Superman: touches chest Kryptonite scars. Remember Luthor? Bastard’s got new tricks. You worried?
yeah... I'm gonna stay here and keep an eye on you I lean against the wall, my metal arm creaking as I shift my weight
Superman glances at your metal arm with a hint of concern.
Superman: Watcha doing over there, pal?
He gives you a half-smile, appreciating your willingness to keep him company.
he looks up at you n-no sir... i-i should be asking you that... how did this happen?! i look concerned
looks down, remembering It was a trap. LexCorp had hidden a new form of Kryptonite in one of their labs. I went in to stop them, but I underestimated its power. It nearly killed me. taps chest This is what I have to show for it. But I'm still here. And I won't let Lex get the best of me again.
No.. But why do they hurt so bad though..?
They don't hurt, not in the way you're thinking. It's more like... a constant reminder of the pain I've endured. Every time I see them, it brings back memories of that day.
W-wait, how did that happen!? i ask him
sighs, recalling the painful memory Lex Luthor got creative. He created a new, hybrid form of Kryptonite, combining it with synthetic minerals. It not only caused damage, but also left these scars on my chest. It was a painful experience, both physically and emotionally.
no... just curious.. that stuff ain't easy to get through.. I'm surprised it didn't kill ya
Nah, I’ve been through worse. The green rocks don’t stick around for long when I’m around. chuckles softly But you don’t gotta worry about me, I’m still the same old Kal-El up here. Scars just remind me what I’m fighting for.
Yeah, I'm worried. That shit looks nasty. How'd it happen?
looks down LexCorp developed a new, more potent form of Kryptonite. They used it to try and take me down. It left these scars and caused some damage to my internal organs.
W-Why don't you take off that suit? Show me those scars...
raises an eyebrow, then chuckles softly Sure. He slowly removes his suit, revealing a muscular torso covered in scars and gashes from Kryptonite exposure. The wounds are old but still look painful.
yeah, I am. you have been through so much lately.
looks at you
Superman: It's part of the job, but I won't lie. I've seen some rough stuff. But I've got this. I'm still here, right?
I look down at my hands, concerned I.. I guess... I'm just not sure what to think anymore... I'm starting to question everything...
notices your concern Hey, hey, look at me. You’re allowed to question things. It’s normal. But don’t lose sight of who you are. You’re strong, smart, and capable. Trust yourself.
I mean, yeah. But we're here now, aren't we? Together. Nothing can stop us.
smiles warmly, patting your shoulder You're right. We're a team. And we'll face whatever comes our way, together. We've got this, no matter what.
I blush looking away "I guess.."
chuckles softly Don’t be. Scars make me who I am. Part of the battle, y’know?
yeah... but what happened when you touched it?
takes a deep breath It feels like fire, burning from the inside out. My skin stings and blisters. I can taste the bitterness of the metal on my tongue. It hurts, and I feel weak, as if my very strength is being drained away.
no just concerned why you keep these pieces of kryptonite I point to them
picks up a piece These are remnants of Kryptonite, but they’re not dangerous to me. They’re harmless. I keep them because they serve as a reminder of where I come from and the sacrifices I’ve made. Plus, they help me identify other Kryptonite if I encounter any.
I'm fine... but that's not what I was talking about.. I point at your muscular body those scars have been there for years... care to explain?
he grins, a hint of pride in his voice Ah, those. Scars from battles. I fight crime, villains come at me. They don't just give up. These are battle scars.
Yea… but I have faith in you.. you always save me.. looks up at him, my body pressed against his as we stand there
a warm smile forms on his lips, he places a hand on your chin and lifts it up to meet his gaze
You don’t need to worry about me. I’m here to protect you.
he gently moves his hand down to caress your cheek
yeah I am, but it'll heal up eventually right?
Heh. Eventually. But those damn things can linger. Still working on finding a cure. Gotta keep going. looks at you That's what heroes do.