“ i called and you didn’t answer. ”
[ @americanasitgets ]
The man, in flesh. No mere pixels or consciousness but the father himself, steps out of the shadows. Solid and real footsteps echo in the large chamber of the scout ship. The AI flickers off and Jor-El takes it’s place, standing there with fingers steepled and shoulders drawn back.
He is not in his bronze armor like the AI. Earth clothes, a simple but fitted suit. Posture and hair and features are all the same. He does not shy away from the look on his son’s face.
Despite his best efforts to stay away, to let the AI do what it was programmed to, to let Kal-El find his own way in life... He knows this is the best course of action. Despite his earlier fears, despite his own selfish nature, not wanting to see Laura reflected in those eyes and cheeks and yes, even the accusatory frown.
A deep breath, and he speaks at last. It echoes across the chamber. As if the ship knows who he is and knows that what he says is important. But the scout ship is not that level of sentient. It’s simply practice, Decades of teaching others on Krypton, and yelling at the council. Years of commanding humans as he’s built himself a lucrative business to survive on earth.
“Kal. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you. I didn’t arrive here until after you encountered Dru.” A show of nerves that he normally doesn’t permit himself, a nervous swallow. A lump in his throat. Feels too human, too vulnerable. He’s even picking up their mannerisms.
“I am sorry. I wasn’t certain when a right time to show myself was. I wasn’t sure if you would trust me. After everything you’ve seen.” A thousand other reasons remain unsaid, too afraid to burden his son with guilt that wasn’t even his fault.
Jor reaches a hand out. Solid form meeting his son’s shoulder, pulling him into a hug. A real hug, a yellow-sun hug. “I’m here now.”
