Chapter Text
Clark knew before anyone else. Of course he did. X-ray vision and super hearing would have let him become an excellent physician, if he had been able to not be persecuted for it. But that wasn't his life. That wasn't the life he chose. No, he chose to be a down to Earth reporter, a country boy in the big city.
And now? Now, he chose be a father. Well, he would follow what Lois wanted, but he would choose to be a father if possible. Although he didn't tell her when he first heard the second heartbeat. He didn't feel like it was his place to mention it. He wanted that moment to be special for his wife.
So, for three full weeks since he heard that first little flutter, he kept mum. It was torturous, but worth it in the end. To see how excited Lois was after those two little lines appeared (quickly followed up by scheduling an appointment to confirm) made keeping the secret all the more bearable. She squealed in delight, hugged him tighter than she had ever hugged him, and drowned him in kisses. And he loved every second of it.
After the appointment to confirm, they were and weren't ready to tell everyone. Clark wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but Lois, ever so smart, hesitated. They were still in the first trimester danger zone, so they decided to wait another month before telling everyone.
As the date drew closer, Lois sat next to him on the couch. He could feel his own heart beat faster, but he tried to act nonchalant. "Yes, honey?"
"You knew, didn't you?" She said, phrasing it like a question even if it wasn't.
Clark nodded, "I did, but I wanted you to find out on your own."
"That's sweet, but it would have been nice to know when I was dealing with morning sickness."
"Would you have believed me? How many years has it been and only now are we expecting?"
Lois sighed and leaned into him. "Probably, honestly. You're not one to bluff about this sort of thing. You're honest to a fault sometimes, Smallville."
"I still wanted it to be special for you," he admitted softly. "You're the one carrying our child."
Lois leaned up and kissed his cheek, "It was special. But do tell me next time, if there is a next time, because I would like to know what's happening in my own body."
Clark kissed her head, a hand finding its place on her belly. "I promise I will. You will be first to know when I do."
"Good. Now, what are going to tell your family? We have just a few days left of my first trimester."
"I was gonna tell my folks it without beating around the bush. They'd like it that way. Maybe I should get a gift for them. Make it a fun celebration."
"And Kara and Conner? What are you going to tell them?"
"Kara is doing her own thing right now. We had planned to meet up in just under two months from now. I'm sure she already knows and either is just waiting for me to tell her or doesn't care enough to see you sooner."
"That's a little harsh, don't you think? She's your cousin. She's family."
"You're right. Again." That earned him a playful slap, making him chuckle. "I'm sure she's waiting for me to come to her. I will go see her, I promise."
"You better do it no later than you actual planned meeting or things will not be pleasant for you. She's family, for Pete's sake."
"I've already promised that, love. She will be told by me before our meeting is over, I swear."
"Good. And Conner?"
"What about him?"
"When are you going to tell him? You don't have a scheduled meeting and all. Although I understand. He's not flying around the world and beyond like Kara."
"I don't think–"
"Do not start that, Clark. He's family just like Martha, Jon, and Kara. He should know. He should be told by you, all the same."
"Do you think he'd want that? Genuinely? We haven't had the best relationship. You know that better than anyone."
"Then you ease him into it. It's not like you can't talk to him. Maybe you should you start today. That way when we can properly tell everyone, he'll be ready."
"Your intelligence is what made me fall in love with you. Did you know that?"
Lois snorted. "Really? That's what made you fall in love?"
"It was the snowflake that made the center of the snowball that is my love for you."
"Alright, you dork. I love you, too."
Clark kissed her, "I love you, too."
Kon knew the second Clark lifted off and started to head start towards him. He didn't usually spy on his DNA donor, but when he randomly showed up yesterday in Mount Justice without warning, looking for him, Kon decided to keep an ear out for him. He had been initially worried about the sudden appearance, wondering what reason the man had for just bursting in, but now? Now he was just angry. Why in the hell was he trying to play family now?
They didn't have the best introduction, one might even say the worst. He hadn't exactly expected open arms, given why he was made in the first place, but he had hoped for some civility. Which he hadn't gotten. He had gotten open hostility.
So Kon did what would make him happy; he left. He left to an island to avoid coming across either of his DNA donors, while he tried to figure out what do with himself. His whole purpose for living, for being made, was to be the second Superman. But the man had been alive and kicking and refusing to acknowledge that there was a child needing guidance.
At least his team had come and solidified him a new purpose, which he'd be forever grateful for. But now? After years of trying to get to a place where they could consider the other an ally, and finally reaching it, Clark decided Kon was now family. Only now. Not when he needed the man the most, not when he needed a place to belong, not when the man learned about him and his situation of coming into being, not when he was at his most vulnerable.
Only now.
Walking to the mouth of the cave, Kon patiently waited the few more seconds it would take Clark to arrive. And arrive he did, with a bright smile. Like everything was all hunky-dory. Like the years of cold indifference hadn't existed. Like they weren't barely on speaking terms. Like there was something to smile about.
"Conner! Great–" Clark held out his arms as he approached, clearly waiting for a hug. One he wouldn't get with that sort of attitude.
"What do you want?" Kon snapped back.
Clark, wisely, dropped his arms back to his side. "I came to see you."
"You saw me yesterday. Did something happen?"
With a shake of 'no', the man kept closing the gap. "Everything is alright. Nothing world ending. I just wanted to see you."
"Two days in a row? That's not your usual M.O. What happened?"
"Nothing. I've said that."
Kon stepped back, sidestepping any touching. "Then why are you here?"
"To see you."
"For what reason? Why are you here to see me?"
"Well, you're family," Clark answered with a shrug. Like that was the whole reason.
Kon just stared at him, making sure to keep his distance. They're family? What kind of sick joke was that? Never once had they been 'family'. Not in any way that mattered. Yes, he had Ma and Pa as parents, loving him regardless of where he came from. They treated him like a second son. But Clark? Never. Hell, Lex tried to fake a relationship with him, calling him 'son' and all that.
Clark barely acknowledged the fact that Kon technically came from him, let alone truly considered him family. Kara cared more for him than Clark ever had and she was barely around, doing her own thing.
Something twisted in his gut. Why now? Why now of all things was he trying to form a relationship? And by form, he meant force. Clark wanted this relationship one way or another.
Was it Lois? It had to be. She was the only one that could truly get to Clark. She would say 'jump' and Clark would ask 'how high?'. So why did she want him and Clark to make up and play family? Was she dying? Some terminal illness that would eventually take her away and she didn't want their relationship to be sour until the bitter end?
Kon knew he could fake it for her. He could play happy family for her, just until she passed. Then, and only then, would he give up the facade. He wouldn't consider Clark family unless the man really put in the effort and didn't just try to make his dying wife happy.
"Well, once again, you've seen me. I'm healthy and happy. You can leave now."
"Conner–"
"Kal-el," Kon cut in, making the man flinch. "Go back and tell Lois I'll come see her in the next few days. Until then, don't come see me again or I'll make sure it'll be the last for a long time."
"So you know?"
"I can put the pieces together. Now, go, shoo." He waved him away, "Within the week, I'll visit. Now, go." Kon didn't relax until Clark had hit the horizon. Then he allowed himself to crumble onto the floor of the cave. He sat on the rock, taking deep breaths.
Even if Clark wasn't family to him, Lois was. Kon would put aside everything for her. Just like he'd do for anyone on his team, for Ma and Pa, for Kara. For his family. He allowed himself one punch into the cave wall when he stood, but that was it. He couldn't let the anger fester in him. No, he needed to start to figure things out. He had time, but it was closing in faster and faster.
Firstly, Kon would have to ensure that Lois was comfortable and wouldn't have to stress about anything. Who knew how long she had? Only yesterday had Clark showed up. Which means that he hadn't noticed or wanted Lois to notice first. The latter made the once simmered rage start to boil again. If it was the former, then Kon could slightly understand, but he still didn't like the implication. How had Superman not know his own wife was dying?
Secondly, Kon needed to figure out how to properly fake a relationship with Clark. Something believable, something incredibly believable, because if he didn't do it right, Lois would see right through him. He would never forgive himself if she thought he still didn't think of Clark as family. He pulled out his phone, thumbs hovering over the screen. Who would he ask? There were plenty who knew how to fake identities, relationships, and even love. The Bats came to mind, then only one face appeared in his mind's eye. Hopefully, he'd agree to help.
Thirdly, Kon needed to figure out how to convince Clark to play along for Lois's sake. He knew the man would be so happy if he faked it, but something churned in his gut about lying about their relationship. Lying to a dying woman was in a different category. She would die with the thoughts that they finally got along. She would die happy.
Finally, Kon wanted to find Kara. He knew he could call for her, ask her to come to Mount Justice. However, he wanted to search for her, let the thoughts in his head try to file into the appropriate places. Just drift around the skies until he ran into her.
His phone pinged as he was making his mental list. He grinned at the message, thankful he texted the right person, Tim.