“This can’t be real, can it? I mean… I haven’t even started talking with any girls in that way yet. Who could I possibly have kids with?” Conner ponders out loud as he stares off to the side and rubs at the back of his neck in awkward discomfort. It’s by this point that everyone present begins gathering at a focus point, drawn in by the mysterious predicament unfolding. THAT, and it truly does sound as if danger is lurking close in the shadows.

  “We won’t let you die, dad!” The Kryptonian boy exclaims just as he latches around the side of Kon-EL’s waist.

  “Me and Lance will protect you, papa!” The sister, Korra, also declares enthusiastically after hugging around the other side of the older Kryptonian’s waist. While the gestures were heartwarming, Kon-EL cannot help but to look down upon the two siblings with skepticism written across his face. He even refuses to let his hands touch them at all.

  “C’mon… This is a little embarrassing, don’t you two think?” Kon-EL softly protests.

  “Nothing embarrassing about children caring about their father; I think you’re just getting used to the idea of actually being a parent. It’s understandable, of course. This was just sprung up on you out of nowhere.” Hawkwoman comments stoically.

  “I think they’re just the cutest little things ever! I’m sure J– Superboy, would get along with kids who are just like him.” Supergirl chimes in.

  “I’m sure he would, too. However, they came back for the sole purpose of warning us about the pending danger heading toward us. Brainiac isn’t exactly a threat to be brushed off so easily.” Superman reminds his cousin, then shifts his attention toward the Kryptonian children.

  “You two say you’re certain that he’ll show up in three days?”

  “Yeah! 3 days exactly! Dad said so.” The boy answers confidently.

  “Then we have to prepare for him. There’s no telling what he might have up his sleeves this time around.” Superman informs with a solemn expression.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  [ Inside The Hall of Justice, Hours Later]

  The day progresses more and more - each passing hour since returning from the store with Hawkwoman seems to just continuously grow peculiar as daylight ticks down. First, two children claiming not only to be from the future but his offspring show up, then he learns that a future variant of some terrible fiend with the ludicrous name ‘Brainiac’ is coming to the past to off him, and now far too many people are imposing upon his free time. He’s not boiling with anger, but there is a degree of frustration with how things are turning out so suddenly. He feels as if he needs far more time, time to himself, to digest all of this new information.

  Alas, Kon-EL sits at a cafeteria table with his, as the two claim to be, kids sitting close at both of his sides. Leaning forward in his seat with an elbow set atop of the table and his chin seemingly boringly resting within the palm of his hand. His expression dull and indifferent - a contrast to those currently around him. And oh! There’s also the even order detail of those kids, Superman, and even Supergirl cheerfully holding a conversation while using a language he’s unfamiliar with.

  In the midst of the four speaking in foreign tongue, Supergirl emerges from the kitchen with a large steel tray holding five bowls and spoons atop of it and heads over to the four. When she arrives to their location, she sets the tray down onto the table and proceeds to carefully place a bowl and utensil each in front of everyone, including one for herself. A display that makes Kon-EL arch a brow.

  “Huh? What’s this…?” The artificial Kryptonian questions in his own native language. That solely being American English.

  “It’s beef stew! Didn’t you hear me say I was going to make some?” Kara answers with a soft smile and an arch of her own brow.

  “No. I guess I missed the only moment you decided to speak English again.” Conner responds rather dryly.

  “Oh… You don’t speak Kryptonian at all? Sorry, I guess seeing as how your kids are fluent in the language, I just figured you would be, too.” Kara reasons. It’s understandable for sure, yet Conner cannot help but to roll his eyes dismissively.

  “Whatever, man…” The young man in leather responds before using his free hand to grip the spoon in the bowl in front of him and stirs his stew.

  “I can teach you if you want, dad. It’ll be quick and easy!” The boy, one of the two children from the future, known as ‘Lance’ offers gleefully.

  “Ehh? Even if it only took a day to understand the basics, I’ll have to pass. It’s a relic that serves no actual use here on Earth.” Conner dismisses, drawing slightly unfavorable looks from Superman and Supergirl.

  “Well, who cares? It’s our culture, Kon-EL! You should be a little more understanding, considering you’ve attached yourself to our family’s surname!” Kara asserts while accusingly pointing her spoon at Conner.

  “Hey, I didn’t just wake up and decide that Kon-EL was going to be my name! I’ve had it since forever, ya know? Even… if that was just literally a month ago…” Conner retorts though quickly loses any bite when he realizes he’s been around for so little time.

  “Uh huh. My point exactly. You should show our heritage more respect.” Kara insists.

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  “Tch… I’m not dissing it, blondie, but let’s be real here for a sec. You’re an endangered race. Your home planet is gone, and aside from these kids, you, Superman, Jon, and I are likely the only remnants of your species left in this entire universe. What value will your heritage have in 20 or 30 years? How about in 80? Each generation will simply dilute more and more until the Kryptonian DNA we all have fades and becomes a distant memory of what used to be, which isn’t much at all.” Kon-EL retorts almost bitterly. Such a response doesn’t sit well with the Girl of Steel, evident by the firm glare she’s shooting his way now.

  “Okay, let’s calm down…” Kal-EL interjects.

  “But Kal–” Kara is about to voice her protest, but Korra chimes in suddenly.

  “It’s not true, poppa!” The girl confidently exclaims and draws the eyes of the three adults. The endearment is surely genuine, but it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Conner.

  TINK.

  He drops the spoon into the bowl and suddenly rises to climb out of his seat.

  “Forget this, bro… I need a moment to breathe.” The young man utters as he turns to walk and tuck his hands into the pockets of his jacket. However, the two children are quick to give chase before he gets far.

  “Wait, poppa!” Korra calls out.

  “Dad, where you going?” Lance question. Promptly, Kon-EL turns around with a pointed finger and mild frown.

  “Stop following me. I’m not your dad and I definitely ain’t in the mood for any of this right now.” He sharply responds and takes the two children by surprise.

  “But… poppa–” Korra attempts to reason with him, but he’s just not having it.

  “No buts! And stop callin’ me that… I don’t have kids. Not a son and neither a daughter.” Kon-EL asserts rather coldly.

  “But… but…”

  “Did we make you angry, dad…?” The two siblings look up at Kon-EL with nothing short of emotional pain on their faces, especially Korra who’s already on the verge of tears.

  “Enough, man. Go bother someone else or something. I’m already so over this.” Conner stands firm on his stance.

  “Those are kids, Kon-EL. YOUR kids. Members of our family. They’re just worried about you!” Kal-EL shoots up from his seat to remind him. However, his choice of words earns a frown of confusion from Conner.

  “FAMILY? What, two random kids calling you uncle suddenly makes them your family? Buddy… I don’t even think of YOU as family. No offense… you’re super strong and all, but I don’t even like you like that.” Kon-EL responds.

  “What’s gotten into you all of a sudden this evening? You’re acting like a heartless jerk!” Kara speaks up again.

  “No. You’re all just acting incredibly entitled today and it’s bugging me. I want my agency back. Let ME decide how I should feel about all of this, let ME decide if this makes sense.” Kon-EL rebuttals.

  “We’re just trying to help, pop–” Before Korra can finish that thought, Kon-EL interrupts her.

  “Don’t you finish that word. I’m sick of hearing it… You two wanna help me? Then do me a favor and beat it. I’m tired of looking at both of you.” He abrasively states while pointing them away. Like arrows, his words pierce and cut deep. Too precisely at the two siblings’ hearts. Tears from both begin flowing, but they have their own reactions to their supposed father’s words. The boy sniffles and hangs his head in defeat, while the girl starts wailing.

  “Kon-EL!” Kara barks before stepping out from the table and moving to comfort the children, Kal-EL just behind her.

  “How can you be so cold?” She asks while embracing Korra, who turns to latch onto her and cry against her stomach. Superman places his hands upon the boy’s shoulder to give his own comfort. The display honestly does make him nearly second guess himself, but he persists in being distant for his own sake.

  “This ain’t worth my time…” Conner utters before turning to continue on his way out.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

  Only but the mumbles of distant chatter could be heard. Cassie sought sanctuary within the designated wing alongside Wonder Woman.

  "That must have been unexpected news," Diana declares with a faint of curiosity in her tone. She was no stranger to the choirs of the heart, as she could see Cassie fumbling in her stressful state.

  Wonder Girl’s eyes peer upwards, "I mean, who wouldn’t be! Imagine your future kids come out of nowhere and demand you to accept that? Kon wasn’t raised like the rest of us. Some of us had parents, legal guardians to shelter us. But him? He was imprisoned in a lab, destined to be a clone of Superman and nothing more. At least, that’s the short of it. I don’t really know who he is." Cassie uplifts both hands, planting them on her face as she frustratingly tangles at the loose strands of her hair.

  Diana’s expression softens, lips pressing firmly together as she lays a hand over the girl’s shoulder. "Perhaps what he needs is a friend, Cassandra."

  Abruptly, Cassie perks herself up, hands tucking at her sides in the form of fists. "Yeah, and I’ve got a whole lot of apologizing to do. He may be putting on an act to protect himself, but I want to be his friend, Diana. He’s different, nothing like Superman . . . no offense. But in a good way."

  This earns the Amazon Princess a formidable smile, her hands now hoisting at her sides. "None taken."

  Without haste, Wonder Girl peruses down one of the many corridors of the Hall of Justice. Her focus was to find Kon-El, and perhaps enlighten the situation — considering the initial threat was the news of Brainiac.

  "Kon-El!" A familiar voice echoes throughout the hallway as Cassie nears enough to pin the groan onto Kara. Cassandra knew better than to fully intrude the family dispute, and so respectfully remains a distance away. But it wasn’t until she notices Superboy dividing his attention elsewhere due to what appears to be out of anger as he treads outside of the room.

  Cassie idly stands there, eyes never once faltering in focus. Awaiting a few, she finally paces towards him once he was in the clear. "Conner?"

  A momentary pause ensues as grief expresses over her features. She wishes she knew how to mend the situation, but didn’t know how to.

  "Look, Kon," she braces the courage to softly speak. "Let’s go someplace? I wanted to uhm, formally apologize for earlier."

  The turmoil of emotions he’s juggling at the moment puts him on edge, nearly ready to start metaphorically biting people’s heads off against his better judgement. Cassandra Sandsmark is almost one of those people when she steps forward to address him, though it’s fortunate that some of his rationality holds onto him still. For a moment, he glares down at her. Though, after just hearing her out, his expression softens and he reigns in his frustration.

  "Ehh... I’m not sure what you wanna apologize for, but sure. I definitely wanna step out for a bit. C’mon." He beckons her along with merely his words and moved to circle around the blonde with the intent of heading through the front doors in the next room over. However, something stops him before he takes too many steps.

  "Papa! You and mom are coming back, right?" The question brings Kon-EL to an eventual halt. He turns to see Korra standing around six feet away with teary eyes of concern. The Kryptonian opens to speak, likely brush the little girl off, but stops himself. His eyes widen with a realization.

  "Wait... Mom? Who’s your mom?" He asks while arching a brow, feeling as though he’s missing something. Or maybe just doubtful of the implication. Nonetheless, the young girl shoots him a look of confusion in silence, as if he’s presenting her with some sort of trick-question. After a brief moment of idle silence, Korra slowly lifts a hand to point at the female near him. As if in some sort of state of denial, Kon-EL follows the general area the child’s finger is facing and, of course, it lands upon none other than Wonder Girl. His eyes then shift between Korra and Cassie several times. Wanting to make sure that there’s no confusion, he turns and walks to stand beside the Amazon. He too then points a finger toward the blonde. "Her?" He questions.

  "...Yeeeeah?" Korra answers with squinting eyes. Again, Kon-EL’s eyes shifts between the two.

  "This girl right here?"

  "Yes."

  "The one beside me?"

  "Yeah, that’s mom!"

  "Your REAL mom?"

  "Yeah, our REAL mom..." The two have a little back and forth before Lance jumps in to confirm the claim.

  "That’s mom, Dad. Don’t you recognize her?" The brother questions with his own gaze of confusion. Yet, Kon-EL persists a bit more. He does so by suddenly reaching to grab Cassie by the shoulders and reel her over to stand directly in front of him.

  "Just to be clear... This girl right here, the one I have my hands on, is your biological mother?" He asks yet again.

  "Yes!" The sibling answer simultaneously. With all room for uncertainty fully eliminated, his barrage of consecutive questions come to an end. He removed his hands from Cassie’s shoulders and rubs at the back of his neck.

  "I guess that kinda’ explains why she’s Sucha’ Daddy’s Girl." He murmurs under his breath.