Chapter 10 - across metropolis

He was on the outside, looking in. Again. And he didn't think he could feel lower than he did right at that moment. Superman, always tuned in to Lois with this super-hearing, had heard the commotion with the sea plane from the other side of Metropolis. And of course, he had sped there in plenty of time to see his son display his heritage.

He could hardly believe his eyes, as he floated dumbfounded above the scene. This must have been what it was like for Mom and Dad, when they first saw me use my powers as a kid. And it took all of his strength not to zoom in and try to reassure Jason. The fear and confusion on the child's face was a sucker-punch to his heart.

But he couldn't interfere. Not when he saw the exchange between Richard and Lois. And never, save for when Lois verbally accosted him with guilt on that rooftop, had he felt like such a wretched piece of trash. This is all my fault. It was like pouring boric acid in a fresh wound.

Quietly he watched, from a safe distance in the sky, while the woman he loved tried to explain his mistakes to Richard. And for the first time, Superman truly felt sorry for Richard.