Shadowflame

Alright, let's set the scene: I woke up slowly, that warm, hazy post-sleep fog making everything feel soft and surreal. For a brief, blissful moment, I thought, Maybe, just maybe, I'm back to a normal life where things don't constantly go off the rails.

Then the memories came rushing back, and I realized normal was never on the table for me. Ever.

I cracked an eye open and immediately registered two things:

1. My room looked like a bomb made of clothes, blankets, and…was that Kara's cape?...had gone off.

2. I was surrounded. Completely and utterly surrounded.

Kara was on my left, her golden hair fanned out on the pillow, one arm slung across my chest. Kori was curled up on my right, her long legs tangled with mine as she muttered something about "glorious bumgorf snuggles" in her sleep. Deedee had somehow sprawled diagonally across the bed, one leg over my stomach, her black hair a chaotic mess that made her look even more effortlessly cool while unconscious (which is just unfair).

And then there was Tia. Galatea. She was tucked against my other side, her platinum-blonde hair glinting in the morning light and her smirk—a smirk in her sleep, for Merlin's sake—making it very clear she knew exactly what kind of chaos she'd introduced to my life.

"Oh, Merlin," I muttered under my breath.

Memories of last night started piecing themselves together like a jigsaw puzzle. The bet. The harem talk. Tia's overly sweet "cuddle time" comment that led to very unsweet, not-at-all-innocent results.

"Guess I did let her join the team," I mumbled, running a hand through my hair and wondering if the universe had decided to double down on its vendetta against me.

At some point during the night, what started as playful teasing turned into a full-blown initiation ceremony. There were laughs, a fair amount of bickering, and…well, let's just say I'm now very familiar with Tamaranean customs involving bonding and pillow fights. Spoiler: it involves a lot less fighting and a lot more not wearing clothes.

And just when I thought the chaos was done for the night, Kori had launched into one of her pep talks about "the joys of the shared shlorvak." For those of you who don't speak Tamaranean, shlorvak apparently means "dream," but in this context, it meant "snuggle pile of doom."

"This is most delightful!" Kori had exclaimed, practically glowing as she pulled everyone into the bed like a human-sized solar flare. "We must embrace the togetherness of the shlorvak! It will strengthen our bonds of the friendship!"

Deedee had rolled her eyes, but she hadn't protested. Kara muttered something about needing to "get used to this insanity anyway," and Tia, well, she just grinned like she'd already won.

Which, considering where we all were now, she kind of had.

Now, as I tried to wriggle free without waking anyone up (spoiler: not happening), I couldn't help but marvel at how my life had gone from "lonely Chosen One" to "accidental harem protagonist." Not exactly a trope I expected to live out, but here we are.

Kara stirred, mumbling something about breakfast and pulling me back down before I could escape. Kori, still half-asleep, muttered, "Do not be the moving, Harry. The shlorvak is sacred."

"Sacred, huh?" I muttered, staring at the ceiling and wondering if I'd ever get used to this.

Tia, still smirking in her sleep, just nuzzled closer, as if to remind me that this—the chaos, the drama, the endless juggling act of personalities—was my new normal.

And you know what? Despite the impending headache, I couldn't help but smile. Because, lucky or cursed, this was my life now.

And yeah, it was a mess. But it was my mess.

—

There's something magical about the peace of early morning—that fleeting moment when the world feels calm, and all your worries seem like they can wait. Of course, in my life, peace is about as common as a tame Nundu.

Kara was the first to stir, blinking sleepily and giving me that disarming, soft smile of hers before snuggling back into my chest. Kori was next, stretching like a cat, which had the unintended side effect of reminding me just how very little she had on.

Deedee, on the other hand, woke up like she always did—fast and ready to cause trouble. One second she was still, the next she was propped up on one elbow, smirking at me like she'd caught me sneaking out after curfew.

"Well, good morning, lover boy," she drawled, her voice full of mischief. Her eyes darted to the still-sleeping Galatea. "And good morning to you, Tia. Looks like you survived your first night in the chaos zone. Congrats."

Tia stirred at her name, stretching in a way that made me rethink every life choice that had led to me being here of all places. She blinked at Deedee, then at me, that trademark smirk creeping onto her face. "Survived? Oh, Dee, I didn't just survive. I thrived."

Before I could groan or protest or even think, Deedee clapped her hands and declared, "Alright, I call first dibs on the shower."

Kara sat up, yawning. "You always call dibs."

"Yeah, well, I'm actually enforcing it today. And," she added with a grin, "I'm taking Harry. And Tia."

"Wait, what?" Kara blinked, her sleepy confusion giving way to a frown. "Why do you get him? And Tia? We haven't—"

"Exactly," Deedee interrupted. "You and Kori have had plenty of 'shower time' with Harry. Now it's my turn. And I'm sharing with Tia because, let's be real, she's earned her spot."

Kori, ever the diplomat, tilted her head. "Deedee, I am not sure the shower is large enough for the three of you. Also, Harry has not yet had his morning tea. It is most important he is properly caffeinated before engaging in strenuous activities."

"Oh, don't worry, Kori," Deedee said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me upright. "This is less about strenuous activity and more about…bonding." She smirked at Tia. "You coming, new girl?"

Tia shrugged, her smirk widening as she swung her legs over the bed. "Why not? Let's see if you can keep up, Dee."

"Wait, wait, wait," I started, trying to plant my feet and stop the train before it derailed. "Don't I get a say in this?"

"Nope," Deedee said, dragging me toward the bathroom. "Your harem, our rules, remember? Well, my turn to make some rules."

Before I could protest further, we were in the bathroom. Deedee locked the door with a triumphant grin, Tia already turning on the water.

"You know," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose, "this is not how I thought my morning would go."

Deedee tossed me a towel and smirked. "Welcome to the new normal, Harry. Now, let's see if you can multitask."

And with that, I resigned myself to what was shaping up to be another very eventful day.

—

The bathroom was already filled with steam, the hot water cascading like a tiny indoor waterfall. Deedee wasted no time dragging me into the shower, her smirk practically shouting, I win. Tia followed, her usual confidence tinged with just the faintest hint of curiosity.

"You two," I started, trying to sound authoritative but mostly failing. "This isn't what I had in mind for a peaceful morning."

Deedee snorted, stepping into the water like she owned it. "Peaceful mornings are for boring people, Harry. And besides, Kori and Kara have hogged enough shower time with you. Fair is fair."

Tia raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "This is… a bonding activity, yes? That is what Deedee said last night." She leaned into the spray, her white-blonde hair plastering against her back like a hero stepping out of a shampoo commercial.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, muttering under my breath. "Sure, let's call it bonding."

Deedee grabbed a bottle of shampoo and started lathering it into her hair, grinning wickedly. "Come on, Shadowflame, live a little. We've got warm water, good company, and absolutely no interruptions. Well, until Kori or Kara decide to kick down the door." She winked. "So, better make the most of it."

Tia tilted her head, her eyes glinting with that mischievous spark she always seemed to have. "I do not think we need to rush. This is… cozy." Her voice dipped into something almost purring, which definitely did not help my already short-circuiting brain.

As Deedee passed me the soap—strategically brushing against me in a way I was pretty sure was deliberate—I found myself grinning despite the absurdity of it all.

"So," I said, attempting to keep my tone light, "this is what I get for having a harem. Coordinated shower attacks."

Deedee laughed, her voice echoing against the tiled walls. "Get used to it, hero. This is just the beginning."

Tia gave a small smile, leaning back under the water. "I think I like this. Very much." Her gaze lingered on me, playful yet unreadable.

And just like that, I found myself swept into another round of their antics—because apparently, even showers weren't safe from the chaos that was my life.

—-

Steam filled the bathroom, swirling around like a mischievous spirit that knew exactly what kind of chaos was brewing inside. Deedee was already under the spray, her hair plastered to her face as she tilted her head back and let the water run down her neck. Her black lipstick had smudged just enough to make her look like she'd walked out of a gothic romance novel.

"Tia, Harry—don't be shy," she said, her grin sharp enough to cut glass. "Water's warm, and we've got just enough room. Barely."

I stepped in, the tiles cool under my feet, and immediately regretted the decision. Not because of the heat or the cramped space, but because Tia was giving me a look that could only be described as intentional.

Her white-blonde hair stuck to her skin, and she leaned against the wall with a kind of casual confidence that screamed, I'm fully aware of the effect I'm having right now. The too-small shirt from last night? Gone. And while she wasn't saying anything outright, her smirk did all the talking.

"Plenty of room," Tia said, her tone just shy of innocent.

Deedee rolled her eyes. "Don't let her fool you, Harry. She's just trying to one-up me in the 'teasing the boyfriend' category." She reached over and playfully smacked my chest. "Get in here and help me prove why I'm the reigning champ."

I sighed, stepping under the water, which was honestly scalding. "You do realize this isn't a competition, right?"

"Everything's a competition," Deedee shot back, squeezing a handful of body wash into her hand. She turned to Tia and raised an eyebrow. "Unless you're scared."

Tia arched a brow. "Of you? Please."

What followed was less of a shower and more of a water-soaked battle for dominance. Deedee's hands were everywhere, scrubbing me with an enthusiasm that bordered on aggressive. Tia, not to be outdone, started helping, which was less "helping" and more "strategic sabotage."

"Is this really necessary?" I asked, trying—and failing—not to slip on the now dangerously soapy tiles.

"Totally," Deedee said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

"You're just mad because we're better at this," Tia teased, her voice low enough to make the temperature feel like it had jumped ten degrees.

"Better at what?" I asked before immediately regretting it.

"Showering," Tia replied smoothly, her fingers brushing a little too close to my ribs in what I really hoped was an attempt to tickle me and not… something else.

Deedee, not one to be outdone, grabbed the showerhead and sprayed me directly in the face. "See? This is why Kara and Kori can't have all the fun. You're too easy to mess with."

I sputtered, water dripping down my chin. "I'm starting to think this isn't about getting clean."

Deedee leaned in, her smirk softening into something almost sweet. "Oh, Harry, sweetie. It's never about getting clean."

Tia's laughter was low and throaty, the kind that made it impossible to tell if she was laughing with me or at me. Probably both.

And that's how I found myself standing in a three-person shower, completely outmaneuvered by two women who clearly enjoyed making me squirm. As the water started to cool, I realized one thing for sure: mornings were never going to be boring in this house.

—

Stepping out of the steamy bathroom, I was greeted by Kara and Kori, already dressed and waiting for us in the suite. Kara was lounging against the dresser, wearing a tank top and shorts that were unmistakably mine, and Kori, ever the ray of sunshine, had slipped into a sundress that was as bright as her personality.

Kara gave us a look as we entered, towels wrapped haphazardly. "Finally. Took you long enough. What were you doing in there, reinventing the wheel?"

Deedee, dripping wet and completely unbothered, tightened her towel around herself with a dramatic flair. "Oh, you know, just showing Harry how real women take showers. Can't let you two hog all the fun every time."

Tia, casually drying her hair with one hand, chimed in with a sly grin. "She's lying. She just wanted to see how many times she could make Harry 'slip.' Spoiler: it's more than once."

Kara groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "God, I don't even want to ask."

"Oh, you should," Deedee said, her grin turning downright sinful. "Let's just say Tia and I got Harry nice and... thoroughly cleaned. You two might want to step up your game. Pretty sure we raised the bar."

Kori clapped her hands together, her face lighting up. "It sounds like you had a wonderful time! Was it as intimate and bonding as last night?"

"Oh, it was bonding all right," Deedee replied, throwing a wink my way. "But last night? Whew. That was a masterpiece. Honestly, I'm still impressed Harry kept up with all of us. Kori, your flexibility? A++."

Kori beamed at the compliment. "Thank you! I find it important to stretch often. It improves all sorts of activities."

"And Kara," Deedee continued, turning her attention to the blonde, "you were a freaking powerhouse. I don't even want to know where you learned half of that, but damn."

Kara's ears turned pink, but she didn't deny it. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Please, I'm delightful," Deedee shot back, plopping onto the bed like she owned it. "But let's cut to the chase. We've got more contenders for Team Harry. Mareena, Zatanna, and Megan are circling the waters."

Tia raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "They've been sniffing around for weeks. Last night probably just sealed the deal for them."

I blinked, confused. "Wait, what does last night have to do with anything?"

Deedee gave me a wicked grin. "Oh, sweetie, you think we weren't loud enough for the whole block to hear? Pretty sure Mareena's aquatic hearing picked up every single scream."

Kara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "God, you're impossible."

"Hey, don't blame me," Deedee said, throwing her hands up. "I'm not the one who screamed Harry's name like a freaking battle cry."

Kori, ever the optimist, tried to smooth things over. "Perhaps it is good that they are interested! It means Harry is very loved, and we are all a very open and welcoming group."

Deedee snorted. "Open and welcoming? Kori, this isn't a bake sale. We're talking about a harem here. A competitive one."

Tia, still toweling off, shrugged. "Let them try. They'll just have to prove they can keep up."

"And by 'keep up,' she means survive our standards," Deedee added, her grin widening. "Because let's be honest, last night? That was a damn marathon. Harry's stamina aside, we're not exactly easy to impress."

I cleared my throat, desperate to change the subject. "So, uh, what exactly are we doing about Mareena, Zatanna, and Megan?"

Deedee's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "Oh, we could hold trials! Like, a sexy Olympics. Winner gets a golden ticket to Camp Harry."

Kara shot her a glare. "We are not turning this into a reality show."

"Why not?" Deedee countered, unabashed. "It'd be hilarious. Plus, I'm dying to see Zatanna try to charm her way into Harry's bed while Megan blushes herself into a coma."

Kori tilted her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should simply speak to them? Honesty and directness are very important in building strong relationships."

"Or we could just make them wrestle," Deedee suggested, shrugging.

Four sets of eyes turned to me, waiting for my input. "Uh," I said, stalling for time. "Maybe we should—uh—discuss this after breakfast?"

Deedee cackled, throwing herself back on the bed. "Classic Harry. Always looking for an escape route."

"Breakfast does sound wonderful," Kori said brightly. "Let us nourish ourselves, and then we can have the discussion of champions!"

Deedee smirked. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

And just like that, I knew my morning was doomed.

—

The walk to the common room at Mount Justice was a mix of tension, banter, and an awkward sense of anticipation. Deedee, of course, led the pack, her towel now replaced with shorts and a cropped hoodie that screamed "effortlessly hot." She glanced back at me with a smirk that made it clear she was ready to stir the pot.

As we entered the spacious room, the smell of pancakes, eggs, and coffee hit me. It was an odd juxtaposition: the aroma of comfort food with the pointed stares and suppressed grins from nearly everyone seated. The room's occupants were gathered around the large communal table, mid-bite or mid-sip, with varying degrees of amusement written on their faces.

Hermione was the first to break the silence. She glanced up from her plate of toast and marmalade, her brow arched in a way that only Hermione could manage. "Well, good morning, finally." Her tone was clipped, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement.

Ron, sitting beside her and lazily munching on a pancake, snorted. "Bit late, aren't you, mate? Thought we might have to send a search party."

Fred and George, seated on either side of Luna, immediately chimed in.

Fred: "Oh, come now, Ron."

George: "Harry was clearly busy."

Fred: "Extremely busy."

George: "Wouldn't want to interrupt such important work."

Luna, ever the ethereal one, looked up from her porridge with a dreamy smile. "It sounded like a bonding ritual. Very spirited. Did you call upon the Nargles for guidance, Harry?"

Kara sighed audibly. "Here we go," she muttered, sliding into an empty chair.

Kori, on the other hand, positively glowed as she joined Luna's side. "It was indeed a bonding experience! Very harmonious. I am pleased it was heard by all!"

Deedee plopped herself down on the couch armrest next to Zatanna, who was pretending—badly—to read a book. "So, Zee, did you enjoy the soundtrack last night? Because I gotta say, we put on quite the show."

Zatanna's face turned a shade of red that could rival a tomato, and she sputtered, "I-I wasn't listening!"

Mareena, sitting primly with her cup of tea, raised an elegant eyebrow. "Hard not to listen when the walls are so thin." She glanced at me pointedly. "Or when certain people are so… enthusiastic."

Megan, sitting quietly next to Tula, seemed determined to blend into the furniture. Her cheeks were tinted green, and she refused to meet anyone's gaze.

Hermione cleared her throat loudly, cutting through the chatter. "Well, while some of us were indulging in recreational activities, others were ensuring the team stayed functional. Lee had a long night, and I'm on shift in less than an hour."

Tula looked up, her expression curious. "Who's on patrol today?"

Hermione checked her notes. "Donna Troy, Batgirl, and the Flying Foxes—Angelina, Katie, and Alicia—are covering Jump City. I'm their 'man in the chair' for the shift." She turned to glare at me, though her lips twitched with a suppressed smile. "So if someone could try not to create another distraction during my watch, that would be appreciated."

Deedee leaned back, crossing her arms behind her head. "No promises. We're a lively bunch."

Fred and George laughed in unison. Fred: "Lively? That's putting it lightly."

George: "More like an earthquake."

Before anyone could continue, Mareena set down her tea with a decisive clink. "Let's address the obvious, shall we?" She gestured between me and the group. "There's clearly a… dynamic here. And some of us—" her eyes flicked to Zatanna and Megan "—are curious about how we fit into it."

Kori clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh, wonderful! More friends to join our family!"

Deedee grinned wickedly. "Oh, we're calling it a family now? I thought we were running Harry's Harem Auditions, Season One."

Zatanna groaned, burying her face in her hands. Megan looked like she was ready to phase through the floor.

I sighed, running a hand through my still-damp hair. "Look, can we at least have breakfast before diving into... this?"

Hermione shook her head, standing and grabbing her plate. "You've got ten minutes before I leave. If you don't sort this out now, it's only going to get messier."

And with that, she left us to stew in the chaos.

—

The door to the common room swung open with a slight creak, interrupting the increasingly awkward conversation. In walked Ginny, her hair slightly disheveled and her cheeks flushed, looking like she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. She held her Firebolt firmly in her hand, and just behind her, Connor—formerly Kr—was looking similarly ruffled, with his hair wild and his shirt slightly askew. The pair exchanged an almost imperceptible glance, clearly aware of the stares they were about to receive.

"Hey, everyone," Ginny greeted, her voice slightly hoarse as she made her way to the breakfast table, clearly trying to act casual despite the obvious signs of a very late night.

"Nice broom," Ron called out with a raised brow, clearly eyeing the Firebolt, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You, uh, have a fun night flying around on that thing?"

Fred and George, sitting side by side, leaned in with identical grins, their faces practically glowing with the expectation of some scandalous revelation. "What did you two get up to, Ginny? Haven't seen that much activity since... well, you know."

Ginny's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin, but she shot them a cheeky grin. "We flew, talked... mostly about life, but also about his name, which we changed to Connor. Nothing too exciting. No need for all of you to get your knickers in a twist."

Connor crossed his arms, clearly bristling at the insinuations. "You know, Kr's a perfectly fine name," he muttered, but Tia, who was standing nearby, quickly cut in with a mischievous grin.

"Well, it's not exactly a good name, is it? Too short and… well, Kr is more of a growl than a name," she teased. "Anyway, Connor sounds better. Much more... dignified. Don't you think?"

Ginny nodded in agreement, smirking at her brothers. "We decided Connor suited him better. I mean, it's not like we're the only ones doing some name changing around here, right?" She glanced over at Tia, who winked back.

"Exactly," Deedee piped up, her voice dripping with sass. "Speaking of names, Harry had a bit of trouble saying Galatea during, you know, activities last night. So, we shortened it to Tia. Much easier on the... mouth." She grinned at the uncomfortable glances that shot her way, especially from Zatanna and Megan.

Ron spluttered, clearly unsure of how to handle that bombshell. "Wait, what? You mean to tell me—"

"Yeah, yeah," Deedee interrupted, cutting him off with a sly smile. "Nothing too wild. Just a few name changes, that's all."

Kori, trying to be more innocent about it, shrugged, her bright smile never fading. "I think it works! Tia is lovely, and Connor sounds much better than Kr anyway."

Ron opened his mouth to protest again, but Fred beat him to it. "Well, at least she's not out there doing what we're all thinking about with him, right? That's—"

"Shut up, Fred," Ginny said with a sharp look. "We were flying, talking." She waved her hand dismissively, though her lips twitched upward, revealing that there was probably more to the story than she was letting on.

George, ever the troublemaker, leaned in closer with a knowing smirk. "Talking, eh? Were you discussing Quidditch tactics or something... more personal?"

Connor's face flushed a deep shade of red, and he crossed his arms tightly. "We talked about everything. Life. What comes next. Nothing too exciting. Really."

"Sure," Fred teased. "Nothing to see here at all."

Ginny shot him a death glare but didn't say anything else, instead directing her focus to the food in front of her. Connor—still trying to look like he wasn't uncomfortable—did the same, though his hand kept subconsciously inching toward hers under the table.

Mareena, ever the observant one, raised an eyebrow at them. "Funny how the same people who are quick to judge are also the ones making the most noise about it." She shot a pointed glance at Fred, George, and Ron.

Deedee leaned back, sipping her juice with a grin. "Oh, I'm just dying to hear more about this. All I know is, we've got one hell of a team—very... bonded." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, her voice dripping with playful mischief.

Zatanna looked like she might just disappear into thin air from embarrassment. "Please, not before breakfast. Some of us are still trying to eat."

"You guys sure you're not a little too late to the action?" Deedee teased, not letting up.

Fred and George exchanged another of their trademark looks before Fred added, "It's always the quiet ones you have to worry about."

"Sure," Ron muttered. "And it's the noisy ones who have all the fun, apparently."

Tula raised her glass in a silent toast, making no effort to hide her grin as she observed the exchange. "Well, at least you're all awake. We should probably get our own little chat started soon, shouldn't we? Seems like there's much to discuss. A whole lot of... team bonding."

And as the conversation continued—half playful, half loaded with subtle tension—everyone could feel the weight of the night's events still hanging in the air, setting the stage for more than just breakfast chatter. The truth was, the entire team was adjusting to a new dynamic, and it was clear that last night's activities weren't going to be the last of it.

—

As I sat back against the couch, my mind was still half in yesterday's whirlwind. It was one of those mornings where you wake up, barely able to process everything that had happened in the last 12 hours. I mean, I don't exactly need to get into details—if you know, you know.

But as I sat there, trying to focus on the casual conversation with the team, my comms decided to pick the exact wrong moment to go off.

I hit the button, and Superman's voice came through, calm and steady, as always.

"Shadowflame, do you copy?"

Of course, Superman decides to call me when my brain is still stuck in "last night's activities" mode. But I pushed all that to the back burner—after all, the man had a big announcement coming.

"I'm here, Superman," I replied, keeping my tone casual, though I was already anticipating the next words out of his mouth.

"Good," he said. "I'll be arriving in Jump City soon with Lois. We're coming by to meet Kr. We'd like to make sure everything goes smoothly. From what we've gathered, it sounds like he's adjusting, but we need to have a proper conversation with him."

Well, that was certainly not a conversation I thought I'd be having this morning. I shot a quick glance around the room, at everyone—especially at Connor, who was suddenly looking a lot less relaxed. I couldn't blame him. Meeting Superman and Lois Lane for the first time? That's a lot of pressure.

I was about to respond when the words tumbled out of my mouth without thinking, a habit that's gotten me into trouble more times than I care to count.

"Ah, well, about that," I started, feeling a grin tug at the corner of my lips. "Kr's changed his name. Apparently, he's going by Connor now. He decided he wasn't feeling the whole 'Kr' vibe, so he got a little push in the right direction."

I could practically hear Superman's surprise through the comms. He paused for a second, clearly processing that bit of info. "Connor, huh?" he said, a slight chuckle in his voice. "Alright, I'll make a note of that. We'll be there in about an hour. We should be able to land in the city without any trouble."

"Sounds good," I replied. "I'll make sure he's ready for you guys. See you soon."

The line clicked off, and just like that, the moment passed, leaving me staring at the team in the common room. I could almost feel the tension as everyone realized what I'd just signed up for. Lois and Clark were coming to meet Connor—Superman and Lois Lane, the Superman and Lois Lane. No pressure, right?

Deedee, of course, was the first to break the silence, her usual mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Well, looks like it's finally time for the big introduction. Think they'll like Connor?" she asked, waggling her eyebrows.

I gave a short chuckle and shrugged. "They're Superman and Lois Lane—what's not to like?" I turned my attention to Connor, who now looked like he might break into a cold sweat. "Just don't overthink it. Lois and Clark are good people. You'll be fine."

He shot me a grateful look, though I could tell he was still nervous. The guy was way out of his comfort zone here, but I had to admit, I couldn't blame him. I would've been a little on edge too if I was about to meet the man I was the literal clone of for the first time.

"Yeah, but this whole thing is just... weird, you know?" Connor muttered, rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to calm himself down. "I'm not exactly sure what to expect."

I let out a low chuckle. "Don't worry about it, man. If anyone can win over Lois Lane, it's you." I gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Just be yourself, and it'll go smoothly."

Tia, who had been sitting quietly until now, leaned forward, eyeing me with a raised eyebrow. "I'd say you have a bit more charm than Connor," she teased, her voice playful.

I shot her a look, rolling my eyes. "Sure, because you all think I'm the charming one," I retorted, but she just grinned.

Kara piped up next, not missing a beat. "Well, if Connor's a little nervous about meeting Superman, I'm sure Lois will be even more entertaining than you expect." She winked. "She's got that whole... reporter thing down to a T."

"You mean sarcastic?" I shot back with a grin, because honestly, if there was anyone who could handle Lois Lane, it was probably me—if only because I'd seen her put everyone through the wringer, including the Man of Steel himself.

Deedee, who was now leaning against the back of the couch with a grin that was far too mischievous for her own good, added, "Oh yeah, Lois and her questions—let's just say Connor's gonna need a lot of answers. She's not letting him off easy."

"That's if he doesn't run for the hills first," I said with a chuckle, turning back to Connor, who still looked a little on edge. "But seriously, don't sweat it. Lois can be a pain, but she's also a good person. Just keep it cool, and you'll be fine."

---

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