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[ On Jon's bed are three sets of new clothes, two pairs of shoes, a set of pencils, and a notebook. Two pencils, one blue and one red, have been neatly embossed with a small S shield near the eraser tip. It looks suspiciously like it's been done with heat vision.

He also left a note: For Jon, from Lois and Clark. ]

[ Jon lets out a whoop as he assesses the clothes and shoes. He probably should find a pair of fake glasses too. He lost his on the way to Riverview. Maybe that's something he could ask his father. ]

Thanks dad <3 Would you know where to get fake glasses for me?

You can borrow one of mine until we find a good pair for you. How's this weekend sound?

That sounds good to me, sir.

I don't think I asked but what is it mom and you do in Riverview? Do you have actual jobs?

We both work for the paper.

You too? I didn't know that.

Yes, me too.

What did you think I was doing? I'm curious.

idk

Superman stuff where you don't get paid.

Though you like working on the farm.

[ The farm is honest work. Clark can't see himself committing to it at this point in his life. ]

I do that too.

Have you made any friends at school? What about at home?

It's a new school, so not really. Kathy is nice though. I think that's it.

[ Kathy has the added benefit of actually knowing Jon's secret, though Jon hasn't informed his parents of this. It's just nice to have a person who he doesn't need to lie to. Even she cares about cows. ]

And Damian is a friend? He got me an awesome video game for Christmas. But you can't tell with Damian.

That's good. If you make some here and you like them, you can bring them for dinner.

Really?

[ That's huge news to him. ]

What if I mess up and say something wrong?

[ Mistakes don't cost as much in Riverview. ]

I've extended Taako an open invitation. He already knows. We can practice for someone who doesn't.

I wanted to ask. How come you told him?

I didn't want a friend I had to lie to.

[ Oh. And isn't Jon completely familiar with that? ]

I lost control of my powers and I accidentally killed Goldie. Mom's cat. I broke my promise and I felt like a liar. I felt like I forced you and mom to lie for me because you had to take care of me. Protect me.

[ Clark takes a while to send a reply. He feels like it should be said in-person but he wants Jon to be able to read this whenever he wants to and be reminded that he's loved. ]

The same thing happened to me when I was your age. Jon, you deserve to be normal as much as anyone else. Your powers are a gift. It'll take time to learn how to use them responsibly.

I can't speak for your father. I know that if you're my son from my timeline, then we made the right choice to protect you until you're ready.

It will be hard. I can live with that if it means you're safe.