"So, you brought four more people home?" John pulled Clark toward the entrance, his tone full of disappointment. "Buddy, how many times have I told you, as a social person, you have to learn to say no!"
"Uh, I did think about refusing." Clark shrugged helplessly. "But Dante was just too shameless. I was kind of dumbfounded at the time, and by the time I realized it, I was already in the car heading to Smallville."
"F*ck…"
John covered his face with his hand.
Looked like this disaster couldn't be avoided.
"Clark, tonight Teddy and I might have to deal with that Federal Bureau of Investigation agent," John said, his tone suddenly serious. "You absolutely must not reveal your identity or powers in front of them!"
"That's the Federal Bureau of Investigation! They might target you, the 'Superman'!"
It wasn't the first time John had warned Clark like this.
He still remembered how he'd once cooperated with the U.S. Government, only to later be hunted down by them in collaboration with the Decepticons and KSI Corporation.
He didn't want Clark to fall into that same mess.
But Clark replied calmly, "It's fine, Dante already knows who I am."
"I don't deny that the FBI once had some interest in Superman's identity, but Dante has always opposed them bothering me."
"At least as a friend, he's reliable... though it'd be better if he wasn't so mischievous."
John stared at Clark in disbelief, then turned his gaze toward Dante sitting in the living room.
"What did you say? He already knows your identity?"
"Yeah, a few months ago when we first met, he directly called my name and even mentioned my hometown…"
"Holy sht! What the fck!"
John wiped away a cold sweat.
If Clark trusted Dante, that at least meant the American General Bureau and the government weren't working together.
Otherwise, with how the U.S. Government operates, would they really let Clark just be a small-time reporter in Metropolis?
"Alright, John, don't be so tense." Clark put an arm around his brother's shoulder. "It's just a unique family gathering."
John wanted to laugh, but his smile was uglier than crying.
"Yeah, unique."
"Too f*cking unique."
...
"Martha, your honey-glazed roasted potatoes are divine."
At the dinner table, Dante sat beside Martha, showering her with praise. His Republic-born charm and high emotional intelligence had everyone impressed.
Jonathan, meanwhile, was getting along great with Lucifer, that familiar troublemaker, and after a few more drinks, he had to be carried to bed by Clark.
"Lois, the rumors are true. Republic people really have a talent for dealing with elders. Seeing it in action today, it's totally deserved."
Harley Quinn, like a kid, speared an entire roasted potato with her fork, gnawed on it, then leaned toward Lois Lane to whisper.
"What's wrong? First time seeing this side of him?" Lois's eyes gleamed with gossip. "Given your relationship, shouldn't Director Fury have already experienced this treatment?"
"Huh? Fury? Experienced this? You've got to be kidding me!" Harley instantly perked up, putting down her potato. "With Dante's glib tongue, Fury would probably drop dead from anger! The guy literally carries imported Republic heart-saving pills in his pocket!"
Hearing that, Lois didn't respond. She just gave an awkward but polite smile.
You guys really know how to have fun, huh?
Other people joke around, but you people play with your lives.
Sure enough, FBI agents are all a little crazy!
That lively dinner party ended with Dante's smooth talking and both Teddy and John half-dead from alcohol.
"Clark, I originally wanted you to stay home tonight." Martha gave him an understanding smile. "But Jonathan's completely drunk. If we wake him, he'll feel terrible, so you should all go stay at John's place."
Before Clark could ask, "Why do you think we'd be noisy?", Dante quickly covered his mouth, smiled politely at Martha, and led everyone out toward the neighboring Eagle Farm.
As they walked, Dante took note of the group.
Lucifer and Chloe came for Teddy, who was, well, a divine anomaly. No problem there.
Clark, John, and Teddy's brother — all fine.
Harley Quinn… that troublemaker was just there for the free meal, also fine.
Only one person remained suspicious.
Dante lowered his voice and asked Clark, "Let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
"It's about Lois Lane."
"...What about Lois?"
"I just want to know, does she know your real identity?"
"She didn't at first, but at some point, I must've slipped up, and Lois figured it out."
Hearing that, Dante confirmed Lois already knew Superman's identity.
Which meant everyone present could handle the supernatural.
So, when they reached the Eagle Farm, Dante stepped forward and stopped everyone in front of the barn.
He didn't say anything. He just stared at John and Teddy.
"...Alright, I knew we couldn't escape this." John sighed. "Fine, Teddy stole that palladium element thing, and I was just an accomplice!"
"F*ck! John, you bastard! Am I too nice to you or what?!" Teddy kicked him square in the crotch. "Because of you, I literally became a 'rotten crotch'! And you're pushing me out to take the blame?!"
Then he ripped open his shirt to reveal the unstitched wound where the palladium had been hidden.
"Oh! F*ck!"
"Hey!"
Everyone reacted with disgust.
Except Dante, who stayed perfectly calm.
"Alright, you two, enough." Dante turned to Clark. "I'm guessing you already know, right?"
Clark hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, I know."
"There's something hidden in the Eagle Farm's barn."
He'd originally planned to wait until everyone was asleep to investigate what kind of supernatural thing was inside.
But now it seemed Dante's goal was the same.
Just as Clark finished speaking, a deep yet weary voice echoed from within the barn.
"Please don't make things difficult for John and Teddy."
As the voice spoke, a red and blue pickup truck rolled out on its own.
Behind it came an old Chevrolet sedan, Ratchet without his emergency lights, a battered Hummer, a flashy Chevrolet sports car, and even an unlaunched armed helicopter.
"My name is Optimus Prime, and everything started because of me."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)