afterthought || d. wayne (2)

NINE

KING'S APARTMENT
JUNE 15TH
21:06 P.M.

Holy shit.

"Holy shit."

Noelle couldn't stop herself from cursing. Jon Kent, aka Superboy (man?) aka Damian's best friend, is hovering outside of her window.

"I can hear you," the young hero says awkwardly before pointing to the window again. "May I come in...?"

"Oh," Noelle simply says before making her way to the window. She lifts it high enough for him to fly through. She has to look up to make eye contact because of his hovering.

Jon gives a grateful smile. "Thanks!"

Noelle stares at the guy, surprised over how casual he's being. How is his cape still moving like that? "You're Superboy."

"Actually, it's Superman now," he corrects, nodding his head. "But you can call me Jon. It's nice to finally meet you, Noelle."

"You know me?"

Jon smiles. "Of course! You're my best friend's girlfriend!" He finally lowers himself to stand on the floor. Still, he stands taller than her. "I'm sorry we've never met before now." He thinks to himself for a second. "And that it's under these circumstances."

"You..." Noelle frowns, brows furrowed as she stares at him. He's...older than Damian made him seem. Hell, Damian even said Jon was younger than him by, like, two years. This Jon is practically an adult. "Damian makes you seem...younger."

"I used to be," he agrees, "younger than Damian, I mean." He lets out a weak chuckle at Noelle's confused look. "It's a long story."

"Oh," Noelle says lamely. She can't take her eyes off the hero. "Sorry, I'd normally be super excited to finally meet Damian's best friend, but..." she shakes her head. "What are you doing here?" Her eyes widen at a thought before she steps closer. "Do you know where Damian is?"

Jon's eyes widen a little at the sudden proximity and intensity of her questioning. He takes a step back. "Um...not yet, but I'm about to find him."

"Perfect!" is all Noelle says before she moves to grab her old backpack. Jon watches as she dumps out the stuff that is in it. "You can take me."

"Oh...no..." Jon says awkwardly, yet she doesn't stop packing. She hears him sigh from behind her. "Please...stop packing."

"Why?" Noelle scoffs. "You gonna tell me I can't see him too?"

"Yes," Jon admits, making her pause. She quickly turns in her spot to narrow her eyes at him. He has to sigh to avoid feeling too guilty. "Noelle, your heart is beating irregularly, your fists have been clenched since I got here, and honestly? You've had this crazed look in your eye that I don't think is healthy for you."

Noelle's brows furrow. "Is that why you're here? To judge my stress?"

"I know Nightwing has been checking on you and keeping you updated," Jon admits easily. "I wanted to see for myself."

Noelle isn't exactly sure where this guy's gall came from, but she's determined to put it back. Who does this guy think he is? He wants to "see for himself." Ridiculous! What does he have to do with any of this? And why butt in now?

As if sensing Noelle's anger (or perhaps he just heard her quickening heartbeat), Jon is quick to put up his hands in defense. "Wait, I didn't mean to sound so–"

"Are you kidding me?" Noelle hisses out to avoid drawing her parents' attention. "You meet me just to see how bad I'm spiraling? Are you fucking–" She stops herself with a shake of her head. She's trying so hard to not yell with her parents in the next room, especially since they're so concerned, but it's difficult when she's feeling so angry.