"I'm back."
Clark dropped the half-dead Worldshaper where he'd left him and timed his return from another dimension perfectly. First stop: the Kent Residence.
The moment he stepped inside, he found Nolanne and Eden sitting at the kitchen table, laughing and talking like nothing in the universe could touch them.
"Heart-to-heart over?" he asked. "How'd it end?"
He leaned in, kissed Nolanne like she was the only thing in the world, then glanced at Eden. Wife first. Son second. Always.
"Mom, I just remembered—William asked me to hit the arcade with him today. Totally spaced on it. I should get going."
The second Eden noticed his father, he shot up, grabbed his jacket, and made a quick escape—leaving space and time for his parents.
Now it was Nolanne's turn to come clean.
"Hey, Eden!" Clark called after him. "It's dinner time, where are you rushing off to? Fine, fine. Just don't be out too late. And be safe!"
Nolanne chuckled, watching her husband worry. "Clark, have you forgotten? Our son's awakened his superpower. He can handle himself now."
"Oh. Right." Clark rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. "Guess I still see him as a little kid."
Time moves fast. One blink, and their boy wasn't a boy anymore.
"Clark… there's something I need to confess."
She leaned against his chest, fingers gripping his hand tightly. It was rare to see Nolanne look nervous.
"I'm listening," he said gently, squeezing her hand. "Anything you want to say, I'll hear you out."
"This is different." Her eyes searched his. "If you found out I'd lied to you… would you still love me?"
Clark didn't flinch. "Then I'd just love the part of you that lied, too. Because I know you'd do the same for me."
A kilometer away, Eden groaned to himself, eavesdropping with his Super Senses. Oh, come on. Is Dad seriously this smooth? Small-town farm boy, my ass.
Nolanne drew in a breath. "The truth is, Viltrumites aren't some noble, altruistic race. It's the opposite. Endless wars. Bloodshed. Conquest. I've made mistakes, Clark. Committed sins I can't ever undo."
"I know." Clark's grip tightened. "And it doesn't matter. Nolanne, even if you've got the worst sins in the universe on your shoulders, I'll stand beside you. I'll walk with you. I'll help you carry it all."
"Clark…" her voice dropped, heavy with heat.
"Nolanne," he whispered back, pulling her closer.
"But… redemption isn't necessary," she added suddenly.
"Why not?"
"Because…" She faltered, silence stretching, then shook her head. "It doesn't matter."
What she couldn't say: Everyone I ever owed blood to—their clans, their worlds—I already sent them all to hell.
Perfect moment. Murder confession. What a mix.
"Alright," Clark said, unconcerned, hands already wandering.
Things were about to escalate when his Super Senses caught something. He turned his head, smirking.
"Eden. Your mother and I are about to give you a little brother or sister. You sure you still want to listen in?"
Across the fields, Eden went pale. "Shit." He bolted, locking his Super Senses down to a five-meter radius. Never again. Not worth it.
Back at the Kent Residence, Clark chuckled, turned back to Nolanne, and kissed her. The rest… well, the neighbors called it another "earthquake."
An hour later, Clark and Nolanne lay side by side, the heat faded, only warmth left.
"Clark," Nolanne murmured, resting against him, "a week from now is Eden's birthday. His coming-of-age. I think we should throw him a party. Make up for all the years we weren't there the way we should've been."
"You're right." Clark nodded. "He's done so much to hold this family together. It's time we gave something back."
"Then the party's your job." Nolanne smiled. If anyone could make it spectacular, it was Clark—the ultimate social butterfly among superheroes.
"Deal. And the gift you've prepared? Eden's going to love it."
I should probably get him something too, Clark added silently.
The week passed faster than any Eden had ever known.
No family drama.
No alien warlords breathing down his neck.
No villains lining up to get wrecked.
Not even the System nagging in his ear.
Just peace. Just normal. Even school felt like a vacation.
By Friday, Eden practically skipped toward the weekend with William. Best week of his life.
Until they reached the school gates.
"Omni-Woman, can I get your autograph?"
"Omni-Woman, selfie please!"
Eden froze, staring at the white-clad figure surrounded by cheering students, signing papers and posing for photos.
His mother.
And all he could do was stand there in stunned silence.
"Wait—is that Omni-Woman?"
"Oh my God!"
"No way, I can't believe my eyes!"
"Eden, are you seeing this? That's Omni-Woman! What the hell is she doing at our school?"
"Secret mission? Maybe Principal Baldy's actually an evil alien in disguise!"
William's voice cracked as he stared at the powerhouse of a woman swarmed by students, teachers, even random passersby.
"I saw," Eden muttered, already plotting his escape. If he moved fast enough, maybe he could slip out the back door before his mom noticed.
All he wanted was a quiet life. But growing up with Superman and Omni-Woman for parents meant there was always some secret ready to explode. No wonder he hated being in the spotlight—every eye on him felt like a countdown to exposure.
"Sorry, everyone," Omni-Woman called over the crowd. "The GDA will send your autographs in the mail. For now? I'm here to pick up my son."
Eden froze. A heartbeat later, every single gaze in the courtyard followed hers… straight to him.
Fantastic. Just fantastic. His pulse spiked. He hadn't even been this rattled fighting Battle Beast.
"Eden, did you hear that? She has a kid?! And he goes to our high school?" William's jaw practically unhinged. "Who do you think it is? Todd? He's huge. Over six feet, like two hundred pounds. Total linebacker build. That's gotta be Viltrumite genes, right?"
Before Eden could respond, Omni-Woman strode right up to them. No hesitation. No disguises. Just took Eden's backpack from his hands and smiled like this was the most natural thing in the world.
"I'm here to pick you up from school."
William's scream could've shattered glass. "WHAT?! Eden—Omni-Woman is your MOM?!"
"Later, William." Eden's patience snapped. He grabbed Nolanne's hand, and in a blur of motion, they were airborne. "Mom. Different place. Now."
On the ground, William clutched his head. "My best friend just took off with Omni-Woman…"
Ten thousand feet up.
"Mom, you've got to be kidding me. Why the hell would you show up at my school in full uniform? Aren't there aliens to fight? Supervillains to deal with? Literally anywhere else you could be?"
Nolanne's expression softened. "Because your father and I realized how much we've missed. We've spent years protecting this planet, and in the process… we neglected you. Nobody at your school even knows who your parents really are. We thought maybe, for your eighteenth birthday, we could give you a little surprise. A reminder you matter."
Her voice dropped. "Don't you like it?"
Eden blinked at her. She looked nervous. Guilty, even. Ever since he'd confronted her about her past, she'd been second-guessing every move, desperate to make things right.
"I love it," he lied smoothly. "But don't do it again. Your time's too valuable to waste babysitting me."
Inside, he groaned. This isn't a surprise. This is a jump scare.
Nolanne relaxed with a sigh. "As long as you're happy."
She patted his shoulder. "And don't worry about villains. Honestly? There aren't many left worth our time."
Eden winced. Great. I wipe out the rogues' gallery, and now my parents are practically unemployed. My bad.
"Come on, son. I've got something for you."
She pulled him down to a quiet tailor's shop. From the back room, an old man handed her a brand-new suit—the same man who'd once designed Nolanne's battle gear.
It was a hybrid of Superman's colors and Omni-Woman's design.
"Do you like it? I designed this just for you." Nolanne presented it with both hands like it was treasure.
Eden stared. And stared. Honestly? It was… fine.
"I love it, Mom. Can't wait to try it on." He forced a grin.
Nolanne lit up. "That makes me happy."
Her eyes sparkled. "Go on. The changing room's right there."
Eden sighed inwardly. Just make her happy. She's the reason I even exist here in the first place.
Minutes later, he stepped out suited up.
"Perfect," Nolanne beamed. "You look incredible, Eden. My son."
"Thanks," he said awkwardly. Was she talking about him looking good, or just the outfit? Either way, he'd take the win.
"Let's head home. And wear it on the way."
"…Mom. You're hiding something, aren't you? Where's Dad?"
Nolanne flinched. "He's… off handling a dimensional overlord." She turned away quickly. Her heartbeat spiked loud enough Eden could practically hear it. Subtlety was not her strong suit.
"Got it," Eden chuckled, playing along. Alright, Dad. What are you up to?
At the Kent Residence—
"Surprise, Eden!"
"Happy eighteenth birthday!"
Confetti cannons went off as the lights blazed to life. Clark Kent stood at the center, grinning wide, surrounded by the entire Guardians of the Globe—The Immortal included.
Eden blinked at the chaos, at his father's big stupid smile, at his mom's sparkling eyes.
"…motherf—"
For once, words failed him. Completely.
----
🔹 Read 8 chapters ahead! → patreon.com/NiaXD