Lois's words were like a precisely thrown pebble, creating ripples in the already ambiguous atmosphere between Kara and Tel-Rol.
Kara's cheeks visibly heated up, turning red from the base of her neck all the way to her earlobes.
"Lois! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
She stomped her foot, her voice a mix of embarrassment and urgency.
Tel-Rol, on the other hand, displayed extremely high tactical acumen; he abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the thriving cornfield in the corner of the kent family's yard.
His brow furrowed, his expression serious, as if he were contemplating the agricultural development issues of the entire universe.
"Hmm... This year's corn is plump and full; it should be a good harvest."
This clumsy attempt to change the subject was textbook-level awkwardness.
Lois, arms crossed, leaned against the doorframe, the smile on her lips deepening.
She loved seeing these two unforthcoming individuals flustered and at a loss.
"Alright, Lois, stop teasing them."
Martha Kent appeared like a warm spring breeze, timely diffusing the situation.
She took one by each hand, leading them into the house.
"Come on in, don't just stand outside; my apple pie is getting cold."
Entering the cozy wooden house, a sweet aroma of cinnamon and baked apples wafted over them.
On the living room's dining table, a golden, tempting apple pie was still steaming.
Martha cut and served pie to everyone, then poured them hot milk.
Tel-Rol, without a word, picked up his fork and dug out a large piece, stuffing it into his mouth.
Delicious.
Sweet but not cloying, with a crispy crust and soft, sticky fruit.
He decided to use food to shut himself up, and incidentally, to shut others up too.
However, he underestimated the professional integrity of an ace reporter.
Lois, holding her coffee cup, sat elegantly opposite him, her eyes sparkling with inquisitive intent.
"Seriously, this morning I received a joint complaint email."
"From your apartment neighbors."
"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!"
Tel-Rol sprayed out a mouthful of pie, but luckily he reacted quickly, covering his mouth with his hand just in time.
Kara, meanwhile, wished she could bury her face in her pie.
Lois continued her attack, her tone utterly serious.
"They described the past three days as feeling like they were living inside a washing machine on a spin cycle."
"One gentleman's limited edition figurine was shaken off its shelf, breaking a leg, and he swore he'd fight you two to the death."
"So... can the two of you explain? What were the results of your 'earthquake resistance test' in the apartment?"
Kara picked up a cushion and threw it directly at Lois.
"Stop talking!"
Martha watched from the side, smiling broadly, her eyes full of affection.
"Young people, full of energy, it's a good thing."
Tel-Rol buried his head, eating furiously, pretending he didn't exist.
Lois dodged the cushion and found an even more cunning angle.
"Alright, never mind that. Let me ask a different question."
She leaned forward, lowering her voice, as if sharing some earth-shattering secret.
"So, the two of you... who's really in charge now? I mean, in your daily interactions, who's the dominant one?"
This question was too pointed.
So pointed that Tel-Rol felt choked.
He looked up, meeting Kara's warning gaze.
He cleared his throat, trying to regain his dominant position.
"Does that even need asking? Of course it's..."
"Hmm?" Kara's voice rose slightly, carrying a dangerous tone.
"..."
Tel-Rol looked into her sapphire blue eyes, and in an instant, the past three days of him being squeezed until he begged for mercy replayed in his mind.
He decisively changed his answer.
"Of course it's... mutual respect, democratic consultation."
His will to survive reached its peak in that moment.
"Pfft."
Lois finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Just as this joyful yet awkward atmosphere filled the air, a faint thud came from outside the house.
Everyone inside fell silent.
The wooden house door opened, and a tall, sturdy figure walked in.
He wore the most ordinary flannel plaid shirt and blue jeans, his black hair slightly disheveled, a smile on his face, and his blue eyes still gentle.
Clark Kent was back.
He saw the group of people sitting in the living room and paused.
Then, his gaze fell on Kara, a complex look mixed with relief, joy, and deep guilt.
"Kara..."
His voice was a little hoarse.
"You... you're alright."
"I'm fine, Clark."
Kara stood up and gave him a hug.
"It's all over."
Clark hugged her tightly, and after letting go, his gaze turned to the man who was still holding a fork, intently tackling the last piece of apple pie.
"Tel..."
Clark spoke, his tone solemn.
"Thank you. And... I'm sorry, I should have been here sooner."
Tel-Rol didn't even look up; he just held out his plate.
"More pie, please?"
"..."
Clark's apology caught in his throat.
Martha smiled, took his plate, and gave him another large piece.
"This boy is starving."
Tel-Rol finally lifted his eyelids and glanced at Clark.
"Apologies are useless. Next time there's a fight, just remember to be the first one to charge in."
His tone was flat, devoid of emotion, but this was his way of expressing forgiveness.
Direct and straightforward.
Clark looked at him, finally nodded, and sat down at the table.
After dinner, Martha, using some unknown excuse, sent Clark and Tel-Rol together to the old barn in the yard.
She called it letting them fix the old tractor that hadn't been started in a long time.
The barn was filled with a mixed scent of hay and engine oil.
Clark walked up to the huge green tractor, grabbed the front of the vehicle with both hands, and easily lifted the front half, revealing the complex structure underneath.
He held that position, looking at Tel-Rol, who was leaning against a hay bale.
"I really am... very sorry."
He repeated himself.
Tel-Rol spat out a piece of straw he had been chewing.
"I told you, apologies are useless."
He stood up, walked to the tractor, and patted the dusty engine hood.
"You're always thinking about what you 'should have' done."
"And I only care about what I 'need' to do now."
He pointed at Clark.
"You carry too much: hope, responsibility, a role model for humanity... Aren't you tired?"
Clark was silent.
Tel-Rol grinned, revealing his stark white teeth.
"I'm much simpler."
"Whoever bothers me, I'll deal with them. Whoever touches my people, I'll kill them."
"See, living like this is much easier."
Clark looked at him, his expression complex. He couldn't refute it, because what Tel-Rol said was the truth.
The atmosphere between the two was somewhat heavy.
Just then, Lois's voice came from outside the barn.
"Hey! You two big guys! Stop whispering in there, come out and watch the news!"
Kara and Clark came to the living room and saw the huge spaceships in the news breaking through the atmosphere and arriving over the city, and there were two of them.
"Tel, Clark... what is that...?"
Kara stood up, pointing at one of the spaceships, looking at the two men.
[Discussion: Who's coming next?]