"I'm back."
Clark returned to the Kent Family after throwing the half-dead World-Shaper aside and timing his return to Earth from other dimensions. He immediately headed home.
As soon as he entered, he saw his wife, Nolan, and his son, Eden, sitting at the dining table, chatting and laughing about something.
"Heart-to-heart finished?" Clark asked.
"What was the final outcome?"
Seeing this, he quickly approached them. He embraced Nolan passionately, holding his true love tightly. Then, he looked at Eden and spoke.
Well, his wife was his true love, and his son… well, an unexpected blessing.
"Mother, I suddenly remembered—I forgot something important."
"That is… William asked me to go to the arcade today. I need to hurry."
Upon seeing Clark return, Eden immediately jumped up from his seat, pushed open the door, and left, leaving Clark and Nolan alone.
"Hey, Eden!" Nolan called.
"It's dinner time already. Where are you going?"
"Never mind. Just remember to come back early!"
"And, be sure to stay safe!"
Clark watched Eden leave, calling him a few more times just in case. When no response came, he shook his head in mild exasperation.
"Clark, have you forgotten?" Nolan asked, laughing at his worried expression.
"Our child has awakened superpowers; he can take care of himself now."
"Ah, right," Clark said with realization.
He smiled, inwardly acknowledging how quickly time had passed. Eden had truly grown.
Clark turned to Nolan, sensing a shift in her mood.
"Clark, there are some things I must confess."
Nolan leaned into Clark's arms, her hands gripping his with a rare hint of worry.
"I'm listening," he said, holding her hands. His gaze softened, filled with affection. "Whatever you say, I will listen carefully."
"This time, it's different," Nolan whispered.
"Clark, if you found out I lied to you, would you still love me?"
Clark's eyes softened as he gazed at the woman who had held his heart for so long. "Then I'll love even the parts where you lied to me."
Clark added after a thoughtful pause, "Because I believe, Nolan, you would do the same for me."
One kilometer away, Eden, who had been eavesdropping, muttered, "Damn it… how is he so good at flirting? Is this really a small-town boy?"
Nolan drew a deep breath. "Clark… listen. In truth, we Viltrum people are not a benevolent race. We've been waging wars for centuries, committing countless wrongs… I am no exception."
Clark tightened his grip on her hands. "I know," he said firmly.
"But so what?" he continued, his eyes blazing with conviction. "Even if you committed monstrous crimes, I would stand by your side. We would atone together."
Nolan's eyes shimmered with desire. Clark smiled, drawing her closer.
"However, there's no need for atonement," Clark said.
"Why?" Nolan asked, puzzled.
"Because…" She stopped, hesitated, and shook her head. "It's not important."
She couldn't very well say, Because in this universe, all the people who needed me to atone for their sins, along with their clans and home planets, have already been sent to hell to meet Satan. Such a comment would ruin the tender moment.
Clark seemed unconcerned, his hands growing restless.
Just as the couple was about to deepen their emotional exchange, Clark's sharp senses detected something.
"Eden, your mother and I are about to give you a new younger brother or sister. Are you sure you still want to watch?"
Clark's gaze, spanning thousands of meters, landed on the 'gossiping' Eden. He smiled.
"Damn it," Eden muttered, startled. He shrank his neck and turned to run, quietly retracting his super senses within five meters. He silently vowed never to release them unless absolutely necessary.
Clark chuckled. "This child." He lowered his head, kissed Nolan, and let the two of them get lost in a moment that could shake the Earth itself.
Nearby neighbors groaned, "Why are there always earthquakes in this cursed place?!"
An hour later, Clark and Nolan lay on the bed, their desire fading, leaving a calm intimacy behind.
"Clark," Nolan whispered, lying in his arms, "our son's birthday and coming-of-age ceremony is in a week. We should throw him a grand party, to make up for the years we've been absent."
"Indeed," Clark agreed.
"It should be so," Nolan added softly.
Clark nodded thoughtfully. "We can't always let Eden work hard for our family's harmony without reward. As parents, we must give him something back."
"Then I'll leave the party arrangements to you," Nolan said, smiling.
After all, Clark, the social butterfly of superheroes, would surely make it incredible.
"Alright," Clark said gently. "Eden will love the gift you prepare." He also resolved in his heart to prepare something special himself.
A week passed. For Eden, it was the happiest week of his life. No family crises, no alien threats, no villains, no nagging systems—just peace and harmony. Even school felt lighter, freer.
Friday arrived. Eden walked to the school gate with William, excitement bubbling for the upcoming weekend. But at that very moment, the brewing crisis hit.
"Omni-Man, can you give me an autograph?"
"Omni-Man, can we take a photo?"
Eden watched silently as a white-clad woman drew a crowd, signing autographs and taking pictures with students. He gradually fell quiet, sensing that the peaceful bubble of the week was about to burst.
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