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The main newsroom of the Daily Planet was a seemingly chaotic whirlwind about eighty percent of the time, and that was on a slow news day. But there reached a point late into every night when it was all but silent, only one or two lone stragglers remaining behind, burning the proverbial midnight oil for some story or another. This particular night it was Richard White, sitting at his desk, half-drunk cup of coffee gone long cold beside him. Jason was staying with a friend for the wekeend and Lois had headed home a few hours previously. He just had a little bit more to finish up on this first pass of this story. Perry had been extremely emphatic that Richard would need to have it for him the next morning, so of course he was going to have it ready the next morning. Perry White of all people wouldn't let things slide for his nephew. That was a good thing, too. It was just another sign of what made the Planet such an excellent paper.
It still made Richard the last guy in an empty newsroom, though. At least it was hardly the first time and it certainly wouldn't be the last. With a quick last burst of frenzied typing, he was finally finished. He leaned back in his chair and stretched a little, grabbing his cup of coffee and downing the rest of it. Yes, it was cold, but it was caffeine, and he still had a commute.
Richard then promptly shut down his computer, making sure his story was saved first. He stood up, grabbing his coat, and was about to head out when movement out of the corner of his eye made his head swivel to look. He blinked a few times in surprise, as suspended in the air on the other side of the newsroom window was Superman himself. He was certainly not the member of his household that this routinely happened to.
Almost as if reading his mind (he was pretty confident that Superman could not, in fact, read minds, unless somehow he managed to get more powers in his years away from Earth), Superman smiled faintly and nodded his head upwards, in the direction of the roof, before lifting up in that direction. He really was not the person this normally happened to, but he'd also spoken enough to Lois that he fully knew what that meant.
It was a few minutes later that he was stepping onto the roof, buttoning the last few buttons of his coat. Superman was waiting for him. He didn't exactly know what the standard protocol for this situation was, especially after everything that happened recently, so he decided to at least go with a humorous icebreaker. "If you're looking to get interviewed, I think I'll have to recommend one of my colleagues, not least of all because I prefer not sleeping on the couch."
"Not exactly," Superman said, his voice shading what was maybe the slightest bit rueful. "I just wanted to talk."
Although he had a sneaking supicion he knew the answer, Richard still dutifully responded, "About what?"
"Lois told me she talked to you about Jason."
Richard just nodded. She had, of course. They'd had several long conversations. Under the circumstances, it was really only right for Superman to be included in them.
"First, I want to make this clear. You are Jason's father in every way that matters. That is not going to change, and I don't intend to intrude on that relationship or step between the two of you."
"I didn't think you would. But... the way things are going, you're going to have to be a part of his life one way or another. Lois and I are equipped for a lot of things, but..."
"I know. Growing up with power is daunting. But even I'm not going to know exactly how things are going to manifest in him. It's kind of uncharted territory."
"Oh, don't worry. Parenthood is always uncharted territory. It somehow has stubbornly managed to remain that way after thousands of years and billions of children. Every kid's unique. Jason's just... uniquely unique, I guess."
Superman was quiet for a moment, as if absorbing Richard's statement, which was half a joke, but only half. His head quickly turned. "I'll be right back."
He was off in a blur, undoubtedly on the way to some emergency or another. Whether it was in Metropolis or futher afield, Richard had no idea. The journalist in him noted that he had an actual opportunity to scoop Lois on some Superman news here. The journalist in him was also exhausted after a long night writing. Clearly, whatever it was would undoubtedly come to light with or without Richard's particular intervention. Superman was news no matter where he went.
Richard looked out over the gleaming lights of Metropolis in silent contemplation for a while as he waited for his conversation partner to save the day, wherever he was saving it. Lois managed to do this all the time. Funny, her feature on why the world needed Superman after all didn't mention this half of the saving people. But then, any number of people had conversations cut short because someone was on call. Superman just happened to be on call constantly.
It was almost twenty minutes later when he heard footfalls lightly touching down back on the roof behind him. "Sorry about that."
Richard turned to face Superman again. "It's no problem. Did everything turn out all right?"
"Everything's fine. A fire upstate that got big enough that the firefighters could use my help."
"They must appreciate it."
"They do. I appreciate them, too. They don't have the benefit of invulnerabilty, ice breath, or any other of my powers. Every time they go out there, it takes more bravery than almost anything I do."
"You're not wrong. They're a different breed."
Superman nodded. "Apologies again. Where were we?"
"Unique parenting conundrums. Speaking of bravery."
That actually startled a slight laugh out of Superman. "Right. If you want, I can carry you home so we can consult with Lois on plans."
"Honestly, I've had a long day. And night, I guess. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if Lois was sleeping already. It'll be good to get on this as a team, but it's also not 'fire upstate' levels of urgent. Drop by after we get home tomorrow? Jason will still be at Turo's until the day after."
Superman nodded thoughtfully. "It's a deal. Do you at least want a lift home?"
The incongruous mental image of being carried home through the air, bridal style, by Superman flitted through Richard's mind and he laughed helplessly. "The subway's fine. See you tomorrow?"
Superman was already in the air. "See you tomorrow, Richard. Thank you."
Richard just nodded with a little smile and turned to leave. What a rundown he'd have to give to Lois.
If she didn't know everything already, anyway.
... She knew everything already.
He was as quiet as he could be when he got home, changed, and climbed into bed beside her. Still, though, Lois stirred and turned to wrap around him almost like a starfish. He smiled. "Hi, Lois. Sorry to wake you."
"Mm. It's okay. I'm guessing you two talked?"
Richard couldn't help but laugh a little. "We talked. Do you ever actually get used to... all of that?"
"Yes and no. It never stops being--"
"Super?"
"Richard."
"Sorry, sorry. Go ahead."
"It's just always pretty special. No matter how used to it you get."
"I bet." Richard kissed Lois on the forehead. "I hope it stays just as special for Jason."
"Me too. So when are we going to talk?"
"Tomorrow after work. Should we get takeout or something? Does he even like takeout?"
"I'll handle it, don't worry."
Richard smiled and closed his eyes, settling in to sleep. "Lois?"
"Hm?"
"You're super too."
Lois smiled too as she settled in to get back to sleep. "That makes two of us."