#so now you know: we've got a kon & kara scene. a kon & ma scene. and.... one more i have yet to get to (gotta finish up kon & ma first!!)

[mamawasatesttube]

another little excerpt of the tcos chapter 3 wip! this time ft. kon, ma, and a direct parallel to one of clark's lines in new krypton.

Kon balks in the doorway.

Ma’s standing at the fireplace, tenderly cradling a photo frame in both hands. Kon can’t see it from this angle, but he doesn’t need to; he knows exactly which frame sits proudly in the center of the mantelpiece.

It’s Ma and Pa’s favorite wedding photo. It’s old and grainy, slightly yellowed at the edges, if you look real close; the photo was taken right after Pa dipped Ma for a kiss at the altar, then brought her back upright. Ma’s clinging to his shoulders, while Pa’s arms are wrapped around her waist, and they’re both laughing and laughing, too delighted to look anywhere but at each other.

Kon’s heart aches.

He makes sure to step on the creaky floorboard on the left as he walks in, sets the mugs down on the coffee table. Krypto’s claws clack against the hardwood as he follows. “Here’s your tea, Ma.”

Ma doesn’t turn. “Thank you, dear heart,” she says, her voice soft and wistful.

Kon hesitates. Stares at her back for a moment, at the old green cardigan wrapped around her shoulders. There’s more gray in her hair than there was before he died. She still carries herself with dignity and grace, but losing Pa has dulled the light in her eyes. It’s still there, but it doesn’t shine quite as bright as it used to.

Kon shifts his weight. Bites his lip. Fidgets with the hem of his shirt. Finally sinks to sit awkwardly on the edge of the sofa.

“Ma,” he says, dropping his gaze to the floor. “…I’m sorry it was me who came back, and not him.”

There. He’s finally come out and said it. The words hang heavy in the space between them, their weight flowing from Kon’s chest into the open air.

A beat passes.

Ma lets out a slow breath and carefully sets the photo back onto the mantelpiece.

Then she turns, and the fire in her eyes makes him genuinely lose his balance for a second in shock; his TTK latches onto the sofa to keep him from toppling over onto his back. What—where did that come from? Why’s she—?!

“Conner Kent.” Ma’s eyes flash. Her voice stays even, but Kon is shocked to see that her hands are trembling. “Don’t you ever say that to me, ever, ever again. Don’t even think it—not under my roof, or anyone else’s, either. Do you hear me?”

“Wh-what?” Kon flounders, gaping up at her like a clown. “But—why are you mad? I thought—I thought you’d… I mean, it’s not like I could trade myself for him anyways, it’s—it’s just, you know, the sentiment…?”

Ma’s face does something funny, like she can’t decide whether to lecture him or burst into tears. That’s terrifying. The last thing he ever, ever wants to do is make her cry.

Hesitant, Kon shuffles a little closer to her. “…Ma?”