s alright Conner, you don’t need to need to say anything, I should have said it all a long time ago.”

Kon-el looked up at Superman with unabashed gratitude on his ace.

“Ma and Kara have been asking about you, and I know Lois and especially Jon-Jon would be happy to see you, Conner; why don’t you come with us to Smallville this weekend for Sunday dinner?”

“Are you serious, do you really want me there, Superboy asked his Idol.”

“Yes, Conner I do; after all you’re family, I’m sorry I forgot that.”