Fic rec: A Very Strange Weather Balloon by IgnisCanis
https://archiveofourown.org/works/66700459
Summary:
When the operation is done, they shut Superman up in a small, white recovery room at the far end of the surgical ward and close the blinds. It's dark outside, but they shut the blinds anyway. And they keep them closed all throughout the next morning and into the afternoon as they slowly withdraw sedatives. The sun starts its setting. A nurse cracks the slats and takes vitals while a thin beam of light slips in and wanders up onto the bed. Jimmy is on the roof chewing nicotine and scrolling through news feeds when this occurs; and so witnesses none of what immediately follows. The jolt of warmth and light. Pain. The groggy terror of waking up to the prodding of strange hands. The nurse says, “sir, please-!” and Superman stares up at her without comprehension. He can’t remember what had happened, except that something had happened to him. Someone or something had made him bleed.
Continuity: Absolute Universe/Earth-Alpha Era: Current Era (2021–now) Comic/Comic arc: Absolute Superman (2024) Main Characters: Kal-El, Jimmy Olsen Main Relationships: Kal-El & Jimmy Olsen Comment: Submitted by anon.