Close Quarters (A Young Justice/Superboy fanfiction)

Out To Lunch

Lois tried to keep an eye on the kid, because while she slipped into the bustling crowd naturally, the big clumsy country-kid stumbled, covering his ears, bumping into each and every person.

"so many people..." He muttered. "I've never seen so many people..."

Before Lois could reply, there was a deafening chorus of car horns and the boy practically collapsed, squatting on the concrete with his palms jammed over his ears.

She wasn't sure what to do, remembering what happened the last time the kid got like this; the block was crowded, who knew how many people would be hurt-- and the kid arrested of taken away.

Noticing the safety of a bodega beside them, she darted inside, forcing herself to leave the kid.

Clark was to all appearances put together, but psychologically, he was in shambles. well, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but he wasn't doing great. Since the clone-- the kid-- came by he hadn't thought about his parents or their plans at all. Honestly, he thought he'd be able to shake the kid in a day or so, but he was still there and frankly, Clark felt bad getting rid of him; he didn't want him around but he didn't want him gone!

God, that kid needed a name, he couldn't just be "The kid", Lois was getting suspicious.

For a moment he considered leaving the kid with Lois, the two clearly liked each other, but it seemed irresponsible to leave him in the city without a super to handle him if-- when-- he went off the rails again. Not to mention Lois would have words about why the kid couldn't go visit his grandparents, her opinion of the Kents had clearly dropped already since meeting Clark's angry little problem.

Suddenly, as if brought out by his worries, a shorter, scruffier, surlier boy in Clark's old t-shirt seemed to materialize down the sidewalk in front of him; bent forwards and shaking violently.

Clark didn't have time to change, darting through the crowd, he grabbed the boy.

What he didn't take into account was that the boy, though he was much weaker and not expecting the assault, was still upped on adrenaline. 

The second he grabbed the kid, he was thrown forwards into the crowded sidewalk, bowling a few pedestrians. This was hardly Gotham, and many around them hurried away to safety. Clark was just readying his next move when behind the clone's sun-blotting silhouette crested that of a woman.

"Lois!"

"Here." She grabbed the clone by the sides of the head, releasing him before he could react.

Clark watched, first in horror, then bafflement as the boy's fists loosened, raising curiously to his ears. As his eyes adjusted, he saw a pair of gaudy headphones clamped around his ears, the cord dangling lazily around his hips. 

"Clark? What are you-- get up here, you klutz." She snapped, spotting him on the ground. "Fancy seeing you here. We were just going to get some food." Lois explained. "We didn't expect the city to be so loud, did we?" She referred to Superboy, who toyed with his headphones curiously.

"Well," Clark coughed, trying to regain his repose. "I'm glad we... I'm glad you aren't in crisis." He said, more to Lois, but in the kid's vague direction.

The kid looked him and then sharply looked away, like an unconvincing child with a secret.

"Well, I won't say we weren't in crisis, but--"

"She breaks the law!" The boy blurted out, blood rushing to his face with distress. "She trespasses! That's bad! It's against the law!" He stared at superman, waiting to see what he did. Superman just stared back, bemused. "That's... that's bad..." He continued meekly. "that's bad..."