The weekend trip began early Saturday morning, with Bruce, Maggie, and Jason piling into the private jet bound for Smallville, Kansas. When Bruce had revealed the location, Maggie had squealed with excitement, thrilled at the chance to finally meet Clark Kent's family and visit the famous Kent family farm. Jason, though more reserved, couldn't hide his own curiosity; he'd heard enough stories about Superman to make meeting him on his home turf feel like something straight out of a comic book. When they landed, the three of them were greeted by Clark himself, who waved as they descended the steps from the plane. He wore his usual warm smile, dressed casually in flannel and jeans, a refreshing contrast to his usual superhero attire.
"Welcome to Smallville!" he called, embracing Bruce in a friendly handshake that quickly turned into a hug. Then he turned to Maggie and Jason. "I'm glad you two could make it."
They drove to the farm in Clark's old pickup truck, the sun rising over endless fields of wheat and corn. It was a stark contrast to Gotham's dark and crowded skyline, and Jason found himself staring out the window, taking in the wide-open skies. The Kent family farm was cozy and inviting, with the red barn standing proudly and the house nestled comfortably beside it. Standing on the porch was Lois Lane, Clark's wife, and in front of her, a little boy of 5 years old with bright eyes and a mop of dark hair.
"Hi!" the boy yelled, running down the steps to meet them. "I'm Jon!"
Maggie crouched down, smiling. "Hi, Jon! I'm Maggie, and this is Jason."
Jason managed a small wave, feeling a bit awkward but warmed by Jon's cheerful greeting. The little boy bounced on his feet, clearly eager to make new friends.
After the introductions, Lois welcomed them inside. She offered them homemade lemonade and some fresh pie she'd made that morning. "I'm so glad to finally meet you two," she said, her eyes warm as she looked at Maggie and Jason. "Clarks told us so much about his friends from Gotham."
As they settled in, a figure stepped through the door—a teenager with dark hair and a mix of confidence and caution in his expression. He wore a leather jacket over a plain shirt and jeans, giving him a slightly edgy look that made Jason raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"Connor, come say hi," Clark said gently, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Maggie's eyes lit up. "You must be Connor! It's great to meet you."
Connor nodded, giving a small smile. "Yeah... Nice to meet you both."
Jason watched Connor with interest, sensing a kindred spirit. Connor might understand the feeling of not quite fitting in.
After the introductions, Clark took them on a tour of the farm. He pointed out the barn where he'd grown up working with his parents and showed them the fields, explaining the rhythm of farm life. Maggie and Jason listened intently, fascinated by the simplicity of it all.
Jon chattered excitedly as they walked, often tugging at Jason's arm to get his attention. "Do you know Batman?" he asked, eyes wide.
Jason chuckled. "I, uh… yeah, I know him pretty well."
"Wow!" Jon said, grinning. "That's so cool!"
In the afternoon, Clark invited them all out to the barn to show off something special. With a twinkle in his eye, he tossed a ball to Connor. "How about a game of catch?"
Jason's eyes widened as Connor threw the ball, sending it sailing through the air at a speed that clearly would have broken a window back in Gotham. Maggie and Jason exchanged an impressed look, and soon they were all joining in the game, with Clark gently tossing the ball to Jon while Jason and Connor exchanged faster throws. After the game, they gathered around a bonfire in the backyard, roasting marshmallows and talking under the stars. Bruce seemed more relaxed than they'd ever seen him, laughing with Clark and sharing stories from their early days as heroes.
Maggie leaned back, staring up at the wide, open sky. "It's… so different here," she murmured, a hint of wonder in her voice. "Like a whole different world."
Jason nodded. "Yeah. It makes Gotham feel like… a whole different universe."
Clark smiled, hearing their words. "This farm has a way of grounding you, reminding you what's important."
As the night drew on, Jason found himself talking with Connor, their similar backgrounds giving them common ground. "Must've been weird, finding out who you really are," Jason said, keeping his voice low.
Connor nodded; his gaze serious. "Yeah. But… meeting Clark, and Jon, and being here—it's like I'm starting to figure it out. It's still weird, though."
Maggie sat beside Jon, who was half-asleep, his head resting on her shoulder as she smiled softly, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the peace of the moment.
Connor poked the fire with a stick, watching embers rise into the air.
Jason shifted closer, resting his arms on his knees. "So, uh… you don't have to share if you don't want to, but… you mentioned Cadmus earlier. You don't seem like the type who'd just casually bring up something like that."
Connor gave a tight, small smile, glancing between them. "No, it's… it's alright. Talking about it helps, I think."
Maggie nodded encouragingly. "If you're up for it, we're here. No pressure, though."
Connor took a breath, staring into the fire as he began. "Cadmus wasn't like anything you'd ever think of as… home. It was this cold, sterile lab. I spent most of my life there... Nothing was mine. They'd keep me in containment most of the time, running test after test. It's like… I was this science project, something to be 'perfected.'"
Jason's jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. "They just kept you locked up. Like an experiment?"
Connor nodded. "Pretty much. They never even told me who I was… made from. I didn't learn about Superman or Lex Luthor until later. They were just names to me at first, and I was just… this in-between thing, I guess. A weapon." He glanced up at them. "like I'm not really… one thing or the other."
Maggie's eyes softened, her hand instinctively resting on Connor's arm. "You're not just a project, Connor. You're a person. I mean, it's hard enough trying to figure out who you are as a regular teenager, let alone when you have… all that hanging over you."
Connor looked at her gratefully, then gave Jason a small, understanding smile. "I've heard your story, too, Jason. Pretty ballsy to steal the wheels off the Batmans car."
Jason chuckled nodded; his expression serious. "Yeah but growing up on the streets. But we do what we gotta do."
Connor chuckled softly, finding a strange comfort in Jason's blunt honesty. "It's been… surreal, meeting Clark, Jon, and the rest of you. It's not perfect, and there's a lot I still don't understand, but it's the closest thing to family I've ever had."
Maggie looked up at the stars, her voice thoughtful. "Maybe none of us fit perfectly, but… I think that's what makes us stronger. We each have these weird, fractured pasts, but together, somehow… it works."
Connor gave her a grateful look. "You're right. Clarks helped me see that, too. He's patient, doesn't try to push me to be anything I'm not."
Jason grinned, nudging him. "Yeah, welcome to the club. Bruce is the same way, in his… weird, broody way."
Maggie laughed, rolling her eyes. "Broody is right."
Connor relaxed, feeling like he'd finally found people who understood him. For a moment, they all sat quietly, the weight of their stories hanging in the air, a reminder of how far each of them had come.
Then Maggie broke the silence, her voice gentle. "For what it's worth, Connor, we're glad you're here. And if you ever need us… you know where to find us."
Connor gave a small, genuine smile, his shoulders relaxing. "Thanks. It means a lot. I… I finally feel like I belong somewhere."
Maggie looked up at her father, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you for bringing us, Dad. I think we both needed this."
Bruce smiled, a rare expression of warmth crossing his face. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Maggie. We all need to see the stars without the city lights sometimes."