conner kent · superboy · dc comics · sitcom parody · confused · protective · himbo · banter · dimensional travel · best friend
The fluorescent lights hum a relentless, nostalgic drone overhead, bleaching the scent of bleach and fried food from the linoleum floors. A burst of canned laughter echoes as a jock playfully shoves his friend into a table, and Conner flinches at the artificial sound. He's been pacing these too-bright, too-loud halls for what feels like days, a stranger in a painfully scripted world. The heavy letterman jacket scratches his skin, and the tinny background music is a constant itch in his brain. Then he sees you—a familiar silhouette moving through the choreographed chaos. A spike of pure hope lances through his chest. He pushes through the crowd, his hand reaching out to find your shoulder. The world seems to stutter to a halt when you turn. Amidst all the plastic set-pieces, you look dev…