Whenever Soren praised someone, it was always with such sincerity.
His bright Kryptonian blue eyes looked at Clark without a hint of doubt, but the sight of them broke Clark's heart.
Clark gazed at the innocent expression on Soren's face, and his tormented Kryptonian heart ached as he thought: if Soren remembered everything from his past, would he still think this way? If Soren could recall what Clark had done, would he still stand so close, look up at him like this?
Clark knew the answer to those questions all too well.
With a bitter smile, he lowered his head and said, "No... I'm still trying to atone my sin."
Holding the ice pack, he knelt down on one knee and gently rolled up Soren's pant leg, placing the ice against the swollen area.
Soren protested twice, saying, "I can do it myself," but Clark acted as if he hadn't heard and insisted on holding the ice pack himself.
A lock of white hair fell across Clark's forehead.
Soren's gaze passed through the curl, studying the strong, handsome contours of Superman's face.
Clark was entirely focused, tending to Soren's injuries with a tenderness and care that made his heart swell.
Soren stared at Clark's face and suddenly said, "Kal-El."
Clark's hand froze, and he stiffly raised his head, his expression so complicated that it made Soren uneasy.
"...What's wrong?" Clark's voice was dry, and if one listened closely, they could hear a hint of concealed tension.
Soren tilted his head slightly.
He felt uncomfortable himself when he called out that name, as if a well-functioning machine had suddenly jammed at some gear, squeaking and coming to a halt.
He looked at Superman and said, "That's your name, right, Superman? I did a Google search for your official information."
Clark's Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze darkened. "...Yes. That's my Kryptonian name. You can call me Kal, or you can call me Clark... that's my name on Earth."
Soren stared at him and asked again, "Have you known me for a long time?"
Clark's gaze shifted elsewhere as he spoke softly, "...No, I haven't seen you... we haven't met anywhere."
"You're lying," Soren said with certainty.
He lifted his eyelashes and unexpectedly grabbed Clark's wrist, bringing his tulip-like face closer to Clark's.
His warm breath brushed lightly against Clark's nose, and his Kryptonian blue eyes met Clark's clear light blue ones as he analyzed seriously, "I know you recognize me; otherwise, why would you care so much about me? Would you bring a stranger to your home?"
"...I help everyone to the best of my ability," Clark said, his heart pounding.
In his view, Soren's faint golden eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
Soren—his star, his treasure—was so close, looking at him; just a slight movement of his fingers, and he could scoop this audacious Soren up, kissing him until he cried for mercy, until he learned not to ride on someone else's motorcycle again.
Clark was nearly going crazy.
He struggled internally, attempting the most careful movements to pull his wrist away, but Soren advanced further, even using both feet to press against his thigh, preventing him from getting up and leaving.
Clark froze completely.
"It's not like that," Soren said, lowering his gaze as it skimmed over Clark's jawline and collar. "You're lying to me. I know I recognize you; you must be in my lost memories. Otherwise, I wouldn't cry like an idiot the moment I see your footage, and here—"
He grasped Clark's wrist and placed it against his chest, guiding Clark's hand to the spot on his ribs corresponding to his heart. "Every time I see you, it hurts here. Sometimes it aches, and other times it feels so good. I can't possibly just be upset because of a failed idol crush. I'm not that kind of crazy fan. Are we—are we—"
He didn't finish the sentence because he saw Clark's subtle movements to avoid him.
Superman was evading him.
An overwhelming sense of unresolved grievance surged within him, and the rejection from Superman turned into anger.
He felt incredibly irritated and, in a fit of rage, lifted his leg to kick Superman—completely unaware that if Clark didn't relax his body in time, this action would be akin to kicking a steel plate with his toes.
"If you don't want to know me, then I won't bother you anymore! Fine, you can pretend this is all my own wild imagination!"
He raised his voice, his cheeks flushing with anger, shot Superman a glare, and angrily jumped off the sofa, bare feet heading toward the door.
"I'm leaving. Thank you for helping me today, Superman. I won't bother you anymore!"
Clark hurriedly stood up, trying to grab his wrist, hastily saying, "Soren, don't go! Your injuries aren't fully treated yet…"
But Soren didn't care, shaking off Superman's hand and stomping forward with his backpack. "I don't need you to worry about it!"
Clark chased after him, but he didn't dare to hold him back forcefully.
He could only stand in the doorway, his tall frame hunched against the door frame as he looked down at Soren, cautiously placing his hands on Soren's shoulders. "...Let me help you treat your wounds…"
"I said I don't need it!"
Soren glared up at him, his Kryptonian blue eyes glistening with unshed tears.
He pushed Superman away with force, wanting to open the door, shouting, "Since you say you don't know me, why did you bring me here? Why did you help me treat my wounds? Can't you move aside? I don't want to stay here anymore! I can handle my own problems! Just leave me alone, move away—"
He was incredibly angry, and the unwarranted grievance made him unable to stop the tears from welling up.
He bit his lip and pushed against Clark with all his might, his hands shoving at Superman's arms and chest, but he was quickly caught by Clark's grip on his wrist.
The warm palm felt like a steel hoop, firmly securing Soren in place.
Superman's warm breath was right by his ear.
Clark bent down in front of him, trembling hands supporting the back of Soren's head, then kissed that incessantly talking mouth.
"Don't cry… Soren, don't cry… I'm sorry…"
He seemed to reach a breaking point, unable to maintain his composure in the face of Soren's furious embarrassment, losing control as he kissed his star.