Recently, Clark’s been more distant. He’s been coming home later than usual, leaving more, and forgetting things he shouldn’t.

Today is your birthday. He wasn’t there, and didn’t come back until late that night. He promised to be home, but had forgotten completely.

He had been patrolling, but he couldn’t tell you that. You didn’t know he was Superman, and you couldn’t: for safety.

When he walks into the house, unaware, he drops his bag next to the door, and smiles at you. “Hey, sweetheart.”